On the Shibarium roadmap, SHIB, BONE, LEASH and TREAT will be FHE shielded in Q2 2026,  as confirmed by Zama CEO Rand Hindi. The plan includes confidential balances, encrypted smart contract computation, and selective disclosure for authorized audits and compliance. Shiba Inu developers

Bloomberg column points out that the traditional "Mrs. Watanabe" image is outdated, with forex traders under 30 dropping from 50% in 2009 to 17% in 2024. The pink-haired female college student in the manga "FX Warrior Kurumi," set against the backdrop of her mother's tragic financial loss and suicide, starkly depicts the brutal side of high-leverage trading and is expected to become a new symbol of forex trading in Japan.

The U.S. Treasury's designation of UK-registered exchanges Zedcex and Zedxion marks a paradigm shift in crypto sanctions enforcement, moving beyond tracking transactions to dismantling the financial infrastructure controlled by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). This action, which exposed a network processing approximately \$1 billion in IRGC-linked stablecoin flows, signals an end to the era where offshore exchanges could operate in regulatory gray zones with impunity. For

A sharp selloff in Japanese Government Bonds (JGBs) and rising yen volatility are triggering massive Bitcoin liquidations, revealing the cryptocurrency's critical vulnerability as a high-beta proxy for global leveraged capital. This event is crucial because it demonstrates how the end of Japan's "free money" era acts as a direct volatility switch for crypto, forcing a reevaluation of Bitcoin's role within the macro financial system. For the market, it signals that traditional finance tre

Pi Coin launches a secure mainnet reward distribution system, marking a milestone in the Web3 economy transformation. The new mechanism distributes rewards through verifiable, tamper-proof methods, enhancing transparency and security. Amid criticism of many blockchains for their lack of transparency, Pi Coin's move emphasizes fairness and accountability, drawing particular attention.

The era of "free funds" that Japan has maintained for decades has officially come to an end. On January 23, the Bank of Japan kept the policy rate at 0.75% but hinted that it will raise interest rates in the future. The 40-year government bond yield broke through 4%, and liquidity indicators rose to a record high. Forced liquidations of yen arbitrage trades triggered a chain reaction, with Bitcoin plummeting from $89,398 to $75,500, and daily liquidation amounts exceeding $2.5 billion.

By the numbers, January 2026 saw long-sleeping wallets from the 2010–2017 era finally stretch their legs, moving about 4,905.98 BTC—worth roughly $383 million at today’s exchange rates—after years of radio silence. Digging deeper, the data shows that 40.77% of those spends came from truly ancient

On the Shibarium roadmap, SHIB, BONE, LEASH and TREAT will be FHE shielded in Q2 2026,  as confirmed by Zama CEO Rand Hindi. The plan includes confidential balances, encrypted smart contract computation, and selective disclosure for authorized audits and compliance. Shiba Inu developers

Moltbook is a community platform designed specifically for AI agents, where humans can only observe. In its first week online, it has attracted over one million agents, showcasing phenomena such as self-created religions and encrypted communication, sparking widespread discussion. The platform allows agents to post, rate, and collaborate autonomously, while also exploring the risks and challenges of AI autonomous social interaction. Moltbook highlights the excitement and anxiety of the AI era and raises key questions about future regulation and autonomy.

This article addresses investors who feel hopeless during market crashes, urging them to stay resilient and emphasizing that the current predicament is the key to distinguishing winners from losers. Although market conditions are tough, the fundamentals remain strong, and more capital will flow in the future. The golden era will still come, encouraging investors not to give up.

