Morgan Stanley's Bitcoin ETF launch could significantly boost institutional crypto adoption, influencing market dynamics and regulatory landscapes.

The post Morgan Stanley Bitcoin ETF nears launch after NYSE Arca listing update appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Bitget Wallet launches Onchain Payments Matrix connecting Visa, Mastercard, and Ripple to scale stablecoin payments globally.

The post Bitget Wallet expands stablecoin payments with Visa, Mastercard, and Ripple integration appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Visa joins Canton Network as a Super Validator, expanding its stablecoin and blockchain push into privacy focused infrastructure for banks.

The post Visa joins Canton Network as Super Validator to expand institutional blockchain payments appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan says Circle could reach $75B by 2030, focusing on stablecoin adoption despite a 20% drop tied to CLARITY Act fears.

The post Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan says Circle could reach $75B by 2030 despite recent selloff appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

The inclusion of tech leaders in PCAST could accelerate U.S. innovation, impacting global tech dominance and shaping future job markets.

The post Trump taps Meta, Nvidia, and a16z leaders for new tech council appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Bitcoin Magazine

Morgan Stanley Moves Closer to Bitcoin ETF Launch With NYSE Listing Announcement 

Morgan Stanley’s long‑awaited spot Bitcoin exchange‑traded fund, the Morgan Stanley Bitcoin Trust (MSBT), has taken a major procedural step toward trading after the New York Stock Exchange confirmed an official listing notice for the product. 

Bloomberg Senior ETF Analyst Eric Balchunas says the listing typically signals a launch is “imminent.”

If approved by regulators, MSBT would mark the first spot Bitcoin ETF issued directly by a major U.S. bank rather than an asset manager. Existing U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs have been launched by firms such as BlackRock and Fidelity.

Morgan Stanley’s wealth management division oversees one of the largest networks of financial advisors in the industry, with roughly 16,000 advisors and trillions in client assets under management. 

That distribution reach could make MSBT a significant channel for Bitcoin exposure in traditional portfolios.

The ETF’s fee structure has not yet been disclosed. The flagship U.S. spot Bitcoin ETF from BlackRock, iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), currently charges around a 0.25% management fee, with other issuers ranging from 0.20% to 0.30% annually.

Morgan Stanley’s bitcoin moves

Last week, 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.

The filing details the Morgan Stanley Bitcoin Trust, a passive investment vehicle designed to track the spot price of bitcoin through direct holdings. Shares will reflect the value of bitcoin held in custody, allowing investors to gain exposure through brokerage accounts without owning the cryptocurrency directly.

Speaking at the Digital Asset Summit on Tuesday, Amy Oldenburg, Head of Digital Asset Strategy at Morgan Stanley said that Wall Street’s move into digital assets reflects a long-term effort to modernize financial infrastructure. 

“We’ve been on a journey around the entire modernization of financial infrastructure for years,” she said, rejecting the idea that banks are acting out of fear of missing out.

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

Coinbase Custody Trust Company will serve as the primary bitcoin custodian, holding most assets in cold storage and facilitating transfers tied to share creation and redemption. 

BNY Mellon will handle administration, transfer agent duties, and cash custody, managing accounting, shareholder records, and cash operations for the trust.

The structure mirrors models used across the spot bitcoin ETF market, with a portion of holdings moving into trading wallets during share creation or redemption, when authorized participants exchange cash for bitcoin or redeem shares for the underlying asset.

The filing notes that custody insurance is in place but shared across multiple clients and may not cover all losses, a standard disclosure among spot bitcoin ETFs. 

This post Morgan Stanley Moves Closer to Bitcoin ETF Launch With NYSE Listing Announcement  first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Bitcoin Magazine

Bitwise Joins Lombard’s Bitcoin Smart Accounts to Help Unlock Institutional Yield

Bitwise Asset Management has become the first strategic yield partner in Lombard’s Bitcoin Smart Accounts ecosystem, signaling a growing bridge between institutional custody and productive on-chain Bitcoin deployment. 

The collaboration is designed to unlock yield and liquidity for an estimated $500 billion in BTC currently held in regulated custody, without requiring asset transfers or modifications to existing custodial arrangements, Lombard said. 

Scheduled for a Q2 2026 launch, Bitcoin Smart Accounts will allow high-net-worth individuals, institutional asset managers, and corporate treasuries to earn yield or borrow against BTC while maintaining full control of their assets. 

Bitwise will provide institutional-grade yield strategies, combining DeFi lending with curated real-world asset portfolios, while Morpho will facilitate stablecoin liquidity for borrowing products.

Jacob Phillips, co-founder of Lombard, highlighted the significance of institutional adoption: “Following the February introduction of Bitcoin Smart Accounts, we’ve observed substantial demand for solutions that enable productive Bitcoin deployment while preserving existing custody. Bitwise brings the credibility and capabilities required to serve this market at scale.”

The partnership addresses longstanding operational inefficiencies in institutional Bitcoin markets. Traditionally, holders seeking liquidity faced three limited options: exiting custody, using opaque OTC lending channels, or selling assets — each presenting risk, cost, or lost upside. 

Lombard’s Smart Accounts leverage custodian-integrated infrastructure to recognize Bitcoin positions as collateral using cryptographic receipts (BTC.b) without transferring the underlying asset.

Generate returns while preserving bitcoin 

Hunter Horsley, CEO of Bitwise, framed the collaboration as a milestone for institutional Bitcoin: “We’re seeing growing demand for strategies that generate returns while preserving Bitcoin’s core properties. 

This partnership helps shape an ecosystem where BTC can function as productive, yield-generating capital while maintaining security and compliance standards.”

According to Horsley, the recent BTC rebound and dip is attracting institutional interest, with investors viewing sub-$70,000 levels as an opportunity to accumulate. While some retail traders remain cautious, looking for signs that the market has found a floor, larger investors are approaching the pullback with a different perspective.

Horsley believes long-term holders may feel uncertain during price drops, whereas institutions are seizing the chance to enter at levels they previously thought were out of reach. Some buyers are taking advantage of broader market weakness, as BTC becomes part of a wider selloff in liquid risk assets, creating renewed opportunities for accumulation.

The architecture for the collaboration is designed to scale. Each new custodian or protocol integration increases the utility of the system, creating network effects akin to those seen in ACH or SWIFT over decades. 

Lombard plans to expand custodian partnerships and whitelisted protocol integrations throughout 2026, aiming to mobilize hundreds of billions in institutionally held BTC into productive on-chain capital.

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 Bitwise Joins Lombard’s Bitcoin Smart Accounts to Help Unlock Institutional Yield first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Bitcoin Magazine

As Bitcoin Consolidates, Signs Point to Potential Bottom Amid Market Calm: Research

Bitcoin’s price has steadied after recent volatility, suggesting the worst of the market turbulence may be behind investors.

Following a sharp weekend selloff that pushed bitcoin from around $75,000 to lows near $67,000, the digital asset has rebounded, supported by signs of constructive U.S.–Iran talks and easing selling pressure from ETFs and long-term holders. 

Despite closing the week down roughly 6%, the cryptocurrency shows resilience in its current range.

Research from K33 highlights that bitcoin has been trading sideways between $60,000 and $75,000 in recent weeks, a pattern often linked to market bottoms. 

K33 Head of Research Vetle Lunde noted that this consolidation reflects stabilization in both exchange-traded product flows and long-term holder behavior. “With bitcoin trading below $100,000, fewer investors are inclined to exit positions, helping anchor prices,” Lunde said.

ETF flows have turned mildly positive since late February, signaling an end to the heavy distribution phase that began after October’s all-time highs.

Meanwhile, supply held for more than six months is rising again, reinforcing the market’s structural stability.

Broader financial conditions remain uncertain, with rising oil prices, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, and a hawkish Federal Reserve limiting risk appetite. Open interest in bitcoin perpetual swaps hovers near yearly lows, funding rates remain negative, and institutional participation has been muted.

Still, K33 describes the environment as constructive. Reduced selling pressure, stabilized flows, and range-bound price action suggest bitcoin may be transitioning out of a distribution phase toward a potential bottom. 

For medium- and long-term investors, the current low $70,000 levels could represent an attractive entry point, even as macro uncertainty keeps upside limited in the near term.

What’s going on in Iran? 

Negotiations involving Iran, the United States, and Israel are ongoing but remain indirect and uncertain.

The U.S. has put forward a multi-point proposal aimed at ending the current conflict, reopening key shipping routes like the Strait of Hormuz, and limiting Iran’s nuclear and missile programs. 

Talks are being mediated through countries such as Oman and Pakistan rather than conducted face-to-face.

U.S. officials say progress is being made and describe the discussions as productive. However, Iran publicly denies that formal negotiations are taking place, while still acknowledging backchannel communication. 

This reflects a common strategy where Iran avoids signaling concessions domestically while remaining engaged diplomatically.

Major disagreements remain. Iran is demanding an end to military actions, security guarantees, and compensation, while rejecting limits on its missile program. The U.S., meanwhile, is pushing for restrictions on Iran’s nuclear activity.

The situation remains unstable, with diplomacy and military activity happening simultaneously. 

At the time of writing, bitcoin is $70,800.

This post As Bitcoin Consolidates, Signs Point to Potential Bottom Amid Market Calm: Research first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Bitcoin Magazine

Bitcoin Price Rises as Iran Signals Push for Full End to Conflict

Bitcoin price moved higher on Wednesday as markets reacted to signs that Iran may seek a full end to its conflict with Israel, not only a temporary ceasefire.

The shift in tone, reported by regional media and echoed in diplomatic signals from Washington, helped lift risk assets and pushed oil prices lower.

The Bitcoin price rose back above $72,000 after trading near $69,000 earlier in the session. The move followed reports that a one-month ceasefire could form part of a broader agreement that includes limits on Iran’s nuclear program and a pledge to avoid future weapons development. 

Traders treated the development as a step toward de-escalation in a conflict that has weighed on global markets.

Oil reacted first. Brent Crude dropped more than 4%, falling from above $104 to below $100 within minutes of the report. The price is now roughly $96-$98 depending on reports.

The decline signaled easing concern over supply disruptions in the Middle East, a region central to global energy flows. Lower oil prices often support risk assets by reducing inflation pressure and improving liquidity conditions.

Bitcoin price followed. The asset has traded in close alignment with broader market sentiment in recent months, moving with equities and other risk-sensitive assets rather than acting as a hedge. As oil fell and equity futures rose, bitcoin price reversed earlier losses and climbed back above a key psychological level.

The geopolitical backdrop remains complex. Officials in Washington have signaled ongoing talks with Tehran, while reports suggest a multi-point proposal aimed at ending hostilities. 

At the same time, military activity in the region has not stopped, underscoring the fragile nature of any agreement. Markets continue to adjust to each headline, with rapid shifts in sentiment driving short-term price moves.

