Three Solana platforms are slated to shut down after a disastrous $27 million hack.
Step Finance, a Solana DeFi aggregator, said it was unable to secure a viable outcome after a hack in January that resulted in a $27 million loss.
Market Capitalization:2 182 036 710 542,2 USD
Vol. in 24 hours:103 344 978 836,29 USD
Dominance:BTC 57,69%
ETH:10,05%
Market Capitalization:2 182 036 710 542,2 USD
Vol. in 24 hours:103 344 978 836,29 USD
Dominance:BTC 57,69%
ETH:10,05%
Market Capitalization:2 182 036 710 542,2 USD
Vol. in 24 hours:103 344 978 836,29 USD
Dominance:BTC 57,69%
ETH:10,05%
Market Capitalization:2 182 036 710 542,2 USD
Vol. in 24 hours:103 344 978 836,29 USD
Dominance:BTC 57,69%
ETH:10,05%
Market Capitalization:2 182 036 710 542,2 USD
Vol. in 24 hours:103 344 978 836,29 USD
Dominance:BTC 57,69%
ETH:10,05%
Market Capitalization:2 182 036 710 542,2 USD
Vol. in 24 hours:103 344 978 836,29 USD
Dominance:BTC 57,69%
ETH:10,05%
Market Capitalization:2 182 036 710 542,2 USD
Vol. in 24 hours:103 344 978 836,29 USD
Dominance:BTC 57,69%
ETH:10,05%
Market Capitalization:2 182 036 710 542,2 USD
Vol. in 24 hours:103 344 978 836,29 USD
Dominance:BTC 57,69%
ETH:10,05%
Market Capitalization:2 182 036 710 542,2 USD
Vol. in 24 hours:103 344 978 836,29 USD
Dominance:BTC 57,69%
ETH:10,05%
Market Capitalization:2 182 036 710 542,2 USD
Vol. in 24 hours:103 344 978 836,29 USD
Dominance:BTC 57,69%
ETH:10,05%
Kriptovaliutų naujienos
visiškai 63594Japan’s Tactical Reply: Katayama Declares Essential Review of the U.S. Supreme Court Tariff Ruling
Finance Minister Shunichi Katayama announced that Japan will conduct a thorough review of the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent tariff ruling. Multiple ministries, including Finance, METI, and Foreign Affairs, will coordinate the analysis. The study will assess short‑term and long‑term effects on existing trade agreements and future negotiations. The Court clarified limits on presidential authority to impose tariffs without explicit congressional approval. It reinforces the constitutional separation of powers and introduces new requirements for legislative oversight. This precedent reshapes the legal framework governing U.S. trade actions. Japan, the United States’ fourth‑largest trading partner, could see shifts in automotive, electronics, and precision‑machinery exports. Industry groups are already evaluating potential cost changes for products and U.S.‑based Japanese investments. Consumer prices for imported goods may fluctuate depending on tariff adjustments. Japan will discuss findings with U.S. officials through the U.S.–Japan Economic Dialogue and may involve the National Diet in policy review. The ruling also prompts analyses by the EU, UK, and South Korea, indicating broader global repercussions. Aligning the decision with WTO principles will be a key aspect of Japan’s strategy.
HTX Ventures and HTX DAO Highlight Hong Kong at Consensus 2026, Pushing Forward a Sustainable Web3 Ecosystem
Consensus Hong Kong 2026 took place on February 11‑12, gathering blockchain leaders, developers, and institutional investors. HTX Ventures and HTX DAO participated in the main conference and several satellite events. Both presented a long‑term roadmap aimed at driving technical innovation and ecosystem growth. HTX Ventures stressed its focus on early‑stage projects, core infrastructure, and global ecosystem synergy. The firm highlighted investments in AI, Web3, real‑world assets, and modular blockchains under clearer regulatory frameworks. Founder Justin Sun delivered a keynote on building resilient blockchain infrastructure for a rapidly changing world. As a Gold Sponsor of GWDC 2026, HTX DAO Ambassador Molly outlined a shift toward balanced governance, transparent tokenomics, and long‑term holder incentives. The DAO’s token holder base grew from ~40,000 to over 800,000, supporting stability amid market volatility. Key 2026 initiatives include open on‑chain product interfaces, RWA support programs, and an expanded volunteer‑ambassador system. HTX Ventures and HTX DAO attended side events such as Alpha Night and the Build and Scale forum, forging connections with high‑potential projects and investors. These activities reinforced their global Web3 footprint. Both platforms remain committed to the “Metaverse Free Port” vision, driving ecosystem investment and collaborative development toward the next crypto era.
