Current Cryptocurrency News for Saturday, 7th February 2026: Key Events in the Global Crypto Market, Institutional Trends, and an Overview of the Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies for Investors.
The global cryptocurrency market concludes the first week of February with a sharp decline. Bitcoin has fallen to levels not seen since 2024, while other leading crypto assets have also sustained significant losses. The overall market capitalisation has decreased by nearly $2 trillion compared to the peak in October 2025, reflecting a mass sell-off amid deteriorating investor sentiment. Concurrently, regulators around the world are intensifying their scrutiny of the industry, adding uncertainty to the market.
Market Overview
After a turbulent rise last year, the crypto market is experiencing a massive correction. As of early February, a “crypto winter” is evident — a cooling-off period when cryptocurrency prices are declining or stagnating. Investors are taking profits and moving into safe-haven assets, resulting in reduced trading volumes and liquidity. Below are the key factors contributing to the current market decline:
- Macroeconomic Pressure: Increased uncertainty in traditional markets. A sell-off in technology stocks and volatility in gold and silver prices have lowered appetite for risk assets, including cryptocurrencies.
- Strict Monetary Policy: Expectations of a tighter policy from the US Federal Reserve. The appointment of a new Fed Chair known for hawkish views has heightened concerns of reduced liquidity in the economy, negatively impacting crypto assets.
- Institutional Investment Outflow: Major funds and ETFs that actively accumulated Bitcoin in 2025 have started to liquidate in 2026. Monthly capital outflows from Bitcoin ETFs are in the billions of dollars, signalling waning interest from traditional investors.
- Low Liquidity and Eased Speculation: Following last year's price peaks, the market has entered a cooling-off stage. Decreased trading volumes and the fading of FOMO (fear of missing out) have resulted in any sales having a more substantial negative impact on prices.
- Regulatory Uncertainty: Heightened oversight of the industry in numerous countries (from new bills in the US to bans in China) is causing some market participants to act cautiously and withdraw capital, impacting prices as well.
Bitcoin (BTC)
Bitcoin continues to fall, setting the tone for the entire crypto market. As of the morning of 7th February, its price hovers around $63,000, the lowest level in over a year. Since the beginning of 2026, the leading cryptocurrency has decreased by approximately 30%. For comparison, just in October 2025, Bitcoin reached an all-time high of over $127,000, subsequently consolidating around $90,000 by the end of the year. The breach of the psychologically significant mark of $70,000 downward triggered a wave of liquidations: in recent days, margin positions worth around $1 billion have been forcibly closed, further pressuring the price.
Experts note that the current decline is largely influenced by external factors. Bitcoin, which in previous years was viewed by some investors as "digital gold" and a hedge against inflation, is now trading more as a risk asset, correlating with declines in stock indices. Additional downward pressure on sentiment came with the appointment of Kevin Warsh, a known proponent of tightening monetary policy, as the new Fed Chair. Expectations of a reduced Federal Reserve balance sheet have led to an outflow of some capital from Bitcoin. Notably, in light of the current dynamics, the price of BTC has effectively returned to levels preceding Donald Trump's electoral victory in the US, despite his proclaimed support for cryptocurrencies.
Ethereum (ETH)
The second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalisation, Ethereum, is also experiencing significant declines. The price of ETH has fallen below the psychological threshold of $2,000 and is trading around $1,850, having lost about 19% over the past week. Since the beginning of the year, Ether has dropped nearly 40%. In December 2025, Ethereum held above $3,000, but the overall negative sentiment and capital drainage from risk assets have affected this leading altcoin as well.
The fundamental factors for Ethereum remain unchanged: the network continues to serve as a fundamental platform for decentralised finance (DeFi) and smart contracts, having successfully transitioned to the Proof-of-Stake mechanism. However, amidst the general correction, even technically strong projects take losses. The price pressure on ETH is also influenced by competition from alternative blockchains and Layer-2 solutions. Many investors have reduced their positions in Ethereum, waiting for market stabilisation and clearer signals of renewed demand for risk.
Altcoin Market: XRP, BNB and Others
Altcoins – other major cryptocurrencies aside from Bitcoin and Ethereum – have likewise been under considerable pressure in recent days. The Bitcoin dominance index has risen, as investors during turbulence prefer the most liquid and time-tested BTC, retreating from riskier coins. However, nearly all top assets have sustained double-digit percentage losses over the week:
BNB, the native token of Binance exchange, has decreased to around $660 (over 15% down for the week). BNB's prices are affected by both the general market decline and the ongoing strict regulatory oversight of cryptocurrency exchanges. Last year, BNB reached all-time highs amid the growth of the Binance Smart Chain ecosystem; however, it has since reverted to levels from late 2024.
