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The post Analyst Willy Woo: Bitcoin Down 47% from $126K appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

On-chain analyst Willy Woo outlined Bitcoin’s bear cycle in three phases. Phase 1 began with a Q3 2025 liquidity breakdown, while Phase 2 is expected once broader market weakness sets in, leading eventually to capitulation and recovery. Bitcoin has fallen 47% from its $126K peak to $67.3K, with volatility levels not seen since the 2022 FTX crash. Critics cite Woo’s past missed calls, but bulls highlight softer inflation and ETF inflows as potential stabilizers, suggesting the market could weather this bear cycle.

The post Ethereum Staking Surpasses 80M ETH, Crossing 50% Supply appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Ethereum’s Beacon Deposit Contract has reached 80.97 million ETH, now holding over 50% of the total supply for the first time in its 11-year history. This growth from 77.85 million a month ago reflects continued deposits following the 2022 Merge, where users lock ETH to secure the network and earn rewards. Long-term holders show commitment with steady inflows, while analysts note that rising staking reduces liquid supply, signaling tighter liquidity ahead for trading.

The post Crypto Market Update Today: Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Latest News and Price Data appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

In the past 24 hours, no major change has been seen in the crypto markets, except for the Bitcoin price, which experienced a minor pullback. The token maintained a tight consolidation until the start of the US trading session and plunged by over $1500 in minutes. With this, the price closed the day’s trade at around $67,500, dropping from the highs around $69,200. The trading volume around BTC has been consistent, around $35 billion, hinting towards an average participation of the traders. 

Interestingly, the other top cryptos within the top 10 remain stuck within a tight range. Ethereum consolidates below the local resistance at $2000 while XRP sustains at $1.45, Solana is close to $85, BNB is above $615, and Dogecoin is above $0.1. The crypto market capitalisation surged briefly above $2.3 trillion, but the volume dropped marginally from $98 billion to $84 billion. In the times when the crypto market sentiments have improved a bit, the Santiment data tells a different story. 

The chart above shows that traders’ sentiment has become extremely negative. The market participants seem to have been extremely disappointed, angry, and fearful, as keywords such as ‘Angry’, ‘Frustrated’, or ‘offended’ have reached their highest levels since Trump was first elected. These extreme negative sentiments often signal an opportunity for those positioned as contrarians.

Bitcoin-Led Selling, Liquidations and Weak Institutional Demand

Bitcoin price fell 0.78%, contributing over 80% of the total market’s decline. The drop triggered $67.01 million in forced liquidations over 24 hours, with long positions making up 74% of the total. This suggests the market is following Bitcoin’s lead, and hence a sustained break below the $65,000 spot bid zone may trigger another wave of liquidations. 

On the other hand, the spot Bitcoin ETFs have seen four consecutive weeks of outflows, with over $133 million leaving last week alone. The on-chain data suggests the current accumulation is notably weaker than during the November 2025 bounce. This suggests the institutional buying has cooled a bit, and hence, a reversal in weekly ETF net flows from negative to positive may signal renewed institutional confidence. 

Near-Term Outlook: Here’s What to Watch Out for This Week

The immediate outlook hinges on Bitcoin’s ability to defend the $65,000 to $67,000 range. Key resistance sits at the 7-day simple moving average near $70,000. The next major macro catalyst is the release of U.S. PCE inflation data on February 28. Holding the support is pretty crucial to prevent a deeper correction, and a rise above $70,000 would help neutralize the short-term bearish structure. 

Overall, the current dip is driven by Bitcoin’s weakness, amplified by liquidations and tempered by institutional inflows. The crypto market is looking for a base as the sentiment is stuck in extreme fear. Therefore, now the question arises for the week whether spot demand can absorb selling pressure at the $65,000 support or if fatigue sets in for a retest of lower levels.

The post XRP Holds $1.48 as Traders Call Market Bottom appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

XRP is trading near $1.48, holding a $90 billion market cap, and remains the fourth-largest crypto behind Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tether. Technical indicators show weekly and monthly RSI in oversold zones, signaling a potential rebound. Enthusiasts who held through February’s $1.36 dip are cheering a recovery, while Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse highlights growing institutional interest and 2026 adoption prospects. Analysts like Standard Chartered caution with a $2.80 target, watching support at $1.42–$1.48 for stability.

The post Sam Bankman-Fried Says FTX Was Solvent at Collapse appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Sam Bankman-Fried has argued that FTX was financially sound at the time it filed for bankruptcy, claiming the platform held sufficient assets to meet customer balances even after withdrawals were frozen. Speaking amid his prison sentence, he maintains that users have since been repaid in full and says this should be considered in his request for a reduced sentence. His remarks have reopened debate over the exchange’s liquidity, asset management, and the true state of its finances before the collapse.

