Editor’s note: The following press release marks a pivotal moment for institutional dialogue at the intersection of traditional markets and digital asset innovation. As asset managers, banks, and regulators increasingly navigate tokenization, real-time settlement, and cross-border compliance, this year’s Digital Assets Week in New York promises to highlight concrete milestones, shared standards, and practical risk management. Deutsche Bank’s hosting underscores the role of established financial institutions in shaping scalable, regulated markets for tokenized assets. The insights below set the stage for informed conversations and future collaboration among market participants.

Key points

• Digital Assets Week returns to New York on May 13-14, hosted by Deutsche Bank.
• Event focuses on tokenization, market structure, settlement, custody, liquidity, and regulatory alignment.
• Audience comprises 400-500 senior institutional participants from banks, asset managers, policymakers, and infrastructure providers.
• Registration offers an earlybird rate through March 20 with potential complimentary access for qualifying senior executives.

Why this matters

As digital assets increasingly intersect with traditional capital markets, this conference offers a platform for regulators and market participants to discuss risk management, interoperability, and standards. It signals ongoing institutional interest in regulated tokenization and real-time settlement and may influence policy and market structure.

What to watch next

• Registration status and earlybird deadline (Mar 20) and final agenda release.
• Announcements of speakers and panel topics.
• Participation by major banks, asset managers, and regulatory authorities.

Digital Assets Week Returns to New York with Deutsche Bank

The world’s leading institutional conference is back in the heart of New York on 13-14 May, where capital markets transformation will be examined in depth, from issuance and market structure to settlement, custody, liquidity and regulatory alignment.

This year’s event will be hosted by Deutsche Bank with the underlying foundation of Global  Asset Digitization projects. It is the only venue where the commercialization of tokenizing assets is discussed comprehensively and at scale.

Digital Assets Week is institution led and designed to support substantive dialogue between market participants and regulators on implementation, risk management and market structure as digital assets increasingly intersect with traditional capital markets.

The New York conference typically gathers 400 to 500 participants, with the audience highly curated to ensure senior institutional representation. Participants across the series include the majority of large banks and asset managers, alongside policymakers, supervisory authorities and infrastructure providers actively engaged in regulated market development.

This year’s action packed agenda includes a range of panel discussions and roundtables covering topics such as:

● Moving Public Markets ‘On Chain’ – Is This ‘Hype’ or ‘Reality’? (What Does This Mean in Reality?)

● Tokenized Private Markets and Secondary Liquidity – Where Have We Really Got To?

● The Vision of 24/7 Markets and Real-Time Settlement – Challenges and Opportunities?

● Tokenized ‘Yield’, ‘Deposits’, ‘MMFs’, ‘CBDCs’, ‘Rolling Contracts’… – Where is Product Innovation Taking Us? And where do stablecoins really fit?

● Tokenized Private Markets – Which Assets Are Moving On-Chain First and Why?

● Interoperability, Standards, Legacy Systems, Regional Boundaries – The Challenges for Tokenization Scale?

● Institutional Blockchain Adoption – Is It Re-Engineering the Post-Trade and Back-Office Space?

● Making ‘Dumb’ Assets ‘Smart’ – Is Tokenization Finally Delivering?

● The Global Roll-Out of Regulation – What’s the Current State for Stablecoins and Tokenized Assets?

● TradFi Custody vs. Token/Crypto Custody – Are The Two Worlds Now Merging?

● Defining the DeFi Boundary: How Institutions Can Access Innovation, Without Importing Risk

and many more crucial topics for the industry.

Past attendees of DA Week include senior executives from Bank of America, BlackRock, BNP Paribas, Citi, Franklin Templeton, Societe Generale Corporate and Investment Banking (SGCIB), State Street, J.P. Morgan, HSBC, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, BNY, DTCC, Fidelity Investments, WisdomTree, Morgan Stanley, Bank Julius Baer, Coinbase Asset Management, Bank Frick, Pantera Capital, SEI Investments, Wells Fargo Bank, New York Life Ventures, Outerlands Capital, U.S. Bank, Arta Global Markets, ClearBank, TD Bank & many more.

