Bitcoin prices have recovered from their dip following the US-Israeli air strikes on Iran and reports of the death of the Iranian Supreme Leader.
Bitcoin (BTC) prices reached $68,200 in early trading on Sunday morning on Coinbase, according to TradingView.
The asset has now recovered all losses from its dip to $63,000 on Saturday, adding $5,000 in less than 24 hours following the news that the United States and Israel had commenced air strikes on Iran.
BTC is currently trading back at Friday’s levels, around $67,350 at the time of writing, but remains within a three-week range-bound channel.
Over the past 24 hours, around 157,000 traders were liquidated, with total liquidations coming in at $657 million, roughly evenly split between leveraged longs and shorts, according to CoinGlass.
Iranian Supreme Leader Killed
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said Ayatollah Khamenei was killed on Saturday at his office, reported the BBC.
US President Donald Trump described the hardline Islamist cleric as “one of the most evil people in history” on his social media platform, Truth Social.
“This is not only justice for the people of Iran, but for all great Americans, and those people from many countries throughout the world, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty thugs,” he said.
The commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Mohammad Pakpour, and the secretary of Iran’s Defense Council, Ali Shamkhani, were also killed in the US-Israel strikes.
“After news of Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei’s death, the market pumped because people are taking it as the end of the US-Iran war,” commented analyst Ash Crypto on Sunday.
“If this conflict shows signs of resolution before Monday’s open, I think Bitcoin can hold its gains and move higher,” he added.
Despite the recent gains, Bitcoin has just closed its third-worst February in history and only the fourth time since 2013 that the asset has ended the month in the red.
BTC shed just under 15% last month, but its worst February was in 2014 when it lost 31%, followed by 2025 when it fell 17.4%, according to CoinGlass.
The asset is also on track to close its worst-performing first quarter since 2018, having lost almost 23% so far since the beginning of the year.
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Institutional adoption of the Ethereum network accelerates despite Ether disappointing price action. Ethereum and its layer-2s hold 65% of TVL market share.
Vitalik Buterin is shifting focus toward base layer scalability and ZK-EVM to ensure long-term onchain efficiency and security.
Ether (ETH) has declined 36% in 2026, sparking frustration as the $3,000 level feels increasingly out of reach. Despite a retreat toward $1,900, Ethereum fundamentals appear resilient. Development continues at a rapid pace, specifically targeting base layer scalability, privacy, and quantum resistance.
Critics claiming Ether is poorly positioned may be surprised if the market sentiment shifts back toward cryptocurrencies.
ETH/USD (orange) vs total crypto capitalization (blue). Source: TradingView
Ether has underperformed the broader crypto market by 9% during the first two months of 2026, challenging the theory that external factors are the sole drivers of this correction. Decentralized exchange (DEX) volumes on the Ethereum network fell 55% over the past six months, while competitor Solana saw a more modest 21% decline during that same timeframe.
Ethereum DEX volumes dropped to $56.5 billion in February 2026, down significantly from a peak of $128.5 billion in August 2025. During the same period, monthly Solana volumes reached $95.5 billion, down from $120.6 billion in August. This contraction in activity has weighed on network fees and decentralized application (DApp) revenue, effectively reducing the immediate incentives for holding Ether.
Institutions choose Ethereum over other blockchains
The narrow focus on volume ignores the fact that Ethereum maintains a 57% market share in total value locked (TVL), totaling $52.4 billion. When including layer-2 solutions such as Base, Arbitrum, Polygon, and Optimism, Ethereum’s dominance rises to 65%. For comparison, Solana’s TVL sits at $6.4 billion, while BNB Chain holds an aggregate $5.5 billion locked in smart contracts.
Major institutions, including JP Morgan Asset Management, Citi, Deutsche Bank, and BlackRock, have recently launched onchain projects using Ethereum. From tokenized funds to dedicated layer-2 rollups and bank-issued stablecoins, Ethereum remains the primary venue for decentralized finance (DeFi) innovation, commanding a 68% market share in Real World Assets (RWA).
Real World Assets active market capitalization, USD. Source: DefiLlama
Ethereum’s strategic decision to prioritize layer-2 scalability via rollups has been partially labeled a failure, as competing chains like Tron and Solana currently lead in network fees. Regardless of how critics judge the decision to subsidize rollup costs, no “Ethereum killer” has managed to match its monetary value. Even the highly successful Hyperliquid maintains a relatively modest $1.5 billion in TVL.
Blockchains ranked by Total Value Locked, USD. Source: DefiLlama
Vitalik Buterin, Ethereum’s co-founder and lead architect, recently expressed intentions to reduce dependence on rollups by targeting base layer scalability. According to Buterin, the proposed changes include parallel block verification, aligning gas costs with actual execution time, and the implementation of a zero-knowledge Ethereum Virtual Machine (ZK-EVM).
These updates will be implemented gradually. Buterin recommends that a minority of the network participate initially before moving toward mandatory block confirmation systems that rely on ZK-EVM. Additionally, Ethereum maintains a clear roadmap to navigate the quantum computing era, which includes consensus-layer signatures based on privacy-focused proof systems.
Buterin has admitted that quantum-resistant signatures are significantly larger and more difficult to verify, noting that lattice-based solutions are currently inefficient. Consequently, the proposed solution involves fixing protocol-layer recursive signature and proof aggregation while developing vectorized math precompiles to reduce gas costs. While the Ethereum network is not yet perfect, a viable path for scalability exists.
