The post Crypto News Today: Trump-Linked Truth Social Files for Two Crypto ETFs Targeting Bitcoin, Ether, and CRO appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Trump Media & Technology Group, the company behind the social media platform Truth Social, has filed paperwork with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to launch two new cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs), marking a deeper push into digital asset investing tied to the business associated with Donald Trump.

According to the filing, one proposed fund, the Bitcoin and Ether ETF, would provide exposure to both Bitcoin and Ether while also earning additional returns from Ether staking. The second product, called the Cronos Yield Maximizer ETF, would focus on the CRO token and generate yield through staking rewards tied to the Cronos blockchain.

The ETFs are expected to rely on Crypto.com for key services including asset custody, liquidity provision, and staking operations, while Yorkville America Equities will serve as the investment adviser. The funds are designed with a management fee of about 0.95%, according to the registration documents.

TRUTH SOCIAL FILES FOR 2 CRYPTO ETFS

Truth Social has filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission to launch two crypto ETFs.

One ETF will follow $BTC and $ETH, and also earn rewards from $ETH staking

The second ETF will focus on $CRO and earn rewards from staking it pic.twitter.com/YE81763uKb

— Open4profit (@open4profit) February 13, 2026

Like all proposed ETFs, the products must receive regulatory approval before they can begin trading. The SEC review process will determine whether the funds meet investor protection, custody, and disclosure requirements.

If approved, the filings would add to the growing list of crypto-linked ETFs entering the market and reflect how digital asset investment products are increasingly being packaged for traditional investors. 

Analysts say the inclusion of staking-based returns, particularly for Ether and CRO, shows how ETF providers are beginning to combine price exposure with yield-generating blockchain mechanisms, a model that could attract investors seeking both market exposure and income from digital assets.

The post Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse Joins CFTC Innovation Committee: What It Could Mean for XRP appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

The U.S. derivatives regulator, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), has appointed Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple, to its newly formed Innovation Advisory Committee (IAC), a 35-member group tasked with advising the agency on emerging technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and digital asset markets. The move places one of the most prominent crypto executives directly inside a federal advisory structure at a time when U.S. regulators are working to develop clearer rules for digital assets.

The committee includes leaders from both traditional finance and the crypto sector, including exchange executives, infrastructure providers, and market operators. The presence of industry figures is intended to help the regulator better understand technological developments affecting derivatives and commodity markets, areas that increasingly overlap with digital assets.

A shift toward industry collaboration

Garlinghouse’s appointment shows a shift toward regulatory collaboration with crypto firms rather than relying solely on enforcement actions. Over the past several years, regulatory disputes between crypto companies and U.S. agencies created uncertainty for the market, especially around how certain tokens should be classified. Participation in the advisory committee gives industry leaders a channel to share technical expertise and policy input as new frameworks are designed.

For Ripple, the development is particularly important because the company spent years dealing with legal challenges tied to the classification of its digital asset, XRP. Having the company’s CEO participate in a regulatory advisory group reflects a changing environment in which regulators are increasingly engaging with industry participants to shape workable oversight models.

Implications for XRP

While the committee does not directly set policy or determine legal classifications, Garlinghouse’s presence could indirectly influence how regulators understand cross-border payments, token liquidity, and blockchain-based financial infrastructure — areas where Ripple’s technology is heavily focused. Greater regulatory engagement may also support the broader push for clearer rules governing digital asset markets, an issue closely watched by investors and institutions considering exposure to tokens such as XRP.

Regulatory clarity, rather than any single committee appointment, remains the most important long-term driver for institutional adoption. However, advisory roles that include senior crypto executives are often viewed as a positive sign that policymakers are seeking industry input before finalizing future regulatory approaches.

Broader industry participation

The Innovation Advisory Committee also includes executives from other crypto exchanges, blockchain infrastructure firms, and traditional financial institutions. The mix of participants reflects the growing integration between digital asset markets and conventional financial systems, particularly in derivatives trading and tokenized financial products.

As the committee begins its work, its recommendations could help shape how U.S. regulators approach innovation in commodities and derivatives markets that increasingly involve blockchain-based assets. For XRP and similar tokens, the longer-term impact will depend on how forthcoming regulatory frameworks evolve, but the inclusion of leading crypto executives suggests that the industry will have a stronger voice in upcoming policy discussions.

