‍"Black Swan" Fund Founder Predicts S&P 500 Surge to 8,000 Before Imminent Crash Mark Spitznagel, founder of Universa Investments, warns that the S&P 500 may first rally to 8,000 before a major correction. He describes the current market as a "Goldilocks zone" characterized by cooling inflation and anticipated Fed rate cuts, fueling extreme euphoria and what he terms the "greatest bubble in human history." This rally could translate to significant capital inflows into digital assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum. However, Spitznagel emphasizes that the final, volatile stage of this blow-off top will inevitably lead to a substantial crash, underscoring the importance of tail-risk hedging strategies.

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Black Swan Fund Founder Predicts S&P 500 Surge to 8,000 Before Crash

Mark Spitznagel, the founder and chief investment officer of Universa Investments, has issued a significant warning regarding the trajectory of the...

‍OWASP and CredShields Unveil 2026 Top 10 Smart Contract Security Risks The OWASP Smart Contract Security Project, in collaboration with CredShields, has released its 2026 Top 10 framework, a guide to enhancing blockchain security. This initiative analyzes 2025 exploit data and practitioner input, aiming to shift focus from static code checklists to dynamic understanding of systemic failure patterns. Key risks include access control misconfigurations, business logic vulnerabilities, oracle manipulation, and cross-chain MEV exploitation. The framework emphasizes production resilience, offering insights for institutional investors and developers. It also highlights operational risks such as multisig compromises and governance manipulation.

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CredShields and OWASP Launch 2026 Top 10 Smart Contract Security Risks

The OWASP Smart Contract Security Project has officially released its 2026 Top 10 framework, a comprehensive risk prioritization guide designed to ...

‍XRP Price Recovery: Four Metrics Signal Local Bottom at $1.12 XRP has shown a significant recovery, climbing 50% from a 15-month low of $1.12. Several indicators suggest this low may be a definitive bottom. Exchange supply for XRP has hit a five-year low, indicating reduced selling pressure. Negative Binance funding rates (-0.028%) suggest overcrowded short positions, historically preceding rallies. Despite volatility, US-based spot XRP ETFs have seen consistent inflows totaling $1.23 billion, demonstrating robust institutional demand. A positive Spot Taker CVD and decreasing futures open interest further support a bullish outlook.

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XRP Price Recovery: Four Metrics Signaling a Local Bottom at $1.12

The native token of the Ripple ecosystem, XRP, has demonstrated a significant recovery of 50%, climbing to a high of $1....

‍Pump.fun Launches Trader Cashbacks as Memecoin Fees Plummet The Solana-based memecoin launchpad Pump.fun has introduced "Cashback Coins," a new feature designed to redistribute rewards from token creators to traders. This move comes as the protocol's monthly revenue dropped from $148.1 million in January 2025 to $31.8 million in January 2026. Creators can now choose between standard 0.3% creator fees or the new Trader Cashback model. This update aims to address criticisms regarding retail profitability and the sustainability of the memecoin ecosystem, especially as data suggests the memecoin sector may be nearing a market bottom.

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Pump.fun Launches Trader Cashbacks as Memecoin Fees Drop 75%

The Solana-based memecoin launchpad Pump.fun has officially introduced "Cashback Coins", a new feature designed to redistribute rewards from token ...

‍Moonwell DeFi Protocol Suffers $1.8M Bad Debt Due to Oracle Error The Moonwell DeFi platform has experienced approximately $1.78 million in bad debt following a critical pricing oracle failure on February 15. A misconfiguration of the Coinbase Wrapped ETH (cbETH) price feed caused its reported value to plummet, leading to liquidations and exploits on the Base and Optimism networks. The incident stemmed from a governance proposal designed to integrate Chainlink OEV wrapper contracts. The system failed to correctly calculate cbETH's USD value, reporting it at $1.12 instead of its market price of around $2,200. This allowed liquidators to seize collateral and some users to over-borrow assets, deepening the protocol's deficit. Moonwell's risk managers have since taken steps to contain further risk by reducing borrow and supply caps for cbETH. This event highlights ongoing vulnerabilities in automated price discovery within DeFi ecosystems.

