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Bitcoin’s price keeps climbing. The cryptocurrency hit $28,000 on Monday, sparking fresh optimism among traders who’ve been waiting months for a clear breakout. But here’s the thing.

Glassnode’s latest data shows Bitcoin hasn’t crossed the key thresholds that typically mark a real bull market. The analytics firm tracks specific on-chain metrics that paint a more cautious picture than the recent price action suggests. Active addresses are up, transaction volumes are rising, but they’re not hitting the levels you’d expect in a confirmed bull run. And that “bull market support band” everyone talks about? Bitcoin needs to crack $30,000 to $32,000 to reach it.

Market watchers stay skeptical.

Analysts Split on Direction John Smith from Crypto Insights sees familiar patterns. “Bitcoin’s current price movement is reminiscent of past pre-bull market phases,” he said on March 19. Smith thinks the setup looks similar to previous cycles before major breakouts. But he warns that today’s economic conditions are vastly different, which could mess with Bitcoin’s performance.

JP Morgan analysts dropped their own report on March 18. They called Bitcoin’s recent moves “encouraging” but stressed that without breaking $30,000, the market could stay stuck in consolidation. That price level acts like a psychological wall – if Bitcoin smashes through it, buying momentum might explode. If it doesn’t, things could stall out pretty fast.

Meanwhile, Fidelity Investments announced plans to boost its crypto holdings. The firm didn’t specify when or how much, leaving traders to guess about potential market impacts.

Too early to celebrate.

Data Points Tell Mixed Story Chainalysis found something interesting in their March 17 report. Small-scale Bitcoin purchases jumped 15% over the past month, showing retail investors are creeping back into the market. But large institutional transactions? Still pretty quiet compared to historical bull market activity.

The hash rate tells another story. Bitcoin’s network is getting stronger as more miners come online, but Glassnode says that alone won’t confirm a bull market. Hash rate and price need to work together, and that relationship will be crucial in coming weeks as miners adjust to current conditions. This echoes themes explored in OP_NET Launches Bitcoin-Only DeFi Stack Tuesday, underscoring the shifting landscape.

Deribit Exchange reported a 20% spike in Bitcoin futures open interest on March 16. More traders are getting involved, which sounds bullish. But analysts warn this kind of activity can trigger wild volatility if leveraged positions get liquidated. Basically, it’s a double-edged sword.

Investment strategist Laura Chen from Crypto Capital thinks $28,000 could be pivotal. “Sustained trading above this level might attract more retail investors,” she said March 18. Chen believes that could push prices higher, but she’s adamant Bitcoin needs to break $30,000 to confirm any real market shift.

External Factors Loom Large The Federal Reserve meeting on March 22 has everyone’s attention. Traders are watching for any hints about interest rates or economic policy that might indirectly hit Bitcoin prices. So far, the Fed hasn’t commented on crypto policies.

European Central Bank’s decision to keep rates steady on March 17 helped stabilize global markets. It didn’t directly move Bitcoin, but it created the kind of calm environment that could support further price gains.

Bloomberg’s March 19 report caught something important – Bitcoin’s correlation with the S&P 500 has dropped over the past month. The cryptocurrency might be trading more on its own fundamentals rather than following stock market moves. That’s actually pretty significant if it continues.

Major tech companies are set to release quarterly earnings in early April. Those reports could reveal how broader market sentiment might influence Bitcoin, though no companies have signaled changes to their crypto strategies yet. Industry observers have noted parallels with Bitcoin Tumbles Below K Despite Record in recent weeks.

Reached for comment, major exchanges didn’t respond. Regulatory bodies also stayed quiet. The market waits for more concrete signals before making any bold moves.

The options market is painting its own picture of uncertainty. Put-call ratios on major Bitcoin options platforms like Deribit and LedgerX have remained elevated through March, suggesting traders are still hedging against downside moves despite the recent price rally. Options expiring in June show heavy concentration around the $25,000 and $35,000 strikes, indicating the market expects Bitcoin to stay within that broad range. Volatility premiums for Bitcoin options are trading at 65% annualized, well below the 90%+ levels typically seen during bull market launches.

Whale activity data from Santiment reveals another layer of complexity. Addresses holding more than 1,000 Bitcoin have been net sellers over the past two weeks, offloading roughly 12,000 coins according to their March 20 analysis. Meanwhile, addresses holding between 10-100 Bitcoin have been accumulating steadily. This divergence between large and mid-tier holders often signals market indecision. Coinbase’s premium to other exchanges has also narrowed to just 0.3%, down from the 2-3% premiums that historically accompany strong institutional demand phases.

Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat price level does Bitcoin need to hit for a confirmed bull market?According to Glassnode, Bitcoin needs to break the $30,000 to $32,000 “bull market support band” range to confirm a sustained upward trend.

Are institutional investors buying Bitcoin right now?Large institutional transactions remain subdued compared to historical bull market activity, though Fidelity announced plans to increase crypto holdings without specifying timing.

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EtherFi has allocated $25 million to Plume’s real-world asset (RWA) protocol Nest, marking a move to integrate tokenized RWA yield directly into its platform as it looks to expand beyond crypto-native sources of return.

According to Thursday’s announcement, rollout will begin with exposure to Plume’s nBASIS vault, which is tied to Superstate’s USCC crypto carry fund, with plans to add a dedicated real-world asset vault directly into EtherFi’s interface in a later phase.

The initial allocation gives EtherFi users indirect exposure to a strategy combining crypto basis trades, staking rewards and government securities, a structure traditionally available only to institutional or sophisticated investors.

The integration will extend RWA exposure across EtherFi’s more than $6 billion in user deposits. According to Plume, the vault structure is designed to simplify access by handling execution and reporting onchain, while incorporating predefined risk controls and compliance features.

EtherFi is a crypto yield platform that began with Ethereum liquid staking and has since expanded into broader yield offerings, while Plume provides infrastructure that packages institutional investment strategies into onchain vaults, giving users exposure to institutional strategies managed offchain through integrated crypto platforms.

Plume has also taken steps toward integrating with traditional financial systems, including registering as a transfer agent with the US Securities and Exchange Commission in October.

Tokenized real-world assets activity surgesUnlike traditional DeFi yield, which is generated within crypto markets, real-world assets strategies derive returns from income streams such as interest on government securities and lending activity.

According to data from RWA.xyz, the value of tokenized real-world assets has surged to more than $27 billion from about $5.7 billion at the start of 2025. Much of that growth has been driven by tokenized US Treasury products, which account for over $11 billion in onchain value.

Real-world assets onchain. Source: RWA.xyzTokenized Treasurys give investors onchain access to government-backed debt instruments, combining blockchain-based settlement with yield from short-term bills and money market funds. 

Products from companies including BlackRock, Franklin Templeton and Circle account for a significant share of the market, with Circle’s USYC holding about $2.3 billion, BlackRock’s BUIDL fund around $2 billion and Franklin Templeton’s onchain fund over $1 billion in assets.

Tokenized Treasurys. Source: RWA.xyzPlume reports 262,325 RWA holders holding more than $348 million in tokenized assets, with distributed asset value up 69% over the past 30 days, according to RWA.xyz data. Its Nest vault products are already live, including a basis-focused vault with more than $26 million in assets

In November, Plume co-founder and CEO Chris Yin told Cointelegraph that the tokenized real-world asset market could grow as much as fivefold this year.

He added that while most RWA value is currently concentrated in US Treasury bills, a maturing market and shifting interest rate environment are driving users to seek higher-yield opportunities elsewhere.

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Hyperliquid (HYPE) is trading around $39.71 after breaking out of a multi-month symmetrical triangle on the 2-day chart, with a measured move pointing 68% higher to $52.27.

The breakout follows a sustained compression between converging trendlines dating back to late January. The token is up roughly 19% over the past week, but a key momentum indicator now contradicts the bullish price structure.

Bearish Divergence Signals Weak Demand For HYPEThe Chaikin Money Flow (CMF) on the 2D chart is currently reading -0.08, placing it below the zero line. This negative reading indicates that capital is flowing out of HYPE, not into it, despite the price trading near recent highs above $39.

