Crypto World
BlackRock’s Staked Ethereum ETF Debuts With $15.5M in Volume
BlackRock’s entry into staking-focused crypto exposure took a visible step onto the trading floor as the iShares Staked Ethereum Trust ETF (ETHB) opened for trading, reflecting demand for Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) exposure. On its first day, the ETF logged about $15.5 million in turnover as 592,804 shares changed hands, according to Nasdaq data, a showing market watchers described as “very, very solid” for a product in a nascent segment. The early data underline investors’ continued curiosity about crypto-native yield strategies, even as Solana (CRYPTO: SOL)–linked staking funds drew higher launch-day volumes on earlier, comparable rolls to market.
Key takeaways
- ETHB debuted with roughly $15.5 million in trading volume and 592,804 shares traded on day one, signaling meaningful liquidity for a new staking ETF.
- The fund stakes Ether (CRYPTO: ETH) and follows a structure of 80% staked ETH and 20% ETH, distributing staking rewards monthly and targeting an approximate 4% annual yield.
- Initial net assets totaled about $106.7 million, with custody handled by Coinbase, and a sponsor fee of 0.25% that is waived for the first year, effectively reducing the fee to 0.12% on the first $2.5 billion of assets under management (AUM).
- ETHB sits alongside BlackRock’s flagship crypto ETFs, including IBIT and ETHA, which have drawn substantial inflows since their 2024 launches.
- Industry comparisons show Solana staking ETFs attracting larger debut volumes historically, highlighting continued appetite for different blockchain staking avenues within institutional portfolios.
- BlackRock is considering additional yield-focused crypto strategies, such as a Bitcoin Premium Income ETF that would write covered calls on Bitcoin futures to harvest premiums.
Tickers mentioned: $ETH, $SOL, $BSOL, $SSK, $IBIT, $ETHA, ETHB
Sentiment: Neutral
Market context: The early reception of ETHB fits into a broader trend of growing institutional interest in crypto-native yield products. While ETHB’s debut volume is solid, it sits in a landscape where competing staking ETFs tied to Solana, such as the Bitwise Solana Staking ETF (BSOL) and the REX-Osprey SOL + Staking ETF (SSK), have previously posted higher first-day volumes, underscoring a diversified appetite for staking across chains. Inflows to BlackRock’s other staking vehicles have been substantial, reflecting a shift toward regulated vehicles that aim to capture staking rewards while offering on-exchange tradability.
Why it matters
The ETHB debut matters because it marks another step in the normalization of crypto yield strategies within traditional markets. By combining the right to staking rewards with share-backed liquidity, ETHB provides a way for investors to gain exposure to Ethereum’s network security economics without directly managing keys or staking infrastructure. The fund is anchored by a custody arrangement with Coinbase and relies on established validators to harvest rewards, illustrating a bridge between decentralized finance mechanics and regulated, payer-friendly investment vehicles.
From a product-design perspective, ETHB’s framework—80% staked ETH and 20% ETH with monthly reward distributions—highlights how fund sponsors translate the economics of on-chain participation into a familiar, regulated wrapper. The yield, typically around 4% annually, is derived from validators’ rewards captured by the network, and the ongoing distributions are sourced from the on-chain activity rather than traditional interest payments. This model is appealing to yield-seeking investors in a landscape where direct staking requires technical know-how and custody considerations. The introduction of ETHB also reinforces BlackRock’s broader crypto strategy, which already includes the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) and iShares Ethereum Trust ETF (ETHA), expanding the firm’s footprint in regulated crypto exposure.
Industry observers note that ETHB’s arrival comes with a premium on investor education. Unlike outright spot exposure, staking adds a layer of blockchain mechanics—validators, network uptime, and protocol changes—that influence returns and risk. While monthly distributions provide predictable income, the sustainability of yields depends on network health and validator performance. The fund’s distribution arrangement, with a sponsor fee and a one-year waiver, is a practical incentive that can help attract assets during the early phase, though potential investors will still weigh management fees against expected yield, custody risk, and regulatory clarity.
Market dynamics around staking ETFs continue to evolve. The historical trajectory of staking products demonstrates a spectrum of performance across chains: SOL-based vehicles have frequently posted higher debut volumes, reflecting a strong interest in Solana’s ecosystem despite Ethereum’s larger market footprint. The Bitwise Solana Staking ETF (BSOL) logged about $55.4 million in debut volume in October, while the REX-Osprey SOL + Staking ETF (SSK) reached $33.7 million on its own rollout. These comparisons help place ETHB within a broader context of diversified staking choices rather than a single, monolithic demand for crypto yield products.
Beyond ETHB, BlackRock’s ongoing product strategy includes exploration of additional yield-oriented vehicles. The firm has signaled work on a Bitcoin Premium Income ETF, which would sell covered calls on Bitcoin futures to generate premium income for investors. While the bet on premium income is not guaranteed, the initiative reflects a broader push to monetize different facets of crypto markets through traditional fund formats. Investors are watching not only the performance of ETHB but also how these strategies will integrate with regulatory expectations and market liquidity in a shifting macro environment.