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Moonwell DeFi Protocol Incurs $1.8M Bad Debt After Oracle Pricing Error

The decentralized finance (DeFi) lending platform Moonwell has recorded approximately $1.78 million in bad debt following a critical pricing oracle...

‍Bitcoin and Nasdaq Divergence Hints at AI-Driven Credit Crisis Co-founder of BitMEX, Arthur Hayes, suggests the notable decoupling between Bitcoin's downtrend and the Nasdaq's stability signals an impending credit crunch. This crunch could be fueled by AI's impact on the labor market, potentially leading to significant consumer and mortgage credit losses for U.S. banks. While some experts like Merkle Tree Capital's CIO, Ryan McMillin, believe the timeline for an AI-driven collapse is overstated and Bitcoin's volatility has independent factors, Hayes points to gold's strength as a deflationary warning. Historically, major credit events prompt central bank liquidity injections, which can bolster fixed-supply assets like Bitcoin.

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Bitcoin and Nasdaq Divergence Signals Potential AI-Driven Credit Crisis

The cryptocurrency market is currently witnessing a notable decoupling between Bitcoin (BTC) and traditional equity indices, sparking discussions a...

‍Bitwise and GraniteShares Seek SEC Approval for Election Prediction ETFs Major issuers Bitwise and GraniteShares have filed applications with the SEC to launch ETFs based on US election outcomes. These funds will function similarly to prediction markets, with shares reflecting the market's perceived probability of specific political results. The proposed ETFs, part of Bitwise's "PredictionShares" lineup, will cover outcomes for the 2028 Presidential election and the 2026 Senate and House of Representatives races. Each fund invests primarily in binary event contracts regulated by the CFTC. This move aligns with a trend of "financializing" event-based outcomes, offering investors a regulated avenue for speculation and hedging on political shifts.

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Bitwise and GraniteShares File for Election-Based Prediction ETFs

The landscape of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) is expanding into the realm of political forecasting as major issuers Bitwise and GraniteShares submi...

‍The Digital Chamber Launches Initiative for Prediction Market Clarity The Digital Chamber has established a new Prediction Markets Working Group to address the regulatory ambiguity surrounding these platforms in the U.S. The group aims to differentiate between federal and state oversight and has signaled support for CFTC Chairman Mike Selig's position on federal jurisdiction. The initiative comes amid increasing regulatory pressure from state authorities on prediction markets. The working group plans to develop policy principles, publish research on economic utility, build stakeholder coalitions, and participate in litigation to educate the judiciary on the CFTC’s authority.

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Digital Chamber Launches Working Group for Prediction Market Clarity

The prominent blockchain advocacy organization, The Digital Chamber, has officially inaugurated a specialized unit dedicated to the advancement and...

‍Coin Center Urges US Senate to Pass Crypto Developer Protections The advocacy group Coin Center is appealing to the US Senate Banking Committee to preserve protections for blockchain developers within the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act (BRCA). The group argues that legal ambiguities threaten innovation, potentially leading to developers facing prosecution for actions beyond their control. Coin Center Policy Director Jason Somensatto stated that blockchain creators should have the same legal safeguards as traditional internet service providers. Without these protections, the US risks losing top talent to other jurisdictions. Recent cases, including those involving Tornado Cash and Samourai Wallet developers, highlight the rising legal pressure on software creators in the DeFi space.

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Coin Center Urges US Senate to Pass Crypto Developer Protections

The prominent cryptocurrency advocacy group Coin Center has issued a formal appeal to the US Senate Banking Committee, advocating for the preservat...

‍eToro Shares Surge 20% After Strong Q4 Crypto Revenue eToro (ETOR) has reported a significant stock price rally, exceeding financial forecasts for Q4 2025. Despite market downturns for competitors, eToro's digital asset services were the primary driver for its earnings beat. The company disclosed a net income of $68.7 million for Q4, a 16% year-over-year increase. Crypto revenue alone contributed $3.59 billion. eToro's stock closed up 20.4% at $33.07. CEO Yoni Assia highlighted the company's focus on blockchain integration and tokenization, stating eToro is "positioning eToro for a financial system that is increasingly moving on-chain."