The post Top Altcoins to Stack for Possible 500x Gains appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

As the cryptocurrency market evolves, investors searching for very high-return opportunities are increasingly looking beyond large assets such as Bitcoin and Ethereum toward smaller networks linked to stablecoin liquidity, artificial intelligence infrastructure, and privacy-focused blockchain systems. While extreme return projections remain uncertain, several altcoins are being discussed in connection with long-term growth themes.

Cardano Targets Liquidity Expansion With Stablecoin Integration

As pointed out by Altcoin Daily, Cardano (ADA) is preparing for a major stablecoin rollout expected to go live by the end of February. The integration is designed to bring large-scale stablecoin liquidity into the ecosystem, addressing a long-standing gap compared with networks such as Ethereum, Tron, and Solana, where stablecoin activity dominates decentralized finance markets.

Improved wallet-to-exchange compatibility and instant conversion features are expected to make capital movement smoother across platforms. A rise in available liquidity could support greater transaction volume, decentralized finance activity, and developer participation within the network over time.

Decentralized AI Networks Enter the Spotlight

Bittensor (TAO) represents a growing segment of blockchain projects focused on decentralized artificial intelligence infrastructure. Instead of securing transactions like traditional blockchains, the network rewards contributors who provide computing power, AI models, or data to competitive subnet systems. These subnet environments host applications ranging from prediction engines to robotics research and large-scale data processing.

The model creates a marketplace where participants compete to deliver better machine-learning outputs, potentially expanding the network’s value as more AI-based applications emerge across industries.

Privacy Networks Offer High-Risk Upside

Zcash (ZEC) remains one of the most recognized privacy-focused cryptocurrencies. Demand for private digital transactions continues to exist in several sectors, although regulatory pressures create uncertainty for the broader privacy-coin category. For that reason, privacy tokens are often viewed as speculative positions that may deliver large gains if adoption expands but carry substantial regulatory and liquidity risks.

Other coins: 

• Solana (SOL): Rapid developer growth and expanding payment infrastructure adoption continue to position the network as a leading blockchain for high-speed financial applications.
• (XRP): Ongoing institutional partnerships and cross-border payment integrations are reinforcing its role in global settlement systems.
• Chainlink (LINK): As decentralized applications rely more heavily on external data feeds, oracle infrastructure remains a key backbone of blockchain ecosystems.

Smaller Market Caps Drive High-Return Narratives

The possibility of very large percentage gains typically comes from smaller-cap digital assets because they require less capital inflow to multiply in value compared with trillion-dollar networks. As a result, many investors allocate a portion of their portfolios to emerging blockchain sectors while maintaining exposure to larger assets for stability.

Long-Term Outlook

The next growth phase in the crypto market is increasingly linked to real-world infrastructure use cases, including stablecoin payment systems, decentralized computing platforms, and privacy-focused financial tools. Projects that expand liquidity access, enable new computing models, or support specialized financial functions could see substantial adoption if these sectors continue to expand globally.

The post Crypto Rally Alert: Why Bitcoin and Ethereum Prices Are Moving Higher Today appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

The cryptocurrency market is showing signs of rallying again, with major assets including Bitcoin and Ethereum posting gains as improving macroeconomic signals and fresh institutional news lift investor sentiment.

Cooling Inflation Sparks Risk-Asset Buying

One of the main drivers behind the latest price increase is the release of softer-than-expected inflation data. U.S. CPI came in at 2.4%, below expectations of 2.5%, reinforcing expectations that inflation pressures may be easing. Lower inflation readings typically improve liquidity expectations and support risk-sensitive assets such as cryptocurrencies, technology stocks, and growth investments.

The broader crypto market capitalization climbed to roughly $2.35 trillion, while the CoinMarketCap 20 index rose more than 2%, reflecting a broad-based recovery across digital assets.

Institutional Sentiment Gets a Boost

The rise was also supported by renewed policy momentum in Brazil, where lawmakers have reintroduced a proposal to establish a strategic national Bitcoin reserve. The move is being viewed by traders as another step toward sovereign-level adoption of digital assets, strengthening long-term institutional confidence in the sector.