CMF is forming a bearish divergence with HYPE. While price has formed higher highs since early March, CMF has continued to trend downward along a descending trendline visible since late January. That divergence warns that the breakout may lack the institutional buying pressure needed to sustain momentum into the $47–$52 zone.

Want more token insights like this? Sign up for Editor Harsh Notariya’s Daily Crypto Newsletter here.

HYPE CMF. Source: TradingViewFor the signal to flip bullish, CMF would need to close back above 0.00 and hold. Until that happens, the indicator paints the current rally as a liquidity-driven move rather than one backed by genuine demand accumulation.

Will The Short Liquidation Cluster Fuel or Stall the Next Move?The liquidation map for Binance HYPE/USDT Perpetual over the past 30 days reveals a significant short liquidation cluster between $45 and $48. At the $47 level specifically, cumulative short liquidation leverage stands at $18.30 Million.

This cluster acts as a magnet. If HYPE pushes above $43–$44 with volume, cascading short liquidations in that $45–$48 range could inject fast-moving buy pressure and propel the token upward. That level also sits directly inside the densest liquidation band.

HYPE Liquidation Map. Source: CoinglassHowever, the current price at $39.61 also sits at a notable point on the map where a large concentration of long liquidations was recently cleared. That suggests the immediate overhead is less crowded than the $47–$48 zone, but getting there requires pushing through the $40–$43 with conviction.

HYPE Price Needs To Breach This BarrierHYPE broke above a symmetrical triangle that had formed between mid-January and early March. The pattern’s lower trendline acted as rising support from the $20.48 low, while a descending upper trendline capped each rally attempt until the breakout in early March.

The measured move from this triangle targets the Fibonacci 1.786 extension at $52.27, representing a 68% gain from current levels near $39.71. The chart also marks an intermediate target at the 1.5 extension of $47.40, which aligns closely with the heavy short liquidation cluster identified on the liquidation map.

HYPE Price Analysis. Source: TradingViewHYPE recently saw Hyperliquid introduce prediction markets and options support in February 2026 — both developments that could serve as catalysts if broader market conditions turn supportive. If $38.42 holds and CMF recovers above zero, the path to $47.40 opens. A breakdown below that support puts the entire breakout thesis in question.

The critical support level is the Fibonacci 1.0 retracement at $38.42. A daily close below that level would signal a failed breakout and likely send HYPE back toward the 0.786 level at $34.59. Above that, the 1.236 extension at $42.66 is the first resistance to clear before the $47 zone becomes accessible.

TL;DR

A 2013-era holder sold 1,000 BTC worth about $71.6 million, while Owen Gunden sold another 650 BTC worth roughly $46.3 million to market. The 2013 wallet has now sold 3,500 of 5,000 BTC for about $337 million, suggesting a measured unwind instead of a sudden full exit over time. The report casts the moves as generational profit-taking that may pressure upside, while also showing Bitcoin can absorb repeated OG distribution. Dormant Bitcoin supply is moving again, and the timing is stirring anxiety across the market. What is resurfacing now is not ordinary selling pressure, but aged supply from Bitcoin’s earliest era. According to the report, a 2013-era holder who accumulated 5,000 BTC at an average cost near $332 sold another 1,000 BTC worth about $71.6 million, while Owen Gunden sold an additional 650 BTC worth around $46.3 million. Together, the transactions suggest that some of the market’s oldest wallets are converting paper wealth into realized profits rather than holding through this stage of the cycle.

A #BitcoinOG with 5K $BTC($356M) sold another 1,000 $BTC($71.57M) 8 hours ago.

This OG received 5K $BTC(cost $1.66M) at $332 12 years ago, and started selling $BTC on Nov 26, 2024, selling a total of 3,500 $BTC($337M) at ~$96,262.

Total profit: $442M — a 266x return.… pic.twitter.com/oErv0KccjN

— Lookonchain (@lookonchain) March 19, 2026

Why the Market Watches These Old Wallets So Closely The first wallet tells a revealing story. This is not a sudden capitulation, but a disciplined unwind from one of Bitcoin’s cheapest positions. The source says the holder began selling on Nov. 26, 2024 and has now transferred 3,500 BTC for about $337 million at an average sale price near $96,262. Even after the latest move, the wallet still reportedly holds 1,500 BTC worth $106.8 million. That matters because steady legacy distribution can weigh on upside over time, even without the shock effect that would normally come from a single forced liquidation event for traders.

Gunden’s sale adds another layer of unease because the market had treated his earlier exit as finished. The fresh 650 BTC move suggests that high-profile whale distribution stories may end less cleanly than traders assume. Lookonchain reportedly tied the sale to roughly $46.3 million in value, after previously summarizing a much larger 11,000 BTC liquidation worth about $1.12 billion. The report notes that Gunden’s transactions carry symbolic weight because he is seen as an important Bitcoin figure whose wallet activity is read as a signal about how some of crypto’s earliest capital is being repositioned.

The broader takeaway is more nuanced than a bearish headline. These transfers look like generational profit-taking, but they also show how modern liquidity is absorbing old supply. The report argues that coins accumulated before institutional ETFs, treasury strategies and current exchange infrastructure are now being redistributed into a very different market structure. That does not make the selling irrelevant. On the contrary, the reactivation of dormant, low-cost BTC remains one of the clearest windows into cycle behavior. But it also suggests Bitcoin is operating with enough depth to take repeated OG distribution without structural breakdown.

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Zebec announced its native integration on the Stellar network, marking the first deployment of its payment streaming infrastructure outside the Solana blockchain. The selection was made by the Stellar Development Foundation itself, which identified it as the ideal protocol to bring real-time payroll to its ecosystem.

The integration allows companies to pay salaries per second, continuously, in USDC directly on Stellar. Instead of waiting business days for funds to become available, workers can access their earnings the moment they are generated, and spend or withdraw them via cards or local remittance networks. The deployment will take place in phases, beginning with core payroll functionality and expanding toward global payment rails with fiat integrations.

A key component of the system is Stellar’s connection with MoneyGram, which enables the conversion of digital dollars into local cash at more than 450,000 withdrawal points distributed across more than 170 countries. That means a worker paid in USDC can receive funds instantly while their family withdraws cash in minutes from Manila to Mexico City.

Zebec has been collaborating with Stellar for over two years on card infrastructure, which made this integration an organic step toward full native functionality within the ecosystem.

Source: https://zebec.io/blog/zebec-brings-streaming-payroll-to-stellar

Disclaimer: Crypto Economy Flash News are based on verified public and official sources. Their purpose is to provide fast, factual updates about relevant events in the crypto and blockchain ecosystem.

This information does not constitute financial advice or investment recommendation. Readers are encouraged to verify all details through official project channels before making any related decisions.

Animoca Brands has made a strategic investment in Ava Labs and entered a partnership to support projects building on the Avalanche blockchain, focusing on capital deployment, advisory support and expansion in Asia and the Middle East.

According to Thursday’s announcement by the Hong Kong-based Web3 company, the collaboration will target sectors including real-world assets, digital identity and entertainment, with Animoca providing business development support and access to regional networks to help Avalanche-based projects scale and reach institutional users.

Projects pursued under the partnership may also tap into the broader ecosystem of portfolio companies, Animoca said.

The effort is aimed at strengthening Avalanche’s position in markets where digital asset activity is growing, particularly by supporting deployments that require scalable infrastructure and compatibility with existing blockchain standards.

Animoca will also work with Avalanche developers on product integrations and funding opportunities, with an initial focus on projects seeking to launch and expand in the Middle East and Asia.

The initiative centers on connecting builders with capital and distribution channels, particularly for use cases such as tokenized assets and identity systems that target institutional and government-backed deployments.

Animoca Brands manages a portfolio of more than 600 blockchain projects, according to the company. In February, it secured a Virtual Asset Service Provider license from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, allowing it to expand crypto services in the region.

Ava Labs is a blockchain development company and core contributor to the Avalanche network, a layer 1 blockchain designed for high-speed, low-cost applications, with its native token AVAX (AVAX) used for transactions, staking and securing the network.

