hodler

7 Feb 2026, 13:00

Bithumb Issues Statement Over Reward Payment Error – Details

Korean exchange Bithumb has cleared the air over an internal error that credited certain user wallets with a “concerning” amount of BTC. Notably, this mishap resulted in significant price volatility on the exchange, drawing attention from observing crypto enthusiasts. Bithumb Moves To Wrap Up Recovery After Overpayment Error On February 6, Lookonchain, among many crypto commentary accounts, shared that Bithumb had accidentally transferred 2,000 BTC ($134 million) each to users, instead of 2000 KRW ($1.34) in a reward payout. Some recipients immediately sold, causing a 10% flash crash on the Korean exchange, pushing prices briefly to around $55,000. In a blog post, Bithumb explained the incident as an overpayment that occurred during a promotional event process involving 695 recipients. The exchange stated it had mistakenly transferred 620,000 BTC to these wallets, an error that was immediately noticed, resulting in a swift ban on withdrawals for all affected wallets within 35 minutes of the transaction. Notably, Bithumb sharply recovered 618,212 BTC, representing 99.7% of the total overpayment amount. Meanwhile, 93% of the 1788 BTC already sold have also been recovered in KRW and other digital assets. According to the exchange, the remaining sold amount that hasn’t been recovered will be covered using company assets. Meanwhile, efforts are underway to ensure such operational errors never recur. A statement from the exchange said: Bithumb takes this incident very seriously and will do its utmost to prevent recurrence by redesigning the entire asset payment process and enhancing the internal control system. Bithumb also kicked against suspicion of external or malicious interference, assuring users that their system remains uncompromised: They said: We want to make it clear that this incident is unrelated to any external hacking or security breach, and does not pose any issues with system security or customer asset management. Customer assets are being safely managed as before, and transactions and deposits/withdrawals are currently operating normally. Crypto Market Overview In other news, the total crypto market cap has now climbed to $2.34 trillion after a 5.68% gain in the past day. This follows an earlier bloodbath in the week, during which the market cap fell to around $2.19 trillion. Despite the recent recovery, data from CoinMarketCap shows the digital asset market remains about 45% away from its present cycle all-time high at $4.28 trillion. Market sentiment also continues to reflect caution, with the Crypto Fear and Greed Index currently reading 8, signaling extreme fear among investors. Featured image from Blocktempo, chart from Tradingview

7 Feb 2026, 13:00

MARA Holdings: Mirroring The Bitcoin Breakdown (Rating Downgrade)

