What Shipped
Welcome to the latest update on some of the most exciting projects in the blockchain space as of February 20, 2026. Bitcoin is holding strong near $68,189, showing a healthy 2% gain over the last 24 hours. Ethereum is steady as well, trading around $1,967 with a small positive change. Among other notable projects, Ripple (XRP) is at $1.42, Stellar Lumens (XLM) is up to about $0.16, Hedera Hashgraph is trading near $0.099, and Flare Network tokens sit just under one cent. While most tokens have seen modest gains, the XDC Network token experienced a slight dip of 3.3% recently.
Behind these numbers, several important developments have taken place. Ripple’s CEO Brad Garlinghouse recently expressed optimism about the CLARITY bill, suggesting there is a 90% chance it will pass by April 2026. This bill could provide clearer regulatory guidelines for blockchain projects like Ripple, potentially opening doors for wider adoption.
Meanwhile, Bitcoin’s network difficulty — a measure of how hard it is to mine new bitcoins — has jumped 15%, the largest increase since 2021. This means more miners are competing, which often signals confidence in the network’s future despite any price fluctuations.
In the enterprise space, FedEx has joined the Hedera Council, a group of companies that help govern and support the Hedera network. This partnership aims to enhance digital supply chain solutions, showing how blockchain is making real-world business processes more efficient.
Why It Matters
Understanding these updates helps new and experienced investors alike see how blockchain technology continues to grow and evolve. Let’s break down why these points are important:
- Bitcoin’s price and difficulty increase: When Bitcoin’s mining difficulty rises, it means the network is secure and more miners believe in its long-term value. This helps maintain trust and stability in the world’s first and largest cryptocurrency.
- Regulatory clarity with the CLARITY bill: Clear rules from governments can reduce uncertainty, encouraging companies and investors to participate more confidently in blockchain projects. Ripple’s progress here is a positive sign for the industry.
- Enterprise adoption: FedEx joining Hedera’s Council means big companies are investing in blockchain technology to improve logistics and supply chains. This shows blockchain isn’t just for trading—it’s solving real business problems.
- Stellar’s ecosystem growth: Stellar’s recent blog posts highlight ongoing innovation, especially around proof-of-stake risks and cultural projects on-chain, helping broaden the use cases for blockchain beyond finance.
Builders’ Corner
For those interested in the technical and development side, here are some recent highlights from projects you might want to explore further:
- Stellar’s blog series: Stellar has published insightful posts on the hidden risks of proof-of-stake, a popular method blockchains use to secure networks by having token holders “stake” their coins. They also shared creative projects that bring culture onto the blockchain in subtle ways, showing how technology can blend with everyday life.
- Hedera’s migration update: Developers using Hedera’s services should note the recent migration from the AccountBalanceQuery method, which affects how applications check user balances. Keeping up with these changes ensures apps remain functional and efficient.
- Hedera and payment standards: Hedera is working on the x402 payment standard, aiming to streamline digital payments across platforms, which could simplify how businesses and consumers transact online.
Quick Prices (as of Feb 20, 2026, 05:02 ET)
- Bitcoin (BTC): $68,189 (+2.06% in 24h)
- Ethereum (ETH): $1,967 (+0.20%)
- Ripple (XRP): $1.42 (+0.59%)
- Stellar (XLM): $0.1617 (+1.10%)
- Hedera Hashgraph (HBAR): $0.0992 (+1.22%)
- Flare Network (FLR): $0.0093 (+0.14%)
- XDC Network (XDC): $0.0349 (-3.33%)
What To Watch
Looking ahead, here are some key things to keep an eye on in the blockchain space:
- CLARITY Bill Progress: This potential regulation could shape the future of how blockchain projects operate in the U.S. Keep an eye on news about its passage and implications for Ripple and others.
- Adoption of Payment Standards: Hedera’s work on the x402 payment standard could influence how digital payments evolve, making transactions faster and more secure.
- Enterprise Blockchain Partnerships: Watch for more big companies like FedEx joining blockchain governance councils, signaling wider trust and use of the technology.
- Stellar’s Development Updates: Stellar’s exploration of proof-of-stake risks and new cultural projects might inspire fresh use cases and innovations.
- Bitcoin Network Changes: The increased mining difficulty suggests a strong network, but always be aware of how these technical factors can affect price and security.
TL;DR: Bitcoin and Ethereum remain strong, with Bitcoin’s mining difficulty hitting a multi-year high signaling network confidence. Ripple is optimistic about new U.S. regulations that could clear the way for broader adoption. Big names like FedEx joining Hedera’s Council show blockchain’s growing role in real-world business. Stellar continues innovating with new insights on staking and cultural projects. Overall, the blockchain space is advancing steadily with promising developments to watch in regulation, enterprise use, and technology upgrades.
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