Buffett's cautious stance on Apple highlights the importance of market conditions in investment decisions, impacting broader market sentiment.

The post Warren Buffett says he would load up on Apple just not in this market appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Tokenizing financial benchmarks on blockchain enhances transparency, efficiency, and accessibility, reshaping institutional finance infrastructure.

The post S&P Dow Jones Indices and Kaiko bring iBoxx US Treasuries index onchain for first time appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Keyrock's unicorn status and funding boost its role in shaping digital asset markets, enhancing liquidity infrastructure and global reach.

The post Ripple, SC Ventures back Keyrock as it hits unicorn status appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

The rapid advancement of quantum computing poses a significant threat to the security of cryptocurrencies, necessitating urgent adoption of post-quantum cryptography to safeguard digital assets and maintain financial stability.

The post Google warns Bitcoin encryption could break with fewer quantum resources than expected appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Meta tests Instagram Plus with stealth story viewing and premium features as it expands beyond creator monetization.

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Bitcoin Magazine

Google’s New Quantum Research Reignites Push to Harden Bitcoin

A new research paper from Google has intensified debate over whether Bitcoin can adapt in time to withstand advances in quantum computing, pushing developers and investors to confront a risk long treated as theoretical.

Google’s quantum division said this week in a new whitepaper that future machines could break widely used encryption far more efficiently than previously estimated, including the elliptic curve cryptography that underpins Bitcoin wallets. 

The research suggests attacks that once appeared decades away may arrive sooner, with some scenarios modeling the ability to crack encryption in minutes under advanced conditions.

The findings do not imply an immediate threat. Today’s quantum computers remain far below the scale required to break modern cryptographic systems. But the paper reduces the estimated resources needed, narrowing the gap between theory and practice and shifting attention toward preparation rather than dismissal.

Google has already set a 2029 target to transition its own systems to post-quantum cryptography, reflecting a broader shift among large technology firms and governments toward defensive planning.

Is Bitcoin under threat? 

For Bitcoin, the implications are specific and structural. The network relies on digital signatures that could, in principle, be reversed by a sufficiently powerful quantum computer. Roughly one-third of the total Bitcoin supply sits in addresses where public keys have been exposed, creating a defined set of targets under certain attack models.

Separate analyses cited in the research estimate that about 6.7 million Bitcoin may be exposed to varying degrees under quantum attack scenarios, including coins held in older address formats where public keys remain permanently visible on-chain.

More immediate concerns focus on transaction windows. When a Bitcoin transaction is broadcast, its public key becomes visible before confirmation. Google’s research suggests a theoretical attacker could exploit that gap, solving for the private key within the same time frame it takes for a block to be mined.

That has shifted the conversation among developers from abstract risk to engineering timelines.

Binance founder Changpeng Zhao pushed back on what he described as exaggerated concerns, arguing that most cryptographic systems, including Bitcoin, can migrate to quantum-resistant algorithms without destabilizing the network.

He noted, however, that execution remains a constraint. Coordinating upgrades across a decentralized ecosystem could lead to competing proposals, software fragmentation and potential forks, while users holding assets in self-custody would need to actively migrate funds to new wallet structures.

The Bitcoin ecosystem has begun early-stage work on quantum resistance. A recent proposal, known as BIP 360, introduces new transaction formats designed to remove or reduce exposure to vulnerable cryptographic assumptions. The proposal remains in draft form, but test implementations are already running in experimental environments, allowing developers to evaluate quantum-safe signatures in practice.

Even proponents describe the effort as a starting point rather than a solution. Any upgrade would require broad coordination across a decentralized network, a process that can take years to reach consensus and deploy.

That timeline is central to the emerging debate. Estimates suggest a full migration to quantum-resistant cryptography in Bitcoin could take the better part of a decade, depending on adoption and coordination across wallets, exchanges and infrastructure providers.

The risk, developers say, is not only technological but organizational. Bitcoin has no central authority to mandate upgrades, and changes to its core protocol require agreement among a global set of participants with differing incentives.

Banking, traditional finance at risk as well

The issue also extends beyond cryptocurrency. The same class of cryptography secures banking systems, government communications and large parts of the internet. 

In theory, the same cryptographic systems that secure Bitcoin also underpin global banking infrastructure, payment networks and government communications. 

Google and cybersecurity agencies warned that attackers may already be collecting encrypted data today in anticipation of future quantum capabilities, a strategy known as “store now, decrypt later.”

Any viable quantum attack would not be isolated to crypto markets, but would extend across financial institutions and critical systems that rely on public-key encryption. Bitcoin is not uniquely vulnerable, but it is uniquely transparent. Its ledger makes exposure visible, and its open-source development model makes its response observable in real time.

Market reaction has remained muted so far, with prices largely unaffected by the latest research. 

This post Google’s New Quantum Research Reignites Push to Harden Bitcoin first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Bitcoin Magazine

Labor Department Proposal Could Open 401(k)s to Bitcoin and Alternative Assets

The U.S. Department of Labor has unveiled a sweeping proposed rule that could significantly expand the range of investment options available in 401(k) retirement plans, marking a potential turning point for alternative assets — including crypto — within tax-advantaged retirement accounts.

Released Monday by the department’s Employee Benefits Security Administration, the proposal aims to reduce regulatory uncertainty and litigation risk for fiduciaries considering alternative investments. 

The move follows an executive order from Donald Trump directing agencies to “democratize access” to non-traditional assets in retirement portfolios.

At its core, the rule reinforces that fiduciary responsibility under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act is grounded in process rather than outcomes. 

Plan managers would retain broad discretion to include a wide array of investment options — provided they follow a prudent, well-documented evaluation process assessing factors such as fees, liquidity, valuation, and performance benchmarks.

Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer said the proposal is designed to align retirement investing with modern financial markets. “This greater diversity will drive innovation and result in a major win for American workers, retirees, and their families,” she said.

Bitcoin gets exposure

The guidance could open the door for increased exposure to digital assets like Bitcoin within 401(k) plans — a development long sought by segments of the crypto industry. While plan sponsors have technically always been permitted to consider such assets, regulatory ambiguity and prior guidance had a chilling effect.

In 2022, the Biden administration issued a compliance release cautioning fiduciaries against offering cryptocurrency in retirement plans, citing volatility and investor protection concerns. 

That stance is now being reversed, with Deputy Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling emphasizing neutrality. “The department’s days of picking winners and losers are over,” he said.

The proposal does not explicitly endorse crypto or any specific asset class. Instead, it establishes “safe harbor” frameworks designed to protect fiduciaries who undertake thorough due diligence when adding alternative investments to plan menus. 

This process-based approach could make it easier for asset managers to introduce diversified funds that include exposure to private equity, real estate, or digital assets or Bitcoin.

Assets like Bitcoin could enhance long-term returns and provide a hedge against inflation, particularly for younger savers with longer time horizons. 

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the U.S. Department of the Treasury both collaborated on the rulemaking, signaling a broader interagency effort to modernize retirement investing.

This post Labor Department Proposal Could Open 401(k)s to Bitcoin and Alternative Assets first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Bitcoin Magazine

U.S. Senators Unveil ‘Mined in America Act’ to Reshore BTC Mining, Codify Bitcoin Strategic Reserve

Republican Senators Bill Cassidy and Cynthia Lummis introduced legislation Monday aimed at reshaping the U.S. digital asset mining sector, tightening supply chains, and embedding bitcoin into federal reserve strategy.

The proposal, titled the “Mined in America Act,” would establish a federal certification program for domestic crypto mining operations while phasing out reliance on foreign-manufactured hardware.

It also seeks to codify Donald Trump’s executive order creating a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, placing the policy on statutory footing, according to a release on the matter.

“Digital asset mining is a big part of our economy. We should be doing it here in America,” Cassidy said in a statement, framing the bill as a supply chain and manufacturing initiative.

Lummis tied the legislation to a broader push to position the United States as a global hub for digital assets. “The Mined in America Act brings this industry home through forward-thinking initiatives to secure our financial future,” she said.