Summary MARA Holdings faces heightened downside risk as a pure-play, leveraged Bitcoin miner amid confirmed crypto bear market technicals. MARA's lack of successful diversification into AI or HPC, unlike peers WULF and IREN, leaves it more exposed to Bitcoin's price declines. Technical momentum is decisively bearish: MARA trades well below key moving averages, with any rallies likely to meet selling pressure. Historical patterns suggest MARA may remain trapped below major averages for multiple quarters unless it reclaims the 50-week SMA with conviction. MARA Holdings ( MARA ) is caught in the crossfires of Bitcoin’s weekend dip that saw over $2.5 billion in liquidations and cascading sell-offs of Bitcoin-related stocks. Some miners like TeraWulf ( WULF ) and IREN ( IREN ) held up comparatively stronger, initially only seeing a low single-digit drop over the weekend, but have since dropped more this week. MARA vs peers, 1W trend comparison (Seeking Alpha ) This contrast in market reaction between MARA and peers in the above 1W timeframe chart shows how the market is valuing their risk exposure to Bitcoin and other crypto assets. The others mentioned have executed their pivot to HPC and AI, while MARA has leaned more heavily toward equity raises to purchase more Bitcoin besides the one they mine, and has also followed a full hold strategy for the Bitcoin they mine. This is the core narrative divergence. WULF and IREN have successfully rebranded as power and compute firms with contracted AI revenue, while MARA remains seen as a pure-play levered BTC bet, which the market is punishing more during this dip (and will likely punish more if Bitcoin dips further). Every miner has pursued a diversification strategy in one way or the other, either through HPC/AI hosting, through manufacture of in-house hardware like Bitdeer ( BTDR ), or through balance sheet Bitcoin accumulation. In this update, I'll gauge MARA’s still elevated continued risk profile tied to BTC as we move into a proper crypto bear market (as the technical indicators currently show) and any near term relief from its diversification efforts, the timing, and maybe the potential for a short squeeze and snap-back momentum no matter what Bitcoin does. But to properly analyze MARA (especially from a technical analysis standpoint), I think it is important to establish some key facts about Bitcoin’s price movement at the moment. MARA tracking BTC (Seeking Alpha ) The setup for MARA has become highly bearish and unattractive at current BTC prices. And I think Mr. Market is still being a bit optimistic for MARA, as it is mirroring BTC’s exact price movements. Leveraged Bitcoin plays typically fall at a 2x to 3x rate compared to BTC in a market downturn. It is the same way they rise at the same accelerated rate compared to BTC in a market uptrend. I think the mirroring of Bitcoin's decline without the typical high-beta flush is happening because a portion of the market still doubts if the crypto bear market has really turned full blown yet, hoping for a trend reversal under the impression that this could all be a ripple effect from market-wide sell-offs of precious metals. Bitcoin EMA 50, close (TradingView) But Bitcoin's latest dip below $75,000 over the weekend and now breaking the $70,000 psychological support yesterday shifts downside risk higher for MARA. Key technical levels have now been breached. With both the 21-week and 50-week SMAs now flipped into resistance as well as EMA 50, which confirms a full loss of the medium and long cycle trend. Bitcoin lost the EMA 50 near $95,000 on November 12 (as shown in the preceding chart) and has failed to reclaim it on subsequent dips like it did a few times between 2024 and 2025 (note where the price candles touch the blue line on that preceding chart and the bounce off it). As Bitcoin's current price, $66,900, is currently ~30% below this level, the 50-week EMA has flipped into an overhead supply zone. Any relief rally would need to be super strong with ample volume to clear that resistance; else it will be a series of dead cat bounces ahead. MARA 50 day SMA, 200 day SMA (StockAnalysis) The downside pressure for BTC is mirrored in MARA’s own chart. The preceding MARA chart shows that clear transition from distribution into a confirmed downtrend. On the daily timeframe, the stock has been printing lower highs and lower lows