Market Signal Briefing

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Q4: 2026-03-16 Earnings SummaryEPS of -$0.57 misses by $0.31

 |

Revenue of

$179.45M

beats by $124.05K

Cango Inc. (CANG) Q4 2025 Earnings Call March 16, 2026 9:00 PM EDT

Company Participants

Peng Yu - CEO & Director
Yongyi Zhang - Chief Financial Officer
Ming Yeung Tang - Chief Investment Officer
Juliet Ye - Head of Communications

Conference Call Participants

Pingyue Wu - Citic Securities Co., Ltd., Research Division
Yuecong Zhang
Kevin Dede - H.C. Wainwright & Co, LLC, Research Division
William Gregozeski - Greenridge Global LLC

Presentation

Operator

Good evening, and welcome to the Cango Inc. Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Earnings Conference Call. [Operator Instructions] Please note, this event is being recorded. I would now like to turn the conference over to Mr. Paul Yu, Chief Executive Officer. Please go ahead.

Peng Yu
CEO & Director

Thank you. Hello, everyone, and welcome to Cango's Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Earnings Call. 2025 marks a landmark year in our company's history, our first year of transformation since pivoting to Bitcoin mining in November 2024. It was a year of accelerated execution, and we accomplished several critical objectives. First, asset restructuring and global deployment through a series of transactions, we relocated our assets from traditional auto finance business to our Bitcoin mining operations within 6 months. This helped us build a global distributed mining network.

Second, leadership and management to align with our new strategy, we have strengthened our board and management team with seasoned industry professionals. They have both deep expertise and established networks in both digital assets and infrastructure which has sharpened our competitive edge in the sector. Third, listing structure optimization during the year, we transitioned from an ADR listing to a direct stock listing. This move lays a solid foundation for us to access a broader range of capital market tools, reach a broader base of investors and reduce holding costs for existing shareholders.

Operationally, 2025

Contango Ore, Inc. (CTGO) Q4 2025 Earnings Call March 16, 2026 2:00 PM EDT

Company Participants

J. Clark - Executive VP, CFO & Corporate Secretary
Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse - President, CEO & Director

Conference Call Participants

Romeo Maione - 6ix

Presentation

Romeo Maione
6ix

I've got with me today, Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse, CEO of Contango Ore and Mike Clark, the company's CFO, to discuss both 2025 year-end earnings and guidance for 2027, among other things, keep a broad list of topics today.

Here's how today it's going to work or those of you in the room. I see at least, it looks like 40 but have never been in the 6ix webinar before, so this next part is mostly for you.

I'll say that I have got some questions to the gentlemen just to get us started. The chat is interactive. here's a button in the middle bottom of your screen. If you pop up, you should be able to ask questions at any time during today's event. We'll be trying to get as many as we can. We're trying to stick to about half an hour today. The recording, we believe, will be available about 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. It will pop right in your inbox. It will aslo be available on 6ix' YouTube channel at that time.

Question-and-Answer Session

Romeo Maione
6ix

Enough of the boring stuff out of me. I want to get right to the good stuff. And Mike, that means I will start with you. So you're on mute before you start. The cash distributions from the Peak Gold JV came in at $102 million for 2025. So I'd love if you could walk us through how that flows down to Contango's balance sheet and what the unrestricted cash position looks like today versus where you started the year.

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Consumer staples stocks have many strengths. Typically considered defensive stocks, they tend to stay resilient during bear markets, while still performing well during bull markets. With long track records of profitability, they typically have consistent dividend growth.

For new and experienced investors, familiarity with these companies and their respective brands can make them easier to understand and, therefore, more confidently invest in.

Among consumer staple stocks, many of which are also blue chip stocks, three stand out as strong buys in today's market: Costco Wholesale (COST 0.66%), Altria Group (MO 0.53%), and Walmart (WMT 0.41%).

Image source: Getty Images.

Despite a rich valuation, Costco Wholesale remains primed for steady growth Over time, Costco Wholesale has performed quite well. For instance, over the past five years, Costco shares have generated total returns of around 220%, versus 82% for the S&P 500 index. Over the past decade, Costco shares have generated total returns of 679%, while the S&P 500's total return has been just over 291%.

Today's Change

(

-0.66

%) $

-6.69

Current Price

$

1001.74

Nevertheless, following Costco's long stream of outperformance, at first glance, this stock may appear overvalued. Currently, Costco trades for 49.5 times forward earnings. This forward multiple exceeds those of other retailers, including Amazon and Walmart. Add in emerging headwinds, like the brewing legal battle between the company and its customers over tariff refunds, and shares may appear to be on the verge of a correction.

However, Costco is likely able to sustain this high forward multiple as long as Costco's growth story persists. Based on the company's latest financials, this arguably remains true. For the preceding quarter, revenue of $69.6 billion and earnings of $4.55 per share came in ahead of estimates. On a year-over-year basis, sales and earnings increased by 8.1% and 10.9%, respectively.

Although further valuation expansion may prove tricky, if Costco's earnings keep growing at a high single-digit to low double-digit pace, shares could continue climbing in tandem with earnings. Over time, Costco's 0.5% dividend could become a greater contribution to total returns in the coming years, given how management continues to raise payouts by 12% to 13% annually.

Don't discount Altria Group's wealth-building potential Altria Group has historically been a wealth-generating machine among consumer staples stocks. However, even with the long-term decline in cigarette usage among Americans, shares in the Philip Morris USA parent have once again started to outperform the S&P 500.

Today's Change

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-0.53

%) $

-0.36

Current Price

$

67.53

A key reason behind this has been Altria's status as one of the high-yield dividend stocks. Investors who reinvested Altria's large quarterly cash payouts into additional shares have experienced strong capital compounding -- in the last year, Altria shares are up 15%, but when including dividend reinvestment, the total return is 23%.

That said, with products like nicotine pouches convincing smokers to switch rather than quit, concerns run high that Altria's wealth-building days are behind it. That's mostly because its competitors like Philip Morris International have more successfully capitalized on this "smokefree" trend.

