Market Signal Briefing

Investors interested in Auto-Tires-Trucks stocks should always be looking to find the best-performing companies in the group. Is Allison Transmission (ALSN - Free Report) one of those stocks right now? By taking a look at the stock's year-to-date performance in comparison to its Auto-Tires-Trucks peers, we might be able to answer that question.

Allison Transmission is one of 103 individual stocks in the Auto-Tires-Trucks sector. Collectively, these companies sit at #8 in the Zacks Sector Rank. The Zacks Sector Rank includes 16 different groups and is listed in order from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors.

The Zacks Rank is a successful stock-picking model that emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions. The system highlights a number of different stocks that could be poised to outperform the broader market over the next one to three months. Allison Transmission is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).

Within the past quarter, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for ALSN's full-year earnings has moved 8.3% higher. This signals that analyst sentiment is improving and the stock's earnings outlook is more positive.

Our latest available data shows that ALSN has returned about 28% since the start of the calendar year. At the same time, Auto-Tires-Trucks stocks have lost an average of 4.2%. This means that Allison Transmission is outperforming the sector as a whole this year.

Another Auto-Tires-Trucks stock, which has outperformed the sector so far this year, is China Yuchai (CYD - Free Report) . The stock has returned 41.6% year-to-date.

The consensus estimate for China Yuchai's current year EPS has increased 17.7% over the past three months. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).

Looking more specifically, Allison Transmission belongs to the Automotive - Original Equipment industry, which includes 54 individual stocks and currently sits at #87 in the Zacks Industry Rank. Stocks in this group have gained about 7.3% so far this year, so ALSN is performing better this group in terms of year-to-date returns. China Yuchai is also part of the same industry.

Allison Transmission and China Yuchai could continue their solid performance, so investors interested in Auto-Tires-Trucks stocks should continue to pay close attention to these stocks.

It doesn't matter your age or experience: taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for all investors. Luckily, Zacks Premium offers several different ways to do both.

Featuring daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, the research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor.

Zacks Premium also includes the Zacks Style Scores.

What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores is a unique set of guidelines that rates stocks based on three popular investing types, and were developed as complementary indicators for the Zacks Rank. This combination helps investors choose securities with the highest chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.

Based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics, each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F. The better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform; an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on.

The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:

Value ScoreFor value investors, it's all about finding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value before the broader market catches on. The Value Style Score utilizes ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to help pick out the most attractive and discounted stocks.

Growth ScoreGrowth investors are more concerned with a stock's future prospects, and the overall financial health and strength of a company. Thus, the Growth Style Score analyzes characteristics like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will see sustainable growth over time.

Momentum ScoreMomentum trading is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook, and these investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." The Momentum Style Score can pinpoint good times to build a position in a stock, using factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates.

VGM ScoreWhat if you like to use all three types of investing? The VGM Score is a combination of all Style Scores, making it one of the most comprehensive indicators to use with the Zacks Rank. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, which helps narrow down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.

How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank The Zacks Rank is a proprietary stock-rating model that harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to help investors build a successful portfolio.

#1 (Strong Buy) stocks have produced an unmatched +23.86% average annual return since 1988, which is more than double the S&P 500's performance over the same time frame. However, the Zacks Rank examines a ton of stocks, and there can be more than 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, and another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.

But it can feel overwhelming to pick the right stocks for you and your investing goals with over 800 top-rated stocks to choose from.

That's where the Style Scores come in.

To maximize your returns, you want to buy stocks with the highest probability of success. This means picking stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you find yourself looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, make sure they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.

Since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank, the direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy.

A stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, for instance, even one with Scores of A and B, will still have a declining earnings forecast, and a greater chance its share price will fall too.

Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.

Stock to Watch: Alaska Air Group (ALK - Free Report) Alaska Air Group, together with its partner regional carriers, serves more than 120 cities across North America. Alaska Air Group operates two airlines, Alaska and Horizon.

ALK is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.

It also boasts a Value Style Score of A thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 9.39; value investors should take notice.

Two analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.61 to $5.50 per share. ALK also boasts an average earnings surprise of +73.2%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, ALK should be on investors' short list.

It doesn't matter your age or experience: taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for all investors. Luckily, Zacks Premium offers several different ways to do both.

Featuring daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, the research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor.

Zacks Premium also includes the Zacks Style Scores.

What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores, developed alongside the Zacks Rank, are complementary indicators that rate stocks based on three widely-followed investing methodologies; they also help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.

Based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics, each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F. The better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform; an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on.

The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:

Value ScoreFinding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value, are what value investors like to focus on. So, the Value Style Score takes into account ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to highlight the most attractive and discounted stocks.

Growth ScoreGrowth investors, on the other hand, are more concerned with a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score examines things like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will experience sustainable growth over time.

Momentum ScoreMomentum investors, who live by the saying "the trend is your friend," are most interested in taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Utilizing one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, among other factors, the Momentum Style Score can help determine favorable times to buy high-momentum stocks.

VGM ScoreWhat if you like to use all three types of investing? The VGM Score is a combination of all Style Scores, making it one of the most comprehensive indicators to use with the Zacks Rank. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, which helps narrow down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.

How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank A proprietary stock-rating model, the Zacks Rank utilizes the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings outlook, to help investors create a successful portfolio.

#1 (Strong Buy) stocks have produced an unmatched +23.86% average annual return since 1988, which is more than double the S&P 500's performance over the same time frame. However, the Zacks Rank examines a ton of stocks, and there can be more than 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, and another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.

But it can feel overwhelming to pick the right stocks for you and your investing goals with over 800 top-rated stocks to choose from.

That's where the Style Scores come in.

To have the best chance of big returns, you'll want to always consider stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B, which will give you the highest probability of success. If you're looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, it's important they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.

Since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank, the direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy.

For instance, a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one that boasts Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings forecast, and a much greater likelihood its share price will decline as well.

Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.

Stock to Watch: CDW (CDW - Free Report) Headquartered in Vernon Hills, IL, CDW Corporation, founded in 1984, offers discrete hardware and software products to integrated IT solutions businesses providing mobility, security, data center optimization, cloud computing, virtualization and collaboration services.

CDW is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.

It also boasts a Value Style Score of A thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 11.72; value investors should take notice.

Two analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.00 to $10.46 per share. CDW boasts an average earnings surprise of +5.7%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, CDW should be on investors' short list.

The Consumer Discretionary group has plenty of great stocks, but investors should always be looking for companies that are outperforming their peers. Has Atlanta Braves Holdings, Inc. (BATRA - Free Report) been one of those stocks this year? By taking a look at the stock's year-to-date performance in comparison to its Consumer Discretionary peers, we might be able to answer that question.

Atlanta Braves Holdings, Inc. is one of 255 companies in the Consumer Discretionary group. The Consumer Discretionary group currently sits at #11 within the Zacks Sector Rank. The Zacks Sector Rank considers 16 different sector groups. The average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups is measured, and the sectors are listed from best to worst.

The Zacks Rank is a successful stock-picking model that emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions. The system highlights a number of different stocks that could be poised to outperform the broader market over the next one to three months. Atlanta Braves Holdings, Inc. is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy).

Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for BATRA's full-year earnings has moved 205.9% higher. This signals that analyst sentiment is improving and the stock's earnings outlook is more positive.

Based on the latest available data, BATRA has gained about 13.9% so far this year. Meanwhile, the Consumer Discretionary sector has returned an average of -1.5% on a year-to-date basis. This means that Atlanta Braves Holdings, Inc. is outperforming the sector as a whole this year.