The post Robinhood Launches $1B Fund to Let Retail Investors Buy Pre-IPO Shares appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Robinhood Markets has announced a new plan aimed at giving everyday investors access to private companies before they go public  an area that has usually been limited to venture capital firms and large institutions.

The company has launched Robinhood Ventures Fund I (RVI) and started its IPO roadshow for a public offering of about $1 billion in common shares. The shares are expected to trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker RVI.

Retail investors can request IPO shares at an expected price of $25 each. The offering includes 40 million shares 35 million from the fund and 5 million from Robinhood Markets. Goldman Sachs is managing the offering. Underwriters also have the option to purchase up to 6 million additional shares within 30 days.

What the Fund Will Invest In

RVI plans to invest in a group of well-known private companies, including:

Databricks

Revolut

Airwallex

Boom Supersonic

Mercor

Oura

Ramp

The fund also has an agreement to buy shares of Stripe after its IPO.

These companies operate in areas like fintech, software, consumer technology, and aerospace. Through this fund, individual investors may gain exposure to businesses that are still private — something that has traditionally required large capital or accredited investor status.

Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev said the goal is to give retail investors earlier access to companies that often see major growth before listing publicly.

Why This Move Now?

Robinhood’s latest earnings report showed mixed performance, with crypto trading revenue declining in Q4 2025. Slower trading activity across both stocks and crypto has pushed the company to look for new revenue sources.

Launching RVI appears to be part of that effort  expanding beyond regular stock and crypto trading into private market investments.

Market Reaction

Robinhood’s stock (HOOD) fell 0.70% in the past 24 hours. Trading volume also declined 27.47% compared to the previous session, reaching $2.37 billion.

The drop in price and volume suggests investors are cautious, especially as Robinhood moves into private market investing while overall retail trading activity remains subdued.

The post Why World Liberty Financial WLFI token price up today? appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

The Donald Trump family-backed project, World Liberty Financial, has seen its WLFI token price surge nearly 20% today. As of now, the $WLFI price is hovering around $0.1175, giving it a market cap of about $3.13 billion.

While most major coins trade in the red, this sharp rise rasie question among investors: why World Liberty Financial WLFI token price up today?

Why WLFI token price up today?

WLFI Event at Mar-a-Lago

One of the biggest reasons behind the World Liberty Financial WLFI price rally is a high-profile event taking place at Mar-a-Lago, Donald Trump’s Florida resort, on 18th February. 

As per the WLFI announcement, the event will host CEOs from major financial and crypto firms, including Coinbase, BitGo, Nasdaq, Franklin Templeton, and Goldman Sachs. Other well-known figures include rapper Nicki Minaj, investor Kevin O’Leary, and the president of FIFA and the NYSE. 

Around 300 global leaders will attend the event. Several experts expect World Liberty Financial (WLFI) to make major announcements today. 

WLFI Whale Buying Activity Boosts Investor Confidence

Another key factor supporting the WLFI price surge is aggressive whale accumulation. On-chain data shows that a newly created wallet spent approximately $2.75 million USDC to purchase over 21 million WLFI tokens in a single transaction.

However, wallets linked to the World Liberty Financial team have also increased their holdings. One team-linked wallet reportedly received $10 million from Coinbase, signaling strong internal confidence in the project’s future.

WLFI Trading Volume Jumped 120%,

This increase in whale buying has pushed WLFI trading volume up nearly 120% in the past 24 hours, reaching around $242 million. Rising volume often signals that investors are showing stronger interest in the asset.

At the same time, open interest rose about 40% to roughly $250 million, while funding rates stayed negative. This suggests many traders were betting against the token.

Liquidation Add More Pressue On Short seller

As the WLFI price started rising, short sellers closed their positions, creating additional buying pressure.

Over the past 24 hours, WLFI recorded approximately $1.18 million in total liquidations, with $770,000 coming from short positions alone.

The post Peter Thiel Exits ETHZilla Completely appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Billionaire investor Peter Thiel and his firm Founders Fund have fully exited their position in Ethereum treasury company ETHZilla, cutting their ownership from about 7.5 percent to zero by the end of 2025, according to a recent SEC filing. Thiel’s earlier backing had helped lift the company’s stock and showed strong confidence in its strategy of holding large Ether reserves and deploying capital into yield-generating protocols. However, the prolonged crypto market downturn and strategic changes such as selling Ether to reduce debt and shifting toward real-world asset tokenization appear to have influenced the decision. The exit may shape investor sentiment around ETHZilla’s new direction and the broader digital asset treasury sector.

