Market Signal Briefing

In brief Bhutan transferred 519.707 BTC worth $36.75 million to external addresses on Wednesday, continuing its 2026 sell-off. The kingdom's Bitcoin holdings have fallen 66% from peak levels in late 2024 to 4,453 BTC worth $315 million. Year-to-date outflows from Bhutan's sovereign Bitcoin treasury exceed $150 million as the nation monetizes mining operations. The Kingdom of Bhutan transferred another 519.707 BTC worth $36.75 million to external addresses on Wednesday, accelerating a sovereign Bitcoin liquidation that has seen its BTC holdings plummet 66% from late 2024 peaks.

The Royal Government of Bhutan now holds 4,453 BTC worth approximately $315 million, down from nearly 13,000 BTC in late 2024, according to on-chain data.

The latest transfer continues a drawdown that began after October 2024, with total year-to-date outflows exceeding $150 million.

The steady pace of transfers has accelerated in recent weeks, with Bhutan moving from $5-15 million clips in January and February to $35-45 million transfers in March, according to transaction analysis. Wednesday's movement to external wallets follows patterns consistent with exchange deposits, though specific destinations remain unconfirmed.

The sovereign selling represents one of the largest government Bitcoin liquidations on record, creating consistent selling pressure as Bhutan continues to monetize holdings accumulated through its hydropower-backed mining operations.

Bitcoin is currently trading at around $69,410, down 3% on the day according to CoinGecko data.

Unlike the majority of state Bitcoin holdings, Bhutan has accumulated its treasury through mining rather than purchases, leveraging its abundant renewable resources. In December 2025,  Bhutan pledged up to 10,000 BTC to develop Gelephu Mindfulness City, an economic hub in the south of the country.

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The Federal National Mortgage Association, commonly known as Fannie Mae, is reportedly set to accept Bitcoin (BTC) mortgages for the first time.

Specifically, mortgage lender Better Home & Finance, together with the Coinbase crypto exchange, plans to unveil a new mortgage product today, March 26, allowing homebuyers to pledge their crypto holdings to secure a Fannie-backed loan, as reported by WSJ.

Although crypto-backed mortgages already exist, Fannie Mae’s participation could push the concept further into the mainstream, as the institution operates with federal backing and is overseen by the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

Fannie Mae brings crypto mortgages When applying for loans, borrowers will be able to pledge Bitcoin or USD Coin (USDC) as collateral to cover their down payment. As the new product is structured as a conforming loan, it follows the same standards and protections as traditional mortgages.

If a borrower already holds crypto on Coinbase, the process is, of course, simplified. Namely, instead of liquidating assets, traders on the exchange can transfer their digital holdings from the exchange into a custody wallet while retaining ownership rights.

Importantly, the new token-backed loans will not involve margin calls or requests for additional collateral if crypto prices fall, as per the aforementioned report. Accordingly, even if the value of BTC declines, the mortgage terms remain unchanged, and market fluctuations alone will not trigger liquidation. Collateral would only be at risk if a borrower becomes 60 days delinquent on payments.

Bitcoin price falls  Despite the announcement, Bitcoin price pulled back 3.14% on the daily chart, trading at about $69,410, closely mirroring a broader market pullback of roughly 3.07%.

Daily BTC price. Source: Finbold The decline appears largely tied to macro pressures and institutional selling, with institutional outflows and risk-off sentiment emerging as the main drivers. Additional pressure came from derivatives markets, where about $61.7 million in Bitcoin liquidations were recorded over the past day, mostly in long positions.

If Bitcoin holds above $69,400, though, a rebound toward around $71,300 could be possible. Conversely, while a break below $69,000 raises the risk of a move down to roughly $67,800. In the long term, however, analysts appear optimistic about ‘digital gold.’

Featured image via Shutterstock

Resolv Labs has permanently eliminated around 46 million tokens, representing 57% of the 80 million USR illicitly minted during the March 22 exploit. The protocol achieved this through a combination of direct burns and blacklisting of wrapped assets held by attacker-linked wallets. As a result, no transferable or convertible illicit USR remains on exploiter-controlled addresses, marking a significant step in containing the fallout from the private key compromise.

Resolv Labs Burns 46M Illicit USR Tokens Mitigation Actions Taken Resolv Labs responded rapidly on the day of the incident by burning approximately 9 million USR across two Ethereum transactions, directly shrinking the unauthorized supply. The team then targeted the larger portion held as wstUSR by upgrading the wstUSR smart contract to enable blacklisting, while strictly following the contract’s mandatory 72-hour timelock to preserve governance integrity. In the final phase, any remaining direct USR holdings on exploiter addresses were burned in a separate transaction. These coordinated on-chain actions collectively removed 57 percent of the illicit supply and eliminated immediate pathways for the attacker to move or monetize the unbacked tokens further.

Broader Recovery Efforts The protocol has implemented an allowlist-based redemption process limited to verified pre-exploit USR holders, while keeping select functions paused to protect remaining collateral. With assets valued at approximately $95 million against substantially higher liabilities, the collateralization ratio sits well below full coverage, underscoring the financial pressure created by the incident. Resolv Labs continues to trace on-chain movements in collaboration with security researchers and law enforcement, while assessing options such as recovery bounties. This measured approach seeks to safeguard legitimate participants and minimize spillover into connected DeFi markets that had integrated USR as collateral.

Market Impact Assessment The exploit triggered an immediate and severe de-peg of the USR stablecoin. The token plunged from its $1 peg to as low as $0.025 on the most liquid Curve Finance USR/USDC pool within just 17 minutes of the first minting transaction. Trading volumes surged amid panic selling, but thin DEX liquidity led to extreme slippage and temporary price levels as low as $0.02–$0.05 across certain pools and venues. The token later staged a partial recovery, trading in the $0.20–$0.40 range in the hours and days following the incident. As of March 26, 2026, USR was hovering around $0.27–$0.31, still significantly below parity. Several interconnected DeFi protocols responded swiftly by pausing USR-related markets or disabling it as collateral to limit contagion, with reported exposures in lending vaults reaching several million dollars before containment measures took effect.

This sharp supply shock and liquidity crunch highlighted vulnerabilities in stablecoin markets during rapid, unauthorized mint events, contributing to a notable contraction in USR’s market capitalization and reduced trading activity across major venues. For a deeper technical understanding of how the attack unfolded and the vulnerabilities involved refer to the Resolv Labs exploit analysis.

Crypto Market Drops Despite Strong Bullish DevelopmentsThe cryptocurrency market is showing a surprising contradiction. Despite a wave of bullish developments — from institutional accumulation to major adoption milestones — both Bitcoin and Ethereum have declined over the past 24 hours.

Bitcoin slipped below key levels near $70,000, while Ethereum saw even sharper losses, underperforming the broader market. This raises a critical question:

👉 Why is crypto falling despite positive news?

By TradingView - Top Cryptos_2026_03_26 (24h)The answer lies beyond crypto itself.

Geopolitical Tensions Are Driving a Risk-Off MarketThe biggest force currently impacting markets is not crypto — it is geopolitics.

Escalating tensions between the United States and Iran, combined with increasingly aggressive statements from Donald Trump, have injected uncertainty into global markets. Investors are now pricing in the risk of further conflict and potential economic disruption.

As a result:

Oil prices are rising sharplyInflation fears are returningInvestors are shifting away from risk assetsIn this environment, crypto is behaving like a high-risk asset rather than a safe haven.

Markets Are Reacting to Headlines, Not FundamentalsRecent price movements highlight a key shift in market behavior.

When headlines suggested a pause in military escalation, crypto surged. When tensions resumed, prices dropped almost immediately.

This pattern shows that:

Short-term crypto movements are now headline-drivenMacro sentiment outweighs crypto-specific developmentsVolatility is being dictated by global eventsIn other words, crypto is currently trading like a macro asset, not a standalone market.

Liquidations Are Accelerating the DownsideBeyond macro pressure, market structure is amplifying the drop.

A significant number of leveraged long positions were wiped out in recent sessions, triggering forced selling. This type of liquidation cascade often accelerates declines beyond what fundamentals would justify.

Ethereum, in particular, tends to experience stronger moves due to its higher volatility and heavier use in leveraged trading.

Bullish Crypto News Is Being Ignored (For Now)Ironically, some of the most important bullish developments are happening at the same time.

One of the most significant is the reported move by Fannie Mae to accept crypto-backed mortgages, allowing users to leverage Bitcoin and other digital assets as collateral for home purchases.

This marks a major step toward real-world adoption and financial integration.

At the same time:

Institutional players continue accumulating cryptoInfrastructure for mainstream use is expandingRegulatory clarity is gradually improvingHowever, these developments are structural and long-term. They do not immediately impact short-term price movements, especially during periods of macro uncertainty.

Why Bitcoin and Ethereum Are Falling Right NowThe current market can be explained by three overlapping forces:

Geopolitical escalation → driving risk-off sentimentLiquidity pressure → limiting upside momentumLiquidations → accelerating short-term declinesTogether, these factors are overpowering bullish narratives and pushing prices lower.

