Current Cryptocurrency News for Tuesday, February 10, 2026. Bitcoin, Ethereum, Altcoins, Regulation, and Key Trends in the Global Crypto Market for Investors.
As of the morning of February 10, 2026, the cryptocurrency market is showing signs of recovery after one of the sharpest sell-offs in recent months. Bitcoin is trading around the $70,000 mark, bouncing back from a recent yearly low (~$60,000 recorded during the panic selling on February 6). Ethereum (ETH) is holding steady at around $2,100 after dipping to ~$1,750 last week. The total market capitalization of the crypto space is estimated at approximately $2.4 trillion – nearly $2 trillion below the October 2025 peak (~$4.4 trillion), highlighting the ongoing caution among investors. Market sentiment remains tense: the "fear and greed" index for digital assets is nestled in extreme "fear" territory (below 10 points out of 100), reflecting prevalent concerns among market participants.
Such a sharp decline in prices at the beginning of February was prompted by a combination of adverse factors, ranging from tough signals from the U.S. Federal Reserve to a series of large liquidations on derivatives platforms. Nevertheless, the technical bounce observed in recent days has been supported by the interest from buyers looking to take advantage of the lowered prices. A moderate influx of capital has pushed Bitcoin back above the psychologically significant $70,000 level, although risk appetite remains weak. Investors are closely monitoring the macroeconomic developments and preparing for the release of key inflation and labor market data in the U.S. (scheduled for February 11), which could set the tone for future market movements.
Market Overview: Correction and Cautious Bounce
Even at the end of 2025, the cryptocurrency market was reaching historical highs; however, the dynamics shifted sharply downwards with the onset of 2026. Rapid tightening of external conditions has dampened global risk appetite. Following a series of record highs in Bitcoin and Ethereum last year, the price plunge in January 2026 marked the most serious test for the industry in the last 18 months. The market lost nearly a third in just the first week of February before finding a local bottom. The overall industry capitalization shrank by about 45% from peak values, with stablecoins momentarily becoming the leaders in trading volume as many traders moved funds into these "safe havens" amid the storm.
As we enter the second week of February, the market is observing a timid stabilization. Certain previously oversold assets are leading the way in growth; however, a broad rally has yet to materialize. High trading volumes during the bounce indicate real demand, yet resistance in the $72,000-$73,000 range for Bitcoin remains unbroken. Market participants are still cautiously assessing prospects: the persistent hawkish rhetoric from central banks and geopolitical uncertainty continues to restrain a confident return of capital to risk assets. Until there is clarity on the macroeconomic backdrop, the market is likely to oscillate between attempts at growth and fears of further sell-offs.
Bitcoin: Yearly Low and Signs of Support
Last week, Bitcoin (BTC) dropped to its lowest value in over a year, plunging below $60,000 in the midst of the panic on February 6. Since its October record (~$120,000), the original cryptocurrency has lost about 50% of its value, largely due to profit-taking by major players and a reduction in market liquidity. An additional trigger for the sell-off came from news surrounding Kevin Warsh's nomination for the head of the Federal Reserve – investors are concerned that Warsh's commitment to a strict monetary policy will lead to further tightening of financial conditions. These concerns intensified the wave of selling, culminating in a short-term drop in BTC to around ~$60,000.
Even considering the recent correction, Bitcoin maintains its status as the largest crypto asset, dominating about 55-60% of the total market capitalization and remaining one of the most significant financial instruments in the world. Long-term holders of BTC ("whales") are largely in no rush to part with their coins, viewing Bitcoin as a strategic reserve and an analogue to "digital gold." Moreover, several major corporations holding substantial amounts of BTC have publicly stated their intention to take advantage of the price drop to enhance their reserves. Such interest from "big players" provides support to the market and confirms the confidence that Bitcoin's fundamental value remains high, despite the current volatility.
Ethereum: Price Decline Despite Technological Progress
The second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, Ethereum (ETH), has also experienced a significant downturn. Over the past weeks, the price of ETH has decreased by approximately half from its peak (~$5,000) and briefly dipped below $2,000. A sharp daily drop of more than 10% at the beginning of February led to a cascade of automatic liquidations in the futures market, exacerbating the downward momentum. Nonetheless, even after the correction, Ethereum remains a key platform in the crypto industry, and its technological development continues unabated.
