hodler

7 Feb 2026, 13:36

Can XRP Create More Millionaires After Recent Fall to $1.11

The concept of XRP creating more millionaires has sprung up among investors as the latest drop to 15-month lows opens up dip-buying opportunities. XRP suffered some of the most devastating blows during the Thursday, Feb. Visit Website

7 Feb 2026, 13:33

Long-term Ethereum whales enter accumulation mode amid price volatility

Ethereum’s holder data shows OG whales are moving Ether to self-custody. Among the whales, two whale addresses have withdrawn a combined 29,079 ETH worth $60 million from OKX and Binance to accumulate today. One of the whales withdrew a whopping 19,503 ETH, worth approximately $40 million, from OKX, while the other withdrew 9,576 ETH, worth approximately $19.78 million, from Binance. Whales are accumulating $ETH . 0x46DB withdrew 19,503 $ETH ($40M) from #OKX over the past 13 hours. 0x28eF withdrew 9,576 $ETH ($19.78M) from #Binance over the past 8 hours. https://t.co/FQe95DLQZp https://t.co/yVi2hnhq9l pic.twitter.com/u0cq8RHqTv — Lookonchain (@lookonchain) February 7, 2026 On Friday, another whale resumed operations after a full two-year hiatus. This new entity withdrew a staggering 10,000 ETH worth approximately $19.24 million from Binance . At the same time, another whale sprang back to life following one year of dormancy. This particular trader secured 1,892 ETH from Binance, worth around $3.75 million. Ether supply becomes more concentrated among whales According to on-chain data, the second-largest coin has shown signs of recovery from under the $2K level. Also, according to analysts, ETH’s MVRV ratio sits near 0.96, staying above the 0.80 level. According to Glassnode data shared by Ali Charts, periods where the MVRV ratio dipped under 0.80 during deep drawdowns, followed by later price recoveries. Those were the times when the market value was lower than the actual value recorded on the blockchain. Current data, on the other hand, show that the ratio is hovering near the neutral band, not in the very low area seen at previous cycle lows. As a result, on-chain positioning indicates that the market has not reached the same level of valuation stress as during previous bottoming phases. Even though the price has dropped from its previous highs, the MVRV ratio is still higher than it was at earlier troughs on the chart. This means the measure has not yet entered the area previously associated with widespread selling. Another analyst also hinted at a shift where the whales added, yet balances with the two mid-tier groups decreased. In August 2025, wallets with balances between 100 to 1,000 ETH had 9.79 million ETH. Those with balances between 1,000 to 10,000 ETH had 14.51 million ETH. At the same time, the 10,000-100,000 ETH group owned 17.18 million ETH, and those with 100,000+ owned 2.75 million ETH. By Wednesday, the 100-1,000 ETH group reduced its total amount owned to 8.32 million ETH. On the other hand, the 1,000-10,000 ETH group reduced its total amount owned to 12.26 million ETH. This drop implies the two groups have reduced their ETH balance by 3.72 million since August 18. On the other hand, those holding wallets with between 10,000 and 100,000 ETH recorded an increase in the balances to 19.77 million ETH. In addition, the number of those with balances of 100,000+ ETH rose to 3.68 million ETH. This top group added 3.52 million ETH. In the past, the level of OG crypto whales’ holding has been higher at times of low price action, with valuation metrics leveling off above capitulation levels. Ethereum up 6% but volatility remains high Ethereum has been one of the worst-performing assets in the present market crash. The coin has recovered now, changing hands for over $2K at press time. Ethereum may consolidate in a range between $1,900 and $2,200 as the market stabilizes. Analysts set a $2,300-$2,400 as a new price target. Still, resistance levels are high above $2,200, and ETH will need to show increasing volumes into any trend that attempts to rise. Of course, should selling pressure resume, ETH may fall to $1,800 or $1,750, which is now established as a key support level. A breakdown below $1,750 would likely encourage further panic selling and open up doors to potentially larger declines. Meanwhile, the coin is up 6% in the last 24 hours, now trading at $2,037. Sharpen your strategy with mentorship + daily ideas - 30 days free access to our trading program

7 Feb 2026, 13:30

Missed Bitcoin's Run To $126k? Long-Term Investors May Get A Second Chance With IBIT

