Commodity-linked currencies have entered a consolidation phase following recent directional moves, as market participants adopt a wait-and-see approach ahead of key US labour market data. Current price action reflects a balance between ongoing demand for the US dollar and attempts at a corrective rebound amid an uncertain fundamental backdrop.

Geopolitical tensions remain an additional factor influencing the market, sustaining elevated uncertainty and increasing volatility across commodity assets. Fluctuations in energy prices continue to affect commodity currencies, limiting the development of sustained trends and making market direction increasingly dependent on incoming macroeconomic data.

Traders have also taken note of yesterday’s remarks by Donald Trump, which included signals of potential shifts in foreign economic policy and approaches to international relations. Additional comments regarding a willingness to intensify pressure on Iran in the coming weeks have further raised geopolitical uncertainty. While the immediate market reaction has been relatively muted, such rhetoric increases the likelihood of renewed demand for the US dollar as a safe-haven asset, particularly if accompanied by strong US macroeconomic data.

Investor focus now turns to the upcoming US employment report. Key releases include Non-Farm Payrolls, the unemployment rate, and wage growth figures, all of which traditionally have a significant impact on currency markets. Strong data could revive bullish momentum in the dollar, while weaker figures may reinforce corrective sentiment and put additional pressure on the US currency.

AUD/USD

After declining over the past three weeks, AUD/USD has found support just above the 0.6800 level. A “bullish engulfing” pattern has formed on the daily timeframe, allowing buyers to push the pair towards 0.6960. However, the rally lost momentum following comments from the US President, although prices have managed to hold above 0.6900. Technical analysis suggests a potential test of resistance in the 0.6960–0.6980 range. A break below 0.6900 could lead to a retest of 0.6830.

Key events that may influence AUD/USD in the coming sessions:

• today at 15:30 (GMT+3): US average hourly earnings
• today at 15:30 (GMT+3): US Non-Farm Payrolls
• today at 16:45 (GMT+3): US services PMI

NZD/USD

NZD/USD has been trading sideways for several sessions. Buyers continue to defend support near 0.5700, but a strong fundamental catalyst would be required to trigger a downside breakout and extend the bearish move. A sustained move above 0.5780 could open the way for a deeper corrective recovery.

Overall, the market remains in a holding pattern ahead of a key macroeconomic event. The direction of commodity currencies will largely depend on the outcome of US labour market data, alongside the broader geopolitical backdrop, which continues to influence global financial markets. At present, trading activity remains subdued due to the holiday period, reducing the presence of major market participants. Under such conditions, the risk of false breakouts and short-term volatility spikes increases, calling for additional caution when interpreting price movements.

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AI trading platforms like ConfluxCapital gain ground as investors shift from cloud mining to smarter income strategies.

Amidst the persistent volatility of the cryptocurrency market, an increasing number of investors are beginning to re-evaluate various avenues for generating passive income.

In recent years, “cloud mining” was widely regarded as a popular entry point for the average individual to participate in crypto mining; however, as the market matures and technology advances, AI-driven quantitative strategy platforms — such as ConfluxCapital — are gradually emerging as the new mainstream choice.

A transparent distance separates cloud mining from AI quantitative trading

The profitability logic of cloud mining is built upon opaque hash rate leasing arrangements; hidden fees erode anywhere from 30% to 60% of returns, invested capital becomes locked once deposited, and the majority of platforms lack third-party security certification — precisely the root cause behind the rampant prevalence of Ponzi schemes in this sector.

Investors are left to passively rely on the appreciation of BTC prices, with no means to verify whether the mining farms they are investing in actually exist.

AI quantitative trading, conversely, is a completely different proposition: it is grounded in algorithmic trading within open markets, featuring traceable strategies and transparent returns, with funds available for withdrawal at any time, provided certain conditions are met.

Its two-way trading mechanism enables profitability in both bull and bear markets, while institutional-grade security protocols — bolstered by insurance coverage — offer new users a risk-free, zero-cost registration experience.

In short, cloud mining forces investors to gamble on market direction and the integrity of the platform; AI quantitative trading empowers users to rely on algorithms and transparent rules.

What is the ConfluxCapital quantitative strategy?

ConfluxCapital is an automated trading platform powered by artificial intelligence and quantitative financial models. Its core function lies in utilizing algorithms to analyze market data and automatically execute trades at the optimal moment.