Atlanta Braves Holdings (BATRK - Free Report) is another Consumer Discretionary stock that has outperformed the sector so far this year. Since the beginning of the year, the stock has returned 10.8%.

In Atlanta Braves Holdings' case, the consensus EPS estimate for the current year increased 129.3% over the past three months. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).

Looking more specifically, Atlanta Braves Holdings, Inc. belongs to the Media Conglomerates industry, which includes 20 individual stocks and currently sits at #80 in the Zacks Industry Rank. Stocks in this group have lost about 6.2% so far this year, so BATRA is performing better this group in terms of year-to-date returns. Atlanta Braves Holdings is also part of the same industry.

Investors with an interest in Consumer Discretionary stocks should continue to track Atlanta Braves Holdings, Inc. and Atlanta Braves Holdings. These stocks will be looking to continue their solid performance.

USS Gerald R Ford is supporting Operation Epic Fury from the Mediterranean sea (Photo: US Central Command)

US defence stocks were in demand on Monday as Wall Street reacted to the US and Israel's war on Iran and the retaliatory strikes on regional allies including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE. 

Shares in Northrop Grumman Corp (NYSE:NOC, XETRA:NTH) rose 4.9%, with Axon Enterprise Inc (NASDAQ:AXON) and RTX Corp (NYSE:RTX, XETRA:5UR) also both climbing over 4%. 

L3Harris Technologies Inc (NYSE:LHX, XETRA:HRS) and Lockheed Martin Corp (NYSE:LMT) both rose over 3%, while Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc (NYSE:HII), Textron Inc (NYSE:TXT) and General Dynamics Corp (NYSE:GD, XETRA:GDX) all rose over 2%. 

The US and Israel launched 'Operation Epic Fury' early on Saturday, just days after nuclear talks between the US and Iran ended with no compromise reached.

Air strikes were focused on nuclear and military sites around Iran, the assassination of Iran’s supreme leader and other senior officials were reported.

Iran's retaliation left four US service people dead, while three US F-15E Strike Eagles fighter jets were downed over Kuwait, US Central Command confirmed, attributing the latter to "an apparent friendly fire incident".

On-chain analyst Joao Wedson wrote, "set your bot to buy every dump," after Bitcoin's (CRYPTO: BTC) 180-day Sharpe Ratio flashed what he called a historical accumulation signal. The 180-Day Signal Is In—But The 1-Year Is Not Wedson said the 180-day Sharpe Ratio has flipped into a buying zone, while the one-year Sharpe Ratio has not confirmed the move.

Strategy Inc. expanded its bitcoin treasury with a fresh $204 million purchase, lifting total holdings to 720,737 BTC and reinforcing its position as the largest corporate bitcoin holder as accumulation continues despite market volatility. Strategy Buys 3,015 BTC for $204M, Lifting Holdings to 720,737 Bitcoin Strategy Inc.

Market dynamics shift as American investors pour capital into digital assets, led by major Bitcoin acquisitions.

Digital asset investment products posted their first inflows in five weeks, pulling in more than $1 billion after a $4 billion run of outflows, CoinShares reported Monday.

Analysts suggested that the turnaround might have been driven less by macro catalysts and more by market dynamics, including prior price weakness, technical resets, and renewed accumulation by large Bitcoin holders.

Bitcoin led the rebound, attracting around $881 million in new capital.

Ethereum, the second-largest crypto asset, posted $117 million in inflows, its strongest weekly performance since mid-January.

Both assets nonetheless remain in net outflow territory in 2026.

Investors pumped approximately $54 million into Solana funds last week. Solana continued to lead altcoins on a year-to-date basis, reflecting sustained interest in higher-beta opportunities.

Chainlink, an oracle network that feeds external data to smart contracts, added $3.4 million.

Regionally, flows were broadly positive, led by the US, with continued inflows across Canada and parts of Europe.

The resurgence in whale accumulation, alongside renewed institutional buying, suggests investors are increasingly focused on identifying entry points following recent market weakness, pointing to potential transitions from distribution to early-stage accumulation.

Modest inflows into short-Bitcoin products suggest that while some investors are positioning for upside, others are maintaining hedges against further volatility.

Wall Street’s attitude toward Bitcoin has flipped from euphoric to deeply skeptical after last year’s crowded long trade unraveled, according to Galaxy Digital head of research Alex Thorn. In an interview on What Bitcoin Did, Thorn said the shift has less to do with conspiracy theories or a single bearish catalyst than with exhausted demand, heavy long-term holder selling, and a market now struggling to find a fresh narrative.

Thorn pushed back on claims that firms such as Jane Street are to blame for Bitcoin’s weakness, calling that line of thinking “Twitter cope.” He argued that most of the outrage reflects frustration with price action rather than evidence of deliberate suppression.

“What do we think the actual incentive would be for them to suppress the price?” Thorn said. “Bitcoin’s a multi-trillion, well whatever it is, one-point-something-trillion-dollar asset. It’s hard to manipulate markets of scale in a specific direction because it is a free market and it’s a large one.”

– bitcoin didn’t crash because of jane street
– whale distribution was significant, inevitable, necessary, healthy
– wall st negativity on BTC is real but wrong
– bitcoin’s fundamental value is real and right
– you need to be robotmaxxing or you’ll be forever framemogged https://t.co/GUMAARf7Pl pic.twitter.com/QQhDy3RNrg

— Alex Thorn (@intangiblecoins) February 28, 2026

Why Wall Street Is Wrong On Bitcoin His broader explanation was more straightforward. From late 2024 through the period between the US election and inauguration, he said, being long Bitcoin was “the most popular trade in the world.” That changed as capital rotated elsewhere. AI-linked equities, semiconductor names, energy plays, quantum stocks and gold all began attracting attention, while Bitcoin’s momentum faded.

At the same time, Thorn said, long-term holders were consistently distributing coins into strength. He described that selling as structural rather than alarming. “That’s literally how distribution occurs and it’s how you make money in a trade,” he said, arguing that older holders taking gains is part of Bitcoin’s maturation rather than a sign of failure.

He went further, framing the whale distribution as constructive for the network over the long run. “Technically you want more selling. You want it distributed to people who buy it at a higher cost basis,” Thorn said. “The realized price is higher and that’s a good thing. That means people, with enormous amounts of money, are willing to buy Bitcoin at really high prices. To me that’s a core signal of adoption.”

Still, Thorn acknowledged that sentiment has deteriorated sharply, especially among professional investors. In his view, Bitcoin’s failure since September to behave like “digital gold” damaged the story many allocators had bought into. Wall Street, he said, took that label too literally.

“We didn’t mean it was going to trade with a high beta to GLD,” Thorn said. “Its features are gold-like. Its trading behavior hasn’t fully caught up to that yet. The delta between those two things, if you believe it eventually closes, that’s your alpha.”

That mismatch has helped sour institutional mood just as broader macro fears have worsened. Thorn said investors are anxious about AI from both directions: that it may fail to justify massive capex, or succeed so thoroughly that it destroys jobs and destabilizes markets. If equities roll over on the back of that uncertainty, he suggested, Bitcoin may struggle to stay insulated.

Even so, Thorn drew a line between short-term sentiment and long-term conviction. “We really should focus on explaining its fundamental purpose and use cases and value to a holder of Bitcoin as the reason that it goes up,” he said. “Stop begging for Jay Powell to buy your bags. That’s not nearly as durable as the reason it going up being that people deeply understand the savings technology that is Bitcoin.”

