hodler

26 Feb 2026, 22:09

Block's stock jumps over 25% following a 24% YoY Q4 gross profit growth

Block shares surged more than 25% in extended trading Thursday after it announced layoffs of more than 4,000 employees. The cut is half the workforce, taking Block from over 10,000 to under 6,000. In a shareholder letter, Block called it “a difficult decision” and tied the change to intelligence tools that let a smaller team do more. Cut staff and push intelligence tools Block CEO Jack Dorsey said in the letter that over 4,000 people will leave or enter consultation as headcount drops by nearly half. It said, “Intelligence tools have changed what it means to build and run a company,” and said capabilities are “compounding faster every week.” The letter said, “I think most companies are late,” and said that within the next year, most companies will make similar structural changes. It said it wants to do it “on our own terms.” Block said 2025 was strong. Gross profit growth more than doubled from the first quarter to the fourth quarter. It surpassed Rule of 40 in the fourth quarter. It restarted Cash App network growth and increased engagement. It scaled lending products with strong returns. Square’s gross payment volume growth accelerated. The firm posted its strongest new volume added year on record. It shipped its first Proto bitcoin mining units. It increased share repurchases to return more capital to shareholders. Block said 2025 results are starting to reflect faster product work, and it kept its Investor Day targets for Cash App gross profit growth and Square GPV over the next three years. Set four build priorities and demand speed Block said intelligence will sit at the core of decision-making, building trust, managing risk, building products, and serving customers. It said it is moving toward a model where customers can build their own features directly on top of Block capabilities. It said it will run with “extreme focus” and listed four build priorities: customer capabilities, interfaces to compose and deliver those capabilities, proactive intelligence based on deep customer understanding and real-time data, and an intelligence model that orchestrates company operations. It said this supports the Investor Day master plan. On speed, it said a company at the new size has “no excuse for being slow.” It said it will decide faster, ship faster, and learn faster. Report Q4 numbers and lift guidance Block reported fourth quarter 2025 gross profit growth of 24% year over year and said it beat its gross profit guidance. It reported operating income of $485 million and adjusted operating income of $588 million. Block’s net income attributable to common stockholders was $116 million. Adjusted EBITDA was $930 million. GAAP diluted EPS was $0.19. Adjusted diluted EPS was $0.65, up 38% year over year. Square GPV grew 10% year over year in the fourth quarter on a reported and constant currency basis. U.S. GPV grew 7.0% year over year. International GPV grew 24% year over year, or 25% in constant currency. Through February 24, Block said quarter to date Square GPV growth accelerated to over 12% year over year on a reported basis, or 11% in constant currency, with U.S. GPV up over 7.5% and international GPV up over 34%, or 26% in constant currency. Cash App’s monthly transacting active users grew to 59 million in the fourth quarter. Primary banking actives grew 22% year over year to 9.3 million in December, up from 8.3 million in September. Block said it will keep investing in Cash App Green. Cash App gross profit rose 33% year over year, driven by Cash App Borrow, BNPL products, and Cash App Card. Commerce enablement volume grew 17% year over year to $54.7 billion, driven by Cash App Card. The commerce monetization rate increased by 4 basis points year over year, driven by increased Afterpay post-purchase attach rate. Financial solutions gross profit per active grew 57% year over year, driven by Cash App Borrow. Inflows per transacting active growth accelerated to 12% year over year in the fourth quarter, driven in part by more customers bringing their paychecks into Cash App. Block raised its outlook and expects $12.20 billion in 2026 gross profit, up 18% year over year, after giving a 17% view at Investor Day. It expects full-year adjusted operating income of $3.20 billion, a 26% margin, up 54% year over year. For the first quarter, Block expects gross profit of $2.80 billion, up 22% year over year, and adjusted operating income of $600 million, a 21% margin. It expects adjusted diluted EPS of $0.67, up 20% year over year. Block also said the organizational changes should begin to impact adjusted operating income more meaningfully in the second quarter, with the full impact improving profitability in the second half of the year. Don’t just read crypto news. Understand it. Subscribe to our newsletter. It's free .

