Bitcoin BTC$73,886.45 consolidated Tuesday after hitting $76,000, the highest level since Feb. 4, in early trading. The largest cryptocurrency fell back to just below $73,500, down 1.5% since midnight UTC.

It’s not the only cryptocurrency to have cooled. Ether (ETH) lost 1.5%, solana (SOL) dropped by 2.5% and SUI$1.0247 4.5%.

Nasdaq 100 and S&P 500 futures, in contrast, rose by 0.6% despite oil trading above $100 per barrel and the war in Iran continuing to rage.

Despite the decline in crypto markets, the average relative strength index (RSI) remains firmly in “overbought” territory, suggesting further drops toward $72,000 may be on the cards.

However, such a move would resemble a period of consolidation after bitcoin rose by more than 15% from $65,000 since March 8.

A bounce between $72,000 and $74,000 would indicate a fresh level of support being formed, potentially serving as a platform for an ascent to above $80,000.

Derivatives positioning

• Bitcoin futures open interest (OI) has increased 2% to a three-week high of 685.2K BTC. This, coupled with positive cumulative volume delta (CVD), indicates a bias for bullish long bets.
• Ether’s futures activity also exhibits bitcoin-like bullishness.
• SOL’s market is flashing mixed signals. An upswing in OI is accompanied by negative funding rates and near-zero CVD, indicative of a bearish tinge.
• ADA and BCH stand out with slight declines in OI, a sign of capital outflows.
• Options traders seem more bearish on bitcoin than ether. On Deribit, bitcoin puts expiring in the near-term trade at a greater premium to calls than ether puts.
• Volatility strategies such as straddles dominated bitcoin block flows. Ether traders chased call spreads and straddles.
• In BTC’s case, two of the most popular options positions are the $60,000 put and the $75,000 call. Volatility picked up early Tuesday as prices neared $75,000.

Token talk

• The altcoin market suffered a deeper pullback than the major cryptocurrencies since midnight, with some corners of the market dropping more than 5% after a ferocious rally on Monday.
• CoinMarketCap’s “altcoin season” indicator remains at 49/100 — its highest point since the turn of the year — reflecting risk-on altcoin sentiment.
• The U.S. president-themed memecoin TRUMP lost more than 6% of its value over the past 24 hours as traders locked in profits from last week’s “gala luncheon” announcement.
• There was a similar tumble for pepe (PEPE) after the frog-themed memecoin led the broader crypto market with a move to the upside on Monday.
• The CoinDesk Memecoin Index (CDMEME) has been the worst performing benchmark over the past 24 hours, losing around 1% while the CoinDesk 80 (CD80), an index made up of a wide array of altcoins, is up by 1.35%.

Cango (CANG), a bitcoin mining company that has transitioned from automotive services, reported full year 2025 revenue of $688.1 million and a net loss of $452.8 million. While, it sold 4,451 BTC in February 2026 to reduce debt and help finance its pivot into AI infrastructure.

The company rapidly scaled its mining operations in 2025, with $675.5 million of revenue coming from bitcoin and 6,594 BTC produced during the year. Despite this growth, profitability deteriorated sharply due to impairment charges on mining machines, fair value losses, and high production costs, which reached roughly $97,000 per Bitcoin on an all-in basis.

The bitcoin sale marks a strategic shift. Rather than accumulating BTC, Cango is now deploying it as a treasury asset. The company said the sale was used to “reduce the overall finance leverage and strengthen the balance sheet,” freeing up capital for new initiatives.

Management is now focused on repositioning the business toward AI. CEO Paul Yu said the firm is “advancing our pivot to become an AI infrastructure provider,” adding that its EcoHash platform aims to deliver “flexible, cost-effective AI inference solutions.” CFO Michael Zhang said losses were “primarily due to non-recurring transformation costs,” while emphasizing efforts to secure capital for AI investments.

This Bitcoin-to-AI pivot reflects a broader industry trend. CoinDesk research shows public miners have continue to sell bitcoin to fund AI developments. This shift is being driven by declining mining margins and the rising demand for high performance computing, prompting miners to repurpose infrastructure and monetize BTC holdings to access the faster growing AI market.

Cango shares trade around $0.68, down 43% over the past three months.

Key Highlights

• A $4.3 billion supply agreement between Tesla and LG Energy Solution will establish an LFP battery manufacturing facility in Lansing, Michigan.
• The facility is slated to commence operations in 2027.
• Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) prismatic cells from this plant will supply Tesla’s Megapack 3 energy storage products.
• The U.S. Department of the Interior announced the agreement during the Indo-Pacific Energy Security Summit.
• LG Energy Solution shares gained 4% following the confirmation, while Tesla stock declined 0.4% in early trading.

