hodler

12 Feb 2026, 21:00

Ripple CEO Shares What XRP Means To The Crypto Firm

Ripple’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Brad Garlinghouse has outlined XRP’s irreplaceable role within the crypto company. In a recent discussion, the crypto executive talked about how XRP is driving adoption and growth across Ripple’s ecosystem, highlighting its importance and utility in payments, treasury, custody, infrastructure, and other key areas of the business. XRP Powers Ripple’s Products And Institutional Growth Garlinghouse recently appeared on X’s Spaces to discuss the significance of XRP for Ripple and to reaffirm its role in the company’s long-term strategy. The CEO stated that he wanted everyone in the XRP army and the community to know that XRP is the “North Star” guiding Ripple’s mission and day-to-day operations. According to him, the cryptocurrency is central to everything the firm does, including payment solutions, treasury management, custody, USD, and institutional engagement. Over the years, the firm has continued to develop its payment solutions , using XRP to enable faster, more efficient international transfers while also supporting corporate payment risk management and DEX transactions . Treasury management further leverages XRP alongside Ripple’s USD stablecoin, RLUSD , to provide liquidity. The crypto company has also recently strengthened its institutional custodian platform, Ripple Custody , through new partnerships with Securosys and Figment, to securely store and manage XRP for banks and asset managers. Garlinghouse emphasized that XRP is not just a digital asset but a foundational element that, when combined with the XRP Ledger (XRPL) , drives utility, trust, velocity, and liquidity within the ecosystem. He made it clear that XRP underpins both current projects and future initiatives. The CEO also explained that regardless of whether the company is focused on Ripple payments, treasury services, payments on DEX’s, or Ripple Prime , its institutional digital asset custody platform, the primary objective remains the same—which is to strengthen XRP’s role within the global financial infrastructure. Institutional Adoption And Partnership Strategies During the discussion, Garlinghouse also addressed Ripple’s focus on institutional growth. He announced that Aviva investors, one of the largest asset management firms globally, has begun tokenizing assets on the XRP Ledger. This development illustrates the company’s strong commitment to expanding institutional opportunities while supporting consumer-focused partners. Additionally, it solidifies the firm’s position in the rapidly growing asset tokenization space and highlights XRP’s significant role within it. Garlinghouse also indicated that the company collaborates with companies pursuing new markets and solutions, ensuring XRP remains integral across applications. He added that the firm’s President Monica Long would share further details about these initiatives. The CEO reiterated that XRP connects multiple aspects of the crypto company, describing the cryptocurrency as “the heartbeat” of the comany. By keeping XRP at the center of its operations , the payment firm continues to strengthen its confidence as a “platform company for financial infrastructure,” while reinforcing the broader utility of XRP and its ledger.

