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Bitcoin’s quantum-security discussion just gained a concrete new artifact in the code-and-spec pipeline: an updated draft of BIP-360 has been merged into the official Bitcoin Improvement Proposals repository, proposing a Taproot-adjacent output type designed to limit exposure to future quantum key-recovery attacks.

The change matters less because it “solves” quantum risk today, and more because it formalizes a specific, opt-in path that preserves Taproot’s script-tree functionality while removing the spending route considered most problematic under a quantum-threat model.

Bitcoin Devs Make First Formal Quantum-Resistance Move

Anduro, a research-focused platform incubated by Marathon Digital (MARA), said on X that the merged update “introduces Pay-to-Merkle-Root (P2MR), a proposed new output type that omits Taproot’s quantum-vulnerable key-path spend while preserving compatibility with Tapscript and script trees.”

In BIP terms, the proposal is scoped as “Consensus (soft fork)” and defines P2MR as a new SegWit v2 output that commits directly to the Merkle root of a script tree, rather than to a tweaked public key as in Pay-to-Taproot (P2TR). The practical implication is straightforward: P2MR outputs can only be spent via script-path logic; the key-path spend is removed entirely.

The BIP’s abstract frames the goal in terms of minimizing changes while providing an option set for users who want additional protection:

“This document proposes a new output type: Pay-to-Merkle-Root (P2MR), via a soft fork. P2MR outputs operate with nearly the same functionality as P2TR (Pay-to-Taproot) outputs, but with the key path spend removed.” It adds that the intended protection is against “long exposure attacks by Cryptographically Relevant Quantum Computers (CRQCs),” as well as “future cryptanalytic approaches that may compromise the elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) used by Bitcoin.”

A key element of the BIP is definitional discipline: it distinguishes “long exposure” attacks (where public keys are available on-chain for extended periods) from “short exposure” attacks, which would target public keys revealed briefly in the mempool during an unconfirmed spend.

The document is explicit that P2MR is not a complete quantum shield. “It is worth noting that proposed P2MR outputs are only resistant to ‘long exposure attacks’ on elliptic curve cryptography; that is, attacks on keys exposed for time periods longer than needed to confirm a spending transaction,” the BIP states.

“Protection against more sophisticated quantum attacks, including protection against private key recovery from public keys exposed in the mempool while a transaction is waiting to be confirmed (a.k.a. ‘short exposure attacks’), may require the introduction of post-quantum signatures in Bitcoin.” The authors add they “intend to offer a separate proposal for this purpose upon further research.”

That split is also why the proposal emphasizes tapscript compatibility. It positions P2MR as a script-tree output type that could, if Bitcoin ever adopts post-quantum signature opcodes, provide a cleaner upgrade runway than older script mechanisms that don’t support tapscript’s evolution path.

Anduro highlighted that the change is designed as a soft fork and “does not affect existing Taproot outputs.” P2MR would be a new output type (with bech32m addresses starting with bc1z) rather than a retrofit of existing bc1p Taproot UTXOs.

The proposal also doesn’t pretend the swap is free. By removing key-path spends, P2MR gives up Taproot’s most compact witness path (a single Schnorr signature). The BIP estimates that a minimal P2MR spend witness is 37 bytes larger than a Taproot key-path spend, though it can be smaller than an equivalent Taproot script-path spend because P2MR’s control block omits an internal public key.

Privacy shifts too. Because every spend is script-path, P2MR users necessarily reveal they are spending from a script tree—something Taproot key-path spends can avoid signaling.

Anduro said the update also “addresses criticism about Bitcoin devs not taking the quantum threat seriously,” and noted the addition of Isabel Foxen Duke as co-author to make the BIP clearer “to the general public, not just the Bitcoin developer community.”

BIP-360 remains in “Draft” status. But its merge into the canonical repository is still a meaningful process marker: it moves the quantum-safety conversation from abstract worry and mailing-list hypotheticals toward a specific consensus change proposal that wallets, libraries, and reviewers can now analyze line-by-line.

If the debate has a next phase, it’s likely to center on whether “prepared not scared” opt-ins like P2MR are sufficient groundwork or whether Bitcoin will eventually need to grapple directly with post-quantum signatures and the operational realities of migrating value at scale.