Summary iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF offers the largest, most liquid pure-play Bitcoin exposure with a competitive 0.12% expense ratio. Despite recent crypto volatility and a hold rating, I remain bullish on Bitcoin and view IBIT as a strong diversification tool. IBIT’s NAV growth since inception is 41.15%, but recent performance has been negative due to Bitcoin’s sharp sell-off. IBIT’s risks include high volatility and potential for negative returns, but dollar-cost averaging may mitigate timing risk for long-term bullish investors. Due to the sharp pullback in Bitcoin, IBIT looks attractive for long-term investors trading at a near 14% discount to NAV. Introduction For full transparency, I do not own any crypto assets. But I've always kept an eye on Bitcoin-USD ( BTC-USD ). And I used to share the same sentiment as Warren Buffett regarding crypto. There aren't any numbers associated with crypto. No cash flow, balance sheet, ROI, ROE, earnings growth, NAV growth, or book value to analyze. Investing in crypto is speculative, as one can hope that the next buyer is willing to pay a higher price than what you paid for it. With stocks, share price growth typically follows earnings growth. If earnings grow at a high rate, then it's likely so will the stock, and so on and so forth. Although I remain somewhat hesitant, I do believe that crypto is here to stay and will continue to shape the future. As a result, I have been contemplating adding exposure on the current downturn. Long-term, I'm bullish on Bitcoin despite the high volatility and think that it will continue to make new highs in the coming years. Mainly due to rising demand and continued adoption & integration. And despite my skepticism, I think the sharp pullback in iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF's ( IBIT ) price is a potential buying opportunity for less risk-averse, long-term investors. A Crypto Winter? At the time of writing, Bitcoin sits at $62,700 and has been selling off dramatically . Most know crypto is highly volatile, one of the main reasons I've been reluctant to add exposure to my portfolio. But like any investment, I think the price you pay is one of the most important metrics. And because I believe crypto is here to stay and will go up over time, I believe now may be a good time to dip your toes in it for diversification. To be honest, I don't know how low Bitcoin will go, but I do believe we will see more periods of volatility and a potential drop below $60k. Me, personally, I like to dollar-cost average into all my holdings frequently to manage my expectations during periods of large swings. With crypto, this is essential, as the asset, as I mentioned earlier, is highly volatile. The chart below shows how BTC-USD has performed in the past year, down close to 31%. IBIT, which holds 100% Bitcoin exposure, is down roughly 26% over the same period. Seeking Alpha Since October of 2025, BTC-USD has fallen from its 52-week high above $126,000 to a new 52-week low. As a result, IBIT has also fallen from a 52-week high above $71 to a current price of $36 a share. I do think that crypto will continue to see volatility and slide to new lows. But for the long term, I remain bullish on crypto and think Bitcoin and other assets will see new highs, potentially by the end of 2026 or early 2027. According to CNBC , crypto's sell-off is mainly due to a loss of interest among investors. I believe this could be attributed to the President's announcement of a new Fed chair. The reason being is that there's a likelihood that the new Fed chair will aggressively lower interest rates due to the President's past calls for Jerome Powell to lower them. Inflation, although stubborn, has declined from a high in 2023. And lastly, it's likely that the new chair will be loyal to the President's demands. As a result, this could lead to higher stock market gains as rates on fixed-rate investments decline. And this could lead to a rotation from crypto and other alternative investments that are seen as hedges against inflation. Although retail investors are selling, institutions are still buying BTC-USD, according to State Street ( STT ). This is due to suspected long-term growth, diversification, and further regulatory approvals. Additionally, if you remain bullish on BTC-USD like I am and think it will continue to