Bitcoin AI Generated News

DoubleZero, the crypto infrastructure startup co-founded by former Solana Foundation executive Austin Federa, is taking a page from Wall Street to make Solana faster and fairer across the globe. On March 9 the company will launch “Phase II” of its Delegation Program, shifting 2.4 million SOL from its 13 million SOL stake pool to boost validators in underrepresented regions — São Paulo, Singapore, Hong Kong and Tokyo. Each region can receive up to 600,000 SOL in additional delegated stake incentives. DoubleZero operates a private, high-speed fiber network designed to reduce latency between Solana validators. The company, which raised $28 million in 2025 at a $400 million valuation, says the new delegation incentives are aimed at two linked problems: the geographic concentration of Solana validators in Europe and inefficient data distribution that disadvantages distant nodes. “One of the unintended consequences of blockchains getting faster is there’s more incentive to co-locate next to one another,” Federa told reporters, likening the rush to colocate servers to the high-frequency trading arms race on Wall Street, when firms placed hardware closer to exchanges to shave milliseconds off trades. Today, much of Solana’s staked SOL — the tokens that secure the network — is concentrated in Central Europe, a result of early optimizations for cheap, robust data centers there. But that clustering creates trade-offs: users and validators farther from Europe can be slower to receive market data. Federa illustrated the problem simply: “If I’m sitting in South America trying to execute a trade on Solana, I can hit send first. But someone who’s got a computer in Germany might actually win that trade.” DoubleZero’s 2.4 million SOL allocation is intended to make running validators outside legacy hubs economically viable, reducing that geographic disadvantage. On the connectivity front, DoubleZero is introducing multicast functionality to Solana — a technique long used by traditional exchanges to distribute market data. Federa compared multicast to watching the Super Bowl via satellite versus streaming: satellite broadcasts let an effectively infinite number of viewers consume the same signal with no extra copies, while streaming requires a separate data stream for each viewer. “In a pre-multicast world, if I’m sending data to 1,000 nodes, I’m handing out 1,000 copies,” he said. “With multicast, I send one copy, and the network hardware replicates it closer to where it needs to go.” Multicast can lower bandwidth costs, reduce disparities in how quickly participants receive data, and free up capacity for future upgrades — bringing blockchain networking closer to the determinism and reliability incumbent exchanges offer. That, Federa argues, makes Solana a more attractive venue for market makers and high-speed traders who demand consistency as much as speed. DoubleZero frames its dual approach — financial incentives to diversify validator geography plus private-fiber and multicast tech to reduce latency — as a push to make Solana behave more like a real-time market infrastructure, rather than a scattered, regional network. If it succeeds, the changes could rebalance where validators run and narrow the timing advantages held by colocated operators in Europe, fostering a fairer, more globally distributed ecosystem. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority has picked four firms to take part in a dedicated “stablecoins cohort” of its regulatory sandbox — a live testing ground designed to see how fiat-pegged tokens and related services would operate under proposed UK rules. What was announced - The FCA revealed the cohort following an application window that ran from November 26, 2025 to January 18, 2026. Some 20 firms applied and four were selected: Monee Financial Technologies, ReStabilise, Revolut and VVTX. - The sandbox will let those companies trial stablecoin products in a controlled environment so the regulator can evaluate how its draft policy performs in practice. “It will help the FCA assess its proposed policy in a live environment and ensure future rules are clear, effective and support responsible innovation,” the FCA said. - The program’s primary focus will be on the issuance of fiat‑tied tokens, although use cases submitted by the cohort span payments, wholesale settlement and trading. Matthew Long, the FCA’s director of payments and digital assets, framed the initiative as supporting “UK stablecoin issuers to ensure they can be trusted for payments, settlement and trading.” Timing and next steps - Testing is scheduled to begin in Q1 2026. The FCA says findings from the sandbox will feed into the UK’s final stablecoin rules later in the year. Why this matters - Sandboxes give regulators a way to validate rules