Coinbase's 24/7 stock futures could reshape global trading by enhancing market accessibility and liquidity, challenging traditional exchanges.

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Amazon's new phone could redefine mobile engagement by integrating AI deeply into daily life, potentially reshaping user interaction norms.

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The WGC's digital platform could revolutionize gold's role in finance, enhancing accessibility, liquidity, and integration into modern systems.

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Kalshi has raised more than $1 billion at a $22 billion valuation, roughly double the $11 billion valuation from its December round.

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Anchorage Digital expanded Atlas with collateral management, aiming to bring regulated risk controls to institutional crypto lending.

The post Anchorage Digital expands Atlas network with collateral management for institutional crypto lending appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Bitcoin Magazine

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Future positive returns for Bitcoin price?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Institutional flows, however, have softened. 

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

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

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

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

Bitcoin Magazine

North Carolina Lawmakers Propose State Bitcoin Reserve

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

U.S. states want Bitcoin

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

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

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

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

Bitcoin Magazine

Adam Back Confirmed As A Bitcoin 2026 Speaker

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

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

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

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

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

Bitcoin 2026 Returns to Las Vegas Bigger Than Ever

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

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

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

Past Bitcoin Conferences in the U.S.

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

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

Get Your Bitcoin 2026 Pass

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

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

And don’t forget:

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

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

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

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

Why Attend Bitcoin 2026?

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

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

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

Bitcoin 2026 Pass Types: Something for Everyone

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

Bitcoin 2026 General Admission Pass

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

• Limited access on Days 2 & 3
• Entry to Main Stage
• Access to Genesis Stage
• Full access to the Expo Hall

Bitcoin 2026 Pro Pass

Designed for professionals, operators, and serious Bitcoin participants.

Includes all General Admission features, plus:

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

Bitcoin 2026 Whale Pass

The all-inclusive, premium Bitcoin 2026 experience.

Includes all Pro Pass features, plus:

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

This is the most immersive way to experience Bitcoin 2026.

Bitcoin 2026 After Hours Pass

Your ticket to the night.

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

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

More headline speaker announcements are coming soon.

Don’t miss Bitcoin 2026.

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

Bitcoin Magazine

Despite a 47% Price Drop, Bitcoin Traders Aren’t Selling

Bitcoin faced a dramatic market correction in early 2026, plunging 46% from its $126,000 all-time high and briefly dipping below $61,000 on February 6. 

The drop erased over $1 trillion in market value and prompted headlines warning of a defining crypto moment. Social media feeds filled with reactions, yet most holders remained on the sidelines.

A survey by Oobit of 1,006 American Bitcoin holders and sentiment analysis of 117,630 posts across 10 major crypto subreddits reveals that fear did not translate into widespread selling. 

Anxiety and hope dominated emotional responses, with 39% of holders reporting anxiety and 38% hope. 

Despite the turbulence, 69% of respondents had neither sold their holdings nor planned to, demonstrating what the community often calls “diamond hands.” Only 8% were classified as true panic sellers.

Among anxious holders, 72% still intended to hold, and 64% of fearful holders expressed the same. 

Overall, 75% would maintain their positions even if prices continued to fall. The survey indicates that fear and hope often coexist: 86% of respondents reported experiencing both emotions while holding their Bitcoin, according to the survey.

A Bitcoin recovering is coming

Investors are also anticipating a recovery. Two-thirds of holders (66%) expect Bitcoin to reach a new all-time high, with the median 12-month price forecast at $75,000. 

Expectations varied across demographics: Gen Z participants were most bullish at 70%, compared with 60% of baby boomers. High-income holders ($100,000+) predicted a median price of $80,000, while those earning less than $100,000 forecasted $72,000.

Market behavior during the downturn also included opportunistic buying. Roughly 25% of holders purchased Bitcoin during the dip, with younger and higher-income investors more active in buying.

Reddit sentiment mirrored the survey’s findings. Across 117,630 posts, positive sentiment outweighed negative nearly 2-to-1. 

Bitcoin prices recovered faster than sentiment. By February 12, the market had rebounded to $66,221, though online sentiment trailed, reflecting ongoing emotional processing among holders. 

The data suggests that investors react on conviction as much as price, with sentiment volatility roughly one-third that of price volatility during the downturn.

At the time of writing, Bitcoin is trading at $70,400 after briefly trading above $75,000 this week. 

Yesterday, Bitcoin fell below $70,000, trading near $69,500, as rising energy prices and a firm Federal Reserve stance strengthened the dollar and weighed on risk assets.

The drop coincided with Brent crude surpassing $114 per barrel amid Middle East tensions, driving broader market weakness and a roughly 4% decline in Bitcoin over 24 hours.

This post Despite a 47% Price Drop, Bitcoin Traders Aren’t Selling first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Bitcoin Magazine

Morgan Stanley Bitcoin Trust to Trade as MSBT on NYSE Arca

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

The filing outlines the structure of the Morgan Stanley Bitcoin Trust, a passive investment vehicle designed to track the spot price of bitcoin through direct holdings. 

Shares of the trust will reflect the value of bitcoin held in custody, offering exposure through brokerage accounts without requiring direct ownership of the asset.

The trust plans to seed the fund by issuing 50,000 shares, expected to raise about $1 million in initial proceeds.

The ticker MSBT places the product alongside other spot bitcoin ETFs that launched following regulatory approvals in 2024, a shift that opened the market to traditional financial institutions.

Morgan Stanley has also appointed Coinbase Custody Trust Company as the primary bitcoin custodian. The firm will safeguard the digital assets and facilitate transfers tied to share creation and redemption. Most of the bitcoin will be held in cold storage, where private keys remain offline.

BNY Mellon will serve multiple roles, including administrator, transfer agent, and cash custodian. The bank will handle accounting, shareholder records, and cash management for the trust.

The structure follows a model used across the spot bitcoin ETF market. A portion of the fund’s holdings may move into trading wallets during periods of share creation or redemption, when authorized participants exchange cash for bitcoin or redeem shares for the underlying asset.

The filing states that custody insurance is in place but shared across multiple clients and may not cover all losses. Similar disclosures appear in other ETF filings, reflecting standard industry practice as asset managers expand into direct bitcoin exposure.

Key details remain undisclosed, including the management fee and expense ratio. These figures often play a role in investor demand, particularly in a market where fee competition among issuers has intensified.

Morgan Stanley is embracing bitcoin

Morgan Stanley first filed for the bitcoin trust in January. The latest update confirms operational details and brings the product closer to launch, pending effectiveness of the registration statement and final regulatory approval.

The move marks a deeper push by the bank into digital assets. Morgan Stanley has signaled plans to expand beyond ETFs, with efforts underway to integrate crypto trading into its E*Trade platform. The firm has also explored custody, lending, and yield-related services tied to digital assets.

At Strategy World, digital asset strategy head Amy Oldenburg described further expansion as part of the firm’s roadmap, pointing to client demand for integrated crypto services.

She said the bank intends to develop a fully integrated custody and exchange platform.

“This is a natural progression,” the executive said. “We can’t just primarily rent the technology to do this. People expect Morgan Stanley – they trust our brand – to be no fail.

This post Morgan Stanley Bitcoin Trust to Trade as MSBT on NYSE Arca first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

When Vanity Fair published “Crypto's True Believers Demand to Be Taken Seriously” on Mar. 17, the backlash arrived within hours.

Hayden Adams said he had passed on the shoot after being asked to pose in a bathrobe in a sauna. Camila Russo called the framing “so off.” Nic Carter compared the group photograph to the Alliance of Magicians from Arrested Development.

Dennison Bertram, a former fashion photographer and Tally co-founder, went further. He dissected the lighting and angles as a deliberate composition designed to diminish rather than document.

The industry's first instinct was to call it a hit job, while the reactions on X told a more complicated story.

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Three reactions, one diagnosis

The backlash sorted into three competing instincts, and that sorting exposed more than the outrage did.

One camp argued legacy media still cannot read crypto with any seriousness, claiming that the framing read as anachronistic, written from a mental model of the sector that predates ETFs, treasury strategies, and congressional PAC money.

Russo's reaction belongs here: the piece felt like it described an industry that no longer exists.

A second camp held that the shoot was engineered to manufacture ridicule. The lighting, angles, and costuming choices were deliberate acts of visual condescension.

Bertram made that case in technical photographic terms, which gave it more evidentiary weight than standard X venting.

The third camp was quieter and more honest, noticing that the photographs stung partly because they captured something real.

Dean Eigenmann had put the harshest version of this on record months earlier, in a February essay arguing that crypto went to institutions and got reshaped in their image.

An industry that spends years lobbying for establishment legitimacy eventually hands those establishments the vocabulary to satirize it back. The Vanity Fair spread arrived as illustrated proof.

Noelle Acheson bridged the outrage to the forward-looking question: is this how mainstream media sees the industry, and if so, how much work remains?

The X reaction was largely a class panic about how legacy media reads crypto, with costumes, eccentricity, and nouveau-riche theater.

The problem is that some of it still is, and crypto has not resolved that internally.

The cast the magazine assembled

One detail in the Adams reaction went mostly unexamined: he passed on the shoot.

The spread reflects who accepted Vanity Fair's framing, who showed up, on what terms, in what setting. The industry's internal hierarchy regarding legitimate representation is so unresolved that a glossy magazine could define it by default.

What Vanity Fair's own reporting reveals cuts deeper still.

The piece notes that Meltem Demirors is buying Bitcoin again, and mentions that Cathie Wood and Olaf Carlson-Wee are accumulating Bitcoin.

In a feature built around broad crypto culture, the capital allocation answer from several of its most prominent subjects is not more tokens, more protocols, or more ecosystem bets. It is BTC.

However, the magazine framed it as a “crypto believers” story. The believers, when describing where their conviction actually points, keep naming the same asset.

That detail maps onto a structural reality that the X reaction cycle largely bypassed.

Public companies collectively hold roughly 1.179 million BTC across 195 firms, with Bitcoin accounting for approximately 95% of public company crypto treasury assets, per BitcoinTreasuries.

Strategy alone held 761,068 BTC as of Mar. 19, and spot US Bitcoin ETFs pulled $199.4 million in net inflows on the same day the Vanity Fair piece published, before shedding $163.5 million on Mar. 18 as the Fed held rates at 3.50%-3.75% and revised its 2026 inflation projections to 2.7% for both headline and core PCE.

That ETF volatility is what institutionalization looks like when macro headwinds hit. Bitcoin now trades against rate expectations and energy prices, and a magazine profile does not move it.

The political ledger sharpens the contradiction. Crypto poured $135 million into the 2024 election and won more than 90% of the races it backed.

Fairshake and its affiliates entered the 2026 cycle with more than $193 million in cash on hand, while the broader industry prepared roughly $200 million for the midterms.

An industry with that electoral infrastructure does not need Vanity Fair's approval. Yet, the X reaction proved it still wants cultural legitimacy badly enough to spend a news cycle fighting for it.

The backlash put a contradiction on display: political power on one side, reputational insecurity on the other.

Two paths from here

Citi's current scenario framework sets the financial stakes. Its 12-month Bitcoin target sits at $112,000, revised down from $143,000. The bull case reaches $165,000. The bear case lands at $58,000.

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The bull case depends on Bitcoin continuing to pull away from the cultural version of crypto. If ETF inflows resume, treasury adoption broadens, and Washington delivers enough regulatory clarity, the Vanity Fair episode could accelerate the sorting the industry already needs.

Builders and allocators who want credibility gain another reason to emphasize Bitcoin, infrastructure, compliance, and payments over personality-driven spectacle.

