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18 Feb 2026, 19:00

Bitcoin Difficulty To Rise 14% Thursday—Why The Massive Jump?

On-chain data shows the Bitcoin network Difficulty is set for a significant jump in the upcoming adjustment. Here’s what’s behind it. Bitcoin Difficulty To Go Up Massively In Thursday’s Adjustment The Bitcoin “ Difficulty ” is a feature built into the blockchain that controls how hard miners will find it to mine a block on the network. The feature exists to limit the speed at which these chain validators can earn mining rewards. Satoshi coded in a simple rule for the network to follow: keep the block production rate constant at 10 minutes per block. Whenever miners are producing the average block in an interval faster than 10 minutes, the blockchain raises its Difficulty to bring them back to the standard rate. Similarly, them being slow forces the network to ease the metric instead. Changes in the Difficulty occur about every two weeks in events known as adjustments. The upcoming such event happens to be tomorrow, February 19th. Below are the details related to this adjustment from CoinWarz . As is visible, the average block time on the Bitcoin network has stood at 8.75 minutes since the previous adjustment, meaning that miners have been significantly faster than usual. As a result of this fast pace, the network is estimated to raise its Difficulty by more than 14% on Thursday. This is an unusually big jump for the indicator, and the reason behind it lies in equally unusual circumstances. In late January, a massive snow storm swept across the United States, causing disruptions to the nation’s infrastructure, including the electrical grid. As a response to the extreme weather event, Bitcoin miners situated in the country curtailed their power to help ease pressure on the grid. Foundry USA, the world’s largest BTC mining pool, saw a notable drop of nearly 60% in its total computing power or “ Hashrate ” as miners pulled back. The drop in the global Hashrate was so drastic that the Difficulty adjustment that followed led to an easing of about 11%. However, while the Hashrate decline was dramatic, it was never gonna be something permanent. As the below chart for the 7-day average Hashrate from Blockchain.com shows, the indicator has already recovered back to about the same level as on January 24th, before the snow storm took American mining machines offline. The Bitcoin network had reduced its Difficulty based on the speed miners were operating at due to the reduced US capacity, but as the Hashrate has bounced back, the blockchain is now forced to correct the metric in the other direction. BTC Price Bitcoin has continued to move sideways recently as its price is still trading around $67,600.

18 Feb 2026, 18:24

A new, unified stack for Base: What’s changing and why it matters

Base is transitioning away from the OP Stack toward a unified, Base-operated software stack, to accelerate upgrades and scaling.

18 Feb 2026, 18:24

How Aave Could Help End Crypto Winter, According to Bitwise

Even after four months since the massive slump from a record price above $126,000, sentiment surrounding Bitcoin remains fragile. Its failure to bounce back has intensified fears about another crypto winter. But Matt Hougan, Chief Investment Officer at Bitwise, believes that decentralized finance could play a central role in leading the market out of the current bear phase, as investors increasingly focus on fundamentals such as real users, revenues, and sustainable value. Aave at the Center In a recent post, Hougan spoke about a governance proposal published by Aave Labs, the team behind the Aave lending protocol, titled “Aave Will Win,” as an example of why DeFi may be entering a new phase. According to Hougan, DeFi protocols like Uniswap and Aave already function as serious businesses. Uniswap, at times, handles more spot trading volume than Coinbase, while Aave generates more than $100 million annually in revenue. Despite this, DeFi-related tokens have underperformed, largely because most were designed as governance tokens that offer voting rights but no direct claim on protocol revenues. Hougan explained that this structure emerged as a defensive response to regulatory pressure, particularly from the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which used the Howey test to assess whether tokens could be classified as securities. The Bitwise exec noted that Aave attempted to address this issue through its “Aavenomics” upgrades in 2024 and 2025, which introduced token buybacks funded by protocol fees. But tensions continued because Aave Labs could still direct some revenues to itself, a point that drew attention in December 2025 when it allocated $10 million in swap fees to the company. The new “Aave Will Win” proposal seeks to resolve this by committing Aave Labs to route 100% of revenue from all Aave-branded products, including its website, mobile app, card, and institutional services, directly to the DAO treasury controlled by token holders. In return, Aave Labs would receive a funding package of stablecoins, Aave tokens, and milestone-based grants of around $50 million to cover development of Aave V4 and the transfer of intellectual property to the community, while a new foundation would hold the Aave brand and trademarks. This would effectively transform the Aave token from a governance-only role toward an asset with a direct claim on revenues, while positioning the founding team as a service provider accountable to token holders, Hougan said. Pushback The proposal has drawn criticism from some community members who view the funding request as excessive or argue that certain elements are bundled together. Others also point to unresolved questions around how revenue will be defined and controlled. While deeming those concerns “legitimate,” Hougan said that Aave’s move may result in other assets following suit. The post How Aave Could Help End Crypto Winter, According to Bitwise appeared first on CryptoPotato .

