Trump's speech exacerbates tensions, impacting market confidence and complicating diplomatic efforts for a near-term resolution.

The post Trump’s Iran speech signals escalation, dims ceasefire odds appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Escalating tensions and declining ceasefire odds suggest prolonged conflict, impacting regional stability and global diplomatic efforts.

The post Reactions suggest Iran war escalation, ceasefire odds dip appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

The integration of perpetual trading in Telegram's Wallet could democratize access to advanced financial tools, reshaping retail trading dynamics.

The post Wallet in Telegram taps Lighter to bring perps trading to over 150M users appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

The commander's death intensifies pressure on Iran's regime, highlighting vulnerabilities and potential for future instability.

The post Iran IRGC unit commander killed amid US-Israeli campaign appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Escalating tensions and rhetoric reduce ceasefire prospects, complicating diplomatic efforts and increasing market volatility.

The post Iran’s parliament speaker claims 7 million fighters ready, ceasefire odds drop appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Bitcoin Magazine

Interactive Brokers Adds Bitcoin Trading in European Economic Area

Interactive Brokers has launched crypto trading for eligible retail investors across the European Economic Area, extending its digital asset offering through Interactive Brokers Ireland Limited, an authorized crypto-asset service provider.

The rollout gives users access to 11 digital assets, including Bitcoin, alongside equities, options, futures, currencies, bonds, and mutual funds within a single account interface.

The offering is enabled through an integration with Zero Hash, which provides backend crypto and stablecoin infrastructure for institutional platforms. The partnership expands an existing relationship between the two firms and opens access to a market of roughly 450 million people across the EEA.

Clients can trade these assets across Interactive Brokers’ platform suite, including Trader Workstation, IBKR Desktop, Client Portal, IBKR Mobile, and IBKR GlobalTrader.

The company said the integration allows investors to manage digital assets and traditional securities in one place. The platform provides a unified portfolio view and shared infrastructure for execution, risk monitoring, and capital allocation.

“Our clients want the flexibility to diversify into crypto-assets while maintaining the tools, pricing, and trust they rely on,” said CEO Milan Galik. He added that combining asset classes within one platform supports more efficient management of liquidity and portfolio exposure.

Interactive Brokers set commission rates between 0.12% and 0.18% of trade value. The firm said the service avoids spreads, markups, and custody fees, while allowing limit orders for price control. Crypto markets on the platform operate on a continuous basis, reflecting the 24/7 structure of digital asset trading.

Growing bitcoin offerings in Europe 

The EEA expansion builds on existing crypto offerings in other regions. Interactive Brokers already provides digital asset trading in the United States through its domestic entity and in the United Kingdom through Interactive Brokers (U.K.) Limited. 

The latest rollout marks a continuation of the firm’s effort to integrate crypto within its global brokerage framework.

The move comes as European regulators implement new digital asset rules that formalize licensing requirements for crypto service providers. By operating through its Irish affiliate, Interactive Brokers aligns its offering with regional regulatory standards while expanding product access for retail clients.

The firm said the launch addresses demand from investors seeking exposure to crypto markets without relying on separate exchanges or wallets. By consolidating asset classes under one platform, Interactive Brokers positions its brokerage model as a bridge between traditional finance and digital assets.

This post Interactive Brokers Adds Bitcoin Trading in European Economic Area first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Bitcoin Magazine

U.S. Treasury Launches First GENIUS Act Rulemaking With 87-Page Proposal

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has formally begun implementing the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act, releasing its first notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) and opening a 60-day public comment period.

The 87-page proposal outlines how the Treasury will determine whether state-level stablecoin regulatory regimes are “substantially similar” to the federal framework—a key threshold allowing smaller issuers to remain under state supervision.

Under the GENIUS Act, stablecoin issuers with less than $10 billion in outstanding supply can opt for state-level regulation, provided those regimes meet or exceed federal standards. The proposed rule establishes broad principles to guide that determination, while leaving states flexibility in areas like licensing, supervision, and enforcement.

According to the document, the Treasury draws a clear distinction between “uniform requirements” — such as reserve backing and anti-money laundering compliance — and “state-calibrated requirements,” where local regulators retain discretion, including capital and risk management standards.

Notably, the proposal anchors the federal benchmark largely to rules and interpretations issued by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, signaling its central role in overseeing nonbank stablecoin issuers that transition to federal supervision after crossing the $10 billion threshold.

The rule also clarifies that state frameworks may exceed federal requirements, so long as they do not conflict with federal law or undermine overall comparability.

U.S. crypto legislation progress

The NPRM marks Treasury’s first formal step in translating the GENIUS Act — enacted in July 2025 — into an operational regulatory regime for payment stablecoins, with final rules expected after the public comment period closes.

State regimes would also be barred from weakening core disclosure standards, with issuers required to publish reserve composition reports at least monthly — matching federal frequency requirements. 

Naming restrictions would similarly apply across both frameworks, preventing state-regulated issuers from using prohibited terms in stablecoin branding. 

The proposal underscores that federal law remains the baseline, noting that any future legislation passed by Congress governing stablecoin issuers would automatically apply to state-regulated firms unless explicitly stated otherwise. 

The 2025 passage of the GENIUS Act marked a turning point in U.S. crypto policy, establishing the first federal framework for stablecoins and requiring full reserve backing, AML compliance, and regular disclosures. 

The law is widely seen as legitimizing dollar-backed stablecoins while reinforcing U.S. monetary dominance.

Since then, attention has shifted to implementation and follow-on legislation. Treasury reports issued under the GENIUS Act are expanding oversight tools, including measures targeting illicit finance and crypto mixers. 

At the same time, disputes between banks and crypto firms, especially over whether stablecoins can offer yield, have slowed broader market structure efforts.

Meanwhile, Congress is advancing complementary bills like the Clarity Act to define SEC and CFTC jurisdiction, signaling a broader push toward a comprehensive regulatory framework for digital assets.

This post U.S. Treasury Launches First GENIUS Act Rulemaking With 87-Page Proposal first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Bitcoin Magazine

Citadel-Backed EDX Markets Applies for US Trust Bank Charter to Expand Crypto Services

EDX Markets, a cryptocurrency exchange backed by Citadel Securities, has applied for a national trust bank charter with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, marking a step toward deeper integration between digital asset firms and the US banking system.

The application, made public on April 1 according to recent filings, would allow EDX Markets to offer custody, asset management and principal trading services while continuing to operate its existing order-matching platform. The firm said the charter would place key functions such as custody and settlement under a regulated banking structure.

EDX Markets framed the move as part of an effort to reshape crypto market structure along lines seen in traditional finance. 

In its filing, the company argued that combining brokerage, exchange and custody functions within a single entity creates conflicts of interest and introduces operational risk. 

A trust bank model, it said, would separate custody and settlement from trading activity, aligning digital asset infrastructure with established financial market practices.

Banks are coming to crypto

Chief executive Tony Acuña-Rohter said the firm expects large banks to play a central role in the next phase of digital asset adoption. He said obtaining a trust charter would position EDX Markets to serve institutional clients that require regulated custody and settlement systems.

The application arrives during a shift in federal policy toward digital assets. Under the current administration, regulators have shown greater openness to crypto firms seeking entry into the banking system. Several companies have pursued similar charters in recent months as part of a broader push to operate under federal supervision.

In December, regulators granted conditional approval for trust bank charters to firms including Circle Internet Group and Ripple. Those approvals signaled a willingness to bring digital asset firms into the regulatory perimeter that governs custody and asset management.

EDX Markets said its proposed structure would reduce systemic risk by separating functions that are often combined on crypto platforms. 

The company pointed to traditional equities and derivatives markets, where exchanges, brokers, custodians and market makers operate as distinct entities. That separation, it said, limits conflicts between trade execution and asset custody while strengthening safeguards for client funds.

Founded in 2022, EDX Markets was built to serve institutional investors and financial firms entering the digital asset sector. In addition to Citadel Securities, its backers include Virtu Financial, Fidelity Digital Assets and Hudson River Trading. 

The platform was designed to mirror the structure of traditional financial markets, with a focus on separating trading activity from custody and settlement.

If approved, the trust charter would allow EDX Markets to expand its custody and settlement capabilities under federal oversight. National trust banks are permitted to hold client assets, provide fiduciary services and manage portfolios, subject to supervision by the OCC.

This post Citadel-Backed EDX Markets Applies for US Trust Bank Charter to Expand Crypto Services first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Bitcoin Magazine

Genius Group (GNS) Dumps All Bitcoin Holdings to Clear Debt, Plans Treasury Rebuild

Genius Group sold its entire Bitcoin reserves to repay $8.5 million in debt, the company said today. The firm entered a Bitcoin first strategy in late 2024 after the US election, allocating most reserves to Bitcoin and building a treasury position that reached 440 BTC by February 2025.

After a court order blocked fundraising and share issuance, the company sold portions of its holdings and reduced exposure. In February 2026, Genius Group held about 84 BTC after prior sales that included roughly 86 BTC in the month before.

The remaining Bitcoin was liquidated to remove $8.5 million in liabilities and support debt repayment, leaving the company without crypto reserves and selling at a loss.

Genius Group reported Q1 2026 operational revenue of $3.3 million, up 171 percent from the prior year, with gross profit at $2.0 million and net operating profit at $2.7 million.

Adjusted EBITDA reached $600,000 as the company shifted focus toward higher margin education programs and experiential learning.

Genius Group: Rebuilding a bitcoin treasury at the right time

The company said it will rebuild its Bitcoin treasury when market conditions support renewed accumulation.

“In addition to an ongoing focus on profitable operations, the Company has restructured its debt agreements, selling the remainder of its Bitcoin Treasury and repaying in full the Company’s $8.5 million in debt. The Company will recommence building its Bitcoin Treasury when it believes market conditions are more favourable,” the company wrote in a release. 

Chief executive Roger Hamilton said the group focus remains on three units: Genius School, Genius Academy, and Genius Resorts. The group said legal actions progressed during the quarter and management focus stayed on operations and growth initiatives.

Genius Group outlined a series of operational and strategic developments as it continues to reposition its business around education technology and experiential learning. The company said its Genius Academy division expanded AI-powered learning programs tailored for enterprises and government partners, aimed at workforce training and skills development. 

Genius School also launched in Bali integrated primary middle and secondary curriculum under Cambridge system with focus on future education model

At the same time, Genius Resorts contributed incremental revenue through experiential education offerings, including hosted learning events in Bali that blend curriculum with immersive, on-site instruction.

The firm also reported progress on its broader infrastructure ambitions in Southeast Asia, citing continued expansion of its “Genius City” initiative in Bali. The project is designed to scale both student and residential capacity, building out a combined education and living hub.

On the financial side, the company pointed to insider buying as a signal of confidence, with its CEO accumulating a total of 5.5 million shares since 2024. Revenue growth was driven by expansion across business lines, alongside a shift toward higher-margin segments that improved the company’s overall gross margin profile. 

Genius Group also reported a return to net profitability, supported by a reduced debt burden and the restructuring of financing agreements. Adjusted EBITDA turned positive, which the company said aligns with its operational targets for fiscal 2026.

This post Genius Group (GNS) Dumps All Bitcoin Holdings to Clear Debt, Plans Treasury Rebuild first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Bitcoin Magazine

HRF’s Bitcoin Development Fund Announces Support for 26 Projects Worldwide

The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) has announced 1.5 billion satoshis in new grants through its Bitcoin Development Fund (BDF), expanding support for projects focused on Bitcoin infrastructure, privacy, and education.

The funding round targets open-source developers, researchers, and educational initiatives working across Bitcoin’s ecosystem, with an emphasis on tools that strengthen financial privacy and censorship resistance. According to HRF, the grants are intended to advance Bitcoin-based technologies that can support dissidents and human rights defenders operating under authoritarian regimes.

The organization estimates its efforts ultimately serve billions of people living under restrictive political systems, where access to open financial networks and uncensorable payment rails can be limited or surveilled. Supported projects will span software development, Bitcoin research, and grassroots education programs across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

HRF said the initiative is designed to reinforce Bitcoin’s role as a tool for financial freedom, enabling journalists, nonprofit organizations, and activists to more securely communicate, organize, and receive support globally through Bitcoin.

