🌐 Korea University Joins Injective as a Validator Partner

📈 Korea University’s Blockchain Research Institute has officially partnered with Injective, a layer 1 blockchain, becoming a validator within its global ecosystem. This collaboration aims to strengthen the connection between academic research and blockchain infrastructure.

⚠️ The institute, part of Korea University’s College of Informatics, has been at the forefront of blockchain and digital asset research since 2020. It has engaged in joint projects and educational programs that explore blockchain applications in finance and public services. This new partnership builds on that foundation, emphasizing the institute’s commitment to applied research and international collaboration.

“This partnership allows us to expand beyond theory-driven research and focus on practical studies that can be applied to real-world industry and regulatory environments,”

said Professor Inho Lee, director of the Blockchain Research Institute. He added that the goal is to advance research on digital assets and real-world asset (RWA) structures that are suitable for the Korean market.

🔗 Under the agreement, Korea University will assist in supporting network operations, ecosystem growth, and global expansion for Injective. The partnership also paves the way for joint studies on RWA tokenization and on-chain financial structures in Korea, taking into account regulatory frameworks and market conditions.

🔒 Currently, the institution is leading a government-funded project focused on enhancing the security and reliability of smart contracts throughout their lifecycle. This project is being conducted through the Institute of Information and Communications Technology Planning and Evaluation under the Ministry of Science and ICT.

🌍 Trump's Tariffs Trigger Global Market Turmoil

⚠️ U.S. President Donald Trump’s unexpected decision to impose a 10% tariff on eight European nations opposing his Greenland takeover threat sent shockwaves through global financial markets on January 19. This move raised fears of a renewed transatlantic trade war, prompting investors to seek refuge in safe-haven assets like gold and silver, which reached all-time highs.

📉 Asian markets were the first to feel the impact. The Nikkei 225 in Tokyo dropped over 540 points (1.4%) as investors pulled back from export-heavy sectors. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell by 0.8%, while mainland China’s Shanghai Composite Index managed to recover slightly after better-than-expected GDP figures for the fourth quarter.

📈 In contrast, South Korea’s KOSPI surged by 1.32%, driven by strong performances from semiconductor giants Samsung and Micron. European markets, however, faced significant declines. France’s CAC 40 fell by 1.2%, and Germany’s DAX slipped by 0.9%, with carmakers like Volkswagen and BMW experiencing losses between 2.5% and 4% due to tariff concerns.

💻 The turbulence also affected digital assets, with Bitcoin dropping to $92,000 and the broader crypto market declining by 2.5%. Trump’s tariffs specifically targeted France, the UK, the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Norway, and Finland in response to their opposition to his Greenland plans. He warned that tariffs could escalate to 25% unless Europe complied but hinted at possible negotiations with Denmark.

💪 Europe has signaled its intention to resist. Reports indicate that EU leaders are preparing a multibillion-dollar retaliatory tariff package and considering the use of the Anti-Coercion Instrument (ACI), which allows for tariffs and other measures against economic coercion by foreign powers. As leaders prepare for the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, tensions are rising and the days leading up to the summit are expected to be marked by escalating rhetoric and strategic maneuvering.

📈 The Shift in Bitcoin's Whale Landscape: New Players Take Control

🔄 Recent on-chain data reveals a significant shift in Bitcoin's market dynamics: new whales—large-scale investors who have entered the market in the past five months—now hold a greater share of Bitcoin's realized cap than the long-term "OG" whales. This change indicates that the direction of the market is increasingly influenced by these newcomers, rather than the seasoned investors who have weathered multiple market cycles.

📊 According to Cryptoquant, the realized cap—which measures the total cost basis of all Bitcoin based on when it last moved—shows that a substantial volume of BTC has recently been traded at premium prices. New whales, defined as entities holding more than 1,000 BTC with coins younger than 155 days, now represent the dominant force in the market's capital structure. However, this dominance comes with a caveat: while OG whales have an average cost basis of around $40,000, these new entrants have a much higher average cost basis of approximately $98,000.

