Market Signal Briefing

Binance said it has finalized the conversion of its Secure Asset Fund for Users, or SAFU, into bitcoin (BTC), completing a $1 billion transition first announced last month.

The crypto exchange confirmed it purchased a final tranche of 4,545 BTC on Thursday, bringing total SAFU holdings to 15,000 BTC. Binance said the transition was completed within 30 days of its initial commitment.

At the time of completion, the fund’s holdings were valued at approximately $1.005 billion, based on a bitcoin price of $67,000, according to Binance’s statement.

Binance also published the bitcoin wallet address associated with the fund and shared the latest transaction hash reflecting the final purchase onchain.

SAFU, established by Binance in 2018, is an emergency insurance reserve designed to protect users in the event of security breaches or other unforeseen incidents affecting the exchange. The fund has historically been held in a mix of crypto and stablecoin assets.

"With SAFU Fund now fully in bitcoin, we reinforce our belief in BTC as the premier long-term reserve asset," Binance said on X.

The move follows Binance’s earlier pledge to reallocate $1 billion of SAFU stablecoin reserves into bitcoin during a period of market volatility.

To address potential future volatility from holding bitcoin instead of stablecoins, Binance will conduct regular audits and rebalancing of the fund based on market value. "If the fund's market value falls below $800 million due to BTC price fluctuations, Binance will rebalance the fund to restore its value to $1 billion," the exchange wrote at the time.

Disclaimer: The Block is an independent media outlet that delivers news, research, and data. As of November 2023, Foresight Ventures is a majority investor of The Block. Foresight Ventures invests in other companies in the crypto space. Crypto exchange Bitget is an anchor LP for Foresight Ventures. The Block continues to operate independently to deliver objective, impactful, and timely information about the crypto industry. Here are our current financial disclosures.

© 2026 The Block. All Rights Reserved. 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.

Charles Hoskinson, the CEO of Input Output, confirmed that LayerZero would be ported to the Cardano blockchain at a keynote speech during Consensus Hong Kong. He stated that integration will increase Cardano’s cross-chain capabilities and aid the development of stablecoin infrastructure.

LayerZero is one of the most widely used omnichain messaging protocols in Web3. LayerZero connects over 150 blockchains. It also provides access to more than 400 tokens and over $80 billion in omnichain assets. As a result, Cardano can access ecosystems such as Ethereum, Solana, and others via LayerZero’s endpoint infrastructure.

Cardano brings LayerZero and USDCx onchain More importantly, Hoskinson said plans are in place to introduce USDCx to Cardano with extensive wallet and exchange support. Its deployment will be based on zero-knowledge cryptography to drive up privacy without sacrificing immutability. As a result, cryptography, privacy, and regulatory certainty can be merged in the transactions of stablecoins. Hoskinson noted, “Get ready, folks. This changes everything.”

One of the next major outcomes of the Critical Cardano Integrations workstream is now in place!

The Steering Committee representing @IOGroup @Cardano_CF @emurgo_io @midnightfdn and Intersect has approved a major interoperability integration for Cardano: bringing @LayerZero_Core… pic.twitter.com/Y1A8ywos8n

— Intersect (@IntersectMBO) February 12, 2026

LayerZero’s arrival aligns with Cardano’s plans of developing institutional-grade instruments. Rather than focusing exclusively on retail momentum, the network is also carving out a role as an infrastructure for cross-chain liquidity and compliant digital assets. Hence, interoperability and privacy have become the core of its roadmap.

Just days ago, LayerZero announced a Layer 1 blockchain called Zero and got support from Citadel Securities and Ark Invest. Both firms bought the native ZRO token of the protocol. It is worth noting that token purchases are rare for Citadel Securities, making the move notable in traditional finance circles. Bryan Pellegrino, CEO of LayerZero Labs, said the bigger picture is to build permissionless systems to transfer the global economy onchain.

Hoskinson confronts bear market sentiment While announcing the partnership, Hoskinson pointed to the wider crypto downturn. Wearing a McDonald’s uniform as a reference to bear market memes, he conceded that sentiment in the industry has hit historic lows.

Instead, he described current conditions as a “micro” situation in a bigger bullish trend. In his view, the macro adoption drivers remain intact. Even amid price fluctuations, institutional alliances, regulatory changes, and privacy innovations are on the rise.

Notably, the LayerZero deal announcement came in line with progress across Cardano’s ecosystem as a whole. Midnight Foundation confirmed that Midnight’s mainnet would be coming in March as a partner chain to Cardano.

Midnight charts a different path from Monero and Zcash Hoskinson also touched on speculation about onboarding privacy-maximalist communities from Monero and Zcash. He made it clear that Midnight is not pursuing a direct migration strategy. “You don’t try to get anybody from Monero or ZCash over,” he said during a Q&A session.

According to Hoskinson, those communities constitute a specific demographic with a deep commitment to privacy ideology. Midnight, by contrast, is designed for mainstream users who may not be looking for privacy but benefit from it by default.

He said that privacy should not be a simple binary switch. Instead, it should be able to operate on layers of selective disclosure and regulatory compatibility.  “What Monero and ZCash have been trying to convince people is it’s like a light switch. We’re private. The switch is on. Everybody else is not. The switch is off. That’s not how that works,” he said.

Journalist

Posted: February 12, 2026

The March FOMC meeting carries added weight this year. After a bearish Q1, in which high-cap assets logged their weakest quarterly returns in years, this meeting is likely to set the tone for risk assets heading into Q2.

Recent data seemed to reinforce that significance. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S added 130k jobs in January, far above the 55k expected, while the unemployment rate fell to 4.3% – Beating forecasts of 4.4%.

In short, the labor market came in “stronger than expected,” reinforcing the idea that investors had been pricing in slower growth. Bitcoin’s [BTC] 2.54% dip following the release was further evidence of this shift in expectations.

Source: Truth Social

Notably, the repricing didn’t stop there. The probability of a near-term rate cut fell sharply, from 20.1% before the data release to 6.4% at press time, highlighting how quickly sentiment adjusted to firmer economic signals.

However, the question remains – Has sentiment truly adjusted? Well, U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed the report, saying it could lower the country’s interest burden and support a more balanced fiscal outlook.

Skeptics, however, took a different positon. The Kobeissi Letter argued that “the Fed pause will continue,” arguing that a strong labor market reduces the urgency for rate cuts and keeps monetary policy restrictive for longer.

In short, volatility around rate-cut expectations remains.

On one hand, this reinforces AMBCrypto’s view that the March FOMC carries added weight. The bigger question for Bitcoin, however, is whether this uncertainty will weaken its ability to hold the prevailing tight range.

Bitcoin remains fragile against mounting macro headwinds A textbook volatility-trap setup can be seen for Bitcoin. 

This week, BTC has been chopping between $65k–$70k, a range that usually reflects speculative positioning as traders bet on the next move. Notably, BTC’s long/short ratio flipped negative over the same period.

Technically, this could be a sign of crowded short-term positioning. If bulls defend this range, a squeeze could push BTC towarda higher resistance. That said, STHs have been losing patience, with BTC still trading 30% below their cost basis.

Source: CryptoQuant

In setups like this, holding support is critical to avoid a wave of capitulation. However, key factors suggest the road ahead will be challenging, with rate-cut volatility standing out as a major bearish catalyst.

Meanwhile, on the technical side, fragility remains clear. Bitcoin has twice failed to flip resistance into support since the January peak of $97k. First around $85k–$90k, then near $75k, which puts pressure on the $65k-floor.

Taken together, this setup clearly reduces the incentive for STHs to hold. Instead, with volatility still elevated, capitulation will be increasingly likely, raising the odds of Bitcoin breaking the third floor and putting the $60k-level at risk.

Final Thoughts Strong January jobs data pushed markets to repricing rate-cut expectations, increasing volatility and uncertainty for Bitcoin. Bitcoin remains technically fragile, with repeated resistance failures heightening the risk of capitulation.

UNI surged 40% in minutes after Uniswap enabled trading for BlackRock's tokenized BUIDL fund via UniswapX integration.

