This article summarizes cryptocurrency news as of February 12, 2026, focusing on the latest Bitcoin updates, Ethereum upgrades, Dogecoin trends, real-time crypto prices, and price forecasts. Major Web3 events today include:
- Tom Lee warns that gold may have peaked; can Bitcoin become the next capital focus?
Fundstrat co-founder Tom Lee recently stated that after a strong rally, gold prices are approaching a cyclical high, and the market may soon see a new wave of capital rotation. He believes that if risk aversion subsides and risk appetite increases, some capital may shift back to Bitcoin, reigniting discussions about “long-term value: gold vs. Bitcoin.”
Looking back over the past year, the global financial environment has remained volatile, with geopolitical tensions and inflation pressures recurring, making gold a primary safe-haven asset. Data shows gold has gained 73% year-to-date, attracting significant institutional and retail funds. In contrast, Bitcoin has fallen about 29% during the same period, under short-term pressure from regulatory uncertainties and profit-taking. This stark divergence is reshaping global asset allocation patterns.
Tom Lee pointed out that historically, when an asset significantly outperforms others over a long period, it often signals the late stage of a cycle. While the surge in gold reflects market confidence, it may also indicate that upward potential is narrowing. Once inflation expectations decline and interest rates stabilize, some funds may shift toward more resilient digital assets.
Despite short-term corrections, Bitcoin’s core logic as a scarce asset remains intact. Its fixed supply, decentralized structure, and global liquidity make it a long-term “digital store of value.” Lee believes that if macro conditions improve and institutional risk appetite recovers, Bitcoin could see a new wave of attention.
Investors should closely monitor central bank policies, inflation data, and capital flows in the crypto market. These factors will determine whether capital shifts from gold to Bitcoin and will shape asset performance for the remainder of 2026.
- Bitcoin capital migration? Barry Silbert predicts 5%-10% flow into Zcash, privacy coins ushering in valuation re-evaluation window
Barry Silbert, founder of Digital Currency Group (DCG), stated at the Bitcoin Investor Week in New York that in the next few years, approximately 5%–10% of Bitcoin funds might flow into privacy-focused crypto assets like Zcash. He considers Bitcoin still the core asset, but in terms of privacy and high-growth potential, privacy coins may offer stronger “asymmetric returns.”
Silbert noted that as on-chain analysis tools mature, the narrative of Bitcoin as “anonymous cash” has weakened, and transaction traceability has become a reality. He emphasized that unless the dollar system experiences a structural collapse, Bitcoin is unlikely to replicate its past multi-hundred-fold growth. Instead, projects focusing on privacy and new cryptographic technologies could potentially deliver 500x or higher returns. He specifically mentioned Zcash and Bittensor, viewing these assets as suitable for high-risk, high-reward strategic allocations.
On privacy blockchains, Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson also signaled significant developments. At the Consensus Hong Kong conference, he announced that the privacy chain Midnight will launch its mainnet in the last week of March 2026. The network features a “selective disclosure” mechanism, where information is encrypted by default but can be accessed with authorization in compliant or necessary scenarios. Hoskinson also revealed that Google and Telegram will participate as early partners in network operations.
Meanwhile, DCG’s Grayscale has long been involved in the privacy sector. Its Zcash trust product was launched in 2017 and is now applying to convert into an ETF. Silbert said he now prefers to call this field “financial privacy,” believing that privacy technology will be a key issue in balancing compliance and personal data protection in the next phase.
Regarding quantum computing risks, Silbert believes Bitcoin is unlikely to face immediate threats, but upgrades in privacy chain cryptography could serve as a complementary hedge against potential technological shocks.
- Gate founder Dr. Han delivers keynote at Consensus HK, exploring Web3 evolution driven by intelligence
Gate founder and CEO Dr. Han was invited to speak on the main stage at Consensus HK, sharing forward-looking insights on the development of digital assets and the future of Web3.
In his speech, Dr. Han pointed out that TradFi, Web3, and AI are moving from parallel development toward deep integration: traditional finance provides a solid foundation for asset systems, Web3 enhances value flow efficiency, and AI is reshaping value allocation methods. Under this synergy, digital assets are evolving from simple trading tools into intelligent infrastructure.
