Market Signal Briefing

Occidental Petroleum is downgraded to Buy after a recent ~30% rally, reflecting a less favorable risk-reward. OXY's balance sheet is improving following the debt reductions post-OxyChem sale, enhancing flexibility and lowering interest costs. As a result, the dividend increased 8% to $0.26/share, but the yield remains modest at ~2% with a payout ratio below 25%.

Nomura North Asia CIO Julia Wang says the Chinese yuan is likely to see only gradual near-term appreciation. She also says greater flexibility is more important than currency strength for any attempts to internationalize the RMB, and that the key thing to watch for at the upcoming Two Sessions is China's fiscal policy plans.

Life360, Inc. (LIF) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript

Target plans to report its holiday-quarter earnings and share its expectations for the year ahead on Tuesday morning, as its new CEO lays out his strategy and tries to persuade Wall Street that the big-box retailer can end its sales slump.

The Minneapolis-based discounter will hold an investor meeting at its headquarters, led by CEO Michael Fiddelke, the company veteran who stepped into the job in February, as well as other Target executives.

Here's what Wall Street is expecting for the big-box retailer's fiscal fourth quarter, based on a survey of analysts by LSEG:

Earnings per share: $2.15 expectedRevenue: $30.48 billion expectedThose results would come in shy of what Target reported in the year-ago period. The company recently affirmed its outlook for the fourth quarter, saying it expects sales to decline by a low single-digit percentage, and it anticipates its full fiscal 2025 forecast for adjusted earnings per share will range between $7 and $8. In the previous fiscal year, Target reported adjusted earnings per share of $8.86.

Target is trying to turn around several years of disappointing results driven by a mix of company missteps and economic factors. Its annual sales have been roughly flat for four years, after a significant jump in annual revenue during the Covid pandemic.

Customer traffic across the company's stores and website has fallen for three consecutive quarters and the average amount people are spending during those visits has declined, too. Target cut 1,800 corporate jobs in October, marking its first major layoff in a decade.

Some of Target's customers told CNBC they are shopping elsewhere after noticing changes like sloppier stores and lackluster merchandise, or objecting to the company's social stances, like its rollback of major diversity, equity, inclusion initiatives. The company acknowledged backlash to its DEI decision had hurt sales and led to market share losses to competitors.

Target is known for selling clothing, home goods, seasonal items and other trend-driven discretionary merchandise that customers often buy on impulse when browsing the aisles on a "Target run." Yet higher prices of food, utilities and other necessities, fueled by inflation and tariffs, has dampened U.S. consumers' willingness to buy items that aren't on the shopping list.

Target's results have been at odds with those of retail rivals like Walmart, Costco and T.J. Maxx, which have posted stronger sales results, attracted shoppers across incomes, and seen growth in categories like apparel and home goods, areas where Target has struggled.

In an interview with CNBC in the fall at Target's headquarters, Fiddelke said he would prioritize regaining the company's reputation for style and design, improving the customer experience, and using technology to boost its performance.

He has echoed those key goals in messages to the company's employees and comments to investors.

Last month, Target announced it would invest more in store labor and cut about 500 other roles at distribution centers and regional offices. However, the company declined to say much more it would spend.

Target shares have dropped by nearly 32% over the past three years, as of Monday's close, though they have risen nearly 16% so far this year. The company's stock closed on Monday at $113.17, bringing its market cap to $51.24 billion.

Adyen N.V. (ADYEY) Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference 2026 March 2, 2026 4:05 PM EST

Company Participants

Ethan Tandowsky - CFO & Member of the Management Board

Conference Call Participants

Adam Wood - Morgan Stanley, Research Division

Presentation

Adam Wood
Morgan Stanley, Research Division

Okay. Perfect. My name is Adam Wood. I look after the Software and Payments on Europe for Morgan Stanley. I'm very, very pleased to welcome Ethan Tandowsky, the CFO of Adyen. Ethan, thank you so much for joining us in San Francisco.

Ethan Tandowsky
CFO & Member of the Management Board

Yes. Thanks for hosting me.

Question-and-Answer Session

Adam Wood
Morgan Stanley, Research Division

It's an absolute pleasure. So let's get started. I wanted to start off on the core Adyen's business, historically, the acquiring business. And your story has been very much about the benefits of the single platform that give you the structural advantage against a lot of the legacy players in the industry, enabling you to innovate more quickly, lever machine learning, AI and so on.

You had an Investor Day back in November of last year where you talked about the foundations of this and how it's been evolving. Could you maybe just start us off by outlining the 3 layers of that core foundation and then maybe specifically the behavior-based identity layer, how those things set you apart from a lot of the traditional competitors in payments?

Ethan Tandowsky
CFO & Member of the Management Board

Yes, sure. So indeed, we laid out our 3 foundational layers. We talked about them. They're essentially how we deliver value to our customers and how we plan to continue to deliver value to our customers. So indeed, the first is the single platform. That means that if you process an in-person payment in Brazil or an online payment in Malaysia

8.1K Followers

Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran is sending shockwaves across global energy markets, with Asia expected to face the maximum pain.

A senior commander from Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Monday that the Strait of Hormuz had been shut and warned that any vessel attempting to transit the waterway would be targeted, Iranian media reported.

Located between Oman and Iran, the Strait functions as a vital artery for global oil trade. Roughly 13 million barrels per day passed through it in 2025, representing about 31% of all seaborne crude flows, according to energy consulting firm Kpler.

A prolonged closure of the Strait would likely lead to a further surge in oil prices, with some analysts seeing oil crossing $100 per barrel. Global benchmark Brent was last up 2.6% at around $80 per barrel —almost 10% higher since the conflict broke out.