In practical terms, ETHB’s onboarding of assets, including its $106.7 million net assets at launch and a custody agreement with Coinbase, sets a measurable baseline for the product’s early phase. The ongoing flow of staking rewards will be distributed monthly, providing a tangible cash-like component to holders while the underlying staking rewards accrue from Ethereum validators operated by industry players such as Figment, Galaxy Digital, and Attestant (Bitwise-owned). The evolving policy landscape, coupled with Center for Markets and competition among staking ETFs, will shape ETHB’s ability to attract new capital and sustain a steady yield narrative for investors seeking regulated access to on-chain rewards.
With ETHB now trading alongside traditional equity-like vehicles, market participants will be closely watching asset flows, validator performance, and fee dynamics. The fund’s sponsor fee sits at 0.25%, with a one-year waiver in place—an arrangement designed to accelerate early adoption and AUM growth. If inflows accelerate, ETHB could begin to realize economies of scale that further reduce costs for investors as the first year unfolds, potentially widening exposure to other staking products within BlackRock’s ecosystem. The interplay between on-chain economics and on-exchange liquidity will be a barometer for the maturation of staking ETFs as a credible allocation choice for institutional and retail investors alike.
In summary, ETHB’s debut offers a clear signal: regulated, yield-oriented crypto exposure is increasingly part of mainstream portfolios. While the exact path of liquidity and yields remains subject to network dynamics and fees, the initial numbers suggest real investor interest in staking-native products that blend crypto technology with traditional fund structures. As the space matures, ETHB and its peers will continue to test the balance between on-chain economics, custody risk, and the demand for simplified, regulated access to cryptocurrency staking yields.
What to watch next
- Monthly staking reward distributions begin or continue as expected, with yield variability tied to validator performance.
- Assets under management (AUM) evolve toward the $2.5–$5.0 billion range; watch fee structures for future adjustments beyond the initial waiver.
- Inflows to BlackRock’s crypto ETF lineup (IBIT, ETHA) persist, indicating sustained institutional interest.
- Any regulatory or structural updates related to staking ETFs, including potential changes to tax or custody requirements.
- Progress on the Bitcoin Premium Income ETF and how it compares to ETHB in terms of yield generation and risk.
Sources & verification
- Nasdaq data for ETHB debut trading activity: https://www.nasdaq.com/market-activity/stocks/ethb
- iShares Staked Ethereum Trust (ETHB) exposure and yield discussion: https://cointelegraph.com/news/blackrock-ishares-staked-ethereum-trust-etf-exposure-yield
- Solana staking ETF debut comparisons: https://cointelegraph.com/news/bitwise-solana-staking-etf-55-million-debut-trading-volume
- Eric Balchunas-related data on SSK and market commentary: https://x.com/EricBalchunas/status/1940516260875514325
- Bitwise Attestant staking involvement: https://cointelegraph.com/news/bitwise-acquires-attestant-ethereum-staking
- ETHB custody and asset details; Coinbase as custodian: https://www.blackrock.com/us/individual/products/348532/ishares-staked-ethereum-trust-etf
- Bitcoin Premium Income ETF concept: https://cointelegraph.com/news/blackrock-files-for-bitcoin-premium-income-etf
- Farside data on inflows for BTC/ETH ETFs: https://farside.co.uk/btc/ and https://farside.co.uk/eth/
Market reaction and key details
BlackRock’s iShares Staked Ethereum Trust ETF, ETHB, opened for trading with visible liquidity, drawing about $15.5 million in turnover on its first day as 592,804 shares moved hands, per Nasdaq. The momentum signals growing institutional curiosity about staking-backed products that blend on-chain economics with a familiar, regulated wrapper. In the trade press, the debut was described as “very, very solid” for a first-day ETF launch, a sentiment echoed by analysts tracking the space. The first-day performance underscores a broader trend toward regulated exposure to crypto yields, even as the market remains cautious about liquidity flows across different networks.
ETHB’s structure matters for readers watching the evolution of staking-based investments. The fund allocates 80% to staked Ether and 20% to Ether, and it distributes staking rewards on a monthly cadence. The approach surfaces a tangible yield, typically around 4% annually, with rewards captured by Ethereum network validators operated by firms like Figment, Galaxy Digital, and Bitwise-owned Attestant. The on-chain activity translates into on-exchange income for fund holders, bridging the gap between the DeFi mechanics that drive staking and the traditional investment experience.
