Crypto World
Ripple to Buy Back $750M in Shares Through April, Says Report
Ripple Labs is pursuing a strategic move to buy back private shares, aiming to provide liquidity for investors and employees while signaling confidence in the company’s long-term value. A Bloomberg report on March 11, 2026, indicated Ripple plans to tender up to $750 million of its private stock, a program that would value the company at about $50 billion. The tender is expected to run through April, aligning a significant repurchase with a financial picture that has not always reflected the company’s ambitions. The plan sits against a backdrop of a volatile crypto market and a company that has been expanding beyond its core payments rails into broader financial services and technology initiatives. Despite a higher valuation from the buyback, Ripple’s publicly traded token price has faced pressure, illustrating the gap between private market activity and public market sentiment.
Key takeaways
- Ripple plans a private share buyback of up to $750 million, pegged to a $50 billion valuation, according to Bloomberg.
- The tender offer is expected to run through April, providing liquidity options for existing shareholders and employees.
- The $50 billion valuation represents a roughly 25% uplift from the valuation implied by its November 2025 fundraising round.
- Ripple has moved to expand beyond crypto with a $1.2 billion acquisition push that includes non-bank prime broker Hidden Road and treasury management system provider GTreasury, signaling a strategic pivot toward broader fintech services.
- Regulatory development remains on Ripple’s radar, including ongoing discussions around a U.S. national trust bank charter, while the company pursues an Australian financial license through a local payments acquisition.
- Market indicators show XRP has declined sharply in recent months, while RLUSD has surpassed $1 billion in market capitalization since its December 2024 launch, and private-market prices for Ripple’s stock have slipped.
Tickers mentioned: $XRP, $RLUSD
Sentiment: Neutral
Price impact: Positive. The buyback, by signaling confidence and offering liquidity at a higher implied valuation, could bolster sentiment among private holders despite the near-term price softness in XRP.
Market context: The move comes in a climate where crypto markets are juggling liquidity constraints, regulatory scrutiny, and ongoing debates about tokenized finance offerings. Regulatory progress, such as national-charter discussions, intersects with corporate strategies aimed at expanding cash flows and diversification beyond a single business line. At the same time, public market dynamics for XRP differ from private market activity for Ripple, underscoring a nuanced landscape for investors and employees holding private shares.
Why it matters
The proposed $750 million share repurchase frames Ripple as a company intent on unlocking liquidity for a dispersed base of investors and employees, a common path for privately held tech and fintech firms seeking to optimize capital structure ahead of broader strategic moves. The buyback values Ripple at about $50 billion, a level that implies strong confidence among insiders and external backers about the firm’s growth potential, even as XRP experiences a sustained price drawdown in public markets. The contrast between private valuation signals and public-market price action highlights how market participants weigh corporate strategy differently from token-based trading dynamics.
Beyond the buyback, Ripple’s foray into broader financial services reflects a deliberate pivot from a crypto payments network toward a more diversified financial technology platform. The company disclosed an $1.2 billion acquisition that encompassed Hidden Road, a non-bank prime broker, and GTreasury, a treasury management system provider. Taken together, the deal signals a push into institutional infrastructure—areas that could broaden Ripple’s revenue streams and reduce reliance on pure crypto volatility. The expansion aligns with the company’s stated intent, in earlier public communications, to explore regulated fintech avenues, including a potential Australian financial license through the acquisition of a local payments firm. These steps suggest a strategy aimed at building a multi-faceted fintech portfolio that can weather fluctuations in crypto market cycles.
On the regulatory front, the U.S. move toward formal national trust bank charters—where Ripple and other crypto firms appear to be advancing—adds a layer of legitimacy that could unlock uses for its stablecoin operations and related services. Ripple’s application to not be a stablecoin issuer for RLUSD, as outlined in OCC communications, indicates a careful negotiation of regulated capabilities. The regulatory environment remains a critical variable for investors assessing Ripple’s long-term viability and for institutions evaluating the risk and reward of engaging with a company pursuing both fintech licenses and crypto-enabled products.
