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‍Cango Inc. Pivots to AI Compute and Global Expansion Cango Inc. (NYSE: CANG) has announced a significant strategic shift from Bitcoin mining to becoming an AI compute infrastructure platform. Leveraging existing energy assets and technical expertise, the company aims to bridge the "Power Gap" in the AI sector. Over the past year, Cango achieved operational milestones including 50 EH/s of hashrate efficiency and securing 50 MW of energy infrastructure across four regions. The company is now embarking on a three-phase roadmap to deploy GPU nodes, develop an orchestration platform, and create a global distributed inference grid.
‍Binance Strengthens SAFU Fund With $300M Bitcoin Acquisition The world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance, has significantly bolstered its Secure Asset Fund for Users (SAFU) by acquiring $300 million worth of Bitcoin (BTC). This strategic move, involving 4,225 BTC, reinforces the exchange's commitment to a Bitcoin-backed protection model amid market volatility. The total Bitcoin reserves in the SAFU wallet now exceed $720 million. This acquisition is part of Binance's broader initiative to transition its $1 billion user protection fund into Bitcoin, reflecting long-term confidence in the cryptocurrency. The exchange plans to maintain a target fund value of $1 billion, rebalancing if it drops below $800 million. This approach positions BTC as the primary collateral asset, a strategy being watched closely given current market sentiment and institutional positioning.
‍Crypto Prediction Markets: A New Frontier for Global Espionage Onchain prediction markets and decentralized derivatives are inadvertently becoming tools for state-level espionage. The transparency of blockchain ledgers transforms private insider information into open-source intelligence (OSINT). Several geopolitical events in early 2026 were preceded by massive trades on platforms like Polymarket and Hyperliquid, suggesting insiders are monetizing secrets. Incidents in late 2025 and early 2026 highlight vulnerabilities. A trader made nine-figure profits betting against BTC and ETH before a US tariff announcement. Another wagered on the capture of Venezuelan President Maduro before a covert US operation. These platforms are turning into real-time signal feeds for military movements. Foreign intelligence agencies are reportedly pivoting toward data mining blockchain activity, using AI to detect "unnatural" market movements as early-warning signals. These trades, often involving stablecoins on permissionless protocols, exist in a legal blind spot. The desire for profit is outweighing operational security, offering a low-risk method for tracking global superpower intentions.
‍Bloomberg Strategist: US Treasuries Poised for Major Trading Opportunity Amidst Crypto Volatility Mike McGlone, a senior macro strategist at Bloomberg, suggests that U.S. Treasury bonds are emerging as a significant trading opportunity. This outlook is based on observed "pump and dump" cycles in Bitcoin, gold, and silver, which could signal a broader shift towards disinflationary trends. McGlone's analysis indicates that commodities like gold, silver, and copper may reach "crypto-like" peaks in 2025 before a market cooldown redirects investors to stable government debt securities. The strategists notes that speculative peaks in high-risk assets historically precede a flight to safety. By February 2026, a cooling inflationary environment could make U.S. Treasuries a prime destination for institutional capital, especially if equity markets stabilize.
‍Bitcoin Whales Accumulate 40,000 BTC Amidst Price Dip Large investors, known as "whales," have strategically acquired approximately 40,000 BTC during a recent price correction that saw Bitcoin fall below $60,000. This significant accumulation by addresses holding 1,000 BTC and above, alongside purchases from Binance's SAFU and continued Spot Bitcoin ETF inflows, has fueled a recovery towards the $70,000 mark. Despite this buying pressure, Bitcoin faces technical resistance around $72,000. Analysts are closely watching the $66,000-$68,000 support zone, aligning with the 200-week EMA. The market remains cautious, with potential for consolidation or a deeper correction if key support levels fail to hold.
‍Minfin.com.ua Launches Crypto Monitoring Tool for Ukrainian Market The Ukrainian financial portal Minfin.com.ua has introduced an advanced cryptocurrency exchange monitoring tool. This platform offers real-time data, analytics, and transparency for investors in the digital asset landscape. It aggregates data from various trading platforms to combat information asymmetry and aid in risk management, providing a user-friendly interface for both professional and casual investors. This initiative by Treeum, the operator of Minfin.com.ua, signifies an expansion into digital financial services, aiming to bridge traditional finance and the decentralized economy.
‍Hyperliquid (HYPE) Surges 42% Amidst Market Downturn, Partners with Ripple Decentralized finance platform Hyperliquid (HYPE) has experienced a significant price increase of 41.5% over the past two weeks, outperforming a declining cryptocurrency market. This growth is attributed to a strategic partnership with Ripple Prime and a substantial reduction in token supply inflation. The integration with Ripple Prime, a key development for the U.S.-focused platform, aims to connect institutional liquidity with decentralized derivatives. Furthermore, Hyperliquid's recent HIP-3 upgrade introduced trading for commodities and traditional equities on-chain, diversifying its revenue streams. A crucial factor driving HYPE's valuation is the significant reduction in its token unlock schedule. February's unlock was cut by 88%, from 1.2 million to 140,000 HYPE tokens, alleviating approximately $34 million in monthly sell pressure. This, combined with token burns and increased adoption, has created a favorable supply-demand dynamic. Despite strong fundamentals, short-term trader sentiment shows some caution, with a decreased probability of HYPE retesting the $41 price level. This highlights a market trend favoring platforms with proven utility and sustainable tokenomics.
