BlockchainReporter

The crypto market has long been characterized by a repeating cycle of price fluctuations, commonly referred to as the four-year cycle of price fluctuations. Recently, leading market analyst Ash Crypto helped fuel debate on social media concerning a potential market bottom for Bitcoin at $50,000 as we approach 2026. Ash’s forecast draws on historical technical indicators and RSI, suggesting that while we may encounter significant price corrections, Bitcoin’s long-term structural integrity remains robust compared to its actual price movements.

The Significance of the Monthly RSI and $50,000 Support

This review’s main focus is on the Monthly Relative Strength Index, which is a way of measuring how fast and how quickly a price changes. Based on an Ash Crypto Chart, there are historical examples when the Monthly RSI fell below the 40 level, and these levels usually correspond with some type of cyclical bottom. Again, the Monthly RSI for both 2018 and 2022 helped signify a bearish trend was exhausted; thus, those were significant turning points before the market turned back up.

The $50K benchmark isn’t just psychological, this level aligns with a decade-long upward trend line connecting significant low points, if Bitcoin retested that level within 2026 it will have been a higher low than the 2022 low of approximately $15K. Which would validate that even though there might be some volatility in the near term, the macro bullish trend will remain intact.

Historical Context – The Four-Year Cycle Theory

Bitcoin’s halving occurs every 4 years, reducing new supply by 50%. The reduction in supply has led to historically large increases in price during a bull run. The subsequent price collapse led to what is known as the “crypto winter”, which analysts have used to project when the next period of accumulation should start.

According to current market data, recent activity indicates that the market is now moving beyond the 2024 Bitcoin Halving and into what will be known as the “post-halving” period. This is based on data from Glassnode regarding institutional adoption through spot ETF launches or activity on spot exchanges, which has changed the liquidity profile for retail traders. As a result, extreme volatility seen during past cycles has been reduced while the market still maintains a generally cyclical structure. The projections for a bottoming of Bitcoin price in 2026 will also help to time when the next cyclical peak will occur after this latest peak has ended.

Market Maturity and Institutional Influence

Technical charts show how to invest, but there are many differences between the fundamentals of what’s happened from 2018-2020 compared to what’s going to happen in 2026. With more Web3 technologies being developed and being utilized for Decentralized Finance (DeFi), the Blockchain infrastructure is going to be used more often for utility purposes.

A possible move down to $50,000 by either BlackRock or Fidelity, massive institutional money managers, will likely be met with major “buy the dip” activity from institutional diamond hands. This could help prevent the 80–90% drawdowns that were common in the early days of crypto.

Conclusion

The prediction of a $50K bottom for Bitcoin in 2026 may appear bearish to those who have become used to mostly upward price movement. However, in relation to the overall health of the market, this type of correction is simply one part of the broader price discovery process.

By using analytics tools like trend analyzing and monthly RSI, a trader is able to take away or isolate the emotional noise found in trading and rely on mathematical probabilities. As the cryptocurrency space grows & new forms of applications are created in real life, these cycles will give knowledgeable people a strong guideline to protect their long-term wealth.

The worldwide crypto landscape is displaying a cautious stability irrespective of the mixed performance. Thus, the cumulative crypto market capitalization has seen a slight 0.16% rise to reach $2.3T. However, the 24-hour crypto volume has dipped by 18.61%, reaching $83.29B. Concurrently, the Crypto Fear & Greed Index is standing at 13 points, showing “Extreme Fear” among the market participants.

Bitcoin ($BTC) Sheds 0.62% While Ethereum ($ETH) Sees Slight 0.92% Rise

Particularly, the top cryptocurrency, Bitcoin ($BTC), is currently changing hands at $68,282.59. This indicates a 0.62% dip, while the market dominance of Bitcoin is 58.2%. In addition to this, the flagship altcoin, Ethereum ($ETH), has seen a 0.92% rise to touch the $1,983.22 mark. In the meantime, $ETH’s market dominance sits at 10.2%.

$BPX, $TRUMP, and $PEPE Dominate Crypto Gainers of Day

Apart from that, the leading crypto gainers of the day include Black Phoenix ($BPX), PEPE ($TRUMP), and PEPE AI ($PEPE). Specifically, $BPX is now 4796.99% up, with its price hitting $0.1984. Subsequently, $TRUMP is currently hovering around $0.0002324 after a 1369.89% increase. Following that, a 905.83% surge has placed $PEPE’s price at $0.0004886.

DeFi TVL Records 0.64% Spike and NFT Sales Volume Witnesses 51.81% Increase

Simultaneously, the DeFi TVL has witnessed a 0.64% jump, attaining the $96.724B mark. Additionally, the top DeFi project in the case of TVL, Aave, has spiked by 0.59% to claim the $27.246B spot. Nonetheless, when it comes to 1-day TVL change, Supernova is the leading DeFi player, accounting for a stagering 80863% increase over the past twenty-four hours.

In the same vein, the NFT sales volume has surged by 51.81%, hitting the $18,244,676 figure. Similarly, the top-selling NFT collection, Flying Tulip PUT, is 93.24% up, at $14,515,738.

Venezuela Halts Crypto Activity, Crypto.com First with ISO/IEC 42001 Certificate

At the same time, the crypto industry has also gone through many other key developments. In this respect, the authorities in Venezuela have ordered a halt on crypto mining and exchange activities nationwide, as include in an anti-corruption probe.

Moreover, Crypto.com has become the earliest digital asset entity to get an international certification for the management of AI systems with the new ISO/IEC 42001:2023 certification. Furthermore, The Official Trump ($TRUMP), the crypto token project linked to the U.S. President Donald Trump, is going to unlock 6.33M $TRUMP tokens.

XRP on-chain data is displaying a concerning outlook. According to data shared today by market analyst Ali Martinez, active addresses on the XRPL Ledger have significantly dropped from a high of 55,080 noticed last week to the current low of 40,778.

The number of active addresses is a crucial indicator, typically pointing out the health of a blockchain network, and in this case, reflects the activity level of the XRP blockchain, a network commonly recognized as the XRPL Ledger.

This drastic fall of active addresses on the XRP chain warrants a closer exploration of what’s happening underneath the surface of XRPL network usage.

$XRP network activity has dropped nearly 26% in the past week, falling from 55,080 to 40,778 active addresses. pic.twitter.com/oVAgFhnxck

— Ali Charts (@alicharts) February 17, 2026

XRP Experiencing Rising Bearish Pressure 

As per data shared by Ali, daily active addresses on the XRP blockchain have dropped by 25.97% to 40,778 from last week’s level at 55,080. This development is significant as it suggests that the price of the third-largest cryptocurrency is at risk of experiencing a potential fall.

Today, XRP witnessed an upside movement of 0.2%, making its price currently trade at $1.47, according to data sourced from CoinGecko.  Furthermore, its price has been up 3.7% over the past week, indicating that buyers overpower sellers.

Despite this, the XRP Ledger recorded a reduction in on-chain activity last week, with a 25.97% drop in active wallet addresses. This decrease shows reduced user engagement on the network, meaning decreased user interest and a potential shift towards bearishness (greater selling activity).

XRP price has followed a consolidative trend during the week, remaining within a $1.3574 and $1.4827 range. The network activity has influenced this price movement, which is also impacted by the broader market conditions, as Bitcoin and Ethereum prices are currently stuck around $68,097 and $1,975 (at press time), indicating sideways trading in the larger cryptocurrency space.