18 Feb 2026, 18:15

ETH Staking Reality Check: Analysts Debunk Misleading 50% Claim, Reveal True 30% Figure

BitcoinWorld ETH Staking Reality Check: Analysts Debunk Misleading 50% Claim, Reveal True 30% Figure In a significant clarification for the crypto industry, analysts have debunked a widely reported claim that over 50% of Ethereum’s supply is actively staked, revealing the startling reality that the true figure is closer to 30%. This discrepancy, reported by CoinDesk, centers on a critical misunderstanding of on-chain data and has profound implications for assessing the network’s security and economic health. The revelation underscores the importance of nuanced data analysis in the complex world of blockchain metrics. ETH Staking Data Sparks Industry Debate Recently, on-chain analytics firm Santiment published data suggesting a historic milestone. Their analysis indicated that more than 50% of the total Ethereum (ETH) supply had entered the staking deposit contract for the first time. This figure, 50.18%, quickly circulated across crypto news platforms and social media. Consequently, it painted a picture of overwhelming validator participation and robust network security. However, industry experts from leading digital asset firm CoinShares immediately pushed back. They labeled the 50% figure as fundamentally misleading for investors and observers. The core issue lies in how the staking deposit contract records data. This contract, a crucial piece of Ethereum’s post-Merge proof-of-stake architecture, permanently logs every deposit. Importantly, it does not account for withdrawals. Since the Shanghai upgrade enabled staked ETH withdrawals in April 2023, validators have been able to exit. Therefore, the contract shows a cumulative lifetime total, not the net active stake. Analysts stress this distinction is vital for accurate assessment. Decoding the Actual Ethereum Staking Volume CoinShares analysts performed a detailed reconciliation to find the real number. They acknowledged Santiment’s report of 50.18% of the supply in the contract. However, they emphasized the need to subtract withdrawn ETH. After accounting for exits, their estimate for the active staking volume contributing directly to network security is 37 million ETH. This translates to approximately 30.8% of the total ETH supply. The 80 million ETH figure cited by Santiment represents the gross cumulative deposit amount, not the net current stake. This clarification carries significant weight. Network security in a proof-of-stake system like Ethereum relies directly on the amount of value actively committed and at risk. A lower active stake percentage could influence perceptions of economic security. Below is a comparison of the two reported metrics: Metric Santiment Report (Cumulative) CoinShares Analysis (Net Active) ETH Amount ~80 million ETH ~37 million ETH Percentage of Supply 50.18% 30.8% Data Type Lifetime Deposits Current Active Stake Reflects Withdrawals? No Yes Several key factors contribute to the difference between cumulative and net staking: The Shanghai Upgrade: Enabled the withdrawal of staked ETH and rewards, creating a dynamic exit environment. Validator Churn: Entities regularly enter and exit the validator set based on strategy and market conditions. Reward Compounding: Staking rewards are automatically restaked unless explicitly withdrawn, affecting net calculations. Expert Insight on Network Health and Security Industry veterans note that a 30.8% active staking rate remains a strong indicator of commitment. This level still represents tens of billions of dollars in secured value. Furthermore, it suggests a healthy equilibrium. An excessively high staking percentage could indicate illiquidity and potential centralization pressures. Conversely, a very low percentage might signal weak validator confidence. The current net figure likely reflects a mature, balanced market where participants actively manage their staked assets. The debate highlights a broader challenge in blockchain analytics: data transparency versus data clarity. On-chain