Markets Await Fed Minutes and Core PCE as Bitcoin Holds $68K

Bitcoin trades near $68K as markets await Fed minutes and core PCE data. Soft landing hopes grow while ETF inflows and stablecoin demand increase.
MorningNews
Bitcoin Steady Before PCE Data

Market Performance

Asset / Index Value ($) Daily Change (%)
Bitcoin (BTC) 68,516.0 -0.53%
Ethereum (ETH) 1,966.72 +0.07%
Bitcoin Spot ETF +15.10M Net Inflow
Ethereum Spot ETF +10.20M Net Inflow
Nasdaq (NAS100) 24,795.4 +0.38%
S&P 500 (SPX) 6,836.18 +0.05%
Russell 2000 (RUT) 2,652.2 +0.19%
U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) 96.665 +0.10%
VIX Volatility Index 20.60 -1.06%
U.S. 10-Year Yield 4.05206 -1.23%
Brent Crude Oil (BRENT) 67.973 -0.08%
LBMA Gold (XAU) 5,002.70 -0.71%
LBMA Silver (XAG) 76.811 -0.40%

“Prepared at UTC 07.44 am”

Today’s Key Events

  • President Trump Returns to Washington, D.C.
  • U.S. Markets Closed Today
  • FOMC Member Bowman to Speak
  • Strategy BTC and Bitmine ETH Purchase Details
  • Arbitrum Token Unlock

Fed Minutes and PCE Week

Global markets will seek direction next week amid a heavy flow of data. The Fed’s latest meeting minutes will be released on Wednesday, while the US fourth-quarter GDP preliminary reading and core PCE data will be published on Friday. An upward surprise in core PCE, the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge, could delay rate cut expectations. While the decisions of the Australian and New Zealand central banks will also be monitored that week, the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on tariffs will be critical for global trade.

Soft landing scenario gaining strength

Nick Timiraos, known as “the voice of the Fed,” wrote that the U.S. economy is increasingly likely to avoid a recession while bringing down inflation. Declining inflation, a strong labor market, and continued growth support the possibility of a soft landing. However, core PCE is still hovering around 3 percent, and tariffs could create price pressures. Therefore, it is emphasized that it is still too early for the Fed to declare victory.

Bond plan from Saylor

Strategy management announced that even if the Bitcoin price falls to $8,000, the company has assets to cover its debts. Founder Michael Saylor stated that they plan to convert convertible bonds into equity within the next 3-6 years. The company’s balance sheet strategy continues to maintain a financing model based on long-term Bitcoin accumulation. The statements have reignited discussions about leverage and risk management.

Bitcoin attacks on the rise in France

There has been a notable increase in physical attacks targeting Bitcoin owners in France. Of the 47 incidents recorded since 2017, 38 occurred in the last 13 months. Recent cases point to an increase in organized crime targeting crypto asset owners. Experts warn that high-profile profit sharing increases security risks.

CZ emphasizes privacy

Binance founder CZ said that the biggest obstacle to crypto payments is no longer speed or fees, but lack of privacy. He noted that the requirement for companies operating on public blockchains to disclose all their financial data limits adoption. CZ advocated for a “hidden rails” model, where the blockchain operates in the background and is invisible to the user. He also proposed a “regulatory passport” system where licenses would be mutually recognized on a global scale.

Ethereum could be the LLM chain

Ethereum Foundation Co-Executive Director Tomasz Stańczak said Ethereum could be the first blockchain driven by large language models. He noted that Ethereum has a natural advantage thanks to its transparent governance structure and technical documentation. It was announced that the foundation has established a decentralized artificial intelligence team and is taking new steps for coordination in this area. This approach aims to accelerate the integration of artificial intelligence with blockchain.

Aave’s $50 trillion vision

Aave founder Stani Kulechov said that by 2050, DeFi could account for $50 trillion in asset value through tokenization. It is noted that 25 billion dollars worth of real-world assets have already been moved on-chain. According to Kulechov, the tokenization of “abundant assets” such as solar energy could create new collateral categories. This scenario could accelerate the integration of DeFi with traditional finance.

Coinbase data shows retail activity

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong revealed that individual investors increased their Bitcoin and Ethereum holdings during the downturn. It was noted that the amount of assets held by users in February was equal to or higher than the December level. The data reveals that retail investors view price pullbacks as buying opportunities. This trend offers behavioral clues about market bottoms.

YZi Labs in the SEC process

YZi Labs announced that it has submitted a revised pre-approval document to the SEC and that the application is under review. It was noted that shareholders cannot vote at this stage. The company stated that it will share calendar updates regarding the process. The goal is stated to be creating a stronger BNC ecosystem.

Truth Social ETF application

Truth Social Funds, part of the Trump Media and Technology Group, has applied to the SEC for two ETFs based on Bitcoin, Ethereum, and CRO. One fund will focus on CRO performance and staking returns, while the other will focus on the combined performance of Bitcoin and Ethereum. The applications signal an expansion of crypto-based ETF competition. The SEC’s review process will be closely watched by the market.

USDC supply rapidly increased

According to Circle data, the circulating supply of USDC increased by approximately 2.6 billion units within a week. During the same period, 8.4 billion were exported and 5.8 billion were repurchased. As of February 12, the total supply reached 73.1 billion, while the value of reserve assets stood at $73.4 billion. The increase in supply signals renewed momentum in stablecoin demand.

⚠️ Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Cryptocurrency investments carry risk. Always do your own research before making decisions. Darkex is not liable for any financial losses.
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