against real-world implementations before locking them in — an important step for a fast-evolving asset class that underpins payments, cross-border settlement and crypto markets more broadly. - The FCA’s move comes amid accelerating global efforts to regulate stablecoins. The announcement cites a series of international developments: the U.S. passage last year of the GENIUS Act providing a U.S. framework for stablecoins, Hong Kong’s stablecoin bill becoming law in August, pending legislation in South Korea as policymakers debate issuance models, Japan’s launch of a yen token last year, and a European cohort of 12 major banks planning a euro‑pegged stablecoin targeted for the second half of 2026. Those developments reflect growing interest in diversifying the market that today remains dominated by USD‑pegged coins. Market snapshot - At the time of the announcement, Bitcoin was trading around $69,500, up roughly 4% over the past seven days. Bottom line - By inviting real-world projects into a sandbox focused specifically on stablecoins, the FCA aims to strike a balance between consumer protection and innovation. The results of these trials will be closely watched by issuers, banks and crypto businesses shaping and reacting to the next wave of stablecoin regulation. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal has opened a new front in scrutiny of Binance, launching a formal inquiry that accuses the exchange of enabling “large‑scale violations” of U.S. and international sanctions tied to Iran. In a Feb. 24 letter to Binance co‑CEO Richard Teng, Blumenthal cites reporting from The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and Fortune that alleges the exchange allowed roughly $1.7 billion in transfers connected to Iran—transactions the senator says reportedly supported Iranian‑linked terrorist groups and helped facilitate illicit Russian oil sales through a so‑called “shadow fleet” of tankers. What the Senate is asking for - The inquiry is being handled by the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI) as a preliminary probe. - Blumenthal has requested extensive documentation from Binance on its potential role in Iranian money‑laundering, dealings with sanctioned entities, and broader compliance practices. - The company has been asked to produce materials by March 6, 2026. Allegations based on internal reporting The media reports that prompted the probe describe internal Binance reviews identifying two partners—Hexa Whale and Blessed Trust—as intermediaries that allegedly helped launder funds and enable trade with Iranian government‑linked entities. Those reviews reportedly flagged about 2,000 accounts tied to Iranian entities, even as U.S. banking restrictions and Binance’s public policies prohibit Iranian users. Documents published by the outlets allegedly show Binance personnel warned that Hexa Whale may have been financing groups such as Yemen’s Houthi movement. Internal investigators also reportedly traced crypto transfers to wallets linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and payments to crew members on vessels said to be part of Russia’s sanctions‑evading oil fleet. Claims of inaction Blumenthal’s letter says Binance failed to act on these warnings. According to the senator, internal investigators recommended stronger “know your customer” controls and suggested banning seafarers connected to the shadow fleet—measures the letter says were rejected. The inquiry also alleges Binance granted VIP status to Hexa Whale despite suspected use of falsified documents and links between Hexa Whale personnel and Blessed Trust trading. Binance response and compliance metrics Binance has strongly denied the allegations. In a Feb. 22 statement released ahead of the senator’s letter, the company said an internal review found “no evidence of violations of applicable sanctions laws” and rejected claims that it dismissed investigators for raising sanctions concerns. Binance also points to what it says are concrete improvements since its 2023 settlement with U.S. authorities: - Sanctions‑related exposure as a share of overall trading volume fell from 0.284% in January 2024 to 0.009% by July 2025 (a 96.8% decline, per the company). - Transaction volume involving four major Iranian crypto exchanges declined from $4.19 million in January 2024 to $1.1 million in January 2026. - Roughly one quarter of Binance’s global workforce is now reportedly dedicated to anti‑money‑laundering and sanctions compliance functions. Market reaction As the inquiry drew headlines, Binance’s native token BNB traded around $616, up roughly 5% in the past 24 hours amid a modest crypto market rebound. What’s next The PSI’s preliminary inquiry and Blumenthal’s document request set a tight timetable: Binance must respond by March 6, 2026. The materials could shape whether the probe escalates into a broader investigation or enforcement action, and they add to ongoing scrutiny of how crypto platforms police sanctions and illicit finance. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

