On February 16, 2026, at the Consensus Hong Kong conference, policymakers outlined steps to bolster the city's digital asset market, including a perpetual contract framework and plans to grant the first stablecoin licenses next month. Regulators SFC and HKMA signaled willingness to engage industry, while major firms said they are implementing or exploring blockchain. Executives added that clearer direction is encouraging for investment.

Dogecoin climbed over 18% within 24 hours after X's Head of Product Nikita Bier confirmed that Smart Cashtags would roll out in the coming weeks. The move pushed DOGE above a key neckline near $0.11, with on-chain spot accumulation and rising Spot Taker CVD suggesting the rally was backed by real demand rather than leverage. Price now faces downtrend resistance around $0.127, with higher resistance zones near $0.15 and $0.20 if bulls can sustain momentum.

Bitcoin climbed back toward $70,000 as a new $736 million wave of short liquidations hit the market, clearing out crowded bearish positions. The move followed a deeper drop below the $73,000 realized price level, where many active holders were sitting on unrealized losses. With funding rates normalizing and open interest sharply reduced, derivatives data point to a leverage reset that could support further upside if spot demand strengthens.

SPX6900 [SPX] rebounded from a drop to $0.22, defended the $0.30 support, and briefly climbed to a two-week peak at $0.36 before easing to about $0.332. Open Interest, derivatives volume, and buy-side pressure all increased, prompting traders to weigh whether the memecoin can revisit $0.40 and the prior $0.56 resistance or instead retreat toward $0.28.

On February 15, 2026, the United States added Alibaba and BYD to a government watchlist, increasing oversight of the two major Chinese companies. The move heightens regulatory and geopolitical risk for investors, may affect future US-related partnerships, and fits into Washington's broader strategy of tightening controls on Chinese technology and advanced manufacturing sectors.

Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao argues that insufficient onchain privacy is preventing broader use of cryptocurrencies for payments, saying transparent payrolls and expenses deter enterprises. He previously told All-In Podcast host Chamath Palihapitiya that such openness can pose physical security risks. Avidan Abitbol and Eran Barak contend that business confidentiality needs and advancing AI make privacy tools increasingly essential.

On February 15, Bloomberg Intelligence strategist Mike McGlone argued that Bitcoin’s ongoing pullback and broader crypto weakness could be an early warning of the next U.S. recession rather than a normal correction in speculative markets. He highlighted Bitcoin’s recent failure to hold above $70,000, stretched U.S. equity valuations, and subdued index volatility as signs that the long-standing "buy-the-dip" regime since 2008 may be nearing exhaustion. McGlone also pointed to Bitcoin’s tight alignment with major stock indices and outlined scenarios in which deeper equity declines could pull the cryptocurrency toward $56,000 or even $10,000.

On February 15, 2026, Iran indicated it may accept restrictions on its nuclear program in return for sanctions relief, highlighting a potential shift in its stance toward the United States. Markets are watching whether renewed diplomacy could unlock frozen assets, boost Iranian oil exports and increase volatility in energy and regional assets.