Crypto World
Robinhood crypto volume jumps to $25b as equities, options and events fade
Robinhood’s February data show crypto notional volumes up 9% to $25b while equity, options and event contracts shrink, proving speculative energy has rotated back into coins.
Summary
- Crypto notional trading hit $25.0b in February, up 9% month‑on‑month and 74% year‑on‑year, with $9.4b on the app and $15.6b routed through Bitstamp.
- Equity notional volume fell to $194.4b, down 14% from January, while options contracts slipped 10% to 180.3m, underscoring cooling risk appetite outside coins.
- Event contracts plunged 29% versus January, signalling that speculative flow is rotating away from Robinhood’s prediction markets and back into volatile crypto names.
Robinhood’s February numbers are clear: crypto is where the life is, everything else is fading.
Robinhood crypto volume jumps in February
Robinhood reported February crypto notional trading volumes of $25.0 billion, up 9% month‑on‑month and 74% year‑on‑year. Of that, $9.4 billion ran through the Robinhood app itself, with the remaining volume routed via Bitstamp, which Robinhood acquired in 2025 and now uses as its institutional and deep‑liquidity back‑end. This follows January’s $22.9 billion in crypto volume, meaning Robinhood has printed back‑to‑back months of sequential growth in digital‑asset activity to start 2026.
The crypto growth comes as Bitcoin trades near all‑time highs and volatility returns across majors and meme‑adjacent tokens, pulling in both retail flow on the app and larger tickets via Bitstamp. For Robinhood, that mix is ideal: more notional, fatter spreads and higher engagement in a product line that was supposed to be dead post‑2021 but is now the only one actually inflecting up.
Equities, options and event contracts slump
Everything outside crypto is going the other way. Equity notional trading volume in February came in at $194.4 billion, down 14% from January, even though that still marks a 36% increase versus a year earlier. Options contracts traded fell to 180.3 million, a 10% month‑on‑month decline and only a 9% gain year‑on‑year, with average daily option volume at 9.5 million contracts, down 5% versus January.
The sharpest hit is in Robinhood’s event contracts — its prediction‑market‑style product. February saw just 2.4 billion event contracts traded, a 29% drop from January’s level, giving back a chunk of the growth the firm had touted as part of its post‑meme diversification story. That tells you where speculative energy has rotated: away from binary macro bets and back into leveraged plays on BTC and friends.
What this rotation really means
From a market‑structure perspective, Robinhood is simply reflecting the broader tape: crypto volatility plus upside trends are attracting flows at the margin, while single‑stock and options trading cools off after a heavy run. For crypto markets, more retail flow through Robinhood and Bitstamp means more noise, more forced buying and selling around headlines, and fatter tails on both sides when the Fed or macro shocks hit.
The Bitcoin Policy Institute (BPI), an industry advocacy group, is eyeing a target window between March and August 2026 to pass a de minimis tax exemption for Bitcoin through Congress, warning that time to pass meaningful legislation is running out.
BPI said it has engaged with 19 Congressional offices in both the House and Senate over the last three months to pitch US lawmakers on a tax exemption for Bitcoin (BTC) transactions below a certain threshold.
Expanding the de minimis tax exemptions beyond dollar-pegged stablecoins has bipartisan support, but the BPI warned that the “window is narrowing” for Bitcoin tax legislation. The BPI said:
“Congress will be increasingly consumed by midterm dynamics as summer approaches, and the bandwidth for complex tax legislation shrinks with every passing week. Senator Lummis, the issue’s most forceful champion, departs the Senate in January 2027.
If a package does not come together in the next few months, the opportunity may not return for years,” the BPI continued.
Under current US tax rules, using BTC to pay for goods and services triggers a taxable event and tax reporting to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), preventing the use of Bitcoin as a medium of exchange.
A de minimis exemption would allow small crypto transactions, typically below a set dollar threshold, to be excluded from capital gains reporting, allowing users to spend Bitcoin without calculating gains or losses on minor purchases.
Related: Bitcoin advocate group to fight Basel’s ‘toxic’ treatment of cryptocurrency
Tax policy has kept Bitcoin as an investment and out of commerce
Wyoming Senator Cynthia Lummis introduced a bill in July 2025 proposing a de minimis tax exemption for cryptocurrency transactions of $300 or less, capped at $5,000 annually.
However, the bill failed to gain traction in the Senate, and a competing bill focused entirely on tax exemptions for stablecoins was introduced to the House of Representatives by Congresspersons Max Miller and Steven Horsford in 2025.