12 Feb 2026, 20:17

Best Web3 and Online Sportsbooks for Betting in 2026

By 2026, crypto betting is no longer defined by whether a platform accepts Bitcoin or stablecoins. The real shift is happening deeper—at the infrastructure level. Sportsbooks are moving away from account-based, operator-controlled systems toward models that resemble Web3 protocols rather than traditional betting sites. This transition reflects a broader change in user expectations. Players who bet with crypto increasingly expect the same principles they see in DeFi: wallet-native access, transparent settlement, and reduced reliance on centralized control. In this context, Web3 sportsbooks are not just an upgrade—they represent a structural evolution of how decentralized crypto betting works. This article explores the best Web3 sportsbooks built for 2026, focusing on platforms that go beyond basic crypto payments and embrace on-chain logic, transparency, and permissionless interaction. Best Web3 Sportsbooks for Decentralized Crypto Betting (2026) Web3 sportsbooks in 2026 are defined less by branding and more by structure. The platforms below go beyond simply “accepting crypto” and reflect different stages of decentralization—from fully privacy-first models to crypto-heavy but still centralized operators. 1. Dexsport Dexsport stands out as one of the clearest examples of a Web3 sportsbook built around decentralization rather than layered on top of legacy systems. The platform combines a full sportsbook and casino with on-chain transparency and a strict no-KYC access model. Instead of relying on identity-based controls, Dexsport allows users to sign up via email, Telegram, or DeFi wallets such as MetaMask and Trust Wallet. All payments are crypto-native, with support for 40+ cryptocurrencies across 20 networks, enabling fast and fee-free deposits and withdrawals. What truly differentiates Dexsport in a Web3 context is transparency. Bets are logged on-chain, and a public betting desk allows real-time visibility into wagers and outcomes. This replaces discretionary trust with verifiable mechanics—an approach aligned with how Web3 products are expected to function in 2026. Dexsport is best suited for crypto-native bettors who prioritize anonymity, on-chain verification, and direct control over funds rather than convenience features tied to centralized platforms. 2. Stake Stake occupies a hybrid position in the Web3 betting landscape. While not decentralized in a strict protocol sense, it heavily integrates crypto into every layer of its operation and offers one of the broadest multi-asset betting environments in the market. The platform supports 17+ cryptocurrencies and provides instant deposits and relatively fast withdrawals, alongside a polished sportsbook experience with live betting, cash-out, and live streaming. Odds are competitive, and the platform maintains low house margins on many markets. However, Stake still operates under a centralized custody model and requires KYC verification before withdrawals. This places it closer to a crypto-optimized sportsbook rather than a fully decentralized Web3 platform. Stake is often chosen by players who want deep betting markets and strong UX, but are willing to trade off anonymity for scale and features. 3. Betplay Betplay leans toward the infrastructure-first side of crypto betting, with strong support for Bitcoin Lightning Network and a clear emphasis on speed. The platform allows fast, low-cost payouts and does not enforce KYC under normal usage conditions. Its sportsbook covers a wide range of markets, complemented by casino and poker offerings under a single account. The Lightning Network integration makes Betplay particularly attractive to BTC-focused users who value instant settlement. That said, Betplay operates without a traditional regulatory framework, and wagering requirements can be higher than average. It is best suited for experienced crypto users who understand self-custody and are comfortable operating outside regulated environments. Known Online Sportsbooks (Centralized & Regulated) To understand what makes Web3 sportsbooks different, it helps to contrast them with established, regulated online sportsbooks. The platforms below dominate traditional markets but operate on fundamentally different principles. 1. DraftKings DraftKings is one of the most prominent regulated sportsbooks in the United States and Canada. It offers deep sports coverage, a highly polished mobile experience, and a comprehensive loyalty system. However, DraftKings operates entirely within centralized and regulated frameworks. KYC, geolocation checks, and identity verification are mandatory, and all funds are managed internally. While reliable and compliant, it does not incorporate Web3 or decentralized mechanics. 2. FanDuel FanDuel follows a similar model, combining extensive sports markets with a user-friendly interface and strong live betting features. It is fully regulated, requires identity verification, and restricts access based on geographic location. From a Web3 perspective, FanDuel represents the opposite end of the spectrum: high compliance, high usability, and zero decentralization. 3. BetMGM BetMGM integrates sportsbook and casino gaming within a tightly regulated ecosystem backed by MGM Resorts. It offers a broad selection of markets and strong brand trust but operates entirely through centralized control, mandatory KYC, and jurisdiction-based access. Like DraftKings and FanDuel, BetMGM is built for compliance-first markets rather than permissionless or crypto-native betting. Web3 Sportsbooks vs Online Sportsbooks: What’s the Real Difference for Players? At a basic level, both Web3 sportsbooks and traditional online sportsbooks let you place bets on sports. The difference is how much control the platform has over your money and your account — and how much control you keep as a player. Instead of thinking in technical terms, it’s easier to look at how each type of sportsbook behaves in real-life situations. The Key Differences That Matter to Players What Players Care About Web3 Sportsbooks Online Sportsbooks Getting Started Sign up with a wallet or email, usually no documents Full registration with personal details Identity Checks Often no KYC, or only in rare cases Mandatory KYC and age verification Control Over Funds