Neither company disclosed the size of the investment or specific projects that will receive funding under the initiative.

Hong Kong emerges as a regulated crypto hubThe expansion comes as Hong Kong, a special administrative region of China, continues to position itself as a digital asset hub.

In 2023, the city introduced a new licensing regime requiring crypto trading platforms to register with the Securities and Futures Commission, opening the door to regulated retail access under stricter investor protection rules.

In April 2024, Hong Kong approved its first spot Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) exchange-traded funds, and in October 2025 okayed a spot Solana (SOL) ETF, becoming one of the first markets to do so ahead of the United States.

The city’s push into digital assets has since broadened beyond trading, with authorities and financial institutions advancing initiatives across stablecoins, tokenized bonds and blockchain-based trade finance.

In February, officials said a new digital asset platform would support the issuance and settlement of tokenized bonds, with plans to connect it to regional tokenization infrastructure and extend it to other assets.

Earlier this month, Hong Kong and Shanghai authorities agreed to collaborate on blockchain-based trade finance and cargo data, exploring a cross-border platform for digitizing trade documentation under the HKMA’s Project Ensemble initiative.

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EtherFi integrated with Plume Network to offer its users access to real-world asset (RWA) yields through the Nest Vault infrastructure.

The first phase of the integration includes a reallocation toward the nBASIS vault, powered by Superstate’s USCC fund, which generates returns through crypto basis strategies, staking, and U.S. Treasury securities.

The integration will reach more than $6 billion in EtherFi client deposits, making RWAs a native yield source within the platform. In a second phase, access will be embedded directly into the EtherFi interface, eliminating the need to interact with off-chain processes or other intermediaries.

Teddy Pornprinya, co-founder and CBO of Plume, noted that DeFi yields are increasingly compressed, while users of platforms like EtherFi demand more sustainable and diversified return sources, something only RWAs can offer at scale. The Nest Vault architecture reduces the operational complexity associated with institutional strategies without sacrificing transparency or structured risk parameters.

Source: https://plume.org/blog/etherfi-and-plume-to-offer-onchain-yield-through-nest-vault-powered-by-superstates-uscc

Disclaimer: Crypto Economy Flash News are based on verified public and official sources. Their purpose is to provide fast, factual updates about relevant events in the crypto and blockchain ecosystem.

This information does not constitute financial advice or investment recommendation. Readers are encouraged to verify all details through official project channels before making any related decisions.

TL;DR

Bittensor’s rally stalled after a March 16 rejection, pushing TAO into a tense range as traders weigh consolidation against a deeper correction in coming sessions. Resistance remains concentrated between $282 and $300, while $250 is the key support and $233 is the breakdown level now in focus for traders. RSI has cooled from overbought territory, leaving bulls needing a breakout above $300 and bears watching whether support finally gives way. Bittensor’s recent stumble has left traders staring at an uncomfortable question: is TAO merely catching its breath, or sliding toward something more severe? The chart has shifted from momentum to hesitation. After showing strong bullish movement for much of the year, the token hit a wall on March 16 and quickly lost part of its latest advance. That rejection has pushed TAO into a tense holding pattern, where neither bulls nor bears have seized control. What makes the setup so uneasy is that the market still looks reactive, but the next move may be close.

The Technical Picture Is Tightening Fast TAO is now boxed inside a narrow but important range. Resistance is firm, and support is being tested repeatedly. The upper boundary sits around $282 to $300, an area where several breakout attempts have failed and selling pressure has returned with consistency. A clean push above $282 would likely improve sentiment quickly and could open the way toward $313, with $357 identified as an upside target if momentum rebuilds. On the downside, the market has repeatedly reacted near $250, a level that aligns with a key Fibonacci retracement zone and has become critical for buyers.

The market appears split between two very different readings. This could still become a healthy reset, but the floor is getting thinner. One scenario points to a controlled pullback followed by accumulation, with price stabilizing between $230 and $250 as larger participants gradually build positions after a strong run. The other sees a deeper correction taking over if current support gives way. In that case, a break below $233 would reinforce the bearish view and could accelerate downside pressure. Below current structure, $168 stands out as another level where buyers previously stepped in.

Momentum indicators are offering caution rather than clarity. The latest signal is cooling strength, not renewed conviction. The report notes that the Relative Strength Index has moved down from overbought territory, suggesting a loss of upward pressure even if it does not confirm a trend reversal by itself. That leaves Bittensor in a state where consolidation and capitulation are both plausible outcomes. The market still seems trapped between fading enthusiasm and unfinished bullish structure. Until TAO breaks convincingly above $300 or loses the lower support band, traders are left watching for confirmation instead of confidence.

In brief Evernorth Holdings filed a new S-4 registration statement with the SEC about its intentions to go public. The firm aims to become the biggest XRP treasury firm, and is expected to launch with $685 million in XRP tokens. It originally raised more than $1 billion to build its XRP treasury. Evernorth Holdings, a firm with intentions of becoming the largest publicly traded XRP treasury, expects to launch with at least 473 million XRP valued around $685 million, according to its S-4 registration statement filed with the SEC on Wednesday. 

The firm, which got a sizable XRP contribution from Ripple—the payments firm that’s built around the crypto asset—raised more than $1 billion to accumulate the token. 

“We believe global finance is entering a new era with digital assets playing a larger role in how capital is held, managed, and deployed,” said Evernorth founder and CEO Asheesh Birla, in a statement. Our focus is on combining public-market discipline with XRP blockchain-based financial infrastructure to help shape a more transparent, efficient, and connected global financial system.” 

Initially announced in October, the firm’s planned public listing will come via a business combination between Evernorth and Armada Acquisition Corp. II, a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) that is sponsored by Arrington Capital and trades on the Nasdaq as XRPN. 

Its XRP holdings, worth around $324 million less than the $1 billion it raised, were acquired via a variety of agreements, the S-4 filing notes.

The biggest chunk, around 211 million XRP, is being contributed by the sponsor, Arrington Capital, pursuant to an advanced funding subscription agreement. Nearly 127 million XRP is expected to be contributed by Ripple upon the completion of the business combination, while around 84 million further XRP tokens were purchased at an average price of $2.53 using $214 million in advanced funding. 

The value from its purchased lot has now almost been cut in half, and is valued around $122 million as XRP recently changed hands at $1.45. 

Nevertheless, the firm notes that it believes the public company will provide “an attractive entry valuation” to investors seeking exposure to XRP. 

“The SPAC Board believes that [Evernorth] provides an attractive entry valuation (calculated as a multiple to NAV) to XRP,” the filing reads.

While its filing is still subject to SEC review, and the business completion subject to shareholder approval, the firm intends to actively manage its eventual XRP treasury. 

Its four key business pillars include accumulating XRP, actively managing the asset, earning yield by using it in decentralized finance (DeFi), and exploring international expansion opportunities with a beginning focus on Japan and South Korea.

“Our core strategy begins with our efforts to acquire, hold, and actively manage a treasury focused on XRP,” it wrote in the S-4. 

XRP is down around 0.4% in the last 24 hours, recently sitting 60% off its July all-time high of $3.65. Earlier this week, the token leapfrogged BNB to become the fourth most valuable crypto asset by market cap. 

A representative for Evernorth did not immediately respond to Decrypt’s request for comment.

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TL;DR

McEvoy argued Zcash is deeply undervalued because crypto still lacks a credible framework for pricing privacy as AI-driven surveillance expands across financial systems. He compared ZEC with Bitcoin, gold, offshore wealth, stablecoins and Monero, producing rerating scenarios that point to materially higher possible prices across several benchmarks. At press time, ZEC traded at $244.77, far below the valuation ranges McEvoy believes rising demand for privacy could ultimately support in markets. Zcash is back in the spotlight, not because of a sudden breakout, but because one fund executive says the market may be misunderstanding what it is worth. Will McEvoy’s argument starts with a simple provocation: privacy still has no proper price. In a thread, the Cypherpunk Technologies CIO argued that ZEC is being undervalued because crypto still lacks a coherent framework for pricing financial confidentiality, even as AI-driven surveillance expands. By his framing, the disconnect is striking precisely because the need for privacy becomes easier to defend as digital monitoring grows more sophisticated.

