Crypto World
White House Warns Staff as Iran Bets Spark Insider Concerns
The White House warned staff against improperly using confidential information to place bets in futures markets after suspicious oil trades ahead of President Donald Trump’s March 23 Iran announcement drew scrutiny, according to Reuters.
Reuters reported on Thursday that the White House sent the internal email on March 24, a day after Trump ordered a five-day delay in attacks on Iran’s energy infrastructure.
The warning followed a roughly $500 million bet on Brent and West Texas Intermediate crude futures placed in a one-minute burst shortly before Trump’s March 23 announcement, according to Reuters calculations based on exchange data. Oil prices fell about 15% after the policy shift.
The episode has intensified scrutiny of whether officials or politically connected traders could profit from nonpublic information tied to military or policy decisions. It has also added momentum to a broader push in Washington to tighten rules around prediction-market trading.
The STOCK Act amendment in the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) prohibits federal officials, congress members, executive staff and judicial officers from using non-public information derived from their positions to trade commodity, futures or options markets. The amendment was signed into law on April 4, 2012.
Cointelegraph has approached the White House for a copy of the internal email.
Related: US Senate bill targets prediction markets on war and assassinations
Lawmakers respond to prediction market insider trading concerns
Lawmakers have also stepped up scrutiny of prediction markets, where well-timed bets tied to military and political events have raised similar concerns about the misuse of privileged information. Polymarket traders netted around $1 million by accurately betting when the US would strike Iran.
In response to the concerns, Congressman Adrian Smith and Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski introduced the Preventing Real-time Exploitation and Deceptive Insider Congressional Trading Act (PREDICT Act) on March 25, a bipartisan bill seeking to ban members of Congress and federal officials from prediction market trading.
On March 26, US lawmakers Todd Young, Elissa Slotkin, John Curtis and Adam Schiff unveiled the bipartisan Public Integrity in Financial Prediction Markets Act of 2026, a bill aimed at curbing prediction market insider trading by government officials.
The same day, Senator Jeff Merkley introduced the End Prediction Market Corruption Act, seeking to ban event contract trading by government officials with “material non-public information,” including the president, vice president and members of Congress.
Magazine: Crypto traders ‘fool themselves’ with price predictions — Peter Brandt
TLDR
- Flare plans to reduce FLR inflation from 5% to 3% under a new governance proposal.
- The proposal introduces FIRE to manage revenue from protocol-level MEV capture.
- Flare aims to shift block building to a controlled model to retain network value.
- The network proposes raising gas fees to increase annual token burn levels.
- Governance voting will take place between April 17 and April 24.
Flare introduced a governance proposal to reshape FLR tokenomics and capture protocol-level MEV. The plan reduces inflation and redirects network value into ecosystem incentives. It also outlines a structured builder model to control block production and revenue flow.
Flare and FLR Plan Shifts Tokenomics Through MEV Capture
Flare proposes reducing annual FLR inflation from 5% to 3%, cutting issuance by 40%. The proposal also lowers the yearly cap from 5 billion to 3 billion FLR tokens.
The network introduced FIRE, or Flare Income Reinvestment Entity, to manage captured value. It aims to channel proceeds into buybacks, burns, and ecosystem funding.
Flare stated, “The model seeks to connect network usage directly to token value.” The framework focuses on aligning onchain activity with FLR demand.
The proposal shifts block building toward a protocol-controlled structure over time. This change targets value flows that typically move to external searchers.
The system plans to capture positive MEV, including arbitrage and liquidation events. It also includes liquidity provisioning within the builder framework.
Flare said the change supports long-term token sustainability through structured revenue capture. It also aims to reduce inefficiencies seen across many blockchain systems.
Network Activity Supports Proposal Timing and Economic Changes
Flare reported over $160 million in total value locked across its ecosystem. It also recorded more than 880,000 active addresses on the network.
The network confirmed around 150 million FXRP minted, with over 85% deployed in DeFi use. Dune data shows TVL near $165 million.
The proposal includes a gas fee increase from 60 gwei to 1,200 gwei. This adjustment aims to raise annual FLR burn from 7.5 million to 300 million tokens.
Flare said higher fees could strengthen burn mechanics under current transaction levels. It also expects a stronger linkage between usage and token supply reduction.
The plan shifts reward allocation toward P Chain staking participants. It also sets a minimum 20% fee share for infrastructure contributors.
