As can be observed on the XAG/USD chart, the price of silver has once again dropped below the psychological $70 level. At the same time, this week has been marked by sharp fluctuations: on Monday, prices traded below $65, while as recently as yesterday, silver reached $74 per ounce.

Market volatility is being driven by ongoing geopolitical uncertainty. Conflicting statements from the United States and Iran regarding potential peace negotiations continue to unsettle financial markets. According to media reports:

→ Washington maintains that negotiations are ongoing, with the Trump administration reportedly delivering a 15-point proposal to Iran via intermediaries, aimed at resolving the conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

→ Iran, in turn, has stated that it does not intend to negotiate with the US, rejecting the proposed ceasefire and instead putting forward its own conditions.

On the morning of 19 March, analysing the XAG/USD chart, we:

→ concluded that the market was under significant pressure;
→ identified and plotted a descending channel (marked in red) on the silver price chart;
→ suggested that the channel’s median line could act as near-term resistance, thereby validating the structure.

Indeed, subsequent price action confirmed this framework, as indicated by the arrows:

→ the lower boundary acted as support on the same day;
→ yesterday, price reversed lower from the median line (which shifted from support to resistance), reinforcing the prevailing bearish sentiment observed throughout March.

From a bullish perspective:

→ the break below the 6 February low around the $64 level highlights aggressive demand — so-called “smart money” may have absorbed liquidity in this zone, positioning for higher prices;
→ silver may be in the process of forming an inverse head and shoulders pattern.

However, as long as price continues to trade below the red median line of the active channel, it would be premature to speak of any meaningful bullish conviction.

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Tazapay, a cross-border payment infrastructure provider, has closed an extension to its Series B funding round, lifting total funding to $36 million. The extension was led by Circle Ventures and included participation from Coinbase Ventures, CMT Digital, Peak XV Partners and Ripple. The new capital will be used to expand digital settlement technology for cross-border payments, secure additional licenses, broaden geographic reach across Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and the Americas, and build infrastructure for what the company calls “agentic payments.”

Tazapay serves more than 1,000 enterprises and fintechs across 30 countries, and holds licenses in Singapore, Canada, Australia and the United States, with active applications underway in the European Union, United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong. “The demand we’re seeing from enterprises and fintechs across Asia, LATAM, and the Middle East is unmistakable; businesses want to move money faster, cheaper, and with full regulatory confidence,” said Kanupriya Sharda, chief business officer at Tazapay.

Cointelegraph asked Tazapay for the size of the extension tranche and the company’s valuation, but did not receive a response by publication.

Related: Ripple joins Singapore sandbox to test RLUSD in trade finance

Key takeaways

• Tazapay’s Series B extension brings total fundraising to $36 million, with Circle Ventures leading and participation from Coinbase Ventures, CMT Digital, Peak XV Partners and Ripple.
• The fresh capital targets expansion of cross-border digital settlement tech, licensing pursuits, and regional growth into Asia, LATAM, the Middle East and the Americas, plus development of “agentic payments.”
• The funding news comes against a backdrop of growing interest in stablecoin–based cross-border rails, with Ripple expanding its institutional stablecoin platform to over 60 markets and processing more than $100 billion in volume.
• Other early-stage fintechs are also scaling stablecoin–fiat payment networks, such as Conduit, which raised $36 million in May 2025 to broaden its fiat and stablecoin offerings and serve as an alternative to SWIFT.
• Regulatory licensing, interoperability, and real-world adoption remain pivotal for pushing these rails from pilots to mainstream use.

Tazapay’s expansion blueprint and regulatory footprint

According to the company, the new funding will accelerate the rollout of its cross-border settlement technology by pursuing additional licensing and expanding in key regions, including Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and the Americas. Tazapay currently maintains licenses in Singapore, Canada, Australia and the United States, with active applications in the European Union, United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong. The firm reported serving more than 1,000 enterprises and fintechs across 30 markets, underscoring growing demand for faster, cheaper, and regulation-compliant cross-border payments. The chief business officer, Kanupriya Sharda, highlighted “unmistakable” demand from enterprises and fintechs across Asia, LATAM, and the Middle East for improved money movement capabilities.

