The Jito Foundation has acquired SolanaFloor, a media outlet focused on the Solana ecosystem.

SolanaFloor reported the acquisition and that it’s resuming operations today, March 10, just over two weeks after the media outlet announced it was shutting down, “effective immediately.”

Jito Foundation develops Jito, the second-largest liquid staking protocol on Solana, per DefiLlama data. Jito Liquid Staking boasts a total value locked of $1.1 billion.

Per the announcement, SolanaFloor will retain editorial independence after the acquisition, clarifying that its “mission and editorial processes will remain unchanged under Jito Foundation’s stewardship.”

On the foundation’s motivations for the deal, Brian Smith, president of Jito Foundation, reiterated the foundation’s commitment to SolanaFloor’s editorial independence, explaining:

“Jito has a long-term stake in the health of the Solana ecosystem, and that means investing in the infrastructure and public goods that keeps the community informed.”

Second Acquisition

SolanaFloor was originally launched in 2021 with a focus on NFT analytics. The company was acquired by now defunct Solana DeFi portfolio management app Step Finance in 2022. SolanaFloor pivoted to become a Solana-focused news media outlet soon after, as the peak NFT frenzy and interest in the sector continued to wane.

Step Finanace suffered a major exploit in late January that resulted in the loss of nearly $30 million in SOL. Soon after, it announced that the platform was shutting down operations, along with the two companies it had acquired, SolanaFloor and Remora Markets.

Solana currently has a TVL of over $8 billion, down from nearly $14.5 billion in September, per DefiLlama.

The acquisition marks an important moment for crypto media, which has seen multiple outlets shutter their newsrooms in recent months.

This article was generated with the assistance of AI workflows.

Circle has launched Nanopayments on testnet, offering developers a new infrastructure layer for ultra-small, gas-free USDC transactions.

The product is built on Circle Gateway and designed to serve the emerging agentic economy, where AI agents and autonomous software need to make rapid, sub-cent payments for services such as pay-per-call APIs, usage-based billing, and machine-to-machine marketplaces.

The core challenge Nanopayments aims to solve is an economic one. Traditional payment rails carry fixed fees and overhead that make sub-cent transactions impractical, while even low-cost blockchain transactions can impose fees that dwarf the payment itself.

Circle’s approach sidesteps this by aggregating transactions off-chain and settling them on-chain in batches, effectively reducing the per-transaction gas cost to zero for developers, with Circle absorbing the settlement costs at the batch layer.

The system follows the x402 open standard, allowing any agent to pay any merchant without creating an account or adding a credit card. When an agent initiates a payment, it signs an authorization that’s validated by the Nanopayments API, the merchant gets instant confirmation, and actual on-chain settlement happens periodically in the background.

In a blog post, Circle highlighted an early proof of concept in which an autonomous robot dog used Nanopayments to pay for its own recharging in USDC, a glimpse at what fully autonomous economic actors might look like.

The testnet supports multiple blockchains, including Arbitrum, Base, Ethereum, Optimism, Polygon, and Sonic.

The launch comes amid explosive growth in the stablecoin sector, whose market capitalization now exceeds $314 billion, up 37% from $228 billion a year ago, according to DeFiLlama.

Circle’s USDC is the second-largest stablecoin with nearly $79 billion in circulation, according to Coingecko.

The company has been steadily building out its platform beyond USDC issuance. In spring 2025, it launched the Circle Payments Network, a platform for real-time, low-cost cross-border payments using stablecoins. It later unveiled Gateway, a chain abstraction tool that lets USDC holders access a unified balance across supported blockchains, and introduced Arc, a Layer-1 blockchain purpose-built for USDC transactions.

Starknet is returning privacy to the center of blockchain development as new tools attempt to balance confidentiality with regulatory oversight.

On March 10, Starknet announced STRK20, a new privacy capability designed to give ERC‑20 tokens confidential balances and private transfers while keeping the option for regulatory disclosure when required.

The feature allows developers to deploy tokens on Starknet (STRK) with built-in privacy controls. Users can shield assets, hold balances privately, and transfer tokens without revealing transaction details on public block explorers.

At the same time, records can still be disclosed to auditors, regulators, or accountants if legally necessary.

Private balances and transfers for tokens

Blockchains such as Bitcoin and Ethereum operate with full transparency, meaning wallet balances and transactions can usually be viewed by anyone. While this design improves auditability, it can also limit institutional participation and certain financial use cases.

STRK20 attempts to address that issue. The system introduces what Starknet calls transaction-layer privacy, where asset ownership can remain hidden while the execution of transactions still occurs on a public network.

Once deployed, users can shield tokens into a private state, transfer them confidentially, or return them to a public state when needed. These functions remain tied to the same asset and liquidity pools, which avoids splitting tokens into separate public and private versions.

The first integrations are already planned within the Starknet ecosystem. Privacy-enabled swaps are expected to be available on Ekubo Protocol, while private staking options are also being explored for assets including Bitcoin and the Starknet token.

Privacy with compliance controls

The project also focuses on regulatory compatibility, an area that has historically limited privacy tools in crypto.