The post Pi Network Price Accelerates as Anniversary Nears: Is a Breakout Brewing? appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

The broader crypto market is trading in a muted tone, with Bitcoin and major altcoins consolidating after recent volatility. In that relatively calm backdrop, Pi Network price is quietly gaining momentum. PI has advanced more than 6% on the day, extending its weekly recovery as traders position ahead of the project’s first anniversary on February 20.

With sentiment stabilizing across the market, PI’s strength stands out, particularly as structural supply pressure appears to be moderating. That raises a natural question: Is this pre-anniversary optimism, or the early stage of a broader breakout?

Mainnet Migration Pauses Reduces Immediate Supply Pressure

Recent PiScan migration statistics show a pause in daily mainnet transfers. Earlier in February, daily migration volumes were substantial, including 71.18 million PI on February 6 and 58.33 million PI on February 2. Those flows steadily expanded circulating liquidity. However, the most recent update shows migration activity cooling significantly, with the last recorded daily migration around 259,397 PI before activity effectively paused. In total, more than 616.7 million PI tokens have migrated to mainnet so far, representing roughly $117.5 million in value at current prices. That cumulative figure is significant, but the key variable now is flow direction, and it has slowed.

Mainnet migration enables users to move unlocked PI into the active ecosystem, potentially increasing exchange-side supply. A pause in that process reduces fresh token availability, particularly on centralized platforms. In markets where demand remains stable, even a temporary supply contraction can support price.

With the anniversary approaching, traders appear to be front-running the tightening liquidity conditions rather than waiting for confirmation.

PI Price Structure Tightens Beneath Major Resistance

Pi network price structure has shifted from a clear downtrend into a stabilization phase. The chart shows that PI previously formed consecutive lower highs and lower lows before finding demand near $0.16 region. The reaction from that zone was sharp, producing a strong impulsive move back toward the $0.19-$0.20 supply zone. The short-term moving averages are curling upward and beginning to compress beneath price, indicating improving momentum. However, PI price remains capped under horizontal resistance of $0.20, meaning breakout confirmation is still pending.

A decisive daily close above $0.20 would invalidate the recent lower-high structure and open a path toward the next supply block near $0.22-$0.25. On the downside, an immediate support zone around $0.180, below the band, would weaken the breakout setup and likely drag price back toward the $0.16 base.

Anniversary Momentum: Catalyst or Coincidence?

As February 20 approaches, market psychology becomes a factor. Anniversary events often renew community engagement and social momentum, even if they do not introduce fundamental changes. Combined with reduced migration inflows and improving technical structure, the setup places Pi Network price at a decision point. The coming sessions will determine whether this rally extends into a confirmed breakout above $0.20, or stalls once again beneath overhead supply.

The post Russia May Block Foreign Crypto Exchanges by Summer 2026 appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Russia could begin blocking foreign cryptocurrency exchange websites as early as summer 2026, according to experts cited by RBC. The move may align with the government’s plan to introduce new crypto regulations by July 1, bringing digital asset trading under formal state supervision.

At present, cryptocurrency trading in Russia operates mostly outside direct government control. Daily trading volume is estimated at around 50 billion rubles, highlighting the scale of crypto activity in the country.

Plan to Shift Crypto Trading to Russian Platforms

Russian officials appear focused on keeping crypto-related revenue inside the country. Sergey Shvetsov, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Moscow Exchange, stated that Russian traders pay roughly $15 billion every year in fees to overseas crypto exchanges.

With new digital asset laws expected soon, authorities are likely aiming to redirect crypto trading, Bitcoin transactions, and altcoin investments toward regulated domestic platforms. This could strengthen oversight of crypto wallets, exchanges, and blockchain transactions within Russia’s financial system.

Nikita Zuborev, a senior analyst at Bestchange.ru, said large-scale website blocking is a “likely scenario.” He suggested that Roskomnadzor could restrict access to unregistered crypto exchanges using tools such as DNS blocking and tighter monitoring of internet traffic.

Concerns Over Black Market Growth

However, experts warn that strict restrictions may not stop foreign crypto trading completely. If international platforms are not allowed to obtain local licenses or partner with Russian brokers, users may turn to peer-to-peer trading, VPN services, and decentralized exchanges.

Zuborev noted that such steps could increase crypto fraud, raise transaction costs, and push parts of the digital currency market into the shadow economy. Instead of reducing crypto activity, tough enforcement could simply make it harder to track.

Given the size of Russia’s crypto market and the popularity of platforms like Binance, analysts believe a full ban would be difficult to enforce in practice.

Belarus-Style Crypto Regulation Model

Dmitry Machikhin, founder of BitOK, suggested Russia could adopt a model similar to Belarus, where cryptocurrency trading is limited to approved domestic exchanges operating under special legal rules.