since October, with the price dropping to a low of $6.45 yesterday, which is a newly created cycle low. Price sits well below both the 50-day simple average near $10.50–$11.00 and the 200-day average near $14.50–$15.00, with the 50-day already crossing below the 200 day, fully confirming a bearish regime. Both averages are sloping down, having flipped prior support into overhead resistance, and any relief rally into the $10.50–$11.00 zone is likely to meet selling pressure. Volume behavior reinforces this view, with heavy selling during the initial breakdown in November and muted volume on subsequent bounces. Momentum favors continuation lower until MARA can reclaim the 50-day average with conviction. As long as Bitcoin remains weak on the weekly chart, MARA’s downside risk remains very high. Any upside moves without reclaiming the trend should be regarded as short-term bounces, not trend shifts. Spot Bitcoin ETF netflows (Bitbo) While this market cycle began with what was thought would be a different trend this time for Bitcoin due to institutional demand. Many analysts (myself included) thought institutional buying via the spot Bitcoin ETFs would make the structural floor stronger for Bitcoin this time, but as it has turned out, geopolitics and macro events have triggered a broader sell off in safe haven assets, with Gold ( XAUUSD:CUR ) seeing over $10 trillion wiped off its market cap and Silver ( XAGUSD:CUR ) ~35% price drop from its all time high just weeks ago. The liquidity cushion expected to be provided via institutional adoption of Bitcoin hasn't held in the current dash for cash across global markets. MARA is caught in the crosscurrents of all these market forces because it positioned itself as an aggressive full hold and leverage play on Bitcoin. And though MARA has begun a pivot toward power and data center infrastructure, I think the timing is coming a little too late. At this stage, the pivot still relies on letters of intent and partnerships like the one MARA announced with MPLX LP ( MPLX ) back in November. Meanwhile, peers like IREN and WULF have been rerated, and the market is already pricing in annual run rate revenue xx into the valuation. This brings me to the main takeaway for this piece, which is: technical and momentum indicators now point to a multi quarter crypto bear market, which typically lasts around 10 months to 1 year, and MARA will likely be tracking alongside Bitcoin throughout the bear market. The latest Bitcoin drawdown is not driven by a black swan event, like what we saw during COVID when the market rebounded in weeks. Simple technicals have confirmed the bear market. Though there has been a broader market sell-off this week, AI exposure is also under pressure, with IREN and WULF down by double digits yesterday due to AI capex fears and weakness in the latest JOLTS report released yesterday. But I believe peers like IREN and WULF, with a cleaner pivot and contracted revenue, will not be tracking directly alongside Bitcoin and MARA during the bear market. While past market trends do not always repeat identically in the current cycle, some historical context is worth it here for MARA as added confirmation of a Bitcoin bear market and what investors might want to watch for based on simple technicals. MARA,.SMA 50 weekly (TradingView ) Just like in the current setup, MARA lost the 50-week SMA in late 2018, in the 2018 bear market, and stayed below it for over a year (about 14 months) until around mid 2020 when rallies began attempting to reclaim it. Again, in the 2021 - 2022 bear market, MARA lost the 50 week SMA around March 2022, and spent over a year below the 50 week SMA, with multiple failed weekly attempts to reclaim it and spent over a year below it again, confirming the extended bear market, until reclaiming it in mid 2023. In both 2018 and 2022 bear markets, the true bottom for MARA wasn't confirmed until MARA first touched the 50 week SMA and closed two consecutive weeks above it with expanding volume. Without that conviction, every bounce was simply a distribution. A ~30% drawdown from key technical levels is a far step away from real support. In the current setup, MARA remains trapped well below major weekly averages, and any short-term bounces are likely to be sold into. This keeps the risk skewed to the downside until MARA convincingly breaks back above these levels.