He further emphasized that as application scenarios expand, Web3’s core focus is shifting from trading efficiency to more complex system collaboration and value management. In response, Gate continues to leverage platform innovation, advancing GateAI capabilities and TradFi product deployment to support multi-scenario asset allocation and industry development.
- BlackRock: Allocating just 1% of Asian traditional portfolios to crypto could bring nearly $2 trillion in new capital inflows
Nicholas Peach, head of iShares Asia-Pacific at BlackRock, stated at the Hong Kong Consensus conference that if only 1% of traditional investment portfolios in Asia are allocated to crypto assets, it could theoretically bring in nearly $2 trillion in new capital. As institutional acceptance of crypto ETFs increases in Asia, some allocation models already suggest small proportions of crypto exposure. Given Asia’s household wealth of approximately $108 trillion, even conservative allocations could have a profound impact.
- Ark Invest’s ten consecutive buys bet on crypto stocks: Bullish and Circle become new trump cards for Cathie Wood
In 2026, Cathie Wood’s Ark Invest has continued to increase its holdings in crypto-related assets through multiple ETFs. According to recent disclosures, the firm bought a total of 364,044 shares of Bullish stock on Wednesday, worth about $11.6 million at the closing price. This marks Ark’s tenth consecutive trading day of increasing its stake in this Peter Thiel-backed crypto platform, reflecting long-term optimism about digital asset infrastructure.
Bullish stock rebounded after hitting a low of $24.90 on February 9, rising 28.3% over the past five trading days. It closed Wednesday at $31.88, down slightly by 0.5% intraday but with a clear stabilization trend. Ark’s continued accumulation is seen as a vote of confidence in its business model and industry prospects.
On the same day, Ark also increased its holdings of 75,559 Circle shares, valued at about $440,000. Circle is the issuer of the stablecoin USDC. Its stock price fell 3.2% to $57.86 that day, though it rose 7.8% over five days and declined about 30% over the past month, indicating ongoing high volatility.
On macroeconomic fronts, US stocks performed modestly: Dow Jones down 0.1%, Nasdaq down 0.2%, S&P 500 roughly flat. Digital assets remained relatively stable, with Bitcoin up 0.2% in 24 hours to $67,143, and Ethereum up 0.9% to $1,968.
Industry analysts see Ark’s persistent positioning as a reflection of its long-term view on crypto financial infrastructure. During periods of market volatility and valuation corrections, institutional commitment could provide vital support to related sectors.
- ABA pressures OCC to halt crypto bank license review: Ripple, Circle face regulatory storm again
In 2026, the American Bankers Association (ABA) officially sent a letter to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), demanding an immediate suspension of the review of national bank charters for several crypto companies, including Ripple, Circle, and others. This move is seen as a strong countermeasure by traditional US banking interests against the expansion of digital assets.
The ABA stated that before Congress completes a comprehensive crypto financial regulatory framework, the OCC should not proceed with traditional approval processes for these applications. The association emphasized that regulators must thoroughly assess applicants’ compliance, capital structure, and systemic risks before granting charters.
A key point of contention is the “GENIUS Act.” The ABA criticized the OCC for tying charter approvals to this legislation, which still requires multiple federal agencies to establish supporting rules, potentially taking years to implement. The ABA fears that rushing licenses without a complete regulatory system could increase bankruptcy and liquidity risks.
Ripple’s application has garnered particular attention. It previously received conditional approval from the OCC, seen as a step toward full licensing, which prompted the ABA’s strong opposition. Additionally, World Liberty Financial has applied to become a federally chartered trust bank, sparking controversy in political circles.
Other cases include Circle, BitGo, Paxos, and Laser Digital (a Nomura subsidiary). The ABA also warned that some crypto firms might use affiliated platforms to circumvent restrictions on interest income under the “GENIUS Act,” creating regulatory arbitrage.
This event highlights an escalating battle between US crypto finance and traditional banking systems. As legislation and regulation evolve, whether the OCC adjusts its review pace will directly impact the institutionalization of the US digital asset industry.
- Pi Coin news: Pi Network mainnet node mandatory upgrade countdown, system update required before February 15
Pi Network has set a final deadline for mainnet node upgrades. The Pi core team confirmed that all mainnet nodes must complete system updates by February 15, 2026, or risk disconnection from the network. This upgrade is part of the protocol evolution, with node software moving from version 19.1 to 19.6, aiming to improve stability and pave the way for future features.