From a product-design perspective, ETHB’s fee arrangement provides a practical incentive to attract assets early on. The sponsor fee sits at 0.25%, but there is a one-year waiver that reduces the effective fee to 0.12% on the first $2.5 billion of AUM. This pricing strategy is meant to spur initial adoption while offering a reference point for fee pressure as assets scale. The ETF’s net assets at launch, reported around $106.7 million, reflect a meaningful tranche of early capital that could help catalyze a broader ecosystem of staking-related funds under BlackRock’s umbrella, including IBIT and ETHA, which have collectively drawn substantial inflows since 2024.
The broader market context matters for ETHB’s trajectory. The same period has featured a comparative landscape where staking ETFs linked to Solana attracted higher debut volumes, illustrating a diverse investor appetite across different blockchain ecosystems. The Bitwise Solana Staking ETF (BSOL) posted about $55.4 million on its debut, and the REX-Osprey SOL + Staking ETF (SSK) reached $33.7 million on its own rollout, highlighting that multiple pathways exist for institutional participants to access on-chain yield. This competition underscores that ETHB’s success will hinge on continued liquidity, predictable distributions, and the alignment of on-chain rewards with investors’ expectations for regulated vehicles.
Another dimension shaping ETHB’s path is BlackRock’s broader crypto ETF strategy. The company has signaled its interest in a Bitcoin Premium Income ETF, which would monetize yield through covered call options on Bitcoin futures. While still exploratory, the concept signals a move toward yield-oriented crypto products that seek to harvest option premiums in addition to staking-derived rewards. Investors will be watching how this suite of products evolves, how regulatory clarity shapes launches, and how inflows into ETHB’s peers influence the entire staking ETF category. In this environment, ETHB’s early performance serves as a barometer for the maturation of regulated crypto yield strategies within traditional markets.
XRP price has gone nowhere in the last 30 days as third-party data reveals that demand from Wall Street investors has stalled.
Summary
- XRP price has remained in a narrow range in the last 30 days.
- Demand from Wall Street investors has waned in this period.
- The coin could be in the accumulation phase of the Wyckoff Theory.
Ripple (XRP) token was trading at $1.3825 today, March 12, inside a range it has remained at in the past few weeks. This price is 63% below its highest point last year.
Data compiled by SoSoValue shows that spot XRP ETFs have shed over $26 million in assets this month. This is the first month that these funds have experienced outflows since they were launched in November.
The numbers show that the funds did not experience any inflow on Wednesday. Before that, they experienced outflows in the previous four consecutive days. They now hold $985 million in assets under management.
A recent report showed that some of the biggest companies in Wall Street holds XRP ETFs. Goldman Sachs holds XRP ETFs worth $154 million, and is followed by top companies like Millennium Management, Logan Stone Capital, Citadel, and Jain Global.
More data shows that demand for XRP has dropped in the past few weeks. For example, according to CoinGecko, the daily volume stood at $2.3 billion today, down from over $4 billion the same day last week.
XRP’s futures open interest has dropped in the past few months, moving from last year’s high of over $10 billion to $2.4 billion today. The same has happened in the CME, where futures contracts are seeing weak demand.
XRP price technical analysis
The four-hour chart shows that the Ripple token has remained in a narrow range in the past few months. It has remained inside the key support and resistance levels at $1.3160 and $1.4627.
The volatility has dropped, with the Average True Range has remained in a downward trend. It is also oscillating at the 50-period and 100-period moving averages.
On the positive side, this is a sign that coin is in the accumulation phase of the Wyckoff Theory. This phase is usually characterized by sideways movements.
Therefore, while its too early to predict, there is a possibility that the coin will have a strong bullish breakout. Its initial target will be at $1.4627, the upper side of the channel. A move above that price will point to more gains, potentially to the psychological level at $1.6658, its highest point in February this year.
Key Takeaways
- NIO has successfully broken above both its 50-day and 200-day simple moving averages, with both trend lines now pointing upward
- Technical indicators show bullish RSI divergence alongside significant volume increases during rallies, suggesting diminishing bearish pressure
- Chart analysis reveals a double bottom formation with a breakout level at $5.79, projecting a move toward $8 by late 2026
- Call option volume reached 58,591 contracts with an exceptionally low put/call ratio of 0.30, indicating bullish sentiment
- Fellow Chinese EV competitor XPeng (XPEV) climbed 14% this week, reinforcing sector-wide momentum
Holding NIO shares has tested investors’ patience considerably. Following its peak above $60 in the first quarter of 2021, the Chinese electric vehicle maker endured a prolonged decline that ultimately bottomed in single-digit territory. However, recent price action suggests a potential turning point.
Shares were changing hands near $5.60 on Thursday, marking an approximate 19% weekly advance — positioning this week as the strongest performance since late August 2025, assuming momentum holds through Friday’s trading session.
The technical configuration is capturing market attention. NIO has successfully recaptured both its 50-day and 200-day simple moving averages during this week’s rally, with both indicators now trending upward. This represents a significant departure from the stock’s positioning just a few months earlier.
