Stay ahead with the latest cryptocurrency news and analysis
Blockchain
Blockchain
Blockchain
Blockchain
Blockchain
Blockchain
The Cardano blockchain is gearing up for a significant protocol enhancement, with its development team rolling out crucial software updates on February 21, 2026. These coordinated releases for both the network’s core node and its smart contract platform lay the essential groundwork for an impending hard fork, signaling a period of intensive technical preparation.
In a synchronized move, developers introduced new versions of two fundamental components. Cardano Node v10.6.2 was deployed, focusing on bolstering the network’s internal architecture and enhancing its tracing capabilities. This update is designed to reinforce the infrastructure’s stability and resilience ahead of planned protocol modifications.
Simultaneously, the team launched Plutus version 1.58.0.0. As the blockchain’s native smart contract language, this upgrade expands the suite of built-in functions available to developers. The enhancements aim to broaden the potential for decentralized applications (dApps) operating within the Cardano ecosystem.
These releases directly pave the way for the next intra-era hard fork, officially designated “van Rossem.” This event will transition the network to Protocol Version 11, delivering targeted improvements in Plutus performance, ledger consistency, and node security.
This activity underscores Cardano’s research-driven development philosophy. The current work not only facilitates the imminent shift to Protocol Version 11 but also establishes a foundation for the subsequent Dijkstra era, which will introduce Protocol Version 12. This long-term roadmap highlights the project’s continued emphasis on scalability and security.
The ecosystem has demonstrated vigorous development momentum in early 2026. Beyond these core updates, numerous projects across the network have seen advancements in wallet services, scaling technology, and underlying protocol features.
As developers strengthen the technical backbone, on-chain metrics present a nuanced picture. Data from Santiment on February 21 indicates Cardano’s 30-day Market Value to Realized Value (MVRV) ratio stood at -2.0%. This figure suggests the asset is trading below the average price paid by investors over the past month, a condition some market observers interpret as a sign of potential undervaluation.
Alongside its technical progress, Cardano is being highlighted in several market analyses as a suitable network for cryptocurrency newcomers. Its predictable fee structure and stable transaction environment are frequently cited as beneficial for users learning to manage digital assets.
Investors in Ethereum, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency, are facing a tense period. A significant price decline has been compounded by substantial selling activity traced to wallets associated with co-founder Vitalik Buterin, raising fresh concerns over the asset’s near-term stability during an already fragile market phase.
The broader context is one of pronounced selling pressure. Ethereum’s price recently fell below the psychologically significant $1,900 level, currently trading around $1,865. This drop triggered a cascade of forced liquidations, with leveraged long positions worth $112 million being unwound within a 24-hour span. Since the start of the year, ETH has declined by nearly 38%, and prevailing market sentiment, as measured by the Fear & Greed Index, points to extreme fear, leaving little momentum for a bullish reversal.
Amid this backdrop, on-chain data has revealed considerable sell-offs from Buterin-affiliated addresses. These wallets have disposed of Ether worth more than $15.5 million in February alone. The transactions included several bundles each valued at over $3 million within the last 48 hours, alongside a separate transfer of approximately 428 ETH recorded on February 22.
A notable technical aspect of these sales is the use of the CoW Protocol. This decentralized exchange aggregator is frequently employed by large-scale investors to mitigate price slippage and lessen the direct market impact of substantial sell orders on spot prices. Nevertheless, such conspicuous movements by a foundational figure within the Ethereum ecosystem inevitably attract attention and weigh on investor psychology.
The current market dynamics present a complex picture, particularly within Ethereum’s staking ecosystem. On one hand, demand for new staking deposits has plunged by almost 50% since its peak in January. This suggests that less Ether is being newly locked up by validators, which could incrementally increase the liquid supply available on the open market.
Conversely, long-term holders continue to demonstrate conviction. The total proportion of staked Ether reached a new record high in mid-February, exceeding 30.5%. This creates a clear divergence between the short-term selling pressure and sustained, long-term confidence in the network’s underlying protocol.
With prominent actors reducing their holdings and derivative markets under strain, downward pressure continues to dominate the narrative for Ethereum. The convergence of technical liquidations and high-profile selling is testing the resilience of investors during a challenging phase for digital assets.
