Crypto World
CFTC Launches Sweeping Review of Prediction Markets
The agency issued an advance rulemaking notice and a staff advisory encouraging innovation.
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) on Thursday issued a pair of actions signaling its intent to build a comprehensive regulatory framework for prediction markets, an industry that has exploded in popularity over the past year.
The agency published an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) seeking public comment on how existing derivatives law should apply to prediction markets, alongside a staff advisory from the Division of Market Oversight offering guidance to exchanges that list event contracts.
The moves come as the CFTC faces a surge of interest from would-be prediction market operators. Applications for designation as a contract market have more than doubled over the past year, largely from entities looking to run prediction markets exclusively, the agency said.
The CFTC’s regulatory push arrives amid a period of unprecedented growth for the sector. Open interest across crypto prediction markets surpassed $1 billion for the first time in February, fueled by Super Bowl-related activity. Spot volume hit a record $1.4 billion on Super Bowl Sunday alone, with Kalshi generating $800 million and Polymarket about $311 million.
Monthly volumes across on-chain prediction markets jumped to more than $27 billion in February from under $100 million in early 2024.
The industry has also attracted heavyweight backing. Intercontinental Exchange, the owner of the New York Stock Exchange, invested $2 billion in Polymarket, while Kalshi raised $300 million, deals that have helped transform prediction markets from a niche crypto experiment into a mainstream trading category.
Fresh Start
The ANPRM effectively opens a new chapter for prediction market regulation. In February 2026, the Commission withdrew a set of proposed rules from 2024 that would have further specified which event contracts are contrary to the public interest, a legal standard that gives the CFTC authority to ban certain types of contracts. The withdrawal cited ongoing state regulatory actions and litigation over the agency’s jurisdiction.
Rather than re-propose those rules, the Commission is now casting a wider net, posing 40 detailed questions to the public on topics ranging from manipulation risks and margin trading to the treatment of blockchain-based prediction markets and the role of inside information.
The staff advisory struck a pro-innovation tone, describing prediction markets as “a proven source of reliable information for news media, sports leagues, financial institutions, and everyday Americans.”
The advisory focused heavily on sports-related event contracts, urging exchanges to engage with professional sports leagues and their integrity units when designing contracts. Staff flagged heightened concerns about manipulation in contracts that settle based on the actions of a single individual, such as a referee or a player, rather than on aggregate outcomes over extended periods of play.
The advisory also reminded exchanges of existing anti-manipulation and insider trading rules, noting that misappropriation of confidential information already constitutes a violation under CFTC regulations.
Key Questions
Among the most consequential issues raised in the ANPRM is whether prediction markets should be allowed to offer margin trading. Currently, event contracts are fully collateralized. The Commission asked for input on how initial margin should be calculated, whether daily variation margin should be required, and what additional disclosures retail customers would need.
The ANPRM also probes the boundaries of the “gaming” category, one of five activities that can trigger a public interest ban on event contracts. The Commission asked whether gaming is synonymous with gambling, whether sports competitions should be treated differently from award shows, and whether the demographics of prediction market participants should factor into its analysis.
On blockchain-based prediction markets, the Commission asked whether existing rules present unique challenges or advantages and which areas would benefit from tailored guidance, a question with direct implications for platforms like Polymarket that operate on decentralized infrastructure.
This article was written with the assistance of AI workflows. All our stories are curated, edited and fact-checked by a human.
A group of Democratic senators say they will oversee a reported Justice Department investigation into possible Iran-related sanctions violations on the crypto exchange Binance.
Senators Chris Van Hollen, Elizabeth Warren and Ruben Gallego said in a joint statement on Thursday that they “will conduct oversight to ensure the Department of Justice conducts a serious investigation into Binance and holds the company accountable for any wrongdoing.”
The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter, that the Justice Department was investigating Iran’s possible use of Binance to evade sanctions.
“Binance has an established track record of putting profits ahead of the law,” the senators said, adding that the report raised “serious concerns that the firm is again violating US sanctions laws, recklessly helping bankroll the activities of terrorist groups connected to Iran.”