On top of this, gold has fallen roughly 25% from its January peak and about 12% since late February — its longest losing streak in over a century — while Bitcoin price held above $70,000.

Bitcoin price action over the last week

Bitcoin’s behavior reflects that tension. Earlier in the week, the asset dropped below $70,000 as escalation fears triggered a broad sell-off across risk markets. The rebound above $71,000 highlights how quickly sentiment can change when traders perceive a path toward stability.

Institutional demand has also supported prices. Flows into spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds and continued accumulation by large holders like Strategy have helped anchor the market near current levels. 

Bernstein says Bitcoin has likely bottomed and maintains a $150,000 year-end target, citing strong ETF inflows and rising corporate demand. It also highlights Strategy as a key driver, with the firm continuing to raise billions to expand its already massive bitcoin holdings.

Still, the market faces competing forces. Interest rate policy in the United States remains a key factor, with higher rates placing pressure on risk assets. At the same time, geopolitical developments continue to drive short-term swings, often overriding macro trends in the near term.

For now, bitcoin’s response to the latest headlines suggests that traders view the prospect of a broader resolution as a positive signal. The combination of falling oil prices, steady institutional demand and improving sentiment has given the market a lift, even as uncertainty remains.

This post Bitcoin Price Rises as Iran Signals Push for Full End to Conflict first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Bitcoin Magazine

U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis Confirmed As A Bitcoin 2026 Speaker

U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis has been officially confirmed as a speaker at Bitcoin 2026. A Republican senator from Wyoming, Lummis currently serves as Chair of the Senate Banking Subcommittee on Digital Assets — a role she was appointed to in January 2025 to lead the Banking Committee’s efforts on digital asset legislation. She has publicly held Bitcoin since 2013 and has spent her Senate tenure focused on establishing a regulatory and legislative framework for digital assets in the United States.

Her primary legislative effort has been the BITCOIN Act, formally titled the Boosting Innovation, Technology, and Competitiveness through Optimized Investment Nationwide Act, which she introduced in the U.S. Senate as Chair of the Senate Banking Subcommittee on Digital Assets. The bill authorizes the U.S. Treasury to acquire up to one million Bitcoin over a five-year period to stock a strategic reserve, with a mandatory 20-year holding period, and includes a proof of reserves requirement for quarterly public reporting on total holdings. Alongside the BITCOIN Act, Lummis was a co-sponsor of the 2025 GENIUS Act to regulate stablecoins and introduced legislation for a tax exemption on small Bitcoin transactions. More recently, she predicted the crypto market structure bill should advance out of the Senate Banking Committee by late April 2026, stating the talks have reached necessary compromises to move the legislation forward.

Lummis announced in December 2025 that she will not seek reelection in 2026. Her appearance at Bitcoin 2026 comes during the final stretch of her Senate term, with several pieces of legislation she has championed still working through Congress. As recently as February 2026, Lummis pressed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on digital asset taxation, including a potential de minimis exemption for small transactions, with Bessent offering to have Treasury’s Office of Tax Policy work with her team on guidance.

With her Senate chapter drawing to a close, Bitcoin 2026 offers a meaningful stage for Lummis to address the community that has watched her carry the Bitcoin policy torch in Washington for years. Few lawmakers have shown up to the conference year after year with active legislation in hand — and with the BITCOIN Act, the CLARITY Act, and stablecoin regulation all in motion simultaneously, her appearance in Las Vegas this April promises to be one of the most substantive policy conversations of the event.

Bitcoin 2026 is Returning to Las Vegas

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. 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 U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis Confirmed As A Bitcoin 2026 Speaker first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Jenna Montgomery.

Only nine non-stable tokens sit closer to ATH than Bitcoin as the market’s damage stays concentrated elsewhere

Bitcoin is still 43.26% below its all-time high. On the surface, that figure reads as a reminder of unfinished recovery. In relative terms, it places Bitcoin in a stronger position than most of the market.

A live CryptoSlate market snapshot shows BTC at $71,606 against an ATH of $126,198.

After excluding stablecoins and gold-backed tokens, only nine assets in the table sit closer to their peak than Bitcoin: UNUS SED LEO, Sky, Kite, Canton Network, TRON, Hyperliquid, MemeCore, Siren, and Stable. That is a narrow exception list in a market still defined by deep peak-to-current damage.

#1

Bitcoin BTC

$70,915.04

+1.98%

Market Cap $1.42T

24h Volume $38.27B

All-Time High $126,198.07

Sectors

Coin Layer 1 PoW

Those nine assets do not belong to a single class. Some are large and liquid enough to support a serious relative-strength discussion. Some are newer, thinner, or more structurally idiosyncratic. That split clarifies the leaderboard: Bitcoin remains well below its peak, yet its drawdown baseline still sits ahead of almost the entire non-stable market.

That baseline currently stands at 43.26%. Any token with a smaller drawdown than that has preserved more of its cycle advance than BTC. Only nine names in the snapshot meet that threshold. Everyone else has already slipped further from peak than Bitcoin.

The list begins with LEO, which stands just 5.53% below its ATH. Then the gap opens. Sky is 24.33% below peak. Kite is 24.56% below. Canton Network is 28.06% below. TRON is 29.77% below. Hyperliquid is 31.10% below. MemeCore is 37.08% below. Siren is 39.18% below. Stable is 39.70% below. Bitcoin follows at 43.26%.

That sequence shows where resilience is concentrated and where it begins to thin out. LEO sits in its own category. Sky and Kite occupy a separate zone in the mid-20s. Canton, TRON, and Hyperliquid form the next rung in the high-20s to low-30s.

MemeCore, Siren, and Stable hold a slimmer advantage over BTC. Bitcoin then becomes the dividing line between the short exception list and the rest of the market.

Related Reading

Bitcoin faces pressure after Fed outlook shifts as PMI data points to 1% growth and inflation near 4%

Fresh PMI numbers gave markets a stark warning that slowing growth may not bring lower inflation.

Mar 24, 2026 · Andjela Radmilac

Bitcoin is still carrying a substantial drawdown. The wider market is carrying more

The stablecoin and gold-backed exclusions are straightforward. Stablecoins are designed around price stability. Gold-backed tokens express gold performance. Neither group offers a clean read on crypto-native risk retention from the cycle peak.

Once those categories are stripped out, the leaderboard becomes more useful and more interesting.

Within that cleaned set, the comparison quickly shifts toward peer quality. LEO, TRON, and Hyperliquid are the most credible large-scale exceptions in the snapshot. LEO carries an $8.71 billion market cap and sits 5.53% below peak. TRON carries a $29.33 billion market cap and sits 29.77% below peak. Hyperliquid carries a $10.5 billion market cap and sits 31.10% below peak.

These are the assets that support a more durable comparison with Bitcoin on scale, liquidity, and market relevance.

The remaining nine still count, though each needs context. Canton Network sits at a $5.33 billion market cap. Sky sits at $1.77 billion. MemeCore sits at $2.39 billion. Siren sits at $1.7 billion. Kite and Stable each come in below $600 million in market cap.

A clear hierarchy emerges from that split.

Even after a severe correction, Bitcoin is holding up better than almost the entire market, with only a short list of exceptions and an even shorter list of higher-quality exceptions.

The percentage-point spread versus Bitcoin makes that hierarchy easier to see. LEO is ahead of BTC by 37 percentage points on the drawdown measure. Sky is ahead by 18 points. Kite by 18. Canton by 15. TRON by 13.5. Hyperliquid by 12. MemeCore by 6. Siren by 4. Stable by 3.5.

Those spreads produce three distinct zones.

First, there is the clear outperformance group. LEO belongs there on its own terms, while Sky, Kite, Canton, TRON, and Hyperliquid hold a substantial cushion over Bitcoin’s 43% baseline.

Second, there is the marginal advantage group. MemeCore, siren, and Stable still sit ahead of BTC, though by a much thinner margin. A relatively small move would erase that edge.

Third, there is the rest of the market, where drawdowns have already widened beyond Bitcoin’s baseline.

That setup creates a live threshold to watch. The next step centers on whether the current nine can continue to hold their lead over BTC’s drawdown line, or whether that exception list begins to contract as Bitcoin stabilizes and weaker relative performers slip behind it.

That dynamic is a ranking of where things stand today. It is also a way to track how relative strength evolves under pressure. Bitcoin’s place in that framework is especially important because BTC still functions as the market’s baseline asset.

Bitcoin remains the market baseline

When Bitcoin loses ground, the rest of the market usually takes its signal from there. When Bitcoin preserves more of its cycle gains than most of the field, that points to where capital has remained more durable and where structural demand has stayed firmer.

A 43% drawdown still carries weight. Relative to the broader market, it also describes a much stronger position than the headline figure alone suggests.

However, it still sits deep in retracement territory, placing Bitcoin in an unusual position, wounded in absolute terms, resilient in relative terms, and still defining the baseline the rest of the market has to beat.

This leaderboard is unlikely to stay static. The bottom of the exception list already sits only a few percentage points ahead of Bitcoin. MemeCore is ahead by 6 points. siren by 4. Stable by 3. A modest intraday change in relative performance would reorder that section quickly. Even further up the list, continued pressure could narrow the advantage held by Sky, Kite, Canton, TRON, or Hyperliquid.

Going forward, can any of these nine continue to hold closer to their all-time highs than Bitcoin, or does BTC’s 43% baseline become the line that more of them eventually fall behind?

The post Only these 9 crypto tokens are closer to their all-time high than Bitcoin right now appeared first on CryptoSlate.

Bitcoin has room to rally if diplomacy between Washington and Tehran continues to ease pressure on oil.

Since March 23, traces of significant de-escalation have emerged, with President Donald Trump ordering a 5-day pause for “constructive conversations.”

At the same time, reports have emerged that the United States had sent Iran a 15-point proposal through Pakistan, while Turkey also passed messages between the two sides.

While there is no ceasefire yet, and there is no sign of a settled negotiating track. Iran has publicly denied direct talks with Washington, and an Iranian military spokesperson said the United States was “negotiating with itself.”

Still, the signs of diplomacy have been real enough for markets to react, with Brent crude down 5.2% to $99.01 a barrel and US West Texas Intermediate down 5.1% to $87.62.

On the other hand, Bitcoin rose 1.6% to maintain its steady resilience above $71,000 as traders pared back some of the inflation and rate fears that had built up during nearly four weeks of war.

Related Reading

Bitcoin wipes $243 million longs as geopolitical shock reveals traders now price war risk before oil and Fed react

Bitcoin now reacts faster than traditional hedges, mapping risk shifts across liquidity, flows, and macro stress in real time.

Mar 24, 2026 · Liam 'Akiba' Wright

Why this tentative diplomacy moves market

The supply side explains the outsized reaction to headlines that amount to little more than mediated messaging.

