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26 Feb 2026, 11:05

Analyst to XRP Holders: We Are Heading Straight Into a Potential Breakout. Here’s the Signal

The cryptocurrency market often moves quietly before making its loudest statements. XRP stands at one of those critical technical moments. After a sustained period of consolidation and tightening price action, the asset is pressing against a resistance level that could define its next major move. Traders are watching closely as volatility compresses and momentum builds beneath the surface. Crypto analyst Arthur brought renewed attention to this setup in a recent post on X. He described what he calls his “personal indicator,” noting that every time it breaks to the upside on the daily timeframe, XRP historically delivers an explosive move. XRP has already gained 5.37% today, reinforcing the growing bullish momentum. However, Arthur stressed that the market still needs a strong daily close above resistance to confirm the breakout. ALERT : This is my personal indicator Every single time it breaks to the upside on the daily timeframe, $XRP has delivered an explosive move We are heading straight into a potential breakout. $XRP is already up +5.37% today Now we just need a strong daily close… pic.twitter.com/ewIyhPcipU — Arthur (@XrpArthur) February 25, 2026 The Technical Structure Driving the Setup XRP’s daily chart shows a clear compression phase, where buyers and sellers have battled within a tightening range. Markets rarely remain compressed for long. When price finally escapes such ranges, it often accelerates sharply as sidelined traders enter and short positions unwind. Arthur’s signal focuses specifically on daily timeframe confirmation. Higher-timeframe breakouts carry more technical weight because they reflect broader market consensus. A decisive daily close above resistance would signal that buyers have absorbed selling pressure and seized structural control. Without that close, the setup remains potential rather than confirmed. Momentum and Market Psychology XRP’s recent 5.37% surge signals renewed bullish participation. Strong daily momentum often attracts algorithmic traders and breakout-focused strategies. When price clears resistance with conviction, momentum traders frequently amplify the move. We are on X, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1 — TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) June 15, 2025 Market psychology also plays a key role. Traders who waited for confirmation may enter aggressively once the breakout validates. Meanwhile, short sellers may rush to cover positions, adding fuel to the upside. This combination can produce the “explosive” expansions Arthur referenced. However, failed breakouts remain a risk. If XRP pushes above resistance intraday but closes below it, sellers could regain control quickly. That scenario would likely trigger short-term pullbacks. Why the Daily Close Is Critical Arthur’s emphasis on a strong daily close reflects a disciplined technical approach. Intraday spikes generate excitement, but daily candle closes confirm structural change. Traders rely on that confirmation to distinguish genuine breakouts from temporary volatility. XRP now approaches a decisive inflection point. If bulls secure a firm daily close above resistance, the breakout thesis strengthens significantly. If they fail, consolidation may continue. For now, the signal has triggered attention. The confirmation awaits. Disclaimer : This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are urged to do in-depth research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses. Follow us on Twitter , Facebook , Telegram , and Google News The post Analyst to XRP Holders: We Are Heading Straight Into a Potential Breakout. Here’s the Signal appeared first on Times Tabloid .

26 Feb 2026, 11:05

Bitcoin Bottom Analysis: Why the Market Hasn’t Reached Its Critical Capitulation Phase