Flare noted that this structure supports entities maintaining network services. It ensures a defined share of generated revenue flows to operators.
Governance Timeline Outlines Decision Window for Proposal
Flare scheduled the governance notice period from April 9 to April 16. The network then set voting between April 17 and April 24.
The proposal outlines immediate implementation for key economic changes upon approval. These include inflation cuts and fee structure adjustments.
Flare emphasized that the builder model will roll out gradually over time. The shift depends on governance approval and network readiness.
The proposal connects multiple network components, including FAssets and Smart Accounts. It also integrates Flare Data Connector and Confidential Compute.
Flare stated that the next phase links ecosystem activity directly to FLR economics. The network confirmed that voting will determine the proposal outcome.
TAO drops 30% from its weekly high, confirming fractal setups that projected deeper downside targets for the token in the past.
Mirroring a breakout setup from Q2 2025, Bitcoin (BTC) is now eyeing a possible rally toward the $86,000–$90,000 range over the next few weeks.
The bullish view is supported by robust Bitcoin whale activity and large BTC inflows to exchanges, which have dropped by $5 billion over the past two months.
BTC support cluster at $70,000 builds breakout pressure
Bitcoin reached a weekly high of $73,255 on Friday after testing the $72,000 level earlier in the week, with the price compressing between $70,000 and $72,000 over the past four days. The higher price range is showing more stability for BTC than in March, when BTC quickly corrected after reaching the key level.
The 30-day rolling volume-weighted average price (VWAP), which indicates where most recent trading activity has occurred, and the 50-day moving average have converged below the price, forming a dynamic support base.
Currently, the $76,000 level marks the upper boundary of a 64-day sideways phase. A push above this level aligns with the descending trendline formed after the October highs near $126,000.
A breakout from this trend may signal a major shift and remove the psychological barrier that capped rallies over the past few months.
In Q2 2025, a similar setup formed after a prolonged compression below the moving averages. Once the price cleared the descending trendline, it expanded quickly into the next supply zone.
The current structure mirrors that sequence, with liquidity stacked between $86,000 and $90,000. This indicates a clean path for price expansion once the bearish trendline gives way.
Related: Bitcoin can be made quantum-safe without protocol upgrade: Researcher
BTC whale flows signal supply absorption
Crypto analyst Amr Taha noted that the 30-day Bitcoin inflows to exchanges from whales dropped to $2.96 billion, the first sub-$3 billion reading since June 2025.
The lower inflows reduce immediate sell-side pressure on exchanges. For context, the whale inflows to exchanges were as high as $8 billion in February.
At the same time, the long-term holder realized cap change reached $49 billion on April 9, marking renewed accumulation.
Taha noted a transfer of supply from weaker to stronger hands across these metrics. The divergence highlights steady absorption rather than aggressive selling.
Additionally, whale-sized orders of $1 million to $10 million pushed the spot cumulative volume delta (CVD) above $600 million on April 9, while market analyst CW pointed to renewed buying from other whale cohorts as well.
This activity coincides with price stabilization above $70,000. The $76,000 level now acts as a trigger zone, with the $86,000 to $90,000 range holding a visible, concentrated liquidity zone.
Related: Bitcoin hits $73K as cool US CPI data shows 60-year record gas price hike
This article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph’s Editorial Policy and is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice or recommendations. All investments and trades carry risk; readers are encouraged to conduct independent research before making any decisions. Cointelegraph makes no guarantees regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information presented, including forward-looking statements, and will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from reliance on this content.
Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.
Little Pepe presale surpasses $28M as project nears completion and draws investor attention.
Summary
- Little Pepe presale surpasses $28M, with Stage 13 nearing completion as demand continues to rise
- LILPEPE is advancing toward next phase, with exchange listings and ecosystem expansion in focus
- Layer 2 utility, staking, and zero-tax trading position Little Pepe for long-term growth
Little Pepe’s (LILPEPE) presale has reached a crucial milestone in its journey to completion, having raised over $28 million. This shows the investors’ confidence in the project and the fact that the project has a lot to offer in the field of blockchain. As the end of the presale is in sight, attention is now focused on the future prospects of the project and the steps it will take towards the next stage.
Stage 13 nearing completion and price progression
The current presale has gathered more than $28 million in its current presale stage 13, which will reward investors who join the project at an early stage. The project has sold more than 16.9 billion tokens, out of its 17.25 million token target. After completing Stage 13, priced at $0.0022, the next stage after this will be Stage 14, priced at $0.0023.
