Crypto World
Bitcoin Chases $72K After Fed Decides To Hold Rates: Is BTC Selling Over?
Bitcoin’s (BTC) bullish start to the week faced a halt on Wednesday, as BTC dropped 3.4% to $70,900 alongside an overarching sell-off in US stocks.
The correction followed a hotter-than-expected Producer Price Index (PPI) report, which was 0.7% higher than the 3.4% year-on-year estimate. Despite the selling, data shows BTC spot market demand holding steady, with buyers stepping in to absorb the selling pressure and proof of this appetite being reflected by Bitcoin reclaiming $72,000 after Federal Reserve minutes highlighted their decision to leave interest rates unchanged.
While the market consensus had tilted toward the Fed choosing to pause on interest rate changes, market volatility in oil prices, equity markets, and persistent tension over the recently started US and Israel-Iran war had traders on edge.
Bitcoin bulls need to defend these price levels
On the four-hour chart, Bitcoin shows a higher low pattern, keeping the short-term uptrend intact. The price action is holding above both the 100- and 200-period exponential moving averages (EMAs), which are acting as dynamic support.
These moving averages track the average prices over time and define the trend direction when aligned below the price.
The confluence may allow BTC to stabilize near $71,000, forming a potential base after today’s sell-off.
From a technical standpoint, BTC needs to defend the $70,250 to $71,275 range, which marks the internal liquidity levels built during Monday’s breakout.
This zone represents the areas where orders were previously filled, possibly attracting a liquidity sweep again.
Losing this range exposes the next liquidity pocket near $68,900. That level aligns with a small order block between $68,300 and $69,100, where prior demand briefly absorbed the selling pressure.
Maintaining these levels keeps the lower time frame trend structurally bullish for BTC, with higher lows signaling continued demand on dips.
Related: Bitcoin tests fresh decoupling trade as tech correlation drops to 2018 lows
Bitcoin profit-taking meets bid absorption under $74,000
Prior to today’s correction, Bitcoin onchain data pointed to rising sell-side activity from short-term holders (STHs) on Tuesday. According to crypto analyst Darkfost, over 48,000 BTC in profit moved to exchanges in a single day as the price approached $75,000. This indicated that the buyers continued to lock in gains, treating the price rebounds as exit opportunities.
At the same time, CoinGlass data shows passive bids being filled during the drop to $71,000 from $74,000. Similar absorption patterns over the past two weeks have preceded short-term recoveries, highlighting consistent demand at lower levels.
Meanwhile, BTC’s reaction to the previous Federal Reserve meetings added insight. Market analyst Sherlock said that since June, 2025, Bitcoin has declined after each of the last six Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meetings, regardless of rate direction.
With the markets pricing in another hold on interest rates, traders’ attention may shift to how Bitcoin price reacts around current liquidity clusters, especially near $71,000.
Related: Bhutan offloads an additional $72.3M Bitcoin amid market downturn
This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision. While we strive to provide accurate and timely information, Cointelegraph does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information in this article. This article may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Cointelegraph will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your reliance on this information.
The Federal Reserve’s Open Market Committee kept the federal funds target range unchanged at 3.5% to 3.75, signaling a wait-and-see stance as policymakers weigh the evolving macro backdrop and the geopolitical shock stemming from the Middle East. The decision preserves a restrictive stance while the central bank monitors inflation pressures and the economy’s ability to weather external shocks.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell framed the economy as performing well in broad terms — consumer spending staying resilient and business investment continuing to expand — but he warned that weaknesses linger in the housing market and the labor market shows signs of softening. Inflation, meanwhile, remains “somewhat elevated” relative to the 2% target, complicating the Fed’s path back to price stability.
The implications of events in the Middle East for the US economy are uncertain in the near term. Higher energy prices will push up overall inflation, but it is too soon to know the scope and duration of the potential effects on the economy.
The posture underscores a difficult balancing act: the Fed must pursue maximum employment while keeping inflation anchored, all in a context where the war’s economic spillovers could push energy costs higher and alter demand dynamics. Powell’s remarks suggest policymakers view the near-term outlook as uncertain, with energy price trajectories among the wild cards that will shape policy in the months ahead.
Key takeaways
- Policy remains unchanged at 3.5% to 3.75%, with inflation lingering above the 2% goal and housing weakness alongside signs of labor-market cooling.
- Geopolitical tensions add energy-price risk, injecting additional uncertainty into the inflation path and the policy outlook.
