Bitcoin Magazine has confirmed that Eric Trump will take the stage at the upcoming Bitcoin 2026 conference, adding another high-profile voice to the event’s growing lineup.

The businessman and increasingly vocal bitcoin advocate has emerged over the past year as one of the most prominent political-adjacent supporters of the asset, repeatedly arguing that Bitcoin represents both a financial revolution and a strategic opportunity for the United States.

Trump’s presence at the conference comes amid his expanding involvement in the Bitcoin ecosystem, including his role as co-founder and chief strategy officer of American Bitcoin, a mining and treasury company focused on accumulating BTC.

In recent months, Trump has delivered some of the most bullish public commentary on Bitcoin from a figure closely tied to American politics and finance. In remarks, he declared that he has “never been more bullish on bitcoin in my life,” adding that he believes the asset could eventually reach a seven-figure valuation.

His confidence reflects a broader narrative he has promoted at industry conferences and media appearances — that global demand for Bitcoin is accelerating rapidly. During one panel appearance last year, Trump said the momentum around the asset is unmistakable, stating that “everybody wants bitcoin, everybody is buying bitcoin.”

Trump: America should dominate bitcoin

Trump has also framed Bitcoin as part of a larger geopolitical and economic shift, arguing that the United States has an opportunity to lead the emerging digital asset economy. Speaking about the industry’s growth, he said the goal is to bring innovation back to the country and ensure America dominates the next phase of financial infrastructure.

“We are bringing Bitcoin to America and America is going to win the crypto revolution,” Trump said during a conference panel.

Beyond rhetoric, Trump has backed that stance with business initiatives. His firm American Bitcoin has been expanding its holdings and mining capacity as part of a long-term accumulation strategy.

The company recently increased its corporate treasury to thousands of bitcoin while expanding its mining operations in the United States.

Bitcoin 2026 Returns to Las Vegas Bigger Than Ever

Bitcoin 2026 will take place April 27–29 at The Venetian in Las Vegas and is expected to be the largest Bitcoin event of the year.

Focused on the future of money, Bitcoin 2026 will bring together Bitcoin builders, investors, miners, policymakers, technologists, and newcomers from around the world. The event will feature a wide range of pass types, including general admission passes designed specifically for those new to Bitcoin, alongside premium passes for professionals, enterprises, and institutions.

With multiple stages, immersive experiences, technical workshops, and headline keynotes, Bitcoin 2026 is designed to serve both first-time attendees and long-time Bitcoiners shaping the next era of global adoption.

Past Bitcoin Conferences in the U.S.

Bitcoin’s flagship conference has scaled dramatically over the past five years:

2021 – Miami: 11,000 attendees
2022 – Miami: 26,000 attendees
2023 – Miami: 15,000 attendees
2024 – Nashville: 22,000 attendees
2025 – Las Vegas: 35,000 attendees

Bitcoin Magazine readers can save 10% on Bitcoin 2026 tickets using code ‘ARTICLE10‘ at checkout.

Stay at The official hotel of Bitcoin 2026, The Venetian, and get a guaranteed low rate plus 15% off your pass. Be in the middle of where the fun is all happening, and where the networking never ends.

Bring your whole team to Bitcoin 2026 and get 20% off your entire order, bring more than six in a group and get 25% off for a limited time.

Volunteer at Bitcoin 2026 and get Pro Pass access plus exclusive perks.

Location: The Venetian, Las Vegas
Dates: April 27–29, 2026

With tens of thousands of attendees expected and hundreds of major speakers like David Bailey already confirmed, now is the time to lock in your ticket.

Buy Bitcoin 2026 Tickets — Save 10%

This post Eric Trump Confirmed As Speaker For Bitcoin 2026 Conference first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Bitcoin’s Ownership Base is Maturing, Reducing Reliance on Retail: Analysts

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 17:17:20

Bitcoin Magazine

Bitcoin’s Ownership Base is Maturing, Reducing Reliance on Retail: Analysts

Bitcoin investors have shown surprising resilience despite recent market turbulence, fueled by institutional investors and aggressive corporate treasury buyers.

Analysts say this trend highlights a structural shift in ownership that could support long-term growth. Institutional demand is clearly back, with “four consecutive sessions of ETF inflows and aggressive spot demand…suggesting one thing: institutional buyers have returned and they’re ready to increase their holdings around current prices, which recovered to above $70k as a result,” Bitfinex said in a note to Bitcoin Magazine.

Bitfinex wrote that “a sustained break above resistance could trigger momentum expansion, as positioning and the balance of flows suggest that the market is preparing for its next directional move after weeks of range trading.”

Bitwise Chief Investment Officer Matt Hougan also noted Bitcoin ETFs have held up despite a roughly 50% price drop since October 2025, underlining institutional commitment.

“The best evidence we have is in the ETF market,” Hougan said, according to Coindesk reporting.

“Bitcoin ETFs accumulated roughly $60 billion in net flows from their launch in January 2024 through October 2025. Since October 2025, prices are down 50%, but we’ve seen less than $10 billion in outflows from ETFs,” he said.

Hougan described institutional investors as exhibiting “diamond hands,” maintaining positions despite severe market drawdowns. He attributes this persistence to the non-consensus status of BTC.

Hougan said that institutional investors who buy into BTC today are still sticking their neck out and standing out from their peers. That career risk, he explained, fosters unusually high conviction, meaning investors allocating capital to bitcoin today tend to be 80–90% convinced of its long-term value rather than mildly optimistic.

This conviction underpins Hougan’s reaffirmed long-term bitcoin forecast of $1 million per coin.

“The wildest thing about my $1 million prediction is that it’s not wild at all,” he said. “All you need for bitcoin to get to $1 million is for the global store of value market to continue to grow as it has for the past 20 years and for bitcoin to become a minor but material part of that market.”

Last week, Hougan argued that skepticism over Bitcoin reaching $1 million stems from a misunderstanding of its valuation, as many analysts use “static math” that ignores the rapidly growing global store-of-value market.

Framing BTC as an emerging competitor to gold, he estimates that with a $38 trillion market and BTC’s fixed supply of 21 million coins, the $1 million price target is plausible.

Bitcoin isn’t very speculative anymore

Supporting this thesis, Bernstein analysts also noted that bitcoin’s ownership base has matured, reducing reliance on retail speculation.

In a March 16 research note seen by Bitcoin Magazine, they highlighted the growing influence of spot BTC ETFs and corporate treasury buyers such as Strategy.

The firm described Strategy as a “bitcoin central bank of last resort,” citing its aggressive accumulation model, which has added more than 66,000 BTC so far in 2026 at an average cost near $85,000. Strategy’s total holdings now exceed 761,000 BTC, valued around $56 billion.

Bernstein emphasized that institutional inflows are reshaping BTC’s ownership structure. Spot ETFs absorbed about $2.1 billion in inflows over three weeks, nearly offsetting year-to-date outflows of $460 million.

Institutional vehicles now control roughly 6.1% of BTC’s total supply, while coins inactive for over a year represent approximately 60% of circulating supply, signaling a growing base of long-term holders.

On top of this, on-chain indicators point to a late-stage bear cycle, as Lacie Zhang of Bitget Wallet explained to Bitcoin Magazine: “The convergence of on-chain indicators such as realized price and MVRV suggests Bitcoin may be entering the late stage of a typical bear cycle, a phase historically associated with long-term accumulation rather than continued capitulation.”

Despite short-term macro headwinds, the current conditions signal a strategic accumulation phase, with BTC likely fluctuating between $68,000 and $84,000 as longer-term investors position for the next cycle.

This post Bitcoin’s Ownership Base is Maturing, Reducing Reliance on Retail: Analysts first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

South Korea Fines Bithumb $24M, Imposes 6-Month Partial Suspension Over AML Violations

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 13:59:33

Bitcoin Magazine

South Korea Fines Bithumb $24M, Imposes 6-Month Partial Suspension Over AML Violations

South Korea’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has fined cryptocurrency exchange Bithumb 36.8 billion won ($24.6 million) and ordered a six-month partial suspension of new-user services after uncovering millions of anti-money laundering (AML) violations, according to local reporting.

The FIU’s investigation found roughly 6.65 million breaches of the country’s AML and customer verification rules. About 3.55 million involved failures to verify customer identities, while 3.04 million cases concerned transactions that should have been blocked but were allowed.

Authorities also identified 45,772 transactions with 18 unregistered overseas exchanges.

The sanctions, part of ongoing regulatory oversight of South Korea’s top crypto platforms, include a reprimand for Bithumb’s CEO and a six-month suspension for the exchange’s reporting officer.

Existing customers can continue trading, while the restrictions primarily affect new user account activity, including deposits and withdrawals.

Bithumb, founded in 2014, is one of South Korea’s largest exchanges by trading volume. The fine is the country’s largest imposed on a virtual asset exchange, slightly surpassing a 35.2 billion won penalty handed to Upbit in 2025.

The violations were uncovered during on-site inspections of South Korea’s five largest crypto exchanges between 2024 and 2025.

Regulators have emphasized that strict compliance with customer verification and AML obligations is critical to maintaining market trust.

Bithumb’s bitcoin blunder

The announcement comes just weeks after Bithumb accidentally sent billions of dollars worth of Bitcoin to users during a promotional event.

The exchange had planned to distribute small cash rewards through a “Random Box” event at around 6 p.m. local time. Winners were supposed to receive between 20,000 and 50,000 Korean won.

Instead, staff reportedly entered the payment unit as Bitcoin rather than won.

As a result, some users received at least 2,000 BTC each, worth roughly 196 billion won per person based on prices near 98 million won per Bitcoin at the time, according to social media screenshots and accounts.

The operational error briefly caused Bitcoin prices on the platform to drop over 10% below broader market levels. Bithumb stated the incident did not result in any customer losses.

The FIU will finalize the fine after giving Bithumb at least 10 days to submit its opinion.

Authorities said the enforcement action signals continued tightening of crypto market oversight in South Korea.

At the time of writing, Bitcoin is trading near $74,000.

This post South Korea Fines Bithumb $24M, Imposes 6-Month Partial Suspension Over AML Violations first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Bitcoin Price Roars Above $74,000 as Market Sentiment Improves

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 13:02:13

Bitcoin Magazine

Bitcoin Price Roars Above $74,000 as Market Sentiment Improves

The price of Bitcoin pushed above $74,000 early Monday, as easing geopolitical tensions and improving risk sentiment helped lift the broader crypto market.

The move capped one of bitcoin’s strongest weekly performances since the outbreak of the Iran–Israel War in late February.

The rally coincided with signs of de-escalation in the Middle East. Two commercial tankers transited the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday for the first time since the conflict began, after Iran indicated its shipping restrictions would apply only to vessels linked to its adversaries.

At the same time, Donald Trump said the United States was in talks with Tehran, helping calm energy markets. Oil prices retreated from recent highs, the U.S. dollar weakened and equity futures turned positive, signaling a broader shift toward risk assets.

The move higher also triggered a wave of short liquidations in crypto derivatives markets. Roughly $344 million in positions were wiped out over the past 24 hours, with bearish traders accounting for more than 80% of the total, according to Bitcoin Magazine Pro data.

Market participants are now watching whether the bitcoin price can hold momentum above the $74,000 region.

A sustained break could open the door to a move toward $80,000, a level that previously served as support late last year before prices slid during the early-2026 correction.

What’s coming next for the bitcoin price?

For now, traders are also bracing for macro signals from the upcoming policy meeting at the Federal Reserve, which begins Tuesday and could influence risk appetite across global markets.

Later on Wednesday, the market will hear the Fed’s interest-rate decision and Chair Jerome Powell’s press conference, with rates expected to remain steady.

Despite being down from its October peak, Bitcoin price has outperformed some traditional assets during the conflict, though volatility could increase depending on short-term selling and Fed signals.

Earlier today, Strategy, led by Michael Saylor, bought 22,337 more bitcoin for $1.57 billion, raising its total holdings to 761,068 BTC. The average acquisition bitcoin price cost is $75,696 per coin, giving the holdings a current market value of about $50 billion.

Tokyo-listed investment firm Metaplanet said they also secured approximately $255 million from global institutional investors as it accelerates a corporate strategy centered on accumulating Bitcoin. The company has additional warrants that could lift total funding to roughly $531 million for bitcoin purchases.

At the time of writing, the bitcoin price is near $73,800.

This post Bitcoin Price Roars Above $74,000 as Market Sentiment Improves first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Metaplanet Raises $255 Million, Eyes $531 Million Bitcoin Buying Spree

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 12:55:42

Bitcoin Magazine

Metaplanet Raises $255 Million, Eyes $531 Million Bitcoin Buying Spree

Tokyo-listed investment firm Metaplanet has secured approximately $255 million from global institutional investors as it accelerates a corporate strategy centered on accumulating Bitcoin, with additional warrants that could lift total funding to roughly $531 million.

