The exploit undermines trust in decentralized finance, highlighting vulnerabilities in smart contracts and the need for robust security measures.

The post Resolv’s USR stablecoin depegs after $80M exploit hits supply appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Musk's Terafab could revolutionize AI compute, enabling unprecedented space infrastructure and advancing human expansion beyond Earth.

The post Elon Musk unveils Terafab in bid to unlock massive AI compute in space appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

OpenAI's workforce expansion may intensify industry competition, but it risks financial strain if enterprise adoption lags behind expectations.

The post OpenAI targets 8,000 staff as AI competition heats up appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Worldcoin's OTC sales and upcoming token unlock could significantly impact market dynamics and investor confidence in crypto projects.

The post Worldcoin reportedly sells 117 million WLD through OTC deals appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Grayscale files S-1 for spot HYPE ETF that would hold Hyperliquids native token and seek to list on Nasdaq under ticker GHYP.

The post Grayscale eyes Hyperliquid with new HYPE ETF filing appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Bitcoin Magazine

White House Reaches Tentative Crypto Regulatory Agreement: Report

Key senators and the White House have reached a tentative agreement on cryptocurrency legislation aimed at resolving a dispute between banks and digital asset firms over stablecoin yields, according to Politico reporting.

The move could clear the way for a landmark crypto regulatory bill stalled in the Senate Banking Committee since January.

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) said Friday they have an “agreement in principle” on language intended to balance innovation with financial stability. The legislation seeks to prevent stablecoin rewards programs from triggering widespread deposit withdrawals from traditional banks, a concern raised by Wall Street groups.

“The agreement allows us to protect innovation while giving us the opportunity to prevent widespread deposit flight,” Alsobrooks said. Tillis described the deal as a positive step but noted the need to consult with industry stakeholders before finalizing details.

While specifics of the agreement remain unclear, early indications suggest it could bar yield payments on passive stablecoin balances. The tentative deal signals progress toward an April vote on the crypto market-structure bill, potentially unlocking the first major federal regulatory framework for digital assets.

Crypto legislation background 

The fight over a U.S. crypto market‑structure bill stems from a broader effort to build on 2025’s landmark stablecoin legislation, the GENIUS Act, which established a federal framework for stablecoins — requiring full backing, transparency and reserve disclosures for digital dollars. 

That law was widely seen in the crypto industry as a breakthrough for regulatory clarity while attempting to align digital assets with traditional financial standards.

After the GENIUS Act’s passage, the Senate turned its attention to more expansive digital asset oversight through what’s often referred to as the CLARITY Act or the crypto market‑structure bill. 

This legislation aims to define how U.S. regulators would police and oversee trading platforms, tokens, custody services and other infrastructure — essentially the backbone of a regulated digital asset ecosystem.

However, negotiations bogged down over one central issue: whether regulated exchanges should be allowed to offer yield‑bearing rewards on stablecoin holdings. 

Banks and major financial institutions argue that these rewards resemble unregulated deposit‑like products that could siphon funds away from FDIC‑insured accounts, potentially threatening lending and financial stability. 

Crypto firms — including major issuers like Circle and Coinbase — counter that such incentives are crucial for competitive markets and for user adoption of digital money.

The current tentative deal being negotiated between senators and the White House seeks a middle ground — potentially allowing activity‑based rewards while restricting passive yield — in hopes of unlocking Senate committee action by April. Whether that compromise holds both bank and crypto support will be decisive for the future of U.S. digital asset regulation. 

This post White House Reaches Tentative Crypto Regulatory Agreement: Report first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Bitcoin Magazine

Phong Le Calls Morgan Stanley’s BTC ETF a “Monster Bitcoin” Bet With $160 Billion Potential

Phong Le, President and CEO of Strategy, the world’s first and largest Bitcoin treasury firm, said Morgan Stanley’s proposed bitcoin ETF could unlock as much as $160 billion in demand under a modest portfolio allocation scenario.

“Morgan Stanley Wealth Management oversees about $8 trillion in AUM and recommends 0–4% bitcoin allocation,” Le wrote on X. “A 2% allocation would represent $160 billion, about three times the size of IBIT. MSBT: Monster Bitcoin.”

In other words, Le is saying that even a modest 2% bitcoin allocation across Morgan Stanley’s $8 trillion wealth platform could drive about $160 billion into bitcoin, far exceeding the size of existing ETFs like BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust.

The comment landed as Morgan Stanley advanced plans for its own spot BTC ETF, revealing new details in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund would trade under the ticker MSBT, a symbol that Le cast as shorthand for the potential scale of institutional demand.

Morgan Stanley’s amended S-1 outlines a structure familiar to the growing class of spot BTC ETFs. The trust is set to list on NYSE Arca with a 10,000-share creation unit and an initial seed basket of 50,000 shares, expected to raise about $1 million. The bank also disclosed it purchased two shares earlier this month for audit purposes.

Key service providers mirror those used across the ETF ecosystem. BNY Mellon will act as cash custodian, administrator, and transfer agent, while Coinbase is set to serve as prime broker and custodian for the fund’s bitcoin. 

The product would hold BTC directly, aligning with the structure that has defined the current wave of the U.S.-listed spot ETFs.

Capital managers are migrating to bitcoin 

Le’s framing points to a larger question that sits beyond the mechanics of the filing: how much capital wealth managers may allocate if BTC becomes a standard portfolio component. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, with trillions in client assets, has signaled that bitcoin exposure can range from zero to four percent depending on client profile. 

Even a midpoint allocation, as Le noted, would imply flows that exceed the size of existing flagship products such as iShares Bitcoin Trust.

So far, adoption has moved in stages. Since spot BTC ETFs launched in 2024, the category has attracted more than $50 billion in inflows, driven in large part by self-directed investors. Within advisory channels, uptake remains uneven, shaped by internal policies, risk models, and client demand.

Morgan Stanley has already taken steps in that direction, allowing brokerage clients to access spot BTC ETFs and widening availability over time. The MSBT filing suggests a shift from distribution toward ownership of the product itself, a move that could deepen the bank’s role in the market if approval is granted.

The SEC has not provided a timeline for a decision, and approval is not assured. Still, the application marks a notable development: a major U.S. bank seeking to issue its own spot bitcoin ETF in a market it once approached with caution.

This post Phong Le Calls Morgan Stanley’s BTC ETF a “Monster Bitcoin” Bet With $160 Billion Potential first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Bitcoin Magazine

Bitcoin Price Holds $70,000 as War-Driven Inflation Fears Meet Defensive Market Positioning

Bitcoin price held near the $70,000 level today as geopolitical risks tied to the conflict involving Iran shifted and macro expectations weighed on broader risk markets, while derivatives data and on-chain metrics pointed to a market in consolidation rather than capitulation.

The bitcoin price hovered around $70,500 in early Friday trading, following a pullback from a recent high near $76,000. 

The move came as energy markets surged and inflation concerns returned to the forefront, limiting upside across risk assets. Despite the pressure, Bitcoin price has shown relative stability compared with commodities and equities during the same period.

Research from VanEck frames the current environment as a post-stress reset. The firm’s mid-March ChainCheck report notes that Bitcoin price’s 30-day average price declined 19%, yet spot prices stabilized as realized volatility fell from 80 to near 50. 

At the same time, futures funding rates dropped from 4.1% to 2.7%, signaling reduced leverage and lower speculative intensity.

Options markets reflect a defensive posture. VanEck data shows the put-to-call open interest ratio averaged 0.77, the highest level since mid-2021, placing current positioning in the 91st percentile of observations since 2019. 

Demand for downside protection remains elevated, with put premiums reaching record levels relative to spot trading volume. Investors continue to allocate capital toward hedging, even as volatility declines.

Future positive returns for Bitcoin price?

This pattern has historical significance. According to VanEck, similar levels of options skew have preceded positive forward returns. Periods with comparable readings have produced average gains of more than 13% over the following 90 days and more than 100% over a one-year horizon. 

The data suggests that extreme caution in derivatives markets has often coincided with late-stage drawdowns rather than the start of new declines.

Onchain activity presents a quieter picture. Transfer volume fell 31% over the past month, while daily fees dropped 27%. Active addresses declined modestly, indicating limited participation at the network level. 

This trend led to the growing role of offchain venues, including exchange-traded products and derivatives platforms, which now account for a larger share of trading activity.

Long-term holders appear to be reducing distribution. Transfer volume declined across all age cohorts, signaling that older coins remain largely inactive. This shift points to reduced selling pressure from experienced market participants, a factor often associated with price stabilization phases.

Miner behavior adds another layer. Revenues declined 11% in the past month, reflecting tighter economics. Yet selling pressure from miners has not surged. Onchain flows to exchanges rose only 1%, while aggregate miner balances declined at a gradual pace. Over the past year, miners have sold most newly issued supply but have not accelerated liquidation of existing reserves.

Institutional flows, however, have softened. 

Spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds recorded net outflows in recent sessions, reversing a prior streak of inflows. The shift aligns with broader risk aversion as investors respond to macro uncertainty and rising energy costs.

Yesterday, Morgan Stanley confirmed that its proposed spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund will trade under the ticker MSBT on NYSE Arca, according to an updated filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

At the time of writing, the bitcoin price is $70,371.

This post Bitcoin Price Holds $70,000 as War-Driven Inflation Fears Meet Defensive Market Positioning first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Bitcoin Magazine

North Carolina Lawmakers Propose State Bitcoin Reserve

North Carolina lawmakers introduced legislation on Wednesday to create a state-controlled Bitcoin reserve. 

Senate Bill 327, titled the North Carolina Bitcoin Reserve and Investment Act, would allow the Office of the State Treasurer to allocate up to 10% of public funds into BTC as part of the state’s long-term financial strategy.

The bill, sponsored by Senators Johnson and Overcash, passed its first Senate reading and was referred to the Rules and Operations Committee. Its stated goals include establishing a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, promoting BTC as a financial innovation, and positioning North Carolina as a leader in state-level crypto adoption.

Under the proposal, the Treasurer would manage the reserve using cold storage wallets with multi-signature authentication. 

A new department within the Treasurer’s office would take custody of the assets, ensuring state control. The bill also calls for a Bitcoin Economic Advisory Board composed of industry experts to provide guidance and monthly audits to verify reserve balances, security, and performance.

Bitcoin acquisitions would be conducted through regulated U.S.-based exchanges, with bulk purchases timed to take advantage of market conditions. The bill also directs the Treasurer to explore BTC mining operations as a potential method to increase state holdings.

Use of the reserve would be restricted to severe financial crises, approved investment strategies, funding for critical infrastructure and economic development projects, and support for Bitcoin-related research, education, and business incentives.

Any liquidation of BTC would require approval from at least two-thirds of both chambers of the General Assembly. The bill allows the reserve to back bonds as an alternative financing tool for public projects.

The Treasurer would submit quarterly reports to the General Assembly detailing the reserve’s status, value, and performance.

Reports would also be publicly available on the Treasurer’s website, according to the bill’s text. The bill includes provisions to comply with federal and state laws regarding cryptocurrency holdings and taxation and encourages advocacy for federal regulations favorable to Bitcoin.

U.S. states want Bitcoin

Several U.S. states are exploring or have implemented BTC reserves as part of state treasury strategies. 

Texas, New Hampshire, and Arizona have enacted laws allowing portions of state funds to be allocated to Bitcoin, while Maryland, Iowa, Kentucky, North Carolina, Michigan, South Dakota, Illinois, Tennessee and Missouri have introduced legislation proposing similar reserves. 

Other states, including Oklahoma, Utah, and Pennsylvania, have considered bills that remain in committee, while proposals in Wyoming, Montana, and Florida have stalled or been rejected. These efforts reflect a growing trend to use BTC as a potential store-of-value hedge and diversify state financial assets.