For Thorn, that is the real story now: Wall Street may have turned negative, but the longer-term battle is still about whether more investors come to see Bitcoin as a durable store-of-value asset rather than a passing macro trade.

At press time, BTC traded at $66,109.

Bitcoin closed below the 200-week EMA, 1-week chart | Source: BTCUSDT on TradingView.com Featured image created with DALL.E, chart from TradingView.com

Michael Saylor’s Strategy, the world’s largest public holder of Bitcoin, completed its 101st Bitcoin purchase, pushing its total holdings above 720,000 BTC.

The company acquired 3,015 Bitcoin (BTC) for $204.1 million last week, according to a US Securities and Exchange Commission filing on Monday.

Source: SECThe average buy price of its latest purchase was $67,700 per BTC, marking another purchase well below the company’s average acquisition price of $75,985.

The purchase brings its holdings to 720,737 BTC, acquired for a total cost of about $54.8 billion, the company disclosed.

Another buy below Strategy’s cost basisThe latest buy is one of a small number of Strategy purchases made below the company’s average cost basis, according to data compiled by SaylorTracker, a website that tracks Strategy’s bitcoin acquisitions.

The first such purchase occurred on Feb. 9, when the company bought 1,142 BTC as market prices dipped below $76,051 during the week. Strategy reported the average acquisition price of that batch at $78,815, above the market price at the time.

Source: SaylorTracker
Strategy encountered a similar situation around 2022-2023, when BTC price dipped below its cost basis of around $30,600. The company completed a total of seven purchases of 28,560 BTC during that below-cost period.

MSTR shares rise modestly while Bitcoin trades near $65,800Strategy (MSTR) shares saw some upward momentum last week, rising from around $125 on Monday to nearly $130 by Friday, according to TradingView.

Bitcoin, however, remained largely flat over the same period. The crypto asset started the week near $65,000, briefly surged above $69,000 on Wednesday, and dipped below $64,000 before stabilizing. At the time of publication, Bitcoin was trading at $65,834, according to TradingView.

The news came after Strategy chairman Saylor announced on Sunday that the company is raising the dividend on its STRC preferred stock, also known as “Stretch,” to 11.50% for March 2026, from the previous 11.25%.

The capital raised through the stock can be used for corporate purposes, including potential Bitcoin acquisitions.

Magazine: 6 massive challenges Bitcoin faces on the road to quantum security

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

When markets are closed and Bitcoin is moving, the custody agreement decides who can act.

A spot Bitcoin ETF fixed an awkward problem for finance. Bitcoin used to arrive as software, keys, and operational responsibility. The ETF repackaged it as a ticker that sits next to every other ticker.

That convenience came with a structural trade. Most ETF buyers get exposure while someone else holds authority. Gannett Trust frames that as a deliberate choice between convenience and control, rooted in something Bitcoin makes explicit.

Ownership sits in keys and authorization, not in a statement that says you have economic exposure. Traditional markets blur those layers. Bitcoin doesn’t, which is why the paperwork can look familiar while authority sits elsewhere.

That separation used to feel philosophical. It turned operational once Bitcoin moved from trading into treasuries and long-horizon portfolios, where the risks include governance, key-person dependency, operational breakdowns, and continuity planning. So when something breaks, who holds authority?

The ETF creates exposure, while custody creates powerWhen you buy a spot Bitcoin ETF, you buy shares in a trust, and the trust holds Bitcoin through a custodian.

With stocks and bonds, the operational layer feels abstract because the legal and technical systems evolved together. With Bitcoin, the technical system is the ownership system, with keys authorizing movement and authorization creating control.

SEC filings spell the structure out. One spot Bitcoin trust prospectus states “each Share represents a fractional undivided beneficial interest in the net assets of the Trust,” while “the assets of the Trust consist primarily of bitcoin held by the Bitcoin Custodian on behalf of the Trust.” That sentence carries the whole trap. Shareholders own shares, the trust owns bitcoin, and the custodian holds it.

A newer SEC filing for another bitcoin trust uses the same basic architecture, again describing bitcoin held by the custodian on behalf of the trust and shares as beneficial interests in the trust’s net assets. The wording varies by issuer, but the structure stays consistent.

That’s where power concentrates. “On behalf of the trust” is a custody relationship, and custody concentrates operational authority. It also concentrates points of failure, because access control, signing policy, operational resilience, business continuity, and legal process sit inside that relationship. Retail shareholders can’t redeem shares for bitcoin the way a native holder can move bitcoin at will.

Bitcoin’s balance-sheet era turns keys into governanceGannett Trust’s report helps explain why this is a hot issue right now. Bitcoin is moving from speculative positioning toward strategic ownership, with durability, control, and administrative rigor joining liquidity as core considerations.

In that framing, due diligence changes shape. Instead of focusing on execution alone, the questions move toward governance. Who has authority, how’s it exercised, and how does it persist over time? The report calls out the risk categories that grow in importance when assets move from trading accounts onto balance sheets: governance failures, unclear decision rights, operational breakdowns, and continuity planning.

That list will feel familiar to anyone with tradfi experience. Bitcoin adds a twist because the authority layer is technical. If an organization loses the ability to authorize movement, it loses control in a literal sense.

ETFs look like a way around that. For many investors, the ETF outsources the custody problem into a regulated wrapper. The custody contract becomes the governance contract. The sponsor, trustee, custodian, prime execution agent, and authorized participants become part of the control surface even though the buyer thinks they purchased a simple Bitcoin position.

Gannett Trust describes the trade as a choice between convenience and control. Derivative exposure offers simplicity and operational familiarity. Native ownership offers control and sovereignty, and it requires purpose-built governance and administration.

As Bitcoin becomes embedded within long-term structures, the enduring question becomes who holds authority, how it’s exercised, and how it endures over time.

That’s a custody question disguised as a portfolio question.

The scale tells you where the default is headedThe structural argument wouldn’t matter much if ETFs stayed small. With over $54 billion sitting in spot Bitcoin ETFs as of Feb. 25, it’s become core market plumbing. There’s about 1.47 million BTC in spot Bitcoin ETFs and another 3.27 million BTC sitting on exchanges.

Those numbers do two things at once. They show a new holder class becoming large enough to shape liquidity and market microstructure, and they show paper rails becoming the dominant on-ramp. When millions of coins sit inside institutional wrappers, new entrants first see Bitcoin as an instrument rather than an asset in a wallet.

That matters because learning shapes behavior. A buyer who learns Bitcoin through ETFs learns it as a market-hours asset, a brokerage asset, a compliance asset, and a statement asset. A buyer who learns Bitcoin through native custody learns it as a bearer asset with continuous settlement. Both groups can be long Bitcoin, but they occupy different power geometries.

The ETF share class can grow while the number of people who control keys stays flat. Over time, it starts to resemble a class system: exposure holders and owners.

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Gannett’s report treats the divide as structural rather than semantic, rooted in Bitcoin’s design. Once you accept that, the next question becomes practical. What can go wrong inside the intermediary stack, and what happens to the buyer in each case?

The plumbing risk: concentration and the trading windowStart with custody concentration. The spot Bitcoin ETF market quickly converged on a pattern: a handful of major products, a handful of custodial arrangements, and one crypto-native custodian showing up again and again. Coinbase was the custodian in eight of the 11 spot Bitcoin ETF listings at launch.

Concentration can bring efficiencies through standard processes, scale economics, consistent controls, and simpler interfaces for asset managers. It also creates a single cluster where operational resilience and governance become system-level concerns.

