Crypto World
Ondo Integrates Chainlink Price Feeds for Tokenized US stocks on Ethereum
Ondo Finance said its Ondo Global Markets platform has integrated Chainlink as its official data oracle, enabling price feeds for tokenized US stocks including SPYon, QQQon and TSLAon to go live on Ethereum.
According to a post from Ondo on Wednesday, the feeds are now being used on Euler, where users can post the tokenized equities as collateral to borrow stablecoins.
The integration provides onchain pricing data for the tokenized assets, allowing decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols to set collateral parameters and manage liquidations based on reference prices tied to the underlying equities. The feeds incorporate corporate actions such as dividends, enabling applications to reference updated equity values.
Initial support covers SPYon (which represents the SPDR S&P 500 ETF), QQQon (representing the Invesco QQQ ETF) and TSLAon (Tesla stock), with additional tokenized stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) expected to be added as oracle coverage and protocol integrations are expanded.
According to the announcement, risk parameters for the new lending markets, including collateral factors and liquidation thresholds, are being set and monitored by Sentora.
Ondo said the move addresses a prior limitation for tokenized equities, which had largely been held for price exposure but were not widely accepted as collateral in DeFi. By pairing exchange-linked liquidity with onchain price feeds, the companies aim to enable broader use of tokenized stocks in lending and other structured products.
The announcement follows an October 2025 partnership between Ondo Finance and Chainlink, a blockchain oracle network launched in 2017, that designated Chainlink as the primary data provider for Ondo’s tokenized stocks and ETFs.
Related: Wemade taps Chainlink for Korean won stablecoin infrastructure
Race to tokenize US equities
As US regulators continue to refine the legal framework for tokenized securities, legacy financial institutions and crypto platforms are accelerating efforts to put equities on blockchain infrastructure.
In September, Nasdaq filed for a rule change with US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that would enable it to list and trade tokenized versions of publicly traded stocks, potentially allowing blockchain-based representations of listed shares to trade within its regulated exchange framework.
On Dec. 11, the same day it clarifyied how broker-dealers may custody tokenized securities under existing rules, the SEC issued a no-action letter allowing a Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation subsidiary to launch a tokenization service for securities already held in DTC custody.
On Jan. 19, the New York Stock Exchange and its parent company, Intercontinental Exchange, said they are developing a blockchain-based platform for trading tokenized stocks and ETFs with 24/7 trading and near-instant settlement, pending regulatory approval.
On the crypto side, more than 60 tokenized US stocks launched in June across exchanges Kraken and Bybit. The product, developed by Backed Finance under its xStocks brand, provides blockchain-based exposure to blue-chip companies, though it is not yet available to US customers.
Meanwhile, fintech Robinhood, which introduced tokenized versions of nearly 500 US stocks for EU users in October, has launched a public testnet for Robinhood Chain, an Ethereum layer-2 network built on Arbitrum.
On Wednesday, the company said the network is designed to support tokenized real-world and digital assets, including 24/7 trading, self-custody and onchain lending and derivatives applications.
Magazine: Bitcoin’s ‘biggest bull catalyst’ would be Saylor’s liquidation: Santiment founder
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has reportedly reopened negotiations with the US Department of Defense in a last-minute effort to secure continued access to Pentagon contracts as the company faces the possibility of being labeled a supply chain risk by the Trump administration.
Amodei has been holding discussions with Emil Michael, the US undersecretary of defense for research and engineering, to finalize terms governing the military’s use of Anthropic’s artificial intelligence models, the Financial Times reported, citing people familiar with the matter.
A new agreement would allow the Pentagon to keep using the company’s technology and could prevent a formal designation that would force contractors in the defense supply chain to cut ties with the AI developer, per the report.
The talks follow a sharp breakdown in negotiations last week. Michael reportedly accused Amodei of being a “liar” with a “God complex,” while discussions collapsed after the two sides failed to agree on language Anthropic said was necessary to prevent misuse of its technology.
Related: Ex-OpenAI researcher’s hedge fund reveals big Bitcoin miner bets in new SEC filing
Pentagon negotiations stall over bulk data analysis clause
In an internal memo to staff seen by the FT, Amodei reportedly wrote that near the end of negotiations, the Pentagon offered to accept Anthropic’s broader terms if the company removed a clause restricting the “analysis of bulk acquired data.” He said this phrase was meant to guard against potential mass domestic surveillance, a scenario Anthropic treats as a red line, alongside the use of AI in lethal autonomous weapons.
