Crypto World
DeFi Rules Set to Guide Wall Street as Crypto Matures
Regulation is poised to reshape Decentralized Finance into a tightly interconnected network of ecosystems, each with its own risk, compliance and access profile. It won’t carve DeFi into two isolated camps—one fully compliant and the other entirely open—but rather will knit together multiple lanes that can interoperate at the contract level. This perspective, offered by Mitchell Amador, founder and CEO of Immunefi, suggests a future where regulatory pressure in 2026 accelerates a layered DeFi world that embraces both permissionless innovation and regulated access.
Amador argues that DeFi has never operated as a single monolith. Instead, it has always lived in parallel lanes that cater to different risk appetites and user bases. The first lane remains permissionless: anyone can deploy, provide liquidity or use leverage without identity verification. This is where price discovery and stress testing occur in public view, and where the sector has historically moved faster than traditional financial players. A second lane includes protocols with built-in safeguards—liquidation rules, governance structures and oracle protections—yet without identity requirements. The newest tier adds a heavily controlled access point, with KYC, geofencing and compliance filters at the gateway. Yet the same underlying smart contracts can be reached through various entry points.
Key takeaways
- DeFi operates across multiple compliance lanes today. Permissionless networks coexist with guarded but non-identifying protocols, creating a spectrum of risk management and liquidity options.
- Liquidity drives cross-lane interoperability. Capital seeks onchain liquidity, 24/7 global access and rapid settlement, pushing regulated sectors to engage with permissionless infrastructures.
- The GENIUS Act and institutional appetite for yield push activity into DeFi. By limiting yield-bearing stablecoins, regulators redirect capital toward DeFi protocols that offer attractive, onchain returns.
- Security innovation begins in open markets and travels downstream. Lessons from permissionless ecosystems—bug bounties, real-time monitoring and AI threat detection—will inform institutional-grade defenses once proven effective.
Liquidity as the bridge between lanes
One of the central premises is that complete isolation of compliant DeFi is unlikely. Institutional participants will demand the liquidity and depth that onchain markets provide, including 24/7 access and fast settlement that traditional venues struggle to match. This dynamic means regulated platforms will increasingly ride on top of permissionless liquidity pools, rather than exist in a vacuum separate from the open sector. The GENIUS Act—widely discussed for its stance on yield-bearing stablecoins—illustrates a regulatory nudge that redirects capital toward onchain protocols in search of reliable returns.
Amador notes that the incentive to access deep liquidity is powerful enough to tolerate some complexity and risk, at least in the near term. If the onchain liquidity proposition remains compelling, the market will continue to push for more integrated frameworks where regulated actors can participate meaningfully without sacrificing core advantages of permissionless markets.
Security as an arena-driven evolution
Despite a recent history of high-profile exploits, Amador emphasizes that the center of gravity for robust security innovation will continue to sit in permissionless DeFi. The sector has produced a suite of defensive tools—bug bounty programs, real-time monitoring, and increasingly sophisticated AI-driven threat detection—that mature and then migrate to institutional environments as confidence in these approaches grows. The article notes that even as losses from hacks and exploits have topped billions in recent periods, the onchain security playbook developed in the open market remains the most effective proving ground for new defenses, which can later be standardized for broader adoption.
As part of this evolutionary cycle, onchain “firewalling” and automated vulnerability scanning are likely to become standard in open DeFi and subsequently form a core part of institutional risk management. The broader message is that adversarial conditions—where security is truly stress-tested—drive the best defenses, and those defenses can lift the entire ecosystem as they are adopted across lanes.
Regulation as a catalyst for a connected DeFi future
The overarching forecast is not a fracturing of DeFi into incompatible silos but a maturation toward a set of interoperable layers that remain deeply linked through onchain architecture. Regulation is expected to mold the ecosystem into tiers with varying compliance and access permissions, while preserving the composability that makes DeFi uniquely powerful. For investors and builders alike, the implication is clear: regulatory clarity will invite more institutions to participate, not by abandoning innovation, but by plugging into a broader, more liquid and efficient network.
In this view, TradFi’s distance to DeFi shortens as institutions seek the efficiency and scale of decentralized markets. The structural advantages of onchain liquidity—nonstop operation, settlement speed and depth—remain compelling enough to motivate regulatory models that accommodate both innovation and risk controls. As Amador frames it, the future of DeFi is not a binary choice between compliant and permissionless worlds; it is a layered, networked ecosystem where governance, access and security evolve in tandem with regulatory expectations.
“The future of DeFi hinges on interoperability,” Amador writes, a sentiment echoed by observers who view regulation as a unifying force rather than a dividing line. As policymakers refine frameworks, the industry will continue to test and standardize security innovations in the open, with the expectation that these advances become the backbone of institutional adoption as well.
Related commentary notes the growing interest in onchain alpha for sophisticated trading firms, underscoring how traditional finance is increasingly looking to open markets for liquidity and efficiency. For further context, see discussions around onchain opportunities for Wall Street’s advanced traders and the ongoing regulatory debates shaping yield and custody models in crypto markets.