Decentralized finance is steadily moving into an institutional phase. As large investors gain exposure through crypto ETFs and digital asset treasuries, DeFi is evolving beyond its experimental roots into a system that increasingly mirrors traditional finance, complete with new financial

Ferrari has officially entered the digital asset era. The iconic luxury automaker now accepts Bitcoin and select cryptocurrencies as payment methods in the United States and Europe. This move places Ferrari among a growing list of global brands embracing digital finance. It also signals a major

VeChain reports 100% network uptime since 2017 and over 530 million on-chain transactions. VeBetter lists 5.2 million users, 50+ apps, and 50 million transactions since its June 2024 mainnet launch. VeChain is developing its ecosystem based on real-life blockchain applications as the

The U.S. Department of Justice has closed a chapter in one of crypto’s earliest enforcement cases, finalizing a forfeiture worth more than $400 million tied to Helix, a Bitcoin-era mixer once used to blur the source and destination of digital currencies. Operated by Larry Harmon, Helix processed

Cardano’s Protocol version 11 is set to introduce significant performance improvements and new capabilities to the blockchain. The upcoming hard fork, which is scheduled for 2026, is an intra-era upgrade, meaning it will not drastically change the transaction structure of Cardano. This makes it a s

The US SEC and CFTC have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, officially ending their regulatory rivalry and jointly promoting the classification of crypto assets and innovative exemptions. The goal is to reduce duplicate compliance costs and enhance market certainty. This move signifies a new era in US crypto regulation, emphasizing cooperation to resolve asset jurisdiction issues, and plans to introduce clear classification methods and new types of contract markets.

For much of the last bull cycle, attention pertaining to the crypto market was confined to either a few meme tokens, short-lived incentive programs, or product launches (most of which chased momentum more than staying power). Within that retrospective light, today’s popular networks are

Intersect has updated the Cardano community on the upcoming Protocol version 11 upgrade. This intra-era hard fork will enhance Plutus performance and security without altering transaction structures. Node releases 10.6.2 and 10.7.0 are scheduled to facilitate community testing and readiness for the upgrade.

Midnight Network’s NIGHT token is now live on COTI, expanding liquidity and utility for privacy-native assets. PriveX, the leading DeFi platform on COTI, has now processed $10 billion in volume as the era of private DeFi unravels. NIGHT, the native token of the privacy-focused Midnight Netwo

VeChain reports 100% network uptime since 2017 and over 530 million on-chain transactions. VeBetter lists 5.2 million users, 50+ apps, and 50 million transactions since its June 2024 mainnet launch. VeChain is developing its ecosystem based on real-life blockchain applications as the

Although it has evolved a great deal since making its landing in the 2020 Web3 limelight, what has remained constant in DeFi is the simplistic DEX UI that leaves orderbooks out of the frame. In the Web3 market, the absence of DEX orderbooks has been largely presented as a design preference — and in

Ethereum price currently trades around $3,000, giving ETH a market cap close to $356 billion. That size alone causes many observers to assume the days of massive upside are already behind it. Large assets, the thinking goes, simply do not move like small ones anymore. Still, one analyst is

The Federal Reserve pressed the pause button at the first FOMC meeting of 2026, keeping interest rates unchanged. Gold immediately broke through $5,500 to hit a new all-time high, but Bitcoin and other risk assets reacted calmly. As the macro direction remains unclear, the market is shifting its focus to the next Federal Reserve chairperson. (Background: 2026 Federal Reserve Power Transition: End of the Powell Era, US interest rates may be "cut all the way down") (Additional context: Federal Reserve's latest meeting minutes: disagreements still exist, but "most" officials advocate for continued rate cuts) Table of Contents The dust has settled but the direction remains unclear Macro Market: Gold leads the way, other assets remain steady More important than rate cuts: Who will shape the next phase of the Federal Reserve? Will Bitcoin continue its bear market? Summary: Macro uncertainties and structural changes, the market is waiting for answers In the consecutive three

Tether CEO revealed to Bloomberg that the company holds 140 tons of gold (valued at $23.3 billion), stored in a Swiss nuclear bunker, with plans to buy 1-2 tons weekly. They have recruited HSBC traders to enter the arbitrage market. The gold stablecoin XAUT has a market capitalization of $2.32 billion, accounting for 50% of the market. The funds come from USDT treasury yields, and a compliant version USAT has been launched.