Bitcoin payments are held back by the digital asset’s current treatment under the US tax code, according to Pierre Rochard, a board member for BTC treasury company Strive.
“The number one impediment to Bitcoin payments adoption is tax policy, not scaling technology,” Rochard said on X.
Magazine: Big questions: Should you sell your Bitcoin for nickels for a 43% profit?
Solana price has rejected a key resistance zone near $90, signaling the potential continuation of an ABC corrective structure.
Summary
- Key Resistance: $90 aligns with high-timeframe resistance and the value area high.
- ABC Correction: Rejection suggests the C-leg of a corrective structure may be underway.
- Support to Watch: A break below $81 could open downside toward the value area low.
Solana’s (SOL) recent price action suggests the market may be entering a corrective phase following a clear rejection from the upper boundary of its trading range. The $90 region has acted as a significant high-timeframe resistance zone, aligning with the value area high and several structural resistance levels on the chart.
With the latest move failing to hold above this region, the probability of a deeper corrective move is beginning to increase.
Solana price key technical points
- Range-High Resistance: $90 aligns with high-timeframe structural resistance and the value area high.
- ABC Structure: Price action is signaling the continuation of a corrective ABC pattern.
- Downside Target: Potential move toward $81 support and the value area low.
Solana’s price action recently approached the $90 region, which has historically acted as an important resistance level within the current market structure. This zone represents the upper boundary of the broader trading range and aligns closely with the value area high derived from the volume profile. When price approaches these areas, selling pressure often emerges as traders look to defend previous resistance.
The latest price movement shows a clear rejection from this region, reinforcing the idea that Solana remains within a corrective phase rather than entering a sustained breakout. The inability for price to reclaim the $90 resistance level suggests that buyers may be losing momentum at this point in the trend.
From a technical perspective, the rejection also aligns with a developing ABC corrective pattern, a common structure in market cycles where price moves through three phases before potentially resuming a broader trend. In this structure, the initial decline forms the A leg, followed by a temporary recovery known as the B leg, before the market enters the C leg, which typically extends toward lower liquidity zones.
In Solana’s case, the recent rally toward $90 may represent the B leg of the correction. Because the move has failed to sustain above resistance, the market may now be transitioning into the C leg of the structure, which typically involves price breaking below intermediate support levels as liquidity is cleared from the market.
This technical setup is unfolding as broader ecosystem developments continue, including Nasdaq-listed Solmate Infrastructure announcing plans to establish a Solana infrastructure hub in the United Arab Emirates as part of a wider corporate restructuring and capital overhaul.
One of the key levels to watch in this scenario is the $81 support zone, which represents an important high-timeframe support level within the current structure. If price moves below this level, it would confirm increasing bearish pressure and open the door for a deeper rotation toward the value area low.
The value area low acts as a key liquidity region where large clusters of orders tend to accumulate. In range-bound markets, price frequently rotates between the value area high and value area low as traders rebalance positions and search for liquidity.
Another important factor supporting the corrective outlook is the presence of untapped swing lows below the current price. Markets often move toward these zones as they contain resting stop orders and liquidity pools that larger participants may target before establishing a new directional move.
The confluence of resistance levels near $90 strengthens the probability that the rejection will continue to influence price direction. Multiple technical factors align in this region, including structural resistance, the value area high, and Fibonacci retracement levels, making it a significant barrier for bullish continuation.
Because of this, the broader market structure suggests that Solana may remain in a rotational environment until either the range high or range low is decisively broken. For now, the rejection from resistance suggests that the downside portion of the range may be tested next.
What to expect in the coming price action
As long as Solana remains below the $90 resistance zone, the ABC corrective structure is likely to remain active. A break below the $81 support level could accelerate downside momentum toward the value area low, while a strong reclaim of $90 would invalidate the bearish outlook and signal renewed bullish momentum.
Major crypto conferences have been postponed amid ongoing drone strikes and airspace restrictions across the Gulf.
Two of the crypto industry’s most prominent Dubai-based events have been cancelled or postponed as the escalating U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict continues to disrupt travel and logistics across the Middle East.
Token2049, one of the world’s largest annual crypto conferences,announced Friday that its Dubai edition, originally slated for April 29-30, would be pushed to April 2027. Organizers cited “ongoing uncertainty in the region and its impact on safety, international travel and logistics.”