Instead of fully anonymous systems, STRK20 allows selective disclosure. Transaction details can be revealed to approved parties such as regulators or auditors when required. This approach attempts to give institutions privacy in daily activity while maintaining an audit trail for compliance purposes.

Starknet has already been experimenting with privacy-focused Bitcoin use cases. Earlier this year, the network introduced strkBTC, which allows optional shielding for Bitcoin balances while still enabling participation in decentralized finance applications.

Interest in privacy tools is growing in the crypto world. Every year, trillions of dollars move on public blockchains, but anyone can see transaction details and wallet balances.

Privacy tokens could let people pay, trade, and lend without exposing their financial activity. Starknet says this could make blockchain easier to use while still maintaining compliance.

The total crypto market cap added roughly $100 billion in a day.

After dumping to $65,500 on Monday morning, bitcoin reversed its trajectory and jumped by over five grand to tap $71,000 for the first time since last Friday.

Ethereum has reclaimed the coveted $2,000 level, while BNB is close to $650. XRP is above $1.40 despite continuous ETF outflows.

BTC Jumps to $71K

What a wild ride it has been in crypto, prompted by the quickly developing and escalating tension in the Middle East. It began with a nosedive to $63,000 for BTC on February 28, when the US and Israel attacked Iran, before the bulls took control and pushed the asset to a month-high of $74,000 by Wednesday.

The subsequent rejection was almost inevitable given the current market sentiment, and BTC began to lose value gradually. After dropping to and below $68,000 by the weekend, the bears drove it further south to $65,500 on Monday morning when the legacy financial futures markets opened.

However, bitcoin rebounded almost immediately and returned to $68,000. It even challenged the $70,000 level in the evening after Trump’s somewhat surprising remarks that the war with Iran is almost over. Although it failed there at first, it reclaimed that psychological line today, jumping to just over $71,000 minutes ago.

Its market capitalization has climbed to $1.420 trillion on CG, while its dominance over the alts is above 57%.

ETH Above $2K, HYPE Soars

Ethereum continues with its gradual ascent, jumping to over $2,050 as of press time after a 3% daily increase. A similar pump from BNB has driven the token to almost $650, while XRP is above $1.40, although the Ripple ETFs saw another major withdrawal yesterday. DOGE has gained 5% daily and now sits at $0.095.

HYPE has surged the most from the top 100 alts, pumping by 11% to nearly $35. XLM, SUI, ZEC, SHIB, AVAX, AAVE, and NEAR follow suit.

The cumulative market cap of all crypto assets has added $100 billion in a day and is close to $2.5 trillion on CG now.

TLDR:

• Altseason indicator shows BTC and ETH losing dominance over the broader market. 
• Weekly RSI divergence signals fading momentum and market compression. 
• Market structure mirrors pre-2021 altseason patterns, hinting at rotation. 
• Selective altcoins with strong utility may lead the next crypto expansion.

The altseason indicator update shows early signs that the crypto market may rotate away from BTC and ETH dominance toward altcoins. Historical patterns suggest momentum is weakening, and price structure is compressing ahead of potential altcoin expansion.

Market Structure Suggests Altcoin Pressure

The altseason indicator tracks the dominance of total stablecoins, BTC, and ETH relative to the broader market. It identifies when capital shifts from major coins to altcoins.

Since January, the price has moved sideways within a tight consolidation range. This mirrors the market structure seen before the 2021 altseason, where BTC and ETH dominance first formed a clear distribution zone.

Recently, the price pushed into resistance levels, suggesting a potential bull trap. The weekly RSI shows divergence from the price, signaling a gradual weakening of buying momentum.

Momentum divergence indicates the market may be coiling for a structural move. Such compression phases can last weeks, yet historically they precede rapid rotations into altcoins.

The current setup reflects a pause between distribution and rotation. During this phase, price may appear stagnant, but capital quietly prepares for the next move.

Historical comparisons show that similar patterns led to the largest altcoin expansions of the last cycle. Dominance breakdowns often trigger rapid, aggressive capital flows into select tokens.

Market compression also makes timing uncertain. RSI and price may remain in a tight range for several weeks, yet the structural pressure continues to build.

A fading RSI often precedes volatility spikes in a classic pre-altseason environment, where leading altcoins outperform before widespread rotation.

Tokens with strong fundamentals and relative strength against BTC and ETH often separate from weaker assets early.

Strategic Focus for the Next Altseason

If BTC and ETH dominance break down, historical trends indicate capital may rapidly move into selected altcoins. The 2021 dominance collapses caused significant gains for top-performing tokens.

Not all altcoins are likely to participate equally. Market maturity ensures capital favors projects with real utility, robust tokenomics, and strong social ecosystems.

Traders should monitor relative strength metrics. Projects outperforming BTC and ETH often lead early in rotation phases. This selective approach maximizes gains while reducing exposure to weaker assets.

Price compression, momentum divergence, and structural similarities to past cycles suggest the market is near a decision point. Early movers may benefit significantly.

Patience is critical during this stage. Investors focusing on quality projects with strong fundamentals may profit when capital rotates rapidly into leading altcoins.

