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15 Feb 2026, 15:14

Bitcoin Dollar Buck Boosts Token Yield to 10% and Adds Automated Rewards

Buck has unveiled a major upgrade to its yield-bearing token, infusing it with a generous 10% APY in a move that’s sure to spark industry-wide interest. The raise to 10% from its previous level of 7% significantly increases the attainable yield available to Buck token holders. At the same time, the Buck team have deployed a number of other enhancements including automated rewards that will eliminate user friction. Buck Ups the Yield Competition among DeFi yield protocols is intense, with each clamoring to safely maximize rewards in a responsible and ultimately sustainable manner. The more yield you can share with users, the more users you’ll attract – and the more loyal your existing users will become. Though not technically competing against synthetic stablecoins – whose yield-bearing analogs pay high single- or low double-digit rewards – there are clear overlaps between Buck and assets such as USDs. In the case of the former, however, Buck users don’t need to stake their stable to earn rewards. This is the very embodiment of passive income. Billed as the world’s first “SavingsCoin,” Buck is built different from conventional yield-bearing stables in a couple of ways. For one thing, yield accrues in real-time, before being collectable in holders’ wallets at the end of each month. It also doesn’t require staking, unlike the vast majority of yield-bearing products. These core properties have now been complemented by a new automatic rewards system that distributes earnings directly to holders. Prior to this, they had to claim manually. These upgrades mean that Buck can now claim to offer one of the most user-friendly products on the market. A New Category Is Born The Buck team is pushing hard for SavingsCoins to become a new crypto category – containing Buck, naturally, and any other emerging assets that fit into this bracket. The idea is that Buck sticks to its dollar peg while, in the background, holders earn yield that stacks up steadily. The longer you hold, the more you’ll earn. When a new month arrives, it’s just a question of collecting the rewards that have been directed to your wallet. Regardless of whether the SavingsCoin moniker takes off, Buck appears to have momentum behind it, and the latest improvements – not least the 30% yield boost – will do its prospects no harm. Automation – together with composability and interoperability – is one of the defining trends in DeFi right now, as protocols look to eliminate multiple hops that impair user experience, be it bridging or claiming rewards. For crypto users who just wanna save, without taking on undue risk or volatility, products such as Buck hold natural appeal. These are the sorts of solutions that will help mainstream crypto, making it easier for non-technical users to onboard and start taking advantage of opportunities to grow their wealth. With its yield hitting double figures, Buck has upped the ante for stablecoin projects. It’s now a yield leader – and according to its team, the best is yet to come. 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.

15 Feb 2026, 15:00

Trump-Linked WLFI $500M UAE Stake Sparks Senate Demand For Probe

US lawmakers on Friday stepped up pressure over a reported foreign stake in a crypto firm tied to US President Donald Trump, asking the Treasury’s foreign-investment watchdog to explain whether the deal threatens national security or should be reviewed. Trump And The $500 Million Deal Reports say an Abu Dhabi-linked vehicle paid about $500 million for roughly 49% stake in World Liberty Financial (WLFI) . That investment is said to have put a foreign investor in line to be the largest outside shareholder and to win board seats. Based on reports , critics worry about what access a large shareholder could have to customer data, system controls, or strategic decision-making at a company that handles stablecoins and user wallets. Sheikh Named As A Backer Accounts point to an investment vehicle tied to Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Reports say the deal closed in January 2025, a timing that has drawn extra attention from legislators, given its proximity to the transition in Washington. Some money from the transaction reportedly flowed to entities linked to the company’s founders and affiliates. That detail has raised questions about disclosure and whether any rules governing foreign deals were followed. Lawmakers Want Answers Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren and New Jersey Senator Andy Kim have written to Scott Bessent asking whether the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US — CFIUS — has reviewed the transaction or should now open a formal probe into the Trump-linked crypto venture. The lawmakers set a response deadline and asked for documents and a clear statement on any national security concerns. Their letter frames the matter as one of foreign access to sensitive financial and identity information, and of potential influence over a firm connected to a sitting president. Board Appointments And Tech Ties Add To Scrutiny Reports note that executives with ties to G42 were named to the company’s board after the deal. That link has prompted fresh questions, since G42 has been inspected in past US intelligence reviews for its foreign partnerships. Lawmakers say those kinds of connections merit a close look when the investor traces back to a foreign government official or agency. Trump-Linked Crypto: What Happens Next If CFIUS opens a formal review, it could demand documents, interview executives, and impose mitigation steps or block parts of the deal. If no review is launched, lawmakers say they will press further through oversight hearings and document requests. The unfolding inquiry highlights a knot of issues: foreign capital in crypto, the handling of consumer data, and how political ties intersect with cross-border investments. Featured image from David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images, chart from TradingView