The bill directs the Department of Commerce to create a voluntary “Mined in America” certification for mining facilities and pools that meet security and sourcing standards. Certified operators would be required to transition away from hardware linked to foreign adversaries over a phased timeline, with the goal of full compliance by the end of the decade.

Lawmakers and industry advocates have pointed to a stark imbalance in the current mining ecosystem. While the United States controls an estimated 38% of global bitcoin hash rate, roughly 97% of specialized mining hardware is produced by Chinese firms, including Bitmain and MicroBT.

Domestic mining security push

Supporters argue that dependence poses both economic and national security risks. The bill references prior incidents, including U.S. inspections of imported mining rigs and the discovery of vulnerabilities in firmware that raised concerns about remote access capabilities.

To address the imbalance, the legislation directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership to support the development of domestic mining hardware.

It stops short of authorizing new spending, instead integrating certified projects into existing federal energy and manufacturing programs.

The measure also positions bitcoin mining as a tool for grid management and energy development. 

By tapping into existing Department of Energy and U.S. Department of Agriculture programs, certified operators could access financing for projects that absorb excess renewable energy, stabilize grid demand, or capture methane emissions from landfills and oil fields.

Industry group Satoshi Action Fund endorsed the legislation, calling it a comprehensive framework that links energy policy, manufacturing, and digital asset strategy.

Strategic Bitcoin Reserve gets a formal nod

Beyond industrial policy, the bill’s most significant provision may be its formalization of a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve within the Treasury Department. While the federal government already holds a large amount of bitcoin from law enforcement seizures, the reserve would establish a framework for long-term retention and accumulation.

The legislation outlines a “budget-neutral” pathway for expanding holdings. Revenue generated from staking rewards and airdrops tied to other seized digital assets would be funneled into bitcoin purchases. In addition, certified domestic miners could sell newly mined bitcoin directly to the government in exchange for a capital gains tax exemption, creating an incentive to supply the reserve at discounted prices.

If enacted, the Mined in America Act would mark one of the most expansive federal efforts to integrate bitcoin mining into U.S. industrial and energy policy. 

It arrives as policymakers weigh how to balance innovation, security, and competition in a sector that has become increasingly global.

This post U.S. Senators Unveil ‘Mined in America Act’ to Reshore BTC Mining, Codify Bitcoin Strategic Reserve first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Bitcoin Magazine

Crypto Stocks Near a Bottom After 60% Selloff, Sees “Big Discount” Entry Point: Analyst

Wall Street broker Bernstein says crypto-linked equities are approaching a cyclical bottom following a steep ~60% drawdown from 2025 highs, framing the pullback as a potential “big discount” opportunity ahead of first-quarter earnings.

In a Monday note led by analyst Gautam Chhugani, the firm said the combination of macro uncertainty, geopolitical tension, and weak crypto sentiment has pressured valuations across the sector, but argued that fundamentals tied to long-term growth themes remain intact, according to Investing.com.

Despite the bullish longer-term view, Bernstein lowered price targets across major names: it cut its target on Coinbase to $330 from $440, Robinhood to $130 from $160, and Figure to $67 from $72. All three remain rated Outperform.

The broker estimates crypto equities have retraced roughly 60% from their 2025 peak, alongside a broader crypto market correction that erased trillions in value. Bitcoin itself has fallen sharply from record highs, contributing to weaker trading activity and sentiment.

Still, Bernstein pointed to structural growth drivers including stablecoins, tokenization, prediction markets, and derivatives. It also argued that crypto exposure remains a smaller share of Robinhood’s revenue base, while Figure is positioned as a pure-play tokenization business.

The firm expects Q1 earnings weakness to mark a sentiment floor before recovery into the second half of 2026.

Crypto, bitcoin continues slumping

This note comes as Bitcoin traded lower over the weekend after remarks from Donald Trump suggesting the United States is engaged in discussions with a new leadership structure in Iran and that progress toward a potential agreement is underway.

The moves followed a weekend dip toward $64,000 and reinforced a broader rangebound structure between roughly $65,000 and $70,000.

Sentiment was driven by escalating tensions in the Middle East, where the conflict between Iran and Israel has intensified, with strikes on Iranian targets and regional spillovers affecting Kuwait and other Gulf states. 

Reports of missile and drone activity, risks to energy infrastructure, and threats to shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz have kept global markets on edge. U.S. President Donald Trump has alternated between diplomatic signals and severe threats toward Iran’s energy infrastructure, while U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been cited in discussions suggesting regime change dynamics may be emerging, with Pakistan attempting to facilitate indirect talks.

Beyond geopolitics, derivatives positioning has also contributed to muted volatility. Institutional investors selling covered call options have shifted gamma exposure to market makers, whose hedging activity dampens price swings by buying dips and selling rallies. 

Overall, Bitcoin remains rangebound as markets digest geopolitical risk, options-driven volatility suppression, and macroeconomic uncertainty, while traders await clearer direction from both policy signals and liquidity trends, say this comes as institutional positioning continues to offset retail-driven momentum and headline shocks in a tightly controlled trading environment through early spring 2026 cycle period.

This post Crypto Stocks Near a Bottom After 60% Selloff, Sees “Big Discount” Entry Point: Analyst first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Bitcoin Magazine

Square Begins Automatic Bitcoin Payment Rollout to Millions of U.S. Merchants

Square, the payments platform owned by Block, has begun automatically enabling bitcoin payments for eligible U.S. sellers starting today, marking a major expansion in the company’s push to integrate bitcoin into everyday commerce.

The move, touched on by Square product lead Miles Suter on X, shifts the feature from an opt-in tool introduced in late 2025 to a default setting now activated across millions of merchants. 

Sellers will still receive USD as their default settlement currency, with bitcoin payments seamlessly converted in the background. 

Square first unveiled its “Square Bitcoin” initiative in October 2025, introducing integrated bitcoin payments and wallet functionality for small businesses. 

At launch, merchants could choose to enable bitcoin acceptance at checkout, with support for Lightning Network payments, instant settlement, and zero processing fees through 2027.

A broader rollout followed in November 2025, but adoption remained voluntary.

Today’s update removes that friction entirely. Eligible U.S. sellers now have bitcoin payments enabled automatically, without requiring manual activation in their Square settings. Merchants retain the ability to opt out or adjust preferences.

Bitcoin at the point of sale for Square

With the change, customers can pay in Bitcoin at checkout while merchants continue to receive USD by default. The system is designed to abstract away volatility and settlement complexity, positioning bitcoin as a payment rail rather than a speculative asset for merchants.

Square’s integration leverages Lightning Network infrastructure to enable near-instant transactions, aiming to make bitcoin usable in everyday retail environments such as cafés, salons, and local shops.

Suter has described the rollout as a foundational step toward bitcoin functioning as “everyday money,” pointing to the scale of Square’s merchant network as a catalyst for adoption.

Earlier this year, Cash App, a mobile payments app from Block, also announced major upgrades to its Bitcoin offering, including zero-spread pricing, lower fees, expanded withdrawal limits, and new funding rails such as ACH and wire transfers.

According to Suter, eligible users can now withdraw up to $10,000 daily and $25,000 weekly, positioning Cash App as one of the most cost-effective Bitcoin on-ramps in the U.S.

The update aims to simplify Bitcoin usage, with automatic conversion between USD and Bitcoin and improved user experience across the platform.

Editorial Disclaimer: We leverage AI as part of our editorial workflow, including to support research, image generation, and quality assurance processes. All content is directed, reviewed, and approved by our editorial team, who are accountable for accuracy and integrity. AI-generated images use only tools trained on properly license material. In Bitcoin, as in media: Don’t trust. Verify.

This post Square Begins Automatic Bitcoin Payment Rollout to Millions of U.S. Merchants first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Cardano ($ADA) has had a rough ride this year. Over the past 12 months, it’s dropped more than 60%, with 2026 alone already seeing a 26% decline. Many investors are asking themselves: is Cardano finished, or is it just undervalued?

The truth isn’t so clear-cut.

