Invest ideasNews
19 Feb 2026, 01:54
Coinbase’s Base tech u-turn puts pressure on Optimism
Coinbase will give Base more direct control over the main software that runs the network. Base, one of the largest Ethereum scaling solutions incubated by crypto exchange Coinbase, said it will transition away from Optimism’s core technology and adopt a new “unified Base stack” that consolidates previously distributed components. This includes the network’s sequencer and other infrastructure into a single Base-managed codebase. According to the Base team, the network plans to increase its rate of protocol upgrades to as many as 6 hard forks per year, roughly double the rate under the Optimism-based setup. Coinbase is moving Base to run on its own software system instead of relying on external technology. Coinbase grew quickly in its early stages and provided developers with a stable platform to build apps by launching Base on the OP Stack, enabling faster scaling on ETH without starting from scratch. As time went on, Base had to improve its performance, speed, and developer experience, so it began adding more tools and features from external teams such as Flashbots and Paradigm. In the end, upgrades and maintenance depended on teams working across separate software layers, making the system harder to manage. The network had to wait for shared release cycles before releasing major upgrades, such as hard forks, due to greater coordination with external partners. Coinbase now wants Base to package its own software upgrades, release one official binary for node operators to run, and manage its future hard fork schedule without Optimism. To achieve this, the company will put all its external software parts into a single in-house system called base/base. Node operators who want to remain compatible with the network but still run Optimism-maintained clients will have to switch to Base-maintained clients. This ultimatum for operators shows just how serious Coinbase is about Base running and managing its own tech stack while still building on Ethereum. Base can now make faster upgrades by controlling its own technology system. Coinbase wants Base to move at its own pace, so the network will handle six minor hard forks annually instead of the usual three. With this faster schedule, the team will be able to test new scaling features sooner and use multi-proof systems to release faster withdrawals. Base will also be able to confirm transactions more quickly using more advanced TEE and zero-knowledge (ZK) proofs. While the company wants to give Base full control over how the network runs, it still wants to retain essential support from Optimism Enterprise during the transition. So, Coinbase will introduce Base-specific governance, independent security council signers, Base-level fee systems, and enhanced neutrality standards across the stack. This will allow Base to upgrade, govern, and decentralize on its own software foundation over time. Optimism now has less influence over Base because it has lost one of the network’s largest ecosystem partners. Base can finally act more quickly and independently because it has taken control of its upgrade cycle. Investors reacted quickly when they realized that one of Optimism’s key Layer 2 partners was taking its own path, which led to a drop in the OP token. And if Base continues down this road, the weight of competition will force Optimism to advance its own network and its governance decisions. Developers on the network won’t have to wait months for network-wide changes to test new scaling methods, advanced cryptography systems, or faster withdrawals. It will also be easier for them to create reliable, innovative products because they can plan their applications around Base’s independent upgrade schedule. Users and end customers will also enjoy quicker and more secure transactions because multi-proof withdrawals will reduce wait times. With this new flexibility, Base will be able to test new ways to reward node operators, developers, and users without waiting for Optimism. These experiments will attract more activity to the network’s ecosystem because Base will become more competitive compared to other Layer 2 networks. Base will soon be a major player in Ethereum scaling because the network now has the tools to innovate faster, govern itself, and respond to real-world delays, all while getting support from optimism in critical areas. The smartest crypto minds already read our newsletter. Want in? Join them .
