Rewards Hub I. Crypto Market Overview
Key Takeaways
1.
Macro Environment
The EU is set to enforce a blanket ban on crypto transactions with Russian entities, potentially disrupting cross-border flows and BTC liquidity. Germany accelerates digital euro and euro stablecoin initiatives, aiming to boost euro-based DeFi and reduce USD reliance. Global stablecoin payroll adoption rises, especially in emerging markets, enhancing DeFi liquidity and cross-border payment efficiency.
2.
Crypto Market
The crypto market remains mixed, with BTC down 0.82% at $68,005 amid ETF outflows and risk-off sentiment, while ETH outperforms, up 0.93% at $1,988.84, supported by institutional inflows and DeFi activity. Altcoins show divergence: NEXO leads with a 7.94% gain, ATOM rises 3.74%, and SOL is up 1.07%, driven by ecosystem growth; FET and ARB lag. Harvard’s portfolio shift from BTC to ETH highlights growing institutional diversification.
3.
Today's Outlook
Key events today include the US Federal Reserve FOMC minutes release, UK inflation data, and New Zealand’s rate decision, all likely to impact crypto market volatility. Rocket Pool’s Saturn One upgrade goes live, introducing major scalability and capital efficiency improvements for the Ethereum staking ecosystem. ETHDenver 2026 opens, gathering top Web3 engineers and Ethereum developers for technical workshops and hackathons.
Fear and Greed Index
40.00% Annual Percentile
12 Fear
Total Crypto Market Cap
$2.34T
Total Market Trading Volume
$79.31B
Altcoin Season Index
45.45%
Quarterly Percentile
29 / 100
Total Futures Market Open Interest
3.16B
Futures
366.74B
Perpetuals
II. Industry Updates
Macro-economic Policies
1.
The European Union is moving to implement a blanket ban on all crypto transactions involving Russian entities, aiming to close sanctions loopholes. This could reduce cross-border crypto flows and impact BTC and stablecoin liquidity between Russia and the EU.
3.
A recent global survey shows 39% of crypto users now receive part of their income in stablecoins, with adoption highest in emerging markets. This trend boosts on-chain stablecoin velocity and could enhance DeFi liquidity and cross-border payment efficiency.
4.
The EU's proposed crypto ban on Russia coincides with Russia institutionalizing crypto mining and investment funds, signaling a divergence in digital asset policy that may shift mining hash power and capital flows, affecting BTC network fundamentals.
5.
S&P Global projects the euro stablecoin market could reach $500 billion by 2028, driven by institutional adoption and policy support. This would expand euro-denominated liquidity pools and could challenge USD dominance in DeFi and NFT settlements.
Cryptocurrency Regulatory Trends
2.
The U.S. SEC is shifting to a softer regulatory approach, reducing enforcement actions and introducing clearer guidelines for DeFi and stablecoins, which may lower legal risks and encourage market participation.
3.
Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority has granted Animoca Brands a Virtual Asset Service Provider license, enabling regulated crypto brokerage and investment services for institutions in the Middle East.
4.
The U.S. National Credit Union Administration has proposed new stablecoin issuer guidelines under the GENIUS Act, requiring strict licensing and compliance, which could shape the future of regulated stablecoin adoption.
5.
Stablecoin adoption is accelerating globally, with new U.S. and EU regulations (GENIUS Act, MiCA) driving enterprise payroll and cross-border payment use cases, supporting stablecoin market growth and mainstream integration.
Trending Tokens
1.
MemeCore (M): Surged 20% in 24h to $1.53 with $10.86M volume, driven by its unique Proof of Meme consensus and strong meme coin ecosystem growth.
3.
Cosmos (ATOM): Gained 4% in 24h to $2.29, with $85.9M volume, supported by ongoing interoperability upgrades and rising DeFi ecosystem participation.
Smart Money Movements
1.
Harvard Management Company reduced its Bitcoin ETF holdings by over 20% to $265.8 million and invested $86.8 million in the iShares Ethereum Trust, marking its first major ETH ETF allocation.
Events to Watch
Feb 18 (Wed)
US Federal Reserve will release FOMC meeting minutes; UK to publish inflation data; New Zealand central bank announces rate decision, all potentially impacting crypto markets.
Feb 18 (Wed)
Rocket Pool's Saturn One network upgrade goes live, introducing RPL fee switch, 4ETH validators, MEGAPOOLS, and rETH improvements for scalability and capital efficiency.
Feb 18 (Wed)
ETHDenver 2026 opens, gathering Web3 engineers and Ethereum developers for hackathons, workshops, and technical experimentation.
Feb 20 (Fri)
US Q4 GDP advance estimate and December Core PCE Price Index will be released, key for Fed rate outlook and crypto market sentiment.
Feb 20 (Fri)
Major token unlocks: LayerZero (ZRO) releases 25.71M tokens (~$43M); Kaito unlocks 32.6M tokens (~$10M); both may increase market volatility.
III. Phemex Market Focus
New Listings
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1.
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