Crypto Is Becoming a Macro AssetA key takeaway from the current market environment is the evolving role of crypto.

Bitcoin is often described as “digital gold,” but recent price action suggests otherwise. In times of uncertainty, it is still treated as a risk asset similar to tech stocks.

However, beneath the surface, the foundation for long-term growth continues to strengthen.

This creates a paradox:

Short term → driven by fear, macro, and liquidityLong term → supported by adoption and institutional growthOutlook: Short-Term Pressure, Long-Term OpportunityWhile the current environment remains uncertain, the broader trajectory for crypto has not changed.

If geopolitical tensions ease and liquidity conditions improve, bullish developments could quickly return to the forefront and drive the next move higher.

Until then, markets are likely to remain volatile and reactive to global headlines.

ConclusionThe recent drop in Bitcoin and Ethereum is not a rejection of crypto’s fundamentals — it is a reflection of a market dominated by macro forces.

Crypto is no longer trading in isolation. It is now deeply connected to global events, liquidity cycles, and investor sentiment.

And right now, those forces are pointing toward caution.

Bhutan’s rapid Bitcoin sell-off raises fresh questions over Gelephu City funding, sovereign crypto reserves, and long term development plans.

Bhutan’s latest Bitcoin transfers have raised new questions about how much of its sovereign crypto reserve will remain available for the long term development of Gelephu Mindfulness City, a flagship economic project the country has publicly linked to its mined holdings. Recent reporting said Bhutan moved another 519.707 BTC on March 26, part of a wider March selling pattern that has pushed this year’s outflows above $150 million.

Bhutan steps up Bitcoin transfersBhutan’s latest transfer came just hours before reports tied the move to exchange linked addresses. That made it the newest sign that the country is still trimming its Bitcoin position in March rather than holding it unchanged.

The move did not come in isolation. Recent reports linked to onchain tracking show Bhutan also shifted millions of dollars in Bitcoin earlier this month, including larger transfers in mid March. Together, those movements have turned what first looked like isolated activity into a broader liquidation trend.

That matters because Bhutan’s crypto holdings had drawn global attention as one of the world’s most unusual sovereign Bitcoin reserves. The reserve was built through Bitcoin mining powered by excess hydropower, giving the country a rare state backed digital asset position tied to domestic energy production.

Gelephu pledge now faces closer scrutinyGelephu entered the discussion because Bhutan’s own pledge page says the Bitcoin reserve was created as a long term national asset and was meant to support the growth of Gelephu Mindfulness City. The page says the Bitcoin is not being held for speculation and instead is being set aside for national development over time.

As a result, the latest sales have created a clear tension between that long term message and the current pace of drawdowns. Analysts and market commentators now argue that continued selling could weaken the original funding narrative around Gelephu, especially if the reserve keeps shrinking. Still, Bhutan has not said the project is paused or under review.

The broader Gelephu project also extends beyond Bitcoin alone. Brookings described it as part of a wider Bhutan growth strategy built around hydropower, tourism, crypto, and a new urban development model. That means the city is not dependent on one asset only. However, the faster Bhutan sells Bitcoin, the more attention will shift to whether the reserve can still play the role officials described. 

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ETH and SOL price action just walked into a geopolitical storm and it doesn’t feel subtle at all. A proposed 4-6 week deadline to resolve the Iran conflict, alongside rising oil prices and troop deployments, is injecting fresh uncertainty into already fragile markets. And when macro tension rises, risk assets like crypto don’t exactly get a free pass, especially altcoins. So yeah, buckle up. This window could get messy.

ETH and SOL price face macro pressureWell we know since this was announced oil prices are already climbing again, inflation fears are creeping back in, and suddenly the appetite for risk looks… shaky. That’s usually bad news for assets like Ethereum and Solana, which thrive when liquidity flows freely.

But we need to be more realistic on this situation. We have always seen that crypto doesn’t always follow the script. Also, decentralized systems sometimes shine in chaos. Still, in the short term, pressure is pressure and right now, it’s building that leaves us at uncertainty for now.

ETH price struggles below key resistance levelBut, one thing is clear and that is price action that shows for now that the ETH price action is rejected by $2400. That level is acting like a ceiling and trapping price and putting it in a frustrating consolidation range.

But zoom out a bit, and things look less comforting. The structure hints at an ascending channel, and when paired with January’s sharp drop, it starts resembling a bearish continuation setup. Not exactly what bulls want to hear.

Therefore, Ethereum price analysis highlights that if that pattern plays out? Bears could aim as low as $1500. And the indicators aren’t helping calm nerves either. MACD just flashed a bearish cross. RSI slipped below 50. AO is leaning bearish, and CMF has already turned down from mid-March highs, hovering close to neutral and threatening to dip negative. Not a sure shot collapse signal yet, but definitely not confidence-inspiring either.

SOL price mirrors ETH with weaker signalsNow flipping over to SOL price analysis, and it’s like watching a slightly delayed version of the same movie.

Price action suggests a similar channel structure, with $97 acting as a key resistance. If that level keeps rejecting, consolidation could stretch across this entire 4–6 week window.

But if the structure breaks? Downside targets around $50 start coming into play. Indicators back that cautious tone. RSI has already dipped below 50. AO shows rising bearish momentum. CMF is sitting at -0.02, signaling capital outflows. The only difference? MACD hasn’t confirmed a bearish cross yet, but it’s not exactly screaming strength either.

ETH and SOL price outlook remains fragileSo, what’s next? To sum-up, this 4–6 week period isn’t just another timeline in fact it’s a pressure cooker. Between geopolitical tension, rising oil prices, and weakening technical structures, both ETH and SOL price trends are entering a critical phase.

If stability returns, maybe consolidation holds. But if macro stress escalates, the downside scenarios on ETH and SOL price charts might not stay theoretical for long.

Trust with CoinPedia:CoinPedia has been delivering accurate and timely cryptocurrency and blockchain updates since 2017. All content is created by our expert panel of analysts and journalists, following strict Editorial Guidelines based on E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). Every article is fact-checked against reputable sources to ensure accuracy, transparency, and reliability. Our review policy guarantees unbiased evaluations when recommending exchanges, platforms, or tools. We strive to provide timely updates about everything crypto & blockchain, right from startups to industry majors.

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The race to make blockchains quantum-resistant is shaping into a test of governance, and decentralized networks may be at a disadvantage.

Quantum upgrades don’t stop at protocol-level changes. For major networks, they require wallet-level migration across millions of users, making coordination the bottleneck.

“The hard part is not changing the node itself, it’s having the wallets do the same,” said Yoon Auh, founder of BOLT Technologies, adding that each asset holder would need to migrate and do so in a coordinated way.

“If you go talk to Bitcoin or Ethereum, it’s a bit more perplexing because of the really decentralized and kind of ad hoc participation. It seems like whenever I hear about it, it’s more like herding cats.”

A sufficiently powerful quantum computer could theoretically break the public-key cryptography that underpins digital signatures and secure communications, threatening both blockchain wallets and core financial infrastructure. 

Post-quantum cryptography (PQC) is the proposed countermeasure, and the transition is already underway. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has urged organizations to begin preparing for “harvest now, decrypt later” threats, while US policy sets 2035 as the target for completing migration across federal systems.

The European Union is pushing high-risk systems to transition by 2030. Source: European CommissionInstitutional governance is accelerating quantum upgradesOne place coordination may be easier is in institutional blockchain networks, where governance is tighter and the chain of authority is clearer.

Auh’s BOLT Technologies is running a pilot with the Canton Network to test a system that allows institutions to use and switch between multiple cryptographic signature schemes. Canton describes itself as an open blockchain for regulated institutions, designed to let participants exchange data and value without giving up privacy or control.

Canton is the leading network for recordkeeping of RWA tokens. Source: RWA.xyzIn regulated financial markets, infrastructure changes must meet internal controls, risk management standards, privacy requirements and interoperability demands across firms. 

Canton is built around those constraints, positioning itself as infrastructure for regulated institutions and a way to connect siloed financial systems without sacrificing control.

In August 2024, NIST finalized its first set of post-quantum cryptography standards and explicitly urged system administrators to begin transitioning to them as soon as possible.

For regulated institutions, that kind of guidance makes delays harder to justify. Once migration becomes a recognized security and compliance issue, the networks most likely to move first are the ones that can turn technical advice into a managed operational process. Auh said that is one reason permissioned networks may be better positioned to move first. 

“Because of their governance structure, you only need a few people there who are very knowledgeable to understand what’s going on,” he said. “And then because their governance is a lot quicker and a lot more organized, you can make those changes quicker.”

That does not mean permissioned networks have solved the post-quantum problem. It means they may be better equipped to test, approve and stage upgrades under real-world constraints. 

Coordination slows quantum upgrades on public networksPublic blockchains face a different coordination problem because major protocol changes cannot be approved by a small governing group. 

On Bitcoin, protocol changes are suggested through the Bitcoin Improvement Proposal (BIP) process, and the project’s own documentation says that “acceptance and adoption rests with the Bitcoin users.”

