Binance Square

CryptoNews

image
Verified Creator
crypto.news is a leading publication media resource in the cryptocurrency industry and, as such, holds editorial independence and journalistic integrity.
1 Following
67.1K+ Followers
363.0K+ Liked
33.5K Shared
Posts
·
--
Pi Network Sets April 6 Node Deadline As Protocol 21 Goes LivePi Network has started its second migration phase with the required Protocol 21 upgrade. The update sets an April 6 deadline for mainnet node operators and opens the path toward later upgrades that aim to add smart contracts and DeFi tools. Summary Pi Network requires mainnet nodes to upgrade to Protocol 21.2 before the April 6 deadline. The roadmap schedules Protocol 22.1 for April and smart contract features for the May rollout. Pi traded near $0.174 as RSI and MACD signaled weak momentum and sellers still controlled. The move also comes as Pi’s token trades near $0.174, far below its all-time high. At the same time, chart indicators show weak momentum as the market waits for the next stage of network changes. Pi Network has moved from Protocol 20.2 to version 21.2 as part of its second migration phase. The Pi Core Team said all mainnet node operators must complete the upgrade before April 6 to remain connected to the network. You might also like: Bitcoin drops $6K in 48 hours as altcoins follow lower The update focuses on network stability and better node efficiency. It aims to help the system handle heavier traffic while keeping nodes synchronized across the mainnet. Deadline raises pressure on node operators The team warned that nodes that miss the April 6 deadline may lose network connection. That notice places direct pressure on node operators to update their software on time and avoid disruption. Pi Network framed Protocol 21 as a base layer for future features rather than a full feature release. While new tools will arrive in stages, the current step prepares the network for broader functionality in later protocol versions. According to the roadmap shared by the Pi team, Protocol 22.1 is scheduled for April 22. Protocol 23.0 is expected to follow on May 18 as the network moves toward smart contract support. The roadmap also lists features tied to that transition, including a Pi DEX, on-chain liquidity tools, and broader support for decentralized applications. The stated goal is to improve transaction flow and expand network use cases for its user base. Pi price holds weak tone as traders track indicators Pi coin traded around $0.174 at the time of reporting, about 78% below its all-time high. That price level reflects a market that remains cautious even as the network moves ahead with technical upgrades. PI price chart | Source: TradingView Daily chart indicators showed a soft bearish setup. The RSI stood at 45.29, below both the neutral 50 mark and its moving average of 47.54, which pointed to weak momentum without oversold conditions.  The MACD line remained below the signal line, while the negative histogram showed that sellers still held control, though downside pressure had started to ease. Read more: Is Ethereum ready to bounce as 466K ETH hits whale wallets?

Pi Network Sets April 6 Node Deadline As Protocol 21 Goes Live

Pi Network has started its second migration phase with the required Protocol 21 upgrade. The update sets an April 6 deadline for mainnet node operators and opens the path toward later upgrades that aim to add smart contracts and DeFi tools.

Summary

Pi Network requires mainnet nodes to upgrade to Protocol 21.2 before the April 6 deadline.

The roadmap schedules Protocol 22.1 for April and smart contract features for the May rollout.

Pi traded near $0.174 as RSI and MACD signaled weak momentum and sellers still controlled.

The move also comes as Pi’s token trades near $0.174, far below its all-time high. At the same time, chart indicators show weak momentum as the market waits for the next stage of network changes.

Pi Network has moved from Protocol 20.2 to version 21.2 as part of its second migration phase. The Pi Core Team said all mainnet node operators must complete the upgrade before April 6 to remain connected to the network.

You might also like: Bitcoin drops $6K in 48 hours as altcoins follow lower

The update focuses on network stability and better node efficiency. It aims to help the system handle heavier traffic while keeping nodes synchronized across the mainnet.

Deadline raises pressure on node operators

The team warned that nodes that miss the April 6 deadline may lose network connection. That notice places direct pressure on node operators to update their software on time and avoid disruption.

Pi Network framed Protocol 21 as a base layer for future features rather than a full feature release. While new tools will arrive in stages, the current step prepares the network for broader functionality in later protocol versions.

According to the roadmap shared by the Pi team, Protocol 22.1 is scheduled for April 22. Protocol 23.0 is expected to follow on May 18 as the network moves toward smart contract support.

The roadmap also lists features tied to that transition, including a Pi DEX, on-chain liquidity tools, and broader support for decentralized applications. The stated goal is to improve transaction flow and expand network use cases for its user base.

Pi price holds weak tone as traders track indicators

Pi coin traded around $0.174 at the time of reporting, about 78% below its all-time high. That price level reflects a market that remains cautious even as the network moves ahead with technical upgrades.

PI price chart | Source: TradingView

Daily chart indicators showed a soft bearish setup. The RSI stood at 45.29, below both the neutral 50 mark and its moving average of 47.54, which pointed to weak momentum without oversold conditions. 

The MACD line remained below the signal line, while the negative histogram showed that sellers still held control, though downside pressure had started to ease.

Read more: Is Ethereum ready to bounce as 466K ETH hits whale wallets?
Major Volatility in Pi Network Price As Bulls Eye $0.28 With Technicals Turning Cautious Into Key...Pi Network price is stalling near $0.18 as bearish models flag a possible drop toward $0.14, even as mainnet upgrades, a DEX launch and a Consensus 2026 push aim to anchor real‑world Web3 use. Summary Pi Network’s PI token is trading around $0.18 today, down roughly 4.68% over the last 24 hours and underperforming a broader crypto market drop of about 3.56%. With PI changing hands near $0.1795 and facing a projected 23.23% downside toward $0.1384 in the next five days, technical models classify the current setup as bearish despite neutral RSI readings. The move comes as Pi Network rolls out major node and mainnet upgrades, prepares a DEX launch and secures a Consensus 2026 sponsorship, shifting the project narrative toward real‑world utility and Web3 integration. Pi Network’s PI (PI) token, the native asset of the mobile‑first smart contract and payments ecosystem, is trading at about $0.1795 today after losing 4.68% in the last 24 hours, extending a pullback from this month’s high near $0.2850. CoinCodex data shows PI underperformed the broader crypto market, which declined 3.56% over the same period, while PI also dropped 2.65% against BTC and 2.01% versus ETH, reflecting relative weakness across pairs. According to CoinLore, the first recorded exchange rate for PI on its platform was $0.7821, with a cycle low at $0.1317 in February 2026 and a historic high above $3.00, placing the current price roughly 77% below that initial print but still 36% above the February low. Functionally, PI is positioned as a layer‑1 smart contract and payments token aimed at bringing everyday users into Web3 via mobile mining, app‑layer utility and, increasingly, real‑world financial integration. Pi Network price tests $0.18 support as March upgrades meet bearish models From a technical perspective, short‑term signals are leaning defensive. CoinCodex’s March 26 update expects PI to fall to $0.138387 by April 1, 2026, implying a 23.23% decline from today’s levels and summarizing the current outlook as bearish. The same dashboard shows PI trading at $0.179471 with a 14‑day RSI of 51.09, a neutral reading that suggests neither deep oversold conditions nor overbought exhaustion, while most short‑term moving averages—from the 3‑day MA at $0.1973 to the 50‑day MA at $0.1826—are flashing sell signals. Structurally, PI remains above the 200‑day simple moving average at $0.269050, which CoinCodex interprets as a longer‑term bullish trendline despite the near‑term bearish bias in the next‑five‑days forecast. You might also like: NYSE parent invests $600M more in Polymarket The project’s fundamentals are evolving in parallel with the price chop. AInvest’s March 1 analysis notes that Pi Network is entering a critical phase in 2026, moving from experimental development to real‑world utility with infrastructure upgrades and ecosystem expansion explicitly designed to support financial integration and practical applications. CoinMarketCap’s latest Pi update details several key milestones: completion of the mainnet Protocol 20.2 upgrade on March 18, 2026, which lays the foundation for smart contract functionality; a major node upgrade roadmap targeting version 23.0 by May; and a sponsorship at Consensus 2026 in Miami, including a 20‑minute main‑stage session that will spotlight Pi and artificial intelligence alongside sponsors such as Grayscale and Google Cloud. Separately, MEXC’s February 17 report frames March 12, 2026—the activation date for Pi DEX and related liquidity infrastructure—as a “decisive” turning point for the ecosystem, emphasizing that successful execution will be treated as a confidence event by users and developers monitoring throughput, stability and engagement. These network‑level developments highlight a familiar tension between narrative and tape. On one hand, Pi Network is signaling a shift toward concrete utility—through protocol upgrades, DEX activation and high‑profile conference exposure—just as the broader market increasingly rewards projects with real‑world use cases over pure speculative hype. On the other hand, CoinCodex’s bearish near‑term projection and the dense cluster of “sell” signals across key moving averages underline the risk that, absent clear evidence of adoption and on‑chain liquidity growth, PI’s price could retest lower support closer to the $0.14 area before any durable repricing can take hold. Read more: Bitcoin and Ethereum drop as Iran raises Hormuz war risk

Major Volatility in Pi Network Price As Bulls Eye $0.28 With Technicals Turning Cautious Into Key...

