TLDR

• Eric Turner has resigned from his position as Messari CEO, with CTO Diran Li appointed as his successor.
• The crypto data provider implemented another workforce reduction, with specific numbers undisclosed.
• The firm is transforming into an “AI-first” organization targeting institutional clients with research and AI-powered solutions.
• The company integrated the x402 protocol to make its data accessible to autonomous AI agents.
• These changes follow previous workforce reductions of approximately 15% in January 2025 and similar cuts in February 2023.

Crypto intelligence platform Messari has revealed a significant executive transition and additional workforce reductions as the company reorients itself toward artificial intelligence technologies.

On Monday, Eric Turner announced his departure from the CEO position, which he had held on an interim basis since July 2024. Turner assumed leadership after company founder Ryan Selkis stepped down amid backlash over contentious statements made on social platforms.

Diran Li, the company’s chief technology officer for more than seven years, will assume the chief executive role. According to Li, the transition resulted from strategic planning sessions with Turner and Messari’s board.

“After conversations with Eric and the board, we agreed this is the right step for the company’s next chapter,” Li wrote on X.

Alongside the executive shuffle, Messari conducted fresh personnel cuts. While Li confirmed the layoffs occurred, he declined to specify how many employees were affected. “We’ve parted ways with many teammates who helped build Messari into what it is today,” he stated.

Turner referenced the workforce reduction as well, describing it as “a difficult day for the team.”

This represents Messari’s third significant headcount reduction in recent memory. The company eliminated roughly 15% of full-time positions in January 2025 and executed comparable cuts in February 2023.

Messari’s AI-First Direction

Li emphasized that the organizational changes directly support a fundamental business transformation. “Looking ahead, we’re doubling down on Messari as an AI-first company serving institutions through research and AI products,” he said.

Established in 2018, Messari built its reputation as a cryptocurrency analytics and intelligence provider. The company introduced artificial intelligence capabilities into its product suite throughout 2024. Messari has become recognized for comprehensive sector analyses, market intelligence platforms, and organizing the annual Mainnet conference in New York City.

This strategic realignment echoes similar initiatives across the technology sector. Block, the payments company led by Jack Dorsey, eliminated approximately 4,000 positions last month while emphasizing AI-driven reorganization. OP Labs, which develops the Optimism blockchain, reduced its workforce by roughly 20% in recent days.

Blockchain Data for AI Agents

Days before announcing the leadership transition, Li disclosed that Messari was making its infrastructure available to autonomous artificial intelligence agents. The platform implemented the x402 protocol to enable AI systems and developers to access institutional-quality cryptocurrency data.

This framework allows AI agents to autonomously acquire and purchase blockchain intelligence using cryptocurrency wallets.

Messari becomes part of a growing contingent of blockchain companies expanding into artificial intelligence, alongside Core Scientific, Cipher Mining, MARA Holdings, Hut 8, and Galaxy Digital.

Turner will continue supporting Messari in an advisory capacity after transitioning out of the executive position.

• Cronos (CRO) gains momentum from Crypto.com’s real-world payment adoption.
• Cronos price rise backed by Bitcoin ETF inflows and 58% volume surge.
• The key levels to watch in the near term are the support at $0.0772 and the resistance at $0.0809.

Cronos (CRO) has seen renewed attention in recent weeks, fueled by a mix of market-wide momentum and positive developments in the cryptocurrency payments space.

The partnership between Crypto.com and KG Inicis in South Korea has added another layer of optimism for the token.

This collaboration allows tourists to use digital assets for everyday purchases, expanding the practical utility of CRO and other supported cryptocurrencies.

Impact of the Crypto.com, KG Inicis Partnership on CRO

The partnership enables Crypto.com Pay to integrate with KG Inicis’ extensive merchant network across South Korea.

This means that foreign visitors can use cryptocurrencies to pay at a variety of physical stores and online platforms.

For merchants, there is flexibility in receiving payments either in digital assets or immediately in fiat currency.

This real-world use case is significant for CRO.

While much of the token’s past activity has been driven by market speculation, adoption in daily transactions adds tangible utility.

Increased acceptance of CRO for payments could encourage higher trading activity and engagement from a broader user base.

Beyond simple adoption, the partnership reflects a growing trend of cryptocurrency integration in tourism and cross-border spending.

Digital currencies are moving from being primarily investment vehicles to practical tools for everyday use.

For CRO holders, this could translate into a more stable demand floor, particularly as the payment system attracts foreign visitors who are likely to convert local currency into crypto for spending.

The news also reinforces investor sentiment in the short term.