Compared to manual trading, quantitative strategies offer greater stability and decisive execution, enabling the completion of complex trading decisions within extremely short timeframes. The platform integrates a dual-layer security system featuring McAfee® and Cloudflare®; new users receive a $20 trial bonus upon registration, and funds can be withdrawn at any time once the account balance reaches $100.

ConfluxCapital simplifies complex quantitative trading into three steps:

Step 1: Register an Account: Visit the official website to create an account and receive a $20 welcome bonus.

Step 2: Choose a Strategy Package: The platform offers a variety of quantitative strategy packages to suit different capital sizes and risk appetites.

Step 3: Activate AI and Enjoy Returns: After purchasing a strategy package, profits are automatically credited to an account the following day. Once the account balance reaches $100, users can withdraw funds to their personal cryptocurrency wallet or continue purchasing strategy packages to earn more profits.

ConfluxCapital: Why the Best Choice for 2026?

Platform Core Advantages

Founded in 2023 and headquartered in London, UK, ConfluxCapital is an AI-driven quantitative trading platform. Its core advantages are reflected in five aspects:

1. Fully Managed AI Trading

The platform adopts a fully managed model. The AI ​​system handles all market analysis, strategy execution, and trade scheduling, allowing users to enjoy automated trading without needing to master complex trading strategies or algorithm configurations.

• Institutional-Grade Infrastructure

The system runs on institutional-grade infrastructure, supporting the stability requirements of the cryptocurrency market 24/7. It employs dual security protection from McAfee® and Cloudflare®.

Minimum investment is $20. New users receive $20 in trading credit upon registration, and additional rewards are available for daily logins.

By simultaneously executing automated long and short strategies, it can profit in different market directions—even in a deep downtrend, the system can continue to profit through short-selling strategies.

• Transparent Operations Built around five core principles: Transparency (through visible performance metrics), Reliability (based on institutional-grade infrastructure), Ease of Use (reducing the complexity of getting started), Security (through risk control), and Performance (driven by quantitative strategies).

Summary

In today’s ever-evolving crypto market, what truly sets participants apart is no longer merely “holding assets,” but rather “how one employs strategy.”

Cloud mining represents a past opportunity; quantitative trading, conversely, constitutes the core competitive advantage of the future.

If cloud mining is akin to “waiting for wealth to grow,” then quantitative strategies are about actively generating returns.

For more information, visit the official website and download the app.

Email: [email protected]

The first quarter of 2026 saw crypto hackers siphon more than $168.6 million from 34 DeFi protocols, according to DefiLlama’s quarterly tally. The figure marks a sharp decline from the same window in 2025, which recorded roughly $1.58 billion in losses, largely driven by a $1.4 billion breach at Bybit.

Notable incidents in Q1 2026 included a $40 million private-key compromise at Step Finance in January, a $26.4 million ether drain from Truebit caused by a smart contract manipulation on January 8, and a March 21 private-key attack targeting stablecoin issuer Resolv Labs. DefiLlama notes that even a handful of high-value hacks can shape quarterly totals, underscoring the ongoing risk landscape in DeFi security.

Key takeaways

• DefiLlama records $168.6 million stolen across 34 DeFi protocols in Q1 2026, signaling a quieter quarter for hacks compared with 2025.
• The largest single incident was Step Finance’s $40 million private-key compromise in January.
• Bybit’s $1.4 billion breach in Q1 2025 dwarfed this quarter’s tally, illustrating how a few mega-hacks can skew year-over-year comparisons.
• Security experts caution that cyber threats in crypto correlate with market cycles and liquidity concentration, not with calendar quarters, emphasizing the need for continuous defense.

DefiLlama tally and incident snapshots

DefiLlama’s dataset highlights 34 security breaches across DeFi protocols in the first three months of 2026, totaling about $168.6 million in stolen funds. The quarter’s largest incident was Step Finance’s $40 million private-key compromise in January, followed by a $26.4 million Ethereum loss from a Truebit vulnerability on January 8. A third notable case involved a private-key breach targeting Resolv Labs, a stablecoin issuer, on March 21. The concentration of losses around a few high-value breaches demonstrates how theDeFi security landscape can be shaped by a small number of outsized events even as total losses remain lower than a year earlier. For context on the data source, see DefiLlama’s hack tracker at DefiLlama hacks.

