Bittensor (TAO) Surges as Upbit Listing Drives Market Share Gains

Bittensor’s TAO token surged nearly 8% on February 16, 2026, following its listing on Upbit, South Korea’s largest cryptocurrency exchange. The move made TAO the top gainer among major cryptocurrencies, outperforming broader market trends. Upbit added three trading pairs: TAO/KRW, TAO/BTC, and TAO/USDT, offering Korean investors direct access to the AI-focused blockchain. Deposits and withdrawals for TAO were activated within 90 minutes of the announcement, with specific technical restrictions in place to avoid network-related issues.

The price of TAO climbed to $194.04, pushing the token's market capitalization to $1.86 billion within 24 hours. This performance outpaced gains in major layer-1 protocols like Solana and Polkadot. Additionally, TAO's BTC ratio increased by 17.1%, reflecting a significant shift in capital toward AI-focused blockchain projects.

What Drives TAO's Sharp Price Movement?

Bittensor's recent performance aligns with growing institutional interest in decentralized AI infrastructure. Analysts note that TAO's surge is not merely speculative but supported by on-chain activity and subnet expansion. The timing of the listing also coincides with global momentum in AI and blockchain convergence, particularly in South Korea.

The Upbit listing introduced new liquidity for TAO, a key factor in attracting both retail and institutional investors. Korean investors now have direct access to TAO using KRW, reducing friction that previously hindered participation in the asset.

What Measures Are in Place to Manage Volatility?

Upbit implemented temporary safeguards to manage the expected volatility. These include restricting buy orders for the first five minutes after trading begins and blocking sell orders priced more than 10% below the previous day's close. For the first two hours, only limit orders will be permitted.

Such measures are standard when launching new listings, particularly for assets with high potential for price swings. Analysts have previously observed that similar steps helped stabilize initial trading activity and prevent flash crashes on other exchanges.

What Do Analysts Predict for TAO's Future?

Market analysts remain cautiously optimistic about TAO's trajectory. Analyst Michaël van de Poppe forecasts a potential mean reversion toward $300, suggesting the asset could see further upside if the listing-driven momentum continues.

However, TAO's long-term success will depend on sustained trading volume and continued buyer interest. A stabilization in broader market sentiment and sustained participation could help the token extend its recovery. If not, renewed market pressure may temper the current gains.

Upbit's listing and the institutional interest in Bittensor's AI infrastructure appear to have created a favorable environment for the token. Investors are now watching whether this momentum can be maintained as the market evolves.