Crypto World
UAE-Backed Investor Snags 49% in Trump-Linked Crypto Firm for $500M
A UAE-backed investment vehicle quietly agreed to buy nearly half of World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency startup linked to President Donald Trump, just days before he returned to the White House, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.
Aryam Investment 1, an Abu Dhabi entity backed by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, signed a deal in January 2025 to purchase a 49% stake in World Liberty Financial for $500 million, the Journal said, citing documents and people familiar with the matter. Half of that amount was paid upfront, sending $187 million to Trump family‑controlled entities, with additional tens of millions flowing to entities tied to co-founders, including relatives of US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, according to the report. The agreement was reportedly signed by Eric Trump. The Journal noted that the deal had not been publicly disclosed at the time, even as World Liberty later disclosed that the Trump family’s stake had fallen sharply.
The collaboration sits at the intersection of geopolitical investment, crypto fundraising, and political entanglements that have periodically resurfaced in Washington and on Wall Street. While the deal was described as a purely private transaction between Aryam Investment 1 and World Liberty Financial, it has drawn scrutiny because WLFI’s own governance model channels a substantial portion of token revenue to entities tied to the Trump family, raising questions about conflicts of interest and governance integrity in crypto ventures with political stakes.
Tahnoon’s ambitions grow after Trump election
Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE president’s brother and the country’s national security adviser, has positioned Abu Dhabi as a global hub for artificial intelligence and high‑tech investment. During the Biden era, his push to license and secure advanced U.S.-made chips faced obstacles amid concerns about sensitive technology reaching China, including through firms associated with the UAE’s tech giant G42. After the 2024 election, a shift in emphasis appeared to accelerate collaboration with Washington on AI and semiconductor access, with Tahnoon meeting repeatedly with Trump and senior U.S. officials as policymakers weighed new frameworks for tech collaboration and export controls. Within months, reports emerged of the United States committing to provide the UAE access to hundreds of thousands of advanced AI chips annually, a development observers tied to a broader strategy of aligning security interests with technology partnerships.
The Journal noted that executives from G42 helped manage Aryam Investment 1 and took board seats at World Liberty as part of the deal, effectively making Aryam the startup’s largest outside shareholder. In the meantime, another Tahnoon‑led firm, MGX, reportedly used World Liberty’s stablecoin to complete a $2 billion investment into Binance—a move that occurred weeks before the U.S.-UAE chip framework was announced. WLFI’s governance structure has remained controversial, with critics arguing that a majority of token revenue ultimately flows to entities tied to the Trump family, potentially influencing outcomes in a project that operates at the confluence of crypto finance and political influence.
World Liberty and the White House have publicly denied any wrongdoing. Spokespeople told the Journal that President Trump was not involved in the deal and that it did not provide any leverage over U.S. policy. The company and its supporters argue that private sector investments in digital assets are common and should be judged on commercial grounds rather than political implications. Still, the ties between a state-backed investor, a Trump‑connected crypto project, and a governance model that centralizes revenue on a single family’s entities have kept the story in lawmakers’ sights and on the radar of crypto watchers who track how policy and capital interact in the sector.
Recent reporting has underscored the broader risk landscape surrounding WLFI and its token sales. In particular, U.S. lawmakers have raised concerns about whether WLFI conducted governance token sales in ways that could circumvent sanctions regimes or enable illicit actors to gain influence over a high‑stakes crypto enterprise. The debate intensified as critics pointed to blockchain addresses associated with sanctioned actors and other regions that the Wall Street Journal’s reporting connected to WLFI token dynamics.
World Liberty faces US probe calls
Last year, Democratic senators urged regulators to scrutinize WLFI’s token offerings amid concerns about improper governance and potential links to sanctioned entities. In a November letter to the Justice Department and Treasury, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Jack Reed cited claims that WLFI governance tokens were moved through blockchain addresses linked to North Korea’s Lazarus Group, as well as entities with Russian and Iranian associations. The letter urged authorities to examine whether WLFI’s sale and distribution practices violated existing sanctions or other federal rules. The controversy has been further complicated by WLFI’s ownership structure, which concentrates token revenue in Trump family‑affiliated channels, raising questions about governance and accountability in a political‑crypto hybrid business.
- The WSJ’s reporting on Aryam Investment 1’s $500 million stake in WLFI and the related cash transfers to Trump family entities.
- The involvement of G42 executives in Aryam’s governance and the board seats they secured at World Liberty.
- Regulatory and congressional scrutiny over WLFI token sales, including a November letter from Warren and Reed citing sanction concerns.
- Public denials from World Liberty and the White House about any wrongdoing or policy leverage arising from the deal.
Why it matters
The episode spotlights how geopolitical capital, crypto fundraising, and political entanglements can intersect in ways that prompt questions about governance, transparency, and risk management in digital-asset ventures. When a state-backed investor channels hundreds of millions into a crypto startup that ties revenue to a political family, observers worry about conflicts of interest, the potential for policy influence, and the adequacy of independent governance in a sector that remains under intense regulatory scrutiny.
