Sonic Labs has introduced the US Sonic Dollar (USSD), a native stablecoin designed to serve as the primary stable liquidity layer across Sonic’s decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem. The launch arrives at a pivotal moment for the Layer 1 blockchain, which has seen its key metrics slide sharply over the past year.

Built on Frax’s frxUSD infrastructure, USSD combines permissionless on-chain access with institutional-grade backing from BlackRock, Superstate, and WisdomTree. The stablecoin is fully pegged 1:1 to the U.S. dollar and is available with zero minting fees through non-custodial smart contracts, mintable from over 10 chains using supported assets such as USDC, USDT, PYUSD, and tokenized Treasury products.

Under Pressure

Last year, Sonic reached $1 billion in total value locked (TVL) within just 66 days of launching, but that momentum did not sustain. TVL fell by two-thirds from $1.1 billion in May 2025 to around $367 million by September. According to DefiLlama, the chain’s TVL now sits around $34 million, a fraction of its peak.

The S token has followed a similar trajectory. S reached an all-time high of $1.03 in January 2025 and has since fallen roughly 96%, according to Coingecko. Over the past month alone, S has dropped approximately 13%, and currently trades at a market capitalization of $150 million.

Vertical Integration

Against that backdrop, Sonic is framing USSD less as a product launch and more as a structural fix.

“When a network’s primary stable asset is external, liquidity fragments and incentives become harder to align,” Sonic said in a blog post.

Yield generated by the assets backing USSD is designed to flow back into the Sonic ecosystem rather than being retained externally, supporting buybacks and ecosystem incentives as usage grows. The idea is to create a self-reinforcing liquidity loop rather than relying on mercenary capital or third-party market makers.

USSD is live on Sonic, Ethereum, Base, Arbitrum, and seven additional chains.

The trading of tokens on the network will not be impacted, the exchange assured.

The world’s largest crypto exchange will support an upgrade later this week, during which token deposits and withdrawals on the Ethereum network will be halted.

Additionally, it will expand the list of trading options on Binance Spot, as the effort is once again centered on the stablecoin U (United Stables).

The Upcoming Developments

Binance disclosed that the Ethereum network upgrade is scheduled for March 10 and is expected to take roughly an hour to complete. Once the process is finalized and the system is confirmed to be functioning normally, deposits and withdrawals will be resumed.

The company assured that trading assets on the aforementioned ecosystem will not be affected and promised to handle all user-related technical requirements. It also said there will be no further announcements on the above.

This is a standard procedure that Binance has carried out seamlessly many times before. Beyond briefly pausing Ethereum-related operations during upgrades, the exchange has implemented similar measures to support improvements across different ecosystems, including Cardano, BNB Smart Chain, and others.

Binance also shared another update with its community today (March 9). It confirmed that new trading pairs – BCH/U, NEAR/U, TRX/U, and NEAR/USD1 – will go live on March 10, with Trading Bots support launching on the same day.

The listing effort once again focuses on U (United Stables) – a stablecoin launched last year and pegged to the greenback. Last week, the firm opened trading for AVAX/U, LINK/U, LTC/U, PAXG/U, and ZEC/U. Prior to that, it added ADA/U, DOGE/U, and PEPE/U to its Cross Margin section, while XRP/U, SUI/U, ASTER/U, and PAXG/U were listed on its Spot market.

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The Delisted Ones

The exchange has a strict policy of scrapping certain pairs that no longer meet its standards.

On March 5, it said goodbye to the cross margin pairs CHZ/BTC, CAKE/BTC, ENA/BTC, UNI/ETH, CRV/BTC, INJ/BTC, XTZ/BTC, and the isolated margin ones FET/BTC, OP/BTC, PAXG/BTC, CHZ/BTC, CAKE/BTC, ENA/BTC, CRV/BTC, INJ/BTC, XTZ/BTC. A day later, it removed the spot trading pairs CHZ/BNB, ENA/BRL, NEIRO/JPY, and RLC/BTC.

When delisting is focused on a particular cryptocurrency rather than on trading pairs, it usually has a negative price impact. Such was the case in late 2025 when Binance terminated all services with Flamingo (FLM), Kadena (KDA), and Perpetual Protocol (PERP). The involved digital assets crashed by double digits shortly after the announcement.

