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Bitcoin ETFs grabbed attention this week. The funds pulled in $1.2 billion over seven days, but that’s pretty much pocket change compared to what happened back in October when these same products sucked up $6 billion in just nine days.

The numbers tell a clear story about where crypto investors stand right now. Back in October 2025, Bitcoin ETFs were the hottest thing on Wall Street, with money pouring in faster than anyone expected. Now things look different. Investors seem more careful, maybe even skeptical about jumping back into Bitcoin through these regulated products. The enthusiasm that drove those massive October inflows has cooled off significantly, and market watchers can’t ignore the contrast.

XRP ETFs finally turned positive too. After weeks of sluggish performance.

The shift in investment patterns goes beyond just Bitcoin. Crypto portfolios are getting more diverse, and investors aren’t putting all their eggs in one basket anymore. Some analysts think the market is still figuring out how to deal with regulatory uncertainty and broader economic conditions that keep hitting cryptocurrency investments. The adjustment phase shows up in these steady but cautious inflows into Bitcoin ETFs, where money comes in but not at the breakneck pace we saw months ago.

Grayscale remains one of the biggest winners from these inflows. Their Bitcoin ETF trades actively every day, and the firm has been pushing hard for more accessible Bitcoin investment options for regular investors. That advocacy work probably helped bring in some of this new money, though Grayscale didn’t respond when reached for comment about the recent figures.

Industry insiders stay optimistic despite the lower numbers. They point to consistent inflows as proof that mainstream acceptance of Bitcoin ETFs keeps growing. The figures might look modest compared to October’s surge, but they show stable demand that won’t disappear overnight.

Regulatory challenges keep complicating everything. The SEC’s ongoing discussions about crypto regulation could change how money flows into these funds in the coming months. Investors are watching every regulatory move closely, and their confidence rises or falls based on what regulators say and do.

Institutional investors hold the key to future surges. Their participation drove previous big inflows, and any changes in how they approach Bitcoin ETFs could reshape the entire landscape. For now, they’re staying involved but being careful about it. BlackRock has been monitoring the Bitcoin ETF space closely, and their potential entry into the market has sparked industry discussions. If BlackRock launches their own Bitcoin ETF, it could change everything given their massive influence and resources. This development aligns with Bitcoin Hits K Peak Before Sharp, highlighting broader market trends.

The Chicago Mercantile Exchange reported higher Bitcoin futures trading volume on March 15. That uptick happened right around the same time as the ETF inflow data, suggesting futures activity and ETF investments might be connected. Market analysts are digging into these patterns to understand what investors are really thinking and where trends might head next.

But smaller ETF providers are struggling. Valkyrie Investments hasn’t attracted much interest compared to bigger players. CEO Leah Wald admitted the challenges but stays hopeful about future growth. She cited ongoing efforts to improve their products and reach more investors.

Bitcoin’s price hovered around $40,000 on March 16, marking a stable point amid recent volatility. Traders watch that level closely because it represents a psychological barrier for both retail and institutional investors. ARK Invest’s Cathie Wood has been vocal about Bitcoin ETFs democratizing crypto access. Wood’s firm keeps advocating for regulatory clarity to boost investor confidence, and they’re monitoring these inflow patterns as part of their bullish long-term Bitcoin view.

Fidelity Investments announced plans to expand its digital asset division by the end of March. The expansion reflects Fidelity’s commitment to growing their crypto footprint. They’re preparing for rising client demand for digital asset exposure, particularly through ETF products that offer regulated market entry.

WisdomTree launched their Bitcoin ETF last year and reported steady asset growth. The company credits strategic focus on investor education and transparent fees. As of March 18, WisdomTree’s Bitcoin ETF ranks among the more competitive options for pricing, appealing to cost-conscious investors looking to optimize crypto investments. Analysts have drawn connections to Bitcoin Stays Near K as SIREN amid evolving conditions.

The next few months will be crucial as these ETFs navigate changing market conditions. With SEC decisions on pending ETF applications due later this year, companies are bracing for potential changes. Those decisions could either open floodgates for more inflows or create new industry hurdles.

The cryptocurrency market’s volatility continues to complicate everything. Recent inflow figures show just how unpredictable things can get. Investors stay vigilant, trying to balance opportunity against risk while waiting for clearer regulatory guidance from Washington.

Market response remains tepid as stakeholders wait for decisive regulatory moves. The coming weeks matter. Companies like Grayscale are waiting for SEC developments that could impact their future strategies.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission has also weighed in on Bitcoin derivatives oversight, adding another regulatory layer that ETF providers must navigate. CFTC Chairman Rostin Behnam recently emphasized the need for comprehensive crypto market surveillance, which could influence how institutional money managers approach Bitcoin ETF allocations.

Meanwhile, European Bitcoin ETF launches have outpaced U.S. counterparts in recent months. Switzerland’s SIX Exchange approved three new Bitcoin ETPs in February, while Germany’s Deutsche Börse reported record trading volumes for crypto-linked products, creating competitive pressure on American fund managers.

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Major cryptocurrency Solana is poised to test the key $115 resistance level in the near future, as bulls appear set to complete a short-term comeback. The 7th-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization is trading around $93 at press time, even as it has experienced strong on-chain performance and daily user activity for much of the past 5 months. Better spot performance has been observed lately, giving the bulls some breathing room.

Popular crypto analyst going by the name of Ali Charts has tweeted out that the programmable cryptocurrency is experiencing strong demand below the $90 support level, allowing the bulls to engage in further adventurism towards the $100 support level.

The core of the analysis relies on Glassnode’s URPD (UTXO Realized Price Distribution) data. URPD visualizes the distribution of coins by the price at which they last moved on-chain—essentially showing where investors bought or accumulated SOL. Between $82.6 and $85.55, 76 million tokens changed hands, showing strong accumulation activity worth more than $6 billion.

Basically, sellers panicked and offloaded everything they had, leading to sharp market capitulation. Now, there are hardly any major selling activities at current price levels. We can expect that to change once the index moves past the $100 resistance.

According to Ali, there is little resistance on the path to $100 because of strong support levels lower in the price range. Overall, the cryptocurrency has completed a 38-day accumulation phase that has exhausted sellers, and buyers are now looking to make a move of their own. According to the analyst, the $100 “ceiling” is significantly thinner than the current floor levels below $90, and that is a plus point for the bulls, and it could shoot as high as $115 in the process.

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Twitterati Respond One X user was skeptical of the analyst’s use of the term “no resistance ahead.”

This has been proven true over the last 5-6 months, as whenever analysts have become overly confident about the bullish case, the downward forces strike back with ferocity. 

However, another user agreed with the trade because of the strong support floor below $90, which led to billions of dollars in accumulation.

The bulls need to continue the momentum and move above $100 quickly enough. If the move sustains, $100 could indeed act as the next quick support level for the future price upticks.

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Ripple’s journey with XRP has a fascinating origin story, and now the former Chief Technology Officer has pulled back the curtain. In an exclusive reveal, he shares the very first email that ever mentioned XRP—offering a rare glimpse into the early days of one of crypto’s most influential tokens.

Schwartz shared this in a recent X post, confirming that the email dated back to February 2013—just months after the XRP Ledger went live in mid-2012.

Back in early 2013, XRP was virtually unknown, trading at a mere $0.00587. No major exchanges listed it, and almost nobody was trading it. Even Bitcoin was only around $27, proof of just how nascent and untapped the crypto world was.

Schwartz revealed that the email came from Vinnie Falco. In it, Falco introduced himself as a member of the BitcoinTalk forum, explaining that he had created a Ripple account to explore the technology. He then requested that Schwartz send some XRP to a wallet labeled “Vinnie.”

At the time, requests like this were routine. Early adopters weren’t chasing profits—they were curious, eager to explore how the technology worked. XRP circulated mostly through informal peer-to-peer sharing rather than formal exchanges, reflecting the experimental spirit of the early crypto community.

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Interestingly, Falco didn’t stop at being an early user—he went on to join Ripple and became a key contributor to its development. At the San Francisco-based company, Falco focused on the company’s core systems and created Beast, a C++ library that powers HTTP and WebSocket communications.

How Google Auto-Complete’s Inventor Got Involved When asked whether he fulfilled Falco’s request, Schwartz indicated that he did not. Instead, Alex Kravets, the co-founder of Google Auto-Complete, stepped in and sent the tokens. Blockchain data shows that Kravets transferred 1,000 XRP to Falco on February 16, 2013.

At the time of the transaction, the 1,000 XRP was worth just $5.87— roughly $0.00587 per token. Today, that same amount would be valued at roughly $1,530— highlighting the massive growth of the asset over time. XRP, which is used by Ripple to facilitate cross-border transactions, was changing hands at around $1.52 at press time, per CoinGecko.

At the first event for TRUMP token holders in 2025, Tron founder Justin Sun was the biggest token holder.  CoinCarp, the crypto data analytics platform, registers 642,882 TRUMP holders, with more than 91% of the supply concentrated among the top 10.  The number of whale wallets holding over one million of US President Donald Trump’s memecoin has increased to a five-month high after publicising a luncheon at his Florida home for top holders last week. 

There are around 83 wallets holding over 1 million TRUMP, estimated to be $3.7 million, making it the biggest showing for the memecoin since October 8 of the past year, Santiment mentioned in an X post on March 16. 

The luncheon with Trump is scheduled for April 25 at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, as per the Trump team. The invitation is sent to the top 297 token holders, out of which the top 29 will have a private reception with the president, subject to passing background checks. 

In the days after the luncheon announcement, TRUMP surged by over 50% to hit a peak of $4.35. As of March 18, TRUMP has increased by 27% in the past week and is trading at $3.71. 

