Crypto World
Tap to Earn Game Development Guide 2026: Strategy & Growth
Tap to Earn is no longer a novelty mechanic. In 2026, it has matured into a scalable user acquisition & token distribution model built around frictionless onboarding, micro-interactions, and viral network effects, especially within the TON ecosystem and Telegram infrastructure.
Unlike traditional Web3 games that demand high production budgets and long development cycles, Tap to Earn games optimize for speed, distribution, and engagement density. However, while they may appear simple on the surface, building a sustainable Tap to Earn ecosystem on TON requires strategic architecture, disciplined tokenomics, backend scalability, and strong anti-fraud design.
This Tap to Earn game development 2026 guide explores the structural foundation on TON and what it takes to build for long-term growth.
What Is Tap to Earn in 2026?
Tap to Earn in 2026 is not just about tapping a screen to collect tokens. It represents a behavioral reward engine designed around micro-engagement cycles. At its core, Tap to Earn is built on three mechanics:
- Ultra-simple interaction loops
- Instant reward feedback
- Referral-amplified growth
However, what makes it powerful today is not the tap, it is the ecosystem design. Modern Tap to Earn systems integrate:
- On-chain reward validation
- Token-based incentive layers
- Community leaderboard gamification
- Progressive unlock systems
- Hybrid off-chain performance optimization
The reason this model works so effectively on TON is that Telegram removes the largest friction point in gaming that is app installation. Users need not download and they need not register. They simply click and start interacting. This instant participation layer plays a significant role in dramatically improving early retention metrics. In 2026, Tap to Earn is less about “earn by tapping” and more about “engage and amplify within an ecosystem.”
Reason Behind the Explosion of Tap to Earn in 2024–2026
The growth of Tap to Earn is not accidental. It is structurally aligned with current user behavior and Web3 distribution dynamics. Typically, there are four primary reasons for its rapid adoption.
1. Distribution Without Friction
Telegram provides a ready-made network. Every user is already authenticated. Wallet integrations through TON helps reduce onboarding complexity further. No app store policies applicable, no 30% deduction in revenue, and no installation barrier.
2. Viral Referral Loops
Tap to Earn thrives on referral multipliers. Most games are architected to incentivize inviting friends. Every new user increases reward potential for existing participants, which, in turn, creates network compounding effects.
3. Micro-Session Behavior
Modern users prefer short engagement bursts. Tap to Earn sessions often last seconds or minutes, making them highly repeatable. This helps increase daily active usage frequency.
4. Tokenized Incentives
Unlike Web2 games, Tap to Earn integrates token ownership. This adds speculative and financial motivation layered on top of gameplay.
However, growth alone does not guarantee sustainability. Many projects in 2024 collapsed because they were optimized for viral spikes rather than focusing on economic durability.
Tap to Earn vs Play to Earn: Structural Differences
A number of new entrants in the field of gaming tend to get confused between Tap to Earn and Play to Earn model. While both Tap to Earn and Play to Earn fall under the category of Web3 gaming, they are fundamentally different in architecture, user behavior, and scalability potential. Understanding the difference between Tap to Earn and Play to Earn helps businesses and decision-makers choose the right model for their Web3 gaming strategy.
| Factor | Tap to Earn Games | Play to Earn Games |
|---|---|---|
| Core Interaction Model | Built around simple micro-interactions such as tapping, claiming rewards, or completing lightweight tasks. Designed for rapid engagement cycles. | Built around deeper gameplay mechanics such as battles, quests, strategy, or asset management requiring longer sessions. |
| User Onboarding | Extremely low friction. Users can start instantly through Telegram Mini Apps or bots without downloads or complex registration. | Typically requires wallet setup, NFT purchases, or platform onboarding before meaningful participation begins. |
| Development Complexity | Focuses on scalable backend systems, referral engines, and reward validation logic rather than complex gameplay mechanics. | Requires complex gameplay systems, NFT logic, multiplayer infrastructure, and advanced in-game mechanics. |
| Infrastructure Requirements | Lightweight frontend but strong backend validation systems to support large user volumes and prevent bot abuse. | Heavy infrastructure requirements due to complex gameplay, marketplace interactions, and asset ownership tracking. |
| Economic Structure | Growth-driven economies that depend on network expansion and controlled reward distribution. | Asset-driven economies focused on NFT ownership and in-game asset value appreciation. |
| Entry Barrier for Users | Usually free-to-start, allowing rapid user acquisition and viral growth. | Often requires upfront investment in NFTs or tokens to participate meaningfully. |
| User Session Length | Short sessions lasting seconds or minutes, encouraging frequent return visits throughout the day. | Longer sessions require dedicated gameplay time and higher user commitment. |
| Scalability Potential | Highly scalable due to lightweight interaction design and Telegram-based distribution. Can reach millions of users quickly. | Scaling requires significant infrastructure investment and longer development cycles. |
| Primary Growth Driver | Viral distribution and referral mechanics integrated into Telegram ecosystems. | Gameplay quality, asset value, and long-term player engagement. |
| Sustainability Challenges | Requires strong anti-bot protection and controlled token emissions to maintain ecosystem stability. | Requires balanced tokenomics and consistent player demand to prevent economic collapse. |
Strategic Takeaway
Tap to Earn is optimized for speed & distribution, while Play to Earn is optimized for depth and long-term gameplay value.