HRF’s grantees for the first quarter of 2026 include:

Bitcoin Privacy

Bitcoin Core P2P Privacy Enhancements

Bitcoin Core P2P privacy enhancements are an important area of ongoing work. Bitcoin Core developer Naiyoma is developing improvements to make it harder to track nodes running across multiple networks. This work strengthens the privacy of Bitcoin’s most widely used software implementations. HRF’s grant will enable Naiyoma to work full-time on these enhancements, helping activists and everyday users run Bitcoin infrastructure more safely in environments where financial activity may be monitored.

JoinMarket-NG

Bitcoin’s public ledger makes transactions traceable. CoinJoin is a privacy technique that improves this by combining multiple users’ transactions. This makes it harder to link payments to specific individuals. JoinMarket-NG is a new implementation of this technique that uses a peer-to-peer liquidity market, where some users provide liquidity and earn fees, while others pay for increased privacy. This grant will support development and the external security audits needed to fully launch JoinMarket-NG as an open-source tool that improves financial privacy for those who need it most.

Bitcoin Payments

Banxaas

Many people in heavily-authoritarian West Africa lack simple ways to convert between local currency and Bitcoin without banks or custodial services. Banxaas is a local platform created by Bitcoin developer Nourou that allows people to instantly exchange between the CFA franc and bitcoin without requiring accounts. Removing the many barriers common to centralized exchanges offers a way for more people in West Africa to use Bitcoin. HRF’s grant will help finalize Banxass’s mobile app development and integrate more mobile money providers into the service to expand bitcoin payments across the region.

ChapSmart

Tanzanians sending and receiving money across borders face some of the highest remittance fees in the world, losing a significant portion of every transfer to banks and intermediaries. ChapSmart, a Bitcoin application built by software developer Brian Mosha, helps Tanzanians send remittances, pay bills, and access Bitcoin — instantly and affordably — by bridging the Lightning Network directly to M-Pesa. It connects Bitcoin to existing payment rails, making the app usable for everyday activities. HRF’s grant will support development, outreach, and education to help Tanzanians preserve their savings and transact more freely under the country’s increasingly authoritarian regime.

Minmo

Centralized digital asset exchanges require users to submit sensitive user data. This creates surveillance risks for human rights defenders transacting under dictatorships. Minmo offers an alternative. It connects users with trusted local agents who facilitate exchanges between fiat currencies and bitcoin without relying on centralized platforms. Embedding these services into apps and community networks allows people to access bitcoin through trusted intermediaries rather than data-collecting exchanges. HRF’s grant will support Minmo’s operational growth, infrastructure, and expand access to bitcoin for dissidents facing financial repression.

Tando

In Kenya, most merchants rely on M-PESA, a mobile money system for digital payments. To provide Kenyans with greater financial freedom and global payment options, African technologist Sabina Waithira Gitau co-founded Tando, a payment app that lets anyone pay merchants with bitcoin while merchants receive Kenyan shillings through an integration with M-PESA. This allows Kenyans to spend bitcoin from their own Lightning wallets as everyday money in Kenya. HRF’s funding will support Tando’s expansion into new countries in the region, enabling more people to transact with the global mobile money that is bitcoin.

Tapnob

Across much of Africa, using bitcoin for everyday payments often requires high fees or complicated withdrawal processes. Tapnob addresses this by allowing users to buy bitcoin through local bank transfers and convert only the amount needed into local currency. This lets people cover daily expenses or send cross-border support in local currency, while preserving the value of their savings in bitcoin. HRF’s grant will support Tapnob’s expansion across the continent and the development of educational resources to help individuals use bitcoin to transact more freely.

Bitcoin Development

rawBit

Building secure applications on Bitcoin requires understanding how transactions and scripts work at the protocol level, which can pose a steep learning curve for new developers. The rawBit platform lowers this barrier with a free, open-source visual editor that lets users build and inspect raw transactions using drag-and-drop tools. Helping more developers understand Bitcoin’s underlying mechanics strengthens the open-source infrastructure upon which people under financial repression depend. While the platform already includes 14 interactive lessons, HRF’s grant will support new modules on advanced topics like Taproot and the Lightning Network. 

doblon8

Safely approving Bitcoin transactions without exposing sensitive data to the internet is a real concern for some users. One solution is air-gapped signing, where a Bitcoin transaction is made without ever connecting to the internet. Sparrow Wallet, a non-custodial Bitcoin wallet, supports this functionality using a webcam integration to scan QR codes. Bitcoin developer doblon8 is improving this feature by replacing outdated scanning software with faster, more reliable code. This grant will help strengthen this feature, making it easier and safer for human rights defenders to use Sparrow Wallet to manage their bitcoin.

Bitcoin Community

Bitcoin Benin

Benin remains tied to the CFA franc, a colonial-era monetary system that limits economic sovereignty and restricts access to the global economy. Bitcoin Benin, a local group of educators and developers, is building a Bitcoin Knowledge Hub to develop an alternative. The Hub will be a physical learning center and co-working space where individuals can learn how to use and build Bitcoin tools. HRF’s grant will support the hub’s infrastructure and the 2026 Bitcoin Mastermind conference, funding workshops and training programs expected to reach more than 1,000 participants.

Bitcoin for Good

Refugees, asylum seekers, and people living under authoritarian rule are often excluded from traditional banking systems. This makes it difficult for already vulnerable people to send, receive, and store their money. Bitcoin for Good, a program of the Groundswell Project founded by the late human rights activist Hadiyah Masieh, works with these groups to help use Bitcoin for remittances, savings, and direct donations. The program provides hands-on training for individuals who cannot rely on conventional financial services. HRF’s grant will fund community outreach and documentation to expand the program and replicate it in new communities.

Bitcoin House Malaysia

In Malaysia’s evolving political and regulatory environment, there is growing awareness of how financial systems and policies can influence public expression and community engagement. Bitcoin House Malaysia, an education hub in Kuala Lumpur founded by Nostr developer Shaun Time, offers hands-on learning for students to explore Bitcoin and other open-source technologies that promote free expression and financial autonomy. This grant will support operations and technical workshops, helping a local community build and use tools that strengthen resilience against censorship and centralized financial constraints.

Summer of Bitcoin

Students around the world — particularly those living under dictatorships and broken economies — lack a pathway to contribute to Bitcoin’s open-source development. Summer of Bitcoin meets this need by providing a global internship that pairs students with experienced mentors. Participants contribute to Bitcoin’s codebase through a developer track and improve user interfaces through a designer track while gaining hands-on experience. HRF’s funding will support student stipends and mentorship compensation, helping cultivate a more diverse group of contributors to Bitcoin’s development that reflects global needs.

Yes Bitcoin Haiti

In Haiti, persistent currency instability makes it difficult for many people to preserve the value of their work and savings. Local education initiative and community Yes Bitcoin Haiti is building a circular economy where individuals and merchants can earn, spend, and save without relying on the local currency. The initiative also undertakes educational outreach to local human rights defenders. HRF’s grant will support Bitcoin adoption and leadership development to equip Haitians and local civil society with the tools to transact freely in Bitcoin and preserve the value of their hard-earned labor within an open, borderless financial system.

Freedom Tech

The Activist Atlas

Oftentimes, activists meet at conferences, build powerful connections, and then lose contact once the event ends. To foster ongoing collaboration, Cato Policy Analyst Nick Anthony and Bitcoin educator Paco de la India created the Activist Atlas, an interactive digital platform that allows changemakers to stay connected, discover one another’s work, and coordinate year-round while introducing freedom technologies like Bitcoin for donations and Nostr for secure communication. HRF’s grant will support the platform’s launch and help grow a global network of activists using freedom tech to remain inspired and operational.

Krux

Securely holding bitcoin often requires specialized signing devices that rely on proprietary components. This makes them costly or difficult to obtain in corrupt regimes or weak economies. Krux is open-source software that transforms widely available devices into secure Bitcoin signing devices. It supports offline transactions and is available in 10 languages to broaden accessibility. HRF’s grant will support software developer Odudex in refining the project so more people can securely hold bitcoin under authoritarian regimes.

LearnNostr

Despite its potential as a censorship-resistant communication protocol, Nostr remains difficult for newcomers to understand and use. To lower these hurdles, educational platform LearnNostr provides a beginner-focused introduction that breaks the protocol down into practical lessons. Created by data scientist Cristy Almonte, the curriculum teaches real-world use cases (such as pseudonymous identities and secure publishing) for those living under the grip of dictators. HRF’s funding will support the platform’s development and help more people living under censorship communicate safely.

NetBlocks Internet Observatory

Authoritarian regimes increasingly shut down the internet and block platforms to silence dissent, obscure human rights abuses, and disrupt financial alternatives. NetBlocks, an internet observatory founded by technologist Alp Toker, tracks and documents these disruptions in real time. Its reporting creates a global record of internet censorship that helps hold authoritarian regimes accountable. HRF’s support will sustain this monitoring so activists and civil society can expose digital repression as it happens.

Bitcoin Research & Education

AmityAge
In many authoritarian countries, activists and civil society groups face currency instability, financial restrictions, and surveillance. To alleviate these pain points, Bitcoin initiative AmityAge launched the Bitcoin Educators Academy, a program that prepares local educators to teach financial sovereignty under repression. HRF’s support will fund event costs for five academies, training 75 educators in essential soft and communication skills to teach self-custody and the use of permissionless financial tools in their regions in a clear and understandable way.

Base58

For Bitcoin to function as freedom money, its development must remain neutral and independent. To better understand whether funding influences that independence, Base58, a technical Bitcoin education school, will publish “Funding and Open Source Contributions to Bitcoin,” a research report analyzing how funding sources shape open-source contributions using quantitative and visual data. HRF’s support will fund the personnel and equipment needed to complete this two-month study.

Bitcoin Policy Norway

Norway is considering a Bitcoin mining ban that could set a precedent across Nordic and European democracies if policymakers misunderstand Bitcoin’s broader role in financial freedom. This could provide cover for authoritarian regimes to implement more repressive policies. To address this risk, the Bitcoin Policy Norway launched Bitcoin Education for Norwegian Policymakers. This initiative will provide officials, aid organizations, and media with evidence-based research and testimonials from dissidents resisting authoritarian regimes on Bitcoin’s human rights applications. HRF’s grant will support operations, travel, and outreach to ensure decision-makers understand Bitcoin’s value and avoid policies that could restrict access to this technology.

BTC Shule

In Burundi, state control over financial access leaves little room for independent alternatives. BTC Shule, a local Bitcoin community founded by social entrepreneur ₿elyï, will launch an eight-month accelerator program to train developers to build open-source Bitcoin tools suited for this specific environment. The program will offer meetups and mentorship for participants. HRF funding will support a hackathon, stipends, and operational costs to build freedom tech tailored to Burundi’s local financial realities under an authoritarian regime.

Daniel Batten

Authoritarian regulation often determines whether people can legally use Bitcoin, shaping its potential as a tool for financial freedom in the places where it is most needed. Bitcoin researcher Daniel Batten will examine this issue through data-driven research and educational outreach. His work will focus on informing and training activists and civil society in countries such as Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Egypt. HRF’s grant will help fund the research, production, and outreach that enable individuals to use Bitcoin more freely.

DIYbitcoin

In repressive environments, access to Bitcoin tools can be costly, restricted, or monitored. DIYbitcoin is a resource that helps individuals bypass these barriers by teaching them how to build and operate their own hardware using open-source software and affordable, off-the-shelf components. The project will create a multilingual library of visual do-it-yourself guides tailored to communities across Latin America, Africa, and Asia. This grant will fund workshops and educator training to help local communities adopt self-custody and run their own Bitcoin infrastructure.

Economic Inclusion Group

Financial exclusion is increasingly used by dictators to silence civil society and restrict democratic participation. To document and expose this growing pattern, Jorge Jraissati, president of the Economic Inclusion Group, is leading a research initiative titled Documenting, Communicating, and Protecting Victims of Financial Exclusion. The project will document 100 cases of dissidents cut off from financial systems worldwide. It will share these stories through articles, podcasts, and social media to reach more than three million people. HRF’s grant will support researchers and operational costs to publish these cases.