Sure, the price looks weak, but it’s not just Cardano—macro pressures are weighing on the entire crypto market. Rising geopolitical tensions, especially the ongoing conflict in Iran, are shaking risk assets across the board.

Still, crypto has shown it can hold up under stress. Often, during times like these, markets go into a “wait-and-see” mode rather than collapse outright, giving projects like Cardano room to recover.

Cardano Price Analysis: What the Chart Is Telling Us

Looking at the below daily chart, the trend is clearly bearish—but with signs of stabilization.

Key Observations

• ADA has been in a long-term downtrend since mid-2025
• Price is currently consolidating around $0.24–$0.25 support
• Lower highs confirm continued selling pressure
• RSI is neutral (~40–45), suggesting no strong momentum yet

Important Levels to Watch

Support zones:

• $0.24 → critical short-term support
• $0.21 → next major downside target if breakdown occurs 

Resistance zones:

• $0.30 → first breakout level
• $0.40 → strong resistance zone
• $0.55 → macro trend reversal level

Right now, $Cardano is trading in a compression phase, often a precursor to a big move.

Iran War Impact on Crypto: Why ADA Is Struggling

The current geopolitical situation is playing a major role.

• Oil price spikes and inflation fears are reducing risk appetite
• Altcoins like ADA are typically hit harder than Bitcoin
• Market volatility is preventing clear bullish momentum 

Bullish Scenario: Cardano Recovery Targets in 2026

If market conditions improve—or if the war de-escalates—Cardano could recover faster than many expect.

Short-Term Recovery Targets

• $0.30 → first breakout confirmation
• $0.42–$0.58 → relief rally zone after macro stabilization 

Mid-Term Targets (2026)

• $0.50–$0.67 → realistic range based on analyst forecasts 
• ~$0.41+ → conservative baseline if downtrend ends 

Long-Term Potential

Some models suggest:

• $2+ possible by 2030 with strong adoption 
• Even $3+ in a strong bull cycle with regulation clarity 

👉 Bottom line: Cardano is not dead—but it needs a macro tailwind + market cycle shift.

Bearish Scenario: What If the Downtrend Continues?

If the Iran war escalates or macro conditions worsen, ADA could still drop further.

Downside Risks

• Breakdown below $0.24 → confirms bearish continuation
• $0.21 → next key support (~20% downside) 
• Sub-$0.20 → possible in extreme risk-off environment

Weak demand and declining trading activity are already visible in the market.

Is Cardano Still a Good Investment?

From an analytical standpoint:

Strengths

• Strong academic and research-driven blockchain
• Active development and roadmap (Voltaire phase, governance) 
• Long-term ecosystem growth potential

Weaknesses

• Weak price momentum
• Strong competition (Solana, Ethereum L2s)
• High dependence on overall crypto market cycles

The crypto market is going through a major phase of institutional accumulation right now. A good example: by the end of March 2026, Bitmine Immersion Technologies has staked a huge 3.31 million ETH.

That’s worth roughly $6.7 billion—and it’s not a small bet. Moves like this go beyond simple treasury management. It’s a strong signal that big players still see Ethereum as undervalued, especially when you look at how much the network is actually used and the fact that it can generate yield on top.

Bitmine’s "Digital Asset Treasury" Strategy

Bitmine has transitioned from a traditional mining firm into a sophisticated "Digital Asset Treasury" powerhouse. The firm’s long-term strategy, often discussed in institutional circles as the "Alchemy of 5%," aims to eventually control 5% of the total Ethereum supply.

By staking 3.31 million ETH, Bitmine has become one of the largest individual entities securing the network. This strategy treats $ETH not just as a speculative asset, but as a productive capital asset. By moving these tokens into staking protocols, Bitmine is effectively creating a "corporate bond" equivalent for the blockchain era, generating consistent yield while betting on the long-term appreciation of the underlying asset.

What is Staking and why is it Important

Staking helps keep Ethereum secure without using a lot of energy. By locking up your tokens, you're acting as a digital "guard" for the network. It’s a win-win: the blockchain gets the validation it needs to stay decentralized, and you earn rewards like new ETH and fee tips for your participation.

The Impact of 3.31 Million ETH Locked

• Network Security: Bitmine now controls a significant portion of the validator set via its MAVAN (Made in America VAlidator Network) platform, contributing to the decentralization and security of the Ethereum network.
• Massive Yield Generation: At current staking rates, this multi-billion dollar position generates hundreds of millions of dollars in annual revenue. This "organic" income is independent of market volatility, providing the firm with a robust balance sheet.
• The Supply Squeeze: By removing over 3 million tokens from the tradable supply, Bitmine is contributing to an illiquidity event. When large amounts of ETH are locked in staking, the "circulating" supply on exchanges drops, which can lead to explosive price moves if demand increases.

Why Institutional Data Suggests ETH is "Insanely Undervalued"

Despite the multi-billion dollar valuation of Bitmine’s holdings, many analysts argue that the current $Ethereum price is still far below its fair market value. The argument for ETH being undervalued hinges on several fundamental pillars:

Market leaders point to historical "V-shaped" recoveries, noting that Ethereum has frequently outperformed $Bitcoin in the late stages of a bull cycle. With the bridge between Wall Street and on-chain yield now fully established, the current price levels are increasingly viewed as a high-conviction entry point for long-term holders.

Ethereum Future and the Path to New Highs

If Bitmine and other institutional players continue to lock up massive quantities of ETH, the upward pressure could become unsustainable for bears. The "Triple Halving" effect—the combination of reduced issuance, fee burning, and massive staking—is creating a supply-demand imbalance that hasn't been fully priced in yet.

Global markets are starting to split in a noticeable way. The “Magnificent 7”—Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, Nvidia, and Tesla—have lost around $5 trillion in market value from their peaks. The Nasdaq is under pressure as AI hype cools and geopolitical tensions rise, pushing investors to look for safer ground.

What’s surprising is that crypto has held up relatively well so far. While big tech valuations are getting squeezed, Bitcoin and Ethereum have stayed fairly stable. Still, the strong link between tech stocks and crypto hasn’t gone away—so it’s probably a matter of when, not if, crypto reacts.

The $5 Trillion Tech Wipeout: A "Magnificent" Retreat

The sell-off in Big Tech has been nothing short of historic. Since hitting a combined valuation peak of roughly $20 trillion in late 2025, the leading seven stocks have entered a significant correction phase.

According to recent reports from Bloomberg, this $5 trillion wipeout is fueled by a "market rotation" away from overextended AI valuations and into cyclical sectors like energy and infrastructure. The outbreak of conflict in the Middle East has further pressured these giants, as rising oil prices threaten to keep interest rates "higher for longer."

Why Crypto Prices Are Stable Today

Despite the sell-off on Wall Street, Bitcoin is holding up relatively well. As of March 30, 2026, it’s trading in the $66,400–$67,500 range. Ethereum (ETH) is hovering around $2,050, showing a slight bounce from its recent lows.

This stability is largely due to:

1. Institutional HODLing: Spot ETFs have changed the market structure. Major allocators are treating Bitcoin as a long-term asset rather than a speculative trade.
2. Supply Constraints: Post-halving dynamics are fully in play, with exchange balances at multi-year lows.
3. Regulatory Clarity: Recent SEC and CFTC guidance classifying major assets as "digital commodities" has provided a floor for institutional confidence.

Crypto Prediction: Is the "Lagging" Crash Coming?

While crypto looks like a "hero" today, historical data serves as a stern warning. The 30-day correlation between Bitcoin and the Nasdaq 100 has recently hovered near 0.80, its highest level in years.

Historically, when a massive deleveraging event occurs in tech, crypto follows with a delay. As institutional investors face losses in their equity portfolios, they often liquidate "liquid" assets like Bitcoin to cover margin calls or rebalance risk. If the Magnificent 7 continue their slide toward a formal bear market (a 20% drop), we could see a "liquidity flush" in crypto that sends BTC toward the $58,000 support zone.