15 Feb 2026, 14:08

Dubai detains Israeli suspect in crypto-related Novak double homicide

An Israeli national was arrested in Dubai in connection with the killing of a Russian crypto figure and his wife. The authorities continue to unravel a case that has drawn attention from the global crypto community. Michael Greenberg, also known as Mike Green, was reportedly detained in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) about three months ago. He is described as a private investigator based in Thailand. However, Green is not suspected of carrying out the killings of Roman Novak and his wife Anna but is alleged to have had some involvement. Israeli linked to suspects in UAE crypto killings According to reports, Greenberg is under scrutiny for having ties to eight individuals already arrested in the case. Russian investigators reportedly found some crucial information on the suspects’ mobile phones that eventually led to his arrest in Dubai. Novak, a Russian national, had allegedly raised $500 million through a fraudulent crypto application before going on the run. He had previously been convicted in 2020 in St. Petersburg for fraud linked to investment and crypto projects. Novak got a sentence of six years in prison. However, after his release in 2023, he moved abroad and reportedly carried on with their fundraising activities. Russian authorities said Novak and his wife were reported missing after their relatives were unable to contact them. Reports suggest that the couple’s driver last saw them on Oct 2 2025. He allegedly dropped them near a lake in the Hatta area close to the Oman border. The meeting was described as a meeting with potential investors. The couple was lured under the pretext of an investment meeting to a rented villa. The alleged offenders then attacked the couple as they failed to provide access to their crypto wallets. Investigators believe that the suspects discovered the wallet was empty which led to the couple being allegedly killed and dismembered. Their remains were reportedly found on Oct 3. Russian and Emirati authorities are said to have traced the suspects’ movements using surveillance footage and phone signals. They tracked them in Oman and later in South Africa before disappearing on Oct. 4. ‘Wrench Attacks’ rise over crypto holders This massive case is unfolding when the global crypto community is witnessing rising violence against holders and builders. Law enforcement agencies across different countries have reported an increase in so-called “wrench attacks.” In May 2025, masked assailants attempted to abduct family members of the chief executive of Paris-based crypto exchange Paymium in broad daylight. Earlier in 2025, David Balland, co-founder of hardware wallet maker Ledger, was abducted in France. His partner also got captured in a ransom attempt involving crypto, but police managed to rescue the pair. Other incidents have been reported in France, Italy and the United States. Individuals linked to digital asset holdings were allegedly targeted for extortion or kidnapping. As some crypto transactions can be pseudonymous on-chain, enforcement officials mention that physical threats have emerged as a new tool for criminals seeking access to digital wallets. Get 8% CASHBACK when you spend crypto with COCA Visa card. Order your FREE card.