BitcoinWorld Bitcoin Bottom Analysis: Why the Market Hasn’t Reached Its Critical Capitulation Phase Market analysts scrutinizing Bitcoin’s price action in early 2025 have identified a crucial missing signal: the futures market has not yet entered backwardation, a historical indicator that typically precedes major market bottoms. This analysis, based on comprehensive CME futures data, suggests Bitcoin may still face downward pressure before reaching its ultimate low. The current market structure differs significantly from previous capitulation phases, providing traders and investors with critical information for navigating volatile conditions. Understanding Bitcoin Market Bottom Indicators Professional cryptocurrency analysts monitor several key metrics to identify potential market bottoms. The relationship between spot prices and futures contracts represents one of the most reliable indicators. Specifically, analysts watch for backwardation in futures markets. This occurs when futures prices trade below the current spot price. Historically, sustained backwardation has signaled extreme market fear and potential capitulation. The phenomenon suggests traders expect immediate prices to decline, creating unusual pricing dynamics across different contract maturities. Market data from previous cycles provides crucial context. During the 2018 bear market bottom, Bitcoin futures entered backwardation for several weeks. Similarly, the 2022 market bottom featured pronounced backwardation across multiple futures exchanges. These periods coincided with extreme negative sentiment, high volatility, and eventual price reversals. The current market analysis compares present conditions against these historical precedents to assess whether similar dynamics are developing. Current CME Futures Data Analysis The Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) Bitcoin futures market currently shows a narrowing premium but maintains contango. Contango describes the normal market condition where futures prices exceed spot prices. According to data from CryptoQuant, CME futures with longer maturities continue trading at higher prices than the spot market. However, the price difference across various contract maturities has decreased significantly. This compression creates a relatively flat futures curve that suggests declining optimism without reaching outright pessimism. Several factors contribute to this market structure. Institutional participation in CME Bitcoin futures has grown substantially since previous cycles. Regulatory developments and increased institutional adoption have changed market dynamics. The current futures curve reflects cautious sentiment rather than outright panic. Market participants appear to anticipate continued volatility without expecting immediate dramatic declines. This contrasts sharply with previous bottom formations where futures curves inverted dramatically. Historical Comparison: 2018 and 2022 Bottoms The 2018 Bitcoin bear market provides a clear example of backwardation signaling. Following Bitcoin’s decline from approximately $20,000 to $3,200, futures markets entered sustained backwardation. This period lasted several weeks and coincided with extreme negative sentiment across social media and traditional financial media. Similarly, the 2022 market bottom around $15,500 featured pronounced backwardation across multiple futures exchanges. Both instances represented periods where leveraged positions faced maximum pressure and market participants exhibited capitulation behavior. Current market conditions differ significantly from these historical precedents. The futures basis for long-term contracts remains positive, though compressed. Market participants continue pricing in some future recovery rather than expecting immediate further declines. This suggests the market has not yet reached the extreme fear levels associated with previous bottoms. The absence of backwardation indicates that while sentiment has turned negative, it hasn’t reached the capitulation phase that typically precedes major reversals. Bitcoin Futures Market Comparison Across Market Cycles Market Period Futures Structure Basis Level Market Sentiment 2018 Bottom Backwardation Negative 2-5% Extreme Fear 2022 Bottom Backwardation Negative 1-3% Capitulation Current Market (2025) Flat Contango Positive 0.5-1.5% Caution/Negative Market Structure and Capitulation Phases Capitulation represents the final phase of a bear market where discouraged investors surrender and sell their positions. This creates a selling climax that typically establishes a market bottom. Several characteristics define capitulation phases: Extreme volume spikes on downward price movements Sustained backwardation in futures markets Negative funding rates across perpetual swaps Record outflows from cryptocurrency investment products Panic selling by both retail and institutional investors The current market exhibits some but not all these characteristics. While trading volumes have increased during declines, they haven’t reached the extreme levels associated with previous capitulation events. Funding rates have turned negative periodically but not sustained those levels. Most importantly, the futures market structure hasn’t inverted to backwardation. This suggests the market may need further price discovery before reaching a definitive bottom. Institutional Impact on Modern Market Dynamics Bitcoin’s market structure has evolved significantly since previous cycles. Increased institutional participation through regulated vehicles like CME futures has changed how prices discover equilibrium. Institutional investors typically employ different strategies than retail traders. They often use futures for hedging rather than speculation. This can dampen extreme movements in futures premiums. The growing Bitcoin ETF market has also created new dynamics where traditional finance vehicles influence spot market flows. These structural changes mean historical patterns may manifest differently in current markets. However, basic principles of market psychology remain consistent. Extreme fear still manifests in pricing anomalies like backwardation. The absence of this signal suggests institutional and retail investors haven’t reached maximum pessimism. Market participants continue to see value at current levels rather than panicking to exit positions. This creates a different bottom formation process than in previous cycles. Technical and Fundamental Context Beyond futures market structure, several other factors influence Bitcoin’s price trajectory. The macroeconomic environment in 2025 continues to impact cryptocurrency valuations. Interest rate policies, inflation trends, and traditional market performance all correlate with Bitcoin price movements. Additionally, Bitcoin’s upcoming halving cycle creates unique supply dynamics that historically influence price bottoms. The relationship between halving events and market cycles provides additional context for current analysis. On-chain metrics offer complementary data to futures market analysis. Metrics like realized price, MVRV ratios, and exchange flows provide additional signals about market bottoms. Currently, these metrics show Bitcoin trading below its realized price, which historically indicates undervaluation. However, previous bottoms have typically seen prices decline further below realized price levels. This suggests additional downside may be necessary to reach levels comparable to previous cycle bottoms. Risk Management Implications For traders and investors, the absence of backwardation signals carries important implications. Risk management strategies should account for potential further downside. Position sizing, stop-loss placement, and portfolio allocation decisions should consider that historical bottom signals haven’t yet appeared. However, markets can sometimes form bottoms through different mechanisms than in previous cycles. The evolving institutional landscape may create new bottom formation patterns that don’t rely on traditional backwardation signals. Several scenarios could develop from current conditions. The market could experience a rapid decline into backwardation followed by a quick reversal. Alternatively, prices could consolidate at current levels while futures premiums gradually compress to zero. A third possibility involves external catalysts creating sudden market movements that bypass traditional bottom formation processes. Each scenario requires different risk management approaches and position adjustments. Conclusion Comprehensive analysis of Bitcoin CME futures data suggests the market has not yet reached its bottom. The absence of backwardation, a key signal during previous capitulation phases, indicates that extreme fear hasn’t yet gripped market participants. While futures premiums have narrowed significantly, creating a relatively flat curve, the market structure differs meaningfully from 2018 and 2022 bottoms. This Bitcoin bottom analysis provides traders and investors with crucial information for navigating current market conditions. Market participants should monitor futures market structure alongside other indicators to identify when true capitulation may occur. FAQs Q1: What is backwardation in Bitcoin futures markets? Backwardation occurs when futures contracts trade below the current spot price. This unusual condition typically signals extreme market fear and often precedes major market bottoms as traders expect immediate price declines. Q2: Why hasn’t Bitcoin reached backwardation in current markets? Current market sentiment, while negative, hasn’t reached the extreme fear levels associated with capitulation. Institutional participation and evolving market structure may also be delaying or altering traditional bottom formation patterns. Q3: How does current market structure compare to 2018 and 2022 bottoms? Both 2018 and 2022 bottoms featured sustained backwardation in futures markets. Current markets show compressed but positive futures premiums, indicating less extreme sentiment than during previous capitulation phases. Q4: What other indicators should investors watch for Bitcoin bottoms? Investors should monitor on-chain metrics like realized price, exchange flows, and MVRV ratios alongside futures market structure. Trading volume spikes, funding rates, and sentiment indicators also provide valuable signals. Q5: Could Bitcoin bottom without entering backwardation? While possible given evolving market structure, historical precedents strongly associate sustained backwardation with major market bottoms. The absence of this signal suggests additional price discovery may be necessary before establishing a definitive low. This post Bitcoin Bottom Analysis: Why the Market Hasn’t Reached Its Critical Capitulation Phase first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

