hodler

9 Feb 2026, 10:26

Bitcoin outlook at risk as Bessent urges Senate to advance Warsh nomination

Bitcoin’s recent recovery could be hanging in the balance as the political deadlock over Kevin Warsh’s nomination to lead the US Federal Reserve deepens, raising fresh concerns about prolonged dollar tightening and the erosion of risk appetite across digital asset markets. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has urged the Senate Banking Committee to begin confirmation hearings for Warsh without further delay, even as a Department of Justice investigation into current Fed Chair Jerome Powell remains unresolved. Warsh, a known fiscal hawk and proponent of balance sheet reduction, has already unsettled markets since being nominated by President Donald Trump on Jan. 30. Speaking on Fox News, Bessent appeared to criticise Republican Senator Thom Tillis, who has publicly said he would block all Fed nominations until the DOJ probe into Powell concludes. “Senator Tillis has come out and said he thinks that Kevin Warsh is an extreme candidate. So I would say, why don’t we get the hearings underway and see where Jeanine Pirro’s investigation goes?” Bessent said. US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro launched the probe on January 9, tied to Powell’s congressional testimony about a $2.5 billion renovation project at the Fed’s headquarters. Prosecutors are investigating whether Powell misled lawmakers about the scope and expense of the upgrades. Powell has denied any wrongdoing and argued that the probe is being politically weaponised in response to his resistance to faster interest rate cuts. Despite acknowledging Warsh as a “strong” and “qualified” nominee, Senator Tillis has insisted that no confirmation should move forward until the investigation is settled. Warsh now awaits a Senate Banking Committee hearing that would determine whether his nomination advances to the full Senate. If confirmed, he would formally replace Powell as chair of the Federal Reserve. Is Bitcoin price at risk? The political standoff comes amid heightened market sensitivity to Warsh’s policy stance, particularly in the crypto sector. Bitcoin dropped sharply following Warsh’s nomination , falling nearly $16,000 from its $90,000 range to a low near $74,500 within a day. The selloff triggered over $7 billion in liquidations and dragged the total crypto market cap down to $2.8 trillion. Subsequently, other bearish catalysts pressured Bitcoin to visit a 16-month low of $62,822 on Thursday. Although Bitcoin has since stabilised around $70,000, analysts warn that the price action reflects broader anxiety over what a Warsh-led Fed might mean for liquidity conditions. Warsh has long advocated for aggressive balance sheet reduction and criticised what he calls the “bloated” state of central bank policy, and his stance has fueled speculation that the Fed may simultaneously lower rates and unwind its $7 trillion balance sheet, a combination some describe as paradoxical. While rate cuts reduce the cost of borrowing, balance sheet rolloffs shrink the money supply, potentially choking off the very liquidity that speculative markets rely on. For Bitcoin, which has historically thrived during periods of monetary expansion, the change could mark the start of a more prolonged period of consolidation or decline. Although Warsh has previously described Bitcoin as a “policy watchdog,” his prioritisation of price stability over asset support has led many to conclude that the Powell-era “Fed put” may be off the table. In this new environment, the Fed may refrain from stepping in during periods of market stress. Key support levels in focus Analysts remain divided on whether the worst of the Warsh shock has already been priced in. Following Bitcoin’s drop below $60,000 last week, the market has shown signs of stabilisation , with many traders pointing to accumulation by long-term holders in the $70,000–$80,000 range. Some argue that if Warsh signals a willingness to balance monetary discipline with the Trump administration’s pro-growth objectives during the upcoming hearings, investor confidence could return. Others warn that any breach of the $70,000 floor, or worse, a drop back toward $60,000, would suggest that markets underestimated the severity of the policy changes ahead. For now, Bitcoin’s trajectory appears tethered to the outcome of the Fed confirmation process. If liquidity expectations deteriorate further, or if Warsh’s policy leanings appear uncompromising, a deeper repricing across risk assets may still lie ahead. The post Bitcoin outlook at risk as Bessent urges Senate to advance Warsh nomination appeared first on Invezz

9 Feb 2026, 10:25

Bithumb Bitcoin Error Sparks Urgent South Korean Parliamentary Scrutiny on February 11

