Market Signal Briefing

In recent XRP news, Ripple has released another 1 billion XRP from its escrow system in three tranches. Whale Alert reported transactions of 200 million, 300 million, and 500 million XRP. The total value exceeded $1.37 billion at current market prices. The company carries out these releases each month as part of its long-running liquidity and supply plan.

Data from XRPL Services showed that Ripple now holds around 32.91 billion XRP. This amount equals about 32% of the total token supply and is valued above $45 billion at present market rates. These holdings remain one of the largest single positions in the ecosystem, and they continue to draw market attention during each scheduled unlock.

Although the release was large, XRP showed almost no price reaction. The token saw a slight move of 0.9% from the day’s opening, which kept it in a narrow range through the morning session. At press time, the XRP price was trading at $1.36, a 3.56% surge from the 24 hour. 

XRP Market Performance and ETF ActivityFebruary closed with a notable downward move for XRP. The token ended the month down 16.45%. During the deepest point of the decline, XRP had fallen about 33% from earlier levels. The month’s weakness placed the asset among the laggards in the larger market.

During the trading week of February 23–27, spot XRP ETFs recorded net inflows of $9.55 million. These flows were small compared with spot Bitcoin ETFs that reported $787 million in inflows and with Ethereum and Solana ETFs that drew $80.46 million and $44.44 million. However, the XRP figures still signaled steady interest.

Concurrent with XRP's increased attention, Ripple’s leadership also continued to address regulatory matters. As we reported, a call from the company’s chief executive, Brad Garlinghouse, urged that banks work in good faith to pass the CLARITY Act, which he says would play out well for XRP.

Analyst Maintains Long-Term View on XRPCrypto analyst Javon Marks shared a long-range forecast that remains positive despite the drop below $1.3. He wrote that the measured move target for XRP “remains intact” and pointed to a structure forming across several past cycles. His chart covered more than ten years of price movement and included past wedge patterns that ended with sharp rallies.

Marks argued that XRP has followed a repeated setup in past cycles. He pointed to formations in 2017 and in the period leading into 2021. In both cases, XRP dropped below a support area and later moved sharply upward. He called these events “false breakdowns” and said they often came before new all-time highs.

He compared the rise from about $0.55 to above $2.2 in late 2024 with the pattern seen in 2017. He said this move may act as an early stage for a larger advance. His projection showed a possible range between $15 and $18, based on long-term measurements of trend structures.

Source: X

Marks also shared a chart of XRP priced against Bitcoin. He wrote that the pair “looks to be setting up for an over 680% run” and said that such a move could lift XRP above $10 in the broader cycle.

Bitcoin broke below an adjusted realized price level tied to newer supply, signaling fresh stress across the current cycle’s holder base. Meanwhile, traders still point to 72,000 as the pivot that could flip the market from range trading into a renewed push higher.

Bitcoin Falls Below Adjusted Realized Price as Geopolitical Tensions EscalateBitcoin traded below its adjusted realized price for the first time in the current cycle, according to data shared by market commentator That Martini Guy on X. The metric, which excludes coins held for more than seven years, tracks the average acquisition cost of more recently active supply. Historically, when Bitcoin falls under this level, it signals that a large share of holders sit at an unrealized loss.

Data from CryptoQuant shows Bitcoin’s market price slipping under the adjusted realized price line near the $72,000 area. The chart indicates that throughout 2023, 2024, and most of 2025, Bitcoin remained above this cost basis. However, the latest decline pushed price beneath the orange realized price curve, marking a technical shift in market structure.

Bitcoin Adjusted Realized Price Falls Below Market Price. Source: CryptoQuant

The move comes as geopolitical tensions intensified between the United States, Israel, and Iran. In recent days, officials from Washington and Tehran exchanged warnings following Israeli military operations linked to Iranian-backed groups. The situation added pressure to global markets as investors reacted to the risk of broader regional escalation. Oil prices moved higher, while equities showed volatility, reflecting uncertainty around potential supply disruptions and military developments.

As tensions rose, risk assets faced renewed selling. Bitcoin, which often trades in line with broader macro sentiment during periods of stress, declined sharply from recent highs. The pullback coincided with increased demand for traditional safe-haven assets, including the U.S. dollar and government bonds. Market participants adjusted positions amid concerns about possible direct confrontation or expanded military engagement.

The adjusted realized price level now acts as a reference point for traders assessing whether the drop represents temporary stress or a deeper trend change. Previous cycles showed that extended trading below realized price can coincide with heightened volatility. At the same time, rebounds above the metric have historically signaled renewed upward momentum.

For now, Bitcoin remains under that threshold as geopolitical developments continue to unfold. Financial markets are tracking diplomatic statements, military movements, and energy market reactions, all of which could influence risk appetite in the days ahead.

Bitcoin Chart Flags 72,000 Resistance as Traders Watch for BreakoutMeanwhile , Bitcoin’s 4 hour chart on Binance shows price trading inside a wide consolidation zone after a steep selloff and a sharp rebound, according to an analysis shared by Captain Faibik on X. His chart marks a defined range with repeated reactions at both boundaries, suggesting the market has shifted from trend movement into a back and forth structure.

BitcoinUSDT 4 Hour Range Setup. Source: Captain Faibik on X

Faibik said a “big move” could follow and framed the near term risk as a potential bear trap, where price dips below support to trigger exits before reversing higher. On the chart, the lower edge of the range aligns with recent wicks and fast rebounds, which often reflect aggressive buying interest after breakdown attempts.

He also highlighted 72,000 as the key resistance level to reclaim. The chart places that ceiling near the upper part of the marked range, where previous rallies stalled. A clean push above that level would signal that buyers absorbed supply at the top of the structure.

If bulls reclaim 72,000, Faibik said Bitcoin could rally toward the 82,000 to 83,000 zone in March. His projection follows a common sequence in range markets, where a confirmed break above resistance can trigger follow through as traders reposition from defensive setups into momentum trades.

Ethereum's co-founder outlines EIP-7864 and a phased EVM replacement plan targeting proving efficiency and protocol simplicity.

Marathon Digital Holdings (MARA) (NASDAQ: MARA), a key player in the digital asset and infrastructure space, recently unveiled its financial performance for the fourth quarter and full fiscal year 2025, alongside two significant partnerships aimed at diversifying its operations beyond traditional Bitcoin mining. These developments come amid a volatile market for crypto-related firms, where energy costs and asset valuations have pressured profitability.

The company’s moves signal a pivot toward high-growth areas like AI and hyperscale computing, drawing mixed responses from analysts and investors.

In its Q4 and FY 2025 earnings, MARA reported a substantial net loss of approximately $1.7 billion, or -$4.52 per diluted share, a stark contrast to the prior year’s profit of $528.3 million, or $1.24 per share.

This shortfall stemmed largely from a $1.5 billion markdown on Bitcoin holdings, reflecting cryptocurrency price fluctuations.

Quarterly revenue dipped 6% year-over-year to $202.3 million, falling short of expectations around $250-253 million.

For the full year, however, revenue climbed 38% to $907.1 million, highlighting some resilience in core operations.

Bitcoin production metrics showed strain, with mining costs exceeding $48,000 per coin, squeezing margins amid rising energy demands.

Management attributed the results to market cycles but emphasized operational efficiencies, including expanded hash rates and site optimizations.

Analysts reacted with caution to the earnings miss, noting the wide gap between actual EPS and forecasts (which ranged from -$0.23 to -$0.45).

Initial stock price movements reflected disappointment, with shares dropping about 2.1% in after-hours trading to around $8.39, extending a year-to-date decline of roughly 5.9% and a six-month slide of 46.7%.

The stock’s high beta of 5.53 underscores its sensitivity to broader crypto trends, leading some to label it as overvalued per fair value assessments.

However, sentiment shifted positively post-announcement, with shares rallying up to 14-15% in extended trading, fueled by excitement over the strategic updates.

This rebound suggests investors are prioritizing long-term potential over immediate shortfalls.

Perhaps as expected at this point, industry professionals express guarded optimism.

Wall Street maintains a “Buy” consensus, with price targets spanning $8 to $30 and an average around $19-20, implying potential upside of over 100% from current levels.

Forecasts anticipate EPS improvement from -$1.04 in 2025 to -$0.56 in 2026, driven by cost controls and diversification.

Experts like those at BTIG and Piper Sandler reiterate “Buy” or “Overweight” ratings, citing MARA’s energy assets as key to navigating cycles.

Complementing the earnings, MARA announced a strategic alliance with Starwood Capital Group’s Digital Ventures to repurpose power-rich sites into advanced data centers for enterprise, hyperscale, and AI applications.

MARA provides sites with low-cost energy and scalability, while Starwood handles design, construction, tenant acquisition, and operations.

