Invest ideasNews
21 Feb 2026, 14:00
ProShares’ stablecoin-ready ETF posts ‘insane’ $17B trading debut
SEC's latest 2% haircut guideline could drive stablecoin adoption
21 Feb 2026, 10:53
Uzbekistan enters Central Asia’s BTC mining industry with first license approval
Uzbekistan has for the first time issued a permit to mine cryptocurrency in its territory, entering the region’s expanding coin minting market. The move puts an end to months of uncertainty, the newly licensed miner said, promising to “build the infrastructure of the future” in the country. Uzbekistan greenlights its first legal crypto mining project The Central Asian nation of Uzbekistan has issued its first permit for cryptocurrency mining to a private company, which plans to base its operations in the southwest Bukhara region. The mining firm, NexaGrid, has received the official authorization from the National Agency of Perspective Projects (NAPP) this week, local media reported late Friday. The government body, which is directly subordinated to Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s administration, is tasked with enforcing crypto regulations and licensing. The Tashkent-registered company was established in April 2025, with a statutory capital of 600 million Uzbekistani sums (around $50,000). In comments quoted by the news outlets Spot and UZ Daily, one of its two founders, Toymurod Sultonov, emphasized that his entity received the permit in a transparent procedure. In a celebratory post on the professional social network LinkedIn, the former civil servant and textile marketing analyst, turned crypto entrepreneur, also stressed: “This isn’t just about Bitcoin. It’s about the courage to go where no one has gone before. It’s about months of uncertainty, about the question ‘Why do you need this?’ It’s about risk, pressure, and silence, when no one else believes.” Private company to pioneer crypto mining in Uzbekistan Sultonov, who has 63% of Uzbekistan’s first licensed mining business, will be managing the enterprise, which will be set up in the Romitan district, with the help of his partner, Makhmudjon Rozimurodov, who owns 37% of its stock. Commenting further on the positive development, the new crypto executive also noted: “NexaGrid wasn’t born out of hype — it was born from the idea of building the infrastructure of the future here in Central Asia, where they usually say ‘it’s too early.’” The move is a significant step for Uzbekistan , which joins Central Asia’s growing crypto mining sector late and needs to catch up with some of its neighbors like Kazakhstan , Kyrgyzstan , and Turkmenistan . It has been more than two years since the NAPP adopted rules for issuing permits for digital currency mining in the fall of 2023. As per a report by its deputy head, Vyacheslav Pak, there were no legal crypto farms registered in the country in the years that followed. According to the regulations, legal entities can apply for authorization, provided they have a dedicated mining site that complies with safety standards. Companies are encouraged to use power generated by their own photovoltaic installations, and when they connect to the public grid, a separate meter must be installed. Miners are required to thoroughly inform the NAPP about all their activities and file transaction reports. Hidden mining and the minting of anonymous crypto assets are strictly prohibited. Their license applications must provide detailed information about the solar power plant and any electricity supply agreements, the technical specifications of the mining hardware, including its energy rating, as well as a list of the cryptocurrencies that will be minted and the addresses of the crypto wallets used. Submission of incomplete data and non-compliance with other relevant regulations may result in rejection of the application if the deficiencies are not corrected within a month after they have been established by Uzbek officials. Following a 15-day fee-free review process, permits are issued in the form of electronic certificates with QR codes. The licenses are valid for a period of five years, but can be suspended in case of violations for up to six months and even revoked by court order. The smartest crypto minds already read our newsletter. Want in? Join them .