BitcoinWorld Bithumb Bitcoin Error Sparks Urgent South Korean Parliamentary Scrutiny on February 11 SEOUL, South Korea – February 2025: The National Assembly’s Political Affairs Committee will convene an unprecedented plenary session at 1:00 a.m. UTC on February 11 to examine Bithumb’s recent erroneous Bitcoin payments, according to an exclusive Digital Asset report. This extraordinary parliamentary attention highlights the growing regulatory significance of cryptocurrency incidents in one of Asia’s most active digital asset markets. The committee’s decision to prioritize this matter reflects mounting political pressure from both major parties regarding exchange accountability. Bithumb’s Bitcoin Payment Error Triggers Parliamentary Response South Korea’s parliamentary committee will address the technical malfunction that caused incorrect Bitcoin transactions on Bithumb’s platform. The exchange, which ranks among South Korea’s largest cryptocurrency venues, experienced a system error that reportedly affected multiple users’ transactions. Consequently, both the ruling Democratic Party and opposition People Power Party have characterized the incident as serious. This bipartisan concern demonstrates cryptocurrency regulation’s evolving political importance in South Korea. Furthermore, the scheduled plenary meeting represents a significant escalation in governmental oversight. Parliamentary committees typically reserve such sessions for major national issues. The cryptocurrency sector’s elevation to this level indicates regulatory maturation. South Korea maintains one of the world’s most sophisticated cryptocurrency ecosystems, with millions of active traders and substantial institutional participation. Historical Context of South Korean Cryptocurrency Regulation South Korea has implemented progressive cryptocurrency regulations since 2017’s initial boom. The government established comprehensive frameworks including: Real-name verification systems linking bank accounts to exchange accounts Strict anti-money laundering protocols for all cryptocurrency transactions Capital gains taxation on cryptocurrency profits exceeding specified thresholds Exchange licensing requirements mandating security audits and reserve proofs These measures created a relatively secure trading environment. However, technical incidents like Bithumb’s recent error reveal persistent vulnerabilities. The parliamentary committee’s intervention suggests potential regulatory enhancements. South Korean authorities previously addressed similar incidents through financial penalties and operational suspensions. Comparative Analysis of Global Exchange Incidents Exchange Country Incident Type Regulatory Response Year Bithumb South Korea Bitcoin Payment Error Parliamentary Committee Review 2025 Coinbase United States System Outage During Volatility SEC Investigation 2021 Binance Multiple Jurisdictions Withdrawal Suspension Multiple Regulatory Actions 2022 FTX Bahamas Complete Collapse Bankruptcy Proceedings 2022 This comparative perspective illustrates South Korea’s distinctive regulatory approach. The parliamentary committee’s direct involvement contrasts with other jurisdictions’ primarily administrative responses. South Korean lawmakers appear determined to establish comprehensive oversight frameworks rather than reactive measures. Technical and Financial Implications of Exchange Errors Cryptocurrency exchange errors generate substantial financial consequences. Erroneous Bitcoin payments can create: Market distortions through unintended sell or buy pressure User fund losses requiring complex recovery processes Reputational damage affecting exchange valuation and user trust Regulatory scrutiny potentially leading to operational restrictions Bithumb’s specific technical error remains under investigation. However, historical precedents suggest possible causes including software bugs, API malfunctions, or human operational errors. The parliamentary committee will likely examine Bithumb’s internal controls and risk management protocols. South Korean exchanges operate under the Financial Services Commission’s oversight, which mandates regular security audits and system testing. Expert Perspectives on Exchange Security Standards Industry analysts emphasize the importance of robust security frameworks. Leading cryptocurrency security experts advocate for: Multi-signature wallet implementations requiring multiple authorizations Regular penetration testing by independent security firms Real-time transaction monitoring systems with anomaly detection Comprehensive insurance coverage for user funds These measures represent industry best practices that South Korean regulators may reinforce. The parliamentary committee’s findings could influence national security standards for all licensed exchanges. South Korea’s proactive approach contrasts with reactive regulatory models elsewhere. Political Dynamics and Cryptocurrency Policy Development South Korea’s political landscape significantly influences cryptocurrency regulation. Both major parties recognize digital assets’ economic importance while addressing associated risks. The bipartisan criticism following Bithumb’s incident reflects: Consumer protection priorities in financial services Technological innovation support balanced with stability concerns International competitiveness considerations for South Korea’s fintech sector Electoral considerations given cryptocurrency’s popularity among younger voters The February 11 parliamentary committee meeting will likely produce recommendations rather than immediate legislation. However, the session establishes important precedents for future regulatory actions. South Korean lawmakers have previously demonstrated willingness to implement substantial cryptocurrency reforms, including the controversial travel rule implementation and enhanced reporting requirements. Conclusion The South Korean parliamentary committee’s scheduled discussion of Bithumb’s Bitcoin payment error represents a significant regulatory development. This unprecedented attention from the Political Affairs Committee underscores cryptocurrency’s mainstream financial importance. The February 11 meeting will likely examine technical safeguards, user protection mechanisms, and exchange accountability frameworks. Consequently, South Korea continues establishing comprehensive digital asset regulations that balance innovation with security. The Bithumb incident’s parliamentary review may influence global cryptocurrency governance approaches as nations develop coordinated regulatory strategies. FAQs Q1: What exactly happened with Bithumb’s Bitcoin payments? The exchange experienced a technical error causing incorrect Bitcoin transactions. Specific details remain under investigation, but the incident affected multiple users’ accounts and triggered substantial political response. Q2: Why is the parliamentary committee involved in a cryptocurrency exchange issue? South Korean lawmakers consider cryptocurrency regulation increasingly important for consumer protection and financial stability. The bipartisan concern about this incident reflects digital assets’ growing economic significance. Q3: What time is the parliamentary committee meeting scheduled? The plenary session begins at 1:00 a.m. UTC on February 11, which corresponds to 10:00 a.m. local time in Seoul, South Korea. Q4: How does South Korea’s regulatory approach compare to other countries? South Korea maintains relatively comprehensive cryptocurrency regulations including real-name verification, strict AML protocols, and exchange licensing requirements. The parliamentary committee’s direct involvement represents a distinctive oversight approach. Q5: What potential outcomes could result from this parliamentary discussion? The committee may recommend enhanced security requirements, improved user compensation mechanisms, or stricter operational standards for cryptocurrency exchanges operating in South Korea. This post Bithumb Bitcoin Error Sparks Urgent South Korean Parliamentary Scrutiny on February 11 first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

