Crypto (BTC) has been impacted by several government-led activities including rule changes to crypto taxation worldwide with new regulations and infrastructure being added throughout February 2026; increased interest in bitcoin (BTC) has emerged from large amounts of infrastructure (e.g., ATMs, etc.) that are available for users to access, as well as increased adoption rates as countries pass regulations around crypto. Bitcoin has traded below USD $70k since December of last year due in part to the imposition of tariffs by President Trump against China, as reflected in official updates from the Office of the United States Trade Representative.<img src="https://jid.rerrkvifj.com/media/customer/creatorSystem/8689b11f-03ca-4086-a101-7803260aa2f6.jpeg">February 2026 highlights: tax reconsiderations in multiple countries, U.S. crypto ATM surge, Japan’s low inflation, and BTC capped by tariff pressures.&nbsp;Source: Generated / Illustration<h2>Four Countries Revisit Crypto Tax Rules</h2>In February 2023, tax authorities across many countries continued reevaluating their approaches towards crypto tax policies to strike a balance between collecting revenue for governments and meeting the actual conditions for investors. The Netherlands had the most significant development this month: On February 12 the Dutch House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer) approved the so-called Actual Return in Box 3 Act (Wet werkelijke rendement box 3), according to the official website of the Dutch House of Representatives, which will create an actual return system to tax actual investment income, including unrealized gains, beginning on January 1, 2028, at a flat rate of 36% (subject to approval from the Senate). Financial Minister Eelco Heinen quickly indicated changes saying “something just went wrong” when it came to unrealized gains (like cryptocurrencies) on more volatile assets. Talks are on-going prior to finalizing the bill, with possible carve-outs or delays yet to be seen, as outlined by the Netherlands Ministry of Finance. Similar activity occurred with other countries’ movements towards crypto taxes during the month of February with differing levels of detail and focus, including some countries focusing on their reporting responsibilities under global legislative structure such as the EU DAC8 directive (EU directive that will introduce crypto tax reporting that will not start until 2026).<img src="https://jid.rerrkvifj.com/media/customer/creatorSystem/0a190f5e-0d92-410a-b9e0-b7dfc53924b8.jpeg"> Dutch House of Representatives advancing the Box 3 reform on February 12, introducing a controversial 36% tax on unrealized crypto gains starting 2028.&nbsp;Source: Generated / Illustration<h2>U.S. Crypto ATMs Rebound to 2021 Levels</h2>In the U.S., there was an increase of physical crypto access, and at the end of February 2026, nearly 40,000 Bitcoin and crypto ATMs have been installed, returning to record-highs last seen in 2021, based on data from Coin ATM Radar. After the market dropped in 2022, many operators reduced their installation as a result of low market prices, increased scam concerns, and regulatory scrutiny flagged by agencies such as the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.<h2>Japan’s Inflation Cools Below 2%</h2>On February 2026, Japan’s year on year core inflation—with fresh food deducted—decline from being at a consistent 2% to being at only 1.8%, according to data published by the Japan Statistics Bureau. These lower inflation number will have negative effects on the Bank of Japan’s (BOJ) forecast for future interest rates, as reflected in reports from the Bank of Japan. This evolution seems consistent with overall currency debates; Warren Buffett, Chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway previously expressed some concern regarding the strength of the dollar as compared to the relative strength of the yen in his comments about the events of 2026, as seen in past Berkshire Hathaway shareholder letters.<h2>Bitcoin Stuck Below $70,000 Amid Tariff Headwinds</h2>Bitcoin (BTC) not being able to break the $70,000 level throughout all of the month of February is indicative of the negative factors resulting from ongoing trade war related to U.S. tariffs imposed by President Trump that month, including the current 10% tariff on certain imports detailed by the U.S. Trade Representative.<img src="https://jid.rerrkvifj.com/media/customer/creatorSystem/ac2b0b8b-e693-4af6-9a1d-418a1bc7f994.jpeg">BTC remained range-bound under $70,000 in February, weighed down by U.S. tariff pressures and macro caution.&nbsp;Source: Generated / Illustration<h2>Wrapping Up February 2026</h2>February represented an important month for cryptocurrency as it has matured in its relationship with traditional finance as governments draft and implement taxation policies that capture cryptocurrency capital gains (for instance, the Netherlands’ unrealized proposal was highly controversial); the United States is seeing a resurgence of ATMs providing cryptocurrency access; and macroeconomic factors (Japan’s lower inflation, U.S. global trade policies) are creating pressure on investors’ perceptions regarding cryptocurrencies.&nbsp; As Bitcoin (BTC) enters consolidation, these factors highlight the importance of closely tracking regulatory and geopolitical changes for investors; events in February could provide insight into future increases in the level of oversight of cryptocurrencies and potentially increased volatility.

February 2026 crypto: Nations tweak taxes (Dutch 36% unrealized gains tax from 2028), US BTC ATMs near 40k, Japan inflation at 1.8%, BTC stuck below $70k on Trump China tariffs.

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