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Gas Futures & Blockspace Hedging

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Gas Futures & Blockspace Hedging

Locking in Tomorrow’s Transaction Costs Today. In decentralized finance, everyone obsesses over yield, leverage, and tokenomics. But there’s a quieter, far more structural variable that shapes everything: blockspace.

On networks like Ethereum, blockspace is the scarce resource. Every transaction competes for inclusion in a block, and users pay gas fees to win that competition. When demand surges—NFT mints, memecoin frenzies, liquidation cascades—fees can explode in minutes.

Now imagine if you could hedge that risk.

Welcome to the idea of Gas Futures & Blockspace Hedging: markets where users lock in future transaction costs—like airline tickets, but for blockchain execution.


Why Gas Is a Financial Risk

Gas fees are not just a UX annoyance. They’re a real economic variable.

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High gas costs:

  • Wipe out DeFi yield strategies

  • Make liquidations unprofitable

  • Block DAO governance participation

  • Kill arbitrage spreads

  • Force traders to delay execution

For funds, market makers, NFT projects, and on-chain businesses, gas volatility is operational risk.

And what do markets do with risk?

They price it.

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The Core Idea: Gas as a Tradable Commodity

Blockspace is finite per block. That makes it:

  • Scarce

  • Auctioned

  • Variable in price

In other words, perfect for derivatives.

A gas futures market would allow users to:

  • Lock in a maximum gas price for a future time window

  • Buy guaranteed transaction inclusion rights

  • Hedge against expected congestion

Instead of reacting to network chaos, you pre-purchase execution capacity.

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How Gas Futures Could Work

Here are a few possible models:

1. Fixed-Price Forward Contracts

A user agrees today to pay a fixed gas price next month.
If market gas spikes above that level, they win.
If it stays low, the seller profits.

Think: Over-the-counter blockspace forwards.


2. Blockspace Options

Buy the right—but not obligation—to transact at a specific gas ceiling.

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If network demand surges, you exercise.
If not, you let it expire.

This mirrors commodity options markets.


3. Block Inclusion Tokens

Validators could tokenize future block capacity

For example:

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  • “Slot #X in Epoch Y” becomes tradable

  • Users buy inclusion guarantees in advance

  • Validators receive upfront capital

This transforms execution priority into a financial instrument.


Who Would Actually Use This?

This isn’t for casual users sending $20.

The real demand would come from:

🏦 On-Chain Funds

Need predictable execution costs for rebalancing or liquidation defense.

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🖼 NFT Projects

Launching during peak hype? Pre-locking gas ensures mint success.

⚖️ MEV Searchers

Guaranteed inclusion = edge preservation.

🏛 DAOs

Governance proposals executed without being priced out.


Why This Doesn’t Exist (Yet)

Several structural challenges:

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1. Validator Coordination

On networks using Proof-of-Stake like Ethereum, block proposers rotate frequently. Futures would require coordination across validators or protocol-level changes.

2. Demand Uncertainty

Gas prices are reflexive. If everyone hedges, pricing models must adjust dynamically.

3. MEV Interaction

Blockspace is not just space—it contains MEV opportunities. Pricing execution without pricing MEV is incomplete.


The Bigger Picture: Financializing Infrastructure

We’ve already seen:

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Gas futures are the next logical layer: derivatives on execution itself.

This turns blockchain infrastructure into a financial market of its own.

Instead of:

“I hope gas isn’t high tomorrow.”

It becomes:

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“I’ve hedged my execution risk.”

That’s a fundamental shift.


What This Unlocks

If gas futures become liquid and reliable:

  • DeFi strategies become more stable

  • DAO governance becomes more predictable

  • Launches become more structured

  • On-chain businesses can forecast operational costs

It transforms blockchain from a chaotic fee auction into a hedgeable production environment.


Final Thought

Most people treat gas like weather—unpredictable and annoying.

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But blockspace isn’t weather.

It’s a commodity.

And once a commodity becomes hedgeable, it becomes programmable.

Gas futures wouldn’t just smooth transaction costs—they’d complete the financial stack of decentralized networks.

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The real alpha isn’t in the token.

It’s in owning tomorrow’s blockspace.

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Alibaba (BABA) Shares Drop Approximately 10% Over the Week

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Alibaba (BABA) Shares Drop Approximately 10% Over the Week

Last Wednesday, the closing price of Alibaba (BABA) shares was $152.28, while the closing price yesterday was $135.59, marking a 2026 low.

The roughly 10% decline was driven by a combination of bearish factors, including:

→ Unexpected resignation of Lin Junyang (Justin Lin) – Lin led Alibaba’s AI project Qwen, a key LLM platform. According to Reuters, this is the third notable departure from Qwen in 2026, and Lin has not provided a reason.

→ Overall bearish trend in tech stocks – High capital expenditures combined with uncertainty over profitability have weighed on the sector. Alibaba previously committed at least CNY 380 billion (around $52 billion) for AI and cloud infrastructure investments over three years.

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→ Pressure from US regulators – Reports indicate that Alibaba was added to a list of companies cooperating with China’s military, potentially complicating business. Although the listing was later removed from the US Federal Register, the attempt itself increases the risk of new sanctions from the administration.