Before dismissing ETH as a failure, it is necessary to analyze what has made the network successful relative to competing DApp-focused blockchains. Decentralization and trust require years, if not decades, to establish. ETH maintains a significant first-mover advantage and appears well-positioned to capture a future surge in demand for institutional-grade onchain activity.
This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision. While we strive to provide accurate and timely information, Cointelegraph does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information in this article. This article may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Cointelegraph will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your reliance on this information.
Bitcoin (BTC) rewards investors the most who hold it for at least three years, according to data shared by André Dragosch, head of research at Bitwise Europe.
Key takeaways:
Holding BTC for at least three years has historically slashed losses to just 0.70%.
Bitcoin price predictions for 2026–2027 cluster around $100,000–$150,000 in bullish scenarios.
Long-term Bitcoin holders rarely lose
A Bitwise analysis reviewed Bitcoin’s price history between July 17, 2010, and Feb. 11, 2026, concluding that the probability of being in the red drops to just 0.70% when BTC is held for at least three years.
Bitcoin investors’ probability of loss per holding period. Source: Bitwise
In other words, nearly all rolling three-year entry points in Bitcoin’s history ended up profitable. Beyond three years, the risk of loss fell even further: 0.2% over five years and 0% over ten years.
Traders holding Bitcoin for less than three years faced a much higher risk of loss.
Intraday buyers, for instance, had a 47.1% chance of being underwater. That probability stayed elevated at 44.7% over one week, 43.2% over one month, and 24.3% over a one-year holding period.
Stronger hands are 90% in profit already
The realized price metric also shows declines in holders’ losses over multi-year windows.
As of Saturday, Bitcoin was down by roughly 50% from its October 2025 high, trading for around $65,000.
That was way above its three-to-five-year realized price of $34,780, meaning investors who bought and held through that window were still sitting on an approximately 90% profit.
A move to that level would wipe out much of the cohort’s cushion, pushing the three–five year band closer to breakeven. That would further test whether these holders start adding to sell pressure or sit tight.
Conversely, most traders who bought Bitcoin in the past two years were underwater.
BTC realized price by age. Source: Glassnode
The cost basis of the 6m–12m cohort, entities that have been holding BTC for up to a year, was around $101,250, leaving them with roughly a 35% in unrealized loss as of Saturday.
However, the 1y–2y cohort’s cost basis was lower, around $78,150, translating into about a 15% unrealized loss.
The gap reinforced the same pattern seen in the holding-period data: the longer the holding window, the smaller the drawdown tends to be during corrections.
How high can BTC price go?
Longer-term forecasts still cluster around a handful of upside targets for 2026–2027.
“The current Bitcoin price action is a mere crisis of confidence,” Bernstein analysts led by Gautam Chhugani said.
Standard Chartered, meanwhile, warned of a potential “final capitulation” phase that could drag BTC toward $50,000 amid weak ETF flows and a tougher macro backdrop, before recovering toward $100,000 by the end of 2026.
Looking into 2027, Timothy Peterson’s historical “average return” framework points to $122,000 by early 2027, with high odds that BTC trades above that figure.
Trailing positive BTC price months with put option payoff data. Source: Timothy Peterson/X
This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision. While we strive to provide accurate and timely information, Cointelegraph does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information in this article. This article may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Cointelegraph will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your reliance on this information.
A group of 11 US senators has asked federal authorities to investigate whether crypto exchange Binance is complying with US sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) requirements, citing recent reports.
In a letter on Friday to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Attorney General Pamela Bondi, the lawmakers urged a “prompt, comprehensive review” of the exchange’s compliance controls and its adherence to settlement agreements reached in 2023.
The senators pointed to allegations that approximately $1.7 billion in digital assets flowed through Binance to Iranian entities linked to terrorism, including groups connected to the Houthis and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Investigators also reportedly identified more than 1,500 accounts accessed by users in Iran and potential activity connected to Russian sanctions evasion.
According to the letter, some Binance compliance staff who uncovered suspicious transactions were later dismissed, and law enforcement agencies said the exchange had become less cooperative in providing customer information.
Senators warn Binance products could enable sanctions evasion
Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ruben Gallego, joined by Angela D. Alsobrooks, Andy Kim, Raphael Warnock, Tina Smith, Catherine Cortez Masto, Mark R. Warner, Elizabeth Warren, Jack Reed and Lisa Blunt Rochester, signed the letter.
They also raised concerns about newer products, including payment cards launched in parts of the former Soviet Union and partnerships tied to stablecoin initiatives, which they warned could facilitate sanctions evasion.
The senators asked the agencies to report by March 13 on any steps taken to examine the exchange’s conduct.
Senators ask for probe into Binance. Source: Senate
On Tuesday, Senator Richard Blumenthal, ranking member of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, also launched a congressional inquiry into Binance. He sent a letter to Binance CEO Richard Teng requesting documents and internal records related to the exchange’s sanctions controls.
In a statement to Cointelegraph this week, Binance rejected allegations that its platform facilitated illicit transactions, saying it identified and reported suspicious activity to authorities and does not allow Iranian users. A company spokesperson said recent media coverage misrepresented the exchange’s operations.
Last week, the exchange also disputed a report claiming it processed more than $1 billion in Iran-linked transfers and denied dismissing investigators over the issue.