Market data from Ripple’s public footprint show a diversified picture. On the private market side, Forge Global has recorded a more than 9% decline in Ripple’s private share price as of midweek, illustrating that private investors remain wary of near-term price catalysts even as the company pursues strategic expansion. In the public-facing metrics, Ripple reported that it processed more than $100 billion in transactions, with RLUSD surpassing a $1 billion market capitalization since its December 2024 launch, underscoring the platform’s growing footprint in on-chain settlement and stablecoin-enabled programs. XRP, the native token, has fallen more than 53% over the past six months, reflecting the broader risk-off sentiment in crypto markets and the particular volatility of project and token narratives within the space.
The evolving narrative around Ripple—combining liquidity events, strategic acquisitions, and regulated expansion—is shaping how market participants assess the company’s near- and medium-term trajectory. The buyback could serve as a signal to investors that the board views current private valuations as representational of potential upside, while the expansion into institutional infrastructure markets may offer a buffer against crypto-cycle volatility. Yet the path remains contingent on regulatory developments, execution of the acquisitions, and the broader macro backdrop for risk assets within the crypto and fintech spaces.
What to watch next
- Completion of the $750 million tender and any updates on the final valuation implied by the buyback.
- Progress on the Australian financial-license pursuit through the local payments firm acquisition and any regulatory milestones.
- Updates on Hidden Road and GTreasury integration, and how the new assets contribute to Ripple’s revenue mix and risk profile.
- Crypto-market conditions and XRP price movement, particularly as Ripple’s private-market activities unfold alongside public trading activity.
Sources & verification
- Bloomberg report detailing Ripple’s planned $750 million share buyback at a $50 billion valuation and the tender timeline through April.
- Ripple’s statements and public disclosures related to not pursuing an IPO and to regulatory charters, including OCC communications from December.
- Acquisitions of Hidden Road and GTreasury and related financial details reported for the company’s expansion beyond crypto.
- Ripple’s public posts noting transaction volumes, RLUSD market capitalization, and XRP price movements, including X (formerly Twitter) activity.
- Forge Global data reflecting changes in Ripple’s private share price as of midweek.
Ripple’s buyback and growth push reshape its valuation narrative
Ripple’s decision to advance a private share repurchase underscores a broader strategic arc that combines liquidity options for private holders with a deliberate expansion into regulated, non-crypto financial services. The tender, set to unfold through April, arrives alongside a valuation implication of $50 billion, a level that would mark a meaningful uplift from the private-market assessments that followed the November 2025 funding round. The juxtaposition of a rising private valuation against a softer public token price highlights a nuanced dynamic: the market is pricing Ripple’s future cash flows and regulatory prospects differently than its current crypto-market performance would suggest.
The acquisition strategy central to this narrative—covering Hidden Road and GTreasury in a single $1.2 billion move—signals a pivot toward infrastructure and treasury management capabilities that could broaden Ripple’s appeal to institutions and developers seeking integrated fintech services. By embedding itself in areas such as prime brokerage and cash management, Ripple could diversify revenue streams and reduce exposure to episodic swings in the crypto market. This shift mirrors a broader industry trend where crypto firms leverage regulated, utility-focused offerings to stabilize growth trajectories and unlock new monetization channels beyond pure token value appreciation.
Regulatory progress remains a key variable in how this story unfolds. The December determination by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to conditionally approve national trust bank charters for several crypto companies marks a meaningful, if conservative, step toward formalizing a path for regulated digital finance. Ripple has specifically stated that its RLUSD-related charter would not position it as a stablecoin issuer, suggesting a hedged approach to tokenized settlement that prioritizes compliance and governance. In parallel, the company’s plan to pursue an Australian financial-license pathway via a local payments acquisition indicates Europe- and Asia-anchored expansion ambitions, potentially creating a bridge between U.S. regulatory developments and international growth opportunities.
Market observers will monitor how the private buyback interacts with ongoing public-market dynamics. The 9% dip in private Ripple shares on Forge Global, alongside XRP’s 53% six-month decline, highlights the split between private investor sentiment and public token performance. Yet the RLUSD program, already surpassing a $1 billion market cap, demonstrates tangible traction in the stablecoin space, hinting at a real-use case that could complement Ripple’s broader platform ambitions. As the tender progresses and regulatory steps materialize, the company’s trajectory could hinge on how effectively it can translate an expanded product slate into sustainable, compliant revenue streams that resonate with institutional and retail participants alike.
TLDR:
- Ghana admits 11 firms into crypto sandbox to test exchanges and tokenization under VASP Act.