The initiative targets 1 GW of near-term capacity, expandable to 2.5 GW, enabling flexible workloads between Bitcoin mining and AI computing based on demand.

This capital-efficient approach is seen as a hedge against crypto volatility, positioning MARA at the energy-compute nexus.

Additionally, MARA deepened its European footprint through a collaboration with EDF Pulse Ventures and NJJ Holding to bolster Exaion, a high-performance computing and AI infrastructure provider.

MARA secured a 64% stake in Exaion, with NJJ taking a 10% minority interest in MARA’s French arm.

The partnership, now finalized after regulatory approvals, aims to scale Exaion’s secure cloud and HPC offerings, establishing it as a key European player.

Governance includes board representation from all parties, fostering industrial momentum.Industry observers view these partnerships as timely pivots, though challenges remain.

Retrofitting mining sites for AI demands significant expertise, and MARA trails peers like CleanSpark or Iris Energy in execution.

Still, Starwood’s $125 billion in assets and track record could derisk the transition, potentially unlocking new revenue streams.

Analysts project these moves could stabilize earnings and boost valuations if tenant leases materialize swiftly. Overall, while 2025’s results underscore mining’s risks, MARA’s forward strategy has seemingly rekindled investor interest, with expectations for a rebound tied to AI adoption and Bitcoin’s trajectory.

Journalist

Posted: March 1, 2026

Ethereum’s [ETH] derivatives market has entered a clear contraction phase as macroeconomic pressures weigh on risk appetite.

Persistent inflation signals, highlighted by a Core PPI MoM reading of +0.8%, suggest monetary policy may remain restrictive.

At the same time, rising geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran have further reduced market visibility.

Source: Darkfost/X

Within this environment, leverage across Ethereum derivatives began declining steadily.

Open Interest across exchanges fell from roughly 7.79 million ETH to roughly 5.8 million ETH, signaling broad exposure reduction among traders.

Even so, Binance continues to dominate the market with about 34.9% of total Open Interest, while Gate.io holds 23.26% and Bybit roughly 15.24%, indicating liquidity remains concentrated on major venues.

Source: Darkfost/X

Meanwhile, notional exposure dropped sharply. Binance’s Open Interest declined from $12.6 billion to $4.1 billion, while Bybit fell to around $1.9 billion.

As positions closed, liquidation clusters concentrated near $2,100 and $2,700, reflecting defensive positioning as traders reduced leverage and reassessed market direction.

Whales step in as Ethereum derivatives activity stabilizes Following the sharp contraction in Ethereum’s derivatives exposure, attention now shifts toward underlying accumulation dynamics.

As leverage declined across exchanges, order-flow activity also stabilized. The Taker/Buy Ratio hovered close to 0.49–0.51, signaling a more balanced market after earlier aggressive positioning.

Source: CryptoQuant

Meanwhile, Ethereum’s price continued trending lower, falling from roughly $2,500 toward $1,965 during the broader market retracement.

Despite this decline, on-chain flows reveal a contrasting development. Inflows into Accumulation Addresses increased steadily after May 2025, with noticeable spikes during periods of price weakness.

Source: X

This behavior suggests that large holders are gradually absorbing supply released during the downturn. Similar inflow patterns appeared during previous correction phases.

For example, accumulation intensified before the 2021 rally from around $1,000 to nearly $4,800.

Within the current environment, derivative leverage appears to be cooling while strategic accumulation expands.

This evolving balance indicates that long-term participants may be positioning quietly while speculative exposure continues to normalize.

Spot market demand grows While Ethereum’s derivatives market continues to deleverage, Spot demand is showing early signs of recovery through renewed institutional ETF inflows.

Institutional demand for Ethereum strengthened during the week ending on the 1st of March, as U.S. Spot ETFs recorded $80.5 million in net inflows.

Initially, flows fluctuated across issuers, reflecting active portfolio adjustments rather than broad sentiment shifts.

For instance, BlackRock recorded a $43 million outflow on the 27th of February, which appeared linked to short-term rebalancing activity.

Source: X

Meanwhile, other providers absorbed fresh demand. Fidelity and Grayscale posted notable inflows, helping offset earlier withdrawals across several funds.

Earlier in the week, multiple sessions showed redemptions exceeding $100 million, highlighting ongoing volatility in allocation decisions.

Despite these fluctuations, Ethereum’s price recovered toward $2,003, gaining roughly 8% during the period.

This divergence between derivatives cooling and renewed ETF inflows suggests institutional participants are gradually increasing Spot exposure while leverage-driven positioning continues to normalize.

Final Summary Ethereum [ETH] derivatives deleveraging reflects declining speculative exposure, while Open Interest contraction signals a broad reduction in leveraged positioning. Ethereum Spot demand is gradually strengthening as $80.5 million in ETF inflows indicate institutional capital absorbing supply during the market reset.

Bitcoin difficulty just reset about 15% higher to roughly 144.40T. While this is neither the first nor the last, it is the largest since around 2021.

Bitcoin Bear Market Could Get Worse Despite the Latest Relief Rally Prefer us on Google

Bitcoin remains capped below $70,000 amid persistent downtrend pressure.Pi Cycle indicator signals mid-cycle bearish consolidation phase.Bitcoin's SOPR below 1 shows investors selling at losses.Bitcoin price continues to trade under sustained pressure, struggling to reclaim the $70,000 level. BTC remains capped by a persistent downtrend that has limited upside attempts for weeks.

Historical cycle data and current on-chain signals suggest that bearish conditions may not be over. While short-term rallies occur, structural indicators imply that Bitcoin could remain constrained below $70,000.

Bitcoin’s Past Says Pressure PersistsThe Pi Cycle Top Indicator provides important context for Bitcoin’s current phase. This metric uses the 111-day moving average and a two-times multiple of the 350-day moving average. When these averages converge, the market is considered overheated.

Conversely, when the moving averages diverge widely, the asset is often viewed as undervalued. In the present cycle, Bitcoin does not exhibit either extreme. Instead, it appears positioned at the midpoint of a broader bearish phase.

Historically, mid-cycle bearish periods within Bitcoin’s four-year cycle have lasted a year or longer. Similar structures in past cycles kept BTC suppressed before the eventual recovery.

Current divergence between the 111 SMA and the 350 SMA x2 suggests continued bearishness rather than recovery.

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

Bitcoin Pi Cycle Top Indicator. Source: GlassnodeThe Spent Output Profit Ratio further reinforces the cautious outlook. SOPR remains below the critical 1 level, signaling that many investors are selling at a loss. Persistent readings under 1 indicate limited profitability across market participants.

This dynamic suppresses recovery attempts. Bitcoin investors selling at a loss often reflect fear-driven behavior. Until SOPR consistently moves above 1, the Bitcoin price may struggle to build sustainable upside momentum.

Bitcoin SOPR. Source: GlassnodeBTC Price Downtrend ContinuesBitcoin is trading at $66,443 at the time of writing, still confined under a descending resistance line active for nearly a month. Repeated failures to break above this barrier highlight ongoing weakness. Without stronger buying pressure, BTC may remain trapped beneath this trendline.

The Money Flow Index shows active selling pressure. MFI readings indicate capital outflows continue to dominate inflows. Global macro uncertainty and geopolitical tensions are amplifying risk aversion. This environment encourages cautious positioning and limits aggressive accumulation.

Bitcoin MFI. Source: TradingViewGiven these conditions, the Bitcoin price could continue oscillating within a constrained range. A break below $65,000 would likely expose the $62,893 support. That level has already been tested twice this week, increasing vulnerability if selling intensifies.

Bitcoin Price Analysis. Source: TradingViewHowever, a shift in macro sentiment could alter the trajectory. If Bitcoin holds the $66,224 support and attracts fresh inflows, it may challenge $68,830 resistance.

A decisive move above $70,000 would invalidate the current bearish thesis and signal renewed structural strength.

Disclaimer

In line with the Trust Project guidelines, this price analysis article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. BeInCrypto is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice. Always conduct your own research and consult with a professional before making any financial decisions. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.

A Bitcoin developer embedded a 66-kilobyte image inside a single transaction without using OP_RETURN or Taproot.

The transaction followed consensus rules. Anyone can verify the bytes using standard node software. Martin Habovštiak didn't do this to make art, but to prove that closing one data doorway doesn't remove the capability, it just changes where bytes hide.

The demonstration lands amid Bitcoin's most contentious governance fight in years. One faction wants stricter filters to keep “spam” off the blockchain.

Another argues that harsh restrictions push people into worse behaviors and advantage large miners. Habovštiak's experiment provides evidence for the second position: filtering redirects rather than preventing them.

What actually happenedHabovštiak's write-up includes a transaction ID and verification method.

