Changpeng 'CZ' Zhao Asserts 'Crypto Has Never Required a Bailout and Never Will' in Response to Senator Warren's Appeal to the Fed Against Rescues
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 20 2026
0mins
Should l Buy MSTR?
Source: stocktwits
Warren's Concerns: Senator Elizabeth Warren criticized the potential use of taxpayer dollars for a federal bailout of the cryptocurrency industry, specifically mentioning concerns about "crypto billionaires" benefiting from government support.
Zhao's Response: Changpeng Zhao, co-founder of Binance, responded to Warren's letter, asserting that the cryptocurrency industry does not need a bailout and emphasizing that it has never required government assistance.
Market Downturn: The cryptocurrency market has experienced significant declines, with Bitcoin's price dropping over 46% since its peak in October, raising concerns about the industry's stability and future.
Investor Losses: High-profile figures in the cryptocurrency space, including Zhao and Coinbase's Brian Armstrong, have reported substantial financial losses during the market downturn, highlighting the risks associated with cryptocurrency investments.
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Analyst Views on MSTR
Wall Street analysts forecast MSTR stock price to rise
14 Analyst Rating
12 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 137.650
Low
229.00
Averages
453.17
High
705.00
Current: 137.650
Low
229.00
Averages
453.17
High
705.00
About MSTR
Strategy Inc., formerly MicroStrategy Incorporated, is a bitcoin treasury and business intelligence company. The Company provides cloud-native, artificial intelligence (AI)-powered enterprise analytics software to thousands of global customers. The Company’s Strategy ONE platform provides access to AI-powered workflows, unlimited data sources, cloud-native technologies, and performance to speed up time from data to action. Strategy One delivers visualization, reporting, and embedded analytics capabilities across retail, banking, technology, manufacturing, insurance, consulting, healthcare, telecommunications, and the public sector. Its Strategy Mosaic is a universal intelligence layer that provides enterprises with consistent definitions and governance across data sources, regardless of where that data resides or which tools access it. The Strategy Mosaic offers data clarity and connection by eliminating trade-offs between flexibility, control, and speed.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Strategy Inc. Significantly Increases Bitcoin Holdings
- Bitcoin Acquisition Scale: Strategy Inc. acquired bitcoins worth $204.1 million during the week of February 23 to March 1, a significant increase from the previous week's $39.8 million, demonstrating the company's strong confidence in the Bitcoin market.
- Purchase Details: The company bought approximately 3,000 BTC at an average price of $67,700, reflecting its aggressive investment strategy in the current market environment while trading at around $65,900, indicating expectations for future price appreciation.
- Funding Sources: Strategy raised $7.1 million and $229.9 million in net proceeds by selling 71,600 shares of its 9.0% SERIES A PERPETUAL STRETCH PREFERRED STOCK and 1.7 million Class A shares, showcasing its ability to finance Bitcoin investments through capital markets.
- Cash Dividend Announcement: Strategy declared a cash dividend payable on March 31 to shareholders of record as of 5:00 PM New York City time on March 15, with $2.5 per share for the 10.00% SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK, enhancing investor confidence in the company's financial health.
See More
Stock Futures Decline Amid Middle East Tensions and Rising Oil Prices
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- Strong Performance by Ross Stores: Ross Stores (ROST) shares rose 6% after reporting strong Q4 results and issuing upbeat guidance, with comparable sales growth expected at 7% to 8% for Q1, significantly above the 3.7% consensus, and a 10% dividend hike, showcasing the company's success during the holiday sales period.
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- Market Decline: The S&P 500 index fell by 0.94%, reaching a 3.25-month low, reflecting investor concerns over escalating tensions in Iran, which may impact future investment decisions and market stability.
- Surge in Oil Prices: WTI crude oil prices rose over 4% to an 8.5-month high due to threats from Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz, intensifying fears of energy supply disruptions and potential inflationary pressures in the economy.
- Natural Gas Price Spike: European natural gas prices surged more than 22% to a three-year high after Qatar's Ras Laffan plant was targeted by an Iranian drone attack, posing significant risks to global liquefied natural gas supply and market stability.
- Economic Data Expectations: This week, the ADP employment change is expected to increase by 50,000, while the ISM services index is projected to slip slightly, with markets closely monitoring these indicators to assess economic health and potential implications for Federal Reserve monetary policy decisions.
