The crypto market's vulnerability to global trade tensions highlights its integration with traditional financial systems, affecting investor sentiment.

The post Trade war jitters drag crypto lower across the board appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

The AI Exposure Index highlights a shift in workforce dynamics, prompting a reevaluation of job roles and potential growth in decentralized AI solutions.

The post Anthropic launches AI exposure index to assess which white-collar jobs face automation risk appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

California's AI transparency law sets a precedent for increased regulatory scrutiny, potentially reshaping competitive dynamics and investor strategies.

The post xAI fails to block California AI transparency law requiring training data disclosure appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Geopolitical instability challenges crypto's role as a safe haven, highlighting its vulnerability to macroeconomic shifts and market sentiment.

The post Geopolitical tensions drag crypto lower as Middle East conflict escalates appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

The lawsuit could drive governance reforms at Coinbase, potentially strengthening its operations, but insider trading allegations pose a greater risk.

The post Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong faces shareholder lawsuit over compliance failures and disclosures appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Bitcoin Magazine

Solo Satoshi Launches Bitaxe Turbo Touch, an Open-Source Touchscreen Bitcoin Miner

A small Texas mining hardware company is releasing what it says is the most powerful open-source touchscreen bitcoin miner currently available to home users.

Houston-based Solo Satoshi announced the launch of the Bitaxe Turbo Touch, a compact device designed for hobbyists and home miners that delivers more than double the hashrate of other touchscreen miners in its category.

According to a note shared with Bitcoin Magazine, the unit produces about 2.15 terahashes per second (TH/s).

The product builds on the open-source Bitaxe GT 801 platform and is powered by dual BM1370 ASIC chips, the same chips used in the industrial-scale Bitmain Antminer S21 Pro. The chips allow the device to achieve efficiency of roughly 18 joules per terahash, according to the company. During testing, the device reportedly reached over 3 TH/s when overclocked.

The miner includes a 4.3-inch capacitive touchscreen that displays real-time network and mining data. Eight rotating displays show metrics such as hashrate performance, bitcoin price, current block height and recently mined blocks. 

Network information is pulled from mempool.space, a widely used blockchain data explorer.

Matt Howard, founder and chief executive of Solo Satoshi, said the company prioritized transparency when building the device.

“We built this because we believe the tools people use to interact with Bitcoin should be fully verifiable,” Howard said in a statement. “Every line of code between the ASIC chips and the pixels on the touchscreen is open source.”

Open source bitcoin mining

The miner runs two open-source firmware layers: AxeOS, which manages the mining operations, and BAP‑GT‑TOUCH, which powers the touchscreen interface. Both software repositories, along with hardware schematics and board layouts, are publicly available under an open hardware license.

The device consumes about 43 watts of power and produces roughly 35 decibels of noise, placing it closer to the sound level of a quiet room than traditional industrial mining rigs. At typical U.S. residential electricity rates, Solo Satoshi estimates the miner would cost about $3.70 per month to operate.

The Bitaxe Turbo Touch connects through a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi module using an ESP32-S3 microcontroller, and configuration is handled through a browser-based dashboard. Each unit is assembled in the United States and tested for hashing performance before shipping, the company said.

Solo Satoshi is positioning the device against other compact touchscreen miners such as the Braiins BMM 101. The company says its model delivers significantly lower cost per terahash — about $151 per TH compared with roughly $299 per TH for the Braiins device.

The launch also highlights a growing niche within the bitcoin mining industry focused on open-source hardware. While most large mining operations rely on proprietary equipment from major manufacturers, smaller developers and hobbyist communities have pushed for transparent designs that can be modified and audited.

Solo Satoshi said it worked with the Open Source Miners United community to develop parts of the device, including an accessory communication protocol that allows developers to build additional displays and hardware integrations.

The company traces its involvement in touchscreen miners to late 2024, when it collaborated on the early concept of the Bitaxe Touch. When later versions of the device shipped with closed-source firmware, Solo Satoshi decided to create its own fully open-source alternative.

According to the company, open-source bitcoin miners have collectively produced more than $1 million in verifiable block rewards, including several widely publicized solo mining successes in recent years.

This post Solo Satoshi Launches Bitaxe Turbo Touch, an Open-Source Touchscreen Bitcoin Miner first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Bitcoin Magazine

Mike Selig Confirmed As A Bitcoin 2026 Speaker

Mike Selig, Chairman of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission and one of the most consequential figures in American crypto regulation, has been officially confirmed as a speaker at Bitcoin 2026 — bringing the voice of Washington’s most Bitcoin-forward regulatory agency to the world’s largest Bitcoin conference in Las Vegas.

Confirmed by the U.S. Senate in December 2025 as the 16th Chairman of the CFTC, Selig began his career as a law clerk for then-CFTC Commissioner J. Christopher Giancarlo, before moving into private practice advising financial institutions, trading platforms, and digital asset developers on compliance with securities and commodities laws. He returned to government in 2025 as chief counsel for the SEC’s Crypto Task Force, serving as senior advisor to SEC Chairman Paul Atkins, before taking the helm at the CFTC.

Since taking office, Selig has moved fast. He launched the “Future-Proof” initiative — a sweeping review of existing CFTC regulations, many written for agricultural futures markets, to determine what needs to be rebuilt from the ground up to accommodate blockchain-native markets, digital assets, and AI-driven trading platforms. In late January 2026, he and SEC Chairman Paul Atkins jointly launched Project Crypto, an initiative to harmonize oversight between the two agencies and encourage compliant onshore trading. Throughout, Selig has been explicit about his governing philosophy: sharply criticizing the prior regime’s regulation-by-enforcement approach, and instead arguing for bespoke rulebooks, pathways to registration, and regulatory guidance that meets the industry where it actually operates — globally, transparently, and on-chain.

At a moment when U.S. crypto policy is being written in real time, Selig’s presence at Bitcoin 2026 carries significant weight. His appearance will give attendees a direct, unfiltered look at how the regulatory future of Bitcoin is being shaped — and what it means for the next era of American financial markets.

Bitcoin 2026 Returns to Las Vegas Bigger Than Ever

Bitcoin 2026 will take place April 27–29 at The Venetian, Las Vegas, and is expected to be the biggest 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

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Dates: April 27–29, 2026

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Why Attend Bitcoin 2026?

Bitcoin 2026 is the definitive gathering for anyone serious about the future of money. With 500+ speakers, multiple world-class stages, and programming spanning Bitcoin fundamentals, open-source development, enterprise adoption, mining, energy, AI, policy, and culture, the conference brings every corner of the Bitcoin ecosystem together under one roof.

From headline keynotes on the Nakamoto Stage to deep technical sessions for builders, institutional strategy discussions for enterprises, and beginner-friendly Bitcoin 101 education, Bitcoin 2026 is designed for everyone—from first-time attendees to the leaders shaping Bitcoin’s global adoption.

Whether you’re looking to learn, build, invest, network, or influence, Bitcoin 2026 is where Bitcoin’s next chapter is written.

Bitcoin 2026 Pass Types: Something for Everyone

Bitcoin 2026 offers a range of pass options designed to meet the needs of newcomers, professionals, enterprises, and high-net-worth Bitcoiners alike.

Bitcoin 2026 General Admission Pass

Ideal for newcomers and those looking to experience the heart of the conference.

• Limited access on Days 2 & 3
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Designed for professionals, operators, and serious Bitcoin participants.

Includes all General Admission features, plus:

• Full 3-day access, including Pro Day
• Entry to the Pro Pass Reception
• Access to Enterprise Hall, Enterprise Stage, and Networking Lounge
• Conference App networking features
• Access to the Bitcoin For Corporations Symposium
• Entry to Compute Village and Energy Stage
• Complimentary lunch, coffee, tea, and snacks
• Dedicated registration and check-in
• Reserved seating at Main Stage
• Huge savings when you bundle your hotel and Pro Pass

Bitcoin 2026 Whale Pass

The all-inclusive, premium Bitcoin 2026 experience.

Includes all Pro Pass features, plus:

• Reserved seating at Main Stage
• All-inclusive gourmet food and beverages
• Entry to Whale Night and Whale Reception
• Access to all official after-parties
• Networking app access to connect with other Whales
• Premium access to The Deep — an exclusive networking lounge with intimate speaker sessions
• Complimentary stay at The Venetian when you bundle your whale pass and hotel (use promo code ‘WHALEHOTEL’ here)

This is the most immersive way to experience Bitcoin 2026.

Bitcoin 2026 After Hours Pass

Your ticket to the night.

Most deals are done with a drink in your hand. Get exclusive access to 3 official Bitcoin 2026 after-parties across Las Vegas — each with a 2-hour open bar — where the real conversations happen and the best connections are made.

• Access to 3 official Bitcoin 2026 after-parties
• 2-hour open bar at each event
• Evening events across Las Vegas, April 27–29
• Network with Bitcoiners, builders, and industry leaders after hours

More headline speaker announcements are coming soon.

Don’t miss Bitcoin 2026.

This post Mike Selig Confirmed As A Bitcoin 2026 Speaker first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Jenna Montgomery.

Bitcoin Magazine

Crypto Legislation Stalls in Washington as Banks, White House Clash Over Stablecoin Yields

Talks over landmark U.S. cryptocurrency legislation have hit a fresh impasse after major banks rejected a compromise brokered by the White House, casting uncertainty over whether the bill will pass this year. 

The stalemate has drawn criticism from President Donald Trump, who accused financial institutions of trying to undermine the effort.

Trump, whose family is well invested in digital assets and bitcoin, posted on Truth Social: “We are not going to allow them to undermine our powerful Crypto Agenda.” He added that banks “need to make a good deal with the Crypto Industry” to advance legislation that he says is in the public interest.

The stalled legislation, known as the CLARITY Act, follows last year’s GENIUS Act, which created the first federal framework for stablecoin issuers. Supporters of the CLARITY Act argue it is needed to provide clarity for cryptocurrency firms, which have been operating in a regulatory gray area that executives say has stymied growth and innovation. 

The bill would give a defined regulatory framework over digital assets, potentially accelerating adoption across the financial system.

The core dispute involves whether crypto exchanges should be allowed to offer yield-bearing rewards on stablecoins, digital tokens designed to maintain a $1 value. Banks warn that allowing such yields could siphon deposits from traditional bank accounts, threatening lending operations that are central to the economy. 

Financial institutions are pushing for a ban on stablecoin yield payments as part of the legislation, citing risks to financial stability.

Crypto firms, including Coinbase, counter that restrictions on rewards programs would be anticompetitive and stifle innovation.

Stablecoins are at the root of the crypto conflict

Stablecoins, they argue, must be able to offer incentives to attract customers. Analysts estimate that by 2028, stablecoins could divert up to $500 billion in deposits away from U.S. banks. In January, the Senate Banking Committee postponed a scheduled markup of the bill after amendments limiting stablecoin rewards were introduced, leaving the legislation stalled.

The White House has attempted to mediate the conflict. Sources say its compromise would permit stablecoin rewards in limited circumstances, such as peer-to-peer payments, but not on idle holdings. 

Crypto companies have signaled willingness to accept this compromise, while banks have maintained opposition, arguing that even these limited rewards could trigger deposit flight. Some senators support the banks’ position, believing it could strengthen their negotiating leverage.

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon has called for stablecoin yield programs to be regulated under bank-like rules to ensure a level playing field. 

Meanwhile, President Trump has framed the issue as one of fairness for consumers, writing that “Americans should earn more money on their money” and describing the CLARITY Act as essential to maintaining the U.S.’s global leadership in cryptocurrency.

Trump’s engagement with the crypto sector extends beyond social media. He met privately on Tuesday with Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong, aligning publicly with Coinbase’s position against the banking industry’s restrictions.

It remains unclear whether the meeting was a formal sit-down or part of broader discussions with industry representatives.

Lawmakers continue to debate broader elements of the CLARITY Act, including ethics and anti-money-laundering provisions, while Senate floor time before the summer recess is limited. 