Legal experts also point out that foreign crypto platforms could be blocked for failing to comply with Russian data storage and localization requirements. At the same time, Roskomnadzor is reportedly developing AI-based systems to better monitor and filter online traffic, which could improve enforcement.

What’s Next for Russia’s Crypto Market?

While tighter crypto regulation appears likely, the long-term outcome will depend on how Russia balances control and innovation. Authorities may choose a controlled legalization approach, allowing regulated crypto exchanges to operate domestically. Alternatively, stricter isolation from global cryptocurrency markets could reshape how Russians buy Bitcoin, trade altcoins, and use digital assets.

For now, the focus is clear: bring crypto trading, exchange activity, and blockchain transactions under national oversight — and keep more of the revenue within Russia’s financial system.

The post Bitwise Submits Filing for Election-Based ETF appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Asset manager Bitwise has filed for a new group of prediction market-style ETFs under the PredictionShares brand, joining Roundhill in the race to bring these event-linked funds to market. The proposed ETFs would let investors gain regulated exposure to binary contracts tied to outcomes of the 2028 U.S. presidential election and the 2026 Congressional midterms, with payouts based on each specific result. Bitwise says the move responds to growing interest in prediction markets and aims to expand access through traditional brokerage accounts. Approval from regulators is still pending.

The post Bitwise Files PredictionShares ETFs to Track 2028 U.S. Election Results appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Global crypto asset manager Bitwise, which oversees more than $15 billion in assets, has filed to launch PredictionShares ETFs designed to track 2028 U.S. election results.The filing shows plans to launch six separate ETFs tied to the outcomes of major U.S. elections.

Bitwise Files PredictionShares ETFs

On 17 Feb, Bitwise submitted a prospectus to launch six prediction-market ETFs under its PredictionShares brand. These ETFs will be listed on NYSE Arca and structured as part of the Bitwise Funds Trust.

Meanwhile, the lineup he proposed includes funds tied to the 2028 U.S. presidential election and the 2026 congressional elections. 

Two funds will track whether a Democratic or Republican candidate wins the presidency in November 2028. 

Another two funds will focus on which party gains control of the U.S. Senate in November 2026, while the remaining two funds will track control of the House of Representatives.

The filing confirms that each PredictionShares ETF will function as an exchange-traded fund designed to provide returns based on specific U.S. political election outcomes.

Prediction Market ETF Structure Uses Binary Event Contracts

According to the prospectus, each Bitwise PredictionShares ETF will invest at least 80% of its net assets in binary event contracts traded on Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) regulated exchanges. These contracts operate with a fixed payout structure. 

If the predicted political outcome occurs, the contract settles at $1. If the outcome does not occur, the value settles at $0.

Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan said prediction markets are growing rapidly and becoming more important in global financial markets.

The company sees prediction market ETF exposure as a new opportunity for investors seeking alternative strategies.

Other ETF Issuers Joining Bitwise

Following Bitwise’s footsteps, GraniteShares also filed on February 17 for six similar ETFs based on U.S. election outcomes. The structure of its proposed funds is almost the same, focusing on political event contracts.

These filings came shortly after Roundhill applied for election-based prediction-market ETFs, signaling rising interest in this space.

Roundhill just filed for a bunch of ETFs that track prediction markets for political elections. Using event contracts. Potentially groundbreaking. If this goes through wow opens up huge door to all kinds of stuff. Ht ⁦@Todd_Sohn⁩ pic.twitter.com/qmltjlguqn

— Eric Balchunas (@EricBalchunas) February 13, 2026

However, the SEC has not approved any of these products yet. If approved, they could create a new category of regulated investment ETFs linked to U.S. election results.

The post Abu Dhabi Funds Now Hold Over $1B in BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Two Abu Dhabi-based investment firms, Mubadala Investment Company and Al Warda Investments, increased their Bitcoin exposure in the fourth quarter of 2025, even as the crypto market declined sharply.

Both firms added shares of iShares Bitcoin Trust, a spot Bitcoin ETF managed by BlackRock. The move shows continued interest in regulated crypto investment products despite market volatility.

Mubadala raised its holdings to 12.7 million IBIT shares after buying nearly four million additional shares in Q4. Al Warda increased its position to 8.2 million shares. By the end of 2025, their combined Bitcoin ETF investment was worth more than $1 billion.

Buying During the Bitcoin Price Drop

The timing is notable. The Bitcoin price fell about 23% in Q4 2025. Instead of waiting for recovery, both firms added exposure during the correction.

The weakness continued into early 2026, with Bitcoin falling another 23% year-to-date. As a result, the combined value of their holdings has dropped to just above $800 million, assuming no further purchases.

