<?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>Tue, 24 Feb 2026 02:41:57 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[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[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 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> <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[Is Blue Owl's $1.4 Billion Liquidation Crisis the Spark for Bitcoin's Next Epic Bull Run?]]></title> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app/article/is-blue-owls-14-billion-liquidation-crisis-the-spark-for-bitcoins-next-epic-bull-run</link> <guid>is-blue-owls-14-billion-liquidation-crisis-the-spark-for-bitcoins-next-epic-bull-run</guid> <pubDate>Sat, 21 Feb 2026 21:01:07 GMT</pubDate> <description><]]></description> <author>contact@bitcointoday.app (BitcoinToday.app)</author> <category>bitcoin</category> <category>blueowl</category> <category>financialcrisis</category> <category>bullrun</category> <category>liquidity</category> <enclosure url="https://cdn.sanity.io/images/s3y3vcno/production/55a653914fe42ded965f2d4bc255f5d6c7ebf699-3000x2000.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's Critical Crossroads: Shrimps Are Buying But Whales Hold The Key To The Next Rally]]></title> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app/article/bitcoins-critical-crossroads-shrimps-are-buying-but-whales-hold-the-key-to-the-next-rally</link> <guid>bitcoins-critical-crossroads-shrimps-are-buying-but-whales-hold-the-key-to-the-next-rally</guid> <pubDate>Sat, 21 Feb 2026 15:01:08 GMT</pubDate> <description>< *Santiment data visualization showing Bitcoin wallet distribution* Meanwhile, larger holders known as **whales and sharks** (wallets holding between 10 and 10,000 BTC) have moved in the opposite direction, reducing their holdings by approximately **0.8%**. ### Why This Split Matters In practice, it's the larger holders who tend to set the tone for price direction. This kind of ownership split typically produces **choppy, frustrating price action** rather than clean trends. **Retail investors provide a floor** and can spark short-term momentum, but rallies that stick require bigger players who are prepared to buy whatever's on offer. The divergence is especially notable because the picture looked different just a few weeks ago. ### Conflicting Data Points After Bitcoin cratered toward $60,000 on February 5 (a drawdown of more than 50% from its October peak), **Glassnode's Accumulation Trend Score** climbed to 0.68. This was the strongest broad-based reading since late November, suggesting the market was shifting from capitulation into something more synchronized. Glassnode's metric measures the relative strength of accumulation across different wallet sizes by factoring in both entity size and the amount of BTC accumulated over the past 15 days. A score closer to 1 signals accumulation, while a score closer to 0 indicates distribution. During this period, the **10-to-100 BTC cohort** was the most aggressive dip buyer. However, Santiment's wider lens complicates this reading. Its 10-to-10,000 BTC band captures a much broader slice of large holders than Glassnode's dip-buying cohort, and across that full range, net positioning since October is still negative. ### Reconciling The Two Takes One way to reconcile these conflicting data points: mid-sized wallets may have genuinely bought the panic while the largest holders kept distributing into every recovery, dragging the aggregate number down. **This matters because Bitcoin doesn't need retail to show up—retail is already here.** What it needs is for the distribution from large wallets to stop, or better yet, reverse. Without that, every rally risks being sold into by the very cohort that needs to provide structural demand if it is to succeed. The shrimps are doing their part. Now they're waiting for the whales to join in.]]></description> <author>contact@bitcointoday.app (BitcoinToday.app)</author> <category>bitcoin</category> <category>whales</category> <category>marketanalysis</category> <category>santiment</category> <category>retail</category> <enclosure url="https://cdn.sanity.io/images/s3y3vcno/production/0eb87e7adf137db6976994a6bd9f3e5a4868bed3-1920x1080.jpg?auto=format" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Gold-Backed Stablecoins: The Crypto Market's Safe Haven Amid Bitcoin's Downturn]]></title> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app/article/gold-backed-stablecoins-the-crypto-markets-safe-haven-amid-bitcoins-downturn</link> <guid>gold-backed-stablecoins-the-crypto-markets-safe-haven-amid-bitcoins-downturn</guid> <pubDate>Fri, 20 Feb 2026 15:01:08 GMT</pubDate> <description>< Image source: Getty Images. But PAX Gold has one clear advantage over Tether Gold: it is **fully regulated by U.S. banking authorities**, and is generally more accessible than Tether Gold for U.S. investors. For that reason, PAX Gold gets my vote over Tether Gold. For a total cost of $1,000, you can pick up about 0.2 tokens at today's prices. ## Physical gold, Bitcoin, or tokenized gold? A year ago, some investors touted Bitcoin as **digital gold**. It was presumed to be the one safe asset that you needed to have in your crypto portfolio. These enthusiasts considered it just as valuable and appealing as physical gold. But during the past 12 months, the prices of Bitcoin and physical gold have radically diverged, and that's leading