Crypto World
Bitcoin climbs as IBIT posts one of the quarter’s biggest inflow days amid Iran volatility
Bitcoin traded near $68,000 on Tuesday as U.S. spot ETFs pulled in $458 million, according to data curated by SoSoValue, marking one of the quarter’s strongest inflow days despite the ongoing conflict with Iran.
The inflows suggest institutional investors are treating bitcoin’s recent volatility stemming from the war as contained rather than systemic.
Singapore-based trading firm QCP Capital said in a recent note that the roughly $300 million in long liquidations triggered by the weekend headlines were “notable but contained,” arguing that positioning had already been materially lightened in recent weeks.
Options markets told a similar story, QCP wrote, with one-day implied volatility briefly spiking to 93% before quickly retracing, a sign traders were hedging event risk rather than bracing for prolonged escalation.
Meanwhile, U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs added $1.1 billion over three consecutive sessions last week, according to SoSoValue data previously reported by CoinDesk, with BlackRock’s IBIT accounting for roughly half.
Charles Hoskinson says the CLARITY Act will create a “security by default” trap for new cryptocurrency projects.
Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has launched a blistering attack on the CLARITY Act, the flagship U.S. crypto market structure bill, labeling it a “horrific trash bill” that would classify nearly all digital assets as securities by default and hand a “weaponized” Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) the power to stifle the industry for years.
His comments deepen a growing split among crypto leaders as lawmakers push to finalize the rules before the midterm cycle intensifies.
Dismantling the Bill’s Mechanics
In a March 3 YouTube broadcast, Hoskinson moved beyond political rhetoric to present a detailed, technical critique of H.R. 3633, the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act of 2025.
He argued that the bill, as drafted, creates a regulatory Catch-22 that would be “a wet dream” for an adversarial SEC. The core of his argument rests on the bill’s “security by default” framework for newly created digital assets.
He asserted that under this structure, every new project, from XRP and Ethereum at their launches to any future protocol, would be classified as an “investment contract asset” and fall under SEC jurisdiction.
The path to graduating to a “digital commodity” regulated by the CFTC, the developer warned, is a bureaucratic minefield. He outlined several “attack vectors” where the SEC could exploit rulemaking authority to indefinitely trap projects in security status, including impossible-to-prove standards for decentralization and subjective “value attribution” tests.
“This is not a good bill,” Hoskinson said. “Through rulemaking, it can become horrific and weaponized and it doesn’t cover the core of what’s going on in the industry right now.”
He stressed that while established projects like Cardano and XRP might be “grandfathered in,” the legislation would force all future American crypto innovation to launch overseas, effectively killing the domestic industry.
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An Industry and Washington at an Impasse
While the CLARITY Act passed the House in 2025, it has stalled in the Senate. The White House had issued a March 1 deadline for stakeholders to bridge their differences, but the date passed with no public compromise reported.
The primary holdup, as Hoskinson noted, is not the structural issues he raised, but a fierce lobbying battle over stablecoin rewards, which the banking industry warned could trigger a massive exodus of deposits.
The divide has splintered the crypto industry, with Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse, who has predicted a 90% chance of the bill becoming law by April, continuing to champion it, arguing that “clarity beats chaos” and that the industry cannot let “perfection be the enemy of progress.”
Ripple CTO David Schwartz also weighed in on the debate on X, acknowledging the tightrope walk, stating that while his company tries not to advocate to the detriment of others, “a sub-optimal bill is better than no bill at all.”
However, the Cardano founder countered that view, claiming that a bad bill would enshrine into law every single thing former SEC Chair Gary Gensler was “trying to do to the industry.”
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US spot Bitcoin funds opened the week with strong inflows, extending last week’s rebound even as conflict in the Middle East escalated.
Bitcoin (BTC) exchange-traded funds (ETFs) recorded $458.2 million of inflows on Monday, extending last week’s $787.3 million in net inflows, according to data from SoSoValue.
The latest gains pushed cumulative net inflows to $55.3 billion. Trading volume climbed to about $5.8 billion, the highest level since early February.
The inflows came as Bitcoin rose about 3% on Monday, according to CoinGecko data. Analysts cited strong spot buying from US investors, while some industry observers pointed to improving sentiment in spite of the geopolitical risks of the expanding Middle East conflict.