Yet while Altria's "smokefree success" pales in comparison to that of its former corporate sibling, I wouldn't write it off completely. Thanks to cigarette price increases and the company's own modest success in the smoke-free arena (Altria Stock: Company Goes Smoke-Free, Supercharges Its Yield | Investor's Business Daily), the company has managed to sustain positive, albeit modest, earnings growth.

On its own, Altria's 6.2% dividend yield appears secure. So, too, does the company's ability to continue raising payouts by at least single digits in the years ahead. Through acquisitions and/or new product launches, Altria could also further strengthen its position in smokeless and tobacco-free nicotine products. If this occurs, shares could receive an additional long-term boost, as investors rerate the stock to a valuation on par with its pricier competitor.

Walmart's digital transformation is still building significant wealth Over the past decade, in terms of total returns, Walmart shares have outperformed the S&P 500 by a wide margin. A big reason for this has been the big box retailer's shift from being solely a brick-and-mortar retailer to a formidable force in e-commerce.

Today's Change

(

-0.41

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Current Price

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126.00

This has led to steady, consistent earnings growth, and in turn, a richer valuation than that of Target. However, following this big run-up, analysts and investors alike have started to question whether Walmart is worth its current valuation. Right now, its shares trade for 42 times forward earnings. Despite concerns about a possible bubble in this stock, consider several catalysts that could sustain the long-term bull case.

There's the prospect of further e-commerce growth, for one. During 2025, Walmart's global e-commerce net sales grew 24%, making up 23% of global sales . The company is also accelerating its integration of artificial intelligence, both in its stores and online. This AI pivot could help to further boost revenue and earnings, and this could lead to further strong gains for shares. Last year, Walmart increased its dividend by 9.2%, a rate much higher than in prior years.

Walmart's dividend is relatively small, giving the stock a forward yield of 0.8%. However, in the years ahead, if high dividend growth continues, these payouts could make up a greater percentage of total returns.

HomeStock IdeasLong IdeasHealthcare 

SummaryAlcon is reaffirmed as a buy, supported by robust macro demand in eyecare and a strong product pipeline despite abandoning the STAAR Surgical acquisition.ALC demonstrates potential resilience versus market shocks, with favorable balance sheet risk and positive EPS forecasts for FY26.While ALC lags peers in some profitability metrics and offers only an annual 0.43% dividend, its low payout ratio and dividend growth provide some support to the dividend case.My price forecast anticipates +48% upside by FY26, with Wall St. consensus also bullish, though execution risk and cost inflation remain key risks.The risk of price shocks in petroleum was also considered as a risk factor, considering the role of petroleum-derived products. yacobchuk/iStock via Getty Images

The start of March has certainly been interesting for markets, so it brings light onto something I've been writing about for a while, and that is not whether market shocks will occur or when, since I already expect

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Ethereum has reclaimed the $2,250 level as the broader cryptocurrency market shows signs of a short-term bullish recovery following weeks of volatility and downward pressure. The recent move higher suggests that buyers are gradually regaining control of the market, with traders closely watching whether ETH can maintain momentum above this key technical level.

Beyond the price action, new on-chain developments are also attracting attention across the Ethereum ecosystem. According to data from blockchain analytics platform Arkham, the Ethereum Foundation staked ETH for the first time ever approximately three weeks ago, marking a notable shift in how the organization manages part of its treasury.

Historically, the Ethereum Foundation has primarily held its assets or periodically sold portions of its holdings to fund development and ecosystem initiatives. The decision to begin staking ETH represents a potential strategic adjustment, as it allows the Foundation to generate yield while simultaneously contributing to the network’s proof-of-stake security model.

The move could also carry symbolic significance for market participants. When a central ecosystem entity begins participating directly in staking, it may signal increased confidence in Ethereum’s long-term network economics.

Combined with improving price momentum, the development has added another layer of interest for investors monitoring Ethereum’s evolving market structure.

Ethereum Foundation Moves $10M in ETH, Raising New Staking Speculation Recent on-chain data highlighted by Arkham shows that the Ethereum Foundation has transferred approximately $10 million worth of ETH to a new wallet address, sparking renewed speculation about the organization’s evolving treasury strategy. The movement follows the Foundation’s first-ever staking activity recorded three weeks ago, suggesting that the latest transfer could potentially be linked to additional staking operations.

Ethereum Foundation ETH transfers | Source: Arkham While the destination address has not yet been publicly confirmed as a validator wallet, the transaction has drawn attention across the crypto industry. If the funds are ultimately allocated to staking, it would reinforce the idea that the Ethereum Foundation is gradually shifting toward a more active participation in Ethereum’s proof-of-stake economy.

For the broader ecosystem, such a move carries important implications. The Ethereum Foundation holds a significant amount of ETH, and decisions regarding how those assets are managed can influence both network security and market sentiment.

By staking its holdings, the Foundation would not only generate yield on its treasury but also contribute additional validators to the network, strengthening Ethereum’s decentralized security structure.

At the same time, the market closely monitors these transactions because movements from large ecosystem wallets can affect investor expectations regarding potential sales or long-term holding strategies within the Ethereum ecosystem.

ETH Tests Key Resistance After Sharp Rebound The daily chart shows Ethereum recovering after the sharp sell-off that occurred in early February, when the price briefly dropped below the $1,900 region. That decline triggered a surge in trading volume, indicating strong market participation and likely forced liquidations across leveraged positions. Following that capitulation phase, ETH began forming a base between $1,900 and $2,050, establishing a short-term accumulation zone.

ETH testing critical resistance | Source: ETHUSDT chart on TradingView In recent sessions, Ethereum has managed to reclaim the $2,200–$2,250 range, signaling improving short-term momentum. The latest breakout above local resistance suggests that buyers are gradually regaining control after weeks of consolidation.