Still, the strategy reflects long-term positioning rather than short-term trading. Large institutions are increasingly using spot Bitcoin ETFs to gain crypto market exposure. These exchange-traded funds offer:

Regulated investment structure

Easier portfolio management

High liquidity

Reduced custody risks

For sovereign wealth funds and asset managers, Bitcoin ETFs provide a simpler way to invest in digital assets without directly holding crypto.

Corporate Treasury Bitcoin and Ethereum Buying

Institutional accumulation is not limited to government-backed funds. Corporate treasury strategies also show continued crypto buying despite unrealized losses.

Strategy purchased 2,486 BTC at an average price of $67,710, investing $168 million. The company now holds 717,131 BTC valued at roughly $48.8 billion. With an average Bitcoin purchase price of $76,027, it is currently sitting on about $5.8 billion in unrealized losses.

Meanwhile, BitMine Immersion Technologies bought 45,759 ETH at an average price of $2,001, investing $91.6 million. The firm now holds 4.37 million ETH worth around $8.67 billion. Its average acquisition cost of $3,801 leaves it with nearly $8 billion in paper losses.

Despite the decline in the Bitcoin and Ethereum price, both companies continue to expand their digital asset holdings.

Also Read :

  Where to Invest When Bitcoin Is Falling? Arca CIO Reveals 3 Sectors to Watch in 2026

  ,

Bitcoin Market Outlook: Bearish Phase or Long-Term Confidence?

The crypto market trend in early 2026 looks weak. Bitcoin price action remains under pressure, retail investor activity is subdued, and global economic uncertainty continues to weigh on risk assets.

However, institutional investors appear to be taking a different approach. Sovereign wealth funds, corporate treasuries, and asset managers are increasing exposure through regulated crypto investment vehicles like spot Bitcoin ETFs.

While short-term price momentum suggests a correction phase, capital inflows from large institutions point to growing long-term confidence in Bitcoin and Ethereum as strategic assets.

The key question now is whether this is simply a prolonged crypto market downturn — or quiet accumulation before the next major cycle in the digital asset market.

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The post 310 Sell Alerts in 6 Hours: Single Wallet Floods XRP Order Book With 310M Tokens appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Heavy order-book activity has been recorded on the XRP Ledger (XRPL) after automated monitoring systems detected 310 sell-side whale alerts within six hours, most of them linked to a single wallet associated with Bitstamp. The activity comes at a time when XRP price action remains weak and locked inside an important consolidation range.

One Wallet Generated Hundreds of Rapid Sell Orders

According to an XRPL validator tracking whale movements, a single wallet repeatedly placed sell orders of roughly 1 million XRP, canceled them, and then replaced them every 15 to 30 seconds. In total, nearly 310 million XRP moved through the order book from that address during the monitoring period.

Analytics systems flagged the activity automatically based on large order-book movements tied to specific wallet addresses. Some flagged wallets were exchange-linked institutional participants, while others had no exchange association or identifiable reputation, suggesting mixed participation across the order flow.

Such repeated placement-and-cancellation activity does not always represent actual selling volume. In many cases, it mainly changes the visual depth of the order book and can influence trader sentiment rather than immediately pushing prices lower.

XRP Price Structure Remains Weak Despite Activity

XRP price action continues to trade within a sensitive technical region where the market has not yet confirmed a clear local bottom. The asset is holding above a major support area near $1.21, but upside momentum has remained limited.

Attempts to move above the $1.56 resistance zone, which aligns with a key Fibonacci retracement level, were rejected, showing that buyers have not yet regained control. In the short term, XRP has been moving sideways between micro-support around $1.40–$1.45 and micro-resistance between $1.49–$1.55, signaling consolidation rather than a confirmed reversal.

Stronger upside confirmation would require a decisive move above $1.55, followed by a break above $1.67, which would indicate improving momentum. Lower support remains in the $1.19–$1.36 region, an area that previously attracted buying interest. 

The post Top Analyst Reveals What Comes Next for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

A leading market analyst says the crypto market may be heading into a short-term rebound, but investors should still prepare for a potentially volatile period ahead. According to the latest technical outlook by Gareth Soloway, cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP could see a temporary recovery rally before the market decides its longer-term direction.

Bitcoin May See a Short-Term Relief Rally

The analyst explained that Bitcoin recently formed a classic bearish structure after falling sharply from its previous highs, followed by a consolidation phase and another drop. However, recent price action is now showing signs of a bullish consolidation pattern, which typically appears when buyers begin accumulating during periods of fear.

Because of this setup, Bitcoin could attempt a near-term rebound toward the $80,000–$85,000 zone, where strong resistance is expected. If the market manages to break above that area, the next upside levels could extend toward the $90,000–$95,000 range, though such a move would require stronger market momentum.

The analyst said that Bitcoin continues to move closely with the technology stock sector, which is currently undergoing a deleveraging phase. 

