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25 Feb 2026, 06:00

BIP-110 Could Split Bitcoin In New Soft Fork Fight, Jameson Lopp Warns

Jameson Lopp is escalating his criticism of BIP-110, arguing the proposal could trigger a disruptive Bitcoin chain split while failing to stop the behavior it is meant to curb. In a Feb. 23 post , Lopp frames the plan as a consensus-layer response to a policy and cultural dispute around transaction “spam,” with risks that extend well beyond mempool debates. BIP-110 is pitched as a soft fork led by Luke Dashjr that would temporarily restrict arbitrary data in transactions. Lopp summarizes it as adding seven new transaction-validity restrictions, including limits on where data can be placed and constraints on certain script behavior, but says the tradeoffs are far more severe than supporters admit. He calls the proposal “reckless and doomed to fail,” setting the tone for a post that is less a technical explainer than a warning about governance and coordination risk. Why Lopp Thinks The Activation Path Is Dangerous For Bitcoin The core of Lopp’s argument is not just what BIP-110 changes, but how it tries to activate. He points to the proposal’s 55% miner-signaling threshold for a user-activated soft fork and says that low bar materially increases the probability of two competing chains if the ecosystem is not aligned. He also stresses that BIP-110 nodes would reject non-compliant blocks outright, which raises coordination risk compared with soft forks that old nodes can continue to follow without enforcement conflicts. Lopp is especially pointed on the mandatory activation posture at block height 961,632. In one of the sharpest passages, he writes: “This is not a neutral, low-drama deployment posture. It’s dogmatic bullying. you cannot pretend it’s low-risk.” He ties that warning to a broader point: even if one views UASF tactics as legitimate, the proposal’s design increases the odds of a messy failure mode if miners, exchanges, wallets, and infrastructure providers do not converge in time. He also pushes back on comparisons to 2017, noting that the UASF many people cite in the SegWit era never actually had to run to the edge because SegWit activated via miner signaling instead. That distinction matters in Lopp’s framing, because BIP-110 proponents are, in his view, leaning on a historical precedent that did not test the exact scenario they now describe as manageable. Another major section of Lopp’s post targets the claim that BIP-110 has meaningful grassroots momentum. He argues that raw node counts (roughly 20% run Knots ) are a weak proxy for consensus because signaling is cheap, node operation can be low-cost, and Tor addresses are “effectively zero” cost to create at scale. He publishes a breakdown of reachable nodes and highlights the higher Tor-to-IPv4 ratio among Knots and BIP-110 signaling nodes as a reason to treat node-count narratives cautiously. On mining support, Lopp says the gap is more straightforward. At the time of publication, he writes miner signaling was “precisely […] zero,” and he cites public opposition from F2Pool while arguing miners have limited incentive to back a proposal that could reduce fee revenue. That point reinforces his broader thesis that BIP-110 supporters are overestimating social signaling and underestimating the role of economically significant actors in Bitcoin upgrade politics. Lopp’s post ultimately reads as a warning that the immediate issue is not simply whether BIP-110 activates, but what the campaign reveals about where Bitcoin’s internal dispute over neutrality, censorship resistance, and block-space usage is heading. Even a failed fork push, in his framing, can still impose real costs by forcing operators and businesses to plan around low-probability but high-impact coordination failure. At press time, Bitcoin traded at $62,791.

25 Feb 2026, 05:00

Bitcoin Mining Difficulty Erases Frost-Driven Dips With A Sharp Rebound – What This Means For BTC

