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Coinbase Highlights Key Perk for APY Yield on USDC 

By
Paul Ugbede Godwin
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0

Coinbase has recently rolled out or highlighted as a key perk a 3.5% APY yield on USDC holdings, exclusively for Coinbase One subscribers. This appears to have been emphasized or newly activated around mid-February 2026.

Rate: 3.50% APY (rewards) on USDC balances — unlimited, with no maximum holding limit mentioned for the base rate. Exclusive to Coinbase One members (the paid subscription starts at $4.99/month or $49.99/year). Rewards are paid out weekly and can be received in either USDC (stable) or BTC (for those wanting exposure to Bitcoin’s upside instead of the stablecoin).

Simply hold USDC in your Coinbase account (automatically opted in for eligible users). It’s passive — no staking or locking required, and it’s positioned as a low-risk way to earn yield comparable to (or better than) many traditional savings accounts or money-market funds.

Other Coinbase One Benefits (bundled with this): Zero trading fees up to certain limits, boosted staking rewards on assets like ETH/SOL, priority 24/7 support, account protection coverage, and more. This is separate from any general USDC rewards that may have been available (or phased out) for non-members in late 2025.

The BTC payout option is a notable twist highlighted by Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong and various reports, allowing users to earn Bitcoin passively on stablecoin holdings. If you’re a Coinbase One member, this could be a solid perk right now — especially with the flexibility to take rewards in BTC. Rates can change, so always verify in-app or on their help center.

The rollout of 3.5% APY on USDC holdings exclusively for Coinbase One subscribers (with the novel option to receive weekly payouts in either USDC or BTC) has several notable implications across users, the platform, the broader crypto ecosystem, and traditional finance.

The ability to choose BTC payouts turns stable, low-volatility USDC holdings into a way to gradually acquire Bitcoin without direct exposure to price swings during the holding period. This appeals to long-term BTC believers who want to dollar-cost average into BTC via yield rather than fiat purchases.

If BTC appreciates significantly, the effective return could far exceed 3.5%; if BTC rises 50% annually, your yield effectively compounds with that upside. Recent Fed rate cuts have pushed traditional high-yield savings accounts and money market funds down (often below 4-5%).

3.5% on a stable asset like USDC remains attractive for risk-averse holders, especially uncapped and with no minimum balance. It’s passive—no staking/locking required—and beats many fiat options after inflation/taxes. Coinbase One ($4.99/month or equivalent) now feels more justified for users parking large USDC balances.

The math is simple: on $100,000 USDC, 3.5% yields ~$3,500/year—far exceeding the ~$60 annual fee. Bundled perks (zero trading fees up to limits, boosted staking on ETH/SOL, priority support, etc.) add further value. Rewards are variable (Coinbase has adjusted rates before, e.g., from higher levels post-2025). Platform risk exists (though Coinbase is regulated and USDC is redeemable 1:1).

Choosing BTC payouts introduces volatility—great in bull markets, but losses if BTC dips post-payout. By gating high-yield USDC rewards behind a paid tier; after phasing out free-user rewards in late 2025, Coinbase drives recurring revenue from subscriptions while encouraging more USDC holdings which boosts platform liquidity and their Circle partnership economics.

Users holding more USDC for yield may trade more (benefiting from zero fees perk), stake additional assets, or use other Coinbase products—creating a flywheel effect. The BTC payout option is a clever differentiator, highlighted by CEO Brian Armstrong as a “cool” feature for stacking sats. It positions Coinbase as innovative in blending stablecoin yield with Bitcoin exposure.

Higher incentives could drive more capital into USDC; already at massive circulating supply, strengthening its dominance vs. competitors like USDT. This benefits Circle (USDC issuer) and Coinbase’s revenue share. Other platforms (CeFi/DeFi) may respond with higher rates or similar BTC-payout twists to retain users. It highlights stablecoins as a “savings account” in crypto, potentially accelerating mainstream adoption.