Binance did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but a company spokesperson previously told Cointelegraph it was “not aware of any investigations. But as always, we are collaborating with regulators and law enforcement to investigate the facts.”
The senators said that last month, they asked US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate Binance over concerns about the movement of Iran-linked funds.
Binance filed defamation suit against WSJ
Binance sued the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday, claiming a report it published on Feb. 23 was defamatory.
The report said that Binance fired staff who flagged $1 billion worth of crypto tied to sanctioned Iranian entities, including Yemen’s Houthis and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Binance denied that it had stopped any investigation and said the Wall Street Journal’s report was false.
Related: Binance claims ‘full and complete legal victory‘ in Alabama court
Binance had pleaded guilty in November 2023 to violating US anti-money-laundering and sanctions laws, paying a record $4.3 billion fine and agreeing to operate under US oversight.
Former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao pleaded guilty to a money laundering-related charge and was sentenced to four months in jail in 2024.
US President Donald Trump pardoned Zhao in October.
Magazine: Clarity Act risks repeat of Europe’s mistakes, crypto lawyer warns
Bitcoin held firm near $71,000 on Friday, extending a quiet stretch of consolidation that has kept the crypto market largely unmoved by turbulence in global equities.
BTC traded around $71,300 in early trading, up roughly 2.6% over the past 24 hours and slightly higher on the week. Ether changed hands near $2,117, gaining about 4.6% on the day, while Solana’s SOL climbed more than 5%. XRP rose to $1.41 and BNB hovered around $661, both posting modest daily gains.
The broader crypto market capitalization sat near $2.4 trillion for a third straight session, reflecting a market that has been stuck in a tight band since the sharp sell-off in late January.
That stability stands out against a much shakier backdrop in traditional markets. Asian stocks slipped earlier Friday and the S&P 500 has struggled this week as oil prices surged toward $100 per barrel amid geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and supply disruptions.
Yet crypto markets appear to be largely ignoring those pressures for now.
“Bitcoin is feeling more confident at levels near $70K, settling at the upper limit of the consolidation range of the last four weeks,” said Alex Kuptsikevich, chief market analyst at FxPro. “It is difficult for Bitcoin to grow amid a strengthening dollar and falling stock indices.”
“But the very fact that it is holding steady against this backdrop supports hopes for a fundamental change in sentiment compared to previous months, when almost any news was a reason to sell BTC.”
Data from analytics firm Glassnode suggests the current phase is more stabilization than breakout. The firm noted that while some on-chain metrics are improving, a sustained bull run would likely require a fresh influx of capital rather than continued rotation among existing holders.
The relative calm may also reflect a broader shift in how institutions view the asset.
“Indeed, Bitcoin is in its transition phase as a financial tool,” said Dom Harz, co-founder of BOB. “Institutions want more than exposure to Bitcoin and are increasingly looking for the infrastructure designed to unlock Bitcoin’s financial utility.”
Harz pointed to the growing push toward Bitcoin-native financial infrastructure — often referred to as Bitcoin DeFi — that allows institutions to build lending, payments and yield products directly on top of Bitcoin’s security layer.
“This Bitcoin-native financial architecture is at the centre of Bitcoin DeFi,” Harz said. “As the macro backdrop continues to challenge legacy asset classes, the advantages of a financial system built on Bitcoin DeFi become clear.”
For now, price action suggests traders remain comfortable keeping bitcoin inside its recent $60,000–$72,000 corridor. Until a clear macro catalyst or wave of new capital arrives, the market appears content to consolidate near the upper end of that range rather than chase a breakout.
The team behind the Solana-based memecoin launch platform Bonk.fun warned users to avoid its website after hackers reportedly compromised the domain and deployed a malicious wallet drainer, with at least one trader claiming losses of $273,000 after connecting their wallet.
Summary
- The Bonk.fun domain was reportedly compromised and used to deploy a malicious wallet drainer.
- The team says only users who signed a fake approval message after the breach were affected.
- Some users reported significant losses, including one trader claiming a $273,000 wallet drain.
Bonk.fun domain hack triggers wallet drainer
In a statement posted on social media, the Bonk.fun account said a “malicious actor” had taken control of the platform’s domain and urged users not to interact with the website until the issue is resolved.