About 20% of global liquefied natural gas exports that come from the Gulf are also at risk, primarily those originating from Qatar and shipped via the Strait of Hormuz, according to Kpler. Qatar, one of the world's largest providers of LNG, halted production on Monday after Iranian drones hit its facilities at Ras Laffan Industrial City and Mesaieed Industrial City.

"In Asia, Thailand, India, Korea and the Philippines are the most vulnerable to higher oil prices, due to their high import dependence, while Malaysia would be a relative beneficiary since it is an energy exporter," Nomura wrote in a note on Monday.

Here's how those reliant on Gulf energy and shipments via the Strait of Hormuz stand to be impacted.

South Asia: immediate physical strainSouth Asia would face the most acute disruption, particularly when it comes to supplies of LNG, analysts said.

Qatar and the UAE account for 99% of Pakistan's LNG imports, 72% of Bangladesh's, and 53% of India's, according to Kpler data.

With limited storage and procurement flexibility, Pakistan and Bangladesh are especially vulnerable. For one, Bangladesh is already running a significant structural gas deficit. According to the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, the country is running a shortfall of more than 1,300 million cubic feet per day.

"Pakistan and Bangladesh have limited storage and procurement flexibility, meaning disruption would likely trigger fast power-sector demand destruction rather than aggressive spot bidding," Katayama said.

India faces the largest combined exposure in the region. "More than half of its LNG imports are Gulf-linked, and a significant share is Brent-indexed, so a Hormuz-driven crude spike would simultaneously lift oil import costs and LNG contract prices. That creates a dual physical and financial shock," he said.

Similarly, about 60% of India's oil imports come from the Middle East, according to UBP. A sustained blockade would therefore amplify both energy import costs and current-account pressures.

China: large exposure but sufficient bufferA Hormuz closure would test China's energy security, but stockpiles and alternative supply offer some buffer.

The country is the world's largest crude oil importer, and purchases over 80% of Iranian oil, according to Kpler.

Around 30% of its LNG imports come from Qatar and the UAE, and roughly 40% of its oil imports pass through Hormuz, UBP estimates.

"China is materially exposed but more flexible," Kpler's Katayama said. 

According to Kpler, China's LNG inventories as of end-February stand at 7.6 million tons, providing short-term cover. However, China would need to compete for Atlantic cargoes if the outage persists, tightening the Pacific basin, Katayama added. In which case, the dynamic could intensify price competition across Asia even if Beijing avoids outright shortages.

Saudi Arabia has increased crude loadings in recent weeks, and strategic petroleum reserves held by major consuming nations like China, could provide some temporary cushioning to the market, Rystad Energy said in a note on Sunday.

UBP said that while China is a key net energy importer in the region, it is not necessarily the most vulnerable to potential supply shocks.

Japan and South KoreaThe Middle East supplies 75% of Japan's oil imports and around 70% of Korea's, according to UBP.

For LNG, their Gulf exposure is lower than South Asia's. South Korea sources 14% of its LNG from Qatar and the UAE, while Japan sources 6%, Kpler estimates.

Even without outright shortages, price effects could be severe. "Economies with high energy import reliance such as Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan are more exposed to supply shocks," said Shier lee Lim, lead macro and FX strategist of APAC at payments platform Convera.

Inventories are also limited. Korea holds about 3.5 million tons of LNG and Japan around 4.4 million tons in reserves, enough for roughly two to four weeks of stable demand, according to Kpler.

South Korea's net oil imports are 2.7% of GDP, with Nomura flagging it amongst the most vulnerable on the current-account front.

Southeast AsiaAcross much of Southeast Asia, the first-order hit is cost inflation rather than an immediate shortage, said industry experts.

Spot-reliant LNG buyers would face sharply higher replacement costs as Asia competes with Europe for Atlantic cargoes, said Kpler's Katayama.

Thailand especially is a standout oil-price loser in Nomura's framework because the external hit is large and immediate: it has the biggest net oil imports in Asia at 4.7% of GDP, and each 10% oil price rise worsens the current account by around 0.5 percentage point of the country's GDP. 

Xometry delivered strong Q4 2024 results, but its shares dropped sharply, likely due to a combination of weak guidance, valuation concerns, and AI-related uncertainty. Xometry's guidance is conservative though, and while growth will moderate in 2026, it should still be in the mid 20% range for the full year. Xometry's margins will also continue to improve as its business scales and matures. GAAP profitability is probably still a few years away, although Xometry's cash burn is already negligible.

Uniswap Labs and founder Hayden Adams have won a class action lawsuit that sought to hold them liable for scam cryptocurrencies traded on its platform, ending a four-year legal saga.

Manhattan federal judge Katherine Polk Failla dismissed a suit against Uniswap on Monday with prejudice, saying the class group can’t hold Uniswap liable for the misconduct of unknown third-party token issuers.

It was the class group’s second attempt to sue Uniswap, which amended their complaint in May to focus on claims of state-level consumer protection violations, arguing that Uniswap allowed “rug pulls and pump and dump schemes,” according to Judge Polk Failla’s order.

The group, led by Nessa Risley, first sued Uniswap, Adams and venture firms Paradigm, Andreessen Horowitz and Union Square Ventures in April 2022. Their lawsuit was dismissed in August 2023, a decision that was later upheld on appeal.

Uniswap’s Adams posted on X that the ruling was a “good, sensible outcome” that sets a new legal precedent.

Source: Hayden Adams“If you write open source smart contract code, and the code is used by scammers, the scammers are liable, not the open source devs,” he added.

Class group failed to claim that Uniswap helped with fraudIn her latest opinion, Judge Polk Failla said the class group had failed to adequately allege that Uniswap “had knowledge of the fraud and substantially assisted in its commission.”

She added that “merely creating an environment where fraud could exist is not the same as affirmatively assisting in its perpetration.”

“No matter how they try to dress up their allegations, Plaintiffs are basically alleging that Defendants substantially assisted fraud by providing ordinary services that anyone could use for lawful purposes, but that some used for unlawful purposes,” the judge wrote.