18 Feb 2026, 20:05
Coinbase’s Base Shifts From OP Stack to Unified In-House Code
Coinbase’s Ethereum layer-2 network, Base, has started a major technical transition that reshapes how the chain operates behind the scenes. The team confirmed in a blog post titled The Next Chapter for Base that it will move away from relying on Optimism’s OP Stack as its core framework. Instead, Base will consolidate its infrastructure under a unified, Base-managed codebase. The shift marks a significant change for one of the fastest-growing layer-2 networks on Ethereum. Base Takes Control of Its Infrastructure Base launched in 2023 and quickly rose to prominence among Ethereum scaling networks. According to DefiLlama data , the chain now holds about $3.85 billion in total value locked. Initially, Base built its system using Optimism’s OP Stack technology. That partnership also included a potential allocation of roughly 118 million OP tokens over six years. However, the team now seeks greater autonomy over upgrades and network operations. Developers explained in the blog post that multiple teams currently maintain key components such as the sequencer. Consequently, coordination has become more complex over time. By unifying the stack under a single repository called base/base, the team expects to streamline development and maintenance. Additionally, the new framework relies on open-sourced components like Reth. The team believes this approach will simplify the architecture and reduce operational friction. Hence, Base aims to double its upgrade cadence to about six major updates per year. Continued Compatibility With Optimism Despite the shift, Base will not sever ties with Optimism entirely. The network will remain compatible with OP Stack specifications in the near term. Moreover, Base will continue to collaborate with Optimism for support during the transition. Base will also maintain its classification as a Stage 1 rollup under Vitalik Buterin’s decentralization framework. However, node operators must migrate to a new Base client to stay compatible with upcoming hard forks. The planned Base V1 upgrade will introduce Fusaka support and replace Optimistic proofs with Base-specific TEE and zero-knowledge proofs. Two additional upgrades will further distance Base from the Superchain ecosystem. Significantly, Base V3 may align with Ethereum’s upcoming Glamsterdam update. The team emphasized in the blog post that the protocol will remain open and publicly specified. Developers can still build independent clients that follow published standards. Consequently, Base seeks more operational control while preserving openness across the ecosystem.
18 Feb 2026, 16:06
CryptoQuant Founder Proposes Freezing Old Bitcoin Addresses to Prevent Quantum Attacks
Ki Young Ju, founder of CryptoQuant, has proposed that a future Bitcoin (BTC) quantum upgrade may require freezing old addresses to protect against potential theft by quantum computers. He also believes that addressing the risk would be challenging because the crypto community has historically struggled to agree on protocol changes. Solution to Quantum Risk In a social media post, Ju explained that anyone holding BTC in old address types faces the same risk. This is because the digital assets could either be frozen by design or stolen if quantum machines evolve enough to break BTC’s cryptography. He added that even securely stored private keys could become useless if owners fail to adopt protocol upgrades in time. “In simple terms, coins that appear perfectly safe today could become spendable by an attacker tomorrow,” warned Ju. In response to the threat, the CryptoQuant founder has suggested freezing old addresses, including the one containing Satoshi’s 1 million BTC, to prevent them from being stolen or compromised. “Would you support freezing dormant coins, including Satoshi’s, to save BTC from quantum attacks?” he asked. Bitcoin’s security relies on cryptography that is effectively unbreakable by classical computers. However, quantum computers change this assumption. Under certain conditions, a sufficiently powerful machine of this kind could get a private key from an exposed public key. Once a public key is revealed on-chain, the risk is permanent. Ju estimates that roughly 6.89 million BTC are currently exposed to such attacks. Data shows that about 3.4 million BTC have been dormant for over a decade, including Satoshi’s stash, representing hundreds of billions of dollars in potential value. He explained that with so much value at risk, hackers could be very motivated if the technology becomes cheaper and easier to use. Social Consensus Challenges Even if freezing dormant BTC is technically possible, achieving community agreement is still a major challenge. This is because such solutions move quickly, while social consensus happens slowly. The Bitcoin ecosystem has historically struggled with agreeing on protocol changes. This can be seen in the block size debate, which lasted more than three years and led to hard forks. Another example is the failed SegWit2x upgrade, demonstrating how difficult coming to an agreement can be. Freezing coins, even to prevent quantum attacks, would likely face similar resistance because it conflicts with the OG cryptocurrency’s core philosophy of decentralization and user control. Ju cautioned that the lack of full agreement could potentially lead to rival BTC forks as quantum technology progresses. According to him, the real question is not whether the threat will arrive in five or ten years, but whether the crypto community will be united on how to handle it before then. Elsewhere, Bankless co-founder David Hoffman believes that in the event of a quantum attack, ETH would continue functioning normally even if BTC were to fail because it has been long prepared for these challenges. The post CryptoQuant Founder Proposes Freezing Old Bitcoin Addresses to Prevent Quantum Attacks appeared first on CryptoPotato .