Registration for the event is open, offering the competitive earlybird rate until 20th March and the possibility to apply for complimentary access for certain senior executives from Institutional Banks, Fund Managers, Asset Managers and Hedge Funds whose primary business is investment management, with a minimum of $50m AUM.

Tickets can be accessed here: DIGITAL ASSETS WEEK NEW YORK TICKETS

For sponsorship and speaking enquiries, or to request the agenda and attendee sample please contact: Julia Simonova julia@daweek.org

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) stands at a turning point as institutional participation deepens and exchange-traded products reshape the trajectory of the largest crypto asset. Eric Jackson, founder of EMJ Capital, describes a coming wave of “purification” in which long-horizon capital becomes a more persistent buyer, even as price momentum remains tethered to ETF flows. Recent weeks have featured persistent net outflows from U.S. spot BTC ETFs, reinforcing a bearish tilt in the near term, yet Jackson argues that the industry is not failing as an asset class so much as redefining its owners and its catalysts. The market’s attention has shifted to the way Bitcoin interacts with broader markets, particularly through the lens of large equity ETFs and the evolving holdings of institutional investors.

Key takeaways

• Bitcoin has evolved into a high-beta tech position driven by ETF structures and institutional participation, with price dynamics increasingly echoing tech equities.
• Despite ongoing net outflows from U.S. spot BTC ETFs, the prevailing view is that the flow pattern may shift as longer-term institutional buyers re-emerge as meaningful holders.
• Stablecoin supply on exchanges needs to recover to counter prevailing bearish momentum and inject fresh liquidity into the market.
• Bitcoin’s price moves are closely tied to the performance of large ETFs like IGV (EXCHANGE: IGV), complicating the narrative that BTC is merely a store of value.
• The next wave of buyers could come from sovereign wealth funds, corporate treasuries, and other patient capital that plans to hold BTC for decades instead of quarters.

Tickers mentioned: $BTC, $IGV, $IBIT

Sentiment: Neutral

Price impact: Negative. BTC dipped below $63,000 amid ETF outflows.

Market context: The story sits at the intersection of ETF-driven liquidity, the risk-on attitude of macro markets, and the pursuit of longer-term capital that could redefine Bitcoin’s role beyond a short-term driver of price action.

Why it matters

The core argument explored by Jackson is that the current ETF environment is not a repudiation of Bitcoin’s thesis but a reconfiguration of who owns BTC and why. He notes that Bitcoin’s recent price action has been highly reactive to the behavior of large tech-focused baskets rather than gold-like stability, underscoring a shift toward a “high-beta tech position.” This is not a condemnation of Bitcoin as an asset; it highlights how ETF architecture can amplify or dampen moves depending on the flow dynamics of large holders.

In a contrast to 2021’s retail-driven exuberance, this cycle has institutions acting as the marginal buyers, with retail money gravitating toward other tech equities. The outcome, Jackson argues, could be a new equilibrium in which long-duration capital, less prone to rapid rebalancing, steps in as a stabilizing influence over time. This shift is underscored by the fact that the largest spot BTC ETF provider, via BlackRock, operates IBIT (EXCHANGE: IBIT), a vehicle that reframes who actually owns BTC and how its supply is interpreted in the broader market. In his words, “IBIT changed who owns Bitcoin.”

“BTC didn’t fail as an asset. It succeeded as an ETF. And that’s the problem.”

The analysis also points to a broader ecosystem dynamic: as exchange-traded products accumulate assets, their flows can become a dominant price driver, even if the asset itself remains in a longer-term growth trajectory. Jackson emphasizes that the true test is not immediate price action but the durability of new ownership patterns—whether sovereign wealth funds, corporate treasuries, and patient capital will embrace BTC as a decades-long holding rather than a quarterly rebalancing instrument. The evolution toward such ownership could act as a counterweight to cyclical pressures and help Bitcoin resist the pull of any single macro narrative.

