Market
Trump Trades BTC-e Founder Alexander Vinnik to Russia
![](https://coin2049.io/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/bic_arrest_prison_handcuffs_negative_1.png)
President Trump recently announced a prisoner exchange with Russia, trading BTC-e founder Alexander Vinnik for an American school teacher. Although Trump recently pardoned Ross Ulbricht, this deal does not look like a favor to the crypto community.
Specifically, Vinnik pled guilty to $14 million fraud in Russia and is likely to face further incarceration in his home country. Trump has helped soothe the pace of crypto crackdowns, but this policy has its limits.
Trump Trades Vinnik For Schoolteacher
Alexander Vinnik has been through a lot since his arrest in 2017. In 2011, he founded BTC-e, an early crypto exchange that was prominent in its heyday. The site was shut down over massive allegations of money laundering and other crimes, and he was arrested. According to the New York Post, however, President Trump is trading Vinnik back to Russia.
“We now know what Russia received in this deal. Accused Russian money launderer Alexander Vinnik is being released from US custody in exchange for Marc Fogel,” wrote CNN reporter Zachary Cohen.
Specifically, Trump is turning Vinnik over to Russian authorities in a prisoner swap deal. In exchange, American school teacher Marc Fogel was returned to the US.
Fogel attempted to enter Russia with 17 grams of marijuana in 2022, which resulted in a 14-year drug trafficking sentence. This became a cause célèbre in some circles but is irrelevant to crypto.
Vinnik’s life has featured constant legal battles between the BTC-e closure and Trump’s swap deal. After a 2017 arrest in Greece, he was extradited to face charges in France, and then again to the US in 2022.
On top of his initial money laundering charges, the US added new charges in 2024, and Vinnik subsequently pled guilty to them.
“We view this as a very fair deal. We are not trading the Merchant of Death for a basketball player. Vinnik is currently in custody in northern California, awaiting transportation back to Russia,” two White House officials claimed to the press.
On the surface, it may look like Trump is continuing a general campaign of crypto clemency with Vinnik. Last month, he pardoned Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht after over a decade in prison. This won great acclaim from the crypto community.
However, while Ulbricht faces a rough re-integration with a dramatically changed crypto space, Vinnik has far more serious concerns.
Specifically, the Russian government has requested Vinnik’s extradition since at least 2018. Apparently, he confessed to Russian law enforcement that he committed major cyber fraud at BTC-e, with damages amounting to approximately $14.6 million.
Vinnik may prefer conditions in his home country, but he doesn’t seem likely to become a free man any time soon.
In other words, Trump’s main interest was in securing Marc Fogel’s release, not correcting government overreach for Alexander Vinnik. Fogel has already returned to the US, visited the White House, and publicly thanked Trump for his intervention. Vinnik, by contrast, is still in custody awaiting transportation.
Disclaimer
In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.
Market
Solana (SOL) Inches Toward $200—Breakout Confirmation Needed
Solana started a fresh decline from the $210 zone. SOL price is consolidating and might aim for a fresh move above the $200 resistance zone.
- SOL price started a fresh decline below the $205 and $200 levels against the US Dollar.
- The price is now trading below $200 and the 100-hourly simple moving average.
- There is a connecting bearish trend line forming with resistance at $198 on the hourly chart of the SOL/USD pair (data source from Kraken).
- The pair could start a fresh increase if the bulls clear the $200 zone.
Solana Price Faces Hurdles
Solana price struggled to clear the $210 resistance and started a fresh decline, like Bitcoin and Ethereum. SOL declined below the $202 and $200 support levels.
It even dived below the $192 level. The recent low was formed at $188 before the price started a recovery wave. There was a move above the $190 and $192 levels. The price cleared the 23.6% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $209 swing high to the $188 swing low.
However, the bears are active below the $200 level. They protected the 50% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $209 swing high to the $188 swing low.
Solana is now trading above $200 and the 100-hourly simple moving average. On the upside, the price is facing resistance near the $198 level. There is also a connecting bearish trend line forming with resistance at $198 on the hourly chart of the SOL/USD pair.
The next major resistance is near the $200 level. The main resistance could be $202. A successful close above the $202 resistance zone could set the pace for another steady increase. The next key resistance is $210. Any more gains might send the price toward the $220 level.
Another Decline in SOL?
If SOL fails to rise above the $200 resistance, it could start another decline. Initial support on the downside is near the $194 zone. The first major support is near the $188 level.
A break below the $188 level might send the price toward the $180 zone. If there is a close below the $180 support, the price could decline toward the $175 support in the near term.
Technical Indicators
Hourly MACD – The MACD for SOL/USD is gaining pace in the bullish zone.
Hourly Hours RSI (Relative Strength Index) – The RSI for SOL/USD is above the 50 level.
Major Support Levels – $194 and $188.
Major Resistance Levels – $200 and $202.
Market
ONDO Price Holds 22% Gains but Struggles to Break Key Levels
![](https://coin2049.io/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/bic_ONDO_4-covers_bullish.jpg.webp.webp)
Ondo Finance (ONDO) price has been in a consolidation phase over the past few days, but it remains up 20% in the last 30 days, solidifying its position as one of the most relevant RWA (Real-World Assets) tokens in the market. Despite its recent lack of momentum, ONDO continues to hold a $4.2 billion market cap.