“Such an argument fails for the same reasons why a bank does not substantially assist a money launderer who washes his cash through the bank’s accounts, and why WhatsApp does not substantially assist a drug dealer who coordinates a sale on its messaging service: Simply providing the platform on which a fraud takes place is not the same as substantially assisting that fraud,” she added.

Big questions: Should you sell your Bitcoin for nickels for a 43% profit?

Cointelegraph is committed to independent, transparent journalism. This news article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph’s Editorial Policy and aims to provide accurate and timely information. Readers are encouraged to verify information independently. Read our Editorial Policy https://cointelegraph.com/editorial-policy

Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure

A well-known Solana NFT marketplace that once pushed hard into Bitcoin and other chains has quietly started to shrink its footprint.

Reports say the shift will be fast and clear: several services will stop working in March and April as the company focuses where it thinks the money is.

Magic Eden Pulls Back To Solana The change is not small. Support for EVM and Bitcoin Ordinals and Runes is being wound down on March 9th, with the Bitcoin API shutting on March 27 and the platform’s self-custody wallet set to go fully offline on April 1.

Reports note that the marketplace will keep Solana support and some Pack products, but many cross-chain tools will disappear. Users have been told to move assets or export keys before the cutoff dates to avoid losing access.

Why This Happened Costs and returns drove the move. According to posts from company leadership, most engineering and infrastructure costs were tied to products that brought in only a fraction of the revenue.

Update on @MagicEden and @DiceyHQ:

It is clear we’re entering a new era where finance and entertainment merge. We are now 2 months into @DiceyHQ’s closed beta and are incredibly bullish on how things have developed (~200 users, >$15M wagered).

To give Dicey the focus it…

— Jack (@0xLeoInRio) February 27, 2026

In plain terms: a lot of work for little money. That math pushed a rethink about where to spend limited resources. One part of the business is being doubled down on: an on-chain casino called Dicey that ran a closed beta earlier this year and drew heavy betting volume.

What The Beta Showed Dicey’s trial phase attracted around 200 users who placed roughly $15,000,000 in wagers over two months. Reports say that number convinced management the product could make stronger returns than the quieter NFT markets the company had been supporting.

The casino plans to add a sportsbook and other betting features, and the firm argues betting could be a steadier source of fees than low-volume NFT listings.

BTCUSD now trading at $65,502. Chart: TradingView Market Effects And Reaction The broader NFT market has been weak for months, and this shutdown is one of several signs that platforms are trimming offerings. Some collectors and builders will be annoyed, since tools and markets they used are being removed.

Others will see the move as pragmatic — a firm choosing fewer products it understands well over many it does not. Coverage from industry outlets picked up the story quickly once leadership posted details on social channels.

A Word From The CEO Jack Lu wrote that the company was refocusing on its original Solana work and on products with clearer paths to revenue.

He described the closed beta’s results as “encouraging” and said the company will stop its NFT buyback program to free up resources for the betting product.

Featured image from www.outsideonline.com, chart from TradingView

Editorial Process for bitcoinist is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.

Sign Up for Our Newsletter! For updates and exclusive offers enter your email.

Christian, a journalist and editor with leadership roles in Philippine and Canadian media, is fueled by his love for writing and cryptocurrency. Off-screen, he's a cook and cinephile who's constantly intrigued by the size of the universe.

Journalist

Posted: March 3, 2026

Shiba Inu [SHIB] continued to trend downward, following the memecoin sector’s general weakness.

The fearful market sentiment and lack of appetite for memes meant most of the popular tokens in this category were facing a long-term downtrend.

Source: SHIB/USDT on TradingView

The 1-day structure has turned bearish once more. In February, the imbalances on the 1-day timeframe (white box) were expected to be swept before the bearish trend resumed.

Their alignment with the Fibonacci retracement levels made the idea more compelling.

Yet, the bearish strength was too much to allow such a move. As things stand, a price bounce toward local highs appears unlikely. The move below the local support (dotted cyan) showed that a drop to $0.000005 was likely.

The A/D indicator continued to descend lower to highlight seller dominance. The MACD formed a bearish crossover below the zero line to indicate a momentum shift.

What are the next SHIB targets? The 3-month liquidation heatmap highlighted $0.000008, $0.0000075, $0.0000067, and $0.0000062 as the overhead liquidity targets. A price bounce into these areas could trigger a liquidity sweep and a bearish reaction.

The 2-week heatmap showed that a move southward was imminent. Traders can await a liquidity sweep before assessing if a brief bounce toward $0.0000062 can occur.

Traders’ call to action – Sell the bounce

Source: SHIB/USDT on TradingView

The former short-term bullish order block has been flipped from a demand to a supply zone. The moving averages and the MACD on the 4-hour timeframe highlighted the bearish momentum.

The A/D indicator’s downtrend in the past two weeks confirmed seller dominance.

A bounce toward the overhead supply zone and the $0.0000062 liquidity cluster would likely offer a selling opportunity. Below $0.000005, the $0.00000389 was the next price target.

Final Summary Shiba Inu showed signs that it would likely descend below the local support level. A respite rally to $0.0000062 was possible. A move beyond $0.0000084 is needed to challenge the established long-term bearish trend. Disclaimer: The information presented does not constitute financial, investment, trading, or other types of advice and is solely the writer’s opinion.

XRP price failed to surpass $1.4320 and started downside correction. The price is now holding the $1.3550 support and might aim for another increase.

XRP price started a downside correction and declined below $1.40. The price is now trading above $1.370 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. There is a key contracting triangle forming with resistance at $1.4080 on the hourly chart of the XRP/USD pair (data source from Kraken). The pair could start another increase if it stays above $1.350. XRP Price Holds Support XRP price failed to stay above $1.420 and started a downside correction, like Bitcoin and Ethereum. The price dipped below the $1.4050 and $1.40 levels to enter a negative zone.