This post North Carolina Lawmakers Propose State Bitcoin Reserve first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Bitcoin Magazine

Adam Back Confirmed As A Bitcoin 2026 Speaker

Adam Back has been officially confirmed as a speaker at Bitcoin 2026, returning to the conference as one of the few people in the world whose contributions to Bitcoin predate Bitcoin itself. As Co-Founder and CEO of Blockstream and CEO of Bitcoin Standard Treasury Company (BSTR), Back comes to Las Vegas operating at the intersection of Bitcoin infrastructure and capital markets like never before.

In 1997, Back invented Hashcash — a proof-of-work system originally built to combat email spam that became the direct technical foundation for Bitcoin’s mining process. Satoshi Nakamoto cited Back by name in the Bitcoin white paper, writing that the network would need “a proof-of-work system similar to Adam Back’s Hashcash.” Before the genesis block was ever mined, Satoshi emailed Back directly.

Blockstream, which Back co-founded in 2014, develops Bitcoin infrastructure across three areas: consumer self-custody tools including the open-source Jade hardware wallet, enterprise settlement and asset issuance on the Liquid Network, and institutional products through Blockstream Asset Management — with with Liquid Network closing 2025 with close to $5 billion in TVL. At Bitcoin 2025, Back framed the company’s direction: “We’re laser-focused on Bitcoin. At Blockstream, we are here to provide the infrastructure to enable that.”

On the capital markets side, Bitcoin Standard Treasury Company has entered into a definitive agreement to go public through a merger with Cantor Equity Partners I (CEPO), structured with 30,021 BTC on its balance sheet and up to $1.5 billion in PIPE financing — the largest ever announced alongside a Bitcoin treasury SPAC merger. As of March 2026, BSTR is awaiting completion of the de-SPAC process, with shareholder approval targeted as early as April, after which the combined company is expected to trade on Nasdaq under the ticker “BSTR.”

From inventing the proof-of-work system that makes Bitcoin possible, to building the infrastructure layer on top of it, to now bringing over 30,000 BTC to public markets — Back’s is unlike anyone else on the Bitcoin 2026 stage. His appearance at The Venetian this April will be one of the most technically credible perspectives at the conference on where Bitcoin’s protocol, infrastructure, and capital markets are all heading at once.

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

Get Your Bitcoin 2026 Pass

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

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

And don’t forget:

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

All students ages 13+ can apply for a Student Pass and get free general admission access to Bitcoin 2026.

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

For more information and exclusive offers, visit the Bitcoin Conference on X here.

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
• Entry to Main Stage
• Access to Genesis Stage
• Full access to the Expo Hall

Bitcoin 2026 Pro Pass

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 Adam Back Confirmed As A Bitcoin 2026 Speaker first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Jenna Montgomery.

The Pentagon has sent the White House a request for $200 billion in additional funding for the Iran war, a figure that would equal nearly 3 million Bitcoin at current market prices.

At Bitcoin’s current price of about $68,600, the request converts to 2,915,451 BTC.

That framing does not mean the government is financing the war with crypto or treating Bitcoin as a payment rail for military spending. Instead, it offers a way to translate a large federal war bill into a unit investors can compare against some of the world’s most closely watched stores of value.

Seen that way, the request moves beyond standard Washington budget language and into a scale that is easier to grasp in market terms. It also arrives before any formal submission to Congress, where the proposal is already facing resistance from lawmakers in both parties.

What nearly 3 million Bitcoin looks like

The clearest way to understand the size of the request is to compare it with the largest Bitcoin holdings already in existence.

Start with the US government’s own position. Data from BitcoinTreasuries show that US government-related entities hold 328,372 BTC. At current prices, a $200 billion war request would equal roughly 2.82 million BTC, or about 8.6 times that amount.

The same imbalance appears when the comparison shifts to the market’s largest corporate and institutional holders.

Strategy, the biggest public corporate Bitcoin holder, is listed with 761,068 BTC. BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), the largest Bitcoin fund, held about 785,629 BTC based on its March 19 share count and basket data. Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous founder of the blockchain network, is widely estimated to hold about 1.096 million BTC.

On that basis, the war request would equal about 3.7 times Strategy’s stash, 3.6 times IBIT’s holdings, and 2.6 times Satoshi’s estimated cache.

Meanwhile, the scale remains striking even when measured against broader pools of institutional ownership.

The 10 US spot Bitcoin ETFs, including IBIT, hold about 1.52 million BTC combined, meaning the request would still equal about 1.86 times that total. BitcoinTreasuries also lists the top 100 public Bitcoin treasury companies with a combined 1,176,615 BTC, which means the request would be about 2.4 times larger than the entire group.

The comparison does not stop there. Even Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange by trading volume, holds far less than the Bitcoin equivalent implied by the request.

In its March proof-of-reserves update, Binance said it held more than 639,000 BTC in wallets backing user balances. That puts the $200 billion figure at about 4.4 times Binance’s Bitcoin pile.

The number looks even larger when set against Bitcoin’s remaining issuance.

Blockchain.com shows 20,003,043 BTC already in circulation, leaving 996,957 BTC still to be mined before the network reaches its 21 million cap. At current prices, the war request would equal about 2.83 times all of the Bitcoin left to be mined.

Why the math looks easier in dollars than in Bitcoin

That gap points to the deeper distinction between a fiat system and a scarce digital asset.

War requests of this size can be made in dollars because the US government operates within a monetary system built around debt issuance and expanding supply.

Washington can authorize spending and finance it through Treasury borrowing, without first accumulating a fixed pool of scarce units. Treasury data show total federal debt has already climbed past $39 trillion, illustrating how spending on this scale is absorbed through deficits and bond issuance.

Bitcoin does not work that way. Its maximum supply is fixed in code at 21 million, and new coins enter circulation only through mining, a process that requires time, energy, hardware, and block-by-block issuance.

That makes Bitcoin far harder to gather at scale than fiat liabilities created through sovereign borrowing.

In practical terms, the US government can ask for another $200 billion because the dollar system allows it to keep extending its balance sheet through debt. It cannot do the equivalent in Bitcoin, because no authority can decree millions of new BTC into existence.

That difference is central to the argument many Bitcoin advocates have been making for years. In their view, Bitcoin is not only a store of value but also a monetary benchmark that exposes the scale of government spending in a way fiat often obscures.

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong captured it perfectly on X, saying:

”Bitcoin is a check and balance on inflation. When spending gets too far out of hand, capital moves to Bitcoin.”

That argument has already begun to shape policy language in Washington.

In March 2025, the Trump administration issued an order establishing a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. The White House described Bitcoin as a reserve asset that should not be sold, while directing officials to study budget-neutral ways to acquire more.

For Bitcoin supporters, the broader point is straightforward: in a world where war costs, deficits, and debt continue to expand in fiat terms, a scarce asset with a fixed supply becomes more relevant as a reference point.

So, a $200 billion war request may be another line item in Washington. However, in Bitcoin terms, it looks like a claim on an amount of value that exceeds the holdings of governments, ETFs, exchanges, treasury firms, and even the supply still left to be mined.

The post White House faces Iran war bill that is worth nearly 3 million Bitcoin appeared first on CryptoSlate.

Crypto opened the doors to retail now Wall Street is feasting on it

Retail investors were sold a story about market access that was impossible to argue with: trading would be cheaper, information would be easier to find, public blockchains would pull back the curtain, and the old hierarchy that once defined finance would lose some of its grip.

What that story left out, and what has become harder to ignore across both stocks and crypto, is that broader access didn't do much to stop the system from organizing itself around retail behavior. It's been studying, routing, pricing, and turning it into a source of value for someone else.

That's a new kind of problem brought about by the democratization of the crypto market. Markets are now open, and retail investors are more informed and knowledgeable than ever before.

But access and visibility were never the same thing as power. The real power lies with institutions, venues, market makers, token issuers, and insiders, all of whom have better tools, better timing, and better ways of converting public information into actual advantage.

Arkham's recent case for the positive role of retail in crypto captures one side of that story. Public ledgers expose more of the market than tradfi ever did, and that alone changed the balance of information in ways that would've been hard to imagine a decade ago.

Anyone can now track wallet movements, model token supplies, follow treasury activity, and users who would have been completely blind up until a decade ago can now see quite a bit of the market that's in front of them.

Related Reading

Bitcoin price falls below $70k, foreshadowing US market open after threat to “obliterate” all Iranian power plants

Bitcoin’s sharp drop tracks geopolitical escalation, with risk assets repricing as traders assess conflict spillover scenarios.

Mar 22, 2026 · Liam 'Akiba' Wright

But visibility doesn't erase hierarchy. A public board is still a board, and the people with the fastest models, the best data, the strongest execution, and the closest read on incentives still get to trade first and with more precision.

That problem has already started surfacing across the crypto market, although in different forms. CryptoSlate's reporting on Bitcoin's ETF-driven market structure shift showed how demand increasingly travels through institutional channels that most retail investors don't control.

Another report on how stablecoins function as crypto's M2 made a similar point from another angle: the market can be open to everyone and still be shaped by capital pools, liquidity rails, and settlement systems that ordinary traders might never see.

Where the house lives now: inside the market's hidden machinery

The best place to see this in stocks is in the market's hidden machinery.

Retail order flow is valuable enough that exchanges and market centers compete for it, design incentives around it, and describe it in regulatory filings in terms far more revealing than the average investor would ever encounter on a brokerage screen.

Recent SEC filings from 24X and NYSE Arca describe rebates and tiered incentives meant to attract more retail activity and encourage firms to direct that order flow to their venues.

Related Reading

Crypto finally got SEC clarity. Why didn’t the market care?

Even after the SEC and CFTC delivered a more crypto-friendly framework, investors kept focusing on the one thing these agencies can't provide: lasting legal certainty.

Mar 21, 2026 · Andjela Radmilac

A market doesn't build formal reward structures around something unless it can be monetized.

Seen from that angle, democratized trading starts to lose some of its innocence.

Retail is now being treated as a commercially desirable input, a stream of orders with characteristics valuable enough for exchanges and intermediaries to compete over, package, and profit from. The interface may speak in the language of convenience and empowerment, but the structure underneath speaks in the language of routing economics, credits, execution quality, internalization, and rebates.

All of that sounds technical until you realize it determines where retail orders go, who gets first access to them, and who earns from the process.

That same pattern becomes even harder to ignore in crypto, partly because the industry spent years describing itself as the antidote to exactly this kind of extraction. The promise was that if finance were rebuilt in public, if ledgers were transparent and intermediaries thinner, some of the old asymmetries would weaken.

While this might have been true in the early days of crypto, it's certainly no longer the case. The house just adapted to a different kind of environment. The edge it had no longer depends on private information, but on speed, interpretation, tooling, sequencing, and the ability to act on public information faster and with more confidence than everyone else.

The SEC's January 2025 DERA working paper on crypto payment for order flow found that crypto payment for order flow lacked transparency and generated fees roughly 4.5x to 45x higher than those found in equities and options. The setting it studied produced an estimated $4.8 million in added daily trading costs.

Even without treating the paper as the final word on every corner of the crypto market, the message is clear: a market can look frictionless from the front end while still charging a hidden premium through the architecture underneath it. And those costs tend to fall on the people least equipped to see where the extraction is happening.

CryptoSlate's report on how crypto derivatives liquidations drove Bitcoin's 2025 crash showed how quickly visible participation can be overrun by leverage and forced positioning. A later report argued that on-chain scarcity is transparent, but price discovery isn't.

