hodler

16 Feb 2026, 14:30

Nexo re-enters the U.S. market three years after its ‘dead end’ exit

The digital assets wealth platform’s rollout includes regulated yield accounts, credit lines and exchange access backed by Bakkt.

16 Feb 2026, 14:21

Ethereum Staking Hits Record as ETH Breaks Below $2,000 on Binance

Ethereum’s staking rate hit a new record above 30.5% of total supply, while ether traded near $1,950, according to CryptoQuant data shared by analyst Leon Waidmann on X. The chart titled “Ethereum: ETH 2.0 Staking Rate (%)” showed the staking share rising from about 15% in early 2023 to 30.5% in early 2026, even as price swung through multiple rallies and selloffs. Staking rises as price lags Waidmann said the current gap between a rising staking rate and a weaker price has appeared before and later narrowed. He pointed to mid 2023, when staking moved above 22% while ether hovered around $1,800, before ETH later climbed above $4,000. He also cited early 2025, when staking crossed 28% while ETH stayed below $2,500, before a move that took price above $4,500 by October. ETH 2.0 Staking Rate (%). Source: CryptoQuant via Leon Waidmann on X He tied the trend to supply dynamics and holder behavior. Waidmann argued that increased staking reduces liquid ETH available for trading because staked coins remain locked while earning yield, and he added that continued staking growth signals confidence from long term participants who choose to keep ETH committed to validators instead of keeping it on exchanges. Waidmann said the market has seen these periods of staking strength and price weakness converge in the past. He framed the key uncertainty as timing, while the data snapshot highlighted staking at all time highs alongside ETH near the lower end of its recent range. ETH slips under $2,000 as sell pressure hits Binance Ethereum fell below the $2,000 level on the daily ETHUSDT chart from Binance , following a sharp selloff that extended losses from late 2025 into early 2026. The TradingView snapshot showed price breaking through prior support near $2,624 and $2,400, before sliding into the low $2,000s. The move pushed ETH into a lower trading zone after a series of lower highs and lower lows formed across recent months. Ethereum / TetherUS 1D Binance. Source: TedPillows on X Analyst TedPillows said aggressive selling drove the breakdown on Binance, pointing to heavy supply hitting the market during the latest decline. The chart highlighted multiple former demand areas that failed to hold, with price slicing through each band during the selloff. As a result, the structure shifted lower, with ETH now trading beneath a level that had acted as a key psychological floor in prior pullbacks. The chart also mapped several nearby zones where price has reacted in the past, with price action clustering around the low $2,000s after the breakdown. TedPillows noted that short term price moves have turned volatile around these levels as selling pressure continued. The TradingView image placed ETH near $1,973 at the time of the snapshot, reflecting the latest push below the round number threshold.

16 Feb 2026, 14:20

EUR/GBP Plummets: Eurozone Industrial Production Shock Sends Currency Pair Lower Ahead of Critical UK Data