Such developments are increasingly influencing short-term price movements, as national-level policy discussions signal expanding recognition of cryptocurrencies within global financial systems.

Extreme Fear Triggers Technical Bounce

Despite the rally, market sentiment indicators still hint at trouble. The Fear and Greed Index remains deep in “extreme fear” territory, historically a level that often precedes contrarian rebounds. At the same time, derivatives open interest has surged, suggesting traders are re-entering positions and covering shorts, helping fuel the current upward move.

Technical analysis also shows that Bitcoin is stabilizing near important support levels. A sustained break above resistance zones could open the door for a stronger upward move, while a failure to hold current support could quickly shift momentum back to the downside.

Market Outlook: Recovery Attempt Underway

For a stronger bullish confirmation, Bitcoin price needs to first break above the recent swing high near $68,400 and then clear the major resistance area around $70,600. A successful move above this level would reduce the risk of further downside and could open the door for a stronger rally in the coming weeks.

For now, the rally appears to be driven by a combination of macro relief, institutional optimism, and technical positioning rather than a full trend reversal. Analysts say the market must hold above recent support levels and attract sustained institutional inflows to confirm a broader recovery phase.

As inflation expectations stabilize and sovereign adoption discussions expand, traders are closely watching whether the current bounce evolves into a stronger market cycle—or remains a short-term relief rally within a still-fragile environment.

The post Crypto Taxes 2026: What XRP Holders Must Know About 1099-DA Reporting appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

As tax reporting rules for digital assets evolve, holders of XRP may be unknowingly paying more taxes than necessary, according to tax specialists and blockchain analysts. The issue is drawing attention ahead of the upcoming filing season, particularly with the rollout of updated reporting requirements that expand how cryptocurrency transactions are tracked.

Cold Storage Transfers Create Cost-Basis Confusion

A growing number of investors are moving XRP tokens from exchanges into private wallets or cold storage to improve security. While such transfers are generally non-taxable events, reporting systems on many exchanges can sometimes treat the movement as a sale when the destination wallet is not clearly linked to the original owner.

This can result in inaccurate tax forms showing proceeds without the proper cost basis attached, potentially causing investors to overpay taxes if the discrepancy is not corrected during filing. Nick Bjorn from Count on Sheep said that the problem is not unique to XRP but affects many cryptocurrencies that are actively transferred between platforms and self-custody wallets.

Transparency Myth Meets Blockchain Reality

Another persistent misconception among crypto users is that blockchain transactions are fully anonymous. In practice, most XRP purchases originate from regulated exchanges that require identity verification, meaning transaction histories can be linked back to verified users. Public blockchain explorers also allow authorities and analysts to trace transfers, making accurate reporting increasingly important as regulatory oversight expands.

New Reporting Forms Raise Compliance Stakes

The introduction of the 1099-DA tax reporting framework marks a significant shift in how digital-asset activity is disclosed. The new system is designed to provide tax authorities with clearer records of crypto proceeds, but it also increases the likelihood that inconsistencies—such as missing cost-basis data—will be flagged.

Experts warn that investors who fail to reconcile exchange statements, wallet transfers, staking rewards, and capital-gains calculations could face double taxation risks or potential audits. As digital-asset markets mature, accurate record-keeping is becoming as critical as portfolio management itself.

Growing Need for Record-Keeping Discipline

With institutional adoption rising and governments tightening reporting standards, tax professionals advise XRP investors to maintain detailed transaction histories across exchanges and personal wallets. Proper reconciliation of transfers, gains, and losses can help prevent both overpayment and compliance issues.

As crypto regulation enters a more structured phase globally, the message to digital-asset holders is increasingly clear: security practices such as self-custody must now be matched by equally rigorous financial reporting to ensure that blockchain transparency does not translate into unexpected tax liabilities.

The post Bitcoin Price Prediction: Will BTC Rebound or Retest $55K Support? appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

After months of correction, Bitcoin is attempting to stabilize, but technical analysts say the market has yet to confirm a decisive bottom, leaving the possibility of another dip before a stronger recovery begins.