That makes a system-wide cryptographic migration harder to stage on public chains than on permissioned ones.

BIP 360 proposes a new output type designed to move the network toward quantum-resistant transaction structures. Source: GithubGiven these coordination constraints, a post-quantum upgrade may require more disruptive upgrade paths, including a hard fork.

“I think it’s a very difficult thing to do with a soft fork,” he said. “They’re going to have to take the bitter medicine at some point and do a hard fork.

I know that it’s very traumatic for something like Bitcoin.”On Ethereum, core changes move through the EIP process, where authors are expected to build consensus within the community and document dissenting opinions.

Ethereum’s governance documentation describes a process involving multiple stakeholder groups, including node operators, validators and EIP authors, while the AllCoreDevs process exists to coordinate technical work across contributors from different organizations.

The real challenge in quantum migration is coordinationThe post-quantum transition is often framed as a technical race to find the right cryptography, but the harder question may be whether a network can carry out the migration at all.

Auh said the industry should spend less time trying to predict the exact arrival of a cryptographically relevant quantum computer — often called “Q-Day” — and more time thinking about whether blockchain networks are structurally capable of responding. 

“The recognition of the risk should spur you into action,” he said, arguing that preparation matters more than timeline guessing.

For permissioned blockchains, that process can be channeled through tighter governance, formal approval paths and institutional pressure to act. For public chains, the same migration has to pass through a wider and slower process shaped by developers, client teams, wallet providers and users.

General investors are more likely to focus on post-quantum readiness for networks like Bitcoin and Ethereum, whose growth has tracked the broader industry, though views on the risk remain split. Jefferies strategist Christopher Wood removed Bitcoin from a model portfolio, citing quantum concerns, while Blockstream CEO Adam Back has said the threat may still be decades away.

Magazine: Bitcoin may face hard fork over any attempt to freeze Satoshi’s coins

Cointelegraph Features publishes long-form journalism, analysis, and narrative reporting produced by Cointelegraph’s in-house editorial team with subject-matter expertise. All articles are edited and reviewed by Cointelegraph editors in line with our editorial standards. Research or perspective in this article does not reflect the views of Cointelegraph as a company unless explicitly stated. Content published in Features does not constitute financial, legal, or investment advice. Readers should conduct their own research and consult qualified professionals where appropriate. Cointelegraph maintains full editorial independence. The selection, commissioning, and publication of Features and Magazine content are not influenced by advertisers, partners, or commercial relationships. This content is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph’s Editorial Policy.

Tightened supply of helium due to the Middle East conflict has started affecting some production in the global tech supply chains, leaving ​companies scrambling to secure alternative supplies, industry executives said.

While most of the market remains distracted, FET’s on-chain data and technical indicators are aligning in a way that often precedes major breakouts. A recent multi-million dollar whale accumulation, combined with a strong signal from the On-Balance Volume (OBV) indicator, suggests that smart money may already be positioning. With price beginning to recover from its base and momentum slowly building, the big question now is, Is FET price about to surprise the market with a sharp upside rally?

Whale Accumulation Signals Growing ConfidenceFresh on-chain data reveals that a whale has accumulated 914 million FET tokens worth approximately $2.34 million from Binance, alongside additional altcoin purchases. Such large-scale accumulation typically reflects growing conviction among high-net-worth participants, especially when it occurs after a prolonged consolidation phase. Historically, whale buying at lower levels has often preceded strong upward moves, as large players tend to position early before momentum becomes obvious to the broader market. 

The timing of this accumulation suggests that institutional or smart money interest in FET may be increasing, particularly as AI-related narratives regain traction in the crypto space. This development is critical because it indicates that despite recent market uncertainty, capital is selectively flowing into high-potential assets, with FET emerging as one of the key beneficiaries.

OBV Indicator Flashes Bullish DivergenceAdding further weight to the bullish case is the behavior of the On-Balance Volume (OBV) indicator. According to market analysts, OBV is showing a steady rise even when price action has remained relatively subdued. This type of divergence is often interpreted as a leading signal of accumulation, where buying pressure builds beneath the surface before reflecting in price. In simpler terms, volume is increasing in favor of buyers, even though price has yet to fully respond.

Such setups have historically preceded strong breakouts, as latent demand eventually pushes price higher once resistance levels are tested. The current OBV structure suggests that FET may be in the early stages of this process.

FET Price Action Points to Recovery StructureFET price appears to be transitioning out of a downtrend into a recovery phase. The chart shows that price has formed a base and is now attempting to move higher, supported by improving momentum. A key observation is the formation of a higher low structure, indicating that selling pressure is gradually weakening. At the same time, price is approaching a critical resistance zone, which could act as the trigger point for the next major move.

If bulls manage to sustain momentum and break above this resistance, it could open the door for a sharp continuation toward higher levels, aligning with the signals observed in both on-chain data and volume indicators.

Key Levels to WatchIn the near term, immediate support is seen around the recent higher low region around $0.2200, which is acting as a foundation for the current recovery. Holding this level will be crucial to maintaining bullish structure. On the upside $0.2500, the primary resistance zone lies ahead, and a confirmed breakout above this level could accelerate momentum significantly toward $0.2700 followed by $0.2900. If this breakout occurs with strong volume confirmation, it may validate the ongoing accumulation narrative and trigger a broader rally.

Trust with CoinPedia:CoinPedia has been delivering accurate and timely cryptocurrency and blockchain updates since 2017. All content is created by our expert panel of analysts and journalists, following strict Editorial Guidelines based on E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). Every article is fact-checked against reputable sources to ensure accuracy, transparency, and reliability. Our review policy guarantees unbiased evaluations when recommending exchanges, platforms, or tools. We strive to provide timely updates about everything crypto & blockchain, right from startups to industry majors.

Investment Disclaimer:All opinions and insights shared represent the author's own views on current market conditions. Please do your own research before making investment decisions. Neither the writer nor the publication assumes responsibility for your financial choices.

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The Bitcoin price has been stuck in a sideways consolidation for the last three days, since breaking out of a falling wedge. Will the current trading pattern send the price down to the bottom of the bear flag, or can the measured move out of the falling wedge still take the $BTC price towards the top of the bear flag?

Worldcoin is one of the most popular cryptos that attracts attention at regular intervals. However, the price has remained stuck within a strong descending trend and reached the lowest support at $0.3. The WLD price has plunged by more than 4.8% in the past 24 hours, reaching $0.3, while the volume has increased close to 30%, rising above $186 million. 

In the meantime, several crypto funds have quietly accumulated WLD over the past week, which suggests early-stage positioning. This raises a key question: Is institutional interest in Worldcoin rising?

Smart Money Flows Signal Early Institutional Interest in WorldcoinRecent data shared on X by @nansen_ai points to a clear shift in smart money behavior around Worldcoin (WLD), with multiple funds increasing exposure over the past week. The standout move came from DACM, which built a new position of 1.4 million WLD tokens within seven days, moving from zero holdings to a sizable allocation. Notably, the accumulation was driven entirely by exchange withdrawals, indicating deliberate positioning rather than passive inflows.

Four funds accumulated $WLD this week

DACM made the biggest move – a brand new position. Zero holdings a week ago. 1.4M tokens today. All withdrawn directly from Binance.

They're not alone:
– Kenetic Capital: +143.8K across 2 wallets
– CoinFund: +67.2K
– Hashed: +38.4K —… pic.twitter.com/z9A1ZEPArK

— Nansen 🧭 (@nansen_ai) March 26, 2026 Other funds also followed:

Kenetic Capital: Added over 143K WLD across two walletsCoinFund: Increased holdings by 67K WLDHashed: Added 38K WLD, bringing total exposure close to 1.7M tokensNansen data further shows no selling activity from these entities during this period, reinforcing the idea of accumulation rather than short-term trading. However, the trend remains selective. Larger holders, including Multicoin Capital and Blockchain Capital, have not adjusted their positions, suggesting that broader institutional participation has yet to emerge.

However, the trend remains selective. Larger holders, including Multicoin Capital and Blockchain Capital, have not adjusted their positions, suggesting that broader institutional participation has yet to emerge.

 Worldcoin Price Analysis: WLD Stuck in Downtrend ChannelWorldcoin (WLD) continues to trade under pressure, with price action firmly locked inside a descending channel on the daily timeframe, signaling a sustained bearish structure. Since its recent highs, WLD has consistently formed lower highs and lower lows, confirming a broader downtrend. The current price, hovering near $0.30, sits close to the lower boundary of this channel, a zone that has historically acted as short-term support.

RSI (14) remains subdued near the 35–40 range, indicating weak buying momentum without entering deeply oversold territory. While Chaikin Money Flow (CMF) is negative, suggesting capital outflows and a lack of strong accumulation pressure in the spot market.  Despite the recent smart money inflows highlighted by Nansen data, these indicators show that broader market demand has yet to align with institutional positioning.