Then there’s the trading window. Spot bitcoin ETF investors are bound by market hours for trading, while bitcoin trades continuously across venues and jurisdictions. If Bitcoin gaps on a Saturday, the ETF position can’t follow until the bell. The people who can move the underlying asset sit inside the custody stack, and everyone else sits in the share market waiting for it to reopen.

That difference forces an uncomfortable but clarifying question. Which market do you actually own exposure to if you own ETFs, the continuous Bitcoin market, or the listed share market that references Bitcoin?

When something breaks, authority looks different depending on the laneA useful way to think about the two lanes is to focus on authority paths, meaning the routes through which decisions and actions occur when conditions change fast.

In native ownership, the authority path runs through the keys. Who can sign, under what conditions, with what approvals, who can rotate keys, where backups are kept, and how continuity works across life events and organizational transitions. Those details are the governance layer.

In the ETF lane, the authority path runs through institutional roles: sponsor, trustee, custodian, authorized participants, listing venue, and broker. The investor’s decisions are mostly financial: buy, sell, size, rebalance. They gain simplicity, and they accept that authority lives in a stack of contracts and counterparties.

People assume ETF convenience is a user interface upgrade. In reality, it’s a reallocation of operational agency. It can feel like a neat feature, and it can become a fragility layer once ETF holdings grow large enough that custody and operational practices become system-relevant.

A spot Bitcoin trade can tolerate some messiness. A balance-sheet asset needs durable governance. The ETF buyer delegates governance to institutions. The native holder builds it into key policy and procedures. Neither lane is inherently better. The risk lies in misunderstanding the lane you chose.

The new Bitcoin class system: exposure holders and ownersSpot Bitcoin ETFs succeeded because they made Bitcoin legible to the largest capital pools in the world. They turned keys into a fee line item and custody into a service relationship, offering a version of Bitcoin that fits inside the ordinary wealth stack.

The resulting divide is one of the most consequential structural features of Bitcoin’s institutional era. Exposure and ownership separate cleanly, and allocators face a choice between convenience and control. Bitcoin is one of the few assets where ownership is a technical reality, which forces the authority question into the open.

The scale makes the direction clear. Around $54 billion worth of BTC sits in ETFs, showing a market that prefers paper rails even when the underlying asset was built around bearer control. The market can live with that, and the buyer can live with that. The failure mode comes from calling it ownership when it’s delegated authority.

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Saylor signaled another potential Bitcoin purchase after Strategy’s 100th acquisition. Bitcoin’s price was trading at around $66,200, down about 20% over the past month. Michael Saylor hinted on social media that the Strategy company is preparing to announce another Bitcoin purchase, where the MSTR stock trades near multi-month lows and Bitcoin has lost over 20% in the last 30 days. 

In the social media platform X, Saylor posted a usual BTC accumulation chart on March 1 with the caption “The Turn of the Century,” which indicated the Strategy, Bitcoin treasury company is set to buy another bitcoin after its 100th purchase happened in February 16, as the company purchased 592 BTC, valued at over $39.8 million, as its total holdings stands at 717,722.

While writing the article, Bitcoin is trading at $66, 252, down nearly 1% in the last 24 hours, with extended monthly losses. According to the coinglass data, BTC has liquidated  $142.13 million in the past 24 hours, majorly wiped by the long positions. While the open interest rate was also reduced  to 1.43%, despite the losses, Saylor has consistently used market pullbacks as accumulation opportunities, reinforcing Strategy’s long-term Bitcoin treasury approach.

Strategy Raises STRC Dividend Amid MSTR Weakness Before hinting at BTC purchase, Saylor posted, the treasury company is raising the dividend on its STRC preferred stock, also known as “Stretch,” to 11.50% for March 2026, from the previous 11.25%. 

Since STRC is a perpetual preferred stock, the company is not required to repurchase it at a specific point in time. Additionally, its yield may vary each month. This allows Strategy greater freedom to raise capital without having to meet investors’ demands right now, while continuing its goal of acquiring more Bitcoin.

With that, as per Google Finance data, Strategy Inc (MSTR) stock’s current price is at $129.50, as the stock is down 2.92% today with a drop of  $3.90 in value and down 62.09% over the last six months.

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Bitcoin Interest Surges as Retail Fear Hits 5-Year HighGoogle searches for 'buy Bitcoin' have hit a five-year high, signaling renewed retail interest amid market volatility and heightened social media buzz, according to Vega Finance.

Historically, sudden spikes in retail interest have often signaled market bottoms, not tops. When everyday investors rush to search for buying opportunities, it typically reflects fear-driven enthusiasm rather than bullish certainty, suggesting Bitcoin may be nearing a stabilizing phase. 

This comes as Bitcoin recently dropped sharply below key cost levels amid escalating US-Israel-Iran tensions, triggering risk-off selling, heavy liquidations, and renewed volatility.

On-chain data reveals a striking contrast to public panic over Bitcoin hitting $60,000. While retail traders fret, whales are quietly accumulating, with 100,000 BTC this week moving into long-term holder wallets. This surge signals strong confidence in Bitcoin’s medium- to long-term value, despite short-term market anxiety.

Retail Panic Hits 5-Year High as Bitcoin Whales Quietly AccumulatePresently, Bitcoin is trading at $65,595 per CoinCodex data, with retail panic contrasting rising institutional accumulation, a classic crypto pattern where fear often signals buying opportunities. 

Source: CoinCodexMeanwhile, Bitcoin sits 66% below gold’s $5,400 trend, setting up a rare divergence that could trigger a major rally.

Well, the current market highlights the shifting psychology of Bitcoin investors. Social media and news hype often amplify fear, prompting late retail buying, while experienced traders and institutions quietly position themselves. 

Historically, spikes in attention rarely signal market tops; instead, they often mark potential bottoms. 

With Bitcoin trading near key support, Google searches for “buy Bitcoin” hitting a five-year high, and whales steadily accumulating, this fear-driven environment may actually signal a bullish setup for the next phase of gains.

ConclusionThe recent surge in Google searches for ‘buy Bitcoin’ signals more than fleeting hype, it may mark a market inflection point. Amid retail panic, long-term holders and whales are quietly accumulating, showing confidence in Bitcoin’s path forward. 

Historically, such fear-driven spikes often precede recoveries, suggesting that today’s market sentiment could be setting the stage for renewed growth. For investors, the lesson is clear: understanding market psychology and exercising patience can turn panic into opportunity.

Solana (SOL), up 2.1% from Friday, was also among the top performers.

Bitmine Immersion Technologies (BMNR) increased its Ethereum treasury to 4.47 million tokens as of March 1, giving the Las Vegas-based firm control of 3.71% of the total ether supply, the company said Monday.

At $1,976 per ETH, the company’s ether holdings are valued at approximately $8.8 billion, ranking it as the largest corporate Ethereum treasury globally and the second-largest corporate crypto treasury overall, trailing only Strategy's $47 billion bitcoin position, according to a statement.

The latest figure marks an increase of 50,928 ETH in the past week and places the company within 27% of its stated goal of acquiring 5% of the total ether supply. The accumulation occurred during what Chairman Tom Lee termed a "mini crypto winter."

"Bitmine has been buying Ethereum, as we view this pullback as attractive, given the strengthening fundamentals," Lee said in the statement. "In our view, the price of ETH is not reflective of the high utility of ETH and its role as the future of finance."