“IBIT changed who owns Bitcoin.”

Market data cited in the commentary show a continued pattern of ETF outflows in the U.S. spot market, with sector-wide momentum often tied to the fate of the IGV (EXCHANGE: IGV), the BlackRock-run tech software ETF that remains a barometer for Bitcoin’s near-term price direction. Jackson notes a stark relationship: when IGV sells off, BTC tends to slide in tandem. This linkage reinforces the view that Bitcoin, for now, functions more as a risk-on tech proxy than as a pure store of value, a reality that could persist until a broader base of durable, long-horizon buyers emerges.

On the bearish side, data from Farside Investors indicate net outflows from US spot BTC ETFs topping the $200 million mark on a single day, reinforcing the delicate balance between supply and demand in the current environment. This outflow backdrop coincides with BTC/USD trading beneath recent support zones and with the market contemplating a potential macro bottom near the $50,000–$60,000 range. Yet the rhetoric around purification—an upgrade in the quality and durability of BTC ownership—offers a counter-narrative: the next phase could bring steadier demand from capital that does not chase quarterly returns but seeks a multi-year thesis aligned with the future of digital assets in institutional portfolios.

For observers, the key question remains: will the bears be proven right in the near term, or will the emergence of longer-duration capital push BTC toward new, steadier footing? Jackson’s framing suggests the latter, arguing that every cycle clears weak hands and paves the way for a more durable, patient class of buyers that can compress volatility over time. The bear-case focuses on current price behavior and ETF-outflow metrics; the bull-case centers on a structural shift in ownership that could re-anchor Bitcoin to a longer horizon rather than a shorter trading horizon.

As the market absorbs this tension, the role of stablecoins and liquidity in exchange ecosystems will be crucial. Jackson highlights a potential bullish trigger in the stabilization and expansion of stablecoin supply on venues where BTC trades, arguing that liquidity depth and cross-asset flows will better support a longer-duration investment thesis. The broader takeaway is not a single catalyst but a sequence of developments: improved ownership dispersion, more patient capital, and a liquidity backdrop capable of supporting larger, more durable bets on BTC’s future.

Ultimately, the narrative is not about abandoning the Bitcoin thesis but about reframing it in the language of institutions and ETFs. If “purification” proves to be a meaningful transition rather than a temporary lull, BTC could transition from a speculative cycle-driven asset to a more mature component of diversified institutional portfolios. That is the arc Jackson envisions: a gradual reweighting of the BTC thesis as the market benefits from a new class of owners who cross asset boundaries and commit to holdings that endure beyond quarterly reporting cycles.

For readers, the implications extend beyond price action. If the trend toward long-horizon ownership takes hold, Bitcoin could see more predictable demand patterns, reduced reliance on fickle retail speculation, and a broader acceptance within traditional investment portfolios. The coming months will be telling as ETF flows, stablecoin dynamics, and the behavior of IGV and IBIT converge to shape Bitcoin’s role in the institutional narrative.

What to watch next

• Watch for the end of IGV-driven selling pressure and any decoupling of BTC price from tech-equities movements.
• Observe whether stablecoin supply resumes growth on major exchanges, potentially altering liquidity dynamics.
• Track net flows into IBIT and other spot BTC ETFs as a gauge of increasing long-term institutional interest.
• Monitor commentary from sovereign wealth funds and corporate treasuries regarding BTC allocations and long-horizon positioning.
• Pay attention to price levels around the $50k–$63k range and any signals from volume that could precede a new phase of demand.

Sources & verification

• Eric Jackson’s X post discussing BTC price strength and the ongoing institutional exodus.
• Spot Bitcoin ETF net flows coverage detailing five weeks of net outflows.
• BlackRock’s position in BTC via IGV and the role of IBIT, the iShares Bitcoin Trust.
• Farside Investors’ data on netflows for Bitcoin ETFs.
• Historical references to BTC price behavior on macro timelines and timeline-based targets mentioned in market commentary.

