Crypto World
Crypto Predicted the Fentanyl Slowdown Months Before Overdose Deaths Fell: Chainalysis
Cryptocurrency flows to suspected trafficking services jumped 85% in 2025.
Cryptocurrency payments to suppliers of fentanyl precursor chemicals began falling in mid-2023, months before overdose deaths declined.
This pattern suggests that blockchain data may provide an early signal of disruptions in the illicit drug supply, according to a new report from Chainalysis.
Early Disruption in Fentanyl Supply
The blockchain data company observed a measurable drop in on-chain payments linked to vendors of chemicals commonly used in fentanyl production well before official mortality statistics reflected a reduction in fatalities. Because overdose data is typically released with delays due to investigation and certification processes, the earlier contraction in crypto transactions points to a potential three-to-six-month lead time between supply chain stress and public health outcomes.
The findings suggest that tracking blockchain payments to precursor suppliers could give law enforcement and policymakers an early signal of changes in synthetic opioid supply, alongside traditional measures like drug seizures and overdose death data.
The report also documented a sharp rise in cryptocurrency activity tied to suspected human trafficking networks. In 2025, crypto flows to identified services increased 85% year over year, reaching hundreds of millions of dollars. According to Chainalysis, much of that activity is concentrated in Southeast Asia, where trafficking operations overlap with scam compounds, online gambling platforms, and Chinese-language money laundering networks that operate largely through Telegram.
The firm identified four primary categories of suspected crypto-facilitated trafficking – Telegram-based “international escort” services believed to traffic individuals, “labor placement” agents recruiting workers for scam compounds, prostitution networks, and child sexual abuse material (CSAM) vendors.
Payment patterns vary by category. “International escort” services and prostitution networks rely predominantly on stablecoins, which offer price stability and ease of conversion. CSAM vendors have historically favored bitcoin but are increasingly using alternative Layer 1 networks as well as privacy-focused assets such as Monero, and often turn to instant exchangers that allow rapid swaps without know-your-customer requirements. The company said these changes complicate tracing efforts but still leave observable patterns on-chain.
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Infrastructure Behind Crypto-Based Exploitation
Transaction size data indicates differing operational structures. Over 48% of transfers associated with Telegram-based “international escort” services were recorded to be more than $10,000, indicating organized operations functioning at scale. Prostitution networks demonstrated a higher concentration of transactions between $1,000 and $10,000, which is consistent with mid-tier agency activity.
Meanwhile, payments to “labor placement” agents recruiting for scam compounds typically fell within the same $1,000 to $10,000 range. This trend aligns with advertised fees for transporting workers across borders. Victims recruited through these channels are often coerced into operating online fraud schemes under threat of violence, according to prior reporting cited in the analysis.
The report also found that some escort and recruitment services are integrated with Chinese-language money laundering networks and “guarantee” platforms that rapidly convert stablecoins into local currencies, thereby reducing exposure to potential freezes.
In the CSAM sector, operators increasingly use subscription-based models, which often charge less than $100 per month, to generate recurring revenue. Chainalysis also observed overlap between CSAM networks and online extremist communities, as well as the use of US-based web infrastructure to host surface websites while operators may be located abroad.
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Crypto World
Bitdeer Liquidates All BTC Reserves, Holdings Drop to Zero
Bitdeer Technologies, a prominent Bitcoin mining operator backed by industry figure Jihan Wu, has sharply recalibrated its Bitcoin treasury, reporting a zero balance in its corporate holdings. In the latest weekly operations update, the company disclosed that its “pure holdings,” which exclude client deposits, have fallen to 0 BTC. The period saw the production of 189.8 BTC, all of which were sold, alongside an additional 943.1 BTC liquidated from existing treasury reserves. This marks a notable shift from earlier disclosures, when the treasury still held a substantial balance.
Key takeaways
- Bitdeer reports zero corporate Bitcoin in its treasury, after selling 189.8 BTC produced in the latest period plus 943.1 BTC drawn from reserves.
- A February update showed the treasury at 943.1 BTC, with 179.9 BTC sold from 183.4 BTC mined that week, leaving treasury holdings unchanged at that time.
- The company is pursuing a significant financing move, announcing plans to raise $300 million through a convertible senior note offering, with a possible expansion to $345 million.
- The notes, due in 2032, can be converted into stock, cash, or a mix, and are intended to fund data center expansion, AI cloud growth, mining hardware development, and general corporate needs.
- Meanwhile, Bitdeer is expanding its self-mining capabilities as demand for external mining hardware wanes, reflecting a broader industry shift toward hybrid AI/HPC revenue streams.
Tickers mentioned: $BTC, $MARA
Price impact: Negative. Bitdeer’s plan to raise convertible debt coincided with a sharp share decline, underscoring investor concern over liquidity and funding strategy.