Readers should keep an eye on how regulators define access gates and risk controls across different DeFi lanes, and which platforms prove most adept at maintaining liquidity while safeguarding users. The next set of policy decisions could determine which lanes become the default rails for institutional participation and which remain vibrant, experimental corridors that continue to push innovation forward.
Hyperliquid’s HIP-3 aggregated open interest smashed through records to hit $1.74 billion on Sunday, marking a 25% vertical climb from $1.39 billion just last week.
The surge is not being driven by Bitcoin or Ethereum, but by a massive capital rotation into tokenized commodities via Trade.xyz, the ecosystem’s dominant interface.
While the broader crypto market chugs sideways and traditional commodity markets face volatility, traders are aggressively bidding RWA (real-world asset) perp markets, with WTI crude oil volumes now flipping major crypto pairs.
- Open Interest: Aggregated HIP-3 markets hit a record $1.74B, with Trade.xyz commanding 91.3% market share.
- Key Driver: Tokenized commodities like WTI Crude and Silver are outpacing crypto native assets in volume.
- Market Signal: Traders are using DeFi rails for 24/7 exposure to Middle East geopolitical risks, bypassing legacy market hours.
Data Deep Dive: Oil Flips Ethereum on Hyperliquid
The numbers confirm a structural shift in how traders are using Hyperliquid. Trade.xyz—built by Hyperliquid’s tokenization arm Hyperunit, now holds $1.58 billion in open interest.
That is 91.3% of the total HIP-3 market. This is no longer a crypto-derivative story; it is a traditional asset story running on crypto rails.
On Monday, Trade.xyz reported 24-hour volumes peaking at $5.6 billion with over 45,300 unique daily traders. The composition of this volume is striking.
WTI crude oil generated $1.27 billion in 24-hour volume, followed by Brent oil at $1.04 billion and silver at $1.01 billion. For perspective, these RWA volumes effectively flipped Ethereum trading activity on the platform during peak hours.
Traders are voting with their liquidity: the HYPE token has rallied over 50% year-to-date, decoupling from Bitcoin’s 15% drawdown over the same period.
The driver is geopolitical, not technological. Escalating tensions in the Middle East have injected massive volatility into energy markets, creating an urgent demand for continuous price discovery.
Traditional brokerage accounts close on Friday evenings and do not reopen until Sunday night or Monday morning. Hyperliquid’s HIP-3 markets never close.
When news breaks over the weekend, legacy traders are frozen. On Hyperliquid, you can hedge immediately.
This 24/7 capability is solving a genuine market friction for tokenized commodities. The platform is capturing flows that would usually sit trapped in closed order books. As new derivatives platforms enter the market such as OneBullEx launching AI-native futures, the competition for this 24/7 liquidity layer is intensifying, but Hyperliquid currently has the first-mover massive volume advantage.
What to Watch Next
The growth of Trade.xyz validates the thesis that DeFi infrastructure can service traditional finance flows. However, the regulatory optics are heating up. As lawmakers scrutinize tokenization, the permissionless nature of HIP-3 listings could attract attention from the CFTC if US volumes are significant. Until then, the trend is clear: liquidity is moving on-chain.
Traders should also monitor the rollout of HIP-4, which is currently in testnet. This upgrade introduces permissionless prediction markets, potentially expanding the ecosystem beyond commodities and into event contracts. If HIP-4 replicates the adoption curve of HIP-3, the HYPE token could see another repricing event as the protocol diversifies its fee generation further.
Discover: The best new crypto in the world
The post Hyperliquid HIP-3 Open Interest Hits $1.4B as Tokenized Commodities Surge appeared first on Cryptonews.
Key Highlights
- Grab revealed plans to execute up to $400 million in share buybacks from its authorized $500 million program
- The company entered a $250 million accelerated share repurchase deal with JPMorgan Chase
- An additional contingent forward purchase agreement with Morgan Stanley accounts for up to $150 million
- The entire repurchase initiative is financed through cash on hand without incurring new debt
- GRAB shares increased 4.81% following the announcement; current analyst consensus sits at Buy with a $5.93 target
Shares of Grab Holdings (GRAB) advanced on Tuesday following the company’s disclosure that it plans to execute up to $400 million of its board-approved $500 million share repurchase authorization within the coming four-month period.
The Southeast Asian super-app operator made the disclosure through an SEC filing accompanied by a formal press release dated March 24, 2026.
The repurchase strategy consists of two distinct components. First, Grab established a $250 million accelerated share repurchase (ASR) arrangement with JPMorgan Chase Bank. This agreement provides Grab with an upfront delivery of approximately 54.9 million Class A ordinary shares, with final settlement quantities determined by volume-weighted average pricing through the completion date, anticipated during Q2 2026.
The secondary component involves a contingent forward purchase contract with Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC covering up to $150 million in value. This arrangement operates based on predetermined price levels and is set to conclude in July 2026.
At the time of publication, shares were trading 4.81% higher, signaling market enthusiasm for the capital allocation strategy.
Cash Reserves Power the Repurchase
Grab is financing both agreements exclusively through its current cash position. The company disclosed gross cash liquidity totaling $7.4 billion and net cash liquidity of $5.4 billion as of December 31, 2025.