The move follows Thursday’s cancellation of Gateway Dubai, an event organized by The Open Network (TON), the blockchain ecosystem affiliated with Telegram. That event, which had been scheduled for May, wasscrapped entirely.
The Token2049 postponement marks a sharp reversal from organizers’ position earlier this week, when a spokespersontold Fortune that preparations were continuing and registrations were tracking toward a sold-out event.
The conference had been expected to draw roughly 15,000 attendees. Scheduled speakers included Polymarket CEO Shayne Coplan, Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino, and Circle co-founder Jeremy Allaire.
The cancellations come as the UAE faces growing disruption from the conflict. Two drones fell near Dubai’s main airport on Wednesday, and Dubai’s media office confirmed Friday that debris from an intercepted missile caused minor damage to a building in the city center.
The UAE has emerged as one of the fastest-growing hubs for the digital asset industry, hosting more than 1,800 crypto companies, according to Cointelegraph.
This article was written with the assistance of AI workflows. All our stories are curated, edited and fact-checked by a human.
Analysts at Mizuho say a shift in stablecoin usage is underway, with a Circle-issued dollar-pegged token appearing to surpass its main rival in on-chain transaction volume for the first time since 2019. In a Friday research note, the bank highlighted year-to-date adjusted volumes of about $2.2 trillion for the Circle-backed stablecoin against roughly $1.3 trillion for the Tether-backed option, signaling a move toward routine payments rather than just crypto trading. The report also notes that the Circle-backed coin claims about 64% of the combined turnover between the two, reversing a long-running pattern in which the Tether-backed token led on volume. Circle’s public listing on the NYSE in June 2025 drew attention, though the initial price reaction was muted. By market cap terms, the Tether-backed stablecoin remains dominant, with approximately $184 billion in circulation compared to about $79 billion for its Circle-backed rival.
Key takeaways
- The Circle-backed stablecoin surpassed the Tether-backed counterpart in on-chain transaction volume for the year to date, underscoring a shift toward stablecoins used for everyday payments rather than speculative activity.
- Adjusted volumes show Circle’s token at about $2.2 trillion versus roughly $1.3 trillion for Tether’s stablecoin, translating into a 64% market share for Circle’s offering within the two assets’ daily activity.
- Despite the volume leadership, Tether’s stablecoin remains larger in terms of market capitalization, with around $184 billion in circulating supply versus about $79 billion for Circle’s stablecoin.
- Circle’s stock began trading on the NYSE in June 2025, and the initial move after the IPO was modest, indicating a separation between on-chain usage dynamics and traditional equity performance.
- Policy and regulatory hurdles in the United States continue to shape stablecoin discussions, with lawmakers weighing a digital asset market framework even as debates over stablecoin yield and tokenized equities persist.
Tickers mentioned: $USDC, $USDT
Sentiment: Neutral
Price impact: Neutral. The report highlights a shift in usage patterns rather than immediate price movements, with market capitalization remaining skewed toward the Tether-backed stablecoin.
Market context: The findings come as the broader crypto market contends with liquidity dynamics and ongoing regulatory discussions in Washington over stablecoins and market structure, illustrating how on-chain activity and regulatory policy can diverge in the near term.
Why it matters
The potential migration of everyday transactions toward a Circle-backed stablecoin could recalibrate how participants fund wallets, settle micro-payments, and bridge assets across networks. If a stablecoin gains traction as the preferred medium for routine exchanges, its on-chain liquidity profile, settlement efficiency, and interoperability across exchanges and wallets could influence funding costs and user experience. Yet the distinction between on-chain transaction volume and market capitalization remains pronounced: even with higher volumes, USDT continues to dominate in overall supply and market depth, which matters for liquidity when markets swing or during large withdrawals.
For builders and exchanges, the volume shift flags a possible reallocation of demand toward a different stability mechanism or settlement rails. Protocols that rely on stablecoin liquidity for cross-chain liquidity provision, automated market makers, and DeFi lending could feel the impact of changing user preferences. Regulators, meantime, watch and weigh how stablecoins interact with yield, compliance, and consumer protection norms as they craft potential standards for a broader digital asset framework.
The data also highlights how headline market capitalizations may diverge from real-world usage metrics. A stablecoin can be widely used for payments and remittances even if its nominal market cap remains smaller than that of a rival. In this case, the Circle-backed token’s stronger daily turnover suggests broader acceptance in payments corridors, merchant integrations, and cross-border settlements, while Tether’s larger capitalization preserves its role as a liquidity backbone. The coming quarters will reveal whether the usage trend persists or whether market forces re-balance these two pillars of the stablecoin ecosystem.