Market context: The sector has been navigating tighter margins post-halving and a growing interest in hybrid models that blend Bitcoin production with AI and high-performance computing revenue streams. The move toward self-mining and AI services mirrors a broader trend as miners reassess balance sheets and diversify revenue sources.
Why it matters
The decision to liquidate the corporate Bitcoin treasury signals a potential pivot in Bitdeer’s capital strategy. By converting a portion of mined proceeds into cash, the company may be prioritizing liquidity to support ongoing operations and debt servicing, even as it seeks to scale data center infrastructure and AI-focused offerings. This shift underscores the tension between treasury exposure to Bitcoin’s price volatility and the need for predictable funding for growth initiatives in a capital-intensive industry.
Concurrently, the $300 million convertible debt offering marks a high-profile move to raise capital that could be immediately deployed to expand Bitdeer’s data center footprint and advance AI cloud capabilities. The convertible feature adds a layer of complexity for investors, as future equity dilution is possible if the notes are converted. The company has framed the financing as a tool to accelerate its expansion plans and hardware development while maintaining flexibility to adapt to market conditions.
Beyond Bitdeer, the mining landscape is undergoing a broader reorientation toward AI and computing services. MARA Holdings recently acquired a majority stake in Exaion, a French computing infrastructure firm, signaling a deeper foray into AI and cloud services. The deal positions the miner as a broader technology infrastructure provider, expanding its footprint beyond traditional hash power. This follows a wider industry pattern where several miners, faced with tighter margins, are pursuing hybrid models that leverage their energy and data-center assets to offer AI-enabled computing capacity.
Observers note that the industry is reconfiguring around demand for AI capacity and energy-efficient compute, rather than venerating hash price alone. Several peers are repurposing facilities for data-center use or pivoting toward AI infrastructure as a way to diversify revenue streams and hedge against mining cycles. The trend is underscored by moves within the ecosystem that include CoreWeave’s established shift toward AI infrastructure and other players repositioning assets to capture AI compute demand. For readers tracking this space, the evolving balance between traditional hashing revenue and AI-enabled services will likely define miners’ strategizing in 2024 and beyond.
The current environment remains nuanced: while Bitcoin mining remains a niche but essential component of the larger crypto economy, the capital-intensive demands of data centers and the strategic importance of AI capabilities push miners to blend their hardware with software services. This dual approach can help stabilize cash flows amid volatility in digital asset prices, energy costs, and regulatory considerations, while offering new avenues for growth in an increasingly digital and compute-driven landscape.
What to watch next
- Bitdeer’s next weekly update to confirm whether the treasury remains at zero and to track any changes in production or sales pace.
- Progress and timing of the $300 million convertible debt offering, including potential expansion and terms of conversion.
- Updates on Bitdeer’s data center expansion plans and the development of AI cloud initiatives tied to mining operations.
- Industry moves by peers, particularly MARA Holdings’ integration of Exaion and how AI/hpc ventures influence miner profitability across the sector.
- Regulatory or energy-cost developments that could impact mining economics and the viability of hybrid business models combining Bitcoin production with AI infrastructure.
Sources & verification
- Bitdeer weekly operational update showing 0 BTC in pure holdings and the 189.8 BTC produced and sold, plus 943.1 BTC liquidated from treasury — https://x.com/BitdeerOfficial/status/2025136775266550191
- Bitdeer Feb. 13 update indicating 943.1 BTC treasury the week prior and 179.9 BTC sold out of 183.4 BTC mined — https://x.com/BitdeerOfficial/status/2022530485876896182
- Cointelegraph report on Bitdeer’s convertible debt offering of $300 million with potential expansion to $345 million — https://cointelegraph.com/news/bitdeer-stock-drops-17-after-convertible-senior-note-offering
- MARA Holdings’ majority stake in Exaion article detailing the AI/data-center expansion angle — https://cointelegraph.com/news/mara-majority-stake-exaion-ai-data-centers-bitcoin-miner
- Related industry shifts toward AI infrastructure in crypto mining, including CoreWeave’s pivot — https://cointelegraph.com/news/crypto-mining-ai-data-centers-coreweave-infrastructure-shift
Bitdeer pivots from treasury to expansion amid AI pivot
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) has become the focal point of Bitdeer’s latest strategic recalibration, as the company logs a full liquidation of its corporate Bitcoin treasury even as it grows commitments to data centers and AI-enabled compute. In its most recent weekly update, Bitdeer disclosed that its pure holdings, excluding client deposits, dropped to zero BTC. The report shows 189.8 BTC mined during the period, all of which were sold, in addition to 943.1 BTC drained from the treasury reserves. This marks a clear departure from prior reporting where the treasury still contained BTC, albeit with ongoing sales tied to operating costs.
