Market Signal Briefing

TLDR Table of Contents

TLDRMSTR Shares Rise After Latest Bitcoin PurchaseFunding Structure Supports Ongoing Bitcoin AccumulationGet 3 Free Stock Ebooks Strategy purchased 22,337 Bitcoin for about $1.57 billion between March 9 and March 15. The company paid an average price of $70,194 per Bitcoin during the acquisition period. MSTR shares rose 4.56% to $145 in premarket trading after the announcement. Strategy increased its total Bitcoin holdings to 761,068 BTC after the latest purchase. The company financed most of the acquisition through sales of STRC preferred shares and MSTR common stock. Strategy expanded its Bitcoin holdings with a $1.57 billion purchase between March 9 and March 15. The company acquired 22,337 Bitcoin at an average price of $70,194 per coin. Following the disclosure, MSTR stock rose 4.56% to $145 in premarket trading as Bitcoin prices increased.

Strategy Inc, MSTR

MSTR Shares Rise After Latest Bitcoin Purchase MSTR shares climbed 4.56% to $145 in premarket trading after the company disclosed the acquisition. The stock moved higher as Bitcoin traded near $73,600 on Monday morning. The cryptocurrency posted a 2.6% gain over the past 24 hours, which supported the share increase.

The company confirmed the purchase in a filing released on Monday. Executive Chairman Michael Saylor also announced the acquisition on X. He stated, “Strategy acquired 22,337 BTC at an average price of $70,194 per Bitcoin.”

The latest transaction marked the twelfth consecutive week of Bitcoin purchases. Strategy continued buying during various market conditions over recent months. The company remains the largest publicly traded corporate holder of Bitcoin.

After the purchase, total holdings reached 761,068 BTC. Strategy spent about $57.61 billion to accumulate its Bitcoin portfolio. The company now holds an overall average acquisition price of $75,696 per Bitcoin.

Funding Structure Supports Ongoing Bitcoin Accumulation Strategy financed most of the acquisition through sales of STRC series preferred stock. The company sold about 11.8 million STRC shares during the funding period. These sales generated roughly $1.18 billion in net proceeds.

The company also raised capital through common stock sales. Strategy sold approximately 2.8 million MSTR shares to secure about $396 million. Preferred share sales provided the larger portion of total funding.

Reports showed increased STRC trading activity during the same timeframe. The funding structure supported the latest Bitcoin purchase without direct debt issuance. Strategy maintained its established approach of raising capital through equity offerings.

Saylor referenced the company’s funding method before the announcement. He posted the company’s Bitcoin tracker on X with the phrase “Stretch the Orange Dots.” The phrase referred to the company’s capital strategy tied to Bitcoin acquisitions.

Strategy began purchasing Bitcoin in 2020 as part of its treasury policy. Since then, the company has expanded holdings through regular acquisitions. According to analyst Patel, Strategy must acquire about 6,158 BTC weekly for 42 weeks to reach one million Bitcoin by the end of 2026.

Maxwell Mutuma

Maxwell is a crypto-economic analyst and blockchain enthusiast, passionate about helping people understand the potential of decentralized technology. His goal is to spread knowledge about this revolutionary technology and its implications for economic freedom and social good.

TL;DR:

Yellow Network deployed its Layer-3 protocol on the Ethereum mainnet, offering clearing services, node operation, and app infrastructure. The $YELLOW token is used as operational collateral for nodes and a security deposit for developers, with slashing mechanisms included. Yellow.pro launched on March 8 and already has more than 500 applications in development within the ecosystem. Yellow Network deployed its protocol on the Ethereum mainnet, marking the start of the operational phase of a Layer-3 infrastructure designed to offer real-time non-custodial cross-chain trading through state channels. Only the final settlement is recorded on-chain.

The launch activates three core protocol functions. Node operators can lock $YELLOW tokens in the NodeRegistry contract to run Clearnode infrastructure, where locked balances function as operational collateral.

These same operators participate in protocol governance through Governor, a mechanism by which proposals go through a timelock process before being executed, ensuring transparent upgrades through on-chain consensus. Developers, in turn, can register in the AppRegistry by depositing $YELLOW as a quality-of-service guarantee, subject to slashing mechanisms in case of non-compliance.

Yellow Network Is Building a Massive Ecosystem The ecosystem already features more than 500 applications in development, many of them in advanced production stages. On March 8, the network had launched its own trading platform alongside its native token, laying the commercial foundation before opening the doors to protocol services.

Alexis Sirka, Chairman of the protocol, addressed the philosophy behind its development: “We were told to move fast and break things. We chose to move deliberately and deploy immutable protocols. We are focused on having our community use the token to access and operate services across the entire network and showcase the quality of the applications being built within the ecosystem.”

The protocol’s architecture is built on an SDK designed for developers to build high-performance decentralized applications. The network’s goal is to extend the principles of Bitcoin and Ethereum toward a more efficient and inclusive financial system, targeting mass adoption of Web3.

Bitcoin is approaching a critical resistance level as the derivatives market clusters heavily around $75,000 call options, ahead of a major options expiry later this month.

Data from Greeks.live shows that quarterly options expiring on 27 March account for more than 40% of Bitcoin’s total open interest. This marks one of the most concentrated expiry events in recent months. 

The buildup suggests traders are positioning for a decisive move as BTC trades just below the widely watched $75K level.

At the time of writing, Bitcoin was trading around $73,600, putting the market within striking distance of the key options strike.

Bitcoin Options positioning centers around March expiry The latest options data reveals a clear skew toward bullish positioning. Total call options stand at roughly 284,590 BTC, compared with 192,919 BTC in put options, leaving the put-to-call ratio at around 0.68.

A ratio below 1 generally indicates that traders are placing more bets on price gains than declines.

Source: X More notably, the 27 March expiry dominates the options landscape, accounting for roughly 41% of total open interest. A large portion of this exposure is concentrated in $75,000 call options, with single contracts at that strike representing more than 5% of total positioning.

Such concentration effectively creates a major derivatives battleground near the $75K level.

A “gamma wall” forming at $75K Analysts from Greeks.live describe the buildup as a “gamma wall”, a scenario where a large number of options contracts cluster around a specific strike price.

When this happens, market makers’ hedging activity can significantly influence short-term price action.

If Bitcoin breaks above $75,000, option sellers may be forced to hedge their exposure by buying BTC, potentially accelerating upward momentum in what is commonly known as a gamma squeeze.

On the other hand, failure to break through the level could see the asset remain pinned below resistance as expiry approaches, particularly if market makers attempt to keep prices near levels where the most options expire worthless.

Derivatives market size adds to volatility potential The broader derivatives market also highlights how significant the current positioning has become.

Data from Coinglass shows Bitcoin options open interest exceeding $41 billion, reflecting the growing role of derivatives in shaping market dynamics.

The rise in options activity over the past two years has increasingly made expiry events a key catalyst for volatility.

Source: Coinglass With Bitcoin consolidating between roughly $70,000 and $75,000 in recent weeks, the heavy options concentration now places additional focus on whether the market can break through resistance.

All eyes on the $75K resistance Technically, the $75,000 level also represents the upper boundary of Bitcoin’s nearly two-month consolidation range, making it a major psychological barrier for traders.

The combination of technical resistance and large derivatives positioning means the coming days could prove decisive.

Source: TradingView If Bitcoin breaks above $75K, the move could trigger additional buying pressure from options hedging and momentum traders. Conversely, repeated rejection at the level may keep the asset range-bound as the March expiry approaches.

For now, the derivatives market suggests one thing clearly: a large portion of traders are betting that Bitcoin’s next move will be upward.

Final Summary Bitcoin options expiring on 27 March now account for over 40% of total open interest, making it one of the most important derivatives events of the month. Heavy positioning around $75K call options has created a potential volatility trigger as BTC trades just below the key resistance level.

The Derivatives SetupOpen interest on PEPE futures climbed 11.56% to $228.54 million while 24-hour trading volume exploded 520.51% to $1.73 billion, signaling fresh money entering rather than just short covering. 

Liquidation data showed $98,000 in short liquidations over four hours versus $327,000 in longs, suggesting the rally caught a significant portion of the short side offside while skeptics remained.

PEPE had been more aggressively sold than Dogecoin, setting up a cleaner derivatives squeeze when the macro tailwind arrived. The volume wave dwarfed PEPE’s 30-day average of 1.23 trillion tokens.

The Technical PicturePEPE’s daily chart had been grinding lower within a descending channel since summer 2025 highs through a sequence of lower highs and lower lows. 

All four EMAs remained stacked bearishly above price, with the 200 EMA sitting at $0.00000598, nearly 53% above current levels.

The immediate resistance wall sits between $0.0000050 and $0.0000052. 

