On February 16, 2026, at the Consensus Hong Kong conference, policymakers outlined steps to bolster the city's digital asset market, including a perpetual contract framework and plans to grant the first stablecoin licenses next month. Regulators SFC and HKMA signaled willingness to engage industry, while major firms said they are implementing or exploring blockchain. Executives added that clearer direction is encouraging for investment.

Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao argues that insufficient onchain privacy is preventing broader use of cryptocurrencies for payments, saying transparent payrolls and expenses deter enterprises. He previously told All-In Podcast host Chamath Palihapitiya that such openness can pose physical security risks. Avidan Abitbol and Eran Barak contend that business confidentiality needs and advancing AI make privacy tools increasingly essential.

According to Bloomberg, a Florida federal judge entered a default judgment awarding Kevin O'Leary $2.8 million in his defamation suit against former crypto influencer Ben 'BitBoy' Armstrong. The case centers on late March 2025 X posts alleging O'Leary and his wife were murderers; the court entered default on six defamation-per-se claims and Armstrong did not mount a defense.

Ethereum co-founder and Polymarket investor Vitalik Buterin warned that prediction markets are increasingly centered on short-term speculation and retail gambling, which he believes threatens their long-term health. He proposed shifting these platforms toward AI-powered hedging instruments tied to real-world expenses, and argued that such markets, if denominated in productive assets, could eventually remove the need for fiat-pegged stablecoins.

Indian police conducted a nationwide crackdown from February 7 to 13, arresting six suspects linked to alleged investment, loan app and part-time job fraud involving crypto-related schemes. Authorities say they traced illicit funds across multiple states, recovered about Rs. 16.9 lakh for victims through court orders, and warned residents to be cautious when engaging with unknown contacts online.

Senators Elizabeth Warren and Andy Kim asked Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to evaluate whether a UAE-linked $500 million investment in Trump-linked World Liberty Financial should be examined by CFIUS for national security risks. Their letter follows a Wall Street Journal report that G42 acquired 49% via Aryam Investment 1 in January 2025; they requested a response by March.

In a February 14, 2026 post on X, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin warned that many prediction markets are tilting toward short-term speculation and gambling-style activity. He outlined an alternative model where onchain markets work with AI assistants to hedge household and business expenses against inflation, while supporters argue platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi can still provide decentralized economic intelligence amid rising US regulatory scrutiny.

X is preparing to launch a Smart Cashtags feature that will allow users to trade cryptocurrencies and stocks directly in the app, building on its existing $BTC-style asset tracking. The upgrade will add live charts, related posts, and instant trading from cashtags, aligning with Elon Musk's broader plan to turn X into an "everything app" with integrated payments via X Money.