What happened According to an SEC filing dated February 17, 2026, Paloma Partners Management Co reduced its holdings in Core Scientific by 2,547,000 shares. The estimated transaction value, based on the average closing price for the fourth quarter of 2025, was $44.41 million. The fund’s position value fell by $46.32 million over the quarter, reflecting both trading activity and share price movement. Paloma Partners now holds 185,000 shares, valued at $2.69 million at year-end. What else to know Followin ...

Core Insights - SMX (Security Matters) has an estimated public float of around one million shares following its restructuring, positioning it within one of the tightest supply setups on NASDAQ [1] - The limited float of SMX is expected to amplify momentum when market attention returns to narratives aligned with global megatrends [1] Company Overview - SMX operates with a low float structure, which is critical in the small-cap sector where supply dynamics significantly impact stock performance [1] - The company is leveraging material efficiency and innovations in supply chain infrastructure to enhance its market position [1]

A long weekend has come and gone, but the good news for cryptocurrency investors is that this market doesn't sleep. Since 4:00 p.m. ET on Friday, Bittensor (CRYPTO: TAO) has seen its token value surge 17.8% as of 4:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday. That's a notable move, considering what this particular project represents to most investors-a way to play the intersection of blockchain technology and the artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning revolution. Bittensor's uptrend has been in place for roughly a week ...

Core Insights - ETHZilla Corporation has launched the Eurus Aero Token I, a tokenized real-world asset instrument that allows investors to gain exposure to aircraft engines leased to a leading U.S. air carrier, marking a significant milestone in the tokenization of cash-flow-generating assets [1] Group 1: Product Launch and Structure - The Eurus Aero Token I is designed for accredited investors, providing direct exposure to asset-backed cash flows from leased commercial jet engines, which were acquired for approximately $12.2 million [1] - Each token is priced at $100 with a minimum purchase of 10 tokens, targeting an approximate return of 11% based on the full lease term [1] - The tokenization utilizes Layer 2 protocols on the Ethereum network, enabling on-chain verification and automated distributions, thus modernizing access to income-producing assets [1] Group 2: Operational Framework - The engines are leased to a major U.S. airline, generating monthly cash receipts that include base rent and utilization-based payments, which will be distributed to token holders [1] - The lease agreements extend until 2028, providing defined cash flows, and the engines are currently unlevered, with no expected debt to enhance yield [1] - Maintenance and servicing of the engines will be handled by the air carrier, with post-lease services provided by Aero Engine Solutions [1] Group 3: Future Plans and Market Position - ETHZilla aims to expand its tokenization framework to additional asset classes, including manufactured home loans and car loans, leveraging existing partnerships [1] - The company positions itself as a pioneer in bridging traditional finance with blockchain technology, creating a new asset class that combines regulatory stability with blockchain efficiency [2]

Core Viewpoint - Hong Kong, a significant financial hub, is facing competitive pressure from the UAE, which has established a robust regulatory framework for cryptocurrency and blockchain technology [1][2]. Group 1: Regulatory Environment - The UAE has created a solid regulatory framework for virtual assets, with dedicated regulatory authorities in regions like Dubai and Abu Dhabi [3]. - Hong Kong's regulatory approach is characterized by transparency, certainty, and predictability, which has remained consistent even during market fluctuations [5]. - Under Hong Kong's mandatory licensing regime for virtual asset trading platforms (VATPs), 11 licenses have been granted since the framework's implementation two and a half years ago [5]. Group 2: Future Developments - The stablecoin regulatory regime initiated in August is expected to issue its first batch of licenses in the first quarter of this year [6]. - A licensing regime for digital asset dealers and custodians is anticipated to be proposed by Hong Kong's financial secretary later this year, following necessary consultations and legislative readings [6][7]. - The regulatory process, while lengthy, is deemed important for ensuring industry participants are informed and can voice their concerns, minimizing surprises [7].

Core Insights - LayerZero Labs has launched a new Layer 1 blockchain named Zero, which aims for a transaction capacity of 2 million transactions per second (TPS) per Zone, significantly surpassing Ethereum and Solana [3] - The blockchain is set to launch in fall 2026 with three initial zones: a general-purpose EVM environment, a privacy-focused payments system, and a dedicated trading venue [3] - Zero's architecture differentiates it from previous institutional blockchain projects by utilizing ZK proofs, allowing for a heterogeneous model where Block Producers execute transactions and Block Validators verify proofs, making it cost-effective for consumer hardware [4][7] Industry Impact - Major financial players are backing Zero, including Citadel Securities, ARK Invest, DTCC, ICE, Google Cloud, and Tether, indicating strong institutional interest and potential for widespread adoption [6] - LayerZero CEO Bryan Pellegrino stated that Zero's architecture could advance the industry's roadmap by a decade and aims to bring the global economy on-chain [8]

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐ As filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on February 10, 2026. UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM S-1 REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 Quantum Leap Acquisition Corp (Exac ...