→ Geopolitical tensions – With the threat of the Middle East conflict escalating into a wider war, financial markets see increased demand for safe-haven assets. Chinese tech companies are particularly exposed to these pressures.

Despite these challenges, technical analysis offers hope for the bulls.

Technical Analysis of Alibaba (BABA) Shares

Take a look at the most recent BABA candlestick – the closing price is well above the low, while trading volume has surged to the highest level since late January. This can be interpreted as a sign of demand preventing further price declines.

Looking at history confirms this observation. In late August, BABA shares broke through the descending trendline and, on extremely high volumes, began a run towards multi-month highs.

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At that time, demand clearly dominated – bulls may gain confidence near the $130 mark and prevent a deeper drop in the stock.

Buy and sell stocks of the world’s biggest publicly-listed companies with CFDs on FXOpen’s trading platform. Open your FXOpen account now or learn more about trading share CFDs with FXOpen.

This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only. It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.

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A Guide to Its Privacy-Focused Blockchain Ecosystem

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Beldex presents a privacy-oriented blockchain ecosystem that aims to enable confidential, censorship-resistant digital interactions.

It’s common knowledge that transaction details on most public blockchains are transparent and traceable. Beldex, on the other hand, focuses on embedding privacy at the protocol level by combining confidential transactions with additional tools designed to protect browsing activity, communication, and digital identity.

At the heart of its ecosystem is the BDX token, which serves as the network’s native utility asset. It is used for a range of purposes, such as paying transaction fees, participating in masternodes, interacting with applications built within the Beldex ecosystem, and more.

While the project originated as a privacy-focused one, it has vastly expanded its scope to include decentralized networking, messaging, and identity services. This broader approach aims to position it as more than just a single-purpose privacy coin and to provide an integrated infrastructure for private digital activity.

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Core Vision and Mission

The team has a clearly stated mission, which is centered on making privacy the default layer of digital interaction. Beldex is built around the idea that every user should be able to retain control over their financial data, online identities, and communications, without having to rely on centralized intermediaries.

That said, the core objectives of the project include:

  • Transaction privacy
  • Communication privacy
  • Network privacy
  • Decentralized identities

Beldex doesn’t just focus on financial transfers, but instead aims to create a layered stack of privacy-oriented capabilities. This includes decentralized networking infrastructure, user-facing applications such as browsers and messaging tools, blockchain-level confidentiality, and more.

History and Evolution

Initially launched in 2018 as a fork of Monero, in its early phases, Beldex operated under the proof-of-work (PoW) consensus algorithm, similar to how Monero functioned.

In December 2021, three years later, the team transitioned from Proof-of-Work to Proof-of-Stake (PoS), marking a significant structural shift in how the network functioned.

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Under PoS, validators (known as masternodes) must lock up a minimum amount of 10000 BDX tokens to participate in governance and validate blocks.

There were a few factors that motivated this particular decision to transition:

  • Improved efficiency
  • Faster block times
  • Lower transaction costs
  • Higher throughput and scalability
  • Opportunities for broader participation

In essence, this evolution from a Monero-derived privacy coin into a fully-fledged, independent PoS-based privacy infrastructure underscores its intent to expand.

Privacy and Cryptographic Foundations

As mentioned above, privacy in Beldex is embedded directly at the protocol level – it’s not an optional add-on. The network introduces additional upgrades, but also inherits several core privacy mechanisms from its origins as a fork of Monero.

On-Chain Privacy Mechanisms

Beldex leverages multiple cryptographic techniques to conceal transaction metadata.

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Ring Signatures

Ring signatures are designed to allow a sender’s transaction to be mixed with several inputs – known as decoys. Observers can verify that one of the inputs is valid, but they cannot determine which one exactly initiated the transaction.

Stealth Addresses

The way transactions work on Beldex is that, instead of sending funds to a static public address, the network generates a one-time destination address for every transaction. Of course, the recipient can detect and spend the funds using their own private keys, but outside observers can hardly link multiple payments to the same recipient.

Ring Confidential Transactions (RingCT)

The goal of RingCT is to hide the amount that’s being transferred in a transaction. The network itself can verify that no coins are created or destroyed legitimately, but the transferred value itself is not visible to the public.

Bulletproof++

Through its Obscura update, Beldex integrated Bulletproof++ range proofs. These are designed to reduce the size of confidential transaction proofs. Smaller proofs, for their part, help with scalability, reduce the verification overhead, and lower transaction costs.

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These mechanisms ensure that:

  • Transaction amounts remain hidden
  • Recipient addresses are unlinkable
  • Sender identities are obfuscated

Network-Level Privacy

Even though transaction privacy protects on-chain information, metadata can still potentially be exposed at the network layer itself.

To combat this, Beldex incorporates:

  • Decentralized node infrastructure
  • Ongoing plans to implement routing improvements such as Dandelion++
  • Integration with its own privacy network, BelNet

Consensus

As you already know, in December 2021, Beldex transitioned from a Proof-of-Work to a Proof-of-Stake governance model, and in doing so, replaced miners with stake-based validators known as masternodes.