In a strategic move to bolster domestic battery production, Tesla (TSLA) has partnered with South Korea’s LG Energy Solution to construct a $4.3 billion lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery manufacturing plant in Lansing, Michigan. The agreement was officially announced by the U.S. Department of the Interior on Monday during the Indo-Pacific Energy Security Summit.

‘Tesla – LG Energy Solution’

This deal is another sign that the battery value chain is shifting from EV-first to storage-first.

Reuters reported that the U.S. government confirmed Tesla and LG Energy Solution agreed to build a $4.3 billion LFP prismatic battery-cell facility in… pic.twitter.com/yR9GWcHCXa

— Kwangho Axeon (@Kwanghoaxeon) March 17, 2026

The facility is scheduled to start manufacturing operations in 2027. These battery cells will specifically support Tesla’s Megapack 3 energy storage units, which are currently assembled at the company’s Houston facility.

According to the Interior Department, this facility aims to establish a “robust domestic battery supply chain.” This strategic objective aligns with Tesla’s ongoing efforts to minimize dependence on battery suppliers from China.

Tesla, Inc., TSLA

Historically, Tesla’s battery supply has come from multiple sources including Panasonic, China’s CATL, and its own manufacturing operations. Chinese manufacturers have traditionally dominated the LFP battery market, making this agreement a significant milestone in establishing domestic production capabilities.

Among the limited number of companies manufacturing LFP batteries on American soil, LG Energy Solution holds a competitive position. This advantage becomes increasingly valuable as electric vehicle and energy storage companies seek alternatives to Chinese supply chains amid escalating tariff concerns.

Compared to cobalt-based battery alternatives, LFP batteries offer enhanced safety profiles and extended longevity. Their lower production costs could also enable Tesla to optimize expenses for its energy storage product line.

Initial reports from Reuters in July 2025 revealed that LG Energy Solution had secured a $4.3 billion contract for global LFP battery supply spanning three years. However, the customer’s identity and the batteries’ intended application remained undisclosed until this week’s announcement.

Market Response to Battery Plant Confirmation

Following the official confirmation, LG Energy Solution’s stock price surged 4% at Tuesday’s close. In contrast, Tesla shares experienced a modest 0.4% decline during pre-market trading.

The subdued market response to Tesla shares likely reflects broader challenges facing the company. Over the last three months, Tesla stock has tumbled 19%, pressured by concerns about declining sales volumes, diminishing profitability, and compressed margins.

While the S&P 500 has decreased 1.7% during the same timeframe, Tesla’s downturn has been considerably more pronounced. On Tuesday, index futures showed a 0.4% decline as volatility in oil markets contributed to investor uncertainty.

Facility Details and Production Schedule

The Lansing, Michigan location will serve as the production hub for LFP prismatic battery cells, with initial output anticipated in 2027. Tesla’s Houston-manufactured Megapack 3 systems will integrate these domestically-produced cells.

This partnership strategically positions Tesla to decrease reliance on Chinese battery imports during a period when tariffs have increased costs and created supply chain uncertainty.

While LG Energy Solution disclosed the $4.3 billion supply agreement last year, Monday’s announcement provided the crucial details linking the contract to Tesla and confirming the Michigan manufacturing site.

TLDR

• Eric Turner has resigned from his position as Messari CEO, with CTO Diran Li appointed as his successor.
• The crypto data provider implemented another workforce reduction, with specific numbers undisclosed.
• The firm is transforming into an “AI-first” organization targeting institutional clients with research and AI-powered solutions.
• The company integrated the x402 protocol to make its data accessible to autonomous AI agents.
• These changes follow previous workforce reductions of approximately 15% in January 2025 and similar cuts in February 2023.

Crypto intelligence platform Messari has revealed a significant executive transition and additional workforce reductions as the company reorients itself toward artificial intelligence technologies.

On Monday, Eric Turner announced his departure from the CEO position, which he had held on an interim basis since July 2024. Turner assumed leadership after company founder Ryan Selkis stepped down amid backlash over contentious statements made on social platforms.

Diran Li, the company’s chief technology officer for more than seven years, will assume the chief executive role. According to Li, the transition resulted from strategic planning sessions with Turner and Messari’s board.

“After conversations with Eric and the board, we agreed this is the right step for the company’s next chapter,” Li wrote on X.

Alongside the executive shuffle, Messari conducted fresh personnel cuts. While Li confirmed the layoffs occurred, he declined to specify how many employees were affected. “We’ve parted ways with many teammates who helped build Messari into what it is today,” he stated.

Turner referenced the workforce reduction as well, describing it as “a difficult day for the team.”

