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AI Data Center Gold Rush Sparks Debate on Bitcoin’s Impact

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Crypto Breaking News

A renewed debate is growing over whether a sustained pivot from Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) miners toward artificial intelligence could impact the network’s security and its role as a store of value. On one side, energy and capital are increasingly chasing higher returns in AI compute, prompting fears that hash power could retreat during downturns and open the door to security concerns. On the other, supporters contend that Bitcoin’s protocol is designed to rebalance automatically: when less-efficient miners exit, difficulty adjusts downward, and profitability converges again as competition for electricity shifts. The discussion isn’t merely speculative. It sits at the intersection of energy economics, infrastructure strategy, and the long-standing premise that Bitcoin’s decentralized ledger remains secure regardless of how capital migrates between sectors.

Key takeaways

  • The core economic driver is the relative value of electricity: Bitcoin mining yields roughly $57–$129 per megawatt, while AI data centers can generate $200–$500 per megawatt for the same energy, prompting capital to flow toward AI workloads.
  • Major miners and financiers have already signaled a shift: Core Scientific secured up to $1 billion in credit for AI hosting, MARA Holdings signaled a BTC sale to fund AI pivot, and Hut 8 reportedly sealed a $7 billion AI infrastructure agreement with Google in December.
  • Bitcoin’s hashpower has fallen since its October peak, down about 14.5% at times, raising questions about network security and the likelihood of a 51%‑style risk during cycles of energy constraint.
  • Industry voices are split: some argue that difficulty adjustments will push out the least efficient miners and sustain profitability, while others warn that energy scarcity could undermine security if AI demand outbids miners for power over extended periods.
  • Bitcoin’s price action adds a hinge. A single green candle could tilt sentiment toward renewed mining resilience; a prolonged price decline could accelerate the AI pivot and test the network’s energy resilience.

Tickers mentioned: $BTC

Sentiment: Neutral

Price impact: Neutral. The discussion focuses on mining economics rather than immediate price moves, though BTC has posted gains in March.

Trading idea (Not Financial Advice): Hold

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Market context: The debate unfolds amid broader crypto-market conditions where energy costs, grid flexibility, and capital allocation between hash rate growth and compute workloads influence miners’ strategic choices, all within a shifting macro and regulatory backdrop.

Why it matters

The question at the heart of the discussion is simple in form but complex in consequence: does a shift of mining power away from traditional Bitcoin production toward AI compute threaten the network’s security, or does it reflect a healthy reallocation of resources toward higher‑yield compute? The answer could reshape how investors view risk, how miners optimize their fleets, and how the broader crypto ecosystem prices energy and capacity for digital assets.

On the security side, some observers warn that a sustained exodus of hash power could compress the margin of safety that underpins Bitcoin’s decentralized security model. A prominent voice in the debate argues that if AI demand exhausts cheaper electricity or drives prices higher for data-center workloads, miners might retreat from public networks, temporarily lowering the hashrate. They worry about scenarios where a handful of actors accumulate outsized control during energy crises, potentially enabling attack vectors. The counterview, however, emphasizes Bitcoin’s built‑in mechanics: when profitability drops, miners turn off, the network’s difficulty recovers downward, and miner incentives align with current energy pricing, restoring a balance that Bitcoin’s protocol has weathered across multiple cycles.

Beyond security, the energy and infrastructure story matters for the broader crypto economy. AI data centers convert electricity into compute at a rate that, in some cases, outpaces Bitcoin mining. This prospect is not purely hypothetical: several players have publicly signaled major shifts toward AI hosting and AI‑related infrastructure. The confluence of AI demand and Bitcoin’s energy footprint raises questions about grid resilience, stranded energy potential, and whether liquidity and risk appetite in the sector will adapt quickly enough to the changing capital flows. In this context, the debate mirrors a broader trend in the digital economy: compute is becoming the dominant commodity, and the allocation of that compute—whether for cryptographic security or AI workloads—will shape the price and reliability of both energy and networks.

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Notable voices have framed the discussion with provocative statements and sharp contrasts. The argument that AI is siphoning away Bitcoin’s core value proposition gained traction when traders highlighted substantial revenue differentials: Bitcoin mining revenue per megawatt sits in roughly the $57–$129 range, while AI data centers have reported $200–$500 per megawatt for equivalent power. That delta is the engine driving a reallocation of capital and capacity, at least in the near term. Yet even within this frame, there are counterpoints about the resilience of Bitcoin’s economics. Veteran cryptographers and investors have stressed that a falling hash rate triggers automatic responses in difficulty and profitability, a process that has occurred repeatedly in past bear markets but may unfold differently this time given potential energy constraints and the strategic value of AI workloads.