- Markets broadly price in little near-term relief from rate cuts; CME data shows a 97% probability of no change at the next year-ahead horizon, with a small 3% chance of a 25-basis-point hike by April 2026 that would lift the range to 3.75%–4.00%.
- Industry commentary frames the gap between policy and liquidity flows: some observers expect potential easing if geopolitical strains intensify, while others see a gradual expansion of money supply lifting asset prices over time.
Policy stance amid a cloud of uncertainty
With inflation still stubbornly above target and a housing sector that has not fully recovered, the Fed’s decision to hold rates steady reinforces a cautious, data-driven posture. Powell emphasized that the economy’s breadth — including resilient consumer demand and ongoing investment — supports a patient approach to policy normalization. Yet he also acknowledged that the energy-price channel could complicate the inflation outlook if tensions in the Middle East persist or escalate.
The central bank’s balance between supporting employment and curbing inflation remains the defining tension of the moment. The war adds a layer of risk that policy makers must weigh against the need to avoid overtightening in an environment where consumer confidence and business sentiment can swing with energy headlines. In this context, the Fed’s forward guidance will be scrutinized for any signal about the pace and sequencing of future policy moves as new data arrive.
Market path and crypto implications
Traders have largely priced in a stationary policy path in the near term, with a long horizon view depending on how inflation evolves and how geopolitical risks unfold. Data from the Chicago Mercantile Exchange’s FedWatch tool indicated a dominant expectation for no near-term changes, reinforcing a narrative of policy steadiness in the face of uncertainty. The odds of a rate hike at the next specified horizon sit at a slim margin, while the probability of any cuts remains uncertain for the medium term.
Analysts have offered a spectrum of views on how policy could adapt if geopolitical tensions permanently alter the risk landscape. Some market observers, including Arthur Hayes, co-founder of BitMEX, have signaled a preference for lower rates before resuming bullish bets on bitcoin and other crypto assets. He has argued that a rate cut could bolster risk-taking and liquidity, potentially supporting crypto markets as capital seeks higher-yield opportunities.
On the other side of the debate, macro strategist Lyn Alden has described a scenario in which the Fed’s policy stance represents a gradual, ongoing expansion of monetary liquidity. In such a regime, asset prices, including digital assets, could receive support over time even without aggressive rate cuts, provided inflation remains contained and financial conditions remain accommodative enough to sustain broad-based investment activity.
For crypto investors and builders, the Fed’s decision underscores how sensitive risk assets remain to the direction of liquidity and the macro narrative around inflation and growth. A steady policy stance can reduce the impulsive volatility that often accompanies surprise shifts in rate expectations, but the ultimate crypto implication will hinge on how long inflation stays above target, how the labor market evolves, and how energy-price dynamics respond to geopolitical developments.
Beyond the immediate policy path, the relationship between Fed signals and risk assets suggests traders will monitor several ping points: incoming inflation prints, employment data, housing metrics, and evolving energy prices tied to Middle East developments. The crypto market’s sensitivity to liquidity conditions means any durable shift in the rate outlook could quickly reweight risk appetite across tokens, with capital potentially rotating between traditional risk assets and digital instruments tied to alternative financial rails.
As the central bank maintains a calibrated stance, investors should watch how policymakers view the trajectory of inflation in the wake of heightened geopolitical risk. A credible path back toward the 2% target—if energy-price pressures subside or are absorbed without a prolonged disruption—could reopen room for rate normalization. Conversely, persistent or rising inflation would keep policy more restrictive, with potential knock-on effects for both equities and crypto markets.
Looking ahead, the next round of economic data and any fresh guidance from policymakers will be pivotal. If energy prices stabilize and inflation moves closer to target, markets could begin pricing in a more confident glide path, potentially supporting broader risk-taking, including crypto ecosystems that rely on liquidity and favorable financing conditions.
In the meantime, traders and builders in the crypto space should remain attentive to shifts in liquidity and macro narrative. While the Fed’s decision to hold rates steadies some near-term risk, the ongoing Middle East situation remains a critical wildcard that could redefine the pace of policy normalization and, by extension, the appetite for risk across asset classes.
What comes next will hinge on incoming data, the resilience of consumer demand, and how energy markets absorb geopolitical developments. As investors recalibrate, the crypto sector will likely respond to evolving liquidity conditions and the broader assessment of risk appetite in a world where policy and geopolitics remain tightly interwoven.