BitcoinWorld EUR/GBP Plummets: Eurozone Industrial Production Shock Sends Currency Pair Lower Ahead of Critical UK Data LONDON, March 15, 2025 – The EUR/GBP currency pair is trading notably lower in European session dealings, pressured by a significant disappointment in Eurozone industrial production figures. Consequently, market participants are now turning their attention to upcoming UK data releases for further directional cues on the cross. This movement highlights the acute sensitivity of forex markets to real economic outputs. EUR/GBP Reacts to Weak Eurozone Industrial Data Eurostat, the European Union’s statistics office, released industrial production data for January this morning. The report showed a monthly contraction of 1.6%, starkly missing market expectations which had anticipated a modest decline of 0.5%. Furthermore, the year-on-year figure also disappointed, registering a drop of 3.2%. This data point serves as a critical barometer for the health of the Eurozone’s manufacturing sector. Immediately following the release, the euro faced selling pressure across several major pairs. Specifically, the EUR/GBP cross dropped approximately 0.4%, breaching key technical support levels. The industrial sector remains a cornerstone of the German and broader Eurozone economy. Therefore, weak data directly fuels concerns about a potential economic slowdown. Analysts frequently cite industrial output as a leading indicator for GDP growth and employment trends. Technical and Fundamental Analysis of the Currency Pair The recent price action has pushed the EUR/GBP pair back towards the lower end of its multi-week trading range. From a technical perspective, the 0.8550 level now acts as immediate support. A break below this point could open the path for a test of the late-February lows near 0.8520. Conversely, resistance is now firmly established around the 0.8600 handle. Fundamentally, the divergence in central bank policy outlooks continues to underpin the pair’s trajectory. The European Central Bank (ECB) maintains a cautious stance, wary of persistent inflationary pressures in the services sector. Meanwhile, the Bank of England (BoE) faces its own balancing act between cooling inflation and supporting a fragile economy. Upcoming UK labour market and inflation prints will be pivotal for shaping these expectations. Key Support: 0.8550 (psychological & technical level) Key Resistance: 0.8600 (previous support, now resistance) Primary Driver: Eurozone industrial production miss (-1.6% MoM) Secondary Focus: Upcoming UK Claimant Count and CPI data Expert Insight on Manufacturing Weakness Economic analysts point to several factors behind the Eurozone’s industrial weakness. Global demand for manufactured goods has softened in recent quarters, particularly from key trading partners. Additionally, high energy costs, although reduced from their peaks, continue to pressure profit margins for energy-intensive industries. The automotive sector, a traditional European strength, is also navigating a complex transition to electric vehicles. This data may prompt the ECB to consider a more dovish tone in future communications, potentially delaying any further rate hikes. Anticipation Builds for Forthcoming UK Economic Releases With the euro side of the equation dampened, focus now shifts squarely to the United Kingdom. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is scheduled to release its latest labour market report tomorrow, followed by Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation data later in the week. These datasets are critical for assessing the UK’s economic resilience and inflationary trajectory. Markets currently forecast a slight easing in the UK unemployment rate. However, wage growth figures will be scrutinized even more closely. Sustained high wage growth could signal persistent underlying inflation, potentially forcing the BoE to maintain a tighter policy for longer. Such an outcome would likely provide additional support for the pound sterling, potentially exacerbating the EUR/GBP decline. Conversely, softer data would relieve pressure on the BoE and could offer the cross some reprieve. Upcoming High-Impact UK Data (Week of March 17, 2025) Release Date Previous Forecast Unemployment Rate March 18 4.2% 4.1% Average Earnings (ex-bonus) March 18 +6.2% +6.0% Consumer Price Index (CPI) YoY March 19 3.4% 3.1% Broader Market Context and Historical Comparisons The EUR/GBP pair has historically been a gauge of relative economic performance between the Eurozone and the UK. Periods of sustained euro weakness, such as during the European debt crisis, saw the cross trade significantly lower. More recently, the pair has been range-bound, reflecting a balance of concerns between the two economies. Today’s move, while sharp, remains within the context of this broader range. Traders are assessing whether this is a short-term reaction or the beginning of a more sustained trend driven by a widening growth differential. Furthermore, risk sentiment in global markets also plays a role. A ‘risk-off’ environment often benefits currencies like the US dollar and, at times, the Swiss franc more directly. However, the pound can exhibit sensitivity to global growth fears due to the UK’s large financial services sector. The euro’s status is often linked to regional stability and energy security concerns. Therefore, the pair’s movement is rarely driven by a single factor but by a complex interplay of domestic and international forces. Conclusion The EUR/GBP pair’s decline following the disappointing Eurozone industrial production data underscores the forex market’s immediate reaction to hard economic evidence. The euro’s weakness reflects growing concerns about the manufacturing sector’s health at the start of 2025. Attention now pivots to the UK, where upcoming labour and inflation data will provide the next major catalyst for the currency pair. Traders and analysts alike will be watching to see if this data confirms a widening performance gap, potentially leading to a sustained break in the EUR/GBP’s recent trading range. The interplay between these two major economies continues to offer a compelling narrative for currency markets. FAQs Q1: What does the EUR/GBP exchange rate represent? The EUR/GBP exchange rate shows how many British pounds (GBP) are needed to purchase one euro (EUR). A lower rate means the euro is weakening relative to the pound, or the pound is strengthening. Q2: Why is industrial production data important for a currency? Industrial production is a key indicator of economic strength. Strong output suggests a healthy, expanding economy, which can attract foreign investment and support a currency. Weak data, as seen today, can signal economic trouble and lead to currency selling. Q3: What other data moves the EUR/GBP pair? Inflation reports (CPI), central bank interest rate decisions and meeting minutes, employment data, retail sales, and Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) surveys from both the Eurozone and UK are all high-impact releases for the pair. Q4: How do central banks influence EUR/GBP? The European Central Bank (ECB) and the Bank of England (BoE) set monetary policy. Expectations about future interest rate changes are a primary driver. If traders expect the BoE to raise rates higher than the ECB, it typically supports the pound against the euro. Q5: Is EUR/GBP considered a major currency pair? While not one of the ‘majors’ that include the US dollar (like EUR/USD or GBP/USD), EUR/GBP is a highly liquid and widely traded ‘cross’ pair. It is a major focus for European and UK-focused traders and institutions. This post EUR/GBP Plummets: Eurozone Industrial Production Shock Sends Currency Pair Lower Ahead of Critical UK Data first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