Breaking above opens the door toward the $0.0000077-$0.0000080 band, a key supply zone. Support on pullbacks is expected around $0.0000033.

Dogecoin climbed nearly 4% to $0.10127 but underperformed dramatically. DOGE’s chart shows a steep descending channel from its October 2025 peak near $0.29, with all EMAs fanning bearishly overhead. 

Moreover, the 200 EMA at $0.14393 remains a distant ceiling.

The Macro CatalystThe VIX dropped 10.22% to 24.41 as U.S. equity indices posted solid gains, with the Nasdaq adding 1.3% and the S&P 500 rising 1%. 

Analysts pointed to easing geopolitical tensions between Washington and Tehran, which had weighed on risk assets through early March.

The broader memecoin market capitalization rose to $33.31 billion. 

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Geopolitical tensions and tightening liquidity could trigger a major sell-off across equities and cryptocurrencies, according to Bloomberg Intelligence senior macro strategist Mike McGlone.

Bitcoin Could Revert Toward Long-Term MeanMcGlone warned in an interview with Cointelegraph on Saturday that escalating tensions between U.S. and Iran could pressure global risk assets.

He predicts U.S. equities could decline by as much as 50%, a scenario that would likely pull crypto markets lower as well.

The Bloomberg Galaxy Crypto Index has already fallen more than 50% from its peak, highlighting weakening momentum across digital assets.

He argued that crypto markets often act as early indicators of tightening liquidity, predicting that Bitcoin could eventually fall toward $10,000, returning to its long-term average as speculative excess from the previous cycle is removed.

"We had the biggest money pump in history pump up all risk assets," McGlone said. "Crypto led the way up. Now they’re leading lower."

Market Downturn Could Echo 2008 CrisisMcGlone also warned that escalating geopolitical tensions could trigger a market downturn like the 2008 financial crisis.

He pointed to extreme volatility in commodities, particularly oil and gold, as signs of growing instability that could eventually spill into equities.

Currently, he said the S&P 500 appears unusually calm despite historically elevated valuations.

McGlone also highlighted a disconnect in market volatility, noting that gold's volatility is nearly 2.5 times higher than that of the S&P 500, challenging its traditional role as a stable store of value.

He added that the recent surge in oil prices following disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz may prove to be a temporary bull trap, like spikes seen in 2008 and 2022.

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Micron Technology increased 5.1% over the past day. You might feel inclined to purchase additional shares or consider reducing your investment. However, there’s an entirely different viewpoint you may not have considered. Is there a more favorable option?

Nvidia co-founder and CEO Jensen Huang delivers the first keynote speech of Computex 2025 at the Taipei Music Center in Taipei on May 19, 2025. (Photo by I-Hwa Cheng / AFP) (Photo by I-HWA CHENG/AFP via Getty Images)

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It turns out that its counterpart Nvidia offers more advantages. Nvidia (NVDA) stock demonstrates superior revenue growth in crucial periods, enhanced profitability, and a comparatively lower valuation than Micron Technology (MU) stock, indicating you may be wiser to invest in NVDA.

NVDA's quarterly revenue growth reached 73.2%, while MU's stood at 56.7%.Furthermore, its Last 12 Months revenue growth was recorded at 65.5%, surpassing MU's 45.4%.NVDA excels in terms of profitability across both periods—LTM margin of 60.4% and a 3-year average of 59.0%.These distinctions become even more apparent when you compare the financials side by side. The table illustrates how MU's fundamentals measure up against NVDA's in terms of growth, margins, momentum, and valuation multiples.

Valuation & Performance Overview

MU vs NVDA

Trefis

View more revenue insights: MU Revenue Comparison | NVDA Revenue Comparison
View further margin insights: MU Operating Income Comparison | NVDA Operating Income Comparison

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Check detailed fundamentals on Buy or Sell NVDA Stock and Buy or Sell MU Stock. Below we compare market return and related metrics across years.

Historical Market Performance

Return

Trefis

Regardless of how impressive the figures may be, investing in stocks is never without its challenges. There is an inherent risk that must be accounted for. Review NVDA Dip Buyer Analyses and MU Dip Buyer Analyses to examine how these stocks have experienced drops and recoveries in the past.

Still uncertain about MU or NVDA? Consider a portfolio strategy.

The Best Investors Evaluate Portfolios

Individual stocks can fluctuate greatly, but maintaining investment continuity is vital. A well-constructed portfolio enables you to remain invested, captures upside potential and mitigates the impact of specific stock fluctuations.

Why settle for average market returns? The Trefis High Quality (HQ) Portfolio consists of a diverse set of 30 stocks that have achieved stronger overall performance with reduced volatility than the broader indices. Uncover the methodology behind these consistent, heightened returns by exploring the HQ Portfolio performance data.

Seasonal patterns can often create powerful turning points.

The early part of this year has felt like one of those moments. After a strong finish to 2025, the market began the year with a classic risk-off rotation: capital flowed out of high-growth technology names into more defensive sectors such as consumer staples and utilities.

The shaky start to the year has been amplified by persistent inflation, a pause at the Fed, private credit concerns, and the US-Iran war. Many investors questioned whether the AI-driven bull market had run its course.

Yet as we look ahead to the second quarter, there’s reason to believe the pause is temporary. A spring rally appears increasingly likely, with technology poised to retake the lead once again.

Positive Seasonality Sets the Stage for UpsideThe historical case for seasonal strength is compelling. According to the Stock Trader’s Almanac, the month of April ranks as the 2nd-best performing month for the S&P 500 (SPY - Free Report) dating back to 1950. April’s bullish track record could help reignite the market from a broader perspective.

And that old “Sell in May and Go Away” adage? It hasn’t really held much significance, especially over the last decade. We can see that S&P 500 returns have been overwhelmingly positive during the month, rising 90% of the time over the past 10 years with an average gain of 1.4%:

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

And over that same timeframe, stocks moved higher 90% of the time from May through October, which the Almanac designates as the “worst six-month period.” In our experience, these patterns are not bulletproof, but they reflect a natural rhythm: tax refunds begin flowing, corporate guidance improves, and investor sentiment often brightens after the winter doldrums.

This year’s setup aligns particularly well with that historical template. Early 2026 tax refunds are running significantly higher than last year—averaging around 10-11% larger in the initial waves—putting meaningful extra cash into consumer pockets at a time when many households have been cautious.

This liquidity tends to find its way into discretionary spending, retail, and technology purchases, often accelerating in April. When combined with the Almanac’s documented spring strength, the seasonal tailwind feels tangible rather than theoretical.

AI Productivity: From Task-Level Wins to Broader ImpactIn the context of the spring rally outlook, one of the most encouraging developments is the gradual but increasingly visible transition of artificial intelligence from hype to tangible productivity gains.

It’s particularly reassuring to see early evidence moving beyond pilot projects and anecdotal reports into measurable business outcomes. The micro-level data—combined with firm-level surveys and forward-looking projections—suggest we are in the early stages of a meaningful productivity inflection that could support renewed momentum in technology stocks.

At the task and individual-worker level, the gains are already striking and well-documented. Controlled studies consistently show time savings and output improvements ranging from 14% to 55% depending on the role.

For instance, customer-service agents using generative AI tools resolve 14% more issues per hour on average, with even larger benefits for newer employees. Software developers with access to tools like GitHub Copilot complete tasks up to 55% faster in some experiments, while management consultants at firms like BCG report 25-40% faster work with higher-quality results.

These aren't theoretical; they come from randomized trials and real-world deployments across thousands of workers. The pattern is clear: AI excels at augmenting routine or repetitive cognitive work, freeing humans for higher-value judgment, creativity, and relationship-building.

Firm-level surveys reinforce this picture and begin to bridge the gap to broader impact. McKinsey’s 2025 Global AI Survey found that 66% of organizations report productivity and efficiency gains from AI use cases, particularly in software engineering, manufacturing, and IT functions.

These productivity gains matter profoundly for the investment case. As AI moves from experimental pilots to scaled deployment—especially in knowledge work, software development, customer operations, and R&D—it should drive higher corporate earnings, expanded margins, and renewed justification for the valuations of major technology companies.

Bottom LineThe current breather in tech stocks may simply reflect the lag between massive infrastructure investment and the full realization of workflow transformation. Once Q1 2026 earnings more clearly demonstrate these gains translating into revenue and profit acceleration, investor sentiment is likely to shift back toward growth-oriented names.

The spring seasonal window, combined with tax-refund liquidity and moderating interest rates, could provide the perfect backdrop for this productivity story to gain broader recognition. The current pause in technology may ultimately prove to be the setup for the next leg higher as AI’s real-world impact becomes impossible to ignore.