Bitcoin BTC$68,153.83 rose 2.8% since midnight UTC after global markets plunged when futures trading opened an hour earlier.

Nasdaq 100 and S&P 500 index futures both fell more than 1.5% since midnight as oil surged to as high as $115 per barrel, the most since June 2022. Precious metals also suffered. Gold and silver lost 1.6% and 1.1% respectively, eroding the haven narrative as investors flocked to the U.S. dollar.

Sentiment for bitcoin, meanwhile, is warming, and it has remained resilient to the war in Iran and subsequent supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz.

“While BTC has yet to fully earn its digital gold narrative, its practical use case as a digital escape hatch is becoming increasingly relevant, particularly in Gulf countries, amid episodes of currency volatility and political uncertainty,” trading firm QCP said in a note on Monday.

Derivatives positioning

• Exchanges have liquidated crypto futures bets worth nearly $400 million in 24 hours. Bearish bets on oil bore the brunt as prices for the so-called black gold rose to $115 per barrel.
• Open interest (OI) in bitcoin futures remains steady near weekly lows of around 650K BTC, a sign the futures market is not participating in the Monday morning rally. OI in ether futures rose to 13 million ether.
• XRP’s OI jumped to 1.72 billion tokens, the highest since Feb. 24, alongside a small uptick in SOL OI, both indicating capital inflows.
• OI in PAXG, AVAX, LTC and several other alternative tokens has declined over 24 hours. Investors seem to be de-risking on the price bounce.
• BTC and ETH’s 30-day implied volatility indexes remain steady, reflecting market calm amid chaos in Asian equities and oil markets.
• On Deribit, bitcoin and ether puts continue to trade at a premium to calls, signaling persistent downside concerns. However, the premium remains largely unchanged from last week, suggesting the surge in oil prices hasn’t sparked an outsized demand for protective puts.
• The BTC implied volatility term structure remains in backwardation, a sign traders are pricing higher volatility in the short term relative to the long term. That’s consistent with the unknowns of the war.

Token talk

• The altcoin market was buoyant overnight with tokens including DASH, XMR and ZEC posting gains between 3.8% and 5.2%.
• Decentralized finance (DeFi) tokens also performed well. ETHFI and MORPHO have both outperformed bitcoin BTC$68,153.83 and ether (ETH) since midnight.
• CoinMarketCap’s “Altcoin Season” indicator is now at 36/100, significantly higher than February’s low of 22/100. A CoinDesk report on Friday suggested that the lack altcoin mentions on social media could be bullish in terms of a market reversal.
• The best performing benchmark of the past 24 hours was CoinDesk’s Computing Select Index (CPUS), which includes chainlink LINK$8.9212 and bittensor (TAO) and is up by 2.7%, followed by the CoinDesk Smart Contract Platform Select Index (SCPXC), which rose by 0.92% since Sunday morning.
• On the flip side, institutional-focused token canton (CC) lost 3.4% of its value in the past 24 hours while WLD$0.3645, the token created by OpenAI co-founder Sam Altman, fell by around 2%.

Crypto markets erased their weekend slump on Monday as risk assets rallied following reports that G7 energy ministers are discussing a potential release of oil reserves to compensate for supply disruptions caused by the ongoing Iran conflict.

Bitcoin (BTC) is trading at around $69,000, up 2.7% over the past 24 hours. Meanwhile, ETH and SOL gained 4% to about $2,020 and $85, respectively, and XRP is up 1.7% on the day.

The overall crypto market capitalization climbed 2.7% to $2.43 trillion, according to Coingecko.

Crude oil (WTI) briefly surged above $110 per barrel on Sunday night as fears of an extended Middle East conflict intensified, only to reverse sharply after G7 energy ministers met to discuss a potential release of strategic stockpiles. WTI is currently trading at around $92. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq pared earlier losses, while gold and silver were mostly unchanged.

Almost all of the Top 100 digital assets posted gains over the last 24 hours.

Today’s top gainers are Hyperliquid (HYPE), which ralled 12%, followed by Zcash (ZEC) and Bittensor (TAO), which climbed 9%.

Canton (CC) and RAIN are the biggest losers.

Around 94,000 leveraged traders were liquidated for $409 million in the past 24 hours, according to CoinGlass. Bitcoin accounted for $157 million, while ETH positions made up $79 million.

Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) recorded outflows of $349 million on Friday, marking a second day of losses.

Growing interest in Bitcoin mining is reviving demand for cloud mining services, with platforms like NOW DeFi offering low-barrier entry.

As the cryptocurrency market enters a new phase of expansion, Bitcoin mining has once again become a key topic among investors. At the same time, rising hardware costs, fluctuating energy prices, and increasing technical barriers have pushed many retail users to seek a more accessible way to participate: cloud mining.

Compared with traditional mining models, cloud mining does not require users to purchase expensive equipment or manage complex deployment, maintenance, and electricity consumption. By renting hash power from remote data centers, users can participate in Bitcoin mining and receive mining rewards. This model is attracting more users who want to enter the crypto ecosystem with lower barriers.

Entering 2026, discussions around cloud mining have noticeably increased across the industry. One important reason is that more platforms are introducing free hash power rewards, flexible contract structures, and renewable energy mining infrastructure, allowing cloud mining to evolve from a niche activity into an accessible entry point for a broader user base.

Why cloud mining is gaining attention again in 2026

For many new users, traditional Bitcoin mining involves a significant upfront investment. Mining hardware purchases, cooling systems, electricity costs, and technical maintenance often discourage individual investors from participating. Cloud mining platforms address this challenge by centralizing infrastructure operations, significantly lowering the entry barrier for users.

Several factors are driving renewed interest in cloud mining in 2026:

• Rising hardware costs: ASIC miners have become increasingly expensive
• Growing energy efficiency requirements: More mining operations are shifting toward renewable energy
• Technological advancements: AI-powered hash power optimization and automated reward settlement improve user experience

As a result, platforms offering free trials or free hash power rewards are becoming a key focus in the cloud mining market.

Free hash power rewards are attracting new users

In today’s cloud mining market, competition among platforms is no longer limited to contract pricing. Transparency, stability, payout efficiency, and mining energy structure are also key factors. For newcomers, the ability to test a platform with minimal risk has become an important consideration.

Against this backdrop, NOW DeFi has gained attention due to its free hash power rewards and renewable energy mining infrastructure. The platform offers new users a $22 free mining reward, allowing them to experience Bitcoin cloud mining without purchasing hardware or setting up mining equipment.

In addition to free rewards, NOW DeFi emphasizes its renewable energy mining network. According to the platform, its mining infrastructure operates in several regions rich in clean energy resources, including:

• Norway
• Canada
• Iceland
• Paraguay
• Sweden
• Uruguay

These locations offer stable supplies of hydropower, wind, solar, or geothermal energy, supporting large-scale mining operations.

Example mining contracts

Actual returns may vary depending on Bitcoin market prices, network mining difficulty, and other operational factors.

Other cloud mining platforms worth noting

In addition to emerging platforms, several established services remain active within the cloud mining industry.

NiceHash — a globally recognized hash power marketplace.

ECOS — a cloud mining platform operating in Armenia’s Free Economic Zone.

CryptoTab — a lightweight browser-based mining experience.

F2Pool — a long-standing mining pool established in 2013.

As the industry continues to mature, platforms offering transparent mechanisms, stable payouts, and renewable energy infrastructure are more likely to gain user trust.

The future of cloud mining in 2026

From an industry perspective, cloud mining is undergoing an upgrade focused on efficiency, transparency, and sustainability. For users who prefer not to manage mining hardware or technical maintenance, cloud mining offers a more convenient way to participate in Bitcoin mining.

As free hash power rewards increasingly become a user acquisition strategy, more people are able to explore Bitcoin mining with lower financial risk. This trend is contributing to the growing global adoption of cloud mining.

Among the platforms gaining attention in this evolving market, NOW DeFi has been frequently mentioned for its free mining incentives, global renewable mining network, and relatively clear product structure. For users looking to explore Bitcoin mining through a low-barrier entry point, such platforms provide an accessible starting point.

Ready to start earning free Bitcoin?

Users can register by visiting the official NOW DeFi website or downloading its mobile application. After registration, new users can claim the platform’s free hash power reward and begin participating in Bitcoin cloud mining without purchasing mining hardware.