Related Reading

What is Stagflation? Why Bitcoin was made for the economic conditions set to dominate 2026

Stagflation: The word of the year for 2026 and why Bitcoiners need to know what it means

Mar 22, 2026 · Liam 'Akiba' Wright

Retail can see more of the game and still be the product

That's why transparency, while valuable, should never be confused with symmetry.

A blockchain can make a treasury wallet visible, make token movements legible, and let anyone monitor issuance, unlock schedules, staking behavior, and governance activity. But none of that means all participants are equally positioned to understand what those things mean in real time.

Public information still has to be gathered, cleaned, interpreted, ranked, and acted on. By the time a retail trader notices that a large holder has started moving funds, or that a token with a swollen fully diluted valuation is heading toward another supply release, the people with better systems have already modeled the pressure, adjusted positioning, and prepared to trade the reaction.

A project can boast about unparalleled transparency, while still creating a structure in which those closest to the project have insider knowledge and those farthest from it absorb the consequences later.

This isn't a claim that retail can never win, or that ordinary investors are uniquely naive, or that markets were somehow fairer in the past. The point is much more nuanced and more disturbing because it sits inside the design of the thing itself.

Retail participation has become easier, more visible, and more culturally central across financial markets. At the same time, it became highly monetizable for the institutions, venues, issuers, and counterparties operating around it. The user is invited in as an owner, thinks like a participant, but tends to get processed like a product.

That's why the old promise of democratized markets now feels incomplete.
The system opened, and the data became more visible. A lot of the old walls guarding the market were toppled, but none of that prevented its deep, inherent structure from rewarding those who can exploit retail flow.

The house always wins. That's why it didn't disappear, just became more abstract, technical, and much harder to recognize because it learned how to present itself as infrastructure.

So the lingering question isn't whether retail investors were allowed into the market, because they plainly were, and it isn't whether modern finance is more open than it was, because it plainly is.

The harder question, and the one that stays with you longer, is whether all that openness altered the balance of power in any fundamental sense, or whether it simply made the language friendlier and the extraction of value more elegant.

The post Retail was promised fair markets. So why does the house keep winning? appeared first on CryptoSlate.

Bitcoin drops after Trump’s Truth Social threat turns ceasefire language into renewed escalation

Overnight, Bitcoin dramatically fell 2.8% after President Donald Trump issued a Truth Social post threatening to “obliterate” Iran’s power plants if the Strait of Hormuz was not reopened within 48 hours.

The drop ran from roughly $70,400 to $68,200 before a partial rebound toward $69,500. By press time, Bitcoin had softened again to around $68,700. The sequence points to a discrete trigger. It was a fast repricing tied to a live geopolitical development that widened the escalation path just as markets had begun to price a less aggressive trajectory.

The immediate question is whether the move was a temporary air pocket or a more meaningful change in market structure. That distinction carries weight because Bitcoin had not been trading like a market in collapse.

Over the prior two weeks, it had shown a pattern of smaller drawdowns on larger war-related developments, and by last week Bitcoin was outperforming most major assets after initially selling off when the conflict began. Barron’s also noted that crypto had started to attract flows as a hedge against Iran-related geopolitical risk.

That is why Trump’s post stands out. It hit a market that had already built a recovery case around the idea that the first panic had been absorbed.

The useful question is whether the post interrupted a still-valid recovery structure, or reminded the market that the recovery had not yet earned acceptance above the range that counted.

The post also carries extra force because of the sequence around it. Less than 24 hours earlier, Trump had been discussing the possibility of winding the war down. That did not amount to a ceasefire, and markets had little reason to treat it as one.

It still narrowed the perceived path of near-term escalation. The overnight shift back to a 48-hour ultimatum and a threat aimed at Iranian power infrastructure reversed that signal abruptly.

The administration had floated de-escalation while moving toward harder rhetoric and broader threats. Markets do not need a formal policy change to react to that kind of reversal.

The broader oil and rates backdrop remains relevant, though it sits in the background here. Weeks of reporting have already covered Hormuz, crude, inflation sensitivity, and the knock-on effects for broader risk assets. What changed overnight was the trigger.

The post introduced a more extreme rhetorical posture, pointed toward civilian energy infrastructure, and undercut the prior day’s softer tone. In market terms, that was new information. It changed the distribution of possible next moves, and Bitcoin repriced that distribution immediately.

Bitcoin is especially useful in moments like this because it trades continuously and reacts before other major markets can fully reset. During the opening phase of the Iran war, Bitcoin sold off first because it was the only large liquid market open when the conflict widened.

That leaves it functioning less as a settled safe-haven verdict and more as a fast transmission line. The asset often prices the shock first, then spends the next sessions showing whether the first reaction was exhaustion, overreaction, or the start of a deeper repricing.

So what does the structure show now? Bitcoin had been consolidating in a broad $62,800 to $72,600 range, with repeated failures above $70,000 and negative return skew prevailing until a decisive hold above that level is established.

Glassnode places the broader market between a Realized Price around $54,400 and a True Market Mean near $78,400. Put simply, Bitcoin had repaired a meaningful portion of the panic damage, while still falling short of a clean breakout. That limit still shapes the reading of the latest move.

That leaves the post-trigger drop easier to interpret. A fall from $70,400 to $68,200 carries significance because it pushed Bitcoin back below a level that still needed acceptance. In that sense, the market did not lose a confirmed breakout. It lost a test of one. The distinction is substantive.

A failed breakout carries broader structural consequences. A failed test is still a warning, though it sits one rung lower on the ladder. The data suggests this move belongs in the second category unless follow-through selling starts to damage the lower part of the range.

The second layer is market composition. Bitcoin dominance is holding near 58% while institutional positioning stayed concentrated in large caps. It also found that options open interest had overtaken perpetual futures, with traders leaning more heavily on protective structures after prior deleveraging.

That helps explain why the move was violent without yet turning disorderly. A more hedged market can still sell hard on geopolitical shock. What changes is the shape of the follow-through. The reaction becomes more surgical and less indiscriminate.

At the same time, there is little reason for complacency. The bear case is simpler than the bull case here.

If Trump’s post proves to be the first step in a new escalation sequence rather than a one-off threat, Bitcoin does not need a grand macro theory to trade lower. It only needs the market to decide that the conflict path has become harder to handicap.

That would keep the asset in its familiar role as a liquid shock absorber, pricing geopolitical uncertainty before traditional markets have fully reopened or rebalanced.

The base case is more restrained. It assumes the market has already repriced the post itself, while stopping short of confirming a larger structural breakdown. Under that framework, the important threshold is not the intraday low alone.

Whether Bitcoin can re-establish acceptance near $70,000 after being pushed away from it by the Truth Social escalation is critical. If it can, the move begins to look like a violent but temporary rejection driven by weekend geopolitical flow.

If it cannot, attention shifts back toward the lower half of Glassnode’s war range and the unresolved question of whether the recovery ever had real sponsorship behind it.

An escape hatch to the upside needs two conditions. First, the rhetoric has to cool, or at least stop worsening. Second, Bitcoin has to convert recovery into acceptance rather than another brief visit to the upper band. That is where the earlier resilience narrative comes back into focus.

Prior to this post, the market had begun treating Bitcoin less as a pure speculative beta trade and more as an asset capable of stabilizing after the first geopolitical hit. That reading has been dented by the latest move. It has not been erased by it.

The broader lesson is straightforward. Trump’s Truth Social post was the active market trigger. It took a market that had started to normalize the conflict and forced it to price a fresh escalation path, immediately and in size.

That is why the 2.8% drop deserves close attention. The move does not prove Bitcoin is weak. It also does not settle the debate around any safe-haven role.

It shows that abrupt rhetorical reversals from the White House can still knock Bitcoin out of a fragile recovery posture in minutes.

Bitcoin has not broken structurally, while still falling short of the standard needed to ignore this kind of geopolitical shock. The post exposed that limit clearly. The market had repaired damage. It had not secured acceptance.

That leaves one test ahead of the others, whether Bitcoin can reclaim the upper part of its range after a very public escalation shock, or whether this latest development will be remembered as the event that turned a recovery attempt back into a live credibility test.

The post Bitcoin price falls below $70k, foreshadowing US market open after threat to “obliterate” all Iranian power plants appeared first on CryptoSlate.

One economic word could well define 2026: stagflation.

It is an ugly word that describes a regime where prices keep rising while growth loses force, labor weakens, and policymakers run short of easy options.

That combination changes the texture of daily life fast.

Households feel it in food, fuel, insurance, rent, transport, utilities, subscriptions, and credit. Businesses feel it in margins, demand, inventories, and financing costs. Markets feel it in rate uncertainty and slower earnings growth.

In a stagflation environment, we could expect Bitcoin to initially trade choppy with risk assets, then potentially outperform as markets price policy constraint, falling real yields, and stronger demand for scarce, non-sovereign stores of value.

That is why the term deserves attention today, rather than later in the year when it could become common shorthand. Just like ‘social distancing' and ‘Zoom' in 2020, and the ‘short squeeze' in 2021, understanding stagflation before it becomes cool may turn out to be the big-brain play of 2026.

The case for learning the word now is simple. A lot of people already live with the conditions that make the idea intuitive.

Since 2020, the price level has reset higher across much of the developed world. Wages have risen too, though often with less force than the lived increase in household costs.

Official inflation measures have cooled from their peaks, yet affordability has stayed under pressure. The gap between statistical relief and lived relief has remained wide.

That gap is where stagflation will start to make sense to the public.

Related Reading

Fed rate cut chance hits zero, threatening stagflation where Bitcoin thrives as a hedge against long term inflation

After the Fed held rates steady this week, markets abruptly swung from expecting cuts to entertaining hikes later in 2026, a shift that could weigh on Bitcoin and other risk trades.

Mar 21, 2026 · Gino Matos

What stagflation actually means

At the macro level, stagflation is a combination of three conditions:

Elevated inflation, weak growth, and a labor market that is losing strength.

The full version usually includes a fourth condition as well, policy constraint. Central banks cannot ease aggressively because inflation is still too high. Governments face fiscal limits, political constraints, or both. The normal playbook becomes harder to use.

That is the formal definition.

For ordinary people, the lived definition is clearer:

Everything costs more, but life does not feel richer.

That really captures the consumer side of the regime.

Pay may rise on paper. Spending may keep moving. The economy may still produce respectable aggregate numbers. Yet households still feel pinned, because the real experience is a steady squeeze on purchasing power.

A healthy inflation cycle usually comes with stronger demand, firmer wage growth, better hiring, more investment, and a general sense of expansion. People pay more, though they can often absorb more as well.

Stagflation brings a harsher mix. Prices rise, while growth support fades. Consumers pay more, while employers become more selective. Companies defend margins, while households cut discretionary spending. Policymakers talk about resilience, while the average family sees a monthly budget that offers less room than it used to.

That is why the word could land so hard once it enters mainstream use. It captures a regime that feels unfair, persistent, and resistant to clean fixes.

I save in Bitcoin, why should I care about stagflation?

In a stagflationary setup, where inflation stays sticky while real growth and labor momentum deteriorate, Bitcoin can help less as a clean “inflation hedge” and more as a policy-credibility and debasement hedge plus a liquidity-regime trade.

If investors conclude the central bank is constrained (can’t ease much without risking inflation, can’t tighten much without worsening growth), confidence in long-duration fiat purchasing power can weaken at the margin, and scarce, non-sovereign assets tend to look more attractive, especially if real yields fall or the market starts pricing renewed easing/financial repression.

Bitcoin also offers portability and censorship resistance, which can matter if stagflation spills into tighter capital controls or banking stress in parts of the world.

There is, however, a caveat: in the early phase of a stagflation shock, especially if energy spikes and risk assets de-rate, Bitcoin can trade like a high-beta liquidity asset and sell off with equities before any “store-of-value” narrative reasserts itself.