This represents Messari’s third significant headcount reduction in recent memory. The company eliminated roughly 15% of full-time positions in January 2025 and executed comparable cuts in February 2023.

Messari’s AI-First Direction

Li emphasized that the organizational changes directly support a fundamental business transformation. “Looking ahead, we’re doubling down on Messari as an AI-first company serving institutions through research and AI products,” he said.

Established in 2018, Messari built its reputation as a cryptocurrency analytics and intelligence provider. The company introduced artificial intelligence capabilities into its product suite throughout 2024. Messari has become recognized for comprehensive sector analyses, market intelligence platforms, and organizing the annual Mainnet conference in New York City.

This strategic realignment echoes similar initiatives across the technology sector. Block, the payments company led by Jack Dorsey, eliminated approximately 4,000 positions last month while emphasizing AI-driven reorganization. OP Labs, which develops the Optimism blockchain, reduced its workforce by roughly 20% in recent days.

Blockchain Data for AI Agents

Days before announcing the leadership transition, Li disclosed that Messari was making its infrastructure available to autonomous artificial intelligence agents. The platform implemented the x402 protocol to enable AI systems and developers to access institutional-quality cryptocurrency data.

This framework allows AI agents to autonomously acquire and purchase blockchain intelligence using cryptocurrency wallets.

Messari becomes part of a growing contingent of blockchain companies expanding into artificial intelligence, alongside Core Scientific, Cipher Mining, MARA Holdings, Hut 8, and Galaxy Digital.

Turner will continue supporting Messari in an advisory capacity after transitioning out of the executive position.

• Cronos (CRO) gains momentum from Crypto.com’s real-world payment adoption.
• Cronos price rise backed by Bitcoin ETF inflows and 58% volume surge.
• The key levels to watch in the near term are the support at $0.0772 and the resistance at $0.0809.

Cronos (CRO) has seen renewed attention in recent weeks, fueled by a mix of market-wide momentum and positive developments in the cryptocurrency payments space.

The partnership between Crypto.com and KG Inicis in South Korea has added another layer of optimism for the token.

This collaboration allows tourists to use digital assets for everyday purchases, expanding the practical utility of CRO and other supported cryptocurrencies.

Impact of the Crypto.com, KG Inicis Partnership on CRO

The partnership enables Crypto.com Pay to integrate with KG Inicis’ extensive merchant network across South Korea.

This means that foreign visitors can use cryptocurrencies to pay at a variety of physical stores and online platforms.

For merchants, there is flexibility in receiving payments either in digital assets or immediately in fiat currency.

This real-world use case is significant for CRO.

While much of the token’s past activity has been driven by market speculation, adoption in daily transactions adds tangible utility.

Increased acceptance of CRO for payments could encourage higher trading activity and engagement from a broader user base.

Beyond simple adoption, the partnership reflects a growing trend of cryptocurrency integration in tourism and cross-border spending.

Digital currencies are moving from being primarily investment vehicles to practical tools for everyday use.

For CRO holders, this could translate into a more stable demand floor, particularly as the payment system attracts foreign visitors who are likely to convert local currency into crypto for spending.

The news also reinforces investor sentiment in the short term.

Cronos has a history of following broader market trends, but developments that enhance its ecosystem strengthen the token’s narrative beyond just price correlation with Bitcoin.

Practical use cases can often support prices during periods of market volatility, as traders see potential for both transactional and speculative value.

CRO price analysis

Cronos has climbed to $0.0801, marking a 1.7% increase over 24 hours.

This movement closely mirrored Bitcoin’s 1.42% rise, reflecting a period of strong institutional demand, particularly in Bitcoin ETFs.

Notably, the price increase was accompanied by a 58% surge in trading volume, highlighting genuine buying interest rather than a thin-market spike.

The combination of market momentum and tangible adoption news has created a cautiously positive environment for CRO.

Eyes are on the Bitcoin ETF inflows, as continued institutional interest tends to lift correlated altcoins.

Conversely, negative macro developments or regulatory concerns could trigger pullbacks, underscoring the importance of monitoring broader market conditions.

Cronos price forecast

From a technical standpoint, the near-term outlook for CRO is focused on key support and resistance levels.

Immediate support sits near the 7-day simple moving average at $0.07790.

Holding above this level would maintain the short-term bullish trend and could allow the token to test the 0.382 Fibonacci resistance level at $0.08297.

A decisive break above $0.08297 would open the path to a recent swing high near $0.088821, suggesting potential upside for traders targeting short-term gains.

On the other hand, a drop below $0.07790 could signal a consolidation phase or minor pullback, particularly if Bitcoin or the broader market reacts negatively to upcoming macro events.