- Over 3 million Ghanaians use crypto, with transaction volumes rising 80% amid growing adoption.
- Blockchain.com expands to Ghana after 700% growth in Nigeria’s digital asset market.
- Sandbox supports regulatory compliance, investor protection, and responsible innovation for firms.
Ghana’s crypto regulatory sandbox has launched under the 2025 VASP Act, allowing 11 firms to test digital asset services.
The initiative aims to regulate the market, protect consumers, and build a structured framework for the country’s growing crypto ecosystem.
Ghana opens regulatory sandbox for virtual asset providers
The Ghana crypto regulatory sandbox allows selected firms to operate under regulatory supervision. The Securities and Exchange Commission and Bank of Ghana oversee the 12-month pilot.
Eleven firms, including Hyro Exchange, Koinkoin, and Africoin, have been admitted. The sandbox is the first operational step following the Virtual Asset Service Providers Act (2025), which legally recognizes digital asset companies.
The programme permits firms to test cryptocurrency exchanges, tokenization of assets, and custodial services within a controlled environment.
Companies meeting the regulatory requirements may receive full licences after six months. Others can continue testing until the program ends. The SEC will use lessons from the sandbox to prepare final licensing guidelines for virtual asset service providers.
Regulators have emphasized compliance with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing standards. The sandbox aims to encourage responsible innovation while strengthening investor protection and market integrity.
Ghana’s framework contrasts with Nigeria’s approach, where the SEC has paused new sandbox admissions. Ghana’s pilot indicates a structured path for regulated digital asset adoption, positioning the country as a potential hub for crypto innovation in West Africa.
The programme also includes local and international players like Blockchain.com, Hanypay, and Vaulta. Their participation demonstrates confidence in Ghana’s regulatory clarity and the growing potential of its crypto market.
Growth of crypto adoption and Blockchain.com expansion
Crypto adoption in Ghana has increased rapidly, with more than 3 million users now participating in the market. Transaction volumes have surged by 80 percent, reaching over $3 billion by 2024.
These figures highlight the demand for regulated digital asset services in the country.
Blockchain.com, which reported over 700 percent growth in Nigeria, is expanding into Ghana to meet rising regional demand.
The company has already seen a 140 percent increase in active Ghanaian users and an 80 percent growth in transactions. The firm is focusing on infrastructure development, regulatory engagement, and local partnerships.
Stablecoins and other digital assets are expected to improve cross-border payments and support expanding digital commerce ecosystems in West Africa.
The sandbox provides an environment for firms like Blockchain.com to test market-ready products while maintaining compliance.
Ghana’s approach aligns market growth with investor protection and responsible innovation, creating a regulated framework for virtual asset services.
The regulatory pilot demonstrates Ghana’s commitment to balancing rapid crypto adoption with legal and operational oversight.
With the sandbox, firms can innovate safely while contributing to a structured and secure digital asset ecosystem.
XRP futures traders appear to be pulling back as open interest dropped, funding rates weakened, and exchange transaction activity fell significantly.
XRP failed to break above $1.40 on Wednesday despite early-week optimism about a potential resolution to the Iran conflict. At the same time, derivatives data suggest speculative activity in the market has been cooling.
Open interest in XRP derivatives has declined sharply across major trading platforms after a period of strong speculative activity that accompanied the asset’s rally toward its cycle peak in July 2025.
Signs of Cooling After Heavy Long Liquidations
New data tracking multi-exchange open interest shows that the total value of active futures contracts has dropped noticeably across nearly all major exchanges, which indicates a reduction in leveraged participation. Open interest represents the total number of futures contracts that remain active in the market, and a decline typically means that traders are closing positions or reducing exposure.
Despite the broader decline, Binance continues to hold the largest share of XRP derivatives activity, as open interest currently stands at approximately $222 million. Bybit follows with about $195 million in open interest. While these figures remain higher than the lowest levels recorded in 2024, they are significantly below the high readings observed during mid-2025 when XRP reached its cycle high and speculative trading activity intensified.
After examining liquidation data across exchanges, CryptoQuant found a clear dominance of long liquidations compared with short liquidations, both in frequency and total value. This pattern suggests that bullish traders have been disproportionately affected by recent market volatility.
The report also said that heavy long liquidations typically push funding rates lower, and often bring them back toward neutral levels or even into negative territory. Such conditions generally reflect weakening bullish sentiment and increased caution among derivatives traders.