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SummaryDollar Tree, Inc. is rated a Buy following strong Q4 results and a positive 2026 growth outlook.DLTR delivered 9% sales growth, 5% same-store sales, and 16.5% forecasted EPS growth for 2026.Margin expansion is supported by higher-priced items and the divestiture of Family Dollar, despite ongoing tariff and shipping pressures.With a clean balance sheet, active buybacks, and 325 net store openings planned, DLTR stock is attractively valued at 16.7x forward EPS.Looking for a helping hand in the market? Members of BAD BEAT Investing get exclusive ideas and guidance to navigate any climate. Learn More » Getty Images

In December we moved for a Buy in Dollar Tree, Inc. (DLTR) and noted there was likely near-term upside ahead. Shares were about $110 at the time and in a few short weeks got up over $140. That is

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Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of DLTR either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

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

New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - March 16, 2026) - WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of securities of ODDITY Tech Ltd. (NASDAQ: ODD) between February 26, 2025 and February 24, 2026, inclusive (the "Class Period"). A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than May 11, 2026.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Oddity securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Oddity class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=27381 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than May 11, 2026. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved, at that time, the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, throughout the Class Period, defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) due to an algorithm change by Oddity's largest advertising partner, Oddity's advertisements were being diverted to lower quality auctions at abnormally high costs; (2) the foregoing significantly increased Oddity's customer acquisition costs, thereby negatively impacting Oddity's business and financial prospects; (3) accordingly, defendants overstated the overall strength, stability, and sustainability of Oddity's digital operating model and/or market position; and (4) as a result, defendants' public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Oddity class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=27381 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

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BOCA RATON, FL AND TORONTO, ONTARIO, March 16, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GNQ Insilico Inc. (“GNQ” or the “Company”), a corporation formed under the federal laws of Canada, and IB Acquisition Corp. (Nasdaq: IBAC) (“IBAC”), a Nevada special purpose acquisition company, today announced that they have entered into a definitive business combination agreement (the “BCA”) pursuant to which IBAC will acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares in the capital of GNQ by way of a statutory plan of arrangement under the Canada Business Corporations Act (the “Transaction”). Following closing of the Transaction, which is expected in the third quarter of 2026, the combined company expects to be publicly listed on Nasdaq. Shares will trade on Nasdaq under the symbol IBAC until the closing of the Transaction.

GNQ’s mission is to revolutionize drug development by leveraging artificial intelligence, digital twin technology, advanced biological modeling, and quantum computing to enable precision medicine at scale. By transforming how pharmaceutical companies discover, develop, and optimize therapeutics, GNQ empowers partners to accelerate development timelines, reduce costs, and deliver improved patient outcomes across multiple disease areas.

Rehan Huda, the Founder, Chairperson, and Chief Executive Officer of GNQ said, “Partnering with IB Acquisition Corp. marks a pivotal moment for GNQ as we scale our three comprehensive AI-powered Drug Assessment, Drug Simulation and Digital Twins Platform to transform pharmaceutical R&D and healthcare delivery. Our platforms address critical inefficiencies across the healthcare value chain, enabling smarter investment decisions and accelerating drug development to deliver truly personalized medicine.

This transaction provides the resources and public market visibility to expand our commercial partnerships and scale our solutions to serve pharmaceutical companies, investors and healthcare providers worldwide. We are excited to work with the IBAC team as we execute our vision of making precision medicine accessible and economically viable for patients worldwide.”

Al Lopez, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of IBAC, stated, “IB Acquisition Corp. was formed with the goal of identifying a compelling partner at the forefront of innovation, and we are excited to have found that in GNQ Insilico. GNQ’s integration of Genomics, Artificial Intelligence, and Quantum Computing represents a differentiated approach to addressing the significant challenges facing drug discovery and development. We believe GNQ is well-positioned to capture meaningful market share and have great confidence in the talented GNQ team. We look forward to supporting them as they continue to execute on their vision.”

Transaction Details

The Board of Directors of each of GNQ and IBAC have approved the entering into of the BCA and the Transaction contemplated thereby. The Transaction will require the approval of the stockholders of IBAC and the shareholders of GNQ, as well as approval by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List). GNQ shareholders holding a majority of the GNQ shares have agreed to support the Transaction. The Transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026.

The Transaction values GNQ at US$500 million, with current GNQ shareholders having the ability to earn additional consideration through revenue earnout and share price earnout provisions. The Transaction is expected to provide approximately US$15 million in proceeds to GNQ, including a PIPE of up to US$10 million and cash held in the trust account of IBAC. Upon the closing of the Transaction, the executive officers of GNQ will become the executive officers of the combined company. The post-closing board of directors will consist of five members, including four directors designated by GNQ and one independent director designated by IBAC’s Sponsor.

Concurrently with the execution of the BCA, the Company has also entered into a letter agreement with IBAC pursuant to which the Company will complete a debt financing of convertible promissory notes (“Convertible Notes”) and common share purchase warrants for aggregate gross proceeds of up to US$2,000,000 (the “Bridge Financing”). In connection with the signing of the BCA, an investor introduced by IBAC purchased a Convertible Note for US$250,000 in aggregate principal amount. The Convertible Notes will accrue interest and may be converted at the election of the holders into common shares in the capital of GNQ.

Additional information about the proposed Transaction, including a copy of the business combination agreement and investor presentation, will be available in a Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed by IBAC with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and at www.sec.gov.

Advisors

I-Bankers Securities, Inc. is acting as financial and capital markets advisor to IBAC. ArentFox Schiff LLP and Dentons Canada LLP are acting as legal advisors to IBAC.

Barnes & Thornburg LLP and Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP are acting as legal advisors to GNQ.

About GNQ Insilico Inc.

GNQ Insilico is a pioneering TechBio company focused on improving the success of drug discovery and development through the integration of artificial intelligence and quantum computing, and advanced biological modeling to transform drug discovery and development. GNQ seeks to provide stakeholders with unprecedented insights across the drug development lifecycle through three core proprietary platforms:

 ●GNQ’s Drug Assessment Platform enables life science investors to conduct investment-grade due diligence through advanced molecular profiling, predictive toxicity assessments, and machine learning-driven efficacy predictions. The platform provides quantitative risk assessment and probability of clinical success estimation for therapeutic candidates. ●GNQ’s Drug Simulation Platform addresses the costly drug development process by conducting insilico clinical trials. The platform utilizes multi-omics pathway analysis, population-level response modeling, and resistance mechanism forecasting to significantly reduce development time and costs. ●GNQ’s Digital Twins Platform delivers personalized medicine by integrating genomic data, clinical records, proteomics profiles, and metabolic pathway analysis to create comprehensive biological digital twins. Using quantum AI-enhanced simulation, the platform enables precision treatment optimization, early disease detection, and personalized treatment planning for clinicians.    GNQ’s Drug Assessment Platform was launched in Q4-2025, with the Drug Simulation Platform and Digital Twins Platform slated for release later in 2026.

By combining these advanced AI capabilities with multi-omics integration and emerging quantum computing applications, GNQ aims to accelerate development timelines, reduce costs and support the development of more effective precision medicines across the healthcare ecosystem.

About IB Acquisition Corp.

IB Acquisition Corp. is a blank check company incorporated in Nevada and led by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Al Lopez. IBAC’s securities are listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC under the symbols IBAC.

Additional Information

This press release relates to a proposed transaction between GNQ and IBAC. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or exchange, or the solicitation of an offer to buy or exchange, any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, sale or exchange would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. In connection with the Transaction described herein, IBAC intends to file relevant materials with the SEC, including a registration statement on Form S-4, which will include a document that serves as a joint prospectus and proxy statement, referred to as a proxy statement/prospectus. A proxy statement/prospectus will be sent to all IBAC stockholders. IBAC will also file other documents regarding the proposed Transaction with the SEC. Before making any voting or investment decision, investors and security holders of IBAC are urged to read the registration statement, the proxy statement/prospectus and all other relevant documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed Transaction as they become available because they will contain important information about the proposed Transaction.

Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the registration statement, the proxy statement/prospectus and all other relevant documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC by IBAC through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov.

The documents filed by IBAC with the SEC also may be obtained free of charge upon written request to IB Acquisition Corp., 1200 N Federal Highway, Suite 215, Boca Raton, FL 33432 or via email at [email protected].

Participants in the Solicitation

IBAC, GNQ and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from IBAC’s stockholders in connection with the proposed Transaction. A list of the names of such directors and executive officers, and information regarding their interests in the business combination and their ownership of IBAC’s securities are, or will be, contained in IBAC’s filings with the SEC. Additional information regarding the interests of those persons and other persons who may be deemed participants in the proposed Transaction may be obtained by reading the proxy statement/prospectus regarding the proposed Transaction when it becomes available. You may obtain free copies of these documents as described in the preceding paragraph.