SeedSigner User Guide

Hardware wallets are one of the safest ways to store Bitcoin, but they can be expensive and technically challenging, especially for those new to self-custody. SeedSigner, an open-source hardware wallet, allows users to build their own signing devices from inexpensive, widely available components. However, its limited documentation can make the setup process more challenging for newcomers. Easy, a contributor to the SeedSigner project, is creating a step-by-step user guide to simplify the process. HRF’s funding will support the development of this resource, helping human rights defenders with limited resources securely store and manage their bitcoin.

This post HRF’s Bitcoin Development Fund Announces Support for 26 Projects Worldwide first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Bitcoin spent the past 24 hours returning to the key levels on my channel map rather than continuing its breakout. It tested a boundary, failed to convert that test into acceptance, and rotated lower into the next pocket of support memory.

Bitcoin price slid from the upper $68,000s and low $69,000s to around $66,400 by late morning in Europe on April 2. The 24-hour move came in at roughly 3%, with the high near $69,170 and the low near $66,218.

Over 48 hours, the net change stayed close to flat, yet the path inside that window shifted the balance of the chart lower. Price gave up the white shelf near $66,894, rejected a retest, and left the market trading beneath a level that had previously held the local structure together.

Why this matters: What changed is not just the price move but the level it broke. Bitcoin lost a support zone that had been holding the recent structure together, and failed to reclaim it on the first retest. At the same time, the dollar and oil moved higher together, a combination that tends to pressure liquidity and risk appetite. That pairing raises the bar for any immediate recovery and puts the next lower support zones back into focus.

That pattern sits squarely inside the 2024 channel framework, first laid out in Bitcoin channel predictions, aligning with market movements over 6 months. The premise was simple and practical.

Repeating close prices on the 30-minute chart can identify where leverage, stop placement, and spot liquidity tend to cluster. Those shelves have kept showing up at the turning points.

They have framed rebounds, capped rallies, and guided the path between them with more consistency than many of the more elaborate narratives built around Bitcoin.

The last two days developed in three steps. First, Bitcoin spent time in the upper half of the near-term range, pushing back toward the yellow boundary near $67,995.

Second, the move stalled before any real acceptance could build above that shelf. Third, the chart rolled over sharply and carried price through the white line at $66,894 before finding a temporary footing in the mid $66,000s.

That sequence shows where control sits right now. Buyers still have a path back into the range, though that path starts with repair.

Price needs a reclaim of $66,894, then a push back through $67,995, before the structure looks constructive again.

Bitcoin lost the shelf it needed to hold, and the near-term structure turned lower

The same logic that led Bitcoin to fail 7 times to break $71,500. Repeated failure at a level adds weight to the next test.

A ceiling becomes a lid when sellers step down and meet price earlier, and a floor becomes vulnerable when buyers lose the urgency to defend it on first contact. In that February piece, the key level was $71,500, with the next friction zones above at around $72,000 and then $73,700 to $73,800.

Below, I flagged the same shelves visible on the current chart: $68,000, then $66,900, with deeper support in the low $61,000s. That ladder remains intact today.

The difference is that Bitcoin has now moved one rung lower.

The practical sequence is straightforward. The market had room to recover while it held above the white shelf.

Once it lost that level and failed the retest, the burden shifted to buyers to prove that the drop was a flush rather than a new acceptance at a lower level. So far, the rebound has lacked authority.

A brief pop back toward the broken shelf printed the kind of weak retest that usually accompanies a market still under pressure. The candles after the drop look smaller, the bounce looks labored, and the range compression is taking place under resistance rather than above support.

The 24-hour numbers reinforce that view. Bitcoin fell around 3.02% from the close 24 hours earlier, while the 48-hour change stayed only marginally positive.

That combination often appears when a market has spent one day building a base and the next day giving it back. In other words, the chart preserved the wider range while damaging the near-term structure.

For a general audience, that distinction keeps the analysis anchored to thresholds rather than emotion. The market remains inside a ladder of known shelves.

It has moved from one shelf to the next. The immediate job for bulls is to recover $66,894, then $67,995.

The immediate risk for anyone leaning bullish is that continued trading below those levels draws attention to the lower white boundary around $61,726.

That lower target should already be familiar from my original channel work, where the channels were built to identify support and resistance rather than force a single directional call. It also lines up with the roadmap in “Bitcoin to $73k? Be prepared with the price levels to watch during a bear market“, where the key point was to treat lower shelves as historical liquidity pools.

The chart here fits that framework closely. Bitcoin is trading beneath a broken support shelf, and the next meaningful repair level sits above the current price.

Until that changes, the burden of proof remains on the upside.

Support memory still follows the same channel logic that shaped the earlier calls

These levels have held up well because they are built from where the market repeatedly closed, paused, and built positioning. Some zones carry memory because they spent hours or days there.

Other zones looked dramatic on the way up or down, yet offered weaker support because Bitcoin moved through them quickly, and the market built less inventory there.

That distinction shaped my October 2024 analysis in “Above the all-time high of $73.7k these could be the new resistance levels to watch”, where I argued that Bitcoin was trading at the top of a core price channel between $67.9k and $71.5k and that the zone between $71.5k and $73.7k had relatively little historical price action.

The implication was clear. Above the well-traded shelf, the market entered thinner territory where movement could become more abrupt.

The same logic applied later on the downside. In “It’s foolish to pretend Bitcoin’s story doesn’t include $79k this year”, I described the green band around $79,000 as a more substantial region because Bitcoin had spent time consolidating there during earlier legs of the cycle.

Below that sat the deeper structural supports in the red and blue channels, roughly $49,000 to $56,000, the area Bitcoin defended repeatedly before the move toward six figures. Then, in “Akiba’s medium-term $49k Bitcoin bear thesis – why this winter will be the shortest yet“, I framed $49,000 as a cyclical support case tied to miner stress, fee share, hashprice, and ETF flow elasticity.

Those longer-horizon calls operate on a different scale than the current 30-minute move, though they all rely on the same discipline: identify the shelf, assess how well the price is holding it, and define the next level that becomes relevant when it breaks.

The current move fits that sequence cleanly. Bitcoin approached the lower yellow boundary near $67,995 and could not hold it.

It then slid beneath the white shelf near $66,894. A 30-minute breakdown candle early on April 2 accelerated the move from the high $68,000s into the upper $67,000s, and follow-through selling pulled the price down toward the low $66,000s.

Once there, the market printed a small rebound and then drifted sideways beneath broken support. That behavior usually signals a market still negotiating lower inventory rather than preparing for an immediate reversal.

Anyone following the latter channel work through the six-figure phase will recognize the same design principle in “Bull or Bear? Today’s $106k retest decided Bitcoin’s fate” and “Bitcoin price next move: $92k or $79k? Let’s break it down”. The exact prices changed as Bitcoin moved through new territory, yet the method stayed the same.

A retest that holds opens the next band. A retest that fails hands control to the lower shelf.

The current chart falls into the second category. Price still sits below the broken shelf, which keeps the lower ladder in play.

Dollar strength and higher oil arrived at the same time as the breakdown, leaving reclaim levels above and deeper support below

The broader market context over the last 24 to 48 hours adds another layer to the chart. Alongside Bitcoin moving lower, the comparison view showed the U.S. Dollar Index rebounding above 100 while Brent crude pushed toward $108.

That combination tightens conditions around risk assets. A firmer dollar usually weighs on global liquidity at the margin, and higher oil prices can amplify inflation concerns, rate sensitivity, and geopolitical caution.

Bitcoin tends to trade with greater friction when both markets are moving in the same direction, against a softer risk backdrop.

That setting sits comfortably inside the framework of the later channel pieces. In the $79k piece, I wrote that liquidity could become the problem if ETF outflows intensified and risk appetite faded.

In the $49k bear thesis, I argued that negative 20-day ETF flows, alongside weaker miner economics, would increase the probability of sharper downside legs. In the seven failures at $71,500 analysis, I pointed to a macro environment where yields remained high enough to keep conditions tight.

The current move reflects that same type of pressure from a shorter time frame; a structurally important shelf gave way while the macro backdrop offered little relief.

For the practical map, the levels now do the heavy lifting. Resistance begins with $66,894, then expands to $67,995.

If Bitcoin regains both and spends time above them, the near-term damage begins to heal, and the next higher levels come back into view: $71,523, then $72,017, then the pair around $73,519 and $73,764, and then the upper extension near $77,056. Those higher levels are already familiar from the price discovery work above the old all-time high.

Support begins with the intraday low in the low $66,000s, though the stronger structural memory sits much lower, near $61,726. That leaves Bitcoin in a narrow but important condition.

It is close enough to reclaim broken support if buyers return with urgency, and close enough to invite a deeper sweep if they do not.

The conclusion remains the same one the chart has been offering since these channels were first drawn in early 2024. Bitcoin respects shelves until one gives way, and when one breaks, the next shelf tends to become the destination.

Over the last 24 hours, Bitcoin lost the shelf it needed to hold to keep the bounce credible. Over the last 48 hours, it preserved the wider range while shifting the short-term structure lower.

The next move now hinges on whether the price can climb back above $66,894 and $67,995 quickly enough to change the feel of the chart. Failing that, the lower white boundary near $61,726 moves back into focus as the next serious test on the ladder.

The post Bitcoin breaks critical support as dollar and oil move together, raising risk of a deeper drop appeared first on CryptoSlate.

Treasury's first proposed GENIUS rule landed on April 1 as a notice of proposed rulemaking.

The text inside it builds the operational architecture for US stablecoin governance, addressing which institutions may issue payment stablecoins, under what conditions, and at what scale before federal oversight becomes mandatory.

Why this matters: This shifts stablecoins from a fragmented regulatory patchwork toward a nationally coordinated system. For users, it affects how safely dollars can be redeemed and moved. For issuers, it defines whether they can scale independently or must transition into a federal regime as they grow.

By defining when a state licensing regime qualifies as “substantially similar” to the federal framework, Treasury is now defining those terms.

The stablecoin market already holds roughly $316 billion, with USDT accounting for about 58% of the supply, per DeFiLlama.

Retail-sized volume for USDC, USDT, and PYUSD grew from $500 million to $69.8 billion between 2019 and 2025. FSOC's 2025 annual report described the GENIUS framework as a federal prudential system designed to onshore stablecoin innovation, protect holders in the event of insolvency, and support the US dollar's international role.

Treasury's NPRM now shows how that prudential vision operates on the ground.

Related Reading

Trump signs GENIUS Act into law, activating America's first regulatory framework for stablecoins

In addition to sign the stablecoin framework into law, Trump vowed to approve the market structure bill next.

Jul 18, 2025 · Gino Matos

The hidden fight over who governs

The Treasury chairs the interagency review committee that certifies state stablecoin regimes, which includes leadership from the Fed and the FDIC.

That committee's judgment rests on the “substantially similar” test, and Treasury's proposal defines that test to include the GENIUS Act itself, as well as the implementing regulations and interpretations issued by federal agencies over time.

Treasury says that substantial similarity would be hard to administer, and state and federal standards could “starkly deviate.”

As OCC, Treasury, the Fed, FinCEN, and OFAC add implementing rules, the standard Washington uses to measure states shifts with them. State regimes approved today must track a benchmark that Washington keeps building.

Treasury organizes the rule around two categories. The first, called uniform, covers the parts that establish trust in the instrument itself: reserve assets, redemption, monthly reserve publication, limits on rehypothecation, accountant examinations, BSA/sanctions compliance, lawful-order capability, and core activity limits.

State implementation of each uniform requirement must be consistent with the federal framework “in all substantive respects,” with no material deviations in definitions or scope. For BSA and sanctions specifically, states must cross-reference federal rules directly, with no room for state-drafted substitutes.

The second category allows calibration around some capital, liquidity, reserve diversification, risk management, applications, licensing, and certain redemption mechanics. Treasury still constrains that room, and state choices in the flexible bucket must produce outcomes “at least as stringent and protective” as the federal framework.

For example, a state may allow additional reserve assets only if the OCC has already approved them as similarly liquid federal government-issued assets. That is federal pre-clearance administered through state paperwork.

The $10 billion ceiling and what it produces

The GENIUS Act caps the state option at issuers with no more than $10 billion in consolidated outstanding payment stablecoins.

Treasury adds that state transition rules cannot impede a move to federal oversight once an issuer crosses that line, and issuers in a state that fails certification must either stop issuing payment stablecoins or move into the federal licensing framework.

