Current Cryptocurrency News for Tuesday, 10 February 2026. Bitcoin, Ethereum, Altcoins, Regulation, and Key Trends in the Global Crypto Market for Investors.
As of the morning of 10 February 2026, the cryptocurrency market is showing signs of recovery following one of the sharpest sell-offs in recent months. Bitcoin is trading around $70,000, having bounced back from a recent yearly low of approximately $60,000, recorded during the panic sales on 6 February. Ethereum (ETH) is holding steady around $2,100 after dropping to about $1,750 last week. The total market capitalization of cryptocurrencies is estimated at approximately $2.4 trillion – nearly $2 trillion below the October 2025 peak of around $4.4 trillion, highlighting the lingering caution among investors. Sentiment remains tense: the crypto Fear and Greed Index is situated in the extreme "fear" zone (below 10 points out of 100), reflecting the prevailing anxiety among market participants.
Such a sharp price decline at the beginning of February was triggered by a combination of unfavourable factors – from stern signals from the US Federal Reserve to a series of significant liquidations on derivative platforms. Nevertheless, the technical rebound in recent days is supported by interest from buyers looking to capitalise on the price drop. A moderate influx of capital has pushed Bitcoin back above the psychologically important level of $70,000, although risk appetite remains weak. Investors are closely monitoring the macroeconomic situation and preparing for the release of key inflation and labour market data in the US (scheduled for 11 February), which could set the tone for further market movement.
Market Overview: Correction and Cautious Rebound
Just at the end of 2025, the cryptocurrency market reached historic highs; however, as 2026 began, the dynamics shifted sharply downwards. The rapid tightening of external conditions reduced the global appetite for risk. Following a series of record highs for Bitcoin and Ethereum last autumn, the January price crash of 2026 became the most serious test for the industry in the past 18 months. During the first week of February, the market dropped nearly one-third before finding a local bottom. The total market capitalization of the industry shrank by approximately 45% from peak values, with stablecoins temporarily becoming the leaders in trading volumes as many traders moved their funds into these "safe havens" amid the storm.
At the beginning of the second week of February, a tentative stabilisation is observable in the market. Growth leaders include some previously oversold assets; however, a broad rally has yet to occur. High trading volumes during the rebound indicate real demand, but resistance around the $72–73,000 level remains unbroken. Market participants continue to cautiously assess the outlook, as the persistence of the central banks' tough rhetoric and geopolitical uncertainty hampers a confident return of capital to risk assets. Until the macroeconomic backdrop becomes clearer, the market will likely continue to oscillate between attempts at growth and fears of new sell-offs.
Bitcoin: Yearly Low and Signs of Support
Last week, Bitcoin (BTC) fell to its lowest levels in over a year, plunging below $60,000 amid the panic on 6 February. Since the October record of approximately $120,000, the first cryptocurrency has depreciated by about 50%, largely due to profit-taking by large players and a reduction in market liquidity. An additional trigger for the sell-off was the announcement of Kevin Warsh's nomination as the head of the US Federal Reserve – investors fear that Warsh's commitment to a tough monetary policy will lead to further tightening of financial conditions. These concerns intensified the wave of selling, culminating in a brief drop of BTC to around $60,000.
Even accounting for the recent correction, Bitcoin maintains its status as the largest crypto asset, dominating approximately 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 reluctant to part with their coins, viewing Bitcoin as a strategic reserve and an analogue of "digital gold". Furthermore, some large corporations holding significant reserves of BTC have publicly expressed their intention to take advantage of the price drop to expand their holdings. Such interest from "big players" provides support to the market and confirms 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 significant declines. Over recent weeks, the price of ETH has fallen approximately by half from its peak of around $5,000, briefly dropping below $2,000. A sharp one-day 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. However, 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 (a hard fork dubbed BPO), aimed at enhancing the scalability and efficiency of the blockchain. The expansion of layer-two ecosystem solutions continues, reducing pressure on the main network and transaction fees. A significant portion of the issued ETH remains locked in staking or held long-term, which limits the token’s supply in the market. Institutional interest in Ethereum remains high: in 2025, the first exchange-traded funds (ETFs) linked to Ethereum emerged in the US, attracting over $3 billion in investments during their first 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 Epicentre of Volatility
The broad altcoin market has felt the main burden of the recent sell-off. Many previously rapidly growing tokens have lost 30–60% from their highs in early 2026 as investors cut their riskiest positions. Capital is flowing out of volatile altcoins into more reliable assets or is leaving the crypto market altogether – this is evidenced by the growing share of stablecoins in total market capitalisation and the increasing dominance of Bitcoin. Currently, the BTC share has exceeded 60% once more, reflecting a redistribution of funds from altcoins into the flagship crypto asset amid the turbulence.
Not long ago, tokens such as XRP, Solana, and BNB were at the forefront of the market, demonstrating leading growth due to positive news flow. XRP (Ripple) soared above $3 last summer on the wave of a legal victory for Ripple in the US, returning to the market leaders. Now, however, XRP has retraced about half of those peaks and is trading around $1.40. A similar trend is observed with Solana (SOL): after impressive growth (above $200) amid the recovery of its ecosystem in 2025, SOL has corrected over 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 approximately $880 in 2025 despite regulatory pressure on the Binance exchange, has fallen to around $500 during the overall decline, but has since regained some losses and is currently trading around $640. This still allows BNB to rank among the top 5, thanks to its wide application in trading and decentralised services.