Users can run bitcoin-cli getrawtransaction, then xxd -r -p to reconstruct the file. The construction avoids the two pathways most cited in data storage debates: the OP_RETURN field that Bitcoin Core recently relaxed, and Taproot's witness structure that enabled many inscriptions.

Bitcoin transactions are bytes. Nodes enforce that bytes follow structural rules, such as valid signatures, proper formatting, and legitimate spending conditions.

They don't enforce that bytes “mean money only.” If someone constructs valid transaction bytes that also form a valid image file, the network stores and relays them.

Bitcoin can discourage certain data patterns through software defaults. It cannot prevent them without directly confronting miners' economic incentives.

The distinction nobody explainsBitcoin operates with two layers of rules. Consensus rules determine what blocks are valid. Policy rules determine what transactions individual nodes relay and what miners typically accept into mempools by default.

Rule layerWhat it controls (plain English)What it can’t guaranteeWhy it matters hereConsensus rulesWhat makes blocks/tx validCan’t enforce “money-only meaning”If it’s valid, it can be minedPolicy / standardnessWhat nodes relay / mempools accept by defaultCan be bypassedFilters add friction, not certaintyMiners’ inclusionWhat gets into blocksIncentives override preferencesFees can “buy” inclusionDirect submission pipelinesBypasses relay networkConcentrates access“Pay-to-play” risk (Slipstream-type routes)Policy can slow behavior, raise friction, and impose costs. It cannot guarantee prevention if a transaction remains consensus-valid and pays sufficient fees.

Miners can include any consensus-valid transaction, especially when it reaches them through paths that bypass regular node relay.

OP_RETURN size limits have always been policy choices, not consensus walls. Bitcoin Core has historically treated these as standardness nudges, with developers arguing that harsh limits push people into worse encodings, such as stuffing data into outputs that appear spendable, bloating the UTXO set that every node must maintain.

Habovštiak's demonstration makes this abstract argument concrete. Cap one method, and engineering effort flows toward another.

The pay-to-play problemEven when many nodes refuse to relay “non-standard” transactions, economic incentives create workarounds. Mining pools accept transactions directly, bypassing the relay network. Services explicitly launched for this already exist.

MARA's Slipstream operates as a direct submission pipeline for “large or non-standard” transactions that nodes often exclude from mempools even when they follow consensus rules. The service routes around defaults rather than breaking rules.

This creates a centralization vector that stricter filters may amplify. When regular nodes won't relay certain transaction types, only miners and specialized services can reliably land them in blocks.

At 10 satoshis per virtual byte, one megabyte of blockspace costs approximately 0.1 BTC. At 50 satoshis per byte, roughly 0.5 BTC. The “ban” question becomes “what will people pay?”

Chart shows the cost to occupy one megabyte of Bitcoin blockspace ranges from 0.10 BTC at 10 sat/vB to 1.00 BTC at 100 sat/vB.BIP-110 and the governance battlefieldThe demonstration arrives as Bitcoin debates BIP-110, a proposal to temporarily restrict data-carrying transaction fields at the consensus level for approximately one year.

Field / areaWhat BIP-110 proposes (plain English)What it’s trying to preventMain tradeoff / riskNew output scriptsNew scriptPubKeys > 34 bytes invalid (except OP_RETURN allowance)Data stuffed into outputsRisk of pushing data elsewhereOP_RETURN exceptionOP_RETURN allowed up to 83 bytesSmall provable notesCritics: still doesn’t “ban data”Payload limitsCaps certain pushed data elements (general 256-byte ceiling with exceptions)Large embedded blobsWorkarounds may emergeWitness stack elementsLimits witness element sizes (general 256 bytes)Inscription-style payloadsMight redirect to worse encodingsDuration framingTemporary (~1 year)Tactical slowdownImplies “no clean permanent fix”Second-order effectIf data shifts into UTXO-like outputsAvoid long-term node burdenBackfire risk: UTXO bloat increasesThe draft would make new output scripts exceeding 34 bytes invalid, except for OP_RETURN outputs, which can be up to 83 bytes. It also proposes limits on payload sizes and witness stack elements, generally capping them at 256 bytes with narrow exceptions.

Supporters frame BIP-110 as a measure that protects node operators from runaway storage costs.

Critics warn about side effects and implementation risks. The proposal represents an escalation from policy-level filtering to consensus-level restriction, a shift carrying governance implications beyond the immediate technical question.

Habovštiak's experiment feeds directly into this debate. It demonstrates that even consensus restrictions face pressure to adapt. He notes BIP-110 could invalidate his specific construction, but also that he could produce alternatives using different encodings.

The underlying dynamic persists: squeeze one pattern, and incentives plus ingenuity push data elsewhere.

The temporary framing, one year rather than permanent, acknowledges this reality implicitly. A permanent change would require confronting harder questions about the sustainability of enforcement.

A temporary measure admits the problem may lack a clean technical solution, only tactical management with a limited shelf life.

The worst-behavior problemRestricting popular data pathways can backfire by pushing usage toward encodings that impose higher network costs.

When developers create outputs that look spendable to carry arbitrary data, they increase the UTXO set, which is the database of unspent outputs every full node must maintain in accessible storage.

UTXO growth represents a more persistent burden than witness data or OP_RETURN payloads, which can be pruned. An output that encodes an image file remains in the UTXO set until someone spends it, potentially indefinitely.

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The node cost accumulates rather than aging away.

This explains Bitcoin Core's historical reluctance to impose harsh limits on OP_RETURN. The alternative isn't necessarily better. Filters that seem protective can increase long-term operating costs for nodes, undermining the decentralization goal they aim to preserve.

Three paths forwardThe enforcement economics suggest three scenarios.

The first path maintains the status quo: price it, don't ban it. Arbitrary data persists, governed primarily by fee markets. When blockspace becomes scarce, data-heavy transactions are naturally priced out. The lever becomes economic rather than technical.

The second path tightens policy filters while leaving consensus unchanged. Data shifts toward harder-to-filter encodings and direct-to-miner submission. Centralization risk rises because only miners and specialized pipelines can reliably confirm these transactions.

The third path implements consensus restrictions, such as those outlined in BIP-110. Popular patterns may temporarily decline, but adaptation continues as new encodings emerge. Collateral damage increases if limits push data into outputs that bloat the UTXO set.

Governance risk escalates as contentious consensus changes raise coordination challenges and the potential for network splits.

What decides the outcomeThree indicators signal which scenario materializes.

First, miner behavior. Do mining pools continue accepting non-standard transactions through direct channels? Services like Slipstream exist specifically for this, as their sustained operation reveals miner priorities.

Second, governance trajectory. Does BIP-110 gather meaningful adoption beyond debate? The proposal requires coordinated activation across a decentralized network, making political viability as important as technical merit.

Third, second-order effects. Do restrictions push more data into encodings that increase node burden? UTXO growth rates during policy tightening periods would provide empirical evidence.

The uncomfortable realityIf you oppose on-chain data storage beyond financial transactions, Habovštiak's demonstration delivers an uncomfortable message: you probably can't ban it.

You can price it through fee markets. You can discourage it through policy defaults. You can raise friction through implementation complexity.

But full prevention requires either accepting economic constraints you cannot control or implementing consensus restrictions that carry their own risks.

Bitcoin validates transaction structure, not meaning. The protocol doesn't distinguish between “money transactions” and “data transactions” because that distinction requires interpretation that the network cannot perform.

The real debate isn't whether Bitcoin can technically prevent arbitrary data, as the demonstrated answer is “not easily, and perhaps not at all.”

The debate is which tradeoffs the network accepts: centralization toward miners who bypass filters, governance risk from contentious consensus changes, or higher long-term costs from worse encoding choices.

Habovštiak's image proves the filters don't work as advertised. What comes next depends on whether Bitcoin's users and developers accept that reality or continue pursuing technical solutions to what increasingly appears to be an economic and governance problem.

Posted in

WIF's price action is testing a key level at $0.20 as liquidity builds on both sides.

17h05 ▪ 4 min read ▪ by Ifeoluwa O.

Summarize this article with:

It has been 15 years since Mt. Gox suffered a major security breach that resulted in nearly 80,000 Bitcoins being moved, an event that became central to the collapse of the exchange. Now, Mark Karpelès, the company’s former CEO, has urged the Bitcoin community to consider an unusual idea: modifying the network’s rules to potentially recover the lost coins.