16 Feb 2026, 13:51

Harvard pivots from BTC with $86.8M ETH position in what Coinbase exec calls buying opportunity

Harvard University’s endowment has adjusted its cryptocurrency strategy during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2025, reducing Bitcoin exposure and placing a sizable investment in Ethereum spot exchange-traded funds. As seen in regulatory filings submitted to the US Securities and Exchange Commission last Friday, the university’s $50 billion endowment comptroller Harvard Management Company purchased 3.87 million shares of BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum Trust during the quarter. The acquisition is the HMC’s first Ether exposure, coming at the expense of a trimmed-down stake in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust to 5.35 million shares valued at $265.8 million, as of December 31. The figure is about 1.48 million shares less from the prior quarter, when the endowment held 6.81 million IBIT shares worth $442.8 million. Harvard’s combined indirect Bitcoin and Ethereum holdings totaled $352.6 million at the end of the reporting period. Harvard shifts to Ethereum dip after 44% BTC loss from ATH The HMC’s portfolio rebalancing comes against the backdrop of a volatile stretch for crypto markets. Bitcoin had surged to an all-time high near $126,000 in October, before a purported crypto winter began and cooled its price down to $88,429 by year-end. Ethereum has also lost over 55% of its value since it clocked an all-time high of $4,900 on August 24, 2025. As reported by Cryptopolitan in December, the Ivy League school’s position in Bitcoin-linked funds had fallen about $40 million below its purchase value. Despite the reduction, Bitcoin remains Harvard’s largest publicly disclosed equity holding. The $265.8 million position exceeded the endowment’s reported stakes in technology companies Alphabet, Microsoft, and Amazon. The portfolio adjustment also came alongside changes in other allocations, in which Harvard increased its position in gold exchange-traded funds during the same period, according to Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan confirmed late last year. Looking at institutional investment flows in the crypto sector, digital asset funds recorded four consecutive weeks of withdrawals, with Bitcoin-focused funds experiencing the largest redemptions of $677 million in the past month. The iShares Bitcoin Trust itself has experienced about $2.8 billion in net outflows in the last 90 trading days. Spot Bitcoin ETF net outflows totaled about $5.8 billion in the period, while still maintaining $14.2 billion in positive flows over a one-year horizon. Harvard’s continued investment in cryptos raised eyebrows among some academic finance experts, who argue that such assets are too speculative for institutional portfolios. Andrew F. Siegel, emeritus professor of finance at the University of Washington, deems Bitcoin exposure as “risky.” “It is down 22.8% year-to-date,” Siegel wrote. “It can be argued that the risk of bitcoin is partly due to its lack of intrinsic value.” Another finance professor from UCLA, Avanidhar Subrahmanyam, believes concentrated positions in digital assets could introduce unnecessary volatility into a long-term endowment portfolio. “In my view, any underdiversified position in something as speculative as crypto (an asset of unproven true value) does not make sense for HMC,” he said. “If I were to ask them how they value BTC or Ethereum, I doubt I would get a cogent and precise answer. I questioned their investment in BTC, and it proved prophetic. I again question the wisdom of their investment in Ethereum.” Is it the right time to buy? Coinbase CEO and a16z chief say yes While academics see crypto investments as doom and gloom, industry executives from Coinbase and a16z say financial organizations should join the digital assets accumulation bandwagon before prices go back up. According to Coinbase’s lead, Brian Armstrong, there has been an increase in retail buying activity on crypto exchanges in recent weeks, as investors buy the dip. “Retail users on Coinbase have been very resilient during these market conditions, according to our data: Vast majority of customers had native unit balances in Feb equal to or greater than their balances in December,” Armstrong wrote on X. Speaking in a panel discussion at the World Crypto Forum in Korea last week, venture capital firm a16z CEO Anthony Albanese said: “Financial services are moving money around, but Crypto is so good because it costs less than a penny and takes less than a second. Whether it’s a company or a financial institution, it’s a great time to enter crypto now.” If you're reading this, you’re already ahead. Stay there with our newsletter .