You interact directly with crypto wallets The platform holds and controls your balance Withdrawals Usually fast and predictable Often slower and subject to reviews Fast Payouts Common — payouts can arrive within minutes or hours Varies — can take hours or even days Account Restrictions Rare, rules are usually fixed More common after big wins or activity changes Geographic Limits Usually global access Limited to licensed regions Customer Support Role Minimal — rules are built into the system Central role in approvals and issues How This Feels in Practice With Web3 sportsbooks, betting feels closer to managing your own funds. You place a bet, the event ends, and your winnings are released according to clear rules. There is usually no extra step where someone decides whether a withdrawal should be approved. With online sportsbooks, the experience is more controlled. This can be reassuring for some users, but it also means: more checks before withdrawals stricter limits slower payouts in certain situations Fast payouts are often the biggest noticeable difference. In Web3 environments, speed is part of the system design. In traditional sportsbooks, payout speed depends on internal processes and payment providers. Simple Takeaway Web3 sportsbooks are built for players who want speed, privacy, and direct control. Online sportsbooks are built for regulated markets, with stronger oversight but more friction. Neither model is “better” for everyone — but by 2026, the gap in how these platforms treat players has become much more visible. What Makes a Sportsbook “Web3” in 2026 In earlier cycles, a sportsbook was often labeled “Web3” simply because it accepted cryptocurrency. By 2026, that definition no longer holds. Accepting crypto is a baseline feature, not a differentiator. A Web3 sportsbook is defined by how it operates, not just how it gets paid. Several characteristics now separate true Web3 platforms from older crypto betting sites: Wallet-native accessUsers interact through wallets rather than traditional accounts, reducing dependency on centralized identity systems. On-chain settlement by defaultBets and payouts are resolved through transparent, verifiable mechanisms rather than opaque internal ledgers. Reduced custodyPlatforms limit how long and how much control they hold over user funds, or remove custody altogether. Protocol-style designThe sportsbook behaves more like an application layer on top of blockchain infrastructure, not a closed system. In short, Web3 sportsbooks shift betting from a trust-based model to a verification-based one. From Crypto Payments to Decentralized Betting Infrastructure The evolution from “crypto-friendly” sportsbooks to Web3 platforms is less about new features and more about architecture. Early crypto betting sites simply replaced card payments with Bitcoin. The rest of the system—accounts, risk controls, withdrawals, and approvals—remained centralized. This solved payment friction but left the underlying structure unchanged. Web3 sportsbooks take a different approach: payments are only one component of the stack settlement logic is increasingly transparent the operator’s role is reduced rather than expanded Instead of asking users to trust internal processes, these platforms expose more of the betting flow to on-chain verification. The sportsbook becomes an interface, not the ultimate authority. This shift also changes incentives. When betting logic is embedded into infrastructure rather than hidden behind policy, consistency replaces discretion—and that is a key reason Web3 betting is gaining momentum heading into 2026. How Web3 Sportsbooks Handle Bets, Liquidity, and Payouts Behind the interface of a Web3 sportsbook sits a different operational model compared to traditional betting platforms. Instead of relying entirely on centralized risk engines and internal balances, Web3 sportsbooks increasingly distribute these functions across on-chain components. Bet placement in Web3 environments is typically tied to smart contract logic. Once a wager is submitted, the rules governing odds, settlement conditions, and payouts are predefined. This reduces the need for manual intervention and limits discretionary decision-making after the event concludes. Liquidity is also handled differently. Rather than coming solely from the sportsbook’s internal treasury, liquidity can be: pooled across users sourced from dedicated liquidity providers dynamically adjusted based on demand This approach helps stabilize payouts and reduces the risk of selective limits being applied to individual bettors. When it comes to payouts, the distinction becomes clear. In Web3 models, winnings are often released automatically once settlement conditions are met. There is no approval queue, no identity-based threshold, and no secondary review tied to account behavior. For players, the result is a betting flow that feels closer to interacting with a protocol than negotiating with an operator—one where outcomes are executed, not approved. Супер, закрываем статью аккуратно и логично 👌Ниже — финальное заключение, затем meta description и ключевые слова, уже с учётом нового тайтла и акцента на fast payouts. Conclusion By 2026, the sportsbook landscape is no longer divided simply by odds or bonuses. The real difference lies in how platforms handle user funds, payouts, and control. Web3 sportsbooks and traditional online sportsbooks serve different priorities, and understanding this distinction helps players choose the model that fits their expectations. Web3 sportsbooks appeal to players who value speed, privacy, and autonomy. Fast payouts are built into their design, not treated as a special request. Withdrawals tend to be more predictable, and users interact directly with crypto wallets rather than waiting on internal approvals. Online sportsbooks, on the other hand, remain the standard in regulated markets. They offer polished interfaces, strong customer support, and legal protections—but payout speed is often tied to verification steps, regional rules, and payment providers. As betting with crypto continues to mature, fast payouts are becoming a deciding factor. In 2026, the choice is less about which platform is “better” and more about which experience you prefer: permissionless speed and control, or regulated structure with added friction.