26 Feb 2026, 22:06

Solana Price Prediction: Bulls Defend $83.50 as SOL Eyes $94 Target

Solana faces a decisive moment as price action tightens between stubborn resistance and firm support. The token trades at $85.95 as of press time after a 4.15% daily drop . However, it still holds a 5.05% gain over the past week. With $5.18 billion in daily volume and a $48.9 billion market cap, participation remains strong. Consequently, analysts believe the next move could define Solana’s short-term structure. Resistance Caps Immediate Upside CryptoPulse highlights the $88 to $90 zone as a major ceiling on the 12-hour chart. Price recently rebounded from $76 support and quickly approached this barrier. However, bulls have not secured a decisive breakout above $90. Hence, failure at this level could trigger a rotation back toward $81 mid-range support. A deeper rejection may even revisit the $76 demand area. Moreover, traders notice repeated hesitation near $90. That behavior signals active sellers defending the level. If buyers clear $90 with conviction, upside momentum could accelerate rapidly. Until then, the range remains intact and traders expect choppy conditions. Micro Support Keeps Bulls Engaged Morecryptoonl focuses on the $83.50 level as critical micro support. This area aligns with the 50% retracement and sits near the 38.2% level around $85.45. As long as price holds above $83.50, analysts favor one more push toward $90 to $94. That move could complete a fifth wave advance in the current structure. However, a direct drop into $83.50 would signal a deeper wave four pullback. Consequently, the risk of revisiting $78 or even $75.47 would increase. Traders therefore monitor intraday reactions around this pivot. Additionally, strong defense at this level would reinforce bullish confidence. Higher Timeframe Hints at Bottom Formation Source: X Satoshi Flipper shifts attention to the three-day chart. He identifies the $75 to $85 band as a major historical support. This zone previously acted as resistance in 2022 and support in early 2024. Significantly, price now retests this area after falling from $240 highs. Descending trendline pressure converges into the same demand region. Meanwhile, sell candles shrink, suggesting fading bearish momentum. If $75 holds, analysts project a relief rally toward $120. Moreover, a sustained recovery could target $160 to $180 later. However, a clean break below $70 would weaken the bullish thesis and expose $55.

26 Feb 2026, 22:05

Netherlands Economic Growth: ABN AMRO’s Surprising Export-Driven Forecast for 2025

