USDAI to Hold CHIP Whitelist Token Sale on CoinList
USDAI is launching a whitelist token sale for CHIP, the governance token of the USDAI DAO, exclusively for users who participated in the Allo Game. Allocations are based on points earned during the campaign, which rewarded engagement with USDai and sUSDai through minting and staking.
- Sale Window: February 22–27, 2026
- Price: $0.03 per CHIP
- Fully Diluted Value: $300,000,000
- Vesting: 100% unlock expected in March 2026
- Allocated Supply: 700,000,000 CHIP (7%)
👉 coinlist.co/usdai
USDAI is launching a whitelist token sale for CHIP, the governance token of the USDAI DAO, exclusively for users who participated in the Allo Game. Allocations are based on points earned during the campaign, which rewarded engagement with USDai and sUSDai through minting and staking.
- Sale Window: February 22–27, 2026
- Price: $0.03 per CHIP
- Fully Diluted Value: $300,000,000
- Vesting: 100% unlock expected in March 2026
- Allocated Supply: 700,000,000 CHIP (7%)
ℹ️ About CHIP. CHIP is the governance layer token of USDAI, giving holders rights to vote on protocol parameters, risk, and ecosystem funding. The token launch follows the Allo Game, a participation campaign where points earned determined token allocations through ICO and airdrop mechanisms
👉 coinlist.co/usdai
Chainlink Selected to Participate in the Bank of England’s Synchronisation Lab
Chainlink has been selected for the Bank of England’s Synchronisation Lab, a non-live initiative testing atomic settlement between central bank money and onchain assets in the UK.
Chainlink will support synchronised settlement between central bank money and tokenised securities, bridging traditional finance with blockchain infrastructure.
👉 x.com/chainlink/status/2021215016658100231?s=20
Chainlink has been selected for the Bank of England’s Synchronisation Lab, a non-live initiative testing atomic settlement between central bank money and onchain assets in the UK.
Chainlink will support synchronised settlement between central bank money and tokenised securities, bridging traditional finance with blockchain infrastructure.
Announced in October 2025, the Lab includes 18 organisations, builds on Project Meridian, and will run for around six months from spring 2026, focusing on interoperability and real-world settlement use cases
👉 x.com/chainlink/status/2021215016658100231?s=20
SafeMoon CEO Gets 8 Years in Prison for Crypto Fraud Scheme
Braden John Karony, CEO of SafeMoon (SFM), has been sentenced to 100 months (8 years, 4 months) in prison for orchestrating a large-scale crypto fraud scheme.
ℹ️ Case Snapshot & Sentencing Breakdown
- Convicted of securities fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering
- Sentenced to 100 months in federal prison
- Ordered to forfeit $7.5M; victim restitution still pending
- Prosecutors requested 12 years; the maximum possible sentence was 45 years
- Fraud involved the misuse of allegedly “locked” liquidity pool funds
🔤 How the SafeMoon Fraud Worked
- SafeMoon peaked at ~$8B market cap during the 2021 bull cycle
- The token used a 10% transaction tax model:
1. 50% redistributed to holders
2. 50% allocated to liquidity pools
- Karony secretly diverted liquidity funds for personal use
- Funds were used to acquire luxury real estate, high-end vehicles, and crypto assets
- Authorities estimate >$9M in illicit crypto was controlled by Karony
👉 decrypt.co/357644/safemoon-ceo-8-years-prison-crypto-fraud-scheme
Braden John Karony, CEO of SafeMoon (SFM), has been sentenced to 100 months (8 years, 4 months) in prison for orchestrating a large-scale crypto fraud scheme.
