The United States (US) Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) will release the delayed Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) data for January on Wednesday at 13:30 GMT.

Volatility around the US Dollar (USD) will likely ramp up on the employment report, with investors looking for fresh insights on the US Federal Reserve’s (Fed) path forward on interest rates.

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What to Expect From the Next Nonfarm Payrolls Report?

The BLS reported early last week that it had postponed the release of the official employment report, originally scheduled on Friday, due to the partial government shutdown. After the US House passed a package on Tuesday to end the shutdown, the agency announced that it will release the labor market data on Wednesday, February 11.

Investors expect NFP to rise by 70K following the 50K increase recorded in December. In this period, the Unemployment Rate is expected to remain unchanged at 4.4%, while the annual wage inflation, as measured by the change in the Average Hourly Earnings, is projected to soften to 3.6% from 3.8%.

Previewing the employment report, TD Securities analysts note that they expect job gains to have remained subdued in January, increasing by 45K.

“We look for private to add 40K and government to add 5K. We expect private sector strength to be concentrated in healthcare and construction. We look for the Unemployment Rate to show continued signs of stabilization, remaining at 4.4%. The low-fire, low-hire labor market remains. Average Hourly Earnings likely increased 0.3% m/m and 3.7% y/y,” they add.

How Will the US September Nonfarm Payrolls Affect Eur/USD?

The USD started the month on a firm footing as markets reacted to the nomination of Kevin Warsh, who served as a Fed Governor from 2006 to 2011, as the new chair of the Fed. Meanwhile, the USD also benefited from the heightened volatility surrounding precious metals, especially Silver and Gold, and Stock markets. 

In turn, the USD Index, which gauges the USD’s valuation against a basket of six major currencies, rose 0.5% in the first week of February. Fed Governor Lisa Cook said earlier in the month that she believes the labor market will continue to be supported by last year’s interest rate cuts. 

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Cook further noted that the labor market has stabilized and is approximately in balance, adding that policymakers remain highly attentive to the potential for a rapid shift. 

Similarly, Governor Philip Jefferson argued that the job market is likely in balance with a low-hire, low-fire environment. The CME Group FedWatch Tool shows that markets are currently pricing in about a 15% probability of a 25 basis-point (bps) rate cut in March. 

In case the NFP reading disappoints, with a print below 30K, and the Unemployment Rate rises unexpectedly, the USD could come under pressure with the immediate reaction, opening the door to a leg higher in EUR/USD. On the other hand, an NFP figure at or above the market expectation could reaffirm another policy hold next month. 

The market positioning suggests that the USD has some room on the upside in this scenario. Investors will also pay close attention to the wage inflation component of the report. 

If Average Hourly Earnings rise less than expected, the USD could find it difficult to gather strength, even if the headline NFP print arrives near the market forecast.

Danske Bank analysts argue that softer wage growth could negatively impact consumer activity and pave the way for a dovish Fed action.

“The Challenger report showed more job cuts than expected in January and the JOLTs Job Openings came in at 6.5m in December (consensus 7.2m). Hence, the US ratio of job openings to unemployed fell to just 0.87 in December. Such cooling is usually a good predictor for weakening wage growth and may be a concern for the private consumption outlook and, all else equal, supports the case for earlier cuts from the Fed,” they explain.

Eren Sengezer, European Session Lead Analyst at FXStreet, offers a brief technical outlook for EUR/USD:

“The Relative Strength Index (RSI) indicator on the daily chart holds above 50, and EUR/USD fluctuates above the 20-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) after having tested this dynamic support last week, reflecting buyers’ willingness to retain control.” “On the upside, 1.2000 (round level, psychological level) aligns as the next resistance before 1.2080 (January 27 high) and 1.2160 (static level). Looking south, the first key support level could be spotted at 1.1680, where the 100-day SMA is located, before 1.1620-1.1600 (200-day SMA, Fibonacci 23.6% retracement of the January 2025-January 2026 uptrend). A decisive drop below this support region could attract technical sellers and open the door for an extended slide.”

TLDR

• Tokenization can enhance financial market transparency and create more predictable systems, according to Paul Atkins.
• Tokenization represents digital ownership of assets, moving traditional securities onto blockchain for efficient management.
• Real-time on-chain clearance and settlement could eliminate traditional delays, reducing the gap between transactions and settlements.
• The SEC, under Atkins’ leadership, aims to provide clarity and regulatory support for tokenization and blockchain technologies.
• Tokenization could reshape financial services by enabling safer and faster transactions.

