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Crypto investment products posted another week of net inflows, but the pace slowed as markets reacted to the latest US Federal Reserve meeting. 

Summary

Crypto ETPs extended their inflow streak to four weeks, though momentum dropped sharply after FOMC.

Bitcoin funds added $219.2 million, while Ether products saw $27.5 million in weekly outflows.

US spot Bitcoin ETFs stayed positive, but spot Ether ETFs recorded fresh weekly outflows.

Data from CoinShares showed that digital asset exchange-traded products brought in $230 million last week, extending the positive run to four straight weeks.

CoinShares reported that crypto ETPs recorded $230 million in net inflows during the week. That figure was well below the $1.06 billion posted a week earlier, showing that investor demand cooled as the week progressed.

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James Butterfill, head of research at CoinShares, linked the slowdown to a “hawkish pause” reading of the Federal Open Market Committee meeting. He said the weekly pattern supported that view, as products saw solid inflows early in the week before flows turned lower after the Fed decision.

Bitcoin leads while Ether turns negative

Bitcoin (BTC) investment products drew the largest share of last week’s inflows. CoinShares data showed that Bitcoin funds added $219.2 million, accounting for nearly all of the week’s net gains across the digital asset product market.

Ether products moved in the opposite direction. They posted $27.5 million in outflows, ending a three-week inflow streak. The reversal came as investors reduced exposure after the Fed meeting and a broader change in risk appetite.

In addition, Solana continued to stand out among altcoin-focused products. Solana ETPs brought in $17 million last week, marking the seventh straight week of inflows. That pushed the total for the streak to $136 million.

Other digital assets also posted gains. Chainlink products recorded $4.6 million in inflows, while Hyperliquid products added $4.5 million. These numbers showed that interest in selected altcoins remained in place even as broader market momentum slowed.

US spot Bitcoin ETFs stay positive for the week

US spot Bitcoin ETFs contributed a large share of Bitcoin-related inflows. SoSoValue data showed that these funds brought in $95.2 million last week, helping extend their winning run to four consecutive weeks.

The four-week stretch lifted total gains for US spot Bitcoin ETFs to $2.2 billion over that period. Even so, the funds still showed about $400 million in net outflows for the year. US spot Ether ETFs also lost momentum, recording about $60 million in weekly outflows and $599 million in outflows year to date.

Read more: Bitcoin jumps to $71.5K as Trump pauses Iran strikes

VanEck, a prominent investment firm, has observed a shift in the Bitcoin (BTC) options market, highlighting growing defensive positioning from investors. The recent surge in put option demand and the drop in call option premiums signal a cautious outlook for Bitcoin’s price. This trend reflects investor concerns about macroeconomic factors and market volatility.

Summary

Bitcoin’s put/call ratio hits 0.84, showing increased demand for downside protection.

Put premiums hit record highs, signaling growing caution in the market.

Despite price declines, Bitcoin shows signs of stabilization with reduced volatility and leverage.

In early 2026, the Bitcoin options market has shown signs of heightened caution. VanEck’s analysis reveals that the put/call open interest ratio has risen to 0.84, the highest level since June 2021, reflecting stronger demand for downside protection. 

Over the past 30 days, investors spent approximately $685 million on put options, signaling their concern for further price declines. Meanwhile, premiums on call options fell about 12%, to around $562 million, suggesting that bullish sentiment has waned.

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This shift in sentiment coincides with a 19% decline in Bitcoin’s price over the last month. Despite this drop, spot prices have stabilized, and the market has entered a phase of consolidation, with volatility decreasing from 80 to 50. The drop in futures funding rates, which fell from 4.1% to 2.7%, further suggests that leverage in the market has cooled.

The chart shows Bitcoin put premiums hitting a record high in January 2026 | Source: Glassnode Rising demand for downside protection

VanEck’s report indicates that the demand for downside protection is at its highest level in recent cycles. The put premiums relative to spot volume have reached an all-time high, with put premiums three times higher than levels seen during the market stresses of mid-2022. This suggests that investors are willing to pay a premium to hedge against further price drops, signaling a defensive stance.

The options skew, where put options are more expensive than call options, reflects this growing concern. As of March 2026, the cost of protecting against price drops is significantly higher than the cost of betting on price increases, with implied volatility on puts averaging 66, which is 16 points higher than realized volatility. Historically, this type of skew has often been seen before Bitcoin’s price rebounds.

Industry trends and network activity

Despite the heightened caution in the options market, other indicators show that the Bitcoin market is stabilizing. On-chain activity, such as transaction volume and daily active addresses, has declined, reflecting a more subdued speculative environment. However, long-term holder selling seems to be slowing down, which could be a positive sign for the market’s stability.

Bitcoin’s price recently surged to $70,000 before correcting, indicating potential signs of a cyclical bottom. VanEck’s CEO, Jan VanEck, has suggested that this may signal a recovery for Bitcoin, as the market adjusts to lower volatility and reduced leverage.

Read more: Gemini cuts workforce, closes international operations

In early 2026, a wave of layoffs across the crypto industry has raised concerns about the reasons behind the job cuts. While some companies cite macroeconomic factors, such as weak token prices, others frame their workforce reductions as part of a broader shift toward integrating AI into their operations.

Summary

Major crypto firms, including Algorand and Gemini, cut staff due to market downturn and AI adoption.

AI adoption in crypto companies leads to workforce reductions, with claims of increased efficiency.

Job cuts across the industry mirror the challenges faced during the 2022 crypto winter.

Several major crypto firms, including Algorand, Gemini, Crypto.com, and Messari, have laid off staff in recent weeks. Algorand, for instance, announced it would cut 25% of its fewer than 200 employees, citing “the uncertain global macro environment” and the ongoing crypto downturn. 

Similarly, Gemini Space Station (GEMI) announced it would eliminate roughly 200 positions in February, increasing to 30% by mid-March. Crypto.com also joined the list, trimming 12% of its workforce, about 180 employees.

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In addition to these major companies, OP Labs, the team behind the Optimism layer-2 blockchain, laid off 20 employees, while PIP Labs, the team behind Story Protocol, reduced its staff by 10%. Messari, a crypto data provider that now emphasizes AI, made its third round of layoffs since 2023, though the number of affected employees was not disclosed.

Reasons for layoffs: Macro conditions or AI integration?

The official explanations for these layoffs vary. Algorand attributed its staff cuts to the broader economic conditions and weak token prices, such as its ALGO token trading at $0.09, down 98% from its 2019 peak. 