BlackRock leads inflows as altcoin funds add to gains
Altcoin ETFs shared positive momentum, though on a smaller scale. Ether (ETH) funds drew about $39 million, while Solana (SOL) and XRP (XRP) products recorded $17 million and $7 million in inflows, respectively.
Among Bitcoin funds, BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) led with $264 million in inflows, according to Farside data.
Fidelity’s Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) followed with about $95 million, and Bitwise’s Bitcoin ETF (BITB) added $36 million.
BTC holds steady as traders absorb US-Iran tensions
Samson Mow, CEO of Jan3 and a long-time Bitcoin advocate, took to X on Monday to note that Bitcoin held steady through the weekend despite rising uncertainty over the strikes on Iran on Saturday.
“There was downward pressure but we just bounced back up each time,” Mow said, adding: “It definitely feels different than from previous months.”
A similar perspective was shared by analysts at CryptoQuant, who said Bitcoin’s short-term holders “aren’t blinking” yet amid the Iran escalation.
“The sell-side pressure from recent buyers is fading. Panic is being replaced by patience, or at least exhaustion,” the analysts said.
Related: Iranian crypto outflows spike 700% after US-Israeli airstrikes
VanEck CEO Jan van Eck added to the optimism, saying in a Monday interview with CNBC that Bitcoin is approaching a bottom. He said BTC is set to gradually pick up this year, noting that the four-year halving cycle has been a key driver of price over the past few months.
On Monday, JPMorgan reportedly said that rising Iran tensions are a buying opportunity, not a reason to exit stocks. Analyst Mislav Matejka said the “current geopolitical escalation should ultimately be an opportunity to add, as fundamentals are positive,” even as markets brace for volatility.
Magazine: Would Bitcoin really be at $200K if not for Jane Street? Trade Secrets
Day four of the Middle East conflict is bringing renewed volatility to global markets during Tuesday’s pre-market, with a clear shift toward risk off positioning.
Bitcoin is down 3% over the past 24 hours, slipping below $67,000 after briefly touching $70,000 on Monday. In equities, the Invesco QQQ (QQQ) ETF closed slightly higher to start the week but is now down about 2% in pre market trading.
Metals are also under pressure. Gold and silver are both lower, with gold holding above $5,300 per ounce and silver sliding another 4% to around $85 per ounce.
In energy markets, WTI crude oil is above $74 per barrel up 5% over the past 24 hours, nearing Sunday futures highs just above $75. Meanwhile, the US dollar is strengthening sharply, with the DXY index climbing above 99, a level not seen since Jan. 20.
Treasury yields are edging higher across the curve. The US 10 year yield is holding firmly above 4% and pushing toward 4.1%, reflecting persistent rate pressure.
Crypto related equities are tracking bitcoin lower. Strategy (MSTR), the largest publicly traded holder of bitcoin, is down 2%. Coinbase (COIN) has fallen 5%, Galaxy Digital is off 3%, and AI focused miners IREN (IREN) and Cipher Digital (CIFR) are also down roughly 4%.
Disclosure: The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to the author and do not represent the views and opinions of crypto.news’ editorial.
The 2021 to 2025 crypto market cycle left a trail of broken trust, with countless scams and rug pulls making everyday users feel like they were just exiting liquidity. But 2026 marks a critical turning point. The arrival of staking rewards through regulated products like ETFs signals a broader shift toward sustainable, verifiable rewards.
Summary
- Dormant capital signals distrust: Millions of undelegated SOL wallets show retail isn’t disengaged, it’s cautious. Users prefer inactivity over opaque risk.
- Trust requires principal protection: Savings models like Premium Bonds and Save to Win prove that transparent rewards + protected capital build long-term participation.
- Crypto must shift from hype to habit: Verifiable on-chain rewards, native staking by default, and incentives for consistent saving can redefine the next market cycle.
The next great crypto rally won’t come from more speculative hype. Instead, it will be driven by products that redesign incentives to mimic the simple, trusted mechanics of saving: clear rules, steady rewards from transparent sources, and absolute protection of your starting capital.