Analysts say the chances of passing a crypto bill may shrink further if Democrats gain seats in November, given the party’s more divided stance on federal crypto regulation.

Senator Cynthia Lummis echoed the president’s urgency, stating, “America can’t afford to wait. Congress must move quickly to pass the CLARITY Act.” 

Republican Congressman French Hill, speaking on Fox News, stressed that stablecoins should not be treated as banks, arguing that rulemaking should ensure parity between bank and non-bank issuers regarding sales practices and incentives. 

“I think we can find a solution here,” Hill said, emphasizing that a balanced framework is achievable if regulators act judiciously.

This post Crypto Legislation Stalls in Washington as Banks, White House Clash Over Stablecoin Yields first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Bitcoin Magazine

U.S. Federal Contractor’s Son Arrested in $46 Million Theft of Seized Government Crypto

John Daghita, an alleged U.S. government contractor accused of stealing more than $46 million in cryptocurrency from the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), was arrested last night on the island of Saint Martin in a coordinated operation between the FBI and French authorities. 

The arrest, confirmed via tweet by FBI Director Kash Patel, involved the French Gendarmerie’s elite tactical unit and the International Cooperation Team Serious Crime Unit.

“Thanks to the International Cooperation Team Serious Crime Unit of the French Gendarmerie National in Saint Martin, and the Groupe d’intervention de la Gendarmerie nationale of Guadeloupe for the outstanding coordination,” Patel wrote. “The FBI will continue working 24/7 with our international partners to track down, apprehend, and bring to justice those who attempt to defraud American taxpayers—no matter where they try to hide.”

The case centers on allegations that Daghita, identified online by blockchain investigator ZachXBT as “Lick,” exploited insider access to siphon digital assets from government-linked wallets. 

Daghita is the son of Dean Daghita, president and CEO of Command Services & Support (CMDSS), a Virginia-based technology firm contracted by the USMS to manage and dispose of certain categories of seized cryptocurrency.

CMDSS was awarded the contract in October 2024 to handle digital assets not supported by major exchanges, including funds tied to complex criminal cases and high-profile seizures, such as the 2016 Bitfinex hack. 

Daghita had access to millions in crypto

According to ZachXBT, Daghita demonstrated the ability to move millions of dollars in real time during a dispute recorded in a private Telegram chat. Subsequent on-chain analysis linked those wallets to addresses known to hold government-seized assets.

ZachXBT reported that one wallet allegedly controlled by Daghita held 12,540 ether, valued at roughly $36 million at current prices. 

Other transaction trails suggest approximately $20 million was removed from USMS-linked wallets in October 2024, most of which was returned within a day, though roughly $700,000 routed through instant exchanges was not recovered. 

Estimates of total suspected thefts may exceed $90 million when accounting for activity observed in late 2025.

U.S. officials have not publicly detailed how Daghita allegedly accessed the crypto or the wallets, nor whether CMDSS’s internal controls were bypassed or exploited. 

The case follows heightened scrutiny of the U.S. Marshals Service’s cryptocurrency holdings, which some analysts estimate at over 198,000 BTC, worth tens of billions of dollars. 

Allegations of insider theft and improper management have intensified calls for reform in how federal agencies secure and track digital assets, especially those seized from criminal cases.

This post U.S. Federal Contractor’s Son Arrested in $46 Million Theft of Seized Government Crypto first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Bitcoin Magazine

American Bitcoin Expands Treasury to 6,500 BTC as Eric Trump Accuses Big Banks of Lobbying Against Crypto

American Bitcoin, a bitcoin mining company backed by the Trump family, has expanded its corporate treasury to more than 6,500 bitcoin, placing the firm among the largest publicly traded holders of the digital asset as it continues to scale its mining operations.

The company disclosed the updated holdings this week, with co-founder and chief strategy officer Eric Trump stating that the firm accumulated over 500 BTC during the past 21 days. At current market prices, the treasury stands near $470 million.

Data from Bitcoin Treasuries shows the miner now ranks about 17th among public companies that hold BTC on their balance sheets. The firm sits behind companies including Galaxy Digital as the number of publicly traded companies adopting bitcoin treasury strategies continues to grow.

American Bitcoin trades under the ticker ABTC and carries a market capitalization near $1.4 billion. Shares traded today at $1.21, rising about 6% during the session.

Despite the recent move higher, the stock remains down more than 30% since the start of the year following a sharp decline from post-listing highs.

Yesterday, Eric Trump took to X to say that major U.S. banks including JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America and Wells Fargo are lobbying in Washington, D.C. to block higher-yield crypto and stablecoin products.

He said banks pay depositors near-zero interest while earning higher rates from the Federal Reserve and claimed lobbyists are backing legislation such as the CLARITY Act to limit crypto yields and protect traditional banks from competition.

Bitcoin mining expansion drives accumulation

The increase in holdings follows a series of infrastructure investments aimed at boosting the company’s BTC production capacity.

Earlier this week, American Bitcoin announced the purchase of 11,298 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) mining machines. The equipment is expected to add roughly 3.05 exahash per second of computing power to the company’s operations.

Once deployed, the company expects its fleet to reach about 89,242 machines with a combined hashrate near 28.1 EH/s. The new hardware is scheduled for installation at the company’s mining facility in Drumheller, Alberta.

The expansion forms part of a strategy centered on acquiring BTC through large-scale self-mining rather than purchasing the asset on the open market. Company executives have argued that scaled operations allow the firm to produce bitcoin at costs below prevailing spot prices.

President Matt Prusak said the company’s operational decisions focus on increasing the amount of BTC held on its balance sheet. American Bitcoin reported mining BTC at a gross margin of about 53% during the fourth quarter of 2025. 

Insider purchases disclosed

The company also reported insider share purchases following the release of its latest earnings report.

Board member Justin Mateen acquired roughly 1.3 million shares of American Bitcoin stock in open-market purchases at an average price near $1 per share. Mateen co-founded the dating app Tinder and joined American Bitcoin’s board in 2025.

Another director, Richard Busch, purchased about 330,000 shares over two days of trading, according to filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

The purchases took place after the company’s trading window reopened following the disclosure of its fourth-quarter earnings.

American Bitcoin reported a fourth-quarter loss of roughly $59 million, while its full-year 2025 results showed a net loss exceeding $150 million. The losses stem in part from accounting rules that require companies to mark BTC holdings to market, which can create large paper losses during periods of price declines.

Despite those results, the company generated more than $185 million in revenue during its first year as a public firm.

This post American Bitcoin Expands Treasury to 6,500 BTC as Eric Trump Accuses Big Banks of Lobbying Against Crypto first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Bitcoin has again failed to hold $71,500, reinforcing the level as a long-term ceiling while global markets shift into a risk-off environment driven by rising oil prices and higher bond yields.

The latest rejection came after Bitcoin briefly rose past $73,000, then lost momentum and fell back below $71,500.

The move extends a pattern that has now played out several times in recent sessions: price rallies into the same resistance zone, stalls, and reverses. The seventh attempt carried an additional signal. Instead of pressing directly into the ceiling, the rally printed a lower high before reaching it. Buyers slowed down earlier in the move.

Related Reading

Bitcoin failing 7 times to break $71,500 is much more ominous than boring ‘sideways action’

The market printed a lower high during its latest run which suggests that buyers are finally getting tired.

Feb 10, 2026 · Liam 'Akiba' Wright

Markets tend to break resistance when pressure builds underneath it. When attempts weaken, traders begin to treat the level differently.

That shift is already visible. Short sellers lean against the ceiling. Longs tighten risk near the same number that keeps rejecting price. Momentum fades candle by candle.

Bitcoin now trades in the middle of a clearly defined structure: $71,500 overhead as resistance, and a ladder of support shelves beginning around $68,000.

$71,500 returns as the market’s pressure test

The $71,500 level carries historical weight.

During mid-2025, it marked the upper boundary of a multi-month trading zone. When Bitcoin finally broke above that ceiling, the breakout accelerated into the rally that ultimately carried the asset to roughly $126,000 by October.

Markets often remember those breakout points. When price revisits them later in a cycle, the level becomes a place where traders reassess positions.

The recent charts show that process unfolding in real time.

Short-term price action shows repeated pushes into the $71,500 region followed by quick reversals. Medium-term charts show the broader pattern: several attempts at the same ceiling with no sustained acceptance above it.

Acceptance matters more than a brief breakout. Bitcoin frequently wicks above levels before falling back. Structural shifts occur only when price holds above resistance long enough that traders stop treating it as a short.

That has not happened yet.

The most recent rally failing to reach the ceiling, the lower high, adds evidence that buying pressure may be fading.

For now, the range remains intact.

The repeated failures mirror earlier observations in my previous analysis examining how multiple rejections at the same level can gradually shift market psychology.

Each attempt that stalls adds weight to the next.

ETF flows and macro conditions complicate the breakout attempt

The technical picture is developing alongside a shifting macro backdrop.

Global markets moved into risk-off mode on March 5 as oil prices climbed following escalating tensions in the Middle East. Brent crude has traded in the mid-$80 range as traders price potential disruptions to Gulf energy routes.

Higher oil prices often feed directly into inflation expectations. In this case, the market reaction has been unusual: instead of government bonds rallying as a safe haven, U.S. Treasury yields have moved higher.

The U.S. 10-year yield has traded around the low-4% range, recently near 4.22%, as investors price the possibility that persistent energy inflation could delay interest-rate cuts.

That environment tends to pressure risk assets.

Higher yields raise financing costs and tighten financial conditions across markets. When the macro narrative shifts toward “rates higher for longer,” speculative assets often struggle to maintain upward momentum.

Bitcoin has increasingly traded in line with broader risk sentiment during such periods. When equities weaken and yields climb, crypto markets often follow the same direction in the short term.

The pattern showed up again during the latest move, with equities slipping and volatility rising as oil prices climbed.

Currency markets are also part of the picture.

A stronger U.S. dollar tends to correlate with softer Bitcoin prices on the margin.

Meanwhile, ETF flows have become more mixed.

Spot Bitcoin ETFs recently recorded strong inflow days of $458 million on March 2, $225 million on March 3, and $461 million on March 4. Those inflows followed several weeks of outflows.

Such bursts of demand can support rallies, but they do not always translate into sustained buying pressure.

When price approaches a major resistance zone like $71,500, even strong inflow days may struggle to overpower existing supply.

Support shelves beneath the range form the next roadmap

Bitcoin’s broader structure still follows the liquidity grid that has guided price movement across much of the current cycle.

The concept is straightforward. Markets tend to move between clusters of liquidity where traders historically placed orders, built positions, or triggered liquidations.

One of my earlier frameworks mapped several of those shelves across Bitcoin’s recent trading history.

Those levels remain largely intact today.

If the $68,000 shelf breaks, price could begin moving toward those lower liquidity pockets.

Markets often move quickly between such zones once a level gives way. The earlier drop from six-figure prices showed similar behavior, with Bitcoin falling rapidly from one shelf to the next.

Derivatives positioning can amplify that process. Liquidations tend to accelerate declines when leveraged long positions unwind. That acceleration is not here yet. Over the past 24-hours around $340 million has been liquidated across the crypto market, according to Coinglass.

For now, Bitcoin sits between the ceiling and the first support shelf.

The next attempt at $71,500 will reveal whether buyers can still reclaim the range or whether the market continues drifting toward the liquidity below.

The level has already been rejected several times.

The next test will determine whether the ceiling finally breaks or whether the staircase down becomes the market’s next path.

This recent rally had the potential to invalidate my $49,000 thesis. So far, it has not.

The post Bitcoin fails again at $71,500 as weakening momentum raises risk of a deeper pullback appeared first on CryptoSlate.

Israel’s Finance Ministry has put a weekly price tag on the country’s widening war with Iran, estimating that the economy could take a hit of more than 9 billion shekels (equivalent to $2.93 billion) a week if emergency limits on activity remain in place.