At press time, BTC traded at $66,558.

Комиссия по коммунальным услугам Техаса (PUC) собирается весной потребовать от майнинговых компаний и центров обработки данных отчетность о потребляемой воде.

Крупнейшая американская криптовалютная биржа Coinbase сообщила о чистом убытке $667 млн за последний квартал прошлого года. Убытки прервали восьмиквартальную череду прибыльных отчетных периодов: последний раз компания фиксировала потери в третьем квартале 2023 года.

Создателя нейросети для контента на децентрализованных платформах Zerebro Джеффи Ю (Jeffy Yu), обвиняемого в схеме «пампа и дампа» со своими токенами, заподозрили в повторной попытке самоубийства.

Генеральный директор компании Praetorian Group International (PGI) Рамиль Вентура Палафокс (Ramil Ventura Palafox) получил 20 лет тюрьмы за организацию финансовой пирамиды, от которой пострадали более 90 000 инвесторов по всему миру. Общий ущерб от действий мошенника оценивается в $62,7 млн.

Коэффициент MVRV биткоина  — отношение рыночной стоимости к реализованной — упал до 1,1, то есть первая криптовалюта сейчас приближается к так называемой зоне недооцененности, заявили аналитики компании CryptoQuant.

Председатель Комиссии по ценным бумагам и биржам США (SEC) Пол Аткинс (Paul Atkins) не смог дать законодателям четких комментариев о причине приостановки дела против основателя криптопроекта Tron Джастина Сана (Justin Sun). Приостановка длится уже 11 месяцев.

Палата представителей Нидерландов одобрила законопроект, который устанавливает налог на прирост капитала для криптовалют и любых других активов типа паев, облигаций и акций, — даже если они остаются без движения в портфелях инвесторов и просто дорожают со временем.

Из полицейского участка района Каннам в Сеуле, столице Южной Кореи, пропали 22 биткоина на сумму 2,14 млрд вон ($1,5 млн), изъятые в рамках уголовного дела 2021 года.

The XRP Ledger has activated Token Escrow (XLS-85) on mainnet on Feb.12, extending the network’s native escrow mechanics beyond XRP to Trustline-based tokens (IOUs) and Multi-Purpose Tokens (MPTs). The amendment was enabled today with 88% consensus (30/34 validators) and was introduced in rippled v2.5.0 under the XLS-85 specification.

Escrow, But For Every Asset On XRP Ledger

RippleX framed the change as a broadening of XRPL’s settlement primitives from one native asset to the wider token stack via X:

“Token Escrow (XLS-85) is now live on XRPL Mainnet! This feature extends native escrow functionality beyond XRP to all Trustline-based tokens (IOUs) and Multi-Purpose Tokens (MPTs). From stablecoins like RLUSD to Real World Assets, the XRPL now supports secure, conditional, onchain settlement for all assets.” It added: “The toolbox for Institutional DeFi just got bigger.”

Token Escrow (XLS-85) is now live on XRPL Mainnet!

This feature extends native escrow functionality beyond XRP to all Trustline-based tokens (IOUs) and Multi-Purpose Tokens (MPTs).

From stablecoins like RLUSD to Real World Assets, the XRPL now supports secure, conditional,… pic.twitter.com/DNCJxZsoK2

— RippleX (@RippleXDev) February 12, 2026

XRPL.org describes escrow in familiar terms, then emphasizes what the ledger automates: “Traditionally, an escrow is a contract between two parties to facilitate financial transactions… The XRP Ledger takes escrow a step further, replacing the third party with an automated system built into the ledger.” With the TokenEscrow amendment, that same approach now applies to fungible tokens, not just XRP.

For Trust Line Tokens, the issuing account must enable the Allow Trust Line Locking flag so the issued token can be escrowed. For MPTs, the issuer must set Can Escrow and Can Transfer flags at issuance so those tokens can both be held in escrow and transferred when released. One notable constraint: issuers cannot create escrows using their own issued tokens, though they can receive escrowed tokens as recipients.

Authorization gating also matters. If a token requires authorization, the sender must be pre-authorized by the issuer before creating an escrow, and must be authorized to receive the tokens back if an expired escrow is canceled—regardless of who submits the cancellation. Separately, the recipient must be pre-authorized before an escrow can be finished.