18 Feb 2026, 12:08
Pundit Explains Why Ripple And XRP Are A “Psyop” On Investors
Bitcoin maximalist and founder of BnkToTheFuture, Simon Dixon, has reignited debate over the role of altcoins, accusing Ripple and XRP of undermining Bitcoin’s original purpose. He described XRP as a “psyop,” arguing that the need to explain the difference between it and Bitcoin has constantly helped sow division within the crypto community. Why Ripple and XRP Are A “Psyop” In a recent YouTube podcast with BTC Sessions, Dixon spoke about several factors, major historical events, and prominent figures in the financial industry that have had a significant impact on Bitcoin’s growth over the years. While he mentioned the rivalry between XRP and BTC as one of the ultimate psyops that fractured the Bitcoin community, he also highlighted the influence of altcoins in general, and how “shitcoinery and gambling” distracted investors from Bitcoin for a significant period. During the podcast, Dixon argued that the emergence of XRP contributed to long-standing fractures within the Bitcoin ecosystem by drawing attention away from BTC’s original vision as a decentralized monetary system . He noted that the persistent need to clarify the difference between XRP and Bitcoin had created confusion among investors and internal divisions within the community. Beyond XRP, Dixon also highlighted that the failure of Mt. Gox in 2014 was one of the first major shocks that weakened trust and unity among BTC holders. He characterized Mt.Gox as a deliberate war “op,” stating that the combination of hacking incidents and the disappearance of large amounts of BTC from the now-defunct exchange had “destroyed Bitcoin’s reputation” at a critical stage in its early development and nearly brought the crypto project to an end. Other Historical Events And Controversies That Shaped Bitcoin In the podcast, Dixon also revisited the contentious block-size war from years ago, which culminated in multiple network splits, including the creation of Bitcoin Cash (BCH) and later Bitcoin SV . These hard forks reflected deep disagreements over scalability, governance, and Bitcoin’s future direction. According to him, each of these controversial episodes fragmented the Bitcoin community and redirected energy toward competing projects rather than reinforcing a single, cohesive movement. He further alleged that prominent figures such as Brock Pierce, the co-founder of Tether, may have been involved in the hard fork events that indirectly contributed to divisions in BTC’s ecosystem. Dixon further referenced potential historical associations involving Jeffrey Epstein , suggesting that controversial networks of influence may have intersected with early crypto developments. While his claims remain speculative, Dixon strongly characterized these moments as part of a recurring “divide and conquer” war tactic that weakened Bitcoin’s momentum and the growth of the crypto space. Despite these internal conflicts, Bitcoin has continued to recover, emerging stronger as it expands in adoption , market value, and institutional recognition. It remains the number one cryptocurrency, with a market capitalization of $1.35 trillion.
