CoindooOfficial

MetaMask hat offiziell mit Mastercard zusammengearbeitet, um eine neue Krypto-Zahlungskarte in den Vereinigten Staaten einzuführen, die es Benutzern ermöglicht, digitale Vermögenswerte direkt von ihren Wallets überall dort auszugeben, wo Mastercard akzeptiert wird.

Wichtige Erkenntnisse:
MetaMask und Mastercard haben eine Krypto-Zahlungskarte in den USA eingeführt.
Benutzer können überall dort direkt von ihrer Krypto-Wallet ausgeben, wo Mastercard akzeptiert wird.
Die Premium-Metallkarte bietet 3 % Cashback und keine Auslandstransaktionsgebühren.
Der Schritt stärkt den Vorstoß von Krypto in den Alltag des Einzelhandels.

Die Sygnum Bank hat eine neue institutionelle Vermögensverwaltungseinheit eingeführt, die sich gezielt an den schnell wachsenden Bereich der Unternehmens-Krypto-Depots richtet.

Wichtige Erkenntnisse
Die Sygnum Bank hat Sygnum Select ins Leben gerufen, um institutionelle Krypto-Depots zu verwalten.
Der Service begann mit etwa 200 Millionen Dollar unter Verwaltung.
Strategien umfassen Spot-Exposition, Staking, Hedging und tokenisierte Assets.
Die institutionelle Nachfrage verlagert sich hin zu aktiv verwalteten und diversifizierten Krypto-Portfolios.
Der Service, genannt Sygnum Select, wurde am 26. Februar 2026 offiziell gestartet und zielt darauf ab, was die Bank auf etwa 100 Milliarden Dollar an digitalen Assets schätzt, die derzeit in Unternehmensbilanzen und digitalen Asset-Depots gehalten werden.

AllUnity hat CHFAU eingeführt, einen in Schweizer Franken denominierten Stablecoin, der sich an institutionelle Akteure richtet und einen weiteren Meilenstein in der regulierten digitalen Vermögensausweitung Europas unter MiCA markiert.

Wichtige Erkenntnisse
AllUnity hat CHFAU gestartet, einen MiCA-konformen Schweizer Franken Stablecoin.
Unterstützer sind DWS, Flow Traders und Galaxy Digital.
Der Token operiert unter einer BaFin-EMI-Lizenz mit 100% CHF-Reserveunterstützung.
Der Zugang ist derzeit auf institutionelle und professionelle Investoren beschränkt.
CHFAU erweitert AllUnitys reguliertes Stablecoin-Portfolio nach EURAU.

Das Ethereum-Ökosystem tritt nach der Einführung eines technischen Entwurfsplans, bekannt als die „Strawmap“, durch den Forscher Justin Drake in eine neue Phase der langfristigen Planung ein.

Wichtige Erkenntnisse
Die „Strawmap“ skizziert sieben potenzielle Ethereum-Upgrades bis 2029 als Koordinierungsentwurf, nicht als verbindlichen Plan.
Ethereum zielt darauf ab, die Blockzeiten von 12 Sekunden auf 2 Sekunden zu reduzieren und die Finalität auf nur Sekunden zu verringern.
Die Hauptnetz-Durchsatzziele liegen bei 10.000 TPS, während Layer-2-Skalierung Millionen von Transaktionen pro Sekunde erreichen könnte.

Die globale Stablecoin-Versorgung ist auf ein neues Allzeithoch gestiegen, was die Auffassung verstärkt, dass digitale Dollars eine der stärksten Säulen des Kryptomarktes bleiben.

Wichtige Erkenntnisse
Die Versorgung mit Stablecoins erreicht einen Rekordhoch, wobei USD weiterhin etwa 99 % des Marktes ausmacht.

Nicht-USD-Stablecoins wachsen, aber die Dominanz des Dollars bleibt überwältigend.
Die Nettoflüsse an den Börsen sind negativ, was darauf hindeutet, dass die Kaufkraft noch nicht zurückgekehrt ist, um eine nachhaltige Rallye zu unterstützen.
Neueste On-Chain-Daten zeigen, dass die Gesamtsalden stetig steigen, während die Marktteilnehmer darüber debattieren, ob frische Kaufkraft bereit ist, wieder in risikobehaftete Anlagen einzutreten.