The price of gold surged to approximately $5,150 per troy ounce on Monday, marking its highest level in three weeks. This rally is being propelled by a confluence of geopolitical instability and unexpected U.S. trade policy developments, driving investors toward traditional safe-haven assets.
Beyond immediate crises, underlying economic conditions are reinforcing gold’s appeal. Recent data shows U.S. GDP growth for the fourth quarter of 2025 slowed to just 1.4%, falling short of the anticipated 2.5%. Concurrently, the core PCE price index climbed to 3.0% in December. This combination of moderating growth and persistent inflation enhances the metal’s attractiveness as a portfolio hedge.
The Federal Reserve is maintaining its benchmark interest rate at 3.75%. Analysts at UBS project two further rate cuts of 25 basis points each by September, a move that would reduce the opportunity cost of holding the non-yielding precious metal.
Central bank demand remains a powerful structural driver. According to Goldman Sachs, net purchases by global central banks reached about 900 tonnes in 2025. In a historic shift not seen since 1996, these institutions now hold more gold than U.S. Treasury securities in their reserves.
A landmark Supreme Court decision has injected significant uncertainty into global trade. On Friday, the court ruled 6-3 that former President Trump’s tariff impositions were unlawful. Chief Justice John Roberts stated that tariffs based on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act violated the Constitution, affirming that the power to levy tariffs rests with Congress, not the President.
The response from Trump was swift. He first announced a global 10% tariff under Section 122 of the Trade Act on Friday, then raised it to the maximum allowable rate of 15% the following day. These new duties are set to take effect on Tuesday but will expire after approximately 150 days without congressional approval.
The market impact is already materializing. India has postponed planned trade talks with Washington, while the European Parliament’s trade committee is considering suspending ratification of the EU-U.S. trade agreement. This legal and policy uncertainty is weighing heavily on financial markets.
Simultaneously, tensions in the Middle East are escalating, providing a classic catalyst for gold demand. New nuclear negotiations, mediated by Oman, are scheduled to begin in Geneva on Thursday. Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, stated on Sunday that a diplomatic solution was “within reach,” with Tehran working on a draft agreement.
However, this diplomatic effort is occurring against a backdrop of heightened military activity. The United States has stationed two aircraft carrier strike groups—the USS Abraham Lincoln and the USS Gerald Ford—along with dozens of fighter jets in the region. Trump remarked on Friday that he was “considering” limited military strikes against Iran. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian countered, declaring his country “will not yield.” The crisis had already pushed gold above $5,000 earlier in the week.
Major financial institutions see further potential for the precious metal. UBS has set a price target of $6,200 per ounce, citing ongoing geopolitical risks, the anticipated Fed pivot, and constrained supply. Goldman Sachs forecasts a year-end price of $5,400 in its base-case scenario. Analysts at J.P. Morgan see the price moving toward $5,000 by the fourth quarter, with longer-term potential to reach $6,000.
The coming days feature several critical events. The new 15% U.S. tariffs take effect Tuesday, the Iran negotiations commence Thursday, and the IAEA Board of Governors convenes in Vienna on March 2nd, where a new resolution concerning Iran is on the agenda. These three dates are likely to set the tone for gold’s trajectory in the near term.
The Ethereum network is navigating one of its most challenging periods, with the cryptocurrency currently on track for its third-worst first-quarter performance in history. Compounding the fragile market sentiment, blockchain co-founder Vitalik Buterin has resumed substantial sales of his ETH holdings, raising questions about underlying confidence levels during a pronounced technical struggle.
On-chain data reveals that after a two-week hiatus, Vitalik Buterin has once again begun divesting portions of his Ethereum. Transactions recorded over a recent weekend alone show the sale of approximately 1,694 ETH. Since the end of January, Buterin’s total disposals have surpassed $15.5 million in value. While these transactions utilize the CoW Protocol—a mechanism designed to minimize direct market impact through batched auctions—the psychological effect on investors remains considerable.
The timing of this liquidity event is notably poor. Ethereum, the second-largest digital asset by market capitalization, has declined nearly 38% since the start of the year, a bearish trajectory comparable only to the downturns witnessed in 2018 and 2022. A significant divergence from traditional markets is also evident: as gold and major equity indices like the S&P 500 have held steady or advanced, crypto assets are contending with substantial capital outflows.