Market Participation Slows
Meanwhile, activity involving XRP transfers to and from major cryptocurrency exchanges has dropped to its lowest level since the indicator was introduced. The data comes from the Multi Exchanges Daily Depositing/Withdrawing Transactions Delta, a metric that tracks the number of XRP deposit and withdrawal transactions across 15 major trading platforms.
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According to the analysis, the sharp decline in transaction activity comes after XRP’s price fell by more than 60% from the highs recorded last summer. The drop in deposits and withdrawals means that fewer users are currently interacting with exchanges, in what appears to be a notable slowdown in overall exchange-related activity for the cryptocurrency.
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TLDR:
- February CPI rose 2.4% YoY with core inflation at 2.5%, remaining above the Fed’s 2% target.
- Monthly CPI growth slowed slightly, aided by stable vehicle prices and lower rental inflation.
- Rising oil prices after the Iran conflict may push March inflation higher than February levels.
- Weak payroll growth and higher unemployment complicate the Fed’s March 18 policy decision.
February CPI data showed stable inflation in the United States during February. The figures matched expectations and indicated slower price growth.
However, rising oil prices and weaker employment data now place the Federal Reserve in a difficult position before its March policy meeting.
February CPI Shows Cooling Trend Before Energy Shock
February CPI increased 2.4% compared with the same period last year. The figure matched January’s reading and aligned with market expectations.
Core inflation also remained steady at 2.5%, still above the Federal Reserve’s 2% inflation target. Monthly price growth reached 0.3% in February after a 0.2% increase in January.
Core CPI rose 0.2%, slightly lower than the previous month. Lower rental inflation and stable vehicle prices helped keep monthly increases relatively moderate.
Some consumer categories still experienced rising costs. Grocery prices climbed 0.4% during February and rose 2.4% compared with a year earlier.
Clothing prices also increased sharply, rising 1.3% during the same month. Energy prices moved higher during February but remained manageable.
Gasoline prices increased 0.8% during the month yet remained lower than last year’s levels. These numbers represent conditions before the recent geopolitical conflict affected global energy markets.
Bull Theory noted the timing challenge surrounding the data release. The post stated that the Federal Reserve received the “perfect inflation report at the worst possible time.”
Oil Price Surge and Weak Jobs Data Complicate Fed Decision
Energy markets changed rapidly after the conflict involving Iran began near the end of February. Shipping disruptions in the Persian Gulf pushed oil prices sharply higher within days.
Energy costs, therefore, started rising after the February CPI measurement period ended.
Oil prices briefly approached $120 per barrel before falling back to near $87.
The market remains unstable because shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz face ongoing risks. Around 20% of global oil shipments normally pass through this route.
Fuel prices are already increasing in the United States. The national average price for regular gasoline reached about $3.58 per gallon.
That represents an increase of roughly 20% within one month. Higher fuel costs often affect transportation, logistics, and airline travel.
Businesses may also experience higher shipping expenses if energy prices remain elevated. Economists, therefore, expect fuel costs to influence inflation in the next report.
At the same time, labor market data shows signs of slowing. Payroll growth reached only 58,000 jobs in February, far below expectations of 126,000.
The unemployment rate also rose to 4.4%. The Bull Theory summarized that policymakers now face three signals: cooling inflation, weakening jobs, and rising energy costs.
VanEck has made some of its digital asset exchange-traded products (ETPs) available to 401(k) holders in the United States, signaling a push to integrate crypto-focused investments into traditional retirement accounts.
On Wednesday, the fund issuer said a selection of its digital asset ETPs will be offered through Basic Capital, a fintech platform that provides employer-sponsored 401(k) plans.
The companies did not specify which VanEck digital asset ETPs will be available on the platform. Within crypto, VanEck is best known for the VanEck Bitcoin Trust (HODL) and the VanEck Ethereum Trust (ETHV), its spot Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
The asset manager also offers the VanEck Digital Transformation ETF (DAPP), often referred to as its “Onchain Economy” ETF, which invests in companies involved in the digital asset ecosystem.
VanEck expanded its crypto product lineup earlier this year by launching a spot Avalanche ETF in the United States.
The US Department of Labor in May backtracked on previous federal guidance that discouraged 401(k) plan providers from offering crypto among their investment options.
