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 attempting to recover from one of the sharpest sell-offs seen in recent months. Bitcoin is trading around $70,000, bouncing back from a recent annual low of approximately $60,000 recorded during the panic selling on February 6. Ethereum (ETH) remains around $2,100 after dropping to about $1,750 last week. The total market capitalization of the cryptocurrency market is estimated at roughly $2.4 trillion, which is nearly $2 trillion lower than the October peak of 2025 (about $4.4 trillion), underscoring ongoing investor caution. Sentiment remains tense, with the "fear and greed" index for digital assets residing in the extreme "fear" zone (below 10 points out of 100), reflecting the prevailing anxiety among market participants.
Such a sharp decline in prices at the beginning of February was triggered by a combination of unfavorable factors, ranging from tough signals from the U.S. Federal Reserve to a series of large liquidations in the derivatives markets. Nevertheless, the technical rebound seen in recent days has been supported by interest from buyers looking to capitalize on the lower prices. A modest influx of capital has pushed Bitcoin back above the psychologically significant level of $70,000, although risk appetite remains weak. Investors are closely monitoring developments in the macroeconomic situation and preparing for the release of key inflation and labor market data in the U.S. (expected on February 11), which has the potential to set the tone for the market's future movement.
Market Overview: Correction and Cautious Rebound
At the end of 2025, the cryptocurrency market was at historical highs, but the onset of 2026 saw a dramatic shift into a downward trajectory. Rapid tightening of external conditions has dampened global risk appetite. After a series of record highs for Bitcoin and Ethereum last autumn, the price crash in January 2026 marked the most significant challenge for the industry in the last 18 months. In the first week of February alone, the market plummeted by nearly a third before finding a local bottom. The overall value of the industry decreased by approximately 45% from its peak levels, with stablecoins temporarily becoming the leaders in trading volumes as many traders moved funds into these “safe havens” amid the storm.
As we enter the second week of February, the market is showing tentative stabilization. Certain assets that were previously oversold are leading the charge upward, though a broad rally has yet to materialize. High trading volumes during the rebound indicate real demand, but the resistance in the $72–73,000 zone for Bitcoin remains unbroken. Market participants are still cautiously assessing the outlook, as continued central bank hawkishness and geopolitical uncertainty suppress a confident return of capital to riskier assets. Until the macroeconomic background clarifies, the market is likely to continue balancing between attempts at growth and fears of further sell-offs.
Bitcoin: Annual 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 of February 6. Since the October record (~$120,000), the leading cryptocurrency has decreased by approximately 50%, primarily due to profit-taking by major players and a reduction in market liquidity. The sell-off was further exacerbated by news of Kevin Warsh's nomination to head the Federal Reserve, with investors fearing that Warsh’s commitment to tight monetary policy would lead to even tighter financial conditions. These fears intensified the wave of selling, culminating in a temporary decline 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, making it one of the most significant financial instruments in the world. Long-term holders of BTC (the “whales”) are generally in no rush to part with their coins, viewing Bitcoin as a strategic reserve and equivalent to “digital gold.” Furthermore, several large corporations holding significant BTC reserves have publicly stated their intention to leverage the price decline to bolster their holdings. Such interest from “big players” supports the market and confirms the enduring conviction that the fundamental value of Bitcoin remains high, despite current volatility.
Ethereum: Price Decline Despite Technical Progress
The second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, Ethereum (ETH), has also experienced a significant decline. Over recent weeks, the price of ETH has halved from its peak (~$5,000), briefly dropping below $2,000. A sharp daily drop of over 10% in early February triggered a cascade of automatic liquidations on the futures market, amplifying the downward momentum. Nevertheless, even after the correction, Ethereum remains a key platform for the crypto industry, and its technological development continues unabated.
In January, the Ethereum network successfully executed another protocol upgrade (hard fork codenamed BPO), aimed at enhancing scalability and blockchain efficiency. The ecosystem of Layer-2 solutions, which reduce the load on the main network and transactions fees, continues to expand. A significant portion of the issued ETH remains locked in staking or held long-term, which limits the supply of tokens in the market. Institutional interest in ETH remains high: in 2025, the first exchange-traded funds (ETFs) tied to Ethereum emerged in the U.S., attracting over $3 billion in investments within the first months of operation. Major funds and companies continue to include ETH alongside Bitcoin in their core long-term crypto portfolios, despite current price fluctuations.