18 Feb 2026, 10:49
Bitcoin Faces Quantum Risk: Satoshi’s BTC Among Vulnerable Holdings
CryptoQuant founder Ki Young Ju warns about a potential threat to Bitcoin. Ju cautions that old BTC addresses are vulnerable to future quantum attacks. The 1 million holdings of Satoshi Nakamoto are also at risk. Bitcoin is currently facing a new threat from quantum computing, according to CryptoQuant founder Ki Young Ju. His theory claims that certain old Bitcoin addresses are vulnerable to future quantum attacks. These include roughly 1 million BTC linked to Satoshi Nakamoto, as well as millions more that have been dormant for over a decade. As noted by the CryptoQuant CEO, the risk is basically due to the potential that quantum computers can derive private keys from public keys, giving hackers access to these coins. To stay safe, the Bitcoin protocol should eventually need an upgrade, and wallet owners who miss it could see their coins at risk. While quantum attacks are not a current threat, Ju urges the community to prepare for a future where these machines become feasible. Why Bitcoin is Vulnerable to Quantum Attacks? Ki Young Ju, the founder and CEO of the on-chain data platform CryptoQuant, has shared warnings about the potential danger that quantum computers could pose to Bitcoin. He specifically flagged old BTC addresses, including the portfolio of the project’s pseudonymous founder, Satoshi Nakamoto. In his latest article , Ju noted that the 1 million BTC held by Nakamoto and the millions of holdings of dormant OG whales are significantly at risk. Though not at present, quantum computers can become more powerful in the future, acquiring the ability to access these BTC wallets. At the time, Ju believes that the wallets, including Satoshi’s, could be frozen or completely stolen by quantum hackers. “Coins that appear perfectly safe today could become spendable by an attacker tomorrow,” stated Ju. He added, “Not just Satoshi. Anyone using old address types faces the same risk: coins frozen by design or stolen via quantum attacks. We may never hear another story of lost coins being recovered. Even securely stored keys could become useless if owners miss a protocol upgrade.” Ju pointed out that about 3.4 million BTC haven’t moved in over 10 years. Of this, 1 million belongs to Satoshi. At today’s price, hundreds of billions of dollars are sitting in old Bitcoin wallets. The CryptoQuant founder explains two options Bitcoin has. The crypto should either protect these coins via a major upgrade, or the wallet could be drained in future quantum attacks. He stated that anyone using outdated addresses risks losing their coins. They will be either locked by design or stolen by hackers. Satoshi Remains the Biggest BTC Holder The latest reports suggest that Satoshi Nakamoto remains the largest holder of Bitcoin in 2026. He holds around 1.1 million coins, worth more than $75 million at today’s price. This huge stash makes Satoshi the largest BTC holder; as of now, no company, individual, or government holds more coins. While institutions like Strategy and Metaplanet keep building their BTC reserves, Satoshi’s unmoved coins remain a symbol of scarcity, patience, and discipline. If not upgraded, this massive portfolio will soon be under the control of hackers. Considering this, Ju put forward a question to his readers as a concluding note, “Would you support freezing dormant coins, including Satoshi’s, to save BTC from quantum attacks? Or is it against Bitcoin’s core ethos? If this alone already divides us, the quantum debate must start now.”
18 Feb 2026, 09:15
Optimism price prediction 2026–2032: Will OP token gain momentum?
Key takeaways: By the end of 2026, OP is expected to have a minimum and maximum price of about $0.25 and $1.01, respectively. Optimism price prediction for 2029 suggests the token could reach a maximum value of $2.40. In 2032, OP tokens will range between $2.10 and $4.60, with an average value of $3.05. Optimism’s (OP) commitment to innovation is highlighted by its support for Layer-3 solutions. These solutions enable the development of decentralized applications (dApps) on top of Layer-2 chains, contributing to the expansive Optimism Superchain. The platform’s initiatives, including introducing custom gas tokens and Plasma mode aimed at reducing onboarding and operational costs, make it more accessible for new users and developers. As the market closely watches the price movements and growth trajectory of the token, can Optimism reach $10 soon? Let’s get into the OP price