The securities regulator is advancing its Project Crypto initiative, implementing informal policy adjustments that permit broker-dealers to classify stablecoins as capital.
Former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao (CZ) visited Mar-a-Lago in Florida, attending a 500-person event hosted by Trump-backed World Liberty Financial. The gathering included financial leaders like Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon and Coinbase founder Brian Armstrong, alongside Trump’s sons and rapper Nicki Minaj. Zhao, released from prison in 2024 after pleading guilty to anti-money laundering violations, shared a photo with a federal crypto regulator during the event. CZ’s Binance was barred from U.S. operations in 2023, leading to his four-month prison sentence in 2024. He received a presidential pardon from Donald Trump in October 2025, which he said might aid Binance’s return to the American market. During a podcast interview, Zhao claimed he did not actively seek clemency but acknowledged its potential impact on his business. World Liberty Financial outlined plans for a “new digital Bretton Woods system,” referencing post-war economic reforms. Trump’s sons compared the event to the Davos summit, highlighting its networking opportunities and global finance ties. The firm promoted its stablecoin USD1 and tokenized loan revenues from a Trump resort in the Maldives, while addressing foreign investment deals like a $500 million agreement with an Abu Dhabi royal. Other attendees included CFTC Chairman Michael Selig and Under Secretary of State Jacob Helberg, underscoring the event’s political and financial significance. World Liberty emphasized that foreign investments are standard in global finance, unrelated to government agreements. The gathering highlighted the intersection of crypto, politics, and traditional finance under Trump’s influence.
The Dubai Land Department has initiated the second phase of its real‑estate tokenization pilot using the XRP Ledger. This round covers properties valued at US$5 million and will issue 7.8 million digital tokens. The Trump resort in the Maldives is currently undergoing tokenization, preparing to be represented on the blockchain as digital assets. XRP is trading at approximately US$1.42. While the price trend is currently downward, market analysts continue to monitor its performance.
The White House is holding a third high‑stakes meeting on whether stablecoin issuers can pass reserve interest to users. Traditional banks warn that yield‑bearing stablecoins could drain deposits and hurt loan capacity. Crypto firms argue that yields are a consumer benefit and keep innovation in the U.S. The dispute has stalled key Senate crypto legislation. Ripple’s chief legal officer was invited alongside Coinbase and a16z lawyers, indicating policymakers are engaging major crypto players. This does not mean official endorsement of XRP, but it shows regulatory dialogue is narrowing. Greater clarity on stablecoins and digital assets is becoming more likely. Industry participation may shape forthcoming rules. XRP broke above the descending channel’s upper bound but retreated near $1.61. A fall back into the channel could test support around $1.30, with $1.10 as a secondary downside. Holding a higher low near $1.50 would set up another breakout attempt. A sustained move above $1.50 could target $1.90 and higher. Maxi Doge ($MAXI) has raised about $4.6 million in its presale and offers up to 68 % APY staking rewards. The meme coin relies on narrative velocity and community‑driven sentiment rather than regulatory certainty. Early traction positions it for rapid gains as attention shifts from blue‑chip assets. Investors view it as a high‑conviction, asymmetric‑upside play.
XRP faces challenges in reclaiming higher price levels due to persistent selling pressure and broader market uncertainty. Momentum remains fragile as traders hesitate amid volatility and cautious liquidity. The asset has not established a convincing higher high, indicating a transitional phase rather than a confirmed recovery. Exchange inflows, while sometimes linked to sell pressure, can also reflect strategic positioning or liquidity preparation. Liquidity compression signals rising volatility risks, with declining USD and XRP liquidity creating thinner market depth. Reduced liquidity increases sensitivity to order flow and amplifies price swings. Historical patterns show liquidity contraction preceding price expansions, but current conditions suggest a fragile environment where price reactions may be sharper. Monitoring exchange flow behavior remains critical for assessing potential directional breakouts. XRP remains under technical pressure, with the weekly chart showing a corrective phase following a 2025 rally above $3.00. Lower highs and lower lows indicate weakening momentum. Key moving averages now act as overhead resistance, limiting upside attempts. Immediate support is near $1.30–$1.40, while resistance clusters near $1.80–$2.20. Reclaiming higher levels with strong participation is essential for stabilizing the broader trend.
