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28 Feb 2026, 15:08
Bitcoin funding rates nearly plummet to three-year lows as tensions in Iran escalate
Crypto markets were hit hard and fast today, February 28, as news of U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran hit the headlines. Among the more notable consequences were plummeting Bitcoin ( BTC ) funding rates, which sank more than 140% on the daily chart, as shown by real-time derivatives data on CryptoQuant FInbold retrieved at press time. The slide sent funding rates down to -0.0165, levels surpassed only once since May 2023, during early February jitters three weeks ago, when they sat at -0.2. BTC derivatives overview. Source: CryptoQuant At the same time, coin-margined open interest climbed to 676,000 BTC, signaling rising participation despite heightened volatility. In general terms, such a move underscored aggressive short positioning in the derivatives market. That is, short sellers are paying a premium to maintain bearish positions, reflecting aggressive downside bets and heightened fear in the market. Possible result of such a setup that could include either further downside if selling persists or trigger a sharp short squeeze should Bitcoin stabilize or rebound. Bitcoin struggles to rebound For now, Bitcoin is now attempting to reclaim the $65,000 level. The cryptocurrency dropped as much as 6% within minutes once news of strikes in Iran broke, wiping out an estimated $70 billion from the total crypto market cap in an hour and approaching the $63,000 mark. Leveraged positions saw heavy liquidations, with $100 million in long positions gone within 15 minutes. The sell-off was, of course, not isolated but reflected broader macro-driven pressure, underscoring the asset’s continued sensitivity to geopolitical shocks. Ethereum ( ETH ), for example, is still down 3% on the day as of the time of writing. From a technical standpoint, ‘digital gold’ is now trading below its key 7-day simple moving average ( SMA ) near $66,522. The relative strength index ( RSI ) sits at 38.49, suggesting the asset is approaching oversold territory, though not yet at extreme levels. In the near term, price action will likely hinge on geopolitical developments. A de-escalation in headlines could pave the way for a relief bounce, but a more substantial recovery will likely have to wait, with some candle patterns already hinting at when a rally above $100,000 could be possible. Featured image via Shutterstock The post Bitcoin funding rates nearly plummet to three-year lows as tensions in Iran escalate appeared first on Finbold .
28 Feb 2026, 15:05
Man Who Spent 4 Years Trying to Destroy XRP Makes a U-Turn Statement
The crypto industry rarely forgets its defining battles. Few conflicts shaped market sentiment and regulatory debate more than the U.S. government’s case against Ripple . For years, XRP operated under a cloud of uncertainty as regulators challenged its legal status and exchanges distanced themselves from the token. Now, in a surprising twist, a senior official who witnessed that entire chapter has reportedly delivered an unexpected acknowledgment. CryptoSensei revealed on X that Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse shared a remarkable encounter during a recent White House digital asset briefing. Garlinghouse told an audience in Sydney that a senior U.S. official privately approached him and said, “Sorry… I was wrong, and you guys have done an incredible job.” Garlinghouse described the moment as a genuine surprise. He did not disclose the official’s identity, but he confirmed that the individual held a sufficiently senior role to attend the White House session. The man who spent 4 years trying to destroy XRP just said "sorry." At a White House digital asset briefing, a senior U.S. official pulled Brad Garlinghouse aside and said: 𝗦𝗼𝗿𝗿𝘆… 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘄𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗴𝘂𝘆𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲… — CryptoSensei (@Crypt0Senseii) February 28, 2026 From Enforcement Action to Legal Turning Point The backdrop to this moment carries significant weight. In December 2020, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filed a lawsuit against Ripple, alleging that XRP constituted an unregistered security. The action triggered widespread exchange delistings and wiped out billions in market value. In July 2023, U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres ruled that XRP itself does not qualify as a security when sold on secondary markets . The court distinguished between institutional sales and programmatic sales, narrowing the SEC’s broader argument. After extended proceedings, Ripple agreed to pay a $125 million civil penalty tied to certain institutional transactions. By 2025, both Ripple and the SEC withdrew their appeals, officially closing the case and ending one of crypto’s most consequential legal disputes. We are on X, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1 — TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) June 15, 2025 A White House Setting Signals Policy Evolution The reported apology occurred at a White House digital asset briefing, which adds symbolic significance. Officials attending such briefings typically shape or influence federal crypto policy. Although Garlinghouse declined to name the individual, the private remark suggests that perspectives inside Washington may have shifted since the lawsuit’s early days. Online speculation quickly followed, with some observers naming former regulators. However, no confirmed identity has emerged. Without official disclosure, the statement remains a personal exchange rather than a formal policy announcement. What This Moment Represents for XRP Garlinghouse’s story reflects more than a single apology. The Ripple case forced courts, regulators, and lawmakers to clarify how existing securities laws apply to digital assets. The outcome strengthened legal certainty for XRP and influenced broader regulatory conversations. The reported acknowledgment suggests that some policymakers may now recognize Ripple’s operational resilience and XRP’s utility-driven model. While the identity behind the apology remains unconfirmed, the broader message is clear: the regulatory narrative surrounding XRP has evolved. After four years of confrontation, the conversation has shifted from accusation to recognition. For many in the crypto space, that shift marks a meaningful turning point. Disclaimer : This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are urged to do in-depth research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses. Follow us on Twitter , Facebook , Telegram , and Google News The post Man Who Spent 4 Years Trying to Destroy XRP Makes a U-Turn Statement appeared first on Times Tabloid .