investors to question the digital gold investment thesis. During the past 12 months, gold is up a head-spinning 71%, while Bitcoin has taken a serious hit in value. For that reason, money has now been flowing into **gold-backed stablecoins**. At the end of 2025, this was a $4 billion market opportunity. Just two months into 2026, it's now a $5 billion market opportunity. As long as the price of gold continues to climb, so will the demand for gold-backed stablecoins. Investors now have several different ways to get their gold exposure. They can buy physical gold bars. They can invest in **gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs)**. And now they can invest in **tokenized gold** in the form of stablecoins. Investors in PAX Gold can exchange their tokens at any time for physical gold, just as owners of dollar-pegged stablecoins can exchange their tokens for physical dollars at any time. Think of it as owning the right to pick up physical gold at any time, without all the worries of actually owning physical gold bars. At a time when nearly all major cryptocurrencies are trending down, there are few safe spots to park your money in the crypto market right now. That's why I'm keeping my eye on tokenized gold as a potential investment opportunity in 2026.]]></description> <author>contact@bitcointoday.app (BitcoinToday.app)</author> <category>gold</category> <category>stablecoins</category> <category>cryptomarket</category> <category>investment</category> <category>regulation</category> <enclosure url="https://g.foolcdn.com/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fg.foolcdn.com%2Feditorial%2Fimages%2F856321%2Fgold-bars-and-coins.jpg&w=1200&op=resize" length="0" type="image//image/"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Trump's Mar-a-Lago Crypto Summit: A 'Retribution' Show of Force with Global Elites]]></title> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app/article/trumps-mar-a-lago-crypto-summit-a-retribution-show-of-force-with-global-elites</link> <guid>trumps-mar-a-lago-crypto-summit-a-retribution-show-of-force-with-global-elites</guid> <pubDate>Fri, 20 Feb 2026 08:01:08 GMT</pubDate> <description>< ## World Liberty Financial Takes Center Stage The inaugural conference hosted by **World Liberty Financial (WLF)**—the Trump family's main crypto venture—drew 400 dignitaries including two US senators, hedge fund manager Philippe Laffont, Franklin Templeton CEO Jenny Johnson, and billionaire **Binance founder Changpeng Zhao**, who was pardoned by Trump last year. Donald Trump Jr, Eric Trump, and the sons of Steve Witkoff (Trump's special envoy to the Middle East) served as masters of ceremonies for what Eric Trump called "**retribution**" from the stage. "When we lost the ability to bank, we created World Liberty Financial," Eric Trump declared, while Donald Trump Jr added that Wall Street's biggest lenders "wanted us to crawl into the corner and die. They created a monster."  ## The Growing Clout of a Crypto Upstart Wednesday's forum underscored the growing influence of a company that remains relatively small by industry standards. **WLF's dollar-pegged coin USD1 has a market capitalization of about $5 billion**, while stablecoins operated by competitors Tether and Circle are valued at $185 billion and $73 billion respectively. The group's allure has been polished by its connections to the president, whose administration has put **crypto at the heart of its financial policies**. The Trump family's crypto empire reportedly reaped roughly **$1 billion in pre-tax profits** in the year to October 2025. Earlier this month, WLF acknowledged accepting a **$500 million investment backed by an Abu Dhabi royal** days before Trump's inauguration last January, though the company denied any connection to later agreements granting the UAE access to US AI chips. ## Ignoring the Market Sell-Off Between coffee breaks and a lunch of assorted meats and boiled vegetables, speakers largely ignored the **sell-off that has gripped bitcoin and other major digital tokens since October**. Instead, discussions focused on the impact of AI on US capital markets and the surging popularity of event contracts on sports and political developments.  Commodity Futures Trading Commission chair Michael Selig described prediction markets as a "check on our news media," while Republican Senator Bernie Moreno hit out at unidentified "maniacal lunatics" in the Biden administration. Nicki Minaj described her "love" for Treasury secretary Scott Bessent. ## The Crypto Legislation Battle Crypto legislation proved another popular subject as traditional banks remain locked in a fierce fight with crypto players like **Coinbase** over the details of the **Clarity Act**. Coinbase's Brian Armstrong became a significant holdout on early drafts when Wall Street lenders pushed to close what they describe as a "loophole" that would allow crypto groups to offer rewards to customers holding dollar-pegged stablecoins. Goldman's David Solomon presented the fight as one for an equal playing field: "If there are people that think we're going to operate without rules, they're probably wrong, and they should move to El Salvador."  ## Building the Infrastructure for the Future WLF co-founder Zak Folkman outlined ambitious plans for the company, which applied for a **US banking license in January** to broaden its access to the traditional financial system. He envisioned a future where retail traders could use "tokenised luxury floating villas in the Maldives" as collateral for loans extended by code, and where **AI agents would shop on investors' behalf using WLF's stablecoin USD1**. "We're building the entire infrastructure for the future," Folkman concluded. At the drinks reception by the pool later that night, it was hard to find anyone who didn't think WLF was on the right track. ]]></description> <author>contact@bitcointoday.app (BitcoinToday.app)</author> <category>trump</category> <category>maralago</category> <category>stablecoin</category> <category>cryptosummit</category> <category>worldlibertyfinancial</category> <enclosure url="https://images.ft.com/v3/image/raw/https%3A%2F%2Fd1e00ek4ebabms.cloudfront.net%2Fproduction%2F30c6ec67-2d75-4a0a-a661-34d39ef42d61.jpg?source=next-article&fit=scale-down&quality=highest&width=700&dpr=1" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Crypto Billionaire's $400M Nightmare: The 'Perfect Fraud' That Fooled a Financial Titan]]></title> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app/article/crypto-billionaires-400m-nightmare-the-perfect-fraud-that-fooled-a-financial-titan</link> <guid>crypto-billionaires-400m-nightmare-the-perfect-fraud-that-fooled-a-financial-titan</guid> <pubDate>Thu, 19 Feb 2026 08:01:22 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[## The Crypto-Loving Billionaire and the $400M 'Perfect Fraud' Mexican billionaire **Ricardo Salinas Pliego**, known for his outspoken support of Bitcoin and cryptocurrency, found himself embroiled in a **transatlantic legal battle** after what he describes as a "perfect fraud" that cost him approximately **$400 million**. ### A Deal with 'Financial Royalty' Salinas, who has publicly advocated for Bitcoin as a hedge against inflation and traditional financial systems, believed he was dealing with what he called "financial royalty" - sophisticated international investors and institutions. The businessman, whose net worth exceeds $13 billion, thought he had secured a lucrative financial arrangement that aligned with his crypto-forward investment philosophy. ### The Unraveling of a Complex Scheme Instead of the promised returns, Salinas discovered he had become entangled in what court documents describe as an **elaborate international fraud scheme**. The case has revealed: - **Complex financial instruments** that were misrepresented to the billionaire - **False claims of institutional backing** from reputable financial entities - **International money movements** across multiple jurisdictions - **Documentation that appeared legitimate** but contained critical misrepresentations ### Legal Battles Across Borders The case has sparked **legal proceedings in multiple countries**, with Salinas pursuing recovery of his substantial losses. The billionaire's legal team has characterized the scheme as particularly sophisticated, designed to exploit the trust of high-net-worth individuals interested in alternative investments like cryptocurrency. ### Implications for Crypto Investors This case highlights the **risks facing even sophisticated investors** in the cryptocurrency and alternative investment space. Salinas, despite his financial acumen and experience with volatile markets, fell victim to a scheme that: - **Exploited the growing interest** in cryptocurrency and digital assets - **Leveraged the credibility** of traditional financial terminology and structures - **Targeted investors** looking beyond conventional investment vehicles ### The Ongoing Investigation Authorities in multiple countries are investigating the network behind what Salinas calls the "perfect fraud." The case has drawn attention to the **regulatory gaps** in international finance and the challenges of pursuing complex fraud cases across jurisdictions. Salinas continues to be a vocal advocate for Bitcoin, recently stating that he keeps the majority of his liquid assets in the cryptocurrency, but this experience has added a cautionary note to his public commentary about investment risks.]]></description> <author>contact@bitcointoday.app (BitcoinToday.app)</author> <category>fraud</category> <category>billionaire</category> <category>legal</category> <category>investment</category> <category>crypto</category> <enclosure url="https://images.ft.com/v3/image/raw/https%3A%2F%2Fd1e00ek4ebabms.cloudfront.net%2Fproduction%2Fab264835-865d-4382-be8b-be9f97482aff.jpg?source=next-barrier-page" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Bitcoin's 'Going to Zero' Searches Skyrocket as Market Plunges into 'Extreme Fear' Territory]]></title> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app/article/bitcoins-going-to-zero-searches-skyrocket-as-market-plunges-into-extreme-fear-territory</link> <guid>bitcoins-going-to-zero-searches-skyrocket-as-market-plunges-into-extreme-fear-territory</guid> <pubDate>Thu, 19 Feb 2026 21:01:08 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[## Bitcoin's Recent Plunge Sparks Panic Searches Bitcoin's recent price decline has triggered a wave of concern among investors, with **Google Trends data** showing a significant spike in searches for terms like **'Bitcoin going to zero'** and **'Is Bitcoin dead?'