<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> <rss version="2.0"> <channel> <title>Bitcoin Today - Bitcoin News Curated and Powered by AI</title> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app</link> <description>Get daily updates on Bitcoin's price, market trends, analysis, and breaking news curated and powered by AI - all digestible in minutes. Make BitcoinToday.app your one-stop shop for staying informed in the fast-paced world of Bitcoin.</description> <lastBuildDate>Thu, 26 Feb 2026 13:50:32 GMT</lastBuildDate> <docs>https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html</docs> <generator>https://github.com/jpmonette/feed</generator> <language>en</language> <image> <title>Bitcoin Today - Bitcoin News Curated and Powered by AI</title> <url>https://www.bitcointoday.app/images/logo-512.png</url> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app</link> </image> <copyright>All rights reserved 2024, BitcoinToday.app</copyright> <category>Bitcoin News</category> <item> <title><![CDATA[ETHZilla's Dramatic Rebrand: From Ethereum Treasury to Real-World Assets After 96% Stock Collapse]]></title> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app/article/ethzillas-dramatic-rebrand-from-ethereum-treasury-to-real-world-assets-after-96-stock-collapse</link> <guid>ethzillas-dramatic-rebrand-from-ethereum-treasury-to-real-world-assets-after-96-stock-collapse</guid> <pubDate>Thu, 26 Feb 2026 08:01:10 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[## ETHZilla's Strategic Pivot Former Ethereum treasury firm **ETHZilla** has announced a complete rebranding to **Forum Markets**, with plans to trade under the new ticker **FRMM** on Nasdaq starting March 2. This move formalizes a significant shift away from the company's original strategy of positioning itself as a public proxy for Ethereum exposure. ## The Rise and Fall of an Ethereum Treasury Strategy The company's shares peaked at **$107 on August 13, 2025**, shortly after announcing plans to build a **$425 million Ethereum treasury** following its pivot from biotech. This strategy initially attracted investor interest but ultimately unraveled as the stock price declined dramatically. **Shares have fallen approximately 96% from their August peak**, despite a 13.3% rise to $3.91 following the rebranding announcement. The company has been reducing its crypto holdings and selling assets to scale back exposure. ## High-Profile Investor Exits The rebrand follows **Peter Thiel's Founders Fund exiting its 7.5% stake in ETHZilla** during Q4 2025. The departure of this prominent early backer came as the stock slid sharply and the firm's positioning as a publicly traded proxy for ETH exposure faced increased scrutiny. ## New Focus: Tokenized Real-World Assets Under the Forum Markets name, the company plans to focus on developing **tokenized products backed by real-world assets**, using regulated infrastructure rather than holding large crypto positions on its balance sheet. This includes recent moves into **jet engine leasing and other aviation-related assets** to bolster its business model amid weakening Ethereum prices. ## Expert Analysis: The Fragility of Single-Asset Strategies Vincent Liu, chief investment officer at quantitative trading firm Kronos Research, told Decrypt: **"Single-asset treasury strategies are highly dependent on strong market conditions and sustained equity premiums."** He explained that such strategies could be considered **"fragile because its value is tightly linked to network activity,"** creating **"a correlation trap where purchasing power weakens during ecosystem downturns."** Liu further noted that **"Treasury-focused firms ultimately need revenue-generating businesses and broader asset exposure to remain relevant long term."** ## Market Fragmentation Challenges The vulnerability of single-asset strategies is compounded by **fragmentation across Ethereum's main network and its layer-2 chains**, which Liu said dilutes its narrative and premium. This condition is **"further undermined by the absence of a hard supply cap, leaving its long-term scarcity proposition open to question."