evolve and see more adoption going forward, then IBIT may be the best pure-play. Why IBIT iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF is an ETF created for investors looking for direct exposure to Bitcoin. The fund doesn't pay a dividend, which may surprise some investors as to why I'm even writing about them, as I typically only focus on income-producing assets. But as I mentioned in a previous article, I've become more open to owning non-dividend-paying stocks. In the past month or so, I've started a position in Netflix ( NFLX ). IBIT's inception date is January 5, 2024. Currently, they are the largest spot Bitcoin ETF, with close to $65 billion in assets under management. Although I don't put a lot of emphasis on size, larger funds typically mean better liquidity, higher volumes, lower fees, and swifter execution on trades. As mentioned earlier, IBIT has only 1 holding in its portfolio, and that's BTC-USD. IBIT This is unlike your traditional or covered call ETFs that hold other equities or treasuries to generate additional income. Moreover, covered call ETFs typically outperform in flat or volatile markets due to their options premiums generated. IBIT is designed to outperform during Bitcoin bull markets and should be held strictly for diversification & growth purposes. Something I like about IBIT, besides it being the largest pure-play Bitcoin ETF, is that they have a very reasonable expense ratio at 0.12%. This is lower than the second-largest Bitcoin ETF and peer, Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund ETF's ( FBTC ) 0.25%. While I typically look for an expense ratio of 0.10% or lower for passively-managed ETFs, crypto ETFs usually have slightly higher ones. Owning IBIT, you would only pay just $12 for every $10,000 invested. This is significantly lower than some covered call ETFs that offer exposure to crypto. These are usually closer to 1%. Since inception, IBIT has experienced solid NAV growth with a growth rate of 41.15%. Currently, their NAV sits at $41.68. At the current price, this gives investors a near 14% discount to its net asset value. In the past year, NAV growth has been negative due to high amounts of volatility. IBIT fact sheet Because of the high amounts of volatility Bitcoin can experience, this makes IBIT a riskier asset, as negative NAV growth will lead to underperformance. Moreover, if BTC-USD experiences longer periods of volatility, then IBIT could see negative overall returns as NAV growth erodes. Strong Returns Up Until The Sell-Off The chart below shows IBIT's performance vs. the S&P ( SP500 ) from inception until October 1, 2025. The ETF significantly outperformed, up approximately 151% to 43% for the index. Seeking Alpha And going forward, I expect the ETF will see periods of high outperformance and underperformance. But as I previously mentioned, buying at the right price is key. And with sentiment turning negative, now may be the time to pounce. Tax Treatment Because IBIT doesn't pay any distributions, taxes work the same as buying any stock or traditional ETF. According to their prospectus , owners will be treated as if they owned Bitcoin directly. This means buying and holding shares for less than 1 year will subject you to higher taxes since you will be taxed at the short-term capital gains rate. This means you could be subjected to up to 37% in capital gains tax. Holding IBIT for 1 year or longer means you will still be subjected to taxes, but at a more favorable rate depending on your taxed income. Risks & Conclusion IBIT's biggest risk is further amounts of volatility. This could result in negative NAV growth, leading to underperformance. If analysts are correct , then IBIT could potentially drop below their IPO price. According to Polymarket , the bottom is near, as 86% of investors expect it to bottom at $60,000. Investors should be aware that buying crypto assets directly or funds with exposure, you are likely to experience higher amounts of volatility vs. traditional stocks and ETFs. But IBIT's large size, direct Bitcoin exposure, and asset manager in BlackRock ( BLK ) give the fund advantages over peers. Furthermore, their expense ratio is low, making their cost of ownership very reasonable. Although a risky bet, if you're looking for direct exposure to BTC-USD and remain bullish, then consider dollar-cost averaging into IBIT.