** These queries have reached their highest levels since 2022, reflecting growing anxiety in the crypto market. ## Market Sentiment Hits 'Extreme Fear' The **Crypto Fear and Greed Index**, which analyzes market sentiment using variables like volatility and social media activity, recently hit a score of 5—matching its lowest-ever mark from 2019. This indicates the market is in **'Extreme Fear'** territory, a stark contrast to higher scores that typically signal greed and rising prices. ## Price Predictions and Expert Analysis As of Thursday afternoon, Bitcoin was trading around **$66,561**, down approximately **47%** from its October all-time high of $126,080. Predictors on platforms like **Myriad Markets** and **Polymarket** are leaning bearish: - Myriad Markets gives about **64% odds** that Bitcoin will 'dump' to $55,000 before pumping to $84,000. - Polymarket traders are even more confident, with **68% odds** that BTC will hit $60,000 before reaching $80,000. - On Kalshi, predictors estimate a **36% chance** that Bitcoin will trade below $40,000 this year. Despite the pessimism, experts don't foresee Bitcoin hitting zero. **Standard Chartered** analysis suggests a potential drop to **$50,000** before a rebound to all-time highs. Similarly, **CryptoQuant analysts** have identified **$55,000** as Bitcoin's 'ultimate bear market bottom,' a level that may serve as a consolidation point before recovery. ## Undeterred Advocates and Continued Accumulation Prominent Bitcoin supporters remain steadfast. **Michael Saylor**, co-founder and Executive Chairman of **MicroStrategy**, continues to advocate for Bitcoin accumulation, stating the firm will buy Bitcoin **'every quarter, forever.'** MicroStrategy's Bitcoin holdings are valued at approximately **$47 billion**, underscoring long-term confidence despite recent losses. Saylor addressed the 'going to zero' fears directly: **'If you think it's going to zero, then we'll deal with that. But I don't think it's going to zero.'** ## Current Market Snapshot Bitcoin is down **0.6%** in the last 24 hours, highlighting ongoing volatility. The combination of rising panic searches, extreme fear sentiment, and mixed expert predictions paints a complex picture for Bitcoin's near-term trajectory.]]></description> <author>contact@bitcointoday.app (BitcoinToday.app)</author> <category>bitcoin</category> <category>marketsentiment</category> <category>fearandgreed</category> <category>priceanalysis</category> <category>googletrends</category> <enclosure url="https://cdn.decrypt.co/resize/1024/height/512/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/bitcoin-crack-decrypt-style-gID_7.jpg" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Bitcoin's $40K Put Option Surges as Second-Largest Bet Ahead of February Expiry - What This Means for BTC]]></title> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app/article/bitcoins-40k-put-option-surges-as-second-largest-bet-ahead-of-february-expiry-what-this-means-for-btc</link> <guid>bitcoins-40k-put-option-surges-as-second-largest-bet-ahead-of-february-expiry-what-this-means-for-btc</guid> <pubDate>Thu, 19 Feb 2026 15:01:07 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[## Bitcoin's $40,000 Put Option Emerges as Second-Largest Bet Ahead of February Expiry The **$40,000 put option** has become one of the most significant positions in Bitcoin's market ahead of the **February 27 expiry**, highlighting strong demand for **downside protection** following a significant selloff. ### Understanding Options and Their Role Options are derivatives that give holders the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell Bitcoin at a predetermined price before expiry. **Put options** act as insurance against price declines, paying out if BTC falls below a set strike price. ### Market Positioning and Key Data The **$40,000 put** is now the **second-largest strike by open interest**, with approximately **$490 million in notional value** tied to that level. This underscores the appetite for **deep tail-risk hedges** as Bitcoin has declined by up to **50% from its October highs** and is currently trading around **$66,000**. **Data from Deribit**, the Dubai-based exchange owned by Coinbase, reveals that roughly **$7.3 billion in Bitcoin options notional value** is set to expire at the end of the month. ### Max Pain and Market Dynamics Meanwhile, **$566 million sits at the $75,000 strike**, which also represents the **max pain level**. Max pain refers to the price at which the greatest number of options expire worthless, minimizing payouts to buyers. With the spot price trading below $75,000, a move higher into expiry could reduce losses for call sellers. ### Call vs. Put Ratio and Market Sentiment Although **calls outweigh puts overall** (63,547 call contracts versus 45,914 puts), positioning is not purely bullish. The **put-to-call ratio of 0.72** indicates that upside bets still dominate, but the concentration of sizable put open interest at lower strikes highlights clear demand for **downside insurance**. Traders are maintaining exposure to a potential rebound while simultaneously **hedging against the risk of another sharp decline**.]]></description> <author>contact@bitcointoday.app (BitcoinToday.app)</author> <category>bitcoin</category> <category>options</category> <category>deribit</category> <category>marketanalysis</category> <category>hedging</category> <enclosure url="https://cdn.sanity.io/images/s3y3vcno/production/83a81552dfb638b67395b881fc53c29e77c89e4b-2400x1200.png?auto=format&w=960&h=540&crop=focalpoint&fit=clip&q=75&fm=jpg" length="0" type="image/png"/> </item> </channel> </rss>