The WLD token, powering the Worldcoin (now World Network) ecosystem, skyrocketed by over 27% following a Forbes report that OpenAI, under Sam Altman's direction, is exploring a "biometric social network" to combat online bots. While no formal partnership was confirmed, the report suggested OpenAI is evaluating technologies including Worldcoin's iris-scanning Orb as a potential proof-of-personhood solution. This speculative link between the AI giant and the controversial crypto project ha

The article discusses the investment logic of Bitcoin and silver, citing Saifedean Ammous's book "The Bitcoin Standard," emphasizing that Bitcoin's advantage as a "hard currency" lies in its scarcity and difficulty to increase supply. Silver, on the other hand, has higher supply elasticity and is less likely to become a hard currency. Currently, silver prices are closely related to industrial demand, especially in fields like photovoltaics and electric vehicles. However, Bitcoin's performance in investments has been lackluster, and market confidence in Bitcoin has been challenged.

Midnight Network’s NIGHT token is now live on COTI, expanding liquidity and utility for privacy-native assets. PriveX, the leading DeFi platform on COTI, has now processed $10 billion in volume as the era of private DeFi unravels. NIGHT, the native token of the privacy-focused Midnight Netwo

Quantum computing no longer feels like distant science fiction. Researchers now discuss real world timelines. Blockchain developers must act early. Ethereum already moves in that direction. According to Ethereum Foundation cryptography researcher Antonio Sanso, the network already stands 20

The article discusses the future transformation of currency, emphasizing the coexistence and collaboration between Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC) and market stablecoins. Stablecoins are driven by the market and are suitable for fast payments and decentralized finance, while CBDCs are issued by governments to maintain monetary sovereignty and regulation. While countries around the world are piloting CBDCs, they are also promoting the compliant development of stablecoins, indicating the potential formation of a two-tier monetary system. This collaboration will drive innovation and transformation in future finance and payments.

Tether now holds about 140 metric tons of gold, buying one to two tons weekly and ranking among the largest private holders. Gold purchases are funded by USDT profits, with bullion stored under direct custody in a secure Swiss bunker. XAUT represents roughly 60% of gold-backed

Author: Max.s Just yesterday, the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau of Hong Kong, Christopher Hui, announced high-profile plans to make Hong Kong a trusted global gold storage hub within three years, with a target capacity exceeding 2,000 tons. Meanwhile, across the ocean, stablecoin giant Tether revealed in their Q4 2025 financial report that they have added approximately 27 tons of gold. On the surface, this appears to be an era of "gold revival." From sovereign central banks to the crypto world's "central bank" Tether, everyone seems to be rushing to acquire precious metals. However, beneath this superficial prosperity, a more profound and brutal intergenerational asset transfer is taking place. As OKX Star said: "Gold addresses trust issues of the past, while Bitcoin solves trust issues of the future. Betting on gold in 2026 is similar to relying on the Nationalist government in 1949." This statement sounds sharp, but it is precisely

A digital creator mistakenly believed AI information, claiming Jin Guowei as the Taipei 101 climbing live broadcast photographer, which led to false reports by Taiwanese media. Upon verification, the actual photographer is not Jin Guowei. This incident highlights the risks of AI hallucinations and the importance of media fact-checking literacy. The public needs to enhance their skepticism and verification of information to avoid being misled by false news.

IHI Heavy Industries in Japan is developing a technology to extract gold from seawater, challenging the scarcity of gold. The research involves using specific algae to adsorb gold ions from seawater, but the low concentration of gold in seawater makes the process costly. IHI is shifting focus to hot spring water with higher concentrations for commercialization to enhance the commercial potential of the technology. This technology reminds us that in an era of rapid technological advancement, the value of assets is not absolute.