Attacker incentives rise with liquidity and market activity

Analysts point to market dynamics as a core driver of cybercrime activity in crypto. Nick Percoco, chief security officer at Kraken, told Cointelegraph that threat actors tend to intensify during market cycles and around major product launches, when more liquidity and value are at stake.

“Bull markets, major product launches and fast-moving growth phases all create more attractive conditions for attackers because more value is at stake and new infrastructure can introduce risk.”

“That said, attacks are not confined to just these periods. Vulnerabilities can be exploited in any market environment, particularly in complex or rapidly evolving systems, underlining that security in crypto must be continuous.”

The takeaway is clear: as long as liquidity concentrates and new tech enters the ecosystem, attackers will adapt. The industry’s challenge is sustaining rigorous security practices across evolving platforms and infrastructures.

Threat actors and the evolving risk landscape

North Korea-linked actors have long been a persistent threat to crypto investors and Web3-native companies. Attacks attributed to these groups have grown in visibility, including a high-profile Drift Protocol incident described as involving a private-key leak that led to an estimated $285 million in losses. Security experts describe the current threat landscape as a broad and evolving mix—ranging from highly coordinated groups targeting core infrastructure to opportunistic hackers scanning for weaknesses in smart contracts and client-facing systems.

As one industry voice summarized, “the most attractive targets tend to be those combining large concentrations of value, technical complexity and gaps in operational security.” The transparency of crypto networks can also aid opportunistic attackers in spotting emerging weaknesses, underscoring the need for vigilant, ongoing security measures. In tandem with these dynamics, researchers have warned that 2026 could see more credential theft, social engineering, and AI-powered attacks, elevating the overall risk profile for users, builders, and investors alike. A related Immunefi security report notes that hacked tokens often suffer substantial price declines and rarely recover, highlighting the lasting impact of breaches. See the related piece here: Hacked crypto tokens drop 61% on average and rarely recover, Immunefi report says.

As Q1 2026 closes, the industry faces a critical test: can security teams keep pace with rapid innovation and increasing attack surface, or will the trend towards bigger, more sophisticated exploits outpace defenders?

Readers should watch for ongoing upgrades in key management, more robust credential protection, and collaborative threat intelligence efforts across exchanges and projects as the market moves forward. The evolving threat landscape will continue to shape risk assessments, investment decisions, and security priorities in the months ahead.

Naoris Protocol debuted its quantum-resistant blockchain Thursday, which it says is designed to stay secure even against future powerful quantum computers that could break modern day cryptography.

“Mainnet represents the transition from proof-of-concept to production infrastructure. The network has already validated over 100 million transactions using post-quantum cryptography. That is not a roadmap promise; it is measured, operational capacity,” Nathaniel Szerezla, chief growth officer of Naoris Protocol, said.

The debut comes as legacy chains Bitcoin and Ethereum confront the threat of a “quantum apocalypse.” Known as Q-Day, this is the point when future quantum computers could crack the encryption securing most blockchains.

Concerns escalated this week after Google reported that a sufficiently powerful quantum computer could break Bitcoin’s blockchain with fewer than 500,000 qubits — far lower than previous estimates. At the same time, another report flagged potential vulnerabilities in Ethereum that could put $100 billion on the blockchain at risk.

Because blockchain transactions such as those on Bitcoin and Ethereum are permanent, any weakness today could be exploited by future quantum computers with the necessary power.

Naoris is built different

This is where Naoris stands out. It is built from the start using post-quantum cryptography and algorithms approved by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology to protect accounts, transactions, and digital assets, according to the press release shared with CoinDesk.

The system incorporates an “irreversible security transition.” This means that once a user adopts post-quantum keys, it has to use quantum-resistant signatures for transactions. The protocol automatically blocks transaction attempts using traditional, vulnerable cryptographic methods, helping protect assets even if classical cryptography becomes vulnerable.

More importantly, while its quantum-resistant security is right now available only on its own mainnet, the system is build with a broad scope in mind for potential support to wallets, exchanges, Layer 2 networks, and DeFi platforms in the future.

The mainnet launched with an invite-only group of strategic participants who operate the first validator nodes and form the network’s initial trust layer, laying a strong foundation before broader expansion. The protocol was tested at scale in an extensive testnet phase, during which it detected and mitigated over 603 million threats, processed more than 106 million post-quantum transactions, created over 3.3 million wallets, and activated more than one million security nodes globally.

