On February 20, 2026, MARA Holdings said it completed the cash purchase of a 64% controlling stake in Exaion, a French computing infrastructure firm owned by EDF, for $168 million. First announced in August 2025, the deal received final approval from French regulators, and includes an option to lift ownership to 75% by 2027 for an additional $127 million.

On February 21, 2026 at 15:30, Bitcoin traded near $68,000 as total crypto market capitalization stood around $2.33–$2.41 trillion, up ~1% in 24 hours. According to this report, extreme fear persists (Index 14), and a push above $69,000 could trigger over $800 million in short liquidations amid tariff changes taking effect on February 24.

On February 20, 2026, Sam Bankman-Fried used a proxy to publish a "10 Myths" X thread from prison, disputing that FTX was insolvent and challenging aspects of his fraud case. He claimed customers are receiving 119%–143% of November 2022 claim values and rejected personal-life rumors, while critics point out his conviction stands and findings on customer fund misuse remain.

Darknet marketplaces and drug vendors took in nearly $2.6 billion in cryptocurrency in 2025, with inflows to drug-linked addresses slightly above $2.5 billion. From mid-2023, payments for fentanyl precursors fell sharply, and larger transfers over $500 correlated with worse Canadian health outcomes, underscoring how on-chain activity can act as an early warning for public health and enforcement.

On 21 February 2026, developers and researchers reiterated that quantum computing is a distant threat to Bitcoin and Ethereum, not a current crisis. Bitcoin has slid about 46% from its October 2025 peak of $126,100 to roughly $67,000, while Ether is down around 58% to near $1,950; observers attribute recent moves to macro liquidity and capital shifts toward AI, rather than quantum fears.

On February 19, 2026, Chainalysis outlined how on‑chain cryptocurrency flows linked to darknet markets and fentanyl precursor suppliers can anticipate overdose trends by three to six months. The firm reported that darknet market inflows neared $2.6 billion in 2025, while mid‑2023 saw a sharp drop in payments to fentanyl precursor suppliers that aligned with declining opioid deaths in the U.S. and Canada. Larger crypto transfers above $500 also showed a strong relationship with stimulant‑related hospitalizations in Canada, underscoring blockchain’s dual role as both a facilitator of illicit activity and a tool for public health forecasting and law enforcement.

On February 19, 2026, HYPE traded around $31–$32, about 47% below its 2025 peak near $59. Arthur Hayes set a $150 target for July 2026 and placed a $100,000 outperformance wager against altcoins above $1 billion in market cap. Hyperliquid's model directs 50% of fees to token buybacks, with 2025 notional volume around $2.6 trillion.

On 17 February 2026, an analysis outlines base-case ranges for Litecoin, projecting $95–$120 in 2026. It suggests $150–$200 in a strong 2027–2028 cycle, with longer-term potential of $250–$300 by 2030, while cautioning that outcomes hinge on Bitcoin-led liquidity and macro conditions.

Between February 16–18, 2026, Cardano (ADA) traded near $0.30 after a monthly decline of almost 25% from around $0.37. Model-based projections indicate a February range of $0.298–$0.324 with an average near $0.311, implying up to roughly 8% upside by February 28. Short-term signals are mildly supportive, while higher timeframes remain cautious.