Bitcoin has remained under sustained pressure since losing the $70,000 level, entering a corrective phase that has gradually pushed price lower while defining a consolidation range just above the $63,000 zone. Momentum has weakened noticeably, with buyers struggling to regain control and volatility compressing as the market searches for direction. This range-bound behavior reflects a transitional phase rather than a confirmed trend reversal, as traders weigh macro uncertainty, liquidity conditions, and broader risk sentiment across digital assets. Amid this backdrop, Bitcoin mining difficulty has recently rebounded following a brief dip. Mining difficulty adjusts roughly every two weeks to maintain consistent block production timing. When difficulty rises, it typically signals that more computational power — or hashrate — has returned to the network. Temporary drops can occur when external factors, such as weather disruptions, energy constraints, or operational shutdowns, force some miners offline. The recent rebound, therefore, suggests renewed miner participation and sustained network resilience. Greater difficulty often indicates confidence among miners in Bitcoin’s long-term viability , as maintaining operations becomes more competitive and capital-intensive. However, it can also increase cost pressure on less efficient miners, potentially influencing short-term supply dynamics if some are forced to liquidate holdings to cover expenses. Mining Difficulty Rebound Signals Network Resilience The recent dip in mining difficulty was largely weather-driven rather than structurally bearish. Severe winter storms temporarily disrupted energy supply in key mining regions, forcing portions of the network’s hashrate offline. As a result, the previous difficulty adjustment registered a short-lived decline, reflecting reduced computational power securing the network at that moment. However, the disruption proved brief. According to on-chain data, the latest adjustment reversed the drop and pushed difficulty back to new highs, confirming that miners rapidly restored operations. Network hashrate has rebounded toward its prior range, signaling that the infrastructure impact was temporary rather than systemic. Block production times, which had briefly slowed, normalized quickly as computational power returned. This rebound carries structural implications. Mining difficulty rising after a shock indicates that capital remains committed to the network despite price weakness below $70,000. It also suggests that the broader mining ecosystem retains operational resilience, even under adverse conditions. At the same time, greater difficulty increases production costs, particularly for less efficient operators. If Bitcoin’s price remains compressed near the $63,000–$65,000 range, margin pressure could intensify for high-cost miners. Nonetheless, the swift recovery in difficulty reinforces the view that network fundamentals remain intact despite short-term volatility. Bitcoin Tests Key Support As Downtrend Pressure Persists Bitcoin’s weekly chart shows a clear deterioration in momentum after losing the $70,000 level, with price now consolidating near the $63,000 zone. The structure reflects a sequence of lower highs since the late-2025 peak above $120,000, indicating that sellers remain dominant despite intermittent stabilization attempts. Technically, Bitcoin is trading below the 50-week and 100-week moving averages, both of which have shifted from support into dynamic resistance. This configuration typically signals a transitional or corrective phase rather than a confirmed bullish continuation. Meanwhile, the 200-week moving average — currently much lower — remains the long-term structural support reference. Volume patterns also suggest caution. Selling activity increased during the latest decline, pointing to distribution rather than simple low-liquidity drift. However, recent candles show some compression in volatility, implying that the market may be attempting to establish a short-term base around current levels. From a structural perspective, the $60,000–$63,000 region now acts as immediate support. A sustained break below it could expose deeper retracement zones toward the mid-$50,000 area. Conversely, reclaiming the $70,000 threshold would be necessary to restore bullish momentum and shift sentiment toward recovery. Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com

25 Feb 2026, 02:45

Silver Price Forecast: XAG/USD Plunges to $87.00 Amid China’s Devastating Liquidation Wave