Uniswap’s UNI token jumped about 40% within half an hour, after Uniswap Labs announced that BlackRock’s tokenized money market fund BUIDL can now trade through its protocol.

The move links one of the world’s largest asset managers with a decentralized exchange, drawing attention from traders and institutional watchers alike.

BlackRock Fund Trading Goes Live on Uniswap Rails In a February 11 press release, Uniswap Labs said it partnered with Securitize to make BlackRock’s USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund available for trading via UniswapX, its request-for-quote trading system.

The company stated that investors can swap BUIDL with approved counterparties at any time using smart contracts for settlement.

Hayden Adams, CEO of Uniswap Labs, said the integration aims to make markets cheaper and faster, while Securitize CEO Carlos Domingo said it brings traditional financial standards to blockchain-based trading.

BlackRock’s global head of digital assets, Robert Mitchnick, called the launch “a notable step” for tokenized funds interacting with decentralized finance systems. The asset manager also confirmed it has made an investment within the Uniswap ecosystem, though it did not disclose the amount or whether it bought UNI tokens.

Market reaction followed quickly, with UNI rising by more than 40% in about 30 minutes to touch $4.57 after the announcement and news of BlackRock’s involvement spread across trading desks.

You may also like: These Popular Altcoins Lost the Most in the Last 24 Hours: What You Need to Know BlackRock, JPMorgan Among 35 Firms Building on Ethereum Uniswap’s Hayden Adams Rejects Claims AMMs Are Unsustainable As of the latest CoinGecko data, the excitement around the token seems to have petered down somewhat, with UNI now trading near $3.40, which is still up about 5% over 24 hours.

Despite the short-term jump, the token is still down about 9% over seven days and more than 35% in the past month, showing that the spike came after a longer decline.

Tokenized Assets Keep Drawing Major Finance Firms The integration builds on a wider trend of institutions putting financial products on public blockchains. Earlier in the year, the official Ethereum account on X noted that 35 major firms, including BlackRock, JPMorgan, and Fidelity, have launched services tied to the network. Those projects range from tokenized stocks and funds to stablecoins and deposit tokens.

Securitize, which manages more than $4 billion in assets, has worked with asset managers such as Apollo, KKR, and BNY to tokenize funds. By linking its compliance-focused platform with Uniswap’s trading system, the companies are testing a structure where regulated investors can access blockchain liquidity while remaining within whitelisted environments.

UNI’s recent price swings show how closely traders track institutional activity tied to decentralized finance.

Tags:

Shiba Inu price climbs 5% to $0.000006113, but a channel breakdown warns of a potential drop toward $0.00000138 support.

Newton Gitonga2 min read

12 February 2026, 10:08 AM

Shiba Inu rebounded from around $0.000005843 after early selling pressure, shifting from a brief dip into a clear recovery phase. Strong buying momentum emerged, driving the price upward with a pattern of higher lows and steady gains toward the $0.000006089 area. The overall short-term structure now appears bullish, as buyers maintain control above previous resistance levels.

However, the $0.0000059–$0.0000060 zone remains a critical support region, and holding above this range will be essential to preserve upside momentum and prevent a deeper retracement. At the time of writing, SHIB is exchanging hands at $0.000006113, up 5.02% over the past 24 hours.

SHIB Risks Deeper Decline as Channel Breakdown Targets $0.00000138According to Recent data by analyst Ali Martinez, Shiba Inu is trading near the lower boundary of its long-term descending channel on the weekly timeframe. The recent move below the $0.00000667 support suggests sellers are gaining control. Price action shows weak momentum and limited buying interest at current levels. This behavior signals that the broader trend remains under pressure. The inability to hold key support increases the risk of a deeper continuation move.

If the channel breakdown is confirmed, SHIB could open the door toward the $0.00000138 target highlighted by Ali Martinez. This level represents a major historical support zone from previous cycles. A move toward this area would reflect a full bearish continuation of the long-term structure. Bulls must reclaim the broken channel quickly to shift sentiment. Without a strong recovery, downside risks are likely to remain dominant.

SHIB Holds Near $0.00000607 as Bearish Trend and Momentum PersistShiba Inu is in a bearish trend on the 1-day timeframe, with price trading around $0.00000607 after continued lower highs. The rejection near $0.00000815 reinforced selling pressure and accelerated the decline. Price remains below the mid-range resistance at $0.00000676, keeping the structure weak. Although short-term stabilization is visible, the broader trend still favors sellers.

The Bollinger Bands show price hugging the lower band near $0.00000537, signaling strong downside momentum. The middle band around $0.00000676 is acting as dynamic resistance. On the MACD, both lines are below zero, with the MACD near -0.00000052 and the signal line near -0.00000047. The negative histogram confirms bearish momentum remains in control.

ENRICH your inbox with our best storiesDon’t miss out and join our newsletter to get the latest,
well-curated news from the crypto world!

Newton Gitonga covers cryptocurrencies, blockchain, and digital finance. He specializes in breaking down complex trends with clear, data-driven reporting. His work focuses on market analysis, technical insights, and the evolving role of altcoins in shaping global markets.

Read more about

Latest Shiba Inu News Today (SHIB)

Cover image via U.Today Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by our writers are their own and do not represent the views of U.Today. The financial and market information provided on U.Today is intended for informational purposes only. U.Today is not liable for any financial losses incurred while trading cryptocurrencies. Conduct your own research by contacting financial experts before making any investment decisions. We believe that all content is accurate as of the date of publication, but certain offers mentioned may no longer be available.

Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, now supports Ripple USD stablecoin (RLUSD) on XRP Ledger. Ripple’s Middle East and Africa Managing Director, Reece Merrick, shared the development with the community and the broader crypto sector.

RLUSD competes in $150 billion stablecoin marketAs per the announcement, with the integration now finalized, Binance will now allow deposits and withdrawals of the Ripple USD stablecoin on XRP Ledger. This means that users of the exchange can now transact RLUSD directly via XRP Ledger.

The development signals increased exposure of the asset to more users in the crypto space.

This indicates the rapid expansion of RLUSD within 14 months of its launch. Notably, Ripple USD stablecoin, launched on Dec. 17, 2024, was designed to facilitate cross-border payments and provide liquidity within Ripple’s ecosystem.

Interestingly, the Ripple USD stablecoin entered a market dominated by industry giants like Tether (USDT) and Circle (USDC). Despite the dominance of these two and other players in the sector, Ripple has continued to push for RLUSD to compete favorably with USDT and USDC.

The latest integration on Binance is a major liquidity boost, as it allows RLUSD to gain massive exposure on the exchange. It also signals credibility that RLUSD is associated with the world’s largest crypto exchange. This, in turn, could drive more activity on the XRP Ledger as more users gain easier access.

XRP holders are celebrating the integration as a bullish development because it increases institutional-grade infrastructure around Ripple products. Additionally, it gives more visibility to RLUSD and positions it to take on industry giants.

At the Ripple USD stablecoin launch, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse stated that the vision is to compete in the more than $150 billion stablecoin market.

Market growth, partnerships and global expansionAs of January 2026, RLUSD was struggling to break into the top 50-ranked crypto assets by market capitalization. That was despite volume soaring by 135% following active engagements by traders. 

You Might Also Like

Today, Ripple USD stablecoin sits in 44th place, evidence of increased growth.

This climb was achieved through various strategic partnership deals. For instance, in July 2025, Switzerland’s AMINA Bank became the first globally to offer custody and trading services in support of RLUSD.

About two months later, Ripple also made expansion moves into Africa by collaborating with major stakeholders like Chipper Cash, Yellow Card — a payment company — and VALR, a crypto exchange. These moves have helped to sustain Ripple USD stablecoin's astronomical rise in the sector.

Bitcoin is not looking hot in the near term, according to CryptoQuant CEO Ki Young Ju.

Ju says Bitcoin is “not pumpable right now,” with the market lacking the conditions needed for a sustained rally.

[adinserter block="1"]

“In 2024, $10 billion in cash could create $26 billion in BTC book value. In 2025, $308 billion flowed in, yet the market cap fell $98 billion.

Selling pressure is too heavy for any multiplier effect.”

