TLDR:

• Draft $5M deal from lobbyist Novelli links Milei to Libra token promotion.
  
• Milei exchanged messages with Novelli when the token contract was posted on X.
  
• Libra token briefly reached $4B market cap before collapsing 94% within hours.
  
• Authorities froze Hayden Davis’s assets; an investigation into payments and communications is ongoing.

Argentine President Linked to $5 Million Libra Token Agreement is under investigation after forensic analysis revealed a draft $5 million deal associated with the promotion of the Libra token, which briefly surged in market value.

Draft Deal and Payment Structure

Argentine President Linked to $5 Million Libra Token Agreement came to light after authorities examined Mauricio Novelli’s phone during a judicial probe. 

The recovered draft document, reportedly written on February 11, 2025, outlines a total $5 million payment plan.

The draft divided payments into three segments. The first installment of $1.5 million would be delivered in tokens or cash as an advance. 

A second $1.5 million was tied to a public endorsement of crypto entrepreneur Hayden Davis on X. The remaining $2 million involved a consulting contract with President Milei and his sister Karina for blockchain or AI services.

Investigators noted the draft did not specify the ultimate recipient of the funds. Screenshots of the document surfaced after prosecutors disclosed material previously held since November. 

Experts confirmed the contract code referenced in the draft was not publicly available at the time of Milei’s social media post, adding context to the timing of the promotion.

Authorities are still evaluating whether the draft agreement was executed. The recovered messages suggest coordination between Novelli and Milei surrounding the token promotion. 

Deleted chats partially recovered from Novelli’s phone also indicated he helped prepare Milei’s public response following the controversy.

Communication and Market Reaction

Digital forensic analysis revealed that Milei exchanged five messages with Novelli at the exact moment he posted the Libra token contract on X. The contract’s publication coincided with a rapid market surge, temporarily raising the token’s value to $4 billion.

The following hours saw the Libra token collapse by 94%, affecting more than 44,000 investors. Authorities have since frozen Hayden Davis’s assets while the investigation continues. 

Novelli’s call records also show contact with Milei and his sister before and after the announcement. Multiple calls with presidential adviser Santiago Caputo were recorded as the government managed the controversy.

Another note, dated February 16, outlined a public statement designed to support the Libra token while denying direct financial involvement. Officials suggest it may have been intended for Milei to post on social media. 

Milei has publicly denied active promotion, stating he merely shared information about the token.

The investigation remains ongoing as prosecutors review recovered communications, asset records, and other digital evidence. Further findings could clarify whether any financial arrangement linked to the Libra token promotion actually occurred.

TLDR:

• Iran arrests dozens accused of assisting Israeli strikes amid rising Strait of Hormuz tensions.
  
• Trump urges U.S. allies to deploy warships to secure the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
  
• Shipping disruptions and drone threats trigger fuel shortages across Asia and global markets.
  
• Formula One cancels Bahrain and Saudi races due to regional security concerns in the Gulf.

The Strait of Hormuz crisis intensifies as Iran arrests dozens accused of helping Israeli strikes. Washington pressures allies to deploy warships, triggering energy supply disruptions across Asia and forcing global trade adjustments.

Iran Arrests and Regional Tensions

According to a report by Reuters, Iran has detained dozens of people accused of aiding Israel in targeting military sites. State-linked media reported that the arrests occurred across multiple provinces, involving coordinated security operations.

Authorities claim suspects gathered intelligence on sensitive military and economic infrastructure. Officials say these actions were part of a wider effort to prevent ground-level tip-offs to Israel.

The arrests coincide with U.S. President Donald Trump has warned of potential strikes on Kharg Island. Trump also pressed allies to deploy warships to safeguard the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for global oil.

Diplomatic efforts by Oman and Egypt to mediate ceasefire discussions have been rebuffed by Washington. Iran insists no talks will occur until U.S. and Israeli strikes stop, maintaining a firm stance on security concerns.

The ongoing tension has increased risks for vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
Several countries continue to explore diplomatic channels to avoid further escalation, though results remain limited.

Fuel Shortages and Economic Ripple Effects

Shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have caused significant delays for tankers and cargo vessels. Drone attacks and regional military activity have raised concerns for commercial and fuel shipments.