Offering yield on stablecoins remains under scrutiny. Coinbase’s structure (rewards funded via reserves/investments) has held up, but changes in policy could impact sustainability. In a post-rate-cut world with U.S. savings rates trending lower, this 3.5% stable yield is competitive or better for many, especially tax-advantaged in certain jurisdictions or for crypto-native users.

It blurs lines between crypto and TradFi: holding a dollar-pegged asset to earn BTC is like a hybrid savings/investment product. This is a user-friendly evolution that makes Coinbase One more compelling, encourages BTC accumulation indirectly, and reinforces USDC’s role in the ecosystem.

Nigeria’s Central Bank Calls For Coordinated Digital Payment Reforms to Unlock Inclusive Growth

By
Ojukwu Emmanuel
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As digital transactions accelerate across the economy, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is urging stronger collaboration among regulators, financial institutions, and technology providers to reform the country’s digital payment ecosystem.

CBN governor Olayemi Cardoso, urged emerging and developing economies to pursue coordinated reforms in digital cross-border payments, describing efficient payment infrastructure as a cornerstone for inclusive growth, financial stability, and deeper global economic integration.

Speaking at the G-24 Technical Group Meetings held in Abuja on Thursday, February 19, 2026, Cardoso emphasised that while digital finance holds transformative potential, persistent structural barriers continue to exclude households and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) from meaningful participation in global commerce.

He noted that cross-border remittance corridors remain burdened by high transaction costs exceeding 6 percent on average, alongside settlement delays that can stretch across several days.

On average, sending money across borders costs more than 6% of the transfer amount, and sometimes significantly higher in specific corridors. That’s above the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal target of 3%.

These fees aren’t just a single charge they include service fees, exchange-rate markups, intermediary bank charges, and hidden administrative costs. Traditional models rely on multiple financial institutions between sender and receiver. Each adds a markup, driving up the prices especially for small transfers, where every dollar matters.

For many migrant workers and low-income families, this means a significant share of the money they send doesn’t actually reach their loved ones. According to Cardoso, these inefficiencies significantly weaken trade participation, constrain household financial resilience, and slow economic development across emerging markets.

He stressed that fragmented payment infrastructures and complex compliance requirements further compound the problem by limiting access for smaller economic actors.

According to the World Bank, remittances are a major income source in many developing economies — often exceeding foreign direct investment. So when transfer systems are inefficient, it’s not just inconvenience; it’s reduced financial security for millions of households.

For families relying on remittances, inefficiencies directly affect daily survival and stability.

•High fees reduce the actual income households receive.

•Delays mean families can’t respond quickly to emergencies.

•Unpredictable settlement times make budgeting harder.

Without deliberate reform, the CBN governor warned that the promise of digital finance risks benefiting only a narrow segment of the global economy rather than driving broad-based inclusion. At the same time, he cautioned that rapid expansion of digital payment ecosystems must be carefully managed to avoid macroeconomic vulnerabilities.

He identified potential risks including currency substitution, weakened monetary policy transmission, heightened foreign exchange volatility, increased capital-flow pressures, and regulatory fragmentation across jurisdictions. These risks, he argued, make coordinated policy design and international cooperation essential.

Highlighting Nigeria’s domestic reforms, Cardoso outlined a series of measures undertaken to strengthen the country’s cross-border payment architecture. The CBN has enhanced its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing frameworks in alignment with global standards, implementing stricter screening protocols for cross-border transactions to safeguard financial system integrity.

To broaden participation in regional trade, the bank has introduced simplified KYC and AML requirements for low-value cross-border transactions, a move aimed at reducing entry barriers for Nigerian SMEs. These reforms are designed to facilitate faster and more accessible payments through the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System, thereby advancing intra-African trade and regional financial integration.

Cardoso also underscored the importance of innovation in building resilient payment ecosystems. Through its Regulatory Sandbox framework, the CBN is enabling fintech companies to develop and test secure, instant cross-border payment solutions under regulatory supervision. This approach, he noted, allows Nigeria to encourage innovation while maintaining oversight and risk control.

Reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to collaborative global reform, the governor called for strengthened partnerships with the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank Group, and other international stakeholders to modernise the global financial architecture in support of developing economies.