In January, the Ethereum network successfully executed another protocol upgrade (hard fork code-named BPO), aimed at improving scalability and the efficiency of the blockchain. The expansion of layer-two (Layer-2) solutions continues, alleviating congestion on the main network and reducing transaction fees. A significant portion of the issued ETH remains locked in staking or held for the long term, which limits the token's supply on the market. Institutional interest in Ethereum remains high: in 2025, the first exchange-traded funds (ETFs) tied to Ethereum debuted in the U.S., attracting over $3 billion in investments during their early months of operation. Major funds and companies continue to include Ethereum alongside Bitcoin in their core long-term crypto portfolios, despite current price fluctuations.
Altcoins: At the Center of Volatility
The broad altcoin market has borne the brunt of the recent sell-off. Many once rapidly appreciating tokens at the beginning of 2026 have lost 30-60% of their highs, as investors reduced their riskiest positions. Capital is flowing from volatile altcoins into more stable assets or completely out of the crypto market – this is evidenced by the increase in the share of stablecoins in total market capitalization and the rise in Bitcoin's dominance. Currently, BTC’s market share has surpassed 60% again, reflecting a redistribution of capital from altcoins to the flagship crypto asset amid the turbulence.
Recently, tokens like XRP, Solana, and BNB were in the spotlight, showing leading growth thanks to positive news. XRP (Ripple) surged above $3 last summer following the company Ripple's legal victory in the U.S., returning it to the ranks of market leaders. Now, however, XRP has retracted approximately half from those peaks and is trading around $1.4. Solana (SOL) shows a similar trend: after impressive growth (above $200) amid the resurgence of its ecosystem in 2025, SOL has corrected more than 50% to around ~$85 but remains significantly above last year's lows and continues to be regarded as one of the leading platforms for DeFi and Web3. The Binance Coin (BNB), which reached record-highs of ~$880 in 2025 despite regulatory pressure on the Binance exchange, has diminished to around ~$500 during the general downturn but has since regained some losses and is currently trading around $640. This still enables BNB to remain in the top five due to its widespread use in trading and decentralized services.
Other major altcoins – such as Cardano (ADA), Dogecoin (DOGE), and Tron (TRX) – also remain under pressure, trading significantly below their historical peaks. However, they continue to maintain their positions among the leaders in market capitalization due to still substantial market evaluations and support from enthusiast communities. During this period of high uncertainty, many participants prefer to weather the storm in stablecoins (USDT, USDC, etc.) or in Bitcoin, limiting the influx of new capital into the altcoin segment until the overall situation clarifies.
Regulation: A Course Towards Clarity of Rules
Regulatory changes in the cryptocurrency space are gaining momentum worldwide as authorities strive to keep pace with the industry's development. In the U.S., the administration is promoting a comprehensive digital asset legislation (Digital Asset Market Clarity Act) aimed at clearly delineating the powers of regulators (SEC and CFTC) and establishing clear rules for the crypto market. This bill, along with associated initiatives for regulatory oversight of stablecoins (including a requirement for 100% reserve backing for issued digital dollars), aims to put an end to the practice of "regulating through enforcement" and ensure clarity for legally operating crypto companies. In January, the Senate temporarily postponed consideration of the bill due to disagreements within the industry (notably regarding yield restrictions in decentralized finance), but discussions are expected to continue in the coming months as the initiative enjoys support at the highest government levels.
While Congress debates new rules, U.S. oversight bodies continue to closely monitor the market. In late 2025, the SEC took a series of notable actions against blatantly fraudulent schemes ("AI Wealth", Morocoin, etc.), demonstrating a commitment to cleaning up the industry from scams. Concurrently, courts and regulators are gradually clarifying the legal status of key crypto assets. A notable example is Ripple's victory in the XRP case: the court confirmed that XRP is not a security. Such precedents reduce legal uncertainty for investors and companies in the U.S., laying a foundation for the further development of the market.