prediction for 2026 – 2032. Overview Cryptocurrency Optimism Token OP Price $0.1878 Market Cap $398.47M Trading Volume $57.54M Circulating Supply 2.117B OP All-time High $4.85 (Mar 06, 2024) All-time Low $0.2519 (Dec 26, 2025) 24-hour High $0.1894 24-hour Low $0.1847 Optimism price prediction: Technical analysis Metric Value Volatility (30-day Variation) 21.46% (Extremely High) 50-Day SMA $0.2758 14-Day RSI 35.00 (Neutral) Sentiment Bearish Fear & Greed Index 10 (Extreme Fear) Green Days 12/30 (40%) 200-Day SMA $0.4511 Optimism price analysis TL;DR Breakdown: OP is down ~37% from its recent peak and still below key daily resistance at $0.20. Short-term structure shows base formation, but volume lacks conviction. A break above $0.20 will signal bullish momentum. Optimism 1-day price chart As of February 18, OP is trading at $0.1879, up +0.54% on the session, but still structurally weak after falling from the late-January high near $0.30, marking roughly a 37% decline peak-to-current. The coin’s price remains below the 20-day Bollinger mid-band at $0.2013, which now acts as immediate resistance, while the upper band at $0.2451 highlights how far bulls are from regaining control. OPUSDT 1-day price chart by TradingView Volatility has compressed significantly, with price holding between roughly $0.185 and $0.195 for several sessions, suggesting accumulation or continuation preparation. The MACD has crossed slightly positive (histogram around 0.0029), signaling early bullish momentum, but the move lacks expansion. A daily close above $0.201–$0.205 would open room toward $0.22, while losing $0.185 exposes the lower band near $0.1576, implying another potential 16% downside from current levels. Optimism 4-hour price chart On the 4-hour chart, OP is trading around $0.1881, almost flat (+0.05%), with price attempting to reclaim the Alligator averages clustered near $0.187–$0.188. The recent swing low around $0.184 held, and price printed a minor higher low compared to the previous dip near $0.182, hinting at short-term stabilization. OPUSDT 4-hour price chart by TradingView However, OBV remains depressed near -356M, showing no convincing volume inflow; buyers are stepping in, but not aggressively. The immediate resistance sits at $0.190–$0.192, and a break above this zone could push the price toward $0.198–$0.200 quickly. Failure to hold $0.184 would invalidate the developing base and likely drag the price back toward $0.180 or lower. Optimism technical indicators: Levels and action Daily simple moving average (SMA) Period Value Action SMA 3 $0.2382 SELL SMA 5 $0.2134 SELL SMA 10 $0.1914 SELL SMA 21 $0.2137 SELL SMA 50 $0.2758 SELL SMA 100 $0.3045 SELL SMA 200 $0.4511 SELL Daily exponential moving average (EMA) Period Value Action EMA 3 $0.2328 SELL EMA 5 $0.2560 SELL EMA 10 $0.2762 SELL EMA 21 $0.2852 SELL EMA 50 $0.3127 SELL EMA 100 $0.3847 SELL EMA 200 $0.5266 SELL What to expect from Optimism? OP is in a broader downtrend but entering a compression phase; momentum is cautiously improving, yet confirmation requires a decisive reclaim of $0.20. Until then, this remains a fragile stabilization rather than a confirmed reversal. Is Optimism a good crypto investment? Optimism (OP) could be a good investment if you believe in Ethereum scaling and the growth of Layer 2 solutions. However, like all crypto, it’s risky, and its value depends on adoption and market trends. Only invest what you’re willing to lose! Will OP recover? A recovery is possible, but we fear the overall bearish sentiment makes a short-term rebound unlikely. However, as the market consolidates, we expect reduced volatility, which may lead to a breakout in either direction, depending on market dynamics. Will OP reach $50? Reaching $50 for Optimism (OP) would be an ambitious target, requiring a significant increase in its price. This level would likely only be achievable in a highly favorable market environment, with substantial advancements in Ethereum adoption, widespread use of Layer 2 solutions, and strong overall market growth. Will OP reach $100? Reaching $100 for Optimism (OP) would be extremely ambitious and require unprecedented growth and adoption. Does Optimism have a good long-term future? Yes, Optimism shows strong potential for growth and sustained interest, indicating a positive long-term outlook. Recent news/opinion on Optimism The Optimism Superchain scaled faster than most people realized – Full H2 2025 report: 🔴 The @Optimism Superchain quietly became one of the most used execution layers in crypto. Here’s