The current price of XRP is $1.45. Why XRP Price Eyes On $1.08

The analyst warns that the price of XRP may further fall soon. Key trends and technical signals on its market indicate that the altcoin’s price could drop to the $1.26 key support level.

Despite long-term investors absorbing the excess supply, which contributed to today’s 0.2% price rise and another 3.7% increased noted over the past week, persistent selling pressure is set to trigger XRP’s potential price drop, driven by substantial selling activity from whale token holders.   

Technical analysis shows that XRP is currently moving within a bearish rising wedge pattern formation, reflecting a looming 24% drop to $1.08 if the asset fails to hold its price above the $1.26 support zone.  

On February 9 in Hong Kong, Gamma Prime held the Tokenized Capital Summit 2026, bringing together over 2,000 attendees from across the global investment landscape. The audience included family offices, institutional investors, and representatives of leading investment firms, reflecting the growing convergence between traditional capital and tokenized markets.

The stage welcomed prominent industry figures such as Yat Siu, Nenter Chow, Andrew Robinson, Head of Institutional Coverage at Coinbase, Adrian Tan, Head of Binance VIP & Institutional, and Akshat Vaidya, Co-Founder of Maelstrom, among other respected speakers. Together, they represented more than $20 billion in assets under management, reinforcing the summit’s status as one of the year’s most significant gatherings at the intersection of institutional finance and Web3.

Gamma Prime’s Product

Gamma Prime operates a compliant and secure marketplace for private investments, built to provide access to opportunities that are typically difficult to reach. The platform focuses on non-correlated yield, offering investors a practical way to diversify their portfolios beyond public markets.

By adhering to regulatory requirements across multiple jurisdictions, Gamma Prime is developing into a global marketplace for hedge funds, venture capital, private equity, and other illiquid private assets. This approach enables funds to reach new institutional partners, family offices, and accredited investors worldwide, while expanding the range of investment opportunities available on the platform.

The company’s leadership team includes DeFi builders, professionals from traditional finance, and Stanford PhDs, combining strong experience in blockchain innovation with institutional-grade governance and operational discipline.

Connecting Traditional Finance and Tokenization

The Tokenized Capital Summit represents an important step for the institutional Web3 sector. It brings together participants from traditional finance and companies active in tokenization, creating a platform for practical discussions on market developments and institutional adoption.

By organizing the summit, Gamma Prime advances its objective of expanding global access to private investments that have historically been fragmented and difficult to access. The event in Hong Kong demonstrates the growing cooperation between institutional investors, family offices, and Web3 companies, reflecting broader structural shifts within the financial industry.

About Gamma Prime

Gamma Prime is a tokenized marketplace of curated private investments specializing in hard-to-find uncorrelated returns – hedge funds, private credit, and other alternatives across both digital and real world asset classes. Fully regulatory compliant and built with institutional security standards, Gamma Prime is positioned to become the leading global platform for hedge funds, venture capital, private equity, and other illiquid private investment opportunities. The company was founded by a team of DeFi pioneers, traditional finance professionals, and Stanford PhDs.

This article is not intended as financial advice. Educational purposes only.

A crypto wallet address has recently suffered a massive attack. Specifically, the attacker has successfully executed a massive $600K $USDT Address Poisoning Attack. As per the data from Cyvers Alerts, the exploiter poisoned the transfer history of the victim. This ultimately resulted in a transfer of nearly $600K $USDT to a fake address.

🚨ALERT🚨Our systems detected a $600K $USDT address poisoning attack approximately more than 10 min ago.The victim was initially poisoned 32 min earlier.Today, when attempting to send funds to 0x77f6ca8E…2E087a346, the victim instead sent the transaction to the malicious… pic.twitter.com/8XRXIZliNA

— 🚨 Cyvers Alerts 🚨 (@CyversAlerts) February 17, 2026

32-Minute Scam Drains $599K USDT Through Address Poisoning Tactics

As the on-chain data reveals, the victim, with the wallet address “0xce3…1b89b,” has incurred a loss of 599496.93 $USDT in an Address Poisoning Attack. In this respect, the attacker, with the wallet address “0x77f…8a346,” effectively tricked the victim into sending the respective amount to a fake address. In this respect, the attack went on for 32 minutes, draining the victim’s funds without their awareness. Hence, this prolonged wallet address poisoning paved the way for the subsequent $USDT loss.

The incident highlights the increasing sophistication of the manipulative techniques that the crypto attackers use to deceive their victims. Particularly, the victim initially tried to transfer the funds to the address “0x77f…7a346.” However, the transfer was then redirected to some malicious address “0x77f…8A346.” So, the victim could not detect the respective subtle difference in the address characters. As a result, the victim ultimately faced a notable loss.

Crypto Consumers Urged to Increase Vigilance for Prevention of Scams

According to Cyvers Alerts, the address poisoning has emerged as one of the most dangerous techniques for digital asset attacks. With the $600K drained within a few minutes, the broad financial damage scale highlights the need for more vigilance among the crypto users. Keeping this in view, Cyvers Alerts has also urged the users to carefully monitor their operations to prevent such damage, as this episode serves as a stark reminder.

What if the next unicorn wasn’t on Nasdaq yet… but on-chain?”

That’s no longer hypothetical. Heading into Q1 2026, investors aren’t chasing noise. They’re watching infrastructure, utility, and real-world integration.

This cycle marks a shift. Capital is moving away from meme hype toward tokens backed by revenue, governance, and structured ecosystems. Investors want private market exposure, early access, transparency, and liquidity.

IPO Genie sits at that intersection.

Blending tokenized venture capital, DAO governance, AI-powered deal discovery, and private market access, it aligns with what serious investors prioritize. In a crowded list of crypto presales of 2026, the question isn’t “What’s pumping?” It’s “What’s building durable, long-term value?”

Here are three reasons IPO Genie keeps popping up as the first top crypto presale on investors’ lists.

IPO Genie: Behind The Curtains

Let’s break this down simply.

For decades, 99% of investors could not access private deals. Venture capital firms and insiders controlled early-stage unicorn investments. Retail investors only got access after the IPO, when most of the upside was already gone.

IPO Genie flips that script.

It acts as a bridge between blockchain and private markets. Instead of needing $250,000 and insider connections, holders of the $IPO token unlock tiered access to vetted pre-IPO and early-stage deals

In simple terms:

Buy $IPO

Choose vetted deals

Exit through tokenized liquidity

The platform uses AI signal agents to enhance deal discovery and monitor performance. The Redwood AI Corp call, flagged by its AI before the February 6, 2026 IPO and published publicly, showed this model in action.

This moves investing from “unfair insider game” to a more transparent, structured system.

Crypto YouTubers like Michael Wrubel and Heavy Crypto have started highlighting IPO Genie as one of the most structured crypto presales of 2026 projects, calling it “one of the few presales actually tied to real-world deal flow.”

That attention doesn’t come randomly.

Why IPO Genie is On Investors’ Watchlist of 2026: 3 Reasons

Reason #1: $3T Market Most Investors Can’t Touch 

For decades, firms like Sequoia Capital captured early stakes in companies like Uber and Airbnb long before they went public. By the time retail investors got access, most of the explosive upside was already gone.

The global private market exceeds $15 trillion, and IPO Genie is targeting a structured slice of that opportunity, estimated at around $3 trillion. Research consistently shows that the majority of value creation happens before IPO, not after. Investors are not trying to flip random tokens. They are trying to front-run the next breakout before it hits the public spotlight. 

