hodler

11 Feb 2026, 14:13

Bithumb admits to ‘serious flaws’ that left internal systems vulnerable to potential sabotage

The South Korean crypto exchange’s CEO Le Jae-won said the lack of proper controls led to the erroneous transfer of bitcoin worth more than $40 billion to customers. Most has been recovered.

11 Feb 2026, 14:11

XRP on Reset Mode — The Deleveraging Storm

XRP Derivatives Undergo Major Reset as Futures Open Interest Plummets According to market analyst Xaif Crypto, something significant is unfolding in the XRP derivatives market. Over the past 30 days, XRP futures open interest has plunged dramatically , reflecting aggressive deleveraging rather than fresh speculative bets. This trend indicates that traders are stepping back amid heightened volatility, creating conditions that often precede major directional moves. Data from major exchanges highlights the scale of this unwind: Binance has seen a reduction of 1.6 billion XRP in open interest, Bybit 1.8 billion, Kraken 1.5 billion, and OKX 446 million XRP. Collectively, these figures suggest a widespread retrenchment by leveraged traders, signaling a temporary pause in aggressive market positioning. Well, sharp deleveraging in derivatives markets often precedes major price swings. Rapid exits from leveraged positions can reset sentiment and ease short-term volatility, creating a classic ‘washout’ that historically marks a pivot point before renewed momentum in crypto markets. XRP Faces Critical Reset as Derivatives Deleveraging Sets Stage for Next Move XRP is trading around $1.38, sitting at a critical technical and psychological junction. With futures exposure waning and volatility persisting, the market is in a transitional phase. Keeping a keen eye on renewed momentum is essential as XRP teeters between consolidation and a potential breakout. Therefore, XRP’s derivatives reset highlights the rising impact of institutional and leveraged activity on price. As positions unwind and the market recalibrates, a decisive move could emerge once trader confidence rebounds. What’s next? Well, XRP’s current phase isn’t about fresh bullish or bearish bets, it’s a reset of overextended positions. Derivatives metrics, especially open interest, may offer early clues on the next move. In a market driven by technicals and sentiment, this unfolding derivatives reset could set the stage for XRP’s next major trend. Conclusion XRP is in the midst of a major derivatives reset, pausing the market to clear overextended positions and prime for its next move. Short-term volatility may continue, but history shows these washouts often precede decisive swings. Notably, open interest and exchange activity should be monitored closely because this reset could be a pivotal moment shaping XRP’s next chapter.

11 Feb 2026, 14:09

HTX Trading Championship II Officially Launches: Win Your Share of the $1.5M Prize Pool and Redeem Gold Rewards in the Points Contest