BitcoinWorld Silver Price Forecast: XAG/USD Plunges to $87.00 Amid China’s Devastating Liquidation Wave Global silver markets experienced significant turbulence on Thursday, December 12, 2024, as the XAG/USD pair plunged to near $87.00 per ounce. This dramatic decline represents the steepest single-day drop in three months, primarily driven by substantial liquidation from Chinese institutional investors. Market analysts immediately identified this movement as a critical development in precious metals trading, with potential implications for global commodity markets throughout 2025. Silver Price Forecast: Understanding the $87.00 Support Level The silver price forecast now centers around the crucial $87.00 support level. Historically, this price point has served as both resistance and support during previous market cycles. Technical analysts note that silver breached this level during Asian trading hours, triggering automated sell orders across multiple exchanges. Consequently, the downward momentum accelerated as stop-loss orders executed in rapid succession. Market data reveals several important patterns. First, trading volume spiked to 245% above the 30-day average during the initial decline. Second, the XAG/USD correlation with gold weakened temporarily, indicating silver-specific pressure. Third, options market activity showed increased demand for put protection at the $85.00 strike price. These factors collectively suggest traders anticipate potential further downside. China-Driven Liquidation: The Primary Market Catalyst Chinese financial institutions initiated substantial precious metals liquidation beginning Wednesday evening local time. This movement coincided with several economic developments. The People’s Bank of China maintained its benchmark lending rates unchanged. Meanwhile, Chinese industrial production data showed unexpected weakness in manufacturing sectors that consume silver. Several specific factors contributed to the liquidation pressure: Currency Management: Chinese institutions sold silver holdings to bolster yuan liquidity Regulatory Requirements: New capital adequacy rules prompted portfolio rebalancing Economic Indicators: Weaker-than-expected industrial data reduced silver demand projections Dollar Strength: The US dollar index reached a two-month high against major currencies Notably, the Shanghai Gold Exchange reported silver inventory outflows of 42 metric tons during the previous session. This represents the largest single-day withdrawal since March 2023. Market participants interpreted this movement as confirmation of institutional selling pressure. Historical Context: Comparing Current and Previous Silver Corrections Silver markets have experienced similar corrections throughout history. The current decline shares characteristics with both the 2011 correction and the 2020 pandemic-induced volatility. However, important differences exist in market structure and participant behavior. Silver Market Corrections Comparison Period Decline Percentage Primary Driver Recovery Time April 2011 34% Margin Requirement Increases 8 months March 2020 41% Global Pandemic Liquidity 5 months Current (Dec 2024) 18% (from recent high) China Institutional Selling TBD The current silver price forecast must account for these historical patterns. Previous corrections typically found support between 30-40% below recent highs. The current decline remains within this historical range, suggesting potential stabilization near current levels. Global Market Impacts and Spillover Effects The silver decline created ripple effects across related markets. Mining equities experienced significant pressure, with the Global X Silver Miners ETF declining 7.2% during the same session. Industrial metal prices showed mixed reactions, with copper maintaining relative stability while platinum followed silver lower. Forex markets demonstrated interesting correlations. The Australian dollar, often sensitive to commodity prices, weakened against the US dollar. Meanwhile, the Mexican peso showed resilience despite Mexico’s significant silver production. This divergence suggests market participants distinguish between temporary liquidation and fundamental demand destruction. Several important developments occurred simultaneously: COMEX silver futures open interest declined by 12,000 contracts Physical silver premiums in major markets increased by 1.5-2.0% Silver ETF holdings experienced net outflows of $287 million Silver mining company credit default swaps widened by 15-25 basis points Expert Analysis: Institutional Perspectives on Silver Markets Major financial institutions provided immediate analysis following the price movement. Goldman Sachs commodities research noted that industrial demand fundamentals remain intact despite the price decline. Their analysts highlighted photovoltaic sector demand growth continuing at 18% annually. Meanwhile, JPMorgan’s metals team suggested the decline created attractive entry points for long-term investors. The World Silver Survey 2024, published by the Silver Institute, provides crucial context. Industrial demand reached record levels in 2024, particularly in green energy applications. Photovoltaic manufacturers consumed approximately 180 million ounces during the year. This represents 18% of total silver demand. Consequently, fundamental factors continue supporting long-term price appreciation despite short-term volatility. Technical Analysis and Key Price Levels to Monitor Technical indicators provide important guidance for the silver price forecast. The 200-day moving average currently sits at $89.50, representing immediate resistance. Meanwhile, Fibonacci retracement levels from the recent rally identify several support zones. The 38.2% retracement aligns with $86.75, while the 50% level corresponds to $84.20. Several technical developments warrant attention: Relative Strength Index reached oversold territory at 28.5 Moving Average Convergence Divergence showed bearish crossover Trading volume patterns suggest capitulation may be nearing completion Bollinger Band width expanded to 2.5 times normal range Chart patterns indicate potential formation of a falling wedge. This typically represents a bullish continuation pattern when occurring within an uptrend. However, confirmation requires a breakout above wedge resistance near $90.50. Until such development occurs, the technical outlook remains cautiously bearish. Fundamental Factors Supporting Long-Term Silver Demand Despite recent price weakness, fundamental factors continue supporting silver’s long-term outlook. Industrial applications expand across multiple sectors. Solar panel manufacturing maintains strong growth momentum globally. The International Energy Agency projects solar capacity additions will increase 22% in 2025. This growth directly translates to silver demand. Several additional factors support fundamental demand: 5G infrastructure deployment requires silver in electronic components Automotive electrification increases silver usage in electrical systems Medical applications expand with antimicrobial silver technologies Investment demand grows amid currency debasement concerns Supply constraints add further support to the silver price forecast. Primary silver mine production declined 2.3% in 2024 according to industry reports. Recycling rates remain stable but insufficient to meet growing demand. The resulting structural deficit continues supporting prices despite temporary liquidation pressures. Regulatory Environment and Market Structure Considerations Market structure developments influence silver price dynamics. The Basel III banking regulations, fully implemented in 2024, affect precious metals trading. Banks now face higher capital requirements for unallocated metal positions. Consequently, some institutions reduced precious metals exposure, contributing to recent volatility. Exchange developments also merit attention. The London Bullion Market Association introduced new silver pricing mechanisms in October 2024. These changes aim to improve transparency and reduce manipulation risks. Meanwhile, Chinese exchanges expanded silver futures trading hours to better align with global markets. These structural improvements should enhance market efficiency over time. Conclusion The silver price forecast faces immediate pressure from China-driven liquidation, pushing XAG/USD toward $87.00. However, fundamental factors continue supporting long-term appreciation potential. Industrial demand growth, particularly in green energy applications, provides structural support. Meanwhile, supply constraints and investment demand create favorable conditions for eventual recovery. Market participants should monitor Chinese institutional behavior, technical support levels, and fundamental demand indicators. The current decline represents a significant correction within a longer-term bullish trend for silver markets. Careful analysis of both technical and fundamental factors remains essential for navigating this volatile period in precious metals trading. FAQs Q1: What caused the silver price decline to $87.00? A1: The decline primarily resulted from substantial liquidation by Chinese financial institutions. These sales coincided with yuan liquidity needs, regulatory requirements, and weaker industrial data from China. Q2: How does this decline compare to previous silver corrections? A2: The current 18% decline from recent highs remains smaller than historical corrections. The 2011 correction reached 34%, while the 2020 pandemic decline exceeded 40% before recovery. Q3: Will industrial demand support silver prices despite the decline? A3: Yes, industrial demand continues growing, particularly in solar panel manufacturing. The photovoltaic sector consumes approximately 18% of annual silver supply, with growth projected at 18% annually through 2025. Q4: What technical levels should traders monitor for silver? A4: Key levels include resistance at the 200-day moving average ($89.50) and support at Fibonacci retracement levels ($86.75 and $84.20). The Relative Strength Index indicates oversold conditions at current levels. Q5: How might this affect related markets like mining stocks? A5: Silver mining equities typically experience amplified movements relative to metal prices. The Global X Silver Miners ETF declined 7.2% during the silver selloff, demonstrating this correlation effect. This post Silver Price Forecast: XAG/USD Plunges to $87.00 Amid China’s Devastating Liquidation Wave first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

