Author: NBTC

Introduction Imagine using the internet at home and the connection being shared by four users. So far so good. But if the fifth user joins the network, you might feel that your browsing has turned sluggish. The larger the number of users on a network, the slower it will get. You can block a few users from the controlling interface, but this is not possible when we think of the internet on larger scales. Since blockchain networks also operate on the internet, they also face the scalability problem. With the evolution in blockchain technology, a resounding discussion about scalability issues,…

$XRP has a liquidity problem that has nothing to do with price: More than 2 billion tokens, or about 3.5% of the circulating supply, aren’t actually circulating. The tokens, valued around $3 billion, are held in wallets from Xaman, and are largely locked out of decentralized finance (DeFi). To access DeFi means downloading new wallets, bridging assets across chains, managing gas tokens and navigating unfamiliar interfaces. Most holders never bothered. Now, Xaman said it has reached an agreement with the Flare blockchain that will reduce the process into a single transaction, allowing users to deposit their $XRP directly into a…

Ethereum continues to trade in a narrow range near $2,000. $ETH has struggled to generate sustained upside momentum in recent weeks. While on-chain data suggests selling pressure may be nearing exhaustion, another concern is emerging. A decline in new network participation could restrict fresh capital inflows. Ethereum Holders Are Realizing Losses Ethereum’s Spent Output Profit Ratio, or SOPR, recently slid to 0.92. This marks the deepest level since April 2025. A reading below 1 indicates that investors are selling at a loss. Such behavior often reflects panic and fear during prolonged consolidation phases. Historically, extreme lows in SOPR have preceded…

GameStop (NYSE: GME) is pushing meaningfully higher this morning after Ryan Cohen, its chief executive, agreed to anchor his salary to the company’s stock price performance. According to GME’s press release, “Mr. Cohen will receive no guaranteed pay – no salary, no cash bonuses, and no stock that vests over time.” Instead, the latest pay plan has made it so that Cohen will be $35 billion richer if GameStop hits a few ambitious profitability targets that drive its market cap up tenfold. At the time of writing, GME shares are down nearly 40% versus their 52-week high. Does Cohen’s pay…

The measure, described last week, would be submitted by Brazil’s Revenue Service for public consultation and would impose a 3.5% tax on both stablecoin purchases and remittances, treating them as foreign currency exchanges subject to the existing Tax on Financial Transactions (IOF). Brazil Prepares For Issuing Decree Taxing Stablecoin Purchases and Remittances The Brazilian crypto industry is on the verge of changing due to a new tax measure expected to be presented in the next few days. According to Valor Econômico, the Brazilian government is preparing to close what many considered a gray area by classifying stablecoins as digital assets…

Crypto trader Machi Big Brother is again in the spotlight. After fresh on-chain data showed deep losses. While he keeps opening high-leverage long positions. According to tracking data shared on February 18, his account is down more than $27.8 million overall. Still, he continues to increase exposure across several tokens. The positions are highly leveraged, with some reaching 25x and even 40x. The activity has sparked strong reactions online, as traders debate whether this is conviction or pure risk-taking during a weak market. Heavy Long Positions With High Leverage Recent data shows Machi holding several major long positions. His largest…

Mantle, a distribution and liquidity layer focused on RWAs, announced the deployment of the ERC-8004 standard on mainnet. The update introduces a trust and identity framework for on-chain AI agents. It is designed to allow agents to operate as independent economic participants across RWAs, traditional finance bridges and decentralized finance. ERC-8004 establishes three on-chain registries: The Identity Registry assigns each agent a unique NFT-based profile The Reputation Registry records performance data that can move across platforms The Validation Registry provides cryptographic proof of completed tasks, including stake-based or zero-knowledge verification Within the Mantle ecosystem, these mechanisms allow agents to discover…

The unexpected termination of ZeroLend has reignited discussion around the viability of decentralized finance (DeFi) lending platforms. The platform’s closure has sparked conversations about the long-term sustainability problems ailing DeFi credit markets, as another player exits the scene. Why Did ZeroLend Shut Down?Was Liquidity the Main Culprit?Learning Points for DeFi Lending Why Did ZeroLend Shut Down? ZeroLend, operating primarily on Ethereum’s layer-2 solutions, reported severe financial hits due to diminished liquidity and a reduced user base. Founder Ryker acknowledged the inevitability of closing after three years of service. Various blockchains not only saw a drop in activity but some ceased…

Magic Eden is shutting down its Bitcoin and Ethereum Virtual Machine marketplaces and discontinuing its multi chain wallet, marking a major strategic pivot away from its once dominant Ordinals business. Blockspace first reported that the company plans to wind down its EVM marketplace and Bitcoin Runes and Ordinals marketplace on March 9, followed by the Bitcoin API on March 27. The Magic Eden wallet will enter export only mode before being fully discontinued on April 1. The company will continue supporting Solana assets. The move marks a sharp shift for a platform that rose to prominence as the leading Bitcoin…

Ethereum price was stuck below the important support of $2,000 today, February 16, as it erased the gains made during the weekend. Summary Ethereum price may be at risk of falling to the key support at $1,500. It has formed a bearish pennant pattern on the daily timeframe chart. The bearish catalysts have outweighed the bullish one. Ethereum ($ETH) token was trading at $1,980, down substantially from its all-time high of $4,960. Technical analysis suggests the coin will likely drop to the key support at $1,500 before hitting the psychological $2,500 level. Ethereum price technical analysis suggests a retreat to…