Current Cryptocurrency News for Saturday, February 7, 2026: Key Global Crypto Market Events, Institutional Trends, and a Overview of the Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies for Investors.
The global cryptocurrency market is concluding the first week of February with a sharp decline. Bitcoin has fallen to levels not seen since 2024, and other leading crypto assets have suffered significant losses. The total market capitalization has decreased by nearly $2 trillion compared to the peak in October 2025, reflecting a massive sell-off amid deteriorating investor sentiment. At the same time, regulators worldwide are increasing scrutiny of the industry, adding uncertainty to the market.
Overall Market Situation
Following a tumultuous rise last year, the crypto market is now facing a larger correction. By early February, a “crypto winter” is observed—a cooling-off period where cryptocurrency prices decline or stagnate. Investors are taking profits and moving into safer assets, resulting in reduced trading volumes and liquidity. Below are key factors contributing to the current market decline:
- Macroeconomic Pressure: Increasing uncertainty in traditional markets. The sell-off of high-tech stocks and volatility in gold and silver prices have reduced appetite for riskier assets, including cryptocurrencies.
- Stiff Monetary Policy: Expectations of a tighter US Federal Reserve policy. The nomination of a new Fed Chair with a “hawkish” reputation has intensified concerns about liquidity reductions in the economy, negatively impacting crypto assets.
- Outflow of Institutional Investments: Large funds and ETFs, which actively bought Bitcoin in 2025, have begun to sell it off in 2026. Monthly outflows from Bitcoin ETFs amount to billions of dollars, signaling reduced interest from traditional investors.
- Low Liquidity and Declining Hype: After reaching price peaks last year, the market has entered a cooling stage. A reduction in trading volumes and the disappearance of the FOMO (fear of missing out) effect have led to intensified selling pressure on prices.
- Regulatory Uncertainty: Increased oversight of the industry in many countries (from new bills in the US to bans in China) compels some market participants to act cautiously and withdraw capital, also impacting quotes.
Bitcoin (BTC)
Bitcoin has continued to fall, setting the tone for the entire crypto market. As of the morning of February 7, its price hovers around $63,000, marking a minimum level not seen in over a year. Since the beginning of 2026, the first cryptocurrency has dropped by approximately 30%. In comparison, in October 2025, Bitcoin reached an all-time high of over $127,000, after which it consolidated around $90,000 at the end of the year. Breaking below the psychologically significant mark of $70,000 triggered a wave of liquidations: in recent days, forced closures of margin positions totaled around $1 billion, intensifying pressure on the price.
Experts note that the current downturn is largely driven by external factors. Bitcoin, which in previous years was viewed by some investors as “digital gold” and a hedge against inflation, is now trading more like a risk asset, correlating with the decline of stock indices. Additional pressure on sentiment came from the appointment of Kevin Warsh as the new Fed Chair, known for advocating tighter monetary policy. Expectations of a reduction in the Fed's balance sheet have led to the exit of some capital from Bitcoin. Notably, amid the current dynamics, the BTC price has effectively returned to levels preceding Donald Trump's victory in the US elections, despite his proclaimed support for cryptocurrencies.
Ethereum (ETH)
The second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, Ethereum, is also experiencing substantial declines. The ETH price has fallen below the psychological threshold of $2000 and is trading around $1850, losing about 19% over the past week. Since the beginning of the year, Ether has dropped nearly 40%. In December 2025, Ethereum was still holding above $3000, but overall negative sentiment and capital outflows from risk assets have affected this leading altcoin as well.
Fundamental factors for Ethereum remain unchanged: the network continues to serve as the foundational platform for decentralized finance (DeFi) and smart contracts, having successfully transitioned to a Proof-of-Stake mechanism. However, amid the ongoing correction, even technically strong projects are incurring losses. Price pressure on ETH is also fueled by competition from alternative blockchains and Layer-2 solutions. Many investors have reduced their positions in Ethereum, awaiting market stabilization and clearer signals for demand recovery in risk assets.
Altcoin Market: XRP, BNB, and Others
Altcoins—the remaining large cryptocurrencies besides Bitcoin and Ethereum—have also been under significant pressure in recent days. Bitcoin’s dominance index has risen as investors, during times of turbulence, prefer the most liquid and time-tested BTC over more speculative coins. However, nearly all top assets have suffered double-digit percentage losses over the week:
BNB, the native token of the Binance exchange, has decreased to approximately $660 (down more than 15% for the week). BNB's quotes are influenced by both the overall market downturn and ongoing strict regulatory scrutiny over crypto exchanges. A year ago, BNB was reaching historical highs amid the growth of the Binance Smart Chain ecosystem, but it has now retreated to the levels of late 2024.
