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Critical US Data Released: Initial Reaction from Bitcoin

Critical US Data Released: Initial Reaction from Bitcoin

<p class="text-left mb-4 ">In the US, Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) inflation data, which is critical for the Fed's monetary policy, came in above expectations. The significant slowdown in growth during the same period triggered a complex pricing process in the markets. According to the December data, core PCE inflation increased by 0.4% on a monthly basis. Market expectations were at 0.3%. The previous month's monthly increase was recorded at 0.2%. Annual core PCE rose to 3.0%, compared to an expected 2.9%. The previous data was 2.8%. A similar picture emerged in headline PCE. Annual PCE came in slightly above expectations at 2.9%, while the monthly increase was 0.4%. Thus, the gradual slowdown trend observed in recent months was interrupted. The continued price pressure, especially in services, indicates that inflation has not yet settled on a path consistent with the Fed's 2% target. According to the Kobeissi Letter, core PCE inflation has reached its highest level since November 2023. This development reveals that the disinflation process is not linear and that price pressures can occasionally regain strength.</p><p class="text-left mb-4 ">The growth data released on the same day as the upward surprise in inflation indicated a loss of momentum in the economy. The US economy grew by only 1.4% in the fourth quarter, compared to an expected growth of 2.8%. This sharp slowdown, following the strong 4.4% performance recorded in the previous quarter, reflects the impact of weakening domestic demand and government spending.</p><p class="text-left mb-4 ">While the resulting picture does not present a classic stagflation scenario, it points to a difficult balance for policymakers. Growth is slowing, but inflation is accelerating again. This situation represents a combination that could weaken the Fed's hand regarding interest rate cuts.</p><p class="text-left mb-4 ">The market has recently been pricing in expectations of two interest rate cuts within 2026. The expectation of a June easing was particularly prominent. However, the monthly PCE increase of 0.4% and the annual level of 3.0% indicate that the "wait-and-see" period may be extended. An early interest rate cut may become more difficult without a sustained and strong decline in inflation.</p><p class="text-left mb-4 ">Geopolitical risks are also affecting pricing in global markets. The escalation of tensions between the US and Iran is suppressing risk appetite, while US President Donald Trump stated that the process could be clarified within 10 days. These statements have made the already fragile market psychology even more sensitive.</p><h2 class="text-left text-foreground text-3xl font-bold mb-3 mt-1">How was the Bitcoin price affected?</h2><p class="text-left mb-4 ">The cryptocurrency market is also exhibiting a volatile appearance due to the influence of both macroeconomic data and geopolitical developments. Following the release of the PCE data, Bitcoin saw sharp movements and a search for direction.</p><p class="text-left mb-4 ">In the initial price movements after the data, Bitcoin retreated from above the $68,000 level. As of the time of the news, the <a href="https://jrkripto.com/tr/coin/btc" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" class="text-primary underline">BTC price </a>is trading at $66,554. During the day, the lowest level tested was $65,734 and the highest was $68,226. There has been a decline of approximately 0.67% in value over the last 24 hours.</p><p class="text-left mb-4 "> <figure class="my-6"> <img src="https://minio-api-1.jrkripto.com/blog/btcusdt-2026-02-20-16-41-56-96391445.webp" alt="BTCUSDT_2026-02-20_16-41-56.png" width="auto" height="auto" class="w-full rounded-lg border" /> </figure> </p><p class="text-left mb-4 ">The higher-than-expected inflation data paved the way for a short-term strengthening of the dollar while putting pressure on risky assets. The pullback in Bitcoin reflected this macroeconomic pressure. On the other hand, the sharp slowdown in growth has not completely eliminated the pressure on the Fed to ease monetary policy in the medium term.</p>