The capital was raised through a placement of new shares priced at 380 yen ($2.39) each, representing a small premium to the market price.

The financing package also includes fixed-strike warrants exercisable at 410 yen ($2.57) per share, which carry a 10% premium to the placement price and could generate an additional $276 million if fully exercised before their March 2028 expiration, according to CEO Simon Gerovich.

The fundraising effort forms part of the company’s broader push to expand its bitcoin treasury. Metaplanet said it intends to allocate up to 56.9 billion yen, or about $357 million, toward purchasing additional bitcoin between April 2026 and March 2028.

The firm currently holds 35,102 BTC, valued at roughly $2.6 billion at recent market prices. The holdings place Metaplanet among the largest corporate bitcoin treasuries globally, though still well behind industry leaders such as Strategy and MARA Holdings.

Metaplanet’s aggressive bitcoin plans

Metaplanet’s management has outlined aggressive accumulation targets. The company aims to increase its holdings to 100,000 BTC by the end of 2026 and 210,000 BTC by the end of 2027, part of a strategy to position bitcoin as the centerpiece of its balance sheet and long-term capital structure.

Beyond the share placement and fixed-price warrants, the company’s board also authorized the issuance of 100 million new “MS Warrants.”

These instruments are tied to the company’s modified net asset value, or mNAV, a metric comparing the firm’s market capitalization with the value of its bitcoin holdings.

The mechanism allows warrants to be exercised only when Metaplanet’s shares trade above a specified multiple of that metric, a structure designed to ensure any new equity issuance increases bitcoin holdings on a per-share basis.

The company also suspended the exercise of older warrants representing up to 210 million shares, a move intended to limit dilution and prioritize the new financing structure tied more directly to its bitcoin treasury strategy.

Not all of the newly raised capital will go toward bitcoin purchases. According to company disclosures, about 21.1 billion yen ($132 million) will be used to repay borrowings under Metaplanet’s credit facility, while roughly 6.3 billion yen ($39.5 million) will be allocated to support its bitcoin income generation business, including margin collateral for options underwriting.

Metaplanet currently maintains a $500 million credit facility backed by bitcoin collateral, with approximately $280 million drawn as of March 11. The company has said it aims to keep borrowings below 10% of the net asset value of its bitcoin holdings to maintain financial flexibility.

Shares of Metaplanet rose nearly 5% Monday as bitcoin climbed above $73,000, reflecting investor interest in companies adopting treasury strategies tied directly to the digital asset.

The firm has rapidly expanded its holdings over the past year, increasing from fewer than 2,000 BTC at the start of 2025 to more than 35,000 BTC today.

Last week, the company announced plans to expand beyond holding bitcoin by launching two subsidiaries—Metaplanet Ventures and Metaplanet Asset Management—and disclosed a planned investment in Japanese stablecoin issuer JPYC Inc.

The company said Metaplanet Ventures would deploy about ¥4 billion ($25 million) over the coming years to back startups building bitcoin financial infrastructure in Japan, including lending, payments, custody, derivatives and compliance tools.

At the time of writing, Bitcoin is trading near $74,000.

Earlier today, Strategy, led by Michael Saylor, bought 22,337 more bitcoin for $1.57 billion, raising its total holdings to 761,068 BTC. The average acquisition cost is $75,696 per coin, giving the holdings a current market value of about $50 billion.

This post Metaplanet Raises $255 Million, Eyes $531 Million Bitcoin Buying Spree first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

CryptoSlate

Congress has only weeks left to convince banks on crypto CLARITY Act or risk losing it to midterms

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 18:10:58

The President-backed effort to set broader rules for US crypto markets is nearing a political deadline in Congress as banks press lawmakers and regulators to block stablecoin companies from offering rewards that resemble interest on deposits.

The fight has become one of the central unresolved questions in Washington’s crypto agenda. At stake is whether dollar-linked digital tokens remain focused on payments and settlement or gain features that make them more competitive with bank accounts and money market funds.

The Senate’s market-structure bill, known as the CLARITY Act, has stalled after negotiations broke down over so-called stablecoin yield.

Industry participants and lobbyists say late April or early May is shaping up as the practical window for the bill to move if it is to have a realistic chance before the election-year calendar tightens.

Related Reading

Will crypto rewards survive upcoming CLARITY law? A plain-English guide to Section 404

Under Section 404, the same stablecoin reward can look lawful or risky depending on whether it is framed as interest, a perk, a rebate, or a loyalty benefit.

Jan 25, 2026 · Andjela Radmilac

CRS sharpens the legal question

Congressional Research Service has framed the issue more narrowly than the public fight around it.

In a March 6 report, CRS said the GENIUS Act bars stablecoin issuers from paying yield directly, but may not fully settle the status of what it called a “three-party model,” in which an intermediary such as an exchange stands between issuer and end user.

CRS said the act does not clearly define “holder,” leaving room for debate over whether intermediaries can still pass economic value through to customers. That ambiguity has become one of the main reasons banks want Congress to revisit the issue in the broader market-structure bill.

Banks say even limited rewards could turn stablecoins into a stronger competitor for deposits, especially at regional and community lenders.

Related Reading

Why banks will build corporate branded digital dollars if crypto rewards survive CLARITY Act

The debate over stablecoin interest could redefine consumer “cash” accounts amid banking sector tensions.

Feb 11, 2026 · Oluwapelumi Adejumo

However, crypto firms argue that incentives tied to payments, wallet usage or network activity would help digital dollars compete with older payment rails and could widen their role in mainstream finance.

That split also reflects different views of what stablecoins are becoming.

Infographic showing banks and crypto firms split over who should receive stablecoin yield as digital dollar adoption expands.

If lawmakers treat them mainly as payment instruments, the logic for tighter limits on rewards becomes stronger. However, if lawmakers see them as part of a broader shift in how value moves through digital platforms, the argument for limited incentives becomes easier to make.

Bank groups have urged lawmakers to close what they call a loophole before reward structures spread more widely. They say allowing rewards on idle balances would encourage deposit migration away from banks, reducing a key funding source for loans to households and businesses.

Standard Chartered estimated in January that stablecoins could draw about $500 billion from US bank deposits by the end of 2028, with smaller lenders facing the greatest strain.

Infographic comparing why banks care and why crypto cares about a stablecoin bill, showing deposit losses, lender impacts, cash-back rewards, and bank protectionism.

The banking industry has also tried to show lawmakers that the position carries consumer backing. The American Bankers Association (ABA) recently published the results of a Morning Consult survey on stablecoins, fintech innovation and regulatory preferences.

According to the survey, respondents, by a 3-to-1 margin, said they agreed with congressional prohibitions on stablecoin rewards if the question raised the prospect of reduced funds available to banks to lend in the community and support economic growth. By a 6-to-1 margin, respondents said stablecoin laws should be cautious and should avoid steps that could undermine the existing financial system, particularly community banks.

However, crypto firms have pushed back by arguing that banks are trying to protect their funding model by limiting competition from digital dollars.

Industry advocates, including Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong, have argued that stablecoin issuers operate under stricter reserve requirements than banks under the GENIUS Act, which requires issued stablecoins to be fully backed by cash or cash equivalents.

The volume story has raised the stakes in Washington

The market’s scale has made the rewards dispute harder to dismiss as a niche argument.

Boston Consulting Group estimated that only about $4.2 trillion of roughly $62 trillion in gross stablecoin transfer volume last year represented real economic activity after stripping out bots, exchange flows, and other internal movements.

That gap between headline volume and underlying economic use helps explain why the debate over rewards has taken on greater importance.

If stablecoins remain largely a settlement tool for trading and market structure, lawmakers may find it easier to keep them boxed in as payment instruments. If rewards help them become a widely used store of cash inside consumer apps, the pressure on banks could rise more quickly.

As a result, the White House tried to broker a compromise earlier this year that would have allowed some rewards in narrow use cases, such as peer-to-peer payments, while barring returns on idle holdings. Crypto companies accepted that framework, but banks rejected it, leaving the Senate talks at an impasse.

However, even if Congress does not act, regulators may still narrow the path for reward structures.

In a proposed rule to implement the GENIUS Act, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) said it would presume an issuer is effectively paying prohibited yield if it funds an affiliate or related third party that then pays yield to stablecoin holders.

That signals the administration may try to police the issue through rulemaking if lawmakers fail to produce a legislative fix.

Congress is running short on time

The fight now has two tracks. Congress is debating whether to settle the matter in statute, while regulators are moving to define how far companies can go under the law already on the books.

For the Senate bill, the calendar itself has become a source of pressure.

Alex Thorn, Galaxy Digital's head of research, wrote on X:

“If Clarity doesn’t pass committee by the end of April, odds of passage in 2026 become extremely low. This needs to hit the Senate floor by early May. Floor time is running out, and the odds diminish every day that passes.”

Thorn also expressed caution about the chances of a breakthrough even if the rewards fight is resolved, saying:

“The framing right now is that the dispute over stablecoin rewards is holding up the Clarity Act. But even if compromise is reached on rewards, there are very likely to be other hurdles.”

Those challenges could include regulations pertaining to the decentralized finance sector, the powers of regulators, or “even ethics,” Thorn said.

The issue of crypto regulation is likely to become a larger political battleground ahead of the midterm elections in November. That adds another layer of urgency to the current impasse, because a delayed bill would have to compete with a more crowded political calendar and a harder legislative path.

Prediction markets reflect that shift in sentiment. In early January, Polymarket placed the odds of passage at 80%. After recent setbacks, including Armstrong calling the current version of the bill unworkable, the odds moved closer to 50%.

Data from Kalshi shows that the bill has only a 7% chance of passage before May and 65% before the end of the year.

Failure would leave more to regulators and the market

The consequences of failure reach beyond the current dispute over rewards. The CLARITY Act is meant to define when crypto tokens are securities, commodities or otherwise, and to provide a clearer legal framework for how the market is overseen.

If the bill stalls, the industry would remain more dependent on guidance, rulemaking and future political turnover.

That is one reason market participants have focused so heavily on the bill’s fate. Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan argued earlier this year that the Clarity Act would cement the current pro-crypto regulatory environment into law. Without it, he said, a future administration could reverse the current policy push.

Hougan wrote that if the bill fails, crypto would enter a “show me” period and have three years to make itself indispensable to the everyday lives of regular Americans and the traditional financial industry.

In that view, future gains would depend less on investors pricing in a durable legislative win and more on whether stablecoins, tokenized assets, and related products can prove broader real-world adoption.

That creates two distinct paths for the market. Passage could lead investors to price in the growth of stablecoins and tokenization sooner. Failure could leave future growth more contingent on adoption and more exposed to skepticism about whether Washington’s current support will survive the next turn in politics.

Flowchart showing the countdown to a Senate stablecoin decision, with March 6 and late April or early May deadlines leading to two paths: regulatory clarity and faster growth if Congress acts, or uncertainty if it fails.

For now, the next move belongs to Washington. If senators can revive the market-structure bill this spring, lawmakers may still define how far stablecoins can go in sharing value with users and how much of the broader crypto framework can be locked into statute. If they cannot, regulators appear ready to draw at least part of that line themselves.

Either way, the issue now reaches beyond whether stablecoins are part of finance. The fight has moved to how they will function inside it, and who gets paid as they grow.

The post Congress has only weeks left to convince banks on crypto CLARITY Act or risk losing it to midterms appeared first on CryptoSlate.

Over $172B in Wall St private credit funds limit withdrawals as investors rush for the exit while Bitcoin climbs

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 16:05:58

Wall Street private-credit funds are slowing the exits as withdrawal pressure builds

As Bitcoin climbs and holds above $73,000, several of Wall Street’s biggest private-credit funds have capped, stretched, or halted withdrawals, according to recent filings and reports tied to BlackRock, Blackstone, Morgan Stanley, Cliffwater, and Blue Owl.

JPMorgan has also marked down some private-credit loan portfolios and reduced lending against parts of the same market, a sign that the pressure is moving beyond investor queues and into the financing that supports the asset class.

Investors asked to withdraw more money than several funds were willing or able to return on schedule. The pattern points to a market built on steady income and smoother marks running into a basic liquidity problem when demand for cash rises: the underlying loans do not trade like public bonds and are harder to sell quickly.

Related Reading

Blockchain private credit and tokenized treasuries value hits combined $1.34B continuing RWA resurgence

Surging 127% since 2023, blockchain-based private credit outpaces traditional markets growth with lower borrowing costs and increased transparency.

Dec 18, 2023 · Liam 'Akiba' Wright

The gap between promised access and actual liquidity sits at the center of the issue. It is also the part most likely to travel beyond private-markets specialists.

For crypto, the distinction is clear even before any price reaction enters the picture. A gated private fund and a 24/7 traded asset handle liquidity in very different ways. One depends on quarterly windows and the manager's discretion. The other trades continuously, for better and for worse.