Japan announced the release of 80 million barrels of oil from national reserves to stabilize supply. The release represents about 45 days of consumption but will reduce reserves by roughly seventeen percent.

India faces domestic unrest due to cooking gas shortages, with protests erupting across major cities. Residents queued for hours while some households resorted to burning wood and other materials for meals.

Iran has allowed limited passage to Indian vessels, yet several tankers remain stranded. Sailors reported drones and fighter jets nearby while awaiting clearance through the waterway, heightening anxiety.

Global sports have also been affected, with Formula One canceling races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Security threats and airport closures across the Gulf made hosting these events unsafe, reducing the season calendar from twenty-four to twenty-two races.

The Strait of Hormuz crisis continues to disrupt global trade and fuel supplies. Governments, shipping companies, and international organizations are monitoring developments closely to manage risks.

TLDR:

• Bitcoin generated 685M social interactions in 24 hours, marking the highest engagement level recorded in a year.
  
• BTC price remains 43% below its $125,071 all-time high reached in October 2025 despite rising attention.
  
• Over 75,000 creators posted about Bitcoin, showing broader participation across social platforms.
  
• Bitcoin social dominance rose 32.58% week-over-week as discussion across the crypto sector accelerated.

Bitcoin social engagement has surged to its highest level in a year while price remains far below previous highs. The divergence between market attention and valuation has become one of the most discussed developments in the cryptocurrency sector.

Bitcoin Social Engagement Surges to 52-Week High

Bitcoin social engagement increased sharply during the past 24 hours. Data shows the asset generated 685 million interactions across social media platforms.

During the same period, engagement recorded an intraday peak of 435 million interactions. This represents the highest level of activity registered in the past 52 weeks.

Social discussion has also expanded significantly. Around 287,629 Bitcoin mentions appeared across social networks, reflecting an 81% increase month-over-month.

Participation is also rising quickly. Approximately 75,135 unique creators published Bitcoin-related posts within the same timeframe.

Creator growth stands 26% higher month-over-month and 11% higher day-over-day. This shows a broader group of users joining the conversation.

Bitcoin’s share of overall cryptocurrency discussion also climbed during the week. Social dominance increased 32.58% week-over-week, signaling stronger market attention.

Rising engagement often signals growing narrative momentum. Increased conversation frequently appears before major market movements.

Bitcoin Price Lags Despite Rising Market Attention

Bitcoin price remains below previous cycle highs despite the surge in attention. The asset currently trades near $71,384.

The market previously reached an all-time high of $125,071 on October 6, 2025. From that level, Bitcoin entered a sharp correction.

The decline pushed the asset roughly 43% below the record peak. Market volatility increased as traders adjusted positions after the rally.

During the correction, Bitcoin also recorded a 52-week low of $64,080 on February 24, 2026. Prices have since recovered modestly from that level.

Even with the recovery, Bitcoin remains within a consolidation range. Many traders describe the current phase as a post-rally adjustment period.

The divergence between price and engagement has therefore drawn attention across the market.

Rising creator participation continues to expand Bitcoin’s online presence. As discussion spreads across networks, the gap between market attention and price remains unresolved.

TLDR:

• Venus Protocol lost $3.7M in a flash loan attack using THE token as collateral.
  
• THE token price surged to $0.563 before collapsing to $0.22 during liquidation events.
  
• Six Venus markets including BCH and LTC were temporarily frozen after the exploit.
  
• Borrowing and withdrawals for THE token paused while investigation continues.

Venus Protocol flash loan attack on BNB Chain caused over $3.7 million in losses. THE token was exploited to manipulate collateral, enabling the attacker to borrow high-value assets before the market collapsed.

Exploit Mechanics and Borrowing Strategy

The Venus Protocol flash loan attack targeted the Core Pool on BNB Chain, using THE token as collateral. The attacker accumulated approximately 84% of THE supply over nine months to prepare for the exploit.

Instead of following the standard deposit process, the attacker directly transferred tokens to the vTHE contract. This allowed collateral positions far above the supply cap, reaching 53.2 million THE tokens, nearly 3.7 times the protocol’s limit.

Using this inflated collateral, the attacker borrowed about 20 BTC, 1.5 million CAKE, 200 BNB, and 1.58 million USDC. 