The prior update, issued on Feb. 13, had the treasury at 943.1 BTC, with 179.9 BTC sold from 183.4 BTC mined that week, leaving treasury holdings unchanged after the sale. The shift from treasury exposure to a cash-focused approach is a notable pivot for a company that, like many in the sector, has balanced the need for liquidity with the opportunistic exposure to Bitcoin’s price action. In context, mining firms frequently sell a portion of production to cover electricity and equipment costs, yet fully liquidating a treasury position is less typical and can indicate a more aggressive capital deployment strategy.
Meanwhile, Bitdeer disclosed plans to raise $300 million through a convertible senior note offering, with an option to expand the sale by an additional $45 million. The notes, due in 2032, can be converted into stock, cash or a combination of both. The financing is earmarked to accelerate data center expansion, fuel AI cloud growth, support mining-hardware development, and fulfill general corporate needs. The market reacted to the financing news with a notable drop in Bitdeer’s shares, underscoring investor concerns about debt dilution and the company’s ability to deploy proceeds effectively in a competitive landscape.
Beyond Bitdeer, the broader mining industry is undergoing a reorientation toward AI and high-performance computing. MARA Holdings—another prominent name in the space—announced a majority stake in Exaion, a French computing infrastructure firm, signaling a deeper plunge into AI and cloud services. The deal highlights a strategic shift from pure hash-rate generation to hybrid business lines that leverage existing energy and data-center assets for AI compute capacity. It reflects a broader trend in which miners, faced with the realities of halved block rewards and tighter margins, pursue diversified revenue streams to sustain growth.
Industry coverage also notes that other miners are repurposing facilities and energy infrastructure for data-center use, while some players have fully pivoted to AI infrastructure providers. The exchange between crypto mining and AI data services is increasingly viewed as a way to reconcile revenue volatility with an expanding demand for AI compute capacity. The long‑term outlook for miners may hinge on whether these hybrid models can deliver consistent cash flows, especially as regulatory pressures and energy costs continue to shape the economics of the sector.
Crypto World
Spot Bitcoin ETFs Log Fifth Straight Week of Outflows as Institutional Demand Cools
US spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds recorded a fifth consecutive week of net withdrawals, extending the longest negative streak since early 2025 as institutional demand softened alongside a broader pullback in digital assets.
Key Takeaways:
- Spot Bitcoin ETFs posted a fifth straight week of withdrawals, losing about $316 million and roughly $3.8 billion over the streak.
- Midweek selling outweighed Friday inflows, showing cooling institutional demand despite stable prices.
- Capital appears to be rotating within crypto funds, with Ether also seeing outflows while Solana and XRP products drew inflows.
Data from SoSoValue shows the 12 funds collectively lost about $316 million during the week ending Feb. 20.
Trading activity was compressed into four sessions due to the Presidents’ Day holiday, and the first three days all closed negative.
Bitcoin ETFs Post Heavy Midweek Outflows Despite Friday Rebound
Roughly $105 million exited on Tuesday, followed by $133 million on Wednesday and $166 million on Thursday.
A modest recovery on Friday, when $88 million flowed back into the products, was not enough to reverse the weekly trend. BlackRock’s IBIT led the rebound with about $64.5 million in inflows, while Fidelity’s FBTC added roughly $23.6 million.
The current run of outflows began the week of Jan. 20 and has removed around $3.8 billion from the Bitcoin ETF complex.
The last comparable stretch occurred nearly a year ago during a tariff-driven market sell-off that also weighed on risk assets.
While the duration of the streak matches that period, the magnitude has been smaller, with the heaviest withdrawals concentrated in late January when funds lost $1.33 billion and $1.49 billion in consecutive weeks.
More recent weekly losses have ranged between roughly $316 million and $360 million.
Despite the withdrawals, the ETF market remains substantial. Cumulative net inflows since launch in January 2024 still total about $54 billion, and aggregate net assets stand near $85.3 billion.
Bitcoin has traded around $68,600, down more than 20% year to date and below a key onchain level identified by analysts as separating expansion from consolidation phases.
Ether funds showed a similar pattern, losing about $123 million during the week and extending their own five-week streak of withdrawals.
By contrast, newer products tied to Solana attracted approximately $14.3 million in inflows, while XRP-based funds recorded a modest $1.8 million gain.
The divergence suggests capital is rotating within crypto investment products rather than leaving the sector altogether, with investors repositioning across assets as sentiment remains cautious rather than panicked.
Trump Media Files for Bitcoin, Ether and Cronos ETFs With Staking Rewards
Last week, Trump Media and Technology Group filed applications for two cryptocurrency ETFs that would track Bitcoin, Ether and the Cronos (CRO) token, expanding the company’s involvement in digital assets.