An den an der U.S.-Börse notierten Kryptowährungs-ETFs wurden am 25. Februar umfassende Zuflüsse verzeichnet, angeführt von einer starken Erholung bei Bitcoin-Produkten, die mehr als eine halbe Milliarde Dollar an neuem Kapital anziehen konnten.

Wichtige Erkenntnisse:
Bitcoin-ETFs verzeichneten 506,6 Millionen Dollar an Nettozuflüssen.
Ethereum-ETFs fügten 157,2 Millionen Dollar hinzu.
Solana-ETFs verzeichneten 30,9 Millionen Dollar an Zuflüssen.
XRP-Spot-ETFs sahen insgesamt 3,09 Millionen Dollar an Nettozuflüssen.
Bitcoin führt mit breiter institutioneller Nachfrage
Bitcoin-ETFs zogen 506,6 Millionen Dollar an Nettozuflüssen an, was einen der stärksten täglichen Gesamtbeträge in den letzten Sitzungen markiert. BlackRocks IBIT machte 297,4 Millionen Dollar dieses Betrags aus, während Fidelitys FBTC 30,1 Millionen Dollar hinzufügte und Bitwises BITB 39,4 Millionen Dollar einbrachte.

El Salvador is accelerating its effort to embed Bitcoin education into the national curriculum, officially launching Bitcoin Diploma 2.0 as a standardized program for public schools in 2026.

Key Takeaways
El Salvador launched Bitcoin Diploma 2.0 as a nationwide school program for 2026.Students will study Bitcoin, monetary history, and the Lightning Network each week.The policy shift makes Bitcoin voluntary while focusing on education.Skepticism, weak internet access, and price volatility remain key risks.
The updated initiative marks a significant expansion from earlier pilot schemes, signaling a long-term strategy to normalize digital asset literacy among students.
The overhaul comes as the government refines its broader Bitcoin policy, shifting from mandatory usage toward a more voluntary and educational-focused approach. While officials describe the move as forward-looking, questions remain about public trust, infrastructure readiness, and long-term outcomes.
From Pilot Program to National Curriculum
Bitcoin Diploma 2.0 is led by the National Bitcoin Office and integrates crypto-related material directly into existing sociology and mathematics courses. Instead of standalone seminars, students now receive structured instruction as part of their weekly schedule.
The curriculum provides roughly three hours of lessons per week, covering topics such as the Lightning Network, the history of money, central banking systems, and principles of free-market economics. The aim is to position Bitcoin not just as a payment tool, but as a broader framework for understanding monetary systems.
In parallel, authorities are deploying AI-based teaching tools across approximately 5,000 schools. The modernization effort is intended to strengthen digital literacy while supporting teachers with interactive learning platforms.
For younger students in grades two through six, the government introduced a simplified program called “What is Money?” which uses visual aids and animations to explain basic financial concepts before introducing more advanced digital asset topics in later years.
Balancing Institutional Support With Public Doubts
The initiative benefits from direct backing by the Ministry of Education and the National Bitcoin Office, ensuring standardized materials nationwide. Partnerships with non-governmental organizations such as Mi Primer Bitcoin have helped train hundreds of teachers to deliver the coursework.
However, skepticism remains a key challenge. Surveys conducted in late 2023 showed that a large majority of Salvadorans had little confidence in using Bitcoin for everyday transactions. While the government has softened its stance, public sentiment has not fully aligned with official ambitions.
Infrastructure gaps present another hurdle. Internet penetration in the country was estimated at roughly 50% in 2022, and rural connectivity remains inconsistent. Expanding digital curriculum nationwide could strain schools with limited technological resources.
Volatility is also a concern. Bitcoin’s sharp price swings raise questions about whether students may develop unrealistic expectations about wealth creation, rather than viewing it primarily as a financial and technological study subject.
Policy Shift Eases International Pressure
In early 2026, El Salvador amended its legislation to make Bitcoin acceptance voluntary rather than mandatory as legal tender. The adjustment helped improve relations with international lenders and contributed to securing a $1.4 billion funding arrangement with the IMF, providing broader macroeconomic stability while educational reforms move forward.
Supporters argue the country is laying the foundation for what they call the world’s first “Bitcoin generation,” potentially offering a model for other unbanked or underbanked nations. Critics counter that long-term success will depend less on curriculum design and more on public trust, infrastructure investment, and economic results.
As Bitcoin Diploma 2.0 rolls out nationwide, El Salvador is deepening its experiment - not only with digital assets, but with reshaping financial education at a national scale.
#bitcoin

Tether, the world’s largest stablecoin issuer, is making a $200 million strategic investment in online marketplace platform Whop, valuing the company at $1.6 billion as both firms push deeper into the digital payments and creator economy sectors.