20 Feb 2026
Two Crypto Platforms Shut Down This Week

Two Crypto Platforms Shut Down This Week

<p class="text-left mb-4 ">While the <a href="https://jrkripto.com/tr/analytics" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" class="text-primary underline">crypto </a>market continues its volatile course, two major platforms decided to cease operations this week. ZeroLend, which provides lending services in the decentralized finance space, and Parsec, an on-chain analytics company, announced that they are shutting down due to increasing costs, decreasing liquidity, and changing market dynamics. These recent developments have also strengthened expectations that the consolidation process in the sector may accelerate.</p><h2 class="text-left text-foreground text-3xl font-bold mb-3 mt-1">ZeroLend closes after three years</h2><p class="text-left mb-4 ">ZeroLend announced that it will cease operations after three years of activity. In a message shared on Discord, the project's co-founder and CEO, Ryker, stated that the current business model is not sustainable. The team announced that a "orderly and transparent liquidation process" will be carried out and that users should withdraw their funds from the platform.</p><p class="text-left mb-4 "> <figure class="my-6"> <img src="https://minio-api-1.jrkripto.com/blog/ekran-g-r-nt-s-2026-02-20-162338-b3179cce.webp" alt="Ekran görüntüsü 2026-02-20 162338.png" width="auto" height="auto" class="w-full rounded-lg border" /> </figure> </p><p class="text-left mb-4 ">Positioned as a multi-chain lending protocol that does not offer custody services, ZeroLend offered products in areas such as Layer 2 solutions, liquid restakeable tokens, real-world assets, and BTCFi. The project, which completed a $3 million seed funding round in 2024 at a valuation of $25 million; Consensys had received support from investors such as Polygon Ventures and Morningstar Ventures. However, increasing operational difficulties, decreasing on-chain activity, and security risks led the project to a dead end. Ryker stated that liquidity had dropped significantly on some supported networks, some oracle providers had terminated their services, making revenue generation difficult. The team noted that lending protocols were already operating with low margins, and that the increasing risk of attacks and fraud attempts had worsened the situation.</p><p class="text-left mb-4 ">Following the news of the closure, the platform's native token, ZERO, experienced a sharp decline in value. The token fell by 45 percent in the last 24 hours, while the monthly loss reached 91 percent and the annual loss exceeded 99 percent. ZeroLend joined the ranks of DeFi startups such as Alpaca Finance, which closed after announcing losses, and Polynomial, which chose to end the project rather than issue a token.</p><h2 class="text-left text-foreground text-3xl font-bold mb-3 mt-1">Parsec bids farewell after five years</h2><p class="text-left mb-4 ">Parsec, which operated in the field of on-chain analytics, also announced that it has ceased operations after five years. The company announced its closure via X, stating, "Parsec is closing." CEO Will Sheehan stated that the market had shifted direction and that they had not been able to adapt sufficiently to this change.</p><p class="text-left mb-4 "> <figure class="my-6"> <img src="https://minio-api-1.jrkripto.com/blog/ekran-g-r-nt-s-2026-02-20-162423-c2eb92ef.webp" alt="Ekran görüntüsü 2026-02-20 162423.png" width="auto" height="auto" class="w-full rounded-lg border" /> </figure> </p><p class="text-left mb-4 ">Founded in early 2021, Parsec was known for its DeFi and NFT-focused data streams. However, the failure of leverage demand in the spot DeFi lending market to return to previous levels after the FTX crash, and the decline in NFT volumes, weakened its business model. In 2025, NFT sales volume fell to approximately $5.63 billion, while average sales prices also decreased compared to the previous year.</p><p class="text-left mb-4 ">Parsec, which received investments from major players such as Uniswap, Polychain Capital, and Galaxy Digital, grew rapidly during the bull run when Bitcoin rose from $36,000 to $60,000. However, with the shift in the sector, the company struggled to maintain product-market fit. Industry representatives argue that the fragmented liquidity structure is at the root of the closures. The distribution of liquidity among different exchanges, custodians, and blockchains; This makes price stability and a sustainable revenue model more difficult. The need for a more integrated and reliable infrastructure for institutional participation is emphasized. On the other hand, the generally weak market outlook also exacerbates the situation. As the Bitcoin price has declined in recent months, the increase in search trends for phrases like "Is Bitcoin heading for zero?" reflects the deterioration in investor psychology.</p>