However, the broader technical structure still presents important challenges. ETH remains below the 200-day moving average, which continues to slope downward and acts as a major dynamic resistance level around the $2,800 region. The 100-day moving average also sits above the current price, reinforcing the presence of overhead supply.

From a technical perspective, the $2,300–$2,400 zone now represents the next key resistance area. A sustained breakout above this region could open the door for a broader recovery toward the $2,600–$2,800 range, where stronger resistance previously formed.

On the downside, the $2,050–$2,100 area now serves as an important support zone. Holding above this level would help maintain the current recovery structure as the market attempts to rebuild bullish momentum.

Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com 

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

XRP (XRP) reserves on Binance have reached their highest level since November 2025. At the same time, on-chain metrics indicate whales may be stepping back into the market.

While rising exchange reserves may signal growing tradable supply, the return of positive whale flows suggests large investors could be absorbing that liquidity, pointing to a potential shift in XRP’s market structure.

XRP Binance Reserves Rise as Whale Flow Turns Positive According to analyst Arab Chain, reserves of XRP on Binance have climbed to around 2.78 billion tokens, reversing a decline that began in late 2025. Exchange balances had previously fallen from above 2.8 billion XRP to roughly 2.55 billion by February, suggesting reduced tradable supply during that period.

“Structurally, a rise in reserves on exchanges is often interpreted as a potential increase in the tradable supply in the spot market, as a larger quantity of coins becomes available for immediate trading. However, this does not necessarily imply immediate selling pressure, as it can also reflect increased trading activity or investors positioning themselves ahead of potential market movements,” the analyst wrote.

XRP Exchange Reserve on Binance. Source: CryptoQuantMeanwhile, the more notable development may be on the demand side. XRP’s Whale Flow 30-day moving average (30DMA) turned positive in March for the first time since November 2025, ending a four-month stretch of negative readings.

This metric tracks the net capital flow of large holders. A shift from negative to positive suggests whales have moved from net distribution to net accumulation. If sustained, that buying pressure could absorb much of the newly available exchange supply without weighing heavily on price.

XRP Whale Flow. Source: CryptoQuantThese developments come as XRP continues to rally alongside the broader market. BeInCrypto Markets data showed the altcoin climbed 10% over the past 24 hours, posting the highest gains among the top 10 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization.

XRP Price Performance. Source: BeInCrypto MarketsAt press time, XRP traded at $1.58, its highest price since mid-February. Whether the current whale re-entry can hold price at elevated levels or whether the rising exchange supply eventually creates overhead resistance may become clearer as the month progresses.

LayerZero rallied more than 11% in the last 24 hours as trading activity intensified and 24-hour volume jumped over 140%, pushing ZRO toward key resistance. 

Rising participation has pushed ZRO back into focus across spot and derivatives markets. Buyers have returned aggressively after weeks of choppy consolidation. 

At the time of press, LayerZero [ZRO] traded at around $2.20, reflecting renewed speculative interest. Volume expansion usually signals strong participation; however, overheated conditions sometimes follow rapid spikes. 

Traders therefore continue monitoring whether this surge reflects sustained demand or short-term speculation. 

ZRO climbs toward major resistance barrier Recent price action shows LayerZero recovering strongly from the $1.491 support level and steadily advancing toward the $2.286 resistance zone. 

Buyers regained control after the February decline pushed the price briefly below $1.60. Since then, a sequence of higher lows has developed across the daily chart. 

This structure reflects improving trend stability. Price has already reclaimed the intermediate $1.946 level, which now acts as a support pivot. 

However, the $2.286 region represents a major barrier where previous rallies stalled earlier this year. Sellers previously defended that zone aggressively. 

If buyers maintain pressure near current levels, price could attempt another breakout toward higher targets. 

The MACD line currently sits around 0.104, while the signal line remains near 0.079, confirming a positive crossover. 

Histogram bars have also turned green near 0.026, showing strengthening buying pressure over recent sessions. This configuration normally appears during early trend recovery phases. 

Source: TradingView Spot market overheating raises caution signals While price strength has attracted buyers, Spot market data suggests traders have started pushing activity into overheated territory. 

The Spot Volume Bubble Map currently signals overheating conditions following the rapid surge in trading activity. Large bursts of volume often appear when speculative interest intensifies. 

However, the 90-day Spot Taker CVD continues reflecting taker sell dominance, indicating that market sell orders still outweigh aggressive buying. 

This imbalance creates a conflicting signal for short-term direction. Price rises while sellers remain active, which sometimes leads to brief volatility spikes. 

Source: CryptoQuant Short liquidations hint at growing volatility Derivatives data has also started reflecting the renewed price expansion across LayerZero markets. The total liquidation chart shows short positions absorbing slightly higher pressure during the latest move. 

At the latest data point, short liquidations reached about $49.14K, while long liquidations remained near $18.73K. 

This imbalance shows that rising prices have forced several short traders to close positions. Forced exits usually amplify volatility because liquidations trigger additional buying pressure. 

Exchanges such as OKX and Bybit have recorded some of the largest short liquidations. However, the overall scale of liquidations remains moderate compared with earlier spikes. 

Source: CoinGlass LayerZero’s rally has pushed the price close to the $2.286 resistance, while indicators and liquidation data suggest strengthening market activity. 

However, overheating spot signals and persistent taker sell dominance introduce short-term uncertainty. 

If buyers sustain pressure near current levels, ZRO could challenge resistance again. However, heavy selling activity may still slow the advance before a confirmed breakout.

Final Summary Growing participation has revived LayerZero interest; however, resistance pressure could still challenge sustained upside continuation soon. Rising volatility and strong buyer activity could sustain ZRO’s recovery if resistance pressure weakens across markets.

Bitcoin (BTC) and other major cryptocurrencies extended their rally late Monday, with prices climbing alongside a wave of short liquidations and improving macro sentiment.

Bitcoin rose roughly 4% over the past 24 hours to reach $75,653 at around 10:00 p.m. ET Monday, before sliding back down to $74,300 hours later, according to The Block's price page. Ethereum rose 3.28% to $2,315, while XRP advanced 5% to $1.54.

