Oil prices eased as traders monitored unverified market chatter about a potential U.S. strike on Iran said to fall on February 23–24 and the timing of upcoming nuclear talks in Geneva. Reporting indicates that any U.S. action under discussion is framed as a limited strike while diplomats prepare for a new negotiating round this week. Equity traders also watched Exxon Mobil, which last showed 146.87 in overnight trading during early Asian hours.

In the week of Feb. 15–22, US spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $165.8 million in outflows on Thursday, bringing weekly redemptions to $403.9 million and pushing year-to-date losses to $2.7 billion, while trading volumes fell 21%. Metaplanet CEO Simon Gerovich rejected accusations that the firm delayed or obscured disclosures around its Bitcoin purchases, options strategy and BTC-backed borrowings. The period also saw fresh debate on stablecoin rewards in US Senate negotiations and ongoing discussions over quantum risks, with Bitcoin developer Matt Corallo arguing that such fears do not explain Bitcoin’s recent 46% drawdown.

The White House held a third closed-door session on Thursday to assess rules for rewards tied to stablecoin balances, a key element of a broader US crypto market-structure bill. The meeting began at 9 a.m. ET and included Ripple, Coinbase, bank trade groups, and industry associations; participants called it constructive, but no agreement emerged.

In a report published on Saturday, blockchain analytics firm Elliptic said five platforms—Bitpapa, ABCeX, Exmo, Rapira and Aifory Pro—are facilitating ruble-to-crypto conversions used by sanctioned Russian entities. Elliptic linked the network's rise to the March takedown of Garantex's website and highlighted flows including at least $11 billion at ABCeX, $19.5 million tied to Exmo, and $72 million involving Rapira.

According to Cryptopolitan, global markets face a busy slate this week, with trade policy shifts, Nvidia's Q4 2025 report on Wednesday, Friday's PPI, and 11 Federal Reserve speeches. Forecasts call for a Conference Board reading of 88.0 after 84.5, while policy signals include a proposed 10% global tariff under Section 122.

After the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a core element of Donald Trump's tariff program, about $8.2 billion in imported goods have been left in legal uncertainty as customs systems have yet to adjust. Importers are facing delays, potential overpayment of duties, and confusion over refunds, while the White House has moved to impose a new 15% global tariff under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974.

After several weeks of selling pressure, XRP, Bitcoin and Shiba Inu are showing early signs of stabilization, with XRP forming a possible double bottom near a key support area. Bitcoin is trading inside a tightening triangle around the mid-$60,000 range, while SHIB is squeezed between a rising trendline and its 26-day EMA. The next decisive moves from these compressed structures could steer the broader crypto market's direction in the coming trading sessions.

In the final week of February, Bitcoin ETFs recorded $315.9 million in outflows, with $303.5 million leaving BlackRock's IBIT, while Grayscale's BTC Mini ETF drew $36 million in fresh capital. Over the same period, Ethereum ETFs swung from a $48.6 million inflow to a $130.1 million outflow, but Solana products attracted consistent inflows, peaking at $6 million on 19 February. A new Active Crypto ETF plan from T. Rowe Price, announced on 17 February, highlighted growing institutional interest in a broader basket of digital assets.