7 Feb 2026, 13:15

Ethereum’s 40% decline is an early 2025-like ‘opportunity’ – Exec

Bulls have an eye on some key targets for Ethereum's price.

7 Feb 2026, 13:10

Tether Freezes $3.4B in USDT: A Stunning Shift in Global Crypto Compliance

BitcoinWorld Tether Freezes $3.4B in USDT: A Stunning Shift in Global Crypto Compliance In a landmark demonstration of evolving cryptocurrency oversight, Tether, the issuer of the world’s largest stablecoin, has frozen a staggering $3.4 billion in USDT. This decisive action, coordinated with authorities across 62 nations, signals a profound transformation in how digital assets are policed on the global stage. The scale of this operation, particularly a recent $500 million freeze for Turkish authorities, underscores a new era of proactive compliance within the blockchain ecosystem. Tether USDT Freeze: Unpacking the $3.4 Billion Operation Tether’s announcement reveals unprecedented cooperation with global law enforcement. The company has assisted in over 1,800 investigations. Consequently, this effort directly targeted USDT tokens linked to alleged criminal activities. The frozen assets represent a significant portion of illicit finance interdiction in crypto. For context, this sum exceeds the annual budget of some national law enforcement agencies. The process involves Tether using its centralized control over the USDT token to blacklist specific wallet addresses. Once blacklisted, those addresses cannot move or access the frozen funds. This mechanism is a powerful tool for authorities. Furthermore, the geographic scope is vast. Cooperation with 62 countries indicates a nearly universal investigative network. This network includes major financial hubs and developing nations alike. The collaboration often starts with a formal request from a national agency. Tether’s compliance team then reviews the legal validity of the request. Upon verification, they execute the freeze on the blockchain. This entire process highlights the dual nature of stablecoins: decentralized in use but centralized in control. The Driving Forces Behind Global Stablecoin Regulation This massive freeze did not occur in a vacuum. It results from intense regulatory pressure and a strategic pivot by Tether itself. For years, regulators criticized stablecoin issuers for facilitating opaque transactions. In response, Tether has invested heavily in compliance technology and personnel. The company now employs blockchain analytics firms like Chainalysis. These tools help trace the flow of funds across public ledgers. Simultaneously, international bodies like the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) have tightened rules. Their “Travel Rule” now often applies to virtual asset service providers. Moreover, the rise of real-world asset tokenization demands clearer rules. As traditional finance merges with blockchain, the need for secure rails becomes paramount. Stablecoins like USDT act as critical bridges between fiat and crypto economies. Therefore, their integrity is essential for broader financial stability. Law enforcement agencies have also developed sophisticated crypto-tracing units. These units now routinely request freezes and seizures from compliant issuers. The following table contrasts the scale of recent crypto-related enforcement actions: Entity/Action Estimated Value Year Primary Jurisdiction Tether USDT Freeze $3.4 Billion 2023-2025 Global (62 countries) FTX Asset Recovery ~$7 Billion 2022-2024 USA, Bahamas Binance Settlement $4.3 Billion 2023 USA OneCoin Fraud Seizure $400 Million 2019 Multiple EU States Expert Analysis: A New Compliance Paradigm Financial compliance experts view this as a watershed moment. “This level of cooperation was unthinkable five years ago,” notes a former SEC enforcement attorney. “Tether’s actions demonstrate that centralized stablecoin issuers can serve as powerful choke points for illicit finance.” The strategic shift is also a business imperative. To maintain banking relationships and serve institutional clients, robust compliance is non-negotiable. This proactive stance may preempt more draconian legislation. By voluntarily working with global agencies, Tether shapes the narrative around its role. Additionally, this affects the entire cryptocurrency market. Major exchanges now integrate these blacklists into their own systems. They automatically block deposits from frozen addresses. This creates a layered defense against the movement of illicit funds. The technology behind these freezes is also evolving. New solutions allow for more granular control, like freezing only specific transactions. This precision reduces collateral damage to legitimate users. The trend is clear: the age of the “wild west” in crypto is giving way to a regulated frontier. Implications for Investors and the Crypto Ecosystem The direct impact on legitimate USDT holders is minimal but noteworthy. The freeze functionality proves Tether can control its token. This reinforces its centralized nature, a fact often debated in crypto circles. For investors, this action could be seen as a positive. It reduces systemic risk by removing illicit activity from the ecosystem. A cleaner ecosystem attracts more institutional capital. However, it also highlights a key vulnerability. Centralized control means a single point of failure, albeit one used for law enforcement. Furthermore, this sets a precedent for other stablecoin issuers. Companies like Circle (USDC) and Paxos (BUSD) have similar compliance protocols. We can expect them to publicize their cooperation figures as well. This creates a competitive landscape for “the most compliant” stablecoin. The market may begin to price in compliance as a feature. Exchanges and DeFi protocols will likely prefer listing stablecoins with strong track records. This could marginalize smaller, less compliant issuers. Enhanced Legitimacy: Large-scale freezes counter the narrative that crypto is primarily for crime. Regulatory Trust: Demonstrates the industry’s ability to self-police under a regulatory framework. Market Stability: Removing large sums linked to crime reduces potential market manipulation. User Assurance: Provides confidence that the ecosystem is actively patrolled and made safer. Conclusion The decision by Tether to freeze $3.4 billion in USDT marks a pivotal chapter in cryptocurrency history. This action, spanning 62 countries, transcends a simple law enforcement operation. It represents the maturation of the digital asset industry and its integration into the global financial compliance architecture. While debates about decentralization will continue, the practical reality is clear: major blockchain-based payment systems now actively partner with traditional authorities. This cooperation, exemplified by the recent $500 million freeze for Turkey, enhances the legitimacy and long-term viability of stablecoins like USDT. The path forward is one of balanced innovation and unwavering security. FAQs Q1: How does Tether physically “freeze” USDT tokens? Tether, as the centralized issuer, maintains a blacklist of wallet addresses on its treasury platform. When an address is blacklisted, the smart contract governing USDT prevents any tokens held by that address from being moved or spent, effectively freezing them in place. Q2: Can frozen USDT ever be unfrozen or returned? Yes, if a legal proceeding determines the funds are not illicit or if an error occurred, Tether can remove an address from the blacklist upon receiving appropriate court orders or authorization from the requesting agency, though this process is complex and rare. Q3: Does this mean USDT is not a decentralized cryptocurrency? Correct. USDT is a centralized stablecoin. While it operates on decentralized blockchain networks (like Ethereum or Tron), its issuance, redemption, and the freeze function are controlled solely by the company Tether, making it a centralized digital asset. Q4: What happens to the value of the frozen USDT? The frozen USDT remains on the blockchain but is rendered unusable. It does not get burned or removed from the total supply on paper, but it is effectively taken out of circulation, which can have a slight, indirect effect on market liquidity. Q5: How does this affect the average person holding USDT? For the vast majority of users holding USDT on reputable exchanges for legitimate purposes, there is no direct effect. The freezes target specific wallets linked to crime. The broader effect is potentially positive, increasing overall trust in the stability and legality of the USDT ecosystem. This post Tether Freezes $3.4B in USDT: A Stunning Shift in Global Crypto Compliance first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