data is public and verifiable, but its interpretation requires deep technical context. Metrics like “Total Value Locked” (TVL) or “staking ratio” can be presented in ways that obscure nuance. For investors and analysts, this event serves as a critical reminder. Always scrutinize the methodology behind a headline number, especially for fundamental health indicators. The Real-World Impact of Staking Metrics Accurate staking data influences several critical areas of the Ethereum ecosystem. First, it affects security models. Risk analysts model attack costs based on the active stake needing to be compromised. Second, it impacts economic policy. The circulating supply of liquid ETH is larger than presumed if the staking rate is lower, potentially affecting inflation/deflation dynamics. Third, it guides institutional participation. Large asset managers require precise data for risk assessment and product creation, like spot ETH ETFs. The timeline of Ethereum staking provides essential context. The deposit contract launched in November 2020, nearly two years before The Merge. During this period, ETH was locked without withdrawal capability. The Shanghai upgrade changed this dynamic permanently. Since then, staking has become a more flexible financial activity. Validators can now enter and exit based on reward rates, market sentiment, and liquidity needs. This fluidity makes net active stake the most relevant metric for real-time analysis. Conclusion Analysts have provided a crucial correction to the narrative around ETH staking, clarifying that the active stake securing the network is approximately 30.8% of the supply, not the misleading 50% figure derived from cumulative deposit data. This distinction is fundamental for understanding Ethereum’s true security posture and economic landscape. The incident reinforces the need for rigorous, methodology-aware analysis in cryptocurrency reporting. As the ecosystem matures, precise metrics like net active ETH staking will become increasingly vital for informed decision-making by everyone from developers to institutional investors. FAQs Q1: What was the main error in the original 50% ETH staking claim? The original claim used cumulative deposit data from Ethereum’s staking contract, which does not subtract ETH that validators have withdrawn since withdrawals were enabled. It reported lifetime deposits, not the current active stake. Q2: Why is the net active staking percentage more important than the cumulative figure? The net active stake represents the ETH currently locked and actively validating transactions, which directly correlates to the network’s real-time security and economic commitment. Cumulative figures include assets that are no longer participating. Q3: Does a 30.8% staking rate indicate a problem for Ethereum’s security? Not necessarily. Analysts consider this a healthy and substantial rate, representing over 37 million ETH (tens of billions of dollars) securing the network. Extremely high staking rates can sometimes indicate illiquidity or other systemic risks. Q4: How did the Shanghai upgrade change the calculation of staked ETH? The Shanghai upgrade, implemented in April 2023, allowed validators to withdraw their staked ETH and rewards for the first time. This made staking a dynamic process, requiring analysts to track net staking (deposits minus withdrawals) rather than just gross deposits. Q5: Where can investors find accurate, real-time data on Ethereum’s staking metrics? Investors should consult multiple reputable sources that explicitly state whether they are reporting cumulative deposits or net active stake. Resources like the Ethereum Foundation, beacon chain explorers, and analysis from established crypto research firms like CoinShares often provide the necessary methodological clarity. This post ETH Staking Reality Check: Analysts Debunk Misleading 50% Claim, Reveal True 30% Figure first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

18 Feb 2026, 18:05

USD1 Stablecoin Breakthrough: Apex Group’s Strategic Partnership with WLFI Transforms Fund Payments