BitcoinWorld Netherlands Economic Growth: ABN AMRO’s Surprising Export-Driven Forecast for 2025 AMSTERDAM, Netherlands – March 2025: Dutch banking giant ABN AMRO has significantly upgraded its growth outlook for the Netherlands, pointing to unexpectedly robust export performance as the primary driver. This revised forecast arrives amid shifting global trade patterns and positions the Dutch economy as a relative bright spot within the Eurozone. Consequently, analysts are now scrutinizing the resilience of key sectors and the sustainability of this export momentum. Netherlands Economic Growth: Decoding ABN AMRO’s Revised Forecast ABN AMRO’s latest quarterly economic report presents a notably more optimistic view than previous assessments. The bank now projects the Dutch Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to expand by approximately 1.8% in 2025, a meaningful upward revision from earlier estimates. This adjustment stems primarily from stronger-than-anticipated data in the trade balance. Specifically, the Netherlands continues to leverage its strategic position as a European logistics hub. Moreover, sustained demand for Dutch high-tech agricultural products, chemicals, and machinery is fueling this growth. Therefore, the export sector is not merely recovering but demonstrating genuine strength. The report highlights several contributing factors. First, the diversification of trade partners has mitigated risks associated with regional economic slowdowns. Second, investments in port infrastructure, particularly in Rotterdam and Amsterdam, are yielding efficiency gains. Third, the weak Euro relative to the US dollar has made Dutch goods more competitive in key markets. As a result, the traditional drivers of the Dutch economy are firing effectively. This performance provides a crucial buffer against domestic consumption headwinds, such as elevated household energy costs. The Engine of Expansion: Analyzing Dutch Export Dynamics Understanding this forecast requires a deep dive into the composition of Dutch exports. The Netherlands remains a global leader in several high-value sectors. For instance, it is the world’s second-largest agricultural exporter by value, a position bolstered by advanced agri-tech. Similarly, the Dutch chemical industry, centered around the Port of Rotterdam’s industrial cluster, is a cornerstone of export revenue. Furthermore, the country excels in exporting specialized machinery and electrical equipment. A comparative table illustrates the recent performance of key export categories: Export Category 2024 Growth 2025 Projection (ABN AMRO) Primary Markets Food & Agricultural Products +6.2% +5.5% Germany, Belgium, UK, China Chemicals & Refined Fuels +4.8% +4.0% Germany, France, United States Machinery & Equipment +5.1% +4.8% Germany, United States, Belgium Services (Logistics, Tech) +7.5% +6.0% EU-wide, Global This diversified portfolio provides stability. When one sector faces challenges, others often compensate. Additionally, the Netherlands benefits from its membership in the European Union’s single market, which facilitates seamless trade with neighboring economic powerhouses like Germany and Belgium. The nation’s extensive network of trade agreements further secures market access globally. Expert Insight: The Sustainability Question Economic analysts are now debating the longevity of this export-led growth. Senior economists at ABN AMRO point to structural advantages. “The Dutch economy is fundamentally built on trade,” notes one report author. “Our analysis suggests current export strength is not a fleeting anomaly but a reflection of competitive advantages in logistics, innovation, and sectoral diversity.” However, they also caution about external risks. These include potential escalation of global trade tensions, a sharper-than-expected economic contraction in major partner Germany, and fluctuations in energy prices that affect production costs. Therefore, while the outlook is positive, it remains contingent on a stable international environment. Broader Economic Impacts and Eurozone Context The implications of this growth revision extend beyond national borders. A stronger Dutch economy positively impacts the wider Eurozone. For example, it stimulates demand for imports from partner countries, creating a positive spillover effect. Moreover, robust Dutch public finances, partly supported by higher tax revenues from thriving exporters, provide fiscal stability within the monetary union. Compared to its Eurozone peers, the Netherlands’ export-driven model currently offers distinct advantages. While some southern European economies struggle with tourism volatility and debt, and others face industrial transition challenges, the Dutch focus on trade and logistics provides a steady growth path. Key elements of this model include: Strategic Geography: The Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt delta offers unparalleled access to the European hinterland. Investment in Innovation: Consistent R&D spending in agri-food and tech sectors maintains competitive edges. Skilled Workforce: High levels of education and multilingualism facilitate international business. Stable Institutions: Predictable regulatory and legal frameworks attract foreign direct investment. Nevertheless, challenges persist. The economy must navigate the energy transition, which affects its large chemical sector. It also faces labor market tightness in technical fields. Addressing these issues is crucial for maintaining export competitiveness in the long term. Conclusion ABN AMRO’s decision to lift the Netherlands economic growth outlook underscores the critical role of exports in the nation’s economic resilience. The forecast reflects robust performance across key industrial and agricultural sectors, driven by strategic advantages and favorable trade conditions. While external risks remain, the current trajectory suggests the Dutch economy is well-positioned for stable expansion in 2025. This export-led growth not only benefits the Netherlands but also contributes valuable stability to the broader Eurozone economic landscape. Consequently, policymakers and investors will closely monitor trade data in the coming quarters for signs of sustained momentum. FAQs Q1: Why did ABN AMRO raise the growth forecast for the Netherlands? A1: ABN AMRO revised its forecast upward due to stronger-than-expected export data across multiple sectors, including agriculture, chemicals, and machinery, indicating resilient external demand and competitive advantages. Q2: What are the main products driving Dutch export growth? A2: Key drivers include high-tech agricultural and food products, refined petroleum and chemicals from the Rotterdam industrial complex, and specialized machinery and electrical equipment. Q3: How does the Netherlands’ growth compare to the rest of the Eurozone? A3: The Netherlands’ export-focused model currently positions it for stronger relative growth compared to many Eurozone peers who face challenges like high debt or reliance on domestic consumption and tourism. Q4: What are the risks to this positive export outlook? A4: Primary risks include a severe downturn in major trading partners like Germany, an escalation of global trade protectionism, sharp increases in energy prices, and domestic labor shortages in key industries. Q5: How does a weak Euro affect Dutch exports? A5: A weaker Euro makes Dutch goods and services cheaper for buyers using currencies like the US dollar, enhancing the price competitiveness of Netherlands exports in global markets. This post Netherlands Economic Growth: ABN AMRO’s Surprising Export-Driven Forecast for 2025 first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

26 Feb 2026, 22:00

Michael Burry warned that Nvidia's purchase obligations jumped to $95.2 billion from $16.1 billion in one year

