The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has revised its Broker-Dealer Financial Responsibility FAQ, allowing stablecoins to be included in regulatory capital calculations with a 2% haircut. According to NS3.AI, this marks a significant shift from the previous policy, where stablecoins were entirely excluded with a 100% haircut. Under the new guidelines, institutions can now account for stablecoins such as Circle's USDC and Tether's USDT at 98% of their book value for regulatory capital purposes.

The U.S. Trade Representative Office is contemplating a new Section 301 investigation that could encompass most major trading partners. According to Jin10, the investigation may address issues such as industrial overcapacity, forced labor, pharmaceutical pricing practices, and discrimination against American tech companies and digital products. This move signals potential shifts in U.S. trade policy, aiming to tackle various economic and ethical concerns on a global scale.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on his social media platform that he has signed a document to impose a 10% tariff on imports from all countries, which will take effect almost immediately. According to RTHK, the White House stated that Trump signed a proclamation for a temporary import tariff, which will apply to goods entering the United States for 150 days at a rate of 10%. The temporary tariff will become effective on February 24 at midnight Eastern Time. The White House added that certain goods will be exempt from the tariff, including private vehicles, some light trucks, certain aerospace products, as well as some natural resources and fertilizer products. Additionally, the White House mentioned that the additional tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act will no longer be valid and should be halted as soon as possible. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Trump's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose tariffs on multiple countries globally was illegal, as the law does not grant him the authority to impose such tariffs. Trump criticized the ruling as flawed and problematic, expressing shame over some members of the court.

A 47-year-old resident of Newcastle, Washington, Geoffrey K. Auyeung, has admitted to participating in a money laundering conspiracy, according to ChainCatcher. On February 20, 2026, Auyeung pleaded guilty in the federal district court in Seattle. Auyeung established nine fictitious companies, posing as investment entities in the oil and gas sector, to deceive victims into transferring approximately $97.1 million in fraudulent proceeds into 81 bank accounts and 19 cryptocurrency accounts under his control. These funds were then swiftly moved to accounts managed by co-conspirators in Russia and Nigeria. Investigations revealed that Auyeung profited at least $4.07 million from the scheme. As part of his plea agreement, he will pay $24.7 million in restitution and forfeit assets worth around $10.1 million. Prosecutors have recommended a 63-month prison sentence, with the final sentencing scheduled for May 12, 2026.

Jinse Finance launches its cryptocurrency and blockchain industry daily news bulletin, "Jinse at 8 AM," issue 2974, providing you with the latest and fastest news on the digital currency and blockchain industry.

The SPDR Gold Trust, the world's largest gold exchange-traded fund (ETF), reported that its holdings remained unchanged at 1,078.75 tons. According to Jin10, this stability in holdings comes amid fluctuating market conditions. The consistency in the ETF's gold reserves suggests a steady investor sentiment towards gold as a safe-haven asset. The unchanged holdings indicate that investors are maintaining their positions in gold, reflecting ongoing market uncertainties and the metal's role as a hedge against economic volatility.

A group of 41 House Democrats, led by Representative Gregory Meeks (D-NY), has formally urged Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to investigate the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s (OCC) review of World Liberty Financial’s application for a national trust bank charter. source: https://www.ethnews.com/house-democrats-press-scott-bessent-over-review-of-trump-linked-crypto-firm/

On February 21, Jin10 reported that the German business community has responded cautiously to the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling deeming the Trump administration's large-scale tariffs illegal. According to Jin10, Treier, the head of foreign trade at the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, noted that even if the ruling takes effect, the U.S. government still possesses other tools to impose trade restrictions. Richterberg, the head of foreign economic affairs at the German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association, also warned that the direction of related policies remains uncertain, as the U.S. government has various alternative legal bases to continue implementing global tariff measures.

The founder of Wikipedia has expressed confidence in the resilience of the free online encyclopedia against potential threats from AI-generated content. Bloomberg posted on X, highlighting that despite the emergence of platforms like Elon Musk's Grokipedia, the founder believes the inaccuracies often found in AI-generated information diminish its threat level. Wikipedia's commitment to accuracy and reliability remains a cornerstone in its defense against such challenges.

Analysts say a 10% global tariff after the Supreme Court ruling on tariffs may lift inflation, slow growth, test Federal Reserve independence and hit trade. source: https://coincu.com/news/bitcoin-holds-after-10-global-tariff-supreme-court-ruling/

The U.S. White House announced that additional tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act will no longer be effective due to recent developments. According to Jin10, the administration plans to halt the collection of these tariffs as soon as practicable. This decision reflects a shift in policy in response to evolving circumstances, aiming to adjust economic measures accordingly.

Looking at the on-chain data from the beginning of 2026, the focus of anti-money laundering efforts shows a deep shift from address tagging to asset fingerprint extraction.

The CLARITY Act will inevitably emerge from the interplay and compromise of various interests. This is not only a "coming-of-age ceremony" for the crypto industry, but also a crucial watershed moment in the evolution of human monetary forms and financial settlement networks.

Even before the quantum threat arrives, AI has already sounded the alarm for Crypto security.

The transcript of the conversation between U.S. SEC Chairman Paul S. Atkins and SEC Commissioner Hester M. Peirce on ETHDenver on February 18, 2026, outlines the key priorities for cryptocurrency policy in 2026.

An 18-year promise to our children: about confidence, cycles, and choices. Also dedicated to every new parent.

Blockchain infrastructure and crypto capital formation mechanisms are rapidly developing to support the AI ​​Agent economy.

The future of on-chain DeFi may truly be prepared for AI, and code auditors and hackers may all lose their jobs.

The UK's blueprint for building a new generation of payment infrastructure represents a profound and systematic transformation of financial infrastructure. It involves not only technological upgrades but also innovation in governance models, reshaping of public policy, and far-reaching planning for the future form of currency.

At the start of 2026, global financial markets exhibited significant volatility, bearing many similarities to the dot-com bubble of 2000. Today, AI-driven growth models are facing similar challenges.