Throughout 2025 and into early 2026, Bitcoin holders have been re-evaluating why they own BTC as global and U.S. inflation data soften. While some investors question its role as an inflation hedge, firms like Strategy and figures such as Michael Saylor continue to accumulate Bitcoin for the long term amid high market fear and sharp price declines.

On February 14, 2026, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called for rapid passage of the CLARITY crypto market structure bill to bolster investor confidence amid sell-offs. He signaled a spring signing target and highlighted the 2026 midterms as a catalyst for urgency, with Polymarket showing split-control odds and U.S. House data reflecting a narrow Republican edge.

In an update dated February 14, 2026, Figure Technology said a social engineering scam enabled unauthorized access to a limited set of company files, while ShinyHunters claimed it leaked 2.5GB after demands were not met. In a separate case, Step Finance reported compromised treasury wallets; on-chain data showed 261,854 SOL moved, and CertiK estimated the value at nearly $29 million.

On February 13, 2026, Grayscale filed a proposal with the US SEC to convert its AAVE trust into an ETF that would trade on NYSE Arca, following a similar AAVE ETF filing by Bitwise in December of the previous year. AAVE, the governance token of the Aave protocol, has a market cap of about $1.8 billion and was trading at $119.02, up 4.87% in 24 hours, while Grayscale also moves to reshape its NEAR trust as an ETF and plans a 2.5% sponsor fee for the proposed AAVE product.

On February 14 2026, the Dutch House of Representatives approved the Actual Return in Box 3 Act, which would tax real returns on savings, investments and cryptocurrencies at a flat 36% from January 1 2028. The proposal covers gains on assets even when they are not sold, while real estate and qualifying startup shares are taxed on disposal but their rent and dividends remain taxed annually. Critics warn the measure could push investors and entrepreneurs to move capital, highlighting large long‑term differences in projected portfolio values under the new regime.

In 2025, cryptocurrency transfers linked to suspected human trafficking activities increased by 85%, with total flows reaching several hundred million dollars. According to blockchain analytics from Chainalysis, the funds moved through international escort services, scam-related labor recruitment channels, and sellers of child sexual abuse material, raising fresh concerns about illicit crypto use.

On February 13, 2026, SEC Chair Paul Atkins told the Senate Banking Committee the agency may begin supervising certain prediction markets. Citing Certik, the sector more than quadrupled in 2025 to $63.5 billion, spurring lawsuits and a push for coordinated SEC and CFTC oversight, with contract by contract reviews to determine when products resemble securities.

JPMorgan estimates that the average cost to mine one Bitcoin has declined from $90,000 to about $77,000 since the beginning of the year, following a roughly 15% drop in network difficulty and lower hashrate. The bank argues that this easing is pressuring high‑cost miners but improving margins and market share prospects for more efficient operators, while it continues to project a long‑term Bitcoin price target of $266,000.

On Thursday, February 12, Aave Labs ran an informal survey on the "Aave Will Win Framework" to direct 100% of product revenue to the Aave DAO treasury. The proposal aims to make token holders the primary beneficiaries and address tensions with the DAO. Analysts noted the move could strengthen Aave's long‑term outlook.