IPO Genie shifts the narrative from “buying after hype” to positioning earlier in the growth cycle through tokenized pre-IPO access powered by the $IPO token.

How IPO Genie Opens Early Access Doors? IPO Genie makes early access possible through AI-powered deal discovery and structured tokenized vaults. Its technology scans market data, validates fundamentals, flags red signals, and scores opportunities before broader exposure. Investors hold $IPO to unlock curated pre-IPO access, participate through compliant on-chain infrastructure, and track deals transparently in real time. Instead of chasing headlines, the platform focuses on structured, data-driven entry into private growth cycles.

The question investors are asking is simple: “Why wait for the public listing when the real growth happens before it?”

Reason #2: The $IPO Token Has Real Utility

Utility drives long-term value.

The $IPO token connects directly to access, rewards, governance, and platform activity. It is not designed as a simple speculation vehicle. It acts as a key to the ecosystem.

Here is how the tier structure works:

Tier $IPO Required Bronze $2500 Silver $12,000 Gold $55,000 Platinum $110,000

Beyond tiered access, the token includes several mechanisms that connect value to platform growth:

Revenue participation from platform fees

Staking rewards for long-term holders

Governance voting on deals and upgrades

Buyback and burn model creating deflationary pressure

Downside protection features at higher tiers

Unlike many crypto presales in 2026, IPO Genie clearly outlines how token demand links to deal flow and ecosystem expansion.

“Momentum fades. Utility compounds.”

Because of this structure, some investors already describe it as a potential top crypto of 2026 candidate. When people search for the best crypto for 2026, they increasingly look at projects with defined token economics and revenue logic. That is where IPO Genie positions itself.

P.S. Right now, the platform is offering a 15% referral bonus and a 20% welcome bonus, which means you can earn up to 35% extra for your participation while early access tiers are still open. Buy Now to Claim! 

Reason #3: Compliance + Liquidity 

Many platforms talk about disruption. Few talk about structure.

IPO Genie emphasizes audited smart contracts, third-party custody solutions, and compliance-focused onboarding. It aims to align with regulatory frameworks instead of ignoring them. That approach builds credibility with serious capital.

This matters in conversations about the crypto presale of 2026.Sophisticated crypto investors want transparent on-chain ownership and clear governance rules. Traditional investors entering the Web3 ecosystem want infrastructure that feels secure and institution-ready. Family offices exploring digital assets want clarity around compliance, custody, and reporting standards.

Liquidity is equally important.

Traditional venture capital locks funds for 7 to 10 years with no exit flexibility. IPO Genie introduces tokenized ownership structures that can support secondary transfers and structured liquidity pathways over time. That creates potential for earlier exits, peer-to-peer transfers, and more transparent price discovery compared to traditional VC models.

This does not remove risk. Private markets still carry volatility and timing uncertainty. But tokenization introduces flexibility that legacy systems lack.

“Access without liquidity is still a cage.”

In serious discussions about crypto presales in 2026, compliance design and liquidity architecture separate hype from platforms built to last.

Whales Are Positioning. Are You?

The real question for 2026 is not, “Will another presale launch?” It is, “Which presales are building real infrastructure before the masses arrive?”IPO Genie connects locked private markets, structured token utility, revenue alignment, compliance architecture, and AI-powered deal discovery into one serious ecosystem. That is why it keeps surfacing in conversations around high-potential crypto and early infrastructure plays.

Quiet accumulation usually happens before loud headlines. Big wallets position early. Smart capital studies structure, not noise. Crypto presales of 2026 entries do not stay discounted forever. Tiers fill. Bonuses expire. Attention shifts fast. Whales are already watching. Now it is your move.

Join the Top Crypto Presale Now

Website

Presale

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Disclaimer:This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Cryptocurrency investments carry risk, and you should conduct your own research before making any financial decisions.

This article is not intended as financial advice. Educational purposes only.

Karavas, Cyprus, February 17th, 2026, Chainwire

At a time when much of the blockchain industry is still recovering from one of its harshest downturns, a small number of companies are quietly moving in the opposite direction: expanding, building, and positioning themselves for the next era of adoption.

Public Masterpiece, a Cyprus-based real-world asset tokenization company, has announced PMT Chain, its own purpose-built Layer 1 blockchain. Alongside the announcement, the company confirmed a strategic repositioning: PMT, once short for Public Masterpiece Token, will now stand for Public Masterpiece Technology.

The timing is notable. Crypto did not simply experience a correction, but a $1.1 trillion stress test that dismantled inflated narratives and exposed weak token models. Many projects will not return.

Public Masterpiece is positioning itself as one of the exceptions. Even before revealing its Layer 1 ambitions, the company built traction through its Layer 2 presence on BNB Chain. Over the past 12 months, PMT has reportedly increased in price by 75%, outperforming 86% of the top 100 crypto assets, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, while trading above its 200-day moving average and remaining near its all-time high.

CoinMarketCap Screenshot of the Public Masterpiece Token Chart as of 13.02.2026

PMT Chain is designed specifically for real-world asset tokenization, with the company positioning the network as infrastructure for internationally renowned museums, galleries, private collectors, and global brands seeking secure and transparent certification solutions.

At the center of the ecosystem will be a Certification Hub in the UAE, staffed by evaluators, art experts, and historians. The goal is to establish an international framework for authenticating and evaluating physical artworks on-chain, addressing long-standing issues such as forgery, provenance manipulation, and the illegal trafficking of art, artifacts, collectibles, and historical goods.

CEO Kamran Arki described the mission with clarity:

“The last market cycle proved one thing: narratives collapse when foundations are weak. PMT Chain was built for real-world value and long-term trust. Museums, collectors, and brands need transparency, security, and permanence. That is exactly what we engineered.”

Public Masterpiece revealed that PMT Chain has been built over seven years, with five years dedicated solely to research and development, a timeline that stands in sharp contrast to the rapid-launch culture of the blockchain sector.

COO Garen Mehrabian emphasized the broader responsibility behind the project:

“Web3 will not reach mass adoption if it feels like a casino. Builders have the responsibility to create systems people can trust and understand. We didn’t build PMT Chain to ride a wave. We built it to create an ecosystem that survives every wave.”

Public Masterpiece Keynote Presentation at the main Stage of the RWA BUILDERS SUMMIT 2025

While art remains the cultural foundation, Public Masterpiece confirmed that PMT Chain is designed to scale beyond it, including real estate tokenization and broader RWA deployment. The network will also offer white-label tokenization and certification solutions, enabling institutions and companies to integrate blockchain infrastructure without building their own systems from scratch.

Perhaps most notably, Public Masterpiece confirmed that several governments are already in discussions regarding PMT Chain implementation. No names have been revealed, and the company has not announced a launch date. While the blockchain is reportedly ready, the founders have stated it will go live only when the timing is strategically optimal.

In a market where speculation has been punished and confidence is scarce, Public Masterpiece is betting that the next era of blockchain adoption will be defined by infrastructure, not hype.

About Public Masterpiece

Public Masterpiece is a real-world asset tokenization company building blockchain infrastructure designed to support tokenization, certification, and provenance for physical value across art and broader real-world asset markets.

Useful Links:

Website: https://www.publicmasterpiece.com/

X (Twitter): https://x.com/pm_token

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/public-masterpiece/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/public_masterpiece/ 

Contact

Kamran Arkiinfo@publicmasterpiece.com

This article is not intended as financial advice. Educational purposes only.