The proposed “Truth Social Bitcoin and Ether ETF” would primarily follow the performance of the two largest cryptocurrencies, while the “Truth Social Cronos Yield Maximizer ETF” would provide exposure to CRO.
The Cronos-focused fund would also offer staking rewards, with Crypto.com serving as custodian and providing liquidity and staking services.
Trump Media has also signaled interest in integrating blockchain beyond ETFs.
The company recently said it intends to distribute a new digital token to shareholders on the Cronos network and previously disclosed plans for a corporate crypto treasury involving CRO.
The post Spot Bitcoin ETFs Log Fifth Straight Week of Outflows as Institutional Demand Cools appeared first on Cryptonews.
Crypto World
Pi Network’s PI Token Plunges Again, Bitcoin (BTC) Stable at $68K: Weekend Watch
In contrast, PIPPIN has become the top performer once again, rocketing by 17% daily.
Despite all the latest developments on the tariff front in the US, bitcoin’s price has remained relatively stable during the weekend, and continues to trade around $68,000.
Most larger-cap alts have produced little to no volatility as well over the past day, but some, such as Pi Network’s native token, have slipped once again.
BTC Calm at $68K
Bitcoin marked some gains last weekend after it bounced from the then-low of $65,200. In just a few days, it jumped to almost $71,000 for the first time in about a week. This Sunday surge, though, came to an end as the business week began, and a few consecutive leg downs by the bears drove the asset down to $65,600 on Thursday.
It tried to rebound on Friday and Saturday again, as the bulls managed to take it to a local peak of $68,800. Interestingly, these minor gains came even after some controversial moves on the tariff front, a topic that has typically resulted in more volatility and price declines for BTC.
On Friday, the US Supreme Court ruled that many of Trump’s imposed tariffs were illegal. The POTUS was livid, calling the decision a “disgrace,” and quickly announced a global 10% tariff on top of the existing ones. On Saturday, he raised it to the maximum allowed of 15%.
Although bitcoin now trades below its weekend high, it’s still around $68,000. More volatility could be expected on Sunday evening when the futures markets open, similar to what happened several weeks ago during the EU tariff saga over Greenland.
For now, though, BTC’s market cap stands at $1.360 trillion on CG, while its dominance over the alts is at 56.6%.
PI Declines (Again)
Pi Network’s first anniversary after the launch of its Open Network has not had any positive effect on the underlying asset’s price performance. PI is among the poorest performers in the past 24 hours, losing 6% of value and struggling below $0.165.
Other notable losers include ETC (-8%), ARB (-7%), and ENA (-7%). In contrast, PIPPIN has jumped by more than 17% to almost $0.60.
Most larger-cap alts are also in the red, albeit in a more modest manner. DOGE, ADA, and HYPE have lost the most value (around 3% each), while XRP, LINK, and CC are down by 1%. ETH, SOL, TRX, and BCH have marked insignificant gains.
The total crypto market cap has remained above $2.4 trillion on CG.
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Crypto World
Vitalik Buterin Dumps Even More ETH as Prices Struggle Below $2K
Ethereum’s co-founder has been disposing of large amounts of ETH for several weeks now.
On-chain data from Arkham Intelligence and Lookonchain showed that Vitalik Buterin has resumed his selling spree of ETH with another multi-million dollar transfer.
The analysts explained that he had withdrawn another batch of 3,500 ETH (worth roughly $7 million at the time) from Aave with the likely intention to sell. At the time of the original post a few hours ago, he had already disposed of 571 ETH ($1.13 million).
After a two-week break, vitalik.eth(@VitalikButerin) is selling $ETH again!
8 hours ago, he withdrew 3,500 $ETH($6.95M) from Aave to sell.
So far, he has already sold 571 $ETH($1.13M).https://t.co/pMvkZHjIyDhttps://t.co/DYpg3yFecJ pic.twitter.com/jLCKLk6hE9
— Lookonchain (@lookonchain) February 22, 2026
CryptoPotato has reported a few similar instances in February alone, in which on-chain data indicated that he had begun disposing of some of his ETH fortune. A February 5 report showed that the project’s co-founder had sold off 2,961 ETH ($6.6 million at the time) in just three days.
A day later, Lookonchain informed that the total sales had grown to 6,183 ETH, which was valued at $13.2 million. The average exit price was $2,140.
Arkham Intelligence keeps a close eye on Buterin’s addresses, and a report from earlier this week noted that he still held more than 240,000 ETH, valued at around $467 million. However, that data was before today’s sell-offs.
Meanwhile, ETH’s price has been on a consistent downtrend for months. After it peaked at close to $5,000 in late August last year, it was violently rejected and ended 2025 at around $3,000. The late January/early February crash was brutal, pushing the asset to under $1,800.
