Media Man International Blog
Markets, Cryptos and Culture: February 2026: Past, Present And Future: "All That Glitters"
Markets, Cryptos and Culture
February 26, 2026
Sydney, Australia to Wall Street, New York
"All That Glitters"
Markets
ASX 200 futures up 58 points/0.6%: 9138 AUD +0.9% to US71.23¢ Bitcoin $68,977.90 +7.65% Dow +0.6% S&P +0.8% Nasdaq +1.3% VIX -1.43 to 18.12 Gold +1.2% to $US5203.32 an ounce Silver 89.900 +2.795 Oil +0.5% to $US71.11 a barrel Iron ore +2.2% to $US98.80 a tonne
News
Numbers Double Check
Australian Dollar: $0.7120 USD (up $0.0060 USD) Iron Ore: $98.80 USD (up $2.15 USD) Oil Price: $65.60 USD (down $0.66 USD) Gold Price: $5,180.79 USD (up $9.10 USD) Copper Price: $5.9855 USD (up $0.0800 USD) Dow Jones: 49,477.67 (up 303.17 points)
News
Bitcoin and Ethereum are struggling to rebound
Market Overview
The crypto market capitalisation is up about 1% from yesterday's level, rebounding to $2.24 trillion after plunging to $2.18 trillion on Tuesday. Once again, we are seeing a weak rebound after the dip, underscoring that bears remain in control of the markets. Bitcoin fell to $62.5K but had already rebounded to $65.5K at the time of writing. This looks like an attempt to form a double bottom. In the short term, it is worth acknowledging the local initiative on the bulls' side, but this rebound has not yet broken the downward resistance that has been in place for twenty days. Ethereum is up 4%, outperforming many of its heavyweight competitors. Here, we also see an ongoing struggle at the long-term support level. In April last year, the second-largest coin by capitalisation was actively bought after falling below this line, but will it be able to do so again?
News Background
In the current environment, cryptocurrencies are losing ground alongside tech stocks, Wintermute notes. Capital is flowing from high-risk assets into defensive and tangible assets. Global uncertainty is pushing investors into defensive assets, depriving the crypto market of liquidity. The stagnation in stablecoin supply has become a ‘significant obstacle’ for Bitcoin, Matrixport notes. Glassnode expects liquidity to recover in six months at the earliest. If Bitcoin breaks through $60K, it could fall to the $50K–55K range or even to $47K, Bitrue predicts. In a negative scenario, cascading liquidations will accelerate amid deteriorating external conditions.
Cryptoquant has recorded a slowdown in BTC sales on the largest exchange, Binance, which offers hope for a short-term recovery. However, in the medium term, the bearish trend may continue. Bitcoin is in its ‘adolescent’ stage of development — an intermediate stage between a speculative asset and a global store of value, according to Bitwise. Strategy founder Michael Saylor believes Bitcoin's recovery could take two to seven years. According to Onchain Lens, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has sold 3,765 ETH worth $7.08 million over the past four days and 10,723 ETH since the beginning of February. The total proceeds amounted to approximately $21.7 million at an average price of $2,027 per coin. The Arizona State Senate has approved the creation of a strategic reserve of digital assets. The fund is planned to be replenished with confiscated cryptocurrency.
News
Oil News
Brent is on tenterhooks Oil is reacting to the slightest news about the progress of negotiations between the US and Iran. Armed conflict risks pushing Brent above $90 per barrel. Oil is heading for its best start of the year since 2022. Year to date, Brent prices have risen by 16% and WTI by 15% as investors' attention has shifted from record surpluses to geopolitics. For a long time, bears dominated the market, but the threat of armed conflict in the Middle East and Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz have led to a geopolitical risk premium, now estimated at $7-10 per barrel. If you want peace, prepare for war. Tehran is ready to engage with the US, but only through diplomatic channels. Donald Trump claims that any deal will be better than no deal at all. At the same time, Iran is reportedly accelerating negotiations with China to purchase anti-ship cruise missiles, while the US is increasing its military presence in the Middle East.
The Polymarket betting market gives a 62% probability of military strikes before the end of March. Tehran may respond by blocking the Strait of Hormuz. About 16.5 million barrels per day flow through this oil artery, including about 5 million barrels per day from Saudi Arabia. Supply disruptions are sure to drive up prices and increase transport costs. For example, during the 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel in June last year, the base rate for tankers transporting oil from the Middle East to China rose sharply. Oil bulls argue that in the event of a serious escalation of the conflict, Brent will soar to $90-100 per barrel. Bears, meanwhile, predict that North Sea crude is unlikely to rise much more, as there are no supply disruptions.
