What shipped
Welcome to your February 2026 blockchain update! This week, several important developments have taken place across the crypto ecosystem, especially involving Ripple, Stellar, Hedera, Flare Network, and XDC Network. Here’s a quick overview of some exciting updates and news you should know about.
Stellar has been making waves with its focus on NFTs (non-fungible tokens) and smart contracts. Their recent event, Meridian 2025, highlighted how art and smart contract technology are coming together in new and creative ways. You can explore more about this at their official blog.
Stellar also announced a major achievement in stablecoin issuance on their Brale platform. Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies designed to maintain a stable value, usually pegged to traditional currencies like the US dollar. This milestone shows how Stellar is helping projects move from $100 million in stablecoin issuance to $1 billion, a huge step for blockchain-based finance. Read more here.
Meanwhile, Hedera Hashgraph has been busy improving its developer tools and expanding support for popular programming languages. They recently announced support for Swift 6 in their Hiero Swift SDK, making it easier for developers to build apps on Hedera’s fast and secure network. Check out their updates here.
Hedera also showcased its commitment to digital trust at the Davos 2026 forum, emphasizing how blockchain technology can enhance transparency and security in our digital world. More details are available here.
On the interoperability front, Stellar published an insightful article about the importance of traditional payment networks working together with open blockchain protocols. This cooperation could finally simplify and speed up cross-border payments, a long-standing challenge in finance. Learn more here.
Why it matters
These developments highlight how blockchain technology is evolving beyond just trading cryptocurrencies. Smart contracts and NFTs are opening creative and financial opportunities, while stablecoins are becoming crucial for everyday transactions by offering price stability.
Improved developer tools like Hedera’s Swift SDK support mean more apps can be built efficiently, encouraging innovation. The focus on interoperability between traditional payment systems and blockchains could make sending money internationally faster, cheaper, and more reliable for everyone.
Finally, the emphasis on digital trust at global events like Davos signals growing recognition among governments and businesses that blockchain can provide secure, transparent solutions to real-world problems.
Builders’ corner
- Explore Stellar’s smart contracts and NFTs: If you’re interested in creating or collecting digital art, Stellar’s ecosystem offers exciting opportunities to get involved with NFTs backed by smart contracts that automate ownership and transfers.
- Try Hedera’s Swift SDK: Developers building iOS apps can now use Swift 6 support to integrate Hedera’s network features easily, including fast transactions and secure data handling.
- Understand stablecoins: If you’re new to crypto, stablecoins like those issued on Stellar’s Brale platform are a good introduction because their value is designed to stay steady, unlike more volatile cryptocurrencies.
- Keep an eye on interoperability: Projects aiming to connect traditional payment networks with blockchains could create smoother user experiences in the near future.
Quick prices (as of February 4, 2026)
- Bitcoin (BTC): $76,021 (down about 3% in 24 hours)
- Ethereum (ETH): $2,257.87 (down about 1.5%)
- Ripple (XRP): $1.60 (slightly down)
- Stellar (XLM): $0.17676 (stable)
- Hedera Hashgraph (HBAR): $0.09286 (up 2%)
- Flare Network (FLR): $0.0099 (down 1%)
- XDC Network (XDC): $0.0363 (down 2.5%)
While prices have seen some dips recently, this is part of the natural ebb and flow of crypto markets. The positive news from development and adoption fronts suggests a strong foundation for future growth.
What to watch
- Stablecoin growth: Watch how stablecoins continue to expand, especially on platforms like Stellar’s Brale, as they can influence broader crypto adoption and use in daily transactions.
- Interoperability projects: Keep an eye on collaborations between traditional payment networks and blockchain protocols, which could revolutionize international money transfers.
- Developer tools: New SDKs and language support, like Hedera’s Swift 6 update, will help bring more developers and innovative apps into the ecosystem.
- Market sentiment: With Bitcoin’s recent oversold signals (based on RSI, a technical indicator), some investors see potential buying opportunities, but always do your own research.
- Crypto safety: A recent study found that over 60% of crypto press releases are linked to risky or scam projects, so be cautious and verify information before investing.
TL;DR: Stellar and Hedera are driving exciting advances in NFTs, smart contracts, and developer tools, while stablecoins gain momentum on blockchain platforms. Despite some short-term price dips, the focus on interoperability and digital trust points to a promising future for blockchain technology in everyday finance and beyond. Stay curious, learn, and invest wisely!
Add comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.