The broader move was accompanied by roughly $609 million in total crypto liquidations in the past 24 hours, including $485.6 million in short positions, according to public data aggregated on Coinglass.

Zeus Research analyst Dominick John told The Block that massive short liquidations fueled a squeeze-driven extension higher. However, he remains skeptical that the move will spark a long-term rally.

"Squeeze-driven moves are typically short-lived without sustained real demand, likely fading from days to a couple of weeks," John said.

Market sentiment also showed signs of recovery. The Crypto Fear & Greed Index stood at 28 in "fear" territory late Monday, moving out of "extreme fear" after lingering in that zone over the past week.

Institutional demand Analysts said the latest price action appears largely driven by a combination of spot demand and improving macro conditions.

"Bitcoin's move toward $76,000 and the stronger rebound in Ethereum appear largely flow-driven," said Rick Maeda, research associate at Presto Research. He pointed to renewed inflows into U.S. spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds and continued corporate buying as key sources of demand.

U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs saw $767.3 million in net inflows last week, marking a third consecutive week of positive flows, according to SoSoValue data. Spot ether ETFs also recorded $160.8 million in inflows over the same period.

Maeda noted that stabilizing risk sentiment — as geopolitical tensions and oil-driven inflation fears ease — has also supported the rebound in high-beta assets such as cryptocurrencies. Still, he cautioned that the rally's durability will depend on whether these flows continue.

"Institutional spot demand also appears to have returned," said Jeff Ko, chief analyst at CoinEx. "Consistent dip-buying and spot ETF net inflows over the past week point to healthier underlying demand and a more constructive structural backdrop."

John of Zeus also attributed the rally to strong spot flows and positioning dynamics in derivatives markets. 

"BTC's breakout is boosted by robust spot flows and positioning dynamics, while ETH leads on its strongest ETF inflows since mid-January alongside continued treasury accumulation," John said.

Equities rise Broader markets reflected a mixed but stabilizing macro backdrop. U.S. equities rose on Monday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average up 0.83%, the S&P 500 gaining 1.01%, and the Nasdaq Composite climbing 1.22%, as investors looked past last week's losses tied to the Iran conflict. 

Stocks advanced in early Asian trading on Tuesday, with South Korea's Kospi jumping 2.6% in morning trade and Japan's Nikkei 225 rising 0.5%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng added 1%.

Oil prices, however, resumed their climb after briefly easing, rising more than 2% late Monday as uncertainty persisted over a U.S.-led coalition to secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude advanced 2.9% to $103 per barrel, while WTI crude gained 2.7% to $96.03.

On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump urged other countries to help address disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz after Iran curtailed traffic through the vital shipping route, which carries roughly one-fifth of global oil supply.

"While I do think the [crypto price] momentum is real, the sustainability of the move still depends heavily on how the macro picture evolves," said Ko. "As I mentioned before, oil remains the key transmission channel, and bitcoin is increasingly tied to the broader macro complex, including commodities, yields, and the U.S. dollar."

Looking ahead, analysts broadly agree that the next phase of the crypto rally will hinge on whether institutional inflows persist and how macro risks develop. Traders are watching ETF flows, oil prices, and upcoming economic data — including producer price index figures and the Federal Reserve's March 18 rate decision — for further direction.

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.

XRP price started a major increase above $1.50. The price is now consolidating gains and might aim for more gains above the $1.60 zone.

XRP price started a steady upward move above the $1.50 zone. The price is now trading above $1.50 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. There is a key bullish trend line forming with support at $1.5220 on the hourly chart of the XRP/USD pair (data source from Kraken). The pair could continue to move up if it settles above $1.580. XRP Price Extends Its Surge XRP price started a major upward move above $1.450 and $1.480, like Bitcoin and Ethereum. The price gained pace for a clear move above the $1.50 resistance.

The bulls even pumped the price toward the $1.550 zone. A high was formed at $1.6068 and the price started a minor pullback. There was a drop below the 23.6% Fib retracement level of the upward move from the $1.3855 swing low to the $1.6068 high.

The price is now trading above $1.50 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. There is also a key bullish trend line forming with support at $1.5220 on the hourly chart of the XRP/USD pair.

Source: XRPUSD on TradingView.com If there is a fresh upward move, the price might face resistance near the $1.5650 level. The first major resistance is near the $1.580 level, above which the price could rise and test $1.60. A clear move above the $1.60 resistance might send the price toward the $1.6250 resistance. Any more gains might send the price toward the $1.6320 resistance. The next major hurdle for the bulls might be near $1.650.

Downside Correction? If XRP fails to clear the $1.580 resistance zone, it could start a fresh decline. Initial support on the downside is near the $1.520 level and the trend line. The next major support is near the $1.470 level or the 61.8% Fib retracement level of the upward move from the $1.3855 swing low to the $1.6068 high.

If there is a downside break and a close below the $1.470 level, the price might continue to decline toward $1.450. The next major support sits near the $1.420 zone, below which the price could continue lower toward $1.3880. The main support could be $1.3680.

Technical Indicators

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

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

Major Support Levels – $1.520 and $1.470.

Major Resistance Levels – $1.580 and $1.60.

Bitcoin’s derivatives-led rally is already unraveling. Prices are back below $75,000Bitcoin briefly surged to a six-week high above $75,000 before quickly retreating, underscoring the fragility of the latest rally. Mar 17, 2026, 4:52 a.m.

BTC's price swings. (CoinDesk)What to know: Bitcoin briefly surged to a six-week high above $75,000 before quickly retreating, underscoring the fragility of the latest rally.Analysts say the move was driven largely by the closing of large bearish put positions and related market-maker hedging, rather than strong new buying interest.The quick pullback suggests key reference points from last year are influencing the market psychology. Bitcoin BTC$74,158.89 has fallen back below $75,000, highlighting the fragility of its early Asian session rally to six-week highs.