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Ethereum continues to host the largest concentration of stablecoins and decentralized finance (DeFi) capital, even as successive waves of faster networks emerge.
Newer blockchains have promised higher throughput and lower costs, raising questions about whether institutional capital could eventually migrate away from Ethereum.
Kevin Lepsoe, founder of ETHGas and a former Morgan Stanley derivatives executive in Asia, said he expects Ethereum’s lead to endure, as institutions tend to prioritize capital depth over flashy performance.
“[Transactions per second] is the metric that gets engineers excited, but is that what drives capital to the blockchain?” Lepsoe asked in an interview with Cointelegraph.
“The capital is on Ethereum; the stablecoins are there. TradFi is looking at where the liquidity is,” he said.
Institutional capital brings scale and stability to a blockchain’s ecosystem. Large asset managers and tokenized fund issuers move capital in volumes that deepen liquidity and anchor stablecoin supply. Their presence can establish a network’s position beyond hype-driven retail activity that surges in bull markets and fades in downturns.
Ethereum isn’t the fastest chain, but its DeFi liquidity is the deepest. Source: DefiLlama
Liquidity keeps Ethereum ahead of faster rivals
If institutions prefer to operate where most of the money already sits, then simply making a faster blockchain will not pull capital away from Ethereum.
Over the past several cycles, performance has become a weapon to attract users. Solana has emerged as Ethereum’s high-speed alternative, dubbed an “Ethereum killer,” though that label is debated. It onboarded retail traders through the non-fungible token (NFT) boom and the memecoin frenzy, but the heightened activities weren’t sustained in the long run.
Solana now has its own generation of “Solana killers” that advertise higher theoretical transactions per second (TPS). But Ethereum’s liquidity grants tighter spreads, lower slippage for large trades and the capacity to absorb institutional-sized transactions without heavily distorting prices.
“I think of Ethereum as like downtown,” Lepsoe said.
“You could build a marketplace uptown somewhere in the suburbs and you could get far off market prices there, maybe it’s more convenient or maybe you like the vibe. But if you want the deepest liquidity, you go downtown, and that’s Ethereum.”
Though past crypto booms featured high-stakes retail speculation, the next phase is shaping up to include more institutional capital. As it stands, institutional players have expressed interest in practical use cases such as stablecoins and real-world assets (RWAs).
Even the world’s largest asset manager is leaning into RWA products. BlackRock’s USD Liquidity Fund (BUIDL) is its tokenized Treasury fund that started on Ethereum and branched out to several blockchains. Ethereum holds over a 30% BUIDL market capitalization.
Ethereum has been widening its lead as the distribution layer for RWAs, excluding stablecoins. Source: RWA.xyz
Ethereum is the largest network for stablecoins as well, which BlackRock’s global head of market development, Samara Cohen, said are “becoming the bridge between traditional finance and digital liquidity.”
Ethereum leads the industry in stablecoin market cap, with $160.4 billion, according to DefiLlama.
Ethereum’s L2 liquidity is returning to L1
Though Lepsoe said liquidity depth shapes institutional preference, a network’s efficiency cannot be completely disregarded.
Ethereum has been adjusting its own technical profile. Transaction fees that once routinely spiked to virtually unusable prices have fallen significantly, as layer-2 rollups eased pressure on the main chain. These solutions brought in new problems of their own. Rollups fragmented liquidity across multiple environments.
Lepsoe described the liquidity fragmentation as a blessing in disguise for Ethereum. He argued that if L2s didn’t take away liquidity from the main chain, capital would have flown out to competitors.
“I think it actually saved the liquidity from going to other L1s, where they eventually probably couldn’t have brought it back,” he said.
Recently, Ethereum has shifted its focus back to scaling the main chain. Co-founder Vitalik Buterin said that many layer 2s have failed to decentralize, while the main chain is now sufficiently scaling.
“Both of these facts, for their own separate reasons, mean that the original vision of L2s and their role in Ethereum no longer makes sense, and we need a new path,” Buterin said in a recent X post.
Institutions want their own chains, and Ethereum L2s let them have that without leaving Ethereum’s ecosystem, an Arbitrum developer said. Source: Steven Goldfeder
With transaction fees tamed, Ethereum is expected to execute the Glamsterdam fork in 2026, raising the block gas limit to 200 million from 60 million and putting its layer 1 on the road to 10,000 TPS over time.
For Ethereum, the timing coincides with institutions evaluating blockchain infrastructure for the next generation of financial services.
Alongside protocol upgrades, infrastructure providers are experimenting with ways to improve execution efficiency. Projects like Lepsoe’s ETHGas aim to optimize Ethereum’s block construction process through offchain execution and coordination, while Psy Protocol uses zero-knowledge technology to bundle multiple transactions into one.
Marcin Kaźmierczak, co-founder of blockchain oracle RedStone — which supplies data feeds for tokenized assets and institutional blockchain applications — said that Ethereum has the edge, as institutions prefer blockchains that have been battle-tested and around “for a very long time.” However, while institutions are “aggressively” expanding into Ethereum, they’re also shopping around.
“They look at Solana, which is getting good traction. Canton is extremely important for them because it gives them privacy, which they value very, very much,” Kaźmierczak told Cointelegraph.
Lepsoe said he sees “zero threat” from Solana or Canton, arguing that Ethereum still has the deepest liquidity pool, which is the primary draw for large allocators.