Basic Capital was founded in 2021 and raised $25 million in a Series A funding round last year led by venture capital firms Forerunner and Lux Capital. The company’s 401(k) platform gives investors access to alternative assets beyond traditional stocks and bonds.
Related: Ethereum is very much ‘the Wall Street token,’ VanEck CEO says
Policy shift opens retirement plans to alternative assets
The move comes amid growing regulatory momentum to integrate digital assets into traditional retirement planning.
In August, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to expand access to alternative assets in 401(k) plans, including digital assets.
The directive called on agencies such as the Treasury Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission to coordinate on potential rule changes to support the broader adoption of alternative investments in retirement accounts.
The policy shift comes as more Americans rely on workplace retirement plans to build long-term savings.
Employer-sponsored defined contribution plans held about $13.9 trillion in assets as of September, including roughly $10 trillion in 401(k) plans, according to the Investment Company Institute.
Separate data from Vanguard’s “How America Saves 2025” report suggests savings rates are also rising. Nearly half (45%) of participants increased their contribution rates in 2024, reflecting the growing use of automatic contribution features in employer plans.
Related: Crypto’s 2026 investment playbook: Bitcoin, stablecoin infrastructure, tokenized assets
The one thing that remains constant in the crypto market, irrespective of whether it’s booming or not, is hacks. Thursday, hackers grabbed Bonk.fun’s domain, the Raydium- and BONK-backed Solana token launchpad, and planted a wallet drainer there.
Operator Tom announced the hack to the community through his X account @SolportTom. “Do not use the http://bonk.fun domain until further notice, hackers have hijacked a team account forcing a drainer on the DOMAIN,” he said. Bonk’s official X handle confirmed the same.
The breach underscores persistent vulnerabilities in crypto frontends, even as institutional participation booms and ecosystems become bigger.
Tom added that past connections to bonk.fun remain safe, as do trades executed through third-party terminals. Only those who signed a bogus terms-of-service message on the compromised site after the breach were hit and swift community alerts appear to have limited the damage.
“We’re doing everything in our power to fix the situation,” the operator said, prioritizing users who have trusted the platform for the past eight months. The operator did not disclose the exact amount of dollar losses, but emphasized that the incident was caught quickly.
TLDR:
- Marathon transfers 298 BTC to Cumberland, adding miner-linked supply to the market.
- Spot Taker CVD shows buyers absorbing miner sell pressure efficiently.
- Bitcoin NVT drops 33.8%, indicating rising transaction activity across the network.
- Funding Rates turn negative, signaling increased short positioning in derivatives markets.
Marathon moves 298 BTC to Cumberland, introducing miner-linked supply into Bitcoin markets. Spot buyers continue absorbing sell pressure, while derivatives funding rates indicate rising bearish positioning among traders.
Miner Transfers Add Supply While Spot Buyers Absorb Pressure
Marathon Digital recently transferred 298 BTC, valued at approximately $20.57 million, to Cumberland. Lookonchain data indicated multiple transactions leaving MARA-linked wallets roughly six hours before reporting.
Such miner movements often attract attention because miners tend to liquidate coins to meet operational or liquidity requirements. Despite the influx, the transfer’s size remains moderate relative to overall Bitcoin liquidity.
Historically, similar miner distributions have been absorbed without creating substantial price disruptions. Traders still watch these flows closely, as miner selling has previously preceded short-term volatility spikes.
Spot order-book dynamics indicate strong buyer absorption of the incoming supply. The Spot Taker CVD (90-day) shows that aggressive buyers continue executing trades at the ask.
When taker demand dominates, sellers must incrementally raise offers to match ongoing buying activity. Such market behavior contributes to price stability during periods of miner distribution.
Even amid new supply, buyers maintain control, preventing abrupt declines or disorderly trading conditions. The MARA transfer has so far not disrupted broader demand across Spot exchanges, signaling market resilience.
Additionally, social sentiment reflects trader awareness, with discussions around miner transfers and buyer absorption circulating online. Monitoring these conversations complements quantitative metrics in assessing short-term market behavior.
Combined Spot data and social tracking provide insight into how miner-linked supply interacts with active demand.
On-Chain Metrics and Derivatives Indicate Mixed Market Signals
Bitcoin’s NVT Ratio fell to 27.7 after a 33.8% decline, signaling rising network transaction activity. A lower NVT suggests more coins are moving relative to market capitalization, reflecting a more active ecosystem.