ℹ️ Case Snapshot & Sentencing Breakdown
- Convicted of securities fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering
- Sentenced to 100 months in federal prison
- Ordered to forfeit $7.5M; victim restitution still pending
- Prosecutors requested 12 years; the maximum possible sentence was 45 years
- Fraud involved the misuse of allegedly “locked” liquidity pool funds
🔤 How the SafeMoon Fraud Worked
- SafeMoon peaked at ~$8B market cap during the 2021 bull cycle
- The token used a 10% transaction tax model:
1. 50% redistributed to holders
2. 50% allocated to liquidity pools
- Karony secretly diverted liquidity funds for personal use
- Funds were used to acquire luxury real estate, high-end vehicles, and crypto assets
- Authorities estimate >$9M in illicit crypto was controlled by Karony
ℹ️ Legal Fallout. Karony and co-founder Thomas Smith were charged in 2023 with criminal and SEC civil cases, with Smith pleading guilty and awaiting sentencing, while a third co-conspirator remains at large
👉 decrypt.co/357644/safemoon-ceo-8-years-prison-crypto-fraud-scheme
OpenAI Begins Testing Ads in ChatGPT for Free & Go Plans in U.S.
OpenAI has started testing ads in ChatGPT for logged-in adult users on the Free and Go tiers in the U.S., while Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Education plans remain ad-free.
Ads are clearly labeled, do not affect ChatGPT’s answers, and do not give advertisers access to conversations or personal data. Ad selection is based on chat context and past ad interactions, not private information
OpenAI says ads will help fund infrastructure and keep free access available, while maintaining strict privacy, safety, and answer independence. The rollout is currently limited and focused on user feedback before any expansion.
👉 openai.com/index/testing-ads-in-chatgpt
OpenAI has started testing ads in ChatGPT for logged-in adult users on the Free and Go tiers in the U.S., while Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Education plans remain ad-free.
Ads are clearly labeled, do not affect ChatGPT’s answers, and do not give advertisers access to conversations or personal data. Ad selection is based on chat context and past ad interactions, not private information
OpenAI says ads will help fund infrastructure and keep free access available, while maintaining strict privacy, safety, and answer independence. The rollout is currently limited and focused on user feedback before any expansion.
👉 openai.com/index/testing-ads-in-chatgpt
Robinhood has opened the public testnet for its Layer 2
🔤 What It Offers
- Ethereum L2 infrastructure built on Arbitrum
- Framework for tokenized real-world assets, including stocks
- Financial-focused blockchain designed for 24/7 onchain trading
ℹ️ What Users Can Do Now
- Connect wallets and interact with the testnet
- Experiment with test tokenized assets
- Build and deploy smart contracts/DeFi apps
👉 x.com/RobinhoodApp/status/2021399303722258575?s=20
🔤 What It Offers
- Ethereum L2 infrastructure built on Arbitrum
- Framework for tokenized real-world assets, including stocks
- Financial-focused blockchain designed for 24/7 onchain trading
ℹ️ What Users Can Do Now
- Connect wallets and interact with the testnet
- Experiment with test tokenized assets
- Build and deploy smart contracts/DeFi apps
👉 x.com/RobinhoodApp/status/2021399303722258575?s=20
Binance Futures has launched AZTEC Pre-Market trading
Current Pre-Market Price - $0.222. Maximum Leverage - 5x. Aztec Network is a private ZK-rollup on Ethereum, enabling decentralized applications to access privacy and scale.
👉 binance.com/en/support/announcement/aztecpremarket
Current Pre-Market Price - $0.222. Maximum Leverage - 5x. Aztec Network is a private ZK-rollup on Ethereum, enabling decentralized applications to access privacy and scale.
👉 binance.com/en/support/announcement/aztecpremarket
LayerZero unveils blockchain backed by Citadel & Ark Invest
How It Works: LayerZero enables cross-chain communication, allowing assets and data to move seamlessly between different blockchains. The new network focuses on secure messaging, interoperability, and institutional-grade integrations.
Institutional Backing:
- Citadel and ARK Invest participated as investors
- Partnership with Google Cloud for infrastructure support
- Collaboration with DTCC to explore tokenized asset settlement
Strategic Vision: The launch aims to accelerate tokenization of real-world assets, expand enterprise blockchain use cases, and strengthen cross-chain liquidity infrastructure.
👉 x.com/LayerZero_Core/status/2021336132047294898
How It Works: LayerZero enables cross-chain communication, allowing assets and data to move seamlessly between different blockchains. The new network focuses on secure messaging, interoperability, and institutional-grade integrations.
