Scroll has acquired DeFi protocol Honeypop
The acquisition brings core DeFi infrastructure directly under Scroll management. Following the acquisition, Honeypop is being restructured into Scroll Swap, the network’s native AMM now live, and Scroll Lend, a Morpho-powered lending protocol coming soon.
👉 x.com/Scroll_ZKP/status/2023395742522450110?s=20
The acquisition brings core DeFi infrastructure directly under Scroll management. Following the acquisition, Honeypop is being restructured into Scroll Swap, the network’s native AMM now live, and Scroll Lend, a Morpho-powered lending protocol coming soon.
👉 x.com/Scroll_ZKP/status/2023395742522450110?s=20
Tether Enables First-Ever Gold-Denominated Dividend by Public Company
Tether now allows shareholder dividends to be paid in tokenized gold via Tether Gold. Elemental Royalty Corporation, a publicly traded gold royalty company, announced that shareholders may elect to receive dividends denominated in Tether Gold (XAU₮).
👉 x.com/tether/status/2023817175719371234?s=20
Tether now allows shareholder dividends to be paid in tokenized gold via Tether Gold. Elemental Royalty Corporation, a publicly traded gold royalty company, announced that shareholders may elect to receive dividends denominated in Tether Gold (XAU₮).
This marks the first integrations of tokenized commodities into public equity distributions, bridging traditional gold ownership with blockchain-based settlement infrastructure.
👉 x.com/tether/status/2023817175719371234?s=20
LI FI Unveils A Multi-Step Transaction Orchestrator
A crypto infrastructure startup, LI FI, is launching LI FI Composer, a transaction orchestration tool that lets users bundle swaps, bridging, deposits, and staking into a single onchain transaction.
The launch aligns with LI FI’s broader plan this year to expand its product suite for more than 800 partners and simplify self-custodial transactions in DeFi.
👉 x.com/lifiprotocol/status/2023771013721584088?s=20
A crypto infrastructure startup, LI FI, is launching LI FI Composer, a transaction orchestration tool that lets users bundle swaps, bridging, deposits, and staking into a single onchain transaction.
The launch aligns with LI FI’s broader plan this year to expand its product suite for more than 800 partners and simplify self-custodial transactions in DeFi.
Previously, the company raised $29M in a Series A extension last December, bringing total funding to $51.7 million, with Multicoin Capital joining as a lead investor.
👉 x.com/lifiprotocol/status/2023771013721584088?s=20
Distributed RWA Value has surpassed $25 BILLION
Tokenized real-world assets have surpassed $25B, marking one of the fastest-growing sectors in crypto. U.S. Treasuries dominate the landscape, highlighting how institutions are using blockchain to modernize traditional finance.
Tokenized real-world assets have surpassed $25B, marking one of the fastest-growing sectors in crypto. U.S. Treasuries dominate the landscape, highlighting how institutions are using blockchain to modernize traditional finance.
Binance holds 65% of all stablecoins across CEXs
Binance controls the majority of liquid capital available on CEXs, far surpassing Coinbase, OKX, and Bybit combined. Such concentration gives Binance outsized influence over trading volumes, leverage demand, and overall market direction.
Binance controls the majority of liquid capital available on CEXs, far surpassing Coinbase, OKX, and Bybit combined. Such concentration gives Binance outsized influence over trading volumes, leverage demand, and overall market direction.
Oriole Weekly Statement. Recent Listings, Polls & Bullish Projects
Oriole Insight continues tracking real-time crypto sentiment with new ROI listings and active Up/Down markets.
Recent highlights include Backpack, Cap, Superform, and Nexira — with CAP showing the strongest upside projection (+62%).
On sentiment markets, Aster leans bullish (72% Up), while WLFI and Aztec skew bearish. LayerZero remains split, slightly favoring upside.
Oriole Insight highlights real-time community sentiment across tokens and macro trends — helping traders better gauge market positioning 👉 app.orioleinsights.io
Oriole Insight continues tracking real-time crypto sentiment with new ROI listings and active Up/Down markets.