XRPL supports time-based, conditional, and combination escrows. The flow is anchored around EscrowCreate to lock funds, EscrowFinish to release them when conditions are met, and EscrowCancel to return funds once an escrow expires. For token escrows specifically, an expiration time is mandatory.

The feature is not free. XRPL.org flags that escrow “requires two transactions” and that Crypto-Conditions increase fees. While the ledger supports Crypto-Conditions, it currently only supports PREIMAGE-SHA-256, and fulfillment verification raises EscrowFinish costs. The documentation gives a concrete minimum: an EscrowFinish with a fulfillment requires at least 330 drops of XRP plus an additional amount based on fulfillment size, with the formula scaling if fee settings change.

RippleX highlighted use cases spanning vesting and grants, conditional payments and OTC-style swaps, treasury workflows like legal holds and collateral, and tokenized rights and RWA-style unlocks. The common thread is a native, on-ledger “lock until X” mechanism now available to the token layer, useful for structured settlement, compliance-shaped flows, and predictable release conditions without relying on a third-party custodian or purely off-chain coordination.

At press time, XRP traded at $1.35.

Убытки краткосрочных держателей биткоина за последние семь дней достигли $2,3 млрд, что стало одним из крупнейших событий капитуляции со времен обвала 2021 года, сообщили аналитики CryptoQuant.

Майнер-одиночка добыл блок №936100 в сети Биткоина и получил 3,153 BTC награды (почти $213 000). Из этой суммы 0,028 BTC пришлось на комиссии за транзакции, сообщили в пуле AtlasPool.

On-chain analytics firm Glassnode has highlighted how the Bitcoin Spot Volume spiked during the price drawdown, but it has since cooled off.

Bitcoin Spot Volume Shot Up During The Selloff

In its latest weekly report, Glassnode has talked about the latest trend in the Bitcoin Spot Volume. This on-chain indicator measures the total amount of BTC becoming involved in trading activity on the various spot exchanges.

When the value of this metric rises, it means more of the cryptocurrency is being involved in spot trading. Such a trend can be a sign that interest in the asset is going up.

On the other hand, the indicator witnessing a decline indicates investor attention may be moving away from the cryptocurrency as less spot trading activity is taking place.

Now, here is the chart shared by Glassnode that shows how the 7-day moving average (MA) value of the Bitcoin Spot Volume has changed over the last few years:

As displayed in the above graph, the 7-day MA Bitcoin Spot Volume observed a notable spike alongside the price crash toward the $60,000 level. This would suggest that investors made a large amount of trades during the volatile move.

But what exactly did this activity correspond to? According to the report, it didn’t reflect a broad wave of fresh conviction buying. Instead, the Spot Volume increase was a result of traders panic reacting to the price drawdown.

This is backed by the trajectory followed by the indicator. From the chart, it’s apparent that while the initial Spot Volume increase was sharp, it was quick to cool down. The trend would imply that while the move drew attention from investors, it didn’t translate into sustained demand. “The lack of follow-through indicates that absorption remains shallow relative to the scale of selling pressure,” noted Glassnode.

In the past, price moves have generally only been sustainable for Bitcoin when backed by spot trading activity. With the recent Spot Volume increase likely only a sign of short-term repositioning and liquidation churn, the market is yet to see a wave of persistent volume. “For now, spot flows reflect engagement during stress, not a decisive shift toward constructive demand,” explained the analytics firm.

In the same report, Glassnode has also discussed how Bitcoin is currently looking from the perspective of the UTXO Realized Price Distribution (URPD), an indicator tracking the amount of the cryptocurrency that was last purchased at the various levels visited by it in the past.

As is visible in the chart, Bitcoin has recently found support inside a thick supply zone between $60,000 and $72,000. This band on the URPD formed as a result of investor accumulation in the first half of 2024. According to Glassnode, the fact that the price has stabilized here could suggest that “prior buyers in this range are actively defending their positions.”

BTC Price

Bitcoin has been on the way down again as its price has dropped to the $65,900 mark.