Related Reading

Why rising mortgage rates and gas prices are suddenly impacting Bitcoin holders directly

Consumer sentiment is tanking and its not helping Bitcoin as it struggles to hold $70,000.

Mar 20, 2026 · Liam 'Akiba' Wright

The US is approaching a stagflation confirmation test

Right now, prices remain elevated. Growth has slowed. Payroll revisions have exposed a weaker labor market than the real-time prints implied. The next question is whether a fresh cost shock reaches consumers before disinflation completes its work.

The US has not completed a textbook stagflation confirmation.

It is, however, moving closer to that threshold than the cleaner market narrative suggests. The distinction is important for regime analysis.

Inflation remains above target. Growth has decelerated sharply from the pace seen in late 2025. Payrolls have softened and then been revised lower.

At the same time, the next cost shock is forming in energy and tariffs before it fully appears in backward-looking inflation data.

The useful question is not whether households have felt squeezed since 2020. They plainly have.  The CPI index stood at 258.678 in February 2020 and 326.785 in February 2026. That is a cumulative rise of roughly 26%.

For consumers, that is the part of the picture that should carry the most weight. Inflation slowing from the 2022 peak never meant prices returned to prior levels.

It meant the rate of increase moderated. In that sense, the public's view that life has become structurally more expensive rests on the price level itself.

What “confirmation” actually requires

Stagflation is a macro condition with a wider scope than a consumer complaint. Companies raising costs and passing them through is one channel within that condition.

The fuller structure is more demanding. Prices stay firm or re-accelerate. Real activity weakens.

Labor softens enough to make the slowdown visible beyond anecdotes. Policy then becomes constrained because the central bank has limited room to ease into sticky inflation.

That leaves a three-layer test: inflation persistence, growth deterioration, and policy constraint.

The US has clearly met the first layer, is moving through the second, and is approaching the third.

Start with inflation persistence. February CPI rose 0.3% month over month and 2.4% year over year, while core CPI rose 0.2% on the month and 2.5% on the year.

Those readings do not show a fresh break higher in the official consumer data. They also leave little basis for an all-clear.

January PCE rose 2.8% year over year, while core PCE ran at 3.1%.

Producer prices are firmer still. February final-demand PPI rose 0.7% on the month and 3.4% on the year, the largest 12-month increase since February 2025.

Put simply, the consumer-facing print is cooler than the pipeline. That setup can change quickly if a new cost shock becomes persistent.

The growth layer already shows visible deceleration. BEA’s second estimate showed real GDP growth at 0.7% annualized in the fourth quarter of 2025, down from 4.4% in the third quarter.

Atlanta Fed GDPNow nowcasts first-quarter 2026 growth at 2.3%.

That pace still sits above recession territory. It also leaves the economy with much less margin for error than a few months ago.

An economy growing at 0.7% in one quarter and roughly 2% in the next can still avoid contraction. It is far more exposed to an inflation shock than an economy growing at 3–4%.

The labor layer is where the argument that we're “very close to confirmation” gains force.

February payrolls fell by 92,000, and unemployment held at 4.4%. On a standalone basis, that reads as soft rather than decisive. The revisions carry more weight.

BLS benchmarked the payroll series lower, revising 2025 job growth from +584,000 to +181,000. That revision shows a labor market that was materially weaker than the real-time prints suggested.

A labor market slowing from visible strength produces one interpretation. A labor market that was overestimated on the way down produces another.

Policy constraint and the next cost shock

That still leaves room before a final verdict.

In his March 18 press conference, Powell said unemployment has changed little in recent months, job gains have remained low, and other indicators such as openings, layoffs, hiring, and nominal wage growth generally show little change.

The Fed’s own median projections still place 2026 real GDP growth at 2.4%, unemployment at 4.4%, and both headline and core PCE inflation at 2.7% by year-end.

Those figures describe a central bank that still sees moderate expansion ahead, alongside inflation that remains above target and a labor market that has lost momentum.

When we come to policy constraints, the current setup becomes more uncomfortable than the surface inflation data alone would imply.

The Fed left the policy rate at 3.5–3.75% in March. Powell said the implications of developments in the Middle East for the US economy remain uncertain.

The median projected federal funds rate for end-2026 remains 3.4%, which still points toward eventual easing.

That projection now sits beside higher inflation forecasts than the Fed published in December and growth risks that lean lower. The policy path still points down, while the room to move down cleanly has narrowed. That is how a policy bind starts to form.

To make things worse, the economy now has to deal with greater uncertainty around a major factor of inflation: energy. The Strait of Hormuz closing due to the Iran war means the oil channel is the clearest near-term threat to that balance.

EIA data already shows how fast the transmission can start. US regular gasoline rose from $3.015 a gallon on March 2 to $3.720 on March 16. On-highway diesel jumped from $3.897 to $5.071 over the same span.

Those are large moves over a short window.

If sustained, they can alter inflation psychology, freight costs, and near-term household expectations even before they dominate the full CPI basket.

Tariffs sit in the same category.

The Supreme Court ruled in February that IEEPA does not authorize the president to impose tariffs.

That ruling briefly suggested a legal break in the inflationary trade impulse. The White House then moved under Section 122 to impose a temporary 10% ad valorem import surcharge for up to 150 days.

USTR has since opened new Section 301 investigations. The market loses precision when it treats the court ruling as the end of the tariff issue. The better frame is a legal transmission.

One channel closed. Others remain open. For prices and business planning, the uncertainty still leans in the same direction.

Where the line sits right now

There is still an important caveat. Inflation expectations have yet to show a full regime break.

The New York Fed’s February Survey of Consumer Expectations showed one-year inflation expectations at 3%, with three-year and five-year expectations also at 3%. That leaves a signal worth respecting.

Households still remain uncomfortable, while the longer end of expectations has yet to show a clear break higher. That is one reason we can't call stagflation. The framework is historical first and causal second.

It can describe a setup that resembles the entry phase of a stagflation regime without claiming the final state has already arrived.

The distinction between lived experience and macro confirmation sits at the center of the debate. For households, the past six years have carried a stagflationary feel. Prices climbed sharply. Affordability deteriorated.

Many services that define daily life, groceries, insurance, housing-linked costs, subscriptions, and transport, moved higher and then stayed there.

Wage gains helped in nominal terms, though they often failed to repair the full affordability hit created by the price-level jump. Consumers do not live inside month-over-month base effects. They live inside the cumulative level.

That consumer reading should have analytical value because price-level damage changes behavior long before the formal macro label changes.

Households cut discretionary spending. Small businesses adjust inventory and hiring plans. Firms test pricing power more aggressively.

Political tolerance for further cost increases falls. Central banks face a narrower path because inflation fatigue weakens confidence in repeated assurances that the next quarter will look better.

In that sense, lived experience can lead formal diagnosis.

The macro diagnosis still needs a threshold. Weak growth and weaker labor have to sit beside sticky or rising inflation in the same window.

The US is moving closer to that configuration. The labor revisions show the slowdown is more advanced than the real-time prints implied.

The inflation data show disinflation has progressed, while the last mile remains incomplete.

Oil and tariffs show the next inflation impulse may already be entering the system. That combination narrows the distance to confirmation.

I feel that the most defensible take is pretty straightforward.

The lived experience since 2020 has been stagflationary in the way ordinary people use the term: prices rose far faster than comfort, affordability did not recover, and lower inflation never repaired the level damage.

The macro label still requires one more layer. Labor deterioration and growth weakness have to sit beside sticky or rising inflation at the same time.

The US is now very close to that test. If the next round of data shows labor weakening further while core inflation stops improving, the debate shifts from stagflation risk to stagflation confirmation.

Bitcoin thrives during long-term persistent inflation

Over the long run, the case for Bitcoin as an inflation hedge is less about matching CPI prints quarter to quarter and more about protecting against persistent monetary dilution and negative real returns in traditional cash and sovereign bonds.

Because Bitcoin’s supply schedule is credibly capped and not subject to discretionary issuance, it can function as a “hard money” alternative when investors expect multi-year deficits, debt monetization risk, or policy that keeps real rates structurally low to manage debt burdens.

In that framework, the hedge is about preserving purchasing power across cycles, especially in a world where fiat purchasing power erodes steadily, even if the path is volatile and punctuated by drawdowns.

The trade-off is that Bitcoin’s long-term inflation-hedge appeal is probabilistic rather than mechanical: it may outperform over multi-year horizons when debasement fears rise and real yields compress, but it can still underperform for long stretches if liquidity tightens, real yields rise, or risk appetite collapses.

In the current ETF era of Bitcoin, we may be about to find out how Bitcoin performs amid persistent inflation, tight liquidity, and high institutional exposure.

The post What is Stagflation? Why Bitcoin was made for the economic conditions set to dominate 2026 appeared first on CryptoSlate.

The SEC and CFTC just gave crypto its clearest and most straightforward regulatory guidance in years. Most crypto assets will no longer be treated as presumptive securities, and the agencies drew a sharper line between open crypto markets and tokenized versions of traditional financial products.

Under normal conditions, that kind of clarity should have been a major bullish catalyst, but it wasn't.

The market’s lack of response showed that traders no longer see regulatory goodwill on its own as enough to rerate the sector.

What crypto wants now is something the agencies can’t deliver by themselves: durable legal certainty from Congress.

For years, the central problem for crypto in the US was basic regulatory uncertainty. Projects could launch, exchanges could list tokens, and capital could keep moving, but the SEC still had room to argue that much of the sector belonged inside securities law.

That overhang was what shaped everything from valuations, product design, and listing decisions, to custody models and where companies were willing to build.

This latest guidance changes that picture in a meaningful way, as it gives the industry a clearer framework than it has had in years.

However, it also exposed a new reality: clarity from regulators is no longer enough to convince the market that the US crypto rulebook is settled.

A real policy win that still fell short

The new guidance is a real change.

The SEC said it's creating a token taxonomy that separates digital commodities, digital collectibles, digital tools, payment stablecoins, and digital securities. Chairman Paul Atkins said the agency now recognizes that most crypto assets are not themselves securities. However, he also clarified that a non-security token can still fall under securities law if it is offered and sold as part of an investment contract.

The release also addressed staking, airdrops, mining, and wrapped versions of non-security crypto assets, giving the industry a broader map than it has had under federal law in years.

That's the kind of clarity crypto has been lobbying for since the first SEC cases made its legal perimeter tighter. If founders now know the baseline classification of an asset, they can structure their launches with more confidence. If exchanges know which regulator has primary jurisdiction, they eliminate almost all listing risk. If investors know a token won't be exposed to a sudden reclassification fight, the discount attached to US regulatory uncertainty should shrink.

So on paper, this had every reason to look bullish.

But Bitcoin didn't jump on the announcement. Prices remained tied to the same forces that have been driving broader risk markets for the past month.

Even Citi cut its 12-month targets for BTC and ETH because progress on US market structure legislation has stalled. Broader markets have also been wrestling with the energy crisis and inflation fears brought on by the conflict in Iran.

That helps explain why the response to this was so muted. It seems that traders have already moved on to a harder question than whether this SEC is friendlier than the last one. They now want to know whether the rules will survive politics, litigation, and the next administration.

Congress is now the real bottleneck

That gets to the heart of what changed this week.

The industry used to be stuck at the first bottleneck: agency hostility and interpretive ambiguity. Now it's stuck at the second: durability.

Guidance and interpretation help, but rulemaking would help much more. Still, none of those is the same thing as statute. Congress is the institution that can lock jurisdictional lines into law and define when a token is a commodity or security. It can also give spot market oversight to the CFTC with enough force and certainty to last longer than a single administration.