Core Insights - Kraken has launched its xStocks product on 360X, a regulated marketplace for secondary trading, enabling transactions of tokenized equities and ETFs paired with stablecoins, enhancing integration between traditional finance and digital assets [1][7] Group 1: xStocks Initiative - The xStocks initiative offers tokenized securities fully backed by actual underlying stocks or ETFs, stored securely to protect against bankruptcy risks, ensuring reliability and transparency [2] - The launch on 360X aims to extend the model to a broader audience, highlighting the potential of tokenized assets to transform investment handling [3] Group 2: Trading Features - Users can trade five specific tokenized assets against stablecoins, providing a stable value anchor in the volatile crypto market, appealing to investors seeking exposure to high-growth sectors [4] - The platform allows for near-instantaneous settlements and 24/7 trading, contrasting with conventional stock exchanges that have limited hours and delays in clearing [5] Group 3: Market Adoption and Impact - Since its debut in May 2025, the xStocks platform has achieved nearly $20 billion in total trading volume, indicating strong market adoption [5] - The initiative positions Kraken as a global leader in transaction amounts and unique token holders, appealing to institutional investors in a regulated environment [6] Group 4: Strategic Collaboration - The partnership between Kraken and Deutsche Börse focuses on enhancing foreign exchange services, secure custody solutions, and the broader adoption of tokenized assets [8] - By leveraging Kraken's crypto expertise and Deutsche Börse's infrastructure, the collaboration aims to create scalable tools for retail and institutional sectors [9] Group 5: Future Developments - Kraken plans to expand the range of available assets in the coming months, potentially including more equities and ETFs, although access is currently limited to clients of Deutsche Börse and registered participants on 360X [10]

Group 1: Alphabet's Bond Offering - Alphabet is looking to raise $15 billion through a bond sale, including a rare 100-year sterling-denominated note, which has not been seen since the late 1990s [3][4] - The company is tapping into debt markets to fund significant capital expenditures, particularly in AI [3][4] - The demand for bonds is high, allowing companies like Alphabet to borrow at low costs, with a weighted average cost of debt capital effectively at zero for major tech firms [5][6] Group 2: AI Sector Investment - There is an estimated $400 billion in investment-grade debt that could be issued this year, with predictions that hyperscalers will spend around $650 billion to $750 billion on AI infrastructure [9][10] - The cumulative spending on AI from 2025 to 2030 is projected to reach $4 trillion, indicating a significant increase in investment compared to earlier estimates [10] - Companies like Oracle are expected to benefit from increased spending in the AI sector, particularly as OpenAI monetizes its offerings [13][19] Group 3: Bitcoin Market Dynamics - Bitcoin has slipped below $70,000 after a volatile weekend, marking a decline from a peak of $126,000 in October of the previous year [25][26] - The implied volatility index for Bitcoin has jumped to 97%, the highest since 2022, indicating market uncertainty [27] - Institutional adoption of Bitcoin is increasing, but there are concerns about its classification as a risk asset rather than a digital currency [34][35] Group 4: Apple Product Launches - Apple is set to launch new products, including the iPhone 17E, updated iPads, and MacBooks, targeting both consumer and enterprise markets [41][42] - The new iPhone will feature the same chip as the iPhone 17 and address previous model issues, while new iPads will include faster processors [41][42] - Apple aims to penetrate education and enterprise segments with competitively priced products, including a low-cost MacBook [44] Group 5: Market Trends and Investor Sentiment - The tech market is experiencing a rebound, with significant gains in stocks like Microsoft and NVIDIA, as investors seek to capitalize on recent dips [48][49] - There is a shift in focus towards companies that effectively utilize technology and innovation, with an emphasis on infrastructure development in the U.S. [52] - The market is cautious about legacy software companies, as they face challenges in adapting to new technological advancements [56][58]

Core Insights - Erebor Bank has received its national bank charter, marking a significant milestone as the first new national bank chartered under the current Trump administration [2][4] - The bank aims to serve start-ups and high-net-worth individuals in sectors such as cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence, defense, and manufacturing [2][3] Group 1: Bank Formation and Approval - Erebor Bank was founded by tech billionaire Palmer Luckey and received its national bank charter less than four months after a conditional charter and two months after deposit insurance approval [1][2] - The bank opened with $635 million in capital and has several potential clients in the defense and tech sectors [3] Group 2: Regulatory Support and Industry Impact - The approval reflects the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency's (OCC) commitment to a dynamic and diverse financial system [4] - The OCC has conditionally approved several bank charters recently, indicating a trend towards supporting new banking institutions [4] Group 3: Operational Focus and Technology Integration - Erebor Bank emphasizes the integration of blockchain technology, allowing for transactions to be settled at any time [5] - The bank is required to maintain a minimum 12% tier 1 leverage ratio during its first three years of operation [5]