24-летнему жителю штата Коннектикут Элмину Редзепагичу (Elmin Redzepagic) предъявлены обвинения в криптомошенничестве, обмане инвесторов на сумму около $1 млн и присвоении клиентских средств.

Гендиректор венчурной компании Transform Ventures Майкл Терпин (Michael Terpin) заявил, что биткоину, возможно, придется пережить еще одно падение до $50 000, прежде чем вернуться к росту.

Ethereum’s network dynamics are shifting in a way that could reshape its market structure. On-chain data shows that roughly 30% of all Ethereum (ETH) supply is now locked in staking contracts, marking a record high for the protocol’s proof-of-stake ecosystem.

Related Reading: Bitcoin Is ‘No Longer Digital Gold,’ Deutsche Bank Strategist Says

Even as ETH prices have struggled, trading below the $2,000 level in recent sessions, activity around staking continues to rise. According to analytics data, about 36.6 million ETH is currently staked, meaning a significant portion of the circulating supply is effectively removed from liquid markets.

The increase in staked supply appears to be driven in part by institutional and whale accumulation. Large entities such as BitMine and others have been adding to their staked holdings, while smaller wallets have also shown interest in locking up ETH for validator rewards.

Ethereum Staking Demand and Supply Impact

The record staking ratio, now above 30% of total supply, shows a structural change in Ethereum’s supply dynamics. Validators locking ETH must commit to long lead times before withdrawing, and the current exit queue remains minimal relative to new stakes.

From a liquidity perspective, staking removes tens of billions of dollars worth of ETH from active circulation. Reduced liquidity could amplify price moves if demand resurges, but it also raises questions about near-term volatility amid current macroeconomic conditions and broader crypto market pressures.

Recent price weakness has seen ETH trade below key support levels, with analysts noting a mix of technical vulnerability and potential for renewed accumulation at lower levels.

Whale behavior also underscores this theme. On-chain metrics show that larger holders have been modifying their exposure, with some reducing reserves while others increase positions, particularly via staking channels that minimize selling pressure.

Market Outlook on ETH Price Amid Locked Supply

Ethereum’s price action remains sensitive to broader market drivers, including macroeconomic data and liquidity flows within the crypto sector. However, the growing share of staked ETH alters the supply picture: with nearly one-third of tokens locked, immediate sell pressure may be constrained.

Analysts suggest that this supply tightening, combined with whale accumulation, could play a significant role in price behavior if market sentiment shifts.

Related Reading: Bitcoin Buying Spree May Continue With New Preferred Stock Plan: Strategy CEO

The convergence of record staking levels and targeted accumulation creates a backdrop in which Ethereum’s fundamental network engagement strengthens even as prices lag, setting the stage for a potentially different phase in the asset’s market cycle.

Cover image from ChatGPT, ETHUSD chart on Tradingview

Руководитель отдела исследований цифровых активов банка Standard Chartered Джеффри Кендрик (Geoffrey Kendrick) спрогнозировал существенное снижение курсов биткоина и эфира из-за ухудшения макроэкономических условий и ослабления рыночных настроений.

В Приморском крае задержана бывшая заместитель мэра города Арсеньева. Ее подозревают в мошенничестве с инвестициями в криптовалюту, общий ущерб по делу превышает 25 млн рублей.

Speaking before the House Financial Services Committee on Wednesday, US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Paul Atkins outlined plans to develop formal guidance on token classification, aligning the agency with the anticipated crypto market structure legislation known as the CLARITY Act. 

Aiming For Lasting Crypto Clarity

Atkins told lawmakers that regulatory certainty for digital assets is long overdue and pledged that the Commission is prepared to act once Congress finalizes the CLARITY Act. He emphasized that a comprehensive federal framework would provide much‑needed clarity for both investors and innovators. 

While noting that SEC staff—under Commissioner Hester Peirce’s leadership of the agency’s Crypto Task Force—have offered more guidance over the past year than in the previous decade, Atkins argued that durable reform ultimately requires bipartisan legislation. 

In his view, no regulatory adjustment undertaken solely by the Commission can “future‑proof” the rulebook as effectively as a clear market structure law passed by Congress.

As lawmakers continue their work, Atkins said the SEC intends to collaborate closely with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to bridge the gap until legislation is enacted. He and CFTC Chairman Mike Selig plan to coordinate through a joint initiative known as Project Crypto. 