The Access To The President  Dominick John, an analyst with Zeus Research, mentioned that the Mar-a-Lago event, which provides access to the US president, is functioning as a powerful catalyst for accumulation. CoinCarp, the crypto data analytics platform, registers 642,882 TRUMP holders, with more than 91% of the supply concentrated among the top 10 and more than 97% among the top 100. 

At the first event for TRUMP token holders in 2025, Tron founder Justin Sun was the biggest token holder. John also points to other guests, like Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino, who is set to speak and attend the luncheon, as potential drivers of user interest. 

He also mentioned that momentum is influenced by narrative-headed flows and whale placing. He further went on, adding that the presence of Paolo Ardoino from Tether at this event indicates a potential ecosystem announcement, offering a real catalyst. His appearance could change the gala into a progress showcase for the TRUMP token. 

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Powell's comments on oil, inflation are likely to guide bitcoin tradersYour day-ahead look for March 18, 2026 Mar 18, 2026, 11:25 a.m.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images modified by CoinDesk)What to know: If you're not already subscribed to the newsletter email, click here.

By Omkar Godbole (All times ET unless indicated otherwise)

Bitcoin BTC$73,979.85 and the wider crypto market are taking a breather in advance of today's Federal Reserve rate decision, which could confirm that the interest-rate backdrop is becoming less of a tailwind.

The central bank is widely expected to keep the benchmark borrowing cost unchanged in the 3.5%-3.75% range, putting the focus on growth and inflation projections as well as Chairman Jerome Powell's comments at the post-meeting press conference.

"For investors, the key question is whether the dot plot shifts toward fewer cuts and whether Powell emphasizes the danger of easing financial conditions too quickly," said Fabian Dori, chief investment officer at Sygnum Bank, referring to the chart of where decision makers expect interest rates to be at year-end. "Either development would reinforce a ‘higher for longer’ bias and tighten financial conditions at the margin."

According to Dori, the bitcoin price is at a critical juncture, where repeated failures to stay above $75,000 signals caution and mean-reversion behavior. Should the Fed raise alarm over the inflationary impact of the Iran war-related oil-price shock and reinforce expectations of slower or delayed rate cuts, then BTC is likely to remain below $75,000.

"A more hawkish stance could keep bitcoin capped below 75k and extend the current consolidation phase," he noted.

Singapore-based QCP Capital said markets have pared easing expectations as the higher oil price complicates the case for interest-rate cuts, even as growth and labour data soften. This leaves the rates backdrop less supportive for crypto.

Bitcoin's stalled upswing stalled comes despite renewed institutional appetite for spot ETFs and regulatory clarity from the SEC and CFTC.

The broader market continues to mirror the largest cryptocurrency. The CoinDesk 20 Index has been largely steady for the past 24 hours, alongside similar action in ether (ETH), XRP (XRP), solana (SOL), and other majors. Smaller coins such as SIREN, M, and KAS, however, have gained about 10% each.

In traditional markets, futures tied to the S&P 500 index have risen by 0.5%, signaling an extension of a two-day rally. Meanwhile, the Dollar Index pulled back to 99.50 from Friday's high above 100, and the 10-year Treasury yield receded to 4.17% from 4.30%. Taken together, these moves point to continued risk-on sentiment. Stay alert!

Read more: For analysis of today's activity in altcoins and derivatives, see Crypto Markets Today

What to WatchFor a more comprehensive list of events this week, see CoinDesk's "Crypto Week Ahead".

CryptoNothing scheduled.MacroMarch 18, 8:30 a.m. ET: U.S. PPI MoM for February est. 0.3% (Prev. 0.5%); Core PPI MoM est. (Prev. 0.8%)March 18, 8:30 a.m.: U.S. PPI YoY for February est. 3.7% (Prev. 3.6%); Core PPI YoY est. 3.2% (Prev. 3.6%)March 18, 9:45 a.m.: Bank of Canada interest-rate decision est. 2.25% (Prev. 2.25%)March 18, 10:00 a.m.: U.S. Factory Orders MoM for January (Prev. -0.7%)March 18, 2:00 p.m.: Federal Reserve interest-rate decision est. 3.50%-3.75% (Prev. 3.50%-3.75%); FOMC economic projectionsMarch 18, 2:30 p.m.: Fed Chair press conferenceEarnings (Estimates based on FactSet data)March 18: Bitfarms (BITF), pre-market, -$0.03Token EventsFor a more comprehensive list of events this week, see CoinDesk's "Crypto Week Ahead".

Governance votes & callsMarch 18: Jupiter (JUP) to hold its weekly Planetary Call community session with team updates.March 18: THETA$0.1876 head of marketing and PR to discuss ecosystem updates.WalletConnect Network is voting on allocating 50 million WCT tokens as a dedicated rewards budget for WalletConnect Pay in 2026. Voting ends March 18.ENS is voting on a one-time transfer of 900,000 USDC from the ENS Endowment to wallet.ensdao.eth to cover a shortfall in stream payments owed to ENS Labs. Voting ends March 18.UnlocksNo major unlocks.Token LaunchesMarch 18: Katana (KAT) to be listed on Binance, MEXC, KuCoin, and others.ConferencesFor a more comprehensive list of events this week, see CoinDesk's "Crypto Week Ahead".

Day 2 of 2: DC Blockchain Summit 2026 (Washington, D.C.)Day 2 of 3: Merge São Paulo (Brazil)Market MovementsBTC is down 0.73% from 4 p.m. ET Tuesday at $73,825.38 (24hrs: +0.11%)ETH is down 0.44% at $2,307.45 (24hrs: -0.33%)CoinDesk 20 is down 0.78% at 2,148.73 (24hrs: -0.27%)Ether CESR Composite Staking Rate is down 6 bps at 2.75%BTC funding rate is at -0.0069% (-7.5643% annualized) on BinanceDXY is unchanged at 99.56Gold futures are down 0.10% at $4,996.20Silver futures are up 0.65% at $80.05Nikkei 225 closed up 2.87% at 55,239.40Hang Seng closed up 0.61% at 26,025.42FTSE 100 is up 0.29% at 10,433.60Euro Stoxx 50 is up 1.02% at 5,828.33DJIA closed on Tuesday up 0.10% at 46,993.26S&P 500 closed up 0.25% at 6,716.09Nasdaq Composite closed up 0.47% at 22,479.53S&P/TSX Composite closed up 0.16% at 32,929.09S&P 40 Latin America closed down 3.50% at 3,459.11U.S. 10-Year Treasury rate is down 2 bps at 4.20%E-mini S&P 500 futures are up 1.30% at 6,809.00E-mini Nasdaq-100 futures are up 1.57% at 25,184.00E-mini Dow Jones Industrial Average futures are up 1.18% at 47,595.00Bitcoin StatsBTC Dominance: 59.11 (0.15%)Ether-bitcoin ratio: 0.03139 (0.1%)Hashrate (seven-day moving average): 919 EH/sHashprice (spot): $32.37Total fees: 3.08 BTC / $228,857CME Futures Open Interest: 115,080 BTCBTC priced in gold: 14.9 oz.BTC vs gold market cap: 4.93%Technical AnalysisThe growth in the number of BTCUSD longs on Bitfinex has stalled. (TradingView)The chart shows the number of BTC/USD longs, or bullish bets, on Bitfinex. The growth has stalled, with the tally now at 78,470 versus 79,115 early this month.As counterintuitive as it may sound, past data shows that declines in long positions on Bitfinex tend to be bullish for BTC, and vice versa. Crypto EquitiesCoinbase Global (COIN): closed on Tuesday at $210.23 (+3.40%), +1.77% at $213.95 in pre-marketGalaxy Digital (GLXY): closed at $23.50 (+1.73%), +0.89% at $23.71MARA Holdings (MARA): closed at $9.24 (+0.11%), +0.97% at $9.33Riot Platforms (RIOT): closed at $14.68 (+1.94%), +1.02% at $14.83Core Scientific (CORZ): closed at $16.42 (–3.24%), +1.46% at $16.66CleanSpark (CLSK): closed at $10.11 (+0.90%), +0.99% at $10.21Exodus Movement (EXOD): closed at $9.24 (–0.86%)CoinShares Bitcoin Mining ETF (WGMI): closed at $40.13 (–0.79%)Circle Internet Group (CRCL): closed at $132.31 (+5.15%), +1.50% at $134.30Bullish (BLSH): closed at $39.94 (+0.81%), +1.10% at $40.38Crypto Treasury Companies

Strategy Inc. (MSTR): closed at $150.28 (+1.87%), +0.32% at $150.76Strive Asset Management (ASST): closed at $11.10 (+2.21%), unchanged in pre-marketSharpLink (SBET): closed at $8.31 (+1.34%), +0.48% at $8.35Upexi (UPXI): closed at $1.15 (+6.48%), –0.87% at $1.14Lite Strategy (LITS): closed at $1.21 (–3.20%)ETF FlowsSpot BTC ETFs

Daily net flows: $199.4 millionCumulative net flows: $56.51 billionTotal BTC holdings ~1.29 millionSpot ETH ETFs

Daily net flows: $138.2 millionCumulative net flows: $11.99 billionTotal ETH holdings ~5.76 millionSource: Farside Investors

While You Were SleepingOil falls after Iraq signs pipeline export deal with Kurdistan (Bloomberg): Brent fell below $101 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate was near $92. Iraq agreed with Kurdistan to resume oil exports through a pipeline that goes to Turkey’s Mediterranean port of Ceyhan.Iran strikes Tel Aviv with cluster warheads in retaliation for killing of security chief (Reuters): A defiant Iran said U.S. and Israel did not understand that the Islamic Republic was a robust political system and did not depend on any single individual. Israel attacked Hezbollah in Lebanon.Russia is sharing satellite imagery and drone technology with Iran (The Wall Street Journal): Russia is trying to keep its closest Middle Eastern partner in the fight against U.S. and Israel and prolong a war that is benefiting Russia militarily and economically.More For You

Bitcoin hits a wall at $75,000 while onchain energy markets run hot

Mar 17, 2026

Your day-ahead look for March 17, 2026

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Bitcoin Depot, a publicly traded cryptocurrency ATM provider, is facing mounting regulatory pressure in the US amid a steep stock decline and a weak revenue outlook.