However, many companies framed their layoffs as a pivot towards AI integration. Gemini, for instance, emphasized the necessity of AI, stating, “AI is now too powerful not to use at Gemini,” and warned that not adopting AI would soon be akin to using a typewriter instead of a laptop.

Crypto.com echoed this sentiment, stating that integrating AI into their processes resulted in increased efficiency, requiring fewer workers. CEO Kris Marszalek argued that companies not pivoting toward AI would fail. The shift towards AI adoption is seen as part of a broader trend in the industry, with AI being increasingly incorporated into workflows to reduce costs and improve productivity.

Consolidation and industry shrinkage

Industry observers pointed to broader trends of consolidation and cost-cutting. Entire sectors within crypto, such as restaking, decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN), and layer-2s, which once boasted abundant talent, have experienced significant contraction. The reduction in these sectors’ activities has led companies to downsize and adjust to new market conditions.

Dan Escow, founder of crypto recruitment agency Up Top, noted, 

“I see no real indication that these layoffs have anything to do with AI workforce replacement at scale.” 

Instead, he suggested that the layoffs were primarily driven by the need for companies to cut costs and survive amidst ongoing challenges in the market.

The broader job market in crypto also reflects this downturn. New job postings on major crypto job boards dropped significantly, running at only 6.5 per day in January 2026, down approximately 80% from the previous year. 

In addition, the job cuts from the companies mentioned in this article alone account for about 450 layoffs. This recent surge in layoffs follows the trend of the 2022 crypto winter, when over 26,000 job losses were tracked throughout the year.

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A stablecoin linked to the crypto project Resolv Labs, Resolv USR (USR), has lost its peg to the US dollar after an attacker exploited the token’s contract. 

Summary

Resolv USR lost its peg after an attacker minted millions of unbacked tokens.

The hacker quickly converted the minted tokens into stablecoins and Ether.

Resolv Labs has paused operations and is investigating the exploit, with a recovery plan underway.

Meanwhile, the attacker was able to mint millions of tokens without backing, leading to a sharp devaluation of the token. Resolv Labs has paused the protocol to prevent further damage and is working on a recovery plan.

Resolv Labs confirmed the exploit on Sunday, explaining that an attacker had minted 50 million USR tokens using $100,000 worth of the stablecoin USDC. Crypto security company PeckShield later reported that the attacker also managed to mint an additional 30 million USR tokens. The vulnerability in USR’s contract allowed the attacker to create unbacked tokens, contributing to the token’s depeg from the US dollar.

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According to D2 Finance, the minting function in the contract was compromised. The company suspects that either the oracle was manipulated, the off-chain signer was compromised, or the amount validation process was flawed, enabling the minting of excess tokens.

Depeg and immediate consequences

After the exploit, the attacker moved the newly minted USR tokens to various crypto protocols, swapping them for stablecoins like USDC and USDt, and then converting them into Ether (ETH). This aggressive exit strategy caused USR’s value to plummet. The token fell as low as 50 cents, and liquidity issues and slippage worsened across protocols. On Curve Finance, the token briefly crashed to 2.5 cents.

At the time of writing, USR was trading around 87 cents, still approximately 13% below its intended $1 peg. The token had a rapid price recovery on Curve Finance, climbing to 84.5 cents after hitting its low point at 2:38 am UTC.

Resolv Labs has paused all protocol functions to prevent further malicious activity. The team is actively investigating the exploit and working on a recovery plan. 

The exploit comes at a time when crypto-related hacks have decreased, with $49 million lost in February compared to $385 million in January. However, the attack highlights the continued risks and vulnerabilities within the crypto space, especially in decentralized finance protocols.

Read more: Kalshi faces 14-day shutdown in Nevada over gambling laws

Kalshi, a prediction market company, has faced a temporary setback in Nevada. A state judge issued a temporary restraining order, blocking the company from operating for 14 days. The decision follows concerns that Kalshi’s event contracts might violate Nevada’s gambling laws.

Summary

Kalshi faces a 14-day ban in Nevada after violating the state’s gambling regulations.

Nevada regulators claim Kalshi’s event contracts are unlicensed gambling under state law.

Kalshi fights back in multiple states, including Arizona and Massachusetts, over illegal gambling accusations.

On Friday, Carson City District Court Judge Jason Woodbury granted a temporary restraining order, siding with the Nevada Gaming Control Board’s motion to block Kalshi. This comes after the company offered event contracts related to sports, elections, and entertainment, which Nevada regulators view as a form of unlicensed gambling. 

The court ruling states that Kalshi is prohibited from offering such contracts in Nevada, as these are considered “sports pools” under state law. Kalshi, however, has not responded to the ruling.

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Nevada Gaming Control Board Chair Mike Dreitzer emphasized the state’s responsibility to protect the public, asserting that prediction markets like Kalshi could facilitate illegal gambling. 

“Prediction markets, to the extent they facilitate unlicensed gambling, are illegal in Nevada,” Dreitzer said in a statement to Reuters.

Kalshi’s defense and federal preemption

Kalshi had argued that its contracts fall under the jurisdiction of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), not Nevada’s gaming regulations. The company has fought similar accusations in other states, asserting that its activities are federally regulated. 

However, Judge Woodbury rejected Kalshi’s defense, stating that the legal authority currently favors Nevada’s stance. The court’s decision sets a precedent for ongoing legal battles regarding prediction markets and their regulation across state lines.

Moreover, Kalshi is currently engaged in multiple legal disputes with state regulators. This includes a case in Massachusetts, where a state judge banned the company from offering sports event contracts, though this ban was later lifted on appeal. 

Additionally, Arizona has filed criminal charges against Kalshi, accusing the company of running an illegal gambling operation. Kalshi CEO Tarek Mansour has labeled these charges as “total overstep.”

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Grayscale has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to launch the Grayscale HYPE ETF, a proposed spot exchange-traded fund tied to Hyperliquid’s native token, HYPE. 

Summary

Grayscale filed for a Nasdaq-listed HYPE ETF tied to Hyperliquid’s native token price movement.

The proposed fund may add staking later, though it will not offer staking initially.

Hyperliquid remains the largest onchain perps venue despite slower volumes and growing competition from rivals.

If approved, the fund would trade on Nasdaq under the ticker GHYP and would give investors listed market access to the token without holding it directly.

Meanwhile, the filing adds Grayscale to a growing list of firms seeking investment products linked to Hyperliquid, a blockchain focused on decentralized perpetual futures trading. The move also comes as crypto ETF issuers continue to expand beyond Bitcoin and Ether into newer digital assets.

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Grayscale’s S-1 filing said the proposed fund would track the price of HYPE. The company named Coinbase Custody as custodian and said it would use CoinDesk benchmark pricing data for valuation. The filing did not disclose a management fee.

