Cryptocurrency News for Friday, February 6, 2026: Bitcoin, Altcoins, DeFi and Key Events in the Global Crypto Market. Current Overview and Analysis for Investors.
As of the morning of February 6, 2026, the cryptocurrency market is in a phase of consolidation following the volatile trading of recent weeks. The total market capitalisation holds around $2.5–2.6 trillion, down from approximately $3 trillion at the beginning of the year amidst a correction. Bitcoin, having reached an all-time high of around $100,000 in January, has retraced to approximately $66,500 as it attempts to find new equilibrium. Ethereum hovers around the $2,000 mark, having corrected in line with the market. Institutional players continue to show interest - from the launch of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to the entry of major banks into the crypto market - although regulatory uncertainties (particularly in the US) continue to affect investor sentiment. Overall, the market tone remains cautiously optimistic: participants are closely monitoring external factors while noting the increased maturity of the industry and global interest in digital assets.
Market Overview
This week, the cryptocurrency market experienced significant fluctuations, but by Friday, the overall state can be characterised as stable. Following a sharp decline at the end of January, most top coins are consolidating around current levels. Bitcoin maintains its dominant position, with its share estimated at over 50% of the total capitalisation – investors reallocating funds from riskier altcoins back into the leading asset during this uncertain period. Trading activity remains elevated: volumes in the spot and derivatives markets surged during the recent price drop, then decreased somewhat as momentum calmed. Volatility in major cryptocurrencies has decreased relative to the peaks of January, although it still exceeds last year's average levels. External macroeconomic factors have also contributed: the strengthening US dollar and discussions around central bank interest rate policies have temporarily increased pressure on crypto assets, but partial de-risking (such as preventing a US government shutdown) helped recover some of the lost positions. Overall, the market has entered a waiting phase: investors are assessing whether the recent decline is a temporary correction within an ongoing growth cycle or a signal for a more protracted pause.
Top 10 Largest Cryptocurrencies Today
- Bitcoin (BTC) – the leading cryptocurrency, priced at approximately $66,500 (market capitalisation around $1.5 trillion). Bitcoin retains its status as "digital gold" and more than 50% of the total market capitalisation, remaining the primary indicator of sentiment in the crypto market.
- Ethereum (ETH) – the second-largest crypto asset by capitalisation, trading around $2,000 (market cap ~ $250 billion). The foundational platform for decentralised finance (DeFi) and NFTs, Ethereum powers numerous applications and smart contracts.
- Tether (USDT) – the largest stablecoin, priced at $1.00 (capitalisation around $185 billion). USDT is pegged to the US dollar 1:1 and is widely used by traders for holding funds and transactions, providing liquidity in the market.
- Binance Coin (BNB) – the native token of the largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance, priced at approximately $750 (capitalisation ~ $100 billion). BNB is utilised in the Binance ecosystem (fee payments, DeFi services) and remains in the top-five despite regulatory risks surrounding the exchange.
- Ripple (XRP) – the token of Ripple, trading around $1.60 (capitalisation ~ $100 billion). XRP is used for cross-border payments; following legal victories in the US, it has regained its place among market leaders.
- USD Coin (USDC) – the second most popular stablecoin from Circle, priced at $1.00 (capitalisation ~ $70 billion). USDC is also pegged to the dollar and is favoured for trading and hedging, offering high transparency of reserves.
- Solana (SOL) – a high-performance blockchain for smart contracts, priced around $100 (capitalisation ~ $60 billion). SOL has significantly increased over the past year, reflecting a return of confidence in the Solana ecosystem and active development of DeFi applications built on it.
- TRON (TRX) – a blockchain platform focused on entertainment content and issuing stablecoins, priced around $0.29 (capitalisation ~ $27 billion). TRON has gained widespread usage in Asia and continues to grow its transaction volumes, especially due to the use of stablecoins within its network.
- Dogecoin (DOGE) – the most famous meme cryptocurrency, priced around $0.10 (capitalisation ~ $18 billion). DOGE is supported by a community of enthusiasts and intermittently attracts the attention of major investors, although it trades significantly below its historical peaks.