Ethereum Likely to Follow the Market Direction

Ethereum and most large-cap altcoins typically follow Bitcoin’s trend cycles. This means Ethereum could also participate in a short-term recovery rally if Bitcoin stabilizes, but its long-term performance will depend largely on whether the broader market establishes a clear bottom.

In the short term, however, Ethereum is also forming a bullish consolidation zone, suggesting the possibility of a relief rally. The analyst sees potential for a move back toward the $2,600 area, which represents the lower boundary of the previous consolidation region.

Historically, crypto markets have experienced large drawdowns during cycle transitions, often followed by extended consolidation before the next major rally begins. 

XRP Faces a Key Resistance Test

For XRP, the technical picture remains more uncertain. The asset recently broke below an important support level and then attempted a bounce, only to face rejection near a critical resistance zone around $1.78. According to the analyst, XRP bulls must push the price back above this resistance area to regain upside momentum.

If XRP successfully moves above this level, it could attempt to break the current downward trend line and stabilize. However, failure to reclaim resistance may keep the asset trading under pressure along with the broader altcoin market.

The post ‘On the Cusp of Law’: CLARITY Act Nears Final Approval, CFTC Chair Says appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

The U.S. crypto industry could soon see one of its most important regulatory bills become law. According to Michael Selig, Chair of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act is now “on the cusp” of final approval.

Speaking about the legislation, Selig said regulators are working to “future-proof our statutory framework for crypto”, adding that officials want to ensure long-term regulatory stability that cannot easily be reversed by future administrations.

Bill Moving Through Final Steps

The Clarity Act has already cleared several major hurdles:

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill in July 2025 with a 294–134 vote.

A related Senate bill advanced through the Senate Agriculture Committee in January 2026.

Negotiations in the Senate are ongoing, with expectations that the legislation could reach the President within the coming months.

Selig said the administration wants to move quickly, stating, “We’re going to get this thing across the line,” signaling confidence that the measure could soon become law.

Why the Market Is Watching Closely

Industry participants have long argued that the absence of clear rules has slowed institutional adoption in the United States. Clear legislation could provide consistent regulatory guidance for exchanges, token issuers, and digital-asset businesses, potentially unlocking broader participation from financial institutions.

BREAKING: CFTC chair says that we are on the cusp of enacting "Crypto Market Structure Bill" into law.If this happens, the manipulation in the crypto market could drop 70%-90%. pic.twitter.com/uBjbhZv7py

— Bull Theory (@BullTheoryio) February 17, 2026

Many analysts say  crypto markets have been trading at what some call a “regulatory discount,” meaning uncertainty around future rules has weighed on investment flows. If the Clarity Act becomes law, market observers expect the regulatory outlook for digital assets in the U.S. to become significantly clearer, marking a major shift for the sector.

With negotiations now in their final phase, the coming months could determine whether the United States moves toward one of the most comprehensive crypto regulatory frameworks yet.

The post Bitcoin Price Prediction: Will BTC Drop to $65K Before a Short Squeeze Toward $75K? appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Bitcoin price is once again stuck below the psychological $70,000 level, and the price action is starting to feel compressed.

After multiple attempts to reclaim the $69,500–$70,000 zone, BTC continues to face rejection. The repeated failures have increased short-term selling pressure, while leverage builds on both sides of the market. Open interest remains elevated, and funding has begun to shift, a sign that traders are positioning aggressively for the next move.

When leverage expands during tight consolidation, volatility usually follows. The real question now is simple: Will BTC price sweep liquidity below $65,000 first or break higher and squeeze shorts toward $75,000?

Bitcoin Liquidation Map Shows Heavy Liquidity at $65K and $72K–$75K

The Bitcoin exchange liquidation map reveals two major liquidity clusters: a dense long liquidation zone near $65,000–$64,000, and a growing short liquidation pocket between $72,000 and $75,000. Currently trading around $67,000–$68,000, BTC is sitting between these two liquidity pools, effectively trapped in what traders call a “liquidity sandwich.”

Source: X

Markets tend to move toward the nearest and largest liquidity cluster first. In this case, the heavier and closer pool sits below the current price. That increases the probability of a move toward $65K to trigger long liquidations before any sustained rebound. However, once that liquidity is absorbed, the path toward the upside cluster opens, especially if short positions begin to stack above $70K. This setup favors volatility expansion in both directions.

Bitcoin Price Chart: Key Levels to Watch

On the short-term price chart, Bitcoin has already lost the 0.382 Fibonacci level near $67,200, indicating weakening momentum. The next technical level sits at 0.5 retracement: $65,700 and 0.618 retracement: $64,300. These align closely with the liquidation cluster below, reinforcing the idea that a sweep toward the $65K zone is technically and structurally reasonable.