Key Levels to Watch

Immediate resistance: $0.40–$0.45 (mid-channel + prior support)Breakout level: $0.60 (trend reversal confirmation)Support zone: $0.28–$0.30Breakdown risk: Below $0.28 → potential move toward $0.22–$0.25WLD Outlook: Key Breakout Levels to Define the Next MoveAs Worldcoin approaches the near-term turning point, the setup remains a classic divergence between positioning and price confirmation. On one side, smart money accumulation suggests early interest from funds. On the other hand, price continues to respect a descending channel, with momentum indicators still weak. This leaves traders with a level-based setup rather than a directional conviction.

Trade Setup & Scenarios

Bullish Trigger: A confirmed breakout above $0.40–$0.45 could signal short-term strength, with upside targets at $0.55–$0.60. A sustained move above $0.60 would invalidate the downtrend and open the path toward $0.75–$0.85.Bearish Risk: Failure to hold the $0.28–$0.30 support zone may lead to further downside, with potential targets around $0.22–$0.25.Traders should watch for a breakout from the current channel, as that move is likely to define direction into the next phase. Until then, the Worldcoin (WLD) price may remain range-bound rather than aggressively positioned.

Trust with CoinPedia:CoinPedia has been delivering accurate and timely cryptocurrency and blockchain updates since 2017. All content is created by our expert panel of analysts and journalists, following strict Editorial Guidelines based on E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). Every article is fact-checked against reputable sources to ensure accuracy, transparency, and reliability. Our review policy guarantees unbiased evaluations when recommending exchanges, platforms, or tools. We strive to provide timely updates about everything crypto & blockchain, right from startups to industry majors.

Investment Disclaimer:All opinions and insights shared represent the author's own views on current market conditions. Please do your own research before making investment decisions. Neither the writer nor the publication assumes responsibility for your financial choices.

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13h14 ▪ 3 min read ▪ by Eddy S.

Summarize this article with:

Bitcoin just plunged below $70,000, wiping out billions of dollars in a few hours. Between massive liquidations and geopolitical tensions, investors are questioning… Why this drop? Is it temporary or the start of a deeper decline?

In brief Bitcoin drops to $69,500 due to record liquidations ($273 million) and extreme fear sentiment (Fear & Greed at 10). Geopolitical tensions (Iran, Israel, USA) push investors to flee risky assets, worsening selling pressure. The expiration of $14 billion in Bitcoin options tomorrow could increase volatility and jeopardize the $75,000 target. Bitcoin at $69,500: A brutal drop shaking the markets Bitcoin dropped by 2.35%, falling below the symbolic $70,000 mark to reach $69,502. This decline is accompanied by a record liquidation volume of $273.09 million in 24 hours, reflecting intense selling pressure. Other cryptocurrencies follow the same trend, with Ethereum down 4.54%, Solana down 4.64%, and XRP down 3.16%.

Technical indicators show that Bitcoin is now testing a key support at $68,000. If this level breaks, a new wave of selling could push the market to lower lows. Moreover, trading volumes remain high, a sign of persistent anxiety among traders. This drop is explained by:

$273 million in positions liquidated in 24 hours, amplifying selling pressure; Fear & Greed at 10 (extreme fear), pushing investors to sell to limit their losses; Fears of escalation between Iran, Israel, and the United States, prompting fleeing risky assets like BTC. Expiration of $14 billion in Bitcoin options: an additional risk? Tomorrow Friday, $14 billion in Bitcoin options expire, which could worsen volatility. Indeed, these options divided between call and put contracts could exert additional pressure on the market if put holders decide to sell massively. Analysts are closely monitoring critical strike levels, especially around $70,000 and $75,000.

Accordingly, if Bitcoin’s price remains below these levels, call holders may not exercise their options, thus reducing buying pressure. Conversely, a drop below $68,000 could trigger a new wave of selling. In this context, the $75,000 target seems increasingly distant. Investors will need to closely monitor market developments after these options expire.

Bitcoin is going through a critical period, marked by a brutal drop and the imminence of $14 billion in options expiring. While geopolitical tensions and investor fear dominate the market, the $75,000 target appears compromised. Do you think BTC could rebound?

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The world is evolving and adaptation is the best weapon to survive in this undulating universe. Originally a crypto community manager, I am interested in anything that is directly or indirectly related to blockchain and its derivatives. To share my experience and promote a field that I am passionate about, nothing is better than writing informative and relaxed articles.

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Monument Bank has reportedly achieved a new milestone in UK finance by becoming one of the first the regulated institutions to tokenize retail customer deposits on a public blockchain. In collaboration with the Midnight Foundation, the Bank of England-authorized lender— which oversees roughly £7 billion in deposits and serves over 100,000 mass-affluent clients—will convert interest-bearing savings into digital tokens.

These tokens mirror traditional deposits on a one-to-one basis, remaining fully backed by the bank, redeemable in pounds sterling, and safeguarded by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

The initiative, powered by Midnight’s privacy-focused blockchain, marks the initial phase of a broader effort to democratise access to sophisticated financial tools.

Previously reserved for ultra-high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and institutions, products such as private equity, commodity funds, and structured investments will soon become available to everyday professionals and entrepreneurs through Monument’s familiar app.

Customers will not need to handle cryptocurrencies directly; the blockchain infrastructure operates invisibly behind regulated safeguards.

The rollout is structured in three progressive stages.

Phase one targets up to £250 million in tokenized deposits, allowing clients to hold their savings as secure digital representations on the network while earning interest as usual.

Phase two will introduce tokenized real-world asset investments managed by global partners, enabling seamless exposure without the complexities of digital asset custody.

In the final phase, Monument plans to launch Lombard-style lending, letting customers borrow against their holdings for liquidity without liquidating investments—a feature traditionally limited to private banking clients.

This partnership creates a fully integrated, programmable financial ecosystem within one platform, combining saving, investing, and borrowing with enhanced efficiency and flexibility.

Monument Technology Ltd, an affiliate of the bank, also intends to extend this tokenization capability to other financial institutions through its Banking-as-a-Service platform, potentially accelerating industry-wide adoption.

Privacy remains central to the design.

Midnight’s advanced infrastructure employs zero-knowledge proofs and shielded data protocols to ensure transaction details stay confidential, visible only to the bank and its customers.

This approach satisfies stringent regulatory requirements while harnessing blockchain’s benefits for faster settlement and broader access.

Mintoo Bhandari, founder of Monument, emphasized the bank’s commitment to serving an often-overlooked segment:

“Our goal has always been to deliver financial solutions safely to mass-affluent clients across the UK and beyond. This collaboration with Midnight underscores our dedication to that vision by providing the secure blockchain foundation essential for modern, scalable banking.”

CEO Ian Rand highlighted the balance of innovation and service:

“We are combining breakthrough technology with our client-first approach and the robust protections of UK regulation to help customers grow their wealth more effectively.”

Fahmi Syed, president of the Midnight Foundation, noted the solution to a long-standing industry hurdle:

“Banks worldwide have struggled to reconcile blockchain transparency with banking’s privacy demands. Our network allows regulated institutions to bring traditional products onto public ledgers while protecting sensitive information.”

The development aligns with growing global interest in tokenized finance.

According to Boston Consulting Group projections, such assets could reach between $4 trillion and $16 trillion by 2030.

By focusing on retail clients rather than institutions alone, Monument is pioneering a more inclusive model that could reshape how ordinary savers engage with capital markets.

Daniel Fozzati of venture studio The Building Blocks described the launch as as follows:

“This partnership proves that advanced blockchain and strict regulatory standards can coexist, delivering real value through Britain’s innovative ecosystem.”

As the program advances, it seemingly signals a shift toward programmable money that maintains consumer protections while expanding opportunity—potentially setting a new standard for digital banking services.

MARA Holdings higher by 10% after selling $1.1 billion in bitcoin to fund debt buybackThe strategic move cuts debt, reduces dilution risk, and strengthens the balance sheet for expansion into AI and energy infrastructure, said the company. Mar 26, 2026, 12:23 p.m.

MARA Holdings (MARA) sold 15,133 bitcoin for approximately $1.1 billion between March 4 and March 25 to fund a major balance sheet overhaul.

The company is using the proceeds to repurchase roughly $1.0 billion of its 0.00% convertible senior notes due 2030 and 2031 at a discount.

In total, MARA will buy back $367.5 million of its 2030 notes for $322.9 million and $633.4 million of its 2031 notes for $589.9 million. The discounted purchases, about 9% below par, will generate approximately $88.1 million in value, said the company.

MARA was higher by 10% in premarket trading.

Beyond the immediate savings, the transaction materially reshapes MARA’s capital structure. The repurchases will reduce its convertible debt by around 30%, cutting total outstanding convertible notes from about $3.3 billion to $2.3 billion. This also reduces the risk of future shareholder dilution associated with conversions.

“Our decision to sell a portion of our bitcoin holdings reflects a strategic capital allocation move designed to strengthen our balance sheet and position the company for long-term growth," said CEO Fred Thiel.

MARA now holds 38,689 BTC following the sale.

AI Disclaimer: Parts of this article were generated with the assistance from AI tools and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and adherence to our standards. For more information, see CoinDesk's full AI Policy.

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Bitcoin dropped below $70,000 and ether fell toward $2,000 as rising oil prices, falling equities and weak liquidity sparked risk-off flows and pressured altcoins.