12 Feb 2026, 20:05

SEC Head Defends Enforcement Changes Amid Justin Sun Case Questions

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Paul Atkins is facing scrutiny from lawmakers as the agency moves to reshape its cryptocurrency regulatory framework. Democrats are questioning potential links between industry actors and President Donald Trump amid a broader decline in enforcement actions. SEC Scrutinized Over Tron Case During a House Financial Services Committee hearing, Democratic members zeroed in on the SEC’s decision to pause its case against Tron founder Justin Sun. Representative Maxine Waters pointed to what she described as a sweeping rollback of prior crypto enforcement actions after Trump entered the White House and new SEC leadership took over last year. Waters referenced the regulator’s 2023 lawsuit against Sun, in which he was accused of organizing the unregistered sale of crypto securities tied to the TRX and BTT tokens and manipulating trading volumes. Later in February 2025, the SEC asked the federal court overseeing the case to issue a stay, which paused the proceedings. Since that decision, Sun has become a major financial supporter of Trump-linked crypto ventures, purchasing billions of WLFI tokens, making him the largest backer of World Liberty Financial. Waters also highlighted a more recent claim by his alleged former girlfriend, who publicly suggested she possesses evidence of TRX manipulation. Atkins declined to address specifics of the case, telling lawmakers he could not comment on individual enforcement matters. He added that he would be open to further discussion in a confidential setting “to the extent the rules allow me to do that.” When asked whether the agency ever acts to protect investors in ways that could negatively affect Trump-affiliated businesses, he responded, “As far as what the Trump family does or not, I can’t speak to that.” Trump’s Ties to Binance Lawmakers also raised concerns about other high-profile litigation the SEC dropped last year, including cases against Binance, Ripple, Coinbase, Kraken, and Robinhood. In May 2025, the financial watchdog ended its lawsuit against Binance, which it had sued in 2023 for offering unlicensed services and misrepresenting trading controls. Trump later also pardoned Zhao, while a stablecoin issued by WLF was used by an Abu Dhabi investment firm for a $2 billion investment in Binance. “Explain to me how this happens without any enforcement action,” Representative Stephen Lynch said. “The reputational damage that the SEC is suffering right now is unbelievable. And you’re in the seat, sir. It’s your responsibility. I’m just asking for an explanation.” The SEC Chair defended the regulator, saying it has a “robust enforcement effort” and continues to bring cases. However, data from Cornerstone Research shows that its overall legal actions fell 30% in 2025, while crypto-related cases dropped 60%. Atkins, who became the organization’s chair in April 2025 after Gary Gensler’s departure, is known for criticizing the previous aggressive approach and framing his leadership as a move away from litigation-heavy tactics. The post SEC Head Defends Enforcement Changes Amid Justin Sun Case Questions appeared first on CryptoPotato .

12 Feb 2026, 19:40

SBF is still appealing his conviction

Sam Bankman-Fried is on the fourth day of a publicly chronicled challenge to his conviction, and his supporters are hoping the Trump administration will step in. The Biden administration has been repeatedly accused of being too harsh on the cryptocurrency industry, and supporters of crypto leaders in legal battles believe that the crypto-friendly Trump administration will review a lot of the cases. SBF is still appealing his conviction Sam Bankman-Fried’s legal team is currently on day 4 of fighting to get his conviction overturned. They argue that the judicial process under the previous administration was flawed. The convicted executive has gone from questioning the legality of his conviction to the litigiation process that preceded it in recent days to commending the achievements of the Trump administration and its aggressive approach to economic growth. For years, the crypto industry complained that the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under the Biden administration were hostile. They claimed the government required companies to get licenses, but then refused to grant them, forcing many American-founded companies to move their operations offshore to places like the Bahamas or Dubai. Changpeng Zhao recently echoed the same complaint about the Biden administration’s DOJ on the All-In podcast. Cryptopolitan reported that he viewed the Department of Justice as being “uniquely aggressive” and attempting to stall innovation. Now, the Trump administration is signaling that the companies that were run off are “welcome back in America.” SBF cited how liquid prediction markets were mostly based offshore due to strict oversight by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) before the Trump admin returned to office. Now, recent court rulings and a more hands-off approach from the current executive branch have allowed these markets to become available to American citizens. President Trump has frequently pointed to “great jobs numbers” as proof that his economic plan is working. He argues that by expanding business tax breaks, the government is successfully pulling investment back to U.S. soil. However, President Trump told The New York Times in a January intervie w that he has no plans to pardon Bankman-Fried. The president also ruled out pardons for music producer Sean Combs and former New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez. The Trump administration has overhauled crypto landscape Gary Gensler, who was known for being “tough on crypto” has left his position at the SEC and been replaced by pro-innovation successor, Paul Atkins. Several Bitcoin and Ethereum-based financial products are seeing faster approval times since the change. The Trump administration is attempting to make the U.S. the “crypto capital of the planet” by creating a strategic Bitcoin reserve and ensuring that stablecoins are regulated in a way that keeps the dollar strong. Supporters of SBF and other crypto figures in legal trouble hope that this new “Golden Age” of crypto will lead to a review of past prosecutions. They argue that many “crimes” were actually just a result of confusing and contradictory rules that were impossible to follow. Critics of the era, however, warn that total deregulation could lead to more collapses like the one seen with FTX. The Trump administration has stated that clear rules are the best way to protect people. The screenshot of a post by President Trump that SBF attached showed the POTUS stating that since the U.S. is the strongest country in the world, it should have the lowest interest rates on its bonds. The president continues by stating that the United States currently pays hundreds of billions of dollars every year just in interest on its debt. By strengthening the economy and demanding better terms, the government could save at least $1 trillion per year in interest costs. Don’t just read crypto news. Understand it. Subscribe to our newsletter. It's free .