The technical posture remains strained, exacerbated by prevailing investor behavior. On-chain metrics suggest a willingness among many participants to offload holdings even at a loss. The Spent Output Profit Ratio (SOPR) has recently plunged to its lowest level since April 2025, a signal often interpreted as widespread capitulation.
A formidable resistance wall has solidified around the $2,000 price level. This zone is now populated by a concentration of investors likely to sell on any minor recovery to break even on their initial positions. Concurrently, network analytics show a sharp decline in the creation of new addresses, indicating diminished interest from retail participants. Furthermore, inflows into spot Ethereum ETFs, following a brief period of positivity, have dried up once more.
Despite the prevailing price weakness, foundational work on the Ethereum protocol continues unabated. The Ethereum Foundation has confirmed its development priorities for 2026, which include two major network upgrades currently dubbed “Glamsterdam” and “Hegotá.” These technical overhauls aim to dramatically enhance scalability and further reduce transaction costs. Such fundamental progress may serve as a stabilizing force in the long run, even if it offers little immediate relief for current market pessimism.
As of the latest data, Ethereum is trading around $1,862, placing it well below the psychologically significant $2,000 resistance area. Whether the current wave of seller exhaustion marks a definitive bottom will likely depend on the influx of fresh institutional capital. Without new liquidity, bulls may find it exceedingly difficult to mount a sustained breakout above the massive supply zone near $2,000.
Silver Finds Its Footing as Macroeconomic Winds Shift
The silver market opened the week on a firmer note, drawing support from a confluence of macroeconomic and geopolitical factors. After a mid-month sell-off, the precious metal is regaining its appeal as a hedge amid renewed trade policy uncertainty emanating from the United States and an elevated risk premium due to escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Geopolitics and Dollar Dynamics Provide Lift
A significant risk-off sentiment has permeated the markets following developments over the weekend. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled against expansive tariffs previously imposed by the government. In response, President Donald Trump announced plans for a blanket 15% global import levy. This has injected fresh regulatory uncertainty, dampening risk appetite and bolstering demand for traditional safe-haven assets like silver. Concurrently, pending U.S. trade talks with other major economies have been temporarily suspended.
Geopolitical friction is adding further support. Heightened tensions between the U.S. and Iran over the past 48 hours have driven a noticeable risk premium into precious metals markets. With diplomatic talks scheduled in Geneva and fears of escalation rising, investors are increasingly turning to stores of value.
Silver benefits from a dual narrative in this environment: its classic safe-haven status and its role as an industrially critical commodity.
U.S. Economic Data Creates a Supportive Backdrop
Recent economic indicators from the world’s largest economy are also contributing to silver’s strength. The latest estimate for fourth-quarter GDP showed an annualized growth rate of 1.4%, falling short of forecasts. Meanwhile, the core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index, the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge, remains stubbornly high at 3%.
This combination of softer growth and persistent inflation complicates the Fed’s interest rate path, creating a “higher for longer” uncertainty. This dynamic has periodically pressured the U.S. dollar. Since silver is priced in dollars, a weaker greenback makes the metal cheaper for international buyers, stimulating demand.
Structural Deficit Meets Industrial Adaptation
Fundamentally, the market remains tight. Structural supply deficits persist, even as industrial demand—particularly from the solar panel and artificial intelligence sectors—stays robust.
However, high prices are triggering a market response. Major solar manufacturers are accelerating plans to partially substitute silver with base metals like copper in their modules. Initial producers aim to bring copper-based modules into mass production later in 2026. This shift faces hurdles, including concerns over technical reliability and potential increases in assembly costs. Additionally, recycling rates are climbing as more scrap metal re-enters the supply chain.
In the near term, the supply deficit continues to underpin prices. Over the medium term, however, the growing trends of substitution and recycling demonstrate that demand is not entirely price-insensitive.
Price Context: Rebounding from a Correction
The current price action follows a period of extreme volatility. According to the source data, silver hit an all-time high above $120 per troy ounce in late January 2026. A sharp correction driven by profit-taking ensued in the first half of February, pulling prices down to multi-month lows.
The metal has now broken upward from that consolidation phase. Data from Trading Economics shows it trading firmly above the $80 per troy ounce mark. The landscape for the coming weeks is thus defined by competing forces: tariff uncertainty, geopolitical risk, and supply deficits provide tailwinds, while industrial substitution and increased recycling emerge as growing counterweights.