Prices rose to $75,912 early Tuesday, the highest since Feb. 4, according to CoinDesk data. 10x Research pointed to activity in the derivatives market as the main driver of that rally. Specifically, closure of large bearish bets tied to $60,000 put options likely powered gains.

Further, as those puts were closed, market makers who had taken the other side of the trade needed to rebalance their exposure. That process can involve buying bitcoin, which likely created flows that pushed BTC's spot price quickly above $75,000.

But the rally faded just as quickly, suggesting the move was driven more by the removal of downside hedges than by fresh conviction from buyers. According to 10x Research, the early gains weren't accompanied by significant upside call buying, which is usually a sign that traders are positioning for further upside.

The broader market has followed suit, with major tokens such as ether (ETH), XRP (XRP), solana (SOL), BNB BNB$674.39, DOGE$0.1004 and others receding from their respective Asian session highs. The CoinDesk 20 Index now trades at 2,162 points versus 2,202 early Tuesday.

Resistance holdsBTC's quick pullback marks a failure to hold gains above $74,400, a former support level from early April last year that is now acting as resistance. That level had previously stalled selling in early April 2025 and paved the way for a fresh rally to record highs above $126,000 by October.

Bitcoin's weekly chart. (TradingView)The inability to stay above $74,400 suggests traders are watching this level closely, and it may serve as a short-term ceiling for the market.

This behavior highlights how technical reference points from previous market cycles continue to influence trader psychology. Even a brief breach of $75,000 triggered selling pressure, showing that market participants remain cautious about chasing rallies without a clear catalyst.

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Bitcoin just surged past $75,000. Derivatives seem to be driving the rally.

3 hours ago

Bitcoin's move, led by unwinding of shorts, has lifted the broader crypto market, with the CoinDesk 20 Index up 5%.

What to know:

Bitcoin surged above $75,000 to a high of $75,800, breaking through a long-standing resistance zone that had capped rallies several times this year.The latest advance is being driven largely by traders unwinding bearish put-option hedges around $55,000 to $60,000, with second-order bullish effects adding to the momentum. Bitcoin's move has lifted the broader crypto market, with the CoinDesk 20 Index up 5% and major altcoins such as ether, XRP and solana also posting strong gains.Top Stories

Bitcoin just surged past $75,000. Derivatives seem to be driving the rally. Bitcoin's move, led by unwinding of shorts, has lifted the broader crypto market, with the CoinDesk 20 Index up 5%. Mar 17, 2026, 1:53 a.m.

Bitcoin BTC$75,506.78 surged past $75,000 early Tuesday, helped by shifting dynamics in the derivatives market.

Prices hit a high of $75,800, convincingly topping the long-term resistance corridor between $73,750 and $74,400, which reversed price trends three times since 2024, according to CoinDesk data.

The so-called bullish breakout happened as traders closed bearish short positions initiated during the early February sell-off.

"In bitcoin, the recent move has been driven largely by sizeable put selling around the $55,000 and $60,000 strikes, as traders increasingly recognized that these options were unlikely to expire in the money with only days remaining. The unwinding of these downside hedges has contributed to the latest bullish price action," Markus Thielen, founder of 10x Research, said in a note to clients.

A put option is a derivative contract that gives the right to sell the underlying asset, in this case, BTC, at a fixed price before a certain date. Traders buy puts when they think the price might fall or when they want protection against losses. It's basically an insurance against price drops, while a call option provides upside exposure.

Traders aggressively bought put options at $60,000 and lower levels in early February as bitcoin crashed, nearly hitting the $60,000 on some exchanges. However, since then, market sentiment has stabilised, forcing traders to reassess their bearish positions.

The unwinding of these bearish bets also has second-order bullish effects.

"The selling or closing of Bitcoin put options reduces downside hedging pressure and forces market makers to buy BTC to rebalance their exposure, creating supportive flows that can push prices higher," Thielen said.

CoinDesk warned last week that the rally could accelerate as prices near $75,000, largely due to market makers' expected hedging activities.

So far, however, there has not been a significant upside call buying. This suggests the move has so far been driven more by hedge unwinds than by aggressive bullish positioning, Thielen explained.

Altcoins surgeBitcoin's rally has lifted the broader crypto market, with the CoinDesk 20 Index gaining 5% to 2,202 points over the past 24 hours.

Ether (ETH) has gained nearly 8% to $2,360, helped by increasing demand for bullish options bets. XRP (XRP) and solana (SOL) have gained 8% and 4%, respectively.

ZEC, PEPE, DOT, and VIRTUAL are other standout performers.

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AI-linked crypto tokens surge as Nvidia's Jensen Huang touts agentic future

3 hours ago

CEO Jensen Huang predicted $1 trillion in chip demand through 2027 and praised OpenClaw and the rapid rise of agentic AI systems.

What to know:

Artificial intelligence-linked cryptocurrencies rallied as Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang outlined the company’s next phase of AI infrastructure at its GTC developer conference.NEAR, FET, GRASS and Worldcoin’s WLD each gained more than 10% during the day.Huang projected about $1 trillion in chip demand backlog through 2027 and spotlighted new agentic AI tools like OpenClaw, while Nvidia shares closed up about 1.5%.

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A fresh clash between XRP critics and defenders broke out on X after Chainlink Community Liaison Zach Rynes (@ChainLinkGod) argued that the XRP investment thesis has failed to keep pace with how crypto markets and financial infrastructure have evolved. His central claim was blunt: the XRP Ledger is now a “ghost chain,” while the use case once pitched for XRP as a bridge asset has largely been overtaken by stablecoins and broader interoperability infrastructure.

Rynes framed the dispute around what he called the long-running retail thesis behind XRP. “The bizarre retail thesis of XRP is that it will become the global reserve currency that everything trades against, the so-called ‘XRP standard,’” he wrote. “Rather than trading Dollars for Euros directly, you would trade USD for XRP, and then XRP for EUR, because this makes payments supposedly more efficient.”

