What Shipped
February 2026 is shaping up to be an exciting time in the blockchain space, with several important updates and developments from some of the industry’s leading organizations. Notably, Ripple, Stellar, Hedera, Flare Network, and XDC Network have all made headlines with new initiatives and technical improvements.
Stellar has been busy promoting its ecosystem with events like Meridian 2025, where “Art ❤️ Smart Contracts” took center stage, highlighting the growing popularity of NFTs (non-fungible tokens). NFTs are unique digital items, often artworks or collectibles, that are secured on a blockchain, making them one-of-a-kind and easy to verify.
On the technical front, Hedera has announced support for Swift 6 in its Hiero Swift SDK. This means developers building apps on Hedera’s network can now use the latest version of Swift, a popular programming language, making it easier and more efficient to create new blockchain applications. Hedera also shared a developer highlights update for January and showcased their progress at the Davos 2026 conference, focusing on advancing digital trust.
In addition, Stellar detailed its progress on stablecoin issuance through a project called Brale, aiming to simplify how digital currencies pegged to real-world money are created and used. Interoperability—how different payment and blockchain systems work together—was also a hot topic, with Stellar emphasizing the importance of open protocols connecting traditional payment networks with new blockchain technologies.
Meanwhile, XDC Network saw a significant price increase of over 13% in the last 24 hours, reflecting growing investor interest. Flare Network’s token price dipped slightly, but the project continues to explore new ways to bring smart contract capabilities to networks like XRP and Litecoin.
Why It Matters
These developments signal that blockchain technology is becoming more accessible and integrated into everyday financial systems. For newcomers, understanding a few key concepts can help:
- Smart Contracts: These are self-executing agreements coded on blockchains, which automatically carry out transactions or actions when certain conditions are met. They reduce the need for middlemen and increase transparency.
- NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens): Unique digital assets that can represent ownership of art, music, or other items. They have opened new possibilities for creators and collectors worldwide.
- Stablecoins: Digital currencies designed to hold a steady value, usually pegged to traditional money like the US dollar. They help reduce volatility and make blockchain payments more practical.
- Interoperability: The ability of different blockchain networks and traditional payment systems to work together seamlessly, which is crucial for widespread adoption.
By supporting new programming languages and improving developer tools, projects like Hedera make it easier for programmers to build innovative applications, which can attract more users and businesses to blockchain technology.
Builders’ Corner
If you’re interested in getting involved or learning more about blockchain development, here are some highlights worth exploring:
- Hedera’s Swift 6 SDK Support: Developers familiar with Swift can now build Hedera-based apps more efficiently. This opens doors for iOS and macOS app developers to integrate blockchain features.
- Stellar’s Ecosystem Events: Events like Meridian 2025 showcase real-world use cases, especially around NFTs and stablecoins, providing inspiration and networking opportunities.
- Interoperability Focus: Understanding how different blockchain networks connect can help builders create apps that work across multiple platforms, increasing their utility and user base.
- XDC Network Growth: The recent price surge reflects growing interest, and XDC’s hybrid blockchain model is designed to support enterprise use cases, making it a good platform to watch for business-oriented projects.
Quick Prices
As of February 2, 2026, here are some key cryptocurrency prices and their 24-hour changes:
- Bitcoin (BTC): $78,920 (+1.58%)
- Ethereum (ETH): $2,354.29 (+0.84%)
- Ripple (XRP): $1.64 (+1.93%)
- Stellar (XLM): $0.181 (+4.58%)
- Hedera (HBAR): $0.093 (+5.23%)
- Flare Network (FLR): $0.010 (-0.40%)
- XDC Network (XDC): $0.038 (+13.65%)
What to Watch
Looking ahead, here are some important trends and events to keep an eye on:
- Continued NFT Expansion: Platforms like Stellar are driving NFT use cases beyond art, including gaming and digital identity, which could bring more mainstream adoption.
- Stablecoin Regulation and Growth: As stablecoins become more popular for everyday transactions, regulatory clarity will be key to their broader acceptance.
- Blockchain Interoperability Solutions: Projects focusing on connecting different blockchains and payment systems are likely to gain traction, making it easier to use cryptocurrencies across platforms.
- Enterprise Blockchain Adoption: Networks like XDC and Hedera, which cater to business needs with scalable and secure solutions, may see increased use in supply chain, finance, and other industries.
- Market Volatility and Price Trends: While Bitcoin and Ethereum are showing modest gains, investors should watch for potential price corrections and opportunities to enter or exit positions wisely.
TL;DR: Blockchain technology is advancing rapidly with projects like Stellar and Hedera improving tools for developers and expanding use cases like NFTs and stablecoins. Prices are mostly trending upward, with XDC Network seeing notable gains. Interoperability and enterprise adoption remain key themes, making this an exciting time to watch and learn about the evolving crypto landscape.
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