Altcoins: At the Center of Volatility
The broader altcoin market has borne the brunt of the recent sell-off. Many tokens that had previously surged in value have lost between 30-60% of their highs at the beginning of 2026, as investors trimmed their riskiest positions. Capital is flowing out of volatile altcoins into more stable assets or leaving the crypto market entirely – evidenced by an increase in the share of stablecoins in total market capitalization and an uptick in Bitcoin's dominance. Currently, BTC’s share has surpassed 60% again, reflecting a reallocating of funds from altcoins to the flagship crypto asset amid the turbulence.
Not long ago, the spotlight was on tokens like XRP, Solana, and BNB, which had shown impressive growth spurred by positive news developments. XRP (Ripple) surged above $3 last summer due to Ripple's legal victory in the U.S., returning to the ranks of market leaders. Now, however, XRP has retreated roughly by half from those peaks, trading around $1.4. A similar trend is seen with Solana (SOL): after an impressive rise (above $200) during the ecosystem's recovery in 2025, SOL has corrected more than 50% down to about $85 but remains significantly above last year's lows and continues to be viewed as one of the leading platforms for DeFi and Web3. The Binance Coin (BNB), which reached record highs of about $880 in 2025 despite regulatory pressure on Binance, has dropped to around $500 during the overall downturn but has since retraced some losses and is currently trading around $640. This still places BNB in the top 5, thanks to its widespread application in trading and decentralized services.
Other major altcoins, such as Cardano (ADA), Dogecoin (DOGE), and Tron (TRX), remain under pressure and trade well below their historical highs. However, they retain positions among the leaders by market capitalization due to their still significant market valuations and support from enthusiast communities. During this period of high uncertainty, many participants prefer to ride out the storm in stablecoins (USDT, USDC, etc.) or Bitcoin, which limits the influx of new capital into the altcoin segment until the overall situation clarifies.
Regulation: Aiming for Clear Rules
Regulatory changes in the cryptocurrency sector are gaining momentum across the globe, with authorities striving to keep pace with industry developments. In the U.S., the administration is promoting a comprehensive digital asset legislation (Digital Asset Market Clarity Act), designed to clearly delineate the powers of regulators (SEC and CFTC) and establish clear rules for the crypto market. Alongside this bill, there are accompanying initiatives aimed at overseeing stablecoins (including a requirement for 100% reserves of issued digital dollars), which should bring an end to the practice of “regulation through enforcement” and ensure transparency for legally operating crypto companies. In January, discussions on the bill in the Senate were temporarily postponed due to disagreements within the industry (particularly regarding yield restrictions in decentralized finance), but discussions are expected to resume in the coming months, supported at the highest government levels.
While Congress discusses new rules, U.S. regulatory 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 (such as “AI Wealth,” Morocoin, etc.), demonstrating a commitment to clean 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, where the court confirmed that XRP is not a security. Such precedents reduce legal uncertainty for investors and companies in the U.S., creating a foundation for further market development.
In Europe, a unified regulation (MiCA) establishing clear rules for the circulation of crypto assets across all EU countries came into force at the beginning of the year. The European Union is also preparing to introduce reporting standards for cryptocurrency transactions (rules DAC8, effective in 2026) to enhance transparency and combat tax evasion. In the Asian region, regulators have also ramped up activities: for instance, Japan plans to ease the tax burden on crypto trading (reducing the tax rate to around 20%) and is considering launching the first exchange-traded crypto-ETFs, aiming to bolster the country’s position as a digital asset hub. 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: 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 in the market during January and February led to a temporary outflow of funds from some crypto-ETFs and trusts, as managers took profits and reduced risks in anticipation of stabilization. However, the strategic initiatives of major players have not disappeared. For example, in January, the exchange operator Nasdaq lifted position size limits on options for cryptocurrency ETFs (including funds for Bitcoin and Ethereum), equating them to the rules for traditional commodity ETFs. This move expands hedging and trading opportunities for institutions and signifies further penetration of crypto products into mainstream markets.
Public companies that have invested in cryptocurrencies are also largely maintaining their positions despite the price downturn. One of the largest corporate holders of Bitcoin (an American company with thousands of BTC on its balance sheet) has indicated that it continues to believe in the asset's long-term potential, even as the market price briefly dropped to around their average purchase cost. The management of this firm hinted that they may increase their BTC reserves in light of declining prices. Overall, many institutional investors have adopted a wait-and-see approach: some have indeed reduced exposure in the short term, but interest in crypto assets as an asset class remains high. Major banks and asset managers continue to develop crypto products and infrastructure, anticipating that as macro conditions improve and regulatory clarity increases, client demand for digital assets will resume.