Pi Network price is stalling near $0.18 as bearish models flag a possible drop toward $0.14, even as mainnet upgrades, a DEX launch and a Consensus 2026 push aim to anchor real‑world Web3 use.

Summary

Pi Network’s PI token is trading around $0.18 today, down roughly 4.68% over the last 24 hours and underperforming a broader crypto market drop of about 3.56%.

With PI changing hands near $0.1795 and facing a projected 23.23% downside toward $0.1384 in the next five days, technical models classify the current setup as bearish despite neutral RSI readings.

The move comes as Pi Network rolls out major node and mainnet upgrades, prepares a DEX launch and secures a Consensus 2026 sponsorship, shifting the project narrative toward real‑world utility and Web3 integration.

Pi Network’s PI (PI) token, the native asset of the mobile‑first smart contract and payments ecosystem, is trading at about $0.1795 today after losing 4.68% in the last 24 hours, extending a pullback from this month’s high near $0.2850.

CoinCodex data shows PI underperformed the broader crypto market, which declined 3.56% over the same period, while PI also dropped 2.65% against BTC and 2.01% versus ETH, reflecting relative weakness across pairs. According to CoinLore, the first recorded exchange rate for PI on its platform was $0.7821, with a cycle low at $0.1317 in February 2026 and a historic high above $3.00, placing the current price roughly 77% below that initial print but still 36% above the February low. Functionally, PI is positioned as a layer‑1 smart contract and payments token aimed at bringing everyday users into Web3 via mobile mining, app‑layer utility and, increasingly, real‑world financial integration.

Pi Network price tests $0.18 support as March upgrades meet bearish models

From a technical perspective, short‑term signals are leaning defensive. CoinCodex’s March 26 update expects PI to fall to $0.138387 by April 1, 2026, implying a 23.23% decline from today’s levels and summarizing the current outlook as bearish. The same dashboard shows PI trading at $0.179471 with a 14‑day RSI of 51.09, a neutral reading that suggests neither deep oversold conditions nor overbought exhaustion, while most short‑term moving averages—from the 3‑day MA at $0.1973 to the 50‑day MA at $0.1826—are flashing sell signals. Structurally, PI remains above the 200‑day simple moving average at $0.269050, which CoinCodex interprets as a longer‑term bullish trendline despite the near‑term bearish bias in the next‑five‑days forecast.

You might also like: NYSE parent invests $600M more in Polymarket

The project’s fundamentals are evolving in parallel with the price chop. AInvest’s March 1 analysis notes that Pi Network is entering a critical phase in 2026, moving from experimental development to real‑world utility with infrastructure upgrades and ecosystem expansion explicitly designed to support financial integration and practical applications. CoinMarketCap’s latest Pi update details several key milestones: completion of the mainnet Protocol 20.2 upgrade on March 18, 2026, which lays the foundation for smart contract functionality; a major node upgrade roadmap targeting version 23.0 by May; and a sponsorship at Consensus 2026 in Miami, including a 20‑minute main‑stage session that will spotlight Pi and artificial intelligence alongside sponsors such as Grayscale and Google Cloud. Separately, MEXC’s February 17 report frames March 12, 2026—the activation date for Pi DEX and related liquidity infrastructure—as a “decisive” turning point for the ecosystem, emphasizing that successful execution will be treated as a confidence event by users and developers monitoring throughput, stability and engagement.

These network‑level developments highlight a familiar tension between narrative and tape. On one hand, Pi Network is signaling a shift toward concrete utility—through protocol upgrades, DEX activation and high‑profile conference exposure—just as the broader market increasingly rewards projects with real‑world use cases over pure speculative hype. On the other hand, CoinCodex’s bearish near‑term projection and the dense cluster of “sell” signals across key moving averages underline the risk that, absent clear evidence of adoption and on‑chain liquidity growth, PI’s price could retest lower support closer to the $0.14 area before any durable repricing can take hold.

Read more: Bitcoin and Ethereum drop as Iran raises Hormuz war risk
Bitcoin Whales Add 61,568 BTC As Price Slips AgainBitcoin (BTC) remained under pressure on Friday as on-chain data showed large holders were still adding to their positions.  Summary Santiment said wallets holding 10 to 10,000 BTC added 61,568 Bitcoin over the past month. Bitcoin fell below recent highs as Bhutan-linked transfers and Middle East tensions added pressure again. Retail wallets with under 0.01 BTC kept buying, matching whale accumulation and delaying breakout signals. The move came as retail wallets also kept buying, while market sentiment stayed weak amid fresh geopolitical risk and renewed selling activity from Bhutan-linked wallets. Santiment said wallets holding between 10 and 10,000 BTC added 61,568 BTC over the past month. The firm said that amounted to a 0.45% increase in holdings, even as Bitcoin slipped to the $68,100 area during the latest pullback. You might also like: ONUS fraud case widens as Vietnam arrests key suspects The same data showed that smaller wallets did not step back. Santiment said wallets with less than 0.01 BTC added 0.42% over the same period, a pace close to the increase seen among whales and sharks. The analytics firm said large-wallet buying usually works best for price when retail investors are reducing exposure instead of matching the move. Santiment said the current setup has not yet produced a clear breakout. It stated that a stronger upward move has often appeared when larger holders keep accumulating and smaller traders stop chasing price. Bitcoin price weakens after recent rejection Bitcoin traded at $66,349 at the latest check on Friday, according to market data from the finance tool. The same data showed an intraday high of $69,789 and a daily decline of almost 5%, keeping the asset well below the $72,000 level seen earlier in the week. The recent decline has kept traders focused on whether on-chain accumulation can offset near-term selling pressure. Market watchers have tracked a pullback from the recent rebound, with price action failing to hold near the upper end of the current range. Bhutan-linked wallets added to that pressure this week. Reporting based on Arkham Intelligence data said the Royal Government of Bhutan moved 519.707 BTC worth about $36.75 million, pushing its 2026 outflows above $150 million. Middle East risk keeps sentiment fragile Geopolitical tension has also stayed in focus. Reuters reported that the Pentagon is weighing the deployment of up to 10,000 additional US ground troops to the Middle East to give President Donald Trump more military options as he considers peace talks with Tehran. That report followed earlier Reuters coverage that thousands of additional US troops were already expected to move to the region. The buildup has added another layer of caution for risk assets, including crypto, as traders monitor the chance of wider conflict around Iran. Read more: Binance fined A$10M after Australia derivatives failures Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.

Bitcoin Whales Add 61,568 BTC As Price Slips Again

Bitcoin (BTC) remained under pressure on Friday as on-chain data showed large holders were still adding to their positions. 

Summary

Santiment said wallets holding 10 to 10,000 BTC added 61,568 Bitcoin over the past month.

Bitcoin fell below recent highs as Bhutan-linked transfers and Middle East tensions added pressure again.

Retail wallets with under 0.01 BTC kept buying, matching whale accumulation and delaying breakout signals.

The move came as retail wallets also kept buying, while market sentiment stayed weak amid fresh geopolitical risk and renewed selling activity from Bhutan-linked wallets.

Santiment said wallets holding between 10 and 10,000 BTC added 61,568 BTC over the past month. The firm said that amounted to a 0.45% increase in holdings, even as Bitcoin slipped to the $68,100 area during the latest pullback.

You might also like: ONUS fraud case widens as Vietnam arrests key suspects

The same data showed that smaller wallets did not step back. Santiment said wallets with less than 0.01 BTC added 0.42% over the same period, a pace close to the increase seen among whales and sharks. The analytics firm said large-wallet buying usually works best for price when retail investors are reducing exposure instead of matching the move.

Santiment said the current setup has not yet produced a clear breakout. It stated that a stronger upward move has often appeared when larger holders keep accumulating and smaller traders stop chasing price.