The dispute escalated after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that Anthropic could be designated a supply chain risk, a move that would effectively freeze the company out of US military procurement networks.
The standoff came despite Anthropic’s existing ties to the defense sector. The company was awarded a contract worth up to $200 million by the US Defense Department in July 2025 and it became the first AI provider whose models were used in classified environments and by national security agencies.
As Cointelegraph reported, the US military even used Anthropic’s Claude AI model to support a major air strike on Iran hours after President Donald Trump ordered federal agencies to stop using the company’s systems.
Related: Mining companies move deeper into AI, HPC as MARA may sell Bitcoin
Tech groups warn risk label could hurt US AI leadership
Meanwhile, in a Wednesday letter to Trump, tech groups warned that labeling a domestic AI company a supply chain risk could undermine US leadership in AI. The groups argued that treating a US technology company “as a foreign adversary, rather than an asset,” could discourage innovation and weaken America’s ability to compete with China in the global AI race.
Signatories included the Software & Information Industry Association, TechNet, the Computer & Communications Industry Association and the Business Software Alliance. These organizations represent hundreds of American tech companies, including AI chipmakers Nvidia, Alphabet’s Google and Apple.
Magazine: Bitcoin may take 7 years to upgrade to post-quantum — BIP-360 co-author
Bitcoin is surging again and is nearing a key make-or-break level, demanding attention from traders.
The cryptocurrency’s spot price has jumped a full 10% to trade above $72,000 this week, briefly popping above $73,900 on Wednesday, according to CoinDesk data. This impressive bounce, backed by ETF inflows, has fueled hopes of a renewed bull run, but the rally is now confronting a monumental challenge.
Prices are approaching a zone that has historically acted as a pivotal turning point, shaping the market’s direction over the past two years. It is a level where both uptrends and downtrends have previously run their course, and which was cited earlier this year as strong support or a potential demand zone, before it was ultimately breached.
That zone is roughly $73,750 to $74,400. To understand why it’s significant, look back to the first quarter of 2024. The uptrend at that time, led by ETFs’ debut in the U.S., ran out of steam, with buyer fatigue setting in right around the $73,750 mark. Prices then slipped, eventually hitting around $50,000 in the following months.
Conversely, in early April last year, the same zone performed a different, but equally decisive, role. It marked the exhaustion of a downtrend that began in February above $100,000, with selling finally drying up near $74,400. Prices turned higher in subsequent days, eventually hitting new highs above $126,000 in October.
Hence, this price zone was widely cited as a strong support, an area where buyers may step in arrest the slide early this year as bitcoin began falling. But to the dismay of bulls, prices slipped through early last month, leading to a deeper slide to nearly $60,000.
Now, once again, the zone stands as the key battleground. If bitcoin can break decisively higher, it would signal a profound bullish development, suggesting the market has enough underlying momentum (buying pressure) for a rally higher. On the other hand, a failure to breach this zone will likely confirm that the broader downtrend that began in October is still firmly in control, leaving a difficult path ahead.
Traders, therefore, need to watch price action in the coming days closely.
Eric Trump, co-founder of World Liberty Financial (WLFI), has criticized major banks for opposing stablecoin yields, calling their actions ‘anti-American’ as they protect their low-rate monopoly.
His remarks came as his father, President Donald Trump, also escalated his attacks on the banking lobby over the stalled CLARITY Act.
Eric Trump Calls Out Banks for “Protecting Low-Rate Monopoly”
Eric Trump laid out his criticism in a recent post on X (formerly Twitter). He pointed out that major banks offer depositors interest rates as low as 0.01–0.05% APY on standard savings accounts.
This occurs even though the Federal Reserve pays those same banks over 4%. That spread, he stressed, generates record profits that are not returned to everyday depositors.
“Big Banks (think JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, etc.) are lobbying overtime to block Americans from getting higher yields on their savings—while trying to block any rewards or perks from being given to customers,” he said.