The pressure is visible in the numbers.

Firm / fund	Fund size	Withdrawal requests	Allowed or standard cap	Reported outcome
BlackRock / HPS Corporate Lending Fund	$26B	9.3%	5%	Capped repurchases
Blackstone / Bcred	$82B	7.9%	5%	Record request level above threshold
Morgan Stanley / North Haven Private Income Fund	$7.6B	10.9%	5%	Capped withdrawals
Cliffwater Corporate Lending Fund	$33B	14%	7% paid, 5% guaranteed floor	Limited withdrawals
Blue Owl	$1.6B	Not stated in the cited report	Changed terms	Quarterly withdrawals halted
JPMorgan	$22B exposure cited in coverage	Not applicable	Not applicable	Reduced lending against some collateral

The ratios are more telling than the top-line figures. BlackRock’s fund faced demand equal to about 1.86 times its 5% cap. Morgan Stanley’s fund faced roughly 2.18 times its cap. Cliffwater saw requests equal to 2 times the 7% it planned to honor, and 2.8 times the standard 5% gate. Blackstone’s Bcred reached 1.58 times the 5% threshold that lets it restrict payouts. Those are not tiny overruns.

So far, the market has not had to digest a clear wave of forced sales at disclosed discounts. That marks the dividing line between a liquidity-management problem and a valuation problem. Still, JPMorgan’s move adds a harder edge.

When a bank lends less against private-credit assets after marking down some portfolios, it changes the economics around those funds even if investors never read the filings. Financing gets tighter. Asset sales become more expensive. Confidence takes another hit.

Related Reading

Bitcoin hits Federal Reserve’s 2026 stress tests, creating a massive capital risk for banks

With IBIT near $70B and G-SIB broker-dealers acting as authorized participants, margin and liquidity shocks get harder to dismiss.

Jan 22, 2026 · Gino Matos

What the filings show, and where the pressure can move next

The filings and reports point to the same mechanism across several products. Private-credit funds offered investors periodic ways to redeem, but the assets under them are private loans that do not move through a deep public market.

Managers can smooth marks in calm periods because they are not forced to print a public price every minute. But when redemptions exceed the cap, the smoothing stops looking like stability and starts looking like a delay.

That distinction shapes where the next pressure may show up. If managers can continue to meet a portion of requests each quarter while keeping loan performance intact, the situation stays inside the box marked limited liquidity.

If requests keep outpacing those windows, managers will have fewer clean options. They can continue to ration cash. They can sell loans. Or they can change fund terms. Each of those choices carries consequences for the market’s growth outlook.

The private-credit market has grown to about $1.8T, according to an IMF note. That scale helps explain why a cluster of redemption caps now reads as more than product-level noise. The system does not need a crisis to feel a slowdown. It only needs investors and lenders to act more cautiously at the same time.

That caution is already visible in public signals around the sector. A Barron’s report cited in earlier coverage said the VanEck Alternative Asset Manager ETF was down 23% in 2026. That shows that public markets are already repricing the firms tied most closely to the trade.

For Bitcoin, the cleanest interpretation is structural and centered on market design. Crypto markets are volatile, but they are transparent about that volatility in a way private-credit products are not.

Related Reading

Why a $3 trillion market shock could force funds to sell Bitcoin first

Bitcoin becomes the 24/7 pressure valve as the private credit market admits redemptions can’t clear.

Mar 6, 2026 · Gino Matos

A holder can sell Bitcoin at any time the market is open to them, which is effectively all the time.

A holder in a private-credit vehicle may learn that liquidity exists only inside a quarterly gate. The difference describes how access works, rather than settling the question of which asset is safer.

The private-credit pitch was built on two ideas at once: stable income and tolerable access. Recent events have not yet disproved the income side. They have, however, tested the access side in public. JPMorgan’s tighter lending, tied to marked-down collateral, adds a second layer of pressure because it suggests the firms financing the system are also adjusting their view of the risk.

The next question is whether managers can clear the queue without changing how the market prices these loans.

Bull and bear cases for markets, liquidity, and crypto

The bull case for the sector is a contained slowdown. In that version, funds continue to honor a portion of withdrawals, managers sell selected assets without taking large disclosed hits, and banks other than JPMorgan do not rush to widen haircuts or pull back financing across the board.

The pressure then stays concentrated in products with heavier retail or wealth-channel exposure. Fundraising slows, but the market avoids a broad reset in valuations.

For crypto, that setup gives Bitcoin a narrative edge without requiring a macro accident. The contrast is simple: Wall Street products can ration exits, while Bitcoin remains continuously tradable. That framing can help BTC relative to traditional risk assets even if the direct flow link remains thin.

The bear case is more mechanical. If withdrawal requests remain above caps for another quarter and managers begin selling assets into a thinner secondary market, the focus shifts from access to pricing.

A loan sold below the last stated value becomes a reference point for the next trade. Once that happens, lenders may tighten terms further, other banks may follow JPMorgan, and investors may question whether net asset values are keeping pace with market reality. In that version, liquidity pressure can feed valuation pressure, and valuation pressure can feed more withdrawals.

In a broader liquidity event, Bitcoin often behaves first like a liquid asset. Investors sell what they can. The safer argument, based on the material cited above, is that the issue strengthens Bitcoin’s long-term case as an asset without redemption windows, while leaving short-term price direction open.

Related Reading

As global “Bye America” investors ditch US risk, Bitcoin is finally ready to be the macro alternative

Bitcoin’s link to dollar weakness is real, but it runs through rates and risk limits, instead of simple DXY chart magic.

Feb 1, 2026 · Andjela Radmilac

There is also a middle ground, and it may be the most likely one. Private credit can keep growing while losing part of the sales pitch that helped it reach a wider base of investors. A market can survive a queue.

What becomes harder to sustain is the language that treats those products like near-cash income tools. Once withdrawals exceed caps across several large names, the burden shifts. Managers then have to show that limited liquidity is a manageable feature, rather than the defining fact of the product.

For now, the market has a cluster of capped or halted exits, a bank that is lending less against some of the same assets, and a set of public numbers that show the line is getting longer.

The next quarter will show whether managers are simply pacing withdrawals, or whether the industry has to start proving what those loans are worth when someone actually needs to sell them.

The post Over $172B in Wall St private credit funds limit withdrawals as investors rush for the exit while Bitcoin climbs appeared first on CryptoSlate.

Tether still holds more cash, but Circle’s USDC is now moving more of crypto’s money

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 13:54:32

Circle’s USD Coin (USDC) has officially unseated Tether’s USDT in transfer volume for the first time in seven years. The shift marks a defining moment for digital assets, cleanly splitting stablecoin leadership into two distinct categories: total supply and transactional velocity.

While Tether remains the undisputed heavyweight in the stablecoin market, USDC has become the primary lubricant for the actual movement of capital across the cryptocurrency ecosystem.

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According to a recent research note from Mizuho, USDC accounted for 64% of the transfer volume between the two major stablecoins.

That translates to roughly $2.2 trillion in adjusted transaction volume for USDC, compared to $1.3 trillion for USDT. Mizuho noted this is the first time since 2019 that USDC has led by this metric.

The gap became impossible to ignore in February. Data compiled by Allium pegged total stablecoin transfer volume at $1.8 trillion for the month. Within that pool, USDC was responsible for approximately $1.26 trillion, while USDT accounted for just $514 billion.

Yet the broader market's supply structure continues to heavily favor Tether.

CryptoSlate's data shows that USDT has a massive $184 billion in total market capitalization, while USDC's supply is at roughly $79 billion. By those figures, the circulating supply of USDT remains 2.36 times that of USDC.

This stark divergence between dormant supply and active transfer volume has become the defining feature of the current market. It also highlights the growing importance of underlying settlement rails.

Mizuho researchers attributed the transfer flip to significantly faster on-chain usage, noting that adjusted stablecoin volumes grew more than 90% year-over-year. According to the firm, transaction velocity is increasing rapidly, signaling that stablecoins are changing hands more frequently across a much wider array of financial workflows.

Solana metrics highlight record turnover

While Circle issues USDC natively across 30 different blockchains, one network sits at the undeniable center of this newfound velocity.

By the numbers, the Solana blockchain provides the clearest link between the rising USDC transfer totals and the underlying market structure that demands constant, repeated movement.

Data from Grayscale illustrates the sheer scale of this activity. Solana processed a staggering $650 billion in stablecoin transactions in February, more than doubling its previous record and leading all competing blockchains for the month.

Solana Stablecoin Volume (Source: Grayscale)

What makes that headline number remarkable is the relatively small base of capital parked on the network, a dynamic that points to extreme asset turnover.

According to DeFiLlama, the entire stablecoin base on Solana sits at a modest $15.7 billion. USDC represents 53.81% of that local liquidity pool, amounting to roughly $8.4 billion. Outside of Ethereum, where USDC maintains a massive $55 billion supply, Solana is the network with the token's largest absolute presence.

The intensity of USDC circulation on Solana is unprecedented. Token Terminal reported that monthly USDC transfer volume on the network skyrocketed 300% year-over-year, hitting $880 billion in February 2026 alone.

USDC Volume on Solana (Source: Token Terminal)

These figures describe a blockchain architecture specifically optimized for repeated, high-speed settlement. Token Terminal also noted that Solana’s median transaction fee fell to a one-year low of $0.00047 during the same period.

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Indeed, ultra-low fees naturally support frequent routing, algorithmic rebalancing, and complex settlement strategies between market makers and trading venues throughout the trading day.

Meanwhile, it is worth noting that USDC transfer activity also surged on its largest home base. Token Terminal data showed monthly USDC transfer volume on Ethereum surpassed $1.7 trillion in February, reflecting a 250% year-over-year increase.

Essentially, the complete flow picture clearly spans multiple networks. However, the data coming out of Solana is drawing immediate industry attention because it puts stationary balances and hyper-active movement into the same frame.

This is because a relatively small pool of stablecoins is generating a torrent of transfers, which perfectly explains how USDC built a commanding lead in volume without coming close to matching Tether’s footprint in total supply.

Solana DEXs pivot from memes to stables

The spike in Solana transfer volume coincides with a fundamental change in what is actually driving activity on the network’s decentralized exchanges.

In late 2024 and early 2025, memecoins were the dominant force. Data from Blockworks shows that highly speculative tokens accounted for more than 60% of all decentralized exchange activity on Solana during that window.

That retail-driven surge pushed trading volumes to record highs, briefly doubling those on Ethereum.

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More recently, the landscape has matured. Blockworks data now indicates that stablecoin-related swaps have taken over, accounting for about 70% of all blockchain activity on the network.

Solana DEXs On-chain Activity (Source: Blockworks)

This structural shift perfectly aligns with the February stablecoin transaction records tracked by Grayscale and the massive jump in USDC transfer volume tracked by Token Terminal.

This change in composition has massive implications for how transfer volume accumulates.

Workflows that rely heavily on stablecoins tend to involve repeated transfers among a web of intermediaries. Trading flows routinely split across multiple legs to find the best available price. Every single hop between exchanges, market makers, hedge funds, and payment applications adds to the aggregate transfer totals as balances relentlessly rotate.

Because Solana’s median transaction fee is practically zero, these microscopic, multi-step routing strategies can scale without eating into profit margins.

Infographic comparing stablecoin leadership, showing USDC leads transaction velocity and monthly volume while USDT retains higher total supply dominance.

Regulatory moats and traditional finance rails

Meanwhile, the blockchain technology is only half the story. Policy shifts and platform rules have heavily influenced stablecoin routing over the last year, particularly for institutions operating under strict compliance frameworks in the United States and Europe.

The United States permanently altered the landscape in July 2025 by enacting the GENIUS Act, which established a comprehensive federal framework for payment stablecoins. Across the Atlantic, Circle secured a highly coveted Markets in Crypto-Assets license in Europe in January 2025.

Those regulatory milestones had immediate market consequences. Binance and other leading crypto trading platforms delisted all non-compliant stablecoin pairs, specifically targeting USDT, before March 31, 2025.

Since then, Tether's USDT trading access on some of the world's largest exchanges was severely curtailed within the European bloc. This compliance moat naturally redirected a massive portion of European exchange flow toward regulated alternatives like USDC.

Traditional payment infrastructure has also deeply intersected with the USDC and Solana routing ecosystem.

In December, Visa announced that its United States issuer and acquirer partners had begun settling fiat obligations in Circle’s USDC directly over the Solana blockchain. Initial participants included Cross River Bank and Lead Bank, with a broader domestic rollout scheduled throughout 2026.

Circle is simultaneously pushing a major cross-border expansion to strengthen its institutional plumbing.

The company is actively scaling the Circle Payments Network, a system that allows traditional financial institutions to send USDC internationally and convert it directly into local fiat currencies via banking partners. The network currently boasts 55 institutional members and reached $6 billion in volume this year.