From a policy perspective, the arrangement underscores the ongoing challenge for regulators and lawmakers: how to distinguish legitimate strategic investment from arrangements that might create perverse incentives or circumvent safeguards. The scrutiny over WLFI’s token sales—tied to sanctioned actors per a congressional letter—highlights the delicate balance between encouraging innovation and enforcing sanctions, anti-money-laundering, and know-your-customer standards in a rapidly evolving ecosystem. The denials from WLFI and the White House provide a counterpoint, but they do little to quell broader questions about accountability when political and financial interests converge in crypto ventures.
For the market, the case reinforces the importance of clear disclosures and robust governance when politically connected entities participate in crypto projects. It also signals that geopolitics can continue to shape investor sentiment and regulatory expectations in crypto, influencing which partnerships endure and how tokens are valued. As the U.S. and its allies negotiate frameworks around technology sharing, export controls, and AI governance, the fate of WLFI and similar ventures may hinge on whether transparency and independent oversight can withstand heightened political scrutiny.
What to watch next
- Regulatory responses: any formal inquiries or filings related to WLFI’s token governance, sanctions implications, or the Aryam‑World Liberty arrangement.
- Public disclosures: whether WLFI or World Liberty release additional details about ownership, token distributions, or new governance clauses addressing revenue flows.
- Policy developments: updates to the US‑UAE chip framework or related AI export controls that may affect future cross‑border crypto investments.
- Governance shifts: any changes in the board composition of World Liberty and how those changes influence decision‑making and fund flows.
Sources & verification
- Wall Street Journal reporting on Aryam Investment 1’s 49% stake for $500 million in World Liberty Financial, including the upfront payment to Trump family entities.
- WSJ coverage of G42 involvement and board appointments as part of the World Liberty deal.
- Senators Elizabeth Warren and Jack Reed’s November letter to the Justice Department and Treasury regarding WLFI token sales and sanction‑related concerns, cited in public reporting.
- Public denials from World Liberty Financial and the White House about wrongdoing or policy leverage arising from the deal.
Market reaction and key details
The broader market context for this development is one of ongoing scrutiny around crypto fundraising, governance, and political entanglements. While the deal underscores how strategic state-backed capital can intersect with crypto startups, it also underscores why investors and policy makers alike are watching how these relationships are disclosed and governed. In a sector that prizes speed and secrecy, the need for transparent governance structures and clear accountability mechanisms has never been more evident. The interplay between geopolitical interests, high‑profile personalities, and digital asset ventures will likely continue to shape both policy debates and market behavior in the months ahead.
Banks are increasingly testing tokenized deposits as a practical way to move traditional commercial bank money onto blockchain-based payment and settlement rails. A new report from the real-world asset data platform RWA.io, with input from UK Finance, Citi, BNY, JPMorgan’s Kinexys, Standard Chartered, ABN Amro and Digital Asset, argues that tokenized deposits are emerging alongside stablecoins and central bank digital currencies as part of a broader on-chain cash stack for the financial system.
Tokenized deposits are digital representations of ordinary bank deposits on blockchain or other distributed ledger infrastructure. Unlike many stablecoins, they are direct liabilities of the issuing bank and remain governed by existing banking frameworks, including deposit insurance, capital requirements and anti-money laundering and know-your-customer rules. The report highlights a growing slate of pilots and deployments across Europe as banks seek to preserve their role in payments, treasury and deposit-taking amid a proliferation of digital cash instruments.
The report notes visible momentum in Europe, anchored by recent public pilots. In January, Lloyds Banking Group and Archax announced they completed the UK’s first public blockchain transaction using tokenized deposits on the Canton Network. Separately, UK Finance’s Great British Tokenised Deposit pilot is examining person-to-person marketplace payments, remortgaging and digital-asset settlement with a target to advance through mid-2026.
The broader narrative is that banks are trying to reposition themselves at the center of digital money flows as tokenized forms of cash multiply and new settlement rails emerge. The two-tier monetary-ecosystem picture that underpins these efforts is a key theme of the report and a reminder that commercial bank money continues to underpin everyday payments even as the frontier of digital assets expands.
Tokenized deposits as a middle ground in the stablecoin, CBDC debate
UK Finance frames tokenized deposits as a vital bridge in a future “multi-money” ecosystem. In their view, tokenized deposits will sit alongside privately issued stablecoins and, potentially, central bank digital currencies, offering a framework in which traditional bank money can operate on new digital rails while preserving regulatory protections and consumer safeguards.
“Bringing that money onto digital rails will underpin the next generation of digital finance,” said Marko Vidrih, co-founder and chief operating officer at RWA.io. “For that reason, it is important to understand how tokenized deposits fit within the broader digital money ecosystem alongside stablecoins and CBDCs.”
ECB advances digital euro work, building tokenized money rails
The policy backdrop in Europe is advancing in parallel. The European Central Bank is expanding its digital euro program as private and public digital money compete for cross-border and domestic use. The ECB has opened applications for experts to contribute to workstreams on how a digital euro would function across ATMs, payment terminals and acceptance infrastructure, with plans to begin a 12-month pilot in the second half of 2027.
