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NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of securities of Concorde International Group Ltd. (NASDAQ: CIGL) between April 21, 2025 and July 14, 2025. Concorde describes itself as “an integrated security services providers that combines physical manpower and innovative technology to deliver effective security solutions.” For more information, submit a form, email attorney Phillip Kim, or give us a call a.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds investors about a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of securities of Beyond Meat, Inc. (NASDAQ: BYND) between February 27, 2025 and November 11, 2025. Beyond Meat describes itself as a company that “operates in the food industry, developing, manufacturing, marketing, and selling plant-based meat products.” For more information, submit a form, email attorney Phillip Kim, or give us a call at 866-767-.

March 20, 2026 17:08 ET  | Source: Integral Metals Corp.

CALGARY, Alberta, March 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Integral Metals Corp. (CSE: INTG | OTC: ITGLF | FSE: ZK9) (the “Company” or “Integral”) is pleased to announce that it has engaged Rumble Strip Media Inc. (“Rumble Strip”) (email: [email protected]; address Unit 893, 250-997 Seymour Street, Vancouver, British Columbia) for the provision of marketing services for an anticipated period of 45 days commencing on or about March 23, 2026, provided that the term of the marketing services may be extended or shortened at the discretion of management.

Rumble Strip will create content and advertisements and undertake media planning, social media news dissemination, and reporting. The Company will pay a fee of CAD $200,000 for the services. The Company will not issue any securities to Rumble Strip as compensation for its marketing services. As of the date hereof, to the Company’s knowledge, Rumble Strip (including its directors and officers) does not own any securities of the Company and is arm’s length with the Company.

On Behalf of the Board Directors

Paul Sparkes

Chief Executive Officer

825-414-3163

[email protected]

ABOUT INTEGRAL METALS CORP.

Integral is an exploration stage company, engaged in the business of mineral exploration for critical minerals, including gallium, germanium, and rare earth elements, with the goal of contributing to the development of a domestic supply chain for these minerals. Integral holds properties in mining-friendly jurisdictions in Canada and the United States of America, including the Northwest Territories, Manitoba and Montana, where it has received regulatory support for its exploration efforts.

Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words “could”, “intend”, “expect”, “believe”, “will”, “projected”, “estimated” and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company’s current beliefs or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking information relating to, among other things, the Company’s future plans, including the Company’s plans to raise investor awareness and to focus its efforts and resources on its mineral properties.

Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information, including, in respect of the forward-looking information included in this press release, assumptions regarding the future plans and strategies of the Company.

Although forward-looking information is based on the reasonable assumptions of the Company’s management, there can be no assurance that any forward-looking information will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include, among other things, the risk that the Company’s efforts may not be successful in raising investor awareness, that the Company’s business prospects and priorities may change, whether as a result of unexpected events, general market and economic conditions or as a result of the Company’s future exploration efforts, and that any such change may result in a re-deployment of the Company’s resources and efforts in a manner divergent from the Company’s current business plan or strategy. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this news release.

A once-high-flying tech stock just lost one-third of its value in a single session.

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The founder of Litecoin, Charlie Lee, has said he regrets his decision to sell Bitcoin when it was trading at $1,000 years ago. His remarks come as the price of Bitcoin has shown strength and stability despite the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict, while gold has dropped significantly over the last three weeks, raising concerns about whether the precious metal is losing its status as a safe haven during periods of uncertainty. 

In a recent interview, Lee noted that he sold a lot of Bitcoin when the price first reached $1,000. While the Litecoin founder did not mention the year, it is worth noting that BTC first reached this price in 2013.

He added that he bought the coins for $30 and had already received a return on his investment of more than 30x. Per his statement, holding Bitcoin for an extended period without selling was challenging because of the returns a trader could accrue, prompting them to take profits early. 

“People sell too early or sell all of it because it is essentially hard to HODL your coins. Because if it goes up by 10x, you are like this is an amazing return. If you don’t sell, you will not get a chance. That’s what people think,” Lee said.

Lee also acknowledged the entry of institutions in the crypto industry, saying that it has supported growth in recent years. Last year, the SEC approved a spot Litecoin ETF, and it has gained $6.4 million in net assets and nearly $10 million in cumulative net inflows since launch. 

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Bitcoin Displaces Gold’s Safe Haven Status Lee’s statement saying that he regrets selling Bitcoin comes as the king coin shows much resilience despite the ongoing tense geopolitical climate. At the beginning of the US-Israel-Iran conflict on February 28, Bitcoin traded at around $63,000. Despite escalating tensions, the price recently surpassed $75,000, and BTC ETF inflows have surged.

In contrast, gold has experienced a notable price decline over the last three weeks. At the beginning of the conflict, gold traded at nearly $5,300 and has dropped to around $4,602 at press time.

The drop in gold prices relative to Bitcoin has challenged the precious metal’s safe-haven status, which it is often regarded as during periods of uncertainty. At press time, BTC traded at around $70,000 with a 1% intraday gain.

Your gas bill just became a Bitcoin storyFresh March data tied one household pressure point to one market trade. The preliminary survey from the University of Michigan put consumer sentiment at 55.5, the lowest reading of 2026, and said gasoline prices had exerted the most immediate impact felt by consumers.

The same release showed one-year inflation expectations at 3.4%, above 2024 levels. A day earlier, Freddie Mac data cited by the report showed the average US 30-year fixed mortgage rate rose to 6.22%, the highest in more than three months.

Then spot Bitcoin ETFs logged another day of net redemptions, with flows showing -$90.2 million on March 19 after -$163.5 million on March 18.

That sequence points to a household inflation shock moving through rates markets before it reaches Bitcoin.

The move starts with fuel. It reaches consumers fast, because drivers see gasoline prices every week and often every day. It then feeds into inflation expectations, pushes Treasury yields higher, lifts mortgage costs, and makes the Federal Reserve look less likely to cut quickly.

By the time the move reaches Bitcoin, the market is pricing tighter financial conditions.

Daily yields show the 10-year Treasury rose from 3.97% on Feb. 27 to 4.25% on March 19, a 28 basis point move in three weeks. Freddie Mac’s 6.22% mortgage rate followed that shift. The ETF flow data flipped as well.

After two inflow days of $199.4 million each on March 16 and March 17, US spot Bitcoin funds swung to two outflow days totaling $253.7 million on March 18 and March 19, based on data.

Bitcoin’s own price action fits the same frame. BTC sat around $69,983 after touching an intraday low of $69,156. The move points to a market that is treating the shock as a reason to demand more compensation for risk, especially in assets that have become more tied to institutional flows.

The rates trade is shaping Bitcoin faster than the hedge narrativeA broad inflation hedge label does not explain the current move very well. The type of inflation now hitting markets raises near-term financing costs first. That changes behavior faster than a long-run scarcity argument can.

The preliminary Michigan release is useful because it captured both sides of the move in one report. Sentiment fell, and inflation expectations rose. The details also help keep the timing straight.

Interviews ran from Feb. 17 through March 9, with about half completed after the Iran conflict began, so the survey does not prove that one day of ETF selling came directly from the same-day consumer release. It does show that the consumer side of the shock had already started to register while rates were moving higher.

Energy prices explain why the consumer signal reached rates so quickly. The EIA said the Brent spot price rose from an average of $71 a barrel on Feb. 27 to $94 on March 9 after military action began. Its March outlook lifted the US retail gasoline forecast to $3.58 a gallon in March, about 60 cents above the prior month’s forecast, and about 70 cents higher in the second quarter.

The agency’s base case still expects Brent to remain above $95 for the next two months before moving below $80 in the third quarter if flows normalize. That outlook keeps the near-term inflation risk alive, while also giving markets a reason to look past the shock if supply routes stabilize.

That is where the Fed enters the equation. The March 18 statement held rates at 3.5% to 3.75% and said the implications of Middle East developments for the US economy remained uncertain.