Through his address, he positioned efficient cross-border digital payment systems not merely as technological upgrades but as critical economic infrastructure capable of expanding opportunity, strengthening resilience, and accelerating development across the Global South.

Outlook

Looking ahead, Nigeria’s reform trajectory suggests a gradual shift from costly, fragmented cross-border payment rails toward faster, interoperable, and more inclusive systems.

If current policy momentum is sustained, the combination of stronger compliance, simplified onboarding for low-value transactions, and fintech-led innovation could materially reduce transfer costs and settlement times over the medium term

The Deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford Raises Odd for Military Actions in Iran

By
Paul Ugbede Godwin
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0

The United States has deployed the USS Gerald R. Ford—the world’s largest warship and aircraft carrier—toward the Middle East amid escalating tensions with Iran. This is part of a significant military buildup under the Trump administration, aimed at pressuring Iran over its nuclear program, ballistic missiles, and regional activities.

The USS Gerald R. Ford, accompanied by its strike group including destroyers like the USS Mahan, recently transited the Strait of Gibraltar and entered the Mediterranean Sea. It’s en route to join the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group, already positioned in the Arabian Sea/Persian Gulf area near Iran.

This dual-carrier presence—rare and indicative of high readiness—includes dozens of additional warships, fighter jets (F-22s, F-35s, F-15s), aerial refueling tankers, submarines, and air defenses. The deployment follows stalled or challenging indirect talks in Geneva and upcoming in Oman, where the US demands “zero enrichment” and limits on missiles/proxies, while Iran rejects key terms.

President Trump has publicly warned Iran has “10 to 15 days at most” to reach a “meaningful” deal, or face consequences, with some reports suggesting a decision on action could come soon.Regarding the odds of a US strike by March 15, 2026, at 50%—this aligns closely with current assessments from prediction markets, sources, and analysts.

Polymarket and similar platforms have shown probabilities around 50-60% for strikes by late March climbing to ~57% for end of March in recent data, with shorter-term odds lower but rising. Insider reports from Axios, citing Trump advisers put chances of “kinetic action” in the coming weeks as high as 90% in some views, though others describe preparations for a potential multi-week campaign if talks fail.

Experts note the buildup (largest since 2003 Iraq invasion levels) signals serious preparation rather than mere posturing, but a full-scale war remains uncertain due to risks like Iranian retaliation (missiles, proxies, Strait of Hormuz disruption), oil price spikes, and broader escalation involving Russia/China.

No strike has occurred as of February 20, 2026, and diplomacy continues. However, the window Trump referenced points to early-to-mid March as a critical period. Tensions are very high, with both sides signaling readiness—Iran conducting joint drills with Russia and fortifying sites—making de-escalation or limited action possible outcomes.

This creates a rare dual-carrier presence alongside the USS Abraham Lincoln in or near the Arabian Sea/Persian Gulf area, backed by extensive supporting assets (destroyers, submarines, F-35s/F-22s, tankers, AWACS, and more).

This buildup is the largest U.S. military concentration in the Middle East since the 2003 Iraq invasion, explicitly tied to pressuring Iran over its nuclear program, ballistic missiles, regional proxies, and enrichment activities.

Two carrier strike groups provide overwhelming airpower, precision strikes on nuclear sites, missile facilities, or command structures. The Ford’s advanced electromagnetic catapults and stealth aircraft integration make it ideal for high-intensity operations. Positioning near Israel adds flexibility for joint U.S.-Israeli actions.

This signals credible threat to Iran, but also heightens miscalculation chances. Iran could respond with asymmetric tactics: missile/drone barrages on U.S. bases/ships, proxy attacks (Houthis, Hezbollah, Iraqi militias), or attempts to close the Strait of Hormuz disrupting ~20% of global oil flow.

Russian and Chinese naval presence/exercises in the Gulf could complicate U.S. operations, potentially leading to multi-power entanglement. President Trump’s public warnings (Iran has “10 to 15 days at most” for a “meaningful deal,” or face “really bad things”) frame this as coercive diplomacy. Indirect talks demand zero enrichment and missile limits—terms Iran rejects outright.