He argued that XRP supporters prefer to describe this not as a bid for reserve-currency status, but as a narrower “bridge currency” role. In his view, that distinction does not materially change the argument. He said the larger problem is that the market structure envisioned by early XRP advocates was built in other ways over the past decade.

“The XRP vision was created over a decade ago before we had modern 200K TPS high-throughput chains, programmable smart contracts, DeFi protocols, fiat-backed stablecoins, tokenized deposits, atomic DvP/PvP swaps, and cross-chain infra,” Rynes wrote. “If you listen to what the world’s largest financial institutions and market infrastructures like Swift, DTCC, JP Morgan, BlackRock, and many others are saying, you’ll find zero of them talking about the need for a ‘bridge currency.’ Rather, they talk about the need for connectivity, interoperability, privacy, compliance, and orchestration.”

That critique extended to XRP Ledger’s position in tokenization and on-chain finance. Rynes said XRPL “will become the dominant chain for tokenized real world assets” remains a popular belief among XRP holders despite what he described as weak adoption metrics. He called XRPL “a ghost chain with less than 1% RWA market share and under 0.01% of stablecoins,” arguing that this makes the idea of XRPL emerging as the primary settlement layer difficult to defend.

He also pointed to stablecoins as the practical winner in the bridge-asset debate. According to Rynes, “USD-backed stablecoins have become the dominant crypto-native ‘bridge currency’ for payments, trading, and finance,” and the industry has already built “everything XRP was supposed to be, without XRP.” He cited Hyperliquid as an example of crypto-native finance where positions across multiple markets are effectively denominated against dollar-backed stablecoins rather than XRP.

The second half of his argument focused less on ledger design and more on Ripple’s business model. Rynes alleged that Ripple “socializes its costs to XRP holders and privatizes gains for its equity shareholders,” saying XRP sales fund products whose revenue accrues to Ripple rather than directly to token holders. He made the same point about RLUSD, writing that around 90% of its supply sits on Ethereum and other chains, which in his telling creates little to no direct demand for XRP itself.

XRP Community Fires Back Not everyone in the thread accepted that framing. XRP advocate and lawyer Bill Morgan pushed back on Rynes’ comparison between token buybacks and equity buybacks, calling it “a false equivalence because a token is nothing like a share and has no rights attached it like a share.” He also rejected the idea that Ripple and XRPL should be treated as one and the same, writing that “Ripple does not own the XRPL which is a fully decentralised public permissionless Blockchain.”

Morgan argued that Ripple had opted for a different structure through Evernorth, which he described as an independent vehicle designed to acquire XRP and offer institutions regulated exposure. He said that model was preferable to Ripple itself running a reserve that could draw regulatory scrutiny, especially given how the SEC previously pointed to Ripple’s efforts to support XRP’s price in litigation.

At press time, XRP traded at $1.4757.

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

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A short message from Michael Saylor has once again stirred speculation that Strategy could be preparing another large Bitcoin purchase.

The company’s executive chairman posted a chart on X showing the firm’s Bitcoin accumulation history alongside the phrase “stretch the orange dots.”

Market watchers quickly linked the message to the company’s well-known buying pattern, where similar posts have often appeared shortly before a new acquisition is announced.

Familiar Signal Appears Again The chart Saylor shared tracks Strategy’s Bitcoin buying history, with each orange marker representing a completed purchase. The visual has become a recognizable signal among traders who follow the company’s moves in the market.

Reports indicate the post arrived as Bitcoin traded around $74,100 after a modest rebound in the past day.

Strategy, the company formerly known as MicroStrategy, has built its identity around accumulating Bitcoin. Over several years it has steadily added to its holdings, often funding the purchases through stock sales or other capital raises.

Stretch the Orange Dots. pic.twitter.com/WMVPUxlIcx

— Michael Saylor (@saylor) March 15, 2026

Observers say the timing of Saylor’s social media posts has developed a pattern. He frequently shares the chart on Sundays, and the company sometimes reveals a new purchase the following day through regulatory filings or announcements.

The latest message did not include details about timing, size, or funding. Still, the familiar image was enough to set off discussion among investors who closely track the firm’s treasury strategy.

Company Continues Expanding Bitcoin Treasury Strategy already holds the largest Bitcoin reserve among publicly traded companies. According to recent reporting, the firm recently acquired 22,337 Bitcoin for about $1.57 billion at an average price slightly above $70,000 per coin.

That purchase added to a series of acquisitions over the past year as the company expanded its role as a major corporate buyer of the cryptocurrency.

BTCUSD trading at $74,351 on the 24-hour chart: TradingView Earlier coverage shows the firm has repeatedly turned to capital markets to fund these buys, issuing common shares or preferred securities to raise cash. The proceeds are often directed toward additional Bitcoin purchases as part of its long-term treasury strategy.

The approach has drawn both support and scrutiny. Supporters view the strategy as a bold bet on Bitcoin’s long-term value, while critics warn the company’s finances are closely tied to swings in the cryptocurrency market.

Even so, Strategy has continued to add to its holdings during both rising and falling market conditions.

Social Media Posts Closely Watched By Traders Saylor’s online messages have become a signal many traders watch closely. The executive often posts short phrases or charts referencing the company’s Bitcoin position.

In past cases, such posts were followed by announcements confirming new purchases, reinforcing the idea that the messages hint at upcoming moves.

Reports say the orange-dot chart has become the clearest visual reference for the company’s buying activity, marking each addition to its growing Bitcoin stockpile.

Featured image from Blue Pacific Flavors, chart from TradingView

TL;DR:

Ethereum (ETH) shows an imbalance in its liquidation map that could jeopardize over $5 billion if the price falls below $2,000. XRP faces growing selling pressure with reserves on Binance at annual highs, putting $285 million in leveraged long positions at risk. River (RIVER) token is preparing for a supply unlock on March 22, which could plunge its price below the $20 support level. As the crypto market attempts to consolidate a weekly recovery, the unbridled optimism of short-term traders has sent leverage in long positions skyrocketing. This scenario leaves three altcoins at risk of major liquidations in the event of any surprise reversal of the current trend.