Stablecoins and the race to upgrade cross-border rails

The extension of Tazapay’s Series B comes as a wave of fintech and crypto companies push to embed stablecoins into cross-border payment workflows. Ripple, for example, has expanded Ripple Payments into an end-to-end stablecoin and fiat platform for banks and fintechs. The platform is live in more than 60 markets and has processed over $100 billion in volume, signaling a meaningful move toward institutional-grade stablecoin rails in global payments.

In the same ecosystem, regulatory and sandbox activity around stablecoins continues. For instance, Ripple recently joined Singapore’s sandbox to test RLUSD in trade finance, illustrating how regulated pilots are shaping the rollout of new settlement tools across jurisdictions.

Beyond Tazapay and Ripple, the market has seen other notable fundraising tied to cross-border rails. In May 2025, Conduit announced a $36 million Series A round led by Dragonfly and Altos Ventures to scale its fiat and stablecoin payment network, positioning the project as a potential alternative to traditional messaging corridors such as SWIFT.

These developments reflect a broader industry shift: a push to replace or augment legacy rails with programmable, regulator-friendly settlement networks built on stablecoins and crypto rails, designed to cut settlement times and costs while preserving compliance and risk controls.

What this means for readers and market watchers

For investors, Tazapay’s extension signals continued appetite for platforms that can operationalize cross-border liquidity with robust licensing and multi-jurisdictional reach. For enterprises and fintechs, the move reinforces a trend toward using stablecoin-based settlement to reduce friction in international payments while maintaining regulatory confidence. For builders, the emphasis on “agentic payments”—where payment flows can be orchestrated and automated at the edge of networks—points to a future where payment rails are more integrated with enterprise workflows and financial ecosystems.

As the sector scales, observers will want to watch licensing progress, regional execution, and the ability of these platforms to deliver truly cost-effective and faster settlement at scale. Regulatory clarity across key markets—especially around stablecoins and cross-border fintech operations—will continue to shape how quickly and broadly these rails can be adopted.

Readers should keep an eye on further disclosures from Tazapay about the extension’s size and valuation, as well as ongoing updates from Ripple, Conduit and other players as they publish new milestones and regulatory milestones in the coming quarters.

The story continues to unfold as more regional licenses, pilot programs, and enterprise deployments come online, potentially reshaping the architecture of global payments over the next few years.

If last Thursday trading was taking place below the 1.6300 level, today one euro is worth more than 1.6660 Australian dollars. The upward trend seen in recent days has been driven by a combination of factors, including:

→ Bullish factor for the euro: The European Central Bank (ECB) has revised its 2026 inflation forecast upwards (to 2.6%). The reason lies in the Middle East conflict and rising energy prices. This signals to the market that the ECB may not only refrain from cutting rates but could also begin discussing potential rate hikes this year.

→ Bearish factor for the Australian dollar: The Middle East conflict is placing significant pressure on China’s economy (which is already dealing with a property market crisis). A slowdown in trade with China is weakening the Australian currency. For more details, see the article: What Are Commodity Currencies?

However, the chart indicates that the bullish momentum is fading — this is reflected in a series of bearish divergences, with the RSI moving down from overbought territory.

Continuing the technical analysis of the EUR/AUD chart, it can be observed that price fluctuations have formed a long-term descending channel. In this context:

→ Bulls have shown initiative: after touching the lower boundary of the channel, they (as marked by arrows) gradually took control over intermediate channel levels.

→ The current situation can be interpreted as a period of short-term consolidation (with the formation of a narrowing triangle pattern). The triangle may have been broken this morning, but Australia’s inflation report came in line with expectations — and the market continues to consolidate.

If we assume that bulls manage to gather enough strength for another upward push, they may face a significant test in the form of a resistance zone:

→ the March high around the 1.6730 level;
→ the upper boundary of the descending channel.

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TLDR:

• Around 92% of short-term holders are currently at a loss, holding approximately 5.7 million BTC below cost basis.
  