Source: CryptoQuant Ju says the fact that even significant capital inflows are failing to generate upward momentum suggests supply overhang and persistent selling are absorbing demand.

He also raises concerns about the nature of the selling pressure.

“Unless this is forced selling, it is hard to see institutions unloading this much supply all at once.. The scary part of forced selling in Bitcoin is that it tends to cascade.

As funds get liquidated and prices fall, miners go bankrupt, and even retail investors who held on until the end are forced to cut their losses…

If there is no meaningful rebound at these levels within the next month, the risk of structural, cascading institutional selling rises significantly… Rebuilding trust would take a long time.”

Generated Image: Midjourney

XRP Flashes Historic Rebound Hint, But Buying Drops 85% — What’s Next for Price? Prefer us on Google

RSI mirrors past 28% rally setup, but outflows dropped 85%, weakening recovery hopes.Long-term holder accumulation fell over 60%, showing weak conviction behind the rebound.Failure to hold $1.34 could trigger liquidations unless XRP reclaims $1.50 resistance.XRP price today is trading near $1.38, showing early signs of stabilization after weeks of weakness. On the chart, a familiar rebound pattern has started forming, similar to past setups that led to strong rallies. But on-chain and derivatives data are not confirming the optimism.

Buying pressure has dropped sharply, long-term holders are pulling back, and leverage risks remain high. This creates a conflict between what the chart suggests and how investors are actually behaving.

XRP Price Builds a Familiar Rebound PatternSince late January, XRP has been forming a structure that previously preceded major recoveries.

Sponsored

Sponsored

Between January 31 and February 11, the price made lower lows while the Relative Strength Index, or RSI, formed higher lows. RSI measures buying and selling strength. When price weakens, but RSI improves, it signals that selling pressure is fading and momentum may be turning.

A similar setup, also on the 12-hour chart, appeared in late December 2025.

At that time, XRP showed the same divergence before reclaiming the 20-period Exponential Moving Average (EMA) on January 2. After that reclaim, the price rallied over 28%. Now, the structure looks similar again. EMA is a trend indicator that gives more weight to recent prices to show short-term momentum. 

XRP’s History: TradingViewWant more token insights like this? Sign up for Editor Harsh Notariya’s Daily Crypto Newsletter here.

The current divergence suggests that downside momentum is slowing. If XRP manages to reclaim the $1.50 zone, which aligns closely with the 20 EMA and prior resistance, it could attract stronger buying interest.

But the on-chain data does not support the rebound theory. At least, not yet.

Exchange Flows and Holders Show Buying Has CollapsedOn-chain metrics explain why the rebound signal is struggling.

Sponsored

Sponsored

One key indicator is Exchange Net Position Change. This measures how the total amount of XRP held on exchanges has changed over the past 30 days. In simple terms, it shows whether exchange balances are rising or falling on a monthly basis. When the number is strongly negative, exchange balances are shrinking, usually showing accumulation or outflows.

On February 8, XRP recorded net outflows of around 107 million tokens. By February 11, outflows had dropped to about 16 million tokens.

Exchange Flows Weaken: GlassnodeThat is an 85% collapse in buying pressure. This means investors are no longer reducing exchange balances at the same pace. Demand has weakened sharply, even as the chart flashed a bullish setup.

The same pattern appears in Hodler Net Position Change, which tracks wallets holding XRP for more than 155 days.

On February 1, long-term holders were adding around 337 million XRP. By February 11, their accumulation had fallen to about 128 million XRP.

That represents a drop of more than 60%.

Hodlers Not Convinced: GlassnodeSponsored

Sponsored

In simple terms, exchange balances are rising, clearly led by weakening long-term accumulation. The investors who usually support strong rebounds are staying cautious. But why?

Derivatives Risk Explains Why Holders Are HesitatingIn the Binance XRP/USDT perpetual market, medium-term liquidation data shows that short positions dominate. Over the next 30 days, short-side liquidation exposure stands near $148 million, while long-side exposure is closer to $83 million.

This shows that traders are leaning defensive and positioning for downside risk. Long-term holders seem to be siding with the majority here.

XRP Liquidation Map: CoinglassShort-term positioning tells another story.

On the one-day timeframe, this time on Gate, long liquidations are near $63.9 million, while shorts are around $51 million. This means 30% more positions are currently exposed on the long side. If the XRP price drops even slightly, led by a weak and fearful market, long positions could be forced out quickly, leading to a deeper crash.

Sponsored

Sponsored

Short-Term XRP Liquidation Map: CoinglassLong-term holders are aware of this risk, as long liquidations have previously impacted optimism. Therefore, instead of chasing a weak rebound, they are waiting for confirmation and siding with the medium-term positions, mainly shorts. This is why spot buying pressure has not returned despite the bullish divergence.

XRP Price Levels To Track NowWith technical optimism clashing with weak conviction, price levels now matter most. The key downside level sits near $1.34.

This zone aligns with the largest long liquidation cluster. If XRP closes below $1.34, it could trigger forced selling and invalidate the rebound structure. In that case, the price could slide toward $1.12. On the upside, $1.50 remains the critical barrier.

This level aligns with the 20 EMA and a psychological resistance. A sustained move above $1.50 would likely restore confidence and bring long-term buyers back. Without that breakout, bounces are likely to remain unstable.

XRP Price Analysis: TradingViewRight now, XRP is stuck between improving momentum and falling conviction. The chart says pressure is easing.

On-chain data says demand is missing. And derivatives data says risk remains high. Until XRP holds above $1.34 and reclaims $1.50, the rebound thesis remains weak.

Disclaimer

In line with the Trust Project guidelines, this price analysis article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. BeInCrypto is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice. Always conduct your own research and consult with a professional before making any financial decisions. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse says Ripple can one day become a $1 trillion company, but the firm must focus on long-term growth of XRP rather than reacting to short-term market volatility.

During XRP Community Day on X, Garlinghouse told supporters that the firm needs to build partnerships with the wider XRP ecosystem to become one of the trillion-dollar companies crypto will eventually produce.

Garlinghouse says Ripple will one day grow into a $1 trillion company  Garlinghouse believes that Ripple could one day reach a $1 trillion valuation because crypto will produce companies that become just as large and powerful as Apple, Nvidia, and Google’s parent company, Alphabet.

He spoke to the XRP community and said the San Francisco-based technology company needs to stop chasing short-term excitement and instead work closely with the XRP ecosystem to support the network.

Garlinghouse admitted that the company has a long way to go before reaching anything close to $1 trillion because it’s currently valued at $40 billion. This is after raising $500 million from major financial firms like Citadel Securities and Fortress Investment Group, so there’s still a lot of growth needed to reach the trillion-dollar level.

In fact, Ripple would need to grow about 25 times to hit that milestone, but Garlinghouse is more than confident because the company plans to make improvements that could unlock significant value over time. 

Garlinghouse encouraged XRP holders to focus on the bigger picture, even as crypto prices have recently dropped. He told people not to get too caught up in these short-term moves because the real story is about the long-term change that Ripple and the crypto industry want to build.

Ripple helps XRP grow by bringing its products together  Garlinghouse said Ripple invested heavily in acquisitions to strengthen its financial services business and build better tools for enterprise institutions, which is one of the main reasons the company has grown over the past year.

The firm acquired prime brokerage firm Hidden Road for $1.25 billion and expanded deeper into professional trading and institutional finance. At the same time, Ripple bought treasury management firm GTreasury for $1 billion to grow its role in how companies manage money and move funds across global markets.

Ripple also spent $200 million on stablecoin firm Rail and acquired wallet provider Palisade, which helps businesses store and manage digital assets more securely.

However, Garlinghouse stated that they plan to bring all these new companies and services together in 2026, so they will function smoothly as one. He stated that the next step is to improve what they already have, not to buy more.

Because of that, Garlinghouse told his listeners not to expect any major acquisitions this year, though he has not shut that door completely yet, so his company might probably become active again during the second half of the year if opportunities arise. 

However, for now, Garlinghouse said his focus is to ensure his company fully connects with and strengthens the products it has already created.