The estimate links the economic toll to the Home Front Command’s current “red” restrictions, which include school closures, travel restrictions, and a shift to essential services.

According to Reuters, the finance officials also outlined a less restrictive scenario. A shift to an “orange” level, which would allow more economic activity, would cut the weekly hit to about 4.3 billion shekels (around $1.35 billion), roughly half the “red” scenario, according to the same reporting.

The range is a reminder that war costs are not only a function of military spending. They also reflect how much of the domestic economy is forced to idle, and for how long.

Before the latest conflict, Israel’s economy had posted resilient growth, expanding 3.1% in 2025, with forecasts pointing to stronger growth in 2026 after a ceasefire in Gaza in October, Reuters reported.

A prolonged period of tighter restrictions risks reversing some of that momentum by constraining labor supply and demand simultaneously.

Contextualizing Israel's economic losses in Bitcoin

In financial markets, traders already measure shocks in more than one unit. For Israel’s war economy, one of those parallel yardsticks has become Bitcoin.

Bitcoin’s appeal as a comparison tool is simple. The flagship digital asset trades around the clock, is priced globally in dollars, and has become a widely tracked benchmark asset that responds to the same mix of risk appetite, liquidity, and geopolitical headlines that shape other markets.

At current prices, the ministry’s roughly $3 billion weekly estimate maps to about 41,300 Bitcoin, using a Bitcoin price in the low-$70,000 range.

That conversion does not imply a government purchase plan. Instead, it represents a way to translate a macroeconomic hole into a number that investors can compare with other crypto market flows.

Meanwhile, the less restrictive “orange” path would reduce the weekly hit to about 18,000 Bitcoin at the same price range.

The math grows quickly if the war-driven restrictions remain in place. Four weeks of losses at the “red” level imply roughly $11.7 billion in lost activity, or about 165,000 Bitcoin at a $71,000 reference price.

On the other hand, four weeks of losses at the “orange” level imply about $5.4 billion, or roughly 70,000-plus coins at similar prices.

What 41,300 Bitcoin means in supply and ETF terms

To put the 41,300 Bitcoin in context, it helps to compare it with the Bitcoin market’s two most concrete flow measures: how many coins are created, and how many coins large institutional channels can absorb.

Following the April 2024 halving, the Bitcoin network produces roughly 450 new coins per day. That comes to about 3,150 BTC a week.

On that basis, Israel’s estimated weekly loss under “red” restrictions is equivalent to more than 13 weeks of new Bitcoin creation. This is far larger than the entire weekly global mining supply.

Meanwhile, the comparison also intersects with the most visible institutional demand channel for BTC in recent years, US spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds.

On aggressive inflow days, major funds such as BlackRock and Fidelity might absorb about 3,000 to 4,000 Bitcoin.

At that pace, a 41,300-Bitcoin figure represents nearly two full weeks of sustained, high-volume ETF-style accumulation.

And if the war-driven restrictions lasted longer, the scaling becomes even more striking. A month of “red,” at about 165,000 Bitcoin, would dwarf both new issuance and typical ETF accumulation windows in coin terms.

What if Israel held these coins?

If a government held about 41,300 Bitcoin today, it would likely rank among the world’s largest known sovereign or quasi-sovereign holders of the top crypto.

BitcoinTreasuries.net lists the United States, China, and the United Kingdom as the top three government holders of BTC.

They are followed by Ukraine, which holds 46,351 Bitcoin, and Nayib Bukele's El Salvador, which is listed next at 7,581 Bitcoin.

On that league table, a 41,300-coin reserve would place Israel behind Ukraine and ahead of El Salvador, effectively making it a top-five holder.

However, there is no sign that Israel plans to introduce a Bitcoin reserve. This is because Israel’s own relationship with crypto has often been defined by tension between adoption and banking access.

Notably, legal and policy developments have underscored that local banks can be cautious about servicing crypto-linked activity, including cases in which courts have upheld a bank’s ability to refuse services to companies engaged in virtual currencies.

Still, Israel has experienced steady growth in its crypto economy, with inflows in 2024 to 2025 surpassing $713 billion.

The post Israel’s Iran war will soon cost the equivalent of 41,300 Bitcoin every week appeared first on CryptoSlate.

Ripple is sharpening its argument that it can help institutions move value across traditional rails, stablecoins, and blockchain networks.

On March 2, DTCC’s National Securities Clearing Corporation updated its MPID directory to add Ripple-owned “Hidden Road Partners CIV US LLC” for its first trade. The entry appears under the OTC column.

A day later, Ripple said its payments business is now “end-to-end,” covering the full lifecycle “from collection to payout” for both fiat and stablecoin flows.

Ripple said it added managed custody and collections powered by virtual accounts, and linked the expansion to two acquisitions, Palisade (custody and treasury automation) and Rail (virtual accounts and collections).

These separate announcements touch different parts of the financial stack, including post-trade plumbing on one side and cross-border payments operations on the other.

Together, they read like a bid to make Ripple’s institutional story easier to understand in operational terms: payments origination and treasury tooling on the front end, and compatibility with the identifiers and participant records used by legacy market infrastructure on the back end.

Related Reading

Ripple boosts stablecoin payments clout with $200 million Rail acquisition

Rail's integration positions Ripple to capture 10% of the global stablecoin B2B payments market by 2025.

Aug 7, 2025 · Oluwapelumi Adejumo

Hidden Road’s NSCC listing adds visibility inside legacy directories

The NSCC sits at the center of US post-trade clearing, an area that usually stays out of view unless a disruption forces attention.

It is drawing more focus this year because traditional market infrastructure is preparing for longer operating hours and faster processing, changes that require more coordination across participants and systems.

DTCC has said the NSCC’s clearing-hours expansion is expected to support 24×5 operations in the second quarter of 2026.

Reuters has also reported that DTCC plans to support 24-hour US equities clearing by the second quarter of 2026, pending approvals.

Those efforts are part of a broader shift toward extended-hours markets, putting pressure on the back office to keep pace.

In that context, an MPID directory entry is not about marketing. It is about being legible to the systems and institutions that already use them to route trades, manage counterparties, and keep post-trade workflows consistent.

Directories and standardized participant records are basic, often unglamorous components of how firms reduce operational errors. They help institutions know who they are facing and how to process activity through established channels.

The update does not mean DTCC has adopted blockchain settlement, and the directory entry alone does not signal broad DTCC integration beyond what is shown in the notice.

It does, however, show a Ripple-owned entity appearing in a mainstream post-trade directory, which aligns with its recent push to present itself as built for institutional workflows.

Notably, Ripple had acquired the multi-asset prime broker last year as part of its efforts to sit closer to traditional finance, by providing prime brokerage services and connections to established market infrastructure.

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Nov 8, 2025 · Gino Matos

Payments goes “end-to-end” as stablecoin volume and real usage diverge

Ripple’s payments announcement targets a different constraint, one that sits at the intersection of stablecoin enthusiasm and day-to-day treasury and finance work.

Stablecoins have grown into a large share of on-chain activity, but that activity does not automatically translate into real-world payments.

McKinsey, working with Artemis Analytics, estimated “actual stablecoin payments” at about $390 billion annualized in 2025. It argued that commonly cited on-chain transaction volumes can overstate real payments because the totals include trading, internal transfers, and automated blockchain activity.

Notably, McKinsey’s analysis estimated that actual stablecoin payments accounted for roughly 0.02% of global payment volume.

That gap can be read as a warning to anyone treating stablecoin growth as proof that mainstream payments adoption is already here.

It can also be read as an opening for companies that can make stablecoins easier to use inside existing corporate workflows, where compliance, controls, reconciliation, and predictable settlement matter more than raw transaction counts.

Ripple is aiming at that opening with packaging rather than a single product. The company said the expanded platform allows customers to “collect, hold, exchange, and payout” in both fiat and stablecoins in one workflow.

Ripple framed its managed custody and virtual account collections as tools that reduce operational friction, especially for companies that currently stitch together multiple providers across regions and time zones.

Virtual accounts are designed to make collections more manageable, particularly for businesses that need to reconcile incoming payments at scale. Managed custody addresses another barrier, the question of where digital assets are held and how custody is integrated into governance, reporting, and risk controls.

By presenting these functions on the same platform, Ripple is effectively saying that stablecoin payments will not scale through tokens alone. They will scale through the surrounding services that corporate finance teams require before routing meaningful volume.

Ripple also emphasized its existing footprint and licensing posture. The company said Ripple Payments is live in more than 60 markets, has processed more than $100 billion in volume, and that it holds more than 75 licenses and money transmitter registrations, including a New York Department of Financial Services trust charter.

Those claims are meant to address a recurring objection to stablecoin payments: that compliance and regulatory alignment are too fragmented for broad enterprise adoption.

Essentially, Ripple is presenting its payments platform as a regulated, operations-first product rather than a crypto-native tool that treasury teams must adapt to.

Related Reading

Ripple’s massive license victory hides a structural shift that could actually divert volume away from XRP

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Jan 15, 2026 · Oluwapelumi Adejumo

XRP’s role is easier to sell when it is optional, not mandatory

Placed side by side, the updates outline a structure Ripple can pitch to institutions without forcing the narrative to revolve around the XRP token.

One layer is fiat access, where collections and payouts happen in currencies that compliance teams already manage. Another layer is stablecoins, which can serve as operational cash within workflows for treasury movement, liquidity management, and reconciliation.

The third layer is XRP and the XRP Ledger (XRPL), which are presented as an option that can be used where it helps, rather than a rail that must be used for every flow.

Ripple did not explicitly make that pitch in the two March announcements. Still, the combination of end-to-end payment tooling and a post-trade visibility step creates a cleaner lane for XRP to appear as part of a broader suite, instead of as the center of it.

The argument Ripple can make is based on working-capital math. Liquidity needs scale with flow volume and time-in-transit. When transfers settle faster, the need to pre-position funds in multiple locations can shrink, at least at the margin, and liquidity efficiency can improve.

Notably, XRPL documentation says XRP can settle on the ledger in 3 to 5 seconds.

That does not mean institutions will default to XRP for every corridor. Many will prefer fiat rails where they already have established banking relationships, or stablecoins where treasury teams want a stable unit for accounting and risk management.

But Ripple’s approach allows it to frame XRP as one tool among several, available inside a platform that still supports fiat and stablecoins.

For risk committees and operations teams, that framing can matter. Institutions often resist being pushed into a single asset or a single network.

So, a platform that offers optionality can be easier to pilot, even if usage initially concentrates in only a few corridors.

What to watch as Ripple tests its institutional narrative

The near-term test is practical.

On the payments side, the question is whether “end-to-end” translates into measurable enterprise uptake.

That includes whether more customers use stablecoin-funded payouts, whether virtual accounts become a meaningful source of collections activity, and whether Ripple can show repeatable corridor wins that move beyond pilots.

On the market-structure side, the question is how far Hidden Road’s footprint expands within the NSCC ecosystem beyond the specific OTC directory entry shown in the notice.

Directory visibility is a prerequisite, not an outcome. Institutions will care about how that visibility connects to workflows that matter, including clearing processes, settlement timing, and operational controls.

For Ripple’s broader narrative around XRP, the next proof point is the extent to which XRPL-based settlement is used in production alongside fiat and stablecoins.

The March announcements do not claim a major shift in DTCC's settlement practices, nor do they say that institutions must route payments through any particular asset.

They do show Ripple trying to make its institutional proposition more complete and more compatible with the systems that already dominate finance.

If those pieces land, Ripple’s XRP pitch may read less like a token narrative and more like an attempt to replace narrow parts of back-office infrastructure, spanning collections, custody, liquidity, and settlement, with stablecoins and on-chain rails positioned as tools to reduce time-in-transit and working-capital drag.

The post Ripple quietly appears inside Wall Street’s stock-clearing system as it expands XRP payments platform appeared first on CryptoSlate.