BitcoinWorld HTX Trading Championship II Officially Launches: Win Your Share of the $1.5M Prize Pool and Redeem Gold Rewards in the Points Contest PANAMA CITY, Feb. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — HTX, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, officially announced the launch of its premier annual event, the HTX Trading Championship II, on February 11, 2026. Running from February 11 to March 23, the event features a total prize pool of $1.5 million. This second season is structured around three core formats: the Points Contest, the Trading Challenge, and the Team Battle. Through a tiered tournament structure and substantial incentives, HTX aims to deliver a high-value, world-class digital asset trading experience for its global user base. Join in HTX Trading Championship II: https://www.htx.com/en-us/topic/activities/web/peakMatch?id=177077608059086 Points Contest II Opens First: Trade to Earn Lanterns and Redeem $400,000 in Physical Gold Kicking off the championship is Points Contest II , running from February 11 to February 21. Timed to coincide with the Chinese Lunar New Year, the campaign invites participants to earn “New Year Lanterns” through eligible spot and futures trading activities. These Lanterns can be redeemed for rewards, with a total physical gold prize pool valued at $400,000. To ensure inclusivity, Points Contest II features three tiers: First-Time Tasks, Silver Tasks, and Platinum Tasks. This framework accommodates everyone from new users to high-frequency professional traders. Participants activate their “New Year Fortune” and receive initial Lanterns by completing their first spot trade, futures trade, or transfer to a USDT-M account. As trading volume increases, users unlock the Silver and Platinum tiers. At the highest tier, a cumulative spot volume of 10 million USDT yields 700 Lanterns, while a futures volume of 300 million USDT yields up to 3,800 Lanterns. Each participant can accumulate a maximum of 6,226 Lanterns. These can be redeemed for a variety of physical gold rewards, including 20-gram investment gold bars, 10-gram HTX commemorative gold coins, as well as selected gold ornaments and jewelry. This redemption structure ensures that reward value scales proportionally with trading volume. Additionally, the 8th, 88th, 888th, and 8,888th registered users will each receive a special “Gold Fortune Bead.” Up Next: AI-Powered Trading Challenge & Team Battles Following the Points Contest, the competition intensifies with the Trading Challenge and Team Battles, where contenders vie for the majority of the remaining prize pool. Running from February 21 to March 8, the Trading Challenge II introduces upgraded rules and two distinct ways to win. A dual-metric evaluation—based on both PnL and PnL%—levels the playing field, giving both large-scale investors and highly skilled traders a real shot at the prizes. To turn up the excitement, new and returning users can unlock a massive 3× reward boost, supercharging their climb up the leaderboards. Team Battle II formation begins on February 21, with the actual trading period running from March 8 to March 23. This format lowers entry barriers by introducing an AI Team Leader and one-click Copy Trading. Team leaders earn double incentives, including a share of team profits and exclusive leadership bonuses. The HTX Trading Championship II isn’t just a competition for skilled traders; it’s a “trade-as-you-earn” celebration designed to keep your trading momentum strong all season long. Since its debut, the HTX Trading Championship has become a key pillar of the HTX experience. The first season attracted over 90,000 traders and generated a staggering trading volume exceeding 14 billion USDT. Having already distributed nearly 1 million USDT in prizes, the series stands as a testament to HTX’s commitment to rewarding its global community. Whether you are a steady spot investor or a seasoned futures trader, now is the time to join. Experience a unique blend of competition, strategy, and teamwork as you compete for a share of the luxury prize pool. Join the event and start the next chapter of growing your assets in 2026. About HTX Founded in 2013, HTX (formerly Huobi) has evolved from a virtual asset exchange into a comprehensive ecosystem of blockchain businesses that span digital asset trading, financial derivatives, research, investments, incubation, and other businesses. As a world-leading gateway to Web3, HTX harbors global capabilities that enable it to provide users with safe and reliable services. Adhering to the growth strategy of “Global Expansion, Thriving Ecosystem, Wealth Effect, Security & Compliance,” HTX is dedicated to providing quality services and values to virtual asset enthusiasts worldwide. To learn more about HTX, please visit https://www.htx.com/ or HTX Square , and follow HTX on X , Telegram , and Discord . This post HTX Trading Championship II Officially Launches: Win Your Share of the $1.5M Prize Pool and Redeem Gold Rewards in the Points Contest first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

11 Feb 2026, 14:06

Binance and Franklin Templeton team to support tokenized MMFs as off-exchange collateral

Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, announced its partnership with Franklin Templeton, a leading global investment management firm. This collaboration has led to the establishment of a new institutional off-exchange collateral initiative, which seeks to improve security and streamline efficiency in digital markets. The announcement comes as Bitcoin hovers around $67,000. One analyst suggested that the cryptocurrency is hitting a low point after a recent devaluation. Currently, Bitcoin is trading at $66,888.58, down 3.31% over the past 24 hours, according to data from CoinMarketCap. Ethereum has also shown a similar trend, trading at $1,947.95 after a 3.65% decline over the past 24 hours. Analysts have attributed this trend to the wider market declines, with Bitcoin setting the pace. Analysts view Binance and Franklin Templeton’s partnership as a game-changer Regarding the new service launched under the partnership between Binance and Franklin Templeton, sources noted that it is a game-changer for the ecosystem, as it allows qualified clients to effectively use shares from Franklin Templeton’s Benji Technology Platform on Binance as off-exchange collateral. These sources also disclosed that these transactions will take place using Ceffu, the exclusive institutional custody partner of the Binance exchange. Moreover, reports confirmed that this initiative solves a long-standing issue for institutional traders by allowing them to use traditional, regulated money market fund assets that generate yield without requiring exchange custody, citing a press release. Meanwhile, it is worth noting that Benji’s issued share value is visible on Binance’s trading platform. At the same time, tokenized assets are held in secure, regulated, off-exchange custody. In a statement, both companies assured that this setup mitigates counterparty risk, enabling institutional investors to generate returns and streamline trading operations free from custodial, liquidity, or regulatory constraints. Following this assertion, Catherine Chen, Head of VIP & Institutional at Binance, weighed in on the matter. She noted that, “Working with Franklin Templeton to provide tokenized real-world assets for off-exchange collateral settlement is a natural progression in our goal to connect digital assets with traditional finance.” Franklin Templeton solidifies its position as a leader in the ecosystem While institutional investors express excitement about the news that institutions can now use Benji-issued tokenized money market funds as off-exchange collateral, it is worth noting that, towards the end of last year, the Canton Network publicly announced that the Benji Technology platform was now operational on its network. This development strengthened the asset manager’s footprint in regulated digital markets. It also facilitated enhanced access to tokenized investment products for institutional investors. The move linked Franklin Templeton’s blockchain setup to Canton’s Global Collateral Network, a system that bridges traditional finance with on-chain markets. In an email announcement, the company alleged that this integration provides institutions and market makers with a new, compliant, and private source of liquidity and collateral. “Our main goal is to connect with institutions based on their current situation and, just as importantly, their future direction,” said Roger Bayston, who leads digital assets at Franklin Templeton. He added, “Working with the Canton Network allows clients to enjoy both interoperability and privacy while still ensuring transparency and security.” Don’t just read crypto news. Understand it. Subscribe to our newsletter. It's free .

11 Feb 2026, 14:00

Crypto Dream Turns Nightmare As SafeMoon CEO Gets 100 Months In Jail

Braden John Karony, the one-time CEO of SafeMoon, has been sentenced to 100 months in US federal prison after a jury found him guilty of multiple fraud counts. According to courtroom records and Justice Department statements, he was convicted on charges that included securities fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering. Reports say prosecutors proved that investors were told liquidity was secure when it was not, and that insiders were able to move funds for personal gain. “Not only did Braden John Karony abuse his position as CEO, but he also betrayed his investors’ trust by stealing over $9 million in crypto from his company to fund his lavish lifestyle,” James C. Barnacle, Jr., FBI assistant director, said. The founder of SafeMoon has been sentenced to 100 months in prison The founder of FTX claims the exchange was solvent while serving 25 year sentence — Wendy O (@CryptoWendyO) February 10, 2026 SafeMoon: False Locks And Hidden Transfers Reports note that Karony and others told buyers that SafeMoon’s liquidity pools were “locked,” a claim that calmed many who put money into the token. Instead, prosecutors showed how more than $9 million was diverted from those pools. He used some of the money to buy high-end homes and vehicles. The FBI described the moves as deliberate. Victims included small investors and people on modest incomes. Some lost savings. It left trust badly shaken. According to US Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr. Karony “lied to investors from all walks of life — including military veterans and hard-working Americans.” Founder of SafeMoon, Braden Karony, has just been sentenced to 100 months in prison. “This is more like theft than fraud. It was not a small loss per person like in many securities frauds. Mr. Karony, please rise.I sentence you to 100 months in the custody of the AG. On count… pic.twitter.com/riFdBLyNLU — Ariel Givner (@GivnerAriel) February 10, 2026 The Trial And Conviction The trial ran for three weeks in May 2025. A jury returned guilty verdicts across the board. Based on reports, sentencing was handled by US District Judge Eric Komitee in the Eastern District of New York. The Justice Department sought a stiff term, and the court obliged. One former executive, Thomas Smith, has pleaded guilty and faces his own punishment. Other co-founders are still under scrutiny. Reports say authorities will press to recover funds through forfeiture and restitution orders. Ruined Lives & Lost Money People who backed SafeMoon often did so because they believed in the project or wanted a new way to invest. Many found out the hard way that promises in promo posts and social feeds can hide real dangers. Some investors watched balances drop. Others tried to follow the paper trail and grew alarmed when transfers led to private bank accounts and luxury purchases. The case exposed how quickly trust can evaporate when controls fail. Restitution And Future Cases The court ordered forfeiture of about $7.5 million, but the full scale of losses is still being worked out in follow-up hearings. Restitution proceedings will aim to return money to victims , but such processes can take time. Law enforcement in the US has signaled a steady interest in crypto fraud prosecutions. That means more investigations and, likely, more court dates for those accused of similar schemes. Featured image from John Karony – Medium , chart from TradingView