Key Takeaways:
Tether is investing $200 million in Whop.The deal values Whop at $1.6 billion.
The deal marks one of Tether’s larger equity investments to date and signals its ambition to expand beyond stablecoin issuance into broader internet infrastructure and commerce enablement.
https://twitter.com/paoloardoino/status/2026698408405160323
The partnership aims to combine Tether’s global payments infrastructure with Whop’s online marketplace ecosystem.
Both companies are targeting expansion of digital income opportunities worldwide.
Whop, founded by entrepreneurs who began selling software online as teenagers, positions itself as a centralized marketplace for digital products and services. The company was initially built to solve a fragmented online experience in which customer acquisition, payments and communication occurred across separate platforms such as Facebook groups and Discord forums.
By integrating marketplace functionality with payments infrastructure, Whop aims to provide a unified environment for online entrepreneurs to sell, manage and scale digital businesses.
Expanding the Internet Economy
Under the partnership, Tether will provide capital and leverage its global wallet and payments technology to help scale Whop’s infrastructure. The companies said they plan to support emerging business models and expand access to digital income streams across international markets.
Tether framed the investment as aligned with its broader mission of enabling participation in the “new internet economy,” emphasizing the need for both open online marketplaces and transparent digital payment networks.
The collaboration reflects a growing convergence between stablecoin providers and internet-native platforms seeking to streamline cross-border commerce. With stablecoins increasingly used for settlement and remittances, integrating them directly into online marketplaces could reduce friction in global transactions.
For Whop, the capital infusion and strategic alignment with Tether provide resources to accelerate expansion at a time when digital entrepreneurship and creator-driven commerce continue to grow.
The partnership underscores a broader trend: stablecoin issuers are moving beyond simple token issuance and into equity investments aimed at embedding digital dollars more deeply into the architecture of online business.
#Tether

Hut 8 released its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results on February 25, revealing a dramatic transformation in its business model.

Key Takeaways
Hut 8 Revenue jumped 179% year over year, but missed expectations.Net loss was driven mainly by a large non-cash Bitcoin revaluation.Gross margin improved significantly to 60%.AI and compute now dominate revenue, marking a clear strategic pivot.Investors focused on the AI growth story, pushing shares higher.
While the company posted a steep net loss tied to Bitcoin’s price volatility, revenue surged triple digits as management accelerated its shift toward AI infrastructure and high-performance computing.
The market appeared to look past the headline loss. Shares climbed roughly 2.4% following the announcement, suggesting investors are increasingly focused on the company’s long-term AI roadmap rather than short-term crypto accounting swings.
Revenue Jumps 179%, But Earnings Swing Deeply Negative
For Q4 2025, Hut 8 reported revenue of $88.5 million, up 179% from $31.7 million in the same quarter a year earlier. However, the figure fell short of analyst expectations near $95.6 million.
The bottom line showed a sharp reversal. The company posted a net loss of $301.8 million, compared to a $152.0 million profit in Q4 2024. Adjusted EBITDA came in at negative $347.8 million, down from positive $310.6 million a year earlier.
Despite the steep loss, earnings per share of -$0.1101 beat analyst forecasts, which had projected a wider loss in the range of roughly -$0.12 to -$0.25 per share.
Gross margin improved significantly to 60%, up from 36% in Q4 2024, indicating stronger underlying operating performance even as accounting losses weighed on net results.
Bitcoin Accounting Weighs on Results
Management attributed the majority of the net loss to a $401.9 million unrealized mark-to-market loss on its Bitcoin holdings. The company ended the year with approximately 13,696 BTC valued at around $1.4 billion, down from $1.6 billion in Q3 following a roughly 25% drop in Bitcoin’s price during the quarter.
Executives described this as “Bitcoin noise,” emphasizing that the loss was non-cash and largely accounting-driven. Excluding the unrealized crypto revaluation, operational metrics showed improvement, particularly in margin expansion and segment performance.
Compute Segment Becomes Core Revenue Engine
The company’s Compute segment has now become its primary growth driver. It generated $81.9 million in Q4, accounting for 92% of total quarterly revenue. The segment includes Bitcoin mining, GPU-as-a-Service, and cloud-based infrastructure offerings.
CEO Asher Genoot characterized 2025 as the year of the “power-first” pivot, marking Hut 8’s transition away from being viewed solely as a Bitcoin miner toward becoming a long-term AI infrastructure provider.
Development Pipeline Expands Toward AI Infrastructure
Hut 8’s development pipeline has expanded to 8,500 megawatts of energy capacity, with 330 MW currently under construction. A key project is the 245 MW River Bend campus, designed as a large-scale AI data center.
The River Bend facility is backed by a 15-year, $7.0 billion lease agreement with Fluidstack, supported by Google. Delivery of the project is expected to begin in Q2 2027, positioning Hut 8 as a major player in AI-focused data infrastructure.
Strategic Reset Beyond Bitcoin
The latest results underscore a broader strategic reset. Rather than relying purely on Bitcoin mining revenue, Hut 8 is attempting to build more predictable, long-duration cash flows from AI data centers and high-performance computing contracts.
While crypto volatility continues to introduce earnings swings through mark-to-market adjustments, investors appear increasingly willing to separate operational progress from Bitcoin price fluctuations. The modest post-earnings stock rally reflects growing confidence that the company’s AI infrastructure pivot may define its next growth cycle more than its digital asset treasury.
#Bitcoinmining