“A malicious actor has compromised the BONKfun domain, do not interact with the website until we have secured everything,” the platform said.
Tom, an operator associated with Bonk.fun, also warned that hackers had hijacked a team account and placed a crypto drainer directly on the site’s domain. The attacker allegedly used the compromised domain to prompt users to sign a fraudulent approval message disguised as a terms-of-service request.
According to Tom, only users who signed the fake message after the compromise were affected.
“If you connected to Bonk.fun in the past you’re not affected,” Tom wrote, adding that users trading Bonk.fun tokens through external trading terminals were also safe.
He said the team quickly detected the incident and spread warnings across social media, which helped limit losses.
Despite the response, some users reported significant losses. One user claimed on X that they lost their entire wallet after connecting to the site.
“I just got drained for $273,000 on Bonk.fun,” the user wrote, adding that their wallet was left “bone dry” after connecting.
The team said it is working to secure the domain and investigate the incident, stressing that protecting users remains its top priority.
The attack highlights a recurring security risk in the crypto sector, where compromised websites are often used to trick users into signing malicious transactions that grant attackers access to their funds.
Security researchers at Ledger have discovered a major flaw in some Android smartphone chips that lets an attacker siphon encrypted user data like passwords and private keys in a matter of seconds using just a USB connection.
Summary
- Ledger’s Donjon security team discovered a vulnerability in MediaTek and Trustonic TEE chips that could allow attackers to extract encrypted data from Android phones in under 45 seconds.
- The exploit bypasses the secure boot chain before Android loads, allowing attackers to recover the device PIN, decrypt storage and extract seed phrases from popular wallets.
The vulnerability was first spotted in January by Ledger’s internal security research team, Donjon, Ledger Chief Technology Officer Charles Guillemet wrote in a recent X post.
According to Guillemet, the vulnerability affected smartphones powered by MediaTek and Trustonic’s TEE processors.
MediaTek has since issued a security patch to fix the issue; users who have not installed the latest security updates on their devices may still remain at risk.
White hat hackers were able to penetrate a smartphone from manufacturer Nothing, notably the company’s CMF 1 phone, in under 45 seconds using a laptop.
“Without ever even booting into Android, the exploit automatically recovered the phone’s PIN, decrypted its storage, and extracted the seed phrases from the most popular software wallets,” Guillemet said.
This puts software wallets like Trust Wallet, Base, Kraken Wallet, Rabby, Tangem’s mobile wallet, and Phantom at risk, as the seed phrases and other sensitive credentials are stored locally on the device.
In their report, researchers noted that the vulnerability allowed attackers with physical access to bypass the phone’s security protections through the secure boot chain, which is a core startup process that runs at the highest privilege level before the operating system loads. Subsequently, the attacker can recover the device’s PIN, decrypt its storage, and extract the information.
“This has the potential to affect millions of Android smartphones,” Guillemet added.
Estimates suggest nearly 36 million people manage digital assets on their smartphones, which means that if attackers manage to exploit a vulnerability, it could put a large number of wallets at risk.
Guillemet advised using devices with dedicated secure elements that are built for key protection and can safeguard sensitive data even under physical attack.
The Ledger team also detailed a separate attack it tested on MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processors (MT6878) in December, where the team used electromagnetic fault injection to disrupt the chip’s boot process. It allowed them to bypass security checks and ultimately gain full control over the smartphone at the highest privilege level.
As covered by crypto.news on several occasions, crypto users have been targeted across multiple platforms, including iOS, macOS, and Windows.
While Android devices are often easier to compromise due to Google’s more open ecosystem and flexible app distribution model, Apple’s iOS devices have also developed unique attack vectors that target users through malicious frameworks embedded inside otherwise legitimate apps.
For instance, last year, security researchers discovered a malicious app that infiltrated both iOS and Android devices by requesting file access and subsequently scanning device storage to extract wallet data. Although not as technically severe in nature as hardware-level exploits, the scheme still managed to steal more than $1.8 million in cryptocurrency.
Around the same time, Kaspersky flagged a malware campaign that spread through malicious software development kits embedded in seemingly harmless apps.