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He then identified crypto and stablecoins, where platforms plan to offer yields of 4–5% or more, as the specific targets banks are now mobilizing against. Eric Trump added that the American Bankers Association (ABA) and other lobbyists are “spending millions” to block or limit these yields through legislative efforts such as the Clarity Act.
He said that the banks are framing their opposition with terms like “fairness” and “stability.” However, Eric Trump argued that their true goal is to safeguard their “low-rate monopoly” and prevent customers from moving their deposits elsewhere.
“This is anti-retail, anti-consumer, and straight-up anti-American. Next time you see a big bank dropping billions on a shiny new Midtown Manhattan HQ, you know exactly where that money comes from: the non-existent interest rate they “pay” you! Fortunately, the big banks are losing this fight as customers wake up to the games,” he concluded.
Earlier, President Trump accused banks of “undermining and threatening” the GENIUS Act. He also pushed for the passage of the CLARITY Act.
“The Banks should not be trying to undercut The Genius Act, or hold The Clarity Act hostage. They need to make a good deal with the Crypto Industry because that’s what’s in best interest of the American People,” Trump posted.
How Stablecoin Yield Became a Legislative Blockade
The CLARITY Act passed the House with bipartisan support in July 2025. The goal of the bill is to define regulatory oversight between the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). After moving to the Senate Banking Committee, it stalled.
The US Senate’s version of the crypto market structure bill restricts companies from paying interest solely for holding balances and limits the scope of reward offerings. This has created division among banking representatives and crypto lobbyists.
The White House set March 1 as a deadline for compromise between banks and crypto firms over stablecoin yield rules. Yet that deadline passed without agreement, increasing uncertainty.
The Senate Banking Committee is reportedly considering mid-to-late March for potential markup sessions. Whether Congress can resolve the issue before election politics take over will determine the near-term path for crypto regulation.
Cardano price has rebounded alongside the broader crypto market, rising about 5% in the past 24 hours. The move has helped the token recover nearly 10% from its March 4 low, offering short-term relief after weeks of weakness. However, the rebound does not fully resolve the structural risks surrounding the asset.
A weakening technical structure, rising on-chain coin movement, and an imbalance in derivatives positioning all point to the same possibility: the current rebound may still face downside pressure. Understanding that risk begins with the chart structure itself.
Hidden Bearish Divergence Emerges as Coin Movement Surges
Cardano’s price structure on the 12-hour chart is currently forming a head-and-shoulders pattern, a formation commonly associated with potential trend reversals. The pattern began developing in early February, with the left shoulder, head, and right shoulder now clearly visible. The neckline support of this structure sits near $0.26.
On March 4, Cardano briefly attempted to break below this neckline. The broader crypto market rally, however, pushed the price higher, allowing ADA to rebound roughly 10% from its recent low. Yet the technical picture still carries risk.
Between March 2 and March 4, Cardano formed two lower highs, while the Relative Strength Index (RSI) printed a higher high during the same period.
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The RSI is a momentum indicator that measures the strength of price movements by comparing recent gains and losses. When price makes lower highs while RSI makes higher highs during a downtrend, it forms hidden bearish divergence. This pattern typically signals trend continuation, suggesting sellers remain active despite temporary rallies.
On-chain data reinforces this concern. The Spent Coins Age Band, a metric that tracks how many previously held coins move across the network, shows a sudden surge in distribution-linked activity.
On March 3, approximately 93 million ADA moved on-chain. By March 5, that figure had climbed over 143 million ADA, marking a 54% increase in coin movement.
Although the metric has since dropped to almost 81 million ADA, the spike suggests that many holders moved coins during the recent rebound, potentially preparing to sell. This rising distribution pressure leads to the next key risk area: leveraged traders.
Rising Long Leverage Adds Liquidation Risk as Spot Demand Weakens
While on-chain activity hints at potential ADA selling, derivatives markets reveal a second vulnerability.
According to the Binance ADA/USDT liquidation map, leveraged traders currently hold significantly more long exposure than short exposure.
30-Day Data shows:
- Long liquidation leverage: about $22 million
- Short liquidation leverage: roughly $17 million
This means long positions outweigh short positions by around 26%. While the long bias is not heavy, it still invokes caution.
When the market holds a long exposure amid a bearish technical structure, downside volatility can increase. If prices begin to fall, these long positions may be forced to close, triggering liquidations that accelerate the decline. Normally, strong spot market demand helps absorb this type of pressure.