Zcash is the most mispriced asset in crypto because privacy is the most mispriced asset in society.

The market has no real framework for valuing privacy so it gets ignored.

The upside is asymmetric nonetheless.

Some food for thought:

— Will McEvoy (@will__mcevoy) March 18, 2026

Why the Valuation Case for Zcash Looks So Radical McEvoy built the thesis around scale rather than immediate comparability. His core point is that Zcash still looks tiny beside every market it could conceivably touch. At the time of his post, he put ZEC at $263 with a market capitalization of $4.4 billion, then stacked that against Bitcoin at $1.45 trillion, gold at $34.8 trillion, offshore wealth at $11.3 trillion, stablecoins at $312 billion, and Monero at $6.8 billion. From there, he laid out rerating scenarios that imply sharp upside if privacy begins to command a premium in digital markets that investors routinely overlook.

The valuation ladders were where the argument became unusually aggressive. McEvoy’s upside case treats Zcash as a digital privacy instrument with several possible comparables, not just one. Relative to Bitcoin, he said ZEC would reach about $446 at 0.5% of BTC’s value, $891 at 1%, $1,782 at 2%, and $4,456 at 5%. Against offshore wealth, his table pointed to $680 at 0.1%, $3,402 at 0.5%, and $6,804 at 1%. He also mapped gold-based scenarios up to $10,477, stablecoin scenarios up to $4,692, and Monero-relative targets as high as $2,047. Each benchmark reinforced the same message.

The larger message was less about charts than about the direction of technology itself. For McEvoy, AI-driven surveillance is what turns Zcash from a niche privacy coin into a broader hedge against visibility. He argued that stablecoin transfers are tracked, wallets are surveilled, and privacy should become more valuable, not less, as artificial intelligence grows more capable of decoding data. That framing gives the thesis a political edge as well as a valuation one. At press time, however, ZEC traded at $244.77, leaving the market well below the scenarios he believes could justify a rerating.

21h05 ▪ 4 min read ▪ by Luc Jose A.

Summarize this article with:

On March 18, US spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $163.5 million in net outflows, ending seven consecutive sessions of inflows, even as BTC dipped below $71,000 after surpassing $75,000 earlier in the week. Such a halt occurs when these products were only $100 million away from returning to positive territory since the start of the year.

In Brief US spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $163.5 million in net outflows on March 18, ending seven consecutive sessions of inflows. This reversal occurs as Bitcoin dipped below $71,000 after surpassing $75,000 earlier in the week. Before this break, ETFs were only $100 million away from returning to positive territory since the beginning of the year, highlighting the scale of the halt. Outflows were dominated by FBTC and IBIT, while GBTC and BITB also ended the session in the red. Spot Bitcoin ETFs end seven inflow sessions After seven consecutive inflow sessions, US-listed spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $163.5 million in net outflows on March 18, ending their longest positive streak since October 2025. In one week, these products had absorbed $1.2 billion, signaling a marked resurgence of investor interest.

Before this drop, ETFs were only about $100 million away from returning to positive territory since the start of the year. The break occurred when Bitcoin plunged below $71,000, after exceeding $75,000 a few days earlier. This coincidence between price decline and flow reversal highlights how reactive the market remains during volatility phases.

US spot Bitcoin ETFs ended a streak of seven consecutive inflow sessions, after accumulating $1.2 billion ; The break occurred this Wednesday, with $163.5 million in net outflows ; Specifically, FBTC had $103.8 million in outflows, followed by IBIT with $33.9 million ; GBTC lost $18.8 million, while BITB declined by $7 million during the same session ; ETFs “ended their inflow streak amid Bitcoin’s decline”. Market weakness extends beyond Bitcoin The decline was not limited to Bitcoin. Spot Ether ETFs also ended the session in the red with nearly $55.7 million in net outflows, including $37.1 million for FETH and $8.9 million for ETHE.

The drop was more contained for Solana, with a loss close to $300,000, while XRP ETFs recorded no net inflows. Meanwhile, the Crypto Fear & Greed index fell from 26 to 23, moving from the “fear” zone to that of “extreme fear”, signaling a marked return of nervousness among investors.

Kyle Rodda, senior analyst at Capital.com, summarizes the session in a direct phrase: “price momentum clearly shows a market running out of steam”. His analysis echoes a more strained macroeconomic context, fueling investor caution.

The FOMC kept its key rate unchanged, in a range of 3.5% to 3.75%, while the Federal Reserve noted still slightly high inflation and pointed to uncertainties linked to conflicts in the Middle East.

The session reminds us that ETF momentum remains fragile once the market tightens. Between capital outflows, the return of fear, and an uncertain macroeconomic environment, the Bitcoin price becomes the anchor point of a market quick to change course.

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Luc Jose A.

Diplômé de Sciences Po Toulouse et titulaire d'une certification consultant blockchain délivrée par Alyra, j'ai rejoint l'aventure Cointribune en 2019. Convaincu du potentiel de la blockchain pour transformer de nombreux secteurs de l'économie, j'ai pris l'engagement de sensibiliser et d'informer le grand public sur cet écosystème en constante évolution. Mon objectif est de permettre à chacun de mieux comprendre la blockchain et de saisir les opportunités qu'elle offre. Je m'efforce chaque jour de fournir une analyse objective de l'actualité, de décrypter les tendances du marché, de relayer les dernières innovations technologiques et de mettre en perspective les enjeux économiques et sociétaux de cette révolution en marche.

DISCLAIMER

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the author, and should not be taken as investment advice. Do your own research before taking any investment decisions.

In brief BlackRock's ETHB has reached $254 million in AUM, with $146 million flowing in since its March 12 debut. The fund stakes 70–95% of its ETH and passes 82% of staking rewards to investors through monthly payments. ETHB enters a market where Grayscale and REX-Osprey already offer staked Ethereum products. BlackRock's iShares Staked Ethereum Trust has reached $254 million worth of assets under management after launching a week ago. That means investors have bought $146 million worth of shares since the fund debuted, on top of more than $100 million seeded in the fund.

BlackRock launched the iShares Staked Ethereum Trust (ETHB) on Nasdaq on March 12, with the seed capital coming from BlackRock Financial Management, an affiliate of iShares. The new fund stakes between 70–95% of its ETH holdings and passes 82% of resulting rewards to investors through monthly payments, with the remaining 18% split among the trust, custodians, and staking service providers.

The fund's validators include Figment, Galaxy Blockchain Infrastructure, and Attestant. ETHB charges a 0.25% sponsor fee, discounted to 0.12% for its first year on up to $2.5 billion in assets. It entered a market where Grayscale and REX-Osprey had already launched competing staked Ethereum products.

Ethereum did have a bullish rally above $2,300 earlier this week, but but has since fallen alongside Bitcoin and the rest of the market. At the time of writing, ETH was changing hands for $2,126 after having dropped 4% in the past day.

The Grayscale Ethereum Staking ETF added staking in October 2025 and renamed the fund to reflect its new staking activity in January. The fund saw mixed results its first week as a staking ETF, seeing a net outflow of $32.5 million. But Grayscale had the misfortune of adding staking to its ETF the same week that a Bitcoin flash crash triggered a $19 billion leverage wipeout last October, dragging down the rest of the crypto market.

Meanwhile, the Grayscale Ethereum Staking Mini ETF was formed in April 2024, although it didn't initially launch with staking. That wasn't added until October 6, 2025, the same week the ETHE fund added staking.

The BlackRock offering is different from both the Grayscale ETH funds because it was conceived and launched with staking, rather than adding the feature later.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Micah Zimmerman

Micah first discovered Bitcoin in 2018 but remained a skeptic on the sidelines for too long. Since 2021, he has covered crypto and business and now works as a news reporter for Bitcoin Magazine, based in North Carolina.

Fresh Bitcoin ETF on the horizon from Morgan Stanley: the $265 billion behemoth advanced their ETF pitch further.