There is a growing risk that a looming crisis in the private credit market, fueled by rising redemptions and defaults, could spill over into Bitcoin (BTC) and crypto markets, according to analysts.
Key takeaways:
-
The $2 trillion private credit sector faces a crisis from defaults, redemptions, and limited oversight.
-
A liquidity crunch may force investors to sell readily accessible assets, like Bitcoin, first.
-
Historical crises show Fed interventions often lead to strong Bitcoin price rallies as a hedge against money supply expansion.
The private credit ticking time bomb?
The private credit sector, the non-bank lending sector that has grown to over $2 trillion from $500 billion in the past five years, is flashing warning signs of an impending crisis.
Fueled by low rates and investor hunger for high yields, it now rivals traditional banks but lacks the same oversight.
Related: Will Bitcoin crash if oil prices hit $100 per barrel?
In 2024, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned that the private credit sector “warranted closer watch,” adding:
“Rapid growth of this opaque and highly interconnected segment of the financial system could heighten financial vulnerabilities given its limited oversight.”
Now, the private credit market shows cracks that threaten triggering a financial crisis.
BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, with over $10 trillion under management, limited withdrawals from its $26 billion flagship credit funds, reported Bloomberg.
Blue Owl Capital halted redemptions amid software sector woes from AI disruptions, while UBS warns of default rates hitting 15% in worst-case scenarios.
On Wednesday, Reuters reported that JPMorgan restricted lending to its private credit funds while Morgan Stanley and Cliffwater Private Credit Fund joined the growing list of asset managers under distress.
”Bond King” Jeffrey Gundlach, founder at Double Line said that the private credit fund of funds in 2026 closely mirrors CDO-squared in early 2007, before the 2008 global financial crisis.
“Financial repression is incoming,” market analyst MartyParty said in an X post on Thursday, attributing the problems to the sector’s rapid growth in the face of ‘increasing scrutiny’ over liquidity during periods of investor outflows.
“Either the Fed injects liquidity, or we go into crisis.”
Global conflict and macroeconomic uncertainties exacerbate this, potentially delaying Fed easing while putting pressure on equities and the Bitcoin price.
As Cointelegraph reported, futures markets are pricing less than a 1% chance of Fed rate cuts at the March 18 FOMC meeting.
Liquidity crunch could crash Bitcoin price, at first
While the withdrawal limitations directly affect the private credit market, the implications extend far beyond traditional finance.
Withdrawal limits are a “big deal for crypto,” crypto investor Paul Barron said in a recent post on X, adding:
“When giants like Blackrock lock the gates on private funds, it signals a ‘liquidity crunch.’ Investors stuck in private credit might sell their ‘liquid’ assets (Bitcoin/ETH) to raise cash elsewhere.”
This means that if investors cannot access funds from illiquid private credit portfolios, they may turn to assets that can be sold instantly in public markets.
Bitcoin, which trades 24/7, often serves as the first pressure valve. Its price dropped sharply by 50% in March 2020 as the market priced in the COVID-19 crisis.
But this usually forces government interventions: emergency liquidity injections and rate cuts, aimed at averting systemic collapse.
In 2020, Fed actions post-crash fueled Bitcoin’s surge to its previous all-time high of $69,000 by year-end from $4,400, a 1,400% rally.
Similarly, during the March 2023 banking turmoil, Bitcoin initially sold off on contagion fears, then rallied more than 200% as markets priced in a Fed pause on rate hikes.
This suggests that a private credit breakdown might ultimately result in the further expansion of the money supply, sending BTC price to new highs.
As Cointelegraph reported, BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes will wait untill until the Fed loosens its monetary policy before buying any more Bitcoin. BTC price will then rise to $250,000, he predicted.
This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision. While we strive to provide accurate and timely information, Cointelegraph does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information in this article. This article may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Cointelegraph will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your reliance on this information.
Looking for the best altcoins to buy amid the ongoing Iran-US war volatility? This article highlights some of the top coins to buy for big gains as the war goes on and as many tokens become bargains.
Summary
- Hyperliquid is a top altcoin to buy because of its strong fundamentals.
