Nvidia is reportedly close to finalizing a $30 billion investment in OpenAI, scaling back from an earlier plan to invest as much as $100 billion in the ChatGPT maker, according to a report by the Financial Times.The AI chip giant is expected to participate in OpenAI’s new funding round, with a deal that could be concluded as early as this weekend, the report said, citing sources familiar with the matter.Nvidia declined to comment on the report.Funding Round Could Value OpenAI at $850 BillionThe upcoming funding round is said to value OpenAI at approximately $850 billion, underscoring the continued surge in capital flowing into artificial intelligence infrastructure and model development.Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has previously stated that the company intends to make a “huge” investment in OpenAI, dismissing reports that Nvidia had paused or reconsidered its earlier $100 billion investment framework.In late January, Huang called suggestions of hesitation “complete nonsense,” reaffirming Nvidia’s commitment to backing OpenAI’s long-term expansion.Strategic Infrastructure InvestmentNvidia originally announced its intention in September to invest up to $100 billion to support OpenAI’s infrastructure buildout. The capital is expected to help finance the expansion of next-generation AI systems, including large-scale data centers equipped with high-performance GPUs.Huang has described OpenAI as “one of the most consequential companies of our time,” emphasizing Nvidia’s role in powering the underlying hardware stack behind generative AI systems.“Sam is closing the round, and we will absolutely be involved,” Huang said, referring to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.Nvidia at the Center of the AI Infrastructure BoomNvidia has emerged as the dominant supplier of advanced processors used to train and operate large language models (LLMs), including OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini.AI developers have directed a significant portion of recent funding into Nvidia’s GPUs, racing to construct data centers capable of supporting growing enterprise and consumer demand for AI services.The surge in AI investment continues despite signs of market caution, with billions being deployed into energy-intensive infrastructure to sustain what many see as the next technological supercycle.AI Capital Cycle Remains IntactWhile the reported $30 billion figure marks a scaled-back commitment relative to earlier headlines, the investment would still rank among the largest private funding allocations in technology history.The move reinforces Nvidia’s strategic alignment with OpenAI and signals continued conviction in the long-term growth trajectory of artificial intelligence infrastructure, even amid broader market volatility.

Apollo's Marc Rowan is well aware of Japan's economic challenges over the past three decades. Bloomberg posted on X, highlighting the repeated difficulties faced by both businesses and the government during this period. However, Rowan emphasizes that these challenges belong to the past, not the present.

On February 21, reports indicate that the U.S. military has commenced its withdrawal from the Kasruk military base in Syria's northeastern Hasakah province. According to Jin10, several U.S. officials have previously stated that the military has recently completed its withdrawal from the Tanf military base near the Jordanian and Iraqi borders, as well as the Shaddadi military base in northeastern Syria. The withdrawal from remaining bases in Syria is expected to occur within the next two months.

At ETH Denver, developers warned that advances in quantum computing could threaten Bitcoin’s digital signatures as the industry continues to debate how to prepare. source: https://decrypt.co/358784/bitcoin-quantum-threat-center-stage-ethereum-conference

SEC's latest 2% haircut guideline could drive stablecoin adoption source: https://ambcrypto.com/proshares-stablecoin-ready-etf-posts-insane-17b-trading-debut/