That's why the market barely moved on a regulatory change that would have felt huge just a couple of years ago. Crypto is no longer satisfied with knowing that some policymakers in Washington understand the sector. It wants concrete proof that the framework in which they're operating will be solid.

A positive view and a favorable interpretation can be narrowed, challenged, and replaced endlessly. Even the SEC framed its action as “complementary” to congressional efforts, rather than a substitute for them.

There's also another important twist to this.

The same regulatory clarity that gives crypto more breathing room may also accelerate tokenization in tradfi faster than it helps permissionless markets. The SEC has been explicit that tokenized stocks and bonds are still securities, as laid out in its January statement on tokenized securities. Then this week, the SEC approved Nasdaq’s plan to let certain stocks and ETFs trade and settle in tokenized form.

That's a strong signal about where Washington seems most comfortable: blockchain inserted into a familiar, supervised market infrastructure. That tells us that the next phase of adoption most likely won't belong just to crypto native companies. If tokenized equities, ETFs, Treasuries, and other regulated instruments move faster because incumbents can put them on a blockchain, Wall Street could capture a large share of the upside that many crypto companies assumed would reach them first.

So the market’s shrug wasn't apathy. Traders heard the message, accepted that it was a step forward, and then priced the remaining gap.

That gap is Congress. Until there's meaningful movement on legislation and visible evidence that exchanges, issuers, and custodians can build around a durable framework, this kind of regulatory goodwill will keep trading at a discount.

The SEC can draw cleaner lines, and the CFTC can claim more ground, but the next full rerating will probably wait for something larger: a law that survives the next election, lawsuit, and political turn in Washington.

The post Crypto finally got SEC clarity. Why didn’t the market care? appeared first on CryptoSlate.

Bitcoin Price Analysis: The Current Market State

The digital asset market is currently at a critical crossroads as we move through March 2026. After hitting local highs, the $Bitcoin price has retraced to stabilize around the $68,500 – $69,500 zone. While some retail investors view this sideways movement as a sign of weakness, professional traders recognize it as a high-probability "coiling" phase. This period of consolidation often precedes a massive directional breakout, offering a unique window for those looking to trade Bitcoin with a structured approach.

Bitcoin Price Prediction: Is $75,000 Next?

Current data suggests that the Bitcoin price prediction for the remainder of Q1 2026 hinges on the $70,000 psychological level. As of March 22, 2026, BTC is trading at approximately $68,625, showing a slight cooling off from the recent rally. For traders, this "easy period" refers to the clear technical boundaries currently in play on the BTC-USD chart, which allow for well-defined risk management and high-reward entries before the next volatility spike.

Defining the Bitcoin Price Action and Volatility

To capitalize on this movement, it is essential to understand the BTC/USD price action. Price action refers to the movement of a security's price plotted over time. In the current context, we are observing a "Bull Flag" on the daily chart. Trading this successfully involves identifying support (where buying pressure starts) and resistance (where selling pressure begins).

Technical Breakdown: Key Levels for the Bitcoin Price

Looking at the current market structure, we can see a distinct pattern emerging. After the "flash crash" of late 2025, the market spent months finding a floor.

The Technical Setup

• Support Zone: $65,000 - $68,000. This area has been defended vigorously by institutional "whales."
• Resistance Zone: $72,000 - $76,000. This is the ceiling that must be cracked for a move toward $100k.
• Correlation Factors: BTC currently shows an increasing correlation with the S&P 500. According to data from Bloomberg, this often precedes a period of heightened volatility in the Bitcoin price.

Pro Strategy to Trade Bitcoin During Consolidation

During this period, the most effective way to make money is not by guessing the direction, but by reacting to the levels. Here is a professional strategy to trade Bitcoin right now:

• The Range Play: Buy near the $67,500 support with a tight stop-loss at $66,000. Target the upper resistance at $72,000.
• The Breakout Entry: Set a "Buy Stop" order at $72,500. If the Bitcoin price breaks this level with high volume, it confirms a bullish reversal.
• The Hedge: Use hardware wallets for long-term holdings while keeping only trading capital on top-tier exchanges.

Fundamental Catalysts Driving the Bitcoin Price

While the charts look technical, fundamentals are driving the sentiment. The Federal Reserve’s stance in 2026 has kept "risk-on" assets under pressure. However, the increasing adoption of BTC as a reserve asset provides a long-term regulatory tailwind. This "flight to quality" is why the Bitcoin price is outperforming the broader market.

Bitcoin Price Metrics

• Summary for Traders: The current Bitcoin price prediction suggests we are in a "calm before the storm" phase. By utilizing a disciplined strategy to trade Bitcoin and keeping a close eye on the $70,000 pivot point, traders can position themselves for the next leg of the bull cycle.

The cryptocurrency market experienced a significant "risk-off" event over the past few days, triggered by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Following statements from U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting an extension of military operations and potential strikes on Iranian oil infrastructure, investors have fled volatile assets. This shift has led to a noticeable correction across major digital assets, as seen in the latest market data.

Crypto Crash Reason: Trump and Wars

When global stability is threatened, speculative markets like cryptocurrencies often react with high volatility. The recent announcement that the U.S. might target Iranian oil facilities—specifically strategic hubs like Kharg Island—sent oil prices toward $120 per barrel, creating fears of a global inflationary shock.

Historically, while Bitcoin has been labeled "digital gold," it often trades in correlation with high-growth tech stocks during the initial phase of a geopolitical crisis. The current crash reflects a liquidity squeeze as traders move to safer havens like the U.S. Dollar and physical gold.

Crypto Price Analysis: Top 10 Performance

Based on recent exchange data, the market is overwhelmingly "in the red," with YTD (Year-to-Date) performances showing significant double-digit losses for the first time this quarter.

Bitcoin (BTC) Performance

The Bitcoin price has struggled to maintain the $70,000 psychological support level. Dropping 3.25% in 24 hours, $BTC is now down over 21% YTD. This suggests that even institutional inflows through ETFs are currently being outweighed by macro-driven sell pressure.

Ethereum and Altcoins

Ethereum ($ETH) has taken a harder hit than Bitcoin, sliding 4.07% today and sitting at a staggering -30.29% YTD. Other major players like Solana ($SOL) and $BNB follow a similar pattern, losing roughly 3-5% of their value as the market anticipates further military escalation.

Impact of Energy Prices on the Industry

The threat to hitting Iranian oil targets doesn't just affect investor sentiment; it has a direct impact on the crypto mining industry. Rising energy costs can make mining less profitable, potentially leading to a lower "hashprice" and increased selling pressure from miners who need to cover operational costs. According to reports from Bloomberg, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz remains the biggest tail risk for global energy markets in 2026.

Why Bitcoin Is Ignoring the Iran War

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

Yet despite these developments, the cryptocurrency market is showing unexpected stability.

Bitcoin continues to hold key levels near the $70,000 range, avoiding the sharp panic selling typically seen during geopolitical crises.

This unusual behavior is raising a key question:
👉 Why is Bitcoin ignoring the Iran war?

War Headlines No Longer Move Crypto

When the first signs of escalation appeared, Bitcoin reacted as expected.

• Prices moved higher as investors looked for alternative assets
• Volatility increased across crypto markets
• Risk sentiment shifted rapidly

However, as the situation evolved, the market response began to fade.

Despite ongoing headlines:

• Military developments
• Oil supply concerns
• Regional instability

Bitcoin is no longer reacting strongly.

👉 This suggests that the market may have already priced in the conflict.

The Real Drivers Now: Macro Over Geopolitics

While geopolitical tensions dominate headlines, crypto markets are increasingly driven by macroeconomic factors.

Key drivers include:

• Central bank policy
• Interest rate expectations
• Inflation data
• Institutional flows

The focus has shifted away from short-term news toward long-term liquidity conditions.

👉 In other words:
The war may be loud — but macro is louder.

Oil Is Moving — But Bitcoin Isn’t

One of the clearest signals of this disconnect is oil.

Geopolitical tensions have pushed energy markets into volatility, with oil reacting strongly to developments in the Middle East.

But Bitcoin has not followed the same pattern.

This divergence is important:

• Oil reflects immediate geopolitical risk
• Bitcoin reflects broader financial expectations

👉 This suggests Bitcoin is no longer trading as a pure crisis hedge — but as a macro-driven asset.

Market in Transition: Accumulation Phase?

Current price action points toward a market in transition rather than panic.

We are seeing:

• Sideways consolidation
• Reduced volatility compared to initial headlines
• Continued institutional interest

This type of environment is often associated with accumulation phases, where:

• Retail investors hesitate
• Smart money quietly builds positions
• The next trend forms in the background

What Happens Next? Breakout or Fakeout

With Bitcoin holding steady despite geopolitical pressure, the market may be preparing for its next major move.

Two scenarios are emerging:

Bullish scenario:

• Liquidity improves
• Interest rate expectations ease
• Bitcoin breaks higher

Bearish scenario:

• Macro conditions tighten
• Liquidity remains restricted
• Another correction occurs

👉 In both cases, volatility is likely to increase before a clear direction emerges.

Conclusion: A New Market Behavior

Bitcoin’s reaction to the Iran conflict signals a shift in how the market operates.

In previous cycles, geopolitical crises triggered immediate and strong reactions. Today, the response is more measured.

This suggests:

• The market is maturing
• Macro factors are gaining dominance
• Bitcoin is evolving beyond simple narratives

The Iran war may still impact global markets — but for crypto, the bigger story is what happens in the global liquidity cycle.

US President Donald Trump has taken to Truth Social to announce that the United States is "getting very close" to meeting its military objectives in the Middle East, sparking immediate speculation across global financial and cryptocurrency markets.

Market Reaction: War "Winding Down" or Just Beginning?

In a detailed post on March 20, 2026, President Donald Trump outlined five core objectives that he claims are nearing completion regarding the "Terrorist Regime of Iran." These goals include the total degradation of Iranian missile capabilities, the destruction of their defense industrial base, and ensuring the country never achieves nuclear status.

This announcement comes after weeks of intense kinetic activity, including the reported strike on Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility and the Kharg Island oil hub. While Trump’s rhetoric suggests a de-escalation or "winding down," he simultaneously rejected calls for a formal ceasefire, stating, "You don't do a ceasefire when you're literally obliterating the other side."

The 5 Military Objectives Outlined by Trump:

• Missile Degradation: Eliminating launchers and related infrastructure.
• Industrial Base: Destroying Iran's ability to manufacture weaponry.
• Naval & Air Superiority: Neutralizing the Iranian Navy and Air Force.
• Nuclear Prevention: Maintaining a permanent "rapid response" to prevent enrichment.
• Regional Protection: Securing allies including Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.

How Trump’s Rhetoric Impacts Bitcoin and Crypto Prices

Historically, geopolitical instability in the Middle East acts as a double-edged sword for digital assets. During the initial "Operation Epic Fury" in February 2026, Bitcoin ($BTC) saw a significant "flight to safety" premium, briefly outperforming the S&P 500 as investors feared a collapse in traditional banking systems and a spike in oil-driven inflation.

1. The "Risk-On" Rebound

If the market perceives Trump’s "winding down" as a genuine path toward regional stability, we could see a massive rotation back into "risk-on" assets. Crypto, being the most liquid risk asset, often leads these rallies. Investors who were sidelined due to the "war discount" may begin re-entering positions in $Ethereum and major altcoins.

2. The Inflation Hedge Argument

Conversely, the "winding down" involves the US military stepping back from policing the Strait of Hormuz, suggesting that other nations must now foot the bill for security. This shift could lead to sustained volatility in energy prices. As Brent crude fluctuates near $100 per barrel, Bitcoin's narrative as "digital gold" or a hedge against fiat debasement remains strong.