Proof-of-Stake Model

Under PoS, validators are required to lock a minimum of 10,000 BDX to operate a masternode. In doing so, they become responsible for:

  • Validating transactions
  • Producing new blocks
  • Securing the network
  • Supporting ecosystem infrastructure components

The block times were also reduced considerably following the transition, which aimed to improve both latency and throughput.

Masternodes as Network Backbone

Undoubtedly, the core of the network are masternodes, which, beyond validation, they also support:

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  • Maintaining uptime, validating transactions, and securing the chain
  • Protocol enforcement and consensus integrity
  • Network services that are associated with privacy applications such as BChat, BelNet, and the Beldex Browser
  • Infrastructure for decentralized services within the ecosystem

Operators receive staking rewards because they maintain the network’s uptime and also perform validation duties. However, as with many PoS systems, this requires a certain capital commitment.

Native Token: BDX

BDX serves as the native utility token of the network and functions as an economic layer, powering transactions, staking, validator participation, as well as interaction with the broader ecosystem.

Some of its core utilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Transaction fees
  • Staking and masternodes
  • Ecosystem services
  • BNS identity registrations
  • Cross-chain usage

Keep in mind that BDX is positioned as a utility token within a broader infrastructure that also includes decentralized networking, identity services, and messaging.

Beldex: The Ecosystem

Beyond a confidential blockchain, Beldex extends into offering a set of privacy-oriented applications.

BChat

BChat is a decentralized privacy messaging app that is developed within the broader Beldex ecosystem. Its purpose is to provide a peer-to-peer, private communication without having to rely on centralized servers.

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Some of the most important characteristics include:

  • Decentralized infrastructure
  • Decentralized message routing
  • End-to-end encrypted messaging
  • Optional use of the Beldex Name Service usernames instead of public keys

BelNet

BelNet is a decentralized virtual private network, as well as an onion-routing network that’s developed to anonymize internet traffic.

Instead of having to route traffic through a single centralized provider, BelNet distributes it across many nodes.

Some of its intended functions include:

  • IP address masking
  • Censorship resistance
  • Community-run masternode relays and exit nodes
  • Reduced dependency on centralized VPN operators

Beldex Browser

The Beldex Browser is focused on privacy and designed to block trackers, intrusive ads, and more.

It’s positioned as a user-friendly gateway into the broader Beldex privacy stack, combining traditional web browsing with decentralized networking tools.

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Some of its features are:

  • Tracker and ad blocking
  • Censorship-free browsing
  • Integration with BelNet for built-in anonymized browsing

Beldex Name System

Also known as BNS, the Beldex Name Service is a decentralized naming service that’s designed to map human-readable names to blockchain addresses. For example, yourname.bdx would be equivalent to your public address.

Some of its aims include:

  • Enabling censorship-resistant domain ownership
  • Simplifying user interaction with crypto addresses
  • Providing consistent identities across Beldex apps and the ecosystem

Pros and Cons

Let’s address some of the key strengths of Beldex, as well as some of the challenges that it will inevitably have to face.

Pros/Strengths

  • Ongoing technical development
  • Ecosystem diversification
  • Energy-efficient consensus mechanism
  • Protocol-level confidentiality
  • Integrated privacy architecture

Cons/Challenges

  • Questionable broader regulatory environment
  • Adoption competition
  • Technical complexity

Conclusion

All in all, Beldex is building a privacy-focused blockchain project that has evolved from a Monero-based Proof-of-Work cryptocurrency into a broader, standalone ecosystem centered on confidential digital infrastructure.

Beyond what’s currently implemented, Beldex has also outlined additional enhancements, including VRF-based validator selection, Dandelion++ routing for network-layer obfuscation, and further research into Fully Homomorphic Encryption and Post Quantum Cryptography.

These initiatives suggest a continued focus on improving both privacy and security guarantees as well as the consensus’s overall robustness.

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Market Analysis: Gold Under Pressure as WTI Crude Extends Rally During Iran War

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Market Analysis: Gold Under Pressure as WTI Crude Extends Rally During Iran War

Gold price extended losses below $5,100 before the bulls appeared. WTI Crude oil prices are rising and could climb further higher toward $80.00.

Important Takeaways for Gold and WTI Crude Oil Prices Analysis Today

· Gold price failed to clear $5,420 and corrected lower against the US Dollar.

· There is a key bearish trend line forming with resistance at $5,255 on the hourly chart of gold at FXOpen.

· WTI Crude oil prices are moving higher above the $72.00 resistance zone.

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· There is a bullish trend line forming with support near $72.85 on the hourly chart of XTI/USD at FXOpen.

Gold Price Technical Analysis

On the hourly chart of Gold at FXOpen, the price was able to climb above $5,150. The price even broke $5,250 before the bears appeared. The price traded toward $5,420 before there was a fresh decline.

There was a move below $5,250 and $5,050. The price settled below the 50-hour simple moving average, and RSI dipped below 40. Finally, it tested the $5,000 handle. A low was formed at $4,995 and the price is now attempting to recover.

The price climbed above the 23.6% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $5,419 swing high to the $4,995 low. Immediate resistance on the upside is $5,205 and the 50% Fib retracement.

The first major hurdle sits at $5,255. There is also a key bearish trend line forming with resistance at $5,255. A close above $5,255 could initiate a recovery wave to $5,420. An upside break above $5,420 could send Gold price toward $5,500. Any more gains may perhaps set the pace for an increase toward $5,650.