Crypto promised diversification beyond Bitcoin. For years, the pitch was simple: spread risk across blockchains, decentralized applications, and layer-1 protocols.

In practice, that diversification often collapsed when Bitcoin stumbled. Ethereum, Solana, and other major altcoins routinely fell harder than BTC during drawdowns, leaving portfolios concentrated on the same directional bet, just with different branding.

Now, the institutions that process trillions in traditional securities trades are sketching a different path. On this path, diversification comes not from more crypto tokens but from tokenized versions of the assets investors already want.

DTCC, Clearstream, and Euroclear released a joint white paper with Boston Consulting Group outlining how digital asset securities could achieve interoperability across blockchains and traditional finance rails.

The document outlines technical frameworks, custody models, and settlement protocols that enable stocks, bonds, and funds to trade and settle on distributed ledgers. The report also noted stablecoins increasingly serving as the cash component of transactions.

The market infrastructure already exists: daily repo operations exceed $300 billion, global equity markets total $126.7 trillion, and stablecoin circulation has grown past $300 billion.

What's missing isn't scale or capital, but the connective tissue between fragmented ledgers and the legal certainty that underpins traditional finance.

The question for anyone holding altcoins as a portfolio hedge becomes sharper: if tokenized equities and fixed income arrive on crypto rails with the same custody, settlement, and compliance infrastructure that underpins traditional markets, why would diversification require buying more blockchain protocols?

The diversification that wasn't

Altcoin performance during risk-off periods reveals the problem.

Coin Metrics data from February 2026 shows Bitcoin's drawdown erased nearly half of its peak value, while Ethereum and Solana fell roughly 34% and 35%, respectively. As a result, these altcoins' prices fell back to levels seen before spot ETF approvals.

These weren't isolated incidents. Across cycles, most altcoins have tracked Bitcoin's direction with amplified volatility, behaving less like independent assets and more like leveraged exposure to the same underlying risk factor.

Bitcoin dominance climbed toward 64% in 2025, while the total altcoin market cap remained below prior cycle highs of around $1.1 trillion. The universe expanded, but capital concentrated.

For investors who added Ethereum or Solana, expecting portfolio stabilization during BTC corrections, the reality delivered correlation without the offsetting returns.

Meanwhile, traditional equity markets delivered.

The S&P 500 has outperformed most major altcoins over multi-year periods. From January 2024 to press time, the SPX rose nearly 45%. Meanwhile, Ethereum and Solana tanked 6% and 10%, respectively, in the same period.

Investors seeking diversification had a straightforward alternative: hold Bitcoin for crypto exposure and allocate the rest to equities, bonds, or commodities through conventional brokerage accounts.

The friction stemmed from the separation: crypto lived in one set of accounts, traditional assets in another, with different settlement systems and custodians.

Tokenized securities as infrastructure, not speculation

The DTCC paper doesn't promise imminent retail access to tokenized Apple shares or Treasury bonds.

Instead, it describes the architecture required for digital asset securities to scale: interoperability frameworks that enable assets to move between distributed ledgers and traditional infrastructure without disrupting ownership records, settlement finality, or legal enforceability.

The institutions involved process the overwhelming majority of global securities transactions.

Their participation signals this isn't speculative infrastructure for decentralized finance protocols, but an established market plumbing adapting to new rails.

The core insight is that stablecoins have evolved into a functional settlement currency.

Circulation grew more than 75% year-to-date to reach $290 billion, filling what the paper calls the “cash leg” in transactions.

That creates a pathway for delivery-versus-payment settlement, where a tokenized bond or equity is recorded on a single ledger. In contrast, stablecoin payments move on another chain, or both legs settle atomically on the same chain.

The efficiency gains matter most for institutional workflows. Still, the structural shift affects retail investors too: if stocks can settle in stablecoins on blockchain rails, the boundary between crypto portfolios and traditional portfolios starts to dissolve.

Tokenized Treasury funds already demonstrate product-market fit. RWA.xyz data shows tokenized Treasuries nearly touching $11 billion. These are yield instruments that settle faster and operate around the clock, appealing to institutions managing cash and collateral.

Tokenized money market funds, corporate bonds, and, eventually, equities follow similar logic: the same legal rights, the same economic exposure, and lower settlement friction.

The catch is fragmentation. Digital asset securities currently exist across dozens of public layer-1 and layer-2 blockchains, as well as permissioned enterprise-ledgers.

Each network uses different smart contract languages, consensus mechanisms, and token standards.

The paper argues that the end state isn't a single dominant blockchain but a “network-of-networks” in which standards, gateways, and regulated intermediaries connect distributed ledgers to traditional financial infrastructure.

That architecture requires harmonization across data formats, custody rules, message protocols, and legal enforceability.

What tokenized markets mean for altcoin diversification

If interoperability standards mature and tokenized securities become portable across venues, the diversification trade shifts.

An investor holding Bitcoin who wants non-correlated exposure to economic growth, dividend income, or interest rate movements no longer needs to buy Ethereum or Solana to access different risk factors.

They can hold tokenized equity index funds, sector ETFs, or fixed-income instruments within the same wallet infrastructure, settled in stablecoins, with custody models that mirror traditional brokerage segregation.

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This doesn't eliminate all use cases for altcoins. Tokens with clear cash flows, such as transaction fees, staking yields, and protocol revenue sharing, remain investment candidates on their own merits.

Assets that function as collateral in decentralized finance or as settlement primitives in on-chain markets have structural demand beyond price appreciation.

Projects building interoperability infrastructure, custody solutions, or identity and compliance tooling benefit if tokenized securities adoption accelerates.

However, none of those cases depend on altcoins serving as portfolio diversifiers. They're venture-style bets on specific protocols or business models, not hedges against Bitcoin volatility.

The empirical case for holding altcoins as diversification has already weakened.

The forward case depends on whether investors believe another blockchain's success will diverge meaningfully from Bitcoin's.

Recent cycles suggest skepticism. The alternative is straightforward: own Bitcoin for crypto exposure, own tokenized equities and fixed income for diversification, and treat any altcoin positions as concentrated bets rather than as part of portfolio construction.

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The timeline and the friction

Tokenized securities won't replace conventional markets quickly. The DTCC paper identifies multiple obstacles: consensus and finality rules vary across chains, creating settlement risk when transactions span networks.

Legal enforceability of tokenized transfers remains inconsistent across jurisdictions.

Custody models need standardization so omnibus accounts, segregated wallets, and multi-tier chains can interoperate without breaking client asset protection. Data privacy requirements conflict with transparency norms on public blockchains.

Market forecasts reflect this uncertainty.

McKinsey projects $2 trillion in tokenized financial assets by 2030 in a base case, with a bull scenario reaching $4 trillion. BCG estimates tokenized funds alone could exceed $600 billion by 2030. A more conservative view from Amundi suggests $120 billion for tokenized funds in the same timeframe.

The range is wide, but even the lower bound represents a significant scale, and none of these forecasts include cryptocurrencies or stablecoins, which already circulate at over $300 billion.

For near-term adoption, tokenized funds and Treasuries are more plausible than individual equities.

Funds offer regulatory simplicity, familiarity among existing investors, and operational advantages in settlement and liquidity management.

The path of least resistance runs through institutional adoption of tokenized money market funds and Treasury products, and eventually fixed-income and equity funds, with retail access mediated through regulated platforms.

Several indicators will clarify whether tokenized securities become a mainstream diversification option: stablecoin supply growth and regulatory treatment, adoption of interoperability standards, production deployments beyond pilots, clarity on investor protection, and distribution breadth.

None of these developments invalidates Bitcoin or eliminates speculative interest in altcoins. However, they do challenge the premise that crypto portfolios need altcoins for diversification.

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The institutions building these rails control the infrastructure that processes the vast majority of global securities transactions. Their entry doesn't guarantee rapid adoption, but it establishes credible pathways for tokenized markets to scale without relying on crypto-native speculation.

For investors evaluating altcoins today, the relevant question isn't whether blockchain technology has value, but whether diversification requires exposure to blockchain protocols, or just to diversified assets that happen to settle on blockchain rails. The answer increasingly points toward the latter.

The post Bitcoin investors may not need altcoins to diversify if tokenized stocks move on-chain appeared first on CryptoSlate.

Most people only see IPOs after the price resets at the open. Institutional investors and select clients receive allocations at the offering price, while everyone else waits for the exchange to start trading and buys at the market price.

The gap between those two prices, the “IPO pop,” can be substantial.

Circle's IPO last year was priced at $31 and opened at $69, then closed at $83.23, illustrating why allocations matter. That spread represents value captured by whoever had early access, not by the retail investors who showed up when the ticker went live.

Backpack is trying to change that dynamic. The firm announced this week it's building a product called “IPOs Onchain” that aims to deliver official IPO share allocations to eligible users before public market trading begins.

These shares are delivered as tokenized equities on Solana with what Backpack describes as “real, direct ownership,” not synthetic exposure.

The company is working with Superstate, a crypto tech platform founded by Compound creator Robert Leshner, which operates an SEC-registered transfer agent and issues what it calls “actual legal shares” directly as native tokens on Solana and Ethereum.

Backpack and Superstate are trying to turn IPO allocations into tokenized legal shares that can be delivered to wallets, effectively making the roadshow a distribution channel rather than just a marketing tour.

The catch is that early access may be limited to eligible users and issuer-by-issuer approvals, so this isn't mass retail IPO access yet.

However, if the model expands, it challenges one of Wall Street's most durable perks: getting in at the IPO price before the market reprices it at the open.

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What's real today

Backpack's announcement centers on a waitlisted product that would allow users to purchase IPO shares on the exchange's platform.

According to the company, these are official IPO allocations and not related to a Backpack IPO, with access “before open market trading.”

The shares would be tokenized on Solana, with Superstate's Opening Bell platform handling the legal infrastructure by issuing SEC-registered shares as native tokens and recording ownership on an official shareholder registry.

Superstate operates Superstate Services LLC, a registered transfer agent with the SEC.

An SEC-filed exhibit describes tokenizing SEC-registered common stock and appointing Superstate as a “Digital Transfer Agent.” The technical claim that these are actual legal shares issued directly on blockchain rails, not wrappers or synthetic derivatives, rests on that transfer agent infrastructure.

Backpack founder and CEO Armani Ferrante framed the product as an extension of the traditional IPO roadshow process.

He wrote on X:

“Normally when companies go public, the founders and executives go on a roadshow, sharing their story and garnering interest from Wall Street institutional buyers purchasing shares before they go public.”

He noted that retail investors typically have to wait for the stock exchanges to go live before they can access these shares through their brokerage.

The pitch is that Backpack becomes a stop on that roadshow, with allocations flowing to users instead of exclusively to institutional accounts.

However, there's an explicit catch. Ferrante noted that Backpack's viability as a venue for capital formation depends on the activity and value of its user base.

In other words, issuers and underwriters will only allocate shares through this channel if they believe the audience is attractive enough to matter.

That's distribution leverage, not guaranteed access. And Backpack's earlier Superstate equities integration described access as available to “eligible non-U.S. users” and referenced qualified investor frameworks and jurisdiction-specific KYC requirements.

That suggests the early cohort is not mass US retail.

What's plausible next

If issuers and underwriters choose to treat Backpack as part of IPO distribution, some users could request allocations before the public open, receiving shares in wallet-native form rather than waiting for the exchange listing.

The roadshow could evolve from a pure marketing effort into a measurable distribution endpoint, a “community tranche” in which the issuer allocates a portion of the deal to a crypto-native venue alongside traditional institutional buyers.

This would be issuer-by-issuer and jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction. Not every IPO would participate, and eligibility gates would vary depending on where users are located and what regulatory frameworks apply.

The model resembles how tokenized Treasury funds or money market products have rolled out: available to some users in some places, with expansion dependent on regulatory clarity and operational readiness.

