What Shipped
Welcome to your friendly update on the latest happenings in the blockchain world as of February 24, 2026. Today, we spotlight some exciting developments from Ripple, Stellar, Hedera, Flare Network, and XDC Network — all organizations making waves in the industry.
First up, Stellar has made a big leap forward by improving the load times of its popular Freighter wallet by an impressive 63%. Freighter is a browser extension wallet that helps users easily manage their Stellar assets and interact with decentralized apps (dApps). Faster load times mean a smoother, more enjoyable experience for everyone using the Stellar network.
Hedera Hashgraph also shared some exciting news. They announced a new integration with Axelar, a platform that connects different blockchains. This connection expands Hedera’s reach, making it easier to access decentralized finance (DeFi) services across multiple networks. Hedera also welcomed FedEx to its governing council, signaling growing interest from major global companies in blockchain’s potential to improve supply chains and digital commerce.
Meanwhile, Ripple, Stellar, and the XDC Network continue to advance their ecosystems with steady improvements and community engagement, maintaining their positions as key players in cross-border payments and enterprise blockchain solutions.
Why It Matters
These updates highlight a few important trends that anyone interested in blockchain should understand:
- Speed and usability are critical. Stellar’s faster Freighter wallet is a great example of how improving user experience can help bring blockchain technology to more people. If wallets and apps feel slow or complicated, people may hesitate to use them.
- Interoperability is the future. Hedera’s partnership with Axelar shows how connecting different blockchains can unlock new opportunities. Instead of working in isolated networks, blockchains that talk to each other can create more powerful and flexible financial services.
- Big companies are taking blockchain seriously. FedEx joining Hedera’s council reflects growing corporate interest in blockchain to improve transparency, efficiency, and trust in global supply chains—an area ripe for innovation.
On the market front, Bitcoin is trading just above $64,000, showing a slight dip over the past 24 hours but holding strong overall. Ethereum sits near $1,855, with minor downward movement, while Hedera Hashgraph bucks the trend with a positive 1.5% change, now priced around $0.096. Smaller tokens like Stellar and XDC Network are also making small gains, signaling steady interest in these emerging projects.
Builders’ Corner
For developers and blockchain enthusiasts, the recent updates offer some valuable insights:
- Stellar’s Freighter Improvements: The team focused on optimizing load times by streamlining the wallet’s architecture. This technical enhancement shows how small but meaningful performance upgrades can drastically enhance user satisfaction.
- Hedera and Axelar Integration: By connecting Hedera to Axelar’s cross-chain network, developers can now build DeFi applications that leverage assets and data across multiple blockchains seamlessly. This opens doors to more innovative financial products that weren’t possible before.
- Migrating from AccountBalanceQuery: Hedera recently posted a guide for developers transitioning away from the older AccountBalanceQuery method to newer, more efficient ways of retrieving account data. Staying up to date with such changes is crucial for building reliable, future-proof applications.
These examples underline the importance of continuous improvement and collaboration in blockchain development — whether it’s making wallets faster or linking different networks together.
Quick Prices
- Bitcoin (BTC): $64,236 (down 0.79% in 24h)
- Ethereum (ETH): $1,855.87 (down 0.49% in 24h)
- Hedera Hashgraph (HBAR): $0.0958 (up 1.52% in 24h)
- Ripple (XRP): $1.36 (down 0.23% in 24h)
- Stellar (XLM): $0.1505 (up 0.10% in 24h)
- Flare Network (FLR): $0.0091 (down 0.22% in 24h)
- XDC Network (XDC): $0.0335 (up 0.33% in 24h)
What to Watch
Looking ahead, here are some key areas to keep an eye on:
- Cross-border payments innovation: Ripple and Stellar remain at the forefront of blockchain solutions for faster, cheaper international money transfers. Stellar’s ongoing development signals continued commitment to this space.
- Blockchain interoperability: The Hedera-Axelar connection is just one example of a growing movement to link blockchains. Watch for more partnerships and tools that make it easier for different networks to work together.
- Enterprise adoption: With companies like FedEx joining blockchain councils, expect more large corporations to explore and invest in blockchain technology, especially for supply chains and logistics.
- Proof-of-Stake risks: Stellar recently published an insightful article about the hidden risks of Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanisms. PoS is a popular way blockchains secure themselves, but it’s important to understand its challenges and how projects address them.
- Market resilience: Bitcoin’s recent retake of the $64,000 level and stablecoin volume growth suggest the crypto market is finding strength even amid broader tech sell-offs, partly thanks to growing use cases and infrastructure improvements.
For anyone new or curious about blockchain investing, these developments show a vibrant ecosystem where technology keeps improving, partnerships expand, and real-world applications multiply. Remember, blockchain is still evolving, and staying informed will help you navigate this exciting space confidently.
TL;DR: Stellar made its Freighter wallet much faster, improving user experience by 63%. Hedera connected with Axelar to boost cross-chain DeFi and welcomed FedEx to its council, signaling growing enterprise interest. Bitcoin holds strong above $64K while Hedera’s price rose over 1.5%. Keep an eye on interoperability, corporate adoption, and innovations in cross-border payments as blockchain technology continues to grow and mature.
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