Bitcoin price weakens after recent rejection

Bitcoin traded at $66,349 at the latest check on Friday, according to market data from the finance tool. The same data showed an intraday high of $69,789 and a daily decline of almost 5%, keeping the asset well below the $72,000 level seen earlier in the week.

The recent decline has kept traders focused on whether on-chain accumulation can offset near-term selling pressure. Market watchers have tracked a pullback from the recent rebound, with price action failing to hold near the upper end of the current range.

Bhutan-linked wallets added to that pressure this week. Reporting based on Arkham Intelligence data said the Royal Government of Bhutan moved 519.707 BTC worth about $36.75 million, pushing its 2026 outflows above $150 million.

Middle East risk keeps sentiment fragile

Geopolitical tension has also stayed in focus. Reuters reported that the Pentagon is weighing the deployment of up to 10,000 additional US ground troops to the Middle East to give President Donald Trump more military options as he considers peace talks with Tehran.

That report followed earlier Reuters coverage that thousands of additional US troops were already expected to move to the region. The buildup has added another layer of caution for risk assets, including crypto, as traders monitor the chance of wider conflict around Iran.

Read more: Binance fined A$10M after Australia derivatives failures

Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.
Tether Taps KPMG for First Full USDT Audit Ahead of US PushTether has moved closer to a full financial review of USDT as it prepares for wider regulatory scrutiny in the United States.  Summary Tether hired KPMG for its first full USDT audit and engaged PwC to prepare systems. The audit would review assets, liabilities, and controls beyond the reserve attestations issued since 2022. Tether’s audit push comes as it weighs US expansion and a possible major equity raise. The step follows a report that the company hired KPMG for its first full audit and brought in PwC to help organize its internal systems ahead of that process. The Financial Times reported on Friday that Tether hired KPMG to conduct its first full audit of USDT’s financial statements. The report also said Tether brought in PwC to help prepare its internal controls and reporting systems before the audit begins. You might also like: Anthropic wins court pause on Pentagon Claude ban The reported move came days after Tether said it had engaged a Big Four accounting firm for its first full financial statement audit, though it did not name the firm. Until now, Tether has relied on periodic reserve attestations from BDO Italia instead of a full audit. Audit expands beyond reserve snapshots A full audit would go further than reserve attestations. It would review Tether’s assets, liabilities, and internal controls across the company’s balance sheet rather than only checking reserve positions at specific points in time. Tether has described the planned review as “the biggest ever inaugural audit in the history of financial markets.” The company said it selected the Big Four firm through a competitive process and added that it already operates at Big Four “audit standards.” However, it has not given a public deadline for the audit’s completion. Moreover, the audit effort comes as Tether looks at expansion in the United States under the federal stablecoin framework created by the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins, or GENIUS, Act. A full audit could help the company support its position as it enters a stricter regulatory environment. USDT remains the largest stablecoin by market value. CoinGecko data places about $185 billion of USDT in circulation. Tether said in January that it held more than $122 billion in direct US Treasury securities and about $141 billion in total Treasury exposure, including overnight reverse repurchase agreements and similar instruments. Funding plans and past legal cases remain in focus Tether’s audit plans also come as the company weighs a possible equity raise. Bloomberg reported in September 2025 that Tether had explored raising up to $20 billion at a $500 billion valuation. Chief executive Paolo Ardoino later disputed that such a figure had been agreed, though he kept the company’s $500 billion valuation target tied to its profits. The company also continues to face attention over past claims about reserves. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission fined Tether $41 million over what the regulator described as “untrue or misleading statements” about reserve backing.  In a separate matter, Tether agreed to an $18.5 million settlement with the New York Attorney General over claims that it hid losses and misled investors about USDT’s backing. Read more: Maxine Waters seeks details on Kraken Fed account approval

Tether Taps KPMG for First Full USDT Audit Ahead of US Push

Tether has moved closer to a full financial review of USDT as it prepares for wider regulatory scrutiny in the United States. 

Summary

Tether hired KPMG for its first full USDT audit and engaged PwC to prepare systems.

The audit would review assets, liabilities, and controls beyond the reserve attestations issued since 2022.

Tether’s audit push comes as it weighs US expansion and a possible major equity raise.

The step follows a report that the company hired KPMG for its first full audit and brought in PwC to help organize its internal systems ahead of that process.

The Financial Times reported on Friday that Tether hired KPMG to conduct its first full audit of USDT’s financial statements. The report also said Tether brought in PwC to help prepare its internal controls and reporting systems before the audit begins.

You might also like: Anthropic wins court pause on Pentagon Claude ban

The reported move came days after Tether said it had engaged a Big Four accounting firm for its first full financial statement audit, though it did not name the firm. Until now, Tether has relied on periodic reserve attestations from BDO Italia instead of a full audit.

Audit expands beyond reserve snapshots

A full audit would go further than reserve attestations. It would review Tether’s assets, liabilities, and internal controls across the company’s balance sheet rather than only checking reserve positions at specific points in time.

Tether has described the planned review as “the biggest ever inaugural audit in the history of financial markets.” The company said it selected the Big Four firm through a competitive process and added that it already operates at Big Four “audit standards.” However, it has not given a public deadline for the audit’s completion.

Moreover, the audit effort comes as Tether looks at expansion in the United States under the federal stablecoin framework created by the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins, or GENIUS, Act. A full audit could help the company support its position as it enters a stricter regulatory environment.

USDT remains the largest stablecoin by market value. CoinGecko data places about $185 billion of USDT in circulation. Tether said in January that it held more than $122 billion in direct US Treasury securities and about $141 billion in total Treasury exposure, including overnight reverse repurchase agreements and similar instruments.

Funding plans and past legal cases remain in focus

Tether’s audit plans also come as the company weighs a possible equity raise. Bloomberg reported in September 2025 that Tether had explored raising up to $20 billion at a $500 billion valuation. Chief executive Paolo Ardoino later disputed that such a figure had been agreed, though he kept the company’s $500 billion valuation target tied to its profits.

The company also continues to face attention over past claims about reserves. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission fined Tether $41 million over what the regulator described as “untrue or misleading statements” about reserve backing. 

In a separate matter, Tether agreed to an $18.5 million settlement with the New York Attorney General over claims that it hid losses and misled investors about USDT’s backing.

Read more: Maxine Waters seeks details on Kraken Fed account approval
Nvidia Investor Class Cleared in Crypto Revenue SuitNvidia now faces a certified investor class in a long-running securities case tied to the 2017-2018 crypto mining boom.  Summary Judge certified investors as a class in Nvidia’s lawsuit over crypto-linked gaming revenue disclosures today. Nvidia faces claims it misled shareholders about mining-driven GPU sales during the 2017 boom period. The case now moves forward after courts let investors pursue the securities claims together formally. A California federal judge ruled on March 25 that shareholders who bought Nvidia stock during a defined period can pursue their claims together, while the case moves into its next stage. US District Judge Haywood S. Gilliam Jr. certified a class covering investors who acquired Nvidia common stock from August 10, 2017, through November 15, 2018. The ruling focused on whether the alleged statements may have affected Nvidia’s share price, which is a key issue in class certification. You might also like: Circle unfreezes one wallet after controversial USDC freeze The order does not decide whether Nvidia or Chief Executive Jensen Huang committed fraud. It allows investors to press the case together instead of filing separate lawsuits. Case centers on crypto mining revenue claims Investors allege that Nvidia and Huang misled the market about how much gaming revenue came from GPU sales tied to cryptocurrency miners. Current reporting says the plaintiffs claim Nvidia concealed more than $1 billion in crypto-related GPU sales during that period. The complaint links the case to two market reactions in 2018. Court filings cited in the Supreme Court record say Nvidia stock fell 4.9% after the company’s August 16, 2018 earnings update, and then dropped 28.5% over two trading days after its November 15, 2018 revenue warning. Moreover, the dispute has already survived several legal tests. In December 2024, the US Supreme Court dismissed Nvidia’s appeal and left in place a lower court ruling that allowed the shareholder suit to continue. The case also follows Nvidia’s 2022 settlement with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. The SEC said Nvidia failed to give investors proper disclosure about the effect of cryptomining on its gaming business, and the company agreed to a cease-and-desist order and a $5.5 million penalty without admitting or denying the findings. Nvidia prepares for the next stage Nvidia has continued to reject the claims. After the Supreme Court decision in 2024, a company spokesperson said Nvidia was “fully prepared to continue our defense,” while maintaining that clear standards in securities litigation matter for shareholders and the market. The court has scheduled a case conference for April 21, 2026, as the lawsuit moves forward after class certification. With that step complete, the case now shifts from the fight over procedure to the evidence that investors and Nvidia will present in court. Read more: Here’s why the crypto market is going down today

Nvidia Investor Class Cleared in Crypto Revenue Suit

Nvidia now faces a certified investor class in a long-running securities case tied to the 2017-2018 crypto mining boom. 