**]]></description> <author>contact@bitcointoday.app (BitcoinToday.app)</author> <category>ethzilla</category> <category>ethereum</category> <category>rebrand</category> <category>tokenization</category> <category>stock</category> <enclosure url="https://cdn.decrypt.co/resize/1024/height/512/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/ethereum-decrypt-style-07-gID_7.jpg" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Meta's Crypto Comeback: Zuckerberg Plans Stablecoin Return in 2026]]></title> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app/article/metas-crypto-comeback-zuckerberg-plans-stablecoin-return-in-2026</link> <guid>metas-crypto-comeback-zuckerberg-plans-stablecoin-return-in-2026</guid> <pubDate>Wed, 25 Feb 2026 08:01:11 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[Meta, the tech giant behind Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, is reportedly planning a major return to the cryptocurrency space with a new stablecoin initiative set for the second half of 2026. ## Meta's Stablecoin Strategy According to sources familiar with the plans, **Meta is aiming to integrate stablecoin technology** into its platforms, potentially opening payment rails to its massive user base of over 3 billion people. The company is reportedly working with a third-party vendor to facilitate stablecoin-based payments and implement a new wallet system. One source indicated that Meta has sent out requests for proposals to potential partners, with **Stripe emerging as a likely candidate** for piloting the stablecoin project. Stripe's acquisition of stablecoin specialist Bridge last year, combined with Stripe CEO Patrick Collison joining Meta's board of directors in April 2025, makes this partnership particularly plausible. ## Competitive Landscape This move would position Meta in direct competition with other tech giants expanding into crypto payments. **Elon Musk's X platform** and **Telegram** are both developing their own payment systems as part of broader "super app" strategies. Meta's stablecoin initiative could leverage WhatsApp's peer-to-peer messaging service along with Facebook and Instagram's commerce tools to create a comprehensive payment ecosystem. ## Learning from Past Mistakes This isn't Meta's first attempt at entering the stablecoin market. The company famously launched the **Libra project in 2019** (later renamed Diem), which faced significant regulatory pushback and was ultimately shut down in early 2022. The project struggled with regulatory challenges and reputational issues stemming from the Cambridge Analytica scandal. However, the regulatory environment has shifted significantly since then. The **GENIUS Act**, signed into law by President Donald Trump, has established a legal foundation for U.S. stablecoin issuers for the first time. This regulatory clarity has opened doors for new market entrants that weren't available during Meta's initial stablecoin attempt. ## A More Cautious Approach Sources indicate that Meta has learned from its previous experience and is taking a more cautious approach this time. Rather than developing its own stablecoin from scratch, the company appears to be focusing on **partnering with established third-party providers** to handle the stablecoin infrastructure. "They want to do this, but at arm's length," said one source familiar with the plans. This strategy could help Meta avoid some of the regulatory scrutiny that plagued the Libra/Diem project while still enabling the company to offer cryptocurrency-based payments to its massive user base. ## Potential Impact If successful, Meta's stablecoin integration could revolutionize how billions of people conduct transactions online. By **bypassing traditional banking fees** and leveraging existing social networks, Meta could position itself as a global leader in social commerce and cross-border remittances. The company's vast user base across Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram provides a ready-made market for any payment system it implements, potentially accelerating cryptocurrency adoption on a scale never seen before.]]></description> <author>contact@bitcointoday.app (BitcoinToday.app)</author> <category>meta</category> <category>stablecoin</category> <category>facebook</category> <category>cryptopayments</category> <category>regulation</category> <enclosure url="https://cdn.sanity.io/images/s3y3vcno/production/7fcdd03012ff92078b98e20d2f529a24b954aadd-3840x2160.png?auto=format&w=960&h=540&crop=focalpoint&fit=clip&q=75&fm=jpg" length="0" type="image/png"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Nvidia Earnings Spark Crypto Rally: Solana & Polkadot Surge 8-11% as AI Hype Fuels Market]]></title> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app/article/nvidia-earnings-spark-crypto-rally-solana-polkadot-surge-8-11-as-ai-hype-fuels-market</link> <guid>nvidia-earnings-spark-crypto-rally-solana-polkadot-surge-8-11-as-ai-hype-fuels-market</guid> <pubDate>Wed, 25 Feb 2026 15:01:09 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[## Altcoins Lead Broad Crypto Rally Ahead of Nvidia Earnings Cryptocurrency markets climbed **3.7%** on Wednesday as traders positioned