KLEA Crypto Daily: Tuesday, February 24, 2026

Published: February 25, 2026 – 00:03 UTC

Here’s a look back at the key stories from February 24, 2026.

Treasury Sanctions Russian ‘Exploit’ Broker Over Stolen US Cyber Tools

For the first time, the Protecting American Intellectual Property Act is used to target a firm accused of brokering stolen U.S. cyber tools.

NEAR Unveils Near.com as AI-Integrated Crypto Super App

NEAR has launched Near.com, a new crypto wallet and consumer app designed to simplify blockchain usage by integrating various digital assets into a single interface, aiming to reduce operational complexity in the crypto space.

Jane Street Accused of Intentionally Attacking Terra

Terraform Labs is suing quantitative trading firm Jane Street for its role in the collapse of the Terra ecosystem. The lawsuit alleges insider trading by Jane Street tied to the May 2022 collapse of TerraUSD (UST) and LUNA, accusing the firm of profiting from non-public information.

Bhutan Rolls out Blockchain-Powered Digital Nomad Visa Using Solana Gold Token

Bhutan has introduced a blockchain-powered digital nomad visa that requires applicants to deposit gold-backed TER tokens on the Solana network. This innovative move marks a rare fusion of residency policy and sovereign crypto adoption, showcasing Bhutan's commitment to embracing new technologies.

Chiliz Price Forecast: Why Chiliz Could Surge Before the 2026 World Cup

Chiliz (CHZ) is gaining attention as the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, with analysts and investors anticipating a significant rise in value. The unique SportsFi platform, driven by Chiliz, combines blockchain technology with fan engagement through Fan Tokens, creating real-world value tied to sports enthusiasm.

‘Bitcoin Retail Investors Are All In’ And That’s Why There’s No Floor, Blockstream CEO Says

Blockstream CEO Adam Back highlights the lack of downside support for Bitcoin due to retail investors being fully invested, leaving little capital for buying dips. This trend explains the recent 25% year-to-date decline in Bitcoin's price, emphasizing the unique dynamics of retail investment in the crypto market.

Putin Lets Courts Confiscate Bitcoin as Russia Cracks Down on Crypto Sector

President Vladimir Putin has granted Russian courts the power to seize cryptocurrencies during criminal investigations, recognizing them as intangible property. This move aims to regulate the largely unregulated crypto sector in Russia, potentially leading to restrictions on citizens' access to overseas crypto exchanges.

Former Binance Listing BD: Insider’s View of the Real Crypto World

A former Binance BD, Chase, shares insights on the crypto market, describing it as a "no-pretend" space driven by liquidity, attention, and market-maker influence. BTC, ETH, and BNB are highlighted as assets transcending short-term price fluctuations.

Bitcoin Headed For Worst Month In 4 Years: ‘Either It’s Dead Or Dollar Cost Average From Here,’ Analyst Says

Bitcoin is on track for its steepest monthly drop since June 2022, with analysts warning of a potential further decline as capital outflows accelerate and macroeconomic risks loom. Traders anticipate a significant "cleansing" that could push Bitcoin towards the $55,000 range.

Stripe’s Valuation Reaches $159 Billion in Employee Stock Buyout Offer

Payment processing company Stripe has seen its valuation soar to $159 billion in an employee stock buyout offer, marking a substantial increase from last year. Despite this growth, Stripe currently has no plans to go public, focusing on expanding its business into cryptocurrency-related payments and blockchain initiatives.

Kraken Launches 24/7 Perpetual Contract Trading for Tokenized US Stocks

Kraken is introducing regulated perpetual futures contracts based on tokenized stocks, offering 24/7 trading to users in over 110 countries. This move includes digital versions of major US stocks, indices, and gold ETFs, with the first listings featuring tokens of S&P 500, Nasdaq 100, Apple, NVIDIA, Tesla, and SPDR Gold ETF.

Insiders Reveal Meta's Plan to Re-Enter Stablecoin Space in Second Half of 2026

Meta, led by Mark Zuckerberg, is reportedly gearing up to re-enter the stablecoin market later this year. The tech giant is said to be integrating third-party providers to facilitate stablecoin payments and launching a new wallet, potentially involving long-time partner Stripe in the initiative.

Russian Authorities Open Criminal Case Against Pavel Durov

Russian authorities have initiated a criminal case against Telegram co-founder Pavel Durov for allegedly aiding terrorist activity. This move comes after local authorities blocked Telegram and claim the messenger was used in preparing terrorist attacks and high-profile killings.

The Fall of “El Mencho”: How the CJNG Leader Built a Crypto-Fueled Narco Empire

Mexican law enforcement eliminated Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, on February 22, 2026. The cartel had utilized cryptocurrencies for transfers and money laundering, with transactions worth hundreds of millions of dollars documented well before 2026.

Coinbase Partners with Yahoo Finance to Open Stock Trading to All US Users

Coinbase has expanded its stock trading functionality to all US users in partnership with Yahoo Finance. This move marks a significant step in Coinbase's ambition to become an "everything exchange," offering over 8,000 stocks and ETFs for trading, with plans to introduce perpetual US stocks to traders outside the US this spring.

Solana DeFi Project Step Finance to Wind Down Weeks After $29M Hack

Following a $29 million hack in January, the Solana DeFi project Step Finance has announced its decision to cease operations. This move comes after unsuccessful attempts to recover from the treasury breach, signaling a challenging end for the project.

Wisdomtree To Launch 24/7 Trading And Instant Settlement For Tokenized Money Market Fund Shares

WisdomTree announced the launch of 24/7 trading and instant settlement for its WisdomTree Treasury Money Market Digital Fund (WTGXX), marking the first time registered tokenized mutual fund shares have been approved for such trading within the US regulatory framework.

Source: KLEA News