As part of the broader narrative, policymakers continue to weigh a structured framework for digital assets, including debates over stablecoin yield and tokenized equities. The CLARITY Act, which previously moved through parts of Congress, has faced hurdles in the Senate, where leaders indicate a priority on voting requirements rather than immediate market-structure reforms. These political dynamics create a backdrop in which on-chain metrics may diverge from regulatory momentum, making immediate price or allocation signals less predictable than the underlying activity data might suggest.
For readers tracking the big-picture trajectory, the divergence between on-chain activity and market capitalization can be telling. The shift toward a more transaction-focused usage pattern does not necessarily translate into an immediate re-rating of the asset’s value, but it does imply a growing role for a Circle-backed stablecoin in daily payments and merchant settlement. Investors and users should monitor whether this usage trend endures as merchant adoption, cross-border flows, and DeFi integrations evolve in parallel with regulatory developments.
To contextualize these movements, a separate data point underpins the narrative: Circle’s public listing on the NYSE in June 2025. While the IPO event catalyzed attention around the governance and corporate side of the ecosystem, the market reaction to the volume shift remains a separate thread, underscoring how on-chain dynamics can outpace traditional equity performance in this rapidly evolving space. The ongoing conversation around stablecoins—how they yield, how they are regulated, and how tokenized instruments may coexist—will continue to shape liquidity, risk appetites, and product design across the crypto ecosystem.
For a direct look at the discussion around USDC, USDT, and their evolving roles, readers can explore the linked materials, including deep-dive notes and index references that track price and circulation metrics over time. A video discussion related to the topic is available here: Video discussion on stablecoin dynamics.
What to watch next
- Upcoming quarterly volume disclosures for USDC and USDT to confirm whether the 64% share persists into the next data cycle.
- Progress on the CLARITY Act or alternative US digital asset market framework bills in Congress and any votes scheduled in the Senate.
- Shifts in market capitalization versus on-chain usage, including any notable changes in the size of each stablecoin’s circulating supply.
- Broader regulatory guidance on stablecoin yield, ethics, and tokenized equities and how those will impact issuer strategies.
Sources & verification
- Mizuho research note comparing transaction volumes between Circle-backed USDC and Tether-backed USDT, including the 64% market-share figure and the $2.2 trillion vs $1.3 trillion volume comparison.
- Circle stock listing on the NYSE in June 2025 and subsequent price action.
- Price index references for USDC (CRYPTO: USDC) and USDT (CRYPTO: USDT) as cited in price-tracking discussions.
- US Senate discussions around the CLARITY Act and related market-structure debates affecting stablecoins, including notes about voting-priority scheduling in the Senate.
Stablecoin usage shifts and the on-chain volume race
The latest data from a major investment bank captures a pivotal moment in stablecoin dynamics. The Circle-issued stablecoin (CRYPTO: USDC) appears to have overtaken its Tether counterpart (CRYPTO: USDT) in on-chain transaction volume for the year to date, marking a departure from a multi-year pattern in which USDT led most volume metrics. The bank’s analysis shows USDC posting about $2.2 trillion in adjusted year-to-date volume, while USDT sits around $1.3 trillion. With these figures, USDC has captured roughly 64% of the combined turnover between the two entities, signaling a shift toward stablecoins as day-to-day payment rails rather than merely a liquidity layer for whales and traders.
The juxtaposition of high transaction activity with market capitalization also tells an important story. While USDC is catching up in usage, USDT retains a commanding head start in global supply, boasting a market capitalization near $184 billion compared with USDC’s roughly $79 billion. This divergence underscores a broader theme in crypto markets: usage and liquidity can outpace capitalization when user adoption and merchant integration expand. The leadership in on-chain volume does not automatically translate into price or market-share dominance, but it does illuminate where real-world activity is concentrated and where demand for stable value storage is coalescing.
The discussion around stablecoins in the policy arena adds another layer of complexity. Lawmakers continue to debate a digital asset market structure that could govern stablecoins, yield-bearing tokens, and tokenized equities. While the CLARITY Act has flowed through various chambers, its path in the Senate remains uncertain, and recent statements from Senate leadership suggested a focus on voting requirements rather than a comprehensive market-structure bill in the near term. In this environment, traders and users may react to on-chain data and market sentiment independently of how quickly lawmakers move on the regulatory front.