These developments present why the USDC competitive signal flashing in the 2026 data is undeniable. It shows that stablecoin dominance is no longer a single-variable equation, and that the market now measures success through two metrics that can, and clearly do, diverge for extended periods.

The post Tether still holds more cash, but Circle’s USDC is now moving more of crypto’s money appeared first on CryptoSlate.

Bitcoin price confirms recovery hitting highest price since start of Iran war and Trump tariff chaos

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 11:39:57

Bitcoin climbed back into the $73,500 to $73,800 resistance band over the weekend, reaching its highest level since the Iran war and Trump tariff turmoil began to shake global markets.

The move comes even as crude remains above $100, supply through the Strait of Hormuz has been disrupted, and investors have cut back expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts.

As of press time, CryptoSlate data shows Bitcoin at about $70,470, up 0.33% over 24 hours, 1.09% over seven days, and 5.7% over 30 days.

The price action stands out because the chart structure does not yet show a clean trend in the market. The market has mostly respected defined reaction zones.

Bitcoin price chart showing a recovery to its highest level since the start of the Iran war and Trump tariff-related market turmoil.

About three-quarters of all tests of support and resistance levels over the last few months have ended in rejection rather than acceptance. That gives the current test of the upper band a narrower meaning than a simple breakout call. Bitcoin has repaired the panic damage. It still has to prove it can stay above the panic ceiling.

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The clearest near-term resistance sits at $73,500 and $73,800. Those two levels form a top channel pair in the active zone and have produced repeated rejections in the recent stretch of the data.

The first support band below sits at $72,000 and $71,500. Below that, $68,000 remains the next major line where price repeatedly found buyers during February and early March.

Bitcoin price chart from March 10 to 16, 2026, showing a rebound from around $68,000 to above $74,000 with marked breakout, breakdown, and bounce levels.

The immediate question is whether Bitcoin can convert resistance into support, given the still-hostile macro backdrop.

That backdrop has not eased. Oil has surged after the Iran conflict disrupted flows, with AP reporting disruption of more than 12 million barrels per day across the Gulf system. The same shock has fed into inflation expectations and raised doubts about how much room the Fed has to cut this year.

Bitcoin is rising into a heavy resistance band before the outside world has improved. The structure says buyers have regained control of the upper half of the range. It does not yet show that they have escaped it.

Support, resistance, and the difference between a break and acceptance

The recovery through $68,000 looks accepted. So does the later move back through $71,500 and $72,000. Those levels did not hold as one-off spikes. Price spent time above them, built higher lows, and kept returning to the upper part of the structure.

That sequence carries more weight than the latest wick into the $73,500 to $73,800 band because it shows where buyers already proved they would defend the market.

The current move into $73,500 and $73,800 looks more vulnerable. The data is bounce-heavy, the overhead zone is tight, and the market is reaching it while oil, inflation, and trade-policy stress are still unresolved. A rejection here would fit the pattern better than an immediate straight-line run to the next band.

Zone	Role now	What the data suggests
$73,500 to $73,800	Primary resistance	Repeated recent rejection area, needs a hold above to count as acceptance
$72,000 to $71,500	Primary support	Most important near-term floor after the recovery from the panic selloff
$68,000	Secondary support	Major reaction level during the mid-range consolidation
$77,100	Next upside target	Opens only if price accepts the current upper band

The broader market picture offers a partial explanation for why Bitcoin could keep pressing higher even in that setup. U.S.-listed Bitcoin ETFs did not lose their demand base during the latest macro shock.

After outflows of $227.9 million on March 5 and $348.9 million on March 6, the funds posted five straight positive sessions: $167.1 million on March 9, $246.9 million on March 10, $115.2 million on March 11, $53.8 million on March 12, and $180.4 million on March 13. Those figures show that larger buyers did not disappear when macro pressure rose.

That distinction helps frame the current setup. If ETF demand had collapsed at the same time price hit the upper band, the chart would look more like a short-covering bounce running out of fuel. Instead, the latest flow numbers show steady support from fund inflows while Bitcoin retests the highs of the post-shock recovery.

That is one reason the $72,000 to $71,500 floor now carries more weight than the latest intraday print above $73,500. Support shows where buyers are willing to defend size. Resistance shows where sellers are still active.

In that sense, the most important recent move was the reclaiming of $71,500 and $72,000 after the macro panic, rather than reaching $74,000. That recovery showed that buyers were willing to absorb supply while the oil shock was still live and rate-cut expectations were still being marked down.

What the macro backdrop changes, and what it does not

The macro climate still argues for caution. The oil shock continues to ask questions about inflation, growth, and how long high rates might stay in place.

Recent FT reporting cited estimates that put the likely inflation effect at 0.5 to 0.6 percentage points, while projecting a 0.3-point hit to global GDP growth. The Fed is still expected to hold rates steady, with markets rethinking how many cuts remain plausible this year.

Meanwhile, the Trump tariff fight is still running. The Supreme Court decision that disrupted key tariff measures has forced the administration to reopen trade probes and look for new legal paths.

Put simply, the outside-world pressure has not gone away. Bitcoin is rising while the macro picture remains messy.

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The base case from the channel data is a range-acceptance fight between $72,000 and $73,800. Buyers have already shown they can defend the lower part of that band. Sellers have not yet given up the upper edge. If that continues, Bitcoin can keep grinding higher in steps without producing a decisive breakout.

The bull case needs more than a print above resistance. It needs time above resistance. If Bitcoin holds $73,500 on a retest and stops falling back under $73,800, the next obvious structural target is $77,100. That level sits as the next upper channel boundary in the framework and would be the first place to test whether the move is becoming a broader trend rather than another rejection cycle.

The bear case is simpler. A rejection from $73,500 to $73,800, followed by a loss of $72,000, would bring $71,500 back into focus. If that fails, the market would likely revisit $68,000, which has served as the most durable support line. That would not erase the medium-term recovery, but it would weaken the view that Bitcoin is already trading as a stronger macro hedge through this shock.

There is also a low-probability, high-impact case that sits outside the chart. If the Iran conflict widens further, if oil spikes again, or if rate expectations reset sharply higher, forced selling could overwhelm the channel structure in the short run. The chart would still matter, but headline risk would likely take over first.

Infographic showing Bitcoin price testing a “panic ceiling” resistance near $73,500 to $73,800, with scenarios for a breakout toward $77,100 or a rejection toward $68,000.

What comes next for Bitcoin

The most defensible conclusion from the data is that Bitcoin has staged a real recovery but has not completed a clean breakout.

The upper resistance band is still the key test. Traders who want confirmation should watch for acceptance above $73,500 and $73,800, not just another touch. Traders looking for early weakness should watch whether the market can still hold $72,000 on the next pullback.

That leaves the market with a straightforward map.

Scenario	Trigger	Likely path
Base case	Bitcoin holds $72,000 but fails to stay above $73,800	Range trade continues, with repeated tests of the upper band
Bull case	Bitcoin holds above $73,500 after a breakout	Price targets $77,100 as the next clear channel boundary
Bear case	Bitcoin rejects the upper band and loses $72,000	Price retests $71,500, with $68,000 back in play
Macro shock case	War, oil, or rates worsen sharply	Headline risk overrides the range and raises liquidation risk

For now, the clearest take is simple. Bitcoin has climbed back to the top of its recent range even as war, oil, inflation pressure, and tariff uncertainty continue to pull on global markets. The recovery through $68,000, $71,500, and $72,000 looks real. The market has not yet shown the same acceptance above $73,500 and $73,800.

If Bitcoin can live above that band, $77,100 becomes the next measured target inside this framework.

If it cannot, the move still looks like a strong recovery inside a range that has rejected the price more often than it has released it.

The post Bitcoin price confirms recovery hitting highest price since start of Iran war and Trump tariff chaos appeared first on CryptoSlate.

Trump-backed WLFI is selling $5 million access while pitching finance for everyone

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 09:19:14

World Liberty Financial is offering “guaranteed direct access” to its business development team to investors who lock up $5 million in WLFI tokens for six months, Reuters reported on Mar. 13.

The arrangement creates what the project calls “Super Nodes,” a tier that sits above ordinary governance participants and gets prioritized treatment for partnership discussions.

At current prices, that means staking 50 million WLFI tokens and committing to a 180-day lockup. In return, Super Node holders get governance voting power weighted by amount and duration, plus front-of-the-line access to the team handling business development and compliance.

This is the same venture that says its mission is to “democratize access to financial opportunities” and is seeking a US national trust bank charter.

World Liberty’s stated pitch	What the new structure actually does
“Democratize finance”	Creates a premium lane for large holders
Open financial access	Requires roughly $5 million in WLFI for top-tier access
Governance participation	Makes lockup size and duration central to influence
Community-driven project	Prioritizes investors who can commit the most capital
Crypto as access expansion	Crypto becomes a gatekeeping mechanism

And the same venture that generated more than $460 million for President Donald Trump's family in the first half of 2025, with 75% of new token sale proceeds flowing to the family.

A project tied to the sitting president's family is monetizing proximity at a posted price while trying to move deeper into regulated finance.

What changed

The governance staking proposal passed on Mar. 12 with 99% of ballots cast in favor, though Reuters could not independently verify how many individual token holders participated.

The Feb. 25 proposal restructures the way WLFI allocates governance power and commercial attention.

Unlocked token holders must now stake for at least 180 days to vote. The proposal eliminates existing voting power limitations in favor of a new weighted formula based on the amount staked and remaining lockup duration.

The proposal creates two tiers above ordinary participants: “Nodes” require 10 million WLFI (about $1 million), while “Super Nodes” require 50 million WLFI (about $5 million) and provide guaranteed direct access to the WLFI team for partnership discussions.

Reuters reported that WLFI later clarified that the access is to business development and compliance teams, not to Trump or his family members.

The project's “Meet our team” section, which had listed Trump family members, was removed from the website following the questioning.

The venture is selling a commercial fast lane while branding itself as an open finance platform. At the same time, it seeks federal regulatory approval for a banking charter.

Tier	WLFI required	Approx. value	What holders get
Standard holder	Below Node threshold	—	Basic token ownership / limited role
Node	10 million WLFI	~$1 million	Governance staking privileges
Super Node	50 million WLFI	~$5 million	Node benefits plus guaranteed direct access for partnership discussions
Lockup rule	—	—	180-day minimum staking period

The regulated finance overlap

In January, a WLFI subsidiary filed an application with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to establish a national trust bank focused on USD1 stablecoin issuance, redemption, and digital asset custody.

A trust bank moves a crypto business deeper into the federally supervised perimeter.

In February, lawmakers pressed the OCC over the application and raised conflict-of-interest concerns. Crypto.com received conditional approval for a similar charter in February, showing WLFI's bank push sits within a broader trend.

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This is a Trump-linked venture that monetizes access and simultaneously seeks a regulatory stamp that would make it appear to be infrastructure. Even without evidence of quid pro quo, the appearance problem is legible to anyone who understands how proximity works in regulated industries.

Reuters reported that WLFI generated more than $460 million for the Trump family in the first half of 2025 and that 75% of new token sale proceeds go to the family under current terms.

WLFI's own Mar. 3 token terms use slightly broader wording, stating that DT Marks DeFi and affiliates are entitled to 75% of “net protocol revenues” after deductions.

Even using a narrower framing, a $5 million Super Node purchase implies roughly $3.75 million flows to the Trump family.

The proposal frames Super Nodes as more than prestige. Its rationale says Super Nodes help “prioritize partnership deal flow” and create a USD1 distribution network in which each Super Node acts as a “mini-distributor.”

The $5 million lane is a commercial channel strategy to expand stablecoin adoption.

World Liberty put a dollar figure on being prioritized. It structured that prioritization as a distribution franchise for a stablecoin the venture wants to issue through a federally chartered trust bank.

Infographic showing Trump-backed WLFI’s “democratized finance” pitch beside a tiered pay-to-play hierarchy with a $5 million access tier, token thresholds, and revenue flow to Trump-linked entities.

The democratization problem

WLFI's Gold Paper says its mission is to “democratize access to financial opportunities” and “democratize finance.”

The same document discloses that tokens were offered in the US only to accredited investors.

The Super Node tier makes the contradiction impossible to miss. The project moved from an implied hierarchy, accredited investors only, to an explicit hierarchy with a posted $5 million threshold.

Number	What it shows
$5 million	Cost of the Super Node access tier
180 days	Minimum staking lockup
$460 million+	Reuters-reported amount made by the Trump family in H1 2025
75%	Share of new token-sale proceeds Reuters says goes to the family

Everyone understands what pay for access means. Finance is being wrapped in new technology, and the core mechanism remains familiar: pay more, get heard faster, gain governance weight, and secure commercial opportunities others do not.

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Reuters noted that critics say the arrangement clashes with World Liberty's stated mission.

The venture clarified that access is for business development teams, but this clarification does not address the tension between democratization branding and stratified access.