In March, the ECB unveiled Appia, its long-term blueprint for tokenized markets in Europe that would work with central bank money. A core element of Appia is Pontes, a new settlement mechanism designed to connect blockchain-based platforms to the Eurosystem’s payment infrastructure. The existing framework, TARGET Services, already processes large-value euro payments, securities settlements and instant payments across Europe. Pontes is scheduled to launch in the third quarter of 2026, with feedback from Appia’s consultation guiding broader tokenized-finance framework decisions for Europe.
These developments come as policymakers seek to balance innovation with safety, and as banks, fintechs and custodians explore how tokenized assets and on-chain settlement fit within existing regulatory and supervisory regimes.
For market participants, the implication is clear: tokenized deposits could serve as a practical on-ramp for institutions anchored in traditional banking to participate in the digitized economy without abandoning their regulated foundations. The combined push—from UK pilots to European rails—highlights a trend toward interoperable, regulated on-chain money that preserves the institutional protections that users rely on today.
As the ecosystem evolves, investors and users will be watching how these rails interact with private-stablecoin ecosystems, CBDC pilots and cross-border settlement standards. The success of tokenized deposits will hinge on risk controls, interoperable settlement timelines, and the readiness of banks to scale these pilots into durable, insured, compliant products that can operate alongside existing payment networks.
What remains uncertain is how quickly regulators will align around clear standards for tokenized deposits, what coverage and insurance will apply at scale, and how liquidity and settlement finality will be ensured across heterogeneous blockchain rails. Yet the convergence of bank money with tokenized infrastructure marks a notable shift in the trajectory of digital finance, one that could influence how institutions price, manage and settle money in a world where digital and traditional money increasingly coexist.
Readers should watch the next phase of UK pilots and the European rollout of Appia and Pontes for concrete milestones on settlement timings, interoperability tests and regulatory clarity that could determine whether tokenized deposits become a standard feature of the financial system, or a pioneering set of pilots with limited upside outside controlled environments.
Strategy executive chair Michael Saylor has hinted that his company bought more Bitcoin despite a market tumble over the weekend that has now pushed his company’s Bitcoin bet into a 10% loss.
“The Orange March Continues,” Saylor posted to X on Sunday, alongside a chart showing Strategy’s roughly $52 billion worth of Bitcoin (BTC) purchases since August 2020.
Saylor often posts the chart as a signal that his company has bought, or plans to buy more Bitcoin and it is often seen as a bullish signal for investors.
The potential buy would add to Strategy’s larger-than-usual Bitcoin purchases this month, including 17,994 Bitcoin on March 9 and 22,337 Bitcoin on March 16, amounting to $2.9 billion in Bitcoin.
It also comes amid heightened military tensions between US and Iran, causing fears of a prolonged energy and oil crisis.
Bitcoin fell 4% to $67,725 on Sunday before partially recovering to $68,100 at the time of writing.
With Strategy’s average cost per Bitcoin at around $75,696, the company is currently down more than 10% on its Bitcoin bet, according to BitcoinTreasuries.
Strategy had been funding much of its Bitcoin purchases through high-yield perpetual preferred stock offerings — such as Stretch (STRC) — giving investors monthly dividends while the company grows its Bitcoin treasury without diluting MSTR common shares.
However, it halted funding through STRC last week after failing to raise fresh capital from the preferred stock.
MSTR back in the red after short-lived rally
Strategy (MSTR) shares fell 6.6% last week to $135.66, erasing some of the double-digit gains they made earlier in the month, Google Finance data shows.
It was one of the top performers in the US stock market from January 2023 through to July 2025, but has since fallen 68.7% from its $434.20 all-time high.
Related: Scaramucci says BTC’s 4-year cycle still in play, forecasts rise in Q4
Other corporate Bitcoin treasury stocks have been hit even harder, which caused some doubt over the sustainability of corporate crypto treasuries last year.
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Two NYSE-affiliated venues have scrapped the 25,000-contract cap on options tied to 11 crypto ETF options, a move the exchanges filed with the Federal Register on March 10. The Securities and Exchange Commission acknowledged the rule alterations on Sunday by waiving the standard 30-day waiting period, meaning the changes are now in effect. The initiative removes price-discovery restrictions and the position-limit cap that had governed crypto ETF options since their November 2024 debut.
The policy shift ushers crypto ETF options closer to the regime applied to other commodity ETFs, potentially boosting institutional trading flexibility, liquidity, and ease of entry and exit. The development also paves the way for FLEX options—customizable terms such as non-standard strike prices, expiration dates, and exercise styles—to be applied to crypto ETF options.
Among the 11 crypto ETF options affected are major listings from BlackRock, Fidelity, and ARK, including BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), Fidelity’s Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC), and ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB). The notice also covers Bitcoin and Ether ETFs issued by Bitwise and Grayscale, expanding a footprint that has grown since the initial option-limits regime was put in place.
In parallel, the SEC’s acknowledgment of the rule changes adds a note of continuity to an ongoing regulatory arc around crypto ETF products. The latest action follows a July decision that removed the 25,000-contract limit for the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF (GBTC), signaling a broader regulatory openness to easing constraints on crypto-derived derivatives.