Traders are on tenterhooks. Historically, peaceful resolution of conflicts has led to a rapid reduction in the geopolitical risk premium. At the same time, Brent risks falling by more than $7-10 per barrel, as the oil market remains bearish. For example, Western restrictions on the purchase of Russian oil have led to discounts on Urals reaching their highest levels since April 2023. On the contrary, armed confrontation between the US and Iran, followed by Tehran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz, could push Brent prices above $90 per barrel. The binary outcome forces investors to react to the slightest news about the progress of negotiations between Washington and Tehran. (FxPro)
News
Biz (Australia)
ASX resets record; WiseTech, Woolies jump The Australian sharemarket rallied on Wednesday, with the S&P/ASX 200 adding 1.2 per cent to close at a record high of 9,128.3 points. WiseTech Global rose 11.1 per cent to $47.74, Woolworths was up 13 per cent at $35.63 and Fortescue advanced 4.7 per cent to $21.14. However, Domino's Pizza Enterprises was down 11.1 per cent at $19.27, Flight Centre shed 3.2 per cent to end the session at $12.85 and Coles Group eased 0.2 per cent to finish at $21.82. (RMS)
News
A.I News (Australia)
Big tech 'facilitates crime', AI dystopia'
Professor Toby Walsh from the University of NSW's AI Institute addressed the National Press Club on Wednesday. He praised the federal government's ban on social media for people under the age of 16, but called for greater regulation of AI technology. Professor Walsh contended that regulating AI would be both a vote winner and "the right thing to do". He also accused technology companies such as Meta of "facilitating crime" by generating as much revenue from scam advertisements as drug dealers and the tobacco black market. Professor Walsh expressed concern that relying too much on AI platforms will make Australians "more stupid", warning that they will lack essential skills such as writing and constructing an argument. (Roy Morgan Summary)
News
A.I/Tech News (Australia)
WiseTech cites AI as it cuts 2000 jobs
Logistics software group WiseTech Global has revealed plans to retrench nearly 30 per cent of its workforce and become much more reliant on AI technology to develop software and to serve customers. Executive chairman Richard White notes that software coding can now be largely produced autonomously and can be overseen by a single developer. Meanwhile, WiseTech's CEO Zubin Appoo has downplayed concerns that the company's customers could use AI to replicate its own software. The move to shed up to 2,000 employees worldwide has coincided with the release of WiseTech's 2025-26 interim results, with revenue rising by 72 per cent to $US672m ($952m). (RMS)
News
Cryptos
48 Hours Ago
News Crypto: Capitulation or double bottom?
Market Overview
The crypto market cap continues to decline, losing nearly 5.5% over the past 24 hours to $2.19 trillion, practically repeating the extremes of early February. The last time the market was consistently lower was in September 2024. If there is a rebound by the end of the day, we can talk about the formation of a double bottom, which will give hope for a rebound of about 10%. However, a failure to rebound will signal the end of the recovery, opening the potential for a further 25% decline to the 2023 consolidation range. Bitcoin fell below $63K at the start of the day, going below the previous day's lows after the recovery rebound stalled. BTCUSD slipped below $60K in early February, but there was a steady tug-of-war near current levels, drawing attention to the outcome of the local battle between bulls and bears. The outcome will determine whether we see a recovery rebound or a new downward momentum. In our view, the market has not yet bottomed out in the bear market, and the real capitulation is still ahead. News Background According to CoinShares, global investment in crypto funds fell by $288 million last week, with net outflows observed over the past five weeks. Investments in Bitcoin fell by $215 million, and in Ethereum by $37 million. Investments in XRP rose by $4 million, in Solana by $3 million, and in Chainlink by $1 million.