From a market perspective, the contrast between volume leadership and market capitalization is not merely a curiosity; it shapes how ecosystem participants allocate capital and design services. Exchanges and wallets perspective that favor stablecoin liquidity for payments could prioritize integration with USDC’s rails if the usage trend endures, while liquidity providers still rely on USDT for broad market depth. The net effect for users could be a more diverse stablecoin landscape where multiple tokens compete on reliability, ease of use, and the breadth of acceptance by merchants and platforms.
In sum, Mizuho’s data points to a period of evolving usage patterns among the stablecoins that anchor much of the crypto economy. The fact that a Circle-backed token is capturing a larger share of on-chain volume signals a potential shift in user preference for stability in routine transactions. As policymakers weigh structural reforms and market participants adjust to new usage realities, the next several quarters will reveal whether this shift solidifies or whether the market rebalances toward a broader mix of stablecoins for settlement and payments. For readers following the crosscurrents of price, volume, and policy, the evolving picture remains a critical lens on how the crypto economy is mutating beyond headline market caps.
Crypto World
Best Crypto to Buy Now: Pepeto Becomes The Top Choice For Trader as Trump Ends War and Bitcoin Reclaims $70K
Trump declared victory in the Iran conflict, Bitcoin surged past $72,000, and the search for the best crypto to buy now intensified overnight. Spot Bitcoin ETFs pulled $568 million in a single week according to Coinfomania, ending a four month outflow streak, and the rotation into high upside positions has already begun.
Best Crypto to Buy Now: Trump Ends War and Capital Rotates Into Pepeto
As crypto.news reported, Trump declared the US won through Operation Epic Fury, and analysts say clearing $72,500 could trigger a broader rally.
Understanding the opportunity means understanding why the best crypto to buy now is not a large cap waiting to recover, it is the presale that already built the infrastructure before the bull run arrives.
Pepeto: The Best Crypto to Buy Now for Traders Who Refuse to Miss This Cycle
Trying to find the best crypto to buy now can be overwhelming, especially when every chart is red and every headline contradicts the last. Tracking whale movements, liquidity shifts, and which projects actually deliver versus which ones disappear after listing is exhausting even for experienced traders. Pepeto was built to solve exactly that problem by giving every investor access to an exchange where the tools do the heavy lifting.
PepetoSwap is an intelligence layer for the entire market. Zero fee swaps across Ethereum, BNB Chain, and Solana from one platform, a cross chain bridge routing tokens between networks without cost, and AI risk screening that evaluates every contract before capital touches it. All of that feeds into one exchange that removes the guesswork and replaces it with infrastructure traders will use every single day.
The exchange went live for stress testing and handled real volume without issues, giving Pepeto an edge over every project still promising features on a roadmap. The presale has seen 190% growth in wallet participation over the past month, and early investors understand that the utility itself is what will attract volume the moment the listing arrives.
Pepeto is still at presale pricing of $0.000000186, which leaves massive room for the kind of growth that only exists before the public market opens. Over $7.9 million raised during fear conditions, SolidProof audited codebase, the $7 billion Pepe ecosystem cofounder leading the build, a former Binance executive on the advisory board, and 199% APY staking compounding daily. Revenue sharing sends permanent income from every exchange trade to presale wallets.
The Binance listing is approaching and once it arrives, this presale entry disappears and never returns. That is why Pepeto is the best crypto to buy now for investors who recognize that the window between presale and listing is where the real wealth in crypto has always been created.
IMPORTANT: Many fraudulent sites are trying to mislead investors using Pepeto’s name. Only purchase through the Pepeto official website. Verify the domain carefully before connecting any wallet.
XRP and Solana Are Not the Best Crypto to Buy Now at These Market Caps
XRP sits at $1.42 according to CoinMarketCap, down 62% from its $3.66 all time high despite Ripple launching a $750 million buyback valuing the company at $50 billion. Futures open interest remains 80% below the peak. Solana trades at $90.90, down 63% from $237 in November 2025, with Goldman Sachs holding $107 million in SOL ETFs but price action refusing to respond.
Both are real assets with institutional backing, but at these market caps the returns are incremental, and the best crypto to buy now for life changing multiples is at presale pricing, not recovery pricing.