For institutional capital, performance improvements may expand Ethereum’s capacity, but liquidity remains its defining advantage. In blockchain markets, speed can attract users during booms, but capital tends to stay where the deepest markets already exist.
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While specific analyst predictions are limited in recent weeks, historical forecasts from late 2025 provide context for current price action. CoinCodex projected LDO could reach $0.65 by early January 2026, while Blockchain.News suggested potential upside to the $0.66-$0.70 range within 4-6 weeks of their December 27 forecast.
However, LDO’s current trading price of $0.29 reflects significant deviation from these earlier bullish projections, highlighting the volatile nature of cryptocurrency markets and the importance of real-time technical analysis for informed decision-making.
LDO Technical Analysis Breakdown
The current technical picture for Lido DAO presents a mixed but increasingly interesting setup. With LDO trading at $0.29, the token sits precariously close to its Bollinger Band lower boundary at $0.29, indicating potential oversold conditions.
The RSI reading of 31.00 places LDO in neutral territory but approaching oversold levels, which historically has provided buying opportunities for contrarian traders. The MACD histogram at 0.0000 suggests bearish momentum is potentially exhausting, though confirmation is needed from price action.
Moving averages paint a concerning picture with LDO trading well below all major timeframes. The 7-day SMA at $0.30 represents immediate resistance, while the 20-day SMA at $0.33 serves as a more significant barrier. The stark reality shows LDO trading 64% below its 200-day SMA of $0.80, indicating the extent of the current correction.
The 24-hour trading range of $0.28-$0.32 encompasses critical technical levels, with strong support identified at $0.26 and strong resistance at $0.33. Daily volatility measured by ATR sits at $0.02, suggesting relatively contained price swings despite the recent 10.06% decline.
Lido DAO Price Targets: Bull vs Bear Case
Bullish Scenario
Should LDO hold above the critical $0.26 support level, a recovery scenario targets the $0.31-$0.33 resistance zone. A decisive break above $0.33 would signal potential continuation toward the 50-day SMA at $0.44, representing a 52% upside from current levels.
Technical confirmation for this bullish case requires RSI recovery above 40, MACD histogram turning positive, and sustained volume above the recent average of $3.26 million. The Lido DAO forecast becomes increasingly optimistic if these conditions align with broader DeFi sector recovery.
Bearish Scenario
Failure to maintain support at $0.26 could trigger accelerated selling toward the next major support zone around $0.20-$0.22. The bearish case gains credence if RSI breaks below 30 into oversold territory without immediate bounce, and if broader market conditions deteriorate.
Risk factors include continued ETH staking competitive pressure, regulatory uncertainties affecting liquid staking protocols, and potential governance token selling pressure from long-term holders seeking liquidity.
Should You Buy LDO? Entry Strategy
For risk-tolerant traders, current levels present an asymmetric opportunity with clearly defined risk parameters. Conservative entry could target the $0.27-$0.28 range with strict stop-loss at $0.25, representing manageable 7-11% downside risk.
More aggressive accumulation could consider dollar-cost averaging between $0.26-$0.30, capitalizing on potential volatility while maintaining position flexibility. The key resistance breakout level at $0.33 serves as an important milestone for trend continuation confirmation.
Risk management remains paramount given LDO’s position near multi-month lows. Position sizing should reflect individual risk tolerance, with stops placed below the critical $0.26 support to preserve capital for better opportunities.
Conclusion
This LDO price prediction suggests a pivotal moment for Lido DAO, with technical indicators approaching oversold conditions while price action tests crucial support levels. The medium-term Lido DAO forecast remains cautiously optimistic, contingent on successful defense of $0.26 support and broader DeFi sector stabilization.
While historical analyst targets of $0.65+ appear overly ambitious given current market structure, a measured recovery toward $0.40-$0.45 remains plausible should technical conditions improve. Traders should monitor RSI recovery, MACD momentum shifts, and volume confirmation for directional clarity.
Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency price predictions involve substantial risk and uncertainty. This analysis is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Always conduct your own research and consider your risk tolerance before making investment decisions.
Bitcoin continues to face selling on minor rallies, indicating a negative sentiment.
Several altcoins have turned down from the overhead resistance levels, indicating the bears are active at higher levels.
Bitcoin (BTC) continues to face selling on rallies, with bears attempting to sink the price below $66,000. However, some analysts believe the downside may be limited.
Analyst Willy Woo said in a post on X that the selling may have exhausted and BTC is likely to enter a period of consolidation. He expects the rebound to be rejected in the mid $70,000 level. Woo anticipates the bearish trend to end in Q4 of this year and the bullish momentum to begin in Q1 or Q2 2027.
Another positive sign in favor of the bulls is that BTC exchange-traded funds have started attracting investors. The BTC ETFs have recorded $1.01 billion in inflows since Tuesday, according to SoSoValue data.
Crypto market data daily view. Source: TradingView
Analysts also expect Ether (ETH) to remain sideways for some time. Swyftx lead analyst Pav Hundal told Cointelegraph on Thursday that ETH may remain “subdued over the next few weeks” and in the medium term may test even “the most experienced investors.”
Could BTC and select major altcoins hold on to their support levels? Let’s analyze the charts of the top 10 cryptocurrencies to find out.
Bitcoin price prediction
BTC’s relief rally is facing selling at the 20-day exponential moving average (EMA) ($68,895), indicating a negative sentiment.