what actually happened in H2 2025 👇 🔴 The Optimism Superchain scaled faster than most people realized. In H2 alone • 3.6B transactions • 12.7% of all onchain activity • More… — cereal_killer (@FBitach) February 17, 2026 Optimism is moving OP-Reth specific crates fully to OP Labs ownership! We're moving OP-Reth specific crates fully to OP Labs ownership! OP Reth was co-built by @OPLabsPBC and @Paradigm engineers to scale the impact of the OP Stack, using the Reth SDK. OP Reth is the primary high-performance execution client across the Superchain, and as this… — Optimism (@Optimism) February 4, 2026 Optimism price prediction February 2026 Optimism’s price prediction for February 2026 suggests a potential low of $0.1503, an average of $0.2210, and a high of $0.2892. Optimism price prediction Potential Low Potential Average Potential High Optimism price prediction February 2026 $0.1503 $0.2210 $0.2892 Optimism price prediction 2026 The price of Optimism is predicted to reach a maximum value of $0.76 in 2026. Traders can anticipate a minimum price of $0.311 and an average trading price of $0.63. Optimism price prediction Potential Low Potential Average Potential High Optimism price prediction 2026 $0.25 $0.53 $1.01 Optimism price predictions 2027–2032 Year Minimum Price Average Price Maximum Price 2027 $0.55 $0.82 $1.50 2028 $0.75 $1.10 $1.95 2029 $1.00 $1.45 $2.40 2030 $1.30 $1.90 $3.00 2031 $1.65 $2.40 $3.70 2032 $2.10 $3.05 $4.60 Optimism price prediction 2027 In 2027, the Optimism price prediction suggests a maximum price of $1.50, an average trading price of $0.82, and a minimum price of $0.55. Optimism price prediction 2028 Per the Optimism price forecast for 2028, OP could reach a peak price of $1.95. The average price is projected around $1.10, with a minimum expected at $0.75. Optimism price prediction 2029 The Optimism price prediction for 2029 suggests a peak value of $2.40. The minimum trading price is expected to be $1.00, while the average market value is projected to be around $1.45. Optimism price prediction 2030 The Optimism forecast for 2030 suggests a minimum price of $1.30, a maximum price of $3.00, and an average price of $1.90. Optimism price prediction 2031 According to the Optimism price prediction for 2031, OP could potentially reach a maximum price of $3.70, a minimum price of $1.65, and an average value of around $2.40. Optimism price prediction 2032 In 2032, the minimum price of Optimism is forecasted to be around $2.10. OP’s value can reach a maximum of $4.60 with an average trading value of $3.05. Optimism price prediction 2026 – 2032 Optimism market price prediction: Analysts’ OP price forecast Firm 2026 2027 CoinCodex $0.8695 $0.7073 DigitalCoinPrice $0.65 $0.93 Cryptopolitan’s Optimism (OP) price prediction Cryptopolitan’s overall price prediction for Optimism (OP) suggests a conservative outlook for the cryptocurrency in the near term. For 2026, the maximum forecast price is between $1 and $2. Over the next few years, Optimism is projected to experience substantial appreciation, with prices anticipated to rise from a minimum of $12.65 to a maximum of $17.98 by 2032. Optimism historic price sentiment Optimism price history by Coingecko OP launched with an initial value of $4.57 on May 31 but dropped sharply in June due to the UST stablecoin de-pegging and LUNA collapse, closing June at $0.5434. It further declined to $0.4147 by mid-July. In August, OP briefly surged above $1.90, but by mid-October, it dropped to $0.70 following the FTX collapse. In Q1 2023, OP surged past $3.00 during a crypto bull run but lost 66% shortly after. A recovery saw it close the year at $3.90. OP saw an eventful 2024, reaching an all-time high of $4.85 in March before sliding below $2.30 by mid-April. After a brief recovery to over $2.90 in May, it entered a bearish phase, trading at $1.82–$1.96 by July and $1.54–$1.62 by October. November brought a spark of hope with a peak at $2.60. OP closed December within the range of $1.611–$2.773. In January 2025, OP peaked at $2.18 but lost momentum, dropping to as low as $0.84 in February. OP peaked at $0.9346 in March, $0.8523 in May, $0.7478 in June, and in July, $0.86. In August, OP traded between $0.6178 and $0.880, and in September, it maintained an average price of $0.74. In November, OP traded between $0.2888 – $0.4516, and in December, the coin traded between $0.3117 – $0.3264. In January 2026, the coin maintained a trading range of $0.2213 and $0.3731, and in February, the coin is trading between $0.1847 – $0.1894.