Kraken has officially launched Flexline, a fixed-rate, crypto-secured lending product designed exclusively for Kraken Pro users, allowing them to unlock liquidity without selling their digital assets.

Key Takeaways
Kraken has launched Flexline, a fixed-rate, crypto-secured loan product for Kraken Pro users.Borrowers can access liquidity without selling their digital assets, with loan terms ranging from 2 days to 2 years.Fixed APRs range between 10% and 25%, offering predictable repayment structures.Collateral is held in segregated wallets, not rehypothecated, and included in Kraken’s Proof of Reserves.
The move strengthens the exchange’s push into structured credit services at a time when demand for collateralized borrowing is rising across the crypto market.
Flexline enables Pro traders to post collateral across a wide range of supported cryptocurrencies and instantly receive crypto or stablecoins. These funds can either be deployed directly into trading strategies on Kraken or withdrawn off-platform, subject to regional eligibility. Loan durations range from two days to two years, giving users both short-term tactical flexibility and longer-term financing options.
Fixed Terms and Transparent Structure
The product operates under a clearly defined loan agreement with fixed borrowing costs, offering APRs between 10% and 25% depending on structure and risk parameters. Unlike revolving credit lines that fluctuate in cost, Flexline provides predictable repayment schedules, which may appeal to active traders managing defined strategies.
Kraken positions itself as a liquidity hub through this model, allowing capital to move efficiently between on-platform trading and external venues, protocols, or service providers. Borrowers retain exposure to their underlying assets while accessing capital, avoiding the need to liquidate long-term holdings during volatile market conditions.
Collateral posted through Flexline is held in segregated wallets and is not rehypothecated. Kraken states that these assets are included in its long-running Proof of Reserves framework, providing cryptographic verification that client collateral is backed on a 1:1 basis. The company emphasizes explicit loan terms and transparent risk parameters, giving traders full visibility into pricing and liquidation conditions from the outset.
The service is currently unavailable in the United States, the United Kingdom, and certain other jurisdictions due to regulatory constraints.
Leadership Commentary and Market Positioning
According to Darius Tabatabi, Head of Exchange Trading at Kraken, the product is built around trader flexibility and optionality. He noted that many crypto holders previously faced a trade-off between selling assets to raise capital or navigating borrowing solutions with limited transparency and flexibility. Flexline is intended to address that gap by combining fixed pricing with broad collateral support.
Kraken describes the product as suitable for diverse strategies, whether traders are seeking leverage for short-term opportunities, hedging positions, or reallocating capital across different markets while maintaining core asset exposure.
Strategic Context
Flexline arrives during a broader expansion phase for Kraken. The company has confidentially filed for a potential IPO in early 2026 and raised $800 million in late 2025 at a reported $20 billion valuation, with backing from major trading firms including Citadel Securities and Jane Street.
Kraken has also expanded beyond crypto spot markets. It launched tokenized equity trading through its xStocks platform for non-U.S. users, offering access to shares of companies such as Apple and Tesla. The exchange further strengthened its derivatives and real-world asset capabilities through acquisitions of NinjaTrader and Backed Finance. Additionally, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission dropped its long-standing case against Kraken in March 2025, removing a major regulatory overhang.
Crypto Lending Rebound in 2026
The launch reflects renewed confidence in crypto-collateralized lending. Industry data shows the sector surpassed $53 billion in 2025, with institutional participants increasingly using Bitcoin and other digital assets as treasury collateral. Competitors such as Nexo have re-entered the U.S. market under compliant frameworks, while Coinbase now offers BTC-backed loans via on-chain protocols focused on transparency.
Against this backdrop, Flexline signals Kraken’s intent to compete aggressively in structured digital asset credit, combining fixed pricing, segregated collateral, and defined contractual terms. As crypto markets mature and institutional participation deepens, predictable and transparent borrowing tools are becoming central to capital management strategies across the sector.
#Kraken