Market Sentiment:

Bullish Bearish Neutral

Published: March 19, 2026 │ 6:10 PM GMT

Created by Kornelija Poderskytė from DailyCoin

Morgan Stanley has filed an amended registration statement for a proposed Bitcoin exchange-traded fund, a step that would put a major U.S. bank more directly into the spot-Bitcoin ETF race.

According to the updated S-1 submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the product would trade on NYSE Arca under the ticker MSBT. The filing update was reported as arriving Wednesday.

Bank-Branded Entry Into The ETF BoomThe amended paperwork doesn’t guarantee approval or an imminent launch, but it signals the bank is still actively working through the SEC process.

Sponsored

In practical terms, these amendments often reflect ongoing discussions around structure, disclosures, or operational details that need to be tightened before a fund can go live.

CRYPTO NEWS — Mar 19, 07:00 AM

Morgan Stanley advances Bitcoin ETF plans with amended S-1

Banking giant Morgan Stanley has submitted an amended Bitcoin ETF filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. According to the updated S-1 filing on Wednesday, the firm has… pic.twitter.com/luzXEUFzv9

— Crypto Pulse Daily (@pulsecrypto24) March 19, 2026 What stands out is the branding: Morgan Stanley isn’t just distributing crypto-linked products or offering access through third parties.

A spot Bitcoin ETF with a bank name attached is a different kind of endorsement—one aimed at investors who want familiar wrappers, regulated venues, and traditional custody and reporting standards.

Why This Matters Right NowThe timing lands in a market that has been oscillating between risk-on bursts and macro-driven pullbacks.

Spot Bitcoin ETFs have already become a dominant liquidity channel for U.S. bitcoin exposure, and new entrants tend to matter less for “whether” the category works and more for “who captures the flows.”

If Morgan Stanley follows through, it could intensify fee pressure and distribution competition, particularly among issuers trying to differentiate on cost, liquidity, and brand trust.

It also underscores how normalized spot-ETF access to bitcoin has become: the next phase is less about first approvals and more about financial incumbents treating the wrapper as standard kit.

Investors are ought to separate filing momentum from market impact. An amended S-1 is a meaningful breadcrumb, but not a launch date—nor a promise of net new demand on day one.

Even so, a bank-led product under ticker MSBT is another reminder that the ETF trade is turning into a long game of distribution, not a one-time regulatory win—an important shift for bitcoin holders watching where the next marginal buyer might come from.

Dig into DailyCoin’s most popular crypto scoops today:
S&P 500 Goes Onchain: Hyperliquid Launches First Official Perp Contracts
Fed Holds Rates Steady, Crypto Markets on “Sell-the-News” Mode

DailyCoin's Vibe Check: Which way are you leaning towards after reading this article?

Market Sentiment

100% Bullish

This article is for information purposes only and should not be considered trading or investment advice. Nothing herein shall be construed as financial, legal, or tax advice. Trading forex, cryptocurrencies, and CFDs pose a considerable risk of loss.

Crypto Stock investors faced renewed pressure Thursday as Bitcoin slid sharply below the $70,000 threshold. The decline followed the Federal Reserve’s latest policy decision to hold benchmark interest rates steady. Broader financial markets reacted negatively to the announcement. Rising geopolitical tensions and stubborn inflation concerns added to the uneasy mood across both cryptocurrency and equity markets.

Crypto Stocks Slide as Bitcoin Price Falls Below $70K After Fed Rate Decision Crypto Stock sentiment weakened after the Federal Reserve concluded its two-day policy meeting. The central bank kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged between 3.50% and 3.75%. Markets had anticipated caution, yet volatility increased immediately after the announcement.

🇺🇸 Today’s FOMC meeting has resulted in the expected outcome of interest rates holding steady at 3.50-3.75%. There is an expectation that there will be one further cut sometime in 2026, and one in 2027.

📈 For now, traders are expecting a bullish relief rally in spite of no… pic.twitter.com/oBqLTcv3Ni

— Santiment (@santimentfeed) March 18, 2026

The Bitcoin price dropped more than 5% during intraday trading. The leading cryptocurrency touched a low of $69,329 before stabilizing slightly. The move marked a sharp fall from recent highs near $75,000. Investors reacted swiftly to macroeconomic uncertainty and tightening liquidity conditions.

Crypto and stock markets plunged following the Fed’s decision. Escalating tensions in the Middle East also weighed heavily on investor confidence. Inflation risks continue to cloud expectations for potential rate cuts later this year.

Oil prices initially jumped more than 2% after the Fed statement. However, those gains faded quickly, and crude traded down roughly 1% afterward. The reversal reflected shifting risk appetite across global markets.

Crypto Liquidations Surge as Market Reacts to FOMC Decision Cryptocurrency Stock volatility increased with leveraged traders being liquidated. The sudden decline of Bitcoin caused massive liquidations in derivatives exchanges.

According to the CoinGlass data, over 511 million in total liquidations occurred in 24 hours. Long positions accounted for approximately $417 million of that figure. The forced selling amplified downside pressure during peak trading hours.

Source: Coinglass Market analysts noted that psychological support near $72,000 had failed. Once that level broke, selling accelerated across major exchanges. The breach of $70,000 intensified bearish sentiment among short-term traders.

CRCL, And COIN Tumble Amid Bitcoin Breakdown Crypto Stock names closely tied to digital assets followed Bitcoin lower. Circle Internet Group (CRCL) declined nearly 10% on Thursday. Shares traded around $124 during the session.

Despite the pullback, CRCL remains in a broader bull market. The stock has surged roughly 160% from its yearly low. It recently hovered near its highest level since October. Market capitalization stands at above $32 billion.

Clear Street recently upgraded CRCL to Buy. The upgrade signaled confidence in future upside potential. Technical support appears near $120, which previously acted as a demand zone. A drop below $115 may expose shares to $110.

Source: Yahoo.com On the upside, a decisive move above $125 could open a path toward $130. Stronger buying momentum may push the stock toward $140.

Coinbase (COIN) also extended recent volatility. Shares traded near $195.41, down 3.40% by early afternoon. The stock struggled to reclaim the $200 level. Immediate support sits around $192.50. A sustained break lower may lead to $185.

COIN stock MSTR And Robinhood Forms Bearish Pattern Despite Strong Fundamentals Crypto Stock exposure remains especially visible in MicroStrategy (MSTR). MSTR stock plunged 6.5% in heavy trading on Thursday. The drop followed Bitcoin’s break below key psychological support.

MicroStrategy holds approximately 761,068 BTC. That represents nearly 3.6% of the circulating supply. Research estimates the average acquisition cost to be near $75,696 per coin. The recent decline places portions of its holdings slightly underwater.

Strategy has acquired 22,337 BTC for ~$1.57 billion at ~$70,194 per bitcoin. As of 3/15/2026, we hodl 761,068 $BTC acquired for ~$57.61 billion at ~$75,696 per bitcoin. $MSTR $STRC https://t.co/6hv6PjzOKQ

— Michael Saylor (@saylor) March 16, 2026

Robinhood (HOOD) also showed technical weakness. The stock developed a bearish flag formation, which indicated the risk of stock declining. Analysts note that there could be a shift to 50 in case of pressure.

However, Robinhood’s fundamentals remain supported by rising revenues. Shares traded near $75 and remained range-bound this week. Investors now watch whether broader stock crypto weakness will drive the next decisive move.

Bitcoin (BTC)

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Last updated: 

9 minutes ago

Bitcoin is taking hits from multiple directions at once fueling bearish price prediction.

Trading around $69,500 after retreating from recent highs, the market is trying to absorb a historic supply shock.

44,459 BTC worth roughly $3.15 billion hit exchanges in a single day. Long dormant holders are cashing out all at once.

The names behind the selling tell the story. A wallet inactive since 2013 just liquidated 3,500 BTC for $442 million in profit.

Source: LookonchainA 266x return. Early adopter Owen Gunden moved $46.3 million to Kraken. Bhutan continues its drawdown, now holding under 4,500 BTC.

The Fed held rates at 3.50 to 3.75% as expected. But profit taking at this scale combined with macro hesitation suggests the consolidation phase has a lot further to run.