Analysts often combine NVT data with other metrics to evaluate broader market conditions, including miner-related movements. The Stock-to-Flow Ratio increased by roughly 100%, showing heightened structural scarcity.
Fewer newly minted coins relative to the circulating supply reinforce Bitcoin’s long-term scarcity narrative. This metric remains relevant for assessing the ecosystem’s fundamental strength, even during minor distribution events.
Derivatives markets reveal contrasting sentiment, with Funding Rates dropping to −0.0007 after a 294.54% decline. Negative funding indicates growing short positioning, where short traders receive payments from long traders in perpetual futures.
Such heavily negative funding can also create short-squeeze conditions if spot prices stabilize or rise. Market participants interpret these dynamics as a divergence: Spot demand absorbs supply efficiently while derivatives sentiment grows bearish.
Traders track both on-chain metrics and funding rates to gauge potential volatility and supply-demand shifts. Overall, miner transfers, network activity, and scarcity measures continue to support Bitcoin’s structural fundamentals despite mixed short-term signals.
Mobile phone chipmaker MediaTek patched a vulnerability affecting its chipsets in January that could have allowed an attacker to steal crypto seed phrases on affected devices using just a USB cable and the right software.
The flaw was discovered by Ledger’s white-hat security team, Donjon, who had shared the vulnerability with MediaTek before a patch was rolled out on Jan. 5, though users who have not installed the latest security patches are advised to do so, said Ledger.
Test device compromised in 45 seconds
According to Ledger, the flaw came from MediaTek’s secure boot chain, a security mechanism built into its chips that ensures a phone starts safely and only with authorized software during startup.
In a statement shared with Cointelegraph, Ledger explained that the flaw meant an attacker with access to an Android phone could connect it to a computer via USB and bypass security protections, potentially gaining access to sensitive data on the device, including crypto wallet seed phrases.
Around 25% of Android phones use the Trustonic Trusted Execution Environment (TEE) and MediaTek processors, which the security flaw exploits.
Donjon demonstrated the hack by connecting a Nothing CMF Phone 1 to a laptop and compromising the device’s security in approximately 45 seconds.
“Without ever even booting into Android, the exploit automatically recovered the phone’s PIN, decrypted its storage, and extracted the seed phrases from the most popular software wallets: Trust Wallet, Base, Kraken Wallet, Rabby, Tangem’s Mobile Wallet and Phantom,” Ledger said.
While Ledger urged users to update their devices, a Ledger spokesperson told Cointelegraph they “don’t anticipate this to be an ongoing issue.”
Mobile phones are never safe, Ledger says
With almost 36 million people managing digital assets on their phones as of early 2025, even a single vulnerability could put a significant number of wallets at risk.
In December 2025, Ledger revealed that it tested an attack on the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 (MT6878), and bypassed its security measures to gain “full and absolute control over the smartphone, with no security barrier left standing.”
Ledger chief technology officer Charles Guillemet told Cointelegraph in June 2020 that mobile phones, whether Android or iPhone, are “very difficult to have secure applications.”
Related: SlowMist introduces Web3 security stack for autonomous AI agents
He reinforced a similar view on Wednesday, posting on X: “Smartphones aren’t built for security. Even when powered off, user data – including pins & seeds – can be extracted in under a minute.”
“This research highlights a fundamental architectural difference: General-purpose chips are built for convenience. Secure Elements are built for key protection. A dedicated Secure Element isolates secrets from the rest of the system, protecting them even under physical attack,” he said.
Magazine: All 21 million Bitcoin is at risk from quantum computers
TLDR:
- U.S. inflation steady at 2.4% in February 2026, unchanged from January’s rate.
- Core CPI held at 2.5%, marking the lowest reading since 2021, showing easing pressures.
- Energy prices rebounded, with natural gas rising 10.9% and fuel oil up 6.2%.
- Shelter and food costs contributed steadily to monthly CPI changes, supporting stability.
U.S. inflation in February 2026 remained stable at 2.4%, reflecting moderate price growth and balanced sector performance.
Energy and core inflation trends offset other declines, indicating a steady and predictable price environment for the early 2026 economy.