In addition to the energy calculus, the narrative features concrete corporate moves. Core Scientific, a major data-center operator, reportedly secured up to $1 billion in credit facilities to fund AI hosting initiatives. Meanwhile, Hut 8 signed a substantial AI infrastructure agreement with a tech giant late last year, underscoring the appetite for AI-dedicated capacity in the sector. MARA Holdings, for its part, signaled intentions to monetize some BTC holdings to finance AI pivot strategies. These moves illustrate a sector-wide reallocation that could recalibrate which assets and firms are most influential in the near term. The implications extend beyond mining economics; they touch on how the crypto industry orchestrates energy resilience, investor capital, and governance around network security.

“What happens to Bitcoin is simple: tick tock, next block! Difficult adjusts downwards, the least efficient and AI switchers move out, and Bitcoin mining profitability converges to AI profitability. QED.”

Cost considerations also bleed into sentiment. Some observers argue that the market and the network will adapt as they always have, with energy markets acting as an efficient allocator of resources. Others contend that recent hash power volatility and the potential for rapid shifts in compute demand could introduce new stressors into the system. As one investor put it, when AI outbids miners for electricity, the response is predictable: miners turn off until the difficulty rebalances and profitability returns. It’s a reminder that Bitcoin’s resilience is not about perpetual abundance of hash power, but about the system’s capacity to adapt to changing energy and economic conditions.

“If AI outbids miners for electricity, miners just turn off until the difficulty adjusts and it’s profitable again, that’s literally how Bitcoin works.”

Meanwhile, other voices offer a more optimistic take on the energy dynamics. Bitcoin has historically used stranded energy and flexible loads to stabilize grids, and proponents argue that the network can continue to contribute to energy markets by providing a responsive, demand-side resource that can help balance supply, especially where renewables create intermittency. In this view, the shift toward AI is not a threat but a reallocation of the same resource—electricity—toward higher-value compute tasks, with Bitcoin retaining its role as a secure, verifiable store of value even as capital flows diversify.

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Despite the disagreement, a common thread remains: Bitcoin’s price trajectory and the pace of AI‑driven capital reallocation will interact in ways that determine miners’ behavior in the months ahead. Some market participants point to the possibility of a single decisive move—one “green candle” in BTC’s price—that could reanchor miners’ incentives, drawing capital back toward the network. In the absence of that signal, the landscape could remain tense as energy prices and compute demands jockey for position, with each side framing the outcome through its own risk calculus.

As the narrative unfolds, observers keep a close eye on on-chain and market signals. Bitcoin’s price performance, hash rate, and the economics of power provision will collectively shape miners’ strategies and the security posture of the network. The discussion is not about doom; it is about understanding how a high‑stakes compute economy will influence a system designed to withstand disruption by design. The bitcoin ecosystem is a dynamic mix of hardware, software, energy, and capital, and the direction of travel—whether toward AI dominance or a renewed focus on hash power—will define the next phase of this ongoing evolution.

What to watch next

  • Reported movements in miner hashrate and energy usage, especially any ongoing declines or stabilizations after the October peak.
  • New AI infrastructure investments or partnerships from major miners and technology firms.
  • Regulatory developments or policy signals that affect energy pricing, data-center incentives, or crypto mining operations.
  • BTC price action and potential “green candle” scenarios that could shift mining economics back toward traditional Bitcoin production.
  • Updates on energy-grid integration and the use of stranded energy by crypto miners or AI facilities.

Sources & verification

  • Ran Neuner’s post asserting AI as Bitcoin’s primary competitor for energy, linked via https://x.com/cryptomanran/status/2033161262058889251
  • Adam Back’s perspective on difficulty, profitability, and convergence via https://x.com/adam3us/status/2033278188059537602
  • HashRateIndex data demonstrating bitcoin hashprice trends and network profitability
  • Core Scientific credit facility coverage: https://cointelegraph.com/news/core-scientific-secures-up-to-1b-credit-facility-from-morgan-stanley-for-data-center-development
  • BTC price coverage and market data: https://cointelegraph.com/bitcoin-price and CoinGlass market data
  • On‑chain and market context coverage relating to AI infrastructure deals and mining pivots

AI competition and Bitcoin mining: implications for security and energy

The debate about AI’s influence on Bitcoin’s security has moved from academic conjecture to a real-world energy and capital reallocation story. The central question is whether AI demand can outpace Bitcoin’s need for secure, affordable hash power long enough to alter the network’s risk profile. Supporters of the skeptical view argue that Bitcoin’s design—automatic difficulty adjustment, competitive mining economics, and the ability of miners to turn off during downturns—will preserve security even if some participants shift toward AI workloads. The fundamental mechanism remains straightforward: when hashpower declines, difficulty adjusts, improving profitability for those who stay and those who pivot back as conditions improve. In this framing, a Bitcoin “doomsday” is unlikely, even if the near term looks unsettled.