In Europe, as of the beginning of this year, the unified MiCA regulation has come into effect, establishing transparent rules for the circulation of crypto assets across all EU countries. The European Union is also preparing to implement taxation standards for cryptocurrency transactions (DAC8 rules, effective in 2026) to enhance transparency and combat tax evasion. In the Asian region, regulators have also ramped up efforts: for instance, Japan plans to reduce the tax burden on crypto trading (lowering the tax rate to around 20%) and is considering launching the first exchange-traded crypto ETFs, striving to bolster the country's position as a hub for digital assets. Overall, there is a global trend shifting from prohibitive measures towards integrating the crypto market into the existing financial system through clear regulations and licensing. As clearer rules emerge, institutional investors' trust in the industry is likely to grow.
Institutional Trends: A Pause and New Opportunities
Following a record influx of institutional capital into crypto funds in 2025, the beginning of 2026 has marked a pause. The sharp volatility of the market in January-February led to a temporary outflow of funds from some crypto ETFs and trusts: managers locked in profits and reduced risks in anticipation of stabilization. However, strategic initiatives by major players have not faded away. For example, exchange operator Nasdaq lifted position size limits on options for crypto ETFs (including funds on Bitcoin and Ethereum), equating them to the rules for traditional commodity ETFs. This move expands hedging and trading opportunities for institutions and indicates the deeper penetration of crypto products into mainstream markets.
Public companies that have invested in cryptocurrencies are largely holding their positions, despite the price declines. One of the largest corporate holders of Bitcoin (an American company with thousands of BTC on its balance sheet) has signaled that it still believes in the long-term potential of the asset, even as the market price temporarily dropped near their average purchase price. The company’s management hinted that they might increase their BTC holdings amid declining prices. In general, many institutional investors have taken a wait-and-see approach: some have indeed reduced exposure in the short term, but interest in crypto assets as a class remains high. Major banks and asset managers continue to develop crypto products and infrastructure, anticipating that as macro conditions and regulatory clarity improve, client demand for digital assets will resume.
Macroeconomics: Tight Policy and Flight to Quality
The external macroeconomic backdrop at the beginning of 2026 remains challenging for risk assets, and cryptocurrencies are feeling this pressure acutely. A leadership change at the Federal Reserve is on the horizon: nominee Kevin Warsh is known as a proponent of strict monetary policy. Expectations of higher interest rates and continued balance sheet reduction at the Federal Reserve heighten investor concerns – as excess liquidity in recent years has significantly fueled the cryptocurrency rally. Additionally, political uncertainty at the end of January triggered jitters, with the prospect of a U.S. government shutdown looming due to budget disagreements, briefly undermining risk appetite. Only an emergency agreement in Congress helped avert a shutdown, but the overall atmosphere remains tense.
On the international stage, risks have also increased. The U.S. administration has threatened new trade tariffs against the European Union, reviving concerns about the escalation of trade wars. In Japan, a sharp spike in government bond yields destabilized the local financial market and pulled some global liquidity away from risk assets. These events triggered a classic "flight to quality": investors flocked to defensive instruments, shedding volatile positions. The price of gold soared to historic highs, exceeding $5,000 per ounce, while the U.S. dollar index significantly strengthened. Against this backdrop, Bitcoin and other crypto assets temporarily lost their status as "digital gold" – at least in the eyes of those investors urgently seeking shelter from risks. Instead of cryptocurrencies, capital briefly moved into traditional safe-haven assets and highly liquid instruments.
However, as macroeconomic uncertainty begins to ease (for instance, as Federal Reserve policy stabilizes or geopolitical tensions reduce), interest in the crypto market is likely to revive quickly. Already this week, market participants are closely watching key statistical data – including the consumer price index (inflation) in the U.S., which will be released on February 11. A combination of fresh inflation indicators and postponed employment data could spark increased volatility in global markets. If macroeconomic indicators suggest a weakening of inflationary pressure, this could raise expectations of a shift in the central banks' rhetoric – a factor capable of reigniting interest in risk assets, including cryptocurrencies.
Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies
- Bitcoin (BTC) – the first and largest cryptocurrency (market share ~60% by capitalization). BTC is trading around $70,000, remaining the foundation of most crypto portfolios and serving as "digital gold" for investors.
