Invest ideasNews
15 Feb 2026, 12:02
Luke Belmar: XRP Made People Money, But Banks Won’t Use It. Here’s why
A fresh debate over the future of blockchain-based banking infrastructure has emerged following comments circulated online from digital entrepreneur and crypto investor Luke Belmar. In a tweet, crypto analyst Brown Thunder highlighted Belmar’s remarks, asserting that while XRP has historically delivered profits for investors, its long-promoted vision of becoming the primary banking settlement chain may not materialize. Instead, Brown Thunder pointed to Keeta as a project building what he describes as a more complete institutional solution. In the attached video, Belmar reflected on his personal experience investing in XRP, stating that he began accumulating the asset at $0.13 and witnessed its rise to $3.50, followed by a sharp correction and subsequent recovery. He emphasized that XRP has generated returns for participants, making clear that profitability is not his concern. His focus, he explained, is on the long-term viability of XRP’s banking thesis. So this Luke Belmar clip has been going around this morning. Luke says XRP made people money, but banks probably won’t use older rails and points to newer tech like Keeta. Ty’s been saying the same thing. Keeta is building what XRP sold everyone on years ago… real settlement… pic.twitter.com/eCCcdZTHrd — Brown Thunder (@Brown_Thunder76) February 10, 2026 Competition to Replace Traditional Financial Rails Belmar directly challenged the narrative that XRP will ultimately become the dominant blockchain for banks. He argued that the financial sector is highly competitive and that multiple blockchains and businesses are pursuing the objective of replacing the traditional SWIFT network . According to him, newer technologies compliant, regulated, and traceable may have structural advantages over networks that have existed for more than a decade. When asked for an example of a blockchain positioned for institutional banking, Belmar named Keeta. He differentiated it from networks such as Ethereum , which he described as serving as a decentralized application layer rather than a banking-specific infrastructure. He also referenced the idea that different chains serve distinct purposes, citing examples, such as Bitcoin as a store of value and Solana as a capital markets-focused network. Keeta’s Full-Stack Infrastructure Claim Brown Thunder expanded on Belmar’s assertions by stating that Keeta is building what XRP previously marketed to investors years ago: settlement rails that institutions can actively deploy. He noted that development activity can be reviewed publicly on GitHub and encouraged independent research into the project. According to the tweet, Keeta is developing a full-stack system that includes built-in compliance, foreign exchange swaps, a native decentralized exchange, and an anchor system. Brown Thunder stated that the network is designed with speed, scalability, and low fees in mind, structured in a plug-and-play format that institutions can integrate without requiring extensive customization. We are on X, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1 — TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) June 15, 2025 A Narrow Settlement Role Versus Integrated Infrastructure In contrasting the two projects, Brown Thunder characterized XRP as primarily a bridge asset in settlement. He described this as a narrower scope compared to what he claims Keeta is constructing. Rather than focusing solely on facilitating transactions, Keeta is presented as assembling the entire operational infrastructure from inception. Belmar’s closing remarks in the video were direct. He stated that banking systems will not operate on the same networks predominantly used by retail traders. He concluded, “With banking, XRP is not gonna succeed. It’ll be KETA. Absolutely, I know it,” before advising viewers to conduct their own research. Disclaimer : This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are advised to conduct thorough research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses. Follow us on X , Facebook , Telegram , and Google News The post Luke Belmar: XRP Made People Money, But Banks Won’t Use It. Here’s why appeared first on Times Tabloid .