For projects launching within the TON ecosystem, Tap to Earn models often provide a faster path to user acquisition and ecosystem expansion. Play to Earn models, on the other hand, require significantly higher investment and longer development timelines but can support deeper gaming experiences.
Want to Build Your Viral Tap to Earn Game on TON?
Why TON Became the Default Ecosystem for Tap to Earn
TON particularly favors Tap to Earn due to its messaging-based ecosystem. Its technical architecture complements Tap to Earn mechanics exceptionally well, thereby making it ideal for Tap to Earn game development.
1. Native Telegram Integration
TON is embedded within Telegram’s infrastructure. This means wallet setup, notifications, and user verification happen inside the same ecosystem.
2. Transaction Efficiency
Low gas fees make micro-reward distribution economically viable. High gas environments would render Tap to Earn unsustainable.
3. Scalability
TON supports high transaction throughput. Viral Tap to Earn games may experience explosive user growth; infrastructure must support it.
4. Community Alignment
Telegram’s user base is already crypto-aware, which reduces user education barriers.
However, simply launching on TON does not guarantee success. Smart contract design, backend validation, and anti-bot systems remain critical.
Technical Architecture of TON Tap to Earn Games
Although Tap to Earn games appear simple to users, production-ready TON Tap to Earn game development relies on a multi-layered technical architecture. Each layer plays a critical role in ensuring scalability, reward validation, and long-term stability. Behind the simplicity lies layered engineering.
| Architecture Layer | Components | Purpose | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| User Interaction Layer | Telegram Mini Apps, Bot Interfaces, Lightweight UI Components, Instant Feedback Systems | Provides a frictionless gameplay experience directly inside Telegram without requiring downloads or account creation | Fast and responsive interaction directly affects retention and engagement. Even small delays reduce daily active usage. |
| Application Logic Layer | Game logic engines, Reward calculation modules, Progress tracking systems, Leaderboards | Processes gameplay actions and determines how rewards are generated and distributed. | Ensures fair reward distribution and consistent user progression without manipulation. |
| Backend Infrastructure Layer | User databases, Referral tracking engines, Activity logging systems, API services | Stores player activity, validates interactions, and maintains the state of the game ecosystem. | Without robust backend infrastructure, viral growth can cause system instability and downtime. |
| Reward Validation Layer | Anti-bot detection systems, Rate-limiting controls, Behavioral analysis tools, Fraud monitoring systems | Detects suspicious activity and prevents automated reward farming or exploit attempts. | Tap to Earn ecosystems attract bots quickly. Without protection, token pools can be drained within weeks. |
| Blockchain Integration Layer | TON smart contracts, Token reward logic, Wallet connectivity, On-chain verification | Handles token distribution, asset ownership, and secure blockchain-based validation. | Ensures transparency and trust while keeping transaction costs low enough for micro-rewards. |
| Wallet & Identity Layer | TON Wallet integration, User identity mapping, Secure session handling | Connects players to blockchain assets and enables secure reward distribution. | Seamless wallet interaction reduces onboarding friction and improves user retention. |
| Analytics & Optimization Layer | Player behavior tracking, Retention analytics, Economy monitoring dashboards | Provides data-driven insights into user behavior and token circulation. | Enables continuous optimization and prevents economic imbalance over time. |
| Administration Layer | Admin dashboards, Economy controls, Reward adjustment tools, and User management panels | Allows operators to manage rewards, monitor activity, and maintain system stability. | Without administrative control, adjusting reward systems after launch becomes difficult. |
Architectural Insight
Most failed Tap to Earn projects underestimate the backend and validation layers. The visible interface may be simple, but scalable TON Tap to Earn game development requires disciplined engineering across multiple layers.
Successful projects typically implement hybrid architectures where:
- Frequent user actions are processed off-chain for speed
- Final reward distribution happens on-chain for transparency
- Smart contracts handle ownership and token logic
- Backend systems protect against exploitation
This hybrid model is considered best practice for TON Tap to Earn game development in 2026.