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If there is no fresh increase, the price could continue to move down. Initial support on the downside is near the $5,125 level. The first key area of interest might be $5,080. If there is a downside break below $5,080, the price might decline further. In the stated case, the price might drop to $5,000.

WTI Crude Oil Price Technical Analysis

On the hourly chart of WTI Crude Oil at FXOpen, the price started a strong increase from $63.50 against the US Dollar. The price gained bullish momentum after it broke $68.00.

There was a sustained upward movement above $69.50 and $72.00. The bulls pushed the price above the 50-hour simple moving average, and the RSI climbed toward 80. A high was formed near $77.07 before there was a minor pullback.

The price declined below the 23.6% Fib retracement level of the upward move from the $63.56 swing low to the $77.07 high. However, the bulls are active above $72.00. There is also a key bullish trend line forming with support near $72.85.

Immediate resistance is $75.00. If the price climbs further, it could face hurdles near $77.05. The next major stop for the bulls might be $78.00. Any more gain might send the price toward $80.00.

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Conversely, the price might correct gains and retest the 50-hour simple moving average or the trend line. The next area of interest on the WTI crude oil chart is near the 50% Fib retracement at $70.35. If there is a downside break, the price might decline to $66.75. Any more losses may perhaps open the doors for a move toward $63.55.

Start trading commodity CFDs with tight spreads (additional fees may apply). Open your trading account now or learn more about trading commodity CFDs with FXOpen.

This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only. It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.

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Solana risks repeating 95% crash seen in 2022 while funding in Mutuum Finance nears $21m

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Solana risks repeating 95% crash seen in 2022 while funding in Mutuum Finance nears $21m - 1

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

As Solana shows technical signals reminiscent of its 2022 downturn, investors are increasingly watching emerging DeFi projects like Mutuum Finance.

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Summary

  • Despite strong network metrics and growing on-chain activity, Solana remains in a long-term descending channel with indicators such as the monthly SuperTrend flashing a sell signal similar to conditions preceding its 2022 crash.
  • Mutuum Finance is developing a non-custodial lending protocol on Ethereum that supports both Peer-to-Contract and Peer-to-Peer lending models.
  • The project has raised over $20.7 million from more than 19,000 holders, with smart contracts audited by Halborn Security and the token reviewed by CertiK, while its V1 protocol is live on the Sepolia testnet.

Solana (SOL) is trading at levels that have prompted comparisons to its 2022 cycle, when the token declined roughly 95%. The current price structure has shown signs of weakness, with resistance zones capping upside attempts and momentum remaining fragile. Meanwhile, Mutuum Finance (MUTM) has seen funding approach the $21 million mark. The project operates a non-custodial lending and borrowing protocol within the decentralized finance sector, and the capital inflow reflects continued investor participation during a period of uncertainty for larger-cap assets.

Solana bearish trend persists

Solana’s real-world asset ecosystem reached $1.66 billion in tokenized value, reflecting increased on-chain capital movement and institutional participation. The network ranked among the leading Layer 1 chains in dApp revenue and recorded a rise in app revenue capture ratio from 262% to 375%, supported by strong network activity and spot ETF inflows. 

Despite these metrics, SOL remains in a long-term descending channel on the weekly chart. Analysts identify price imbalances up to $140 that could be filled before a potential test of the $47.9 extension level. The monthly SuperTrend indicator has flipped to a “sell” signal, a condition last seen in 2022 before a 95% decline. While network fundamentals show growth, the prevailing technical structure remains bearish. Meanwhile, Mutuum Finance sees strong growth.

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Solana risks repeating 95% crash seen in 2022 while funding in Mutuum Finance nears $21m - 1

Mutuum Finance lending 

Built on the Ethereum network, Mutuum Finance is a new decentralized lending and borrowing protocol. It is a non-custodial platform, allowing users complete control over their funds. The project offers flexibility through its dual lending model, supporting both Peer-to-Contract (P2C) and Peer-to-Peer (P2P) lending. In the P2C system, users can deposit widely used assets like USDT or ETH into shared liquidity pools and earn interest automatically; for example, a $50,000 USDT deposit at 8% APY would grow to $54,000 over a year without additional action, while borrowers provide overcollateralized assets at dynamic rates based on pool demand. 

The P2P model, on the other hand, caters to high-volatility tokens, allowing direct negotiations between borrowers and lenders; for instance, an investor holding $25,000 in a meme coin like PEPE could obtain a $13,800 USDC loan at 14% APY with 180% overcollateralization, preserving exposure to potential gains in PEPE while providing the lender $966 in interest in 6 months. 

Security and community engagement

Mutuum Finance’s lending and borrowing smart contracts recently underwent a full audit by Halborn Security. The project team incorporated all recommendations highlighted by the security firm before the protocol’s testnet debut. The MUTM token itself has also been audited by CertiK, achieving a token scan score of 90/100. MUTM is priced at $0.04, with more than 19,070 holders and over $20.72 million committed to the project.