15 Feb 2026, 11:02
Vietnam’s once-roaring crypto market hits unexpected roadblock
Vietnam has seen its once high-thriving crypto industry become a shadow of itself after the recent marketwide decline in digital assets. According to reports, the recent market decline has forced users to sell off their assets, with most retail traders currently in the red as a result of the development. Over the last few years, Vietnam has approached digital assets cautiously, allowing blockchain technology to develop in a grey area, unlike its neighboring China, which chose an outright ban back in 2021. In Vietnam, digital assets have been barred from being used as a medium of exchange, while the government allows its citizens to speculate on the assets without restriction. The move allowed its young population to sit at the forefront of crypto adoption, with an estimated 17 million people holding digital assets. What happened to Vietnam’s crypto industry? In the past few months, Vietnam has been making progress in its crypto industry. In January, the country announced that it had begun accepting applications from firms looking to operate a licensed crypto exchange in the country. Under the licensing framework, applicants must have a minimum contributed charter capital of 10 trillion Vietnamese dong ($400 million) alongside other requirements. The licensing program was rolled out under the legislation passed by the National Assembly of Vietnam in June 2025. However, what looked like a boom in the crypto industry has now turned into a liability as investors are presently in the midst of a crypto winter. The price of Bitcoin has almost halved since hitting a new record high above $126,000 in October, with other digital assets sliding even further. In an interview carried out by AFP, a university student in Hanoi, Hong Le, claimed that he had lost all his digital holdings. He claimed that his holdings rose to $200,000, but crashed when Bitcoin and other digital assets slid. Discussing the current market situation, Tran Xuan Tien, the head of Ho Chi Minh City’s blockchain association, mentioned that many companies have shut down as a result of the crisis. He added that others have also been downsizing, as most of them are looking for capital to extend their runway. His words were echoed by Nguyen The Vinh, co-founder of blockchain firm Ninety Eight, who mentioned that his company just laid off about one-third of its staff since last year. Industry figures call for plans to help the sector Talking about the future, Vinh added that the company is expected to carry out more restructurings in the future due to the gloomy outlook of the industry. “The market will likely remain difficult for years, not just months, so we need backup plans.” Until recently, Vietnam’s crypto sector was a careful place to be, with ventures dealing in highly speculative assets and Ponzi schemes flourishing alongside firms offering legitimate products. At the time, the Vietnamese government warned about the dangers of crypto and went after the perpetrators of some huge scam operations, especially one where investors were swindled out of more than $400 million. Under its leader, To Lam, the country is now pursuing growth reform, as it seeks to embrace the blockchain industry and assert control over the $100 billion market. While the law recognizing digital assets came into effect last month, investors have questioned its implementation. According to Vinh, most of the firms are halting operations, downsizing, or moving elsewhere because of the increasing decline and the unclear legal framework in the industry. He also added that new firms are struggling to gain popularity as investors are now choosing to wait out the turbulence in the market. In the past, investors were enticed by the promises of making 400% returns, but are now discouraged when they hear that they might lose everything. Get 8% CASHBACK when you spend crypto with COCA Visa card. Order your FREE card.
15 Feb 2026, 11:00
Institutions Could ‘Fire’ Bitcoin Devs Over Quantum Threat, VC Warns
Reports note growing friction between big Bitcoin holders and the developers who maintain the network’s code. Nic Carter warned that if signs of a serious quantum threat are ignored, major investors could push for sweeping changes to how upgrades happen. Institutional Pressure And Protocol Risk Some large firms hold huge stacks of Bitcoin , which changes the politics of any perceived security gap. BlackRock owns a sizable amount of BTC, and that kind of exposure can force a boardroom-style view on what has long been a technical, community-driven process. If managers judge developers are moving too slowly, they may look for faster, more centralized fixes. That would shift power toward institutions that manage money for others and away from the volunteer contributors who have steered Bitcoin so far. In the Bits and Bips podcast episode that aired Thursday, Carter said he thinks the “big institutions that now exist in Bitcoin, they will get fed up, and they will fire the devs and put in new devs.” Quantum Threat And Timelines The technical issue at hand is simple to state and hard to time: powerful quantum computers could, eventually, break cryptographic schemes used to sign transactions. Austin Campbell suggested that big holders will demand answers if a structural weakness is found. Some people say there’s plenty of lead time to prepare; others worry the clock is closer than most assume. The gap between theoretical capability and an actual working attack makes judgments about urgency difficult. Is Bitcoin headed for a corporate takeover? @nic__carter joins @ramahluwalia , @austincampbell , and @perkinscr97 on this week’s Bits + Bips. They discuss: BlackRock’s growing leverage over Bitcoin development The end of the VC-backed token cycle Why AI may dwarf the… pic.twitter.com/cm6ocJuqRr — Laura Shin (@laurashin) February 11, 2026 Expert Views And Migration Plans Not everyone expects a corporate push to happen. Michael Saylor has argued that banks and governments face the same risks, so coordinated industry moves could buy time. Meanwhile, Adam Back warned that advanced machines might one day threaten signatures, but he also said migration to quantum-resistant options is doable with careful planning. Blockstream has worked on related research, and some community members have proposed staged upgrades to protect already-used keys and reduce exposure during any transition. Vitalik Buterin called for early research and thoughtful coordination, noting that slow, messy rollouts could do more harm than good. Market Context And Sentiment Reports note Bitcoin’s price has seen volatility in recent weeks. Coingecko data showed a meaningful pullback over 30 days, which some commentators linked to narrative shifts about technology risk. Price moves don’t prove a security problem exists, but they do change incentives. When money managers feel pressure from clients or trustees, technical debates can take on urgent political force. Corporate Takeover A Hypothesis? The idea that institutions could “fire” volunteer developers and install their own teams is a sharp one. It would require legal, technical, and social moves that are hard to pull off cleanly. Still, the possibility highlights a deeper point: as more fiduciary capital flows into crypto, the tolerance for unresolved technical risk shrinks. That may force a new kind of conversation between those who write code and those who hold large public money. For now, the prevailing view among many experts is that quantum computers are a future challenge rather than an immediate catastrophe. But with heavy stakes, quiet unease could become public pressure sooner than some expect. Featured image from Pexels, chart from TradingView
15 Feb 2026, 10:23
Paypal Designates Solana as Default Network for Stablecoin Processing
Payments giant PayPal has selected Solana as its default blockchain network to help process stablecoin transactions.