TAO's recent price action hasn't been great, but can its fortunes change soon?
Crypto prices rose slightly on Friday despite tariff-related uncertainty following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to deem Trump's levies unlawful.
Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF) challenged narratives surrounding his 25-year prison sentence, asserting FTX was never insolvent and customers received above 100% repayments. He denied rumors of sexual misconduct, stating there were no "polycules or orgies." SBF also claimed his trial was unfair and that evidence of solvency was suppressed. His tweets addressed alleged impropriety and funding offers to cover FTX's liquidity gap. SBF cited 119-143% repayments for FTX customers, but critics argue this figure uses November 2022 bankruptcy valuations, which were significantly lower than current crypto prices. Under U.S. bankruptcy law, claims are valued as of FTX’s petition filing date. FTX’s restructuring team recovered $14.7B–$16.5B in assets, including a stake in Anthropic. Repayment plans prioritize smaller creditors, with 98% receiving distributions within 60 days. Cooperating witnesses like Caroline Ellison and Gary Wang received reduced sentences for guilty pleas. SBF claimed court suppression of solvency evidence and legal fees driving company decisions. FTT token prices fluctuated amid SBF’s public narrative-shaping. Trump ruled out a pardon for SBF, a former Democratic donor. Bankruptcy records revealed FTX’s financial records were incomplete and controls failed under John Ray III’s leadership.
Deutsche Bank has partnered with Ripple to implement its technology for facilitating cross-border payments. This collaboration aims to enhance the efficiency of international transactions through blockchain solutions. XRP has experienced a significant decline in support at the $1.42 price level. This development indicates potential challenges for the cryptocurrency's short-term price stability. The United Arab Emirates has successfully mined over $450 million in Bitcoin. This achievement highlights the country's growing involvement in cryptocurrency extraction and its economic impact.
A 29% decline in Bitcoin's price over the past 30 days has led to a reset of market leverage and the depletion of "mid-cycle" sellers. This significant drop has recalibrated leverage positions across the market, while also removing a key segment of traders who typically sell during intermediate market phases. The price movement has had a direct impact on both leverage ratios and the behavior of traders participating in the cryptocurrency market.
Starboard Value estimates that Riot Platforms’ move into AI and high‑performance computing could generate a value of as much as $21 billion, a figure that far surpasses the company's present market capitalization. The activist investor is pressing Riot Platforms to accelerate the rollout, noting that competitors are quickly repositioning themselves as AI data‑center operators.
This week, a hotel development linked to Donald Trump in the Maldives and the Dubai Land Department revealed plans to tokenize their real estate initiatives. The Maldives project is associated with Trump, while the Dubai Land Department shared details about converting real estate assets into digital tokens. Both announcements occurred within the same timeframe.
Cryptocurrency investors are monitoring select coins with growth potential but limited upward momentum. A balanced approach is advised due to uncertain trends. Coins like ATOM, RENDER, and SOL are highlighted for cautious optimism, offering steady performance and possible gains. Diversification helps manage risk amid market volatility. ATOM trades near $2, showing a 20% weekly rise but facing resistance at $2.43. Breaking this could push it to $2.77. Strong support exists above $1.70, suggesting potential for further gains if resistance levels are overcome despite a six-month decline. RENDER fluctuates between $1.27 and $1.57, with an 11% weekly increase but a 23% monthly drop. A relative strength index of 58 indicates neither overbought nor oversold conditions. Resistance at $1.72 could lead to a 25% rise to $2.02, while support at $1.10 and $0.79 offers safety if prices fall. Solana trades between $70 and $90, showing resilience with a 7% weekly gain despite a 30% monthly loss. A key resistance at $100 could push it to $114, a 23% increase. Support near $70 provides a buffer. A neutral allocation strategy is recommended, emphasizing diversification across ATOM, RENDER, and SOL to balance risk and opportunity.
