Category: crypto

Steak ‘n Shake added $5 million worth of Bitcoin to its reserves, bringing the total to $15 million. The fast food chain funnels all Bitcoin payment proceeds into its reserve. It credits Bitcoin for improving sales and saving on transaction fees. The company plans to offer Bitcoin bonuses to employees.

The U.K. Advertising Standards Authority banned Coinbase’s “Everything is Fine” campaign for downplaying the risks of crypto investing and presenting it as a solution to the cost-of-living crisis. The ads, which ran without risk warnings, were deemed irresponsible, leading to a disagreement between Coinbase and the regulatory body.

Japan’s Financial Services Agency is implementing strict rules for stablecoin reserves, requiring top-rated foreign bonds from 100 trillion yen issuers as collateral. New guidelines tighten oversight of banks, intermediaries, and foreign stablecoin issuers. Megabanks are leading digital yen settlement projects amid BOJ bond buying tapering. Public consultation is open until Feb. 27, 2026.

Tether has launched USA₮, a U.S. stablecoin under the GENIUS Act. Standard Chartered warns stablecoins could take $100 billion from U.S. bank deposits. USA₮ aims to accelerate institutional adoption. Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino described USA₮ as a dollar-backed token for institutions. Standard Chartered reports stablecoins could reach $2 trillion market by 2028.

Bitcoin traded lower at $87,700 while traditional risk assets like equities and gold rallied. Gold rose 1.4% to $5,080 an ounce, outperforming both equities and crypto. The S&P 500 hit all-time highs, while Nasdaq 100 closed in on its prior record. Bitcoin’s decoupling from traditional assets is evident. Ethereum is trading slightly above $2,900, down…

PENGU, a Solana-based token tied to Pudgy Penguins, is gaining attention from traders and analysts who believe it is undervalued. The token is seen as having strong fundamentals due to its connection to the Pudgy Penguins brand and its sustainable distribution strategy. The project has evolved from an NFT collection into a consumer brand with…

Gemini Trust Co., founded by the Winklevoss twins, is shutting down its Nifty Gateway NFT marketplace amid a downturn in the NFT market. The platform will officially close on February 23, reflecting Gemini’s shift towards focusing on a “one-stop super app” for crypto users. Customers can move their assets to the Gemini Wallet.

Mesh Connect, a five-year-old crypto startup, has reached a $1 billion valuation with a $75 million funding round led by Dragonfly Capital. They plan to expand globally and help platforms connect to users’ crypto wallets for seamless transactions. The company has seen significant growth following regulatory developments in the crypto industry.

Pi Network has launched Tether USD transaction capabilities on its testnet for users to test decentralized finance features. The stablecoin USDT is pegged to the U.S. dollar and widely used in cryptocurrency markets. This development is part of Pi Network’s focus on DeFi and real-world utility applications over exchange listings.

The cryptocurrency industry faces a critical three-year period for widespread adoption if the Clarity Act does not pass the U.S. Senate, according to Bitwise Chief Investment Officer Matt Hougan. Failure to pass the bill would leave the industry vulnerable to future regulatory challenges, impacting growth and market expectations.