Judge blocks Trump administration from enforcing Anthropic blacklist, handing Claude maker an early win in its fight with the Pentagon.

The post Anthropic wins early court fight over Pentagon blacklist and Trump ban appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Tech stocks slide as broader market selloff deepens, crypto drops below key levels, and gold rises amid US Iran tensions and rising yields.

The post Tech stocks lead Friday selloff as crypto breaks lower and gold and silver spike appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Citigroup's potential acquisition could reshape its competitive landscape, leveraging freed capital for strategic growth and digital innovation.

The post Citigroup said to weigh acquisition of US regional bank to strengthen deposits and lending appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Crusoe plans a new 900 MW Abilene AI campus for Microsoft, lifting total projected Texas site capacity to 2.1 GW.

The post Microsoft secures 900 MW AI capacity at Crusoe Texas campus with mid 2027 target appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz exacerbates global energy instability, prompting economic strain and geopolitical tensions worldwide.

The post Oil and gold rally as Iran locks down key oil route to US and Israeli allies appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Bitcoin Magazine

Bitcoin Fear and Greed Index Hits Extreme Fear at 13 Out of 100

As of March 27, 2026, the Bitcoin Fear and Greed Index reads 13, placing sentiment in Extreme Fear. The current price of bitcoin is near $66,000.

The index spans 0 to 100, with lower readings tied to fear-driven market conditions and higher readings tied to greed-driven conditions.

The metric compiles inputs across price volatility, market momentum, trading volume, Bitcoin dominance, social sentiment, and Google Trends activity. The combined dataset forms a sentiment gauge used to track emotional conditions across Bitcoin markets.

Readings in the Extreme Fear range have aligned with prior stress phases in BTC market cycles.

Bitcoin Magazine Pro data highlights these zones as periods marked by liquidity contraction, elevated volatility, and forced positioning in derivatives markets.

In prior reporting, deep fear readings have coincided with accumulation behavior among long-term holders, alongside reduced speculative activity across spot and derivatives venues.

Earlier market drawdowns examined in Bitcoin Magazine Pro research show similar sentiment conditions during deleveraging events, where sharp price declines matched rapid sentiment compression.

In those phases, volatility expansion and liquidity withdrawal appeared alongside increased Bitcoin dominance as risk appetite shifted away from altcoin exposure.

Bitcoin uncertainty

Earlier today, Bitcoin price fell to its lowest level in more than two weeks, dropping below roughly $66,000 as liquidations exceeded $300 million in long positions over the previous 24 hours.

Short liquidations were far lower, showing that leveraged bullish traders were primarily forced out of the market. The move followed a broader shift in global risk sentiment as equities weakened and macroeconomic pressure increased.

The decline in BTC coincided with a risk-off environment across traditional markets. Nasdaq 100 futures had fallen about 10% from prior highs, while oil prices rose toward $100 per barrel amid escalating geopolitical tensions involving Iran.

Military activity and missile exchanges between the two countries continued despite diplomatic efforts, and the United States delayed direct escalation while negotiations remained open.

Regional instability contributed to concerns over energy supply routes, including disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.

BTC had briefly approached higher levels earlier in the week on hopes of diplomatic progress, but those gains reversed as uncertainty returned. Price action remained within a broader range between $60,000 and $75,000 that had persisted for several weeks, following a prior peak above $120,000 in late 2025.

Institutional flows showed mixed signals. Spot BTC exchange-traded funds recorded billions in inflows earlier in March, but more recent sessions saw outflows.

On-chain data showed continued withdrawals from exchanges, suggesting long-term holders moved assets into self-custody. Options markets showed about $14 billion in expirations, which influenced price stability near key strike levels around $75,000.

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 Bitcoin Fear and Greed Index Hits Extreme Fear at 13 Out of 100 first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Bitcoin Magazine

ICE Announces $600 Million Strategic Investment in Polymarket

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. Intercontinental Exchange, the parent company of the New York Stock Exchange, has completed a $600 million direct cash investment in prediction market platform Polymarket as part of a broader equity fundraising round, according to a company announcement.

The new investment follows ICE’s previously disclosed $1 billion commitment made in October 2025. With the latest infusion, ICE says it has now fulfilled its obligations under the investment agreement, which also includes plans to purchase up to $40 million in additional Polymarket securities from existing holders.

Polymarket, a blockchain-based prediction market platform that allows users to trade on the outcomes of real-world events, has drawn increasing attention from institutional investors amid growing interest in event-driven data markets and decentralized financial infrastructure.

Polymarket has support for bitcoin deposits, giving users a direct way to fund their accounts with BTC alongside other existing crypto options. 

ICE stated that the investment is not expected to materially impact its financial results or capital return plans. Final valuation details of the latest transaction are expected to be disclosed once the fundraising round is fully completed.

The move further signals traditional financial market infrastructure firms expanding into alternative data and crypto-adjacent platforms. ICE, which operates major exchanges including the NYSE, continues to diversify into digital markets, data services, and fintech infrastructure.

Polymarket has become one of the most prominent prediction market platforms globally, leveraging blockchain rails to facilitate trading on political, economic, and cultural outcomes.

The companies emphasized that the announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or solicit securities. Market observers say the scale of ICE’s investment underscores rising institutional interest in prediction markets as both a trading venue and a data source.

Polymarket’s embrace by TradFi

In the past year, the relationship between the crypto-native prediction market and traditional financial powerhouse Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) has become one of the most closely watched intersections of decentralized markets and institutional capital. 

Polymarket, launched in 2020 by founder Shayne Coplan, has grown into one of the largest blockchain-based prediction platforms, where users trade shares on the outcomes of future events — from elections to economic indicators and geopolitical developments — using cryptocurrency rails.

In late 2025, Polymarket re-entered the U.S. market under full Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) regulation after previously being blocked amid enforcement actions, marking a significant shift from its earlier status as an offshore, lightly regulated venue.

In December 2025, Polymarket launched its U.S.-focused app after the CFTC approval, restoring American access to its prediction markets and initially offering sports betting with plans to expand into other categories like propositions and elections.

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 ICE Announces $600 Million Strategic Investment in Polymarket first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Bitcoin Magazine

Bitcoin Price Slides to Two-Week Low as Liquidations Top $300 Million and Macro Pressure Builds

Bitcoin price fell below $66,500 on Friday, hitting its lowest level in more than two weeks as a wave of long liquidations and mounting macroeconomic stress weighed on the crypto market..

Data shows nearly $300 million in long positions were liquidated over the past 24 hours, according to Bitcoin Magazine Pro data, compared with roughly $50 million in short liquidations, pointing to an unwind of crowded bullish positioning in crypto futures. The imbalance reflects a market that had leaned heavily long and is now adjusting as sentiment shifts.

The bitcoin price selloff coincided with a broader risk-off move across global markets. Nasdaq 100 futures have fallen about 10% from their January highs, while oil prices climbed near $100 per barrel amid escalating geopolitical tensions tied to the ongoing conflict involving Iran. 

Earlier today, Israel said it will escalate strikes on Iran after renewed waves of Iranian missile attacks, while both sides continue exchanging fire despite ongoing diplomatic efforts. 

President Trump has paused U.S. strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure for 10 more days to allow negotiations, even as reports suggest the Pentagon is considering deploying up to 10,000 additional troops to the Middle East.

Meanwhile, the conflict is widening regionally, with shipping disruptions reported in the Strait of Hormuz, Gulf states on alert after strikes, and Iranian casualties reportedly nearing 2,000 as international talks continue in Europe.

The surge in crude has renewed inflation concerns and pressured risk assets, including cryptocurrencies.

Bitcoin price dynamics

Bitcoin price briefly approached $71,500 this week on optimism tied to a potential diplomatic breakthrough in the Middle East. Those gains reversed as uncertainty around negotiations resurfaced, pushing prices lower and reinforcing sensitive market conditions.

Despite the recent decline, bitcoin price continues to trade within a defined range between $60,000 and $75,000 that has held for several weeks, even months. The asset remains well below its October 2025 peak above $126,000 following a broader market correction.

Institutional flows present a mixed picture. U.S.-listed spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds recorded sustained inflows earlier in March, totaling about $2.5 billion over five weeks. That momentum has slowed in recent sessions, with net outflows emerging and signaling a pause in accumulation as investors respond to macro uncertainty.

At the same time, on-chain data indicates continued withdrawals of bitcoin from centralized exchanges over the past month. This trend suggests longer-term holders are moving assets into self-custody, a pattern often associated with accumulation rather than distribution.

Despite this, Morgan Stanley is a step closer to launching its spot Bitcoin ETF, MSBT, after the New York Stock Exchange posted a listing notice — signaling an imminent debut that could make it the first such product from a major U.S. bank, alongside offerings from BlackRock and Fidelity.

Options markets add another layer of complexity. Roughly $14 billion in bitcoin price options are set to expire, representing a significant share of open interest. 

Hedging activity tied to these contracts has contributed to subdued volatility, with price action gravitating toward key strike levels near $75,000.

As these contracts roll off, the stabilizing effect from derivatives positioning may fade, leaving bitcoin more exposed to external catalysts. 

With geopolitical risks elevated and macro conditions tightening, the market faces a period where price movements may become more reactive and less constrained by structural flows.

This post Bitcoin Price Slides to Two-Week Low as Liquidations Top $300 Million and Macro Pressure Builds first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Bitcoin Magazine

Simon Gerovich Confirmed As A Bitcoin 2026 Speaker

Simon Gerovich has been officially confirmed as a speaker at Bitcoin 2026. As Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Tokyo Stock Exchange-listed Metaplanet, he has helped transform the once struggling hospitality company into one of the largest corporate Bitcoin holders in the world. Now, Gerovich arrives in Las Vegas as one of the most closely watched figures in institutional Bitcoin adoption outside of the United States.

Metaplanet closed 2025 with 35,102 BTC, making it the fourth-largest public corporate Bitcoin holder globally. The company has outlined aggressive accumulation targets, aiming to reach 100,000 BTC by the end of 2026 and 210,000 BTC — approximately 1% of Bitcoin’s total supply — by the end of 2027. To fund that ambition, Metaplanet recently secured approximately $255 million from global institutional investors through a placement of new shares, with additional fixed-strike warrants that could lift total funding to roughly $531 million. The company is also expanding beyond treasury accumulation: Metaplanet’s board approved the creation of two subsidiaries — Metaplanet Ventures and Metaplanet Asset Management — targeting companies building Bitcoin financial infrastructure in Japan, including platforms focused on lending, payments, custody, derivatives, and compliance tools.

Gerovich began the company’s EGM in September 2025 by explaining how Metaplanet pivoted from operating as a struggling hotel company to a Bitcoin treasury company in early 2024. The turnaround has been significant. Revenue jumped 738% year-over-year to 8.91 billion yen, with operating profit surging 1,695%, driven primarily by premiums from Bitcoin option transactions, which accounted for about 95% of total revenue. Gerovich has consistently pointed to Bitcoin per share — the company’s primary KPI — rather than net profit as the appropriate metric for evaluating Metaplanet’s performance, noting that Bitcoin per share increased by more than 500% in 2025.