15 Feb 2026, 14:02

How High XRP Price Could Surge on BlackRock ETF Filing

Prominent cryptocurrency proponent Amonyx has asserted that XRP could rally as much as 100% if asset management giant BlackRock files for an exchange-traded fund tied to the digital asset. In a brief but pointed message, he stated: “XRP could surge 100% on BlackRock ETF filing, according to an analyst.” The remark reflects growing expectations within the digital asset sector that institutional developments could significantly impact XRP’s valuation in 2026. The statement arrives at a time when regulatory uncertainty surrounding XRP has largely subsided following the 2025 settlement between the SEC and Ripple . With legal ambiguity reduced and ETF approvals for multiple digital assets already established, market participants increasingly view institutional participation as the next potential catalyst. $XRP could surge 100% on BlackRock ETF filing, according to analyst — Amonyx (@amonyx) February 13, 2026 The Institutional Signal BlackRock’s involvement would carry weight beyond that of a typical asset manager. The firm oversees more than $10 trillion in assets and has successfully launched spot Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded products in recent years. Its filings for products such as IBIT and ETHA set a precedent for institutional adoption in the digital asset sector. An XRP ETF filing by BlackRock would likely validate XRP’s regulatory standing and market maturity. The development would signal that the asset has transitioned into a category considered suitable for mainstream portfolio allocation. Analysts argue that such a move could prompt additional asset managers to follow. Price Implications and Market Dynamics At current February 2026 price levels of approximately $1.40 to $1.50, a 100% increase would place XRP between $2.80 and $3.00. That range would bring the asset closer to its 2025 high of $3.65 and within reach of its historical peak. Supporters of the 100% surge thesis point to potential supply constraints. If institutional funds were required to acquire significant quantities of XRP to back ETF shares, the circulating supply available on exchanges could tighten. Even moderate institutional inflows under such conditions could have an outsized impact on price movement. Some market commentators, including crypto analyst Zach Rector, have previously suggested that capital rotation toward assets with clearer regulatory systems may already be underway. In this context, XRP’s post-settlement status could enhance its attractiveness relative to other digital assets. We are on X, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1 — TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) June 15, 2025 Regulatory Context and Caution The 2025 resolution of the legal dispute between Ripple and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission removed a major obstacle to an ETF structure. The classification of XRP as a digital commodity has made the concept of a spot ETF legally viable in previously uncertain ways. However, caution remains warranted. Market participants recall prior incidents, including a 2023 false ETF report that temporarily moved prices before being disproven. Until an official S-1 filing appears in the SEC’s EDGAR system, any expectation of a BlackRock XRP ETF remains speculative. Broader macroeconomic factors also continue to influence digital asset markets. Inflation data, interest rate adjustments, and liquidity conditions could moderate or amplify any ETF-related rally. Amonyx’s statement underscores a widely held belief among XRP proponents that institutional validation could trigger substantial appreciation. Whether such a filing materializes remains to be seen, but the possibility has clearly become a focal point in the current market cycle. 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 How High XRP Price Could Surge on BlackRock ETF Filing appeared first on Times Tabloid .

15 Feb 2026, 13:17

Senators Urge CFIUS Probe Into $500M UAE Stake in Trump-Linked WLFI

Washington just got a new crypto headache. Two U.S. Senators are pushing Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to open an urgent national security review over a $500 million foreign investment in World Liberty Financial. Here is where it gets tense. The money comes from a UAE backed investment vehicle and reportedly gives foreign players a 49% stake in the Trump linked crypto venture. That is a big slice. The timing makes it even more explosive. This all surfaced just days after the inauguration, raising concerns about who might gain access to sensitive financial or user data. Key Takeaways Senators Elizabeth Warren and Andy Kim formally requested a CFIUS probe into a UAE-backed vehicle purchasing 49% of WLFI. The $500 million deal allegedly funnels $187 million directly to Trump-family linked entities, raising conflict of interest flags. Lawmakers argue the structure grants foreign actors dangerous leverage over a firm collecting sensitive U.S. financial data. The Deal and the Threat In a letter sent Friday, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Andy Kim asked Treasury to confirm whether CFIUS was even alerted about the deal. The transaction would give a UAE backed investment vehicle nearly 49% of World Liberty Financial, the DeFi project widely promoted by the Trump family. That is not a minor stake. Reports link the funding to Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE national security adviser. If finalized, the foreign fund becomes the largest shareholder overnight. Source: Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan And Trump / UAE Embassy And this is happening as Trump affiliated ventures are expanding deeper into crypto, putting everything under a brighter spotlight. The real tension is about influence. A $500 million stake is not passive money. It can mean access, leverage, and potentially sensitive internal data. For a project tied to a sitting President’s family, the optics alone are enough to spark political fire. National Security Red Flags The concern is not just the $500 million. It is the data. Senators pointed out that WLFI privacy policy admits to collecting wallet addresses, device identifiers, and even approximate location data. If a foreign backed fund gains influence over a company holding that kind of financial information, it raises serious national security flags. The letter also references executives tied to G42, a tech firm that has faced U.S. scrutiny over alleged links to China. GM family — BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! Watch what our co‑founder @DonaldJTrumpJr has to say about the World Liberty Forum. pic.twitter.com/rkTocmlkem — WLFI (@worldlibertyfi) January 20, 2026 Warren and Kim want confirmation by March 5 on whether a formal review is underway. With Treasury pushing for clearer crypto rules, ignoring a potential security gap tied to presidential business interests could turn into a political storm. All of this is unfolding while the broader Trump linked crypto network keeps expanding. Reports suggest roughly $187 million from the deal would flow to entities connected to the Trump family which makes it even more complicated. Will The Deal Unwind? If CFIUS steps in, this could get serious. The committee has the authority to unwind deals retroactively, especially if cybersecurity or national security risks are involved. High profile foreign investments with political ties rarely escape scrutiny. 24h 7d 30d 1y All time With crypto increasingly intersecting with federal oversight, headlines like this can move markets quickly. If Treasury confirms an active review, expect volatility to spike. The post Senators Urge CFIUS Probe Into $500M UAE Stake in Trump-Linked WLFI appeared first on Cryptonews .