The $10 billion ceiling is the structural tell, since the state lane functions as an entry point for smaller issuers. At scale, the federal framework becomes the only durable home.

Citi's updated 2026 forecast puts its base-case estimate for the 2030 stablecoin market at $1.9 trillion. Standard Chartered projected the market could reach $2 trillion by the end of 2028.

Related Reading

Treasury’s $2 trillion stablecoin vision meets a reality check as USD1 depegs

Binance controls most USD1 liquidity, so a rumor there could turn minutes of pain into something far uglier.

Feb 24, 2026 · Gino Matos

A market at that scale runs on uniform reserve, redemption, and compliance standards and rewards issuers capable of absorbing national-style regulatory overhead.

Visa's concentration data already reflects the current destination: as of October 2025, more than 97% of the stablecoin supply had converged on USDT and USDC. Treasury's design standardizes the conditions that large, compliant issuers are already built to meet.

Standard Chartered estimated stablecoins could pull roughly $500 billion in deposits out of US banks by the end of 2028.

The number frames the context correctly: stablecoins are becoming claims on dollar liquidity that sit alongside traditional bank deposits, and the institution that governs the terms of stablecoin issuance governs an expanding piece of dollar infrastructure.

Treasury's proposal positions Washington as that institution.

Two paths through the same architecture

The bull case runs from clarity to scale. Uniform national rules on reserves, redemption, and compliance remove the uncertainty that has kept banks, card networks, and enterprise treasury teams cautious about deep integration with stablecoins.

Along that path, supply tracks toward the Citi and Standard Chartered forecasts, Visa's 130-plus card programs are overlaid on stablecoin wallets, and the state lane serves as a launch ramp for smaller issuers before they graduate to federal supervision.

Treasury's tight architecture then reads as the operating manual for US digital dollar expansion, which is a framework that made the market credible enough to absorb institutional demand at scale.

The bear case runs the same architecture in reverse. The forthcoming BSA/AML and lawful order rules, which both Treasury and the OCC have flagged as still pending in separate rulemakings, could entail heavy operational requirements.

If certification proves slow, costly, or politically fraught, smaller issuers may find the state lane functionally inaccessible even before they approach the $10 billion threshold.

The result would be a market that is legally cleaner but structurally oligopolistic, with innovation relocating to distribution and infrastructure, away from issuance.

Treasury frames a different goal. The predictable market response to high uniform compliance floors and a hard ceiling on state-lane scale is concentration, and Visa's existing market data shows the market was already moving in that direction before the rule arrived.

Washington holds the baseline

This NPRM is part of a larger regulatory framework. OCC's February proposal covered the required GENIUS regulations, except those tied to BSA, AML, and OFAC sanctions, which will be addressed in a separate rulemaking coordinated with Treasury.

Treasury's own NPRM flags that rules on lawful-order compliance are forthcoming as well. The full compliance map for stablecoin issuers awaits completion.

The $316 billion market and $10 trillion transaction volume settled the question of stablecoins belonging in the US finance. Treasury is deciding who gets to shape them as they enter it.

The first proposed GENIUS rule makes the answer clear: Washington accepts state participation in stablecoin issuance within a federal architecture that the Treasury continues to build, on Washington's terms.

The post US Treasury’s first GENIUS rule now redraws who controls stablecoins at scale appeared first on CryptoSlate.

On Mar. 31, Moody's assigned provisional Ba2 ratings to up to $100 million in taxable revenue bonds for the Waverose Finance Project. The bonds are secured by a loan to NH CleanSpark Borrower Trust 2026-1, with Bitcoin (BTC) as the pledged collateral.

Those numbers set the conditions under which traditional finance agreed to work with Bitcoin at all: 72.06 cents of credit for every dollar of collateral value, a two-day exposure window to act on price moves, and 1.60x initial collateral coverage, which forces action when it drops to 1.40x.

Bitcoin has spent years auditioning for legitimacy as a store of value, a corporate treasury reserve, and an ETF asset. The New Hampshire deal points to Bitcoin as collateral.

Collateral is where an asset earns credit utility, something institutions can borrow against inside structures that credit markets can understand, price, and, when necessary, liquidate fast. That is the line Bitcoin just crossed.

Why this matters: This is the first time Bitcoin has been formally translated into credit terms that public markets understand. Instead of being held or traded, BTC is now being assigned a borrowing value, a liquidation threshold, and a stress price, turning it from an asset into usable financial collateral. That shift opens a new source of liquidity for holders, but also introduces a system where price drops can trigger automatic selling across multiple structures at once.

The opening price of trust

The Waverose structure is a taxable conduit revenue bond.

New Hampshire’s role ends at the conduit, and bondholders carry all loss risk. This is limited-recourse, institutional plumbing.

Two things follow from that structure. First, it keeps risk quarantined: if the collateral breaks down, bondholders absorb the loss. Second, it lays out the precise terms on which traditional finance decided Bitcoin could enter the credit system.

At 1.60x initial collateral coverage, the bond starts with debt equal to about 62.5% of collateral value. The 1.40x trigger, at which automatic action kicks in, implies a debt of roughly 71.4%.

The structure hits its wire trip when BTC falls by approximately 12.5% from issuance pricing, a move Bitcoin has executed routinely.

Moody's stressed the collateral value at 72.06% of the market price. Mapped to Bitcoin's Apr. 1 price in the $68,000 zone, the stress zone lands near $49,600.

Standard Chartered put its near-term bear case for Bitcoin at $50,000, and the traditional finance firms calibrated their first public finance haircut on Bitcoin almost exactly on top of a downside path that one of the world's largest banks still considers reachable.

From owned to pledged

New Hampshire arrived alongside two other recent moves pointing in the same direction.

In February, S&P assigned the first-ever rating to a structured finance transaction backed by Bitcoin. The transaction was the Ledn Issuer Trust 2026-1, with roughly $199.1 million in loans secured by 4,078.87 BTC, carrying a fair market value of approximately $356.9 million, implying an LTV of about 55.8% at inception.

In March, Better and Coinbase launched what they called the first crypto-backed conforming mortgage, in which a borrower pledges $250,000 in BTC to fund a $100,000 down payment, while the first lien stays Fannie Mae-backed.

Bitcoin received three credit wrappers in roughly six weeks, each with different haircuts, liquidation mechanics, and regulatory constraints. Together, they describe a process in which Bitcoin enters credit markets through multiple doors at once, and those doors are edging closer to ordinary household finance.

The US municipal market carried $4.4 trillion in outstanding bonds as of the fourth quarter of 2025. Households held 48% directly and about 21% through mutual funds.

Munis occupy a specific psychological slot in American savings culture, sitting where advisors park money for clients who want safety adjacent to tax efficiency.

The Waverose bond lands in the taxable conduit corner. Taxable muni issuance ran only about $33 billion in 2025, less than 6% of the market total. At $100 million, this deal represents roughly 0.0023% of the outstanding muni market.

One mechanism for two potential futures

For Bitcoin holders and treasury-heavy firms, collateral utility cuts in opposite directions depending on where the price goes.

Strategy held 762,099 BTC as of Mar. 31. Between Mar. 4 and 25, MARA sold 15,133 BTC for about $1.1 billion to fund a debt repurchase, which were outright spot sales to cover a balance sheet obligation.

A functioning BTC-collateral market sits between the two postures of full accumulation and outright liquidation, while providing credit against reserves that lets holders raise capital while keeping their Bitcoin position.

Fidelity noted in March that public companies and ETFs together hold roughly 12% of Bitcoin's circulating supply, and that 2025 was Bitcoin's least volatile year on record, based on annualized realized volatility.

If that holds and Bitcoin trades toward the $100,000-$150,000 range Bernstein projected for late 2026, the collateral channel becomes genuinely attractive. BTC-rich firms carry large reserves at lower realized volatility, lenders build confidence in liquidation assumptions, and the haircut required to access credit shrinks across successive deal cycles.

Each rated transaction adds data to Bitcoin's nearly empty track record as pledged collateral. A second deal, a third, a cluster, and the pricing of trust starts to compress.

The bear case runs through the opposite direction of the same mechanism. Bitcoin revisiting $50,000, near Standard Chartered's downside projection and close to the Moody's stress zone from current prices, turns the operational question live.

Firms start to wonder whether the liquidation mechanics work cleanly when every BTC-backed structure needs to exit at once.

S&P's rating work on the Ledn ABS flagged operational and counterparty risk, event risk, and liquidation mechanics as the core uncertainties for Bitcoin-backed credit. It noted the market's ability to absorb forced selling from multiple structures tripping triggers inside the same price window.

A structure that reduces forced selling in calm markets can concentrate it in turbulent ones. That is the inherent geometry of collateralized credit, and Bitcoin's volatility makes the geometry sharper than it would be for any conventional pledged asset.

The first version of Bitcoin-backed public finance is small, speculative-grade, and built for taxable conduit territory. The architecture is constrained because those constraints were the only terms on which the credit system would engage.

What Moody's released on Mar. 31 was a pricing schedule for Bitcoin's entry into credit markets: the conditions under which bond investors set for accepting it as collateral.

Future deals will be negotiated on that schedule, tightening haircuts if volatility falls, widening them if it rises, testing different custody arrangements, and pushing toward the investment-grade boundary.

Each iteration adds institutional memory to a market that currently has almost none.

Bitcoin took years to become something institutions could buy through regulated channels. Becoming something they can lend against will follow the same logic of incremental, conditional growth, built on an accumulating track record.

The post Moody’s prices Bitcoin at a 28% haircut — and sets the trigger for forced selling appeared first on CryptoSlate.

The core change is a 100% rakeback mechanic applied to the first nine loyalty levels. During this introductory window, which covers up to $1,000 in cumulative wagers, the platform returns the entirety of its house margin to the player. The expected casino profit during this phase is effectively zero, with Rakebit covering the cost as a user acquisition incentive.

Once players advance past Level 9, the system transitions to a permanent 10% base rakeback paired with daily cashback rewards. Cashback begins at 2% and increases through the remaining tiers, reaching a maximum of 25% at the highest levels.

The redesigned progression curve addresses what the platform described as issues with the previous model, where early levels progressed too slowly and top-tier players reached the cap prematurely. The expanded 50-level structure distributes rewards more evenly across the full player lifecycle.

Rakebit casino continues to operate without mandatory identity verification, supporting account registration via email, Google, Telegram, or X. The platform accepts over 30 cryptocurrencies and maintains a catalog of more than 7,000 games from established providers including Pragmatic Play, Hacksaw, NetEnt, and Red Tiger. Sixteen in-house titles use provably fair mechanics with RTP up to 99%.

The rakeback promotion requires no activation code and applies automatically to every new account upon first deposit.

Key Updates in Loyalty System v2

• Loyalty tiers expanded to 50 (previously 20)
• Full rakeback across levels 1–9, up to $1,000 wagered
• House edge reduced to zero during introductory progression
• Permanent 10% rakeback unlocked at level 10
• Daily cashback scaling from 2% to 25% based on tier
• Over 7,000 third-party games and 16 provably fair originals
• Support for 30+ cryptocurrencies
• No identity verification required for account creation

Disclaimer: This was a sponsored post brought to you by Rakebit.

The post Rakebit Upgrades Rewards Program to 50 Levels, Offers Full Rakeback on First $1,000 Wagered appeared first on CryptoSlate.

What looks like a geopolitical threat aimed at US multinationals could quickly become a crypto story too.

That is because several of the companies threatened by Iran now sit inside the infrastructure, payments, and corporate treasury layers that parts of the digital-asset industry rely on.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the IRGC warned that US companies in the region would be targeted from April 1 and named firms including Microsoft, Google, Apple, Intel, IBM, Tesla, and Boeing. Other multinationals mentioned in the reports included JPMorgan Chase, Oracle, Palantir, Cisco, HP, and Nvidia.

Why this matters: Crypto is no longer exposed only through exchanges and token prices. It now depends on cloud platforms, banking rails, and public companies with Bitcoin exposure, which means geopolitical threats aimed at mainstream firms can spill into digital assets faster than many investors expect.

The group said those companies would be treated as “legitimate targets” in retaliation for US and Israeli strikes on Iran.