Idle retail capital highlights a deep trust gap
Previous crypto cycles were structurally optimized for insiders. Advantages in speed, information, and capital created an environment where retail participants consistently arrived late to high-risk trades.
The result is a deep and persistent trust gap, and the on-chain evidence is impossible to ignore. A massive pool of dormant capital on Solana (SOL) proves that while the industry has captured people’s attention, it has failed to earn their sustained participation.
Currently, more than 2 million Solana wallets holding between 1 and 100 SOL remain undelegated. This means their assets aren’t used to secure the network, and that over 14 million SOL are sitting on the sidelines. Compare this to the less than 560,000 wallets in the same capital bracket that are actively staking.
What we are seeing here isn’t user apathy. It is a rational response to an ecosystem where the safest option, native staking, offers rewards that feel economically meaningless for smaller holdings, while the alternatives are correctly perceived as high-risk ventures. This idle capital is the market’s clearest signal that something fundamental needs to change.
Savings mechanics inspired by regulated markets
To bridge this trust gap, crypto must default to behaviors that feel like saving, not speculating. This means simple, repeatable actions: deposit, hold, and add regularly. Crucially, the rewards for these actions must come from transparent and verifiable network sources, like Solana’s native inflationary rewards.
As I see it, the era of mysterious, black box DeFi models, where users rightly suspected they were the source of the rewards, has to end. Instead of reinventing the wheel, we can learn from systems that have earned public trust for decades.
Take the UK’s Premium Bonds as an example. This government-backed savings product has been trusted for over 70 years. Its mechanic is simple: your capital is 100% protected. Instead of earning typical interest, savers get a chance to receive periodic reward allocations.
Premium Bonds’ scale is enormous, with over 24 million participants and £134.6 billion in savings. In 2025 alone, £4.95 billion was distributed. It proves that a system built on absolute capital protection can build immense, long-term trust while still offering a chance at a meaningful outcome.
Introducing a similar model in the U.S., Save to Win operates through special savings accounts at credit unions. By depositing a minimum amount, a saver gets entries into periodic reward distributions.
Again, the saver’s original money is never at risk. A study showed 56% of participants were first-time savers, proving the model effectively builds healthy financial habits. These regulated systems show that adding engaging layers to savings works, but only when built on transparency and capital protection.
The principles for a fairer on-chain economy
For crypto builders looking to define the 2026 to 2028 cycle, these principles should be non-negotiable. Verifiable rewards should come first. Instead of opaque APYs, all rewards must originate from transparent, on-chain sources like native network inflation.
Second, platforms and protocols must protect beginners by default. The safest path, native staking, should always be the easiest and most accessible. New users shouldn’t be pushed toward high-risk activities as their first experience.
Third, good habits should always be rewarded. The system must incentivize behaviors that promote long-term health: regular saving, long-term holding, and consistent participation. It must feel like financial progress is possible, even with small amounts.
The new mantra for builders should be “slower but clearer.” This is how we prepare for the next phase of sustainable growth, moving away from short-term hype.
From speculation to savings
Crypto’s next wave of adoption won’t be driven by a new token or a flashy new trend. It will be powered by products that feel fundamentally fair, safe, and savings-oriented to everyday people.
This is a call to action for the entire industry. Builders, investors, and even regulators must work to standardize these mechanics. We need to prioritize principal-protected incentives, demand transparent reward sources, and design systems that reward sound financial habits.
If we successfully make this shift, crypto can finally achieve the same level of ingrained trust as traditional savings vehicles. This is how we unlock the vast sea of dormant capital sitting on the sidelines.
NEAR Protocol, Virtuals, and Morpho crypto stood as some of the best performers on Tuesday amid a broader market rebound back above the $2.4 trillion mark.
Summary
- NEAR Protocol, Virtuals and Morpho led altcoin gains with double-digit rallies on Tuesday.
- NEAR, VIRTUALS benefited from positive developments across the AI sector alongside project-specific catalysts.
- Morpho rallied following the launch of the OKX Onchain Earn product on the protocol.