Early Rebound Signals Stabilization

Bitcoin recently rebounded roughly 20% from its February lows, recovering into a broad support range between about $55,500 and $67,000. While the bounce suggests improving short-term sentiment, analysts describe the move as corrective rather than the start of a full bullish breakout.

A sustained upward trend would typically require stronger buying momentum and a clearer multi-stage upward pattern. Until such signals emerge, the recovery remains tentative.

Resistance Levels Holding Back Breakout

In the near term, analysts are watching a resistance band between $68,000 and $70,800, an area where selling pressure has repeatedly slowed advances. A decisive move above this range could reduce the risk of further downside and improve the outlook for a broader rally.

Conversely, failure to break above resistance may keep markets locked in a consolidation phase. Analysts say a drop below $62,600 support could increase the likelihood of another decline, potentially pushing prices back toward the mid-$50,000 range.

Market Still Searching for a Bottom

Technical indicators currently show a market moving sideways rather than trending strongly in either direction, with short-term price action fluctuating between support and resistance zones. Analysts warn that such conditions often precede either a renewed sell-off or the beginning of a stronger upward move, depending on which levels break first.

Despite near-term uncertainty, some analysts remain cautiously optimistic, arguing that the broader risk-reward balance increasingly favors long-term buyers as prices consolidate after the extended correction. Still, they stress that confirmation of a durable bottom will likely require stronger upward momentum and sustained trading above key resistance levels.

The post Ethereum Founder Vitalik Buterin Says Paying Users Alone Won’t Save Crypto Apps appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, has weighed in on a growing debate within the crypto industry over whether projects must financially reward users to achieve adoption, arguing that incentives can help — but only when used carefully.

His comments came in response to an online discussion claiming that crypto applications cannot attract meaningful usage without airdrops, token rewards or other financial incentives. While Buterin acknowledged that the argument reflects the current realities of the industry, he said the issue is more nuanced than simply “reward users or fail.”

Incentives Can Work — If Used Correctly

Buterin explained that some forms of incentives are economically healthy, particularly when they compensate early adopters for risks associated with using new or experimental platforms. For example, liquidity rewards in decentralized finance (DeFi) can offset the higher technical and security risks that typically exist in early-stage protocols.

In such cases, he said, incentives function as part of a sustainable economic loop rather than a marketing expense.

However, he warned that paying users purely to generate activity, such as incentivizing promotional posts or rewarding users who would not otherwise engage with a mature product, can attract low-quality participation and disappear once payments stop.

Quantity vs. Quality of Users

Buterin warned that aggressive reward campaigns can sometimes create the illusion of adoption while failing to build a committed long-term community. Even if user numbers rise during incentive programs, the overall value of the ecosystem may weaken if participation is driven solely by short-term profit opportunities.

He said that the challenge is particularly important for social or community-driven platforms, where the quality of contributors matters more than the raw number of accounts interacting with the application.

Focus Returning to Real Product Value

According to Buterin, the crypto sector is gradually moving toward a model where long-term success depends less on incentive-driven growth and more on building applications that people genuinely want to use. The most effective incentives, he argued, are those that temporarily compensate for the early disadvantages of a young platform and naturally fade as the product matures.

“The bulk of the effort should be on making an actually useful app,” he wrote, suggesting that the next phase of crypto adoption will favor projects that combine practical utility with carefully designed, targeted incentives rather than relying on broad reward campaigns to attract users.

The post Ripple’s David Schwartz Warns Bitcoin May Need Quantum Fork ‘Or Collapse’ appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Comments from David Schwartz, chief technology officer at Ripple, have reignited debate over whether Bitcoin will need a major technical overhaul in the future to remain secure as quantum computing advances.

In a recent online discussion, Schwartz argued that bitcoin’s long-term success has so far depended more on its established reputation and market trust than on continuous technological upgrades at the blockchain level. However, he noted that one technological shift may ultimately be unavoidable: adapting the network to withstand potential quantum-computing threats.

Schwartz said bitcoin would likely “need a fork to be quantum proof,” warning that such a change could become necessary if advances in quantum computing eventually weaken today’s cryptographic protections. Without that type of upgrade, he suggested, the network could face serious long-term risks.