Crypto Price Today (March 30, 2026)

• Bitcoin ($BTC): $67,250 (+1.8% in 24h)
• Ethereum ($ETH): $2,058 (+3.6% in 24h)
• Solana ($SOL): $135 (+1.9% in 24h)
• $XRP: $1.35 (+1.2% in 24h)

Analysis: Will Cryptos Crash?

The current stability in crypto is a testament to its maturing market structure, but it would be premature to declare a total "decoupling" from tech. Traders should keep a close eye on $65,800 for Bitcoin; a break below this level would likely signal that the $5 trillion tech wipeout is finally spilling over into the digital asset space.

The question "Is XRP dead?" has resurfaced with a vengeance in early 2026. After a massive bull run that saw the asset peak at $3.65 in July 2025, the token has entered a grueling downtrend. As of March 30, 2026, XRP is trading at $1.34, representing a 37% decline from its price of $2.10 exactly one year ago.

Despite the conclusion of the Ripple vs. SEC lawsuit in August 2025 and the subsequent launch of several spot XRP ETFs, the price action remains decoupled from the "bullish" fundamental narrative. This article analyzes the structural, macro, and technical reasons behind this stagnation and what it would take for XRP to reclaim its former glory.

Why is XRP Down?

Investors are understandably frustrated. While Bitcoin and Solana saw significant institutional rotations in late 2025, XRP has surrendered 63% of its value since its cycle high. The primary drivers for the current slump include:

1. Macro Economic Pressure: The Federal Reserve’s hawkish stance in March 2026, projecting only one rate cut for the year, has sucked liquidity out of high-risk altcoins.
2. Geopolitical Instability: Recent conflicts in the Middle East have triggered a "risk-off" environment, favoring gold and oil over digital assets.
3. ETF "Sell the News": Much like the Bitcoin ETF launch in 2024, the debut of XRP ETFs in late 2025 led to a massive liquidity exit by early whales.

The "Dead Coin" vs. Utility Reality

In the crypto space, a "dead coin" typically refers to an asset with zero development, no liquidity, and no community. By this definition, XRP is far from dead. The XRP Ledger (XRPL) is currently processing over 1.5 million transactions daily. Ripple’s stablecoin, RLUSD, has reached a market cap of $1.4 billion, serving as a bridge for institutional cross-border payments. According to Investing.com, institutional interest remains high, with 25% of surveyed asset managers planning to add XRP to their portfolios by the end of 2026.

XRP Price Prediction: The Technical Breakdown

Technically, XRP is trapped in a classic bear flag pattern on the weekly charts. The price is currently testing a critical structural floor.

Key Price Levels to Watch:

The Role of the CLARITY Act

While technicals look bleak, the "recovery" catalyst likely lies in Washington. The CLARITY Act, currently moving through the U.S. Congress, aims to codify the commodity status of digital assets like XRP. If passed by late April 2026, it could trigger the institutional "buy-in" that the market has been waiting for since the SEC case ended.

Will XRP Price Recover?

For XRP to recover to its $3.50+ levels, three things must happen:

• Bitcoin Stability: XRP maintains an 80% correlation with $BTC. A Bitcoin recovery toward $75,000 is a prerequisite.
• ETF Inflow Reversal: The current net outflows from XRP ETFs must flip to positive as "TradFi" investors seek diversification.
• RLUSD Adoption: Increased use of the Ripple USD stablecoin for settlement on the XRPL will drive organic demand for $XRP as a gas token.

The global financial landscape is being shaken by escalating tensions in the Middle East. Reports suggest that the U.S.S. Tripoli, carrying around 3,500 Marines, has entered the Central Command region—fueling speculation about a possible ground operation targeting Iran. This growing uncertainty has triggered a clear risk-off mood across markets, with Bitcoin struggling to hold above the $65,000 level.

In the midst of all of these developments, and despite cryptos being slightly bearish, 3 altcoins are showing bullish momentum.

1. NKN (NKN): The Low-Cap Breakout

NKN has emerged as the top performer of the day, posting a staggering +38.63% gain in the last 24 hours and over 210% in the past week. With a market cap of approximately $11.89 million, NKN is a decentralized data transmission protocol aiming to rebuild the internet.

Analysis of the Surge

The recent price action for NKN is primarily driven by a massive 230.45% increase in trading volume. Interestingly, there are no specific fundamental catalysts or partnership announcements behind this move.

• Speculative Flow: This appears to be a classic low-cap "pump" driven by altcoin rotation.
• Technical Outlook: Traders should watch for sustained volume above $7.5M. A failure to hold current support could lead to a sharp reversal, common in high-volatility, low-cap assets.

2. DeAgentAI (AIA): AI Narrative Resilience

DeAgentAI (AIA) is making waves in the artificial intelligence sector, gaining 16.56% in 24 hours. The project operates as an AI-powered agent platform, a sector that has seen mixed results lately but remains a favorite for retail "moonshot" traders.

Social Hype vs. Fundamentals

While the AIA price is up nearly 30% over 7 days, much of the current momentum is attributed to social media hype and coordinated trading activity rather than protocol updates.

• Key Levels: Liquidity has settled around the $0.118 mark.
• Warning: The AI sector is prone to rapid sentiment shifts. Without a fundamental "moat," these gains rely heavily on continued social engagement.

3. DeXe (DEXE): Social Trading Momentum

DeXe, a decentralized social trading platform, has been holding up well, gaining 13.98% over the past 24 hours. Unlike many smaller caps, it has a more solid market cap of around $680 million, which usually points to stronger, more established capital behind the move.

Institutional and Retail Interest

DeXe recently showed up among the top gainers on Binance Spot. What stands out is that it’s moving up even while Bitcoin is going sideways—suggesting some capital is rotating into selective plays.

• Resistance to watch: A move above $7.80 could confirm further upside
• Positioning: Compared to other DeFi tools, DeXe’s focus on social trading gives it an edge, especially for traders looking for opportunities when the broader market is quiet

Summary of Bullish Movers

A federal court order has permanently prohibited the exchange from serving U.S. customers unless it registers.

The platform handles routing and failover for 3,000 projects across more than 300 chains through a single API.

Google warned that quantum advances could break crypto security sooner than expected, with analysts recommending ‘appropriate urgency.’

Bitcoin held $66,000 as Trump reportedly pivoted to an Iran war exit, with analysts eyeing $90,000 if a potential de-escalation holds.

The safe harbor proposal would allow 401(k) managers to offer crypto-linked funds with stronger legal protections.

Tech billionaire Elon Musk sees a surprising silver lining in Google's research paper: the ability to finally recover long-lost Bitcoin passwords.

XRP market metrics are flipping positive amid signs of renewed accumulation.

This could be the best zone for Bitcoin's recovery as the price is getting closer to the below-average market level.

Shiba Inu community continues to eliminate meme coins; burns are now tracked by a renewed web portal.

Hyperliquid has seen a massive boost in open interest following Ripple's integration of its solution.

Key Highlights

• ARK divested more than 213,000 Nvidia shares valued at approximately $37 million during the trading week
• The investment firm reduced Meta Platforms holdings by over 90,000 shares, totaling nearly $50 million
• Cryptocurrency exposure was trimmed through Bitcoin ETF and Bullish equity sales
• CoreWeave became a new position with 41,830 shares acquired for roughly $3.1 million
• Circle Internet Group emerged as the top purchase, with more than 161,000 shares valued between $16–17 million

Cathie Wood’s ARK Invest executed a significant portfolio rebalancing last week, characterized predominantly by divestment activity. The firm systematically reduced exposure to mega-cap technology companies, artificial intelligence-related equities, cryptocurrency investments, and consumer internet platforms, while selectively initiating limited new positions.

The most substantial divestment involved Nvidia. ARK liquidated a combined total exceeding 213,000 shares distributed across its three exchange-traded funds — ARKK, ARKW, and ARKF — representing more than $37 million in value. The semiconductor sector saw additional reductions: Advanced Micro Devices experienced sales of over 57,000 shares, Taiwan Semiconductor faced trimming of more than 18,000 shares, and Broadcom underwent a modest position reduction.