With Metaplanet’s accumulation targets for 2026 still in motion and its expansion into ventures and asset management underway, Gerovich takes the Bitcoin 2026 stage at a pivotal moment for the company and for corporate Bitcoin adoption in Asia.

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

Bitcoin Magazine

St. Cloud Financial Credit Union Surpasses 10 Bitcoin in Member Custody Pilot

St. Cloud Financial Credit Union (SCFCU) has surpassed 10 bitcoin held on behalf of its members through its newly launched CU-Digital Asset Vault, signaling early demand for community-based bitcoin custody solutions.

The credit union told Bitcoin Magazine that it is now safeguarding more than 12.6 BTC, along with smaller amounts of ether and USDC, just weeks after rolling out the service to its base of more than 28,000 members.

Unlike institutional custody platforms, the holdings reflect adoption at the individual level, with everyday users opting to store digital assets within a familiar financial institution rather than relying solely on exchanges or full self-custody.

“What we’re seeing is members looking for a way to participate without leaving the institution they already trust,” said CEO Jed Meyer. “This milestone tells us that when you bring this capability into a familiar, trusted environment, people respond.”

Hybrid self-custody bitcoin model

The CU-Digital Asset Vault uses a hybrid self-custody model, allowing members to retain control of their bitcoin while leveraging infrastructure integrated into the credit union’s core systems.

The service remains limited to members for now, though SCFCU plans to expand access to businesses and additional markets in the coming months. 

Longer term, the credit union is exploring bitcoin-enabled payments and lending products as it looks to integrate digital assets more deeply into everyday banking.

Earlier this month, SCFCU launched the vault, a core-integrated platform that allows members to hold and manage digital assets like Bitcoin without relying on third-party providers.

According to CEO Jed Meyer, the platform reflects a long-term strategy to preserve the credit union’s role at the center of its members’ financial lives. He emphasized that maintaining control over digital asset services is critical as these assets become increasingly embedded in financial infrastructure.

The Vault also supports board-level oversight and aligns with regulatory requirements, reinforcing SCFCU’s cooperative principles. 

By integrating digital assets into its core operations, the credit union can monitor transactions, manage risk, and adapt to evolving compliance standards.

Looking ahead, SCFCU designed the platform to expand beyond basic custody. Future capabilities may include transaction services, network connectivity, and credit-related use cases, all within the same system. 

The goal is to allow members to access a broader range of digital-asset services without needing to migrate to new platforms.

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 St. Cloud Financial Credit Union Surpasses 10 Bitcoin in Member Custody Pilot first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Bitcoin is heading into the weekend with broken near-term structure, elevated macro pressure, and a political catalyst that now sits close to the center of the market’s risk map.

The technical setup has deteriorated in steps over the past two weeks. The macro backdrop has stayed tight as Treasury yields press higher and Middle East risk continues to filter through oil, inflation expectations, and rate-sensitive assets.

Layered on top of both is a familiar variable from recent months, President Donald Trump’s public messaging on Iran, which has repeatedly shifted sentiment across stocks, bonds, oil, and crypto.

His prior weekend social media forays on Tariffs, Venezuela, and Greenland all had similar effects on the market. Trump has done most of his major announcements this year while markets are closed, and right now, things are set up for another intervention.

Within the channel framework tracked since the spot Bitcoin ETF launch period, BTC price has already done the hard part of a bearish rotation. It lost the upper $73,000s, failed to reclaim $71,500 with conviction, rolled through $68,000, and then slipped below $66,900. That sequence leaves the market in a lower value area as Friday trading gives way to the weekend.

In this structure, the next defined support channel lies between $61,700 and $61,100. For now, $61,700 stands out as the next major level that could come into play if macro pressure stays firm and no fresh de-escalation signal arrives from Washington.

Related Reading

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Across 400 total interactions with the defined channel boundaries, 304 were bounces, 44 were breaks higher, and 52 were breaks lower. That distribution shows a market that still respects structure. Bitcoin continues to react to these zones in a disciplined way, which gives the current breakdown more analytical value.

The market is not drifting randomly through the map. It is moving from one channel to the next, with each failed reclaim changing the role of the prior boundary.

The clearest example is $71,500. That line served as a key floor during the mid-March sequence, then turned into the strongest visible ceiling once the price broke lower on March 18.

BTC returned to that area several times around March 23 and March 25. Each attempt stalled. That pattern turned $71,500 into the main repair threshold for any bullish recovery. Below it, $68,000 became the next pivot.

BTC briefly re-entered that channel after the first breakdown around March 22, keeping the possibility of stabilization open. That possibility narrowed sharply on March 27 when the price lost $68,000 again, then broke through $66,900 and failed the first retest from below.

Related Reading

Bitcoin drops toward $65k after new Trump Iran delay sends oil higher, triggering $200M wipeout

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Mar 27, 2026 · Oluwapelumi Adejumo

That leaves the market with a clean ladder

The first resistance is now $66,900. The next resistance, and the more important reclaim line, is $68,000. Above that sits $71,500, where broader structural repair would begin.

On the downside, the next defined support channel is $61,700 to $61,100. When a market loses one channel and cannot recover its lower boundary, the next channel below becomes the practical draw. That is the state BTC is entering the weekend in now.

The macro overlay has strengthened that downside pull. In its March 18 policy statement, the Federal Reserve kept rates unchanged and said inflation remained somewhat elevated. The central bank’s updated projections preserved a backdrop of restrained policy flexibility and ongoing uncertainty.

Crypto can rally under those conditions, though the burden on market structure increases when long-duration yields are climbing and oil is feeding inflation risk back into the rates complex.

That stress has been visible in the bond market all week. On Friday, the 10-year Treasury yield touched its highest level since July, at 4.48% in early trading before retreating slightly lower.

The precise intraday high matters less than the broader point. Yields have climbed back toward the week’s upper range, and that move has been accompanied by a market that is still pricing geopolitical risk into energy and growth expectations.

That is where Trump’s messaging becomes relevant for Bitcoin over the weekend.

Earlier this week, risk assets responded positively after Trump signaled progress in talks tied to Iran. Stocks rallied, and oil fell after Trump suggested the U.S. and Iran were engaged in talks and hinted at a possible end to the conflict.

Treasury yields also eased briefly on hopes of de-escalation as markets leaned into peace expectations. That relief did not hold for long. Stocks fell again on Friday as markets gave back most of the optimism tied to Trump’s latest delay, and renewed concern over the conflict pushed oil higher.

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Feb 22, 2026 · Liam 'Akiba' Wright

The pattern is now familiar enough to matter for weekend framing

Trump’s public comments on Iran have repeatedly served as short-term volatility inputs for broader markets, especially when they signal either de-escalation or renewed confrontation.

His social media influence can still sway markets briefly, even as confidence in each new intervention has become more conditional.

For Bitcoin, that means a weekend post that leans toward diplomacy could help produce a relief move into the Monday open. A weekend post that hardens the rhetoric, or no calming message at all, while yields and oil remain firm, would leave the broken structure exposed to another leg lower.

That is the case for keeping $61,700 front and center. The technical path toward that level does not require a new panic event.

The market has already lost the near-term floors that would have contained prices in a higher bracket. The first breakdown through $68,000 around March 22 looked vulnerable to mean reversion, and BTC did in fact re-enter the channel.

The latter break carried more weight because it followed several days of failed recovery attempts. Then came the break through $66,900. Once that level failed and the first retest did not hold, the next support channel below became the relevant destination inside the existing map.

I believe that is also the cleanest way to think about the weekend setup. Bitcoin is no longer trading as though the market is trying to rebuild the damage from March 18. It is trading as though the market is deciding how much lower the next balance area should sit.

I'm not asking whether BTC can rally at all. It can. What I'm looking at now is whether any rally can recover a broken boundary and keep it as support. Until that happens, upside moves serve mainly as tests of resistance.

The thresholds are clear right now

A quick $66,900 reclaim would reduce the immediacy of the latest breakdown. A stronger move back above $68,000 would reopen the argument for a weekend mean-reversion bounce, especially if it coincided with softer yields, calmer oil, or another Trump message that markets read as de-escalatory.

A recovery that reaches $71,500 would carry more significance because that is where the last several rebound attempts failed. Those are the conditions that would force a wider reassessment.

If BTC remains capped below $66,900 and fails to recover $68,000, the lower channel remains active. In that case, $61,700 becomes the next major support to monitor through the weekend, with $61,100 as the deeper boundary of the same bracket.

A move into that zone would fit the logic of the recent structure, the backdrop of present rates, and the political-event risk that now hangs over the weekend.

That also fits the broader character of this decline. The chart shows stepwise deterioration rather than disorder.

First, the market lost the $73,800 to $73,500 zone. Then $72,000 and $71,500 gave way. Then the market spent time failing beneath those levels before slipping through $68,000 and $66,900. Each stage narrowed the market’s room to stabilize higher.

Each failed reclaim added weight to the next lower support channel.

As Friday closes out, Bitcoin is therefore sitting in a narrow but readable setup. Near-term structure is broken. Macro pressure remains elevated as Treasury yields stay near recent highs and Middle East risk continues to influence oil and inflation expectations.

A political catalyst still exists because Trump’s comments on Iran have shown they can move cross-asset sentiment quickly, even if the effect has become less durable with each iteration.

That leaves BTC with a simple weekend map. Reclaim $66,900 and then $68,000, and the market can argue for relief. Stay below them, and $61,700 remains the next obvious level to watch.

The post Bitcoin price is heading for weekend collapse to $61k – will a social media post from Trump save it? appeared first on CryptoSlate.

David Sacks leaves office with wins for crypto infrastructure, while Bitcoin holders are still waiting

David Sacks is out of the formal White House crypto czar role after exhausting the 130-day limit attached to his special government employee status.

The change closes the clearest window for a scorecard. The record is substantial, yet it falls well short of the campaign mood that surrounded Sacks’ appointment and the early industry enthusiasm that followed.

Sacks leaves behind a policy footprint that favored institutional crypto plumbing, bank access, dollar stablecoins, custody, and tokenized financial infrastructure.

The Bitcoin community is now questioning whether Sacks delivered on expectations, with some influential traders declaring,

“Nothing that we elected him for was accomplished.”

Bitcoin holders received a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve through Trump’s March 6, 2025 executive order, yet the reserve arrived as a ring-fencing exercise around seized coins rather than a federal accumulation program.

The distinction sits at the center of the current frustration. The administration delivered movement around crypto. The direct economic gain for Bitcoin holders remained limited.

The most durable critique is straightforward. Sacks helped produce a regime that lowered friction for banks, custodians, issuers, and politically connected capital, while leaving Bitcoin investors with mostly symbolic progress and a widening gap between campaign rhetoric and policy economics.

CryptoSlate’s own coverage traces that arc clearly. Early reporting on Sacks’ appointment captured the industry’s optimism around legal clarity and a friendlier White House.

By March 2025, Sacks was already damping market assumptions after Trump mentioned altcoins for a government stockpile, telling Bloomberg the market was “reading too much” into the move.

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More recently, CryptoSlate documented how the policy premium embedded into Trump’s crypto rally evaporated as the market repriced the administration’s actual deliverables.