26 Feb 2026, 11:00

Circle Tops Q4 Revenue Forecasts, Shares Surge 30% — Key Numbers Inside

Shares of Circle Internet Group (CRLC) climbed nearly 30% during Wednesday’s trading session after the company delivered fourth-quarter (Q4) 2025 results that comfortably exceeded Wall Street expectations. The strong earnings report, driven largely by growth in its USDC stablecoin and higher reserve income, pushed the stock to around $79.13 at the time of writing, marking a 29.2% gain over the past 24 hours. Circle Earnings Soar On USDC Expansion For the fourth quarter, Circle reported earnings of $0.43 per share, sharply ahead of the $0.16 per share analysts had projected. Total revenue and reserve income reached $770 million, representing a 77% increase compared with the same period a year earlier and surpassing consensus estimates of $747.4 million. Growth in USDC circulation and transaction activity played a central role in the company’s performance. By the end of 2025, USDC in circulation had risen to $75.3 billion, a 72% year-over-year (YoY) increase. Related Reading: Bitcoin May Be In A Price Slump—But Adoption Is In A Bull Market On-chain transaction volume involving USDC reached $11.9 trillion in the fourth quarter alone, up 247% from the prior year’s quarter. Net income from continuing operations totaled $133 million in Q4, an improvement of $129 million compared with the previous year. Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter came in at $167 million, up 412% YoY. Looking at the full fiscal year, Circle generated $2.7 billion in total revenue and reserve income in 2025, a 64% increase compared with 2024. Despite that top-line growth, the company posted a net loss from continuing operations of $70 million for the year. That figure was significantly affected by $424 million in stock-based compensation expenses tied to vesting conditions triggered by its 2025 initial public offering (IPO). By comparison, Circle had recorded net income of $157 million from continuing operations in 2024. On an adjusted basis, EBITDA for the full year rose 104% to $582 million. CEO’s Long-Term Vision Jeremy Allaire, Circle’s co-founder, CEO, and chairman, described the quarter as another milestone in the company’s long-term strategy. He said the results reflect continued progress in building infrastructure for what he called an open and programmable internet-based financial system. According to Allaire, USDC adoption has expanded across enterprises, developers, and public institutions, with digital dollars increasingly used for payments, treasury management, and on-chain financial operations. Related Reading: Expert Forecasts $5 Trillions Pouring Into Crypto Post CLARITY Act Passage The executive also pointed to advancements toward launching the Arc mainnet, rising transaction volume across Circle’s CPN network, and growing traction for the company’s euro-backed stablecoin EURC and tokenized treasury product USYC. Circle, which went public on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in June last year, has experienced significant volatility since its debut. Although the latest rally lifted shares close to $79, the stock remains roughly 73% below its all-time high of $299, reached just weeks after its market debut. Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com