📉 The Cryptoquant report highlights that this shift in whale dynamics is contributing to current market volatility. The realized price for these new whales is about $98,000, and with the spot price trading below this level, they are facing nearly $6 billion in unrealized losses. Unlike the OG whales who are accustomed to Bitcoin's volatility, these newer investors are showing signs of weak hands. The report indicates that new whales have been the primary source of realized losses since the recent market peak, opting to use short-lived price rebounds to exit positions rather than holding through the dip.

⚖️ This behavior creates a distribution regime that stalls upward momentum in the market. The disparity between the two classes of whales is stark: while new whales are scrambling to mitigate losses, the old guard remains largely unfazed. The report asserts that the marginal supply of Bitcoin—the BTC most likely to be traded at any given moment—is now firmly in the hands of the most emotionally and financially exposed group in the ecosystem.

📈 Nifty Gateway Announces Closure and Transition to Withdrawal-Only Mode

📌 The non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace Nifty Gateway has announced its impending closure on February 23, 2026, and has immediately transitioned to a withdrawal-only mode. Customers holding USD, ETH balances, or NFTs are urged to follow the instructions sent via email to transfer their assets off the platform.

🔍 This decision allows Gemini, the parent company of Nifty Gateway, to refocus its efforts on creating a comprehensive super app for its customers. Support for NFTs will continue through the Gemini Wallet, which was launched in August 2025.

🙏 The company expresses gratitude to its artists and customers for their support and contributions. It advises users to reach out to support for any assistance needed during this transition. Users are reminded to complete their withdrawals before the closing date and to adhere to any jurisdictional rules regarding custody and transfers.

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📌 Ripple's Legal Victory: XRP Gains Clarity Amid Court Ruling

⚖️ XRP is experiencing renewed strength as a federal appeals court ruling clarifies legal uncertainties surrounding its early distributions. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit recently addressed investor claims related to XRP transactions, reinforcing the legal standing of early token distributions.

⚠️ The appeal was initiated by Bradley Sostack, who represented himself and other investors after purchasing XRP in January 2018. Sostack alleged that Ripple Labs Inc. and its CEO Brad Garlinghouse violated the Securities Act of 1933 by selling unregistered securities. This class action dates back to 2018 and saw Sostack appointed as lead plaintiff in 2019.

🔍 The Ninth Circuit examined whether Sostack's federal claims were filed within the three-year statute of repose. The court concluded that

His federal securities claims are time-barred, and the district court did not err in granting summary judgment in favor of Defendants-Appellees.

It emphasized that the statute of repose serves to provide certainty by preventing claims from being revived based on later conduct or market changes.

✔️ The memorandum detailed the factual and legal reasons for rejecting Sostack's arguments. It noted that the XRP Ledger was publicly launched around 2012 and that Ripple conducted substantial sales of XRP through this ledger, which were deemed bona fide public offerings under securities law.

👀 $30M Stolen as Step Finance Treasury Wallets Compromised

⚡️ Step Finance confirmed a $30 million breach of treasury wallets containing 261,854 SOL tokens, triggering a 90% crash in the platform's native token. Step Finance, a major Solana DeFi platform, confirmed multiple treasury and fee wallets were compromised by a sophisticated attacker during Asian Pacific trading hours, resulting in the theft of approximately 261,854 SOL tokens worth roughly $30 million.

🛍 The breach sent shockwaves through the Solana ecosystem as blockchain security firm CertiK flagged that the stolen SOL “has been withdrawn after stake authorization had been transferred” to an unknown wallet address. The incident triggered immediate market panic, with the platform’s native STEP token plummeting over 90% within 24 hours.

🔼 While the team insists user funds remained unaffected, questions swirl over whether the breach represents a genuine security failure or a disguised exit scam, particularly given that the attacker appeared to have direct wallet access rather than exploiting smart contract vulnerabilities.

🔔 Step Finance disclosed the security breach through a series of urgent social media posts, stating “several of our treasury and fee wallets were compromised by a sophisticated actor” and confirming the attack leveraged “a well known attack vector.“ The platform immediately activated emergency protocols and reached out to cybersecurity firms for assistance.