In Brief Mark Karpelès has proposed modifying Bitcoin’s network rules to potentially recover the 79,956 BTC linked to the Mt. Gox collapse. The plan would allow the dormant coins to be moved using a recovery address without accessing the original private key. Reclaimed Bitcoin would be overseen by trustee Nobuaki Kobayashi and distributed to verified creditors through the court process. A Targeted Approach to Reclaim Lost Mt. Gox Bitcoin Karpelès has suggested a way to move the unspent Bitcoin linked to Mt. Gox using the recovery address, without accessing the private key that initially controlled them. Through this method, the 79,956 BTC lost in the exchange’s collapse could be returned to creditors under the supervision of the ongoing court-managed rehabilitation process. He pointed out that these coins are among the most closely tracked in Bitcoin’s history, lying dormant for more than 15 years.

The former CEO stressed that the proposal is not intended to circumvent Bitcoin’s normal upgrade process. Instead, it aims to explore whether the Mt. Gox case warrants a rare, one-time intervention. Carrying out the change would require a hard fork, which must be adopted across the network before a specified activation block. Karpelès pointed out that the adjustment is highly focused, applying to just one address, consisting of fewer than 50 lines of code, and leaving general consensus rules and script functionality untouched. He framed the measure as a way to provide fair restitution to creditors.

Should the plan move forward, it would mean the following outcomes:

The recovered Bitcoin would be managed under the supervision of Nobuaki Kobayashi, Mt. Gox’s court-appointed trustee, ensuring that oversight remains in trusted hands. If the coins can be technically recovered, the existing legal framework would allow them to be safely distributed to verified claimants, providing a structured path for restitution. Community Reactions and Controversy The suggestion has sparked mixed reactions. Some critics warned that rewriting the ledger could harm Bitcoin’s reputation and prompt other victims of hacks to pursue comparable interventions. Others expressed concern that linking network rules to court decisions could undermine Bitcoin’s independence from government authorities.

Karpelès accepted these concerns but emphasized that the Mt. Gox case is exceptional. The situation is well-recorded and widely recognized as involving lost coins, unlike cases where ownership is unclear. Meanwhile, a number of individuals claiming to be Mt. Gox creditors expressed support for exploring ways to recover the funds, noting that they have only received limited compensation through the ongoing bankruptcy process. 

Mt. Gox: From Market Leader to Bankruptcy In its early years, Mt. Gox handled most of the world’s Bitcoin trading, establishing itself as the leading exchange in the market. In June 2011, a security breach moved nearly 79,956 BTC to unknown addresses. Over the next few years, internal problems and unnoticed losses continued to accumulate, reaching a breaking point by early 2014. On February 28, 2014, the exchange declared bankruptcy. Since then, legal proceedings have continued, with the trustee gradually returning portions of recovered funds to creditors.

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Ifeoluwa O.

Ifeoluwa specializes in Web3 writing and marketing, with over 5 years of experience creating insightful and strategic content. Beyond this, he trades crypto and is skilled at conducting technical, fundamental, and on-chain analyses.

DISCLAIMER

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

Ripple’s latest funding push for the XRP Ledger is drawing renewed attention to XRP, with traders closely watching whether the ecosystem expansion can translate into sustained price momentum.

Summary

Ripple boosts XRPL funding: New grants and investments aim to accelerate DeFi, tokenization, and enterprise adoption. XRP consolidating near $1.40: Price remains range-bound between $1.35 and $1.50 after February volatility. Breakout level to watch: A move above $1.50–$1.60 could signal bullish continuation, while $1.35 remains key support. While the Ripple token (XRP) remains range-bound near $1.40, the announcement might reinforce bullish long-term sentiment around the network’s growth prospects.

In a recent blog post, Ripple detailed expanded financial backing for developers building on the XRP Ledger (XRPL), including grants and strategic investments targeting compliance-first DeFi, real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, and enterprise-grade blockchain solutions.

The initiative is designed to deepen liquidity, expand institutional participation, and strengthen core infrastructure.

By prioritizing regulated DeFi applications and tokenization frameworks, Ripple is positioning XRPL as a scalable, enterprise-ready network aligned with global financial standards. The move shows Ripple’s strategy of pairing institutional partnerships with grassroots developer growth, a combination that could enhance long-term demand for XRP as a utility asset within the ecosystem.

XRP price analysis XRP is currently trading around $1.40, up modestly on the day, as price action consolidates following a sharp early-February decline that briefly drove the token toward $1.20 before a rebound.

XRP price analysis | Source: Crypto.News Since that capitulation move, XRP has traded within a tight $1.35–$1.50 range, signaling potential accumulation. Immediate resistance stands near $1.50, with a stronger ceiling around $1.60, where prior rejection occurred.

A confirmed breakout above $1.60 could open the door toward $1.80. On the downside, key support remains at $1.35, followed by the psychological $1.20 level.

Meanwhile, the RSI (14) sits near 42, below the neutral 50 mark, indicating subdued bullish momentum but no longer oversold conditions. Meanwhile, the DMI shows the negative trend line still leading, though the gap is narrowing, suggesting bearish pressure may be weakening.

A decisive move above $1.50, particularly on rising volume, would be needed to confirm a bullish shift.

Bitcoin bulls managed to defend the $66K support level as the leading crypto asset reversed part of its strong gains yesterday that was partly fueled by a strong uptick in ETF inflows.

Summary

Bitcoin price rebounded from above $66,000 support as its ETFs resumed an inflow trend. A bearish flag pattern has formed on the daily chart. According to data from crypto.news, Bitcoin (BTC) price surged nearly 7% to roughly $70,000 on Thursday as investor sentiment for risk assets was boosted following the release of a bullish Nvidia earnings report that triggered a surge in tech stocks.

Rising equity prices often act as a catalyst for a risk-on rotation. As market confidence strengthens, capital flows out of defensive positions and into high-beta sectors like cryptocurrency.

The bellwether’s rally was also supported by a strong demand seen from institutional investors for spot Bitcoin ETFs. Data from SoSoValue shows that the 12 U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs drew in $506 million in net inflows on Feb. 25, nearly double the figure recorded the prior day.

Shortly after its $70K rally, Bitcoin price had retraced nearly 4% to $66,641. This selloff was accompanied by a 2% drop in Nasdaq as investors booked profits after the stock’s notable run higher into the earnings event. The drawdown created a cooling effect across the broader financial landscape.

Bitcoin has since bounced back above $67,500 after bulls lodged another attempt to reclaim the $70K threshold. The momentum was supported by the $254 million inflows recorded by spot BTC ETFs on Thursday.

Despite today’s bounce, some analysts believe Bitcoin could continue its larger downtrend that began in early January before any meaningful trend reversal takes shape.

According to analyst Ted Pillows, Bitcoin price appears to be forming a recurring fractal pattern that has historically preceded downturns.

BTC/USDT 1-day chart | Source: X/TedPillows “Once more people are convinced $60,000 was the bottom, the next dump to a new low will start,” said Pillows in a Feb. 26 X post.

Bitcoin price analysis Bitcoin has formed a bearish flag pattern on the daily chart. This pattern consists of a sharp price decline followed by a period of steady, upward consolidation within two parallel lines.

Bitcoin price has formed a bearish flag pattern on the daily chart — Feb. 27 | Source: crypto.news Historically, Bearish flags have confirmed the continuation of an ongoing downtrend after short periods of consolidation.

At press time, other technical indicators also seem to show bears are currently at an advantage. Notably, the Aroon Down was at 78.55, which is significantly higher than the Aroon Up, suggesting bears were still dominating the market trend.

The Relative Strength Index, which has moved closer toward the neutral thresholds, also indicates that there is potential room for more downside pressure before the asset hits oversold levels.

For now, $65,000 remains the key support level to watch. The level has acted as a psychological defensive line for nearly three weeks and seems to be holding strong for now, as a large cluster of buy orders and long positions was seen accumulating in this range.

A sharp drop under the $65K mark could lead bears to target $60K, a psychological level bears tried to penetrate during the Feb. 6 crash.

Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.

Sonic price remains under heavy selling pressure as an aggressive downtrend continues to dominate market structure. Consecutive lower highs and lower lows now place yearly support at risk of breaking.

Summary

Aggressive downtrend confirmed by lower highs and lower lows Price trades near yearly low below 0.618 Fibonacci extension Lack of bullish volume signals continued downside risk The Sonic (S) token continues to trade within a firmly established bearish trend, with price action showing little evidence of stabilization. Recent market behavior reflects persistent seller control, as rallies into resistance repeatedly fail and lead to further downside continuation.

With momentum weakening and bullish participation absent, the market now approaches a critical inflection point where a new yearly low may soon be confirmed.

Sonic price key technical points: Trend Structure: Clear sequence of lower highs and lower lows confirms strong downtrend. Key Level: Price trading near yearly low below the 0.618 Fibonacci extension. Market Bias: Lack of bullish volume suggests continuation of bearish momentum. SUSDT (4H) Chart, Source: TradingView Sonic’s corrective phase has evolved into a sustained and aggressive downtrend characterized by repeated bearish retests and continuation moves lower. Each attempt at recovery has been met with selling pressure, reinforcing resistance zones and preventing any meaningful trend reversal. This pattern of failing rallies highlights the dominance of sellers and reflects a market environment where confidence remains weak.

