February 2026 marked a defining month for XDC’s enterprise infrastructure strategy. BitGo launched regulated custody for XDC and USDC with $250 million in insurance coverage. Meanwhile, Kraken expanded trading support, HashKey enabled USDC withdrawals in Hong Kong, and OrbitX Pay connected XDC-based stablecoins to 150 million Visa merchants worldwide.
At the protocol level, XDC successfully activated the v2.6.8 “Cancun” hard fork at block 98,800,200, strengthening performance and EVM alignment. In London, the network sponsored the RWA & Stablecoins Summit alongside major financial institutions, where Co-Founder Atul Khekade delivered a keynote on asset tokenization. Together, these developments reflect deeper institutional integration and continued infrastructure maturation.
Happy Monday, XDC community! Let’s take a look at what happened during the last week of February.
— XDC Foundation (@XDCFoundation) March 2, 2026
Check it out. ⬇️
XDC Weekly
February 22, 2026 – February 28, 2026
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XDC Live Podcast
A new XDC Live Podcast episode explores the growing role of… pic.twitter.com/1P69erKnXy
Protocol Upgrade: XDC v2.6.8 “Cancun” Hard Fork Activated
XDC Network activated its v2.6.8 “Cancun” hard fork at block 98,800,200 during February 2026. The upgrade completed smoothly, reflecting strong validator coordination and network stability.
The release focused on performance improvements and continued EVM alignment. As a result, developers gain better tooling compatibility and a more efficient execution environment.
While less visible than partnerships, successful protocol upgrades signal infrastructure maturity. Cancun strengthens XDC’s technical foundation for enterprise and real-world asset activity.
XDC Network v2.6.8 “Cancun” Hard Fork Successfully Activated at Block 98,800,200.
— XDC Network (@XDCNetwork) January 30, 2026
The network is operating normally, with upgraded nodes in consensus and block production continuing as expected.
Our protocol and engineering teams are actively monitoring the network to ensure… pic.twitter.com/RL68rQ64GC
Institutional Custody: BitGo Removes the Enterprise Adoption Barrier
BitGo Integration Enables Regulated Custody for XDC and USDC (February 1)
XDC Network announced institutional custody support through BitGo on February 1, addressing one of the most persistent barriers to enterprise blockchain adoption. For years, the same pattern repeated across corporate boardrooms: technology teams proposed blockchain solutions, legal departments flagged custody requirements, compliance teams noted the absence of regulated infrastructure, and projects stalled. The technology was never the constraint. The missing piece was always the same: where do institutions legally hold the tokens?
BitGo Bank & Trust, National Association now provides Multi-Party Computation (MPC) custody for XDC tokens and USDC on the XDC Network. As a federally chartered entity, BitGo operates under the same regulatory framework as traditional banks. This distinction matters enormously for institutions that must satisfy compliance requirements before deploying capital on-chain.
“XDC Network has secured institutional custody support with BitGo, unlocking regulated custody for XDC tokens and USDC on the network, a major step toward enabling enterprises, exchanges, and financial institutions to deploy real capital on-chain. With BitGo’s regulated MPC custody via BitGo Bank & Trust, institutional players now get access to best-in-class security and compliance frameworks, something corporates and payment platforms need before they can build on blockchain.”
The integration supports both XDC and USDC, allowing institutions exploring trade finance or cross-border payments to hold both the native network token and dollar-pegged stablecoin under a single custody relationship. Insurance coverage extends up to $250 million, addressing another common institutional concern around digital asset storage.
XDC Network has secured institutional custody support with @BitGo , unlocking regulated custody for XDC tokens and @USDC on the network, a major step toward enabling enterprises, exchanges, and financial institutions to deploy real capital on-chain.
— XDC Network (@XDCNetwork) February 3, 2026
With BitGo’s regulated MPC… pic.twitter.com/7vLshjl29z
Why BitGo Matters for Enterprise Adoption
BitGo pioneered multi-signature wallet technology in 2013 and has become a trusted institutional custodian. Its qualified custody platform meets regulatory standards across major global regions and uses MPC wallets to remove single points of failure.
For XDC, this integration arrives as regulators demand stronger compliance and operational maturity. Custody now acts as a front-line requirement for institutional participation. Without regulated custody, networks struggle to access institutional capital.
By integrating BitGo, XDC removes a major structural barrier. Financial institutions and trade finance platforms can now access the network without violating compliance mandates. While adoption will determine long-term impact, a key enterprise obstacle no longer limits XDC’s growth.
RWA & Stablecoins London Summit: XDC Joins Global Finance Leaders
Platinum Sponsor Alongside BlackRock, JPMorgan, and DTCC
XDC Network returned as Platinum Sponsor at the RWA & Stablecoins London Summit on February 24 at One Moorgate Place in London’s financial district. The conference brought together visionaries, innovators, and industry leaders who are tokenizing real estate, commodities, bonds, and private credit while building the stable digital infrastructure that makes these markets globally accessible.