The sequence leads to a clear conclusion. Washington improved the operating environment for crypto intermediaries. Washington did far less to create a fresh federal demand engine for Bitcoin.

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Feb 7, 2026 · Oluwapelumi Adejumo

What Sacks actually achieved

In March 2025, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency confirmed that national banks and federal savings associations could engage in crypto custody, certain stablecoin activities, and distributed ledger participation without first obtaining supervisory non-objection.

Later that month, the FDIC rescinded its earlier approval requirement and stated that FDIC-supervised institutions could engage in permissible crypto-related activities without prior signoff. The SEC’s SAB 122 also rescinded the guidance in SAB 121, reducing one of the accounting burdens that had made institutional custody less attractive.

Those changes were real. They loosened key chokepoints. They improved the economics for regulated incumbents. They also shifted the center of gravity toward institutions that already controlled distribution, compliance, balance sheet capacity, and customer onboarding.

Crypto-native firms gained a less hostile environment, while the immediate beneficiaries sat closer to the banking perimeter than to the Bitcoin holder, who had expected a more direct policy dividend.

The second item is stablecoin legislation. CryptoSlate’s coverage of the GENIUS Act and its analysis of the stablecoin boom that followed makes it clear where Washington found urgency. The bill gave dollar-backed issuers a clearer operating path and reinforced the Treasury-market role that large stablecoin issuers are expected to play.

That is a strategic win for dollar distribution. It is also a strategic win for the firms positioned to warehouse reserves, manage compliance, and package digital dollars into mainstream finance.

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Jul 27, 2025 · Christina Comben

The third item is market-structure progress. The CLARITY Act and the broader fight over stablecoin reward definitions show where the administration and Congress invested negotiating capital.

The conflict centered on who gets to control distribution economics around tokenized dollars, how close those products can come to bank deposits, and how much room exchanges and wallets retain to offer reward layers around stablecoins. The subject is meaningful. It also sits one level removed from Bitcoin’s core policy asks.

Viewed together, those wins form a coherent block.

Sacks helped move crypto from a defensive posture under Gary Gensler-era enforcement into a more investable policy architecture for institutions.

Banks, custodians, issuers, exchanges, and tokenization platforms can do more today than they could before Trump returned. The achievement is clear.

The beneficiary base is also clear, and it differs from the constituency that expected a Bitcoin-first White House.

Where the Bitcoin side falls short

The administration can point to the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve as a historic move, and on a formal level, that claim is justified.

The United States designated Bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset and separated it from the broader digital asset stockpile. Sacks stressed that the reserve would focus on long-term stewardship of seized Bitcoin, while altcoins in the stockpile could be sold, rebalanced, or staked at Treasury discretion.

The reserve never moved into the zone that most Bitcoin holders cared about. The administration did not launch an immediate federal buying program.

It did not announce a schedule for open-market accumulation. It did not create a standing mechanism that would pull supply from the market in size.

The administration’s digital asset roadmap highlighted the same limitation. The reserve existed, while the acquisition path remained opaque.

The distinction is where disappointment hardens. A reserve built from forfeited Bitcoin changes custody and future sale behavior. It leaves the market’s demand profile largely untouched compared with the campaign language many Bitcoin holders had priced in. Preservation and accumulation produce very different outcomes for price formation.

That difference explains why some of the anger on crypto feeds is directionally understandable. Bitcoin holders were promised something more forceful than what arrived.

Stablecoins, tokenized finance, and institutional rails moved faster through Washington than Bitcoin-specific demand policy.

The administration’s most visible crypto progress also aligned neatly with constituencies that monetize issuance, distribution, custody, and compliance.

The administration delivered enough for institutions to monetize the next phase of digital finance. Bitcoin holders still lack a federal policy catalyst with direct market impact.

Why the market has re-priced the promise

Markets eventually force rhetoric to clear. CryptoSlate’s coverage of the collapse in the post-election policy premium captures that shift.

Investors who once priced a pro-crypto White House as a broad tailwind later discovered that not every crypto win maps onto Bitcoin in the same way. Stablecoin legislation can favor dollar liquidity and tokenized settlement.

Bank guidance can favor custody and compliance capacity. Those developments help the ecosystem. They do far less to create a new marginal buyer for BTC.

The market backdrop today underlines the point. Bitcoin trades around $66,569, down about 3.9% on the day. Spot ETF flows have also shown a more selective institutional appetite than the campaign-era narrative implied.

March data from Farside Investors shows sharp swings between inflow and outflow sessions, a pattern that fits tactical allocation and de-risking behavior more than a simple policy-driven repricing higher.

Bitcoin remains in a familiar place. Price is still governed by liquidity conditions, rates, ETF demand, and macro positioning. Washington can improve the operating environment.

Washington has not yet rewritten Bitcoin’s demand curve.

The week ahead, Bitcoin stays in focus

The coming week is more likely to shape Bitcoin through macro channels than through additional post-Sacks messaging.

Friday, April 3 brings the March employment report. Earlier in the week, the market will also parse fresh labor and activity signals, including the usual month-turn growth and employment data that feed directly into rate expectations, Treasury yields, and broader risk appetite.

That sequence feeds into crypto through a straightforward transmission path. Softer labor data can ease yield pressure and help duration-sensitive risk assets.

Firmer labor data can push yields higher, tighten financial conditions, and pressure the assets that benefited from liquidity optimism. Bitcoin continues to trade inside that macro framework even while crypto policy remains a live political theme.

The gap between symbolic and economic progress is therefore becoming harder to ignore.

A reserve announcement built on seized coins can support sentiment. A banking reset can improve access. Stablecoin law can strengthen dollar-based crypto rails.

None of those developments guarantee stronger Bitcoin demand into a macro-heavy week.

The market still needs sustained ETF absorption, improving liquidity conditions, or an actual federal accumulation mechanism that removes supply from circulation in size.

Sacks leaves office having helped build the legal and regulatory lanes for the next phase of crypto finance in the United States. Banks got clearer permission. Custodians got relief. Stablecoin issuers got a path. Tokenized capital markets moved closer to the center of the American financial stack.

Bitcoin holders got recognition, a reserve label, and fewer fears around forced government selling.

They did not get the forceful federal accumulation program that campaign rhetoric had implied.

Sacks leaves a policy architecture that works best for institutional crypto, dollar tokenization, and the firms positioned to collect fees at the system’s chokepoints.

Bitcoin remains the political symbol. Stablecoins and tokenized finance have been the operational priority.

Until that hierarchy changes, frustration among Bitcoin holders is likely to keep rising, especially in weeks when macro data, ETF flows, and yield pressure continue to drive price more than Washington does.

The post White House crypto czar leaves office after securing crypto wins for banks and institutions instead of Bitcoin appeared first on CryptoSlate.

Bitcoin is moving deeper into US household finance as homebuyers squeezed by high borrowing costs and limited supply look for new ways to fund a down payment without selling their digital assets.

On March 26, Better Home & Finance and Coinbase launched a structure that lets eligible borrowers pledge Bitcoin or USD Coin (USDC) stablecoin to secure a separate loan for a down payment while still taking out a standard conforming mortgage on the home.

The arrangement brings crypto into one of the most closely watched parts of the U.S. credit system at a time when affordability pressures are already reshaping who can buy a house and when.

The timing is central to the pitch as Realtor.com’s 2026 report put the US housing supply gap at 4.03 million homes.

This comes as the average 30-year mortgage rate recently climbed to 7%, while total mortgage applications fell 10.5%, and purchase applications dropped 5.4%. At the same time, first-time buyers accounted for just 21% of the market in the latest National Association of Realtors profile.

Against that backdrop, lenders and crypto firms are betting that a growing class of would-be buyers has wealth in digital assets but lacks the cash liquidity needed to clear one of the biggest barriers to homeownership.

A new route into the mortgage market

The Coinbase-backed product is aimed at borrowers who want to retain exposure to crypto markets instead of liquidating holdings to raise cash for a down payment.

Related Reading

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Apr 29, 2022 · Liam 'Akiba' Wright

For many, that decision is about more than market timing. Selling crypto can also trigger a tax bill and force investors to reduce positions they view as long-term holdings.

Considering this, the structure is built around two loans at closing. The first is a standard mortgage on the property. The second is a privately financed loan secured by pledged crypto and used to fund the cash down payment.

Better says the 15-year and 30-year fixed mortgage options will be available, subject to credit approval, and that the loans are designed in accordance with Fannie Mae guidelines so that the mortgage remains a conforming loan.

That distinction is important. The product does not replace the traditional mortgage with a crypto loan. Instead, it wraps a crypto-secured financing layer around the down payment while leaving the main mortgage in a conventional format.

For borrowers using Bitcoin, the initial collateral value must be at least 250% of the loan amount in fiat. For borrowers using USDC, the initial collateral value must be at least 125%.

In practical terms, a borrower could pledge $250,000 in Bitcoin to unlock a $100,000 cash-down-payment loan, or $125,000 in USDC for the same result.

The companies are promoting the arrangement as a way to preserve ownership of digital assets while gaining access to the housing market. Better says both loans can share the same interest rate and amortization term, creating a single combined monthly payment.

Housing strain creates an opening

The product's appeal is tied directly to a housing market that has become harder to enter, especially for younger buyers.

The median age of a first-time homebuyer reached 40 in 2025, according to the National Association of Realtors, reflecting the combined effect of high mortgage rates, elevated home prices, and limited inventory.

Related Reading

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

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Mar 20, 2026 · Liam 'Akiba' Wright

The pressure is even more severe for households lower on the income scale. The NAHB/Wells Fargo Cost of Housing Index for the second quarter of 2025 showed that a typical family needed 36% of its income for a mortgage payment on a median new home. For lower-income households, that share rose above 71%.

Those figures help explain why companies see an opportunity in linking digital assets to housing finance. Traditional underwriting relies heavily on documented income, credit history, and cash reserves.

That framework tends to favor households that have already built wealth through home equity, rising incomes, or long-established financial assets.

At the same time, millions of Americans have built positions in crypto. For context, around 20% of US adults, equivalent to 52 million people, hold some form of crypto asset, and the majority of them are young.

The NCA 2025 State of Crypto Holders report confirmed that 67% of token holders are 45 or younger, and 26% earn less than $75,000 a year.

That gives the product a clear target market: younger buyers with meaningful crypto exposure but limited willingness, or ability, to convert those holdings into cash at the point of purchase.

How the crypto pledge works

The companies have tried to structure the product to look less like a volatile crypto loan and more like a mortgage-compatible financing tool.

Borrowers who pledge Bitcoin or USDC are not subject to margin calls or top-up requirements if the market value of their collateral falls.

Better says market movements alone do not trigger liquidation. Instead, the pledged assets are only at risk if a borrower becomes 60 days delinquent on payments, a threshold the companies say mirrors the treatment of payment stress in conforming mortgages.

The crypto is held in custody for the life of the down payment loan and returned once that obligation is repaid. Borrowers cannot trade the pledged assets while they are locked up, which preserves ownership but restricts flexibility.

For USDC borrowers, the stablecoin can continue to earn rewards, which could help offset mortgage servicing costs and reduce the borrower’s net effective financing burden.