Technical analysts have identified a bullish RSI divergence, characterized by ascending RSI lows despite the stock printing lower price lows. This divergence typically indicates weakening downside momentum. Trading volume corroborates this interpretation — pronounced volume surges accompanying upward price movement represent a textbook indication of institutional accumulation.
The stock has also successfully retested a bull flag breakout pattern that originated in August. A double bottom formation has emerged with a pivot point established at $5.79. The catalyst for this pattern was a bearish island reversal that concluded with a 7.3% downward gap on December 31. NIO subsequently printed a bullish hammer candlestick on March 3, followed immediately by a bullish island reversal to the upside in the next trading session.
Analysts are projecting an upside objective of $8 by the latter half of 2026 — representing a 42% appreciation from current price levels. The bullish scenario remains viable above support at $4.75.
Extended Time Frame Analysis
Examining the five-year weekly chart provides greater clarity regarding the bottoming process. Since early 2024, NIO has been trading within what appears to be a base-building consolidation pattern. Beginning in October, the right shoulder of a bullish inverse head-and-shoulders formation has been developing.
Should the stock clear the $8 resistance threshold later in 2026, the extended-term projection based on this pattern suggests a potential move toward $13 by early 2027.
Accumulation patterns have been evident since the previous summer, with buyers consistently defending lower price levels.
Options Activity Reflects Bullish Positioning
The derivatives market is reflecting the underlying momentum. Thursday saw 58,591 call contracts trade hands in NIO. Short-dated contracts expiring March 13 and March 26 comprised approximately 19,900 of that total. The put/call ratio currently stands at just 0.30 — an unusually low figure indicating traders are purchasing call options at more than three times the rate of protective puts.
Implied volatility has also expanded, reflecting heightened speculative interest in the name.
NIO’s upcoming quarterly earnings announcement is scheduled for June 2, which may be contributing to the increased options positioning.
On a year-to-date basis, NIO has advanced 7.25%. The company’s current market capitalization is $12.48 billion.
XPeng is experiencing similar strength this week, climbing 14% as of Thursday afternoon and positioned to break a three-week losing streak.
Vitalik Buterin reframes Ethereum as censorship‑resistant “global shared memory,” with PeerDAS scaling its data layer for voting, identity, and on‑chain coordination.
Summary
- Vitalik says Ethereum’s main role is an open, readable and writable data availability layer, more than a smart contract or payments platform.
- He casts ETH as core Sybil resistance and collateral securing this shared memory, with DeFi and apps built on top of that base.
- PeerDAS is already boosting Ethereum’s data capacity, with plans for 10–100x gains to support voting, identity, and governance use cases.
Ethereum (ETH) co-founder Vitalik Buterin says the network’s real value lies in acting as a globally shared “bulletin board” for data availability, rather than just a smart contract or payments platform, sharpening the narrative around Ethereum’s role in the broader crypto stack.
Vitalik reframes Ethereum’s core value
In a new post on X, Buterin argued that Ethereum’s fundamental contribution is providing a publicly readable and writable data layer that cryptographic protocols can reliably anchor to. He highlighted that many high-value use cases—secure online voting, software version control, certificate revocation and more—depend on having an open, persistent data space rather than purely on complex smart contract logic.
Buterin framed ETH not only as a payment asset, but as a core instrument for Sybil resistance and as collateral for smart contracts, positioning it at the center of a decentralized, privacy-preserving, open-source technology stack. In his view, smart contracts and DeFi are extensions built atop this shared memory, not the base value proposition itself.
PeerDAS, scaling, and “global shared memory”
Buterin also pointed to Ethereum’s PeerDAS upgrade as a key step in scaling this data availability layer, saying it already increases Ethereum’s data capacity by about 2.3x, with a path toward 10–100x gains over time. Improved data throughput, combined with lower fees, is meant to support a broader range of applications beyond DeFi, including governance systems, identity, and new classes of on-chain coordination tools.
He summed up Ethereum as a kind of “global shared memory,” where applications can reliably publish and read data in a neutral environment secured by ETH-based economic incentives. For developers and protocols, the message is clear: treat Ethereum first as a durable, censorship-resistant data availability layer, and only secondarily as a smart contract execution chain.
BlackRock’s staked Ethereum exchange-traded fund has tallied $15.5 million in trading volume on its first trading day, which a market analyst described as “very, very solid” despite falling short of two similar Solana staking products that launched last year.
Nasdaq data shows the iShares Staked Ethereum Trust (ETHB) had 592,804 shares traded on its debut on Thursday, with Bloomberg ETF analyst James Seyffart noting on X that the product turned over around $15.5 million.
“Very, very solid for a day 1 ETF launch,” Seyffart said.
The ETF invests and stakes Ether (ETH), locking up the tokens on the blockchain with the aim of providing a yield. The fund relies on network validators to capture staking rewards, typically offering a yield of 4% annually.