Technology vs. Market Dominance

The Ripple executive also said that bitcoin’s appeal does not rely heavily on adding new blockchain features. In his view, the network’s primary role is to ensure that users can reliably hold and transfer the asset over time — a function already achievable with widely available blockchain technologies. As a result, incremental technical innovation alone may not significantly influence bitcoin’s long-term adoption or price performance.

“For 99% of what makes bitcoin interesting, all the blockchain needs to be able to do is allow people to rely on being able to hold and transfer bitcoin in the future. That doesn’t require any technology that isn’t available in every public blockchain out there,” he said.

A Renewed Debate Over Bitcoin’s Future

Schwartz’s remarks come at a time when researchers and blockchain developers are increasingly discussing “post-quantum” cryptography — security systems designed to resist attacks from future quantum computers. While such threats are still considered distant, the discussion shows a broader industry question: whether bitcoin’s traditionally cautious approach to upgrades could eventually require coordinated global changes to maintain network security.

For now, the comments serve less as an immediate warning and more as a reminder that even the most established digital assets may one day face technological turning points driven by advances outside the crypto industry.

The post Analyst Says XRP Price Could Double if BlackRock Files ETF Application appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Institutional capital flows in the cryptocurrency market are beginning to show signs of diversification beyond bitcoin, with some analysts highlighting growing attention toward XRP as investors reposition portfolios. Market speculation has intensified around the possibility that global asset manager BlackRock could eventually pursue an XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF), a development analysts believe could significantly influence prices.

Institutional Flows Begin to Shift

Discussing recent market movements, analyst Zach Rector said that the current environment represents a major change compared with previous crypto cycles.

“We would have never seen this headline in the past seven years that I’ve been in crypto.”

He added that recent market data shows clear contrasts between outflows from some bitcoin and ether investment products and inflows into alternative crypto vehicles, including XRP-focused investment instruments.

ETF Filing Seen as Potential Turning Point

Market participants say the biggest catalyst for XRP could be a formal ETF filing from a major asset manager. Rector argued that such a step would mark a structural shift in institutional participation. “And we’ll see XRP double when that happens.”

Analysts say an ETF backed by a large global fund manager could expand institutional access, potentially bringing significant new liquidity into the asset.

Short-Term Pullbacks Still Possible

Despite the optimistic long-term outlook, short-term volatility may continue as the broader market searches for a bottom. Rector said that investors may still see additional dips before a sustained rally begins, while stressing that longer-term positioning strategies remain focused on accumulation.

Regulatory clarity, institutional product launches and continued inflows into alternative crypto investment vehicles could determine whether XRP becomes one of the primary beneficiaries of the next institutional allocation cycle.

The post Why is Crypto Crashing Today? appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

The cryptocurrency market is experiencing sharp volatility today, wiping out billions of dollars in value within hours as both global stocks and digital assets move lower together.

The total crypto market has lost nearly $90 billion, pushing many major coins to their daily lows. At the same time, U.S. stock indices also slipped, showing that investors are becoming more careful across financial markets.

Major cryptocurrencies fall quickly

Bitcoin dropped below $66,000, falling nearly $3,000 in about one hour, which triggered roughly $70 million in long-position liquidations. Ethereum also declined, touching around $1,900, while several altcoins posted losses between 4% and 7%.

BREAKING: Bitcoin dumped $3,000 in just 60 minutes and liquidated $70 million in longs.

The crypto market also erased $90 billion despite US stocks being in green. pic.twitter.com/N8kFxuhL3u

— Bull Theory (@BullTheoryio) February 11, 2026

Market sentiment has turned extremely weak, with the Fear and Greed Index falling into “extreme fear” territory, a signal that traders are becoming more defensive and risk-averse.

Why the market is falling

Analysts say several factors are driving today’s crypto decline:

1. Stock market weakness
Major U.S. indices such as the S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Russell 2000 moved lower, and crypto markets often follow the same direction, especially during uncertain economic periods.

2. Liquidations accelerating the drop
As prices started falling, leveraged traders were forced to close positions, causing additional selling pressure and faster price declines.