About NOW DeFi

NOW DeFi is a technology platform focused on digital asset infrastructure and cloud mining services. The platform aims to provide users with a more efficient and transparent mining experience through its global mining network, renewable energy infrastructure, and AI-powered hash power optimization.

By leveraging green energy solutions and automated mining systems, NOW DeFi enables users worldwide to participate in Bitcoin mining with lower barriers and simplified access.

U.S. inflation data is the major catalyst to watch this week, as it could move the needle on market sentiment and Federal Reserve interest-rate expectations.

The war in the Middle East and other geopolitical risks have kept commodity markets volatile, with bitcoin BTC$68,449.13 last week failing to remain above the $70,000 mark.

The U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran is escalating, and the odds of a near-term ceasefire on prediction markets appear slim. Traders will be monitoring the price of crude oil for potential signs of its impact on inflation.

Against that background, there are some specific crypto events to catch the eye. Solstice and Kamino have teased a new product announcement, without giving any details, and Succinct also said it will make an announcement.

What to Watch

(All times ET)

• Crypto
  • March 9: Solstice and Kamino to announce a new product or feature. No details were provided.
  • March 10: Succint will make an announcement. No details were provided.
  • March 12: Polakdot’s economic upgrade to start rolling out, featuring a DOT supply cap, an emissions cut and unbonding reduction.
  • March 12: BOB mainnet to undergo its Jovian hardfork.
• Macro
  • March 9, 6:50 p.m.: Japan GDP growth annualized final for Q4 est. 1.2% (Prev. -2.6%)
  • March 9, 10:00 p.m.: China balance of trade for January-February (Prev. $114.1B)
  • March 11, 7:30 a.m.: U.S. inflation rate YoY for February (Prev. 2.4%); core rate YoY (Prev. 2.5%)
  • March 11: OPEC monthly report
  • March 12, 7:30 a.m.: U.S. initial jobless claims for week ending March 7 (Prev. 213K)
  • March 12, 7:30 a.m.: U.S. balance of trade for January (Prev. -$70.3B)
  • March 12, 3:30 p.m.: Fed balance sheet for week ending March 11 (Prev. $6.63T)
  • March 13, 7:30 a.m.: U.S. GDP growth rate QoQ second estimate for Q4 (Prev. 4.4%)
  • March 13, 7:30 a.m.: U.S. core PCE price index MoM for January (Prev. 0.4%)
  • March 13, 9:00 a.m.: U.S. JOLTS job openings for January (Prev. 6.542M)
  • March 13, 9:00 a.m.: U.S. Michigan consumer sentiment preliminary for March (Prev. 56.6;)
• Earnings (Estimates based on FactSet data)
  • March 9: Sharplink (SBET), pre-market, $0.31
  • March 11: Exodus Movement (EXOD), pre-market, $0.14
  • March 12: Cango (CANG), post-market, -$0.34
  • March 13: Bit Digital (BTBT), pre-market, -$0.01