7 Feb 2026, 12:57

11,210,000,000,000 Shiba Inu in 24 Hours as Futures Activity Jumps 16%

Shiba Inu's open interest has recovered, jumping over 16% in the past 24 hours.

7 Feb 2026, 12:46

Tether helps Turkey seize $544M in crypto tied to illegal betting network

Tether claims it has helped law enforcement in over 1,800 cases across 62 countries, freezing $3.4 billion in USDT tied to suspected illicit activity.

7 Feb 2026, 12:43

Apple rides iPhone 17 ‘Hermès orange’ craze to major China comeback

Apple’s latest iPhone lineup, which features a brightly orange colored premium model, has taken the Chinese market by storm and helped reverse the tech company’s prolonged sales downturn. China is bulk-buying the iPhone 17 vivid orange variant, a design overhaul said to have made the devices more visually distinctive compared to the launch version released last autumn. Consumers have nicknamed the handset “Hermès orange,” a reference to the signature tone of Hermès handbags. “It’s eye-catching,” said David Qiu, who replaced an older iPhone with the new orange version. “It’s the newest colour.” Even though Apple markets the shade internally as “cosmic orange,” the luxury bag color comparison has stuck with buyers and influencers. The model is being flashed around Chinese social media platforms through unboxing videos and lifestyle clips. Thousands of users have shared posts featuring the device since its release. “It sounds simple, but it’s the external obvious changes to design, which include the introduction of a shout-out orange colour, that pulled out early upgraders,” said Nabila Popal, senior research director at IDC. A model using the stage name Xiao Mei posted a video featuring the device as a fashion accessory. “I was instantly drawn to the colour because it felt very special. Who doesn’t like Hermès orange? The more I look at it, the more I love it,” she said . Chinese iPhone sales reverse a multi-year Asian market slump Between 2024 and early 2025, Apple’s China revenue fell for 18 consecutive months. The contraction came as home-based brands such as Huawei , Vivo, and Xiaomi pulled ahead in the competition with feature-rich flagship devices. Moreover, Apple has been in the middle of the strained relations between Beijing and Washington. Some public-sector workers in China were actually directed to phase out iPhones. A year later, Chief Executive Tim Cook boasted of a turnaround during a recent earnings call, citing record iPhone sales in China in the fourth quarter. According to Cook, sales revenue from the country rose 38% year on year to $26 billion, accounting for nearly one-fifth of Apple’s total sales. Apple has the standard iPhone 17 to thank for its impressive performance during the quarter. In previous editions, Chinese buyers upgrading immediately after launch chose the Pro and Pro Max versions. But in this cycle, the base iPhone 17 had a more noticeable leap over the iPhone 16 than in previous generations. The handset was positioned just below the ceiling for a nationwide consumer subsidy scheme introduced by Beijing last year to boost spending. The government had allocated about $43 billion in 2025 to support purchases of electronics, home appliances, and vehicles. Under the program, smartphones priced under 6,000 yuan qualified for discounts of up to 15%, while Apple set the iPhone 17 price in China at 5,999 yuan. China has also introduced consumer subsidies for lower-priced smartphones to spur domestic spending. Buyers can receive subsidies of up to RMB500, or about $72, on devices priced below RMB6,000. Since Apple’s base iPhone 17 model falls within that range, it appeals to Chinese consumers who can’t afford the premium versions. While advanced software features like AI are under regulatory review, hardware aesthetics seem enough to get the market looking Apple’s way. “I’m not too sure how somebody like Oppo or Vivo or Xiaomi can break that kind of stranglehold,” said global tech firm Counterpoint researcher Gerrit Schneemann. Apple’s record quarter results in China surprise analysts Cook told analysts that Apple set a record for iPhone upgrades among Chinese customers. The company also recorded double-digit growth in users switching from rival operating systems to iOS. “Overall, a great quarter in China. We could not be happier with it,” Cook said on the earnings call. Apple had ceded share in recent years as domestic brands offered competitive cameras, foldable screens, and locally tailored features. The rebound has provided relief for investors after a year of tariff uncertainty and setbacks in AI. A strong global iPhone demand has lifted Apple’s shares about 7% over the past week, according to Google Finance data . Bank of America analyst Wamsi Mohan said Apple’s China revenue had contracted in eight of the previous nine quarters and had not delivered consistent growth since 2022. Claim your free seat in an exclusive crypto trading community - limited to 1,000 members.