• Strategy’s realized price of $75,600 across 762,000 BTC aligns directly with where Bitcoin’s recent rally was rejected.
  
• Bitcoin’s network-wide realized price sits near $54,000, a level historically revisited or traded below in bear markets.
  
• CryptoQuant data show overlapping cost-basis levels above the spot price, creating significant resistance to any Bitcoin recovery attempt.

Bitcoin realized price metrics are drawing close attention from market analysts worldwide. On-chain data shows the price is currently interacting with multiple critical cost basis levels.

Bitcoin is trading around $70,000, with key resistance visible both above and below the current spot price. CryptoQuant recently published an analysis covering short-term holders, a major institutional buyer, and broader network cost averages.

Together, these overlapping thresholds are shaping what analysts describe as a fragile market structure.

Short-Term Holders Sit in Loss as Sell Pressure Mounts

Short-term holders are currently carrying heavy unrealized losses at today’s Bitcoin price. CryptoQuant data shows this cohort holds approximately 5.7 million BTC in total.

Of that amount, only around 8% are currently sitting in profit. The remaining 92% are at a loss at current price levels.

This distribution creates what analysts call a large supply overhang in the market. When most holders are underwater, price rallies often invite immediate selling activity.

Recent buyers tend to use bounces as opportunities to recover their cost basis. That behavior consistently limits how far short-term recoveries can extend.

The short-term holder’s realized price is currently positioned above Bitcoin’s spot price near $70,000. CryptoQuant stated that “recent buyers are underwater, creating sell pressure on every bounce.”

That cost basis level is now acting as overhead resistance on the chart. Price must reclaim it clearly before sentiment can meaningfully shift for this group.

Until short-term holders move back into profit territory, recovery attempts will likely face continued resistance. The volume of BTC held at a loss adds weight to every rally attempt made. Analysts are monitoring the profit-to-loss ratio closely for any early signs of a broader market shift.

Strategy’s Cost Basis and the Network Realized Price Frame the Trading Range

Strategy’s Bitcoin holdings are also playing a visible role in shaping current market resistance. The firm holds approximately 762,000 BTC with an average cost basis of around $75,600.

CryptoQuant noted that this level aligns directly with where the recent rally faced rejection. That overlap is drawing attention from on-chain analysts tracking large institutional cost basis data.

Large holders with unrealized losses near a price zone can create meaningful resistance for the market. When price approaches their average cost basis, those holders tend to manage risk through selling.

This dynamic appears to have played out during the recent failed push beyond $75,000. CryptoQuant’s data supports this reading of the market’s rejection at that level.

The broader Bitcoin realized price, representing the average cost basis across all holders, currently sits near $54,000.

Historically, during bear markets, price tends to revisit or trade below this level for extended periods. This makes the $54,000 zone a key reference point for analysts monitoring potential downside risk.

Taken together, these three levels frame the current environment for Bitcoin market participants. Resistance from the short-term holder’s cost basis and Strategy’s realized price sits above spot.

The network-wide average near $54,000 remains a potential downside target if conditions deteriorate further. Traders are watching all three levels closely as price action continues to develop.

U.S.-listed cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase (COIN) is working with Fannie Mae-approved mortgage firm Better Home & Finance Holding Co. (BETR), to enable crypto holders to use their digital assets as down payment collateral when buying a home.

The mortgage is structured as a conforming loan backed by Fannie Mae, meaning it carries the same protections and standards as traditional mortgages, according to a press release on Thursday.

Borrowers pledge bitcoin BTC$69,393.43 or the USDC stablecoin as collateral to fund their down payment, allowing them to keep their assets intact and avoid creating a taxable event by spending them. In the case of USDC, they can keep earnings rewards, Coinbase said.

Some 41% of American families fail to buy a home because they don’t have enough funds for the down payment, even though they have money elsewhere in savings, Better founder Vishal Garg said in an interview.