Monetization & Sustainability in Tap to Earn
Monetization models must go beyond token distribution. Sustainable Tap to Earn models integrate:
- Token sinks (upgrades, boosts, access rights)
- NFT premium layers
- Sponsored reward campaigns
- Marketplace transaction fees
- Tier-based reward multipliers
The biggest mistake projects make is treating token emission as marketing rather than economic policy. Economic modeling should actually account for:
- User growth velocity
- Token circulation rate
- Secondary market liquidity
- Inflation control mechanisms
Without this, reward dilution erodes value quickly.
Risks & Common Reasons for Failure
The majority of failed Tap to Earn projects tend to share similar weaknesses.
1. Bot Exploitation
If reward validation is shallow, automated systems drain tokens rapidly.
2. Backend Instability
Sudden user spikes overwhelm weak infrastructure.
3. Poor Token Design
High emission with low utility leads to rapid devaluation.
4. Short-Term Hype Mentality
Projects focused solely on viral marketing rarely sustain engagement beyond initial weeks.
Proper engineering and long-term modeling mitigate these risks. This is exactly where the role of the best Tap to Earn game development company comes into play.
Choosing the Best Tap to Earn Game Development Company
Selecting the best Tap to Earn game development company requires evaluating more than just portfolio aesthetics. Key evaluation criteria include:
- TON smart contract expertise
- Proven anti-bot engineering capability
- Backend scalability experience
- Tokenomics advisory understanding
- Telegram Mini App specialization
Antier, as a professional Tap to Earn game development company, understands both blockchain and high-scale backend systems to approach your project as an ecosystem, not just a bot.
Strategic Outlook for 2026 and Beyond
Tap to Earn game development is evolving into:
- AI-personalized reward loops
- Dynamic token emission adjustments
- Cross-chain integration models
- Community governance overlays
- Hybrid Web2-Web3 reward systems
The projects that will dominate are those that appropriately integrate growth mechanics, secure architecture, sustainable economic design, and continuous iteration. Tap to Earn is not here to disappear. It is here to mature. Those who engineer for sustainability rather than hype will certainly capture long-term value.
Frequently Asked Questions
01. What is Tap to Earn in 2026?
Tap to Earn in 2026 is a behavioral reward engine focused on micro-engagement cycles, featuring ultra-simple interaction loops, instant reward feedback, and referral-amplified growth, all designed to enhance user acquisition and token distribution.
02. How does Tap to Earn leverage the TON ecosystem?
Tap to Earn leverages the TON ecosystem by utilizing Telegram’s infrastructure to eliminate friction points like app installation, allowing users to engage instantly without downloads or registrations, which significantly improves early retention metrics.
03. What are the key components of a successful Tap to Earn ecosystem?
A successful Tap to Earn ecosystem includes on-chain reward validation, token-based incentive layers, community leaderboard gamification, progressive unlock systems, and hybrid off-chain performance optimization, all contributing to sustainable growth.
Colgate-Palmolive (CL) stock is rising fast and it got a gold star as its Relative Strength (RS) Rating climbed from 64 on Monday to 73 on Tuesday. The upgraded rating shows that Colgate stock topped 73% of all other stocks for price performance this past year. Colgate Stock Racing Higher This Year The upgrade comes as Colgate-Palmolive rises at a…
The dollar is trading mixed against the major currencies as investors await important macroeconomic releases and foreign policy signals. Market participants remain cautious ahead of upcoming US data, as well as potential statements following contacts between Washington and Beijing. The trade negotiations factor and the prospect of a meeting between Donald Trump and the Chinese leader remain in focus, as any signs of progress or escalation could influence demand for safe-haven assets and the dollar’s trajectory.
Upcoming macroeconomic releases and developments in the US–China trade agenda will be decisive: either the dollar maintains its advantage and continues to strengthen, or the market shifts into a deeper correction from current levels.
USD/JPY
The USD/JPY pair showed a strong upward impulse at the start of the week and moved closer to recent highs. The rally reflects steady demand for the dollar and relative weakness of the yen amid stable expectations regarding Federal Reserve policy and the accommodative stance of the Bank of Japan. Additional support for the dollar comes from expectations surrounding US economic data, which may confirm the resilience of the American economy.
Should the data come in strong, the move towards fresh highs may continue, while weaker figures could trigger profit-taking and a short-term correction.
Key events for USD/JPY:
- Today at 15:30 (GMT+2): US initial jobless claims;
- Today at 17:00 (GMT+2): Speech by Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) member Michelle Bowman;
- Tomorrow at 01:30 (GMT+2): Tokyo core Consumer Price Index (CPI), Japan.