Solana is currently down 73% from its $294 ATH, following sharp downturns since Q4 2025. Frequent whale selling and profit-taking have further eroded confidence in the token. Meanwhile, Mutuum Finance shows steady development. Its V1 Protocol is live on the Sepolia testnet, allowing users to test the protocol’s core features, including staking, borrowing, and lending. Users can borrow and lend ETH, USDT, LINK, and WBTC, which are the supported test tokens. The testnet also includes an automated liquidator bot, which maintains protocol health. 

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As Solana risks repeating its 95% crash from 2022, with bearish technical signals and a sell signal on the monthly SuperTrend, investors are cutting their losses to seek alternative market plays. Meanwhile, strong capital inflows are being reported for Mutuum Finance (MUTM), whose funding is approaching $21 million. Built on Ethereum, MUTM offers a non‑custodial lending protocol with a dual‑market structure, live on Sepolia testnet, audited by Halborn and CertiK.

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.

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Why Did The POWER Token Drop Over 90%?

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Power Protocol (POWER) 90% Price Drop

Power Protocol’s POWER token has dropped over 90% over the past 24 hours, erasing all its February 2026 gains.

The staggering loss has sparked debate about the project as a major token unlock approaches.

Power Token Surges 900% in February, Then Faces 90% Loss

For context, Power Protocol is a blockchain infrastructure platform focused on Web3 gaming and entertainment. It unifies games, consumer applications, studios, and digital IP under a shared economic layer powered by the POWER token.

The altcoin is a relatively new market entrant, having launched on December 5, 2025. Following an initial rally, the token experienced volatility.

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Nonetheless, momentum picked up again in early February, even as the broader market continued to struggle. Later in the month, the platform secured $3 million in funding from BITKRAFT Ventures.

“Power Protocol raised new funding in a round led exclusively by BITKRAFTVC, bringing total funding to $15.4M. We’re building the economic engine behind the next generation of crypto entertainment, with POWER at the core,” the platform announced.

Over the course of February, POWER climbed more than 900%. The rally culminated in the altcoin hitting an all-time high of $2.46 on March 2.

However, what followed was a massive drop. BeInCrypto Markets data showed the token declined 90% over the past day, hitting an intraday low of $0.15, its lowest level since late January. At press time, POWER traded at $0.18.

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Power Protocol (POWER) 90% Price Drop
Power Protocol (POWER) 90% Price Drop. Source: BeInCrypto Markets

The sharp decline has also propelled POWER to the top of CoinGecko’s daily losers list. Additionally, community sentiment remains largely negative, with 64% of users bearish about the token.

CoinGecko attributed the decline to two triggers. First, the Ronin Bridge reportedly saw a temporary pause. This created a significant price gap between on-chain markets and centralized exchanges (CEXs).

Second, an upcoming token unlock scheduled for March 5 intensified fears of additional selling pressure. According to DropsTab data, the unlock represents 1.2% of the total supply.

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POWER Token Unlock
POWER Token Unlock. Source: DropsTab

Meanwhile, the severity of the drop also triggered community speculation. Some users on X made rug-pull allegations, while others labeled it a “crime dump.”

“Crime coins can also do what $POWER is doing now….go -75% in a day. What goes up…,” Altcoin Sherpa wrote.

While these remain allegations, it is clear that the drop has affected investor sentiment. As the March 5 unlock date approaches, market participants may be growing cautious. Further declines could follow if sentiment continues to worsen and newly unlocked tokens are sold off swiftly.

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BTC jumps above $71,000, building on resilience to Middle East conflict

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BTC jumps above $71,000, building on resilience to Middle East conflict

Bitcoin surged Wednesday, underscoring it’s growing resilience to turmoil in the Middle East, while gold, a traditional safe haven, lagged.

The leading cryptocurrency by market value rose to $71,023 during the European hours, up over 6% on a 24-hour basis, according to CoinDesk data. Other majors such as ether (ETH), XRP (XRP) and solana (SOL) followed bitcoin’s lead, rising 4% to 6%, respectively.

The CoinDesk 20 Index, a broader market gauge, rose over 5% to 2,025 points.

“Bitcoin may now exhibit some defensive characteristics during crisis periods, but gold’s retreat highlights that even classic safe-havens are not immune to market dynamics, positioning Bitcoin as a more flexible yet still high-beta alternative,” Tagus Capital said in its daily newsletter.

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BTC’s latest move to multi‑week highs follows even as the crisis has intensified, with Iran blocking oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz and raising the spectre of energy‑price inflation around the world. Since the conflict between Israel, the U.S., and Iran erupted on Saturday, bitcoin has proved surprisingly resilient, with the downside capped around $65,000.

Meanwhile, gold, a traditional safe haven, peaked above $5,400 per ounce on Monday and has since declined to $5,160. Asian equity indices, led by South Korea’s Kospi index, have bled heavily as oil imports cost rise.

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Eric Trump’s American Bitcoin Company Adds 11,298 Mining Machines, Expands by 3 EH/s

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Eric Trump’s American Bitcoin Company Adds 11,298 Mining Machines, Expands by 3 EH/s

American Bitcoin Corp. is not slowing down.

The company confirmed it just added 11,298 new ASIC miners, boosting capacity by 3.05 EH/s. That brings its total owned hash power to around 28 EH/s, a serious expansion at a time when network difficulty is already near record levels.