16 Feb 2026, 13:33

Binance CEO Richard Teng denies Fortune allegations of compliance breach

Richard Teng, co-CEO of Binance, on Monday denied allegations that the exchange dismissed compliance investigators after discovering over $1 billion in USDT transactions connected to Iranian businesses. The conflict began after Fortune reported on February 13 that Binance had dismissed at least five investigators who had found transactions worth almost $1 billion linked to Iranian entities. Fortune, citing multiple sources and internal documents, revealed that the Tether (USDT) stablecoin on the Tron network (TRX) was used to carry out the transactions. The platform also noted that the transactions took place between March 2024 and August 2025. Cryptopolitan, citing reports, also noted that at least four senior compliance staff members have departed or been compelled to quit in the last three months. Binance CEO denies sanctions violations, defends compliance record The record must be clear. No sanctions violations were found, no investigators were fired for raising concerns, and Binance continues to meet its regulatory commitments. We’ve asked for corrections to recent reporting. pic.twitter.com/glA9bdGaw1 — Richard Teng (@_RichardTeng) February 16, 2026 Richard Teng disputed the claims reported by Fortune in a public statement on Monday, stating that “The record must be clear. No sanctions violations were found, no investigators were fired for raising concerns, and Binance continues to meet its regulatory commitments. We’ve asked for corrections to recent reporting.” Teng explained that Binance has strict guidelines for employee behavior, with no room for infractions, including improper behavior, policy violations, or illegal data access. He emphasized that the exchange is subject to strict international regulations, including oversight in Abu Dhabi and compliance with laws in 21 other jurisdictions. Teng also noted that Binance complies with employment regulations intended to safeguard workers who voice concerns and maintains strong internal whistleblower policies. Teng questioned the rationale behind claims of unjust dismissals and emphasized that all staff terminations are carried out for valid reasons and are protected by internal and legal procedures. Regarding the claims of sanctions breaches, Teng explained that a thorough internal investigation conducted with the assistance of knowledgeable legal counsel found no evidence of any infractions related to the transactions Fortune had cited. He affirmed the integrity of the company’s compliance system and criticized the notion that violations were “suppressed” as being untrue. On February 14, Teng had criticized the claims cited by Fortune, calling them “irresponsible and misleading press articles based on anonymous sources.” He argued that such coverage is a disservice to the more than 1,300 compliance employees who put in countless hours to enforce international standards. Teng described the procedures and instruments the company employs to monitor transactions and stop illegal activity, including collaborations with leading third-party services such as Elliptic, Chainalysis, and TRM. These solutions help Binance anticipate and prevent such infractions by enabling real-time transaction monitoring, sanctions screening, and blockchain analysis, he explained. Teng further responded to claims that Binance had violated its monitorship and regulatory duties. He called these allegations untrue and reaffirmed that Binance is still adhering to its regulatory obligations, having strengthened its compliance, anti-money laundering, staffing, and monitoring systems following a 2023 deal with U.S. authorities. OFAC sanctions trigger scrutiny on stablecoins globally Regulators continued to focus on stablecoins and cross-border transactions globally. Earlier last month, the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned two cryptocurrency exchanges situated in the United Kingdom, Zedcex and Zedxion for processing almost $1 billion in transactions related to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Blockchain analytics from companies like TRM Labs, Chainalysis, and Elliptic revealed that a significant percentage of these transfers used Tether (USDT) on the Tron network (TRX). The Central Bank of Iran purchased more than $500 million in USDT to maintain liquidity in hard currency amid pressure on the Iranian rial that month. The step is part of a plan to keep a parallel dollar reserve outside of traditional banking systems. Binance has not confirmed any violations in connection with these transactions. Join a premium crypto trading community free for 30 days - normally $100/mo.

