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 shows signs of recovery following one of the most severe sell-offs in recent months. Bitcoin is trading around $70,000, bouncing back from a recent yearly low (~$60,000 recorded during panic selling on February 6). Ethereum (ETH) hovers around $2,100 after dipping to ~$1,750 last week. The total market capitalization of the crypto market is estimated at approximately $2.4 trillion – nearly $2 trillion lower than the October peak of $4.4 trillion, underscoring the persisting caution among investors. Sentiment remains tense, with the "fear and greed" index for digital assets situated in the extreme "fear" zone (below 10 points out of 100), reflecting the prevailing market anxieties.
Such a sharp decline in prices at the beginning of February was triggered by a combination of unfavorable factors ranging from strong signals from the U.S. Federal Reserve to a series of large liquidations on derivative exchanges. Nevertheless, the technical rebound seen in recent days has been supported by buyer interest capitalizing on the price reductions. A moderate inflow of capital has pushed Bitcoin above the psychologically important level of $70,000, though risk appetite remains weak. Investors are closely monitoring the unfolding macroeconomic situation and preparing for the release of key inflation and labor market data in the U.S. (expected on February 11), which could set the tone for future market movements.
Market Overview: Correction and Cautious Rebound
At the end of 2025, the cryptocurrency market was setting historical highs; however, the onset of 2026 marked a sharp shift towards a downward trend. The rapid tightening of external conditions has diminished global risk appetite. Following a series of record highs for Bitcoin and Ethereum last autumn, the price collapse in January 2026 has posed the most significant challenge for the industry in the last 18 months. In the first week of February alone, the market fell by nearly a third before finding a local bottom. The overall capitalization of the industry has decreased by approximately 45% from peak levels, with stablecoins temporarily emerging as the leaders in trading volume as many traders moved funds into these "safe havens" amidst the storm.
As the second week of February begins, the market displays a tentative stabilization. Specific previously oversold assets are leading the rise; however, a broad rally has yet to materialize. High trading volumes during the rebound indicate real demand, but resistance in the $72,000–$73,000 range for Bitcoin remains intact. Market participants continue to cautiously evaluate future prospects: the persistence of the central banks' hawkish rhetoric and geopolitical uncertainty inhibits a confident return of capital to risk assets. Until the macroeconomic backdrop clarifies, the market is likely to continue balancing between attempts at growth and the fear of further sell-offs.
Bitcoin: Yearly Low and Signs of Support
Last week, Bitcoin (BTC) dropped to its lowest values in over a year, slipping below $60,000 during the panic on February 6. Since the October record (~$120,000), the first cryptocurrency has depreciated by approximately 50%, largely due to profit-taking by large players and a reduction in market liquidity. The news regarding Kevin Warsh's nomination as head of the U.S. Federal Reserve further triggered the sell-offs, with investors fearing that Warsh's commitment to a hawkish monetary policy would lead to tighter financial conditions. These concerns intensified the wave of selling, culminating in a short-term decline for BTC to ~$60,000.
Even with 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 worldwide. Long-term holders of BTC ("whales") largely refrain from parting with their coins, viewing Bitcoin as a strategic reserve and an analogue of "digital gold." Moreover, some large corporations that own substantial amounts of BTC have publicly stated their intention to take advantage of the price decline to bolster their reserves. Such interest from "big players" provides support for the market and confirms confidence that Bitcoin's fundamental value remains high despite current volatility.
Ethereum: Price Drop Despite Technical Progress
The second-largest cryptocurrency, Ethereum (ETH), has also experienced significant declines. In recent weeks, the price of ETH has decreased by approximately half from its peak (~$5,000) and briefly fell below $2,000. A sharp daily drop of over 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, with its technological advancements continuing unabated.
In January, the Ethereum network successfully executed another protocol upgrade (the hard fork dubbed BPO), aimed at enhancing scalability and efficiency within the blockchain. The expansion of the Layer-2 solutions ecosystem is ongoing, reducing the load on the main network and transaction fees. A significant portion of issued ETH remains locked in staking or stored long-term, limiting the token's supply in the market. Institutional interest in ETH remains high: in 2025, the first exchange-traded funds (ETFs) tied to Ethereum appeared in the U.S., attracting over $3 billion in investments during the 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 Epicenter of Volatility
The broader altcoin market bore the brunt of the recent sell-off. Many tokens that previously surged rapidly lost 30–60% of their values early in 2026, as investors pared back their riskiest positions. Capital is flowing from volatile altcoins into more reliable assets or is leaving the crypto market altogether, confirmed by an increase in the share of stablecoins in total capitalization and Bitcoin's rising dominance. Currently, BTC's market share exceeds 60% again, reflecting a reallocation of funds from altcoins to the flagship crypto asset amid turbulence.
