What you need to know

• The Galaxy S26 Ultra could be shaving off over 1mm (under 7mm thick) and dropping some weight.
• After years of 45W, Samsung is said to be catching up to Chinese rivals with a possible 60W charging speed for the S26 Ultra.
• The upcoming phone might also offer new anti-glare glass plus a mysterious “CoE depolarizer” tech for better brightness and clarity outdoors.

Samsung’s next Ultra phone might not look like a radical departure based on current leaks so far, but the Galaxy S26 Ultra is shaping up to be a surprisingly refined beast under the hood.

According to a fresh scoop from @UniverseIce on X, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is set to slim down the hardware ever so slightly. The leaker says the Galaxy S26 Ultra is coming in at under 7mm thick versus the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s 8.2mm.

It’s also shedding a bit of weight compared to the S25 Ultra, aiming to be one of the thinnest and lightest flagship Android phones out there. The screen size isn’t changing, but the body might get a touch taller and wider.

But what really stands out is the bump in charging speed. After sticking to 45W for years, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to jump to 60W fast charging. If this holds up, it’ll be the fastest charging speed ever on a Galaxy flagship, and finally, something to match the pace set by rivals in China.

Same battery, new muscle

That said, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is likely sticking with a 5,000mAh battery. Under the hood, it’s expected to run on Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Elite 2, though Samsung is also said to be testing its own Exynos 2600 as a possible option.

Even with all the potential upgrades inside, the outside is staying familiar. The S26 Ultra is tipped to keep the same sharp corners, flat edges, and bold quad-camera layout on the back.

Furthermore, the tipster says the S26 Ultra’s screen is getting an upgrade with new anti-reflective glass and something called CoE depolarizer tech. Not much is known about the CoE part yet, but the glass should cut glare and make the screen look brighter and sharper, especially in bright light.

Camera tweaks, not a revolution

For the cameras, the S26 Ultra is said to use Samsung’s newer ISOCELL HP2 (2026) sensor with a larger aperture for better light capture. It’s also expected to pack updated 3x telephoto and 5x periscope lenses, both with wider apertures too.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra looks more like a careful tune-up than a full redesign. Samsung is sticking to what works while finally adding some long-requested upgrades, like faster charging. With a launch expected in early 2026, more details should keep trickling out in the coming months.

Bitcoin is alive and kicking, spitting out an impressive hashrate count like never before.

Bitcoin’s network processing power reaches an unprecedented Zetahash (Zh/s) per second, marking a major milestone in the 16-year history of cryptocurrency.

Multiple blockchain tracking services confirmed achievement between April 4-5, 2023, but we disagree with the exact timing of when the thresholds cross.

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Various trackers report different dates for historic milestones

Zetahash (Zh/s) is a unit of computing power used to measure the hash rate of Bitcoin, reflecting the computing power used to protect the Bitcoin network through mining.

Bitcoin hashrate peaked at 1.025 ZH/s on April 5, according to data from Mempool.space. The BTC frame metric showed a slightly earlier breakthrough on April 4th at 1.02 ZH/s.

Meanwhile, Coinwarz reported an even higher peak of 1.1 Zh/s at Block Height 890,915 on April 4, but also suggested that on March 24, the network first hit the 1 Zh/s mark.

The difference comes from the way each service calculates the hashrate. Blockchain analyst Jameson Lopp previously pointed out that using one “trailing block” and five blocks for estimation could lead to a difference of more than 0.04 Zh/s.

Mitchell Askew, head analyst at Blockware Solutions, said seeing raw hashrate metrics can be deceived due to random variations in block time. He noted that Bitcoin’s 30-day moving average hashrate remains around 0.845 Zh/s.

The network shows the greatest growth since 2016

This achievement represents the pronounced growth of the Bitcoin network. The current hashrate of 1 Zh/s equals 1,000 evash per second, indicating a 1,000-fold increase since late January 2016, when the network first reached 1 Eh/s.

To put this computational power into perspective, Bitcoin processes around 40,000 times more calculations per second than Litecoin, the second largest cryptocurrency network. Based on Coinwarz data, Litecoin currently runs at just 2.49 peta hash per second.