BitcoinWorld USD1 Stablecoin Breakthrough: Apex Group’s Strategic Partnership with WLFI Transforms Fund Payments In a landmark development for institutional cryptocurrency adoption, global asset manager Apex Group announced a strategic partnership with World Liberty Financial (WLFI) to pilot USD1 stablecoin payments for fund transactions. The collaboration, revealed at the World Liberty Forum in Mar-a-Lago on November 15, 2024, represents a significant convergence between traditional finance and decentralized finance (DeFi) infrastructure. This initiative could potentially reshape how $3.5 trillion in assets under management interact with blockchain-based payment systems. USD1 Stablecoin Integration in Tokenized Fund Ecosystem Apex Group will test USD1 as a payment method for subscriptions, redemptions, and distributions within its tokenized fund ecosystem. This integration marks one of the most substantial institutional adoptions of a stablecoin for core financial operations. The USD1 stablecoin, developed by WLFI, represents a dollar-pegged digital asset designed specifically for regulated financial applications. Consequently, this pilot program addresses several longstanding challenges in digital asset adoption. The partnership demonstrates how traditional financial institutions are increasingly embracing blockchain technology. Furthermore, it highlights the growing acceptance of stablecoins beyond speculative trading into core business operations. According to industry analysts, this move could accelerate institutional adoption of digital assets by providing a clear use case with measurable efficiency gains. Technical Implementation and Regulatory Considerations The technical implementation involves integrating USD1 into Apex’s existing fund administration platforms. This process requires robust security protocols and compliance with financial regulations across multiple jurisdictions. The companies have established a phased rollout approach, beginning with select funds before expanding to broader applications. Additionally, they are working closely with regulators to ensure full compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) requirements. Strategic Implications for Digital Asset Infrastructure Beyond the payment pilot, Apex is considering listing WLFI’s tokenized assets on the London Stock Exchange Group’s (LSEG) digital market infrastructure platform. This potential listing would provide institutional investors with regulated access to tokenized assets through traditional exchange infrastructure. Meanwhile, WLFI plans to launch a mobile application connecting conventional bank accounts with digital asset wallets, creating a bridge between traditional and decentralized finance. The partnership addresses several key industry challenges: Settlement Efficiency: Traditional fund transactions often require multiple intermediaries and can take days to settle. USD1 payments could reduce settlement times to minutes or seconds. Cost Reduction: Blockchain-based payments eliminate numerous intermediary fees associated with cross-border transactions and currency conversions. Transparency Enhancement: All transactions on the blockchain create immutable records, improving audit trails and compliance monitoring. Accessibility Improvement: Tokenized funds and stablecoin payments could make institutional-grade investment products more accessible to a broader range of investors. Market Context and Competitive Landscape This development occurs within a rapidly evolving digital asset landscape. Major financial institutions worldwide are exploring similar integrations. For instance, BlackRock launched its BUIDL tokenized fund earlier this year, while JPMorgan continues expanding its Onyx blockchain platform. The Apex-WLFI partnership distinguishes itself through its focus on the complete fund lifecycle and its connection to established exchange infrastructure via LSEG. Comparative Analysis of Institutional Stablecoin Initiatives Institution Stablecoin/Token Primary Use Case Status Apex Group USD1 (via WLFI) Fund payments & distributions Pilot phase BlackRock BUIDL Tokenized treasury fund Live JPMorgan JPM Coin Institutional payments Live Goldman Sachs GS DAP Digital asset platform Development Expert Perspectives on Institutional Adoption Trends Financial technology experts view this partnership as indicative of broader trends. “We’re witnessing the maturation of digital asset infrastructure,” noted Dr. Elena Rodriguez, Director of Digital Finance Research at Cambridge University. “Institutions are moving beyond experimentation to implementing blockchain solutions for core business functions. The Apex-WLFI collaboration represents a significant step toward mainstream adoption.” Industry data supports this assessment. According to recent research from Deloitte, 76% of financial institutions believe digital assets will replace fiat