Large investors who bought Bitcoin in the last six months have accumulated unrealised losses of about $26 billion, according to CryptoQuant. The level of unrealised losses among whales is becoming increasingly alarming. According to Lookonchain, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin is once again selling the second-largest cryptocurrency. Over the past two days, he has sold 1,869 ETH worth $3.67 million. Bitcoin will fall below $55K, according to 75% of users on the Polymarket prediction platform. Bets on a drop below $50K and $45K are supported by 62% and 47% of traders, respectively. Bitcoin is experiencing a ‘crisis of confidence’ after falling nearly 50% from its all-time high, according to analysts surveyed by Bloomberg. They estimate that the market sees no new catalysts for growth. Strategy bought 592 BTC ($39.8 million) last week at an average price of $67,286. Strategy now owns 717,722 BTC, purchased for $54.56 billion at an average price of $76,020.
BitMine acquired 51,162 ETH over the past week. The company already owns 4.42 million coins and has fulfilled 73% of its plan to accumulate 5% of all Ether. (FxPro)
News
Media/Comms
Seven Network CEO dumped the night before company releases results
Southern Cross Media Group has advised that CEO Jeff Howard will step down, with his depature to be effective immediaely. The announcement was made after the market closed on Monday, and a day before the media group is slated to release its financial results for the first half of 2025-26. Howard became CEO after Southern Cross Media completed its merger with Seven West Media in early January; he was previously the CEO of Seven West. Southern Cross Media's former CEO John Kelly will become the interim CEO of the media group's TV and audio division, and sources have claimed that he is set to replace Howard permanently. (RMS)
News
Branding stoush: Why Sky's new name is already under fire
Sky News Australia revealed on Friday that it will be rebranded as News24. Sources at the ABC have indicated that the announcement "raised eyebrows" among senior executives of the public broadcaster, given that its 24-hour news channel was originally called ABC News 24 and it owns the trademark rights to this branding. Intellectual property lawyer Jane Rawlings says it would be difficult for Sky News Australia to trademark its new name because it uses generic terms and is similar to the ABC's trademark. A South Africa-based news website also uses the News24 branding, and its logo also has the same colours as Sky News Australia's proposed new logo. (RMS)
News
Search/News Media
Google, Meta take aim at Australian plan for tech giants to pay for journalism
The US National Foreign Trade Council has labelled the federal government's News Bargaining Incentive a tax, and something that possibly breaches Australia's free trade agreement with the US. The News Bargaining Incentive aims to force big tech companies like Google and Meta to financially support Australian media by what the government refers to as a "charge and offset scheme", with the Council's complaints about the proposal contained in a submission was made to Treasury in December. News of the submission comes as the federal government tries to secure exemptions from US President Donald Trump's tariffs on imports, which are set to rise for Australia from 10 to 15 per cent. (RMS)
News
Sports/Pop Culture/Wrestling
Wrestling Icon Ric Flair Turns 77 with Heartfelt Tributes
Daughter Charlotte Flair shared throwback photos of toddler days with her dad and baby brother, writing, 'Happy Birthday Dad... I love you big as the sky.' Flair posted a high-energy montage of his classic promos, captioned 'Born To Be A Star! WOOOOO!' Fellow legends like Ted DiBiase, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, and Marc Mero added warm messages and ring memories, hailing him as a friend and one of the best ever. Born in 1949, the 16-time world champion's limousine-riding, jet-flying style still shines through five decades of NWA, WCW, and WWE glory.
News
Wrestling/Gaming
Kenny Omega Captures Alex's Moves in Street Fighter 6 Mocap Video
Capcom revealed exclusive behind-the-scenes video from IGN Fan Fest 2026, showing AEW star Kenny Omega performing Alex's explosive moves like the Snapdragon suplex and V-Trigger super art. The New York brawler from Street Fighter III joins SF6's Year 3 roster on March 17, blending Omega's wrestling finisher One Winged Angel into Alex's flashy Level 3 super. Fans love how Omega's real-life style mirrors Alex's new Prowler Stance and aggressive mixups, making this a dream team-up for wrestling and fighting game enthusiasts.