The White House is lining up another high-stakes meeting this Friday between crypto industry leaders and major banking representatives as both camps race to hit a March 1 deadline tied to the long-delayed crypto market structure bill known as the CLARITY Act. Why it matters The CLARITY Act has been framed as a potential turning point for U.S. crypto policy. Until now, weeks of talks in Washington have zeroed in on one of the bill’s most contentious issues: how stablecoins should be treated—specifically, whether issuers can pay interest on unused token balances. That option, long favored by many crypto-native firms, appears to have been effectively taken off the table, according to reporting by Bitcoinist. What’s left on the table Negotiations have narrowed. Rather than a blanket right to pay interest on dormant stablecoin holdings, discussions now focus on whether firms can offer targeted rewards tied to user actions and engagement (for example, incentives for trading or staking behavior) rather than compensation for mere custody of balances. Expectations for Friday Observers expect Friday’s session to be consequential. Market commentator Paul Barron has forecasted several potential outcomes on X, including: - A possible truce between banks and stablecoin issuers. - The development of formal Treasury protocols for a proposed strategic reserve that could include Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and XRP. - SEC-issued “safe harbor” guidance to reduce enforcement risk and create clearer regulatory paths for projects. Slow but constructive progress Despite the optimism, breakthrough optimism should be tempered. Reporter Eleanor Terrett of Crypto In America cites sources on both sides saying no decisive “eureka” moment has emerged after draft legislative language circulated following last week’s talks. Last week marked the third formal attempt by industry and banking representatives to find common ground, and while participants called the session constructive, a final agreement by the White House’s March 1 target remains uncertain. Other flashpoints to watch If Friday doesn’t deliver, attention will return to broader CLARITY Act issues still unresolved—chiefly how decentralized finance (DeFi) is regulated and the ethical implications of enforcement and oversight. A Senate Democratic member meeting on market structure scheduled for Wednesday is expected to revisit those debates. Bottom line With the March 1 deadline looming, the upcoming White House meeting could either convert months of negotiation into tangible legislative progress or set the stage for further delays. Stakeholders across crypto and traditional finance will be watching closely. Featured image from OpenArt, chart from TradingView.com. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Avalanche (AVAX) has snapped back into bullish gear, jumping about 10% in the past 24 hours as a wave of institutional activity converges on the network. Why the surge - More than $2 billion in real-world assets (RWAs) are set to migrate to Avalanche, a move that directly feeds institutional-grade demand on-chain. - Progmat — the firm leading this push — is launching a dedicated Avalanche L1 with built-in on-chain privacy and a Japan-focused digital asset infrastructure. That combination aims to boost regulatory alignment, institutional trust, and on-chain activity in a region where compliance matters. Why this matters for AVAX Dedicated L1 deployments historically improve scalability and give projects greater flexibility to meet regulatory requirements. By hosting a Japan-focused RWA infrastructure, Avalanche could become far more attractive to traditional finance players, strengthening its case as an institutional RWA hub in the next market cycle. Market signals supporting the rally - Open Interest on the Avalanche network rose 18% to roughly $200 million over the same period, indicating growing derivatives activity and potential fresh capital inflows (source: Coinalyze). - Derivatives and spot flows are aligned: buyer control dominated on futures, while the spot taker cumulative volume delta also pointed to buyer dominance (source: CryptoQuant). That synchronicity typically supports sustained rallies. - Technically, AVAX recently broke out of a wedge consolidation — a pattern that has historically preceded sharp expansion phases for the token (source: TradingView). Short-term price focus Traders are eyeing a $3.41 million liquidity cluster around $15 as the next meaningful target for bulls. Liquidity clusters often act like price magnets