KLEA Crypto Daily: Sunday, February 01, 2026

Published: February 2, 2026 – 00:03 UTC

Here’s a look back at the key stories from February 01, 2026.

US Sanctions UK Crypto Exchanges Amid Iran-Related Woes

The US Treasury has sanctioned two UK-registered cryptocurrency exchanges for processing funds linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, marking the first time entire digital asset platforms have been sanctioned under Iran-specific financial measures.

Bitcoin Miner Production Data Reveals Scale of US Winter Storm Disruption

New data shows how January’s US winter storm disrupted Bitcoin mining operations as operators curtailed power use amid grid stress, shedding light on the impact of external factors on the cryptocurrency industry.

White House Plans Talks to Resolve Stablecoin Dispute Stalling Senate Crypto Bill: Report

Washington is reportedly scrambling to break a high-stakes deadlock over crypto rules as banks and digital asset firms clash over stablecoin rewards, pushing the White House to broker talks that could shape U.S. market structure policy.

Bitcoin’s ‘hopium’ for bulls may be over and this weekend’s slide could be just the beginning

Bitcoin’s sharp weekend drop triggered fresh liquidations, with analyst Eric Crown warning the market may face months of further downside.

Investor Interest in Bitcoin Put Options Below $75,000 Rises

Investor demand for Bitcoin put options with strike prices below $75,000 has surged significantly, indicating a shift towards caution or bearish sentiment among traders, as seen through the growing interest in protective puts.

Sygnum: Ethereum Supply Tightens, 45% of ETH is Locked

Sygnum's Q1 2026 investment outlook reveals that approximately 45% of ETH is currently locked or hard to sell, with a decrease in ETH held by exchanges by 14.5% this quarter. The reduction in supply could lead to increased price volatility if demand rises.

The Biggest Games Releasing in February 2026

February is packed with high-profile game releases, led by Japanese developers and featuring new Switch 2 exclusives and long-awaited revivals.

BitMine Faces Over $6B Unrealized Losses on Ether Holdings After Market Sell-Off

BitMine Immersion Technologies is grappling with over $6 billion in unrealized losses on its Ether holdings following a significant market downturn driven by crypto liquidations. The company's Ether position has dropped to around $9.6 billion from a peak near $13.9 billion in October.

World Liberty Financial Faces Significant Price Drop Amid Tariff Threats

World Liberty Financial (WLFI) has experienced a substantial 25-30% price decline following U.S. President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff threats against Canada. Large holders have significantly reduced their exposure, with top non-exchange addresses selling approximately 380 million WLFI tokens, while new investor participation has decreased by 59%.

Tom Lee: Crypto Market Under Short-Term Pressure, Long-Term Bull Market Still in Early Stages

Tom Lee shared his 2026 market outlook, stating that the crypto market is currently under significant short-term pressure but remains in the early stages of a long-term bull market. Lee predicts potential price levels for ETH and BTC, emphasizing the market's current bear phase and the need for a rebound in buying interest.

Bitcoin Price Hits 9-Month Low Amid $2.6 Billion Liquidation: What’s Next?

Bitcoin's price fell below the $80,000 support level, hitting a nine-month low and wiping out $2.6 billion in trader positions. This drop signals a potential transition from a bull cycle to a mid-term bear market, with market analysts anticipating further declines in the dollar's value by 2026.

OSL Group Raises $200 Million to Accelerate Stablecoin and Payments Expansion

OSL Group secures $200 million equity financing to fund global stablecoin and payments growth, acquisitions, and infrastructure. This investment will bolster OSL Group's balance sheet and accelerate the expansion of its stablecoin trading and payment platform, supporting strategic acquisitions and infrastructure development.

US Court Found Former Google Engineer Guilty of Spying on AI Technologies

A former Google engineer, Linwei Ding, was found guilty of transferring AI technologies to China, facing decades in prison after being convicted on multiple counts of economic espionage and trade secret theft. The case involved the theft of confidential information related to AI technologies for the benefit of China.

Single Trader Loses $220 Million as Ether Plunges 10%

A single trader faced a $220 million loss as Ethereum experienced a 10% drop, leading to significant liquidations totaling over $2.5 billion in the crypto market within 24 hours.

Base Network Recovers from Technical Glitch, Promises Detailed Analysis

Base Network has successfully recovered from a recent technical glitch, with the team pledging to release a comprehensive root cause analysis report. This incident highlights the importance of transparency in the Web3 infrastructure.

Michael Saylor: The February STRC Dividend Yield Increased by 25 Basis Points

Michael Saylor announced a 25 basis point increase to 11.25% in the February dividend yield of Strategy’s perpetual preferred stock, STRC. This adjustment positions STRC as a short-term, high-yield credit product, emphasizing its monthly cash dividends.

Source: KLEA News