Lee warned that geopolitical uncertainty has risen in recent days, citing the commencement of U.S. combat operations against Iran, and said the impact on financial and digital asset markets will be felt in the coming weeks.

Ether traded at $1,935 on Monday, according to The Block's price page. The token remains below its August 2025 all-time high of $4,946.

Staking scale and balance sheet expansion Bitmine reported that 3,040,483 ETH, or approximately 68% of its total holdings, is currently staked, generating $172 million in annualized revenue based on a 2.86% 7-day yield from its staking operations. The Composite Ethereum Staking Rate, administered by Quatrefoil, stood at 2.83%, Lee noted.

The company projects that staking revenue could reach $253 million annually once its entire ether position is staked through the Made in America Validator Network, or MAVAN, a dedicated infrastructure platform the company plans to launch this quarter. Lee said Bitmine is currently working with three staking providers as it moves toward unveiling MAVAN in early 2026.

Beyond its ether holdings, Bitmine reported closing on an initial $200 million investment into Beast Industries. The company also holds a $14 million stake in Eightco Holdings.

Bitmine shares traded around $18.98 in pre-market activity, according to The Block’s BMNR price page.

Disclaimer: The Block is an independent media outlet that delivers news, research, and data. As of November 2023, Foresight Ventures is a majority investor of The Block. Foresight Ventures invests in other companies in the crypto space. Crypto exchange Bitget is an anchor LP for Foresight Ventures. The Block continues to operate independently to deliver objective, impactful, and timely information about the crypto industry. Here are our current financial disclosures.

© 2026 The Block. All Rights Reserved. This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

Cover image via U.Today Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by our writers are their own and do not represent the views of U.Today. The financial and market information provided on U.Today is intended for informational purposes only. U.Today is not liable for any financial losses incurred while trading cryptocurrencies. Conduct your own research by contacting financial experts before making any investment decisions. We believe that all content is accurate as of the date of publication, but certain offers mentioned may no longer be available.

A major Ethereum (ETH) holder, BitMine, is facing a possible loss of $7.34 billion. According to a recent update by J.A. Maartunn, BitMine is currently sitting on unrealized losses of over $7 billion amid the ongoing price volatility that ETH is witnessing.

BitMine's treasury Strategy under pressure from ETH declineNotably, the development highlights the risks involved in overleveraged exposures. With the dip in price, BitMine is now prone to possible losses. The digital asset platform had acquired a sizable amount of Ethereum when the price was much higher, and ETH performed well.

However, with the current "massive paper drawdown," BitMine’s portfolio has recorded a staggering dip from its previous peak. It is worth mentioning that this loss in value is on paper, should BitMine decide to sell at this low price.  

💥 $7.34B in Unrealized Losses

Bitmine is currently sitting on -$7.34B in unrealized losses.

That’s a massive paper drawdown — and a clear reminder of how quickly leveraged exposure can flip when price momentum fades. pic.twitter.com/b9gWNmWKhx

— Maartunn (@JA_Maartun) March 2, 2026 Ethereum, in the last 30 days, has lost 26.59% of its value amid continued price volatility. As of this writing, Ethereum exchanges hands at $1,941.07, which represents a 2.4% decline in the last 24 hours. ETH, which was changing hands at a peak of $2,025.68, dropped sharply to a low of $1,909.10.

The asset has managed to recover slightly to the current market price, but this has not changed the situation for BitMine. Should the firm decide to sell, it would suffer massive losses unless the coin rebounds significantly.

Trading volume has also decreased by 9.97% to $20.92 billion as open interest fell amid bearish sentiment.

Interestingly, BitMine had recently hit a new Ethereum milestone by purchasing more ETH to take its total holdings to $8.68 billion. This means the Ethereum in its portfolio is at 4,371,497 ETH.

At the time of the additional acquisition, BitMine was betting on a price rebound and considered the purchase a worthy investment. BitMine, which is linked to Tom Lee and the largest Ethereum treasury firm, had bet the coin could appreciate to $15,000 in the long term.

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Could Ethereum staking tip downside?In late January 2026, BitMine had staked more than 50% of its total Ethereum reserves. At the time, the firm had a staggering 2,218,771 ETH valued at over $6.5 billion staked. 

As per their projection, the staked asset could yield between $190 million and $200 million in annual revenue.

The current drawdown is a caution for investors in leveraged positions. However, as per historical patterns, unrealized losses often precede market bottoms, and Ethereum may witness a rebound if sentiment shifts.

Mon, 2/03/2026 - 14:34

Bitcoin drops near $60,000, putting recent holders in massive losses, but analysts believe it is a sign for a possible price reset, as seen in previous cycles.

Cover image via U.Today

Bitcoin has continued to face a severe price correction as its price fails to reclaim levels seen earlier in the year.

Amid the prolonged price correction, the asset has continued to approach critical levels, with most investors who purchased BTC within the last two years now sitting at a loss. 

A recent analysis provided by crypto analytics platform CryptoQuant shows that as the Bitcoin price hovers near the $60,000 region, the average cost basis of Bitcoin investors holding the asset for 18-month to 2-year holders is being tested.

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Source: Cryptoquant Bitcoin on verge of major resetWith Bitcoin’s two-year-old buyers now underwater, the asset is now at a level that has historically marked major turning points in historic market cycles.

The prolonged market volatility has weakened Bitcoin’s price action, pushing a large portion of midterm holders into negative territory while shifting overall sentiment from cautious optimism to extreme doubt.

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While the majority of Bitcoin holders are in losses, it has been observed that major corrections tend to intensify when the majority of participants are in profit. This often leads to further price pullbacks.

On the other hand, strong rallies have often begun when losses become widespread and market confidence is shaken, as seen currently. This means that the massive losses unrealized by Bitcoin holders could precede a major price recovery.

Bitcoin’s long-term holders still in profit Nonetheless, it is important to note that long-term holders who accumulated years ago are still in profit, despite the prolonged market volatility that has kept Bitcoin in red over the past few months.

However, recent buyers, especially those who bought during the later stages of the last rally, are now facing mounting unrealized losses.

These recent buyers could face bigger losses If Bitcoin decisively drops below $60,000. The positive side is that it could be a potential opportunity for a possible “reset,” phase where excessive optimism is completely eliminated and creates a chance for a healthier environment that could fuel a sustainable recovery.

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The Bitcoin price is starting to look uncomfortably familiar. Multiple tops. Lower highs. Weak rebounds. If you squint at the current structure and compare it to 2021, the resemblance isn’t subtle but it’s somewhat eerie thats making it hard to slide.

Back then, the pattern ended in a violent capitulation. And now, as 2026 unfolds, charts and onchain are whispering the same word again: flush.

Bitcoin Price Mirrors 2021 in 2026Pull up the Bitcoin price chart on the 2-week timeframe and the structure stands out. In both 2021 and 2025, price carved out multiple tops before sliding into a series of lower highs. Each bounce looked promising, until it wasn’t.

That staircase down eventually gave way to a sharp breakdown the last time around. The current setup in 2026 is tracing a similar rhythm: rally, rejection, weaker rally, rejection again.

Well, here’s the kicker. According to an analyst, MerlijnTrader, one projection on the chart points toward the $48,000 region if history continues to rhyme into 2026. That’s not a prediction carved in stone, but it’s a scenario traders are clearly watching as the broader Bitcoin price prediction narrative shifts from bullish optimism to defensive positioning.

Weak Rebounds, Heavy StructureLower highs are typically not bullish. They signal exhaustion. Buyers step in, but not with conviction. Sellers regain control faster each time. That’s exactly what defined the final stages of the previous cycle peak.