After the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) outlined four broad categories of digital assets that fall outside securities laws, Chair Paul Atkins offered further clarity on why nonfungible tokens (NFTs) generally do not meet that definition.
In a Wednesday interview with CNBC, Atkins reiterated that the agency’s recent interpretive release identified four types of digital assets that are typically not considered securities: digital commodities, digital tools, digital collectibles such as NFTs, and stablecoins.
During the interview, host Andrew Ross Sorkin pressed Atkins on digital collectibles, noting they could more easily resemble securities depending on how they are structured.
“Well, that’s true with anything,” Atkins replied, emphasizing that the SEC’s analysis still hinges on the facts and circumstances of each asset, particularly whether it involves an investment contract under longstanding legal precedent.
Atkins said digital collectibles are generally treated as items that are bought and held, similar to physical collectibles, rather than as investment contracts — the defining feature of securities.
“Some of these collectibles, like a baseball card, a meme or one of those memecoins, NFTs — those are something that somebody buys,” he said. “It’s an immutable purchase… it’s not something like another asset where people are trading it.”
Related: SEC chair Paul Atkins floats ‘safe harbor’ exemptions for crypto
SEC continues to move away from enforcement-led crypto policy
The securities regulator has recalibrated its approach to digital assets under Atkins, a shift that has coincided with the arrival of a more crypto-friendly Trump administration in early 2025.
“We’re breaking with the past,” Atkins said during the CNBC interview, describing the SEC’s push to provide clearer guidance and a more predictable regulatory framework for the digital asset sector.
Last year, Atkins criticized the agency’s previous reliance on “regulation through enforcement” and pledged to move away from that approach. He also pointed to tokenization as a key innovation that regulators should support rather than restrict.
He has since reiterated that past regulatory missteps have left the United States lagging behind in crypto development by as much as a decade, and has vowed to reverse that trend.
Related: CFTC issues ‘no-action’ letter for crypto wallet provider Phantom
Bitrefill said hackers drained hot wallets and exploited gift card supply flows after gaining access through stolen credentials from an employee’s device.
Bitrefill disclosed that it was targeted in a cyberattack on March 1, which resulted in the theft of cryptocurrency funds, and said its investigation found multiple indicators linking the incident to tactics used by the DPRK-associated Lazarus/Bluenoroff group.
The company stated that similarities in the attackers’ methods, malware, on-chain tracing patterns, and the reuse of IP and email addresses are consistent with previous operations attributed to the group.
Bitrefill Cyberattack
According to the company, the breach originated from a compromised employee’s laptop, where a legacy credential was extracted. That credential allowed access to a snapshot containing production secrets, which the attackers then used to expand their access across Bitrefill’s systems. This enabled them to reach parts of the database and certain cryptocurrency wallets.
In its latest tweet, Bitrefill said it first identified the incident after detecting unusual purchasing patterns involving some suppliers, which indicated that its gift card inventory and supply flows were being misused. At the same time, it observed that some hot wallets were being drained, and funds were sent to addresses controlled by the attackers. Once the breach was confirmed, the company shut down all systems to contain the situation.
Following the incident, Bitrefill confirmed that it has been working with external cybersecurity experts, incident response teams, blockchain analysts, and law enforcement.
The company said there is no indication that customer data was the main focus of the attack. According to its logs, the attackers ran a limited number of database queries consistent with probing activity to identify what could be extracted. This included cryptocurrency and gift card inventory. Bitrefill added that it stores minimal personal data and does not require mandatory KYC, with any verification information held by an external provider.
However, it confirmed that about 18,500 purchase records were accessed, including email addresses, cryptocurrency payment addresses, and metadata such as IP addresses. In roughly 1,000 cases where customers had provided names for specific products, the information was encrypted, but the company is treating it as potentially accessed due to possible exposure of encryption keys. Those users have been notified.
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Bitrefill said it does not currently believe customers need to take specific action, but advised vigilance regarding any unexpected communications related to Bitrefill or cryptocurrency.
The company added that it has strengthened its security measures, including conducting further external cybersecurity reviews and penetration testing, tightening internal access controls, improving monitoring and logging systems, and refining incident response procedures. It said the financial losses will be covered from its operational capital, and that most services, including payments and inventory, have been restored.
Lazarus Havoc
Even as many crypto platforms have ramped up their security frameworks in recent years, threat actors continue to bypass protections. The Lazarus Group remains the sector’s most persistent and dangerous adversary, responsible for the largest crypto hack on record after stealing $1.4 billion from Bybit in February 2025.