Michael Burry is leaning harder into his bearish case on Nvidia after the largest company on earth beat earnings yet again on Wednesday, something Cryptopolitan extensively reported. In a Thursday Substack newsletter, Michael pointed to Nvidia’s purchase obligations jumping to $95.2 billion, from $16.1 billion a year earlier. He also cited total supply obligations, including inventory and purchase agreements, at about $117 billion, which he said sits close to the company’s annual operating cash flow. Michael calls the supply lock-in a business plan problem On Wednesday’s fiscal fourth-quarter earnings call, Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress said inventory rose 8% from the prior quarter. Colette also said Nvidia had “strategically secured inventory and capacity to meet beyond the next several quarters, further out in time than usual.” Michael took that as a company locking in supply before it can truly know how strong future demand will be. He wrote:- “What is happening now is not temporary. It is no export shock. It is not even external. This is coming from within the business plan. This new reality reflects a deliberate decision to lock up supply chain capacity further than Nvidia has ever done before.” Michael compared today’s setup to Cisco Systems during the dot-com boom in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He pointed to 2000 and 2001, when Cisco secured large supply commitments to support rapid growth expectations. When corporate tech spending later fell, Cisco ended up stuck with extra inventory and supplier contracts it could not use. Cisco then wrote down billions of dollars, and the stock dropped hard. Michael said: “This is not business as usual. This is risk. Back in 2000-2001, Cisco extended purchase commitments with its suppliers to ensure capacity for that 50% annual growth Cisco expected.” He noted that Nvidia’s profit margins are above 70%, higher than what Cisco had in that period. Michael said that could soften the downside. But he also wrote that those margins have been helped by unusually strong demand and the company’s ability to raise prices. He warned, “That type of margin would likely revert quickly with a shift in demand.” Jensen says the networking unit is now a giant business On the same earnings call, Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang talked about the company’s networking business inside its data center unit. The segment is smaller than the computer side, but it has been getting more attention as AI buildouts get bigger. Jensen said, “We’re … now the largest networking company in the world.” He split the networking business into three areas: scale-up, scale-out, and scale-across. Scale-up links multiple server blades inside a large server rack. Scale-out connects multiple racks and systems into a large cluster, so firms can run a data center like one high-powered computer. Scale-across connects whole data centers to each other, so an AI computer can run across multiple buildings. To support that, Nvidia uses NVLink, InfiniBand, and Spectrum-X. NVLink connects chips and server blades inside a rack. InfiniBand and Spectrum-X connect clusters and racks, including CPUs, compute nodes, and networking gear. Spectrum-XGS connects multiple data centers. In December, the company said Amazon’s AWS would pair its custom Trainium chips with Nvidia’s NVLink Fusion, connecting Amazon processors into racks that function as individual computers. Jensen also said, “Momentum is strong with our Spectrum-X ethernet scale-up and scale-across networking as customers work to unify distributed data centers into integrated, giga-scale AI factories.” He added, “For the full year, our networking business exceeded $31 billion in revenue, up more than 10x compared to fiscal 2021. Our demand profile is broad, diverse, and expanding beyond just chat bots.” The smartest crypto minds already read our newsletter. Want in? Join them .