The BTC/USDT pair has formed a symmetrical triangle, which usually acts as a continuation pattern. If the Bitcoin price continues lower and breaks below the support line, it puts the $60,000 level at risk of breaking down. If that happens, the pair may plunge to the next major support at $52,500.
The first sign of strength will be a close above the resistance line. The pair may then rally to the breakdown level of $74,508. This is a crucial level for the bears to defend, as a close above $74,508 suggests that the price may have bottomed out at $60,000.
Ether price prediction
Buyers pushed ETH above the $2,111 resistance on Wednesday but could not sustain the breakout.
The Ether price has turned down sharply from the $2,111 resistance, indicating that the bears are vigorously defending the level. That suggests the ETH/USDT pair may extend its stay inside the $1,750 to $2,111 range for a while.
The next trending move is expected to begin on a close above $2,111 or below $1,750. If the $1,750 level cracks, the next stop is likely to be $1,537. Alternatively, a close above $2,111 might thrust the pair toward the 50-day simple moving average (SMA) ($2,494).
XRP price prediction
XRP (XRP) remains stuck between the 20-day EMA ($1.44) and the support line of the descending channel pattern.
Sellers will attempt to sink the XRP price below the support line, but are likely to encounter solid resistance from the bulls. If the price bounces off the support line with strength, the bulls will again try to push the XRP/USDT pair above the 20-day EMA. If they succeed, the pair may rally to the 50-day SMA ($1.67) and then to the downtrend line.
Contrarily, a break and close below the support line puts the Feb. 6 low of $1.11 at risk of breaking down. The pair may then tumble to the psychological support at $1.
BNB price prediction
Sellers are attempting to halt BNB’s (BNB) recovery at the 20-day EMA ($638), but the bulls have kept up the pressure.
That shows a greater potential for a possible breakout above the 20-day EMA in the near term. The BNB/USDT pair may rally to $669 and subsequently to the breakdown level of $730.
This bullish view will be negated in the near term if the price turns down sharply from the 20-day EMA and breaks below the $570 support. That signals the resumption of the downtrend toward the psychological support at $500.
Solana price prediction
Solana (SOL) rose above the 20-day EMA ($86) on Wednesday, but the bears halted the recovery at the $95 level.
Sellers have pulled the price below the 20-day EMA, opening the gates for a drop to the $75 level. If the price rebounds off the $75 level with strength, it suggests that the bulls are trying to form a higher low. The SOL/USDT pair may then consolidate between $75 and $95 for a few days.
Contrary to this assumption, a close below the $75 level suggests that the bears remain in control. The Solana price may then plummet to the Feb. 6 low of $67.
Dogecoin price prediction
Dogecoin (DOGE) broke above the 20-day EMA ($0.10) on Wednesday, but the bulls could not sustain the higher levels.
Sellers will attempt to pull the Dogecoin price below the $0.09 support. If they can pull it off, the DOGE/USDT pair may retest the Feb. 6 low of $0.08. A strong rebound off the $0.08 level signals a possible range formation. The pair may swing between $0.08 and $0.12 for some time.
The bulls will be back in the driver’s seat after they thrust the price above the $0.12 resistance. That opens the doors for a rally to $0.16.
Bitcoin Cash price prediction
Buyers pushed Bitcoin Cash (BCH) above the $500 level on Wednesday and Thursday, but the long wick on the candlesticks shows selling at higher levels.
Sellers will attempt to sink the Bitcoin Cash price to the solid support at $443, which is a critical support to watch out for. If the price closes below $443, the BCH/USDT pair will complete a bearish head-and-shoulders pattern. That may start a new downtrend toward $380.
Buyers will have to swiftly push the price above the moving averages to prevent the downside. If they do that, the pair may march toward $580.
The flattening moving averages and the relative strength index (RSI) near the midpoint do not give a clear advantage either to the bulls or the bears. If the price sustains above the 20-day EMA ($29.07), the HYPE/USDT pair may rise to $32.50 and later to the stiff overhead resistance of $36.77.
On the downside, the bears will have to tug the Hyperliquid price below the $25.62 support to gain the upper hand. That clears the path for a drop to the solid support at $20.82. A break above $36.77 or below $20.82 is likely to start the next trending move.
Cardano price prediction
Cardano (ADA) cleared the 20-day EMA ($0.28) hurdle on Wednesday, but the bulls could not pierce the 50-day SMA ($0.31).
A positive sign in favor of the bulls is that they are attempting to arrest the pullback at the 20-day EMA. If the price turns up from the 20-day EMA, buyers will make another attempt to overcome the barrier at the downtrend line. If they succeed, the ADA/USDT pair may rally toward $0.44. Such a move suggests a short-term trend change.
Instead, if the Cardano price breaks and closes below the 20-day EMA, it indicates that the bears are active at higher levels. That may keep the pair inside the descending channel for some more time.
Chainlink price prediction
Chainlink (LINK) broke above the 20-day EMA ($9) on Wednesday, but the bulls are struggling to sustain the higher levels.
Sellers will attempt to pull the Chainlink price to the solid support at $8. Buyers are expected to defend the $8 level with all their might, as a close below it might sink the LINK/USDT pair to the Feb. 6 low of $7.15.
This negative view will be invalidated in the near term if the price turns up and closes above the 20-day EMA. The bulls will then attempt to propel the pair to the $10.94 to $11.61 overhead resistance zone.
This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision. While we strive to provide accurate and timely information, Cointelegraph does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information in this article. This article may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Cointelegraph will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your reliance on this information.
