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22 Feb 2026, 13:00

Tether To Terminate Offshore Yuan (CNH₮) Operations – Here’s Why

Stablecoin operator Tether has announced its decision to discontinue support for its offshore Chinese Yuan token CNH₮. The USDT operator has attributed this development to a lack of market demand, among other points. Tether To Terminate CNH₮ Redemption In One Year In a recent blog post , Tether shared a strategic update on its CNH₮, communicating a management decision to withdraw the stablecoin product from its offerings. This decision is based on multiple factors centered around demand and operational efficiency. A statement from the announcement read: Community interest and adoption are central to every product decision we make. When evaluating whether to maintain or introduce a Tether token, we assess market demand, operational sustainability, and broader ecosystem conditions that influence long-term usability. Our priority is to allocate resources where they can most effectively enhance security, reliability, and innovation across the digital asset landscape. Tether explains that the CNH₮ recorded low interest, adoption, and community demand compared to their products, thereby failing to produce an acceptable return on technical and operational efforts. As of this moment, all new issuance of CNH₮ has been halted. Meanwhile, CNH₮ users will have the next year to process any redemptions before the stablecoin is permanently phased out. The stablecoin operator will issue another reminder ahead of the redemption deadline. Following this development, Tether reiterates its commitment to stablecoin global growth and adoption. The statement read: Tether will continue to focus its efforts on stablecoins and infrastructure that demonstrate strong, organic adoption and long-term relevance. This includes advancing core stablecoin liquidity, expanding tokenization infrastructure, and supporting new financial tools that better serve global users and builders. Tether remains the operator of the world’s largest stablecoin, USDT, which presently boasts a total market cap of $183.7 billion. In January, the stablecoin company launched USAT, designed specifically for American users. Nigeria Leads Demand For Stablecoins In other news, a recent survey by BVNK has revealed that Africa’s largest economies are leading the demand for stablecoins. This survey, done in collaboration with Coinbase, YouGov, and Artemis, involved 4658 adults across 15 countries. The results revealed that 80% of Nigerian and South African respondents presently hold stablecoin, while 75% aim to increase holdings as citizens seek a haven from their local fragile currencies. At press time, the total stablecoin market cap is valued at $310 billion, with high expectations of future market expansion following the approval of the GENIUS Act last July.

22 Feb 2026, 11:02

XRP Is By Far the Most Used Asset on the XRPL. Here’s the Proof

XRP continues to dominate the XRP Ledger in terms of transaction volume. According to a detailed analysis covering October 1, 2019, to April 30, 2020, XRP accounted for 125 billion units over seven months, averaging 586 million XRP per day. This makes it the most used currency on the ledger by a significant margin. Crypto researcher SMQKE (@SMQKEDQG) shared this data in response to claims that institutions could use the XRP Ledger without XRP, relying instead on stablecoins or other assets. The data clearly supports XRP’s central role . The ledger records show that payment activity overwhelmingly favors XRP, not alternative tokens. Yes, XRP is “by far the most used currency on the ledger in terms of payment volume.” Of course it’s documented. https://t.co/bcUil7E3zn pic.twitter.com/wNVD44judU — SMQKE (@SMQKEDQG) February 20, 2026 Concentration Among Top Accounts The data shows that the distribution of XRP transactions was also concentrated. The top 10 senders processed 53% of the total volume, while the top 10 receivers captured 50%. Ripple accounted for 7% of activity, or 9 billion XRP, mainly from monthly 1 billion XRP escrow releases . Most escrowed funds were unused, but still added to Ripple’s transaction share. Exchanges played a major role in XRP flows. Binance led activity by sending 15.2 billion XRP and receiving 14.5 billion during the observation period. Other major exchanges, including Bithumb, Coinbase, Bittrex, and Bitso, also appear as key participants in XRP transfers. XRP Compared to Other Tokens XRP dominates the ledger compared with fiat tokens. USD, EUR, and CNY appear with much smaller volumes: 328M USD, 8M EUR, and 19M CNY. On-ledger exchange rates averaged 5.4 XRP/USD, 5.5 XRP/EUR, and 0.7 XRP/CNY, matching off-ledger values, but transaction volumes remain minimal compared to XRP’s activity. The ledger’s data indicates that XRP remains the primary medium of exchange, with other currencies used mostly as secondary or niche instruments. This activity shows the token’s liquidity, accessibility, and utility within the ecosystem. We are on X, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1 — TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) June 15, 2025 Institutional Use and Network Function SMQKE’s point reinforces that XRP is not optional for the ledger’s core payments activity. While some suggest institutions could rely on other assets , the actual flows demonstrate heavy XRP usage. Payments, settlement, and account liquidity all rely predominantly on XRP. The ledger’s transparency enables clear tracking, which reveals that XRP facilitates the majority of value transfer. Ripple has revealed that XRP is at the core of its plans , and this data backs that stance. XRP’s activity on the ledger demonstrates both scale and concentration. High-volume accounts, major exchanges, and regular escrow-related flows all contribute to its dominance. The ledger shows a structured and consistent pattern of XRP usage that other tokens do not match. 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 XRP Is By Far the Most Used Asset on the XRPL. Here’s the Proof appeared first on Times Tabloid .