USD/CAD
The USD/CAD pair remains in a sideways phase. The pair tested the upper boundary of the range but encountered resistance and shifted into a moderate pullback. Technical analysis suggests a possible move towards the lower boundary of the medium-term range, as a “doji” reversal pattern has formed on the daily timeframe.
A confident break and consolidation above 1.3730 could allow the upward momentum to resume.
Key events for USD/CAD:
- Today at 15:30 (GMT+2): Canadian wholesale sales;
- Tomorrow at 15:30 (GMT+2): Canada GDP (q/q);
- Tomorrow at 15:30 (GMT+2): US Producer Price Index (PPI).
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Crypto exchange Gate has secured a Payment Institution license in Malta, a license under the European Union’s PSD2 framework, giving the crypto exchange a regulated foothold to offer payment services across the bloc alongside its existing crypto permissions.
The company said Thursday that its Malta-based entity, Gate Technology, received the license from the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA). Gate said the approval supports its strategy of linking traditional payment infrastructure with Web3 services in Europe.
The authorization adds payment capabilities to Gate’s existing EU crypto permissions. On Oct. 1, 2025, Gate announced that it had obtained a license under the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation, allowing it to provide exchange and custody services across member states.
EU crypto companies offering payment services in stablecoins must hold either a Payment Institution or an Electronic Money Institution authorization. With PSD2 approval, Gate can passport regulated payment services across the bloc, expanding beyond trading into fiat and stablecoin payment infrastructure.
Gate says its flagship exchange serves more than 49 million users globally, though it does not publicly disclose a breakdown of users in the EU.
Payments authorization expands EU scope
Under PSD2 rules, licensed institutions may execute payment transactions, facilitate credit transfers and direct debits, and maintain payment accounts across the EU.
According to the MFSA’s public authorization catalogue, Gate Technology is permitted to provide payment services as defined under Malta’s Financial Institutions Act, including enabling cash to be placed on and withdrawn from payment accounts and carrying out all operations required to operate the accounts.
Gate CEO Giovanni Cunti said the license positions the company to deliver compliant payment solutions to institutional and retail clients.
The MFSA listing confirms that the approval extends beyond crypto custody and exchange services to regulated account and transaction functionality.
However, Gate did not specify which payment products will launch first or when expanded EU services will roll out.
Cointelegraph reached out to Gate for more information but had not received a response by publication.
Related: Deutsche Bank-backed AllUnity launches Swiss franc stablecoin CHFAU
Part of broader EU compliance trend
Gate’s approval follows a similar move by another major exchange. On Feb. 16, OKX obtained a Malta Payment Institution license to support products including OKX Pay and the OKX Card.
Under MiCA, crypto-asset service providers integrating stablecoin payments into regulated financial rails must align with EU payments law. As a result, Payment Institution approvals are increasingly becoming a prerequisite for exchanges seeking to offer euro-denominated payment flows alongside crypto trading.
Magazine: Hong Kong stablecoins in Q1, BitConnect kidnapping arrests: Asia Express
Bitcoin’s (BTC) latest recovery has lifted sentiment across crypto markets, with traders pointing to renewed momentum after weeks of choppy price action.
However, the rebound has also revived something else: fresh allegations against Jane Street, a global quantitative trading firm and major liquidity provider. But how much of the circulating narrative is supported by evidence, and how much remains speculative? As the theory resurfaces, separating verifiable facts from online conjecture has become essential.
Jane Street’s Alleged 10 AM Bitcoin Sell-Off: Manipulation Theory or Market Myth?
Jane Street is dominating Crypto Twitter discussions, and the surge in attention extends beyond social media. Google Trends data shows that search interest for “Jane Street Bitcoin” recently reached an all-time high. This indicates a sharp rise in public curiosity.
Follow us on X to get the latest news as it happens
What is driving this renewed focus? A simple search on X reveals numerous posts linking Jane Street to Bitcoin’s price action. At the center of the discussion are allegations of a so-called 10 AM Eastern Time Bitcoin sell-off pattern.
Since 2024, Zero Hedge has repeatedly pointed to what it describes as a recurring pattern. According to him, Bitcoin often experiences a sharp decline around 10 AM ET. Jane Street is frequently named in connection with the theory.
Similar allegations surfaced in December 2025.
“Jane Street is one of the largest high-frequency trading firms in the world. They have the speed and liquidity to move markets for a few minutes. The behavior looks simple: 1. Dump BTC at the open. 2. Push the price into liquidity pockets. 3. Re-enter lower. 4. Repeat daily,” Bull Theory posted.
