Vitalik&#8217;s vision for Layer 2s becomes clear. The narrative surrounding 
blockchain scalability is undergoing a fundamental shift. Ethereum co-founder 
Vitalik Buterin recently signaled that the traditional view of Layer 2 (L2) as 
a mere scaling tool has reached its limits. Instead of a &#8216;rollup-centric&#8217; 
model focused solely on speed, the industry is moving toward a future where 
L2s are seen as a collection of diverse, specialized options. Vitalik argues 
that for L2 projects to remain relevant, they must offer unique added value, 
such as specialized Virtual Machines for non-financial functions like AI, 
identity, and social platforms, rather than just being &#8216;cheap and fast.&#8217; This 
evolution matters because it addresses the growing demand for socially 
meaningful applications. While Ethereum&#8217;s Layer 1 (L1) continues to scale 
through gas limit increases, the real innovation is now expected to happen at 
the application layer. The challenge for the next generation of blockchain 
projects is to build ecosystems where technology serves a specific human need, 
moving away from pure speculation and toward functional utility that can 
change how we interact online. As the market transitions toward these 
specialized environments, the creator economy has emerged as a prime candidate 
for disruption. By integrating AI-driven tools with decentralized social 
structures, new projects are fulfilling Vitalik’s call for &#8216;unique oracles&#8217; 
and &#8216;specialized designs.&#8217; One project, in particular, is leading this charge 
by building a dedicated ecosystem for creators and fans, perfectly aligning 
with the shift toward specialized, non-financial blockchain functions &#8211; SUBBD 
Token ($SUBBD). SUBBD Token ($SUBBD) Steps in With an AI-Powered Creator 
Ecosystem SUBBDToken ($SUBBD) is positioning itself as the premier AI-driven 
platform to challenge the $85B subscription content industry. While 
traditional platforms struggle with high fees and creator burnout, $SUBBD 
leverages specialized AI agents to handle management tasks and enhance fan 
engagement. This aligns perfectly with the current trend toward specialized L2 
functions, as it offers a dedicated environment for AI influencers and digital 
persona development. The platform allows creators to automate 24/7 
interactions and provide personalized content, freeing them from the 
administrative burdens of legacy systems. The $SUBBD project is not just a 
concept; it is a rapidly growing powerhouse with over 2,000 top-earning 
creators and a combined reach of 250M followers. The project highlights its 
planned features, such as AI voice cloning, automated image generation, and 
&#8216;AI Livestreams,&#8217; which provide the &#8216;ultra-low latency&#8217; and unique designs 
that industry leaders are now prioritizing. Our experts see the value and 
predict an end-of-2026 price of $0.438. If you bought at today&#8217;s price, that&#8217;s 
a potential ROI of 661%. Currently, the $SUBBD presale has raised over $1.47M, 
and you can buy tokens for $0.05749. This represents a ground-floor 
opportunity to participate in a project that is building the &#8216;socially 
meaningful applications&#8217; the market craves. JOIN THE $SUBBD AI REVOLUTION 
TODAY. Staking and Creator Rewards: Driving Value in a Specialized Market In 
line with the movement toward decentralized governance and sustainable 
ecosystems, $SUBBD offers a robust staking model and reward structure. If you 
take part in the presale you can take advantage of a fixed 20% APY by staking 
your tokens, which also unlocks VIP perks such as early beta access, exclusive 
creator livestreams, and platform discounts. This model creates a circular 
economy where fans are rewarded for their loyalty and creators are 
incentivized to scale their presence using the platform’s advanced AI tools. 
The project’s roadmap is clear: moving from platform build and smart contract 
auditing, already verified by Coinsult and SolidProof, to a full-scale 
international launch and CEX listings. With 30% of the token supply dedicated 
to marketing and 20% to product development, $SUBBD is equipped to capture a 
significant share of the creator economy. As L2s evolve to become more than 
just bridges, $SUBBD stands as a prime example of a specialized platform 
delivering real-world value through AI and social connectivity, exactly what 
Buterin&#8217;s vision was referring to. Buy your $SUBBD from the official presale 
page. This is not intended as financial advice and should not be taken as 
such. Crypto is volatile, and you should always do your own research before 
making any investments.

Beyond Scaling: How SUBBD Token ($SUBBD) Realizes Vitalik’s Vision for Specialized L2s

Ethereum’s validator backlog has surged past 4 million ETH, pushing wait times 
beyond 70 days as more than 30% of supply is now locked in staking.

Bitwise to acquire crypto staking company Chorus One: Report

Tether&#8217;s reduced fundraising highlights investor skepticism, potentially 
impacting its market perception and future financial strategies.
The post Tether scales back $20B fundraising bid amid valuation concerns: 
Report appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Tether scales back $20B fundraising bid amid valuation concerns: Report

Reports say a wealthy Abu Dhabi investor bought a near-half stake in a crypto 
company tied to the Trump family. The transaction, reported to be worth about 
$500 million, involved an entity linked to Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan. 
It has prompted questions in Washington and stirred activity in the markets 
where the company’s token trades. Related Reading: Mastercard Stresses Crypto 
Is An Enhancement, Not A Substitute Sheikh A Reported Buyer According to 
reporting by major outlets, Aryam Investment 1 — an investor connected to 
Sheikh Tahnoon — agreed to purchase roughly 49% of World Liberty Financial, 
known as WLFI. The payment was structured in phases, with about $250 million 
reported as an initial transfer. Reports note roughly $187 million moved to 
entities associated with the Trump family, while another $31 million 
reportedly went to companies tied to cofounders. JUST IN: 🇺🇸🇦🇪 President Trump 
says he did not know Abu Dhabi invested $500 million in his World Liberty 
crypto project. &#8220;I don&#8217;t know about it. My sons are handling that, I guess 
they get investments from people.&#8221; pic.twitter.com/AOBosetnpE — Bitcoin Black 
(@Bitcoinblacck) February 2, 2026 Timing And Deal Details The timing of the 
sale matters. It was completed shortly before an important political milestone 
for the buyer’s partner, and that has sharpened scrutiny. Some lawmakers and 
ethics experts raised alarms about a high-value foreign-backed investment in a 
business tied to a sitting US President. Others point out that private 
business dealings are common and that the legal thresholds for disclosure can 
be complex. Market participants reacted quickly; trading in WLFI-linked assets 
saw spikes in volume and price swings as news spread. Trump Responds When 
journalists pressed him about the report, US President Donald Trump denied 
having knowledge of the transaction. “I don’t know about it,” he said, adding 
that his sons run many family business matters. The remark was brief but 
clear: he insisted the family manages WLFI and that he was not personally 
involved in negotiating the sale. Some aides later reiterated that any 
operational decisions were handled by company executives and family members. 
Related Reading: Crypto Hacks Explode: $370 Million Stolen In January Alone: 
Researchers Reactions From Lawmakers And Regulators Reports say lawmakers from 
both parties want answers. A handful of senators have asked for briefings and 
documents, and a few regulators have been asked to look at whether any 
disclosure rules were followed. At the same time, legal experts caution that 
an investment by a foreign-backed firm is not automatically illegal or 
disqualifying. What matters, they say, are the exact terms, who signed which 
papers, and whether any statutory reporting obligations were met. Featured 
image from Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images, chart from TradingView

Trump Says He Was Unaware Of Abu Dhabi Royal’s $500 Million WLFI Investment

Solana price slid deeper into the red on Feb.4, extending its recent downtrend 
as sellers continued to press the market. At press time, SOL was trading near 
$97, down 6.1% over the past 24 hours. The move leaves Solana sitting…

Cryptocurrency price in USD