CoinDesk

A crypto treasury firm has amassed **4.3 million ETH tokens**, valued at approximately **$8.7 billion** at current prices hovering just above $2,000 per token. **Key Holdings:** - The firm now controls **2.9% of the total ETH supply** - Maintains nearly **$398 million in cash reserves** for additional purchases - Represents one of the largest institutional Ethereum positions This accumulation strategy demonstrates continued institutional confidence in Ethereum despite market volatility, with the firm positioning itself as a major stakeholder in the network's future.

**Major altcoins experienced significant losses** as Aptos (APT) dropped 9.4% and NEAR Protocol (NEAR) fell 8%, dragging the broader crypto index lower. **Key movements:** - APT declined 9.4% - NEAR fell 8% - Both tokens led the index downward This follows a pattern of weakness in layer-1 protocols, with Aptos previously declining 5.6% in June alongside a 5.9% drop in Cardano (ADA). The synchronized decline suggests broader market pressure on alternative layer-1 blockchain platforms rather than project-specific issues.

**MicroStrategy continues its Bitcoin accumulation strategy with latest purchase** The company acquired **1,142 bitcoin** for approximately **$90 million**, paying an average price of **$78,815 per coin**. **Key details:** - Total holdings now stand at **713,502 BTC** - Average purchase price across entire stack: **$76,052** - Current Bitcoin price: approximately **$77,000** - This represents a relatively modest addition compared to previous purchases The acquisition demonstrates MicroStrategy's ongoing commitment to its Bitcoin treasury strategy, despite market volatility.

Bitcoin continued its downward trajectory on February 9, with derivatives data confirming a clear risk-off sentiment among traders. **Recent Market Context:** - Over $1 billion in crypto liquidations occurred in late January, with $980 million from long positions - Bitcoin dropped more than 7% in 24 hours during the selloff - Total crypto market cap shed nearly $290 billion during a weekend rout - "Extreme fear" gripped crypto markets while equities showed resilience The sustained selling pressure follows weeks of volatility triggered by macro headwinds, including geopolitical tensions and Federal Reserve policy uncertainty. Traders remain cautious as bitcoin tests key support levels, with analysts warning of potential further downside if these levels break.

**Crypto.com makes bold AI move during Super Bowl** Crypto.com CEO Kris Marszalek announced the company's entry into the artificial intelligence sector, focusing on autonomous agents. The announcement was accompanied by a Super Bowl advertisement that generated such significant traffic it temporarily overwhelmed the company's website. **Key developments:** - Crypto.com launching autonomous agent technology - Super Bowl ad campaign drove massive user interest - Website experienced brief outage due to traffic surge - Move positions crypto exchange in competitive AI landscape The timing follows Anthropic's Super Bowl ad criticizing OpenAI's advertising plans, highlighting increased competition in the AI space. Crypto.com's infrastructure challenges during the launch suggest strong initial market interest in their AI offerings.

**Bitcoin miners are experiencing a severe profitability crisis** as revenue per petahash has plummeted from $70 to just $35 - a 50% decline from recent peaks. This dramatic drop comes as miners face a perfect storm of challenges: - Revenue per unit of computing power has been cut in half - The April 2025 halving event reduced block rewards - Rising operational costs continue to squeeze margins - Bitcoin price around $84,000 hasn't offset these pressures The mining industry is entering a critical period where only the most efficient operations may survive. Smaller miners with higher electricity costs are particularly vulnerable to this revenue compression. **What this means:** Mining profitability is at multi-year lows, potentially forcing industry consolidation.

Recent analysis suggests that market makers played a significant role in accelerating bitcoin's latest price decline. **Key Points:** - Market makers, who provide liquidity by continuously buying and selling assets, appear to have amplified downward price momentum - This follows earlier observations from May 2025 when similar dynamics were noted potentially limiting BTC's rise above $115K - The pattern reveals how these institutional players can influence price movements in both directions **What This Means:** Market makers operate behind the scenes to maintain order book depth, but their hedging activities and algorithmic trading can sometimes magnify price swings rather than dampen them. Understanding their role helps explain why crypto markets can experience sharp, rapid movements that seem disconnected from fundamental news.

The week of February 9, 2026 brings a fresh set of developments across the crypto and web3 landscape. **Key Areas to Watch:** - Market movements following last week's trends - Ongoing protocol updates and governance decisions - Regulatory developments in major jurisdictions - New product launches and ecosystem expansions This week builds on momentum from the previous period, with several projects expected to announce updates. Community governance votes continue across major DAOs, while infrastructure improvements remain a focus for layer-2 solutions. Stay informed as the week unfolds.

**S.Y. Lee references Worldcoin's approach to token vesting** In a recent CoinDesk interview, S.Y. Lee highlighted Worldcoin's extended lockup periods as a template for managing token distribution timelines. **Key points:** - Extended lockups provide longer implementation runways for projects - Worldcoin's model being used as industry precedent - Approach aims to balance token release with project development The statement builds on Worldcoin's broader strategy, which has shown particular traction in Asia-Pacific and Latin American markets outside of Europe. **Context:** Token lockup periods are mechanisms that restrict when tokens can be sold or transferred, often used to prevent market flooding and align long-term incentives.

A major crypto company has accumulated at least **148 tonnes of physical gold**, according to estimates from a Wall Street investment bank. This substantial holding places the firm among the **top 30 global holders of bullion**, marking a significant crossover between traditional precious metals and digital asset markets. **Key Points:** - The crypto firm's gold reserves represent a notable diversification strategy - This follows a broader trend of institutional involvement in crypto, with Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley previously holding $4.7 billion in spot crypto ETFs - The physical gold holdings demonstrate growing maturity in crypto treasury management The move signals increasing convergence between traditional store-of-value assets and cryptocurrency firms' balance sheet strategies.