What Shipped
As of February 21, 2026, the cryptocurrency market shows a mixed but generally optimistic picture. Bitcoin, the most well-known cryptocurrency, is priced around $68,149, experiencing a slight dip of about 1.2% over the past 24 hours. Meanwhile, Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, is holding steady with a modest rise of 0.2%, priced at roughly $1,970.
Several other blockchain projects are showing impressive gains. For example, Flare Network’s token price surged by over 100% in the last day, trading at approximately $0.0094. Ripple (XRP) and Stellar (XLM), both popular for their fast and low-cost payment solutions, rose by about 1.16% and 0.83%, respectively. Hedera Hashgraph, known for its unique consensus algorithm, gained 0.77%, priced just under 10 cents. The XDC Network’s token saw the highest increase, more than doubling with a 2% gain to around $0.0356.
Why It Matters
These price movements reflect growing interest and activity in blockchain projects that focus on real-world applications, especially in payments and supply chain management. Ripple and Stellar, for instance, are popular choices for cross-border payments because they offer faster and cheaper transactions compared to traditional banking systems. Their recent price gains suggest investors are optimistic about their continued adoption.
Hedera Hashgraph stands out for its enterprise focus. With FedEx recently joining the Hedera Governing Council, the network is positioning itself as a backbone for digital supply chains. This collaboration signals that major corporations are exploring blockchain technology to improve efficiency and transparency in global logistics.
Flare Network’s rapid price increase highlights excitement around new and emerging blockchain platforms that bring innovative features like smart contracts to networks that previously didn’t support them. Similarly, the XDC Network’s gains point to growing interest in hybrid blockchain solutions that combine public and private blockchain benefits.
Builders’ Corner
For developers and blockchain enthusiasts, several recent updates and blog posts provide valuable insights:
- Stellar’s blog: Explores the hidden risks of Proof-of-Stake (PoS), a common consensus mechanism used to validate transactions. PoS is praised for being energy-efficient, but understanding its risks helps developers build more secure networks. Read more.
- Hedera updates: Hedera recently shared guidance on migrating from the AccountBalanceQuery method, which helps developers adapt to improved ways of querying account data on their network. Additionally, FedEx joining the Hedera Council signals more enterprise use cases on the horizon. Migration guide and FedEx partnership.
- Stellar’s ecosystem: Projects like “IRL × Stellar” are experimenting with bringing cultural experiences on-chain, blending digital culture with blockchain technology in a seamless way. This is an exciting area for developers interested in expanding blockchain beyond finance. Learn more.
Quick Prices
- Bitcoin (BTC): $68,149 (down 1.2% in 24h)
- Ethereum (ETH): $1,970 (up 0.2%)
- Ripple (XRP): $1.44 (up 1.16%)
- Stellar (XLM): $0.163 (up 0.83%)
- Hedera Hashgraph (HBAR): $0.0999 (up 0.77%)
- Flare Network (FLR): $0.0094 (up 105%)
- XDC Network (XDCE): $0.0356 (up 2%)
What to Watch
Looking forward, several key trends and events could shape the blockchain and cryptocurrency landscape:
- Small Investors vs. Whales: Recent reports indicate that small investors are actively buying Bitcoin. However, for a strong and sustained rally, larger investors (often called “whales”) need to participate. Watching whale activity can give clues about Bitcoin’s future price movements. Read the article.
- Regulatory Developments: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has quietly shifted its stance on brokers’ stablecoin holdings. Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies designed to maintain a stable value, often pegged to traditional currencies like the US dollar. How regulators handle these assets could impact market stability and investor confidence. More info.
- Blockchain for Cross-Border Payments: Blockchain technology continues to improve international money transfers by reducing costs and increasing speed. Networks like Stellar and Ripple are at the forefront, and their growing adoption could transform how businesses and individuals send money globally. Explore the benefits.
- Digital Asset Evolution: The UK and other countries are evolving their rules and infrastructure for digital assets and tokenization, which means more opportunities for blockchain projects to grow in regulated environments. Details here.
TL;DR: Bitcoin remains strong near $68,000 with small dips, while altcoins like Ripple, Stellar, Hedera, Flare, and XDC are gaining momentum. Major companies like FedEx are joining blockchain councils, signaling growing enterprise adoption. Developers should watch updates on Proof-of-Stake risks and new network features. Market watchers should keep an eye on investor behavior and regulatory changes that could impact stablecoins and cross-border payments. Overall, blockchain technology is advancing steadily with exciting opportunities ahead.
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