The price even dipped below the 23.6% Fib retracement level of the upward move from the $1.2702 swing low to the $1.4329 high. Besides, there is a key contracting triangle forming with resistance at $1.4080 on the hourly chart of the XRP/USD pair.

The bulls are now active above the $1.3650 zone. The price is now trading above $1.370 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. If there is a fresh upward move, the price might face resistance near the $1.4050 level and the triangle’s trend line. The first major resistance is near the $1.4320 level, above which the price could rise and test $1.450.

Source: XRPUSD on TradingView.com A clear move above the $1.450 resistance might send the price toward the $1.50 resistance. Any more gains might send the price toward the $1.520 resistance. The next major hurdle for the bulls might be near $1.550.

Downside Continuation? If XRP fails to clear the $1.4050 resistance zone, it could start a fresh decline. Initial support on the downside is near the $1.370 level. The next major support is near the $1.3515 level or the 50% Fib retracement level of the upward move from the $1.2702 swing low to the $1.4329 high.

If there is a downside break and a close below the $1.3515 level, the price might continue to decline toward $1.3080. The next major support sits near the $1.2850 zone, below which the price could continue lower toward $1.2620.

Technical Indicators

Hourly MACD – The MACD for XRP/USD is now losing pace in the bullish zone.

Hourly RSI (Relative Strength Index) – The RSI for XRP/USD is now below the 50 level.

Major Support Levels – $1.370 and $1.3515.

Major Resistance Levels – $1.4050 and $1.4320.

Bitcoin price started a decent increase above $68,000 but failed at $70,000. BTC is now consolidating and might aim for more gains above $69,200.

Bitcoin started a fresh increase after it settled above the $67,500 support. The price is trading above $68,000 and the 100 hourly simple moving average. There was a break above a bearish trend line with resistance at $66,800 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair (data feed from Kraken). The pair might dip again if it trades below the $67,400 and $67,000 levels. Bitcoin Price Fails At $70,000 Bitcoin price managed to form a base above the $65,500 zone. BTC started a fresh increase and was able to surpass the $66,500 resistance zone.

The price even rallied above the $68,000 resistance. Besides, there was a break above a bearish trend line with resistance at $66,800 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair. Finally, the bears appeared near $70,000. A high was formed at $70,100, and the price recently corrected some gains. There was a move below the 23.6% Fib retracement level of the upward move from the $63,030 swing low to the $70,100 high.

Bitcoin is now trading above $68,000 and the 100 hourly simple moving average. If the price remains stable above $67,500, it could attempt a fresh increase. Immediate resistance is near the $69,200 level.

Source: BTCUSD on TradingView.com The first key resistance is near the $69,500 level. A close above the $69,500 resistance might send the price further higher. In the stated case, the price could rise and test the $70,000 resistance. Any more gains might send the price toward the $70,500 level. The next barrier for the bulls could be $70,850 and $71,200.

Downside Continuation In BTC? If Bitcoin fails to rise above the $70,000 resistance zone, it could start another decline. Immediate support is near the $68,000 level. The first major support is near the $67,500 level or the 50% Fib retracement level of the upward move from the $63,030 swing low to the $70,100 high.

The next support is now near the $65,650 zone. Any more losses might send the price toward the $65,000 support in the near term. The main support now sits at $64,200, below which BTC might struggle to recover in the near term.

Technical indicators:

Hourly MACD – The MACD is now losing pace in the bullish zone.

Hourly RSI (Relative Strength Index) – The RSI for BTC/USD is now above the 50 level.

Major Support Levels – $68,000, followed by $67,500.

Major Resistance Levels – $69,200 and $70,000.

Bitcoin (BTC) has wrapped up February with its fifth straight monthly loss, marking only the second time in its history that the leading cryptocurrency has printed five consecutive red candles on the monthly chart. 

Upside Call Options Surge The latest decline saw Bitcoin fall to around $63,000 last Saturday, representing a roughly 15% drop for the month of February. However, the start of March has brought a modest rebound. 

The asset opened the first week of the month at $68,600, posting gains of just over 3% as it attempts to reclaim the $70,000 level, which has continuously acted as a significant resistance barrier over the past several weeks.

The 1D chart shows BTC’s recovery toward $68,000 on Monday. Source: BTCUSDT on TradingView.com Despite ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, market participants appear relatively composed. Markus Thielen, head of research at 10x Research, said traders do not anticipate the Iran conflict causing major economic disruption. 

In a note to Bloomberg, Thielen said that demand for upside Bitcoin call options has increased in recent days, suggesting that some investors are positioning for a potential rally ahead of the upcoming Federal Reserve (Fed) meeting.

The current setup has also reignited historical comparisons. The last time Bitcoin experienced a similar string of red monthly candles was during the 2018–2019 bear market. 

In that earlier cycle, the asset went on to print six consecutive monthly losses. What followed was a sharp reversal: five straight green candles and a 308% surge, with Bitcoin climbing from roughly $3,400 to $14,000.

Market Watchers Split On Bitcoin Outlook Market expert Ash Crypto recently highlighted this pattern on social media, suggesting that if history were to repeat, Bitcoin could be approaching a cyclical bottom after its fifth red month. 

A comparable 300% advance from current trading levels would imply a potential move toward $272,000. Such a projection, however, depends on whether the recent lows ultimately prove to be the final bottom of this correction.

The monthly performance chart for BTC shows the rally towards $14,000 in 2019. Source: Ash Crypto on X Not all analysts are convinced that the downside is over. Technical analyst Virtual Bacon has outlined the possibility of further retracement before a sustained recovery can be expected. 

