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
Robinhood Layer 2 testnet records 4M transactions in first week
Robinhood’s Layer 2 testnet generated over 4 million transactions in its first week following six months of private testing, according to CEO Vlad Tenev.
👉 x.com/TheBlock__/status/2024397404385034282?s=20
Robinhood’s Layer 2 testnet generated over 4 million transactions in its first week following six months of private testing, according to CEO Vlad Tenev.
The early activity underscores growing developer engagement and reinforces the company’s long-term push into crypto and tokenization despite a recent 38% year-over-year decline in crypto trading revenue.
👉 x.com/TheBlock__/status/2024397404385034282?s=20
Aptos unveils performance-based tokenomics update
Aptos Foundation is proposing structural tokenomics reforms aimed at shifting from bootstrap-era emissions to a performance-based supply model. The changes introduce staking cuts, higher burn mechanisms, a hard cap, and potential buybacks.
🔄 Key Tokenomics Changes
- Staking rewards cut from 5.19% to 2.6%
- Gas fees to rise 10×, fully burned
- 2.1B APT hard cap (1.196B circulating)
- 210M APT permanently locked
📉 Deflation Path
- Decibel DEX projected to burn 32M+ APT annually at scale
- Investor unlock cycle concludes in Oct 2026, cutting unlock pressure ~60%
🏛 Ecosystem Impact
- Supply pressure expected to decline starting in 2027
- Validators face lower emissions but reduced hardware costs under AIP-139
The combined measures are designed to reduce inflation pressure and potentially shift APT toward a deflationary model over time.
👉 x.com/aptos/status/2024216329826230392
Aptos Foundation is proposing structural tokenomics reforms aimed at shifting from bootstrap-era emissions to a performance-based supply model. The changes introduce staking cuts, higher burn mechanisms, a hard cap, and potential buybacks.
🔄 Key Tokenomics Changes
- Staking rewards cut from 5.19% to 2.6%
- Gas fees to rise 10×, fully burned
- 2.1B APT hard cap (1.196B circulating)
- 210M APT permanently locked
📉 Deflation Path
- Decibel DEX projected to burn 32M+ APT annually at scale
- Investor unlock cycle concludes in Oct 2026, cutting unlock pressure ~60%
🏛 Ecosystem Impact
- Supply pressure expected to decline starting in 2027
- Validators face lower emissions but reduced hardware costs under AIP-139
The combined measures are designed to reduce inflation pressure and potentially shift APT toward a deflationary model over time.
👉 x.com/aptos/status/2024216329826230392
Ethereum Foundation Sets 2026 Protocol Priorities
Ethereum Foundation has reorganized protocol development for 2026 into three dedicated tracks focused on scaling, usability, and base-layer resilience.
The update follows major 2025 upgrades and sets the structural direction for upcoming network changes.
⏩ 2026 Core Tracks
- Scale. Unified L1 execution and blob scaling
- UX Update. Native account abstraction and interoperability
- Harden Layer 1. Security, censorship resistance, network resilience
⏩ Upgrades Schedule
- Glamsterdam targeted for H1 2026
- Hegotá planned later in 2026
- Parallel execution and enshrined PBS under development
👉 x.com/ethereumfndn/status/2024184154733367403?s=20
Ethereum Foundation has reorganized protocol development for 2026 into three dedicated tracks focused on scaling, usability, and base-layer resilience.
The update follows major 2025 upgrades and sets the structural direction for upcoming network changes.
⏩ 2026 Core Tracks
- Scale. Unified L1 execution and blob scaling
- UX Update. Native account abstraction and interoperability
- Harden Layer 1. Security, censorship resistance, network resilience
⏩ Upgrades Schedule
- Glamsterdam targeted for H1 2026
- Hegotá planned later in 2026
- Parallel execution and enshrined PBS under development
👉 x.com/ethereumfndn/status/2024184154733367403?s=20
Substack Adds Polymarket Tabs, Making Real-Time Prediction Data Easier to Analyze
Substack is expanding its Polymarket partnership, adding native tools to embed, search, and analyze live prediction market data directly on the platform.
What’s Included in the Update?
1️⃣ Polymarket Embeds in Notes
Live, auto-refreshing market data can now be added to Notes, not just posts — letting creators reference real-time odds while reacting to news.
2️⃣ Native Search Inside the Editor
Search Polymarket directly within the editor or Notes and insert embeds in one click — no extra tabs needed.
3️⃣ Dynamic Visualizations
Embeds auto-adjust by market type:
– Yes/No markets show probability percentages
– Multi-outcome markets display ranked results
Polymarket has also joined Substack’s sponsorships pilot, supporting a group of creators who integrate prediction data into their content.
👉 x.com/Substack/status/2024167096452862284?s=20
Substack is expanding its Polymarket partnership, adding native tools to embed, search, and analyze live prediction market data directly on the platform.
What’s Included in the Update?
1️⃣ Polymarket Embeds in Notes
Live, auto-refreshing market data can now be added to Notes, not just posts — letting creators reference real-time odds while reacting to news.
2️⃣ Native Search Inside the Editor
Search Polymarket directly within the editor or Notes and insert embeds in one click — no extra tabs needed.
3️⃣ Dynamic Visualizations
Embeds auto-adjust by market type:
– Yes/No markets show probability percentages
– Multi-outcome markets display ranked results
Polymarket has also joined Substack’s sponsorships pilot, supporting a group of creators who integrate prediction data into their content.
⏭️ Crypto-native infrastructure is moving into mainstream publishing. Substack isn’t just adding embeds — it’s normalizing prediction markets in everyday analysis
👉 x.com/Substack/status/2024167096452862284?s=20
ProShares Launches First GENIUS Act-Compliant Money Market ETF for Stablecoins
ProShares has launched the GENIUS Money Market ETF (NYSE Arca: IQMM), the first fund built to hold assets qualifying as reserves for U.S. dollar-backed stablecoins under the GENIUS Act.
