Optimism's OP token dropped more than 22% in 24 hours after Base decided to move away from the OP Stack to develop its own unified stack while maintaining mission-critical collaboration during the transition, Cointelegraph reported on Feb. 18, 2026. The shift means a notable share of transaction activity and one of the largest OP Stack revenue contributors will leave Optimism, with sell volume jumping over 157% to about $187 million in trades, futures flows showing more than $7.5 million in capital exiting exchanges within 12 hours, and spot flows reflecting $14.73 million in deposits versus $13.29 million in withdrawals for a net $1.45 million in OP. Long liquidations of around $1.28 million, compared with $80,000 in short liquidations, added to downside pressure, while technical factors such as the invalidation of an inverted head-and-shoulders pattern and a roughly 60% year-to-date price drop have reinforced the bearish structure. Analysts cited in the report warn that if selling persists and OP fails to hold support near $0.20, the price could slide toward or below $0.10.

Google data show searches for "Bitcoin is dead" are nearing previous peak levels as crypto market uncertainty mounts. The query historically spikes during downturns or prolonged consolidation, with similar surges recorded in 2013, 2018, and 2022 bear markets. Cointelegraph reported on Feb. 21, 2026, that the recurring pattern of extreme doubt followed by recovery suggests today's search jump may mark another episode in Bitcoin's repeated brushes with "end" predictions, though past performance does not guarantee future results.

Argentina's Securities and Exchange Commission (CNV) issued General Resolution No. 1108 allowing citizens to invest previously undeclared cash through cryptocurrency exchanges and other brokerages under the recently approved Fiscal Innocence Law. The funds can enter the local financial system via cash deposits to brokers or Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs), as well as virtual asset transactions to and from accounts at registered VASPs. CNV President Roberto E. Silva and Economy Minister Luis Caputo said the measure aims to channel excluded capital into investment markets and support the real economy, after years of currency controls and high inflation fostered widespread informality.

Santiment on-chain data show retail wallets holding less than 0.1 BTC have increased their share by about 2.5% since Bitcoin's all-time high last October, reaching the highest supply share since mid-2024, while large wallets holding 10 to 10,000 BTC have decreased by roughly 0.8%, BlockBeats reports on Feb. 21. Bitcoin is currently trading around $60,000. The analysis notes this divergence between retail accumulation and large-holder distribution typically coincides with volatile, directionless price action, with retail demand providing downside support and short-term upside impulse, though a durable rebound would require whales to shift from distribution to net accumulation.

Bitcoin wallets holding less than 0.1 BTC have increased their share of supply by about 2.5% since Bitcoin reached its all-time high last October, marking the highest proportion since mid-2024, on-chain data from Santiment show. Over the same period, addresses holding between 10 and 10,000 BTC saw their combined holdings decline by roughly 0.8%, while Bitcoin's price continues to fluctuate around the mid-$60,000 range. Market sentiment views this retail accumulation as potential bottom support and a driver of short-term momentum, but a more durable rebound would require large holders to shift from distribution to net accumulation, the report notes.

Bitcoin exchange-traded funds recorded over $125 million in net weekly outflows, reflecting institutions reducing BTC exposure amid recent price volatility, Cointelegraph reported on Feb. 21, 2026. The consistent outflows suggest a defensive stance from professional investors navigating shifting macroeconomic conditions, interest rate expectations and liquidity trends. Analysts cited by Cointelegraph noted that longer-term ETF inflows into Bitcoin remain intact, and future inflows could quickly restore confidence if broader financial conditions stabilize.

SBI Holdings launched Japan's first on-chain security token bonds totaling JPY 10 billion ($64.52 million) for retail investors, the company announced yesterday. The bonds are issued, managed and settled entirely on blockchain via BOOSTRY's "ibet for Fin" platform, where SBI digitally registers and tokenizes the instruments instead of using Japan's conventional securities settlement systems; investors will trade them on the START proprietary trading system operated by Osaka Digital Exchange, with secondary market trading scheduled to begin on March 25, 2026. Bondholders will receive XRP tokens equivalent to their subscription amount shortly after payment confirmation, and eligible investors must hold an SBI VC Trade account and complete required procedures by May 11; additional XRP rewards will be paid on interest payment dates in March 2027, March 2028 and March 2029.

Vitalik Buterin rejected a proposal to let Ethereum "slowly die," saying the chain could migrate via smart contracts within five years, Odaily Planet Daily reports. He backed a coupled extension and outlined four major upgrades to improve censorship resistance, ZK-friendliness, and simplicity.

Vitalik Buterin said he is building a "cypherpunk principled" Ethereum layer as an addition to the current system, targeting stronger censorship resistance and deeper zero-knowledge integration. The Ethereum co-founder also aims for leaner consensus at the base layer, which he said could happen within five years or sooner with AI assistance.