DASH Technical Review – February 24 2026: Volume and Accumulation
Trading volume for DASH stays low at $44.67 million, reflecting limited participation during the current sideways movement, yet it suggests room for accumulation. A divergence between price and volume may hint at an upcoming reversal, although the broader BTC downtrend poses a risk.
HTX teams up with AINFT to develop a fresh Web3 AI gateway that provides complimentary access to top AI models and a 40,000 USDT prize pool
HTX and AINFT launched an AI Challenge connecting AI models with Web3. AINFT gives wallet‑based instant access to Claude Opus 4.5, ChatGPT‑5.2, Gemini 3 Pro and grants new users one million free points. Top‑up via USDT, USDD, USD1, TRX or NFTs, with a 20% bonus using $NFT token. The contest ends 13 Mar 2026 08:00 UTC with a 40,000 USDT prize (13,000 USDT from AINFT, 27,000 USDT from HTX). Join by linking TronLink, submitting an HTX UID, completing AI tasks on AINFT and trading tasks on HTX. Rewards: boosted, early‑bird, deposit packages plus HTX bonuses—extra points, 20 USDT welcome, 40 USDT trading airdrop. The event shows on‑chain ID and crypto payments enabling seamless AI use, a clear AI‑crypto merge. HTX uses its exchange to support AI projects and expand Web3. Growing demand for decentralized AI puts this partnership at the core of next‑gen Web3.
OPN pre‑market futures surge, with $400 million in volume indicating strong momentum in the prediction market.
OPN pre‑market perpetual futures logged more than $400 million in 24 hours after listings on Binance, OKX and Bybit. Binance alone supplied $277 million, ranking the contract 16th among its derivatives. The trade occurred before OPN’s spot launch, indicating pure derivative interest. Analysts view the burst as a bullish sentiment for prediction‑market tokens, though it may be speculative. High pre‑launch volume usually precedes volatile price discovery once the token becomes tradable. Institutional demand and clearer regulation are driving attention to niche assets like OPN. Leveraged futures can magnify price swings and funding rates may turn extreme after launch. Liquidity spread across exchanges can create price gaps and regulatory uncertainty adds risk. Long‑term success will hinge on the Opinion platform’s technology and real‑world adoption.
Coinbase ramps up its stablecoin lobbying as a potential sevenfold revenue boost hinges on upcoming legislation.
Coinbase has expanded its Washington lobbying to shape U.S. stablecoin rules. Analysts forecast that favorable legislation could lift stablecoin revenue up to seven times current levels. The outcome will directly affect the exchange’s overall earnings trajectory. Stablecoins, pegged to assets like the dollar, underpin most crypto trading and emerging payment systems. In the last fiscal year they contributed about 19% of Coinbase’s net revenue. Protecting and growing this segment is therefore a top priority for the firm. Policymakers are debating issuer qualifications, reserve requirements, and consumer‑protection standards. Coinbase seeks provisions that allow interest payouts on holdings and federal pre‑emption of state rules. Such clauses would lower compliance costs and enable nationwide scaling. The stablecoin bill could set a global benchmark for digital‑dollar regulation. A permissive framework would give U.S. firms a competitive edge, while strict rules might drive innovation abroad. The final law will signal how traditional finance adapts to blockchain disruption.