Backpack raised $17 million in Series A funding in 2024 and is reportedly in talks to raise $50 million at a $1 billion pre-money valuation. The company is also planning to launch an exchange token, with Ferrante emphasizing a distribution model that avoids “dumping on retail” by offering pre-IPO access and allocations for a post-IPO company treasury.

Backpack's announcement comes as Binance, Coinbase, and other platforms expand into tokenized equities, positioning themselves against web-savvy brokers like Robinhood.

The competitive dynamic isn't just crypto exchanges versus traditional brokers, but about which platforms can credibly deliver regulated traditional assets with crypto-native settlement and custody.

What must change for true mass retail

To get from “interesting pilot” to “regular investor can realistically participate,” multiple things must align.

The SEC staff released a 2026 statement clarifying that tokenized securities models must still comply with federal securities laws and that market participants should prepare registrations and approvals where needed.

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Tokenization changes the plumbing, not the obligations.

That means broader retail access would require the appropriate registrations or exemptions, compliant distribution frameworks, and sustained participation from issuers and underwriters.

IPO allocations are not free-market. Underwriters manage distribution. For this model to broaden beyond niche cohorts, they have to believe an on-chain tranche improves outcomes, such as demand, marketing reach, price discovery, or shareholder base composition.

If issuers see tokenized allocations as a way to build community engagement or tap crypto-native capital pools, the model could expand. If they view it as regulatory risk or operational complexity without clear benefits, it remains confined to pilot deals.

Broader retail would also require durable answers on KYC and eligibility, custody, transfer restrictions, and where and how these shares can trade.

Can users sell at the open, or are there lockups? What happens to voting rights, dividends, and corporate actions when shares are held as tokens? Where do these tokens trade, and under which licenses?

These questions have clear answers in traditional brokerage accounts. Tokenized IPO allocations need equally clear answers to scale.

The economic prize is real.

Jay Ritter's IPO statistics show that in 2025, the aggregate “money left on the table”, consisting of the difference between IPO price and first-day close, and representing underpricing captured by early allocators, totaled $13.11 billion.

Additionally, the mean first-day returns are 29.3% on an equal-weighted basis. If an on-chain distribution channel ever captured even 1% to 5% of that allocation window, it would represent a non-trivial share of an incentive pool that's historically been institutional.

Of course, IPOs can also open flat or down. Circle's IPO opened well above its offering price, but not every IPO follows that pattern. The benefit is the option to participate at the pricing moment, not a guarantee of profit.

Several indicators will clarify whether this constitutes real retail access: eligibility frameworks (whether they expand beyond non-US or qualified investors), which IPO participates first, and what percentage of the deal flows through this channel, whether the legal structure holds up as actual registered shares, among others.

The test is whether issuers, underwriters, and regulators treat on-chain distribution as a legitimate channel at scale, and whether the compliance, custody, and market structure rails prove durable enough to handle real volume and real disputes.

If those pieces align, the IPO pop stops being an exclusively institutional perk. If they don't, this remains a niche product for eligible cohorts rather than a structural shift in capital formation.

The post Crypto platform aims to let retail investors buy IPO shares at the same price as Wall Street insiders appeared first on CryptoSlate.

The landscape of artificial intelligence is undergoing a radical shift in 2026. We are moving beyond the era of simple chatbots like ChatGPT—which only react to prompts—into the era of AI agents that act independently. These autonomous systems can manage their own money, pay other AIs for services, and execute complex workflows without human intervention.

However, for an AI to be truly autonomous, it needs a financial system that doesn't require a physical ID, a credit card, or a bank's permission. This is why cryptocurrency has become the foundational infrastructure for the emerging Machine Economy.

What is an AI Agent?

An AI agent is an autonomous software entity designed to achieve specific goals by planning, deciding, and executing tasks. Unlike a chatbot (a tool you use), an agent acts as a digital employee that works for you.

While a traditional bot follows rigid "if-then" rules, a modern AI agent understands context, adapts to market changes, and learns from its environment. This "Agentic AI" is now capable of managing Bitcoin portfolios and interacting across platforms like Discord, Telegram, and Slack.

The AI Agent Stack

To function as a sovereign economic actor, an AI agent requires three core pillars:

1. Digital Identity: Verified on-chain identities (such as ERC-8004) allow agents to build a reputation and prove who they are to other systems.
2. Payments: Agents need to settle transactions in real-time. This is made possible by the x402 protocol, an open standard that allows machines to pay for API calls or data using stablecoins like USDC.
3. Execution Environment: Frameworks like OpenClaw provide the environment where these agents run 24/7, monitoring markets and coordinating workflows.

Why AI Agents Specifically Need Crypto

Traditional banking systems are built for humans. They require KYC (Know Your Customer), physical signatures, and manual approvals—all of which are "friction" for a piece of code.

Crypto is permissionless. Any autonomous system can generate a hardware wallet address and start holding or sending funds immediately. In the Machine Economy, an "Agent A" might need data from "Agent B." Through crypto, the payment is instant, programmatic, and requires no central bank.

Practical Examples of AI Agents in 2026

• Portfolio Management: Agents track yields and rebalance assets across different exchanges based on real-time risk analysis.
• Autonomous Research: Instead of you reading 50 news articles, an agent filters on-chain data and social signals to deliver high-signal insights.
• Automated Trading: Some agents now trade autonomously, executing swaps on decentralized protocols without needing a human to click "confirm."

The Rise of OpenClaw and the x402 Protocol

One of the most significant developments in this space is OpenClaw, an open-source framework that allows users to run agents on their own hardware. By connecting OpenClaw to a crypto wallet, users are essentially giving their AI a "company card" to pay for its own resources.

This is supported by the x402 protocol, which revitalized the long-dormant "402 Payment Required" HTTP status code. According to reports, this protocol has already handled over 115 million micropayments between machines by early 2026.

AI Risks and Challenges

Despite the efficiency, the integration of AI and crypto carries significant risks:

• Security: Autonomous wallets can be targets for sophisticated fishing and "Algorithmic Resonance" scams.
• Liability: If an AI agent makes a financial error or executes a "bad" trade, the legal framework for liability remains largely undefined.
• Regulation: The technology is moving faster than global regulators can keep up with, leading to a "Wild West" environment for autonomous commerce.

Bitcoin Safe Haven Narrative Returns

Geopolitical tensions are once again dominating global headlines. Military conflicts, energy shocks, and rising uncertainty across international markets are shaking investor confidence.

Yet while traditional markets react nervously, one question is circulating widely among investors:

Could Bitcoin emerge as the modern safe haven during global instability?

For years, Bitcoin has been described as “digital gold.” But moments of geopolitical stress are where that narrative is truly tested.

When Global Tensions Rise, Markets Look for Protection

Historically, periods of geopolitical instability push investors toward assets considered stores of value.

The most common safe havens include:

• Gold
• The US dollar
• Government bonds
• Commodities like oil

During wars, financial crises, or political shocks, investors often reduce exposure to risk assets such as stocks and search for assets that preserve value.

In recent years, however, Bitcoin has increasingly entered this conversation.

Unlike traditional assets, Bitcoin operates on a decentralized network with no central authority controlling supply or transactions. This independence has led some investors to view it as a hedge against political and financial uncertainty.

Bitcoin’s Safe Haven Case: Digital Gold or Risk Asset?

The idea of Bitcoin as a safe haven remains debated.

On one hand, Bitcoin shares several characteristics with gold:

• Limited supply capped at 21 million coins
• Global accessibility without intermediaries
• Resistance to government control

These features make Bitcoin attractive during times of uncertainty, especially in regions facing capital restrictions or currency instability.

However, Bitcoin also behaves differently from traditional safe havens.

Its price can be volatile and often reacts to liquidity conditions and macroeconomic policies. During sudden market shocks, Bitcoin sometimes falls alongside equities before stabilizing.

This dual behavior makes Bitcoin both a risk asset and a potential hedge, depending on the broader market environment.

Institutional Demand Is Changing the Equation

One major shift in recent years is the growing presence of institutional investors.

Large asset managers and investment funds now hold Bitcoin exposure through spot ETFs and direct holdings. This institutional adoption has brought deeper liquidity and greater integration between crypto and traditional finance.

As a result, Bitcoin increasingly reacts to global macro events, including geopolitical conflicts, interest rate expectations, and capital flows.

When institutional money begins viewing Bitcoin as a macro hedge, demand can increase significantly during uncertain periods.

Geopolitical Stress Could Strengthen Bitcoin’s Narrative

Rising geopolitical tensions often trigger several market reactions:

• Energy prices surge
• Equity markets become volatile
• Investors diversify away from traditional assets

In this environment, Bitcoin’s decentralized nature becomes appealing. Unlike fiat currencies or national assets, Bitcoin is not tied to any specific government or economy.

For investors seeking borderless and censorship resistant assets, Bitcoin offers a unique alternative.

The Real Test for Bitcoin

The safe haven narrative for Bitcoin will ultimately depend on how it behaves during prolonged global crises.

If Bitcoin consistently attracts capital during periods of geopolitical instability, the perception of BTC as digital gold could strengthen significantly.

But if it continues to move primarily with risk assets, its role may remain that of a speculative investment rather than a defensive hedge.

For now, global tensions are once again placing Bitcoin at the center of a larger financial question:

Can a decentralized digital asset become the world’s next safe haven?

Conclusion

Geopolitical instability often reshapes financial markets and investor behavior. As global uncertainty rises, Bitcoin is increasingly being discussed alongside traditional safe havens like gold.

Whether Bitcoin truly becomes a hedge against geopolitical risk remains uncertain. However, one thing is clear: the conversation around Bitcoin’s role in the global financial system is evolving rapidly.

And each crisis brings a new opportunity for Bitcoin to prove its place in the macro landscape.

$BTC $Bitcoin

OKX has officially launched a high-incentive campaign targeting users within the European Economic Area (EEA). Following the strategic listing of OKB on the BSC (Buy/Sell and Convert) platform, the exchange is offering a tiered reward system where participants can secure up to 12% in Bitcoin (BTC) rewards based on their OKB purchases.

With the current market showing renewed interest in exchange tokens, this campaign provides a direct bridge for users to accumulate $Bitcoin while increasing their exposure to the OKX ecosystem.

Can I earn Bitcoin by buying OKB?

Yes. Between February 25 and March 11, 2026, verified OKX users in the EEA can earn up to $100 in BTC rewards by purchasing OKB through the "Buy/Sell and Convert" feature. The rewards are calculated as a percentage of the purchase amount, ranging from 3% to 12%.

How to Maximize Your Rewards

The campaign is designed with a "game-like" tiered growth model, encouraging users to hit specific purchase milestones to unlock higher percentage returns in BTC.

Weekly Resets and Participation

A unique aspect of this campaign is the weekly reset. The promotion is split into two distinct periods:

• Week 1: Initial entry and reward accrual.
• Week 2: A fresh start allowing users to participate again and maximize their total reward cap of $100.

Important Note: To qualify for rewards in both weeks, users must make separate purchases in each period. Buying only in Week 1 will not grant rewards for Week 2 automatically.

Eligibility and Requirements

To participate in this campaign, users must meet specific criteria set by OKX:

• Location: Must be a resident of a country within the European Economic Area (EEA).
• Verification: Users must have completed KYC (Know Your Customer) identity verification.
• Registration: Mandatory registration via the official campaign page is required. Purchases made before clicking the registration button will not be counted toward the rewards.

Payouts and Holding Periods

Transparency in payout schedules is a core part of the EEA's regulatory landscape. OKX has outlined the following timeline for reward distribution:

• Distribution: BTC rewards are typically paid out within 7 days after the conclusion of each campaign week.
• Lock-up Period: While the rewards are credited to the user's account, there is a 30-day holding period. After this duration, the BTC can be freely traded, withdrawn, or moved to hardware wallets for long-term storage.