For crypto markets, the significance is not that these are digital-asset companies in the narrow sense. It is that several of the firms named by Iran sit inside the operating stack that now supports large parts of the industry, from cloud computing and data processing to tokenized payments, treasury management, and corporate Bitcoin exposure.

The threat also comes after the war had already begun to hit infrastructure across the Gulf. Last month, Amazon Web Services data centers in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain were damaged by drone strikes, disrupting cloud services and prolonging recovery efforts.

That episode showed how quickly geopolitical conflict can spill into the technical systems that businesses rely on, including companies tied to digital assets.

Meanwhile, the broader conflict has already expanded well beyond a conventional military exchange. Over more than a month of fighting, the US and Israel have struck Iranian energy and other national infrastructure, while Iran has launched more than 3,000 drones and missiles toward the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Kuwait.

Against that backdrop, the IRGC’s threat points to a wider phase of economic and corporate pressure, one that could extend into parts of the infrastructure surrounding crypto.

Which crypto-related firms are affected?

Not all of the companies named by the IRGC are crypto-native businesses. Still, several already have direct or indirect ties to the industry, making them relevant to the market beyond the usual reaction of Bitcoin and other tokens to war headlines.

• Google is the clearest example because it sits deep inside crypto’s operating stack, and its Web3 business is not a peripheral effort.

Google Cloud, a subsidiary of Google, offers managed node infrastructure, analytics tools, and developer services for blockchain applications, and works with firms such as Cardano-backed Midnight blockchain, Coinbase, and others.

In fact, the firm recently took a major step into blockchain infrastructure development with the launch of the Google Cloud Universal Ledger (GCUL). This is a Layer 1 blockchain network designed to enable faster payments and cross-border settlement.

Apart from that, Google has also emerged as an important financial backer behind Bitcoin miners’ shift toward artificial intelligence.

Rather than acquiring mining companies outright, the Alphabet-owned company has provided at least $5 billion in disclosed credit support tied to a handful of miners’ AI projects.

That backing has helped reframe some previously unrated Bitcoin miners as infrastructure-linked borrowers that lenders can view less as pure commodity businesses and more as counterparties with strategic data-center potential.

All of this does not make Google a crypto company, but it does place the firm close to one of the industry’s most important restructurings.

• JPMorgan’s link is different, but just as relevant.

Over the past years, the US banking giant has expanded its exposure to the crypto industry in several ways designed to foster adoption and growth.

For context, JP Morgan launched Kinexys in 2020 as a digital-asset service platform and has since processed more than $3 trillion of transactions.

The bank describes Kinexys as a blockchain-based payment rail that allows participating clients to move funds around the clock, including across borders, with availability spanning Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

The bank reportedly plans to double daily transaction values on its Kinexys blockchain platform to $10 billion.

Apart from that, JPMorgan has also pushed further into on-chain finance through its asset-management arm.

In December, it launched MONY on the public Ethereum network, giving qualified investors access to a tokenized money market fund backed by Treasuries and repurchase agreements. The firm also piloted JPMD, its dollar-denominated deposit token, on the Coinbase-backed Base network.

• Tesla is the most direct balance-sheet link among the companies named.

The Elon Musk-led company is not part of crypto’s infrastructure in the same way as Google or JPMorgan, but it remains one of the listed firms with measurable digital-asset exposure on its books.

According to data from BitcoinTreasuries.com, Tesla holds 11,509 Bitcoin as of press time, making it one of the top 20 public firms worldwide with BTC exposure. In fact, Tesla is the only top 10 company by market capitalization with exposure to the top crypto.

This stands it out in the broader market and confirms its conviction in the emerging industry.

Outside of Bitcoin, the company has also shown significant adoption for Dogecoin, the largest memecoin by market capitalization.

These efforts, alongside Musk's enduring interest in the crypto industry, make it a significant player within the sector.

The core shift here is simple: crypto risk is no longer confined to crypto-native companies.

As the sector becomes more entangled with big tech, banks, and public-company treasuries, threats aimed at those firms can become market-relevant for digital assets even when no exchange or blockchain company is directly named.

Other firms with crypto links

Beyond those first-order examples, the IRGC list also includes companies with looser but still notable ties to digital assets.

NVIDIA is one of them. The company is now defined primarily by AI computing and data-center revenue, but it previously had a long and sometimes contentious history with crypto mining.

Demand for its chips surged during earlier mining cycles, bringing both revenue upside and later legal scrutiny over disclosures tied to that business.

However, NVIDIA is no longer central to mining as it once was, but its historical connection to the sector remains part of the market’s memory, especially when crypto and AI capital spending begin to overlap.

Meanwhile, Microsoft’s involvement with the emerging industry is more institutional and infrastructure-led.

The company’s crypto exposure has centered on enterprise blockchain through Azure rather than direct token holdings. It has accepted Bitcoin through BitPay in limited contexts, while also pursuing blockchain-as-a-service tools, decentralized identity work through ION, and research into secure computing systems relevant to digital infrastructure.

At the corporate treasury level, Microsoft has kept its distance. Its shareholders voted against adding Bitcoin to the balance sheet after the board recommended rejecting it. The board said such an assessment was unnecessary and preferred stable, low-risk investments over the volatility of crypto.

Taken together, the companies named by Iran show how far crypto’s exposure now extends beyond exchanges and token prices.

The industry’s links to cloud providers, global banks, AI infrastructure, and corporate treasuries mean geopolitical threats aimed at mainstream US firms can quickly become relevant to digital assets as well.

The next test is whether this threat remains rhetorical or starts to affect the companies and infrastructure layers that parts of crypto now depend on. If that happens, the market impact may show up first through cloud resilience, payments flows, and risk sentiment before it appears in token prices themselves.

The post Iran threatens major US companies in the Middle East creating new risk for crypto appeared first on CryptoSlate.

Safe Havens Are Failing — What’s Happening Right Now?

Global markets are entering an unusual phase where traditional safe havens are no longer behaving as expected. Despite escalating geopolitical tensions and ongoing military threats involving Iran, assets like gold and silver are declining instead of rising.

Silver has dropped below $70, losing nearly 7–8% in a single day, while gold has fallen under $4,600, wiping out over $1 trillion in market value. At the same time, oil prices are surging above $100, reflecting growing fears of supply disruptions.

Meanwhile, crypto markets are also under pressure, with Bitcoin struggling to hold key levels and altcoins seeing sharper declines.

👉 This is not a normal market reaction.

Why Gold and Silver Are Dropping During a War

In a typical risk-off environment, investors rotate into safe-haven assets like gold. However, this time the opposite is happening.

The reason lies in inflation expectations and interest rate pressure.

Rising oil prices are increasing fears of sustained inflation. When inflation rises:

• Central banks are less likely to cut rates
• Interest rates remain higher for longer
• Yield-bearing assets become more attractive

Gold and silver, which do not generate yield, become less appealing in this environment.

👉 As a result, even traditional safe havens are being sold.

The Oil Shock Is Driving Everything

The key driver behind this market behavior is the surge in oil prices.

Following statements that the US will continue strikes on Iran for the next 2–3 weeks, markets are now pricing in prolonged geopolitical instability. At the center of this risk is the Strait of Hormuz — a critical global oil route responsible for nearly 20% of the world’s oil supply.

Any disruption in this region could push oil prices significantly higher.

👉 And higher oil means higher inflation.

This creates a chain reaction across all markets.

Why Crypto Is Falling Despite Bullish News

Under normal conditions, recent developments should support crypto markets:

• Progress on stablecoin regulation
• Continued institutional involvement
• Growing adoption narratives

Yet, crypto is declining.

This is because macro conditions are overriding crypto-specific fundamentals.

When liquidity tightens and uncertainty increases, investors reduce exposure to risk assets — and crypto is one of the first to be sold.

👉 Bitcoin is not trading on news — it is trading on macro.

The Real Risk: A Liquidity Shock

What markets are facing now is not just geopolitical uncertainty — it is the risk of a broader liquidity tightening cycle.

The sequence is clear:

• Oil prices rise
• Inflation expectations increase
• Rate cuts get delayed
• Liquidity shrinks

This environment puts pressure on all major asset classes simultaneously — including stocks, commodities, and crypto.

👉 That’s why everything is falling together.

What Investors Should Watch Next

The next phase of the market will depend on a few critical developments:

• Escalation or stabilization in the Iran conflict
• Movement in oil prices above or below $100
• Signals from central banks regarding rate policy

If oil continues to rise, markets could see further downside across both traditional and digital assets.

Conclusion: This Is No Longer a Normal Market

The current environment marks a shift from isolated market movements to a fully interconnected macro-driven system.

Safe havens are failing. Risk assets are under pressure. And geopolitical uncertainty is dictating market direction.

👉 This is no longer a crypto market — it’s a macro battlefield.

As tensions in the Middle East reached a boiling point, risk assets—including $Bitcoin and major altcoins—faced a sharp "risk-off" liquidation. However, as diplomatic channels begin to signal a potential de-escalation, savvy investors are looking at the "blood in the streets" as a generational entry point.

Historically, markets overreact to geopolitical shocks. If a resolution is reached in early April, the pent-up liquidity currently sitting in stablecoins is expected to flood back into high-conviction projects that were unfairly hammered during the panic.

Is April a Good Time to Buy Crypto?

Potentially, as April 2026 is shaping up to be a prime recovery month. With many tokens trading at 20-30% discounts from their Q1 highs, the current "oversold" conditions on the RSI (Relative Strength Index) suggest a relief rally is imminent.

1. Ethereum (ETH): The Race Back to $3,000

$Ethereum remains the backbone of the decentralized economy. During the recent March turbulence, ETH slipped below its psychological support, but the fundamentals remain unshaken.

• Recovery Catalyst: The successful implementation of the "Prague" upgrade earlier this year has further reduced Layer-2 costs.
• Price Target: Analysts expect a swift recovery to the $3,000 mark as institutional ETH ETFs see renewed inflows once the global macro outlook stabilizes.

Investors should monitor the ETH price closely, as its recovery usually leads the broader altcoin market.

2. PEPE: The Volatility King

For those with a higher risk appetite, $PEPE remains the go-to memecoin for catching rapid bounces. Memecoins often act as high-beta plays on market sentiment; when the market turns green, PEPE tends to move twice as fast as the majors.

• Current State: PEPE lost significant ground in March but has maintained a strong community floor.
• Why Buy: Its extreme volatility makes it an ideal candidate for a "relief rally" play. As retail investors return to the market in April, the low-unit bias of PEPE often attracts massive speculative volume.

3. XRP: Regulatory Clarity Meets Institutional Adoption

$XRP has faced a double-whammy of geopolitical pressure and a temporary "capital flight" toward safer havens. However, its role in cross-border payments, especially in the Middle East, makes it a unique asset to watch as regional stability returns.

• Market Position: Having secured full regulatory clarity in late 2025, XRP is no longer a "gamble" but a utility-driven asset.
• Outlook: It has lost nearly 15% in the last month, making the XRP price highly attractive for those betting on the continued expansion of RippleNet.

4. Cardano (ADA): The "Deep Value" Opportunity

$Cardano is currently one of the most oversold "blue-chip" altcoins. While critics point to its slower price action, the network's resilience and growing DeFi TVL (Total Value Locked) suggest it is undervalued.

• The Dip: ADA has hit multi-month lows, hovering near critical demand zones.
• The Play: Historically, ADA performs well in the second stage of a market recovery.

5. Solana (SOL): The Ecosystem Powerhouse

No "Top 5" list for 2026 is complete without $Solana. Despite the market-wide dip, Solana continues to lead in retail transaction volume and NFT activity.

• Technical Outlook: SOL has shown incredible strength in bouncing off the $80-$100 support range.
• Why April: With the Firedancer upgrade nearing full optimization, Solana's throughput is unmatched. Any return of "risk-on" sentiment will likely see SOL outperform Bitcoin in percentage gains. You can compare Solana's performance against other majors on our exchange comparison page.

Top 5 Cryptos to Buy in April 2026

A major development has just hit the crypto industry. The U.S. Department of Justice has charged multiple individuals linked to crypto “market-making” firms for allegedly manipulating token prices and trading volumes.

According to the allegations, these actors engaged in coordinated schemes to artificially inflate volume and prices — commonly known as wash trading and pump-and-dump operations.