This robust financial position enables Grab to distribute capital to shareholders while maintaining operational investment capacity. Following completion of this buyback execution, $100 million remains available under the original $500 million authorization for potential future deployment.
The share repurchase program received Board of Directors approval in February 2026. This marks just the second such program in Grab’s corporate timeline.
Analyst Perspective
The latest analyst assessment on GRAB reflects a Buy rating, accompanied by a price objective of $5.93.
Analyst models also identify an elevated P/E multiple and questions regarding cash-flow stability as continuing risk factors.
Grab’s market capitalization was approximately $14.93 billion when the buyback announcement was made.
The stock maintains an average daily trading volume of roughly 46.4 million shares.
Aptos’ APT price jumps off record lows as volume spikes, regulatory clarity lands, and network usage hits new highs, but the token still trades near the bottom of its historical range.
Summary
- APT changes hands around $1.03–$1.04, up roughly 8.6–10% in 24 hours, with daily volume near $205–$239 million.
- Market cap sits around $824.5 million after Aptos bounced off an all‑time low of $0.7926 set in late February 2026.
- The move comes as Aptos processes about 10 million daily transactions and wins a key U.S. regulatory decision classifying APT as a commodity.
Aptos (APT) price is trading near $1.03 today, with CoinMarketCap showing APT up 8.57–10.20% over the last 24 hours and a 24‑hour trading volume of roughly $238.56 million. CMC’s latest analysis notes that APT is up 9.93% to $1.04 in 24 hours, driven by a “high‑conviction volume surge” as spot trading volume jumps 175.51% to about $204.96 million, far above its 7‑day average. Despite this bounce, Aptos remains deeply depressed versus history: the token printed an all‑time low of $0.7926 on February 23, 2026 and still trades more than 94% below its all‑time high around $19.90.
Aptos is a high‑performance Layer 1 blockchain built by former Meta engineers from the Diem/Move initiative, designed for security, scalability and mainstream adoption. According to CoinMarketCap, the network now clears close to 10 million daily transactions with average fees as low as $0.00007, a level of throughput that contrasts sharply with the token’s depressed price. Proposal 183, ratified by the community on March 1, 2026, set a hard supply cap of 2.1 billion APT and permanently directed gas fees to be burned, introducing structural deflation as on‑chain activity grows.
On‑chain and macro news flow has turned more supportive even as price lags. Recent CMC coverage highlights three major developments: the U.S. SEC has classified APT as a commodity, Binance is preparing to delist APT perpetual futures on March 25, 2026, and the network’s 10‑million‑transactions‑per‑day milestone is now paired with deflationary tokenomics. The removal of APT perps from Binance could temporarily sap derivatives liquidity and speculative open interest, but it also pushes price discovery back toward spot markets at a moment when volume is surging and the token is trading near historical capitulation levels.
In the wider smart‑contract sector, Aptos is still underperforming: CoinGecko data shows APT down about 9.90% over the past week, compared with a 0.70% rise in the global crypto market and a 1.70% gain for similar smart‑contract platforms, underscoring how sharp today’s bounce is relative to a still‑bearish medium‑term trend.
Five months after a $128M exploit rocked the protocol, Balancer is proposing its most radical restructuring yet.
The team behind veteran DeFi protocol Balancer has posted two sweeping governance proposals that would wind down Balancer Labs, consolidate all operations under a DAO-controlled entity, and end BAL token emissions entirely.
The operational restructuring proposal, posted on March 23, formalizes the wind-down of Balancer Labs OÜ, the Estonian entity that originally built the protocol, and consolidates all activity under Balancer OpCo Limited, a BVI entity that operates as a direct agent of the DAO.
The team would shrink from roughly 25 to 12.5 full-time equivalents, with an annual operating budget of $1.9 million — a 34% cut from the $2.87 million approved under the previous roadmap.
The accompanying tokenomics revamp proposal, also published on Monday, goes further. It proposes halting all BAL emissions immediately, sunsetting veBAL — the protocol’s governance and yield-bearing token — and routing 100% of protocol fees to the DAO treasury. The move would replace a fragmented split that previously flowed to veBAL holders, core pool incentives, and partners.
To soften the blow for locked veBAL holders, the proposal includes a $500,000 compensation campaign paid in stablecoins over six months. The proposal also offers a BAL buyback and burn program capped at 35% of treasury holdings, or roughly $3.6 million, at net asset value (~$0.16 per BAL) — a slight premium to current market prices that would retire approximately 35% of circulating supply if fully exercised. The buyback and burn program is aimed at “providing exit liquidity for holders who want out.”
The projected impact, per the proposal, includes reducing Balancer’s annual deficit from ~$2.6 million to ~$700,000, and extending its treasury runway from under four years to roughly nine.
In an extended X post following the proposals, Marcus Hardt, CEO and co-founder of Balancer Labs, framed the moves as a necessary reckoning. “The technology works. Balancer v3 works. Boosted pools work. The infrastructure we built is strong,” he wrote. “What stopped working was the economic model around it.”
Hardt acknowledged the pain for veBAL holders directly:
“If you locked in good faith, losing those economic rights is painful. That is exactly why the buyback and the compensation campaign are part of the package. The goal is not to trap anyone into a decision.”
