On 21 February 2026, developers and researchers reiterated that quantum computing is a distant threat to Bitcoin and Ethereum, not a current crisis. Bitcoin has slid about 46% from its October 2025 peak of $126,100 to roughly $67,000, while Ether is down around 58% to near $1,950; observers attribute recent moves to macro liquidity and capital shifts toward AI, rather than quantum fears.

On February 19, 2026, Chainalysis outlined how on‑chain cryptocurrency flows linked to darknet markets and fentanyl precursor suppliers can anticipate overdose trends by three to six months. The firm reported that darknet market inflows neared $2.6 billion in 2025, while mid‑2023 saw a sharp drop in payments to fentanyl precursor suppliers that aligned with declining opioid deaths in the U.S. and Canada. Larger crypto transfers above $500 also showed a strong relationship with stimulant‑related hospitalizations in Canada, underscoring blockchain’s dual role as both a facilitator of illicit activity and a tool for public health forecasting and law enforcement.

On February 19, 2026, HYPE traded around $31–$32, about 47% below its 2025 peak near $59. Arthur Hayes set a $150 target for July 2026 and placed a $100,000 outperformance wager against altcoins above $1 billion in market cap. Hyperliquid's model directs 50% of fees to token buybacks, with 2025 notional volume around $2.6 trillion.

On 17 February 2026, an analysis outlines base-case ranges for Litecoin, projecting $95–$120 in 2026. It suggests $150–$200 in a strong 2027–2028 cycle, with longer-term potential of $250–$300 by 2030, while cautioning that outcomes hinge on Bitcoin-led liquidity and macro conditions.

Between February 16–18, 2026, Cardano (ADA) traded near $0.30 after a monthly decline of almost 25% from around $0.37. Model-based projections indicate a February range of $0.298–$0.324 with an average near $0.311, implying up to roughly 8% upside by February 28. Short-term signals are mildly supportive, while higher timeframes remain cautious.

Nexo relaunched its U.S. crypto lending and exchange services on February 16–17, 2026 after leaving the market in 2022. Operations run through licensed partners, with trading infrastructure powered by Bakkt, and select services offered via an SEC‑registered investment adviser. The company says the lineup includes yield programs, spot trading and crypto‑backed credit, while the prior Crypto Earn product remains off the U.S. roster.

On 10 October 2025, around $6.93 billion in leveraged crypto positions were wiped out within an hour, with Bitcoin sliding about 15% from near $121,000 and Ethereum dropping roughly 20%. According to Amberdata, trading in World Liberty Financial Token (WLFI) turned highly volatile more than five hours before the crash, with volume jumping 21.7 times normal levels and funding rates hitting 2.87% per eight hours. The firm views WLFI's move as a case study in how structurally leveraged tokens can reflect systemic stress, but stresses this is based on a single observation rather than proof of predictive power.

Mirae Asset Consulting, an affiliate of Mirae Asset, agreed to acquire a 92.06% stake in South Korean crypto exchange Korbit for approximately 133.5 billion KRW ($92–$93 million) in cash. The deal was disclosed on February 13, 2026 after board approval on February 5, and is expected to close within seven business days once regulatory and contractual conditions are met.

In February 2026, a federal judge in the Eastern District of Virginia sentenced Praetorian Group International founder Ramil Ventura Palafox to 20 years for wire fraud and concealment money laundering linked to a Bitcoin Ponzi scheme. Prosecutors said the operation raised more than $201 million, took in at least 8,198 BTC, and drew over 90,000 investors, with confirmed losses of at least $62.7 million.