He identified $65,000—previously an all-time high—as the first key level, noting that the price has already revisited that zone. For those who subscribe to the thesis that former highs often turn into support, he suggested that the opportunity may already be present.

A deeper pullback, in his view, could bring Bitcoin toward $58,000, where the 200-week simple moving average (SMA) currently sits. Historically, that long-term indicator has played a critical role in defining market bottoms. 

It helped contain the sharp selloff during the 2020 COVID-19 crash, marked the absolute low in 2018, and was tested multiple times in 2015 without ever closing below it every week. 

Because of this track record, the 200-week moving average has been widely regarded as one of the most reliable long-term accumulation zones in Bitcoin’s history.

Featured image from OpenArt, chart from TradingView.com 

Journalist

Posted: March 3, 2026

Security is the key feature to look into when in the field of cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin has time and again proved to be the most secure network, driven by a social consensus mechanism.

However, Bitcoin’s security feature faced yet another critical test, to which it responded swiftly.

What would this mean for its security and, in turn, its overall trend over the long term?

Mt. Gox’s Bitcoin hard fork proposal dies in hours According to a post by CoinMarketCap, the ex-CEO of Mt. Gox, Mark Karpeles, proposed a hard fork for Bitcoin [BTC] on the 27th of February, which died in only 17 hours.

The proposal was to redirect 79,956 BTC from a dormant address linked to the 2011 hack to a designated recovery address that was controlled by the Mt. Gox trustee.

Karpeles was referencing the 2016 DAO fork for Ethereum [ETH], which recovered funds but created Ethereum Classic [ETC].

If this proposal passed, it would validate spending the stolen coins without the original private keys. Hence, it would compromise the security of the network, as this could be done even on coins that were not necessarily stolen.

The process would see the network undergo a rigorous upgrade of its software. However, the community rejected it so fast, as they viewed it as an exception to “code is law” and immutability as dangerous even for a clear theft case.

Community reacts The community, which represented the social consensus in which Bitcoin operates, was quick to criticize this move.

For instance, the CTO of Vypex, Eric Hall, said,

“Proposing to hard fork Bitcoin is like asking the ocean to move because you built your house on the beach the audacity met reality and reality didn’t even need a full day to respond.”

Another added,

“Proposing a hard fork to reallocate dormant BTC opens a dangerous precedent, once you rewrite history, Bitcoin’s immutability narrative starts to crack.”

The community reactions reinforced Bitcoin’s strength in social consensus for security by rejecting the rewriting of history.

What’s next as BTC answers the stress test question? This quick invalidation of a potential compromise to the Bitcoin network’s security backed an earlier analysis. This analysis noted that the structure in Bitcoin prevented any single donor from altering the code, regardless of their wealth or notoriety.

Meanwhile, its price action stayed above the $65K level.

This was a decline on the day, with the capitalization at $1.33 trillion, five times more than that of second-placed Ethereum. The results showed that BTC remained as the leading world reserve asset in the crypto markets.

Final Summary Mt. Gox’s proposal that could compromise Bitcoin’s security dies within hours.  Bitcoin’s community proved strength in the social consensus mechanism for BTC’s security.

Ethereum price started a fresh increase from $1,950. ETH is now consolidating gains and might aim for another increase above $2,050.

Ethereum started a fresh upward move above the $1,920 zone. The price is trading above $1,950 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. There is a key rising channel forming with support at $1,960 on the hourly chart of ETH/USD (data feed via Kraken). The pair could start a fresh decline if it stays below the $2,090 zone. Ethereum Price Eyes Fresh Gains Ethereum price managed to form a base and traded above the $1,920 resistance, like Bitcoin. ETH price rallied above the $1,960 and $2,000 resistance levels.

The bulls even pumped the price above $2,050. A high was formed at $2,089 before there was a downside correction. The price dipped below $2,020 and the 38.2% Fib retracement level of the upward move from the $1,835 swing low to the $2,089 high before the bulls appeared.

Ethereum price is now trading above $1,960 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. There is also a key rising channel forming with support at $1,960 on the hourly chart of ETH/USD.

Source: ETHUSD on TradingView.com If the bulls remain in action above $1,960, the price could attempt another increase. Immediate resistance is seen near the $2,040 level. The first key resistance is near the $2,080 level. The next major resistance is near the $2,120 level. A clear move above the $2,120 resistance might send the price toward the $2,155 resistance. An upside break above the $2,155 region might call for more gains in the coming days. In the stated case, Ether could rise toward the $2,220 resistance zone or even $2,250 in the near term.

Downside Continuation In ETH? If Ethereum fails to clear the $2,080 resistance, it could start a fresh decline. Initial support on the downside is near the $1,990 level. The first major support sits near the $1,960 zone or the 50% Fib retracement level of the upward move from the $1,835 swing low to the $2,089 high.

A clear move below the $1,960 support might push the price toward the $1,930 support. Any more losses might send the price toward the $1,880 region. The main support could be $1,840.

Technical Indicators

Hourly MACD – The MACD for ETH/USD is losing momentum in the bullish zone.

Hourly RSI – The RSI for ETH/USD is now above the 50 zone.

Major Support Level – $1,960

Major Resistance Level – $2,080

A federal court dismissed a lawsuit filed by investors against crypto exchange Uniswap, who claimed the company assisted scammers in stealing their funds. The news provided an immediate boost to the market. The legal victory boosted Uniswap’s native UNI token, which has risen 6% on the day to $3.92.

According to Judge Katherine Polk Failla, the evidence did not prove that Uniswap was directly involved in the scams, and therefore, the court lacked the legal authority to charge the company with fraud.

The court rejected the claims against Uniswap developers In April 2022, a group of investors filed a lawsuit against Uniswap Labs, accusing the company of aiding in fraud schemes. These investors wanted the platform to share responsibility after they lost money due to “rug pulls” and “pump-and-dump” schemes, since the tokens traded on Uni.