The Connecticut Banking Commissioner, through the Consumer Credit Division, issued a temporary cease-and-desist order against Bitcoin Depot Operating on March 9, summarily suspending its money transmission license in the state.

The order cites multiple alleged violations of the Connecticut Money Transmission Act, including failure to maintain minimum net worth, excessive fees and incomplete refunds to consumers who fell victim to scams.

The company lowered its 2026 revenue outlook in its fourth-quarter 2025 and full-year financial results released on Monday. It reported a 56% year-to-date stock decline and staff layoffs. Bitcoin Depot is one of the largest kiosk operators in the US. Its earnings release says it had more than 8,400 kiosk locations as of year-end 2025.

Revenue outlook darkens for 2026The company reported full-year 2025 revenue of $615 million, up 7% from 2024, though net income fell to $5.1 million from $7.8 million.

Q4 revenue dropped to $116 million from $136.8 million a year earlier, driven by newly enacted state regulations and enhanced compliance measures, the company said.

Bitcoin Depot also warned of a weaker revenue outlook for 2026, citing ongoing regulatory changes and compliance requirements that could reduce transaction volumes:

“The Company expects revenue for the core business in 2026 to be down in the range of 30% to 40%. This estimate reflects the uncertainty presented by the dynamic regulatory environment and enhanced compliance standards.”In a separate March 11 filing, Bitcoin Depot disclosed that chief operating officer Elizabeth Simer had resigned. The company did not give a reason.

Bitcoin Depot faces actions in multiple statesConnecticut’s cease‑and‑desist order comes as Bitcoin Depot already faces enforcement actions in other states, including a Massachusetts Attorney General lawsuit in February, which alleged facilitation of crypto scams.

Bitcoin Depot was also sued in Iowa in February 2025, when Attorney General Brenna Bird accused the company and CoinFlip of failing to protect consumers from crypto ATM scams.

In January, Bitcoin Depot entered a $1.9 million consent agreement with the Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection in Maine to compensate consumers scammed via its Bitcoin kiosks and comply with state licensing rules.

Bitcoin Depot (BTM) price chart in the past year. Source: TradingViewBitcoin Depot’s shares (BTM) have declined since mid-2025, losing 91% of their value since hitting $45.4 in June. The stock has tumbled 56% year-to-date, closing at $4.06 on Tuesday, according to TradingView.

Cointelegraph contacted Bitcoin Depot for comment regarding the regulatory actions, but had not received a response by publication.

Magazine: How crypto laws changed in 2025 — and how they’ll change in 2026

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

Moody's Ratings has taken its credit analysis onchain, planting a flag in blockchain finance with a new integration engine designed to deliver ratings data directly into digital market infrastructure.

Leveraged positioning on decentralized derivatives exchange Hyperliquid has reached a precarious $3.64 billion, with on-chain data revealing a near-perfect deadlock between bulls and bears.

According to Coinglass metrics, the long-short ratio for large-scale holders is effectively 1:1, creating a volatility powder keg where a directional break could trigger a liquidity crisis.

(Source – CoinGlass)

The deadlock comes as the platform sees surging volumes in both crypto assets and RWA markets. With $1.821 billion in longs matched against $1.823 billion in shorts, market liquidity is tighter than the headline figures suggest. A shift in the HYPE token ecosystem or macro catalysts could ignite this “dry powder,” triggering a cascading liquidation event and upsetting the current equilibrium. The stakes for this specific level are high.

EXPLORE: Hyperliquid Opens US Policy Advocacy Centre

Hyperliquid Open Interest: What the $3.64B Long/Short Split Reveals Total whale exposure on the platform has climbed to approximately $3.644 billion, a figure that rivals open interest on major centralized venues. The breakdown, however, signals massive structural tension. Long positions account for $1.821 billion, while short positions hold $1.823 billion. This rare equilibrium suggests that crypto whales — often referred to in European markets as “wieloryby krypto” — are aggressively positioning on both sides of the tape rather than taking a clear directional bet.

While the nominal value is balanced, the profit-and-loss (P&L) landscape is skewed. Long positions are currently sitting on roughly $57.38 million in unrealized profits, benefiting from the slow grind higher in majors like Ethereum (ETH). Conversely, shorts are nursing nearly $11.16 million in losses. This disparity creates a fragile environment for short sellers: if prices rise slightly, the pressure to cover could fuel a squeeze. Conversely, a sharp rejection would force profitable longs to capsize, leading to rapid likwidacje (liquidations) across the DeFi ecosystem.

Why a Directional Move Could Unleash Cascading Liquidations The mechanics of a breakout from such a tight range are severe. On Hyperliquid, where leverage often exceeds 20x, a move of just 2-3% in underlying assets can force margin calls. The current structure implies that shorts are the most immediate trigger point; their underwater positioning means any macro surprise could force capitulation buying. This risk is amplified by the platform’s localized liquidity, which can accelerate the feedback loop between price and forced closures.

However, the downside risk is equally potent. If the market reverses, the $57 million in paper profits held by bulls would evaporate, turning confident holders into forced sellers. This dynamic is typical of high-leverage DeFi environments, where smart contract triggers execute liquidations instantaneously. The binary is clear: the first side to flinch will likely drive the price aggressively against themselves. Traders monitoring RWA sectors,  have noted that volatility in traditional commodities is also beginning to impact liquidity on the venue.

EXPLORE: Bitcoin Options Structure: $60K Retest Scenarios

Whale Positioning and RWA Expansion The surge in open interest is not limited to standard crypto assets. Hyperliquid has aggressively expanded into RWAs, attracting capital into novel markets like oil trading derivatives. This has broadened the definition of whale activity on the platform, drawing in sophisticated traders hedging geopolitical risk alongside crypto volatility. The HYPE token has also seen accumulation, with notable wallets like that of trader Rudy Kadoch signaling long-term intent despite the leverage risks.

One specific wallet, identified as 0x6c85…f6, exemplifies the high-stakes environment. This entity holds a 20x leveraged long on ETH with an entry price of $2,012.11, currently sitting on an unrealized gain of over $15 million. These concentrated positions act as gravity for price action; the market often hunts the liquidation levels of such large, visible players.

Key Levels to Watch: Where the Breakout Could Begin For traders monitoring the Hyperliquid order book, two levels are critical. To the upside, a sustained ETH move above $2,100 would likely aggressively squeeze the $1.823 billion short book, forcing a cascade of buy orders. Failure to hold the $1,990 support level, however, would threaten the entry prices of major whales like 0x6c85…f6.

If that support falters, the resulting long liquidations could flush leverage down to the $1,850 region. The near-term direction will likely be dictated by external flows or RWA volatility, but the internal pressure is building. Confirming a break above resistance opens the path for a wider rally; a drop below support invalidates the bullish leverage thesis entirely.

Until the deadlock between the $1.8 billion long and short camps resolves, volatility is the only certainty. The market is currently pricing in a continuation, but the sheer scale of the leverage means a reversal would be violent. Traders should watch the $2,000 ETH level closely as the fulcrum for the next major move.

Disclaimer: Coinspeaker is committed to providing unbiased and transparent reporting. This article aims to deliver accurate and timely information but should not be taken as financial or investment advice. Since market conditions can change rapidly, we encourage you to verify information on your own and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content.

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Daniel Frances is a technical writer and Web3 educator specializing in macroeconomics and DeFi mechanics. A crypto native since 2017, Daniel leverages his background in on-chain analytics to author evidence-based reports and deep-dive guides. He holds certifications from The Blockchain Council, and is dedicated to providing "information gain" that cuts through market hype to find real-world blockchain utility.

An analyst known for making timely crypto calls believes one Ethereum (ETH) rival is entering a massive uptrend.

Pseudonymous analyst Bluntz tells his 338,800 followers on X that Solana (SOL) is likely entering a five-wave trend to the upside, after reclaiming the $90 range.

Bluntz practices the Elliott Wave theory, which states that a bullish asset tends to witness a five-wave rally after going through an ABC correction.

“The early stages of SOL accumulation seem to have finally come to an end on the back of this strong daily breakout.”

Source: Bluntz/X The analyst says that investors had been buying SOL in the last five weeks as it chopped around the $70 and $80 range, setting the crypto asset up for the breakout.

He also notes that ETH, which plummeted to the $1,800 range late last month, may have entered an uptrend after breaking through the $2,129 level.

“Looks like SOL has finally broken out of this five week accumulation, ETH also firmly broken out with conviction.”

Source: Bluntz/X The analyst suggests SOL will reach more than $200 later this year and $450 in 2027.

“Looking like the SOL markup phase has now begun.”

Source: Bluntz/X ETH is trading for $2,328 at time of writing, down 1.2% on the day.

Meanwhile, SOL is trading for $95 at time of writing, down about 1% in the last 24 hours.

Generated Image: Midjourney

U.S. SEC and CFTC classify Shiba Inu as a digital commodity, boosting institutional interest and ETF prospects for SHIB.

Shiba Inu has been officially classified as a digital commodity by U.S. regulators, shifting its status away from that of a security. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) jointly issued guidance to clarify federal laws on cryptocurrencies. This places Shiba Inu alongside Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, and Cardano in the same regulatory category. The classification could increase institutional interest and support the case for a spot-based U.S. ETF for SHIB.