The magazine's caricature of “crypto” becomes self-limiting: the sector it satirized looks increasingly unlike the sector where serious capital sits, and Bitcoin trades on its own macro logic entirely outside the cultural cringe cycle.

The bear case is that the piece landed on a real structural weakness. Crypto sought elite validation across a decade, and elite validation responded with a bathrobe in a sauna.

If legislation stalls, ETF flows remain choppy, and the macro environment tightens further. Brent crude hit an intraday high of $119.20 on Mar. 19, already past the ECB's own adverse-scenario peak, with its severe scenario projecting euro-area headline inflation at 4.4% in 2026.

The reputational drag compounds existing market fragility.

Eigenmann's thesis proves out more completely in that setup: crypto went to the institutions, got reshaped in their image, and earned their satire in return.

Bitcoin falls with risk assets under that pressure but outperforms the broader crypto complex as capital consolidates into the most liquid, institutionally integrated asset.

Bitcoin has Wall Street's pipes and Washington's ear. The Vanity Fair shoot put the remaining unsettled question before a much wider audience: what culture Bitcoin actually belongs to.

The post Crypto founder told to pose in a bathrobe by Vanity Fair because our “mature” industry still being mocked appeared first on CryptoSlate.

The Fed kept rates unchanged at 3.50%-3.75% on Mar. 18, lifted its 2026 inflation projections to 2.7% for both headline and core PCE, and held to a median year-end fed-funds path of 3.4%.

Chair Jerome Powell said higher energy prices will push up overall inflation in the near term and that the implications of events in the Middle East are uncertain.

One day later, the ECB held its deposit rate at 2.00% but revised its 2026 inflation forecast to 2.6% from 1.9%, with officials believing that the baseline is already outdated by the energy shock, with rate-hike discussions potentially starting at the Apr. 29-30 meeting and action more plausible at the June 10-11 meeting.

Bitcoin reached an intraday low below $69,000 on Mar. 19, below the psychological $70,000 threshold before recovering overnight.

The sequence breaks a narrative that has supported risk assets for months: that major central banks were delaying cuts by a quarter or two.

Markets are now entirely repricing the developed-world policy path. Traders have pushed Fed easing expectations to roughly 14 basis points by December, less than a single quarter-point cut, while fully pricing in two ECB hikes this year, with better-than-even odds of a third.

The Bank of England, which kept its Bank Rate at 3.75%, now trades with a higher probability of a hike than a cut. Bitcoin's battle with $70,000 is the fastest visible readout of that liquidity recalculation.

Oil forces the reset

The Fed's March SEP already showed discomfort. The median 2026 fed funds rate remained at 3.4%, versus a current midpoint of 3.625%, implying only one cut in the baseline path.

The longer-run rate rose to 3.1% from 3.0% in December. Powell's opening statement was explicit: “In the near term, higher energy prices will push up overall inflation.”

The Middle East conflict entered its fourth week with no clear resolution, and Brent crude briefly rose above $119 on Mar. 19 before pulling back.

The ECB's official baseline assumed a Brent price of $81.30 for 2026, with one ECB source reportedly saying that oil around $110 already makes that assumption stale, and another citing $200 oil as the kind of trigger that could force an April move.

The ECB's staff scenarios, published alongside the decision, provide a clearer picture of the scale of the risk.

The baseline assumes oil around $90 in the second quarter of 2026. The adverse scenario peaks near $119.

The severe scenario peaks near $145, lifting euro-area inflation by 1.8% in 2026 and 2.8% in 2027 relative to baseline, which would take headline inflation to 4.4% in 2026 and 4.8% in 2027.

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The IMF's rule of thumb offers outside validation: every sustained 10% rise in energy prices for about a year can add 0.4% to global inflation and cut output by 0.1%- 0.2%.

That quantifies why central banks are now less comfortable “looking through” this shock than they were with earlier commodity spikes.

Bank of America had noted on Mar. 16 that a quick resolution could put Brent near $70. Still, the path toward $85 for a longer disruption or $130 for a prolonged conflict now looks more consistent with the energy market's direction.

Bitcoin as a liquidity barometer

Bitcoin's behavior over the past 48 hours tracks macro sensitivity.

The Fed lifted inflation projections, kept only one cut in its median path, and Powell flagged energy as a near-term headwind.

The ECB raised its inflation forecast, published severe scenarios implying a much uglier inflation trajectory if energy disruption persists, and then some officials already view the baseline as obsolete.

Traders responded by repricing the entire developed-market rate path, and Bitcoin moved first.

The bull case for Bitcoin assumes that diplomatic de-escalation restores energy flows faster than feared, that oil retreats sharply, and that markets decide the March hawkish turn was a war premium rather than a durable policy reset.

Bank of America's quick-resolution path pointed to Brent near $70, though that scenario appears less plausible given the Mar. 19 escalation. In that setup, Bitcoin can confirm a hold above $70,000 and work back toward the mid-$70,000s.

The case depends on central banks returning to a clearly dovish tilt, which requires the energy shock to fade.

The bear case assumes oil stays above current ECB assumptions, the June ECB meeting turns live, and markets fully abandon 2026 Fed easing. Bitcoin then tests the low- to mid-$60,000s.

Citi's recession case target of $58,000 serves as the cleanest outside anchor for that downside path.

If the discount rate for risky assets stays higher for longer, Bitcoin loses one of its cleanest cyclical tailwinds, even without any crypto-native negative catalyst.

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Central banks relearn a 2022 lesson

Energy shocks do not remain confined to the energy line if they are large enough and persistent enough, and arrive when inflation is not yet fully dead.

The ECB's scenario work explicitly assumes stronger indirect and second-round effects than standard models normally produce. The Fed's own projections now show inflation at 2.7% in 2026 for both headline and core, well above the 2% target.

The BoE's public explainer says higher energy prices will push inflation above expectations this year, that the impact will be greater the longer the war lasts, and that policymakers will do what is necessary to keep inflation on track.

Some investors now see the odds of a Fed hike by year-end creeping higher. That tail repricing hits Bitcoin first because it sits at the intersection of liquidity, risk appetite, and narrative momentum.

Central banks that spent months preparing markets for easing are now updating their frameworks under an energy shock that refuses to behave like a transient supply disruption.

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Mar 19, 2026 · Oluwapelumi Adejumo

Bitcoin's dip below $70,000 is the market's fastest visible expression of that recalibration.

The asset is behaving less like an idiosyncratic crypto story and more like a liquidity-sensitive macro barometer, with its policy tailwind being repriced away.

June is the more plausible action window for the ECB, as April would require a further surge in energy prices. Either way, the old “cuts are just delayed a quarter” story is dead.

Bitcoin is now trading on the global realization that the next move from major central banks may not be cuts at all.

The post Bitcoin defies drop below $70,000 as oil turns into a central-bank problem appeared first on CryptoSlate.

Retail investors became the main force behind gold-fund buying over the past six months, helping extend bullion’s rise even as some institutional money started to step back.

At the same time, fresh inflows into US spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) show part of Wall Street rebuilding crypto exposure through the regulated ETF channel, setting up a split in how investors are responding to the same backdrop of war, inflation pressure, and shifting rate expectations.

The divergence offers a clearer view of investor behavior than either market does alone. Essentially, households have leaned on gold as the traditional store of value, while professional capital has shown renewed willingness to buy Bitcoin after a weak start to the year.

The result is a market in which gold and Bitcoin are no longer moving as simple rivals for the same defensive trade, but as separate expressions of different risk appetites.

Retail takes the wheel in gold accumulation

The Bank for International Settlements laid out the shift in unusually direct terms in its March quarterly review.

In a section on the late-January and February break in precious metals, the BIS said fund-flow data showed retail investors were the main source of inflows into gold and silver funds, while institutional investors “maintained stable positions or even trimmed exposure.”

The chart accompanying the analysis showed cumulative retail inflows into gold funds climbing to roughly $60 billion by the first quarter of 2026, up from about $20 billion in late 2025, while institutional flows stayed near flat and then turned negative.

The BIS tied the move to a broader run-up that stretched through 2025 and into early 2026. Gold and silver rose sharply before reversing in late January and February, a swing the BIS said was amplified by retail participation through ETFs, daily rebalancing by leveraged products, and margin-driven selling.

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Silver, which had doubled in 2025 and then risen more than 50% in January alone, fell about 30% in a single day in late January. Gold followed the same pattern with smaller moves.

The fund-flow picture helps explain how gold continued to attract money even as prices became harder to chase.

World Gold Council data show that physically backed gold ETFs pulled in $19 billion in January, the strongest month on record, then added another $5.3 billion in February, marking a ninth straight month of inflows.

Total holdings rose to 4,171 metric tons in February, while assets under management reached a record $701 billion.

Those totals show demand remained broad, but the BIS breakdown suggests retail investors were doing more of the incremental buying.

The institutional bid starts to soften

What changed in March was not the long-run case for gold, but the willingness of some larger investors to keep adding at the same pace.

Earlier this month, investors pulled more than $4 billion from GLD, the largest gold-backed ETF. Notably, this was the largest weekly outflow in its 20 years of existence.

By a week later, spot gold had fallen rapidly to around $4,611 an ounce, its lowest level since early February.

According to goldprice.org data, this extends a seven-session losing streak as higher oil prices and inflation fears pushed expectations toward tighter monetary policy.

Higher-for-longer rates have always been a problem for bullion because gold yields nothing, and the recent slide turned that old relationship back into the main driver.

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Reuters reported that analysts at Commerzbank pointed to more restrictive policy expectations as the key reason gold had come under pressure, while TD Securities said institutional positioning had grown large during the past year’s “debasement trade” and that the foundations of that trade were weakening.

In other words, gold’s buyers changed just as the macro case became harder to hold in a straight line.

Still, the institutional retreat should not be overstated.

The World Gold Council said North America added $7 billion to gold ETFs in January and another $4.7 billion in February, both part of a sustained run of inflows tied to geopolitical risk and demand for defensive assets. Europe was the weak point in February, with $1.8 billion of outflows, much of it tied to redemptions after the late-January sell-off.

This means that institutions were trimming their exposure at the margin and not abandoning the precious metal outright.

Bitcoin draws fresh money

While gold’s institutional bid began to look less certain, Bitcoin started attracting money again through the market’s main institutional access point.

Data compiled by Farside Investors show US spot Bitcoin ETFs absorbed about $1.16 billion in net inflows from March 9 through March 17. Notably, this was the strongest inflow streak since last October.

The streak included daily net additions of $246.9 million on March 10, $180.4 million on March 13, and $199.4 million on both March 16 and March 17.

However, that run paused on March 18 with a $163.5 million outflow, but the direction of travel had already been established, with BTC price reaching as high as above $75,000 during the streak.

While those ETF flows do not prove a wholesale institutional embrace of crypto, they are the clearest evidence that professional money has started moving back toward Bitcoin after months of caution.

This is further corroborated by Bitwise data, which shows that Bitcoin’s latest institutional demand extends beyond ETF inflows.

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Mar 12, 2026 · Oluwapelumi Adejumo

André Dragosch, Bitwise Europe’s head of research, said in a post on X that institutional demand had accelerated to its highest level since October 2025.

His one-month tally showed that Bitcoin ETPs added 34,400 BTC and treasury companies added 46,800 BTC, including 46,400 BTC from Strategy alone, for a combined 81,200 BTC.

Against a new monthly supply of about 13,300 BTC, that meant institutions bought about six times as much Bitcoin as miners produced over the same period.

Meanwhile, Coinbase’s latest institutional survey points out the institution's strong conviction in the top crypto.

In a January survey of 351 institutional decision-makers conducted with EY-Parthenon, 74% of the respondents said they expect crypto prices to rise over the next 12 months, and 73% said they plan to increase digital-asset allocations in 2026.

