Bitcoin

Bitcoin is a new electronic payment system that removes the need for third party financial institutions. It speeds up transactions while reducing costs and minimizing the potential for fraud. The name “cryptocurrency” points to how it uses “cryptographic proof” to work, AKA a blockchain.

Bitcoin’s concept was first introduced in 2008 when a person going by the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto shared a white paper titled “Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System.” In January 2009, the Bitcoin blockchain was launched. 

A new electronic payment system called Bitcoin removes the need for third-party financial institutions. It speeds up transactions while reducing costs and fraud-risk. The name “cryptocurrency” points to how it uses “cryptographic proof” to work, AKA a blockchain.   

Bitcoin has a finite supply of 21 million, which is expected to be reached by the year 2140. Currently, 18.8 million are circulating in the market. Note that Bitcoin represents the concept of the network, while bitcoin (lower-case ‘b’) represents the currency.

Bitcoin is one of the most well-known cryptos as it was the first decentralized currency. 

Currently, BTC’s dominance is above 40%. Bitcoin Dominance is a measure of how much of the total market cap of crypto is made up of Bitcoin. Bitcoin’s influence in the crypto ecosystem could be vulnerable to competition as alternative coins grow in popularity and utility.

Ethereum

Harvard's rotation from Bitcoin to ETH has raised the primary question—what do they know?

Morning Minute: Harvard Sells Bitcoin for Ethereum

Billionaire hedge fund manager Ray Dalio's warning of world order break down is fueling fears of a further bitcoin price crash

‘Sell Out'—Alarming U.S. Dollar Warning Sparks Sudden Crash Fear As Bitcoin And Crypto Price Bubble ‘Implodes'

The company's stack is now 717,131 bitcoin acquired for $54.52 billion, or $76,027 per coin. Bitcoin's current price is $68,000.

Michael Saylor's Strategy purchased $168 million in bitcoin last week

On Tuesday, Strategy founder Michael Saylor revealed the purchase of 2,486 BTC, padding the bitcoin treasury company's vault with yet another stack. As of today, the publicly traded firm now holds a commanding 717,131 BTC.

Saylor Announces Fresh 2,486 BTC Buy, Strategy Nears 720,000 BTC

Strategy's holdings account for more than 3.4% of the total 21 million bitcoin supply — worth around $49 billion.

Michael Saylor's Strategy buys 2,486 bitcoin for $168 million as total holdings reach 717,131 BTC

Bitcoin is back in compression mode on Feb. 17, 2026, trading at $68,021 after probing an intraday range between $67,381 and $69,999. With $36.58 billion in 24-hour volume and a $1.37 trillion market cap, this is not a sleepy tape — it is a market pausing, recalibrating, and daring traders to overreact.

Tension Builds: Bitcoin Trapped Between $60K Support and $75K Resistance

The bank also holds a large put option position on Strategy, potentially capitalizing on the company trading above the value of its BTC holdings.

Banking giant Intesa Sanapolo discloses $100 million bitcoin ETF holdings, along with Strategy hedge

Wellington-Altus Chief Market Strategist James Thorne argues buying Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) means betting Trump's economic reforms succeed, while buying gold is betting America fails—framing the two assets as opposing verdicts on the country's future. The Two-America Thesis Thorne argued on X gold no longer functions as a simple inflation hedge.

'Bitcoin Is A Bet On Trump's Success, Gold A Bet On America's Failure,' Strategist Claims

Dogecoin

Bitcoin continues to struggle around $68,000, weighed down by persistent extreme fear sentiment and the absence of a clear catalyst for the next leg higher. Bitcoin ETFs saw $15.2 million in net inflows on Friday, while Ethereum ETFs reported $10.3 million in net inflows.

Bitcoin, Ethereum Hold Range While XRP, Dogecoin Slip In 'Corrective Phase'

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Bitcoin improvement proposal to block spam draws heat from heavyweights

Harvard is now an Ethereum (ETH) investor. The Ivy League Institution's endowment bought more than $86.8 million worth of BlackRock's iShares Ethereum Trust exchange-traded fund (ETF) in the fourth quarter of 2025, per filings submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) last week.

Harvard Endowment Slashes Bitcoin Investment, Buys $86,824,287 Worth of Ethereum ETF Shares

Key derivatives metrics and ETF flows suggest lack of demand, but macro forces offer hope.