World Liberty Financial is stress-testing one of crypto's oldest claims: that tokenized governance distributes power more fairly than traditional finance. In this model, governance depends on how much capital you can lock in for how long and what strategic value you can offer.

If WLFI's version works, other projects may copy the playbook. Stake a large size, get governance preference, distribution rights, and access to business development channels.

The industry would move toward a model in which tokens function as a hybrid of a lobbying budget, a channel-partner franchise, and a private membership card.

Broader issue	Why readers should care
Pay-to-play finance	Access is being openly monetized
Crypto governance	Influence shifts toward capital-heavy participants
Regulated-finance overlap	Venture is also seeking a U.S. banking license
Public trust	“Democratization” rhetoric clashes with elite access pricing

The Super Node proposal already passed. The trust bank application is alive. The most natural outcome is normalization: pay-for-access mechanics become standard inside crypto governance, even if critics keep attacking the optics.

If the bank charter process advances and USD1 adoption expands, institutional partners may decide that the access tier filters serious counterparties. WLFI becomes a politically branded stablecoin platform, and the $5 million lane starts to look like a business development fee.

If ethics pressure and charter scrutiny intensify, the access product becomes a reputational drag.

Crypto's newest premium product is access. World Liberty Financial is making that explicit with a $5 million price tag, a six-month lockup, and a governance system that ties voting power to committed capital.

The venture promised to democratize finance, but it sold tokens only to accredited investors. Now it is charging $5 million to skip the line while seeking a federal banking charter.

The post Trump-backed WLFI is selling $5 million access while pitching finance for everyone appeared first on CryptoSlate.

Cryptoticker

Trump Speech Today as Oil Drops and Stocks Surge — Will Bitcoin Be the Next Market Mover?

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 16:13:41

Markets Rally Ahead of President Trump’s Speech

Global markets are reacting strongly ahead of President Donald Trump’s expected White House speech today, with equities surging and oil prices falling after reports that the United States is allowing some oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz to stabilize global supply.

The development comes after days of heightened geopolitical tensions involving Iran and the United States. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints, responsible for transporting roughly 20% of global oil supply.

Reports that tankers are now being allowed to pass through the strait have eased fears of a major disruption to global energy markets. As a result, oil prices dropped sharply, triggering a powerful rally across U.S. stock markets.

$1 Trillion Added to U.S. Stocks

The market reaction has been immediate. U.S. equities surged at the open, with major indexes posting strong gains.

The S&P 500, Nasdaq, Dow Jones, and Russell 2000 all climbed significantly as investors interpreted the tanker news as a signal of possible de-escalation in the Middle East conflict.

Tech stocks led the rally, with major companies such as Nvidia, Meta, Tesla, Apple, and Google all trading higher. In total, the U.S. stock market added hundreds of billions of dollars in market value, approaching the $1 trillion mark during the early session.

The logic behind the rally is straightforward: if oil supply remains stable, inflation pressure may ease, which could reduce economic uncertainty and support risk assets.

Oil Prices Drop After Hormuz News

Energy markets were extremely sensitive to the situation in the Strait of Hormuz over the past week. Any threat to the route can send oil prices soaring due to fears of supply disruptions.

However, the latest reports suggesting the United States is allowing some tankers to pass through the strait have helped calm markets.

Oil prices dropped sharply after the announcement, reinforcing the perception that global supply chains may remain intact despite ongoing geopolitical tensions.

For financial markets, lower oil prices often translate into lower inflation expectations, which tends to support stocks and other risk assets.

All Eyes on President Trump’s Announcement

President Trump is expected to address the situation during a White House press conference later today. Investors are closely watching the speech for signals about the next steps in U.S. policy.

Key questions markets are asking include:

Will the U.S. officially confirm that tanker traffic through Hormuz is being stabilized?
Will there be a broader international coalition protecting the shipping route?
Could the speech signal de-escalation or further military action?

Markets have already partially priced in a positive outcome, meaning the tone of the speech could play a decisive role in determining the next move across global assets.

Could Bitcoin Be the Next Market Mover?

While traditional markets have already reacted, the cryptocurrency market is watching closely.

Bitcoin has recently shown surprising resilience during geopolitical instability. In many cases, major macro developments initially move traditional markets such as oil and equities before spilling over into crypto.

If global risk sentiment continues improving, capital could rotate back into digital assets, potentially supporting Bitcoin and the broader crypto market.

On the other hand, if the speech signals escalation or renewed uncertainty, volatility could return across both traditional and crypto markets.

For now, Bitcoin traders are waiting to see whether the macro rally in equities will translate into momentum for the crypto market as well.

Conclusion

With oil prices dropping and U.S. stocks surging ahead of President Trump’s speech, global markets are positioning for potential stabilization in the Strait of Hormuz situation.

However, the final market reaction will likely depend on the tone and details of the announcement. Investors across equities, commodities, and cryptocurrencies are now waiting to see whether the speech confirms de-escalation — or introduces a new wave of uncertainty.

If risk appetite continues improving, Bitcoin could become the next asset to react.

Bitcoin Price Breaches $73,000 as China Rejects Trump’s Strait of Hormuz Coalition

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 12:23:59

While U.S. President Donald Trump has actively lobbied for a multinational military coalition to reopen the strategic waterway, Beijing has formally responded with a message of de-escalation. The friction between the world's two largest economies, coupled with a tightening energy supply, has positioned Bitcoin as a focal point for investors seeking a hedge against systemic risk.

China Sidesteps Military Engagement in the Strait

In a direct response to President Trump’s call for China to deploy warships to the Strait of Hormuz, the Chinese Foreign Ministry has signaled a firm preference for diplomacy over military intervention. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated on Monday that "all parties should immediately cease military operations" to prevent a regional catastrophe that could further cripple global economic growth.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint through which approximately 20% of the world’s oil flows. Trump’s administration argued that since China is a major beneficiary of Middle Eastern oil, it should share the burden of securing the passage. Instead of joining the U.S.-led coalition, China is prioritizing "head-of-state diplomacy," though Trump has threatened to delay his upcoming summit with Xi Jinping if cooperation is not met.

Bitcoin Price Analysis: BTC Price Breaches $73K

Amidst this geopolitical standoff, the Bitcoin price has shown remarkable resilience. After consolidating near $70,000 for much of early March, the premier cryptocurrency surged past $73,000 today, marking an 8% increase over the past week.

Technical Targets and Resistance

Market analysts are now eyeing the $75,000 level as the next immediate target. The breakout above $73,400—a level aligned with the 50-period moving average—suggests that the "Expertise" of the bulls is currently dominating the narrative.

Immediate Support: $70,000 (Psychological barrier)
Resistance Zone: $74,500 – $75,200
Weekly Gain: +8.3%

The rising appetite for $Bitcoin reflects a shift in market sentiment. While the S&P 500 has faced pressure due to soaring oil prices (now exceeding $100 per barrel), BTC is increasingly being viewed as a "digital gold" alternative.

Why China's Stance Matters for Markets

China's refusal to join the military coalition adds a layer of uncertainty to global trade. If the Strait remains blocked and the U.S. continues its unilateral military pressure, energy prices are expected to stay elevated. For the crypto market, this often translates to two scenarios:

Inflationary Hedge: Persistent high energy costs drive inflation, traditionally a bullish catalyst for BTC.
Safe Haven Shift: As traditional exchange platforms see increased volatility in equities, capital flows toward decentralized assets.

Bitcoin Prediction: The Road to $75,000

As the "Who, What, and Why" of this crisis unfold, the path to $75,000 for Bitcoin seems clear, provided it can maintain its support above $72,000. Investors are closely watching the upcoming diplomatic meetings, as any further escalation in the Middle East or a breakdown in U.S.-China trade talks could provide the final push needed for BTC to hit new all-time highs.

Ethereum Price Prediction: ETH Coin Reclaims $2,250 as Bull Run Targets THIS New Price

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 10:31:47

As of today, March 16, 2026, $Ethereum is up 7% in the past 24 hours with 13% gain over the past week.

This sudden volatility to the upside has liquidations of short positions reaching over $123 million, suggesting that the "bear trap" may have finally snapped shut. With institutional interest peaking due to the launch of products like the BlackRock iShares Staked Ethereum ETF (ETHB), the path toward $3,000 appears increasingly clear—provided key support zones hold.

Is the Ethereum Bull Run Back?

The short answer is: Potentially, but confirmation is key. The break above $2,250 is the first higher-high Ethereum has printed on the daily chart in months. For this to transition from a "relief rally" to a full-blown bull run, $ETH must now flip $2,250 into a support floor and challenge the next major liquidity cluster near $2,450.

Current Market Performance at a Glance:

Metric	Value
Current Price	$2,260 - $2,270
24h Change	+7.2%
7d Change	+13.1%
Key Resistance	$2,450 / $3,000
Critical Support	$2,200 / $2,050

Ethereum Price Prediction: Breaking Down the Chart

Analyzing the recent technical structure, the breakout occurred following a "double-bottom" pattern near the $1,950 zone. The charts indicate a sharp vertical move that has pushed the Relative Strength Index (RSI) into the bullish 60-65 range, suggesting there is still room for growth before reaching "overbought" territory.

Ethereum Price Target After the Rally

The next logical target for bulls is the $3,000 mark. This level isn't just a psychological milestone; it represents a major historical supply zone where Ethereum struggled during the previous quarter. If the current momentum continues, driven by increased on-chain activity and ETF inflows, we could see a test of $3,000 by late April 2026.

Ethereum Risk Areas

Despite the optimism, the bull run is not yet "guaranteed." Technical analysts point to two critical risk areas:

$2,200 Support: If ETH fails to hold above this level on a daily close, the current breakout might be labeled a "fakeout."
$2,050 Support: This is the line in the sand. If Ethereum breaks below $2,050, it invalidates the current bullish structure, suggesting that the market remains in a long-term downtrend and the bull run has not yet started.

Expert Insight: "The $2,150 to $2,250 range has been a thick liquidity node. Breaking above it with high volume is a strong signal, but we need to see the crypto market stabilize here to avoid a sharp rejection," notes a senior analyst at CoinDesk.

Institutional Catalysts: BlackRock and ETF Inflows

A major driver behind this 7% pump is the surging institutional adoption. The recently launched BlackRock iShares Staked Ethereum ETF (ETHB) saw over $15.5 million in trading volume on its debut. Unlike standard ETFs, this product offers exposure to staking rewards, making it highly attractive for pension funds and large-scale investors looking for yield in a volatile market.

OpenClaw AI Trading 2026: Can AI Trading Really Make You Money?

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 06:00:00

The start of 2026 was widely hyped as the “Year of the AI Agent.” Instead of simple chatbots, these new systems—built with frameworks like OpenClaw—are designed to actually take action: signing transactions, managing portfolios, and executing trading strategies on their own. The vision was simple: an autonomous system that could run financial strategies with little to no human involvement.

But the reality is turning out to be more complicated. Early experiments and a few high-profile technical mishaps are raising questions about how reliable these systems really are. AI might be able to trade faster than humans, but that doesn’t always mean it trades better. In one case, a simple decimal mistake reportedly wiped out $441,000, while some flagship models—including GPT-5—have seen their trading capital drop by more than half within weeks. For now, the idea that AI agents can consistently generate trading alpha is being seriously tested.

The $441,000 Decimal Error: Why Autonomy is Dangerous

In February 2026, the crypto community witnessed a nightmare scenario. Lobstar Wild, an AI agent developed by an Open AI researcher, was tasked with distributing small token rewards to community members. Due to a session crash and a subsequent "parsing error" regarding decimal places, the agent lost track of its wallet state.

Upon rebooting, instead of sending a few dollars, it autonomously signed a transaction for 52 million tokens—roughly 5% of the total supply—valued at $441,000. The funds were sent to a random address, highlighting a critical flaw: when an AI has the authority to sign transactions without a "human-in-the-loop," a simple bug becomes a financial catastrophe.

Does AI Outperform the Market? The NOV1.ai Experiment

To see if these errors were isolated incidents, the platform NOV1.ai launched a systematic experiment in late 2025. Six leading AI models were given $1,000 each to trade crypto perpetuals on Hyperliquid for 17 days without human intervention.

Performance Results of Top AI Models:

AI Model	Return (17 Days)	Behavior Profile
Qwen	+22%	Disciplined; few trades; strict Stop-Loss/Take-Profit.
DeepSeek	+5%	Moderate activity; followed clear trends.
Claude	-31%	Inconsistent execution.
Grok	-45%	"FOMO" trader; chased Twitter sentiment too late.
Gemini	-57%	Over-trader; 238 trades in 17 days (high fees).
GPT-5	-62%	Analysis paralysis; hesitated on winning signals.

The results were shocking. The flagship GPT-5 lost more than half of its capital. The data shows that AI agents often replicate the worst human trading habits: Gemini acted like an overactive day trader, Grock fell victim to social media hype, and GPT-5 suffered from "analysis paralysis."