22 Feb 2026, 10:30

Kraken‑Backed Tokenized Stocks Surpasses $25 Billion in Volume

The xStocks framework has exceeded $25 billion in total transaction volume, establishing a new liquidity benchmark for tokenized traditional assets on blockchain infrastructure. The Kraken-backed xStocks ecosystem reached a milestone $25 billion in total transaction volume on February 19, 2026, marking a shift in the adoption of tokenized U.S. equities. The platform currently supports over

22 Feb 2026, 08:10

USDT Whale Transfer: A Staggering $700 Million Moves from HTX to Aave, Signaling Major DeFi Confidence

BitcoinWorld USDT Whale Transfer: A Staggering $700 Million Moves from HTX to Aave, Signaling Major DeFi Confidence In a move that has captured the attention of the global cryptocurrency market, blockchain tracking service Whale Alert reported a monumental transfer of 700,000,001 USDT from the HTX exchange to the Aave lending protocol on March 21, 2025. This transaction, valued at approximately $700 million, represents one of the most significant on-chain movements of stablecoin capital into decentralized finance (DeFi) this year, prompting deep analysis of its potential motivations and market-wide implications. Decoding the $700 Million USDT Whale Transfer The sheer scale of this USDT whale transfer immediately distinguishes it from routine crypto activity. Whale Alert, a trusted on-chain analytics provider, first flagged the transaction. Consequently, the crypto community began scrutinizing its details. The transfer originated from a wallet associated with the HTX exchange, formerly known as Huobi. It then moved directly to a wallet connected with the Aave Protocol, a leading decentralized liquidity market. This action is not merely a large withdrawal. Instead, it represents a strategic capital allocation from a centralized trading venue to a decentralized financial application. Such a move typically indicates a holder’s intent to engage with DeFi’s yield-generating opportunities. These opportunities often surpass the passive holding of assets on an exchange. The transaction executed on the Tron network, known for its low fees and high throughput, which is a common blockchain for USDT transfers. Understanding the Key Players: HTX and Aave To grasp the full context of this whale movement, one must understand the platforms involved. HTX is a major global cryptocurrency exchange with deep roots in the Asian market. It provides users with a platform for trading, staking, and custodial services. Aave, in contrast, operates as a non-custodial, open-source liquidity protocol. Users can participate as depositors to supply liquidity and earn passive income, or as borrowers to obtain overcollateralized loans. The fundamental difference lies in control and utility. On HTX, the exchange controls the private keys to user funds. On Aave, users retain control through self-custody wallets. This transfer, therefore, signifies a shift of capital from a centralized, custodial model to a decentralized, user-controlled financial system. The table below outlines the core distinctions: Feature HTX (Centralized Exchange) Aave (DeFi Protocol) Custody Custodial (Exchange holds funds) Non-Custodial (User holds keys) Primary Function Trading, Spot & Derivatives Lending, Borrowing, Earning Yield Access Requires KYC/Account Permissionless, Global Access Yield Source Staking, Exchange Programs Interest from borrowers’ fees Expert Analysis of Whale Motivation Market analysts and on-chain researchers point to several plausible motivations for such a substantial capital movement. Firstly, the entity likely seeks a competitive yield on its stablecoin holdings. Aave frequently offers attractive supply Annual Percentage Yields (APYs) for USDT, especially during periods of high borrowing demand. Secondly, the whale may be preparing to leverage its position. By supplying USDT as collateral on Aave, the holder can borrow other assets to pursue additional investment strategies, a common practice known as “DeFi leveraging.” Furthermore, this transfer could signal a broader trend of institutional or sophisticated capital migrating toward DeFi’s transparent and programmable financial rails. The timing is also critical. Movements of this magnitude often precede or respond to significant market events, such as anticipated volatility, changes in monetary policy sentiment, or the launch of new DeFi products that require substantial liquidity seeding. Immediate Market Impact and Liquidity Effects The immediate effect of this USDT whale transfer is a direct injection of liquidity into the Aave protocol. A deposit of $700 million significantly boosts the total value locked (TVL) in Aave’s markets. This action enhances the protocol’s liquidity depth, which can lead to: Lower borrowing rates: Increased supply can reduce interest rates for borrowers seeking USDT loans. Increased protocol stability: Larger liquidity pools can better handle large withdrawals without impacting rates. Market sentiment shift: Such a confident move can be interpreted as a bullish signal for DeFi’s robustness and utility. Conversely, the withdrawal of $700 million from HTX represents a substantial outflow from the exchange’s reserves. While HTX maintains deep liquidity, large outflows are monitored as indicators of user sentiment and exchange health. This single transaction highlights the fluid nature of capital in the digital asset space, where billions can move between platforms in minutes based on yield differentials and strategic outlooks. The Broader Context of Stablecoin Flows in 2025 This event occurs within a specific macroeconomic and regulatory landscape. In 2025, stablecoins like USDT have solidified their role as the primary settlement and liquidity layer within crypto markets. Their movement between centralized exchanges (CEXs) and decentralized protocols (DeFi) is a key metric for gauging market risk appetite and capital allocation trends. A steady flow into DeFi suggests a preference for yield and self-custody, while flows into CEXs often precede active trading or a flight to simpler custody. The transaction also underscores the maturation of blockchain infrastructure. Transferring $700 million across networks securely and with minimal cost was a significant technical challenge just years ago. Today, it is a routine, albeit notable, event. This reliability builds trust among large-scale participants and is a foundational element for the next phase of institutional adoption of decentralized finance. Conclusion The transfer of 700,000,001 USDT from HTX to Aave is far more than a large number on a blockchain explorer. It is a clear signal of sophisticated capital seeking yield and utility within the decentralized finance ecosystem. This USDT whale transfer underscores the deepening interconnection between centralized and decentralized finance, highlights the competitive dynamics of yield generation, and demonstrates the massive scale that modern blockchain networks can facilitate. As the DeFi sector continues to evolve, monitoring such liquidity movements will remain crucial for understanding market trends, risk sentiment, and the shifting landscape of global digital finance. FAQs Q1: What does a “whale transfer” mean in cryptocurrency? A whale transfer refers to a transaction involving a very large amount of cryptocurrency, typically initiated by an entity or individual (a “whale”) holding substantial funds. These moves are closely watched as they can influence market prices and signal the strategies of major players. Q2: Why would someone move USDT from an exchange like HTX to Aave? The primary reasons are to earn yield and retain self-custody. By supplying USDT to Aave, the holder can earn interest from borrowers. Additionally, moving funds off a centralized exchange to a DeFi protocol like Aave means the user controls the assets via a private key, reducing counterparty risk. Q3: Is a $700 million transfer safe on the blockchain? Blockchain transactions are cryptographically secure. The safety depends on the network’s integrity (e.g., Tron) and the user’s security practices. A transfer of this size would undergo rigorous verification by network validators. The main risks are user error (like sending to a wrong address) or smart contract risk once the funds are deposited into Aave. Q4: How does this transfer affect the price of USDT or other cryptocurrencies? A transfer of this size itself does not directly affect the market price of USDT, as it is a stablecoin pegged to the US dollar. However, it can indirectly influence the market by signaling whale confidence in DeFi, potentially affecting the prices of governance tokens like AAVE or the general sentiment in the crypto market. Q5: Can anyone see who made this whale transfer? Blockchain transactions are transparent and pseudonymous. Anyone can see the sending and receiving wallet addresses and the transaction amount on a block explorer. However, the real-world identity of the wallet owner is not revealed unless they publicly associate themselves with the address. This post USDT Whale Transfer: A Staggering $700 Million Moves from HTX to Aave, Signaling Major DeFi Confidence first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