Summary

Judge certified investors as a class in Nvidia’s lawsuit over crypto-linked gaming revenue disclosures today.

Nvidia faces claims it misled shareholders about mining-driven GPU sales during the 2017 boom period.

The case now moves forward after courts let investors pursue the securities claims together formally.

A California federal judge ruled on March 25 that shareholders who bought Nvidia stock during a defined period can pursue their claims together, while the case moves into its next stage.

US District Judge Haywood S. Gilliam Jr. certified a class covering investors who acquired Nvidia common stock from August 10, 2017, through November 15, 2018. The ruling focused on whether the alleged statements may have affected Nvidia’s share price, which is a key issue in class certification.

You might also like: Circle unfreezes one wallet after controversial USDC freeze

The order does not decide whether Nvidia or Chief Executive Jensen Huang committed fraud. It allows investors to press the case together instead of filing separate lawsuits.

Case centers on crypto mining revenue claims

Investors allege that Nvidia and Huang misled the market about how much gaming revenue came from GPU sales tied to cryptocurrency miners. Current reporting says the plaintiffs claim Nvidia concealed more than $1 billion in crypto-related GPU sales during that period.

The complaint links the case to two market reactions in 2018. Court filings cited in the Supreme Court record say Nvidia stock fell 4.9% after the company’s August 16, 2018 earnings update, and then dropped 28.5% over two trading days after its November 15, 2018 revenue warning.

Moreover, the dispute has already survived several legal tests. In December 2024, the US Supreme Court dismissed Nvidia’s appeal and left in place a lower court ruling that allowed the shareholder suit to continue.

The case also follows Nvidia’s 2022 settlement with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. The SEC said Nvidia failed to give investors proper disclosure about the effect of cryptomining on its gaming business, and the company agreed to a cease-and-desist order and a $5.5 million penalty without admitting or denying the findings.

Nvidia prepares for the next stage

Nvidia has continued to reject the claims. After the Supreme Court decision in 2024, a company spokesperson said Nvidia was “fully prepared to continue our defense,” while maintaining that clear standards in securities litigation matter for shareholders and the market.

The court has scheduled a case conference for April 21, 2026, as the lawsuit moves forward after class certification. With that step complete, the case now shifts from the fight over procedure to the evidence that investors and Nvidia will present in court.

Read more: Here’s why the crypto market is going down today
CoinShares Says Part of Bitcoin Fleet Is UnprofitableBitcoin mining margins remain under pressure as lower revenue and higher operating costs narrow the list of viable operators.  Summary CoinShares said falling hashprice has pushed part of the Bitcoin mining fleet below profitability levels. Older mining machines face the most pressure as electricity costs rise above sustainable operating thresholds. Bitcoin difficulty dropped sharply in March, offering some relief while miner margins remained under pressure. A new CoinShares report says part of the global mining fleet now sits below profitability, with older machines and higher power costs facing the most pressure. CoinShares said Q4 2025 was the hardest quarter for Bitcoin miners since the April 2024 halving. The firm said lower Bitcoin prices and near-record network hashrate pushed hashprice to five-year lows and lifted the weighted average cash cost to produce one Bitcoin among listed miners to about $79,995 in Q4 2025. You might also like: Bo Shen reopens $42M crypto hack cxase with recovery bounty The report said hashprice dropped further to about $29 per PH/s/day in Q1 2026. CoinShares added that current mining economics do not support a broad hardware refresh cycle, as weaker returns continue to pressure balance sheets and daily cash flow across the sector. Older machines and higher power costs face the most pressure CoinShares said the current revenue level makes several machine models unworkable at common power rates. The report stated that any miner running hardware below an S19 XP at electricity costs of 6 cents per kilowatt-hour or more is losing money at a hashprice near $30 per PH/s/day. The firm estimated that this group accounts for about 15% to 20% of the global Bitcoin mining fleet. That places the current squeeze on operators with older fleets, weaker efficiency, or less favorable power agreements, while larger miners with newer hardware and cheaper energy retain more room to operate. Moreover, hashrate Index said USD hashprice rose 4.9% in the week to March 23, reaching $33.65 per PH/s/day from $32.08. Even so, the same report said that at about $33 per PH/s/day, hashprice remains at or below breakeven for many miners depending on machine type and operating costs. The network has already started to reflect that strain. Hashrate Index said Bitcoin’s latest difficulty adjustment on March 20 cut difficulty by 7.76% to 133.79 trillion, reducing the work needed to mine a block and giving some relief to miners that stayed online. CoinShares sees more stress if Bitcoin stays below key levels CoinShares head of research James Butterfill said,  “If prices were to stay below US$80k for the remainder of the year, we forecast the hashprice to continue to fall.”  He added that in that scenario, “the hashprice would more likely flatline” as miners switch off unprofitable rigs and network hashrate falls. CoinShares also said higher-cost miners may face more capitulation in the first half of 2026 unless Bitcoin recovers. The report said the sector is moving toward operators with structural advantages, including low-cost power, better machine efficiency, and the ability to shift part of their business toward AI and data center services. Read more: Coinbase challenges Senate compromise on stablecoin rewards

CoinShares Says Part of Bitcoin Fleet Is Unprofitable

Bitcoin mining margins remain under pressure as lower revenue and higher operating costs narrow the list of viable operators. 

Summary

CoinShares said falling hashprice has pushed part of the Bitcoin mining fleet below profitability levels.

Older mining machines face the most pressure as electricity costs rise above sustainable operating thresholds.

Bitcoin difficulty dropped sharply in March, offering some relief while miner margins remained under pressure.

A new CoinShares report says part of the global mining fleet now sits below profitability, with older machines and higher power costs facing the most pressure.

CoinShares said Q4 2025 was the hardest quarter for Bitcoin miners since the April 2024 halving. The firm said lower Bitcoin prices and near-record network hashrate pushed hashprice to five-year lows and lifted the weighted average cash cost to produce one Bitcoin among listed miners to about $79,995 in Q4 2025.

You might also like: Bo Shen reopens $42M crypto hack cxase with recovery bounty

The report said hashprice dropped further to about $29 per PH/s/day in Q1 2026. CoinShares added that current mining economics do not support a broad hardware refresh cycle, as weaker returns continue to pressure balance sheets and daily cash flow across the sector.

Older machines and higher power costs face the most pressure

CoinShares said the current revenue level makes several machine models unworkable at common power rates. The report stated that any miner running hardware below an S19 XP at electricity costs of 6 cents per kilowatt-hour or more is losing money at a hashprice near $30 per PH/s/day.

The firm estimated that this group accounts for about 15% to 20% of the global Bitcoin mining fleet. That places the current squeeze on operators with older fleets, weaker efficiency, or less favorable power agreements, while larger miners with newer hardware and cheaper energy retain more room to operate.

Moreover, hashrate Index said USD hashprice rose 4.9% in the week to March 23, reaching $33.65 per PH/s/day from $32.08. Even so, the same report said that at about $33 per PH/s/day, hashprice remains at or below breakeven for many miners depending on machine type and operating costs.

The network has already started to reflect that strain. Hashrate Index said Bitcoin’s latest difficulty adjustment on March 20 cut difficulty by 7.76% to 133.79 trillion, reducing the work needed to mine a block and giving some relief to miners that stayed online.

CoinShares sees more stress if Bitcoin stays below key levels

CoinShares head of research James Butterfill said, 

“If prices were to stay below US$80k for the remainder of the year, we forecast the hashprice to continue to fall.” 

He added that in that scenario, “the hashprice would more likely flatline” as miners switch off unprofitable rigs and network hashrate falls.

CoinShares also said higher-cost miners may face more capitulation in the first half of 2026 unless Bitcoin recovers. The report said the sector is moving toward operators with structural advantages, including low-cost power, better machine efficiency, and the ability to shift part of their business toward AI and data center services.