Non-Solicitation

This press release is not a proxy statement or solicitation of a proxy, consent or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the proposed Transaction and shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities of IBAC, or GNQ, nor shall there be any sale of any such securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements regarding the proposed Transaction between IBAC and GNQ. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the closing of the Transaction and IBAC’s, GNQ’s, or their respective management teams’ expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. The words “anticipate”, “believe”, “continue”, “could”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intends”, “may”, “might”, “plan”, “possible”, “potential”, “predict”, “project”, “should”, “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to assumptions, risks and uncertainties. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this press release. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as and must not be relied on by an investor as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of IBAC and GNQ. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to, (i) the risk that the Transaction may not be completed in a timely manner or at all, (ii) the failure to satisfy the conditions to the consummation of the Transaction, including the approval by the stockholders of IBAC, the satisfaction of the minimum trust account amount following any redemptions by IBAC’s public stockholders and the receipt of certain governmental and regulatory approvals, (iii) risks related to the timing, outcome and scope of review by the SEC of the registration statement on Form S-4, (iv) the inability to complete the Bridge Financing or PIPE offering, (v) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the business combination agreement, (vi) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against IBAC and/or GNQ related to the business combination agreement, (vii) the ability to maintain the listing of IBAC’s stock on Nasdaq (or, if applicable, to list and maintain the listing of the combined entity on the NYSE), (viii) volatility in the price of IBAC’s securities, (ix) costs related to the Transaction and the failure to realize anticipated benefits of the Transaction, (x) the effect of the announcement or pendency of the Transaction on GNQ’s business relationships, operating results, performance and business generally, (xi) risks that the Transaction disrupts current plans and operations of GNQ, (xii) changes in the combined capital structure of IBAC and GNQ following the Transaction, (xiii) changes in the competitive industries and markets in which GNQ operates, (xiv) changes in laws and regulations affecting GNQ’s business, (xv) the ability to implement business plans and identify and realize additional opportunities, (xvi) risks related to GNQ’s projected financial information and limited operating history, (xvii) risks related to GNQ’s potential inability to achieve or maintain profitability and generate cash, (xviii) the enforceability of GNQ’s intellectual property, including its patents and the potential infringement on the intellectual property rights of others, and (xix) other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in the filings of IBAC, including the Form S-4 Registration Statement that IBAC will file. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and IBAC and GNQ assume no obligation and do not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Neither IBAC nor GNQ gives any assurance that either IBAC or GNQ will achieve its expectations.

Contact Information

For GNQ:

Rehan Huda GNQ Insilico Inc. 6200 Stoneridge Mall Rd, Ste 300 Pleasanton, California 94588 [email protected] (647) 286-0885    For IBAC:

Al Lopez IB Acquisition Corp. 1200 N Federal Highway Suite 215 Boca Raton, FL 33432 [email protected] (214) 687-0020 

SAN DIEGO, March 16, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

Robbins LLP reminds stockholders that a class action was filed on behalf of all investors who purchased or otherwise acquired Camping World Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CWH) securities between April 29, 2025 and February 24, 2026. Camping World retails recreational vehicles (“RVs”), and related products and services in the United States.

For more information, submit a form, email attorney Aaron Dumas, Jr., or give us a call at (800) 350-6003.

The Allegations: Robbins LLP is Investigating Allegations that Camping World Holdings, Inc. (CWH) Misled Investors Regarding Inventory Management

According to the complaint, during the class period, defendants failed to disclose to investors: (i) the Company overstated its ability to “surgically manage [its] inventory” to optimize profit using “data analytics;” (ii) the Company overstated the retail demand of consumers it was experiencing and/or reasonably expected; (iii) as a result, the Company would require “strict, corrective inventory management objectives,” negatively impacting gross profit and margins; and (iv) the Company’s inadequate systems and processes prevented it from ensuring reasonably accurate disclosures and/or guidance, including about the health of its balance sheet and/or the ability to manage SG&A expenses.

Plaintiff alleges that on February 24, 2026, Camping World releases disappointing fourth quarter 2025 financial results. Company also announced that it would be pausing its quarterly cash dividend, effective immediately, “following consideration of forecasted tax distributions, the reduced availability of excess tax distributions to fund dividend payments driven partly by the impact of recent tax law changes, and in consideration of the Company’s focus on reducing net debt leverage.” On this news, Camping World’s stock price fell $1.79, or 16.5%, to close at $9.06 per share on February 25, 2026.

What Now: You may be eligible to participate in the class action against Camping World Holdings, Inc. Shareholders who wish to serve as lead plaintiff for the class must submit their papers to the court by May 11, 2026. The lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. You do not have to participate in the case to be eligible for a recovery. If you choose to take no action, you can remain an absent class member. For more information, click here.

All representation is on a contingency fee basis. Shareholders pay no fees or expenses.

About Robbins LLP: A recognized leader in shareholder rights litigation, the attorneys and staff of Robbins LLP have been dedicated to helping shareholders recover losses, improve corporate governance structures, and hold company executives accountable for their wrongdoing since 2002.

To be notified if a class action against Camping World Holdings, Inc. settles or to receive free alerts when corporate executives engage in wrongdoing, sign up for Stock Watch today.

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Growth stocks are attractive to many investors, as above-average financial growth helps these stocks easily grab the market's attention and produce exceptional returns. However, it isn't easy to find a great growth stock.

By their very nature, these stocks carry above-average risk and volatility. Moreover, if a company's growth story is over or nearing its end, betting on it could lead to significant loss.

However, it's pretty easy to find cutting-edge growth stocks with the help of the Zacks Growth Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which looks beyond the traditional growth attributes to analyze a company's real growth prospects.

Our proprietary system currently recommends Mercury General (MCY - Free Report) as one such stock. This company not only has a favorable Growth Score, but also carries a top Zacks Rank.

Research shows that stocks carrying the best growth features consistently beat the market. And returns are even better for stocks that possess the combination of a Growth Score of A or B and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy).

Here are three of the most important factors that make the stock of this auto insurance company a great growth pick right now.

Earnings GrowthArguably nothing is more important than earnings growth, as surging profit levels is what most investors are after. For growth investors, double-digit earnings growth is highly preferable, as it is often perceived as an indication of strong prospects (and stock price gains) for the company under consideration.

While the historical EPS growth rate for Mercury General is 14.1%, investors should actually focus on the projected growth. The company's EPS is expected to grow 13.9% this year, crushing the industry average, which calls for EPS growth of 0.5%.

Impressive Asset Utilization RatioAsset utilization ratio -- also known as sales-to-total-assets (S/TA) ratio -- is often overlooked by investors, but it is an important indicator in growth investing. This metric shows how efficiently a firm is utilizing its assets to generate sales.

Right now, Mercury General has an S/TA ratio of 0.65, which means that the company gets $0.65 in sales for each dollar in assets. Comparing this to the industry average of 0.34, it can be said that the company is more efficient.

In addition to efficiency in generating sales, sales growth plays an important role. And Mercury General is well positioned from a sales growth perspective too. The company's sales are expected to grow 6.1% this year versus the industry average of 3.2%.

Promising Earnings Estimate RevisionsBeyond the metrics outlined above, investors should consider the trend in earnings estimate revisions. A positive trend is a plus here. Empirical research shows that there is a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.

There have been upward revisions in current-year earnings estimates for Mercury General. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has surged 7.1% over the past month.

Bottom LineMercury General has not only earned a Growth Score of A based on a number of factors, including the ones discussed above, but it also carries a Zacks Rank #1 because of the positive earnings estimate revisions.

You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

This combination indicates that Mercury General is a potential outperformer and a solid choice for growth investors.

Growth investors focus on stocks that are seeing above-average financial growth, as this feature helps these securities garner the market's attention and deliver solid returns. However, it isn't easy to find a great growth stock.

In addition to volatility, these stocks carry above-average risk by their very nature. Also, one could end up losing from a stock whose growth story is actually over or nearing its end.

However, the Zacks Growth Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which looks beyond the traditional growth attributes to analyze a company's real growth prospects, makes it pretty easy to find cutting-edge growth stocks.

Mama's Creations, Inc. (MAMA - Free Report) is on the list of such stocks currently recommended by our proprietary system. In addition to a favorable Growth Score, it carries a top Zacks Rank.

Studies have shown that stocks with the best growth features consistently outperform the market. And returns are even better for stocks that possess the combination of a Growth Score of A or B and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy).

Here are three of the most important factors that make the stock of this company a great growth pick right now.

Earnings GrowthArguably nothing is more important than earnings growth, as surging profit levels is what most investors are after. And for growth investors, double-digit earnings growth is definitely preferable, and often an indication of strong prospects (and stock price gains) for the company under consideration.