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Although it has recovered some ground since then, Ether still struggles below $2,000. Popular analyst Ali Martinez outlined the formation of a bullish flag yesterday for ETH, but with a major catch: the chart was inverted, showing in reality that ETH could be primed for another correction to under $1,400.
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Crypto World
Bitcoin Miner Bitdeer Liquidates Entire BTC Treasury, Holdings Fall to Zero
Bitcoin mining firm Bitdeer has sold all of its corporate Bitcoin holdings, reducing its treasury balance to zero, according to the company’s latest operational update.
In its latest weekly report, Bitdeer disclosed that its “pure holdings,” excluding customer deposits, have fallen to 0 Bitcoin (BTC). The report shows the company produced 189.8 BTC during the period and sold the full amount, alongside an additional 943.1 BTC, which was liquidated from its existing treasury reserves.
In its earlier update on Feb. 13, the miner still held 943.1 BTC, selling 179.9 BTC out of 183.4 BTC mined that week, leaving its treasury intact despite routine sales of newly mined coins.
Mining firms commonly sell a portion of production to fund electricity, hosting and equipment costs, but they also maintain a treasury balance to keep exposure to Bitcoin’s price appreciation. Fully liquidating reserves is less typical.
Cointelegraph reached out to Bitdeer for comment, but had not received a response by publication.
Related: Bitcoin mining difficulty rebounds 15% as US miners recover from winter outages
Bitdeer announces $300 million convertible debt raise
On Thursday, Bitdeer’s shares fell sharply after the company announced plans to raise $300 million through a convertible senior note offering, with an option to expand the sale by an additional $45 million. The notes, due in 2032, can later be converted into company stock, cash or a mix of both.
The company, founded by former Bitmain co-founder Jihan Wu, said the funds will support data center expansion, AI cloud growth, mining hardware development and general corporate needs.
Bitdeer has also been expanding its self-mining operations as demand for its mining hardware weakens, increasingly using its own rigs to mine Bitcoin rather than selling them to customers.
Related: Bitcoin miners chase 30 GW AI capacity to offset hashprice pressure
Bitcoin miners pivot to AI
On Friday, MARA Holdings purchased a majority stake in French computing infrastructure firm Exaion, moving deeper into artificial intelligence and cloud services. The deal gives MARA France a 64% ownership position while energy company EDF remains a minority shareholder and customer.
The transaction came amid a wider shift across the mining industry. Following the 2024 halving and tighter margins, several miners have adopted a hybrid model that combines Bitcoin production with AI and high-performance computing revenue.
Companies such as HIVE, Hut 8, TeraWulf and IREN are repurposing facilities and energy infrastructure for data-center use, while firms like CoreWeave have fully transitioned into AI infrastructure providers.
Magazine: Bitcoin may take 7 years to upgrade to post-quantum — BIP-360 co-author
Crypto World
Trump Unveils 10% Global Tariff After SCOTUS Ruling
The United States Supreme Court ruled on Friday that President Donald Trump could not use national emergency powers to levy tariffs during peacetime, a decision that curbs a longstanding tool for unilateral trade action. The ruling clarifies that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) cannot be wielded to impose broad tariffs in the absence of a declared emergency, a nuance that could steer future policy moves and trigger recalibrations across markets sensitive to policy signals. Moments after the decision, the White House signaled a shift: Trump announced a 10% global tariff to be imposed under other legal authorities, signaling a different approach to trade protectionism while the court’s opinion tightened the executive branch’s strategic levers. “Effective immediately. All national security tariffs under Section 232 and Section 301 tariffs remain fully in place. And in full force and effect. Today, I will sign an order to impose a 10% Global tariff under Section 122 over and above our normal tariffs already being charged.”
The ruling, published after hours of deliberation, underscored the framers’ intent to reserve broad taxing powers for Congress. The court’s language was blunt: “In IEEPA’s half-century of existence, no president has invoked the statute to impose any tariffs, let alone tariffs of this magnitude and scope.” The decision also cited Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, which vests in Congress the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises, highlighting the structural balance designed into fiscal authority. The jurisprudence around IEEPA has always been contentious, but the Court’s interpretation here narrows the scope of executive emergency powers in a peacetime context. The ruling arrives at a moment when tariff rhetoric has already unsettled markets, reinforcing investors’ emphasis on policy clarity and legislative oversight.
For crypto markets, the episode represents another data point in a long-running conversation about policy risk and asset prices. The debate over tariffs has historically correlated with risk-off moves across high-volatility assets, including digital tokens, as traders reassess exposure to policy shocks and the potential knock-on effects on global liquidity. A related analysis in the wake of tariff threats noted that Bitcoin decoupled somewhat from stock behavior in the face of policy headlines, illustrating that crypto assets can react differently to macro signals than traditional equities. Bitcoin decouples stocks-lose-3-5-t-amid-trump-tariff-war-and-fed-warning-of-higher-inflation. The broader takeaway is that even with partial decoupling, crypto markets remain sensitive to policy trajectories and the pace at which governments alter trade rules and economic assumptions.