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eToro Shares Surge 20% Following Strong Q4 Crypto Revenue Growth

The multi-asset trading platform eToro (ETOR) has reported a significant rally in its stock price after exceeding financial forecasts for the final...

‍Major Japanese Financial Giants Gear Up for Crypto Trading Expansion Three of Japan’s leading financial institutions, with a combined market cap of $48 billion, are reportedly preparing to enter the digital asset trading sector. Nomura Holdings, Daiwa Securities Group, and SMBC Nikko Securities are spearheading this move, reflecting growing institutional interest in blockchain technology. Nomura Holdings, via its Swiss subsidiary Laser Digital, aims to offer trading and custody infrastructure. This expansion is driven by the desire to diversify revenue, anticipate potential regulatory easing on crypto ETFs, and gain a first-mover advantage. The market awaits clarity from the Financial Services Agency (FSA) regarding ETF approvals.

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Major Japanese Financial Giants Prepare for Crypto Trading Expansion

Three of Japan’s most prominent financial institutions, representing a combined market capitalization of approximately $48 billion, are reportedl...

‍Zora Launches Attention Markets on Solana The decentralized SocialFi ecosystem Zora has launched its "attention markets" platform on the Solana (SOL) blockchain. This protocol allows users to speculate on the viral potential of hashtags, memes, and cultural movements. Users can deploy "Trends" for a fee and then launch "Pairs" as tradable tokens representing specific sub-topics, offering financial rewards to creators. This move has sparked controversy within the Base ecosystem, where Zora previously built significant infrastructure. Developers expressed dissatisfaction with the "pivot" to Solana. Despite community debate, the ZORA token rose 6.2% following the announcement. The expansion aligns with the broader surge in prediction markets, which have surpassed $10 billion in monthly trading volume.

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Zora Launches Attention Markets on Solana to Monetize Trends

The decentralized SocialFi ecosystem Zora has officially expanded its footprint by launching its new "attention markets" platform on the Solana (SO...

‍He Yi, co-founder of Binance, outlines four phases of crypto listing evolution The digital asset listing landscape has transformed significantly. Binance co-founder He Yi detailed four key phases: 1. The "wild west" era with unregulated crowdfunding and high failure rates. 2. The rise of Initial Exchange Offerings (IEOs) offering liquidity and fair distribution. 3. The emergence of Decentralized Exchanges (DEXs) and Automated Market Makers (AMMs), diluting CEX pricing power. 4. The current phase characterized by airdrops and institutional professionalization, driven by compliance and direct community engagement.

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Binance Co-Founder He Yi Details the Evolution of Crypto Listing Cycles

The landscape of digital asset listings has undergone a fundamental transformation, moving from unregulated early markets to a complex ecosystem do...

‍Fed Officials Divided on Rate Cut Timing Amid Inflation Concerns Federal Reserve policymakers are debating the timing of potential interest rate adjustments, with persistent inflation risks complicating the outlook for monetary easing. Some officials suggest rate cuts may occur later in 2026, while others maintain a hawkish stance due to ongoing price pressures. Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee indicated potential cuts if inflation trends towards the 2% target, while Fed Governor Michael Barr expressed caution, suggesting a longer wait for rate reductions. San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly emphasized the need for a moderately restrictive policy to ensure price stability. This internal debate is critical for digital assets like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), which are historically sensitive to U.S. monetary policy shifts.

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Fed Officials Split on Rate Cut Outlook Amid Persistent Inflation

Federal Reserve policymakers are currently engaged in a rigorous debate regarding the timeline for potential interest rate adjustments as inflation...

‍IMF Projects Multiple Bank of Japan Rate Hikes Through 2027 The International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts at least three interest rate increases by the Bank of Japan (BoJ) within the next two years. This marks a significant shift from Japan's historically loose monetary policy. The IMF's report also highlights concerns about Japan's public debt, warning that interest payments could double by 2031. The shift towards tighter monetary policy by the BoJ could impact global liquidity and risk-on assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum.

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IMF Forecasts Multi-Stage Bank of Japan Rate Hikes Through 2026

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has issued a significant update regarding Japan's monetary and fiscal trajectory, projecting at least th...