At the time, BeInCrypto reported that no regulator, exchange, or independent data source had confirmed any coordinated activity. Notably, new allegations against Jane Street surfaced recently after Terraform Labs’ administrator sued the trading firm.
“Who crashed Luna and UST to 0 and brought down the entire crypto market in 2022? Jane Street. The same Jane Street accused of ‘10AM manipulation’ also front-ran the 2022 Terra collapse,” Ash Crypto said.
Jane Street has denied any wrongdoing and stated that it intends to defend itself in court. Nonetheless, some analysts started making connections between the lawsuit’s timing and Bitcoin’s price.
Several commentators on X have alleged that the legal action against Jane Street may have paused the supposed 10 AM sell-offs. According to this narrative, the absence of the previously observed intraday declines allowed Bitcoin’s price to climb over the past two days.
In a detailed post, Justin Bechler suggested that the alleged “daily flash crashes” had previously stopped after the Terraform Labs lawsuit filings became public early last year.
However, he claims the 10 AM pattern later resumed in Q3 2025. By December, he said, the intraday declines had returned with full force.
“Basically, the 10 am dumps stopped the moment Jane Street had lawyers looking over its shoulder, and started again when the heat died down,” he wrote. “Bitcoin should be at least $150,000 right now, and everyone knows it. Yesterday, a federal lawsuit was filed in Manhattan that explains exactly why it isn’t.”
Bechler further noted that Jane Street disclosed a large IBIT position in its Q4 2025 13F filing. It also sharply increased its MicroStrategy holdings.
“This looks like bullish accumulation if you don’t understand what Jane Street actually is. Jane Street is one of only four firms authorized to conduct in-kind creations and redemptions for IBIT. The others are Virtu Americas, JP Morgan Securities, and Marex. Jane Street is also an authorized participant for Fidelity’s and WisdomTree’s Bitcoin ETFs,” he said.
According to him, this role gives the firm “direct access to the mechanism that connects ETF share prices to actual Bitcoin.” Bechler stated that Jane Street can transfer Bitcoin in and out of the ETF structure, arbitrage price differences between the fund and the spot market, and hold inventory positions on a scale far beyond that of a typical market participant.
He also added that a 13F only shows long stock positions but does not require disclosure of options, futures, or swaps.
“When Jane Street reports holding $790 million in IBIT shares, the filing tells you nothing about whether those shares are hedged by puts, offset by short futures, or wrapped in a collar that makes the firm’s net Bitcoin exposure zero or even negative,” he remarked.
He noted that the public only sees what appears to be an accumulation. In reality, the position could represent a significant short exposure that resembles a long, since the offsetting leg of the trade remains hidden under current disclosure rules.
A Form 13F, he added, is merely a snapshot of one side of the balance sheet. The other side is not visible to anyone outside the firm.
“If the firm holds $790 million in IBIT shares and offsets that position with $790 million in put options or short futures, the net exposure is zero. If the derivative book exceeds the equity position, the net exposure is negative, meaning Jane Street profits when Bitcoin’s price falls. In either scenario, the firm has every incentive to use its privileged position as authorized participant to suppress the spot price, trigger liquidations, and harvest the spread,” Bechler commented.
The Counterarguments: Volatility, Not Villainy
Not everyone is convinced. Several analysts pushed back, arguing the 10 AM pattern is overstated. Julio Moreno, Head of Research at CryptoQuant, directly questioned the narrative.
He noted that the mechanics described, buying Bitcoin on the spot market and selling futures, are not unusual. According to Moreno, this is “what any other delta neutral fund does.”
Moreno also pointed to the lack of a broader market context in the discussion. He stressed that overall Bitcoin spot demand growth has been collapsing since early October 2025, a trend he described as an obvious driver of the price decline.
Benjamin Cowen, CEO of Into The Cryptoverse, also weighed in. He argued that Bitcoin has historically rallied into early March during every midterm year. He added that each market cycle tends to produce its own narrative to explain price movements.
“Bitcoin price action is not a manipulated conspiracy,” he wrote.
Furthermore, Jeff Park, chief investment officer at ProCap and an adviser to Bitwise, suggested that the debate reflects a misunderstanding of how ETF plumbing actually works.
He mentioned that the focus on individual firms, such as Jane Street, overlooks the structural mechanics governing all Authorized Participants (APs) within the Bitcoin ETF framework.
Users on X also began pointing out that Jane Street appeared to have deleted every post from its account following the lawsuit. This further fueled speculation online.
However, that claim was quickly debunked. Economist Alex Krüger clarified that Jane Street had no posts on its X account to begin with.