TLDR:

• Global market volatility erased over $2 trillion after the Middle East war risk spiked oil prices.
  
• WTI and Brent crude surged 25–31% as traders priced potential energy supply disruptions.
  
• Equities fell sharply as oil spikes raised inflation and economic slowdown concerns.
  
• G7 emergency oil supply signals reversed panic, restoring equity markets within hours.

Global market volatility surged as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East triggered sharp energy and equity moves. Policy signals from the G7 later reversed oil spikes, restoring trillions in value.

War fears spark sharp global market reactions

Global market volatility surged when U.S. index futures opened amid rising Middle East tensions. Traders reacted immediately to potential conflict risks affecting critical energy routes, rather than current economic conditions. 

Futures markets operate nearly 24 hours, allowing investors to price these developments before regular trading. Anticipation of supply disruptions quickly drove equities lower.

The S&P 500 fell 2.3%, erasing roughly $1.33 trillion, while the Nasdaq Composite dropped 2.4%, losing $924 billion. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 2.3%, removing about $529 billion. 

Energy markets surged in parallel. WTI crude rose 31%, Brent crude 25%, and natural gas 10% as investors assessed shipping closures, sanctions, and production risks. 

These reactions reflected immediate pricing of potential global energy shortages. Leverage amplified these movements. 

Many traders entered commodity positions with high leverage, magnifying both gains and losses. Market sentiment shifts, noting that futures had priced in a full geopolitical risk premium. 

Markets moved based on expectations rather than fundamental economic changes, demonstrating how perception of risk drives trillion-dollar swings in modern trading.

Investors focused on potential inflation spikes if oil prices remained elevated. Higher energy costs could pressure central banks to maintain restrictive rates, reduce consumer spending, and tighten corporate margins. 

This caused equities to sell off sharply, reflecting the direct link between energy prices and global market stability.

G7 coordination quickly reverses energy panic

Global market volatility reversed after the Group of Seven finance ministers signaled readiness to stabilize energy supply. Strategic petroleum reserves, especially in the U.S., were highlighted as a key tool to prevent prolonged shortages. 

Markets immediately adjusted, pricing in the likelihood that governments could mitigate supply disruptions.

Oil prices fell roughly 32% from their highs, and natural gas dropped 13% as leveraged positions unwound. The rapid reversal reflected traders exiting panic positions once supply concerns were alleviated. 

Equities responded positively. The S&P 500 gained 3.5%, adding about $2.03 trillion, the Nasdaq Composite rose 4.35%, regaining $1.67 trillion, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average increased 3.3%, recovering $759 billion.

Market observers noted that policy signals can shift expectations instantly. Algorithmic trading and leveraged futures amplified these movements. 

The episode illustrated how perceptions of risk, energy supply stability, and potential inflation influence prices more than immediate economic fundamentals. 

Traders reassessed supply availability and growth expectations, showing how tightly commodities, equities, and government signals interact in real-time trading.

Global market volatility, in this case, demonstrated that perception alone can drive massive, rapid swings. 

Within hours, trillions of dollars were erased and restored, confirming how sensitive modern financial markets are to geopolitical developments and coordinated policy actions.

Crypto company Ripple said it is set to secure a key financial services license in Australia through the acquisition of an Australian payments firm, adding to an international license grab over the last year.

In a statement on Tuesday, Ripple said it will buy BC Payments Australia, a corporate entity tied to the European Banking Circle Group, allowing it access to the company’s Australian Financial Services License (AFSL), which is set to become a requirement for certain crypto companies to provide financial services in the country.

The acquisition of BC Payments Australia is set to close on April 1, according to a report from The Australian, citing comments from Ripple APAC managing director Fiona Murray.

Murray said there was “enough institutional interest in digital assets to warrant the investment for us.”

“Getting licensed was always part of our plan.”

Exciting milestone for @Ripple in Australia! 🇦🇺

Ripple is obtaining an Australian Financial Services License (AFSL). As we continue to bridge TradFi with the next gen of digital infrastructure, regulatory compliance remains the foundation of everything we build:… pic.twitter.com/JNF1iQSyG7

— Ripple (@Ripple) March 10, 2026

In Ripple’s statement, Murray said “Australia is a key market for Ripple” and that an AFSL would strengthen the company’s ability to scale its payments business throughout the country.

“With the AFSL in place, Ripple Payments can manage the full lifecycle of a transaction, from onboarding and compliance through funding, FX, liquidity management, and final payout, while integrating both traditional banking rails and digital assets.”

Ripple has been working to expand its collection of international licenses over the last year.

In addition to recently securing conditional approval for a national trust banking charter in the US, Ripple has also won payment licenses in Singapore, the UAE and the UK over the last 12 months.

The firm has also been working to expand use cases for XRP (XRP) and its Ripple USD (RLUSD) stablecoin through key acquisitions in recent months, most notably non-bank prime broker Hidden Road and corporate treasury platform GTreasury.

The acquisition of Hidden Road — now Ripple Prime — made Ripple the first crypto-native company to own and run a multi-asset prime broker, covering everything from clearing, financing and brokerage across digital assets, derivatives, swaps, foreign exchange, and fixed-income products for institutional clients.