Conclusion
Every cycle teaches the same lesson: the investors who build wealth in crypto are not smarter than everyone else, they just act without hesitation when the opportunity is still open. Crypto is the most rewarding asset class in the world but that same speed makes the best entries disappear in days not months.
XRP and Solana both point higher, but the best crypto to buy now is Pepeto, sitting at presale price with PepetoSwap about to go live and the kind of demand that only forms when serious potential is behind a project.
Once the listing arrives this price level stops existing permanently, and the investors who waited will spend this cycle watching the wallets that moved today collect what could have been theirs. Visit the Pepeto official website and decide which side of that outcome belongs to the wallets that act now.
Click To Visit Pepeto Website To Enter The Presale
FAQs
What is the best crypto to buy now in 2026?
The best crypto to buy now is Pepeto with $7.9 million raised, a SolidProof audited exchange, a $7 billion cofounder, 199% APY staking, and permanent revenue sharing at presale pricing before the Binance listing.
Will XRP recover to its all time high?
XRP at $1.42 is down 62% from $3.66 with futures open interest 80% below the peak, and while Ripple secured regulatory wins the returns at this market cap are modest compared to presale entries.
Disclaimer: This is a Press Release provided by a third party who is responsible for the content. Please conduct your own research before taking any action based on the content.
Crypto World
Nuclear Energy Powers the AI Revolution: How Tech Companies Are Investing in Atomic Energy
Key Takeaways
- Major tech companies including Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta are partnering with nuclear facilities for reliable data center power.
- Previously decommissioned nuclear plants such as Three Mile Island are being reactivated with corporate investment.
- Advanced small modular reactor technology provides scalable, clean energy solutions close to computing facilities.
- Cryptocurrency mining operations demonstrated nuclear energy’s viability for computationally demanding applications.
- Nuclear capacity expansions and facility restarts address surging electricity requirements from artificial intelligence workloads.
The United States is experiencing a nuclear energy renaissance fueled by technology sector investments as corporations expand their data infrastructure footprint. Power providers are witnessing extraordinary demand from advanced computing operations that require reliable, emissions-free electricity. Industry leaders are forging direct partnerships with atomic energy facilities to guarantee uninterrupted power for continuous computational workloads.
Technology Leaders Forge Nuclear Partnerships for Reliable Energy
Leading technology corporations are establishing extended agreements to obtain nuclear-generated electricity for their computing facilities. Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta have committed to multi-year contracts supporting nuclear installations throughout various regions. These strategic partnerships ensure uninterrupted energy delivery and allow power companies to efficiently maintain and enhance existing reactor infrastructure.
Atomic energy installations previously slated for closure are experiencing renewed investment, marking a reversal of historical industry trends. Pennsylvania’s Three Mile Island Unit 1 and the Comanche Peak facility in Texas represent reactors benefiting from renewed corporate commitment. These collaborative ventures underscore nuclear technology’s critical importance to supporting contemporary digital infrastructure requirements.
Next-generation small modular reactors represent an innovative approach to positioning energy generation adjacent to intensive computing facilities. Their reduced physical footprint enables accelerated implementation while delivering consistent, environmentally clean power generation. These advanced systems work alongside conventional nuclear installations to satisfy the persistent energy requirements of large-scale data operations.
Cryptocurrency Operations Validated Nuclear’s Computing Potential
Bitcoin miners established the blueprint for positioning computationally intensive operations near atomic power facilities to minimize energy expenses. TeraWulf collaborated with Talen Energy to develop the Nautilus Cryptomine facility immediately adjacent to the Susquehanna nuclear installation. This initiative sourced power directly from the reactor, creating a template for energy-proximate computing ventures.
The achievements of initial nuclear-powered mining operations motivated larger technology firms to explore comparable configurations for artificial intelligence and cloud computing applications. Power generation companies have transformed mining-adjacent locations into expansive data facility complexes. These transformations highlight nuclear energy’s adaptability in supporting next-generation technology infrastructure needs.
Through strategic use of nuclear facilities, operators can enhance capacity via “uprates,” boosting energy production without constructing additional reactors. Vistra and Constellation are incorporating hundreds of additional megawatts throughout their existing plant networks to fulfill extended partnership agreements. These enhancements reflect an evolving perspective treating nuclear reactors as scalable digital backbone infrastructure.