21 Feb 2026, 10:02
Coinbase Urges Congress to Scrap Capital Gains Taxes on Bitcoin, XRP, Others
Crypto expert John Squire, known on X as @TheCryptoSquire, has spotlighted a significant policy appeal made by Coinbase during a recent congressional session. In his post, Squire wrote, “COINBASE CALLS ON CONGRESS TO SCRAP CAPITAL GAINS TAXES ON #XRP FOR DAILY PAYMENTS,” adding, “XRP AS MONEY IS A REALITY IN THE MAKING.” His message referenced a video clip showing a Coinbase executive addressing lawmakers about the potential consequences of current tax rules for digital assets such as Bitcoin and XRP. Squire’s post centers on Coinbase’s argument that applying capital gains taxes to routine crypto transactions may discourage everyday use. The exchange is urging Congress to consider removing capital gains obligations on small, daily transactions involving digital assets. According to the implication in Squire’s message, such a change could help establish cryptocurrencies, including XRP, as practical payment tools rather than assets used primarily for investment. COINBASE CALLS ON CONGRESS TO SCRAP CAPITAL GAINS TAXES ON #XRP FOR DAILY PAYMENTS XRP AS MONEY IS A REALITY IN THE MAKING pic.twitter.com/9zfuXDDxFi — John Squire (@TheCryptoSquire) February 19, 2026 Lawrence Zlatkin Warns of Over-Reporting Risks The video attached to Squire’s post features Lawrence Zlatkin, Vice President of Tax at Coinbase, responding to questions from a U.S. senator. When asked whether specific legislative provisions could cause harm, Zlatkin pointed to what he described as the risk of excessive reporting requirements. He stated that there is “a lot of potential for over-reporting,” especially in discussions concerning de minimis exemptions and stablecoins. Zlatkin explained that digital assets represent a democratized financial asset class, enabling individuals to transact in new ways. However, he cautioned that without a de minimis rule to exclude small transactions, taxpayers could face the burden of tracking and reporting billions of transactions. He said this outcome would not only affect taxpayers but also place a strain on the Internal Revenue Service. According to Zlatkin, many individuals are not prepared to manage the reporting obligations that would arise if every small crypto payment triggered a taxable event. He warned that increasing compliance demands without sensible exemptions could slow the industry’s development. In his view, both taxpayers and regulators could be overwhelmed if legislation does not account for the practical realities of high transaction volumes in digital asset ecosystems. Another speaker during the hearing emphasized the importance of keeping reporting requirements simple, while acknowledging the technological complexity underlying blockchain systems. The discussion also included participation from a representative of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, reflecting concern within the tax profession about how digital asset regulations may evolve. We are on X, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1 — TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) June 15, 2025 Implications for XRP and Everyday Crypto Use By highlighting Coinbase’s congressional remarks, John Squire underscored what he sees as a turning point for XRP and other cryptocurrencies. His statement that “XRP as money is a reality in the making” reflects the belief that tax reform could accelerate the adoption of digital assets for daily payments. If lawmakers decide to modify capital gains treatment for small crypto transactions, assets like XRP could become more viable for routine purchases without creating complex tax obligations for users. The legislative outcome will play a decisive role in determining whether digital assets in the United States can function smoothly as everyday payment options while maintaining manageable compliance standards. 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 Coinbase Urges Congress to Scrap Capital Gains Taxes on Bitcoin, XRP, Others appeared first on Times Tabloid .
21 Feb 2026, 09:56
FTX Was Solvent and Creditors Received 143% In Repayments: SBF Says
SBF claims FTX was solvent and highlights customer repayments of 119–143%, challenging the collapse narrative. The dispute centers on the $8B hole, bankruptcy mechanics, and how recovery data is interpreted. The SBF attorneys are preparing for a new trial after a Presidential pardon failed to materialize. Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF) claims that FTX was never insolvent. SBF shared an X post on Friday, February 20, stating that the FTX exchange is now repaying customers at rates of 119% to 143%. SBF is fighting for his freedom after he was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment in a federal prison. Notably, SBF has failed to secure a pardon from President Donald Trump akin to Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) and Ross Ulbricht “FTX could afford to repay in kind, until lawyers paid themselves $1b to quickly dismantle the estate, and slowly repay cust… Read The Full Article FTX Was Solvent and Creditors Received 143% In Repayments: SBF Says On Coin Edition .
