The first month of spring will see major token unlocks, important updates, and other events that will affect the digital asset market.
Lisovo hard fork on the Polygon network
The Lisovo update will be activated on the Polygon mainnet before block 83,756,500, tentatively on March 4.
The update will introduce a fee subsidy mechanism for automatic transactions between programs and services on the network. It will also improve compatibility with smart contracts, which should simplify the operation of applications.
Lisovo is part of Polygon's strategy to increase network throughput to 100,000 transactions per second and develop infrastructure for services using artificial intelligence technologies.
ENA and HYPE token unlocks
On March 5, 2026, the Ethena project will carry out a planned unlock of approximately 171.9 million ENA tokens. This amount represents approximately 2.24% of the current volume of tokens in circulation.
On March 6, the Hyperliquid network is expected to unlock approximately 9.9 million HYPE tokens at once, according to the vesting schedule. This amount corresponds to approximately 2.72% of the already issued token supply. This is a cliff unlock, a format in which tokens become available simultaneously rather than gradually. The unlock is provided for in the initial HYPE distribution model.
Emissions reduction at Polkadot
On March 14, the Polkadot network is expected to reduce its annual DOT token issuance. As stated in the materials on the project's official forum, the volume of new issuance will decrease from approximately 120 million to about 55 million DOT per year.
This change is provided for by the updated economic model, previously approved by the network community. It introduces a limit on the total supply of 2.1 billion DOT and involves a gradual reduction in the rate of new token issuance.
Dash and the launch of the Evolution Chain mainnet ( $DASH )
In March 2026, the Dash project plans to launch the Evolution Chain mainnet, an updated version of the network infrastructure that expands the capabilities of the core Dash blockchain.
Evolution Chain is designed to support new types of operations and applications beyond traditional payments. The team has also announced plans to integrate secure transaction technologies based on Orchard mechanisms from the Zcash project. This will allow for the partial use of improved privacy methods within the Evolution network.
The launch of Evolution Chain is seen as a step towards a more flexible and functional ecosystem that can support not only transfers but also additional services within the Dash network.
Launch of Midnight sidechain in the Cardano ecosystem ( $ADA )
The launch of the Midnight mainnet, a sidechain in the Cardano ecosystem, is scheduled for March. The project is developing as a separate chain running parallel to the ADA mainnet.
The network is focused on conducting private transactions using zero-knowledge proof technology. Midnight is built on its own protocol and is designed to process transactions and data that require a high level of confidentiality.
Launch of the main network of the Aster platform ( $ASTER )
In March, the Aster perpetual contract trading exchange plans to launch the main Aster Chain network. This is the project's own blockchain, which is set to replace the previous multi-chain model and become the basic infrastructure for the platform's operation.
After the transition to the Aster Chain mainnet, transactions will be processed within Aster's own network rather than through third-party blockchains. The project is positioning the launch as a transition to full-fledged operation on its own architecture and an expansion of the platform's functionality.
DC Blockchain Summit in Washington
From March 17 to 18, 2026, Washington will host the DC Blockchain Summit, an annual conference dedicated to the regulation and development of the digital asset market in the United States.
Speakers include Paul Atkins, Chairman of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Hester Peirce, SEC Commissioner, and Michael Selig, Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. The event's agenda includes issues related to the regulation of cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, and the development of the blockchain industry.
Important US macroeconomic data
On March 11, the US will publish inflation data, including the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and core CPI.
On March 18, the US Federal Reserve will hold a meeting on the key interest rate.
These events traditionally affect global risk markets, including cryptocurrencies. Higher inflation may reinforce expectations of tight monetary policy and pressure on risk assets. Signals of policy easing, on the other hand, typically support demand for Bitcoin and altcoins through increased risk appetite and liquidity inflows.