Author: NBTC

Monthly active users on DeFi lending protocol Aave reached roughly 155,000 in February, marking an all-time high and nearly doubling over the past six months. The rise in users comes as investors increasingly seek yield through decentralized lending protocols, according to on-chain analytics platform Token Terminal data. Sean Dawson, head of research at on-chain options platform Derive, told Decrypt that market dynamics appeared to be the primary driver behind the swelling of users.  “The largest trade in crypto, the basis trade, has collapsed in recent months,” Dawson said. “Users used to be able to earn 10–30% or just by…

The AI and data center boom partly driven by Bitcoin miners is increasingly being financed through high-yield bond issuance, underscoring how lenders are pricing both risk and opportunity in the sector. According to TheEnergyMag’s latest newsletter, companies tied to AI data center development have raised about $33 billion in long-term senior notes over the past 12 months, excluding convertible debt — bonds that can later be converted into equity and typically carry different risk dynamics. The interest rate spread is notable: While regulated utilities and traditional energy companies generally borrow at 4% to 5%, AI- and crypto-linked issuers pay closer…

Financial regulators in Russia have prepared a bill designed to regulate the country’s cryptocurrency market in the coming months. The legislation introduces restrictions for cryptocurrency exchanges, expands and sets new limits on investor access to digital assets, and gives the government access to transactions and holdings data. Moscow to regulate crypto market the Russian way The Central Bank of Russia (CBR) and the Ministry of Finance in Moscow (Minfin) have developed a draft law that’s supposed to legalize a number of crypto-related activities in the first half of the year. The authorities expect lawmakers to adopt it in the spring…

Prediction markets are expanding rapidly worldwide. A report from Citizens Bank states that the industry has surpassed a $3 billion annualized revenue run rate, with projections reaching $10 billion by 2030. Growing retail participation and rising institutional interest are fueling this momentum, while platforms continue moving beyond niche crypto audiences. As adoption accelerates, prediction markets are positioning themselves closer to mainstream financial infrastructure. LATEST: 📊 Prediction markets have an annualized revenue run rate above $3 billion and could reach $10 billion by 2030, driven by rising volumes and institutional engagement, according to Citizens. pic.twitter.com/Y0KuiTla0n — CoinMarketCap (@CoinMarketCap) February 25, 2026…

Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) has posted a sharp warning regarding the newly proposed CLARITY Act on Wednesday, arguing that an endorsement from disgraced FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried should serve as a major red flag for lawmakers. The exchange played out on X (formerly Twitter), where Bankman-Fried, currently serving a 25-year prison sentence for fraud, posted a message praising the legislation and crediting President Donald Trump. “Alarm bells” Senator Warren, a longtime critic of the cryptocurrency industry, wasted no time in highlighting the convicted felon’s support as evidence of the bill’s potential dangers. “Sam Bankman-Fried, the fraudster who stole at least…

DSRV and SBI Ripple Asia launched joint research on Korea-Japan remittance and payments, focusing on regulation, operations, and system integration. The initiative will assess XRPL for institutional payment and settlement flows, including speed, cost, compliance needs, and integration with existing rails. DSRV and SBI Ripple Asia have launched a joint research initiative focused on blockchain use in the Korea–Japan remittance and payments corridor. The work targets deployment challenges that often slow cross-border payment projects. The main targets include regulatory alignment across Japan and South Korea, operating processes suited to bank and payment-provider workflows, and system designs connected to existing settlement…

Ethereum has finally broken a four-week streak of continuous ETF outflows. The week ending February 18 recorded inflows, marking the first sign of returning institutional demand. At the same time, whale wallets have started accumulating again. Yet long-term holders continue selling into every Ethereum price bounce. This creates a direct conflict that could decide whether Ethereum’s price recovery continues or stalls. ETF Outflow Streak Ends as Whale Accumulation Begins Ethereum spent four straight weeks under consistent institutional selling pressure. Spot Ethereum ETFs recorded net outflows in the weeks ending January 23, January 30, February 6, and February 13. This sustained…

US-based asset manager REX Shares has launched an exchange-traded fund that bundles leveraged covered-call strategies tied to nine individual stocks, including crypto-linked names Coinbase and Strategy, into a single income-focused product trading under the ticker GIF. According to Thursday’s announcement, the fund holds equal-weighted positions in REX’s existing single-stock Growth & Income ETFs, each of which targets about 1.25x exposure to its underlying equity while writing covered calls on a portion of the portfolio to generate option premium income. GIF trades on Cboe Global Markets and each underlying ETF seeks to distribute income on a weekly basis, with payouts largely…

Crypto exchange Kraken has launched Flexline, a crypto-backed loan product that allows Kraken Pro users to borrow against their digital asset holdings without selling them. According to Wednesday’s announcement, the fixed-rate loans carry terms ranging from two days to two years, with proceeds issued in crypto or stablecoins that can be traded on the platform or withdrawn, depending on regional eligibility. The company describes its eponymous product as “geared toward beginners and individual investors, while Kraken Pro is for advanced and institutional traders.” Using Flexline, customers can post supported cryptocurrencies as collateral and receive funds almost instantly. Annual percentage rates…

Circle stock price popped by over 35% on Wednesday, its best day since going public, after publishing stronger revenue and $USDC stablecoin growth than expected. Summary Circle stock price soared after publishing strong financial results on Wednesday. Canaccord Genuity analysts maintained a bullish outlook for the stock. They slashed their CRCL stock target to $160, a 93% upside from the current level. Circle Internet Group jumped to $83, its highest level since January 15, and 66% above its lowest level this year. This surge boosted its market capitalization to nearly $20 billion. Canaccord Genuity slashes Circle stock forecast Analysts at…