"The timing of the announcement—just 13 minutes after the closure of Friday futures markets—suggests a calculated move to influence market sentiment over the weekend," noted analysts.

Will Crypto Pries Go UP?

As the situation evolves, traders should keep a close eye on the following:

• DXY Strength: A winding down of military efforts often weakens the US Dollar Index (DXY). Since Bitcoin is inversely correlated with the DXY, a weaker dollar could propel $BTC prices toward previous all-time highs.
• Regulatory Clarity: In the background, the GENIUS Act of 2025 and the upcoming CLARITY Act continue to provide a floor for institutional adoption. News of military success may allow the administration to shift focus back to domestic economic policies, including crypto-friendly legislation.
• Exchange Liquidity: During periods of high-impact news, ensure you are using platforms with deep order books to avoid slippage. You can check our Exchange Comparison to find the most reliable trading venues.

Bitcoin Price Crash: Crypto Market Faces a Sudden Reversal

The cryptocurrency market has entered a period of intense volatility today, March 18, 2026, with Bitcoin ($BTC) tumbling from its recent highs near $76,000 to the $72,000 range. This sudden "sea of red" has caught many retail traders off guard, especially following the bullish momentum seen earlier this week.

While the digital asset space often moves independently, today’s crash is a direct result of a "perfect storm" involving geopolitical escalations, disappointing US inflation data, and a necessary technical cooling period.

1. Middle East Escalation: Energy Infrastructure Under Attack

The primary driver of the "risk-off" sentiment across global markets is the dramatic escalation in the Middle East. Following Israeli strikes on Iran’s South Pars gas field—the world’s largest natural gas reserve—Tehran has officially declared its intent to retaliate against Gulf energy sites.

Key Geopolitical Developments:

• Target List: Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have identified key infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar as potential targets.
• Energy Disruption: Iraq has already reported a total halt of gas supplies from Iran, leading to a loss of approximately 3,100 megawatts of power.
• Oil Prices Surge: Brent crude has spiked toward $110 a barrel, fueling fears of global stagflation.

In times of war and energy insecurity, investors typically flee "risk assets" like cryptocurrencies in favor of "safe havens" like gold or the US Dollar. This flight to safety is putting massive downward pressure on the $Bitcoin price.

2. US Core PPI Hits 3.9%: Inflation Remains "Sticky"

Macroeconomic data released today has further dampened hopes for a dovish pivot from the Federal Reserve. The US Core Producer Price Index (PPI), which excludes volatile food and energy costs, came in at 3.9% year-over-year.

This figure significantly overshot market expectations of 3.7%. For crypto investors, this is a bearish signal because:

• Higher for Longer: Hotter-than-expected wholesale inflation suggests the Fed will keep interest rates elevated to cool the economy.
• Yield Pressure: Treasury yields have climbed following the report, making non-yielding assets like Bitcoin less attractive to institutional players.
• Liquidity Crunch: High interest rates reduce the "cheap money" that typically flows into speculative markets.

3. Technical Adjustment: The $76,000 Rejection

From a purely technical perspective, many analysts argue that a correction was overdue. Bitcoin recently hit a peak of $76,000, a level that acted as a psychological and technical glass ceiling.

The "Overheated" Market

Leading up to today’s drop, several on-chain indicators suggested the market was "overextended." Funding rates in the derivatives market had reached unsustainable levels, meaning long-positioned traders were paying high premiums to keep their bets open.

When the news of the Iranian retaliation broke, it triggered a "long squeeze," forcing leveraged traders to liquidate their positions. This mechanical selling accelerated the drop, pushing BTC toward its immediate support levels.

What’s Next for Bitcoin and Altcoins?

The market is currently looking for a floor. While the $72,000 level is providing some initial support, the upcoming Federal Reserve meeting will be the next major catalyst. If the Fed adopts a hawkish tone due to the PPI data and rising energy costs, we could see further testing of the $68,000–$70,000 zone.

The Los Angeles Superior Court is pilot testing whether Learned Hand’s curated AI can help manage rising workloads.

Publicly traded firms are now stacking Ethereum, pulling in billions of dollars of ETH. These are the largest holders.

How did Michael Saylor's firm amass a record stash of Bitcoin? Here's a look back at how Strategy made such massive gains.

Bitcoin's volatility has subsided over the last month, but traders are still paying a premium for downside protection, VanEck said.

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Billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban has issued a stark warning to the traditional banking sector, arguing that legacy financial institutions are highly vulnerable to being overthrown by cryptocurrency and fintech innovators.

BNB has reclaimed the fourth largest crypto rank with a $90.7 million lead over XRP. A 2.27% resilience move triggered a historic reshuffle in the global top five.

Michael Saylor has hinted at a new billion-dollar Bitcoin buy despite a $5 billion paper loss. Explore why Strategy's "orange march" continues against all odds.

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Bitcoin at a crossroads? Analyst Aksel Kibar warns a "rising wedge" pattern could trigger a correction to $60,000. Discover why the current BTC trend might be a trap for bulls.

TLDR:

• Strategy now holds 761,068 BTC valued at $52.36B amid ongoing purchases.
• Average acquisition cost for holdings stands at $75,696 per bitcoin.
• Moderate leverage and $38B derivatives exposure support the accumulation strategy.
• Bitcoin consolidates near 68.7K after the recent 75–76K peak, showing a short-term pullback.

Michael Saylor’s Bitcoin accumulation continues as Strategy scales its treasury beyond 761,000 BTC. The approach combines moderate leverage, active market participation, and long-term capital allocation in bitcoin despite ongoing price volatility.

Strategy’s Growing Bitcoin Holdings and Market Engagement

Michael Saylor continues to expand Strategy’s corporate bitcoin holdings, posting on X on March 22, 2026, with his signature orange dot chart illustrating ongoing accumulation. 

The chart visually tracks the company’s treasury growth despite market swings. A recent purchase of 22,337 BTC increased total holdings to 761,068 BTC, with a current valuation of $52.36 billion and an average acquisition cost of $75,696 per coin. 

This reinforces the scale of corporate bitcoin adoption and the long-term focus of Strategy’s capital allocation.

Equity metrics show MSTR trading at $135.66, with a market capitalization of $46.814 billion and an enterprise value of $62.766 billion. 

Trading volume reached $3.82 billion, and the 30-day average stood at $2.846 billion. These figures demonstrate active market participation alongside the accumulation strategy.

Leverage, Volatility, and Bitcoin Market Trends

Strategy uses moderate leverage, holding $8.254 billion in total debt alongside $2.25 billion in cash. Net leverage is 11%, indicating a controlled approach while supporting continued bitcoin purchases. 

Open interest in derivatives totals $38.137 billion, and implied volatility is 55%, with historical volatility at 74%, reflecting significant market swings.

The bitcoin market currently shows a short-term pullback. Price peaked near 75–76K before consolidating around the 68.7K support region. Momentum indicators such as the MACD are negative, and the RSI hovers in the high-30s, approaching oversold levels. 

This suggests sellers dominate the short-term market, while volume patterns indicate limited panic selling.

Key support levels include 68K, with further support near 66–64K, and resistance levels at 70–71K. Tweets from Strategy’s official account continue to emphasize the “Orange March,” signaling that accumulation is ongoing, and institutional confidence remains elevated.

The post Strategy Surpasses 761K BTC as Michael Saylor Hints at More Buying Momentum appeared first on Blockonomi.

Goldman Sachs became the largest buyer of XRP ETF shares this quarter, and the SEC classified XRP as a digital commodity on March 17, ending years of legal confusion from the Ripple lawsuit.

Amid this development, Pepeto, an exchange presale from the cofounder who built the original Pepe coin to $11 billion, is pulling in wallets that track institutional flows before they reach the headlines. While the xrp price prediction hints at $4, 150x projections around Pepeto turn that target into a race between both entries.

XRP Price Prediction Turns Bullish After SEC Commodity Classification and $1.39 Billion in ETF Inflows

The SEC and CFTC jointly classified XRP as a digital commodity on March 17, placing it alongside Bitcoin and Ethereum under CFTC oversight, according to Phemex.

Spot XRP ETFs have pulled in $1.39 billion with 772 million tokens locked in custody, and Goldman Sachs emerged as the largest institutional buyer, according to Yahoo Finance.

The classification removes the legal overhang from 2020, but from $1.39 the xrp price prediction still measures returns in small multiples over years.

XRP Price Prediction and the Presale That Could Outperform

Pepeto: The Best Opportunity Of 2026

Most traders hear about a token only after it already printed 10x, 100x, or even 1000x in gains. Pepeto is the exchange being built to make sure you are positioned before the move, not reading about it after.

The platform is a complete trading hub designed to protect your capital. You can scan contracts for hidden risks before your wallet connects and stay ahead with tools that flag danger before a single dollar moves. For traders who lose money to scams, bad contracts, and hidden fees, this changes everything.

At the core of the exchange are three products that bring the system to life. PepetoSwap runs zero fee trades so your capital works for you instead of paying the platform. The risk scorer examines every contract for traps and scam code, giving you a clear answer in seconds so you never fall for a bad project again.

The presale has raised more than $8 million with the Binance listing approaching, and the cross chain bridge moves tokens between networks at zero cost. The cofounder who built Pepe to $11 billion with the same 420 trillion supply and zero products is now building an exchange. A SolidProof audit verified every contract, a former Binance expert is on the dev team, and 195% APY staking compounds in wallets that committed while others watched.

Pepe reached $11 billion with nothing. Matching that from the current presale entry of $0.000000186 is over 150x, and Pepeto has the exchange infrastructure Pepe never built. The wallets entering now are building the positions the xrp price prediction takes years to match.

XRP Price Prediction: Can XRP Reach $4 After the SEC Clears the Legal Path?

XRP trades near $1.39 as of March 22, up from $1.20 after the commodity classification removed the legal cloud, according to CoinMarketCap.

Analyst Ali Martinez identified a breakout zone and said clearing it could send XRP toward $4, according to TradingView.

More bullish forecasts place XRP at $5 to $6 by year end. But even the aggressive $6 target is a 4x return requiring the full cycle. The xrp price prediction delivers real returns over long timelines, not the 150x a presale to Binance listing compresses into the moment trading begins.

Solana

SOL trades near $87 as of March 22, down 75% from its cycle high above $260, according to CoinMarketCap.

An ascending trendline has provided support, and $100 is possible if it holds. But from $87, a 3x requires a recovery that could take quarters. SOL is signaling recovery, not delivering the entry that changes a portfolio.

Conclusion

The xrp price prediction is real, the commodity classification adds weight, and ETF inflows confirm the direction. But to grab the biggest returns from this shift, a portfolio needs an early entry that delivers multiples a large cap at $1.44 is too established to produce.

The Binance listing compresses that return window into days, and the wallets entering today at presale pricing are building the positions the rest of the market will spend this cycle wishing they had. The Pepeto official website is where the investors who see how rare this setup is are locking in their entries right now.

The xrp price prediction says $4. The Pepeto presale math says 150x, choose which distance defines your cycle.

Click To Visit Pepeto Website To Enter The Presale

FAQs

What is the xrp price prediction for 2026?

Analyst Ali Martinez forecasts XRP could reach $4, with bullish targets at $5 to $6. Pepeto at presale pricing targets over 150x to a market cap the same cofounder already achieved.

Can XRP reach $10 before Pepeto reaches the same level?

XRP at $10 is a 7x move analysts place in 2029 or 2030. Pepeto carries the same supply that took Pepe to $11 billion, making the distance much shorter.

Is Pepeto a better entry than the xrp price prediction right now?

The Pepeto official website offers a presale where matching Pepe’s market cap is over 150x, something the xrp price prediction from $1.39 cannot produce this cycle.