Failure risks kinetic action; success unlikely given stances could de-escalate. The buildup serves as leverage, but prolonged stalemate increases strike probability if Trump perceives no progress. Any strike or Hormuz disruption could spike prices dramatically potentially $100+/barrel short-term, fueling inflation and global recession fears.

Gulf states (Saudi Arabia, UAE) might face Iranian retaliation; Europe/Asia could see energy shocks. Allies like the UK (Typhoons deployed) provide limited support, but full war would strain coalitions.

Prediction markets likePolymarket show rising but varied odds: 30-35% for early March dates by March 5, climbing toward ~50%+ by mid-to-late March in some contracts e.g., end-of-March around 49-62% in recent data, with high volume in millions wagered.

Shorter windows by March 1 hover lower (29-30%), reflecting buildup timelines—the Ford may not fully arrive/position for weeks. Analyst views split: Some see 50%+ for limited strikes if talks collapse; others note risks (Iranian retaliation, oil chaos, no invasion intent) make full-scale war less likely.

No strike has occurred yet; diplomacy persists amid pessimism. The situation is highly fluid—Trump’s decision window (potentially days to weeks) aligns with the March 15 timeframe, but de-escalation remains possible if Iran concedes or external factors.

Finding Nigeria’s Digital Dangote: Catalyzing the Next Economic Leap

By
Ndubuisi Ekekwe
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0

Nations often ascend when great entrepreneurs emerge to build at scale. India is rising, and one of the clearest signals comes from Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries. He recently announced one of the most ambitious private-sector technology investments in Indian history, a ?10 trillion (about $110 billion) plan to develop renewable energy-powered, AI-ready data centers and edge computing infrastructure across the country over the next seven years.

The $110 billion commitment is projected to catalyze a $250 billion AI infrastructure ecosystem in India by 2035, while triggering an additional $150 billion in private-sector spending across server manufacturing, sovereign cloud platforms, advanced cooling systems, power electronics, and related industries. Reliance expects the program to generate thousands of high-skill jobs and establish India as a net exporter of computing capacity and AI services.

Speaking at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, Ambani described the initiative as India’s decisive step into what he called the “Intelligence Revolution,” a transformation he believes will be more profound than any previous Industrial Revolution.

The investment will support the construction of multiple gigawatt-scale data centers, a nationwide edge computing network, and a suite of AI services tightly integrated with Reliance’s Jio telecom platform. Work has already begun at Jamnagar in Gujarat, Reliance’s flagship industrial hub, with more than 120 megawatts of capacity expected to come online in the second half of 2026.

Nigeria needs a Dangote for its digital future. Aliko Dangote helped power Nigeria’s rise in the industrial age; now we need a new generation of builders to anchor our transition into the digital era. Across the world, from the United States to India, national leaps have often followed the emergence of great entrepreneurs willing to invest boldly in foundational infrastructure. Nigeria must likewise find leaders who can unlock the promise of our digital economy at scale.

Interestingly, such transformation may well come from the established business class, which already possesses the capital base and operational discipline required to fund long-horizon innovation. The question then becomes one of policy alignment: should we consider targeted incentives, such as time-bound tax holidays, to encourage large-scale private investment in digital platforms and infrastructure, especially when public finances alone cannot build these ecosystems?

Reliance Commits $110bn to Build India’s Largest AI Compute Infrastructure by 2033, Positioning Country as Global AI Powerhouse

By
Samuel Nwite
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0

Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries, unveiled one of the most ambitious private-sector technology investments in Indian history on Thursday, announcing a R10 trillion (~$110 billion) plan to develop renewable energy-powered, AI-ready data centers and edge computing infrastructure across the country over the next seven years.

Speaking at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, Ambani framed the initiative as India’s decisive entry into what he called “the Intelligence Revolution — more profound than any previous Industrial Revolution.”

