In a February 14, 2026 post on X, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin warned that many prediction markets are tilting toward short-term speculation and gambling-style activity. He outlined an alternative model where onchain markets work with AI assistants to hedge household and business expenses against inflation, while supporters argue platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi can still provide decentralized economic intelligence amid rising US regulatory scrutiny.

Anthony Pompliano said easing inflation is challenging Bitcoin's long-term thesis centered on finite supply and monetary expansion. The Consumer Price Index slowed to 2.4% in January from 2.7%, and Bitcoin traded near $68,850, down about 28% over the past month amid an "Extreme Fear" sentiment reading of 9.

The Dutch House of Representatives has voted to advance a bill introducing a 36% capital gains tax on savings, most liquid investments and cryptocurrencies, including unrealized gains. The measure, targeted for implementation in the 2028 tax year, still requires approval from the Senate and has drawn criticism over potential investor relocation and capital outflows. Dutch indirect crypto investments reached about €1.2 billion by October 2025, while some market participants warn the proposal could weaken the country's appeal for fintech and digital asset businesses.

Two California teenagers, aged 16 and 17, were charged after a Jan. 31 home invasion in Scottsdale allegedly aimed at seizing $66 million in cryptocurrency. Police intervened during the attack, recovered restraints and a 3D‑printed gun, and later released both on $50,000 bail with electronic monitoring as prosecutors seek to try them as adults.

El Salvador President Nayib Bukele holds a 91.9% approval rating in a poll of 1,200 people, with security gains cited as the key driver. On February 5, 2026, he responded on X, while Bitcoin usage remains limited despite 2021 legal‑tender status and amid ongoing IMF talks over policy and the Chivo wallet.

In the first week of February, crypto startups secured about $258 million in fresh capital even as the wider digital asset market saw an estimated $2 trillion drawdown. The largest deal was Anchorage Digital's $100 million round, followed by TRM Labs with $70 million and Jupiter with $35 million, while Andreessen Horowitz recently raised over $15 billion to target AI and crypto innovation.

Trend Research rapidly reduced its Ether position by more than 400,000 ETH and sent large amounts of Aave-wrapped ETH to Binance within a week to manage leveraged debt exposure. Over the same downturn, Ether nearly fell 30%, putting Trend Research’s collateral at risk of liquidation and leaving BitMine Immersion Technologies with more than $7 billion in unrealized losses on its 4.28 million ETH treasury.

FTX customers and Fenwick & West reached a proposed settlement in a fraud lawsuit, with both sides planning to seek approval from a Florida federal court on Feb. 27. The terms were not disclosed, and the parties asked the court to pause deadlines while they finalize the agreement. The case follows the exchange’s collapse in November 2022.

On Monday, US President Donald Trump said he did not know about a reported $500 million investment by an Abu Dhabi royal into the crypto venture World Liberty Financial. The deal would involve a 49% stake and an initial $250 million tranche; Trump noted his sons handle the business and said they receive investments from various parties.