hodler

13 Feb 2026, 18:55

Binance fires several experts from its compliance team, including special investigators

Binance fired an investigator team that may have uncovered over $1B in flows to sanctioned Iranian wallets. The dismissal of the investigators raised questions about Binance’s readiness to remain compliant with sanctioned regions. Binance fired investigators on its internal compliance team after reporting key findings on over $1B received through entities tied to Iran. The discovery was made by multiple sources and internal documents shared with Fortune. Binance’s founder Changpeng ‘CZ’ Zhao claimed the article held contradictions and was not clear enough on the link between the fired investigators and the discovery of sanctioned transactions. I don't know any details or who, but just reading the article, it's self contradicting 👇. One could also make a narrative "maybe they were fired because they didn't prevent it?" IF it were even true. It would also mean the 3rd party tools (the same used by law enforcement)… https://t.co/VzwvKwmAd4 pic.twitter.com/3JSdGGMcsV — CZ 🔶 BNB (@cz_binance) February 13, 2026 According to the magazine, the investigators tracked the flows between March 2024 and August 2025, flagging potential violations of sanctions laws. According to Fortune’s sources, the team members were fired at the end of 2025. Binance still handled USDT on TRON from sanctioned sources Despite the listing of Iran as a banned country, there were still transactions routed through Binance. The findings follow a known pattern of crypto usage in Iran, which utilizes USDT on the TRON network. This version of the token is carried by Binance, turning it into a major liquidity hub for TRC-20 stablecoins. So far, investigators have tracked USDT as a way to circumvent sanctions, but mostly ended up with idle wallets. The internal investigation points to Binance’s ongoing problems with compliance. In 2023, the exchange pleaded guilty to AML and KYC violations, and the exchange’s founder, Changpeng Zhao, was sentenced to four months in prison. Binance agreed to increased government monitoring, widely advertising its new phase of full compliance. Why did Binance fire a batch of employees? According to Fortune, Binance fired at least three investigators with a law enforcement background, focused on the European and Asian markets. The information on the dismissals coincides with a previous cut to Binance’s team. As Cryptopolitan reported, toward the end of 2025, Binance dismissed several team members for alleged insider trading. Around that time, several Binance team members also announced their departures through LinkedIn, without specifying the circumstances. Beyond the firings in the special investigator team, at least four of the top compliance experts left Binance, or were pushed out, according to Fortune’s information. The compliance experts were fired at a time when Binance and Zhao enjoyed peak acceptance for their crypto business, while helping the Trump family World Liberty Fi project and adopting its stablecoin, USD1. Binance USDT flows slow down Binance registered peak USDT flows from the TRON network during the 2021 bull market. Since then, there have been fewer dramatic spikes of inflows. USDT on TRON slowed down its activity on Binance, with fewer record inflows. | Source: Dune Analytics In the past year, USDT on TRON was much less active on Binance. The token’s supply is growing, but it still has a niche use compared to the ERC-20 version. Binance has also been known to swap TRC-20 USDT for its Ethereum version, potentially swaying the available liquidity in the crypto space. TRC-20 USDT is much more rarely used in lending and DeFi, as well as centralized exchanges, and is linked to usage for P2P payments in Southeast Asia. Earn 8% CASHBACK in USDC when you pay with COCA. Order your FREE card.

13 Feb 2026, 18:16

Where to Exchange Crypto at Competitive Rates: How SwapSpace Finds Most Favorable Deals

Exchanging crypto is easy. Getting a competitive rate is not. Whether you’re swapping BTC to ETH, USDT to TRX, or converting stablecoins during volatile markets, the final amount you receive depends on more than just the market price. Spread, liquidity depth, execution timing, and provider fees all influence the outcome. Exchange aggregators like SwapSpace streamline the exchange process by accumulating all information in one place. Why rates differ across platforms Two platforms can show noticeably different results for the same swap at the same moment. The reason lies in how pricing is sourced. Exchange rates depend on: Liquidity available at the time of execution Internal spreads charged by the provider Slippage during volatility Network fees Fixed vs floating pricing mechanics Centralized exchanges typically rely on their own order books. Instant swap services may source liquidity from one or two providers. As a result, users are often limited to a single pricing structure. Without comparison, it’s difficult to know whether you’re getting a competitive deal. The role of crypto exchange aggregators Crypto exchange aggregators approach the problem differently. Instead of offering one rate, they collect offers from multiple exchange providers and display them side by side. This allows users to compare: Exchange rate Estimated transaction time KYC requirements Rate type (fixed or floating) Rather than committing to one venue’s pricing, users choose the most suitable option at that moment. How SwapSpace Finds Competitive Deals SwapSpace is a crypto exchange aggregator that compares real-time swap offers from 37 trusted exchange partners, supporting nearly 4,000 cryptocurrencies. Instead of setting prices itself, SwapSpace pulls live data from its partner network. When market conditions change, offers update accordingly. This real-time aggregation allows users to compare multiple available deals before proceeding. Key mechanics behind rate comparison 1. Multi-provider sourcingSwapSpace aggregates liquidity from dozens of partners rather than relying on a single order book. This expands visibility into available pricing across the market. 2. Real-time updatesRates refresh as market conditions shift, helping reduce the risk of acting on outdated pricing. 3. Fixed and floating rate optionsUsers can choose between: Fixed rate — locks in the displayed amount before confirming Floating rate — follows market conditions and may improve under stable conditions 4. Transparent conditionsBefore starting a swap, users can see estimated processing time and KYC requirements. 5. Excellent user feedback Reputation also plays a role in evaluating crypto services. SwapSpace currently holds a 4.6 rating on Trustpilot based on nearly 900 reviews, providing an additional reference point when assessing reliability and user experience. Together, these elements position SwapSpace not as a pricing source itself, but as a comparison layer that helps users identify the most favorable available terms at the moment of exchange. Final thoughts Finding competitive crypto exchange rates requires more than checking one platform. Pricing varies across providers, and execution terms can shift quickly. By aggregating real-time offers from multiple partners, SwapSpace provides a structured way to compare deals before committing to a swap. The value lies not in being an exchange itself, but in giving users visibility into where the most favorable terms are available at a given moment. Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