News
Sports Business
V'landys forecasts $1b revenue soon for NRL
The National Rugby League has reported that it had total revenue of $845.6 million for the year ending 30 September, an increase of $100.7 million over the previous year. The NRL's net profit rose from $62.3 million to $64.9 million, while net assets were up 20 per cent to $387.3 million. The release of its latest results comes as NRL CEO Andrew Abdo and Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V'landys prepare for talks with television networks and streaming services about a new broadcast deal, while V'landys says he expects the NRL to surpass $1 billion in revenue in the next few years. (RMS) News Biz/Markets Reporting season delivers strongest profit results since 2021, lifting sharemarket The Australian sharemarket has enjoyed its best reporting season since 2021, which has helped to lift what is still viewed as an expensive bourse. With 80 per cent of scheduled companies by market capitalisation having reported as of last week, aggregate earnings per share for the 2026 financial year is forecast to rise around 12 per cent after low single-digit falls in the past three years. Companies that have performed well on the release of their results have included BHP and JB Hi-Fi, while those that have been punished include Wesfarmers and Reliance Worldwide. (RMS)
News
MinRes turnaround in full swing as flagship iron ore project performs
West Australian mining company Mineral Resources released its results for the first half of the financial year on Friday, with MinRes reporting an after-tax profit of $573 million. It represented a big turnaround on the $807 million loss posted a year ago, which was announced at a time when MinRes MD and founder Chris Ellison was under scrutiny over the disclosure of a decade-long tax evasion scheme and his misuse of company resources. Ellison says its latest result was the "the strongest in the company's history", while it reaffirmed its full-year volume and cost guidance. (RMS)
News
Simon Trott awarded Rio Tinto bonus as execs lose out to Magnificent Seven on TSR award
The base pay of Rio Tinto CEO Simon Trott will rise from from Stg1.34m ($2.55m) to Stg1.41m from 1 March after the mining company's board awarded him a five per cent pay rise. Trott also received Stg600,000 in relocation expenses to cover the cost from moving from his home in Perth to London, along with receiving short term incentive payments in cash and shares of $1.34m for his four months as CEO and $1.25m for the eight months he spent as head of Rio's WA iron ore operations. (RMS) News Rio Tinto boss lobbied Chalmers to save $11b fuel tax rebate The federal government is under pressure to scrap the $11 billion fuel tax rebate scheme that is used by mining companies such as Rio Tinto and BHP. Unions and environment groups argue that removing the rebate scheme would force the resources sector to decarbonise at a faster rate, along with saving taxpayer's money. However, a letter released under freedom of information rules has revealed that Rio's then-chief executive of Australia, Kellie Parker, lobbied Treasurer Jim Chalmers to maintain the rebate scheme in the May budget, with Parker claiming Rio would not be in a position to deploy an electric haul truck fleet until the early 2030s. (RMS)
News
Landmark deal commits South Australian gas to home market
Oil and gas producer Santos has done a deal with the South Australian government that will see all the gas it currently exports from that state instead retained in SA in what Premier Peter Malinauskas has labelled a "state strategic reserve". Announcing the deal ahead of his government going into caretaker mode in the lead-up to the SA state election on 21 March, Malinauskas said the gas that would normally go to Japan or South Korea to advance their economies, will now be used to advance the SA economy. The deal between Santos and the SA government comes amid growing pressure on Santos's GLNG export venture in Queensland to end purchases of gas from the domestic market to meet its export contracts. (RMS)
News
Social Media/Media
X Launches Disclosure Tools to Fight Hidden Paid Promotions
Next week, X rolls out new features to make it easier to label paid promotions, with account suspensions for those who skip disclosure. Bier announced this while warning posters promoting Kalshi to add labels or face bans, targeting spam in crypto, prediction markets, and clipping agencies. Reactions range from crypto users celebrating a spammer purge with memes to concerns about clear rules, all while creators like Cynthia joke they're safe since they skip the paychecks.
News
Pop Culture/Gaming/Wrestling
WWE 2K26 Reveals Retro Entrances of CM Punk and Randy Savage
WWE Games shared first looks at WWE 2K26, recreating classic entrances like CM Punk's 2003 indie debut and Macho Man Randy Savage's 1998 WCW Nitro gear with Queen Sherri by his side. Iyo Sky's feathered entrance drew a thrilled 'Oh yeah! So cool!' from the champion herself. The game launches March 13 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2, with Punk on the cover, over 400 stars, and new modes like thumbtack Hell in a Cell. Fans praised the nostalgic details while hoping for era-specific animations.
News
Pop Culture/Sports/Boxing
Conor Benn Signs $15 Million Deal with Dana White's Zuffa Boxing
Rising boxer Conor Benn, 29, inked a one-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing, the January 2026 venture from UFC president Dana White and Saudi backer Turki Alalshikh, backed by Riyadh Season and streaming on Paramount+. Fresh off avenging his loss to Chris Eubank Jr., Benn thanked Eddie Hearn for a decade of support—including loans and defense during his 2022 drug test suspension—but called Zuffa's offer impossible to refuse. Hearn expressed devastation, saying he misjudged Benn's loyalty after providing title shots and financial help, while Eubank Jr. mocked both and White insulted Hearn directly.