What to know:

Oil climbed back above $100 and weaker equities and gold signaled risk aversion, weighing on major cryptocurrencies and altcoins alike. Futures open interest fell 3.5% to $108 billion, funding rates turned negative, and traders increased short positioning as BTC broke below $70,000. AI and DeFi tokens led losses amid thin...

The follow analysis of Bitcoin and cryptocurrency markets in general was provided by Ruslan Lienkha, chief of markets for YouHodler.

Bitcoin remains under pressure as macro uncertainty weighs on risk assets Bitcoin continues to trade within a well-defined downtrend channel, despite periodic local corrections and attempts at countertrend rallies. While short-term rebounds have provided temporary relief, they have not been strong enough to shift the broader market structure. The prevailing trend remains bearish, and current conditions suggest limited support for a sustained reversal in the near term.

The macroeconomic backdrop remains the dominant factor shaping market sentiment.  Ongoing geopolitical tensions continue to create uncertainty across global markets, particularly through their impact on energy prices. Elevated oil and gas prices are contributing to inflationary pressures, which in turn influence central bank policy and global liquidity conditions. In such an environment, investors tend to reduce exposure to higher-risk assets, including cryptocurrencies.

At the same time, equity markets, particularly the S&P 500, are showing signs of consolidation amid increasing selling pressure. Despite relatively stable economic data and corporate earnings, equities have struggled to generate upward momentum. This lack of strength suggests that market participants are becoming more cautious, potentially preparing for a broader correction. Given Bitcoin’s growing correlation with risk assets, continued weakness in equities could further weigh on crypto prices.

Gold plays its part An additional signal of market stress is evident in recent gold price action. Traditionally viewed as a safe-haven asset, gold has recently experienced episodes of selling pressure. This is somewhat unusual during periods of heightened uncertainty and may indicate a broader liquidity need among market participants. 

In some cases, such behavior can be associated with institutional or even sovereign selling, as entities raise cash to meet financial obligations or stabilize domestic economic conditions.

So does The Fed On the monetary policy front, the Federal Reserve decided to keep interest rates unchanged, a move that was widely anticipated by the market. This outcome represents a neutral scenario, providing neither a strong positive nor a negative catalyst for risk assets. 

If inflation begins to rise again, potentially driven by sustained energy costs, the Federal Reserve may be forced to resume tightening by raising rates. Such a scenario would likely reduce liquidity and put additional pressure on both equities and cryptocurrencies.

This combination of geopolitical risk, elevated energy prices, uncertain monetary policy, and fragile equity market performance creates a challenging environment for Bitcoin. That said, regulatory developments could provide a short-term counterbalance. Progress on legislation such as the U.S. Clarity Act has the potential to improve transparency and confidence in the crypto market. Approval of such measures could increase institutional participation and deliver a temporary boost to sentiment, even if broader macro conditions remain uncertain.

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.

Shibarium recently saw a dramatic increase in the number of transactions, with daily activity rising drastically and momentarily indicating a resurgence of ecosystem momentum. On the surface, this kind of growth is easily interpreted as increasing adoption. A healthier network, more users and increased demand are typically implied by more transactions.

The issue is that those transactions’ underlying makeup presents a different outlook. A closer examination of the transaction feed reveals that a significant amount of activity is made up of zero-native-value operations. 

Not what it seemsEvery transaction that was visible in the observed sample had the label "Value 0 BONE," and most of them were classified as contract calls rather than direct wallet transfers. Methods like commit and transmit, along with recurrent destinations like CommitStore and OffRamp, were linked to the most frequent interactions.

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Source: ShibariumThese transactions are not pointless, but they are also not typical user behavior. A zero native value simply indicates that the primary transaction field did not contain any BONE tokens. Rather than being economic transfers, these operations are interacting with smart contracts, and in this particular instance, they seem consistent with infrastructure-level processes.

Cross-chain communication systems, especially those that resemble Chainlink’s CCIP architecture, are linked to CommitStore and OffRamp.

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Transactions like commit and transmit are a part of the batching, message delivery and validation processes between chains in that framework. Instead of individual users transferring money, they are carried out by automated systems or decentralized oracle networks.

Why it looks inflatedThis distinction is important because it alters the way that transaction volume should be understood. Automated contract calls have the potential to greatly inflate activity metrics without accurately reflecting user demand. Although it gives the impression of a busy network, this activity might not result in higher liquidity, more users or higher economic throughput.

Solana (SOL) is positioning itself as a key settlement layer for the next wave of automated commerce after the Solana Foundation said on-chain payments executed by ‘AI agents’ have surpassed 15 million transactions—an early signal that machine-to-machine activity may soon rival, and potentially eclipse, human-driven crypto usage.

The milestone comes as the foundation claims Solana now processes roughly 65% of all AI-agent payment activity across blockchains, underscoring how high-throughput, low-fee networks are becoming the preferred rails for automated execution. Speaking about the trajectory of agentic finance, Vibhu Norby, the Solana Foundation’s chief product officer, said he expects “99.99% of on-chain transactions” to be initiated within two years by agents, bots, or LLM-based wallets—software that can interpret prompts, make decisions, and sign transactions with minimal human intervention.

At the same time, the Solana Foundation has moved to translate that narrative into enterprise adoption, announcing the official launch of an ‘enterprise Solana developer platform’ that packages APIs for payments, tokenized assets, and compliance tooling. The foundation said major payments firms—including Mastercard, Worldpay, and Western Union—are participating as early adopters and are integrating stablecoin payment capabilities.

The push marks a deliberate expansion beyond Solana’s crypto-native base toward traditional financial institutions looking for programmable settlement infrastructure. For enterprises, the appeal is straightforward: Solana’s transaction finality and comparatively low fees can support use cases ranging from cross-border settlement to consumer payouts and merchant flows—areas where stablecoins are increasingly being tested as a bridge between digital and fiat payment systems.

Market participants also interpreted the announcement as a signal of rising institutional confidence. The report said ‘whale’ investors increased spot buying following the platform news, while analysts pointed to accelerating corporate adoption as evidence that Solana’s real-world utilization is moving beyond speculation and toward repeatable business activity.

Still, greater institutional relevance tends to intensify scrutiny of network resilience and governance—areas Solana has historically been challenged on. Addressing those concerns, the foundation also announced an overhaul to its validator delegation program, set to take effect on May 1, 2026. The updated requirements include mandates aimed at ensuring ‘fair transaction ordering,’ prohibiting transaction censorship, enforcing tighter block-timing standards, and limiting concentration risks tied to autonomous system numbers (ASNs) and data-center dependencies.

The changes are designed to reduce infrastructure centralization and strengthen decentralization by discouraging validators from clustering around a small set of providers. Observers say the updated rules could improve network robustness and censorship resistance—two attributes closely watched by institutions evaluating public blockchains for regulated payments and tokenized asset flows.

The ‘fair ordering’ requirement also speaks to an industry-wide issue: MEV, or maximum extractable value, where transaction ordering can be manipulated to extract profit at the expense of ordinary users. By tightening expectations around ordering and block production, the foundation is signaling an intent to harden Solana’s execution environment against practices that can undermine user trust and market integrity.

In the market, Solana was last reported at around $88.73, down 3.93% over 24 hours, with roughly $3.65 billion in daily trading volume. Despite the short-term pullback, SOL was up 15.19% over the past 30 days, indicating that broader momentum has remained constructive. Solana’s market capitalization was estimated at approximately $50.78 billion, ranking it seventh among cryptocurrencies, with a market share near 2.12%. The circulating supply stood at about 572.26 million SOL, with no fixed maximum supply due to its inflationary model.

Technicians cited $110 as a key resistance level that could come into play if risk appetite returns. Some longer-range forecasts have floated scenarios as high as $450 by 2026, hinging on aggressive growth in real-world asset tokenization and corporate treasury usage—though such projections remain highly sensitive to macro conditions, regulatory developments, and the pace of enterprise integration.

As Solana’s ecosystem expands, so do security risks. The report flagged a newly identified piece of malware dubbed ‘GlassWorm,’ described as a remote-access trojan that leverages Solana-related transaction activity to target developers and their crypto wallets. Security specialists urged developers to avoid untrusted code repositories and unknown software sources, and to adopt standard protections such as hardware wallets, multisignature controls, and regular security audits.

Taken together, the rise in AI-agent payments, the launch of an enterprise API stack, and the validator program revamp illustrate a network attempting to mature into ‘business-grade’ infrastructure while addressing decentralization and security concerns in parallel. Participation from global payments brands like Mastercard and Worldpay adds credibility to the thesis that stablecoin settlement and automated transaction execution could become enduring, non-speculative drivers of blockchain usage—provided the underlying network can maintain reliability, openness, and strong security practices at scale.

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7 minutes ago

BNB price is down, dropping by 3% in 24 hours to under $630, but the technical prediction tells a more complicated story than the red candle suggests. A pullback from the March 17 peak of $675 has rattled short-term holders, yet longer-dated moving averages are quietly trending upward.