Atomic Energy Strengthens Grid Resilience During AI Growth
Expanding artificial intelligence and cloud computing operations have strained American electrical infrastructure, driving utilities to emphasize nuclear generation. Dominion Energy indicates that data centers account for more than one-quarter of power consumption within its PJM service territory. Nuclear facilities deliver constant, zero-emission electricity that variable renewable sources cannot dependably supply.
Utility providers and technology corporations are collaborating to prolong reactor operational periods and reactivate mothballed facilities. Notable examples include Iowa’s Duane Arnold reactor and Illinois’s Clinton Clean Energy Center. Nuclear power serves as the foundation for a robust, high-capacity electrical infrastructure supporting emerging technological requirements.
The convergence of new construction projects, facility reactivations, and capacity enhancements highlights nuclear energy’s essential function in America’s transforming power landscape. Technology enterprises are financing extended-term nuclear generation to guarantee carbon-neutral, dependable electricity access. Atomic energy currently underpins the accelerated development of AI data centers and advanced computing infrastructure.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit has rejected an effort by Custodia Bank to revive its legal challenge against the Federal Reserve over access to the U.S. banking system. In a March 13 decision, the appellate court voted 7–3 against rehearing the case en banc, leaving intact an earlier ruling issued in October.
Court decision in Custodia Bank vs. Federal Reserve case
That decision held that regional Federal Reserve banks have the authority to decide whether financial institutions receive a so-called “master account,” which provides direct access to the central bank’s payment infrastructure. Master accounts allow banks to send and settle payments through Federal Reserve systems without relying on intermediary institutions.
Without such access, banks must route transactions through a partner bank that already holds an account with the central bank. Custodia, a Wyoming-chartered bank focused on digital assets, has been seeking a master account since 2020. The institution has argued that direct access would allow it to offer payment and settlement services to Web3 companies while avoiding dependence on traditional banking partners. The Federal Reserve rejected the application in 2023.
Custodia Bank faces rejection in 10th circuit
Regulators cited concerns related to the bank’s crypto-focused business model, saying the activities could pose risks to safety, soundness, and financial stability. Following that decision, Custodia filed a lawsuit claiming the Federal Reserve was obligated under federal law to grant master accounts to legally chartered banks.
The bank argued that the central bank does not have unlimited discretion to deny access once an institution is properly licensed. Courts have so far sided with the Federal Reserve. The previous ruling from the Tenth Circuit determined that the law does not compel the central bank to approve every application and that Reserve Banks retain judgment in deciding whether to grant the accounts.
By declining to rehear the case, the appeals court left that interpretation unchanged. The decision also reflects ongoing tension between crypto-focused financial institutions and U.S. regulators over how digital asset businesses should integrate with the traditional banking system.
Custodia has positioned itself as a regulated bank designed to serve crypto companies, offering custody and payment services tied to blockchain assets. Access to a master account would allow the bank to settle transactions directly through Federal Reserve payment rails rather than relying on correspondent banks.
The ruling was not unanimous. In a dissent, judges Timothy Tymkovich and Allison Eid argued that the majority’s approach grants too much unchecked authority to Federal Reserve banks. The dissent warned that allowing Reserve Banks broad discretion could enable them to effectively block state-chartered institutions from accessing the core infrastructure of the U.S. financial system.
A federal appeals court rejected the final bid of crypto bank Custodia to challenge the U.S. Federal Reserve’s authority over granting master accounts, but the decision arrives at a time that the central bank is opening other avenues for such accounts.
A Fed master account grants access to the central bank’s payment rails and full services, allowing an institution to cut out go-between arrangements, so it’s been coveted by emerging crypto banks like Wyoming-chartered Custodia Bank. The bank has been fighting with the Fed for years over the initial rejection of its master-account application, and later over whether the central bank should have the final word on whether or not to grant such access.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit revealed on Friday that it declined to hear Custodia’s final appeal on that point in a 7-3 vote. However, the latest in a string of legal defeats arrives as the Fed system has cracked a door open on master accounts for crypto firms.
First, a regional bank, the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, recently granted crypto exchange Kraken a special new limited account. Though it’s not a full master account, it carries many of the same features, and Kraken is the first crypto firm to get one for its banking arm.
At the same time, the national-level Federal Reserve board is working on a new policy to welcome crypto firms and others into so-called “skinny” master accounts that would likely be similar to Kansas City’s approach. That process is still in the early stages, so it’s unclear when crypto banks can begin applying.
Custodia representatives didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday’s court decision. A person familiar with its efforts said Friday that the bank is still pursuing access.