The EU’s new crypto tax rules do not introduce new taxes but expand tax transparency by ensuring that crypto transactions are reported and shared across member states.
Reporting obligations fall primarily on crypto-asset service providers, requiring them to collect user identity information, tax residency details and transaction data in a standardized format.
Information reported by platforms will be automatically exchanged among EU tax authorities, reducing cross-border reporting gaps for crypto users.
The framework aligns with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s global crypto reporting standard, increasing compatibility with non-EU jurisdictions.
The European Union is set to significantly enhance its monitoring of cryptocurrency transactions for tax purposes. Starting Jan. 1, 2026, updated reporting obligations require crypto platforms operating in the EU or serving EU users to provide detailed information on users and their transactions to tax authorities. This change aligns digital assets more closely with the transparency requirements long established in conventional finance.
The key legislation driving this shift is Council Directive (EU) 2023/2226, commonly known as DAC8. It expands the EU’s existing framework for the automatic exchange of tax information to include crypto assets. Paired with the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, DAC8 represents a major step in regulating the crypto sector. It focuses specifically on taxation rather than solely on market conduct or licensing.
This article explains how the new EU crypto tax reporting system will work, outlines the obligations for platforms and examines the implications for individual users as the rules take effect.
Why DAC8 is being introduced: Closing the gap from banks to blockchains
For more than a decade, EU countries have used the Directive on Administrative Cooperation (DAC) to automatically share tax-related financial data across borders. Previous iterations covered bank accounts, investment income and certain digital platforms, but crypto transactions were largely exempt from routine reporting.
As cryptocurrency adoption grew in Europe, this exemption created clear loopholes for potential tax evasion. EU authorities viewed it as inconsistent to exempt crypto solely because of its technological basis.
DAC8 aims to close this gap by formally incorporating crypto assets into the tax transparency system, ensuring that transaction data is gathered, reported and exchanged in a manner similar to traditional financial information. The European Commission has emphasized that crypto deserves no special exemption from tax enforcement.
Alignment with the OECD’s Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF)
The EU built DAC8 around the CARF, which was launched in 2023. The CARF sets a global benchmark for crypto transaction reporting by specifying:
Which crypto assets qualify for reporting
Which entities must report
The specific user and transaction details required.
By adopting the CARF model, the EU promotes consistency with international standards, making it easier to share data with non-EU countries that implement similar rules.
Did you know? Before crypto-specific rules, several EU tax authorities relied on blockchain analytics firms instead of formal reporting to estimate crypto activity, often producing significantly different figures for the same market.
Scope of DAC8: Covered assets and platforms
The focus of DAC8 is on crypto-asset service providers (CASPs) operating in the EU. These include centralized exchanges, brokers, custodial wallets and similar intermediaries. The rules cover a broad range of assets, including most cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, tokenized assets and certain non-fungible tokens that function more like investment vehicles than pure collectibles. The emphasis is on transferability and investment use rather than on specific labels.
The obligations extend beyond EU-based platforms. Non-EU providers serving EU users may also need to comply, highlighting the directive’s extraterritorial impact.
Timeline and implementation of DAC8
Adopted in October 2023, DAC8 required transposition into national law by Dec. 31, 2025, with application starting on Jan. 1, 2026. As of early 2026, some member states have faced delays or infringement notices for incomplete transposition, though the EU expects full enforcement.
Key dates include:
Platforms began collecting relevant data on Jan. 1, 2026.
The first reports, covering 2026 activity, will be submitted to national tax authorities in 2027, typically within nine months of year-end.
Tax authorities then automatically exchange the data annually with other EU countries.
The commission has signaled that it expects timely and full implementation. Several countries have received formal notices for delays in transposing the rules, underlining that enforcement will not be optional.
Did you know? Early drafts of EU crypto tax proposals debated whether self-custody wallets could ever be subject to reporting, highlighting how difficult it is to regulate decentralized ownership.
Reporting requirements for platforms in DAC8
Under DAC8, CASPs are required to perform enhanced due diligence and submit detailed information to their local tax authority. This includes user details such as full name, address, tax residency and tax identification number (TIN), if available.
Transaction data includes:
Types of crypto transactions, such as sales, exchanges and transfers
Gross proceeds from disposals
Dates and values of transactions.
After collection, this information is automatically shared among EU tax authorities. A user’s country of residence receives the relevant data even if the platform is located in a different country.
For platforms, DAC8 makes crypto tax reporting a structured, recurring compliance obligation. It more closely resembles financial reporting than ad hoc disclosures.
Impact of DAC8 on crypto users
One of the most significant changes for crypto users is increased tax reporting transparency under DAC8. National tax authorities can now view transactions conducted on reporting platforms.
This may result in:
Requests for more detailed tax residency or identification information during account setup or updates
Greater ability for authorities to match crypto activity against declared income on tax returns
Easier detection of inconsistencies between reported data and tax filings.
DAC8 does not introduce new taxes or standardize rates across the EU. Member states retain authority over crypto taxation policies, as the directive focuses solely on information exchange. While DAC8 automates data exchange between authorities, users are still required to report their crypto activity through their respective national tax returns.
Compliance challenges for platforms under DAC8
Implementing DAC8 requires significant upgrades, including accurate transaction tracking, tax residency verification and secure data storage. Smaller or less-resourced providers may struggle to meet these obligations alongside MiCA and Anti-Money Laundering requirements.