Cronos has a history of following broader market trends, but developments that enhance its ecosystem strengthen the token’s narrative beyond just price correlation with Bitcoin.

Practical use cases can often support prices during periods of market volatility, as traders see potential for both transactional and speculative value.

CRO price analysis

Cronos has climbed to $0.0801, marking a 1.7% increase over 24 hours.

This movement closely mirrored Bitcoin’s 1.42% rise, reflecting a period of strong institutional demand, particularly in Bitcoin ETFs.

Notably, the price increase was accompanied by a 58% surge in trading volume, highlighting genuine buying interest rather than a thin-market spike.

The combination of market momentum and tangible adoption news has created a cautiously positive environment for CRO.

Eyes are on the Bitcoin ETF inflows, as continued institutional interest tends to lift correlated altcoins.

Conversely, negative macro developments or regulatory concerns could trigger pullbacks, underscoring the importance of monitoring broader market conditions.

Cronos price forecast

From a technical standpoint, the near-term outlook for CRO is focused on key support and resistance levels.

Immediate support sits near the 7-day simple moving average at $0.07790.

Holding above this level would maintain the short-term bullish trend and could allow the token to test the 0.382 Fibonacci resistance level at $0.08297.

A decisive break above $0.08297 would open the path to a recent swing high near $0.088821, suggesting potential upside for traders targeting short-term gains.

On the other hand, a drop below $0.07790 could signal a consolidation phase or minor pullback, particularly if Bitcoin or the broader market reacts negatively to upcoming macro events.

Key Takeaways

• Micron’s Q2 FY26 earnings announcement scheduled for Wednesday, March 18, post-market
• Analyst consensus projects EPS between $8.74–$8.77, representing approximately 460% YoY growth
• Projected revenue of $19.03 billion reflects 136% year-over-year expansion
• MU shares have climbed roughly 55% since the start of the year
• Recent analyst upgrades include Wedbush’s $500 target and Wells Fargo’s $470 Buy rating

Micron Technology is preparing to unveil its second-quarter fiscal 2026 financial results this Wednesday, March 18, following the market’s close. The semiconductor company enters the earnings event with shares already showing impressive gains of approximately 55% year-to-date.

Micron Technology, Inc., MU

Analyst expectations center around earnings per share between $8.74 and $8.77 for the quarter. This projection indicates an extraordinary leap of approximately 460% when compared to the corresponding quarter from the previous year.

The revenue projection stands at approximately $19.03 billion. This figure demonstrates a substantial 136% year-over-year surge, primarily fueled by robust demand for high-bandwidth memory solutions and DRAM chips used in data center applications.

The memory chip sector has experienced significant momentum. Constrained supply combined with upward pricing pressure has created favorable conditions for Micron throughout the year.

Market expectations reflected in options pricing suggest a potential stock movement of approximately 10.61% in either direction post-earnings. This substantial range underscores the considerable anticipation and volatility surrounding the upcoming announcement.

Wall Street Raises Price Targets

In the lead-up to earnings, several analysts have increased their bullish stance. Matthew Bryson from Wedbush Securities elevated his price objective to $500 from $320, maintaining an Outperform rating. Bryson highlighted that Micron’s earnings trajectory continues strengthening while the stock remains below historical peak valuations typical of memory sector companies.

Aaron Rakers at Wells Fargo maintained his optimistic view, reaffirming a Buy rating while increasing his target from $410 to $470. Rakers anticipates peak earnings capability between $50 and $60 per share, with sustained long-term earnings power estimated at $30 to $40 per share.

Currently, 27 Wall Street analysts provide coverage on Micron, resulting in a consensus Strong Buy rating. This rating comprises 26 Buy recommendations alongside one Hold rating issued within the past three months. The mean price target stands at $448.07, suggesting approximately 5.15% potential appreciation from present levels.

The full spectrum of analyst price objectives ranges from a low of $86.28 to a high of $650.00, with the one-year average landing at $407.89.

HBM4 Launch and Taiwan Expansion

Micron has recently commenced volume production of its next-generation HBM4 memory, specifically engineered for Nvidia’s forthcoming Vera Rubin platform. This advanced product achieves bandwidth exceeding 2.8 TB/s — representing more than double the performance of its predecessor — while delivering over 20% improved power efficiency.

This positions Micron as a critical supplier in the accelerating AI infrastructure expansion.

Additionally, Micron has finalized its acquisition of the P5 fabrication facility from Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing located in Tongluo, Taiwan. The transaction, initially disclosed in January 2026, incorporates approximately 300,000 square feet of cleanroom manufacturing space.

The semiconductor manufacturer intends to modernize the facility for DRAM and HBM manufacturing, with initial production shipments anticipated to commence in fiscal year 2028.