for **Nvidia's highly anticipated earnings report**, with the tech-focused bounce extending across major tokens. The total crypto market cap reached **$2.34 trillion** amid the surge. ### Top Performers in the Rally Among the top 50 cryptocurrencies by market cap, **Polkadot led with gains of 11.5%** in the past 24 hours, while **Solana jumped 8.1%**. Other notable movers included: - **Bittensor** (an "AI-proxy" token): rose 6.8% - **Uniswap**: gained 7.7% - **Avalanche** and **World Liberty Financial**: posted gains over 6% The surge liquidated over **$325 million** in positions across the market, according to CoinGlass data. ### The Nvidia Catalyst The rally comes as traders position for **Nvidia's fiscal 2026 fourth-quarter earnings**, due after Wednesday's close. The chipmaker has become a **bellwether for AI-driven tech sentiment**, with implications that increasingly spill into crypto markets. "This is the single most important catalyst in the window," Derek Lim, head of research at Caladan, told Decrypt. "The entire equity market, and crypto by extension, was positioning around this event." He expects Nvidia to report revenue of approximately **$65.7 billion**, a **67% increase year-over-year**. ### Market Dynamics Behind the Move Andri Fauzan Adziima, Research Lead at Bitrue, told Decrypt the move is a cocktail of **"institutional dip-buying, short liquidations, and easing tariff fears,"** rather than a direct bet on Nvidia's specific balance sheet. Lim added that Bitcoin's price action during the State of the Union address window was **"likely more Nvidia-driven than speech-driven."** ### Structural Concerns Remain Despite the immediate rally, broader market conditions remain precarious, according to Augustine Fan, Partner and Head of Insights at SignalPlus. "We remain mired in a **structural bear market** and are in desperate need for a new narrative to rescue us from this downtrend, but that seems to be a tall ask at the moment," Fan told Decrypt. "Support comes in at the mid-$55,000 area, while we would need a **short squeeze to take us back above $74k** before technicals start to improve. Path of resistance remains for lower prices in the meantime." Fan added that the current rebound followed a period of **oversold conditions** across both crypto and equities. "The trend continued into today on the back of a further short squeeze, in addition to anticipation of Nvidia earnings as well as some month-end buying against the lowered equity prices." He noted that upcoming Federal Reserve speakers are "expected to be supportive of markets, with rates traders already pricing in rate cuts well into 2027."]]></description> <author>contact@bitcointoday.app (BitcoinToday.app)</author> <category>altcoins</category> <category>marketrally</category> <category>nvidia</category> <category>solana</category> <category>polkadot</category> <enclosure url="https://cdn.decrypt.co/resize/1024/height/512/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/altcoins-solana-polkadot-dogecoin-litecoin-ethereum-decrypt-style-gID_7.jpg" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Is Bitcoin Mining Still Profitable? Analyst Warns of Critical Price Threshold]]></title> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app/article/is-bitcoin-mining-still-profitable-analyst-warns-of-critical-price-threshold</link> <guid>is-bitcoin-mining-still-profitable-analyst-warns-of-critical-price-threshold</guid> <pubDate>Tue, 24 Feb 2026 21:01:11 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[## Bitcoin Mining Profitability Under Pressure Bitcoin briefly sank **below $63,000** on Tuesday, dragging down its miners alongside it. According to a recent analysis, **Bitcoin mining is no longer profitable** after the cryptocurrency's latest downward turn. ### The Critical Price Point Analysts point out that the current price levels have pushed mining operations into unprofitable territory. When Bitcoin's price falls below certain thresholds, the **cost of electricity and hardware maintenance** begins to outweigh the rewards from mining new blocks. ### Market Impact on Miners This development has significant implications for the mining industry. Many operations rely on consistent profitability to cover their substantial **operational expenses**. With prices dipping, some miners may be forced to **scale back operations** or even shut down temporarily. ### Historical Context This isn't the first time mining profitability has come under pressure. Bitcoin has experienced similar cycles where price drops make mining economically challenging. However, the current situation highlights the **volatility inherent in cryptocurrency markets** and how it directly impacts the infrastructure supporting the network. ### Looking Ahead The situation serves as a reminder that Bitcoin mining remains a **highly competitive and capital-intensive industry**. Miners must constantly adapt to changing market conditions, with profitability closely tied to Bitcoin's market price.]]