What is OpenClaw? The Framework Powering 2026 Trading

OpenClaw is the leading framework that allows developers to turn LLMs (Large Language Models) into active agents. Unlike a standard chatbot that simply responds to prompts, an OpenClaw agent can:
Plan: Set multi-step goals based on market data.
Decide: Choose which assets to buy or sell.
Execute: Interact directly with smart contracts or exchange APIs.

The adoption is growing rapidly; for instance, Crypto.com recently integrated OpenClaw into its ecosystem to provide users with AI-driven trading assistants. However, the ease of deployment has led to significant security gaps.

Security Risks: 10% of "Skills" are Malicious

Security firm Consensus recently discovered over 21,000 publicly accessible OpenClaw instances that were completely unauthenticated. This means API keys, wallet access, and chat logs were exposed to the open web.

Furthermore, an analysis of Clawhub (a repository for agent "skills") revealed that out of 3,000 community-contributed skills, 341 contained malicious code. These included:

Prompt Injections: Forcing the agent to send funds to an attacker.
Info-stealers: Exporting private keys to external servers.

Using a pre-made trading bot without auditing the code is currently one of the fastest ways to lose your $Bitcoin or other assets.

Conclusion: Reality Check for AI Investors

AI trading in 2026 is a powerful tool, but it is not a "get rich quick" button. The takeaway from the recent volatility is clear:

Autonomy = Risk: Never give an agent full signing authority over significant funds.
Discipline Beats Hype: Models that traded less (like Qwen) outperformed those that reacted to every market "noise."
Research over Execution: Currently, AI is better at monitoring markets and providing alerts than making final financial decisions.

Why Bitcoin Is Ignoring the Iran War?

Sun, 15 Mar 2026 16:39:45

Global markets are once again facing rising geopolitical tension. News surrounding Iran, the United States, and Israel — including concerns over the Strait of Hormuz — has triggered uncertainty across traditional financial markets.

Yet despite these developments, the cryptocurrency market has shown surprising stability. Bitcoin continues to trade near the $70,000 level, resisting the kind of sharp panic selling that often accompanies geopolitical crises.

This unusual market behavior is raising an important question: why is Bitcoin ignoring the Iran war?

Bitcoin Briefly Dropped — Then Recovered

When the first headlines about escalating tensions appeared, the crypto market initially reacted with a short-term sell-off. Bitcoin briefly dipped as traders reduced risk exposure across global markets.

However, the decline was short-lived. Within hours, buyers stepped in and the market stabilized. Bitcoin quickly returned to the $70K range, suggesting that demand remains strong despite the uncertain macro environment.

This pattern — a quick dip followed by strong recovery — has become increasingly common in recent years.

Institutional Demand Is Changing Market Behavior

One of the biggest reasons Bitcoin is showing resilience today is the growing presence of institutional investors.

Large companies, hedge funds, and ETFs have significantly increased their exposure to Bitcoin over the past few years. These investors often take longer-term positions and are less likely to panic during short-term geopolitical events.

Institutional demand can therefore act as a stabilizing force in the market, helping absorb selling pressure during moments of uncertainty.

Bitcoin Is Starting to Behave Like a Macro Asset

Another reason Bitcoin is holding strong is its growing role as a macro asset.

In the past, geopolitical crises often caused crypto to fall sharply as investors rushed into traditional safe havens such as the US dollar or government bonds.

Today, however, Bitcoin is increasingly being viewed as an alternative store of value. Some investors now treat BTC as a hedge against monetary instability, geopolitical risk, and long-term inflation.

This shift in perception is gradually changing how Bitcoin reacts to global events.

Oil, Inflation, and the Strait of Hormuz

The current tensions are particularly sensitive because of the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic shipping route through which roughly 20% of global oil supply passes.

Any disruption in this region could push oil prices significantly higher, which would have a direct impact on inflation and global financial markets.

Historically, rising inflation and monetary instability have often strengthened Bitcoin’s long-term narrative as an alternative financial asset.

What Happens Next for Crypto?

For now, Bitcoin appears to be consolidating around the $70K level while global markets digest geopolitical developments.

If tensions escalate further, short-term volatility could increase. However, the fact that Bitcoin has remained relatively stable during such a major geopolitical event suggests that the market structure has matured.

In other words, crypto may no longer react to global crises in the same way it did during its early years.

Instead of collapsing under pressure, Bitcoin may gradually be evolving into a global macro asset that responds differently to geopolitical shocks.

Conclusion

The Iran crisis is testing financial markets once again. Yet Bitcoin’s ability to remain stable near $70,000 despite rising geopolitical tensions is an important signal.

Rather than triggering panic selling, the conflict appears to be highlighting Bitcoin’s growing role in the global financial system.

Whether this resilience continues will depend on how geopolitical events unfold — but one thing is becoming increasingly clear: Bitcoin is no longer just a speculative asset.

It is becoming part of the global macro landscape.

Decrypt

Trump-Backed World Liberty Puts $5.3 Million Price Tag on 'Guaranteed Access' to Team

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 17:42:45

The Trump family's World Liberty Financial approved a measure that lets big-time WLFI investors access members of its team.

'Operation Atlantic': US Secret Service Teams With UK, Canada to Stop Crypto Fraud

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 16:48:37

The Secret Service is working together with U.K. and Canadian law enforcement agencies in a bid to stop crypto fraud schemes.

Crypto Firm Abra to Go Public on Nasdaq in $750 Million SPAC Deal

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 16:18:55

Crypto wealth manager Abra is going public at a $750 million valuation—but regulators have repeatedly taken issue with how it does business.

Crypto Funds Pull In $1B for Third Straight Week as US Investors Drive Demand

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 15:33:29

Institutional flows into Bitcoin and Ethereum surge amid geopolitical tensions and expanding U.S. ETF market.

Ethereum Price Hits 6-Week High as Tom Lee's BitMine Reveals Latest ETH Buy

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 15:17:43

Publicly traded Ethereum treasury firm BitMine Immersion Technologies added more ETH amid its climb to $2,300 for the first time in six weeks.

U.Today - IT, AI and Fintech Daily News for You Today

Bitcoin to $90,000? Top Analyst Outlines Bullish Case Following Recent Breakout

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 17:39:22

Bitcoin has staged a "textbook" technical breakout from a grueling horizontal channel, clearing the $74,000 mark and putting a $90,000 price target firmly in play.

XRP Has Chance to Test $1.80 Resistance on 20% Swing, Bollinger Bands Suggest

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 16:07:00

XRP is storming the $1.50 level with eyes on a critical $1.80 target. Discover why the weekly Bollinger Bands suggest a 20% window of opportunity for a massive trend shift.

Cardano (ADA) Holds Top 10 Market Cap Rank as OI Surge Offsets Bears

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 16:03:00

Cardano has returned to the Top 10 cryptos by market cap, as its price rose 10% on the daily chart.

496 Billion Transactions: Solana Celebrates Sixth Anniversary With Massive Growth

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 15:50:00

Solana is celebrating its sixth anniversary, with its first block launched on March 16, 2020.

Singapore Suddenly Takes Lead in Shiba Inu With 441.36 Billion SHIB Shuffle

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 15:24:00

Shiba Inu coin price's 8% rally coincides with unusual 441 billion SHIB shuffle on Singapore's exchange.

Blockonomi

Abra to Go Public in $750M Nasdaq SPAC Merger Deal

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 18:29:36

TLDR

Abra will go public through a $750 million merger with New Providence Acquisition Corp. III.
The combined company will trade on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol ABRX.
The transaction sets Abra’s pre-money valuation at $750 million.
Existing investors will roll their shares into the new public entity.
The deal may provide up to $300 million in cash held in trust.

Abra will enter public markets through a merger with New Providence Acquisition Corp. III. The deal values the company at $750 million before new capital. The combined entity will trade on Nasdaq under the ticker ABRX.

Abra to Merge With SPAC at $750 Million Valuation

Abra signed a definitive agreement with New Providence Acquisition Corp. III to complete a reverse merger. The transaction sets a pre-money equity valuation of $750 million. After closing, the combined company will operate as Abra Financial. It expects to list on Nasdaq under the ticker ABRX.

The deal allows existing investors to roll their shares into the public company. These investors include Pantera Capital, Blockchain Capital, RRE Ventures, Adams Street, and SBI. They will not cash out during the merger process. The transaction may provide up to $300 million in cash held in trust. Abra plans to use the proceeds for growth, sales, marketing, and operations.

Abra Financial will offer SEC-registered investment advisory services and a digital asset wealth platform. The company will target institutional clients, high-net-worth individuals, and registered investment advisers. Its services will include custody, segregated accounts, trading, yield strategies, and crypto-backed loans. It will also provide treasury management solutions for clients.

Crypto wealth platform @AbraGlobal is going public!

A $750M SPAC merger could list the firm on @Nasdaq ($ABRX) as it eyes $10B+ AUM by 2027.

Up to $300M cash from the SPAC trust could supercharge institutional #crypto growth. #DeFi #Solana https://t.co/cLxJR1CRxX

— Blockster (@BlocksterCom) March 16, 2026

CEO Bill Barhydt said the firm will focus on regulated, on-chain crypto wealth management. He stated, “We aim to provide regulated, on-chain crypto wealth management as digital assets become central to finance.” Abra targets $10 billion in assets under management by the end of 2027. The company expects the merger to strengthen its capital base and support expansion plans.

Abra operates through Abra Capital Management LP, which is registered with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. This registration allows the firm to provide portfolio management services. The company founded operations in 2014 under Barhydt’s leadership. It serves institutions, family offices, and high-net-worth investors.

In 2024, Abra settled with regulators in 25 US states over its Abra Earn product. The company agreed to return assets to investors and wind down the program for US clients. After the settlement, it shifted focus toward institutional and wealth management services.

Crypto Firms Pursue Public Listings Through SPACs and IPOs

Abra joins other digital asset firms seeking access to public markets. SPAC transactions have regained traction for crypto companies in the past year. Jessica Groza, partner at Kohrman Jackson & Krantz, commented on the structure. She said, “While this model offers rapid liquidity and valuation flexibility, it also carries risks such as volatility and regulatory uncertainty.”

Several crypto firms chose traditional IPO routes in 2025. Stablecoin issuer Circle Internet Group listed on the New York Stock Exchange in June 2025. Crypto exchange Gemini debuted on Nasdaq later that year. Figure Technologies and Bullish also completed public listings through IPOs.

Other firms continue to evaluate public offerings. Hardware wallet maker Ledger and institutional custodian Copper have explored potential listings. Abra confirmed that it expects its shares to trade on Nasdaq under ABRX after the merger closes.

The post Abra to Go Public in $750M Nasdaq SPAC Merger Deal appeared first on Blockonomi.

Abra Eyes $750M SPAC Merger for Nasdaq Entry as Crypto Industry Rebounds

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 18:28:12

Key Highlights

Abra announces $750M SPAC merger to secure Nasdaq listing under ABRX ticker symbol.
Company sets ambitious goal to reach $10B in assets under management by 2027.
Early investors including Pantera Capital will convert holdings into public company shares.
Previous regulatory settlements with SEC and CFTC influence strategic pivot to institutions.
Digital asset industry sees growing trend of companies choosing public market routes.

Digital asset wealth management platform Abra has unveiled plans to enter public markets via a SPAC merger valued at $750 million. This development marks another milestone in the cryptocurrency sector’s increasing integration with traditional finance. The firm’s strategy centers on growing its institutional-focused crypto wealth management operations as investor appetite for digital assets strengthens.

Digital Asset Platform Abra Strikes $750 Million SPAC Agreement for Nasdaq Entry

Cryptocurrency wealth management firm Abra has entered into a definitive merger agreement with New Providence Acquisition Corp. III, a special purpose acquisition company. This reverse merger structure will facilitate Abra’s public market entry without pursuing a conventional IPO. Following deal completion, the merged entity expects to trade on Nasdaq using the ticker ABRX.

The transaction establishes a $750 million pre-money equity valuation for Abra. New Providence currently maintains approximately $300 million in trust funds, subject to potential shareholder redemptions. These proceeds will fuel Abra’s expansion initiatives across digital asset wealth management and related financial services.

Current equity holders have committed to rolling their ownership stakes into the newly public company. The investor roster features prominent venture firms including Pantera Capital, Blockchain Capital, RRE Ventures, Adams Street, and Japan’s SBI group. This rollover arrangement ensures continuity of financial backing throughout the public transition period.

Focus on High-Net-Worth and Institutional Clients Powers Growth Vision

Founded in 2014 by Bill Barhydt, who continues as chief executive, Abra operates a comprehensive digital asset platform. The company primarily serves high-net-worth individuals, institutional investors, and family office clients. Its integrated platform bundles trading execution, secure custody solutions, and portfolio management capabilities.