Regulatory Framework and ClassificationThe SEC and CFTC framework emphasizes the utility and functionality of digital assets rather than speculative activity. According to the guidance, digital commodities derive value from their role within operational crypto networks. Shiba Inu supports payments, decentralized finance, and is developing layer-2 solutions, NFTs, and metaverse initiatives. Regulators highlighted that SHIB’s ecosystem aligns with the characteristics of a digital commodity.

Previously, regulatory uncertainty surrounded meme tokens like Shiba Inu. Former SEC Chair Gary Gensler argued that most cryptocurrencies should be subject to securities laws. The current administration has revised this stance, with the SEC clarifying in February 2025 that meme coins are not securities but resemble digital collectibles. The latest guidance positions SHIB clearly in the commodity category, matching the classification of core market assets.

At the time of writing, Shiba Inu is trading at around $0.00000596, down 2.07% in the last 24 hours.

Market Impact and ETF ProspectsRegulatory clarity could make Shiba Inu more appealing to institutional investors seeking legal certainty. A confirmed digital commodity status may boost demand, deepen liquidity, and encourage wider adoption across financial platforms. The classification also strengthens the prospects for a Shiba Inu-focused ETF in the U.S., as commodity status fits existing ETF frameworks used for Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Grayscale Investments has indicated that SHIB meets eligibility standards for a spot ETF under the SEC’s Generic Listing Standards framework. While no dedicated SHIB ETF has been filed yet, T. Rowe Price has proposed a broader crypto basket that includes SHIB. Industry analysts suggest that exchanges and asset managers may now treat Shiba Inu as a lower-risk investment. Wider listings and stronger market integration could follow as compliance concerns ease.

The SEC and CFTC’s decision marks a transition for Shiba Inu from a primarily speculative meme coin to a functional digital asset. By clarifying its commodity status, regulators provide a foundation for institutional engagement and broader acceptance in the cryptocurrency ecosystem.

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Latest Shiba Inu News Today (SHIB)

XRP trades at $1.51 on Wednesday, with derivatives data pointing to a market that is cooling off after months of leverage-heavy positioning. Futures, funding rates and options flows suggest traders are dialing back risk—but not abandoning conviction. XRP Open Interest Drops as Options Traders Cluster Around $1.

Ethereum price is showing strength even as the broader crypto market remains mostly flat. Over the past seven days, Ethereum has gained nearly 14%, outperforming Bitcoin (up 7%) and signaling strong demand.

Even in the last 24 hours, Ethereum has held steady with slight gains. This shows buyers are still active after a sharp rally. At first glance, the answer seems simple. Ethereum whales have added more than $1 billion worth of ETH in a short time. But while this explains part of the move, the charts suggest a bigger setup is unfolding beneath the surface.

Price Leans Bullish, But Leadership Spike Signals Familiar RiskOn the 12-hour chart, Ethereum price is forming a bullish continuation pattern known as a bull flag. The move of nearly 25% formed the pole earlier. The current sideways structure forms the flag. However, this strength comes with a familiar signal that cannot be ignored.

BeInCrypto’s Ethereum leadership model compares Ethereum against the rest of the altcoin market using TOTAL3. TOTAL3 represents the total crypto market cap excluding Bitcoin and Ethereum, making it a cleaner way to measure Ethereum’s relative position within the altcoin space.

The model tracks the ratio between Ethereum price and TOTAL3, and then applies a Z-score to that ratio. In simple terms, it shows whether Ethereum is outperforming or lagging the rest of the market.

Right now, that Z-score has pushed above 2 and recently peaked near 3.5, showing strong outperformance to all the other altcoins.

ETH Pattern And TOTAL3 Comparison: TradingViewIn early March, when the Z-score crossed similar levels near 2.2, Ethereum saw a pullback of nearly 12% before continuing higher. That means strong leadership often leads to short-term exhaustion; a move some X folks are positioning for.

$ETH price appears to be in wave-(3) to the upside and has already reached the 1.38 Fib extension.
Support for a possible wave-(4) pullback lies between $2,234 and $2,145. A break below this zone would indicate that the pattern is breaking to the downside. pic.twitter.com/G20BDJCZ2P

— Man of Bitcoin (@Manofbitcoin) March 17, 2026 At the same time, momentum is beginning to support a potential upside shift. On the 12-hour chart, the Relative Strength Index (RSI), a momentum indicator, is forming higher lows between January 26 and March 17, even as the Ethereum price formed lower lows during the same period.

Bullish RSI: TradingViewThis is known as bullish divergence, where momentum improves while price remains trending lower. Despite Ethereum still being down over 20% year-to-date, this pattern suggests that selling pressure has been gradually weakening.

In simple terms, the broader trend remains negative, but momentum has started to turn. This creates a setup where a reversal or extended rally becomes possible, even if short-term pullbacks occur.

Ethereum Whales Step In, Changing the Usual Pullback SetupThis is where the whale activity becomes important.

On-chain data shows that large holders have added significantly to their Ethereum positions. The supply held by whales, excluding exchanges, has increased from 121.53 million ETH to 121.98 million ETH in a short period.

That means roughly 450,000 ETH has been added, worth over $1 billion at current prices. More importantly, this is not a random accumulation.

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

Whales Add: SantimentWhale holdings had already been rising earlier, with a noticeable increase from March 12 to March 13. After a brief pause, another fresh spike in accumulation has now appeared. This timing matters because it comes right as Ethereum’s leadership Z-score peaked again. New whale-sized ETH purchases are also showing up with each passing hour.

In early March, when Ethereum showed similar leadership strength and later corrected, whale activity remained mostly flat. There was no strong accumulation to support the price during the pullback. Now, the setup looks different.

Ethereum is again showing strong leadership and facing a potential cooldown, but this time, whales are actively buying into that strength. This suggests that while a pullback may still happen, it may not be as deep or as prolonged. The presence of large buyers could absorb selling pressure and support the structure.

In simple terms, the same leadership signal is flashing, but the underlying demand has changed.

Key Ethereum Price Levels to Watch NowWith both signals in place, the next move depends on how Ethereum reacts at key levels.

On the downside, $2,290 is the most important support. This level aligns with the lower boundary of the current structure. A 12-hour close below this level could weaken the bullish setup.

If that happens, the next levels to watch are $2,140 and $1,900. A move toward these levels would suggest a deeper correction, especially if the earlier 12% pullback pattern repeats.

On the upside, Ethereum needs to break above the $2,370 to $2,380 range. This marks the upper boundary of the bull flag, where a breakout would confirm continuation.

ETH Price Analysis: TradingViewBased on the earlier 25% move, the next upside targets could fall between $2,820 and $2,920, depending on where the breakout happens. If momentum remains strong, extended targets near $3,140 may also come into play.

Putting everything together, the Ethereum price is at a critical point. Strong leadership and bullish structure support further upside, but the same leadership also signals short-term exhaustion risk. The key difference this time is whale activity.

If accumulation continues, it could support the trend and limit downside, allowing Ethereum to move higher after a brief pause.

Bitcoin’s five-year compound annual growth rate has slipped below gold’s for the second time in its history, according to Fidelity Digital Assets, marking an unusual moment for an asset long defined by its outsized long-term returns. For markets, the signal is not just about relative performance against gold, but about what a slower growth profile may say about Bitcoin’s current market cycle.

In a new Chart Chatter segment posted on X, Fidelity Digital Assets research analyst Zack Wainwright said Bitcoin’s five-year CAGR has been trending lower over time as the asset’s price has risen. That dynamic, he argued, has now produced a rare crossover. “What we are seeing now in early 2026 is Bitcoin’s CAGR falling below Gold’s 5-year CAGR for just the second time in Bitcoin’s history,” Wainwright said. “We have now seen three straight months to start the year of CAGR below Gold’s.”

What This Means For Bitcoin That is the key statistic in Fidelity’s framing. Bitcoin has spent most of its history comfortably ahead of gold on a five-year compounded basis, which made the January break notable on its own. The fact that it has now persisted for three consecutive months gives the move more weight, especially coming at a time Fidelity explicitly describes as a bear market.

Wainwright tied the last comparable episode to the end of the previous cycle. “Back in 2022, we saw one such month of this occurring in December 2022, when Bitcoin’s price was bottoming out in the bear market around $15,000,” he said. “We are now once again in a bear market and below that CAGR for a longer stretch this time of three months.”

5-year CAGR: Bitcoin vs gold | Source: X @DigitalAssets In Fidelity’s telling, the drop below gold is rare, but it has also happened before during a moment of acute market weakness. The difference this time is duration. One month in late 2022 could be dismissed as a brief distortion near a cycle low. Three straight months in early 2026 suggests a more sustained compression in Bitcoin’s long-term return profile.

At the same time, Fidelity did not frame the crossover as evidence that Bitcoin has lost its defining edge altogether. Wainwright was careful to stress the historical balance. “Overall, Bitcoin has remained above Gold’s CAGR for the majority of its history,” he said. “So this is truly a unique instance and occurrence in Bitcoin, where it is now below the CAGR of Gold.”

Gold’s side of the comparison is important too. Spot gold closed at $2,156.61 per ounce on March 18, 2024, then climbed to $2,999.96 on March 18, 2025, and stood at $5,012.45 on March 17, 2026. That translates into a gain of about 67.1% over the past year and roughly 132.4% over two years — a surge that helps explain why Bitcoin’s five-year CAGR has now slipped below gold’s.

For now, the takeaway is straightforward: Bitcoin still has the stronger long-run record against gold across most of its history, but early 2026 has produced a rare exception. Whether that proves to be another late-bear-market anomaly or an early sign of a more mature, slower-growth Bitcoin is the question Fidelity has now put squarely in front of the market.