Beyond the NYSE venues, another development looms: Nasdaq’s options arm, Nasdaq International Securities Exchange, has filed to raise the contract position limit for BlackRock’s IBIT to 1 million. That proposal remains under review by the SEC as of a February 27 notice, underscoring an industry-wide interest in expanding capacity for crypto-based hedging and trading instruments.
The shift comes against a backdrop of heightened attention to liquidity and transparency in crypto markets, with exchanges and issuers seeking to improve price discovery and provide more robust hedging tools for institutional participants. While the core economics of crypto ETFs and their options remain subject to market forces, removing artificial caps can enhance capital efficiency for institutions, market-makers, and sophisticated retail participants alike.
Key takeaways
- The NYSE Arca and NYSE American have removed the 25,000-contract limit and price-discovery restrictions on options linked to 11 crypto ETF options, effective after SEC’s waiver of the standard 30-day waiting period.
- The change brings crypto ETF options closer to the handling of traditional commodity ETF options and enables FLEX options with customizable terms.
- 11 crypto ETF options are affected, including BlackRock’s IBIT, Fidelity’s FBTC, and ARK’s ARKB, with Bitwise and Grayscale’s BTC-related offerings also covered.
- The development follows earlier regulatory moves, including the SEC’s July decision to remove the 25,000-contract cap for GBTC, signaling a gradual easing of previous constraints.
- Nasdaq ISE is seeking to lift its own cap for IBIT to 1 million contracts, a proposal still under SEC review as of late February.
Regulatory steps and what changed
NYSE Arca Inc. and NYSE American LLC filed three rule changes with the Federal Register on March 10 to eliminate the 25,000-contract position limit and price-discovery restrictions on options tied to 11 crypto ETF products listed on their exchanges. The actions mark a notable shift from the framework established when crypto ETF options first began trading in November 2024, when broad caps were designed to curb market manipulation and volatility.
The SEC’s decision to waive the usual 30-day waiting period means the amendments are now in effect. This waiver eliminates a standard cooling-off period that typically gives market participants time to react to regulatory changes, accelerating the practical impact of the rules for exchanges, brokers, and traders.
From a structural perspective, the moves align crypto ETF options with the broader approach applied to commodity ETF options, potentially improving liquidity by enabling more complete hedging and arb opportunities. The removal of the cap also dovetails with a push to offer more flexible trading tools, including FLEX options, which permit non-standard strike prices and expiration dates and more diverse exercise styles.
Which products are affected and why it matters
While the notice does not list every instrument in detail, it confirms that 11 crypto ETF options are covered. The set includes high-profile offerings from BlackRock, Fidelity, and ARK, notably the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), the Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC), and ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB). The scope also extends to Bitcoin- and Ether-focused ETFs issued by Bitwise and Grayscale, underscoring a broadening ensemble of crypto-linked options now subject to a more permissive regime.
For investors, the implications are tangible. Fewer constraints on contract size and governance around price discovery can translate into deeper liquidity and more efficient entry and exit for complex hedging strategies. Market-makers gain additional flexibility in pricing and risk management, which could reduce spreads and improve execution quality in volatile periods. Traders who rely on precise volatility hedges or sophisticated spreads may find the availability of FLEX options particularly advantageous, enabling strategies that were previously constrained by standard exchange rules.
From an issuer perspective, these changes could support more robust options markets around crypto ETFs, enhancing the attractiveness of listed products for institutions that require scalable hedging and leverage management. The broader regulatory signal—easing limits while maintaining oversight—also matters for credibility and institutional onboarding within the crypto asset space.
Nevertheless, observers should note that the crypto ETF landscape remains a function of evolving market structure, regulatory sentiment, and product demand. While the caps are lifting, liquidity will still hinge on actual trading volumes, market-making capacity, and the availability of reliable underlying data for price discovery. The market will likely watch volumes and bid-ask dynamics closely in the coming quarters to gauge the real-world impact of the change.
Broader context and what to watch next
The SEC’s posture toward crypto-based options continues to unfold. The Nasdaq ISE’s bid to raise IBIT’s position limit to 1 million contracts illustrates a broader ambition to expand trading capability for crypto ETFs beyond the NYSE-anchored venues. As regulators weigh these proposals, the interaction between rule changes, liquidity, and market integrity will be a focal point for investors and issuers alike.
Market participants should also monitor how providers respond to the new FLEX options framework. Customizable terms could unlock nuanced hedging structures that align with institutional risk management needs, but they may also introduce additional complexity that requires careful governance and risk controls.
In short, the current move by NYSE Arca and NYSE American marks a meaningful step toward normalizing crypto ETF options with traditional derivatives markets. If liquidity improves as anticipated, more investors may incorporate crypto ETF options into diversified hedging programs, potentially deepening the role of listed crypto products in mainstream portfolios. The coming months will reveal how the market consumes these changes and whether further regulatory shifts follow.
Readers should keep an eye on trading data for IBIT, FBTC, ARKB, and related Bitwise and Grayscale ETFs as well as any developments from the SEC or Nasdaq ISE regarding contract limits, price-discovery mechanics, and the broader trajectory of crypto derivatives regulation.
