Stellar Boosts Wallet Speed; Hedera Links with Axelar; FedEx Joins Council

What Shipped

Welcome to the February 2026 blockchain update! This week, we see some exciting developments from several key projects, including Ripple, Stellar, Hedera Hashgraph, Flare Network, and XDC Network. These organizations continue to push forward with improvements and partnerships that make blockchain technology more accessible and efficient for users and businesses alike.

One standout update comes from Stellar’s Freighter wallet, which recently improved its load times by an impressive 63%. This means users can now access their Stellar accounts and manage assets much faster, enhancing the overall experience for everyday users and developers working on Stellar-based applications. You can read more about this improvement on Stellar’s official blog.

Hedera Hashgraph has been busy extending its ecosystem as well. The project announced a new connection with Axelar, a platform that facilitates interoperability between different blockchains. This connection allows Hedera users to access a wider range of decentralized finance (DeFi) services and on-chain financial tools, making it easier to move assets and data across networks. Additionally, major global logistics company FedEx has joined the Hedera Council, signaling growing interest from traditional industries in blockchain solutions for supply chain management.

Other notable updates include educational blog posts from Stellar discussing the risks of proof-of-stake consensus mechanisms and a comprehensive year-end report highlighting their execution at scale in 2025. Meanwhile, Chainlink’s blog shared insights on how blockchain technology is improving cross-border payments, a critical use case that can reduce costs and delays in international money transfers.

Why It Matters

Why are these updates important, especially if you are new to blockchain or an investor considering these projects?

• Faster Wallets Improve User Experience: Stellar’s Freighter wallet upgrade means quicker access to funds and operations, encouraging more people to use blockchain for everyday transactions.
• Cross-Chain Connectivity: Hedera’s partnership with Axelar shows a growing trend towards interoperability — the ability for different blockchains to communicate and work together. This is vital for the future of decentralized finance and expanding blockchain’s use cases.
• Mainstream Adoption: FedEx joining Hedera’s governance council highlights how large, established companies are adopting blockchain to improve real-world supply chains. This could lead to more efficient, transparent, and secure logistics worldwide.
• Education and Transparency: Stellar’s blog posts and reports help demystify blockchain technology, making it easier for newcomers to understand the benefits and risks involved, which is crucial for informed investing.

On the market side, Bitcoin (BTC) continues to hold strong at around $65,500 with a 24-hour price increase of about 3.7%. Ethereum (ETH), the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, is trading near $1,915 and has seen an even stronger 24-hour gain of nearly 5%. Other tokens like Ripple (XRP), Stellar (XLM), Hedera (HBAR), and Flare Networks’ token have also posted solid gains, reflecting positive market sentiment. However, XDC Network’s token saw a slight decline, reminding investors that volatility remains a factor in crypto markets.

Builders’ Corner

For developers and blockchain builders, the recent updates offer some practical insights and opportunities:

• Freighter Wallet Optimization: Stellar’s success in reducing wallet load times by 63% suggests that focusing on user interface and performance improvements can significantly boost adoption. Builders should prioritize speed and ease of use in their dApps and wallets.
• Interoperability Tools: The Hedera-Axelar partnership encourages developers to explore cross-chain bridges and protocols. Building apps that work across multiple blockchains can reach broader audiences and offer more versatile services.
• Migration and Upgrades: Hedera’s guidance on migrating from older query methods (like AccountBalanceQuery) is a reminder to keep up with protocol updates for security and efficiency. Developers should stay informed and adapt their applications accordingly.
• Enterprise Blockchain Use Cases: With companies like FedEx joining blockchain councils, there’s a growing demand for supply chain solutions that are transparent, tamper-proof, and scalable. Builders can explore creating or enhancing tools tailored for logistics and enterprise needs.

Quick Prices

What to Watch

Looking ahead, here are some areas to keep an eye on:

• Blockchain Interoperability: Projects like Hedera and Axelar are leading the charge. Watch for new partnerships and tools that make moving assets and data between blockchains easier and safer.
• Enterprise Blockchain Adoption: With companies like FedEx engaging with blockchain governance, the coming months could see more real-world applications in supply chain and logistics.
• Regulatory Developments: Keep an eye on how governments are shaping rules around digital assets and stablecoins, especially after recent reports about Tether’s shrinking market cap.
• Market Volatility: Despite recent gains, remember that crypto prices can fluctuate quickly. Diversify your investments and stay informed about market trends and news.
• Ethereum Ecosystem Changes: News about major figures like Vitalik Buterin selling ETH can influence market sentiment, so understanding the reasons behind such moves is helpful for investors.

TL;DR: Stellar improved its Freighter wallet speed by 63%, Hedera connected with Axelar for better blockchain interoperability, and FedEx joined the Hedera Council, signaling growing enterprise interest. Bitcoin and Ethereum continue to rise, with other major tokens showing gains. Builders should focus on user experience, cross-chain tools, and staying updated with protocol changes. Watch for more partnerships, enterprise adoption, and market shifts in the coming weeks.