></description> <author>contact@bitcointoday.app (BitcoinToday.app)</author> <category>bitcoin</category> <category>mining</category> <category>profitability</category> <category>market</category> <category>analysis</category> <enclosure url="https://image.cnbcfm.com/api/v1/image/107389671-17108762062024-03-01t195610z_1004617346_rc2mht9utp1q_rtrmadp_0_usa-power-cryptocurrency.jpeg?v=1724265851&w=1920&h=1080" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Hackers Target Trump-Backed Crypto Group's Stablecoin in Social Media Attack]]></title> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app/article/hackers-target-trump-backed-crypto-groups-stablecoin-in-social-media-attack</link> <guid>hackers-target-trump-backed-crypto-groups-stablecoin-in-social-media-attack</guid> <pubDate>Tue, 24 Feb 2026 08:01:11 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[A crypto group supported by former President Donald Trump has reported a cyberattack on its stablecoin, World Liberty. The group claims that hackers gained access to some of its founders' social media accounts in an attempt to manipulate the token's price. **Key Details of the Attack** The attack focused on compromising social media profiles linked to the founders of the World Liberty stablecoin. According to the group, this was a deliberate effort to disrupt the token's market value by spreading misinformation or causing panic among investors. **Implications for the Crypto Market** This incident highlights ongoing security vulnerabilities in the cryptocurrency space, especially for projects with high-profile backers. **Stablecoins**, which are designed to maintain a stable value, can be particularly sensitive to such attacks, as trust is crucial for their adoption and stability. **Response from the Trump-Backed Group** The group has not disclosed specific details about the extent of the breach or any financial losses, but they have assured users that measures are being taken to secure accounts and prevent future incidents. This event raises questions about the resilience of crypto projects against social engineering and hacking attempts. **Broader Context** As cryptocurrencies gain mainstream attention, attacks like these underscore the need for enhanced security protocols and regulatory oversight. Investors should remain vigilant and consider the risks associated with digital assets, particularly those tied to political figures or controversial projects.]]></description> <author>contact@bitcointoday.app (BitcoinToday.app)</author> <category>hacking</category> <category>stablecoin</category> <category>trump</category> <category>security</category> <category>cryptocurrency</category> <enclosure url="https://images.ft.com/v3/image/raw/https%3A%2F%2Fd1e00ek4ebabms.cloudfront.net%2Fproduction%2F85731f5d-6fe3-44ae-8228-b363662a476b.jpg?source=next-barrier-page" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[OpenClaw Creator Bans All Bitcoin & Crypto Talk After Joining OpenAI - Here's Why]]></title> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app/article/openclaw-creator-bans-all-bitcoin-crypto-talk-after-joining-openai-heres-why</link> <guid>openclaw-creator-bans-all-bitcoin-crypto-talk-after-joining-openai-heres-why</guid> <pubDate>Mon, 23 Feb 2026 21:01:27 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[## OpenClaw's Discord Now Enforces Zero-Crypto Rule **Peter Steinberger**, the creator of the viral AI agent framework **OpenClaw**, has confirmed a strict ban on any mention of **Bitcoin** or cryptocurrency in the project's Discord server. This policy comes as Steinberger begins working at **OpenAI**, sparking discussions about the intersection of AI and crypto communities. ### Why the Ban Was Implemented Steinberger explained that the decision was driven by persistent harassment from **token promoters** and **scammers** who tried to profit from OpenClaw's popularity. In a recent interview on the Lex Fridman podcast, he described how the crypto community "swarmed" the Discord server: > "Every half hour, someone came into Discord and spammed it, and we had to block people." He added that the spam became so overwhelming that he "could barely see people talking about the project because it was like swarms." ### The Backstory of Harassment Earlier this year, Steinberger publicly