Iran is OPEC’s third-largest producer, pumping about 3.3 million barrels per day of crude and another 1.3 million bpd of condensate and other liquids. About 90% of its crude leaves through Kharg Island via the Strait of Hormuz, with exports recently running between 1.1 million and 1.5 million bpd.

Data from the US Energy Information Administration shows that flows through the Strait of Hormuz averaged 20.9 million bpd in the first half of 2025, representing roughly 20% of global petroleum liquids consumption. About 20% of the global liquefied natural gas trade also transited the strait in 2024.

However, that volume has all but halted, with Andre Dragosch, Bitwise's Europe head of research, pointing out that there has been “1 ship today” that has passed through the path.

So, any discussion of ceasefire terms, shipping access, or sanctions relief therefore carries direct, volumetric market relevance for the oil market.

The forward curve sharpens the case. In its March outlook, the EIA forecast that Brent would stay above $95 per barrel over the next two months, then fall below $80 in the third quarter and toward $70 by year-end if disruptions ease and inventories rebuild.

The agency projected global oil inventories to rise by an average of 1.9 million bpd in 2026, once production again outpaces consumption.

This means that a credible diplomatic process does not need to create an immediate surplus supply. It only needs to make that softer path look more probable.

The European Central Bank’s March 2026 staff projections quantify the stakes. The ECB modeled an adverse energy scenario with oil at $119 per barrel and gas at €87 per megawatt-hour in the second quarter, lifting euro-zone inflation by 0.9 percentage points.

Federal Reserve research separately finds that higher oil prices directly push up headline inflation and, over about eight quarters, create a smaller but statistically significant pass-through into food and core prices.

Considering this, crypto market maker Wintermute put it in trading terms, explaining that if Brent stabilizes near $100 and diplomacy holds, the inflation fears tied to energy disruption should ease enough to let “some of the rate-cut expectations erased last week” return.

Related Reading

Bitcoin price jumps above $70,000 as US announces shock pause on Iran strikes

Diplomatic breakthrough halts aggression and fuels crypto market rally, with Bitcoin leading the charge.

Mar 23, 2026 · Oluwapelumi Adejumo

The oil-to-rates transmission

The bullish case for Bitcoin here is that lower oil prices ease inflation pressure. Additionally, it reduces the likelihood that central banks will keep rates tighter for longer and improves the liquidity backdrop for risk assets more broadly.

Notably, Bitcoin has mostly traded less like a geopolitical hedge and more like a high-beta expression of global liquidity conditions during the ongoing US-Iran conflict.

For context, the top crypto's recent rebound above $70,000 not not driven by any crypto-native catalyst. Instead, this came amid a sharp recovery in technology shares and a stabilization of broader market risk.

The flow data reinforces that reading. According to CoinShares, digital-asset investment products pulled in $230 million last week, with $219 million going to Bitcoin, even after $405 million in outflows following the Federal Open Market Committee meeting.

CoinShares attributed the pressure to the Fed’s hawkish stance, not to the Iran conflict. The dominant driver has been rates and liquidity and not geopolitics in isolation.

That is why the repricing in interest-rate futures carries weight. Over the past several weeks, the conflict threatened to deliver a stagflation shock as oil prices surged to record levels.

CryptoSlate had previously reported that rate futures had implied virtually no chance of Fed cuts before mid-2027 as the conflict drove energy higher. However, after Tuesday’s diplomacy headlines, bets on a December rate hike dropped to about 16% from 25%.

Federal Reserve Governor Michael Barr reinforced the hawkish backdrop on March 24, saying policymakers may need to keep rates steady for “some time” and that he would need to see evidence that inflation is “sustainably retreating” before considering further cuts.

Related Reading

Bitcoin focus flips from oil to bonds as US and Japan 10-year yields spike into a critical week

A cross-market reset is underway, with rising sovereign yields tightening conditions and forcing a repricing of risk.

Mar 23, 2026 · Liam 'Akiba' Wright

What could happen next?

A drawn-out diplomatic process with no formal breakthrough could still help Bitcoin if it caps oil. Brent holding near current levels, or drifting lower as shipping fears ease, would likely keep pressure off yields and reduce the urgency around higher-for-longer policy pricing.

The EIA’s path toward sub-$80 oil in the third quarter offers a macro framework for that outcome. Under that kind of easing, BTC would have a clearer opening to revisit and push through the highs reached earlier this month.

Meanwhile, a more credible ceasefire path would strengthen that case. The larger effect would come from convincing markets that Hormuz is moving back toward normal use, that regional energy infrastructure is no longer in the crosshairs, and that the inflation shock from the war is beginning to fade.

The ECB’s projections show how much difference that can make. Even small changes in the assumed oil path produce meaningful changes in inflation and growth forecasts.

However, a collapse in talks would revive the entire chain in reverse. Oil would likely rise again, shipping-risk fears would rebuild, and markets would have to price a tougher policy path from the Fed and other central banks.

Past market performances have already shown how quickly that adjustment can happen. In the space of a few days, traders swung from expecting cuts later this year to pricing in a meaningful chance of a December hike, before easing those bets when oil fell amid diplomatic headlines.

Bitcoin can still rise during wartime, but the cleaner path higher comes when the energy shock begins to unwind.

The post Bitcoin price eyes breakout as EIA signals sub $80 oil path after 20% global supply shock starts easing appeared first on CryptoSlate.

Cardano is attempting to turn the imminent mainnet launch of the Midnight network, a privacy-focused sidechain, into a repair job as market data signals extreme negative sentiment toward its native ADA token.

Data from Santiment shows that the average wallet active on the Cardano network over the past year has earned a negative 43% return on its investment.

At the same time, Binance funding rates currently show the largest short position ratio against ADA since June 2023.

These data points, coupled with a 71% price decline since September, have pushed ADA into a zone that professional traders often flag as a prime capitulation point.

In a zero-sum derivatives market, the historical consensus is that the token will continue to decline. However, this sets the stage for a potential short squeeze if a fundamental catalyst forces over-leveraged traders to suddenly cover their positions.

Midnight's imminent launch

That catalyst could be Midnight, a programmable privacy layer that Cardano developers have been building for more than eight years.

The network is officially targeting a launch later this week and will operate with a federated set of node operators that includes Google Cloud, Telegram, Blockdaemon, Shielded Technologies, AlphaTON, MoneyGram, Pairpoint by Vodafone, and eToro.

Related Reading

Google Cloud and MoneyGram just signed on to run launch Midnight nodes for new privacy network banks want

Big operators mean little without live integrations and clear validator expansion rules once the Kūkolu launch phase ends.

Feb 27, 2026 · Gino Matos

The timing of this infrastructure rollout is critical because Cardano’s own base-layer numbers remain drastically low relative to its overall market valuation.

According to CryptoSlate data, ADA is trading at $0.2639 as of press time, giving the token a market capitalization of roughly $9.72 billion despite sitting 91.5% below its all-time high of $3.09.

The network currently supports only $13.93 million in total value locked and a mere $47.62 million in stablecoins. DefiLlama data shows the chain generated just $1,639 in fees over a recent 24-hour period.

These figures highlight a stark gap between Cardano’s token valuation and the actual economic activity on its decentralized applications.

Because of this deficit, Midnight is not being pitched simply as an adjacent project. It is effectively an attempt to import institutional flows that Cardano has failed to build at scale internally.

Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson said in a March 23 video:

“Launching cryptocurrency is kind of like landing the space shuttle. It comes down at 30,000 miles an hour and somehow lands on a runway like a plane does and no one dies, which is truly extraordinary when you really think about it, but they make it look like it’s pedestrian.”

Unlike classic privacy coins that prioritize anonymous money movement, Midnight is designed to sell privacy for data and execution. It uses zero-knowledge proofs, specifically Plonk and Halo 2, alongside multi-party computation and trusted execution environments.

This architecture allows users to prove compliance with regulations without exposing underlying proprietary data. It is a direct response to global financial regulatory bodies' tightened anti-money-laundering package, which strictly bars crypto-asset service providers from supporting accounts that utilize anonymity-enhancing coins to obfuscate transactions.

Essentially, Midnight is reframing privacy from a regulatory liability into a programmable, institutional-grade product.

Related Reading

European law authorities raise concerns over privacy coins, Layer-2 networks and crypto mixers

The report highlights significant gaps in law enforcement's ability to track and recover illicit digital assets moved via privacy coins, layer-2 networks, and crypto mixers. 

Jun 11, 2024 · Assad Jafri

How ADA gains from Midnight's rollout

The internal mechanics of the new privacy network dictate that direct usage demand does not cleanly route back into ADA.

Midnight operates on a dual-token model, utilizing NIGHT as the public governance asset and DUST as a shielded, non-transferable resource used to pay for transaction fees and smart-contract execution.

Because DUST cannot be traded or sent between wallets and decays if unused, the network's economic gravity sits firmly within the Midnight stack.

As a result, the market is already pricing in this separation. NIGHT recently traded at $0.04816, giving it a market capitalization of $799.9 million with 24-hour trading volumes exceeding $1.01 billion. CryptoSlate's data shows NIGHT up 17.5% over a 30-day window, significantly outperforming ADA, which fell 4% over the same period.

This means that traders are clearly utilizing NIGHT as the direct instrument to bet on the compliant-privacy thesis, rather than buying ADA and waiting for indirect, second-order liquidity effects.

However, Hoskinson had previously argued that the privacy chain could lift Cardano’s monthly active users and total value locked in its DeFi ecosystem by expanding its utility.

According to him:

“Adding Midnight to Cardano supercharges our DeFi ecosystem and will 10x the MAUs, Transactions, and TVL as we are first to market with private DeFi at scale.”

He also said it could take six to 12 months to gradually open the full set of capabilities Midnight is meant to support. Later phases are expected to include governance experiments and an incentivized testnet for stake pool operators.

For ADA holders, that might be good news, as recent Cardano infrastructure upgrades have established credible rails for external capital to enter.

Related Reading

Cardano just paused the program that funded $150M in crypto projects

Over $150 million has flowed through Catalyst, but the pipeline stopped as governance oversight gets rebuilt.

Mar 3, 2026 · Gino Matos

In February, Cardano integrated LayerZero, connecting the blockchain to more than 160 other networks and roughly $80 billion in omnichain assets. Shortly after, a native version of Circle’s USDCx stablecoin went live on the Cardano mainnet, utilizing the Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol.

Furthermore, the blockchain network developers are actively working on native Bitcoin staking on public testnets.

All of this development, alongside Midnight's launch, gives Cardano its clearest growth experiment in years.

The blockchain gets a fresh product line, a recognizable group of launch partners, and a narrative that fits better with current compliance pressures than many earlier crypto privacy projects did.

The post Cardano ADA shorts spike to highest since June 2023 as 71% crash meets Midnight launch this week risk appeared first on CryptoSlate.