Two New York Stock Exchange-affiliated exchanges have removed the 25,000 contract position limit on options tied to 11 crypto exchange-traded funds.
NYSE Arca and NYSE American each filed three rule changes in the Federal Register on March 10 to remove contract position limits and price discovery restrictions for options linked to Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) ETFs listed on their exchanges.
These were acknowledged by the Securities and Exchange Commission on Sunday, with the SEC waiving the standard 30-day waiting period for both sets of proposed rule changes, meaning they are now in effect.
The limits were imposed when crypto ETF options first started trading in November 2024. Limits of this nature are typically imposed to prevent market manipulation and volatility. T
The removal of those limits now puts them closer to how other commodity ETF options are treated, and gives institutions greater trading flexibility while also potentially boosting liquidity and making it easier to enter and exit positions.
It also allows the crypto options to be traded as FLEX options, which include customizable terms such as non-standard strike prices, expiration dates and exercise styles.
Related: Scaramucci says BTC’s 4-year cycle still in play, forecasts rise in Q4
A total of 11 crypto ETF options are affected by the rule changes, including BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), Fidelity’s Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) and ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB).
Bitcoin and Ether ETFs issued by Bitwise and Grayscale are also affected.
In late July, the SEC approved removing the 25,000-contract position limit for the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF (GBTC).
Meanwhile, one of Nasdaq’s options exchanges, Nasdaq International Securities Exchange, is seeking to raise the contract position limit for BlackRock’s IBIT to 1 million.
That proposed rule change is still under review, according to a Feb. 27 notice from the SEC.
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Crypto World
Attacker exploits Resolv USR stablecoin to mint 80 million tokens, cashes out $25M: Resolv Labs
An attacker has successfully exploited the Resolv USR stablecoin protocol, minting 80 million tokens and withdrawing at least $25 million before the depeg.
An attacker has exploited Resolv Labs’ USR stablecoin to mint 80 million tokens, causing the stablecoin to depeg from its $1 peg. The attacker has reportedly cashed out at least $25 million from the exploit, marking a significant security breach for the protocol.
The incident represents a critical failure in Resolv Labs’ token minting controls and represents a major loss for USR holders and the protocol. Stablecoin exploits of this magnitude underscore ongoing risks in DeFi protocols, particularly around access controls and minting mechanisms.
Sources: ResolvLabs on X, PeckShieldAlert on X
This article was generated automatically by The Defiant’s AI news system from publicly available sources.
Banks are exploring tokenized deposits as they test ways to move commercial bank money onto blockchain-based payment and settlement infrastructure, according to a new report from real-world asset data platform RWA.io
The report, which was authored by RWA.io with contributions from industry participants including UK Finance, Citi, BNY, JPMorgan’s Kinexys, Standard Chartered, ABN Amro and Digital Asset, argues that tokenized deposits are emerging alongside stablecoins and central bank digital currencies as part of a broader onchain cash stack.
Tokenized deposits are digital representations of traditional bank deposits on blockchain or other distributed ledger infrastructure. Unlike many stablecoins, they are direct liabilities of the issuing bank and sit within existing banking frameworks, including deposit insurance, capital requirements, and Anti-Money Laundering and Know Your Customer rules.
The report points to a growing set of bank pilots and deployments in Europe. In January, Lloyds Banking Group and Archax said they completed the UK’s first public blockchain transaction using tokenized deposits on the Canton Network, while UK Finance’s Great British Tokenised Deposit pilot is testing person-to-person marketplace payments, remortgaging and digital-asset settlement through mid-2026.
The broader push reflects how banks are trying to preserve their role in payments, treasury and deposit-taking as digital cash instruments multiply.
Tokenized deposits as a middle ground in the stablecoin, CBDC debate
UK Finance said in the report that tokenized deposits will play a vital role in a future “multi-money” world. The industry group said tokenized deposits will complement other forms of digital money, “including privately and potentially publicly issued monies.”
Related: BNY launches tokenized deposits amid TradFi rush into blockchain and crypto
Marko Vidrih, the co-founder and chief operating officer at RWA.io said that while much of the attention in digital money focuses on stablecoins or central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), the global financial system still runs on commercial bank money.
“Bringing that money onto digital rails will underpin the next generation of digital finance,” Vidrih said. “For that reason, it is important to understand how tokenized deposits fit within the broader digital money ecosystem alongside stablecoins and CBDCs.”
ECB advances digital euro work, builds tokenized money rails
The European policy backdrop is moving in parallel. The European Central Bank is advancing work on a digital euro as US dollar-backed stablecoins continue to dominate digital asset markets and cross-border transactions.
The ECB recently opened applications for experts to contribute to workstreams focused on how a digital euro would function across ATMs, payment terminals and acceptance infrastructure. The ECB has also said it aims to begin a 12-month pilot for the digital euro in the second half of 2027.
In March, the European Central Bank unveiled Appia, its long-term plan for how tokenized financial markets in Europe could work using central bank money. A key part of that plan is Pontes, a new settlement mechanism designed to let blockchain-based financial platforms connect to the Eurosystem’s existing payment infrastructure.