While the historical EPS growth rate for Mama's Creations, Inc. is 9.3%, investors should actually focus on the projected growth. The company's EPS is expected to grow 107.7% this year, crushing the industry average, which calls for EPS growth of 1.9%.

Impressive Asset Utilization RatioAsset utilization ratio -- also known as sales-to-total-assets (S/TA) ratio -- is often overlooked by investors, but it is an important indicator in growth investing. This metric exhibits how efficiently a firm is utilizing its assets to generate sales.

Right now, Mama's Creations, Inc. has an S/TA ratio of 2.57, which means that the company gets $2.57 in sales for each dollar in assets. Comparing this to the industry average of 0.93, it can be said that the company is more efficient.

While the level of efficiency in generating sales matters a lot, so does the sales growth of a company. And Mama's Creations, Inc. is well positioned from a sales growth perspective too. The company's sales are expected to grow 29.2% this year versus the industry average of 1.6%.

Promising Earnings Estimate RevisionsSuperiority of a stock in terms of the metrics outlined above can be further validated by looking at the trend in earnings estimate revisions. A positive trend is of course favorable here. Empirical research shows that there is a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.

The current-year earnings estimates for Mama's Creations, Inc. have been revising upward. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has surged 12.5% over the past month.

Bottom LineWhile the overall earnings estimate revisions have made Mama's Creations, Inc. a Zacks Rank #1 stock, it has earned itself a Growth Score of A based on a number of factors, including the ones discussed above.

You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

This combination positions Mama's Creations, Inc. well for outperformance, so growth investors may want to bet on it.

Growth investors focus on stocks that are seeing above-average financial growth, as this feature helps these securities garner the market's attention and deliver solid returns. However, it isn't easy to find a great growth stock.

By their very nature, these stocks carry above-average risk and volatility. Moreover, if a company's growth story is over or nearing its end, betting on it could lead to significant loss.

However, the task of finding cutting-edge growth stocks is made easy with the help of the Zacks Growth Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which looks beyond the traditional growth attributes to analyze a company's real growth prospects.

RBC Bearings (RBC - Free Report) is on the list of such stocks currently recommended by our proprietary system. In addition to a favorable Growth Score, it carries a top Zacks Rank.

Studies have shown that stocks with the best growth features consistently outperform the market. And for stocks that have a combination of a Growth Score of A or B and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy), returns are even better.

Here are three of the most important factors that make the stock of this maker of bearings and components a great growth pick right now.

Earnings GrowthArguably nothing is more important than earnings growth, as surging profit levels is what most investors are after. And for growth investors, double-digit earnings growth is definitely preferable, and often an indication of strong prospects (and stock price gains) for the company under consideration.

While the historical EPS growth rate for RBC Bearings is 27.4%, investors should actually focus on the projected growth. The company's EPS is expected to grow 24.1% this year, crushing the industry average, which calls for EPS growth of 10.4%.

Cash Flow GrowthCash is the lifeblood of any business, but higher-than-average cash flow growth is more beneficial and important for growth-oriented companies than for mature companies. That's because, high cash accumulation enables these companies to undertake new projects without raising expensive outside funds.

Right now, year-over-year cash flow growth for RBC Bearings is 8.3%, which is higher than many of its peers. In fact, the rate compares to the industry average of 4.5%.

While investors should actually consider the current cash flow growth, it's worth taking a look at the historical rate too for putting the current reading into proper perspective. The company's annualized cash flow growth rate has been 21.3% over the past 3-5 years versus the industry average of 9.9%.

Promising Earnings Estimate RevisionsBeyond the metrics outlined above, investors should consider the trend in earnings estimate revisions. A positive trend is a plus here. Empirical research shows that there is a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.

There have been upward revisions in current-year earnings estimates for RBC Bearings. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has surged 0.4% over the past month.

Bottom LineWhile the overall earnings estimate revisions have made RBC Bearings a Zacks Rank #2 stock, it has earned itself a Growth Score of B based on a number of factors, including the ones discussed above.

You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

This combination positions RBC Bearings well for outperformance, so growth investors may want to bet on it.

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

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

Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:AMZN) continues to show resilience in its e-commerce operations, according to insights shared by Bank of America analysts following the Prosper Show 2026.

The two-day conference brought together marketplaces, third-party merchants, and service providers, focusing on retail media, AI applications, and brand building.

The bank’s analysts maintained a ‘Buy’ rating on Amazon, with a price target of $275, citing ongoing share gains in e-commerce. Shares traded hands at $210 on Monday afternoon.

Attendees at the event largely downplayed concerns that AI, particularly large language models (LLMs), would disrupt direct traffic to Amazon.

“LLMs today help more with consideration, and purchases are still done directly on Amazon,” the analysts noted, though sellers are increasingly using generative AI tools to optimize listings.

Data shared at the conference also indicated that top sellers are consolidating market activity, the analysts noted. According to Skai, traffic per seller on Amazon has grown 31% since 2021, while new seller registrations fell 44% year-over-year in 2025. The number of sellers generating over $100 million in gross merchandise volume rose to 235, up from 50 in 2021, suggesting a concentration among larger merchants.

Further, Bank of America pointed out that retail media continues to be a key growth area. Skai reported that the sector grew 33% year-over-year in the fourth quarter of 2025, with Amazon controlling an estimated 79% of the market. Brands are increasingly allocating larger budgets to the channel, which Skai projects will reach $108 billion in 2026, up from $37 billion in 2021.

Despite potential inflationary pressures from higher oil prices, many sellers have held their pricing steady for now. “Sellers may be reluctant to increase prices given market share concerns,” they wrote, with some noting that higher prices in the past had affected their position on Amazon.

New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - March 16, 2026) - WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Plug Power Inc. (NASDAQ: PLUG) between January 17, 2025 and November 13, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important April 3, 2026 lead plaintiff deadline.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Plug Power securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Plug Power class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=1011 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than April 3, 2026. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved, at that time, the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) defendants had materially overstated the likelihood that funds attributed to the U.S. Department of Energy's Loan would ultimately become available to Plug Power, and/or that Plug Power would ultimately construct the hydrogen production facilities necessary to receive those funds; (2) as such, Plug Power was likely to pivot toward more modest projects with less commercial upside; and (3) as a result, Plug Power's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Plug Power class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=1011 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

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To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/288704

Source: The Rosen Law Firm PA

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Key Takeaways Fastenal plans a new Southeast distribution hub in Carrollton, GA, with construction starting March 24, 2026.Fastenal's new facility will replace its 252,000-sq-ft Atlanta hub, supporting branches across the Southeast.FAST plans to raise 2026 capex to about 3.5% of net sales to fund automation and hub capacity expansion. Fastenal Company (FAST - Free Report) continues to strengthen its logistics infrastructure with plans to develop a new Southeast U.S. regional operations and distribution hub in Carrollton, GA. Designed as a primary growth engine for the region, the project is scheduled to break ground on March 24, 2026, at the Old Airport Road Development, with operations expected to begin in spring 2027.

The new facility, which is designed to be larger than Fastenal's current 252,000 square-foot regional distribution center in Atlanta, succeeds on its long-standing distribution operation, AHUB. AHUB or Atlanta hub debuted in 1993 with 50,000 square feet of warehouse space in Atlanta and currently houses a 300-person team, offering distribution, logistics and support services for branches and customer sites throughout the Southeastern United States. FAST aims to continue with its expansion plans in this region over the next five years, as it moves into the larger facility.

Notably, this expansion directly addresses critical capacity needs as Fastenal pursues an ambitious long-term goal of becoming a $15 billion organization. To support an anticipated double-digit increase in net sales for 2026, the hub will incorporate next-generation warehouse technologies, including advanced processing software and enhanced material-handling systems. These innovations are engineered to increase storage density and accelerate order picking, ensuring higher inventory availability and faster service for branches and customer sites across the Southeastern United States.

Beyond improving physical throughput, the relocation represents a strategic investment in human capital. Its proximity to local educational institutions creates a strong talent pipeline to support Fastenal’s planned workforce expansion over the next five years. To support these initiatives, the company plans to raise 2026 capital expenditures to about 3.5% of net sales, prioritizing hub capacity and automation to enhance long-term scalability and operational efficiency. Thus, by scaling infrastructure and integrating advanced technologies, the company aims to better support rising demand and strengthen long-term growth.

Fastenal’s Competitive PositionFastenal operates in the highly fragmented wholesale distribution market for industrial and construction supplies, competing against both broad-line national distributors and specialized regional players. Its primary competitors include Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL - Free Report) and United Rentals, Inc. (URI - Free Report) .

Sterling Infrastructure has delivered strong performance, driven by momentum in its E-Infrastructure and Transportation segments. Disciplined project selection, strategic acquisitions and solid execution have supported revenue and adjusted operating income growth. Adjusted EBITDA rose sharply year over year, with fourth-quarter gross margins reaching record levels on a favorable project mix and improved efficiency.