9 Feb 2026, 10:23

World Liberty Financial Gains 12% as Bitcoin Hyper Breaks $31.3M in Presale Momentum

What to Know: World Liberty Financial (WLFI) has rebounded 12%, signaling a renewed appetite for DeFi protocols and risk-on assets. Bitcoin Hyper utilizes the Solana Virtual Machine (SVM) to bring high-speed, low-cost smart contract capabilities to the Bitcoin network. The project has raised over $31.3 million, with significant whale activity confirming institutional interest in Bitcoin Layer 2 infrastructure. Liquidity is rotating from pure governance tokens into technical solutions that unlock the trillion-dollar dormant capital on the Bitcoin blockchain. World Liberty Financial (WLFI) is back. The token climbed 12% in the last 24 hours , defying the broader market’s consolidation. While the Trump-affiliated project previously faced headwinds over its distribution structure, it’s now riding a renewed ‘risk-on’ wave. Frankly, the timing couldn’t be better. That decoupling matters. It signals a shift from pure political speculation toward actual DeFi utility. Traders aren’t just buying the narrative anymore; they’re positioning for the protocol’s lending integration. But this surge highlights a glaring bottleneck: fragmented liquidity. While WLFI cooks on Ethereum, over $1.7T+ in dormant capital remains stuck on Bitcoin, locked out of these opportunities by Layer 1 constraints. Smart money hates idle capital. That’s why we’re seeing a quiet but massive rotation away from governance tokens toward infrastructure that actually unlocks Bitcoin’s liquidity. While WLFI grabs headlines, investors are aggressively funding protocols bringing complex DeFi directly to Bitcoin. Enter Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) . The project has defied the recent market cooldown to raise substantial capital, signaling a shift we’ve seen in previous infrastructure cycles: the next bull run isn’t about new tokens, it’s about making Bitcoin usable. Buy your $HYPER today. Bitcoin Hyper Merges Solana Speed With Bitcoin Security Bitcoin’s friction point has always been technical. It’s secure, sure, but notoriously slow and can’t handle complex smart contracts. Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) fixes this by integrating the Solana Virtual Machine (SVM) directly as a Layer 2 solution. That architectural choice changes the math. By using the SVM, the project creates an environment for high-speed swaps, lending protocols, and gaming dApps, all secured by Bitcoin. It removes the old trade-off between speed and security. Developers can finally deploy Rust-based apps with sub-second finality while anchoring settlement on the world’s most secure blockchain. This closes the ‘programmability gap’ that forces Bitcoin holders to wrap assets and bridge them to Ethereum or Solana, a nightmare of custodial risk. Sound familiar? With Bitcoin Hyper, a Decentralized Canonical Bridge allows for trustless transfers, keeping liquidity native. The market is clearly hungry for this. While other L2s obsess over EVM compatibility, the shift toward SVM proves traders want high-performance execution, not just compatibility. Read more about $HYPER here. Smart Money Targets $31.3M Raise and Whale Accumulation According to official presale data, Bitcoin Hyper has raised $31.3M, a figure outpacing many Layer 1 launches from the last cycle. With the token priced at $0.0136753, early investors are clearly betting on a significant repricing event once the mainnet goes live. But look closer at who is buying. This isn’t just retail FOMO. On-chain metrics show high-conviction moves from sophisticated wallets. Etherscan data reveals that 3 high-net-worth wallets accumulated over $1M ( $500K , $379.9K , $274K ) in recent weeks. Large buys during a presale usually mean one thing: insiders anticipate a liquidity crunch post-launch. The tokenomics reinforce this, offering immediate staking after the Token Generation Event (TGE). By providing yield on a Bitcoin-native asset, the protocol creates ‘sticky’ liquidity where capital enters but rarely leaves. For those watching the WLFI rally, rotating into Bitcoin Hyper isn’t just a trade, it’s a hedge on the infrastructure that will likely power the future Bitcoin DeFi economy. Visit the $HYPER presale now. Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Cryptocurrency investments, including presales and volatile assets like WLFI, carry high risks. Always perform your own due diligence.