ETHB’s $15.5 million in debut trading volume trailed similar staking funds tied to the Solana (SOL) token, including the $55.4 million in volume recorded by the Bitwise Solana Staking ETF (BSOL) when it debuted in October. Another similar fund, the REX-Osprey SOL + Staking ETF (SSK), also recorded $33.7 million on its debut in July.
ETHB adds to BlackRock’s crypto product lineup, which includes its two flagship crypto funds, the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) and iShares Ethereum Trust ETF (ETHA).
Related: Basic adds VanEck crypto ETFs to 401(k) plans amid US retirement shift
The two ETFs have respectively attracted over $62.8 billion and $11.9 billion worth of inflows since launching in 2024, Farside Investors data shows.
BlackRock is also looking to offer a Bitcoin Premium Income ETF, which would sell covered call options on Bitcoin futures, collecting premiums to generate yield.
ETHB is backed by 80% staked Ether and 20% Ether, according to BlackRock’s website. It launched with $106.7 million in net assets, which is being custodied by Coinbase.
Staking rewards will be distributed on a monthly basis and will be obtained from Ethereum network validators run by Figment, Galaxy Digital and Bitwise-owned Attestant.
ETHB offers a 0.25% sponsor fee with a one-year waiver, reducing the fee to 0.12% on the first $2.5 billion assets under management.
Magazine: What’s a ‘Network State’ and are there real-life examples? Big Questions
TLDR
- The U.S. Senate passed the housing bill in an 89 to 10 bipartisan vote.
- The bill blocks the Federal Reserve from issuing CBDCs until at least 2030.
- The measure prohibits the Fed from creating a digital dollar directly or through intermediaries.
- Lawmakers included the CBDC ban in the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.
- House members signaled they may seek changes before advancing the bill.
The U.S. Senate approved a housing bill that bars the Federal Reserve from issuing a digital dollar. Lawmakers passed the measure in an 89-10 bipartisan vote and attached the CBDC ban to the broader package. However, House lawmakers signaled they may challenge parts of the bill and delay its path forward.
Senate Blocks CBDCs Through 2030 in Housing Package
The Senate inserted language that blocks the Federal Reserve from issuing CBDCs until at least 2030. Lawmakers placed the provision in the final section of the 302-page 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. The text states that the Fed may not create a central bank digital currency directly or indirectly.
The bill also bars the Fed from issuing any digital asset that resembles a central bank digital currency. It prohibits issuance through financial institutions or other intermediaries. As a result, the measure restricts both direct and indirect government-backed digital dollar efforts.
Republican lawmakers have long opposed CBDCs and have pushed to prevent their launch. However, the U.S. government has only studied digital dollar models and has not launched a token. Other jurisdictions, including China, continue to pursue central bank digital currencies.
Digital Chamber CEO Cody Carbone welcomed the Senate vote. He said, “Financial privacy is a cornerstone of American freedom.” He added that Congress and the public must decide on any authorization of a central bank digital currency.
Carbone also stated that digital innovation should remain private sector-led. He said the Senate reinforced the need to protect individual liberty. His comments followed the overwhelming bipartisan approval in the chamber.
House Review and Political Conditions Create Uncertainty
House lawmakers have indicated they may seek revisions to the Senate’s housing bill. Some members oppose provisions that limit how many homes large investors can own. The bill requires private equity firms and other large buyers to reduce their housing holdings.
The Senate measure targets institutional investors that control large housing inventories. Lawmakers aim to expand home access by capping ownership levels. However, the House may demand changes before advancing the legislation.
President Donald Trump has supported efforts to increase housing availability. He has also backed limits on large investors purchasing single-family homes. This overlap places him in partial agreement with some Democratic lawmakers.
However, Trump recently stated he will not sign legislation without new voter identification requirements. He said Congress must pass a bill requiring proof of citizenship for voters. This condition applies to legislation tied to this year’s midterm elections.
The demand for voter identification legislation adds complexity to the housing bill’s progress. Lawmakers must reconcile differences between the chambers before sending the bill to the president. Meanwhile, the Senate version includes the CBDC ban through 2030 as written.
Separately, Congress continues work on crypto legislation. Lawmakers are also reviewing the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act. The housing bill’s next steps now depend on House consideration and potential revisions.
A new report digs dip into short-term Bitcoin price trajectory, citing the U.S. mid-term elections as a key catalyst that could spark a rally.
Summary
- Bitcoin price could rise after U.S. mid-term elections as political uncertainty fades, Binance Research says.
- Historically, the S&P 500 gained about 19% in the year following mid-terms.
- Bitcoin has also rallied after past mid-term cycles, posting average gains of about 54%.
Bitcoin (BTC) could see a strong move higher after the next U.S. mid-term elections, according to a March 11 report from Binance Research. The firm said market history shows that both stocks and Bitcoin often rally once political uncertainty surrounding the elections fades.