The central bank’s projections put 2026 PCE inflation at 2.7% and the year-end federal funds rate at 3.4%, while 17 of 19 participants saw upside risks to inflation. That is not a policy shock by itself. It gives traders another reason to price a slower path to easier money.

Bitcoin sits at the far end of that chain. Pressure can build whenever enough holders respond to financing costs, Treasury yields, and portfolio volatility.

The ETF market increased that sensitivity. Regulated fund wrappers made Bitcoin easier for traditional investors to buy. They also made it easier to trim when macro conditions turned less friendly.

IndicatorLatest figureWhat it showedMichigan sentiment55.5Lowest reading of 2026, with gasoline cited as the most immediate pressure on consumersOne-year expectations3.4%Above 2024 levels, pointing to firmer near-term inflation fears10-year yield4.25%Up from 3.97% on Feb. 27, reflecting tighter financial conditions30-year mortgage6.22%Highest in more than three months as rate pressure spread to householdsSpot BTC ETF flows-$90.2M on March 19Second straight day of net outflows after -$163.5M on March 18Brent oil$94 on March 9Up from $71 on Feb. 27, driving the inflation leg of the moveCross-market signals show where Bitcoin sits now, and what could change nextBitcoin is moving alongside broader macro signals, and the contrast with adjacent markets helps show where capital is going. Gold ETFs took in $5.3 billion globally in February, the ninth straight month of inflows, with North America accounting for $4.7 billion, according to the World Gold Council’s March update.

At the same time, Bitcoin has stayed in a $60,000 to $72,000 range since the early-February sell-off, and stablecoin dominance has risen to about 10.3% after roughly $22 billion in net flows over three weeks. That is a defensive signal inside crypto, not just outside it.

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Those cross-currents point to a clear near-term conclusion. Investors do not need to reject Bitcoin’s long-run scarcity case to sell it in a rates shock.

However, a preference for cash-like positioning, shorter duration, or classic defensive assets (while oil keeps inflationary pressure elevated and the Fed maintains restrictive policy) supports the case for gold as a safer-haven allocation.

Bitcoin, meanwhile, remains a higher-beta expression of broader risk appetite. In that setup, gold can absorb a safe-haven allocation while Bitcoin remains a high-beta expression of broader risk appetite.

Kaiko research adds another layer. It argues that this year looks less like a retail frenzy and more like institutional consolidation. That change helps explain why the old inflation-hedge shorthand falls short.

As Bitcoin sits inside more ETF portfolios and macro books, its short-run price can be shaped by the same forces that move equities, credit, and rates. A portfolio manager facing higher yields and weaker risk appetite does not need a crypto-specific reason to cut exposure.

The outlook is more nuanced than a simple bearish call. The EIA’s base case expects oil to cool later in the year if supply routes normalize. BlackRock’s weekly commentary said risk assets could recover over a six- to 12-month horizon if a clear end to the conflict emerged. Those views leave room for Bitcoin to recover if the energy shock fades before it hardens into a broader inflation problem.

For now, the most useful scenario map starts with the range already visible in market data.

Bitcoin can continue to trade within the recent $60,000 to $72,000 range if oil stays elevated in the near term but eases later, the 10-year yield holds in the low-to-mid 4% area, mortgage rates stay above 6%, and ETF flows remain mixed.

A clearer path to de-escalation, cooler yields, and a return of net ETF inflows could open a move into roughly $72,000 to $85,000.

If oil stays higher for longer, it leaves inflation expectations sticky and extends ETF redemptions, which would put roughly $55,000 to $62,000 back in view.

There's also the possibility of a prolonged disruption in the Strait of Hormuz. The EIA said 20.9 million barrels a day moved through Hormuz in the first half of 2025, about 20% of global petroleum liquids consumption, while bypass capacity in Saudi Arabia and the UAE was about 4.7 million barrels a day. That is the scenario where the inflation shock turns into a deeper stagflation shock.

The next set of data will show whether this repricing holds. The consumer side of the shock is already visible. The rates side is already visible. The ETF side is already visible. The next reported checkpoints are close.

The Michigan survey will publish its final March reading on March 27. Freddie Mac will update mortgage rates again on Thursday. Daily Treasury data will show whether the 10-year yield slips back toward 4.0% or stays near 4.25%. And the ETF flow sheets will show whether this week’s redemptions were a brief response to oil and rates, or the start of a broader repricing in which Bitcoin trades as a risk asset exposed to macro pressure.

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Bitcoin (BTC) traded in a narrow range on Friday, struggling to regain momentum despite a recent surge in market liquidity.

Notably, over the past three months, Bitcoin’s market value has fallen by roughly 20%, a decline that has rattled short-term traders even as large investors quietly expand their holdings.

Meanwhile, amid Bitcoin’s sharp pullback from recent highs, on-chain data shows that the market’s largest players remain undeterred.

According to popular analytics firm Santiment, the number of wallets holding at least 100 BTC has grown considerably during the recent market slide.

According to data from the firm, over the past three months, more than 750 new whale addresses have appeared, reflecting a roughly 3.9% rise in large-holder wallets.

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The firm pointed out that whale wallet growth occurred during a period when Bitcoin’s price declined by more than one-fifth. For analysts tracking on-chain activity, this divergence between price performance and whale accumulation is often interpreted as a bullish signal.

Santiment highlighted that the ongoing growth of large Bitcoin holdings counters the narrative that institutional and high-net-worth investors are fleeing the market. The data instead suggests that these key players may be strategically positioning themselves for a potential rebound once conditions stabilize.

Despite the accumulation trend, short-term volatility remains a dominant feature of the market. Over the past week alone, Bitcoin has slipped by around 1%, reflecting ongoing selling pressure across the broader cryptocurrency sector. 

Additionally, popular market analyst Ali Charts highlighted a major support trendline that has reportedly guided Bitcoin’s market cycles for nearly a decade.

According to the analyst, this foundational support level has historically triggered explosive price movements after each successful retest.

He noted that previous touches of the trendline preceded major rallies, including the massive surge in 2017 and the sharp recovery following the 2020 pandemic-induced market crash. Similar rebounds were also observed after the 2018 bear market and the collapse of major crypto exchange FTX in 2022.

The analyst believes Bitcoin may once again be approaching this historically significant support zone, which currently sits between $56,000 and $ 60,000. If the level holds, it could provide a foundation for the next major bullish phase in the market cycle.

Furthermore, analyst Javon Marks pointed to a descending pennant formation developing on Bitcoin’s chart. According to him, a similar pattern emerged in 2022 just before Bitcoin reversed its trend and embarked on a powerful rally that ultimately pushed prices to new all-time highs.

Elsewhere, analyst Crypto Patel warned that Bitcoin’s recent breakout attempt has faltered, heightening the risk of further downside in the near term.

He noted that Bitcoin recently dropped more than 6% within 24 hours, falling below the $71,000 level amid heightened market tension ahead of key policy signals from the Federal Reserve.

The decline triggered a wave of liquidations across crypto derivatives markets, with roughly $381 million in leveraged positions wiped out during the sell-off.

According to the analyst, bears could attempt to push prices below the psychologically important $70,000 level if critical support zones fail to hold.

At press time, BTC was trading at $69,811, reflecting a 0.89% drop in the past 24 hours.

Despite a massive surge in on-chain activity, the price of XRP has left some community members questioning why network adoption isn't translating directly to price appreciation. 

According to the firm, XRP transactions are currently nearing 3 million per day. They are close to tripling the 1 million daily transactions recorded in mid-2025.

However, the price of the asset hasn't mirrored that same 300% explosive growth. 

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Recently, Asheesh Birla, a Ripple vet and the CEO of the newly formed billion-dollar XRP treasury company Evernorth, weighed in on the matter. 