The strategy repeated in a loop: deposit THE, borrow assets, purchase more THE, and wait for the TWAP oracle to adjust, inflating collateral value.

The manipulation caused THE’s price to spike from $0.263 to $0.563 before falling to $0.22 as liquidations occurred. This pattern mirrored prior DeFi exploits involving low-liquidity tokens and automated liquidations.

Venus Protocol Response and Market Measures

Following the attack, Venus froze six high-risk markets, including BCH, LTC, UNI, AAVE, FIL, and TWT. Borrowing and withdrawals of THE tokens were temporarily paused while all other markets remained operational.

Investigations suggest the attacker may have used Tornado Cash to fund operations. Venus has since tightened collateral rules and plans to review oracle mechanisms to prevent similar attacks in the future.

The estimated bad debt ranges from $1.7 million to $2.15 million, mainly from the CAKE market. The protocol confirmed the unusual activity was confined to the THE and CAKE markets and did not affect the broader ecosystem.

Security analysts continue monitoring Venus to assess the handling of low-liquidity tokens. Investors are advised to exercise caution when lending or borrowing such tokens, ensuring robust protocols are in place to minimize risk.

TLDR:

• Tron Revenue hits $947K in 24 hours, far above Base and Ethereum combined.
  
• Monthly revenue reaches $24.96M, surpassing Polygon, Base, and Solana together.
  
• Stablecoin transfers drive consistent fees and support large-volume transactions.
  
• TRX technicals show momentum gaining near 50-day MA, with resistance at 200-day MA.

Tron Revenue has emerged as the top-performing blockchain, surpassing Ethereum, Polygon, and Solana in daily, weekly, and monthly revenue. Stablecoin transfers and low transaction costs remain key drivers of this performance.

Revenue Performance and Network Comparison

Tron generated about $947,419 in revenue over the past 24 hours. This figure is nearly ten times higher than Base, which recorded $97,720, and far above Ethereum at $77,565. 

Over seven days, Tron accumulated around $5.42 million. In comparison, Polygon recorded $632,000 and Solana $374,000.

On a 30-day scale, Tron Revenue reached approximately $24.96 million. Polygon generated $4.5 million, Base $3.72 million, and Solana $1.78 million. 

Tron’s monthly earnings alone surpass the combined revenue of these networks, reflecting its dominant position in the blockchain landscape.

The network’s success is closely tied to stablecoin activity, particularly Tether (USDT). Tron has become a primary layer for USDT transfers globally, especially in markets where stablecoins are widely used for remittances, payments, and liquidity management. 

This activity ensures a constant flow of network fees and reinforces Tron Revenue leadership.

Tron’s low transaction costs and high throughput allow rapid, large-volume transfers. Other networks focus on decentralization and smart contract innovation, but Tron prioritizes speed and affordability, which supports large-scale payment and exchange operations.

Technical and Market Dynamics

TRX, Tron’s native token, is trading within a descending channel, signaling that sellers have controlled the market since the previous peak near $0.35–$0.36. 

Lower highs and lower lows indicate the macro trend remains bearish. Short-term momentum shows improvement. 

TRX recently reclaimed the 50-day moving average, now acting as dynamic support. The token is also in a rectangular accumulation zone, where buyers and sellers are competing for control.

The 200-day moving average represents the next resistance level. A breakout above this level could indicate a trend shift. 

Momentum indicators, such as the RSI forming higher lows, suggest rising buying pressure. Traders are watching these levels for potential breakout or downside scenarios near $0.253–$0.250.

TLDR:

• The Uniswap (UNI) price is consolidating within an ascending triangle between $3.80 and $4.10.
  
• A clean breakout above $4.10 could trigger a 30% rally toward $5.30 liquidity.
  
• Breakdown below $3.80 may lead to a 30% correction toward February lows near $2.80.
  
• Market cap shows tight consolidation near $2.55B, reflecting gradual accumulation.

Uniswap (UNI) price is compressing inside an ascending triangle on the four-hour chart. The structure forms between $3.80 support and $4.10 resistance, creating a tight range where traders expect a decisive breakout or breakdown.

