OldLeekConfession

Ukraine and Russia are making progress towards ending the war, with talks scheduled in Geneva soon. President Zelensky highlighted advancements in prisoner exchanges, while territorial disputes remain unresolved. High-level negotiations in February are seen as crucial for a potential resolution.

The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in Germany has proposed strict regulations on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok to protect youth. Under Friedrich Merz's leadership, the party emphasizes Christian values and the importance of safeguarding young users, but this raises concerns about balancing online safety with freedom of expression.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is enhancing strategies to secure the regime's stability amid potential existential threats. He has instructed Ali Larijani on building a long-term governance system to address external conflicts and assassination risks, emphasizing a four-tier successor plan to maintain governance during crises, signaling a shift from concentrated power to a more distributed governance approach for durability.

Recent elections in Thailand reveal a significant shift in the political landscape, with voters moving from progressive reform demands to a focus on traditional values and national identity. Support for the monarchy and candidates emphasizing these themes has grown, indicating a deeper transformation in societal values and a complex political environment where nationalism competes with progressive ideals.

The "DePIN Crypto" sector, where blockchain technology merges with real-world infrastructure, is rapidly gaining attention in the crypto industry. Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks, commonly known as DePIN, have the potential to fundamentally transform traditional centralized service delivery models and are emerging as a foundational structure for the Web3 era. As of November 2024, the market size exceeded $32 billion, and after subsequent market fluctuations, it is heading into a new phase by 2026.
Understanding the Basics of Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN Crypto)
Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN) are not merely an application of blockchain but involve energy

By mid-February, the cryptocurrency market had transitioned from the recovery phase of December to a new correction phase. Bitcoin has declined to approximately $67,830 over the past two months, representing a 23% drop from about $88,000 in December. This movement is not merely a technical rebound failure but reflects increasing concerns about a hard landing scenario and a shift from short-term liquidity support to medium-term constraints. Following the sharp decline in November and the limited recovery in December, the crypto asset market is now facing more fundamental structural challenges.
Correction wave since December: failure to recover and intensified downward pressure
The rebound in December indicated a shift from "passive risk avoidance" to a "recovery phase under cost and liquidity constraints."

The 2026 Davos World Economic Forum is a pivotal moment for global economic policy, marking a shift from discussion to concrete action. Key players are now focused on the power dynamics of economic governance, particularly regarding digital finance and cryptocurrencies, amid significant political influences, including Trump's presence and Armstrong's regulatory concerns.

Tether has announced a partnership with LayerZero Labs to enhance cross-chain transfer technology for digital assets. This collaboration aims to improve global ecosystem usability and accelerate industry protocol standardization, particularly for micro-payments in the AI economy.

President Biden declared a full pardon for his son Hunter Biden on December 1, 2022, prompting significant controversy. Critics highlight this decision contradicts prior statements against using presidential power for family benefit, raising questions about political integrity and decision-making.

As initially expected, the price of gold performed a strong rally in 2024, reaching levels around $2,600. Considering the current market environment as of February 2026, it is necessary to reassess future gold price forecasts. Based on the methodology established by the InvestingHaven analysis team over 15 years of history, we will look ahead to the gold market in the coming years.
Technical signals indicating a bullish turnaround in the gold market
The long-term chart of gold shows extremely convincing bullish signals. Looking at data from the past 50 years, two important bullish reversal patterns can be identified.
A long-term descending wedge from the 1980s to the 1990s, and a cup and handle pattern from 2013 to 2023

Hong Kong's stock market showed a slight rise, with the Hang Seng Index ending at 26,847 points, up 0.05%. Low trading volume reflects weak investor sentiment, with varying movements across indices amidst a cautious market atmosphere. Future trends depend on a recovery in trading volume.

The ECB is likely to maintain its policy interest rate, enhancing stability in the German bond market, crucial for Europe. Analysts emphasize a focus on stability over radical changes amid current macroeconomic conditions, although unexpected shocks could alter this outlook.