From a technical perspective, the sequence of lower highs and lower lows is one of the clearest signals of bearish market structure. Instead of forming consolidation or accumulation patterns, Sonic has continued to trend downward with consistent momentum. Resistance levels that previously acted as support have flipped decisively into supply zones, creating a cascading effect where price struggles to regain higher ground.

Currently, Sonic trades near the absolute yearly low region while remaining positioned below the 0.618 Fibonacci extension, a level often associated with trend continuation during strong directional markets. A confirmed breakdown below this region would establish a new yearly low and validate the ongoing bearish projection.

Such price behavior typically signals continuation rather than exhaustion, particularly when volume does not show signs of aggressive buying interest.

Volume analysis further strengthens the bearish outlook. Throughout the decline, bullish volume has remained muted, suggesting limited demand at current prices. Reversal scenarios generally require expanding buy-side participation and structural reclaim of key resistance levels. At present, neither condition is visible, indicating that the market has yet to enter a recovery phase.

Market participants should also consider the psychological impact of prolonged downtrends. Extended periods of selling often reduce trader confidence, encouraging defensive positioning and short-term selling on rallies. Until Sonic can reclaim a meaningful high timeframe resistance level, upside attempts are likely to remain corrective rather than impulsive.

This comes as Sonic Labs CEO Mitchell Demeter outlines the key steps layer-1 blockchains must take to remain competitive, underscoring the broader strategic challenges facing the sector amid persistent market weakness.

Despite the weakness, markets rarely move in straight lines indefinitely. Short-term relief bounces may occur as oversold conditions develop; however, such moves would likely function as temporary pauses within the broader bearish structure unless accompanied by strong volume expansion and structural shifts.

From a broader market structure standpoint, Sonic remains trapped in a persistent downtrend where liquidity continues to build below price. As long as resistance levels remain intact, the path of least resistance favors further downside exploration.

What to expect in the coming price action Unless Sonic reclaims high timeframe resistance and attracts meaningful bullish volume, the probability favors continuation toward new yearly lows. The prevailing bearish structure suggests downside pressure will persist, with any rallies likely serving as corrective retests rather than a confirmed trend reversal.

The Bitcoin market recorded another week of volatile price action, but continues to consolidate a defined range between $60,000 – $70,000.  Bearish sentiments remain at a heightened level, considering the downtrend observed in recent months and the non-confirmation of a cycle bottom.  Notably, recent on-chain data has revealed the importance of a particular support level, which, if breached, could expose investors to steeper downsides and extend the crypto winter.

URPD Indicator Shows Fragile Market Set-Up – Details
In an X post on February 27, market analyst Ali Martinez shared insights from Bitcoin’s UTXO Realized Price Distribution (URPD), highlighting a thin demand zone below the $63,111 price region. The URPD metric, which tracks how much of the existing Bitcoin supply moved at price levels, shows a significant concentration of coins around the $63,000 range, suggesting strong holder positioning at this level.

However, the data also reveals that below $63,111, supply density drops considerably until the next major accumulation cluster at approximately $46,702. This “air pocket” in realized supply indicates that if BTC decisively loses the $63,111 support, price action could accelerate to the downside due to the absence of strong cost-basis support in the interim zone.

Source: @alicharts on X Beyond $46,702, Martinez identifies $41,653 and $37,867 as additional key support levels, where a notable amount of Bitcoin last changed hands. These levels represent significant holder cost bases and may act as demand zones should bearish pressure intensify. The structure observed on the URPD chart suggests a delicate market set-up, where Bitcoin is currently hovering above a critical support cluster. A breakdown below $63,111 could trigger renewed selling pressure, potentially pushing several classes of investors further into unrealized losses and increasing the risk of capitulation.

Bitcoin Price Overview
At the time of writing, Bitcoin trades at $66,677, reflecting a modest 1.15% gain in the last 24 hours. Despite this slight rebound, underlying sentiment suggests that panic may be gradually creeping into the market structure. According to the classic market cycle psychology model shared by Martinez, Bitcoin appears to be transitioning from anxiety and denial toward a more fragile phase where confidence weakens and volatility increases.

While the modest daily gain offers temporary relief, the broader psychological landscape indicates that the market is gradually entering panic mode, suggesting an impending emotional sell-off by investors that would force prices to lower bands. With a market cap of $1.33 trillion, Bitcoin continues to rank as the largest digital asset and the 13th largest asset in the world.

BTC trading at $67,062 on the daily chart | Source: BTCUSDT chart on Tradingview.com Featured image from Getty Images/Unsplash, chart from Tradingview

16h05 ▪ 3 min read ▪ by James G.

Summarize this article with:

Shiba Inu heads into the weekend under mounting pressure. On-chain data shows that more than 531 billion SHIB flowed into exchanges over the past 24 hours—a figure well above recent norms. The surge tilts short-term control toward sellers. With technical signals weak and weekend liquidity thinning, downside risks are increasing.

In brief Over 531B SHIB moved to exchanges in 24 hours, sharply increasing sell-side supply. SHIB trades below key moving averages, keeping bearish momentum intact. Rebound attempts show weak volume, limiting the probability of a sustained recovery. Thin weekend liquidity may amplify volatility if selling pressure intensifies. Weak Volume and Heavy Inflows Weigh on Shiba Inu’s Price Outlook Exchange inflows of this magnitude rarely occur without consequence. Tokens sent to trading platforms become immediately available for sale, expanding active supply. When large transfers occur without prior signs of accumulation, traders typically interpret them as positioning to reduce exposure rather than as the initiation of new longs. Recent price behavior supports that view.

Shiba Inu trades near $0.00000571, down 5.03% over the past 24 hours. The asset remains below key moving averages, including the 26-period EMA and broader trend indicators. The prevailing structure remains bearish, with no confirmed shift in momentum.

Recent price action has been tight and unstable. Attempts to defend local lows have resulted in brief, low-conviction rebounds. Recovery volume remains subdued compared to previous rallies, weakening the case for reversal. Sellers continue to cap upside attempts, preventing any meaningful structural change.

Several short-term risk factors are now aligning:

More than 531 billion SHIB entered exchanges in one day, increasing tradable supply. The price remains below major moving averages, reinforcing bearish momentum. Rebound attempts lack volume confirmation, reducing the probability of a sustained recovery. Weekend liquidity typically declines, amplifying the impact of concentrated sell orders. Sell-Side Pressure Builds on SHIB as Weekend Trading Nears Weekend trading conditions add further risk. Participation tends to drop on Saturdays and Sundays, reducing the depth of resting buy orders. In thinner markets, even moderate selling pressure can trigger exaggerated price swings compared to weekday sessions.

On-chain flow dynamics reinforce a distribution narrative. Elevated exchange inflows frequently precede volatility expansions, particularly when the price structure is already weak. Large holders may gradually move tokens onto exchanges, allowing the price to appear stable while the sell-side supply builds within order books. Apparent stability during such phases can conceal mounting pressure.

If demand fails to absorb the recent supply increase, further downside becomes increasingly probable. A decisive break below nearby support could accelerate momentum as short-term traders respond. Until volume strengthens and price reclaims key technical levels, Shiba Inu remains defensively positioned heading into the weekend.

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James G.

James Godstime is a crypto journalist and market analyst with over three years of experience in crypto, Web3, and finance. He simplifies complex and technical ideas to engage readers. Outside of work, he enjoys football and tennis, which he follows passionately.

DISCLAIMER

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

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

Ripple unlocked another 1 billion tokens this morning from its XRP escrow account. As reported by Whale Alert, the release of 1 billion XRP, equivalent to more than $1.377 billion, occurred in three tranches: 200, 300 and 500 million XRP were unlocked step by step from the San Francisco-based blockchain company’s escrow accounts.

Ripple's XRP holdings and February performance: RecapAccording to XRPL Services, the company currently continues to hold around 32.91 billion XRP. This accounts for approximately 32% of the token’s total supply and, at current prices, is equivalent to more than $45.3 billion. As is known, the unlocking takes place to boost liquidity, manage the market and support the gradual release of XRP from the wallets.

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For XRP itself, at the time of release the price showed almost no reaction, with only a 0.9% increase from the day’s opening. In this context, the February figures, which have just closed, are more interesting as the month ended with XRP down 16.45%. At the peak of February’s decline, the drop reached 33%.

XRP/USD in February, Source: TradingViewThe month was short, yet during this period the price of XRP still managed to experience such turbulence as to fall 33% from the monthly opening and then recover by 22%. The token continues to trade near the key $1.4 level, although it has not reached it.