Ascending Triangle Reflects Accumulation Pressure

Uniswap (UNI) price is forming a classic ascending triangle, defined by rising higher lows converging on a horizontal resistance near $4.10. This pattern often signals that buyers are absorbing supply at key levels.

The trendline support near $3.80 has proven reliable during multiple pullbacks. Each test of this level has seen buyers intervene, maintaining the upward slope of higher lows. This support is critical for the bullish setup to remain valid.

Rejections at $4.10 resistance have produced progressively shallower pullbacks, suggesting gradual accumulation. Traders monitoring this range may interpret smaller declines as a sign that selling pressure is weakening.

The tight $3.80–$4.10 range has reduced short-term volatility, creating what some traders call a “no-trade zone.” Such compression often precedes strong directional moves once the price breaks above or below the boundaries.

Momentum may build once the triangle resolves. A sustained breakout could attract new buyers, while a breakdown would likely trigger stop-loss orders and accelerate selling pressure. The structure highlights the balance between supply and demand at current levels.

Until a decisive close occurs, directional edge remains limited. Traders continue to watch both the rising support and horizontal resistance closely.

Breakout or Breakdown Could Define Next Trend

If Uniswap (UNI) closes above $4.10 on the four-hour chart, momentum buying and short covering could drive the price toward $5.00–$5.30. These levels correspond to prior liquidity clusters in which trading activity has historically increased.

On the downside, a failure of the $3.80 support would invalidate the triangle. A breakdown could prompt stop-loss cascades, exposing UNI to a correction toward February lows near $2.80. Such a move would retrace the prior recovery leg and test the broader demand zone.

The seven-day market capitalization data reinforces this tight structure. UNI’s market cap fluctuated between roughly $2.32B and $2.65B before stabilizing near $2.55B.

Early rebounds suggest buyer willingness at lower valuations, while sideways consolidation reflects a struggle between accumulation and profit-taking.

Recent spikes in market cap, such as toward $2.65B, were met with swift rejection, confirming that sellers remain active at higher levels. The current upward slope toward $2.55B indicates buyers are gradually regaining control.

With only $0.30 separating support from resistance, the Uniswap price is poised for a decisive move that may define its next major trend.

Crypto ATMs’ minimal verification and fast transactions let criminals turn cash into digital assets in minutes, often before victims notice.

A new report from blockchain security firm CertiK warns that crypto ATM scams are rising sharply across the United States (U.S.). In 2025 alone, criminals stole roughly $333.5 million, highlighting the risks tied to cash-to-crypto kiosks.

These alarming losses are partly due to the design of crypto ATMs, which makes them attractive targets for criminals. Their structure enables fast transactions with minimal identity verification. This allows cash to be converted into digital assets in under five minutes, often before victims even realize they have been targeted.

Crypto ATMs Become Key Channel for Fraud

These kiosks are often found in convenience stores, gas stations, and malls, making them easy to access for everyday users. Their ubiquity allows scammers to trick victims into making fraudulent transfers, bypassing on-screen warnings.

According to Certik, the U.S. hosts about 78% of the world’s estimated 45,000 crypto ATMs, making it the largest market for these machines. This widespread presence contributes to rising incidents. Consequently, the Federal Bureau of Investigation received over 12,000 complaints from January to November 2025, up 33% from 2024.

Many scams involve social engineering, where criminals persuade users to deposit funds under false pretenses. The technical setup of ATMs worsens the problem, as they act as front-end interfaces connecting to backend Crypto Application Servers (CAS).

Funds typically come from operator-controlled hot wallets rather than the customer directly. This design creates an “attribution gap,” meaning blockchain records show transfers from operators, not victims. As a result, tracing the stolen funds becomes much harder.

Older Adults Face Higher Risks as Criminal Networks Expand

Older adults are particularly vulnerable, accounting for roughly 86% of crypto ATM losses. In one case, the Office of the Attorney General for D.C. found 93% of deposits on some Athena Bitcoin machines were fraudulent. The median victim was 71, and limited familiarity with digital finance makes them prime targets for scammers.

Criminal groups have industrialized these scams, running organized networks for lead generation, calls, and laundering. Some Asian syndicates laundered $16.1 billion in 2025, often using Telegram to coordinate rapid transactions.