Rakers noted that market participants will be closely monitoring how Micron addresses competitive dynamics surrounding HBM4 within the context of Nvidia’s Rubin product cycle.

The consensus analyst price target of $407.89 currently trades below MU’s present price of $426.13, suggesting a modest downside of 4.28% based on the one-year consensus outlook.

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XRP price hit a multi-week high of $1.6 on March 17 before settling around $1.5. Can it hold the key support level as whale demand is back?

According to data from crypto.news, XRP (XRP) price hit $1.60 on Tuesday, March 17, its highest level over the past 4 weeks. Trading at $1.52 at the time of writing, the asset has rallied 11% from its weekly lows and 19% from its lowest point over the past month.

While a market-wide rebound following Bitcoin’s surge past the $75,000 psychological resistance provided a strong tailwind, several specific catalysts have supported these recent gains.

First, whales have officially entered accumulation mode after months of remaining in a distribution phase. Data from CryptoQuant shows that the XRP Whale Flow 30-day moving average, a metric that tracks the movement of coins into large holder wallets, has switched to positive after nearly four months of red. This shift is significant because whale accumulation often sparks retail interest in the asset as smaller investors look to follow the lead of influential market participants. 

Second, reports indicate that XRP reserves on Binance have soared to 2.78 billion tokens, their highest levels since late 2025. As whales remain in an accumulation phase, they could gobble up most of these available tokens, which could lead to a supply crunch that drives prices even higher.

Third, investors are showing increased engagement with the underlying technology. Per data from Santiment, the total number of active addresses on the XRPL network climbed to a five-week high. A surge in active addresses indicates growing network utility and a rise in unique user participation, which typically serves as a bullish signal for long-term price stability. 

Should these trends continue, the current support level may act as a solid foundation for the next leg up.

Technical indicators suggest that bulls hold the upper ground at press time. On the daily chart, the Aroon Up reading currently stands at 100% while the Aroon Down is at 35.71%. When the Aroon Up is significantly higher than the down, it means that the market is in a strong uptrend and that the most recent price highs were achieved very recently.

The relative strength index remains above 59 after slipping from 63 since yesterday. This is a sign that while the immediate buying momentum seems to have waned a bit, the bullish trend is not completely exhausted, and there is still plenty of room for further upside before the asset becomes overbought.

Hence, the XRP price will likely hold the $1.50 support with a potential rally to $1.65 if it manages to rebound and sustain above the $1.53 level, which aligns with the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement level, a key area that traders often watch for signs of trend continuation.

Meanwhile, failure to hold the $1.40 support would likely lead to a deeper correction toward the $1.37 zone.

TLDR

• T. Rowe Price submitted an amended S-1 filing to the SEC for its upcoming actively managed cryptocurrency ETF
• The investment vehicle will maintain between 5 and 15 digital currencies simultaneously, selected through quantitative analysis
• Anchorage Digital Bank has been designated as the custodian for cryptocurrency assets in the revised documentation
• The eligible token roster expanded to 15 assets with the addition of Sui, alongside Bitcoin, Ether, Dogecoin, and Shiba Inu
• The investment product seeks to exceed the performance of the FTSE US Listed Crypto Index and may incorporate staking operations

T. Rowe Price, a major asset management company overseeing $1.8 trillion in assets, has submitted a revised registration document to the US Securities and Exchange Commission for its planned Price Active Crypto ETF.

The updated S-1 filing was delivered on Monday, expanding upon the initial documentation submitted in October 2025. The investment vehicle is structured to provide investors with professional management of digital currency exposure through conventional brokerage platforms.

The submission identifies 15 digital currencies eligible for inclusion, featuring Bitcoin, Ether, Solana, XRP, Dogecoin, Shiba Inu, Chainlink, and Sui. The latter represents a fresh addition absent from the October proposal.

The investment fund will not simultaneously hold all 15 cryptocurrency assets. During typical market conditions, the portfolio will contain between five and fifteen digital tokens.

Investment selections will be determined through quantitative algorithms analyzing fundamental metrics, asset valuation, and market trends. The objective is to surpass the benchmark performance of the FTSE US Listed Crypto Index.

The revised documentation designates Anchorage Digital Bank as the custodial institution for the fund’s digital assets. This financial institution will handle security and storage of the cryptocurrencies within the ETF.

How the Fund Would Work

Initially, participants would establish or liquidate positions using fiat currency rather than direct cryptocurrency transfers. The documentation indicates this framework may evolve to accommodate in-kind exchanges.