- Cardano (ADA) – a smart contract platform with a scientific approach to development, priced at approximately $0.29 (capitalisation ~ $10 billion). ADA has been progressing steadily, albeit showing relatively weak price dynamics compared to other market leaders recently.
Bitcoin Post-Correction: Seeking New Equilibrium
The flagship Bitcoin (BTC), after a rapid rise at the end of 2025, is entering a cooling phase. In January, BTC first crossed the psychological mark of $100,000, but subsequently underwent a sharp correction of about 30%. At its minimum on February 4-5, the price dipped to around $69,000, but the market has since begun to recover – by the end of the week, Bitcoin returned to levels around $75,000. Analysts note that the $70,000–$75,000 range could become a support level: according to network statistics, a significant portion of long-term holders are in no rush to sell their coins even amidst the drop, indicating confidence in long-term growth. In the first weeks of the year, the total outflow from Bitcoin ETFs amounted to around $1.8 billion – investors have been locking in profits amid declining prices. Just one day this week saw approximately $545 million withdrawn from Bitcoin ETFs, marking the largest one-time outflow since their inception. Nevertheless, these volumes remain modest compared to the overall scale: total assets under management in spot Bitcoin ETFs still exceed $90 billion, and only about 6% of the maximum investments have exited funds since the beginning of the year. In other words, the overwhelming majority of institutional investors who entered through ETFs are maintaining their positions despite the price drop. The fundamental factors for Bitcoin remain positive: the "supply shortage" effect following the halving in 2024 supports the price – the daily issuance of new BTC is currently significantly lower than it was a year ago. Many analysts believe that the current correction is technical in nature, rather than driven by a loss of confidence in the asset. Some experts even express the view that Bitcoin's annual minimum has already been passed at around $74,000–$75,000, with the market now anticipating a period of gradual stabilisation with potential new growth in the second half of the year. In the short term, the next critical level will be a return to $80,000 – overcoming this barrier could attract new buyers and re-energise the upward trend.
Ethereum and Other Altcoins Under Pressure
The second-largest crypto asset, Ethereum (ETH), also came under selling pressure at the beginning of February. Reports indicate that co-founder Vitalik Buterin has sold part of his Ether holdings (on-chain data reveals approximately 2,800 ETH sold for around $6 million in recent days), which heightened the short-term pressure on prices in an already nervous market. The ETH price, which had held above $2,300 at the end of January, fell by about 15% and is now balancing around $2,000. Nevertheless, the fundamental metrics for Ethereum remain robust: the network continues to process a significant number of transactions in DeFi and NFT segments, with gas fees, although having increased during the recent spike in activity, remaining far from the extreme levels of previous years thanks to scaling via layer two solutions. In 2026, new technical updates for Ethereum are expected, aimed at enhancing network capacity and efficiency – a major upgrade is scheduled for mid-year, which should attract additional interest from investors and developers. Among other leading altcoins, the market is exhibiting mixed dynamics: while many of the top ten tokens have retraced from recent highs following Bitcoin, several projects have managed to retain a considerable portion of their previously amassed growth. For instance, Solana (SOL), after an impressive rally to three-digit values, has corrected but continues to trade around $100, which is several times higher than its levels a year ago – investors are evaluating the progress in reconstructing the Solana ecosystem after past trials. At the same time, some altcoins show relative weakness: Cardano (ADA) and several other platform tokens have dropped more than 10% in recent weeks, reflecting a shift of capital into more stable assets. Overall, the altcoin segment remains volatile and sensitive to changes in sentiment – while Bitcoin's dominance remains high, many altcoins are moving in line with the overall market trend.
- Binance Coin (BNB) – the Binance ecosystem coin holds around $750. Over the past week, its price has not undergone significant changes, with a market capitalisation of approximately $100 billion (5th place). Despite ongoing regulatory risks surrounding Binance, BNB demonstrates stability – according to insiders, some large holders are even increasing their positions, banking on the long-term value of the ecosystem.