25 Feb 2026, 01:00

Bitcoin Hashrate Recovery Signals Next Rally, Expert Says

Former CoinRoutes CEO Dave Weisberger argued in an X post on February 23 that Bitcoin’s early-2026 hashrate rebound is more than a mining-cycle recovery and may be a lagging signal of a broader price move ahead. His core thesis is that sovereign-linked mining activity is starting to play for Bitcoin the same structural role central bank gold buying played for gold before its breakout. Weisberger frames the comparison through the recent gold cycle, where he says sovereign accumulation preceded price discovery by years. In his telling, the key signal was not ETF demand or retail flows, but central banks steadily adding reserves as geopolitical fragmentation and fiat-risk concerns rose. “The result? A parabolic gold rally that few saw coming in real time,” he wrote. “Gold has surged to record highs well north of $5,000/oz in this cycle, leaving the ‘it’s just inflation’ crowd scrambling. The buying came first. The price discovery followed later.” Related Reading: Another $438M In Crypto Longs Gone As Bitcoin, Altcoins Pull Back Why Bitcoin’s Hashrate Recovery Is Signalling The Next Rally Applying that framework to Bitcoin, Weisberger points to what he describes as a “textbook V-shaped recovery” in network hashrate in early 2026. After a sharp pullback of roughly 15% to 20% from prior peaks, he says computational power rebounded from below 900 EH/s to above 1 ZH/s, accompanied by one of the largest absolute difficulty increases on record, at nearly 15%. For Weisberger, that recovery is not just a post-stress normalization after winter curtailments, regional shutdowns, and post-halving margin compression. He argues it reflects a different class of miner stepping in. “This isn’t random noise. It is the direct footprint of sovereign mining stepping in where private miners hesitated,” he wrote. A central part of the post is Weisberger’s claim that at least 13 nation-states are now mining Bitcoin at a governmental or state-linked level (backed by VanEck research). He cites Bhutan, the UAE, and El Salvador, and also names Russia, Iran, and Ethiopia as countries deploying energy assets into mining. “These are not retail or even corporate miners chasing daily hashprice,” he wrote. “These are governments converting stranded or strategic energy into a portable, verifiable, seizure-resistant reserve asset. They mine for policy reasons: revenue without printing more local currency, network security in which they hold a direct stake, and positioning in a world where financial sovereignty matters.” Related Reading: Bitcoin COT Data: Smart Money Goes Net Long With ‘Urgency’ Weisberger argues sovereign miners operate with different constraints than private miners: longer time horizons, different cost of capital, and less need to sell output into market weakness. In that framework, sovereign mining becomes a mechanism for absorbing newly issued BTC directly into long-term holdings, reducing sell-side pressure while also strengthening network security. Weisberger explicitly describes hashrate recovery as a lagged, not coincident, indicator, because sovereign mining expansion requires hardware procurement, energy contracts, infrastructure buildout, and policy approvals. Those processes move slowly, often during periods when price action appears flat or corrective. He argues that this sequence can change market structure before price reflects it: stronger security, tighter issuance flow, and broader validation of Bitcoin as a reserve asset rather than a purely speculative vehicle. His conclusion is blunt: “The hashrate recovery isn’t just technical resilience. It is a sovereign signal flashing bright. Governments are voting with energy infrastructure and balance sheets.” At press time, BTC traded at $63,209. Featured image created with DALL.E, chart from TradingView.com