The same report said the share of firms allocating more than 5% of assets under management to digital assets is expected to rise from 18% to 29% by the end of 2026.

Those figures suggest Wall Street’s return to Bitcoin is no longer visible only through the ETF wrapper. It is also showing up in corporate treasury accumulation and in survey data pointing to larger planned allocations.

What does this shift mean for gold and BTC?

The flow split suggests that gold and Bitcoin are attracting different types of buyers across different parts of the same macro trade.

Gold remains the first choice for retail investors seeking a store of value during periods of war, inflation, and interest-rate uncertainty. Its long history, deep liquidity, and lower day-to-day volatility keep it attractive to households and fund buyers seeking protection without taking on the price swings common in crypto markets.

Bitcoin, by contrast, is regaining ground with institutions willing to treat it as a scarce, liquid asset with higher upside and higher risk.

The recent pickup in ETP demand, treasury-company accumulation, and survey data pointing to larger planned allocations suggest that professional investors are becoming more comfortable adding exposure as supply conditions tighten and access improves through regulated products.

For markets, the implication is that gold and Bitcoin are no longer competing in a simple zero-sum way.

Gold can continue to attract defensive retail flows even if institutional money slows, while Bitcoin can benefit from corporate buying and portfolio reallocation even if it remains more sensitive to policy signals and liquidity conditions.

In the near term, gold looks positioned to hold its role as a hedge, while Bitcoin is increasingly trading as an institutional scarcity asset.

The post Retail is rushing into gold, but institutions are buying Bitcoin again – so why the split? appeared first on CryptoSlate.

Coinbase is directing some Commerce users to a seed-phrase recovery flow ahead of a March 31 migration deadline.

The issue sits inside Coinbase’s shutdown plan for legacy Commerce wallets. In its transition guide, Coinbase says users with funds in a Commerce wallet must withdraw them before March 31, 2026, when the Commerce portal and withdrawal tool will become inaccessible.

For users who backed up their wallet to Google Drive, Coinbase says they should go to the Commerce dashboard, open Settings and Security, reveal the 12-word seed phrase, and use the withdrawal tool at withdraw.commerce.coinbase.com.

Coinbase says the process is especially important for merchants that received Bitcoin or other UTXO-based assets because balances may otherwise be hard to surface in standard wallets.

A seed phrase is the master recovery key for a self-custody wallet. Coinbase’s own wallet documentation describes it as a 12-word recovery phrase that only the user has access to.

Whoever controls that phrase controls access to the wallet and its funds. Lose it, and access to funds can be lost. Expose it, and funds in the wallet can be drained.

That is where the contradiction becomes hard to miss. Coinbase’s wallet guidance tells users never to share a recovery phrase, says the firm will never ask for it, and adds a separate warning: “Never paste it into any website.”

Yet the Commerce transition guide tells some users to reveal the same phrase as part of an official Coinbase-hosted recovery path.

The company’s explanation is that Commerce wallets are self-custodial, and Coinbase does not have access to the phrase or the funds, which leaves users responsible for recovery before the shutdown.

Security researchers see a phishing template

Nonetheless, this Coinbase demand has rung the alarm bells for many security experts, who are criticizing the platform for the behavior its page teaches users to accept.

Blockchain security firm SlowMist founder Yu Xian said he was puzzled that Coinbase would host a page asking users to enter a mnemonic phrase in plain text for asset recovery and said the practice was so insecure that he first wondered whether the subdomain had been hacked.

The warning sharpened the core criticism around the page: an official brand, an urgent deadline, and a seed-phrase workflow combine into a format attackers regularly mimic.

Meanwhile, SlowMist chief information security officer 23pds wrote on X that there were “two issues” with the flow. First, he said:

“While the link is from the official Coinbase website, directly asking users to transmit their mnemonic phrase to verify assets is extremely foolish.”

Secondly, he noted that the site had a flawed sitemap that could let attackers copy the front end and deploy a near-clone on a lookalike domain, creating a strong phishing lure for users already primed to trust the Coinbase version.

Additionally, blockchain investigator ZachXBT further pressed on that point even more directly. In a post on X, he wrote:

“So basically Coinbase has an official page live threat actors can use to target Coinbase users via seed phrase social engineering if they wanted?”

Their concerns are unsurprising, considering phishing and social engineering scams remain one of the most potent attack vectors against the crypto industry.

Last year, ZachXBT revealed that Coinbase users lose more than $300 million annually due to social engineering scams.

This captures why the Commerce flow has triggered such a strong reaction. Security teams have spent years teaching users that any request involving a seed phrase is the start of a scam.

However, a Coinbase-owned page handling the same phrase could change the visual and behavioral cues users have been taught to rely on.

Coinbase’s breach history hangs over the debate

Meanwhile, the security debate lands harder because Coinbase is already dealing with the aftereffects of past social-engineering incidents.

In May 2025, Coinbase reported that cybercriminals bribed a group of overseas support agents to steal customer data for social-engineering attacks.

The Brian Armstrong-led exchange said the attackers obtained account data for fewer than 1% of monthly transacting users and used it to compile lists of customers they could contact, pretending to be from the platform.

The company said no private keys were exposed and pledged to reimburse customers who were tricked into sending funds to attackers.

Apart from that, the company also has an earlier breach record.

Coinbase said in its 2024 annual report that in 2021, third parties obtained login credentials and personal information for at least 6,000 customers and used those details to exploit a vulnerability in the account recovery process. The firm said it reimbursed impacted customers about $25.1 million.

That history raises the stakes around any official workflow that asks users to handle a seed phrase on a live web page.

Security researchers warn that such a branded interface that normalizes seed-phrase entry will further boost phishing and impersonation attacks, which remain among the industry’s most effective attack methods.

The post Coinbase tells users to follow ‘foolish’ steps scammers use to withdraw funds from wallets appeared first on CryptoSlate.

Metaverse land never recovered. The numbers now show how far it fell

The biggest metaverse land deals of the 2021 and 2022 boom now map to four- and five-digit values when priced against current collection floors, rather than the six- and seven-figure valuations buyers once paid.

The decline runs through the entire metaverse land trade. A CoinGecko study found that average metaverse land prices were already down 72% from their highs by June 2024, with Sandbox off 95%, Decentraland off 89%, and Otherdeed for Otherside off 85% from peak-cycle average floor levels.

The famous parcels that once stood in for scarcity and status now read like artifacts from a pricing regime that assumed virtual neighborhoods would become high-traffic digital cities.

The broader NFT market also failed to recover its old price structure. DappRadar said NFT trading reached $25.8 billion in 2021, and its January 2022 report said that month alone hit a record $16 billion in sales before wash-trading distortions were stripped out. Later data shows a market that kept moving while getting cheaper.

DappRadar’s Q2 2025 report said NFT trading volume fell 45% quarter over quarter to $867 million even as sales rose 78% to 14.9 million.

In Q3 2025, the same tracker said the market logged $1.6 billion in trading volume across 18.1 million sales. Trading activity persisted, while the premium attached to many collections collapsed.

The metaverse land unwind is best understood as a repricing because buyers treated digital land as if it would become a durable asset, with brands, traffic, and resale scarcity. The market now prices much of it as illiquid optionality.

The splashy land deals now look like relics

The clearest case studies are the deals that once stood in for the entire boom. In December 2021, a 3×3 Snoopverse estate next to Snoop Dogg’s property in The Sandbox sold for about $450,000, or about 71,000 SAND. That nine-parcel estate now screens at about $1,025 on a floor-equivalent basis. That is a drawdown of about 99.8% from the reported sale price.

The Decentraland Fashion District deal points the same way. Metaverse Group bought a 116-parcel estate in November 2021 for about $2.4 million. That estate is now not worth materially more than $8,929 on a floor-equivalent basis, down about 99.6% from the original purchase price.

In June 2021, Republic Realm bought 259 parcels for about $913,228. At the same current floor-equivalent value, that estate screens at about $19,935, down about 97.8%.

The Sandbox “city” deal is another clean marker because of its scale. Republic Realm’s 24×24 Sandbox estate, or 576 parcels, was purchased for $4.3 million in late 2021. Marked to the current floor-equivalent price, that estate screens at about $65,583, down about 98.5%.

Otherside’s trophy sales show the same baseline collapse. A May 2022 DappRadar report said Otherdeed #24 sold for 333 ETH, or close to $1 million, while the floor now sits around $167.

Even so, against the current Otherdeed floor, the category baseline has fallen so far that these headline purchases now imply floor-equivalent markdowns approaching 100%.

Floor-equivalent pricing is the fairest way to present these comparisons. It shows what happened to the market’s baseline. The market that once paid a premium for celebrity adjacency, branded districts, and virtual location now assigns only a thin residual value to the category as a whole.

NFTs kept trading, but the pricing model broke

The land collapse sits inside a broader NFT reset. The first quarter of 2022 was the strongest in NFT history at $12.46 billion in trading volume. By June 2022, monthly trading had fallen below $1 billion for the first time in a year. However, the bust did not totally erase the market.

DappRadar’s 2024 overview report said NFT trading volume fell 19% year over year in 2024 and sales fell 18%, making 2024 one of the weakest years since 2020. Then 2025 showed a split market, lower dollar volume, higher unit activity, and more trading in cheaper assets.

That split is visible in the quarterly numbers. In Q2 2025, DappRadar said volume fell to $867 million while sales rose to 14.9 million. In Q3 2025, DappRadar’s tracker said the market posted $1.6 billion in volume and 18.1 million sales.

October 2025 added another signal. DappRadar said the market reached $546 million in monthly volume and 10.1 million sales, the highest monthly sales count of the year. Traders were still buying NFTs. They were spending far less per item.

A blue-chip proxy shows how severe the repricing was outside land. CoinGecko’s BAYC page shows Bored Ape Yacht Club at about 5.22 ETH, or about $11,410, versus an all-time high floor of 153.7 ETH, or about $420,430. That leaves BAYC down about 96.6% in ETH terms and 97.3% in dollar terms. Even one of the category’s most recognizable collections never came close to reclaiming its old clearing level.

The financing layer also broke. DappRadar’s NFT lending data said lending volume fell 97% from its January 2024 peak of nearly $1 billion to just over $50 million in May 2025. Borrowers were down 90%, lenders were down 78%, and average loan sizes shrank from $22,000 at the 2022 peak to about $4,000.

NFT lending helped support high-end prices during the boom. Once traders could no longer borrow against expensive JPEGs and land deeds at scale, premium valuations lost another key support.

The broad NFT market kept operating, though its price ladder dropped sharply. Land was one of the boom’s purest narrative trades. It depended on the belief that digital location itself would become a durable asset class.

Other parts of the NFT market found cheaper pockets of demand. Land rarely did.

The market outlook is narrower, cheaper, and less forgiving

The current market does show signs of life. CoinGecko collection pages for Sandbox, Decentraland, Otherside, and Voxels show 60-day gains of 153.9%, 95.5%, 12.8%, and 41.8%, respectively.

Yet, those rebounds start from deeply depressed levels and leave the larger picture unchanged. The case studies still sit 98% to nearly 100% below their boom-era valuations on a floor-equivalent basis. That is what happens when a market loses both leverage and belief.

The category is also competing in a different NFT market than the one that existed in late 2021. In 2025, RWA NFTs grew 29% in volume and became the second-largest NFT category by volume during the quarter. Gaming-linked assets also gained ground.

Still, that shift does not prove metaverse land can recover soon. Traders moved on to RWAs when the old premise stopped working. They moved toward categories that looked more transactional, more utility-linked, or simply cheaper to own.