November Exploit
The restructuring comes as Balancer tries to find stable footing after a brutal stretch. The protocol was hit by a $128 million exploit in early November, the same week that Stream’s unwind shook broader confidence in DeFi. The proposals acknowledge that the November exploit “removed the option of growing out of” problems with the economic model that had been building for some time.
The exploit triggered months of crisis response, significant TVL loss, and difficult decisions about what the protocol could realistically sustain. The current restructuring proposals are the clearest signal yet of just how much the event reshaped Balancer’s trajectory.
Despite the severity of the changes, Hardt struck a cautiously optimistic tone. “Balancer still has real products. Boosted pools are generating real usage,” he wrote on X. “I believe the protocol still has room to build products and revenue streams that fit Balancer uniquely well.”
Both proposals are live on the governance forum and open for community discussion ahead of a snapshot vote.
BAL is mostly flat on the news, down less than 1% in the past 24 hours, and over 99% from its 2021 all-time hight.
Labs vs DAO Restructuring
Balancer’s restructuring is the latest in a string of high-profile governance crises forcing DeFi projects to confront whether the Labs-plus-DAO structure — once a standard template for decentralized protocols — is still fit for purpose. At Aave, months of escalating conflict between Aave Labs and the DAO over fee distribution, brand ownership, and token-holder rights eventually pushed Labs to propose routing 100% of product revenue to the DAO treasury — though not before key service provider BGD Labs announced it was leaving amid the fallout.
Meanwhile, cross-chain bridge protocol Across took an even more radical turn, with Risk Labs proposing to dissolve the DAO entirely and convert the project into a U.S. C-corporation, citing friction with institutional partners.
This article was written with the assistance of AI workflows. All our stories are curated, edited and fact-checked by a human.
Ethereum-based decentralized finance (DeFi) lending protocol Fira said on Tuesday it was launching with about $450 million in deposits, highlighting demand for fixed-rate onchain credit.
Fira said the protocol’s fixed-rate credit market allows users to lock borrowing costs and lending returns for defined periods by organizing lending around maturities rather than floating utilization-based rates, according to an announcement shared with Cointelegraph.
The fixed-rate model differs from most DeFi lending protocols, where borrowers cannot lock funding costs, and lenders cannot predict returns, making long-term DeFi lending less predictable. Fira’s said its model organizes markets by maturity and determines interest rates by supply and demand mechanics, replacing utilization algorithms that fluctuate with borrowing activity.
Fira said the design is intended to create a more predictable onchain credit market by introducing yield curves and defined maturities, features that are standard in traditional fixed-income markets but rare in DeFi.
Fira is not the first DeFi lending protocol built around fixed-rate credit. Other protocols with similar structures include Notional Finance, IPOR and Term Finance.
Euler-linked liquidity migrated into Fira
Fira said it debuted with $450 million in deposits, which were “reallocated” from users of the modular lending platform Euler Finance during the pre-launch phase that started on Jan. 8, Pete Siegel, chief financial officer at Fira, told Cointelegraph.
“Fira was pre-launched in January. It opened with a first market called UZR, which enabled roughly a thousand users who were already on Euler, in a product available on Euler to migrate their assets at a fixed rate.”
Siegel said the deposits reflect user interest in fixed-rate lending products.
DefiLlama currently shows Fira with about $451.6 million in total value locked on Ethereum, compared with roughly $25.3 billion for Aave, the sector’s largest lending protocol.
Related: Maestro launches mining-backed Bitcoin credit market for institutions
Fira said its smart contracts have undergone six independent security audits conducted by Sherlock, Spearbit via Cantina, Hexens and yAudit between November 2025 and early 2026.
Fira’s bug bounty program through Sherlock offers up to $500,000 in rewards for users finding critical vulnerabilities in the protocol’s open-source Ethereum-based smart contracts.
Magazine: DeFi will rise again after memecoins die down: Sasha Ivanov
Binance is updating its VIP program to lower entry thresholds and broaden pathways to higher-tier benefits. The release outlines easier access for VIP 1 to 3 by reducing BNB holdings, easing 30-day Futures trading requirements, and a new Holder Program that extends eligibility through VIP 9. It also introduces VIP Rising Star to recognize high-potential users early. The overall aim is to identify and support high-value users as they scale their activity across trading, holdings, and investments, while preserving tier recognition tied to sustained engagement. The changes are positioned to improve liquidity and the service experience for active participants as Binance grows its user base.
Key points
- Lower BNB holding requirements: VIP 1 from 25 to 5 BNB; VIP 2 from 100 to 25; VIP 3 from 250 to 100.
- Lower 30-day Futures trading thresholds: VIP 1 from 15,000,000 USD to 5,000,000 USD; VIP 2 from 50,000,000 to 10,000,000; VIP 3 from 100,000,000 to 50,000,000.
- Holder Program expands eligibility through VIP 9, with BNB holdings and Alpha assets included in asset calculations.
- VIP Rising Star designation for users with a 30-day average net asset balance of 30,000 USD and 5 BNB, plus personalized support and exclusive opportunities.