🔗 Solana media firm Solana Floor reported that on-chain data showed the stolen 261,854 SOL was “unstaked and moved during the incident,” suggesting the attacker had obtained authorization to control staking operations.

⚡️ TRM Labs Hits $1B Valuation After $70M Series C Led by Blockchain Capital

❗️ Analytics firm TRM Labs reached a $1 billion valuation following the close of a $70 million Series C funding round led by Blockchain Capital. The round was backed by a mix of returning and new strategic investors, including Goldman Sachs, Bessemer Venture Partners, Brevan Howard Digital, Thoma Bravo, Citi Ventures, Galaxy Ventures, and DRW Venture Capital. Blockchain Capital, which also led TRM’s pre-seed round in 2018, returned as the lead investor.

⁉️ The San Francisco-based firm provides blockchain intelligence software used to trace illicit crypto activity and support compliance operations across both the public and private sectors. Its customer base includes law enforcement and national security agencies in more than 50 countries, alongside private-sector clients such as Circle, Coinbase, PayPal, Visa, Stripe, Robinhood, and Cross River Bank. Ari Redbord, TRM’s global head of policy, confirmed the funding round to CryptoNews.

✔️ TRM said the new capital will support its mission to equip institutions with AI solutions designed to combat ransomware groups, terrorist financing networks, transnational criminal organizations, and scam operators increasingly leveraging automation and artificial intelligence. “As an increasing amount of global economic activity moves on-chain, the need for solutions that can scale an effective response to these threats has never been greater,” TRM said in a statement.

📈 TRM Labs said the Series C proceeds will accelerate investment across three core areas: expanding its talent base, advancing AI compliance tools, and strengthening AI-powered investigative capabilities. The company is focusing on improving financial crime risk management, including faster alert processing, more efficient exposure assessments, and stronger linkages between on-chain and off-chain criminal activity.

❓ “AI is one of the most important technologies of our generation, and where it’s applied matters,” said Esteban Castaño, co-founder and CEO of TRM Labs. “At TRM, we’re building AI for problems that have real consequences for public safety, financial integrity, and national security.” Mathew McDermott, global head of digital assets at Goldman Sachs, added that TRM provides “foundational infrastructure that enables institutions to operate distributed ledger technologies safely and efficiently.”

🔔 TRM’s valuation reflects broader momentum in the blockchain analytics sector, as governments and regulated financial firms increase oversight of digital asset markets. The firm’s leadership includes Ari Redbord, TRM’s global head of policy, who previously served as a senior advisor at the U.S. Treasury and as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Washington, D.C., working on terrorism finance

📌 XRP Plunges 17% in Steepest One-Day Drop Since 2025 as $46M in Leveraged Longs Get Wiped

❗️ The XRP price dropped more than 17% over the past 24 hours to around $1.25, making it the worst-performing major token on the day. Bitcoin fell roughly 10% toward $65,000 during the same period, while Ethereum slid below $2,000 and Solana traded near $82, as the selloff widened across the entire crypto market. The move extended XRP’s weekly losses to nearly 30% and pushed its market cap down to approximately $75 billion, a steep fall from its July 2025 peak of $210 billion. XRP is now trading 45% below its January 2026 high of $2.41. This decline has been further fueled by deteriorating broader market conditions.

⚠️ Data from CoinGlass showed roughly $46 million in XRP derivatives liquidations over 24 hours, with bullish bets accounting for about $43 million of that figure. Prices bled slowly through most of Thursday before a sharp drop late in the session triggered a cascade of stop-loss orders and forced closings. The break below the $1.44 support zone flipped that area into overhead resistance, leaving $1.00 as the next widely watched psychological level.

📊 Across the broader market, traders saw approximately $1.42 billion in total crypto liquidations on Thursday, with long positions accounting for $1.24 billion. Despite the steep decline, institutional flows into XRP exchange-traded funds have remained positive. Since launching in November 2025, XRP spot ETFs have posted inflows on all but four trading days, according to SoSoValue data. Looking at this week’s performance, inflows totaled roughly $24 million, bringing cumulative net inflows past $1.2 billion.