- Ethereum (ETH) – the second-largest token by market capitalization and the leading smart contracts platform. The price of ETH is currently around $2,100; Ethereum underpins the DeFi ecosystem and many decentralized applications, playing a key role in the crypto economy.
- Tether (USDT) – the largest stablecoin, pegged to the U.S. dollar at a 1:1 ratio. It is widely used in the market for trading and capital storage; with a capitalization of around $80 billion, USDT is one of the primary sources of liquidity in the crypto ecosystem.
- Binance Coin (BNB) – the native token of the global crypto exchange Binance and the BNB Chain blockchain network. BNB holders receive discounts on fees and access to ecosystem products; the coin is currently trading around $640 after a recent correction. Despite regulatory pressure on Binance, BNB remains in the top 5 thanks to its wide application in trading and DeFi.
- XRP (Ripple) – the cryptocurrency of the Ripple payment network, designed for fast cross-border transfers. XRP is currently around $1.4, roughly half its recent local peak (the token rose above $3 last summer following legal clarity in the U.S.). Nevertheless, XRP retains its position as one of the largest coins, attracting heightened interest from banks and funds.
- USD Coin (USDC) – the second most popular stablecoin, issued by Circle and fully backed by dollar reserves. Known for high transparency and compliance with regulatory requirements, it is widely used in trading and DeFi (capitalization of about $30 billion).
- Solana (SOL) – a high-performance blockchain platform known for its low fees and transaction speeds. SOL surged above $200 in 2025, reviving investor interest in the project, and is now trading around ~$85 following the overall market correction. Solana is viewed as one of Ethereum's competitors in the DeFi and Web3 sectors due to its scalability.
- Cardano (ADA) – the cryptocurrency of the Cardano platform, developed based on a scientific approach. ADA remains in the top 10 thanks to a large market capitalization (tens of billions of tokens in circulation) and an active community, though its current price (~$0.30) is significantly below its historical peak.
- Dogecoin (DOGE) – the most famous "meme" cryptocurrency, originally created as a joke but has grown to become one of the largest assets. DOGE holds around $0.10, supported by community loyalty and periodic celebrity attention. Despite high volatility, Dogecoin continues to rank among the largest coins, demonstrating impressive resilience in investor interest.
- Tron (TRX) – the token of the Tron blockchain platform, focused on decentralized applications and digital content. TRX (~$0.28) is sought after for issuing and transferring stablecoins (a significant portion of USDT circulates on the Tron network due to low fees), enabling it to maintain its position among market leaders alongside other top assets.
Prospects and Expectations
In the short term, sentiment in the crypto market remains cautious. The investor sentiment index signals "extreme fear," contrasting sharply with the euphoria observed just months ago. Many analysts warn that the recent correction could deepen if external risks persist. There are predictions that in the event of negative developments, Bitcoin could test the ~$60,000 level again or even drop below it – especially in the case of further shocks in traditional markets or tightening rhetoric from regulators. Such high volatility and recent price drops serve as a reminder for investors about the importance of rigorous risk management in their crypto portfolios.
Nevertheless, the medium- and long-term outlook for the cryptocurrency market remains predominantly positive. The industry continues to implement technological innovations, new promising projects are launching, and major players have not lost interest in digital assets – many view the current downturn as an opportunity to strengthen positions. Historically, after periods of rapid growth (as seen in 2025), the market often transitions into a phase of cooling and consolidation before resuming an upward trend. Fundamental drivers – from the mass adoption of blockchain technologies to the integration of cryptocurrencies into the traditional financial sector – have not vanished, and several experts remain optimistic.
Some investment firms maintain ambitious price targets. Predictions suggest that with an improvement in the macroeconomic environment, Bitcoin could once again surpass the $100,000 mark and strive towards new records in the next year or two. Of course, much will depend on the actions of regulators and central banks: if the Federal Reserve eventually transitions to easing policies amid slowing inflation, and legislative clarity reduces legal risks, capital inflow into the crypto market could resume at an accelerated pace. For now, investors are advised to maintain a balance between vigilance and strategic vision, remembering that volatility is an inherent aspect of the cryptocurrency market's development and a counterpart to high long-term opportunities.