But the counterargument points to concrete capital movements that could constrain immediate security improvements if AI demand for power remains robust. The figures are stark: Bitcoin mining revenue per MW sits in a modest range, around $57–$129, while AI compute can pull in $200–$500 per MW for the same electricity. If AI deployments scale faster than miners can reallocate, the cost of securing the network could rise relative to alternative compute opportunities, pressuring the incentive structure that has long underpinned Bitcoin’s security model. Industry participants cite both the potential for improved efficiency as the network adjusts and the risk of energy bottlenecks if AI demand remains strong and energy prices stay high. In such conditions, the network’s resilience will depend on how quickly hashpower can reconfigure, how readily energy can be redirected, and how effective automatic adjustments are in realigning profitability.

The human side of the equation is equally important. The sector has already seen miners explore AI hosting and AI infrastructure deals as a way to monetize energy resources more efficiently. Core Scientific’s substantial credit facility for AI hosting, MARA Holdings’ readiness to monetize BTC for AI pivot capital, and Hut 8’s appointment of AI-backed infrastructure arrangements illustrate a broader strategic shift toward compute-centric opportunities. These moves reflect a fundamental trade-off: the crypto mining industry seeks to optimize returns in a world where electricity is a valuable, contested resource, while Bitcoin’s security model relies on a broad and relatively diverse base of hash power. The tension between these objectives will likely shape the sector’s evolution in the months ahead, with the outcome depending on energy prices, regulatory signals, and macro risk sentiment.

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In the end, the resilience of Bitcoin’s security hinges on governance by the market as much as by the protocol. A single green candle in BTC’s price could re-anchor mining economics and redirect capital back toward securing the network. Yet even in a scenario of price weakness, the network’s core design provides a built‑in corrective mechanism: as profitability falls, less efficient operators exit, the difficulty adjusts, and the remaining participants recalibrate. The broader energy landscape — still characterized by its variability and potential for using stranded resources — remains a critical backdrop. The coming quarters will reveal how efficiently miners balance the imperative of AI compute with the imperative of maintaining a robust, decentralized security posture for Bitcoin.

Risk & affiliate notice: Crypto assets are volatile and capital is at risk. This article may contain affiliate links. Read full disclosure

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Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) Stock Falls Despite Strong Q4 as Executives Unload $33M in Shares

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AMD Stock Card

Key Takeaways

  • Advanced Micro Devices delivered Q4 earnings of $1.53 per share versus analyst expectations of $1.32, while revenue hit $10.27B — representing 34.1% growth year-over-year
  • Management forecasts 35% compound annual revenue growth over three years, with data center operations projected to expand at 60% CAGR
  • Eminence Capital increased its AMD holdings by 5.5% to approximately $241.6M, joining Vanguard and State Street as major institutional holders
  • Company executives have offloaded 154,392 shares worth approximately $33.1M over the last 90 days, with two EVPs making recent transactions
  • Emerging threats include a new Chinese GPU manufacturer (Lisuan Technology) and Meta’s internal chip development efforts

AMD crushed quarterly estimates, secured a partnership with Meta, and continues developing its MI450 accelerator — yet company insiders are reducing positions while a Chinese challenger enters the arena. Here’s what investors need to know.


AMD Stock Card
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., AMD

Advanced Micro Devices posted fourth-quarter earnings of $1.53 per share, surpassing Wall Street’s $1.32 estimate by $0.21. The company generated $10.27 billion in revenue, exceeding projections of $9.65 billion and marking a 34.1% increase compared to the prior year period.

The data center division represents AMD’s primary growth driver. Management outlined expectations for 60% compound annual growth in this segment through the next three years, significantly outpacing the company-wide 35% CAGR target.

AMD’s stock started Friday’s session at $193.39. The equity currently trades beneath both its 50-day moving average of $216.16 and 200-day moving average of $210.13 — a technically bearish configuration.

Shares have traded within a broad 52-week band spanning from $76.48 to $267.08. Current pricing reflects a substantial discount from recent highs.

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AMD carries a price-to-earnings ratio near 73, though the forward-looking P/E metric projects at 31 — aligning closely with the S&P 500’s 29 average. This forward valuation proves more relevant for investors conducting fundamental analysis.

The semiconductor company finalized a multi-year patent licensing deal with Adeia and unveiled AI telecommunications products at MWC 2026. While strategically important, these developments haven’t generated immediate upward momentum in share price.

AMD also announced a partnership with Meta Platforms to supply chips for Meta’s next-generation artificial intelligence infrastructure. This represents a significant customer acquisition in a market where Nvidia has maintained dominance.

Institutions Accumulate While Executives Exit

Eminence Capital expanded its position by 5.5% to 1,493,555 shares, representing approximately $241.6M in value. Vanguard maintains 155.9M shares, while State Street controls 72M shares. Institutional ownership accounts for 71.34% of outstanding shares.

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Conversely, company insiders have been reducing their holdings. EVP Forrest Norrod divested 19,450 shares on February 11th at $216.81 per share. EVP Paul Darren Grasby sold 7,500 shares on March 11th at $204.87. Combined insider transactions over 90 days total 154,392 shares worth approximately $33.1M.