XRP (Ripple) has dropped to around $1.30, losing significant value compared to local peaks last year (in 2025, XRP rose above $2 after a partial victory for Ripple in its legal battle with the SEC). Despite legal clarity in the US and XRP being included among the reserve cryptocurrencies supported by the Trump administration, the current market downturn has also affected the token. Nevertheless, XRP remains one of the largest cryptocurrencies used for cross-border payments, sustaining high trading volumes.
Platform tokens Cardano (ADA) and Solana (SOL), ranking among the most popular altcoins, have also seen price declines. SOL has dropped approximately 15–20% over the week, falling to around $90–100 despite ongoing technical development in the Solana network. ADA is trading around $0.30, nearly 15% lower than its weekly level. Previously, Cardano garnered investor attention with expectations around the launch of ETFs tied to its underlying assets and protocol updates, but in the current “risk-off” climate, these news have taken a back seat.
Memecoins have not been spared either. The popular coin Dogecoin (DOGE), backed by the community and periodically by Elon Musk, has fallen below $0.10, reflecting the overall decline in speculative interest. Even in the absence of negative news, DOGE and similar tokens lose value alongside the market. Meanwhile, some coins related to gaming and metaverse projects show relative resilience; however, the altcoin segment as a whole reflects diminished capitalization.
Amid falling prices, investors have intensified their shift towards stable digital currencies—stablecoins. The leading stablecoin Tether (USDT) maintains its peg to the dollar at around ~$1 and shows growing transaction volumes as many convert funds into a less volatile form. The same applies to USD Coin (USDC) and other stablecoins, the demand for which has increased during this period of turbulence. However, regulatory risks surrounding stablecoins are also on the rise (for example, new restrictions have been introduced in China, see below), adding another layer of uncertainty to the market.
Regulation: US and China
The regulatory environment in early 2026 is shaping mixed trends for the crypto industry. On the one hand, in the US, the new administration declares support for digital assets. President Donald Trump, returning to the White House in 2025, has dubbed the country “the crypto capital of the world” and initiated the creation of a national strategic reserve in cryptocurrency. This reserve includes five of the largest coins at that time: Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Cardano, and Solana. Additionally, the GENIUS Act has been passed, establishing rules for the industry, including stablecoin regulation and consumer protection. In January 2026, bills regarding the market structure of cryptocurrencies are being advanced in Congress, which are intended to determine which agencies will oversee digital assets. The White House is actively mediating between advocates of strict rules and industry groups, seeking a compromise on stablecoin regulation by the end of February.
On the other hand, restrictions are tightening in several countries. In China, the authorities have reaffirmed their hardline stance: the People's Bank of China on February 6 issued a notice prohibiting the issuance of yuan-pegged stablecoins without official permission. Essentially, Beijing is cutting off any attempts by local companies to create or distribute yuan-pegged digital tokens abroad. Chinese regulators have also reminded that all transactions with virtual currency within the country are considered illegal financial activity. These measures emphasize China’s readiness to fully control money circulation and prevent evading currency restrictions through crypto instruments. Analysts note that such news about prohibitions heightens caution among investors and may temporarily affect demand for cryptocurrencies in the Asian region.
Conversely, other jurisdictions are attempting to find a balance. In the European Union, the regulatory framework law MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) is beginning to operate in full, aimed at providing transparent rules for the crypto industry across the EU. Many market participants expect that clear requirements from regulators will ultimately attract more institutional investments; however, in the short term, increased scrutiny often accompanies caution from major players.
Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies
Despite the current price fluctuations, leading cryptocurrencies remain in the spotlight for investors. Below is a list of the top 10 most popular and significant cryptocurrencies today, along with their characteristics and market roles:
- Bitcoin (BTC) – The first and largest cryptocurrency, serving as a digital equivalent of gold. It has the highest market capitalization and recognition. Used as a means of savings and hedging, although it has been behaving more like a risky asset recently. Bitcoin's share accounts for about 40% of the entire market.