The "liquidity bridge" thesisBirla has explained that XRP is yet to become a liquidity bridge at scale, which is why the token has so far failed to experience a massive rally. 

"Here’s my quick take: XRP is not yet a liquidity bridge at scale," Birla explained. "The version of XRP that we believe could drive sustained utility demand is when banks and businesses leverage it as working capital."

Birla noted that while there are positive signals indicating institutional use is growing, that growth is currently being outpaced by "the traffic from everyday people." 

In essence, millions of retail transactions look great for network health and adoption metrics, sustained, but large-scale price appreciation will require the deep pockets of institutional players. 

Meanwhile, Evernorth has a $1 billion plan to institutionalize the XRP token. 

The company is preparing to go public on the Nasdaq through a SPAC merger with Armada Acquisition Corp II.

The transaction, which is expected to close in Q1 2026, will raise over $1 billion in gross proceeds. Backed by heavyweight investors including SBI ($200 million), Ripple, Pantera Capital, Kraken, and GSR, Evernorth is aiming to become the world's largest public XRP treasury.

Pyth Network launched Pyth Pro X, a market data service designed for exchanges operating in multi-asset trading, with the goal of replacing fragmented data distribution models with a unified pricing layer.

The system offers access to more than 2,500 price feeds through a single integration, covering cryptocurrencies, equities, currencies and indices, with latency below one hundred milliseconds.

Unlike traditional schemes, where each asset class requires a different provider and separate licensing negotiations, Pyth Pro X aggregates data directly from market participants and distributes it under a subscription model with no additional redistribution contracts. This allows exchanges to launch new products faster and reduce operational risks stemming from inconsistencies between price sources.

This service delivers a single source of truth across all asset classes and geographies. It is already used by platforms such as Bitget, BitMEX, Coinbase, Crypto.com, LMAX and TradeXYZ. The network accumulates more than $2.4 trillion in trading volume and distributes data across more than one hundred blockchains.

Source: https://x.com/PythNetwork/status/2034646259445997813

Disclaimer: Crypto Economy Flash News are based on verified public and official sources. Their purpose is to provide fast, factual updates about relevant events in the crypto and blockchain ecosystem.

This information does not constitute financial advice or investment recommendation. Readers are encouraged to verify all details through official project channels before making any related decisions.

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Finance leaders want digital assets. Bad. Ripple’s new survey found 72% of executives think these assets give them a competitive edge over rivals who don’t use them.

The survey hit 300 finance chiefs across North America, Europe, and Asia in March 2026. Pretty much every major region got covered. Ripple wanted to see how attitudes shifted since digital assets went mainstream. And the results show finance leaders aren’t just curious anymore – they’re ready to act.

Regional Differences Tell Story Numbers varied by geography, though. North America came in at 68% acceptance. Europe beat that with 74% of finance leaders backing digital assets. But Asia crushed both regions with 78% support.

Those regional gaps probably reflect different regulatory environments and market maturity. Asia’s been pushing digital payment systems and blockchain tech harder than other regions. Europe’s crypto regulations gave finance leaders more clarity. North America still deals with murky rules that make some executives nervous about jumping in too fast.

Brad Garlinghouse, Ripple’s CEO, said the findings show a “pivotal moment” for blockchain tech. He didn’t give specifics on what Ripple plans to do with the data, but the company’s been pushing hard to get traditional finance firms on board with digital assets.

What Assets Finance Leaders Want Bitcoin and Ethereum dominated preferences. Ripple found 65% of survey respondents already integrated these cryptocurrencies into their financial strategies. That’s not really surprising – both assets have track records and decent liquidity compared to smaller coins.

Stablecoins also caught attention. About 55% of executives said they’re exploring stablecoins for cross-border payments. Makes sense. Stablecoins don’t swing wildly like Bitcoin, but they still move faster than traditional wire transfers. Companies doing international business see the appeal.

Central bank digital currencies got interest too. Ripple found 48% of finance leaders are watching CBDC developments. Asia led here again – China’s digital yuan progress got other countries and companies paying attention. Some finance chiefs think CBDCs might be safer bets than private cryptocurrencies.

But it’s not all smooth sailing. Around 30% of executives worry about crypto volatility. Monica Long, Ripple’s Head of Research, said firms need “robust risk management strategies” to handle price swings. Fair point – Bitcoin can drop 20% in a day. Analysts have drawn connections to Stablecoins Surge in Corporate Finance as amid evolving conditions.

Operational Challenges Remain Efficiency drives adoption for many firms. Forty-five percent of executives cited operational improvements as their main reason for considering digital assets. Traditional banking systems move slowly, especially for international transfers. Digital assets can cut settlement times from days to minutes.

Staying competitive motivated 40% of respondents. Nobody wants to fall behind while rivals gain advantages from new tech. Finance leaders see digital assets as the next evolution, kind of like how online banking replaced branch visits.

Custody services became a big concern. Ripple found 60% of executives are evaluating partnerships with custodians to store digital assets safely. Losing private keys means losing money forever – that scares finance chiefs who are used to FDIC insurance and traditional safeguards.

Talent gaps hurt adoption plans. Nearly 50% of finance leaders can’t find skilled blockchain professionals. Universities barely teach crypto finance, and experienced practitioners command high salaries. Companies might need to train existing staff or pay premium wages to build digital asset teams.

Regulatory uncertainty still holds back some firms. Many executives want clearer government guidelines before fully committing to digital asset strategies. The SEC’s enforcement actions spooked some companies. Others worry about compliance costs if rules change suddenly.

Ripple didn’t share all survey details publicly. Some responses stayed confidential, probably to protect competitive information. The company hasn’t announced follow-up studies or research plans. Unclear if they’ll track how attitudes change as markets evolve. Analysts have drawn connections to Western Digital Token WDCON Surges to amid evolving conditions.

Cross-border payments emerged as the top use case. Companies doing international business see immediate benefits from faster, cheaper transfers. Traditional correspondent banking networks take days and charge hefty fees. Digital assets can cut both time and costs dramatically.

The survey covered finance leaders at companies with different sizes and industries. Ripple didn’t break down results by company size or sector, which might have shown interesting patterns. Smaller firms might move faster than large corporations with complex compliance requirements.

The survey’s timing coincides with major institutional moves into crypto. BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF launched just months earlier, pulling in billions from traditional investors. Goldman Sachs expanded its digital asset trading desk around the same period.

Ripple’s own legal battles with the SEC likely influenced some responses. The company settled its lawsuit in late 2025, removing regulatory clouds that previously deterred institutional adoption. Several major banks announced XRP integration plans shortly after the settlement.

Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat percentage of finance leaders consider digital assets essential?Ripple’s survey found 72% of finance executives view digital assets as vital for competitive advantage.

Which region showed strongest support for digital assets?Asia led with 78% acceptance, followed by Europe at 74% and North America at 68%.

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XRP’s rebound to $1.50 over the past few days has given bulls something to work with, but one analyst is warning that the market may be celebrating too early. 

Recent price data show XRP pushed into the mid-$1.50s and even tagged $1.60 this week before momentum cooled again. However, a crypto analyst who goes by the name Guy on the Earth on the social media platform X pointed out that bullish traders should not get ahead of themselves yet until XRP breaks above one proper price level.

The Push To $1.50 Gave Bulls A Case The move that XRP bulls had been waiting for arrived this week. The XRP price surged from a range low below $1.40, broke above $1.50, and briefly tapped $1.60, a level of greater resistance, before retreating below $1.50 again. At the time of writing, XRP is now trading at $1.46, which shows that the breakout attempt has not yet fully escaped nearby selling pressure.

Interestingly, that sequence was not a surprise to some, and it fits closely with a reaction on X by crypto analyst Guy on the Earth. According to the analyst, the push to $1.50 was anticipated, given that the XRP price had held the range lows before breaking out. The important question now is whether $1.50 will hold on the retest or fail. Hold above $1.50, and the next upside levels come into view.