- Pi Network will be listed on Kraken this Friday.
- Chainlink is the biggest oracle network in the crypto industry.
Hyperliquid
Hyperliquid (HYPE) has become one of the top beneficiaries of the ongoing war in Iran because of its perpetual oil futures product. This product has made it possible for people to trade crude oil during the weekend when most of the developments are happening.
Data shows that the volume in Hyperliquid has jumped this month. According to DeFi Llama, the network has processed perpetual futures contracts worth over $178 billion in the last 30 days. That amount is higher than that of Aster, Lighter, and TradeXYZ, combined.
The benefit of all this is that Hyperliquid’s fees have continued rising, which, in turn, has led to more token burns and buybacks.
Technicals suggest that the HYPE price has more upside to go. It has already moved above the upper side of the falling wedge pattern. It also jumped above the 50-day and 100-day moving averages, pointing to more gains.
Pi Network
Pi Network (PI) is another top crypto to buy today. It has already jumped by over 80% from its lowest point this year and has numerous catalysts that may drive it higher in the coming weeks.
Kraken has already confirmed that it will list it on Friday. This listing is important as it will make it available in the United States for the first time. More exchanges may also decide to list it as it has become a top 50 coin.
The coin may continue rising because of the upcoming Pi Day event on Saturday and the ongoing network upgrades. Also, the developers are working on launching a KYC-as-a-Service solution. It is also becoming a top player in the artificial intelligence industry through its partnership with OpenMind.
Chainlink
Chainlink (LINK) is a top altcoin to buy for long-term gains because of it substantial market share in the oracle industry. It has a total value secured of over $50 billion, much higher than other oracles like RedStone and Pyth.
Chainlink is also a major player in the fast-growing real-world asset tokenization industry. It has large partnerships with companies like JPMorgan, Swift, ANZ Bank, and DTCC.
The Grayscale and Bitwise Chainlink ETFs have also accumulated $93 milion in inflows despite the ongoing crypto bear market.
There are other quality altcoins worth buying that will do well once a bull market starts. Some of the other notable ones are Ethereum, Solana, XRP, and Internet Computer.
PUMP price edged higher on Thursday as traders speculated about the project’s potential expansion beyond its current ecosystem.
Summary
- PUMP price rose as speculation around Pump.fun’s potential multi-chain expansion grew.
- Trading activity increased while the token held support near $0.002.
- Technical indicators show a volatility squeeze, suggesting a breakout could be approaching.
At press time, Pump.fun (PUMP) was trading at $0.00206, up about 4% in the past 24 hours. Over the past week, the token has traded between $0.001848 and $0.002108, keeping it near the top of its recent range.
The token has gained around 9% over the past month as buyers attempt a recovery. Even so, PUMP remains roughly 78% below its September 2025 all-time high.
Market activity has picked up alongside the price move. 24-hour trading volume reached about $111.1 million, a 32.4% increase from the previous day.
According to CoinGlass data, derivatives activity has also climbed, with futures volume rising 29% to $242 million while open interest increased 3.52% to $177 million. When both metrics rise together, it usually shows that traders are opening new positions rather than closing existing ones.
Multi-chain expansion rumors drive interest
Signs that Pump.fun may be getting ready to expand outside of Solana are largely responsible for the project’s recent surge in interest.
The platform recently registered a number of new subdomains linked to other networks, such as Ethereum, BNB Chain, Base, and Monad, according to observers. The move is often seen as early infrastructure work before launching services on additional chains.
At the same time, the project’s official social media profile removed its “Solana” location tag, adding to speculation that a broader rollout could be coming.
🚨JUST IN: https://t.co/VS31GZ3dMY has registered subdomains for Base, BSC, Monad and Ethereum, suggesting a possible move beyond Solana, while also removing Solana as its location from its X profile, adding to speculation of a crosschain expansion. pic.twitter.com/kpScjK7xDz
— SolanaFloor (@SolanaFloor) March 11, 2026
A new development has also emerged through a recent partnership with MoonPay, which allows users to fund Pump.fun accounts with assets held on different blockchains. Deposits from networks like Bitcoin, Polygon, and Arbitrum are possible with this integration.