Bitcoin Price Prediction: Can BTC Hold the $69,000 Support Level?Bitcoin just broke down through $72,000 and the upper channel trendline at the same time. That is the breakdown every previous rejection at that level was threatening.

Price is at $69,000. The rising wedge that built since early February has resolved to the downside. The dotted path toward $64,000 is now the active scenario, not a tail risk. Below that, $60,000 is the last meaningful floor before the structure fully falls apart.

Source: BTCUSD / TradingViewThe $72,000 zone that briefly flipped from resistance to support is now lost. Any bounce attempt from here runs straight into that level as resistance. Recovery just got harder.

The one argument bulls have is that the wedge bottom trendline is still rising and converging near $64,000. A flush to that level would be a textbook test of the wedge base before any potential reversal. That zone has held twice before as a serious demand area.

To change the picture entirely, Bitcoin needs a daily close back above $72,000. That reopens the ladder toward $80,000, $84,000, and $90,000. Right now that scenario needs a lot of work to get back on the table.

The breakdown is confirmed until price proves otherwise.

Bitcoin Hyper Targets Early Mover Upside as Whales RotateWhile Bitcoin grinds against a $3.15 billion supply wall, capital is rotating into infrastructure plays with more upside potential.

Bitcoin Hyper is leading that rotation. The first Bitcoin Layer 2 to integrate the Solana Virtual Machine. High-speed programmable smart contracts protected by Bitcoin security. Transaction speeds that reportedly outperform Solana itself.

The presale has raised exactly $32,024,994.68. Current price is $0.0136772.

The Decentralized Canonical Bridge handles BTC transfers seamlessly. No wrapping tricks. No custody risk. Just Bitcoin moving into a high-speed DeFi environment cleanly.

Bitcoin at $74,000 offers limited short-term multiples for traders hunting leverage. $HYPER is still in presale. That asymmetry is exactly what rotation capital is chasing right now.

Visit the Official Bitcoin Hyper Website Here

TL;DR:

A Galaxy report reveals that approximately 7 million BTC, around $470 billion, remain vulnerable to future quantum attacks. Exposed public keys on-chain, belonging to early users and those who reuse addresses, face the greatest risk. Developers are working on solutions such as BIP 360, SPHINCS+ signatures and the “hourglass” mechanism to mitigate a potential quantum threat to Bitcoin. The research firm Galaxy published a report updating the status of the quantum threat to Bitcoin and detailing the technical defenses that developers are actively building. Although the threat is not imminent, the document warns that a cryptographically relevant quantum computer (CRQC) running Shor’s algorithm could derive a user’s private key from their exposed public key, allowing an attacker to forge signatures and steal funds.

The report acknowledges criticism from some sectors of the industry toward Bitcoin Core developers for moving too slowly in the face of advancing quantum computing. Nevertheless, it argues that defensive strategies are already in active development.

The Most Exposed Funds Bitcoin’s architecture offers a natural defense for most users: public keys remain hidden behind hashed addresses until the exact moment the coins are spent. The problem lies with funds where that key has already been revealed on-chain.

According to estimates from the security group Project Eleven, approximately 7 million BTC, equivalent to around $470 billion at current prices, sit in wallets with already-exposed public keys. These funds belong primarily to early adopters and users who reused addresses, a practice that leaves the public key visible ahead of any future spending.

Galaxy: A Technical Arsenal Under Construction The Galaxy report details four proposals advancing within the Bitcoin development pipeline. The first is BIP 360, also known as Pay-to-Merkle-Root, a soft fork proposal that introduces quantum-resistant P2MR outputs. The second is the “hourglass” proposal, designed to limit the spending rate of legacy P2PK outputs—for example, to 1 BTC per block—with the goal of preventing a supply shock that could collapse the market if a malicious actor gained mass access to those funds.

The other two initiatives are SPHINCS+, a hash-based post-quantum signature scheme recently standardized by NIST, and the “reveal emergency backstop” mechanism, which would require users to publish a compact hash commitment before broadcasting their actual spend, adding a layer of preventive protection.

The consensus emerging from the Galaxy report is clear: the risk exists, the oldest funds are the most exposed, and the tools to neutralize the threat are being forged before that threat materializes.

Bitcoin fell below $69,000 amid a global sell-off driven by escalating Middle East tensions that also caused energy prices to surge. Geopolitical Tension Sparks Market Turmoil Bitcoin ( BTC) plummeted below the $69,000 mark Thursday afternoon, swept up in a broad-based global sell-off that spared neither digital assets nor traditional safe havens like gold.

DDC Enterprise bought 200 BTC at $79,969 each, lifting its 2,383 BTC treasury above its $66m market cap as it leans harder into a high‑beta Bitcoin proxy strategy.

Summary

DDC Enterprise added 200 BTC at an average $79,969, taking its corporate stash to 2,383 BTC worth about $165m and ranking 32nd among public Bitcoin holders. The New York-listed Asian food platform now has a $66.43m market cap, meaning its Bitcoin holdings alone materially exceed the company’s equity value. Armed with up to $528m in structured financing and a 5,000–10,000 BTC reserve target, DDC is executing a MicroStrategy-style playbook of aggressive, weekly BTC accumulation. DDC Enterprise Limited (NYSEAMERICAN: DDC) announced the purchase of an additional 200 Bitcoin on Thursday, bringing its total corporate treasury holdings to 2,383 BTC valued at approximately $165 million — a move that underscores the company’s determination to keep accumulating even as markets sell off under the weight of the Iran war and surging oil prices.

The purchase was made at an average cost of $79,969 per Bitcoin, lifting DDC to 32nd place among publicly listed corporate Bitcoin holders globally, according to data from Bitcointreasuries.net. The company’s year-to-date “BTC yield” — a metric tracking the growth in Bitcoin holdings per share — stands at 44.9%, reflecting an aggressive pace of accumulation since the start of 2026.​

A Small-Cap Playing a Large-Cap Game DDC Enterprise is a New York-listed global Asian food platform that has, over the past year, reinvented itself as one of the most active small-cap corporate Bitcoin accumulators in the world. The company’s current market capitalization stands at just $66.43 million — meaning its Bitcoin treasury, valued at approximately $165 million at current prices, materially exceeds its equity value.​

The accumulation story began in earnest in mid-2025, when CEO and Founder Norma Chu announced up to $528 million in structured financing — one of the largest single-purpose Bitcoin raises by any NYSE-listed company at the time — with substantially all proceeds earmarked for Bitcoin acquisition. By the end of 2025, DDC held 1,183 BTC. Since January 1, 2026 alone, the company has added 1,200 BTC, effectively more than doubling its holdings in less than three months.

Thursday’s purchase is at least the eighth consecutive weekly accumulation event. The company bought 600 BTC in January 2026 across three separate transactions, followed by weekly purchases of 100 BTC, 80 BTC, 50 BTC, and further tranches through February and March. Each announcement has been accompanied by a statement from Chu, who said Thursday: “Every additional Bitcoin we add is a statement about where we think long-term value is heading.”

The timing is notable. With BTC trading below $70,000 — down more than 3% on the day — and geopolitical risk at its highest point since the war began, DDC is buying into weakness rather than momentum. The company’s average cost per Bitcoin of $79,969 means the treasury is currently underwater relative to purchase price, yet the firm shows no sign of slowing its accumulation program.​

DDC’s strategy closely mirrors, at smaller scale, the MicroStrategy playbook pioneered by Michael Saylor — treating Bitcoin not as a speculative asset but as a primary reserve, funded through equity and debt financing rather than operating cash flow. The company describes its goal as building “a world-class Bitcoin treasury defined by strong governance and repeatable execution,” while maintaining its core Asian food business alongside the digital asset strategy.​

With its stock trading at $2.18, down sharply from a 52-week high of $20.83, and a beta of 5.7, DDC remains one of the highest-volatility Bitcoin proxy plays available to U.S. equity investors — a high-risk, high-conviction bet that the price of Bitcoin will ultimately vindicate the math.