- Ethereum (ETH) – The largest smart contract platform. Ethereum underpins the DeFi, NFT, and many blockchain applications. It holds the second-largest market after Bitcoin. Ethereum's transition to a Proof-of-Stake mechanism has enhanced the scalability of the network and attracted more attention from institutional investors.
- Binance Coin (BNB) – The token of the largest cryptocurrency exchange Binance and a key asset of its blockchain (BSC). BNB is used for paying fees, participating in new projects, and other services within the ecosystem. The coin has risen due to Binance's dominance in the market, although it faces regulatory risks due to oversight of the exchange.
- Ripple (XRP) – A cryptocurrency focused on fast and inexpensive international payments. Issued by Ripple, it integrates into banking systems for cross-border transfers. XRP has gained traction among financial institutions and maintains its position in the top 5 despite past legal disputes with regulators. It is characterized by high transaction speeds and low fees.
- Solana (SOL) – A high-speed blockchain positioning itself as a platform for decentralized applications and Web3. Solana attracts developers with its high throughput and low fees. From 2021 to 2022, SOL saw explosive growth, entering the ranks of the largest crypto assets. Despite the recent correction, Solana remains one of Ethereum's main competitors in the smart contract space.
- Cardano (ADA) – A blockchain platform developed with an emphasis on a scientific approach and code reliability. The project is evolving more slowly than some competitors, rolling out new features incrementally, but has a large community. ADA, the internal token of Cardano, is used for staking and conducting operations on the network. Cardano regularly makes headlines due to network updates and initiatives to launch ETFs related to its assets.
- Dogecoin (DOGE) – The most well-known "meme coin," originally created as a joke but has since gained immense popularity. DOGE features high issuance and a low coin price but attracts attention due to community support and endorsements from certain celebrities. It is used for online tipping and microtransactions, remains volatile, and is heavily influenced by social media sentiment.
- TRON (TRX) – A blockchain platform focusing on entertainment and the content industry. TRON offers high transaction speeds and zero fees, attracting applications for content exchange and decentralized games. The TRX token is actively used in the Asian region. The TRON network is also known for issuing a significant amount of stablecoins (including USDT), ensuring a steady transaction volume.
- Polkadot (DOT) – A project aimed at uniting various blockchains into a single ecosystem. Polkadot implements the concept of “parachains,” allowing different networks to interact with each other. The DOT token serves for staking and network governance. Polkadot has gained widespread recognition due to its co-founder (Gavin Wood, a former Ethereum developer) and the vision of blockchain interoperability, holding a position in the top 10 by market capitalization.
- Polygon (MATIC) – A Layer-2 solution for scaling Ethereum, previously known as Matic Network. Polygon provides infrastructure for faster and cheaper transactions on top of the Ethereum network, attracting many DeFi and NFT projects. The MATIC token is used for paying fees and staking in the Polygon network. The project has become one of the most successful among Layer-2 solutions, ensuring compatibility with the Ethereum ecosystem and significantly reducing load on the main network.
Prospects and Investor Sentiment
The current phase of the market resembles previous downturn cycles, but industry participants are striving to look forward. Experienced investors note that every “crypto winter” has historically ended with a new growth phase. Analysts point out that fundamental technological advancements—the development of networks, the adoption of cryptocurrencies by businesses and governments—remain intact despite falling prices. Many projects continue active development, and companies from the traditional financial sector are exploring opportunities to enter the crypto market, awaiting clarity on regulation.
Sentiments for the near future remain cautious. Volatility may persist in the upcoming quarters, especially if global central banks maintain a strict rhetoric and investors continue to seek to avoid risk. Nevertheless, the presence of major players in the market and the experience of previous downturns instill a certain degree of optimism. Some experts suggest that the current decline could last for several more months, after which the market may find a “bottom” and transition into recovery. Key triggers for a reversal may include easing monetary policy, successful implementation of regulatory reforms (which will eliminate legal uncertainty), and the launch of new products—such as approval of new ETFs or technological breakthroughs in the blockchain space.
For long-term investors, the current situation is a time to reassess strategies and shuffle portfolios if necessary. Many are concentrating on the largest cryptocurrencies with established reputations (like BTC and ETH), anticipating reduced turbulence. Conversely, there are those who view the decline as an opportunity to enter the market at lower prices, hoping for future growth. Overall, the industry is entering 2026 with a cautious mindset but with a prevailing belief in the long-term potential of cryptocurrencies as an integral part of the global financial landscape.