The process is handled in the background by MoonPay, which automatically converts the assets and routes them to the platform.
Pump.fun itself continues to operate on the Solana network, and the team has not officially announced a full multi-chain expansion. Even so, the integration has sparked speculation that meme coin creation and trading on the platform could eventually extend beyond the Solana ecosystem.
If that direction is taken, the platform could gain access to larger liquidity pools from other networks. A rise in user activity and trading volume would likely increase the platform’s revenue.
In the past, those funds have been used for PUMP buybacks, token burns, and investments aimed at developing the ecosystem. However, some critics warn that multi-chain expansion could fragment liquidity. Memecoins listed on the platform may experience more volatility as a result.
PUMP price technical analysis
PUMP appears to be entering a volatility squeeze, which often precedes a large price movement. Following the recent period of consolidation, the Bollinger Bands have begun to contract, indicating a decrease in volatility.
When the bands narrow in this way, markets often react with a sharp move once price breaks out of the range. Several recent candles have formed near the $0.002 support area, where the token is currently trading. Buyers have stepped in around that level during the latest pullbacks.
Momentum also shows some improvement. The relative strength index has climbed back toward the 50 midpoint, indicating that selling pressure has started to ease after the earlier decline.
On shorter timeframes, the price structure is beginning to form higher lows. This pattern sometimes appears when a market starts to stabilize after a period of weakness.
For now, the next level traders are watching sits around $0.0022–$0.0023, which aligns with the upper Bollinger Band. A move above that area could confirm a volatility breakout.
If the breakout holds, the market may enter a new expansion phase. However, if resistance holds, the token could continue to move sideways around the $0.002 level while traders wait for clearer direction.
A crypto user has lost millions during a crypto swap on the decentralized finance protocol Aave, with a Maximal Extractable Value, or MEV, bot also front-running the transaction to make almost $10 million.
A recently funded wallet from Binance containing $50.4 million USDt (USDT) executed a swap via decentralized exchange aggregator CoW Protocol and the SushiSwap DEX on Thursday, aiming to convert the full amount into the Aave (AAVE) token.
However, the wallet only received 327 AAVE tokens valued at approximately $36,000, according to Etherscan.
The result was an almost total loss as the user paid around $154,000 per AAVE, compared to its market price of around $114.
Adding to the loss was a MEV bot that did a “sandwich attack” on the user. MEV bots scan pending blockchain transactions, and in this case, targeted the large incoming AAVE order to inflate the price of the token ahead of the order to profit.
The bot front-ran the transaction by flash-borrowing $29 million wrapped Ether (ETH) tokens from Morpho to drive up the price of AAVE ahead of the user’s transaction with a purchase on Bancor. It then sold the inflated tokens on SushiSwap for a $9.9 million profit.
User ignored slippage warnings: Aave
Automated market makers, such as SushiSwap, use an automated pricing formula that adjusts slippage, the intended and actual price of a trade, depending on the size of the trading pool and impending trades.
Aave founder Stani Kulechov posted to X that the protocol interface warned the user about the “extraordinary slippage” due to the “unusually large size of the single order.”
“The user confirmed the warning on their mobile device and proceeded with the swap, accepting the high slippage, which ultimately resulted in receiving only 324 AAVE in return,” he said.
Related: Vitalik Buterin proposes solutions for Ethereum’s MEV problem
CoW DAO said on X that “despite clear warnings that showed the user they would lose nearly all of the value of their transaction, and despite needing to explicitly opt into the trade after seeing the warning, the user chose to proceed with their swap.”
“No DEX, DEX aggregator, public liquidity pool, or private liquidity pool (or combination thereof) would have been able to fill this trade at anywhere near a reasonable price.”
CoW DAO said that trades like this “show that DeFi UX still isn’t where it needs to be to protect all users,” adding that it would refund any protocol fees associated with the transaction.
Aave’s Kulechov said it sympathized with the user and would attempt to contact them to return $600,000 in fees it collected from the transaction.
“The key takeaway is that while DeFi should remain open and permissionless, allowing users to perform transactions freely, there are additional guardrails the industry can build to better protect users.”