Introduction

Imagine using the internet at home and the connection being shared by four users. So far so good. But if the fifth user joins the network, you might feel that your browsing has turned sluggish. The larger the number of users on a network, the slower it will get. You can block a few users from the controlling interface, but this is not possible when we think of the internet on larger scales. Since blockchain networks also operate on the internet, they also face the scalability problem. With the evolution in blockchain technology, a resounding discussion about scalability issues, sidechains, and payment channels has been taking place on the platform where users exist.

What are Scalability, Sidechains, and Payment Channels?

Any crypto student is supposed to be familiar with the three times that every influencer uses every now and then on social media. The first of them, scalability refers to the ability of a blockchain network to handle an increasing number of transactions without getting slow. A sidechain is a scalability solution of a blockchain in the form of an independent blockchain that provides to-and-fro movement of assets to ease the load from the main blockchain.

As an off-chain scalability solution, a payment channel uses a smart contract to enable users to transact without publishing their transactions to the blockchain. It does so by using a software-enforced agreement between two participants. These scalability solutions aim to prevent congestion on the network and improve speed.

Early blockchains suffered from extremely sluggish speed and serious congestion, and this was not an attractive situation for the new users. Sidechains emerged to work just like an extra lane on a very busy expressway. They diverted substantial transactions and made the system smoother. Payment channels can be equated with options for the investor to settle the buying and selling, even repeated rounds of them, aside and bring the final result to the chain, making the ledger less crowded.

Why Blockchain Scalability Became a Major Challenge

Pioneer blockchains like Bitcoin appeared with intentionally limited designs. Whenever a new transaction is proposed, the consensus rules require that as many nodes verify as possible. Although there is no hard and fast limit on the minimum number of nodes, data shows that when a transaction is followed by six others on top of it, it is considered valid. This widespread consensus mechanism needs a wide network of users to connect to one another, making the system crowded very soon and very often. Although originally intended for security and stability, the design started creating hurdles when adoption grew.

The need for scalability is direly felt when we consider that every full node should maintain an up-to-date copy of the blockchain, which is a daunting task. This storage and synchronization problem obstructs the growth of the network. The decentralization itself may struggle if blocks get too large, as the new, smaller nodes find it difficult to store and synchronize.

Sidechains and Their Working

As hinted earlier, sidechains are independent blockchains with their own security rules and consensus mechanisms. The sole purpose of their existence is to make things easier on the main blockchains they are pegged to. The peg is always bidirectional to enable movement of the assets to and from the sidechain. This scalability solution lets developers build faster, more efficient, and specialized systems without changing the original blockchain.

The working of the sidechains is quite straightforward. You need to lock your coins on the main chain and get new coins issued on the sidechain worth the same value. When you use the coins on the sidechain and finish your activity there, you either burn those coins or lock them on the sidechain to unlock our assets on the main chain. Burning or unlocking depends on the nature of the smart contract on the sidechain.

Of course, the biggest benefit of developing a sidechain is that its transactions do not take any space on the main system. Consequently, the main chain does not get busy, and fees do not rise. Secondly, a glitch, bug, hacking attack, etc., on the main blockchain does not affect the working of the sidechain.

How Payment Channels Work in Practice

In addition to sidechains, users can also use payment channels as a scalability solution. This solution involves getting off the chain and settling the transactions by using a smart contract and a multi-signature (multisig) wallet. Funds from such wallets cannot be moved until all the participants concerned sign the move. For example, user A and B decide to transfer 200 $ETH to a multisig wallet. They can own the funds in equal amounts or as they decide mutually. If they want to change the rules of ownership by reallocating the amount of $ETH, multisig wallets enable them to do so via cryptographic rules and specially designed scripts.

In networks such as the Lightning Network, payment routing allows users to transact with people they are not directly connected to by passing funds through intermediaries. These channel networks form complex webs that support rapid global payments.

Advantages of Payment Channels for Everyday Transactions

Payment channels dramatically increase transaction speed by processing payments off-chain. Studies show that channel-based systems can achieve almost instant settlement and extremely low fees compared to traditional blockchain transactions. This makes microtransactions and frequent transfers economically viable.

Another advantage is privacy. Since only the opening and closing balances appear on the blockchain, individual transactions remain confidential between participants. Payment channels also reduce network congestion, allowing the main blockchain to focus on final settlement rather than handling every small transaction.

Limitations and Risks of Sidechains and Payment Channels

Despite their advantages, sidechains may involve tradeoffs between scalability and decentralization. Some sidechains rely on smaller validator groups or different security models, which can introduce risks if not properly managed. Users must trust the mechanisms that move assets between chains.

Payment channels also face challenges such as liquidity limits and channel management complexity. Funds must remain locked within channels during use, and participants must monitor activity to prevent dishonest behavior. Researchers continue to explore improvements that balance security with usability in off-chain networks.

Conclusion

As blockchain adoption continues to grow, scalability remains one of the most critical challenges for long-term success. Sidechains and payment channels offer practical solutions by reducing congestion, lowering fees, and improving transaction speed without compromising the core security of main networks. While each approach has its own limitations, their combined use plays a vital role in making blockchain systems more efficient and user-friendly. Ultimately, these technologies bring decentralized networks closer to real-world usability by supporting faster, cheaper, and more scalable digital transactions.

Mirae Asset Group, a leading financial platform in South Korea, has announced the agreement to purchase Korbit, a prominent crypto exchange. Particularly, Mirae Asset Group is acquiring a total 92% stake in Korbit in return for $93M. As per the data from CoinMarketCap, this deal marks a key institutional development in regulated digital assets. Hence, the buyout underscores an exclusive momentum among renowned traditional finance giants looking for compliant exposure to crypto in a year marked by strict oversight.

LATEST: 💰 South Korean financial giant Mirae Asset has agreed to buy a 92% stake in crypto exchange Korbit for $93 million in cash to secure digital asset growth drivers. pic.twitter.com/WyLHPOC19M

— CoinMarketCap (@CoinMarketCap) February 16, 2026

Mirae Asset Group Expands Regulated Crypto Exposure via 92% Korbit Stake

With 92% Korbit stake for $93M, Mirae Asset Group is broadening its crypto exposure in a compliant environment. The platform aims to cash out the benefits of the digital asset expansion drivers of Korbit via this acquisition. The company’s executives deem this move to be a critical update to open exclusive revenue channels while also advancing product innovation in the case trading and wealth management services.

Thus, the strategy underscores a wider institutional push to be a part of regulated cryptocurrency markets. At the same time, it also focuses on sustaining internal control benchmarks that reflect conventional finance. When it comes to investors, the endeavor serves as a rare optimistic catalyst at a time when every week is witnessing significant volatility in the market.

Institutional Agreements Set to Redefine Crypto Landscape in South Korea Amid Stringent Regulation

Particularly, regulatory pressure has been rising after recent operational events and compliance reviews. Additionally, the Financial Services Commission has disclosed that the impending policy will implement mandatory 3rd-party audits and internal control regulations.

The respective measures attempt to minimize systemic risk while also guaranteeing that consumer balances precisely match the holdings. According to CoinMarketCap, amid the growing reputational risk in South Korea, Mirae Asset Group’s entry into the regulated crypto sector is a happy indication. In the same vein, KBank and Kakao Bank are also reassessing real-name account contracts to permit fiat withdrawals and deposits.