Through its Abra Capital Management LP division, the firm operates as an SEC-registered investment adviser. This regulatory status enables the platform to deliver professional portfolio management services tailored for institutional and affluent clients seeking digital asset exposure.

The platform’s service portfolio encompasses crypto-collateralized lending products, segregated custody arrangements, and yield-generating strategies. Abra supplies corporate treasury management solutions alongside digital asset trading technology. Company leadership has established an aggressive target exceeding $10 billion in assets under management before 2027 ends.

Past Regulatory Challenges Influence Strategic Direction Toward Institutions

Abra’s growth trajectory has included navigating multiple regulatory enforcement actions. United States authorities charged the platform in 2020 with providing unregistered security-based swap products. Additional allegations involved unauthorized off-exchange trading of digital assets and foreign currencies.

The firm subsequently reached settlement agreements with both the SEC and CFTC. Abra paid combined penalties totaling $300,000 to resolve these enforcement matters in 2024. Regulatory scrutiny also encompassed the company’s lending products marketed through its Abra Earn service.

During 2024, Abra finalized settlement agreements with state regulators spanning twenty-five jurisdictions. Terms required the company to distribute $82 million worth of digital assets back to affected customers. Regulatory authorities additionally mandated discontinuation of the Abra Earn program for United States-based users.

Digital Asset Sector Embraces Public Market Opportunities

Abra’s planned listing contributes to an accelerating trend of cryptocurrency companies pursuing public market access. Digital asset enterprises increasingly view traditional capital markets as vehicles for securing permanent capital and enhancing regulatory standing. Public company status also elevates credibility when engaging with institutional financial counterparties.

Multiple industry participants have recently completed public listings through standard IPO processes. Stablecoin provider Circle completed its New York Stock Exchange listing in June 2025. Cryptocurrency exchange operator Gemini followed with its own Nasdaq debut later that same year.

Additional sector companies are actively evaluating potential public offerings as market dynamics improve. Industry reports suggest firms like Ledger and Copper are analyzing possible listing pathways. Abra’s SPAC transaction therefore exemplifies the broader industry movement toward bridging digital asset operations with conventional financial markets.

The post Abra Eyes $750M SPAC Merger for Nasdaq Entry as Crypto Industry Rebounds appeared first on Blockonomi.

PayPal (PYPL) Stock Plunges 85% From Peak: Value Play or Falling Knife?

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 18:27:53

TLDR

PYPL shares trade 85% beneath their July 2021 peak, hovering around the $45 mark
Late February saw a sharp 25% surge on Stripe takeover speculation, which has since pulled back roughly 10%
Branded checkout transaction volume expanded only 1% year-over-year in Q4, falling from 6% growth previously
New CEO Enrique Lores, previously with HP, took over from Alex Chriss on March 1
Analysts from Bank of America and KGI Securities maintain Neutral stances with targets of $48 and $55 respectively

PayPal (PYPL) experienced a fleeting rally during late February. Market chatter suggesting Stripe might acquire the payments giant—either entirely or in pieces—drove shares upward by as much as 25% from multi-year lows.

PayPal Holdings, Inc., PYPL

The enthusiasm proved short-lived. As the acquisition whispers faded without confirmation, shares retreated approximately 10% and currently trade near $45—remarkably close to price levels not seen since 2017.

With a forward P/E multiple hovering around 8, the valuation appears attractive on the surface. However, this compressed multiple signals deep skepticism about any meaningful growth acceleration on the horizon.

PayPal closed 2025 with 439 million active users—a mere 13 million increase compared to five years prior. Annual revenue climbed just 4%. These metrics hardly suggest a company operating at peak performance.

Fourth Quarter Results Triggered Concerns

The company’s branded checkout segment, traditionally a high-margin revenue driver, posted disappointing Q4 payment volume growth of merely 1% year-over-year. This marked a significant deceleration from the 6% expansion recorded in the comparable quarter twelve months earlier.

The quarterly weakness proved particularly troubling given the timing. Fourth quarter encompasses the critical holiday shopping period, making underperformance during this window especially concerning for market participants.

PayPal’s latest quarterly disclosure compounded investor worries. Both top-line revenue and bottom-line earnings missed Wall Street consensus estimates. Forward-looking commentary for 2026 struck a cautious tone, which markets interpreted as acknowledgment of intensifying competitive pressures.

Adding to investor anxiety, a class action complaint alleging that PayPal misrepresented the growth trajectory of its payment infrastructure has introduced additional legal risk into the equation.

CEO Transition Compounds Uncertainty

March 1 brought an abrupt leadership shake-up. Alex Chriss departed the chief executive role, with Enrique Lores—HP’s former leader—assuming command. The unexpected nature of this transition surprised market observers.

Mid-course leadership transitions during turnaround efforts typically fail to inspire immediate investor confidence. Market participants will be watching closely for early strategic signals from Lores before recalibrating their outlook.

The upcoming May earnings announcement now represents the next critical inflection point. PayPal must demonstrate that its growth trajectory is finding a floor and that management possesses a viable strategic blueprint.

From a financial strength perspective, the situation looks more reassuring. PayPal produced $5.6 billion in free cash flow throughout 2025 and maintained $14.8 billion in cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities at year-end, offset by $11.6 billion in outstanding debt.

The platform continues to leverage powerful network effects—expanding merchant and consumer adoption creates increasing value for all ecosystem participants.

Wall Street analysts at Bank of America and KGI Securities both assign Neutral ratings to the equity. Their price objectives stand at $48 and $55 respectively, modestly above current trading levels but hardly suggesting strong conviction.

PYPL’s near-term trajectory depends heavily on whether the May quarterly results provide investors with tangible evidence of stabilization and recovery.

The post PayPal (PYPL) Stock Plunges 85% From Peak: Value Play or Falling Knife? appeared first on Blockonomi.

Arista Networks (ANET) Stock Poised for 27% Gain According to Analyst Consensus

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 18:21:27

TLDR

Wall Street analysts maintain 93% buy ratings on ANET, establishing a $177.50 consensus target — representing approximately 27.6% potential upside
TD Cowen launched coverage with a “Buy” stance and $170 target price
Ryan Koontz from Needham upgraded his target from $165 to $185 after Q4 earnings and approximately 6% fiscal 2026 revenue guidance increase
The company delivered 28.6% year-over-year revenue expansion with 42.8% net margins, surpassing competitor Ciena (CIEN) in both metrics
Key catalysts include back-end networking market expansion and accelerating AI infrastructure investments, though questions remain about multi-tenant AI inference adoption

Arista Networks has captured significant attention from Wall Street’s analyst community in recent months. Current data from March 11, 2026, reveals that 93% of analysts tracking the stock maintain positive recommendations — a remarkably high concentration of bullish sentiment. Their collective price target of $177.50 suggests potential gains of approximately 27.6% from present trading levels.

Arista Networks, Inc., ANET

This optimistic outlook reflects Arista’s impressive operating performance. The company achieved 28.6% revenue expansion over the trailing twelve months while maintaining a robust 42.8% net profit margin during the same timeframe. These metrics represent more than isolated success — they demonstrate consistent execution. Looking at the three-year view, average revenue growth reached 27.3%, with profit margins averaging 41.1%.

When benchmarked against Ciena (CIEN), the contrast becomes evident. Ciena recorded 26.5% revenue growth in the past year, with a three-year average of merely 11%. While Ciena’s shares surged 15% following a strong quarterly report showing 33.1% year-over-year revenue growth, its valuation has expanded considerably, and its historical growth trajectory lags behind Arista’s performance.

ANET currently commands a valuation around 40x earnings. This premium multiple isn’t inexpensive by conventional standards. However, analysts contend the valuation is warranted based on the company’s software-enhanced profit margins and strategic positioning within AI networking infrastructure.

Analyst Upgrades and Price Targets

TD Cowen initiated ANET coverage in March with a “Buy” recommendation and $170 price objective. This addition strengthens an already substantial group of bullish analysts following the stock.

During February 2026, Needham’s Ryan Koontz maintained his “Buy” rating while elevating his price objective from $165 to $185. His rationale centered on Arista’s fourth-quarter performance, which featured an approximate 6% boost to fiscal 2026 revenue projections. Koontz highlighted expanding market share in back-end networking and accelerating AI infrastructure expenditures as primary catalysts supporting his positive outlook.

The company’s data networking platform is recognized as critical infrastructure enabling next-generation AI datacenters. Wall Street views Arista as a leading supplier for Ethernet-based scale-out switching architecture — precisely the infrastructure that hyperscale cloud providers are rapidly deploying.

Where Analysts See Risk

The investment thesis isn’t without potential challenges. Certain analysts have expressed reservations regarding multi-tenant AI inference infrastructure, noting the technical complexity involved in deployment and operation. This market segment represents an uncertain variable in Arista’s long-term competitive positioning.

Nevertheless, these cautions haven’t significantly impacted overall analyst sentiment. The consensus outlook remains decidedly positive as the company advances through fiscal 2026.

Arista’s latest guidance elevated fiscal 2026 revenue expectations by roughly 6%, following a fourth quarter that exceeded Wall Street estimates. Both TD Cowen’s coverage initiation and Needham’s increased price target followed this guidance update.

The post Arista Networks (ANET) Stock Poised for 27% Gain According to Analyst Consensus appeared first on Blockonomi.

Exxon Mobil (XOM) Stock Climbs to Near-Peak Levels Following Dual Analyst Upgrades

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 18:20:51

TLDR

Barclays elevated XOM’s price objective to $163 from $145, maintaining Overweight, driven by increased 2026 crude price projections linked to Iran tensions.
Piper Sandler pushed its target even higher to $186 from $145, also rated Overweight, while increasing mid-cycle WTI estimates by $5.00 per barrel.
Shares began Monday trading at $156.29, climbing 1.8%, nearing the 52-week peak of $159.60.
Several institutional holders expanded their XOM holdings during Q3, including Focus Partners Wealth with a 13.3% position increase.
Fourth-quarter results exceeded forecasts with earnings per share of $1.71 versus the anticipated $1.63, on sales of $80.04 billion.

Shares of Exxon Mobil (XOM) began Monday’s session at $156.29, posting a 1.8% gain and moving closer to the 52-week peak of $159.60. The upward movement follows recent price target revisions from two prominent Wall Street research firms.

Exxon Mobil Corporation, XOM

On March 13, Barclays increased its price objective for XOM to $163 from the previous $145 target while keeping its Overweight rating intact. The investment bank cited elevated 2026 crude pricing forecasts stemming from the Iran war situation, noting that market participants are undervaluing the cash flow advantages for exploration and production companies.

While Barclays recognized that the current oil price surge may be temporary, analysts believe the market is overlooking the comprehensive cash flow benefits — including the potential for sustained increases in shareholder returns that could extend beyond the geopolitical crisis period.

On March 12, Piper Sandler took an even more optimistic stance, raising its XOM target to $186 from $145 while maintaining an Overweight designation. The firm increased its mid-cycle WTI crude forecast by $5.00 per barrel, similarly pointing to enduring impacts from the Iran situation.

Piper Sandler’s commodities analysts project that 2026 crude supply balances will tighten by approximately 2.0 million barrels daily compared to previous estimates. The firm also highlighted that persistent risk premiums and global resource constraints will elevate the threshold for future energy sector investments.

Rising Institutional Interest

Focus Partners Wealth expanded its XOM holdings by 13.3% during the third quarter, purchasing 284,171 additional shares to reach a total position of 2,420,775 shares. The holding’s value stood at approximately $273 million at quarter-end.

Other institutional players also increased their allocations during the same period. Destination Wealth Management expanded its position by 94.6%, while Elevation Point Wealth Partners raised its stake by 30.4%. EagleClaw Capital grew its holdings by 38.8%. Collectively, institutional investors and hedge funds control 61.8% of outstanding XOM shares.

Not all insiders are accumulating — company vice president Darrin L. Talley disposed of 5,000 shares in early February at an average price of $139.75, reducing his total holdings by 17.49%.

Earnings and Dividends

XOM delivered fourth-quarter earnings per share of $1.71, surpassing the analyst consensus estimate of $1.63 by $0.08. Revenue totaled $80.04 billion, exceeding the $77.98 billion forecast, despite representing a 1.3% year-over-year decline.

The energy giant distributed a quarterly dividend of $1.03 per share on March 10, equating to an annualized yield of 2.6%. The company’s dividend payout ratio currently stands at 61.58%.

XOM’s 50-day moving average is positioned at $141.99, while the 200-day moving average sits at $124.76. The stock maintains a market capitalization of $651.20 billion with a price-to-earnings multiple of 23.36.

One potential headwind to the oil rally: President Trump has indicated he might utilize the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to bring down fuel costs, an action that could cap crude oil’s upward momentum.