According to data from CoinGecko, the global crypto market rose 5% to $2.45 trillion before stabilizing around $2.4 trillion at press time. The market recovery was largely fueled by Bitcoin, the bellwether’s rally on Monday with the flagship crypto jumping from intraday lows near $65,000 to over $69,800 in a matter of hours.
Besides this, investor appetite for risk assets also returned after U.S. manufacturing data exceeded market expectations, fueling optimism surrounding Fed rate cuts this year.
The crypto market recovery triggered a short squeeze across major crypto assets. Data from CoinGlass shows nearly $202 million worth of short positions were liquidated in the past 24 hours, out of the total $331 million liquidated from both sides across leveraged markets.
Amidst this volatility, NEAR Protocol, Virtuals, and Morpho emerged as the standout winners. These assets capitalized on the easing market sentiment to post double-digit gains.
NEAR Protocol (NEAR) was the strongest gainer of the day with its 24% rally to a 5-week high of $1.45 on Monday. The surge extended its weekly gains to over 50%.
The AI token’s gains follow AI chip-making giant Nvidia announcing a multiyear strategic partnership with Coherent Corp, a global leader in photonics and networking, to advance its optical interconnect technology.
As part of the agreement, Nvidia would be investing $2 billion in Coherent to support research and development, along with expanding manufacturing capacity.
NVIDIA shares rose by 2.93% shortly after the announcement, sparking a broader rally in AI-focused cryptocurrencies. The partnership also comes just days after the chip giant revealed bullish quarterly earnings, easing fears of a slowdown in AI spending.
As Nvidia is the market bellwether for artificial intelligence, its bullish earnings and stock rally serve as a major impetus for related assets such as NEAR Protocol.
Project-specific catalysts, including the launch of Near FM and Near Intents has also supported the recent rally.
Virtuals Protocol
Virtuals Protocol (VIRTUAL) rose over 15% today to $0.79, its highest price since late January this year. The gains followed after it broke out of a consolidation from the $0.60-$0.75 range it had been stuck within over the past week.
Besides sharing the AI market hype surrounding Nvidia news and its stock gains, the agentic AI coin also benefited from strengthening fundamentals supporting it.
In a recent X post, the Virtuals Protocol team revealed that agent transactions on the network soared by around 128% over the past two weeks, as 3,421 agents competed in Epoch 2 of its AI revenue incentives program. Agent-to-agent revenue reached $2.8 million during the period, with roughly $200,000 distributed to builders.
The team also outlined upgrades for Epoch 3 aimed at tightening reward quality and making it materially harder to manufacture artificial signal, with a stronger focus on genuine demand and sustained utility.
Morpho
Morpho (MORPHO) rose 11% on the day to $1.97, extending its weekly gains to around 25%.
Morpho’s gains today can be largely attributed to a surge in network activity following the launch of the OKX Onchain Earn product on the Morpho protocol. The event includes a 65 million KAT (Katana Network) reward pool for users staking USDT on the protocol.
At the same time, there’s also noticeable chatter around Apollo Global’s recent commitment to the protocol, which has provided a strong fundamental backstop for the current price action. Under a newly established four-year cooperation agreement, the $940 billion asset manager is authorized to acquire up to 90 million MORPHO tokens, representing roughly 9% of the total supply.
Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.
Chainlink has enabled transfers of Coinbase’s wrapped Bitcoin token, cbBTC, from Base to the Monad blockchain using its cross-chain interoperability protocol (CCIP), enabling more than $5 billion worth of cbBTC to move into the Monad ecosystem.
According to Monday’s announcement from Monad, the integration brings cbBTC into the Monad DeFi ecosystem, where a bevy of applications, including Curvance and Neverland, are adopting cbBTC markets.
The move introduces Bitcoin-backed liquidity to lending, borrowing and other decentralized finance (DeFi) applications on Monad, an EVM-compatible layer-1 blockchain designed for high-throughput trading and financial use cases.
“As Bitcoin-backed assets grow into the tens of billions, the infrastructure moving them has to meet that scale,” said William Reilly, head of strategic initiatives at Chainlink Labs. CCIP was built with multiple layers of decentralized validation to reduce cross-chain risks and maintain consistent 1:1 backing across networks, he added.
Monad touts throughput of up to 10,000 transactions per second and sub-second finality, positioning itself as infrastructure for transaction-intensive financial applications.