11 Feb 2026, 13:47

Bybit Partners with Doppler Finance to provide Institutional-Grade XRP Earn Product for Users

BitcoinWorld Bybit Partners with Doppler Finance to provide Institutional-Grade XRP Earn Product for Users DUBAI, UAE , Feb. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume known for its deep liquidity and user-centric infrastructure, today announced a strategic partnership with Doppler Finance, an XRP-native yield platform that combines institutional-grade security and liquidity. This collaboration will introduce XRP yield products to Bybit Earn, expanding secure and transparent opportunities for one of the market’s most actively traded digital assets. The partnership solves a long-standing structural challenge: XRP does not support native staking. Doppler Finance delivers an institutional-grade alternative through regulated custody, fully audited reserves, and a real-time verification framework built specifically for non-staking assets like XRP. Its architecture integrates yield vaults, reserve attestations, and risk-managed strategies to provide compliant and transparent yield generation for XRP holders. “XRP has remained a core asset for our users, and expanding its utility has been an important priority,” said Jerry Li, Head of Earn and Wealth Management at Bybit. “Partnering with Doppler Finance allows us to introduce secure, compliant, and transparent XRP yield products that reinforce our commitment to building the world’s most trusted trading ecosystem.” Through Doppler’s institutional-grade vault infrastructure, Bybit users will gain access to XRP yield options with improved safety and capital efficiency. The integration supports Bybit’s broader mission to connect high-assurance financial infrastructure with innovative on-chain opportunities—delivering a unified experience tailored to both retail and institutional participants. “We built Doppler specifically to unlock secure yield for XRP as a non-staking asset,” said Rox, Head of Institutions at Doppler Finance. “Bybit’s global reach and trusted brand allow us to bring these institutional-grade capabilities to a significantly larger audience, backed by transparency and verifiability designed for XRP holders.” The integration marks an important milestone in Bybit’s long-term vision to expand the utility of digital assets through secure, intelligent, and user-first infrastructure. As tokenization, institutional participation, and yield-driven models continue to reshape market dynamics, Bybit remains committed to offering products that combine transparency, compliance, and innovation. The partnership with Doppler Finance reinforces Bybit’s position at the forefront of next-generation digital asset platforms. About Bybit Bybit is the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving a global community of over 80 million users. Founded in 2018, Bybit is redefining openness in the decentralized world by creating a simpler, open, and equal ecosystem for everyone. With a strong focus on Web3, Bybit partners strategically with leading blockchain protocols to provide robust infrastructure and drive on-chain innovation. Renowned for its secure custody, diverse marketplaces, intuitive user experience, and advanced blockchain tools, Bybit bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, empowering builders, creators, and enthusiasts to unlock the full potential of Web3. Discover the future of decentralized finance at Bybit.com . For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press For media inquiries, please contact: [email protected] For updates, please follow: Bybit’s Communities and Social Media Discord | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Reddit | Telegram | TikTok | X | YouTube About Doppler Finance Doppler Finance is leading XRPfi by introducing an institutional-grade yield infrastructure natively built on the XRP Ledger, integrated across major wallets and exchanges. Our stack combines regulated custody, fully audited reserves, and strictly vetted yield strategies designed for safety and scale. We believe XRP should earn yield like any major asset, and we’re making that a reality, with unmatched clarity, control, and credibility. LinkedIn | X | Discord | Website | Docs This post Bybit Partners with Doppler Finance to provide Institutional-Grade XRP Earn Product for Users first appeared on BitcoinWorld .