“The amount of fake news and false narratives spread around in crypto is truly remarkable. Jane Street had no posts to delete. Can corroborate that on the Wayback Machine,” he posted.
Why the 10 AM Jane Street sell-off Theory Resonates
Retail traders have watched Bitcoin shrug off bullish developments, including MicroStrategy purchases and a favorable regulatory environment, while price action remained weak and sentiment slid into extreme fear. In that context, a simple and identifiable explanation can be compelling.
The apparent pause in the alleged 10 AM pattern following a high-profile lawsuit fits neatly into a correlation-as-causation narrative that often gains traction on Crypto Twitter.
However, correlation does not constitute proof. For now, the 10 AM theory remains merely an allegation, not a fact.
US spot Bitcoin funds extended their rebound Wednesday as BTC reclaimed $68,000, pulling in $506.5 million in inflows, the largest daily total since Feb. 2.
Bitcoin (BTC) exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are nearing a potential first week of inflows after five weeks of net outflows totaling $3.8 billion, with weekly inflows now at $560.4 million, according to SoSoValue data.
The gains mark two consecutive days of inflows, hinting at a possible upside following a massive February sell-off that wiped out $20 billion in net assets.
BlackRock’s IBIT leads inflows with $297 million as ETF trading rebounds
BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) saw the largest share of inflows yesterday, attracting $297.4 million, according to Farside data.
The Bitwise Bitcoin ETF (BITB) and the Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) followed with $39.4 million and $30.1 million in inflows, respectively.
Reflecting the recovering interest, ETF trading volumes rebounded above $4.3 billion, the highest level since Feb. 9.
Jane Street’s ETF controversy adds to mounting “paper Bitcoin” concerns
The renewed buying comes as some investors continue to debate how market structure affects Bitcoin price discovery, including the role of large market-making firms like Jane Street and authorized participants (APs) that help create and redeem ETF shares.
In rumors circulating on X following a recent lawsuit filed by Terraform Labs administrator Todd Snyder, Jane Street has been accused of influencing prices through derivatives exposure to BTC and market manipulation.
“The answer is trickier than the question,” Bitwise advisor Jeff Park noted in an X post on Wednesday, adding. “But it’s also more structurally unsettling than the conspiracy theory itself — and once you understand the actual mechanics, you won’t be able to unsee them,” he added.
“The short answer is that no AP explicitly suppresses Bitcoin price,” Park said, stressing that it’s rather the integrity of the price discovery mechanism that the AP structure can suppress.
“Those are not the same thing—but the second is arguably more consequential than the first,” he added.
Some analysts noted that selling pressure on Bitcoin has persisted since October 2025, raising doubts about the impact of individual players.
Related: ‘Bitcoin scarcity is dead’: Crypto executives push back on viral claim
Concerns over “paper Bitcoin,” in which firms trade without acquiring actual crypto, have lingered since early February, when The Kendall Report highlighted ETFs as a contributor.
The debate intensified recently after a mishap at South Korea’s Bithumb exchange, which mistakenly distributed 620,000 BTC it did not hold, underscoring ongoing questions about transparency and market integrity.
Magazine: Bitdeer sells all Bitcoin, Metaplanet rejects misconduct claims: Asia Express
WLFI proposes 180-day staking, ~2% APR to align governance and USD1 arbitrage.
Summary
- Unlocked WLFI must be staked at least 180 days to vote.
- Node (10m WLFI) and Super Node (50m WLFI) tiers add OTC USD1 access, incentives.
- Target ~2% APR from treasury; 7-day vote, 1b WLFI quorum for approval.
World Liberty Financial (WLFI) has introduced a governance reform proposal that would require token holders to stake their assets to participate in voting, according to a proposal document released by the organization.
The WLFI Governance Staking System proposes linking influence and rewards to token lock-up duration, representing a potential shift in how governance power is distributed within the WLFI ecosystem, the document stated.
Under the proposal, holders of unlocked WLFI tokens would be required to stake their tokens for a minimum of 180 days to vote on governance matters. Voting power would be calculated using a square root formula that factors in both the amount of tokens locked and the remaining duration of the lock-up, according to the proposal.
Participants who stake their tokens and vote at least twice during their lock period would be eligible for a base reward of approximately 2% annual percentage rate, funded directly from the WLFI treasury, the proposal stated.
The proposal introduces two participation tiers for large stakeholders. The Node Tier would require a minimum stake of 10 million WLFI tokens and provide access to over-the-counter conversion pathways for stablecoins such as USDT and USDC into USD1, along with additional rewards tied to conversion volume, according to the document.