9 Feb 2026, 10:23

Bitcoin Rebounds Near $71k Level Securing Maxi Doge Market Stability

Quick Facts: Bitcoin’s rebound near $71K acts as a stabilizer, reducing volatility and encouraging capital rotation into higher-risk, higher-reward assets. The shift in market sentiment favors projects that combine viral meme culture with tangible utility, such as trading competitions and dynamic staking rewards. Maxi Doge ($MAXI) is the ‘never skip a leg day’ gym-bro seeking the high-risk high-reward plays. Bitcoin’s recent price action offers a masterclass in market psychology. After a shaky period, it rebounded to consolidate firmly near $71K. While casual observers might see a simple recovery, veteran analysts see something else: a specific technical structure forming. This recovery saw Bitcoin gain 2.41% over a 24-hour period to trade around $70.8K on February 9, 2026. It’s a high-time-frame floor that typically precedes a major capital rotation event; however, some analysts warn that if historical patterns repeat, a test of the long-term holder realized price near $40.3K could theoretically forecast a deeper bottom toward $34.5K. The significance of Bitcoin reclaiming the $71K zone matters less for the number itself than for what it unlocks. It signals a stabilization of volatility that historically flashes the ‘risk-on’ green light for the broader ecosystem. When the market leader establishes a defensive line, volatility dampens. The cost of capital effectively drops for retail traders. This stability allows the market to transition from ‘fear of liquidation’ to a hungry ‘search for yield.’ Current on-chain data suggests that while Bitcoin absorbs sell pressure at this key resistance-turned-support, smart money is already positioning itself further out on the risk curve. But here’s the twist: the rotation isn’t going into legacy altcoins this cycle. Instead, it’s flowing toward assets, capturing the specific cultural zeitgeist of high-leverage trading and aggressive growth. That dynamic creates a perfect storm for “beta” assets, tokens that amplify Bitcoin’s movements. This search for high-octane performance has led liquidity directly toward the emerging ‘leverage king’ culture of Maxi Doge ($MAXI) , which has recently surged past the $4.5M milestone in its presale by catering to the high-risk appetite of traders looking for ‘1000x leverage energy’ through gamified staking and trading competitions. Smart Money Bets on the ‘Leverage King’ Culture Crypto markets have always favored narratives that mirror the psychological state of participants. In a cycle defined by aggressive positioning and the hunt for outsized returns, Maxi Doge has emerged as the avatar for the ‘1000x mentality.’ Unlike traditional meme coins relying on cute aesthetics, Maxi Doge taps into the gym bro trading culture. Think of it as a 240-lb canine juggernaut representing the heavy lifting required to survive a bull market. The project’s tagline, ‘Never skip leg-day, never skip a pump,’ isn’t just humor. It’s a rallying cry for retail traders feeling priced out of blue-chip assets and seeking the volatility needed to change their financial standing. This isn’t just narrative fluff; it’s backed by significant on-chain flows. Smart money is moving with whale buys around $314K . The project sets itself apart through “Holder-Only Trading Competitions.” It attempts to solve the retail problem of lacking capital by gamifying the experience with leaderboard rewards. By integrating viral humor with actual competitive utility, the project captures the two most potent drivers of crypto volume: the desire for entertainment and the hunger for ROI. START SEEING THE GAINS WITH $MAXI Presale Momentum and Dynamic Staking Rewards While Bitcoin stabilizes the macro environment, the microeconomics of Maxi Doge are driving rapid presale adoption. The project has successfully raised over $4.5M, a signal of robust demand even before public listing. With tokens currently priced at $0.0002803, early participants are positioning themselves before the wider market catches wind of the ‘Leverage King.’ When it does catch on, we see it becoming one of the top trending crypto. The valuation model is intriguing, too. Rather than launching with a bloated fully diluted valuation (FDV), the pricing structure seems designed to leave room for the type of parabolic discovery often seen in meme assets post-launch. Addressing the common issue of meme coin velocity (where tokens are dumped immediately after a pump), the team implemented a robust staking mechanism. Maxi Doge employs a dynamic APY system (with current rewards of 68%), featuring planned daily automatic smart contract distributions from a 5% staking allocation pool. This encourages a ‘lift and hold’ behavior, effectively locking supply while rewarding those with the highest conviction. Plus, the ecosystem is supported by the ‘Maxi Fund’ treasury, designed to provide liquidity and fund partnerships (including potential integrations with futures platforms). This creates a feedback loop: as the treasury grows, so does the project’s ability to market itself and sustain liquidity. That reduces the ‘rug risk’ often associated with lower-cap assets. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT $MAXI ON ITS OFFICIAL PRESALE PAGE The information provided in this article does not constitute investment advice, financial advice, trading advice, or any other sort of advice. You should not treat any of the article’s content as such. Crypto assets are volatile and high-risk.