addressed the issue on X, stating: > "To all crypto folks: Please stop pinging me, stop harassing me. I will never do a coin. Any project that lists me as coin owner is a SCAM." Users reported that even neutral references to Bitcoin led to moderation actions on the Discord server. The policy appears absolute—"No crypto mention whatsoever" is now a server rule that all members must accept upon joining. ### OpenClaw's Meteoric Rise OpenClaw (originally called Clawdbot) gained rapid attention as an **open-source framework for building AI agents**—software designed to perform tasks autonomously. The project skyrocketed to approximately **147,000 GitHub stars** in just weeks, fueling both genuine interest and opportunistic behavior. ### The OpenAI Connection Last week, Steinberger announced he had **joined OpenAI** to lead their push into personal AI agents. In a blog post, he explained: > "What I want is to change the world, not build a large company, and teaming up with OpenAI is the fastest way to bring this to everyone." He also revealed that OpenClaw would transition to a **foundation-run open-source project**. ### Community Reactions and Questions Some X users questioned how Steinberger's zero-crypto policy aligns with **OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's** involvement with **Worldcoin**, a digital identity network that issues crypto tokens. Others argued that cryptocurrency represents the best use case for AI agents like OpenClaw, with one user asking: > "What are all these AI agents going to make payments with? You building open-sourced decentralized networks on Visa rails?" Despite these concerns, Steinberger maintains that the Discord server is "a space about the project, not finance stuff." The ban appears to be his personal policy rather than an OpenAI directive, though the timing of his new role has fueled speculation about potential tensions between AI development and cryptocurrency integration.]]></description> <author>contact@bitcointoday.app (BitcoinToday.app)</author> <category>openclaw</category> <category>bitcoin</category> <category>openai</category> <category>aiagents</category> <category>cryptoban</category> <enclosure url="https://cdn.decrypt.co/resize/1024/height/512/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ai-decrypt-style-10-gID_7.png" length="0" type="image/png"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Bitcoin Balances on Binance Surge to Highest Since 2024: What This Means for Market Volatility]]></title> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app/article/bitcoin-balances-on-binance-surge-to-highest-since-2024-what-this-means-for-market-volatility</link> <guid>bitcoin-balances-on-binance-surge-to-highest-since-2024-what-this-means-for-market-volatility</guid> <pubDate>Mon, 23 Feb 2026 15:01:08 GMT</pubDate> <description>< ### Rising Balances Signal Potential Market Turbulence This surge in **Bitcoin balances** on Binance is often interpreted as a sign that investors may be preparing to **sell** or use their coins as **margin in derivatives trading**. Both scenarios typically lead to increased **price volatility** in the market. The weekend's high is believed to have been driven by a notable **crypto whale** moving large amounts of BTC to the exchange. ### Whale Activity and Market Impact Blockchain intelligence firm **Arkham** reported that a whale, possibly **Garret Jin**, transferred **$760 million in bitcoin** to Binance using Hyperliquid's cross-chain infrastructure. This large transfer occurred just six days after the same entity moved **half a billion dollars of ether** to the exchange. While it remains unclear whether the whale has liquidated these coins, the possibility cannot be ruled out, especially given that **bitcoin's price** dropped from **$67,600 to $64,400** during Asian trading hours early Monday. Since then, the price has recovered slightly, trading around **$65,850**. ### Key Takeaways for Investors - **Monitor exchange balances** as they can provide early signals of market sentiment and potential price movements. - **Large whale transfers** to exchanges often precede increased selling pressure, which can lead to short-term price declines. - **Stay informed** about derivatives market activity, as rising balances may indicate heightened trading in futures and options, contributing to volatility.]]