The Weekend Oil Trading SurgeTrading in Hyperliquid’s West Texas Intermediate crude oil (CL-USDC) contract spiked earlier this month as the Iran war escalated over a weekend when traditional venues like CME were closed. Open interest rose to roughly $300 million.

The contract is margined in USDC and offers leverage of up to 20x, making it accessible to traders seeking exposure. 

“This traction is likely to grow over time and extend to other assets beyond commodities as decentralized exchanges exploit a gap in traditional markets by facilitating 24/7 trading in traditional assets,” JPMorgan analysts led by managing director Nikolaos Panigirtzoglou said.

Why DEXs Are Winning Market ShareUnlike many decentralized exchanges that rely on automated market makers, Hyperliquid uses on-chain limit order books, which offer more precise pricing, tighter spreads, and familiar order types for professional traders.

The platform offers sub-second transaction finality, enabling faster execution speeds that appeal to algorithmic and high-frequency trading strategies. 

Portfolio margining allows traders to manage risk across an entire portfolio rather than individual positions, improving capital efficiency.

These features help decentralized exchanges position themselves as professional-grade trading venues that bridge traditional and crypto markets. 

Decentralized exchanges have already started capturing market share from centralized exchanges in crypto derivatives, particularly among mid-tier venues.

TradFi’s 24/7 ResponseTraditional finance exchanges are moving toward round-the-clock trading. CME Group plans to launch 24/7 cryptocurrency futures and options trading on May 29. 

Nasdaq is advancing toward 23-hour weekday equities trading targeting the second half of 2026.

The New York Stock Exchange is developing a platform for tokenized assets and extended-hours trading pending approvals. 

Cboe Global Markets offers perpetual-style Bitcoin and Ethereum futures and has proposed near-24/5 equities trading for a potential December rollout.

However, most traditional venues typically do not offer perpetual futures or the high leverage commonly seen on decentralized exchanges, instead focusing on standardized derivatives with lower leverage.

HYPE Tests $39 SupportHyperliquid is trading flat today after rallying nearly 50% from $29.80 on March 7 to $43.80.

The Supertrend flipped bullish on March 9 and currently sits at $39.03. Price is retesting that level after sharp rejection from the $43.80 peak.

The 20 EMA at $40.64 and 50 EMA at $40.14 converge just above current price, creating a tight cluster. 

The 100 EMA at $38.63 and 200 EMA at $36.29 sit well below, reflecting genuine trend strength.

Image: Shutterstock

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XRP has retraced below the $1.50 level as volatility returns to the market, bringing sharper price swings and renewed uncertainty for traders. After briefly stabilizing above key levels, the asset is now struggling to maintain momentum, reflecting a broader environment where conviction remains limited and positioning continues to shift rapidly.

Beyond price action, derivatives data is revealing a more complex and reactive market structure. According to CryptoQuant analyst Arab Chain, the XRP Open Interest 30-day change indicator highlights significant fluctuations in how traders are positioning across derivatives markets. The data shows repeated shifts between positive and negative readings, pointing to a highly sensitive environment driven by leverage and short-term speculation.

This type of behavior typically signals a market lacking clear directional consensus. Instead of sustained accumulation or distribution, participants are frequently opening and closing positions, reacting to short-term price movements rather than committing to longer-term trends.

In this context, XRP’s recent retrace reflects more than just price volatility—it underscores a fragile structure shaped by leveraged activity and rapid repositioning. Until a more stable trend emerges, price action is likely to remain reactive, with heightened sensitivity to both market sentiment and liquidity conditions.

Liquidity Concentrates on Binance as Positioning Diverges The analysis highlights a fragmented derivatives landscape for XRP, with Binance emerging as the dominant hub for new positioning. According to the latest data, Binance recorded a positive open interest change of approximately +188.7 million XRP, the largest inflow across all tracked platforms. This suggests a meaningful increase in liquidity, likely driven by the opening of new long positions or renewed speculative exposure.

XRP Open Interest 30D | Source: CryptoQuant Bybit followed with a +68.1 million XRP increase, reinforcing the view that certain exchanges continue to attract active traders despite broader market uncertainty. However, beyond these platforms, the picture becomes less consistent.

Kraken posted a modest +800,600 XRP increase, while other exchanges showed clear signs of contraction. BitMEX recorded a decline of approximately -8.15 million tokens, OKX fell by around -30.8 million tokens, and Bitfinex saw a drop of -9.36 million tokens, marking it as the weakest venue in terms of open interest change.

Structurally, this divergence signals uneven market participation. Liquidity is increasingly concentrated on Binance, while other platforms reflect reduced activity or active de-risking. This split suggests a market lacking unified conviction, where some traders are building exposure, while others are closing positions and reducing risk, reinforcing XRP’s current unstable and reactive structure.

XRP Attempts Stabilization After Prolonged Downtrend XRP’s daily chart shows a prolonged downtrend with early signs of stabilization, as price consolidates around the $1.40–$1.50 region following a sharp decline in recent months. The broader structure remains bearish, with the price consistently printing lower highs and lower lows since late 2025.

XRP consolidates below the $1.5 level | Source: XRPUSDT chart on TradingView The most significant move occurred in early February, when XRP experienced a capitulation event toward the $1.20 level, accompanied by a notable spike in volume. This type of move often signals forced liquidations and panic-driven selling, which can mark local exhaustion zones. Since then, price has entered a tight consolidation range, suggesting that selling pressure is beginning to ease.

However, the price remains below all key moving averages, including the 200-day moving average, which continues to trend downward and act as strong resistance. The shorter-term averages are also sloping lower, reinforcing the idea that the market is still in a corrective phase rather than a confirmed recovery.

The recent bounce toward $1.50 reflects tentative buying interest, but lacks strong volume confirmation. For momentum to shift, XRP must reclaim the $1.50–$1.60 zone and hold above it. Until then, price action is likely to remain range-bound within a broader bearish structure.

Cover image from ChatGPT, XRPUSD chart from Tradingview

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Sebastian's journey into the world of crypto began four years ago, driven by a fascination with the potential of blockchain technology to revolutionize financial systems. His initial exploration focused on understanding the intricacies of various crypto projects, particularly those focused on building innovative financial solutions. Through countless hours of research and learning, Sebastian developed a deep understanding of the underlying technologies, market dynamics, and potential applications of cryptocurrencies. As his knowledge grew, Sebastian felt compelled to share his insights with others. He began actively contributing to online discussions on platforms like X and LinkedIn, focusing on fintech and crypto-related content. His goal was to expose valuable trends and insights to a wider audience, fostering a deeper understanding of the rapidly evolving crypto landscape. Sebastian's contributions quickly gained recognition, and he became a trusted voice in the online crypto community. To further enhance his expertise, Sebastian pursued a UC Berkeley Fintech: Frameworks, Applications, and Strategies certification. This rigorous program equipped him with valuable skills and knowledge regarding Financial Technology, bridging the gap between traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralized finance (DeFi). The certification deepened his understanding of the broader financial landscape and its intersection with blockchain technology. Sebastian's passion for finance and writing is evident in his work. He enjoys delving into financial research, analyzing market trends, and exploring the latest developments in the crypto space. In his spare time, Sebastian can often be found immersed in charts, studying 10-K forms, or engaging in thought-provoking discussions about the future of finance. Sebastian's journey as a crypto analyst and investor has been marked by a relentless pursuit of knowledge and a dedication to sharing his insights. His ability to navigate the complex world of crypto, combined with his passion for financial research and communication, makes him a valuable asset to the industry. As the crypto landscape continues to evolve, Sebastian remains at the forefront, providing valuable insights and contributing to the growth of this revolutionary technology.

TL;DR:

Mantle (MNT) recorded a 600% increase in transactions over $100,000, positioning itself as the asset with the highest institutional activity of the week. Four of the top ten assets in the ranking are stablecoins (DAI, USDD, USDT, USDC), suggesting a massive repositioning towards liquidity. Projects like Maker (MKR) and Fetch.ai (FET) also showed significant spikes in activity despite market price corrections. The on-chain analytics platform Santiment announced this Thursday that Mantle is at the top of the list of assets that have increased the activity of their large holders. This phenomenon occurs in a context where institutional capital seems to be moving strategically in the face of recent sector volatility.