➡️ That resilience stands in sharp contrast to Bitcoin ETFs, which recorded approximately $545 million in outflows on Wednesday alone. The selloff came during an otherwise active stretch for Ripple. Earlier this week, Ripple announced it had received full approval of an Electronic Money Institution license from Luxembourg’s Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier, enabling it to scale regulated payment services across the EU.

💥 The Luxembourg approval followed a separate EMI license from the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority in January, bringing Ripple’s global license count past 75. None of these developments cushioned XRP against the broader risk-off move. This price development underscores that the token’s valuation remains driven primarily by positioning and momentum rather than adoption narratives.

🌐 New ChatGPT Predicts the Price of XRP, Ethereum and Pi Coin By the End of 2026

📈 ChatGPT draws on large-scale datasets and market patterns to generate forward-looking crypto analysis, and when prompted with a well-defined framework, the AI predicts head-turning 2026 price outlooks for XRP, Ethereum, and Pi Network.

➡️ According to ChatGPT’s assessment, a prolonged crypto bull market paired with more transparent and supportive regulation in the United States could accelerate price discovery for major digital assets, pushing them to new record highs sooner than many investors expect.

🔔 Below is ChatGPT’s projected trajectory for the three leading altcoins over the next eleven months. Last July, it notched its first new all-time high (ATH) in seven years, surging to $3.65 after Ripple achieved a decisive courtroom victory against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

➡️ That ruling lifted a major regulatory overhang and helped ease broader market fears that the SEC planned to treat altcoins as unregistered securities. From a technical perspective, XRP’s Relative Strength Index (RSI) is hovering near 27, placing it firmly in oversold territory. The fact that it’s uptrending again suggests that selling pressure may be losing steam, setting the stage for investors to buy back in over the weekend at a relative discount.

📣 As XRP’s price gradually realigns with its 30-day moving average, positive industry or macro developments could spark a sudden surge in the weeks or months ahead.

⚠️ When combined with anticipated ETF inflows from the newly launched US spot XRP ETFs and anticipation for the U.S. CLARITY bill, a proposed comprehensive crypto regulatory framework, ChatGPT’s ambitious price target appears increasingly plausible.

🎉 Sony Innovation Fund Invests in Yoake's Blockchain Fandom Infrastructure

💰 The Sony Innovation Fund (SIF) has made a significant move by leading a $3.2 million funding round for Yoake entertainment. This investment marks a strategic partnership aimed at developing the Record Protocol’s blockchain-based fandom infrastructure. The collaboration with Sony Block Solutions Labs is set to enhance verified fandom technology across various entertainment sectors, including music, film, gaming, and anime.

🔗 The partnership introduces an innovative approach to fan engagement by utilizing blockchain technology to create verifiable on-chain records of fan contributions. This infrastructure is designed to reward genuine fan participation, thereby establishing a new paradigm of interaction that transcends traditional monetization models. Initial successes have been seen through the Idol Runway Collection app and collaborations with well-known Japanese idol groups.

🌍 The development of this blockchain fandom infrastructure is primarily focused on the Japanese entertainment market, with plans for global expansion leveraging Sony’s international networks. What sets this model apart from previous fan engagement strategies is its emphasis on verifying authentic fan passion rather than relying on speculative "X to Earn" models.

🎯 The targeted entertainment sectors include music, film, gaming, and anime, with a particular focus on the idol entertainment sector where initial successes have been recorded. Fan contributions will be measured through on-chain verification using generative AI and blockchain technology to track and validate participation and support.

💰 Stablecoin Rewards: A Threat to Banking or a Misunderstood Shift?

🗣 Stephen Gandel argues that concerns over stablecoin rewards jeopardizing the banking system are overstated. He acknowledges potential impacts on equity returns for banks but emphasizes that deposits cannot be entirely withdrawn from the system.

📉 Banks, including Bank of America's CEO Brian Moynihan, warn of a possible $6 trillion deposit loss as customers turn to stablecoins for higher yields. However, Gandel refutes this, stating,

Cash that goes to a stablecoin doesn’t simply disappear – it goes into the reserve assets like Treasury bills or bank accounts.

This indicates that funds are merely reallocated rather than removed.