Recent highlights include Backpack, Cap, Superform, and Nexira — with CAP showing the strongest upside projection (+62%).
On sentiment markets, Aster leans bullish (72% Up), while WLFI and Aztec skew bearish. LayerZero remains split, slightly favoring upside.
📶 Trending Polls Show
– 2.20% leading for March 2026 US CPI (65.7%)
– 83% expect a large-scale crypto liquidation in 2026
– 78% don’t see ASTER hitting $1 in 30 days
– BTC consensus cluster: $75K–$80K by end of February
Oriole Insight highlights real-time community sentiment across tokens and macro trends — helping traders better gauge market positioning 👉 app.orioleinsights.io
Novig Raises $75M to Challenge Kalshi & Polymarket in Sports Prediction Markets
Sports-focused prediction platform Novig secured $75M in Series B funding led by Pantera Capital, aiming to offer a consumer-friendly alternative to Kalshi and Polymarket with sports-only contracts.
🔎 What Makes Novig Unique?
– Unlike traditional sportsbooks or event platforms, Novig operates a peer-to-peer, commission-free model for retail traders, meaning users don’t bet against the house. Instead, fees are charged to institutional participants.
– Currently seeking approval from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Novig aims to scale nationally under a regulated framework.
– With sports now driving the majority of volume on Kalshi, competition in regulated prediction markets is intensifying — and Novig is betting that a sports-first brand can win market share.
👉 fortune.com/2026/02/18/sports-prediction-markets-novig-kalshi-polymarket-cftc-pantera-multicoin
Sports-focused prediction platform Novig secured $75M in Series B funding led by Pantera Capital, aiming to offer a consumer-friendly alternative to Kalshi and Polymarket with sports-only contracts.
🔎 What Makes Novig Unique?
– Unlike traditional sportsbooks or event platforms, Novig operates a peer-to-peer, commission-free model for retail traders, meaning users don’t bet against the house. Instead, fees are charged to institutional participants.
– Currently seeking approval from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Novig aims to scale nationally under a regulated framework.
– With sports now driving the majority of volume on Kalshi, competition in regulated prediction markets is intensifying — and Novig is betting that a sports-first brand can win market share.
👉 fortune.com/2026/02/18/sports-prediction-markets-novig-kalshi-polymarket-cftc-pantera-multicoin
Brevan Howard Crypto Fund Posts 30% Loss in 2025, Worst Year Since Launch
Brevan Howard’s flagship digital asset fund fell 29.5% in 2025, its steepest decline since launch, after gains of 52% in 2024 and 43% in 2023, as crypto markets corrected. The fund manages $2.4B and invests in digital currencies and blockchain ventures.
👉 theblock.co/post/390314/brevan-howard-crypto-fund-posts-30-loss-in-2025
Brevan Howard’s flagship digital asset fund fell 29.5% in 2025, its steepest decline since launch, after gains of 52% in 2024 and 43% in 2023, as crypto markets corrected. The fund manages $2.4B and invests in digital currencies and blockchain ventures.
Despite losses, Brevan Howard Digital continued deploying capital, backing Superstate ($82.5M), TRM Labs ($70M), Canaan ($72M), and Legion ($5M). Some deals included downside protections, such as Berachain’s $69M Series B ($25M stake with a one-year refund right).
👉 theblock.co/post/390314/brevan-howard-crypto-fund-posts-30-loss-in-2025
Kraken Expands Product Suite with Magna Acquisition Ahead of IPO
Kraken has acquired Magna, a token management platform, marking its sixth deal this year following the $1.5B purchase of NinjaTrader. Terms were not disclosed.
The acquisition aligns with Kraken’s IPO preparations: the exchange filed confidentially in November 2025 and released partial financials in February, with no timeline announced yet.