Blockchain investigator ZachXBT previously said that breaches involving platforms such as Bybit, DMM Bitcoin, and WazirX saw stolen funds laundered with ease. The on-chain investigator had added that the laundering groups have “seemingly won the battle” over enforcement.
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Crypto World
Solana (SOL) Network Revenue Plunges 93% From Peak, Why Taurox (TAUX) Is One Of the Best Alternatives
Solana’s network revenue has plunged 93% from its January peak. Daily DEX volume cratered from $35.9 billion on January 21 to $979.5 million by mid-March. Transaction fees dropped 83% in a single month. Active daily addresses fell from 6.4 million to 2.8 million, more than halving since November. The memecoin engine that powered Solana’s fee revenue through Pump.fun and Meteora has stalled after a string of celebrity rug pulls and scam launches that drained user trust. SOL trades at $94, and the on-chain activity that justified higher prices has evaporated.
A 93% revenue collapse is not a correction. It is a structural repricing of what the network actually earns when the hype cycle ends. Taurox (TAUX) is a decentralized hedge fund where AI agents will trade pooled capital across DEXs and CEXs once the presale ends. Stakers keep 80% of net profits from diversified strategies that do not depend on a single network’s fee revenue staying elevated through speculative memecoin launches.
How Triple-Layer Oracle Protection Guards Every Trade
Accurate pricing data is the foundation of every trade an agent will execute. Taurox uses Chainlink as its primary oracle, providing multi-provider aggregated USD pricing across all supported assets. If Chainlink data goes stale or becomes unavailable, Pyth Network steps in as a fallback with high-frequency institutional-grade pricing. Every price feed carries asset-specific staleness thresholds.
If data exceeds the allowed age, the system pauses execution until fresh pricing arrives. On top of both oracle layers, Taurox validates pricing through time-weighted average price calculations using on-chain liquidity pools. This three-layer architecture prevents agents from executing trades on manipulated or outdated data, a risk that grows as more venues and liquidity sources come online.
Stakers keep 80% of net profits at the standard tier. The protocol takes 5% on gains only, with 30% burned permanently and 70% flowing to the DAO treasury. Solana’s revenue depended on memecoin volume that vanished when users lost trust. Taurox protects trade execution at the oracle level so pricing integrity never depends on hype cycle volume.
Why $314.7K in Capital Keeps Flowing While SOL Revenue Falls
Phase 1 of the TAUX presale sold out in under 24 hours at $0.01 per token. Phase 1 buyers are sitting on a 20% gain with Phase 2 priced at $0.012, and they have not staked or seen an agent trade. The presale has raised $314.7K so far, and Phase 2 is already 23.9% filled. Nineteen phases run from $0.01 to $0.07, each closing permanently when its allocation is gone. The price steps up with no extensions.
Waiting costs real money when each closed phase eliminates the cheapest entry forever. Staking activates at the end of the presale, and agents will begin trading real capital once the pool goes live. SOL’s revenue dropped 93% because the activity that generated it was speculative and temporary. The TAUX presale raises capital that positions buyers ahead of a protocol designed to produce returns through managed execution, not through fee spikes from unsustainable memecoin volume.
Every token sold at $0.012 brings Phase 2 closer to closing permanently. The demand that cleared Phase 1 in a single day has carried directly into Phase 2. The buyers entering now are positioning before agents begin trading real capital. Phase 2 is filling, and the entry at $0.012 will not exist once this allocation runs out.
Phase 2 Numbers
Phase 2 is live at $0.012 per TAUX. Listing at $0.08 gives buyers 6.67x before the pool generates profit. A $1 target means x83 from today. At a $1 billion pool with 30% gross returns, implied price reaches $1.85, or x154 from $0.012. The protocol charges 5% on gross profits only. Zero management fees. Thirty percent of that fee is burned permanently against a fixed supply of 2 billion tokens.
The remaining 70% funds the DAO treasury. Every profitable trading period compresses circulating supply against a cap that never increases. The remaining 70% of fees funds the DAO treasury for ecosystem growth. Total raised: $314.7K and climbing. SOL’s revenue cratered 93% because the volume that generated it was temporary. The TAUX presale raises capital backed by a protocol designed to produce returns through managed execution. Phase 2 will not survive the demand pattern that emptied Phase 1 in under a day.