Macroeconomics: Tight Policy and Flight to Quality
The external macroeconomic backdrop at the start of 2026 remains difficult for risk assets, and cryptocurrencies have felt this pressure acutely. In the U.S., a leadership change at the Federal Reserve is on the horizon, with candidate Kevin Warsh known as a proponent of tight monetary policy. Expectations of higher interest rates and continued balance sheet reduction by the Federal Reserve bolster investor concerns since it was the excess liquidity of recent years that significantly fueled the rally in cryptocurrencies. Additional nervousness at the end of January stemmed from political uncertainty: due to budgetary disputes, the prospect of a government shutdown in the U.S. loomed, which temporarily undermined risk appetite. Only an emergency agreement in Congress helped avert a shutdown, but the overall atmosphere remains tense.
There are also increasing risks on the international stage. The U.S. administration threatened new trade tariffs against the European Union, reviving concerns of escalating trade wars. In Japan, there was a sharp spike in government bond yields, destabilizing the local financial market and pulling some global liquidity out of risk assets. These events prompted typical “flight to quality”: investors gravitated towards defensive instruments, shedding volatile positions. The price of gold soared to an all-time high, surpassing $5,000 per ounce, while the U.S. dollar index strengthened considerably. 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 refuge from risks. Instead of cryptocurrencies, capital briefly moved into traditional safe-haven assets and high-liquidity instruments.
Nevertheless, as macroeconomic uncertainty begins to subside (for instance, if Federal Reserve policy stabilizes or geopolitical tensions decrease), interest in the crypto market stands a chance of reviving fairly quickly. 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. The combination of fresh inflation indicators and postponed employment data could trigger increased volatility in global markets. If macroeconomic indicators suggest a reduction in inflationary pressures, it may provide grounds for anticipating a softening of central banks' rhetoric – a factor capable of restoring 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 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 capitalization and the leading smart contract platform. The price of ETH is currently around $2,100; Ether 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 capitalization of about $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 the BNB Chain blockchain. 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 extensive use 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, approximately half of its recent local peak (the token rose above $3 during the summer amid legal clarity on its status in the U.S.). Nevertheless, 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 (market capitalization around $30 billion).
- Solana (SOL) – a high-performance blockchain platform known for low fees and transaction speed. SOL was above $200 in 2025, reviving investor interest in the project, and currently trades at around half that price (~$85) following the overall market correction. Solana is regarded as a strong competitor to Ethereum 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 an active community, although its current price (~$0.30) is significantly below its historical peak.
- Dogecoin (DOGE) – the most well-known meme cryptocurrency, originally created as a joke but which grew to become one of the largest assets. DOGE is holding around $0.10, supported by community loyalty and periodic celebrity attention. Despite high volatility, Dogecoin continues to be among the largest coins, exhibiting 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.
Outlook and Expectations
In the short term, sentiment in the cryptocurrency market remains cautious. The investor sentiment index signals “extreme fear,” contrasting with the euphoria that was witnessed just a few months ago. Many analysts warn that the recent correction could deepen if external risks persist. Predictions are circulating that under negative developments, Bitcoin could retest the $60,000 level or even drop below it – particularly in the event of further shocks in traditional markets or a tightening of regulatory rhetoric. Such high volatility and recent price declines serve as a reminder for investors of the need for careful risk management within their crypto portfolios.
Nevertheless, the mid-term and long-term outlook for the cryptocurrency market remains predominantly positive. Technological innovations continue to be implemented in the industry, new promising projects are being launched, and major players have not lost their interest in digital assets – many view the current decline as an opportunity to strengthen their positions. Historically, after periods of exuberant growth (as witnessed 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 a number of experts remain optimistic.
Some investment companies maintain ambitious price targets. Predictions suggest that if the macroeconomic environment improves, Bitcoin could cross the $100,000 threshold again 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 moves towards easing policy amid slowing inflation, and legislative clarity reduces legal risks, the capital inflow into the cryptocurrency market may resume at an accelerated pace. For now, investors are recommended to maintain a balance between vigilance and strategic vision, remembering that volatility is an inherent part of the cryptocurrency market's evolution and the flip side of high long-term opportunities.