However, whale activity suggests that such support is currently limited.
Wallet data shows that most major holder cohorts have not significantly increased their balances in recent days.
Addresses holding:
- 100 million to 1 billion ADA
- More than 1 billion ADA
have largely kept their balances unchanged.
Only the 10 million to 100 million ADA cohort has shown modest accumulation, increasing holdings from 16.67 billion ADA to 16.69 billion ADA. Slightly above $5 million in worth.
This increase is relatively small and does not signal strong new buying demand. With whales largely inactive and coin movement rising, the market may lack the spot demand needed to stabilize the price if selling pressure increases. This dynamic makes Cardano’s key price levels particularly important.
Cardano Price Faces Critical Test Between $0.28 and $0.25
Cardano is currently trading near $0.27, placing it close to the neckline support of the head-and-shoulders structure. Several levels now determine the next directional move.
The first resistance sits near $0.28. This level has repeatedly rejected price attempts since late February. A 12-hour candle close above $0.28 would signal that buyers are regaining control.
If momentum strengthens further, the next resistance lies near $0.29, where the right shoulder of the pattern formed. A stronger breakout above $0.31 would invalidate the bearish structure entirely. Crossing this level would push the price above the head of the pattern and could signal a broader trend reversal.
However, downside risk remains if support fails. A drop below $0.25 would confirm a breakdown of the head-and-shoulders pattern. In that scenario, Cardano could fall toward $0.21, representing a potential 18% decline from the neckline.
For now, Cardano’s 10% rebound has delayed the breakdown, but the combination of hidden bearish divergence, rising coin movement, and heavy long leverage suggests the market may still face a critical test in the days ahead. Only a 12-hour candle close above $0.28 can negate the threats for now.
The latest cryptocurrency rally could still have significant momentum, according to analyst Owen Lau, who said the market’s recent surge is supported by improving policy developments and stronger institutional participation.
Summary
- Analyst Owen Lau said the current crypto rally “has legs,” suggesting the market could sustain momentum.
- Pro-crypto policy developments in Washington are helping improve sentiment.
- Growing institutional participation and ETF flows are reinforcing the rally.
Bitcoin surge may extend as policy tailwinds grow: Owen Lau
Owen Lau, a financial technology and crypto analyst, said the current rally “has legs,” pointing to a combination of regulatory progress in the United States and growing integration between traditional finance and digital assets.
Bitcoin and the broader crypto market have staged a strong rebound in recent days, with the leading cryptocurrency climbing above the $73,000 level and driving gains across altcoins. The rally follows renewed inflows into spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds and a wave of short liquidations that helped accelerate price momentum.
According to Lau, a key factor supporting the rally is the shifting policy landscape in Washington. Recent discussions around crypto market structure legislation and stablecoin regulation have raised expectations that the United States could soon provide clearer rules for the industry.
Improved regulatory clarity has long been viewed as a catalyst for institutional adoption, as major financial firms often require clearer compliance frameworks before expanding exposure to digital assets.
Owen Lau also highlighted the growing involvement of traditional financial institutions in the crypto ecosystem, ranging from asset managers offering spot Bitcoin ETFs to banks exploring digital asset services. These developments, he said, are gradually embedding cryptocurrencies into mainstream financial markets.
Institutional demand has already been visible through sustained ETF inflows, which have become one of the most significant drivers of Bitcoin price movements over the past year.
While volatility remains a defining feature of the crypto market, Lau suggested that the combination of regulatory progress, institutional demand and expanding market infrastructure could support continued upside.
If these trends persist, analysts say the current rally could represent more than just a short-term rebound, potentially marking the early stages of a broader market recovery.
Crypto World
Ethereum price prediction: $2,500 in focus as OI spike amid Vitalik’s calls for scaling
- Ethereum rally above $2,100 follows a sharp spike in open interest.
- A break above the resistance at $2,175 could open the path toward $2,500.
- Large ETH withdrawals from exchanges point to tightening supply.
Ethereum has climbed above the $2,100 after a strong daily rally that pushed the asset higher amid renewed interest in derivatives markets.
The move follows a period of consolidation that had kept the price trapped near the $2,000 level for several sessions.
