NatWest is actively negotiating with investors to initiate a substantial risk transfer associated with commercial real estate loans. Bloomberg posted on X, highlighting the bank's strategic move to mitigate potential risks in its loan portfolio. This initiative comes amid growing concerns over the stability of the commercial real estate market, which has been under pressure due to fluctuating property values and economic uncertainties. The risk transfer mechanism is designed to protect NatWest from potential losses by shifting some of the financial exposure to external investors. This approach is increasingly being adopted by financial institutions seeking to manage their risk profiles more effectively. By engaging investors, NatWest aims to bolster its financial resilience and ensure continued support for its commercial real estate lending activities. The discussions reflect a broader trend in the banking sector, where institutions are exploring innovative solutions to address challenges posed by volatile market conditions. As the commercial real estate sector faces headwinds, banks are keen to safeguard their interests while maintaining lending capabilities. NatWest's move is part of a strategic effort to navigate the complexities of the current economic landscape, ensuring that it remains well-positioned to support its clients and stakeholders. The outcome of these discussions will be closely monitored by industry observers, as it could set a precedent for similar initiatives by other banks.

A powerful snowstorm, the strongest in nearly a decade, struck the northeastern United States starting Sunday, the 22nd. According to Ming Pao, New York City issued a rare travel ban, prohibiting non-essential vehicles from being on the roads for 15 hours, from the evening until midday the following day.

Companies in Southeast Asia are increasingly turning to international markets to sell shares due to ongoing underperformance in certain areas of the region. Bloomberg posted on X, highlighting this trend as local markets face challenges. The move comes as businesses seek more favorable conditions abroad, aiming to capitalize on better opportunities and investor interest outside their home countries. This shift underscores the difficulties faced by regional markets and the strategic decisions companies are making to navigate these challenges.

Rob Jetten has made history by becoming the youngest prime minister of the Netherlands. Bloomberg posted on X, highlighting Jetten's achievement as he assumes leadership at a pivotal moment for the country. His appointment marks a significant milestone in Dutch politics, reflecting a shift towards younger leadership. Jetten's rise to the position comes amid various challenges facing the nation, including economic and environmental issues. His leadership is expected to bring fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to address these pressing matters. As the youngest prime minister, Jetten's tenure will be closely watched by both domestic and international observers, eager to see how he navigates the complexities of governance and policy-making.

Novo Nordisk's latest obesity treatment, CagriSema, has demonstrated less weight loss compared to Eli Lilly's leading medication in a recent trial. Bloomberg posted on X that the trial results revealed CagriSema's performance fell short of expectations when compared to Eli Lilly's established drug. This outcome could impact Novo Nordisk's competitive position in the obesity treatment market, where Eli Lilly's product has already gained significant traction. The trial's findings are crucial as both companies vie for dominance in the lucrative obesity drug sector. Novo Nordisk's CagriSema was anticipated to be a strong contender, but the trial results suggest it may face challenges in matching the efficacy of Eli Lilly's offering. The competition between these pharmaceutical giants continues to intensify as they seek to capture a larger share of the market.

Ethereum is currently undergoing a significant evaluation of its valuation and fundamentals. According to Odaily, the market must determine whether its current downturn represents a cyclical low or a deeper structural damage. Bitmine, an Ethereum treasury company, is experiencing a substantial paper loss of approximately $8.8 billion, surpassing the initial $8 billion loss faced by FTX during its collapse. This situation is exacerbated by Bitmine's aggressive accumulation of ETH amid weakening demand and ETH prices nearing April 2021 levels, further fueling market debate. The comparison highlights the potential for significant divergence in capital allocation outcomes and how timing and governance decisions ultimately influence long-term value creation. Ethereum's current trading price is approaching a critical valuation and cost range, with its core value proposition undergoing structural scrutiny. Investors are advised to carefully assess whether Ethereum is at a cyclical low or entering a deeper phase of structural damage.

The European Central Bank (ECB) is examining the potential risks posed by the artificial intelligence (AI) industry to banks in the region. Bloomberg posted on X, highlighting concerns over undisclosed credit exposures and possible disruptions within the financial sector. The investigation comes as AI technology continues to evolve, raising questions about its influence on banking operations and stability. The ECB's scrutiny aims to ensure that banks are adequately prepared to manage any challenges arising from AI advancements. This move reflects a broader effort to safeguard the financial system against emerging technological threats.

Bitcoin's drop below $65K triggered over $500M in liquidations, as macro uncertainty from tariffs and geopolitics reprices risk assets. source: https://decrypt.co/358813/bitcoins-dip-under-65k-pushes-crypto-liquidations-to-500m

The final week of February 2026 presents significant developments for altcoins Hedera (HBAR), Sui (SUI), and Kite (KITE). According to NS3.AI, these cryptocurrencies are influenced by technical setups, token unlocks, and network upgrades. HBAR is on the verge of confirming a recent breakout as it undergoes infrastructure enhancements. Meanwhile, SUI is experiencing volatility due to a major token unlock event. KITE is demonstrating strong bullish momentum, reaching new all-time highs, but faces potential corrections from profit-taking activities.

According to data from msx.com, crypto stocks generally fell in pre-market trading in the US, with COIN down 1.54%, MSTR down 1.64%, SBET down 1.53%, BMNR down 2.14%, and DFDV down 1.88%. msx.com is a decentralized RWA trading platform that has listed hundreds of RWA tokens, covering US stock and ETF tokens such as AAPL, AMZN, GOOGL, META, MSFT, NFLX, and NVDA.

Over 5,500 cryptocurrency miners have registered with Russia’s tax authority since mining was legalised in November 2024, including 1,500 companies and 4,000 individuals. Despite this, officials estimate that around two-thirds of miners still operate without registration, while new rules require reporting, tax payments, and regional restrictions to control the sector.

OpenClaw founder Peter Steinberger has banned all crypto mentions on Discord after a user was removed for mentioning Bitcoin in a technical discussion. The rule followed a scam in which hijacked accounts promoted a fake $CLAWD token that briefly reached about $16 million before collapsing.

Bear markets create tremendous opportunities for investors who stay focused. The DeFi space is currently witnessing such an opportunity.

Large-scale sell-offs by major investors or mining companies are often seen by retail investors as a signal that the market has peaked or collapsed. But looking beyond the emotions, this is not a simple “miner surrender” but a textbook example of corporate capital operation and strategic transformation.

An AI crypto trading bot called Lobstar Wilde accidentally sent all its meme coin holdings, worth around $250,000, to a stranger on X after misreading a request for a small amount of Solana. The recipient sold the tokens quickly for about $40,000, though the sudden attention later pushed their value above $420,000.

Wall Street analysts believe that although the government quickly implemented alternative tariffs, the effective tax rate declined slightly, and the policy became more moderate after July. The core variable in the ruling lies in the potential tax rebates of up to $180 billion.

Bitcoin has tumbled under the critical $65,000 mark, with large holders driving fresh selling and recent buyers continuing to take losses. On-chain data points to a fragile, base-building phase rather than a strong market rebound.

The US economy faces challenges amid a complex interplay of debt, gold prices, and policy. Hard assets like gold remain a "best friend." Investors need to strike a balance, pay close attention to data, and avoid extremes.

Bitcoin mining firm Bitdeer has emptied its crypto wallet, effectively reducing its bitcoin holding to zero-a move that stands out as highly unusual for a company whose core business revolves around mining the digital assets.

Fake ads posing as Uniswap appeared at the top of search results and led users to cloned websites that drained their crypto wallets. The warning came after one user lost a mid-six-figure portfolio, prompting founder Hayden Adams to call out the ongoing failure to stop these scams.