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Historically, March has been a more favorable month for XRP, given its average return of 16.7% during this month. However, the median value remains in negative territory, so it is difficult to speak of any clear preference for the token in the new month. It also remains to be seen how many XRP tokens will be returned back to escrow accounts. Usually, this amount ranges from 200 to 300 million tokens.

Ethereum users may soon interact with the blockchain in ways that were not possible before. According to co-founder Vitalik Buterin, native smart accounts — a feature that has been in the works for over a decade — are now expected to arrive within the year as part of the network’s upcoming Hegota upgrade.

Privacy Tools Stand To Benefit Most For privacy-focused users, this shift could matter more than most people realize. Protocols like Railgun have long depended on middlemen called “public broadcasters” to push transactions through. These go-betweens have been a persistent source of headaches for users.

Reports say Buterin wants to remove them entirely by replacing that system with a general-purpose public memory pool — cutting out the intermediary and putting more control directly in the hands of the user.

His words were direct: “Intermediary minimization is a core principle of non-ugly cypherpunk Ethereum — maximize what you can do even if all the world’s infrastructure except the Ethereum chain itself goes down.”

That is a strong statement. And it signals just how seriously the Ethereum team takes self-sufficiency at the protocol level.

Now, account abstraction.

We have been talking about account abstraction ever since early 2016, see the original EIP-86: https://t.co/HYLSTLHgWH

Now, we finally have EIP-8141 ( https://t.co/jYqeS55j6P ), an omnibus that wraps up and solves every remaining problem that AA was…

— vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) February 28, 2026

A Decade In The Making Buterin acknowledged the long road to get here. He pointed out that account abstraction has been discussed since early 2016. Now, with EIP-8141 bundled into the Hegota fork, the goal is to finally tie up every problem the concept was originally meant to fix — and then some.

The Ethereum Foundation’s public roadmap, called the “Strawmap,” places native account abstraction in the second half of 2026.

The “Strawmap” anticipates native account abstraction coming in H2 2026. Source: Strawmap.org ETHUSD now trading at $2,016. Chart: TradingView The technical approach being proposed centers on what Buterin calls “frame transactions.” Rather than a transaction being one single action, it becomes a series of frames.

Each frame can point to another’s data, and each can authorize a sender or a gas payer. One frame handles the signature check. Another handles execution. It is modular by design and built to be broadly useful.

This also means paying transaction fees without holding ETH becomes possible. Users could pay in other tokens through a paymaster contract or a specialized exchange that supplies ETH on the spot — no third party needed.

Quantum Resistance Also In Scope The Hegota upgrade is not stopping at smart accounts. Buterin also rolled out a separate quantum resistance roadmap earlier in the week, identifying four areas of concern: validator signatures, data storage, user account signatures, and zero-knowledge proofs.

Existing accounts are expected to fit into the new framework without being left behind, gaining access to batch operations and transaction sponsorship along the way.

After 10 years of promises, the pieces finally appear to be falling into place.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

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

TL;DR

X (Twitter) policy shift: New rules effectively restrict paid partnerships for cryptocurrency and financial products as the platform already deprioritizes crypto in the algorithm to combat spam and low-quality "engagement farming."Shiba Inu (SHIB) outlook: As March begins — historically one of SHIB's top three performing months — investors are watching to see if it can repeat its 145% surge from March 2024.Cardano milestone: Charles Hoskinson celebrated the launch of USDCx (a version of Circle’s stablecoin) on Cardano, promising "even more" upgrades incoming.Markets are bracing for volatility with nonfarm payrolls and unemployment data due Friday. A surprise in jobs numbers could swing Bitcoin by 3% to 7%.X further distracts from crypto with new restrictionsAs became known today, X, the social network — formerly Twitter — owned by Elon Musk, has updated its paid partnership policy. Minor changes specifically affect cryptocurrencies and finance, as both topics are now effectively restricted.

According to the new X rules, content related to financial products, services or opportunities, including credit, investment services or cryptocurrency, can no longer be offered through paid partnerships.

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X Paid Partnership Policy, Source: XMoreover, all paid partnership posts must contain clear disclosures such as advertisement or promoted content and comply with local laws. Tweet deletions, shadow bans, read-only mode and permanent suspension are listed as potential sanctions for violations.

The update follows comments made several weeks earlier by X’s Head of Product Nikita Bier, who confirmed that crypto content is deprioritized by the platform’s algorithm as it opposes mechanisms that provoke spam and user harassment. Overall, crypto content on X, amid a generally negative market backdrop, does not appear to be considered attractive or valuable by the platform’s management.

Can Shiba Inu (SHIB) repeat March 2024 success?Another notable development at the week’s close is that March has begun. February is over, and the crypto market is entering spring, which historically has been a relatively favorable period. From this perspective, attention turns to Shiba Inu (SHIB).

In March 2024, the token posted a 145.2% monthly increase. During that month, SHIB rose even more intramonth before correcting by the end of the period. Will the once-popular meme token repeat such performance? The question remains open.

Shiba Inu (SHIB) Monthly Returns, Source: CryptoRankHistorically, as per CryptoRank, the average monthly return for Shiba Inu stands at 24.6%, while the median return is slightly negative at almost -2%. March ranks among the three most favorable months for SHIB, second only to October, with an average return of 167.5%, and May, with a figure of 65.6%.

Cardano creator speaks out on Cardano, USDCx and XFinally, this Sunday brought comments from Charles Hoskinson, the crypto entrepreneur known for his role in the creation of Ethereum and Cardano, some of the largest ecosystems on the crypto market. The central topic of his remarks was the launch of USDCx on Cardano, a version of Circle’s USDC, a Tier-1 stablecoin with a market capitalization exceeding $77 billion.

Cardano had lacked a stablecoin of such scale, and now it has one. As Hoskinson stated, USDCx was an awesome accomplishment, and he is glad to get to feel it completely.

We stepped up and got it done again as the signer of last resort. It's not surprising that there is now criticism of IOG over trivial and idiotic things, but we've gotten used to the pattern from useless trolls.

I love Cardano and fight hard every day to advance the ecosystem.… https://t.co/NCAt0YhZnH?from=article-links

— Charles Hoskinson (@IOHK_Charles) March 1, 2026 Still, he looks to March with expectations of more major announcements and urges users to leave X to not invite mental harm and destruction "of your soul." This is notable in light of the platform’s current stance toward crypto accounts.

Hoskinson added that he loves Cardano and will fight every day for the progress of the ecosystem. In his words, some events like the ADA voucher caused permanent damage, but there is much unfinished work, emphasizing the need for everyone connected to Cardano and the ADA ecosystem to find a path to get it done together.

Key events for crypto in the week aheadLooking ahead to the first week of March, several macroeconomic events are relevant for the crypto market.

Monday (March 2): February PMI data (industrial activity).Wednesday (March 4): Federal Reserve Beige Book (monetary policy outlook).Thursday (March 5): Initial jobless claims and Q4 productivity data.Friday (March 6): Nonfarm payrolls (NFP), unemployment rate and average hourly earnings.March 7-9: Potential market pause/cooldown ahead of the next FOMC meeting.From a trading perspective, March 5 PMI and the NFP week overall may bring maximum volatility. The consensus for payrolls stands at 130,000, but any surprise could trigger a 3% to 7% move in Bitcoin. Between March 7 and 9, there may be a pause ahead of the next FOMC developments, though residual reactions to the data remain possible.

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Journalist

Posted: March 1, 2026

It’s a new month and altcoins are still winning.

Chainlink continued attracting global institutional and retail attention. It stood out as infrastructure rather than hype. Momentum returned after broader sentiment improved, and LINK moved with clarity instead of chaos.

On-chain data suggested whales had remained active during weakness. The dip had been getting bought. The tone shifted from fear to structured positioning.

Uninterrupted weekly inflows since December US-based Spot Chainlink [LINK] ETFs have recorded net inflows every single week since December 2025. There had not been a single week of net outflows. Weekly inflows ranged between $2 million and $5 million.

Source: SosoValue

Therefore, consistency outweighed size.

The ETFs collectively held approximately 1.26% of LINK’s total market capitalization. That allocation reflected commitment rather than speculative rotation.

Moreover, zero outflow weeks signaled disciplined positioning. Institutions were not trading in and out.

They were allocating steadily. In particular, consistency > size became the real message.

Such quiet accumulation rarely creates headlines.

However, it builds foundations. When capital enters without rushing for exits, structure strengthens beneath price action.

LINK gains 6% as BTC reclaims $67K LINK gained 6% in 24 hours after Bitcoin reclaimed $67K on the 1st of March. That reclaim immediately lifted broader sentiment.

However, the move aligned with technical structure, not blind optimism.