The surge has now placed the $2,500 region firmly on the radar of short-term traders.
At the same time, comments from Vitalik Buterin about the future direction of the network have sparked fresh discussion across the ecosystem.
Open interest spike signals renewed trader activity
One of the strongest signals behind the recent price jump is the sharp rise in derivatives market activity.
Open interest (OI) in Ethereum futures has climbed significantly in recent weeks as traders increase their exposure to the asset.
The open interest reflects the total number of active futures contracts and often rises when new money enters the market.
The latest spike indicates that traders are positioning for larger price swings in the coming sessions.
Besides the increase in open interest, short liquidations also played a key role in the rally that pushed Ethereum above $2,100.
When bearish traders are forced to close positions, they must buy back the asset, which can quickly accelerate upward momentum.
This chain reaction tends to create sudden bursts of volatility that drive prices higher within a short time frame.
However, derivatives data still shows mixed sentiment among traders, with funding rates shifting between positive and negative levels, suggesting that the market remains divided on the next direction.
Ethereum supply tightens as investors withdraw coins
Another factor supporting the recent recovery is a notable decline in the amount of Ethereum held on centralised exchanges.
According to data obtained from CryptoQuant, Large amounts of ETH have been moved away from trading platforms over the past month.
These withdrawals from crypto exchanges often indicate that investors intend to hold their assets for a longer period rather than sell them immediately.
When coins leave exchanges, the amount available for instant trading becomes smaller.
This shift can create tighter supply conditions, especially if demand begins to increase at the same time.
On-chain data also shows that large investors have continued to accumulate Ethereum during recent market weakness.
This trend suggests that some market participants view current prices as attractive entry levels.
Such accumulation can help stabilise the market during periods of volatility.
Ethereum technical analysis place $2,500 in focus
From a technical perspective, Ethereum’s price is currently trading between key support and resistance zones.
The $2,023 region has emerged as an important short-term support level based on recent price movements.
A break below that zone could expose the market to further downside toward the $1,901 support area.
On the upside, the $2,175 level has repeatedly acted as immediate resistance.
A sustained move above this barrier could open the door for a rally toward the next resistance near $2,396.
If buying pressure remains strong, the market may then shift its focus toward the $2,525 region.
This level sits close to the psychological $2,500 mark that many traders are watching.
A decisive breakout above this area would signal a stronger bullish trend forming in the short term.
Vitalik Buterin says, “Ethereum needs to scale”
Beyond the price charts, discussion around Ethereum’s long-term direction has intensified following recent comments from Vitalik Buterin.
The Ethereum co-founder has emphasised the importance of developing what he described as “sanctuary” technology within the ecosystem.
This concept centres on strengthening decentralisation and ensuring that Ethereum remains a secure and neutral platform.
Buterin also highlighted concerns that some scaling solutions are drifting away from Ethereum’s core security model.
His remarks have sparked debate about how the network should evolve as demand continues to grow.
Some observers believe these discussions could influence how developers approach future upgrades and scaling strategies.
Threat researchers at Google say they have uncovered a new exploit kit targeting Apple iPhone users, aimed at stealing crypto wallet seed phrases.
The kit, named “Coruna” by its developers, targets iPhones running iOS versions 13.0 up to 17.2.1. It has “five full iOS exploit chains and a total of 23 exploits,” including ones that were previously unknown to the public, the Google Threat Intelligence Group (GTIG) said in a report on Wednesday.
The group said it first discovered the kit in February 2025 and has since tracked its use by a suspected Russian espionage group against Ukrainians, and later on fake Chinese crypto websites that aim to steal crypto.
GTIG said the kit doesn’t work with the latest version of iOS and urged iPhone users to update their devices to the latest software version. If that isn’t possible, users should put the phone in “Lockdown Mode,” which Apple says can counter sophisticated attacks.
Kit targets crypto via fake websites
GTIG said it came across parts of an iOS exploit in February 2025 in which a customer of a surveillance company used JavaScript to fingerprint the device to deliver the appropriate exploit.
Later that year, it found the same JavaScript framework hidden on multiple compromised Ukrainian websites that was “only delivered to selected iPhone users from a specific geolocation.”
