The crypto market saw a flurry of activity this week, with the spotlight on Bitcoin's long-term value proposition against gold, significant law enforcement actions, and the latest regulatory developments.
Macroeconomist Lyn Alden suggests that Bitcoin could outperform gold within the next two to three years. Despite gold's recent strong rebound, she believes this rally has already priced in some cyclical gains, while Bitcoin has more structural growth potential in the next cycle. She stated bluntly, "If I had to pick one, I would pick Bitcoin." She emphasized the long-term rotation between the two, noting that gold's current gains may pave the way for Bitcoin's next rally.
On the law enforcement front, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested a suspect in connection with the theft of $46 million in cryptocurrency from the U.S. Marshals Service. The suspect is reportedly the son of an executive at a custodial firm. Publicly available photos show seized items including cash, USB drives, mobile phones, and three suspected Trezor hardware wallets. Law enforcement has not yet released specific details on the recovery of the funds.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reached a $10 million settlement with Justin Sun and his related companies, ending a long-standing legal dispute. Notably, neither party admitted to or denied the allegations, and the settlement does not constitute a legal determination of liability.
The U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) plans to revise tax reporting rules, eliminating the requirement for crypto exchanges to provide paper 1099-DA forms. The new proposal allows trading platforms to terminate services if users refuse electronic delivery. This move aims to promote the digitization of tax processes and reduce administrative costs, but it has also sparked discussions about user privacy and accessibility.
Social platform X (formerly Twitter) has officially allowed paid cryptocurrency project promotions, but explicitly prohibits such advertising in the European Union and the United Kingdom, reflecting a differentiated approach to global compliance strategies.
According to blockchain security firm PeckShield, global cryptocurrency market losses fell to their lowest level since March 2025 in February, and market sentiment is stabilizing. Analysts point out that although the market remains volatile in the short term, Bitcoin is gradually building a phase bottom.
Some analysts suggest that Bitcoin follows a cyclical pattern of "three years up, fourth year down," and may face traditional adjustment pressure in 2026. However, some institutions still believe that the current pullback is a technical correction rather than a trend reversal. The 10x Research team stated that although it is still classified as a bear market phase overall, the short-term rebound has tactical allocation value.
Amid market discussions, some argue that the United States needs to quickly improve crypto market structure legislation to avoid regulatory vacuums that could shift advantages to other jurisdictions. At the same time, some praise the community for advancing project planning through rapid collaboration, calling it an "emotion-driven code experiment."