Magazine: All 21 million Bitcoin is at risk from quantum computers
Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.
Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP are drawing renewed investor attention, while platforms like NOW DeFi highlight the growing shift toward passive income strategies.
Summary
- The synchronized recovery of major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP is driving higher trading volumes and renewed investor discussions across the market.
- Investors are increasingly exploring alternatives to active trading, including staking, DeFi yield protocols, and cloud mining as ways to generate automated crypto income.
- NOW DeFi is attracting attention with features such as free hash power rewards, AI-powered mining optimization, and daily automated earnings settlement.
As sentiment in the cryptocurrency market begins to improve, major digital assets such as BTC, ETH, and XRP have recently rebounded together, once again becoming the focus of investor attention. Trading volumes are rising, and market discussions are increasing, with many analysts suggesting that the crypto market could be entering a new phase of activity.
However, after experiencing multiple cycles of volatility, investor priorities are also evolving. Rather than relying solely on price appreciation, more users are now exploring more stable and automated ways to generate crypto income.
With BTC, ETH, and XRP returning to the spotlight, a new trend is emerging: passive income is becoming a key theme in crypto investing.
As the market rebounds, investors are seeking new ways to earn
In the past, many crypto investors relied heavily on trading strategies to generate returns. But as market volatility increases and cycles move faster, more users are realizing that price speculation alone is not the only path to profit.
Today, investors are increasingly searching for opportunities that offer:
- Income models that do not require frequent trading
- Platform-based services with lower technical barriers
- Digital asset tools capable of generating automated returns
As market activity returns, these income models are attracting growing interest among investors.
Three Passive Income Strategies Gaining Popularity Among Crypto Investors
As the crypto ecosystem matures, several new earning models are gaining traction. The following three strategies are currently among the most widely discussed options.
1. Digital Asset Staking
Staking is one of the most common passive income strategies in the crypto space. By locking certain digital assets, users can receive rewards distributed by blockchain protocols or platforms.
This approach has a relatively low barrier to entry, although returns are often closely tied to market conditions.
2. DeFi Yield Protocols
DeFi protocols allow users to earn returns through liquidity provision, lending, or yield aggregation. While flexible, these methods often require a stronger understanding of risk management.
3. Cloud Mining Platforms
Among the various passive income options available, cloud mining is once again attracting market attention.
Unlike traditional mining, cloud mining does not require users to purchase expensive hardware or manage electricity and maintenance costs. Instead, users can rent computing power through a platform and participate in the mining rewards of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin.
This model is particularly appealing to investors who want a lower technical barrier while benefiting from automated income generation.
Why NOW DeFi is attracting growing interest from investors
Within the cloud mining sector, NOW DeFi is gradually gaining attention among crypto users.
For investors who are already trading BTC, ETH, or XRP but are looking for a “second income stream,” NOW DeFi offers a simplified entry point. The platform combines cloud mining infrastructure with DeFi-based earning mechanisms, enabling users to participate in digital asset income opportunities through automated processes.
Key features of NOW DeFi
Free Hash Power Rewards
New users receive a free mining reward upon registration.
Daily Earnings Settlement
The platform supports automated daily reward distribution.
AI Hash Power Optimization System
Dynamic resource allocation helps improve mining efficiency.
Green Energy Mining Farms
The platform’s mining infrastructure is located in regions rich in renewable energy.
According to the platform, its mining network is primarily distributed across:
- Norway
- Canada
- Iceland
- Sweden
- Paraguay
- Uruguay
These regions offer relatively low energy costs and stable renewable energy supplies, supporting efficient mining operations.
How to start earning with NOW DeFi in 3 simple steps
For users interested in trying cloud mining, the process is relatively straightforward:
Step 1: Register an Account and Claim Free Hash Power
Visit the official nowdefi.com website or download the mobile application to register and receive the platform’s free hash power reward.
Step 2: Choose a Mining Plan
Select a mining plan that fits your investment preferences.
Step 3: Earn Daily Rewards Automatically
The system calculates and distributes rewards automatically, allowing users to monitor their earnings through their account dashboard.
