Kraken continues acquisition streak by buying token management firm Magna ahead of IPO push

The deal adds token lifecycle infrastructure to Kraken’s growing product suite.

source https://www.coindesk.com/business/2026/02/18/kraken-continues-acquisition-streak-by-buying-token-management-firm-magna-ahead-of-ipo-push

Gold firm Elemental Royalty to pay out dividends in Tether's tokenized gold

The company claimed the bragging right of being the first to let investors opt for dividend payments in a cryptocurrency, backed by gold.

source https://www.coindesk.com/business/2026/02/17/gold-firm-elemental-royalty-to-pay-out-dividends-in-tether-s-tokenized-gold

Crypto venture capital firm Dragonfly raises $650 million despite 'gloom of a bear market'

The firm’s fourth fund positions it alongside a16z and Paradigm even as blockchain VC fundraising contracts and investors pivot toward stablecoins and tokenized finance.

source https://www.coindesk.com/business/2026/02/17/crypto-venture-capital-firm-dragonfly-raises-usd650-million-despite-gloom-of-a-bear-market

UK crypto rules too slow to support global hub ambitions, says Agant CEO

Regulatory delays risk blunting Britain’s digital asset push, said Andrew MacKenzie, head of the pound-pegged stablecoin developer.

source https://www.coindesk.com/business/2026/02/17/uk-crypto-rules-too-slow-to-support-global-hub-ambitions-says-agant-ceo

DeFi protocol ZeroLend shuts down after three years, citing inactive chains and hacks

The protocol is shutting down after three years, citing unsustainable economics, thin margins and rising security threats.

source https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2026/02/17/defi-protocol-zerolend-shuts-down-after-3-years-citing-inactive-chains-and-hacks

BofA survey flags dollar bearish bets at over a decade high. Here's what it means for bitcoin

BofA's February survey shows investor positioning in the U.S. dollar has fallen to its most negative level since at least early 2012.

source https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2026/02/17/bofa-survey-shows-record-bearish-dollar-bets-here-s-what-it-means-for-bitcoin

'We do not do illegal things': Inside a U.S.-sanctioned stablecoin issuer's race to build a crypto giant

Oleg Ogienko, the public face of A7A5, pitched the ruble-pegged stablecoin as a fast-growing trade rail built to move money across borders despite sanctions pressure.

source https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2026/02/16/we-do-not-do-illegal-things-inside-a-u-s-sanctioned-stablecoin-issuer-s-race-to-build-a-crypto-giant