Meanwhile, the broader ambition goes beyond one mortgage product. Better and Coinbase say they intend, over time, to expand the range of eligible digital assets to include tokenized equities, fixed income, and other tokenized real estate assets.

This represents a sign that they see the mortgage offering as an early step in bringing on-chain wealth into mainstream consumer finance.

Policy support and political resistance

Meanwhile, this launch is arriving in a political climate that has become more receptive to crypto, but not without resistance.

Fannie Mae’s role, along with oversight from the Federal Housing Finance Agency, could help make such products more mainstream than earlier crypto-linked mortgage offerings.

Last year, FHFA Director Bill Pulte directed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to prepare to count crypto as an asset on mortgage applications, reflecting broader support for the digital-asset industry from the Trump administration.

That policy opening created room for commercial products built around crypto wealth, but it also drew criticism from lawmakers who view the idea as a new source of risk for housing finance.

Democratic senators, led by Elizabeth Warren, objected to the proposal, arguing that the current policy does not permit federally backed mortgage channels to consider cryptocurrency unless it has first been converted into US dollars and properly documented.

They warned that expanding underwriting criteria to include unconverted crypto could introduce fresh risks to both the housing market and the broader financial system.

That criticism goes to the heart of the debate around products like Better’s.

Supporters see them as a way to translate digital wealth into real-world access without forcing borrowers to sell assets and leave the market. Critics see a danger in bringing a volatile and still-developing asset class closer to the foundations of US home lending.

So, the final outcome may depend on whether crypto-backed mortgages remain a niche tool for affluent digital-asset holders or evolve into a broader financing channel for buyers shut out by the traditional down payment hurdle.

The post Homebuyers can now borrow against Bitcoin to get a mortgage without selling or liquidation risk appeared first on CryptoSlate.

Bitcoin fell back toward $65,000 on Friday as investors cut exposure to risk assets after another round of Middle East tensions kept oil prices elevated, pushed Treasury yields to their highest levels in months, and lifted the dollar.

According to CryptoSlate's data, BTC dumped nearly 5% to around $66,484, its lowest price since the beginning of the month. This continues a trend in which the top crypto repeatedly fails to hold when macro pressure returns.

An analyst at Bitunix told CryptoSlate:

“BTC has fully transitioned into a reflector of liquidity structure. Price action remains confined within a broad $65,000–$72,000 range, with volume distribution showing clear supply overhead above $70,000, while the $65,000 region continues to accumulate passive demand.”

Data from CoinGlass showed that the price action wiped nearly $200 million from crypto traders within the past hour, with long traders bearing most of the losses.

Why is Bitcoin price falling?

BTC's current slide did not come from a crypto-specific shock. Instead, the downturn can be linked to geopolitical tensions that have rattled the global market.

Related Reading

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Mar 27, 2026 · Gino Matos

In a post on Truth Social, President Donald Trump revealed that he was postponing plans to destroy Iran's energy plants by another 10 days, extending the deadline to April 6 as talks continued. This represented the second significant pause he had introduced amid the ongoing conflict with Iran.

The new announcement rattled global markets, with Brent crude rising toward $110 a barrel, the US 10-year Treasury yield climbing to 4.456%, its highest since July, and the Nasdaq remaining in correction territory after falling 11% from its recent high.

At the same time, the dollar was also heading for its strongest month since July 2025 as investors sought safety and markets priced in tighter financial conditions.

Against this backdrop, market analysts stated that Bitcoin’s decline showed that the flagship digital asset was still trading more like a high-beta risk asset than a hedge against geopolitical stress.

When oil surges, investors do not just see a war story. They also see the threat of higher inflation, fewer rate cuts, and a tougher backdrop for richly valued assets. In that setup, Bitcoin can fall with technology stocks rather than rise with gold or other defensive trades.

Related Reading

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Oil and yields reset the macro backdrop

The most useful way to frame the current market move is to look at what happened in oil and rates after Trump’s announcement. The pause on attacks changed the immediate war timetable, but it did not convince markets that the inflation threat had eased enough to lift pressure on risk assets.

Data from Oilprices.org show that the oil benchmarks were still sharply higher from the start of the conflict, with Brent up 52% and US crude up 43% since the war began.

Those gains have been large enough to keep inflation fears alive even during moments when diplomacy appears to make progress.

That is the key transmission channel for Bitcoin. Higher oil prices do not only signal geopolitical danger. They also express concerns that inflation will remain elevated, forcing central banks to keep policy tighter for longer.

For context, Reuters’ March 26 poll found most economists still expect the Federal Reserve to hold rates steady until at least September, but financial markets have moved much further, shifting from expectations of cuts to debate over whether another hike is possible later this year.

On Friday, Reuters reported markets were pricing in a 70% chance the Fed will raise rates in 2026. For Bitcoin, that is a hostile combination: expensive energy, higher real-world borrowing costs, and a market increasingly focused on inflation persistence rather than on fresh liquidity.

The dollar's strong performance this month has added to that strain.

Data from TradingView shows that the dollar index was heading for a 2.4% monthly gain, its best performance since July, as investors sought haven assets and repriced the US rate outlook. A stronger dollar often tightens global financial conditions on its own and makes speculative trades less attractive.

Bitcoin, which had already lost some momentum in recent weeks, was exposed to that shift as soon as the broader market began cutting risk.

ETF support has turned less reliable

Meanwhile, BTC's move towards $65,000 also showed that the post-ETF market still needs steady institutional inflows to absorb selling pressure.

The US spot Bitcoin ETF complex did not lose all of its demand this month, but the flow pattern turned uneven just as macro conditions worsened.

Data from SoSoValue shows that the funds, after registering strong inflows of around $2 billion during the early part of this month, have seen a significant slowdown.

For context, the US-listed investment vehicles have registered net outflows of over $70 million in this trading week compared to the week ending March 13, when the funds saw inflows of $767.33 million.

Those figures describe a market where institutional demand is no longer arriving in a straight line.

This is because strong ETF inflows can cushion crypto when macro headlines deteriorate, but patchy inflows leave Bitcoin more exposed to the same swings in yields, equities, and the dollar that are hitting the rest of the risk complex.

A large options expiry sharpened the move

Friday’s selloff also landed alongside one of the year’s largest derivatives events.

Data from Greeks.live show that about $13 billion in Bitcoin options were set to expire, with a put-call ratio of 0.56 and a maximum strike price of $74,000.

According to the firm:

“Despite market volatility, trading activity for Bitcoin remains relatively low. Key options data shows Bitcoin’s main-term implied volatility (IV) at 51% and Ethereum’s at 70%. As risk premium (RV) continues to decline, the volatility risk premium (VRP) has been rising; during the first half of this week, the 15-day VRP reached nearly 20%. Bitcoin performed poorly in both price and trading activity during the first quarter of this year, and market confidence remains low.”

A Bitcoin options contract gives its holder the choice to buy BT at a set price before or on a specified future date, without forcing them to go through with the purchase.

In practice, that means the buyer can walk away when the contract expires if the trade no longer makes sense, or exercise the option if it does.

As expiration approaches, the crypto market can see sharper price swings because traders often adjust positions, roll contracts forward, or close trades altogether.

So, big options expiries, like today's, have often coincided with heavy market sell-offs, though that outcome is far from automatic.

What the break says now

The move back towards $65,000  says less about a collapse in belief in Bitcoin than about the market environment around it. Bitcoin is still being pulled by inflation expectations, central bank assumptions, oil volatility and the strength of the dollar.

When those variables move against risk assets simultaneously, BTC does not receive special treatment. It gets sold with the rest.

For now, that leaves Bitcoin trading inside a narrow but important framework. Analysts at Bitunix told CryptoSlate:

“In the near term, if war dynamics remain “delayed but unresolved” and rate expectations continue tightening, BTC is more likely to sustain high-frequency range-bound volatility, sweeping liquidity between $65,000 and $72,000 to facilitate position redistribution. A true directional breakout will require alignment across key macro variables, rather than being triggered by any single event.”

The post Bitcoin drops toward $65k after new Trump Iran delay sends oil higher, triggering $200M wipeout appeared first on CryptoSlate.

Bitcoin price has again been knocked lower by an oil shock, higher Treasury yields, erased rate-cut expectations, and a massive Deribit expiry now due to land on top of that already-weakened market.

Roughly $14.1 billion in BTC options were set to expire today, Mar. 27, with another $2.2 billion in Ethereum contracts clearing the same morning, bringing the combined total to roughly $16.38 billion.

That is nearly 40% of Deribit's BTC open interest rolling off in a single session.

Reuters tied the broad risk-off to oil surging above $105, higher Treasury yields, a firming dollar, and markets pricing out Fed rate cuts for 2025 amid intensifying Middle East tensions.

Yesterday, BTC registered an intraday low of $68,127, while ETH reached $2,036. The expiry has arrived while the selloff is already underway, and now Bitcoin has fallen as low as $66,200 this morning, with Ethereum falling below $2,000.

Why the final 30 minutes carry the most weight

Deribit settles expiring contracts at 08:00 UTC using a 30-minute time-weighted average of its index, sampled every four seconds from 07:30 to 08:00 UTC.

That produces roughly 450 observations rather than a single closing print, making the delivery price harder to game but also meaning broad market moves during that window feed directly into settlement.

Simultaneously, the delta of expiring options and futures decays linearly toward zero across the same 30 minutes. Hedges are adjusting, rolls are compressing, and the pricing clock is running all at once.
That convergence draws disproportionate attention relative to the window's length.

A 2025 SSRN paper using Deribit data found BTC options activity clusters around 8:00-9:00 GMT, with the settlement-hour effect strongest on days with more expiring contracts and shorter maturities. Both cases apply here.

A 2023 paper found a clear Bitcoin expiration effect in volume, volatility, and returns around maturity, with the strongest effects shortly before or at expiry, though not uniformly across exchanges or contracts.

Reports citing Deribit data put Friday's BTC max pain at $75,000, with a put/call ratio of 0.63. From yesterday's spot near $68,000, that level was roughly 9.4% higher. Using the cited 52% seven-day BTC at-the-money implied volatility, the implied one-day move is approximately $1,866, placing $75,000 about 3.45 one-day sigmas above spot.

On a 30-minute implied-vol basis, the implied settlement window move is roughly $269, meaning $75,000 is nearly 24 settlement-window sigmas away.

At $75,000, max pain marks where open interest concentration is heaviest, roughly 9.4% above current spot and nearly 24 settlement-window sigmas away.

The macro arc that frames the expiry

BTC's recent resilience had already begun to fray before the recent drop.

Deribit-linked commentary on Mar. 25 described Bitcoin as relatively stable amid broader traditional market stress, marked by softer equities and tighter credit conditions.

By Mar. 26, that footing gave way: BTC slipped below $69,000 as oil shock, higher yields, and erased rate-cut hopes reasserted themselves.

Reuters reported global equity funds shed $20.3 billion in the week ended Mar. 18, while money market funds absorbed $32.57 billion, consistent with a broad defensive rotation.

Short-dated BTC implied volatility eased from 57% to 52% this week as temporary de-escalation headlines took hold, while put skew held. BTC 25-delta puts stayed roughly 5 volatility points richer than calls, and BTC futures-implied yields ran only 2%-3% across tenors.