Coinbase launched cbBTC in September 2024 as a wrapped Bitcoin token on Ethereum and Base, backed 1:1 by BTC held in custody and designed to automatically mint and redeem against Bitcoin deposits on the exchange.
Related: Bitcoin company Fold pays off $66M debt, frees up BTC collateral
New products aim to make Bitcoin a yield-bearing asset
Unlike proof-of-stake networks such as Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL), where users can earn rewards by staking tokens, Bitcoin’s proof-of-work design does not natively generate yield. That constraint has historically limited onchain income options for holders of the biggest cryptocurrency, but new financial structures have started to address the gap.
Last May, Solv Protocol co-founder Ryan Chow said demand for Bitcoin yield strategies was accelerating, particularly among companies seeking liquidity without selling Bitcoin. He pointed to proof-of-stake integrations and delta-neutral trading strategies as expanding ways Bitcoin can generate returns while supporting network security and liquidity.
That same month, Coinbase launched the Coinbase Bitcoin Yield Fund targeting 4% to 8% annual net returns for institutional investors outside the US. About a month later, Kraken introduced a Bitcoin staking product through an integration with Babylon Labs, allowing users to lock up their BTC and delegate it to secure proof-of-stake networks without bridging or wrapping.
Wrapped Bitcoin has also continued to expand across networks. In November, WBTC integrated with the Hedera network with support from BitGo and LayerZero, extending the largest tokenized version of Bitcoin into another smart contract ecosystem.
Last week, Telegram’s built-in TON Wallet added vaults enabling users to earn yield on Bitcoin within the messaging app through underlying decentralized finance infrastructure.
Magazine: Would Bitcoin really be at $200K if not for Jane Street? Trade Secrets
Crypto World
More than 95% of all bitcoin has already been mined, rest will take more than a century
Bitcoin is on the brink of reaching a major symbolic milestone with the issuance of its 20 millionth coin.
According to the Clark Moody Dashboard, 19,996,979 BTC have been mined, leaving just roughly 3,000 BTC remaining before the 20 millionth bitcoin is reached, roughly seven days away at current issuance rates. Once that threshold is crossed, more than 95% of the fixed 21 million supply will be in circulation, with just 1 million coins left to be mined over the next century.
Satoshi Nakamoto hard coded the 21 million cap into bitcoin’s protocol to create a form of money with absolute scarcity, contrasting sharply with fiat currencies that can be expanded by central banks. Although Satoshi never fully explained the specific number, the fixed limit established credibility around predictable supply. For bitcoin maximalists, the cap is foundational. Any suggestion of changing it is seen as undermining Bitcoin’s core value proposition as “hard money.”
Bitcoin’s scarcity is often compared to gold or oil. But while commodity supply can respond to higher prices through increased production or new discoveries, bitcoin’s issuance cannot accelerate. Its supply curve is transparent and immutable.
Issuance has slowed through halvings, which cut miner rewards roughly every four years, pushing inflation below 1%, with about 450 BTC mined daily. At this pace, 99% of supply will be mined by January 2035. The final full bitcoin is expected around 2105, with fractional issuance continuing until about 2140.
After that, miners will rely entirely on transaction fees. For supporters, the 20 million milestone reinforces bitcoin’s scarcity narrative as new supply dwindles. While for miners it underscores the long term shift toward a fee driven revenue model that will ultimately determine the network’s security and economics.
The Bank of Japan will conduct technical experiments using blockchain technology to settle deposits held at the central bank by financial institutions, according to BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda.
In a speech posted Tuesday titled “The New Financial Ecosystem and the Role of Central Banks,” Ueda said a sandbox project is underway to test settlement using central bank money “in the form of current account deposits on a system that uses blockchains.”
The experiments will explore “methods of connection with the existing system” and examine use cases, including “domestic interbank settlement and securities settlement.”
The project centers on settlement using central bank current account deposits, which are held by financial institutions at the BOJ. Ueda said the BOJ plans to proceed with support from external experts, framing the work as a controlled technical test rather than a policy rollout.