The protocol’s native token NAORIS drives how the network works, helping secure transactions, enforce rules, and build trust among users. At press time, the token’s market cap was $36 million.

Algorand price shot up 21% on Friday, April 3, becoming the top gainer of the day, bucking the relative stillness of the broader crypto market that has gone cold amid the escalating war situation in the Middle East.

According to data from crypto.news, Algorand (ALGO) price rallied to a 9-week high of $0.122 on Friday before settling at $0.121 at press time. Its gains pushed it to become the leading gainer among the top cryptocurrencies by market cap in both the daily and weekly timeframes.

There are three main reasons why Algorand price rallied today.

First, Algorand was recently cited by Google Quantum AI in a research paper focused on threats faced by major blockchains from quantum computing. The paper made several mentions of Algorand for its post-quantum security and advanced Falcon signature technology, placing it ahead of other major players and trailing only behind Bitcoin and Ethereum.

This citation from one of the most prominent tech labs gave the project a big push to new investors while increasing hype for existing ones.

Second, Revolut has officially enabled staking for Algorand on its platform. This enables its customer base of over 70 million investors to stake ALGO directly from the app.

The move has increased investor demand for the token as it triggered a jump in the total amount being staked on the platform, effectively removing those tokens from circulation and hence lowering potential selling pressure.

Third, Algorand’s rebound follows the token hitting an all-time low just five days ago. The token dropping to its floor likely made it very attractive for buyers who bought the dip following its high-profile citation.

On the daily chart, Algorand price has formed a multi-month falling wedge pattern. Following its recent rebound, it has broken out from the upper trendline of the pattern, thereby confirming a bullish reversal. When such patterns are confirmed, the asset often enters a period of sustained growth.

At press time, a similar bullish outlook for ALGO was supported by technical indicators. Notably, the Supertrend has turned green, a notable sign of a trend shift. The Chaikin Money Flow index read 0.19, a strong positive reading hinting that buyers are in control.

For now, $0.139, which sits at the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement level, is the most immediate resistance level to keep an eye on for identifying more upside. A decisive break above that could potentially trigger a rally to $0.225, a target calculated by adding the height of the wedge to the point at which the breakout occurred.

On the contrary, a drop below the $0.085 support level can invalidate this bullish setup.

Key Insights

• Crypto market reversed fast as Trump’s Iran war stance crushed hopes of de-escalation and triggered risk-off selling.
• Bitcoin trades like a macro asset, while altcoins lead losses as oil spikes, yields rise, and the dollar strengthens.
• Market outlook remains fragile, with traders watching war signals and dollar strength for the next crypto move

What happens when markets price in peace but receive a tougher war stance instead? They sell first and reassess later. That is exactly what unfolded after Donald Trump addressed the Iran conflict from the White House on April 1.

Ahead of the speech, expectations had been building around a possible de-escalation. Analysts, including Kobeissi Letter, pointed to signals suggesting a potential wind-down. Instead, Trump reinforced a hardline position, stating that the United States would continue its aggressive posture toward Iran.

The next big question tonight:

Tons of major news outlets reported the same information ahead of President Trump’s address to the nation, sending markets sharply higher.

Almost all “insider sources” signaled Trump would be “winding down” the war tonight.

What just happened?

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— The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) April 2, 2026

The reaction was immediate and broad-based—crypto, equities, oil, and the U.S. dollar all reversed sharply.

Crypto Market Reverses After Trump’s Iran Remarks

The crypto market quickly erased its short-lived relief rally following the speech. Investors hoping for clarity on de-escalation or a reopening timeline for the Strait of Hormuz were left disappointed.

Source: Coinmarketcap

As a result, selling pressure returned across digital assets:

• Bitcoin hovered around $66,600
• Ethereum dropped near $2,050
• XRP traded around $1.31
• BNB held near $590
• Solana led losses among major altcoins

This price action reinforces a key trend: Bitcoin is not behaving as a traditional safe-haven asset during this conflict. Instead, it is trading more like a macro-sensitive risk asset.

The speech effectively dismantled the emerging peace narrative, pushing markets back into a defensive stance. Altcoins, particularly high-beta assets like Solana, absorbed the heaviest losses as traders reduced risk exposure.

Oil Surge and Macro Pressure Weigh on Crypto

Beyond crypto, the broader macro environment shifted rapidly. Following Trump’s remarks, Brent crude surged over 6% to $107.69, reflecting heightened geopolitical risk and concerns over supply disruptions.

