Author: NBTC

NBTC

NBTC is the editorial account for NBTC News, covering Bitcoin, Ethereum, DeFi, blockchain infrastructure, exchanges, mining, regulation and digital asset markets. The editorial team focuses on clear sourcing, timely updates and practical context for crypto readers.

AI Agents Were Supposed to Power a New Economy on Blockchain —What Went Wrong

As blockchain technology and artificial intelligence continue to converge, x402—a standard that enables AI agents to execute automated on-chain payments—was expected to serve as a gateway to the emerging Agent Economy. However, recent data shows a sharp decline in x402 transaction volume. This trend has raised doubts about whether the initial hype faded only months after its rapid rise. x402 Transactions Down More Than 92% According to a report from Artemis, the concept of x402 “agent payments” may currently be more illusion than reality. While tools such as OpenClaw, Moltbook, and specialized agent wallets are spreading rapidly across social media…

BlockchainFeb 10

Global Banks Turn Cautious as Interest Rate Expectations Reset

The global banks landscape is undergoing a sharp reassessment as major banks rethink interest rate expectations. For months, investors anticipated rapid easing from the US Federal Reserve. That confidence now fades as inflation pressures persist and economic resilience surprises policymakers. The Fed rate cuts outlook has shifted dramatically, forcing markets to adjust strategies. JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, and Barclays now signal a longer period of restrictive monetary conditions. Their latest forecasts challenge the popular belief that rate cuts will arrive quickly. Instead, these institutions warn that policy tightening may dominate the coming years. This change reshapes expectations across equities, bonds, and…

RegulationFeb 10

How Modern Exchanges Are Bridging Crypto and Traditional Finance

The crypto exchange landscape continues to evolve as digital assets integrate deeper into global finance. Platforms now compete on technology, compliance, asset variety, and trading flexibility. Traders expect unified ecosystems that combine crypto markets with traditional financial products. Security, transparency, and regulatory clarity also shape user decisions more than before. In 2026, exchanges are expanding beyond basic spot trading into derivatives, staking, payments, and multi-asset portfolios. Platforms are also refining their infrastructure to handle growing institutional and retail demand. This shift highlights exchanges that deliver advanced tools while maintaining accessible interfaces for everyday users. PrimeXBT, Kraken and Binance are unique…

ExchangesFeb 10

Mining Giant’s $196M Quarter Signals Strategic Resurgence

In a powerful demonstration of resilience and strategic adaptation, Bitcoin mining hardware manufacturer Canaan has reported a staggering financial performance for the final quarter of last year. The company’s Q4 revenue more than doubled, reaching $196 million and signaling a potential turning point for the broader mining hardware sector. This remarkable 121% year-over-year surge, confirmed by financial data from The Block, represents Canaan’s most substantial quarterly revenue in three years, directly challenging prevailing narratives about industry headwinds. Canaan Q4 Revenue Analysis: Breaking Down the $196 Million Surge Canaan’s financial resurgence stems from a dual-engine strategy. Firstly, the company’s core business…

MiningFeb 10

Visa Goes On-Chain With Ethereum Stablecoin Settlements

Visa, one of the world’s biggest payment networks, has started settling stablecoin transactions on Ethereum. The integration, quietly launched in December 2025, uses USDC. This move marks a big step in bringing traditional finance onto blockchain networks. MASSIVE: Visa is now settling stablecoin transactions on Ethereum. One of the world’s largest payment networks is quietly upgrading its rails. Finance is going on-chain by necessity. pic.twitter.com/LfKvdqhKj9 — Merlijn The Trader (@MerlijnTrader) February 10, 2026 By moving payments on-chain, Visa allows 24/7 transactions for institutional clients. This bypasses the delays that often happen with banks. In fact, Visa’s on-chain analytics show that…

BlockchainFeb 10

Has the iPhone moment arrived for Michael Saylor’s preferred stock "Stretch" at Strategy

Michael Saylor, executive chairman of Strategy (MSTR), the world’s largest public holder of bitcoin, introduced the firm’s fourth perpetual preferred equity offering, Stretch, (STRC), in late July. Saylor described STRC as Strategy’s iPhone moment, a breakthrough that redefines corporate finance. STRC, dubbed by the firm as "Short Duration High Yield Credit" Stretch, is a perpetual preferred stock designed to behave like a high yield, low volatility cash instrument. It pays an 11% annual dividend, distributed monthly in cash, based on a $100 par value. Unlike traditional preferred shares, the dividend can be adjusted on a monthly basis under preset rules.…

RegulationFeb 10

Perp Pioneer BitMEX Launches Hyperliquid Copy Trading

Crypto derivatives-focused centralized exchange BitMEX has expanded its copy trading feature to let users copy the strategies of top traders from Hyperliquid, the largest decentralized perpetual futures platform by trading volume and open interest. The new feature, called Hyperliquid Copy Trading, lets BitMEX users automatically replicate trades from selected Hyperliquid traders, according to a press release viewed by The Defiant. Trades are opened directly on BitMEX and users can copy up to five Hyperliquid traders at once. Other features include basic risk-management tools, such as take-profit and stop-loss options. The launch illustrates how CEXs continue to push into decentralized finance…

ExchangesFeb 10

Nitro backs execution-first Monad startups with up to $500k each

Nitro, a Monad-focused accelerator, offers up to $7.5M to execution-driven teams to turn already-funded crypto projects into products that actually ship. Summary Nitro will support up to 15 early-stage Monad teams with as much as $7.5 million total over a three-month hybrid program. The accelerator prioritizes consistent shipping and product–market fit over short-term token metrics or headline valuations. Backers including Paradigm, Electric Capital, Dragonfly, and Castle Island Ventures will mentor founders and attend Demo Day. Nitro, a crypto accelerator built around the Monad blockchain, opened applications Tuesday with a promise to fix one of the industry’s most predictable failures: founders…

BlockchainFeb 10

Standard Chartered Weighs Launch of Crypto Trading and Prime Brokerage Platform

Standard Chartered is considering expanding its digital assets business, with early discussions underway to launch a crypto trading and prime brokerage platform. If pursued, the initiative would place the British lender among a cohort of global banks expanding their exposure to cryptocurrencies. Key Points Standard Chartered is in early talks to develop a crypto trading and prime brokerage platform, Bloomberg reported Monday. The proposed initiative is being discussed under SC Ventures, the bank’s venture capital arm, according to Bloomberg. No launch timeline has been set, and the bank has not confirmed the plan. Standard Chartered launched institutional crypto trading services…

RegulationFeb 10

A Strategic Leap for Mainstream Crypto Adoption

In a significant move for cryptocurrency accessibility, the popular U.S. trading platform Robinhood announced on [Date] that it has listed the $ZRO token for spot trading, directly integrating a major Layer 1 interoperability asset into its retail-focused ecosystem. This decision marks a pivotal expansion of Robinhood’s crypto offerings and provides millions of users with streamlined access to a foundational Web3 protocol token. Consequently, the listing could influence broader market dynamics and adoption trends. Robinhood $ZRO Listing: Context and Immediate Market Impact The Robinhood $ZRO listing represents a calculated expansion of the platform’s digital asset catalog. Historically, Robinhood has carefully curated…

ExchangesFeb 10