The current Bitcoin/USD structure shows similar hesitation. Instead of explosive recoveries, rebounds are fading quickly. Momentum looks tired.

And while some argue this is just consolidation before another breakout, the historical comparison isn’t comforting. The prior pattern didn’t resolve upward. It resolved violently downward.

NUPL Adds Bearish WeightIf the price pattern feels uneasy, the on-chain data doesn’t exactly calm nerves.

The Net Unrealized Profit/Loss (NUPL) metric currently sits at 0.17 which is above the zero line. That matters. According to the framework, a true bottoming phase typically forms when NUPL dips below zero, remains there for a period, and then rebounds.

Per this chart, We’re not there yet in bottoming phase. At 0.17, the market still holds net unrealized profit. That suggests the kind of deep capitulation seen at cycle lows hasn’t happened yet. In other words, bearish pressure may not be fully exhausted.
So what does that mean? If the structure continues to mirror 2021 and NUPL stays above zero, the Bitcoin price could still face another leg down before a genuine bottom forms. If history rhymes again, 2026 might bring the final washout before a fresh rally can truly begin.

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Executive Summary Table of Contents

Executive SummaryImaging Operations Demonstrate Robust Volume ExpansionDigital Health Platform Accelerates Through AI InnovationGet 3 Free Stock Ebooks Fourth quarter revenue climbs 14.8% year-over-year, powered by imaging center expansion and operational optimization. Digital Health platform experiences 48% revenue acceleration, bolstered by AI-powered subscription services. Advanced imaging modalities including MRI, CT, and PET/CT demonstrate double-digit volume increases. Full-year 2026 projections: Imaging revenue growth of 17–19%, EBITDA expansion of 18–22%, and free cash flow surge of 29–41%. Strategic Gleamer acquisition enhances AI capabilities; multiple FDA submissions targeted for 2026. RadNet, Inc. (RDNT) settled at $69.81 in regular trading, declining 3.16% (-$2.28), though pre-market activity indicates recovery momentum to $74.50, representing a 6.72% advance.

RadNet, Inc., RDNT

RadNet, Inc. achieved unprecedented quarterly revenue of $547.7 million during the fourth quarter of 2025, reflecting a 14.8% advancement from the prior year’s $477.1 million. The company reported adjusted EBITDA of $87.7 million, marking a 16.9% improvement year-over-year. Robust procedure volumes combined with enhanced operational execution drove performance throughout the Imaging Center business unit.

The Digital Health division generated $27.9 million in revenue, demonstrating exceptional 48.2% growth compared to $18.9 million in the comparable 2024 period. Adjusted EBITDA for this segment reached $4.9 million, climbing 8.9% from the previous year. The organization maintained a consolidated Adjusted EBITDA margin of 16%, expanding 29 basis points annually.

Adjusted earnings per share held steady at $0.23, versus $0.24 in the year-ago quarter, when excluding non-recurring items. The company recorded a net loss of $0.6 million on an unadjusted basis, contrasting with net income of $5.3 million in Q4 2024. Weighted average diluted share count increased modestly to 76.6 million from 75.5 million during the comparative period.

Imaging Operations Demonstrate Robust Volume Expansion Aggregate advanced imaging procedure counts advanced 14.1%, while same-center procedures expanded 9.6% compared to Q4 2024. MRI examinations increased 15.8%, CT scans grew 10.3%, and PET/CT studies surged 28.3% on an aggregate basis. Same-center metrics showed 11.4% growth for MRI, 6.3% for CT, and 14.3% for PET/CT, demonstrating consistent operational execution.

RadNet, $RDNT, Q4-25.

Record revenue. Margin expansion.

📊 Adj. EPS: $0.23
💰 Revenue: $547.71M
📈 Net Loss: $0.60M

Advanced imaging volumes +14.1% YoY.
Digital Health revenue +48.2% YoY. pic.twitter.com/c0IXGWcAwF

— EarningsTime (@Earnings_Time) March 2, 2026

Full-year 2025 Imaging Center revenue played a pivotal role in achieving the company’s $2.04 billion annual top line. Annual adjusted EBITDA totaled $300.2 million, representing a 7.4% year-over-year increase. The combination of new facility launches, strategic acquisitions, and enhanced patient workflow efficiency propelled both revenue and profitability metrics.

Management forecasts 2026 Imaging Center revenue expansion of 17%-19% with adjusted EBITDA growth of 18%-22%. Free cash flow generation is projected to accelerate 29%-41% above 2025 performance. Strategic priorities include operational efficiency enhancements, capacity optimization initiatives, and advantageous reimbursement positioning.

Digital Health Platform Accelerates Through AI Innovation Digital Health revenue expanded 41.1% throughout 2025, reaching $92.7 million, underpinned by predictable recurring revenue models. Adjusted EBITDA improved to $15.5 million, reflecting continued investment in clinical AI capabilities and workflow automation technologies. Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) constituted 81.3% of 2025 segment revenue, demonstrating substantial subscription resilience.

The strategic acquisition of Gleamer SAS in 2026 broadens RadNet’s Digital Health portfolio in AI-powered clinical applications. Management anticipates securing multiple FDA clearances across mammography, pulmonary, prostate, thyroid, and musculoskeletal diagnostic areas. The proportion of Digital Health revenue derived from internal Imaging Center operations is expected to decrease from 45% to 33% in 2026, signaling broader market penetration.

For fiscal 2026, Digital Health guidance establishes a revenue range of $135-$145 million, with adjusted EBITDA before non-capitalized R&D expenses projected at $10-$12 million. Free cash flow, after accounting for non-capitalized research and development expenditures, is anticipated at negative $17-$19 million. Substantial investments in infrastructure development and team expansion aim to enable scalable growth trajectories and widespread industry adoption of sophisticated AI solutions.

XRP Ledger Eyes Entry into Crypto Options MarketThe XRP Ledger (XRPL) could be on the verge of entering the crypto derivatives arena, following a new proposal to launch an XRPL-based options sidechain. 

Outlined in a recent GitHub document by software engineer Denis Angell, the initiative envisions transforming XRPL into a purpose-built ecosystem for on-chain options trading, positioning it to compete in a market largely dominated by centralized platforms.

Crypto options, derivative contracts that enable traders to hedge risk or speculate on price movements, remain heavily concentrated on centralized platforms, with Deribit dominating global volume. 

While decentralized finance continues to expand, robust on-chain options infrastructure is still scarce, creating a clear gap in the blockchain derivatives landscape.

A recent proposal seeks to close that gap by building options functionality directly on the XRP Ledger. By leveraging XRPL’s high throughput, low transaction costs, and deep liquidity, the initiative aims to enable native, on-chain options trading, reducing reliance on centralized intermediaries while enhancing transparency and efficiency.

The timing appears strategic. XRPL transactions have surged by 40%, reaching nearly 2.5 million daily, signaling strong network activity and rising demand. If implemented, an XRPL-based options framework could position the ecosystem as a serious contender in the crypto derivatives market, combining institutional-grade performance with decentralized execution.

For institutional traders, this means a more secure, capital-efficient, and fully auditable derivatives environment. 

Leveraging the proven infrastructure of the XRP Ledger, renowned for fast finality, low transaction costs, and tokenization support, the sidechain would provide a scalable foundation for sophisticated instruments like crypto options, positioning XRPL as a serious contender in on-chain derivatives.

XRP Ledger Eyes Derivatives Expansion With On-Chain Options PushThe launch of on-chain options could mark a pivotal evolution for XRP, transforming it from a payments-focused digital asset into a more comprehensive financial instrument. 