Common scams include impersonating government officials, fake tech support, romance fraud, and emergency family schemes. Scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence, including deepfakes, to make these scams more convincing and efficient.

TLDR:

• $3.44B in leveraged long positions sit near $66.5K, risking forced liquidations.
  
• Bitcoin trades around $71,544, consolidating below resistance at $72K.
  
• MACD shows fading bullish momentum, RSI at 58 indicates moderate buying strength.
  
• Breakdown below $70K could trigger rapid liquidation of billions in longs.

Bitcoin faces a critical liquidation risk as over $3.4B in leveraged long positions sit near $66.5K. A $5,000 drop from the current $71,595 level could trigger significant forced liquidations.

Leveraged Long Positions and Market Pressure

According to Coinglass data, the largest cluster of long liquidations is concentrated around $66,500. Over $3.44 billion in cumulative leveraged positions sit below Bitcoin’s current price, spread across major exchanges such as Binance, OKX, and Bybit.

If Bitcoin drops roughly $5,000, these positions would be automatically closed. Exchanges sell Bitcoin to cover losses, creating additional downward pressure on the market. 

This process can accelerate price declines and trigger a short-term cascade of forced liquidations.

Traders and institutional participants monitor these clusters closely. Large liquidation pools often act as liquidity magnets, attracting strategic buying and selling. 

Price can move toward these zones before reversing sharply once excess leverage is cleared. Currently, the market is long-biased. 

The dominance of long positions near the downside indicates traders are heavily leveraged on bullish bets, which may increase the potential for a rapid downward move if selling pressure accelerates.

Consolidation, Momentum, and Key Levels

The 4-hour chart shows Bitcoin consolidating just below the $72,000 resistance, trading near $71,544. Price action forms a series of higher lows since the late February drop to $65,000, signaling a short-term bullish trend.

Range-bound consolidation between $70,000 and $72,000 indicates buyers defending support and sellers limiting rallies. Momentum indicators show moderation: 

MACD lines are flattening, and the histogram has begun turning negative, while RSI at 58 suggests moderate bullish sentiment.

Critical levels to watch include resistance at $72,000–$73,500 and support at $70,000. A breakdown below $70,000 could test the $68,000–$66,500 range, exposing billions in leveraged long positions. 

Conversely, a break above resistance may target $74,000–$75,000, providing room for controlled upward movement.

Overall, the market remains cautiously bullish but fragile. Traders should monitor the $66,500 liquidation cluster, as forced liquidations could trigger rapid price swings in either direction.

TLDR:

• A DeFi user lost $50.4M swapping aEthUSDT for aEthAAVE after confirming a 99.9% price impact warning.
  
• CoW Swap’s legacy gas ceiling and solver failure forced the trade through a $73K illiquid SushiSwap pool.
  
• A mempool leak exposed the transaction, letting an MEV bot execute a sandwich attack for $9.9M profit.
  
• Titan Builder extracted ~$34M in ETH, while Aave and CoW Swap have since patched their security gaps.

A DeFi user suffered approximately $50.4 million in losses from a single swap on the Aave platform. The user exchanged aEthUSDT for aEthAAVE through a CoW Swap widget and received only $36,000 in return.

Both Aave and CoW Swap have released detailed post-mortem reports on the incident. The reports cite a combination of user error, illiquid markets, and multiple technical failures.

MEV bots also exploited the situation, extracting tens of millions in profit from the DeFi trade.

How a Series of Technical Failures Enabled the Loss

The user manually confirmed a “High price impact (99.9%)” warning before completing the DeFi swap. Aave’s report confirmed this warning was clearly visible within the interface. The trade proceeded regardless, setting the stage for what followed.

CoW Swap’s report identified multiple system-level failures that escalated the outcome. A legacy hardcoded gas ceiling rejected better quotes that could have routed the trade efficiently.

The winning solver also failed to execute the trade on-chain as intended. Together, these two failures severely limited the options available for completing the swap.

Further complicating matters, a suspected mempool leak exposed the private transaction to public view. This meant any observer, including automated MEV bots, could see the order before confirmation. The exposure proved costly, as it directly opened the door for a targeted attack.

Because better routes were blocked, the trade was pushed through a SushiSwap AAVE/WETH pool. That pool held only about $73,000 in total liquidity at the time of the swap.

