Tezos (XTZ) remains unique in the cryptocurrency space for its self-amending ledger, capable of upgrading itself without hard forks. By February 16, 2026, Tezos has successfully executed its latest protocol upgrade, aimed at increasing transaction throughput and lowering latency for gaming applications. The chain has carved out a distinct niche in the digital art and NFT sector, favored by artists for its low carbon footprint and vibrant community platforms. Partnerships with traditional gaming giants are also beginning to bear fruit, bringing on-chain assets to mainstream gamers. The XTZ token is currently undervalued relative to its technological capabilities, according to some market analysts. The on-chain governance participation rate is high, ensuring that the network evolves in line with user needs. While Tezos has struggled to capture the same level of DeFi liquidity as EVM-compatible chains, its focus on reliability and institutional-grade security makes it a contender for real-world asset tokenization (STO) projects. Price trends show XTZ accumulating in a long-term bottoming formation, potentially setting the stage for a reversal if user activity metrics continue to climb.