So, the financial entities are currently demanding effective safeguards ahead of extending contracts. Keeping this in view, market onlookers will be observing closely whether the respective acquisition establishes a new standard for regulated cryptocurrency consolidation.

OptiView, a Web3 platform that provides crypto users with AI-driven asset intelligence and on-chain market analysis solutions, today announced a strategic partnership with Collably Network, a Web3 collaboration platform that allows projects to connect with their ideal partners and clients. This alliance enabled OptiView and Collably Network to integrate their respective on-chain asset tracking, intelligence platform, and collaborative Web3 network to enhance user experience in the larger decentralized landscape.

OptiView serves a Web3 platform that offers AI-driven asset intelligence to crypto asset (DeFi) customers. It has market analytics tools that help users to track, analyze, and manage DeFi asset portfolios across various blockchain networks through an integrated hub. The platform aggregates on-chain data and displays it in a clear, friendly manner, allowing both beginner and experienced investors to seamlessly navigate DeFi ecosystems.

🧠 OptiView × 🤝 Collably NetworkCollably Network is a Web3 collaboration platform connecting projects with verified partners⚡️🎉 To celebrate our communities together:🎁 20 winners × 5,000 OV PointsHow to join:• RT this post• Tag 1 alpha friend• Comment your BSC… pic.twitter.com/5gpxpFGveo

— OptiView Official (@optiview_x) February 16, 2026

How This Alliance Supports OptiView’s Growth

Using the partnership above, OptiView leverages Collably’s large collaboration network to help it onboard more users and partners to the DeFi sector.  

Collably Network has demonstrated experience in connecting multiple startups with successful and experienced partners and clients. Its collaboration platform has proven expertise in enabling connections between Web3 projects and their ideal customers and partners. This platform functions as a centralized hub where people can track a wide variety of projects across different industries and acquire insights into their specific missions and needs. The platform has a huge database of verified contact information, a feature that provides users with accurate and updated details about prominent people running various Web3 projects. Powered by its network capabilities, this platform simplifies the process by which potential clients and partners identify projects that align with their interests and expertise, and streamlines the process of reaching out and initiating collaborations.

Based on the integration mentioned above, OptiView will use Collably’s widespread Web3 collaboration network and outreach tools to connect with more DeFi clients and partners and efficiently manage its wide existing business-client relationships. This collaboration will enable OptiView to further partner with multiple DeFi industry leaders and investors, allowing the platform to continue innovating and building asset tracking and management within the decentralized finance market.   

Driving Innovation and Adoption of Web3 Applications

The partnership between OptiView and Collably Network is a significant step toward actualizing the mission of the two respective platforms to advance greater usage of Web3 assets and applications. By making DeFi asset intelligence insights and Web3 collaborative network available for everyone, from on-chain enterprises, developers, leaders, partners, investors, and users, both OptiView and Collably Network are empowering people and projects to make smarter investment decisions and engage meaningfully in Web3.

This alliance not only cements Collably’s and OptiView’s status as blockchain market innovators but also unlocks the door for more projects and users to effectively connect and utilize Web3 solutions and grow the decentralized space.

PlayZap, a renowned Web3 GameFi entity, has partnered with PVPFUNAI, an intuitive infrastructure layer for programmable Web3 gaming products. The partnership endeavors to fortify the technological infrastructure of the GameFi landscape. As PlayZap disclosed in its official X announcement, the collaboration enables comprehensive on-chain functionality and scalable gameplay to deliver an advanced experience. Hence, the development is set to merge the gaming utility with infrastructure innovation in the Web3 landscape.

We’re excited to announce our partnership with #PVPFUNAI, Intelligent Infra for Programmable Viable Products, powered by @GametaverseDAO and backed by @OKX_Ventures, @animocabrand.Together, we aim to explore new possibilities at the intersection of infrastructure and GameFi,… pic.twitter.com/oHlm0vu2Bt

— PlayZap Games (@PlayZapGames) February 16, 2026

PlayZap and PVPFUN AI to Integrate Programmable Web3 Frameworks for GameFi Infrastructure

In partnership with PVPFUNAI, PlayZap intends to boost GameFi infrastructure along with on-chain utility. In this respect, the intuitive infrastructure of PVPFUNAI focuses on programmable and modular frameworks to advance Web3 applications. The technology is anticipated to assist performance across the robust blockchain ecosystems. Additionally, the integration will permit builders to seamlessly deploy intelligent in-game logic. This will enable dynamic rewards, data-led gameplay experiences, and automated mechanics.

Particularly, the initiative gets backing from GametaverseDAO as well as a decentralized incubation and governance model that backs long-term network growth. The engagement of Animoca Brands and OKX Ventures provides strategic resources and institutional credibility. Together, the respective elements establish an inclusive foundation to experiment with unique monetization strategies and GameFi primitives. Additionally, PlayZap deems this development as a crucial door to more powerful on-chain utility within the gaming portfolio.

Apart from that, the players can anticipate relatively interoperable assets, improved ownership mechanics, and transparent reward mechanisms driven by the latest blockchain infrastructure. The respective shift goes in line with the wider market trend toward comprehensive composable economies in the gaming world, where identities and assets move across platforms in a streamlined manner. Along with technical upgrades, the collaboration stresses community engagement and ecosystem development with the plans to delve into exclusive gameplay models with programmable infrastructure, token-based incentives, and PvP mechanics.

Accelerating Shift Toward Performance and Utility with Infrastructure-Driven GameFi Innovation

As PlayZap puts it, the joint effort denotes the rising convergence of GameFi platforms and infrastructure providers. Thus, with the integration of intelligent backend infrastructure into gaming networks, projects can advance deployment cycles while also introducing relatively refined mechanics without any compromise on consumer experience. Overall, this alliance underscores a wider push toward utility-focused and scalable GameFi with next-gen experiences.

Chain Aware AI has entered into a formal collaboration with 4AI in order to reinforce decentralized AI infrastructure on BNB Smart Chain. The partnership is expected to integrate on-chain behavioral intelligence with decentralized AI agents, which will result in smarter, faster, and more secure Web3 applications.

4AI X ChainAware 💛We’re partnering with @ChainAware to power the next gen of AI agents with predictive intelligence.⚡️Smart Personalization: Agents that know your on-chain moves. ⚡️Growth Tech: AI-driven portfolio & yield optimization. ⚡️Security: Real-time fraud detection… pic.twitter.com/LRL1g5fq8G

— 4AI 🔶 BNB (@4aibsc) February 16, 2026

4AI is a decentralized AI marketplace, which runs on BSC, where users request, create, and implement AI agents via collaborative networks. The platform aims to augment predictive intelligence and real-time security to AI-driven applications by combining the predictive and fraud detection features of Chain Aware AI.

Both groups posted the announcement to social media, emphasizing that both are working towards the same goal of advancing the field of AI and Web3 via decentralized innovation.

Bringing On-Chain Intelligence to AI Agents

The essence of this collaboration is to merge Web3 growth technology and fraud detection solutions of Chain Aware AI with decentralized AI infrastructure by 4AI. Chain Aware AI is the provider of on-chain behavioral analysis, predictive modeling, and wallet analytics. These applications allow the better analysis of user activity, transactional trends, and the possible risk factors of blockchain ecosystems.

With this integration, AI agents based on 4AI will acquire an increased level of personalization. The announcement indicates that agents can know your on-chain moves, enabling personalized portfolio insights, yield optimization plans, and adaptive financial decisions.