Token Events

• Governance votes & calls
  • Convex Finance is voting on Curve Ownership DAO Vote ID: 1358, which would onboard GHO as a Pegkeeper with a 3 million crvUSD debt ceiling. Voting ends March 9.
  • Lido DAO is voting to make the delegate incentivization program (DIP 2.0) a permanent governance mechanism. Voting ends March 9.
  • Lido DAO is voting to authorize a one-time $5 million DAO Treasury allocation into the Lido Earn ETH and USD vaults. Voting ends March 9.
  • Lido DAO is voting on whether Stakin (recently acquired by The Tie) should continue operating as a node operator and whether to approve updating Stakin’s onchain name and reward address. Voting ends March 9.
  • Aavegotchi DAO is conducting ballots 1 and 2 of a multi-sig signer election, asking token holders to choose one signer from among the nominees. Voting ends March 10.
  • Ssv.network DAO is voting to cancel DIP-46 and reallocate the originally approved $15 million development budget, splitting it into $14.9 million for DVT and $100,000 as a retroactive research grant. Voting ends March 10.
  • Realtoken Ecosystem Governance DAO is voting to temporarily drop interest rates on the RMM (Real Estate Monetary Fund) to zero for 15 days. Voting ends March 10.
  • Unlock DAO is voting to approve the Unlock Protocol DAO budget for Q1–Q2 2026, totaling approximately $30,768. Voting ends March 11.
  • Arbitrum DAO is voting to establish an operational directive that automatically consolidates idle and surplus non-ARB funds from DAO initiatives directly into the Arbitrum Treasury Management Company (ATMC) portfolio. Voting ends March 12.
  • CoW DAO is voting on a CoW Swap Affiliate Program to reward affiliates who refer new retail traders and those traders upon reaching qualifying volume milestones, with up to 500,000 USDC allocated over a six-month pilot. Voting ends March 12.
  • World Liberty Financial DAO is voting to introduce a WLFI governance staking system requiring unlocked token holders to stake (minimum 180-day lock) to participate in governance. Voting ends March 12.
  • Arbitrum DAO is voting to implement a delegated voting power (DVP) quorum model, update its constitution, and enable onchain proposal cancellation. Voting ends March 12.
• Unlocks
  • March 12: Aptos APT$0.9671 to unlock 0.69% of its circulating supply worth $11.21 million
  • March 13: WhiteBit Coin (WBT) to unlock 27.77% of its circulating supply worth $4.59 billion.
  • March 15: Connex (CONX) to unlock 1.54% of its circulating supply worth $15.79 million.
• Token Launches
  • March 9: Nexira’s (NEXI) token generation event occurs. Token to be listed on KuCoin.
  • March 12: ForU AI’s (FORU) token generation event occurs.

Conferences

TLDR

• Anthropic filed a lawsuit against the US Department of Defense over a supply chain risk designation.
• The designation restricts Anthropic from working with defense contractors on federal projects.
• Federal officials labeled the company after talks failed over surveillance and weapons use.
• Anthropic refused to allow its systems for mass surveillance of Americans or autonomous weapons.
• The Pentagon paused a contract valued at up to 200 million dollars following the dispute.

Anthropic has filed a lawsuit against the US Department of Defense and other federal agencies over a supply chain risk designation. The company challenges the Trump administration’s decision that restricts its work with defense contractors. The dispute centers on failed talks about surveillance use and a Pentagon contract valued at up to $200 million.

Anthropic Challenges Federal Supply Chain Risk Designation

Anthropic filed the lawsuit after federal agencies labeled the company a supply chain risk and restricted defense partnerships. The designation followed collapsed talks between the company and defense officials over permitted uses of its systems. Federal officials insisted the technology must support all lawful purposes, including surveillance and weapons programs.

However, Anthropic refused to allow its systems for mass surveillance of Americans or autonomous weapons. As talks ended, the government halted adoption plans and jeopardized a Pentagon deal worth up to $200 million. The company argues the classification lacks legal basis and seeks judicial review to protect its operations.

An Anthropic spokesperson told CNN, “Seeking judicial review does not change our longstanding commitment to harnessing AI to protect our national security.” The spokesperson added that the lawsuit protects its business, customers, and partners. Meanwhile, the Pentagon maintained that lawful use requirements remain essential for defense technology.

Defense Contract Dispute and Corporate Responses

The Financial Times reported that Chief Executive Dario Amodei sought last-minute negotiations with defense leaders. He attempted to de-escalate tensions and prevent a formal blacklist. However, the effort failed to stop the supply chain risk classification.

Following the designation, federal agencies limited cooperation with Anthropic in defense projects. The Pentagon stated that contractors must ensure full lawful access to deployed systems. Officials maintained that defense technology providers must meet comprehensive operational requirements.

Despite the government dispute, Anthropic’s consumer business showed resilience. The company’s Claude application surpassed OpenAI’s ChatGPT in Apple App Store rankings after news of the contract termination. By early March, Anthropic reported that more than one million users signed up for Claude daily.

Major technology companies responded to the federal classification with public statements. Google confirmed it would continue providing Anthropic technology to cloud customers for non-defense purposes. Microsoft issued a similar statement, and Amazon said it would maintain access outside defense work.

Anthropic continues discussions with government officials while pursuing its lawsuit in federal court. The company maintains that the designation lacks a clear statutory foundation. As of early March, more than one million users join Claude daily, according to company data

Nasdaq said it will work with crypto exchange Kraken to develop a system for issuing and trading tokenized versions of stocks and other exchange-traded products, according to a press release.