That existing infrastructure is known as TARGET Services, which already processes large-value euro payments, securities settlement and instant payments across Europe. The ECB said Pontes is scheduled to launch in the third quarter of 2026, while feedback gathered through Appia’s consultation process will help shape the wider framework for Europe’s tokenized financial system.
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The 2026 split between gold and Bitcoin is being read through the lens of two distinct buyer groups, according to Stephen Coltman, head of macro at 21Shares, a provider of crypto exchange-traded products. While gold has benefited from a sustained wave of central-bank purchases, Bitcoin remains largely a retail asset, with ownership concentrated among individuals rather than institutions. Coltman framed the dynamic as a macro-driven divergence that could persist as fundamentals evolve.
Physical gold has a greater geopolitical strategic role currently, as the asset of choice for state actors who want to store wealth in a way that is protected from rival powers. This has meant that it has traded with greater sensitivity to deteriorating international relations.
On the other hand, Bitcoin’s practical appeal centers on everyday users seeking resilience amid financial stress. Coltman notes that BTC has significant appeal as an alternative lifeline when local banking infrastructure falters or access to the traditional financial system is constrained, a feature that becomes particularly salient during crises. This contrast helps explain why gold and Bitcoin can diverge at the same time, even as investors watch both assets for different kinds of hedging and exposure.
Coltman also highlighted the inverse correlation between BTC and gold, suggesting that investors may benefit from holding both assets to tap into their respective strengths—gold as a strategic reserve and Bitcoin as a mobile, permissionless financial option during disruptions.
Macro forces through most of the last few years pushed gold to a record run, with the precious metal climbing toward near $5,600 per ounce in January 2026. Yet heightened volatility and swift drawdowns pulled prices back to roughly $4,497 per ounce, renewing the debate about gold’s role as a store of value and how it will fare against Bitcoin in the medium term.
Key takeaways
- Gold’s rally has been driven predominantly by central-bank purchasing, while Bitcoin remains more retail-led in ownership and demand.
- The BTC–gold relationship tends to move inversely, suggesting a potential diversification benefit for investors who allocate to both assets.
- January 2026 saw gold scaling multi-decade highs near $5,600/oz, followed by a retreat to around $4,500/oz amid renewed volatility.
- Analysts diverge on the long-term leadership: some see BTC outperforming gold over the next few years, while others argue gold’s reserve-asset status strengthens its staying power.
Two camps on future dominance: BTC versus gold
Among market observers, the tug-of-war between Bitcoin and gold persists as a central theme for the years ahead. Macro economist Lyn Alden contends that Bitcoin is likely to outperform gold over the next three years, arguing that the existing rally in gold could face diminishing returns in the next cycle. As Alden put it in discussions cited in coverage around these views, the pendulum typically swings between the two assets, and heavy gains for gold could temper BTC’s upside in the near term.
But not everyone sees Bitcoin eclipsing gold. Ray Dalio, the famed hedge-fund veteran, maintains that BTC will not replace gold as a store of value. He points to Bitcoin’s exposure to risk-on dynamics and its correlation with technology equities, whereas gold carries entrenched status as a reserve asset within the global banking system. The debate underscores a broader question: which asset better preserves wealth across regimes of stress and monetary policy shifts?
Geopolitics, crises, and the case for 24/7 access
The 2026 period has also underscored the practical differences between the two assets during real-world events. Coltman cited episodes such as the Iran-related conflict, where financial infrastructure and market access in some regions faced disruption. In such moments, the appeal of a global, 24/7 settlement layer—Bitcoin—appears to offer continuity when traditional financial rails are strained. That sense of resilience helps explain why BTC can behave differently from gold in the same geopolitical environment.
The dynamic is not purely academic. In times of stress, gold’s geopolitical role as a state-aligned wealth store remains a stabilizing force for many investors who seek a traditional hedge within a framework of central-bank policy and international relations. Yet Bitcoin’s ability to function as a borderless, permissionless asset during crises adds a complementary edge for those who want an alternative pathway to financial access when banks and payments networks are disrupted.
What to watch next
As macro and geopolitical headwinds evolve, the balance between gold and Bitcoin will hinge on central-bank action, inflation dynamics, and how effectively both assets penetrate different investor cohorts. For traders and portfolio builders, monitoring central-bank balance-sheet trends, currency stability in stressed regions, and the pace of retail adoption for Bitcoin will be essential to gauge which asset gains resilience in the next phase of the cycle. The core tension—whether gold’s reserve role or Bitcoin’s crisis-resilience will lead—remains unresolved, but the ongoing dialogue among analysts signals that both assets will continue to play meaningful, albeit distinct, roles in diversified crypto and traditional portfolios.
Investors should stay alert to shifting macro signals and geopolitical developments, as these factors will continue to shape how gold and Bitcoin interact in 2026 and beyond. The landscape remains uncertain, but the case for a dual exposure—benefiting from the unique strengths of each asset—appears to be a persistent theme for informed market participants.
TLDR:
- Bitmine holds 4.6 million ETH, with 3 million actively staked and generating around $180 million annually.