Global markets reacted sharply:

• U.S. stock futures fell 1.3%
• Japan’s Nikkei dropped 2.4%
• South Korea’s Kospi declined 4.7%

For crypto markets, this macro shift is critical.

Rising oil prices can fuel inflation expectations, which in turn strengthens the U.S. dollar and keeps bond yields elevated. These conditions typically pressure risk assets, including cryptocurrencies.

At the same time:

• The 10-year Treasury yield climbed to 4.376%
• The U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) held firm above 100

This environment explains why altcoins sold off more aggressively than Bitcoin, as traders moved to reduce volatility exposure rather than chase uncertain upside.

Traders Shift to Risk-Off Mode

The immediate takeaway from the market reaction is clear: traders are prioritizing capital preservation.

Going forward, markets will focus on two key signals:

1. Any softening in geopolitical rhetoric
2. Reduced risk to global shipping routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz

Without improvement on either front, the crypto market is likely to remain highly sensitive to headlines and prone to sharp swings.

The pre-speech rally demonstrated that bullish sentiment still exists—but it is fragile and easily disrupted by macro developments.

Macro Now Drives Crypto

The latest selloff highlights a broader shift in how digital assets are behaving.

Geopolitics is influencing crypto through macroeconomic channels rather than crypto-native factors. Oil prices, bond yields, the U.S. dollar, and equity markets are now leading indicators, with crypto reacting afterward.

While blockchain-specific developments still matter, traders increasingly need to interpret global macro conditions before making crypto decisions.

Outlook: Defensive Trend Likely to Continue

Looking ahead, digital assets are expected to remain in a defensive posture as long as geopolitical tensions persist in the Middle East.

Although April seasonality has historically favored bullish momentum, the current environment is dominated by a hope → headline → reversal cycle. The Trump Iran speech is a clear example of how quickly sentiment can shift.

A sustained recovery in crypto will likely depend on:

• A formal ceasefire or de-escalation
• Stabilization in oil prices
• Weakness in the U.S. dollar

Until then, the U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) remains a critical indicator. A strengthening dollar continues to act as a major headwind for Bitcoin and the broader altcoin market.

Researchers at Google DeepMind have warned that the open internet can be used to manipulate autonomous AI agents and hijack their actions.

The study titled “AI Agent Traps” comes as companies deploy AI agents for real-world tasks and attackers begin using AI for cyber operations.

Instead of focusing on how models are built, the research looks at the environments agents operate in. It identifies six types of traps that take advantage of how AI systems read and act on information from the web.

The six attack categories outlined in the paper include content injection traps, semantic manipulation traps, cognitive state traps, behavioural control traps, systemic traps, and human in the loop traps.

Content injection stands out as one of the most direct risks. Hidden instructions can be placed inside HTML comments, metadata, or cloaked page elements, allowing agents to read commands that remain invisible to human users. Tests showed these techniques can take control of agent behaviour with high success rates.

Semantic manipulation works differently, relying on language and framing rather than hidden code. Pages loaded with authoritative phrasing or disguised as research scenarios can influence how agents interpret tasks, sometimes slipping harmful instructions past built-in safeguards.

Another layer targets memory systems. By planting fabricated information into sources that agents rely on for retrieval, attackers can influence outputs over time, with the agent treating false data as verified knowledge.

Behavioural control attacks take a more direct route by targeting what an agent actually does. In these cases, jailbreak instructions can be embedded into normal web content and read by the system during routine browsing. Separate tests showed that agents with broad access permissions could be pushed into locating and transmitting sensitive data, including passwords and local files, to external destinations.

System-level risks extend beyond individual agents, with the paper warning that coordinated manipulation across many automated systems could trigger cascading effects, similar to past market flash crashes driven by algorithmic trading loops.

Human reviewers are also part of the attack surface, as carefully crafted outputs can appear credible enough to gain approval, allowing harmful actions to pass through oversight without raising suspicion.

How to defend against these risks?

To counter these risks, researchers suggest a mix of adversarial training, input filtering, behavioural monitoring, and reputation systems for web content. They also point to the need for clearer legal frameworks around liability when AI agents execute harmful actions.

The paper stops short of offering a complete fix and argues that the industry still lacks a shared understanding of the problem, leaving current defenses scattered and often focused on the wrong areas.