Why it matters
These adjustments are intended to recognize a broader group of high-value users earlier and to tie VIP status more closely to sustained platform engagement. By lowering thresholds and introducing new pathways, Binance seeks to improve access to VIP benefits, enhance liquidity, and strengthen the service experience for active participants across trading, earn products, and holdings. For readers and builders, the update could affect how users scale on the platform and how partners interact with VIP services as adoption grows.
What to watch
- Activation timeline for the updated VIP thresholds and when users can qualify under VIP 1–3 changes.
- Details of the Holder Program rollout through VIP 9, including asset calculation changes.
- Uptake and onboarding for VIP Rising Star, including benefits and eligibility criteria.
Disclosure: The content below is a press release provided by the company or its PR representative. It is published for informational purposes.
Binance Expands VIP Access to Recognize and Support High-Value Users Earlier
Lower BNB holding and Futures trading thresholds for VIP 1 to VIP 3, a new Holder Program through VIP 9, and an exclusive VIP Rising Star pathway
ABU DHABI, UAE, March 24, 2026 — Binance, the largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and users, today announced updates to its VIP Program eligibility thresholds and qualification framework. The refresh lowers key requirements and introduces new pathways designed to identify and support high-value users earlier as they scale their engagement across the platform. The changes also strengthen the competitiveness of the Binance VIP Program and make VIP benefits more attainable for a broader range of users.
“We are evolving our VIP Program to better recognize the broad base of high-value users contributing to Binance across trading, holdings, and investments, and to identify and support them earlier in their journey as they scale,” said Catherine Chen, Head of VIP and Institutional at Binance.
“By lowering key thresholds and updating holder criteria, we are widening the on-ramp to VIP benefits while keeping tier recognition tied to sustained, measurable engagement. These updates also help strengthen the liquidity and service experience that active participants rely on. Binance surpassed 300 million users in late 2025, and we are focused on reaching 1 billion users over time.”
To make progression more attainable while keeping tier recognition tied to sustained, measurable engagement, Binance is lowering BNB holding requirements for VIP 1 to VIP 3 and aligning them across VIP programs. Required BNB holdings will change as follows: VIP 1 from 25 BNB to 5 BNB, VIP 2 from 100 BNB to 25 BNB, and VIP 3 from 250 BNB to 100 BNB.
Binance is also lowering 30-day Futures trading volume requirements for VIP 1 to VIP 3 to better match current market dynamics. 30-day Futures thresholds will change from 15,000,000 USD to 5,000,000 USD for VIP 1, from 50,000,000 USD to 10,000,000 USD for VIP 2, and from 100,000,000 USD to 50,000,000 USD for VIP 3. With these updated requirements, VIP 1 and VIP 2 Futures trading fees have been slightly adjusted to maintain a balanced fee structure, while VIP 3 trading fees remain unchanged.
In addition, users who qualify through holding or investing activities, including Binance Earn, will now follow a new eligibility framework under the Holder Program, with expanded eligible VIP levels through VIP 9. BNB holdings and Alpha account assets will also be included in overall asset holding calculations, providing greater flexibility for users to allocate assets across products while maintaining the highest VIP tier they qualify for.
Binance is also introducing VIP Rising Star, a new designation created to recognize and support high-potential users on their journey toward Binance VIP. Users with a 30-day average net asset balance of 30,000 USD, including 5 BNB or more, will be eligible for VIP Rising Star and can receive personalized support, access to curated events, and exclusive opportunities designed to accelerate their path to VIP.
Binance VIP is a tiered program designed for users operating at higher levels of activity across trading, loans, and asset holdings, offering benefits that can include lower fees, higher limits, priority support, advanced insights, VIP swag, event invitations, and more. Find out more about the VIP Program updates here.
Disclaimer: Digital asset prices are subject to high market risk and price volatility. The value of your investment may go down or up, and you may not get back the amount invested. You are solely responsible for your investment decisions and Binance is not liable for any losses you may incur. Past performance is not a reliable predictor of future performance. You should only invest in products you are familiar with and where you understand the risks. You should carefully consider your investment experience, financial situation, investment objectives and risk tolerance and consult an independent financial adviser prior to making any investment. This material should not be construed as financial advice. For more information, see our Terms of Use and Risk Warning.
About Binance
Binance is a leading global blockchain ecosystem behind the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and registered users. Binance is trusted by more than 310 million people in 100+ countries for its industry-leading security, transparency, trading engine speed, protections for investors, and unmatched portfolio of digital asset products and offerings from trading and finance to education, research, social good, payments, institutional services, and Web3 features. Binance is devoted to building an inclusive crypto ecosystem to increase the freedom of money and financial access for people around the world with crypto as the fundamental means. For more information, visit: https://www.binance.com.
About Binance VIP & Institutional
Binance VIP & Institutional empowers institutions and private wealth clients with robust asset management infrastructure, personalized VIP services and advanced end-to-end institutional trading tools on the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and registered users. With deep financial services experience in both traditional and crypto markets, its global team of trusted experts provides VIP & Institutional clients with the support they need to confidently capitalize on the industry’s deepest liquidity and tightest markets.