Average homebuyers have been squeezed by increases in interest rates while house prices stay the same, Garg said. Someone looking to buy a $400,000 property, for example, might struggle to find the $40,000 cash down payment, and face a quagmire of legal and tax requirements when trying to sell assets to make the amount, he said.

Provided the consumer is a crypto holder on Coinbase, they can avoid having to file all manner of “crazy stuff,” Garg said, and simply transfer their digital assets from the exchange to a custody wallet with Better while retaining ownership rights.

If Better had previously been accepting crypto as downpayment collateral, “we would have funded maybe 40 billion more of consumer demand over the past few years,” Garg added.

There have been other advances in the crypto-backed mortgages, including some that use Coinbase as custodian. However, the emphasis has tended to be on wealth management and relatively high-end purchases, rather than catering to the average Joe.

In February 2023, Better allowed Amazon (AMZN) employees to pledge their stock as collateral for a loan to cover the down payment on a house purchase, albeit at a slightly higher interest rate.

A spokesman for Coinbase said via email that the rates for the crypto-backed mortgages will be higher than a standard 30-year by between half a percentage point and 1.5 percentage points, depending on the consumer profile.

The token-backed mortgages would be free of margin calls and top-ups, according to a press release. If BTC drops in value, the mortgage terms remain unchanged and no additional collateral is required. Market movements alone never trigger liquidation, Coinbase said.

Borrowers’ collateral is at risk of liquidation only in the event of a 60-day payment delinquency, similar to conventional mortgages, it said.

The product is “as American as apple pie,” said Coinbase’s head of consumer and platform business development, Mark Troianovski, in an interview with CoinDesk.

“People who are sitting on Bitcoin or USDC can put a roof over their head without needing to sell it, without needing to incur capital gains,” Troianovski said. “We are giving people access to housing in a way that is very similar to how private bankers serve some of the wealthiest customers. They don’t sell assets to buy stuff; they actually take loans against assets.”

TLDR:

• Zepz transferred over $17 billion in 2025, serving migrant workers sending funds across 130+ countries.
• The Sendwave Wallet, built on Solana, lets customers send and store USDC across more than 100 countries.
• TRM Labs has supported Zepz’s stablecoin compliance framework since April 2025, covering AML and sanctions risk.
• Customers can hold USDC instead of converting immediately, offering more control in currency-volatile regions.

Stablecoin remittances are taking a new step forward with a partnership between TRM Labs and Zepz. The collaboration supports the global expansion of the Sendwave Wallet, a stablecoin product built on Solana.

Zepz, the company behind WorldRemit and Sendwave, serves migrant communities across 130+ countries. TRM Labs will provide blockchain intelligence to support financial crime risk management. Together, they aim to scale digital asset-based remittances responsibly across global markets.

Sendwave Wallet Targets Migrant Communities Worldwide

Zepz transferred more than $17 billion for its customers in 2025. The company primarily serves migrant workers who send money to family members monthly.

Many of those recipients live in regions with currency instability or limited banking access. The Sendwave Wallet was built directly in response to those needs.

Launched in October 2025, the wallet operates on the Solana blockchain. It enables customers to send and store USDC across more than 100 countries.

Transfers are near-instant, affordable, and reliable within the Sendwave ecosystem. This gives migrant workers a faster alternative to traditional remittance channels.

TRM Labs described the partnership on X, noting that stablecoins are changing how remittances work. The firm noted that the Sendwave Wallet was designed to support migrant communities globally.

It also confirmed that blockchain intelligence would help strengthen risk management as the platform scales. The post further addressed compliance support as Zepz enters new markets.

Rather than converting funds immediately into local currency, customers can hold USDC. They decide when and how to cash out based on current market conditions.

This feature is especially useful in countries facing frequent currency fluctuations. The model offers more financial control compared to traditional remittance services.

TRM Labs Embeds Compliance Tools into Stablecoin Infrastructure

TRM Labs began working with Zepz in April 2025 on its stablecoin products. The company helped design financial crime controls for the Sendwave Wallet infrastructure.

These controls address sanctions risk, anti-money laundering requirements, and transaction monitoring. Integrating these tools from the start creates a stronger compliance foundation.