Institutional Backing:
- Citadel and ARK Invest participated as investors
- Partnership with Google Cloud for infrastructure support
- Collaboration with DTCC to explore tokenized asset settlement
Strategic Vision: The launch aims to accelerate tokenization of real-world assets, expand enterprise blockchain use cases, and strengthen cross-chain liquidity infrastructure.
👉 x.com/LayerZero_Core/status/2021336132047294898
Sam Bankman-Fried files a motion seeking a new trial
His motion comes amid ongoing legal efforts to challenge aspects of his conviction and sentence. The request argues that new witness evidence could undercut key prosecution claims, and it was filed pro se (he is representing himself).
👉 theblock.co/post/389276/jailed-ftx-founder-sam-bankman-fried-files-motion-seeking-new-trial
His motion comes amid ongoing legal efforts to challenge aspects of his conviction and sentence. The request argues that new witness evidence could undercut key prosecution claims, and it was filed pro se (he is representing himself).
👉 theblock.co/post/389276/jailed-ftx-founder-sam-bankman-fried-files-motion-seeking-new-trial
Canton Network has powered First-Ever Private Stablecoin Payroll for Institutions
Why It Matters: This is the first time a multinational company has run a payroll using private stablecoins, addressing long-standing barriers around data privacy and operational risk that have kept institutions from using crypto for core finance functions.
How It Worked:
- Private stablecoins were issued and moved on Canton’s blockchain
- Sensitive payroll data remained confidential through institutional-grade privacy controls
- The payment was settled instantly and securely, unlike slow traditional wire systems that take days and expose sensitive details
👉 canton.network/canton-network-press-releases/canton-network-powers-first-ever-private-payroll-for-institutions
Why It Matters: This is the first time a multinational company has run a payroll using private stablecoins, addressing long-standing barriers around data privacy and operational risk that have kept institutions from using crypto for core finance functions.
How It Worked:
- Private stablecoins were issued and moved on Canton’s blockchain
- Sensitive payroll data remained confidential through institutional-grade privacy controls
- The payment was settled instantly and securely, unlike slow traditional wire systems that take days and expose sensitive details
👉 canton.network/canton-network-press-releases/canton-network-powers-first-ever-private-payroll-for-institutions
NVIDIA and Samsung to build a new AI Megafactory
The factory integrates NVIDIA accelerated computing, digital twin simulation tools (Omniverse), and predictive AI workflows to improve productivity, streamline design-to-production cycles, and enable real-time optimisation across Samsung’s fabs.
👉 nvidianews.nvidia.com/news/samsung-ai-factory
The factory integrates NVIDIA accelerated computing, digital twin simulation tools (Omniverse), and predictive AI workflows to improve productivity, streamline design-to-production cycles, and enable real-time optimisation across Samsung’s fabs.
👉 nvidianews.nvidia.com/news/samsung-ai-factory
Binance and Franklin Templeton partner on Tokenized Collateral
Binance and Franklin Templeton are launching an institutional collateral program. The initiative allows tokenized money market fund (MMF) shares to be used as off-exchange collateral on Binance.
The funds are issued via Franklin Templeton’s Benji platform and held in regulated custody through Ceffu, with their value mirrored on Binance.
👉 x.com/binance/status/2021494670518337685?s=46
Binance and Franklin Templeton are launching an institutional collateral program. The initiative allows tokenized money market fund (MMF) shares to be used as off-exchange collateral on Binance.
The funds are issued via Franklin Templeton’s Benji platform and held in regulated custody through Ceffu, with their value mirrored on Binance.
👉 x.com/binance/status/2021494670518337685?s=46
The Most Surprising Crypto Stories in the Epstein Files
Epstein files expose uncomfortable overlaps between elite power circles and the early crypto ecosystem. While no evidence suggests protocol-level influence, the documents reveal how access, capital, and private discussions surrounded BTC long before mass adoption.
Epstein files expose uncomfortable overlaps between elite power circles and the early crypto ecosystem. While no evidence suggests protocol-level influence, the documents reveal how access, capital, and private discussions surrounded BTC long before mass adoption.
Top 10 RWA Assets by Market Capitalization
Tokenized gold remains the clear leader in RWA market cap, while Treasury-backed assets follow closely behind. Institutional-grade products are now defining the next phase of RWA growth.