According to them, Uniswap violated state consumer protection laws because it profited from transaction fees while scams occurred on the platform. Their argument was that the platform simply helped scammers by allowing them to trade the tokens.

However, the court found that the victims sent most of the emails and online complaints after the trades had already occurred, so the evidence was insufficient to prove that Uniswap knew about them. The judge even explained that being aware of the existence of scams is not the same as knowing about a specific scam before it happens.

The court went on to compare Uniswap to a traditional exchange and said it does not create or control every token on its protocol, just as a stock exchange does not create or control every company it lists.

From the judge’s view, it is unreasonable to hold a developer liable for the independent actions of third parties because open-source software is free and works the same for everyone. 

The court concluded that the investors cannot pursue the developers who built the trading systems because of their own statements in which they say unknown providers carried out the alleged scams. Therefore, these investors must go after the people who created and promoted the scam tokens, as they are the real actors behind the fraud.

The plaintiffs cannot present the same claims to the court again after the judge dismissed the case with prejudice. 

Traders pushed UNI higher after the court dropped all legal risk The lawsuit had been ongoing for years, and investors were worried that a negative outcome could lead to huge losses; thus, investments in UNI remained low even though the protocol was still functioning. 

However, as soon as the court ruled in Uniswap’s favor, buyers went all in, driving UNI’s price up 6% because they were more confident the issue would no longer affect their investments. 

The industry believes the team at Uniswap can now focus fully on growth, upgrades, and innovation without any restrictions, as the court has already ruled that writing code does not make developers responsible for third-party fraud.

The court’s ruling helped prevent hesitation that might have slowed the formation of partnerships and the industry’s growth, which now favors long-term traders who care about steady development and adoption.

Traders also reacted to the ruling almost immediately, and the price of UNI stabilized between $3.92 and $3.95 as people adjusted their expectations for a brighter future with softer regulatory and legal risks. 

As for developers who build open systems, they now feel more secure continuing with their work and expanding their projects because the court finally drew a clear line between fraudsters and code creators. 

When uncertainty fades and confidence returns to a market that was troubled by high legal risk, weaker legal clarity, and a foggy future, people change their perceptions. The 6% increase in UNI shows just how quickly the industry responds positively to laws that support innovation, amidst a harsh regulatory environment that aims to limit the freedom of cryptocurrency.

Moreover, there are many other ongoing legal cases and administrative processes that are slowing the growth of certain digital assets in the U.S., and this ruling could just alter their courses.

Leading cryptocurrencies made a comeback on Monday despite escalating hostilities in the Middle East war. Cryptocurrency 24-Hour Gains +/- Price (Recorded at 8:20 p.m.

Steak ‘n Shake is embedding bitcoin into employee pay, granting hourly workers a crypto bonus and adding $1,000 child savings contributions, advancing an aggressive digital-asset strategy that reshapes fast-food compensation and corporate treasury policy.

Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure

Bitcoin is facing renewed pressure as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East reshape the macro backdrop and weigh on risk assets. Rather than responding to isolated headlines, the market is reacting to a broader shift in uncertainty, liquidity expectations, and cross-asset positioning. Price remains fragile, with rallies struggling to gain traction as participants reassess exposure in an increasingly volatile environment.

A recent CryptoQuant report sheds light on a critical behavioral shift through the Short-Term Holder (STH) P&L to Exchanges metric — a tool designed to track how the most reactive cohort is positioning. These investors, often responsible for amplifying short-term volatility, tend to transfer coins to exchanges when under stress, particularly during loss realization events.

Bitcoin Short-Term Holder P&L to Exchanges Sum 24H | Source: CryptoQuant During the February 5–6 capitulation episode, STHs sent approximately 89,000 BTC to exchanges at a loss within a single 24-hour window — a clear signal of panic-driven distribution. However, the dynamics have since evolved. Following that event, loss-driven inflows have steadily declined.

This suggests that immediate sell-side pressure from recent buyers is diminishing. The data indicate that acute panic has subsided. What remains is not aggressive accumulation, but a gradual transition from forced liquidation to relative exhaustion — a subtle yet important structural development.

The granular view of the Short-Term Holder P&L to Exchanges metric adds nuance to the broader picture. Even amid the recent geopolitical escalation involving Iran — an event class that has historically triggered reactive risk-off flows — exchange inflows from short-term holders did not materially expand. As Bitcoin probed the $63,000–$64,000 zone, there was no corresponding spike in realized-loss transfers. For a cohort typically hypersensitive to volatility, this restraint is notable.

Bitcoin Short-Term Holder Loss to Exchange | Source: CryptoQuant This behavior suggests a shift from reflexive panic to conditional holding. In prior stress episodes, similar price shocks produced visible surges in exchange-bound coins as weak hands rushed to de-risk. The absence of that pattern now implies that a meaningful portion of forced selling may already have occurred during the early-February capitulation phase.

Markets tend to stabilize only after marginal sellers are exhausted. The progressive decline in loss-driven transfers supports the thesis that liquidation pressure is being absorbed rather than re-accelerating.

Going forward, the signal to monitor is persistence. If short-term holder inflows remain muted, it would reinforce the case for seller fatigue and base-building conditions. Conversely, a renewed spike in realized-loss transfers would indicate that capitulation is incomplete, reopening the path for further downside volatility.

On the weekly timeframe, Bitcoin is attempting to stabilize near the $66,000 region after a decisive rejection from the $90,000–$100,000 zone. The broader structure shows a transition from expansion to correction: following the late-2025 highs, price printed lower highs and eventually lost the 50-week moving average (blue), which had acted as dynamic support throughout much of the prior uptrend.