United Rentals, meanwhile, operates the world’s largest equipment rental fleet, offering construction machinery and specialized solutions in fluid management, power and HVAC and trench safety. The company has expanded beyond traditional rentals with digital fleet tools, onsite services and integrated jobsite solutions, helping contractors optimize equipment use, manage costs and streamline complex projects.

FAST Stock’s Price Performance & Valuation TrendShares of this wholesale distributor of industrial and construction supplies have gained 19.6% over the past year, outperforming the Zacks Industrial Services industry but underperforming the broader Industrial Products sector and the S&P 500 Index.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

FAST stock is currently trading at a premium compared with its industry peers, with a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 36.2, as shown in the chart below.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Earnings Estimate Revision of FASTFAST’s earnings estimates for 2026 have remained unchanged over the past 60 days. However, the 2027 earnings estimate has increased during the same period. The estimated figures for 2026 and 2027 imply year-over-year growth of 12.8% and 9.8%, respectively.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Fastenal currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

A crypto analyst has predicted that Dogecoin’s price action will pump very hard soon if on-chain data is any indication. The meme coin has been trading around $0.10, but a set of network metrics is beginning to provide a constructive outlook. 

Despite the lackluster price action, some analysts believe a recovery may be closer than the price chart suggests. These predictions are based on different factors, but one notable one is the increase in the number of active addresses that are interacting with the Dogecoin network.

Dogecoin Active Addresses Jump 176% In One Week Recent data from the on-chain analytics platform Santiment points to a significant rise in participation on the Dogecoin network. According to information shared by Ali Martinez, the number of active DOGE addresses increased from 41,557 to 114,662 within the past week, representing a 176% jump.

The chart data of active Dogecoin addresses shows that activity increased at the end of the previous week. Earlier readings were around the 40,000 to 70,000 range before an activity run pushed the number of active addresses above 100,000. The final bar on the chart shows the figure reaching above 114,000 addresses, the highest level in months.

Active addresses are one of the measures of real network engagement. A rise in this metric usually indicates that more users are sending, receiving, or interacting with the asset. In the case of Dogecoin, which is known for its waves of retail participation, a sudden increase in address activity can be a sign that attention is returning to the meme coin.

Commentator Says DOGE Could Pump Hard The jump in network activity quickly led to reactions among market observers. Crypto commentator Myles G. responded to the data by stating that Dogecoin will “pump hard soon,” linking the increase in active addresses to the possibility of a stronger price move ahead. Such reactions are not unusual in crypto markets. Therefore, it isn’t surprising that the analyst would be anticipating a hard pump for the Dogecoin price.

Arguably, the most consequential development for the possibility of Dogecoin pumping hard is what appears to be coordinated accumulation by large wallet holders. Another update shared by Ali Martinez adds a different dimension to the recent activity surrounding Dogecoin. According to the analyst, whales purchased approximately 470 million DOGE over the past 72 hours.

The chart attached to that post shows the amount of Dogecoin held by large holders climbing from March 12 to March 14. Technical analysis of the Dogecoin price action shows that strength is already building for the meme coin. All it needs is to hold above $0.105 before the end of the week. If history is any precedent, the increase in whale holdings could be the first step in a repricing to the upside.

DOGE trading at $0.10 on the 1D chart | Source: DOGEUSDT on Tradingview.com Featured image from Pixabay, chart from Tradingview.com

17h05 ▪ 4 min read ▪ by Fenelon L.

Summarize this article with:

The largest American bank reaches a decisive milestone. JPMorgan Chase now allows its institutional clients to pledge bitcoin and Ethereum to obtain loans. A decision that, seemingly technical, sends a strong signal to the entire global financial sector. 

In brief JPMorgan Chase officially accepts bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) as loan collateral for its institutional clients. The pledged digital assets will be held by a third-party custodian under the bank’s global program. This measure follows the prior acceptance of crypto ETFs as collateral and marks a new step in institutional integration. JPMorgan opens its doors to Bitcoin and Ethereum This is a decision the market had been waiting for several months. JPMorgan Chase, the largest bank in the United States, has officially launched its program allowing its institutional clients to pledge bitcoin and Ethereum as loan collateral, as reported by CNBC.

The announcement does not come as a total surprise. In October 2025, Bloomberg had already revealed that the bank planned to authorize this type of collateral before the end of the year. The promise is now fulfilled. The pledged assets will be held by a third-party custodian, as part of a globally deployed program.

This launch also fits into a logical progression. JPMorgan had already paved the way by accepting crypto ETFs as loan collateral. Taking the step with actual assets, BTC and ETH held directly by clients, however, represents a significant qualitative leap. Ultimately, this is an explicit recognition of their value within a traditional financing framework.

Specifically, clients can now access liquidity without selling their cryptos. They maintain their market exposure while freeing up capital for other operations. A major strategic advantage, especially during periods of high volatility.

However, some details are still missing: eligibility criteria, margin levels, risk management. CNBC specifies that the rollout will remain gradual, with possible expansion to other bank divisions as regulatory frameworks evolve.

A strong signal for the entire institutional finance sector JPMorgan is not alone in this dynamic. Morgan Stanley, State Street, and Fidelity are also developing their crypto offerings, particularly in asset custody and retail access. The movement is general, coordinated, and now seems irreversible.

This trend takes place in a favorable context: bitcoin reached historic highs in 2024-2025, and the American regulatory environment has eased since Donald Trump took office. The SEC, long perceived as a barrier to institutional adoption, has shifted to a more open stance to dialogue with the crypto industry.

On the market side, accepting BTC and ETH as collateral could support structural demand for these two assets. Institutional investors, who previously held these cryptos without being able to leverage them financially, now have an additional tool. This enriches their arsenal without overloading their portfolios.

In the longer term, this JPMorgan decision could set a precedent. If the world’s largest bank validates this model, other institutions in Europe and Asia will find it hard to justify their immobility. The gap between traditional finance and the digital economy is closing, slowly but surely.

In sum, JPMorgan has just sent a clear message to the entire financial sector: Bitcoin and Ethereum are no longer simple speculative assets; they are full-fledged instruments in balance sheet management.

This decision, even if it remains cautious in its implementation, marks a point of no return in institutional adoption of cryptos. For investors, a new era opens, where holding BTC or ETH also means holding financial power.

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Fenelon L.

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

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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.

Wall Street private-credit funds are slowing the exits as withdrawal pressure buildsAs Bitcoin climbs and holds above $73,000, several of Wall Street’s biggest private-credit funds have capped, stretched, or halted withdrawals, according to recent filings and reports tied to BlackRock, Blackstone, Morgan Stanley, Cliffwater, and Blue Owl.

JPMorgan has also marked down some private-credit loan portfolios and reduced lending against parts of the same market, a sign that the pressure is moving beyond investor queues and into the financing that supports the asset class.

Investors asked to withdraw more money than several funds were willing or able to return on schedule. The pattern points to a market built on steady income and smoother marks running into a basic liquidity problem when demand for cash rises: the underlying loans do not trade like public bonds and are harder to sell quickly.

The gap between promised access and actual liquidity sits at the center of the issue. It is also the part most likely to travel beyond private-markets specialists.

For crypto, the distinction is clear even before any price reaction enters the picture. A gated private fund and a 24/7 traded asset handle liquidity in very different ways. One depends on quarterly windows and the manager's discretion. The other trades continuously, for better and for worse.

The pressure is visible in the numbers.

Firm / fundFund sizeWithdrawal requestsAllowed or standard capReported outcomeBlackRock / HPS Corporate Lending Fund$26B9.3%5%Capped repurchasesBlackstone / Bcred$82B7.9%5%Record request level above thresholdMorgan Stanley / North Haven Private Income Fund$7.6B10.9%5%Capped withdrawalsCliffwater Corporate Lending Fund$33B14%7% paid, 5% guaranteed floorLimited withdrawalsBlue Owl$1.6BNot stated in the cited reportChanged termsQuarterly withdrawals haltedJPMorgan$22B exposure cited in coverageNot applicableNot applicableReduced lending against some collateralThe ratios are more telling than the top-line figures. BlackRock’s fund faced demand equal to about 1.86 times its 5% cap. Morgan Stanley’s fund faced roughly 2.18 times its cap. Cliffwater saw requests equal to 2 times the 7% it planned to honor, and 2.8 times the standard 5% gate. Blackstone’s Bcred reached 1.58 times the 5% threshold that lets it restrict payouts. Those are not tiny overruns.

So far, the market has not had to digest a clear wave of forced sales at disclosed discounts. That marks the dividing line between a liquidity-management problem and a valuation problem. Still, JPMorgan’s move adds a harder edge.