The application places Grayscale alongside other issuers already pursuing similar products. Bitwise and 21Shares filed for Hyperliquid-linked funds earlier, showing that asset managers are starting to test investor demand for exchange-traded products tied to newer crypto tokens.

Filing includes possible future staking option

The filing said staking is not allowed for the fund at launch. It also noted a “Staking Condition” that could be satisfied later, which may allow the product to add staking in the future.

That part of the filing follows a broader trend in crypto ETFs. Fund issuers have shown interest in adding staking rewards, but U.S. regulators have moved more slowly on that issue than on basic spot fund approvals. Grayscale said it may consider staking later if conditions permit.

Moreover, Hyperliquid has become one of the best-known platforms in decentralized perpetual futures trading. Market data cited in the report said the network remains the largest onchain venue for perps, even as new competitors entered the market in 2025.

Weekly trading volume on Hyperliquid has ranged from about $40 billion to $100 billion this year, according to DeFiLlama data cited in the report. While volumes have cooled from earlier peaks, the platform remains ahead of rivals such as Aster, Lighter, and edgeX.

Broader ETF push expands beyond major tokens

The Grayscale filing comes during a period of wider crypto ETF activity in the United States. Under SEC Chair Paul Atkins, the agency has approved a broader set of crypto-related funds, though rules around staking remain less clear.

Hyperliquid is still not available to U.S. users on its core platform, but its profile has grown as more firms watch decentralized trading infrastructure. 

Read more: $13b flowed into crypto through institutional rails beyond ETF headlines

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.

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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.

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JPMorgan cuts its S&P 500 target and warns investors are dangerously complacent about Iran war risks, oil above $110, and the hit to growth, earnings, and stocks.

Summary

JPMorgan trims its year-end S&P 500 target from 7,500 to 7,200, arguing markets are making a high-risk bet on a quick Middle East resolution.

With Brent crude above $110 and shut-ins near record levels, the bank warns each sustained 10% oil rise can shave 15–20 bps from GDP and cut S&P earnings 2–5%.

Strategists say a deeper selloff could push the S&P 500 below its 200-day moving average toward 6,000–6,200 as demand destruction and wealth effects bite.

JPMorgan became the latest — and most prominent — Wall Street institution to sound the alarm on Thursday, cutting its year-end S&P 500 price target from 7,500 to 7,200 and warning that equity markets are making a “high-risk assumption” by pricing in a quick resolution to the Middle East conflict. The downgrade, issued as Iranian strikes on Gulf energy infrastructure sent Brent crude surging above $110 per barrel, signals a growing conviction among institutional analysts that the war’s economic fallout has been systematically underpriced.

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“We believe the market is pricing in a quick end to the Middle East conflict and reopening of the Strait, giving a low probability to a potential demand hit,” JPMorgan wrote in its note. “This is a high-risk assumption given that S&P 500 and oil correlations typically turn increasingly more negative after a ~30% oil spike.”​

The Complacency Problem

Oil prices have surged more than 46% since the U.S. and Israel launched their initial strikes on Iran, yet the S&P 500 has fallen less than 4% — a divergence that JPMorgan’s strategists view as a sign of dangerous market complacency rather than genuine resilience. While high-risk segments such as software stocks, South Korean equities, and crypto have sold off, broad equity positioning has barely shifted, with investors hedging rather than derisking in earnest.​

The bank’s core warning centers not on inflation — the conventional oil shock narrative — but on demand destruction. JPMorgan argues that if the supply disruption persists, “GDP, demand, and revenues will adjust lower through forced demand destruction.” The bank estimates that each sustained 10% increase in oil prices shaves 15 to 20 basis points off GDP growth. If Brent holds near $110, consensus S&P 500 earnings estimates could fall by 2 to 5%.

The structural supply picture compounds the concern. Oil supply shut-ins have already climbed to 8 million barrels per day — the highest on record — and JPMorgan warned that cuts could reach 12 million barrels per day, equivalent to roughly 11% of global production.​

A Domino Effect in the Making

JPMorgan Private Bank strategists Joe Seydl and Kriti Gupta laid out the transmission mechanism in stark terms earlier this week: oil sustained above $90 per barrel risks a 10–15% correction in the S&P 500, with international and emerging markets facing even larger spillover losses due to their higher sensitivity to global growth shocks. At $120 oil, the selling could intensify materially.

The wealth effect adds a secondary channel. With U.S. households holding over $56 trillion in stocks and mutual funds, a sustained equity drawdown would feed back into consumer spending — JPMorgan estimates a 10% drop in the S&P 500 could reduce U.S. consumer spending by approximately 1%. “The combined impact of persistently high oil prices and a bear market in the S&P 500 has a detrimental effect on demand, significantly amplifying the negative impact on growth,” the bank concluded.​

If the S&P 500 selloff extends below the 200-day moving average near 6,600, the bank said meaningful support may not emerge until the 6,000–6,200 range. For now, with the war entering a dangerous new energy-infrastructure phase and no diplomatic off-ramp in sight, JPMorgan’s revised target may prove optimistic rather than cautious.

Read more: Iran strikes Gulf energy network as oil surges past $110 – crypto markets react

Pi Network price managed to brush off the bearish sentiment prevailing in the broader crypto market amid a major mainnet upgrade that introduced smart contract functionality to the Pi ecosystem.

Summary

Pi Network price held steady near $0.177 after a brief drop, defying a broader crypto market downturn despite remaining nearly 40% below its post-listing high.

The resilience followed the rollout of mainnet version 20, which introduced smart contract capabilities and boosted expectations for ecosystem growth.

Technical indicators remain bearish, with PI trading below key moving averages and facing downside risk if support near $0.176 fails.

According to data from crypto.news, Pi Network (PI) price initially fell 5% to an intraday low of $0.171 on March 19 before recouping from its losses and edging higher to $0.177 at press time. The token, however, remains nearly 40% lower than its high, which it attained following its highly anticipated listing on crypto exchange Kraken.

Pi Network’s resilience amidst the sectorwide downturn can be attributed to hype surrounding its mainnet upgrade to version 20. The latest upgrade brings the ability to support smart contracts to the network. This means developers can now build decentralized applications and other services on the platform, which could ultimately drive development and adoption of the Pi ecosystem.

In a March 19 X post, Pi developers also revealed that version 21 of the protocol would soon be rolled out. They instructed node operators to ensure their systems are up to date and to wait for more detailed instructions.

Major announcements such as these tend to boost investor demand for the token and thus add upward pressure on its price.