7 Feb 2026, 13:05

XRP Proponent Shares One Explanation for the Recent Flash Crash

Sudden price collapses in cryptocurrency markets rarely occur without leaving confusion in their wake. Traders often confront a swirl of theories before verifiable facts emerge, especially when volatility strikes the world’s largest digital asset. The latest Bitcoin flash crash followed that familiar pattern, triggering intense speculation across global trading communities searching for a clear cause behind the abrupt move. EasyA co-founder and XRP advocate Dom Kwok quickly entered the conversation, sharing a circulating explanation tied to South Korea’s Bithumb exchange. His remarks amplified an already fast-moving debate and drew renewed attention to how operational events inside a single exchange can ripple through broader market sentiment within minutes. The Documented Exchange Error Multiple verified reports confirm that Bithumb mistakenly distributed massive amounts of Bitcoin to users during what should have been a small promotional payout denominated in Korean won. one explanation for the flash crash yesterday. an employee at bithumb (korean crypto exchange) accidentally sent 2,000 $BTC to its users instead of 2000 KRW (korean won). as soon as its users received the bitcoin, they immediately started selling, crashing the price of… pic.twitter.com/2nB5Q2BhNp — Dom Kwok | EasyA (@dom_kwok) February 6, 2026 Recipients rapidly sold portions of the unexpected holdings, which briefly pushed Bitcoin’s price sharply lower on the platform before stabilization returned. Authorities and the exchange later moved to halt activity, recover funds, and contain the disruption. Investigations indicate that the vast majority of the mistakenly transferred Bitcoin was successfully retrieved, while officials found no evidence of hacking or an external breach. Regulators nonetheless began reviewing the incident because the scale of the operational failure exposed weaknesses in exchange-level safeguards and risk controls. These confirmed facts align with the “innocent mistake” interpretation referenced in Kwok’s commentary, demonstrating how human or technical error alone can generate sudden sell pressure and localized price dislocation. We are on X, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1 — TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) June 15, 2025 Competing Narratives and Market Distrust Alongside the verified explanation, a darker theory quickly circulated online. Some observers speculated that the exchange may have used the error narrative to conceal intentional Bitcoin selling. No credible public evidence supports that claim, and official recovery efforts contradict the idea of coordinated dumping. Still, the rapid spread of suspicion highlights a deeper issue within cryptocurrency markets: persistent distrust of centralized intermediaries. Even transparent incidents can fuel manipulation theories when transparency across trading venues remains uneven. Why the Flash Crash Resonates Beyond Bitcoin The Bithumb episode illustrates how fragile short-term liquidity can become when unexpected supply floods a single marketplace. Although the disruption remained largely contained, the psychological impact traveled far beyond one exchange, reinforcing concerns about custodial risk, operational oversight, and systemic resilience across the crypto ecosystem. Kwok’s framing ultimately reflects a broader truth about digital-asset markets. Traders must constantly separate verified structural events from rumor-driven narratives, even when both produce identical price swings. The recent flash crash may stem from a straightforward operational failure, yet the persistence of darker interpretations shows that trust—not volatility—remains cryptocurrency’s most sensitive fault line. 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 should conduct 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 XRP Proponent Shares One Explanation for the Recent Flash Crash appeared first on Times Tabloid .