Source: Chart from Guy on the Earth on X The daily candlestick timeframe chart shared by the analyst shows XRP still trading within a descending structure since July 2025. The XRP price is yet to break above the upper boundary of that larger downtrend channel, which means the latest rally has improved the short-term picture without fully repairing the wider one. As it stands, XRP might even be approaching the channel’s lower trendline if it fails to break and hold above $1.50.

A Roadmap With Conditions Attached The analyst also laid out a precise set of targets based on how the XRP price behaves at the $1.50 level. Should it hold above $1.50 in the next few days, then $1.65, $1.80, and $1.96 are the next upside targets in sequence. 

Lose $1.50, however, and the picture changes. The analyst characterizes such an outcome as a fakeout, with $1.34 as the next expected destination. Should that level fail to provide support, then $1.20 is the next price level on the table.

The analyst also noted a greater directional signal that’s contingent on the $2.00 price level. According to him, a confirmed XRP price move above $2.00 in the context of the current wider economic expansion that we are seeing would set the stage for new highs in the weeks or months that follow.

XRP trading at $1.44 on the 1D chart | Source: XRPUSDT on Tradingview.com Featured image from Freepik, chart from Tradingview.com

Phong Le, President and CEO of Strategy, the world’s first and largest Bitcoin treasury firm, said Morgan Stanley’s proposed bitcoin ETF could unlock as much as $160 billion in demand under a modest portfolio allocation scenario.

“Morgan Stanley Wealth Management oversees about $8 trillion in AUM and recommends 0–4% bitcoin allocation,” Le wrote on X. “A 2% allocation would represent $160 billion, about three times the size of IBIT. MSBT: Monster Bitcoin.”

In other words, Le is saying that even a modest 2% bitcoin allocation across Morgan Stanley’s $8 trillion wealth platform could drive about $160 billion into bitcoin, far exceeding the size of existing ETFs like BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust.

The comment landed as Morgan Stanley advanced plans for its own spot BTC ETF, revealing new details in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund would trade under the ticker MSBT, a symbol that Le cast as shorthand for the potential scale of institutional demand.

Morgan Stanley’s amended S-1 outlines a structure familiar to the growing class of spot BTC ETFs. The trust is set to list on NYSE Arca with a 10,000-share creation unit and an initial seed basket of 50,000 shares, expected to raise about $1 million. The bank also disclosed it purchased two shares earlier this month for audit purposes.

Key service providers mirror those used across the ETF ecosystem. BNY Mellon will act as cash custodian, administrator, and transfer agent, while Coinbase is set to serve as prime broker and custodian for the fund’s bitcoin. 

The product would hold BTC directly, aligning with the structure that has defined the current wave of the U.S.-listed spot ETFs.

Capital managers are migrating to bitcoin  Le’s framing points to a larger question that sits beyond the mechanics of the filing: how much capital wealth managers may allocate if BTC becomes a standard portfolio component. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, with trillions in client assets, has signaled that bitcoin exposure can range from zero to four percent depending on client profile. 

Even a midpoint allocation, as Le noted, would imply flows that exceed the size of existing flagship products such as iShares Bitcoin Trust.

So far, adoption has moved in stages. Since spot BTC ETFs launched in 2024, the category has attracted more than $50 billion in inflows, driven in large part by self-directed investors. Within advisory channels, uptake remains uneven, shaped by internal policies, risk models, and client demand.

Morgan Stanley has already taken steps in that direction, allowing brokerage clients to access spot BTC ETFs and widening availability over time. The MSBT filing suggests a shift from distribution toward ownership of the product itself, a move that could deepen the bank’s role in the market if approval is granted.

The SEC has not provided a timeline for a decision, and approval is not assured. Still, the application marks a notable development: a major U.S. bank seeking to issue its own spot bitcoin ETF in a market it once approached with caution.

Micah Zimmerman

Micah first discovered Bitcoin in 2018 but remained a skeptic on the sidelines for too long. Since 2021, he has covered crypto and business and now works as a news reporter for Bitcoin Magazine, based in North Carolina.

Bitcoin is demonstrating remarkable resilience, according to new analysis from Fidelity Investments.

Jurrien Timmer, Director of Global Macro at Fidelity, recently took note of a striking divergence in the financial markets throughout March 2026. 

Despite macroeconomic headwinds that typically crush non-yielding assets, Bitcoin has held its ground.

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The $60,000 floorThe crypto market spent recent weeks searching for a local bottom, and Timmer pointed to the $60,000 level as a critical structural support.

He acknowledged the possibility of brief dips below this threshold, Timmer noted that fundamental valuation models support this floor. 

"Based on the power law support line and the gold/Bitcoin ratio, I believe that level should act as a floor," he explained.

The most fascinating development, according to Timmer, is how different asset classes are reacting to the current environment. 

Typically, upward pressure on bond yields and a surging U.S. dollar index would trigger aggressive sell-offs in assets like Bitcoin. Instead, the opposite is happening.

A recent chart shared by Timmer detailing 52-week Sharpe Ratios (a measure of risk-adjusted return) illustrates this perfectly. The data, updated through mid-March 2026, shows that the risk-adjusted performance of both Bitcoin and Ethereum is recovering sharply. 

Conversely, the rest of the traditional asset class spectrum, such as the S&P 500 and standard 60/40 portfolios, has been weakening. The only major outlier joining crypto in the green is the commodities sector (BCOM).

So, why are Bitcoin and bond yields rising while risk assets fall and the dollar remains heavily bid?

Timmer aruges the market may be "sniffing out" a massive paradigm shift rather than just reacting to short-term technicals. First of all, markets may be preemptively pricing in the political and fiscal shifts expected from the upcoming U.S. mid-term elections.

The era of monetary policy (central banks controlling the economy via interest rates) may be taking a backseat to fiscal dominance.

In his most provocative thesis, Timmer questioned if the market is preparing for a future where artificial intelligence aggressively displaces human labor. Such a shift could force governments to adopt Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) and implement Universal Basic Income (UBI).

If the market is indeed pricing in a future of endless deficit spending and currency debasement to fund an AI-disrupted society, Bitcoin's current resilience may be its core value proposition playing out in real-time.

The following article is adapted from The Block’s newsletter, The Daily, which comes out on weekday afternoons.

Happy Friday! Markets may be underestimating geopolitical risk, with investors still pricing in a "Trump Always Chickens Out" TACO trade even as prolonged oil disruption above $100 raises the risk of stagflation, Coin Bureau co-founder Nic Puckrin told The Block.

In today's newsletter, VanEck says slowing bitcoin long-term holder selling signals a "potentially constructive" trend, Gemini gets hit with an investor lawsuit over its post-IPO strategy shift, Morgan Stanley advances its bitcoin ETF application, and more.

Meanwhile, Kalshi has reportedly raised over $1 billion at a $22 billion valuation in an ongoing Coatue-led round.

P.S. Don't forget to check out The Funding, a biweekly rundown of crypto VC trends. It's a great read — and just like The Daily, it's free to subscribe!

Bitcoin long-term holder selling slows, signaling 'potentially constructive' trend: VanEck VanEck said long-term bitcoin holders have reduced selling across all age cohorts, signaling declining distribution pressure from experienced market participants.

The asset manager's analysts described the slowdown in long-term holder selling as a "potentially constructive signal" for the broader crypto market. Meanwhile, bitcoin miner sales have remained steady, the firm said, despite an 11% drop in revenues and a 7% decline in mining equities month-over-month. Miners increased outflows to exchanges by just 1% over the past month, indicating most operators are preserving reserves rather than accelerating liquidations, according to the analysts. Aggregate miner balances have only fallen marginally year-over-year as newly mined supply was largely sold to fund operations and capital expenditures, they noted. VanEck linked subdued onchain activity and a shift toward AI-focused business models to ongoing capital pressures across the mining sector. Gemini hit with investor lawsuit over strategy shift as losses widen and layoffs mount Gemini faces a class-action lawsuit alleging it misled investors about its business strategy before and after its 2025 IPO.