BlackRock's Chief Executive Larry Fink told shareholders this year that digital assets, alongside private markets, insurance, and active ETFs, could each become $500 million revenue generators for the firm within five years.

According to him:

“Private markets to insurance, private markets to wealth, digital assets, and active ETFs, we think these can all be $500 million revenue generators in the next five years.”

For at least one of those categories, the runway may be shorter than that timeline suggests.

BlackRock’s crypto ETF business has already generated enough fee income in its first two years that Fink’s five-year target, when viewed on a cumulative basis, looks conservative.

Related Reading

BlackRock pushes $150B crypto shift as CEO admits wallets lack access and plans a radical investor migration

Larry Fink says there is still “very little access” to traditional investment products in digital wallets, and BlackRock plans to change that.

Mar 24, 2026 · Gino Matos

BlackRock's most profitable fund in a 1,000-deep lineup

The iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF, which trades as IBIT, sits at the top of BlackRock’s fee-revenue rankings.

Out of more than 1,000 exchange-traded funds the firm operates worldwide, IBIT generates more sponsor fees per dollar of assets than any of its peers, according to fund filings.

The fund crossed $100 billion in assets at a pace roughly five times faster than any ETF before it, drawing capital from institutional investors and retail buyers alike.

Among the 20 largest ETFs domiciled in the United States, IBIT is the clear outlier by age. Every other fund on that list spent years building the asset base that IBIT reached in less than two years.

That ascent was aided by Bitcoin’s rapid rise following Donald Trump’s 2024 election victory, culminating in an all-time high above $126,000 last October.

Related Reading

BlackRock's IBIT hits $70B AUM faster than any US ETF

Surging inflows catapult IBIT to fourth-largest US ETF with rapid AUM growth, outshining rivals.

Jun 30, 2025 · Oluwapelumi Adejumo

Since then, prices have pulled back, and IBIT’s net asset value fell 18.82% for the year through March 23 on a total-return basis.

Even so, the decline has reduced assets without breaking the fee engine.

BlackRock’s filings show IBIT collected about $47.5 million in net sponsor-fee revenue during its 2024 launch year and about $174.6 million in 2025. The iShares Ethereum Trust ETF, or ETHA, added about $0.9 million in 2024 and about $18.4 million in 2025.

Together, the two funds have generated roughly $241.4 million in cumulative net sponsor-fee revenue across their first two calendar years.

How BlackRock can earn $500 million a year from crypto ETFs

Reaching $500 million in a single year, rather than over several years, requires a different scale.

At a 0.25% sponsor fee, each $1 billion in assets produces $2.5 million in annual revenue. On that math, BlackRock’s crypto ETF complex would need roughly $200 billion in fee-bearing assets to generate $500 million in one calendar year.

As of press time, BlackRock’s crypto ETF complex held about $61.6 billion in assets. IBIT accounted for $54.64 billion, ETHA for $6.70 billion, and the iShares Staked Ethereum Trust ETF, or ETHB, for $261.8 million.

ETHB launched on March 12 and offers exposure to Ethereum's price and staking rewards from a portion of the fund's holdings. At that combined asset level, annualized revenue stood at about $153.7 million.

Related Reading

BlackRock's new product just made Ethereum income impossible to ignore

BlackRock may have just reopened the case for earning yield in crypto, reframing ETH as yield plus price exposure.

Mar 13, 2026 · Gino Matos

That leaves roughly $138.4 billion still to be added before the firm reaches the $200 billion threshold.

The route from here depends on two variables. Higher crypto prices would lift the value of existing holdings, while new inflows would add fresh capital. In practice, a path to $500 million a year likely requires both.

Price appreciation on its own does not appear sufficient under most sell-side forecasts.

Standard Chartered’s base case called for Bitcoin at $100,000 and ETH at $4,000 by the end of 2026. Repricing BlackRock’s current holdings to those levels, with no new inflows, would lift the complex to about $91.8 billion, still less than half the target.

A more bullish setup, using Bernstein’s reiterated $150,000 Bitcoin forecast alongside $4,000 ETH, narrows the gap but does not close it. Under that scenario, BlackRock would still be about $68.9 billion short.

The remaining distance, on that basis, has to come from new investor money.

Data from SoSoValue show cumulative net inflows of about $63.4 billion into IBIT, $11.87 billion into ETHA, and $163 million into ETHB.

Since IBIT’s launch, the three funds have attracted combined creations at a pace of roughly $34 billion a year. If that rate held and prices stayed flat, BlackRock could close the remaining asset gap in a little over four years.

$500 million in cumulative fees point to a 2027 crossover

On the other hand, BlackRock's crypto ETF complex could reach $500 million in cumulative fees as early as next year.

IBIT holds about $55.6 billion in net assets, while ETHA holds about $6.85 billion. Each fund charges a 0.25% annual sponsor fee, putting their combined annualized revenue run rate at roughly $156 million.

Add that run rate to the $241.4 million the funds have already generated, and the road to $500 million becomes mostly a matter of time.

If combined assets remain near current levels, the annual fee stream stays close to $156 million, and BlackRock would pass $500 million in total sponsor-fee revenue around mid-2027. If assets rise 40% to 50%, that crossover could move into early 2027.

A weaker market would slow the pace, but not by much. A decline of about 30% in the asset base would still leave BlackRock on track to reach the mark by late 2027 or early 2028.

To meaningfully delay the timeline, assets would likely need to be cut in half and kept at that level for an extended period.

Putting the number in proportion

BlackRock's plan to earn $500 million in fees from crypto ETFs should be compared with established ETF fee pools to gauge scale.

SPDR Gold Shares, the largest US gold ETF, held about $151.1 billion and charges a 0.40% expense ratio, implying roughly $604 million in fees annually.

For BlackRock’s crypto ETF complex to produce $500 million annually at a 0.25% fee rate, it would need to grow to about 132% of GLD’s current size.

Within BlackRock’s financials, revenue at such margins would also be meaningful, though still far from central.

The firm ended 2025 with $14 trillion in total assets under management. It reported $24.216 billion in revenue and $19.179 billion in investment advisory, administration fees, and securities-lending income. A $500 million crypto ETF fee stream would amount to about 2.1% of total revenue and 2.6% of the fee-based line.

That would not shift the company’s financial center of gravity. It would, however, place crypto ETFs more firmly among the established revenue lines inside BlackRock’s fund business.

Viewed that way, the endpoint is less about any single forecast than about scale. The path does not rest on one price target, one week of inflows, or one product launch. It rests on reaching about $200 billion in assets.

The post BlackRock Bitcoin ETF empire surging past $100 billion was fastest ever hinting at a $200B tipping point appeared first on CryptoSlate.

The Bitcoin network experienced a rare two-block reorg on Mar. 23, at block height 941,880. Foundry mined six consecutive blocks, AntPool and ViaBTC briefly extended a competing branch.

The chain resolved the fork as designed, following the path with the most hash rate. Bitcoin performed exactly as designed and validated its assumptions.

The heuristic nobody labeled

The six-confirmation rule is one of the pieces of received wisdom that have traveled so far from their origins that most people who repeat it can't reconstruct why six is the number.

The answer traces back to Satoshi Nakamoto's 2008 whitepaper, which modeled finality as a catch-up probability. As enough blocks pile up on top of a transaction, the computational cost of rewriting history becomes prohibitive for an attacker with limited hashpower.

Six blocks became the community shorthand for “safe enough,” even though the whitepaper treated it as a calculation that assumes the attacker controls about 10% of the network's hashpower.

That assumption has been quietly doing a lot of work for sixteen years.

Jameson Lopp made the implication explicit in an analysis of confirmation risk. The comfort level baked into six confirmations is a function of who else is on the network and how much of it they run.

Under the Nakamoto catch-up model, six confirmations against an attacker holding 10% of hashpower yields a reversal risk of roughly 0.02%. Against 20%, that figure climbs to about 1.43%. Against 30%, it reaches approximately 13.2%.

At the 32.2% share Foundry held in recent pool-share snapshots, the same model puts six-confirmation reversal risk near 18.9%.

Related Reading

Brutal storm weakens Bitcoin security as major mining pool drops 30% of its hashing power

Bitcoin mining just cratered as a massive US winter storm reveals the hidden reason the network slowed down.

Jan 26, 2026 · Liam 'Akiba' Wright

Mining pools are not coordinated attackers by default, which is why they don't fit in these model outputs. Foundry USA describes itself as an institutional-grade pool built for miners that coordinates many independent operators.

Miners can and do switch pools, making an overt attack would be economically self-destructive for any rational pool operator. Concentration in block production changes the risk model people use to decide when a payment feels final, regardless of how dispersed the underlying machines are.

A 2022 latency security analysis noted that with a 10% adversary and a 10-second propagation delay, six confirmations still produce a safety-violation probability between 0.11% and 0.35%.

Six was never a hard ceiling, even under conditions far more favorable than those of today.

Three conditions at once

The context surrounding the reorg carries the weight.

Bitcoin's network is currently running three conditions simultaneously that put the six-confirmation heuristic under pressure, which it has rarely faced in practice.

In the past three days, Foundry has held roughly 31% of the global hashrate, while AntPool sits at about 18.4%, and ViaBTC at 10.5%, according to Hashrate Index data. Those three pools combined account for approximately 60% of block production.

That degree of concentration in coordinator power is elevated by any reasonable measure over the last several years.

Related Reading

Bitcoin miners are bleeding at $90,000, but the “death spiral” math hits a hard ceiling

Stop panicking about infinite selling pressure, structural limits dictate exactly how many coins can actually hit the market before operations break.

Dec 21, 2025 · Andjela Radmilac

At the same time, mining economics have deteriorated sharply. Difficulty dropped 7.76% on Mar. 21 in one of 2026's largest negative adjustments. Hashprice averaged $32.31 per petahash per day in February, down nearly 18% month over month, briefly touching a record low of $27.89.

Transaction fees contributed just 0.57% of total block rewards in the last 24 hours of available data.

When margins compress and fee revenue dries up, smaller and mid-sized miners face a growing incentive to pool into whichever coordinator offers the best variance reduction. This usually means the already-large pools get larger.

The January winter storm offered a counterpoint worth noting. Foundry's hashrate reportedly dropped by around 60%, or nearly 200 exahashes per second, during that period, demonstrating that pool shares can redistribute quickly when external conditions change.

Amid this backdrop, the six-confirmation rule lacks an automatic adjustment mechanism when pool shares move.

In practice, the industry's largest venues have abandoned the six-confirmation standard in a quiet operational judgment made years ago.

Coinbase requires two confirmations for BTC deposits to be marked as pending, while Kraken and Gemini each require three.

None of those thresholds is wrong for their use cases: for ordinary retail deposits, two or three confirmations represent an entirely defensible risk tolerance.

The gap between those real-world numbers and the folk standard of six illustrates that “six confirmations” was always more a cultural artifact than a universal policy.

