Binance News

Foresight News posted on X (formerly Twitter) that the Ethereum Foundation has released an update on its protocol priorities for 2026, outlining plans for significant advancements across three key areas. The foundation aims to enhance scalability by integrating Layer 1 execution with Blob expansion, improve user experience through native account abstraction and cross-chain interoperability, and strengthen Layer 1 security, censorship resistance, and network resilience.

The update highlights ongoing efforts to increase the Gas Limit to 100 million and beyond, advance ePBS, and further adjust Blob parameters. Additionally, the foundation is working on the zkEVM attester client and addressing security measures related to censorship resistance and post-quantum cryptography.

The next major upgrade, Glamsterdam, is scheduled for the first half of 2026, with the Hegotá upgrade planned to follow later in the year.

Centrifuge has announced a strategic partnership with Layer 1 blockchain Pharos to create a shared infrastructure for managing institutional real-world assets on-chain. According to NS3.AI, this collaboration aims to streamline the tokenization and operation of assets such as U.S. Treasurys and AAA-rated structured credit products at scale. Centrifuge's CEO highlighted the significance of developing not only tokenization but also the distribution and infrastructure layers to enable practical on-chain institutional finance.

Several EU countries, including France, Belgium, Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, and Portugal, have voiced strong dissatisfaction with the European Commission's decision to send a representative to the 'Peace Committee' meeting. According to Jin10, the European Commission decided on February 16 to dispatch Dubravka Šuica, the Commissioner for Mediterranean Affairs, to attend the inaugural official meeting of the 'Peace Committee' scheduled for February 19 in Washington. The decision was made without prior notification to member states, lacking necessary authorization, and could be interpreted as collective EU endorsement of the meeting.

Truist Bank, previously known as SunTrust Bank, has reached a settlement of $155.8 million to address allegations of illegal overdraft fees imposed on customers in Georgia from 2006 to 2014. According to NS3.AI, the settlement concludes a class-action lawsuit that accused the bank of violating Georgia's usury laws, particularly concerning overdrafts of $500 or less. After deducting attorney and administrative expenses, eligible customers will receive payments based on their claims, while any unclaimed funds will revert to the bank.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced a substantial decrease in the U.S. trade deficit, attributing the change to tariffs imposed on various companies and countries. According to Jin10, Trump stated that the trade deficit has been reduced by 78%, and he anticipates that it will turn positive this year, marking the first time in decades. This development is seen as a significant shift in the U.S. trade balance, reflecting the impact of the current administration's trade policies.

Kresus Labs has announced the successful completion of a $13 million funding round. According to PANews, the investment was led by Hanwha Investment & Securities. The newly acquired funds will be directed towards expanding the company's enterprise digital wallet infrastructure, developing a platform for tokenizing real-world assets, and enhancing on-chain financial workflows. Additionally, Kresus Labs plans to build tools for both consumers and institutions, focusing on digital asset management, wallet recovery technology, and security systems based on multi-party computation.

Santiment posted on X that recent on-chain data indicates significant increases in whale transactions exceeding $100,000 across several cryptocurrency projects. These developments highlight growing interest and activity among large investors in the crypto market. The data suggests that these projects are experiencing heightened attention, potentially impacting their market dynamics and future valuations. Analysts are closely monitoring these trends to assess their implications for the broader cryptocurrency landscape.

A high-ranking U.S. military official overseeing operations in the Western Hemisphere has made an unexpected visit to Venezuela. Bloomberg posted on X, highlighting the significance of this visit amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region. The visit comes as part of broader efforts to address security concerns and strengthen diplomatic ties in the area. The U.S. Southern Command, responsible for military operations in Central and South America, is actively engaged in monitoring and responding to developments in the region. This visit underscores the importance of maintaining stability and cooperation with neighboring countries.

A Japanese health ministry panel is preparing to evaluate two regenerative therapies that are seeking regulatory approval. Bloomberg posted on X, highlighting this as a crucial moment for Japan's ongoing efforts to establish a domestic industry focused on advanced cell-based treatments. The review marks a significant step in Japan's ambition to become a leader in regenerative medicine, which involves using stem cells and other technologies to repair or replace damaged tissues and organs. The therapies under consideration could potentially revolutionize treatment options for various medical conditions, offering new hope to patients. Japan has been investing heavily in this sector, aiming to leverage its scientific expertise and innovation to drive growth and improve healthcare outcomes. The panel's decision will be closely watched by industry stakeholders and could influence the future direction of regenerative medicine in the country. As Japan seeks to balance innovation with safety and efficacy, the outcome of this review could have far-reaching implications for the global medical community.

World Labs, an AI startup led by Li Feifei, has successfully raised $1 billion in funding. According to ChainCatcher, the investment round saw participation from AMD, Autodesk, Emerson Collective, Fidelity Management & Research Company, NVIDIA, and Sea.

World Labs is focused on accelerating the development of spatial intelligence. The company aims to revolutionize storytelling, inspire creativity, advance robotics, and promote scientific discovery by building world models.