Learn More
Buy TAUX: https://taurox.io/
Whitepaper: https://docs.taurox.io/
Official Telegram: https://t.me/tauroxlabs
The post Solana (SOL) Network Revenue Plunges 93% From Peak, Why Taurox (TAUX) Is One Of the Best Alternatives appeared first on Blockonomi.
S&P Dow Jones Indices has licensed its S&P 500 Index to Trade[XYZ] for the launch of a perpetual futures contract on Hyperliquid, a development described by the index provider as the first officially licensed on-chain product offering continuous, leveraged exposure to the index for eligible non-U.S. users. The contract enables long or short positions on the index without an expiry date, with markets operating around the clock outside traditional exchange hours and data sourced from S&P Dow Jones Indices itself.
The move signals an important pivot in the crypto industry’s appetite for traditional financial benchmarks, extending on-chain derivatives beyond cryptocurrencies into mainstream equity exposure. Trade[XYZ] asserts that its on-chain markets have processed more than $100 billion in volume since October 2025, with an annualized run rate exceeding $600 billion, underscoring growing liquidity in tokenized, perpetual-style products.
Key takeaways
- The S&P 500 is now accessible on-chain through a perpetual futures contract on Hyperliquid, licensed by S&P Dow Jones Indices for eligible non-U.S. users.
- The contract offers 24/7, non-expiring exposure to the index, using official S&P Dow Jones Indices data for pricing and settlement.
- Trade[XYZ] reports on-chain volume surpassing $100 billion since October 2025, with an annualized run rate above $600 billion, highlighting strong liquidity.
- This development follows a July collaboration between the index maker and Centrifuge to bring the S&P 500 on-chain via proof-of-index infrastructure and a tokenized index fund.
- Other major exchanges are expanding perpetuals into traditional assets, including Binance’s TradFi contracts, Kraken’s tokenized futures, and Coinbase’s plan for 24/7 BTC/ETH futures in the U.S.
- Tokenized equities on-chain have grown to roughly $1.09 billion in total value, with Circle Internet Group, Exodus Movement, and Alphabet among the largest holders, per RWA.xyz data.
On-chain access to the S&P 500 and beyond
In a strategic pivot for the crypto market, S&P Dow Jones Indices’ licensing enables Trade[XYZ] to list a perpetual futures contract tied to the S&P 500 index on Hyperliquid. The product is positioned as a pioneering on-chain offering that provides continuous, leveraged exposure to a leading U.S. equity benchmark for eligible non-U.S. users, with pricing and settlement anchored to official index data.
Cointelegraph notes that the contract’s design eliminates expiry dates, a hallmark of traditional perpetuals, while maintaining a governance and data backbone aligned with the S&P 500’s official methodology. The arrangement marks a notable step in integrating established financial benchmarks with blockchain-native trading venues, highlighting a trend toward wider adoption of on-chain derivatives beyond the crypto-native asset class.
Trade[XYZ] emphasizes liquidity and accessibility, pointing to more than $100 billion in on-chain volume since late 2025 and an annualized run rate above $600 billion. While those figures underscore interest, they also set expectations for how quickly institutional-grade benchmarks can scale within a tokenized framework. This data aligns with broader market signals that on-chain perpetuals are moving deeper into traditional assets, offering leveraged exposure with 24/7 trading hours.
The development arrives on the heels of a July collaboration with Centrifuge to put the S&P 500 on-chain through proof-of-index technology and a tokenized index fund built on blockchain-based systems. The aim is to blend the reliability of traditional index construction with the efficiency and accessibility of decentralized infrastructure, potentially lowering barriers to entry for users who want continuous exposure to the benchmark without the constraints of conventional market hours.
Related coverage has framed this as part of a broader shift toward on-chain tokenization of traditional assets and perpetual derivatives, with perpetual DEX activity documented as a burgeoning wave in 2025. The broader context suggests that the S&P 500 on Hyperliquid could be a litmus test for how far on-chain versions of established financial instruments can scale and attract meaningful liquidity.
Expanding perpetuals into traditional markets
The broader crypto industry has been steadily moving toward perpetual-style contracts tied to real-world assets. In January, Binance launched TradFi perpetual contracts, offering USDT-settled derivatives linked to commodities such as gold and silver with around-the-clock trading and no expiry. The following month, Kraken expanded this model to equities, introducing tokenized perpetual futures that provide leveraged exposure to U.S. stock indexes, gold, and select companies.
