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
Binance Empire: Mapping the Powerhouse
Binance continues to solidify its dominance across crypto verticals by expanding beyond exchange liquidity into wallets, payments, data platforms, and social engagement, reinforcing its position as a full-stack ecosystem.
Binance continues to solidify its dominance across crypto verticals by expanding beyond exchange liquidity into wallets, payments, data platforms, and social engagement, reinforcing its position as a full-stack ecosystem.
LayerZero plans to expand to Cardano blockchain soon
Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson confirmed a deal to onboard LayerZero’s interoperability protocol onto the Cardano blockchain, aiming to enable trustless messaging and connectivity between Cardano and other major chains.
👉 coindesk.com/business/2026/02/12/charles-hoskinson-confirms-deal-to-onboard-layerzero-on-cardano
Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson confirmed a deal to onboard LayerZero’s interoperability protocol onto the Cardano blockchain, aiming to enable trustless messaging and connectivity between Cardano and other major chains.
👉 coindesk.com/business/2026/02/12/charles-hoskinson-confirms-deal-to-onboard-layerzero-on-cardano
OKX Ventures Announces A Strategic Investment in STBL
OKX Ventures has made a strategic investment in STBL, a stablecoin infrastructure provider. The funding supports STBL’s mission to build Money-as-a-Service infrastructure for branded, RWA-backed stablecoins.
In addition, STBL has partnered with Hamilton Lane and Securitize to launch the first Ecosystem-Specific Stablecoin (ESS) on X Layer.
👉 x.com/OKX_Ventures/status/2021800542050390109?s=20
OKX Ventures has made a strategic investment in STBL, a stablecoin infrastructure provider. The funding supports STBL’s mission to build Money-as-a-Service infrastructure for branded, RWA-backed stablecoins.
In addition, STBL has partnered with Hamilton Lane and Securitize to launch the first Ecosystem-Specific Stablecoin (ESS) on X Layer.
👉 x.com/OKX_Ventures/status/2021800542050390109?s=20
Aztec (AZTEC) Goes Live on Spot Markets as Ignition Mainnet Activates
AZTEC spot trading is now live across Coinbase, Bybit, Uniswap, Hyperliquid, Kraken, Lighter, KuCoin, and Gate, currently trading at $0.02078 ($215M Valuation)
ℹ️ Aztec Ignition is live on Ethereum as a fully decentralized L2, actively producing blocks with privacy embedded at the protocol layer. Aztec is based on the PLONK proof system, which now powers zkSync, Polygon, and Mina, while Aztec infrastructure is used by Solana, Stellar, World, and others.
👉 x.com/aztecnetwork/status/2021848825141645573?s=20
AZTEC spot trading is now live across Coinbase, Bybit, Uniswap, Hyperliquid, Kraken, Lighter, KuCoin, and Gate, currently trading at $0.02078 ($215M Valuation)
ℹ️ Aztec Ignition is live on Ethereum as a fully decentralized L2, actively producing blocks with privacy embedded at the protocol layer. Aztec is based on the PLONK proof system, which now powers zkSync, Polygon, and Mina, while Aztec infrastructure is used by Solana, Stellar, World, and others.
Aztec has raised $217M across private and public funding rounds, backed by top-tier investors including a16z, Paradigm, Coinbase Ventures, Variant, Consensus, and Vitalik Buterin
👉 x.com/aztecnetwork/status/2021848825141645573?s=20
Lighter in Talks With Circle Over Potential USDC Revenue Sharing
Lighter is reportedly exploring a revenue-sharing arrangement with Circle, the issuer of stablecoin USDC. The potential deal would involve sharing interest income generated from USDC deposits on Lighter’s platform, though details remain unconfirmed and no official on-chain data has been released.
If realized, this model could give Lighter a deposit-based revenue stream beyond trading fees, boosting profits with TVL. Market optimism is visible, but the news remains speculative without official confirmation.
👉 minsimnews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=10616
Lighter is reportedly exploring a revenue-sharing arrangement with Circle, the issuer of stablecoin USDC. The potential deal would involve sharing interest income generated from USDC deposits on Lighter’s platform, though details remain unconfirmed and no official on-chain data has been released.
If realized, this model could give Lighter a deposit-based revenue stream beyond trading fees, boosting profits with TVL. Market optimism is visible, but the news remains speculative without official confirmation.
👉 minsimnews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=10616
Lightning Labs Launches AI Tools for Native Bitcoin Lightning Payments
Lightning Labs has unveiled an open-source toolkit enabling AI agents to transact natively on the Bitcoin Lightning Network, bridging a key gap in the emerging AI economy.
🔤 Main Highlights and Core Features
- Seamless AI Agent Integration with Bitcoin Lightning Network. Agents can operate directly on Lightning without needing accounts, API keys, or signup flows
- Automated L402 Payment Authentication via lnget Client. Automatically parses invoices, pays through Lightning, and provides cryptographic proof for frictionless access
- Pay-Per-Use API Infrastructure with Aperture. Developers can convert traditional APIs into monetized, agent-accessible services, enabling a full agent-driven commerce ecosystem
- Security-Centric Architecture for Safe Autonomous Payments. Features remote key isolation, scoped macaroons with role-based permissions, and support for multiple Lightning backends
- Alignment with Broader AI Payment Ecosystem. Complements Coinbase’s Agentic Wallets and Stripe’s x402 protocol for machine-payable web services, accelerating autonomous financial interactions
👉 theblock.co/post/389584/lightning-labs-releases-ai-agent-tools-for-native-bitcoin-lightning-payments
Lightning Labs has unveiled an open-source toolkit enabling AI agents to transact natively on the Bitcoin Lightning Network, bridging a key gap in the emerging AI economy.
🔤 Main Highlights and Core Features
- Seamless AI Agent Integration with Bitcoin Lightning Network. Agents can operate directly on Lightning without needing accounts, API keys, or signup flows
- Automated L402 Payment Authentication via lnget Client. Automatically parses invoices, pays through Lightning, and provides cryptographic proof for frictionless access
- Pay-Per-Use API Infrastructure with Aperture. Developers can convert traditional APIs into monetized, agent-accessible services, enabling a full agent-driven commerce ecosystem
- Security-Centric Architecture for Safe Autonomous Payments. Features remote key isolation, scoped macaroons with role-based permissions, and support for multiple Lightning backends
- Alignment with Broader AI Payment Ecosystem. Complements Coinbase’s Agentic Wallets and Stripe’s x402 protocol for machine-payable web services, accelerating autonomous financial interactions
The release positions Lightning Labs as a key player in enabling low-value, programmatic payments for autonomous systems, unlocking new possibilities for AI-driven commerce
👉 theblock.co/post/389584/lightning-labs-releases-ai-agent-tools-for-native-bitcoin-lightning-payments
Prism has kicked off MEGA Incentive Program
By depositing stablecoins during the campaign, participants can earn MEGA tokens through the points program.
How to participate:
• Visit the website and connect your wallet
• Deposit into available pools (WETH/USDM or USDT0/USDM)
• Take advantage of Lombard Finance 3x multipliers
• Use our referral link and invite friends
• Both referrer and referred users receive a 10% points boost
👉 x.com/PrismFi_/status/2021947926642102432?s=20
By depositing stablecoins during the campaign, participants can earn MEGA tokens through the points program.
How to participate:
• Visit the website and connect your wallet
• Deposit into available pools (WETH/USDM or USDT0/USDM)
• Take advantage of Lombard Finance 3x multipliers
• Use our referral link and invite friends
• Both referrer and referred users receive a 10% points boost
👉 x.com/PrismFi_/status/2021947926642102432?s=20