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The Cardano blockchain is set for a significant evolution following a decisive community vote. Decentralized representatives have overwhelmingly endorsed naming the upcoming Version 11 protocol upgrade the “van Rossem Hard Fork.” According to the Intersect Development Update from February 20, 2026, more than 80% of all active DRep voting shares supported the proposal.
This naming convention honors Max van Rossem, a longstanding contributor to Cardano’s governance framework and constitutional design. It continues the blockchain’s tradition of naming hard forks after influential individuals, following predecessors like Byron, Shelley, Alonzo, Vasil, and Chang.
Technical preparations are advancing in parallel. Cardano Node 10.6.2 moved out of its pre-release status this week. This version incorporates the hard fork functionality, which is currently undergoing testing on the SanchoNet test network. The testnet is already operating under Protocol Version 11.
Developers note that Node 10.6.2 is not the final mainnet candidate. The anticipated Node 10.7.0 is scheduled for release within the next two weeks and is expected to serve as the finished version for the mainnet upgrade. Formal performance testing for this release has already concluded.
In related infrastructure news, DB-Sync 13.7.0.1 is available as a pre-release. This version maintains compatibility with Node 10.6.2 and provides support for Protocol Version 11.
Recent governance actions have yielded varied outcomes. A protocol parameter update to increase transaction and block memory units was ratified on February 13 and is now live on the network. This change enhances the blockchain’s capacity for processing transactions.
However, two other proposals failed to meet the required approval thresholds. The initiative to establish a DeFi liquidity budget from the treasury did not pass. A separate proposal to reduce the minimum CC size was also unsuccessful.
An ongoing vote concerns the Net Change Limit for epochs 613 through 713. This proposal seeks to set a ceiling of 300 million ADA for treasury withdrawals until July 2027. Current DRep support stands at 29%, but passage requires over 50% approval. The voting period closes on March 10.
The Cardano Builder DAO has commenced preliminary checks this week for its second funding round via the Clarity.vote platform. This smart contract-managed decentralized autonomous organization provides financing for projects aimed at boosting user adoption and on-chain activity. Its current focus includes integrations with core Cardano infrastructure such as Hydra, Leios, and Midgard.
Separately, the Civics Committee convened on February 19 to discuss budget planning for the 2026/27 period. During this meeting, members observed that the constitutional safeguards functioned as intended during a recent parameter update.
The community can expect further updates during the Intersect Town Hall scheduled for February 26 at 12:00 UTC, which will cover the hard fork progress and other governance developments.
In a climate of geopolitical strain and faltering technology stocks, Bitcoin is demonstrating notable fortitude. A significant confirmation from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is providing a counterweight to prevailing market unease, with a state-level investment running into the billions offering a powerful fundamental case for the cryptocurrency.
A short-term pullback in appetite is evident in the United States. U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded net outflows of approximately $166 million on February 19. This shift mirrors the nervousness permeating traditional markets, where a correction in AI-related equities and heightened political tensions between the U.S. and Iran are curbing risk tolerance. Major asset managers appear to be realigning portfolios in the wake of losses on the Nasdaq.
This contrasts sharply with developments from the Middle East, which market strategists interpret as a validation of the “sovereign adoption” thesis. This concept involves nations strategically utilizing digital assets to diversify national reserves and hedge against currency volatility.
The United Arab Emirates has substantially expanded its role within the crypto sector. Official disclosures now confirm the nation holds a Bitcoin position valued at over one billion U.S. dollars. Supplementary data indicates that an additional $454 million has been generated through state-backed mining operations. This move marks a decisive entry by a sovereign state into the digital asset arena.
Trading at $67,907, the digital asset maintains a stable position within striking distance of the crucial $68,000 resistance level. A sustained breakout above this threshold, supported by continued high trading volume, could initiate a decoupling from the currently correcting technology sector. The emerging institutional foundation from the Middle East provides substantial support for such a potential shift in market dynamics.
A significant development from a major cryptocurrency exchange is providing tangible utility for Cardano (ADA) investors. Coinbase has now integrated ADA as an acceptable collateral asset within its decentralized lending service. This move allows token holders to access liquidity without the need to sell their holdings, potentially influencing ADA’s practical adoption and market dynamics.
Coinbase has broadened its on-chain lending offerings. Previously supporting assets like XRP, Dogecoin, and Litecoin, the platform now includes Cardano’s ADA as eligible collateral. Eligible U.S. customers, excluding residents of New York state, can borrow up to $100,000 in USDC by pledging their ADA holdings.
This service operates technically through a partnership with the DeFi protocol Morpho. A key benefit for users is the ability to leverage their cryptocurrency assets for loans. This approach can allow investors to avoid creating a taxable event, which would typically occur if they sold their crypto holdings outright.
This lending feature arrives shortly after another institutional milestone for Cardano. On February 9, the CME Group launched ADA futures contracts. The exchange reported that the inaugural ADA futures trade was executed between Cumberland DRW and Wintermute.
Concurrently, on-chain analytics from Santiment reveal notable accumulation patterns among large addresses. Wallets holding between 1 million and 100 million ADA collectively acquired approximately 240 million ADA over the past week. Market observers often interpret such accumulation by large holders, or “whales,” as a signal of increased confidence in the asset’s medium-term prospects.
Several parallel developments are converging within the Cardano ecosystem. According to the latest Cardano Community Digest, Intersect MBO, acting on behalf of the Pentad, has approved the integration of LayerZero. This omnichain messaging protocol is designed to connect Cardano with over 150 other blockchains, significantly enhancing the cross-chain capabilities of applications built on the network.