See More
Bitmine Holds Over 3 Million ETH, Plans 2026 Staking Solution Launch
- Staking Asset Scale: Bitmine currently holds 3,040,483 ETH in staking, valued at approximately $6 billion at current prices, showcasing its significant influence in the Ethereum market and expected to enhance the company's position in crypto asset management.
- Portfolio Diversification: Bitmine's total value of crypto assets, liquidity, and 'Moonshot' investments reaches $9.9 billion, including 4,473,587 ETH and a $200 million investment in Beast Industries, indicating its diversified strategy and strong capital management capabilities in the crypto market.
- Market Trading Activity: Bitmine's trading volume in the U.S. reaches $800 million daily, ranking 145th, reflecting its active presence and investor interest in the market, which may attract more institutional investors.
- Future Development Plans: The company plans to launch the MAVAN staking solution in Q1 2026, aimed at providing a secure staking infrastructure, further enhancing its competitiveness within the Ethereum ecosystem, and is expected to generate substantial revenue for the company.
See More
SEC Warns Against Launching Ultra-Leveraged ETFs
- Regulatory Intervention: The SEC has cautioned issuers against proceeding with the launch of ultra-leveraged ETFs, which include funds offering five times the daily return, indicating a strong regulatory stance on market risks.
- Increased Leverage Levels: The new filings reportedly include ETFs seeking leverage levels as high as 5x daily exposure, surpassing the more common 2x and 3x structures, reflecting a growing demand for high-risk investments in the market.
- Impact of Zero-Commission Trading: Leveraged ETFs have transitioned from niche investments for hedge funds to popular options among retail investors due to volatile markets, the rise of zero-commission trading, and social media's influence on trading activities, driving rapid growth.
- Risk Warnings: Analysts highlight that nearly half of the leveraged ETFs launched in the past three years have shut down, with 17% losing 98% of their value, and the SEC's intervention suggests regulators aim to set boundaries before the industry becomes even more aggressive.
See More
Surge in Options Trading Volume for Strategy Inc and Zscaler
- Options Volume for Strategy Inc: Strategy Inc (Symbol: MSTR) saw an options trading volume of 240,003 contracts today, representing approximately 24 million underlying shares, which is about 94% of its average daily trading volume of 25.5 million shares over the past month, indicating strong market interest in the stock.
- High Demand for Call Options: Among MSTR options, the $140 strike call option has been particularly active, with 8,561 contracts traded today, equating to approximately 856,100 shares, reflecting investor optimism regarding future price increases.
- Zscaler Options Activity: Zscaler (Symbol: ZS) has recorded an options trading volume of 26,151 contracts today, representing about 2.6 million underlying shares, which accounts for 70.4% of its average daily trading volume of 3.7 million shares over the past month, showing sustained market interest in its stock.
- Active Trading in Put Options: For ZS, the $270 strike put option has seen a trading volume of 7,600 contracts today, representing approximately 760,000 shares, indicating a cautious sentiment among investors regarding potential future price declines.
See More
Strategy Inc. Significantly Increases Bitcoin Holdings
- Bitcoin Acquisition Scale: Strategy Inc. acquired bitcoins worth $204.1 million during the week of February 23 to March 1, a significant increase from the previous week's $39.8 million, demonstrating the company's strong confidence in the Bitcoin market.
- Purchase Details: The company bought approximately 3,000 BTC at an average price of $67,700, reflecting its aggressive investment strategy in the current market environment while trading at around $65,900, indicating expectations for future price appreciation.
- Funding Sources: Strategy raised $7.1 million and $229.9 million in net proceeds by selling 71,600 shares of its 9.0% SERIES A PERPETUAL STRETCH PREFERRED STOCK and 1.7 million Class A shares, showcasing its ability to finance Bitcoin investments through capital markets.
- Cash Dividend Announcement: Strategy declared a cash dividend payable on March 31 to shareholders of record as of 5:00 PM New York City time on March 15, with $2.5 per share for the 10.00% SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK, enhancing investor confidence in the company's financial health.
See More
Stock Futures Decline Amid Middle East Tensions and Rising Oil Prices
- Market Turmoil: Stock futures continued to decline on Wednesday morning as investors assessed the escalating conflict in the Middle East, anticipated important economic data, and confronted rising oil prices that heighten inflation risks, reflecting market sensitivity to uncertainty.
- Strong Performance by Ross Stores: Ross Stores (ROST) shares rose 6% after reporting strong Q4 results and issuing upbeat guidance, with comparable sales growth expected at 7% to 8% for Q1, significantly above the 3.7% consensus, and a 10% dividend hike, showcasing the company's success during the holiday sales period.