The market has priced in a less immediate shock, while put skew and subdued futures yields keep the overall tone cautious. A $14.16 billion expiry now lands in that posture.

Because Deribit holds roughly 85% of the market share in BTC and ETH options, its settlement rules carry weight well beyond its user base. When one venue's 30-minute TWAP governs cash settlement for a notional that large, the mechanics of that window can ripple into the spot market.

The best and worst potential outcomes

A de-escalation headline on oil or geopolitics did not arrive before 07:30 UTC, stopping BTC from recovering toward the $70,400-$72,300 range, and expiry hedging damping downside rather than adding fresh selling.

The window could have acted as a stabilizer: with spot firming and fewer in-the-money open puts, dealer hedging flows would have been less one-sided, and settlement TWAP would have printed above recent lows.

The expiry would have cleared without drama, and macro relief could have carried the price into the weekend. The tell would have been spot recovering before the settlement opens.

However, oil and rates stress deepened into the morning. BTC broke below $66,700, the lower bound of the current one-day implied range, and now expiry mechanics add intraday noise to an already bearish market.

Dealer hedges on put positions require selling into a falling market, amplifying short-term moves around the settlement window. The 30-minute TWAP is printing a delivery price that reflects the full macro force, and now the expiry is accelerating the breakdown.

The macro environment that drove the move is now carrying into the post-settlement session.

Academic research and Deribit's own data confirm that the settlement hour drives flows and pricing mechanics.

What this morning's 07:30-08:00 UTC window focused on was hedging behavior, delta decay, and pricing methodology, compressed into a single, well-defined interval within a macro environment that has already knocked BTC lower by more than the implied daily range.

The post Bitcoin price just collapsed because the macro selloff collided with a $14 billion options expiry this morning appeared first on CryptoSlate.

XRP Crash Today

The cryptocurrency market is facing a brutal deleveraging event on March 27, 2026, and Ripple’s $XRP is caught directly in the crossfire. While XRP often charts its own path due to legal developments, it remains tethered to the "gravity" of Bitcoin. Today, that gravity is pulling sharply downward as a combination of a massive $14 billion Bitcoin options expiry and the escalating Iran-Israel conflict drains liquidity from risk assets.

Why is XRP Price Crashing?

To understand the XRP crash, one must look at Bitcoin ($BTC). The market is currently digesting the quarterly options expiry, which saw billions in open interest settled. Historically, these events lead to heightened volatility as market makers hedge their positions.

Simultaneously, as reported by Reuters, the threat of a full-scale regional war has spiked oil prices, leading investors to dump "risk-on" assets like XRP in favor of cash and gold. Because XRP maintains a high positive correlation with BTC, the 4% drop in Bitcoin has translated into an even steeper decline for Ripple's native token.

XRP Price Analysis: is XRP REALLY Crashing?

If we look at the 3-hour XRP/USD chart below, we see a typical "break and retest" of bearish momentum. The technicals are currently screaming caution.

• Support & Resistance Flip: XRP has decisively broken below the critical psychological and structural support at $1.45. This level, which acted as a floor throughout mid-March, has now transitioned into a formidable resistance zone.
• The Descent to $1.28: The price is currently in a "free-fall" zone with no significant historical volume profile support until the $1.28 mark. This yellow horizontal line represents the "Value Area Low" where buyers have historically stepped in.
• RSI Oversold Signal: The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is currently printing at 26.42. In professional trading, any reading below 30 is considered "oversold." While this suggests a "dead cat bounce" or a relief rally could occur soon, in a high-volatility war environment, RSI can remain "embedded" in oversold territory for extended periods.

Correlation and Systematic Risk

The chart shows a series of lower highs and lower lows starting from the March 17 peak of nearly $1.60. This downward channel is a direct reflection of systematic risk entering the market. Institutional desks are likely reducing their exposure to XRP not because of Ripple-specific news, but as part of a broader "de-risking" strategy.

Strategic Outlook

If the $1.28 support holds, we could see a period of consolidation. However, a break below this level could open the trapdoor toward $1.10.

Solana Price Faces Pressure — Is $70 the Next Target?

The Solana price is once again under pressure as broader market uncertainty weighs on crypto assets. While Bitcoin and Ethereum struggle to maintain momentum, altcoins like $SOL are showing increased volatility.

This raises a critical question for investors:
👉 Will Solana crash to $70 next?

With macro risks rising and liquidity tightening, the possibility of a deeper correction is now back on the table.

Why Solana Could Drop to $70

A move toward $70 isn’t out of the question—it actually lines up with what the charts are showing.

1. Support is getting weaker

SOL is sitting around the $80–$85 range, which has been holding as a short-term floor. The problem is, it’s been tested multiple times, and each bounce looks weaker than the last. If it gives way, the next real level to watch is around $70—a zone where price previously spent time consolidating.

2. Macro Pressure Is Dominating Crypto

Crypto markets are no longer moving in isolation. Rising geopolitical tensions, oil price shocks, and global uncertainty are driving a risk-off environment across financial markets.

In these conditions:

• Investors reduce exposure to altcoins
• Liquidity flows back into cash or safer assets
• High-beta assets like Solana drop faster

 This macro-driven pressure increases the probability of a move toward lower levels like $70.

3. Bitcoin Is Leading the Direction

Solana, like most altcoins, follows Bitcoin’s trend.

If Bitcoin loses key support levels, it often triggers amplified downside moves in altcoins.

👉 A Bitcoin drop could accelerate Solana’s move toward $70 much faster than expected.

Why $70 Would NOT Be a “Crash”

Despite the bearish scenario, calling a move to $70 a “crash” may be misleading.

Solana has already experienced a significant correction from its previous highs. A move to $70 would represent:

• A technical retest of a major support zone
• A healthy market reset rather than a structural breakdown
• Continued consolidation within a broader cycle

👉 In fact, such moves are common in crypto markets and often precede stronger recoveries.

Bullish Scenario: Why Solana Might Hold Above $80

There is also a strong case for stability.

If macro conditions improve and Bitcoin stabilizes, Solana could:

• Hold the $80–$85 range
• Reclaim $90+ levels
• Build momentum toward $100

Additionally, Solana continues to benefit from:

• Strong ecosystem growth
• High transaction speed and low fees
• Continued adoption in DeFi and meme coin activity

👉 These fundamentals could prevent a deeper drop.

Key Levels to Watch

For traders and investors, these levels are critical:

• $85–$80: Immediate support zone
• $70: Major support level
• $60: Extreme bearish scenario
• $90–$100: Recovery and bullish confirmation

Final Verdict: Will Solana Crash to $70?

A drop to $70 is possible, especially if macro conditions worsen or Bitcoin declines further.

However, this would not necessarily signal a collapse.

👉 Instead, it would likely represent a normal correction within a volatile market cycle.

For now, Solana remains in a key decision zone, and the next move will largely depend on global market conditions — not just crypto-specific news.

War Escalation and the "Double-Whammy" for Crypto

The primary catalyst for the current crypto crash is the dramatic escalation of military actions in the Persian Gulf. Following a series of airstrikes on Iranian infrastructure, Iran has reportedly retaliated by targeting regional energy assets and threatening to block the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. This, combined with the existing closure of the Strait of Hormuz, threatens to sever nearly one-third of the world's oil supply.

For the crypto market, this creates a "double-whammy" effect:

• Macro Repricing: Skyrocketing oil prices (Brent hovering near $111) are fueling inflation expectations, making it nearly impossible for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates.
• Liquidity Drain: As investors flee to "safe havens" like gold and the US Dollar, liquidity is being pulled out of high-beta assets like Bitcoin and Altcoins.

Bitcoin Price Under Pressure: Key Levels to Watch

Bitcoin (BTC) has faced intense selling pressure, dropping nearly 4% in a single day to trade around $65,550. This move was exacerbated by a massive $14.16 billion options expiry on Deribit, which forced mechanical liquidations as the price drifted away from the "max pain" level of $75,000.

Technical analysts are now sounding the alarm. If Bitcoin fails to maintain a daily close above the $66,000 support zone, the market could see a further breakdown toward the $50,000 or even $46,000 range. The divergence between gold (up 1.3%) and Bitcoin (down 4%) suggests that, for now, the "digital gold" narrative is being tested by the harsh reality of geopolitical instability.

Institutional "Buy the Dip" vs. Retail Fear

Prices look rough, but institutional money is telling a different story. Over the past four weeks, more than $2.3 billion has flowed into Bitcoin ETFs, according to crypto reports. While many retail traders are selling out of fear, larger players seem to be doing the opposite—quietly accumulating and positioning for a rebound once things settle down.

However, the short-term outlook remains volatile. According to reports from Bloomberg, the diplomatic dissonance between the US and Iran has "dismayed investors," and the lack of a clear path toward a ceasefire is keeping crypto prices in the red.

Oil Shock Is Crushing Crypto

While many investors focus on crypto-specific news, the real driver behind the current market drop lies elsewhere.

A global oil supply shock is unfolding — and it’s quietly putting massive pressure on Bitcoin and altcoins.

From attacks on Russian oil infrastructure to escalating tensions involving Iran and risks around the Strait of Hormuz, energy markets are entering a high-risk phase.

👉 And crypto is reacting.

What’s Happening in the Oil Market Right Now

Several major disruptions are hitting global oil supply simultaneously:

• Russian oil exports impacted by infrastructure attacks
• Rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East
• Threats to the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil route

Together, these events are tightening supply and pushing oil prices higher.

Markets are now pricing in a scenario where energy becomes both scarce and expensive.

Why Oil Prices Matter for Crypto

At first glance, oil and crypto may seem unrelated.

But in reality, oil is one of the most important macro drivers of global markets.

Here’s the chain reaction:

1. Oil prices rise → energy costs increase
2. Inflation fears return
3. Central banks delay rate cuts or stay hawkish
4. Liquidity tightens across financial markets
5. Risk assets — including crypto — fall

👉 Crypto is not isolated — it’s deeply connected to global liquidity conditions.

The Inflation Risk Is Back

Higher oil prices directly impact:

• Transportation costs
• Production costs
• Consumer prices

This creates a renewed wave of inflation concerns — something markets were hoping had already peaked.

As a result:

• Bond yields rise
• The US dollar strengthens
• Risk appetite declines

👉 This environment is historically negative for crypto.

Why Crypto Is Falling Despite Bullish News

Many investors are confused:

👉 Why is crypto dropping even with positive developments?

The answer is simple:

Macro overrides everything.

Even if:

• Institutional adoption increases
• ETFs attract inflows
• Major players accumulate Bitcoin

➡️ A global energy shock can still push markets lower.

This Is Not a Crypto Problem — It’s a Liquidity Problem

The current sell-off is not driven by weaknesses in crypto itself.

Instead, it reflects a broader shift:

👉 Investors are reducing exposure to risk across all markets.

This includes:

• Stocks
• Crypto
• High-growth assets

Capital is rotating toward:

• Cash
• Bonds
• Defensive assets

What Happens If Oil Keeps Rising?

If the situation escalates further:

• Oil could move toward $120–$150+
• Inflation pressures would intensify
• Central banks would remain restrictive

👉 In this scenario, crypto could face continued downside.