15 Feb 2026, 08:40
Pi Network Pioneers Celebrate PI’s 35% Daily Surge as Important Deadline Approaches
What a volatile ride it has been for Pi Network’s native token after the calmness experienced during the December holidays. The asset was charting severe losses for several consecutive weeks, but the past few days have been a lot more positive. This resurgance comes after the team issued an important reminder about a deadline for today. PI Rockets As mentioned above, PI was consistently one of the worst performers in the cryptocurrency markets ever since the last correction began in mid-January. The asset marked consecutive all-time lows, with the latest being at $0.1312 on February 11. As the community was lashing out against the project behind it and there were calls for further decline, the trend reversed in the past few days. PI’s price went on a wild run, gaining more than 30% in the past day alone, and over 55% since its all-time low seen just a few days ago. As such, it now trades above $0.20, which has prompted many Pioneers to celebrate the move and call for further gains. Pi Token Price on February 15. Source: CoinGecko “Huge congratulations to all Pioneers who recently DCA’d at the bottom around $0.13 – that decision is paying off nicely right now. A special shoutout and big thanks to PiBridge – a project that truly listens to the community and delivered one of the most useful features yet: USDT loans collateralized by PI. Thanks to this, anyone who urgently needed cash but didn’t want to sell their PI at the painful $0.13-$0.14 levels can now avoid massive regret,” commented Cryptoleakvn. It’s worth noting that today’s surge comes just a day after a popular crypto analyst, Captain Faibik, said they added PI to their portfolio and predicted a massive 500% surge. Deadline Approaches Separately, but perhaps somehow related to the recent pump, is the deadline ending today that concerns Pi Network’s “4th role” – Pi Nodes. As reported earlier this week, the Pi Mainnet blockchain protocol is undergoing a series of upgrades, and the deadline for the first one is February 15. It requires all Mainnet nodes to complete this important step to remain connected to the network. In this article, we reiterated the Core Team’s explanation that nodes must run on laptops or desktop computers, which would allow them to help power PI decentralization by validating transactions, strengthening network security, and supporting global consensus and trust. The post Pi Network Pioneers Celebrate PI’s 35% Daily Surge as Important Deadline Approaches appeared first on CryptoPotato .
14 Feb 2026, 23:02
PancakeSwap V2 OCA/USDC pool on BSC drained of $422K
The PancakeSwap V2 pool for OCAUSDC on BSC was exploited in a suspicious transaction detected today. The attack resulted in the loss of almost $500,000 worth of USDC market, drained in a single transaction. According to reports from Blockchain security platforms, the attacker exploited a vulnerability in the deflationary sellOCA() logic, giving them access to manipulate the pool’s reserves. The final amount the attacker got away with was reportedly approximately $422,000. The exploit involved the use of flash loans and flash swaps combined with repeated calls to OCA’s swapHelper function. This removed OCA tokens directly from the liquidity pool during swaps, artificially inflating the on-pair price of OCA and enabling the drainage of USDC How did the OCA/USDC exploit happen? The attack was reportedly executed via three transactions. The first to carry out the exploit, and the following two to serve as additional builder bribes. “In total, 43 BNB plus 69 BNB were paid to 48club-puissant-builder, leaving an estimated final profit of $340K,” Blocksec Phalcon wrote on X about the incident, adding that another transaction in the same block also failed at position 52, likely because it was frontrun by the attacker. Flash loans on PancakeSwap allow users to borrow significant amounts of crypto assets without collateral; however, the borrowed amount plus fees must be repaid within the same transaction block. They are primarily used in arbitrage and liquidation strategies on the Binance Smart Chain, and the loans are usually facilitated by PancakeSwap V3’s flash swap function. Another flash loan attack was detected weeks ago In December 2025, an exploit allowed an attacker to withdraw approximately 138.6 WBNB from the PancakeSwap liquidity pool for the DMi/WBNB pair, netting approximately $120,000. That attack demonstrated how a combination of flash loans and manipulation of the AMM pair’s internal reserves via sync() and callback functions is capable of being used to completely deplete the pool. The attacker first created the exploit contract and called the f0ded652() function, a specialized entry point into the contract, after which the contract then calls flashLoan from the Moolah protocol, requesting approximately 102,693 WBNB. Upon receiving the flash loan, the contract initiates the onMoolahFlashLoan(…) callback. The first thing the callback does is find out the DMi token balance in the PancakeSwap pool in order to prepare for the pair’s reserve manipulation. It should be noted that the vulnerability is not in the flash loan, but in the PancakeSwap contract, allowing manipulation of reserves via a combination of flash swap and sync() without protection against malicious callbacks. Get 8% CASHBACK when you spend crypto with COCA Visa card. Order your FREE card.