So far, BTC continues to print lower highs on the intraday timeframe. That keeps the short-term structure tilted bearish unless the price reclaims $70,000 with conviction.

In simple terms:

Below $70K, sellers remain active

Below $67K, downside liquidity becomes vulnerable

Below $65K, cascade risk increases

Bullish Scenario: Liquidity Sweep Followed by a Short Squeeze Toward $75K

In the bullish case, Bitcoin first drops toward $65,000, triggering long liquidations and absorbing downside liquidity. If buyers step in aggressively at that level and funding resets, BTC could rebound sharply. A reclaim of $70,000 would likely trap late shorts and open the door toward the $72K–$75K short liquidation cluster.

A squeeze through $72K could accelerate momentum quickly, potentially pushing BTC toward $75,000 before facing fresh resistance. This scenario depends on strong spot buying near $65K, stabilizing open interest and short build-up above $70K.

Bearish Scenario: Breakdown Below $65K Extends the Correction

If $65,000 fails to hold, the setup changes materially. A decisive break below $64,000 (0.618 Fib) could trigger a deeper liquidation cascade. In that case, Bitcoin may extend toward the $62,000–$60,000 support region.

For this bearish continuation to unfold, selling pressure must remain persistent, and open interest would need to decline further without meaningful absorption. That would invalidate the short-squeeze thesis, at least temporarily.

Final Outlook: Bitcoin at a Liquidity Decision Point

Bitcoin is not trending cleanly right now; it is compressing between major liquidity zones. The market is building leverage on both sides, and that usually precedes sharp moves. The liquidation map suggests $65K is the nearest magnet. What happens there will likely determine whether the BTC price rallies toward $75K or slides into a deeper correction.

For now, $70,000 remains the immediate barrier, and $65,000 is the level that could trigger the next wave of volatility.

The post Attorneys Clash Over Whether Ripple’s Actions Truly Affect XRP Price Movements appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

An exchange on social media between attorney and XRP supporter Bill Morgan and former SEC attorney Marc Fagel has once again brought the spotlight back to a long-running question in the crypto industry: Did regulators unintentionally shape the winners and losers of the crypto market?

The debate began when Fagel criticized crypto industry narratives, prompting Morgan to respond with a strong argument that regulatory decisions, especially who regulators chose to investigate and who they did not, may have helped create a market where a small number of cryptocurrencies dominate most of the total market value.

The Argument Over Selective Enforcement

Morgan argued that some early crypto projects were never targeted by regulators even though they had token launches or strong market promotion. According to him, this uneven enforcement allowed certain cryptocurrencies to grow without major legal pressure, giving them a long-term advantage in adoption and market share.

Which would again mean the SEC case against Ripple—which, again, broke the law—had nothing to do with distorting the XRP market.

— Marc Fagel (@Marc_Fagel) February 16, 2026

Fagel pushed back, explaining that regulators cannot bring securities cases without identifying a clear issuer responsible for the asset. In the case of Bitcoin, he said, there was no central issuer to pursue, which made enforcement difficult. Even if enforcement actions could have been taken in some cases, he argued, that would not change whether other companies broke securities laws.

XRP’s Legal Battle Back in Focus

The discussion quickly shifted toward the long-running legal fight involving Ripple and XRP. Morgan emphasized that even though the XRP Ledger operates as a decentralized network, a lawsuit against Ripple inevitably affected XRP’s market position because Ripple was building many of the early real-world use cases connected to the asset.

Fagel responded that Ripple itself had successfully argued in court that many XRP buyers were not relying on the company’s actions when purchasing the token. If investors were not depending on Ripple, he suggested, then the regulatory case should not be blamed for XRP’s market performance.

Morgan disagreed, saying that XRP often moves with the broader crypto market, especially Bitcoin’s price action, but that the legal case still influenced investor perception and market share when compared with competing cryptocurrencies that did not face similar regulatory challenges.

A Debate That Still Shapes the Crypto Industry

The Morgan and Fagel exchange shows a bigger issue that continues to divide the crypto world: whether the timing and focus of regulatory enforcement played a role in determining which cryptocurrencies gained dominance.

As new crypto regulations take shape globally, discussions like this show that the industry is still wrestling with an important question, not just how digital assets should be regulated, but whether earlier regulatory decisions already changed the competitive landscape of the market.

The post HBAR Price Faces $0.150 Survival Test as Bearish Sentiment Deepens appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

The HBAR price is trying to look resilient at $0.100, but the derivatives market isn’t buying the optimism. Beneath the surface, funding data and futures positioning suggest traders are still leaning bearish even after last week’s headline boost.

