Key Takeaways
- Coinbase now allows U.S. users (excluding NY) to borrow up to $100,000 in USDC against XRP, ADA, DOGE, and LTC.
- The launch comes during a broader market downturn, with all four assets trading in the red.
- XRP ETFs recorded recent outflows, signaling softer institutional demand.
- Analysts cite liquidity stress in global markets as a key pressure point for crypto.
This change is happening as the market for cryptocurrencies is facing new challenges, with most major digital currencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, currently losing value.
The exchange announced that U.S. customers (except those in New York) can now borrow up to $100,000 in USDC using their crypto holdings as collateral. This new feature is part of Coinbase’s plan to become a comprehensive crypto platform, offering services like trading, payments, and lending all in one place.
Lending Expansion Arrives During Market Pullback
The launch is happening at a time when cryptocurrency markets are generally declining. On February 19, 2026, XRP was trading around $1.42, down over 4% in the last day. Cardano was at $0.27, with losses of more than 3.5%, and Dogecoin fell about 3.4% to around $0.09. Litecoin held up a bit better, but still dropped over 1%, trading near $53.
Recent price declines are likely due to concerns about overall market liquidity and a slowdown in the amount of money flowing into XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs). On February 18th, these XRP ETFs experienced about $2.2 million in net outflows, suggesting that institutional investors are temporarily less interested, while some other digital assets still saw investment.
With market fluctuations, Coinbase’s lending feature gives crypto holders a way to get cash without selling their assets. Users can borrow stablecoins using their crypto as collateral, letting them access funds while still benefiting if the value of their crypto goes up – a common approach during unstable times.
Liquidity Pressures Weigh on Sentiment
Financial experts are noticing that it’s becoming harder to access money in traditional markets, and this is creating challenges for digital assets like cryptocurrency. Increased worry in global markets is also affecting crypto, causing traders to become more cautious and focus on protecting their investments.
Current market signals suggest a cautious outlook. Cardano is showing signs of being oversold, while Dogecoin is struggling to break through the $0.10 price point. Litecoin’s indicators point to either neutral or slightly decreasing demand, and traders are watching to see if the $50 level will hold as a price floor.
Despite the overall market conditions, there’s still a lot of buzz around what’s happening with specific blockchain projects. Charles Hoskinson, the creator of Cardano, has suggested that big news is coming before the end of February, possibly including improvements to privacy features (through the Midnight project) and faster transaction speeds (with the Leios upgrade).
Strategic Shift Toward Utility
Adding XRP, ADA, DOGE, and LTC as accepted collateral isn’t just a simple improvement for Coinbase. It shows a deliberate move to increase the usefulness of popular cryptocurrencies beyond just buying and selling.
Loans secured with cryptocurrency are becoming increasingly popular, especially as investors want to maximize their capital without having to pay taxes or miss out on potential profits. By allowing users to quickly borrow money using USDC, Coinbase aims to attract those who want financial flexibility, particularly when the market is unstable.
Although prices are currently facing challenges, growth indicates that leading platforms are still investing in infrastructure for future widespread use, even as people become more hesitant.
This article is just for educational purposes and shouldn’t be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Coindoo.com doesn’t recommend any particular investment or cryptocurrency. Before you make any investment decisions, be sure to do your own research and talk to a qualified financial advisor.
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2026-02-19 16:02