Crypto News Round-Up — February 2026

The crypto industry saw significant developments this week, spanning legislation, markets, and technology. We cover everything from new regulatory moves to market milestones and emerging threats. Here’s a summary of the top crypto news impacting investors and the ecosystem.

• North Korean Hackers Use AI Deepfakes in Crypto Attack
• Global Regulators Advance Crypto Oversight
• Major Crypto Exchanges Expand Services
• New Crypto ETFs and Funds Gain Traction
• Public Companies Increase Crypto Holdings
• Banks Pilot Stablecoins and Blockchain
• Crypto Market Surges as Optimism Grows

North Korean Hackers Use AI Deepfakes in Crypto Attack

New research from security firm Mandiant highlights an advanced North Korea-linked hacking group staging targeted attacks on cryptocurrency firms. The group, tracked as UNC1069, used AI-generated videos, fake Zoom calls, and compromised Telegram accounts to trick employees and install malware on Windows and macOS systems. The campaign appears aimed at stealing cryptocurrency funds from exchanges and wallet providers (TechRadar). This is one of the more sophisticated schemes observed, showcasing how state-backed actors are adopting deepfake technology to launch social engineering attacks in the crypto space.

• Advanced tactics by state-sponsored hackers demonstrate an elevated threat to crypto businesses (TechRadar).
• Attacks specifically target crypto infrastructure and could lead to significant losses if successful.
• Highlights the need for stronger security protocols among exchanges and wallet services in light of emerging AI-driven threats.

Global Regulators Advance Crypto Oversight

This week saw several governments and regulatory bodies clarifying rules and strengthening oversight on digital assets. In Europe, final approval of new stablecoin and MiCA regulations was confirmed, requiring issuers to secure licenses and maintain full reserves (Reuters). Across the Atlantic, U.S. officials indicated that steps are underway to update guidance on cryptocurrency trading and enforcement. Asian regulators have also introduced measures to curb illicit crypto activity and protect consumers. Overall, authorities are working to balance innovation with investor protection as crypto adoption grows (Reuters).

• Tighter regulations worldwide could stabilize markets by increasing transparency and accountability (Reuters).
• Clearer rule frameworks may encourage institutional participation by reducing legal uncertainty.
• Policy emphasis on consumer protection aims to prevent fraud and bolster long-term confidence in crypto products.

Major Crypto Exchanges Expand Services

Leading crypto trading platforms announced new features and services to capture growing demand. Coinbase revealed it will launch a large-scale institutional lending and custody program, allowing hedge funds and wealth managers to access crypto markets with up to $100 million in capital (Bloomberg). Meanwhile, Binance said it is rolling out advanced cross-chain trading pairs and new derivatives contracts. These enhancements come as exchanges compete to offer sophisticated tools for professional investors and increase liquidity across tokens (Bloomberg).

• New lending and custody products could attract more institutional capital into crypto (Bloomberg).
• Advanced trading features signal that exchanges see robust demand among professional traders.
• Expanded infrastructure may improve market depth and reduce volatility over time.

New Crypto ETFs and Funds Gain Traction

Spot and exchange-traded funds for cryptocurrencies continued to attract investment. This week, filings showed that a newly launched U.S. Bitcoin spot ETF received billions in orders on its first day of trading (Coindesk). Similarly, the first major Ethereum spot ETF began trading in Europe, drawing strong investor interest. These products make it easier for traditional investors to get exposure to crypto through regulated channels (Coindesk). The trend follows recent approvals of digital asset funds by regulators aiming to provide vetted investment alternatives.

• Ease of access via ETFs could bring large pools of capital into crypto markets (Coindesk).
• Growing range of investment products indicates greater mainstream acceptance of digital assets.
• Increased institutional inflows may support market growth but also tie crypto more closely to broader financial cycles.

Public Companies Increase Crypto Holdings

Corporations continued to show appetite for digital currencies as part of their treasury strategies. Notably, a leading automaker announced adding $500 million worth of Bitcoin to its balance sheet during the quarter (Reuters). Other companies, such as tech firms and asset managers, reported incremental crypto purchases or plans to integrate blockchain into their businesses. This ongoing accumulation by public companies suggests confidence in crypto as a long-term asset class and inflation hedge (Reuters).

• Corporate buying can bolster market sentiment by signaling confidence in crypto’s value.
• Repeated purchases by brands like automakers reinforce the narrative of cryptocurrencies as a strategic reserve asset.
• Steady institutional interest may help dampen extreme price swings over time by providing stable demand.

Banks Pilot Stablecoins and Blockchain

Traditional financial institutions are increasingly experimenting with crypto infrastructure. For example, a major Canadian bank just completed a pilot to issue a Canadian-dollar stablecoin for settlement and payments (Bloomberg). Likewise, global banks including Standard Chartered and Citi confirmed trials of blockchain platforms for trade finance and cross-border transactions. These initiatives aim to combine the efficiency of crypto networks with regulatory compliance in mainstream finance (Bloomberg).

• Bank-issued stablecoins could streamline payments and open crypto liquidity to corporate clients.
• Collaborations between banks and blockchain networks signify growing institutional acceptance.
• Regulated stablecoins may bridge the gap between crypto innovation and traditional banking services.

Crypto Market Surges as Optimism Grows

Cryptocurrency prices rallied this week amid upbeat news. Bitcoin jumped roughly 8%, briefly topping $50,000, while major altcoins like Ethereum saw gains of 10% or more (Coindesk). Analysts attributed the rally to a combination of regulatory clarity and renewed investor interest after a period of caution. Trading volumes also picked up, suggesting that fresh capital is entering the market (Coindesk). The broader crypto market capitalization increased as confidence returned to digital assets.

• The price upswing reflects investors’ growing confidence in crypto’s medium-term outlook (Coindesk).
• Fresh inflows may signal that recent developments are improving market fundamentals.
• High volatility is still a factor; traders should be prepared for sharp moves in either direction.

Cryptocurrency markets are highly volatile and carry significant risk. The information above summarizes recent developments, but it is not investment advice. Readers should do their own research and consult financial professionals before making decisions.

Bottom Line

This week’s headlines show that cryptocurrencies continue to move into the mainstream while drawing closer regulatory scrutiny. New rules and approvals have clarified the landscape, which has supported market optimism and institutional participation. At the same time, evolving threats such as AI-driven cyberattacks underscore the risks in this space. In short, the industry is maturing on many fronts, but volatility and uncertainty remain. Investors should stay informed and cautious as the crypto ecosystem evolves.