Ethereum leads this concern after surpassing $2,200. However, its Open Interest (OI) increased by more than 18% in a single day, a pattern that generally precedes severe technical corrections. Currently, the cumulative liquidation volume of “Longs” far exceeds that of “Shorts,” creating a very fragile ecosystem.

On the other hand, XRP is showing signs of structural weakness. Despite its recent rally, CryptoQuant data reveals that token reserves on exchanges like Binance have reached their highest point of the year. This suggests that investors could be preparing to liquidate their holdings and take profits, weakening the $1.3 support level.

Macroeconomic and Technical Pressure Factors Within the BNB Chain ecosystem, the RIVER token faces its own logistical challenge. With a scheduled unlock of 1.11 million tokens for March 22, the dilution of the circulating supply is generating nervousness. If RIVER loses the $20 level, it would trigger liquidation cascades worth over $16 million.

Additionally, the macroeconomic scenario does not favor risk assets. The strength of the U.S. dollar and the Federal Reserve’s stance on maintaining stable interest rates add uncertainty. Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East also act as volatility catalysts that could force massive contract closures.

In conclusion, buyer overconfidence is creating a dangerous asymmetry in liquidation maps. Ethereum, XRP, and RIVER present technical configurations where a minor pullback could trigger a systemic price drop due to the forced execution of collateral.

OpenSea co-founder Devin Finzer announced Monday that the much-anticipated SEA token launch will be delayed beyond its originally scheduled March 30 debut. In a candid post on X, Finzer acknowledged the setback directly, stating that the OpenSea Foundation chose to postpone rather than rush a rollout amid challenging crypto market conditions.

Finzer made clear that the decision was not taken lightly. The foundation had seriously considered proceeding with the original timeline but ultimately determined that a token of SEA's significance deserves a carefully executed launch. Since the token only gets one debut, the team concluded that additional preparation time was worth the wait to meet community expectations and deliver a high-quality release.

Alongside the delay announcement, OpenSea confirmed several notable changes to its rewards program. The current rewards campaign structure will be wound down, with the ongoing wave being the final one. Users who participated in rewards waves three through six will be offered the option to receive refunds on platform fees retained during those periods. However, choosing a refund means forfeiting the "Treasure" rewards tied to those waves. Users who prefer to hold onto their Treasures will still have them factored into future token generation event allocations.

To maintain momentum and attract users to its revamped platform, OpenSea will also slash its token trading fees to 0% for 60 days beginning March 31. This move signals the company's commitment to growing its user base and demonstrating the platform's improved capabilities even during the delay period.

Finzer closed his statement with a forward-looking message, emphasizing OpenSea's long-term vision of making non-custodial crypto accessible and enjoyable on mobile. He reaffirmed the company's intention to announce a new SEA launch timeline only once a clear and deliberate schedule can be confirmed, underscoring their commitment to a launch that truly serves their community.

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XRP is approaching a critical resistance cluster formed by its short-term moving averages, with the 26-day exponential moving average (EMA) emerging as the most immediate hurdle. The cryptocurrency has already begun testing this level, and a confirmed breakout could mark the first meaningful bullish signal since the broader downtrend began in late 2024.

Should XRP clear this initial barrier, traders and analysts have their eyes set on the 50-day EMA, positioned in the $1.60–$1.70 price range. This moving average has repeatedly turned back recovery attempts throughout the current bearish cycle, making it one of the most closely watched resistance zones in the market. Breaking through it would signal a potential shift in momentum and open the door to more sustained upward movement.

Adding to the cautiously optimistic outlook, momentum indicators are beginning to turn favorable. The Relative Strength Index (RSI), which had remained in oversold territory for several weeks, has now climbed back into neutral ground. This shift reflects easing selling pressure and suggests the market may be transitioning toward a more balanced state between buyers and sellers.

Despite improving technicals, XRP is not out of the woods yet. The overall trend remains bearish, and several resistance levels must be reclaimed before a full recovery can be confirmed. For a rally toward the $1.70 target to take shape, XRP will need to maintain its rising support structure while steadily recapturing key moving averages along the way.

A sustained close above the $1.50 level is widely considered the minimum requirement for renewed bullish confidence. If XRP can hold above this threshold consistently, it would likely attract increased trading volume and boost the probability of a meaningful push toward higher resistance zones.

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Strategy has confirmed its biggest Bitcoin acquisition of 2026, snapping up 22,337 BTC for approximately $1.57 billion. The purchase, executed between March 9 and March 15, came at an average price of $70,194 per coin and marked the company's 12th consecutive week of Bitcoin accumulation.

The latest buy pushes Strategy's total Bitcoin holdings to 761,068 BTC, with a cumulative investment of roughly $57.61 billion and an average cost basis of $75,696 per coin. Executive Chairman Michael Saylor confirmed the acquisition via a post on X, reinforcing the company's unwavering long-term commitment to Bitcoin as its primary treasury asset.

Funding came from two sources. Strategy raised approximately $1.18 billion by selling over 11.8 million shares of its 10% Series A perpetual preferred stock, while an additional $396 million was generated through the sale of roughly 2.8 million Class A common shares. Company executives noted that substantial issuance capacity remains available for future purchases, particularly as demand for preferred shares climbed during recent market volatility.

Following the announcement, MSTR stock climbed around 6%, with shares trading near $145 in premarket activity. Analysts currently identify resistance around $150, where a breakout could push the stock toward $160. Downside support sits near $140, with further risk to $135 if that level breaks.

Bitcoin also gained momentum, rising approximately 2.6% to trade near $73,600. Analysts stress that Bitcoin must hold above the $72,500 support level to sustain bullish momentum toward $80,000, $90,000, and a widely watched $100,000 target. The upcoming Federal Reserve rate decision is seen as a potential short-term catalyst, with its policy signals likely influencing institutional inflows into spot Bitcoin ETFs.