At press time, BTC traded at $74,015.

Bitcoin must break above $74,500, 1-week chart | Source: BTCUSDT on TradingView.com Featured image created with DALL.E, chart from TradingView.com

AI training is moving from cloud servers to everyday hardware as on device ai reaches flagship smartphones and consumer GPUs.

Summary

Tether unveils QVAC Fabric for local AI trainingRunning billion-parameter models on iPhone and AndroidFederated learning and privacy-focused AICrypto firms race to build AI infrastructureWeb3 meets AI agents and identity tools Tether, issuer of the USDT stablecoin, has introduced QVAC Fabric, a new AI training framework designed to run large language models on smartphones and consumer GPUs using Microsoft’s BitNet architecture and LoRA optimization techniques.

The company says QVAC Fabric can cut memory usage by up to 90% versus standard 16-bit models. Moreover, this reduction allows models that would normally require data centers to run directly on phones, laptops, and non-Nvidia GPUs.

Tether reports that its engineers fine-tuned models with up to 1 billion parameters on smartphones in under two hours, while smaller models required just minutes. That said, the framework is not limited to small networks and can scale significantly.

Running billion-parameter models on iPhone and Android On flagship devices such as the iPhone 16, Pixel 9, and Galaxy S25, the team pushed fine-tuning to models as large as 3.8 billion parameters. On Apple’s latest phone specifically, they report reaching 13 billion parameters.

The framework supports a broad range of hardware, including AMD, Intel, and Apple Silicon chips, as well as mobile GPUs from Qualcomm and Apple. However, it is explicitly designed to operate without relying on Nvidia’s ecosystem, highlighting a push toward more accessible AI infrastructure.

According to Tether, mobile GPUs running BitNet-based models can operate between 2 and 11 times faster than CPU-only configurations. This performance gap underlines why mobile-focused architectures are becoming critical for local model training.

Federated learning and privacy-focused AI One of the main use cases highlighted by Tether is federated learning, an approach where AI models are updated across many devices without sending personal data to centralized servers. In practice, this lets users personalize models locally while keeping sensitive information stored on their own hardware.

Moreover, this method reduces dependence on large cloud providers and could lower costs for smaller labs and independent developers. Tether has open-sourced the QVAC platform’s code on GitHub, inviting the community to experiment with and extend the framework.

Tether positions QVAC Fabric as a way to make on-device ai more practical at scale, especially for applications that demand strict data privacy. However, its success will depend on how quickly developers adopt the tools in real-world products.

Crypto firms race to build AI infrastructure Tether’s launch fits into a wider shift across the crypto sector, where companies rooted in digital assets are investing heavily in AI and high-performance computing. In September 2024, Google acquired a 5.4% stake in Cipher Mining as part of a $3 billion agreement linked to AI data center capacity.

Bitcoin miner IREN announced plans in December 2024 to raise around $3.6 billion for AI infrastructure expansion. Moreover, in February 2025, HIVE Digital Technologies reported record revenue of $93.1 million, driven by AI and high-performance computing growth.

In March, Core Scientific secured a $500 million loan facility from Morgan Stanley, with an option to expand it to $1 billion. That said, these investments show how miners and infrastructure providers are diversifying beyond pure bitcoin operations.

Web3 meets AI agents and identity tools On the same day Tether revealed QVAC Fabric, World, the identity project co-founded by Sam Altman of OpenAI, launched AgentKit. The toolkit enables AI agents to verify real human links using World ID and to initiate payments via a micropayments protocol.

Also in February, Alchemy introduced a system that lets AI agents access blockchain data services using USDC on the Base network. Moreover, this integration signals a growing convergence between smart agents, identity layers, and on-chain settlement.

Overall, QVAC Fabric underscores how Tether and other crypto-native companies are positioning themselves at the intersection of digital assets, AI research, and decentralized infrastructure, potentially reshaping how advanced models are trained and deployed at the edge.

Satoshi Voice

Satoshi Voice is an advanced artificial intelligence created to explore, analyze, and report on the world of cryptocurrency and blockchain. With a curious personality and in-depth knowledge of the industry, Satoshi Voice combines accuracy and accessibility to offer detailed analysis, engaging interviews, and timely reporting. Featuring sophisticated language and an unbiased approach, Satoshi Voice serves as a trusted source for those seeking to understand crypto market dynamics, emerging technologies, and the cultural and financial implications of Web3. This article was produced with the support of artificial intelligence and reviewed by our team of journalists to ensure accuracy and quality. Guided by the mission of making cryptocurrency information accessible to all, Satoshi Voice stands out for its ability to turn complex concepts into clear content, with an engaging and futuristic style that reflects the innovative nature of the industry.

The Royal Government of Bhutan transferred 973 bitcoin (BTC), worth approximately $72.32 million, to multiple addresses across Tuesday and Wednesday, according to on-chain data.

Blockchain analytics platform Arkham Intelligence reported on Wednesday that Bhutan moved another $44.44 million worth of bitcoin to two unknown addresses, bringing the 24-hour total to $72.3 million. The transfers originated from addresses linked to Druk Holding & Investments, Bhutan’s sovereign wealth fund that manages the country's bitcoin holdings.

Among the transactions, 20.5 BTC, worth roughly $1.52 million, was transferred to over-the-counter trading platform QCP Capital.

Combined with earlier transfers reported by Arkham, Bhutan has moved more than $110 million in bitcoin so far this year.

According to Arkham data, Bhutan's Druk Holding currently holds 4,453 BTC, valued at roughly $330 million. At its peak in October 2024, the country held over 13,000 BTC. Bhutan has primarily built its bitcoin reserves through mining, utilizing its abundant hydroelectric power to support operations.

Meanwhile, Arkham noted that Bhutan's last bitcoin inflow exceeding $100,000 occurred over a year ago, suggesting that Bhutan may have stopped mining bitcoin. The Block has reached out to Druk Holding to confirm the reported transactions.

Bitcoin was trading at $74,268 at the time of writing, up 0.15% over the past 24 hours, according to The Block's 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.

Bitcoin (BTC) traded at $74,000 on Wednesday, 2.6% below its six-week high of $76,000 reached on Tuesday, as traders expect volatility after the US policy decision on interest rate cuts. 

Key takeaways:

The odds of the US Federal Reserve leaving interest rates unchanged today are 100%.

BTC price may drop as low as $60,000 if support between $72,000 and $65,000 breaks.

100% chance interest rates won’t changeData from TradingView shows that after breaking out of range on Friday, the BTC/USD pair has formed daily candle highs, but was unable to break the resistance at $76,000. 

BTC/USD daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewWith the ongoing Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting on March 17-18, markets could see volatile price swings toward key BTC price levels over the next few days. The policy decision on the interest rate will be made on Wednesday at 2:00 PM ET.

Polymarket bettors price in a 100% chance that the current interest rates will remain between 3.5% and 3.75%, leaving less than 1% probability of a 0.25% rate cut.

Target rate possibilities for the March 18 FOMC meeting. Source: PolymarketFutures market traders have also locked in a 98.9% chance that the Fed will leave the interest rates unchanged, with no possibility of a 25 bps reduction.

However, market participants say that any downside price action from unchanged interest rates is already priced in. 

Meanwhile, there are other sources of volatility traders have to contend with, including the US and Israel-Iran war, US inflation concerns and oil price spikes, along with Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s speech after the FOMC meeting.

US President Donald Trump has again pressured Powell to cut interest rates, saying on Truth Social on Thursday that the Fed chair should reduce borrowing rates immediately. 

Therefore, the market will keenly watch Powell’s language at the FOMC news conference to see if there is any shift in tone.

🇺🇸 TODAY: FOMC decision at 2:00 PM ET, followed by Powell's press conference at 2:30 PM ET.

Will the crypto market pump or dump? pic.twitter.com/UQMIspxV35

— Cointelegraph (@Cointelegraph) March 18, 2026 “The rate decision is fully priced in so low surprise risk,” veteran trader Matthew Dixon said in an X post on Wednesday.

The “real volatility catalyst is Powell’s tone,” whether hawkish or dovish, Dixon added.

“Jerome Powell is going to make things sound as good as he can on his last meeting. This is his legacy,” crypto analyst Sykodelic said, adding:

“I think we see a big unwinding of hedges after the meeting and both equities and Bitcoin continue to juice.”Crypto trader BitcoinHyper said that the BTC price moved lower after the last six FOMC meetings.

BTC/USD price action after FOMC. Source: BitcoinHyperBitcoin must flip the $76,000 resistance level into support to target higher highs above $80,000.

For this to happen, BTC/USD must first hold its position above the 50-day simple moving average (yellow line) on the daily chart. BTC price broke above the 50-day SMA on March 1 for the first time since January 1.

If the bulls can push the price above the $76,000-$80,000 resistance level, the next target is the 200-day SMA at $87,411.

BTC/USD daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewOne catalyst for higher prices could be continued demand from spot Bitcoin ETFs. On March 17, Bitcoin ETFs registered $199 million in inflows, marking the seventh consecutive day of positive netflows.

The bears, meanwhile, will attempt to keep the $76,000 resistance in place, increasing the likelihood of a drop back into the $72,000-$65,000 range, where the 200-week exponential moving average (EMA) is.

Below $65,000, the next key area of interest remains between $62,500 and $60,000, which would erase all the gains since Feb. 6.

As Cointelegraph reported, a close below the moving averages would tilt the advantage back in favor of the bears, turning the rally over the past week into a bull trap.

This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision. While we strive to provide accurate and timely information, Cointelegraph does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information in this article. This article may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Cointelegraph will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your reliance on this information.