Tokenized gold remains the clear leader in RWA market cap, while Treasury-backed assets follow closely behind. Institutional-grade products are now defining the next phase of RWA growth.
UK FCA Launches Legal Action Against Justin Sun-Linked HTX
The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has begun High Court proceedings against crypto exchange HTX (formerly Huobi) for allegedly breaching the country’s crypto marketing rules.
ℹ️ What Happened
- HTX accused of publishing unlawful financial promotions to UK consumers
- Promotions appeared across TikTok, X, Facebook, Instagram & YouTube
- FCA says the firm was previously warned but continued marketing
- Corporate structure described as opaque, with limited regulator engagement
🔤 Regulatory Background
- Since October 2023, crypto promotions in the UK require authorization or FCA approval
- Violations constitute a criminal offence
- HTX added to the FCA’s Warning List
- UK users would not have access to the Financial Ombudsman Service
- Funds may be non-recoverable if the firm collapses
⏩ Enforcement Escalation
- FCA requested social platforms to block HTX accounts in the UK
- Asked Apple & Google to remove HTX apps from UK stores
- Existing UK users may still see promotions despite new user restrictions
👉 theblock.co/post/389455/uk-fca-seeks-to-block-justin-sun-linked-htx
The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has begun High Court proceedings against crypto exchange HTX (formerly Huobi) for allegedly breaching the country’s crypto marketing rules.
ℹ️ What Happened
- HTX accused of publishing unlawful financial promotions to UK consumers
- Promotions appeared across TikTok, X, Facebook, Instagram & YouTube
- FCA says the firm was previously warned but continued marketing
- Corporate structure described as opaque, with limited regulator engagement
🔤 Regulatory Background
- Since October 2023, crypto promotions in the UK require authorization or FCA approval
- Violations constitute a criminal offence
- HTX added to the FCA’s Warning List
- UK users would not have access to the Financial Ombudsman Service
- Funds may be non-recoverable if the firm collapses
⏩ Enforcement Escalation
- FCA requested social platforms to block HTX accounts in the UK
- Asked Apple & Google to remove HTX apps from UK stores
- Existing UK users may still see promotions despite new user restrictions
This marks the first FCA enforcement action against a crypto firm for illegal marketing under the new regime, signaling a tougher stance on non-compliant exchanges.
The case has previously been linked in media reports to Justin Sun, though he is not named in formal FCA filings.
👉 theblock.co/post/389455/uk-fca-seeks-to-block-justin-sun-linked-htx
Hong Kong’s OSL Group Launches Regulated USDGO Stablecoin
OSL Group has launched USDGO, a federally regulated, enterprise-grade U.S. dollar stablecoin focused on institutional settlement and cross-border payments.
ℹ️ Key Details & Regulatory Structure
- Initial mint: $50,000,000
- Network: Solana (multi-chain expansion planned)
- Backing: 1:1 USD-backed, including U.S. Treasuries
- Issuer: Anchorage Digital Bank N.A. (first federally chartered U.S. crypto bank)
- OSL Role: Branding partner & licensed distributor
- Audits: Third-party verified
- Framework: Designed to align with GENIUS Act standards
👉 theblock.co/post/389207/osl-group-officially-launches-regulated-enterprise-stablecoin-usdgo
OSL Group has launched USDGO, a federally regulated, enterprise-grade U.S. dollar stablecoin focused on institutional settlement and cross-border payments.
ℹ️ Key Details & Regulatory Structure
- Initial mint: $50,000,000
- Network: Solana (multi-chain expansion planned)
- Backing: 1:1 USD-backed, including U.S. Treasuries
- Issuer: Anchorage Digital Bank N.A. (first federally chartered U.S. crypto bank)
- OSL Role: Branding partner & licensed distributor
- Audits: Third-party verified
- Framework: Designed to align with GENIUS Act standards
🏦 Institutional Focus. USDGO enables 24/7 liquidity, stablecoin-to-fiat settlement, and enterprise treasury management, targeting corporate and institutional users.