Tether’s USDt (USDT) is on track for its sharpest monthly supply contraction since the 2022 collapse of FTX, as large holders continue to redeem or reduce exposure, according to blockchain data.Data from Artemis Analytics cited by Bloomberg shows that USDT’s circulating supply has declined by roughly $1.5 billion so far in February, following a $1.2 billion drop in January. If the trend holds through month-end, February would mark the largest monthly decline in USDT supply in nearly three years.The last comparable contraction occurred in December 2022, when USDT supply fell by around $2 billion in the aftermath of the FTX bankruptcy, which triggered widespread deleveraging across the crypto market.USDT Decline Raises Liquidity QuestionsUSDT is the largest U.S. dollar–pegged stablecoin and a core source of liquidity for crypto trading. With a market capitalization of roughly $183 billion, it represents about 71% of the total stablecoin market, according to CoinMarketCap.As a result, sustained declines in USDT supply are often viewed as a proxy for tightening crypto liquidity, particularly during periods of heightened market uncertainty.Tether Pushes Back on “Trend” NarrativeTether disputed the interpretation that the February data reflects a structural shift.A Tether spokesperson said the figures represent short-term changes in circulating supply, emphasizing that the analysis is based on only 18 days of February data, which “does not establish a durable trend.”“For context, during the same period, USDC saw a $4.6 billion decline, or roughly 6%,” the spokesperson said, adding that recent changes appear more related to exchange-level distribution dynamics rather than a deterioration in end-user demand.“Short-term supply fluctuations should be viewed in the context of exchange programs and market structure, not as evidence of structural erosion in USDt’s position,” the spokesperson added.Total Stablecoin Market Continues to GrowDespite the pullback in USDT, the broader stablecoin market has not contracted.According to DeFiLlama, the total stablecoin market capitalization has risen 2.33% in February, increasing from $300 billion to $307 billion.While USDT and Circle’s USDC declined by 1.7% and 0.9%, respectively, other stablecoins expanded sharply. World Liberty Financial’s USD1 stablecoin — linked to the Trump family — posted a 50% increase in market capitalization over the past month, reaching $5.1 billion.Whales Reduce USDT Exposure, New Wallets Step InOnchain data suggests a split in behavior between large holders and new market participants.According to Nansen, whale wallets sold approximately $69.9 million in USDT across 22 wallets over the past week, representing a 1.6× increase in selling activity among large holders. “Smart money” wallets tracked by returns have also been net sellers.At the same time, new wallets created within the past 15 days accumulated around $591 million in USDT during the same period, indicating fresh demand offsetting redemptions by established players.Market Signals Mixed, Not CapitulativeThe divergence in flows points to reallocation rather than outright capital flight. Large investors appear to be trimming or repositioning liquidity, while new participants continue to adopt USDT as an entry point into crypto markets.While February is shaping up to be USDT’s largest monthly supply decline since 2022, the stability of the broader stablecoin market suggests the move reflects liquidity rotation and market structure dynamics, not a systemic loss of confidence in stablecoins.

شهد قطاع العملات الرقمية المستقرة إضافة نحو 703 مليون دولار هذا الأسبوع، ليصل إجمالي القيمة السوقية إلى حوالي 307. 87 مليار دولار مع اقتراب نهاية فبراير، وفق بيانات “DefiLlama”. ورغم هذا النمو الأسبوعي، لا يزال القطاع منخفض مقارنة بالشهر الماضي، فيما بلغ حجم المعاملات المعدلة خلال 30 يوم نحو 7. 5 تريليون دولار عبر 1 source: https://arab-btc.net/stablecoin-sector-adds-703m/

India is currently evaluating the implications of a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding tariffs implemented during U.S. President Donald Trump's administration. According to NS3.AI, this development is being closely monitored by Indian authorities to understand its potential effects on trade relations. Meanwhile, the French government has expressed confidence in the European Union's ability to respond effectively to these tariff measures. The situation is evolving and could have significant repercussions on international trade dynamics, potentially affecting related markets.