From XDC’s recap following the event:
“XDC Network was proud to join global financial leaders including: BlackRock, State Street, Fidelity, Franklin Templeton, JPMorgan, Citi, Barclays, DTCC, Mastercard, LSEG, Flow Traders, GSR, Ondo and more.”
The sponsor board positioned XDC alongside Cumberland, GSR, Flow Traders, and eToro. More than 110 institutional leaders attended, networking around RWA infrastructure and tokenization strategy. This positioning reflects XDC’s transition from emerging project to infrastructure worth institutional consideration.
What an incredible way to kick off the RWA–Stablecoins London Summit 2026!
— XDC Network (@XDCNetwork) February 28, 2026
Our Opening Reception, proudly sponsored by Cumberland – a DRW Company, brought together over 110 leaders from across the digital assets, banking, and institutional trading ecosystem.
Hosted at Gordon… pic.twitter.com/PJKG7dP6yC
Multiple Speaking Slots Across the Summit Agenda
XDC did not simply sponsor the event. The network secured multiple speaking slots throughout the day, placing team members in direct conversation with representatives from the world’s largest financial institutions.
- “From Paper to Blockchain: Shaping Global Digital Asset Policy” featured Saloi Benbaha, Head of Enterprise Alliance & Ventures at XDC Network. Benbaha joined panelists from the London Stock Exchange Group and Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance to discuss how regulatory frameworks are evolving to accommodate tokenized assets.
- “The Tokenisation of Yield Bearing Instruments” included Diego Consimo, XDC’s Head of LATAM, sharing the stage with representatives from BlackRock, State Street, Franklin Templeton, and Federated Hermes. The session addressed how yield-bearing instruments translate to on-chain environments and what infrastructure supports institutional deployment.
- “Tokenised Assets and Trading: The Next Frontier” featured Angus O’Callaghan, XDC’s Head of Trading & Markets, alongside panelists from Flow Traders, GSR, Ondo Finance, and Archax. The conversation centered on how trading infrastructure must evolve for tokenized securities.
- Keynote: “The Future of Asset Tokenization” was delivered by Atul Khekade, Co-Founder & Chief Legal Officer of XDC Network. A keynote slot at a summit featuring BlackRock, JPMorgan, Citi, and DTCC signals that XDC has moved them to “infrastructure worth watching” in institutional circles.
The summit’s agenda reflected the convergence of traditional finance and blockchain infrastructure. Sessions covered risk management, collateral management on-chain, digital gold and trade, and privacy-enabled smart contracts. Throughout these discussions, XDC maintained visibility as both sponsor and active participant.
XDC Network at the RWA & Stablecoins London Summit 2026
— XDC Network (@XDCNetwork) March 1, 2026
XDC Network was proud to join global financial leaders including: BlackRock, State Street, Fidelity, Franklin Templeton, JPMorgan, Citi, Barclays, DTCC, Mastercard, LSEG, Flow Traders, GSR, Ondo and more.
Across policy,… pic.twitter.com/ZBmrT91PTU
Stablecoin Infrastructure: From Settlement to Everyday Commerce
OrbitX Pay Connects USDC on XDC to 150 Million Visa Merchants
Stablecoins have proven efficient for on-chain settlement and cross-border transfers. However, using them for everyday spending typically required conversion to fiat through banks or reliance on custodial intermediaries. The gap between holding digital dollars and spending them remained wide.
On February 13, XDC and OrbitX Pay announced a partnership that addresses this challenge directly. Users can now deposit USDC held on XDC into the OrbitX app and access a Visa card for online and in-store payments at more than 150 million merchants worldwide.
The key differentiator is self-custody. Users retain control of their private keys, and USDC remains in their wallet until the moment of transaction. Unlike custodial card programs where funds are held by the provider, OrbitX’s model ensures that even if the company ceased operations, users would retain full control over their assets.
“This partnership marks a major step toward making stablecoins part of everyday life. XDC was designed tco bring enterprise-grade blockchain into practical financial use. We’re building toward a future where blockchain doesn’t just power finance behind the scenes—it directly enables people, businesses, and global commerce.”
Ritesh Kakkaad, Co-founder of XDC Network
The user experience mirrors traditional payment cards. Users download the OrbitX Pay app, complete KYC in under two minutes, and deposit USDC on XDC. Payments can be made online immediately or through Apple Pay and Google Pay for contactless transactions. Settlement occurs in real time on the XDC Network, eliminating conversion delays, hidden foreign-exchange markups, and waiting periods associated with traditional crypto off-ramps.