The post XRP Price Prediction: Pepeto Races XRP Toward 150x as the Binance Listing Draws Near While Solana Signals Recovery appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR:

• Ethereum whales near breakeven signal reduced aggressive selling and late-stage accumulation.
• ETH price on the 4H chart shows an early downtrend with lower highs and key support zones.
• MACD and RSI indicators confirm weakening momentum and potential for further downside.
• Liquidity clusters above and below the current price suggest volatility expansion is imminent.

Ethereum whale unrealized profit ratio has dropped near zero, placing major holders at breakeven or loss. This aligns with weakening short-term price action and tightening liquidity zones, setting the stage for a decisive market move.

Whale Profitability and Market Structure

Ethereum whale unrealized profit ratio shows major holders of 100,000 ETH or more approaching breakeven or unrealized losses. Historically, such readings appear during late-stage bear markets or deep accumulation phases.

Past cycles provide context. Between 2018 and 2019, whale profit ratios dipped toward zero before the post-ICO market bottom stabilized. A similar pattern occurred in 2020 before a strong upward expansion.

Large holders typically have long-term strategies and superior market insight. Their positions reflect structural market conditions rather than short-term sentiment. 

Unrealized losses at this scale indicate broad market compression and potential accumulation. Selling pressure often reduces under these conditions. 

Whales generally avoid realizing losses unless forced by liquidity constraints, which can stabilize downside momentum. At the same time, accumulation tends to increase quietly. 

Large holders often average down or reposition strategically during these periods. Retail sentiment contrasts with this behavior. 

As price stagnates or decline, retail participants often panic. In contrast, whales being underwater suggests the market’s strongest participants are experiencing losses, which can indicate a closer proximity to the bottom ranges.

Price Action, Momentum, and Liquidity Zones

Ethereum’s 4-hour chart shows short-term momentum weakening after a peak near $2,300–$2,400. Price has entered a corrective phase with lower highs and mild lower lows, typical of early downtrend structure.

Current price levels around $2,080 sit near a horizontal support zone that previously acted as a consolidation base. Momentum indicators confirm weakness: MACD shows expanding bearish signals, while RSI near 35–40 suggests room for further downside before oversold conditions emerge.

Liquidity clusters define the next potential moves. A dense short liquidation zone exists between $2,180 and $2,220, while a strong long liquidation pool lies near $2,050–$2,100. 

Price is currently trapped between these levels, creating a “liquidity sandwich” that often precedes volatility expansion.

Social media commentary reflects this tension: “Price is stuck between two liquidation magnets. One side will be cleared before expansion.” The market is range-bound, awaiting a catalyst. 

A downside sweep appears slightly more likely due to recent bearish momentum, which could clear long positions before a potential relief bounce.

Whale positioning adds further insight. If large holders defend current support, the market may stabilize. Otherwise, ETH may search for deeper value before any recovery occurs. 

Overall, the market is in a transitional phase with structural weakness balanced by potential accumulation.

The post Ethereum Whales Face Losses as Unrealized Profit Ratio Hits Critical Levels appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR:

• Gold has fallen nearly 20% from its highs, putting it close to official bear market territory in 2026.
• Bitcoin outperformed gold by roughly 20% since the Iran conflict started, per Whale Factor’s analysis.
• On an M2 liquidity basis, gold is trading near historical peak levels, signaling a long-term caution flag.
• Bitcoin remains in a consolidation range that mirrors pre-breakout patterns observed in previous market cycles.

Bitcoin is holding steady as gold slides toward bear market territory, raising fresh questions among traders. Gold has dropped nearly 20% from its recent peaks, while Bitcoin has held within its consolidation range.

This divergence is playing out against a backdrop of rising oil prices and persistent inflation pressures. The contrast is drawing attention to how capital behaves differently across asset classes during macro stress.

Gold Faces Macro Pressure From Rates and Rising Oil

Gold is now close to a technical bear market, down nearly 20% from its recent highs. This drop has persisted even as geopolitical tensions have remained elevated in recent months.

Higher-for-longer interest rates and rising oil prices have combined to weigh heavily on the metal. The issue appears rooted in macroeconomic conditions rather than in any single geopolitical event.

Crypto analyst CryptosRus pointed directly to macro conditions as the source of gold’s trouble. “Rates are staying higher for longer, and rising oil is pushing inflation expectations back up,” the analyst wrote.

That environment reduces demand for non-yielding assets like gold, as traders adjust their positions accordingly.

The liquidity picture is also working against gold on a longer-term basis. CryptosRus noted that gold, when measured against M2 money supply, is trading near historical peak levels.

That reading serves as a caution signal for investors tracking long-term price cycles. Meanwhile, elevated rates continue to offer competing returns that diminish gold’s relative appeal.

A recent trading session gave a concrete look at gold’s current vulnerabilities. Gold fell 5% as oil hit $100 per barrel and stocks touched new 2026 lows. Despite the risk-off environment, gold failed to draw the safe-haven demand traders typically expect.

Bitcoin Tracks Liquidity While Capital Behavior Shifts

Bitcoin has responded to the same environment in a markedly different manner. The asset has stayed within a consolidation range that resembles patterns seen in past market cycles.

Analysts tracking long-term Bitcoin behavior describe this phase as consistent with pre-breakout consolidation. That pattern, if sustained, could place Bitcoin in a more favorable position as macro conditions evolve.

Whale Factor, a market observer, noted the performance gap on one of gold’s worst recent sessions. “Gold crashed 5% today… Bitcoin? Down 1%,” the account wrote, pointing to the contrast directly. Bitcoin also outperformed gold by roughly 20% since the start of the Iran conflict.

On an M2-adjusted basis, Bitcoin is currently retesting its prior highs without a confirmed breakout. CryptosRus framed this as a liquidity retest, noting that a full breakout has not yet occurred. Still, the current setup mirrors historical patterns that preceded larger moves in prior cycles.

Bitcoin and gold are clearly absorbing the same macro conditions in very different ways. Gold is struggling under rate pressure, while Bitcoin continues to track long-term liquidity. The data, for now, shows Bitcoin holding ground in an environment where gold has not.

The post Bitcoin Holds as Gold Nears Bear Market: What the Divergence Says About Capital in 2026 appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR:

• Crypto market cap has grown from billions to $2.34T, showing strong long-term upward trends.
• Adoption may reach 4 billion users by 2030, surpassing early internet growth rates.
• Tokenization and stablecoins integrate crypto into global financial systems daily.
• $100T market cap projection depends on continued adoption and partial on-chain asset migration.

Crypto Market Cap continues to expand despite volatility, with projections suggesting adoption could reach billions, pushing valuation toward $100 trillion over the next decade.

Adoption Trends Driving Crypto Market Cap

Crypto Market Cap has steadily grown from billions to trillions over the last decade, reaching about $2.34 trillion today. Despite sharp corrections, the long-term trend remains upward. 

Each market cycle introduces new users, infrastructure improvements, and institutional involvement. Corrections reset valuations while strengthening underlying networks, showing that volatility is a natural part of this emerging asset class.

Adoption is a key driver of long-term growth. Raoul Pal, former hedge fund manager and Real Vision CEO, forecasts that crypto could reach 4 billion users by 2030. 

Wallet numbers have grown at an average of 137% per year since 2014, outpacing early internet adoption, which expanded at 76% annually after reaching 5 million users. 

While growth is expected to slow to 43% next year, projections indicate the industry could surpass one billion users before 2030.

Some analysts caution that wallet metrics may overstate real adoption due to multiple addresses per user and project-driven wallets. Pal countered that early internet metrics faced similar challenges yet still accurately tracked network expansion. 

Conservative estimates, such as those from Triple-A and Andreessen Horowitz, suggest 560 million users by 2024, with monthly active users ranging between 30 and 60 million. 

Even with lower estimates, the adoption curve remains strong, supporting the potential for continued crypto market cap growth.

Path Toward $100 Trillion Market Cap

Projections for Crypto Market Cap suggest a potential rise to $100 trillion by 2032, driven by adoption, tokenization, and macroeconomic trends.

Currency debasement is cited as a primary factor influencing asset appreciation, while widespread adoption strengthens long-term growth. 

Pal notes that adoption explains performance relative to debasement, which accounts for most of the price action historically.

Tokenization of real-world assets could significantly increase valuation if even 10–20% of global assets move on-chain. Combined with stablecoins facilitating billions in daily transactions, crypto is increasingly integrating into financial infrastructure. 

Networks such as Bitcoin serve as digital reserve assets, Ethereum enables decentralized finance and applications, and stablecoins support cross-border settlements.

Global financial markets collectively hold hundreds of trillions in equities, bonds, real estate, and gold. Crypto does not need to replace these assets; capturing a fraction could propel the market toward tens of trillions. 

Each cycle, marked by drawdowns, strengthens the ecosystem as weaker participants exit and infrastructure improves. The market’s exponential nature indicates most growth occurs after broader attention, suggesting that today’s $2.34 trillion could resemble early internet phases in hindsight.

The post Analyst Predicts Crypto Market Cap Could Hit $100T by 2030 appeared first on Blockonomi.

Grayscale called it the “dawn of the institutional era.” Bitwise predicted Bitcoin will break its four-year cycle and set new all-time highs. Bitcoin Suisse published a scenario where Bitcoin approaches $180,000 and Ethereum reaches $8,000 on the back of Fed rate cuts and accelerating institutional flows. Standard Chartered raised its Ethereum price target to $7,500, pointing to corporate treasuries and spot ETFs acquiring approximately 3.8% of all circulating Ether since June 2025 at a pace nearly double comparable Bitcoin accumulation phases. The consensus building among institutional analysts entering 2026 is that the market’s structural foundation has changed — that ETF inflows, regulatory clarity, and sovereign-level Bitcoin adoption have rewritten the adoption narrative in a way that previous cycles didn’t have. And although the year so far has yet to take even the slightest turn this direction, institutional interest doesn’t seem to be dwindling.

The debate about where prices go from here is ongoing. What isn’t debatable is that Bitcoin Everlight’s shard holders are already earning from the infrastructure layer sitting underneath all of that institutional interest — and Phase 2 is open now at $0.0010.

What the Institutional Era Means for Infrastructure Participation

The shift Grayscale and Coinbase are describing a structural argument about who owns Bitcoin and why. Coinbase’s 2026 outlook describes a “DAT 2.0” model where institutional participants move beyond simple accumulation toward professional trading, storage, and procurement of block space, treating it as a vital commodity for the digital economy. Bitwise predicts ETFs will purchase more than 100% of new Bitcoin supply as institutional demand accelerates. The Block Research projects Bitcoin dominance remains above 50% throughout 2026 as capital concentrates in the most established assets.

What that structural shift creates, at the infrastructure level, is a network processing significantly more transaction volume than previous cycles — with fee revenue scaling proportionally. Bitcoin Everlight’s reward model is positioned directly in that dynamic. The Transaction Validation Node network distributes routing micro-fees to active shard holders based on measurable performance data — uptime, routing volume, delivery speed, and transaction completion rates. As the institutional era drives more transaction activity through the infrastructure, the fee pool available for distribution grows with it.

A Reward Model Built for What 2026 Looks Like

Most passive income models built during earlier crypto cycles were designed for a retail-driven market where token hype sustained yield rates regardless of underlying network activity. The institutional era Grayscale and Coinbase are describing operates differently — Coinbase explicitly notes that protocols are moving toward “fee-sharing, buybacks, and buy-and-burn” as the emerging shift toward durable, revenue-tied models that link token holder economics to actual platform usage.