Corporate signals moved in the same direction. Meta changed its name in 2021 to emphasize the metaverse, and the company’s announcement now reads like a document from another market cycle.

Meta’s 2025 earnings filing said Reality Labs lost $19.2 billion in 2025 after years of multibillion-dollar losses. Virtual worlds remain active, though under a very different cost and growth calculus than the one that drove the land boom.

The market now trades digital assets with much lower ticket sizes, weaker financing, and a preference for narrower use cases. Metaverse land can still rally in short bursts, especially when crypto sentiment turns risk-on.

The last 60 days show that. The market still sits far below the assumptions embedded in the 2021 and 2022 trophy sales.

For land values to behave like property again, platforms would need more than token rebounds. Users who show up regularly, brands that stay, and a reason for virtual location to generate durable economic value instead of narrative premium are the only avenues to recovery.

The post RIP metaverse: Land values capitulate as $24M metaverse plot collapses to just $9,000 appeared first on CryptoSlate.

Bitcoin has gone through multiple crashes, corrections, and market cycles since its creation in 2009. From drops of over 80% to new all-time highs, volatility has always been part of the journey.

Yet one question still appears frequently: Can Bitcoin ever go to $0?

While short-term crashes are always possible, a complete collapse to zero is extremely unlikely. Here are three strong reasons why Bitcoin will not crash to $0.

1. Massive Global Adoption and Institutional Support

Bitcoin is no longer a niche experiment used by a handful of tech enthusiasts. Today, it is a globally recognized asset class.

• Major financial institutions like BlackRock, Fidelity, and Morgan Stanley are actively involved in $BTC
• Spot Bitcoin ETFs have opened the door for billions in institutional capital
• Governments and corporations now hold Bitcoin on their balance sheets

This level of adoption creates a strong demand floor.

For $Bitcoin to go to $0, every institution, company, and investor worldwide would have to abandon it simultaneously—a scenario that is highly unrealistic.

2. Decentralized Network with Proven Security

Bitcoin operates on a decentralized network secured by thousands of nodes and miners across the world.

• No central authority can shut it down
• The network has maintained near 100% uptime since launch
• It is protected by one of the most powerful computing networks globally (hash rate)

To bring Bitcoin to $0, the entire network would need to fail or be compromised globally.

Given its distributed nature and continuous upgrades, this is extremely unlikely. In fact, the network has only grown stronger over time.

3. Scarcity and Built-In Economic Model

Bitcoin has a fixed supply of 21 million coins, making it one of the scarcest assets in the world.

• New supply is reduced every 4 years through the halving mechanism
• Demand continues to grow as adoption expands
• Lost coins further reduce circulating supply

This scarcity creates a long-term value proposition, similar to digital gold.

Even during major crashes, Bitcoin has never reached zero because there is always buyers stepping in at lower levels.

Conclusion

Bitcoin can be volatile. It can drop 50%, even 80% during bear markets. But a complete collapse to $0 would require:

1. Total global abandonment
2. Network failure
3. Zero demand worldwide

All three happening at the same time is highly improbable.

Instead, Bitcoin continues to follow cycles of boom and correction, with each cycle bringing higher adoption, stronger infrastructure, and deeper liquidity.

Cardano Price Today: Consolidation After a Downtrend

Cardano ($ADA) is currently trading around $0.26–$0.27, moving sideways after a prolonged downtrend.

Over the past few weeks, ADA has shown limited volatility, with price action stuck in a tight range and no strong breakout attempts. Buyers are present, but not strong enough to push the price higher.

Cardano Price Analysis: Range-Bound with Strong Resistance

Looking at the chart, ADA is no longer trending down aggressively, but it is also not in a confirmed uptrend.

Key levels:

• Immediate resistance: $0.30
• Major resistance: $0.40
• Critical target: $0.50
• Support zone: $0.25

Price has repeatedly failed to hold above $0.30, showing that sellers remain active at higher levels.

👉 This suggests a neutral to slightly bearish structure.

How Much Does ADA Need to Reach $0.50 Before April?

Let’s calculate:

• Current price ≈ $0.27
• Target price = $0.50

👉 Required increase:
+85%

This would need to happen within days to a couple of weeks — a very aggressive move.

Is an 85% Move Before April Realistic?

👉 Mostly unlikely

Here’s why:

1. Time Constraint Is Very Tight

Reaching $0.50 before April would require a rapid move with sustained momentum — something not currently visible on the chart.

2. Multiple Resistance Levels

ADA would need to break:

• $0.30
• $0.40
• Then push toward $0.50

Each level increases selling pressure and slows the move.

3. Lack of Momentum

The current consolidation between $0.25 and $0.30 shows hesitation rather than accumulation for a breakout.

RSI Insight: No Breakout Signal Yet

The RSI is around 47–48, indicating:

• Neutral momentum
• No bullish divergence
• No sign of an imminent breakout

👉 This supports the idea that ADA is not building strong upward pressure yet.

Historical Comparison: Has ADA Done This Before?

Cardano has delivered 80%+ rallies, but typically:

• During strong altcoin seasons
• With high market-wide momentum
• After major catalysts

👉 Right now, these conditions are not present, especially within such a short timeframe.

Most Likely Scenario Before April 2026

Based on the chart:

• ADA likely remains between $0.25 and $0.30
• Break above $0.30 → first bullish signal
• Break above $0.40 → stronger trend shift
• $0.50 → unlikely before April without a sudden catalyst

Cardano Price Prediction: Can ADA Reach $0.50 Before April?

👉 Mostly unlikely

To reach $0.50 before April 2026, ADA would need:

1. An 85% price surge in days
2. Clean breakout above multiple resistance levels
3. Strong bullish momentum across the market

These conditions are currently missing.

Conclusion

Cardano is stabilizing, but not yet ready for a major breakout.

While $0.50 remains a valid long-term target, expecting it before April 2026 does not align with:

• Current technical setup
• Market structure
• Momentum indicators

👉 The key level to watch remains $0.30 — a break above it could be the first sign of recovery.

Bitcoin Price News: BTC Defends Uptrend Despite Volatility

$Bitcoin price news today shows a market at a critical turning point. Despite recent volatility, BTC is holding firmly above a key ascending trendline, trading around the $70,000 level.

Looking at the 4-hour chart, Bitcoin continues to respect a rising support structure that has been forming since early March. This trendline has acted as a strong foundation, preventing deeper corrections even during sharp sell-offs.

Bitcoin Price Analysis: Ascending Trendline Still in Play

From a technical perspective, the chart reveals a clear structure:

• Support Zone: $68,000 – $69,000 (trendline + recent bounce area)
• Major Support: $62,600 (previous range low)
• Resistance Zone: $74,000 – $76,000
• Key Breakout Level: $80,000

Bitcoin recently corrected from the $75K–$76K range but found strong buying interest exactly at the ascending trendline. This confirms that buyers are still defending higher lows — a classic bullish continuation pattern.

As long as BTC remains above this trendline, the structure favors an eventual move higher.

RSI Signals Cooling Momentum — But Not Weakness

The RSI indicator currently sits around 42–43, showing that momentum has cooled after the recent drop.

This is important for two reasons:

1. Bitcoin is no longer overbought, allowing room for a new move up
2. The market is stabilizing rather than entering panic-selling territory

Historically, such RSI resets within an uptrend often precede the next bullish leg.

ETF Narrative Strengthens: Morgan Stanley Enters the Game

One of the biggest catalysts in recent bitcoin price news is Morgan Stanley filing for a spot Bitcoin ETF.

This development signals:

• Continued institutional interest in Bitcoin
• Expansion of ETF competition beyond existing players
• Potential for increased capital inflows into BTC

The ETF narrative has been one of the strongest drivers of Bitcoin’s recent rally. With another major financial institution entering the space, the long-term outlook remains supported by growing institutional demand.

Bitcoin Future: What Happens Next?

Bullish Scenario

If Bitcoin continues to hold the ascending trendline:

• A move toward $74K–$76K resistance becomes likely
• A breakout could push BTC toward the $80K level
• ETF-related optimism could accelerate momentum

Bearish Scenario

If the trendline breaks:

• BTC could revisit $66K–$68K
• A deeper correction toward $62,600 support becomes possible

However, current price action suggests buyers are still in control.

XRP Price Today: Stuck Below Key Resistance

XRP is currently trading around $1.40–$1.44, struggling to gain momentum after weeks of consolidation. Despite a few short-term rebounds, the price remains under pressure and continues to follow a broader downtrend.

XRP has failed to reclaim higher levels and is now hovering below key resistance zones, with buyers showing limited strength.

XRP Price Analysis: Bearish Channel Still Dominates

The below chart clearly shows $XRP trading inside a descending channel, which is a classic bearish pattern.

Key observations:

• Lower highs confirm ongoing selling pressure
• Price remains below the mid-channel resistance
• Strong resistance sits around $1.60, then $2.00
• Support is holding near $1.20

Even recent upward moves have been weak and quickly rejected, suggesting that the market lacks strong bullish conviction.

👉 As long as XRP remains inside this channel, the trend is still bearish to neutral.

How Much Does XRP Need to Reach $2?

Let’s break it down:

• Current price ≈ $1.44
• Target price = $2.00

👉 Required move: +38.9% increase

This is a significant move — especially within a very short timeframe.

Can XRP Realistically Move +40% in 12 Days?

While crypto can be volatile, a move of nearly 40% in 12 days is unlikely under current conditions.

Here’s why:

1. Momentum Is Weak

XRP has been ranging between $1.35 and $1.50 with no strong breakout continuation.

2. No Strong Catalyst

Large moves typically require:

• Major legal developments
• Institutional adoption news
• Market-wide bullish momentum

None of these are currently driving XRP.

3. Market Structure Is Bearish

The descending channel suggests sellers still control the market.
Without a breakout, upside remains limited.

Historical Comparison: Has XRP Done This Before?

Yes — but under very different conditions.

XRP has previously delivered large double-digit gains in short periods, but these happened:

• During strong bull markets
• After major announcements (e.g., Ripple-related news)
• With significant volume spikes

👉 Current market conditions do not reflect that environment.

Most Likely Scenario for March 2026

Based on the chart:

• XRP is likely to remain within $1.20 – $1.60 range
• A break above $1.60 could signal early recovery
• A move to $2 would require a full trend reversal

That kind of shift typically takes more time than a few days.

Final Verdict: Can XRP Reach $2 This Month?

👉 Mostly unlikely

To reach $2 before the end of March 2026, XRP would need:

1. Nearly 40% upside in days
2. Strong breakout above resistance
3. A sudden surge in market momentum

None of these signals are currently present.

Bitcoin news today is dominated by a sudden reversal in market sentiment. After a spectacular rally that saw the $Bitcoin price push toward the $76,000 resistance level earlier this week, the primary cryptocurrency has experienced a sharp correction. On Thursday, March 19, 2026, Bitcoin slipped below the psychologically significant $70,000 mark, trading as low as $69,400 during the European session.

This downward move follows a period of intense optimism fueled by institutional ETF inflows and the SEC’s recent classification of 16 digital assets as commodities. However, the combination of a "hawkish hold" by the Federal Reserve and escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East has forced investors back into a defensive posture.

Why is Bitcoin Crashing?

The core reason for the Bitcoin price drop today is a "perfect storm" of macroeconomic factors. Specifically, the Federal Reserve’s decision to keep interest rates in the 3.50%–3.75% range, paired with a surge in global oil prices (Brent crude exceeding $114), has strengthened the US Dollar and dampened the appetite for "risk-on" assets like cryptocurrencies.

The "Hawkish Hold" and Risk Appetite

In financial terms, a "Hawkish Hold" occurs when a central bank keeps interest rates unchanged but uses rhetoric that suggests rates will stay higher for longer or could even rise.