👉 fortune.com/2026/02/18/kraken-acquires-magna-token-management-platform
Kraken has acquired Magna, a token management platform, marking its sixth deal this year following the $1.5B purchase of NinjaTrader. Terms were not disclosed.
ℹ️ Magna helps crypto firms track token ownership and manage liquidity, enabling Kraken to support projects earlier in their lifecycle.
Magna, a Y Combinator 2022 graduate valued at $70M, complements prior Kraken acquisitions like Backed (tokenized stocks) and Small Exchange (derivatives infrastructure) as the firm expands beyond crypto trading.
The acquisition aligns with Kraken’s IPO preparations: the exchange filed confidentially in November 2025 and released partial financials in February, with no timeline announced yet.
👉 fortune.com/2026/02/18/kraken-acquires-magna-token-management-platform
XRP Ledger Launches Members-Only DEX for Regulated Institutions
The XRP Ledger (XRPL) activated XLS-81 “Permissioned DEX”, letting banks and brokers run gated onchain trading with KYC/AML compliance, while trades remain native to the ledger.
The upgrade complements XLS-85 Token Escrow, enabling conditional settlements for stablecoins and tokenized assets, creating a toolkit for regulated token markets.
👉 theblock.co/post/390340/xrp-ledger-activates-members-only-dex
The XRP Ledger (XRPL) activated XLS-81 “Permissioned DEX”, letting banks and brokers run gated onchain trading with KYC/AML compliance, while trades remain native to the ledger.
The upgrade complements XLS-85 Token Escrow, enabling conditional settlements for stablecoins and tokenized assets, creating a toolkit for regulated token markets.
👉 theblock.co/post/390340/xrp-ledger-activates-members-only-dex
China Tightens Crypto Oversight and Launches Official RWA Framework
On Feb 6, eight Chinese authorities, including PBoC, CSRC, SAFE, and NDRC, issued the Notice on Further Preventing and Handling Risks Related to Virtual Currencies, defining tokenized securities backed by onshore assets.
The framework applies “same business, same risk, same regulation,” aligning RWA with existing cross-border financial supervision rather than a separate crypto system. Oversight is divided: external-debt RWA → NDRC, equity/securitized RWA → CSRC, offshore fund repatriation → SAFE, other RWA → CSRC + relevant authorities. Stablecoins face potential FX classification; judicial interpretation is pending.
Offshore issuance now requires filings, documentation, and token-design disclosure. Compliance is limited to financial institutions with KYC, AML, and suitability checks. Legal experts warn that onshore fundraising, promotion, or OTC activity carries elevated legal risk.
👉 globaltimes.cn/page/202602/1354950.shtml
On Feb 6, eight Chinese authorities, including PBoC, CSRC, SAFE, and NDRC, issued the Notice on Further Preventing and Handling Risks Related to Virtual Currencies, defining tokenized securities backed by onshore assets.
Real-World Assets (RWA) are formally recognized as tokenized ownership, income rights, or claims via distributed-ledger tech. Domestic issuance is illegal without approval; offshore issuance is allowed through regulated channels.
The framework applies “same business, same risk, same regulation,” aligning RWA with existing cross-border financial supervision rather than a separate crypto system. Oversight is divided: external-debt RWA → NDRC, equity/securitized RWA → CSRC, offshore fund repatriation → SAFE, other RWA → CSRC + relevant authorities. Stablecoins face potential FX classification; judicial interpretation is pending.
Offshore issuance now requires filings, documentation, and token-design disclosure. Compliance is limited to financial institutions with KYC, AML, and suitability checks. Legal experts warn that onshore fundraising, promotion, or OTC activity carries elevated legal risk.
👉 globaltimes.cn/page/202602/1354950.shtml
Base Chain Ditches OP Stack for Unified Base-Operated Stack
Base, Coinbase’s Layer-2 chain, is moving from Optimism’s OP Stack to a unified Base-operated stack to speed innovation, improve scaling, and strengthen security.