In a Fox News interview, Paul Atkins, former SEC commissioner, outlined how tokenization could reshape financial markets. He emphasized that tokenization would improve transparency and create more predictable systems in the financial world. According to Atkins, the SEC is actively working to provide clarity for market participants and embrace technological innovation. Tokenization, he explained, is a promising tool for enhancing efficiency in financial services.

The Potential of Tokenization for Financial Markets

Paul Atkins highlighted that tokenization, at its core, represents a digital version of an underlying asset. “A token is essentially a smart contract, a digital representation of ownership,” he stated during the interview.

In the case of securities, which are already traded electronically, tokenization brings a new way to manage these assets on a blockchain. He pointed out that whether a security is in paper form or stored digitally, tokenization could simplify the entire process by moving it onto the blockchain.

This shift could allow transactions to be cleared and settled on-chain in real time, reducing the traditional delay. Atkins also noted that moving towards a T-zero (immediate) settlement model would de-risk the financial services sector.

“The time between transaction and settlement has already reduced from five days to one, and we aim to bring it down even further,” he explained. This faster and more secure process could have a significant impact on global financial transactions.

The SEC’s Approach to Innovation and Clarity

Under Atkins’ leadership, the SEC has focused on providing a clear regulatory framework for tokenization and blockchain technologies. He stressed that innovation in financial markets must go hand in hand with regulatory clarity.

Atkins also pointed out that market participants would decide the most efficient methods for conducting transactions, such as using stablecoins, tokenized mutual funds, or bank deposits. “We are at the cusp of a transformative change,” he concluded, underlining the importance of embracing new technologies while ensuring transparency and security for investors.

Atkins believes that the growth of tokenization will reshape the financial landscape, allowing for safer, faster transactions across multiple sectors. As the SEC continues to support these technological advancements, the future of financial transactions appears poised for significant changes.

TLDR:

• Tether invests in LayerZero Labs to support proven cross-chain interoperability infrastructure 
• USDt0 has processed over $70 billion in cross-chain value transfers in less than twelve months 
• LayerZero technology enables seamless asset movement across blockchains without fragmentation 
• Partnership combines Tether’s WDK with LayerZero infrastructure for agentic finance capabilities

Tether Investments announced a strategic investment in LayerZero Labs on February 10, 2026. The move supports the development of cross-chain interoperability infrastructure.

USDt0, an omnichain fungible token built on LayerZero’s technology, has processed over $70 billion in cross-chain value transfers since its launch.

The investment reflects Tether’s commitment to reducing blockchain fragmentation and improving liquidity efficiency across digital asset markets.

USDt0 Demonstrates Global-Scale Interoperability Performance

LayerZero Labs created one of the most widely adopted bridging frameworks in the digital asset industry. The company’s technology enables secure and efficient asset movement across multiple blockchain networks.

Everdawn Labs leveraged LayerZero’s infrastructure to develop and launch USDt0 and XAUt0 to the market. These implementations proved that stablecoins and tokenized assets can transfer seamlessly without fragmenting liquidity.

USDt0 achieved remarkable transaction volume in less than twelve months of operation. The omnichain fungible token facilitated more than $70 billion in cross-chain value transfers.

This performance validated LayerZero’s technology as critical infrastructure for major digital assets. The platform demonstrated its capability to handle global-scale operations under live market conditions.

The Omnichain Fungible Token standard provides the technical foundation for these cross-chain transfers. Assets move across different blockchain environments without losing their properties or liquidity.

This approach addresses a fundamental challenge in the digital asset ecosystem. Multiple blockchain networks can now operate more cohesively through this interoperability layer.

Tether’s Wallet Development Kit combines with LayerZero’s infrastructure to create advanced foundational rails. The system supports digital asset payments, settlements, and custody for real-world applications.

This combination also enables agentic finance capabilities. AI agents can operate autonomous wallets and transact with stablecoins at scale.

Technology Alignment Supports Future Market Development

Tether’s CEO Paolo Ardoino commented on the investment rationale and the company’s infrastructure focus. “Tether invests in infrastructure that is already delivering real-world utility,” Ardoino stated.

He noted that LayerZero’s technology allows real-time asset transfers across any transport layer. The infrastructure supports the emerging agentic AI economy requiring micro-payment orchestration at unprecedented scale.

LayerZero’s CEO Bryan Pellegrino responded to the investment announcement with recognition of Tether’s market position. “Tether is a company the world envies,” Pellegrino said.

He described USDt0’s success as an important stepping stone for the partnership. The investment represents validation of LayerZero’s engineering approach and execution capabilities according to Pellegrino.

The investment aligns with Tether’s broader infrastructure strategy. The company supports systems that reduce fragmentation across blockchain networks.