Ripple hat sich an einer 5-Millionen-Dollar-Seed-Finanzierungsrunde für t54 Labs beteiligt, ein in San Francisco ansässiges Startup, das das nennt, was es eine „Vertrauensschicht“ für die aufkommende agentische Finanzwirtschaft.

Wichtige Erkenntnisse
Ripple hat sich an einer 5-Millionen-Dollar-Seed-Runde für t54 Labs beteiligt, die auf KI-gesteuerte Finanzen abzielt.
t54 entwickelt Identitäts- und Risikowerkzeuge für autonome KI-Transaktionen mit dem Titel „Know Your Agent“.
Die Infrastruktur läuft auf XRPL, Solana und Base und ermöglicht Maschinen-zu-Maschinen-Zahlungen.
Evernorth plant, es für autonomes Treasury-Management auf XRPL zu nutzen.

Die Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) hat vier Unternehmen vorgestellt, die ausgewählt wurden, um ihrer speziellen Stablecoin-Gruppe im Regulatory Sandbox des Vereinigten Königreichs beizutreten, was einen bedeutenden Schritt in Richtung Aufbau eines formalen Rahmens für digitale Zahlungen darstellt.

Wichtige Erkenntnisse
Die FCA hat vier Unternehmen ausgewählt, um Stablecoin-Modelle in ihrem Regulatory Sandbox zu testen.
Live-Tests werden die endgültigen Stablecoin-Regeln informieren, die voraussichtlich später im Jahr 2026 erwartet werden.
Die Tests werden die Bereiche Emission, Zahlungen, Abwicklung und Handelsanwendungen abdecken.
Eine vollständige Genehmigung für Emittenten wird unter dem dauerhaften Regime im Jahr 2027 obligatorisch.

Cryptocurrencies extended gains Tuesday, lifting total market capitalization to about $2.31 trillion as Bitcoin climbed toward the upper end of its recent range.

Key Takeaways:
Total crypto market cap rose 5.4% to $2.31 trillion.Bitcoin gained nearly 6%, trading around $67,000.Ethereum surged over 9%, reclaiming the $2,000 level.Fear & Greed Index remained at 11, signaling persistent “extreme fear.”
Bitcoin rose roughly 6% over 24 hours to trade near $67,018. Ethereum outperformed with a gain of more than 9%, reclaiming the $2,000 level, as broader risk appetite returned across digital assets.
Despite the rally, sentiment indicators remained cautious. The Fear & Greed Index held at 11 - deep in “extreme fear” territory - underscoring lingering investor skepticism following recent volatility. The Altcoin Season Index registered 35 out of 100, signaling that Bitcoin continues to dominate performance relative to smaller tokens.
Bitcoin Technicals Turn Constructive
On the hourly chart, Bitcoin staged a steady breakout from the $65,000–$66,000 consolidation band, accelerating toward $67,200 before trimming gains.