28 Feb 2026, 15:00
A Repeat Of February? Watch Out For These Bitcoin Price Levels In March
The Bitcoin price performance was quite disappointing over the past month. The flagship cryptocurrency has struggled to break sustainably above $70,000 throughout February, with prices only reaching $71,000 before facing sharp reversals. It, then, becomes intuitively evident that this price region might be a key level acting as resistance to Bitcoin’s bullish attempts. Below are some other crucial levels to watch for in March and what they could potentially mean for the Bitcoin price. BTC Realized Price Sits At $54,600 – What This Means In a Quicktake post on the CryptoQuant platform, market analyst Burak Kesmeci highlighted five “cost clusters” that might reveal the next move for the Bitcoin price. For context, Cost clusters are essentially price levels that represent the average acquisition price of an asset (Bitcoin, in this case) by different investor cohorts To start with, Kesmeci immediately revealed Bitcoin’s surest support price — the realized price — to be around the $54,600 mark. The realized price is a strong support region because it reflects the average cost basis of all the BTC in circulation. Also, realized prices have historically served as long-term price support during bear phases . As a result, when the Bitcoin price trades above this level, it is often a sign of extant structural strength, while a break beneath the realized price is usually a sign of impending doom. Bitcoin Could Switch Bullish In March — But On This Condition While the Bitcoin price may be displaying its higher timeframe backing, it is also true that the world’s leading cryptocurrency has a series of battles to fight as it ascends. According to the crypto pundit, four resistance zones lie in wait to reject possible upward recovery. The first of these zones is the 1 – 4-Week Realized Price, which reveals the average price at which recent buyers entered the BTC market. According to the highlighted CryptoQuant data, this cost basis stands at around the $71,600 level. When the Bitcoin price trades beneath this level, it signals that the latest participants are under severe heat. Hence, recovery attempts towards this price level would typically be met with significant resistance, as this cohort would want to exit at break-even. The analyst further highlighted that the Short-Term Holder Realized Price (STH RP) is around $90,800; this concerns investors who have held BTC for less than 155 days. If the Bitcoin price manages to overcome the evident resistance at this level, it could signal a change in Bitcoin’s trend from bearish to bullish. Beyond the STH RP, the 365-day Simple Moving Average sits, occupying the $98,900 price level; then, a little more up North, the 3–6 Month Realized Price stands around $100,800. These metrics reflect the activity of Bitcoin’s medium-term holders, showing their realized price and average closing prices over the past year. In the grand scheme, Bitcoin is clearly in a bearish phase . Thus, before March can stand as the pivotal month for market participants, BTC has to overcome those critical resistance levels. As of this writing, Bitcoin is valued at around $63,696, reflecting an over 5% decline in the past 24 hours.
28 Feb 2026, 15:00
Bitcoin volatility hits 2022 high as short-term holders yield – Will $65K hold?
The $65K–$70K band now anchors BTC’s next structural move.