Wall Street analysts maintain an overall “Moderate Buy” rating with a consensus price target of $290.53. Evercore leads with the most bullish $358 target, while Goldman Sachs takes a more reserved stance at $240 with a “neutral” rating.

Emerging Competitive Challenges

Two notable headwinds have materialized. Chinese GPU manufacturer Lisuan Technology unveiled new products, contributing to selling pressure across GPU stocks and introducing competitive uncertainty for both AMD and Nvidia.

Meta’s development of proprietary AI chips represents another concern, potentially shrinking the total addressable market for external semiconductor suppliers in the long term.

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AMD’s forthcoming MI450 AI accelerator positions for direct competition against Nvidia’s Vera Rubin chip. According to industry assessments, the MI450 demonstrates superior performance across multiple technical benchmarks.

AMD maintains a market capitalization of $315.3B. Company insiders collectively own just 0.06% of outstanding shares.

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Lululemon (LULU) Stock: Is Now the Time to Buy Before Tuesday’s Earnings Report?

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LULU Stock Card

TLDR

  • Lululemon will release Q4 fiscal 2025 results after Tuesday’s closing bell on March 17.
  • Wall Street forecasts earnings per share of $4.78, representing a 22.2% year-over-year decrease, alongside revenue of $3.57 billion, down 1.1%.
  • Shares have plunged approximately 24% since the start of the year and more than 50% over the trailing twelve months.
  • Analysts maintain a collective Hold stance, with a mean price target of $205.53 — roughly 30% higher than the current trading price.
  • Chief Executive Calvin McDonald announced his departure, with the board currently seeking his successor.

As Lululemon approaches its Tuesday earnings announcement, the athleisure giant’s shares hover near multi-year lows. The stock has tumbled roughly 24% year-to-date and lost more than half its market value during the past year. Expectations are mixed as investors await quarterly results.


LULU Stock Card
Lululemon Athletica Inc., LULU

Wall Street analysts project fourth-quarter revenue will reach $3.57 billion, marking a 1.1% year-over-year contraction. This represents a stark contrast to the 12.7% revenue expansion the company delivered in the comparable period last year. Earnings per share are anticipated to land at $4.78, reflecting a 22.2% year-over-year decrease.

Management previously indicated that fourth-quarter performance could approach the upper boundary of their guidance range, citing robust holiday shopping activity, increased foot traffic at retail locations, and successful promotional campaigns including their Black Friday initiatives.

Recent earnings results across the broader apparel industry have been inconsistent. Tilly’s reported 5.3% revenue growth and exceeded analyst projections, with shares surging 46.4% following the announcement. Zumiez achieved 4.4% revenue growth but saw its stock decline 10.9% after reporting. The apparel sector broadly has retreated approximately 9.7% during the past month.

LULU has fallen short of Wall Street revenue projections on several occasions throughout the previous two years. Analyst estimates have remained relatively stable over the past 30 days, indicating expectations for in-line results rather than significant surprises.

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Leadership Transition Underway

Chief Executive Calvin McDonald revealed in January his intention to depart the role he has held since 2018. He is scheduled to remain with the organization as a senior advisor until March 31 while the board conducts its search for his replacement.

Should the company unveil a new CEO appointment concurrent with earnings results, investor sentiment could improve. Major leadership transitions often provide an opportunity to recalibrate market expectations and generate renewed optimism.

Global Expansion Offers Growth Potential

While foot traffic at North American locations has decelerated and domestic growth projections have been reduced, Lululemon has aggressively expanded its international footprint — especially in China and Mexico — through strategic new store launches aimed at compensating for sluggish performance in its home market.

This international expansion initiative represents one of the company’s most promising growth catalysts in the current environment.

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From a valuation perspective, LULU presently trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of approximately 12.1x, notably beneath the sector median of roughly 16x. This valuation discount indicates that much of the recent negative sentiment may already be reflected in the share price.

Broader economic challenges persist as potential obstacles. Tariff uncertainties, inflationary pressures, and conservative consumer spending patterns — particularly among budget-conscious shoppers — could impact quarterly performance. Additionally, competitive intensity within the athleisure category continues to escalate.

The Street’s consensus recommendation stands at Hold, derived from one Buy rating and 17 Hold ratings issued during the previous three months. The average analyst price target stands at $205.53, compared to the current market price near $158.

Lululemon is scheduled to report fourth-quarter results after Tuesday’s market close on March 17.