Bitcoin and Ethereum have experienced significant declines, with Bitcoin down 46% and Ethereum 60% from their all-time highs. This marks historically poor year-to-date performance for both assets. Meanwhile, traditional markets like the S&P 500 and gold have shown gains, contrasting sharply with crypto's struggles. The divergence highlights a weakening correlation between cryptocurrencies and equities over recent months. Experts such as Danny Nelson of Bitwise and Tom Lee of Fundstrat suggest the market is entering another "Crypto Winter." Investor sentiment has deteriorated, as evidenced by muted reactions to positive news. Despite current challenges, Nelson notes structural improvements in the crypto industry may outlast the downturn. Lee also hints at a potential turning point, though uncertainty remains about the slump's duration. While Bitcoin and Ethereum face headwinds, their prices have seen slight increases recently, trading at $67,595 and $1,968 respectively. The broader market's resilience contrasts with crypto's struggles, raising questions about long-term trends. Analysts emphasize that the industry's foundational strength could drive recovery, but the path forward remains unclear amid ongoing volatility.
Avalanche (AVAX) has risen 3% as the Altcoin Season Score remains stable at 33, signaling potential market rotation. Analysts are evaluating which altcoins may gain traction amid shifting investor preferences. The recent 3% increase suggests growing interest, though broader altcoin performance remains mixed. This phase could favor strategic investments in select assets showing momentum. AVAX trades between $8.56 and $9.87, reflecting a 2.2% weekly gain but a 25% monthly decline. Immediate resistance lies at $10, with $11 marking a higher barrier for potential 25% growth. Support is around $7.84, but a drop below could push prices toward $6.53. The RSI below 60 indicates room for upward movement, though breaking key resistance is needed for prior highs. The current volatility highlights opportunities for investors to focus on coins like AVAX showing upward momentum. While not all altcoins are performing equally, the 3% rise in AVAX signals positive activity. Monitoring resistance levels and market sentiment remains critical for assessing future performance. Investors should remain cautious amid ongoing price fluctuations.
The cryptocurrency market has seen a loss of approximately $1 trillion, yet firms focused on real‑world assets (RWA) and Bitcoin have continued to perform strongly. Nakamoto invested $107 million, while Dragonfly successfully raised a $650 million fund to support further development in the sector. Companies dealing with real‑world assets reported a growth rate of 13.5 % during the recent period. Bitcoin is trading at $67,597, with robust support levels identified close to the current price. Institutional investors are maintaining accumulation activities, reinforcing confidence in the market’s resilience.
Crypto markets shift rapidly between fear and enthusiasm, impacting prices and liquidity. Swap aggregators address execution challenges by reducing friction and improving transparency without offering financial advice. They enable faster, more efficient trades during volatile periods by comparing rates across multiple liquidity sources. Liquidity fragmentation, rate sensitivity, and platform bottlenecks worsen during market swings. Exchanges may show varying rates due to delayed order book adjustments, while delayed swaps can deviate from intended outcomes. Hidden fees and congestion during FOMO or FUD further complicate execution quality. Aggregators like SwapSpace compare real-time rates from 37 partners, supporting 4,000 cryptocurrencies. They allow non-custodial swaps without account creation, provide fixed or floating rate options, and update rates continuously. This structure helps users avoid poor execution during fear or rushed decisions during excitement. Fixed rates lock in prices to shield against short-term volatility, while floating rates align with live market movements. Aggregators offer both, ensuring operational consistency without overriding market conditions. Their role is to provide clarity, not predict trends, in a chaotic environment.