XRP (Ripple) has dropped to around $1.3, losing a significant portion of its value compared to local peaks from last year (for context, in 2025 XRP rose above $2 following a partial victory for Ripple in its litigation with the SEC). Despite legal clarity in the US and XRP being included among the reserve cryptocurrencies backed by the Trump administration, the current market decline has not spared the token. Nevertheless, XRP remains one of the largest cryptocurrencies used for cross-border payments and continues to maintain high trading volumes.
Platform tokens Cardano (ADA) and Solana (SOL), which are among the most popular altcoins, have also depreciated in value. SOL has decreased by approximately 15-20% over the week, dropping to the $90-$100 range, despite ongoing technical development within the Solana network. ADA is trading around $0.30, nearly 15% lower than the weekly level a week ago. Previously, Cardano attracted investor attention with expectations of ETF launches based on network assets and protocol updates; however, under the current "risk-off" sentiment, these news items have taken a back seat.
The meme cryptocurrencies have not been left out either. The well-known coin Dogecoin (DOGE), backed by the community and occasionally by Elon Musk, has fallen below $0.10, reflecting the overall decline in speculative interest. Even in the absence of negative news, DOGE and similar tokens are losing value in line with the market. Meanwhile, some coins associated with gaming and metaverse projects show relative resilience, but overall, the altcoin segment is demonstrating diminished capitalisation.
Amid price declines, investors have heightened their transition to stable digital currencies — stablecoins. The leading stablecoin Tether (USDT) maintains its peg to the dollar at around $1 and shows rising transaction volumes, as many are shifting funds into a less volatile form. The same applies to USD Coin (USDC) and other stablecoins, for which demand has increased during periods of turbulence. However, regulatory risks surrounding stablecoins are also rising (for instance, new restrictions have been implemented in China, see below), adding yet another layer of uncertainty for the market.
Regulation: The US and China
At the beginning of 2026, the regulatory environment is forming mixed trends for the crypto industry. On one hand, in the US, the new administration is declaring support for digital assets. President Donald Trump, having returned to the White House in 2025, labelled the country as the "crypto capital of the world" and initiated the creation of a national strategic reserve in cryptocurrency. This reserve included the five largest coins at that time: Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Cardano, and Solana. Additionally, the GENIUS Act has been enacted, establishing guidelines for the industry, including stablecoin regulation and consumer protection. In January 2026, bills regarding the market structure of cryptocurrencies are being pushed through Congress, aimed at determining which agencies will oversee digital assets. The White House is actively mediating between proponents of stringent regulations and industry groups, calling for a compromise on stablecoin regulations by the end of February.
On the other hand, restrictions are tightening in several countries. In China, the authorities have again reaffirmed their hard stance: The People's Bank of China issued a notice on 6th February prohibiting the issuance of stablecoins pegged to the yuan without official permission. Essentially, Beijing is cutting off any attempts by local companies to create or distribute yuan-pegged digital tokens abroad. Chinese regulators also reminded that all operations with virtual currency within the country are considered illegal financial activities. These measures underscore China's willingness to fully control currency circulation and prevent circumvention of currency restrictions through crypto instruments. Analysts point out that such news regarding prohibitions heightens investor caution and may temporarily affect demand for cryptocurrencies in the Asian region.
Meanwhile, other jurisdictions are striving to find a balance. In the European Union, the regulatory framework law MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) is coming into full effect, aimed at ensuring transparent rules for the crypto industry across the EU. Many market participants expect that clear requirements from regulators will ultimately attract more institutional investments; however, in the short term, increased oversight is often accompanied by caution from large players.
Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies
Despite current price fluctuations, leading cryptocurrencies remain in the spotlight for investors. Below is a list of the top 10 most popular and significant cryptocurrencies today, along with their characteristics and roles in the market:
- Bitcoin (BTC) – The first and largest cryptocurrency, acting as a digital analogue to gold. It possesses the highest market capitalisation and recognition. Used as a means of saving and hedging, although it has lately been behaving like a risky asset. Bitcoin accounts for about 40% of the entire market.