👉 In simple terms:

• Fake volume was created
• Prices were pushed higher
• Retail investors bought in
• Then positions were offloaded

This isn’t a new suspicion in crypto — but this time, it’s being formally prosecuted.

How Fake Volume Has Been Shaping Crypto Prices

For years, a significant portion of crypto trading activity has been questioned. Some market makers didn’t just provide liquidity — they allegedly manufactured it.

This artificial activity created the illusion of strong demand, tighter spreads, and active markets. In reality, part of that liquidity may have been recycled capital, designed to attract real buyers into inflated conditions.

👉 This matters because markets rely on liquidity to function smoothly.

If part of that liquidity was fake, then price stability itself may have been partially artificial.

What Changes Now?

If regulators successfully crack down on these practices, the immediate impact won’t necessarily be bullish. Instead, markets could enter a transition phase where:

• Liquidity becomes thinner
• Order books become less stable
• Price movements become sharper and less predictable

👉 In other words:
Crypto markets may become more “real” — but also more brutal.

Why This Comes at a Critical Time

This shift is happening while markets are already under pressure from broader macro conditions.

Geopolitical tensions, rising oil prices, and tightening liquidity are creating a fragile environment for risk assets. Even strong or bullish news has struggled to sustain upward momentum in recent sessions.

👉 That means crypto is now facing a double pressure:

• External macro stress
• Internal structural changes

What This Means for Investors

For traders and investors, this new phase changes how the market should be approached.

Lower artificial liquidity means:

• Breakouts may fail faster
• Dumps may accelerate more aggressively
• Volatility may increase across all timeframes

At the same time, this transition could ultimately strengthen the market.

With less manipulation, price discovery becomes more transparent, and long-term trust in the ecosystem can improve.

Final Thought

Crypto may not just be correcting — it may be recalibrating.

As fake volume disappears and enforcement increases, the market is shifting from an artificially supported environment to a more natural one.

👉 And in that transition, price action could become significantly more unforgiving.

Panic Grips the XRP Ledger Community

Early this morning, traders on a major US-based cryptocurrency exchange witnessed a terrifying anomaly: the $XRP price appeared to disintegrate, falling from its stable market value of $1.34 to exactly $0.01. The "crash" happened in a matter of seconds, creating a massive red candle on the hourly charts that suggested a total collapse of the asset’s valuation.

Did XRP Really Drop to $0.01?

If you saw the price alert on your phone and felt your heart skip a beat, you aren't alone—but you can breathe easy. XRP has not actually crashed to 1 cent. This was an elaborate April Fools' Day prank executed by the exchange’s interface team to mock the "XRP to $0.01" memes that have circulated in bear markets for years. While the UI displayed a penny valuation, the global XRP price remained steady at its actual market rate across all other global platforms.

Liquidity vs. UI Glitches

In the world of crypto trading, there is a huge difference between a real market event and a visual one:

• Real Flash Crash: Occurs when massive sell orders exhaust all available buy orders (liquidity), causing the price to hit bottom for a few milliseconds.
• UI "Prank" or Glitch: A change in how the data is shown to the user without affecting the actual underlying trades or the blockchain's integrity.

Today’s event was purely a visual trick. Actual orders placed at $0.01 were not filled, as the exchange's matching engine was still operating at the real market price of $1.34.

Ripple’s Regulatory Context in 2026

The timing of the prank was particularly effective because of the high-stakes environment surrounding Ripple. As of today, April 1, 2026, Ripple has officially activated its National Trust Bank status under new OCC rules, a milestone that has kept XRP news at the forefront of the financial world.

How to Protect Yourself from Real Market Volatility

While today's 1-cent price was a joke, real volatility is a constant in the crypto space. To ensure your assets are safe from actual exchange failures or technical errors, consider the following:

• Self-Custody: Move your long-term holdings into hardware wallets to avoid being affected by exchange-side UI glitches or outages.
• Verify via Aggregators: Always cross-reference prices on sites like CoinMarketCap before making a panic-driven trade.
• Exchange Diversity: Use multiple exchanges to ensure that a localized glitch on one platform doesn't freeze your entire portfolio.

Prank vs. Reality Comparison

The Morning the "World Computer" Stood Still

Early this morning, things got tense fast. Several on-chain monitoring tools started flagging what looked like a serious issue on the Ethereum network—something as extreme as a “state-level” breach.

Within minutes, rumors spread across social media claiming that someone had taken control of the consensus layer, potentially allowing transactions to be reversed and $ETH to be double-spent. For about half an hour, the market reacted hard. Ethereum’s price swung wildly as panic selling kicked in across major decentralized exchanges.

Was the Ethereum Blockchain Actually Hacked?

If you are looking for confirmation of a total network collapse, you can rest easy. The Ethereum blockchain was not hacked. This "exploit" was an elaborate April Fools' Day scenario designed to test the community's response to misinformation and to highlight the recent "Quantum Readiness" upgrades in the 2026 Ethereum roadmap. While the data feeds on certain community dashboards were intentionally "glitched" to show a 51% attack in progress, the actual Ethereum blockchain remained perfectly secure and operational.

Can a Blockchain Truly Be Hacked?

When people talk about "hacking a blockchain," they usually refer to one of two things:

1. Protocol-Level Attacks (51% Attack): In a Proof of Stake (PoS) system like $Ethereum, an attacker would need to control more than half of all staked ETH. As of 2026, the cost to acquire enough ETH to do this would be in the hundreds of billions of dollars, making it economically irrational.
2. Smart Contract Exploits: This is where most "hacks" actually happen. The blockchain itself is fine, but the code of a specific app (like a lending protocol) has a flaw.

Recent 2026 reports from Chainalysis confirm that while DeFi exploits continue to occur, the underlying Ethereum base layer has never been successfully "hacked" since its inception.

The Reality of Ethereum Security in 2026

Ethereum’s security model is currently at its strongest point in history. Following the 2022 "Merge," the network transitioned to Proof of Stake, and subsequent upgrades in 2025 and 2026 have focused on "Hardening the Layer 1 foundation."

Why a 51% Attack is Nearly Impossible

To compromise the network today, an attacker would face:

• Slashing: If a validator acts maliciously, their staked ETH is automatically destroyed by the protocol.
• Social Consensus: If a massive attack occurred, the community could coordinate a "hard fork" to ignore the attacker's chain, effectively vaporizing billions of dollars of the attacker's capital.
• Quantum Resistance: The 2026 roadmap explicitly introduced post-quantum cryptography to protect against future threats from advanced computing.

The "Hack" vs. Reality

Distinguishing Between Blockchain and Application Hacks

While the Ethereum blockchain is secure, users often confuse it with the applications running on top of it. For example, recent 2026 security audits have shown that 90% of "Ethereum hacks" are actually:

• Phishing: Users signing malicious permissions.
• Bridge Vulnerabilities: Flaws in the code that moves assets between different chains.
• Governance Attacks: Manipulating a DAO's voting system.

To stay safe, it is crucial to use secure hardware wallets and trade only on reputable exchange platforms that provide high-tier security features and insurance funds.

The Tokyo-listed firm is now the third-largest Bitcoin treasury company—though that's partly down to MARA Holdings' recent sale of 15,000 BTC.

The crypto exchange's top lawyer dismissed banking industry concerns about deposit flight as lawmakers work to finalize stablecoin provisions.

Markets slumped as Trump claimed the Iran war was “nearing completion” while offering no clear plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Volatility Shares, the company that launched the first leveraged crypto fund in the U.S., is expanding its roster to smaller digital assets

Solana-based perpetuals DEX Drift Protocol has suffered an exploit impacting more than $200 million in funds.

Stellar (XLM) leads the RWA race, Shiba Inu (SHIB) hits 2023 exchange lows and Apple futures land on Binance. Plus, why $100 oil is the new Bitcoin trap.

EMURGO is working to help integrate Cardano into the Mastercard Partner Program.

Shiba Inu indicator that suggests traders' positioning takes a hit as the crypto market sees fresh selling.

Hyperliquid's market streak was certainly impressive, but things turned around quickly.

Ledger CTO has reflected on today's Drift Protocol hack, saying it is a wake-up call for the whole crypto space.

Quick Summary

• Diesel futures in Europe jumped nearly 10% to exceed $200 per barrel, marking the steepest levels since 2022
• Disruptions at the Strait of Hormuz have halted refined product flows from Middle Eastern exporters
• European markets rely heavily on diesel imports and may experience critical shortages in the coming weeks
• Diesel prices in the U.S. have surpassed $4 per gallon; Asian markets also briefly reached $200/bbl
• Ongoing drone attacks on Russian refineries compound the global diesel supply crunch

Diesel futures in Europe climbed to their most elevated point since 2022 during Thursday’s trading session, jumping nearly 10% in London to reach as much as $1,498 per metric ton. Converting that figure puts the price above $200 per barrel.

The dramatic price increase follows escalating conflict involving Iran, which has essentially paralyzed shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. This narrow waterway serves as one of the planet’s most vital corridors for energy transport. The effective blockage has removed millions of barrels of refined petroleum products from international markets.

Diesel has experienced sharper price increases than crude oil throughout this crisis. This divergence highlights how refined fuels are bearing the brunt of the supply chain disruption.

Europe faces a structural diesel deficit. The continent consumes more diesel than it produces domestically and relies on foreign sources to bridge the gap. With shipments from the Middle East effectively cut off, European purchasers have scrambled to secure alternative supply sources.

This scramble has ignited fierce competition among international buyers. Diesel cargoes are now traveling significantly longer routes, driving up transportation expenses and straining logistics networks.

Energy market analysts are issuing warnings that Europe may confront serious fuel availability issues within a matter of weeks unless the Strait of Hormuz reopens to commercial traffic. Latin American nations are anticipated to encounter comparable supply constraints.

Worldwide Markets See Parallel Price Spikes

The price escalation extends well beyond European borders. U.S. diesel prices have climbed past the $4 per gallon threshold. Markets throughout Asia also momentarily touched the $200 per barrel mark, based on Bloomberg’s market tracking.

The United States Oil Fund along with associated exchange-traded funds, which monitor crude oil pricing movements, have responded to the wider energy market turbulence.

Russian Exports Face Mounting Threats

Russian port facilities and refining operations, which typically represent a substantial source of diesel shipments to international buyers, have experienced an uptick in Ukrainian drone strikes. These attacks have grown more frequent following the United States’ decision to ease certain sanctions against Russia.

Russia ranks among the globe’s top diesel exporters. Any significant impairment to its refining capacity risks eliminating yet another supply avenue from an already constrained global marketplace.

The dual impact of Hormuz-related disruptions combined with damage to Russian refinery infrastructure has left market participants with diminished options and escalating expenses.

The primary European diesel futures contract settled Thursday’s session at $1,493.25 per ton on the London exchange, representing a single-day gain of 9.5%, according to official market records.

The post European Diesel Prices Explode to $200 Per Barrel — Supply Crisis Deepens appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Highlights

• BTGO climbs to $8.39 following the debut of BitGo Mint platform
• New platform streamlines stablecoin issuance and redemption processes
• Initial support includes USD1 and SoFiUSD through regulated custody
• Service consolidates digital asset operations into single infrastructure
• BitGo aims to capture growing institutional demand for tokenized assets

Shares of BitGo Holdings, Inc. (BTGO) climbed to $8.39, marking a 1.94% increase after morning volatility settled into positive territory. The uptick coincided with the company’s announcement of BitGo Mint, an enterprise-grade solution designed to streamline stablecoin workflows for institutional clients.

BitGo Holdings, Inc., BTGO

New Platform Simplifies Stablecoin Infrastructure for Enterprises

BitGo unveiled BitGo Mint as an integrated solution for institutional stablecoin management. The offering consolidates minting, redemption, and custody functions into a unified environment. Clients benefit from reduced complexity when managing digital currency operations.

At launch, the platform provides access to USD1 and SoFiUSD through BitGo’s Stablecoin-as-a-Service infrastructure. Both digital assets operate under regulated custody protocols and compliance frameworks. The architecture enables financial institutions to execute stablecoin operations with enhanced security and oversight.

The service specifically addresses needs of market makers, financial institutions, trading platforms, and investment firms. Built-in features encompass compliance reporting, governance mechanisms, and transaction settlement capabilities. This integration allows organizations to optimize their digital asset workflows while maintaining regulatory compliance.

