Ethereum derivatives markets saw a sharp bout of deleveraging over the past day, with total ETH contract open interest across major centralized exchanges falling 5.62% to 27.119 billion dollars, according to Coinglass data. ​

According to data from Coinglass, the total open interest of Ethereum (ETH) contracts across the network has contracted by 5.62% in the past 24 hours, bringing the figure down to 27.119 billion dollars.

The decline signals a decisive round of risk reduction in the derivatives market, with traders closing or being forced out of leveraged positions as conditions turn more defensive. While granular liquidation figures were not provided, the magnitude of the move suggests a mix of voluntary deleveraging and margin-driven position exits rather than a purely organic rotation.

Binance remains the largest concentration point for ETH derivatives risk, now holding 5.74 billion dollars in open interest, while Gate registers 2.866 billion dollars, Bybit 2.059 billion dollars, and OKX 1.772 billion dollars. This clustering of leverage on a handful of venues means that order book dislocations or sudden funding shifts on these exchanges can quickly bleed into spot pricing. For basis and spread traders, the reset in open interest may open up cleaner arbitrage conditions after a period of elevated speculative positioning.​

Historically, single‑day pullbacks of this scale in open interest have often acted as either mid‑trend “cleanup” events or the first leg of a broader de‑risking cycle, depending on subsequent spot demand and funding dynamics. If funding normalizes and fresh spot buying emerges, the current move could be framed as a healthy clearing of excess leverage built up during prior rallies. However, if open interest continues to grind lower while spot remains under pressure, it would indicate that systematic and speculative capital are still in distribution mode.​

At press time, Ethereum is trading around 2,067 dollars, down approximately 3.65% over the past 24 hours, broadly echoing the scale of the derivatives drawdown. In the near term, traders are watching the 2,000‑dollar psychological level as key support; holding that zone while open interest stabilizes would support a consolidation narrative, whereas a decisive break lower alongside further OI contraction could signal an extension of the current downside phase.

TLDR:

• Web3 Foundation has closed its General Grants Program, Decentralized Voices, and several other key initiatives.
  
• W3F is now focused on two pillars: global Web3 evangelism and responsible long-term asset management.
  
• Polkadot’s next development phase is being led by Parity Technologies and its broader builder community.
  
• On-chain treasury and governance tools remain active, ensuring decentralized funding continues without W3F oversight.

Web3 Foundation has announced a major strategic realignment, stepping back from its hands-on operational role. 

The organization is returning to its founding purpose: championing decentralized web technologies on a global scale.

For years, W3F actively helped bootstrap networks like Polkadot and Kusama into functioning, community-driven ecosystems.

As those networks have now reached a level of maturity, the Foundation is refocusing its priorities. It will concentrate on global advocacy and disciplined long-term asset management.

Concluded Programs Mark a Shift in the Foundation’s Operational Direction

Web3 Foundation has already closed several key programs as part of this transition. These include the General Grants Program, Support, Decentralized Voices, and Decentralized Nodes.

Each of these programs played a distinct role during the ecosystem’s early growth stages. Their conclusion marks a clear shift in how W3F operates.

Over the past year, W3F undertook a thorough review of its programs and spending. Several resource-heavy bounties were closed, and spending was carefully audited throughout this period.

Clearer documentation and operational guidelines were established based on lessons learned along the way.

Moreover, several additional initiatives are being evaluated for transition to external teams. These include the JAM Prize, Polkadot Governance Support, the Polkadot Wiki, and developer documentation.

The Knowledge Base and Kusama Vision are also among the programs being considered for handover.

Despite these changes, decentralized funding mechanisms remain fully active within the ecosystem. Communities still have direct access to on-chain governance and treasury tools for funding initiatives. These pathways continue to support innovation without requiring centralized oversight from the Foundation.

Two Core Priorities Will Define the Foundation’s Long-Term Strategy

Web3 Foundation is now centering its work around two clear pillars going forward. The first involves evangelizing and advancing the decentralized web on a global scale. The second focuses on safeguarding the Foundation’s assets in alignment with its broader Web3 mission.

At the same time, Polkadot is entering a phase focused on building products with real-world utility. Parity Technologies and a wider community of builders are now driving this development stage. The Foundation’s reduced operational role is designed to complement, rather than direct, this effort.

This transition also reflects how blockchain ecosystems naturally evolve over time. As networks become self-sustaining, support structures around them must adapt accordingly.

W3F is repositioning itself as a long-term steward rather than a day-to-day operational body. This approach allows the Foundation to focus on higher-level advocacy work.

Furthermore, this realignment places greater emphasis on disciplined asset allocation going forward. Resources will be directed toward efforts with the greatest global impact.

Through advocacy and financial stewardship, the Foundation aims to strengthen the Web3 ecosystem for years to come.

[PRESS RELEASE – Vilnius, Lithuania, March 5th, 2026]

WhiteBIT, the largest European cryptocurrency exchange by traffic, announces that its native WhiteBIT Coin (WBT) is now trading on Kraken, one of the world’s long-standing crypto platforms. WBT trading is available on WBT/EUR and WBT/USD pairs, giving more traders worldwide access to the coin and reflecting the asset’s growing recognition in the market.

The listing marks a significant milestone for WhiteBIT, following rapid growth in 2025, during which WBT surged 160%, reaching an all-time-high of $64.11 and solidifying its position as the 11th-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization at $10.7 billion, according to CoinGecko.

“Listing WBT on Kraken represents a logical next step in the expansion of the WhiteBIT ecosystem,” said Volodymyr Nosov, Founder and President of W Group, which WhiteBIT is a part of. “It reflects the momentum we’ve built through ecosystem growth, strategic partnerships, and increasing institutional visibility. It’s another important endorsement of WBT’s value and its role in the future of digital finance.”

This momentum has been powered by the expansion of the W Group ecosystem, which WhiteBIT is a part of, including:

• High-profile partnerships, such as the collaboration with Juventus, making WhiteBIT the club’s Official Sleeve and Cryptocurrency Exchange Partner.
• Global market expansion, with new operations in South America and the United States.
• Strategic cooperation in the Middle East, including partnership with Saudi Arabia to develop blockchain infrastructure and CBDC framework.
• Institutional recognition, including WBT’s inclusion in the S&P Crypto Indices, reflecting the token’s growing liquidity and market relevance.

Launched in 2022, WhiteBIT Coin (WBT) is the native utility token of the WhiteBIT platform. It offers significant advantages within the WhiteBIT exchange ecosystem, including reduced trading fees (up to 100% discount), increased referral bonuses (up to 50%), and free daily withdrawals. Users also gain from free AML checks, staking rewards up to 22.1%, and exclusive access to new projects via the WhiteBIT Launchpad.

The addition of WBT to Kraken not only expands access for traders worldwide but also reinforces WhiteBIT’s commitment to developing a globally recognized exchange-native coin that delivers utility, liquidity, and long-term value.

About WhiteBIT

WhiteBIT is the largest European cryptocurrency exchange by traffic, offering over 900 trading pairs, 350+ assets, and supporting 8 fiat currencies. Founded in 2018, the platform is a part of W Group which serves more than 35 million customers globally. WhiteBIT collaborates with Visa, FACEIT, FC Juventus and the Ukrainian national football team. The company is dedicated to driving the widespread adoption of blockchain technology worldwide.