The firm's stock has fallen over 80% from its $32 debut to around $6 as its post-IPO pivot unsettled investors. Plaintiffs claim Gemini failed to disclose plans to shift toward a prediction markets-focused model while reversing international expansion and cutting roughly 25% of staff. The legal challenge comes as losses widened sharply to $582.8 million in 2025 and workforce reductions reached about 30% amid ongoing cost pressures, according to a Thursday shareholder letter from co-founders Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss. Morgan Stanley advances bitcoin ETF application with amended S-1 filing Morgan Stanley filed a second amended S-1 for its proposed spot bitcoin ETF, signaling continued progress in its application with the SEC.

The filing confirms that Morgan Stanley Bitcoin Trust intends to list on NYSE Arca under the ticker MSBT. The bank also outlined additional launch details, including a 10,000-share basket size and a 50,000-share seed raise expected to generate about $1 million. Approval would position Morgan Stanley as the first major U.S. bank to sponsor a spot bitcoin ETF, while adoption remains driven largely by self-directed investors. Coinbase launches stock perpetual futures for 'Magnificent 7' names Coinbase launched stock perpetual futures for non-U.S. users, offering 24/7 leveraged exposure to major U.S. equities.

The rollout includes "Magnificent 7" names like Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, Nvidia, Meta, and Tesla, as well as select ETF products linked to the S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100, with up to 10x leverage on stocks and 20x on ETFs. The move advances Coinbase's "everything exchange" strategy to integrate crypto, traditional assets, and tokenized markets in one venue. The offering also builds on Coinbase's broader derivatives expansion, including crypto futures trading in Europe, and aims to meet what it describes as growing global demand for always-on, cross-asset trading access. From $13,700 to $148 million: Bitcoin whale moves 2,100 BTC untouched for over 13 years A bitcoin wallet moved 2,100 BTC worth about $148 million on Friday that had previously remained untouched for more than 13 years, according to onchain data.

The holdings were originally received in July 2012 when they were worth just $13,700, marking a more than 10,000x increase in value during the period. The transaction appears to be a consolidation of UTXOs with no further movement so far, and the wallet's owner and intent remain unknown. Looking ahead to next week UK CPI and PPI figures are due on Wednesday alongside U.S. mortgage data. U.S. jobless claims numbers are out on Thursday. U.S. FOMC member Mary Daly will speak on Friday. Monad, Aerodrome Finance, and Blast are among the crypto projects set for token unlocks. Polish Blockchain Week, Next Block Expo, Digital Asset Summit, Crypto Assets Conference, CheatCode, and Stable Summit all get underway. Never miss a beat with The Block's daily digest of the most influential events happening across the digital asset ecosystem.

Disclaimer: This article was produced with the assistance of OpenAI’s ChatGPT/xAI’s Grok and reviewed and edited by our editorial team.

Disclaimer: The Block is an independent media outlet that delivers news, research, and data. As of November 2023, Foresight Ventures is a majority investor of The Block. Foresight Ventures invests in other companies in the crypto space. Crypto exchange Bitget is an anchor LP for Foresight Ventures. The Block continues to operate independently to deliver objective, impactful, and timely information about the crypto industry. Here are our current financial disclosures.

© 2026 The Block. All Rights Reserved. This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

TL;DR

Hyperliquid leads all perpetual DEX platforms in open interest, total value locked, and weekly trading volume, reinforcing its position as the sector’s largest liquidity hub. Meanwhile, GRVT, Pacifica, and Reya post the highest efficiency scores, showing stronger activity relative to their capital base. The data reveals a clear split between scale-driven platforms and efficiency-focused competitors.
Hyperliquid continues to dominate the decentralized perpetual exchange sector, according to recent data from CryptoRank. The platform leads across all major absolute metrics, consolidating its role as a central venue for derivatives trading. At the same time, smaller competitors are gaining traction by generating higher activity relative to their liquidity.

📊 Ranking Activity Across Perp DEX Platforms@HyperliquidX and @extendedapp show the most balanced activity relative to TVL, suggesting more organic trading flows.

Platforms like @grvt_io, @pacifica_fi, and @reya_xyz show higher scores, reflecting stronger activity relative to… pic.twitter.com/9HfGdqByqk

— CryptoRank.io (@CryptoRank_io) March 19, 2026

Hyperliquid Leads Scale While Efficiency Metrics Diverge Hyperliquid reports $7.054 billion in open interest, $4.7 billion in total value locked, and $44.725 billion in seven-day trading volume. Despite these figures, its activity score stands at 5.51, the lowest among analyzed platforms. This reflects how a large liquidity base compresses efficiency ratios even when trading volumes remain elevated.

Extended ranks second with a score of 7.39, supported by $324.25 million in open interest and $2.567 billion in weekly volume. Aster and Lighter follow with moderate efficiency levels, combining solid activity with smaller liquidity pools. These platforms show a more balanced relationship between capital and trading flows.

The data indicates that larger platforms prioritize depth and stability, allowing them to process substantial volume without overstressing their liquidity. This structure supports consistent execution and participation from larger traders.

Smaller Platforms Show Strong Capital Efficiency Trends GRVT leads in efficiency with a score of 44.50, driven by $9.573 billion in weekly volume against $113.07 million in total value locked. Pacifica follows with a score of 38.83, while Reya posts 37.87. Each platform demonstrates strong activity relative to its size.

These higher ratios reflect faster capital turnover within smaller liquidity pools. While this may point to strong user demand, it can also signal thinner market depth, where trading activity amplifies efficiency metrics.

Other platforms such as StandX and Variational also show elevated scores, reinforcing the trend among smaller exchanges. The divergence highlights how different operational strategies coexist within decentralized derivatives.

In conclusion, Hyperliquid maintains leadership in scale, while smaller platforms compete through capital efficiency and rapid activity. This dynamic suggests a market where both deep liquidity and capital productivity play key roles in shaping the next phase of decentralized trading.

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Bhutan has liquidated its bitcoins. Since January, the Himalayan kingdom has sold around 5000 units of the cryptocurrency to fund its national infrastructure. Not really a surprise for a country that has been mining since 2019, but it changes the game.

The Bhutanese government remains discreet about the exact amounts raised from these sales. Lyonpo Namgay Tshering, the Finance Minister, said on March 15 that these funds will “primarily improve road infrastructure.” He added that it’s “essential to ensure sustainable development.” Roads, electricity, basic projects – everything is included. The Druk Holding and Investments, which manages the country’s assets, continues to assess the mining potential according to a report from March 10.

Hydroelectric Mining Continues Mining is still ongoing. Bhutan has been using its hydroelectric resources since 2019 to create bitcoins. Clean energy is their competitive advantage in this sector. But now they are selling instead of accumulating.

Druk Holding is working on “ways to maximize the energy efficiency of mining operations,” according to their latest report. And they are exploring other opportunities in renewable energies. Like total diversification.

On March 16, the country signed an agreement with a Singapore-based company to install new, more eco-friendly mining equipment. This could strengthen their position as a regional leader in cryptos. Not bad for a small kingdom wedged between China and India.

Mixed Political Reactions Not everyone is happy.

During a parliamentary session on March 17, several deputies expressed their “concerns about the volatility of cryptocurrencies.” They want more information on risk management. Lyonpo Loknath Sharma, the Economy Minister, promised “increased transparency in future transactions.” We’ll see. Market players following A Bitcoin whale sells will find complementary context.

The Bank of Bhutan is monitoring the impact on foreign exchange reserves. In a statement on March 18, it claims that “reserves remain at a stable level” and that there is “no immediate risk to national financial stability.” Dasho Penjore, the central bank governor, emphasized on March 19 that control mechanisms ensure price stability. Local inflation remains under control despite the bitcoin sales.