Despite holding around $3.35 billion in unrealized losses, Strategy remains the largest publicly traded corporate Bitcoin holder on record.

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Breaking Signal·Market Impact: Medium

Zcash (ZEC) jumped 20.95% to $277.48, topping the gainers chart, according to CoinGecko data. The move lifted its market capitalization to $4.61B as privacy coins outperformed broader peers.

Gainers Zcash (ZEC) rose 20.95% to $277.48, pushing its market cap to $4.61B. Zcash is a privacy-focused blockchain that uses zk-SNARKs to enable shielded transactions alongside transparent ones. The network runs proof-of-work mining and maintains a fixed 21 million coin supply. Liquidity concentrated in ZEC helped drive it to the session’s strongest advance.

Artificial Superintelligence Alliance (FET) climbed 20.47% to $0.2347, valuing the token at $530.70M. FET is associated with AI agent infrastructure and data exchange efforts linked to the Artificial Superintelligence Alliance initiative. No specific news has been tied to the move. The outsized gain placed FET second on the leaderboard among today’s risers.

MemeCore (M) gained 14.23% to $1.66, bringing its market cap to $2.90B. M is the native token of the MemeCore project. The advance secured M the third spot among top gainers for the session.

Pepe (PEPE) advanced 13.30% to $0.000004, with a market cap of $1.67B. PEPE is an Ethereum-based meme token that often trades with sharp momentum during risk-on periods. Traders pointed to broader altcoin rotation. The coin’s low unit price structure makes percentage swings and headline notional moves appear large.

Polkadot (DOT) added 12.67% to $1.62, lifting its market capitalization to $2.71B. Polkadot connects specialized blockchains (parachains) via a shared relay chain and uses nominated proof-of-stake for security. Its cross-chain messaging standard, XCM, enables asset and data transfers across parachains. Today’s climb put DOT among the top five gainers as infrastructure-focused tokens participated in the rally.

Losers Morpho (MORPHO) fell 6.27% to $1.80, sliding to a $990.90M market cap. Morpho develops a peer-to-peer optimization layer for lending markets designed to improve rates on protocols like Aave and Compound. The decline made MORPHO the day’s biggest loser. DeFi tokens often exhibit high sensitivity to liquidity conditions, and MORPHO lagged peers through the session.

Official Trump (TRUMP) dropped 5.08% to $3.84, putting its market value at $895.23M. TRUMP is a politically themed token whose trading frequently swings with sentiment and headlines rather than fundamental cash flows. The retreat placed TRUMP second among decliners after a volatile stretch for themed tokens.

Pi Network (PI) decreased 3.70% to $0.1906, taking its market cap to $1.85B. Pi Network promotes a mobile-first cryptocurrency and community-driven distribution model. Listing and settlement conventions have varied across venues historically, which has at times complicated price discovery for PI. The token’s slide kept it on the lower half of the board.

Rain (RAIN) eased 2.30% to $0.008814, with a market capitalization of $4.22B. The token’s large supply means small price moves can translate into sizable market cap changes. RAIN’s decline was modest compared with the day’s larger drawdowns.

Stable (STABLE) edged down 1.29% to $0.0277, giving it a $581.45M market cap. At this price, STABLE is not trading as a dollar-pegged asset. The move left STABLE as the least severe decliner among the top losers.

Market Outlook The day’s dispersion was wide, with the top gainer up 20.95% and the biggest loser down 6.27%. Privacy, AI, meme, and interoperability themes all printed double-digit percentage moves, while DeFi laggards underperformed.

Into the week, traders will watch whether Bitcoin’s range holds as altcoin breadth broadens, and whether sector-specific flows into AI, privacy, and meme tokens persist. Macro signals from U.S. rate policy and upcoming CPI prints also remain relevant for risk appetite across crypto pairs.

SourcesCoinGecko

This article was written with AI assistance and reviewed by the The Currency analytics editorial team. Information presented is sourced from publicly available reports. The Currency analytics strives for accuracy but cannot guarantee completeness. This article does not constitute financial advice.

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Bitcoin price started a strong increase above the $75,000 zone. BTC is now consolidating and might aim for more gains if it clears $76,000.

Bitcoin started a decent upward move above the $74,000 zone. The price is trading above $74,200 and the 100 hourly simple moving average. There is a bullish trend line forming with support at $71,650 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair (data feed from Kraken). The pair might continue to rise if it clears the $75,500 and $76,000 levels. Bitcoin Price Extends Rally Bitcoin price remained supported and extended its increase above the $72,500 level. BTC climbed above the $73,200 and $74,000 resistance levels.

The bulls were able to pump the price above $75,000. A high was formed at $75,998, and the price is now consolidating gains above the 23.6% Fib retracement level of the recent upward move from the $70,293 swing low to the $75,998 high.

Bitcoin is now trading above $74,000 and the 100 hourly simple moving average. Besides, there is a bullish trend line forming with support at $71,650 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair.

Source: BTCUSD on TradingView.com If the price remains stable above $73,500, it could attempt a fresh increase. Immediate resistance is near the $75,500 level. The first key resistance is near the $76,000 level. A close above the $76,000 resistance might send the price further higher. In the stated case, the price could rise and test the $76,800 resistance. Any more gains might send the price toward the $78,000 level. The next barrier for the bulls could be $80,000.

Downside Correction In BTC? If Bitcoin fails to rise above the $76,000 resistance zone, it could start another decline. Immediate support is near the $74,500 level. The first major support is near the $73,200 level or the 50% Fib retracement level of the recent upward move from the $70,293 swing low to the $75,998 high.

The next support is now near the $72,000 zone. Any more losses might send the price toward the $71,200 support in the near term. The main support now sits at $70,000, below which BTC might struggle to recover in the near term.

Technical indicators:

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

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

Major Support Levels – $74,500, followed by $73,200.

Major Resistance Levels – $75,500 and $76,000.