The Super Node Tier would require a minimum stake of 50 million WLFI tokens and provide priority access to the WLFI team for partnership discussions and potential economic incentives, the proposal stated.
According to the proposal document, the system aims to redirect arbitrage value back into the ecosystem. The proposal states that institutional market makers captured a significant portion of arbitrage opportunities during the expansion of the USD1 stablecoin.
The proposal is open for a seven-day community vote and requires a minimum quorum of 1 billion eligible voting tokens to pass. If approved, implementation would roll out in three phases, beginning with the activation of governance staking for all holders of unlocked WLFI tokens, according to the proposal.
- Centrifuge price exploded by more than 180% to hit highs of $0.25.
- The sharp rise followed as news of CFG trading going live on Upbit.
- Profit-taking threatens to wipe out all the intraday gains as the price hovers near $0.16.
Centrifuge (CFG) has surged dramatically in the past 24 hours, posting gains of over 180% amid excitement over its listing on South Korea’s largest crypto exchange, Upbit.
Notably, the rally aligns with broader market gains, as Bitcoin climbed about 7% to near $70,000 before settling around $68k as of writing.
Several top altcoins also posted positive moves, including Ethereum’s uptick to above $2,000 despite continued selling by co-founder Vitalik Buterin.
On-chain data shows whale accumulation is picking up and could surge as price breaks above the $2k level.
CFG is up amid this potential market bounce, with the Upbit listing a major catalyst.
However, the overall crypto market sentiment remains cautious, and profit-taking could see a sharp pullback for several altcoins.
Centrifuge price rockets on Upbit listing news
Upbit, South Korea’s leading crypto exchange, announced that trading support for CFG would go live on February 26, 2026, at 2 PM KST.
The exchange added spot pairs against KRW, BTC, and USDT, and revealed that deposits and withdrawals would be available shortly after the announcement.
Upbit boasts a massive user base and liquidity, and these factors have historically seen listed tokens pump hard.
CFG’s price rose sharply amid the potential flip in visibility and adoption.
The token’s value jumped from around $0.08 to over $0.25, with trading volume spiking over 4,000% to $79 million.
With assets like Polkadot, NEAR, and Uniswap trending among the top 10 gainers, it’s Centrifuge’s vertical jump that stood out.
CFG market cap ballooned past $120 million before slipping lower as prices retreated from the intraday highs.
Centrifuge price forecast
Centrifuge is a crypto project focused on tokenizing real-world assets (RWAs), a market that’s attracting huge attention.
The CFG token powers governance on the platform, allowing holders to participate in protocol decisions.
Despite market potential, its price has largely followed the bearish trend across crypto.
A short-term upside tied to Upbit’s liquidity influx helped bulls revisit prices last seen in October 2025.
If Korean inflows persist, buyers could test higher resistances around $0.30 and move to $0.40.
However, broader profit deals have already seen CFG pull back, currently trading near $0.16.
The MACD suggests bullish sentiment, but an extended RSI signals overbought risks.
If prices fall below the 50-day and 100-day simple moving average lines, the nosedive could accelerate to $0.10 or lower.
Key insights:
- Perplexity Computer combines research, coding, design, and deployment in one system, reducing reliance on multiple AI tools.
- The company shifts to subscriptions and expands features, including patents search, shopping, and Galaxy voice assistant support.
- AMD and Meta sign a long-term AI infrastructure deal using Instinct GPUs and custom chips to power large-scale model training.
Perplexity introduces unified AI workspace
Perplexity AI unveiled Perplexity Computer, a platform that manages projects from idea to deployment inside a single environment. The system allows users to research information, design products, write code, and launch applications without switching services.
Introducing Perplexity Computer.
Computer unifies every current AI capability into one system.
It can research, design, code, deploy, and manage any project end-to-end. pic.twitter.com/dZUybl6VkY
— Perplexity (@perplexity_ai) February 25, 2026
The company reported that the platform also monitors live operations after deployment. Developers can review performance and adjust workflows directly within the interface. Perplexity aims to reduce fragmented workflows that often slow production across multiple AI tools.
Expanding products and subscription strategy
Perplexity has diversified its products over the last one year. In October 2025, it published Perplexity Patents, a component that enables end-users to query filings of global intellectual property using natural language queries. The tool is aimed at researchers, startups and law firms in need of quicker patent analysis.
The firm also partnered with Samsung to integrate its assistant, branded “Hey Plex,” into Galaxy devices. Meanwhile, U.S. Pro users gained an in-app shopping feature linked with commerce platforms such as Shopify. The company ended advertising trials and moved toward a subscription model, citing trust and answer neutrality as priorities.