- Ethereum’s 2.8% staking yield cuts the cost gap, meaning Lee needs only 8–9% more to match Saylor’s offer.
- Bitmine has been acquiring over 60,000 ETH weekly, building a low cost basis ahead of any product launch.
- Unlike Bitcoin, Ethereum’s native protocol yield subsidizes the dividend structure, making the flywheel self-reinforcing.
ETH Stretch may be the next big institutional product to emerge in the crypto market. Bitmine, led by strategist Tom Lee, currently holds 4.6 million ETH.
That figure represents nearly 4% of Ethereum’s total circulating supply. Of that holding, 3 million ETH is actively staked, generating around $180 million per year in protocol rewards.
Analyst Axel Bitblaze recently argued that Lee has the infrastructure to launch a Stretch-style fixed-yield product on this existing base.
Ethereum Staking Yield Creates a Structural Cost Advantage
Michael Saylor’s Stretch product offers a fixed 11.5% yield, with all proceeds going into Bitcoin. This buying pressure has pushed hundreds of millions into BTC each week.
Many credit this as a key reason Bitcoin held above $69,000. Without this demand, some analysts suggest prices would sit near $50,000.
Tom Lee, however, already runs a yield engine that Saylor does not have. Bitmine’s staked ETH generates about 2.8% annually from Ethereum’s protocol.
That income covers part of any fixed dividend Lee would need to pay out. Lee would only need to generate an additional 8–9% to match Saylor’s offer.
Bitblaze noted on X that this cost structure allows Lee to undercut Stretch on yield expenses. That margin could make the product more attractive to institutional capital.
Wall Street typically responds well to yield products with stronger cost profiles. Staking income is a meaningful competitive edge in this space.
Additionally, Bitmine has been buying over 60,000 ETH per week in current market conditions. The firm’s cost basis remains low, and Ethereum sentiment is broadly negative.
Those two factors create a favorable window for any product announcement. A low cost basis combined with native yield strengthens the overall case considerably.
The Ethereum Flywheel and Its Reflexivity Potential
The mechanics of an ETH Stretch product follow a clear and self-reinforcing loop. Every dollar raised would go toward buying more ETH on the open market.
More ETH purchased means more ETH available for staking. More staked ETH then generates additional protocol rewards to help fund the dividend.
This cycle differs from Saylor’s model in one key respect: Ethereum has native yield. Bitcoin has no protocol income, yet the BTC Stretch flywheel has still gained traction.
Ethereum’s staking rewards subsidize the structure from the start. That makes the feedback loop cheaper to run and easier to grow.
Bitblaze argued that Saylor’s flywheel works despite Bitcoin having no yield. Lee’s version, by contrast, would run on Ethereum’s own protocol income.
That distinction changes the product economics entirely. A yield-backed demand engine does not rely solely on price appreciation. It draws strength directly from the Ethereum protocol itself.
Should Lee announce such a product while sentiment is low, the price response could be rapid. Institutional capital targeting yield would flow in, driving ETH demand higher.
Higher ETH prices improve staking returns in dollar terms, attracting still more capital. That loop, once active, tends to accelerate.
Crypto World
Ethereum Price Prediction: ETH Price Could Reach $2,500 as BNB Weakens and Pepeto Shows the Utility Gains That Matter
BlackRock launched the iShares Staked Ethereum Trust on March 12, and the fund pulled in $254 million in its first week, making it the fastest growing crypto ETF this quarter.
While the ethereum price prediction shows a path toward $2,500, Pepeto is drawing attention with exchange infrastructure already live, more than $8 million raised, and a Binance listing approaching. The wallets entering now are targeting returns the ethereum price prediction needs the full cycle to deliver.
Ethereum Price Prediction Gains Support After BlackRock Staked ETF Pulls $254 Million in One Week
BlackRock launched ETHB on March 12 on Nasdaq, staking 70% to 95% of its Ethereum holdings and paying investors roughly 82% of staking rewards through monthly payouts, according to CoinDesk.
The fund reached $254 million in assets within seven days, according to Decrypt. Goldman Sachs reported over $1 billion in Ethereum ETF holdings, and Larry Fink called blockchain infrastructure necessary at Davos this year.
The ethereum price prediction has institutional money behind it, but from $2,083 the path to $2,500 is a 20% move that takes patience.
Ethereum Price Prediction and the Presale Offering Returns ETH Cannot Match
Pepeto
As rug pulls grow more common, the cost of entering a project without checking its contracts keeps rising. Every cycle, traders lose more capital to scams that grow harder to detect with each new method. Doing your own research takes hours most people do not have, and it still misses the risks buried in smart contract code.
Pepeto was designed to end that problem before your money is at risk. The exchange is already running while the presale fills. The risk scorer examines every contract for hidden traps and scam patterns, giving you a clear answer in seconds instead of hours of digging through code, so you act with confidence instead of guessing.
The cofounder who took the original Pepe coin to $11 billion with nothing is now building an exchange with zero fee trading, cross chain transfers at zero cost through the bridge, and a SolidProof audit completed before the presale opened. A former Binance expert is on the dev team, 195% APY staking compounds in wallets that positioned early, and the presale has crossed more than $8 million with the Binance listing approaching.
