Daily Digest: Crypto Rebounds, Trump SOTU, Global Tensions

Welcome to Grapevines’ Daily Digest for February 25, 2026. From crypto market rebounds to Trump’s polarizing State of the Union speech, here’s your quick rundown of the past 12 hours. Let’s dive into the biggest stories shaping the world right now.

Top Stories Across Crypto, Politics, and More

• Crypto Rebound Signals Potential Bottom: Bitcoin climbs 3% as gold divergence hints at ‘significant upside,’ while one of the longest mining capitulations nears its end, suggesting a BTC price floor. Separately, Ethereum whales have accumulated $18B in ETH, possibly hiding a market bottom. Read more.
• Binance Under Fire: A U.S. Senator has launched a probe into Binance over an alleged $1.7B flow to Iranian entities, raising fresh concerns about compliance in the crypto space. This could spell tighter regulations ahead. Read more.
• Trump’s SOTU Splits Opinion: Donald Trump’s State of the Union address drew sharp reactions, with conservatives hailing it as a ‘home run’ online while Democrats, including Rep. Jasmine Crockett who boycotted the speech, called the state of the union ‘grim.’ Polarization deepens. Read more.
• Epstein’s Post-Conviction Allies: A new report reveals how banks and billionaires continued to support Jeffrey Epstein after his 2008 conviction, spotlighting systemic failures in accountability. Read more.
• North Korea’s Missile Heir: Kim Jong Un has reportedly tapped his teenage daughter as a ‘missile general’ for the country’s nuclear program, signaling a chilling succession plan. Analysts warn of escalating regional risks. Read more.
• Russian ‘Dark Fleet’ Near U.S.: A Russian tanker, believed to be delivering oil to Cuba, was detected off the U.S. coast amid Trump’s ban, highlighting tensions over energy and sanctions evasion. Read more.
• Finland: Teen Missing in Espoo: Finnish police are seeking information on a 16-year-old girl who disappeared in Espoo, urging the public to report any sightings. Community concern grows. Read more.
• Estonia: IKEA Turnover Soars: IKEA stores in Estonia reported a €97M turnover, reflecting strong consumer demand despite economic headwinds in the region. Read more.
• iGaming Revenue Surge: Light & Wonder’s Q4 2025 revenue jumped 12%, driven by AI innovation and premium growth, signaling a robust future for the sector. Meanwhile, Indiana’s Senate passed a bill to relocate Rising Sun Casino to Fort Wayne. Read more.

Key Takeaways

• Market Optimism: Crypto’s rebound and iGaming growth reflect pockets of economic resilience amid global uncertainty.
• Political Divides: Trump’s SOTU underscores a fractured U.S. landscape, while geopolitical moves by North Korea and Russia heighten international stakes.
• Local to Global: From missing teens in Finland to billion-dollar scandals, today’s news spans hyper-local crises to world-shaking developments.

Stay tuned to Grapevines for real-time updates on these evolving stories. What’s caught your eye today? Let us know!