Under the plan, tokenized shares would give investors the same corporate governance rights as ordinary stockholders, including voting in proxy ballots and receiving dividends. Nasdaq said the initiative will focus heavily on making corporate actions, such as dividend payments and proxy voting, more efficient by automating parts of the process through blockchain technology. The platform is expected to launch in early 2027.

Kraken will act as a distribution partner for the project. Through the arrangement, one-to-one tokenized versions of public company shares would be made available to Kraken’s customers outside the United States, particularly in Europe and other international markets.

The effort builds on a proposal Nasdaq submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in September seeking approval to allow tokenized versions of its listed stocks and exchange-traded products to trade alongside traditional shares on the exchange.

In that proposal, both the tokenized and conventional versions would be settled through the Depository Trust to ensure they remain interchangeable.

Last week exchange operator ICE made a strategic investment in OKX, valuing the exchange at $25 billion as it signed a deal to offer new tokenized stocks and crypto futures products.

Separately, Nasdaq also announced a partnership with Boerse Stuttgart Group’s tokenized settlement platform Seturion to connect its European trading venues to infrastructure designed to support trading and settlement of tokenized securities.

UPDATE: (March 9, 11:41 UTC) Adds the final paragraph on Nasdaq’s partnership with the Boerese Stuttgart Group.

UPDATE: (March 9, 13:18 UTC) Changes citation to Kraken press release.

Editor’s note: The latest market commentary centers on renewed optimism around US crypto regulation as lawmakers push the CLARITY Act. Bitcoin briefly rose to a one-month high on that tone, while major altcoins moved modestly higher before retracing. The report also highlights Kazakhstan’s plan to invest in cryptoassets, with fresh allocations signaling growing interest from a national regulator in digital assets. As CPI and PCE data loom and geopolitical tensions influence energy prices, crypto markets could be particularly sensitive to policy signals and macro data.

“Prices were boosted earlier in the week following reports of a private meeting between Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong and President Donald Trump regarding the CLARITY Act,” Peters said.

Key points

• Bitcoin touched a one-month high on CLARITY Act optimism.
• Kazakhstan central bank plans to invest in cryptoassets, with initial $350m from reserves and $350m from the National Fund planned later.
• The CLARITY Act faces resistance from banks; final decision rests with the Senate Banking Committee.
• Markets are watching US inflation data and oil prices for potential crypto moves.

Why this matters

The evolving regulatory landscape around the CLARITY Act could shape how crypto markets price risk and admit new participants. A Kazakhstan central bank move toward direct exposure to digital assets marks a notable shift in state involvement, potentially influencing policy debates and industry strategies. With central banks, regulators and investors weighing stability, innovation and governance, the next rounds of data and negotiations will help define the parity between markets and policy.

What to watch next

• Senate Banking Committee debates and votes on the CLARITY Act.
• Upcoming CPI and PCE data releases and the Federal Reserve decision on March 18.
• Kazakhstan’s crypto investments expected to begin in April or May.

Disclosure: The content below is a press release provided by the company/PR representative. It is published for informational purposes.

Bitcoin touches one-month high on CLARITY Act optimism; Kazakhstan central bank to invest in crypto

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – March 09, 2026: Bitcoin briefly touched a one-month high of $74,000 last week, supported by renewed optimism around potential US crypto market regulation, according to the latest market commentary from Simon Peters, Crypto Analyst at eToro.

Despite the temporary rally, the leading cryptocurrency ended the week roughly where it started, while major altcoins including Ethereum, BNB and Solana also recorded modest gains earlier in the week before retracing.

Commenting on the market movements, Peters said speculation around progress on the proposed CLARITY Act helped lift sentiment across crypto markets.

“Prices were boosted earlier in the week following reports of a private meeting between Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong and President Donald Trump regarding the CLARITY Act,” Peters said.

President Trump also publicly weighed in on the issue via Truth Social, criticising banks and urging progress on US crypto market structure legislation. In his comments, Trump said the US needs to “get Market Structure done” and that policymakers should “make a good deal with the Crypto Industry.”

However, the proposed legislation has faced resistance from the banking sector. Banks have argued that allowing stablecoins to offer yields could encourage depositors to move funds away from traditional bank accounts, potentially creating liquidity pressures and broader instability within the financial system.