24 Feb 2026, 20:21

Solo Bitcoin Miner Lands $200,000 Block Reward With Rented Hash Power

An individual miner won a $200,000 Bitcoin reward using just $75 in rented computing power. Solo block finds remain rare due to the dominance of large mining pools and rising network difficulty. Continue Reading: Solo Bitcoin Miner Lands $200,000 Block Reward With Rented Hash Power The post Solo Bitcoin Miner Lands $200,000 Block Reward With Rented Hash Power appeared first on COINTURK NEWS .

24 Feb 2026, 20:10

Cipher unveils its Q4 and full-year 2025 results, with revenue falling below analyst expectations

Cipher, a company formerly known as Cipher Mining, has released its Q4 and full-year 2025 results, reporting $60 million in revenue, below what analysts expected, with an adjusted net loss of $55 million. It attributed those figures to heavy transition costs as the company shifts away from its core business operations — Bitcoin mining . Those costs are being treated as necessary collateral. Cipher has rebranded Tyler Page, Chief Executive Officer, still tagged the year 2025 a transformative one that reflected continued momentum as the company advanced its evolution into a leading HPC data center development company. During the quarter, Cipher upsized its initial lease with Fluidstack and Google and signed its first HPC lease with Amazon. It also successfully executed multiple bond offerings to finance two of its existing HPC projects at Barber Lake and Black Pearl. “In recognition of this successful shift in our business model and strategic priorities going forward, we are proud to now officially operate as Cipher Digital,” Page declared . The company’s rebrand to Cipher Digital means the company is now focused on sourcing and securing power, developing advanced data centers purpose-built for HPC workloads, and leasing capacity to companies entrenched in the AI race. Cipher has secured financing for the transition To fund the transition, Cipher sold its 49% interest in the three 40 MW joint venture sites, Alborz, Bear, and Chief, as well as select Bitcoin mining machines previously deployed at Black Pearl, to Canaan Inc. for approximately $40 million in an all-stock transaction. The company has also successfully executed three offerings to finance the construction at Barber Lake and Black Pearl, raising $3.73 billion in the process. Cipher raised that amount via three senior secured bond offerings, and it is supposed to support the buildout of the HPC infrastructure. Securing funds for the transition eliminates a major hurdle in the execution of these large-scale projects and leaves Cipher fully focused on the construction and delivery of Barber Lake and Black Pearl, both of which remain on schedule, supported by its best-in-class construction team. “2026 is a year of execution for Cipher as we fully transition the business into a leading infrastructure platform. With construction on track at our existing projects, a deep and expanding development pipeline, and heightened demand from both capital providers and tenants, we are firmly focused on establishing Cipher Digital as the premier developer and operator of data centers powering the next generation of compute,” Mr. Page also said. Solo Bitcoin miner scores rare win Earlier today, a solo miner made headlines for successfully mining block 938092 on the BTC blockchain. The block was mined around 8.04 AM UTC, and the miner earned the full block subsidy of 3.125 BTC plus transaction fees, bringing the total up to about 3.128 BTC. The dollar value of the whole bounty was worth about $200,000 in value at the time. Even though it is rare, it is not the first time a solo miner has earned full block rewards for themselves. Cryptopolitan reported in November and December last year, when solo miners earned six-figure rewards for mining the blocks 924,569 and 928,351, respectively. The BTC network hashrate is currently hovering around 1000 to 1,060 EH/s after recovering from a dip caused by US winter storms, and difficulty just jumped by 15% to 144.4 trillion on February 19, 2026. However, even though finding a block is harder now than ever before, forcing institutional miners like Cipher into AI pivots, solo miner success stories serve as timely reminders for Bitcoin purists, who reminisce on the days when miners secured the network from simple rigs in their garages. Claim your free seat in an exclusive crypto trading community - limited to 1,000 members.