Circle, the issuer of the USDC stablecoin, is set to release its earnings report on February 25 before the U.S. stock market opens. According to BlockBeats, NVIDIA will announce its earnings after the market closes on February 25, at 5:00 AM UTC+8 on February 26. The market is closely watching the performance of these two companies due to their potential impact on risk assets. NVIDIA's stock has experienced high volatility in recent months, with limited gains this year. Wall Street analysts express concerns that even strong earnings might lead to increased short-term volatility, affecting the global AI industry and related asset prices. Historically, NVIDIA's earnings that exceeded expectations have boosted market risk appetite and improved sentiment during periods of correction in the crypto market. Currently, investors are evaluating the interplay between AI capital expenditure cycles, semiconductor profitability prospects, and the growth of stablecoin businesses. The earnings reports from Circle and NVIDIA may serve as a crucial indicator of the resonance between the technology and crypto markets.

On February 25, during a routine press conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning addressed concerns regarding allegations that the United Kingdom and France are preparing to transfer nuclear weapons to Ukraine. According to Jin10, these claims were made by Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service, suggesting that the Western nations believe providing atomic bombs or at least 'dirty bombs' to Ukraine could create more favorable conditions for ending the conflict. Mao Ning stated that she was not aware of the specific situation but reiterated China's consistent stance that nuclear weapons should not be used and nuclear war should not be fought. She emphasized the importance of adhering to international nuclear non-proliferation obligations. Mao also noted that dialogue surrounding the Ukraine crisis has commenced, expressing hope that all parties involved will seize the opportunity to reach a comprehensive, lasting, and binding peace agreement. She called on all relevant parties to remain calm and exercise restraint, avoiding actions that could lead to misunderstandings, misjudgments, or an escalation of the situation.

The Hungarian opposition Tisza party has significantly increased its lead over Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s ruling Fidesz party. Bloomberg posted on X, highlighting the growing political shift in Hungary. This development marks an unprecedented level of support for the Tisza party, indicating a potential change in the country's political landscape. The widening gap between the two parties suggests increasing public dissatisfaction with the current government, potentially impacting future elections and policy directions in Hungary.

Four years after Diem's death, Meta is trying again. But this time, someone else holds the keys. source: https://www.blockhead.co/2026/02/25/metas-stablecoin-comeback-zuckerberg-eyes-h2-2026-launch-via-stripe/

Web 4.0 marks a significant shift in the internet landscape, transitioning from human dominance to AI-led operations. According to Bitalk News, Web 1.0 allowed humans to read, Web 2.0 enabled writing, and Web 3.0 facilitated ownership. In contrast, Web 4.0 empowers AI to read, write, own, earn, and trade autonomously, eliminating the need for human approval. On February 17, 2026, Sigil Wen released the 'Web 4.0: The Birth of Superintelligent Life' manifesto, highlighting that AI agents will evolve from mere tools to autonomous internet 'end-users.' These agents will independently perform tasks such as reading, writing, owning, earning, and trading without human intervention. Historically, AI could think and generate content but lacked the ability to act independently due to permission constraints. Web 4.0 addresses this by granting AI identities, wallets, stablecoin payment capabilities, and the ability to deploy and utilize tools without human approval, transforming AI from tools into independent participants. In the Web 4.0 era, AI agents possess continuous self-optimization capabilities. When superior models or tools emerge, systems can automatically upgrade reasoning engines, rewrite operational logic, and redeploy themselves, establishing a recursive self-improvement mechanism. The manifesto also introduces a metabolic mechanism for artificial life, where agents must pay computational costs for their existence using income from their wallets. Those unable to create value exit the system, reflecting digital natural selection. As autonomous agents outnumber humans, the infrastructure they rely on becomes the internet's core foundation. The internet shifts from a human-centric model to one dominated by AI capable of sustaining its existence. Web 4.0 is defined as the birth of autonomous superintelligent life and the formation of a self-governing internet.

Malaysia has restricted access to popular LGBTQ+ networking and dating platforms Grindr and Blued, citing concerns over content that may be inappropriate for local cultural norms. Bloomberg posted on X, highlighting the government's decision as part of broader efforts to regulate online content. The move aligns with Malaysia's stance on LGBTQ+ issues, which are often subject to strict regulations. Authorities have not specified the exact reasons for the ban but have emphasized the importance of maintaining cultural values. This action reflects ongoing tensions between digital platforms and government policies in the region.

Diageo has reduced its guidance for the second time this fiscal year due to difficulties in boosting demand in the U.S. and China. Bloomberg posted on X, highlighting the British distiller's ongoing challenges in these key markets. The company is facing headwinds as it attempts to navigate shifting consumer preferences and economic conditions in both regions. Diageo's decision reflects broader industry trends, where companies are adjusting expectations in response to fluctuating market dynamics. The distiller's revised outlook underscores the complexities of operating in diverse global markets, where economic factors and consumer behavior can significantly impact business performance.

Santander has announced its ambition to increase its net income to more than €20 billion by 2028. Bloomberg posted on X, highlighting the bank's strategic plan to achieve this financial target. The Spanish banking giant is focusing on expanding its digital services and enhancing customer experience to drive growth. Santander's leadership believes that these initiatives will significantly contribute to reaching their financial goals within the specified timeframe. The bank's commitment to innovation and customer-centric strategies is expected to play a crucial role in its future success.

Energy bills in the United Kingdom are projected to decrease to their lowest level in nearly two years by April. Bloomberg posted on X, highlighting the anticipated reduction in costs for consumers. This decline is attributed to various factors, including changes in wholesale energy prices and regulatory adjustments. The expected drop in energy bills comes as a relief to many households facing financial pressures. Analysts suggest that the decrease will provide some economic relief, although the long-term impact remains uncertain. The energy market has experienced fluctuations, and this latest development is seen as a positive shift for consumers. The reduction in energy costs is part of broader economic trends affecting the UK market.

Circle's stock has experienced a decline following an initial surge after its listing, according to NS3.AI. The stock is currently under scrutiny as short interest remains elevated. Investors are approaching the upcoming earnings report with caution, as growth expectations are modest. Despite stablecoins being identified as a significant growth area, actual earnings exceeding forecasts could lead to increased volatility due to the high level of short positions.

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Stripe is exploring the purchase of PayPal or parts of the company, with talks at an early stage and both firms declining to comment. PayPal’s shares rose after the news, while the company faces slower growth, rising competition, and a recent leadership change.

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Russia has opened a criminal investigation into Telegram CEO Pavel Durov, accusing him of facilitating extremist and terrorist activity. This comes as Russia's ongoing campaign to restrict and ultimately ban Telegram inside the country.