Earlier in the year, Coinbase signaled plans to introduce round-the-clock trading for Bitcoin and Ether futures in the U.S. and to broaden its perpetual-style contracts. These moves collectively illustrate a converging path where crypto-native platforms seek to bridge on-chain liquidity with traditional asset classes, potentially widening the audience for perpetuals beyond pure crypto traders.
In parallel with these developments, tokenized equities have continued to grow on-chain. Data from RWA.xyz shows total on-chain value rising to about $1.09 billion from roughly $300 million at the start of 2025. The market remains relatively concentrated, with Circle Internet Group among the largest holdings at roughly $136.8 million, followed by Exodus Movement at about $83 million and Alphabet at around $72.9 million. Tesla and the iShares Silver Trust also feature prominently among on-chain holdings.
These numbers highlight a developing ecosystem where traditional brands and asset classes appear on-chain in a way that can complement or compete with existing financial channels. While on-chain equity exposure remains a small slice of the overall market, the velocity of growth and the involvement of mainstream players suggest a structural shift in how investors access diversified, time-unconstrained exposure to real-world assets.
For readers tracking the evolving landscape, these arrangements reinforce the importance of watching regulatory developments, market liquidity, and the quality of reference data that underpins on-chain pricing and settlement. The S&P 500 on Hyperliquid, and similar products in the pipeline, could shape user behavior, risk management practices, and the competitive dynamics between centralized and decentralized venues for traditional-asset derivatives.
Sources and related coverage include Cointelegraph’s reporting on perpetuals growth and the Centrifuge collaboration to bring the S&P 500 on-chain, as well as ongoing industry notes on TradFi perpetuals from major crypto exchanges and tokenized-equity data from RWA.xyz. For a deeper look at the broader trends in on-chain derivatives and tokenized assets, see the linked materials and ongoing industry analysis.
The Bank of Korea and nine commercial lenders began phase two of a digital won pilot, testing bank-issued deposit tokens backed by central bank infrastructure to determine whether the system can support government subsidy payments and consume transfers and payments nationwide.
The second phase of Project Hangang adds two banks, Kyongnam Bank and iM Bank, to the program’s original seven. The institutions will now begin large-scale testing of the won-pegged deposit tokens built on a wholesale central bank digital currency (CBDC) layer, several local news outlets reported.
“Participating banks are actively securing diverse use cases, such as large businesses and small merchants with high public relevance and significant payment fee burdens, focusing on the potential for drastically reduced fees when using digital currency for payments,” said Kim Dong-sub, who heads the Bank of Korea’s digital currency planning team, according news outlet Chosun,
A key goal is to reduce the cost of transactions. By utilizing the deposit tokens, the BOK hopes to offer a lower-cost payment alternative for both large companies and small businesses that are currently burdened by credit card processing fees, according to the bank.
The Phase 2 start comes as South Korea’s Digital Asset Basic Act (DABA), a sweeping framework meant to govern crypto trading and issuance in one of Asia’s most active digital asset markets, is delayed because of disagreements among regulators over stablecoin issuance. The thorniest issue centeres on who should have the legal authority to issue KRW-pegged stablecoins.
In the new tests, peer-to-peer transfers, which were challenging in Phase 1, will become possible.
Kim also said “the government aims to begin disbursing subsidies in digital currency during the first half of this year,” with electric vehicle charging infrastructure subsidies expected to be among the first use cases.
The Bank of Korea also mentioned plans to enable digital currency as a payment method for ‘AI agents’, which are artificial intelligence systems that search for and purchase goods and services.
Tehran Sends Strong Signals in the Face of Escalation
According to the statements made by the Iranian authorities, the political and military organization of the country is stable enough to lose the leadership. According to Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, the institutions were operating normally. Besides, authorities reiterated that personal losses cannot undermine the system at large. These utterances are meant to show strength as the war spreads.
The oil prices shifted downwards with the escalation of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The prices of crude fell by over 3 percent and closed at around 92 in the last trade period. Nevertheless, markets responded to a stable supply situation and not to conflict risks. None of the significant disturbances in production or shipping of oil constrained price pressure.
The activity of shipping via the Strait of Hormuz was maintained at a moderate rate, which sustained a stable supply globally. Further, Iran permitted some commercial ships to pass through the important passage. Furthermore, Iraq and Kurdish leaders started again with oil exports through the Ceyhan port of Turkey. The situation created an addition to the supply chain in the international markets and lessened the apprehensions concerning scarcity.