News
Pop Culture/Wrestling
Jey Uso, Bronson Reed, and Original El Grande Americano Set for Triple Threat Elimination Chamber Qualifier on WWE Raw
WWE announced a triple threat match on the next episode of Raw featuring Jey Uso, Bronson Reed, and Original El Grande Americano to qualify for the Elimination Chamber. The card also includes Brock Lesnar's return, a tribute to AJ Styles, World Champion CM Punk's appearance, and a women's qualifier with Raquel Rodriguez, Kairi Sane, and IYO SKY.
News
WWE Stars Clap Back at Tom Brady's 'Cute' Wrestling Jab
On Logan Paul's podcast earlier this month, seven-time NFL champ Tom Brady dismissed pro wrestling as 'cute' amid Paul's boasts about his WWE feats. Women's World Champion Liv Morgan, fresh off her 2026 Royal Rumble win, countered that WWE athletes could handle football but questioned if football stars could match wrestling's demands—no offseasons, global travel, and high-flying action. Randy Orton upped the ante, saying he'd love to hit Brady with an RKO, while CM Punk embraced the 'cute' label; the banter builds excitement ahead of Elimination Chamber this weekend and WrestleMania 42 in April.
News
Boxing
Ryan Garcia Dominates Barrios to Win WBC Welterweight Title
At T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday night, the 27-year-old southpaw outlanded Barrios in every round, sweeping all 12 on media cards for a unanimous decision victory with scores of 119-108, 120-107, and 118-109. It was Garcia's first major world title, coming after ups and downs like his 2024 win over Devin Haney that turned into a no-contest due to a positive ostarine test. Post-fight, he posed backstage mimicking Kobe Bryant's iconic trophy photo, called out Shakur Stevenson, and drew shade from Haney over past PED issues despite passing pre-fight tests.
News
Wrestling
Blake Monroe Shares Playful Speedrun Video Before NXT Tournament Match
The NXT star, a former Women's North American Champion who joined WWE last June after AEW, faces Thea Hail Tuesday in the Women's Speed #1 contenders tournament opener. Her montage nods to the three-minute WWE Speed matches, where Fallon Henley holds the title she won last November. Fans loved the clip, joking she's 'the fastest human alive' and calling her a superstar ready for big things.
News
Wrestling/Gaming
Mr. Iguana's Custom Wrestler Becomes Official in WWE 2K26 with AAA Stars
WWE Games revealed AAA Lucha Libre stars like Mr. Iguana, La Yesca, Psycho Clown, and Lady Flammer for Ringside Pass Season 1 DLC, available with early access on March 6, 2026. Mr. Iguana, created as a custom persona back in 2007, joins partners in dynamic poses with glowing effects and props. The additions blend Mexico's wrestling heritage with WWE action, alongside staples like Charlotte Flair and DX-era Shawn Michaels, as the full game launches March 13 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2.
News
Best Quotes Of The Day
Media Man
Cryptocurrency, Finance and World
"Volatility is Satoshi’s gift to the faithful." - Michael Saylor
"Bitcoin is a tool for freeing humanity from oligarchs and tyrants, dressed up as a get-rich-quick scheme." — Naval Ravikant
"We have elected to put our money and faith in a mathematical framework that is free of politics and human error." — Tyler Winklevoss
Pop Culture
Dream Matches: Fantasy Booking
Bulls vs Bears Crypto King vs Mr World Bank Citizens vs NWO Neo vs Agent Smith John McAfee vs You Know Who! TKO vs Naysayers Jake Paul, Polymarket and BETR vs Naysayers Pro Boxing vs Newspaper Reports VKM vs The World Paul Bros vs Mainstream Wokes Mr X vs Mr Bluesky Chris Jericho vs Dirtsheets NFL vs everyone Zuffa vs MVP Netflix vs World Meta vs Australia White Light vs Dark Matter Lexis King vs NIL's (WWE NXT) Volk vs Naysayers (UFC: Sydney, Australia) Brock Lesnar vs Everyone! (WWE Royal Rumble) Zuffa Boxing vs Golden Boy Zuffa vs Matchroom Netflix Sports vs The World Beast vs Flakes
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