Commercial mining operations promote hashrate growth

According to Askew, the surge in hashrates is consistent with increasing competition among commercial Bitcoin mining companies. Miners are doubling, expanding their sites and stuffing them with more efficient machines, he said. However, he warned that inefficient miners could struggle unless Bitcoin prices rise in the coming months.

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At least 24 publicly available companies operate Bitcoin mining equipment, according to Companiesmarketcap.com. Mara Holdings leads the pack with over 50 EH/s computing power. Other key contributors include Riot Platforms, Core Scientific, CleanSpark, Hut 8 Mining and Terawulf.

According to the hashrate index, the majority of the network’s hashrate flows through major mining pools, with Foundry USA and Antpools controlling the largest shares.

Record hashrates coincides with market slump

The network’s technical achievements occurred during a rapid market decline. Bitcoin price fell 8% in 24 hours to $77,210, but US stocks have experienced what analysts called their biggest two-day loss to date.

Gemini Images, TradingView charts

Immutable has announced a partnership with Japan’s leading mobile gaming developer to bring Tokyo Beast to web3.

This strengthens Immutable’s presence in Asia’s blockchain gaming sector and marks its third partnership with a unicorn developer. Tokyo Beast will integrate blockchain mechanics with traditional mobile gameplay, aiming to engage both blockchain-native and traditional gaming audiences.

Immutable will provide the underlying blockchain infrastructure, supporting in-game transactions, digital asset liquidity, and tournament management.

What is Tokyo Beast?

Tokyo Beast is a futuristic combat game set in Tokyo in the year 2124, where android fighters, known as BEAST, compete in martial arts tournaments.

Players build teams of four BEAST characters and engage in daily PvP battles leading up to a weekly championship event. The game incorporates a shared NFT system, where new players can participate without purchasing NFTs, whilst existing holders retain asset value.

A key feature of Tokyo Beast is its breeding mechanic, which allows players to generate new BEAST fighters with unique traits. This system adds an element of long-term strategy, encouraging players to develop and refine their teams over time.

What can we expect from this partnership?

Tokyo Beast will feature daily arena battles culminating in a weekend championship tournament, where the top 20 players compete for in-game rewards. Matches will be globally livestreamed, and real-time data on team composition, performance, and betting odds will be made publicly available, allowing players to make informed strategic decisions.

Immutable will support the game’s blockchain infrastructure, ensuring transparency in rankings and asset ownership.

“Tokyo Beast, exemplifies a game that can drive mainstream adoption of blockchain gaming,” said Robbie Ferguson, Co-founder of Immutable. “With its large fanbase and solid game design, we believe the TOKYO BEAST, Championship tournaments will engage millions of new players.”

The partnership follows Immutable’s success in onboarding web3 gaming projects across Asia, including collaborations with MARBLEX and over 235 games.

TOKYO BEAST is building an ecosystem where both Web2 and Web3 players can enjoy a futuristic Tokyo of 2124. By merging the familiar polish of AAA game design with practical Web3 features—like NFT ownership and crypto-based transactions—the experience aims to open the door for traditional and Web3 gamers.

You’ll find a dual-system structure, an innovative NFT Proxy Model, and a core token economy anchored by the TOKYO GAMES TOKEN (TGT). This article looks at how TOKYO BEAST, launching this Spring, aims to bring a fresh buzz to the global gaming scene.

The Setting and Concept

Set in Tokyo, Japan, in the year 2124, TOKYO BEAST introduces you to a world where sentient androids called replicants support society. Most humans enjoy the comforts of passive income generated through replicant ownership. This era, referred to as the “INCUBATION OF REPLICANTS,” sees rapid growth in the android market, with humans maintaining a higher social rank.

During this period, a project called TOKYO BEAST emerges. The once-popular replicant model known as “BEAST” (originally linked to an NFT from a century ago) is upgraded and returned to market.

Humans acquire these BEAST NFTs for potential profit. At the same time, lower-tier replicants rely on “copies” called PROXY BEAST in the street sport XENO-karate. The result is a layered hierarchy where humans remain investors and replicants battle for social mobility through competition.

Source TOKYO BEAST

Two Systems: BASE and TRIALS

Now, let’s break down the two distinct systems in TOKYO BEAST: BASE and TRIALS. These systems ensure that you can engage on multiple levels, whether you’re a crypto-focused player or a gamer seeking high-stakes competition.