In a dissent opinion circulated by the court, one of the judges argued for why the rehearing should have been granted. “Holding that the Reserve Banks have unreviewable discretion over master accounts places us on the wrong side of the statutes and, likely, that of the Constitution as well,” wrote Judge Timothy Tymkovich. “The case’s consequences for the financial industry and its impact on the state-federal balance in banking regulation make it exceptionally important.”
The Kraken success spurred analysts to predict other crypto names may soon join them on the rolls of firms with master accounts, but some who’ve followed the years-long battle say it’ll be slow going and dependent on which region of the reserve-bank system they’re in. The real rush of approvals may wait for the Fed to establish a nationwide approach to limited accounts.
Read More: Crypto bank Custodia files petition for a rehearing by all appellate judges
Bitcoin is pushing into a more decisive part of its recovery. After spending weeks rebuilding from the February flush, the market is no longer just defending support. It is now pressing toward a key resistance cluster around the $80K, which makes this the kind of area where a simple relief rally either matures into something bigger or gets rejected back into range.
Bitcoin Price Analysis: The Daily Chart
The daily chart is improving, but it has not fully turned bullish yet. BTC has managed to climb from the blue demand area near $60K to $62K and is now moving toward the old breakdown region around $75K to $80K. That is an important development, because this yellow zone acted as support before the market lost it during the broader downtrend. Reaching it again shows that buyers have regained some control, but reclaiming it is a different question altogether.
The broader structure still asks for caution. The price remains below the declining 100-day and 200-day moving averages, and both of them are still sloping lower, which means the macro trend has not been repaired yet. In other words, BTC is rallying into overhead supply while still sitting under major trend filters. If buyers can force a daily acceptance above the $75K area, the technical picture would improve materially. If not, this remains a rebound inside a larger corrective phase.
BTC/USDT 4-Hour Chart
On the 4-hour chart, the recovery looks much cleaner. Bitcoin has been carving out a rising structure with higher lows, and the latest leg higher has carried the price right back toward the upper boundary of that formation. The market is not drifting upward anymore. It is actively pressing resistance, and that usually precedes either a breakout or a sharp reaction.
Momentum supports the idea of short-term strength, with RSI pushing into the upper end of its range. Still, that also means BTC is arriving at resistance with momentum already stretched. So the next move matters. A clean break above the channel top and the $73K to $75K supply band would suggest continuation toward the next overhead zones. A rejection here, on the other hand, would likely send the price back toward the mid-range and keep the market trapped in consolidation for longer.
On-Chain Analysis
The on-chain backdrop adds an interesting twist. Bitcoin’s adjusted SOPR is still below 1, which means coins moving on-chain are, on average, still being spent at a loss. That tends to happen in corrective or transitional phases, when the market has not yet fully returned to profit-taking behavior. So despite the recent price recovery, the network data suggests the broader reset is not entirely over.
At the same time, aSOPR has started to rebound from its recent lows, which is an early sign of improving conditions. That does not confirm a new expansion phase on its own, but it does hint that the worst of the capitulation pressure may already be behind the market. Put differently, price is testing resistance while on-chain behavior is trying to heal. If those two start aligning through a confirmed breakout on the chart and a move back above 1 on aSOPR, Bitcoin’s outlook would become much stronger.
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TAO, FET, and RENDER led the AI sector higher amid improving market sentiment.
Artificial intelligence (AI) tokens outperformed the wider cryptocurrency market on Friday, with the sector’s total market capitalization rising 5% over the past 24 hours to $15.1 billion, according to CoinGecko.
Bittensor’s TAO token was among the top gainers, trading at approximately $233, up nearly 9% on the day and 33% on the week. The Artificial Superintelligence Alliance token (FET) also climbed roughly 8%, while RENDER gained 11%.
Meanwhile, Venice AI’s VVV token surged 15% to a $300 million market capitalization.
A blog post from Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang comparing the AI buildout to the historical impact of electrification helped drive bullish sentiment across AI-linked tokens earlier in the week.
“AI is becoming the foundational infrastructure of the modern world. And the choices we make now, how fast we build, how broadly we participate and how responsibly we deploy it, will shape what this era becomes,” Huang wrote.
The AI token rally unfolded against a backdrop of gradually improving crypto sentiment after Bitcoin reached as high as $74,000 earlier in the day. Still, the broader environment remains fragile as geopolitical tensions tied to the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran continue to weigh on risk appetite.
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