Led by Eric Trump, the firm is scaling hardware while holding more than 6,000 BTC in its treasury.

Key Takeaways:
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  • American Bitcoin: Added 11,298 ASIC miners, boosting capacity by 3.05 EH/s.
  • Operational Scale: Total owned fleet now stands at 89,242 machines creating 28.1 EH/s.
  • Treasury Strategy: Retained a 6,000 BTC treasury despite market volatility and expansion costs.

American Bitcoin Scales 3 EH/s in Alberta

The acquisition targets immediate deployment at the company’s Drumheller, Alberta, site this month. These aren’t older models. The new units are rated at 13.5 joules per terahash (J/TH), a high-efficiency spec that directly impacts operating margins.

Once energized, American Bitcoin’s owned fleet will size up to 89,242 miners. That represents approximately 28.1 EH/s of total computing power. While other firms have been forced to liquidate holdings to fund operations, American Bitcoin is mirroring the strategy seen elsewhere in the market, where companies like BitMine are making treasury purchases rather than drawing them down.

According to the announcement, the company has held its 6,000 BTC treasury steady despite recent price volatility.

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Mining Economics: Efficiency vs. Difficulty

This push comes at a brutal time for miners. Network difficulty is sitting at 144.40 T, meaning 144.40 trillion hashes are needed to mine a single block. It has stayed elevated since mid-February, squeezing margins across the sector.

Source: Coinwarz

In this kind of environment, efficiency is survival. Hardware rated at 13.5 J/TH gives American Bitcoin a meaningful edge on power costs versus older rigs. The added 3.05 EH/s slightly boosts its odds of earning block rewards, but real profitability still hinges on where Bitcoin trades.

Macro conditions could offer a tailwind. Some analysts argue miner capitulation often marks cycle bottoms, and firms that expand during peak stress tend to benefit most on the rebound.

For now, shares traded mostly flat, moving in line with broader equity weakness.

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The key variable is timing. If the additional 3 EH/s is fully deployed in Alberta before the next difficulty adjustment, the company effectively upgrades its fleet efficiency at a critical moment. In this margin environment, that sequencing is not a small detail.

Discover: The best new crypto in the world

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Polymarket archives nuclear market following backlash over war betting

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Polymarket archives nuclear market following backlash over war betting - 1

Offshore prediction market Polymarket has quietly archived a longstanding contract that allowed users to wager on the likelihood of a nuclear weapon detonation within specific timeframes, removing the market from its platform amid mounting public and political scrutiny.

Summary

  • Polymarket archived its nuclear detonation contract shortly after promoting updated odds on X, without issuing a detailed public explanation.
  • Concerns are mounting that insiders with access to military or policy decisions could exploit prediction markets, particularly following heavy betting activity around recent Iran-related military developments.
  • U.S. senators are increasing scrutiny of so-called “death-linked” and war-related markets, pressuring regulators to examine platforms such as Polymarket and Kalshi.

Polymarket’s nuclear bet sparks outcry

The move came hours after the company posted updated odds on X suggesting a roughly 22 % probability of nuclear detonation by year-end, drawing intense criticism across social media and from market analysts.

Polymarket archives nuclear market following backlash over war betting - 1

The nuclear detonation contract, which had been active for years and showed notable trading volumes, including more than $1.7 million in bets on a contract expiring in 2025, has disappeared from Polymarket’s listings without formal announcement.

The removal follows a broader surge in controversy surrounding Polymarket’s geopolitical markets, particularly those tied to the recent U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iran.

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During that crisis, more than $529 million in bets were placed on contracts related to the timing and outcomes of the attacks, dwarfing typical activity on the platform and fueling speculation about the ethical implications of wagering on war.

Analysts from blockchain surveillance firms flagged a series of newly created wallets that earned over $1 million by placing timely bets just hours before the strikes commenced, prompting accusations that insiders with advance information may be exploiting the unregulated markets.

Critics argue that prediction markets like Polymarket, which require only a crypto wallet and operate largely outside established financial regulations, create incentives for participants to profit from real-world conflicts and tragedies, raising both moral and legal questions.

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The controversy has caught the attention of U.S. lawmakers, with several Senators urging regulatory action to curb markets tied to death, war, or high-stakes geopolitical events. Federal regulators, including the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, are advancing rulemaking aimed at clarifying how such platforms should be supervised.

Polymarket has not issued a public statement explaining the removal of the nuclear market or detailing wider changes to its listings. The platform’s response to criticism generally emphasizes the value of aggregated market insights, but the latest developments underscore intensifying pressure on prediction markets over ethics, transparency and potential insider exploitation.

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Crypto World

Harvard Picks ETH USD After Trimming Bitcoin ETF Exposure

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Harvard, one of the world’s most prestigious Universities, just trimmed its Bitcoin ETF position by roughly $72M and rotated the capital into Ethereum.

SEC filings show the Univertisities $57Bn endowment cut its stake in BlackRock’s IBIT in Q4 2025, while initiating an $86.8M position in iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA).

This move plays into the growing sentiment in the market that ETH USD represents a stronger conviction play in 2026, driven by continued network upgrades and consistent institutional adoption from some of the world’s biggest firms.