The Key Signal to Watch

The most important indicator right now is not crypto — it’s oil.

Watch for:

• Stability in Middle East tensions
• Recovery in Russian export capacity
• Normalization of shipping through key routes

👉 If oil stabilizes, crypto could recover quickly.

Final Take

The current crypto decline is not random — it’s macro-driven.

👉 Oil is acting as the trigger
👉 Inflation fears are the transmission
👉 Liquidity tightening is the result

And crypto is reacting exactly as expected in this environment.

After a brief attempt to stabilize earlier in the week, Bitcoin succumbed to a combination of heavy derivatives liquidations and escalating macroeconomic uncertainty. Investors are now questioning whether this is a temporary dip or the beginning of a deeper retracement toward the $60,000 zone.

Is Bitcoin Crashing?

To answer the immediate concern: Yes, Bitcoin is experiencing a sharp intraday slump. As of this morning, BTC fell as much as 4%, trading roughly between $68,100 and $68,700. This move has wiped out millions in leveraged long positions and shifted market sentiment into the "Extreme Fear" territory.

Bitcoin Price Analysis: Technical Breakdown

Looking at the BTC chart for March 27, 2026, we see a clear breakdown from the previous consolidation range.

• Resistance Rejection: Bitcoin failed to maintain its position above the $71,200 zone, which has now turned into a formidable resistance.
• Trend Line Breach: The hourly chart shows a bearish trend line forming with immediate resistance at $70,050.
• Moving Averages: The price is currently trading well below the 100-hourly simple moving average (SMA), suggesting that sellers are firmly in control of the short-term momentum.
• Liquidation Zones: On-chain data indicates that a fall below $68,050 could trigger a massive cascade of cumulative long liquidations across mainstream exchanges, potentially totaling over $2 billion.

Why is Bitcoin Price Falling Today?

Several key factors have converged to create this downward pressure:

1. The $14 Billion Options Expiry

Today marks one of the largest quarterly options expiries of the year, with approximately $14 billion in open interest set to expire on Deribit alone. This "triple witching" style event often leads to increased volatility as market makers adjust their hedges (delta-hedging). With the "Max Pain" price sitting at $75,000, the current spot price of ~$68,500 puts significant pressure on long-position holders.

2. Geopolitical Tensions in the Middle East

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to weigh heavily on risk assets. While there were brief hopes of a ceasefire, recent reports of US military movements and attacks on ballistic missile sites have reignited fears of a broader escalation. In times of extreme geopolitical uncertainty, Bitcoin—despite its "digital gold" narrative—often trades like a high-beta tech stock, falling alongside the Nasdaq 100.

3. Spot ETF Outflows

Institutional sentiment has cooled slightly. Recent data shows that US spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded a net outflow of $171 million in a single day. Without the consistent "institutional bid" that characterized the 2025 rally, the market is more susceptible to retail-driven sell-offs.

Liquidation Cascades

In the context of the current Bitcoin price slump, a "liquidation cascade" occurs when the price hits a level where many leveraged traders' "stop-loss" or "liquidation" points are clustered. When these positions are force-closed, the exchange must sell the BTC to cover the debt, which pushes the price even lower, triggering the next batch of liquidations.

Bitcoin Price Prediction: What’s Next for BTC?

If Bitcoin cannot reclaim the $70,500 level within the next few hours, analysts are eyeing a deeper correction.

• The Bear Case: A sustained break below $68,000 could open the doors for a retest of the $60,000 support, a level not seen since the February "flush."
• The Bull Case: If the options expiry passes without a total collapse, and we see a "Golden Cross" on the daily chart (where the 21-day SMA crosses the 50-day SMA), a relief rally toward $72,000 remains possible.

Anthropic's next-generation model, dubbed Claude Mythos, is seen as a "step change" for AI—and potentially bad news for cybersecurity.

Intercontinental Exchange, the firm behind the New York Stock Exchange, invested a total of $1.6 billion into prediction market Polymarket.

Bitcoin fell to its lowest price since March 2 on Friday as major crypto-related stocks like Strategy and BitMine suffered tougher losses.

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order Friday to ban public officials from using inside info on prediction markets.

The verifiable data platform is marking its one-year anniversary, with plans to double down on AI and onchain finance.

A newly published working paper sponsored by the European Central Bank is drawing criticism for claiming that major decentralized finance protocols are heavily centralized in practice.

Potential XRP Ledger upgrade changes the game by unlocking utility with dormant XRP being put to work.

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse reveals how $2 billion in strategic acquisitions are positioning XRP as the "northstar" of global finance.

Peter Brandt says Bitcoin is not defying charts; it is obeying classical trading rules.

As Bitcoin slides below $67,000, XRP flashes a rare 2.48% gain in its BTC pair. With the March 27 SEC ETF deadline here, can XRP hold its ground, or will the -63% historical drawdown scenario finally be triggered?

Key Takeaways

• On Friday, Hedgeye initiated a short position on AppLovin (APP), projecting a 30% downward move.
• Andrew Freedman from Hedgeye contends that MAX, the mediation platform, represents APP’s true advantage—not its AXON AI technology.
• MAX dominates more than 60% of worldwide mobile gaming ad impressions, providing critical data that powers AXON’s capabilities.
• In markets beyond gaming where MAX lacks mediation control, AXON’s performance shows significant variability.
• The firm characterizes APP as an “infrastructure monopoly” that faces mounting competitive threats while generating unsustainable margins.

AppLovin (APP) shares declined 1% Friday following Hedgeye’s announcement of a new short position on the stock, with the research firm projecting as much as 30% downside from present price levels.

AppLovin Corporation, APP

Andrew Freedman, an analyst at Hedgeye, released the bearish thesis, challenging the prevailing market narrative surrounding the company’s valuation.

Freedman’s central contention is that market participants have fundamentally misunderstood AppLovin’s business model. Rather than being an artificial intelligence powerhouse as many believe, Hedgeye argues the company’s real strength originates from a different source.

“The primary competitive advantage for AppLovin isn’t AXON, its machine learning technology,” Freedman stated. “Rather, it’s MAX, the mediation infrastructure commanding more than 60% of global mobile gaming ad impressions.”

MAX functions as AppLovin’s advertising mediation infrastructure. Positioned between game developers and advertising buyers, it orchestrates the bidding mechanism for ad inventory within mobile gaming applications.

Given MAX’s commanding position in mobile gaming ad auctions, it accumulates an extensive repository of exclusive bidding intelligence. This proprietary data stream, according to Freedman, is the critical ingredient enabling AXON’s predictive accuracy.

“AXON’s effectiveness diminishes substantially without access to MAX’s data,” the analyst noted.

Performance Challenges Beyond Gaming Territory

The analysis spotlights a significant vulnerability in AppLovin’s diversification strategy. Beyond mobile gaming boundaries, MAX doesn’t maintain mediation dominance—creating a substantially different competitive landscape.

In these alternative sectors, AXON must function without the comprehensive data infrastructure it leverages within gaming environments. Freedman’s research indicates performance outcomes vary considerably under these conditions.

This observation carries weight because AppLovin has aggressively pursued expansion into e-commerce and additional non-gaming categories. Should AXON prove unable to duplicate its gaming success in other verticals, the company’s expansion narrative faces serious challenges.

Current short interest in AppLovin stands at merely 4.5%, indicating the broader market maintains a predominantly optimistic outlook.

Valuation Concerns From Hedgeye

Freedman characterized AppLovin as representing “an infrastructure monopoly narrative”—though his tone was decidedly cautionary.

According to Hedgeye’s assessment, this monopolistic position faces increasing competitive pressure, while the company currently benefits from profit margins that exceed sustainable levels. This suggests the differential between AppLovin’s present earnings and long-term capability may be larger than market participants recognize.

While Hedgeye hasn’t published a precise price objective corresponding to its 30% downside forecast, the analysis implies substantial repricing risk should investors reconsider the AI-related valuation premium.

APP shares have surged 48% during the trailing twelve months, adding substantial market capitalization throughout this period.

Friday’s modest 1% pullback appears relatively insignificant against the backdrop of that extended rally, though Hedgeye’s detailed critique introduces a noteworthy contrarian perspective to what has predominantly been an analyst community expressing bullish sentiment.

With short interest remaining at 4.5%, there isn’t yet substantial positioning against AppLovin—however, Hedgeye has now established one of the most thoroughly articulated bearish arguments on the stock to emerge publicly.

The post AppLovin (APP) Stock Drops as Hedgeye Issues Short Call with 30% Decline Forecast appeared first on Blockonomi.

Quick Overview

• Umbra introduces encrypted wallet for confidential Solana transactions
• Platform supports private swaps and shielded blockchain operations
• Privacy solution targets mainstream users seeking encrypted onchain finance
• Wallet incorporates compliance features alongside privacy protections
• Solution powered by Arcium’s secure execution infrastructure

Umbra has introduced a privacy-oriented wallet for Solana, broadening availability of encrypted blockchain transactions. The launch brings confidential transfers, private swaps, and built-in compliance mechanisms to users. In doing so, Umbra establishes itself as a functional privacy solution for regular blockchain operations.

Umbra Delivers Confidential Transaction Features on Solana Network

Umbra allows users to transfer digital assets while concealing sender identity, recipient information, and transaction amounts. Additionally, the platform facilitates encrypted token swaps that mask trade volume and execution strategy. Thus, Umbra eliminates public exposure from standard onchain financial operations.

The solution is built upon Arcium’s infrastructure, which enables encrypted execution across blockchain transactions. This architecture permits computation on encrypted information without revealing sensitive transaction details. Consequently, Umbra preserves confidentiality across the complete transaction process.

Previous access was restricted during Arcium’s mainnet alpha phase launched in February. Now, Umbra extends its privacy capabilities to traders, institutional participants, and commercial entities worldwide. This expanded availability addresses rising interest in confidential blockchain technologies.

Secure Execution Technology Sets New Privacy Benchmarks

Umbra utilizes encrypted execution rather than conventional obfuscation techniques or intermediary-dependent privacy approaches. Transaction data remains inaccessible to all participants throughout processing. This framework enhances privacy while preserving trustless onchain verification.

The wallet incorporates compliance mechanisms including viewing keys, risk assessment tools, and geographic restrictions. These capabilities enable controlled transparency while meeting regulatory obligations. Umbra achieves equilibrium between privacy protection and compliance adherence.

Umbra emphasizes accessibility through an intuitive interface designed for everyday transactions. The system prioritizes straightforward usability without sacrificing encryption strength. Umbra accommodates both sophisticated users and mainstream ecosystem adoption.

Development Tools and Growing Market Traction

Umbra has additionally unveiled a software development kit to facilitate encrypted application development on Solana. This resource empowers developers to create privacy-centric services utilizing zero-knowledge technologies. Consequently, Umbra reinforces its standing within the expanding privacy infrastructure sector.

Multiple integrations are anticipated in upcoming weeks as developers implement the framework. These implementations may broaden encrypted finance applications across decentralized platforms. Umbra advances overall ecosystem maturation on Solana.