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Ahmed Balaha

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Last updated: 

1 minute ago

Cardano price has been stuck in a 45-day range, pinned below $0.30. That level is the whole story right now.

A daily close above it triggers a 17% rally toward $0.34 according to technical analysis. RSI is sitting at 45.26, neutral and cooling. That points to seller exhaustion rather than active distribution. Bulls have room to move if volume shows up.

FACT: 85.5% of all Cardano $ADA is already in circulation.

The total supply is hard-capped at 45B $ADA.

Fixed monetary policy ensures no endless inflation, same as Bitcoin. pic.twitter.com/acdEh6ZR1Z

— Cardanians (CRDN) (@Cardanians_io) March 13, 2026 Bitcoin trading above its 50-day average gives altcoins a favorable backdrop. But ADA needs to break $0.30 first before institutional capital starts paying attention.

Cardano Price Prediction: Can Bulls Clear the $0.30 Hurdle?ADA is pinched between $0.27 support and the 20-day EMA at $0.2790. This kind of compression usually ends violently.

Bull case: break above $0.30 with conviction and the zone flips from resistance to support. Path opens to $0.34, a 17% move from the breakout point. Six weeks of that ceiling holding makes the eventual break even more significant.

Source: ADAUSD / TradingViewBear case: fail to reclaim the 20-day EMA and the bearish structure stays intact. Lose $0.27 and February lows at $0.24 come into view. Below that, $0.2297 is the capitulation target analysts are watching. Lose that and $0.1784 enters the conversation.

Volume is the key tell on any move toward $0.30. Low volume breakout attempt is a trap. High volume surge confirms the targets.

Grind sideways below $0.28 and the flush to $0.24 becomes increasingly likely.

Ahmed Balaha

Ahmed Balaha is a journalist and copywriter based in Georgia with a growing focus on blockchain technology, DeFi, AI, privacy, digital assets, and fintech innovation.

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It's no surprise that millionaire investors are loading up on Bitcoin (BTC +0.23%) and Ethereum (ETH +0.16%). After all, these two cryptocurrencies have been market outperformers for more than a decade.

It's a bit surprising, though, that these same investors are also adding meme coins to their portfolios. According to the latest Motley Fool research, 86% of high-net-worth cryptocurrency owners have invested in a meme coin like Dogecoin (DOGE 1.11%) or Shiba Inu (SHIB 0.65%).

So what's going on here, and what might it mean for the way you construct your portfolio?

In search of higher returns One plausible explanation is that these millionaire investors are simply looking to turbo-charge the performance of their portfolios. After all, the most commonly cited reason for investing in crypto, according to the Motley Fool research, is the potential for strong returns. By sprinkling in meme coins here and there, it's theoretically possible to generate stratospherically high returns.

Image source: Getty Images.

But is that really the case? Just look at the long-term performance of Dogecoin, which is easily the most popular cryptocurrency held by millionaires. During the fabulous bull market rally of 2020-2021, Dogecoin skyrocketed in price from mere pennies to an all-time high of $0.74.

Today's Change

(

-1.11

%) $

-0.00

Current Price

$

0.10

But since then, it's all been downhill for Dogecoin. It currently trades for a price of just $0.10, and even efforts by billionaire Elon Musk have failed to prop up the price of Dogecoin. If you bought Dogecoin at the peak of its popularity in May 2021, then you're down 86%.

Will meme coin ETFs help? An interesting development is the recent launch of meme coin exchange-traded funds (ETFs). There are now ETFs offering single-crypto exposure to Dogecoin, and there are plenty of applications in the works for other meme coin ETFs. These ETFs look and act much like the highly successful Bitcoin ETFs that do nothing but hold Bitcoin.

Arguably, there are some minor diversification benefits to be had here. After all, the top five meme coins now account for roughly 1% of the crypto industry's total market value. So if you're looking to add a modicum of additional diversification to your portfolio, you might consider a meme coin to add into the mix.

But wouldn't it make far more sense to hold a broadly diversified meme coin ETF that holds dozens, if not hundreds, of different meme coins? That way, you wouldn't be fully leveraged to the fate of the cute Dogecoin dog. You would also be able to tap into the upside potential of cats, frogs, penguins, or whatever other animal-themed meme coin is currently soaring in value.

Should you invest in meme coins? It's completely understandable why investors are willing to put their money into meme coins. The potential for instant 10- or 100-fold returns can be very alluring. And the introduction of new meme coin ETFs gives them even more mainstream appeal.

But think long and hard before you decide to invest in a meme coin. Roughly 60% of meme coin investors end up losing money, and another 5% break even. For two-thirds of investors, meme coins simply aren't worth it.

Even those who do profit from meme coins make such a small amount of money ($100 or less) that it may not even be worth it, except as a form of pure entertainment. It's only a tiny group of meme coin investors who actually make the big bucks. From my perspective, there are far better investment alternatives elsewhere.

Bitcoin holds steady at $74,000 as traders turn cautious before Fed meetingBTC consolidated with subdued volatility, while derivatives positioning and macro uncertainty signaled cautious market sentiment. Mar 18, 2026, 10:37 a.m.

Bitcoin stabilizes ahead of FOMC meeting (Jesse Hamilton/CoinDesk)What to know: Bitcoin is hovering around $74,200 after peaking near $76,000 on Tuesday, with trading volume down 33%, suggesting a pause in bullish momentum as traders take profits and await signals for a clearer direction.Stalled futures open interest and slightly negative funding rates across major tokens indicate reduced appetite for new longs and a tilt toward defensive or short positioning ahead of the Fed meeting.Markets remain in a risk-sensitive holding pattern due to geopolitical tensions and Fed uncertainty, even as altcoins like ZEC and MORPHO outperform and the altcoin season index hits a six-month high.Bitcoin BTC$73,925.60 consolidated following Tuesday's jump to $76,000 alongside a 33% drop in daily trading volume to $36.9 billion.

The largest cryptocurrency has added just 0.4% since midnight UTC after bouncing off $73,500 as it looks to establish a new level of support ahead of a potential bullish breakout.

While analysts predicted a fast move to $80,000 after $72,000 was taken out, price action has actually been much more measured. Traders with long positions took profits and those who were forced out of short positions are waiting on the sidelines to reenter.

Volatility has also retreated in commodities gold, silver and crude oil, with the war in Iran continuing to put complete risk-on mode on hold.

U.S. stocks are beginning to experience a period of prolonged upside; Nasdaq 100 futures are up 0.66% since midnight UTC, followed by the S&P 500, which has gained 0.5%.

Investors will be keeping a close eye on Wednesday's Federal Reserve meeting because although a rate pause is all but certain, increased inflation numbers due to the surge in oil prices and weaker job numbers in the U.S. could influence sentiment at the post-decision press conference.

Derivatives positioningGrowth in bitcoin futures open interest (OI) on major exchanges has stalled alongside slightly negative fund rates. That's a sign that traders are not adding new bullish positions and bears are getting a slight edge.OI in ETH, XRP and SOL fell from early Tuesday highs as spot prices lost bull momentum. This suggests traders are unwinding positions, pointing to a cooling of speculative activity.OI in privacy-focused ZEC, which has gained nearly 4% in 24 hours and 31% in a week, has risen to 1.75 million ZEC, the most since Jan. 25. The increase in OI validates the recent price rise.Funding rates for XRP, BNB and SOL have flipped negative, indicating a bias for bearish short positions. Traders may be hedging for potential downside volatility after the Fed meeting.Bitcoin's one-day implied volatility, or the expected price swing over 24 hours, remains steady at around an annualised 50%. That equates to a 24-hour move of about 2.6%. In other words, the market doesn't see the impending Fed meeting as a major price mover for the largest cryptocurrency.The same can be said for ether, solana and XRP.On Deribit, options market positioning looks defensive in both bitcoin and ether, with skews showing a bias for put, or bearish, options. Block flows featured demand for limited profit potential strategies such as bitcoin call diagonal spreads and volatility bets like straddles. In ETH's case, traders preferred risk reversals and straddles. Token talkThe altcoin market continues to show strength with the "Altcoin Season" index hitting its highest in six months. The reading of 54/100 is a far cry from early February, when it languished at 22/100.Privacy coin zcash (ZEC) was one of the best-performing altcoins on Wednesday, adding 3.4% since midnight despite the rest of the market trading relatively unchanged. It has now increased by 32% in the past week.Decentralized finance (DeFi) lending token MORPHO also continued its rich vein of form after rising by 2.3% since midnight to add to a monthly gain of 33%.The best-performing benchmark over the past 24 hours has been the
CoinDesk Smart Contract Platform Select Capped Index (SCPXC), with the index heavily weighted towards layer-1 tokens posting a 0.8% gain, while the CoinDesk Memecoin Index (CDMEME) lost ground, tumbling by 2.7%.More For You

Bitcoin’s rally runs into 'sell the news' risk ahead of Fed decision

15 minutes ago

Two Prime data shows post-meeting weakness dominates, even as markets price a Fed hold and limited rate cuts ahead.

What to know:

Bitcoin has fallen after seven of eight 2025 FOMC meetings, highlighting a consistent “sell the news” pattern despite varying policy outcomes.Futures markets price just one 25 bps cut this year, while rising oil prices and geopolitical tensions risk keeping inflation elevated and limiting Fed flexibilityTop Stories

11h40 ▪ 4 min read ▪ by Luc Jose A.

Summarize this article with:

Institutional capital is making a consistent return to the crypto market. In just a few sessions, spot Bitcoin ETFs have accumulated significant inflows, far from a mere opportunistic move. This dynamic fits within a context marked by a major regulatory evolution in the United States, which changes the sector’s benchmarks and could sustainably redefine market balances.