Sanctions relief pushes in the wrong direction
The United States gave a temporary lift on sanctions imposed on the Russian oil shipments stuck at sea. This move gave it the opportunity to supply more supply to the international markets in the short run. As a result, the availability of crude was elevated, weighing on prices even though conflict risks were still there. Even a minor addition of supply, observed by analysts, could have an impact on prices in the existing circumstances.
Geopolitical risks are still pitted against stable supply flows by energy markets. Although tensions are strong, traders are focusing on real disruption of the situation as opposed to possible threats. Also, the existent equilibrium between the supply and demand has curbed price spikes. The oil markets are still sensitive to the developments as the conflict goes on.
Bitcoin’s hash rate is tumbling as the Middle East conflict drives up energy prices, adding pressure to the mining sector and broader market.
The drop in hash rate is likely tied to geopolitical tensions due to the war against Iran and surge in oil prices, given that an estimated 8% to 10% of global bitcoin mining operates in energy markets sensitive to energy costs.
With hash rate down roughly 8% over the past week to 920 EH/s, the network may be entering another phase of miner capitulation. Historically, such periods have coincided with downside pressure on bitcoin’s price, which is currently trading below $72,000, roughly 5% below its Monday high.
As a result, the network is set for an approximately 8% downward difficulty adjustment, which would mark the second-largest negative shift in the past five years, according to mempool.space.
This decline follows one of the largest difficulty drops on record in mid-February, highlighting significant volatility in mining activity.
As a result of rising competition, persistently low transaction fees, and bitcoin price volatility, this has squeezed margins and pushed many publicly traded miners to diversify into AI and high-performance computing, alongside increased bitcoin sales to support operations, acting as a headwind for the bitcoin price.
The Federal Reserve Open Market Committee (FOMC) announced on Wednesday that it would hold the Federal Funds rate steady at 3.5-3.75%, as it monitors macroeconomic impacts from the ongoing war in the Middle East.
Economic activity has expanded at a “solid pace,” Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said, adding that consumer spending remains “resilient,” while business investment continued to grow.
However, the housing sector remains weak, and the labor market shows signs of softening, Powell said, while inflation remains “somewhat elevated” above the Fed’s 2% target.
This higher inflation and weak labor market is creating a tension between the Federal Reserve’s dual mandate of maximizing employment and stabilizing prices, Powell Said. He added that the war in the Middle East has further clouded the economic outlook. He said:
“The implications of events in the Middle East for the US economy are uncertain in the near term. Higher energy prices will push up overall inflation, but it is too soon to know the scope and duration of the potential effects on the economy.”
Interest rate policy impacts risk asset markets like cryptocurrencies and equities, with lower rates stimulating asset prices and higher rates acting as a restrictive force on risk asset prices, as investment capital flows from riskier asset classes to government bonds.
Related: Fed holds rates amid higher inflation outlook: Bitcoin bounces to $72K
Traders see no chance of rate cuts, while analysts say liquidity will flow
97% of market participants forecast no change in interest rates at the April 2026 FOMC meeting. While 3% forecast a rate hike of 25 basis points (BPS), according to data from the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME).
A rate hike of 25 basis points would spike the Federal Funds Rate to a range between 3.75% and 4.00%.
Arthur Hayes, a market analyst and co-founder of the BitMEX crypto exchange, said he is waiting for the Fed to slash rates before he resumes buying Bitcoin (BTC).
Hayes also said that the ongoing war between the US and Iran would likely cause the Federal Reserve to ease monetary policy to finance the war.
Others, like macroeconomist Lyn Alden, say that the Federal Reserve has entered a “gradual print” phase in which new money is steadily being created, slowly raising up all asset prices.
Magazine: Is China hoarding gold so yuan becomes global reserve instead of USD?
The FTX Recovery Trust has disclosed a new creditor payout schedule, confirming a $2.2 billion distribution on March 31, 2026. This fourth round continues the exchange’s multi-year effort to reimburse creditors and former customers of the failed platform, following a sequence of disbursements that have totaled billions since 2025.
Eligible claimants will receive funds through their chosen distribution provider within one to three business days, according to the Trust’s announcement. The fourth distribution allocates 18% to Dotcom Customer claims, 5% to US Customer Entitlement Claims, and 15% to both General Unsecured Claims and Digital Asset Loan Claims. Convenience claims will receive a 120% reimbursement under the recovery plan.