BlackRock’s Staked ETH ETF Marks a Groundbreaking Move Toward Wider Crypto Adoption
BlackRock filed an amended S‑1 on 17 Feb 2025 for the iShares Staked Ethereum Trust (ETHB). The fund would stake 70‑95 % of its ETH holdings through Coinbase Custody and pass rewards to shareholders. Management fees are set at 0.25 % annually, with a 0.12 % promotional rate for the first $2.5 billion. The filing outlines detailed security and risk disclosures, showing a methodical approach to SEC scrutiny. The SEC’s 2024 approval of Bitcoin spot ETFs created a precedent, but Ethereum’s proof‑of‑stake model raises Howey‑test concerns. BlackRock tackles these by using a regulated custodian and transparent staking mechanisms. Competing spot‑Ethereum applications from Fidelity and Grayscale lack integrated staking rewards. Analysts expect a decision window in May or August 2025, hinging on custody and market‑surveillance assurances. If approved, the ETF would legitimize institutional ETH staking, potentially drawing billions and strengthening network security. It offers a yield‑bearing exposure without the need to manage private keys or validator nodes. The Coinbase partnership mitigates custody risk and could set a template for future PoS products. Investors should assess net yield after fees, tax treatment of rewards, and counterparty or regulatory changes.
Bitcoin drops to fresh weekly low as bulls forfeit crucial support
Bitcoin could not stay above $66,000 and began a fresh decline, now trading under $65,500 and the 100‑hour SMA. A bearish trend line places resistance near $66,800 on the hourly chart. MACD is accelerating in bearish territory and RSI has fallen below 50. The pair broke the $66,000 support, fell below $65,000 and briefly touched $64,000, forming a low at $63,351. It recovered to around $64,600 but remains under the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement. A close above $65,250 would revive upward momentum. Holding above $64,000 could target $66,000 and the 50% Fibonacci level, with further upside toward $66,800 and the $67,500‑$67,700 range. These levels align with the upper edge of the bearish trend line. A breakout would restore bullish confidence. If $65,250 is not held, the next supports are $64,000, $63,500 and $63,200, with deeper tests at $62,650 and a critical floor at $62,000. Dropping below $62,000 would make short‑term recovery unlikely. Traders should monitor these zones for entry or exit signals.
Dogecoin hits a fresh high on a crucial cycle metric: Is the bottom near?
Dogecoin’s cycle‑style positioning metric has reached a record level not seen before. The chart shows only two previous times the market entered similar territory, both near major cycle lows. This suggests a potentially pivotal moment for the cryptocurrency. The metric counts how many past days traded above today’s price, reflecting market memory and holder positioning. Dogecoin has now exceeded 1,100 such days, the first time this threshold has been crossed. A higher count indicates today’s price sits below a larger portion of historical trading levels. The metric previously surpassed 800 days only around the March 2020 bottom and the October 2023 bottom. In each case, the next months produced parabolic gains, taking DOGE from a low to multi‑hundred‑percent rallies. Those moves turned into some of the coin’s biggest uptrends. Analyst Joao Wedson stresses this is a structural, long‑term signal rather than a short‑term swing indicator. The current reading could either repeat the pattern of cycle‑low breakthroughs or signal a new market regime. At the time of writing DOGE was trading near $0.097.
Silver price outlook: XAG/USD stays steady at $87.50 as safe‑haven demand rises amid global uncertainty
Silver steadied at $87.50 per ounce on March 18 2025 after recent volatility, establishing a firm support level. Repeated buying at this price across major exchanges highlights sustained interest. The move reflects macro‑economic pressures and serves as a barometer for broader market sentiment. Persistent inflation concerns, geopolitical risks, and equity corrections are steering investors toward silver as a hedge. A softer US dollar and central‑bank balance‑sheet uncertainty further boost appeal. Managed‑money futures positions reveal growing institutional confidence. Limited mine supply combined with rising industrial use in solar, electronics, and EVs creates a solid price floor. The $87.50 zone coincides with the 50‑day moving average and a former resistance level, adding technical strength. Outlook remains cautiously bullish, hinging on upcoming economic data and policy signals.