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Micron (MU) Stock: AI Memory Boom Drives Massive Growth Expectations for Wednesday Earnings

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MU Stock Card

TLDR

  • Micron’s Q2 FY26 earnings release is scheduled for March 18, with analyst estimates calling for approximately $19.1B in revenue, marking a 137% year-over-year increase
  • Earnings per share projections range from $8.60 to $8.74, reflecting approximately 460% annual growth
  • The company’s HBM inventory is completely sold out through calendar year 2026, with capacity covering only 50%–66% of major customer requirements
  • Micron finalized the acquisition of a Taiwan-based chip manufacturing facility, planning DRAM and HBM output starting in fiscal 2028
  • Wall Street analysts from Wedbush and Wells Fargo increased their price targets to $500 and $470 respectively, while 27 analysts maintain a consensus Strong Buy rating

Micron Technology is preparing to unveil its fiscal Q2 2026 results this Wednesday, March 18, and market watchers are anticipating remarkable figures.


MU Stock Card
Micron Technology, Inc., MU

Wall Street consensus calls for quarterly revenue approaching $19.1 billion, representing approximately 137% growth versus the year-ago quarter. For earnings per share, projections land between $8.60 and $8.74 — more than quintupling the Q2 FY25 result.

The catalyst fueling this explosive growth is artificial intelligence. Hyperscale data centers powering AI workloads require enormous memory resources, creating insatiable demand for both DRAM and high-bandwidth memory (HBM) that far exceeds current industry production capabilities.

Micron has publicly acknowledged it can fulfill only 50% to two-thirds of memory orders from several major customers. Rather than a limitation, this represents significant pricing leverage.

Production Constraints Persist

Expanding semiconductor fabrication facilities requires multi-year timelines. Micron projects that substantial new production capacity won’t be available until 2027 at minimum. Between now and then, the chipmaker has completely allocated its HBM output for the entirety of calendar 2026.

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This persistent supply-demand mismatch is the critical metric analysts are monitoring ahead of Wednesday’s results. Should Micron’s leadership indicate this imbalance extends through 2026 and beyond, the pricing power narrative remains firmly in place.

Based on at-the-money straddle pricing, options markets are anticipating approximately 10.6% volatility in either direction following the earnings announcement.

Shares have already climbed roughly 42% year to date, last trading near $425.96.

Street Lifts Price Objectives

Wedbush’s Matthew Bryson elevated his MU price target to $500 from $320 while maintaining an Outperform rating. His analysis highlights strengthening earnings projections even as the stock trades below historical peak valuations typical for memory sector companies.

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Wells Fargo analyst Aaron Rakers also maintained a Buy rating and raised his target to $470 from $410. Rakers projects peak earnings potential of $50–$60 per share, with normalized long-term earnings power between $30–$40. He anticipates management will address competitive dynamics around HBM4 related to Nvidia’s forthcoming Rubin GPU platform.

Across 27 Wall Street analysts currently covering the stock, the consensus stands at Strong Buy — comprised of 26 Buy ratings and one Hold. The mean price target reaches $448.07, suggesting roughly 5% appreciation from present levels.

Regarding capacity expansion, Micron wrapped up its purchase of the P5 fabrication facility from Powerchip Semiconductor located in Tongluo, Taiwan. The site features approximately 300,000 square feet of cleanroom infrastructure. Micron intends to modernize the facility for DRAM and HBM manufacturing, targeting initial production shipments in fiscal 2028.

The transaction was initially disclosed in January 2026.

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CLARITY Act Timeline Narrows as April Senate Deadline Looms

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Brian Armstrong's Bold Prediction: AI Agents Will Soon Dominate Global Financial

TLDR

  • Senate Banking Committee approval before April’s end is critical, or the CLARITY Act’s 2026 passage probability plummets
  • Prediction markets show declining confidence: Polymarket at 56% (down 9 points), Kalshi at merely 30% by June
  • Central controversy revolves around permitting stablecoin issuers to distribute yield to holders
  • Coinbase withdrew endorsement in January, asserting a flawed bill is worse than no legislation
  • Gnosis co-founder cautions the legislation might consolidate crypto control among centralized entities

Time is running short for the CLARITY Act, America’s proposed cryptocurrency market structure legislation. According to Galaxy Research head Alex Thorn, the bill requires Senate floor consideration by early May to maintain viable 2026 passage prospects. This necessitates Senate Banking Committee clearance before April concludes.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune has publicly acknowledged the April timeline appears unrealistic. Current Senate priorities center on the SAVE America Act, relegating the CLARITY Act to secondary status on the legislative calendar.

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According to Thorn, each day of postponement reduces available time for floor consideration. Without committee approval during April, he characterized 2026 passage prospects as “extremely low.”

Prediction platforms mirror this growing skepticism. Polymarket indicates the legislation’s 2026 enactment probability has declined 9 percentage points to 56%. Kalshi demonstrates greater pessimism, calculating 30% likelihood before June and merely 7% before May.

Stablecoin Yield Remains Central Flashpoint

The most contentious issue involves stablecoin yield distribution. The controversy focuses on whether stablecoin issuers should possess authority to pass interest earnings to users.

Representative French Hill stated that prohibiting stablecoin yield represents a non-negotiable requirement for Senate advancement. Traditional banking institutions contend that interest-bearing stablecoins would divert deposits from regulated financial entities.