Through AI modeling and blockchain data, the integrated system will provide better technology solutions relating to growth, such as AI-driven portfolio management and yield optimization tools aimed at decentralized finance users.

Focus on Security and Fraud Detection

The security is one of the key pillars of the partnership. Chain Aware AI introduces real-time fraud detection and behavior based analytics to the table, fortifying the defensive layer around the decentralized AI applications.

Web3 analytics and behavioral monitoring at the wallet level can be used to identify the presence of suspicious activity, minimize fraud risks, and enhance user trust, in general. By integrating these features within the marketplace of 4AI, the developers and users will be able to implement AI agents with more robust protection and greater operation visibility.

The partnership indicates a more general trend in the industry to integrate artificial intelligence and blockchain-based security infrastructure. With increasing autonomy, AI agents are becoming more autonomous and their safe and reliable implementation is becoming more valuable.

Expanding the Future of Decentralized AI

According to 4AI, it is an AI marketplace in which entities can jointly build and deploy AI agents in a decentralized manner. The platform locates itself in the dynamic intersection of AI and Web3 and specifically within the BSC ecosystem.

Chain Aware AI is integrated in 4AI to provide more effective autonomous agents, capable of reacting to users and blockchain activity, in real time with predictive analytics. This may open up new applications in the DeFi, automated portfolio management, risk analysis, and on-chain intelligence services.

Chain Aware AI that concentrates on Web3 growth technology and blockchain-based predictive solutions perceives the alliance as a chance to gain additional influence in decentralized AI infrastructure. By following 4AI, the company can reinforce its position in defining the interaction between the AI agent and blockchain data.

Tether has made significant advancement in stabilizing its flagship stablecoin, USDT, by integrating it with the Stable network and opening mobile payments via Oobit for crypto-to-fiat transactions. This integration will help facilitate the usage of digital currencies among anyone that uses an Oobit-enabled merchant at the time of sale and drive digital asset adoption.

Bridging the Gap Between Crypto and Retail

This development’s main feature is the ‘Tap & Pay’ functionality of Oobit. Users can use the world’s largest stablecoin’s (USDT) stability via Stable to pay for products and services at more than 100 million merchants around the world that accept major credit cards.

This alliance will remove the obstacles usually experienced when using cryptocurrencies to purchase goods and services. Users previously would have had to go through several exchanges before converting their cryptocurrency into cash to make purchases and thus faced long periods of waiting for bank transfers. The way that Stable operates makes it capable of enabling instant transactions at low cost for its users, similar in transaction speed to that of a normal transaction on a Visa or MasterCard.

Enhancing Liquidity and Network Efficiency

Tether has made a commitment to a diverse underlying architecture through its choice to use the Stable network which is typically considered a high throughput/low latency environment. Diversifying the rails used for USDT allows Tether users to avoid being bottlenecked by high gas prices and congestion on older blockchain layers.

This upgrade represents a huge benefit for Oobit through retention of users. Recent market data shows that demand for non-custodial payment solutions has soared due to users wanting more control of their funds while maintaining ease of use. This change fits into wider market trends, which show that fintech companies are playing an ever-growing role as the “user-interface layer” to complicated blockchain protocols.

Global Context and Industry Regulation

Tether’s partnership with Oobit and others has created a strong international presence despite the regulatory environment being highly regulated. Tether is actively collaborating with licensed payment card providers and established payment systems to facilitate the integration of USDT as a recognized payment method. This effort aims to increase financial inclusion in nations with developing economies that suffer from intractable volatility of their national currencies.

This may be the only way forward for digital currencies to achieve 1 billion users, based on what some analysts say about “invisible crypto.” In this model, you tap your phone and a merchant gets cash, while settlement occurs via the blockchain. Other large organizations are supporting this strategy, including companies that are trying to link conventional banks with digital wallets, such as Mastercard’s constant efforts.

Conclusion

The launch of USDT on Stable through Oobit not only represents an important milestone for stablecoins. It serves as a beacon for transforming the cryptocurrency landscape into one that emphasizes usage over storage. Tether’s commitment to providing fast, affordable, and accessible payment solutions to merchants helps solidify its position at the top of the stablecoin landscape. It serves as a guide for how digital currencies will operate within this new economy. As more integrations occur there will be an increasing blurring of the lines between a digital currency wallet and a bank account, to the advantage of consumers around the world.

It’s a new chapter for Galxe, a Web3 community building a community-driven platform built on Ethereum, as it has undergone an exciting rebranding, and it has now transformed into its own Layer-1 blockchain, popularly called GravityChain. According to updates shared today on the X social media platform, Galxe announced the full migration, and its Web3 network is now completely powered by the GravityChain.

Powered by native cryptocurrency token (GAL), Galxe is a Web3 credential data network that not only enables developers and enterprises to build strong decentralized products but also helps users manage and leverage their online identities in the decentralized landscape.

The move to migrate its network to the GravityChain signals Galxe’s aim to tap into advanced growth opportunities in the larger Web3.

The Galxe ecosystem is powered by @GravityChain infra🌀 Nansen’s Gravity H2 2025 Report reinforces Gravity’s position with industry-leading performance, sustained high throughput, and meaningful contributions to the Reth ecosystem. https://t.co/WHBFlg0r8q

— Galxe (@Galxe) February 16, 2026

Why Galxe Moves to GravityChain

Today, Galxe announced the official launch of its Layer-1 omnichain blockchain network, GravityChain, which is designed to offer effective, secure, and scalable mechanisms for managing sophisticated cross-chain interactions with decreased friction. With the debut of this integrated, scalable, and high-performing Layer-1 blockchain network, GravityChain is now well-equipped to increase interactions of businesses, developers, and users within the Web3 space while supporting the scalability and interoperability required for cross-chain applications.

Based on data sourced today from CoinMarketCap, Galxe has migrated the Galxe Web3 infrastructure and digital credential network and its GAL token to a new Layer-1 blockchain, GravityChain, featuring the native “G” token. Users who hold GAL can upgrade to G at a 1:1 ratio using the official GravityChain upgrade interface.  

GravityChain On-Chain Activity and Use Cases

The GAL token is now rebranded to G as part of the GravityChain upgrade, an update that allows developers and users to access a greater experience and opportunities in the broader Web3 space.

The GravityChain, an omnichain settlement layer, is built with a powerful consensus mechanism, staking-driven architecture, and ZPK (zero-Knowledge Proofs) technologies to offer transaction cost-effectiveness, advanced security features, and high-processing speed with cross-chain experiences.

This milestone indicates GravityChain’s continued commitment to expanding interoperability and streamlining its decentralized network access. Data shared today by Nansen disclosed that GravityChain’s alpha mainnet gained strong momentum in H2 2025, recorded an average of 677,816 daily transactions and 152,960 daily active addresses during the period, while in its beta form.

Orexn, a decentralized Web3 launchpad platform for early-stage blockchain projects, is pleased to launch Orexn Launchpool for taking part in next-generation crypto projects seamlessly. The main purpose of this launch is to enable crypto users to functionalize their holding assets in the market for selected pre-TGE (Token Generation Event) projects.