Most importantly, Garlinghouse reminded the community that the mission of Ripple is still focused on XRP and that XRP is Ripple’s “north star.” He explained that Ripple’s purpose is to ensure the success of XRP and the XRP ledger ecosystem, and although the company is working on products customers will pay for, those products remain focused on the company’s overall mission regarding XRP.

Here's the latest hint from the Pi Network team that could affect millions within its community.

The Core Team behind the popular project has provided a comprehensive update on its Node infrastructure, revealing major progress on the promised decentralization while maintaining its phased rollout strategy.

They claimed that 16 million Pioneers have already migrated to the Mainnet, and Pi is trying to position its node system as the backbone of a large and identity-driven blockchain ecosystem. Additionally, they made some big claims about an upcoming “series of upgrades” that would require all Mainnet nodes to complete the first step by February 15.

Important reminder for Nodes: The Pi Mainnet blockchain protocol is currently undergoing a series of upgrades. The deadline for the first upgrade step is February 15. All Mainnet nodes must complete this step to remain connected to the network. More information is available here…

— Pi Network (@PiCoreTeam) February 11, 2026

Why Do Pi Nodes Matter The post reiterated by the team explains that Pi Nodes represent the “fourth role” in Pi Network’s community, and they run on laptops and desktop computers, instead of mobile devices. Similar to nodes in other blockchain networks, they validate transactions and help maintain the distributed ledger.

However, since Pi Network does not use proof-of-work like Bitcoin, for example, as it relies on a consensus model based on the Stellar Consensus Protocol (SCP), they have different responsibilities. In this system:

Nodes form trusted groups (quorum slices) Security circles from mobile miners create a global trust graph Consensus is achieved through trust relationships rather than mining competition The team believes this makes the system designed to be more energy efficient and accessible.

Levels of Participation The post also explained that the Pi Network ecosystem works with three levels of participation. Through the first one, the computer app, users can install the Pi App interface to check balances, chat, and access internal apps. Node participation enables them to verify blockchain validity, submit transactions, and run the blockchain component.

You may also like: Bitcoin (BTC) Plunges Before the FOMC Meeting, Pi Network (PI) Soars by 15%: Market Watch The third and most advanced option, called SuperNode, which is believed to be the “backbone of the blockchain,” allows Pioneers to participate in consensus, maintain ledger state, and synchronize network activity. They must operate 24/7 with stable connectivity and are selected by the Core Team upon KYC approval.

The Upcoming Upgrades As mentioned above, the Core Team published on X that a series of upgrades is coming, which requires the first deadline step to be completed within the next few days. However, as it has happened during several of the team’s previous posts, the community was quick to lash out against some of the project’s controversial features.

Instead of commenting on the upcoming upgrades, many users questioned the lack of a clear strategy for the second migration and asked when their Pi tokens would be migrated to the Mainnet.

Others wanted more details on the upcoming upgrades and whether they would finally be able to shed light on the missing tokens.

Tags:

After months of selling pressure that caused the token to drop to its lowest levels, Shiba Inu is making an effort to level out. SHIB briefly fell below the $0.000006 mark after a severe breakdown earlier in the week, before regaining that level, giving traders a possible early indication that selling momentum may finally be slowing.

Danske Bank enables customers in the EU to invest in bitcoin and ethereum via exchange‑traded products on its trading platform.

Why Trust CoinGape

CoinGape has covered the cryptocurrency industry since 2017, aiming to provide informative insights to our readers. Our journal analysts bring years of experience in market analysis and blockchain technology to ensure factual accuracy and balanced reporting. By following our Editorial Policy, our writers verify every source, fact-check each story, rely on reputable sources, and attribute quotes and media correctly. We also follow a rigorous Review Methodology when evaluating exchanges and tools. From emerging blockchain projects and coin launches to industry events and technical developments, we cover all facets of the digital asset space with unwavering commitment to timely, relevant information.

XRP price has increased by 1.68% to $1.38 in the last 24 hours, suggesting a recovery after a week of bearish trends. The cryptocurrency fell about 20% below its four-week peak of $2, but today it is recovering after Ripple held its “XRP Community Day.” 

The overall capitalization of the cryptocurrency market is at 2.29 trillion.

Bitcoin price is hovering around the mark of $67,000. Other leading cryptocurrencies, such as Solana, Ethereum, Dogecoin, and Cardano, are experiencing a minor recovery, with further improvement expected in the future.

What to Expect from XRP Community Day 2026? XRP price is eyeing a bullish recovery as Ripple’s much-anticipated XRP Community Day kicked off yesterday, February 11. The event, continuing today, February 12, brings together XRP holders, developers, institutions, and Ripple’s leadership. 

Live X Spaces sessions include such key speakers as CEO Brad Garlinghouse, President Monica Long, CTO David Schwartz, and CLO Stuart Alderoty.

Ripple is also cooperating with partners in different parts of the world. The idea of the event is to increase the XRP adoption rate, demonstrate real-life application cases, and talk about the future of the XRP Ledger. 

XRP Community Day 2026 is coming → https://t.co/V6ryXXYEM5

On Feb 11 and 12, XRP holders, builders, institutions, and Ripple leaders will come together across three live 𝕏 Spaces to unpack how XRP is being used today and where it’s headed next.

Sessions will cover regulated…

— Ripple (@Ripple) January 28, 2026

Some of the topics are regulated XRP products such as ETFs, ETPs, wrapped XRP, and utility-expanding innovations. 

XRP is also used in cross-chain liquidity and greater financial integration of Ripple, which published its 2026 roadmap.

XRP ETFs See Surge in Investment with $1.23 Billion in Net Inflows XRP-based exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are seeing a rise in investor interest, with net inflows reaching $1.23 billion since their launch. The inflows that are continuous indicate a positive sentiment towards XRP by investors.

The XRP ETF has been the most successful investment instrument due to weekly inflows of about $9.57 million, with interested individuals seeking to get exposure to XRP.

XRP Price Outlook: Key Levels to Watch As of the reporting time, the XRP price has experienced a minor recovery, currently standing at $1.37. This represents an increase of a minimal 2% over the last 24-hours. XRP is hovering within a quite small band, the price bouncing between $1.36 and $1.40 in the last several days.

The Relative Strength Index (RSI) stands at 43, which signifies a neutral market. The moving average convergence divergence (MACD) is also recording a negative figure of -0.0174. The blue line is crossed by a signal line that is heading to a possible subsequent decline, unless the momentum changes.

Source: XRP/USDT 4-hour chart Tradingview There are support levels of $1.30 and resistance levels at $1.50 range. XRP price may approach higher levels by surpassing this resistance, potentially hitting the range of $1.60 in the nearest future.

However, should the XRP price fall below the support at $1.30, there is a risk that the Ripple could fall to the level of $1.20.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) XRP Community Day is an event hosted by Ripple, gathering XRP holders, developers, and institutions to discuss the future of the XRP Ledger.

Topics include XRP adoption, ETFs, ETPs, wrapped XRP, and innovations to expand utility, along with Ripple's 2026 roadmap.

BNB Chain’s real-world assets surged 555% in Q4 2024 as institutions tokenized funds and stocks, even as BNB’s market cap and DeFi TVL faced volatility.

Summary

Real-world asset value on BNB Chain climbed 555% year over year in Q4 2024, making it the second-largest RWA network behind Ethereum.​ Institutional players tokenized money market funds, U.S. stocks, and ETFs via partners like CMB International, Ondo Global Markets, and Securitize.​ Despite a Q4 BNB market-cap drop and softer DeFi TVL, network activity, stablecoin supply, and infrastructure upgrades continued to strengthen. Real-world assets on BNB Chain (BNB) expanded 555% year over year in the fourth quarter of 2024, driven by institutional capital inflows and stablecoin growth, according to a report by research firm Messari.

The blockchain network ranked second among all blockchains by real-world asset value at quarter-end, surpassing Solana and trailing only Ethereum, the report stated. The growth occurred despite a decline in the network’s native token price during the period.