Early data from OrbitX’s user base shows strong adoption in the UAE, with growing traction across Southeast Asia and Latin America. These regions often feature gaps in banking infrastructure that make crypto-to-spending solutions particularly valuable. When traditional banking rails prove slow, expensive, or inaccessible, alternatives that work find audiences quickly.
#Update | XDC Network and OrbitX are connecting on-chain USDC with Visa-accepted merchants, pushing stablecoins closer to everyday commerce.
— Entrepreneur Asia Pacific (@EntrepreneurAPJ) February 26, 2026
Partnering with OrbitX Pay to enable USDC held on-chain to be spent at Visa-accepted merchants globally, XDC Network is focusing on… pic.twitter.com/WrtrShrqPU
HashKey Exchange Enables USDC Withdrawals in Hong Kong (February 3)
HashKey Exchange enabled USDC deposits and withdrawals via XDC Network on February 3, expanding regulated stablecoin access for Hong Kong institutions. The exchange also offered zero-fee USDC withdrawals through February 11.
HashKey operates as Hong Kong’s largest licensed virtual asset exchange and trades publicly under 3887.HK. Only 12 exchanges hold SFC licenses, which highlights its regulatory standing. The XDC/USD pair had launched in January, and this update completed on-chain deposit and withdrawal functionality for professional investors.
The promotion reflected XDC’s low transaction costs, which allow viable zero-fee campaigns. Observers noted that licensed exchange integrations signal infrastructure maturity and improved institutional access.
📣 New Listing: $XDC is coming to HashKey Exchange! @XDCNetwork
— HashKey Exchange (@HashKeyExchange) January 14, 2026
✅ Deposits & Withdrawals: Open
✅ $XDC/USD Spot Trading: 16:00 (UTC +8), Jan 15
👤 Available to: Professional Investors Only
Learn about @XDCNetwork and share a 40,000 HKD prize pool! https://t.co/Eb6CgjVumm… pic.twitter.com/dBkQHoSUQn
Kraken Adds Margin Trading and Zero-Fee USDC Support
Kraken expanded XDC trading in February 2026 by adding 3x margin on XDC/USD with a 1.5 million token long limit. On February 14, it also announced USDC deposits and withdrawals on XDC with zero fees.
The margin rollout aligned with Kraken’s broader platform upgrades and positioned XDC within its expanding derivatives offering. Meanwhile, zero-fee USDC support reduced capital movement costs and improved liquidity on the network.
Together, margin access and fee-free stablecoin transfers lowered friction for traders and institutions moving funds onto XDC.
Coming soon:$USDC deposits and withdrawals on @XDCNetwork. 0 withdrawal fees.
— Kraken Listings (@krakenlistings) February 13, 2026
Get ready → https://t.co/47fNCUnjB5 pic.twitter.com/iiT2lHipBf
Foundation Activity: Token Unlock and Supply Dynamics
841 Million XDC Released in Scheduled Unlock
On February 5, 2026, XDC Network completed a scheduled unlock of 841.18 million XDC. The release increased circulating supply by roughly 5% and followed the network’s long-term distribution schedule. Importantly, the allocation aligned with ecosystem expansion goals.
Of the total, 400 million XDC went directly toward ecosystem development. These funds support grants, partnerships, liquidity programs, and infrastructure growth. In addition, 441.18 million tokens vested to founders, advisors, and core contributors as part of previously defined allocations.
Rather than signaling disruption, the structured unlock reinforces transparency and long-term planning. Ecosystem allocations typically deploy gradually as initiatives mature, which supports sustainable growth. Meanwhile, founder vesting reflects continued alignment with the network’s long-term success.
With the next unlock scheduled for February 2027, XDC maintains predictable supply mechanics. Clear timelines and defined allocations provide visibility for participants and reinforce operational discipline across the ecosystem.
What February 2026 Means for XDC Network
February 2026 reinforced XDC Network’s role as enterprise infrastructure for trade finance and real-world assets. The month delivered BitGo custody with $250 million in insurance, Platinum Sponsorship at the RWA London Summit alongside BlackRock and JPMorgan, and a keynote on tokenization from Co-Founder Atul Khekade. Meanwhile, OrbitX Pay connected XDC stablecoins to 150 million Visa merchants, HashKey enabled USDC support in Hong Kong, and Kraken added margin trading with zero-fee stablecoin transfers.
This combination of institutional custody, regulated exchange access, and expanding payment rails signals infrastructure maturity. XDC’s trajectory centers on enterprise integration, regulatory alignment, and operational deployment rather than retail speculation. Custody barriers have fallen, exchange liquidity continues improving, and real-world utility keeps advancing.
XDC no longer approaches institutional finance from the sidelines. The network now operates within the conversation.
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