Key Takeaways

• Micron’s Q2 FY26 earnings announcement scheduled for Wednesday, March 18, post-market
• Analyst consensus projects EPS between $8.74–$8.77, representing approximately 460% YoY growth
• Projected revenue of $19.03 billion reflects 136% year-over-year expansion
• MU shares have climbed roughly 55% since the start of the year
• Recent analyst upgrades include Wedbush’s $500 target and Wells Fargo’s $470 Buy rating

Micron Technology is preparing to unveil its second-quarter fiscal 2026 financial results this Wednesday, March 18, following the market’s close. The semiconductor company enters the earnings event with shares already showing impressive gains of approximately 55% year-to-date.

Micron Technology, Inc., MU

Analyst expectations center around earnings per share between $8.74 and $8.77 for the quarter. This projection indicates an extraordinary leap of approximately 460% when compared to the corresponding quarter from the previous year.

The revenue projection stands at approximately $19.03 billion. This figure demonstrates a substantial 136% year-over-year surge, primarily fueled by robust demand for high-bandwidth memory solutions and DRAM chips used in data center applications.

The memory chip sector has experienced significant momentum. Constrained supply combined with upward pricing pressure has created favorable conditions for Micron throughout the year.

Market expectations reflected in options pricing suggest a potential stock movement of approximately 10.61% in either direction post-earnings. This substantial range underscores the considerable anticipation and volatility surrounding the upcoming announcement.

Wall Street Raises Price Targets

In the lead-up to earnings, several analysts have increased their bullish stance. Matthew Bryson from Wedbush Securities elevated his price objective to $500 from $320, maintaining an Outperform rating. Bryson highlighted that Micron’s earnings trajectory continues strengthening while the stock remains below historical peak valuations typical of memory sector companies.

Aaron Rakers at Wells Fargo maintained his optimistic view, reaffirming a Buy rating while increasing his target from $410 to $470. Rakers anticipates peak earnings capability between $50 and $60 per share, with sustained long-term earnings power estimated at $30 to $40 per share.

Currently, 27 Wall Street analysts provide coverage on Micron, resulting in a consensus Strong Buy rating. This rating comprises 26 Buy recommendations alongside one Hold rating issued within the past three months. The mean price target stands at $448.07, suggesting approximately 5.15% potential appreciation from present levels.

The full spectrum of analyst price objectives ranges from a low of $86.28 to a high of $650.00, with the one-year average landing at $407.89.

HBM4 Launch and Taiwan Expansion

Micron has recently commenced volume production of its next-generation HBM4 memory, specifically engineered for Nvidia’s forthcoming Vera Rubin platform. This advanced product achieves bandwidth exceeding 2.8 TB/s — representing more than double the performance of its predecessor — while delivering over 20% improved power efficiency.

This positions Micron as a critical supplier in the accelerating AI infrastructure expansion.

Additionally, Micron has finalized its acquisition of the P5 fabrication facility from Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing located in Tongluo, Taiwan. The transaction, initially disclosed in January 2026, incorporates approximately 300,000 square feet of cleanroom manufacturing space.

The semiconductor manufacturer intends to modernize the facility for DRAM and HBM manufacturing, with initial production shipments anticipated to commence in fiscal year 2028.

Rakers noted that market participants will be closely monitoring how Micron addresses competitive dynamics surrounding HBM4 within the context of Nvidia’s Rubin product cycle.

The consensus analyst price target of $407.89 currently trades below MU’s present price of $426.13, suggesting a modest downside of 4.28% based on the one-year consensus outlook.

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XRP price hit a multi-week high of $1.6 on March 17 before settling around $1.5. Can it hold the key support level as whale demand is back?

According to data from crypto.news, XRP (XRP) price hit $1.60 on Tuesday, March 17, its highest level over the past 4 weeks. Trading at $1.52 at the time of writing, the asset has rallied 11% from its weekly lows and 19% from its lowest point over the past month.

While a market-wide rebound following Bitcoin’s surge past the $75,000 psychological resistance provided a strong tailwind, several specific catalysts have supported these recent gains.

First, whales have officially entered accumulation mode after months of remaining in a distribution phase. Data from CryptoQuant shows that the XRP Whale Flow 30-day moving average, a metric that tracks the movement of coins into large holder wallets, has switched to positive after nearly four months of red. This shift is significant because whale accumulation often sparks retail interest in the asset as smaller investors look to follow the lead of influential market participants. 

Second, reports indicate that XRP reserves on Binance have soared to 2.78 billion tokens, their highest levels since late 2025. As whales remain in an accumulation phase, they could gobble up most of these available tokens, which could lead to a supply crunch that drives prices even higher.