🌏 Strategic Positioning. Distributed in Hong Kong via licensed OSL Digital Securities, USDGO aims to support real-world use cases like cross-border trade and e-commerce, positioning itself as a compliant institutional settlement layer.
👉 theblock.co/post/389207/osl-group-officially-launches-regulated-enterprise-stablecoin-usdgo
Crypto lender BlockFills halts deposits and withdrawals
Amid renewed volatility across crypto markets, the suspension echoes past warning signs — as withdrawal freezes during the 2022 downturn preceded several major lender collapses.
Susquehanna Private Equity–backed BlockFills is an institutional-focused crypto firm providing liquidity, lending, and trading infra to hedge funds, reporting over $60B in trading volume last year.
👉 x.com/blockfills/status/2021685236900237507?s=20
Amid renewed volatility across crypto markets, the suspension echoes past warning signs — as withdrawal freezes during the 2022 downturn preceded several major lender collapses.
Susquehanna Private Equity–backed BlockFills is an institutional-focused crypto firm providing liquidity, lending, and trading infra to hedge funds, reporting over $60B in trading volume last year.
👉 x.com/blockfills/status/2021685236900237507?s=20
Price Discovery Board: Aztec (AZTEC)
AZTEC trading starts today at 7:00 UTC, backed by $217M in funding. This board compares potential FDV scenarios using benchmarks from other privacy projects like Zama, Zcash and Midnight.
AZTEC trading starts today at 7:00 UTC, backed by $217M in funding. This board compares potential FDV scenarios using benchmarks from other privacy projects like Zama, Zcash and Midnight.
Elon Musk says X Money external beta is coming soon
X Money, the payments system built into the X, is preparing to move from internal testing to a limited external beta within the next 1–2 months, ahead of a wider launch to all users. X Money aims to be a unified hub for P2P transfers and other services within the app.
👉 x.com/xai/status/2021667200885829667?s=20
X Money, the payments system built into the X, is preparing to move from internal testing to a limited external beta within the next 1–2 months, ahead of a wider launch to all users. X Money aims to be a unified hub for P2P transfers and other services within the app.
👉 x.com/xai/status/2021667200885829667?s=20
Binance will list Espresso (ESP) with Seed Tag Applied
ESP trading starts today at 13:00 UTC, backed by $67.7M in funding. This board compares potential FDV scenarios using benchmarks from other privacy projects like Pyth, Humanity and Filecoin.
👉 binance.com/en/support/announcement/espressolisting
ESP trading starts today at 13:00 UTC, backed by $67.7M in funding. This board compares potential FDV scenarios using benchmarks from other privacy projects like Pyth, Humanity and Filecoin.
👉 binance.com/en/support/announcement/espressolisting
Binance completes $1B SAFU transition into 15,000 BTC
Binance has completed the final purchase of 4,545 BTC, concluding the $1B conversion of its SAFU stablecoin reserves into Bitcoin. SAFU Fund now holds 15,000 BTC, valued at approximately $1B at a BTC price of $67,000.
👉 x.com/binance/status/2021840377104527724?s=20
Binance has completed the final purchase of 4,545 BTC, concluding the $1B conversion of its SAFU stablecoin reserves into Bitcoin. SAFU Fund now holds 15,000 BTC, valued at approximately $1B at a BTC price of $67,000.
👉 x.com/binance/status/2021840377104527724?s=20
XPIN Network (XPIN) unveils its roadmap for 2026
In 2026, XPIN aims to evolve from a decentralized connectivity provider into a full-stack Web3 infrastructure layer by integrating DePIN, PayFi, token utility, and decentralized identity.
The roadmap focuses on scaling global eSIM adoption, strengthening the XPIN token flywheel, launching hardware products, and positioning XPIN as a universal gateway for secure, on-chain connectivity and authentication.
👉 docs.xpin.network/roadmap
In 2026, XPIN aims to evolve from a decentralized connectivity provider into a full-stack Web3 infrastructure layer by integrating DePIN, PayFi, token utility, and decentralized identity.
The roadmap focuses on scaling global eSIM adoption, strengthening the XPIN token flywheel, launching hardware products, and positioning XPIN as a universal gateway for secure, on-chain connectivity and authentication.
👉 docs.xpin.network/roadmap