NVIDIA Corporation, NVDA

Teradyne represented another significant exit point. ARK disposed of approximately 82,000 shares valued around $24 million throughout the week, extending an ongoing strategy of position reduction in this holding.

Among internet and digital platform investments, ARK liquidated over 90,000 shares of Meta Platforms, representing a value approaching $50 million. Additional trims affected Alphabet, Netflix, Spotify, and Pinterest positions.

Cryptocurrency and Speculative Position Reductions

ARK decreased its stake in the proprietary ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF while maintaining its selling pattern in Bullish, a cryptocurrency-linked equity investment. Block experienced approximately 107,000 shares sold, representing more than $6 million in value.

High-growth innovation companies faced substantial cuts as well. Archer Aviation witnessed the removal of 899,000 shares from ARK’s holdings. Roku underwent a multi-session selling program totaling more than 234,000 shares. Recursion Pharmaceuticals saw 631,000 shares eliminated from the portfolio.

Healthcare sector divestments encompassed Illumina, Veracyte, Ionis Pharmaceuticals, and Natera. Defense-related holdings Kratos and BWX Technologies also experienced reductions.

ARK’s Accumulation Strategy

Purchasing activity remained concentrated but deliberate. Circle Internet Group represented the most prominent acquisition. ARK accumulated over 161,000 shares distributed among ARKF, ARKK, and ARKW, totaling between $16 million and $17 million.

Tempus AI emerged as another significant buy, with approximately 146,000 shares acquired across ARKK and ARKG, valued around $7 million. 10x Genomics received over 121,000 shares in new purchases, worth close to $2.5 million. Arcturus Therapeutics benefited from an addition exceeding 53,000 shares.

Most Recent Trading Day Transactions

On Monday, March 30, ARK acquired 41,830 shares of CoreWeave through the ARKK ETF, representing approximately $3.1 million in investment.

During the same session, ARK purchased 37,422 shares of Oklo alongside 20,674 shares of GeneDx Holdings. DoorDash received a modest addition of 2,527 shares.

Regarding sales that day, ARK disposed of 29,130 shares of Teradyne for approximately $8.6 million, and sold 42,818 shares of Veracyte for about $1.3 million.

The complete roster of additions to ARK’s portfolio throughout the entire week consisted exclusively of Circle Internet, Tempus AI, 10x Genomics, Arcturus Therapeutics, CoreWeave, Oklo, and GeneDx.

The post ARK Invest Exits Nvidia (NVDA) and Meta (META) in Major Portfolio Shakeup appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Takeaways

• Market expert Jim Paulsen monitors the “Walmart Recession Signal” (WRS), which compares Walmart’s stock performance against the S&P Global Luxury Index
• Walmart has climbed approximately 11% year-to-date while the luxury index has declined roughly 15%, creating a spread comparable to the 2008-09 financial crisis
• This divergence indicates mounting financial pressure on lower- and middle-income households
• While Paulsen anticipates an economic slowdown rather than a full-blown recession, he believes monetary policy adjustments may become necessary
• Historically, the WRS has increased ahead of rising unemployment figures during economic contractions

Market analyst Jim Paulsen is sounding the alarm on potential economic headwinds using an unconventional metric: the performance gap between Walmart and luxury retailers.

Paulsen has developed what he terms the Walmart Recession Signal (WRS), which evaluates Walmart’s stock performance relative to the S&P Global Luxury Index. When value retailers significantly outpace luxury brands, it typically signals that consumers are tightening their purse strings.

Walmart Recession Indicator at highest levels since the 2008 financial crisis pic.twitter.com/cDTFb34Hk1

— Simply Bitcoin (@SimplyBitcoin) March 30, 2026

Currently, this performance gap has widened considerably. Walmart stock has gained approximately 11% year-to-date, while the S&P Global Luxury Index has fallen around 15% during the same timeframe. This represents a substantial divergence.

The WRS has reached levels nearly matching its all-time peak. These extreme readings have only been witnessed once before—during the 2008-09 financial meltdown.

Paulsen has monitored this indicator for an extended period. According to him, the signal has preceded each of the past four U.S. economic contractions. This historical accuracy makes the present reading particularly noteworthy.

His most recent analysis appeared in a Substack newsletter. In his assessment, he noted that retail spending patterns are migrating toward discount retailers, suggesting intensifying pressure on lower- and middle-class consumers.

This behavioral shift among shoppers serves as an early warning of economic distress. When consumers downgrade from premium to budget alternatives, it frequently indicates genuine financial hardship affecting household budgets.

Labor Market Implications

Paulsen highlighted an important connection between the WRS and employment trends. He referenced the late 1990s as a case study, when the indicator climbed substantially before unemployment statistics showed deterioration.

This suggests that current warning signals may not yet appear in employment reports. Job market data could maintain a healthy appearance even as fundamental economic stress intensifies.

Paulsen additionally expressed concerns regarding private credit markets. He suggested that the elevated WRS reading might indicate “growing trouble” within this sector, which often operates beneath the radar of conventional economic analysis.

Economic Forecast

Notwithstanding the cautionary signal, Paulsen doesn’t foresee a complete recession materializing this year. His expectation is that the U.S. economy will experience deceleration rather than outright contraction.

He stated that he is “becoming more convinced that a significant U.S. economic slowdown is unfolding.” He further noted that reduced interest rates or policy intervention may prove necessary to prevent further deterioration.

While Paulsen refrained from demanding immediate rate reductions, his analysis implies he believes the Federal Reserve will eventually need to implement accommodative measures.

Walmart Inc., WMT

On March 31, Walmart stock was trading 0.15% higher intraday, extending its outperformance relative to the luxury sector throughout the year.

The post The Walmart (WMT) Recession Signal Is Flashing Red: What It Means for the Economy appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Highlights

• Russian legislation establishes annual retail crypto purchase ceiling at 300,000 rubles
• Mandatory licensing framework introduced for all cryptocurrency intermediaries
• Retail investors must pass knowledge assessment before accessing digital assets
• Only central bank-approved highly liquid cryptocurrencies permitted for retail trading
• Administrative penalties established for unlicensed cryptocurrency operations

The Russian government has implemented a comprehensive regulatory structure governing domestic cryptocurrency markets, significantly restricting retail investor participation while establishing mandatory licensing protocols. Moscow’s newly approved legislative measures require all digital asset transactions to flow through authorized intermediaries and impose stringent purchase limitations. This development represents a decisive move toward centralized control of the nation’s cryptocurrency ecosystem.

Investment Limitations Target Retail Cryptocurrency Buyers

Moscow has unveiled significant barriers limiting individual participation in domestic cryptocurrency markets. The regulatory framework mandates that retail investors successfully complete an assessment demonstrating adequate knowledge before purchasing digital assets. Annual acquisition limits have been set at 300,000 rubles per individual through any single authorized intermediary.

Russia restricts retail access exclusively to highly liquid digital currencies pre-approved by the central banking authority. This selective approach substantially narrows the spectrum of cryptocurrencies available to everyday investors operating within the regulated framework. The measure aims to shield non-institutional participants from exposure to highly volatile or illiquid digital tokens.

While domestic restrictions tighten, Moscow permits citizens to acquire cryptocurrencies through international platforms subject to disclosure obligations. Individuals utilizing foreign exchanges must report these activities to taxation authorities for regulatory compliance purposes. This dual approach maintains some international market access while tightening domestic controls.

Comprehensive Licensing System Brings Intermediaries Under Regulatory Umbrella

The Russian government has implemented a mandatory licensing program covering all entities facilitating cryptocurrency operations, encompassing trading platforms and custody service providers. Under this framework, every digital asset transaction must be processed through regulated intermediaries operating with official authorization. Consequently, unmonitored peer-to-peer cryptocurrency trading has been effectively prohibited.

Russia grants permission to traditional banking institutions and securities firms to provide cryptocurrency-related services under specified prudential guidelines. These financial entities must satisfy comprehensive compliance criteria before offering digital asset products to clients. This integration brings established financial institutions formally into the cryptocurrency sector.