💸 While individual banks may need to offer higher interest rates to retain deposits, Gandel suggests that many can still operate profitably even with a 1% rate increase. He notes,

The banking sector survived the advent of money market funds... And savers are much better off for it. The same may be true if stablecoins take off.

⚖️ The CLARITY Act addresses these concerns but has faced delays due to disagreements between banks and the cryptocurrency industry over stablecoin rewards and loopholes.

💰 Abu Dhabi Funds Boost Bitcoin ETF Holdings Despite Market Decline

📉 Abu Dhabi-backed funds, including Mubadala Investment Company and Al Warda Investments, increased their positions in Blackrock’s spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF), Ishares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), at the end of 2025. They collectively held nearly 21 million shares, valued at over $1 billion before bitcoin's recent decline reduced this value to approximately $803 million.

📊 Mubadala significantly expanded its holdings from 8.7 million shares in Q3 to about 12.7 million shares by year-end, while Al Warda increased its stake from 7.96 million to over 8.2 million shares. Despite this accumulation, the market has shifted, with IBIT falling 22.5% year-to-date due to a retreat in bitcoin prices.

🗓 Mubadala first added IBIT to its balance sheet in Q4 2024 with an exposure of at least $436 million. The latest filings indicate that their conviction in this investment remains strong despite market volatility. However, the broader U.S. spot bitcoin ETF market has faced challenges, losing more than $31 billion in assets this year.

🔍 For long-term investors like sovereign wealth funds, short-term price fluctuations may be less critical than strategic positioning. Nonetheless, the recent drawdown highlights the ongoing tension between institutional adoption of cryptocurrencies and their inherent volatility.

💰 Federal Authorities Uncover $100 Million Cryptocurrency Money Laundering Scheme

🚨 A significant federal money laundering case has revealed that nearly $100 million in investor funds were funneled through shell companies, offshore accounts, and major cryptocurrency exchanges. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington announced on February 20 that Geoffrey K. Auyeung from Newcastle, Washington, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering related to investment fraud proceeds.

🔄 Prosecutors detailed how Auyeung managed investor funds, quickly moving them into other accounts, offshore locations, or using them to purchase cryptocurrencies like bitcoin, tether, USD Coin, and ethereum through exchanges such as Gemini, Bitstamp, and Coinbase. Much of the cryptocurrency was then transferred to Binance accounts controlled by individuals in Nigeria and Russia. Victims of the scheme received no further information about their investments, and Auyeung ceased communication with them.

🔴 Auyeung, 47, established nine entities, including Sea Forest International LLC and Apex Oil and Gas Trading LLC, to collect funds from individuals who believed they were securing oil tank storage in Rotterdam or Houston. Investigators traced $97.1 million in wire transfers and deposits through accounts linked to Auyeung between June 2022 and July 2024, with approximately $24.7 million associated with about 35 victims.

🏦 The Department of Justice (DOJ) reported that Auyeung opened at least 81 bank accounts at 24 financial institutions and 19 accounts on eight cryptocurrency exchanges. He received over $4 million in commissions while misleading banks about the source of funds. Even after his August 2024 indictment, he continued to communicate with co-conspirators and accepted an additional $400,000 by channeling deposits through his wife’s accounts.

📈 Coinbase Expands Services: Stock Trading Now Available for U.S. Users

🚀 Coinbase Global Inc., a prominent cryptocurrency exchange, has broadened its offerings by launching stock and ETF trading for U.S. customers on February 24. This move is part of its Everything Exchange strategy and is bolstered by a new partnership with Yahoo Finance to enhance market discovery and trade execution.

📢 CEO Brian Armstrong announced on social media,

Big moment – you can now trade stocks on Coinbase. The everything exchange is growing. This is another step toward our vision of offering tokenized equities.

He emphasized the company's ambition to become the top financial app globally.

📱 Coinbase users can now buy, sell, and manage U.S. stocks and ETFs alongside their crypto assets within a single app. The platform offers 24/5 access and zero-commission trading for self-directed trades, supporting fractional shares starting at $1 and instant funding with USD or USDC. Securities are provided through Coinbase Capital Markets Corp., while digital asset services are managed by Coinbase Inc.