Not long ago, tokens such as XRP, Solana, and BNB were in the spotlight, showing outperforming growth due to positive news backdrops. XRP (Ripple) surged above $3 last summer on the wave of Ripple's legal victory in the U.S., returning to the forefront of the market. Now, however, XRP has followed the general trend, retreating about half from those peaks and trading around $1.40. A similar dynamic is observed in Solana (SOL): after an impressive rise (above $200) amid ecosystem recovery in 2025, SOL corrected more than 50% to ~$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 a record ~$880 in 2025 despite regulatory pressures on Binance, has decreased to ~$500 amid the overall downturn, but has since recovered part of its losses and is currently trading around $640. This still places BNB in the top 5, thanks to the broad scope of the token's application in trading and decentralized services.
Other major altcoins, such as Cardano (ADA), Dogecoin (DOGE), and Tron (TRX), also remain under pressure and are trading significantly below their historical highs. However, they remain among the leaders in capitalization due to still considerable market valuations and support from enthusiastic communities. During this time of high uncertainty, many participants prefer to ride out the storm in stablecoins (USDT, USDC, etc.) or in Bitcoin, which limits the inflow of new capital into the altcoin segment until the overall situation clarifies.
Regulation: Moving Towards Clear Rules
Regulatory changes in the cryptocurrency space are gaining momentum globally, as authorities strive to keep pace with the industry's development. In the U.S., the administration is promoting a comprehensive Digital Asset Market Clarity Act intended to clearly delineate the powers of regulators (SEC and CFTC) and establish clear rules for the crypto market. This bill, alongside related initiatives for stablecoin oversight (including a requirement for 100% reserve backing of issued digital dollars), aims to end the practice of "regulatory via enforcement" and provide transparency for legally operating crypto companies. In January, the Senate temporarily postponed consideration of the bill due to disagreements within the industry (in particular regarding yield restrictions in decentralized finance); however, discussions are expected to continue in the coming months, with support at the highest government levels.
While Congress debates the new regulations, U.S. supervisory agencies continue to closely monitor the market. At the end of 2025, the SEC took a series of high-profile actions against blatantly fraudulent schemes (AI Wealth, Morocoin, etc.), demonstrating its determination to clean up the sector. 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 the groundwork for further market development.
In Europe, a unified regulation known as MiCA came into effect at the beginning of the year, establishing clear rules for the circulation of crypto assets across all EU countries. The European Union is also preparing to implement tax reporting standards for cryptocurrency transactions (DAC8 rules, effective in 2026) to enhance transparency and combat tax evasion. In the Asian region, regulators have also intensified their efforts: for instance, Japan plans to lighten the tax burden on crypto trading (reducing the tax rate to around 20%) and is considering launching the first crypto ETFs, aiming to bolster the country’s position as a digital asset hub. 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 investors’ trust in the sector is likely to grow.
Institutional Trends: Pausing and New Opportunities
Following a record influx of institutional capital into crypto funds in 2025, the start of 2026 has marked a pause. The sharp market volatility in January and February led to a temporary outflow of funds from certain crypto ETFs and trusts, as managers took profits and reduced risk in anticipation of stabilization. However, the strategic initiatives of large players remain in place. For instance, the exchange operator Nasdaq in January lifted restrictions on the size of positions in options on cryptocurrency ETFs (including those linked to Bitcoin and Ethereum), aligning them with rules for traditional commodity ETFs. This move expands hedging and trading opportunities for institutional investors and signifies further penetration of crypto products into mainstream markets.
Public companies that have invested in cryptocurrencies are mostly maintaining their positions, despite the downturn in prices. One of the largest corporate Bitcoin holders (an American company with thousands of BTC on its balance sheet) indicated that it still believes in the long-term potential of the asset, even as the market price has temporarily dipped near its average purchase price. The management of this firm hinted that it might increase its BTC reserves amid falling prices. Overall, many institutional investors are adopting a wait-and-see approach: some have indeed reduced their 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: Strict 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 U.S., a change in leadership at the Federal Reserve is on the horizon; nominee Kevin Warsh is known for advocating a stringent monetary policy. Expectations of higher interest rates and continued balance sheet reduction by the Federal Reserve heighten investor concerns, as the liquidity excess of recent years has largely fueled cryptocurrency rallies. Moreover, political uncertainty in late January, due to budget disagreements, raised fears of a potential government shutdown, temporarily undermining risk appetite. Only an emergency congressional agreement helped avert a shutdown, but the overall atmosphere remains tense.