Energy Prices Influence Headline Inflation
Energy costs were a primary factor in February 2026 inflation trends. Overall energy inflation rose to 0.5%, reversing the -0.1% decline from January.
This shift contributed to maintaining headline inflation at 2.4% year-over-year. Gasoline prices declined at -5.6%, a smaller decrease than January’s -7.5%, while fuel oil surged 6.2%, counteracting disinflation in other categories.
Natural gas prices continued strong growth, rising 10.9%, slightly higher than January’s 9.8% increase. These energy price movements reflect ongoing volatility within the sector.
Despite the rebound in energy, overall inflation remained moderate, suggesting that price increases are currently controlled. This stability aligns with market expectations and indicates a predictable inflation environment.
Monthly changes show how energy prices affected headline CPI. Gasoline contributed 0.8%, fuel oil added incremental pressure, and natural gas continued to elevate costs for households and businesses.
Without these energy rebounds, the 2.4% inflation rate might have fallen further. Food and shelter trends further shaped inflation dynamics.
Food prices held at 3.1%, while shelter increased by 0.2% monthly, reflecting consistent demand. Together, these sectors moderated the net impact of volatile energy prices.
Used vehicle prices declined by -3.2%, accelerating from January’s -2% drop, further balancing inflation. The vehicle market continues to normalize after supply disruptions, helping prevent excessive overall price growth.
Producer and consumer indicators support this stabilization. PPI fell slightly to 2.9%, while consumer inflation expectations dropped to 3.0%, reflecting confidence in moderate inflation.
The combination of energy, food, and shelter trends demonstrates how sector-specific movements influence headline inflation. February 2026’s 2.4% rate shows that price growth remains contained despite volatility in select areas.
Core Inflation and Economic Stability
Core inflation, excluding food and energy, remained at 2.5% year-over-year in February 2026. Monthly core CPI increased 0.2%, lower than January’s 0.3%, indicating a modest slowdown in underlying price pressures.
This moderation highlights that services and housing costs are growing steadily, without extreme fluctuations. The lowest core inflation reading since 2021 reflects a stable environment for policy and economic planning.
Shelter, contributing the largest weight in the consumer price index, remained at 3.0% annual growth. Food stayed at 3.1%, while energy’s rebound offset declines elsewhere.
Combined, these movements created a balanced CPI outcome for the month. Used car and truck prices, declining 3.2% monthly, point to a normalization in markets previously disrupted by supply shortages.
These declines also provide relief to consumers, helping maintain overall inflation stability. Historical trends illustrate that 2025 saw inflation peaks around 3.0% in September before gradually falling to 2.4% by early 2026.
This cyclical pattern confirms that inflationary pressures are easing steadily across sectors. Producer Price Index movements also support this view, with PPI easing to 2.9%.
Consumer expectations fell to 3.0%, indicating moderated perceptions of future inflation. The stable headline and core inflation, combined with predictable sector trends, signal that price growth is under control.
Energy rebounds and shelter costs balanced disinflation elsewhere, producing steady and manageable U.S. inflation.
Bitcoin price has jumped by 16% from its lowest point this year, and is hovering at the crucial resistance at $70,000. This recovery may continue in the near term amid robust ETF inflows and falling core inflation.
Summary
- Bitcoin price remained above the key resistance level at $70k.
- Data shows that the US core inflation eased to 0.2% in February.
- Spot Bitcoin ETF inflows are nearing $1 billion this month.
Bitcoin (BTC) was trading at $70,000 today, March 11, up from the lowest point this year. Its daily volume soared to $47 billion, while the market capitalization moved to $1.3 trillion.
US core inflation cooled, while Bitcoin ETF inflows rose
Bitcoin price may benefit from the ongoing demand from American investors. After shedding over $6 billion in assets in the last four months, data shows that spot Bitcoin ETFs are adding millions in assets this month.
They added $250 million in assets on Tuesday after adding $167 million a day earlier. As a result, they have now added $986 million this month, erasing the $206 million losses made in February.
The ongoing ETF inflows are happening even as the Iran war and instability in the Middle East continues. As such, there are signs that some investors are embracing Bitcoin as a safe-haven asset as geopolitical risks rise.
Meanwhile, data released on Wednesday showed that the US core inflation slowed in February from a month earlier. The figure, which excludes the volatile food and energy prices, rose 0.2% from 0.3% in the previous month.