BNB is still holding the third-largest market cap among non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies, sitting above $85 billion, ahead of XRP’s $84 billion and Solana’s $50 billion. That ranking reflects the combined weight of Binance’s centralized exchange dominance and BNB Chain’s expanding DeFi footprint.

No major protocol announcements or regulatory catalysts have emerged yet, meaning price action here is largely technical.

With consolidation tightening and April seasonality historically favorable, broader crypto market conditions could accelerate BNB’s next directional move faster than most expect.

$BNB looking good for today, but a highly volatile state of mind for the market
recommended for SPOT trade, enter at your own risk, and DYOR
• remember never invest more than you can already afford to lose.
• conviction on your trade starts and ends with an exit strategy.
NFA pic.twitter.com/rPjkdQyH8K

— BØWI3 (@Jimi_Bule) March 25, 2026 Discover: The best crypto to diversify your portfolio with

BNB Price Prediction: Can Binance Coin Reclaim $725 This Month?BNB opened March 26 at a $600 area, hit an intraday high of $629 a tight range, signaling indecision. However, the seven-day picture shows a decline from $645, a consolidation phase following the spike to $685 on March 16. Support appears to be building around the $620 zone and resistance clusters between $650 and $675.

The moving average picture offers the bullish counterargument. Both the 50-day and 200-day MAs are sloping upward as of March 21, a structural positive. The 4-hour frame remains bearish relative to its MAs (that’s the friction point right now), creating a classic higher-timeframe bull, lower-timeframe bear setup.

BNB’s all-time high of $1,370 in October last year remains a longer-term reference point. At $630, it’s trading at less than half that peak, which either means deep value or a structurally weakened asset, depending on your time horizon.

Discover: The best pre-launch token sales

Bitcoin Hyper Targets Early Mover Upside as BNB Tests Key LevelsBNB upside target sounds compelling, until you account for its $88 billion market cap. Large-cap altcoins face a size problem: the capital required to move the needle is enormous, and the percentage gains that defined 2024 cycles are structurally harder to replicate. That math is exactly why early-stage infrastructure plays attract traders who’ve already captured large-cap exposure.

Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) is one presale drawing attention in that context. It’s positioned as the first-ever Bitcoin Layer 2 with Solana Virtual Machine (SVM) integration, targeting the three core limitations that have defined Bitcoin for years: slow transactions, high fees, and the near-absence of programmable smart contracts.

The architecture claims to deliver faster performance than Solana itself, while preserving Bitcoin’s underlying security. The project has already raised more than $32 million at a current price of $0.0136776, with staking rewards of 36% APY for early participants.

For those who’ve done the research: explore Bitcoin Hyper here.

This article is not financial advice. Cryptocurrency investments are highly volatile. Always conduct your own research before making any investment decisions.

With Bittensor (TAO) price outshining the wider crypto market as of March 26, Finbold’s AI Agent has projected that the altcoin could reach $359.20 by April 1, 2026.

Finbold’s AI solution leveraged DeepSeek, Gemini 3 Flash, GPT 5.2, and Grok 4.1 to produce a seven-day price prediction for TAO, the native coin of the Bittensor network. Additionally, the AI agent used four technical indicators, including the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD), the Relative Strength Index (RSI), the 200 Simple Moving Average (SMA), and the 50 SMA.

As TAO price trades at about $333.82 on Thursday, the AI agents forecast it to rise by an average of 7.62%. Precisely, Grok 4.1 expects the altcoin price to surge 15.48%, DeepSeek anticipates a 6.9% drop, GPT 5.2 is betting on a 7.36% rise, and Gemini 3 Flash is predicting a 14.55% uptick, thus yielding an average consensus of $359.20 in the coming few days.

Bittensor (TAO) price predictions for 7 days. Source: Finbold Why is AI bullish on Bittensor (TAO) in the medium-term? The main reason AI is bullish on TAO’s price over the next 7 days is the strong fundamentals of the Bittensor ecosystem. The Bittensor network operates as a decentralised protocol where AI models compete and are rewarded in TAO based on performance, functioning in practice as a live marketplace for intelligence.

Earlier this week, Jensen Huang, CEO at Nvidia, stated that decentralised computing – a similar model to Bittensor’s – is imminent. Already, the mainstream adoption of AI has begun attracting institutional attention to the decentralized AI agents space, with the Grayscale Bittensor Trust (GTAO) recording $13 million in assets under management (AUM).

TAO/USD 30-day chart. Source: Finbold Meanwhile, AI agents are forecasting a bullish continuation for TAO after it rallied 101.65% in the past 30 days, to trade at approximately $338.20 at the time of publication. Over the past 7 days, the altcoin’s price surged by over 35%, pushing its market capitalization to around $3.2 billion at press time.

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Ripple is accelerating its push into Asia through a new collaboration with Singapore’s financial authorities, adding fresh momentum to expectations of deeper 'institutional adoption' even as XRP (XRP) continues to trade in a fragile downtrend. Market attention is now converging on a looming U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) deadline on Thursday ET, which is widely viewed as the next major catalyst for XRP’s near-term direction.

On Wednesday ET, Ripple said it will participate in the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)-led BLOOM initiative alongside blockchain firm Unloq, launching a pilot focused on automating trade finance settlement using the XRP Ledger. The project aims to enable near-instant payment finality once predefined conditions—such as confirmation of shipment—are met, replacing processes that typically take days due to document checks and correspondent bank transfers.

A notable element of the pilot is the use of Ripple’s institutional stablecoin, RLUSD, which the company has been positioning as a tool for cross-border settlement between regulated entities. By testing within an MAS-supported sandbox framework, Ripple is seeking to validate real-world workflows under a supervised environment—an approach that could lower future compliance friction and make it easier to expand partnerships with banks and payment providers across the region.

The market reaction was immediate. Following the announcement, XRP’s daily trading volume jumped from roughly $2.1 billion to $3.6 billion, according to figures cited in the Korean report. Ripple’s Asia narrative also gained additional traction after the company outlined plans tied to building payment infrastructure in Australia, reinforcing expectations that on-chain settlement tools could gain wider commercial usage beyond pilot programs.

Ripple President Monica Long has been increasingly explicit about the company’s timeline. In a recent interview referenced in the report, Long said she expects 2026 to be the year when broad-based 'institutional adoption' takes hold. She pointed to RLUSD’s growth trajectory, progress on regulatory permissions—including a trust bank charter from the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC)—and partnerships that connect Ripple’s payment rails to hundreds of banks across dozens of countries.

Ripple has also been testing RLUSD in Japan and South Korea, with plans to expand across Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Analysts generally view MAS sandbox validation as strategically important: while it does not guarantee regulatory approval elsewhere, it can serve as a credible proof point for large financial institutions that are reluctant to deploy blockchain settlement without clear oversight and controls.

Separately, the XRP Ledger has drawn community attention after transaction fees spiked amid heavier network activity. According to Ripple’s chief technology officer, the increase was triggered by a dynamic fee mechanism designed to preserve network stability during congestion—suggesting higher utilization rather than a structural malfunction. The report attributed the rise in on-chain activity to increased RLUSD-related settlement experiments and growing DeFi activity on the XRP Ledger.

Despite these constructive fundamentals, XRP’s price action remains under pressure. As of Wednesday afternoon ET, XRP was hovering around $1.38, down roughly 2.4% over 24 hours and about 5.7% on the week, according to the report. Technicians continue to flag resistance in the $1.46–$1.50 zone; repeated failures to reclaim that range have left XRP in a bearish market structure, with some traders warning that a further slide toward $1.09—or even $0.87—cannot be ruled out if sentiment deteriorates.

XRP’s market capitalization stood near $84.9 billion, keeping it ranked fifth among crypto assets. However, 24-hour trading volume was reported around $1.9 billion, down about 9.7% day over day—an indication that buyers have yet to show sustained conviction despite headline-driven bursts of activity.

Institutional positioning remains a key question mark. The report noted that XRP spot ETFs recorded inflows of roughly $636,000 last week—marking a first positive week of flows—yet that figure is small relative to cumulative March outflows of about $31 million. The muted demand contrasts sharply with the far larger allocations seen in Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) ETF products, underscoring lingering caution among professional allocators.

While Ripple’s long-running legal dispute with the SEC has largely stabilized, investors continue to weigh residual uncertainties around XRP’s regulatory treatment in the U.S. Against that backdrop, even incremental ETF inflows may be interpreted less as a decisive shift and more as a tentative probe for liquidity.

Adding to near-term complexity, Binance said it has restricted transfers into isolated margin accounts for the XRP/BNB pair, allowing movement primarily for debt repayment purposes. The measure appears aimed at curbing excessive leverage and reducing liquidation risk during volatility. Still, some market participants view such restrictions as a potential liquidity constraint, particularly during event-driven swings.

The next major focal point is the SEC’s decision window expected Thursday ET regarding an XRP-related ETF. An approval could revive expectations of broader 'liquidity inflow' and improve market narrative around XRP’s investability, while a rejection or delay may amplify uncertainty and invite renewed selling pressure. Market watchers also emphasize the symbolic dimension: an ETF green light would not settle every regulatory debate, but it could materially shift perceptions about XRP’s status in mainstream financial channels.