‍French Authorities Arrest Six in Crypto Ransom Kidnapping Case Six individuals, including a minor, have been apprehended in France in connection with the kidnapping of a magistrate and her mother. The abduction was reportedly a cryptocurrency ransom plot targeting the magistrate's partner, a digital asset entrepreneur. The victims were held for 30 hours before escaping. This incident highlights a rise in "wrench attacks" in France, where physical violence is used to extract digital assets. Data shows a significant increase in such crimes, with 25 suspects charged in 2025. Experts warn about the risks to publicly known crypto holders and advise strong operational security (OpSec).
‍Infini Exploit Attacker Trades Stolen Funds Amidst Market Volatility The wallet linked to the $50 million Infini protocol exploit has resurfaced after nearly a year. The attacker capitalized on a significant market downturn, purchasing $13.3 million worth of Ether (ETH) at an average price of $2,109, before routing the funds through Tornado Cash. This strategic move occurred during a period of substantial market liquidations, with approximately $2.56 billion in leveraged positions liquidated. The attacker's proficiency in timing market cycles was previously noted. The original exploit in early 2025 saw Infini lose $50 million in USDC, which was converted to DAI. Infini has pursued legal action against a former developer.
‍L2 Projects Re-evaluate Strategy Amidst Industry Shifts Layer 2 (L2) scaling solutions are reassessing their market positions due to changing industry sentiment. This comes as institutional setbacks, like Tencent's reported $700 million crypto loss, contrast with the growth of infrastructure firms such as TRM Labs, which achieved a $1 billion valuation. Following commentary from Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, L2 projects are reportedly re-evaluating their value propositions amid concerns of market undervaluation. This strategic pivot coincides with a broader shift in investment philosophy, with venture capitalists like Kyle Samani reportedly altering their strategies. Meanwhile, the regulatory technology (RegTech) sector continues to attract capital. TRM Labs secured $70 million in a Series C funding round, reaching a $1 billion valuation, signaling institutional demand for compliance-focused solutions in the evolving digital economy.
‍Xinbi Processes $17.9 Billion Amidst Global Regulatory Pressure The Chinese-language crypto guarantee service Xinbi has processed nearly $17.9 billion in transactions, demonstrating resilience despite regulatory actions and platform bans. TRM Labs reports that Xinbi has adapted by migrating operations and launching its own wallet system, XinbiPay, to facilitate money laundering and exchange of illicit goods. This highlights the ongoing challenge for regulators in combating decentralized financial crime infrastructure. Ari Redbord of TRM Labs noted, "Guarantee services like Xinbi are learning to survive enforcement by fragmenting across platforms and building their own infrastructure." The service, which previously received $8.4 billion in stablecoins linked to scam activities, continues to utilize Tether and other stablecoins for its operations.
‍TON Foundation Launches TON Pay to Fuel Telegram Crypto Commerce The Open Network (TON) Foundation has introduced TON Pay, a payments SDK aimed at transforming Telegram into a digital commerce hub. This initiative allows merchants and developers within Telegram Mini Apps to accept cryptocurrency payments natively, leveraging Telegram's 1.1 billion users for wider on-chain transaction adoption. TON Pay functions as a wallet-agnostic layer, simplifying settlements by removing friction from gas fees and checkout processes. Nikola Plecas, VP of Payments at TON Foundation, highlighted the system's optimization for speed and cost-efficiency, targeting sub-second confirmations and fees below one cent. Initial asset support includes Toncoin (TON) and Tether (USDT). The foundation plans future expansions to broader web environments, introducing features like recurring subscriptions and gasless transactions. This positions TON in competition with similar initiatives from X (formerly Twitter) and Coinbase, seeking to capitalize on Telegram's integration for social commerce.
‍Crypto ETP Outflows Slow to $187M as Trading Volumes Hit Record Last week saw crypto ETPs record $187 million in net outflows, a significant slowdown from the $3.43 billion withdrawn over the prior two weeks. This moderation occurred during a period of price consolidation, with Bitcoin testing the $60,000 level. While Bitcoin investment products saw outflows of $264.4 million, altcoin funds showed resilience. XRP funds attracted $63 million, Solana ETPs gained $8.2 million, and Ethereum products increased by $5.3 million. Despite net negative flows, weekly ETP trading volumes reached a record $63.1 billion. This high market engagement suggests robust institutional and retail participation. Total Assets Under Management (AUM) for global crypto ETPs settled at approximately $129 billion. CoinShares head of research James Butterfill noted that the slowing pace of outflows might signal a local bottom in the market.