On March 12, the Ministry of Finance published a report detailing the potential impact on economic development. The funds could accelerate the construction of new energy infrastructure. The plan aims to reduce dependence on imports of construction materials.

India supports the projects. A bilateral meeting was held on March 5 in Thimphu where officials from both countries discussed using bitcoin funds to co-finance cross-border initiatives. Not a bad diplomatic strategy.

Financial sector observers remain puzzled about the government’s long-term plans. Will it reduce its mining activity? Continue the sales? The government has not given a clear indication. The lack of comments fuels speculation in Asian crypto markets. This ties into themes discussed in Coinbase launches perpetual futures, illustrating the evolving landscape.

Is Bhutan going to stop bitcoin mining? No, mining continues with new, more eco-friendly equipment planned via the agreement with Singapore. This echoes themes explored in Coinbase Rolls Out Stock Perpetual Futures, underscoring the shifting landscape.

The impact on the regional cryptocurrency market is already being felt. Asian exchanges have recorded notable fluctuations following Bhutanese announcements, with a 2.3% drop in bitcoin on local platforms on March 20. Binance and Coinbase confirmed handling part of the Bhutanese transactions, representing about 0.8% of the global daily volume. Analysts at CryptoQuant estimate that other countries in the region might follow this gradual liquidation strategy to fund their infrastructure projects. This development aligns with SEC acknowledges most cryptos are not, highlighting broader market trends.

Bhutan’s strategy is already inspiring its neighbors. Nepal has been studying the feasibility of a similar program since February, leveraging its own hydroelectric resources for mining. A Nepalese delegation visited Thimphu on March 8 to exchange best practices. Sri Lanka also expressed interest during a regional summit held in Colombo on March 14, where representatives from six countries debated the opportunities offered by cryptocurrencies in development financing. Experts from the Asian Development Bank are closely monitoring these initiatives, fearing a regional race for crypto mining.

Frequently Asked QuestionsHow many bitcoins has Bhutan sold exactly?Bhutan has liquidated around 5000 bitcoins since January 2024 according to official statements.

Post Views: 7

TL;DR:

Mass adoption: Seven out of ten finance leaders state that offering crypto solutions is indispensable for maintaining competitiveness in today’s market. Power of stablecoins: 74% of respondents identify stablecoins as key tools for optimizing cash flow and working capital. Priority security: 97% of professionals demand certifications such as ISO and SOC 2 when choosing infrastructure for token custody and management. The fintech firm Ripple conducted a survey of more than 1,000 global leaders, and the results were recently published. It reveals that digital assets have ceased to be an experiment to become a pillar of modern finance. Banks, asset managers, and corporations are integrating these technologies to move money and manage risks efficiently.

The survey results highlight that the fintech sector leads in adoption; 31% use stablecoins to collect customer payments. In terms of infrastructure, 89% of institutions looking to tokenize assets prioritize secure storage, while 82% of banks focus on token management.

The rise of stablecoins and institutional infrastructure The paradigm shift is due to the need for operational efficiency. Stablecoins emerge as the most compelling vehicle, providing not only payment functions but also acting as advanced treasury tools that unlock capital trapped in traditional systems.

On the other hand, the transition toward a tokenized economy requires partners with robust technology. While fintechs prefer to develop their own solutions (47%), banks and asset managers seek providers with proven experience in custody and strict regulatory compliance.

In summary, Ripple’s survey revealed that the financial infrastructure of the future is already being built. The ability to adopt blockchain-based solutions will define who will retain their competitive advantage in an industry that no longer considers digital as optional.

A key Ether (ETH) onchain indicator has climbed to its highest level in over three years, a level last seen when ETH bottomed during the 2022 bear market cycle.

The signal supports the case for an early bottoming phase, despite the weak spot demand and muted price action. Data suggests that ETH may stabilize near the local floor around $2,000, but a sweep of lower price levels remains possible in the coming weeks.

Ether taker flow spikes: Does this confirm the ETH bottom?The 30-day average of positive Ether net taker volume climbed to $142 million on March 17, reaching levels last seen on July 18, 2022. The net taker volume measures the difference between aggressive buyers and sellers in derivatives markets. 

A positive reading signals that market orders lean toward buyers. The recent surge aligns with prior spikes seen in mid-2022 during a correction phase.

ETH net taker volume. Source: CryptoQuantThese expansions have appeared during transitional periods where traders reposition and add exposure while the price stabilizes near a market bottom, as observed in July 2022 and August 2020.

The Ethereum Coinbase premium index has also been positive since Feb. 24, and the elevated premium levels indicate growing spot demand from US-based traders.

Ether coinbase premium index. Source: CryptoQuantHowever, crypto analyst Pelin Ay noted that despite the drop in supply-side pressure, the price response has remained relatively muted, possibly due to a lack of dominant buy demand. The analyst said, 

“The supply side is bullish, but there are no buyers. It appears that buyers still consider the current price expensive and are waiting for a new bottom.”What happens if Ether falls below $2,150?Ether’s short-term support aligns with the 100- and 200-period exponential moving averages (EMAs), but the price is compressing near an ascending trendline, with a potential breakdown placing focus on the lower liquidity zones.

ETH/USDT four-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe internal liquidity sits between $2,100 and $2,000 and a more pronounced cluster has formed near $1,905. 

A larger liquidation cluster sits at $1,976, where over $3 billion in long positions are open. A move into this zone may trigger forced liquidations and create a short-term imbalance.

ETH exchange liquidation map. Source: CoinGlassIf buyers step in, this area may also act as a demand zone and support a price rebound above $2,000.

Crypto trader EliZ outlined a clear threshold at $2,000 on the daily timeframe. Holding above this level keeps the medium-term trend intact. A break below shifts the positioning toward aggressive short exposure, with the lower targets in focus.

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

Bitcoin showed typical volatility on March 20, swinging between $69,500 and $71,356 before closing nearly flat with a 0.1% gain and a $1.39 trillion market cap.

Pi Network’s PI token trades around 0.17–0.19 dollars, 94% below its peak, with most serious models clustering around a 0.15–0.35 dollar, high‑risk, low‑conviction range for the next 12–18 months.

Summary

PI changes hands near 0.17–0.19 dollars with a roughly 1.7–1.8 billion dollar market cap and about 9.8 billion coins in circulation, down around 94% from its 2.99‑dollar all‑time high. Gate and CoinCodex forecasts cluster around a 2026 band of roughly 0.15–0.30 dollars, while CoinStats’ more optimistic scenarios push into the 0.40–0.60‑dollar range only if adoption and sentiment improve sharply. A sober journalistic call puts the defensible 12–18‑month corridor at 0.15–0.35 dollars, skewed lower unless Pi delivers real usage, with 70–90% drawdowns and sharp “liquidity event” rallies always on the table. Pi Network’s PI (PI) token is trading around 0.17–0.19 dollars today, with a market cap near 1.7–1.8 billion dollars and roughly 9.8 billion coins in circulation against a 100‑billion maximum supply. In plain terms, you are looking at a mid‑cap, highly dilutive altcoin that has already retraced sharply from its speculative peak yet still trades mostly on narrative, not cash‑flow or clear on‑chain usage.

Over the last week, Pi has been weak: spot is down more than 30% on some fiat pairs, even as today’s session shows a 7% bounce in rupee terms, a classic dead‑cat profile in crypto microstructure. Daily volume sits in the mid‑tens of millions of dollars, which is enough for short‑term traders to move price violently but nowhere near the liquidity profile of major Layer 1s. CoinStats notes Pi changing hands near 0.17 dollars in March 2026, roughly 94% below its 2.99‑dollar all‑time high from early 2025, underscoring how brutal the post‑launch repricing has been. In equity‑market language, this is what you’d call a busted growth story still trying to prove it deserves its prior multiple.

