Hey Crypto fam,
This Week at a Glance
- Kraken backs newborn crypto adoption program in Wyoming
- $3.5B exits Bitcoin ETFs amid market uncertainty
- Pump.fun team dumps tokens at heavy losses
- South Korean prosecutors lose seized Bitcoin in phishing incident
- Eurozone signals support for euro stablecoins
This week highlighted how crypto is adjusting to a more demanding and closely watched environment. As investors become more selective and scrutiny increases, the industry is being pushed to reassess its priorities and prove where it fits long term, not just as a speculative market, but as part of broader financial systems.
Over the past few days, the market has looked less optimistic, with Bitcoin ETFs recording their fifth consecutive week of net outflows as investors pulled money out majorly due to falling prices and economic uncertainty. Given this year’s patterns, steady withdrawals suggest that investors are rethinking their risk after last year’s big rally. The current streak in outflows now rivals the longest in 2025, occurring from late October through November. The outflows come even as Bitcoin prices remain near critical levels below recent highs, with talks that institutional demand, which used to drive the market, is now much weaker.
At the same time, Kraken surprised many by stepping into mainstream financial policy, promising to sponsor Trump Accounts for every newborn in the U.S. state of Wyoming in 2026. This appears to be the first of its kind in the U.S., reported as part of a new community support and policy engagement effort specific to Wyoming’s federally backed savings pilot programme. These government-backed, tax-advantaged savings accounts, each starting with a $1,000 government contribution, are now getting support from a major crypto company. This move shows that digital-asset firms are starting to focus on long-term savings, early adoption, and community involvement, not just trading and storage. By engaging with public policy, some crypto companies are working to become a bigger part of people’s financial lives.
We’ve compiled the top stories that defined the week…
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Lead Story of the Week:
Kraken to Fund Crypto Accounts for Every Wyoming Newborn in 2026 (More)
Kraken will sponsor “Trump Accounts” for every child born in Wyoming in 2026, seeding each with funds to encourage long-term participation in the digital economy. The move follows the launch of the state-issued Frontier Stable Token (FRNT), a dollar-backed stablecoin issued by the Wyoming Stable Token Commission and supported by officials including Mark Gordon and Cynthia Lummis. Built on Solana, the token also aims to improve government payment efficiency and reduce administrative costs, showing how public finance and crypto are coming together. Read the full story.
Other News Making Waves
Markets & Trading
Bitcoin ETFs Head Toward Longest Outflow Streak Since 2025 (More)
Spot Bitcoin ETFs are approaching a fifth consecutive week of net outflows, with about $3.5 billion withdrawn over four weeks as Bitcoin fell from its peak to around $69,000. The trend shows investors are less confident because of economic uncertainty and regulatory talks. Even with new ETF filings, analysts say the steady withdrawals mean markets are still cautious during this ongoing correction.
Long-Term Bitcoin Holders Begin Selling at Losses (More)
On-chain data shows Bitcoin long-term holders are starting to sell at losses, with the Spent Output Profit Ratio dropping below 1 for the first time since 2023. The shift signals early market stress rather than full capitulation. Analysts warn prolonged weakness could deepen bearish sentiment, though broader averages still indicate most investors remain in profit.
Pump.fun Team Dumps 543M PUMP Tokens at Heavy Loss (More)
The team behind the Solana-based Pump.fun launchpad sold 543 million PUMP tokens for about $1.2 million USDC after they were previously valued near $25 million. This happened after the token lost about 75% of its value and came under legal pressure. Analysts say the team’s sell-off and weaker buybacks could hurt any short-term recovery.
Institutions, Adoption & Products
- Bybit EU launched MiCA-compliant USDC and EURC stablecoin savings products for European users. (More)
- Wintermute launched an institutional OTC desk for tokenized gold trading with PAXG and XAUT. (More)
- A Fireblocks report shows institutions now use stablecoins primarily for faster payments rather than cost savings. (More)
- Michael Saylor plans to convert $6B of company debt into equity to strengthen its balance sheet. (More)
Technology, Security & Research
- Analysts warned that quantum computing could threaten Bitcoin security and potentially expose dormant coins. (More)
- Willy Woo warned that quantum computing could unlock about 4 million lost Bitcoin and dilute the supply. (More)
- Vitalik Buterin said Ethereum remains permissionless and does not belong to him or any single group. (More)
DeFi, Tokenization & Blockchain Development
- World Liberty Financial announced a tokenized investment tied to a Trump Maldives resort for accredited investors. (More)
- Aptos proposed a 2.1 billion token supply cap and reduced emissions to create a deflationary model. (More)
- Stani Kulechov said tokenizing infrastructure like solar energy could unlock trillions in DeFi collateral. (More)
Regulation & Policy Watch
- South Korean prosecutors lost seized Bitcoin in a phishing incident during asset verification procedures. (More)
- Elizabeth Warren urged U.S. authorities to reject any government bailout for the crypto market. (More)
- Coin Center asked lawmakers to protect blockchain developers from criminal liability under money-transmitter rules. (More)
- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer proposed stricter laws forcing AI chatbots to block illegal content or face heavy fines. (More)
- Binance’s app disappeared from the Philippine Google Play Store amid regulatory enforcement pressure. (More)
- Bundesbank president Joachim Nagel signaled support for euro-denominated stablecoins alongside the digital euro push. (More)
Market Movers: Winners and Losers
Top 5 Gainers 📈
- Punch +9,410.06%, from $0.00035134 to $0.03340187
- GRX Chain +761.08%, from $0.882615 to $7.60
- Auki +89.41%, from $0.00642704 to $0.01217540
- Venice Token +28.52%, from $2.91 to $3.74
- Siren +78.00%, from $0.123461 to $0.219749
Top 5 Losers 📉
- River -54.60%, from $18.39 to $8.35
- MYX Finance -67.83%, from $2.81 to $0.903863
- Irys -41.26%, from $0.04165255 to $0.02445837
- AWE Network -30.69%, from $0.094023 to $0.065171
- The White Whale -15.91%, from $0.075573 to $0.063545
Data source: CoinGecko
Project Spotlight
Alchemy Pay Launches Payment-Focused Blockchain for Global Stablecoin Transfers
Alchemy Pay has launched Alchemy Chain, a Layer-1 network made for stablecoin payments, remittances, merchant checkout, and automated payouts. It uses Proof-of-Authority consensus, has about 5-second block times, predictable ACH-based fees, and built-in KYC/AML compliance with fiat on- and off-ramps. The $ACH token is used for gas fees and validator rewards, and a native stablecoin is planned for unified settlement across wallets and merchants. The testnet starts on February 23, 2026, as the company moves from being a payment gateway to a full financial infrastructure provider.
Why It Matters:
Unlike general-purpose blockchains, this network targets real-world payments first. By combining compliance, stable fees, and fast settlement, it aims to make stablecoins practical for everyday global commerce, which is an important step toward mainstream crypto payments adoption.
Disclaimer: This roundup is intended solely for informational purposes and should not be considered trading or investment advice. Nothing herein should be construed as financial, legal, or tax advice. Trading or investing in cryptocurrencies carries a considerable risk of financial loss. Always conduct due diligence.
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