Data cited in the report shows the S&P 500 has gained an average of 19% in the 12 months after mid-term elections. The index has not posted a negative return during that window since 1939.
Bitcoin has shown a similar tendency, though the data set is much shorter. Since the crypto market became more liquid around 2014, the three completed mid-term cycles were followed by strong Bitcoin performance. On average, the asset climbed about 54% over the three years after the election.
Election cycles often bring market swings
According to the report, mid-term election years are usually the most volatile period in the four-year political cycle. Investors often turn cautious as policy direction and economic priorities remain unclear.
Historically, the S&P 500 has recorded average drawdowns of around 16% during mid-term years. In many cases, the market correction happens before the vote, when uncertainty is highest.
Bitcoin has tended to follow a similar pattern but with larger moves. Binance Research said past mid-term years saw average declines of roughly 56% for BTC, reflecting the asset’s higher sensitivity to shifts in risk sentiment.
Once election results are known, the environment usually changes. Investors gain more clarity on fiscal policy and regulation, and capital often moves back into risk assets. That shift has helped drive strong rallies in the year following mid-term elections.
Macro risks still shaping the Bitcoin price
While the election cycle offers a longer-term perspective, the report notes that global events are currently driving markets.
Rising geopolitical tensions have added uncertainty across financial markets. Disruptions near the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil shipping route, have already affected energy prices and investor sentiment.
Oil markets have been highly volatile in recent days, and Bitcoin has moved alongside broader macro assets. According to Binance Research, price action in BTC, crude oil, and U.S. equities has followed similar patterns, although crypto usually shows larger swings.
At the same time, activity from U.S. investors appears to be increasing. Trading linked to spot Bitcoin ETFs has risen over the past week, suggesting renewed interest from traditional market participants.
Even so, ETF volume still represents a relatively small portion of total Bitcoin spot trading. That gap indicates there may still be room for greater institutional participation over time.
For now, the report describes the market as fragile, with macro risks still unresolved. Still, past cycles suggest that periods of uncertainty have often been followed by strong opportunities for long-term investors, particularly once the political cycle moves past the mid-term elections.
The agency issued an advance rulemaking notice and a staff advisory encouraging innovation.
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) on Thursday issued a pair of actions signaling its intent to build a comprehensive regulatory framework for prediction markets, an industry that has exploded in popularity over the past year.
The agency published an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) seeking public comment on how existing derivatives law should apply to prediction markets, alongside a staff advisory from the Division of Market Oversight offering guidance to exchanges that list event contracts.
The moves come as the CFTC faces a surge of interest from would-be prediction market operators. Applications for designation as a contract market have more than doubled over the past year, largely from entities looking to run prediction markets exclusively, the agency said.
The CFTC’s regulatory push arrives amid a period of unprecedented growth for the sector. Open interest across crypto prediction markets surpassed $1 billion for the first time in February, fueled by Super Bowl-related activity. Spot volume hit a record $1.4 billion on Super Bowl Sunday alone, with Kalshi generating $800 million and Polymarket about $311 million.
Monthly volumes across on-chain prediction markets jumped to more than $27 billion in February from under $100 million in early 2024.
The industry has also attracted heavyweight backing. Intercontinental Exchange, the owner of the New York Stock Exchange, invested $2 billion in Polymarket, while Kalshi raised $300 million, deals that have helped transform prediction markets from a niche crypto experiment into a mainstream trading category.
Fresh Start
The ANPRM effectively opens a new chapter for prediction market regulation. In February 2026, the Commission withdrew a set of proposed rules from 2024 that would have further specified which event contracts are contrary to the public interest, a legal standard that gives the CFTC authority to ban certain types of contracts. The withdrawal cited ongoing state regulatory actions and litigation over the agency’s jurisdiction.
Rather than re-propose those rules, the Commission is now casting a wider net, posing 40 detailed questions to the public on topics ranging from manipulation risks and margin trading to the treatment of blockchain-based prediction markets and the role of inside information.
The staff advisory struck a pro-innovation tone, describing prediction markets as “a proven source of reliable information for news media, sports leagues, financial institutions, and everyday Americans.”
The advisory focused heavily on sports-related event contracts, urging exchanges to engage with professional sports leagues and their integrity units when designing contracts. Staff flagged heightened concerns about manipulation in contracts that settle based on the actions of a single individual, such as a referee or a player, rather than on aggregate outcomes over extended periods of play.
The advisory also reminded exchanges of existing anti-manipulation and insider trading rules, noting that misappropriation of confidential information already constitutes a violation under CFTC regulations.
Key Questions
Among the most consequential issues raised in the ANPRM is whether prediction markets should be allowed to offer margin trading. Currently, event contracts are fully collateralized. The Commission asked for input on how initial margin should be calculated, whether daily variation margin should be required, and what additional disclosures retail customers would need.