As the present presale is nearing completion, the next step in the journey of Little Pepe is expected to be the expansion of its ecosystem. Generally speaking, projects at this phase are likely to look towards listing on exchanges, which can greatly contribute to improving market accessibility. Moreover, the development of its core features will greatly contribute to improving demand for the token in the long run.
Utility-driven ecosystem as a growth catalyst
Little Pepe differs from other cryptocurrencies in the fact that it has an Ethereum-compatible Layer 2 infrastructure. This enables the platform to facilitate faster and cheaper transactions. Additionally, the platform has several features geared towards the use of the platform. These include zero tax trading, sniper bot attacks, and staking rewards. The NFT and cross-chain capabilities to be introduced in the platform make it an even more promising venture compared to the current status of the platform as a meme coin.
In addition to the infrastructure, the ecosystem includes other utility-based features. The zero tax trading feature helps in the reduction of hurdles for the participants in the ecosystem. The sniper bot protection feature ensures the fairness of the ecosystem, especially in the token launch. The staking reward feature helps in the reduction of sell pressure in the ecosystem. Meme launchpad is an additional utility feature in the ecosystem. This feature helps the user to create a token in the ecosystem.
Community incentives as a growth catalyst
As the presale reaches its final stretch, the Little Pepe team has continued to reward the growing community with several incentives. The giveaway of $777,000 is still going strong. Additionally, the reward of 15+ ETH to the top contributors and random participants has been going on. All the above incentives not only reward the contributors but also grow the platform.
However, crossing the mark of $28 million is not only a milestone but is also the starting point to a new era for Little Pepe. Hence, with Stage 13 almost being completed and the presale being in the final stages, the project has already moved from the fundraising stage to the execution and expansion stage.
Having created a good foundation with the utilization of layer 2, tokenomics, and ecosystem, it is clear that the project has the potential to grow and expand in the coming days. Once all these exchange listings and other factors come into play, it is clear that the project has the potential to grow and become a major player in the meme coin industry. From an investment point of view, it is clear that this is a critical point to assess the potential of the project and how it is going to be in the coming days, as it is almost at its final stage.
For more information, visit the official website, X (Twitter), and Telegram.
Disclosure: This content is provided by a third party. Neither crypto.news nor the author of this article endorses any product mentioned on this page. Users should conduct their own research before taking any action related to the company.
The HKMA selected two issuers from a pool of 36 applicants under the Stablecoins Ordinance, which took effect in August 2025.
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) granted its first two stablecoin issuer licenses on Friday, awarding them to HSBC and Anchorpoint Financial, a joint venture led by Standard Chartered that includes Animoca Brands and Hong Kong Telecommunications.
The regulator selected the two from a pool of 36 applicants under the Stablecoins Ordinance, which took effect in August 2025. Both licensees are authorized to issue stablecoins pegged to the Hong Kong dollar.
The decision to award the first licenses to HSBC and Standard Chartered is notable, as both are among the only three commercial banks authorized to print physical Hong Kong dollar banknotes, a system dating back to 1846.
“The two applicants have experience in traditional finance and risk management, which fits the mission of stablecoins that aim to bridge traditional finance and digital finance,” said HKMA Deputy Chief Executive Darryl Chan.
Strict Guardrails
Hong Kong’s framework imposes tight requirements on issuers. Stablecoins must be fully backed by high-quality liquid assets such as cash, bank deposits, or short-term government securities. Issuers must maintain at least HK$25 million in paid-up capital and hold liquid capital equal to 12 months of operating expenses.
Holders must be able to redeem tokens at par within one business day, and issuers are prohibited from offering interest or yield on stablecoin holdings. The regime also bars algorithmic stablecoins from obtaining a license.
Financial Secretary Paul Chan had signaled in his February budget address that the first batch would be limited, with regulators prioritizing risk management, reserve quality, and anti-money-laundering controls.
Retail and Cross-Border Ambitions
HSBC said its HKD stablecoin will be available inside its PayMe app and HSBC HK Mobile Banking in the second half of 2026, giving retail customers direct access to the token. Anchorpoint plans to distribute through selected business partners.
The broader stablecoin market now exceeds $311 billion, though USD-denominated tokens account for nearly all of it. Hong Kong is betting that bank-issued, regulated HKD stablecoins can carve out a niche in regional trade settlement.