Bitcoin remains under pressure near $68,000 even as panic ebbs

Bitcoin payments are directed to a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, used to fund employee bonuses according to the company.

Popular burger joint Steak 'n Shake says bitcoin adoption boosted sales ‘dramatically' 

Biglari Holdings (NYSE:BH )-owned fast food chain Steak ‘n Shake disclosed Monday that its same-store sales rose dramatically after launching Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) payments. ‘Transformative Power' Of Bitcoin Boosts Sales In an X post, the popular burger chain said that it has fused its cash-producing business with the “transformative power” of Bitcoin.

Steak 'N Shake Says Bitcoin Caused Sales To Rise 'Dramatically' And The Coins Are Flowing To Strategic Reserve That Funds Staff Bonuses

Dutch lawmakers have approved legislation introducing a 36% tax on actual investment returns starting in 2028. The law applies to both realized and unrealized gains, including cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin and ethereum, meaning paper gains will be taxed even if assets are not sold.

New Dutch Tax Law to Hit Bitcoin and Ethereum Holders With 36% Levy on ‘Paper Gains'

Renowned investor Kevin O'Leary said Monday that fears over quantum computing would deter institutional investors from increasing exposure to Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC). Will Quantum Computing Slow Down Institutional Investment?

Kevin O'Leary Reveals He's Still Long Bitcoin Despite The 'Brutal Correction,' But Warns About 'Something Bigger' Happening Underneath

The fast-food chain says bitcoin payments have boosted sales, as it channels crypto receipts into a growing corporate reserve.

Steak 'n Shake Says Bitcoin Has Lifted Sales 'Dramatically' in 9 Months

BofA's February survey shows investor positioning in the U.S. dollar has fallen to its most negative level since at least early 2012.

BofA survey flags dollar bearish bets at over a decade high. Here's what it means for bitcoin

Strategy Inc. (NASDAQ:MSTR) Chair Michael Saylor touted on Monday Bitcoin's (CRYPTO: BTC) ability to enable fast and cheap global transfers even on bank holidays like Presidents' Day. Saylor Champions Bitcoin'S 24/7 Operation Saylor highlighted Bitcoin's fee estimator on X, with a fee rate of 1 satoshi per virtual byte for instant settlements during periods of low congestion.

Bitcoin Can Send 'Any Amount' Of Money Anywhere On Earth In Minutes On A Bank Holiday, Says Michael Saylor — Critics Aren't Buying It

Wintermute's latest macro update paints a jittery picture for digital assets, with bitcoin stuck below the $70,000 range as macro crosscurrents and fading conviction keep traders cautious, according to trading strategist Jasper De Maere.

Bitcoin Struggles to Surface Above $70K, Wintermute Notes

Bitcoin's long-term holders show weakening accumulation, with on-chain data pointing to $54,000 as the next support if $65,000 breaks.

Bitcoin's Long-Term Holders Show Signs of Strain After February Sell-Off

Metaplanet reported explosive revenue and profit growth for FY2025 as it expanded its bitcoin treasury to 35,102 BTC, despite booking a sizable unrealized valuation loss. Metaplanet Revenue Surges 738% on Bitcoin Strategy Japan-listed bitcoin treasury firm Metaplanet delivered breakout financial results for fiscal year 2025, fueled by its expanding bitcoin-focused business model.

Japan's Metaplanet Posts Record Profit, Expands BTC Holdings

Harvard University has cut back on its Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) position and dived into Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) for the first time, according to its latest 13F filing released on Friday. Harvard Loses Significant Chunk Of Bitcoin ETF Harvard Management Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Harvard University that manages its financial assets, reported holding 5.35 million shares of iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (NASDAQ:IBIT ) as of Dec. 31, down 21% from the previous quarter.

Harvard University Cuts Bitcoin ETF Holdings In Q4, Enters Ethereum ETF For First Time — Crypto Billionaire Changpeng Zhao Wonders 'What's Next'

Coinbase data shows retail investors are buying the bitcoin dip despite sharp market losses, as CEO Brian Armstrong reinforces long-term bullishness and expands products, signaling confidence in crypto's resilience and financial system ambitions.

Coinbase Retail Users Buying Bitcoin Dip — CEO Says ‘They Have Diamond Hands'

Leading cryptocurrencies traded flat on Monday amid thin liquidity due to the holiday, while gold and silver declined. Cryptocurrency 24-Hour Gains +/- Price (Recorded at 8:20 p.m.

News for Bitcoin Crypto (BTC)