Non-compliance carries the risk of penalties, including fines for late, incomplete or missing reports. Some platforms have indicated that regulatory compliance costs may influence where they choose to operate.
Users may also face confusion in understanding DAC8 in the context of MiCA. DAC8 addresses tax transparency behind the scenes, while MiCA covers licensing, investor safeguards and market conduct.
The two are complementary: DAC8 ensures tax data flows once services are active, while MiCA defines permissible operations. Together, they create a comprehensive oversight framework for the crypto economy.
Certain aspects remain unclear under DAC8, such as how decentralized finance (DeFi) fits in when no central intermediary exists to report to. Privacy advocates have raised concerns about extensive data collection and sharing, though EU officials note that the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other data protection laws continue to apply. It remains to be seen how these safeguards will operate in practice.
Did you know? Similar crypto tax reporting models are being explored in Asia-Pacific and Latin America, suggesting that EU-style transparency could become a global norm rather than a regional exception.
DAC8 in the broader context
DAC8 forms part of a global trend as crypto integrates into mainstream finance. Governments worldwide are increasingly treating it as part of the mainstream financial system rather than as a parallel economy viewed with suspicion.
By adopting OECD-aligned standards and enabling cross-border exchanges, the EU underscores that crypto will face the same transparency demands as traditional assets. For users and platforms in Europe, the period of limited formal tax oversight is effectively ending.
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The taxman cometh. In February, the tax authorities of four countries began to reconsider how they tax crypto.
In the US, the number of crypto ATMs hit nearly 40,000, returning to 2021 levels of interest in crypto kiosks. The number of installations had dipped significantly after the crypto crash of 2022.
Japan’s inflation dipped below 2% in February, less than in the United States. Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett said earlier this year that dollar investments were looking less attractive as the yen is providing a more stable currency.
Bitcoin (BTC) was stuck below $70,000 this month. Many crypto observers have noted that US tariffs are putting pressure on the asset. US President Donald Trump’s new 10% levy has done nothing to alleviate this.
Here’s February by the numbers:
Four countries consider changes to crypto tax laws in February
The Netherlands’ House of Representatives, the lower house of the country’s parliament, advanced a tax proposal on Feb. 12. The draft law would introduce a 36% capital gains tax on unrealized gains on savings and liquid investments, including crypto.
Detractors appear to have won out. The new Dutch cabinet said that it will reconsider the measure.
“There is a lot of criticism of the Actual Return Act. We are not deaf to that … The bill needs to be amended. The Minister and State Secretary will discuss this with the Senate and parliament,” a cabinet spokesperson said.
In Israel, the Israeli Crypto Blockchain & Web 3.0 Companies Forum launched a lobbying effort to reform the country’s crypto tax laws. Forum leader Nir Hirshmann-Rub said there is broad public support to relax laws on stablecoins and tokenization, as well as simplify compliance.
He noted that many Israelis already own and invest in crypto. “More than 25% of the public already has had crypto dealings in the last five years and more than 20% currently hold digital assets,” he said.
In Hong Kong, Financial Secretary Paul Chan said that the special administrative region is tweaking its tax laws. He said the Inland Revenue Ordinance will implement the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF).
The CARF is a global tax exchange standard for crypto that aims to tackle tax evasion. It requires crypto service providers to report on client activity.
Vietnam has proposed a crypto transaction tax. Crypto transfers and trading would be exempt from the usual value-added tax. But transferring crypto assets through licensed service providers would incur a 0.1% personal income tax on the transaction value.
In India, which imposes a flat 30% tax on crypto gains and doesn’t allow users to offset losses, calls to reform the law have fallen on deaf ears. Despite intense lobbying, the proposed 2026 Union Budget did nothing to reform crypto tax.
Bitcoin has had a rough past couple of months, and in February, it struggled to breach the $70,000 mark.
Analysts have cited several macro pressures on Bitcoin’s price. One is the lack of progress on the CLARITY Act, the US’ proposed framework for cryptocurrency markets. Lawmakers can’t agree on ethics provisions or possible bailout provisions, and prominent lobbies, namely the crypto and banking lobbies, are at loggerheads over stablecoin interest.
Chris Waller, a governor of the United States Federal Reserve, said, “The lack of passing of the CLARITY Act I think has kind of put people off on this.”
Another issue is tariffs. The US Supreme Court invalidated the tariffs Trump implemented using the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Trump responded by hiking global tariffs 10% using the Trade Act of 1974 as a legal foundation.
Crypto analysts and observers have noted the negative effect Bitcoin has on markets. Swan CEO Cory Klippsten said, “The biggest drag on Bitcoin price the past year has been tariffs … That’s the drag on risk assets in general, and in particular [with] Bitcoin, there’s just uncertainty around what’s gonna happen.”
Japan’s inflation dips below 2%, and Takaishi takes elections
The inflation rate of the Japanese yen has dipped below that of the dollar, falling below 2%, its lowest in three years.
The new inflation low for the yen comes after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi called for snap elections. The gamble hoped to restore the majority of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to a parliamentary majority.
The gambit paid off, and now the LDP dominates the Japanese House of Representatives, the National Diet’s lower house, with a 316-member two-thirds majority.
Stock markets in Japan responded well. The Nikkei 225 (JP225) increased 10% on the month, spiking significantly after the Feb. 9 election.
[chart]
Japanese JP225 is up over 10% in February.