Initially scheduled for February 12, the upgrade was delayed to February 15 due to network congestion and technical issues. The official stated that this is the first phase of a multi-stage process, with subsequent versions to be released gradually to improve the mainnet architecture and security.
Node operators are required to update “forcefully.” Nodes that do not upgrade on time may lose connection to the mainnet. To prevent system overloads, the official recommends phased updates, which help reduce failure risks and ensure network operation during the upgrade.
Nodes play a core role in transaction validation and consensus maintenance within Pi Network. Unlike traditional mining, Pi uses a Stellar-based consensus protocol with trusted nodes to confirm transaction order. The network has regular nodes and supernodes; supernodes must be online 24/7 and handle key consensus tasks, making version synchronization critical.
The upcoming version 19.9 is scheduled for release on February 27, with version 20.2 expected on March 12. Each update will include performance improvements and bug fixes to support higher network activity. The Pi ecosystem now has about 60 million users, with ongoing growth demanding higher underlying system capacity.
Community members are sharing upgrade guides and tips. The official notes that brief disruptions during major updates are normal and ask users to be patient. As February 15 approaches, this mainnet node upgrade marks an important milestone for Pi Network’s next phase.
- SEC crypto enforcement faces congressional attack: US digital asset regulation at a critical crossroads?
The US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) approach to crypto enforcement is facing strong opposition from Congress. As House Democrats publicly criticize Chair Paul Atkins’s leadership, tensions over digital asset regulation in Washington are escalating. Lawmakers believe recent enforcement signals have become too lenient, weakening the deterrent effect needed during high-risk periods and undermining investor confidence.
Several Democratic members pointed out that this shift appears selective and politically motivated, especially regarding cases involving former President Trump. They warned that any perception of favoritism could damage SEC’s authority as an independent regulator and erode its credibility in capital markets. For them, the issue is no longer just about compliance details but about investor protection and systemic trust.
Congress perceives the crypto market as highly volatile and opaque, with retail investors often unable to understand complex tokens and risks. Reduced enforcement could foster illegal activities and systemic vulnerabilities. Lawmakers emphasize that consistent enforcement is fundamental to maintaining market order and stable expectations.
Market reactions have already appeared. Uncertainty around regulation often triggers rapid sentiment shifts, and companies struggle to plan long-term compliance without clear guidance. Some industry insiders welcome a more moderate regulatory stance, but others worry that policy reversals could create greater unpredictability.
This debate highlights the tension between innovation and accountability. Legislators aim to promote technological progress while safeguarding investor safety. How the SEC adjusts its enforcement pace will influence the future of US crypto markets and impact global perceptions of US financial regulation credibility.
- Fear index drops to 5, a multi-year low; Bitcoin and Ethereum under pressure; when will the market rebound?
Crypto market sentiment has sharply deteriorated. The latest Crypto Fear & Greed Index has fallen to 5, entering the “extreme fear” zone, reflecting rapid loss of investor confidence amid falling prices and macro uncertainties. A month ago, the index was at 26; a week ago, it dropped to 12, indicating a swift and severe shift in sentiment.
This change is not isolated. The World Uncertainty Index soared above 100,000 in Q3 2025 and remained near 95,000 in Q4, well above peaks seen during the pandemic, Brexit, and Eurozone debt crises. Geopolitical tensions, policy uncertainties, and market volatility have amplified risk aversion, prompting capital to withdraw from high-risk assets.
In this environment, the overall crypto market cap has declined about 22% in 2026. Bitcoin is down over 10% year-to-date, with a 14.6% drop since February; Ethereum’s decline has deepened to 33.8%. The persistent weakness in prices further suppresses market activity.
However, historical experience shows that extreme fear often signals potential turning points. Analyst Kyle Chassé noted that after 2018, March 2020, and the FTX collapse, similar sentiment lows have coincided with opportunity windows. While not necessarily indicating a bottom, the risk-reward profile is shifting.
Another market observer, Ray Youssef, believes Bitcoin may remain range-bound until summer 2026, with possible 20–30% rebounds driven by short covering, but more likely as a cyclical correction rather than a trend reversal. Multiple macro and capital structure factors continue to drive market rhythm.
Currently, the crypto market is at a critical juncture of extreme sentiment, price pressure, and long-term strategic positioning. The next move depends heavily on macroeconomic recovery and capital confidence.