BNB Chain’s native token market capitalization fell quarter over quarter following an industry-wide liquidation event on Oct. 11 that pressured cryptocurrency markets, according to Messari. The token had reached a record high in mid-October before declining through year-end. The token remained the third-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization at quarter-end, behind Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Network activity strengthened during the quarter, with average daily transactions rising substantially from third-quarter levels, the report said. Daily active addresses also increased, with early October volatility causing a brief spike in activity. Excluding that surge, usage remained above third-quarter levels, indicating steady user growth, according to Messari.

Total real-world asset value on BNB Chain rose sharply from the third quarter and increased 555% from the prior year, the research firm reported.

Institutional partnerships drove the expansion. In October, BNB Chain partnered with CMB International to launch a tokenized money market fund. Ondo Global Markets subsequently added more than 100 tokenized U.S. stocks and exchange-traded funds to BNB Chain, expanding offerings beyond money market funds into equities. In November, a major institutional fund issued through Securitize expanded to BNB Chain, according to the report.

Real-world asset value remained concentrated in a small number of products. A single product accounted for the majority of total value, followed by another representing approximately one quarter, Messari stated. Other assets, including Matrixdock Gold and VanEck’s Treasury Fund, held smaller amounts. Tokenized shares of major companies represented a small portion of overall value.

BNB pivoting towards real-world assets Decentralized finance activity slowed during the fourth quarter, with total value locked declining from third-quarter levels, the report said. Total value locked remained above year-earlier levels, and BNB Chain ranked as the third-largest network by that metric.

PancakeSwap remained the largest decentralized finance platform on the network, holding a significant portion of total value locked and controlling approximately one-third of the market, according to Messari. Its total value locked declined by a small amount, indicating user and fund retention. Other protocols experienced declines following liquidity withdrawals and reduced borrowing demand, with smaller projects affected most significantly as traders reduced risk exposure.

Stablecoin supply on BNB Chain increased during the quarter, with total stablecoin value rising, the report stated. One major stablecoin remained the largest after posting gains. Another prominent stablecoin grew substantially, aided by payment use cases and gas-fee discounts.

New partnerships expanded payment applications on BNB Chain. A payments network added support for multiple stablecoins to settle cross-border transfers on-chain and later enabled cloud-service customers to pay for services using BNB through the system, according to Messari. A new stablecoin launched in December allowing users to mint tokens using major stablecoins as collateral.

BNB Chain deployed several upgrades in 2024, including Pascal, Lorentz, Maxwell, and the ongoing Fermi hardfork, the report said. Block times decreased and transaction finality improved. Network capacity more than doubled, and gas fees fell sharply.

The protocol’s 2025 plans target approximately 20,000 transactions per second with sub-second finality, according to the report. The development team plans to integrate off-chain computing with on-chain verification to process additional transactions without performance degradation. Long-term development includes a trading-focused chain designed for near-instant confirmation, Messari stated.

Why Trust CoinGape

CoinGape has covered the cryptocurrency industry since 2017, aiming to provide informative insights to our readers. Our journal analysts bring years of experience in market analysis and blockchain technology to ensure factual accuracy and balanced reporting. By following our Editorial Policy, our writers verify every source, fact-check each story, rely on reputable sources, and attribute quotes and media correctly. We also follow a rigorous Review Methodology when evaluating exchanges and tools. From emerging blockchain projects and coin launches to industry events and technical developments, we cover all facets of the digital asset space with unwavering commitment to timely, relevant information.

Binance is now among the top 10 institutional holders of Bitcoin, with its Secure Asset Fund for Users (SAFU) reaching the $1 billion milestone. Following its latest purchase of 4,500 BTC, the SAFU fund has completed its $1 billion Bitcoin conversion plan. The exchange now holds 15,000 BTC, overtaking Coinbase, which holds 14,548 BTC.

Binance SAFU Fund Hits $1B, Edges Past Coinbase According to the latest findings of EmberCN, the Binance SAFU fund has hit $1 billion, successfully completing its target. The platform bought 15,000 BTC, worth about $1.05 billion, at an average price of $70k per coin.

The latest purchase includes 4,545 coins, worth around $304 million. Arkham Intelligence data reveals that the platform has completed its $1 billion Bitcoin conversion plan with this move. As the Binance SAFU fund now holds 15,000 coins, it ranks among the top 10 Bitcoin treasuries, placed just above Coinbase. On BitcoinTreasuriesNet, Coinbase is ranked 8th among publicly listed BTC treasury companies, with about 14,548 BTC in holdings.

It is also worth noting that the Binance SAFU fund now holds more BTC than countries like North Korea and Bhutan, which hold 13,562 and 10,769 coins, respectively. The exchange’s BTC holdings are also ahead of other industry giants like Hut 8 Mining Corp, Strive, CleanSpark, and Trump Media.

Inside Binance’s Bitcoin Accumulation Strategy As CoinGape reported, on January 31, 2026, Binance initially announced its decision to convert its stablecoin reserves into Bitcoin over a 30-day period. In less than two weeks, the platform completed the entire conversion, significantly boosting the Binance SAFU fund holdings.

Notably, the crypto exchange executed the Bitcoin purchases in multiple batches. This shows the company’s gradual accumulation strategy amid the ongoing crypto market crash. The EmberCN data unveiled that Binance initially bought 1,315 BTC for $100 million, followed by another purchase of the same amount. The platform later accumulated 3,600 BTC for $250 million, 4,225 BTC for $300 million, and finally 4,545 BTC for another $300 million at $66,006, which was the lowest price among the transactions.

As of press time, the BTC price is marked at $66,939. When Binance started this plan, Bitcoin was trading at around $77k. Soon, the cryptocurrency continued to fall, and despite this downtrend, the company continued to accumulate BTC. This indicates Binance’s confidence in the long-term potential of the pioneer crypto. By the time of the last purchase, BTC fell to a low of $67k. 

Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, has completed the integration of Ripple USD (RLUSD) on the XRP Ledger. The integration comes at a time when demand for regulated and reliable stablecoins is growing. 

Binance confirmed that RLUSD deposits are now live, while withdrawals will be enabled soon.

Ripple’s senior executive, Reece Merrick, said the exchange has finalized the technical integration of Ripple USD (RLUSD) on the XRP Ledger network. 

This integration makes RLUSD easier to transfer on the XRP Ledger, which is known for fast and low-cost transactions. This helps traders and institutions that need quick payments and stable value.

Binance also offers trading pairs such as RLUSD/USDT, RLUSD/U, and XRP/RLUSD, helping to boost liquidity and usage within its ecosystem. The exchange even introduced zero trading fees for selected RLUSD pairs.

RLUSD is also supported in Binance’s Simple Earn program, where users can earn yield with flexible terms and no fixed lock period.

Deposits Open, Withdrawals SoonFollowing the RLUSD Integration, users can now generate deposit addresses and transfer RLUSD directly through the XRP Ledger. Meanwhile, withdrawals will be enabled once there is enough liquidity on the network.

Even before Binance, RLUSD was already listed on major exchanges like Bitstamp, Kraken, Gemini, and Bitget. 

In total, it is now available on more than 16 exchanges worldwide, helping increase adoption among both retail and institutional users.

RLUSD sees Growth and StabilityRipple’s stablecoin RLUSD has grown steadily since its launch in December 2024. Its market cap is now above $1.52 billion, while the price continues to stay close to $1, moving in a tight range.

Meanwhile, RLUSD is backed 1:1 by U.S. dollar deposits, Treasury bills, and other liquid assets under a New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) trust charter. 

Reports show its reserves are over 103% of its total supply, which adds strong trust and credibility.

Trust with CoinPedia:CoinPedia has been delivering accurate and timely cryptocurrency and blockchain updates since 2017. All content is created by our expert panel of analysts and journalists, following strict Editorial Guidelines based on E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). Every article is fact-checked against reputable sources to ensure accuracy, transparency, and reliability. Our review policy guarantees unbiased evaluations when recommending exchanges, platforms, or tools. We strive to provide timely updates about everything crypto & blockchain, right from startups to industry majors.

Investment Disclaimer:All opinions and insights shared represent the author's own views on current market conditions. Please do your own research before making investment decisions. Neither the writer nor the publication assumes responsibility for your financial choices.