20 Feb 2026
First Since the FTX Crash: Tether Supply Rapidly Declining

First Since the FTX Crash: Tether Supply Rapidly Declining

<p class="text-left mb-4 ">USDT, the largest stablecoin in the crypto market, is poised for its sharpest monthly contraction in recent years. On-chain data points to a significant drop in supply, particularly due to increasing redemptions by large investors (whales).</p><p class="text-left mb-4 ">According to a Bloomberg report based on Artemis Analytics data, the <a href="https://jrkripto.com/tr/coin/usdt" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" class="text-primary underline">USDT </a>supply issued by Tether has decreased by approximately $1.5 billion so far in February. A $1.2 billion drop was also experienced in January. Thus, USDT is heading towards its largest monthly decline since the sharp contraction seen after the FTX exchange crash in November 2022.</p><p class="text-left mb-4 "> <figure class="my-6"> <img src="https://minio-api-1.jrkripto.com/blog/019c7afb-0f69-7272-ae88-edacaf0544f3-62a28393.webp" alt="019c7afb-0f69-7272-ae88-edacaf0544f3.png" width="auto" height="auto" class="w-full rounded-lg border" /> </figure> </p><p class="text-left mb-4 ">As a reminder, the bankruptcy of FTX and more than 150 related companies led to a decrease of approximately $2 billion in the USDT supply in December 2022. At that time, the shock to investor confidence created a ripple effect in the stablecoin market. The current decline, however, is attributed not directly to a bankruptcy shock, but rather to position adjustments by large investors. </p><h2 class="text-left text-foreground text-3xl font-bold mb-3 mt-1">A Liquidity Signal?</h2><p class="text-left mb-4 ">The contraction in USDT is considered a significant indicator of liquidity conditions in the crypto market. This is because USDT is the most commonly used tool for investors to enter and exit crypto assets. With a market capitalization of approximately $183 billion, it represents 71% of the total stablecoin market, making it the clear leader among dollar-pegged digital assets. However, the decline in USDT does not indicate a general contraction in the overall stablecoin market. According to DeFiLlama data, the total stablecoin market capitalization increased by 2.33% in February, rising from $300 billion to $307 billion. In other words, the pullback in USDT has been partially offset by other players. USDC, issued by Circle, the second-largest player in the market, also declined by 0.9% in February. The decrease in USDT was 1.7%. In contrast, the market value of USD1, a stablecoin issued by World Liberty Financial, which is linked to the Trump family, increased by 50 percent in the last month, reaching $5.1 billion. This shows that capital has not completely left the stablecoin market; on the contrary, it has shifted towards some projects. </p><h2 class="text-left text-foreground text-3xl font-bold mb-3 mt-1">Whales are selling, new wallets are buying</h2><p class="text-left mb-4 ">Data from the on-chain analytics platform Nansen reveals that large investors have been reducing their USDT holdings in recent weeks. In the last week, a total of $69.9 million worth of USDT was withdrawn from 22 different whale wallets. The rate of selling by this group has increased 1.6 times compared to the previous period.</p><p class="text-left mb-4 ">It is stated that the group of investors who are followed for their high-yield performance and are called "smart money" are also in a net selling position. On the other hand, new wallets created in the last 15 days made approximately $591 million worth of USDT purchases in the same week. This situation points to a striking split in the market.</p><p class="text-left mb-4 ">On one hand, it is seen that large and experienced investors are withdrawing capital or shifting it to different assets, while on the other hand, new participants are accumulating USDT. The fact that the total stablecoin market continues to grow despite the supply contraction also supports this balance. Consequently, the sharp monthly drop in USDT is not being interpreted as a crisis signal in itself. However, changes in large investor behavior are being closely monitored in terms of market liquidity and risk appetite. Whether the supply trend continues in the coming weeks may provide clearer clues about the overall direction of the crypto market.</p>