On the core technology front, Cardano Node v10.5.4 has been released. This update introduces network-level improvements aimed at increasing node resilience. It also includes preparatory work for an upcoming hard fork and the proposed naming of protocol version 11 (“van Rossem”).
The Cardano newsletter provides specific timelines for upcoming launches. The Midnight mainnet, a privacy-focused partner chain, is scheduled to launch by the end of March. Furthermore, USDCx, a privacy-enhanced variant of Circle’s USDC stablecoin, is expected to arrive on Cardano before the end of this month.
Regarding market performance, ADA is currently trading in a range between $0.27 and $0.28, according to CoinGape data, with a market capitalization of approximately $10.5 billion. The token has posted a weekly gain of around 4%, while the $0.30 price level is currently viewed as a key resistance zone.
The Ethereum Foundation has outlined its core protocol objectives for the coming year, prioritizing enhanced network throughput, a smoother user experience, and reinforced security. While the roadmap presents a coherent long-term vision, its immediate reception in the markets has been muted.
Despite the clear strategic milestones, the announcement has failed to act as a short-term catalyst for Ethereum’s price. The asset has faced significant pressure in recent weeks, registering a 33% decline over a 30-day period according to the provided data.
This bearish sentiment was compounded by institutional movement reports from February 18. SEC filings revealed that entities associated with investor Peter Thiel reduced their positions in “ETHZilla,” a vehicle offering exposure to Ethereum treasury assets. While analysts, such as those cited by Traders Union, note that such moves are not a direct “spot price switch,” they emphasize the narrative impact on the market. In a fragile environment, sell-offs from large addresses can visibly weaken the broader willingness to hold.
In a February 18 blog post, the Foundation detailed three strategic tracks for 2026: “Scale,” “Improve UX,” and “Harden the L1.” The central technical ambition is to push the Layer-1 blockchain’s gas limit “toward and beyond” 100 million. Achieving this would significantly expand transaction capacity directly on Ethereum’s base layer.
This builds upon progress made in 2025, which the Foundation described as a “productive” year. The Pectra and Fusaka upgrades raised the gas limit from 30 to 60 million and introduced PeerDAS (Data Availability Sampling) alongside validator onboarding improvements.
The 2026 agenda will be executed through two major hard forks:
* “Glamsterdam” (First Half of 2026): Focused on Layer-1 scaling and efficiency, potentially involving up to 22 Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs).
* “Hegotá” (Later in 2026): Aimed at implementing higher gas limits, “native account abstraction” for more flexible and user-friendly accounts, and initial preparatory measures for “post-quantum” security.
Concurrently, the Foundation highlighted “blob scaling” as a key lever for Layer-2 networks, with goals to reduce finality times and further lower transaction costs across the rollup ecosystem.
A notable emphasis in the 2026 plan is the “Harden the L1” initiative. This encompasses research and development focused on censorship resistance and long-term security, explicitly including preparations for potential future threats from quantum computing. The underlying message is that Ethereum intends to expand its capacity without diluting its core role as a maximally neutral settlement layer.
The calendar for the year paints a clear picture: The first half will see “Glamsterdam” drive efficiency and scaling, while “Hegotá” in the latter part of the year is slated to deliver larger capacity increases and new account functionality. In the near term, however, Ethereum’s price action remains tied to broader risk sentiment and the market’s ability to process selling pressure around the psychologically significant $2,000 level.
Silver Reclaims Key Threshold Amid Economic Shifts and Supply Concerns
The silver market is demonstrating renewed strength, with prices pushing back above the critical level of $80 per troy ounce during European trading. This upward movement is fueled by a combination of softer U.S. economic indicators, persistent geopolitical tensions, and a fundamental market deficit that continues to underpin long-term valuations.
Economic Data Shifts Rate Expectations
A primary catalyst for the rally emerged from disappointing U.S. growth figures. Data showed the annualized Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the fourth quarter of 2025 expanded by just 1.4%, falling well short of the anticipated 2.8% growth. This significant slowdown has intensified market speculation that the Federal Reserve may consider interest rate cuts later in the year.
For non-yielding assets like precious metals, the prospect of lower rates is typically positive. It tends to diminish the relative appeal of interest-bearing holdings and can pressure the U.S. dollar, making dollar-denominated commodities cheaper for holders of other currencies.
Structural Deficit Provides Foundational Support
Beyond short-term macroeconomic factors, silver’s fundamentals remain tight. Market analysts project the global silver market will record a supply shortfall for a sixth consecutive year in 2026. While mine supply is expected to see a modest increase, demand is forecast to remain robust. Key industrial sectors, including photovoltaics, electric vehicle manufacturing, and applications for artificial intelligence, are driving consistent consumption.
In light of these conditions, financial institution J.P. Morgan has forecast an average silver price of $81 for the 2026 calendar year.
Geopolitics and Technical Recovery Add Momentum
Investor appetite for traditional safe-haven assets is receiving additional support from an unsettled geopolitical landscape. Reports of escalating tensions between the United States and Iran, alongside the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, are prompting capital flows into perceived stores of value like gold and silver.
The breach above $80 also signals a potential recovery from earlier volatility. Following a strong performance in 2025, silver prices underwent a correction at the start of the year. The current return to this psychologically important level suggests a phase of stabilization. Market participants continue to monitor the gold-to-silver ratio as a complementary valuation metric within the precious metals complex.