The investment will fund the creation of multiple gigawatt-scale data centers, a nationwide edge computing network, and a suite of AI services deeply integrated with Reliance’s Jio telecom platform. Construction has already begun on multi-gigawatt facilities in Jamnagar, Gujarat — Reliance’s flagship industrial complex — with more than 120 megawatts of capacity expected to come online in the second half of 2026.

The entire build-out will draw on Reliance’s existing 10 GW of surplus renewable energy capacity from large-scale solar projects in Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh. Ambani emphasized that the project addresses what he sees as the single biggest constraint in AI today: “scarcity and high cost of compute.”

He pledged that Reliance would drive down the cost of AI services in India as dramatically as Jio once reduced mobile data prices — from among the world’s highest to free effectively — and insisted that India “cannot afford to rent intelligence” from foreign providers.

The long-term goal, he said, is for India to become not just a consumer but “a creator, builder, and exporter of intelligence.”

The $110 billion commitment is projected to catalyze a $250 billion AI infrastructure ecosystem in India by 2035, while triggering an additional $150 billion in private-sector spending across server manufacturing, sovereign cloud platforms, advanced cooling systems, power electronics, and related industries. Reliance expects the program to generate thousands of high-skill jobs and establish India as a net exporter of computing capacity and AI services.

The plan builds directly on Adani Group’s $100 billion AI data center pledge earlier this week, signaling that India’s two largest conglomerates are now racing to dominate the country’s emerging AI infrastructure market. The Indian government has forecast more than $200 billion in total AI infrastructure spending over the next two years, supported by the IndiaAI Mission and policies promoting domestic compute sovereignty.

Global technology companies are also accelerating their footprint in India. OpenAI recently partnered with the Tata Group to develop 100 MW of AI capacity, with plans to scale to 1 GW. Google (Alphabet) committed $15 billion over five years to build an AI data center hub in southern India. These moves reflect India’s strategic importance: a population exceeding 1.4 billion, the world’s largest developer community, favorable demographics, low-cost renewable energy, and proactive government support make it one of the most attractive markets for AI infrastructure outside the U.S. and China.

Reliance will collaborate with Indian enterprises, startups, academic institutions, and government bodies to embed AI across key sectors: manufacturing (predictive maintenance, quality control), logistics (supply chain orchestration), agriculture (precision farming, crop monitoring), healthcare (diagnostics, telemedicine), and financial services (fraud detection, credit scoring, personalized advisory). Jio has already partnered with Google to offer free Gemini AI Pro access to millions of users and is developing AI capabilities in multiple Indian languages to drive inclusion and mass adoption.

The announcement was delivered on the opening day of the India AI Impact Summit (February 16–20, 2026), India’s first major international AI conference, attended by global leaders including OpenAI’s Sam Altman and Alphabet’s Sundar Pichai. The summit has positioned India as a serious contender in the global AI race, with domestic conglomerates like Reliance and Adani leading the charge on compute infrastructure.

However, execution at this scale carries significant challenges. Building gigawatt-scale, renewable-powered data centers requires massive capital allocation, land acquisition, regulatory approvals across multiple states, grid integration of intermittent renewables, and advanced cooling and power management for dense AI workloads. Competition for prime locations, power capacity, and skilled talent is already intense among Reliance, Adani, Tata, global hyperscalers (Google, Microsoft, AWS, Meta), and domestic players like Jio and Airtel. Reliance’s track record of executing large-scale infrastructure projects — Jio’s nationwide 4G rollout in 2016, green energy buildout to 10 GW surplus, and retail expansion — provides credibility.

However, AI data centers demand precision engineering, near-perfect uptime, and rapid scaling — areas where even established operators have faced delays.

The announcement strengthens the narrative of India as a major AI compute hub, with low-cost renewables, vast talent, and government backing making it increasingly attractive compared with power-constrained U.S. regions and high-cost European markets. If Reliance delivers on its R10 trillion vision, the impact would be transformative: reducing India’s dependence on foreign cloud and compute providers, driving down AI inference and training costs for Indian enterprises and startups, creating a robust domestic AI supply chain, and accelerating adoption in underserved sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and education.

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