The licensing milestone also comes as mainland China explores renminbi-backed stablecoins through Hong Kong, and as state-owned enterprises like China National Petroleum Corporation study stablecoin use for cross-border payments.
This article was written with the assistance of AI workflows. All our stories are curated, edited and fact-checked by a human.
Mixero’s latest privacy feature, Ricochet, is designed to make Bitcoin transaction trails far harder to track.
This comes as state-of-the-art blockchain analytics tools are pushing many users into a corner, with privacy becoming a major concern.
For context, Bitcoin gives users control over their funds, but privacy remains limited by design. Every transaction is recorded on a public ledger, where wallet activity can be traced, linked, and analyzed over time.
That becomes a serious issue once a wallet is connected to a real-world identity. A single withdrawal from a KYC exchange can tie a person’s name to an address, and from there, the rest of their on-chain activity can become much easier to follow.
Ricochet creates a longer and less readable transaction path
Ricochet routes Bitcoin through a chain of intermediary addresses before the funds reach their final destination.
Instead of moving BTC directly from one wallet to another, the transaction passes through multiple hops.
Each hop uses a newly generated wallet address that is never reused. This creates a more complex path between sender and recipient, making it much more difficult to reconstruct the full route through standard blockchain analysis.
In short, Mixero is making the trail less direct, clean, and much harder to interpret.
Randomized hops make tracing more difficult
Ricochet also introduces randomness into the timing and structure of the route.
Each transfer step can be separated by randomized delays, which removes the fixed timing patterns that often make blockchain activity easier to analyze. Users can also choose how many hops to include and how many confirmations should be required along the way.
For those who want deeper protection, full randomization adds even more variation to the route. That makes each transaction path less predictable and harder to model.
This gives users room to adjust privacy settings based on their own priorities. Some may want a faster process with fewer steps. Others may prefer a more layered route that puts greater distance between the source of funds and the final receiving address.
Ricochet works differently from CoinJoin
Mixero is already known for privacy tools built around CoinJoin, but Ricochet follows a slightly different logic.
CoinJoin mixes multiple users’ transactions together in a shared structure, making it difficult to determine which inputs and outputs belong to whom. Instead of merging transactions, Ricochet extends the route. It’s a key difference. CoinJoin disrupts transaction matching. Ricochet obscures the path itself by multiplying the number of steps between origin and destination.
For users who want stronger privacy without relying on pooled transaction structures, Ricochet offers another way to reduce traceability on Bitcoin.
Public blockchains expose a lot
On a public blockchain, transaction history can expose wallet balances, behavior patterns, recurring counterparties, and long-term financial activity.
Once an address is identified, the rest of that history can become easier to map. For users who value discretion, that creates obvious risks.
Privacy in crypto is often dismissed as an edge case, largely because it is associated with anonymity. In reality, it is a normal financial concern. Not every user wants their transaction history open to exchanges, analytics firms, investigators, or anyone else watching the chain.
Tools like Ricochet exist because transparency on public ledgers has consequences.
No logs
Ricochet is paired with Mixero’s no-logs policy, which reduces the amount of user activity data retained during the process.
That adds another layer of privacy beyond the transaction route itself. The combination of fresh addresses, randomized delays, customizable hops, and limited data retention creates a stronger privacy model for Bitcoin transactions on a public network.
For users trying to reduce the visibility of their BTC activity, Ricochet offers a direct way to make transaction tracing much more difficult.
About Mixero
Mixero is a privacy-focused crypto service for users who want stronger transaction privacy on public blockchains. The platform offers CoinJoin-based Bitcoin mixing, Tor access, signed Letters of Guarantee, and Ricochet, a feature that routes BTC through multiple randomized hops before it reaches its destination. The service is built for users who want more discretion in an on-chain environment where transaction histories are otherwise easy to inspect.
The post Mixero Crypto Mixer Adds Ricochet to Strengthen Bitcoin Transaction Privacy appeared first on BeInCrypto.