Read more: Coinbase challenges Senate compromise on stablecoin rewards
Bitcoin Depot Taps Ex MoneyGram Chief As CEO During ProbeBitcoin Depot has named former MoneyGram chief executive Alex Holmes as its new chief executive as the crypto ATM operator faces growing pressure from US regulators.  Summary Bitcoin Depot appoints Alex Holmes as CEO after Scott Buchanan exits within three months. Multiple US states accuse Bitcoin Depot of excessive fees scam exposure and weak compliance controls. Company cuts revenue outlook as regulatory pressure and enforcement actions weigh on crypto ATM operations. The leadership change comes as several states step up action against crypto kiosk companies over scam losses, fees, and compliance controls. Bitcoin Depot said on Tuesday that Scott Buchanan stepped down as chief executive effective immediately after less than three months in the role. In a regulatory filing, the company said his resignation ”was not due [to] a disagreement.” You might also like: UK moves to freeze crypto donations in politics The company appointed Alex Holmes, who already served on the board, as chief executive and chair. Holmes spent 16 years at MoneyGram in senior roles, including chief financial officer and chief executive, where compliance and regulated payments were central parts of the business. He said, ”As I step into the role, my priorities are operational stability, regulatory progress, and accelerating the Company’s evolution into a more diversified fintech platform.” State actions add pressure The management change arrived as Bitcoin Depot faces action in several states. In Connecticut, the state banking regulator suspended the company’s money transmission license and issued a temporary cease-and-desist order on March 9, citing alleged violations that included excessive fees, weak compliance, and incomplete refunds to scam victims. Massachusetts also sued Bitcoin Depot in February. State officials alleged the company overcharged consumers, failed to take proper steps against scam activity, and refused some refunds. Maine and Missouri also took action earlier this year, while Iowa sued Bitcoin Depot and CoinFlip in 2025 over claims that scammers moved millions of dollars through their kiosks. Bitcoin Depot also said founder Brandon Mintz moved from executive chair to a non-executive board role and will serve as an adviser to Holmes. The company is now trying to steady operations while its compliance position remains under review in several markets. Earlier this month, Bitcoin Depot cut its 2026 outlook and said revenue could fall 30% to 40% because of what it called a ”dynamic regulatory environment.” Shares closed Wednesday at $2.62, down 6.6% for the day, though the stock rose after hours. The company’s shares are down sharply from their June 2024 peak. Crypto ATM scrutiny keeps rising Regulators across the US have increased attention on crypto ATMs as fraud cases grow. Industry reports and state enforcement actions have tied the machines to scam complaints, especially cases involving older consumers and high fees. That backdrop makes Holmes’ compliance record a central part of Bitcoin Depot’s next phase. The company now faces pressure to improve controls while protecting its position in the crypto ATM market. Read more: Can Ondo price reclaim $0.50 as it confirms bullish reversal pattern?

Bitcoin Depot Taps Ex MoneyGram Chief As CEO During Probe

Bitcoin Depot has named former MoneyGram chief executive Alex Holmes as its new chief executive as the crypto ATM operator faces growing pressure from US regulators. 

Summary

Bitcoin Depot appoints Alex Holmes as CEO after Scott Buchanan exits within three months.

Multiple US states accuse Bitcoin Depot of excessive fees scam exposure and weak compliance controls.

Company cuts revenue outlook as regulatory pressure and enforcement actions weigh on crypto ATM operations.

The leadership change comes as several states step up action against crypto kiosk companies over scam losses, fees, and compliance controls.

Bitcoin Depot said on Tuesday that Scott Buchanan stepped down as chief executive effective immediately after less than three months in the role. In a regulatory filing, the company said his resignation ”was not due [to] a disagreement.”

You might also like: UK moves to freeze crypto donations in politics

The company appointed Alex Holmes, who already served on the board, as chief executive and chair. Holmes spent 16 years at MoneyGram in senior roles, including chief financial officer and chief executive, where compliance and regulated payments were central parts of the business. He said,

”As I step into the role, my priorities are operational stability, regulatory progress, and accelerating the Company’s evolution into a more diversified fintech platform.”

State actions add pressure

The management change arrived as Bitcoin Depot faces action in several states. In Connecticut, the state banking regulator suspended the company’s money transmission license and issued a temporary cease-and-desist order on March 9, citing alleged violations that included excessive fees, weak compliance, and incomplete refunds to scam victims.

Massachusetts also sued Bitcoin Depot in February. State officials alleged the company overcharged consumers, failed to take proper steps against scam activity, and refused some refunds. Maine and Missouri also took action earlier this year, while Iowa sued Bitcoin Depot and CoinFlip in 2025 over claims that scammers moved millions of dollars through their kiosks.

Bitcoin Depot also said founder Brandon Mintz moved from executive chair to a non-executive board role and will serve as an adviser to Holmes. The company is now trying to steady operations while its compliance position remains under review in several markets.

Earlier this month, Bitcoin Depot cut its 2026 outlook and said revenue could fall 30% to 40% because of what it called a ”dynamic regulatory environment.” Shares closed Wednesday at $2.62, down 6.6% for the day, though the stock rose after hours. The company’s shares are down sharply from their June 2024 peak.

Crypto ATM scrutiny keeps rising

Regulators across the US have increased attention on crypto ATMs as fraud cases grow. Industry reports and state enforcement actions have tied the machines to scam complaints, especially cases involving older consumers and high fees.

That backdrop makes Holmes’ compliance record a central part of Bitcoin Depot’s next phase. The company now faces pressure to improve controls while protecting its position in the crypto ATM market.

Read more: Can Ondo price reclaim $0.50 as it confirms bullish reversal pattern?
Pi Coin Price Risks More Losses As Supply Pressure Builds FurtherPi Network’s (PI) token stayed under $0.20 on Wednesday after several days of sideways trading, while the broader crypto market remained under pressure.  Summary PI stayed below $0.20 as weak market sentiment and fading momentum limited short-term recovery efforts. About 154.2 million PI tokens may enter circulation in 30 days, adding fresh supply pressure. Consensus 2026 exposure boosted visibility, but traders stayed focused on unlocks, momentum, and broader weakness. PI has dropped about 37% from its recent peak near $0.29 to around $0.18, even as the project continued to post updates around its ecosystem and future events. The current setup shows that price pressure may continue in the coming weeks if supply rises faster than demand and market sentiment stays weak. The wider crypto market has entered a cautious phase, and that has limited support for many altcoins. Bitcoin has fallen about 4% over the past seven days after failing to hold levels above $72,000, while Ether, Solana, and XRP have also moved in a narrow range. You might also like: Stellar’s XLM price climbs 7% as traders rotate into payment coins – can it go higher? That backdrop has affected Pi Coin as well. Tension between the United States and Iran has added another layer of uncertainty, and traders have remained careful even as reports pointed to possible diplomatic talks. In such conditions, risk assets often struggle to attract strong buying interest. Token Unlocks Could Add Fresh Selling Pressure Another factor that may weigh on PI is the upcoming token release schedule. Around 154.2 million tokens are expected to enter circulation over the next 30 days, which equals about 5.1 million tokens per day. Source: PiScan A rise in circulating supply can pressure price when buyer demand does not grow at the same pace. Large unlock events have often triggered short-term volatility in other crypto projects, and PI may face the same risk if holders decide to sell part of the newly available supply. In addition, PI posted a strong move in mid-March, but that rally lost pace quickly. Since then, the token has traded sideways and remained below the $0.20 mark, which shows that buyers have not fully regained control. The pullback from $0.29 to about $0.18 also points to weaker short-term momentum. Mainnet-related optimism has not been enough to reverse that trend so far, and that may keep traders focused on downside risks instead of recovery. Conference Exposure May Not Change Near-Term Price Action Pi Network has also drawn attention after securing a sponsorship role at Consensus 2026 in Miami, which will run from May 5 to May 7. Supporters of the project viewed the development as a positive step, and one X user said the event includes a 20-minute main-stage session focused on PI and artificial intelligence. Still, event visibility does not always lead to immediate price support. Last year, Pi Network also appeared as a Gold Sponsor at TOKEN2049 in Singapore, yet sponsorship activity alone did not remove market pressure. For now, traders appear more focused on supply, momentum, and market conditions than on conference exposure. Read more: Zcash price pushes above $235 on privacy rotation and $25m ZODL funding round Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.

Pi Coin Price Risks More Losses As Supply Pressure Builds Further

Pi Network’s (PI) token stayed under $0.20 on Wednesday after several days of sideways trading, while the broader crypto market remained under pressure. 