The legislative package includes administrative sanctions targeting violations related to unauthorized cryptocurrency activities. Regulatory authorities intend to rigorously enforce compliance standards and eliminate unlicensed operations throughout the market. These enforcement provisions accompany the expanded regulatory infrastructure.

Moscow Pursues Controlled Cryptocurrency Integration Strategy

The regulatory approach seeks to legitimize cryptocurrency circulation while preserving centralized government supervision of trading operations. Rather than facilitating open market participation, the framework incorporates digital currencies into pre-existing financial regulatory structures. Moscow establishes cryptocurrency activity within a closely monitored and controlled environment.

Industry observers note that restrictive policies may inadvertently drive trading activity toward unregulated venues. Some market participants could migrate to informal networks or offshore platforms to circumvent domestic limitations. Such regulatory arbitrage may present significant enforcement challenges despite enhanced control mechanisms.

Russia pursues ongoing initiatives to incorporate its digital asset sector within national financial infrastructure. This regulatory philosophy reflects a broader governmental strategy balancing technological innovation with sustained regulatory control. Moscow advances a supervised pathway for cryptocurrency integration consistent with state authority priorities.

The post Russia Imposes Stricter Cryptocurrency Regulations With Purchase Caps and Licensing Requirements appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Takeaways

• Google’s newly unveiled TurboQuant algorithm sparked a widespread selloff across memory and storage equities
• Bernstein analysts argue TurboQuant poses no threat to HDD demand and minimal risk to NAND markets
• The firm upgraded Western Digital to Outperform status, boosting its price target from $170 to $340
• Seagate received a price target increase from $500 to $620; Sandisk maintained its $1,000 target
• The three storage companies have declined 17% to 26% from their recent peaks

When Google unveiled its TurboQuant algorithm on March 24, 2026, the announcement triggered an immediate and severe downturn in memory and storage sector stocks.

Western Digital experienced a 21% decline from its recent peak. Seagate tumbled 17%. Sandisk suffered the most dramatic fall, plunging 26%. The bulk of these losses materialized in the immediate aftermath of the TurboQuant disclosure.

Sandisk Corporation, SNDK

TurboQuant represents an inference optimization technology. The algorithm cuts KV cache memory requirements by a factor of six while delivering up to eight times enhanced inference performance on Nvidia H100 GPUs, all without sacrificing accuracy.

The technology operates exclusively during the inference phase, not during AI model training. It doesn’t compress model weights, training datasets, or any stored data at rest.

Bernstein Société Générale Group analysts believe the market’s response was disproportionate to the actual implications. In a research note released Tuesday, they contended the downturn has generated attractive entry points across all three storage companies.

Hard Drive Demand Remains Untouched, Says Bernstein

Led by Mark Newman, Bernstein’s analyst team explained that TurboQuant’s effects are confined to GPU high-bandwidth memory and system DRAM. The technology has only marginal implications for NAND, which serves solely to offload inactive caches.

“HDD demand faces zero impact,” the research team stated. They emphasized that NAND exposure is negligible and doesn’t alter the fundamental long-term trajectory for storage technologies.

Bernstein elevated Western Digital from Market Perform to Outperform. The investment firm increased its price objective from $170 to $340. At the time of the rating change, Western Digital traded at $251.67, representing a 16% drop over the preceding week.

Western Digital currently sports a PEG ratio of 0.12, which analysts interpret as indicating substantial growth prospects relative to current valuation levels. Seventeen Wall Street analysts have recently adjusted their earnings projections higher.

Seagate retained its Outperform designation. Bernstein elevated its price objective from $500 to $620. Seagate delivered Q2 FY2026 non-GAAP earnings per share of $3.11, surpassing Wall Street expectations. The company achieved gross margins of 42.2%.

Recent Corporate Actions at Sandisk and Western Digital

Seagate’s third-quarter outlook projects revenue of $2.90 billion and earnings per share of $3.40.

Sandisk maintained both its Outperform rating and $1,000 price target from Bernstein. Western Digital recently submitted regulatory filings to divest up to 7.5 million Sandisk shares, although Sandisk won’t receive any proceeds from the transaction.

Western Digital additionally swapped 5.8 million Sandisk shares, priced at $545 each, to reduce outstanding debt obligations. This transaction formed part of a comprehensive strategy to strengthen the balance sheet. In response to this deleveraging initiative, S&P Global Ratings elevated Western Digital’s credit rating to BBB- with a stable outlook.

The storage company also completed the redemption of all remaining 4.75% Senior Notes scheduled to mature in 2026.

Cantor Fitzgerald increased its Western Digital price target to $420 with an Overweight rating following the company’s Innovation Day presentation. Morgan Stanley raised its target to $369, citing robust demand for AI-focused storage solutions.

Bernstein currently forecasts that Western Digital and Seagate’s combined revenue will expand at a 24% compound annual growth rate spanning FY2025 through FY2030.

The post Bernstein Calls Storage Stock Selloff an Overreaction – Time to Scoop Up Seagate, Western Digital, and Sandisk? appeared first on Blockonomi.

Quick Summary

• Nike releases Q3 fiscal year 2026 results following today’s market close on March 31
• Options market anticipates approximately 8–9% price swing in either direction
• Consensus estimates call for $0.29 EPS (down 46.3% YoY) and $11.23B revenue
• Greater China business represents critical concern — six consecutive quarters of declining revenue
• Analyst community holds Buy stance while reducing price targets before earnings

Nike approaches Tuesday’s quarterly report amid a challenging year. The athletic apparel giant has seen NKE stock decline approximately 20% since January, pressured by sluggish sales momentum, compressed margins, and persistent weakness in its Chinese operations.

NIKE, Inc., NKE

Consensus estimates point to Q3 FY26 earnings per share of $0.29 — representing a steep 46.3% decline versus the year-ago quarter. Revenue projections call for a modest 0.3% contraction to $11.23 billion. While these figures aren’t encouraging, market observers are focused on whether CEO Elliott Hill’s strategic reset is beginning to show results.

The derivatives market is preparing for substantial volatility. Based on the April 2 weekly options series, traders are pricing in an 8–9% movement in either direction, establishing a potential trading range from approximately $47 to $55.50 following the announcement.

Call option volume significantly exceeds put activity. The 54 strike shows the largest open interest concentration with 6,050 contracts outstanding, with additional interest clustering at the 55 and 60 strikes. Monday’s session featured aggressive buying in the 54, 55, and 56 call strikes — indicating traders are positioning for potential upside.

Regarding downside protection, the primary hedging activity centers around the 49–50 strikes, with some extreme downside coverage at the 45 level. This positioning pattern suggests market participants aren’t anticipating a dramatic selloff, though they remain cautious.

The implied volatility movement of roughly 8.3% sits modestly below Nike’s four-quarter average post-earnings move of 9.4%.

Greater China: The Critical Variable

The Greater China region remains the persistent challenge weighing on investor sentiment. Revenue from this geography dropped 17% in Q2 FY26, extending the decline to six straight quarters. Management’s commentary regarding any potential stabilization will receive intense scrutiny during the earnings call.

BTIG analyst Robert Drbul maintained his Buy recommendation while adjusting his price objective to $90 from $100. He observes “incremental underlying progress” across North American markets and anticipates continued difficult operational decisions — including workforce reductions at Converse and supply chain restructuring at the Memphis distribution hub.

Evercore analyst Amit Daryanani similarly retained his Buy rating but reduced his target to $69 from $77, lowering his fiscal 2027 EPS projection to $2.00. While acknowledging the turnaround is progressing more slowly than initially anticipated, he highlights the upcoming World Cup — taking place in the United States this summer — as a potential catalyst for renewed momentum.

Analyst Focus Points

The Street’s consensus rating stands at Moderate Buy, comprising 14 Buy ratings and 6 Hold ratings. The mean price target of $73.33 suggests 43% potential appreciation from present levels.

Primary topics expected during the conference call include: demand trajectory across China, gross margin guidance, product pipeline developments, inventory management execution, and strategic plans surrounding World Cup activation.

Financial results will be released following market close on Tuesday, March 31.