Long-term, Base will become more decentralized, scalable, and lower-cost, with breaking changes limited to scheduled, well-communicated hard forks.
👉 blog.base.dev/next-chapter-for-base-chain-1
Base, Coinbase’s Layer-2 chain, is moving from Optimism’s OP Stack to a unified Base-operated stack to speed innovation, improve scaling, and strengthen security.
⏭️ Impact for Users & Node Operators
– No immediate action is needed. Base remains compatible with the OP Stack today
– Node operators must migrate to the new Base client ahead of future hard forks
– RPCs, including those in the Optimism namespace, will continue to work to avoid breaking integrations
Long-term, Base will become more decentralized, scalable, and lower-cost, with breaking changes limited to scheduled, well-communicated hard forks.
👉 blog.base.dev/next-chapter-for-base-chain-1
OpenAI Launches EVMbench to Test AI Security on Smart Contracts
OpenAI and Paradigm have launched EVMbench, a framework for testing how AI can detect, patch, and exploit vulnerabilities in Ethereum smart contracts. The goal is to see whether AI can help secure contracts that handle billions in DeFi.
🔤 EVMbench Features Highlights
– Three Modes. Detect, patch, and safely exploit contracts
– Scope. 120 real-world vulnerabilities, including Tempo blockchain payment scenarios
– Results. GPT‑5.3‑Codex scores 72.2% in exploit mode vs GPT‑5’s 31.9%. Detection and patching remain harder
– Open-Source. Tools and benchmarks are public for research and defensive use
– Impact. Secures $100B+ in crypto assets and guides AI-assisted smart contract audits
👉 coindesk.com/tech/2026/02/18/sam-altman-s-openai-unveils-evmbench
OpenAI and Paradigm have launched EVMbench, a framework for testing how AI can detect, patch, and exploit vulnerabilities in Ethereum smart contracts. The goal is to see whether AI can help secure contracts that handle billions in DeFi.
🔤 EVMbench Features Highlights
– Three Modes. Detect, patch, and safely exploit contracts
– Scope. 120 real-world vulnerabilities, including Tempo blockchain payment scenarios
– Results. GPT‑5.3‑Codex scores 72.2% in exploit mode vs GPT‑5’s 31.9%. Detection and patching remain harder
– Open-Source. Tools and benchmarks are public for research and defensive use
– Impact. Secures $100B+ in crypto assets and guides AI-assisted smart contract audits
EVMbench provides a benchmark and tools for developers to improve smart contract security and reduce DeFi risks
👉 coindesk.com/tech/2026/02/18/sam-altman-s-openai-unveils-evmbench
Canton Network One-Pager. Top Layer 1 launch of 2025
What made Canton stand out in 2025 is that it “won” where most L1s don’t: workflow fit for Wall Street — privacy, governance, and interoperability by design. Its “network of networks” approach lets institutions run their own domains while still achieving atomic cross-domain settlement when needed.
What made Canton stand out in 2025 is that it “won” where most L1s don’t: workflow fit for Wall Street — privacy, governance, and interoperability by design. Its “network of networks” approach lets institutions run their own domains while still achieving atomic cross-domain settlement when needed.
Uniswap Votes to Activate Protocol Fees On All V3 Pools
Uniswap governance is considering expanding protocol fee collection to all remaining v3 pools and extending it to eight additional chains.
If approved, the change would integrate deployments into the fee-and-burn framework, directing revenue toward UNI buybacks and burns on Ethereum mainnet.
👉 x.com/Uniswap/status/2024225330207109184?s=20
Uniswap governance is considering expanding protocol fee collection to all remaining v3 pools and extending it to eight additional chains.
If approved, the change would integrate deployments into the fee-and-burn framework, directing revenue toward UNI buybacks and burns on Ethereum mainnet.
Governance contributors consider the framework ready for expansion following the stable December rollout on select pools and the launch of the burn mechanism.
👉 x.com/Uniswap/status/2024225330207109184?s=20