Summary

PI stayed below $0.20 as weak market sentiment and fading momentum limited short-term recovery efforts.

About 154.2 million PI tokens may enter circulation in 30 days, adding fresh supply pressure.

Consensus 2026 exposure boosted visibility, but traders stayed focused on unlocks, momentum, and broader weakness.

PI has dropped about 37% from its recent peak near $0.29 to around $0.18, even as the project continued to post updates around its ecosystem and future events. The current setup shows that price pressure may continue in the coming weeks if supply rises faster than demand and market sentiment stays weak.

The wider crypto market has entered a cautious phase, and that has limited support for many altcoins. Bitcoin has fallen about 4% over the past seven days after failing to hold levels above $72,000, while Ether, Solana, and XRP have also moved in a narrow range.

You might also like: Stellar’s XLM price climbs 7% as traders rotate into payment coins – can it go higher?

That backdrop has affected Pi Coin as well. Tension between the United States and Iran has added another layer of uncertainty, and traders have remained careful even as reports pointed to possible diplomatic talks. In such conditions, risk assets often struggle to attract strong buying interest.

Token Unlocks Could Add Fresh Selling Pressure

Another factor that may weigh on PI is the upcoming token release schedule. Around 154.2 million tokens are expected to enter circulation over the next 30 days, which equals about 5.1 million tokens per day.

Source: PiScan

A rise in circulating supply can pressure price when buyer demand does not grow at the same pace. Large unlock events have often triggered short-term volatility in other crypto projects, and PI may face the same risk if holders decide to sell part of the newly available supply.

In addition, PI posted a strong move in mid-March, but that rally lost pace quickly. Since then, the token has traded sideways and remained below the $0.20 mark, which shows that buyers have not fully regained control.

The pullback from $0.29 to about $0.18 also points to weaker short-term momentum. Mainnet-related optimism has not been enough to reverse that trend so far, and that may keep traders focused on downside risks instead of recovery.

Conference Exposure May Not Change Near-Term Price Action

Pi Network has also drawn attention after securing a sponsorship role at Consensus 2026 in Miami, which will run from May 5 to May 7. Supporters of the project viewed the development as a positive step, and one X user said the event includes a 20-minute main-stage session focused on PI and artificial intelligence.

Still, event visibility does not always lead to immediate price support. Last year, Pi Network also appeared as a Gold Sponsor at TOKEN2049 in Singapore, yet sponsorship activity alone did not remove market pressure. For now, traders appear more focused on supply, momentum, and market conditions than on conference exposure.

Read more: Zcash price pushes above $235 on privacy rotation and $25m ZODL funding round

Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.
US–Iran Tensions Trigger Wild Swings in Oil and Crypto As Quantitative Strategies Emerge As Safe ...Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only. US-Iran tensions rattle markets as oil plunges 13% and Bitcoin rebounds above $71,000. Summary US–Iran tensions rise after Trump ultimatum, shaking global markets with sharp volatility. Strike delay announcement triggers swings: oil drops 13% while Bitcoin rebounds to $71.4k amid uncertainty. Conflux Capital promotes a crypto arbitrage platform with rewards, security features, and a global user base. In March 2026, tensions between the US and Iran escalated again, with Trump issuing a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran, causing severe shockwaves in global financial markets.  Yesterday, Trump announced a five-day delay in the strike against Iran, triggering a rollercoaster ride with crude oil prices plummeting 13% and Bitcoin surging back to $71,400. Iran quickly denied rumors of negotiations, and geopolitical tensions remain high.  Data shows that in just one hour after the threat was issued last week, cryptocurrency futures contracts saw a staggering $247 million in liquidations, with over 90% of these being long positions placed at inflated prices. On the brink of war and peace, the odds of betting on the direction of the market based on subjective judgment are approaching zero. Against this backdrop, traditional “buy and hold” strategies appear ineffective in the face of wild price swings. Quantitative trading, with its unemotional and 24/7 operation, has become a “Noah’s Ark” for navigating bull and bear markets. Conflux Capital is a leading platform in this field. Platform Introduction Founded in 2023 and headquartered in London, UK, Conflux Capital holds a valid UK operating license. The platform focuses on providing users with professional digital asset value enhancement services using advanced trading strategies, intelligent algorithms, and cryptocurrency arbitrage solutions. It enjoys the trust of over 3 million users in more than 195 countries and regions worldwide. Conflux Capital’s Advantages and Highlights at a Glance Real-time Arbitrage Strategy Tracking Easily view strategy progress and daily returns through a simple and intuitive interface, managing your investments anytime. Comprehensive Security Upgrade Utilizing top-tier security protection from McAfee® and Cloudflare®, providing comprehensive protection for your digital assets. Register and Receive Rewards New users receive a $20 reward upon registration, and an additional $0.80 for daily logins. Supports Multiple Cryptocurrency Settlements Major digital assets, including XRP, DOGE, SOL, BTC, ETH, LTC, USDC, USDT, BNB, and BCH. Flexible Strategy Options From one-day strategies with $20 to long-term investments, various options cater to different budgets and goals.  Stable and Reliable, 24/7 Operation The platform system maintains 100% stable operation, with 24/7 technical support ensuring uninterrupted returns. Three easy steps to start your arbitrage journey Step 1: Quick Registration Register using an email address. New users receive a $20 bonus upon registration, and an additional $0.80 daily login reward. Step 2: Choose the Right Strategy Package Choose a quantitative strategy package that suits a particular budget and investment goals. Step 3: Start Earning Passive Income Begin earning continuous returns with Conflux Capital once a strategy is selected. The company offers a variety of quantitative strategy packages to meet the budgets and investment goals of different users, helping users easily start their arbitrage journey. Strategy Name unit price Days Total Revenue Starter Strategy $100 2 days $100+$6 Basic Strategy $600 5 days $600+$45 Advanced Strategies $5,000 15 days $5,000+$1,215 Elite Strategy $25,000 25 days $25,000+$11,250 Quantum Strategy $90,000 20 days $90,000+$36,000 Infinite Strategy $200,000 25 days $200,000+$110,000 After purchasing a strategy package, earnings will be automatically credited to an account the following day. When the account balance reaches $100, users can choose to: Withdraw to a designated cryptocurrency wallet, or continue purchasing strategy packages to earn more earnings. Partner program Enjoy up to 3% + 1.5% lifetime commission (3% for Level 1, 1.5% for Level 2), with no initial investment required, and earn up to an extra $20,000 in rewards each month. Real-world user case studies Case 1: Olivia, 31, from Austin, a marketing manager and single mother, is usually too busy with work to monitor her investments. She invested her $5,000 year-end bonus in a stable arbitrage strategy, checking the returns daily during her commute to save for her child’s education. Case 2: Klaus, 61, from Stuttgart, a retired teacher with traditional values, tried investing €17,000 on his children’s recommendation. He likes the app’s clear interface, which clearly shows daily returns, feeling it’s like a “digital piggy bank.” Whether Trump’s next tweet ignites war or heralds peace, whether oil prices surge to $120 or plummet back to $70, whether Bitcoin breaks through previous highs or retraces to support, Conflux Capital’s quantitative models will operate stably around the clock, transforming market uncertainty into predictable and stable returns. Join Conflux Capital, and in turbulent times, be the one who remains calm and collected.  For more information, visit the official website or download the app. Read more: Siren price rallies over 125% to $2.34, is a reversal coming? 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.

US–Iran Tensions Trigger Wild Swings in Oil and Crypto As Quantitative Strategies Emerge As Safe ...

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

US-Iran tensions rattle markets as oil plunges 13% and Bitcoin rebounds above $71,000.

Summary

US–Iran tensions rise after Trump ultimatum, shaking global markets with sharp volatility.

Strike delay announcement triggers swings: oil drops 13% while Bitcoin rebounds to $71.4k amid uncertainty.

Conflux Capital promotes a crypto arbitrage platform with rewards, security features, and a global user base.

In March 2026, tensions between the US and Iran escalated again, with Trump issuing a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran, causing severe shockwaves in global financial markets. 

Yesterday, Trump announced a five-day delay in the strike against Iran, triggering a rollercoaster ride with crude oil prices plummeting 13% and Bitcoin surging back to $71,400. Iran quickly denied rumors of negotiations, and geopolitical tensions remain high. 