Data indicates that the asset’s transaction volume reached levels seven times higher than last week, maintaining a market capitalization of $2.53 billion. Although the price of MNT is $0.773 with a 6.99% drop in the last 24 hours, the capital flow from whales increased notably.

Strategic Movement Toward Stablecoins and DeFi This increase in high-value transactions is not limited to the governance segment. The MakerDAO ecosystem reflects an interesting duality: while DAI on the BNB Chain network ranks second with a 340% increase in activity, the MKR token follows closely with a 200% increase, reflecting large-scale capital movement.

On the other hand, whales continue to keep a close eye on AI. Indeed, the Artificial Superintelligence Alliance (FET) recorded a 178% increase in its transactions greater than $100,000. However, the fact that four of the ten most active assets are stablecoins indicates that whales could be rotating toward defensive positions.

In short, the outlook is clear: although the prices of assets like PEPE or Mantle pulled back, institutional volume is far from disappearing. The concentration of transactions during moments of price weakness often precedes phases of accumulation or large-scale portfolio rebalancing.

TLDR Table of Contents

TLDRStrive Expands Bitcoin Treasury to 13,628 BTCFinancial Results and SATA Preferred Stock StrategyGet 3 Free Stock Ebooks Strive acquired 317 Bitcoin and increased its total holdings to about 13,628 BTC. The purchase moved Strive into the top 10 corporate Bitcoin holders. CEO Matt Cole confirmed the updated Bitcoin holdings in the fourth quarter 2025 earnings report. Strive accumulated nearly 5,900 Bitcoin through private placements and stock exchange transactions. The acquisition of Semler Scientific added 5,048 Bitcoin to Strive’s treasury. Strive expanded its Bitcoin treasury by acquiring 317 BTC, bringing total holdings to about 13,628 BTC. The purchase moved the company into the top 10 corporate Bitcoin holders. CEO Matt Cole confirmed the update while reporting fourth quarter 2025 financial results.

The company now ranks ahead of Tesla and CleanSpark in total Bitcoin holdings. However, Strive has previously appeared among the 10 largest corporate holders. The firm built its position within six months of going public.

Strive accumulated nearly 5,900 Bitcoin through private placement proceeds and a stock exchange transaction. It also gained 5,048 Bitcoin through its acquisition of Semler Scientific. The company secured another 2,694 Bitcoin through capital markets activity, including preferred stock-linked offerings.

Strive Expands Bitcoin Treasury to 13,628 BTC Strive increased its holdings by 317 Bitcoin during the reported period. As a result, total reserves reached approximately 13,628 BTC. Cole confirmed the figures in an official statement.

He said the company’s early performance validated its corporate finance strategy. “Out of the numerous successes Strive had in our first six months as a public company, the most important was cementing our foundation as a structured finance company laser-focused on digital credit,” Cole said. He linked the treasury growth directly to structured capital strategies.

The company funded acquisitions through several channels and coordinated transactions within a short timeframe. Private placements and exchange deals delivered nearly 5,900 Bitcoin. The Semler Scientific acquisition contributed 5,048 Bitcoin to the balance sheet.

Capital markets activity supplied another 2,694 Bitcoin to reserves. These transactions included preferred stock-linked offerings. As a result, Strive strengthened its treasury position before year-end.

Financial Results and SATA Preferred Stock Strategy Strive reported a net loss of $393.6 million from its listing date through year-end 2025. The company attributed most of the loss to non-cash items. Unrealized Bitcoin losses accounted for about $194.5 million of the total.

Bitcoin’s price declined from around $126,000 in October to roughly $72,000 by early 2026. This price movement drove the reported unrealized losses. Goodwill and intangible impairments from the Semler deal added $140.8 million.

Transaction costs contributed another $12.4 million to the deficit. On an adjusted basis, loss attributable to common shareholders reached $208.2 million. The figure equaled $4.73 per diluted share after a one-for-twenty reverse stock split.

Cole highlighted the company’s SATA perpetual preferred stock product during the earnings report. He described SATA as a variable-rate instrument designed to generate double-digit yields with reduced volatility. SATA trades on Nasdaq under its own ticker.

Strive raised about $148 million in net proceeds from its November 2025 SATA initial public offering. The company priced two million shares at $80 each. A follow-on offering in January raised another $109 million at $90 per share.

Management reported a 22.2% Bitcoin Yield in the fourth quarter. The company also recorded a 13.8% yield quarter-to-date through mid-March. These figures represented a Bitcoin Gain of 1,305 coins in Q4 2025 and 1,050 coins so far in 2026.

Staking yields are one of the main bridges connecting TradFi and DeFi.

Put simply, staking yields let traditional investors earn “predictable” returns while getting exposure to the decentralized ecosystem, similar to earning interest in banks. That’s why many in TradFi see the CLARITY Act as a real disruptor, as it could speed up DeFi adoption and reshape capital flows.

Ethereum [ETH], however, seems to be ahead of the curve.

The Ethereum Foundation recently deployed 3,400 ETH into Morpho, including 1,000 ETH into Morpho Vaults V2. Back in October 2025, they had already added 2,400 ETH plus about $6 million in stablecoins into Morpho Vaults V1.

Source: X From a strategic perspective, these moves carry real weight. 

For instance, the Ethereum Foundation (a non-profit focused on network development) is showing that it’s actively putting capital to work in DeFi. By doing so, it signals confidence in Ethereum’s staking and lending ecosystem while also encouraging broader adoption across the network.

Notably, this strategy is playing out in real time.

On the 17th of March, the BlackRock Staked ETH ETF (ETHB) saw its largest inflow since inception, with a net flow of 28,810 ETH (about $67.18 million) and $0.3 billion in trading volume, highlighting growing institutional interest in Ethereum’s staking ecosystem.

And it doesn’t stop there.

Grayscale’s Ethereum Mini Trust has locked in 76,800 ETH in under a week alone. Technically, this shows that large ETH holders are allocating more and more capital into DeFi, with the Ethereum Foundation’s moves setting the pace.

Naturally, the question is: Does this give the network an edge as the CLARITY Act draws closer?

Ethereum treasuries deploy ETH, showing DeFi as a risk-off catalyst Beyond network-level breakdowns, the DeFi sector is seeing unprecedented growth. 

In fact, Total Value Locked (TVL) recently crossed $100 billion for the first time since February, demonstrating that staking continues to attract capital even in a broader risk-off environment.

Ethereum, which represents nearly 60% of the market, is clearly benefiting the most, making this trend a strong bullish signal for the network.

Against this backdrop, the CLARITY Act could become a meaningful catalyst for Ethereum, both technically and fundamentally. Backing this, the Ethereum Foundation is deploying millions into the financial infrastructure, showing that developers are laying the groundwork for broader DeFi adoption.

Source: Arkham As the chart above shows, the Ethereum Foundation recently deposited $7.88 million of ETH to Steakhouse, a billion-dollar DeFi asset manager.

More importantly, the Foundation still holds over $400 million in ETH, highlighting its continued influence and strategic role in supporting the network’s growing market share.

According to AMBCrypto, this is just the start of a deeper trend. 

As noted earlier, the CLARITY Act could act as a major catalyst, driving even greater institutional interest in Ethereum DeFi, with more ETH treasuries likely following BitMine’s playbook. Recent inflows into BlackRock’s ETHB only reinforce this momentum.

At the heart of it all, the Ethereum Foundation is clearly leading the way. Its recent “strategic” moves clearly signal the network’s direction, positioning Ethereum’s DeFi ecosystem as a key focus for long-term investors and a safety net during periods of intense volatility, supported by a 6% jump in ETH TVL so far this month.

Final Summary Ethereum treasuries, including the Ethereum Foundation, are deploying hundreds of millions of ETH into DeFi protocols, signaling confidence and driving network growth. Big inflows into BlackRock’s ETHB and Grayscale’s Ethereum Mini Trust show that traditional finance is increasingly participating in Ethereum staking, with the CLARITY Act likely acting as a catalyst.