For now, Ripple is building real-world validation through Asian pilots and regulatory sandboxes, but XRP’s price remains caught between improving adoption signals and skepticism over sustained institutional demand. The SEC’s decision and the measurable outcomes from MAS-linked pilots are likely to be decisive in shaping XRP’s next phase—both in market structure and in credibility with traditional finance.

Article Summary by TokenPost.ai

🔎 Market Interpretation

Adoption headline vs. price weakness: Ripple’s MAS-backed BLOOM pilot and expanding Asia strategy improved the fundamental narrative, but XRP remains in a fragile downtrend, showing that macro/regulatory catalysts still dominate price discovery.

Event risk is concentrated on the SEC deadline (Thursday ET): The market is treating the SEC decision window on an XRP-related ETF as the primary near-term catalyst—potentially overriding positive pilot developments.

Liquidity is inconsistent: Announcement-driven volume temporarily surged (reported jump from ~$2.1B to ~$3.6B), yet later 24-hour volume was cited lower (~$1.9B, down ~9.7% day/day), implying short-lived participation rather than sustained accumulation.

Institutional demand remains tentative: XRP spot ETF flows turned slightly positive last week (+~$636K) but are small versus prior March outflows (~$31M), suggesting professional allocators are still cautious compared with BTC/ETH products.

Network activity uptick isn’t framed as a failure: XRPL fee spikes were attributed to a dynamic fee mechanism during congestion (stability feature), consistent with higher usage from RLUSD experiments and DeFi activity rather than a structural breakdown.

💡 Strategic Points

Why MAS matters: Running the RLUSD/XRPL trade-finance settlement pilot inside an MAS-supported sandbox can serve as a compliance credibility signal for banks—lowering perceived rollout risk even if it doesn’t automatically transfer to other jurisdictions.

RLUSD as the institutional wedge: Using Ripple’s institutional stablecoin for regulated cross-border settlement reframes Ripple’s pitch away from speculative token demand and toward operational benefits (near-instant finality once conditions like shipment confirmation are met).

Watch measurable pilot KPIs: Key proof points likely include settlement time reduction (days → near-instant), operational error rates, reconciliation costs, and ease of integration with existing trade-finance workflows.

Technical levels to monitor: Resistance remains in the $1.46–$1.50 range; repeated failure to reclaim it leaves bearish structure intact. Downside risk levels highlighted by traders include ~$1.09 and ~$0.87 if sentiment worsens.

Derivatives/leverage constraints are a secondary variable: Binance restricting transfers into isolated margin accounts for XRP/BNB (primarily for debt repayment) may reduce leverage-driven volatility, but could also be perceived as a liquidity constraint during sharp moves.

Scenario framework for Thursday:

Approval: could improve “investability” perception, invite incremental liquidity inflow, and strengthen narrative alignment between pilots (utility) and market access (ETF).

Delay/Rejection: likely elevates regulatory uncertainty, risks renewed selling pressure, and keeps institutional allocations subdued.

Medium-term timeline messaging: Ripple leadership signaling “institutional adoption” by 2026 sets expectations; however, the market is currently demanding nearer-term triggers (ETF outcome, concrete pilot results) to validate that path.

📘 Glossary

MAS (Monetary Authority of Singapore): Singapore’s central bank and primary financial regulator, known for structured innovation programs and supervised testing environments.

BLOOM initiative: An MAS-led program framework referenced in the article; here it hosts a pilot exploring blockchain-based automation for trade-finance settlement.

Regulatory sandbox: A controlled environment where firms test financial products/services with regulatory oversight to evaluate compliance, controls, and consumer/market risk.

XRP Ledger (XRPL): A public blockchain network associated with XRP, used for payments and settlement; includes dynamic fees to maintain stability under congestion.

RLUSD: Ripple’s institutional stablecoin (as described), positioned for regulated cross-border settlement between entities rather than retail speculation.

Payment finality: The point at which a transaction becomes irreversible and fully settled—critical in trade finance where conditional triggers (e.g., shipment confirmation) govern releases.

Trade finance settlement: The completion of payment and document reconciliation processes supporting international trade; traditionally slow due to document checks and multiple banking intermediaries.

Dynamic fee mechanism: A network feature that raises transaction costs during congestion to prioritize network health and reduce spam, often interpreted as a utilization signal.

Spot ETF flows: Net money moving into/out of exchange-traded funds that hold the underlying asset (or track it closely), used as a proxy for institutional demand.

Isolated margin: A leverage setup where margin is dedicated to a specific trading pair/position; restrictions can reduce forced liquidations but may also curb trading flexibility.

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Hyperliquid’s HYPE is trading at $39, down almost 4% in the last 24 hours, but in the longer-term, the price chart tells a different prediction. A rising channel pattern in place since January 2026 remains structurally intact, and the question of whether $50 is achievable isn’t as outlandish as the daily candle suggests.

The catalyst mix last week was unusually strong. Hyperliquid launched an exclusive S&P 500 perpetual contract through a licensed deal with S&P Dow Jones Indices, covered by both the Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg.

S&P Dow Jones Indices and trade[XYZ] have joined forces to launch the first official S&P 500 perpetual contract, available exclusively on Hyperliquid.

For 69 years, the S&P 500 has been a defining reference point for global finance. Until now, access to that benchmark has been…

— trade.xyz (@tradexyz) March 18, 2026 HIP-3 open interest has hit $1.7 billion with 24-hour volume reaching $5.9 billion. Coinbase also enabled USDC transfers on HyperEVM. Fiat onboarding via credit card and bank deposit went live in select regions through a Swapped integration, a genuinely significant friction reduction for new traders.

Despite the micro pullback, broader market pressure from U.S.-Iran diplomatic uncertainty is the more likely culprit than any Hyperliquid weakness. The platform’s fundamentals are moving in one direction, and price is catching up.

Discover: The best pre-launch token sales

HYPE Price Prediction: Will Hyperliquid Hit $50 Before Q2?At $39, HYPE sits near the lower boundary of its rising channel and just above the key support cluster at $37.

Resistance levels stack at $42. Breaking through this with volume would reopen the path toward the recent $44 high. From there, $50 requires roughly a 33% move from current levels, aggressive, but not unprecedented for an asset that has gained more than 140% over the past year.

HYPE USD, TradingviewThe S&P 500 perp launch, running 24/7 with no traditional market hours, is the kind of product that attracts institutional-adjacent volume. That’s not priced in yet.

Discover: The best crypto to diversify your portfolio with

LiquidChain Targets Early Mover Upside as HYPE Tests Key LevelsHYPE’s rally potential is real, but a 33% move on a $4B+ market cap asset moves slower than infrastructure plays at the ground floor. Traders watching HYPE’s channel breakout while also tracking where liquidity infrastructure is heading might find the asymmetry elsewhere, specifically at the untapped L3 layer, where fragmentation is still an unsolved problem.

LiquidChain ($LIQUID) is a Layer 3 infrastructure project built around a single thesis: fuse Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana liquidity into one execution environment. No bridge hopping. No split deployments. Its Unified Liquidity Layer enables Single-Step Execution across chains, with Verifiable Settlement and a Deploy-Once Architecture that lets developers ship once and access all three ecosystems.

The presale is currently at $0.014 per $LIQUID, with more than $600K raised, and a 1700% APY staking rewards. For traders tracking cross-chain liquidity narratives, the entry price is worth examining.

Research LiquidChain here.

This article is not financial advice. Crypto assets are volatile. Do your own research before making any investment decisions.

Bitcoin creator Satoshi Nakamoto disappeared just two years after releasing the bitcoin white paper, sparking one of the internet’s most tantalizing and enduring mysteries (and potentially killing the U.S. dollar).

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Satoshi Nakamoto, the name attached to the bitcoin white paper and used in emails and forums, has been linked to various people and groups of people involved with cryptography and cryptocurrency development.

Now, as BlackRock issues a surprise warning over the combined $1 trillion crypto market, cofounder and chief executive of the Coinbase bitcoin and crypto exchange Brian Armstrong has revealed he thinks a new investigation into Satoshi Nakamoto’s true identity has found "the right answer."

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ForbesWhite House Quietly Confirms A ‘Major’ Crypto Milestone As Bitcoin Braces For A Huge Price EarthquakeBy Billy Bambrough

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Bitcoin creator Satoshi Nakamoto's true identity may have finally been uncovered, according to Coinbase chief executive Brian Armstrong.

© 2026 Bloomberg Finance LP

A documentary film, out next month, exploring Satoshi Nakamoto’s true identity claims to have pinned down the real world identity of the person or group that created bitcoin.

“It’s the most thoughtful take on this subject I’ve seen out there, and I suspect you got to the right answer," Armstrong said in a promotional statement for the film. “It’s a great piece of work.”

Armstrong hasn’t previously speculated about the identity of Satoshi Nakamoto, despite telling Forbes in 2020 that he read the bitcoin white paper in 2010, before Satoshi Nakamoto’s 2011 disappearance.