Data shows that in just one hour after the threat was issued last week, cryptocurrency futures contracts saw a staggering $247 million in liquidations, with over 90% of these being long positions placed at inflated prices. On the brink of war and peace, the odds of betting on the direction of the market based on subjective judgment are approaching zero.

Against this backdrop, traditional “buy and hold” strategies appear ineffective in the face of wild price swings. Quantitative trading, with its unemotional and 24/7 operation, has become a “Noah’s Ark” for navigating bull and bear markets. Conflux Capital is a leading platform in this field.

Platform Introduction

Founded in 2023 and headquartered in London, UK, Conflux Capital holds a valid UK operating license. The platform focuses on providing users with professional digital asset value enhancement services using advanced trading strategies, intelligent algorithms, and cryptocurrency arbitrage solutions. It enjoys the trust of over 3 million users in more than 195 countries and regions worldwide.

Conflux Capital’s Advantages and Highlights at a Glance

Real-time Arbitrage Strategy Tracking

Easily view strategy progress and daily returns through a simple and intuitive interface, managing your investments anytime.

Comprehensive Security Upgrade

Utilizing top-tier security protection from McAfee® and Cloudflare®, providing comprehensive protection for your digital assets.

Register and Receive Rewards

New users receive a $20 reward upon registration, and an additional $0.80 for daily logins.

Supports Multiple Cryptocurrency Settlements

Major digital assets, including XRP, DOGE, SOL, BTC, ETH, LTC, USDC, USDT, BNB, and BCH.

Flexible Strategy Options

From one-day strategies with $20 to long-term investments, various options cater to different budgets and goals. 

Stable and Reliable, 24/7 Operation

The platform system maintains 100% stable operation, with 24/7 technical support ensuring uninterrupted returns.

Three easy steps to start your arbitrage journey

Step 1: Quick Registration

Register using an email address.

New users receive a $20 bonus upon registration, and an additional $0.80 daily login reward.

Step 2: Choose the Right Strategy Package

Choose a quantitative strategy package that suits a particular budget and investment goals.

Step 3: Start Earning Passive Income

Begin earning continuous returns with Conflux Capital once a strategy is selected.

The company offers a variety of quantitative strategy packages to meet the budgets and investment goals of different users, helping users easily start their arbitrage journey.

Strategy Name unit price Days Total Revenue Starter Strategy $100 2 days $100+$6 Basic Strategy $600 5 days $600+$45 Advanced Strategies $5,000 15 days $5,000+$1,215 Elite Strategy $25,000 25 days $25,000+$11,250 Quantum Strategy $90,000 20 days $90,000+$36,000 Infinite Strategy $200,000 25 days $200,000+$110,000

After purchasing a strategy package, earnings will be automatically credited to an account the following day.

When the account balance reaches $100, users can choose to: Withdraw to a designated cryptocurrency wallet, or continue purchasing strategy packages to earn more earnings.

Partner program

Enjoy up to 3% + 1.5% lifetime commission (3% for Level 1, 1.5% for Level 2), with no initial investment required, and earn up to an extra $20,000 in rewards each month.

Real-world user case studies

Case 1: Olivia, 31, from Austin, a marketing manager and single mother, is usually too busy with work to monitor her investments. She invested her $5,000 year-end bonus in a stable arbitrage strategy, checking the returns daily during her commute to save for her child’s education.

Case 2: Klaus, 61, from Stuttgart, a retired teacher with traditional values, tried investing €17,000 on his children’s recommendation. He likes the app’s clear interface, which clearly shows daily returns, feeling it’s like a “digital piggy bank.”

Whether Trump’s next tweet ignites war or heralds peace, whether oil prices surge to $120 or plummet back to $70, whether Bitcoin breaks through previous highs or retraces to support, Conflux Capital’s quantitative models will operate stably around the clock, transforming market uncertainty into predictable and stable returns.

Join Conflux Capital, and in turbulent times, be the one who remains calm and collected.

 For more information, visit the official website or download the app.

Read more: Siren price rallies over 125% to $2.34, is a reversal coming?

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.
Balancer Labs Shuts Down After Hack and Revenue StrainBalancer Labs is preparing to shut down as the team behind the DeFi protocol moves to cut costs after months of financial strain. The plan would leave the protocol running under a leaner structure led by the Balancer Foundation and the DAO while the corporate entity winds down. Summary Balancer Labs will shut down as the protocol shifts toward DAO and foundation management. The November hack and falling TVL increased financial pressure across the Balancer ecosystem. Executives want lower costs, zero BAL emissions, and more revenue flowing to the DAO. Balancer co-founder Fernando Martinelli said he had decided to wind down Balancer Labs after reviewing the project’s position. He said the company had become a “liability rather than an asset to the protocol” and linked that decision to legal exposure tied to the November 2025 exploit. Balancer Labs chief executive Marcus Hardt also said the business was spending too much to attract liquidity compared with the revenue the protocol was generating. He said that approach came with dilution for BAL token holders and could not continue in its current form. You might also like: Aave community rallies behind V4 Ethereum deployment Hack and liquidity drop increased pressure Balancer was one of the better-known DeFi protocols during the 2020 and 2021 market cycle. Its total value locked reached about $3.3 billion in November 2021 before falling sharply over the following years. The pressure increased after the November 2025 exploit, which reports said totaled more than $100 million. Balancer’s TVL had already dropped to about $800 million by October 2025, then fell by another $500 million in thetwo weeks after the hack. Recent reporting placed the protocol’s TVL near $158 million. Furthermore, Hardt and Martinelli said they want the Balancer Foundation and the DAO to guide the protocol from here. Their plan calls for a lean continuation model with lower operating costs and fewer people involved in day-to-day work. Martinelli also backed changes to tokenomics and treasury flow. Those include cutting BAL emissions to zero and adjusting fees so the DAO can keep more of the revenue generated by the protocol. DAO members have been asked to vote on proposals tied to the restructuring and BAL token design. Protocol revenue remains part of the case Even with the current pressure, Martinelli said Balancer is still producing revenue. He said the protocol brought in more than $1 million over the past three months and described it as a working system weighed down by weak economics and a heavy cost base. That position now forms the core of the restructuring push. The protocol is expected to continue operating, but under a smaller and less expensive setup built around the DAO and foundation rather than Balancer Labs. Read more: Circle presses EU to open market access for stablecoins

Balancer Labs Shuts Down After Hack and Revenue Strain

Balancer Labs is preparing to shut down as the team behind the DeFi protocol moves to cut costs after months of financial strain. The plan would leave the protocol running under a leaner structure led by the Balancer Foundation and the DAO while the corporate entity winds down.

Summary

Balancer Labs will shut down as the protocol shifts toward DAO and foundation management.

The November hack and falling TVL increased financial pressure across the Balancer ecosystem.

Executives want lower costs, zero BAL emissions, and more revenue flowing to the DAO.

Balancer co-founder Fernando Martinelli said he had decided to wind down Balancer Labs after reviewing the project’s position. He said the company had become a “liability rather than an asset to the protocol” and linked that decision to legal exposure tied to the November 2025 exploit.

Balancer Labs chief executive Marcus Hardt also said the business was spending too much to attract liquidity compared with the revenue the protocol was generating. He said that approach came with dilution for BAL token holders and could not continue in its current form.

You might also like: Aave community rallies behind V4 Ethereum deployment

Hack and liquidity drop increased pressure

Balancer was one of the better-known DeFi protocols during the 2020 and 2021 market cycle. Its total value locked reached about $3.3 billion in November 2021 before falling sharply over the following years.

The pressure increased after the November 2025 exploit, which reports said totaled more than $100 million. Balancer’s TVL had already dropped to about $800 million by October 2025, then fell by another $500 million in thetwo weeks after the hack. Recent reporting placed the protocol’s TVL near $158 million.

Furthermore, Hardt and Martinelli said they want the Balancer Foundation and the DAO to guide the protocol from here. Their plan calls for a lean continuation model with lower operating costs and fewer people involved in day-to-day work.

Martinelli also backed changes to tokenomics and treasury flow. Those include cutting BAL emissions to zero and adjusting fees so the DAO can keep more of the revenue generated by the protocol. DAO members have been asked to vote on proposals tied to the restructuring and BAL token design.

Protocol revenue remains part of the case

Even with the current pressure, Martinelli said Balancer is still producing revenue. He said the protocol brought in more than $1 million over the past three months and described it as a working system weighed down by weak economics and a heavy cost base.