For more information, visit: https://www.binanceinstitutional.com
ParaFi, a New York-based digital asset manager backed by KKR co-founder Henry Kravis, raised $125 million for a new venture fund, Bloomberg reported.
The cash comes on top of the $325 million ParaFi said it has raised for existing crypto investment strategies since the start of 2025. The firm now manages about $2 billion.
Founder Ben Forman, who left KKR in 2018, said the new vehicle will focus on startups working in stablecoins, tokenization and onchain financial products for large institutions.
Since starting up, ParaFi has backed companies including prediction market Polymarket, crypto asset manager Bitwise, decentralized finance firm Kyber Network and custodian Anchorage.
The fundraise stands out as it comes during a weak stretch for the crypto sector. Bitcoin has fallen more than 26% from the 2026 high it hit in January, and only recently recovered the $70,000 mark. The wider market, measured via the CoinDesk 20 (CD20) index, lost one-third of its value over the same period.
Investors are starting to separate short-term token price swings from the longer-term case for blockchain-based financial infrastructure, Forman said, according to Bloomberg.
Some worry bitcoin could still see a deeper sell-off, but one key indicator suggests the bottom may already be behind us.
That indicator is the 30-day implied volatility, which is an options-based measure of expected price turbulence over four weeks.
The widely-tracked 30-day implied volatility indices like Deribit’s DVOL and Volmex’s BVIV surged to 90% in early February when bitcoin crashed to almost $60,000. Historically, similar spikes in volatility have coincided with peak panic and capitulation, marking price bottoms.
VIX-like contrary signal
Bitcoin’s market structure has increasingly mirrored Wall Street since the introduction of spot BTC ETFs in the U.S. in early 2024.
In this context, implied volatility has emerged as a “fear gauge” and a contrary indicator similar to the VIX, a real-time indicator measuring expected 30-day volatility of the S&P 500: It typically trends downward in stable markets but spikes sharply during moments of extreme fear that mark major market bottoms.
This dynamic was on evident early last month when bitcoin tanked. The resulting panic demand for options, mostly puts, drove DVOL and BVIV skyward to 90% and above in a manner consistent with prior capitulation events, such as August 2024, when prices tanked to and bottomed near $50,000.
The same thing in November 2022 when FTX collapsed, resulting in peak fear, sending implied volatility to 90%. At that time, bitcoin bottomed out below $20,000.
So, if history is a guide, the bitcoin downtrend that began in October at highs above $126,000 has already ended.
Some might argue that one indicator doesn’t prove much and that’s logical. But what makes it noteworthy is it’s established role in traditional markets as a contrary indicator.
A super high VIX, well above its long-term average, is generally considered a strong contrarian buy signal for long-term investors, as it represents peak market fear and “panic”.
In fact, many Wall Street strategies use the VIX as a “background indicator” to trigger systematic equity purchases. For instance, quantitative mean reversion funds use models where a ViX deviating higher significantly from its long-term average triggers an automated increase in equity leverage.
Speaking of the VIX, it reached a one-year high of 35% on March 9, nearly a month after the explosion in bitcoin volatility,. The VIX has been elevated throughout 2026 but has held below prior dislocation peaks above 60, seen during Liberation Day in April 2025.
Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.
Bitcoin mining difficulty drops 5% as miners shift to AI, opening new opportunities for efficiency gains.
Summary
- Bitcoin mining difficulty drops 5% as miners shift to AI data centers, easing competition for remaining miners.
- AngelBTC highlights AI-driven mining with automated optimization and daily payouts.
- AI tools are reshaping mining in 2026, improving efficiency, energy use, and accessibility for new participants.
Bitcoin mining difficulty has just experienced its largest drop since the 2022 bear market, declining by approximately 5%. This shift is largely driven by a growing number of miners redirecting their machines toward AI data center contracts rather than traditional block production.
For miners who remain committed to Bitcoin mining, this temporary decrease in difficulty presents an unexpected advantage. However, the traditional mining model is under increasing pressure to evolve. Leveraging artificial intelligence can significantly improve mining efficiency. In this article, we present a carefully evaluated list of six popular AI tools for Bitcoin mining in 2026 to help miners make more informed decisions.
Why AI is transforming Bitcoin mining in 2026
Historically, Bitcoin mining has been dominated by hardware performance and electricity costs. However, as global hash rate continues to rise and mining difficulty adjusts dynamically, profit margins are becoming increasingly compressed.
At the same time, fluctuating energy prices and hardware depreciation are adding further pressure. As a result, AI-powered Bitcoin mining is emerging as a more adaptive and data-driven approach.
Key advantages of AI in mining include:
- Intelligent hash rate allocation based on network difficulty and block rewards
- Energy optimization through automated selection of cost-efficient power sources
- Predictive analytics to improve mining strategies and profitability
- Automated operations to reduce manual intervention and downtime
These capabilities are reshaping how mining operations are managed, shifting the focus from raw computing power to efficiency and optimization.