The latest upgrade follows a series of protocol updates that began on Feb. 20, when the team rolled out its first upgrade of the year to version 19.6.

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Pi network price analysis

Despite the bullish development for the Pi ecosystem, charts seem to present a bearish outlook for the Pi token for the upcoming sessions.

On the daily chart, Pi Network price has fallen below the 50, 100, and 200-day moving averages, a sign that the long-term trend has shifted decisively in favor of sellers. The only exception was the 20-day SMA at $0.176, which stands as the final line of support preventing a deeper slide into bearish territory.

Pi Network price and Supertrend chart — March 19 | Source: crypto.news

As PI price fell, it flipped the Supertrend indicator red, which means the market bias has turned negative and volatility is now working against the bulls. Furthermore, the MACD lines have pointed downwards, which indicates that bears have seized dominance over the price action, and momentum is currently favoring further downside.

For now, $0.176 is the most important support level to keep an eye on. A drop below this could instill confidence in bears to push prices down to the Feb 23 low of $0.156. However, a break above the $0.200 psychological resistance would invalidate the bearish forecast and potentially signal a trend reversal.

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

The European Central Bank is looking for experts who can help define how a potential digital euro can be used across ATMs and payment terminals.

Summary

ECB opens applications for expert workstreams to define how a digital euro would function across ATMs and payment terminals.

Workstreams will focus on technical specifications and certification frameworks to ensure integration with existing payment systems, including offline capability.

The ECB published an announcement on Wednesday, opening applications for two workstreams under its Rulebook Development Group. The first will focus on implementation specifications for ATM and terminal providers, while the other will work on certification and approval frameworks for payment solutions.

Experts joining the workstreams would contribute to how a potential digital euro would integrate across existing payment systems and technologies, including offline functionality and interoperability with standards used across Europe.

The workstreams will report to the Rulebook Development Group, which includes representatives from merchants, payment service providers and consumers.

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“The draft rulebook currently being developed will be sufficiently flexible to accommodate any future adjustments and will be updated in accordance with the outcome of the digital euro legislative process. A possible decision by the ECB’s Governing Council to issue a digital euro would only be taken after the legislative act has been adopted,” the ECB said.

As previously reported by crypto.news, last year, the ECB announced providers for five components and services after a similar call for applications published in 2024.

The banking regulator had also put out invitations to tender for firms that could offer technology solutions and components around alias lookup, fraud and risk management, offline services and software development kits, among others.

ECB warns about stablecoin risk

While the ECB is making progress around the digital euro rollout, it has continued issuing public warnings about the risks of stablecoins, which are seen as one of the biggest competitors to any central bank digital currency.

The ECB is concerned that if euro-denominated stablecoins gain serious traction, it could weaken the effectiveness of monetary policy and reduce the funding base of traditional banks.

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Crypto scammers are using OpenClaw’s popularity to target developers via a new GitHub phishing campaign designed to drain their crypto wallets.

Summary

Attackers are impersonating OpenClaw on GitHub, creating fake accounts and tagging developers with messages offering $5,000 in $CLAW tokens.

Victims are directed to a cloned website where a malicious wallet connection prompt is used to trigger wallet draining.

OX Security says the campaign uses obfuscated code and targeted tactics, though no confirmed victims have been reported so far.

A report published by platform OX Security detailed an active phishing campaign targeting OpenClaw via a coordinated effort on GitHub, where attackers create fake accounts, open issue threads in attacker-controlled repositories, and tag dozens of developers.

One such post detailed how developers were approached with messages claiming they had been selected for an OpenClaw allocation, telling them they had won $5,000 worth of $CLAW tokens, and subsequently directing them to a fake website that closely resembles openclaw.ai.

On the website, victims are presented with the option of connecting their wallets through a malicious “Connect your wallet” prompt that eventually leads to wallet draining.

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The campaign has surfaced as OpenClaw has become a more visible project, especially after OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced that OpenClaw creator Peter Steinberger would lead its push into personal AI agents. OpenClaw has since transitioned into a foundation-run open source project.

Researchers at OX Security said attackers may be using GitHub’s star feature to identify users who have starred OpenClaw-related repositories, thereby making it appear more targeted and credible.

Scammers were seen using a file named “eleven.js” to embed wallet-stealing code within obfuscated JavaScript. Once triggered, scammers used a built-in “nuke” function that wipes traces from the browser’s local storage to avoid detection and continue tracking activity.

The malware tracks user actions via commands such as PromptTx, Approved, and Declined, sending encoded data, including wallet addresses and transaction values, to a command and control server.

Researchers have identified at least one wallet address believed to be linked to the attackers that was used to receive stolen funds. So far, there has been no confirmation of victims.

OX Security has urged users to block token-claw[.]xyz and watery-compost[.]today, and avoid connecting crypto wallets to newly surfaced or unverified sites.

OpenClaw’s anti-crypto approach

In the meantime, OpenClaw creator Peter Steinberger has enforced a strict anti-crypto policy. Any mention of cryptocurrencies across the project’s Discord server can lead to removal.

The decision stems from a scam that surfaced during its rebrand, where attackers promoted a Solana-based token called $CLAWD that surged to approximately $16 million in market capitalization before falling over 90% after Steinberger denied any involvement.

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Australians are increasingly using cryptocurrency for day-to-day payments, even as banking restrictions continue to hamper access to the ecosystem.

Summary

Crypto payments in Australia doubled to 12% in 2026 as more users turn to digital assets for everyday spending, led by online shopping and service payments.

Nearly 30% of investors reported bank delays or blocks when transferring funds to crypto exchanges, up from 19.3% in 2025.

A recent survey by crypto exchange Independent Reserve, which polled 2,000 “everyday Australians” between Jan. 12 and Jan. 30, found that the share of users paying with crypto has doubled from 6% to 12% compared to the previous year.

According to the report, one in three Australians now own cryptocurrencies in 2026 and are viewing digital assets as more than just a speculative investment, with growing interest in real-world utility.

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Nearly 21% of respondents reported using crypto for online shopping, making it the leading use case. It was followed by other applications such as freelancing payments and video game purchases, which accounted for 16%.

However, even as demand continues to build, banking-related issues remain a persistent challenge for users trying to access crypto services.

Among the respondents, nearly 30% said their bank had blocked or delayed a payment to a crypto exchange at least once. That figure marks a notable increase from 19.3% reported in 2025.

Such delays stem from tighter banking controls introduced in recent years, when several major institutions such as Commonwealth Bank and National Australia Bank rolled out measures including payment delays, transfer caps, and additional identity checks for crypto-related transactions.