Tracking the chart on the 4-hour timeframe revealed flat resistance at $9.14 and ascending support at $8.15. Completing the Ascending Triangle strengthened the bullish case.

Source: TradingView

Breaking $9.14 opened doors toward $12 and possibly $14.

Failure to defend $8.15 would have exposed downside risk quickly.

However, a bullish crossover appeared on the MACD indicator, reinforcing upside momentum.

Meanwhile, the multi-year downtrend near $20 remained the true structural barrier. Clearing $20 on the higher time frames would have shifted long-term momentum decisively.

Is elevated whale activity signaling quiet accumulation? Spot data revealed elevated Whale Orders staying firm as price declined from the mid-$20s toward single digits earlier in 2026. This was not panic selling. It reflected measured positioning.

Source: CryptoQuant

Large wallets maintained elevated average order sizes during weakness.

Therefore, this did not resemble reckless dip buying. It suggested deliberate conviction accumulation beneath falling prices.

When price softened, yet whale activity persisted, divergence formed. Historically, such divergence preceded structural reversals once sentiment stabilized.

The dip was getting bought with intent, not desperation.

Final Summary Spot Chainlink ETFs recorded uninterrupted weekly inflows since December 2025. LINK gained 6% after Bitcoin reclaimed $67K, aligning with an Ascending Triangle breakout above $9.14 resistance.

XRP could be on the brink of a major rally as technicals point to a bullish springboard setup. 

Analyst GainMuse notes XRP’s ascending support and rising lows indicate strong upward momentum, signaling a potential breakout if key resistance holds.

Source: GainMuse XRP is currently trading at $1.39 per CoinGecko, hovering near key support at $1.33–$1.36.

Well, potential reclaim zones sit at $1.44–$1.46, with resistance at $1.62–$1.65. According to GainMuse, holding these supports could set the stage for a major breakout, signaling a mega bullish move for XRP.

XRP Eyes $15–$31 Surge: Elliott Wave Signals Potential Breakout Adding to bullish sentiment, renowned analyst EGRAG CRYPTO highlights XRP’s Elliott Wave setup, projecting a potential surge to $15–$31. Key points:

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Wave 1: XRP soared by 814%, showing strong momentum and a textbook impulsive wave.
Wave 2: The current pullback retraces 50–61.8% of Wave 1, staying within the macro channel with no invalidation yet.
Wave 3: XRP must reclaim the Wave-1 high with a weekly close to trigger Wave 3 and momentum expansion. Until then, it remains in a corrective phase.
This Elliott Wave perspective underscores both XRP’s disciplined market structure and its high upside potential.

Source: EGRAG CRYPTO Therefore, XRP is at a pivotal consolidation stage, where holding upward support and reclaiming key resistance is essential for its next growth phase.

GainMuse highlights short-term technical cues, while EGRAG CRYPTO frames the potential rally within the Elliott Wave structure, offering a long-term market outlook.

In conclusion, if XRP reclaims its Wave-1 high and momentum builds, the bullish case could surge, attracting both retail and institutional interest. 

Sitting at a pivotal point, the asset teeters between consolidation and a potential explosive breakout, fueling wild $1,300 price speculation amid BTC weakness.

Sun, 1/03/2026 - 11:47

Bitcoin at $80,000 is back on the menu as popular cryptocurrency trader DonAlt, famous for predicting a 700% XRP run in the previous years, issues quite a "bullish" BTC price prediction, but without even calling it as such.

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

Popular trader known online as DonAlt, who made history predicting a 700% XRP rally in 2024-2025, appears to have finally moved to the bullish side. In light of the latest developments, negative from a news standpoint but, as he says, decent from the perspective of how the cryptocurrency market has responded to them, the trader is now suggesting a return to $80,000 per BTC for the flagship cryptocurrency.

Why Bitcoin returning to $80,000 is not "bullish" scenarioWhat makes this latest outlook particularly interesting is a detail that a move to that level could happen even without a full reversal into a confirmed bull trend, meaning it would more likely unfold as a corrective rebound after months of intense selling pressure and decline.

$BTC

Bad news, decent response
Interesting spot, think you can make a good bull case here

Weekly support, negative macro news entirely disregarded
Maybe time for some up for at least a little bit, we have room up to $80k without flipping bullish pic.twitter.com/q8QdjGNAcB

— DonAlt (@DonAlt) March 1, 2026 Among the arguments of DonAlt is that the current $67,500 level for Bitcoin looks like an attractive spot where someone could build a strong bull case. Supporting this view are weekly support levels as well as the fact that negative macro news such as PPI and global tensions were fully disregarded by the market.

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It is important to note that DonAlt is not turning into a full-scale buyer here, but rather expects that Bitcoin’s sell-off may slow down for a while. Therefore, selling during an obvious bearish catalyst around the $67,000 level does not seem rational in his view.

For Bitcoin to reach $80,000, it would need to gain nearly 20%. Could this prediction indeed happen in March or the broader spring period, which has historically been a favorable time, is now the question to ask.

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Story HighlightsThe live price of Notcoin (NOT) is  $ 0.00035990.Notcoin may trade between $0.020–$0.060 in 2026, with $0.20 possible by 2030 if support holds and adoption strengthens steadily.NOT remains in consolidation, with key support at $0.00030. A slow recovery could push prices toward $0.060 in 2026 and higher long term.With the first two months of 2026 already behind us, Notcoin’s price outlook is now being shaped by how the market behaves during this early phase of the year. After an intense period of volatility following its initial surge, NOT has settled into a quieter zone where price movement has slowed, and expectations have reset.  This phase is common for tokens that experience early popularity. 

From a broader perspective, Notcoin’s long-term potential depends on whether it can maintain relevance beyond its early momentum. Community-driven tokens that survive their initial cycle often transition into slower, more structured recovery phases rather than quick rebounds. Early 2026 is therefore less about acceleration and more about foundation-building.

CoinPedia’s Notcoin Price PredictionCoinpedia’s price prediction for Notcoin (NOT) depends on the current price structure and long-term participation potential. Notcoin could reach $0.0600 by the end of 2026 if it continues holding key support and regains intermediate resistance levels. Looking further ahead, steady adoption and favorable market conditions could support a move toward $0.20 by 2030.

YearPotential Low ($)Potential Average ($)Potential High ($)20260.0200.0380.060Notcoin (NOT) Price March 2026 OutlookAs March approaches, Notcoin’s price action remains defined by stability rather than expansion. The $0.00030–$0.00035 range has emerged as a key support zone, where selling pressure has consistently eased. As long as NOT holds above this area, the risk of deeper downside remains limited, and price is likely to continue moving sideways.

On the upside, initial resistance is located near $0.00060, followed by a broader recovery zone between $0.0010 and $0.0015. These levels have capped price during previous attempts and will likely require time and steady participation to overcome. March is unlikely to deliver a sharp breakout. Instead, its importance lies in whether Notcoin can maintain its base and slowly build higher structure, setting the stage for recovery later in the year.

The broader 2026 outlook for Notcoin focuses on whether the token can move from stabilization into a slow recovery phase. If market conditions improve and interest returns to community-driven projects, Notcoin could benefit from renewed participation. Tokens that endure early volatility often see their next phase unfold gradually, supported by consistency rather than speculation.

From a price-structure perspective, reclaiming the $0.010–$0.015 range would signal that NOT has exited its long consolidation phase. Above this zone, historical resistance becomes thinner, allowing room for further upside. Under favorable market conditions, Notcoin price could reach around $0.0600 by the end of 2026. This move would represent a recovery from deeply discounted levels rather than a short-lived spike. A more conservative scenario would see NOT trading between $0.025 and $0.040 for much of the year before attempting higher levels.

Notcoin Crypto Price Prediction 2026 – 2030YearPotential Low ($)Potential Average ($Potential High ($)20260.0200.0380.06020270.0350.0550.08020280.0600.0950.14020290.1100.1600.19020300.1500.1800.200Notcoin (NOT) Price Prediction 2026In 2026, Notcoin price could project a low price of $0.020, an average price of $0.038, and a high of $0.060.

Notcoin Price Prediction 2027As per the Notcoin Price Prediction 2027, Notcoin may see a potential low price of $0.035. The potential high for Notcoin price in 2027 is estimated to reach $0.080.

Notcoin (NOT) Price Forecast 2028In 2028, Notcoin price is forecasted to potentially reach a low price of $0.060 and a high price of $0.140.

Notcoin Crypto Price Prediction 2029Thereafter, the Notcoin  (Notcoin) price for the year 2029 could range between $0.110 and $0.190.

Notcoin (NOT) Price Prediction 2030Finally, in 2030, the price of Notcoin is predicted to remain steady and positive. It may trade between $0.150 and $0.200.