Forward‑looking models are all over the map, which tells you more about uncertainty than about destiny. Gate’s internal research sees Pi averaging about 0.18–0.21 dollars in 2026, with a band from roughly 0.16 to 0.27 dollars, effectively saying “sideways chop around current levels.” CoinCodex’s quantitative framework pushes a little higher, flagging the possibility of Pi closing 2026 closer to 0.42 dollars if sentiment and technicals co‑operate, which would be about a low‑triple‑digit percentage gain from here. CoinStats, running multi‑scenario AI modelling, sketches a conservative 2026 year‑end corridor of 0.25–0.35 dollars, a base case of 0.40–0.60 dollars, and an aggressive path that could theoretically justify 0.80–1.50 dollars if adoption and execution surprise to the upside.

Strip away the model branding and you can reduce the next 12–24 months to three simple regimes. In the bear regime, Pi stays supply‑heavy and demand‑light: unlocks continue, user activity underwhelms, the broader altcoin complex remains risk‑off, and Pi bleeds into the 0.10–0.15‑dollar zone as models like CoinCodex’s near‑term projections already hint at. In the base regime, Pi grinds sideways with a mild upward bias, respecting the 0.15–0.30‑dollar range implied by exchange research and the lower bands of CoinStats’ scenarios, tracking altcoin beta rather than generating its own idiosyncratic bid. In the bull regime, Pi converts its large user base into actual on‑chain throughput, improves liquidity and listings, and rides a risk‑on phase in crypto, which is where CoinStats’ 0.40–0.60‑dollar 2026 base case and 1‑dollar‑plus long‑term scenarios become plausible rather than laughable.

The most defensible 12–18‑month corridor is 0.15–0.35 dollars, skewed toward the lower half unless Pi starts printing real usage metrics and the wider market turns decisively bullish. Upside tails above 0.40 dollars exist, but they require both project execution and macro risk appetite; downside tails into 0.10 dollars or below remain very real if capital continues to leak out of speculative L1 narratives. Size exposure the way you would a thin, story‑stock in equities: assume 70–90% drawdowns are always on the table, treat sharp rallies as liquidity events rather than validation, and never confuse modelled price “targets” with guarantees.

The U.S. is planning to send more troops to the Middle East as tensions against Iran continue to escalate. Bitcoin dropped below $70,000 again today as crypto traders predict that the U.S.-Iran war could drag on at least until May, a development that could have significant consequences on the economy.

U.S. To Deploy More Troops As U.S.-Iran War Enters Week 4 According to a Reuters report, the U.S. military is deploying thousands of additional Marines and sailors to the Middle East, citing three U.S. officials. However, there has yet to be a decision on whether to send these troops into Iran, although they aim to use this move to build up capacity for future operations in the region.

A White House official has also clarified that Trump doesn’t plan to send troops into Iran even as the U.S.-Iran war enters its fourth week. The official added that the U.S. military could take out Iran’s Kharg Island at any time, but that they are keeping their options open and not revealing strategy.

This followed an earlier report that Trump was considering taking over the Island to pressure Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. attacked military targets on the Island last week but did not hit Iran’s oil infrastructure, although Trump threatened to do so if Iran did not reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Bitcoin and the broader crypto market continue to face pressure as the U.S.-Iran war sends oil prices rising and sparks fears of inflation and recession. The crypto market saw a relief rally earlier today as oil prices fell amid revelations that the U.S. may un-sanction Iranian oil in the water.

However, the market has since given up these coins, with Bitcoin falling below the psychological $70,000 level again. BTC is currently trading at around $69,700, down from an intraday high above $71,000.

Source: TradingView; Bitcoin daily chart Iran Warns Of Any Potential Attack On Oil Infrastructure Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in an X post that they will show “zero restraint” if there is another attack on their oil infrastructure. This development could send crypto prices spiraling again. Notably, the U.S.-Iran war escalated earlier this week after Israel attacked Iran’s South Pars gas field, although Israel said that the U.S. did ot approve these strikes.

Meanwhile, Araghchi again noted that Iran did not start the war and suggested that there was no reason for the U.S. to have carried out airstrikes on them in the first place. “Iranians do not sneak-attack adversaries while engaged in dialogue. Only when attacked do we powerfully respond,” he said.

The Iranian FM also claimed that Trump’s claims about the U.S.-Iran war were ‘detached from reality.’ This came as he drew parallels to the Vietnam War, where the U.S. claimed it was winning while hundreds of U.S. soldiers were dying.

Evernorth CEO Says RLUSD Fuels XRP Growth by Acting as a Gateway, Not a CompetitorMarket commentary as highlighted by analyst Diana is renewing focus on how stablecoins like RLUSD complement the broader XRP ecosystem, serving as functional on- and off-ramps rather than competing with it.

In a recent interview with Yellow CMO Shyla, Evernorth CEO Asheesh Birla challenged the view that RLUSD could cap XRP’s upside, arguing instead that stablecoins function as critical infrastructure that broadens access to blockchain-based financial systems.

Birla stressed that “stablecoins are on- and off-ramps,” showcasing their role in connecting traditional finance with digital assets, and argued that RLUSD doesn’t compete with XRP but instead strengthens the ecosystem by making it easier for both individuals and institutions to enter and use it.

RLUSD as the On-Ramp, XRP as the Liquidity EngineRather than replacing it, stablecoins like RLUSD act as a familiar, lower-volatility entry point into the ecosystem. Once inside, XRP plays a distinct role as a liquidity layer, facilitating fast and efficient value transfer across networks. 

This complementary structure, as noted by Asheesh Birla, enhances the ecosystem’s overall utility instead of competing within it.

Industry sentiment appears to support this view. A Ripple survey found that 74% of finance leaders believe stablecoins can improve cash flow, signaling growing institutional confidence in digital assets as tools for operational efficiency. 

In this context, Ripple continues to position RLUSD as part of a broader effort to bridge blockchain technology with traditional financial systems.

Well, Media coverage from Fox Business recently positioned RLUSD as a bridge between traditional finance and decentralized systems, framing it as an entry point rather than a competitor. 

Within this structure, liquidity stands out as the central driver of value, with XRP serving as the underlying asset that enables efficient movement of funds across the network. 

As Birla noted, “All tokens are going to need liquidity,” adding that “XRP is a great asset for providing that liquidity.”

Meanwhile, Evernorth’s planned Nasdaq listing is drawing attention, especially alongside reports of a substantial XRP treasury build. The move underscores growing long-term confidence in XRP’s role within the evolving digital finance landscape.

Therefore, these developments point to a complementary ecosystem strategy whereby RLUSD lowers the barrier to entry, while XRP sustains the liquidity that keeps the system running smoothly.

ConclusionThe RLUSD and XRP discussion points to a broader evolution in digital asset ecosystems, where assets are complementary rather than competitive. As Asheesh Birla noted in conversation with Shyla, stablecoins act as accessible entry points into blockchain systems, while XRP provides the underlying liquidity that enables fast and efficient value transfer.

Bitcoin’s latest recovery toward $69,700 is unfolding with almost no change in futures open interest, a pattern CoinGlass says fits a range-bound, leverage-heavy market rather than the start of a durable bullish trend.

Summary

CoinGlass notes that open interest rose as Bitcoin fell to about $68,750, signaling shorts adding into weakness, then barely changed during the rebound near $69,700. BTC now trades between a long-liquidation pocket below $66,827, where roughly $1.878b in longs sit, and a short-squeeze zone above $73,757 holding about $1.062b in shorts. Macro headwinds, a VIX spike to 25.44, Middle East tensions, and BlackRock’s $140m Coinbase Prime deposit leave traders watching price–OI alignment for the next real trend. Bitcoin’s (BTC) recent price recovery is showing signs of weakness under the hood, with on-chain and derivatives data suggesting the rebound is not backed by genuine buying demand — and that the market may be settling into a period of directionless consolidation rather than staging a meaningful trend reversal.