“For many Australians, the lack of regulation hits home when a payment to a crypto exchange is delayed or blocked, an issue that has continued to rise for another year,” the report said, adding that “clear licensing and regulation can help fix this.”

Australian regulators are still undecided

Australia is still lagging behind other major economies in establishing formal legislation to effectively regulate the crypto sector. 

So far, the federal government has primarily focused on a token mapping exercise and public consultations, while the Treasury continues to refine its proposed framework for digital asset service providers.

Earlier this week, Australia’s Senate Economics Legislation Committee said it was considering a new bill that would require crypto exchanges and tokenization platforms to operate under the country’s existing financial services framework.

Read more: Binance Australia resumes AUD deposits and withdrawals after two years

Whale activity around the Official Trump (TRUMP) token, which is tied to United States President Donald Trump, has hit a five-month high according to on-chain data.

Summary

Whale wallets holding over 1 million TRUMP tokens have risen to a five-month high of 83, with combined holdings valued at around $3.7 million, according to Santiment.

TRUMP price has climbed more than 50% from recent lows after a Mar-a-Lago luncheon announcement for top holders, though the token remains over 95% below its all time high.

According to Santiment, there are now 83 wallets that hold more than 1 million Official Trump (TRUMP) tokens. Collectively, these holdings amount to roughly $3.7 million worth of the tokens, marking the highest level recorded since Oct. 8 last year.

TRUMP has remained in a steady downtrend since the start of the year, but activity picked up pace after the project’s team announced a luncheon event at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence, where the U.S. president is expected to host top token holders.

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Beyond the main event, those ranked among the top 297 holders are eligible to attend, while the top 29 wallets will qualify for a private reception with the president, subject to background checks.

Several figures across the crypto sector are expected to take part in the gathering, which appears to have driven the recent surge in interest around the token.

Additional data from CoinCarp shows that TRUMP has 642,882 holders, though concentration remains heavily skewed. Over 91% of the supply is held by the top 10 wallets, while roughly 97% sits with the top 100 wallets.

TRUMP started rallying from multi-month lows near $2.7, climbing more than 50% to reach a peak of $4.35. As of press time, the token is up over 26% in the past 7 days, though it remains down more than 95% from its all time high of $73.43.

For TRUMP holders, this pattern is not new. Last year, a similar gala-style event was announced, which saw the token rally sharply in the lead-up.

However, after the initial momentum faded, the token entered a prolonged downtrend, and unless market conditions change meaningfully, the latest event could follow a similar trajectory.

Regulatory concerns remain

While the upcoming event has generated renewed interest among crypto participants, it is also likely to draw scrutiny in Washington, where lawmakers have continued to question whether such initiatives present conflicts of interest.

Last year, Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff called for Trump’s impeachment over the memecoin dinner, while Senators Elizabeth Warren and Adam Schiff urged ethics officials to review the president’s involvement with the event.

Meanwhile, Representative Sam Liccardo introduced the Modern Emoluments and Malfeasance Enforcement (MEME) Act in February 2025, seeking to bar federal officials and their families from issuing or promoting digital assets.

Similar concerns could resurface this time around, as lawmakers have already raised questions over potential foreign influence and financial interests tied to Trump-linked crypto ventures.

Read more: Crypto market rises as SCOTUS strikes down Donald Trump’s tariffs

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

Aurum Foundation names Nick Patel as its RWA Relationships Advisor as tokenized real-world assets gain momentum.

Summary

Aurum Foundation appoints Nick Patel as RWA Relationships Advisor to lead its Real-World Asset strategy.

Nick Patel brings expertise in commodities, finance, and tokenized gold, aiming to expand Aurum’s exposure to metals, emeralds, and other liquid real-world assets.

Aurum combines tangible assets with decentralized finance, leveraging AI-driven infrastructure and fractional ownership models for broader investor access.

Aurum Foundation has appointed Nick Patel as its RWA Relationships Advisor to spearhead its Real-World Asset strategy. This comes at a time when interest in tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) has been steadily increasing.

According to data from DeFiLlama, the value of RWA on public blockchains reached $23.6 billion in 2026, a 66% increase from $14.1 billion at the start of the year.

​Nick has built his career working at the intersection of commodities, finance, and, more recently, digital asset infrastructure. He has spent the past several years in gold trading and has built businesses tied to supply, mining, and tokenized gold initiatives. He brings more than a decade of experience in financial markets, working in stockbroking, equity sales, commodity trading, and cross-border investment.

He has been appointed to expand Aurum’s RWA strategy and strengthen relationships across global commodity markets. The foundation has positioned itself around crypto products, AI-driven financial infrastructure, and new ways to connect decentralised finance with tangible assets such as gold and other commodities.

According to Aurum CEO Bryan Benson, Nick’s appointment is part of the foundation’s broader effort to combine tangible value with the accessibility and yield potential of decentralized systems, as it focuses on widening its investment approach to include fractional exposure to metals, emeralds, and other liquid real-world assets, not just gold.

With more than two decades of experience in financial markets, Nick has worked in different departments, including stockbroking, equity sales, commodity trading, and cross-border investment.

​He is also the founder of Bank of Bullion in Dubai, a business focused on the precious metals supply chain, including procurement, refining, storage, and trading. He also leads Clinq DMCC and Clinq.Gold, a venture centred on digitising gold ownership through blockchain infrastructure and fractional access.

​These businesses center on connecting physical gold production and trading with digital financial rails. The ventures have given Nick the expertise needed to navigate a period when blockchain firms are increasingly exploring tokenised commodities, funds, and other off-chain value beyond traditional crypto assets.

Aurum’s long-term goal is to build DeFi earning opportunities around assets that are typically seen as stable stores of value. Gold sits naturally within that narrative. It is familiar, globally recognized, and widely used as a hedge in traditional markets.

Patel said he is looking forward to helping connect traditional assets with new financial opportunities and to building relationships across the sector. 

Read more: DeFi Education Fund and Beba drop airdrop lawsuit against U.S. SEC

Disclosure: This content is provided by a third party. Neither crypto.news nor the author of this article endorses any product mentioned on this page. Users should conduct their own research before taking any action related to the company.

Crypto.com has partnered with KG Inicis to introduce crypto payment options for foreign tourists visiting South Korea.

Summary

Crypto.com has partnered with KG Inicis to enable crypto payments for foreign tourists across South Korea through its merchant network.

International travelers will be able to pay using digital assets, while merchants can choose to settle transactions in fiat or crypto instantly.

The two companies plan to roll out Crypto.com Pay across KG Inicis’ merchant network, according to a March 17 press release.