12 Feb 2026, 19:07

Ethereum Treasury Firm ETHZilla Pivots to Jet Engine Lease Tokenization as ETH Sinks

Publicly traded Ethereum treasury firm ETHZilla is tokenizing equity in jet engines that it is leasing to a major air carrier.

12 Feb 2026, 18:40

Senate Commerce okays bill to fast-track FCC satellite approvals for rural internet

A key Senate committee vote d Th ursday to approve a plan that would break through the red tape that has slowed the development of satellite-based broadband across the United States, potentially reshaping internet access for millions of Americans in rural places. The Senate Commerce Committee passed the measure following amendments pushed by Senator Maria Cantwell, the panel’s top Democrat. Her office said the changes were designed to ensure the Federal Communications Commission keeps a close eye on new satellites before they get the green light, a nod to concerns that the approval process could move too fast without proper checks. Cruz and Welch lead the push The bill was first introduced in January by Committee Chairman Ted Cruz, a Republican, and Democratic Senator Peter Welch. Their goal was to give satellite companie s cl earer rules to work with while simultaneously opening up faster internet to parts of the country that have long gone without it. Cruz has argue d th e current FCC application process is stuck in the past and not built to handle today’s pace of satellite launches. “We have more rocket launches and satellite deployments today than ever before,” he said. “However, innovative companies that seek to expand broadband access to Americans are facing a regulatory process that is outdated, leading to massive delays in the deployment of new satellite technologies.” The timing of the bill’s advancement is difficult to ignore. Just under two weeks ago, Elon Musk’s SpaceX filed a request to launch a constellation of one million satellites that would circle the Earth and use solar power to run artificial intelligence data centers in orbit. That filing, submitted on January 30, marked one of the most sweeping proposals ever put before federal regulators. The company already has roughly 9,500 satellites in service and recently won FCC approval to deploy another 7,500 second-generation Starlink satellites, pushing its total network even further. The surge in satellite applications has created a backlog at the FCC that the new legislation is directly aimed at addressing. Analysts say that by clearing the bottleneck, approval timelines could shrink from years to months, potentially speeding up deployments by 30 to 50 percent based on the size of existing backlogs. According to FCC figures, about 19 million Americans in rural areas still lack access to high-speed internet, and backers of the bill say faster satellite licensing is one of the most direct ways to address that. Concerns over interference remain Still, not everyone is comfortable with the idea of imposing a rigid clock on the approval process. Cantwell raised red flags about a system that could effectively hand out permits through government inaction. “I’m very anxious about a process, particularly with interference, that just says negligence by the FCC gets you your permits for a million satellites,” she said during committee debate. Her office added that the final version of the bill ensure s FC C experts, not a blanket timeline, decide which applications qualify for faster review. “We all want faster licensing, but we made sure the FCC’s experts set the rules for what gets fast-tracked, not a one-size-fits-all shot clock that treats a ground antenna the same as a million satellite constellations,” her office said. The bill still requires the FCC to confirm that newly approved satellites will not disrupt signals for existing users, and to determine whether untested designs warrant additional scrutiny before moving forward. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has thrown its support behind the legislation , calling it a necessary update to keep American companies competitive. Industry forecasts put the global satellite sector on track to contribute $1 trillion to the world economy by 2040. The drive comes as China files a request with the International Telecommunication Union for more than 200,000 satellites, the largest such petition on record, adding urgency to the United States’ attempts to maintain its space leadership. Don’t just read crypto news. Understand it. Subscribe to our newsletter. It's free .