For Bitcoin, this is a significant headwind. Because BTC is often viewed as a high-growth, speculative asset, its valuation is highly sensitive to liquidity. When the Fed signals that it is not ready to pivot to rate cuts, the "cost of carry" for holding Bitcoin remains high compared to "safe" yields like US Treasuries.

The Fed Effect: High Rates and Inflation Fears

The Federal Reserve's March meeting was the primary catalyst for the volatility seen in today's bitcoin news. While the market expected rates to remain steady, the updated "dot plot" and comments from Chair Paul Atkins (who took over the SEC and influenced broader policy) suggested that inflation remains a stubborn foe.

• Inflation Forecast: The Fed raised its 2026 PCE inflation outlook to 2.7%.
• Growth Outlook: Projected growth for 2026 was upgraded to 2.4%, giving the Fed more room to keep rates high without immediate fear of a recession.
• Market Reaction: The probability of an April rate cut has plummeted to near zero, with some traders now pricing in a 4% chance of a rate hike if energy costs continue to spiral.

Geopolitical Tensions: The Oil Factor

Beyond the Fed, the escalating conflict in the Middle East has sent shockwaves through the energy markets. Attacks on energy infrastructure have caused oil prices to spike, which historically leads to higher transport and production costs, further fueling inflation.

In previous cycles, Bitcoin was occasionally touted as "digital gold" or a safe haven. However, recent crypto news shows that in times of acute geopolitical stress, BTC often moves in lockstep with the Nasdaq-100, which also saw significant losses today. Investors are currently seeking the safety of the US Dollar and actual physical gold over digital assets.

Institutional Sentiment: ETF Inflows Turn to Outflows

A key pillar of the recent rally was the consistent demand from US-listed spot Bitcoin ETFs. According to data from CoinGlass, a seven-day streak of inflows—totaling over $1.1 billion—was snapped on Wednesday.

From a technical perspective, Bitcoin's failure to reclaim the $76,000 level is a bearish signal in the short term. The price is currently testing the 100-hourly simple moving average. If the $69,000 support level fails to hold, analysts warn of a potential slide toward the $66,500 zone, which acted as a floor earlier in March.

A changing investor landscape and Bitcoin’s failed breakout attempt led to an 80% drop in altcoin trading volume from October.

Crypto bounced as traders bet the Iran war may end sooner than feared, while prediction markets just had a blockbuster day.

The DarkSword exploit chain affects older versions of iOS 18, delivering malware that specifically hunts for exchange and wallet apps.

Bitcoin bounced Friday as U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent outlined possible responses to soaring oil prices.

A crypto kiosk bill in Kentucky includes language that could effectively outlaw self-custody, drawing industry backlash.

Shiba Inu removes 4.2 million SHIB as the burn rate rockets by 370%.

Week comes to an end on the crypto market, and Evernorth's $1 billion XRP bet faces a stress test, 199 billion SHIB exit exchanges, while Coinbase launches 24/7 stock perps.

Ancient Bitcoin whale has returned after almost fourteen years of hibernation with BTC now worth a fortune.

Altcoins are no longer the top choice for investors, as we see a rapid tumbling of activity on top exchanges.

Cardano DeFi reaches a record 520 million ADA TVL as of March 20, 2026. With SEC clarity and the USDCx launch, is the one billion ADA milestone next?

Key Points

• US authorities charged Super Micro co-founder Wally Liaw and two associates with allegedly orchestrating the diversion of approximately $2.5 billion in Nvidia-based servers to China in breach of export regulations.
• Following revelations of alleged involvement, Super Micro suspended two staff members and terminated a contractor’s agreement.
• Super Micro (SMCI) shares tumbled more than 25% during Friday’s premarket session.
• Dell (DELL) shares advanced approximately 3% in premarket activity as Super Micro’s main competitor.
• Industry analysts at Bloomberg Intelligence cautioned that reputational harm could trigger extended customer attrition for Super Micro.

Shares of Dell Technologies (DELL) advanced approximately 3% during Friday’s premarket session following a dramatic collapse in Super Micro Computer (SMCI) stock, which plummeted over 25% after federal prosecutors charged a company co-founder with violations of export regulations related to Nvidia technology.

Dell Technologies Inc., DELL

Federal prosecutors on Thursday made public criminal charges against Yih-Shyan “Wally” Liaw — who serves as Super Micro’s senior vice president for business development and holds positions as co-founder and board member — alleging he orchestrated the unlawful transfer of billions of dollars in artificial intelligence servers to Chinese entities.

Prosecutors allege that Liaw, along with two accomplices, arranged sales of export-restricted Nvidia-equipped servers through an Asian intermediary, with full knowledge that the hardware would ultimately reach China in contravention of federal export restrictions.

The additional defendants named in the case include Ruei-Tsang “Steven” Chang, who managed sales operations at Super Micro’s Taiwan facility, and Ting-Wei “Willy” Sun, an independent contractor whom federal prosecutors characterized as a facilitator who allegedly coordinated elements of the operation.

Throughout 2024 and into 2025, the Asian intermediary entity acquired roughly $2.5 billion in server equipment, which was subsequently repackaged and transported to destinations in China, according to Justice Department filings.

Super Micro acknowledged the charges and announced it has placed both employees on administrative suspension while terminating its relationship with the contractor upon discovering the allegations.

Notably, Super Micro itself was not designated as a defendant in the criminal proceedings.

Super Micro Issues Official Statement

In a Thursday evening statement, Super Micro declared that “the conduct by these individuals alleged in the indictment is a contravention of the Company’s policies and compliance controls.”

The technology firm emphasized its operation of a “robust compliance program” and reaffirmed its dedication to full adherence to American export and re-export regulations. The company further noted its ongoing cooperation with federal investigators.

This represents another chapter in Super Micro’s recent regulatory challenges. The company experienced significant stock volatility in August 2024 when a short-selling firm questioned its financial reporting practices, coupled with the firm’s postponement of its mandatory annual 10-K disclosure.

An independent review commissioned by the board subsequently cleared the company of fraud or wrongdoing, and the outstanding filing was completed in February 2025 — allowing Super Micro to avoid potential removal from Nasdaq listing.

Dell Positioned to Capture Market Share

As Super Micro’s primary rival in the artificial intelligence server sector, Dell emerged as the clear market winner in Friday’s trading activity.

Woo Jin Ho, an analyst with Bloomberg Intelligence, observed that “given the reputation damage, risks for share losses to Dell are heightened long term” — suggesting Super Micro may experience significant customer migration.

Ho further commented that the criminal indictment underscores what he perceives as insufficient advancement by Super Micro in strengthening its internal financial oversight mechanisms.

Super Micro’s stock declined more than 25% in premarket activity and extended losses beyond 27% following the opening bell Friday. Meanwhile, Dell registered gains of approximately 2–3% during the corresponding period.

The post Dell (DELL) Stock Climbs 3% While Super Micro (SMCI) Crashes 25% Following Export Violation Charges appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Highlights

• Azitra (AZTR) shares skyrocketed up to 87% during Friday’s session following private placement news
• The financing arrangement secures $10.5 million upfront via preferred stock, potentially reaching $31.4 million with warrant conversions
• Prominent participants include Stonepine Capital, Nantahala Capital, healthcare industry professionals, and executive management including the CEO
• Funding will support the advancement of filaggrin-based proteins and peptides targeting the cosmetics sector
• The company faces NYSE American delisting concerns stemming from equity requirements, with shares declining more than 91% over the trailing year

Shares of Azitra (AZTR) skyrocketed by as much as 87% during Friday’s trading after the biotechnology firm disclosed comprehensive details regarding a private placement financing arrangement potentially worth up to $31.4 million in total gross proceeds.

Azitra, Inc., AZTR

The transaction reached closure on or near Friday, subject to standard closing conditions. This surge followed a substantial 28.82% gain recorded the previous trading day when initial placement details emerged.

The capital raise features a two-tiered structure. Initially, Azitra secured $10.5 million through issuing 10,470 shares of Series A convertible non-redeemable preferred stock, priced at $1,000 per individual share.

The additional $20.9 million portion depends on cash exercises of Series B and Series C warrants. Each warrant series grants holders rights to acquire up to 85,101,201 common stock shares at an exercise price of $0.123 per share.

Each preferred stock share will automatically convert into approximately 8,129 common shares following stockholder approval. Series B Warrants carry an 18-month expiration period after receiving that approval. Series C Warrants will expire 30 days following the company’s announcement of results from its planned human cosmetic trial.

Trading activity surged dramatically on the announcement. Friday witnessed over 166 million AZTR shares trading hands, vastly exceeding the three-month daily average of approximately 170,000 shares.

Capital Allocation Strategy

Azitra intends to deploy the capital toward developing proteins and peptides designed for the consumer cosmeceutical marketplace, emphasizing filaggrin-based technology. The firm leverages a microbial genetic engineering platform for this developmental work.

The proceeds will also support general corporate operations, research and development initiatives, and working capital requirements.

The investor group features Stonepine Capital, Nantahala Capital, additional institutional healthcare-focused funds, medical professionals, and company insiders — including the Chief Executive Officer.

Financial Context and Challenges

The stock’s recent performance tells a challenging story. Prior to this rally, AZTR traded near $0.14, representing approximately a 94% decline year-over-year. The company’s market capitalization stood at merely $2.21 million.

Cash consumption remains elevated, with levered free cash flow showing negative $10.93 million over the trailing twelve months. On a positive note, the company maintains higher cash levels than debt obligations, with a current ratio of 2.83.

AZTR currently operates under a delisting warning from NYSE American. The exchange issued non-compliance notification under Section 1003(a)(iii), which mandates minimum stockholders’ equity of $6 million for entities reporting losses from continuing operations across five fiscal years.

Resolving this compliance issue is critical for maintaining the exchange listing.

Regarding analyst coverage, Maxim Group’s Jason McCarthy provides the only active coverage on AZTR, maintaining a Buy rating alongside a $1 price target.

Despite Friday’s impressive rally, AZTR remains down 33.3% on a year-to-date basis.

The post Azitra (AZTR) Stock Rockets 87% Following Major Funding Announcement appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Takeaways

• ASML’s American depositary shares have declined 7% over the last 30 days amid a broader retreat from AI-linked semiconductor equities.
• TD Cowen’s Krish Sankar maintains a Buy recommendation with a €1,500 price objective (approximately $1,735).
• The company’s valuation multiple relative to semiconductor equipment competitors has contracted from 120% to roughly 20% since Q4 2022.
• Next-generation logic processors and DRAM memory chips are projected to demand increased EUV lithography layers.
• Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang recently projected $1 trillion in cumulative AI chip orders extending through 2027, reinforcing ASML’s growth trajectory.

ASML shares have retreated from their recent peak levels, creating what TD Cowen analyst Krish Sankar characterizes as a “very attractive” entry point for investors. His optimistic stance centers on compressed valuation metrics and robust long-term expansion potential linked to surging AI semiconductor demand.

ASML Holding N.V., ASML

The company’s U.S.-traded shares have fallen 7% during the past month. This decline occurred as market participants shifted capital away from AI-adjacent chip stocks, despite ASML posting record-breaking orders for its advanced lithography equipment.

ASML occupies a strategic position within the semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem. The Dutch firm maintains an effective monopoly on extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography technology, which remains essential for producing cutting-edge microchips. No competing vendor currently offers comparable systems.

Since late 2022, ASML’s valuation premium compared to semiconductor equipment manufacturers such as Applied Materials, Lam Research, and KLA Corp has narrowed dramatically from 120% to approximately 20%. Sankar attributes this compression to current chip production techniques that utilize fewer EUV processing steps.