Upbit freezes FLOW withdrawals as a critical network outage disrupts cryptocurrency trading.
Upbit halted Flow (FLOW) withdrawals on Dec 15, 2025 after the Flow blockchain stopped generating blocks. The pause prevented secure asset transfers and triggered an emergency alert at 14:30 KST. Upbit’s risk team activated its emergency plan to safeguard user funds while the issue was examined. Major exchanges follow standardized incident frameworks; Upbit notified users within 60 minutes via app, email and banner. The protocol demands confirmation of stable block production before services resume. Other platforms such as Binance and Coinbase use faster alerts but share the same safety objectives. FLOW trading volume on Upbit fell about 35 % in the first two hours, yet the token’s price slipped only 2.7 % against the KRW. Unaffected exchanges kept withdrawals open, limiting arbitrage and keeping overall market volatility low. Derivatives and options showed minimal reaction, underscoring confidence that the problem is temporary. The suspension highlights Upbit’s multi‑layer protection, including stricter transaction validation and hot‑wallet limits. South Korean regulators require such incident‑response steps, aligning with global best practices. Analysts expect withdrawals to resume within 4‑12 hours once Flow confirms stable block production.
Crypto Slips into an Extreme Fear Zone as Worldwide Trade Tensions and Policy Shifts Pressure Prices
Crypto dropped sharply Monday, with BTC briefly under $65,000 and the total market cap slipping toward $2.2 trillion. New U.S. tariffs, a Supreme Court ruling and rising U.S.–Iran tensions triggered a risk‑off shift. Investors fled to safe‑haven assets, turning crypto into a high‑risk play. Large holders moved coins to exchanges, indicating possible sell‑offs, while thin liquidity magnified swings. Over $460 million in leveraged longs were liquidated and ETF outflows accelerated. The Fear & Greed Index entered extreme fear as Bitdeer sold its weekly production. Upcoming consumer‑confidence, jobless‑claims and producer‑price data will shape Fed rate expectations. Recent inflation surprises curb hopes for easing, even as the Fed plans a $14.6 billion market injection. Nvidia earnings and other tech results remain key sentiment drivers, suggesting volatility will persist.
USD/CNY Benchmark Shift: PBOC’s Deliberate 6.9414 Fix Highlights Cautious Currency Management
The People’s Bank of China set the daily USD/CNY reference rate at 6.9414, a 16‑basis‑point weakening from 6.9398. The modest move signals a cautious stance amid a strong U.S. dollar and domestic challenges. Analysts view the adjustment as a calibrated response rather than a market‑driven swing. The PBOC calculates the midpoint using the previous close, overnight moves in major pairs and a discretionary counter‑cyclical factor. Market makers submit suggestions before the 9:15 a.m. announcement, after which the bank finalises the rate. The fixing defines a 2 % trading band for the yuan. A slightly weaker yuan supports China’s export competitiveness while helping to manage capital flows. The move aligns with ongoing global monetary tightening and domestic property‑sector adjustments. Stability of the exchange rate remains crucial for trade and inflation management. Offshore and onshore yuan traded marginally lower after the fix, influencing Asian currencies and corporate hedging strategies. The PBOC is expected to continue small, data‑driven adjustments as global policy divergence persists. Monitoring daily fixings will reveal future policy priorities.
February sees the PBOC’s loan prime rates remain unchanged, marking a deliberate hold amid global economic uncertainty.