The initiative previously raised over $150 million via MetaDAO, drawing participation from more than 10,000 contributors. This capital injection demonstrates substantial early enthusiasm for privacy-enabled financial instruments. Umbra therefore enters the marketplace with significant financial support and increasing appetite for encrypted blockchain capabilities.

The post Umbra Launches Privacy-Focused Wallet for Confidential Solana Transactions appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Takeaways

• The New York Stock Exchange’s parent company, Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), has injected an additional $600 million into Polymarket
• ICE’s overall financial commitment to the prediction market platform now approaches $2 billion
• Competing platform Kalshi secured over $1 billion in funding at a $22 billion valuation with approximately $1.5 billion in yearly revenue
• Polymarket has purchased a regulated exchange and clearinghouse while forming partnerships with Palantir and TWG AI for trade monitoring
• Congressional members are raising concerns about potential manipulation risks in prediction markets

Intercontinental Exchange, the entity behind the New York Stock Exchange, has committed an additional $600 million toward Polymarket, a marketplace where participants wager on real-world event outcomes.

This latest capital injection comes after ICE’s initial $1 billion commitment to the platform in October 2025. The exchange operator also intends to acquire up to $40 million worth of shares from current Polymarket stakeholders. Combined, ICE’s total financial exposure to the platform now stands near the $2 billion mark.

According to ICE, this investment won’t significantly affect its financial performance or shareholder return strategies.

The complete valuation of Polymarket remains undisclosed until the ongoing funding round concludes, according to company statements.

Polymarket operates as a marketplace where participants purchase and sell contracts linked to future event outcomes. These events span everything from political elections to macroeconomic indicators such as inflation reports. Contract values fluctuate continuously based on trading behavior.

Prediction markets have rapidly evolved from an obscure sector within cryptocurrency and academic finance circles into a booming trading category. Both participant engagement and transaction volumes have experienced dramatic growth throughout the last two years.

The Competitive Landscape

Polymarket isn’t the only platform attracting substantial capital. Kalshi[[/LINK_END_1]], a rival prediction market operator, recently secured more than $1 billion in funding at a $22 billion valuation—approximately twice its prior worth.

Kalshi is reportedly generating around $1.5 billion in annual revenue, demonstrating robust market appetite for event-driven trading instruments.

The rapid expansion of both platforms has captured the attention of regulatory bodies and government officials. Concerns persist regarding whether these prediction markets remain susceptible to market manipulation or illegal insider trading practices.

Infrastructure Development at Polymarket

Polymarket has implemented measures to address potential regulatory challenges. The company acquired a fully licensed exchange and clearinghouse operation earlier this year.

Additionally, the platform formed a strategic alliance with Palantir and TWG AI. This collaboration aims to develop sophisticated monitoring technology capable of identifying questionable trading patterns and market manipulation within its sports betting markets.

These strategic initiatives indicate Polymarket’s commitment to adhering to the compliance standards typically required of regulated financial institutions.

ICE’s ongoing financial support connects Polymarket to one of the world’s premier exchange operators. The NYSE’s parent organization has previously indicated it views prediction markets as a promising expansion opportunity in derivatives trading.

Industry observers suggest these products could draw additional retail participants and enable exchanges to broaden their revenue streams amid intensifying competition in conventional futures and options trading.

Friday’s announced $600 million investment represents a portion of Polymarket’s current fundraising effort. ICE initially revealed its intention to invest up to $2 billion in the platform earlier in the year.

The post NYSE Parent Company Injects Another $600M Into Polymarket Amid Prediction Market Boom appeared first on Blockonomi.

Mortgage rates at 7% are trapping American families in $2,300 monthly payments for 30 years, and the XRP forecast pointing toward 16% annual growth is not going to change that math for anyone. MARA just sold 15,133 Bitcoin for $1.1 billion to cut its debt by 30%, and that tells the reader everything about what even the largest miners think about holding BTC at these levels.

The XRP forecast is one conversation, but Pepeto is a different one entirely, with more than $8 million raised, a verified exchange already running, and analysts projecting 100x as the Binance listing approaches, the kind of entry that pays off the house.

MARA Holdings sold 15,133 Bitcoin for approximately $1.1 billion between March 4 and March 25, using the proceeds to repurchase $1 billion in convertible notes at a 9% discount according to Bitcoin Magazine.

The move cuts MARA’s debt by 30%. According to Phemex, the market showed little reaction suggesting the sale was anticipated. The XRP forecast sits at 16% while presale entries target 100x, and the gap between those numbers is the gap between 30 more years of payments and owning the house.

The Real Opportunity and Why the XRP Forecast Points Somewhere Else

Pepeto: The Exchange Where One Entry Pays Off the Mortgage While the XRP Price Prediction Delivers 16%

MARA needed to sell $1.1 billion in BTC just to manage debt, while the wallets entering Pepeto at presale are building positions that target 100x from one listing event. Pepeto is the exchange that gives every wallet the protection institutional desks keep for themselves, and the XRP forecast is not the path to the kind of returns that clear a $2,300 monthly mortgage payment permanently.

PepetoSwap processes every trade at zero commission so capital stays fully deployed, the network bridge transfers tokens across chains at no deduction, and the pre entry scanner confirms every contract is clean before capital commits, confirmed by a SolidProof audit.

The builder who launched the first Pepe token to an $11 billion valuation with zero utility assembled this platform with an experienced operator from Binance’s listing division, and more than $8 million raised during a Fear and Greed reading of 10 proves whale capital is positioned inside.

The people who bought Pepe coin during its presale turned small entries into fortunes that most investors spend entire careers chasing, and every one of them says they wish they had entered bigger. Analysts project 100x from the current entry at $0.000000186, and 192% APY staking rewards grow the holdings of every wallet inside as the listing draws closer. The same window is open right now, and the Binance listing is approaching fast.

XRP

XRP trades at $1.34 per CoinMarketCap, sitting well below its 200 day moving average with a neutral RSI of 52 and medium volatility.

The xrp price prediction for 2026 targets $1.69 at maximum, a 25% return over months, meaningful for patient holders but far from the math that pays off a mortgage, while the forecast conversation is shifting toward presale entries where $2,300 monthly mortgage payments become a memory from one listing event.

Polkadot (DOT)

DOT trades at $1.28 per CoinGecko, deep in extreme fear territory with the index at 11, trading well below its 200 day moving average of $2.50.

Models project DOT falling to $0.66 by 2030, a 48% decline over four years, and established tokens like XRP and DOT share the same structural problem: neither can deliver the multiples that presale entries produce.

The XRP Price Prediction Delivers 16% but the Wallets That Entered Pepe’s Presale Built Fortunes

MARA just sold $1.1 billion in BTC to manage debt, and the xrp price prediction points toward 16% while American families carry $2,300 mortgage payments for 30 years. The people who entered Pepe’s presale turned small positions into the kind of wealth most investors chase for entire careers, and no large cap recovering from this crash delivers the returns that pay off a house.

The same window is open right now through the Pepeto official website, and the Binance listing is approaching, which means once Pepeto lists the presale entry disappears permanently and the wallets inside hold the positions that turn $2,300 monthly payments into a chapter that is already closed.

Click To Visit Pepeto Website To Enter The Presale

FAQs

Should investors follow the xrp price prediction or enter the Pepeto presale?

The xrp price prediction targets 16% annually while Pepeto targets 100x from one listing event, and the presale entry is the path that clears mortgage debt from one position.

Why look past the xrp price prediction right now?

An XRP forecast pointing toward 25% growth suits passive holders, but the Pepeto official website is where the 100x entry that changes the reader’s financial life is still open.

Does the xrp price prediction for 2026 matter?

The xrp price prediction sets realistic expectations of 16%, but Pepeto’s presale with a verified exchange and Binance listing targets the 100x that only presale entries with a Binance listing produce.

The post XRP Price Prediction in 2026: MARA Sells $1.1B in BTC While Pepeto Targets 100x Over Coins Like XRP and DOT appeared first on Blockonomi.

Quick Overview

• Citigroup experiences 3.9% decline to $108 during trading session
• Bank evaluates regional institutions with $500B in assets for acquisition
• Recent asset sales generate $6.5B in capital for strategic initiatives
• Share price trails targets despite 78% surge in corporate banking revenue
• Digital asset infrastructure development continues with Bitcoin custody services

Shares of Citigroup retreated to $108.01, marking a 3.91% decline as market participants reacted to the financial institution’s strategic expansion initiatives. The stock experienced consistent downward momentum throughout the session, signaling investor uncertainty regarding the bank’s growth trajectory. Nevertheless, this pullback occurred against a backdrop of solid capital reserves and comprehensive organizational transformation.

Regional Banking M&A Strategy Takes Center Stage

Citigroup is actively assessing opportunities to acquire a US-based regional banking institution or wealth management firm to enhance its domestic footprint. This strategic initiative targets improved deposit gathering, expanded physical presence, and enhanced credit distribution capabilities. As a result, management seeks to narrow the competitive gap with dominant American banking rivals.

Discussions have centered on organizations managing approximately $500 billion in total assets, alongside established securities firms. Prospective candidates include wealth management platforms such as Stifel and Raymond James, both known for robust client advisory operations. Nevertheless, regulatory clearance remains a prerequisite given current supervisory restrictions.

Chief Executive Jane Fraser maintains her commitment to operational streamlining paired with targeted business expansion. The acquisition framework represents a pivot toward reinforcing American operations following extensive international portfolio optimization. Therefore, this approach complements broader objectives to amplify market presence and earnings potential.

Divestiture Program Bolsters Financial Flexibility

Citigroup has fortified its capital foundation through strategic dispositions and organizational restructuring measures. During February 2026, the institution finalized the transfer of its Russian operations to Renaissance Capital. This divestiture yielded approximately $4 billion in Common Equity Tier 1 capital enhancement.

Additionally, Citigroup divested a 49% ownership position in Banamex, its Mexican retail banking division. This transaction contributed roughly $2.5 billion while strengthening financial resources available for reinvestment. Furthermore, leadership has confirmed no additional Banamex asset sales are anticipated during the current fiscal year.

These strategic dispositions have unlocked substantial resources to finance acquisition activity and domestic market penetration. Consequently, Citigroup maintains significant capacity to allocate funds toward revenue-generating opportunities. This approach demonstrates a deliberate transition toward balance sheet optimization and prudent capital deployment.

Operational Performance and Blockchain Technology Advancement

Citigroup delivered impressive institutional banking results in its latest financial disclosure. Corporate banking revenues surged 78% on an annual basis, reaching $2.2 billion during the final quarter of 2025. This exceptional performance underscores heightened engagement from commercial and institutional client segments.

The stock continues trading substantially beneath the Wall Street consensus target of $135. The existing valuation disparity suggests a disconnect between current market pricing and analyst projections. Implementation success of strategic priorities may prove decisive for future share appreciation.

Citigroup has established foundational systems for cryptocurrency custody solutions and digital wallet capabilities. The organization intends to incorporate digital assets into conventional banking infrastructure while maintaining comprehensive risk management protocols. Beyond this, the bank is evaluating stablecoin applications and blockchain-enabled deposit instruments to enhance international payment settlement efficiency.

The post Citigroup (CITI) Stock: Dips to $108 as Regional Banking M&A Strategy Takes Shape appeared first on Blockonomi.