The submission also mentions the potential for staking activities, wherein tokens are committed to support blockchain network operations in exchange for yield generation. T. Rowe Price indicated staking decisions would depend on tax implications and regulatory clarity.

T. Rowe Price has provided investment management services for approximately 87 years and ranks among the top 25 global asset management firms. The organization is primarily recognized for its mutual fund offerings and retirement planning services rather than cryptocurrency investments.

The initial October submission caught many market analysts off guard. Nate Geraci, president of NovaDius Wealth Management, commented that the filing appeared out of “left field” considering T. Rowe Price’s conventional investment approach.

Major Asset Managers Moving Into Crypto

T. Rowe Price is among several established financial institutions entering the cryptocurrency ETF marketplace. BlackRock, Fidelity, Franklin Templeton, VanEck, and Invesco have previously introduced digital asset investment vehicles.

The initial submission occurred near what was then considered a market peak, following Bitcoin’s surge past $120,000. The filing coincided with a significant liquidation episode affecting leveraged cryptocurrency derivatives.

Subsequently, digital asset valuations declined and crypto ETFs experienced sustained capital withdrawals spanning multiple months. However, cryptocurrency ETF flows have recently shifted back to positive territory, based on CoinGlass tracking data.

The revised filing incorporates current information regarding the FTSE Crypto US Listed Index, including component weightings updated through January 2026.

Additional risk disclosures have been incorporated addressing portfolio turnover rates and the fund’s active management approach.

The SEC has not yet announced a timeline for potential approval.

Ripple’s token also surpassed BNB in terms of market cap today.

Alongside the rest of the market, XRP jumped earlier today to over $1.60, a level not seen in just over a month.

Although it was rejected there and now trades at around $1.50, the asset could be primed for more gains ahead, and Ali Martinez outlined the next possible target.

XRP to Aim at $1.85?

In the days leading up to today’s surge, Martinez also reported that the Bollinger Bands on XRP’s chart had squeezed as the asset spent most of the previous few weeks trading sideways in a relatively tight range between $1.33 and $1.47. Consequently, the analyst suggested that a bigger move is on its way, without providing any clear indication of the direction.

However, the cross-border token finally broke out of that range yesterday, surging past $1.50. It climbed to over $1.60 earlier this morning, and even though it was stopped there, it’s still above the upper boundary of its previous trading range. Consequently, Ali Martinez noted that the aforementioned big move might take the asset to its next notable target at $1.85.

$XRP is breaking out of this triangle!

Target: $1.85. https://t.co/3dirkMNDwF pic.twitter.com/H2D56F5zyZ

— Ali Charts (@alicharts) March 17, 2026

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Interestingly, the impressive price resurgence over the past few days comes even as the spot XRP ETFs continue to underperform. After registering a highly negative 7-day streak, the funds were in the red once again on Monday, with almost $6 million in net outflows.

However, the company behind the token has made some major moves lately, including announcing plans to secure an Australian Financial Services License, as well as a partnership focused on the US and Canadian markets.

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Strongly Bullish

CryptoWZRD also weighed in on the token’s recent performance, noting that it closed “strongly bullish,” especially against BTC. The analyst expects “more bullish moves from XRP/BTC,” which will help the cross-border asset in the near future.

Fellow market observer CW outlined a chart showing that XRP has touched the lower line of the ascending channel, which represents its cycle bottom. They added that “an uptrend has now begun” after a Heikin Ashi green candle appeared following the successful retest of the bottom level.

The lower line of the ascending channel is the bottom of $XRP.

And a Heikin Ashi green candle appeared.

After touching the bottom, the trend reversed. An uptrend has now begun. pic.twitter.com/i5H5nDFKZH

— CW (@CW8900) March 17, 2026

The bitcoin BTC$73,859.26 price has remained relatively unscathed during the two‑week war with Iran. What’s more impressive is that its key volatility metrics have also held steady, a sign that crypto traders are less fearful than those in traditional markets such as equities, oil and bonds.

Tensions between Iran, the U.S., and Israel broke into open conflict on Feb. 28, damaging oil infrastructure across the Middle East and disrupting tanker flows. Analysts warned that the turmoil could trigger massive price volatility and fear-driven hedging across asset classes.

So far, they have been partially wrong.

Bitcoin’s 30-day implied volatility index, BVIV, has remained remarkably steady, holding between 55% and 60%, according to TradingView data. Implied volatility reflects the demand for options, so the stability suggests traders have not been aggressively buying put options, which hedge against price declines.

Traders in traditional markets, however, have freaked out and been chasing those options, as evidenced by spikes in their respective volatility indexes.