Funding Flips, Bears Take Control

Let’s start with the mood check. According to Coinglass OI-weighted funding rate data, the metric still turned negative on Monday and stands at -0.0048% on Tuesday. That may look minor, but it tells a clear story that short sellers are paying longs. In other words, more traders are betting on downside than upside.

That shift matters. As negative funding rate often reflects sustained bearish positioning, and right now it suggests that confidence in a rebound is thin. The broader HBAR price chart mirrors this hesitation, with upside attempts struggling to gain traction beyond short-term bounces.

Meanwhile, futures open interest has slid to $108.82 million, continuing a steady decline. Falling OI typically signals waning participation. Traders are stepping back. Liquidity is thinning. And that’s rarely a sign of aggressive accumulation.

FedEx Boost, Short-Term Spark

Now here’s where it gets interesting. After the announcement that FedEx would join the Hedera Council, the HBAR price caught a short-term bid and pushed back toward the $0.100 level. That kind of corporate association tends to generate headlines and, briefly, demand.

But let’s be real: price reaction alone doesn’t erase broader sentiment.

ETF flows aren’t providing much backup either. The last recorded inflows were close to $1 million on February 6. Since then? Nothing. In fact, most trading days since launch have seen zero inflows, with only a handful posting positive numbers. That’s hardly the kind of consistent institutional appetite that shifts a trend.

So while the FedEx development last week added a spark, it hasn’t translated into sustained capital rotation into HBAR/USD markets.

The $0.150 Survival Zone

Technically, $0.150 is shaping up as the line in the sand. If HBAR price prediction manages to climb back toward that zone from CMP of $0.100, it could act as a short-term magnet. But indicators suggest the move may face exhaustion there. RSI currently sits at 52.07 neutral territory, but with room to stretch. A push toward $0.150 could drive it into overbought conditions.

At the same time, CMF at -0.02 shows tentative recovery, yet similar setups in July and October stalled between $0.14 and $0.18 before price rolled over again. That historical context weighs on any aggressive HBAR price prediction.

Interestingly, AO and MACD are showing growing bullish momentum, though both remain below the zero line. That suggests upside potential may continue at least until major resistance is tested.

So what’s next? If the HBAR price breaks and sustains above $0.150 in Q1 2026, the structure could shift. But if it remains suppressed beneath that ceiling, the probability of further lows stays firmly on the table.

The post Solana (SOL) Price Consolidates Near $85 — Here’s Why a Break Above $90 Could Trigger a Bigger Move appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

The crypto market is witnessing one of its weakest stretches since 2018, with Bitcoin price marking its fifth consecutive monthly loss. The persistent decline in Solana price has shaken trader confidence and kept bulls from opening fresh positions. Meanwhile, the derivatives market has seen a sharp reset, as funding rates turn negative and open interest drops alongside prices. Against this backdrop, Solana continues to struggle below the key $90 level, which has emerged as a short-term ceiling. The question now is whether SOL can gather enough momentum to break above $90 this week—or face another rejection.

Shorts Piling Up Around $95

The 1-week SOL liquidation heatmap shows where leverage is heavily stacked and where sharp price reactions are most likely. A dense liquidity cluster of more than $10 billion sits around $90–$92, which explains why Solana has repeatedly stalled near this zone. If SOL pushes into this range again, it could trigger short liquidations, often resulting in a fast spike toward $95–$100 before cooling off.

With prices currently ranging between $84 and $88, SOL remains in a liquidity-driven phase, where moves are likely to accelerate once these key zones are tested. These are reportedly said to be late shorts which have been trapped. Therefore, if the Bitcoin price displays some strength, then the Market Makers are believed to wipe out these short positions, paving the way for a breakout beyond $100. 

Solana’s Bearish Doji Suggests Momentum May Be Fading

The weekly price action of Solana appears to be more concerning, suggesting the price is at the foothill of a deeper correction. After a strong competition between the bulls and the bears, the price has begun to test the lower ranges. A confirmation of a bearish reversal, which seems to be more likely, is expected to drag the SOL price back below $80. 

After losing nearly 70% of its previous gains, SOL has now dropped into a crucial support zone that once acted as a major resistance barrier. This level previously capped upside attempts, making the current retest structurally significant.

The weekly OBV continues to trend sharply lower, reinforcing the broader bearish momentum and suggesting that buying pressure remains weak. Adding to the caution, the current weekly candle opened below the prior week’s close, which had formed a Doji Star, a pattern often associated with trend exhaustion and potential continuation to the downside.

A similar structure previously triggered a sharp decline from above $250 to nearly $125, followed by months of sideways consolidation. If history repeats and this pattern plays out again, Solana (SOL) price could face another deep pullback, with the next major support zone emerging around $50 or potentially even lower.