VeChain reports 100% network uptime since 2017 and over 530 million on-chain transactions. VeBetter lists 5.2 million users, 50+ apps, and 50 million transactions since its June 2024 mainnet launch. VeChain is developing its ecosystem based on real-life blockchain applications as the

Written by: imToken If a year ago, someone told you that gold would rapidly rise to $5000 per ounce, most people's first reaction would probably be that it's wishful thinking. But the fact is just that. In just half a month, the gold market has been like a runaway horse, repeatedly breaking through multiple historical levels at $4700, $4800, and $4900 per ounce. With almost no turning back, it is heading towards the $5000 mark that the market is collectively watching. Source: companiesmarketcap.com It can be said that after repeated verification of global macro uncertainties, gold has returned to its most familiar position — as a consensus asset that does not rely on any single sovereign commitment. But at the same time, a more realistic question is emerging: when the consensus on gold returns, has the traditional holding method already become unable to bear the digital age?

Vitalik Returns to Chiang Mai, Deeply Analyzes Market Predictions, SocialFi, Decentralized Stablecoins, and Ethereum's Role in the AI Era, and Warns that Crypto will Die if It Becomes Purely Speculative. (Previous Highlights: Vitalik Arrives in Taipei! Ethereum Foundation Mission, Next Steps? Full Answer with EF New Executive Director) (Background Supplement: Vitalik Blurts Out "Ethereum's Yearly Leap Plan": L1 Scaling Will Increase Throughput by 10 Times) Table of Contents Vitalik's Reflection in Chiang Mai: Technical Mastery, Why Applications Are Lost Behind the $70,000 Profit: Vitalik's "Anti-Frenzy" Strategy and Oracle Concerns Survival Strategies for Ethereum in the AI Era Vitalik's Dialogue with 706 Community: About Driving Forces

Bitcoin peer-to-peer trading platform LocalBitcoins announced on Thursday that it will cease operations due to the crypto winter. The company has suspended new user registrations, and transactions will end on February 17, 2023, with a 12-month withdrawal period for users. Following Affirm and tZERO, LocalBitcoins becomes yet another crypto platform to exit the market.

All media are pursuing "speed and excitement," but podcasts are using "slow and clumsy" to combat nihilism—the hosts of Chinese crypto podcasts are rebuilding a stronghold of in-depth content on the ruins of traffic. Prequel: What does a16z mean by New Media? The ongoing power shift of new media) (Additional background: Elon Musk's first interview in 2026: exploring AI, robotics, energy, and the impact of US-China competition on the near future) Table of Contents The cost of not taking money The paradox and dilemma of commercialization Those gains that cannot be measured by money Methodologies for success How to persist? Epilogue On a late night in 2025, Sea, the host of Sea Talk, turned on his computer, preparing to edit the recently recorded episode. This is the most agonizing part for him; he needs to edit the two-hour conversation recording.

The cryptocurrency landscape is undergoing a fundamental shift from speculative frenzy to measured maturity, according to the collaborative “Charting Crypto” Q1 2026 report from Coinbase Institutional and Glassnode. Their analysis reveals a market that entered the year with significantly reduced leverage and a more disciplined structure, fostering greater resilience against systemic shocks. Bitcoin (BTC) is demonstrating characteristics of a macro-sensitive asset, with investor behavior

In a landmark move that reshapes the American digital asset landscape, Tether has officially launched USA₮, the first federally regulated, dollar-backed stablecoin built explicitly for the U.S. market under the new GENIUS Act framework. Issued by the nationally chartered Anchorage Digital Bank, USA₮ represents Tether's strategic pivot to reclaim and dominate the onshore U.S. market, directly challenging Circle's USDC. This launch marks the end of the "Wild West" era for stablecoins in Ame

In the multi-chain era, user experience is limited by operational details, such as transaction failures due to insufficient Gas. Gate introduces the "Gas Station" feature to optimize the Gas payment process, reduce preparation costs for multi-chain operations, and enhance user experience. This feature supports multiple EVM networks, allowing users to recharge with various cryptocurrencies while maintaining transparency and security, aiming to lower the barriers to Web3 usage.