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Cryptocurrency firms counter that reward-bearing stablecoins enhance payment utility. Coinbase retracted support during January. CEO Brian Armstrong argued the current draft undermines decentralized finance, prohibits stablecoin yield, and restricts tokenized real-world assets. “We’d rather have no bill than a bad bill,” he declared.

Senator Angela Alsobrooks suggested compromise from both factions may prove necessary. White House crypto adviser and Coinbase CLO Paul Grewal also condemned banks for impeding progress.

DeFi and Regulatory Turf Wars Still Unresolved

Thorn suggested the stablecoin controversy may not represent the final hurdle. He identified outstanding questions regarding decentralized finance regulation, developer liability protections, and SEC-CFTC jurisdictional boundaries.

Attorney Jake Chervinsky noted that banking institutions also express concern about stablecoin liquidity migrating toward DeFi platforms, beyond just yield distribution issues.

Gnosis co-founder Dr. Friederike Ernst cautioned the bill’s present framework threatens to channel all cryptocurrency activity through licensed intermediaries. She expressed concern this could consolidate crypto infrastructure control among a limited group of major institutions.

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Ernst acknowledged the legislation includes positive elements, such as safeguarding peer-to-peer transactions and self-custody rights, plus defining SEC and CFTC regulatory boundaries.

Senator Bernie Moreno expressed continued optimism for April passage and presidential signature. Thorn indicated that schedule now appears increasingly unrealistic.

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Fed headlines central bank rate decisions, Gemini earnings: Crypto Week Ahead

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Fed headlines central bank rate decisions, Gemini earnings: Crypto Week Ahead

The week could prove pivotal for markets, including bitcoin , with the U.S. Federal Reserve among seven major central banks set to announce interest-rate decisions while war-driven oil price gains threaten to reignite inflation in the global economy.

Most of the central banks are expected to keep interest rates steady, but hawkish comments from policymakers, driven by inflation concerns, could trigger downside volatility across risk assets.

While reflationary environments have historically supported bitcoin, rising inflation expectations are pushing bond yields higher and tightening financial conditions, André Dragosch, European head of research at Bitwise, told CoinDesk. Those conditions generally make riskier investments less attractive.

Still, geopolitical tensions are currently dominating the market backdrop, according to Dragosch. Historically, such shocks tend to fade quickly, and bitcoin has often delivered above-average returns after periods of elevated geopolitical risk.

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“Investors should generally fade these kinds of events and view them as short-term buying opportunities,” Dragosch said.

Bitcoin is trading at what Dragosch called the “biggest macro discount” on record, with sentiment near FTX-collapse lows. “We are probably closer to the bottom than the top,” he said.

What to Watch

(All times ET)

  • Crypto
    • March 17: Lava Network (LAVA) to expand with 17 new chain integrations and nine new blockchain ecosystems.
    • March 19: Walrus (WAL) final deadline for Tusky users to migrate their data.
    • March 23: Backpack token generation event occurs, with 250 million tokens (25% of total supply) to be distributed.
  • Macro
    • March 16, 8:30 a.m.: Canada consumer price index (CPI) YoY for February (Prev. 2.3%)
    • March 17, 4:30 a.m.: Reserve Bank of Australia interest rate decision est. 4.1% (Prev. 3.85%)
    • March 17, 10:00 a.m.: U.S. Pending Home Sales MoM for February (Prev. -0.8%)
    • March 18, 6 a.m.: Eurozone consumer price index (CPI) for February. MoM est. 0.7% (Prev. -0.6%); YoY est. 1.9% (Prev. 1.7%)
    • March 18, 8:30 a.m.: U.S. PPI for February. YoY est. 3.7% (Prev. 3.6%); Core PPI YoY est. 3.2% (Prev. 3.6%)
    • March 18, 9:45 a.m.: Bank of Canada interest rate decision Est. 2.25% (Prev. 2.25%)
    • March 18, 10:00 a.m.: U.S. Factory Orders MoM for January (Prev. -0.7%)
    • March 18, 2:00 p.m.: Fed interest rate decision Est. 3.50%-3.75% (Prev. 3.50%-3.75%); FOMC economic projections
    • March 18, 2:30 p.m.: Fed Chair press conference
    • March 18, 5:30 p.m.: Central Bank of Brazil Selic rate decision Est. 14.50% (Prev. 15%)
    • March 18, 11 p.m.: Bank of Japan interest rate decision Est. 0.75% (Prev. 0.75%)
    • March 19, 4:30 a.m.: Swiss National Bank interest rate decision Est. 0% (Prev. 0%)
    • March 19, 8 a.m.: Bank of England interest rate decision Est. 3.75% (Prev. 3.75%).
    • March 19, 8:30 a.m.: U.S. Initial Jobless Claims for week ending March 14 Est. 215K (Prev. 213K)
    • March 19, 8:30 a.m.: U.S. Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index for March (Prev. 16.3)
    • March 19, 9:15 a.m.: ECB interest rate decision for main refinancing rate Est. 2.15% Prev. 2.15%
    • March 19, 4:30 p.m.: Fed Balance Sheet for week ending March 18 (Prev. $6.65T)
    • March 20, 8:30 a.m.: Canada PPI YoY (Prev. 5.4%); MoM (Prev. 2.7%)