Following this round, roughly $10 billion will have been paid out to creditors and former customers of FTX. The fifth round of payments is scheduled for May 29, 2026, according to the Trust.
The reimbursements could influence crypto prices in the near term if creditors and former customers of FTX deploy the recovery funds into digital assets.
The latest update comes as Sam Bankman-Fried, the convicted former CEO, pursues appeals in his criminal case, amid broader questions about how the recovery process will impact victims and the wider crypto market. Bankman-Fried has been the subject of ongoing legal proceedings and related coverage, with reports indicating relocation discussions and various court filings as part of his efforts to challenge the judgment against him.
Key takeaways
- FTX Recovery Trust sets a $2.2 billion fourth distribution for March 31, 2026, with specific allocations: 18% for Dotcom Customer claims, 5% for US Customer Entitlement Claims, and 15% for General Unsecured and Digital Asset Loan Claims; Convenience claims receive 120% reimbursement.
- Totals to date after this round approach about $10 billion paid to creditors and former customers of FTX; the fifth distribution is slated for May 29, 2026.
- Earlier payouts included approximately $1.2 billion (February 2025), $5 billion (May 2025), and $1.6 billion (September 2025), illustrating a pattern of sizable disbursements over 2025–2026.
- Market implications hinge on how recipients deploy funds; reinvestment into crypto could provide near-term price movements, though broader recovery remains uncertain.
- Ongoing legal actions surrounding Sam Bankman-Fried—appeals and related proceedings—continue to add a layer of regulatory and narrative risk to the recovery program.
Fourth distribution details and payout mechanics
The FTX Recovery Trust’s latest announcement confirms a $2.2 billion payout slated for March 31, 2026. Eligible creditors will see payments delivered through their selected distribution provider within one to three business days, marking the fourth installment in a plan designed to unwind the exchange’s collapsed operations. The distribution breakdown targets specific claim categories: 18% for Dotcom Customer claims, 5% for US Customer Entitlement Claims, and 15% for both General Unsecured Claims and Digital Asset Loan Claims, with Convenience claims receiving a 120% reimbursement under the framework.
The structure underscores a phased approach to restitution, balancing the need to advance recovery with the complexities of asset valuation and creditor eligibility. The Trust’s statement emphasizes that the payout will proceed in a timely manner, enabling creditors to access funds relatively quickly after the distribution date.
Progress of the FTX recovery program
The fourth distribution arrives after a year of active creditor payouts. The recovery process began disbursing funds in February 2025 with a $1.2 billion payment, followed by a $5 billion distribution in May 2025. The third round in September 2025 totalled $1.6 billion. With the March 2026 release, overall disbursements push toward $10 billion across all rounds, reflecting the scale and urgency of addressing creditor claims while acknowledging the recovery remains far from complete for many affected parties.
Several creditors and advocacy voices have argued that the recoveries are not fully satisfactory given the losses incurred when FTX collapsed in 2022. Still, the ongoing payouts represent a tangible step in returning value to those impacted, even as the total figure has been a point of contention among some claimants.
Market and regulatory implications
The prospect of creditors receiving cash and potentially choosing to reallocate those funds into crypto markets has drawn attention from market participants. Observers are watching whether the proceeds will be redeployed into Bitcoin, Ether, or other digital assets, potentially providing a short-term catalyst for price moves even as broader market dynamics remain nuanced and uncertain.
Beyond market effects, the recovery program continues to intersect with high-profile legal developments surrounding Sam Bankman-Fried. Appeals and ongoing court activity related to his case contribute to a broader narrative about accountability, investor protection, and the resilience of the crypto industry in the face of high-profile collapse events.
Ongoing oversight and what to watch next
As the fourth distribution lands, attention will turn to the fifth payout on May 29, 2026, and how subsequent rounds will adapt to evolving market conditions and creditor needs. Market watchers will also monitor updates on the total recovered amount, any changes to the distribution schedule, and new information emerging from legal proceedings that could influence the pace or structure of future disbursements.
Looking ahead, observers will assess whether further recoveries will translate into renewed demand for digital assets among creditors or whether the funds will be used for debt settlements, personal liquidity, or other non-crypto purposes. With another major distribution on the horizon, the FTX creditor storyline remains a focal point for investors seeking to understand the long tail of the exchange’s collapse and its implications for market resilience and creditor rights.
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