While XRP has traditionally excelled in cross-border payments and liquidity solutions, introducing derivatives on the XRP Ledger would significantly expand its utility. On-chain options would enable hedging, speculation, and advanced risk management, tools essential to professional and institutional investors. 

By bringing these capabilities natively on-chain, XRPL could capture derivatives activity that is currently dominated by centralized exchanges, strengthening liquidity, deepening market sophistication, and attracting higher-value participants.

Well, XRPL’s real-world asset adoption is accelerating. The Government of Dubai recently tokenized over $5 million in real estate on the XRP Ledger, issuing 7.8 million property tokens that are instantly tradable. 

Therefore, this milestone demonstrates how XRPL’s infrastructure can support regulated, large-scale asset tokenization, bridging traditional property markets with blockchain efficiency.

Why does this matter? Well, this initiative reflects a broader strategic shift for the XRP Ledger (XRPL). No longer confined to payments and stablecoins, XRPL is positioning itself as a comprehensive financial infrastructure layer for decentralized markets. 

Entering the crypto options space would significantly expand its utility, attract institutional participants, and deepen on-chain liquidity.

That ambition is reinforced by XRPL’s growing dominance in real-world asset tokenization. With a commanding 63% share of the tokenized U.S. Treasury market, XRPL has outpaced major competitors such as Ethereum, Solana, and Arbitrum. This leadership underscores institutional confidence in XRPL’s efficiency, reliability, and scalability.

If successfully executed, an on-chain options framework could further cement XRPL’s status as a versatile, institutional-grade blockchain, capable of supporting advanced financial products and driving the next phase of decentralized finance adoption.

ConclusionThe proposed options sidechain is more than a technical upgrade, it marks a strategic evolution for the XRP Ledger. By entering the crypto options market, XRPL targets a high-value segment long dominated by centralized platforms, addressing a clear gap in on-chain derivatives infrastructure. 

If this development sees the light of day it could transform XRPL from a payments-focused blockchain into a full-fledged financial ecosystem, enabling sophisticated trading strategies.

For institutional participants, it promises greater transparency, efficiency, and lower counterparty risk, strengthening XRP’s long-term relevance and competitiveness in the rapidly evolving digital asset landscape.

Bitcoin is still in a corrective phase after the sharp selloff, and the price is now trying to stabilize around $66,000. The bigger picture is simple, as momentum is bearish on the daily time frame, but short-term structure is tightening. So, the next breakout from consolidation likely decides whether this is a bottom or just a pause before another leg down.

Bitcoin Price Analysis: The Daily Chart On the daily chart, BTC remains below the 100-day and the 200-day moving averages, indicating the overall bearish trend. The price is also trading inside a broader downward channel, and the breakdown from the prior support area around $75,000-$80,000 has turned that zone into a key supply region. As long as Bitcoin stays below the mid $70,000s, rallies can still be sold into, especially if they fail near the moving averages.

The near-term demand zone to watch sits around $60,000, where buyers previously stepped in and where the market is likely to defend again if volatility returns. If that floor breaks cleanly, the next major support area comes in around $50,000 to $53,000. Meanwhile, the RSI has recovered from the most oversold readings, but it is still not showing the kind of strength you usually see at the start of a new uptrend, so confirmation matters more than hope here.

BTC/USDT 4-Hour Chart On the 4-hour chart, Bitcoin is compressing into a symmetrical triangle after the dump, with lower highs capping the price while the lows are holding higher. This kind of structure often precedes a decisive move because liquidity builds on both sides. The upper trigger is near $68,000, and a clean break and hold above it can open a push toward $73,000, where the larger resistance zone begins.

If the triangle breaks to the downside, the first test is typically the range low around $62,000, followed by the deeper daily demand zone around $60,000. The key detail is that the current consolidation is happening after a strong down move, so downside breaks can accelerate quickly if bids step away. Therefore, buyers will need a breakout that holds, not just a wick, because fake outs are common when the broader trend is still down.

Sentiment Analysis The open interest chart shows a steep decline into the current period, dropping toward about $20.4B, while the price also fell sharply. That combination usually signals forced deleveraging, meaning liquidations and position closures rather than a calm, organic pullback. In practice, it often marks the point where the market flushes out excessive leverage, which can reduce immediate downside pressure.

The next clue is what happens if open interest starts rising again. If open interest rebuilds while the price holds above $62,500 and pushes above $68,000, it suggests traders are re-entering with confidence, which can support a continuation rally. However, if open interest climbs while the asset stays heavy and fails under $68,000, it can set up another liquidation wave, because fresh leverage tends to become fuel for the next squeeze down when the trend is still bearish.

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Tokenized gold PAXG and XAUT climb about 1–2% toward $5.4k as Middle East conflict sends BTC, ETH and SOL lower in 24h risk‑off trade.

Summary

PAXG trades around $5.4k with a 24h range near $5.33k–$5.44k and a market cap close to $2.6b, while XAUT changes hands near $5.32k with roughly $932m in daily volume and a $3.0b market cap. Over the same window, BTC sits near $66.2k after a 3% daily drop inside a $64.35k–$68.24k band, ETH hovers around $1.97k after slipping about 2.5%, and SOL trades close to $83, down roughly 4% on almost $4.4b volume.​ CoinGecko data show PAXG and XAUT among the most‑viewed tokens during the US–Israeli conflict with Iran, as crypto X users describe a “gold panic bid” and note that “real gold wins when bombs fly” while BTC stagnates. Tokenized gold is suddenly back in fashion as geopolitical risk flares, with on‑chain proxies for bullion emerging as the market’s preferred panic hedge.

Tokenized gold jumps on Middle East shock In a post on X, CoinGecko noted that “tokenized commodities such as $PAXG and $XAUT are among the most viewed cryptocurrencies today amid the ongoing US–Israeli conflict with Iran.” The spike in attention tracks a sharp move higher in gold‑backed coins. As of Monday, PAX Gold (PAXG) changes hands near $5,409, after trading between roughly $5,326 and $5,439 over the past 24 hours, with a market cap around $2.6B. Tether Gold (XAUT) trades close to $5,318, up about 0.7% over the day, with 24‑hour volumes near $932M and a market cap of roughly $3.0B. Earlier coverage described PAXG “up 6.13% day on day at $5,513.28,” while XAUT was “up 4.62% to $5,403.82, with risk assets weakening and risk appetite strengthening for coins linked to safe‑haven assets.” A Reuters report similarly highlighted that “PAX Gold (PAXG) is currently leading the charge at $5,344/oz (+2.2% since Friday), while Tether Gold (XAUt) has climbed to $5,292/oz (+1.2%).”

On crypto X, the mood is blunt. “If there are crisis gold is mostly the favorite,” wrote MEXC’s Phil Herrmann. Another user observed that there is a “gold panic bid while crypto’s supposed inflation hedge sits frozen at 66k… Shows you who actually trusts btc when missiles fly vs who just talks about it on podcasts.” “Real gold wins when bombs fly,” added one Web3 commentator, while another summed up the moment as “safe havens szn. Gold always wins, WAGMI.”

Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana lag While tokenized gold rallies, major cryptocurrencies are softer to sideways. Bitcoin is trading around $66,200, down roughly 3% over the last 24 hours, with an intraday range near $64,350–$68,235. Ethereum hovers around $1,970, having slipped about 2.5% on the day, after swinging between roughly $1,940 and $1,980. Solana trades close to $83, down about 4% in 24 hours, with a session range between roughly $81.9 and $86.7 and a market cap near $47B.