- XRPL enters European market: Ripple partners with Aviva Investors, RWA tokenization as a key stepping stone?
Ripple is accelerating its expansion into Europe. After obtaining two regulatory licenses earlier in 2026, Ripple partnered with major European asset manager Aviva Investors to enable traditional funds to be tokenized and hosted on the XRP Ledger (XRPL). This move is viewed as a significant step toward bridging traditional finance and decentralized finance.
In recent months, many Layer 1 payment networks have partnered around stablecoins and DeFi to expand capital inflows and use cases. Ripple’s approach is more direct: first achieve regulatory compliance, then bring traditional assets on-chain, fundamentally reshaping XRPL’s application landscape. Previously, Ripple obtained licenses in the UK and Luxembourg, allowing its infrastructure to legally integrate into European payment systems and support the XRP ecosystem.
This partnership with Aviva Investors marks Ripple’s first deep collaboration with a major European institution on asset tokenization. Hosting RWA assets on XRPL enhances the network’s financial capabilities and opens new mainstream market opportunities. For Ripple, this is not a one-off breakthrough but a key node in its global expansion strategy.
On-chain data also reflect positive developments: recent increases in stablecoin market cap and RWA tokenized assets, along with strong capital inflows, indicate growing institutional and developer trust. Its low-cost, high-throughput, and fast settlement features make XRPL well-suited for high-frequency financial applications and real-world asset tokenization.
In this context, Ripple’s integration of regulatory compliance and asset tokenization signals its goal to become a bridge connecting TradFi and DeFi. The European market breakthrough could serve as a model for its global strategy. As more financial institutions participate, XRPL’s role may evolve from a payment network to a comprehensive cross-system financial infrastructure.
- OpenAI’s rapid investment growth supports performance: SoftBank Vision Fund posts $2.4 billion quarterly profit, AI deployment as a key engine
Japanese tech investment giant SoftBank Group announced its latest earnings, with its Vision Fund posting a profit of approximately $2.4 billion for the quarter ending December. Despite some investments still being in loss, core assets like OpenAI have seen rapid valuation increases, offsetting downside and contributing to quarterly profits.
SoftBank has been heavily investing in AI, channeling funds into what it sees as “next-generation industry leaders” to establish long-term advantages in the global AI supply chain. Its investment in ChatGPT developer OpenAI is among its most strategic moves, with estimates suggesting nearly $40 billion invested. The company’s valuation has soared, significantly improving the performance of the Vision Fund.
Beyond OpenAI, SoftBank views Arm as a key AI infrastructure asset. With rising demand for computing power and chips, Arm’s stock has performed strongly, generating substantial unrealized gains. The fund also maintains broad investments in robotics, autonomous driving, and smart manufacturing, creating an integrated AI ecosystem across software and hardware.
On capital markets, boosted by stable telecom revenues and Arm’s stock gains, SoftBank’s share price rebounded this week, with investors re-optimistic about its long-term AI strategy. Analysts note that OpenAI’s rapid commercialization is changing valuation logic for large AI firms, giving early investors a competitive edge.
As generative AI accelerates into enterprise, consumer, and data infrastructure sectors, SoftBank’s investment focus is shifting toward high-growth AI assets. Its performance will likely remain closely tied to the development of the global AI industry. (CNBC)
- Trump-affiliated crypto project WLFI enters forex market: World Swap to launch soon, a new variable in digital dollar cross-border payments
The Trump family-associated crypto project WLFI announced the upcoming launch of a foreign exchange platform called World Swap. Co-founder Zack Folkman disclosed this at the Hong Kong Consensus conference, quickly attracting market attention.
World Swap signifies WLFI’s entry into digital forex and cross-border payments. The platform will revolve around its core stablecoin USD1, aiming to build an integrated financial system covering payments, lending, and exchanges. Folkman said they plan to hold an event later this month at Mar-a-Lago, where more product details and partnerships will be announced.
Folkman explained that complex crypto wallets and high cross-border transfer costs hinder mass adoption. World Swap aims to enable users to send and receive digital dollars as easily as mainstream payment apps and to quickly exchange between fiat currencies, directly challenging traditional remittance fees of 2–10%.
The ecosystem centers on USD1, a stablecoin pegged 1:1 to the dollar, backed by cash and equivalents, emphasizing transparency and security. It has launched World Liberty Markets, a lending platform that attracted hundreds of millions of dollars in deposits within weeks, and partnered with multiple DeFi protocols to expand real-use cases.