15 Feb 2026, 13:11

Paramount sends legal notice to ByteDance over ‘Seedance’ dispute

Hollywood organizations are now pushing back against ByteDance’s Seedance 2.0, which they have described as a tool for copyright infringement. Paramount Skydance has become the latest company to issue a cease-and-desist order to ByteDance, the parent company of video streaming platform TikTok, over the generative artificial intelligence model. ByteDance launched Seedance 2.0 earlier this week, with the updated model currently available to Chinese users of its Jianying app. While the company says it would soon be available to the global users of its CapCut app, the application has since drawn criticism over its ability to create videos using the likeness of real people as well as intellectual property owned by studios. Paramount Skydance sends cease-and-desist letter to ByteDance According to Paramount Skydance, ByteDance is engaging in what it calls a ‘blatant infringement’ of its intellectual property with its Seedance video and Seedream image generative AI platforms. The company alleged that the Chinese technology company is illegally using its IP, naming several characters and moves, including Dora the Explorer, South Park, Star Trek, The Godfather, and more. The company sent the letter on Saturday, asking ByteDance to discontinue the alleged infringement. The letter was sent from Gabriel Miller, the intellectual property head of Paramount Skydance, and was addressed to ByteDance CEO Liang Rubo. In the letter, Miller mentioned that much of the content that the Seed platforms have been producing contained depictions of famous characters and franchises of Paramount’s. He noted that these materials are protected under copyright law, trademark law, and the law of unfair competition. Miller added that the content in the AI-generated images and videos produced by ByteDance platforms is often indistinguishable, both visually and audibly, from Paramount’s copyrighted characters and stories. He noted that Paramount’s characters such as “South Park,” “SpongeBob SquarePants,” “Star Trek,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” “The Godfather,” “Dora the Explorer” and “Avatar: The Last Airbender” have “all been repeatedly infringed by the Seed Platforms’ production and subsequent public performance and distribution of these images and videos.” The intellectual property head also mentioned that the recent release of the Seedance 2.0 video generation tool has seen ByteDance not only continue its infringing activities, but it has now become more prevalent, and the unlawful outputs are now more widely released. In the letter, Paramount asked ByteDance to prevent violations of its intellectual property rights by ensuring that its content is not used or created by ByteDance or the Seed Platforms going forward, and remove all infringing instances of Paramount’s content from ByteDance’s platforms and systems. Hollywood groups blast ByteDance and Seedance 2.0 Paramount Skydance is not the only studio that has issued a cease-and-desist order to ByteDance since the release of Seedance 2.0. According to a previous Cryptopolitan report , Disney sent a letter to that effect on Friday, noting that the company is making its AI platform a pirated library of Disney’s copyrighted characters and franchises. “ByteDance’s virtual smash-and-grab of Disney’s IP is willful, pervasive, and totally unacceptable,” David Singer, a partner at Jenner & Block, wrote on behalf of Disney. Charles Rivkin, CEO of the Motion Picture Association, also issued a statement demanding that ByteDance cease its infringing activity. “In a single day, the Chinese AI service Seedance 2.0 has engaged in unauthorized use of U.S. copyrighted works on a massive scale,” Rivkin said. He noted that by launching a service that operates without safeguards against infringement, ByteDance is disregarding established copyright law that protects creators and facilitates millions of American jobs. The Human Artistry Campaign, an initiative backed by numerous Hollywood unions and trade groups, has also criticized ByteDance and Seedance 2.0, calling it an attack on every creator around the world, with SAG-AFTRA saying it stands with the studios in condemning the blatant infringement enabled by ByteDance’s new AI video model. Get 8% CASHBACK when you spend crypto with COCA Visa card. Order your FREE card.