26 Feb 2026, 11:00

Uniswap to distribute $27M in fees to UNI holders

Uniswap is getting closer to revenue sharing and may add up to $27M in value to UNI holders. The vote on the protocol for fee expansion will run from February 27 to March 1. The Uniswap community will vote on the second part of the fee sharing expansion. The new vote will run from February 27 to March 1 and will enable fee sharing from the protocol’s multi-chain versions. If the proposal is accepted, Uniswap will activate the fee switch on eight L2 chains. The votes will cover fees from Base, OP Mainnet, Arbitrum, Celo, Soneium, Worldchain, X Layer, and Zora. Fee sharing has been one of the leading narratives for Uniswap, leading to previous UNI token rallies . This time, the protocol will tap fees from versions on other chains, bringing up to $27M in additional fees to UNI holders. Based on DeFiLlama data, Uniswap generates a total of over $938M in annualized fees. In Q1, 2026, Uniswap also returned to net earnings, logging $2.75M in net profit, after multiple quarters with a net loss. The venue remains one of the most widely used DeFi markets, working both as a DEX and as a source of significant yields on some of its pools. UNI breaks above $4 As the Uniswap vote was announced, UNI broke out to a one-week peak. The token traded at $4.04, with one of its most significant breakouts in 2026. UNI broke above $4, trading at a one-week high after the second stage of the fee switch vote was launched. | Source: Coingecko UNI has been sliding in the past months, tracking the overall crypto market weakness. However, Uniswap may boost its presence as a platform with regular revenues and net profits, expanding profit sharing through UNI burns. The recent UNI rally added over 15% in a day, showing tokens could still draw liquidity with the right narrative. The token is expected to continue its rally to $4.80 and even recover to $6. UNI still depends heavily on Binance and MEXC, with over 61% of volumes against USDT. The relatively concentrated trading can lead to a short-term pump. UNI burns will increase to boost the token The proposal, once accepted, will take protocol fees from L2 and burn the tokens on the Uniswap mainnet . The proposal will include V2 and V3 protocol fees on the eight new L2 chains. Fees on each chain will go to the TokenJar on the respective network, then will be bridged back to Uniswap. Uniswap rolled out its fee switch gradually, while monitoring the available fees. The initial fee switch started with selected V3 pools on Ethereum. The additional burns led to a switch of value for Uniswap, with more users returning to the Ethereum mainnet. The burn system can also take fees in multiple different tokens and convert them for UNI burns. This may further boost the market value of UNI. Want your project in front of crypto’s top minds? Feature it in our next industry report, where data meets impact.

26 Feb 2026, 10:57

Bittensor price breaks out of falling wedge pattern: How high can TAO go?