9 Feb 2026, 10:23

BTC Price Wobbles Below $70K, WLFI Defies Monday Correction: Market Watch

Bitcoin’s price ascent to $72,000 on Sunday failed in its tracks, and the asset has retraced by over two grand since that unsuccessful attempt. Most larger-cap altcoins are in the red today after charting some gains over the weekend. WLFI and XMR are among the few exceptions. BTC Below $70K Again The primary cryptocurrency nosedived on several occasions in the past few weeks. On January 31, for example, it dumped from $84,000 to just under $76,000 after it had already dropped from a local peak of $90,000. The bulls tried to intervene at this point, but their best effort took BTC to $79,000 a few days later. However, that was short-lived as the bears remained the predominant force in the market. As the selling pressure intensified over the business week, it culminated on Thursday and Friday morning when bitcoin plunged to $60,000. This became its lowest price tag since before the US presidential elections in November 2024. After losing $30,000 in just over a week, the cryptocurrency finally rebounded and surged to $72,000 on Friday and Saturday morning. It failed there and dropped to $68,000, but tried once again on Sunday. However, it was stopped at $72,000 once again. It has declined by $2,500 since then and now sits below $70,000. Its market capitalization is down to $1.390 trillion on CG, while its dominance over the alts is just over 57%. BTCUSD Feb 9. Source: TradingView WLFI Defies Market Trend As mentioned above, the altcoins are back in the red today. Ethereum is down by 3% to $2,030, XRP is down to $1.40 after a similar decline, while BNB has slipped to $623. SOL and DOGE have dropped by 4%, while CC has shed 5% of value. WLFI is among the few exceptions, with an 8% surge that has pushed it to almost $0.11. SKY, LEO, and XMR are also slightly in the green, while JUP, ONDO, and ARB have lost the most value daily, of up to 8%. The total crypto market cap has declined by around $70 billion in a day and is below $2.430 trillion on CG. Cryptocurrency Market Overview Daily Feb 9. Source: QuantifyCrypto The post BTC Price Wobbles Below $70K, WLFI Defies Monday Correction: Market Watch appeared first on CryptoPotato .

9 Feb 2026, 10:21

Cardano’s Hoskinson Warns Crypto Community “It’ll Get Redder” After Losing $3 Billion

Cardano creator Charles Hoskinson disclosed that he has incurred over $3 billion in unrealized losses on his personal crypto portfolio.