Market reaction and the next phase for Bitcoin

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) is navigating a landscape where ETF mechanics and institutional involvement increasingly dictate price action, even as longer-horizon capital begins to align with a more durable ownership thesis. From Jackson’s perspective, the current environment is not a failure of Bitcoin’s core premise but a maturation of its ownership structure. He points to the fact that Bitcoin’s popularity as an ETF instrument has transformed who holds it and why, a transformation that could ultimately stabilize demand and reduce the volatility that has characterized the asset in previous cycles. In his framing, the “purification” process refines the Bitcoin thesis by pushing it toward a cohort of buyers capable of maintaining positions across a variety of market regimes.

IGV’s behavior—an influential proxy for tech-sector risk appetite—has underscored the degree to which BTC’s macro environment remains tethered to broader equity flows. The relationship is not a perfect one, but it has become a meaningful driver in days of outsized ETF activity. The linked commentary suggests that if IGV ceases its selling pressure, BTC could benefit from a re-tightening correlation and a broader base of liquidity that supports more stable trading ranges. IBIT, as a cornerstone of BTC exposure within a regulated ETF framework, represents a structural shift in ownership that could cement a longer-term, institutional footprint in the Bitcoin ecosystem.

Despite near-term headwinds, the long arc of this narrative remains optimistic for holders who are patient and disciplined. The prospect of sovereign wealth funds and corporate treasuries adopting BTC as a dedicated, multi-year allocation is the biggest potential inflection point described by Jackson. If realized, this shift would move Bitcoin beyond episodic cycles of price strength tied to fundraising or speculative sentiment, toward a steadier, more resilient accumulation that could redefine Bitcoin’s role in the global financial system over the coming decade. In the near term, traders will watch for liquidity signals, ETF flow trends, and the evolving interaction between BTC and large tech-equity benchmarks as the market slowly prices in a longer horizon reality.

Lawmakers in Arizona have taken a significant step toward formalizing state-level engagement with digital assets by advancing legislation that would create a Digital Assets Strategic Reserve Fund, allowing the state to hold, invest and potentially lend seized cryptocurrencies.

Arizona senate backs crypto reserve fund

The measure, Senate Bill 1649 (SB1649), cleared the Senate Finance Committee in a 4–2 vote and was subsequently approved by the Senate Rules Committee, moving it closer to a full Senate vote.

Under the proposed law, the Arizona State Treasurer would administer the reserve, using assets that have been confiscated, forfeited or surrendered through criminal or civil enforcement actions. Instead of relying on taxpayer dollars to acquire crypto on the open market, the fund would be capitalized with these seized holdings.

Eligible assets named in the bill include Bitcoin (BTC), XRP (XRP) and DigiByte, alongside other digital assets that meet specified “fair value” criteria such as stablecoins and non-fungible tokens.

The inclusion of XRP in the reserve’s eligibility framework marks a notable development for the token, as it would represent one of the first instances of a U.S. government entity formally recognizing it as a potential reserve asset.

While the legislation does not require the state to immediately purchase or hold these assets, it establishes a legal structure for doing so in the future.

The bill’s progress highlights a broader trend in U.S. crypto policy, with several states exploring ways to integrate digital assets into public finance strategies.

However, similar initiatives in Arizona have faced pushback in the past from Governor Katie Hobbs, who has expressed caution about exposing state funds to cryptocurrency volatility. SB1649 must still pass both chambers of the legislature and survive executive review before becoming law.

The Ethereum Foundation has started staking part of its treasury holdings, putting around 70,000 ETH to work as part of its plan to support ongoing operations in the Ethereum ecosystem.

The staking commenced with a 2,016 ETH deposit, and uses Dirk and Vouch, open-source validator tools developed by infrastructure firm Attestant, the Foundation said.