The integration will allow international travelers to pay for goods and services using digital assets at both physical stores and online platforms. Meanwhile, merchants will have the option to receive payments instantly in fiat or digital assets.

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“A payment infrastructure that bridges digital assets with the real economy will become a core competitiveness of the future finance and commerce industries,” a spokesperson for KG Inicis told media.

“We plan to expand an infrastructure where digital assets can be utilised in actual economic activities, all while ensuring a solid legal and regulatory foundation.”

KG Inicis is one of South Korea’s largest payment gateway providers and handles hundreds of millions of transactions annually, according to the release. It also boasts around 190,000 affiliated merchants and commands nearly 40% market share.

Outside of payments, the two companies plan to explore additional areas of cooperation, including joint marketing efforts and new product development. However, these initiatives remain subject to regulatory approval.

The latest partnership fits into Crypto.com’s broader expansion plans. Last month, the company secured conditional approval for a U.S. national trust bank charter, just days after receiving ISO certification for AI systems management. The crypto exchange has also launched a prediction market platform dubbed OG.

Crypto use in tourism on the rise

Meanwhile, cryptocurrency use in tourism has gained traction across Asia as governments test new ways to integrate digital assets into spending ecosystems.

Last year, Thailand introduced plans for an 18-month TouristDigiPay program, allowing visitors to convert crypto into Thai baht for everyday spending.

Similarly, Bhutan has rolled out a crypto payment system for tourism through a partnership with Binance Pay and DK Bank, enabling travelers to pay for hotels, tickets, and services using digital assets.

Read more: Trump Media and Crypto.com bet big on Cronos, once again mixing politics and crypto

Pi now trades like a high‑beta narrative coin: stuck in a 0.18–0.25 band while March unlocks, Open Mainnet progress and listing rumors fight to set the next big move.

Summary

PI is hovering in the low‑$0.20s with roughly $1 million in daily volume, a $1.8–$1.9 billion cap and a heavy bag of holders still down over 90% from 2025 highs.

Open Mainnet and ecosystem growth offer real utility potential, but March unlocks in the tens of millions of tokens leave the 0.18–0.20 support zone exposed if miners dump.

Over the next 3–6 months, baseline models cluster around a 0.30–0.50 grind higher, with a bear case near 0.14 and a bull case pushing toward 0.80–1.00 on perfect‑storm adoption.

Pi Network (PI) is trading like a high‑beta, narrative coin pinned between speculative unlock flows and a long‑awaited mainnet story, with March shaping up as an inflection point for price direction.

Market Snapshot: Range, Liquidity, Structure

Across major offshore venues, PI is changing hands around the low‑$0.20s, with recent spot quotes clustered in the 0.21–0.23 dollar band after a short-term grind higher over the past week. MEXC data puts Pi’s market cap near 1.8–1.9 billion dollars, on roughly 9.6 billion tokens in circulation and light but steady 24‑hour volumes close to 1 million dollars, signalling modest but not dead order books for a top‑50 asset. On a higher timeframe, PI is still down more than 90% versus its 2025 peak near 3 dollars, leaving a heavy overhang of trapped supply and emotionally scarred holders into every rally.

Technically, short-term resistance clusters just above 0.23–0.24 dollars, with analysts watching 0.24–0.25 as the level that would confirm a clean break from the recent range. Support sits in the 0.18–0.20 zone, an area already flagged as structurally important given upcoming token unlocks that could stress bids if sentiment wobbles.

Catalysts: Mainnet, Unlocks, Listings

The key structural shift is the project’s transition into an Open Mainnet, enabling real-world transactions, external integrations, and a move away from “mobile mining app” purgatory. That unlocks a credible path to utility – payments, dapps, marketplace integrations – but it does not remove the near-term mechanical risk from supply hitting the market as KYC migrations and token unlocks accelerate.

Near term, traders are also leaning into the “exchange listing plus Pi Day roadmap” combo trade: speculation around new CEX listings, including tier‑one venues, has already driven spikes when rumors surface. At the same time, token unlock trackers highlight roughly tens of millions of PI scheduled to hit circulation in March, putting the 0.18–0.20 floor at risk if early miners rush to cash out into thin books.

3–6 Month Price Scenarios

Baseline: If Open Mainnet stabilizes, daily active users migrate into actual spenders, and unlock supply is absorbed without major liquidations, PI could grind higher into a 0.30–0.50 range over the coming quarters, implying a 30–130% upside from current levels and a market cap in the 3–5 billion dollar band. This tracks with several quantitative and qualitative models that cluster 2026 fair value around the mid‑double‑cent range, assuming no blow‑off mania.

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Bear case: Persistent sell pressure from unlocks, tepid dapp traction, and no top‑tier listings could drag PI back toward 0.14 or lower, effectively revisiting winter lows and erasing the recent bounce. Bull case: A “perfect storm” of strong mainnet adoption, surprise listings, and retail FOMO could push price through 0.50 toward the 0.80–1.00 zone flagged by more optimistic 2026 models, though that would require a sustained re‑rating of Pi as a payments‑style network rather than a fading airdrop meme.

For now, PI trades like an options bet on execution: upside capped by dilution and history, downside controlled by how quickly the network can turn its massive user base into real, on‑chain economic activity.

Read more: WLFI holders back 180 day staking rule to participate in governance votes

The crypto market rose 3.5% to $2.6 trillion on Monday, March 16, as investors returned to risk assets after rotating from traditional hedges. 

Summary

The crypto market rallied as Bitcoin surpassed the $74K resistance as investors rotated away from traditional safe-haven assets.

Demand for crypto ETFs returned with $1.34 billion in inflows into spot Bitcoin ETFs and nearly $180 million in inflows into Ether-linked funds this month.

The Crypto Fear and Greed Index has moved back to neutral levels.

Bitcoin (BTC), the world’s leading crypto asset, rallied 4% to break above the $74,000 resistance level for the first time in over five weeks, while Ethereum (ETH) was up 6% over the past 24 hours, trading at $3,243 at press time.

Other major altcoins such as XRP (XRP), Solana (SOL), and Dogecoin (DOGE) recorded gains ranging between 4% and 5% each. Some of the top performers of the day were Pepe (PEPE), Polkadot (DOT), and Bonk (BONK), all of which brought in double-digit gains.

As prices rose, it triggered liquidations of highly leveraged traders in the crypto derivatives markets. According to data from CoinGlass, crypto liquidations mounted to $370 million, with the majority coming from short sellers who were forced to buy back their positions.

The total open interest of the market went up 8% over the last trading session, increasing liquidity across the board and providing the necessary momentum to push the market higher.