Lopp's framework argues that this gap should grow more deliberate. Required confirmations should scale with transaction value and the economics of the attacker.

A $500 retail deposit and a $50 million OTC settlement do not share the same risk profile, and the honest version of finality guidance would explicitly state so.

Related Reading

How solo Bitcoin miners won 22 blocks in 12 months as another hit the jackpot this week

Tracker data shows an average 15.6 days between solo wins, despite brutal expected wait times for individuals.

Jan 14, 2026 · Gino Matos

The number that stayed the same

There are different outcomes in the current hashrate concentration scenario, which raised an alarm for users.

Positively, hashrate redistributes across a broader pool of coordinators as mining margins eventually recover and new entrants compete for share.

The January storm already demonstrated that Foundry's dominance can erode quickly under the right conditions. If concentration eases and the hash price recovers, six confirmations remain a reasonable default for large BTC settlements.

On the flip side, Foundry could remain above 30%, and the top-three concentration stays sticky. No malicious event is required for the norm to degrade, as exchanges, OTC desks, and merchants handling high-value transfers can quietly raise internal thresholds or formalize dynamic tiers tied to observable pool-share data.

Under the Nakamoto model, six confirmations against a fully coordinated 32.2% attacker leaves roughly 18.9% catch-up risk, a figure genuinely difficult to reconcile with language like “effectively irreversible” for transfers in the tens of millions of dollars.

The situation requires only that the pool concentration remain where it is, while the gap between the folk standard and the actual risk widens enough that someone with money on the line stops ignoring it.

Bitcoin's settlement assurances were always “six blocks, under a certain distribution of hashpower and a certain tolerance for risk.”

The two-block reorg produced a rare moment when the gap between Bitcoin's finality folklore and its underlying math became hard to ignore.

Considering this moment, the six-confirmation rule's days as a universal, unqualified standard are running out.

The post Bitcoin miner concentration just exposed a gap in Bitcoin’s “six confirmations” rule appeared first on CryptoSlate.

Markets Rally as Ceasefire Hopes Drive Risk-On Sentiment

Global markets surged after President Donald Trump announced a temporary pause in strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure, triggering a strong “risk-on” reaction across assets.

The immediate impact was significant:

• Over $650 billion added to US stock markets
• Oil prices dropped sharply as supply fears eased
• Bitcoin (BTC) reclaimed the $70,000 level
• Ethereum (ETH) moved closer to $2,200

At first glance, this looks like a classic relief rally — markets reacting positively to the possibility of de-escalation in the Middle East.

However, beneath the surface, the crypto market is telling a more cautious story.

Bitcoin Holds Strong — But Altcoins Refuse to Follow

Despite the bullish headlines, market structure reveals a key divergence.

• Bitcoin is stabilizing above $70K
• Ethereum is trending upward, but slowly
• Altcoins like XRP, Cardano, and Solana are only showing modest gains

This is not typical behavior for a full bullish breakout.

In previous cycles, strong Bitcoin moves are usually followed by aggressive capital rotation into altcoins. That is not happening here.

👉 Instead, the market is showing defensive positioning, with capital concentrated in major assets rather than flowing into higher-risk tokens.

This suggests that while confidence is improving, conviction remains limited.

Iran Denies Talks — A Critical Contradiction

While markets are rallying on ceasefire expectations, the geopolitical reality remains uncertain.

Officials in Iran have publicly denied that meaningful negotiations are underway, contradicting the narrative driving the rally.

At the same time, reports indicate ongoing proposals and conditions for de-escalation — but no confirmed agreement.

This creates a clear disconnect:

• Markets are pricing peace and stability
• Reality still reflects uncertainty and unresolved tensions

👉 This gap is crucial — and potentially risky.

Oil Collapse Signals Overconfidence in a Peace Scenario

Energy markets are reinforcing the same narrative.

Oil prices have dropped sharply, with some regional benchmarks experiencing extreme declines as traders price in:

• No disruption to supply
• Stability in the Strait of Hormuz
• A near-term resolution to tensions

This kind of aggressive repricing suggests markets are leaning heavily toward a best-case scenario.

If that assumption proves wrong, the reversal could be equally sharp across both traditional and crypto markets.

Institutional Moves Continue to Support the Long-Term Trend

While short-term price action is driven by geopolitics, structural developments in crypto remain bullish.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission have introduced new frameworks for digital assets, signaling growing regulatory clarity.

At the same time, asset managers like Franklin Templeton are pushing forward with tokenized ETFs that can trade 24/7 through crypto infrastructure.

👉 These developments point toward a long-term shift:

• Traditional finance moving on-chain
• Increasing institutional participation
• Expansion of tokenized financial products

This is a fundamentally different driver than the current macro-driven rally.

Bitcoin Shows Strength — But Not Euphoria

Another important signal comes from Bitcoin’s behavior itself.

Despite:

• Geopolitical uncertainty
• Volatility in oil markets
• Mixed macro conditions

Bitcoin is holding its ground above $70K without entering a parabolic move.

👉 This reflects a maturing market structure:

• No panic selling
• No excessive speculation
• Gradual accumulation rather than explosive growth

This kind of price action is typically seen in transition phases, not during peak bullish momentum.

Crypto Is No Longer Reacting Like Before

One of the most notable shifts in this cycle is how crypto responds to global events.

In previous years, geopolitical tensions would trigger sharp sell-offs across crypto markets.

Now:

• Bitcoin stabilizes quickly
• Drawdowns are absorbed faster
• The market shows resilience rather than panic

👉 This suggests crypto is evolving:

From a purely speculative asset
➡️ Toward a more established macro-sensitive asset class

However, it is not yet acting as a full safe haven — the current cautious behavior proves that.

A Market Pricing Peace — But Positioning for Risk

Putting all signals together, the current market environment is defined by contradiction:

• Stocks and crypto are rallying
• Oil is collapsing
• Peace is being priced in

But at the same time:

• Iran denies confirmed negotiations
• Altcoins are underperforming
• Investors remain selectively positioned

👉 This leads to a clear conclusion:

Markets are pricing a perfect outcome — but crypto is not fully convinced.

What Happens Next?

The next major move will likely depend on one key factor:

👉 Whether geopolitical developments confirm — or invalidate — the current narrative.

If tensions truly de-escalate:

• Risk assets could extend gains
• Altcoins may finally catch up
• A broader crypto rally could begin

If not:

• Oil could rebound sharply
• Markets may reverse quickly
• Crypto could retest lower support levels

Conclusion

Bitcoin holding above $70,000 is a strong signal — but the absence of altcoin momentum reveals a deeper layer of caution.

This is not a full bullish breakout.
It is a macro-driven recovery built on expectations, not confirmations.

And right now, crypto appears to be the only market not fully buying the story.

Following years of "regulation by enforcement," the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) have issued a joint landmark interpretation. This move, dubbed "Project Crypto" by insiders, aims to provide the first comprehensive taxonomy for digital assets, categorizing them into digital commodities, collectibles, and tokenized securities.

Meanwhile, the Bitcoin price is currently navigating a high-volatility zone. Following the Federal Reserve's hawkish stance in the recent FOMC meeting—where inflation projections for 2026 were raised to 2.7%—BTC has seen significant pressure, testing the critical $70,000 support level.

Crypto News Today: The SEC and CFTC Join Forces

In a historic turn of events, the SEC, under Chairman Atkins, released a commission-level interpretive release that clarifies the application of federal securities laws to crypto assets. This is not just another speech; it is a "major rule" that provides a safe harbor for market participants.

The new framework classifies assets into four primary buckets:

1. Digital Commodities: Assets like Bitcoin (BTC) whose value stems from automated network mechanics.
2. Digital Collectibles: Non-security assets intended for personal enjoyment (NFTs and memes).
3. Payment Stablecoins: Assets regulated under the newly debated CLARITY Act and GENIUS Act.
4. Tokenized Securities: Traditional instruments (stocks/bonds) wrapped in blockchain technology.

This development is expected to reduce the "chilling effect" on institutional investment, potentially paving the way for more sophisticated financial products beyond the current spot ETFs.

Crypto Price Today: BTC and ETH Face Macro Headwinds

Despite the regulatory "green light," the broader macro environment remains challenging. The Federal Reserve's decision to maintain interest rates at 3.5%–3.75% while signaling only one rate cut for the remainder of 2026 has triggered a "risk-off" sentiment.

• Bitcoin ($BTC): After a $708 million single-day outflow from U.S. spot ETFs earlier this week, Bitcoin is currently trading near $70,720. Traders are watching the $70,000 psychological floor closely
  
• Ethereum ($ETH): Ethereum has shown relative resilience compared to the broader market, holding the $3,400 range. This is largely driven by "whale accumulation" and anticipation surrounding new scaling solutions
  

The CLARITY Act and the Future of Stablecoin Yield

Legislative momentum is also building on Capitol Hill. The CLARITY Act’s compromise text was recently reviewed by industry leaders. The draft suggests a strict prohibition on digital asset service providers offering "direct yield" on stablecoin balances to mimic bank interest. However, activity-based rewards—such as loyalty programs and transaction-linked incentives—remain permitted.

This move aims to integrate stablecoins into the U.S. financial perimeter without compromising the stability of the traditional banking system. According to The Guardian, similar regulatory reviews are happening globally, with the UK also publishing reports on the integrity of digital finance.

Quick Market Stats

Conclusion: A Turning Point for 2026

Today marks a "General to Specific" progression in crypto history. We are moving from a general state of uncertainty to a specific, regulated framework. While the BTC price reflects the immediate pain of high interest rates and geopolitical tension in the Middle East, the structural foundation of the industry has never been stronger.

Currently, Ethereum is trading near $2,165, eyeing a breakout toward the critical $2,200 resistance zone.

The sudden shift in market sentiment follows a green opening for US stock market futures and a series of high-stakes geopolitical reports suggesting a potential de-escalation in the Middle East.

Why is Ethereum Price UP: Rumors of US-Iran Peace Talks

The primary catalyst for today’s market surge appears to be unverified reports from Israeli media suggesting that the United States is pushing for a one-month ceasefire between Israel and Iran to facilitate diplomatic negotiations.

• The "15-Point Plan": Reports indicate that US envoys have presented a 15-point peace proposal aimed at stabilizing the region.
• Trump's Stance: President Donald Trump claimed on Tuesday that "productive negotiations" are already underway, noting that Tehran seems open to a deal.
• Iran's Response: Conversely, Iranian officials have publicly dismissed these claims as "fake news" and a "bluff," intended to manipulate financial and oil markets.

While no official ceasefire has been confirmed, the mere prospect of a pause in hostilities has caused oil prices to soften and risk-on assets like $Bitcoin and Ethereum to surge.

Ethereum Price Analysis: The 1-Month Outlook

Ethereum's journey over the last 30 days has been a volatile consolidation phase. After a sharp dip toward the $1,800 demand zone earlier this month, ETH has established a series of higher lows.