The crypto sector may be struggling with the ongoing bear market, but some projects are relentlessly building and expanding their ecosystems. One such is Cardano, which just hit a milestone in its Bitcoin decentralized finance (DeFi) integration, by completing the first atomic swap between BTC and the blockchain’s native asset, ADA.

According to a tweet, the Cardano-based DeFi platform Fluid Tokens completed the transaction, swapping 0.0001 native BTC for 50 native ADA. Such a move indicates that the Cardano team has succeeded in making BTC available on the proof-of-stake blockchain.

The First BTC-ADA Atomic Swap

Fluid Tokens offers a range of services like lending, borrowing, staking, NFT rentals, and cross-chain liquidity across Cardano and Bitcoin. The multi-chain platform leverages users’ assets to offer access to a diverse range of services. Data from mempool shows that the BTC-ADA atomic swap occurred on March 25 for a fee rate of 15.0sat/vB.

The transaction is significant because it did not require any third-party intermediaries, such as centralized exchanges. Everything was facilitated by smart contracts, as is always the case with atomic swaps. This development opens the doors for Cardano users to initiate trustless transactions involving BTC and ADA, with low gas fees and no custody risks.

Cardano has been keen on interoperability for years, integrating the Bitcoin network through trustless bridging. In October 2024, the network, through EMURGO, its project for advancing Web3 adoption, announced a collaboration with BitcoinOS (BOS) to provide users access to BTC’s capital. BOS is a Bitcoin smart contract operating system.

The partnership aimed to integrate the BOS Grail bridge into Cardano’s blockchain framework, providing access to Bitcoin’s $1.3 trillion capital using Zero-Knowledge (ZK) proofs without relying on third-party intermediaries. That move set the stage for the interoperability that has blossomed between Bitcoin and Cardano over the last year.

Fostering Deeper Interactions Between Bitcoin and Cardano

Around this time last year, Cardano was preparing to launch an enablement for Bitcoin DeFi, allowing trustless bridging through the BOS Grail. By May 2025, the wheels were set in motion. Cardano is the first layer-1 chain to utilize BOS in enabling DeFi applications, like Fluid Tokens, to offer BTC functionality for their users.

Having smashed the BTC-ADA atomic swap goal, decentralized applications on Cardano are working to leverage BOS’s scalability and programmability to create an environment that enables deeper interaction between Bitcoin and Cardano’s smart contract infrastructure.

The post Bitcoin DeFi on Cardano Reaches Milestone With First BTC-ADA Atomic Swap appeared first on CryptoPotato.

Open interest (OI) in XRP derivatives on Binance jumped 14.8% in the last 24 hours, its highest reading since March 4, when the metric peaked near 16%.

The move was accompanied by repeated long liquidations and a change in order flow toward short positioning, painting a mixed picture for the Ripple token.

Leverage Returns, But Longs Keep Getting Washed

According to analyst Amr Taha, the high open interest reading meant traders are aggressively going back to the derivatives market and rebuilding exposure in XRP. However, while the OI increase is the headline number, the surrounding data has complicated the bullish reading, with Taha identifying three significant long liquidation events that occurred in quick succession.

Over $2.5 million was lost on March 18, followed by $2.45 million on March 21, and around $2.15 million on March 26. He said that each event wiped out crowded bullish positions at a time when leverage was building up, something he suggested was a sign that conviction is still unstable.

“Rising open interest usually reflects growing speculative activity,” he explained. “But repeated long liquidation spikes show that bullish positioning is still being punished during volatility.”

What made the picture even more defensive was that the rise in open interest happened in tandem with a drop in Binance’s Cumulative Volume Delta (CVD), a metric that tracks the net direction of futures orders. Per Taha’s analysis, when OI climbs and Perp CVD falls, then it usually means that new short positions are entering the market instead of fresh longs. Spot CVD also weakened during the same period, implying that retail buyers didn’t step in to offset the shift.

The largest clusters of vulnerable positions are sitting above XRP’s current price, meaning if the asset pushes higher, it could trigger a short squeeze. Still, Taha noted that the path of least resistance favors sellers for now.

Where XRP Stands in the Broader Picture

Looking at the market, XRP was trading at around $1.36 at the time of writing, down 2% in 24 hours and nearly 7% over the past 7 days. Furthermore, the token is almost 63% below its all-time high of $3.65, set in July 2025, and down 42% year-on-year.

Its 24-hour trading range of $1.34 to $1.39, according to CoinGecko, shows the tight, directionless price action that has persisted for much of March.

A previous assessment by analyst CasiTrades placed XRP inside a wider bearish wave structure, with a downside target of $0.87 being in play unless the token breaks and holds above $1.65. But on a more positive note, EGRAG CRYPTO has made bold predictions for XRP, stating that it could go up as far as $27 by August 2027, although the entire framework rests on the asset first bottoming near that same $0.87 level CasiTrades identified as a likely downside destination.

The post XRP Derivatives Surge on Binance as Long Liquidations Mount: What’s Next for Ripple? appeared first on CryptoPotato.

It was another eventful week on the Iran – Israel/US front, with multiple big developments, including some twists and turns, that continue to influence the risk-on crypto market.

Recall that bitcoin was stopped at $76,000 last Wednesday after it had gained $13,000 since the initial shock when the first strikes in the Middle East began. It slipped to and below $70,000 in the following days as the US Fed refused to change the interest rates, but managed to maintain that level during the weekend.

Then, it dipped to $69,000 on Sunday evening and Monday morning when the impact of the weekend developments reached the legacy financial markets. However, once Trump claimed that the US and Iran have made significant progress in their negotiation talks, BTC exploded by several grand to just under $72,000.

Unfortunately, it retraced to $69,000 hours later as Iran denied his statement. Nevertheless, more information emerged that both countries have indeed carried out some sort of talks, and BTC tapped $72,000 on Wednesday.

It was rejected once again there, and even though it maintained $69,000 and $70,000 by yesterday, it crumbled below both these levels today, dropping to a three-week low of just over $66,000 as of now. This came as the Royal Government of Bhutan kept transferring BTC, likely to sell, and the US has reportedly begun preparing to send thousands of troops to the hot Middle East region.

The reality check compared to last Friday shows that BTC is down by approximately 6%, while some assets, such as ETH, XRP, and SOL, have marked even more painful declines. There are a few exceptions, of course, led by TAO (15%) and WLFI (7.5%).

Market Data

Market Cap: $2.360T | 24H Vol: $112B | BTC Dominance: 56%

BTC: $66,400 (-5.4%) | ETH: $1,975 (-7%) | XRP: $1.33 (-7.8%)

This Week’s Crypto Headlines You Can’t Miss

Fannie Mae Shockwave: Crypto-Backed Mortgages Coming to the US. One of the most significant news developments this week came from the behemoth in US mortgages, Better Home & Finance. A report from WSJ indicated that the company has partnered with Coinbase to allow home buyers to pledge BTC and USDC when getting a mortgage backed by Fannie Mae.

NYSE Parent Invests Another $600 Million in Polymarket as Prediction Market Volume Soars. The giant behind the New York Stock Exchange continues with its massive crypto-related investments, this time allocating another $600 million in Polymarket. Its total investment in the crypto-based prediction market has grown to $2 billion.

Analyst: Bitcoin Could Bottom at $46K as ‘Electric Cost’ Falls. Bitcoin has not bottomed out yet – this is what a popular analyst, Ted Pillows, asserted this week. By comparing the asset’s estimated “electric cost,” he determined that BTC might fall below $50,000 and down to $45,000 this cycle.

Gold Fails Safe Haven Test as Prices Plunge Amid War and Uncertainty. Although BTC has retraced in the past few days, it’s still slightly in the green since the war against Iran began. The same cannot be said about gold, whose price has plunged quite significantly since its all-time high in late January.

Post-Hack Pressure Pushes Balancer Labs to Wind Down Operations, Restructure Protocol. The popular DeFi protocol Balancer was hacked a few years back, and even though the entity behind it tried to restructure its operations, it announced earlier this week that it will be scaling down.

Saylor’s Strategy Buys Over 1,000 BTC as Unrealized Losses Mount Up. After a few consecutive multi-billion-dollar BTC purchases, Saylor’s Strategy announced a more modest one this week. It spent $76.6 million to acquire an additional 1,031 BTC, and its total stash has grown to over 762,000 units.

Charts

This week, we have a chart analysis of Ethereum, Ripple, Cardano, Binance Coin, and Hyperliquid – click here for the complete price analysis.

The post BTC Crashes to $66K, ETH Dips Below $2K as Middle East War Drags On: Weekly Recap appeared first on CryptoPotato.

It has been two weeks since the conclusion of the much-anticipated Pi Day (March 14), in which the Core Team behind Pi Network announced some major updates and progress on key infrastructure developments.

One of those garnered the community’s attention, as many of them have been waiting for a long time to have their tokens migrated and made available. Although the team just bragged about some of the achievements in this manner, many Pioneers felt it was still not sufficient.

Second Migrations Began

CryptoPotato reported at the time the celebratory post pushed by the team, in which it laid out all the major changes to its overall ecosystem. In a more recent post on the hot topic of second migrations, they informed that the gradual rollout has begun after Pi Day and continues to this day. It should open the door for Pioneers to bring additional PI tokens to Mainnet and “further participate in the ecosystem.”

The process should allow users who have already migrated their PI balance once to be eligible to migrate their second transferable batch of tokens.

Second migrations will include referral mining bonuses attributable to Referal Team members who have completely passed KYC. Almost 120,000 Pioneers have reportedly completed second migrations of their balance since the process began two weeks ago.

The Core Team explained that first migrations for eligible Pioneers will continue as usual, even as second migrations roll out.

“Note that second migrations do not compromise the speed and throughput of first migrations. Furthermore, first migrations still take priority for the network to complete. Pioneers who still need to complete their first migrations are not affected by others’ second migrations,” reads the post.

Pioneers Still Not Content

Although many in the Pi Network community have been waiting particularly for this second migration step, the comments below the X post were quite controversial, to say the least. The team has been criticized for years for the lack of improvement in this manner, and many users continued to question the situation.

One of them said their coins were returned even after they migrated them successfully, adding that they completed 2FA almost a year ago, without any real resolution. Another one said the second migration is still pending, while others were even more skeptical, noting, “I don’t believe in this scam project anymore.”

The post Pi Network’s First Big Post–Pi Day Announcement Leaves Pioneers Unimpressed appeared first on CryptoPotato.

The Intercontinental Exchange, the parent company of the New York Stock Exchange, has invested another $600 million in Polymarket, one of the leading crypto-based prediction markets. The move comes just after Kalshi, Polymarket’s competitor, closed a $1 billion investment round, putting the company’s valuation at $22 billion.

It’s worth noting that, with this, ICE’s investment totals about $2 billion, with its first pre-money investment announced in October 2025.

Not only does this provide operational capital for the firm, but it also validates prediction markets as a source of crowd-sourced event probabilities for institutional usage that could span far beyond betting.

The post NYSE Parent Invests Another $600 Million in Polymarket as Prediction Market Volume Soars appeared first on CryptoPotato.