Broader crypto market This parabolic move comes as digital assets continue to trade as the purest expression of macro risk appetite. Bitcoin (BTC) is hovering around $66,200, with a 24‑hour range near $64,350–$68,235 and deep, exchange‑wide volumes. Ethereum (ETH) changes hands close to $1,970, on more than $21B in 24‑hour turnover and price action rotating inside the $1,940–$1,980 band. Solana (SOL) trades around $83, off roughly 4% on the day, with almost $4.4B in volume.

The renewed bid for tokenized bullion underlines a simple allocation truth: when missiles fly, markets still grab for gold—only this time, they are doing it on‑chain. For readers tracking these flows, live pricing is available via crypto.news pages for PAX Gold (PAXG) and Tether Gold (XAUT).

14h05 ▪ 3 min read ▪ by Fenelon L.

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90% losses. Cardano’s record is brutal. ADA is trading today around $0.27, far from its all-time high of $3.10 reached in September 2021. However, its founder Charles Hoskinson refuses to give up. He promises a comeback. Crypto markets, meanwhile, are still waiting to be convinced.

Hoskinson takes up the fight and defends Cardano It was during a recent podcast that Charles Hoskinson spoke out, in an offensive tone. The founder of Cardano rejected any notion of decline, stating that his project “remains in the race and fights for everything.” A strong declaration, at a time when skepticism around ADA is at its peak.

Hoskinson relies on several levers to reverse the trend. He notably cites upcoming protocol upgrades, strategic partnerships being finalized, and especially the imminent launch of the Midnight Network, a sidechain dedicated to data privacy. For him, these developments are the true engines of a long-term recovery.

However, the founder’s enthusiasm clashes with a harsh technical reality. The pseudonymous analyst Gnarleyquinn described the situation as “post-midnight,” a barely veiled nod to the future sidechain, emphasizing that the ADA crypto has systematically failed to break through Fibonacci resistances during every rebound attempt since 2021. Each recovery stuck at progressively lower levels. The chart does not lie.

Whales accumulate quietly, institutions follow While the debate rages on the surface, a discreet but significant activity takes place behind the scenes. According to Santiment data published on February 24, addresses holding between 100,000 and 100 million ADA have accumulated 819 million additional tokens over the last six months. At the current valuation, this represents nearly $214 million. These large wallets now hold 70% of the circulating supply.

This behavior is not accidental. Whales tend to strengthen their positions during downturn phases, anticipating a favorable entry point. By withdrawing tokens from the active circulation, they mechanically reduce the available supply, a factor that can amplify any recovery if demand stabilizes.

On the institutional side, Grayscale Investments has also reinforced its conviction: ADA’s weighting in its Smart Contract Fund has increased from 19.50% to 20.12%, making Cardano more than one-fifth of the portfolio. A modest reallocation, certainly, but symbolically strong.

Cardano today embodies a contradiction: a technically ambitious project, driven by a combative founder and patient investors, but whose crypto market has yet to validate the thesis. The launch of the Midnight Network and upcoming upgrades will be decisive. So far, the promise holds, but it still awaits its proof.

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Fenelon L.

Passionné par le Bitcoin, j'aime explorer les méandres de la blockchain et des cryptos et je partage mes découvertes avec la communauté. Mon rêve est de vivre dans un monde où la vie privée et la liberté financière sont garanties pour tous, et je crois fermement que Bitcoin est l'outil qui peut rendre cela possible.

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.

The Ethereum price may be flashing red, but beneath the surface, something very different is happening. While traders focus on falling candles, holders are steadily pulling coins off exchanges and not in small amounts.

Exchange reserves have dropped to 16 million ETH, down sharply from 23 million in 2023. That’s a multi-year low. And here’s the twist: this decline happened while the Ethereum price dumped.

Normally, price crashes are fueled by panic selling. This time? The coins are leaving exchanges instead of flooding them.

Exchange Reserves Hit LowsExchange reserves track how much ETH is sitting on trading platforms, ready to be sold. Less ETH on exchanges generally means less immediate sell pressure.

But let’s be real. the reserves dropping during a rally is one thing. Reserves dropping during a crash? That’s different.

It suggests holders aren’t rushing to exit. They’re withdrawing. To staking. To cold storage. To DeFi. An active choice to hold rather than panic, per an analyst.

When you overlay that dynamic on the Ethereum price chart, the divergence becomes hard to ignore.

Validator Queue ExplodesIf the reserve data raises eyebrows, the staking numbers make them shoot up.

At the time of writing, 3,472,679 ETH is waiting to be staked on the network. Meanwhile, only 96 ETH is queued to exit. Entry requests outpace exits by roughly 36,174 times.

That’s not a typo.

The last time exits exceeded entry requests was in late December 2025. Since then, validator interest has surged. Capital isn’t running from the network, it’s lining up to lock in.

For anyone building an Ethereum price prediction, this imbalance is difficult to dismiss. Supply sitting idle on exchanges is shrinking, while supply being locked away is growing.

Quiet Accumulation Phase?Historically, supply shocks don’t begin with fireworks. They start quietly.

Coins disappear from exchanges. Staking participation climbs. Retail sentiment stays cautious. Price action looks weak. And then, eventually, liquidity tightens.

The market right now is clearly nervous. But on-chain data paints a calmer picture. Holders appear to be making deliberate decisions: fewer coins available for immediate sale, more coins committed to long-term positioning.

That doesn’t guarantee a rally tomorrow. It doesn’t invalidate short-term volatility in ETH/USD either.

But if supply keeps contracting while demand stabilizes, the setup shifts. The current Ethereum price may reflect fear yet the structural backdrop suggests something more strategic could be unfolding beneath the surface.

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Despite recent on-chain developments, Shiba Inu is currently trading in a challenging market environment, with price action still reflecting strong bearish pressure, with lower highs, frequent breakdowns from transient consolidation structures and a price position below all significant moving averages. Sellers continue to control the overall direction of the market, as evidenced by the failure of every recent attempt at recovery.

Supplies get thinnerThe supply of SHIB tokens has fallen, with reports indicating that 337 billion were taken out of circulation in a single day. Large-scale token removal, in theory, can strengthen the structural foundation and promote long-term scarcity if demand stays the same or rises.  

SHIB/USDT Chart by TradingViewBut the market’s current response points to caution. The price has not responded in a significant bullish way, even though there are fewer tokens in circulation. This emphasizes a crucial fact: unless broader market sentiment and buyer demand coincide, supply reduction alone seldom produces immediate upside. Strong technical resistance is still present above SHIB at the moment, and momentum indicators are still weak and near oversold territory.

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From a structural perspective, SHIB recently broke out of a minor consolidation pattern before continuing to drift lower, which supports the notion that traders are using rebounds to sell positions rather than make aggressive purchases. Additionally, volume spikes during declines imply that reactive selling, rather than steady accumulation, continues to be the primary driver of volatility.

Liquidity problematicWhat does this mean for the market? By indicating continued ecosystem activity and an attempt to increase scarcity, the token burn mechanism enhances the long-term narrative. However, trends and liquidity conditions have a greater short-term influence on market prices than isolated on-chain events. 

The burn metric continues to be more of a background positive than a catalyst for an instant recovery until SHIB is able to recover adjacent resistance levels and set higher lows.

For the time being, SHIB is still in a stabilization phase, with on-chain improvements that are noticeable but insufficient to change the current bearish structure.