The post Nike (NKE) Stock Earnings Preview: Options Market Signals 8-9% Move Ahead appeared first on Blockonomi.

[PRESS RELEASE – Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, March 31st, 2026]

dWallets make it possible to bring assets from every network to Solana, to hold, trade, and use financially without bridges

Ika is coming to Solana with a clear vision: Bridgeless Capital Markets.

Solana is the number one ecosystem for blockchain developers and the most used blockchain in the world. It is where the fastest teams ship, where breakout consumer products launch, and where Internet Capital Markets are being built in real time.

Ika is bringing to Solana a new primitive: dWallets, decentralized programmable multi-chain wallet accounts that let Solana users control assets on any blockchain without trusted intermediaries

With Ika, Solana is not just the best place to issue new assets or trade Solana-native assets. It becomes the place where assets from every network can be held, traded, and utilized financially on Solana without bridges.

Bridgeless Capital Markets

Solana is emerging as the home of Internet Capital Markets, but today non-native assets typically reach Solana through bridges, introducing fragmentation, synthetic wrappers, and trusted intermediaries. Ika replaces that model with dWallets, enabling Solana applications to control assets across networks directly with zero-trust cryptography.

This makes Solana the chain where all digital assets live on natively.

Bitcoin, RWAs, stablecoins, and other assets issued elsewhere can be held by Solana users and brought into Solana trading venues, lending markets, treasury systems, and consumer products without fragmenting liquidity across wrappers and synthetic versions. Capital from every ecosystem can flow into one execution environment: Solana.

“Solana already has the speed, the builder energy, and the market structure to become the place where global onchain capital converges” said David Lachmish, Co-Founder of Ika. “Ika gives Solana builders a powerful primitive: a way for assets from every network to be controlled and used on Solana without bridges.”

The dWallet: A New Primitive on Solana

At the core of Ika is the dWallet primitive: a programmable, transferable multi-chain account on Solana that can control an address on any network and sign transactions to it. Instead of relying on a single private key or centralized custodian, a dWallet’s signing authority is governed jointly by the user and the decentralized Ika network through 2PC-MPC, enabling access to assets on any chain without trusted third parties.

This opens a massive new design space for Solana builders, who can build decentralized versions of Fireblocks, Privy, or Binance, with policies and logic living on Solana and enforced across any network, including Bitcoin.

With Ika, a Solana DEX can trade native assets from any chain, a Solana lending protocol can support native assets from any chain, and a Solana multisig can hold native assets from any chain. Solana programs can become the financial interface for assets everywhere.

dWallets also make Solana a powerful control layer for AI agents. Instead of giving an agent a raw private key, a Solana program can define and enforce policies for how the agent uses assets across chains. Because signing is coordinated through Ika’s 2PC-MPC design, the agent never controls a private key on its own, and every action remains constrained by decentralized policy.

Ika’s Bridgeless Capital Markets vision positions Solana as the chain where every asset is available for trading, collateralization, treasury management, payments, automation, and financialization.

“Ika gives Solana builders the power to go after some of the biggest categories in crypto,” said Omer Sadika, Co-Founder of Ika. “Not just wallets or apps, but entire financial platforms built around assets from every chain, from Bitcoin through stables to RWAs, all orchestrated from Solana. That is what Bridgeless Capital Markets unlocks.”

Instead of fragmenting capital and relying on trusted intermediaries, Ika positions Solana as the definitive home for all digital assets. Ika will be live on Solana devnet in early Q2, and will launch on mainnet later this year.

About Ika

Ika is the network behind Bridgeless Capital Markets. Powering dWallets, Ika enables assets from every network to be held, traded, and utilized financially on Solana without bridges. By turning wallet control and signing authority into decentralized, programmable infrastructure, Ika gives Solana developers a new primitive for building the next generation of trading, custody, treasury, payments, and multi-chain financial applications. Users can learn more here.

The post Ika Is Coming to Solana to Power Bridgeless Capital Markets appeared first on CryptoPotato.

Ripple’s native cross-border token is among the poorest performing larger-cap altcoins today, which comes in a rather intriguing time.

On-chain data shared by popular analyst Ali Martinez shows that the largest market entities within the XRP ecosystem have been on a substantial buying spree, which raises the question of why the asset is down now.

All Going XRP’s Way

Ripple whales were mostly absent in the first couple of months of the new year, but returned with a 200 million token accumulation completed in the span of 14 days in mid-March. Another 40 million token scoop followed a week later, as reported. Martinez noted yesterday that they had continued acquiring more XRP, adding 190 million additional coins once again in a 7-day timeframe.

190 million $XRP have been accumulated by whales over the past week. pic.twitter.com/8B8lffm3qV

— Ali Charts (@alicharts) March 30, 2026

But it’s not just whales’ behavior that should increase the XRP Army’s confidence levels. The company behind the token has made the headlines in the past month or so, scoring big partnerships, applying for key licenses, and announcing expansion plans to several jurisdictions, including Australia, Brazil, and Singapore.

During a recent interview after a conference held in Miami, Ripple’s CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, also praised the firm’s progress over the past year, especially since it acquired Hidden Road and GTreasury. He noted that the former, now known as Ripple Prime, has tripled its revenue rates since the acquisition last year, while Ripple Treasury, as it’s now called, is “way ahead of our forecast for both the end of last year, but also in Q1, we are going to have a record quarter.”

XRP Still Drops, Though

Despite all the positive developments taking place within the broader Ripple ecosystem, the native token continues to struggle. It’s down by 64% since its all-time high in July last year, and by nearly 30% YTD. The past week brought another 7% decline, while the last 24 hours have solidified XRP’s weakness against BNB.

Perhaps one of the reasons behind the asset’s inability to stage a notable recovery is the fact that ETF investors have largely stopped accumulating, as most of the past few weeks have seen negligible numbers. Yesterday was a red day, with over $2.3 million leaving the funds.

CRYPTOWZRD weighed in on XRP’s price performance and warned that a closure below $1.32 would mean “bearish territory.” The token is indeed under that level now, so the next several hours could be crucial for its short-term movements.

XRP Daily Technical Outlook:$XRP closed indecisively. However, XRPBTC needs to respond to Bitcoin Dominance, which will help generate higher volatility. Below $1.3200 is a bearish territory. Above, on the other hand, we will see more random movement pic.twitter.com/1IfddiIItD

— CRYPTOWZRD (@cryptoWZRD_) March 31, 2026

The post Ripple Whales Are Still Buying: So Why Is XRP’s Price Down Today? appeared first on CryptoPotato.

XRP is wrapping up Q1 2026 at around $1.30, sitting near its lowest levels in the past couple of years. The altcoin has shed the vast majority of its gains from the cycle peak and continues to bleed against both the dollar and Bitcoin. And the worst news? There is no technical sign of a reversal as the new quarter approaches.

Ripple Price Analysis: The USDT Pair

XRP has broken below the $1.40 area that offered tentative support through much of March and is now trading closer to $1.30. The market is dangerously close to the February swing low around $1.20. The large descending channel also remains fully intact, and both the 100-day moving average (~$1.70) and the 200-day moving average (~$2.0) remain above the current market price and continue to slope downward. This has created a heavy stack of resistance overhead.

The $1.20 support zone is now the critical level to watch. It held during February’s capitulation wick, but a confirmed close below it would open the door toward $1.00 and potentially even the $0.60 zone marked in red on the chart.

The RSI has also retreated back toward the low-30s after a brief mid-March recovery, reflecting renewed bearish momentum. Therefore, buyers have no credible case until XRP reclaims at least $1.80 on a clean daily close.

The BTC Pair

The XRP/BTC pair action is also deteriorating further. XRP is now trading at around 1,970 sats and has slipped below the 2,000 sats psychological support level. If the price fails to bounce and reclaim this area soon, it confirms that XRP is continuing to lose ground relative to Bitcoin even as BTC itself trades near multi-month lows.

Both moving averages remain overhead and declining, with the 100-day and 200-day MAs compressing toward each other around 2,100 sats and above the current price. The RSI is also hovering around 40, offering no directional signal either way.