20 Feb 2026
SEC Sends Double Message: No Price Panic, Clarity for Tokenization

SEC Sends Double Message: No Price Panic, Clarity for Tokenization

<p class="text-left mb-4 ">U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Paul Atkins and Commissioner Hester Peirce have made it clear that the regulatory agenda will not be shaped by price movements, despite the recent decline in cryptocurrency markets. Speaking at the ETHDenver conference, the two emphasized the need to clarify the position of tokenized securities within existing federal laws.</p><p class="text-left mb-4 ">The decline of over 28% for Bitcoin and nearly 40% for Ethereum in the last 30 days has put pressure on the market. Bitcoin fell to around $66,000, while Ethereum tested below $2,000. XRP also saw a drop of approximately 5%. Despite this, Atkins stated that it is not appropriate for regulators to react to daily price fluctuations.</p><p class="text-left mb-4 "> <figure class="my-6"> <img src="https://minio-api-1.jrkripto.com/blog/ekran-g-r-nt-s-2026-02-20-135901-eae47608.webp" alt="Ekran görüntüsü 2026-02-20 135901.png" width="auto" height="auto" class="w-full rounded-lg border" /> </figure> </p><p class="text-left mb-4 ">“The most appropriate step is for the rules regarding the asset classes we regulate to provide investors with the information they need,” Atkins said, adding that investors should be able to make buy, sell, or hold decisions based on sound data. According to him, the regulator's job is not to concern itself with the direction of prices; To provide a transparent and predictable framework.</p><h2 class="text-left text-foreground text-3xl font-bold mb-3 mt-1">A message of clarity for tokenized securities</h2><p class="text-left mb-4 ">Atkins and Peirce argued that clearer rules are needed on how tokenized securities will be integrated into existing securities laws. They stated that this clarity would provide greater legal confidence to both developers and investors.</p><p class="text-left mb-4 ">It was noteworthy that the SEC did not directly address the market structure bill being discussed in Congress. However, Peirce stated that the institution provided technical support. The bill, which passed the House of Representatives in July and is proceeding in the Senate under the name "CLARITY Act," could shift a significant portion of the authority over digital assets to the Commodity Futures Commission (CFTC).</p><p class="text-left mb-4 ">At this point, the institutional structure of the CFTC is also a subject of debate. Michael Selig, who was confirmed as chairman and commissioner in December, is currently the only member of the commission, which should have five members. Some lawmakers in the Senate are focusing on provisions that require the confirmation of at least four commissioners for the market structure law to go into effect. </p><h2 class="text-left text-foreground text-3xl font-bold mb-3 mt-1">“Don’t panic just because the price is falling”</h2><p class="text-left mb-4 ">Speaking at ETHDenver on February 18, Atkins said regulators should not get caught up in calls for immediate intervention against market downturns. “Those who focus only on the price constantly rising may be disappointed,” Atkins said, noting that daily volatility is outside the institution’s core mission.</p><p class="text-left mb-4 ">The SEC Chairman also stated that the institution has recently adopted a more structured approach. As part of the work called “Project Crypto,” conducted in collaboration with the CFTC, frameworks for classifying crypto assets, rules for tokenized securities traded on automated market makers, and guidelines for the custody of non-security assets are being worked on.</p><p class="text-left mb-4 ">Atkins reminded that the SEC has moved away from its “regulation through sanctions” approach, which has been heavily criticized in the past; numerous <a href="https://jrkripto.com/tr/analytics" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" class="text-primary underline">crypto</a> cases have been dropped, and staff guidelines for mining, staking, and meme coins have been published. </p><h2 class="text-left text-foreground text-3xl font-bold mb-3 mt-1">Innovation exemption on the agenda</h2><p class="text-left mb-4 ">One of the prominent topics in the speech was the “innovation exemption.” Atkins announced plans for a temporary exemption that would allow tokenized securities to be traded with limited volume on decentralized platforms. This exception aims to provide market participants with a controlled testing ground while permanent rules are being established. Hester Peirce, on the other hand, viewed the current downturn as an opportunity for developers. Addressing the "Schadenfreude" of complacency among some regarding the decline in the crypto market, Peirce stated that regulatory clarity alone would not generate value. She emphasized that the real determining factor is the development of products that users truly need.</p>

20 Feb 2026
Third Stablecoin Meeting at the White House: March 1st is a Critical Threshold.

Third Stablecoin Meeting at the White House: March 1st is a Critical Threshold.