The core of the Friday decision centers on the delicate balance between emergency authorities and constitutional checks. The Supreme Court’s perspective emphasizes that the executive branch cannot rely on a wartime-like authority to reshape peacetime trade dynamics without legislative backing. This is not merely a curtailment of a single tool; it signals a preference for congressional oversight when it comes to tariff structures and the revenue-raising powers that accompany them. The court’s phrasing draws a clear line: while emergency powers exist, their application must align with constitutional design and explicit statutory authorization. In practical terms, the ruling narrows the menu of options available to an administration seeking rapid, unilateral responses to perceived threats to national security or economic vitality.
From a governance standpoint, the decision does not eliminate tariff policy. Rather, it redirects the path—pushing the administration toward other legal authorities, such as the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 and the Trade Act of 1974. The President’s stated plan to invoke a 10% global tariff under different statutory authority does not erase the underlying policy aim; it alters the mechanism and potentially the scope of the measures. This shift will likely invite renewed scrutiny from Congress, as lawmakers weigh the costs and benefits of tariffs in a globalized economy where supply chains and inflation expectations are already under pressure. The White House’s assertion that the 10% tariff would operate “over and above our normal tariffs” underscores the potential for layered duties that could ripple through customs, manufacturing, and consumer prices if implemented in practice.
Why it matters
For investors and traders who monitor cross-asset dynamics, the ruling adds another layer to an ever-evolving policy backdrop. The legal floor established by the Court reinforces the idea that fiscal measures of this scale require explicit congressional authorization, potentially delaying or complicating tariff actions that might otherwise be deployed swiftly as a response to perceived national security threats. In crypto markets, where liquidity is often a barometer of risk sentiment, policy signals—whether from courts or lawmakers—can precipitate tighter or looser financial conditions. The episode also illustrates the ongoing tension between executive agility and legislative accountability in the realm of trade policy, a tension that can influence how crypto and other risk assets price in the near term.
Beyond immediate price moves, the case highlights a broader policy cadence: as the administration tests the boundaries of executive authority, investors are increasingly watching for transparency in the legislative process and for concrete, long-horizon plans that reduce ambiguity. The market’s appetite for clarity is particularly acute in the crypto space, where policy and regulation directly influence custody, cross-border flows, and the expansion of on-ramps and regulated venues. The discussion around IEEPA, additional tariff authorities, and potential regulatory responses across jurisdictions is likely to persist, shaping how individuals and institutions allocate capital across digital assets and traditional markets.
Moreover, the decision’s emphasis on constitutional borders may inform future debates around how the United States uses economic tools to shape trade policy. It underscores the importance of aligning executive actions with legislative authorization to ensure that policy changes withstand judicial scrutiny and political pushback. For builders and participants in the crypto economy, the takeaway is straightforward: while policy levers will continue to evolve, credible, well-justified regulatory frameworks will be central to the industry’s long-term viability and its ability to attract mainstream adoption and institutional investment.
The interplay between law, policy, and markets remains dynamic. In the near term, traders will be watching for the specific text and implementation details of the proposed 10% global tariff and for any accompanying regulatory guidance. The interplay between tariff policy and financial markets—crypto included—will continue to test the resilience of risk assets amid policy-induced volatility. As the day’s developments unfold, market participants will assess not only the immediate price action but also the longer arc of how the United States negotiates its economic interests in a deeply interconnected global economy.
What to watch next
- Official text and scope of the new 10% global tariff under Section 122, including which goods and sectors are affected.
- Any additional legal challenges or legislative actions related to tariffs and emergency powers.
- Immediate market reactions across crypto and equities, including liquidity shifts and volatility spikes.
- Policy updates from lawmakers on tariff authority and potential alternative measures.
Sources & verification
- Supreme Court ruling PDF: https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/24-1287_4gcj.pdf
- White House X broadcast link: https://x.com/i/broadcasts/1oJMvRRqDBjxQ
- Bitcoin decouples stocks-lose-3-5-t-amid-trump-tariff-war-and-fed-warning-of-higher-inflation: https://cointelegraph.com/news/bitcoin-decouples-stocks-lose-3-5-t-amid-trump-tariff-war-and-fed-warning-of-higher-inflation
- President Trump signs reciprocal tariff executive order: https://cointelegraph.com/news/president-trump-signs-reciprocal-tariff-executive-order
Crypto World
SBI Holdings Launches 10B Yen Blockchain Bond With XRP Rewards
Japanese financial conglomerate SBI Holdings is introducing a blockchain-based bond offering for retail investors, blending traditional fixed-income returns with cryptocurrency incentives.
