LayerZero Labs has introduced Zero, a new layer-1 blockchain architecture designed to support up to 2 million transactions per second per zone and optimized for institutional-grade workloads, with mainnet launch planned for fall 2026. The network will initially consist of multiple specialized zones, including an EVM-compatible execution environment, a privacy-oriented payments area, and infrastructure tailored to trading and financial use cases, supported by backers such as Citadel Securities, ARK Invest, DTCC, and Google Cloud.

Binance and Franklin Templeton have introduced an institutional collateral program that lets eligible clients use tokenized shares of a U.S. government money market fund, issued via the Benji platform, as margin on Binance. The rollout is the first product from their collaboration announced last year and expands exchange collateral options with regulated, on‑chain fund instruments.

Zerohash has integrated the Monad Layer 1 blockchain and USDC issued on Monad into its crypto infrastructure platform, enabling clients to deploy stablecoin payment services without operating their own blockchain stack or licenses. The company, valued at $1 billion after a Series D-2 round that lifted its total funding to $275 million, said the setup targets use cases such as real-time account funding, cross-border transfers, B2B settlement, and onchain commerce. Executives from Zerohash and the Monad Foundation highlighted Monad's performance and cost profile, and Zerohash plans to add more stablecoins on Monad as they launch.

Prediction markets saw trading volume jump from $15.8 billion in 2024 to $63.5 billion in 2025, with activity staying strong into January 2026 as three platforms captured over 95% of global flow. A CertiK report warns that this growth relies heavily on centralized Web2-style authentication, creating critical single points of failure even as on-chain settlement and oracle designs continue to evolve.

On February 11, 2026, Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan endorsed BlackRock's move to tokenize its flagship iShares ETFs, calling it a narrative that could pull crypto out of a bear market. BlackRock CFO Martin Small said the firm is in active talks with the SEC and the process could take 90 days to 12 months. The initiative targets roughly $4 trillion held in digital wallets.

BlackRock will list its USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund (BUIDL), a $2.1 billion tokenized U.S. Treasury product, on the Uniswap DEX to enable institutional trading. The move, facilitated by Securitize, includes an undisclosed UNI purchase and will begin with a limited group of eligible institutions and market makers before wider availability.

The UK Financial Conduct Authority has begun legal proceedings against HTX, formerly Huobi, alleging the exchange unlawfully promoted cryptoasset services to UK consumers via its website and social channels including TikTok, X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. The action follows earlier warnings and the UK's October 2023 promotion rules, with prior High Court activity noted in October 2025.

On February 11, 2026, BlackRock approved its tokenized U.S. Treasury bill fund BUIDL for trading via UniswapX in collaboration with Securitize, expanding on-chain access to the product. The integration allows pre-qualified, whitelisted investors to trade BUIDL around the clock and may increase liquidity, while BlackRock also disclosed an undisclosed strategic investment in the Uniswap ecosystem.