></description> <author>contact@bitcointoday.app (BitcoinToday.app)</author> <category>bitcoin</category> <category>binance</category> <category>marketsentiment</category> <category>cryptowhale</category> <category>volatility</category> <enclosure url="https://cdn.sanity.io/images/s3y3vcno/production/4188f95da5664abffff8df4bd616ed948203e078-1920x1080.jpg?auto=format" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Bitcoin ETFs Bleed $3.8 Billion in Historic 5-Week Outflow Streak - Institutional Confidence Crumbles]]></title> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app/article/bitcoin-etfs-bleed-38-billion-in-historic-5-week-outflow-streak-institutional-confidence-crumbles</link> <guid>bitcoin-etfs-bleed-38-billion-in-historic-5-week-outflow-streak-institutional-confidence-crumbles</guid> <pubDate>Mon, 23 Feb 2026 08:01:07 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[## Bitcoin ETFs Face Unprecedented Outflows Investors have pulled nearly **$3.8 billion** from U.S.-listed spot Bitcoin ETFs over five consecutive weeks, marking the longest outflow streak since February 2025. This massive withdrawal highlights persistent institutional wariness toward Bitcoin following the early October crash. ### The Bleeding Continues Last week alone saw **$316 million vanish** from these funds, according to data from SoSoValue. Leading this concerning trend is **BlackRock's IBIT**, which has lost a staggering **$2.13 billion** over the same five-week period. ### Institutional Aversion Deepens This extended outflow streak demonstrates that institutions remain cautious about the leading cryptocurrency. The aversion began after the early October crash, which exposed Bitcoin's vulnerability to issues on offshore exchanges like **Binance**. ### Historical Context and Current Reality While the current outflow streak matches the length of February 2025's trend, it's less severe in dollar terms - **$3.8 billion versus $5 billion** back then. That previous streak preceded a significant market decline, with Bitcoin falling to **$75,000** in early April. Today, Bitcoin is already trading well below that level, hovering just under **$65,000** at the time of writing. ### What's Driving the Exodus? Analysts point to several factors contributing to this ongoing risk aversion: - **Lingering U.S.-Iran tensions** - **President Donald Trump's recent global tariff announcements** - **Technical price-chart factors** These combined pressures continue to test institutional confidence in Bitcoin's stability and growth potential.]]></description> <author>contact@bitcointoday.app (BitcoinToday.app)</author> <category>bitcoin</category> <category>etf</category> <category>outflows</category> <category>institutional</category> <category>market</category> <enclosure url="https://cdn.sanity.io/images/s3y3vcno/production/043b9dcd42e6224df9a268849dbafd18d2843014-1280x853.jpg?auto=format&w=960&h=540&crop=focalpoint&fit=clip&q=75&fm=jpg" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Why Mentioning Bitcoin Gets You Banned from OpenClaw's Discord: The $16M Scam That Nearly Destroyed the Viral AI Project]]></title> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app/article/why-mentioning-bitcoin-gets-you-banned-from-openclaws-discord-the-16m-scam-that-nearly-destroyed-the-viral-ai-project</link> <guid>why-mentioning-bitcoin-gets-you-banned-from-openclaws-discord-the-16m-scam-that-nearly-destroyed-the-viral-ai-project</guid> <pubDate>Sun, 22 Feb 2026 15:01:07 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[## The Crypto Ban That's Shocking the AI Community Mentioning **"bitcoin"** or any cryptocurrency on the **OpenClaw Discord server** will get you banned immediately—not for spamming or shilling, but simply for saying the word. This strict rule comes after a **weeks-long nightmare** where crypto scammers nearly destroyed the viral AI project from the inside. ### The Developer's Ordeal Peter Steinberger, the Austrian developer behind **OpenClaw**, has enforced a blanket **no-crypto rule** on the project's community server. This open-source AI agent framework has surged past **200,000 GitHub stars** since its release in late January, but the crypto chaos that followed almost led Steinberger to delete the entire project. A user who recently mentioned bitcoin in passing—in the context of using block height as a clock for a multi-agent benchmark, not promoting a token—was blocked immediately. Steinberger was clear about the ban in a follow-up reply on X: "We have strict server rules that you accepted when you entered the server. No crypto mention whatsoever is one of them." ### How Crypto Nearly Destroyed OpenClaw The trouble started after AI powerhouse **Anthropic** sent Steinberger a trademark notice over the project's original name, Clawdbot, which the AI company argued was too close to Anthropic's own "Claude." Steinberger agreed to rebrand, but in the brief seconds between releasing his old GitHub and X handles and