Key indicators suggest uncertainty, with trend strength weakening and buying pressure fading. Whether ONDO breaks out of its range or continues consolidating will depend on its ability to regain momentum in the coming sessions.
ONDO DMI Shows Lack of a Clear Trend
ONDO DMI chart shows an ADX of 10.7, remaining below 15 for five consecutive days, signaling extremely weak trend strength. The ADX (Average Directional Index) measures trend strength rather than direction, with values below 20 typically indicating a lack of a strong trend and above 25 suggesting a more established movement.
Since ONDO’s ADX has stayed low for several days, it confirms the market is in consolidation, with no clear bullish or bearish momentum.
![ONDO DMI.](https://beincrypto.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Screenshot-2025-02-12-at-08.47.11.png.webp)
Meanwhile, the +DI has dropped from 24.2 to 19.7, while the -DI has risen from 12.8 to 16.6, showing a slight shift in directional strength but no decisive breakout. Although these movements suggest some shifts in buying and selling pressure, both indicators appear to be stabilizing.
This aligns with ONDO current sideways price action, where neither buyers nor sellers have full control. Until ADX rises above 20, a strong trend is unlikely, and ONDO may continue consolidating in the short term.
ONDO CMF Struggles to Stay Positive
ONDO CMF is currently at 0.01, dropping from 0.1 in the past day after spending nearly two weeks in negative territory between January 31 and February 10.
The Chaikin Money Flow (CMF) measures buying and selling pressure based on volume and price action. Values above zero indicate accumulation and values below zero signal distribution.
A rising CMF suggests stronger buying interest, while a declining or negative CMF indicates selling pressure dominating the market.
![ONDO CMF.](https://beincrypto.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Screenshot-2025-02-12-at-08.46.52.png.webp)
ONDO failing to sustain above 0.1 and now trending lower suggests a weakening bullish momentum.
With CMF barely holding above zero, buying pressure is fading, increasing the risk of a return to negative values. If it dips below zero again, it could indicate renewed selling pressure, potentially leading to a further price decline or extended consolidation.
ONDO Price Prediction: Will the Consolidation Continue?
ONDO price has been trading within a tight range between $1.38 and $1.31 in the last few days, even after it announced its own Layer-1. Its EMA lines are closely aligned, signaling a lack of clear momentum.
Despite its sharp correction from $1.60 to $1.13 between January 30 and February 2, it remains one of the largest RWA tokens, maintaining a $4.2 billion market cap. The current sideways movement suggests the market is indecisive, waiting for a breakout in either direction.
![ONDO Price Analysis.](https://beincrypto.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/ONDOUSD_2025-02-12_08-46-26.png.webp)
As one of the most interesting RWA coins for February, if ONDO establishes an uptrend, it could first test resistance at $1.49. If that level is broken, a further push toward $1.66 could follow.
However, if bearish pressure increases and the $1.28 support fails, the price could extend its decline toward $1.00.
Disclaimer
In line with the Trust Project guidelines, this price analysis article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. BeInCrypto is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice. Always conduct your own research and consult with a professional before making any financial decisions. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.
Market
Bitcoin Price Stuck In Consolidation—Is a Big Move Coming?
![](https://coin2049.io/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Bitcoin-Price-Stuck-In-Consolidation.jpg)
Bitcoin price is consolidating above the $95,000 support zone. BTC must settle above the $100,000 level to start a fresh increase in the near term.
- Bitcoin started a fresh increase from the $94,200 zone.
- The price is trading above $96,500 and the 100 hourly Simple moving average.
- There was a break above a connecting bearish trend line with resistance at $96,000 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair (data feed from Kraken).
- The pair could start another increase if it clears the $98,500 zone.
Bitcoin Price Eyes Fresh Increase
Bitcoin price extended losses below the $95,000 support level. BTC tested the $94,200 zone. A low was formed at $94,111 and the price recently started a fresh increase within a range.
There was a move above the $95,000 and $96,000 levels. The price cleared the 50% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $98,440 swing high to the $94,111 low. There was a break above a connecting bearish trend line with resistance at $96,000 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair.
Bitcoin price is now trading above $96,500 and the 100 hourly Simple moving average. It is also above the 61.8% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $98,440 swing high to the $94,111 low.
![Bitcoin Price](https://www.newsbtc.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Bitcoin_974d6b.png?resize=1024%2C478)
On the upside, immediate resistance is near the $98,000 level. The first key resistance is near the $98,500 level. The next key resistance could be $99,500. A close above the $99,500 resistance might send the price further higher. In the stated case, the price could rise and test the $100,000 resistance level. Any more gains might send the price toward the $100,500 level or even $102,000.
Another Decline In BTC?
If Bitcoin fails to rise above the $98,500 resistance zone, it could start a fresh decline. Immediate support on the downside is near the $97,200 level. The first major support is near the $96,750 level.
The next support is now near the $96,200 zone. Any more losses might send the price toward the $95,000 support in the near term. The main support sits at $94,200.
Technical indicators:
Hourly MACD – The MACD is now losing pace in the bullish zone.
Hourly RSI (Relative Strength Index) – The RSI for BTC/USD is now above the 50 level.
Major Support Levels – $96,200, followed by $95,000.
Major Resistance Levels – $98,000 and $98,500.
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