- Solana (SOL) – after a sharp rise to ~$130 in January, SOL has retreated to ~$100. The recent correction has brought Solana's capitalisation down to ~$60 billion (7th place), but the network continues to attract users. New decentralised applications and improvements in network performance sustain interest in SOL, and many analysts note that the project has regained its reputation following the downturn of 2022.
- Dogecoin (DOGE) – DOGE's price hovers around $0.10, significantly below the records of 2021, yet the meme cryptocurrency retains a dedicated community. Over the week, Dogecoin's price has changed very little. A lack of new drivers limits the dynamics, although sporadic news regarding the implementation of micropayments or mentions on social media can cause short-term spikes in trading.
- Cardano (ADA) – ADA continues to have a more restrained dynamic compared to its competitors. Over the past weeks, the token has dropped to ~$0.29, partially losing ground after last summer's growth. However, in annual terms, Cardano is still substantially above the lows of 2024 and maintains its place among the top ten cryptocurrencies, continuing to develop its technological ecosystem (launching new dApps and network updates).
- TRON (TRX) – TRX trades around $0.29 and maintains a capitalisation of approximately $27 billion (8th place). The TRON blockchain is actively used for issuing stablecoins (USDT on Tron constitutes a significant portion of Tether's overall turnover) and decentralised applications, particularly in the Asian market. The TRX price exhibited moderate growth over the past year, and the network consistently increases the number of transactions, reflecting the platform's demand.
Regulation: The US Stalls, Europe Implements Rules
The regulatory environment continues to significantly impact the crypto industry. In the United States, the promotion of comprehensive digital asset legislation has faced hurdles. This week, it was announced that a special meeting at the White House, aimed at overcoming disagreements over the "Clarity Act" bill, ended without any concrete progress. The Trump administration is trying to reach a consensus between traditional banks and crypto firms, but fundamental disagreements persist between them. The main dispute revolves around stablecoins: banks insist on prohibiting the payment of interest and bonuses on stablecoins in the legislation, viewing such products as a threat to deposits flowing out of the traditional system. Cryptocurrency companies, on the other hand, argue that offering rewards on stablecoins is a key tool for attracting users, and its prohibition would place the industry at a competitive disadvantage. As a result, the Senate is currently delaying the vote on the bill, despite the House of Representatives having approved its version back in July 2025. The White House stated that the dialogue was "constructive," and new rounds of negotiations are expected, but the timing of legislative adoption remains unclear.
Concurrently, US financial regulators are increasing oversight of the industry. At the end of January, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) announced a joint initiative called "Project Crypto," aimed at coordinating their actions in the oversight of the crypto market. Such cooperation between two key agencies signals an intention to develop a cohesive approach to regulating digital assets and to close oversight gaps. Meanwhile, Europe is gradually implementing a unified regulatory regime for cryptocurrencies. In the European Union, provisions of the MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) regulation, approved in 2024, are coming into force, establishing common rules for token issuers, crypto service providers, and stablecoins within the EU. This move aims to ensure legal certainty for businesses and investors – companies that comply with MiCA requirements gain the opportunity to operate legally across the entire European market, which is already attracting some players to relocate their operations to EU jurisdictions. Progress is also being observed in Asia: for example, Hong Kong continues to issue licences to crypto exchanges under a new regulated environment, aiming to become a regional hub for digital finance. Overall, the global trend is such that many countries are introducing clearer rules for the crypto market – from tax reporting (in 2026, over 40 countries are implementing standards for exchanging data on crypto assets for taxation) to anti-money laundering requirements. Although regulation sometimes temporarily caps growth (through restrictions or additional compliance costs), in the long term, it should bolster institutional investor confidence and broaden the mainstream adoption of cryptocurrencies.