The equities gauge, the VIX — which measures the expected 30-day volatility of the S&P 500 based on options prices — averaged just above 20% before the conflict. It jumped to over 32% on March 6 and remained elevated near 26% on Monday.

Cboe’s crude oil volatility index, OVX, surged to more than 100% from 64%. MOVE, which tracks volatility in U.S. Treasury notes, rose to 85% from 73%, hitting a high of 95% at one point, reflecting broad-based market uncertainty. The volatility index for gold, traditionally seen as a haven during troubled times, held steady above 30%.

The divergence between the bitcoin and traditional market indexes matters. Asset prices can be noisy and affected by erratic flows, but volatility indicators often provide a clear picture of investor sentiment, especially the demand for hedging against downside risks. By that measure, BTC traders appear calm.

One possible explanation is that the crypto sentiment was already unsettled before the Iran conflict. Bitcoin’s price plunged from an all‑time high above $126,000 in October 2025 to the low $60,000s in subsequent months, a drawdown that shook out many bulls and forced others to hedge against further declines.

In that context, the Iran war has been less of a shock to the crypto market than to stocks and other markets, which traded near record highs or were calm in the weeks leading up to the conflict.

According to an analysis by bitcoin-focused financial firm River, the cryptocurrency has averaged double-digit returns over 60-day periods during multiple geopolitical events since 2020.

History is repeating itself. Bitcoin has rallied more than 10% to $74,000 in two weeks, according to CoinDesk data.

All things considered, the message is clear: BTC has held steady when it mattered the most. It remains to be seen if the stability persists.

Key Highlights

• HYPE surged approximately 10% to reach the $40 price level, establishing itself as the top gainer among the 20 largest cryptocurrencies by market capitalization
• Open Interest increased to $1.67 billion, marking the highest reading since early February and indicating significant new capital inflows
• Funding rates shifted into positive territory at 0.008%, demonstrating that long position holders are compensating short sellers
• The 4-hour RSI indicator stands at 70, approaching overbought levels, while the MACD displays a bullish crossover pattern
• Tokenized assets accounted for 33% of Hyperliquid’s weekly trading volume, establishing a new platform record

Hyperliquid (HYPE) has climbed to $40 following a nearly 10% price increase on Monday. This upward movement enabled HYPE to surpass Cardano’s ADA, securing the position as the tenth-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization.

The price surge is supported by robust on-chain metrics and derivatives market indicators. According to CryptoQuant analytics, significant whale transactions, buy-side pressure dominance, and stabilizing conditions across both spot and futures markets are evident.

In the derivatives markets, Open Interest (OI) expanded to $1.67 billion on Tuesday. This represents the highest measurement recorded since the beginning of February, with consistent growth observed throughout March.

An increase in OI generally indicates that fresh capital is flowing into the market. This additional liquidity could provide support for the current upward price trajectory.

Hyperliquid’s funding rates transitioned to positive territory on Sunday and climbed to 0.008% by Tuesday. This shift from negative to positive funding rates indicates that traders with long positions are compensating those with short positions — a clear indication of robust bullish sentiment.

Chart Analysis Suggests Further Upside Potential

Examining the 4-hour timeframe, HYPE successfully breached a daily resistance barrier at $36.51 last Thursday. The token established support around that threshold the next day before climbing roughly 10% through Monday’s trading session.

The 4-hour RSI reading stands at 70, positioned just beneath overbought conditions. Additionally, the MACD indicator has generated a bullish crossover signal, accompanied by expanding green histogram bars that reinforce the positive technical outlook.

Should HYPE maintain its upward momentum, the primary target remains the $50 psychological threshold. Nevertheless, the October 29 peak of $49.88 could serve as resistance due to concentrated sell-order activity in that price zone.

A brief retracement within the overall uptrend remains possible. In such a scenario, the initial support level to monitor would be $36.51, with secondary support at $33.60, which was most recently tested on March 10.

Record-Breaking Tokenized Asset Trading Activity

Beyond price movements, tokenized assets represented 33% of Hyperliquid’s total weekly trading volume. This marks an unprecedented all-time high proportion for this asset category on the platform, based on Blockworks data.

Tokenized assets also constitute approximately 21% of the total open interest on Hyperliquid. Open interest represents the aggregate value of all active derivative contracts.

The expanding proportion of tokenized assets indicates that an increasing number of traders are maintaining positions in these instruments over extended timeframes.

Tokenized assets represent conventional financial instruments or tangible real-world assets that have been digitized on blockchain networks, enabling them to be exchanged within decentralized trading environments.

As of Tuesday’s trading session, HYPE is valued at $40 with bullish traders eyeing $50 as the subsequent critical resistance level.