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Crypto market rose as investors rotated from safe-haven assets

The crypto market surged as investors turned toward Bitcoin and other risk assets amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East that have driven crude oil prices to multi-year highs. 

Notably, oil benchmarks like Brent and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) have moved above $95 each. Iran aims to push prices as high as $200 over the coming weeks, sparking global concerns regarding runaway inflation.

Investors seem to be rotating capital from safe-haven assets like gold into cryptocurrencies, likely eyeing digital assets as a better hedge against currency debasement. Notably, the gold price has dropped back under $2,500 after hitting record peaks earlier, while silver prices have dipped by 3% over the past 24 hours.

Data from SoSoValue shows that institutional demand for crypto ETFs has also seen an uptick. U.S. Bitcoin ETFs have drawn in $1.34 billion in net inflows so far in March, while their Ethereum counterparts have experienced $180 million in inflows. In comparison, the SPDR Gold Trust (GLD) has faced consistent outflows over the last two weeks.

The crypto market rebound was a standalone event that deviated from the traditional Asian stock markets today. Notably, Chinese stock indices like the Hang Seng and Shanghai Composite dropped by over 0.70%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 dropped by over 1.2%.

Market rose as investors bought the U.S.-Iran war news

Crypto prices also rallied today as investors appear to be buying the dip following the initial shock of the U.S.-Iran conflict.

While Bitcoin fell sharply before military actions between the two nations escalated, hitting lows near $63,000 in late February, the current rally suggests the market has already priced in the immediate risks of war.

Crypto Fear and Greed Index returns to neutral threshold

The market rebound also comes as investor sentiment seems to have improved significantly from weeks earlier. The Crypto Fear and Greed Index reading has moved back to neutral levels of 40, up from the extreme fear zone of 16 seen at the beginning of March. As of now, the neutral sentiment seems to have stabilized the floor for major assets.

Will Bitcoin price keep rising?

Looking ahead, the key drivers that will decide the near-term trajectory for the crypto market include the Federal Reserve interest rate decision scheduled for Wednesday and the ongoing progress regarding the conflict in Iran.

Economists generally expect the Federal Reserve to leave interest rates unchanged between 3.50% and 3.75% while hinting at a continued status quo as inflation remains elevated.

If the military conflict shows signs of de-escalation, we could see a sustained relief rally in digital assets. However, any hawkish commentary from the Fed regarding sticky inflation could quickly dampen the current market enthusiasm.

Meanwhile, analysts at Marex also pointed to improving spot market signals that may be supporting the current recovery.

“The Coinbase premium turning positive for the first time in 10 weeks is the kind of detail investors should pay attention to,” Marex analysts noted in a statement to crypto.news.

“It suggests that spot demand is finally returning onshore rather than the move being driven purely by leverage. When the premium flips positive, rallies tend to hold better because real money is lifting offers instead of traders simply closing short positions.”

Read more: Australia Senate committee pushes bill to bring crypto platforms under financial services rules

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

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

Cloud mining narrative shifts toward AI infrastructure as platforms like NOW DeFi attract renewed investor interest.

Summary

NOW DeFi introduces a simplified cloud mining model for hardware-free participation.

NOW DeFi integrates AI optimization, automated processes, and data-center infrastructure to improve mining efficiency.

The platform targets long-term crypto holders seeking additional income through accessible cloud mining services.

The narrative around crypto mining is shifting. Expansion into the U.S., stronger compliance messaging, and the integration of AI into mining infrastructure are pushing cloud mining platforms away from the old “high-return marketing” narrative toward one focused on infrastructure, automation, and accessibility.

For cryptocurrency investors, this shift is becoming increasingly relevant. While many participants previously relied on a buy-and-hold strategy, more investors are now asking whether digital assets can generate additional income opportunities beyond price appreciation.

Against this backdrop, NOW DeFi is gaining attention among investors. By combining AI optimization, automated operations, and infrastructure resources, the platform provides a simplified way to participate in mining and is helping bring cloud mining back into market discussions.

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Cloud mining is moving from a “marketing narrative” to an “infrastructure narrative”

Cloud mining previously faced criticism due to aggressive marketing and exaggerated return claims. By 2026, however, industry competition is shifting toward infrastructure and operational capability.

Many platforms are now focusing on:

Expansion into mature markets such as the United States

Greater emphasis on compliance and transparency

AI-driven hashpower optimization

Integration with renewable energy and data-center infrastructure

This shift reflects a move from simply promoting returns to offering infrastructure access to mining participation.

Investors begin looking for a second path beyond holding

As the crypto market matures, investor behavior is evolving.

Long-term holding strategies for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other digital assets remain common. At the same time, more investors are exploring ways to make their assets more productive, including participation in mining infrastructure as a potential income strategy.

Cloud mining is attracting attention because it lowers the technical and hardware barriers traditionally associated with mining.

Traditional mining still has high barriers

For most individual investors, traditional mining remains costly and complex. Hardware purchases, electricity expenses, and operational management make direct participation difficult.

Cloud mining platforms offer a simpler alternative. By accessing mining infrastructure through cloud-based hashpower services, users can participate without purchasing or managing equipment, making it a practical option for those seeking opportunities beyond holding assets.

NOW DeFi: Lowering the barrier through AI and infrastructure

Within this evolving landscape, NOW DeFi aims to redefine cloud mining participation through a simplified model.

The platform provides cloud-based hashpower services that allow users to engage in mining without operating hardware. NOW DeFi emphasizes efficiency, automation, and accessibility.

Key features include:

AI-based optimization systems that improve mining efficiency

Integration with data-center and energy infrastructure

Automated processes designed for new users

A simplified interface for monitoring mining activity

This approach is suited for long-term digital asset holders seeking additional income strategies as well as investors interested in mining without managing hardware.

From idle holding to active participation

For many investors, digital assets often remain idle in wallets or exchange accounts, relying mainly on market price movements.

As the market evolves, more investors are considering whether allocating part of their assets to infrastructure-based activities such as mining could provide additional flexibility and potential income.

In this context, NOW DeFi aims to offer an accessible way for users to explore cloud mining and determine how it fits into their digital asset strategies.

How to get started with NOW DeFi

For users interested in cloud mining, NOW DeFi offers a simple onboarding process:

Step 1: Create an accountVisit the nowdefi.com platform and complete the registration process.

Step 2: Choose a suitable mining planSelect a hashpower plan based on preferred duration and budget.

Step 3: Start and monitor operationsOnce activated, mining runs automatically, and users can track activity through the platform dashboard.

This streamlined process allows even users without mining experience to access the cloud mining ecosystem.