The PBOC kept the one‑year LPR at 3.45% and the five‑year at 4.20% in February, its seventh month of stability. Moderate 2.1% inflation and 5.8% industrial growth support the hold. Economists had predicted the pause, with 85% expecting no change. Unlike the Fed and ECB, which are tweaking rates, China maintains its current level, reflecting its distinct economic structure. Asian markets moved little and the yuan stayed steady. This divergence highlights different pressures on emerging versus advanced economies. Stable LPRs keep mortgage costs predictable, aid real‑estate activity, and give manufacturers and SMEs reliable borrowing terms. Inflation remains within the 3% target band and the yuan shows resilience. The mix supports growth while limiting financial‑system risk. The PBOC signals a “prudent” stance with flexibility to act if inflation rises, growth slows, or global turbulence intensifies. Tools such as reserve‑requirement adjustments and open‑market operations remain available. Key watchpoints include GDP, PMI, credit growth and property data.
Could the drop in Bitcoin’s network activity impact Saylor’s purchase of his 100th BTC?
The strategy involves buying Bitcoin whenever its price falls, but it faces the risk that the market may never rebound.
FET Market Structure Technical Analysis – 24 February 2026
The asset continues a lower‑high/lower‑low downtrend. A break of structure above $0.1578 signals a bullish shift, whereas a fall below $0.1340 confirms the bearish continuation.
World Liberty Financial CEO dismisses insider‑trading accusations as malicious nonsense
World Liberty Financial CEO Zach Witkoff rejects insider‑trading accusations, calling them “malicious nonsense.” He stresses that WLFI is a governance‑token project, not an exchange, and therefore has no access to order‑book or user data. Witkoff argues the alleged misconduct is technically impossible and labels the accusers as spreading false information. The dispute started after on‑chain sleuth ZachXBT announced a Feb 26 exposé of insider trading at an unnamed crypto firm. Community speculation quickly highlighted WLFI, alongside Polymarket and Meteora, as primary candidates. The tweet demonstrates the powerful influence anonymous investigators wield over reputation and token valuations. Governance tokens grant voting rights on protocol upgrades and derive value from utility, not from controlling trades. Unlike centralized exchanges, they lack real‑time, non‑public trading data needed for insider trading. This structural separation forms the core of Witkoff’s defense. Amid intensified regulatory scrutiny, even unproven claims can trigger sell‑pressure and diminish trust. A clear vindication would reinforce WLFI’s governance model; proof of wrongdoing could bring severe legal and reputational fallout. The market now watches for ZachXBT’s Feb 26 report to determine the final outcome.
Binance pulls POL/USDC amid a strategic overhaul, with 19 margin pairs slated for delisting in February 2025.
Binance will remove 19 margin trading pairs, including POL/USDC, on 26 Feb 2025 at 06:00 UTC. The action follows the exchange’s regular market‑quality review. It aims to preserve a liquid and stable trading environment. Ten cross‑margin and nine isolated‑margin pairs are slated for deletion. Traders must close all open positions and cancel pending orders before the deadline to avoid automatic liquidation at adverse prices. Spot markets for these tokens remain active. Pairs with low liquidity, thin order books, or weak project development are typically pruned. Consolidating volume into fewer markets enhances price discovery and reduces slippage. Analysts view the move as standard housekeeping for mature platforms. Many delisted pairs involve USDC, reflecting heightened scrutiny of stablecoin pairings under new regulations such as the EU’s MiCA. Binance retains full support for USDC while streamlining its margin offerings to meet compliance and risk standards.
Ethereum Foundation's DeFi team debut: a calculated power play for the financial revolution of 2025
The Ethereum Foundation announced a dedicated DeFi team to accelerate protocol development before 2025. The unit shifts from pure research to hands‑on engineering, aiming to bring decentralized finance into mainstream use. It reaffirms Ethereum’s commitment to a permissionless, open network. The team includes a former MakerDAO governance engineer and a Gearbox co‑founder, combining governance and leverage know‑how. It focuses on AI‑driven position agents, on‑chain futures, futarchy prediction governance and zero‑knowledge collateral loans. These efforts aim at automation, risk control, predictive decisions and privacy. DeFi now needs scalable, sustainable infrastructure and clearer regulation, while platforms like Solana and Avalanche vie for developers. The nonprofit Foundation provides core research, security audits and public‑good funding, reinforcing Ethereum’s security lead. The team commits to permissionless, censorship‑resistant, privacy‑first, self‑custodial and open‑source values, aiming to lead the next DeFi wave.