Other major altcoins, such as Cardano (ADA), Dogecoin (DOGE), and Tron (TRX), are also under pressure and trading significantly below their historical highs. However, they maintain positions among the leaders in terms of capitalization due to still significant market valuations and support from enthusiast communities. During this period of high uncertainty, many participants prefer to weather the storm in stablecoins (USDT, USDC, etc.) or Bitcoin, limiting new capital inflows into the altcoin segment until overall conditions clarify.
Regulation: A Focus on Clarity of Rules
Regulatory changes in the cryptocurrency sphere are ramping up globally – authorities are striving to keep pace with industry development. In the US, the administration is promoting a comprehensive bill on digital assets (Digital Asset Market Clarity Act), aimed at clearly delineating regulators’ (SEC and CFTC) powers and establishing clear rules for the crypto market. This bill, along with related initiatives for stablecoin oversight (including a requirement for 100% reserving of issued digital dollars), is expected to put an end to the practice of "regulation by enforcement" and provide transparency for legally operating crypto companies. In January, the Senate temporarily postponed its consideration of the bill due to disagreements within the industry (notably concerning yield restrictions in decentralised finance), although discussions are expected to continue in the coming months – the initiative has support at the highest governmental level.
While Congress debates the new rules, US regulatory bodies continue to closely monitor the market. At the end of 2025, the SEC took a series of high-profile actions against blatantly fraudulent schemes (such as "AI Wealth", Morocoin, etc.), demonstrating a determination to clean up the industry from scams. Simultaneously, courts and regulators are gradually clarifying the legal status of key crypto assets. A notable example is the victory of Ripple in the XRP case: the court confirmed that XRP is not a security. Such precedents reduce legal uncertainty for investors and companies in the US, creating a foundation for further market development.
In Europe, a unified regulation known as MiCA came into force at the beginning of the year, establishing transparent rules for the handling of crypto assets across EU countries. The European Union is also preparing to implement tax reporting standards for cryptocurrency transactions (rules DAC8, which will come into force in 2026) to enhance transparency and combat tax evasion. In the Asian region, regulators have also become more active: for instance, Japan is planning to ease the tax burden on crypto trading (reducing the tax rate to about 20%) and is considering launching the first exchange-traded crypto ETFs, aiming to strengthen the country's position as a hub for digital assets. Overall, there is a global trend toward moving from prohibitive measures to integrating the crypto market into the existing financial system through clear regulations and licensing. As clearer rules emerge, institutional investor confidence in the sector is expected to rise.
Institutional Trends: A Pause and New Opportunities
Following a record inflow of institutional capital into crypto funds in 2025, the beginning of 2026 has seen a pause. Sharp market volatility in January-February led to a temporary outflow of funds from some crypto ETFs and trusts: managers realised some profits and reduced risks while awaiting a stabilisation of the situation. However, the strategic initiatives of large players have not diminished. For example, the stock exchange operator Nasdaq lifted restrictions on position sizes for options on cryptocurrency ETFs (including funds based on Bitcoin and Ethereum) in January, aligning them with the rules for traditional commodity ETFs. This step expands hedging and trading opportunities for institutional investors and signals further penetration of crypto products into mainstream markets.
Public companies invested in cryptocurrencies also largely maintain 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 indicated that it still believes in the long-term potential of the asset, even as the market price has temporarily dropped to their average acquisition cost. The management of this firm hinted that it might further increase its BTC reserves in light of price reductions. On the whole, many institutional investors have adopted a wait-and-see approach: while some have indeed reduced short-term exposure, interest in crypto assets as an asset class remains high. The largest banks and asset managers continue to develop crypto products and infrastructure, anticipating that with improved macro conditions and regulatory clarity, 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 have acutely felt this pressure. In the US, a change in leadership at the Federal Reserve is anticipated: candidate Kevin Warsh is known as a proponent of a tough monetary policy. Expectations of higher interest rates and continued balance sheet reduction by the Federal Reserve heighten investor concerns – after all, the excess liquidity of recent years has largely fueled the cryptocurrency rally. Additional nervousness arose at the end of January due to political uncertainty: due to budget disagreements, the prospect of a government shutdown loomed, temporarily undermining risk appetite. Only a last-minute deal in Congress helped avert a shutdown, but the overall atmosphere remains tense.
On the international stage, risks have also increased. The US administration has threatened new trade tariffs against the EU, reviving fears of escalating trade wars. In Japan, a sudden spike in government bond yields has destabilised the local financial market, pulling some global liquidity away from risk assets. These events triggered a classic "flight to quality": investors moved into protective instruments, shedding volatile positions. The price of gold skyrocketed to an all-time high, exceeding $5,000 per ounce, while the US dollar index strengthened significantly. Against this backdrop, Bitcoin and other crypto assets temporarily lost their status as "digital gold" – at least in the eyes of those investors who were urgently seeking refuge from risks. Instead of cryptocurrencies, capital temporarily shifted into traditional safe-haven assets and highly liquid instruments.