Hyperliquid has opened the Hyperliquid Policy Center in Washington, D.C., as an independent nonprofit focused on DeFi and on‑chain derivatives. The Hyper Foundation seeded the effort with 1,000,000 HYPE tokens worth about $28 million. Jake Chervinsky was named chief executive, and a policy team with a chief of staff and government‑relations staff is being built. DeFi long assumed that smart‑code could evade regulators, treating protocols as neutral infrastructure. By funding a dedicated policy group, Hyperliquid admits that future growth will depend on congressional hearings and agency rulemaking. The regulatory perimeter for decentralized exchanges is now being defined in real time. Regulatory posture now drives product design, geography and capital allocation, joining smart‑contract risk and market volatility. Agencies like Outset PR use data tools to track regulatory narratives and align storytelling with emerging themes. Successful campaigns will ride broader market narratives rather than compete against them. A $28‑$29 million token commitment signals that lobbying is strategic infrastructure for DeFi firms. Investors may view this as consequential as price movements, since policy legitimacy will shape the future of U.S. DeFi derivatives. The initiative marks a new phase of organized crypto advocacy.
AVAX is nearing the October 10 crash‑resistance level as trading volume rises and taker‑side buying pressure strengthens.
Bitcoin has declined by 46% from its October peak, according to CryptoQuant. Major holders continue to deposit their assets into exchanges, suggesting a potential intent to sell.
Stablecoin loans allow crypto holders to access funds without selling assets. Borrowing is fast, and under certain conditions, users can achieve 0% APR on unused or low-risk borrowing. However, 0% APR is not universal and depends on loan structure, borrowed amounts, and collateral management. Understanding LTV ratios and repayment terms is crucial for managing risk and costs. Platforms advertising “0% APR” typically refer to unused portions of crypto credit lines, not borrowed funds. Credit lines provide liquidity access but charge interest only when funds are withdrawn. For example, depositing collateral grants a borrowing limit, with interest applied only to the amount borrowed. Unused credit remains at 0% APR, offering flexibility for users. Loan-to-value (LTV) ratios determine borrowing cost, risk, and power. Lower LTV reduces liquidation risk and often lowers interest rates. Higher LTV increases risk and may require higher interest. Credit-line models use low LTV to enable 0% APR on unused credit and lower rates on borrowed amounts. Managing LTV is critical for maintaining stable borrowing conditions. Credit lines offer flexible repayment terms, allowing borrowers to decide when and how much to repay. This contrasts with fixed-term loans, which enforce rigid schedules and penalties for early repayment. Flexibility helps manage LTV during market volatility, preventing liquidation. Stablecoin credit lines transform borrowing into a strategic tool, enabling controlled access to liquidity without long-term commitments.
The Supreme Court of the United States has canceled the tariffs imposed by former President Trump under the IEEPA authority. Bitcoin prices have declined significantly, dropping from 122,000 to 107,000 and currently standing at 67,000 dollars. Technical analysis indicates strong support levels in the market. Institutions are continuing to accumulate assets, while quantum security remains a topic of discussion.
XRP kept its higher‑timeframe bullish layout despite a deeper pull‑back. Prices fell lower than the expected diagonal but did not close beneath the critical HTF support. The move is seen as a consolidation within an ongoing uptrend, not a trend reversal. As long as the HTF level holds, the bullish framework stays intact. Analyst Hov re‑rated the short‑term pattern to a sideways combination correction inside a larger Wave 4. The decline reached the 50 % retracement, adding confluence for a mature correction. A clean micro five‑wave structure has already formed from the low, showing strength that many altcoins lack. A decisive five‑wave advance toward $2 would confirm a durable low. The 200‑week moving average remains the pivotal gauge; staying above it preserves the macro uptrend. Historical cycles show a sustained bear market only after breaking below this line, which has not happened. Continued consolidation above the long‑term average keeps the outlook technically positive. Monitoring for a wave‑3 retracement after a Wave 5 rise will indicate whether the market stays on the upside path.
On February 18, 2026, Grayscale Investments and Canary Capital Group introduced the inaugural U.S.-listed spot exchange‑traded funds that track Sui’s native SUI token. These products extend Wall Street’s exposure to the cryptocurrency by incorporating staking rewards. The new ETFs combine direct token ownership with the ability to earn staking yield, expanding the portfolio of compliant crypto investment vehicles available to institutional and retail investors.