1️⃣ Regulatory Alignment. Complies with the GENIUS Act, which requires stablecoins to be fully backed by safe, liquid assets such as short-term U.S. Treasuries
2️⃣ Asset Strategy. Invests only in cash and government securities with maturities ≤93 days, ensuring liquidity for daily redemptions
👉 theblock.co/post/390501/proshares-launches-first-stablecoin-ready-money-market
ProShares has launched the GENIUS Money Market ETF (NYSE Arca: IQMM), the first fund built to hold assets qualifying as reserves for U.S. dollar-backed stablecoins under the GENIUS Act.
1️⃣ Regulatory Alignment. Complies with the GENIUS Act, which requires stablecoins to be fully backed by safe, liquid assets such as short-term U.S. Treasuries
2️⃣ Asset Strategy. Invests only in cash and government securities with maturities ≤93 days, ensuring liquidity for daily redemptions
IQMM bridges regulated money markets and the expanding stablecoin ecosystem, offering issuers a compliant, highly liquid reserve option
👉 theblock.co/post/390501/proshares-launches-first-stablecoin-ready-money-market
Hyperbeat Launches USD+. A Yield Vault for USDC with Instant Credit Access
Hyperbeat has launched USD+, a DeFi vault that lets users earn optimized real yield on USDC while instantly using deposits as collateral for credit via Liquid Banking.
Deposits generate real-time yield across top Hyperliquid venues, including Hyperliquid, Morpho, Hyperlend, and Felix Protocol.
👉 x.com/hyperbeat/status/2023759219653034219?s=20
Hyperbeat has launched USD+, a DeFi vault that lets users earn optimized real yield on USDC while instantly using deposits as collateral for credit via Liquid Banking.
Deposits generate real-time yield across top Hyperliquid venues, including Hyperliquid, Morpho, Hyperlend, and Felix Protocol.
👉 x.com/hyperbeat/status/2023759219653034219?s=20
OpenAI Eyes Record-Breaking $100B Funding Round. Valuation Could Hit $850B
OpenAI is close to closing the first phase of a massive funding round that could bring in over $100 billion. The deal would provide capital to expand ChatGPT and AI infrastructure.
1️⃣ Valuation. Total valuation could surpass $850 billion. Pre-money valuation remains $730 billion
2️⃣ Strategic Investors. First phase includes Amazon ($50B), SoftBank ($30B), Nvidia ($20B), and Microsoft. Commitments are expected by month-end
3️⃣ Market Reaction. SoftBank shares jumped 4% in Tokyo
4️⃣ Future Phases. Later rounds may involve venture capital, sovereign wealth funds, and other investors
5️⃣ Strategic Partnerships. OpenAI will likely expand use of Amazon’s cloud and chips
👉 bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-19/openai-funding-on-track-to-top-100b
OpenAI is close to closing the first phase of a massive funding round that could bring in over $100 billion. The deal would provide capital to expand ChatGPT and AI infrastructure.
1️⃣ Valuation. Total valuation could surpass $850 billion. Pre-money valuation remains $730 billion
2️⃣ Strategic Investors. First phase includes Amazon ($50B), SoftBank ($30B), Nvidia ($20B), and Microsoft. Commitments are expected by month-end
3️⃣ Market Reaction. SoftBank shares jumped 4% in Tokyo
4️⃣ Future Phases. Later rounds may involve venture capital, sovereign wealth funds, and other investors
5️⃣ Strategic Partnerships. OpenAI will likely expand use of Amazon’s cloud and chips
The deal is still under negotiation
👉 bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-19/openai-funding-on-track-to-top-100b
Susquehanna-Backed Blockfills Hits $75M Loss, Puts Platform Up for Sale
Blockfills, the Chicago crypto lender backed by Susquehanna, lost about $75M in the market downturn and is now seeking a buyer. The firm temporarily paused deposits and withdrawals, but spot and derivatives trading continues.
1️⃣ Trading Volume. Blockfills handled over $60B in 2025, a 28% increase from 2024, serving roughly 2,000 institutional clients, including hedge funds, asset managers, and mining firms
2️⃣ Market Context. The suspension echoes 2022’s crypto winter, highlighting persistent market volatility. Bitcoin (BTC) remains under $70K and Ether (ETH) below $2K
3️⃣ Funding History. Blockfills raised $37M in Series A in Jan 2022, led by Susquehanna, CME Ventures, Simplex, C6E, and Nexo, bringing total capital raised to $44M
👉 coindesk.com/business/2026/02/19/susquehanna-backed-blockfills-up-for-sale
Blockfills, the Chicago crypto lender backed by Susquehanna, lost about $75M in the market downturn and is now seeking a buyer. The firm temporarily paused deposits and withdrawals, but spot and derivatives trading continues.
1️⃣ Trading Volume. Blockfills handled over $60B in 2025, a 28% increase from 2024, serving roughly 2,000 institutional clients, including hedge funds, asset managers, and mining firms
2️⃣ Market Context. The suspension echoes 2022’s crypto winter, highlighting persistent market volatility. Bitcoin (BTC) remains under $70K and Ether (ETH) below $2K
3️⃣ Funding History. Blockfills raised $37M in Series A in Jan 2022, led by Susquehanna, CME Ventures, Simplex, C6E, and Nexo, bringing total capital raised to $44M
The platform is working with investors and clients to restore liquidity, but the future remains uncertain amid ongoing crypto market weakness
👉 coindesk.com/business/2026/02/19/susquehanna-backed-blockfills-up-for-sale