U.S. spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have recorded a fifth consecutive week of net withdrawals, with total outflows reaching approximately $3.8 billion, as institutional investors continue to reduce risk exposure amid heightened macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty.According to data from SoSoValue, spot Bitcoin ETFs saw $315.9 million in net outflows last week. The largest weekly drawdown during the current streak occurred in the week ending Jan. 30, when investors pulled around $1.49 billion from the products.Weekly Inflows Fail to Offset Heavy RedemptionsWhile some trading sessions posted inflows, they were insufficient to reverse the broader weekly trend. On Friday, spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded roughly $88 million in inflows, but these gains were outweighed by larger redemption days earlier in the week.Notable outflows included:More than $410 million on Feb. 12Additional negative flow sessions between Feb. 17 and Feb. 19As a result, weekly flows remained firmly negative despite intermittent buying interest.Since their launch, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs have still accumulated approximately $54.01 billion in cumulative net inflows, underscoring that the recent withdrawals reflect short-term positioning rather than a full reversal of institutional adoption. Total net assets currently stand at around $85.31 billion, representing about 6.3% of Bitcoin’s total market capitalization.Institutional De-Risking, Not Structural ExitMarket participants attribute the sustained outflows primarily to institutional de-risking, rather than waning conviction in Bitcoin’s long-term outlook.Vincent Liu, Chief Investment Officer at Kronos Research, said the ETF withdrawals reflect broader portfolio adjustments as investors respond to rising geopolitical tensions and macro uncertainty.He noted that escalating trade disputes and tariff-related developments have reinforced a risk-off environment across global markets, leaving digital assets particularly sensitive to macro headlines.“Flows are likely to remain volatile in the near term,” Liu said, adding that upcoming economic data — including U.S. initial jobless claims — could influence sentiment. Weaker labor data may revive expectations for future Federal Reserve rate cuts, potentially stabilizing flows at a time when crypto sentiment remains deeply pessimistic.At last reading, the Crypto Fear & Greed Index remained in extreme fear territory.Ether ETFs Also See Sustained OutflowsSelling pressure has not been limited to Bitcoin-linked products. Spot Ether ETFs have also posted five consecutive weeks of net outflows, as investors reduced exposure to the second-largest cryptocurrency.SoSoValue data shows Ether ETFs recorded approximately $123.4 million in net outflows last week. While the funds saw isolated inflow days — including $48.6 million on Feb. 17 and $10.3 million on Feb. 13 — these were outweighed by heavier selling earlier in the week.Macro Signals Key to Flow ReversalThe persistence of ETF outflows highlights how closely crypto investment products are now tied to macroeconomic conditions, including interest rate expectations, labor market data, and geopolitical risk.For flows to stabilize or turn positive, analysts say markets will likely need clearer signals of easing financial conditions or renewed confidence in the Federal Reserve’s policy trajectory. Until then, ETF flows are expected to remain uneven, even as long-term institutional participation in crypto markets remains intact.

JPMorgan Chase is in the spotlight after freezing a deposited check and refusing to allow a couple to access their funds for nearly two years. It began when Jose Maximiliano’s wife Maria Mercedes Diaz Ortiz deposited a $102,914 check into her account, reports NBC 5 Chicago. source: https://dailyhodl.com/2026/02/21/jpmorgan-chase-freezes-102914-deposit-blocks-customers-accounts-and-refuses-to-release-funds-for-nearly-two-years-report

Stablecoins are no longer speculative tools; they are becoming the primary payment and receipt channel for hundreds of millions of people worldwide.

Polymarket, Forecasting: From Lloyd's Café to Polymarket: Forecasting Markets Are Reshaping the Insurance Industry. Golden Finance reports that an unprecedented "insurance retreat" is unfolding in the United States.

The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 6-3 vote, rejected Trump's global tariff policy. This is the biggest policy setback Trump has faced since taking office.

If the internet solved the problem of how information flows between machines, then the Agent era truly aims to solve the problem of how capabilities flow between machines and are instantly realized.

If we were to assess which areas of the Web3 industry have already become mainstream, stablecoins and prediction markets would likely be the only two answers.

AI is powerful, even intelligent. But it is fragile. Used with discipline and systems thinking, it is a force multiplier. Used carelessly, it is noise.

In the three years before his retirement, Buffett was net selling stocks. The few new positions he finally acquired were also experiencing a series of "explosions" in 2026. For example, UnitedHealth Group's stock price plummeted by 20% in a single day.

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not authorize the president to impose large-scale tariffs, marking a significant setback for the Trump administration's tariff policy.

The U.S. Supreme Court has issued its final ruling on Trump's most controversial "global tariff" policy since taking office: it is illegal and should be overturned.

With advancements in model capabilities and agent engineering, as well as improvements in enterprise data governance and organizational adaptation, agents are gradually becoming highly competitive digital employees for every company.