When a bank lends less against private-credit assets after marking down some portfolios, it changes the economics around those funds even if investors never read the filings. Financing gets tighter. Asset sales become more expensive. Confidence takes another hit.

What the filings show, and where the pressure can move nextThe filings and reports point to the same mechanism across several products. Private-credit funds offered investors periodic ways to redeem, but the assets under them are private loans that do not move through a deep public market.

Managers can smooth marks in calm periods because they are not forced to print a public price every minute. But when redemptions exceed the cap, the smoothing stops looking like stability and starts looking like a delay.

That distinction shapes where the next pressure may show up. If managers can continue to meet a portion of requests each quarter while keeping loan performance intact, the situation stays inside the box marked limited liquidity.

If requests keep outpacing those windows, managers will have fewer clean options. They can continue to ration cash. They can sell loans. Or they can change fund terms. Each of those choices carries consequences for the market’s growth outlook.

The private-credit market has grown to about $1.8T, according to an IMF note. That scale helps explain why a cluster of redemption caps now reads as more than product-level noise. The system does not need a crisis to feel a slowdown. It only needs investors and lenders to act more cautiously at the same time.

That caution is already visible in public signals around the sector. A Barron’s report cited in earlier coverage said the VanEck Alternative Asset Manager ETF was down 23% in 2026. That shows that public markets are already repricing the firms tied most closely to the trade.

For Bitcoin, the cleanest interpretation is structural and centered on market design. Crypto markets are volatile, but they are transparent about that volatility in a way private-credit products are not.

A holder can sell Bitcoin at any time the market is open to them, which is effectively all the time.

A holder in a private-credit vehicle may learn that liquidity exists only inside a quarterly gate. The difference describes how access works, rather than settling the question of which asset is safer.

The private-credit pitch was built on two ideas at once: stable income and tolerable access. Recent events have not yet disproved the income side. They have, however, tested the access side in public. JPMorgan’s tighter lending, tied to marked-down collateral, adds a second layer of pressure because it suggests the firms financing the system are also adjusting their view of the risk.

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The next question is whether managers can clear the queue without changing how the market prices these loans.

Bull and bear cases for markets, liquidity, and cryptoThe bull case for the sector is a contained slowdown. In that version, funds continue to honor a portion of withdrawals, managers sell selected assets without taking large disclosed hits, and banks other than JPMorgan do not rush to widen haircuts or pull back financing across the board.

The pressure then stays concentrated in products with heavier retail or wealth-channel exposure. Fundraising slows, but the market avoids a broad reset in valuations.

For crypto, that setup gives Bitcoin a narrative edge without requiring a macro accident. The contrast is simple: Wall Street products can ration exits, while Bitcoin remains continuously tradable. That framing can help BTC relative to traditional risk assets even if the direct flow link remains thin.

The bear case is more mechanical. If withdrawal requests remain above caps for another quarter and managers begin selling assets into a thinner secondary market, the focus shifts from access to pricing.

A loan sold below the last stated value becomes a reference point for the next trade. Once that happens, lenders may tighten terms further, other banks may follow JPMorgan, and investors may question whether net asset values are keeping pace with market reality. In that version, liquidity pressure can feed valuation pressure, and valuation pressure can feed more withdrawals.

In a broader liquidity event, Bitcoin often behaves first like a liquid asset. Investors sell what they can. The safer argument, based on the material cited above, is that the issue strengthens Bitcoin’s long-term case as an asset without redemption windows, while leaving short-term price direction open.

There is also a middle ground, and it may be the most likely one. Private credit can keep growing while losing part of the sales pitch that helped it reach a wider base of investors. A market can survive a queue.

What becomes harder to sustain is the language that treats those products like near-cash income tools. Once withdrawals exceed caps across several large names, the burden shifts. Managers then have to show that limited liquidity is a manageable feature, rather than the defining fact of the product.

For now, the market has a cluster of capped or halted exits, a bank that is lending less against some of the same assets, and a set of public numbers that show the line is getting longer.

The next quarter will show whether managers are simply pacing withdrawals, or whether the industry has to start proving what those loans are worth when someone actually needs to sell them.

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Jane Street, the quantitative trading powerhouse and authorized participant in spot Bitcoin ETFs, has resumed active crypto trading.

According to data tracked by Lookonchain, wallets linked to the firm saw an inflow of 205 Bitcoin, worth about $15 million, from institutional exchanges BitMEX and LMAX Digital on Monday.

Jane Street, recently accused of insider trading during the LUNA/Terra crash and dumping $BTC at 10 AM, is actively trading again.

In the past 2 hours, wallets linked to #JaneStreet received 205.36 $BTC($15.08M) from BitMEX and LMAX Digital.https://t.co/6Jt6RTJRed pic.twitter.com/JJ4PKyCVA4

— Lookonchain (@lookonchain) March 16, 2026

Jane Street’s fresh on-chain activity comes as the firm faces accusations over its role in the May 2022 collapse of TerraUSD (UST) and LUNA that wiped out about $40 billion in value.

Todd Snyder, Terraform Labs’ bankruptcy plan administrator, is suing the Wall Street giant for alleged front-running using non-public insider information. Snyder also filed a $4 billion claim against Jump Trading.

Alongside the legal action, a widely circulated theory on X accused Jane Street of systematically influencing Bitcoin price movements.

Crypto traders pointed to a pattern in which Bitcoin frequently dropped around 10:00 a.m. ET, shortly after the US market opened, for months leading into early 2026.

Jane Street is suspected of having leveraged its role as an authorized participant for BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF to sell Bitcoin, trigger liquidations, and then accumulate ETF shares at lower prices.

And there it is: Jane Street was behind the 2022 crypto winter, destroying Terraform by first depegging the token and destroying the ecosystem, then pretending it would rescue Terra, while effectively it was soaking up what little value remained. pic.twitter.com/Wo9HnBHAoP

— zerohedge (@zerohedge) February 24, 2026

Observers later noted that the sell-off pattern appeared to stop in late February 2026, about a few days after the Terraform lawsuit became public.

However, several analysts and market veterans dismissed the allegations that Jane Street manipulated Bitcoin prices.

Rob Hadick, partner at Dragonfly Capital, said the claims show a fundamental misunderstanding of derivatives markets and the role of ETF authorized participants.

A person close to Jane Street also told Fortune in late February that the claims were an “absolutely ridiculous” conspiracy theory.

Disclosure: This article was edited by Vivian Nguyen. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.

Markets Rally Ahead of President Trump’s SpeechGlobal markets are reacting strongly ahead of President Donald Trump’s expected White House speech today, with equities surging and oil prices falling after reports that the United States is allowing some oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz to stabilize global supply.

The development comes after days of heightened geopolitical tensions involving Iran and the United States. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints, responsible for transporting roughly 20% of global oil supply.

Reports that tankers are now being allowed to pass through the strait have eased fears of a major disruption to global energy markets. As a result, oil prices dropped sharply, triggering a powerful rally across U.S. stock markets.

$1 Trillion Added to U.S. StocksThe market reaction has been immediate. U.S. equities surged at the open, with major indexes posting strong gains.

The S&P 500, Nasdaq, Dow Jones, and Russell 2000 all climbed significantly as investors interpreted the tanker news as a signal of possible de-escalation in the Middle East conflict.

Tech stocks led the rally, with major companies such as Nvidia, Meta, Tesla, Apple, and Google all trading higher. In total, the U.S. stock market added hundreds of billions of dollars in market value, approaching the $1 trillion mark during the early session.

The logic behind the rally is straightforward: if oil supply remains stable, inflation pressure may ease, which could reduce economic uncertainty and support risk assets.

Oil Prices Drop After Hormuz NewsEnergy markets were extremely sensitive to the situation in the Strait of Hormuz over the past week. Any threat to the route can send oil prices soaring due to fears of supply disruptions.

However, the latest reports suggesting the United States is allowing some tankers to pass through the strait have helped calm markets.

Oil prices dropped sharply after the announcement, reinforcing the perception that global supply chains may remain intact despite ongoing geopolitical tensions.

For financial markets, lower oil prices often translate into lower inflation expectations, which tends to support stocks and other risk assets.

All Eyes on President Trump’s AnnouncementPresident Trump is expected to address the situation during a White House press conference later today. Investors are closely watching the speech for signals about the next steps in U.S. policy.

Key questions markets are asking include:

Will the U.S. officially confirm that tanker traffic through Hormuz is being stabilized?Will there be a broader international coalition protecting the shipping route?Could the speech signal de-escalation or further military action?Markets have already partially priced in a positive outcome, meaning the tone of the speech could play a decisive role in determining the next move across global assets.

Could Bitcoin Be the Next Market Mover?While traditional markets have already reacted, the cryptocurrency market is watching closely.