Crypto World
Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) Stock Surges 6% Following TSMC’s Impressive Q1 Revenue Report
Key Takeaways
- Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company posted first-quarter 2026 revenue of $35.6 billion, marking a 35% year-over-year increase
- Shares of AMD climbed as high as 6.4% during Friday’s session before moderating to gains of approximately 3.6–3.8%
- Market participants interpreted TSMC’s robust fabrication orders as a bullish indicator for AMD’s forthcoming quarterly performance
- Advanced Micro Devices will announce its Q1 2026 financial results on May 5, with company leadership projecting $9.8 billion in quarterly revenue
- Equity research analysts maintain a Moderate Buy rating on AMD shares with a consensus price target of $284.68
Shares of Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) experienced substantial upward movement Friday following Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s announcement of exceptional first-quarter financial performance, providing a tailwind across the semiconductor industry.
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., AMD
Taiwan Semiconductor disclosed that its first-quarter 2026 revenue soared 35% to reach $35.6 billion. The figure immediately resonated throughout financial markets.
Market participants interpreted this disclosure as compelling evidence that artificial intelligence processor demand remains resilient. AMD, a major producer of central processing units and graphics processing units deployed in AI-focused data infrastructure, was viewed as a prime beneficiary of this trend.
AMD stock registered intraday gains reaching 6.4% before moderating to approximately 3.6–3.8% appreciation by late-afternoon trading. Daily transaction volume totaled roughly 20 million shares, falling short of the stock’s three-month average daily volume of 33.17 million.
The semiconductor company’s shares have now appreciated nearly 15% since the beginning of the year and have surged approximately 153% during the trailing twelve-month period.
Upcoming Quarterly Report for AMD
Advanced Micro Devices is scheduled to release its first-quarter 2026 financial results on May 5. Company executives have provided guidance calling for revenue of $9.8 billion at the midpoint, representing a 32% year-over-year expansion.
During the fourth quarter of 2025, AMD’s data center division generated $5.4 billion in revenue, reflecting 39% annual growth — establishing a new company record. Market observers are anticipating that the first quarter will maintain this positive trajectory.
TSMC’s healthy order backlog suggests that demand for processors and graphics chips remained firm throughout the opening quarter. This development bodes well for AMD, which depends extensively on TSMC’s fabrication capabilities for its semiconductor production.
A broader geopolitical context is also influencing market sentiment. A ceasefire agreement between Iran and the United States has improved investor confidence. Vice President Vance is scheduled to visit Pakistan this weekend for continued diplomatic discussions, with markets seemingly pricing in optimism regarding further tension reduction.
Analyst Sentiment and Price Projections
Wall Street equity analysts collectively assign a Moderate Buy consensus recommendation to AMD shares. This assessment reflects 21 Buy recommendations and eight Hold recommendations issued during the most recent three-month period.
The consensus price target stands at $284.68, suggesting approximately 16% appreciation potential from present valuation levels.
AMD currently trades at $245.17, within a 52-week trading range spanning from $83.75 to $267.08, while maintaining a market capitalization approaching $386 billion.
Friday’s intraday trading range extended from $238.98 to $249.56.
The upcoming May 5 earnings announcement represents the next significant event for AMD shareholders, who will scrutinize data center segment revenue performance and any modifications to full-year financial projections.
CZ’s autobiography has sparked fierce debate, while Hong Kong has issued its first stablecoin issuer licenses. At the same time, Iran has begun collecting cryptocurrency toll payments from oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. These events, along with new US policy moves, have added fresh pressure and attention across the digital asset market.
Hong Kong Opens Stablecoin Licensing as Regulation Moves Forward
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority announced the first batch of stablecoin issuer licenses. Two licenses were issued in the first round. They included HSBC and Anchor Fintech Limited. Anchor Fintech is a joint venture tied to Standard Chartered Bank, Animoca Brands, and Hong Kong Telecom.
The authority said applicants were reviewed on several factors. These included business plans, issuer functions, risk controls, and compliance capacity. It also reviewed whether the proposed use cases could add value to the wider market. The process covered compliance in Hong Kong and other jurisdictions.
In the United States, crypto regulation is also moving ahead. SEC Chair Paul Atkins said the proposed crypto safe harbor framework has entered White House review. The review is being handled by OIRA, and release is expected soon.
The plan includes a startup exemption program. It may allow crypto projects to raise funds for about four years under disclosure rules. It also includes an investment contract safe harbor and guidance on token classification. The SEC is also working on an innovation exemption for on-chain assets.
Iran Toll Plan and Market Shifts Add New Pressure
Iran has started charging tolls on fully loaded oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The reported rate is about $1 per barrel. Payments are being requested in cryptocurrencies and other digital assets during a two-week ceasefire period with the United States.