Third, investors are showing increased engagement with the underlying technology. Per data from Santiment, the total number of active addresses on the XRPL network climbed to a five-week high. A surge in active addresses indicates growing network utility and a rise in unique user participation, which typically serves as a bullish signal for long-term price stability. 

Should these trends continue, the current support level may act as a solid foundation for the next leg up.

Technical indicators suggest that bulls hold the upper ground at press time. On the daily chart, the Aroon Up reading currently stands at 100% while the Aroon Down is at 35.71%. When the Aroon Up is significantly higher than the down, it means that the market is in a strong uptrend and that the most recent price highs were achieved very recently.

The relative strength index remains above 59 after slipping from 63 since yesterday. This is a sign that while the immediate buying momentum seems to have waned a bit, the bullish trend is not completely exhausted, and there is still plenty of room for further upside before the asset becomes overbought.

Hence, the XRP price will likely hold the $1.50 support with a potential rally to $1.65 if it manages to rebound and sustain above the $1.53 level, which aligns with the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement level, a key area that traders often watch for signs of trend continuation.

Meanwhile, failure to hold the $1.40 support would likely lead to a deeper correction toward the $1.37 zone.

TLDR

• T. Rowe Price submitted an amended S-1 filing to the SEC for its upcoming actively managed cryptocurrency ETF
• The investment vehicle will maintain between 5 and 15 digital currencies simultaneously, selected through quantitative analysis
• Anchorage Digital Bank has been designated as the custodian for cryptocurrency assets in the revised documentation
• The eligible token roster expanded to 15 assets with the addition of Sui, alongside Bitcoin, Ether, Dogecoin, and Shiba Inu
• The investment product seeks to exceed the performance of the FTSE US Listed Crypto Index and may incorporate staking operations

T. Rowe Price, a major asset management company overseeing $1.8 trillion in assets, has submitted a revised registration document to the US Securities and Exchange Commission for its planned Price Active Crypto ETF.

The updated S-1 filing was delivered on Monday, expanding upon the initial documentation submitted in October 2025. The investment vehicle is structured to provide investors with professional management of digital currency exposure through conventional brokerage platforms.

The submission identifies 15 digital currencies eligible for inclusion, featuring Bitcoin, Ether, Solana, XRP, Dogecoin, Shiba Inu, Chainlink, and Sui. The latter represents a fresh addition absent from the October proposal.

The investment fund will not simultaneously hold all 15 cryptocurrency assets. During typical market conditions, the portfolio will contain between five and fifteen digital tokens.

Investment selections will be determined through quantitative algorithms analyzing fundamental metrics, asset valuation, and market trends. The objective is to surpass the benchmark performance of the FTSE US Listed Crypto Index.

The revised documentation designates Anchorage Digital Bank as the custodial institution for the fund’s digital assets. This financial institution will handle security and storage of the cryptocurrencies within the ETF.

How the Fund Would Work

Initially, participants would establish or liquidate positions using fiat currency rather than direct cryptocurrency transfers. The documentation indicates this framework may evolve to accommodate in-kind exchanges.

The submission also mentions the potential for staking activities, wherein tokens are committed to support blockchain network operations in exchange for yield generation. T. Rowe Price indicated staking decisions would depend on tax implications and regulatory clarity.

T. Rowe Price has provided investment management services for approximately 87 years and ranks among the top 25 global asset management firms. The organization is primarily recognized for its mutual fund offerings and retirement planning services rather than cryptocurrency investments.

The initial October submission caught many market analysts off guard. Nate Geraci, president of NovaDius Wealth Management, commented that the filing appeared out of “left field” considering T. Rowe Price’s conventional investment approach.

Major Asset Managers Moving Into Crypto

T. Rowe Price is among several established financial institutions entering the cryptocurrency ETF marketplace. BlackRock, Fidelity, Franklin Templeton, VanEck, and Invesco have previously introduced digital asset investment vehicles.

The initial submission occurred near what was then considered a market peak, following Bitcoin’s surge past $120,000. The filing coincided with a significant liquidation episode affecting leveraged cryptocurrency derivatives.

Subsequently, digital asset valuations declined and crypto ETFs experienced sustained capital withdrawals spanning multiple months. However, cryptocurrency ETF flows have recently shifted back to positive territory, based on CoinGlass tracking data.

The revised filing incorporates current information regarding the FTSE Crypto US Listed Index, including component weightings updated through January 2026.

Additional risk disclosures have been incorporated addressing portfolio turnover rates and the fund’s active management approach.

The SEC has not yet announced a timeline for potential approval.