Institutional Appetite for Stablecoins Fuels Service Development

Digital currencies pegged to fiat values have experienced substantial growth within financial infrastructure and payment ecosystems. Leading corporations increasingly leverage dollar-backed tokens for transaction settlement and international money transfers. Consequently, service providers are expanding capabilities to meet institutional requirements.

BitGo developed BitGo Mint in response to accelerating demand for enterprise-grade digital asset solutions. The company intends to broaden asset coverage in future iterations. Plans include support for tokenized securities and money market fund instruments.

Market activity demonstrates heightened interest from organizations developing stablecoin frameworks. Financial institutions and payment processors are incorporating blockchain-based settlement infrastructure. The competitive landscape among custody providers and infrastructure specialists continues to intensify.

Strategic Direction and Market Response

BitGo has established itself as a trusted custodian serving institutional clientele. Industry observers point to its security architecture and operational track record as key differentiators. This foundation supports the company’s evolution toward comprehensive asset management solutions.

The BitGo Mint introduction reflects the firm’s strategic vision to consolidate digital asset services. By integrating issuance, custody, and transaction capabilities, the platform reduces dependence on multiple vendors. Organizations gain a cohesive infrastructure for managing blockchain-based financial instruments.

BTGO shares demonstrated moderate appreciation following the product announcement and intraday trading patterns. Price movements stabilized after initial morning fluctuations throughout the session. Market reaction suggests measured confidence in the company’s infrastructure expansion and strategic direction.

The post BitGo Holdings (BTGO) Stock Climbs Following Launch of Institutional Stablecoin Platform appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Highlights

• Mizuho Americas elevated Diamondback Energy (FANG) to its prestigious top picks roster, displacing ConocoPhillips
• Analyst Nitin Kumar maintains a Buy recommendation with a $220 price objective
• The company maintained steady production levels at 505,000–510,000 barrels daily, strategically awaiting favorable crude pricing
• Oil benchmarks have climbed significantly in recent weeks as Middle Eastern tensions threaten Strait of Hormuz transit routes
• Shares faced resistance as geopolitical pressures subsided and investors secured profits

Diamondback Energy experienced a significant Thursday morning lift when Mizuho Americas featured it on its monthly top selections roster. The shares advanced 3.9% to $197.97 during pre-market hours before surrendering those advances.

Diamondback Energy, Inc., FANG

Mizuho’s Nitin Kumar designated Diamondback as his premier oil and gas exploration and production selection, replacing ConocoPhillips in that position. Kumar maintains a Buy stance on the equity with a $220 valuation target.

Kumar highlighted Diamondback’s extensive and high-quality shale reserves as a primary catalyst for the designation. He views the enterprise as an undisputed frontrunner in American shale operations.

A particularly compelling metric: while competing firms have experienced a 16% decline in oil production per drilling foot since 2020, Diamondback has enhanced its operational efficiency during the identical timeframe.

The organization strategically maintained production volumes at 505,000 to 510,000 barrels daily throughout the previous year, deliberately waiting for more attractive crude valuations. That strategic restraint appears increasingly vindicated.

Crude price benchmarks have escalated substantially over recent weeks as Middle Eastern hostilities disrupt maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. This environment has elevated energy equities across the board.

Diamondback has also allocated up to $150 million for exploratory activities in the Barnett Shale formation in North Texas. Kumar characterized this as a “prudent way to not only optimize future development but also create a comprehensive view of reserves in place.”

Kumar identified Devon Energy as his secondary oil-and-gas selection. Mizuho colleague William Janela has positioned Permian Resources as his leading choice.

Profit Capture Pressures Shares After Morning Strength

Notwithstanding the favorable analyst commentary, FANG changed direction throughout the trading session, declining 3.63%. The equity had recently achieved record valuations, and market participants leveraged the morning surge as an opportunity to realize returns.

Insider disposition activity and market absorption of a recent secondary share issuance also pressured the stock. These technical dynamics shifted near-term momentum against bullish positions.

Diminishing geopolitical anxieties contributed additional downward force. Indications of a potentially imminent U.S.-Iran settlement decreased the risk premium that had been bolstering energy stocks.

A pronounced intraday reversal in crude oil valuations amplified the bearish sentiment, dragging the broader energy segment lower. Chevron declined 4.59% and Exxon Mobil fell 5.23% during the session.

Presidential Remarks Maintain Conflict Ambiguity

The session’s volatility followed President Trump’s national address that provided minimal clarity regarding potential resolution timing for the Iran situation. That ambiguity sustained elevated oil prices despite intraday retreats.

The absence of a definitive resolution schedule perpetuated concerns about extended hostilities — and accompanying sustained disruption to crude supply channels.

Diamondback’s year-to-date valuation performance registers at 32.35%, with typical daily trading activity hovering around 2.9 million shares. Its present market capitalization stands at $55.64 billion.

The post Diamondback Energy (FANG) Stock Surges on Mizuho’s Top Pick Endorsement Before Pullback appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Highlights

• SOFI shares decline following new always-on banking platform announcement
• Integrated system facilitates continuous fiat and cryptocurrency operations
• SoFiUSD stablecoin enables immediate conversions between asset types
• Strategic alliances bolster enterprise-grade digital asset infrastructure
• Service designed for global institutions requiring uninterrupted financial access

SoFi Technologies (SOFI) experienced a decline in share price after announcing an enterprise-focused banking solution that merges conventional and cryptocurrency financial services. Shares finished at $15.63, representing a 1.57% decrease, with additional losses reaching $15.07 during pre-market sessions. The pullback occurred even as the company executed a significant expansion into continuous financial infrastructure for business clients.

SoFi Technologies, Inc., SOFI

Company Unveils Integrated Banking Solution for Digital and Traditional Assets

SoFi revealed Big Business Banking, a platform designed to merge conventional banking operations with blockchain-enabled financial tools. The service allows enterprises to oversee both fiat currency and digital holdings through a single regulated infrastructure. Additionally, it provides uninterrupted functionality independent of traditional banking schedules.

Operating under SoFi’s federally chartered banking license, the system delivers regulatory compliance alongside direct connectivity to essential financial networks. Organizations can maintain deposits, transfer capital, and complete settlements instantaneously. This framework consolidates financial management across conventional and blockchain-based ecosystems.

The offering incorporates API-enabled features supporting automated and expandable financial processes. Enterprises can process payments and control liquidity with enhanced precision. The platform minimizes reliance on fragmented financial service arrangements.

Enhanced Digital Asset Framework Through Strategic Technology Integration

SoFi broadened its technological foundation by implementing stablecoin operations via SoFiUSD within its banking ecosystem. The infrastructure facilitates creation and redemption mechanisms enabling immediate transitions between traditional and digital currencies. This methodology preserves backing assets under regulatory supervision.

The organization integrated blockchain protocols, including Solana, to accelerate transaction processing and expand operational capacity. This connectivity enables rapid settlement cycles and international transaction support. Consequently, enterprises gain access to perpetual financial operations.

SoFi established partnerships with institutional entities including Cumberland, Bullish, BitGo, and Fireblocks to facilitate platform deployment. These strategic relationships enhance liquidity provision and operational infrastructure. The broader network encompasses payment processors and technology providers such as Mastercard and Galaxy.

Investor Response Indicates Short-Term Headwinds Despite Strategic Positioning

SoFi’s equity valuation demonstrated vulnerability following the enterprise banking service launch. Stock prices retreated throughout regular trading hours with continued downward movement in pre-market sessions. This reaction suggests immediate market uncertainty regarding the announcement.

The organization maintains momentum in expanding its comprehensive financial services ecosystem through digital asset adoption. Recent financial disclosures revealed robust revenue expansion and profitability metrics, driven by growing customer engagement. The strategic direction corresponds with increasing market appetite for integrated financial platforms.

SoFi establishes itself within the convergence zone of conventional banking and distributed ledger technology. The newly launched infrastructure targets institutional requirements for instantaneous settlement and consolidated financial management. The firm persistently develops competencies supporting worldwide, continuous financial frameworks.

The post SoFi Technologies (SOFI) Stock Dips Following Round-the-Clock Banking Platform Debut appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Highlights

• Kevin Mitchell, CFO of Phillips 66, divested 15,629 shares valued at approximately $2.97 million on March 30, 2026, with the stock trading near its peak.
• Shares were sold at prices between $190.00 and $190.40, approaching the 52-week high of $190.61.
• On the same date, Mitchell exercised stock options to acquire 15,629 shares at $94.97 per share, totaling $1.48 million.
• Following these transactions, Mitchell maintains direct ownership of 97,376 shares, which includes 31,849 restricted stock units.
• Phillips 66 stock has rallied approximately 46% in the trailing twelve months and posted a 42.34% year-to-date gain.

Phillips 66 (PSX) experienced a 3.59% decline on the session, though shares remained in close proximity to the 52-week high of $190.61 prior to the transaction disclosure.

Phillips 66, PSX

Kevin Mitchell, Chief Financial Officer of Phillips 66, executed a significant stock sale worth $2.97 million on March 30, 2026, as PSX shares hovered near their annual peak, simultaneously exercising stock options.

The transaction occurred following an impressive 46% appreciation in PSX shares over the previous twelve months. Mitchell disposed of 15,629 shares at a weighted average of $190.07 per share, with execution prices falling within a tight range of $190.00 to $190.40—mere cents beneath the stock’s 52-week pinnacle of $190.61.

Concurrently, Mitchell executed options to purchase an identical quantity of 15,629 shares at a strike price of $94.97 apiece, representing a total investment of $1.48 million. The substantial spread between the option strike and sale price demonstrates considerable appreciation on the exercised options.

Following completion of both transactions, Mitchell retains direct ownership of 97,376 shares in Phillips 66. This holding encompasses 31,849 Restricted Stock Units. Additionally, he maintains indirect ownership of 1,300 shares through the COP Savings Plan.

The transactions were formally reported through an SEC Form 4 filing, which represents standard regulatory protocol for insider transactions involving company securities.

Transaction Background and Market Context

Phillips 66 has demonstrated robust market performance recently. Shares have appreciated 42.34% since the beginning of the year and posted a 46% advance over the past year. Executive share sales executed during periods of market strength near 52-week highs represent a conventional strategy for realizing profits on vested compensation or implementing portfolio diversification.

Based on InvestingPro analysis, PSX continues to trade below its calculated fair value estimate, with shares currently valued at a price-to-earnings multiple of 16.26. This valuation metric indicates the insider transaction may reflect personal financial planning considerations rather than negative outlook on corporate fundamentals.

Phillips 66 has maintained operational momentum across multiple business segments. The company’s fourth quarter 2025 earnings release showed adjusted earnings per share of $2.47, exceeding analyst consensus estimates of $2.25. However, quarterly revenue of $32.14 billion fell short of the anticipated $34.14 billion.

Corporate Developments and Strategic Initiatives

The company recently arranged a $2.25 billion term loan facility with Mizuho Bank featuring a 364-day maturity profile, enhancing balance sheet liquidity and strategic optionality.

From a corporate governance perspective, Phillips 66 appointed Howard Ungerleider and Kevin Meyers to its board of directors following constructive dialogue with activist shareholder Elliott Investment Management.

Wall Street analyst coverage remains positive on the stock. TD Cowen elevated its price objective on Phillips 66 to $155 while maintaining a Buy rating, highlighting operational improvements in refining activities and expanding production capacity.

PSX stock currently registers a technical Buy signal, supported by a market capitalization of roughly $73 billion and typical daily trading volume averaging approximately 3 million shares.

The post Phillips 66 (PSX) CFO Unloads $2.97M in Shares as Stock Nears Peak appeared first on Blockonomi.

The team behind the controversial crypto project has been quite vocal lately, unveiling several important updates and announcements.

However, PI’s price has fallen by 10% on a weekly basis, while some factors suggest a further decline may be on the horizon.

The Recent Progress and What’s Next?

Some of the big news surrounding Pi Network this year is related to the protocol upgrades. In late February, the team announced the migration to version 19.6, while v19.9 was released in early March.

Version 20.2 was the most anticipated update since it lays the foundation for smart-contract capabilities, thus opening the door for the project to grow into a fully functional blockchain ecosystem. It was successfully upgraded by Pi Day (March 14), and moving to protocol 21 has become the team’s next goal. Not long ago, Pi Network revealed that the deadline for that development is April 6.