26 Feb 2026, 22:00

XRP-Paypal Rumors: What This Acquisition Would Mean For Ripple

PayPal, the digital payments company, has seen its stock price slump by almost half its value in recent months, which has led to conversations about who could realistically step in if a deal were ever pursued. Among the names circulating in online discussions is Ripple, the blockchain payments firm, which has been on a spree of acquisitions in recent months. Although no talks have been confirmed, the idea of Ripple acquiring PayPal is interesting because of the overlap between both companies in digital payments, cross-border transfers, and stablecoins. The question now is what this potential acquisition would mean for Ripple’s ambitions in global finance. Can Ripple Realistically Acquire PayPal? PayPal’s share price has fallen by around 46% over the past year, leading to discussions as to whether there might be a takeover of the company very soon. For instance, Fintech startup Stripe is reportedly in early discussions to potentially buy PayPal. However, there have also been speculations among members of the XRP community as to whether Ripple might actually be in contention to acquire PayPal. Jay Nisbett, commenting on X, described the idea as purely speculation but also noted that it makes sense from a synergy standpoint. He pointed out that PayPal’s market capitalization is around the $40 billion mark, which is reportedly below Ripple’s latest private valuation. However, financing such a deal would still be complicated. PayPal is a publicly traded company with a large shareholder base, regulatory obligations, and global compliance frameworks. Ripple, on the other hand, is privately held. Any acquisition would likely require capital raises, structured financing, or even a reverse merger mechanism that allows Ripple to effectively enter public markets through PayPal’s listing. Nisbett also noted that PayPal’s stablecoin, PYUSD, currently has a $4 billion market cap. An acquisition would allow this to be easily integrated into Ripple’s ecosystem with RLUSD and the XRP Ledger. Another angle involves regulatory positioning. Ripple recently secured expanded regulatory approvals and financial licenses that could theoretically support payment operations on a broader scale . A PayPal acquisition would instantly plug Ripple into PayPal’s established banking and e-commerce distribution network. This includes Ripple’s large share of global online payment processing and its existing cross-border corridors, which are expected to be about 45% of the total market. Ripple’s Growing Track Record Of Acquisitions Ripple has been expanding its footprint in recent months through a series of high-profile acquisitions that are placing its business beyond just payments on the XRP Ledger. To put this into context, Ripple has spent about $2.7 billion in acquisitions in the past three years. In 2025 alone, the company bought Hidden Road, a multi-asset prime brokerage firm; GTreasury, a global treasury management platform focused on corporate finance; and Rail, a stablecoin payments platform that focuses on cross-border payment capabilities. Ripple also acquired Palisade, a digital asset wallet and custody technology provider. At this time, there are no confirmed discussions between Ripple and PayPal, and acquisition talks are all just speculation at this point.

26 Feb 2026, 22:00

Why Retail Is Moving From Crypto To Stock: Will They Comeback?

Retail activity in crypto fell off a cliff, and it seems they are moving elsewhere. Spot volumes are down 25% to 30%, and Estimated Leverage Ratios have dropped 28%. This looks like capitulation, coming four months after Bitcoin topped at $126,000 and slid 46%. Capital is rotating hard into equities. The old “buy the dip” reflex that defined the 2024–2025 run is fading. Liquidity on major exchanges is thinning, and instead of moving with tech stocks, crypto is starting to lose capital to them as traders choose stability over volatility. Key Takeaways The Signal: Leverage Flushed : Estimated Leverage Ratios (ELR) plummeted from 0.1980 to 0.1414, wiping out speculative froth. The Data: Equities Rotation : Retail traders hit all-time high net inflows of $650 million into stocks and options in January 2026. The Outlook: Sideways Summer : Analysts predict range-bound action through mid-2026 as retail capital remains sidelined. The Data Behind the Retail Crypto Liquidity Drain The data is clear. The speculative engine has stalled. Estimated Leverage Ratios dropped 28%, sliding from 0.1980 to 0.1414. Source: CryptoQuant Binance activity fell by about $4.71 billion, down 16.4%, with daily volume now near $24 billion. Without heavy retail participation, rebounds are weak and short-lived. Price is leaning on passive institutional flows rather than aggressive speculation. The “digital gold” hype has cooled among short-term traders. After the fall from $126,000, fewer participants are willing to catch dips. The leverage reset suggests the high-risk crowd that drove the 2025 rally has either been liquidated or stepped aside. People Are Moving From Crypto To Stocks Retail is not moving to cash. It is moving to stocks. In January 2026 alone, retail traders funneled $350 million into cash equities and more than $300 million into options. That is record flow. The shift is clear. Source: Wintermute The BTC-to-Nasdaq volatility ratio has dropped below 2x. Stocks now offer comparable volatility with far smaller drawdowns. After a 46% Bitcoin correction, that trade-off looks rational to burned traders. Institutions are still active in crypto through ETFs, but they provide floors, not frenzy. They accumulate quietly. They do not create viral rallies. Meanwhile, the speculative energy has rotated to AI-driven equity names. Traders are using language models to dissect earnings and hunt for an edge in stocks. Compared to that, crypto currently looks opaque and momentum-starved. Until retail risk appetite swings back, crypto is missing the explosive buy-side pressure that once fueled vertical moves. Discover: Here are the crypto likely to explode! The post Why Retail Is Moving From Crypto To Stock: Will They Comeback? appeared first on Cryptonews .