The headline and core CPI held steady at 2.4% and 2.5% on an annualized basis. These numbers mean that inflationary concerns were ending before the Iran war started earlier this month.
Inflation will likely bounce back in the near term now that crude oil prices have rebounded. Brent jumped to $90, while the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) jumped to $86.
On the positive side for Bitcoin, there is a possibility that this conflict will end soon, driving energy prices and inflation lower.
Bitcoin price may jump to $80k if it flips key resistance
Technicals suggest that Bitcoin may be ripe for a strong comeback if it flips the key resistance level at $74,715, its lowest point in April last year.
It has already moved above the Supertrend indicator for the first time since January this year. Also, it has remained above the ascending trendline that connects the lowest swings since February.
BTC price has moved above the 14-day moving average. Therefore, the coin may keep rising in the coming weeks, potentially to the psychological level at $80,000.
Aave price is trading near $111 as traders react to a $27 million liquidation error that briefly shook confidence in the lending protocol.
Summary
- Aave price dropped after a $27M liquidation caused by a CAPO oracle error.
- 34 accounts using wstETH were liquidated, but the protocol stayed solvent and users will be reimbursed.
- AAVE trades in a descending channel with support at $110–$115, resistance at $125–$130, and weak momentum.
Aave (AAVE) slipped on Wednesday as traders reacted to a recent liquidation incident on the protocol. At press time, AAVE was trading at $111.45, down 2.2% over the past 24 hours.
During the past week, the token moved between $105.31 and $118.70. The price has attempted to recover from the February lows, but it has repeatedly stalled. The market has not yet returned to the levels observed prior to the earlier decline, and momentum is still weak.
Trading activity has cooled slightly. Daily trading volume reached about $29 million, which is 11% lower than the previous day. CoinGlass data also shows softer activity in derivatives markets. Futures volume fell 14% to $300 million, while open interest dropped 4.97% to $190 million.
When both volume and open interest fall at the same time, it usually means traders are stepping back and closing positions.
Liquidation glitch sparks concerns among traders
The decline in sentiment follows an unusual liquidation event on March 10 that affected several users of the Aave lending platform.
The incident was not caused by a hack or a sudden market crash. Instead, it stemmed from a configuration problem in CAPO, Aave’s internal risk management oracle used to monitor collateral prices.
The issue affected positions that used wstETH, the wrapped staked ether token issued by Lido, as collateral. A mismatch between an exchange-rate snapshot and its timestamp caused the system to read the wstETH-to-ETH price incorrectly.
Because of the error, the oracle undervalued the asset by roughly 2.85%. Several accounts suddenly appeared under-collateralized even though their positions were healthy on-chain.
As a result, around 34 user accounts were liquidated, and approximately 10,938 wstETH, worth about $27 million, was sold through automated liquidation processes. Liquidation bots earned close to 499 ETH through bonuses and fees.
After the issue was identified, Chaos Labs, which helps monitor risk parameters on Aave, worked with the protocol team to correct the configuration. The protocol itself remained solvent and did not accumulate bad debt.
Aave said affected users would be compensated using recovered funds and DAO resources. The Aave DAO and Lido both signaled support for reimbursing impacted accounts.
Although the problem was quickly fixed, the event reminded traders that technical errors can still trigger liquidations in DeFi systems.
Technical analysis: Aave price stuck inside descending channel
On the chart, Aave is trading inside a descending channel, a pattern that appears when prices register lower highs and lows. The upper trendline of the channel continues to act as resistance, while the lower boundary has provided support during recent dips.
This structure often shows a bearish bias until a breakout occurs. The token is also trading below its short-term moving averages, such as the 50-day and 20-day averages, which act as overhead resistance.
Sellers will probably maintain control of the trend until the price rises above these levels. Volatility has been relatively muted. Bollinger Bands are slightly narrowing, which can happen when the market pauses before the next larger move.
Momentum indicators also lean negative. Buying strength is still restricted, as indicated by the relative strength index, which is below the 50 mark. However, the indicator is not yet in oversold territory, allowing for additional declines.
Within the channel, $110 to $115 is currently serving as a short-term support zone. If the price breaks below that range, it may move into the next demand zone.
On the upside, resistance sits around $125 to $130, where the upper channel trendline and short-term moving averages meet. A clear move above that range would be needed to shift momentum back in favor of buyers.
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