Besides the protocol advancements, Pi Network’s Testnet has implemented a Remote Procedure Call (RPC) server, describing it as a “major step toward Smart Contracts being simulated, tested, and deployed.”

KYC verification and migration have also been among the main topics of discussion within the PI community. In mid-March, the team revealed the start of the second migrations. They are scheduled for a gradual rollout and would allow Pioneers to bring additional Pi to the Mainnet and further participate in the ecosystem.

Earlier this week, Pi Network disclosed that almost 120,000 users have completed the process. The figure sounds impressive, but many community members continue to report they can’t successfully complete the procedure.

The Viral Rumors

Pi Network took center stage last month after Kraken (one of the leading crypto exchanges) decided to list PI on its platform. Other well-known trading venues that have allowed services with the token include OKX, Bitget, MEX, Gate.io, and more, while Binance continues to stand aside.

Last year, the biggest crypto exchange asked its users whether PI should be listed, and the vast majority were in favor. Yesterday, many X users speculated that such a development would finally happen. However, that was just an April Fool’s joke, which most community members intercepted and had no effect on PI’s price.

Further Collapse Incoming?

PI currently trades at around $0.16 (per CoinGecko’s data), representing a shopping 95% crash from the all-time high of $3 witnessed last year. Moreover, the unsatisfactory condition of the broader crypto market, the upcoming token unlocks, and the rising amount of coins stored on crypto exchanges suggest an additional plunge could be on the way.

Data show that approximately 230 million PI will be released over the next 30 days, allowing investors who have been waiting for their holdings for some time to cash out.

The total number of coins stored on centralized platforms has increased by 2.1 million over the past 24 hours alone, bringing the total to almost 480 million. This trend doesn’t guarantee a price decline, but it increases immediate selling pressure.

The post Pi Network (PI) News Today: April 2 appeared first on CryptoPotato.

[PRESS RELEASE – LODZ, Poland, April 2nd, 2026]

BTCC, the world’s longest-serving cryptocurrency exchange, today announced its official partnership with the Argentine Football Association (AFA) as the regional partner of the Argentine National Team. The landmark partnership spans the full 2026 FIFA World Cup schedule, bringing together two names whose legacies have been forged through a long-standing history of excellence, resilience, and an unbreakable will to win.

Built for Champions: A Partnership Rooted in Shared History

Argentina’s football legacy is among the most celebrated in international history. As the reigning FIFA World Cup and Copa América champions, the Albiceleste have cemented their place at the top of the game. From the nation’s first World Cup title in 1978, through Diego Maradona’s defining performances in 1986, to Lionel Messi’s 2022 FIFA World Cup triumph, the Argentine team has built its standing match by match. Players like Gabriel Batistuta, Javier Zanetti, and Ángel Di María have each contributed to a legacy defined by consistency and resolve.

BTCC’s trajectory reflects a similar ethos. As the longest-serving cryptocurrency exchange in the industry, BTCC has navigated multiple market cycles since its founding, building its reputation through reliability and sustained performance.

“We believe the strongest partnerships reflect shared identity and ambition. Our collaboration with the Argentine Football Association is exactly the kind of partnership that shapes our brand. As we approach our 15th anniversary, it marks an important milestone in our global growth,” said Aaryn Ling, Head of Branding at BTCC.

Claudio Fabián Tapia, President of the Argentine Football Association, added: “When we looked at BTCC’s history in the industry, what stood out wasn’t just how long they’ve been around, but how consistently they’ve earned the trust of their users. That kind of track record matters to us, and it made this partnership a natural fit.”

Partnership Values

The BTCC x AFA partnership is grounded in five shared principles that reflect a common belief: legends are made with every trade.

• Excellence – Highest level of performance in pursuit of success.
• Legacy – A tribute to the history built by those before us.
• Passion – An undying force uniting fans on the pitch and traders in the market.
• Innovation – Pushing the limits of what the future could be.
• Teamwork – Standing on the shoulders of giants.

Celebrating the Partnership: BTCC x AFA Legendary Lucky Draw

To mark the partnership, BTCC is running an exclusive lucky draw campaign from April 2 to April 15, 2026, open to all users. Prizes include select premium merchandise, with the top prize being a jersey signed by the legendary Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez or Alexis Mac Allister. Full campaign and registration details are available on BTCC’s website.

In addition to the lucky draw campaign, a trading competition featuring substantial prize pools as well as exclusive BTCC x AFA merchandise will launch soon. Users can compete on trading volume to win premium items signed by the Argentine National team. Full details on eligibility, prizes, and registration will be published on the BTCC website and official channels ahead of launch.

About BTCC

Founded in 2011, BTCC is a leading global cryptocurrency exchange serving over 11 million users across 100+ countries. As the official regional sponsor of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and with NBA All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr. as its global brand ambassador, BTCC offers secure and accessible cryptocurrency trading services, focused on delivering a user-friendly experience while adhering to applicable regulatory standards.

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

X: https://x.com/BTCCexchange

#BTCCxArgentineFA #BuiltForChampions

Virtual assets carry a high level of risk and may result in the loss of your entire investment. Prices are volatile. Please assess your risk tolerance before trading.

About the Argentine Football Association (AFA)

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) is the governing body for football in Argentina. It oversees the main domestic competitions, including the Primera División, and manages both the men’s and women’s national teams, as well as domestic cups and other football activities nationwide. Argentina’s national team, La Albiceleste, has won the FIFA World Cup in 1978, 1986, and 2022.

The post BTCC Exchange Named Official Regional Partner of the Argentine National Team appeared first on CryptoPotato.

The frog-themed meme coin PEPE, once part of the elite club of the 20 biggest cryptocurrencies, has lately been a pale shadow of its former success.

While its price has collapsed by 55% over the past year, one important indicator suggests a substantial rebound could soon make the bulls happy.

A Major Pump at Last?

PEPE was crypto’s rock star towards the end of 2024 when its valuation stood at $0.00002803, while its market cap shot above $10 billion. The bear market over the past several months, though, has not been kind to the meme coin, which currently trades at around $0.000003304 (per CoinGecko’s data), whereas its capitalization has shrunk to $1.4 billion.

However, according to Ali Martinez, a major recovery might be on the way. The analyst noted that the TD Sequential indicator has flashed a buy signal, which could open the door to a rally to as high as $0.000005. Such a pump would represent roughly a 50% increase from the ongoing levels.

It is important to note that this technical analysis tool has been quite accurate in the past. Toward the end of September last year, it flashed two buy signals, and PEPE’s price soared by double digits in the next few days. However, the uptick was short-lived and quickly replaced by a sharp correction.

Other market observers who recently analyzed the meme coin include X users The Penguin and Crypto Candy. The former described PEPE’s chart as “probably one of the most picture-perfect” ones from an Elliott Wave standpoint. They believe the formation signals a macro bottom, which could be followed by a major rally. For their part, Crypto Candy expects “some move” in the short term.

The recent PEPE exchange netflow hints that a resurgence could indeed be in the cards. Over the past weeks, outflows have exceeded inflows, suggesting that investors are deserting centralized platforms and moving their holdings to self-custody. This, in turn, reduces the immediate selling pressure.

The Bearish Scenario

Despite the aforementioned optimism from analysts and technical indicators, the entire crypto sector has been suffering amid the bear market, while interest in meme coins has significantly diminished. This means tokens like PEPE may see further declines in the near future.

X user Surya analyzed the coin’s recent performance and concluded it looks “weak.” He believes that a rejection at around $0.00000345 could result in a 7% decline.

The post PEPE Chart Flashes Buy Signal: 50% Breakout in the Making? appeared first on CryptoPotato.

Metaplanet has acquired 5,075 Bitcoin for $405.48 million during Q1 2026 at an average price of $79,898 per BTC, to bring its total holdings to 40,177.

The purchase has moved the Japanese firm past MARA Holdings into third place among public companies with Bitcoin reserves, making it the first non-American corporate holder to break into the top three.

Metaplanet Climbs Rankings After Aggressive Q1

CEO Simon Gerovich announced the Q1 figures in an X post on April 2, noting that Metaplanet had achieved a year-to-date Bitcoin yield of 2.8%. The new purchase brought the company’s aggregate cost basis to just over $104,000, with its entire stash bought for approximately $4.18 billion.

That average is well above where BTC is trading today, with the cryptocurrency sitting below $67,000 after being rattled by proclamations made by U.S. President Donald Trump about his country’s next steps in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. At the current price, Metaplanet’s stash is worth about $2.6 billion, putting it in the red on paper for more than $1.5 billion.

The Tokyo-listed firm’s climb to third was helped in part by MARA’s sale of 15,133 BTC in March, which raised roughly $1.1 billion to buy back convertible notes and shore up its balance sheet. It allowed Jack Maller’s Twenty One Capital, holding 43,514 BTC, to move into second place, while Metaplanet’s 5,075 BTC buy took its ownership from 35,102 units to over 40,000, past MARA’s much-reduced 38,689 Bitcoin.

Michael Saylor’s Strategy is still king of the hill by far. Recall that a recent purchase of more than 1,000 BTC for almost $77 million took its holdings to 762,099, all bought for over $57 billion but valued at around $50 billion at the time of writing.

Transparency Questions and Long-Term Targets

In February and March 2026, Metaplanet sold shares and issued warrants to third parties as part of a larger deal worth about $255 million to help fund its Bitcoin accumulation.

However, its aggressive strategy has come under fire, and Gerovich has had to publicly defend the company against critics who questioned the timing and disclosure of past Bitcoin purchases, calling the accusations “inflammatory and contrary to the facts.”

Furthermore, he maintained that all purchases are announced when made and that wallet addresses are available through a live public dashboard.

He added that options positions the company runs, including put selling, are disclosed in financial statements, noting that Bitcoin per share, the company’s primary performance metric, grew more than 500% in 2025.

Metaplanet has said in the past that it wants to own 100,000 BTC by the end of 2026 and 210,000 next year. But as things stand, reaching those figures would require it to more than double its current holdings within nine months and then more than quintuple them in 2027.

The post Metaplanet Buys 5,075 BTC for $405M to Become 3rd Largest Corporate Treasury appeared first on CryptoPotato.

Bitcoin was rejected at $69,200 yesterday and plunged toward $66,000 earlier this morning after Trump’s latest statement that the war against Iran will continue with more strikes.

The altcoins are in the red as well, with ETH dropping to $2,050, while SOL and HYPE are down by over 5%. XRP has managed to overtake BNB in terms of market cap positioning.

BTC Dropped by $3K

Bitcoin’s weekly correction began last Wednesday when the asset was rejected at $72,000 and plunged to $65,600 by Friday. After losing over $6,000 in just a few days, the asset rebounded and remained above $66,000 during the weekend.

It dipped to a monthly low at $65,000 on Monday morning when some of the legacy financial markets opened. The bulls finally stepped up at this point and didn’t allow another leg down. Instead, BTC regained some traction and, despite the enhanced volatility due to the contrasting reports coming on the war in the Middle East, jumped to $69,200 yesterday.

However, then came Trump’s anticipated speech in which he was expected to de-escalate the tension in Iran, according to reports. However, the reality was just the opposite, as he said the conflict is likely to intensify and BTC dumped to just over $66,000, losing $3,000 from yesterday’s peak.

Although it has recovered some ground since then, it still trades below $67,000, and its market cap is down to $1.335 trillion on CG. Its dominance over the alts is above 56%.

XRP Flips BNB

The altcoins are deep in the red as well on a daily scale. Ethereum has lost over 3% of value and is down to $2,050 as of now. SOL, HYPE, LINK, and AVAX have plunged by 5-6%, while BCH, ADA, and DOGE are down by around 3-4%.

Although XRP has dropped by nearly 3% as well, it has managed to flip BNB in terms of market cap. There are also a couple of double-digit gains, but green is scarce today. STABLE and ALGO have rocketed by over 19% in a day.

The total crypto market cap dipped by $100 billion from top to bottom before rebounding to $2.380 trillion as of now.

The post XRP Surpasses BNB Amid Altcoin Crash, BTC Price Dropped by $3K: Market Watch appeared first on CryptoPotato.