‍Huobi HTX Integrates USDe Minting and Rewards Huobi HTX has expanded its offerings by integrating minting and redemption functionalities for USDe, a synthetic dollar protocol from Ethena. This allows users to interact with the Ethena ecosystem directly on the exchange. The new feature supports unlimited transaction amounts with consistent fee structures and direct integration with HTX spot accounts. To encourage adoption, Huobi HTX has launched a daily reward program for USDe holders, distributing weekly incentives. "Introducing USDe minting and redemption functions directly on the Huobi HTX platform provides more users with convenient access to advanced on-chain financial tools," stated Justin Sun, Global Advisor for Huobi HTX. This integration, operational as of February 9, 2026, aims to bridge DeFi yield strategies with traditional trading environments.
‍Bitcoin Traders Brace for $50K Floor Amid Macroeconomic Pressures Bitcoin (BTC) is facing significant macroeconomic headwinds that could push its price towards a $50,000 floor, despite recent stabilization above $70,000. Key U.S. inflation data and shifting Federal Reserve expectations are creating uncertainty. Analysts warn that current price action may be manipulative, designed to liquidate short positions before a deeper correction. Miner activity shows significant BTC deposits to exchanges, potentially increasing selling pressure. A retest of lower support levels, possibly near $50,000, is anticipated as the market navigates these challenges.
‍Story Protocol Delays Token Unlock to Focus on IP Licensing Story Protocol's co-founder, S.Y. Lee, has announced a six-month delay for the project's initial token unlock, now scheduled for August 2026. This strategic decision aims to align tokenomics with a revised business model prioritizing intellectual property licensing within the blockchain ecosystem. The protocol is shifting its focus from on-chain transaction fees to offline licensing of AI training data, particularly "uncrawlable" human-contributed data for enterprise agreements. Lee clarified that current low on-chain revenue is a misleading metric, as the core business model centers on licensing data to AI companies. This approach, akin to Worldcoin's earlier lock-up extension, is presented as a sign of long-term commitment to developing robust token use cases and ensuring ecosystem stability before wider circulation. The move reflects a trend among Layer 1 and Layer 2 protocols to bridge blockchain technology with traditional IP markets by securing high-value licensing partnerships.
‍Tether’s Gold Reserves Reach 148 Tons, Surpassing Major Central Banks Tether has accumulated approximately 148 tons of physical gold by the end of January 2026, valued at roughly $23 billion. This strategy has positioned the private entity among the top 30 global gold owners. The company acquired 26 tons of gold in Q4 2025 and an additional 6 tons in January 2026, exceeding the quarterly gold purchase activity of most national central banks. Tether's gold reserves now surpass those of Australia, the UAE, and Qatar. These holdings provide stability for the USDT stablecoin and back the Tether Gold (XAUT) token.
‍KuCoin to Showcase Web3 Trust Initiatives at Consensus Hong Kong 2026 KuCoin will participate in Consensus Hong Kong 2026, focusing on how AI-driven infrastructure can enhance market integrity. Edwin Wong, VP and Head of Risk Control at KuCoin, will join a panel on integrating AI and on-chain analytics into governance frameworks for user protection and market resilience. This participation follows KuCoin’s recent regulatory achievements, including a MiCAR license in Austria and DCE registration in Australia, underscoring a commitment to compliance and user protection in the evolving Web3 ecosystem. The exchange also recently co-hosted the 2026 World Laureates Summit, exploring blockchain's role in public governance and scientific collaboration.
‍HTX Ventures to Debut at Consensus 2026 Hong Kong; Justin Sun to Keynote HTX Ventures will make its official debut at Consensus 2026 Hong Kong from February 10-12, 2026. Justin Sun, TRON founder and Huobi HTX Global Advisor, will deliver a keynote address on "Building Resilient Blockchain Infrastructure for a Rapidly Changing World." HTX will also participate in the Alpha Night event on February 9, focusing on decentralized governance and ecosystem partnerships within the HTX DAO framework. The conference highlights the growing importance of Hong Kong in the digital asset space.
‍Coinbase Revives Super Bowl Presence with 90s Nostalgia Coinbase has returned to the Super Bowl stage with a minimalist, karaoke-style ad featuring the Backstreet Boys, four years after its viral QR code campaign. Marketing chief Catherine Ferdon stated the campaign aims to highlight crypto community growth using a recognizable cultural touchstone. The ad's simple lyric-based format generated mixed reactions, with some appreciating the approach and others expressing disappointment. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong defended the choice, noting that "something unique" is needed to capture audience attention during commercials. This strategy aims to maintain brand visibility amidst market fluctuations and the evolving Web3 landscape.