Earnings (Estimates based on FactSet data)

  • March 16: Bakkt Holdings (BKKT), post-market, -$0.47
  • March 16: Bitcoin Depot (BTM), pre-market, -$0.47
  • March 16: Cango (CANG), post-market, -$0.34
  • March 17: CEA Industries (BNC), post-market, $0.69
  • March 18: Bitfarms (BITF), pre-market, -$0.03
  • March 19: Gemini Space Station (GEMI), post-market, -$0.91
  • March 20: BitFuFu (FUFU), pre-market, $0.01

Token Events

  • Governance votes & calls
    • March 17: Mantle (MNT) to host State of Mind Ep. 07, discussing CeDeFi milestones and DeFi strategies.
    • March 18: Jupiter (JUP) to hold its weekly Planetary Call community session with team updates.
    • March 18: head of marketing & PR to discuss ecosystem updates.
    • Decentraland DAO is voting on whether to allow registered users to customize the color of their avatar name tag and to add a more accessible volume slider to the UI sidebar. Voting ends March 16 and 17.
    • Convex Finance is voting on Curve and Frax gauge weight allocations for the week of March 12, directing vlCVX voting power across hundreds of liquidity pools. It’s also voting on FXN gauge weight allocations for the same period. Voting ends March 17.
    • Aavegotchi DAO is voting to finalize its 2026–2027 multisig signers election, preserving the 5-of-9 threshold and setting quarterly signer compensation. Voting ends March 17.
    • Aavegotchi DAO is running Ballot 3 to elect seven of the remaining 10 nominees as multi-sig signers, completing the nine-signer roster for the DAO Foundation wallet. Voting ends March 17.
    • Aura Finance is voting on Balancer gauge weight allocations for the week of March 12, directing vlAURA voting power across Balancer pools on Ethereum, Arbitrum, Optimism, Gnosis, Base and Avalanche. Voting ends March 17.
    • ShapeShift DAO is voting on establishing and funding a new International UX workstream for six months to maintain professional multilingual translations of the ShapeShift app and website. Voting ends March 17.
    • WalletConnect Network is voting on allocating 50 million WCT tokens as a dedicated rewards budget for WalletConnect Pay in 2026. Voting ends March 18.
    • ENS is voting on a one-time transfer of 900,000 USDC from the ENS Endowment to wallet.ensdao.eth to cover a shortfall in stream payments owed to ENS Labs. Voting ends March 18.
    • Cratos DAO is voting on extending the current mobile app reward standard deadline by one month to April 30, 2026. Voting ends March 19.
    • Lightchain AI DAO is voting on a temporary 90-day team authority proposal, which grants the core team temporary operational authority for 90 days to make day-to-day and strategic decisions. Voting ends March 22.
  • Unlocks
    • March 16: Arbitrum (ARB) to unlock 1.78% of its circulating supply worth $9.65 million.
    • March 20: LayerZero (ZRO) to unlock 5.64% of its circulating supply worth $52.45 million.
  • Token Launches

Conferences

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Robert Kiyosaki Invests Millions in Bitcoin and Gold Ahead of Predicted 2026 Crash

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Brian Armstrong's Bold Prediction: AI Agents Will Soon Dominate Global Financial

TLDR

  • On March 15, Robert Kiyosaki issued warnings about an intensifying financial “giant crash”
  • The author highlighted panic in private credit markets and distress among leading banks
  • Kiyosaki deployed millions to acquire oil assets, precious metals, Bitcoin, and Ethereum
  • He contrasted his investment strategy with Warren Buffett’s cash-heavy approach
  • The financial educator forecasts higher valuations for gold, silver, and Bitcoin post-crash

The bestselling author of Rich Dad Poor Dad, Robert Kiyosaki, issued fresh concerns on March 15 about an escalating financial crisis. His warnings focused on turbulence in private credit markets and mounting pressure on established banking institutions.

“Crash accelerates,” he wrote on X. “Private credit funds are panicked as investors withdraw their money. Major big-name banks and brand-name financial institutions are in trouble.”

Kiyosaki also referenced economist Jim Rickards, noting that he has officially proclaimed the United States has entered a “New Depression.”

In response to these conditions, Kiyosaki revealed he deployed millions of dollars in capital last week. His purchases included additional oil wells, precious metals, and cryptocurrency holdings.

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“Last week I took millions in cash and purchased more oil wells, more gold, silver, and bitcoin,” he wrote.

The financial educator confirmed he’s also accumulating Ethereum as part of his diversified acquisition strategy.