OKB and X Layer

The listing of OKB on the simplified BSC interface comes at a time when OKX is heavily expanding its technical infrastructure. OKB serves as the native gas token for X Layer, OKX’s Ethereum-compatible Layer-2 network. According to data, OKB continues to be a central utility hub for the exchange, offering users trading fee discounts and access to exclusive platform features.

The crypto market in early 2026 has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. After the euphoric highs of late 2025, where Bitcoin flirted with the $130,000 mark, a "diffuse cocktail of macro anxieties" has sent prices into a steep correction. As of late February 2026, $Bitcoin has retraced nearly 50% from its All-Time High (ATH), trading in the $63,000 to $73,000 range.

Is it a Good Time to Buy Crypto?

Historical cycles suggest that corrections of 50% to 70% are healthy "purges" that wipe out over-leveraged traders. With Bitcoin currently sitting at a 50% discount, the risk-to-reward ratio for March 2026 has shifted heavily in favor of the bulls.

As geopolitical tensions and tariff uncertainties stabilize, capital is expected to rotate back into "risk-on" assets. Investors who missed the 2025 rally now have a second chance to enter the market. If you are looking to build a portfolio, diversifying across these five projects offers a balance of stability, utility, and explosive recovery potential.

1. Ethereum (ETH) – The Infrastructure King

Despite the rise of "Ethereum killers," Ethereum remains the undisputed home of Decentralized Finance (DeFi) and Real-World Asset (RWA) tokenization. In 2026, the successful rollout of the "Prague" upgrade has further slashed Layer-2 costs, making the network more scalable than ever.

• Why Buy Now? ETH has followed Bitcoin’s slide, dropping from its 2025 high of $4,950 to under $2,000.
• The Catalyst: Major financial institutions like BlackRock and JPMorgan are increasingly using Ethereum for tokenized deposit pilots. At current prices, you are buying the "settlement layer of the internet" at a 60% discount.

2. Solana (SOL) – The Speed Demon

Solana has proven its resilience after the network reliability concerns of previous years. With the Firedancer upgrade now fully integrated in 2026, Solana can process over 1 million transactions per second.

• Status: While it reached $260 in the last bull run, SOL is currently trading significantly lower, creating a "gap" that savvy traders are eager to fill.
• Use Case: It has become the primary chain for consumer AI-crypto applications and high-frequency trading.

3. Chainlink (LINK) – The Oracle Essential

You cannot have a functional DeFi ecosystem without accurate data, and Chainlink owns 90% of that market. In 2026, its Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) has become the standard for banks moving data between private and public blockchains.

• The Play: LINK often lags behind the initial BTC pump but rallies hard once the ecosystem matures. It is one of the most undervalued "blue-chip" utility tokens heading into March.

4. Sui (SUI) – The Emerging Contender

Sui has emerged as the breakout Layer-1 of the 2025-2026 cycle. Utilizing the Move programming language, it offers a level of security and parallel processing that older chains struggle to match.

• Growth Potential: Sui's Total Value Locked (TVL) has remained stable even during the February crash, suggesting a loyal and committed developer base. As the market recovers, SUI is positioned to be a top performer.

5. Fetch.ai (FET/ASI) – The AI Narrative

2026 is the year of "AI Agents." Fetch.ai, as part of the Artificial Superintelligence Alliance, is at the forefront of this movement. Their autonomous agents are now being used in logistics and decentralized energy grids.

• Why March 2026? The "AI plus Crypto" narrative is the strongest secular trend in the market. With FET down along with the broader market, it offers a high-beta play for those betting on the continued AI revolution.

Conclusion: Strategy for March 2026

Investing during a 50% Bitcoin drawdown requires a long-term mindset. While volatility may persist in the short term, the fundamental value of these projects remains unchanged. Consider using a regulated exchange to dollar-cost average into these positions throughout the month.

Global markets are facing a wave of instability as geopolitical tensions escalate across multiple regions. While traditional financial markets are experiencing sharp declines, the cryptocurrency market is moving in the opposite direction. Bitcoin has surged above $73,000, and Ethereum has reclaimed the $2,000 level, adding more than $100 billion to the total crypto market capitalization in just a few hours.

This unexpected surge comes amid rising fears of broader global conflict and economic uncertainty. As stock markets struggle and energy prices face the risk of sharp increases, cryptocurrencies appear to be attracting renewed investor attention.

But why is the crypto market rising while global markets are shaking?

Global Markets Are Under Pressure

Recent geopolitical developments have triggered strong reactions across traditional financial markets. Stock markets in several regions have experienced significant volatility. South Korea’s KOSPI index dropped sharply, wiping hundreds of billions of dollars in market value within days, while the Dubai Financial Market also saw notable declines.

At the same time, energy markets are on edge. Analysts have warned that oil prices could surge toward $100 per barrel if disruptions occur in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for global oil supply. Such risks add further pressure to global economic stability.

Historically, periods of geopolitical uncertainty tend to trigger capital flight toward perceived safe-haven assets. Traditionally, investors moved into gold, government bonds, or the US dollar. However, the current market environment suggests that cryptocurrencies may be starting to play a similar role.

Bitcoin Is Increasingly Viewed as Digital Gold

One key explanation for the crypto rally is Bitcoin’s growing reputation as a potential hedge during times of global uncertainty. With a fixed supply and decentralized structure, Bitcoin is often compared to gold as a store of value outside traditional financial systems.

As geopolitical tensions rise, investors may seek assets that are not directly tied to government policies, national currencies, or banking systems. Bitcoin’s borderless and censorship resistant nature makes it appealing in periods where trust in traditional systems weakens.

The recent move above $73,000 reinforces the narrative that Bitcoin is increasingly being viewed as a form of digital gold during moments of global instability.

Institutional Money Continues to Enter the Market

Institutional participation also remains a major driver of the crypto rally. Bitcoin exchange traded funds continue to attract significant inflows, allowing traditional investors to gain exposure to Bitcoin through regulated financial products.

Large financial firms such as BlackRock have been steadily accumulating Bitcoin through ETF structures. When institutional money enters the market at scale, it can reduce available supply and trigger strong upward price momentum.

Institutional demand has been one of the most important catalysts behind Bitcoin’s growth over the past year and continues to support the current rally.

Technical Breakout Accelerates the Move

Beyond macroeconomic developments, technical market conditions also played a role in the surge. Bitcoin recently experienced extremely pessimistic sentiment, with fear levels across the market reaching historical extremes.

When Bitcoin broke above key resistance levels around $71,000, momentum traders quickly entered the market. This triggered additional buying pressure and short liquidations, accelerating the price rally.

Ethereum followed the move, breaking above the psychological $2,000 level and confirming broader strength across the crypto market.

Is Crypto Becoming the World’s Crisis Hedge?

The current market behavior raises an important question for investors and analysts. If cryptocurrencies continue to rise during periods of geopolitical instability while traditional markets struggle, digital assets may increasingly be seen as alternative macro hedges.

Bitcoin’s role in the global financial system has evolved significantly over the past decade. What was once viewed as a speculative asset is gradually gaining recognition as a potential store of value during uncertain times.

While volatility remains high, the recent rally suggests that cryptocurrencies could play a growing role in global portfolios during periods of economic or political disruption.

What Comes Next for Bitcoin?

With Bitcoin trading above $73,000, the next key level for the market will be whether the price can hold above the $70,000 support zone. If the market maintains this level, analysts believe Bitcoin could attempt to challenge previous highs and potentially move into new price discovery territory.

However, geopolitical developments and global macro conditions remain unpredictable, meaning volatility across all financial markets is likely to continue.

For now, the crypto market’s resilience during global uncertainty is sending a strong signal: digital assets may be evolving into one of the world’s emerging crisis hedges.

$BTC, $ETH

After a strong bounce on Wednesday, Dogecoin is leading the top 100 tokens in losses on Thursday as Bitcoin falls.

Iran, Russia, North Korea, and other sanctioned countries boosted their use of cryptocurrency last year, according to Chainalysis.

The firm behind the Original Penguin brand is suing Pudgy Penguins in a lawsuit that alleges the crypto brand infringes on its trademarks.

OpenAI debuted its most capable model yet under pressure from a mass user exodus tied to the company's controversial Pentagon contract.

ZeroHash wants OCC trust bank status for crypto custody—and Revolut is gunning for a full U.S. banking license.

SEC Chairman Paul Atkins has aligned with the White House to demand the immediate passage of the CLARITY Act.

Ripple’s foray into the stablecoin market is rapidly gaining ground..

A massive international manhunt has culminated in the Caribbean, bringing an end to one of the most brazen insider crypto heists in U.S. government history.

XRP Ledger developer raises alarm on new risk targeting XRP Wallet users.

With roughly 60 million millionaires in the world, 21 million BTC in total supply might not be enough.

TLDR:

• SoFiUSD is the first stablecoin issued by a U.S. nationally chartered and insured deposit bank on a public chain.
• BitGo’s Stablecoin-as-a-Service platform powers SoFiUSD’s minting, burning, and institutional distribution.
• Both SoFi Bank and BitGo Bank & Trust are OCC-regulated, creating a dual-compliance framework for the token.
• The GENIUS Act passage enabled the legal foundation for SoFiUSD’s launch as a bank-issued stablecoin product.

SoFi Bank has launched SoFiUSD, a U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoin running on a public, permissionless blockchain. It is the first stablecoin issued by a nationally chartered and federally insured U.S. bank. 

BitGo Bank & Trust, is providing the infrastructure behind the token. The move comes following the passage of the GENIUS Act, which opened clearer regulatory pathways for bank-issued stablecoins.

BitGo Powers Stablecoin Issuance for a Chartered U.S. Bank

BitGo is delivering this through its Stablecoin-as-a-Service platform. 

The platform handles technology and operational infrastructure for SoFi Bank’s minting and distribution process. BitGo Bank & Trust is itself OCC-regulated. Both institutions operate under the same regulatory framework, which forms the backbone of the compliance model.

According to the official announcement, BitGo will also work with select payments providers, market participants, and exchanges. 

This is designed to expand institutional reach for SoFiUSD. The token targets banks, fintechs, and enterprise treasury operations specifically. It is not positioned as a retail consumer product.

SoFiUSD is pegged 1:1 to the U.S. dollar. Third-party auditors will provide regular attestations to confirm reserve backing. BitGo’s smart contract infrastructure handles minting, burning, and transaction controls. The setup mirrors compliance-first architectures used in traditional finance.

SoFi’s crypto distribution team described SoFiUSD as critical financial infrastructure. 

The token is aimed at institutions seeking settlement efficiency around the clock. It targets a specific gap in global treasury operations. Traditional banking rails still close on weekends and holidays.

SoFiUSD Aims to Bridge Regulated Banking and Blockchain Settlement Rails

The GENIUS Act passage has created new legal clarity for bank-issued stablecoins. SoFiUSD is the first product to market under this emerging framework. 

BitGo’s infrastructure was built to support large-scale institutional asset flows. That makes SoFiUSD more aligned with wholesale finance than consumer crypto.

The partnership structure keeps regulatory accountability central. Both SoFi Bank, N.A. and BitGo Bank & Trust answer to the OCC. That dual-regulated relationship distinguishes SoFiUSD from stablecoins issued by non-bank entities.

It also positions the token as a potential model for future bank-issued digital currencies.

BitGo has described its Stablecoin-as-a-Service offering as purpose-built for institutions requiring regulatory trust alongside technical capability. 

The infrastructure supports 24/7 onchain liquidity. That addresses a longstanding limitation for corporate treasurers managing cross-border payments. Real-time settlement across time zones has historically required multiple intermediaries.

SoFiUSD’s blockchain deployment on a permissionless public chain is notable. Most bank-adjacent digital assets have launched on private or permissioned networks. 

This approach increases transparency and external auditability. It also allows third-party integration without requiring special access or agreements.

The post SoFi Bank Launches First U.S. Chartered Bank Stablecoin With BitGo Infrastructure appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR:

• Web3 Foundation has closed its General Grants Program, Decentralized Voices, and several other key initiatives.