💎 Meet Orexn Launchpool — Your Gateway to Next-Gen Crypto ProjectsNow is the time to put your OXN to work ⚡️🔸 Early access to carefully selected Pre-TGE projects.🔸 Limited allocation.🔸 Structured participation.$OXN is no longer just a token — it’s your access layer to… pic.twitter.com/q9VzzZtOqt

— Orexn (@OrexnX) February 16, 2026

Basically, this opportunity works for those crypto holders who have just kept their tokens in savings and not taken part in the market for progress. Orexn wants users to get to know about the new things and take benefits from it for milestone achievements. Therefore, Orexn is making a hurry for users to make them benefitted with this limited period of growth. Orexn has revealed this news through its official social media X account.

Orexn Launchpool Introduces Real Participation and Real Rewards

With the launch of Orexn launchpool, $OXN is not just confined to a token; it is a smooth access layer to curated Web3 opportunities. This launch also pays next-gen energy, real structure, and ensures real participation. On the other hand, this marks the new initiative of earning and access layer inside the Orexn ecosystem. There are strict rules to follow to take advantage of this event.

Orexn Launchpool allows users to lock their $XON for a specific period and earn tokens from promising Web3 projects before they officially reach their public launch phase. There are priorities given to active community members and long-term contributions. Rewards gather consistently during the active pool period. After the lock period ends, users’ $XON open instantly, and earned tokens become claimable.

Orexn Launchpool Sparks a New Era of Token Utility and Expansion

Orexn launchpool is successfully transforming $XON from a passive holding token into an active participation key. This is another fruitful step for Web3 users to multiply their holding tokens by investing into market circulation mechanism. With satisfying outcomes, many other launchpools are getting ready to join the Orexn ecosystem.

In short, this launch is going to be a miracle for Web3 users and will help to make significant growth in the $OXN token. Moreover, there are many things that are waiting in the pipeline for proper execution time. Orexn has a famous background in making prominent developments in the field of Web3 and actively facilitating Web3 users with new innovations with each passing day.

Alchemy Pay, a prominent platform for crypto-fiat payments, has unveiled a unique roadmap and design update for its Alchemy Chain. With the new advancement, Alchemy Pay is presenting Alchemy Chain as a next-gen blockchain when it comes to stablecoin payments. As per Alchemy Pay’s official press release, the initiative denotes a key move in the platform’s evolution into a robust, self-sustaining financial company. Hence, amid the growing complexity and payment utility, Alchemy Pay is turning Alchemy Chain into the backbone of a cost-effective, compliance-ready, and scalable stablecoin network.

Alchemy Chain Establishes New Blockchain Infrastructure to Drive Stablecoin Payments

With the new advancement plan for Alchemy Chain, Alchemy Pay intends to introduce a cutting-edge blockchain to drive stablecoin payments. In this respect, the development highlights the stablecoins’ rising significance in the worldwide commerce. Over the recent years, Alchemy Pay has broadened from a gateway for crypto payments into a worldwide payment ecosystem serving partners, users, and merchants across diverse regions.

Thus, as merchant checkout, cross-border settlements, and remittances grow, depending wholly on 3rd-party blockchain infrastructure is insufficient. Additionally, stablecoins have become a core settlement vehicle for digital payments. They now demand a next-gen infrastructure to guarantee consistent performance, standardized settlement, and integrated compliance across different payment flows.

Keeping this in view, Alchemy Chain delivers a devoted L1 blockchain for stablecoin transfers. It delivers the base layer for an inclusive ecosystem. For this purpose, it lets Alchemy Pay issue its local stablecoin while also delivering seamless liquidity across diverse wallets, payment channels, and merchants. The respective evolution underscores a required move toward developing a global and unified ecosystem for stablecoin payments.

Stablecoin Payment Flows from Merchant Checkout to Seamless Remittances

According to Alchemy Pay, unlike usual general-purpose blockchains, the main purpose of Alchemy Chain is to deal with payment scenarios like wallet-to-wallet transactions, automated payouts, dApp commerce, merchant checkout, and remittances. Leveraging a Proof-of-Authority (PoA) consensus model, the ecosystem provides block times of almost 5 seconds as well as near-instant finality. As a result, it meets the reliability benchmarks needed by payment processors and merchants. Ultimately, with the latest advancements, Alchemy Chain is emerging as a leading ecosystem catering to worldwide stablecoin payments. 

The crypto sector is anticipating a massive token unlocking for the period between February 16 and February 22, 2026. As Phoenix Group noted, various popular blockchain projects will initially issue part of the locked supply of tokens into the crypto market. Although token unlocks are a standard element of vesting programs, when and how large they occur can be closely monitored by traders because they may affect liquidity and price movement and short-term market mood.

MAJOR UPCOMING TOKEN UNLOCKS #Arbitrum $ARB #STBL $STBL #Aster $ASTER #PudgyPenguins$PENGU #Yooldo $ESPORTS #zkSync $ZK #LayerZero $ZRO #Kaito $KAITO #River $RIVER pic.twitter.com/xsLKdY1ICu

— PHOENIX – Crypto News & Analytics (@pnxgrp) February 16, 2026

The next unlock is comprised of layer-2 networks, game and NFT ecosystems, and infrastructure-oriented protocols, with total unlocked value of more than 155 million at present market prices.

Arbitrum and STBL Kick Off on February 16

On February 16, the crypto unlock cycle starts with Arbitrum and STBL. Arbitrum will unlock 92.63 million ARB (0.93 percent of the total supply) estimated at $10.51 million. Although the percentage is not so high, ARB is a highly liquid asset, i.e., even minor changes in supply can affect short-term trading dynamics.

STBL will unlock 288.39 million tokens on the same day, which is 2.88 percent of its supply and has a valuation of about $11.57 million. The increased percentage unlock of STBL may also result in more visible volatility, especially when the initial investors or participants in the ecosystem choose to take profits.

February 17 Brings Aster and Pudgy Penguins into Focus

On February 17, ASTER and Pudgy Penguins will unlock, both projects that are very different in terms of market profile. ASTER intends to issue 78.41 million tokens; this is 0.98 percent of its total supply, though with a fairly high valuation of $55.71 million. This has left ASTER as one of the most observed unlocks of the week dollar-wise.

Puddy Penguins will unlock 703.50 million PENGU tokens, which is 0.88 percent of supply valued at approximately $5.05 million. Since the project has a high brand awareness in the NFT and consumer crypto sector, the response in the market might not be as affected by the size of unlock but rather on the overall attitude toward NFT-linked tokens.

YOOLDO and zkSync Unlocks Scheduled for February 19

YOOLDO and zkSync will issue new tokens into the market on February 19. The unlock of YOOLDO is the highest percentage, as 37.74 million ESPORTS tokens will enter the market, which is 4.19 of the total supply, and its equivalent is $14.51 million. This massive proportional release will tend to bring up concerns of short-term selling pressure particularly in less liquid markets.

zkSync, in its turn, will release 173.41 million of ZK tokens, which is only 0.83 percent of supply and worth $3.73 million. Although it is not as huge in percentage and dollar terms, zkSync is an infrastructure project at the core, which means that its unlock can still have an impact on the sentiment within the layer-2 crypto industry.

LayerZero and Kaito Take the Spotlight on February 20

One of the most influential days of crypto unlock schedule is set to be on February 20. LayerZero will be unlocking 24.68 million ZRO, which represents a 2.47 percent supply and has a market value of around $41.06 million. Because LayerZero is in the middle of the cross-chain infrastructure, this unlock would be the subject of increased scrutiny by traders as well as long-term investors.

In partnership with LayerZero, Kaito will be unlocking 32.60 million tokens, which is 3.26% of total supply worth $10.08 million. This relatively high percentage and moderate value of the dollar makes Kaito another possible source of near-term volatility.