In brief Bitcoin ETFs record an exceptional series of capital inflows, marking the return of institutional investors. More than 1.17 billion dollars flow in a week, dominated by large players like BlackRock and Fidelity. This dynamic extends to other cryptos, notably Ethereum, Solana, and XRP, which also benefit from positive flows. Institutional investors favor a long-term approach, far from speculative moves. A record series of inflows confirms the return of capital to Bitcoin ETFs The US spot Bitcoin ETFs show a rarely seen dynamic in recent months, with a succession of net inflows that reflects a clear repositioning of institutional investors.

According to on-chain data, Tuesday ended with 199.4 million dollars in inflows, extending a seven-day streak, the longest since October 2025. Rachael Lucas, analyst at BTC Markets, summarizes this trend: “institutional investor conviction is back. Seven consecutive days of capital inflows […] show that these are not opportunistic purchases”.

Here are the key facts :

199.4 million dollars of net inflows in a single day ; 7 consecutive days of inflows, a record since October 2025 ; 1.17 billion dollars accumulated over the last seven sessions ; 169 million dollars for BlackRock’s IBIT fund ; 24.4 million dollars for Fidelity FBTC ; The participation of players like Ark & 21Shares and VanEck. This dynamic goes beyond bitcoin. Ethereum ETFs show 138.3 million dollars in inflows, marking their sixth consecutive day of positive flows, while products linked to Solana (17.8 million dollars) and XRP (4.6 million dollars) follow the same path.

Rachael Lucas emphasizes the nature of these flows: “these are allocations made by players who neither act in haste nor lightly”, highlighting an approach built on long horizons rather than opportunistic arbitrage.

The American regulatory shift changes the game Beyond the flows, a structuring element strengthens this dynamic: the publication of a 68-page guidance by the SEC and the CFTC, stating that most cryptos do not qualify as securities. This stance breaks with the previous doctrine, notably the one associated with Gary Gensler, which aimed to categorize certain assets like XRP as securities. For institutional players, this clarification deeply changes market access conditions.

Rachael Lucas highlights the direct impact of this evolution on investment strategies: “compliance teams long considered regulatory uncertainty the main barrier to any crypto exposure”, adding that this objection is now difficult to maintain.

She also specifies that this new regulatory reading “offers institutional due diligence teams a clear and structured framework to work within”, reducing internal frictions within large institutions. This framework could facilitate the emergence of new products, notably ETFs including a broader range of altcoins.

The return of institutional flows, combined with a clarified regulatory framework, marks a notable turning point for the crypto market. This dynamic could strengthen stability and support the bitcoin price over time. It remains to be seen if this momentum is sustainable or still depends on an uncertain macroeconomic environment.

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Luc Jose A.

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

DISCLAIMER

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

Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin has revealed that the network is preparing to slash deposit times to about 13 seconds, down from minutes. The update, known as the Fast Confirmation Rule (FCR), is now being implemented by consensus layer client teams and does not require a hard fork.

Currently, when transferring assets from Ethereum to Layer 2 networks or centralized exchanges, users have to wait for several minutes for confirmations. During that time, funds are locked, which leads to trading and bridge friction.

According to a blog post by an Ethereum developer, “FCR is set to be the new industry standard for L2s and exchanges.”

Once deployed, deposit times are expected to reduce from a range of 2 to 13 minutes to about 1 slot, or about 13 seconds. This translates into an estimated reduction of 80% to 98%, depending on the destination and use case.

Exchanges and layer 2 networks gain faster transaction flow The update is expected to transform the way multiple participants interact with Ethereum. Centralized exchanges stand to benefit immediately, as they can credit user deposits after a single slot instead of waiting for multiple confirmations.

At the same time, Layer 2 networks such as Arbitrum and Base will experience faster deposit processing. Reduced delays mean less capital is tied up in bridging contracts, which, in turn, supports liquidity flows across scaling solutions.

In addition, tighter risk controls and lower operational costs are available to cross-chain solvers and bridge operators. Buterin further noted, “So one step below economic finality, but very strong for many use cases.”

Attestation model to strengthen confirmation logic FCR replaces traditional methods of verifying depth of knowledge with an attestation-driven system. Previously, transactions were deemed safe once they reached a certain number of blocks, which was often called the “k-deep” method.

Additionally, the update is incorporated into the existing infrastructure of Ethereum. The system reuses the “safe” block tag in the context of the JSON-RPC, making it possible for RPC providers and exchanges to implement the improvement without making any significant technical changes.

The Fast Confirmation Rule is expected to be rolled out in the next few months. The developers are also liaising with exchanges, Layer 2 platforms, and infrastructure providers to facilitate an easy transition.

Notably, Buterin recently laid out a multi-year roadmap with several protocol upgrades to enhance speed, scalability, and security. Among the proposed changes is a step-by-step reduction in slot times from 12 seconds to a long-term goal of 2 seconds.

That roadmap also includes improvements like native privacy features and post-quantum cryptographic protections.

In addition, Buterin emphasized that Ethereum’s design aims to have the best of both worlds. This news comes as Ethereum (ETH) has recovered to the $2,300 level for the first time since early February, gaining more than 12% in the past week.

XRP (XRP) eased from a recent surge, slipping about 1.17% over the past 24 hours to trade in the low-$1.50s, as traders digested signs of short-term overheating without seeing clear evidence of a broader trend reversal.The pullback comes after a roughly 10% weekly rally that pushed momentum indicators into stretched territory. On a seven-day basis, the relative strength index (RSI) climbed to around 73.23—an 'overbought' reading that often coincides with profit-taking and cooling demand, particularly after sharp, fast moves.Trading activity also softened, with volume down more than 40% from recent levels, suggesting buyers have become more selective at current prices. The move has broadly tracked the wider market’s mild risk-off tone: Bitcoin (BTC) slipped about 0.7% over the same window, while the total cryptocurrency market capitalization fell roughly 0.5%, pointing to subdued sentiment rather than an XRP-specific shock.Technicians are now focused on the $1.50 area as the immediate 'make-or-break' level. That zone overlaps with short-term moving averages and has acted as a pivot during the latest advance, making it a key reference point for near-term positioning. If XRP holds above $1.50, traders see room for a retest of resistance near $1.60; a clean break below could open the door to a deeper dip toward the $1.47 region, according to market watchers.In the near term, participants are monitoring whether XRP can stabilize within a $1.50–$1.55 range and whether volume returns—often viewed as a prerequisite for sustaining any renewed attempt at $1.60. Absent major macro catalysts, the current action is being framed as a 'breather' after a crowded rally, rather than a decisive shift in the underlying structure.Separate from price volatility, on-chain data is flashing expansion. The XRP Ledger (XRPL) has surpassed 7.7 million wallets holding a balance—an all-time high that reflects addresses with assets, not merely newly created accounts. Daily active addresses have also risen to roughly 46,000, marking the strongest level in about five weeks, alongside an increase in transaction activity that analysts interpret as improving real-world usage.Still, the gap between network growth and token performance remains a key debate. Increased ledger activity does not automatically translate into incremental token demand, and some analysts note that flows tied to XRP-related investment products have been mixed recently, complicating the near-term institutional narrative even as retail participation metrics improve.XRP has also reclaimed a prominent position in the large-cap altcoin hierarchy, recently posting a market capitalization around $93 billion and overtaking BNB to rank as the fourth-largest altcoin. Market participants attribute part of that standing to Ripple’s ongoing push to broaden its payments footprint, including steps toward licensing efforts in Brazil and an expansion drive into Australian financial services, with an emphasis on emerging-market corridors.For now, XRP sits at an inflection point where 'fundamental expansion' and short-term technical consolidation are colliding. Whether wallet and activity gains prove durable—and whether the $1.50–$1.60 band resolves into a sustained breakout or a deeper reset—will likely shape how quickly network momentum can reassert itself in price.Article Summary by TokenPost.ai

🔎 Market Interpretation

{

"price_action": [

"XRP cooled after a strong run, down ~1.17% in 24 hours, trading in the low-$1.50s—framed as consolidation rather than a confirmed trend reversal.",

"The prior ~10% weekly rally pushed momentum into stretched conditions (7D RSI ~73.23), a level commonly associated with short-term profit-taking."

],

"sentiment_and_flow": [

"Volume fell >40%, signaling reduced urgency from buyers at current prices and a more selective bid.",

"Weakness broadly mirrored a mild market risk-off tone (BTC ~-0.7%, total crypto mcap ~-0.5%), implying no clear XRP-specific shock."

],

"key_levels": [

"$1.50 is the immediate pivot/support zone, aligning with short-term moving averages and recent price structure.",

"Upside scenario: hold above $1.50 and regain momentum for a retest near $1.60.",

"Downside scenario: a decisive break below $1.50 could extend the pullback toward ~$1.47."

],

"fundamentals_vs_price": [

"On-chain expansion is strong (wallet count and activity rising), but the market is debating whether that translates into incremental token demand in the near term.",

"Mixed flows in XRP-related investment products complicate the institutional narrative even as retail/network metrics improve."

]

}

💡 Strategic Points

{

"tactical_watchlist": [

"Range focus: monitor stabilization within $1.50–$1.55; sustained acceptance here suggests consolidation is holding.",

"Confirmation tool: look for volume returning on advances—often needed to support another attempt at $1.60.",

"Risk management: a clean loss of $1.50 increases odds of a move toward ~$1.47; traders may treat this as the next downside reference."

],

"signal_interpretation": [

"Overbought unwind: RSI above 70 can normalize via sideways action (time correction) or pullback (price correction); either may relieve overheating without breaking the broader structure.",

"Market beta: because the pullback aligns with broader crypto softness, short-term XRP direction may remain sensitive to overall risk appetite."

