Weekly Economic Calendar:
| Date | Time | Currency | Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 17, Monday | All day | USD | U.S. Markets Holiday |
| February 17, Monday | WLD | WLD (Worldcoin) Unlocking | |
| February 18, Tuesday | Speech by U.S. President Donald Trump | ||
| February 19, Wednesday | 11:00 | EUR | ECB Policy Meeting |
| February 19, Wednesday | 22:00 | USD | FOMC Meeting Minutes |
This week, we will be monitoring critical developments in the cryptocurrency markets, including creditor payments of FTX , the delayed airdrop of Tapswap, Pi Network’s mainnet launch, and the unlocking of WLD.
Changing Investor Strategies in Bitcoin
While Bitcoin’s price moves in a narrow range around $100,000, investors have increased their interest in $110,000 options, maintaining their bullish expectations. In February, as Bitcoin’s price fluctuated between $95,000 and $100,000, investors in the options market developed strategies targeting an aggressive bullish scenario. According to Amberdata, $110,000 Bitcoin call options on the Deribit exchange have become the most preferred investment tool this month.
Bitcoin News from Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi announced that by December 31, 2024, it had invested $436.9 million in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin ETF (IBIT). The investment was made through the city’s sovereign wealth fund, Mubadala Investments, and was included in the 13F filing submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Following this announcement, Bitcoin’s price increased by 1%, reaching $97,700. This investment, which followed BlackRock’s commercial license in Abu Dhabi in November, signals an increase in cryptocurrency adoption in the region. BlackRock, with $56 billion in assets, is the largest fund in the market with its spot Bitcoin ETF. Abu Dhabi’s interest in crypto assets is not new. In 2023, the region announced plans to establish a large Bitcoin mining facility in partnership with Marathon Digital and Zero Two. Former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao also hinted that other sovereign wealth funds could invest in crypto. Bitcoin advocate Anthony Pompliano noted that Abu Dhabi’s move presents a strategic opportunity for the U.S., and he expressed curiosity about what might happen as governments enter the Bitcoin market.
Wisconsin Increases Investments
In the U.S., the Wisconsin State Investment Board (SWIB) increased its stake in BlackRock’s IBIT fund to 6 million shares, making a total investment of $321 million. SWIB’s crypto-related investments also include companies like Coinbase, MARA Holdings, Robinhood, and Block Inc.
Bitcoin Investment Moves by States
West Virginia and Georgia have introduced new bills to include Bitcoin and digital assets in their investment strategies. On February 14, West Virginia State Senator Chris Rose introduced The Inflation Protection Act of 2025, allowing the state treasury to invest 10% of its funds in Bitcoin and precious metals. Only digital assets with a market cap of over $750 billion are eligible for this investment, with Bitcoin currently the only one meeting this criterion. Along with West Virginia, states like Utah, Kentucky, and Michigan have also introduced similar bills. The Utah House of Representatives approved a bill enabling investments in digital assets, and Kentucky proposed a regulation for a 10% digital asset investment. These developments are seen as a significant step toward incorporating crypto assets into official investment strategies in the U.S. According to analysts, state Bitcoin reserves could create a new demand of $23 billion in the market.
LIBRA Scandal
Recently, Milei promoted a meme coin called LIBRA on the social media platform X, claiming it was developed to support small and medium-sized enterprises in Argentina. However, the token quickly gained value, reaching a market cap of $4.5 billion. After the president deleted his promotional post, the token lost 90% of its value, experiencing a sharp decline. Following this, President Milei faced impeachment proceedings in parliament; the opposition argued that his actions caused the country to lose global credibility. In a dramatic turn of events in Argentine politics, opposition lawmakers claimed that President Milei misled investors by promoting and then withdrawing support for LIBRA, thus tarnishing the country’s international reputation.
It didn’t stop there.
It was revealed that LIBRA and Trump’s wife’s meme coin, MELANIA, were both managed by the same team. Blockchain analysis by Bubblemaps showed that the wallets behind LIBRA and MELANIA were interconnected. The analysis indicated that a wallet linked to the creator of MELANIA made early-stage purchases, earning $2.4 million in profit. Later, part of these funds was transferred to another wallet on the Avalanche blockchain, which was subsequently found to have funded the main developer wallet of LIBRA.
Speaking of LIBRA and MELANIA, let’s take a closer look at meme coins and the risks they carry.
Meme coins are cryptocurrencies created based on internet culture, social media trends, and jokes. Typically, they are projects that appeal to specific communities and are humor- or entertainment-focused. However, these coins can be much more speculative and volatile compared to other cryptocurrencies. Some key points to consider are that meme coins usually gain value suddenly due to social media hype and community support, but they can also collapse just as quickly. Many meme coins lack a sustainable ecosystem or real use case. Large investors may drive up the price and then sell off quickly, causing significant losses for smaller investors. While meme coins may appear fun and community-oriented, investment decisions should be based on research, not social media trends. Meme coins can bring quick profits but also result in serious losses. Before investing, it’s crucial to carefully evaluate the team behind the project, its technical infrastructure, and its long-term potential. Remember, informed investing is always the best investment!
Trump’s Tariff Policies and Market Uncertainty
Trump’s tariff policies have sparked a global trade war, and the ongoing uncertainty in the markets is causing anxiety among investors. This has reduced demand for risky assets. On the other hand, in his speech this week, Fed Chairman Powell indicated that they wouldn’t rush into interest rate cuts, and signals pointed to expectations of rate cuts being delayed until December due to inflation data. Despite these negative developments, Bitcoin’s ability to maintain its position around $96,000 has attracted attention. To examine this in more detail, let’s take a look at ITB analysis for Bitcoin:
For Bitcoin, the proportion of market participants making profits is 90%, while 6% are at a loss, and 4% are neutral. This indicates that a large majority are in profit at current price levels. Whale trading volumes have decreased to $116.16 billion. ITB analysis shows a “5 neutral,” “0 bull,” and “0 bear” market expectation for Bitcoin. The abundance of neutral indicators suggests that investors are uncertain about the market’s future, and price movements are not progressing in any clear direction. This means that instead of expecting a short-term recovery or downturn, Bitcoin is likely to remain in a horizontal movement at current levels.
“The investment information and opinions contained in this research report do not constitute investment advice.”
Research Specialist at EgeMoney
My areas of expertise include fundamental and technical analysis, portfolio management, risk analysis, and market research. Adapting to rapidly changing market conditions and producing reports are among my top priorities. Through my research on the EgeMoney platform, I aim to shape your financial future and add value to your decision-making processes.