Top 6 AI Bitcoin mining tools in 2026 (overview)
| Platform | AI Capability | Supported Coins | Payout Model | Best For | Rating |
| AngelBTC | Full AI automation | BTC / DOGE | Daily payouts | Beginners & advanced | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| BitFuFu | Pool optimization AI | BTC | Contract-based | Intermediate users | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| NiceHash | AI hash marketplace | Multi-coin | On-demand | Technical users | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| ECOS | Smart contract AI | BTC | Fixed returns | Stable investors | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| StormGain | Simplified AI mining | BTC | App-based | Beginners | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| BeMine | AI mining hosting | BTC | Rental model | Long-term users | ⭐⭐⭐ |
1. AngelBTC – AI-driven automated Bitcoin mining
AngelBTC represents a new generation of AI-powered Bitcoin mining platforms focused on automation and efficiency.
Key features include:
- AI-based hash rate optimization that adapts to network conditions
- Integration with renewable energy sources to improve cost efficiency
- Automated daily payout systems
- User-friendly interface designed for accessibility
This type of platform reduces the complexity traditionally associated with mining and allows users to participate without managing hardware or infrastructure directly. It is particularly suitable for those seeking a more streamlined mining experience.
View full contract & claim $100 free hash power!
2. BitFuFu – AI-enhanced mining pool optimization
BitFuFu combines mining pool infrastructure with AI-driven optimization:
- Dynamically selects high-performance mining pools
- Improves hash rate efficiency
- Provides transparent operational data
Best suited for users with some mining experience.
3. NiceHash – AI-Powered Hash Rate Marketplace
NiceHash operates as a hash power marketplace rather than a traditional mining provider. Its AI system is used to:
- Match buyers and sellers of hash power
- Optimize pricing mechanisms
- Increase utilization efficiency
Ideal for users seeking flexibility and control over mining strategies.
4. ECOS – AI-based contract mining platform
ECOS focuses on long-term contract mining supported by data-driven optimization:
- Automated mining operations
- Predictable performance models
- Integrated infrastructure management
Suitable for users prioritizing stability and long-term planning.
5. StormGain – Beginner-friendly AI mining app
StormGain offers a simplified entry into AI Bitcoin mining through a mobile app:
- One-click mining functionality
- AI-assisted optimization
- No hardware requirements
A practical option for beginners exploring crypto mining.
6. BeMine – AI-assisted mining equipment hosting
BeMine blends traditional mining hardware with AI optimization:
- Smart allocation of mining resources
- Energy and uptime optimization
- Fractional ownership of mining equipment
Best suited for long-term investors.
AI mining vs traditional mining: Key differences
| Factor | AI Bitcoin Mining | Traditional Mining |
| Technical complexity | Low | High |
| Operations | Automated | Manual |
| Cost efficiency | Data-driven | Experience-based |
| Profit stability | More consistent | More volatile |
| Scalability | Flexible | Limited |
AI-powered mining is clearly shifting the industry toward a more efficient and accessible model.
Conclusion: Mining is shifting toward efficiency and intelligence
As competition for hash rate intensifies and energy costs continue to rise, relying solely on hardware is no longer sufficient. The future of Bitcoin mining will increasingly depend on algorithmic optimization, data intelligence, and energy efficiency.
AI tools are playing a critical role in this transition. By enabling automated decision-making, predictive analysis, and optimized resource allocation, AI is making mining more efficient and accessible to a broader range of participants.
At the same time, platforms vary significantly in terms of automation, infrastructure, and transparency. Some platforms, including AngelBTC, emphasize automation and energy optimization as part of their operational model—an approach that reflects a broader industry trend.
For those considering entering Bitcoin mining in 2026, evaluating platform reliability, technical capabilities, and long-term sustainability is more important than focusing solely on short-term returns. Choosing the right tools and strategies will be a key factor in overall mining performance.
Disclosure: This content is provided by a third party. Neither crypto.news nor the author of this article endorses any product mentioned on this page. Users should conduct their own research before taking any action related to the company.
Cardano price is currently trading under heavy suppression near the $0.25–$0.27 range, marking a continuation of a brutal trend prediction that has seen the asset shed more than 20% since January. While the chart paints a grim picture of capitulation, data suggests the market is reaching a mathematical inflection point.
Santiment analytics reveal that the average active wallet on the network now sits at a staggered -43% return, a level of widespread pain that historically precedes trend reversals.
— Santiment (@santimentfeed) March 24, 2026
Average wallets that have been active on the Cardano network over the past year are netting a return of -43% on their investments. Memes aside about the altcoin's major -71% price decline since September, this extreme negative MVRV value is generally an indicator of $ADA being… pic.twitter.com/LzQRKhobQe
The on-chain reality is stark. This -43% MVRV (Market Value to Realized Value) places ADA deep within an “opportunity zone,” where selling pressure naturally evaporates because participants refuse to realize such deep losses.
Simultaneously, Binance funding rates show the highest concentration of short positions since mid-2023. When the crowd unanimously bets on further downside (with no one left to sell), the market often brutally liquidates the bears.
This creates a coiled spring dynamic. While retail traders panic over the Cardano price prediction, institutional algorithms are eyeing the liquidity mismatch. However, waiting for legacy altcoins to pivot can be an agonizingly slow process, leading capital to rotate toward higher-beta assets in the interim.