Sandbox targets interoperability and settlement design
The sandbox will study interoperability with current systems, including the Bank of Japan Financial Network System, known as BOJ-NET. Ueda said insights from the project could also be used to improve BOJ-NET.
Ueda added that integrating artificial intelligence and blockchain could enable enhanced financial services built on transaction and settlement data recorded on distributed systems.
Related: Metaplanet CEO rejects claims it hid details of Bitcoin trades
Ueda also warned of design risks tied to smart contracts. “When the design of the smart contracts is inadequate, however, there is a risk that the stability of financial markets and payment systems will be threatened,” he said.
Japan’s broader digital asset framework
The sandbox comes as Japan refines its digital asset regulatory framework.
In 2025, the Financial Services Agency held public consultations on reclassifying certain tokens under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act, a move that could subject select digital assets to securities-style disclosure and market conduct rules.
The government has also framed blockchain and tokenization as part of its broader “New Capitalism 2025” growth strategy, positioning digital infrastructure as a pillar of financial modernization.
Japan is also expanding stablecoin integration at the private sector level. On Oct. 27, 2025, JPYC launched Japan’s first yen-backed stablecoin under the country’s revised Payment Services Act, which recognizes stablecoins as electronic payment instruments.
On March 2, Sony Bank and stablecoin issuer JPYC signed a memorandum of understanding to study real-time transfers enabling customers to purchase yen-backed stablecoins directly from bank accounts.
Magazine: Bitdeer sells all Bitcoin, Metaplanet rejects misconduct claims: Asia Express
Crypto World
Solana Price Analysis: SOL Shows Recovery Signs After Reclaiming Critical Technical Level
TLDR
- SOL retreated from $90 to test support around $85 before stabilizing near $87
- The Relative Strength Index reads 47.68 — indicating neutral momentum without decisive bullish pressure
- For the first time since January, SOL has moved back above the Ichimoku cloud on 4-hour timeframes
- Technical observers identify $88.60 as a critical resistance threshold; clearing it may trigger moves toward $95–$100
- A bullish crossover occurred as the 50MA moved above the 100MA, suggesting improving short-term momentum
Solana (SOL) is currently changing hands in the $87–$88 range following a retreat from its recent peak of $90.29. The digital asset tested levels below both $88 and $87 before stabilizing above the crucial $85 support zone.
The token maintains its position above the 100-hourly simple moving average at present. Trading activity over the past day totals $9.99 billion in volume, while market capitalization stands at $49.91 billion. Price action reflects a 4.70% gain across the 24-hour period.
This recent retracement pushed SOL beneath the 50% Fibonacci retracement level calculated from the $81.71 low to the $90.29 high. Chart technicians have identified a bullish trend line developing on hourly timeframes, with support clustering near $85—a level that coincides with the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement.
On March 2, market analyst BitGuru suggested that SOL might be transitioning from correction into consolidation territory. His assessment highlighted the formation of higher lows near established support zones, indicating diminishing downside momentum.
Technical observers have zeroed in on $88.60 as the immediate level that needs reclaiming. According to market commentator More Crypto Online, a successful push above Sunday’s high at $88.60 would demonstrate renewed buyer strength.
Key Resistance Levels to Watch
Immediate resistance appears at $88, followed by $90 and $92. Successfully closing above $92 would potentially clear the way for tests of $96 and subsequently $100.
Should SOL struggle to overcome the $90 barrier, downside targets emerge at $84 and then $82. Breaking below $82 could expose the token to further weakness toward $76.50.
The Relative Strength Index currently registers 47.68—positioned in neutral territory without extreme conditions. The MACD indicator shows 1.80, marginally positive but still trailing the signal line at -4.29. While bearish pressure appears to be diminishing, bullish momentum hasn’t fully established dominance.
Solana remains positioned considerably below its major moving averages across longer timeframes. The 50-day SMA stands at $103.66, while the 100-day rests at $117.73, and the 200-day sits at $156.34.
Ichimoku Cloud Break Signals Shift
Analyzing the 4-hour timeframe reveals that SOL has successfully reclaimed position above the Ichimoku cloud—marking the first such occurrence since January. During the entire month of February, all upward movements met resistance at this cloud formation.
