Bitcoin drops beneath $67,000, swiftly wiping out Wednesday’s gains
The Nasdaq is slipping nearly 2%, with the drop propelled by a post‑earnings sell‑off in Nvidia, sparking wider market declines.
The Nasdaq is slipping nearly 2%, with the drop propelled by a post‑earnings sell‑off in Nvidia, sparking wider market declines.
TD Securities expects gold to break current resistance and climb to new highs by 2025. The view is based on a “debasement trade” that ties fast money‑supply growth to gold appreciation. Their model forecasts about a 25 % rise, targeting $2,800 per ounce within 18‑24 months. Monetary debasement—excessive fiat expansion that erodes purchasing power—has historically preceded gold spikes, seen in the 1970s and post‑2008 eras. TD monitors balance‑sheet expansion in the U.S., Eurozone and Japan, finding a strong link with gold undervaluation. Low real rates, ongoing QE and a weakening dollar create a structural bias toward higher gold prices. The bank recommends diversified gold exposure through physical bullion, mining equities and ETFs. Base‑case pricing is $2,800/oz, while a bullish scenario could reach $3,200‑$3,500 and a bearish range $2,100‑$2,400. Central‑bank buying, retail demand and steady jewelry sales reinforce the upside, so investors should allocate gold within broader portfolios.
Stablecoin enthusiasts and leading crypto assets experienced gains, and Nvidia’s upbeat after‑hours earnings indicate the rally may sustain momentum.
Avalanche’s unique consensus and subnet architecture deliver high throughput and customizable chains, attracting enterprise pilots such as J.P. Morgan’s tokenized portfolios. Daily transactions and total value locked (TVL) in DeFi serve as primary health indicators for AVAX demand. Strong growth in these metrics historically correlates with price appreciation. Since its 2020 launch, AVAX peaked near $150 in 2021, fell during the 2022‑23 bear market, yet recovered faster than many peers, showing developer and user resilience. Upgrades like Durango improve interoperability, reinforcing the network’s utility. On‑chain data—high staking ratios, active addresses, and robust GitHub activity—indicate long‑term holder conviction and ongoing development. Post‑2024 Bitcoin halving dynamics suggest a bullish backdrop, with analysts projecting 2026 price bands of $40‑$110 depending on scenarios. Widespread institutional adoption of subnets and clearer regulatory regimes could push AVAX into the $100‑$160 range by 2027‑2030. Market‑share growth in the smart‑contract layer and fee‑based revenue are core drivers of this trajectory. Achieving $100 hinges on capturing significant market share from Ethereum, Solana, and other Layer‑1s while avoiding technological obsolescence or severe regulatory crackdowns. A prolonged global recession or extended bear market would suppress price targets despite solid fundamentals. Experts agree that monitoring TVL, staking ratios, and macro trends offers the clearest view of AVAX’s long‑term potential.
The dollar remains resilient in the short term because the Fed holds higher rates, investors seek safe‑haven assets, and the currency offers unmatched liquidity. This tactical strength masks deeper vulnerabilities. Market data shows a mixed DXY near 104.5 and a narrowing interest‑rate gap with the euro. Yet long‑term pressures are building beneath the surface. Central banks are gradually reducing dollar reserves, while BRICS nations expand bilateral settlement and digital‑currency alternatives. Reserve‑currency diversification and the rise of CBDCs erode the dollar’s dominance. Geopolitical realignments and shifting trade patterns further weaken its structural foundation. The trend is slow but persistent. Investors face heightened currency volatility and new hedging challenges. Multi‑currency portfolios, dynamic hedging, and options‑based tail‑risk protection are becoming essential. Scenario stress‑testing and liquidity monitoring help navigate the dual reality of temporary strength and lasting decline. Adaptive positioning is key to preserving returns.
Rising tensions between the United States and Iran are increasing demand for safe‑haven assets. Gold is drawing investor interest, while both equities and Bitcoin are experiencing pressure.
The speculative boom is giving way to a system where AI agents operate on blockchain behind the scenes. Yat Siu sees AI and distributed‑ledger technology reaching a tipping point. Friction from gas fees, private keys and bridges will be hidden by autonomous software. Users will benefit without noticing the underlying complexity. Intelligent agents will manage transactions and wallet security autonomously. By removing the need for seed phrases and fee calculations, they erase technical barriers. This turns blockchain into a permissionless rail fast enough for machine commerce. The model shifts valuation from hype to functional utility. Agents will translate a simple user intent into the required chain of transactions. Human interaction with smart contracts and gas topology will become optional. Early costly AI errors highlight the need for safeguards. Scalable digital property rights depend on this automation. Infrastructure upgrades and clearer regulations are converging around 2026. Legal certainty will unlock corporate tokenization and institutional capital. Improved consensus layers will support millions of agents simultaneously. Animoca positions this moment as the catalyst for billions of new blockchain users.