However, Sankar contends this dynamic is poised to shift. Upcoming generations of both logic semiconductors and memory technology — particularly DRAM — will require additional EUV layers during fabrication. He emphasizes that the memory sector implications remain “underappreciated” among investors.

High-NA EUV Technology: Emerging Growth Catalyst

ASML’s latest High-NA EUV equipment remains in the initial stages of commercial deployment. The company reported revenue from only two High-NA units during Q4 2025, contrasted with 94 conventional lithography systems delivered during that same quarter.

TSMC has demonstrated reluctance in publicly embracing High-NA EUV adoption. The foundry giant has indicated it can maximize existing equipment capabilities. Nevertheless, Sankar expects enhanced system reliability will ultimately drive broader customer adoption.

TD Cowen’s financial models project 60 lithography system shipments in 2026, expanding to 68 units in 2027 as High-NA equipment volumes double and legacy platforms transition to upgraded variants.

Sankar rates ASML’s Amsterdam-traded shares as Buy with a €1,500 price objective, calculated at 48 times his 2027 earnings per share projection. ASML’s European-listed equity closed Thursday at €1,165. The U.S.-listed American depositary shares traded down 1.4% at $1,347.40 during premarket hours.

AI Capital Expenditure Underpins Long-Range Demand

The fundamental demand environment for ASML remains robust. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, presenting at GTC 2026 on March 16, elevated his AI chip order projection to at least $1 trillion through 2027. Broadcom CEO Hock Tan has independently forecasted $100 billion in AI semiconductor revenue for fiscal year 2027.

Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and Meta are anticipated to deploy nearly $600 billion in combined capital expenditures throughout 2026, with substantial portions allocated to AI infrastructure investments.

ASML also generates predictable recurring revenue. Maintenance and service contracts for its deployed equipment base represented approximately 25% of total 2025 revenue.

ASML currently commands a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 39.8, exceeding its 10-year median of 35.8. The company’s market capitalization stands at approximately $527 billion.

The post ASML (ASML) Stock: Why TD Cowen Sees This 7% Dip as a Prime Buying Opportunity appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Takeaways

• Spotify (SPOT) dropped 6.62% Thursday following a significant technical malfunction that caused Premium subscribers to experience advertisements and had their accounts appear as free-tier memberships.
• The technical failure sparked worries about customer retention and system dependability.
• Institutional shareholder Alecta Tjanstepension Omsesidigt reduced its SPOT holdings, contributing to downward momentum.
• Evercore ISI lowered its SPOT price target from $700 down to $650, while maintaining an Outperform designation.
• SPOT shares have declined 11.02% since the beginning of the year, with InvestingPro analysis indicating the stock trades above its Fair Value estimate.

Shares of Spotify tumbled 6.62% Thursday, weighed down by a perfect storm of platform malfunction, reduced Wall Street expectations, and institutional investor exits.

Spotify Technology S.A., SPOT

Trouble emerged when Premium-tier subscribers experienced an unexpected technical failure that began displaying advertisements and downgraded their account status to resemble free memberships. For a streaming giant whose revenue engine runs on premium subscriptions, such a malfunction represents far more than a minor inconvenience.

The technical mishap eroded investor confidence in the platform’s stability during a critical period, with the company’s quarterly financial report on the horizon. Even subtle indications that premium customers might reassess their membership decisions capture immediate market attention.

Selling momentum accelerated throughout Thursday’s trading session. News surfaced that institutional stakeholder Alecta Tjanstepension Omsesidigt had reduced its SPOT stake. Additional shareholders appeared to secure profits, amplifying the day’s losses.

Evercore ISI Reduces Price Expectations

Evercore ISI adjusted its price objective for SPOT downward this week, revising it from $700 to $650. Despite the reduction, the firm maintained its Outperform designation and simultaneously increased its financial forecasts for the streaming company.

The adjustment stems from recalibrated assumptions regarding currency strength and taxation rates rather than diminished faith in Spotify’s core operations. Evercore ISI currently anticipates gross margins reaching 35.4% by 2028, surpassing the consensus Wall Street estimate of 34.9%.

According to the firm, market participants continue to undervalue Spotify’s Two-Sided Marketplace — the suite of promotional and advertising tools offered to musicians and record companies for platform visibility.

Other Wall Street firms have similarly recalibrated their forecasts. Cantor Fitzgerald maintains a $525 target with a Neutral stance. Guggenheim positions at $600 with a Buy recommendation. Jefferies and Benchmark both carry Buy ratings at $650 and $760 respectively.

This broad range in analyst perspectives highlights the ongoing discussion surrounding how to properly assess Spotify’s expansion potential against its current valuation.

Valuation Questions Persist

InvestingPro analysis indicates the stock currently trades above its Fair Value calculation, despite Thursday’s selloff. SPOT has surrendered 11.02% of its value since January began.

Five Wall Street analysts have recently upgraded their earnings projections, and the streaming giant carries a PEG ratio of 0.47, indicating the market may be underestimating anticipated growth rates.

Spotify’s gross profit margin stands at 32% across the trailing twelve months. Management has prioritized margin expansion, and analyst models suggest upward potential.

Fourth-quarter operating income exceeded previous projections by 8%, or 1% when excluding social charges, based on Cantor Fitzgerald’s analysis of the financial results.

Regarding artificial intelligence developments, Jefferies observed that Google’s introduction of the Lyria 3 music generation capability within the Gemini application warrants monitoring, though the firm retained its Buy rating, implying confidence that Spotify can navigate the competitive threat.

Shares concluded Thursday’s session with a market capitalization of $106.4 billion, accompanied by typical daily trading volume around 2.86 million shares.

The post Spotify (SPOT) Stock Drops 6% as Premium Bug and Analyst Downgrade Spark Sell-Off appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Takeaways

• DarkSword compromises iOS versions 18.4 through 18.7, exfiltrating cryptocurrency assets and sensitive information.
• Ghostblade spyware focuses on popular exchanges like Coinbase, Binance, Kraken, and wallets such as Ledger and MetaMask.
• Infection occurs through malicious websites requiring zero user interaction to compromise devices.
• Malware payloads automatically erase themselves after successfully extracting victim data.
• iOS 26.3 update addresses vulnerabilities; Lockdown Mode provides additional defense against DarkSword.

Cybersecurity researchers have uncovered DarkSword, a sophisticated exploit chain compromising Apple devices running iOS versions 18.4 to 18.7. This attack framework utilizes six previously unknown zero-day security flaws to deploy surveillance malware on targeted iPhones. Active campaigns have been detected across Saudi Arabia, Ukraine, Malaysia, and Turkey, indicating widespread deployment.

The DarkSword framework installs data-stealing malware capable of harvesting authentication credentials, communication records, and geolocation data. Cryptocurrency applications and digital wallets represent primary targets for this malicious campaign. Victims become infected simply by visiting weaponized web pages, requiring no clicks or downloads.

Security analysts have documented three distinct malware variants delivered via DarkSword: Ghostblade, Ghostknife, and Ghostsaber. These payloads rapidly extract targeted information before automatically removing themselves from infected systems. Evidence suggests both commercial surveillance companies and government-sponsored hacking groups are utilizing DarkSword in their operations.

Ghostblade Malware Hunts Cryptocurrency Applications

The Ghostblade payload distributed through DarkSword systematically scans compromised iOS devices for cryptocurrency exchange apps. Its target list encompasses leading trading platforms: Coinbase, Binance, Kraken, Kucoin, OKX, and MEXC. Additionally, it searches for prominent wallet software including Ledger, Trezor, MetaMask, Exodus, Uniswap, Phantom, and Gnosis Safe.

Beyond digital currency theft, Ghostblade harvests text messages, iMessages, phone logs, and contact lists from infected devices. The spyware extracts Wi-Fi passwords, Safari browser cookies, web history, and GPS coordinates. It further accesses Apple Health records, photo libraries, and conversations from messaging platforms like Telegram and WhatsApp.

Ghostblade executes a hit-and-run strategy, removing temporary artifacts and self-destructing after completing data exfiltration. This rapid execution minimizes forensic evidence left on compromised devices. The deployment of Ghostblade through DarkSword demonstrates escalating threats facing cryptocurrency holders.

Worldwide Campaign Distribution and Technical Operation

DarkSword deployment has been documented through weaponized websites and hijacked government web portals. Saudi Arabian victims were lured through a counterfeit Snapchat-themed page hosting the DarkSword exploit. The attack framework generates hidden iframes and retrieves remote code execution modules to inject malware payloads.

Various remote code execution exploits within DarkSword target distinct iOS versions, exploiting memory handling flaws and pointer authentication bypass weaknesses. The loader mechanism occasionally struggles with device version identification, suggesting accelerated development timelines. Nevertheless, DarkSword successfully delivers terminal payloads including Ghostknife and Ghostsaber across affected devices.

Security teams disclosed these vulnerabilities to Apple during late 2025, with remediation patches released in iOS 26.3. Domains associated with DarkSword distribution have been incorporated into browser Safe Browsing databases. iPhone owners should immediately install iOS updates or activate Lockdown Mode to defend against DarkSword exploitation.

DarkSword represents a critical security challenge for iOS cryptocurrency users worldwide. The exploit’s swift proliferation among diverse threat actors demonstrates heightened risks to digital financial holdings. Its comprehensive targeting of exchanges, wallets, and personal information emphasizes the urgency of applying available security patches.

The post DarkSword Malware Strikes iOS: Crypto Wallets Under Attack appeared first on Blockonomi.

Spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have had some of their busiest trading days ever in March 2026.

This is according to data shared by market intelligence firm Santiment, which showed that four of the highest-volume sessions all happened in the past month as institutional demand came back and crypto markets stayed volatile.

A Month of Records

Santiment made the revelation in a post on X on March 20, where it said that March 2 recorded the highest volume for Bitcoin ETF trading at $31.6 billion. It was followed by February 23, with $23.2 billion. More recently, March 18 and March 19 saw $21.4 billion and $21.1 billion, respectively, making them the third and fourth highest days ever.

However, even with the surge in trading activity, flow data suggests sentiment is mixed. For example, figures from SoSoValue show that Bitcoin spot ETFs saw a daily net outflow of about $90 million on March 19. This was part of a short-term pullback after several days of inflows earlier in the month. Total net assets are close to $91 billion, which is about 6.4% of Bitcoin’s market value, while total cumulative inflows are still around $56 billion.

Yesterday, BlackRock’s IBIT and Fidelity’s FBTC recorded the largest daily outflows, with about 544 BTC and 370 BTC exiting, even as trading volumes were high. The divergence suggests that investors are repositioning rather than adding exposure, even though participation is high.

In the meantime, analyst Axel Adler Jr. has pointed out that Bitcoin ETF holders are currently underwater, with their realized price standing at just under $80,000. Despite the situation, Adler noted that the total number of ETF holdings went up by more than 26,000 BTC in the last few weeks after a period of outflows in February.

The analyst stated that the profit gap could influence investor behavior if prices get near the $80,000 level, as some of them may want to get out of their positions near breakeven.

Price Volatility Clashes With Institutional Positioning

Meanwhile, Bitcoin briefly dipped below $70,000 for the first time in a week following the recent FOMC announcement. However, it had bounced back slightly at the time of writing and was trading closer to $70,500.

It is also down about 1.6% over seven days, but has done better in the past month, where it gained around 4%. Additionally, Bitcoin’s dominance, according to CoinGecko, has moved up slightly from yesterday’s 56.3% to about 56.5%, as it asserts itself over altcoins.

