Coinpedia - Fintech & Cryptocurreny News Media| Crypto Guide

Global Google searches for “Bitcoin” soared to a one-year high during the week of February 1 as the price plunged toward $60,000 before rebounding near $70,000, erasing post-election gains. On X, opinions are divided: some see rising retail interest as a bullish signal, while others call it FOMO. Volatility was fueled by deleveraging, Fed signals, and Epstein-related FUD. On-chain data showed record losses, suggesting either capitulation or a fresh buying opportunity for investors.

Cryptocom co-founder and CEO Kris Marszalek has purchased the domain AIcom for approximately $70 million, marking the largest publicly disclosed domain name sale. He plans to use it to launch a consumer-focused AI platform, promoted with a Super Bowl ad, featuring an AI agent that can message, use apps, and trade stocks. The entire purchase was made in cryptocurrency, signaling Marszalek’s long-term confidence in AI as a major technological wave shaping the future.

Erebor Bank, a crypto‑friendly financial startup backed by tech investors including Palmer Luckey and Joe Lonsdale, has become the first new national bank chartered in the US during President Trump’s second term, the Wall Street Journal reported. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) approved the charter less than eight months after application, allowing Erebor to operate nationwide. The bank aims to serve technology firms in crypto, artificial intelligence, defense, and manufacturing, helping fill funding gaps left after Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse. It has also secured FDIC deposit insurance and plans to offer traditional banking alongside services tailored to emerging industries.

BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes said the recent Bitcoin selloff was likely driven by dealer hedging linked to iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) structured products. These hedging activities, where market participants adjust positions based on price movements, can amplify volatility. Hayes is also compiling a detailed list of bank-issued notes and related products to identify potential trigger points that could cause sharp Bitcoin swings. He stressed that as market conditions evolve, traders and institutions must adapt quickly to navigate sudden price changes.

Bitcoin jumped back to around $70,600 on February 7 after falling near $60,000, reversing a recent 14% drop from early February highs. At the same time, the Crypto Fear and Greed Index fell to extreme fear, with a reading between 6 and 10, the lowest since 2022, highlighting deep investor anxiety over volatility, trading volume, and market sentiment. Contrarian traders see buying opportunities in the panic, with analysts like Benjamin Cowen noting the irony, though some skeptics caution that the index may lag behind Bitcoin’s rapid price swings.

Crypto asset manager 21Shares has filed a Form S-1 registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to launch a spot ETF based on ONDO, the native token of Ondo Finance. The proposed 21Shares Ondo Trust would directly hold ONDO tokens and track their performance using the CME CF Ondo Finance-Dollar Reference Rate, with Coinbase providing custody. This ETF aims to offer a regulated, passive way for investors to gain exposure to ONDO and the growing tokenized real-world assets market.

Weekly stablecoin inflows to exchanges doubled from $51 billion in late December to around $100 billion amid the recent crypto dip, surpassing the 90-day average of $89 billion. January transaction volumes reached $10 trillion, with USDC leading at $8.4 trillion, highlighting its speed and efficiency over traditional payments. U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis urged banks to adopt stablecoins for custody and cheaper payment rails. Meanwhile, China banned unapproved yuan-linked stablecoins, and Binance CEO CZ is developing native stablecoins with multiple countries.

China has banned unapproved offshore yuan-pegged stablecoins to stop crypto-based capital flight and financial crime. The People’s Bank of China repeated its strict ban on crypto activity, citing risks tied to money laundering and foreign exchange fraud. Hong Kong regulators also warned that no licenses have been issued, and promoting such stablecoins is illegal. The move targets offshore RMB tokens like CNH stablecoins and supports China’s push toward its digital yuan, the eCNY.

A Bithumb employee accidentally sent around 2,000 $BTC to hundreds of users during an airdrop instead of the intended token, causing Bitcoin to drop about 10% on the exchange. Some users reported receiving 2,000 $BTC rather than the expected 2,000 KRW. The mishap triggered a sharp price reaction locally on Bithumb, though Bitcoin’s broader market remained relatively stable. The incident highlights the risks of human error in crypto operations and the potential market impact of large accidental transfers.

Metaplanet CEO Gerovich announced the company will continue steadily accumulating Bitcoin despite a 50% drop from October 2025 highs and shares nearly halving since mid-January. The Tokyo-listed firm, which began buying BTC in April 2024, now holds 35,102 BTC worth $2.2 billion, ranking fourth globally among public companies. With an average purchase price of $107,716 per BTC, the firm faces $1.6 billion in unrealized losses. Gerovich emphasized long-term growth, mirroring strategies of other resilient Bitcoin holders like MicroStrategy.