Notably, in late January 2026, the crypto community discovered that AMG Software Solutions LLC, based in Puerto Rico and holding WLFI’s IP, registered several trademarks related to World Swap. This move is seen as a sign of accelerated deployment into digital forex, stablecoin payments, and cross-border finance markets.
As World Swap prepares for launch, WLFI’s influence in stablecoin payments, crypto forex, and cross-border capital flows is expected to grow further.
- MicroStrategy bets on perpetual preferred stock! Strategy adjusts financing structure, Bitcoin reserve strategy continues
Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) plans to expand its issuance of perpetual preferred stock to alleviate market pressure caused by large fluctuations in common stock. CEO Phong Le recently stated that preferred stock may become a core financing tool, helping the company continue Bitcoin accumulation while reducing reliance on dilution of common shares.
This year, MSTR’s stock has declined about 17%, while Bitcoin has fallen over 22%. In an interview with Bloomberg, Le explained that the stock’s volatility is closely tied to the company’s “digital asset reserve plan” and Bitcoin’s price. When Bitcoin rises, the stock tends to rally; when it falls, the stock declines. To meet investor demand for exposure to digital assets without extreme volatility, Strategy introduced a perpetual preferred stock called “Stretch.”
The preferred stock has a face value of $100, offers floating dividends currently around 11.25% annually, and adjusts monthly to keep its price near par. Le noted that recent closing prices around $100 indicate the mechanism is working.
However, preferred stock remains a small part of the company’s overall financing. Past Bitcoin purchases were mainly funded by issuing common shares. Strategy currently holds about 714,644 BTC, with an average cost basis of around $76,056, and a market price near $67,000, resulting in an unrealized loss of about $6.1 billion. This has caused the stock to trade below its net asset value.
Data shows Strategy’s post-dilution mNAV is about 0.95 times, meaning the stock trades below the value of its Bitcoin holdings per share. This discount increases the risk of further dilution if new equity is issued. By shifting toward perpetual preferred stock, the company aims to stabilize its capital structure while continuing Bitcoin accumulation.
For shareholders, this move reduces dilution but increases fixed dividend obligations. If Bitcoin remains weak, cash flow pressures will rise. Strategy is restructuring its capital to balance growth and risk, but market validation is still pending.
- Alameda bankruptcy management distributes over $15 million worth of SOL to creditors
According to Arkham monitoring, Alameda Research’s bankruptcy trustee has distributed over $15 million worth of SOL tokens to creditors in recent monthly distributions. A total of $15.6 million in SOL was transferred to 25 separate addresses, as part of a 21-month ongoing distribution plan. Alameda’s on-chain wallets still hold assets valued at approximately $314.95 million in SOL.
- Russia blocks WhatsApp, sparking controversy: accused of promoting “surveillance app,” 72 million users face communication risks
Meta’s messaging app WhatsApp publicly accused Russia of blocking its service to force users to switch to a domestically supported app. The company stated on X that cutting off private communication channels is a backward step that weakens digital security.
Moscow promotes a replacement app called Max, launched by Russian tech firm VK in March 2025, positioned as a local alternative to WhatsApp and Telegram. The Russian government has mandated that from September 1, all smartphones sold domestically must pre-install Max, a move seen as accelerating “communication localization.”
Backlinko data shows Russia is the fourth-largest WhatsApp user market globally, with about 72 million users, behind Indonesia, Brazil, and India. This large user base has quickly sparked public debate.
Several Russian media outlets report that WhatsApp’s domains have been fully blocked, with users relying on VPNs to access the service. Gazeta.ru, citing TASS, quoted Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov as saying that WhatsApp must comply with local laws and demonstrate willingness to negotiate with regulators to lift the ban.
In recent years, Russia has gradually tightened restrictions on foreign messaging platforms. Last year, Moscow limited some WhatsApp and Telegram call features, citing data sharing and local storage issues. In January, State Duma deputy Andrey Svintsov said the government plans to fully ban WhatsApp by the end of 2026.
Similar restrictions are seen elsewhere. In December, Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine urged supporters to switch to decentralized messaging tools amid potential network shutdowns. As countries strengthen digital sovereignty, the global instant messaging landscape faces new uncertainties.