Key Takeaways:
- SBI is issuing 10 billion yen in tokenized bonds recorded on a blockchain platform.
- Investors will earn fixed interest plus XRP rewards tied to their subscription amount.
- The launch reflects SBI’s broader push to integrate crypto assets into traditional finance.
The new issuance, called the SBI START Bonds, totals 10 billion yen (about $64.5 million) and will be recorded and managed onchain using the “ibet for Fin” platform developed by enterprise blockchain firm BOOSTRY.
The three-year securities carry an indicative annual yield ranging from 1.85% to 2.45%, with interest paid twice a year.
SBI Bond Investors to Receive XRP Rewards Alongside Interest Payments
In addition to fixed returns, eligible investors will receive XRP token rewards. Retail buyers and companies investing at least 100,000 yen (roughly $650) and holding an account with SBI VC Trade qualify for the bonus program.
According to the product details, investors will receive XRP equivalent to about 200 yen per 100,000 yen invested.
The rewards will be distributed at issuance and again alongside each interest payment through 2029.
The bonds are expected to begin secondary trading on March 25 via the Osaka Digital Exchange’s proprietary START trading system, marking another step in Japan’s gradual rollout of tokenized securities markets.
SBI’s move reflects its long-standing ties to the XRP ecosystem. The firm partnered with Ripple in 2016 and has since supported XRP-powered remittance services, including cross-border payments between Japan and the Philippines.
Chairman and CEO Yoshitaka Kitao has previously said SBI holds roughly 9% of Ripple Labs, underscoring the company’s strategic alignment with the network.
Founded in 1999 as part of SoftBank before becoming independent in 2006, SBI has grown into a major financial group with more than $8 billion in annual revenue.
Over the years, the company has expanded beyond brokerage and banking into digital assets, stablecoins and blockchain infrastructure.
SBI has also worked with Circle to introduce the USDC stablecoin in Japan and signed a memorandum of understanding with Ripple to distribute its RLUSD stablecoin.
By pairing bonds with crypto incentives, the firm is testing whether traditional investors will adopt tokenized securities that offer familiar yields alongside blockchain-based settlement and rewards.
In August last year, Ripple signed a memorandum of understanding with SBI Holdings and its crypto arm SBI VC Trade to distribute its Ripple USD (RLUSD) stablecoin in Japan.
Ripple Secures UK Regulatory Approval Amid Global Expansion
The rollout comes amid Ripple’s broader expansion across regulated markets. Earlier this month, the company received approval from the UK’s financial regulator for an Electronic Money Institution license and crypto asset registration.
Ripple has also secured preliminary approval for a similar license in Luxembourg, positioning the firm to expand its payments services across Europe.
In the United States, Ripple applied for a national banking license with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency in July 2025, joining a growing list of crypto firms seeking deeper integration with the traditional financial system.
In recent months, the company has also secured approvals in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and onboarded partners including Zand Bank and Mamo.
As reported, Ripple is also weighing whether to bring staking to the XRP Ledger (XRPL), a move that would push the decade-old blockchain deeper into the rapidly expanding world of decentralized finance.
The post SBI Holdings Launches 10B Yen Blockchain Bond With XRP Rewards appeared first on Cryptonews.
Crypto World
XRP price stuck in a range as key network metric jumps and flips Solana
XRP price has gone nowhere in the past few days despite its key metrics, including its real-world asset tokenization and exchange-traded fund inflows continuing their uptrend.
Summary
- XRP price remains in a narrow range this month.
- The total value locked in its RWA network has jumped by over 20% in the last 30 days.
- It jumped to $2 billion and crossed Solana’s $1.7 billion.
Ripple (XRP) token was trading at $1.4215 on Sunday, down by 15% from its highest level this month.
The ongoing XRP price consolidation is mostly because of the broader crypto market action, with Bitcoin and most altcoins being in a tight range. Bitcoin has barely moved in the past few days and has remained at around $68,000 in the past few weeks. Ethereum price has remained below $2,000.
XRP network is doing well despite the ongoing crypto winter. For example, the developers recently launched the Permissioned DEX platform, which allows companies to participate in decentralized finance in a legally compliant manner. This launch happened after the recent launch of domains in the XRP Ledger network.
XRP price has also wavered despite the ongoing growth of its real-world asset tokenization ecosystem. The network’s total asset in the RWA industry jumped by 23% in the last 30 days to over $2 billion, higher than Solana’s $1.7 billion. It is also much higher than other networks like Polygon and Stellar.
Meanwhile, data shows that the spot XRP ETFs have continued gaining assets in the past few months. These funds have added over $48.5 million in assets this month, higher than the $15 million they added in January. In contrast, Ethereum and Bitcoin ETFs have continued to shed assets this month.