At $0.000000186 with the same 420 trillion supply that reached $11 billion under Pepe, matching that market cap is over 150x, and Pepeto has the exchange infrastructure Pepe never built. The wallets filling the presale are taking the entry that disappears the moment trading begins, and the holders who are not inside yet are the ones who will spend this cycle wishing they had moved.
Ethereum Price Prediction: Can ETH Reach $2,500 With BlackRock Leading Institutional Demand?
ETH trades near $2,083 as of March 22, holding above the $2,000 support that formed a floor since mid February, according to CoinMarketCap.
BlackRock’s ETHA holds $6.5 billion and the new staked ETHB already sits at $254 million after one week. Resistance levels form at $2,235 and $2,380, and if both break cleanly the next ethereum price prediction target is $2,500.
Losing $2,000 could trigger a pullback toward $1,800. Even the bullish $2,500 scenario is a 20% move from current prices, a return that requires months of positive conditions and institutional follow through.
BNB
BNB trades near $631 as of March 22, steady despite the broader correction, according to CoinMarketCap. The Binance ecosystem keeps BNB supported, but from $631 the token needs to reclaim $720 before any meaningful run begins.
A 2x requires BNB above $1,200, a level it has never held. Neither the ethereum price prediction nor BNB delivers the distance a presale to exchange listing compresses into the moment trading opens.
Ethereum Price Prediction Points to $2,500 but the Presale Entry Points to Where Wealth Was Built
The ethereum price prediction has BlackRock behind it, the staked ETF is pulling institutional money, and the $2,500 target is realistic. But the smart money wallets filling Pepeto at presale pricing are building positions that expect returns ETH from $2,090 takes years to match.
The crypto news will cover this moment after the Binance listing, and the only question is whether you lock in your position on the Pepeto official website today or pay a higher price later from wallets that moved while you were still reading about ETH.
BlackRock is staking ETH for 3% yield. The wallets inside Pepeto are targeting 150x, decide which return fits this cycle.
Click To Visit Pepeto Website To Enter The Presale
FAQs
What is the ethereum price prediction for today?
The ethereum price prediction targets $2,500 if ETH holds above $2,000 support. Investors seeking faster returns are looking at Pepeto, where matching Pepe’s market cap is over 150x from presale.
Why is Pepeto trending alongside the ethereum price prediction?
Pepeto has become the presale drawing the most capital because it combines a working exchange with the same supply that took Pepe to $11 billion, positioning it for returns ETH cannot match from $2,083.
How does the ethereum price prediction compare with early presales like Pepeto?
The Pepeto official website offers a presale where the Binance listing compresses the return window into days, while the ethereum price prediction from $2,083 to $2,500 is a 20% move requiring months.
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.
TLDR:
- Trump issues 48-hour ultimatum demanding Iran reopen the Strait or face power plant strikes.
- Iran warns of full closure of the Strait and retaliation against regional energy infrastructure.
- Tanker traffic dropped 90%, increasing concerns over global oil supply and market stability.
- Iranian officials list potential targets, including Israel and US-linked energy assets.
Iran war live Trump Strait of Hormuz tensions intensified after a 48-hour ultimatum triggered threats of energy infrastructure attacks, raising risks of wider regional escalation and disruption to global oil transit routes.
Trump Issues 48-Hour Ultimatum
The United States has issued a direct warning to Tehran. In his statement, President Donald Trump demanded that Iran fully reopen the Strait within 48 hours.
He threatened attacks on major Iranian power plants if the demand is ignored. The ultimatum highlighted the strategic significance of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of global oil shipments pass.
Tanker traffic has already fallen by nearly 90% in recent weeks, raising concerns about energy supply disruptions worldwide.
Trump’s statement did not clarify whether nuclear-linked power plants, such as Bushehr, would be included in the strike. This uncertainty added to regional tension, as the potential for collateral damage remains high.
“If Iran doesn’t FULLY OPEN the Strait, the US will hit major power plants first,” Trump’s statement read, reflecting the firm deadline.
Iran Warns of Retaliation and Regional Impact
Iranian officials outlined a detailed response as spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaghari confirmed that the Strait remains partially open under controlled access. He however, warned that any strike on power plants would trigger immediate retaliation.
Iran indicated that a full closure of the Strait would follow any attack, with reopening dependent on reconstruction of damaged infrastructure.
Officials also listed potential regional targets, including power plants in Israel, companies with American shareholders, and energy infrastructure in countries hosting US bases.
Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, further emphasized the scale of potential consequences. He warned that attacks on Iranian infrastructure could lead to the irreversible destruction of energy networks across the Gulf, maintaining elevated oil prices for an extended period.
Previous demonstrations of Iran’s reach, such as the strike on Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG terminal, showed the country’s capability to disrupt regional energy systems.
Regional and international actors are monitoring the situation closely, highlighting the strategic and economic stakes.
Iran war live Trump Strait of Hormuz tensions remain critical as the 48-hour deadline approaches, with both sides maintaining firm positions and regional stability at stake.
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