BTC testing critical demand around key levels | Source: BTCUSDT chart on TradingView The breakdown accelerated once Bitcoin slipped below the 100-week moving average (green), triggering a fast move toward the mid-$60Ks. That area now represents a critical inflection point. While the 200-week moving average (red), rising near the low-$60Ks, remains intact, price is hovering uncomfortably close to this long-term trend baseline. Historically, sustained closes below the 200-week average have signaled deeper macro weakness.

Volume expanded notably during the sharp weekly selloffs, suggesting forced unwinds and liquidation-driven pressure rather than gradual distribution. However, recent candles show smaller bodies and reduced downside momentum, indicating short-term equilibrium.

Technically, $69,000–$70,000 now acts as immediate resistance, aligning with prior support turned overhead supply. A weekly reclaim of that zone would be the first signal of structural recovery. Conversely, failure to defend the $62,000–$64,000 region could open the path toward a broader macro retracement.

Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com 

Editorial Process for bitcoinist is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.

Sign Up for Our Newsletter! For updates and exclusive offers enter your email.

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.

US-Israeli strikes on Iran over the weekend have pushed geopolitical risk back to the center of crypto markets, but in CryptoInsightUK’s latest weekly note, the immediate takeaway for XRP is not simple downside. Founder Will Taylor argues that the first shock may be arriving at a moment when bearish positioning is already crowded, creating conditions where XRP could hold up better than Bitcoin and Ethereum if the market absorbs the news without fresh breakdowns.

Writing in the Week 184 edition of The Weekly Insight, Taylor framed the conflict first as a volatility event. “There could be extreme volatility in the near term,” he wrote, adding that this was also the kind of backdrop where bottoms can form “on the onset of bad news.”

He pushed the point further in a longer passage that gets to the core of his market view: “I am not saying number three is the definite outcome here. But I am saying, and I have said this for a while, that when people are overly invested emotionally in an event and are deeply worried about it, that is often where markets form bottoms. Especially if you do not see strong follow through to the downside.”

That distinction matters for XRP because Taylor is not arguing that war is bullish for crypto in itself. He is arguing that the market’s reaction function matters more than the headline. In his read, Bitcoin initially sold off on the news, but the move lacked the kind of follow-through that would usually confirm a deeper washout. He noted that liquidity still sat lower on Bitcoin, around $60,000, and said he would still prefer to see that level swept before calling for a more durable move higher.

Ethereum, in his telling, looked similar. Taylor said there was still downside liquidity near $1,720, but stressed that the larger pools of low-timeframe liquidity were sitting above price rather than below it. That left room for another dip, but not necessarily for a structurally bearish reset.

Why XRP Looks Different XRP is where his framework becomes more interesting. Taylor argued that XRP had already done some of the work Bitcoin and Ethereum were still waiting to do. “XRP had a spike to the upside about ten days ago that Bitcoin and Ethereum did not have. It showed relative strength there,” he wrote. “And now XRP has already moved down into the liquidity pools that Bitcoin and Ethereum are still waiting to touch. So in a way, XRP has already done what the others have not.”

He stopped well short of calling that confirmation, but the implication was clear. If the market was entering a fear-driven macro event and XRP had already traded into nearby liquidity while its larger peers had not, then XRP could be better positioned if the selling pressure fades instead of accelerating.

Taylor said he had been discussing the possibility of XRP leading altcoins and “potentially leading the market generally,” with this low-timeframe setup offering at least a hint in that direction.

Taylor’s broader thesis rests less on the war itself than on market structure. He continues to argue that Bitcoin still has significant daily liquidity above current levels and can make new all-time highs, while altcoins outperform on the way there. He tied that view to Bitcoin dominance, where he said Bollinger Bands were as tight as they had ever been on the weekly and extremely compressed on the monthly. If that volatility resolves lower, altcoins would be positioned to take share.

That is also why he ended the note on XRP against Ethereum. Taylor said the XRP/ETH chart “has started a new trend to the upside” and may be the beginning of a larger impulsive move. His closing framework was blunt: if Bitcoin pushes to new highs, if dominance weakens, and if XRP continues to hold momentum against Ethereum, then “XRP could be setting up for an explosive move.”

At press time, XRP traded at $1.3437.

XRP trades below the 200-week EMA, 1-week chart | Source: XRPUSDT on TradingView.com Featured image created with DALL.E, chart from TradingView.com

Bitcoin's 2026 bearish window is rapidly closing as corporate treasury accumulation accelerates and macro tailwinds build, tightening supply and reinforcing institutional demand, according to Jan3 CEO Samson Mow.

📊
No votes yet – Be the first to vote

Deloitte just finished auditing Tether’s USAT stablecoin reserves. The Big Four accounting firm released its first attestation report for the U.S.-regulated digital token, marking a pretty big deal for Tether’s credibility push.

Tether picked Deloitte to verify that USAT tokens have real money backing them up, dollar for dollar. The company has been getting heat from regulators and investors who want proof that stablecoins aren’t just digital IOUs. And with crypto regulations tightening across the board, Tether needed serious third-party validation. The attestation process involved Deloitte checking bank accounts, custody records, and asset holdings to make sure every USAT token has actual reserves behind it. Paolo Ardoino, Tether’s Chief Technology Officer, said the company is “committed to ongoing transparency and regulatory compliance” and called the attestation “just one step in a broader strategy.”

Things haven’t been smooth for Tether.

The company paid hefty fines in past years for misrepresenting its reserves, and USDT faced constant scrutiny about what assets actually backed the world’s largest stablecoin. But USAT represents Tether’s clean slate attempt – a U.S.-regulated token designed to meet stricter oversight requirements from day one.

Anchorage Digital Bank holds the actual reserves as custodian, adding another layer of regulatory comfort. Nathan McCauley, Anchorage’s CEO, emphasized that “robust custody services” are critical for maintaining digital asset integrity. The federally chartered crypto bank’s involvement gives institutional investors more confidence in USAT’s backing structure.