Sponsored and Advertisements:Sponsored content and affiliate links may appear on our site. Advertisements are marked clearly, and our editorial content remains entirely independent from our ad partners.

Data shows the social media sentiment around Bitcoin has remained deeply bearish despite the recovery that the cryptocurrency’s price has made.

Social Media Data Suggests Retail Still Fearful About Bitcoin In a new post on X, analytics firm Santiment has discussed about how the Positive/Negative Sentiment for Bitcoin has developed on social media following the recent recovery surge in the asset’s price.

The Positive/Negative Sentiment refers to an indicator that tells us, as its name suggests, how the positive and negative sentiments related to a given asset compare on the major social media platforms.

The metric works by putting social media posts/threads/messages containing mentions of the asset through a machine-learning model to differentiate between positive and negative comments. Then, it counts up the number of posts in each category and finds their ratio.

When the value of the indicator is greater than 1, it means the asset is observing more bullish messages than bearish ones. On the other hand, the metric being under this threshold implies the dominance of a negative sentiment.

Now, here is the chart shared by Santiment that shows the trend in the Positive/Negative Sentiment for Bitcoin over the last few months:

The value of the metric seems to have gone down in recent weeks | Source: Santiment on X As is visible in the above graph, the Bitcoin Positive/Negative Sentiment rose to a notable level when the asset saw its rally in January. This suggests that retail traders on social media became greedy.

What eventually followed the market greed was a top in the cryptocurrency and a reversal to the downside. As this drawdown took BTC back to the $60,000 level, the Positive/Negative Sentiment plummeted, meaning that fear now dominated social media platforms.

Just like how the greedy sentiment led into a top, this bearish mentality paved way for a rebound instead. This is a pattern that has been witnessed with digital asset markets time and time again, with prices tending to move against the expectations of the crowd.

Interestingly, even though BTC has climbed back into the high $60,000 levels since its low, the Positive/Negative Sentiment has continued to be at low levels. “Historically, while FUD is high, price rebounds have a heightened probability,” noted the analytics firm. It now remains to be seen how Bitcoin will develop in the near future, given the current bearish sentiment.

In some other news, the stablecoin market cap has dipped recently, as Capriole Investments founder Charles Edwards has highlighted in an X post.

How the stablecoin market cap has changed over the last few years | Source: @caprioleio on X Edwards has pointed out that the stablecoin market cap has historically only fallen in bear markets. If the recent trajectory of the combined USDT and USDC market cap is to go by, capital may once again be leaving this side of the sector.

BTC Price Bitcoin recovered above $70,000 earlier, but the coin has since retraced a bit as its price is now trading around $67,700.

The trend in the price of the coin over the last five days | Source: BTCUSDT on TradingView Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView.com

Binance completed the $1 billion Bitcoin conversion for its emergency fund, committing to holding Bitcoin as its core reserve asset.

Binance purchased another $304 million worth of Bitcoin (BTC) on Thursday, completing the conversion of $1 billion in Bitcoin for its Secure Asset Fund for Users (SAFU) wallet, according to Arkham data.

The fund now holds 15,000 Bitcoin, worth over $1 billion, acquired at an average aggregate cost basis of $67,000 per coin, Binance said in a Thursday X post.

 “With SAFU Fund now fully in Bitcoin, we reinforce our belief in BTC as the premier long-term reserve asset.”The last tranche of BTC came three days after Binance’s previous $300 million acquisition on Monday.

Binance SAFU Fund wallet. Source: ArkhamThe exchange first announced it would convert its $1 billion user protection fund into Bitcoin on Jan. 30, initially pledging a 30-day window for the acquisitions, which were completed in less than two weeks.

The exchange said it would rebalance the fund if volatility pushes its value below $800 million.

Crypto investor sentiment plunges to lowest levels on recordThe conversion comes as broader market sentiment remains deeply negative.

Sentiment took another hit following Bitcoin’s brief correction below $60,000 on Feb. 5, plunging to five on Thursday — the lowest reading on record — signaling extreme fear among investors, according to data from alternative.me.

The index is a multifactorial measure of crypto market sentiment.

Fear & greed index. Source: Alternative.meThe industry’s leading traders by returns, tracked as “smart money,” are also hedging for more crypto market downside.

Smart money traders were net short on Bitcoin for a cumulative $105 million, and net short on most of the leading cryptocurrencies except the Avalanche (AVAX) token, which saw $10.5 million in net cumulative long positioning, according to crypto intelligence platform Nansen.

Smart money trader positions through the Hyperliquid exchange, top tokens. Source: NansenBitcoin’s correction also took a significant supply of tokens at a loss equaling to 16% of Bitcoin’s market cap, marking the highest pain point seen in markets since the implosion of algorithmic stablecoin issuer Terra in May 2022, wrote Glassnode in a Monday X post.

Yet in a silver lining to the correction, the market structure is showing early signs of stabilization, according to Dessislava Ianeva, dispatch analyst at digital asset platform Nexo.

“Derivative positioning remains cautious. Funding rates are neutral to slightly negative, reflecting subdued leverage demand, while open interest in native BTC terms has returned to early-February levels, suggesting stabilization rather than a renewed expansion phase,” the analyst told Cointelegraph.

Magazine: Bitget’s Gracy Chen is looking for ‘entrepreneurs, not wantrepreneurs’

Cointelegraph is committed to independent, transparent journalism. This news article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph’s Editorial Policy and aims to provide accurate and timely information. Readers are encouraged to verify information independently. Read our Editorial Policy https://cointelegraph.com/editorial-policy

Aster (ASTER) trades at $0.6993, rising 7.63% over the past 24 hours as momentum builds ahead of its planned layer 1 mainnet launch in March. The move follows increased trading activity and renewed attention on the project’s infrastructure rollout.

The decentralized perpetual exchange, endorsed by Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, confirmed that it will deploy Aster Chain’s mainnet as part of its 2026 roadmap. 

The transition will move the network from testing into full production after several testnet phases. The public testnet went live in early February 2026 and attracted more than 50,000 participants following earlier whitelisted trials in late 2025.

Infrastructure Expansion Drives StrategyAster designed its dedicated layer 1 blockchain to support its on-chain trading products and provide tools for developers. The network will include integrated fiat on- and off-ramps, aiming to streamline user access. The roadmap outlines community-driven upgrades to the decentralized exchange, governance features powered by the native token, staking mechanisms, and broader on-chain participation.

The team also plans to expand into synthetic markets tied to real-world assets, including stock perpetual contracts. This approach would extend its offerings beyond crypto-native derivatives. 

Can this infrastructure shift position Aster among the leading on-chain derivatives platforms?

Perpetual Futures Market GrowthPerpetual futures contracts allow traders to maintain leveraged positions without expiration dates. Instead of rolling contracts forward, traders pay funding rates to hold positions indefinitely. This structure fueled significant growth across decentralized exchanges in 2025.

Cumulative perpetual DEX trading volume nearly tripled last year, rising from roughly $4 trillion to more than $12 trillion by year-end. About $7.9 trillion of that activity occurred within the calendar year alone. 

Monthly volumes crossed the $1 trillion mark in October, November, and slightly below in December, signaling sustained demand for decentralized derivatives.

Source: DefiLlama via X

This surge coincided with increased regulatory scrutiny on centralized exchanges. As a result, traders sought non-custodial platforms that offer leveraged exposure without relinquishing asset control. Aster’s move toward a dedicated application-specific blockchain aligns with a broader industry shift toward custom infrastructure designed for high-throughput trading.

DEX Volume Sparks Price MomentumOn February 10, ASTER climbed more than 10% to around $0.66 after its decentralized exchange processed over $3 billion in 24-hour volume. The price move outpaced a largely flat broader crypto market. At the same time, overall trading volume for the token rose 27%, reflecting increased participation.

Source: My Token via X

High on-chain activity often correlates with stronger token demand, especially when the token supports governance and staking functions. However, market participants have flagged a scheduled token unlock on February 17, which could introduce short-term supply pressure.