16 Feb 2026, 13:30

Ethereum Coinbase Premium Jumps – Is US Selling Pressure Finally Fading?

Ethereum has remained locked in a consolidation phase below the $2,000 level since the sharp market decline seen in early February. Despite occasional rebound attempts, price action continues to reflect caution among traders, with volatility elevated and momentum limited. The inability to reclaim this psychological threshold has reinforced a defensive market posture, as investors weigh macro uncertainty, liquidity conditions, and broader crypto sentiment. A recent CryptoQuant report provides additional context from an on-chain perspective. According to the analysis, the Ethereum Coinbase Premium Index has stayed predominantly in negative territory, signaling relatively weak demand from US-based investors. This metric compares spot prices on Coinbase with those on other major exchanges, offering insight into regional buying pressure. Persistent negative readings suggest that aggressive spot accumulation from US participants has been largely absent during the current corrective phase. This pattern aligns with the broader technical structure visible on price charts, where rallies have struggled to gain follow-through. While consolidation does not necessarily imply further downside , sustained weakness in spot demand typically delays recovery phases, leaving Ethereum sensitive to shifts in liquidity, macro conditions, and investor confidence in the near term. Coinbase Premium Rebound Signals Potential Shift In Demand The report further notes that the Coinbase Premium Index has recently shown a noticeable upward rebound. Although the indicator remains below the neutral threshold, the strength of the move suggests that selling pressure from US-based investors may be starting to ease. This shift is relevant because the index reflects the difference between Ethereum spot prices on Coinbase and those on other major exchanges, making it a proxy for regional demand dynamics. If the current upward momentum continues and the index moves into positive territory, turning green, it would indicate renewed spot buying interest from US market participants. Historically, sustained positive readings have often coincided with phases of stronger accumulation, which can help stabilize price action after periods of corrective pressure. Such a development could become particularly significant if it aligns with a technical breakout from the triangle structure currently visible on the charts. In that scenario, improving on-chain demand and constructive price structure would reinforce each other. While this does not guarantee an immediate rally, the combination could increase the probability of a more durable recovery phase, especially if broader liquidity conditions and market sentiment also begin to improve. Ethereum Holds After Sharp Breakdown Ethereum remains under clear technical pressure after losing momentum below the $2,000 level, with the chart showing a sustained downtrend following the late-2025 peak near $4,800. Price action has shifted decisively bearish, marked by a sequence of lower highs and lower lows that confirms a broader corrective structure rather than a temporary pullback. The recent breakdown accelerated once ETH lost confluence support around the 200-period moving average, triggering a sharp decline toward the $1,900–$2,000 zone. This area now functions as a fragile stabilization range rather than firm support. Trading volumes increased during the selloff, suggesting forced positioning adjustments rather than organic accumulation. From a trend perspective, ETH continues to trade below all major moving averages, which remain downward sloping. This configuration typically reflects persistent macro weakness and limited buyer conviction. Any sustained recovery would likely require reclaiming the $2,400–$2,600 region, where previous support has turned into resistance. Until that happens, market structure remains vulnerable. Continued consolidation near current levels could indicate base formation, but another rejection below $2,000 would increase the probability of a deeper retracement toward historical demand zones near the mid-$1,600 range. Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com