Under the plan, vessels must send cargo details to Iran by email. After review, payment instructions are issued. Empty tankers may be exempt. Hamid Hosseini said the policy aims to track traffic and prevent weapons movement during the ceasefire period.
Elsewhere, industry operations are also shifting. Binance employees in the UAE were reportedly offered relocation options to Hong Kong, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, and Bangkok. The move followed security concerns after the US-Iran war affected the UAE and Dubai.
At the same time, returns on major DeFi platforms continued to decline. Aave, Lido, and other large protocols now offer yields below some traditional finance platforms. This has increased focus on products supported by US Treasuries and institutional credit.
CZ Memoir Draws Attention as Firms Face Volatility
Binance founder CZ said his autobiography Freedom of Money was fully released on April 8. English and traditional Chinese editions are now available. He said all personal proceeds and royalties will be donated to charity.
The book drew attention for its prison writing conditions and its claims about industry figures. CZ described harsh limits on communication tools in prison. He also wrote about SBF, the failed FTX rescue talks, and a dispute involving Star Xu. Those remarks have fueled broad discussion across the crypto sector.
Corporate volatility also remained in focus. Strategy reported a $14.5 billion unrealized Bitcoin loss in the first quarter. The company said fair value accounting amplified the quarter’s swings. It still added 4,871 BTC between April 1 and April 5.
BitMine also announced a NYSE listing transfer and expanded its share repurchase plan to $4 billion. The company said it had accumulated about 4.803 million ETH over nine months. That total represents about 3.98% of ETH supply.
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) published the Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for March, showing a 0.9% month-over-month rise in headline CPI inflation.
CPI inflation is up 3.3% year-over-year, according to the BLS report published Friday. Although inflation came in slightly lower than analyst expectations, inflation remains elevated above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target.
A surge in energy prices from the Iran war drove March’s inflation figures, with the energy index rising by nearly 11%, led by a 21.2% rise in gasoline prices, the BLS report said.
Managing inflation is part of the Federal Reserve’s dual mandate of price stability and maximum employment, which influences its decision-making on interest rates and broader monetary policy.
Bitcoin (BTC) and cryptocurrency prices are significantly impacted by interest rate policy, with lower interest rates stimulating asset prices by expanding credit that flows into financial markets and higher rates restricting capital flows and asset prices.
Related: Bitcoin steadies after PCE inflation data, $80K target remains
Traders see no chance of interest rate cuts at April Fed meeting
Investors forecast a 0% chance of an interest rate cut at the April Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, according to CME Group’s FedWatch tool.
The odds that the FOMC will keep rates on hold are 98.4%. Rate cut odds increase only incrementally throughout the year.
FOMC members are divided on further rate cuts in 2026, due to inflationary pressures from the ongoing war, and rate hikes have not been ruled out.
Bitcoin rises on latest CPI print
The price of Bitcoin (BTC) rose by over 1.5% on Friday, briefly tapping the $73,000 level following the latest CPI print.
“The $73,000–$75,000 zone is our next major target,” said Matt Mena, senior crypto research strategist at crypto exchange-traded product provider 21shares.
“If BTC clears this, expect a brief period of sideways consolidation before a test of $80,000. Should the Clarity Act pass, the stage is set for $100,000 BTC and a $3 trillion–$3.2 trillion total crypto market cap by the end of Q2,” he added.
Magazine: Big Questions: Can Bitcoin save you from the dreaded Cantillon Effect?
The March Consumer Price Index (CPI) release from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows a 0.9% month-over-month rise in headline inflation, with a 3.3% year-over-year increase. While the monthly gain trailed some early expectations, inflation remains above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target and continues to shape policy risk and financial markets alike. The BLS data highlight a sharp upturn in energy prices, contributing to overall inflationary pressure, with the energy index rising nearly 11% for the month and gasoline prices climbing by a substantial margin.
The report underscores how energy price dynamics are feeding into the broader inflation picture, complicating the Fed’s balancing act between taming inflation and supporting economic growth. As the central bank weighs its next moves, financial markets are parsing the CPI print for hints about the trajectory of interest rates and the path of liquidity that could influence asset prices across riskier markets, including cryptocurrency.
Key takeaways
- Headline CPI rose 0.9% in March, with a 3.3% increase from a year earlier, signaling persistent inflation despite some cooling signs elsewhere.