Routing a $50 million order through such a thin market caused extreme price slippage. The user ultimately received a fraction of what the trade should have returned.

MEV Bots and Block Builders Extracted Millions From the Failed Swap

Once the transaction leaked to the public mempool, an MEV bot quickly identified the opportunity. The bot front-ran the trade by buying available AAVE before the user’s order confirmed. This action drove the price of AAVE sharply higher, hurting the user’s final settlement.

The bot then sold its AAVE position immediately after the user’s trade was filled. This sandwich attack netted the bot an estimated $9.9 million in profit. @CoWSwap’s report identified the mempool leak as a central factor enabling this attack on the DeFi user.

To guarantee the correct block sequence, the MEV bot paid Titan Builder directly. The block builder extracted roughly $34 million in ETH for facilitating the arrangement. This coordination between the bot and the builder was key to the attack’s execution.

In response, @CoWSwap has patched its legacy gas limits to prevent similar routing failures. @aave is deploying “Aave Shield,” which will automatically block swaps with a price impact above 25% by default. Both protocols are now working to prevent this type of loss from recurring across DeFi.

TLDR:

• Ethereum futures volume on Binance now exceeds spot trading by more than sixfold in March 2025.
• ETH open interest has dropped by 400,000 ETH since January, erasing nearly $4 billion in exposure.
• Core PCE inflation hit 3.1% YoY, reducing the Federal Reserve’s room to cut interest rates soon.
• Rising oil prices tied to U.S.-Iran tensions may worsen inflation data through March and April 2025.

Ethereum futures volume on Binance now outpaces spot trading by more than sixfold. This shift comes as U.S.-Iran tensions continue pushing oil prices higher.

Last week, core CPI came in at 2.5% year-over-year, while core PCE reached 3.1%. These numbers are adding fresh strain to an already fragile U.S. economy.

As uncertainty grows, investors are pulling back from risk assets, including crypto. The altcoin sector is feeling this pressure most sharply, with Ethereum bearing the heaviest weight.

ETH Spot Market Hits Its Weakest Level Since 2023

The spot-to-futures ratio for Ethereum on Binance has dropped to its lowest point since 2023. That period marked the tail end of the previous crypto bear market.

Open interest in ETH futures has also declined by roughly 400,000 ETH since January. That reduction represents nearly $4 billion in contracts exiting the market.

Crypto analyst Darkfost_Coc flagged this pattern, noting futures volume now exceeds spot by over six times. This means traders are not buying Ethereum aggressively through the open spot market.

Activity remains heavily concentrated in derivative products instead. That behavior points to a clear lack of conviction among spot buyers.

High futures volume alongside falling open interest suggests defensive positioning. Traders appear to be using derivatives to hedge rather than build fresh long exposure.

That makes it harder for any meaningful price recovery to take hold. A genuine rebound would require visible improvement in spot demand first.

Potential selling pressure from the Ethereum Foundation and Vitalik Buterin may also be contributing. If large holders are offloading ETH, it weighs on broader investor confidence.

Retail participants remain hesitant to step in against that kind of supply pressure. The market is waiting on clearer fundamental signals before fresh capital enters.

Rising Oil Prices Complicate the Federal Reserve’s Rate Path

Escalating U.S.-Iran tensions are keeping oil prices elevated across global markets. If oil stays high through March and April, upcoming inflation prints could worsen further.

That would make it increasingly difficult for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates. Rate cut expectations have been among the key supports for risk assets in recent months.

A stronger U.S. dollar is forming alongside this macroeconomic backdrop. Historically, dollar strength tends to weigh on crypto asset prices.

Long-term bond yields are also climbing, redirecting capital toward safer instruments. Together, these forces make the environment particularly hostile for digital assets.

Altcoins are absorbing the sharpest end of this pressure across the board. Ethereum’s falling open interest and weak spot volumes reflect wider sector fatigue.

Fresh capital has struggled to flow into the altcoin market over recent weeks. The broader market remains in a cautious holding pattern as traders watch for direction.

Until spot volumes show a clear recovery, futures-driven price moves may prove short-lived. The next CPI and PCE readings will likely shape Ethereum’s near-term trajectory closely.