Wall Street analysts maintain a consensus “Hold” recommendation on XOM, with an average price target of $146.00. The rating breakdown includes nine Buy recommendations, eight Hold ratings, and one Sell rating.

The post Exxon Mobil (XOM) Stock Climbs to Near-Peak Levels Following Dual Analyst Upgrades appeared first on Blockonomi.

CryptoPotato

Ethereum Rallies Toward $2,300 Despite $800M Whale Exodus

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 18:05:42

On March 16, Ethereum (ETH) climbed to almost $2,300 for the first time since early February, posting an 8% gain in 24 hours.

This happened even as large holders kept offloading hundreds of millions of dollars worth of the token, as a broader crypto rally appeared to defy ongoing geopolitical tensions that have pulled traditional markets apart.

Whales Sell Into the Rally

Despite the uptick, there hasn’t been the kind of investor confidence that usually comes before a sustained breakout. Data shared by analyst Wise Crypto showed that in the last seven days, big ETH holders sold 380,000 ETH worth about $800 million. They suggested that a lot of those sellers were treating the short-term price spikes as a chance to get out, which could slow further upward movement.

Based on their analysis, Ethereum is currently trading between $1,917 and $2,338, which are its support and resistance levels, respectively. Wise Crypto projected that if the price goes below the lower boundary, ETH could drop to just above $1,700. However, if the asset stays above resistance for a while, it could test levels close to $2,450.

The analyst also noted that the Market Value to Realized Value (MVRV) Long/Short Difference for ETH is very negative, which means that long-term holders may be losing money while short-term traders are making money. The MVRV ratio compares the current price of ETH to the average price at which all coins last moved, giving a rough idea of how much unrealized profit or loss there is among holders.

When short-term holders make most of the money, like they seem to be doing right now, selling pressure usually follows quickly.

Even with the mixed signals, ETH was up 13% over seven days at the time of this writing, moving well above $2,200. The jump happened during a larger rise in the crypto market, which also, for a short period, pushed Bitcoin (BTC) above $74,000, to hit its highest level in about six weeks, following a U.S. attack on Iran’s Kharg Island, which exports 90% of the country’s oil shipments.

Futures Markets Dominate ETH Trading

Elsewhere, data from analyst Darkfost shows that even though ETH has recovered in the spot market, derivatives activity points to short-term trading still dominating the asset’s market structure.

The on-chain technician reported on Sunday that the volume of Ethereum futures trading on Binance is now more than six times greater than the volume of spot trading, with the ratio between them falling to its lowest level since the tail end of the 2023 bear market.

When futures trading is much more active than spot trading, it usually means that the market is driven by leveraged positions instead of steady accumulation.

“This reflects genuine weakness in Ethereum’s spot market at the moment,” Darkfost wrote. “It is possible that sales from the Ethereum Foundation or even Vitalik Buterin are contributing to investor caution.”

Still, not everyone thinks that ETH will stay in a range, as, according to crypto commentator Ash Crypto, a daily close above $2,400 could lead to a move toward $2,800.

The post Ethereum Rallies Toward $2,300 Despite $800M Whale Exodus appeared first on CryptoPotato.

Ripple Makes Major Move Affecting US and Canadian Customers: Details

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 17:30:39

In a statement called “real-time cross-border payouts into the US and Canada,” i-payout, which is a global payments platform enabling businesses to deliver fast, compliant payouts to workers, merchants, and partners, said it has tapped Ripple Payments to enhance its platform.

The main goal of the collaboration is to “enable fast, transparent cross-border payouts” into the two North American markets, while “reducing settlement delays and minimizing working capital requirements for global platforms.”

Integrating Ripple Payments will allow i-payout to leverage “enterprise-grade digital asset infrastructure to accelerate settlement, improve payment transparency, and support high-volume cross-border payout flows.”

“The digital marketplace is important to the future, and Ripple is the right partner to take us there.” — Eddie Gonzalez, President, i-payout

Ripple Payments helps i-payout deliver real-time payouts into the U.S. & Canada, from days to seconds.

See how →… pic.twitter.com/WWNmJc9utQ

— Ripple (@Ripple) March 16, 2026

The company was founded almost two decades ago, and it operates as an API-first payout platform. The statement reads that before tapping Ripple, cross-border payments into North America could take days to be completed, which ties up working capital and limits how quickly platforms could deliver funds to users.

Last week, the company behind the popular XRP token outlined plans to secure an Australian Financial Services License, which would allow it to expand its payments offering further in the country to financial institutions, fintech businesses, and enterprises.

Separately, Ripple also began a share buyback program to repurchase up to $750 million in shares from employees and investors. According to Bloomberg, this would put its valuation at a whopping $50 billion.

The post Ripple Makes Major Move Affecting US and Canadian Customers: Details appeared first on CryptoPotato.

‘Stop Shorting Bitcoin,’ One Analyst Says as Fresh Price Targets Emerge

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 16:26:45

Bitcoin (BTC) surpassed $74,000 briefly earlier today, reaching its highest point since the start of February.

Some analysts are optimistic that a more substantial move to the upside could be forming, especially if the asset breaks above key resistance levels.

‘Stop Shorting BTC’

The primary cryptocurrency started the business week on the right foot, with its valuation surging to almost $74,400 (per CoinGecko’s data) following Donald Trump’s latest remarks regarding the war in Iran. The US President threatened to send troops to Kharg Island and urged America’s NATO allies to form a coalition to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by deploying military ships in the area.

Meanwhile, spot BTC ETFs have attracted hundreds of millions of dollars in inflows over the past several days, a factor that could also have contributed to the asset’s recent price strength.

According to the popular analyst Ali Martinez, a more significant rally could be on the way. In a recent post on X, he claimed that BTC might be forming a local bottom that often comes before a big move north. Martinez noted that Bitcoin’s funding rates have recently flipped negative: a development that has preceded “every major relief rally” in the last four years.

The most recent example dates back to May 2025, when BTC was trading near $95,000. Once funding rates turned negative, the market quickly shifted, and the asset climbed to a historical peak of over $126,000 within months, the analyst reminded.

Besides that, Martinez pointed out that more than 33,000 BTC have been withdrawn from exchanges in the past week. CryptoQuant’s data shows that just a few days ago, the amount of coins stored on such platforms dipped to a six-year low of approximately 2.73 million. This is considered a bullish factor because it reduces immediate selling pressure.

BTC Exchange Reserve, Source: CryptoQuant

Other analysts on X also think BTC could chart further gains in the near future. Ted, for instance, described the $72,000-$74,000 range as “strong resistance zone,” predicting that a decisive break above it could open the door for an uptrend to as high as $78,000.

Still on Uncertain Ground

Analysts like Leshka.eth remain somewhat cautious about BTC’s short-term prospects. The X user argued that the price is slowly grinding higher within a descending channel toward the $76,000-$80,000 region, warning that a rejection here could trigger a painful crash to as low as $40K.

The analyst who goes by the moniker Klarck also envisioned a potential pullback. They foresaw a bull trap at around $74,000, a “liquidity grab” at $65,000, $62,500, and $60,000, and an eventual plunge to new lows.

BTC’s Relative Strength Index (RSI) is one technical indicator suggesting a price plunge could be imminent. The ratio has surpassed 70, meaning the price has pumped too much in a short period and could be due for a pullback. In contrast, readings under 30 suggest the asset is oversold and on the verge of a potential rally.

The post ‘Stop Shorting Bitcoin,’ One Analyst Says as Fresh Price Targets Emerge appeared first on CryptoPotato.

Bitcoin Leads $1.06B Surge in Digital Assets Amid Geopolitical Turmoil

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 14:56:20

Digital asset investment products attracted $1.06 billion in inflows last week, extending their streak to three consecutive weeks of positive flows. The inflows arrived during intense geopolitical tensions, which appear to have strengthened the perception of digital assets, especially Bitcoin, as a relatively safe haven compared with traditional markets.

Since the Iran crisis began, assets under management in digital asset exchange-traded products have climbed 9.4% and reached a total of $140 billion.

Capital Flow Amid Iran Crisis

According to the latest edition of CoinShares’ Digital Asset Fund Flows Weekly Report, roughly three-quarters of last week’s investment activity was captured by Bitcoin, which drew $793 million. Over a three-week period, cumulative allocations have reached $2.2 billion, which has narrowed the gap with the earlier five-week phase when about $3 billion left the sector. At the same time, short Bitcoin products added $8.1 million, which means that investors still hold mixed views.

Ethereum attracted $315 million last week, pushing its year-to-date performance toward a near-neutral level, which was supported in part by new US staking ETF launches. Other digital assets also received fresh capital. For instance, Solana added $9.1 million, Sui $3.1 million, and Chainlink $2.4 million. Multi-asset investment products drew an additional $2.5 million.

On the other hand, XRP appears to have bucked the trend as it suffered its second week of outflows of $76 million. Litecoin also saw a minor withdrawal of $0.3 million during the same period.

The US dominated regional activity and accounted for 96% of recent digital asset investments. Canada and Switzerland contributed $19.4 million and $10.4 million, respectively. Hong Kong also recorded $23.1 million, its largest weekly inflow since August 2025. Germany posted a $17.1 million outflow, which is its first weekly reduction of the year, while Sweden and the Netherlands experienced smaller outflows of $0.5 million and $0.2 million, respectively.

Rising Risk Appetite

Tensions in the Middle East continued to escalate. Amid these developments, BTC has reclaimed a major resistance level at 71,300. According to experts, this suggests that some risk capital is beginning to flow back into the market. However, liquidity remains concentrated between 72,700 and 74,000. In a statement to CryptoPotato, a Bitunix analyst explained,

“If prices stabilize above 71,300, the market could enter a new zone of liquidity competition in the short term. On the downside, support liquidity around 69,000 and 70,200 will be closely watched. With geopolitical uncertainty still elevated, the short-term structure of the crypto market continues to be driven primarily by shifts in risk appetite and the distribution of derivatives liquidity.”

The post Bitcoin Leads $1.06B Surge in Digital Assets Amid Geopolitical Turmoil appeared first on CryptoPotato.

470,000,000 DOGE in 3 Days: Is Dogecoin Ready to Rally?

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 14:24:56

The biggest meme coin has caught the recent green wave sweeping through the cryptocurrency market, with its price rising to a 10-day high.

Whales are waking up, too, hinting that the real rally might only be starting.

Further Gains Ahead?

The cryptocurrency sector, especially the meme coin niche, has registered a substantial uptick over the past 24 hours. The undisturbed leader, Dogecoin (DOGE), soared by 6% daily, while its market capitalization once again surpassed $15 billion.

Given the whales’ recent accumulation, the OG meme coin could be poised for an additional increase. The renowned analyst Ali Martinez revealed that this cohort of investors has acquired 470 million DOGE in the past 72 hours. The stash is worth roughly $47 million (calculated at current rates).

Following the latest buying spree, the whales boosted their total possessions to almost 36 billion coins, representing 23.5% of Dogecoin’s circulating supply.

Such accumulation is typically considered bullish for the price as it reduces the amount of tokens available on the open market and signals growing confidence among major holders. Whales are known as experienced investors who rarely jump on the bandwagon without proper knowledge or research, leaving unanswered questions about whether they know something we don’t. In the aftermath, smaller players might be encouraged to join the ecosystem as well, thereby injecting fresh capital.

Some industry participants support the bullish outlook. X user Trader Tardigrade claimed that DOGE “is breaking out” from a certain setup that has historically preceded “a massive pump.” For their part, CoinQTS described $0.125 as a “key level to watch,” predicting a rally to as high as $0.50 should the price break above $0.13.

The recent DOGE exchange netflow may also sit well with bulls. Data show that outflows have consistently outweighed inflows over the past weeks, indicating that investors have shifted from centralized platforms to self-custody methods, thereby reducing immediate selling pressure.

On the contrary, Dogecoin’s Relative Strength Index (RSI) should serve as a warning that a short-term correction may also be on the horizon. The technical analysis tool measures the speed and magnitude of price changes to assess potential reversal points. It runs from 0 to 100, with ratios above 70 considered bearish territory, while anything below 30 is considered a buying opportunity. Currently, the RSI stands at around 76.

The Potential Elon Musk Effect

It is no secret that the world’s wealthiest person is keen on Dogecoin and has, over the years, endorsed it publicly, which has led to substantial price gains. Not long ago, Musk confirmed that X Money, the platform’s upcoming payments feature, will go live next month. It is expected to allow users to send and receive funds directly through X, with a strong emphasis on integrating digital assets into the effort.

X user Fuel wondered what would happen if Musk made DOGE the default currency for the new feature, suggesting such a move could push the price to $0.50 or even $1.

Many commentators on the post believe that Dogecoin will not play such a central role in X Money, with some describing the token as a “joke just like all meme coins.”

The post 470,000,000 DOGE in 3 Days: Is Dogecoin Ready to Rally? appeared first on CryptoPotato.

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