🌐 The collaboration with Yahoo Finance connects Coinbase to a vast audience of over 150 million global monthly visitors. This integration allows users to transition seamlessly from asset research to trade execution, utilizing real-time Coinbase data for tracking and discovery. Apex Fintech Solutions facilitates the brokerage infrastructure by providing clearing, custody, and execution services.

📉 Mixed Results for Crypto ETFs as Bitcoin and Ether Experience Outflows

🔄 Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) experienced a break in their recent inflow streak, recording a $27.5 million outflow on Friday, while ether funds saw a larger loss of $43 million. In contrast, XRP and Solana ETFs continued to attract modest inflows.

The rally finally took a breather.

After three trading sessions of steady gains, spot bitcoin ETFs slipped back into negative territory, posting a net outflow of $27.55 million. The reversal was largely driven by Blackrock’s IBIT, which recorded a $32.71 million exit.

There were attempts to offset the decline.

Invesco’s BTCO added $3.27 million, while Franklin’s EZBC pulled in $1.9 million. Still, the inflows weren’t enough to counterbalance IBIT’s withdrawal. Total trading volume reached $2.57 billion, and net assets closed at $83.40 billion.

💔 Ether ETFs faced steeper pressure. The category recorded a $43 million outflow, entirely attributable to Blackrock’s ETHA. No other ether funds reported trading activity during the session. Total value traded stood at $679.61 million, and net assets fell to $10.96 billion.

💪 Altcoins, however, held their ground. XRP ETFs posted a $2.21 million net inflow, driven primarily by Franklin’s XRPZ. Trading volume reached $12.42 million, and net assets ended at $983.18 million. Solana ETFs also finished in positive territory. The segment attracted $1.31 million, powered solely by Bitwise’s BSOL. Trading activity totaled $25.70 million, with total net assets closing at $753.16 million.

🌎 Latam Insights: Key Crypto Developments in Latin America

📈 Paraguay is set to utilize seized ASIC hardware for bitcoin mining, partnering with Morphware, an AI and cryptocurrency mining company. This initiative follows illegal energy theft inspections and aims to leverage the hydroelectric energy from the Itaupu dam. Morphware expressed that this collaboration will allow them to

explore the role of bitcoin mining as a national-level opportunity

within Paraguay’s energy and digital infrastructure.

📌 Colombia is taking significant steps to regulate its cryptocurrency sector, with the Central Bank finalizing a draft law to clarify the operational framework for digital assets. Andres Murcia, the bank’s Deputy Manager, noted that while the institution initially adopted a defensive stance, it has since evolved to recognize the innovative potential of digital assets for the Colombian economy.

⚠️ Uala, an Argentine neobank, has successfully raised $195 million in a funding round led by Allianz X, with participation from notable investors like Tencent and Soros Fund Management. This funding boosts Uala's valuation to $3.2 billion and solidifies its position as one of the largest fintech companies in Argentina and Latin America. The company serves over 11 million customers across Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico.

🪙 Bitcoin's Stability Amid Geopolitical Tensions

📉 Bitcoin traded within a narrow range of $69,000 to $71,000 as traders reacted to mixed diplomatic signals regarding a potential ceasefire in the Middle East. The cryptocurrency initially dipped from a morning high of $70,900 to an intraday low of $69,034 but quickly rebounded. Buyers drove the price up to $70,999 within two hours, reaching a peak of $71,230 before settling above $70,500, marking a slight 0.6% gain over 24 hours.

🗣 The digital asset sector has been affected by conflicting statements from the Trump administration. President Donald Trump indicated that an end to the war was near, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned of more severe strikes. This disconnect was highlighted by reports of increased bombings on Iranian infrastructure.

⚠️ The situation in the Strait of Hormuz remains a significant concern for the market. Iran's threat to close this crucial transit route was underscored by footage of a Thai-flagged vessel on fire after ignoring Iranian warnings. In response to the escalating threat of a blockade, the International Energy Agency (IEA) announced the release of 400 million barrels of oil from emergency reserves. However, analysts caution that this may only provide temporary relief if the maritime route remains obstructed.