Internationally, risks have also escalated. The U.S. administration has threatened new tariffs against the European Union, reviving concerns over escalating trade wars. In Japan, a surge in government bond yields destabilized the local financial market and drew some global liquidity away from risk assets. These events have provoked a classic "flight to quality": investors have flocked to protective instruments, shedding volatile positions. Gold prices surged to historical highs, exceeding $5,000 per ounce, while the U.S. dollar index strengthened notably. Against this backdrop, Bitcoin and other crypto assets temporarily lost their status as "digital gold" – at least in the eyes of investors urgently seeking refuge from risks. Instead of cryptocurrencies, capital briefly migrated to traditional safe-haven assets and highly liquid instruments.
Nevertheless, as macroeconomic uncertainty begins to subside (e.g., if Federal Reserve policy stabilizes or geopolitical tensions decrease), interest in the crypto market stands a chance to quickly revive. This week, market participants are closely monitoring key statistical data, including the U.S. consumer price index (inflation), which will be released on February 11. A combination of fresh inflation indicators and postponed employment data could trigger increased volatility in global markets. If macro indicators suggest a decrease in inflationary pressures, this may provide grounds to expect a softening of central banks' rhetoric – a factor that could rekindle 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 acting as "digital gold" for investors.
- Ethereum (ETH) – The second-largest token and leading smart contract platform. ETH's current price is around $2,100; Ethereum underpins the DeFi ecosystem and numerous 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. Widely used in the market for trading and capital storage; with a market cap of approximately $80 billion, USDT is one of the main sources of liquidity in the crypto ecosystem.
- Binance Coin (BNB) – The native token of the global cryptocurrency exchange Binance and the BNB Chain ecosystem. BNB holders receive discounts on fees and access to ecosystem products; currently, the coin trades around $640 after a recent correction. Despite regulatory pressure on Binance, BNB remains in the top 5 due to its wide application in trading and DeFi.
- XRP (Ripple) – The cryptocurrency of the Ripple payment network, designed for quick cross-border transfers. XRP is currently valued at around $1.40, roughly half of its recent local peak (the token surged above $3 in summer on the wave of legal clarity in the U.S.). However, XRP maintains its position as one of the largest coins and attracts increased 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 (with a market cap of around $30 billion).
- Solana (SOL) – A high-performance blockchain platform known for low fees and transaction speeds. SOL rose above $200 in 2025, reviving investor interest in the project, and is now trading approximately half that (~$85) following the overall market correction. Solana is considered one of Ethereum's competitors in the DeFi and Web3 spaces due to its scalability.
- Cardano (ADA) – The cryptocurrency of the Cardano platform, developed based on a scientific approach. ADA remains in the top 10 due to its large market capitalization (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 has grown into one of the largest assets. DOGE trades around $0.10, supported by community loyalty and occasional celebrity attention. Despite high volatility, Dogecoin continues to rank among the largest coins, demonstrating remarkable resilience in investor interest.
- Tron (TRX) – The token of the Tron blockchain platform, focused on decentralized applications and digital content. TRX (~$0.28) is in demand for issuing and transferring stablecoins (a significant portion of USDT circulates on the Tron network due to low fees), allowing it to remain 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 with the euphoria observed just months ago. Many analysts caution that the recent correction could deepen if external risks persist. There are forecasts that under negative scenarios, Bitcoin could retest the ~$60,000 level or even fall below – particularly with further shocks in traditional markets or tightening regulator rhetoric. Such high volatility and recent price declines serve as a reminder to investors of the need for careful risk management in their crypto portfolios.
Nevertheless, the mid-term and long-term outlook for the cryptocurrency market remains largely positive. The industry continues to implement technological innovations, with new promising projects being launched, and the largest 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 transitions to a phase of cooling and consolidation before resuming an upward trend. Fundamental drivers – from the widespread adoption of blockchain technologies to the integration of cryptocurrencies into the traditional financial sector – are still in play, and a number of experts remain optimistic.
Some investment firms continue to maintain ambitious price targets. Predictions suggest that with improved macroeconomic conditions, Bitcoin could again surpass the $100,000 mark and head toward 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 a more lenient policy amid declining inflation and legislative clarity reduces legal risks, the influx of capital 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 part of the cryptocurrency market's development and the flip side of high long-term opportunities.