According to Santiment, the current situation has been affected by ongoing geopolitical tensions and pullbacks in traditional markets. But the analysts believe that ETF trading volumes may stay high as investors adjust their positions in response to macro and crypto-specific changes, especially with both inflows and outflows appearing in quick succession.

The post Bitcoin ETFs Smash Records: 4 Highest Trading Volumes Ever All in Past Month appeared first on CryptoPotato.

[PRESS RELEASE – Panama City, Panama, March 20th, 2026]

$METAWIN Raises $350,000 in Hours as First Two Tranches Sell Out – Sub-10c Pricing Closes Today!

Less than 12 hours after launch, the $METAWIN community token presale has raised $350,000 and sold out its first two tranches entirely. The raise happened in a matter of hours – a signal of the depth of demand that has been building across a 440,000-wallet community for four years.

Today is the last opportunity to participate at a presale price below $0.10. When the current tranche closes, the next one opens at a higher price point. The presale may also close ahead of schedule at the issuer’s discretion.

What Is The $METAWIN Token Presale?

$METAWIN is the community token of the MetaWinners – one of the most active and long-standing prize ecosystems in crypto. The community didn’t need a token to prove itself. 440,000 connected wallets, $6.5 million distributed in prizes to NFT holders, and a sold-out 10,000-piece NFT collection were all built before a single token was issued. The presale is not funding something speculative – it is the entry point into a community with four years of proof behind it.

200,000,000 tokens – 20% of the fixed one-billion supply – are now offered to the public across rising tranches at the same price for every participant. There is no venture capital allocation, no institutional round, and no preferential pricing.

What Holders Get Access To

As an independent ecosystem partner, MetaWin.com expects to open a suite of voluntary community benefits to $METAWIN holders.

This includes exclusive prize competitions with instant pay-outs and no rollovers, stake-to-win access to major draws at no additional cost, and wager-to-vest programmes that allow active participants to accelerate their vesting schedules significantly.

The Airdrop

100,000,000 tokens – 10% of total supply – are allocated to Airdrop 1 at or around TGE. The primary recipients are MetaWinners NFT holders and community members who have participated in $METAWIN points campaigns on MetaWin.com. Eligibility criteria and snapshot dates will be confirmed ahead of TGE.

Participation is available at mw.xyz

@Meta_Winners on X provides live tranche updates.

About $METAWIN

$METAWIN is the token for the MetaWinners community – an army of crypto natives united by shared ambition and shared purpose.

Users can secure their token via the public presale on mw.xyz.

Presale price does not reflect or guarantee any live market price following TGE. $METAWIN is issued by TropiChain Inc., Republic of Panama. MetaWin.com is an independent ecosystem partner and is not the issuer or sponsor of this token. $METAWIN tokens are community tokens and do not represent equity, governance rights, or entitlement to revenues. Participation involves significant risk, including total loss of capital. Not financial advice. Full Litepaper available at mw.xyz.

The post $METAWIN Presale Raises $350,000 in Hours appeared first on CryptoPotato.

Crypto.com has positioned itself as one of the most recognized exchanges in the industry. It serves as a fully-spectrum platform, offering everything from spot and futures trading to staking and a Visa card-linked ecosystem, as well as self-custody wallet solutions.

The exchange supports hundreds of cryptocurrencies and serves a global user base. It’s suited for both beginners just stepping into the world of crypto and advanced traders with years of experience.

Key Takeaways:

• The mobile app is the core experience, delivering a well-polished, beginner-friendly, and smooth user interface.
• CRO staking unlocks significantly better rewards, fee discounts, and card benefits.
• Security is robust, backed by extensive certifications, strict compliance, and multi-million dollar insurance policies.
• The mobile app is best suited for casual and intermediate users, while the exchange is suited for advanced traders.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• All-in-one crypto ecosystem (trading, staking, cards, DeFi, and more)
• Beginner-friendly and polished mobile app
• Strong security, certifications, and insurance coverage
• Wide range of cryptocurrencies and global availability
• Advanced tools available for experienced users

Cons:

• Best rewards and lower fees require CRO staking
• Fees can be on the higher side without staking CRO

What is Crypto.com?

Crypto.com is a well-known cryptocurrency trading platform founded in 2016. Since then, it has evolved into much more than just a trading hub, and it now presents an entire ecosystem, including a mobile app, staking, and a fully-fledged DeFi ecosystem under one unified umbrella.

It’s pretty clear that the platform’s goal is to be a full-service gateway into crypto – the kind of application where beginners can easily buy their very first BTC, while also providing a system for advanced users to stake, trade, or manage rewards without having to switch between exchanges.

The company has grown rapidly throughout the years and now serves more than 100 million users worldwide, according to a 2024 release.

It offers very extensive functionalities – users can buy cryptocurrencies with a card, trade on the exchange, hold assets in a secure Web3 self-custody wallet, earn yield, and even spend crypto with any of Crypto.com’s Visa cards. However, it’s worth noting that some of the features, such as some rewards, discounts on fees, and certain boosted yields, are tied to staking CRO, which may not appeal as much to every user, although it’s the established practice amongst all the larger exchanges.

Supported Markets

Because Crypto.com offers a range of different products, all of them have different restrictions and availabilities in certain jurisdictions.

The general Crypto.com application is available in most jurisdictions, with a few exceptions, typical of most platforms in the industry. These restricted jurisdictions include: Afghanistan, Algeria, Andorra, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bolivia, Central Africa Republic, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Ecuador, Gabon, Ethiopia, Gambia, Gaza Strip, Russia, the State of New York, and others. Check the full list here.

When it comes to derivatives trading, the list includes many of the same countries, but also the United States (excluding states jurisdictions where the app is not available) the United Kingdom, and other countries. Check out the full list here.

All in all, depending on what product you are interested in, you can cross-check the list of restricted jurisdictions on the main website. For the most part, it’s rather typical and standard, comparable to what most of the other exchanges are doing.

Supported Cryptocurrencies, Trading Types & Platforms

There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to the broader cryptocurrency trading experience that Crypto.com has to offer. The platform supports a full suite of spot markets, which allows you to buy and sell hundreds of cryptocurrencies – this can happen both on the web and the mobile application.

Some of the supported cryptocurrencies include (but are not limited to):

• Bitcoin (BTC)
• Ethereum (ETH)
• Ripple (XRP)
• Solana (SOL)
• Cardano (ADA)
• Chainlink (LINK), and hundreds others.

For those of you who are looking for a clean and convenient interface to begin with, Crypto.com has done a good job of onboarding new users without having to navigate through the complexities of a traditional exchange interface. The spot market layout feels responsive and intuitive.

For those of you who already have some experience, Crypto.com extends its offering through the Crypto.com Exchange, which is a separate and more sophisticated platform, entirely oriented toward traders. It has advanced order types, margin trading, and perpetual futures capabilities, although the availability of these features will depend on your jurisdiction, as we mentioned above.

Features & Tools

One of the first things that struck me as a user of Crypto.com is how much emphasis there has been on the mobile experience. Unlike many other exchanges, where the desktop interface seems to be the primary focus, here the team has clearly built its ecosystem around the application.

It has an intuitive interface, packed with a range of different features, all of which feel easy to use. You can buy crypto, manage your portfolio, stake assets, access the Visa card, and explore multiple other features all from a unified interface.

For new users, the onboarding process is also relatively straightforward. The identity verification is quick, and navigating through various markets feels smooth.

That said, beyond trading, here are some of the additional features that are worth looking into.

Crypto Earn (Staking and Rewards Program)

Crypto Earn is undoubtedly one of the more appealing features on the exchange (and the mobile app), especially for those of you who are interested in earning income on your existing cryptocurrency holdings.

The rewards vary depending on the asset you want to stake, the period you are staking for, and whether or not you stake CRO tokens, but they can scale considerably. Naturally, the best rates are reserved for those of you who opt in to purchase and stake CRO tokens for the longest periods of time. This can be a bit disappointing, but it has turned into the industry standard across all centralized exchanges.

Staking on the platform is easy, but not as easy as it may be on some decentralized protocols. This is a feature best suited for those of you who are holding certain cryptocurrencies for the long term. For example, if you want to hold BTC for years, there is absolutely no harm in locking it and earning an APY, albeit not that considerable.

Of course, the risk here is that you are trusting your crypto with a third-party and you are not in control of your private keys, but then again, this is the case for everything whenever you are using a centralized exchange. On the flipside, exchanges such as Crypto.com offer enhanced security features as opposed to the broad majority of decentralized protocols, where even though you control your private keys, the risk of protocol failure tends to be a lot higher.

Crypto.com NFT & Web3 Tools

Here, I’ll talk about the NFT Marketplace and the Crypto.com DeFi wallet as two of the more interesting features available on the platform.

NFT Marketplace

That’s exactly what it sounds like – a marketplace, where users can buy and sell non-fungible tokens (NFTs). This is what the interface looks like:

As you can see, there are plenty of available collections as well as filters you can sort them by, and a range of different options.

All in all, the feature is easy to use. One thing that I liked is that unlike some other NFT marketplaces such as OpenSea, for instance, which requires setting up an external wallet and paying variable gas fees, here you can buy, sell, and browse various NFTs directly through your existing account balance. This makes onboarding far more accessible.

DeFi Wallet (Self-Custody)

The company’s DeFi wallet offers complete self-custody, meaning that you will be in control of your private keys. It’s completely separate from the other services of the exchange, and it allows for direct interaction with multiple DeFi protocols.

Setting it up is very straightforward – it detects multiple networks such as Ethereum and Cronos, as well as various EVM-compatible chains automatically. From there, you could easily store, send, and receive tokens without the limitations of centralized custody.

It also allows you to earn passively on your crypto holdings, and stake your tokens with more than 25+ chains directly from the wallet.

Fees & Costs

Crypto.com is a fully-fledged ecosystem and, therefore, breaking down the fees requires me to dive deeper into the various functionalities.

Trading fees

The trading fees are weighted depending on your 30-day spot volume in USD. This is what it looks like at the most basic level without holding any CRO.

However, if you hold CRO, things are getting a lot more different. There are even some tiers that would make your maker fees 0%, depending on how much CRO you stake. As an example, take a look at this table:

Naturally, you will have to stake a minimum of 50,000 CRO to get there, which is quite a bit for a regular user, but there aren’t many competitors that get down to 0%..

Deposit and Withdrawal Fees

There are no deposit fees – all of them are free.

However, when you withdraw, you will incur a fee, which is heavily dependent on the network that you are using and the cryptocurrency you attempt to withdraw. You can check out the current rates on this page.

Bank Transfer

Bank transfers incur deposit and withdrawal limits and fees. Crypto.com and its European EMI partners are not chagrin any fees for EUR deposits via SEPA, but keep in mind that your own bank may apply a processing fees.

However, when it comes to the withdrawals:

• A transaction fee of $20 USD and $45 USD will be charged for each withdrawal if you use Fedwire or Swift.
• $40 administration fee will be applied to every return of an erroneous Swift or Fedwire transaction.

When it comes to the limits, you can refer to this table:

Margin Interest Rates

A common type of fee that users tend to forget about is the interest rate on their margin loans. If you’re trading with margin, here are the rates you need to keep in mind:

Also, in the event of a liquidation, the exchange will charge a 0.5% liquidation fee.

Fiat & Deposit/Withdrawal Options

Crypto.com supports numerous ways with which you can deposit funds into your account using fiat money. Beyond the traditional SWIFT, SEPA, and FPS, you can also use a range of payment methods like credit cards, Apple Pay, or Google Pay directly through the Crypto.com application.

Fiat deposit methods

Bank Transfer

This is likely going to be the primary method for most fiat currencies and it is available on both the web app and the mobile application.