Technical Structure Shows Early ShiftFrom a technical perspective, ASTER recently broke above a five-month descending trendline after holding support near $0.59. Rising trading volume and open interest confirmed the breakout, suggesting a potential structural shift. The next technical level sits near $0.72, which aligns with a prior resistance zone.

Source: Trading View via X

Daily chart analysis shows price approaching a key supply area. Momentum indicators point to building strength, yet analysts note that confirmation requires sustained trading above the breakout region. Without follow-through, price could revisit support levels within the broader trend.

For now, ASTER trades near local highs as infrastructure milestones approach and derivatives activity accelerates. Traders and investors will watch both the March mainnet launch and volume trends to gauge whether the current recovery evolves into a sustained reversal.

The HSBC building in Canary Wharf in London October 8, 2008. REUTERS/Kevin Coombs/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab

LONDON, Feb 12 (Reuters) - The UK has chosen HSBC's (HSBA.L), opens new tab blockchain platform to run the country's pilot issuance of tokenised or digital government bonds, the bank said on Thursday, a move that puts Britain ahead of its G7 peers in exploring blockchain-based sovereign debt.

The UK's "Digital Gilt Instrument" pilot, which was announced in 2024, tests how distributed-ledger technology could make capital markets more efficient and reduce costs for financial institutions. It is unclear when the government plans to issue the gilt using the new technology.

The Week in Breakingviews newsletter offers insights and ideas from Reuters' global financial commentary team. Sign up here.

Patrick George, HSBC's global head of markets and securities services, said in a statement that the bank was "delighted" to support the development of the gilt market and wider UK economy.

George said the bank's Orion platform had a "proven track record" of delivering successful outcomes in other jurisdictions, having enabled the issuance of more than $3.5 billion in digital bonds globally across the sovereign, central bank, financial institution, and corporate sectors.

The government also appointed Ashurst LLP to provide legal services for the DIGIT pilot, it said in a statement.

While interest in issuing traditional assets on blockchain is rising globally, tokenised debt remains a small fraction of the market.

Reporting by Muvija M and Phoebe Seers; editing by Sarah Young and Rashmi AIch

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab

The Adyen logo is seen at the reception desk of the company's headquarters in Amsterdam, Netherlands August 24, 2018. Picture taken August 24, 2018. REUTERS/Eva Plevier Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab

Feb 12 (Reuters) - Dutch payments processor Adyen (ADYEN.AS), opens new tab reported net revenue of 1.27 billion euros ($1.51 billion) for the second half of 2025 on Thursday, up 21% on a constant currency basis, capping a year of robust growth that saw it outpace struggling European rivals and solidify its position against U.S. giants PayPal and Stripe.

The finance technology firm's full-year revenue also rose 21% to 2.36 billion euros. Core profit margin, or the proportion of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation to revenue, expanded to 53% from 50% a year earlier, helped by wallet share gains among existing customers and disciplined cost management.

Get a daily digest of breaking business news straight to your inbox with the Reuters Business newsletter. Sign up here.

Adyen forecast revenue growth of 20-22% for 2026, and said it expected EBITDA margin to be above 55% by 2028.

The Amsterdam-based company continued to gain ground in unified commerce, processing 173 billion euros worth of transactions through point-of-sale terminals in the second half of the year, up 26% from a year earlier, as it expanded partnerships with key clients including Starbucks (SBUX.O), opens new tab and Uber (UBER.N), opens new tab.

($1 = 0.8428 euros)

Reporting by Leo Marchandon in Gdansk, editing by Milla Nissi-Prussak

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab

Unilever PLC has served up a €1.5 billion share buyback as the consumer good group reported improved sales momentum and expanding profit margins in 2025 after it spun off its ice cream arm.

The owner of brands ranging from Marmite, Hellmans and Pot Noodle to Persil, Dove and Lynx posted results showing underlying sales growth was 3.5% for the year, with volumes up 1.5%. This was thanks to a stronger fourth quarter, where USG rose 4.2% and volumes 2.1%.

Statutory turnover fell 3.8% over the year to €50.5 billion, reflecting a 5.9% currency headwind and a 1.2% impact from other smaller disposals. This excludes the impact of the Magnum Ice Cream split.

Underlying operating profit fell 1.1% to €10.1 billion, even though underlying operating margin widened by 60 basis points to 20.0%, driven by tighter overhead control.

Underlying earnings per share increased 0.7% to €3.08, while diluted earnings per share rose 6.2% to €2.59.

Free cash flow was €5.9 billion, down €0.4 billion mainly due to demerger costs. The quarterly dividend was set at €0.4664 per share, up 3%.

Chief executive Fernando Fernandez said: “In 2025 we became a simpler, sharper, and faster Unilever, delivering our commitment to volume growth, positive mix and strong gross margin.”

For 2026, the group expects underlying sales growth of between 4% and 6%, with at least 2% volume growth, and a modest margin improvement.

Biotechnology group says treated animals showed improved survival and functional measures in early-stage study

Genflow Biosciences Ltd (LSE:GENF, OTCQB:GENFF, FRA:WQ5) said positive preliminary interim results from its SLAB clinical trial showed improved survival and functional outcomes in aged dogs treated with its proprietary SIRT6 centenarian gene therapy.

The biotechnology company, which focuses on developing gene therapies for age-related diseases, said the randomised, blinded study enrolled 24 beagle dogs aged over 10 years and was conducted by an independent contract research organisation.

Researchers allocated the dogs to four groups comprising two naked DNA treatment cohorts at different dose levels, a single-dose AAV8 cohort and a control group.

Interim analysis covered outcomes observed during the dosing period, with additional endpoints still under assessment.

All treatment groups demonstrated superior survival compared with the control group during the dosing period, and no adverse events were observed, the company said.

Genflow said all treatments exhibited a favourable safety and tolerability profile suitable for use in aged companion animals.

Across treatment cohorts, researchers observed improvements in several functional and observable endpoints, including quality of life, muscle mass preservation, frailty index reduction and coat quality, relative to control animals, which exhibited expected age-related decline.

Several key endpoints remain under evaluation, including biological age determination using methylation clock analysis and comprehensive muscle biopsy histology, which the company said were intended to provide further mechanistic and quantitative validation of the therapy’s effects.

Genflow said it expected to provide a comprehensive update on all remaining endpoints within approximately two months.

Company executives said the preliminary results supported the potential of the SIRT6 gene therapy as a first-in-class approach to addressing age-related decline in companion animals and reinforced the programme’s relevance to prospective animal health partners.

Genflow said it was actively engaging with animal health companies regarding potential licensing, co-development and commercialisation opportunities.

Dr Eric Leire, chief executive of Genflow, said: "These preliminary interim results represent a significant milestone for Genflow and significantly strengthen our position for animal health partnerships.

"The consistency of positive signals across multiple independent endpoints from survival and quality of life to measures of muscle preservation and frailty reduction, combined with an excellent safety profile, supports our SIRT6 platform as a credible, differentiated asset for the companion animal market."

Leire said that, based on the encouraging preliminary findings, the company was proceeding with the follow-up phase to assess durability of effects and to monitor for differences in age-related disease emergence, data that would inform future commercial discussions.

Genflow expects to provide a comprehensive update on all endpoints, including the critical methylation clock and muscle histology data, within two months.

Creating a World-Leading Asset Manager with Nearly $2.5 Trillion of AUM

, /PRNewswire/ -- Nuveen, a global asset manager with $1.4 trillion in assets under management1, and Schroders (LON: SDR), a leading provider of active asset management, advisory and wealth management services with $1.1 trillion in assets under management have agreed to the terms of a board recommended cash acquisition ("the Transaction") by Nuveen for the entire issued and to-be-issued share capital of Schroders for approximately £9.9 billion.

This Transaction will create one of the largest active global asset management firms, with nearly $2.5 trillion of assets under management. The Combined Group will operate with significant scale and capabilities in the world's largest financial centers with a presence in more than 40 markets in total.