28 Feb 2026, 15:00
Bitcoin In The Line Of Fire: Price Dips To $63k As US, Israel Launch Strikes On Iran
The missiles started flying, and so did the sell orders. Within hours of the US and Israel launching coordinated strikes on Iran, Bitcoin had dropped as much as 3.8% to $63,038, Ethereum had fallen nearly 9%, and more than 152,000 traders had been liquidated across crypto markets. With traditional stock and bond markets closed for the weekend, digital assets absorbed the full force of the panic — alone. Related Reading: Bitcoin Sell-Off Slows Down, But The Road To Recovery Is Long — Analyst US And Israel Hit Iran’s Military And Nuclear Sites US President Donald Trump confirmed on Friday that the US had begun what he described as “major combat operations” against Iran, with strikes aimed at the country’s missile systems, naval assets, and nuclear infrastructure. Reports say Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz described the operation as a preemptive move, with both governments coordinating the assault. The scale and speed of the attack caught many off guard, and Iran’s response came quickly. The US is carrying out strikes on Iran, two US officials tell CNN. Follow live updates: https://t.co/pG6pfrPwlm pic.twitter.com/vPGeQ9ILHp — CNN (@CNN) February 28, 2026 According to reports, Iran launched waves of missiles and drones targeting not just Israel but American military installations across the Gulf region. A US base in Bahrain was reportedly struck. Qatar and the UAE said their defense systems intercepted projectiles flying over their territory. Explosions were heard in Dubai. Bahrain shut its airspace entirely. Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency declared that all US bases and interests across the region would be considered legitimate targets. The conflict, by Saturday morning, had spread well beyond Iranian and Israeli borders. Crypto Markets Take The Hit Traditional Markets Cannot Yet Feel Stocks, bonds, and commodities markets were closed. Crypto was not. Bitcoin trades around the clock, every day of the week, which made it the only major financial market available to absorb the weekend’s fear. The selling was fast and broad. Reports say roughly $128 billion in total market value was wiped across digital assets in the hours following the strike confirmation. Related Reading: Crypto Mixing Is Back — And Criminals Adapted Faster Than The Rules Did Bitcoin fell from around $66,000 to as low as $63,038 before settling near $64,000. Ethereum dropped below $1,850. XRP slid 8% to trade near $1.29. Solana, Dogecoin, Cardano, and Chainlink each recorded losses of between 8% and 12%. According to CoinGlass data, Bitcoin futures liquidations reached approximately $192 million, with futures trading volume surging to around $68.27 billion — a sign that derivatives markets were amplifying the move rather than spot sellers driving it alone. Total liquidations across all crypto assets hit $515 million within 24 hours. The Fear and Greed Index, a widely watched measure of market sentiment, fell to 14 — deep inside extreme fear territory. Featured image from Getty Images, chart from TradingView
28 Feb 2026, 14:53
Insider Trading Scandal? 6 Wallets Made $1.2M on Iran Strike Bets
As it happened with a few other global situations in the past several months, a group of suspected insiders seemingly knew what was going to transpire and profited substantially. Recall that Israel and the US carried out organized strikes against Iran on Saturday, and Bubblemaps outlined that a group of wallets made a total of $1.2 million betting on these developments hours before they happened. JUST IN: Six suspected insiders made $1.2M betting on a US strike on Iran Most of these wallets: • were funded in the last 24h • specifically bet for February 28 • bought “yes” hours before the strike pic.twitter.com/n3G6OIEOXt — Bubblemaps (@bubblemaps) February 28, 2026 Given the precision in their actions – funding the wallets in the past 24 hours before the events unfolded, choosing specifically February 28, and betting on “yes” shortly ahead of the strikes, the likely conclusion is that they had inside knowledge of what took place in the Middle East on Saturday morning. Recall that at first reports emerged that Israel had initiated strikes against Iran, and then ordered a state of emergency within its borders, expecting retaliation. Then, US President Donald Trump confirmed that his country was also involved. The POTUS doubled down in the following hours, categorizing the attacks as a “major combat operation.” It’s worth noting that Iran indeed retaliated by counter-attacking several US allies, such as Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain. The initial attacks from the morning harmed the cryptocurrency markets immediately. Bitcoin dumped from $66,000 to $63,000 in minutes, while most altcoins followed suit with 2-4% declines in less than an hour. Nevertheless, BTC has recovered some ground since then and currently trades close to $65,000. ETH is down to $1,900, while BNB and XRP continue their fight for fourth place in terms of market cap. The post Insider Trading Scandal? 6 Wallets Made $1.2M on Iran Strike Bets appeared first on CryptoPotato .