Bitcoin has recently shown surprising resilience during geopolitical instability. In many cases, major macro developments initially move traditional markets such as oil and equities before spilling over into crypto.

By TradingView - BTCUSD_2026-03-16 (1M)If global risk sentiment continues improving, capital could rotate back into digital assets, potentially supporting Bitcoin and the broader crypto market.

On the other hand, if the speech signals escalation or renewed uncertainty, volatility could return across both traditional and crypto markets.

For now, Bitcoin traders are waiting to see whether the macro rally in equities will translate into momentum for the crypto market as well.

ConclusionWith oil prices dropping and U.S. stocks surging ahead of President Trump’s speech, global markets are positioning for potential stabilization in the Strait of Hormuz situation.

By TradingView - USOIL_2026-03-16 (1M)However, the final market reaction will likely depend on the tone and details of the announcement. Investors across equities, commodities, and cryptocurrencies are now waiting to see whether the speech confirms de-escalation — or introduces a new wave of uncertainty.

If risk appetite continues improving, Bitcoin could become the next asset to react.

The stablecoin issuer has rallied as analysts point to growing demand for USDC, a higher interest-rate environment and the rapid expansion of tokenized assets. Mar 16, 2026, 4:15 p.m.

Shares of stablecoin issuer Circle (CRCL) have surged more than 100% over the past month, turning what many investors once viewed as one of the most conservative corners of crypto into one of the market’s hottest trades.

The rally gained momentum Monday, with the stock climbing another 8% to $124.37, outpacing other crypto-linked equities. Meanwhile, Michael Saylor's Strategy (MSTR) and crypto exchange Coinbase (COIN) are up 23% and 8.5% in a month, respectively.

Circle's stock performance versus MSTR and COIN (TradingView)The move also coincided with recent bullish analyst calls. Clear Street upgraded Circle to Buy from Hold and raised its price target to $136 from $92, while Mizuho also raised its price to $120 from $100, pointing to improving fundamentals around the company’s USDC stablecoin.

Even Circle's biggest bear, Compass Point’s Ed Engel, upgraded the company's rating to Neutral from Sell in January. Currently, Seaport Global's analyst is the most bullish on the stock, with a $280 price target, according to FactSet data.

Hottest crypto tradeThe surge reflects a growing view among investors that Circle sits at the center of several powerful trends shaping the digital asset industry, from tokenized financial products to AI-driven payments.

Macro conditions may also be playing a role. Escalating tensions in Iran and rising oil prices have fueled concerns that inflation could remain sticky, potentially delaying Federal Reserve rate cuts. That scenario could benefit Circle because the company earns a large share of its revenue from interest on reserves backing USDC, its dollar-pegged stablecoin. Higher interest rates typically translate into stronger earnings for stablecoin issuers.

Circle’s core product is USDC, a digital token designed to maintain a value of $1. The stablecoin runs on public blockchains and allows users to move dollars globally, settle trades and post collateral without relying on traditional banking rails.

Unlike many crypto assets, demand for stablecoins often grows even when markets decline. Since October 2025, the total crypto market capitalization has fallen roughly 44%, while USDC’s market cap has remained relatively stable, according to Clear Street. The difference reflects USDC’s role as a payment infrastructure rather than a speculative asset.

Another driver is the rapid expansion of tokenized financial assets, which bring instruments like U.S. Treasuries and credit funds onto blockchain networks. Many of these products use USDC to process subscriptions, redemptions and payments. BlackRock’s tokenized Treasury fund BUIDL, for example, has grown to more than $2 billion in assets since launching in 2024.

Clear Street estimates the market for tokenized assets has expanded from about $1.5 billion in early 2023 to roughly $26.5 billion today, a trend closely tied to rising demand for stablecoins.

“The scale of this opportunity is significant,” Clear Street's Lau said.

Other emerging use cases could add further momentum. Prediction markets such as Polymarket processed more than $22 billion in trading volume in 2025, largely using USDC as the settlement currency.

Analysts also point to AI-driven commerce as a longer-term catalyst. Autonomous software agents increasingly require programmable payment tools to purchase data, services or computing power. Early data suggests stablecoins already dominate these transactions, with roughly 98% of AI-agent payments settled in USDC.

Regulation could provide another boost. Analysts say the chances of U.S. crypto legislation advancing have improved after President Donald Trump voiced support for the proposed CLARITY Act, which would clarify oversight of digital assets and could encourage greater institutional participation.

For now, the result is a rare market moment: a company built around one of crypto’s most stable assets has become one of its fastest-rising stocks.

"We believe the Street has under-estimated the impact of tokenization, prediction markets, war and AI on USDC," Lau noted.

Read more: Circle overtakes BlackRock in tokenized Treasuries as market hits record $11 billion

More For You

Institutions had ‘diamond hands’ during bitcoin's 50% plunge, Bitwise's Matt Hougan says

1 hour ago

“The wildest thing about my $1 million prediction is that it's not wild at all,” said the digital asset fund manager's CIO.

What to know:

Institutional investors have largely held onto their bitcoin ETF positions despite a roughly 50 percent price drop since October 2025, according to Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan.Hougan argues that because bitcoin remains a non-consensus asset, institutions willing to allocate to it face career risk and therefore tend to have unusually high conviction, making their capital "very sticky" even in volatile markets.Citing this resilience, Hougan reaffirmed his long-term outlook that bitcoin could reach $1 million if the global store-of-value market continues to expand.

TLDR: Strategy purchased 22,337 BTC last week, surpassing seven times the total weekly mined supply of 3,150 coins. STRC recorded $2.2B in weekly trading volume, with a single day hitting $740M — rare for any fixed income product. The 11.5% STRC dividend is backed by over $2B cash and $55B in Bitcoin, giving investors yield with BTC exposure. At its current pace, STRC could raise $16B more in 2025, growing Strategy’s Bitcoin stack by nearly 30% without MSTR dilution. STRC, Strategy’s preferred stock, has emerged as a powerful Bitcoin accumulation tool in the market. Last week, the instrument raised $1.18 billion for the company in a single week.

Strategy then used those proceeds to purchase 22,337 Bitcoin. That purchase exceeded seven times the weekly mined supply of 3,150 coins.

The scale of this activity is drawing growing attention across both traditional finance and the broader crypto space.

A Fixed Income Product Unlike Any Other STRC did not exist eight months ago. Yet, it is now generating trading volumes that no other fixed income product can match.

Last week alone, it recorded $2.2 billion in weekly trading volume. On a single day, volume reached $740 million.

Typically, preferred equity products trade quietly in institutional accounts. However, STRC is behaving more like a high-demand growth asset.

Its 11.5% dividend makes it attractive to income-focused investors. At the same time, every dollar flowing into it converts directly into Bitcoin on Strategy’s balance sheet.

The dividend obligation remains fixed and backed by over $2 billion in cash. Strategy also holds over $55 billion worth of Bitcoin as further backing.

This structure gives investors a yield-bearing product with Bitcoin exposure underneath. That combination is rare in traditional financial markets.

As analyst Rob Wallace noted on X, STRC is “becoming the Bitcoin accumulation machine Saylor has always dreamed of.” The product is eliminating thousands of potential future Bitcoin holders by absorbing supply permanently.

This week, Strategy bought 22,337 Bitcoin. Miners produced 3,150.

That means Michael Saylor bought more than seven times the weekly mined supply in a bear market.

And the deeper you look into it, the wilder it gets.

STRC, Strategy’s preferred stock, raised $1.18 billion last… pic.twitter.com/OgRerd8gYv

— Rob Wallace │ Bitcoin News 🥞 (@_Rob_Wallace) March 16, 2026

Over the last two weeks, STRC raised $1.557 billion in total. That pace, even conservatively projected, could generate another $16 billion before the end of the year.

Strategy’s Supply Absorption and What It Means for Bitcoin Strategy is currently purchasing Bitcoin at 2.66 times the global daily mining rate. This means the company is absorbing supply far faster than the network can produce new coins.

As that gap widens, available Bitcoin on the open market continues to shrink. The effect on long-term price dynamics is straightforward to trace.

If STRC raises $16 billion more this year as projected, Strategy’s Bitcoin stack would grow by nearly 30%. Notably, this growth would not dilute common MSTR shareholders.

That structure separates STRC from typical equity raises. It also makes the model more sustainable than critics suggest.

Some market observers have called Strategy’s model a Ponzi scheme. However, similar criticism followed Bitcoin at $1, $100, and again at $10,000.

The company’s approach depends on continued belief in Bitcoin’s long-term appreciation. The historical track record of Bitcoin’s price has so far supported that thesis.

The full scale of this machine has not yet been tested in a bull market. That moment, should it arrive, could reshape the pace of institutional Bitcoin accumulation further.