Enhanced liquidity efficiency enables stablecoins to function as global settlement instruments. This approach addresses practical challenges in cross-chain asset movement.

LayerZero’s proven track record influenced Tether’s investment decision. The technology has demonstrated its ability to support major assets under production conditions.

Both companies aim to build infrastructure for global permissionless markets. The partnership strengthens the foundation for future cross-chain financial applications.

TLDR:

• Robinhood Chain testnet enables developers to build financial-grade apps on Arbitrum technology
• Infrastructure partners Alchemy, Chainlink, LayerZero, and TRM already integrating with platform
• Testnet will feature Stock Tokens for integration testing ahead of mainnet launch later in 2025
• Platform supports tokenized assets, lending protocols, and perpetual futures exchanges on Layer 2
  

Robinhood Chain has officially launched its public testnet, marking a major step in the company’s blockchain ambitions.

The Layer 2 network, built on Arbitrum technology, targets financial services and tokenized real-world assets. Developers can now access the testnet to build and validate applications on the Ethereum-compatible platform.

Infrastructure partners including Alchemy, Allium, Chainlink, LayerZero, and TRM have already begun integration work.

Infrastructure and Technical Foundation

Robinhood announced the testnet launch through its official social media channels, inviting developers to explore the platform’s capabilities.

The company tweeted that developers can now build on a financial-grade Ethereum Layer 2 designed to support tokenized assets.

The network provides compatibility with standard Ethereum development tools while leveraging Arbitrum’s proven Layer 2 technology.

This approach enables developers to work within a familiar environment while accessing enhanced scalability features.

The company has published comprehensive developer documentation at https://docs.robinhood.com/chain to support early builders.

Network entry points are now accessible, allowing participants to connect and begin testing their applications. The testnet phase serves multiple purposes, from identifying technical issues to establishing network stability before mainnet deployment.

Johann Kerbrat, SVP and GM of Crypto and International at Robinhood, outlined the platform’s vision in a statement. “The testnet for Robinhood Chain lays the groundwork for an ecosystem that will define the future of tokenized real-world assets,” he said.

The executive added that the platform will “enable builders to tap into DeFi liquidity within the Ethereum ecosystem.” Kerbrat expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with infrastructure partners to bring financial services onchain.

Early infrastructure partners play a crucial role in the testnet phase. Their involvement ensures that essential services and tools are available from the start.

This collaborative approach aims to create a robust foundation for future applications and services on the network.

Developer Features and Future Roadmap

The testnet environment supports seamless bridging and self-custody functionality for digital assets. Developers can build financial-grade decentralized products, including tokenized asset platforms and lending protocols.

The architecture also accommodates perpetual futures exchanges and similar complex financial applications.

Robinhood plans to introduce testnet-only assets in coming months to facilitate integration testing. Stock Tokens will be available exclusively for development purposes, allowing builders to test trading mechanisms and settlement processes. Direct testing with Robinhood Wallet will provide additional integration opportunities for developers.

The platform emphasizes reliability, security, and compliance as core design principles. These priorities reflect Robinhood’s experience in regulated financial services and its infrastructure capabilities. The mainnet launch is scheduled for later this year, though specific timing remains to be announced.

Steven Goldfeder, Co-Founder and CEO of Offchain Labs, emphasized the partnership’s potential in his remarks. “With Arbitrum’s developer-friendly technology, Robinhood Chain is well-positioned to help the industry deliver the next chapter of tokenization,” he stated.

Goldfeder noted the collaboration aims to advance permissionless financial services across the ecosystem. “Working alongside the Robinhood team, we are excited to help build the next stage of finance,” he added.

Ethereum price is testing a key demand zone as more than 220,000 ETH leaves exchanges, tightening liquid supply during a sharp market pullback.

Ethereum was trading at $1,975 at press time, down 4% in the past 24 hours. The broader trend remains under pressure. ETH has fallen 12% over the last seven days, 37% in the past month, and is now down 61% from its August 2025 high of $4,946.

Spot trading volume came in at $22 billion, down 11.30% over the past day. On the derivatives side, Coinglass data shows futures volume declining 14% to $47 billion, while open interest dropped 5% to $23 billion.

That combination suggests traders are closing positions rather than aggressively adding new leverage.

220K ETH leaves exchanges as long-term wallets grow

While price has struggled, on-chain behavior tells a different story.

According to a Feb. 10 analysis by CryptoQuant contributor Arab Chain, more than 220,000 Ethereum (ETH) has been withdrawn from exchanges in recent days, the largest net outflow since October. On Feb. 5, Binance alone recorded approximately 158,000 ETH in daily net outflows, the highest since last August.