Market watchers are dissecting every detail of Deloitte’s report. Any red flags could spell trouble for Tether, which can’t afford another regulatory mess. The timing matters too – stablecoins are under intense government scrutiny right now.

Gary Gensler mentioned stablecoin risks during a February 2026 SEC hearing.

The Federal Reserve released a report in January calling for “robust reserve verification processes” to ensure stablecoins can handle financial stress. Tether’s Deloitte partnership basically checks that regulatory box, but the real test comes when officials review the actual findings. Jeremy Allaire, Circle’s CEO, recently said third-party attestations like Deloitte’s are “key to building trust with both users and regulators.” Circle’s USDC already goes through similar audits, so the competition for regulatory approval is heating up fast. This follows earlier reporting on Crypto Traders Buzz About World War.

Tether didn’t reveal specific details about what Deloitte found in its reserves yet. The company historically kept that information pretty close to the vest, which frustrated regulators and investors alike. But this attestation might force more disclosure than Tether’s used to providing.

The company announced plans on March 1, 2026, to expand its U.S.-regulated offerings, calling the Deloitte attestation a “foundational step” in that strategy. Tether wants bigger market share in the competitive stablecoin space, where transparency and compliance are becoming major differentiators. The expansion targets institutional clients who demand rigorous oversight before they’ll touch any digital assets.

Tether’s annual general meeting happens later this month. Shareholders will probably grill management about the attestation results and future regulatory strategy. The meeting could influence investor sentiment and impact USAT’s market performance, especially if Tether reveals more details about its reserve composition.

Industry analysts are watching how other stablecoin issuers react to Tether’s Deloitte partnership. As regulatory frameworks get tighter, third-party reserve verification might become standard practice across the sector. Companies that don’t get proper attestations could find themselves shut out of institutional markets or facing regulatory penalties.

The crypto industry is basically holding its breath waiting for more details. Tether’s past legal troubles make this attestation extra important – any problems could trigger fresh investigations or enforcement actions. But if Deloitte gives USAT a clean bill of health, it could legitimize Tether’s regulatory compliance efforts and boost confidence in U.S.-regulated stablecoins generally.

Anchorage’s role as custodian adds credibility since it’s the first federally chartered crypto bank in America. The bank’s secure custody solutions meet strict regulatory standards, which matters when government officials are evaluating stablecoin operations. McCauley’s team handles billions in digital assets for institutional clients who demand bank-level security. For more details, see Aave DAO Backs Treasury Revenue Shift,.

Tether hasn’t commented further on what the attestation found or what it means for USAT’s future. The company is probably waiting for regulatory review to finish before making any big announcements. Market participants are parsing every statement for clues about the reserves’ actual composition and whether they meet regulatory expectations.

The attestation represents Tether’s biggest transparency push since launching USAT. Whether it satisfies regulators and rebuilds investor trust remains unclear, but partnering with Deloitte sends a signal that Tether’s taking compliance seriously. The stablecoin wars are heating up, and proper attestations might separate winners from losers in the regulatory approval race.

USAT’s success could determine whether Tether regains its reputation or faces continued scrutiny from authorities who remember past compliance failures.

The attestation timing coincides with broader regulatory developments across multiple jurisdictions. European regulators under the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework are implementing similar reserve requirements for stablecoin issuers operating in EU markets. Japan’s Financial Services Agency also announced new stablecoin guidelines in February 2026, requiring monthly reserve attestations from approved auditors.

Deloitte’s crypto audit practice has expanded rapidly over the past two years, handling reserve verification for several major digital asset firms. The accounting giant recently hired former Treasury Department officials to strengthen its regulatory expertise in the digital assets space. PwC and KPMG are also ramping up their crypto audit services as demand grows from stablecoin issuers seeking regulatory approval.

Post Views: 16

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin is turning his attention to one of the blockchain’s most overlooked yet critical pressure points: who decides which transactions are included in each block. In a recent blog post, Buterin outlined a series of proposals aimed at reducing the risk of centralization in Ethereum block building and strengthening censorship resistance as the network scales.

With Ethereum’s upcoming “Glamsterdam” upgrade set to formalize proposer-builder separation (PBS), validators will be able to outsource block construction to a competitive marketplace of builders. While this system is designed to increase efficiency, Buterin warns that it does not fully eliminate centralization risks. If a small group of block builders gains dominance, they could censor transactions or extract excessive profits through maximal extractable value (MEV).

To address this, Buterin introduced a proposal known as FOCIL (Fork-Choice Enforced Inclusion Lists). Under this design, a randomly selected committee would choose specific transactions that must be included in the next block. If a builder fails to include those transactions, the block would be rejected. This mechanism would serve as an anti-censorship safeguard, ensuring that even a dominant builder cannot permanently exclude certain users or transactions from the Ethereum network.

Buterin also highlighted concerns around “toxic MEV,” where traders exploit visibility into pending transactions to front-run or execute sandwich attacks. One potential solution involves encrypting transactions until they are finalized on-chain, preventing bad actors from viewing and manipulating them in advance.

Beyond block construction, he pointed to vulnerabilities at the networking layer, where intermediaries can observe transactions before they are included in a block. Anonymized routing systems could help mitigate these risks and enhance transaction privacy.

Looking ahead, Buterin envisions more distributed block-building models that reduce reliance on tightly ordered global coordination. As Ethereum continues to scale, he argues that decentralization challenges are shifting from validators to the infrastructure that ultimately determines which transactions make it on-chain.

<Copyright ⓒ TokenPost, unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited>

Bitcoin has remained in a consolidation phase since its early February breakdown below the $70,000 threshold, oscillating around the mid-$60K region without establishing a clear directional bias. The loss of $70K marked a structural shift in short-term momentum, transitioning the market from trend continuation to range-bound stabilization.