‍Ninth Circuit Denies Kalshi Stay, Nevada Moves to Halt Markets The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has rejected Kalshi's emergency request to halt enforcement actions by Nevada regulators. This decision removes the legal shield preventing civil action against the prediction-market operator. The ruling escalates the conflict between federally regulated derivatives and state gaming laws. Nevada regulators argue that Kalshi's event contracts constitute unlicensed gambling. The denial of the stay allows Nevada to seek an immediate temporary restraining order, potentially suspending Kalshi's operations for Nevada users. The case could set precedents for other states challenging prediction platforms. Kalshi's next recourse may be an emergency application to the U.S. Supreme Court.

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Ninth Circuit Denies Kalshi Stay as Nevada Moves to Halt Markets

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has officially rejected an emergency request from Kalshi, a major prediction-market operator, to pause enforceme...

‍Bitcoin Open Interest Plummets 55% as Leverage Unwinds The Bitcoin derivatives market is undergoing a significant deleveraging, with open interest dropping 55% from its peak to $44 billion. This marks the steepest contraction since April 2023. The decline is attributed to macroeconomic pressures, including a weakening USD, geopolitical instability, and volatility in bond markets. The U.S. labor market report and large-scale institutional selling have also dampened risk appetite. While recent CPI data supported spot buying, it was largely driven by short covering rather than new leveraged capital. Analysts suggest a cautious approach, with dollar-cost averaging potentially favored for long-term investors.

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Bitcoin Open Interest Drops 55% as Traders Unwind Leverage

The Bitcoin derivatives market is experiencing its most significant deleveraging event in nearly three years, with open interest plunging significa...

‍Bitcoin Faces Potential 20% Drop Amidst Bearish Patterns and Whale Activity Bitcoin (BTC) is under significant downward pressure, with technical indicators and on-chain data suggesting a potential move towards $56,000. A bearish pennant formation on the daily chart indicates a possible 20% decline. Concurrently, record inflows of Bitcoin to exchanges, particularly Binance, driven by large holders like the "Hyperunit whale," are increasing sell-side pressure. While some indicators hint at a potential market bottom, the immediate outlook remains cautious. Key levels to watch are the $56,000 support and $72,700 resistance.

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Bitcoin Bear Pennant and Whale Activity Signal Potential 20% Price Drop

Bitcoin (BTC) is facing significant downward pressure as of February 17, 2026, with technical patterns and on-chain data suggesting a possible move...

‍Kraken and ICE Chat Forge Institutional Crypto Access Kraken has integrated its OTC desk with ICE Chat, enabling institutional investors to access deep crypto liquidity directly through a familiar messaging interface. This partnership positions Kraken as the first digital asset platform authorized within the ICE Chat ecosystem, facilitating negotiations and execution of large block trades for crypto spot and options. The integration leverages ICE Chat's network of over 120,000 participants, including major financial institutions, and aligns with Intercontinental Exchange's broader strategy to expand its footprint in the digital asset sector. This move is seen as a significant step towards the institutionalization of the cryptocurrency market.

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Kraken Integrates with ICE Chat to Boost Institutional OTC Access

The US-based cryptocurrency exchange Kraken has announced a strategic integration of its over-the-counter (OTC) desk with Intercontinental Exchange...

‍Zircuit Finance Launches Institutional Yield Platform for USDC and USDT Zircuit Finance, backed by Pantera and Dragonfly, has launched an on-chain platform targeting an 8-11% APR for USDC and USDT holders. The platform aims to lower entry barriers for high-level asset management by offering diversified yield strategies through a simplified interface. Assets are allocated across regulated and decentralized venues, including Fidelity's tokenized money market fund, Aave, and Morpho. The platform leverages expertise from Monarq Asset Management, Forteus, and FalconX for strategy execution, risk management, and brokerage services. Incubated by Quantstamp, Zircuit Finance emphasizes robust security infrastructure, building on a heritage of securing over $200 billion in digital assets. The platform is now open for deposits, reminding participants that yields are variable and subject to market risks.

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Zircuit Finance Debuts Institutional Yield Platform for USDC and USDT

On February 17, 2026, Zircuit, a security-focused digital asset firm, officially announced the launch of Zircuit Finance....