The company announced that its first product, Marble, enables users to create spatially coherent, high-fidelity, and persistent 3D worlds from images, videos, or text.

An address linked to Bitmine has withdrawn 35,000 ETH, valued at approximately $69.37 million, from exchanges within an 11-hour period. According to NS3.AI, the withdrawals consisted of 20,000 ETH from BitGo and 15,000 ETH from FalconX. These actions are typically interpreted as signs that the assets may be intended for holding rather than trading.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has provided a significant tax relief to major corporations, allowing them to benefit from U.S. President Donald Trump's lucrative research and development deduction without facing increased tax liabilities under a levy introduced during President Joe Biden's administration. Bloomberg posted on X, highlighting the impact of this decision on corporate tax bills. The move aims to balance the financial implications of the Biden-era tax policy, ensuring that companies can continue to invest in innovation without additional tax burdens. This development is part of ongoing adjustments in the U.S. tax landscape, reflecting the complexities of balancing corporate incentives with fiscal policies.

BBVA, Spain's second-largest bank, is reportedly planning to establish a brokerage business in Japan as part of its global expansion strategy. Bloomberg posted on X that this move aligns with the bank's efforts to broaden its international presence. The decision underscores BBVA's commitment to diversifying its operations and tapping into new markets. The bank's expansion into Japan is seen as a strategic step to enhance its global footprint and leverage opportunities in the Asian financial market.

California's Governor's Office has announced a lawsuit against U.S. President Donald Trump, accusing him of unlawfully terminating $1.2 billion in funding approved by Congress for the construction of the largest hydrogen energy center in the United States. According to Jin10, this decision disregards congressional resolutions and threatens 200,000 high-paying jobs. Additionally, it puts billions in healthcare savings at risk in areas most affected by pollution.

Asian currencies are showing signs of stabilization as the likelihood of a rate cut by the Federal Reserve diminishes. Wall Street Journal (Markets) posted on X, highlighting that the fading prospects of a rate reduction could exert pressure on these currencies. Analysts suggest that the stabilization is partly due to regional economic factors and the global financial environment.

The Federal Reserve's recent statements have led to speculation about its future monetary policy, impacting currency markets across Asia. The anticipation of steady interest rates in the U.S. is influencing investor sentiment, with many reassessing their positions in Asian markets.

Market participants are closely monitoring economic indicators and geopolitical developments that could affect currency valuations. The interplay between U.S. monetary policy and Asian economies remains a focal point for investors, as they navigate the complexities of global trade and finance.

Overall, while Asian currencies are currently consolidating, the evolving economic landscape and central bank policies will continue to play a crucial role in shaping their future trajectory.

CoinMarketCap's Altcoin Season Index has dropped by 2 points to 33, indicating a relative underperformance of altcoins compared to Bitcoin. According to NS3.AI, this index evaluates the top 100 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies against Bitcoin over a 90-day period to assess market trends. A score below 75 typically signifies a Bitcoin season, where Bitcoin shows stronger performance than altcoins.

Japanese Government Bond (JGB) futures experienced a decline, influenced by the downturn in the U.S. Treasury market. Wall Street Journal (Markets) posted on X, highlighting the correlation between the two markets. The U.S. Treasury market's performance often impacts global bond markets, including Japan's, due to interconnected economic factors and investor sentiment.

The recent drop in JGB futures reflects concerns over rising yields in the U.S., which can lead to higher borrowing costs and affect economic growth. Investors are closely monitoring these developments, as they may signal broader economic trends and potential shifts in monetary policy.

Market analysts suggest that the decline in JGB futures could be attributed to expectations of tighter monetary policies in the U.S., which might influence Japan's economic strategies. As global markets react to these changes, the impact on JGB futures remains a focal point for investors seeking to understand the broader implications for international finance.

The UK is being advised to overhaul its fiscal rules by adopting a more nuanced 'traffic lights' system, according to the Institute of Fiscal Studies. Bloomberg posted on X, highlighting the institute's call to move away from the current simplistic pass-fail approach. This recommendation aims to address what the institute describes as 'dysfunctional policy making' that has characterized recent years. The proposed system would provide a more comprehensive framework for evaluating fiscal policies, potentially leading to more effective governance and economic stability.

A recent agreement between the United States and India encompasses a significant $4.89 billion semiconductor joint venture involving Essence Global Group. According to Jin10, this collaboration is part of broader efforts to strengthen economic ties and technological cooperation between the two nations. The joint venture aims to enhance semiconductor production capabilities, reflecting the strategic importance of this sector in global trade and technology advancement. This development underscores the ongoing geopolitical dynamics and the emphasis on securing supply chains in critical industries.

The U.S.-ASEAN Business Council has announced that American and Indonesian companies have signed trade and investment agreements focusing on key minerals, semiconductor collaboration, and the export of U.S. agricultural and forestry products. According to Jin10, Indonesian companies have committed to purchasing 1 million tons of U.S. soybeans, 1.6 million tons of corn, and 93,000 tons of cotton, although the timeline for these purchases has not been specified.