Technical Chart Observations

Looking at the Ethereum chart, the asset has faced heavy selling pressure every time it approached the $2,150 mark. However, today's move is backed by increasing volume and a "supply shock" narrative. Data suggests that the $Ethereum staking ratio has hit a record high of 31.4%, significantly reducing the liquid supply available on exchanges.

Can ETH Break Above $2,200?

For $ETH to sustain this rally, it must achieve a daily close above $2,180. If the bulls can clear the $2,200 hurdle, the next technical targets lie at $2,320 and $2,500.

The current "Extreme Fear" sentiment observed earlier this week is rapidly shifting toward neutral. Traders are advised to keep a close watch on exchange comparison tools to ensure they are positioned with the best liquidity providers during these high-volatility events.

The convergence of reclaiming Bitcoin's $71,000 level and the potential for a diplomatic breakthrough has provided the "oxygen" the crypto market needed. While the situation between the US and Iran remains fluid and unverified, Ethereum's fundamentals—bolstered by record staking—suggest that the path of least resistance may finally be upward.

Circle Internet Group (NYSE: CRCL) saw its stock price tumble by approximately 17%. This sudden downturn comes after a period of significant growth for the stablecoin issuer, which went public in mid-2025. While the stock market reaction has been aggressive, the company’s core product, USD Coin ($USDC), continues to maintain its strict 1:1 peg to the US Dollar, showing no signs of the volatility affecting its parent company's shares.

Why is Circle (CRCL) Stock Crashing Today?

The primary catalyst for today's sell-off appears to be emerging details regarding a legislative compromise in Washington D.C. related to stablecoin regulation. According to reports from Investing.com and internal stakeholder leaks, the proposed "GENIUS Act" or similar stablecoin frameworks might include strict prohibitions on platforms offering yield or interest on stablecoins.

"The proposal would prohibit platforms from offering yield 'directly or indirectly' for holding a stablecoin or in a manner resembling a bank deposit." — Crypto in America Report

Investors are concerned that if USDC cannot be used as a yield-bearing asset by third-party exchanges and brokers, its utility and total circulating supply could stall. This would directly impact Circle's bottom line, as the company generates the majority of its revenue from interest earned on the massive cash and Treasury reserves backing USDC.

USDC Peg Remains Stable Amid Equity Volatility

Despite the "blood in the streets" for CRCL shareholders, the USDC peg remains rock solid at $1.00. Unlike the depegging event in 2023 during the Silicon Valley Bank crisis, Circle’s reserves are currently managed with higher transparency and a focus on short-duration US Treasuries.

Current market data shows:

• USDC Price: $1.00 (±0.0001)
• Market Cap: ~$79 Billion
• CRCL Price: ~$126.55 (Down 16.85%)

The distinction between the company's valuation and the stablecoin's collateral is vital for traders. While investors are re-pricing Circle's future earnings potential based on new laws, the actual assets backing every USDC in circulation remain fully liquid and accounted for.

Broader Market Impact: Coinbase and Others Slide

Circle isn't the only one feeling the heat. Coinbase (COIN) also dropped over 8% in tandem, as the exchange is a key partner in the Centre Consortium and shares in the revenue generated by USDC. The market is currently in a "risk-off" mode, exacerbated by hawkish Federal Reserve commentary and geopolitical tensions pushing oil prices higher.

What’s Next for CRCL?

The long-term outlook for Circle (CRCL) depends on how the final version of the stablecoin bill is drafted. If Circle can pivot its Circle Payment Network (CPN) to focus on transaction fees rather than just interest-rate spreads, it may recover. However, in the short term, technical indicators suggest the stock may test support levels near $110 if the legislative news continues to lean bearish.

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

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

Is April a Good Time to Buy Crypto?

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

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

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

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

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

2. PEPE: The Volatility King

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

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

3. XRP: Regulatory Clarity Meets Institutional Adoption

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

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

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

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

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

5. Solana (SOL): The Ecosystem Powerhouse

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

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

Top 5 Cryptos to Buy in April 2026

CoinShares filed for three Bitcoin volatility ETFs: a base, leveraged, and inverse fund. The funds could begin trading in early June 2026.

Five Franklin Templeton's ETFs will be tokenized via Ondo Finance as the firms seek to broaden access to traditional assets on-chain.

Visa will help banks bring stablecoin payments and settlement on-chain while preserving privacy on the institutional blockchain network.

Fundstrat co-founder Tom Lee said BitMine’s Ethereum staking platform, MAVAN, was set to become the world’s largest following its debut.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced an immediate freeze on crypto donations to political parties, following the independent Rycroft review.

Solana is showing signs of an asset that is ready for a proper recovery as longs are slowly piling up on exchanges.

XRP confirms a rare daily golden cross, signaling a potential 37% surge. Explore the technical roadmap toward a $2 price target and key resistance levels.

RLUSD supply sees one of its biggest declines in months, raising questions about liquidity strategy.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced an immediate ban on political parties accepting cryptocurrency donations.

Litecoin (LTC) open interest jumps 8% as on-chain metrics flip positive.

TLDR

• Coinbase has started streaming its order book, perps, and futures data onchain through Chainlink’s DataLink service.
• Onchain protocols can now access data feeds from Coinbase International Exchange and Coinbase Derivatives Exchange.
• The integration includes perpetual futures, equities, and commodities benchmarks for decentralized applications.
• Coinbase said its benchmarks will support developers building derivatives and tokenized asset platforms.
• Chainlink confirmed that DataLink delivers enterprise data securely from off-chain systems to blockchain networks.

Coinbase has started sending its exchange market data directly onchain through Chainlink’s DataLink service. The rollout gives onchain protocols access to Coinbase order books, futures, and perpetual contracts data. The companies said the integration supports secure and verifiable data delivery for decentralized applications.

Coinbase Expands Onchain Data Access Through DataLink

Coinbase confirmed that it now streams spot and derivatives data onchain using Chainlink’s DataLink bridge. The service distributes feeds from Coinbase International Exchange and Coinbase Derivatives Exchange. As a result, developers can access order book depth and futures pricing in real time.

The exchange said the rollout covers perpetual futures, equities, and commodities benchmarks. It also provides standardized datasets designed for institutional and decentralized platforms. Coinbase aims to monetize its proprietary market data while expanding infrastructure services.

Liz Martin, Vice President of Coinbase Markets, outlined the company’s objective. She said, “Our benchmarks enable DeFi and TradFi developers to build more robust onchain apps across derivatives, tokenized assets, and more.” Her statement accompanied the formal announcement of the integration.

Coinbase operates the largest crypto exchange in the United States by trading volume. The company continues efforts to grow into an “everything exchange” model. It also seeks to strengthen its prime brokerage capabilities for institutional clients.

The DataLink bridge enables enterprise users to push off-chain information into blockchain networks. Chainlink launched DataLink late last year as part of its enterprise strategy. The service focuses on secure data transfer between traditional systems and smart contracts.

Coinbase said developers can verify order book and futures data directly onchain. The company expects broader integration across decentralized protocols. The rollout marks the first time Coinbase distributes its exchange market data onchain at scale.

Chainlink Strengthens Infrastructure Role with Enterprise Integrations

Chainlink Labs confirmed that DataLink now carries Coinbase exchange benchmarks. Johann Eid, Chief Business Officer at Chainlink Labs, described the integration as infrastructure-focused.

He said, “The future of finance requires a foundation of uncompromising security.”

Eid added, “We aren’t just moving data; we are building the programmable market infrastructure defining the next era of tokenization.”

He said the effort accelerates the convergence of institutional finance and DeFi systems. Chainlink positions DataLink as a secure enterprise-grade bridge.

Chainlink said it has secured nearly $100 billion in total value locked across decentralized finance applications. The network also reported facilitating more than $25 trillion in onchain transaction value. These figures reflect cumulative activity supported by Chainlink services.

The Coinbase integration follows earlier collaborations between the two companies. Coinbase selected Chainlink as its exclusive bridging solution for wrapped assets such as cbBTC, cbETH, and cbDOGE. It also uses Chainlink services for the Base-Solana Bridge infrastructure.

Chainlink has expanded enterprise relationships beyond crypto-native firms. The company provides Oracle services for Swift, JPMorgan, and Mastercard. DataLink also supports institutional data providers including S&P Global and FTSE Russell.

The post Coinbase Streams Order Book Data Onchain via Chainlink appeared first on Blockonomi.

On March 6, President Trump declared there would be no deal with Iran except a surrender, sending Brent crude oil above $90 for the first time in more than a year and dragging stocks and crypto down with it. The BTC cycle is full of instability, but the same conditions that push the market down create the best entry points for the projects that thrive when the cycle turns.

The bitcoin price news also shows Pepeto raised more than $8 million with a live exchange and the Binance listing approaching. Analysts project 1000x, and the wallets entering during this fear are the early believers that every cycle rewards the most.

President Trump declared no deal with Iran except surrender on March 6, sending Brent crude above $90 for the first time in over a year and pulling crypto lower alongside equities, according to CoinDesk.

The correction hit BTC and most altcoins while a few early stage projects kept their ascending trends through the selling, according to CoinMarketCap.

The BTC headlines remind investors that macro pressure creates the entries that produce the biggest returns, and the presale that kept raising through the fear is where those returns live.

Where the Market Pays Most to the People Who Entered Before the Recovery

Pepeto

The current environment is full of instability, but investors have also become more demanding. AI is driving technological change, and the projects that address real problems are the ones that thrive in the new market. Pepeto fits that reality completely because the exchange already runs the contract checking, zero fee trading, and cross chain transfers the market is moving toward.

The risk scorer checks every contract for hidden drains, honeypot functions, and fake minting before your capital goes near them, and explains what it found in plain language so you decide with facts. PepetoSwap keeps every position at full value with zero fees, and the cross chain bridge moves tokens at zero cost.

More than $8 million raised during the correction with 193% APY staking compounding in early wallets while stages fill faster proves serious conviction. The SolidProof audit cleared every contract, a former Binance expert is on the dev team, and the cofounder who built the original Pepe coin to $11 billion with the same 420 trillion supply is behind the platform.

Pepeto is at $0.000000186, and analysts project 1000x once the Binance listing opens public trading. The bitcoin price news confirms the best entries happen during fear, and the exchange with the product already shipping and the listing days away is the kind of opportunity that produces the returns people reference for the rest of the cycle.

BTC

Bitcoin trades near $71,299 as of March 24 after a 21% recovery from lows below $60,000 with $225 million in net ETF inflows on Tuesday led by BlackRock’s $322 million IBIT day, according to CoinMarketCap.

The BTC outlook projects Bitcoin between $74,000 and $93,000 through 2026, a 28% gain at the upper end. Solid foundation, but the return from $71,299 is not the math that changes your life the way 1000x from one listing does.