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It comes as the total crypto market cap climbed 2.6% overnight and is back above $2.4 trillion, with Bitcoin price and Ethereum USD reclaiming key levels at $69,000 and $2,000, respectively.

Harvard has reduced its Bitcoin ETF exposure in favour of a fresh Ethereum USD investment but BTC is still the University's largest holding

(SOURCE: CoinGecko)

Q4 Filing Shows $72M Bitcoin ETF Trim, $86.8M Ethereum Add

The changes from America’s most prestigious University were disclosed in an SEC Form 13F filed on February 13, covering the quarter ended December 31, 2025.

Harvard Management Company cut its IBIT stake to 5,353,612 shares, valued at $265.8M at year-end prices. That’s down from the prior quarter, equating to roughly $72M in net sales based on IBIT’s December 31 close of $49.65.

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At the same time, the endowment initiated a 3.87M-share position in ETHA, valued at $86.8M. It’s Harvard’s first disclosed allocation to an Ethereum ETF since US spot ETH products launched in mid-2024.

Bitcoin remains the largest single disclosed equity holding in the University’s 13F portfolio, still larger than positions in Google, Microsoft, or Amazon, highlighting the University’s firm belief in Bitcoin’s long-term prospects and now in Ethereum’s.

Harvard has reduced its Bitcoin ETF exposure in favour of a fresh Ethereum USD investment but BTC is still the University's largest holding

(SOURCE: Fintel.io)

EXPLORE: Best Crypto Presales to buy in 2026

What Does Harvard’s Rotation from Bitcoin ETF to Ethereum Signal for Institutions and Everyday Investors?

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The main takeaway is simple: Harvard is rotating from its Bitcoin ETF exposure and into Ethereum USD. It is yet another institution betting on ETH being the stronger play for the foreseeable future.

However, another angle with this story is diversification within crypto, not away from one particular asset. Even after the trim, combined exposure sits at $352.6M.

You don’t have to be an ETH bull or BTC maxi to acknowledge that it’s a meaningful crypto allocation for a conservative endowment, regardless of your allegiance, and this comes from someone who is a huge Ethereum maxi.

The structure also matters. Crypto now represents about 12.8% of Harvard’s reportable US equity holdings. That’s not experimental sizing; it highlights the University’s firm belief in digital assets.

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Why is Ethereum Being Seen as the Golden Ticket in 2026?

Meanwhile, institutional Ethereum interest is building elsewhere. Public companies are adding ETH to treasuries, as seen in BitMine’s recent allocation, where shares jumped after the firm expanded its ETH holdings.

On-chain data also shows large holders accumulating during drawdowns, according to recent analysis of whale and RWA flows.

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Fidelity, a $5.9 trillion asset manager, also recently launched its own stablecoin on Ethereum, one of many TradFi giants that have chosen the Vitalik Buterin-led network for their products.

This is the broader trend right now: Bitcoin as a macro reserve asset and Ethereum as the number one growth-layer infrastructure.

Bitcoin Price and Ethereum USD Price Levels: Key Zones After Q4 Volatility

Bitcoin is currently trading near $69,300 after a sharp retracement from its $126,000 October 2025 high. The $60,000–$62,000 zone remains structural support and has remained intact so far. However, a loss of that magnitude could quickly bring $52,000 into view.

On the upside, $72,000 is the first significant resistance. Reclaim that with volume, and the market likely moves toward $80,000 next. No follow-through, and it will likely spell a period of the Bitcoin price staying range-bound for some time.

Ethereum USD, meanwhile, trades just over $2,000 after a roughly -30% correction in Q4. The $1,800 level is the line in the sand. It has held throughout all of this ongoing volatility, and if $2,000 can hold, $2,400 is back on the table.

DISCOVER: Next Crypto to Explode in 2026

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Is BTCC a Safe Crypto Exchange?

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BTCC is a well-known centralized cryptocurrency exchange. It was founded in 2011, making it one of the veterans in the space.

The platform provides cryptocurrency derivatives trading, as well as traditional services through a mobile application and a web interface.

As of 2026, BTCC reports over 9 million registered users and an expanded product offering, including, but not limited to, futures trading, copy trading, promotional incentive programs, multi-asset trading through its BTCC TradFi initiative, and more.

The following review takes a closer look at the core BTCC products, its security protocols, ease of use, user feedback, and more, and attempts to answer whether it’s a safe crypto exchange to use in 2026.

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Main Takeaways

  • BTCC was founded in 2011 and currently has over 9 million registered users.
  • The platform supports more than 400 trading pairs and leverage of up to 500x on selected major assets.
  • BTCC offers copy trading and provides various rewards for new users.
  • The exchange also has a TradFi section where users can trade gold, forex, commodities, and more.

Pros:

  • Long operational history (since 2011)
  • Large number of trading pairs
  • Includes additional services such as copy trading and TradFi
  • No security breaches since inception

Cons:

  • High leverage levels carry inherent risk for beginners.
  • TradFi asset trading is limited in its support for USDT settlement only.

Company Background

BTCC was founded in June 2011, during the earliest development periods of Bitcoin and the rest of the nascent crypto industry. Since its establishment, the company has operated through multiple market cycles, witnessing four Bitcoin halving events.

