The cryptocurrency market is experiencing severe pressure, with Bitcoin down more than 50% from its October 2025 all-time high of $126,273. Prices briefly fell near $60,000 in early February 2026, the lowest levels since 2024. The Crypto Fear & Greed Index sits at 14, indicating "Extreme Fear." This drawdown is attributed to macro uncertainty following the nomination of Kevin Warsh as Federal Reserve Chair and significant outflows from spot Bitcoin ETFs, which saw over $3 billion in net outflows in January. A rapid leverage unwind led to more than $16 billion in liquidations over ten days.
Amid this volatility, the Bitcoin Everlight network has gained attention for its participation model that links node operation to Bitcoin-denominated rewards. The network operates as a Bitcoin-adjacent transaction routing layer, not modifying Bitcoin's core protocol. It enables faster confirmations through node clusters and can optionally anchor transaction batches back to the Bitcoin blockchain for settlement.
Node operators commit the network's native token, BTCL, to become eligible for routing responsibilities. Compensation in Bitcoin is derived from micro-fees generated by live network activity and is distributed based on performance metrics like routing volume, uptime, and latency. The network defines three node tiers—Light, Core, and Prime—with higher tiers receiving a larger share of BTC rewards. Network documentation references estimated BTC-denominated returns of up to 21% APY, tied to actual usage rather than fixed emissions.
A key feature is the Everlight mobile app, which allows operators to monitor node status, uptime, routing throughput, and accrued BTC rewards in real time from a smartphone. The app provides smart alerts for performance changes or distribution events.
For transparency, Bitcoin Everlight has released third-party security audits from SpyWolf and SolidProof, as well as team identity verification documents. The project's BTCL token has a fixed total supply of 21 billion. Allocation includes 45% for a public presale, which is currently in Phase 3 priced at $0.0012 per BTCL. Presale tokens unlock 20% at generation, with the remainder vesting linearly over 6-9 months. Team tokens are subject to a 12-month cliff followed by 24 months of linear vesting.
The news also contextualizes Litecoin's (LTC) recent underperformance, noting its LTC/BTC ratio has declined approximately 48% since early 2024. This has prompted some LTC participants to explore infrastructure models like Bitcoin Everlight that offer direct Bitcoin exposure through operational participation.