Vitalik Buterin has sold more than 18,000 ETH, worth over $38 million, exceeding his January goal of 16,384 ETH. The bulk of the disposals occurred in the last 24 hours, pushing the total to 18,684 ETH. Transactions were routed through the CoW Protocol to split large orders and limit market impact. The sell‑off began in early February with 2,961 ETH sold by Feb 5 and 6,183 ETH by Feb 6. A further 3,500 ETH was withdrawn from Aave on Feb 22, followed by 1,869 ETH on Feb 23. Between Feb 25‑26, an additional 2,300 ETH was sold after a 10 % daily price gain, bringing February’s total proceeds to $38.2 million. Despite the large disposals, Arkham Intelligence shows Buterin still controls more than 240,000 ETH, keeping him among the top individual holders. Ethereum now trades around $2,050, up 8.6 % in 24 hours but still down nearly 30 % over the past month. Institutional ETFs have off‑loaded about 563,600 ETH (~$1.13 billion) in the last five weeks. Analysts warn of key downside levels at $1,800, $1,584, $1,238 and a deeper zone near $1,089.
New Zealand’s economy shows solid growth with 2.1% GDP expansion, steady export performance and a recovering tourism sector. Domestic consumption remains robust despite global headwinds. Unemployment at 4.2% and a modest trade deficit support the NZD. The RBNZ holds a cautious, data‑dependent stance as inflation hovers near the top of its 1‑3% target. Limited adjustments to policy expectations keep forward‑rate movements subdued. Global factors, including Fed policy and commodity sentiment, further dampen repricing. Traders encounter a narrow NZD/USD range, limiting volatility‑based opportunities but enabling carry‑trade and options strategies. The pair’s correlation with the Australian dollar and dairy prices remains a key risk monitor. Any surprise in inflation or employment data could prompt rapid repricing. Future NZD strength hinges on clearer RBNZ signals, sustained growth, and stable commodity prices. Potential catalysts include unexpected inflation, major employment releases, or shifts in global risk sentiment. Until then, the outlook stays cautiously optimistic.
XRP trades around $1.45, rebounding from $1.30 lows after 5‑9% weekly drop caused by macro pressures like U.S. tariffs and risk‑off sentiment. Crypto market cap sits near $2.2‑$2.4 trillion. The volatility highlights both retail and institutional interest in short‑term moves. On‑chain data shows whales added over 170 million XRP in the past week, providing potential support. Institutional inflows to XRP products total $105 million this month, reinforcing confidence. Technically, XRP forms a double‑bottom near $1.30‑$1.35 with RSI at 40‑45; a break above the $1.50 neckline could trigger a modest rebound to $1.46‑$1.54. Grok projects XRP could reach $2.50‑$4.00 by mid‑2026, driven by Ripple’s cross‑border expansion and $1.3 billion of crypto ETF inflows. Extreme $15‑$35 targets are deemed speculative. Maintaining support above $1.30 is crucial; a breach may lead to retests near $1.25‑$1.28.
Bittensor (TAO) has emerged from a falling‑wedge pattern on the 4‑hour chart, signalling the end of a corrective phase. Buyers defended the $163‑$165 support zone, turning cautious sentiment into constructive buying. The breakout follows a prolonged consolidation at the lower edge of a descending channel, giving the move added credibility. This pattern suggests sellers are weakening and a short‑term recovery may be underway. The $163‑$165 area now acts as a firm accumulation shelf, with each dip met by steady buying. Immediate resistance lies near the midpoint of the descending channel, where prior rallies stalled. A successful breach could open the path to the $230‑$240 zone, representing a potential 25‑40% gain. Sustained momentum is essential; a pullback below the wedge would invalidate the bullish signal. Despite the upside bias, TAO remains below long‑term moving averages, indicating a cautious broader trend. Market‑wide factors such as Bitcoin’s price and overall risk appetite could cap gains. A sharp crypto‑wide downturn would likely halt the rally regardless of the technical setup. Continued defense of support and incremental advances are needed for the breakout to mature.
Bitcoin demand surged for the first time since November, driven by ETF inflows that rose to $506 million and a Coinbase premium that moved into positive territory.
The Reserve Bank of India approved SBI Mutual Fund to acquire up to 9.99% of Bandhan Bank’s paid‑up share capital. The approval was issued on February 25, 2026, after the fund submitted the required information. The RBI directed the asset manager to keep its aggregate holding within prescribed limits. This clearance follows the provisions of Regulation 30 of the SEBI LODR. The approval is contingent on compliance with the Banking Regulation Act, the Foreign Exchange Management Act, SEBI rules and other applicable statutes. SBI Mutual Fund must complete the majority of the purchase within one year, or the permission will lapse. If its stake falls below 5%, a fresh RBI sanction is needed to raise it again. Ongoing adherence to all regulations is mandatory throughout the holding period. Bandhan Bank’s stock is currently trading at ₹186, up 1.71% from the previous close of ₹182.88. Earlier in the session it touched ₹190.23, marking a rise of over 4%. The share has surged 24.82% over the past month and 11.97% in the last six months, reflecting strong market optimism.