The ANPRM also probes the boundaries of the “gaming” category, one of five activities that can trigger a public interest ban on event contracts. The Commission asked whether gaming is synonymous with gambling, whether sports competitions should be treated differently from award shows, and whether the demographics of prediction market participants should factor into its analysis.
On blockchain-based prediction markets, the Commission asked whether existing rules present unique challenges or advantages and which areas would benefit from tailored guidance, a question with direct implications for platforms like Polymarket that operate on decentralized infrastructure.
This article was written with the assistance of AI workflows. All our stories are curated, edited and fact-checked by a human.
Crypto World
DeepSnitch vs Pepeto: $8M Bought Pepeto Hype, $2M Bought DeepSnitch AI a Product Traders May Actually Use Every Day
Ethereum is hitting highs on active addresses and smart contract calls. However, the price of Ether has fallen by over 35% over the past three months, highlighting a disconnect between network activity and price performance.
The lag in the price of Ether is mainly triggered by capital rotation into high-beta tokens such as DeepSnitch AI (DSNT). Now this AI crypto is winning against Pepeto as investors compare DeepSnitch Vs Pepeto.
DeepSnitch AI is a blockchain analytics platform that is powered by a suite of five AI crypto trading tools. These tools work in sync, turning raw on-chain data into tradable insights. In just 6 presale stages, DeepSnitch AI has raised nearly $2.1 million and is going for $0.04399 per token.
Ethereum’s network activity surges, but the price and network fees lag
CryptoQuant’s latest weekly report shows that Ethereum’s network activity is surging, but the price performance has yet to reflect the jump. The report daily highlights that active addresses on Ethereum approached 2 million in February 2026, exceeding peaks seen during the 2021 bull market.
On the other hand, Smart contract calls also reached 40 million per day, setting a new record as users continue to leverage the Ethereum network. However, Ether’s price has remained subdued, with data from TradingView showing that ETH traded at $2,050 on March 11, moving within a descending channel since August 2025.
Deepsnitch vs Pepeto vs Little Pepe comparison to help you pick the best coin for maximum returns this year
1. DeepSnitch AI: The blockchain analytics platform that captures moves before the market swings
The DeepSnitch vs Pepeto comparison shows that DeepSnitch AI is designed to solve a real issue in crypto trading. Instead of hype, DeepSnitch AI delivers tools that process live blockchain activity and turn it into usable insights.
DeepSnitch AI offers a functioning platform with five agents that process real-time crypto data and improve research before capital is deployed. SnitchFeed, SnitchGPT, AuditSnitch, SnitchCast, and SnitchScan all work together 24/7, making sure investors have all the intel to make life-changing bets.
What’s even more interesting is that DeepSnitch AI is not selling a promise but working AI crypto tools. By buying DSNT at $0.4399, you get access to all these tools from a single dashboard.
Strong demand shows that DeepSnitch AI’s 1000x returns narrative is gaining traction. Across six presale stages, more than $2 million has been raised. Bonus tiers add further incentive. A $10,000 purchase receives a 150% bonus, expanding allocation, and potential upside.
The DeepSnitch AI presale is set to end on March 31, with UniSwap trading set to follow soon after. Once the presale window closes, it will be too late to jump in, and the opportunity will be long gone.
2. DeepSnitch Vs Pepeto: Does Pepeto only sell promises?
Pepeto is a new crypto token piggybacking on the back of the hype around the Pepe meme coin. Currently, Pepeto is selling at $0.000000186 in the ongoing presale round, with more than $7.9 million raised.
However, Pepeto is highly speculative, making investors opt for DeepSnitch AI because of its live AI crypto trading tools and clear utility. The 1000x projections also make DSNT better than PEPETO.
3. Little Pepe vs DeepSnitch AI comparison
Besides Pepeto, Little Pepe (LILPEPE) vs DeepSnitch AI is another presale comparison heating up. Little Pepe is now selling at $0.0022, with more than $28 million raised.
This crypto markets itself as the next evolution of meme coins, claiming to be engineered for faster and cheaper transactions. But crypto investors are now after tokens with clear utility, unlike LILPEPE, which is speculative in nature.
The bottom line
The Deepsnitch vs Pepeto debate is already over, with DeepSnitch AI miles ahead of Pepeto. While Pepeto sells promises, DeepSnitch AI, on the other hand, has delivered five working AI crypto trading tools.
This positions DeepSnitch AI as the best crypto presale to buy now, over Pepeto. DeepSnitch AI is set to launch soon, meaning you have less than 3 weeks to make your purchase.
Visit the official website for more information, and join X and Telegram for community updates.
FAQs
1. Which is the best blockchain analytics platform?
DeepSnitch AI tops the list of the best blockchain analytics platforms. This platform leverages five AI agents, which power clear and real-time market analysis.