- Moderna's Patent Settlement: Moderna (MRNA) shares increased by 5% after reaching a $950 million patent litigation settlement with Arbutus Biopharma and Genevant Sciences, eliminating future royalty obligations and projecting cash and equivalents of $4.5 billion to $5 billion by year-end, enhancing its market position in infectious diseases.
- Horizon Technology's Financial Setback: Horizon Technology Finance (HRZN) shares fell 10% after reporting net investment income and total investment income below expectations, leading to a decline in net asset value per share, with management noting that reduced prepayment activity negatively impacted results.
See More
Global Stock Markets Retreat as Oil Prices Surge
- Market Decline: The S&P 500 index fell by 0.94%, reaching a 3.25-month low, reflecting investor concerns over escalating tensions in Iran, which may impact future investment decisions and market stability.
- Surge in Oil Prices: WTI crude oil prices rose over 4% to an 8.5-month high due to threats from Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz, intensifying fears of energy supply disruptions and potential inflationary pressures in the economy.
- Natural Gas Price Spike: European natural gas prices surged more than 22% to a three-year high after Qatar's Ras Laffan plant was targeted by an Iranian drone attack, posing significant risks to global liquefied natural gas supply and market stability.
- Economic Data Expectations: This week, the ADP employment change is expected to increase by 50,000, while the ISM services index is projected to slip slightly, with markets closely monitoring these indicators to assess economic health and potential implications for Federal Reserve monetary policy decisions.
See More
Bitmine Holds Over 3 Million ETH, Plans 2026 Staking Solution Launch
- Staking Asset Scale: Bitmine currently holds 3,040,483 ETH in staking, valued at approximately $6 billion at current prices, showcasing its significant influence in the Ethereum market and expected to enhance the company's position in crypto asset management.
- Portfolio Diversification: Bitmine's total value of crypto assets, liquidity, and 'Moonshot' investments reaches $9.9 billion, including 4,473,587 ETH and a $200 million investment in Beast Industries, indicating its diversified strategy and strong capital management capabilities in the crypto market.
- Market Trading Activity: Bitmine's trading volume in the U.S. reaches $800 million daily, ranking 145th, reflecting its active presence and investor interest in the market, which may attract more institutional investors.
- Future Development Plans: The company plans to launch the MAVAN staking solution in Q1 2026, aimed at providing a secure staking infrastructure, further enhancing its competitiveness within the Ethereum ecosystem, and is expected to generate substantial revenue for the company.
See More
SEC Warns Against Launching Ultra-Leveraged ETFs
- Regulatory Intervention: The SEC has cautioned issuers against proceeding with the launch of ultra-leveraged ETFs, which include funds offering five times the daily return, indicating a strong regulatory stance on market risks.
- Increased Leverage Levels: The new filings reportedly include ETFs seeking leverage levels as high as 5x daily exposure, surpassing the more common 2x and 3x structures, reflecting a growing demand for high-risk investments in the market.
- Impact of Zero-Commission Trading: Leveraged ETFs have transitioned from niche investments for hedge funds to popular options among retail investors due to volatile markets, the rise of zero-commission trading, and social media's influence on trading activities, driving rapid growth.
- Risk Warnings: Analysts highlight that nearly half of the leveraged ETFs launched in the past three years have shut down, with 17% losing 98% of their value, and the SEC's intervention suggests regulators aim to set boundaries before the industry becomes even more aggressive.
See More
Surge in Options Trading Volume for Strategy Inc and Zscaler
- Options Volume for Strategy Inc: Strategy Inc (Symbol: MSTR) saw an options trading volume of 240,003 contracts today, representing approximately 24 million underlying shares, which is about 94% of its average daily trading volume of 25.5 million shares over the past month, indicating strong market interest in the stock.
- High Demand for Call Options: Among MSTR options, the $140 strike call option has been particularly active, with 8,561 contracts traded today, equating to approximately 856,100 shares, reflecting investor optimism regarding future price increases.
- Zscaler Options Activity: Zscaler (Symbol: ZS) has recorded an options trading volume of 26,151 contracts today, representing about 2.6 million underlying shares, which accounts for 70.4% of its average daily trading volume of 3.7 million shares over the past month, showing sustained market interest in its stock.
- Active Trading in Put Options: For ZS, the $270 strike put option has seen a trading volume of 7,600 contracts today, representing approximately 760,000 shares, indicating a cautious sentiment among investors regarding potential future price declines.
See More