TRM’s blockchain intelligence platform enables real-time monitoring of on-chain activity. It helps organizations detect illicit transactions and manage risk across digital assets.

As Zepz expands into new markets, these capabilities become increasingly necessary. Global regulators are paying closer attention to digital asset-based payment platforms.

Will Bell, Business Lead at TRM Labs, shared his perspective on the collaboration. He said the platform helps organizations monitor activity in real time and manage risk exposure.

Bell added that Zepz is combining payment innovation with strong operational safeguards. He noted the goal is to scale digital asset products in line with regulatory expectations.

Zaheer Jassat, VP of Product at Zepz, also commented on the collaboration. He said customers trust Zepz with something personal — supporting family members across borders.

Partnering with TRM, he noted, strengthens Zepz’s ability to manage risk responsibly. Customers can now send, store, and spend stablecoins with greater confidence.

Key Highlights

• British authorities sanction Xinbi cryptocurrency platform disrupting international fraud networks
• Platform facilitated stolen data transactions and enabled transnational crypto fraud schemes
• Cambodian fraud centers connected to human trafficking face escalating UK enforcement
• UK-US collaboration drives major seizures and dismantling of scam infrastructure
• Enforcement targets cryptocurrency channels funding widespread online fraud operations

British authorities have announced comprehensive sanctions against a significant Crypto Scam infrastructure operating throughout Southeast Asia. Officials seek to disable cryptocurrency platforms facilitating widespread internet fraud and human rights violations. This enforcement action represents an escalation in efforts to dismantle organized digital fraud systems harming UK citizens and victims worldwide.

Britain Sanctions Xinbi Platform in Enforcement Action

British regulators designated Xinbi, a digital currency exchange connected to Southeast Asian Crypto Scam networks, for sanctions. This platform enabled illicit trading of compromised personal information and resources utilized in coordinated fraud campaigns. Officials intend to undermine the financial infrastructure sustaining these criminal operations.

The Xinbi platform served fraudulent call centers by providing cryptocurrency services enabling cross-border payments and untraceable financial movements. The marketplace also supplied satellite communications technology allowing fraud operators to contact targets internationally. These functions expanded both the scope and effectiveness of criminal fraud networks.

Sanctions measures block Xinbi from accessing authorized cryptocurrency infrastructures and constrain its operational capacity. Authorities anticipate significant disruption throughout associated fraudulent enterprises. This enforcement follows previous actions that dismantled BYEX, another platform supporting digital currency fraud.

Cambodian Fraud Compounds Connected to Human Trafficking Operations

Investigators established connections between criminal fraud networks and extensive facilities throughout Cambodia and surrounding territories. These installations employed fraudulent employment advertisements to traffic foreign workers into coerced fraud activities. Victims subsequently endured intimidation and mistreatment while executing online scam operations.

Authorities identified the #8 Park facility as among the most significant compounds supporting these criminal enterprises. Reports indicate this location held as many as 20,000 trafficked persons compelled to participate in internet fraud schemes. The enforcement campaign directly confronts a critical node within the organized fraud infrastructure.

British officials also sanctioned Legend Innovation Co., the entity controlling the #8 Park complex associated with the Prince Group. Furthermore, regulators targeted prominent individuals overseeing financial channels linked to fraudulent activities. These measures seek to destabilize command structures directing these operations.

Global Collaboration Strengthens Enforcement Campaigns

British authorities synchronized earlier sanctions with American counterparts against the Prince Group and its leadership. These coordinated actions sparked regional investigations and property confiscations surpassing £1 billion in value. Sustained enforcement pressure progressively weakens the broader criminal network.

Cambodian law enforcement has amplified domestic operations following international partnership efforts. Officials documented numerous enforcement actions, facility shutdowns, and liberation of trafficking victims. These developments demonstrate increasing regional opposition to organized digital fraud enterprises.