GTIG said it then found the same framework in December “on a very large set of fake Chinese websites mostly related to finance,” including one that spoofed the crypto exchange WEEX.
When a user accesses the websites with an iOS device, the framework delivers the exploit kit and hunts for financial information, including analyzing texts containing seed phrases and keywords such as “backup phrase” or “bank account.”
Related: ‘ClickFix’ hackers pose as VCs, hijack QuickLens in latest crypto attacks
The kit also seeks out popular crypto apps, including Uniswap and MetaMask, to extract crypto or sensitive information.
Coruna’s US intelligence origins debated
GTIG did not name the customer of the surveillance company from which the exploit kit is said to have originated, but the mobile security company iVerify told WIRED it could have been built or bought by the US government.
“It’s highly sophisticated, took millions of dollars to develop, and it bears the hallmarks of other modules that have been publicly attributed to the US government,” iVerify co-founder Rocky Cole told WIRED.
“This is the first example we’ve seen of very likely US government tools — based on what the code is telling us — spinning out of control and being used by both our adversaries and cybercriminal groups.”
However, Kaspersky’s principal security researcher told The Register that the cybersecurity company saw “no evidence of actual code reuse in the published reports to support attributing Coruna to the same authors.”
Magazine: Meet the onchain crypto detectives fighting crime better than the cops
Crypto-related equities surged on Wednesday as pro-crypto commentary from Washington and expectations of a clearer regulatory path bolstered risk appetite. Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) led the upward move, rising more than seven percent in the past 24 hours to the mid-72,000s, while Ether (CRYPTO: ETH) joined the rally with an about eight percent gain. Publicly traded names tied to crypto wealth and infrastructure posted standout moves: MicroStrategy (EXCHANGE: MSTR) shares jumped north of 10%, Coinbase (EXCHANGE: COIN) climbed over 14%, Hut 8 Mining (EXCHANGE: HUT) advanced about 13.89%, and American Bitcoin Corp (EXCHANGE: ABTC) rose roughly 11.65%.
Dominick John, an analyst at Zeus Research, told Cointelegraph that the rally appears linked to the prospect of clearer rules on the horizon. “Crypto equities are rallying as regulatory risk is being fundamentally redefined. With the executive branch championing a clear digital asset framework, coupled with robust spot ETF inflows and the potential passage of the Clarity Act,” he said. “The trend will persist as regulatory clarity strengthens and institutional flows accelerate. With policy risk receding and product demand expanding, crypto equities have room to reprice higher in the medium term.”
“Crypto equities are rallying as regulatory risk is being fundamentally redefined. With the executive branch championing a clear digital asset framework, coupled with robust spot ETF inflows and the potential passage of the Clarity Act,” he said.
Key takeaways
- Regulatory clarity expectations are lifting crypto equities as policymakers signal a more defined digital asset framework and as spot ETF activity strengthens.
- Major crypto-adjacent stocks posted material gains: MicroStrategy (EXCHANGE: MSTR) rose more than 10%, Coinbase (EXCHANGE: COIN) gained over 14%, Hut 8 Mining (EXCHANGE: HUT) advanced 13.89%, and American Bitcoin Corp (EXCHANGE: ABTC) climbed 11.65%.
- Regulatory moves advanced on multiple fronts: the CFTC filed for a regulatory review of prediction markets, while the SEC filed a pending application centered on Federal Securities Laws as they relate to crypto transactions.
- Political signals from the White House and supporters of crypto policy, including calls for market-structure legislation, contributed to the swing in sentiment.
- There is a caveat: the rally could cool if regulatory progress stalls or if Bitcoin retreats, underscoring the sensitivity of crypto equities to policy momentum and macro moves.
Tickers mentioned: $BTC, $ETH, $COIN, $MSTR, $HUT, $ABTC
Sentiment: Bullish
Price impact: Positive. A broad uptick in both the crypto market and related equities points to constructive liquidity and policy optimism gripping the sector.
Trading idea (Not Financial Advice): Hold. If regulatory momentum sustains and BTC maintains elevated levels, the bounce could extend; but a delay or reversal in policy progress would raise the risk of a pullback.
Market context: The move aligns with a broader risk-on tilt in crypto markets as investors price in regulatory clarity, potential ETF inflows, and evolving political support for crypto-friendly legislation, all of which can influence both spot prices and equity exposures tied to digital assets.