The exchange states that it has seen zero security breaches since inceptions, which is a notable milestone. There are also no public records of any incidents.

As of 2026, BTCC reports over 9 million users registered globally.

Operating under the slogan “Exchange for a better future,” the company states that its vision is to make crypto trading accessible and reliable to everyday users, as well as to experienced traders alike.

It defines its core values as Focus, Growth, Experience, and Fairness, which also supposedly guide product development, service quality, and overall platform support.

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Core Products and Trading Services

Naturally, BTCC supports spot trading for a number of different cryptocurrencies. In fact, at the time of this writing, it’s ranked 26 on CoinMarketCap’s list by means of daily trading volume.

The focus, however, seems to be on its derivatives trading section, where the exchange is currently 16th by means of open interest.

Cryptocurrency Futures Trading

Being a well-known centralized exchange, one of the core products that BTCC has to offer is its futures trading platform. As of 2026, the exchange lists more than 400 trading pairs.

Some of the major digital assets, which are available for futures trading include:

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  • BTC
  • ETH
  • DOGE
  • SOL
  • XRP, and more.

Perpetual futures are incredibly popular in the cryptocurrency industry. They are a type of futures contract, but unlike traditional ones, they don’t have an expiration date, meaning that traders can open and close them at any given moment.

For these major assets, the exchange supports leverage of up to 500x. For lesser-known, less popular altcoins, leverage ratios range from 10x to 100x. It’s worth noting that trading with a 500x leverage ratio is incredibly risky and can lead to temporary liquidations. Experienced and disciplined traders rarely use leverage of more than 2-5x, as this significantly increases the risk of losing capital.

USDT-M Perpetual Futures

Those specific perpetual futures contracts are settled exclusively in USDT.

COIN-M Perpetual Futures

These perpetual futures contracts can be settled in select cryptocurrencies, which is convenient for those of you who don’t wish to off-ramp to stablecoins.

Copy Trading

In addition to the above, BTCC also supports Copy trading. For those unfamiliar, this trading feature is very popular in the industry, and it enables users to replicate the trading strategies of other traders on the platform.

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As you can see, the interface is relatively simple and easy to use. Users are presented with different traders to copy. Their performance results are clearly indicated.

Moreover, BTCC regularly has different promotional terms to incentivize people to use various products of its platform, including Copy trading.

BTCC TradFi

Launched in February 2025, BTCC TradFi enables users to trade a number of traditional financial instruments through its platform, unifying the broader experience and further expanding its product offering.

Some of the available asset classes include:

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  • Gold
  • Foreign Exchange (FOREX)
  • Commodities
  • Indices
  • CFDs (contracts for difference) and others.

Security and Risk Management

As mentioned above, BTCC’s security hasn’t been compromised since its establishment. The exchange states that their security and risk control measures are properly integrated within the platform’s infrastructure.

It implements a number of best practices, such as storing a portion of user funds in secured cold wallets, as well as asset segregation.

According to the official security page of BTCC, it stores assets 1 to 1. This means that if the user deposits Bitcoin, then BTCC will store Bitcoin. If they deposit USDT, the exchange will store USDT.

In addition, standard security measures such as Two-factor authentication (2FA) are also available, but in addition to that, the BTCC web app has a login history section so that users can monitor when and where they have been logged in.

BTCC also requires identity verification procedures, which are in accordance with its AML and KYC policies. These are designed to identify each user and monitor transactions in line with regulatory compliance practices.

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The exchange also states that it conducts regular system monitoring and maintenance to manage operational risk.

Customer Support

It’s important to outline that BTCC has developed a very thorough support page where users are able to resolve a lot of the more frequently faced issues themselves. You can find it here.

Moreover, there is an automated chatbot, which can help you navigate the situation and, if needed, connect you to a representative via live chat.

The support is available 24/7 ,and the assistance is multilingual, so you wouldn’t have to worry about the language barrier.

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User Experience

The exchange boasts a familiar interface, which makes it easy for users to navigate the entire platform.

Right from the get-go, the tools feel easy to use and there are no complexities, which are commonly present in a lot of other crypto exchanges.

From the copy trading features to the derivatives trading, it all seems quite cohesive and easy to work with.

At the same time, the trading tools contain the necessary complexities for advanced traders who handle hundreds, even thousands, of orders per session.

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How to Create a BTCC Account

Following a similar theme, registering a BTCC account is quite easy.

First, you need to visit the official website and decide whether you want to register with your email or with your phone number – both are fine.

As soon as you have your account officially registered, we highly recommend that you go to your security settings and immediately turn your 2FA on. The importance of security can never be understated.

Once that’s done, you should head to the KYC section and verify your identity. This will lift any restrictions your account may have and as soon as this is done, you can proceed to depositing funds and start trading.

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Conclusion: BTCC Exchange Review in 2026

As of 2026, BTCC operates a popular centralized cryptocurrency exchange, offering all the well-known trading features and beyond.

One of the primary characteristics is its considerably higher leverage, which can both amplify your winnings but also substantially elevate your risk parameters.

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The platform includes copy trading functionalities, different margin-settlement options, select traditional financial instruments, and more.

With over 9 million registered users as of the time of this writing, BTCC is a highly-ranked crypto exchange and a prominent player in the industry.

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