Momentum indicators reflect strengthening upside pressure. The Relative Strength Index (14) climbed to 60.8, with its signal line near 65.4, placing Bitcoin in moderately bullish territory without yet flashing overbought conditions.
The MACD (12,26,9) showed a strong bullish crossover, with the MACD line at 19.86 and expanding positive histogram readings. The move suggests upward momentum is building, supported by rising intraday volumes.
Technically, sustained trading above $66,800 keeps the near-term bias constructive, while a break beyond $67,400 could open the path toward the $68,000 zone. On the downside, $66,000 now serves as initial support.
Ethereum Reclaims $2,000
Ethereum rallied nearly 9.5% to about $2,005, outperforming Bitcoin on a 24-hour basis. The move marks a key psychological reclaim of the $2,000 threshold and signals renewed appetite for large-cap altcoins.
Other majors followed suit: XRP gained roughly 7.7%, BNB added over 6%, and Solana advanced sharply, reflecting broad participation in the rebound.
Sentiment Lags Price Action
Average crypto RSI readings near 56 suggest the market is entering more neutral-to-bullish territory after recent oversold conditions. Still, the persistently low Fear & Greed reading highlights a disconnect between price momentum and investor confidence.
The latest advance appears driven more by short-term positioning and technical breakouts than by a decisive shift in macro narrative.
Whether the rally evolves into a sustained uptrend may hinge on Bitcoin’s ability to hold above $67,000 and maintain momentum in the sessions ahead.
#crypto

TRON DAO erweitert seine Universitätspräsenz und fügt eine neue Welle von Eliteinstitutionen zu seinem TRON Academy-Programm hinzu, während es seinen Fokus auf Blockchain-Ausbildung und Entwicklertraining vertieft.

Wichtige Erkenntnisse
TRON Academy hat Dartmouth, Princeton, Oxford und Cambridge zu seinem Universitätsnetzwerk hinzugefügt.
Das Programm unterstützt studentische Blockchain-Clubs mit Mentorship, Ressourcen und Workshops.
Der Fokus liegt auf praktischen Web3-Fähigkeiten und der Entwicklung in der realen Welt.
Die Expansion spiegelt das wachsende Interesse an Blockchain und KI an den besten Universitäten wider.

Bitcoin may be trading roughly 50% below its October 2025 all-time high, but according to a February 24, 2026 report from River, adoption across institutions, corporations and nation-states continued to accelerate throughout 2025 and into early 2026.

Key Takeaways
Bitcoin adoption accelerated in 2025 despite a roughly 50% price drop, showing a divergence between price and fundamentals.Institutions accumulated 829,000 BTC, while public companies holding Bitcoin grew 2.5x to 194 firms.Around 60% of top U.S. banks are building Bitcoin products, and more than half of leading hedge funds now have exposure.Merchant adoption surged, Lightning volume jumped 300% to over $1.1B monthly, and at least 23 nation-states now hold Bitcoin.Volatility continues to decline, signaling Bitcoin’s transition toward a more mature asset class.
The firm argues that while price cycles remain volatile, the structural integration of Bitcoin into the global financial system is moving in the opposite direction.
Institutional Accumulation Remains Strong
In 2025 alone, institutions - including businesses, funds, ETFs and governments - accumulated approximately 829,000 BTC. Much of that supply came from long-term holders and early whales distributing into a deeper and more liquid market.
Individuals still control roughly two-thirds of Bitcoin’s total supply, but institutional ownership is steadily expanding. Registered investment advisors have now been net buyers for eight consecutive quarters, increasing exposure through ETFs even though allocations remain relatively small. The consistency of inflows suggests Bitcoin is being positioned as a long-term portfolio component rather than a speculative trade.

Corporate Treasuries and Banks Expand Exposure
Corporate adoption accelerated sharply last year. The number of publicly listed companies holding Bitcoin grew 2.5x in 2025, reaching 194 firms. Businesses were the largest buyer category, led by treasury-focused companies, but conventional corporations are increasingly adding modest allocations as well.
Traditional finance is also integrating Bitcoin more deeply. Around 60% of the top 25 U.S. banks are developing or offering Bitcoin-related services, while 52% of leading U.S. hedge funds now maintain some exposure. This shift reflects improving regulatory clarity and growing institutional comfort with the asset.
Merchant Growth and Lightning Acceleration
Commercial adoption expanded rapidly. The number of U.S. merchants accepting Bitcoin tripled in 2025, while global merchant adoption rose by 74%. Adoption is particularly strong among small and private businesses across sectors such as real estate, consulting and software, indicating that usage is spreading beyond crypto-native firms.