Notcoin Price Prediction 2031, 2032, 2033, 2040, 2050The long-term projection assumes Notcoin sustains relevance in enterprise blockchain use cases, with growth moderating over time as the asset matures.

YearPotential Low ($)Potential Average ($)Potential High ($)20310.180.250.3220320.220.450.4520330.300.800.6520401.602.503.5020505.008.5012.00Notcoin (NOT) Price Prediction: Market Analysis?Year202620272030Changelly$0.045$0.065$0.110CoinCodex$0.050$0.075$0.150WalletInvestor$0.060$0.090$0.180Never Miss a Beat in the Crypto World!Stay ahead with breaking news, expert analysis, and real-time updates on the latest trends in Bitcoin, altcoins, DeFi, NFTs, and more.

FAQsWhat is the Notcoin price prediction for 2026?

Notcoin may trade between $0.020 and $0.060 in 2026, with average prices near $0.038 if it holds support and regains momentum.

What is the price prediction for Notcoin in 2027?

In 2027, Notcoin may range roughly from $0.035 at lows up to $0.080 at highs, reflecting gradual recovery potential.

How much will Notcoin be worth in 2030?

By 2030, Notcoin could reach around $0.150–$0.200 if adoption grows and market conditions remain supportive.

Is now a good time to buy Notcoin?

Buying Notcoin now may suit long-term holders if you believe in its future adoption, but volatility remains high with risk of sideways action.

What long-term price outlook does Notcoin have?

Long term, Notcoin’s value depends on adoption and relevance; strong recovery could see levels above $0.20 and beyond over years.

Disclaimer and Risk WarningThe price predictions in this article are based on the author's personal analysis and opinions. CoinPedia does not endorse or guarantee these views. Investors should conduct independent research before making any financial decisions.

Why is Hyperliquid Price Rallying Amid the US-Iran War Prefer us on Google

Hyperliquid's HIP-3 decentralized exchanges reached a record $1.1 billion in open interest as traders utilized its 24/7 markets to navigate the Middle East geopolitical tensions this weekend.This is because market participants were able to continuously trade synthetic versions of traditional assets, including U.S. equities and commodities, while standard financial exchanges remained closed.As a result, Hyperliquid's native HYPE token emerged as the best-performing top 20 crypto asset by market capitalization, rising by more than 13% to $30 as of press time.Hyperliquid emerged as a rare winner amid the sudden escalation of military hostilities in the Middle East between the US, Israel, and Iran.

This weekend, the exchange saw a surge in commodities-focused derivatives trading, with open interest for these assets reaching an all-time high of more than $1.1 billion.

Hyperliquid Rallies 13% as US and Iran Tensions Roil MarketsThe uptrend can be attributed to traders seeking to hedge geopolitical risks while traditional financial markets were closed for the weekend.

As a result, market participants pivoted to the blockchain-based platform to trade synthetic perpetual futures contracts tied to oil, gold, silver, and US equities.

This continuous trading was facilitated by HyperLiquid Improvement Proposal 3, or HIP-3, an upgrade implemented last year.

HIP-3 allows developers to deploy permissionless perpetual futures markets for any asset with a reliable public price feed, provided the creator stakes 500,000 of the platform’s native HYPE tokens.

Driven by the weekend volatility, HIP-3’s open interest eclipsed its previous record of $1.06 billion.

Hyperliquid’s HIP-3 Platform’s Open Interest. Source: FlowscanOverall, the broader Hyperliquid platform has accumulated nearly $5.5 billion in total open interest, securing an estimated $1.06 million in protocol earnings over a 24-hour period, according to data from DeFiLlama.

Additionally, data provider Messari reported that HIP-3 markets have generated $4.4 billion in weekend trading volume in February alone.

The platform’s ability to capture traditional market volume drew the attention of prominent industry figures. Arthur Hayes, co-founder of the crypto exchange BitMEX, highlighted the structural shift on the social media platform X.

“Where price discovery happens when TradExchanges sleep…It’s the weekend, [stuff’s] going down, TradExchanges are closed, but Hyperliquid is open for business,” Hayes wrote.

However, the platform’s lack of compliance guardrails could introduce substantial legal hurdles in the future.

Offering synthetic US equities to retail investors without “know your customer” (KYC) protocols or a registered broker-dealer license poses significant regulatory risks.

These practices could draw future scrutiny from the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission

Despite this looming threat, the platform’s native token responded positively to the weekend influx.

BeInCrypto data show that HYPE’s price rose 13% over the last 24 hours, trading above $30 as of press time. Notably, this makes it the best-performing asset among the top 20 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization.

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Bitcoin staged a sharp rebound over the weekend, ripping from lows near 63,000 USD back toward 67,000 USD after Iran confirmed that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been killed in joint US-Israeli strikes.

The move followed a violent sell‑off triggered by the initial bombing, which had briefly driven BTC below 63,100 USD as traders braced for an uncontrolled regional war and a prolonged risk‑off episode.

Source: CoinCodexOnce confirmation of Khamenei’s death filtered through official and media channels, markets pivoted to a “regime‑change rally” narrative, betting that the conflict timeline could compress and the uncertainty premium weighing on risk assets might unwind faster than feared.

Short Squeeze: Around $303M in Shorts Wiped OutDerivatives data show that the round‑trip move produced a sizable liquidation flush, with total crypto liquidations over 24 hours in the hundreds of millions of dollars and roughly 300 million USD of that tied to short positions as late bears were caught offsides by the reversal.

One analytics summary cited more than 500 million USD in leveraged positions wiped out across a large number of traders as BTC swung from about 63,000 USD to 67,000 USD in roughly half a day. Within that, shorts bore the brunt of the pain, with an estimated 303 million USD in short liquidations acting as forced buy orders that accelerated the rebound once price broke back above the 65,000-66,000 USD zone.

This short‑squeeze bid helped BTC push toward 67,000 USD even as headlines from the region remained highly fluid.

War Risk, Succession Fears and the Outlook for BTCFor now, the market is attempting to reprice the balance between war risk and the possibility of a faster resolution. Iran’s confirmation of Khamenei’s death, the declared mourning period, and the prospect of a succession struggle inject a new layer of political uncertainty, but traders are also speculating that the decapitation of Iran’s leadership could shorten the window for active hostilities.

In that framework, Bitcoin’s recovery toward 67,000 USD is being read as a vote that the worst‑case scenario – an open‑ended, uncontrollable regional war is now seen as slightly less likely than it seemed when the first missiles hit Tehran. Looking ahead, key levels to watch are support around 63,000-64,000 USD and resistance in the 67,000-68,500 USD band.

If geopolitical tensions stabilize and ETF flows stay constructive, BTC could retest recent highs, but with Middle East headlines still capable of flipping the risk narrative within hours, elevated volatility and sudden liquidation waves: both long and short are likely to remain a defining feature of price action.

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

Shiba Inu's current on-chain data indicates a significant influx of more than 600 billion tokens. Despite obvious pressure building beneath the surface, the market’s direction remains uncertain due to a conflicting setup created by the combination of weakening price structure and surging exchange inflows.

Shiba Inu stays downEvery major moving average is still below SHIB on the daily chart. Strengthening the overall bearish pattern that has prevailed since late 2025, the 50-day and 100-day lines are still well above price action.

SHIB/USDT Chart by TradingViewNumerous downward trends have already broken down, and the most recent consolidation close to the lower trendline suggests hesitancy rather than a robust recovery. Although the price is in the vicinity of a local support zone, candles indicate that buyers are not following through, indicating that demand is still erratic.

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The unexpected increase in exchange inflows is what makes this situation more noteworthy. More than 600 billion SHIB were moved into exchanges in a brief period of time, according to on-chain data. Large inflows like this have historically been linked to higher sell-side liquidity because tokens that move onto exchanges are frequently positioned for future distribution.

Will momentum increase?This increases the likelihood of increased volatility and quicker price reactions in the event that momentum turns negative, but it does not ensure an immediate decline. However, strong moves in either direction can sometimes be preceded by spikes in exchange inflow. Before attempting to defend support or initiate liquidity events, big players occasionally reposition.

As of right now, the chart illustrates this uncertainty: volume has not yet displayed a clear expansion, and the price is compressed inside a narrowing structure. The market is loaded but uncommitted, to put it briefly. From a structural standpoint, SHIB is making an effort to stabilize following lower lows, but the general trend continues to favor sellers until the price reclaims important moving averages and firmly breaks the declining resistance area.

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The key conclusion is that both outcomes are still possible at this pivotal moment for SHIB. Potential selling pressure is introduced by large exchange injections, and the technical chart indicates that the price is testing a crucial decision zone. The side of the current compression that breaks first will determine whether this turns into a recovery attempt or another leg down.