Day: February 18, 2026

Riot Platform‘s AI/HPC Push could Net up to $21B, Says Stockholder

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An activist Riot Platform shareholder is pressing the crypto mining company to accelerate its pivot to high-performance computing (HPC) and artificial intelligence. In a Wednesday letter to executives, Starboard Value, which holds about 12.7 million shares of Riot, said that the company could generate between $9 billion to $21 billion in equity value contribution from AI/HPC data centers in Texas. The shareholder said that “time is of the essence,” stressing urgency in getting “more material deals completed” as it moves deeper into AI and HPC. “With 1.4 [gigawatts] of gross…

Jeffrey Quesnelle: Centralization in AI is stifling innovation, how decentralization can democratize access, and the critical role of smart contracts in AI training

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Centralization in the AI industry is driven by the concentration of capital in large companies. Decentralization technologies can address both funding and operational challenges in AI. Crypto rails enable permissionless access to computing resources, enhancing decentralization. Key Takeaways Centralization in the AI industry is driven by the concentration of capital in large companies. Decentralization technologies can address both funding and operational challenges in AI. Crypto rails enable permissionless access to computing resources, enhancing decentralization. AI data centers often experience inefficiencies, with many GPUs remaining underutilized. Smart contracts are essential for…

DerivaDEX Launches Bermuda-Licensed DAO Derivatives Exchange

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DerivaDEX has launched a Bermuda-licensed crypto derivatives platform, becoming what it says is the first DAO-governed decentralized exchange to operate under formal regulatory approval. According to a statement from the platform, the exchange received a T license from the Bermuda Monetary Authority and has begun offering crypto perpetual swaps trading to a limited number of advanced retail and institutional participants. The BMA’s T, or test license, is issued for a digital asset business seeking to test a proof of concept. At launch, DerivaDEX supports major crypto perpetual products and said…

Tether brings USA₮ stablecoin to Rumble Wallet for creator payouts

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Tether has integrated its U.S.-domiciled USA₮ token with Rumble Wallet, enabling content creators on the video platform to receive earnings in a dollar-backed digital asset. USA₮ launched in late January 2026 through Anchorage Digital Bank, with reserves managed by Cantor Fitzgerald. The token was structured to meet domestic regulatory standards as lawmakers advanced the GENIUS Act, which tightened requirements for offshore stablecoin issuers. The integration enables creators to earn, store, and transfer digital dollars within the Rumble ecosystem without relying on traditional payment rails. USA₮ joins existing wallet support for…

Here’s Why Ethereum Price Looks Bearish Below $2K.

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Ethereum onchain data and a bear pennant on the daily chart suggest that bears may target the $1,100 level. Would a dip to that zone represent a generational buy opportunity? Ether (ETH) price printed a bear pennant on the daily chart, a technical chart formation associated with strong downward momentum. This weakening technical setup and declining network activity may signal the continuation of ETH’s bear trend and possibly send the altcoin’s price to $1,100. A bear pennant pattern is a bearish setup that forms after the price consolidates inside an…

OpenAI launches benchmarking system for securing crypto tokens and smart contracts

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OpenAI today unveiled EVMbench, a benchmarking system designed to evaluate how effectively AI agents can detect and address security flaws in crypto tokens and smart contracts. The system, developed in collaboration with Paradigm, a crypto-focused venture capital firm, establishes standardized testing protocols for vulnerabilities in code running on Ethereum Virtual Machine-compatible blockchains. EVMbench measures AI performance across three categories: identifying weaknesses in smart contracts, demonstrating how those flaws could be exploited, and applying fixes to remediate the issues. The release also includes ecosystem safeguards. OpenAI expanded its private beta of…

Cup And Handle Pattern Puts XRP Price At $60 After Hitting Resistance

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Crypto analyst CryptoBull has highlighted a bullish pattern that could send the XRP price to as high as $60. This ultra-bullish prediction comes as the altcoin continues to struggle below key resistance levels amid the current crypto market downtrend.  XRP Price Could Reach $60 With This Cup and Handle Pattern In an X post, CryptoBull revealed that a Cup and Handle pattern is unfolding on the monthly chart and that the measured target for XRP is $60. In another X post, the analyst suggested that the altcoin’s downtrend may be…

Tyler Muir: Financial crises amplify asset price drops, why recovery dynamics differ from economic activity, and the rise of populism post-crisis

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Financial crises have a more profound impact on asset markets than ordinary recessions. Asset prices drop more during financial crises due to an extra risk premium channel. Asset markets typically recover faster than economic activity post-crisis. Key Takeaways Financial crises have a more profound impact on asset markets than ordinary recessions. Asset prices drop more during financial crises due to an extra risk premium channel. Asset markets typically recover faster than economic activity post-crisis. Financial crises have lasting political and economic repercussions beyond market recovery. Populism and nationalism often emerge…

Stani Kulechov: Aave’s token-centric model enhances value capture, V4 introduces a hub and spoke architecture, and DAOs boost governance resilience

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Aave’s new model aims to boost revenue and enhance user experience in decentralized finance. Key takeaways Aave’s proposal focuses on reinforcing value capture through a token-centric model. Aave Labs upgraded its integration to enhance user experience and generate sustainable revenue. The Aave protocol’s economic model ensures that borrowing activities contribute to its growth. Aave’s growth strategy involves consolidating within the DeFi space to produce high-quality products. Aave Labs aims to create a token-centric model to reduce uncertainty for token holders. Aave Labs will allocate 100% of revenue from for-profit applications…

Hyperscale Data launches silver reserve plan targeting 100,000 ounces

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Hyperscale Data, a technology firm operating AI-focused data centers and Bitcoin mining operations, announced today a strategic initiative to acquire up to 100,000 ounces of silver. The company, traded on NYSE American under ticker GPUS, said it will accumulate the precious metal gradually using a dollar-cost averaging method that mirrors its approach to acquiring Bitcoin. Funding for the silver purchases will come from existing cash reserves and available liquidity, according to the announcement. Executive Chairman Milton “Todd” Ault III characterized silver as a long-term strategic asset intended to bolster the…