Large exchange withdrawals typically reduce immediate sell-side pressure. When ETH moves into private wallets or long-term storage, it becomes less accessible for quick liquidation.

This doesn’t guarantee upside, but it changes the supply dynamic. If demand stabilizes, a tighter float can amplify price reactions.

Additional data from analyst _OnChain shows that “accumulating addresses” — defined as wallets that have never recorded an outflow, hold at least 100 ETH, and are not linked to exchanges or miners — now control 27 million ETH, or roughly 23% of the circulating supply.

Historically, Ethereum has traded below the realized price of these accumulating addresses only twice in nine years: during the 2025 all-time low and again since January 2026. That context suggests long-term holders are less likely to sell near current levels.

Ethereum price prediction: Can $1,850 hold?

With lower highs and lower lows, Ethereum is still clearly in a downward trend. Selling pressure increased after the recent drop below the $3,200–$3,300 range, and the price moved closer to the $1,850 support zone.

During the sell-off, the 20-period Bollinger Bands widened considerably, suggesting increased volatility.

The price briefly touched the lower band around $1,690, as is often the case with large declines. The middle band, which is now at $2,490, is acting as resistance, while the upper band is situated near $3,290.

The relative strength index fell below 30, entering oversold territory, and currently hovers around 30–32. Momentum is weak, though the pace of the decline has slowed, and there’s no clear bullish divergence yet.

If the $1,850 support holds, Ethereum could stabilize and attempt a rebound toward $2,000–$2,100. A more sustained recovery would require a move above $2,490 to reclaim the middle band and signal a potential trend shift. For that to happen, RSI would need to climb above 40–45, and volume would need to expand on green candles.

If $1,850 fails, downside risk increases quickly. A break below that level could expose $1,750, followed by the lower Bollinger Band around $1,690. Continued declines in open interest and weak spot volume would reinforce a bearish continuation scenario.

A White House meeting on stablecoin yield and rewards ended without a deal, but participants described the discussions as more productive than previous talks, according to details shared by journalist Eleanor Terrett.

The gathering brought together senior banking executives, crypto industry leaders, and policy staff to debate whether and how stablecoin issuers should be allowed to offer yield or rewards.

While no compromise was reached, negotiations moved into more detailed territory.

White House stablecoin talks show progress but no final deal

Banking representatives arrived with a written set of “prohibition principles” outlining firm red lines around stablecoin rewards. These principles detailed what banks are willing to accept and where they refuse to budge.

One notable shift emerged. Banks included language allowing for “any proposed exemption” related to transaction-based rewards.

Sources described this as a meaningful concession, as banks had previously declined to discuss exemptions altogether.

Much of the debate centered on “permissible activities.” This refers to what types of account behavior would allow crypto firms to offer rewards. Crypto companies pushed for broad definitions. Banks argued for narrower limits to reduce risk and regulatory exposure.

Ripple’s Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty said that “compromise is in the air,” signaling cautious optimism despite unresolved issues.

March 1 deadline looms as talks continue

The meeting was smaller than the first White House session on stablecoins. It was led by Patrick Witt, Executive Director of the President’s Crypto Council. Staff from the Senate Banking Committee were also present.

Crypto attendees included representatives from Coinbase, a16z, Ripple, Paxos, and the Blockchain Association. Major banks in attendance included Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citi, PNC, and U.S. Bank, alongside leading banking trade groups.

The White House has urged both sides to reach an agreement by March 1. Further discussions are expected in the coming days. However, it remains unclear whether another full-scale meeting will be held before the deadline.

[PRESS RELEASE – Vaduz, Liechtenstein, February 9th, 2026]

xMoney ($XMN) is expanding its partnership with Domino’s, bringing its payment infrastructure to Domino’s Greece following a successful rollout in Cyprus.

The collaboration focuses on acquiring services, enabling Domino’s Greece to accept card payments and digital wallets, including Apple Pay and Google Pay, across both web and mobile ordering platforms.

At the core of the integration is xMoney’s embeddable checkout solution, designed to deliver a seamless payment experience without redirection. Customers complete their orders faster, while all sensitive payment data is securely handled by xMoney’s compliant infrastructure.

The expansion was announced in person at a community event hosted at SuiHub Athens – a community space established to support builders and Sui ecosystem partners – bringing together the xMoney and Sui teams, Domino’s representatives, and building on xMoney’s previously announced work with Sui to expand real-world payment access across Europe.