• W3F is now focused on two pillars: global Web3 evangelism and responsible long-term asset management.

• Polkadot’s next development phase is being led by Parity Technologies and its broader builder community.

• On-chain treasury and governance tools remain active, ensuring decentralized funding continues without W3F oversight.

Web3 Foundation has announced a major strategic realignment, stepping back from its hands-on operational role. 

The organization is returning to its founding purpose: championing decentralized web technologies on a global scale.

For years, W3F actively helped bootstrap networks like Polkadot and Kusama into functioning, community-driven ecosystems.

As those networks have now reached a level of maturity, the Foundation is refocusing its priorities. It will concentrate on global advocacy and disciplined long-term asset management.

Concluded Programs Mark a Shift in the Foundation’s Operational Direction

Web3 Foundation has already closed several key programs as part of this transition. These include the General Grants Program, Support, Decentralized Voices, and Decentralized Nodes.

Each of these programs played a distinct role during the ecosystem’s early growth stages. Their conclusion marks a clear shift in how W3F operates.

Over the past year, W3F undertook a thorough review of its programs and spending. Several resource-heavy bounties were closed, and spending was carefully audited throughout this period.

Clearer documentation and operational guidelines were established based on lessons learned along the way.

Moreover, several additional initiatives are being evaluated for transition to external teams. These include the JAM Prize, Polkadot Governance Support, the Polkadot Wiki, and developer documentation.

The Knowledge Base and Kusama Vision are also among the programs being considered for handover.

Despite these changes, decentralized funding mechanisms remain fully active within the ecosystem. Communities still have direct access to on-chain governance and treasury tools for funding initiatives. These pathways continue to support innovation without requiring centralized oversight from the Foundation.

Two Core Priorities Will Define the Foundation’s Long-Term Strategy

Web3 Foundation is now centering its work around two clear pillars going forward. The first involves evangelizing and advancing the decentralized web on a global scale. The second focuses on safeguarding the Foundation’s assets in alignment with its broader Web3 mission.

At the same time, Polkadot is entering a phase focused on building products with real-world utility. Parity Technologies and a wider community of builders are now driving this development stage. The Foundation’s reduced operational role is designed to complement, rather than direct, this effort.

This transition also reflects how blockchain ecosystems naturally evolve over time. As networks become self-sustaining, support structures around them must adapt accordingly.

W3F is repositioning itself as a long-term steward rather than a day-to-day operational body. This approach allows the Foundation to focus on higher-level advocacy work.

Furthermore, this realignment places greater emphasis on disciplined asset allocation going forward. Resources will be directed toward efforts with the greatest global impact.

Through advocacy and financial stewardship, the Foundation aims to strengthen the Web3 ecosystem for years to come.

The post Web3 Foundation Refocuses on Global Advocacy as Polkadot Ecosystem Reaches Maturity appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR:

• The SEC roundtable on listed options market structure is scheduled for April 16, 2026, in Washington, D.C.

• Commissioner Hester M. Peirce praised retail investor growth and called for continued options market reflection.

• Public comments referencing File Number 4-887 can be submitted electronically or on paper through one method.

• The roundtable will be live-streamed on SEC.gov, with a full recording made available at a later date.

The SEC roundtable on listed options market structure is set for April 16, 2026, in Washington, D.C. The Securities and Exchange Commission officially announced the event on March 5, 2026.

It will be held at the agency’s headquarters at 100 F Street, N.E. The discussion will also be streamed live on SEC.gov for audiences unable to attend in person.

Core topics include facilitating competition in quote-driven markets, evaluating the customer experience, and identifying growth opportunities in listed options.

What the SEC Roundtable Will Cover

The roundtable is designed to foster open public dialogue on the listed options market structure reform. The SEC aims to examine how competition can be better supported within quote-driven market environments.

Along with that, evaluating the overall customer experience remains a key focus for the discussion.

Commissioner Hester M. Peirce commented publicly on the growth of the U.S.-listed options market. She pointed out that retail investor participation has grown remarkably in recent years.

The roundtable, she noted, will celebrate the market’s achievements while considering areas that may need further reflection.

The SEC posted on X, formerly Twitter, confirming the date and format of the event:

“The SEC is hosting a roundtable on April 16 to discuss listed options market structure. The event will be in-person and live-streamed on SEC.gov. Agenda, panelists, and registration info will be available soon.” — @SECGov

The SEC will release agenda details and speaker information before the roundtable takes place. In-person participation will be open to the public, though space may be limited. All visitors attending in person will be subject to standard security checks at the SEC’s headquarters.

Public Comment Submissions for the Roundtable

Members of the public who wish to share views on the listed options market structure may submit comments. Submissions can be made electronically or on paper, but only through one method at a time. All comments submitted will be entered into the official public record of the roundtable.

The SEC has clarified that personal identifying information will not be removed or edited from any submission. Therefore, submitters are cautioned to include only information they are willing to make publicly available. This applies to both electronic and paper submissions equally.

All submissions must reference File Number 4-887 in the text of the comment. For those submitting via email, the file number should appear in the subject line. The SEC will publish all received comments on its official website without modification.

A recording of the SEC roundtable will be made available on SEC.gov at a later date. This allows those unable to attend or watch the livestream to still access the full discussion.

The agency remains committed to keeping the options market reform conversation open and accessible to all.

The post SEC Schedules April 16 Roundtable to Review Listed Options Market Structure Reform appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

• GE shares finished at $339.81, positioned just 2.5% under the 52-week peak of $348.48
• Over the past 12 months, shares have jumped 73.3%, significantly outperforming the S&P 500’s 21.6% rise
• Fourth-quarter earnings per share reached $1.57, surpassing analyst expectations of $1.43; sales totaled $11.90B
• The company boosted its quarterly payout 30.6% to $0.47 per share, distributed April 27
• Shares currently command a forward P/E ratio of 44.43X, notably higher than the sector average of 33.65X

GE Aerospace continues its impressive momentum as we move through 2026. Shares settled at $339.81 midweek, hovering just 2.5% beneath the 52-week peak of $348.48, with year-over-year gains reaching 73.3%.

GE Aerospace, GE

This performance creates substantial distance from the S&P 500, which advanced 21.6% during the identical timeframe. The aerospace giant also narrowly outpaces industry rivals RTX Corp (62.8%) and L3Harris Technologies (72.5%).

Technically, the stock maintains position above both its 50-day moving average of $319.29 and 200-day moving average of $303.08. These indicators suggest solid underlying momentum.

GE’s fourth-quarter performance delivered impressive metrics that energized investors. Earnings per share hit $1.57, comfortably exceeding the $1.43 Wall Street forecast. Sales totaled $11.90 billion, topping analyst projections of $11.27 billion and representing 17.6% annual growth.

Looking toward FY2026, management projects EPS between $7.10 and $7.40. Zacks consensus estimates land at $7.44, suggesting 16.8% annual earnings expansion.

Major Engine Contracts and Military Programs

Demand for GE’s flagship engines—including LEAP, GEnx, and GE9X models—shows no signs of slowing. During the 2025 Dubai Airshow, the company captured over 500 engine orders, featuring agreements with flydubai and Riyadh Air.

A landmark agreement with Qatar Airways covering more than 400 GE9X and GEnx engines represents the largest widebody engine contract in company history. United Airlines separately committed to purchasing 300 GEnx engines destined for Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

Military operations received a substantial boost when the U.S. Air Force granted GE a $5 billion contract for F110 engines, components, and maintenance services through Foreign Military Sales channels. An additional IDIQ agreement with the U.S. Army covers F110 engine requirements.

The aerospace manufacturer announced plans exceeding $1 billion for global MRO facility investments throughout the next five years, featuring a new specialized LEAP testing facility.

Premium Valuation Raises Questions

Investors face a significant price tag. GE commands a forward P/E multiple of 44.43X, well above the industry benchmark of 33.65X. Comparatively, RTX trades at 30.12X while L3Harris sits at 30.49X.

This valuation gap has prompted analyst caution. BNP Paribas Exane reduced its price objective from $305 to $290 while maintaining an “underperform” stance. Wall Street Zen recently shifted its recommendation from “buy” to “hold.”

Conversely, UBS established a $374 price objective alongside a “buy” recommendation. JPMorgan elevated its target from $325 to $335 with an “overweight” designation. The aggregate Street consensus registers as “Moderate Buy” with an average $331.12 target price.

Management increased the quarterly distribution by 30.6% to $0.47 per share. Shareholders of record on March 9 will receive payment April 27. The annualized yield currently stands near 0.6%.

Company insiders disposed of 37,398 shares collectively valued at roughly $11.45 million during the trailing 90-day period. Simultaneously, Victory Capital Management expanded its position by 2.3% during Q3, acquiring 7,048 additional shares.

Institutional holders control 74.77% of total outstanding shares.

The post GE Aerospace (GE) Stock Approaches Peak — Is Now the Time to Invest? appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR:

• Zilliqa launches zUSDC via XBridge, shifting USDC liquidity from third-party bridges to native network infrastructure.

• The zUSDC contract is live at 0xe59f97Fac09ee00AEEF320485ee45D5CcfbBC1E9, supporting DEX pools and stablecoin trading pairs.

• Debridge support on Zilliqa permanently ends March 31, 2026, requiring all legacy USDC holders to act immediately.

• XBridge receives a full UI overhaul as Zilliqa works toward automated, seamless cross-chain token transfer processing.

zUSDC is now live on Zilliqa through the network’s native XBridge system. This change moves USDC liquidity away from third-party bridging toward Zilliqa-operated infrastructure.

The transition is designed to improve long-term reliability and give Zilliqa direct control over stablecoin operations.

Users currently holding USDC on Zilliqa must act before March 31, 2026. After that date, Debridge support on the network will permanently end, affecting all remaining legacy USDC holders.

Zilliqa Transitions USDC Liquidity to Its Own XBridge Infrastructure

zUSDC is a USDC representation bridged to Zilliqa through the network’s own XBridge system. Its contract address is 0xe59f97Fac09ee00AEEF320485ee45D5CcfbBC1E9.

The token supports stablecoin trading, DEX liquidity pool participation, and arbitrage across pairs such as kUSDC and zUSDT. Zilliqa now holds direct operational control over this stablecoin liquidity within its ecosystem.

Previously, USDC liquidity on Zilliqa depended on external bridging infrastructure from third-party operators. Most of that liquidity was concentrated in DEX pools supporting trading and arbitrage activity.

Running external infrastructure under those conditions created an operational dependency. That dependency came without proportional benefit to the broader network, making this transition a practical move for the ecosystem.

The migration followed a phased process. Existing USDC was first bridged back to Ethereum as the starting point. It was then minted as zUSDC under Zilliqa-managed infrastructure and re-bridged through XBridge.

From there, funds were redeployed into ecosystem trading pools, with each phase structured to keep disruption low throughout.

Zilliqa shared the update on its official channel, stating it was “introducing zUSDC via XBridge on Zilliqa” and that the move improves reliability while keeping “stablecoin liquidity flowing across the ecosystem.”

As part of the Phase 3 ecosystem rollout, a zUSDC trading pair also launched on Plunderswap. Additionally, XBridge received a full UI overhaul, with the refreshed interface now available at xbridge.zilliqa.com.

Users Face March 31 Deadline as Debridge Support on Zilliqa Ends

Users holding USDC on Zilliqa must bridge their assets out through Debridge before March 31, 2026. Two options are currently available for doing so.

The Plunderswap bridge widget is accessible at plunderswap.com/bridge, while the StakeZIL bridge is available at stakezil.com. Both remain operational until the sunset date arrives.

After March 31, Debridge will no longer function on Zilliqa. Users who still hold legacy USDC beyond that point will need to reach out to Zilliqa directly for assistance. The team can be contacted at enquiry@zilliqa.com for support with any remaining holdings.