Why it matters
The current trajectory matters because it underscores how policy clarity can translate into tangible capital flows for both tokens and crypto-linked equities. As Washington signals a more explicit approach to digital assets, institutional interest tends to rise, creating demand not only for spot exposure but also for products and services that leverage the crypto ecosystem. The rally in MicroStrategy’s shares reflects the market’s perception that corporate treasury strategies that hoard Bitcoin may continue to benefit from price strength and demand for governance-friendly structures around holdings.
Similarly, Coinbase and other listed companies demonstrate how crypto maturity is intersecting with traditional markets. A sustained uptick in prices for BTC and ETH can lift trading activity, mining economics, and service demand for custody, lending, and staking products. The broader takeaway is that policy momentum—if it persists—could act as a catalyst for both price appreciation and the expansion of crypto-focused financial products. The prospect of a clear framework reduces policy risk, enabling more reliable forecasting for investors and incumbents alike.
Yet the landscape remains nuanced. The same catalysts driving optimism—clearer regulation, ETF flows, and favorable political rhetoric—can invert if regulatory conversations stall or if macro momentum shifts. Traders highlighted by Swyftx’s Pav Hundal warned that even a temporary setback in policy or a pullback in Bitcoin could reprice equities quickly, given the leverage that many crypto-related businesses carry and the sensitivity of their earnings to asset prices. The market’s reaction in the near term will likely hinge on the speed and specificity of policy milestones, not merely on aspirational statements from leadership.
What to watch next
- Regulatory milestones: Monitor any progress on the Clarity Act or related crypto policy bills, and timing around potential votes or committee actions.
- ETF inflows: Track fresh data on spot ETF demand and related products that could channel more fiat liquidity into the crypto ecosystem.
- Federal Securities Laws: Observe developments in the SEC’s pending application and the GRCs around crypto transactions, as described in the agency’s filings.
- Bitcoin price dynamics: Watch whether BTC can sustain levels in the low-to-mid 70,000s and how this influences risk appetite in related equities.
- Political signals: Keep an eye on White House communications and legislative activity around crypto-market structures, as these can amplify or dampen sentiment shifts.
Sources & verification
- U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission: regulatory review filing for prediction markets (https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eoDetails?rrid=1294517).
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission: pending filing on Federal Securities Laws and crypto governance (https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eoDetails?rrid=1217012).
- Bitcoin price data and market movement cited by CoinGecko (https://www.coingecko.com/en/coins/bitcoin) and Ethereum price data (https://www.coingecko.com/en/coins/ethereum).
- Company price references and tickers via Google Finance pages for MSTR, COIN, HUT, and ABTC.
- Related coverage and quotes, including comments from Dominick John of Zeus Research and Swyftx analyst Pav Hundal, as reported in Cointelegraph.
Market reaction and key details
What the announcement changes
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) breached notable intraday gains as traders chased the prospect of regulatory clarity and new product avenues. The day’s rotation into equities tied to crypto assets reflects a broader rehearsal for institutional participation, with investors looking for policy breadcrumbs and potential structural protections that could sustain longer-term demand. The initial impulse from Washington, coupled with ongoing regulatory reviews, appears to be shaping a cautious, but increasingly confident, risk environment for digital assets and the companies that hold or facilitate them. The tone of policy discourse matters as much as the price action, because credibility around a defined framework can unlock capital that has previously stayed on the sidelines for fear of regulatory ambiguity.
Why it matters (conclusion)
In sum, the current episode illustrates a market sensitive to the narrative of clarity. If regulators deliver a robust, well-communicated framework, crypto equities could reprice higher over the medium term as institutional players expand their exposure. Conversely, any disappointment or a stall in policy momentum could extinguish the current enthusiasm, given the leverage and sensitivity of crypto-related earnings to asset prices. For traders and investors, the immediate imperative is to watch policy milestones and price stability in the underlying assets, as those variables are the most direct catalysts for sustained momentum or a renewed pullback.
Sources & verification
- Official regulatory filings from the CFTC and SEC cited in the article (see links above).
- Crypto price data and market movements from CoinGecko (BTC and ETH) and Google Finance (MSTR, COIN, HUT, ABTC).