The film, called Finding Satoshi and out on April 22, was directed by Tucker Tooley and Matthew Miele and follows a four-year investigation led by author William Cohan and private investigator Tyler Maroney.

“Satoshi Nakamoto’s creation of bitcoin and subsequent disappearance is one of the greatest financial mysteries of all time,” Tooley said in a promotional statement.

“This film delivers a definitive answer to the question: ‘Who created bitcoin?’ From the beginning, we knew uncovering that mystery demanded a rigorous investigation built on real reporting and real evidence, which our team conducted over a four-year period.”

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Forbes‘We’re Doing Everything We Can To Destroy It’—Legendary Billionaire Predicts U.S. Dollar Collapse Amid Bitcoin Price RallyBy Billy Bambrough

Bitcoin has seen its price soar since Satoshi Nakamoto created it, making the mysterious bitcoin creator one of the world's richest people.

Forbes Digital Assets

Satoshi Nakamoto, whose more than 1 million bitcoin are currently worth around $70 billion, has been linked to dozens of different people over the the years by internet sleuths, researchers and reporters, from an obscure, now deceased computer scientist called Hal Finney all the way through to Tesla billionaire Elon Musk and Twitter founder Jack Dorsey.

In 2024, HBO documentary film maker Cullen Hoback named Peter Todd, a bitcoin core developer who has been involved with bitcoin since 2010, as who he believes to be the real-world identity of Satoshi Nakamoto, though he failed to produce proof.

Almost all of the most likely names associated with the Satoshi Nakamoto name have denied they are Satoshi Nakamoto, except for Australian computer scientist Craig Wright, who fought a failed, multi-year legal campaign to be recognised as bitcoin’s creator despite being unable to produce evidence.

12h15 ▪ 4 min read ▪ by Luc Jose A.

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Stuck under a key resistance, the bitcoin market enters a compression phase where every variation gains importance and a breakout becomes inevitable. Analysts identify a setup conducive to a sudden move, with a critical threshold now under watch. Between converging technical signals and improving on-chain indicators, BTC could approach a decisive tipping point, with an ambitious target of 80,000 dollars.

In brief Bitcoin enters a compression phase where a volatility breakout becomes imminent. A key level around $71,500 concentrates all analysts’ attention. A favorable technical setup opens the way to a target of $76,000, possibly $80,000. On-chain data suggest an upside potential already observed in similar contexts. A tightly wound technical compression Bitcoin is currently trading around a strategic level near 71,500 dollars, identified as a decisive pivot on several time frames, while outflows signal lasting investor confidence. Analysts observe a clear structure, marked by a chart pattern often associated with bullish reversals.

In this context, the current phase is described as a “compression zone” by trader Skew, a period where volatility contracts before a directional move.

Several factual elements come together to structure this scenario :

BTC repeatedly tests the 71,500 $ threshold, considered a key level ; The current phase is called a “compression zone” by analysts ; An immediate technical target is identified at 76,000 $ (+7.35 %) ; An extension towards 80,000 $ is considered if the breakout is confirmed. Beyond chart reading, on-chain data reinforce this hypothesis. The volatility of profits and losses realized by short-term holders has significantly decreased, a signal which, historically, precedes price expansion phases.

Analysts note that this type of setup has already led to increases between +10 % and +14 %. This convergence of technical analysis and on-chain metrics fuels a scenario where the current compression would act as a catalyst for a rise.

A market driven by derivatives, but weakened by the spot Meanwhile, market dynamics reveal strong activity on the derivatives side. Open interest has increased by 500 million dollars to reach 16.5 billion, while the funding rate remains positive at 0.03 %, indicating dominance of long positions. This situation shows that traders mostly anticipate a short-term bitcoin rise, intensifying buying pressure on futures contracts.

At the same time, signals from the spot market paint a more mixed picture. Real demand remains limited, as evidenced by a negative CVD of -87 million dollars. The Coinbase premium, often used to gauge the appetite of American investors, is also in the red. This divergence suggests that the current upswing relies more on speculative positions than on organic accumulation.

This dissociation between the derivatives and spot markets raises a central question for what comes next. Without a return of real demand able to absorb selling pressure, the bullish scenario could lack solid foundations. Conversely, a resumption of accumulation could turn this compression phase into a real springboard towards new highs, with 80,000 dollars in sight.

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Luc Jose A.

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

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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.

In brief Bitcoin dipped under $70,000 amid reports that the Pentagon is preparing plans including a ground invasion and "massive bombing campaign" in Iran. Bitcoin is stuck between the $70,200 and $82,200 cost basis of short-term holders, with Glassnode pointing to a higher probability of breakdown below $70,000 given a modest accumulation cluster. Bitcoin’s rally has been leverage-driven, making prices vulnerable to a fast pullback, Decrypt was told. Bitcoin slipped back under $70,000 Thursday morning amid reports that the Pentagon is preparing for a "final blow" in Iran.

The cryptocurrency's recent string of higher lows faces its first major test as President Donald Trump's five-day pause of strikes against Iran expires Friday, with Axios reporting that the U.S. military is developing options in Iran that could include the use of ground forces and a "massive bombing campaign."

On prediction market Myriad, owned by Decrypt's parent company Dastan, users now place a 60% chance on U.S. boots on the ground in Iran before May—up more than 10% on the day.

Though Bitcoin has outperformed gold and U.S. stocks since the war began, the Pentagon's reported preparations—including options for ground forces and a massive bombing campaign—signal that a further escalation is likely to increase uncertainty and impact the leading crypto's directional bias.

Bitcoin's higher lows since February 24—a pattern often associated with accumulation—could face invalidation. Short-term holders who bought within the last month carry a cost basis of approximately $70,200, marking the developing support floor, according to a Glassnode report. Above that, the one-to-three-month cohort sits at $82,200, reinforcing overhead resistance.

However, the accumulation cluster at $70,200 remains modest in size. "The higher probability of a breakdown below this level cannot be dismissed until a more substantial base of committed buyers is established," the report noted.

Testing timesThe $70,200 level is likely to be tested repeatedly rather than broken in one move, Tim Sun, senior researcher at Hong Kong-based crypto exchange HashKey Group, told Decrypt. While recent U.S.-Iran contact has signaled possible de-escalation, any negotiation process is unlikely to resolve quickly, and a renewed escalation cannot be ruled out.

"From the current price action, we do see some signs that stronger hands are accumulating," Sun said. "This still looks more like defensive accumulation than confirmation of a new trend-driven rally."

Bitcoin is trading at $69,522, down 3% over the past 24 hours, according to CoinGecko data.

Markets are already pricing in extreme uncertainty. Front-month VIX futures intraday volatility has surged to 388.2, the highest reading in at least six months, according to The Kobeissi Letter—roughly four times higher than average levels associated with market panic. Yet the S&P 500 has seen only two sessions with moves greater than 1.75% over the past three months.

When VIX—Wall Street's fear gauge—spikes, it signals investors are paying for protection against sharp moves, even if those moves haven't materialized yet. The current divergence suggests markets are bracing for a potential shock rather than reacting to one already unfolding.

"Futures and options markets are pricing in far more volatility than the S&P 500 is actually realizing," The Kobeissi Letter wrote. "Uncertainty is at unprecedented levels."

Sun said the wide gap between implied and realized volatility suggests strong hedging demand, with markets bracing for larger risk events. If those tail risks materialize, Bitcoin will be treated as a high-volatility risk asset. If they are overpriced, Bitcoin could recover quickly after short-term volatility.

For Bitcoin, the convergence of vulnerable on-chain support and macro uncertainty sets up a pivotal weekend.

A break below $70,000 "is not out of the question," Sun warned, noting that the current rally has been driven more by leverage than sustained spot buying, making prices vulnerable to a fast pullback if sentiment reverses.

Myriad users remain split on Bitcoin’s next move, assigning a 50% chance of a retest at $84,000.

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Bitcoin fell below $70,000 on Thursday morning as traders turned cautious ahead of a $14.1 billion options expiry. 

Deribit data indicates a massive $18.6 billion in crypto options expiring today, with Bitcoin alone accounting for over $14.1 billion.

Bitcoin ETFs saw $7.81 million in net inflows on Wednesday, while Ethereum ETFs reported $8.51 million in net outflows.

Meme coin market capitalization is up by 1.8% over the past 24 hours to $34.2 billion.

Trader Commentary:

Trader Lennaert Snyder said Bitcoin remains range-bound with limited momentum, favouring range-trading strategies.

He identified the $69,700 fair value gap as a potential long zone, provided support at $68,850 holds. On the upside, liquidity targets sit near $70,940 and $71,630, where traders may look for short setups after confirmation.

Crypto Tony said Ethereum is consolidating within a $2,105–$2,190 range, with a breakout likely to determine the next directional move.

Trader CW noted that despite XRP's recent price weakness, rising open interest and increasing net long positions point to underlying bullish sentiment.

Osemka said Dogecoin is acting as a sentiment indicator for the altcoin market. Its recent breakout and RSI retest suggest a potential higher-timeframe trend shift may be underway.    

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