In 2026, cloud mining is about accessibility

From an industry perspective, the key shift in 2026 is that successful platforms are no longer defined only by promised returns. Investors increasingly evaluate infrastructure capability, transparency, technological development, and global expansion strategies.

Platforms gaining attention are those able to answer several questions:

Why is now the right time to participate?

What can investors do beyond holding assets?

Is participation simple and accessible?

Are the platform’s operations reliable and transparent?

In this evolving narrative, NOW DeFi seeks to address these questions through AI optimization, infrastructure integration, and simplified participation.

About NOW DeFi

NOW DeFi is a digital asset technology platform focused on cloud mining services. By integrating AI optimization, automated operations, and infrastructure resources, the platform aims to provide a transparent and accessible way to participate in cryptocurrency mining.

Users can register by visiting the NOW DeFi official website or downloading the mobile application. After registration, new users can receive the platform’s free hashpower reward, allowing them to participate in cloud mining without purchasing mining hardware.

Read more: Ethereum built DeFi, and now Bitcoin’s real yield is taking it further | Opinion

Disclosure: This content is provided by a third party. Neither crypto.news nor the author of this article endorses any product mentioned on this page. Users should conduct their own research before taking any action related to the company.

The price of Bitcoin climbed to a weekly high on March 13, defying geopolitical concerns tied to rising tensions between the United States and Iran.

Summary

Bitcoin price reached a weekly high near $72,000, holding above the $70K level.

Negative funding rates on Binance suggest many traders are still shorting the rally.

A potential short squeeze could push BTC toward $75K if the rebound continues.

Bitcoin (BTC) was trading around $71,400, up about 1.2% on the day, according to the chart data, after briefly touching an intraday high near $72,000. The move pushed the world’s largest cryptocurrency back above the key $70,000 psychological level.

The rebound comes despite a fragile macro environment. Ongoing geopolitical tensions and concerns surrounding global oil markets have weighed on broader risk sentiment, conditions that typically make it difficult for speculative assets like Bitcoin to outperform.

However, on-chain data suggests that many traders remain skeptical about the rally.

According to market insights from CryptoQuant, derivatives market positioning shows a growing bearish bias among investors. Funding rates on Binance have remained negative for roughly a week, indicating that a majority of leveraged traders are betting against further price gains.

On March 10 and March 11, funding rates on Binance reportedly dropped below −0.006, an unusually negative level that signals strong short positioning in the market.

This dynamic could paradoxically support further upside for Bitcoin.

Historically, when funding rates reach extreme levels and a strong consensus forms around a bearish outlook, markets sometimes move in the opposite direction. If Bitcoin continues to push higher, short sellers may be forced to close positions, triggering a short squeeze that could accelerate the rally.

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Bitcoin price analysis

The attached chart shows BTC gradually recovering from its February lows near $63,000, forming a sequence of higher lows in recent weeks.

Bitcoin price analysis | Source: Crypto.News

Momentum indicators are also improving. The relative strength index (RSI) is around 54, suggesting bullish momentum is building while still remaining far from overbought territory.

Meanwhile, the Awesome Oscillator (AO) has shifted from deep negative territory in February to positive green bars above the zero line. The steady transition from red to green histogram bars indicates that bearish momentum has faded and bullish momentum is strengthening.

Importantly, the AO shows increasing positive bars in recent sessions, which typically signals growing upside momentum as short-term market strength begins to outpace the longer-term trend.

From a technical perspective, $72,000 represents the immediate resistance level. A confirmed breakout above that area could open the door for a move toward $75,000.

On the downside, $68,000–$69,000 acts as key support, while the $70,000 level remains a critical psychological threshold for maintaining bullish momentum.

Read more: U.S. senators to oversee DOJ investigation of Binance over Iran-linked sanctions evasion

Ripple has unveiled a $750 million buyback plan for the XRP token, sparking speculation about whether the move could trigger renewed bullish momentum for the XRP price.

Summary

Ripple announced a $750M buyback plan that could tighten circulating supply of XRP.

On-chain data from CryptoQuant shows XRP reserves on Binance dropping to a 10-month low of $3.7B, signaling potential accumulation.

XRP price remains in consolidation near $1.37, with $1.50 acting as key resistance and $1.30 as immediate support.

Corporate buybacks are often interpreted as a signal of confidence in an asset’s long-term value. In crypto markets, similar strategies can also affect liquidity by reducing circulating supply, potentially supporting prices if demand remains strong.

While the company has not disclosed the precise timeline or execution strategy, reports on the buyback has already drawn attention from traders looking for potential catalysts in a market that has been largely range-bound in recent weeks.

The move comes as XRP price continues to attract institutional interest and broader adoption across cross-border payment networks tied to Ripple’s ecosystem.

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Exchange supply tightening signals potential pressure

Recent on-chain data from CryptoQuant suggests that exchange supply for XRP is already tightening.

According to the analytics firm, Binance’s XRP reserves have dropped sharply to $3.7 billion as of March 10, the lowest level recorded in 10 months. The metric tracks the total value of XRP held on the exchange and reflects both token balances and price fluctuations.

Earlier in 2025, reserves on Binance exceeded $10 billion during peaks in January and July. Those periods were followed by steep corrections that pushed XRP prices below $1.20.

The continued decline in reserves, down from roughly $3.9 billion on March 6, could indicate that traders are withdrawing XRP from exchanges, often interpreted as a signal of accumulation or long-term holding.

If the buyback initiative coincides with shrinking exchange supply, the combination could create upward pressure on prices.

XRP price analysis

Based on the latest XRP/USDT daily chart, the token remains locked in a consolidation phase despite the broader bullish narrative.

XRP price analysis | Source: Crypto.News

XRP is currently trading near $1.37, hovering within a relatively tight range that has formed since early February following a sharp correction from higher levels.

The $1.45–$1.50 zone remains the immediate hurdle for bulls. A decisive breakout above this region could open the door for a push toward the $1.70–$1.80 range.

The chart shows strong support around $1.30, with deeper support near $1.20 if selling pressure intensifies.

The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is currently hovering around 45, indicating neutral momentum. The reading suggests the asset is neither overbought nor oversold, leaving room for a potential move in either direction

Meanwhile, the Accumulation/Distribution indicator continues trending slightly downward, hinting that market participants remain cautious despite improving fundamentals.

For now, the market appears to be waiting for a decisive catalyst. If Ripple’s buyback plan and declining exchange reserves translate into stronger demand, XRP could attempt to break out of its current consolidation range.

Otherwise, the token may continue trading sideways as investors assess the broader crypto market environment.

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