SOL

Solana trades near $92 as of March 24 bouncing 4% alongside the broader market with the appchain utility narrative giving it an edge in the sector rotation, according to CoinMarketCap.

SOL holds $92 support with $92 resistance overhead. Analysts project $92 to $135 for 2026, a 1.6x that rewards steady holders. Dependable infrastructure, but the return ceiling cannot match what the presale delivers from one listing event.

Bitcoin Price News Confirms That the Market Pays Most to Early Believers and the Window Is Open Now

The bitcoin price news has confirmed once more that production quality platforms at presale pricing are what the current market rewards most. The market always pays the biggest returns to the early believers, and Ethereum was under $10 once before it reached $2,057, and the people who got in when nobody believed in it are the ones who built real wealth.

Millions in capital entering Pepeto’s presale during extreme fear proves those same kinds of wallets expect the same outcome, and following their moves is how you position on the right side of the listing. The Pepeto official website is where that entry is still open.

Click To Visit Pepeto Website To Enter The Presale

FAQ:

What does the latest bitcoin price news mean for presale entries?

Institutional inflows lifting BTC from lows creates the backdrop where presale tokens with live products see the biggest listing returns. The Pepeto official website is where those entries are secured now.

How does the bitcoin price news cycle help identify the best opportunities?

The bitcoin price news reveals broader market direction, and the exchange that checks contracts in real time positions you ahead of the moves the news reports after.

Why are early stage entries important during this bitcoin price news cycle?

When the market recovers from fear, early entries see the largest returns because the listing compresses what months of recovery deliver into one event.

The post Bitcoin Price News Reveals 1000x Setup as Trump Demands Iran Surrender and Oil Rises While Pepeto BTC and SOL React appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

• BlackRock CEO Larry Fink warned that oil prices near $150 could trigger a global recession.
• He said prolonged supply disruptions could keep oil prices above $100 for years.
• Fink stated that high energy costs would raise production and transport expenses worldwide.
• He explained that lower-income households would face greater pressure from rising fuel bills.
• Goldman Sachs raised the probability of a US recession to 30% due to oil-driven inflation risks.

BlackRock CEO Larry Fink warned that soaring oil markets could tip the world into recession. He said prolonged supply shocks could lift crude toward $150 per barrel. He outlined two economic paths based on how the Iran conflict develops.

Oil Prices Could Stay Above $100 for Years

Fink spoke on the BBC Big Boss Interview podcast on March 25. He said oil prices could climb sharply if tensions restrict supply and trade. He warned that crude near $150 would strain growth and fuel inflation.

He stated, “We could have years of oil prices above $100, closer to $150 oil.” He added that such levels would carry “profound implications in the economy.” He said high energy costs would likely trigger a global recession.

He explained that elevated fuel costs would raise transport and production expenses. As a result, businesses would face tighter margins and slower expansion. Lower-income households would also feel stronger pressure from higher energy bills.

He contrasted this outlook with a full de-escalation scenario. He said Iran’s reintegration into global markets could push oil toward $40 per barrel. He argued that increased supply would support growth and ease inflation pressures.

However, he warned that a partial resolution presents greater risks. He said Iran could still threaten trade routes and Gulf stability. In that case, oil prices could remain elevated for years.

He stressed that sustained prices near $150 would almost certainly lead to recession. He said energy costs at that level would ripple across sectors. He linked the outlook directly to supply disruptions and trade threats.

Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Raise US Recession Odds

Other major financial institutions have also raised recession probabilities. Goldman Sachs increased its United States recession odds to 30%. The bank cited rising inflation tied to oil prices and weaker growth forecasts.

JPMorgan placed recession odds at 35%. The bank said markets may underestimate the economic drag from prolonged energy shocks. Both institutions connected their outlooks to persistent crude price strength.

Oil markets have shown volatility in recent weeks. Reports about ceasefire talks caused brief price declines on Wednesday. However, traders continued to track risks around key shipping lanes.

The Strait of Hormuz remains central to global energy flows. Any disruption there could tighten supply quickly. As tensions evolve, oil prices continue to respond to geopolitical signals.

Fink’s remarks add to the ongoing debate within financial circles. He tied recession risk directly to crude levels above $100 and approaching $150. His comments followed recent market swings linked to developments involving Iran.

He reiterated that a clear end to hostilities could lower oil prices sharply. Yet he maintained that unresolved threats would keep prices high. The interview aired on March 25 and detailed both economic scenarios.

The post BlackRock CEO Fink Says $150 Oil Prices Could Spark Recession appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

• The European Central Bank plans to publish Digital Euro technical standards by summer.
• The ECB will begin a 12-month pilot for the Digital Euro in the second half of 2027.
• Lawmakers could approve a full Digital Euro launch around 2029.
• Private banks will provide wallets while the ECB maintains the core infrastructure.
• The Reserve Bank of Australia estimates tokenization could deliver AUD $24 billion in annual efficiency gains.

The European Central Bank has outlined a clear path for its Digital Euro project and expects to publish technical standards by summer. Executive Board member Piero Cipollone confirmed the plan before European Union lawmakers and detailed the rollout process. Meanwhile, Australia’s central bank has projected AUD $24 billion in annual efficiency gains from tokenization efforts.

Digital Euro Framework and Pilot Roadmap

The ECB will release core technical standards for the Digital Euro by this summer. Cipollone said the framework will give banks and payment firms time to prepare their systems. He stressed that early coordination will support a smooth integration process.

The standards will allow terminals, wallets, and payment apps to include Digital Euro functionality before issuance. As a result, providers can embed features directly into payment infrastructure. Cipollone told lawmakers that “early alignment with industry participants is critical to ensuring a smooth rollout.”

The ECB has scheduled a 12-month pilot for the second half of 2027. The trial will test person-to-person transfers and point-of-sale payments in controlled settings. Licensed payment service providers will operate the pilot under central bank oversight.

The central bank will review both technical performance and user adoption during the pilot. If lawmakers approve the framework, the ECB targets a potential launch around 2029. Officials linked the timeline to infrastructure development and legislative coordination across the European Union.

The ECB has confirmed that it will not offer the Digital Euro directly to consumers. Instead, private banks and payment firms will provide wallets and customer services. The Digital Euro will function as a public infrastructure layer within the existing financial system.

Australia Advances Tokenization Strategy

The Reserve Bank of Australia has estimated that tokenization could deliver about AUD $24 billion in annual efficiency gains. Bloomberg reported that the figure equals roughly $16.7 billion in economic value. The projection highlights the growing focus on blockchain-based financial infrastructure.

Assistant Governor Brad Jones said stablecoins and bank-issued deposit tokens will play complementary roles. He stated that authorities are shifting toward practical deployment frameworks. The RBA has launched a digital sandbox to test new tokenized financial products.

The central bank has also expanded a working group focused on deposit tokens. Officials aim to integrate tokenized finance into the existing monetary system while maintaining oversight. The RBA said the initiative supports coordination between regulators and industry participants.

In Europe, the ECB continues to position central bank money as the anchor of the financial system. Cipollone said public money must retain its role as a tokenized asset, and stablecoins gain traction. The ECB’s Pontes initiative is testing cross-platform settlement of tokenized securities using central bank money.

The Appia roadmap outlines a longer-term plan for integrated tokenized markets across Europe. The Digital Euro will complement cash and bank deposits within that framework. Authorities confirmed that central bank-backed settlement remains central to these efforts.

The post ECB Details Digital Euro Plan as Australia Eyes $24B Gains appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

• CME Group included XRP alongside Bitcoin and Ethereum in its latest SEC 10-K filing.
• XRP futures reached $1 billion in open interest within just over three months on CME.
• XRP futures recorded nearly $26.9 billion in notional trading volume after launch.
• U.S.-based XRP ETFs launched in November 2025 and attracted over $1 billion in inflows.
• Missouri lawmakers introduced a bill to add XRP to a proposed state crypto reserve fund.

CME Group has placed XRP alongside Bitcoin and Ethereum in its latest SEC filing. The exchange disclosed the update in its annual Form 10-K submission. The document outlines XRP as part of its regulated crypto derivatives portfolio.

CME Group Adds XRP to Core Crypto Offerings

CME Group confirmed XRP within its listed crypto products in the 10-K filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The filing groups XRP with Bitcoin and Ethereum under digital asset derivatives. The exchange offers futures and options that institutions use for hedging and price discovery.

The platform serves banks, asset managers, corporations, and central banks across global markets. Therefore, the listing gives professional investors regulated access to XRP exposure. CME Group states that its derivatives products support liquidity and risk management services.

XRP futures began trading on CME Group in May 2025. Since launch, the contracts have recorded nearly $26.9 billion in notional trading volume. They also reached about $213 million in average daily volume within five months.

CME Group offers standard contracts of 50,000 XRP and micro contracts of 2,500 XRP. Both contract sizes allow flexible participation for institutions and smaller participants. As a result, trading activity expanded steadily across regulated markets.

XRP futures reached $1 billion in open interest within just over three months. CME Group records show that this marked the fastest pace among its listed crypto products. The milestone surpassed the growth rates of Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana futures.

XRP ETF Launch and Expanding Institutional Access

U.S.-based XRP exchange-traded funds launched in November 2025. The funds have recorded more than $1 billion in inflows since inception. The ETF approval followed rising demand for regulated XRP exposure.

Market data links ETF inflows with activity in regulated futures markets. Strong derivatives volumes often support broader institutional access. CME Group’s filing reflects this alignment with expanding product offerings.

XRP’s regulatory position has shifted after earlier legal disputes in the United States. The asset now appears within formal financial infrastructure filings. CME Group includes XRP directly in its core disclosures to regulators.

The 10-K filing outlines derivatives as tools for speculation and portfolio allocation. It also lists XRP under products available to institutional market participants. The document forms part of CME Group’s required annual disclosures.

Missouri Proposal Includes XRP in State Reserve Plan

Lawmakers in Missouri have introduced a bill to create a Strategic Reserve Fund. The proposal includes XRP, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and USDC in the reserve structure. The fund would allow the state to buy and hold digital assets.

The bill authorizes state agencies to manage digital assets under defined compliance standards. It also permits the state to receive crypto through grants and donations. The structure aims to formalize digital asset custody within state finance operations.

Missouri’s proposal allows agencies to accept USDC for taxes, fees, and fines. The bill sets transparency standards and requires third-party custodians. Lawmakers continue to review the measure within the state legislative process.

The post CME Group Lists XRP With Bitcoin in SEC Filing Update appeared first on Blockonomi.

XRP’s price has remained relatively unchanged, trading at $1.42 on Wednesday. With no major catalyst in sight, the crypto asset has continued to be rejected.

Market experts believe that it is more likely to revisit lower support zones before any meaningful trend reversal takes place.