- Analysts and industry commentary referenced, including Dominick John of Zeus Research and Pav Hundal of Swyftx, as cited in the piece.
Crypto-related stocks surged on Wednesday as recent pro-crypto commentary from the US presidential campaign pushed Bitcoin and the broader crypto market higher.
Alongside a rise in the cryptocurrency market, the Bitcoin (BTC) treasury company Strategy spiked by more than 10%. Crypto exchange Coinbase registered a more than 14% gain, while miners Hut 8 clocked 13.89% and American Bitcoin Corp rose 11.65%.
Dominick John, an analyst at Zeus Research, told Cointelegraph the promise of clearer regulations on the near horizon could be one of the factors fueling the rally.
“Crypto equities are rallying as regulatory risk is being fundamentally redefined. With the executive branch championing a clear digital asset framework, coupled with robust spot ETF inflows and the potential passage of the Clarity Act,” he said.
“The trend will persist as regulatory clarity strengthens and institutional flows accelerate. With policy risk receding and product demand expanding, crypto equities have room to reprice higher in the medium term.”
Wall Street’s main regulators have advanced plans to oversee the industry, with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission filing a regulatory review for prediction markets and the US Securities and Exchange Commission filing a pending application on Tuesday on Federal Securities Laws and how they govern some crypto and transactions.
Trump’s statements helped buoy crypto
Pav Hundal, the lead analyst at Australian crypto platform Swyftx, told Cointelegraph that US President Donald Trump’s recent swipe at the banks and his push for the Senate’s crypto market structure bill to pass could also be playing a factor.
During a press conference at the White House, Trump also reiterated that in “crypto, we want to be dominant; we want to be dominant in everything we do,” Fox 2 Detroit reported on Wednesday.
“The market is putting a policy premium in the tape right now, and it is inflating crypto stocks,” Hundal said.
“We’ve got a double whammy of Trump pushing Congress on legislation and picking a fight with US banks for dragging their heels over the CLARITY Act. Coinbase is basically the cleanest large-cap expression of that in US equities,” he added.
Rally could still cool on bad news
The wider crypto market has also experienced a spike. Bitcoin has jumped over 7.6% in the last 24 hours to trade at $72,866, according to CoinGecko, while Ether (ETH) is up more than 8.3%, trading at $2,132.
However, Hundal cautioned that if the expected regulatory progress stalls or Bitcoin drops, the stock rally could halt and retreat as well.
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“Crypto stocks are obviously rallying on the expectation of political progress, and there is no reason that couldn’t continue. But things change quickly with this White House. If we see this regulatory debate go stale, or hit a wall, or Bitcoin is hit, it’s not hard to imagine a correction,” he said.
“Coinbase is pricing policy optionality, miners are pricing operating leverage on the leading asset by market capitalization in the sector. It works while BTC holds up, and can still unwind fast if this momentum hits a snag.”
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Zerohash, a blockchain infrastructure provider, has applied for a National Trust Bank Charter with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), joining a growing list of crypto firms seeking federal licensing.
Stephen Gardner, the Chief Legal and Compliance Officer at Zerohash, noted that applying for a charter was a logical progression for the company.
Why it matters:
- A national bank trust charter allows an institution to operate as a trust bank nationwide.
- It enables fiduciary activities, asset custody, and settlement services. However, institutions with this charter cannot take deposits or issue loans, and are not covered by FDIC insurance.
- Growing OCC approvals for crypto firms signal a structural shift toward federally regulated digital asset infrastructure.
The details:
- If approved, the charter would allow Zerohash to further expand its range of services within a federal framework.
- Several digital asset firms have taken similar steps, with some already securing conditional approvals.
- Crypto.com received conditional OCC approval in late February. Ripple, Circle, Paxos, and Fidelity secured similar approvals in 2025.
- In addition, BitGo received full OCC approval in December 2025.
- World Liberty Financial‘s subsidiary filed its application in January 2026 to establish World Liberty Trust Company, National Association.
The big picture:
- Traditional banking groups have pushed back against the OCC’s issuance of trust charters to crypto firms.
- The American Bankers Association raises concerns that broadening the trust charter, especially for entities not involved in traditional fiduciary activities, could blur the lines of what it means to be a bank and open the door to potential regulatory arbitrage.
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