U.S.–Iran tensions have intensified after Donald Trump delivered a ten-day ultimatum to Tehran, demanding a “meaningful” agreement or warning that “really bad things” would follow.The warning came during a Washington meeting on February 19, as indirect talks between the U.S. and Iran showed limited progress but deep divisions remain over nuclear and regional security demands.Talks Show Limited Progress but Major Gaps RemainIndirect negotiations held in Switzerland on February 17 produced contrasting assessments from both sides.Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, described the discussions as showing “good progress” and said the two countries reached an understanding on guiding principles.However, U.S. officials were less optimistic. Vice President J.D. Vance acknowledged partial progress but stated that Iran continues to reject key American demands.The United States is seeking:Full dismantling of Iran’s nuclear programLimits on ballistic missile developmentAn end to support for regional proxy groupsThese core issues remain major obstacles to a breakthrough.U.S. Military Buildup Raises War FearsFollowing the negotiations, the U.S. reinforced its military presence in the Middle East, deploying cargo aircraft, fighter jets, refueling tankers, and an aircraft carrier. Reports indicate a second carrier group may soon arrive.The scale of the buildup suggests Washington is positioning itself for potential military action, though officials have not confirmed operational plans.Iran Signals Readiness to RespondIran has responded with its own demonstrations of force, including joint military drills with Russia and temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz during live-fire exercises.Tehran has told the United Nations that if attacked, it would consider U.S. regional bases and assets “legitimate targets.” While stating it does not seek war, Iran has made clear it is prepared for confrontation.Domestic Unrest Adds Another LayerThe geopolitical escalation comes amid renewed unrest inside Iran. Protests that began over economic conditions spread nationwide in January, echoing the 2022 Woman, Life, Freedom movement sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini.Authorities reportedly imposed widespread internet blackouts and carried out a severe crackdown. Human rights organizations say thousands were killed or detained.Demonstrations in solidarity with Iranian protesters have taken place globally, including large rallies in Munich during Europe’s annual security conference. Many protesters displayed pre-1979 Iranian flags, signaling opposition to the current clerical leadership.Diplomacy or Regime Pressure?Some opposition figures, including exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi, argue that a U.S.–Iran deal would only prolong the Islamic Republic’s rule rather than address calls for regime change.However, the prospects of a comprehensive agreement remain slim. The U.S. withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal in 2018, and since then, fundamental disagreements over nuclear enrichment, missile capabilities, and regional alliances have persisted.A Narrow Window for De-EscalationWith a ten-day deadline now in place, the coming days could determine whether diplomacy prevails or tensions escalate into open conflict.Despite the military posturing, a negotiated outcome remains possible. Yet entrenched positions on both sides — and growing regional instability — make a swift breakthrough unlikely.Whether through diplomacy or confrontation, the situation marks a critical moment for U.S.–Iran relations and broader Middle East stability.

Bitcoin is again at the center of a sharp bearish forecast from outspoken critic Peter Schiff. source: https://finbold.com/economist-peter-schiff-warns-bitcoin-faces-crash-to-20000/

HKUST scientists developed a high-performance calcium-ion battery using quasi-solid-state electrolytes, offering a potential sustainable alternative to lithium-ion technology. source: https://catenaa.com/industries/energy/hkust-unveils-calcium-ion-battery-breakthrough/

XRP's price has registered a mild rebound, setting its liquidation imbalance up over 1,000%. source: https://u.today/xrp-short-sellers-lead-1190-4-hour-liquidation-imbalance

Metaplanet reported a 95 billion yen net loss for fiscal 2025, largely from non-cash Bitcoin valuation write-downs. The company still plans to accumulate more BTC over time. source: https://coinpaprika.com/news/metaplanet-95b-yen-bitcoin-loss-ceo-stays-committed

Silver has had a turbulent beginning to 2026, initially surging close to $121 before experiencing a sharp decline and subsequently recovering to $84. According to NS3.AI, current technical indicators point towards a potential consolidation phase, with prices likely to fluctuate between $75 and $92 before a significant movement occurs. Key bullish factors include the strength of miners, urgent physical demand, and substantial potential for institutional buying. However, caution is advised due to certain divergences and the gold-silver ratio.

BlackRock is preparing a major shift in how investors access Ethereum. The firm has filed a new product, the iShares Staked Ethereum Trust ETF, expected to trade under the ticker ETHB. Unlike spot Ethereum ETFs, this fund does more than track price source: https://techgaged.com/blackrocks-next-crypto-move-could-change-ethereum-investing-forever/

The equity market has maintained a stable appearance for months, but significant fluctuations beneath the surface are causing concern among traders. Bloomberg posted on X, highlighting the potential for increased turbulence in the future. Despite the calm facade, stock movements are creating a volatile environment that could lead to further instability in the market. Traders are advised to remain cautious as the underlying dynamics continue to shift unpredictably.

Bitcoin mining company MARA Holdings Inc. has finalized its acquisition of a 64% majority stake in Exaion, the digital infrastructure and cloud subsidiary of French state-owned utility EDF. The deal signals a strategic pivot for MARA beyond traditional Bitcoin mining and into high-performance computing (HPC) and artificial intelligence infrastructure source: https://www.ethnews.com/bitcoin-miner-mara-expands-beyond-mining-with-168m-exaion-acquisition/

Aave v3 vs v4, deposit limits and supply caps, Aave governance: Aave DAO and BGD Labs outline parallel operation, cap policy and incentives shaping liquidity. source: https://coincu.com/news/aave-details-v4-rollout-as-v3-supply-caps-guide-migration/

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.