21 Feb 2026, 09:54
Dutch Regulator Orders Polymarket to Halt Unlicensed Betting Operations
The Netherlands Gambling Authority has moved against prediction markets platform Polymarket, ordering its Dutch affiliate, Adventure One, to stop offering wagering services to residents without a permit. Key Takeaways: Dutch regulators ordered Polymarket’s affiliate to halt operations for offering unlicensed betting to residents. Authorities said prediction market wagers are illegal in the Netherlands, even for licensed gambling operators. The case reflects wider global regulatory pressure on event-based contracts and prediction platforms. In a notice released Tuesday , the regulator said the company must “cease its activities immediately” or risk penalties of up to $990,000. Officials said the platform allowed users in the Netherlands to place bets prohibited under national law, including contracts tied to local elections, and had failed to respond to earlier requests from authorities to address the issue. Prediction Markets Not Permitted Under Dutch National Gambling Rules “Prediction markets are on the rise, including in the Netherlands,” said Ella Seijsener, the authority’s director of licensing and supervision. She added that such operators provide wagers that are not allowed in the Dutch market under any circumstances, even for licensed gambling companies. Earlier this year, the company’s chief legal officer Neal Kumar said the firm was open to discussions with regulators while US federal courts consider questions over oversight of prediction markets. The dispute mirrors broader regulatory tension around event-based contracts . In the United States, platforms offering similar products have drawn scrutiny from state authorities, many of which argue the services resemble sports betting. At the same time, leadership at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission has pushed back against state intervention, asserting federal jurisdiction over prediction market activity. BREAKING: Dutch financial daily FD reports that @Polymarket has been officially banned in the Netherlands The regulator warns that failure to cease services for Dutch users could result in fines of €420,000–€840,000 per week. https://t.co/gZ7rT04401 — PredictFolio (@PredictFolio) February 17, 2026 The enforcement action also comes as Dutch lawmakers debate tighter rules affecting digital assets. The country’s House of Representatives recently advanced a proposal introducing a 36% capital gains tax on certain investments, a measure expected to cover cryptocurrencies if enacted. Should the Senate approve the plan, the tax could take effect as early as 2028. For now, the regulator’s order places Polymarket’s operations in the Netherlands on hold, highlighting how rapidly growing prediction markets are colliding with national gambling frameworks across multiple jurisdictions. Dutch Indirect Crypto Investments Hit €1.2B As reported, Dutch exposure to cryptocurrency through financial securities has grown rapidly over the past five years, reaching about €1.2 billion by October 2025, according to De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB). The increase largely reflects rising prices of major digital assets rather than a surge of new investor money. Holdings stood at roughly €81 million at the end of 2020, showing how valuation gains have expanded crypto-linked investments across households, institutions and companies. Despite the jump, direct ownership of cryptocurrencies remains relatively limited for many investors. Even with the growth, crypto securities represent only about 0.03% of the Netherlands’ overall investment market, indicating traditional assets still dominate portfolios. Last year, Dutch crypto firm Amdax raised €30 million ($35 million) to launch Amsterdam Bitcoin Treasury Strategy (AMBTS), a dedicated Bitcoin treasury company that plans to accumulate up to 1% of the total BTC supply, or roughly 210,000 Bitcoin. The post Dutch Regulator Orders Polymarket to Halt Unlicensed Betting Operations appeared first on Cryptonews .
21 Feb 2026, 08:03
Trump Signs New 10% Global Tariff Despite Supreme Court Defeat: Will BTC Crash Again?
On Friday, the US Supreme Court ruled against President Trump’s tariffs, indicating that he could not use a 1977 law – the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) – to levy taxes on imports from almost all countries. Trump’s reaction was immediate, calling the ruling a disgrace and threatening to take even more actions. He did so hours later, announcing a new 10% temporary tariff on goods from all countries under a law that was never used before, known as Section 122. It allows him to impose tariffs of up to 15% for 150 days before Congress steps in. However, experts have warned that Trump could once again work around the law, as Section 122 does not expressly prohibit him from allowing the tariffs to lapse after 150 days and then declaring a new emergency to bring them back. It’s worth noting that the Friday court ruling applies only to tariffs that Trump had enacted under the IEEPA. This allows the President to regulate trade in response to an emergency. Additionally, tariffs imposed under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 will remain, including those on steel, aluminium, lumber, and automotives. In its 6-3 ruling on Friday, the Supreme Court failed to address or provide guidance on returning the money to the affected parties that paid the taxes, worth around $130 billion. Treasury Secretary Bessent said after the decision was announced that the refund issue could drag on for years. For now, perhaps the most important question for crypto investors is whether these latest developments will lead to another crash in the market. Recall that BTC and the alts plunged in February and April last year when Trump hit essentially every country with tariffs. More corrections took place a few months ago when he only threatened the EU with additional taxation during the Greenland saga. So far, bitcoin has remained relatively stable, trading around $68,000. However, it appeared stable after the threats against the EU but plummeted once all financial markets opened on that Monday morning. The post Trump Signs New 10% Global Tariff Despite Supreme Court Defeat: Will BTC Crash Again? appeared first on CryptoPotato .