That position now forms the core of the restructuring push. The protocol is expected to continue operating, but under a smaller and less expensive setup built around the DAO and foundation rather than Balancer Labs.

Read more: Circle presses EU to open market access for stablecoins
TRON DAO Targets Agentic Economy With $1B AI FundTRON DAO has expanded its artificial intelligence fund from $100 million to $1 billion as it pushes deeper into infrastructure for the agentic economy. The new plan targets early-stage startups and acquisitions in areas linked to AI-driven payments, digital identity, tokenized assets, and financial software for autonomous systems. Summary TRON DAO raised its AI fund to $1 billion for agentic economy infrastructure investments. The fund targets identity systems, stablecoin rails, RWA, and autonomous finance developer tooling. TRON says its network scale and USDT activity support future AI-driven payment systems. TRON DAO said the larger fund will support companies building core tools for AI-based economic activity. The investment focus includes agent identity systems, stablecoin payment rails, tokenized real-world assets, and developer tools for autonomous finance. The group said the move builds on ideas it set out in 2023. Those ideas include stablecoins serving as a payment layer for AI agents and tokenized equity becoming part of digital ownership models. You might also like: Australia’s Hostplus weighs crypto access for members Agentic AI payments draw wider blockchain interest The fund expansion comes as more blockchain groups move toward AI-linked payment systems. TRON joins a wider push across the sector as networks and payment firms test infrastructure for machine-led commerce and autonomous transactions. Ethereum has also moved into this field, but with a different approach. In September 2025, the Ethereum Foundation launched its dAI Team and said it wants Ethereum to become the ”preferred settlement and coordination layer” for AI agents and the machine economy. Moreover, TRON said its network is built to support this market because of its large user base and stablecoin activity. Public figures linked to the announcement said the blockchain has more than 370 million user accounts and more than $85 billion in circulating USDT. The announcement also pointed to heavy transaction flow across the network. TRON said daily transaction volume is above $21 billion, a figure it used to support its case for handling AI-led payments at scale. Fund comes as payment protocols gain attention Interest in agentic payments has increased in recent months as new protocols and wallet tools enter the market. Research from Artemis said x402 has become a popular option among developers building this type of payment flow. TRON’s larger fund places it more directly in that race. The latest move shows the group wants a stronger role in the infrastructure layer behind AI payments and tokenized financial systems. Read more: Former SEC enforcement chief clashed over Trump cases

TRON DAO Targets Agentic Economy With $1B AI Fund

TRON DAO has expanded its artificial intelligence fund from $100 million to $1 billion as it pushes deeper into infrastructure for the agentic economy. The new plan targets early-stage startups and acquisitions in areas linked to AI-driven payments, digital identity, tokenized assets, and financial software for autonomous systems.

Summary

TRON DAO raised its AI fund to $1 billion for agentic economy infrastructure investments.

The fund targets identity systems, stablecoin rails, RWA, and autonomous finance developer tooling.

TRON says its network scale and USDT activity support future AI-driven payment systems.

TRON DAO said the larger fund will support companies building core tools for AI-based economic activity. The investment focus includes agent identity systems, stablecoin payment rails, tokenized real-world assets, and developer tools for autonomous finance.

The group said the move builds on ideas it set out in 2023. Those ideas include stablecoins serving as a payment layer for AI agents and tokenized equity becoming part of digital ownership models.

You might also like: Australia’s Hostplus weighs crypto access for members

Agentic AI payments draw wider blockchain interest

The fund expansion comes as more blockchain groups move toward AI-linked payment systems. TRON joins a wider push across the sector as networks and payment firms test infrastructure for machine-led commerce and autonomous transactions.

Ethereum has also moved into this field, but with a different approach. In September 2025, the Ethereum Foundation launched its dAI Team and said it wants Ethereum to become the ”preferred settlement and coordination layer” for AI agents and the machine economy.

Moreover, TRON said its network is built to support this market because of its large user base and stablecoin activity. Public figures linked to the announcement said the blockchain has more than 370 million user accounts and more than $85 billion in circulating USDT.

The announcement also pointed to heavy transaction flow across the network. TRON said daily transaction volume is above $21 billion, a figure it used to support its case for handling AI-led payments at scale.

Fund comes as payment protocols gain attention

Interest in agentic payments has increased in recent months as new protocols and wallet tools enter the market. Research from Artemis said x402 has become a popular option among developers building this type of payment flow.

TRON’s larger fund places it more directly in that race. The latest move shows the group wants a stronger role in the infrastructure layer behind AI payments and tokenized financial systems.

Read more: Former SEC enforcement chief clashed over Trump cases
CoinShares Report: Fed Fallout Slows Crypto ETP Inflows to $230 MillionCrypto 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. You might also like: Strategy expands BTC holdings despite market pullback 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

CoinShares Report: Fed Fallout Slows Crypto ETP Inflows to $230 Million

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.

You might also like: Strategy expands BTC holdings despite market pullback

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 Reveals Bitcoin’s Defensive Options Market Amid Price DeclineVanEck, 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. You might also like: Wave of crypto layoffs in 2026: Macro headwinds or AI shift? 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

VanEck Reveals Bitcoin’s Defensive Options Market Amid Price Decline

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.

You might also like: Wave of crypto layoffs in 2026: Macro headwinds or AI shift?

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
Wave of Crypto Layoffs in 2026: Macro Headwinds or AI Shift?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. You might also like: Gemini cuts workforce, closes international operations 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. Read more: Brazil shelves crypto tax consultation, focus shifts to election

Wave of Crypto Layoffs in 2026: Macro Headwinds or AI Shift?

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.

You might also like: Gemini cuts workforce, closes international operations

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.

Read more: Brazil shelves crypto tax consultation, focus shifts to election
Stablecoin Crash: How a $100K Attack Devalued Resolv USRA 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. You might also like: CFTC clears path for crypto in derivatives: What you need to know 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

Stablecoin Crash: How a $100K Attack Devalued Resolv USR

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.

You might also like: CFTC clears path for crypto in derivatives: What you need to know

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 Faces 14-day Shutdown in Nevada Over Gambling LawsKalshi, 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. You might also like: CoinDCX’s founders under fire in $75K fraud case: Details 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.” Read more: Hawk Tuah girl breaks silence: Memecoin crash leads to death threats

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.

You might also like: CoinDCX’s founders under fire in $75K fraud case: Details

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.”

Read more: Hawk Tuah girl breaks silence: Memecoin crash leads to death threats
Grayscale Joins Race to Launch Hyperliquid ETFGrayscale 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. You might also like: Kiyosaki sees Bitcoin at $750k, Ethereum at $95k in post-crash world 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

Grayscale Joins Race to Launch Hyperliquid ETF

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.

You might also like: Kiyosaki sees Bitcoin at $750k, Ethereum at $95k in post-crash world

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 Looks Like a Busted Growth Story, Not a Safe Bet, Where Will Price Go?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. You might also like: Bhutan has sold over $110m in Bitcoin as sovereign stack drops 65% 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. Read more: Zcash price pulls back to key trendline support, is a bounce still likely?

Pi Network’s PI Token Looks Like a Busted Growth Story, Not a Safe Bet, Where Will Price Go?

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.

You might also like: Bhutan has sold over $110m in Bitcoin as sovereign stack drops 65%

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.

Read more: Zcash price pulls back to key trendline support, is a bounce still likely?
JPMorgan Sees S&P 500 Vulnerable As Brent Tops $110JPMorgan 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. You might also like: AINext Conference Las Vegas 2026: Where Artificial Intelligence meets business transformation​ “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

JPMorgan Sees S&P 500 Vulnerable As Brent Tops $110

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.

You might also like: AINext Conference Las Vegas 2026: Where Artificial Intelligence meets business transformation​

“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 Bucks Crypto Market Crash As Major Mainnet Upgrade Fuels HypePi 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. You might also like: Why is crypto market crashing today? (March 19) 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. Read more: Can XRP price recover above $1.60 as a bullish reversal pattern forms? Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.

Pi Network Bucks Crypto Market Crash As Major Mainnet Upgrade Fuels Hype

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.

You might also like: Why is crypto market crashing today? (March 19)

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.

Read more: Can XRP price recover above $1.60 as a bullish reversal pattern forms?

Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.
Login to explore more contents
Explore the latest crypto news
⚡️ Be a part of the latests discussions in crypto
💬 Interact with your favorite creators
👍 Enjoy content that interests you
Email / Phone number
Sitemap
Cookie Preferences
Platform T&Cs