Key TakeawaysBTC trades near $67,000, ETH near $1,970, with volatility fading after the Feb. 5 selloff.Open interest stabilizes at $15.38B, funding flips positive, but short-term options hedging remains elevated.$218M in liquidations over 24 hours; 97 of top 100 tokens are in the red.Market structure suggests consolidation, not yet a confirmed reversal.Bitcoin and Ether posted modest gains overnight, but broader altcoin weakness and elevated derivatives hedging show traders remain cautious.Bitcoin (BTC) was recently trading near $67,000 after briefly dipping to $66,000 midweek. Ether (ETH) rebounded from $1,924 to trade around $1,970 but continues to struggle below the key $2,000 psychological resistance.The broader market, however, tells a different story. Most altcoins remain under pressure, reflecting fragile sentiment and thin liquidity conditions.Volatility Cools After Early February SelloffSince the sharp correction on Feb. 5, crypto markets have entered a two-week consolidation phase. The muted price action has left investors debating whether the market is forming a macro bottom — or simply pausing before another leg lower.From a macro trend perspective, Bitcoin remains in a downtrend since its October record high of $126,600. The pattern of lower highs and lower lows persists, punctuated by choppy consolidation.A potential catalyst failed to materialize Wednesday, as the World Liberty Financial forum at Mar-a-Lago — attended by senior policymakers and financial executives — did not generate bullish momentum.Derivatives Signal Stabilization — With CautionMarket positioning shows signs of stabilization following a leverage flush earlier this month.Open interest: $15.38 billion, suggesting a steady base after deleveraging.Funding rates: Flipped flat-to-positive (Binance near 4%), indicating mild retail confidence.Three-month basis: Holding around 3%, reflecting restrained institutional positioning.Options market: Call/put volumes at near 50/50 balance.However, short-term implied volatility remains elevated. The one-week 25-delta skew has risen to 12%, and the front-end volatility curve remains in backwardation — meaning traders are still paying a premium for immediate downside protection.This “panic premium” suggests that while price action is calm, participants are not fully convinced risk has dissipated.Liquidations Stay ElevatedAccording to CoinGlass, crypto markets saw $218 million in liquidations over the past 24 hours, heavily skewed toward long positions (77% longs vs. 23% shorts).Top liquidation totals:BTC: $75 millionETH: $53 millionOther assets: $22 millionThe Binance liquidation heatmap highlights $67,400 as a key level to watch on the upside.Altcoins Struggle in Low-Liquidity ConditionsWhile BTC and ETH edged higher, altcoins broadly underperformed.World Liberty Financial (WLFI) fell over 10% in a “sell-the-news” reaction.Axie Infinity (AXS) dropped 5.9%, retesting early-February lows.Morpho (MORPHO) declined 4.2%, erasing prior gains.A striking 97 of the top 100 cryptocurrencies (excluding stablecoins and tokenized gold) are trading lower over the past 24 hours.Sentiment Remains in “Extreme Fear”The Crypto Fear & Greed Index sits at 11/100, slightly above February’s low of 6 but still deep in “extreme fear” territory.Despite improving derivatives metrics, weak breadth and persistent hedging demand indicate traders are defensive.Bottom LineBitcoin and Ether are stabilizing, but the broader market remains fragile. Derivatives positioning suggests the leverage flush may be complete, yet elevated short-term volatility and weak altcoin participation signal caution.Until BTC reclaims higher resistance levels and altcoin breadth improves, the current environment appears more like consolidation than confirmed recovery.

Key takeawaysFed officials discussed the possibility of rate hikes if inflation remains above target.Policymakers signaled hesitation to resume rate cuts without clearer disinflation progress.Markets still expect rates to stay unchanged in March, but the tone has turned more hawkish.A shift toward tighter policy would likely pressure risk assets, including crypto.U.S. Federal Reserve policymakers raised the prospect of interest rate hikes returning if inflation fails to cool further, according to minutes from the January Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting released Wednesday.The minutes showed that several officials said upward adjustments to the federal funds rate could be appropriate should inflation remain persistently above the Fed’s 2% target. While no immediate action was taken, the discussion marked a notable shift in tone after a series of rate cuts late last year.At the January meeting, the Federal Reserve voted to keep rates unchanged at 3.5%–3.75%, following three cuts in late 2025 that lowered rates from 4.5%. A hike would be the first since July 2023.Fed turns cautious on further easingSeveral participants argued it would be prudent to hold rates steady for longer to better assess incoming economic data. The minutes noted that additional easing may not be warranted until there is clear evidence that disinflation is firmly back on track.Most policymakers warned that progress toward the inflation target could be slower and more uneven than expected, increasing the risk that inflation remains elevated for longer. If inflation cools as forecast, further cuts could still be appropriate, the minutes added — but confidence on that front appears to be wavering.Markets still price in a pauseDespite the hawkish undertone, futures markets continue to expect no change at the Fed’s next meeting on March 18. According to CME Group data, traders are pricing in a 94% probability that rates remain unchanged.U.S. inflation, measured by the Consumer Price Index, currently stands at 2.4%, after rising 0.2% in January, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics — still above the Fed’s long-term goal.Why rate hikes matter for crypto and risk assetsHigher interest rates are typically bearish for risk assets such as cryptocurrencies and growth stocks. Elevated yields make cash and government bonds more attractive, reduce liquidity, and increase borrowing costs — all of which tend to curb speculative activity.With crypto market sentiment already near extreme fear, a more hawkish Fed stance could further weigh on prices if inflation data fails to improve.Bottom lineThe Fed is not signaling an imminent rate hike, but the January minutes confirm that policy risks are no longer one-sided. If inflation stalls, the easing cycle could pause — or even reverse — reshaping expectations across equities, bonds, and crypto markets in the months ahead.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reported that the conventional 60/40 stock-bond portfolio is losing its effectiveness in providing diversification benefits. According to NS3.AI, this shift is attributed to the increasing positive correlation between stocks and bonds during market downturns since 2019. This trend has heightened risks for investors, including institutional ones, leading to potential forced deleveraging during financial crises. In response to these challenges, the IMF suggests that gold, silver, and other alternative assets are becoming crucial for stabilizing portfolios. However, the organization emphasizes the importance of restoring fiscal and monetary confidence to reestablish reliable portfolio hedges. The IMF's findings underscore the need for investors to reconsider traditional investment strategies in light of evolving market dynamics.