- Ethereum (ETH) – The largest smart contract platform. Ethereum underpins the DeFi, NFT ecosystems and many blockchain applications. It has the second-largest market after Bitcoin. The Ethereum transition to the Proof-of-Stake mechanism has improved network scalability and attracted additional attention from institutional investors.
- Binance Coin (BNB) – The token of the largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance, and a key asset of its blockchain (BSC). BNB is used for paying fees, participating in new projects, and other services within the ecosystem. The coin has grown due to Binance's market dominance, although it faces regulatory risks due to scrutiny of the exchange.
- Ripple (XRP) – A cryptocurrency focused on fast and cheap international payments. Issued by Ripple, it integrates into banking systems for cross-border transfers. XRP has gained traction among financial institutions and remains in the top five despite past legal disputes with regulators. It features high transaction speeds and low fees.
- Solana (SOL) – A high-performance blockchain positioned as a platform for decentralised applications and Web3. Solana attracts developers with its high throughput and low fees. In 2021-2022, SOL experienced explosive growth, entering the ranks of the largest crypto assets. Despite the recent correction, Solana remains a main competitor to Ethereum in the smart contracts space.
- Cardano (ADA) – A blockchain platform developed with a focus on scientific approach and code reliability. The project is progressing more slowly than some competitors, rolling out new features gradually, but has a large community. ADA, the internal token of Cardano, is used for staking and conducting operations within the network. Cardano frequently makes headlines due to network updates and initiatives for launching ETFs on related assets.
- Dogecoin (DOGE) – The most well-known "meme coin", originally created as a joke but has since gained immense popularity. DOGE is characterised by high emission and low price per coin but attracts attention due to community support and endorsements from certain celebrities. It is used as a means for online tipping and micro-payments, is volatile, and is highly influenced by social media sentiments.
- TRON (TRX) – A blockchain platform focusing on entertainment and the content industry. TRON offers high transaction speeds and zero fees, attracting applications for content sharing and decentralised gaming. TRX token is actively used in the Asian region. The TRON network is also known for hosting a substantial number of stablecoins (including USDT), ensuring it maintains a robust transaction volume.
- Polkadot (DOT) – A project aimed at uniting various blockchains into a single ecosystem. Polkadot implements a "parachain" concept, allowing different networks to interact with each other. The DOT token is used for staking and network governance. Polkadot has gained wide recognition owing to its co-founder (Gavin Wood, a former Ethereum developer) and its vision of blockchain interoperability, ranking in the top 10 by market capitalisation.
- Polygon (MATIC) – A Layer-2 solution for scaling Ethereum, previously known as Matic Network. Polygon provides infrastructure for faster and cheaper transactions on top of the Ethereum network, attracting a multitude of DeFi and NFT projects. The MATIC token is used for paying fees and staking within the Polygon network. The project has become one of the most successful Layer-2 solutions, ensuring compatibility with the Ethereum ecosystem and significantly alleviating pressure on the main network.
Prospects and Investor Sentiment
The current phase of the market resembles previous downturn cycles, yet industry participants strive to look forward. Experienced investors note that every "crypto winter" has previously culminated in a new growth phase. Analysts emphasise that fundamental technological advancements — such as network development, cryptocurrency adoption by businesses and governments — have not vanished despite the price declines. Many projects continue active development, and companies from the traditional financial sector are exploring entry opportunities into the crypto market, awaiting regulatory clarity.
Sentiment for the near future remains cautious. Volatility may persist in the ensuing quarters, especially if world central banks maintain a stringent stance and investors focus on risk aversion. However, the presence of major market players and the experience drawn from previous downturns instil a degree of optimism. Some experts predict that the current decline may last a few more months, after which the market will seek a "bottom" before transitioning to recovery. Key triggers for a turnaround could be easing monetary policies, successful implementation of regulatory reforms (that eliminate legal uncertainties), and the launch of new products — for example, the approval of new ETFs or technological breakthroughs in the blockchain space.
For long-term investors, the current situation presents an opportunity to reassess strategies and shuffle portfolios if necessary. Many are focusing on the largest cryptocurrencies with established reputations (such as BTC and ETH), anticipating decreased turbulence. At the same time, some view the decline as a chance to enter the market at lower prices, expecting future growth. Overall, the industry enters 2026 with a cautious mindset, yet an enduring belief in the long-term potential of cryptocurrencies as an integral part of the global financial landscape.