7 Feb 2026, 12:40

Bitcoin Price Soars: BTC Achieves Monumental Break Above $69,000 Milestone

BitcoinWorld Bitcoin Price Soars: BTC Achieves Monumental Break Above $69,000 Milestone In a significant development for global digital asset markets, the Bitcoin price has surged above the $69,000 threshold, trading at $69,106.89 on the Binance USDT market as of March 15, 2025. This pivotal movement reignites discussions about cryptocurrency’s evolving role in modern finance. Consequently, analysts are scrutinizing the underlying factors propelling this rally. This report provides a factual, experience-driven analysis of the event’s context and its broader market implications. Bitcoin Price Reclaims a Critical Psychological Level Market data from Bitcoin World and other aggregators confirms the Bitcoin price breakthrough. This level holds substantial historical and psychological weight for traders and long-term holders alike. The last sustained period above $69,000 occurred during the previous market cycle’s peak. Therefore, reclaiming this territory signals robust buyer conviction. Furthermore, trading volume on major exchanges like Binance has increased notably, suggesting institutional and retail participation. Several technical indicators now point to strengthened bullish momentum. For instance, the move has pushed Bitcoin firmly above its 50-day and 200-day simple moving averages. These metrics often serve as key benchmarks for market health. Additionally, the Relative Strength Index (RSI), while elevated, has not yet entered extreme overbought territory historically associated with immediate corrections. Market structure, therefore, appears supportive of further exploration higher, barring any sudden macroeconomic shocks. Contextual Drivers Behind the Cryptocurrency Rally This Bitcoin price advance does not exist in a vacuum. It coincides with several macroeconomic and sector-specific tailwinds. Primarily, evolving monetary policy expectations in the United States have provided a favorable backdrop. Recent Federal Reserve communications have hinted at a potential pause in quantitative tightening, which traditionally weakens the US dollar. A weaker dollar often correlates with strength in alternative stores of value like Bitcoin. Simultaneously, continued adoption of spot Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) has created a consistent new source of demand. According to public flow data, these regulated investment vehicles have seen net positive inflows for multiple consecutive weeks. This institutional demand directly absorbs selling pressure and adds a layer of stability previously absent in crypto markets. Moreover, regulatory clarity in several major jurisdictions has reduced uncertainty for large-scale investors. Expert Analysis on Market Sentiment and Structure Financial analysts emphasize the change in market structure compared to previous cycles. “The presence of mature derivatives markets and institutional custody solutions has fundamentally altered price discovery,” notes a report from Arcane Research, a crypto analytics firm. This maturation means volatility, while still present, may manifest differently. Liquidity is now deeper across more global trading venues, which can dampen extreme price swings during normal conditions. Chain analysis data also reveals a decline in exchange balances. This trend suggests a preference for self-custody among holders, often interpreted as a long-term bullish signal. When investors move coins off exchanges, it reduces the immediate liquid supply available for sale. This behavioral shift indicates stronger ‘hodling’ sentiment among the investor base, potentially reducing sell-side pressure during future rallies. Historical Performance and Future Trajectory Understanding the current Bitcoin price requires examining its historical performance. The following table compares key metrics from the last cycle’s peak to the present situation. Metric Previous Cycle Peak (2021) Current Situation (2025) Price High ~$69,000 ~$69,106 Market Cap ~$1.3 Trillion ~$1.36 Trillion Primary Driver Retail FOMO, Institutional Entry ETF Flows, Macro Hedge, Adoption Network Hash Rate ~180 Exahashes/sec ~600 Exahashes/sec The data reveals critical differences. Most notably, the Bitcoin network’s hash rate—a measure of security and miner investment—has more than tripled. This demonstrates immense growth in underlying infrastructure and commitment. Future trajectory will likely hinge on a few key variables: Macroeconomic Conditions: Interest rate decisions and inflation data. Regulatory Developments: Clear rules foster investment; uncertainty hinders it. Technological Innovation: Layer-2 scaling solutions improving utility. Adoption Metrics: Growth in active addresses and settlement volume. Conclusion The Bitcoin price crossing $69,000 marks a major technical and psychological milestone for the cryptocurrency market. This movement is supported by improved macroeconomic conditions, sustained institutional ETF inflows, and a more mature market infrastructure. While past performance never guarantees future results, the current rally reflects a complex interplay of factors distinct from previous cycles. Investors should monitor on-chain data, regulatory news, and broader financial markets. Ultimately, this event underscores Bitcoin’s persistent volatility and its growing integration within the global financial landscape. FAQs Q1: What does Bitcoin trading above $69,000 mean? It represents a breakout above a historically significant resistance level, often viewed as a bullish signal that could attract further buying interest if the level holds as support. Q2: What are the main factors driving the current Bitcoin price increase? Key drivers include potential shifts in US monetary policy, consistent net inflows into spot Bitcoin ETFs, and increasing regulatory clarity in major markets like the EU and UK. Q3: How does the current market differ from the 2021 peak at a similar price? The market is more institutionalized, with regulated ETFs, higher network security (hash rate), and deeper liquidity, potentially leading to different volatility dynamics. Q4: Should investors be concerned about a potential price correction? Volatility is inherent to cryptocurrency markets. While the trend is currently positive, investors should always be aware of the risk of sharp corrections and invest accordingly. Q5: Where can investors find reliable Bitcoin price and market data? Reputable sources include data aggregators like CoinGecko and CoinMarketCap, analytics platforms such as Glassnode and CryptoQuant, and financial news outlets with dedicated crypto desks. This post Bitcoin Price Soars: BTC Achieves Monumental Break Above $69,000 Milestone first appeared on BitcoinWorld .