securing the new ones, **scammers seized both accounts** and began promoting a **fake token called $CLAWD on Solana**. That token hit **$16 million in market capitalization** within hours. When Steinberger publicly denied any involvement, it crashed over **90%**, wiping out late buyers. Early snipers walked away with profits, and Steinberger was left fielding harassment from traders who blamed him for not endorsing the token. "To all crypto folks: please stop pinging me, stop harassing me," he wrote on X at the time. "I will never do a coin. Any project that lists me as coin owner is a **SCAM**. You are actively damaging the project." ### Security Vulnerabilities Exposed Security researchers at blockchain firm **SlowMist** and independent auditors found **hundreds of OpenClaw instances** exposed to the public internet with no authentication, partly because the tool's localhost trust model breaks when run behind a reverse proxy. Separately, a researcher found **386 malicious "skills"**—add-on scripts for OpenClaw agents—published on the project's skill repository, many targeting **crypto traders specifically**. ### Moving Forward Steinberger has since joined **OpenAI** to lead its personal agents division, with OpenClaw moving to an independent open-source foundation. The project is thriving, but the **crypto ban on Discord stays**, leaving a scar from a weeks-long episode that showed how fast **speculative token culture** can engulf a legitimate software project and nearly bury it.]]></description> <author>contact@bitcointoday.app (BitcoinToday.app)</author> <category>openclaw</category> <category>cryptoscam</category> <category>aisecurity</category> <category>discordban</category> <category>solana</category> <enclosure url="https://cdn.sanity.io/images/s3y3vcno/production/ce6e5878a3bba05bcb92f58c5d32dad187180ea3-1920x1080.jpg?auto=format&w=960&h=540&crop=focalpoint&fit=clip&q=75&fm=jpg" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Bitcoin Fear Peaks in U.S. as 'Bitcoin to Zero' Searches Hit Record Highs - What This Means for the Market]]></title> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app/article/bitcoin-fear-peaks-in-us-as-bitcoin-to-zero-searches-hit-record-highs-what-this-means-for-the-market</link> <guid>bitcoin-fear-peaks-in-us-as-bitcoin-to-zero-searches-hit-record-highs-what-this-means-for-the-market</guid> <pubDate>Sun, 22 Feb 2026 08:01:23 GMT</pubDate> <description>< The spike could be read as a signal of **widespread capitulation** and, potentially, a **contrarian buy signal**. Similar peaks in 2021 and 2022 occurred near local lows in the bitcoin price. ## Global Data Tells a Different Story Worldwide, the same term peaked at 100 back in August, falling to as low as 38 this month. Rather than setting record highs, **global fear searches have been declining for months**.  The divergence suggests any panic is **more localized than universal**. That fits the backdrop. U.S.-specific catalysts — such as tariff escalation, tensions with Iran and broader risk-off rotation in domestic equities — have dominated the macro narrative in recent weeks. Retail investors in the U.S. may be reacting to those headlines more acutely than holders in Asia or Europe, where bitcoin's drawdown is landing in a different news cycle. ## Understanding Google Trends Methodology There's also a methodological wrinkle worth flagging. Google Trends doesn't report raw search volume, but scores interest on a relative 0-to-100 scale, where 100 simply marks a term's own peak within the selected time window. A score of 100 in February 2026, when bitcoin's U.S. retail audience is meaningfully larger than it was during the 2022 bear market, doesn't necessarily mean more people are searching in absolute terms. It means the term spiked relative to a higher baseline. Bitcoin’s user base and mainstream visibility have themselves grown dramatically since 2021. The takeaway is that **retail fear is clearly elevated in the U.S.**, but the "searches hit a bottom" framework may not carry the same weight when the global trend is cooling. It may still be contrarian fuel, just not the kind that guarantees a clean trend reversal.]]></description> <author>contact@bitcointoday.app (BitcoinToday.app)</author> <category>bitcoin</category> <category>googletrends</category> <category>marketsentiment</category> <category>fearindex</category> <category>capitulation</category> <enclosure url="https://cdn.sanity.io/images/s3y3vcno/production/b46dad85bceee899f8adde6a1864d71ac623d7f2-1000x666.jpg?auto=format&w=960&h=540&crop=focalpoint&fit=clip&q=75&fm=jpg" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> </channel> </rss>