The United States is reportedly pressuring NATO allies to exclude Ukraine from the formal sessions of the NATO summit scheduled for July 7-8 in Ankara. According to Jin10, four NATO diplomats disclosed that this move aims to restrict Kyiv's participation in the significant meeting of NATO leaders. Additionally, the U.S. is opposing the invitation of Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea to the summit. These countries may be allowed to participate in some lower-level side events.

US-listed spot Bitcoin ETFs extended their losing streak Wednesday, with $133.3 million in net outflows, as crypto sentiment remains in “Extreme Fear” and BTC briefly slipped below $66,000.According to data from SoSoValue, total weekly outflows have now reached $238 million. BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) led the withdrawals, seeing more than $84 million exit in a single day.If outflows continue through the end of the week, this would mark the first five-week streak of net redemptions for US spot Bitcoin ETFs since March 2025.ETF Assets Shrink as Trading Activity SlowsYear-to-date, Bitcoin ETFs have recorded roughly $2.5 billion in net outflows, bringing total assets under management down to approximately $83.6 billion.Trading volumes also remained subdued at under $3 billion, reflecting muted investor participation despite earlier expectations that slowing outflows could signal a near-term inflection point.Solana ETFs Defy Broader TrendWhile Bitcoin, Ether, and XRP ETFs posted daily losses—$41.8 million in Ether and $2.2 million in XRP outflows—Solana ETFs continued to attract capital.US spot Solana ETFs have now logged a six-day inflow streak, with around $113 million added year-to-date. Since launching in October 2025, Solana funds have accumulated nearly $700 million in assets, though monthly inflows have cooled compared to late 2025 highs.Sentiment Remains in ‘Extreme Fear’Market sentiment continues to weigh on flows. The Crypto Fear & Greed Index remains entrenched in the “Extreme Fear” zone, even after Bitcoin rebounded from early February lows near $60,000.At the time of writing, Bitcoin traded around $67,000 on Coinbase, down roughly 24% year-to-date.Despite persistent ETF outflows and weak sentiment, some analysts argue that current risk-adjusted metrics—such as Bitcoin’s short-term Sharpe ratio—are approaching levels historically associated with major buying opportunities.Still, with derivatives positioning elevated and macro uncertainty lingering, ETF flows remain a key indicator of whether institutional demand will stabilize or extend the current retracement phase.

Crypto KOL 币资讯 (@bizixun) posted on X. The first Agentic Game Tournament on Base is set to offer a prize pool of $1 million. Participants are encouraged to register for the event, which promises to be a significant occasion in the gaming community. The tournament aims to attract a wide range of competitors, providing an opportunity for gamers to showcase their skills and compete for substantial rewards. The event is expected to draw attention from both gaming enthusiasts and the broader crypto community.

Polymarket’s lawsuit challenges state authority and could redefine whether the CFTC controls US prediction markets or whether states set their own rules. source: https://cointelegraph.com/news/polymarket-s-lawsuit-could-decide-who-regulates-us-prediction-markets?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss_partner_inbound

The European Union Council has officially designated Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. According to Jin10, this decision follows a political agreement reached by the Foreign Affairs Council on January 29. The move marks a significant step in the EU's stance against Iran's military force, reflecting ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Data from XRP's cycle math shows that the XRP price may still drop lower this cycle before it can find a solid bottom. The bull market that defined 2025 appears to have given way to a more bearish market environment. Visit Website source: https://thecryptobasic.com/2026/02/19/xrp-cycle-math-predicts-prices-where-xrp-could-bottom/

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Paul Atkins has stated that regulatory bodies should not panic over the decline in cryptocurrency prices. According to ChainCatcher, Atkins emphasized that the role of regulators is not to be concerned with daily market fluctuations. Instead, the focus should be on information disclosure and ensuring long-term regulatory clarity.

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RWA,中国 RWA 监管框架正式公布 各方分析与前景预测 金色财经,中国虚拟资产监管体系的又一次重要制度升级。

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