Bittensor (TAO) has quietly returned to the spotlight after weeks of compressed price action and growing technical tension. The TAO price has broken out from a falling wedge pattern on the 4-hour timeframe, a structure that often signals the end of a corrective phase. Bittensor price chart analysis | Source: TradingView This breakout has shifted short-term sentiment from cautious to constructive, as buyers defended key support levels with conviction. Notably, the move did not happen in isolation, as it followed a prolonged period of consolidation near the lower boundary of a broader descending channel. That base-building phase allowed selling pressure to cool while stronger hands gradually absorbed supply. As a result, the breakout carries more weight than a typical short-lived bounce. Bittensor (TAO) price analysis Bittensor (TAO) price has been trading well below its all-time high, reflecting a long correction. However, despite the drawdown, price action over recent weeks suggests that downside momentum has weakened meaningfully. The support around the $163 to $165 zone has repeatedly held, forming an accumulation shelf that traders have been watching closely. Each dip into this area has been met with steady buying rather than panic selling. The falling wedge breakout adds confirmation that buyers are regaining control, at least in the short term. Falling wedges typically form when sellers lose strength over time, even as the price continues to drift lower. When price breaks above the upper boundary, it often marks the start of a recovery leg rather than the end of a rally. That is exactly the setup TAO is now presenting. If momentum continues and broader market conditions remain stable, the structure supports a continuation move higher. The key resistance levels to watch in the short term The first area of interest sits near the mid-range of the broader descending channel. This zone represents the first real test for the breakout, as previous rallies stalled there. If the token breaks here it would open the door toward the descending resistance near the $230 to $240 region. That level aligns with previous rejection points and carries strong technical significance. From current levels, a move into that range would translate into a gain of roughly 25% to 40%. Such a move would be well within reason, given the size of the wedge and the duration of consolidation. However, the upside move is not guaranteed, and momentum must be sustained to keep the recovery thesis intact. A failure to hold above broken resistance could turn the breakout into a false signal. If price slips back below the wedge structure, confidence in the bullish setup would weaken quickly. In that case, attention would shift back toward lower support zones. The risk factors that could slow the rally While the technical picture has improved, TAO is still trading below key long-term moving averages on the higher timeframes, suggesting that the broader trend remains cautious rather than fully bullish. Also, the short-term strength does not automatically translate into a long-term trend reversal. Wider market conditions also matter, especially Bitcoin’s price movements and overall risk appetite. A sharp downturn across the crypto market could cap TAO’s upside regardless of its internal structure. That said, the current setup favours patience. The TAO price is no longer showing the same aggressive selling pressure seen earlier in the year. Instead, it is behaving like an asset in recovery mode. If buyers continue to defend support and push the price higher step by step, the breakout could evolve into something more meaningful. For now, TAO appears to have room to climb, as long as the structure it has built remains intact. The post Bittensor price breaks out of falling wedge pattern: How high can TAO go? appeared first on Invezz

26 Feb 2026, 10:51

Ethereum Price Prediction: Bulls Defend Support, Eyes on $2,150

Ether’s rebound turned into a tug of war, with two analysts pointing to nearby levels that could decide the next move. One chart keeps the upside “choppy” under $1,996, while another redraws micro support at $1,964 to $2,030 and flags $2,150 and $2,215 as the next hurdles. ETH rally stays choppy as analyst flags $1,996 ceiling Ether traded near $1,955 on the ETHUSD 30 minute chart after a rebound that the analyst behind Man of Bitcoin called uneven. In a post on X, the account said it reads the move as “wave c of 3” and set an “ideal” upside target near $1,979. Ethereum U.S. Dollar 30 minute chart (ETHUSD, Binance). Source: Man of Bitcoin on X (@Manofbitcoin) However, the post added that the setup stays vulnerable while price remains below $1,996. That level sat just above the latest swing, and the analyst warned the pattern could still break lower if ETH cannot reclaim it. On the chart, a higher resistance line appeared near $2,145, while a lower horizontal level marked $1,755 as a key downside zone. The same chart also showed Fibonacci markers, including 0.786 at $1,832.40 and 0.887 at $1,600.83, as deeper levels that could come into focus if selling resumes. ETH rebound redraws micro support as higher resistances come into view Ether’s rebound on the ETHUSD 30 minute chart showed a sharp recovery from a recent swing low, according to analysis shared by More Crypto Online on X. The analyst said the structure forced an adjustment to near-term support, placing the micro support band between $1,964 and $2,030 as the zone price needs to defend to keep the short-term structure intact. Ethereum U.S. Dollar 30 minute chart (ETHUSD, Index). Source: More Crypto Online on X The same chart mapped a sequence of impulsive waves off the low, with price pushing through prior congestion before stalling near a mid-range resistance line. As a result, the analyst marked $2,150 and $2,215 as the next resistance areas to monitor on any continuation attempt. Those levels aligned with prior reaction zones and projected extensions on the chart. Below the market, the chart highlighted deeper downside references if the rebound fails. A broader support shelf sat near $1,820, marked by the 78.6% retracement, while lower extensions clustered near $2,215 to $2,398 on the upside and $1,600 on deeper downside scenarios. The structure framed the move as a developing advance with defined risk below the micro support band.