Example Mining Plans
Plan
Investment
Contract Duration
Estimated Daily Earnings
Entry Plan
$100
2 Days
~$4
Mid-Tier Plan
$10,000
Varies by plan
~$165
Advanced Plan
$50,000
Varies by plan
~$955
Please note that actual returns may vary depending on market conditions, network difficulty changes, and platform policies.
Passive income is becoming a major trend in the crypto market
As the cryptocurrency market matures, investors are increasingly adopting diversified strategies rather than relying solely on price speculation.
Many users are combining multiple approaches, including:
- Holding major digital assets
- Participating in DeFi yield protocols
- Using cloud mining platforms
This diversified approach can help investors maintain more stable income streams during periods of market volatility.
Conclusion
The synchronized rebound of BTC, ETH, and XRP has once again sparked excitement across the crypto market. But for many investors, the real attraction is not just price appreciation, but the ability to generate value consistently across market cycles.
From DeFi to cloud mining, passive income strategies are becoming an important focus for crypto investors. For those seeking opportunities beyond simply trading major cryptocurrencies, NOW DeFi offers a relatively simple way to participate.
Users can register by visiting the official NOW DeFi website or downloading the mobile application. After completing registration, new users can claim the platform’s free hash power reward and begin participating in cloud mining without purchasing mining hardware.
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.
AVAX price hovered near a key level on Thursday as the market reacted to the launch of a new exchange-traded fund tied to the token.
Summary
- AVAX traded near the top of its weekly range as Grayscale’s Avalanche ETF started trading.
- The new product gives traditional investors exposure to Avalanche and its staking rewards.
- Traders are watching the $10 level, which has acted as a strong resistance zone.
At press time, Avalanche (AVAX) traded at $9.58, down about 0.8% over the past 24 hours. The token has moved between $8.82 and $9.87 over the past week and is now close to the top of that range.
AVAX has gained around 8.8% in the past month as buyers try to push the price higher again. Even so, the token is still about 47% lower than it was a year ago, after the long slide that hit much of the crypto market.
Activity in the derivatives market cooled a bit during the last day. CoinGlass data shows futures volume dropping 26% to $489 million, while open interest slipped 4.41% to $432 million.
When both numbers fall at the same time, it often means some traders are closing positions while others wait for the next move.
Grayscale Avalanche ETF begins trading
The market is reacting to a new product from Grayscale Investments. The firm’s Grayscale Avalanche Staking ETF, trading under the ticker GAVA, began trading on March 12 on Nasdaq.
The fund first appeared as the Grayscale Avalanche Trust in August 2024. At that time it was only available through private placement for accredited investors. After a filing with U.S. regulators in 2025, the product was converted into a publicly traded exchange-traded product.
The ETF started trading with a net asset value of $23.33 per share and about $5.55 million in assets under management. It tracks the price of AVAX and also factors in staking rewards earned from the network. Staking on Avalanche returned roughly 7% on average in 2025, which is now reflected in the structure of the fund.
Products like this often bring new attention to a token because they allow investors to gain exposure through traditional markets. Whether the ETF attracts large inflows will likely determine how much impact it has on AVAX price.
AVAX price technical analysis
On the chart, AVAX is slowly moving toward the $10 mark, which has acted as a strong barrier during previous rallies. The price is now close to the upper Bollinger Band near $9.8–$10, and traders are watching to see if it can push above that area.
Volatility has been shrinking over the past several days as the Bollinger Bands move closer together. This type of setup often appears before a bigger move once price finally breaks out of the range.
AVAX has also moved back above its 20-day moving average near $9.1–$9.2. That level held during recent pullbacks and buyers stepped in each time the price approached it.
Momentum has improved as well. Slightly above the neutral zone, the relative strength index is currently at 53. Since the indicator is not yet in overbought territory, price movement is still possible if buying pressure persists.
Beginning early February, the chart has also started to show higher lows, a pattern that often appears when buyers slowly build positions.
Support is near $9.10–$9.20, while a deeper pullback could test the $8.40–$8.50 area. For now, the main level traders are focused on remains $10. A clear daily close above that line would be the first strong sign that AVAX may be turning upward after months of decline.
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