The UK intends to strengthen international collaboration through forthcoming financial crime programs and strategic alliances. Authorities will concentrate on monitoring illicit cryptocurrency transactions and disrupting transnational fraud infrastructure. Ongoing enforcement operations aim to diminish the worldwide influence of organized digital fraud systems.

Fear of Regulatory Loopholes

The industry association argued that regulators ought to hold off until Congress finishes crypto banking legislation. It claimed that granting charters without complete regulations could pose a threat to the financial system. In addition, the group urged the OCC not to use conventional timelines on crypto companies. The ABA also expressed concern about the application of the GENIUS Act in the charter process. It observed that a number of agencies are yet to achieve rulemaking pursuant to the law. The group also indicated that implementing it in parts would complicate regulation of crypto firms.

Ripple is also one of the important applicants that will be impacted by the request. The banking group also criticised the OCC, as the firm was conditionally approved by the OCC earlier. Thus, full approval can now be delayed.Other companies seeking approval include BitGo, Paxos and Laser Digital of Nomura. There are also new entrants in the process who face increased scrutiny. This trend presents increasing interest towards regulated banking status.

Lawmakers too, such as Elizabeth Warren, have entered the debate. Previously, she demanded a stop on the same applications associated with crypto companies. Additionally, the topic has now been incorporated into broader debates about financial oversight.The ABA highlighted the necessity of more powerful oversight mechanisms prior to approvals. It raised issues of the risk of insolvency and how the regulators could act. Therefore, the group demanded a slow and cautious stance.

Industry Practice Claims

The association also cited questions around the way crypto companies make returns. It claimed that there are companies that can evade the restrictions by using related platforms. It also noted that more explicit rules are needed to resolve such practices. The petition is also indicative of increased tensions between traditional banks and crypto companies that seek to gain regulatory acceptance. It also underscores the persistent ambiguity with lawmakers still working on regulations regarding crypto bank activities.

• Katana (KAT) gains momentum from Upbit and Bithumb listings with KRW pairs.
• Katana Perps launch adds derivatives and deeper market utility.
• Traders should watch the support at $0.014 and the immediate resistance at $0.016.

Katana (KAT), the native token of the Katana Network, has seen an extraordinary 53% price surge today, largely fueled by major cryptocurrency exchange listings.

Upbit and Bithumb, two of South Korea’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, have added KAT, opening up direct KRW trading pairs for the token.

These listings have given Katana greater visibility in a market known for active retail participation.

South Korean investors often respond quickly to new token listings, and the addition of KRW trading pairs makes it easy for traders to engage with KAT.

This kind of exposure can amplify buying pressure and lead to sharp price moves, especially when combined with already strong market momentum.

The recent surge has also coincided with extremely high trading volumes.

KAT’s daily turnover has been several times its earlier average, signalling strong interest from traders and speculators.

Sustained volume is crucial for maintaining momentum. If volume remains high, KAT is likely to continue testing local highs.

Conversely, a sudden drop in trading activity could lead to sharp pullbacks.

Adding to the bullish narrative, Katana recently acquired IDEX to launch a native perpetual futures platform called Katana Perps.

By integrating derivatives trading directly into the ecosystem, Katana can capture more trading activity within its own network.

This move also brings professional liquidity providers and market makers into the token’s orbit, creating a more stable and deeper market.

Technical outlook

Overall, KAT is in a high-momentum phase driven by both exchange listings and real product development.

From a technical analysis perspective, KAT is currently hovering near its recent local high, and the immediate support level to watch is $0.014.

Holding above this level would suggest that bullish momentum remains intact and could pave the way for a retest of the local high around $0.016.

But if this support fails, traders should anticipate a move toward the next key support near $0.012.

Volume remains a crucial indicator in this environment.

Sustained daily volume above $100 million would confirm strong trader interest and reduce the likelihood of a sudden correction.

On the other hand, if volume drops below $50 million, it could signal that momentum is fading and that a pullback may be imminent.

The combination of exchange listings, high trading volumes, and a new derivatives platform provides KAT with both momentum and structural growth potential.

However, traders should be aware that these factors create opportunities but also increase the risk of sharp swings if interest wanes.