Kiyosaki referenced Warren Buffett’s well-known cash accumulation strategy, recognizing it as a tactical approach to maintain liquidity and acquire undervalued assets when markets decline.

Kiyosaki vs. Buffett: Two Different Crash Strategies

Buffett’s company, Berkshire Hathaway, has been building its cash position for some time. Kiyosaki acknowledged the logic, saying “Cash is not trash in a crash.”

However, Kiyosaki emphasized that his investment philosophy differs fundamentally. Rather than stockpiling currency, he’s converting it into tangible assets.

“I doubt Warren Buffett would do what I do,” he wrote.

For investors lacking a clear strategy, Kiyosaki provided straightforward guidance. He suggested that remaining on the sidelines might be the wisest choice during market turbulence for those without a defined plan.

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The author also highlighted Middle East geopolitical instability as an influencing factor. He noted that persistent attacks on oil tankers navigating the Strait of Hormuz are elevating crude prices, which directly benefits his Texas-based oil well investments.

Why Kiyosaki Keeps Buying Bitcoin

Kiyosaki has maintained a vocal stance on Bitcoin acquisitions for multiple years. He consistently categorizes it alongside precious metals as a “real asset” due to its mathematically limited supply of 21 million coins.

He has repeatedly stated his conviction that Bitcoin represents a superior investment compared to gold. Market corrections, according to him, present optimal opportunities to expand holdings.

His Bitcoin-related statements have attracted scrutiny for apparent contradictions. One post claimed he never purchased Bitcoin above $6,000, while subsequent posts documented purchases at significantly elevated price levels.

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Regardless of the debates, he continues to publicly endorse Bitcoin and Ethereum as fundamental components of his investment approach.

Kiyosaki maintains his belief that valuations for gold, silver, and Bitcoin will surge following a substantial market crash. While acknowledging his predictions could prove incorrect, he expresses strong confidence in his current positions.

The financial author initially forecast his “giant crash” scenario in his 2013 publication Rich Dad’s Prophecy. His warnings have intensified in frequency as 2026 approaches.

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Australian Senate Committee Backs Digital Assets Framework Bill

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Australian Senate Committee Backs Digital Assets Framework Bill

Australia’s Senate Economics Legislation Committee has backed a bill that would require crypto exchanges and tokenization platforms to comply with the country’s existing financial services regime, recommending that the Corporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) Bill 2025 be passed. 

The move on March 16 brings Australia a step closer to a bespoke licensing framework for “digital asset platforms” (DAPs) and “tokenised custody platforms” (TCPs), aimed at closing gaps in oversight of platforms that hold customer assets following the collapses of high‑profile digital asset businesses, such as FTX.

The bill, first introduced by Assistant Treasurer and Financial Services Minister Daniel Mulino in November 2025, would treat DAPs and TCPs as financial products under the Corporations Act and Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) Act, pushing most centralized exchanges and tokenized custody businesses that hold client assets into the Australian Financial Services Licence regime.

Related: Ripple targets April for Australian financial license via acquisition

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Licensed platforms must meet ASIC-set custody and settlement standards, comply with tailored disclosure rules for retail clients, and operate under platform‑specific conduct and governance requirements, while small providers with annual transaction thresholds under 10 million Australian dollars ($7 million) and some public blockchain infrastructure are exempt.

Australia’s Senate Economics Legislation Committee report. Source: Parliament of Australia

Industry groups warnings around terminology

Industry groups cited in the report, such as law firm Piper Alderman, warned that the broad “digital token” and “factual control” tests could inadvertently include wallet software and infrastructure providers in non-unilateral-control setups, including common multi‑party computation (MPC) configurations.

US blockchain firm Ripple Labs backed “control” as the “appropriate nexus” for the regulatory perimeter, but argued that the bill needed to better accommodate modern security architectures such as MPC wallets.

It warned that, on a strict reading of the “factual control” test, technology‑only providers holding a single key shard could be misclassified as regulated custodians, and urged lawmakers to clarify that an entity does not exercise factual control unless it can unilaterally transfer an asset without the client’s cooperation.

Related: Australia warns of AI, ‘finfluencers’ as Gen Z crypto ownership reaches 23%

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The committee acknowledged these concerns, but sided with Treasury’s plan to refine the perimeter through future regulations rather than rewriting the core definitions.

Coinbase hails progress but warns on debanking risk

In an email statement to Cointelegraph, Coinbase Australia director and APAC managing director John O’Loghlen welcomed the recommendation as “an important step for Australia’s standing in the global digital economy.” He argued that the country had the capital and talent to lead in digital assets, but still needed clear rules to unlock that potential.

O’Loghlen also warned that “the anti-competitive practice of debanking is rampant despite the government endorsing measures to address it back in 2022,” and urged Canberra to prioritize implementing the Council of Financial Regulators’ recommendations.

With the committee’s backing in hand, the bill now moves to the Senate for debate and a final vote at a later date.

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