Nifty Gateway, the once-dominant NFT marketplace owned by Gemini, is officially ceasing operations. The platform, which skyrocketed to fame during the 2021 digital art boom, will enter a complete shutdown on February 23, 2026, and is already in "withdrawal-only mode." In a crucial update for collectors, the company has pledged permanent hosting for all NFT metadata and media, migrating assets to the decentralized Arweave network while committing to indefinitely maintain its own servers f

Midnight Network’s NIGHT token is now live on COTI, expanding liquidity and utility for privacy-native assets. PriveX, the leading DeFi platform on COTI, has now processed $10 billion in volume as the era of private DeFi unravels. NIGHT, the native token of the privacy-focused Midnight Netwo

Written by: Lawyer Bai Qin, Lawyer Evan Lee Introduction The concept of "currency" is standing at the threshold of a major transformation. In the future, should money be issued by the state or handed over to the market? Perhaps, the answer is not a binary choice. As countries accelerate the rollout of "Central Bank Digital Currencies," another type of "stablecoin"—born from the market but legally recognized—has quietly entered the global financial system. They are not rivals but more like a pair of partners continuously adjusting to each other. Their coexistence and collaboration will redefine every payment and transaction we make—whether in US dollars, euros, or RMB. This silent revolution is writing the rules for future money. Stablecoins VS

Author: Go2Mars Web3 Research This article aims to provide an analytical framework to help understand: the current "value return" is not a helpless end to the bear market, but a necessary pain before the birth of the next generation of trusted financial infrastructure. Over the past two years, the crypto industry has experienced Bitcoin shifting from a speculative asset and cycle indicator, to a liquidity pool during monetary easing, and now to a non-sovereign macro anchor asset and strategic reserve option; stablecoins have also evolved from a medium for crypto speculation to a healthy on-chain USD that facilitates cross-border on-chain payments and settlements, providing the world with a low-threshold channel to access USD. In stark contrast, the altcoin market has seen the vast majority of crypto projects disprove themselves so far, with some projects' former glory unlikely to reoccur. More broadly, many projects have perished during their preparation phase due to the industry's bleak outlook. As liquidity tides recede, investment

DogeCity announces the completion of its DQ token upgrade, enhancing utility, stability, and appreciation potential. This upgrade strengthens asset protection, expands application scenarios, and aims to create a sustainable token economy.

The article discusses the changes in the DeFi era, pointing out that low Gas fees have turned retail investors into on-chain laborers, and project teams arbitrarily modify rules, putting retail investors in a passive position. High APY lock-up strategies deceive users, with risk and reward severely mismatched. The conclusion is that DeFi has lost its appeal, and retail investors are advised to protect their principal and choose more valuable investment methods.

_Morning Minute is a daily newsletter written by __Tyler Warner__. The analysis and opinions expressed are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of Decrypt. Subscribe to the Morning Minute __on Substack__._ GM! Today’s top news: Crypto majors red despite Gold hitting $5,100 & new ATH;

Nifty Gateway announces it will shut down on February 23, 2026, and enter withdrawal-only mode, symbolizing the end of the NFT platform era. The platform was once a key driver in the NFT market, but as the market cooled and trading volume declined, Gemini is reallocating resources to focus on crypto super apps in the future. The NFT market has gradually shifted towards functional NFTs, reflecting a pragmatic transformation in the industry.

OP Labs announces that by 2036, external accounts based on ECDSA will be phased out gradually, and users will be required to migrate to post-quantum smart contract accounts. This plan marks a forward-looking security layout for the Layer 2 ecosystem. The plan includes upgrading infrastructure and supporting account abstraction through EIP-7702 to ensure the security of Ethereum and Superchain in the era of quantum computing.