13 Feb 2026, 18:12

Binance France CEO Targeted in Home Invasion Attempt: Report

The CEO of Binance France was targeted in a recent home invasion attempt, but the executive was unharmed and the criminals were arrested.

13 Feb 2026, 18:05

Expert Issues a Fresh Warning to XRP Holders

Cryptocurrency markets thrive on decentralization, yet most users still rely on centralized platforms for trading and custody. Even brief disruptions at major exchanges can trigger ripple effects across liquidity, pricing, and investor confidence, highlighting the delicate balance between convenience and control. Recent events involving prominent platforms underscore the importance of proactive risk management for digital-asset holders. Insights shared by Stellar Rippler emphasize a fresh warning for XRP holders. Stellar Rippler notes that Coinbase has temporarily halted buying, selling, and transferring operations. While some reports downplayed these incidents as “FUD,” the analyst stresses that even temporary outages reveal the vulnerabilities of leaving significant XRP balances on exchanges. Stellar Rippler urges investors to act before operational disruptions translate into more significant market consequences. I HAD WARNED YOU TO GET YOUR XRP OFF THE EXCHANGES!! Coinbase has now halted their operations to buy, sell, or transfer crypto. All those reports about Binance and Coinbase facing issues were sidelined as “FUD.” Guess what, this will only be a “temporary issue” until one day… https://t.co/iZSEj2Gctk — Stellar Rippler (@StellarNews007) February 12, 2026 Why Self-Custody Matters The core of Stellar Rippler’s advisory centers on self-custody. By moving XRP into cold wallets or secure self-custody solutions , investors regain control over their assets and reduce dependency on third-party intermediaries. The XRP Ledger’s decentralized design allows users to manage transactions independently, eliminating the need for banks or exchanges. David Schwartz has reinforced this point, noting that XRPL enables any user to effectively become their own bank, exercising full autonomy over their funds while maintaining security and transparency. Reducing Operational and Liquidity Risks Centralized exchanges, even those with strong reputations, remain susceptible to technical outages, liquidity constraints, and operational disruptions. Holding XRP solely on these platforms exposes investors to risks that extend beyond price volatility, including frozen withdrawals or temporary service suspensions. By withdrawing XRP to self-custody, holders remove their funds from the exchange liquidity pool , minimizing exposure to derivative desks and short-term market manipulations, and positioning themselves for greater stability in turbulent periods. We are on X, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1 — TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) June 15, 2025 Long-Term Security and Strategic Flexibility Self-custody does more than protect assets—it enhances strategic flexibility. Hardware wallets and cold storage solutions guard against hacking, phishing, and other coordinated attacks. They also allow investors to hold XRP securely through market volatility, regulatory uncertainty, or broader financial disruptions. By controlling access to their holdings, investors can participate in on-chain activities, staking, or other blockchain operations without relying on third-party platforms. In conclusion, the recent Coinbase interruption serves as a crucial reminder for XRP holders: security and autonomy begin with self-custody. As Stellar Rippler emphasizes, moving XRP off exchanges not only safeguards assets but also aligns with the XRPL’s core principles of decentralization. Investors who act decisively can protect their holdings, maintain liquidity control, and embrace the long-term potential of XRP while minimizing exposure to platform-specific risks. 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 urged to do in-depth 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 Twitter , Facebook , Telegram , and Google News The post Expert Issues a Fresh Warning to XRP Holders appeared first on Times Tabloid .

13 Feb 2026, 17:45

Coinbase Stock Surges After Q4 Miss as Analysts Call It 'Too Cheap to Sell'

Coinbase just fell short of Wall Street expectations, but investors are overlooking the exchange’s resiliency, according to Bernstein.

13 Feb 2026, 17:39

Coinbase stock buoyed by stock buybacks, revenue diversification, legislation outlook

More on Coinbase Coinbase: Take Advantage Of Extreme Fear To 'Buy' Coinbase Is Approaching A Margin Trough, Buy Whale's Digital Asset View: Deep Dive Of Pendle Coinbase signals Everything Exchange expansion and $2B buyback amid diversified revenue growth Coinbase Global stock bounces up even after Q4 results disappoint