"Through this exciting and transformational step for both of our distinguished firms, we look forward to welcoming Schroders into the Nuveen family. By bringing our complementary platforms, capabilities, distribution networks, and cultures together, we will create an extraordinary opportunity to enhance the way we serve our collective clients through access to new markets, bolstered product offerings, and deeper pools of investment talent," said William Huffman, Chief Executive Officer, Nuveen. "This transaction is about unlocking new growth opportunities for wealth and institutional investors around the world by giving our leading, differentiated public-to-private platform a broader global presence."

"In a competitive landscape where scale can help deliver benefits, in Nuveen we see a partner that shares our values, respects the culture we have built and will create exciting opportunities for our clients and people," said Richard Oldfield, Group Chief Executive, Schroders. "The transaction will significantly accelerate our growth plans to create a leading public-to-private platform with enhanced geographic reach and a strengthened balance sheet. Together, we can create an exceptional opportunity to provide clients with a true breadth of high-quality solutions to meet their evolving needs."

It is expected that for at least 12 months following the completion of the Transaction, the Schroders group will continue to operate as a standalone business within the wider Nuveen group.

Schroders will continue to be led by CEO, Richard Oldfield, who will report to William Huffman, CEO, Nuveen, and become a member of the Nuveen Executive Management Team. 

Compelling Strategic Rationale

Nuveen and Schroders have an investment-led, client-centric and collaborative culture with well-matched capabilities across public and private markets. Together, Nuveen and Schroders will design new solutions to meet wealth and institutional clients' increasingly diverse needs. This will include a breadth of capabilities across equities, fixed income, multi-asset, infrastructure, private capital, real estate, and natural capital, which together with the wealth management business, would provide more ways to build resilient portfolios through a single platform.

"The Combined Group will bring together two successful firms with shared values and highly complementary strengths to create a new global leader in public-to-private investment management. Building on Schroders' heritage, London will remain at the heart of this enlarged business and the Transaction will deliver an attractive premium in cash to our shareholders, reflecting the value of our business and its future prospects. The board of Schroders is confident that this is the right step for our shareholders, clients and people," said Dame Elizabeth Corley, Chair of Schroders.

Transaction Details

Under the terms of the Transaction, each Schroders shareholder would be entitled to receive cash consideration of £5.90 per Schroders share at completion for a total of £9.5bn (the "Cash Consideration").  In addition, Schroders shareholders would be entitled to receive  and retain dividend(s) of up to 22 pence (in aggregate) per Schroders  share prior to completion ("Permitted Dividends"), which coupled with the Cash Consideration values the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Schroders at £9.9bn.

The terms and conditions of the Transaction are set out in a joint announcement released by Nuveen and Schroders in the UK today under Rule 2.7 of the UK Takeover Code (the "Transaction Announcement"). A copy of such announcement will be available on the Nuveen website at nuveen.com/recommended-offer-for-schroders, subject to certain access restrictions.

Commitment to Heritage and Culture

In recognition of Schroders' position as a preeminent financial institution with a deep-rooted history and strong brand, Nuveen expects that London will serve as the Combined Group's non-US headquarters and largest office, with more than 3,100 professionals. The Combined Group expects to deliver significant benefits to the UK as a global financial centre, enabling more long-term capital to be channeled into the economy, while reinforcing London's role in global asset and wealth management.

Timing and Approvals

The Transaction has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both Nuveen and Schroders and the Schroders Board are unanimously recommending that shareholders of Schroders approve the Transaction. The Schroders Directors who hold Schroders shares have also irrevocably undertaken to vote in favor of the Transaction. The Transaction is currently expected to become effective and close during Q4 2026, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions, including the approval by Schroders shareholders and relevant antitrust and regulatory authorities, as set out in full in the Transaction Announcement.

Irrevocable Undertaking from Principal Shareholder Group Trustee Companies

The Schroders' Principal Shareholder Group Trustee Companies, which comprise four private trust companies which act as the trustees of various trusts settled by certain members of the Schroder family, have entered into irrevocable undertakings to vote in favor of the Transaction at the upcoming Schroders shareholder meeting in respect of their aggregate holding of approximately 41% of Schroders shares.

Advisors

BNP Paribas is acting as financial advisor to Nuveen, with Clifford Chance LLP acting as legal advisor to, Nuveen.

About Nuveen

Nuveen, a TIAA Company, is a global investment leader, managing $1.4 trillion in public and private assets for clients around the world, as of December 31, 2025. With broad expertise across income and alternatives, we invest in the growth of businesses, real estate, infrastructure, and natural capital, providing clients with the reliability, access, and foresight unique to our 125+ year heritage. Our prevailing perspective on the future drives our ambition to innovate and adapt our business to the changing needs of investors — all to pursue lasting performance for our clients, our communities, and our global economy. For more information, please visit www.nuveen.com  

Media Contacts: [email protected]; [email protected]  

This press release is made with the consent of Schroders.

Important notices

This press release is not intended to and does not constitute or form any part of an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for or sell or an invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities or the solicitation of any vote in any jurisdiction. The Transaction is governed by English law and is subject to the jurisdiction of the English courts. The Transaction will comply with the applicable rules and regulations of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (including the Listing Rules), the UK Takeover Panel, the UK City Code on Takeovers and Mergers and the London Stock Exchange.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release (including information incorporated by reference in this press release), oral statements made regarding the Transaction, and other information published by Nuveen or Schroders may contain statements about the Nuveen Group, the TIAA Group and the Schroders Group that are or may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements are statements of future expectations that are based on management's current expectations and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements concerning: (i) the ability to complete the Transaction in a timely manner; (ii) future capital expenditures, expenses, revenues, earnings, synergies, economic performance, indebtedness, financial condition, dividend policy, losses and future prospects; (iii) business and management strategies and the expansion and growth of Nuveen's or TIAA Group's operations and potential synergies resulting from the Transaction; and (iv) the effects of government regulation on the Nuveen Group's or TIAA Group's businesses. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as, without limitation, "aims", "anticipate", "believe", "could", "estimate", "expect", "goals", "hopes", "intend", "may", "objectives", "outlook", "plan", "probably", "project", "risks", "seek", "should", "target", "will", "would" and similar terms and phrases.

Due to such uncertainties and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. All subsequent oral or written forward-looking statements attributable to any member of the Nuveen Group, or any of its associates, directors, officers, employees or advisers, are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statement above. Neither the Nuveen Group nor the TIAA Group nor any of their respective members, partners, associates or directors, officers or advisers, provides any representation, warranty, assurance or guarantee that the occurrence of the events expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements in this press release will actually occur. Nuveen and TIAA expressly disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking or other statements contained herein, except as required by applicable law or by the rules of any competent regulatory authority, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

No profit forecasts or estimates

No statement in this press release is intended as a profit forecast or estimate for any period and no statement in this press release should be interpreted to mean that earnings for the current or future financial years would necessarily match or exceed any historical published earnings.

1 All figures as of December 31, 2025

SOURCE Nuveen

British American Tobacco PLC announced an increased £1.3 billion share buyback for 2026 as results for last year beat City forecasts by a cigarette paper, but growth expectations for the coming year were dampened down.

Adjusted operating profit rose 2.3% to £11.57 billion in the 2025 calendar year, just ahead of market expectations of £11.45 billion. Adjusted diluted earnings per share of 352p also beat forecasts of 340p.

Reported revenue fell 1.0% due to currency headwinds but rose 2.1% at constant exchange rates. Growth was driven by combustibles (ie cigarettes and rolling tobacco) and its Velo Plus nicotine pouches in the US.

Group revenue from Velo and other 'new categories' products rose 7% for the year and returned to double-digit growth in the second half.

The contribution from new categories increased 77.1% to £442 million, with smokeless brands adding 4.7 million consumers to 34.1 million and smokeless products accounting for 18.2% of group revenue, up 70 basis points.

The dividend was hiked 2% to 245.04p, alongside the planned buyback, which increased from £1.1 billion the year before.

Chief executive Tadeu Marroco said: “I am pleased with our accelerating momentum through 2025, enabling full-year delivery at the top end of our guidance.”

For 2026, the group expects performance at the lower end of its medium-term ranges, including revenue growth of 3-5% and adjusted diluted EPS growth of 5-8%.