What Shipped
In the past week, several exciting developments have taken place across some of the most innovative blockchain projects, including Ripple, Stellar, Hedera, Flare Network, and XDC Network. These projects continue to build out their ecosystems, focusing on practical solutions that improve how we use blockchain technology in everyday life.
Stellar has been especially active, rolling out improvements that make blockchain technology more accessible and private, while still compliant with regulations. For example, Stellar introduced new ways to verify smart contract execution using RISC Zero, a technology that helps ensure that code runs correctly on the blockchain without revealing sensitive details. They also highlighted projects like IRL that bring culture onto the blockchain in subtle, “invisible” ways — meaning the blockchain supports creative projects without overwhelming users with complexity.
Hedera has been busy with important updates as well. They announced the migration away from an older tool called AccountBalanceQuery, guiding developers on how to adapt. Additionally, global logistics giant FedEx joined the Hedera Council, a group that helps govern the network. This partnership points to a future where blockchain helps track and improve global supply chains, making delivery processes more transparent and efficient.
Other news includes discussions about new payment standards like the x402 payment standard supported by Hedera, which aims to simplify and speed up digital transactions, especially across borders.
Why It Matters
Blockchain technology can seem complicated, but at its core, it’s about creating trust and transparency without relying on any single middleman, like a bank or government. This is especially important for things like money transfers, contracts, and supply chains.
Here’s why the recent updates are important for investors and newcomers:
- Privacy and Compliance: Stellar’s new privacy features balance keeping your information safe while still following rules set by governments. This balance is crucial for blockchain’s wider adoption.
- Real-World Use Cases: FedEx joining Hedera’s governance shows that big companies trust blockchain to improve real business processes, like tracking shipments globally.
- Smart Contract Verification: Tools like RISC Zero make blockchain applications more reliable by ensuring code behaves as expected, which builds confidence for developers and users alike.
- Cross-Border Payments: Blockchain can make sending money internationally faster and cheaper, helping people and businesses worldwide.
Builders’ Corner
If you’re interested in building or learning more about blockchain projects, here are some highlights and resources from the latest updates:
- Stellar’s Smart Contract Verification: Developers can explore how to use RISC Zero to verify code execution on Stellar. This means your decentralized apps (dApps) can be more secure and trustworthy. Learn more at Stellar’s blog.
- Privacy Features on Stellar: Stellar has introduced compliance-friendly privacy options, which help developers create applications that protect user data while still meeting regulations. This is especially useful for financial apps.
- Hedera Payment Standards: The x402 payment standard is a new way to handle payments on Hedera’s network. Builders can start integrating this standard to make transactions smoother and more interoperable.
- Migration Guides: Hedera recently published guides on moving away from older APIs like AccountBalanceQuery. If you’re developing on Hedera, these guides are essential to keep your projects up to date.
Quick Prices
As of February 15, 2026, here’s a snapshot of some key cryptocurrency prices and their recent changes in the last 24 hours:
- Bitcoin (BTC): $68,256 (-2.25%)
- Ethereum (ETH): $1,935.32 (-7.24%)
- Ripple (XRP): $1.46 (-2.36%)
- Stellar (XLM): $0.168 (-4.63%)
- Hedera (HBAR): $0.099 (-5.91%)
- Flare Network (FLR): $0.00974 (-1.81%)
- XDC Network (XDC): $0.0364 (-2.03%)
While prices have dipped slightly, this is a normal part of the market’s ups and downs. The steady progress in blockchain technology and partnerships suggests long-term growth potential.
What to Watch
Looking ahead, here are some key areas and events to keep an eye on:
- Hong Kong’s Crypto Regulations: Hong Kong is actively working on new rules to regulate cryptocurrencies. Clearer regulations can encourage more businesses and investors to participate safely in the crypto space.
- Blockchain Transparency vs. Insider Trading: Recent discussions highlight how blockchain’s transparent nature can help prevent unfair trading practices, making markets fairer for everyone.
- Volatility Risks: Experts like BlackRock’s digital assets head warn about risks from leverage-driven price swings, especially in Bitcoin. Understanding these risks is important for managing investments wisely.
- Adoption by Global Companies: Watch for more big companies like FedEx joining blockchain governance and using blockchain to improve their operations.
Staying informed about these trends can help you make better decisions whether you’re investing, building, or just curious about blockchain technology.
TL;DR: Recent updates from Stellar and Hedera showcase important advancements in privacy, smart contract verification, and real-world blockchain use cases, including FedEx joining Hedera’s council. While cryptocurrency prices have dipped slightly, ongoing innovations and growing corporate adoption suggest promising long-term potential. Keep an eye on regulatory developments in Hong Kong and industry discussions about transparency and volatility to stay ahead in the blockchain space.
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