2. What does the Deepsnitch VS Pepeto comparison show?
DeepSnitch vs Pepeto highlights a clear gap between DeepSnitch AI and DeepSnitch. Pepeto only sells promises, while DeepSnitch AI focuses on providing investors with accessible tools.
3. Which is better, DeepSnitch AI or Pepeto?
DeepSnitch AI is better than Pepeto. Instead of hype, DeepSnitch AI is utility-backed and has working AI crypto trading tools. These aspects align it for the 1000x rally.
Disclaimer: This is a Press Release provided by a third party who is responsible for the content. Please conduct your own research before taking any action based on the content.
A committee that advises the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission recommended the agency move forward on a tokenized-securities policy that would allow traders to cut out the kind of go-between settlement that Wall Street investment firms have relied on for decades.
The SEC’s Investor Advisory Committee voted Thursday to recommend narrow exemptions for the blockchain-based innovation for the trading of stocks, as long as the activity comes with mandatory disclosures, routine outside supervision and “a requirement that the trading of tokenized equity securities seeks to ensure that all investors receive the best terms for their orders.”
These crypto assets still meet the definition of securities under the law, as SEC Chairman Paul Atkins has regularly contended, which means the activity needs parallel safeguards to the traditional system. Atkins said his agency is working toward formal regulations on tokenization. Now this work has the backing of an official recommendation from the committee, whose members include veterans from major trading firms, institutional investors and academics.
The traditional approach to stock trading features brokers, transfer agents and centralized settlement databases and can take a day or more to execute, but in placing that same stock on-chain, “the delivery of the tokenized security and the payment can happen as a single transaction, with ownership records embedded directly into a single blockchain.”
The group told the commission that the newer approach doesn’t come without risks:
“The most significant risk associated with the tokenization of equity securities is that these reforms or grants of exemptive relief could introduce new risks that investors do not understand and impose higher costs that outweigh the benefits of tokenization,” according to the recommendation document approved by the committee.
In remarks on Thursday, Atkins praised the committee for its “recognition that tokenization can enhance settlement efficiency, reduce settlement risk, and eliminate unnecessary intermediaries.
“I expect the Commission to soon consider an innovation exemption to facilitate limited trading of certain tokenized securities with an eye toward developing a long-term regulatory framework,” he said.
Ark Invest and Unchained say about 34.6% of Bitcoin—mainly early, reused and Taproot addresses—could be vulnerable if future quantum computers crack today’s cryptography.
Summary
- The report estimates 34.6% of BTC, including 5M coins in reused addresses, 1.7M in legacy P2PK, and 200K in Taproot, could be swept if elliptic curve crypto breaks.
- Quantum is framed as a long‑term, not immediate, threat, giving Bitcoin time to roll out quantum‑safe address types, migration incentives, and stricter anti‑reuse norms.
- For investors, Ark calls this structural tail risk: long‑dormant and “lost” coins may reprice as quantum milestones approach, especially for institutional custody.
Roughly one-third of all Bitcoin (BTC) in circulation could still be vulnerable if future quantum computers break today’s core cryptography, according to a new joint report from Ark Invest and Unchained.
Ark warns on quantum risk to legacy BTC
The report estimates that about 34.6% of BTC supply remains at potential risk under a credible quantum-computing breakthrough scenario. That slice includes around 5 million BTC (about 25% of total supply) exposed through address reuse, roughly 1.7 million BTC (8.6%) held in early pay-to-public-key (P2PK) addresses, and about 200,000 BTC (around 1%) tied to Taproot’s P2TR address type. In each of these cases, public keys have been revealed on-chain, meaning a quantum-capable adversary who can break elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) could, in theory, derive private keys and sweep funds.
Ark and Unchained stress that most existing Bitcoin is already safe from near-term quantum threats, as modern usage patterns minimize unnecessary key exposure. However, the legacy buckets—early coins, heavily reused addresses, and certain advanced script types—represent a structurally trapped cohort that may never fully move, especially where owners are lost, dead, or simply offline. That creates a long-lived attack surface that could distort supply expectations if quantum capability arrives earlier than anticipated.
Long-term problem, slow-moving fix
Crucially, the report frames quantum as a “long-term risk”: the industry still expects it will take years before any machine can realistically break Bitcoin’s ECC in real time. That lead time gives the Bitcoin community scope to research and deploy quantum-resistant schemes, including new address types, migration incentives, and protocol-level signals to discourage key reuse.
For investors, the takeaway is not imminent doom but structural tail risk that needs to be priced and managed. If and when credible quantum attacks near viability, pressure will mount on long-dormant coins, and narratives around “lost” supply, Satoshi-era wallets, and institutional custody standards will likely reprice. Ark’s message is blunt: Bitcoin’s cryptography does not need replacing tomorrow, but serious work on quantum mitigation must happen well before the math breaks.
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