Discover: The best crypto to diversify your portfolio with
Cardano Price Prediction: ADA to Trigger a Short Squeeze to $0.33?
Technically, ADA is clinging to critical support at $0.25. A breakdown here would invalidate the bullish divergence thesis, potentially opening the floor to $0.22 based on long-term forecast data. However, the derivative setup favors the bulls. The imbalance in funding rates suggests that a minor price uptick could trigger a cascade of short liquidations, rapidly forcing price back toward the 200-day moving average.
Volume profiles indicate apathy rather than aggression, a typical bear market bottom signal. If the bulls can defend the $0.25 line, the first target is the $0.30 psychological resistance, followed by a liquidity grab at $0.33. Conversely, sustained trading below $0.24 would confirm the weakness projected by some analysts expecting further consolidation through 2026.
The risk-to-reward ratio for a long entry here is high, but so is the time cost. Cardano has become a “heavy” trade, safe, perhaps, but slow.
This lethargy is precisely why active traders are diversifying into emerging narratives that promise volatility and immediate price discovery.
Discover: The best pre-launch token sales
Maxi Doge Brings Leverage Culture to Meme Markets
While Cardano tests the patience of its holders, the meme coin sector continues to command the lion’s share of speculative volume. Traders fatigued by ADA’s slow grind are rotating into Maxi Doge ($MAXI), a new ERC-20 project that has already raised more than $4,7 Million in its presale phase.
Maxi Doge differentiates itself from potential competitors by targeting a specific subculture: the leverage addict. Branded as a 240-lb canine juggernaut, the project’s USP revolves around its “Leverage King” culture and holder-only trading competitions. The roadmap avoids vague promises, focusing instead on a “Maxi Fund” treasury designed to inject liquidity and sustain market operations.
The entry price represents a specific opportunity for early movers. Currently priced at $0.000281, the token offers an accessible entry point compared to established caps. The platform also boasts 66% APY rewards, incentivizing holders to lock supply (reducing sell pressure) while participation in the ecosystem grows.
Check out the Maxi Doge Presale
Disclaimer: Crypto is a high-risk asset class. This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
The post Cardano Price Prediction: Is The Chart Bottoming? appeared first on Cryptonews.
BGIS 2026 Grand Finals: Complete Guide to Date, Venue, and Matches
New Mexico trial nears end over children’s safety risks on Meta
The Marzetti Co. introduces salad dressings
![Gini caranya! [Adira Finance berizin dan diawasi oleh Otoritas Jasa Keuangan] #MomobilalanNinjaku](https://wordupnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/1774364352_maxresdefault-80x80.jpg)
-
Crypto World4 days agoNIO (NIO) Stock Plunges 6.5% as Shelf Registration Sparks Dilution Worries
-
Fashion4 days agoWeekend Open Thread: Adidas – Corporette.com
-
Politics4 days agoJenni Murray, Long-Serving Woman’s Hour Presenter, Dies Aged 75
-
Tech7 days agoAre Split Spacebars the Next Big Gaming Keyboard Trend?
-
Crypto World3 days agoBest Crypto to Buy Now: Strategy Just Spent $1.57 Billion on Bitcoin During Fear While Early Investors Quietly Enter Pepeto for 150x Potential
-
News Videos6 days agoRBA board divided on rate cut, unusually buoyant share market | Finance Report | ABC NEWS
-
Crypto World3 days agoBitcoin Price News: Bhutan Sells $72 Million in BTC Under Fiscal Pressure, but the Smart Money Entering Pepeto Sees What the Market Does Not
-
Politics6 days agoThe House | The new register to protect children from their abusers shows Parliament at its best
-
Tech4 days agoinKONBINI Lets You Spend Summer Days Behind the Register
-
Crypto World6 days agoCanada’s FINTRAC revokes registrations of 23 crypto MSBs in AML crackdown
-
Sports1 day agoRemo Stars and Kano Pillars Strengthen Survival Hopes in NPFL
-
NewsBeat6 days agoResidents in North Lanarkshire reminded to register to vote in Scottish Parliament Election
-
News Videos6 days agoPARLIAMENT OF MALAWI – PAC MEETING WITH REGISTRAR OF FINANCIAL ON AMARYLLIS HOTEL – INQUIRY LIVE
-
Politics5 days agoGender equality discussions at UN face pushbacks and US resistance
-
Business2 days agoNo Winner in March 21 Drawing as Prize Rolls to $133 Million for Next
-
Business6 days agoWho Was Alex Pretti? 5 Key Facts About the ICU Nurse Killed by Federal Agents in Minneapolis
-
Sports1 day agoGary Kirsten Accuses Pakistan Cricket Board Of ‘Interference’, Mohsin Naqvi Responds
-
Tech2 days agoGive Your Phone a Huge (and Free) Upgrade by Switching to Another Keyboard
-
Sports4 days ago2026 Kentucky Derby horses, odds, futures, preview, date: Expert who nailed 12 Derby-Oaks Doubles enters picks
-
Sports5 days ago
Vikings Free Agency Enters Phase 2 with Key Questions
You must be logged in to post a comment Login