AMD and Meta scale AI infrastructure
Separately, AMD (NASDAQ: AMD) and Meta (NASDAQ: META) announced a multiyear AI infrastructure agreement valued by analysts near $100 billion. AMD will supply up to six gigawatts of Instinct GPUs for training and inference workloads in Meta’s systems.
The companies will coordinate silicon, hardware systems, and software development to improve efficiency. Meta will also receive custom chips based on AMD’s MI450 architecture. Initial shipments are scheduled for the second half of the year.
Meta already operates millions of AMD EPYC processors and large numbers of MI300-series GPUs. The new agreement expands collaboration within the Open Compute Project and strengthens Meta’s computing capacity for future AI models.
As the USD/JPY chart shows, the pair posted solid bullish momentum in the second half of February. This move was driven by a combination of fundamental factors, including:
→ The appointment of two academics to the central bank’s board, both regarded as strong advocates of economic stimulus through a weaker yen and accommodative lending conditions.
→ Concerns over further interest rate hikes, voiced by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during a meeting with Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda.
Expectations of a softer yen led to renewed weakness in the currency (A→B), forming the upward trajectory highlighted in purple.
However, on Wednesday the pair retreated, which appears to be an interim pullback from point B. Technical analysis of the USD/JPY chart suggests that extending the move along the purple trajectory may prove challenging.
Factors that could favour the bears include:
→ The median line of the ascending channel (constructed from key reversal points marked by thicker lines). The median often acts as a balance zone where supply and demand converge and trends lose momentum.
→ The proximity of the significant 157.70 resistance level, which already acted as resistance in 2025. Although price broke above it in January 2026 (with the level briefly showing signs of support), following the sharp sell-off on 23 January it once again served as a barrier for bulls on 9 February.
→ Trend line R, drawn through the lower highs of 2026.
Therefore, it cannot be ruled out that the lower purple boundary may be breached by bears, potentially leading the market into a period of consolidation while awaiting fresh economic and political catalysts.
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The US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has dropped a 376‑page proposal to implement the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act that looks to settle the ongoing stablecoin yield fight.
The proposal is open to public comment for 60 days from Wednesday’s publication date, and sets out detailed rules for permitted payment stablecoin issuers under the OCC’s jurisdiction.
Supervised entities would be barred from paying any form of interest or yield, whether in cash, tokens, or other consideration, “solely in connection with the holding, use, or retention” of a payment stablecoin, consistent with section 4(a)(11) of the GENIUS Act.
Thania Charmani, partner at global law firm Winston & Strawn, commented on X that the OCC proposed to “resolve the debate on stablecoin yield through rulemaking,” potentially clearing the way for the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act of 2025 (CLARITY) to “proceed without that provision.”
How the OCC proposal implements GENIUS on yield
GENIUS, enacted in July 2025, created a federal framework for payment stablecoins and restricted issuance in the US to licensed permitted issuers such as bank subsidiaries, new federal stablecoin issuers, and certain large state‑regulated firms.
The OCC’s draft rule translates that statutory framework into operational constraints, including tight limits on how GENIUS‑regulated issuers can structure economics around their stablecoins.
The proposal goes a step further, adding a rebuttable presumption that an issuer is violating the ban on paying yield if it has an arrangement to pay yield to an affiliate or “related third party” and that entity then pays yield to holders of the issuer’s payment stablecoin.
Related: Ripple CEO confirms White House meeting between crypto, banking reps
Issuers can try to rebut the presumption by submitting written materials to the OCC, but the agency stresses the “close nexus” between issuer payments and end‑holder yield and frames such structures as “highly likely” attempts to evade the statute.
The proposal also draws two explicit carve‑outs. It “is not intended to prevent” merchants from independently offering discounts for using payment stablecoins, and it does not bar an issuer from sharing profits from the stablecoin with a non‑affiliate partner in a whitelabel arrangement.
What the proposal means for CLARITY and Coinbase
If the OCC’s proposed rule is finalized as drafted, it would have direct implications for the separate CLARITY Act debate over stablecoin rewards.
CLARITY drafts have focused on whether digital asset service providers should be allowed to pay yield or rewards on payment stablecoin balances, a point of contention that has already caused friction between industry stakeholders, such as Coinbase.
By using GENIUS implementation to prohibit yield at the issuer level, the banking side of the framework effectively establishes a no‑yield baseline for GENIUS‑compliant payment stablecoins.
For Coinbase and similar firms that have argued they should be able to offer yield on stablecoin balances while operating within a fully regulated US framework, the message is clear:
Stablecoin yield and GENIUS‑compliant, OCC‑supervised payment stablecoins are being put on opposite sides of a regulatory line.
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