22 Feb 2026, 03:00

Bitcoin Whale Exchange Ratio Climbs To Highest Level In 11 Years — Data

The price of Bitcoin has been stuck in a consolidation range below $70,000 so far this week, after spending most of the previous weekend above it. While the flagship cryptocurrency’s price movement has been largely — and painfully — sideways in recent weeks, this represents a notable improvement from how the month of February started. The new month ushered in a fresh low just above the $61,000 level for Bitcoin, confirming the start of the bear market . Amidst the relative stability in recent weeks, a recent on-chain evaluation suggests that BTC and the broader cryptocurrency mark is still at risk of further downside volatility. BTC’s Future In The Hands Of Large Investors: CryptoQuant In the last bull cycle, the price action of Bitcoin was heavily influenced and impacted by the increased influx and activity of institutional investors (primarily through the spot exchange-traded funds). Similarly, it appears that the large investor cohort will still be at the wheel even during the bear market. According to CryptoQuant’s latest market report , the Bitcoin exchange inflows — and the immediate selling pressure — have normalized since the capitulation spike in early February. This trend can be seen in the decline in exchange inflows from around 60,000 BTC at the start of the month to around 23,000 BTC now. While the acute sell-off phase appears to be easing off, a troubling trend seems to be brewing among Bitcoin’s largest investors. In its market report, CryptoQuant highlighted that the BTC exchange whale ratio has climbed to 0.64, its highest level since 2015, suggesting that whale inflows account for a significant portion of the exchange deposits being seen. Meanwhile, the average BTC deposit size has also reached a level not seen since mid-2022, during the heat of the last bear market. This trend further reinforces the idea that institutional or large investors are behind the increasing exchange supply. CryptoQuant noted that the altcoin market is still facing elevated distribution pressure, with the average daily number of altcoin exchange deposits rising from 40,000 in Q4 2025 to 49,000 in 2026. This continuous capital rotation out of riskier assets reflects weakened market confidence and increases the risk of downside volatility. Meanwhile, the ongoing flow of stablecoins out of exchanges points to a decline in marginal buying power (or “dry powder”) in the Bitcoin market. According to CryptoQuant data, net USDT flows into exchanges have fallen sharply from a one-year high of $616M in November 2025 to only $27M, turning negative at times (-$469M in late January). Ultimately, the combination of the increased selling pressure from Bitcoin’s large holders, rising altcoin distribution, and consistent stablecoin outflows suggests that the crypto market structure remains at risk of further downside volatility. Bitcoin Price At A Glance As of this writing, the price of Bitcoin stands at around $67,580, reflecting a mild 1% increase in the past 24 hours.

22 Feb 2026, 00:00

Bitcoin Market Resets With 28% Deleveraging — What Next?

At the beginning of February, the price of Bitcoin tumbled to a new low not seen since US President Donald Trump got elected in November 2024. This downside volatility is believed to have been precipitated by the overleveraging in the BTC market at the time. According to the latest on-chain data, the Bitcoin derivatives market has witnessed a massive flush-out over the past week. BTC Market Now At Reduced Risk Of Liquidation Cascades In a fresh Quicktake post on the CryptoQuant platform, trader CryptoOnchain revealed a dramatic flush-out in the Bitcoin derivatives market on Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange by trading volume. The relevant indicator here is the Estimated Leverage Ratio (ELR), which has seen a significant decline in recent weeks. Related Reading: Why Bitcoin Could Be Headed For Another Drop: Research Firm Cites Three Key Risks The Estimated Leverage Ratio is an on-chain metric that measures the ratio of open interest and the reserve of an exchange (Binance, in this case). This indicator tracks the average amount of leverage used by traders in a particular market or exchange. A high ELR value typically implies elevated market risk, signaling that small price movements could potentially lead to significant liquidations and further price movements. As reported by NewsBTC in late January, the ELR was at an extremely high level of around 0.1980, indicating an overheated and highly speculative market. Following the crash of the Bitcoin price, the on-chain metric has also cooled off, falling to around 0.1414. According to CryptoOnchain, this 28% decline in the Estimated Leverage Ratio highlights a shiftbin market dynamics. The market quant said that the drop in ELR suggests that a severe deleveraging event has occurred, with the accompanying price decline causing the closure of several overleveraged long positions. CryptoOnchain added: While the immediate price action was painful, wiping out excess leverage is fundamentally healthy. It removes the “derivatives bubble” and leaves the market structure much lighter and less susceptible to extreme, sudden volatility. The crypto analyst concluded that the risk of further liquidation cascades is reduced, now that the Estimated Leverage Ratio has fallen to normal levels. However, the Bitcoin market needs organic buying pressure and genuine demand from the spot market to rebuild a bullish structure and resume a sustainable upward trend. Bitcoin Price Overview As of this writing, the price of BTC sits around $67,950, reflecting an almost 2% jump in the past 24 hours. According to data from CoinGecko, the premier cryptocurrency is still down by more than 1% on the weekly timeframe. Related Reading: Bitcoin Big-Money Exits: Large-Holder Supply Hits Lowest Since May 2025 Featured image from iStock, chart from TradingView