Additionally, the 50-period moving average has executed a bullish crossover above the 100-period moving average on 4-hour charts. Technical analyst CryptoCurb characterized this development as representing a meaningful shift in underlying trend structure.
Both moving averages are now beginning to slope upward. Chart projections presented by CryptoCurb indicate potential for movement toward $100 and higher levels, provided the token sustains its position above recently reclaimed technical zones.
Currently, SOL is valued at $87.64 with preliminary recovery indicators emerging, though a definitive trend reversal remains unconfirmed at this stage.
The crypto market has faced a significant drawdown this year, extending the decline that followed the October market crash.
However, in its latest market commentary, Grayscale Investments noted that now may be an appropriate time for long-term investors to consider allocating to crypto.
Grayscale Report Highlights AI’s Resilience Amid Crypto Market Decline
Grayscale highlighted that the crypto markets saw a notable decline in early February, following the downturn in high-growth software stocks and other equity sectors tied to early-stage technology. Market data showed that during the first week alone, the total crypto market cap dropped by around 10.8%.
The market experienced a notable decline towards the end of the first week, with Bitcoin (BTC) falling to $60,000, while other major assets also saw significant losses.
The FTSE/Grayscale Crypto Sectors Index dropped 26% from January 30 to February 5. The report also revealed that the artificial intelligence (AI) segment emerged as the top performer in February among crypto sectors. The sector experienced a more modest drawdown compared to others.
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“The outperformance seemed due to renewed enthusiasm around AI agents — autonomous software that can work independently on your behalf to pursue a complex set of objectives. Technological innovation appears to be accelerating with the rise of agent-based systems, particularly OpenClaw — a locally hosted productivity assistant that became one of the fastest-growing open-source projects in history,” the report read.
Kite AI, centered on agent-native stablecoin payments, and Pippin AI, which develops on-chain AI agents, both saw strong performance.
However, Grayscale’s report indicated a rebound, with the FTSE/Grayscale Crypto Sectors Index recovering 4% by the end of the month. The report added that metrics such as trading volumes and implied volatility have also “settled down.”
Grayscale Identifies Key Reasons for Long-Term Crypto Allocation
With market conditions stabilizing, Grayscale presents three core arguments for long-term accumulation. First, is the relationship between blockchain and AI. The report asserts that AI and blockchain are complementary, not competing.
“In fact, blockchains will likely be the financial rails for AI agents, given certain advantages over traditional bank-based finance — as discussed in the popular report by Citrini Research on possible AI disruptions,” Grayscale wrote.
While crypto assets declined alongside software stocks amid the market slump, the report suggested that investors may eventually differentiate between technologies disrupted by AI and those that complement it.
Second, the report pointed to stablecoin and tokenization trends. According to Grayscale, regulatory clarity, including the passing of the GENIUS Act last year, is encouraging institutional investment in stablecoins and tokenized assets. Recent actions by companies like Meta, Stripe, and BlackRock further demonstrate the sector’s growth potential.
“In February, reports indicated that Meta may reinvest in stablecoins after shelving its Libra/Diem project amid regulatory headwinds, and Stripe said in its annual letter that ‘stablecoin payments are advancing quietly and inexorably as real-world uptake continues apace.’ Separately, BlackRock said it would integrate its tokenized money market fund BUIDL with UniswapX,” the report highlighted.
Although the Clarity Act is delayed in the Senate, Grayscale highlights that its potential passage could facilitate institutional capital inflows into the asset class.
Lastly, the firm stated that the US economy remains healthy, with some indicators suggesting further potential growth. While there is uncertainty regarding the new Fed Chair nominee, Grayscale views the overall macro environment as supportive of risk assets.
“Overinvestment in AI is a medium-term risk, but the pace of innovation remains rapid and there are still shortages of data center capacity. The market reacted negatively to the nomination of Kevin Warsh to replace Jerome Powell as Fed Chair, but we doubt he will be as hawkish in practice as some of his viewpoints while Fed governor (2006-2011) might suggest,” Grayscale said.
Thus, Grayscale Investments presents a compelling case for long-term crypto growth. However, investors must carefully assess their risk appetite and time horizon, as the crypto market’s unpredictability can affect short-term returns despite long-term opportunities.
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