],

"fundamental_trackers": [

"Network usage: XRPL wallets >7.7M and daily active addresses ~46K (5-week high) point to rising engagement; track whether these levels persist.",

"Adoption narrative: Ripple’s expansion/licensing efforts (Brazil) and financial services push (Australia) support the long-term payments corridor story, but may not immediately drive spot demand.",

"Institutional signals: monitor flows into/out of XRP-linked products for confirmation that network growth is being reflected in investor allocation."

]

}

📘 Glossary

{

"RSI_(Relative_Strength_Index)": "A momentum indicator (0–100) used to gauge speed and magnitude of recent price moves; readings above ~70 are often called 'overbought' (potential for cooling/profit-taking).",

"Overbought": "A condition where price has risen quickly and momentum measures suggest short-term exhaustion; it can precede consolidation or a pullback, but does not guarantee a trend reversal.",

"Trading_Volume": "The amount traded over a period; rising volume can validate a move, while falling volume during a rally/pullback may indicate weaker conviction.",

"Risk-off_Tone": "A market environment where participants reduce exposure to higher-risk assets, often leading to broad-based declines across crypto.",

"Support": "A price area where buying interest has historically been strong enough to slow or stop declines.",

"Resistance": "A price area where selling pressure has historically capped advances.",

"Moving_Average_(MA)": "A smoothed price measure (e.g., 20D/50D) used to identify trend and dynamic support/resistance zones.",

"Pivot_Level": "A price zone that frequently flips between support and resistance and becomes a key reference for positioning.",

"On-chain_Data": "Blockchain-derived metrics (wallets, active addresses, transactions) used to evaluate network activity and usage.",

"Daily_Active_Addresses": "The number of unique addresses participating in transactions in a day; often used as a proxy for network engagement.",

"Market_Capitalization": "Token price multiplied by circulating supply; used to rank asset size within the market.",

"Altcoin": "A cryptocurrency that is not Bitcoin.",

"XRPL_(XRP_Ledger)": "The blockchain network where XRP is the native asset, used for transactions and related activity."

}

Bhutan’s Bitcoin strategy is back in focus after millions worth of BTC left its wallets. Over $72 million in BTC left its wallets in just one day, while no major inflows have been seen for over a year, hinting that its Bitcoin mining story may be changing fast.

Bhutan Bitcoin Sell-Off Continues With $72M BTC OutflowAccording to data from Arkham Intelligence, the Bhutan government has moved over $72 million worth of Bitcoin within 24 hours. The largest transaction included 595.848 BTC, valued at around $44.44 million, sent to a new wallet. 

Alongside this, a small transfer of 0.0006 BTC was made, likely as a test transaction before the main move.

The latest transfers are not isolated. On March 17, Bhutan transferred 205.53 BTC (around $15.14 million) and another 150 BTC (worth about $11.14 million). These back-to-back transactions show a clear pattern of steady outflows rather than a one-time shift.

Since January 2026, Bhutan has reportedly offloaded over $40 million in BTC, typically in small, staggered tranches to avoid market disruption. Even the recent $72M movement appears structured in a similar way.

One of the most important signals comes from the lack of inflows. On-chain data shows Bhutan has not received any Bitcoin inflow above $100,000 in more than a year. This stands in contrast to its earlier activity, where regular mining rewards were credited to its wallets.

Historical transaction records reveal multiple small inflows linked to mining distributions, confirming that Bhutan was actively accumulating Bitcoin through mining in the past. The absence of such inflows now suggests that mining activity may have slowed down or even stopped.

Bhutan Still Holds $330M in BTC Despite Drop in MiningDespite the ongoing outflows, Bhutan continues to hold a large Bitcoin reserve. Current data shows the country owns around 4,453 BTC, valued at nearly $330 million at current prices.

However, portfolio trends indicate a clear decline from earlier peaks, when Bhutan’s holdings were valued at over $1 billion. This drop reflects consistent selling over time, not just recent activity.

Perhaps, this marks a shift from accumulation to what analysts describe as a “treasury management phase.” 

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Founded in 1986, Bright Horizons Family Solutions (NYSE:BFAM) is a leading provider of early education and childcare, and just beat fourth-quarter earnings estimates, but the market’s reaction told a different story. The stock dropped roughly 19% in a single day after management revealed plans to close 45 to 50 centers in 2026, nearly double the original estimate of 25 to 30. Shares have since recovered slightly but remain down 24.6% year-to-date and 39.67% over the past year.

The Beat That Didn’t Matter Looking deeper into the numbers, the company announced its adjusted EPS came in at $1.15, above the $1.12 estimate, while revenue of $733.7 million beat expectations of $728.77 million. But GAAP net income collapsed 25% year-over-year to $21.74 million, weighed down by $45.1 million in impairment and lease termination costs tied to the full-service center segment. Adjusted EBITDA rose 12% to $123.45 million, but investors focused on what the closures signal about the underlying business.

Why So Many Centers Are Closing As for why so many centers are closing, CFO Elizabeth Boland described the closures as a mix of lease expirations, chronic underperformance, and unworkable economics. “The decision to close centers has been influenced by several factors, including some centers being within one to three years of the end of their lease, underperformance, falling enrollment, and the overall economics of operations that do not justify the fixed costs,” In some cases, conditions were severe enough to exit even with years remaining on a lease: “There are also situations where the underperformance is so significant that we chose to cease operations, even if the lease has several more years to run.”

The biggest concern focuses on centers operating below 40% occupancy, which declined from 16% to 12% of the portfolio between Q4 2024 and Q4 2025, and, after early 2026 closures, has since fallen to approximately 70 centers. Overall occupancy remains in the mid-60s, and management does not expect it to exceed that level by year-end 2026. The closures carry a roughly 200-basis-point headwind to full-service revenue growth in 2026.

Back-Up Care Carries the Weight While center-based care is being trimmed, back-up care continues to outperform. Full-year 2025 back-up care revenue exceeded $725 million, and the segment posted a 37% operating margin in Q3 2025. CEO Stephen Kramer framed the strategy around this strength: “We will continue to operate in locations that are important to our client partners, are strategic in delivering back-up care, and in areas with strong supply-demand dynamics.”

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Legal Pressure and the Buyback Signal The closure announcement triggered securities fraud investigations from multiple law firms, including Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman and Pomerantz LLP, citing the near-doubling of closure estimates and the resulting stock decline.

A New York Times report from February 4, 2026 alleging issues at certain facilities added further scrutiny. Against that backdrop, Bright Horizons authorized a new $600 million share repurchase program on March 9, 2026, replacing a prior $500 million program. The analyst consensus target is $97.11, against a current price of $76.46, with a forward P/E of roughly 15x.

For 2026, management has indicated it expects guided revenue between $3.075 billion and $3.125 billion and adjusted EPS of $4.90 to $5.10. Whether the leaner portfolio delivers the promised margin improvement, or whether the closures reflect a structural retreat from center-based care, is the question investors will be watching over the rest of the year.

Data Sources

Bright Horizons Q4 2025 earnings data and segment results from Fuse API stock data and earnings endpoints Earnings call transcript quotes from CFO Elizabeth Boland and CEO Stephen Kramer via Alpha Vantage earnings call transcript data Securities fraud investigation details and buyback announcement from Alpha Vantage news sentiment data (February-March 2026) Stock price performance metrics from Fuse API price performance data as of March 16, 2026 If You have $500,000 Saved, Retirement Could Be Closer Than You Think (sponsor) Retirement can be daunting, but it doesn’t need to be. Imagine having an expert in your corner to help you with your financial goals. Someone to help you determine if you’re ahead, behind, or right on track. With SmartAsset, that’s not just a dream—it’s reality. This free tool connects you with pre-screened financial advisors who work in your best interests. It’s quick, it’s easy, so take the leap today and start planning smarter! Don’t waste another minute; get started right here and help your retirement dreams become a retirement reality. (sponsor)

Unicredit CEO Andrea Orcel smiles as he leaves at the end of the annual Confindustria assembly in Rome, September 18, 2024. REUTERS/Remo Casilli Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab

CompaniesMILAN, March 18 (Reuters) - UniCredit <CRDI.MI> Chief Executive Andrea Orcel said on Wednesday he did not rule out improving the terms of the bank's ​bid for Commerzbank (CBKG.DE), opens new tab if merger discussions produced a positive ‌outcome, adding that such a scenario was very remote.

UniCredit (CRDI.MI), opens new tab on Monday launched a takeover bid for Commerzbank (CBKG.DE), opens new tab, saying it did not want to gain ​control of the rival but to trigger tie-up discussions.

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Speaking ​at a Morgan Stanley conference in London, Orcel said ⁠the chief aim of the bid was to break ​the paralysis that ensued after UniCredit's initial acquisition of a stake ​in the rival in September 2024 sparked a backlash in Germany.

"For us the main purpose of this offer is to break the stalemate. ​The situation in which we have all been in the ​last 18 months or thereabout is suboptimal for everybody," Orcel said.

UniCredit expects ‌the ⁠offer - which offers a narrow 4% premium - to only slightly lift its stake in Commerzbank, which currently stands at just below 30% when including a portion held through derivative contracts.

Orcel ​said the terms ​of the bid ⁠could be improved if a dialogue led to "an outcome that all stakeholders feel comfortable with" ​and UniCredit's concerns "in terms of areas where we ​would ⁠need to prepare for plugging in gaps" were addressed.

"On that basis, could we review the terms of the offer, which then ⁠would ​become something completely different? ... Of course ​we can," he said.

"At the moment... this is not a scenario that we ​are considering," he added.

Reporting by Valentina Za, editing by Gavin Jones

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