Yet, as macroeconomic uncertainty begins to subside (for example, if Federal Reserve policy stabilises or geopolitical tensions decrease), interest in the crypto market has a chance to revive quite rapidly. Already this week, market participants are closely watching key statistical data – including the US consumer price index (inflation) to be released on 11 February. The combination of fresh inflation indicators and delayed publication of employment data could trigger heightened volatility in global markets. If macro indicators suggest a reduction in inflationary pressure, this may provide grounds for anticipating a softening of central bank rhetoric – a factor that could rekindle some interest in risk assets, including cryptocurrencies.
Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies
- Bitcoin (BTC) – the first and largest cryptocurrency (share ~60% of the market by capitalisation). BTC is trading around $70,000, remaining the foundation of most crypto portfolios and acting as "digital gold" for investors.
- Ethereum (ETH) – the second-largest token by capitalisation and the leading smart contract platform. The price of ETH is currently around $2,100; it underpins the DeFi ecosystem and many decentralised applications, playing a key role in the crypto economy.
- Tether (USDT) – the largest stablecoin pegged to the US dollar at a 1:1 ratio. Widely used in the market for trading and capital storage; with a capitalisation of approximately $80 billion, USDT is one of the primary sources of liquidity in the crypto ecosystem.
- Binance Coin (BNB) – the native token of the global cryptocurrency exchange Binance and BNB Chain blockchain network. BNB holders enjoy discounts on fees and access to ecosystem products; currently, the coin is trading around $640 following a recent correction. Despite regulatory pressures on Binance, BNB remains in the top 5 due to its wide applicability in trading and DeFi.
- XRP (Ripple) – the cryptocurrency of the Ripple payment network, designed for fast cross-border transfers. XRP is currently around $1.40, roughly half its recent local peak (the token rose above $3 last summer amid legal clarity in the US). Nevertheless, XRP retains its position as one of the largest coins and attracts heightened attention from banks and funds.
- USD Coin (USDC) – the second most popular stablecoin, issued by Circle and fully backed by dollar reserves. Known for its high transparency and regulatory compliance; widely used in trading and DeFi (capitalisation of around $30 billion).
- Solana (SOL) – a high-performance blockchain platform known for low fees and transaction speeds. In 2025, SOL soared above $200, rekindling investor interest in the project, and is now trading at about half that price (~$85) following the overall market correction. Solana is viewed as one of Ethereum's competitors in the DeFi and Web3 spaces due to its scalability.
- Cardano (ADA) – the cryptocurrency of the Cardano platform, developed using a scientific approach. ADA holds a position in the top 10 due to its significant market capitalisation (tens of billions of tokens in circulation) and active community, although its current price (~$0.30) is significantly below its historical maximum.
- Dogecoin (DOGE) – the most well-known "meme" cryptocurrency, originally created as a joke but growing into one of the largest assets. DOGE is around $0.10, supported by community loyalty and periodic celebrity attention. Despite high volatility, Dogecoin continues to rank among the largest coins, demonstrating remarkable investor interest.
- Tron (TRX) – the token of the Tron blockchain platform, focused on decentralised applications and digital content. TRX (~$0.28) is in demand for the issuance and transfer of stablecoins (a significant portion of USDT circulates on the Tron network due to low fees), allowing it to remain among the market leaders alongside other top assets.
Outlook and Expectations
In the short term, sentiment in the crypto market remains cautious. The investor sentiment index signals "extreme fear," contrasting with the euphoria observed just a few months ago. Many analysts warn that the recent correction may deepen if external risks persist. There are forecasts that, in a negative scenario, Bitcoin could retest the ~$60,000 level or even drop lower – especially in the event of further shocks in traditional markets or tightened regulatory rhetoric. Such high volatility and recent price falls serve as a reminder for investors of the need for careful risk management within their crypto portfolios.
However, the medium-term and long-term perspective on the cryptocurrency market remains predominantly positive. The industry continues to witness technological innovations, new promising projects are being launched, and leading players have not lost interest in digital assets – many view the current downturn as an opportunity to strengthen their positions. Historically, after periods of rapid growth (as seen in 2025), the market often shifts into a phase of cooling and consolidation before resuming an upward trend. Fundamental drivers – from the widespread adoption of blockchain technology to the integration of cryptocurrencies into the traditional financial sector – have not disappeared, and a number of experts remain optimistic.
Some investment companies maintain ambitious price targets. There are forecasts that with an improvement in macroeconomic conditions, Bitcoin could once again surpass the $100,000 threshold and aim for new records within the next year or two. Of course, much will depend on the actions of regulators and central banks: if the Federal Reserve eventually shifts towards policy easing amid slowing inflation, and legislative clarity reduces legal risks, capital inflows into the crypto market could resume at an accelerated pace. For now, investors are advised to maintain a balance between vigilance and strategic vision, bearing in mind that volatility is an inherent part of the cryptocurrency market's evolution and a counterpart to high long-term opportunities.