3. Bitcoin behaving like tech stocks
A recent report from Grayscale Investments said that Bitcoin is currently moving more like high-growth technology stocks rather than a traditional safe-haven asset such as gold. This means that when technology stocks face pressure, crypto prices often fall as well.

Oversold signals appear

Despite the sharp drop, some technical indicators show that the market is approaching oversold levels, which sometimes leads to short-term rebounds. However, analysts warn that volatility may continue until investors regain confidence and buying demand returns.

The post Ripple CEO Calls XRP the ‘North Star’ and ‘Heartbeat’ of Company, Reveals What Comes Next appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

At the opening of XRP Community Day 2026, Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple, delivered a strong message to the global community, describing XRP as the “north star” and “heartbeat” of Ripple’s long-term strategy.

A celebration of the XRP community

Garlinghouse began his speech by welcoming XRP holders, developers, and partners from around the world, calling the event a celebration of the people building and supporting the ecosystem. He said the growth of XRP has been driven not only by technology but also by the strength of its global community.

XRP remains central to Ripple’s institutional strategy

According to Garlinghouse, XRP continues to guide Ripple’s institutional expansion. He explained that Ripple is focused on:

• Expanding liquidity around XRP
  
• Increasing real-world financial use cases
  
• Strengthening enterprise adoption of the XRP Ledger
  
• Building more on-chain financial infrastructure
  

He emphasized that institutions are increasingly looking for fast, low-cost cross-border payment solutions, and XRP remains a key part of that effort.

Ripple’s long-term vision toward 2030

Looking ahead, Garlinghouse said Ripple aims to grow into a global financial platform company by 2030, offering a wider range of infrastructure services while continuing to build trust across its ecosystem. He noted that utility, liquidity, and real-world adoption of XRP will remain at the center of the company’s mission.

The takeaway

Garlinghouse’s remarks reinforced Ripple’s commitment to XRP as a core part of its future, signaling that upcoming initiatives will focus heavily on expanding institutional usage and strengthening the real-world role of the XRP Ledger in global finance.

The post XRP Community Day [Live] Updates: Ripple CEO Talks Market Crash as XRP Stands Out; Grayscale Calls It a ‘Truly Global Asset’ appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

The post Can XRP Community Day Today Push XRP Price Beyond $2? appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

The global XRP community is coming together today for XRP Community Day 2026, a virtual event where developers, investors, institutions, and leaders from the Ripple ecosystem will discuss the growing role of XRP in real-world finance. Many traders are now asking a key question: Can this event trigger the next major XRP rally?

What to expect from the event

The event will open with a keynote from Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse, who is expected to highlight:

• Increasing institutional adoption of XRP
  
• Expanding use cases in cross-border payments and capital markets
  
• The impact of regulatory clarity on long-term growth
  
• XRP’s role in global financial infrastructure
  

Such announcements often improve investor sentiment, which sometimes leads to short-term price momentum.

XRP price before the event

Ahead of the event, XRP is trading around $1.39, down about 3% in the past 24 hours, largely in line with weakness across the broader crypto market. Analysts say the current price movement is mostly sideways consolidation, not a clear uptrend or downtrend.

Key technical levels traders are watching

• Support zone: $1.31 – $1.43
  XRP is currently holding above this important support range, which suggests buyers are still active.
  
• First resistance: $1.54
  XRP must move above this recent high to show early bullish strength.
  
• Major breakout level: $1.63 – $1.64
  A strong break above this range could open the door for a larger rally.
  
• Lower support if weakness continues: $1.20 – $1.21
  If the market drops below $1.31, this could become the next key demand zone.
  

Can XRP move toward $2?

For XRP to move toward $2, two conditions may be needed:

1. Positive announcements or strong adoption signals from Community Day
   
2. A technical breakout above the $1.63–$1.64 resistance area
   

Until then, analysts expect sideways movement with occasional short-term spikes, as traders wait for stronger confirmation of a sustained trend.

XRP Community Day could improve market sentiment and bring attention back to the XRP ecosystem, but price momentum will ultimately depend on whether XRP can break key resistance levels. For now, the market remains in a consolidation phase, with investors watching closely for the next decisive move.