Bearish Wave Targets $0.87

Crypto analyst CasiTrades stated that XRP remains positioned within a broader bearish wave structure, having continued to track as a subwave 2 inside a larger wave 5 decline, with a downside target of $0.87. The analyst explained that the current wave 2 structure remains valid unless the token forms a new low below $1.36.

Within this structure, wave B extended deeper than initially expected and ended up reaching the 0.786 retracement level at $1.38, though this remains within acceptable parameters. The projected C wave target has been revised lower to $1.485, aligned with the 0.5 retracement level, instead of the earlier $1.51 level based on the 0.618 retracement.

Over a broader timeframe, repeated rejection at resistance over the past month points to a higher probability of XRP moving toward lower support levels at $1.09 and $0.87 before any potential trend reversal. The outlook remains unchanged unless the token breaks and steadies above $1.65 or reaches the identified lower support zones.

ETF Outflows

On the institutional front, after months of steady inflows following their late-2025 launch, XRP spot ETFs posted $30.12 million in net outflows in March 2026, according to data compiled by SoSoValue. Although early-month inflows briefly lifted totals, momentum weakened as the month progressed.

Amid ongoing discussions around XRP institutional adoption, Ripple CTO David Schwartz said that he opposes artificially incentivizing usage where XRP may not be the most efficient option. He went on to clarify that any cost advantage tied to the crypto asset should reflect genuine efficiencies or benefits rather than subsidies designed solely to drive adoption. The exec added,

“What I generally prefer to do is reduce the risk of and eliminate any obstacles to our customers using XRP, XRPL, and other technologies that we want them to use. I prefer we use discounts and subsidies only where they either reflect a real benefit (for example, if it costs us less) or where they incentivize taking initial adoption risks.”

The post XRP’s Bearish Structure Holds – But Can Bulls Flip the Trend? appeared first on CryptoPotato.

Shiba Inu continues to attract new holders, but most investors have joined the ecosystem for more than a year.

Nonetheless, the meme coin’s price has slipped by double digits since the start of 2026, while stalled activity on Shibarium suggests the downtrend may not be over.

Significant Progress or?

Earlier today (March 25), the X account Shibarium | SHIB.IO issued an important update related to the entire Shiba Inu ecosystem. The team revealed that the total number of addresses holding the meme coin has reached 1,558,200.

Additionally, it reported steady monthly growth of over 8,500 new wallets, noted that 78% of all SHIB holders have hopped on the bandwagon more than a year ago, and that the amount of tokens sitting on exchanges has dropped below 81 trillion.

The last part is particularly important, as it suggests that investors continue to abandon centralized platforms in favor of self-custody, thereby reducing immediate selling pressure. Data from CryptoQuant, though, shows a slightly different story.

According to the analytics company, the figure plunged to a five-year low of around 80.1 trillion on March 9, but since then it has been heading north and currently hovers around 81.2 trillion.

The X account also reminded that approximately 410 trillion SHIB tokens have been burned, thus permanently removed from circulation. It is important to note that in 2021, Vitalik Buterin contributed a huge chunk of that figure, while recent burns have been far less impressive. In fact, Shibburn – an X account dedicated to showing the progress in that field – hasn’t provided any updates since late February.

SHIB Stuggles

The ongoing bear market, the fading hype surrounding the meme coin sector, and other factors have caused Shiba Inu’s price to plummet by roughly 15% since the beginning of 2026.

As of this writing, it trades at approximately $0.000006174 (per CoinGecko’s data), while its market cap hovers around $3.6 billion. SHIB was once undisputedly the second-largest meme coin and even had ambitions to overthrow Dogecoin (DOGE) from the top spot. Nowadays, though, it has strong contenders such as Meme Core (M), whose capitalization has soared past $3.2 billion.

Meanwhile, further weakness from SHIB will not come as a surprise, considering the stalled activity on Shibarium. The layer-2 blockchain solution suffered an exploit last year, which severely damaged investor confidence as daily transactions (once in the millions) plummeted to mere hundreds afterward.

Shibarium is crucial for Shiba Inu’s ecosystem as it is designed to lower transaction fees, boost speed, and improve scalability. Some prominent industry participants, including the Bitcoin advocate Jeremie Davinci, have argued over the years that a potential SHIB rally would heavily depend on Shibarium’s advancement:

“I think Shiba Inu has a lot of utility now that they have Shibarium, and basically, it’s a chain that you can actually run all kinds of applications. However, nobody is using it, and there are no applications for using your tokens on Shibarium yet. If they get that solved, Shiba Inu will go to the moon.”

The post Shiba Inu Team Shares Vital Ecosystem Update as SHIB’s Price Plunges 15% YTD appeared first on CryptoPotato.

The Tom Lee-Chaired former bitcoin miner announced the launch of the Made in America VAlidator Network (MAVAN) platform, which will serve as a proprietary institutional-grade ETH staking resource.

The statement follows the most recent Ethereum purchase made by the company, which increased its total holdings to well over 4,660,000 tokens.

MAVAN Debuts

The press release shared by the company earlier today reads that the new product is designed to serve as the “premier Ethereum staking destination for institutions, with a focus on security, performance, and resilience.” It combines US-based infrastructure for institutions requiring domestic validation with a “flexible, globally distributed architecture to support clients worldwide.”

MAVAN was initially developed to support the company’s own ETH treasury, but it will now expand to serve institutional investors, custodians, and ecosystem partners seeking such staking infrastructure.

“MAVAN represents a critical step in our vision to build one of the leading staking and on-chain infrastructure platforms globally. Because Bitmine is the largest owner of Ethereum in the world, shortly after launch, MAVAN will be the largest Ethereum staking platform in the world.

We plan to expand across additional proof-of-stake networks and critical blockchain infrastructure over time, and through 2026, we’ll grow our efforts in areas such as on-chain vaults, post-quantum client development, and more,” commented Lee.

BitMine Keeps Buying

Earlier this week, BitMine also updated about its portfolio changes, which included a new purchase of ETH. With it, the company’s stash has grown to 4,660,903 ETH. In addition, the firm owns 196 BTC, a $200 million stake in Beast Industries, and a $95 million stake in Eightco.

Although it continues to be deep in the red on its Ethereum position, given the asset’s price calamity over the past several months, BitMine’s total holdings are worth approximately $11 billion, which includes just over $1 billion in cash.

1/
BitMine provided its latest holdings update for March 23, 2026:

$11.0 billion in total crypto + “moonshots”:
– 4,660,903 ETH at $2,072 per ETH (@coinbase)
– 196 Bitcoin (BTC)
– $200 million stake in Beast Industries @MrBeast
– $95 million stake in…

— Bitmine (NYSE-BMNR) $ETH (@BitMNR) March 23, 2026

The post Tom Lee’s BitMine Launches Ethereum Staking Platform MAVAN appeared first on CryptoPotato.

Bitcoin remains under sustained selling pressure, trading around $71.5K as the market continues to digest one of the sharpest corrections since the 2022 bear cycle. With key moving averages still sloping downward and no major structural level reclaimed, the probable path remains to the downside until proven otherwise.

Bitcoin Price Analysis: The Daily Chart

BTC is still trading inside a descending channel on the daily chart, with the 100-day moving average (~$79K) and the 200-day moving average (~$92K) acting as significant overhead barriers. The $75K–$80K zone, which was solid support through much of late 2025, has now flipped to resistance and rejected every recovery attempt in recent weeks.

The RSI has also recovered meaningfully from its February lows below 20 and is now trending around the mid-50Ks, which is an improvement, but still short of the bullish territory needed to signal trend reversal. Key support remains at $60K–$62K, with $50K as the next major level below if that zone fails.

BTC/USDT 4-Hour Chart

On the 4-hour chart, BTC continues to consolidate within a symmetrical triangle that has been forming since early February, with the price currently trading around $71.5K, near the middle of the pattern. The upper boundary near the $75K supply zone has rejected the asset on multiple occasions, reinforcing it as the immediate resistance to watch.

The RSI on this timeframe has also bounced from the low-30s and is trending upward above 60, suggesting short-term buying pressure is building. A decisive break above the triangle’s upper trendline and the $75K resistance band would be a meaningful short-term bullish signal, while a breakdown below $62K would likely send the price below the February support zone and continue the overall downtrend.

Sentiment Analysis

Funding rates across all exchanges have been predominantly negative since late January. It marks a stark shift from the consistently positive readings seen throughout Bitcoin’s 2025 bull run. This persistent negativity reflects an overcrowded short side in the futures market, which historically can act as fuel for a short squeeze if spot demand picks up.

That said, negative funding alone is not a bullish catalyst. The prolonged stretch of red bars since February suggests traders were actively betting against a recovery rather than simply hedging, until this week, when the rates have shifted slightly positive again. Until the price reclaims a key structural level on the daily chart, the funding data is better read as a reflection of bearish conviction than a contrarian buying signal.

The post Bitcoin Price Analysis: No Big Breakout Until BTC Reclaims This Key Resistance appeared first on CryptoPotato.

XRP is trading around $1.43, still deep in a correction that has erased the majority of its bull market gains. With both moving averages trending downward and the price trapped inside a descending channel, the altcoin continues to underperform against broader market expectations as Q1 2026 draws to a close.

Ripple Price Analysis: The USDT Pair

Despite bouncing from the February low near $1.20, XRP has struggled to build any meaningful momentum on the USDT pair. The recovery has been gradual and unconvincing, with the price failing to clear even the first layer of resistance at $1.80. This level is the higher boundary of the channel and a key supply zone that has been reinforced multiple times over the last couple of months.

Both the 100-day MA (~$1.60) and 200-day MA (~$2.10) remain well above the current price and are still declining, leaving XRP with a stack of overhead resistance before any bullish case can be made. The RSI has also recovered from oversold territory and is hovering around 50, which reflects neutral momentum at best.

A sustained close above the $1.80 level is the minimum requirement to shift the short-term outlook, while a breakdown below the $1.20 zone reopens the path toward the key psychological level at $1.00.

The BTC Pair

The picture against Bitcoin is arguably worse. XRP/BTC has slipped to 1,994 sats, now testing below the 2,000 sats support level that had held on a closing basis through most of the correction. That subtle but significant breach suggests XRP is continuing to lose ground relative to Bitcoin, with the 100-day (2,200 sats) and 200-day (2,100 sats) moving averages both overhead and converging downward.

The broader descending channel structure has been in place since the July 2025 peak near 3,000 sats, and there is no technical sign of a reversal on this pair yet. The RSI has also dropped back below 50, pointing to a potential bearish shift in the short-term, following the rejection from the 100-day moving average.

As a result, unless XRP/BTC reclaims the 2,000 sats level convincingly and breaks above the channel’s upper boundary, the ratio looks more likely to drift toward the lower boundary of the channel near 1,600 sats, or even lower in the coming months.

The post Ripple Price Analysis: XRP Struggles Against USD, Even Weaker vs BTC appeared first on CryptoPotato.