At the same time, the Lightning Network recorded one of the fastest growth rates across all metrics. Monthly transaction volume increased by about 300% in 2025, surpassing $1.1 billion per month by early 2026. Rising transaction counts suggest that Bitcoin’s payment layer is gaining meaningful traction alongside its store-of-value role.
Nation-States and Regulation
Sovereign participation also expanded. At least 23 nation-states now officially hold Bitcoin, with five new countries joining in 2025, including Luxembourg, Saudi Arabia and the Czech Republic. Governments have accumulated exposure through mining, direct purchases, ETF allocations and asset seizures.
Regulatory momentum has generally moved toward formalization rather than restriction. Since 2020, far more countries have increased access to Bitcoin - through ETF approvals, mining legalization or bank custody permissions - than have reduced it.

Volatility Declines as Capital Inflows Grow
River also highlights Bitcoin’s declining volatility. Average daily price swings in 2025 began approaching levels seen in gold and, at times, the S&P 500. Lower volatility reduces barriers for risk-averse investors and signals deeper liquidity and broader ownership.
Capital inflow data reinforces this maturation. The current cycle has attracted more aggregate capital than previous cycles, even if price appreciation has been less explosive. This suggests a shift from retail-driven speculation toward steadier institutional allocation.
Adoption Tells a Different Story
While Bitcoin’s price has underperformed over the past year, adoption metrics across institutions, corporations, banks, merchants and governments have reached record levels.
River’s conclusion is that there is no bear market in Bitcoin adoption. Instead, the data points to a gradual but sustained transition into a more mature phase, where long-term integration into financial infrastructure matters more than short-term price swings.
#bitcoin

Hong Kong is preparing to roll out its first official stablecoin issuer licenses in March 2026, marking a major step in the city’s push to become a regulated digital asset hub.

Key Takeaways
Hong Kong will issue its first stablecoin issuer licenses in March 2026.Only a limited number of applicants will be approved in the initial round.Stablecoins must be fully backed, redeemable at par, and issued by locally incorporated entities.The HKMA is leading oversight, separate from the SFC’s trading supervision.The move supports Hong Kong’s broader ambition to become a global Web3 hub.
The timeline was confirmed by Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po during the 2026-27 Budget speech and reiterated by Chief Executive John Lee at the Consensus Hong Kong 2026 summit.
The upcoming approvals will focus specifically on issuers of fiat-referenced stablecoins, signaling that authorities are prioritizing payment-linked tokens rather than algorithmic or unbacked models.
Licenses to be limited in first phase
According to officials, only a small number of applicants will be approved in this initial batch. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has received 36 applications and is currently finalizing its review process.
While the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) supervises virtual asset trading platforms, stablecoin issuance falls primarily under the HKMA’s authority. This division of responsibilities reflects Hong Kong’s effort to create a structured and specialized oversight framework.
Strict compliance standards
To qualify for approval under the Stablecoins Ordinance, which came into force in August 2025, applicants must meet several stringent requirements.
Stablecoins must be fully backed by at least 100 percent in reserve assets, limited to cash or high-quality liquid instruments. Issuers are required to maintain a minimum paid-up capital of HK$25 million, roughly $3.2 million, and guarantee that users can redeem tokens at par value, typically within one business day.
Companies must also be incorporated locally and maintain a physical management presence in Hong Kong, reinforcing the government’s preference for substance over offshore structures.
Sandbox participants in focus
Although the final recipients have not yet been disclosed, several firms previously participated in the HKMA’s regulatory sandbox. Among them were Standard Chartered Bank, working alongside Animoca Brands and HKT.
Other participants included JINGDONG Coinlink, a subsidiary of JD.com, and RD InnoTech Limited. Their sandbox involvement allowed regulators to test operational models before moving toward full licensing.
Web3 ambitions for 2026
The stablecoin framework forms part of a broader Web3 strategy aimed at strengthening Hong Kong’s position as a global digital asset center. Authorities have indicated that licensed tokens could be integrated into payments and settlement systems, targeting practical economic use cases rather than speculative trading alone.
Licensed stablecoins are also expected to receive preferential treatment from local exchanges, effectively creating a regulatory “whitelist” for domestic settlement activity.
Later in 2026, the government plans to introduce additional legislation covering digital asset dealers and custodians, closing remaining regulatory gaps and expanding oversight across the broader ecosystem.
With the first licenses just weeks away, March 2026 could mark a defining moment for Hong Kong’s regulated stablecoin market.
#Stablecoins

Institutionelle Investoren kehrten am Dienstag zu krypto-verknüpften Fonds zurück, mit breiten Mittelzuflüssen über alle großen in den USA gelisteten Spot-ETFs.

