Daily Digest: Crypto Dips, Iran Talks, iGaming Surges

Welcome to Grapevines’ Daily Digest for February 5, 2026. We’ve got the pulse on the past 12 hours, from Bitcoin’s latest tumble to pivotal Iran talks. Here’s what you need to know:

Top Stories

Crypto

• Bitcoin Slumps to 2026 Low: Bitcoin Drops Again as spot ETF outflows hit $2.9B. Analysts call it a predictable correction, but investor sentiment is shaky.
• Vitalik Slams Coinbase: Ethereum’s Vitalik Buterin criticized Coinbase’s control over Base, which rakes in 60% of layer 2 income. A decentralization debate brews.

Politics

• Bernie’s Jet Spending: Senator Bernie Sanders spent over $550K on private jets for 2025 campaigns, per filings. Critics question the optics for a progressive icon.
• Ukraine-Russia Talks: Ukraine reports ‘productive’ first day of peace talks with Russia. A potential breakthrough, though skepticism remains high.

World News (GEO)

• US Bolsters Middle East Presence: As Iran nuclear talks move to Oman, the US positions carriers and strike platforms across the region. Tensions escalate.
• Hamas Ceasefire Violations: IDF officials claim Hamas uses ambulances and schools, breaching a US-brokered ceasefire. Conflict persists.

Finland/Estonia

• Bill Gates Regrets Epstein Ties: Microsoft founder Bill Gates expresses regret over connections to Jeffrey Epstein in newly released Finnish reports. A recurring shadow over tech moguls.
• Tallinn Aids Ukraine: Estonia’s capital sends generators to Ukraine’s Zhytomyr region, reinforcing Baltic support amid ongoing conflict. Details in this story.

iGaming

• BetMGM Stock Soars: BetMGM’s Q4 report shows massive growth, with a ‘refined strategy’ paying off. Investors are bullish on the sector.
• Hawaii Pushes Sports Betting: A new bill aims to legalize sports betting in Hawaii, signaling a broader US trend. Follow updates here.

Key Takeaways

The news cycle today reflects global uncertainty: crypto markets wobble as Bitcoin tests investor resolve, while geopolitical chess games intensify with Iran and Ukraine talks. Tech and iGaming, however, signal resilience and growth, with BetMGM leading the charge. Stay tuned—volatility isn’t going anywhere.