- Energy prices were a major driver, with the energy index up roughly 11% for the month and gasoline up 21.2%, according to the BLS.
- Fed policy expectations remained highly skewed toward holding rates in the near term; CME Group’s FedWatch tool prices about a 98.4% chance of no rate cut at the April FOMC meeting.
- Bitcoin and broader crypto markets moved on the CPI data, with BTC rising more than 1.5% and briefly touching the $73,000 level as traders reassessed risk and policy signals.
- In market commentary, analysts note the potential for further upside if key resistance around $73,000–$75,000 is cleared, with some tying macro policy developments to longer-term crypto targets.
Inflation signals and policy expectations
March’s CPI data reaffirm that inflation remains a central concern for U.S. monetary policy, even as some components show resilience. The energy component’s outsized contribution—driven by stronger gasoline prices—illustrates how commodity markets can amplify price pressures during geopolitical or supply-disruption episodes. This dynamic matters for investors because it shapes expectations about how quickly the Fed will adjust policy and how the resulting rate environment could influence asset valuations throughout the crypto ecosystem.
Looking ahead, market participants continue to price in a low probability of immediate policy easing. The CME FedWatch tool shows a circa 98.4% probability that the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) will keep the target range unchanged at its April meeting. While rate cuts are not priced in for the near term, traders remain attentive to evolving inflation readings, wage data, and other macro signals that could shift expectations as the year unfolds.
Federal Reserve communications have historically emphasized a gradual approach to tightening or pausing, balancing the twin aims of price stability and maximum employment. In practice, the path for 2026 remains uncertain, with several policymakers reportedly divided on whether further rate cuts will come amid inflation pressures tied to ongoing geopolitical tensions. Although the near-term stance points to stability, the broader policy trajectory could still be adjusted if inflation persists or if growth slows in unexpected ways.
Bitcoin and crypto response to the CPI update
Bitcoin’s price action in the wake of the CPI release reflected a broader risk-on tilt that often follows softer-than-feared inflation prints or the prospect of a slower policy tightening cycle. BTC rose by more than 1.5% on the session, briefly advancing toward the $73,000 level. Market observers highlighted this as a potential springboard for a run toward the $75,000 mark as traders reassess macro risk premia and liquidity conditions.
Matt Mena, senior crypto research strategist at 21Shares, framed the near-term technical picture in terms of established ranges: “The $73,000–$75,000 zone is our next major target.” He suggested that clearing this zone could lead to a period of consolidation before a push toward higher levels, with a possible move to $80,000 if momentum holds. Beyond the technicals, he connected the macro backdrop to a longer-term bull case for the sector, noting that policy developments—such as potential legislative clarity for crypto—could unlock a broader ecosystem expansion. “Should the Clarity Act pass, the stage is set for $100,000 BTC and a $3 trillion–$3.2 trillion total crypto market cap by the end of Q2,” he said, signaling how policy signals can compound price drivers alongside technical breakouts.
These views align with a broader sense among traders that macro conditions, liquidity flows, and regulatory clarity collectively shape crypto’s risk-reward calculus. While the CPI data reinforced the value of monitoring energy price dynamics and policy signals, the immediate takeaway for investors is a continued emphasis on discipline in risk management and clear watchpoints for key resistance levels that could redefine short-term momentum.
What to watch next for markets and crypto
The March CPI release adds another data point into a complex mosaic of inflation, policy, and market sentiment. For crypto, the near-term focus remains on price levels around $73,000–$75,000 as a potential inflection zone. A sustained breakout beyond that corridor could redraw near-term trajectories toward $80,000 and beyond, depending on how the macro backdrop evolves from here.
On the policy front, investors will be watching for new guidance from the Fed in upcoming communications, as well as any fresh developments around crypto legislation and regulatory clarity. The interplay between rate expectations, energy price trends, and macro risk appetite will continue to shape both traditional markets and digital assets in the weeks ahead.
In the broader market context, the CPI release underscores the sensitivity of crypto prices to macro data and policy signals. As the economy navigates renewed inflation dynamics, market participants should balance technical levels with an eye on policy shifts and potential legislative milestones that could alter the risk calculus for crypto exposure.
Readers should stay tuned for any new inflation readings, Fed commentary, and regulatory updates, which together will influence the velocity of capital into crypto markets and the momentum of institutional participation in the sector.
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