TLDR
- Binance said Jan-Feb 2026 OTC volume reached about 25% of its 2025 total.
- BTC share in Binance OTC flow rose from 4.91% in January to 45.81% in February.
- Stablecoin and fiat inflows at Binance OTC rose from 21.43% to 48.95% in February.
- Bitcoin traded at $66,354 at 09:30 UTC, down 2.32% over the previous 24 hours.
- The total crypto market cap stood at $2.34 trillion, down 2.56%, according to CoinMarketCap.
Binance reported a sharp rise in over-the-counter trading at the start of 2026. The exchange said Bitcoin and cash allocations both moved higher. The update put OTC desks in focus across the crypto market.
According to Binance, OTC volume in January and February reached about 25% of 2025’s full-year total. The data came as Bitcoin traded near $66,354. The wider crypto market cap stood at $2.34 trillion.
OTC volumes climb as asset mix changes
Binance said OTC activity grew quickly in the first two months of 2026. The exchange linked the move to stronger institutional demand. It said volume had already reached about one quarter of last year’s total. That pace marked an active start to the year.
Bitcoin’s share of Binance OTC flow rose from 4.91% in January to 45.81% in February. The change came within one month. It showed that more desk activity moved toward Bitcoin. The shift also changed the mix of OTC trades.
Stablecoin and fiat inflows also increased during the same period. Their share rose from 21.43% in January to 48.95% in February. The figures showed more cash entering crypto trading channels. Binance presented both moves as part of the same trend.
Bitcoin trades lower while broader market stays mixed
At 09:30 UTC, Bitcoin traded at $66,354, down 2.32% over 24 hours. Its daily range ran from $65,548 to $67,936. The move came during a mixed session for major tokens. Prices across the market did not move in one direction.
CoinMarketCap data showed the total crypto market cap at $2.34 trillion. That figure was down 2.56% over the last day. Still, some tokens outperformed the broader market. ONT, FORTH, and ONG posted gains of 25%, 19%, and 10%.
Wu Blockchain cited Binance blog data in its report on OTC trading. The report said the early 2026 rise reflected stronger institutional activity. Binance did not share a full-year projection in the provided material. The figures covered only the opening months of 2026.
Binance tightens rules as scrutiny remains on the exchange
Binance also said it is tightening rules for token issuers and market makers. The exchange said market makers cannot share revenue with projects. It added that market makers cannot “manipulate prices or distort liquidity” of tokens. The policy was announced in a Binance blog post.
Bloomberg reported the policy change followed criticism after October’s market meltdown. Binance said it would take “swift, decisive action against any misconduct.” The exchange said blacklisting was among the measures available. The rule changes arrived during a period of closer market scrutiny.
In Australia, Binance Australia Derivatives was fined A$10 million by the Federal Court. The court said 524 retail investors were misclassified as wholesale clients. The report said Binance had already paid A$13.1 million in compensation. The case covered July 2022 through April 2023.
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