Wichtige Erkenntnisse:
Bitcoin-ETFs verzeichneten 257,7 Millionen Dollar an Nettomittelzuflüssen nach einem Abfluss von 203,8 Millionen Dollar in der vorherigen Sitzung.
Ethereum-ETFs sahen bescheidene 9,2 Millionen Dollar an Nettomittelzuflüssen.
Solana-Fonds fügten 3,8 Millionen Dollar hinzu und setzten das schrittweise Wachstum fort.
XRP-ETFs verzeichneten 3,04 Millionen Dollar an gezielten Mittelzuflüssen.
Bitcoin-ETFs ziehen frische Mittelzuflüsse an, da die institutionelle Nachfrage sich erholt.
In den USA gelistete Bitcoin-Exchange-Traded Funds verzeichneten am 24. Februar insgesamt 257,7 Millionen Dollar an Nettomittelzuflüssen, was die Abflüsse der vorherigen Sitzung umkehrte und auf ein erneutes institutionelles Interesse nach jüngster Volatilität hinweist.

Step Finance, eine der bekanntesten Portfolio-Management-Plattformen im Solana-Netzwerk, hat offiziell den Betrieb eingestellt, nachdem ein massiver Sicherheitsvorfall und erfolglose Versuche zur Sicherung von Notfallfinanzierungen stattgefunden haben.

Wichtige Erkenntnisse
Step Finance wurde nach einem Hack am 31. Januar geschlossen, bei dem über 261.000 SOL aus der Schatzkammer entwendet wurden.
Die Verluste wurden auf zwischen 27 Millionen Dollar und fast 40 Millionen Dollar geschätzt, und die Bemühungen um Wiederherstellungsfinanzierungen sind gescheitert.
Die Schließung umfasst SolanaFloor und Remora Markets.
Der STEP-Token ist um mehr als 96 % gefallen, wobei Rückkauf- und Rückzahlungspläne jetzt in Entwicklung sind.

Brian Armstrong, CEO von Coinbase Global Inc., kritisierte den aufstrebenden Stablecoin-Rahmen des Vereinigten Königreichs und warnte, dass die vorgeschlagenen Beschränkungen die Stellung des Landes als globales Finanzzentrum untergraben könnten.

Wichtige Erkenntnisse:
Brian Armstrong kritisierte die vorgeschlagenen Obergrenzen für Stablecoin-Bestände im Vereinigten Königreich.
Die Bank von England erwägt Limits zur Minderung finanzieller Stabilitätsrisiken.

Branchenvertreter sagen, dass die Regeln Innovation und Investitionen abschrecken könnten.
Eine Petition, die eine innovationsfreundliche Krypto-Strategie fordert, hat an Schwung gewonnen.

Kryptowährungen legten am Mittwoch zu und hoben die gesamte Marktkapitalisierung auf etwa 2,25 Billionen Dollar, während die breiteren Stimmungsindikatoren weiterhin tief vorsichtig blieben.

Wichtige Erkenntnisse:
Die gesamte Marktkapitalisierung der Kryptowährungen stieg auf 2,25 Billionen Dollar, ein Anstieg von etwa 2,6 % am Tag.
Bitcoin wurde nahe 65.000 Dollar gehandelt und gewann etwa 3 % in 24 Stunden.
Der Angst- und Gier-Index blieb bei 11, im Bereich der "extremen Angst".
Der Altcoin-Saison-Index bei 37 zeigt eine anhaltende Dominanz von Bitcoin an.

Trotz der Erholung blieb der Angst- und Gier-Index bei 11 verankert, fest im Bereich der "extremen Angst" - ein Signal, dass Investoren besorgt über anhaltende Abwärtsrisiken bleiben. Der Altcoin-Saison-Index zeigte 37 von 100, was darauf hinweist, dass Bitcoin weiterhin die meisten alternativen Token übertrifft, ein Muster, das typischerweise mit risikoscheuen Umgebungen verbunden ist.