This transition does not remove stablecoin liquidity from the Zilliqa ecosystem. Rather, that liquidity is being moved to infrastructure that Zilliqa directly owns and operates.

The network frames this as a long-term step toward institutional-grade financial rails that the network itself controls.

Alongside the zUSDC launch, Zilliqa is also improving XBridge’s processing efficiency. The team is actively developing automation for bridge transaction processing.

This effort is aimed at making token transfers faster and more seamless across all chains that XBridge supports.

The post Zilliqa Launches zUSDC via XBridge as Network Takes Full Control of Stablecoin Infrastructure appeared first on Blockonomi.

Ethereum (ETH) trading activity on Binance has jumped dramatically, with around 29.6 million ETH changing hands on the exchange over the past 30 days, the highest turnover recorded since September 2025.

The spike suggests traders are cycling the same supply through the market at a faster pace as volatility returns and derivatives positioning shifts.

Binance ETH Turnover Climbs

Data shared by Arab Chain on March 5 shows the 30-day Ethereum exchange liquidity ratio on Binance has climbed to 8.47. The metric compares the amount of ETH traded during a set period with the total supply available on the exchange.

Binance currently holds around 3.5 million ETH in exchange reserves, yet trading volume during the last month reached almost 29.6 million ETH. That means the same coins have been traded multiple times within a relatively short period.

According to Arab Chain, high turnover levels often appear during periods when traders actively reposition portfolios or when price volatility increases.

“Historically, high turnover rates have often coincided with increased market liquidity and faster asset movement between wallets and exchanges, reflecting heightened risk appetite among traders,” noted Arab Chain.

The latest reading is the highest since September last year, a period that also saw strong price swings in the market.

Presently, ETH has climbed past the $2,000 level, gaining about 4.6% in the last 24 hours. On longer timeframes, the asset is up about 2% in the past week and just over 6% in the last two weeks, although it remains about 9% lower over the last 30 days.

Shifting Market Behavior

Alongside the spike in spot turnover, derivatives indicators point to changes in trading behavior across both Ethereum and Bitcoin. This is according to market analyst Moreno, who noted that net taker volume in derivatives markets has started to move back into positive territory after months of aggressive selling.

Net taker volume measures the difference between traders placing market buy orders and those executing market sells, which helps show who is actively pushing prices. Per the analyst, when the metric flips positive after a long stretch of negative readings, the first phase often reflects short covering and the unwinding of hedge positions rather than fresh long-term demand.

Ethereum’s derivatives activity can also appear distorted because the asset is widely used as collateral in decentralized finance strategies. Many traders hold spot ETH while at the same time shorting perpetual futures contracts to maintain delta-neutral positions, which creates persistent selling pressure in derivatives markets.

Another signal of demand came from the Coinbase premium for both Bitcoin and Ethereum. According to analyst CW, the premium is positive, suggesting buyers on the U.S. exchange are paying slightly higher prices than global markets.

Combined with rising exchange turnover and shifting derivatives flows, the data shows traders are becoming more active again as Ethereum holds above the $2,000 level.

The post Is Ethereum Waking Up? Binance ETH Turnover Hits 6-Month High as Volatility Returns appeared first on CryptoPotato.

The second-largest cryptocurrency has performed quite well lately, with its price soaring by nearly 10% over the past two weeks.

A number of popular analysts see potential for further gains, though they emphasize that holding critical support levels will be essential.

$2,500 and Beyond?

Ethereum (ETH) briefly climbed to a monthly peak of almost $2,200 before slightly retreating to the current $2,120 (per CoinGecko’s data). According to the renowned crypto commentator Ali Martinez, the asset “looks ready to break out” and is pressing at the upper boundary of a channel. He believes a sustained close above $2,147 could open the door to a more substantial rise to $2,335 or even $2,542.

Shortly after, Martinez made another ETH-related remark, claiming that the MVRV pricing bands show the asset has reached a level that has historically aligned with market bottoms.

X users Ted and Investor Jordan are also optimistic. The former suggested that a daily close beyond $2,150 could trigger a rally towards the $2,400 zone. At the same time, he warned that failure to do so would result in a retest of the $2,000 psychological level. For their part, Investor Jordan argued that ETH is starting “to warm up,” adding they are “disgustingly bullish” on the cryptocurrency right now.

Some on-chain indicators support the scenario of a further increase. The supply of ETH stored on exchanges, for instance, today (March 5), plummeted to around 15.93 million tokens, the lowest point since the summer of 2016. This development suggests that an increasing number of investors are abandoning centralized platforms and moving their holdings to self-custody, thereby reducing immediate selling pressure.

The Journey South Begins Again?

Other market observers, like X user Emirhan, presented rather pessimistic outcomes. They outlined 2,109 as a key level, assuming a break below could lead to a drop to under $1,900.

Moreover, ETH’s Relative Strength Index (RSI) temporarily crossed the bearish 70 threshold. The indicator helps traders spot potential reversal points by measuring the speed and magnitude of recent price changes. Readings around and above 70 signal that the asset has become overbought and could be headed for a pullback, whereas anything beneath 30 is seen as bullish territory.

The post Ethereum (ETH) Could Rally by Double Digits if This Key Condition Is Met appeared first on CryptoPotato.

XRP funding rates on Binance turned negative this week, hitting levels that have historically preceded short-term price rebounds.

The setup suggests crowded short positioning may have created conditions for a corrective rally, though analysts caution this does not guarantee a lasting trend reversal without a broader market catalyst.

Derivatives Data Flashes Contrarian Signal

Data from Binance shows XRP funding rates entered a phase of extreme negativity, while the asset ranged between $1.35 and $1.50, according to CryptoQuant analyst Darkfost. This comes after the Ripple token experienced a 60% correction from its July 2025 all-time high of $3.65, with most derivatives traders positioning on the short side despite the sustained drop.

Historical data suggests that short-term rebounds or corrective rallies in XRP often follow periods of extreme negative funding rates on Binance. The analyst emphasized that such configurations act as contrarian indicators, suggesting bearish positioning may have become overcrowded relative to actual price action.

“When market consensus becomes excessively aligned in one direction, history shows that markets tend to surprise the majority,” Darkfost wrote.

Even though the configuration does not ensure long-term trend reversals, the on-chain observer pointed out that it was a favorable indicator for investors trying to find appealing entry points or looking to progressively increase their exposure to XRP.

Exchange Outflows Suggest Supply Tightening

On the technical side, analyst EGRAG CRYPTO yesterday identified $1.55 as the first critical trigger level for XRP, with a weekly close above this point weakening the current downward trajectory.

A more decisive breakout above $2.20 would invalidate the bearish descending channel structure that has defined the asset’s price action for months and open the path toward $2.70 to $3.60. At present, XRP is trading around $1.44, up about 3% in 24 hours but down nearly 10% over the past month and more than 60% below its all-time high.

Adding to the dynamics, exchange outflow data shows a significant increase in XRP withdrawals during February, with total outflows reaching approximately 7.03 billion XRP, the highest level since November 2025.

Binance led the withdrawal volume with outflows of 3.38 billion XRP, indicating a shift in assets from trading environments to private wallets or long-term storage. When withdrawals increase in this manner, it often indicates that a portion of the available supply is being removed from the spot market, potentially reducing liquidity on trading platforms.

With that in mind, traders will likely be focused on whether the combination of negative funding rates and large exchange withdrawals will translate into buying pressure. As Darkfost put it,

“In such uncertain conditions, it becomes essential to carefully select positions, relying on market signals that are beginning to emerge.”

The post XRP Funding Rates on Binance Turn Deeply Negative, Buy Signal? appeared first on CryptoPotato.

Bitcoin’s spot market demand strengthened over the weekend as rising war tensions unsettled global financial markets. The increase in spot buying helped stabilize prices after recent declines and kept BTC relatively firm during the broader market pullback.

Market data shows that this support is coming mainly from unleveraged buyers rather than derivatives activity. Analysts say the shift reduces downside risk in the near term, even as geopolitical and macroeconomic pressures persist.

Spot Buyers Step In as Bitcoin Climbs the Wall of Worry

A recent report from Bitfinex noted that spot buyers have actively supported Bitcoin since March 1. These buyers accumulated about $3.5 billion through steady purchases, mainly during late Asian and U.S. trading hours.

This wave of demand pushed BTC back above $65,000 and marked what analysts describe as a “wall of worry” phase. In it, prices climb even as uncertainty and external risks dominate market sentiment.

Meanwhile, derivatives data shows open interest moving in line with spot volumes at a balanced 1:1 ratio. The pattern suggests the rally is driven by genuine accumulation rather than leveraged trades or short-term speculation.

Further support came from the Coinbase Premium Index, which turned positive after a prolonged negative streak. The index has maintained a modest premium, signaling continued demand from U.S. market participants.

Additionally, the defense of the $60,000 support level has reinforced Bitcoin’s transition into an expansion phase. Market participation has increased, and perpetual funding rates remain moderate and well below overheated levels, indicating a balanced and sustainable environment.

ETF Inflows Reinforce Bitcoin’s Market Recovery

Notably, U.S. spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds contributed significantly to the shift by reversing earlier outflows. 

According to Bitfinex, strong inflows last week helped absorb selling pressure from miners and long-term holders. For context, March 4 saw $461.9 million in net flows, and week-to-date figures through March 5 have already exceeded $1.14 billion.

These inflows have reinforced key technical levels. Bitfinex highlights $77,400 as a major resistance area and $54,100 as core support based on historical cycles. They also note Bitcoin’s correlation with Nasdaq and geopolitical risks tied to the Strait of Hormuz, which could influence near-term volatility.

The post Bitcoin Spot Demand Surges as War Tensions Shake Global Markets appeared first on CryptoPotato.

[PRESS RELEASE – LODZ, Poland, March 5th, 2026]

BTCC, the world’s longest-serving cryptocurrency exchange, today announced that its recently launched TradFi product has surpassed $200 million in cumulative trading volume since going live on February 10, 2026. To celebrate this milestone, BTCC is introducing a zero-fee trading campaign for the XAU and XAG pairs, where participants can earn up to 10 grams of gold through a tiered volume bonus program.

The $200 million milestone demonstrates strong demand for traditional market access among crypto traders. BTCC TradFi, launched in February 2026, enables users to trade traditional financial instruments, including forex, commodities, indices, and equities, directly on the BTCC platform using USDT as margin and settlement currency. TradFi aims to remove barriers for crypto traders to gain exposure to the global traditional financial markets.

Running from March 5 to March 19, 2026, the zero-fee campaign waives all trading fees on XAU and XAG pairs. Alongside the 0-fee promotion, users can also participate in a tiered bonus program based on the total TradFi trading volume during the campaign. Participants can earn up to 10g of gold by reaching the milestone of 5,000,000 USDT in cumulative trading volume across all TradFi pairs.

Precious metals have been among the most actively traded asset classes on BTCC’s platform. In 2025, tokenized gold on BTCC recorded $5.72 billion in trading volume, with Q4 volume surging 809% over Q1, underscoring sustained user interest in precious metals. This momentum sets the stage for the zero-fee campaign on XAU and XAG, giving both new and existing users a cost-free entry point into one of the platform’s most in-demand markets.

For traders seeking traditional market exposure without leaving the crypto ecosystem, BTCC TradFi offers a seamless platform that bridges cryptocurrency and traditional assets. The zero-fee campaign is an opportunity to explore gold and silver trading at zero trading cost on the BTCC platform. For campaign details and eligibility requirements, users may visit BTCC’s 0-fee campaign page.

About BTCC

Founded in 2011, BTCC is a leading global cryptocurrency exchange serving over 11 million users across 100+ countries. Partnered with 2023 Defensive Player of the Year and 2x NBA All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr. as global brand ambassador, BTCC delivers secure, accessible crypto trading services with an unmatched user experience.

Official website: https://www.btcc.com/en-US

X: https://x.com/BTCCexchange

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