Crypto firms, on the other hand, argue that restricting yields on stablecoins would stifle innovation and weaken the competitiveness of the US digital asset industry, while protecting the interests of traditional financial institutions.

Although the CLARITY Act appears to have support from the President and the White House, the final decision will rest with lawmakers in the Senate Banking Committee, who must debate and vote on the bill before it can progress.

Looking ahead, investors are closely watching upcoming US inflation data releases, including CPI and PCE figures, which could influence the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision at its next policy meeting on March 18.

“At the same time, escalating tensions in the Middle East are raising concerns about rising oil prices and their potential impact on global inflation, which could also spill over into crypto markets,” Peters added.

Biggest movers

Chiliz (CHZ) was among the strongest performers over the past week, rising 11%, including a 6% gain in the last 24 hours.

The move followed Chiliz announcing that it will buy back and burn CHZ tokens for the first time since its launch in 2018. The initiative will be funded using 10% of revenue generated from fan token sales.

Chiliz is the company behind Socios.com, a blockchain-based sports fan engagement and rewards platform. Built on Chiliz blockchain technology, CHZ serves as the platform’s exclusive on-platform currency.

Eye-catching story

Kazakhstan central bank to invest in crypto

The National Bank of Kazakhstan has announced plans to add cryptoassets to its national reserves, marking a notable step by a central bank toward direct exposure to digital assets.

According to reports, the central bank has allocated $350 million from its gold and foreign exchange reserves for an initial investment. An additional $350 million from the National Fund — the country’s sovereign wealth fund — is expected to be allocated later this month.

Aliya Moldabekova, Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Kazakhstan, said the investments are expected to begin in April or May.

In addition to direct cryptoasset exposure, the central bank plans to invest in high-tech companies linked to digital assets, index funds, and other instruments that exhibit similar performance dynamics to cryptocurrencies.

As of February 1, the National Bank of Kazakhstan’s gold and foreign exchange reserves stood at $69.40 billion, while the National Fund held assets valued at $65.23 billion.

Media Contact:
PR@etoro.com

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The outbreak of war in the Middle East has rattled global markets, yet bitcoin BTC$68,153.83 has been doing something unexpected: outperforming stocks.

Bitcoin has risen about 3.5% to $68,000 since the conflict between Iran, Israel and the U.S. began just over a week ago, according to CoinDesk data. Over the same period it has outperformed most major assets. Gold has fallen roughly 5%, silver is down 12%, the Nasdaq 100 has declined about 1% and the S&P 500 is lower by around 1.5%.

The divergence has widened over the past 24 hours, with bitcoin up more than 2.5% while U.S. equity futures remain in the red. WTI crude briefly surged to around $116 per barrel early on Monday, at one stage up about 60% since the conflict began. However, comments from G7 leaders about potentially releasing oil reserves helped cool the rally, with crude retreating to roughly $100 per barrel.

Meanwhile, the U..S dollar has strengthened, with the DXY index rising more than 1% to just above 99. Treasury yields have also climbed, with the US 10 year yield moving from just below 4% before the conflict to around 4.2%.

Bitcoin’s outperformance comes after weeks of a brutal sell-off that saw prices nearly halve to around $60,000 from the record high above $126,000 in October. With sentiment already fragile when the conflict began, many expected the downturn to deepen rather than reverse. Instead, the market has done what it often does best: catch the consensus off guard.

Tracking tech stocks

Despite bitcoin’s relative strength, it still shows correlation with technology stocks. The iShares Expanded Tech Software ETF (IGV), a widely followed software sector benchmark, has gained about 7% since the conflict began after rebounding from roughly $76 to close Friday near $88.

Derivative market signals may point to stabilization. Open interest in coin margined futures, which measures the total value of outstanding contracts settled in bitcoin rather than dollars, has declined, indicating leverage is being flushed from the system. Funding rates, periodic payments between long and short traders in perpetual futures, remain negative at around -3.5%, meaning short sellers are paying longs, a sign bearish positioning remains crowded.

At the same time, the Coinbase premium has returned. This measures the price difference between bitcoin on Coinbase and offshore exchanges and is often used as a proxy for US institutional demand. Its reappearance, alongside spot ETF inflows, suggests institutional buyers may be returning to the market and finding demand at these oversold levels.