Dirk functions as a distributed signer that allows for coordination across multiple jurisdictions and reduces single points of failure, while Vouch handles validator duties.

The decision follows the public release of the Foundation’s treasury policy last year to manage crypto and fiat holdings in a way that balances long-term sustainability with Ethereum-aligned values such as decentralization, open-source access and user privacy.

Rather than letting ETH sit idle, the Foundation now plans to earn staking rewards and redirect those back into funding protocol research, ecosystem development, and community grants.

Based on the CoinDesk Composite Ether Staking Rate (CESR), the current staking yield of the Ethereum validator population is around 2.808%. Data from Arkham Intelligence shows the Ethereum Foundation currently has 172,650 ETH it could deploy, along with an additional 10,000 wrapped ether (WETH).

The staking setup uses a combination of hosted infrastructure and self-managed hardware, including minority clients, spread across several countries, the Foundation said.

The Hashgraph Group, a Swiss technology company building on the Hedera network, launched TrackTrace, a platform aimed at helping prepare for upcoming European Union product-compliance requirements tied to digital product passports.

TrackTrace is designed to improve supply-chain visibility by tracking goods and recording product data, including emissions-related information, in a way that can be used for compliance reporting and authenticity checks, the company said in a Tuesday announcement.

The platform builds verifiable audit trails for product-specific data, sustainability credentials, durability and reparability, while incorporating agentic artificial intelligence (AI) to automate workflows for compliance reporting.

The blockchain-based solution comes in response to the EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Product Regulation (ESPR), which went into effect on July 18, 2024. The ESPR creates a framework for product-specific rules that can include a Digital Product Passport (DPP) to standardize how key product information is recorded and shared across multiple supply chains.

A major early milestone is the EU’s battery passport requirement under the EU Battery Regulation, which is set to apply from Feb. 18, 2027, for certain categories including electric-vehicle and industrial batteries above 2 kilowatt-hours.

DPP requirements will extend to textiles, apparel, iron, steel and other priority items starting July 2027.

Related: EU to ban anonymous crypto accounts and privacy coins by 2027

EU climate targets drive data demands

The EU’s Green Deal aims to transform the bloc into a more resource-efficient economy and cut emissions by at least 50% by 2030. It also aims to reach net carbon neutrality by 2050 through the European Climate Act.

“The European Green Deal strives to establish the first climate-neutral continent by 2050 and needs infrastructure it can trust to transform Europe into a modern, efficient, and sustainable economy,” wrote Stefan Deiss, co-founder and CEO at The Hashgraph Group.

“With TrackTrace built on Hedera, we deliver that critical trust data infrastructure layer that enables companies to comply with DPP regulation, while strengthening global supply chain integrity and fostering the transition to a sustainable, transparent, and circular economy.”

Businesses targeting EU markets will have to rely on solutions such as TrackTrace to ensure compliance with the ESPR.

The Hashgraph Group said it is working with PwC on digital product passport implementations for enterprise clients and that TrackTrace can support traceability across a product’s lifecycle. Cointelegraph reached out to The Hashgraph Group for more details on the collaboration.

Related: Bitcoin treasuries log rare selling streak as BTC trades near $66K

TrackTrace builds on identity tools

TrackTrace has integrated The Hashgraph Group’s existing decentralized identity solution, IDTrust, to provide verifiable credentials in a decentralized manner.

This enables the linkage between physical events and digital records in a tamper-proof environment, where digital business processes and immutable data audit trails are anchored on the Hedera network.

Hedera claims to be the world’s most energy-efficient distributed ledger technology (DLT) that is governed by a council of leading global organisations including Dell, Deutsche Telecom, EDF, FedEx, Google, Hitachi, IBM, Mondelēz and Standard Bank, among over 30 Hedera Council members.

Competing supply chain traceability solutions include the blockchain-based IBM Sterling Transparent Supply, TraceX, Circular for batteries and plastics, and TrusTrace for fashion and textile traceability.

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