That is the assessment of CoinGlass, a leading crypto derivatives analytics platform, which flagged a telling divergence in Bitcoin’s open interest data during the most recent price swing. According to the firm, during yesterday’s decline, Bitcoin’s open interest actually increased as the price fell — a classic signal that short sellers were actively adding new positions into the weakness rather than capitulating. The move ultimately found a floor around $68,750 before prices bounced.

However, the subsequent recovery has done little to shift the underlying picture. Open interest has shown almost no significant change during the rebound, which CoinGlass interprets as a sign that the recovery is not being driven by an influx of new long positions. In other words, buyers have not stepped in with conviction — the price has risen, but the market has not built fresh bullish infrastructure to support it.

This type of pattern — where a price decline attracts short sellers, followed by a tepid recovery that fails to attract new longs — is characteristic of range-bound markets. Rather than a trend reversal gathering momentum, it more closely resembles a market grinding between established support and resistance levels, waiting for a catalyst to break the impasse in either direction.

The broader context makes this reading more significant. Bitcoin is currently trading around $69,700, sandwiched between a critical long liquidation zone below $66,827 — where Coinglass estimates $1.878 billion in leveraged longs would be forced to close — and a short squeeze level above $73,757, where $1.062 billion in short positions sit exposed. With the market coiled between these two clusters of leveraged exposure, the next decisive move could be amplified significantly by cascading liquidations on whichever side breaks first.

For traders, the implication is a market that punishes directional bets in either direction until conditions change. Macro factors add to the uncertainty: U.S. equity markets opened lower, the VIX fear gauge climbed to 25.44, and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to simmer with no clear resolution in sight. Institutional flows, meanwhile — such as BlackRock’s $140 million deposit into Coinbase Prime earlier today — have yet to produce a clear directional signal.

CoinGlass concluded its note with a straightforward directive: watch the relationship between Bitcoin’s price and open interest closely. When the two begin moving in tandem — prices rising alongside growing OI, or falling with declining OI — that will be the signal that a genuine trend is emerging from the noise.

Ethereum investor Stanley Druckenmiller has added his voice to the growing conversation around the future of digital finance, predicting that stablecoins could become the dominant force in global payment systems within the next few years. The veteran investor’s outlook reflects a broader shift among institutions and market participants toward viewing blockchain-based money as a critical financial infrastructure.

Why Stablecoins Could Replace Traditional Payment Rails Stanley Druckenmiller, a prominent investor with exposure to Ethereum, is increasingly aligning his investment positioning with his outlook on the future of payments; one dominated by stablecoins and blockchain infrastructure. According to the Etherealize post on X, the veteran investor has publicly stated that stablecoins could power the entire payment system within the next 10 to 15 years. He further pointed to the clear advantages of blockchain-based money, such as greater efficiency, faster settlement, and significantly lower costs.

This view is reflected in his exposure of the ETH ecosystem, in which Druckenmiller is listed among key backers of BitMine (BMNR), an Ethereum-focused treasury firm chaired by Tom Lee, which reportedly holds over $10 billion in ETH. Other notable supporters include ARK Invest and Bill Miller.

Druckenmiller’s aligns with his recent bullish comments on stablecoins and blockchain payments. He frames blockchain and the use of stablecoins as highly practical tools for investors to invest their crypto and tokens, as they can significantly improve financial productivity.

Ethereum As A Neutral Settlement Layer For Institutions The recent Cari announcement has reignited a critical debate around the future of institutional blockchain infrastructure, with much of the discussion focusing on architecture. Analyst Alex argued that the real issue lies in the business model of proprietary systems versus open standards.

The Government of propriety networks like Canton or Tempo will be controlled by a small group with disproportionate voting weight. They will be permissionless, but participants have to submit a Google form with opaque admission criteria to join. It’s unclear who decides this, but over time, the most influential participants will set the terms of access and pricing.

From a bank’s perspective, this structure is familiar because it mirrors the early dynamics of legacy systems like SWIFT and Visa, locking in structural advantages while late joiners absorb the cost. 

As Alex noted, everyone wants to build the next SWIFT-killer, but nobody wants to join someone else’s SWIFT-Killer; a typical comment from banks. This is where Ethereum stands out as the only neutral settlement layer where that dynamic can’t take hold, because no single entity can capture it. 

The ETH network is the only place where every participant can permanently trust that no future coalition will rewrite the rules against them. From a game-theoretical standpoint, Alex concluded that ETH represents the only sustainable equilibrium as a global settlement layer for institutional finance that works long-term.

ETH trading at $2,150 on the 1D chart | Source: ETHUSDT on Tradingview.com Featured image from Adobe Stock, chart from Tradingview.com

Bitcoin’s mining difficulty is set to drop about 7.5% tonight, the sharpest fall since the 2022 bear, as hash rate leaves the network and miner margins get relief.

Summary

CoinWarz estimates difficulty will fall from 145.04 trillion to 134.09 trillion at around 20:51 UTC, a roughly 7.55% drop and the steepest since the 2022 bear phase. The adjustment reflects slower blocks at about 10.82 minutes on average as unprofitable miners switch off, compressing hash price and forcing out higher-cost operators. A drop of this size often signals miner capitulation; weaker players exit while survivors gain share and margins, potentially reducing forced sell pressure on BTC down the line. Bitcoin’s (BTC) mining difficulty is on the verge of its steepest downward adjustment in years, with the network recalibration expected to take place tonight at approximately 20:51 UTC (21:51 CET). According to live data from CoinWarz, difficulty will fall from the current level of 145.04 trillion to an estimated 134.09 trillion — a decline of roughly 7.55%.​

If confirmed, this will be the largest single difficulty drop since China’s 2021 mining ban triggered a mass exodus of hash rate, and it would rival — or exceed — the severity of drops seen during the depths of the 2022 bear market, according to analysis from The Miner Mag. The adjustment covers the current 2,016-block epoch, during which average block times have stretched to approximately against the 10-minute target — a clear signal that hash rate has been leaving the network at a meaningful pace.

The timing could hardly be more pointed. Bitcoin has fallen roughly 10% from the $76,000 level it briefly tested earlier this month, and is currently trading around $69,600. For miners operating on thin margins, the combination of a lower BTC price and the same — or higher — difficulty level creates a brutal squeeze on profitability. Hash price, a key metric measuring expected revenue per unit of computing power, has been compressed for weeks, forcing less efficient operators to scale back or shut down rigs entirely.

The outgoing hash rate is the direct cause of this adjustment. When miners go offline — whether due to unprofitable economics, rising energy costs, or hardware upgrades — blocks take longer to find. The Bitcoin protocol detects this slowdown over the 2,016-block window and automatically lowers the difficulty target to bring block production back toward the intended 10-minute interval. It is a self-correcting mechanism that has operated without interruption since Bitcoin’s earliest days.

For surviving miners, the adjustment delivers immediate relief. A lower difficulty means less computational effort is required per block, reducing the effective cost of mining each BTC. All else equal, the ~7.5% drop will improve miner revenue margins proportionally — a meaningful lifeline for operations that have been grinding through a period of compressed hash price and falling BTC revenue in USD terms.

The broader market implication is also worth watching. Difficulty drops of this magnitude have historically coincided with miner capitulation phases — periods when the weakest hands exit the network, after which the remaining miners consolidate market share and cost structures improve. Historically, such capitulation events have preceded price recoveries, as the sell pressure from distressed miners eases. Whether that pattern holds in the current macro environment — marked by Middle East tensions, risk-off equity markets, and a cautious Federal Reserve — remains to be seen. But tonight’s difficulty adjustment will at minimum reset the playing field for Bitcoin’s mining industry heading into the weekend.