Must-Watch Next Week｜Fed Officials to Speak Intensively; X to Launch Ad Disclosure Feature (2.23-3.1)
- Core View: Next week (February 23 to March 1), the blockchain and cryptocurrency industry will see a series of key events, primarily focusing on US regulatory developments, macroeconomic data releases, and major platform service changes. These factors could impact market sentiment and asset prices.
- Key Elements:
- SEC Critical Ruling: The US SEC must rule by February 24 on whether to significantly raise the position limit for iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) options from 250,000 contracts to 1 million contracts. This move could affect the market depth and liquidity of Bitcoin ETF-related products.
- Regulatory & Platform Changes: Cryptocurrency exchange ProBit Global will terminate all services on February 26, urging users to withdraw funds. NFT platform Nifty Gateway will shut down on February 23, 2026, and is now in withdrawal-only mode, reflecting industry adjustments amid changing regulatory environments.
- Macroeconomic Data Release: The US will release January Producer Price Index (PPI) data on February 27, with the year-over-year increase expected to slow from 3.0% to 2.8%. This will provide clues on the inflation outlook and could influence Federal Reserve monetary policy expectations and crypto market risk appetite.
- Fed Officials to Speak Intensively: Multiple Federal Reserve officials, including Governor Waller, Governor Cook (on AI topics), and several regional Fed presidents, will deliver speeches next week. The market will search for hints about future interest rate policy.
- Industry Application & Compliance Dynamics: Platform X (formerly Twitter) plans to launch an ad disclosure feature next week, with accounts violating rules potentially facing suspension, aiming to enhance transparency in commercial promotions. Fast-food brand Steak 'n Shake announced it will start paying hourly workers a portion of their wages in Bitcoin as a reward starting March 1.
Key Events for the Upcoming Week
February 24
U.S. President Trump to Deliver State of the Union Address on February 24;
U.S. SEC to Rule on Whether to Increase IBIT Option Position Limits;
February 25
ProBit Global to Terminate All Services on February 26, Users Urged to Withdraw Funds Promptly;
February 27
U.S. to Release January PPI Data at 21:30 on February 27;
Others (Specific Time TBD)
X Product Lead: Ad Disclosure Feature to Launch Next Week, Violating Accounts May Face Suspension;
Federal Reserve Dynamics
- February 23 (Monday) 21:00, Fed Governor Waller to Speak;
- February 24 (Tuesday) 21:00, 2027 FOMC Voter, Chicago Fed President Goolsbee to Speak;
- February 24 (Tuesday) 22:00, Boston Fed President Collins to Deliver Opening Remarks at an Event; 2027 FOMC Voter, Atlanta Fed President Bostic to Speak;
- February 24 (Tuesday) 22:10, Fed Governor Waller to Speak;
- February 24 (Tuesday) 22:35, Fed Governor Lisa Cook to Speak on AI;
- February 25 (Wednesday) 4:15, Richmond Fed President Barkin and Boston Fed President Collins to Participate in a Panel Discussion;
- February 26 (Thursday) 2:20, 2028 FOMC Voter, St. Louis Fed President Musalem to Speak on the Role of the Federal Reserve.
From February 23 to March 1, more noteworthy industry event previews are as follows.
February 23
Strategy World 2026 to be Held in Las Vegas, USA from February 23 to 26
Odaily News Strategy World 2026, a summit hosted by Strategy, will be held in Las Vegas, USA from February 23 to 26, featuring over 80 sessions and hands-on workshops.
NFT Platform Nifty Gateway to Shut Down on February 23, 2026, Now in Withdrawal-Only Mode
Odaily News Nifty Gateway Studio announced on platform X that the Nifty Gateway platform will shut down on February 23, 2026. Effective immediately, Nifty Gateway has entered withdrawal-only mode. Clients holding USD, ETH balances, or NFTs will receive email notifications with instructions on moving assets off the Nifty Gateway platform.
HyperLiquid to Hold Validator Vote on Delisting OM on February 23
Odaily News HyperLiquid announced on platform X that validators will vote around 08:00 UTC on February 23 (16:00 Beijing Time) on whether to delist OM. If the validators vote to delist OM, traders should settle their positions to the 1-hour time-weighted spot oracle price before delisting and cancel all open orders. Therefore, positions should be closed in advance to avoid automatic settlement. No new orders will be accepted after settlement is complete.
February 24
U.S. President Trump to Deliver State of the Union Address on February 24
Odaily News According to Punchbowl: U.S. President Trump will deliver the State of the Union address on February 24.
U.S. SEC to Rule on Whether to Increase IBIT Option Position Limits
Odaily News The U.S. SEC will rule by February 24 on whether to increase the position and exercise limits for iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) options. The proposal aims to raise the limit from the current 250,000 contracts to 1,000,000 contracts.
February 25
None
February 26
Odaily News Crypto exchange ProBit Global announced on December 31, 2025, that due to rapidly changing regulatory environments and strategic business restructuring, all platform services will officially terminate starting at 08:00 (UTC+8) on February 26, 2026. Spot trading will cease at 08:00 (UTC+8) on January 28, 2026. Standard withdrawal services will remain open until 07:59 (UTC+8) on February 26, 2026. All users are strongly urged to complete withdrawals before this deadline to avoid potential asset loss or incurring management fees.
The delayed asset recovery period is from 08:00 (UTC+8) on March 1, 2026, to 07:59 (UTC+8) on April 1, 2026. If users fail to withdraw assets by the end of the standard withdrawal period, their accounts will be considered inactive, and remaining assets will be subject to maintenance fees to cover infrastructure and custody services. Fees will be strictly charged starting at 08:00 (UTC+8) on March 1, 2026. According to the Terms of Service, any assets not withdrawn by 07:59 (UTC+8) on April 1, 2026, will be considered abandoned and permanently lost.
February 27
U.S. to Release January PPI Data at 21:30 on February 27
Odaily News The U.S. will release January PPI data at 21:30 on February 27 (Friday), which is expected to provide more clues about the inflation outlook. An HSBC report stated that January PPI is expected to rise 0.3% month-on-month, with the annualized increase slowing from 3.0% in December to 2.8%.
February 28
Liquifi to be Renamed Coinbase Token Manager Starting February 28
Odaily News Token management platform Liquifi will be renamed Coinbase Token Manager starting February 28. Coinbase acquired Liquifi last July, with the specific acquisition amount undisclosed.
March 1
Odaily News U.S. fast-food chain Steak 'n Shake announced that starting March 1, it will distribute a $0.21 Bitcoin bonus for every hour worked to all hourly employees at its company-owned restaurants. The plan has a two-year vesting period, and employees must wait two years to claim the earned Bitcoin. The plan is facilitated by the digital asset platform Fold App.
Others (Specific Time TBD)
X Product Lead: Disclosure Feature to Launch Next Week, Violating Accounts May Face Suspension
Odaily News X Product Lead and Solana Advisor Nikita Bier stated on platform X that X will launch a disclosure feature next week. This move aims to warn the platform about undisclosed advertising content, meaning X may require users to clearly disclose paid promotional posts and take measures such as suspending accounts that fail to comply with relevant regulations.
Nikita Bier pointed out that there is currently some promotional content on the platform that does not indicate commercial partnerships or advertising nature, which may mislead users. If the new rules are implemented, X may strengthen transparency management of commercial promotional content and enhance compliance review mechanisms. It is reported that Nikita Bier has already requested further provision of relevant advertising disclosures in replies to paid promotional posts on the prediction market platform Kalshi and warned of account suspension if not executed.