Bitcoin Everlight’s post-mainnet distribution is exactly that model. Rewards come from BTC-denominated transaction routing fees generated by real network activity — not from inflationary token issuance or a fixed incentive pool the platform has committed to paying regardless of what the infrastructure generates. During Phase 2, activated shards earn fixed BTCL rewards from the moment of activation. At mainnet launch, the same position transitions automatically to performance-based BTC distribution without any action required from the participant.

Before the presale opened, the project completed dual smart contract audits through Spywolf and Solidproof, alongside dual KYC verifications through Spywolf and Vital Block — all publicly linked and completed before a single token was sold.

How Phase 2 Works in Practice

Phase 2 of the Bitcoin Everlight presale is active now with BTCL priced at $0.0010 per token. Entry begins at $50 across more than nine cryptocurrencies. As a participant’s cumulative USD commitment builds toward a tier threshold, their shard position sits dormant until that threshold is crossed — at which point the shard activates automatically and BTCL rewards begin distributing immediately. The token supply is fixed at 21 billion BTCL with no inflation mechanism, with 45% going directly to presale participants, 20% funding node rewards and network incentives, and the remainder covering liquidity, team vesting, and ecosystem development.

The Azure Shard activates at $500 and earns up to 12% APY in BTCL through the presale period, transitioning to BTC rewards from live routing activity at mainnet. The Violet Shard activates at $1,500 with up to 20% APY during presale — the most commonly activated tier on the platform. The Radiant Shard activates at $3,000 with up to 28% APY, carrying the highest network participation weight into the mainnet reward phase. All three transition automatically at launch with no action required.

The Gap Between Analyst Projections and Actual Earnings

Bitwise’s prediction that Bitcoin will break its four-year cycle, Bitcoin Suisse’s $180,000 scenario, and Standard Chartered’s $7,500 Ethereum target all share a common characteristic: they are projections about where prices might go, not income that participants are generating today. The institutional era thesis is compelling, and the structural arguments behind it are well-documented. But participants sitting on Bitcoin and Ethereum positions waiting for those targets to materialize are generating nothing from their holdings in the meantime.

Bitcoin Everlight’s shard holders in Phase 2 are earning BTCL from day one of activation, with that position carrying directly into BTC distribution at mainnet launch. For participants who find the institutional era thesis persuasive and want a position whose income is tied to the infrastructure layer driving that thesis — rather than to a price target that may or may not materialize on schedule — Phase 2 is the current window.

Everything about how Everlight Shards work and what the BTC reward distribution looks like after mainnet launch can be explored here.

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The post BTC & ETH Entering a New Era? Analysts Say Yes — This Platform Is Already Paying Real BTC Rewards appeared first on CryptoPotato.

The FBI has notified users on the Tron network about a fake token impersonating the agency.

A post published on X by its New York field office on March 19 warned of a phishing campaign that tries to get people to give up their personal information and access to their wallets by pretending to be an official investigation notice.

Scam Targeting Tron Users

According to the law enforcement agency, attackers are sending out a malicious TRC20 token with the subject line “FBI message,” telling people to complete an “AML verification” or risk having their assets blocked. The message directs users to a fake website, where it prompts them to submit their personal information.

The FBI advised anyone who gets the tokens not to visit the site or give out personal details. It also urged any victims who may have already shared their identifying information to report the matter to the agency’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.

The warning is in line with research published by blockchain security company AMLBot on October 30, 2025, which showed a similar scheme targeting Tron wallets. The company says that attackers watch blockchain activity to find addresses that are affected by Tether freezes. Once a wallet is flagged, the user gets a “Survey” token with a link to a fake recovery site that looks like official communication.

If they follow the link, the website asks them to check their wallet status and then connect it to the platform. According to AMLBot, users are then asked for a fee in TRX, upon which the website quietly sends out an update that gives attackers access to the victim’s wallet, allowing them to take over accounts and wait for money that has been frozen to be released.

Shift Toward User-Targeted Attacks

The rise of the fake “FBI tokens” is another sign of a bigger shift in the way crypto scams are done that was recently reported by blockchain analytics company Nominis. The firm released a report on March 14 showing that total losses from crypto exploits had dropped sharply in February 2026, but attackers were increasingly focusing on manipulating users instead of finding technical flaws.

Nominis says that in a lot of the recent thefts, criminals used phishing links, fake interfaces, and false transaction approvals to get the information they wanted. All of these are tactics that depend on manipulating users to either sign malicious permissions or disclose sensitive data.

A very recent example is the March 1 hack of Bitrefill, where attackers drained several hot wallets and made off with gift card inventory. The company confirmed that the thieves gained access to its systems using compromised credentials from an employee’s laptop. Investigations linked the incident to North Korean entities.

Security researchers say these patterns show that with the blockchain infrastructure becoming harder to exploit, attackers are finding ways to manipulate user behavior. And going by the FBI’s warning, impersonation tactics, especially those involving authority figures or law enforcement, are still a major threat to crypto users.

The post FBI Warns of Fake Token Scam on Tron appeared first on CryptoPotato.

Although in a more modest manner, XRP whales have returned to the scene, amassing more tokens over the past week, which is categorized as the first bullish sign for the underlying asset.

Another could come in the form of the technical tool used to determine whether that asset’s move in either direction has been exhausted and suggests a possible bounce.

Whales Are Back

CryptoPotato reported last week that Ripple whales had accumulated 200 million tokens in the span of roughly 14 days. More recent data shared by Ali Martinez shows that they have continued to increase their XRP holdings, adding another 40 million coins in just a week.

Similar moves by the largest market participants not only reduce the immediate selling spree, as they typically accumulate for the long term, but they could also serve as an example for retail investors who often tend to follow the so-called ‘smart money.’

The second bullish sign comes from the TD Sequential – the metric explained above. On the more macro 12-hour XRP chart, the indicator has flashed a “buy signal,” which could lead to gains. The metric, which had similar signals for ADA and DOGE over the weekend, is typically followed by a trend reversal, especially after longer periods of price moves in a certain direction.

$XRP may be setting up for a rebound as the TD Sequential flashes a buy signal. pic.twitter.com/KfhBofQ2Et

— Ali Charts (@alicharts) March 22, 2026

Bottom Reached?

Fellow analyst CW touched on the number and value of traders using leverage to gain exposure to XRP. They noted that the token’s estimated leverage ratio has dropped to 0.14, the lowest level since November 2024.

CW explained that “all investors using leverage have been liquidated.” This point at which the leverage ratio hits such low levels generally marks the asset’s price bottom.

Recall that XRP went on a wild run after the aforementioned November 2024 low in the leverage ratio. It traded below $1 at the time, and skyrocketed to match its then-ATH of $3.4 within months. Although the landscape appears significantly different now, as the bulls are nowhere to be found, Ripple’s cross-border token has proven in the past that it’s capable of defying the market sentiment and expectations.

The $XRP estimated leverage ratio has dropped to 0.14.

All investors using leverage have been liquidated.

Generally, the point where the leverage ratio hits a low point marks the bottom.

The current leverage ratio has fallen to the level of November 2024. At that time, the… pic.twitter.com/49QvAOdfNk

— CW (@CW8900) March 22, 2026

The post Is the XRP Bottom Finally Here? 3 Massive Bullish Signals You Need to See appeared first on CryptoPotato.

Bitcoin’s price is not the only part of the overall BTC ecosystem that has struggled in the past several months. One of the key components of the Bitcoin network, the mining difficulty adjustment, has just declined to a monthly low.

In the meantime, the hash rate has dropped by approximately 20% in less than a month, showing that miners have been shutting down machines.

Mining Difficulty Declines

Upon creating the world’s largest blockchain network, Satoshi Nakamoto incorporated an important self-adjusting mechanism that ensures the bitcoin mining speeds remain the same (~10 minutes), no matter how many miners are on board. It adjusts at every 2,016 blocks (roughly two weeks) and, if the number of miners increases, it goes up; vice versa. This process makes the new BTC issuance predictable.

The last change took place in the early hours of the weekend and reduced the mining difficulty by 7.76%. This is the second-highest single decline in this metric in almost a year. What’s even more worrying is the fact that seven out of the last ten adjustments have been negative. And, two of the three positive ones were by less than 1%. The only significant increase was on February 19, when the metric jumped by 14.73%.

On-chain data now suggests that the next adjustment should take place on April 3, and current estimations show that the metric might increase slightly to almost 135T from 133.79T now. The difficulty peaked in late October 2025 at 155T, which means that the number now is over 13% lower.

Hash Rate Below 1 ZH/s

The hash rate is the other crucial metric showing the health of the Bitcoin network. It’s a calculated numerical value specifying an estimate of how many hashes are being generated by miners trying to solve the current block or any given one. It’s represented in hashes per second (H/s).

In simple terms, the higher the hash rate is, the more miners operate on the network, which makes it safer. Data from coinwarz shows that the metric peaked at over 1.28 ZH/s in late September last year, before it dropped within a range between 1.2 ZH/s and 900 EH/s. The severe storms in North America caused a brief disruption in late January to 700 EH/s, but quickly rebounded.

Nevertheless, it’s still just under 1 ZH/s, which places it at around 22% below its 2025 all-time high.

The post Bitcoin Records Second-Largest Difficulty Drop of 2026 as Hash Rate Remains Below 1 ZH/s appeared first on CryptoPotato.

Although bitcoin has already dumped by over 50% from its all-time high of over $126,000 marked in October to a multi-year low of $60,000, the asset’s troubles might not be over, warned Merlijn The Trader.

The popular analyst indicated that the “most dangerous bitcoin pattern just completed phase one,” and BTC could be on its way to $26,000.

Another 60% Crash in the Making?

Merlijn believes the first step in this ‘dangerous pattern’ came after the completion of the bull trap at $105,000. The failure to continue upward means that the market maker’s bearish mode was activated, and if this plays out, the cryptocurrency could be on its way to another massive 60+% crash to $26,000.

If such a doomsday scenario indeed takes place, bitcoin would dump to its lowest price tag since September 2023. Meaning, it has not traded at those levels in almost three years.

The analyst explained that the $70,000 support is “the last line of defense.” If BTC holds it, then the bearish scenario fails. However, if it loses it, then the $26,000 drop comes into play. What’s particularly worrying for bitcoin is that it dipped below that level earlier today and has failed to recover it. The weekly closing candle is just hours away.

THE MOST DANGEROUS BITCOIN PATTERN JUST COMPLETED PHASE ONE.

Bull Trap at $105K: done.
Market Maker bearish model: activating.

If this plays out: $26K before new ATH.

$70K is the last line of defense.

Hold it: bearish scenario fails.
Lose it: model executes. $26K next stop.… pic.twitter.com/wMyWVx3U0C

— Merlijn The Trader (@MerlijnTrader) March 22, 2026

Or, A New Bull Phase?

Merlijn’s post reads that a drop to $26,000 could open the path to a new bull run and a fresh all-time high. In contrast, Ali Martinez was more bullish on the asset’s future price performance. Looking at the Inter-Exchange Flow Puls (IFP), the analyst with roughly 165,000 followers on X noted that the metric has “officially started rising again.”

It tracks the intensity of bitcoin transfers between centralized exchanges and, Martinez added, has just flashed a major buy signal. This is because a rising IFP confirms “active liquidity redistribution,” which has historically acted as the “heartbeat of every major market expansion.”

Bitcoin $BTC could be entering a new bull market!

The Inter-Exchange Flow Pulse (IFP) has officially started rising again. This metric tracks the intensity of BTC transfers between centralized exchanges—and it just flashed a major buy signal.

• The Signal: A rising IFP… pic.twitter.com/LjsyiBr6DW

— Ali Charts (@alicharts) March 21, 2026

The post Bitcoin’s Most Dangerous Pattern Just Triggered: Will BTC Dump to $26K Next? appeared first on CryptoPotato.