<p class="text-left mb-4 ">A critical timeline has been set in the negotiations under the Senate-backed Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, which aims to provide a clear framework for cryptocurrency markets in the US. It is reported that the White House wants the disagreement regarding stablecoin reward programs resolved by March 1st, and that failure to reach an agreement by this date could stall the process.</p><p class="text-left mb-4 "> <figure class="my-6"> <img src="https://minio-api-1.jrkripto.com/blog/hblmh9ww8aalbyz-7e9e55a9.webp" alt="HBlMH9wW8AALbyz.jpg" width="auto" height="auto" class="w-full rounded-lg border" /> </figure> </p><h2 class="text-left text-foreground text-3xl font-bold mb-3 mt-1">Clear message from the White House: No complete ban</h2><p class="text-left mb-4 ">In a closed session held on Thursday, where the parties met for the third time, White House representatives clarified their position. Accordingly, limited stablecoin rewards tied to specific transactions and activities will be allowed; however, interest-like returns based solely on holding <a href="https://jrkripto.com/tr/category/usd-stablecoin" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" class="text-primary underline">stablecoins</a>, resembling deposit accounts, will be prohibited. According to sources who attended the meeting, this approach increased pressure on banks to reach a compromise. Banking representatives, who previously advocated for a complete ban on stablecoin rewards, have now begun working on a new regulatory language that will allow for limited rewards.</p><h2 class="text-left text-foreground text-3xl font-bold mb-3 mt-1">Banks' concern: Will the deposit base weaken?</h2><p class="text-left mb-4 ">The issue is quite critical for the banking sector. Reward programs offered by stablecoin issuers could provide an alternative to interest-bearing deposit accounts in traditional banks. This could directly impact banks' lending capacity and core revenue model.</p><p class="text-left mb-4 ">Banks believe that customers shifting their funds to stablecoin platforms could erode their deposit base. Therefore, they initially demanded a complete ban. However, it is stated that in the last meeting, a formula was considered that would differentiate deposit-like returns with limited and transaction-based rewards.</p><h2 class="text-left text-foreground text-3xl font-bold mb-3 mt-1">Article 404 at the heart of the discussion</h2><p class="text-left mb-4 ">The stablecoin section of the bill, particularly Article 404, has become the most critical breaking point of the regulation. Interestingly, this section is not directly related to the market structure. Nevertheless, the fate of the bill seems largely dependent on this heading.</p><p class="text-left mb-4 ">Furthermore, the changes being worked on could effectively reshape the GENIUS Act, which came into effect last year and defines the stablecoin framework. While the current law allows crypto platforms more room for reward programs, the new proposal narrows this area but does not eliminate it entirely. The White House wants to speed up the process.</p><p class="text-left mb-4 ">The meeting was led by President Donald Trump's crypto advisor, Patrick Witt, on behalf of the White House. Witt and his team urged the parties to move quickly. The goal is to unlock the stablecoin issue and allow broader market structure regulation to move forward in the Senate.</p><p class="text-left mb-4 ">The White House is expected to prepare an updated draft text and send it to the banks. The final language will be clarified after the banks review this text and provide feedback. Democrats' demands may complicate the process.</p><p class="text-left mb-4 ">Although progress has been made on stablecoin rewards, other issues in the bill are still controversial. Democratic senators are demanding stronger investor protections, especially in the decentralized finance (DeFi) sector. There are also politically charged provisions such as prohibiting high-ranking public officials from directly taking roles in the crypto sector and ensuring full appointments to regulatory bodies. These issues have not yet been resolved. Therefore, although the agreement on stablecoin rewards speeds up the process, bipartisan support seems essential for the bill to receive final approval.</p>

20 Feb 2026
Critical US Data Released: Initial Reaction from Bitcoin
Critical US Data Released: Initial Reaction from Bitcoinabout 8 hours ago
Two Crypto Platforms Shut Down This Week
Two Crypto Platforms Shut Down This Weekabout 8 hours ago
First Since the FTX Crash: Tether Supply Rapidly Declining
First Since the FTX Crash: Tether Supply Rapidly Decliningabout 9 hours ago
SEC Sends Double Message: No Price Panic, Clarity for Tokenization
SEC Sends Double Message: No Price Panic, Clarity for Tokenizationabout 11 hours ago
Third Stablecoin Meeting at the White House: March 1st is a Critical Threshold.
Third Stablecoin Meeting at the White House: March 1st is a Critical Threshold.about 13 hours ago
Critical US Data Released: Initial Reaction from Bitcoin
Critical US Data Released: Initial Reaction from Bitcoinabout 8 hours ago
Two Crypto Platforms Shut Down This Week
Two Crypto Platforms Shut Down This Weekabout 8 hours ago
First Since the FTX Crash: Tether Supply Rapidly Declining
First Since the FTX Crash: Tether Supply Rapidly Decliningabout 9 hours ago
SEC Sends Double Message: No Price Panic, Clarity for Tokenization
SEC Sends Double Message: No Price Panic, Clarity for Tokenizationabout 11 hours ago
Third Stablecoin Meeting at the White House: March 1st is a Critical Threshold.
Third Stablecoin Meeting at the White House: March 1st is a Critical Threshold.about 13 hours ago

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Cryptocurrency CalendarFebruary 20, 2026
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