This could spell short-term trouble for Bitcoin, which tends to correlate with US equities, according to XWIN Research Japan. The increasing attractiveness of Japanese bonds could slow into US equity exchange-traded funds.
Buffett said that his company will increase its investments in Japanese trading houses. These include five major “sogo shosha,” or wholesale companies: Itochu, Marubeni, Mitsubishi, Mitsui and Sumitomo.
Crypto ATMs number 40,000 as companies add new requirements
The number of cryptocurrency kiosks worldwide grew by 290 in February, bringing the total number up to nearly 40,000, according to data from Coin ATM Radar.
[graph]
290 crypto ATMs opened globally in February.
The number of cryptocurrency kiosks has fluctuated over the years. The total number dropped significantly after the crypto crash of 2022.
[graph]
Crypto ATMs globally now number nearly 40,000.
Regulators worldwide have raised concerns over crypto ATMs and the possibility of their use in money laundering, as well as scams. Some companies have taken strides to allay these concerns.
In February, the biggest Bitcoin ATM operator in the US, Bitcoin Depot, began phasing in user ID requirements for its terminals in the United States. The move followed pressure from regulators and lawmakers nationwide.
Cointelegraph Features and Cointelegraph Magazine publish long-form journalism, analysis and narrative reporting produced by Cointelegraph’s in-house editorial team and selected external contributors with subject-matter expertise. All articles are edited and reviewed by Cointelegraph editors in line with our editorial standards. Contributions from external writers are commissioned for their experience, research or perspective and do not reflect the views of Cointelegraph as a company unless explicitly stated. Content published in Features and Magazine does not constitute financial, legal or investment advice. Readers should conduct their own research and consult qualified professionals where appropriate. Cointelegraph maintains full editorial independence. The selection, commissioning and publication of Features and Magazine content are not influenced by advertisers, partners or commercial relationships.
EF’s new 12-month program embeds advisors with critical infrastructure teams like Vyper to build sustainable funding beyond grants. First cohort now active.
The Ethereum Foundation has launched Project Odin, a structured support program designed to wean critical infrastructure projects off single-source grant dependency. The initiative comes as ecosystem teams maintaining foundational code—from client implementations to smart contract languages—face recurring funding crises despite their work underpinning billions in on-chain value.
Vyper, the Pythonic smart contract language securing over $2.3 billion in total value locked across 7,959 deployed contracts, serves as the pilot participant. The project’s newly established Foundation for Verified Software will work with an embedded strategic advisor over 12 months to build what the EF calls “a resilient funding portfolio.”
The Pattern That Keeps Breaking
The timing isn’t coincidental. Libp2p, the networking stack powering multiple Ethereum clients, recently issued a public distress call as resources ran thin. It’s a familiar cycle: technically excellent teams ship critical infrastructure, burn through grant runway, then scramble for the next funding round with limited bandwidth for fundraising.
“Sustainability planning arrived too late,” the EF acknowledged in its announcement. Teams focus on shipping while funded, then pivot abruptly when grants near expiration—exactly when their options are narrowest.
This fragility persists even as the broader ecosystem has deployed substantial capital. EF’s 2024 report noted organizations distributed over $497 million in 2022-2023 to support community projects. Yet the money flows episodically, creating boom-bust cycles for teams whose work demands multi-year continuity.
How Odin Actually Works
The program structure borrows accelerator mechanics without the venture-scale ambitions. Each participating team receives hands-on advisory support through three phases:
First, mapping realistic funding options—grants, DAO allocations, retroactive mechanisms, quadratic funding, commercial services—with explicit trade-off analysis. The goal isn’t pushing one model but clarifying what each channel actually demands.
Second, validation through external conversations. For Vyper, this means identifying potential customers for support contracts, SLAs, or consulting services that could stabilize baseline operations while grants fund core research.
Third, execution: building fundraising materials, structuring contractable work, and establishing repeatable revenue streams without derailing public goods output.
Why Vyper Matters as Test Case
Vyper’s situation illustrates the broader tension. The language—conceived by Vitalik Buterin in 2016—has shipped 76 releases with 231 contributors over nine years. Its all-time-high TVL secured exceeded $30 billion. Yet long-term sustainability remains uncertain despite obvious ecosystem value.
The EF frames diversification as risk management. Retroactive funding is powerful but unpredictable. Quadratic funding demands constant campaigning. DAO grants introduce governance overhead and token volatility exposure. Paid support contracts can coexist with all of these, providing operational stability while public mechanisms fund frontier research.
Broader Funding Context
The initiative arrives as Ethereum’s funding landscape shifts. Vitalik Buterin sold over 19,000 ETH in February 2026 to fund ecosystem initiatives, responding partly to the EF’s own “moderate tightening” of treasury spending. With ETH trading around $2,032—down 0.73% on the day—the pressure on grant-dependent teams intensifies during market weakness.
The EF’s longer-term vision extends beyond individual team support toward what it calls “Frontier Research Contractors”—organizations sustaining advanced technical work through blended grant and contract revenue. Vyper’s Foundation for Verified Software represents the first concrete attempt at this model.
Teams interested in future cohorts can contact funding-coordination@ethereum.org. Whether Odin can actually break the perpetual grant cycle remains to be seen, but the EF is betting that treating sustainability as a design problem—addressed early with structure rather than patched during crisis—beats the current pattern of recurring near-death experiences for the infrastructure everyone depends on.