Ethereum co‑founder Vitalik Buterin stated that the objective is to separate slots from finality, allowing each to be considered independently.
ETHZilla is transitioning into a tokenization platform under the new name Forum Markets. The stock increased by 13% and closed at $3.91, while the company awaits the Nasdaq FRMM ticker. The firm holds a treasury of 69.802 ETH, placing it among the top seven entities in its category.
The Treasury Department imposed sanctions on a Russian network that brokers cyber exploits. Officials say the group trafficked stolen U.S. trade secrets and government cyber tools in exchange for cryptocurrency. The announcement highlighted the network’s role in moving compromised technology for digital assets. This sanction marks the first time a major intellectual‑property law has been employed to confront growing national‑security threats. It underscores Washington’s expanding use of legal tools to disrupt crypto‑funded cyber‑crime operations.
Bitwise acquired Chorus One, a staking infrastructure firm managing more than $2.2 billion across dozens of blockchain networks. The deal brings 50 Chorus One employees into Bitwise Onchain Solutions, while financial terms remain undisclosed. Founder and CEO Brian Crain will stay on as an advisor as the team integrates. The purchase extends Bitwise’s staking reach to over 30 proof‑of‑stake networks, including Solana, Avalanche, Sui, Aptos, Hyperliquid, Monad and Tezos, signaling a focus beyond Ethereum. Staking lets token holders lock assets to support network security and earn 2‑10 % annual rewards. Bitwise now oversees billions of crypto assets already staked by its clients. A more welcoming SEC stance on crypto investment products could pave the way for ETFs that deliver staking returns to retail investors. CEO Hunter Horsley describes staking as a “compelling growth opportunity” for the firm. Bitwise manages roughly $15 billion in assets, runs over 40 investment products—including flagship Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs—and is adding staking capability to broaden its offering.
Ethereum has been unable to regain the $2,000 level throughout the year, reflecting weak momentum and cautious sentiment among retail and institutional traders. Tightening liquidity, macro‑level uncertainty, and low risk appetite keep the asset in a fragile consolidation phase. Price action repeatedly fails to break above psychological thresholds, limiting upside potential. Vitalik Buterin sold another 675.88 ETH (about $1.25 million) recently, bringing his one‑month total to roughly 11,422 ETH (~$23.3 million). Analysts estimate his planned distribution nears completion at 16,384 ETH, with about 30 % still pending. While large insider moves can trigger short‑term sell pressure, they often stem from treasury management rather than bearish intent. ETH is trading below its 50‑week and 100‑week moving averages, both turning downward, while the 200‑week average sits just above price as potential support. The chart shows lower highs and lower lows, indicating a shift from expansion to consolidation. Volume spikes during recent selloffs suggest active distribution, though volatility is beginning to compress. A decisive break above $2,000‑$2,200 would be needed to restore bullish momentum and attract sidelined capital. Failure to do so could invite further tests of long‑term support levels. Gradual absorption of remaining insider supply may limit price impact if demand holds.
Long‑term Bitcoin holders are currently offloading their positions, and investors need to stay vigilant.
CFTC Chair Mike Selig announced that the commission has formed a prediction‑markets advisory aimed at identifying insider trading. He cautioned that violations will face consequences.
Derivatives data show Bitcoin funding rates deep in negative territory, meaning short sellers are paying longs to keep bearish bets open. This signals growing pessimism despite the spot price holding near $68‑$69k. The futures market thus reflects strong short bias. Bitcoin has pulled back to a stable range of $62k‑$69k, with key support around $68k‑$69k preventing a crash. Buyers step in at support but are not driving breakouts, keeping momentum weak. A break above $67k‑$69k could trigger a short squeeze, while a fall below $60k would confirm the downtrend. Leverage in the system has contracted after the 2025 rally peak, reducing forced liquidations and cleaning out weak hands. Lower leverage makes the market less fragile even as bearish bets linger. The cleaner balance may set the stage for a more sustainable recovery should price strength return.
Ripple is intensifying its effort to serve institutional finance after allocating approximately $4 billion toward acquisitions. CEO Brad Garlinghouse is positioning the blockchain company as essential infrastructure that bridges conventional markets and digital assets. According to the CEO, Ripple is channeling billions to enable the next generation of corporate digital assets. Adoption of digital assets by businesses continues to gain momentum.
GD Culture Group (GDC) obtained approval to liquidate a portion of its Bitcoin treasury to finance share repurchases. The company holds the 15th‑largest BTC position, approximately 7,500 coins, which have declined 41% in value. Following the announcement, GDC’s share price climbed 24%. Bitcoin was trading around $68,200.
A recent study by River, a financial‑services firm that focuses on bitcoin, estimates that 23 sovereign nations now hold the cryptocurrency, indicating a clear move from a fringe asset toward a component of national balance sheets. The report shows that almost two dozen countries are adding bitcoin to their reserves, signaling expanding nation‑state adoption and confirming that the digital asset is no longer marginal.