BASE

TRIALS

Both systems work in tandem. If you only care about collecting or investing, you can focus on BASE. If you’d rather jump into gameplay, TRIALS offers immediate action. TOKYO BEAST fuses both aspects, reflecting the project’s vision of integrating Web3 and Web2 audiences.

XENO-karate: A New Sport for Replicants

XENO-karate stands at the center of TRIALS. This intense street competition has replicants battling each other with their borrowed PROXY BEAST. The top players move closer to social freedom, and you (as a human investor) can benefit from their success if you own the original BEAST NFT.

Key Points of XENO-karate

• Weekly Tournaments: The best fighters face off in globally live-streamed matches.

• Daily Games: You can place predictions using TOKYO GAMES TOKEN (TGT) on weekdays, not just during special events.

• Ongoing Player Engagement: XENO-karate ensures that there’s always a match around the corner, giving both gamers and investors consistent opportunities to participate.

NFT PROXY Model: Lowering Entry Barriers

Some games force you to buy expensive NFTs before you can start playing. TOKYO BEAST uses a different tactic: the NFT PROXY Model.

Here’s how it works:

• BEAST NFT: Original tokens that can be purchased, bred, and sold within the BASE system.

• PROXY BEAST: Copies (created automatically) that go into TRIALS. Players can pick them up via gacha, free from the high cost of initial NFT ownership.

Your BEAST NFT’s value correlates with how well its PROXY performs in XENO-karate. This ensures real-world validation of each NFT’s worth, as success in-game boosts its reputation. Contrast this with standard NFT projects, where value often hinges on hype or speculation.

The NFT PROXY Model attaches your NFT’s price to measurable performance, potentially attracting new users who appreciate tangible, gameplay-based rewards.

Source TOKYO BEAST

TGT: The Platform Token That Powers Everything

Next, let’s examine TOKYO GAMES TOKEN (TGT)—the platform token for unifying the game’s economy. Unlike conventional one-game tokens, TGT aims to serve multiple AAA titles that will launch on its platform over time.

1. Currency Across Games: TGT acts as a common thread, so you can use it across various titles on the TGT Platform.

2. Staking and Rewards: By staking TGT, you might earn on-chain items or even have a chance to receive BEAST RAWDISK NFTs.

3. Voting and Governance: TGT empowers holders to influence development decisions (for example, selecting certain game features or breeding mechanics).

4. Buyback Mechanism: Part of the revenue from in-game currency purchases flows back into buying TGT, theoretically preserving its long-term value.

Expanding Beyond a Single Game: The TGT Platform Modules

Then comes the TGT Platform, designed to host multiple AAA projects. TOKYO BEAST is just the beginning. By consolidating different genres and titles under one chain (with TGT as the unified currency), the platform aims to deliver both expansion and risk diversification. Below are some planned modules for Q3 2025 to expand the utility of the game and token:

1. CLASH: A daily mini-game prediction system.

2. FUSION: Collaborations with popular NFT projects, anime, and manga, leading to limited-edition BEAST NFTs.

3. ITEMIZE: Physical merchandise tied to the game’s lore, bridging your digital and real-world interests.

4. CARDS: Physical trading cards featuring BEASTs, introducing a simpler offline battle format.

5. ANIMATION: Cinematic works that broaden the TOKYO BEAST story.

6. PARTY: Live events spotlighting big tournaments and exclusive VIP gatherings for certain NFT owners.

7. SPACE: Real-world shops and collaborations with commercial venues, bringing the universe of TOKYO BEAST to physical storefronts.

TGT is the “glue” that holds these modules together. Each project expands the utility of TGT, encouraging continuous growth in its user base.

Bringing Web3 to the Next Level

Unlike smaller Web3 projects that struggle to compete with major studio productions, TOKYO BEAST hopes to merge the best of both worlds: blockchain innovation and top-tier game development. TOKYO BEAST has also recently partnered with leading Web3 Gaming platform, Immutable.

Previous Web3 games introduced ideas like “Play to Earn” but often lacked the essential element of genuine enjoyment. TOKYO BEAST aims to fix that. Focusing on gameplay depth, narrative intrigue, and real economic incentives (tied to TGT), it seeks to demonstrate that Web3 can be entertaining and profitable.