The next notable support sits at the 1,800 sats zone, with the lower channel boundary at 1,600 sats, and the key 1,500 sats horizontal level as deeper downside targets. Both of these areas could come into play soon if selling pressure intensifies in the second quarter of 2026.

The post Ripple Price Analysis: XRP Enters Q2 With No Bullish Reversal Signs appeared first on CryptoPotato.

Bitcoin is closing out Q1 2026 on a sour note. The largest crypto is trading around $66.4k after a quarter that saw shedding nearly half its value from the October 2025 peak near $125k. With macro and geopolitical uncertainty still weighing on risk assets and no major structural level reclaimed, BTC heads into Q2 without a clear bullish catalyst on the horizon.

Bitcoin Price Analysis: The Daily Chart

On the daily timeframe, it is evident that the descending channel that has governed Bitcoin’s price action since late 2025 remains intact. Both the 100-day MA (~$77k) and 200-day MA (~$90k) are declining above the current price. The $75k–$80k zone, which served as a key support base earlier, has since flipped to resistance and rejected every recovery attempt in March.

Immediate support sits at the $60k band, which held during the February capitulation drop. A breakdown below that level on a closing basis would expose BTC to the $50k zone. Meanwhile, the RSI is hovering around 40, which reflects a market that is stabilizing but far from turning around. Therefore, a decisive daily close above $75k remains the minimum requirement for any credible shift in the broader trend.

BTC/USDT 4-Hour Chart

After spending several weeks compressing inside a rising flag pattern between roughly $60k and $75k, BTC has broken the pattern to the downside and is now consolidating near $66. The current range is flagged clearly by the red box on the chart. The triangle’s lower boundary, which had provided support on multiple retests, gave way in the final days of March, and the price has since struggled to reclaim it.

The RSI on the 4-hour is recovering from oversold territory and ticking upward toward the mid-40s. This leaves room for a short-term bounce. However, the key test will be whether BTC can reclaim the broken pattern support and build above it. Failure to do so keeps the path open toward a retest of the key $60k–$62k support zone.

On-Chain Analysis

One of the more compelling data points heading into Q2 is Bitcoin’s exchange reserve, which has dropped to approximately 2.7M BTC. This is the lowest level in the entire dataset going back to late 2022. The decline has been especially relentless over the past couple of weeks, as the market is trying to form a bottom above $60k

In isolation, declining exchange reserves are typically interpreted as a bullish structural signal, because fewer coins on exchanges means reduced immediate sell-side availability. However, the context matters.

Reserves have been falling alongside price, not ahead of a recovery, which suggests the outflows reflect long-term holder accumulation rather than incoming demand. So, until fresh buyers step in and translate that supply tightness into actual price appreciation, the on-chain picture remains constructive in theory but unconfirmed in practice.

The post Bitcoin Price Analysis: How Will BTC Start Q2 After a Disastrous Q1? appeared first on CryptoPotato.

[PRESS RELEASE – Victoria, Seychelles, March 31st, 2026]

Global crypto trading platform BYDFi will mark its 6th anniversary with a month-long celebration beginning on April 1, 2026, highlighting BYDFi’s evolution into an all-in-one crypto trading platform built on a CEX + DEX dual-engine model. Over the past six years, BYDFi has continued to strengthen product infrastructure, user safeguards, and market access, shaping a platform built for reliability.

BYDFi’s Evolution: From Core Trading to Broader Market Access

Over the past six years, BYDFi has expanded into a global crypto trading platform serving more than 1 million users across 190+ countries and regions. Since launch, BYDFi has continued to broaden product offerings, strengthen user safeguards, and extend access across both centralized and onchain trading.

Recent milestones have further shaped BYDFi’s growth story:

• July 2025: BYDFi expanded integrated onchain trading capabilities by supporting tokenized U.S. equities through xStocks, broadening access to onchain market opportunities.
• August 2025: BYDFi entered a multi-year partnership with Newcastle United, becoming the club’s Official Cryptocurrency Exchange Partner and significantly expanding BYDFi’s global brand visibility.
• August 2025: BYDFi launched BYDFi Card, extending BYDFi’s ecosystem from trading access into real-world payment utility.
• February 2026: BYDFi launched TradFi trading on Web and App, expanding beyond crypto to offer access to traditional financial assets such as stocks, gold, and silver.
• March 2026: BYDFi integrated perpetual futures market data into TradingView, giving traders direct access to real-time BYDFi market data within one of the industry’s most widely used charting environments.

Global Presence, Industry Recognition, and the Reliability Behind the Platform

From June 2025 through March 2026, BYDFi continued to build visibility across Asia and Europe through a series of appearances in Seoul, Bali, Lisbon, Hong Kong, Bucharest, and Warsaw. Together, these engagements strengthened BYDFi’s global visibility, broadened industry connections, and reflected BYDFi’s continued commitment to long-term market participation.

Over the same period, BYDFi also received a range of industry recognitions, including the Trusted Exchange Award at the TrustFinance Performance Awards, Outstanding Crypto Trading Platform at the FinanceFeeds Awards, BeInCrypto’s Community Pick recognition for Best Centralized Exchange (CEX), Best All-in-One Crypto Trading Platform at Crypto Expo Europe 2026, and Best Global Crypto Trading Platform at Next Block Expo 2026.

Behind this progress is the operating foundation BYDFi continues to build around reliability. BYDFi holds MSB registrations in the U.S. and Canada and is a member of South Korea’s CODE VASP Alliance. BYDFi also maintains 100%+ Proof of Reserves with periodic public reporting and reinforces this transparency with an 800 BTC Protection Fund. Together with 24/7 multilingual customer support and timely responses across official channels, these measures reflect a user-first standard built for clarity, protection, and trust over time.

Looking Ahead: Building the Next Chapter of BYDFi

BYDFi is entering the next stage of growth with a continued focus on product strength, user protection, and long-term trust. Michael, Co-Founder and CEO of BYDFi, shares:

“Six years is an important milestone for BYDFi, but what matters more is what BYDFi continues to build from here. As the market evolves, users expect more than access alone. Users expect consistency, clear standards, and continuous improvement as user needs evolve.”

He further adds, “For BYDFi, the next chapter is not about chasing noise. The next chapter is about continuing to strengthen the fundamentals: better infrastructure, stronger user protections, broader market access, and a trading experience designed to be practical, stable, and trusted over the long term. That is how BYDFi understands reliability in practice.”

A Month-Long Celebration for BYDFi’s 6th Anniversary

Beginning on April 1, 2026, BYDFi’s anniversary program will feature a total reward pool of more than $1,000,000 USDT throughout the anniversary season.

BYDFi’s anniversary campaign will center on three major events: Warm-Up Tasks, which brings together seven anniversary benefits across onboarding, first trades, fiat purchase rewards, referrals, and community participation; Shoot to Win, a football-themed lucky-draw experience; and the Futures Golden Ball Cup, a two-round futures trading competition.

Together, these activities are intended to give both new and existing users more ways to participate in BYDFi’s 6th anniversary while reflecting BYDFi’s broader journey over the past six years: steady product development, wider market reach, and a continued user-first commitment.

For more event details, users can visit the official website: BYDFi 6th Anniversary.

About BYDFi

Established in 2020, BYDFi is a global crypto trading platform that combines the power of a centralized exchange (CEX) with an integrated onchain trading module. BYDFi is Newcastle United’s Exclusive Official Crypto Exchange Partner. Recognized by Forbes as one of the Best Crypto Exchanges In Canada For 2026, BYDFi offers intuitive, low-fee trading across Spot and Perpetual Contracts to Copy Trading, and Automated Crypto Trading Bots, empowering both new and experienced traders to navigate digital assets with confidence.

BYDFi is dedicated to delivering a world-class crypto trading experience for every user.

BUIDL Your Dream Finance.

• Website: https://www.bydfi.com
• Support email: cs@bydfi.com
• Business partnerships: bd@bydfi.com
• Media inquiries: media@bydfi.com

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