currencies for settlements within the next decade. Additionally, a PwC survey found that 82% of asset managers are actively exploring tokenization strategies. These statistics underscore the strategic importance of Apex’s initiative within the broader financial ecosystem. Regulatory Environment and Compliance Framework The regulatory landscape for stablecoins and tokenized assets continues to evolve. In the United States, the Clarity for Payment Stablecoins Act is progressing through Congress, while the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation takes effect in 2025. The Apex-WLFI partnership must navigate this complex regulatory environment, particularly given WLFI’s association with the Trump family, which adds political dimensions to the regulatory scrutiny. Compliance considerations extend beyond basic regulations. The partnership must address: Cross-border regulatory harmonization Data privacy requirements under GDPR and similar frameworks Financial stability concerns from central banks Consumer protection standards Technological Infrastructure and Security Protocols The successful implementation of USD1 payments requires robust technological infrastructure. Apex and WLFI are leveraging enterprise-grade blockchain solutions with enhanced security features. These systems incorporate multi-signature wallets, hardware security modules, and real-time monitoring tools. Additionally, they have implemented comprehensive disaster recovery plans and insurance coverage for digital asset holdings. Security remains paramount in digital asset transactions. The companies have adopted a defense-in-depth approach combining: Cryptographic security protocols Regular third-party audits Insurance against theft and hacking Compliance with ISO 27001 and similar standards Future Roadmap and Expansion Plans Following the initial pilot, Apex and WLFI plan to expand USD1 integration across additional fund types and geographic regions. The mobile application development represents another key initiative, potentially democratizing access to tokenized assets. Long-term plans may include exploring central bank digital currency (CBDC) integration and expanding into additional financial products beyond traditional funds. Conclusion The Apex Group and WLFI partnership to pilot USD1 stablecoin payments represents a transformative development in institutional finance. This initiative bridges traditional asset management with decentralized finance infrastructure, potentially revolutionizing fund transactions through enhanced efficiency, reduced costs, and improved transparency. As regulatory frameworks mature and technological infrastructure advances, such collaborations may become increasingly common, fundamentally reshaping financial services. The success of this USD1 stablecoin pilot could accelerate broader institutional adoption of digital assets, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of global finance. FAQs Q1: What is USD1 and how does it differ from other stablecoins? USD1 is a dollar-pegged stablecoin developed by World Liberty Financial specifically for regulated financial applications. Unlike many stablecoins designed primarily for trading, USD1 emphasizes compliance, security, and integration with traditional financial systems. Q2: How will the USD1 pilot affect Apex Group’s clients? Apex Group’s clients may experience faster settlement times, reduced transaction costs, and enhanced transparency for fund subscriptions, redemptions, and distributions. The pilot will initially involve select funds before potential broader implementation. Q3: What regulatory challenges does this partnership face? The partnership must navigate evolving regulations for stablecoins and tokenized assets across multiple jurisdictions. Key considerations include compliance with AML/KYC requirements, securities regulations, and emerging frameworks like the EU’s MiCA regulation. Q4: How does this initiative compare to other institutional digital asset projects? While similar to BlackRock’s BUIDL and JPMorgan’s blockchain initiatives, the Apex-WLFI partnership uniquely focuses on the complete fund lifecycle and connects to traditional exchange infrastructure through the potential LSEG listing. Q5: What are the potential risks of using stablecoins for fund payments? Potential risks include regulatory uncertainty, technological vulnerabilities, market volatility affecting stablecoin pegs, and operational challenges during the transition from traditional systems. The companies are implementing comprehensive risk mitigation strategies. This post USD1 Stablecoin Breakthrough: Apex Group’s Strategic Partnership with WLFI Transforms Fund Payments first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

18 Feb 2026, 17:55

The Protocol: Zora moves to Solana

Also: EF’s Stańczak to leave ED role, XRPL member-only DEX and Ethereum revives the DAO.