Traditional Banks in the Crypto Market: A New Level of Integration
One of the main themes of the week was the further merging of the traditional financial sector with the cryptocurrency market. Switzerland's largest bank, UBS, announced plans to provide its clients with a direct cryptocurrency trading service. According to bank representatives, selected clients from the private banking division in Switzerland will soon have access to buying and selling Bitcoin and Ether through UBS's internal systems. The bank is also considering extending this service to Asian and North American markets. This step is significant: just a few years ago, leading banks avoided direct contact with crypto assets, limiting themselves to studying blockchain technologies. Now, the growing demand from wealthy clients and funds is compelling traditional financial institutions to enter this new realm. Experts note that the emergence of banking services for trading cryptocurrencies is an important signal of market maturity. Although such offerings are currently available only to a limited circle of investors, the trend is clear: traditional banks and asset management companies are striving to keep pace to satisfy interest in digital assets. Besides UBS, last year, several American financial conglomerates announced the launch of crypto products: for instance, BlackRock successfully launched its spot Bitcoin ETF, while Fidelity expanded retail clients’ options for investing in cryptocurrencies through brokerage accounts. As regulation and infrastructure (ETF products, custodial services, established platforms) develop, the entry barrier for institutions is lowering. Analysts estimate that by the end of 2026, dozens of traditional banks worldwide will work directly or indirectly with cryptocurrencies – through investment products, custodial digital asset services, or blockchain-based payment services. Such integration promises an influx of new capital into the market but will also lead to increased transparency demands and compliance with strict financial norms, which could ultimately make the industry more resilient.
Market Outlook: What Investors Should Watch For
The situation in the cryptocurrency market at the beginning of 2026 is ambiguous: on one hand, a number of record indicators have been achieved over recent months (from Bitcoin's price highs to an influx of institutional investments), while on the other hand, the sharp correction serves as a reminder of the ongoing risks and high volatility. In such an environment, it is crucial for investors to pay close attention to key factors that may influence the industry's future dynamics. In the coming weeks, the following points could prove decisive:
- Monetary Policy: Macroeconomic signals remain in focus. Expectations regarding central bank policies (primarily the US Federal Reserve) will directly influence risk appetite. If inflation continues to slow, the likelihood of interest rate cuts in the second half of 2026 will increase – this could provide new momentum for rising prices of digital assets.
- Regulatory Decisions: Any news regarding progress (or, conversely, tightening) in cryptocurrency regulation can significantly shift the market. Investors should monitor the progress of cryptocurrency legislation in the US, practical implementation of MiCA regulations in Europe, and initiatives in major Asian economies. The emergence of clear rules is expected to attract even more institutional money, while prohibitive measures may temporarily dampen enthusiasm.
- Institutional Demand: Indicators of capital inflow or outflow through instruments like crypto ETFs or investment funds will serve as indicators of "smart money" sentiments. At the start of the year, outflows were observed from Bitcoin ETFs, but the retention of the majority of investors indicates long-term optimism. New applications for launching ETFs (such as for Ethereum) or reports from public companies about investments in crypto assets could drive growth in market confidence.
- Technological Updates and Implementation: The year 2026 promises events related to the development of blockchain platforms themselves. Successful technological forks and improvements (as expected on Ethereum and other networks) may enhance the effectiveness and appeal of using cryptocurrencies, which, in turn, will positively impact their value. Moreover, the growth of real-world applications (for example, the expansion of Lightning networks for Bitcoin or the launch of major projects on smart contract platforms) will signal maturation of the ecosystem.
In conclusion, despite recent fluctuations, the cryptocurrency market retains foundational prerequisites for further development. Key assets – Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other top players – have strengthened their positions over the past year, attracting both retail and institutional investors worldwide. Correction phases, such as the current one, are regarded by many participants as a natural part of the market cycle, allowing overheated sentiments to "cool" and create a base for a new growth phase. For business-minded investors, diversification and a long-term horizon are crucial: allocating capital among several leading cryptocurrencies and fundamentally assessing projects will help mitigate risks. External factors – from Fed rates to news headlines – will continue to influence short-term volatility, but the world's strategic attention to cryptocurrencies only continues to grow. As regulated infrastructure expands and big capital enters the industry, digital assets are becoming increasingly integrated into the global financial system. This suggests that in the future, the crypto market could be less speculative and more resilient, while still retaining the potential for significant growth, which continues to attract long-term trend-following investors.
