Crypto markets react to key regulatory probes and major options expiry
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Bitcoin Nears $70K on Options Expiry and Market Rebound; Binance Probe Unfolds
February 26, 2026
Crypto Signals Daily market brief
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Today’s Setup
Crypto markets react to key regulatory probes and major options expiry
Regulatory Pressure: US senator launches $1.7 billion probe into Binance for alleged funds flow to sanctioned entities.
Market Structure: Bitcoin approaches $70,000 as $10.5 billion monthly options expiry looms, driving large liquidations and rally.
Institutional Movements: GD Culture approves $510 million bitcoin sale to fund $100 million share buyback amid undervaluation.
Watch: Bitcoin options expiry and short squeezes shaping near-term price volatility.
Top Stories
US Senator Opens Probe on Binance Over Alleged $1.7B Flow to Iranian Entities
Senator Richard Blumenthal has initiated a probe into Binance over alleged $1.7 billion in transfers linked to Iranian and Russian sanctions violations. Binance denies wrongdoing, citing compliance measures and user restrictions.
Bitcoin Nears $70,000 Amid $10.5B Options Expiry and Market Rally
Bitcoin surged nearly 7% this week, nearing $70,000 driven by a $10.5 billion monthly options expiry and a short squeeze triggering over $468 million in liquidations across major cryptos. Market signals remain fragile with complex positioning.
GD Culture Board Approves Bitcoin Sale to Fund $100M Buyback Program
GD Culture Group authorized the sale of approximately 7,500 BTC valued at $510 million to support a flexible $100 million share repurchase plan amid one of the lowest market cap-to-net asset values among bitcoin treasury companies.
Circle Beats Q4 Earnings Estimates as USDC Supply Jumps 72%, Shares Surge
Circle reported $770 million in Q4 revenue, surpassing estimates with USDC circulating supply rising 72% to $75 billion and transaction volume increasing 247%, fueling a 20-30% rise in Circle’s stock price amid broader crypto market gains.
BlockFills CEO Resigns After $75M Loss and Withdrawal Freeze
BlockFills, a Chicago-based crypto liquidity provider, suspended client withdrawals after a $75 million loss from crypto lending products. CEO Nicholas Hammer stepped down, replaced by Joseph Perry. The company seeks a buyer or strategic investor amid solvency concerns.
Source: BeInCrypto
Also on the Wire
• UK FCA selects Revolut and three others to test stablecoin issuance and payments in a new regulatory sandbox starting Q1 2026.  ·  Cointelegraph
• Ethereum surpasses $2,000 driven by whale accumulation and renewed investor demand amid market rebalancing.  ·  BeInCrypto
• US Treasury sanctions Russian exploit brokers trafficking stolen US trade secrets for cryptocurrency payments.  ·  Bitcoin News
• South Africa plans new regulations to integrate cryptocurrencies under national capital flow controls, aiming to close regulatory gaps.  ·  Bitcoin News
• Strategy Yield ETP, backed by Bitcoin and listed on Euronext Amsterdam, launches amid growing short interest in the security.  ·  Cointelegraph
• South Korea proposes mandatory disclosures for crypto and stock influencers, including holdings and sponsored content, penalizing nondisclosures similarly to market manipulation.  ·  Cointelegraph
• Bitcoin-linked stocks outperform BTC during recent market bounce, reflecting increased investor appetite for equity exposure to crypto.  ·  CoinDesk
• Aave surpasses $1 trillion in lending volume, leading DeFi with $27.2 billion user value and generating $83.3 million in fees over 30 days.  ·  Cointelegraph