To link your bank account, you need to first make an initial deposit from it. This is done easily by following the prompts from the interface, which will require you to provide your bank details and to activate the fiat currency in your wallet.

Options vary depending on where you are using the exchange from:

• SWIFT – for USD transfers.
• SEPA – for EUR transfers.
• FPS – for GBP transfers.

Credit/Debit Card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay

As mentioned above, you can use either of these to deposit fiat directly into your account, depending on your jurisdiction.

Fiat withdrawal methods

When it comes to withdrawing fiat (also known as off-ramping), you have the option of a traditional bank transfer.

After you sell your crypto for fiat in your wallet, you can then easily withdraw the cash balance to a bank account that you have previously linked.

Is Crypto.com Secure? Security, Regulation & Trustworthiness

In general, yes, Crypto.com is a safe cryptocurrency exchange, but there are considerations to keep in mind here, so I will divide this section in two.

What the exchange does right

The platform integrates all of the account-level security practices you can think of – two-factor authentication, separate accounts for trading, end-to-end encryption, and whatnot. You name it, they have it.

The firm invests very heavily in security infrastructure and compliance, and that’s evident. Users can verify their balances through Crypto.com’s proof-of-reserves system.

Naturally, the majority of assets are held in cold storage, but the company also backs it with a very substantial cold-storage insurance policy, which is around $750 million for customer assets, plus an additional buffer for institutional holdings.

On top of that, the platform has a number of top-tier security certifications such ash:

• ISO/IEC 27001:2022
• ISO/IEC 27701:2019
• SOC 2 Type II
• PCI-DSS v4 Level 1 compliance, and more.

Crypto.com also runs a bug-bounty program, offering considerable rewards to ethical hackers who are able to identify security flaws.

From regulation and licensing perspective, the exchange operates globally and is compliant with international AML and KYC rules, holding the necessary registrations and licenses across multiple jurisdictions.

Risks and past Incidents

That said, the platform has been breached before. In January 2022, it suffered a high-profile breach, which resulted in around $32 million worth of customers’ funds being stolen.

Now, this has happened to almost all exchanges out there, and I consider the response to events like this to be more important.

In this regard, Crypto.com responded quickly, halting withdrawals immediately, reimbursing all of the affected accounts, and introducing withdrawal-address change policies, as well as stronger multi-factor authentication procedures.

Of course, the general risk of holding your crypto on a centralized exchange is present. You do not control your private keys and your security is only as strong as that of the platform. This could be both good and bad, depending on your own security standards, but the rule of thumb for “not your keys, not your crypto,” applies.

Final Verdict & Conclusion

After spending substantial time using Crypto.com and dabbling with a lot of its features, I can say that it does deliver a very complete ecosystem, suited for users of different skill levels. If you just want to convert fiat to crypto and invest casually, there is sufficient and easy-to-use tooling for that.

If you want to trade somewhat professionally, the platform offers a robust set of trading tools for that as well.

I personally think that Crypto.com is oriented more towards the casual retail user as opposed to the professional traders, but I can see how it can be easily adapted to their needs as well.

Naturally, there are some trade-offs. If you’re not staking CRO, the fees can be steep, and it feels like a lot of the better offerings are tied to the token, but that’s somewhat expected in 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Crypto.com secure to use?

Yes. Crypto.com uses strong security practices, including multi-factor authentication, cold storage, custody, insurance coverage, and numerous industry certifications.

What fees does Crypto.com charge?

Trading fees follow a maker/taker model and vary based on your 30-day volume. Instant purchases and card buys have higher fees. Staking CRO can significantly reduce trading fees.

Does Crypto.com support staking or earning rewards?

Yes. Through Crypto Earn, users can earn rewards on a wide range of assets. Higher APYs typically require locking assets for longer periods and staking CRO.

Is Crypto.com good for beginners?

Yes. The mobile app is designed to be beginner-friendly, with simple buy/sell options, easy onboarding, and clear navigation. However, fees may be high for users who rely on instant purchases.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

This is informational content sponsored by Crypto.com and should not be considered as investment advice. Trading cryptocurrencies carries risks, such as price volatility and market risks. Before deciding to trade cryptocurrencies, consider your risk appetite.

Crypto.com services, features and other benefits, including rewards and fee reduction, referenced in this article may be subject to eligibility requirements, jurisdictional limitations, token holdings, and other requirements that may change at the discretion of Crypto.com.

Participating in Level Up does not guarantee access to all services or benefits. Services and potential benefits remain subject to local jurisdictional requirements, availability, and terms and conditions, among other things. All benefits, offers, and rewards conferred by Crypto.com, including but not limited to merchant rebates and CRO Rewards, are subject to change at Crypto.com’s sole discretion. See https://crypto.com/us/levelup for details.

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The native token of the Pi Network ecosystem continues with its highly volatile price movements, this time in the right direction, gaining over 7% of value daily to trade above $0.19.

This substantial uptick following a multi-day correction that pushed it south by nearly 50% comes as the Core Team prepares for the next big update.

PI Rebounds Strong

Even though March is just over halfway over, it’s been a highly volatile and eventful month for PI. The token exploded from under $0.175 to over $0.23 by March 9, perhaps driven by the major protocol updates, which we will touch upon later in the article.

The bigger hype news came from Kraken, though, as the company said a few days later that it would list PI for trading on March 13. The token responded with an immediate price surge that drove it north to a five-month peak of almost $0.30. Once it indeed became live for trading on the veteran US exchange, though, the landscape changed instantly for the worse.

In what became a classic ‘buy-the-rumor, sell-the-news’ event, PI plummeted by double digits daily, and kept correcting to $0.175 market earlier this week. This meant that it had slashed almost 50% of its value in 72 hours.

However, it bounced yesterday to over $0.18 and continued today, with another surge that has driven it to over $0.19. Current data from PiScan shows that the average number of tokens to be unlocked in the next month is below 5.5 million. Aside from today (March 20), when 16 million coins are scheduled to be released, the rest of the month should be less eventful in this manner.

Another One Coming Up

As hinted above, some of the key updates introduced by the team coincided with or preceded the price increases. The first major one came on February 20, when the protocol version was upgraded to 19.6. Version 19.9 followed on March 4, while the highly anticipated v20.2 was successfully completed before March 14 (known in the Pi Network community as Pi Day).

The reason why it was arguably the most hyped is that it laid out the foundations for enabling smart contract capabilities, which will roll out gradually as the team wants to prioritize categories that align with utility-based product innovation and operations.

The next protocol update in Pi Network’s road ahead is v21. Although the details provided by the team are scarce at the moment, they still urged node operators to ensure their systems are up to date.

The Pi Mainnet has successfully upgraded to Protocol 20, laying the foundation for supporting smart contracts. Node operators, please ensure your systems are up to date and stay tuned for instructions regarding the upcoming v21 upgrade.

— Pi Network (@PiCoreTeam) March 19, 2026

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The SEC lawsuit against Ripple that was compressing XRP sentiment for many years has finally concluded a few months back. Exchanges that had previously delisted the cryptocurrency are now back offering it. And yet, the token has spent the first few months of this year trading sideways, while the broader crypto market was moving around it. This, naturally, started the uncomfortable questions about what it is that drives XRP’s value now that the legal overhang is completely gone.

The XRP Ledger continues generating genuine network value through payment throughput, real-world asset tokenization, and stablecoin rails. The token itself, however, captures only a tiny fraction of that. The gap is becoming structural rather than temporary. XRP is no longer competing agaisnt other cryptocurrencies, but also against prominent stablecoin networks, SWIFT upgrades, CBDC initiatives (however scarce), and the bank consortia – all of which are targeting the same cross-border payment use case that it was built around. For holders who are watching that dynamic and weighing their options, a growing number are starting to look at Bitcoin Everlight.

The Problem With Holding XRP in 2026

XRP was originally designed and developed as a payment efficiency tool. It does that job particularly well. However, what it was not intended to do is generate returns for the people who hold it. The fees that are generated on the XRP Ledger are burned – not distributed, and while fee burn creates mild deflationary pressure, it moves the valuation in a macro-relevant way.

As some governments push forward with plans to develop their own CBDC and instant settlement infrastructure, the demand for a bridge currency that sits between two fiat rails weakens – and even with the firm’s roadmap. XRPL’s growing importance may come at the expense of XRP, as stablecoins and permissioned rails absorb a greater share of settlement activity.

In essence, whatever an XRP holder earns depends entirely on price appreciation, an environment where, let’s face it, that appreciation is far from guaranteed. Bitcoin Everlight, on the other hand, operates on entirely different structural logic.

A Validation Network That Distributes Bitcoin

Bitcoin Everlight is a decentralized validation network in which each participant helps secure the blockchain infrastructure and earns Bitcoin rewards in return. The platform runs on a Transaction Validation Node framework responsible for validation, routing, and reward distribution across the network.

Furthermore, Everlight Shards – a participation layer which is designed to connect a user’s token position to the network’s fee revenue without them having to prove any technical involvement – was introduced in the protocol’s V2 update. The infrastructure itself runs in the background while shard holders are able to draw from the reward pool it generates and is denominated in BTC.

The simple comparison is this: where XRP holders predominantly wait on price action driven by factors mostly out of their control, Bitcoin Everlight shard holders participate in a network designed to distribute transaction routing fees back to them directly, paid in Bitcoin.

Before the presale opened, the project completed dual smart contract audits through Spywolf and Solidproof, alongside dual KYC verifications through Spywolf and Vital Block — independent verification of both the smart contract and the team’s identity before a single token was sold.

From Token Holding to Active Shard

To enter the network, the user would first have to acquire BTCL tokens during the current presale phase. The starting entry point is $50. Once the user’s cumulative commitment goes past a certain tier threshold, the shard would activate automatically based on the value at the time of the purchase. The rewards will start being distributed from that moment and continue throughout the entire presale period, paid in BTCL at a fixed APY that’s tied to the active tier.

When the mainnet launches, fixed presale incentives will give way to performance-based BTC distribution that’s drawn from real transaction routing fee activity. The reward pool will scale with network usage, meaning that the more transaction volume flows through the infrastructure, the greater the potential distribution for active shard holders is going to be.

The Three Shard Tiers

To put matters in perspective, the Azure Shard activates at a commitment of $500, and it can earn up to 12% APY in BTCL while the presale period lasts. It would then transition to BTC rewards once the mainnet is live. The Violet Shard is at $1,5000 and carries up to 20% APY, while the Radiant Shard is at $3,000 with 28% APY. Participants who hold tokens below any threshold will maintain a dormant shard position, which will upgrade automatically once the balance reaches the next tier. During the presale, tokens remain locked, and all commitments are final.

After mainnet, tiers are sustained through ongoing USD-equivalent BTCL balance rather than permanently locked in by a single presale purchase. If holdings grow past a threshold the shard upgrades; if a balance falls below one it adjusts to the appropriate level.

Entering During Phase 1

At the time of this writing, Bitcoin Everlight remains in the first phase of its presale, and it will run for six days with 472,500,000 tokens available at a price of $0.0008 per token. This is the earliest available entry point into a platform where the Bitcoin flows back to the participants from real network activity.

Everything about how the shard activation process works and what the BTC reward distribution looks like after mainnet can be explored here.

Disclaimer: The above article is sponsored content; it’s written by a third party. CryptoPotato doesn’t endorse or assume responsibility for the content, advertising, products, quality, accuracy, or other materials on this page. Nothing in it should be construed as financial advice. Readers are strongly advised to verify the information independently and carefully before engaging with any company or project mentioned and to do their own research. Investing in cryptocurrencies carries a risk of capital loss, and readers are also advised to consult a professional before making any decisions that may or may not be based on the above-sponsored content.

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