As part of that effort, regulators will examine the development of a token taxonomy designed to define digital assets more precisely and clarify which rules apply to different categories. 

The agencies are also considering tailored exemptions that could allow market participants to transact directly on blockchain networks, a move aimed at accommodating innovation while maintaining oversight.

Atkins Signals Regulatory Overhaul 

Beyond digital assets, Atkins used his testimony to signal a broader reassessment of existing regulatory systems. He announced that he has directed SEC staff to conduct a comprehensive review of the Consolidated Audit Trail (CAT), the market surveillance system launched in November 2016. 

The review will examine the following areas: governance, funding, cost efficiency, system design, scope, regulatory utility, and cybersecurity safeguards, encompassing the crypto sector as well.

Throughout his remarks, Atkins reiterated his broader regulatory philosophy. He said oversight should be intelligent, effective, and carefully tailored within the SEC’s statutory authority. 

In his view, the existing framework has at times made the path to becoming a public company more restrictive and expensive, layering on requirements that may create more friction than benefit.

Meanwhile, the broader market has seen a notable downtrend, with crypto prices sharply retracing and sparking fears of an unfolding bear market. As of this writing, Bitcoin (BTC) has returned to the $65,000 level after failing to surpass the $70,000 resistance level earlier in the week. 

Ethereum (ETH) has followed suit, mirroring BTC’s price action and currently trading at around $1,916 per token. Consequently, the total market capitalization has plummeted to nearly half of its October highs, currently valued at $2.23 trillion. 

Featured image from OpenArt, chart from TradingView.com 

Thailand has taken a further step toward integrating crypto into its mainstream financial system, after the Cabinet approved changes that allow digital assets to underpin regulated derivatives contracts. The move positions the country among a growing number of Asian markets adapting crypto-linked financial products.

On Feb. 10, Thailand’s Cabinet endorsed a Finance Ministry proposal to expand the scope of assets permitted under the Derivatives Act B.E. 2546 (2003). The amendment enables digital assets, including cryptos such as Bitcoin, to serve as underlying instruments for futures and options traded on regulated platforms.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will now amend the Derivatives Act and draft supporting regulations to govern participation, licensing, and supervision.

Thailand Integrates Crypto Into Regulated Derivatives Market

Under the revised framework, digital assets will be recognized as permissible underlying assets for derivatives products listed on exchanges such as the Thailand Futures Exchange (TFEX).

The SEC said it will revise derivatives business licenses to allow digital asset operators to offer crypto-linked contracts and will review supervisory standards for exchanges and clearinghouses.

SEC Secretary-General Pornanong Budsaratragoon said the expansion is intended to strengthen the recognition of cryptocurrencies as an investment asset class, broaden investor access, and enhance risk management tools.

The regulator will also work with TFEX to determine contract specifications that account for the volatility and risk characteristics of digital assets. Officials indicated that supervisory safeguards and investor protection measures will remain central as the market evolves.

In addition to cryptocurrencies, the amendment reclassifies carbon credits, enabling the introduction of physically delivered futures contracts alongside cash-settled products. The measure aligns with Thailand’s draft Climate Change Act and its broader carbon-neutrality objectives.

Growing Institutional Focus and Market Expansion

Thailand’s latest reform builds on a regulatory framework introduced in 2018, when the country enacted rules governing digital asset businesses. Oversight has since expanded to include stricter operational requirements and investor protection measures, while crypto payments remain prohibited by the central bank.

The SEC’s broader 2026 capital markets roadmap includes plans to introduce crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs), subject to legal amendments. Officials have indicated that crypto ETFs could launch later this year.

Thailand’s domestic crypto market has also grown steadily. As of August 2025, the SEC valued the market at approximately $3.19 billion, with average daily trading volumes near $95 million. Active accounts rose to 230,000, reflecting increased participation from retail investors, foreign entities, and domestic institutions.

Industry participants say integrating crypto into the derivatives market could improve liquidity and provide hedging tools, but some have cautioned that capital requirements and disclosure standards must keep pace to manage systemic risk.

Cover image from ChatGPT, BTCUSD chart from Tradingview