River Concludes the Crypto Unlock Cycle on February 22

The last planned unlock is provided by River on February 22 where 360,040 RIVER tokens will be unlocked, or 0.36 percent of the total supply. This unlock valued at $4.16 million is smaller than others in the week indicating smaller impact on the crypto market. Nevertheless, even smaller releases can affect the price in thin markets.

The crypto trading market and the growing number of decentralized financial platforms are developing at an incredible rate as there is always a need for faster transactions and lower fees. Bayse Markets, known previously as Gowagr, will be adding the Solana Network to its Infrastructure to improve consumers’ experiences and utilize high-speed transaction ability by Solana in the Bayse Markets trading platform which would ensure a high-quality user experience.

Empowering Users with High-Speed Transactions

Users will have the ability to deposit and withdraw assets directly from Solana as part of this integration. Solana’s architecture allows for impressive scalability, boasting transaction finalization times under a second. This translates to a network that’s both less congested and more affordable than many other Layer-1 solutions. Bayse Markets and Solana have reduced the problems that traders face when transferring assets quickly to stay up with market fluctuations. The main cause of this friction was extremely high costs or “gas fees” required to perform transactions on alternative layers.

Technical improvements to the platform have increased its ability to allow users to trade anything on the platform. Solana has an efficient infrastructure that allows users to trade traditional and crypto native assets both securely and quickly.

From Gowagr to Bayse – A Rebranding Strategy

Bayse Markets is more than a new company name; it represents the next step in our evolution as an organization to build a much larger overall financial ecosystem. Throughout our rebranding process, we have spent considerable time and resources on positioning Bayse to be the market leader in providing a diversified trading experience. The first major technical milestone we achieved after our rebranding was to enable support for Solana, which is a direct indication of our commitment to integrating the latest and greatest technologies of industry.

Through the integration, there will likely be a new influx of DeFi enthusiasts attracted to the Solana community after all the growth seen in the Solana jungle this year. With regards to total value locked (TVL) and daily active addresses, CoinGecko reports that Solana’s ecosystem has experienced significant increases in both metrics, resulting in being critical to any DeFi exchange that plans on competing in 2026.

Strengthening the Web3 Trading Infrastructure

Bayse Markets’ actions are part of a larger trend that allows users of crypto exchanges to take advantage of traditional trading mechanics. At the same time, they can benefit from the efficiency and convenience of decentralized trading methods. This movement follows other industry-wide initiatives aimed at improving interoperability between systems.

Bayse Markets is positioned to enhance its functionality on the Solana platform by not only creating a new coin. Instead, it is utilizing a network that provides high-volume, high-speed exchange of financial instruments and supports advanced programming through smart contracts. This will provide the platform with an initial stage for future upgrade possibilities, such as the incorporation of Solana-based native assets and a broadening of the liquidity pools available to Solana.

Conclusion

Bringing Solana into the Bayse Markets is a strategic move aimed at addressing two of the most pressing challenges in the current trading landscape: speed and cost. Bayse has already moved beyond its roots at Gowagr and is establishing itself as a flexible trading force; utilizing the strong architecture of Solana will play a large role in the continued success of Bayse. Traders will now have access to a faster, cheaper, and more reliable way to manage their assets in an ever-growing multi-chain landscape.

Digital asset investment products extended a worrying streak last week, marking a fourth consecutive week of net redemptions as investors pulled US$173 million from funds, taking the four-week total to about US$3.74 billion. The week’s flows were choppy. A promising US$575 million of inflows early on gave way to US$853 million of subsequent withdrawals, with a modest Friday bounce of US$105 million after softer-than-expected U.S. inflation data. Trading activity cooled sharply too, with ETP volumes sliding to roughly US$27 billion from the prior week’s blistering US$63 billion.

Macro headlines partly explain the mood. U.S. consumer prices came in cooler than many forecasts in mid-February, stoking fresh speculation about the Federal Reserve easing later in the year and briefly lifting appetite for risk assets across the board. That relief, however, proved fragile as investors weighed the longer-term picture for rates and flows.

Regionally, flows painted a study in divergence. U.S. investors were net sellers, withdrawing about US$403 million, while overseas buyers stepped in for a collective US$230 million of inflows, notably Germany (≈US$115m), Canada (≈US$46.3m) and Switzerland (≈US$36.8m). The split suggests that local regulation, tax timing and investor composition are still shaping where institutions park capital.

Bitcoin vs Altcoins

At the asset level, Bitcoin bore the brunt of redemptions, with roughly US$133 million leaving Bitcoin investment products over the week. The market reaction has been uneven. Bitcoin traded around the high-$60,000s on Monday, stuck below the $70,000 ceiling that has trapped momentum in recent sessions. It is a pattern that has been exacerbated by a slowdown in ETF inflows that had earlier helped fuel the rally.

Ethereum also saw meaningful outflows (about US$85.1 million), and its price held near the US$1,900–2,000 band as traders digested both macro data and protocol-specific flows. Not all tokens were sold off. XRP and Solana continued to attract fresh capital, drawing roughly US$33.4 million and US$31 million respectively last week. It is a reminder that investors remain selective, favoring some altcoins with specific narratives or recent on-chain momentum. XRP changed hands near US$1.50 and Solana was trading in the mid-$80s, showing relative resilience versus the broader retracement.

One curious signal from the flows is that short-Bitcoin products also registered outflows in the past fortnight, a pattern market strategists sometimes observe near bottoms when bearish positioning is trimmed. Whether that signals a durable trough or merely a technical pause will depend on how macro surprises, especially inflation and jobs data, land in the weeks ahead. For now, the story is clear. Institutional money is rotating rather than rushing back, and pockets of altcoin demand are keeping the market from becoming uniformly dire.

Metaplanet turned in eye-catching fiscal 2025 numbers, but the headline story is a tale of two realities: booming operating performance on the one hand, and a crippling paper loss on the other. For the year, the company recorded revenue of ¥8.905 billion, a jump of 738% from the prior year, and an operating profit of ¥6.287 billion, up a staggering 1,694% year-on-year.

Those gains were driven largely by the firm’s Bitcoin-related operations, especially premium income from option transactions that picked up pace in the third quarter and beyond. At the same time, Metaplanet dramatically increased its Bitcoin holdings. As of December 31, 2025, it held 35,102 BTC, compared with just 1,762 BTC a year earlier, an aggressive accumulation that reshaped the company’s balance sheet.

Broader Outlook

That bigger position exposed the company to market swings. The firm recorded an unrealized valuation loss on Bitcoin of roughly ¥102.2 billion for the period, a figure large enough to wipe out consolidated accounting profits and push the group into a pre-tax and net loss on paper.

The balance sheet looked very different as a result. Total assets swelled to ¥505.286 billion and net assets rose to ¥458.592 billion by year-end, reflecting both the enlarged BTC inventory and the cash generation from trading and option activities.

The board has framed operating (or “core”) profit as the key measure of business performance, preferring cash-focused metrics over volatile mark-to-market movements, and said it plans to use future premium income partly for dividends on perpetual preferred stock and partly to add to its Bitcoin stash.

Metaplanet’s results show the trade-off facing pure-play Bitcoin treasury firms. Steady, sometimes generous cash flows from trading and options can coexist with headline-grabbing valuation swings tied to the very asset that drives the business. For investors, fiscal 2025 was a vivid example of growth and scale on one side and market-driven accounting pain on the other.