“Domino’s operates in a high-volume, real-time environment where speed and reliability are critical,” said Manos Tsouloufris, CTO of Daufood. “xMoney’s checkout solution supports multiple payment methods in a single, seamless flow, helping us serve customers faster at scale.”

While the current implementation focuses on fiat payments, the two teams are also exploring future possibilities around digital asset payments, where network speed, user experience, and confirmation times make sense for real-world commerce.

The launch in Greece represents the next step in a broader European expansion, reinforcing xMoney’s role as a trusted payments partner for brands that operate at scale and its presence within the Sui ecosystem reflects a growing focus on practical, consumer-facing payment experiences built for everyday use.

“When people order food, they don’t think about payments, and that’s exactly the point,” said Gregorious Siourounis, Co-Founder and CEO of xMoney. “Our role is to make checkout fast, reliable, and invisible, so brands like Domino’s can focus on their customers. Bringing this experience to Greece is a natural next step.”

As xMoney expands across markets and merchant use cases, XMN supports the broader ecosystem by aligning long-term participation and infrastructure growth across the network. Designed to sit alongside xMoney’s licensed payment rails, XMN helps structure how value, incentives, and future on-chain capabilities evolve, without impacting the simplicity of everyday checkout experiences.

Faster checkout. Less friction.

Payments that deliver.

About Domino’s

Founded in 1960, Domino’s Pizza is the largest pizza company in the world, with a significant business in both delivery and carryout pizza. It operates a network of company-owned and independent franchise stores in the United States and more than 90 international markets.

About xMoney

xMoney is revolutionizing the payments landscape with strategic European licenses, delivering a seamless, secure, and forward-thinking ecosystem powered by innovative product design, cutting-edge technology, and unwavering compliance. XMN, xMoney’s newly launched token, is natively integrated into the licensed and regulated payment infrastructure – empowering merchants and consumers with lightning-fast, trustworthy transactions underpinned by full regulatory transparency. Now trading on Kraken, KuCoin, MEXC, Bitvavo, Bluefin and other exchanges, XMN is primed for broader adoption with a robust pipeline of integrations ahead.

Contact details:

Website: www.xmoney.com

The days of outsized gains in crypto may be coming to an end as more risk-averse institutional players are entering the space, replacing retail investors who chase rapid gains, according to Galaxy CEO Mike Novogratz.

Novogratz reportedly said at the CNBC Digital Finance Forum on Tuesday in New York that it reflects the maturing industry. 

“Retail people don’t get into crypto because they want to make 11% annualized,” he said. “They get in because they want to make 30 to one, eight to one, 10 to one,” he said. 

Novogratz referenced FTX’s collapse in 2022, which resulted in a bear market that saw Bitcoin (BTC) prices fall 78% from $69,000 to $15,700 in November that year, stating that there was a “breakdown in trust” then. 

Novogratz also acknowledged that the Oct. 10 leverage flush, which he called a significant event that “wiped out a lot of retail and market makers,” and increased selling pressure — though there wasn’t any major catalyst.

“This time, there’s no smoking gun,” he said. “You look around like, what happened?”

“Crypto is all about narratives, it’s about stories,” he said. “Those stories take a while to build, and you’re pulling people in … so when you wipe out a lot of those people, Humpty Dumpty doesn’t get put back together right away.”

Tokenized real-world assets will drive markets

Novogratz said he expects the industry to shift from high-return speculation to more practical applications, such as tokenized real-world assets that offer steadier returns.

However, some traders will always speculate, said Novogratz, but it’s going to be “transposed or replaced by us using these same rails, these crypto rails, to bring banking [and] financial services to the whole world. And so, it’s going to be real-world assets with much lower returns.”

Related: Chainlink co-founder’s 2 reasons this bear market feels different

Chainlink co-founder Sergey Nazarov made a similar argument on Tuesday, stating that tokenized RWAs will “surpass cryptocurrency in the total value in our industry, and what our industry is about will fundamentally change.”

Long-term Bitcoin believers will be fine

David Marcus, the co-founder and CEO of Lightspark and a former PayPal executive, told Bloomberg on Tuesday that there has also been a shift in who is holding Bitcoin. 

“It’s just a change of who’s holding Bitcoin, and you’re moving from people that had long-term belief and were holding Bitcoin directly to just access to Bitcoin being wired off to our financial system and markets.”

He added that the change in holders and the Oct. 10 leverage flush have changed the dynamic, but those who have long believed that Bitcoin is a “hedge to everything else that’s happening in the markets” will be fine.

Magazine: Bitcoin difficulty plunges, Buterin sells off Ethereum: Hodler’s Digest