XRP price technical analysis

The daily timeframe chart shows that the XRP price has slumped in the past few months and is trading at $1.4230, much lower than the year-to-date high of $2.4180.
It has remained below the Major S&R pivot point of the Murrey Math Lines tool at $1.5625. Also, it has slumped below all moving averages and the Supertrend indicator.
The token also formed a gravestone doji candlestick on February 15. This doji is a common bearish reversal sign in technical analysis.
Therefore, the most likely forecast is bearish, with the next key target being the year-to-date low of $1.1200, its lowest level this year.
Crypto World
Is the Pi Network Dream Over? Core Team’s Anniversary Post Met With Fury From Pioneers
“What reason is there to celebrate,” asked one of the popular Pioneers below the Core Team’s post.
The team behind the controversial project posted a celebratory message a few days ago, marking the first anniversary of the Open Network’s launch.
However, many users questioned the project’s actual use case once again and lashed out at the lack of migration progress.
Open Network Celebrates 1st Birthday
In its blog post, the team began by outlining some of the achievements reached even before the official launch of the Open Network on February 20, 2025.
“Prior to Open Network, the Pi community collectively built out the ecosystem over six years to ensure Pi’s readiness and sustainable utility. This developmental period allowed Pi to create real apps and utilities for Pioneers to engage with, and verify the identities of millions of Pioneers to prepare the network for real-world assets and production processes.”
They explained that the main idea of Pi is to be a freely accessible, allowing “anyone to mine without technical or financial barriers.” The team added that this design allowed wide distribution and inclusivity, and also enabled the network and all participants to “afford the patience to engage in the difficult work necessary to establish a fully functional ecosystem predicated on utility.”
The post doubled down on the network’s progress, which aligns with the team’s long-term vision and strategy – to create an inclusive, utility-driven, and widely-adopted cryptocurrency that is broadly accessible.
Pioneers Lash Out
Perhaps it was some of those claims that triggered a significant backlash from numerous Pioneers on X under the Core Team’s post. YouLong/PiNetwork – a popular Pioneer with 27,000 followers, raised a few valid questions about the network’s state and the performance of the underlying token:
“What reason is there to celebrate? To celebrate the fact that compliant users have not migrated? Or to celebrate the steady decline in coin prices over the past year since its launch? Please approach the genuine concerns of long-time miners with objectivity.”
It’s worth noting that the PI token has been in a free-fall state for nearly a year. It peaked at $2.99 on February 26 last year, but has plunged by 94.5% since then and now sits inches above $0.16.
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Other users echoed the previous statement, with one adding, “We are tired of waiting for the second migration,” while others said they have been waiting for five or six years for that coin migration.
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Crypto World
Pi Network price analysis as it seeks to compete with Worldcoin, Humanity Protocol
Pi Network price remained under pressure this weekend, even as the developers announced major announcements, including a strategy to compete with Worldcoin and Humanity Protocol.
Summary
- Pi Network price retreated to $0.167 as the recent momentum faded.
- The developers celebrated the first anniversary by announcing future priorities.
- The priorities include KYC-as-a-Service, which will see it compete with Worldcoin.
Pi Coin (PI) token was trading at $0.1677 on Sunday, down slightly from the highest point this month. It remains 35% above its lowest level this year.
In a statement marking the first anniversary of its mainnet launch, Nicolas Kokkalis and Chengdiao Fan explained the key priorities to watch going forward.
The top priorities include features like native token generation, decentralized exchange, and launching developer tools. Their goal is to create an active network where creators can launch apps and their accompanying tokens.
Most notably, the developers are aiming to accelerate the Know Your Customer (KYC) process. They recently launched an AI-powered upgrade that has boosted the number of verified individuals.
With this experience, the developers are now working on rolling out KYC-as-a-Service. Their goal is to have Pi Network provide these services to companies from around the world.
The service will compete with WorldCoin (WORLD) and Humanity Protocol. World, which was launched by Sam Altman, aims to provide these services through the World ID and World App. It has already enrolled millions of people globally.
Humanity Protocol also aims to solve this challenge by leveraging the proof of humanity mechanism using palm recognition technology. The data is then converted into cryptographic hashes using zero-knowledge proofs.
Still, Pi Network price remains under pressure as the developers did not address key factors that have contributed to its underperformance. For example, they did not address the tokenomics, including the ongoing unlocks and potential token burns. Also, they did not address strategies to ensure more exchange listings.
Pi Network price technical analysis

The daily chart shows that the PI price has remained under pressure in the past few days. It retreated from this month’s high of $0.2050 to the current $0.1677.
The coin has remained below all moving averages, while the Relative Strength Index has turned around and moved below the neutral level at 50.
The most likely scenario is where the Pi Network price continues falling, potentially to the psychological level at $0.1500. A move below that level will point to more downside, potentially to $0.1300.
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