Japanese Yen Approaches 155 per Dollar as Analysts Anticipate Limited Further Weakness
The USD/JPY pair is nearing the 155.00 psychological barrier. This marks a 40% depreciation since 2021. The move follows the BoJ’s March 2024 exit from negative rates. The US‑Japan interest‑rate gap still drives capital toward the dollar. Japanese officials have issued verbal warnings that raise the cost of short‑yen bets. PPP models show the yen is at a decade‑high undervaluation, prompting mean‑reversion pressure. Technical analysis places 155‑158 a strong resistance zone. CFTC data reveal extreme short positions, making a sharp rebound likely. A weak yen boosts exporters such as Toyota and Sony, lifting corporate profits. Conversely, import‑driven inflation strains households and dampens consumption. Policymakers must balance growth support with rising living costs. Further yen decline depends on US data, Fed policy and any BoJ rate moves. Wage growth above 3% could narrow the rate differential and support the currency. Institutional hedging by Japanese pension funds also provides a stabilising floor.
Announcement: Stake Backpack Token and Earn 20% Share Rights
Backpack Exchange grants token stakers rights to 20% of the platform’s equity. 62.5% of the total one‑million token supply is allocated directly to users. Details regarding the Token Generation Event (TGE) and the upcoming Initial Public Offering (IPO) have been outlined. Armani Ferrante announced plans to further decentralize the ecosystem. The project differentiates itself through its practical applications and unique features.
Bitcoin Falls Under $64,000: Examining the Rapid Market Turn
Bitcoin fell below $64,000 on Tuesday, trading around $63,923 on Binance USDT, ending three weeks of stability. The drop erupted during Asian hours and quickly spread to European and US markets. Analysts cite macroeconomic stress, a stronger US dollar, and equity weakness as catalysts. The move has revived volatility in the cryptocurrency sector. Technical indicators signaled an upcoming correction: RSI had entered overbought territory and MACD showed bearish divergence. Trading volume surged 42% as price slipped, and the $64,000 level, previously both support and resistance, was breached. Current focus shifts to the $62,500 200‑day moving average as near‑term support, while a rebound above $65,000 would restore bullish momentum. On‑chain data reveal net outflows of 18,000 BTC from exchanges, indicating continued institutional accumulation despite price weakness. Mining difficulty hit all‑time highs, pressuring miner profitability, and funding rates briefly turned negative, reflecting short‑position pressure. Regulatory chatter and tighter EU reporting added to market caution. Experts warn that a break below $62,000 could trigger further downside, whereas holding above $63,500 may limit losses. Historical corrections of similar size typically recover within three weeks, suggesting a consolidation phase. Investors should monitor macro cues, especially Fed policy and bond yields, which dominate risk‑asset flows.
Bitcoin Sell-Off: Trump's Tariff Comments Spooked Short-Term Traders
Recent Bitcoin volatility was sparked by former President Trump’s tariff comments, which unsettled short‑term investors. Analysts at XWIN Research Japan show the remarks acted as a catalyst, not a fundamental flaw in Bitcoin. The market’s reaction was swift, with price dips coinciding with heightened political uncertainty. The Short‑Term Holder Realized Profit/Loss Ratio (SOPR) fell below 1.0 after each tariff announcement, indicating holders selling at a loss. This pattern repeated after the Supreme Court blocked a tariff and a new 15% tariff was proposed. Long‑term wallets (over 155 days) showed no comparable selling surge. The sell‑off reflects a structural vulnerability of short‑term traders to macro‑risk shocks, not a rejection of Bitcoin’s value. Monitoring SOPR helps distinguish fear‑driven capitulation from healthy corrections. Investors can use this insight to avoid overreacting to similar political or regulatory headlines.