during trending moves, and with institutional RWA inflows, rising open interest, and buyer dominance across markets, $15 looks like a realistic short-term objective if momentum holds (source: CoinGlass). Bottom line The combination of a major RWA migration, a Progmat-led private L1 deployment targeting Japan, and confirming on-chain and derivatives signals has re-energized AVAX. While the catalysts point to more upside and a longer-term institutional narrative for Avalanche, investors should remain mindful of market risk and volatility. Disclaimer: AMBCrypto's content is informational and not investment advice. Trading cryptocurrencies carries high risk; conduct your own research before making decisions. © 2026 AMBCrypto Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Could USDC’s surge on Solana be fueling Michael Saylor’s bullish view on SOL? Stablecoins reasserted their role as the crypto market’s safe haven in Q4 2025 — and Circle’s USDC led the charge. The second-largest stablecoin, with a market cap north of $70 billion, posted eye-catching gains from October to December: $75.3 billion in circulation (+72%), $11.9 trillion in transaction volume (+247%), and $770 million in total revenue (+77%). (Source: TradingView, CRCL/USD) Investors took notice. After Circle (NASDAQ: CRCL) released its Q4 results, its stock jumped roughly 35%, recovering ground lost during January’s risk-off sentiment. That reaction was especially significant given that Q4 was one of crypto’s worst quarters in recent memory — the broader market fell more than 20%, the steepest quarterly drop since the 2022 bear market. Circle’s strong USDC metrics in this environment highlight the stablecoin’s role as a hedge and liquidity anchor for the industry. Where Solana fits in Among layer-1s, Solana stands out as the platform where USDC has the biggest footprint. On Solana, USDC accounts for nearly 53% of the network’s $15.34 billion stablecoin supply, making it the dominant liquidity engine for Solana’s DeFi ecosystem. A recent $250 million USDC mint further tightened that grip. (Source: DeFiLlama) Why that matters for SOL — and for Saylor’s thesis Michael Saylor has publicly expressed strong optimism about Solana, envisioning the next phase of “digital credit” built on fast, always-on blockchains. He highlighted how instant transactions and 24/7 trading can narrow the gap between TradFi and DeFi — and Solana’s deep USDC liquidity gives that vision practical momentum. When a single stablecoin supplies a majority of on-chain liquidity, it lowers friction for large-scale DeFi activity, from lending and borrowing to settlement and trading — exactly the infrastructure Saylor points to as critical for mainstream adoption. Bottom line Circle’s Q4 showed USDC remains a core pillar of DeFi and a go-to safe haven in turbulent markets. Its dominance on Solana supplies the network with the liquid foundation needed for larger DeFi use cases — lending credibility to bullish narratives like Saylor’s about Solana as a venue for next-generation digital credit. Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. Cryptocurrency trading and investments carry significant risk. Do your own research before making any decisions. © 2026 AMBCrypto Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Dogecoin staged a fresh rally, pushing above the key $0.10 mark, but is now consolidating — and could slide again if it can’t clear near-term resistance. What happened - DOGE jumped after settling above $0.095, following broader strength in Bitcoin and Ethereum. The move included a break above a bearish trend line (resistance ~ $0.0942) on the hourly chart (Kraken data). - Bulls pushed price to an intraday high of $0.1061 before a pause and modest pullback. The swing down has moved below the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement of the rise from $0.0910 to $0.1061, but price remains above $0.10 and the 100-hour simple moving average. Upside scenario - If DOGE holds above roughly $0.0988–$0.10, buyers could try to resume the uptrend. Immediate resistance sits around $0.1028, with the first major hurdle near $0.1050. - Clearing $0.1080 would open the way to $0.1120, with further targets at about $0.120 and $0.1220 if momentum accelerates. Downside risk - Failure to break and hold above $0.1050 could trigger a corrective move. Initial support is at $0.10, followed by the 50% retracement area near $0.0988. - The key support to watch under that is $0.0950; a breach below could extend losses toward $0.0920 or even $0.090 in the near term. Technical read - Hourly MACD: bullish but losing momentum. - Hourly RSI: above 50, indicating mild bullish bias. - 100-hour SMA: price is trading above it, supporting the short-term uptrend. Bottom line Dogecoin’s short-term bias remains cautiously bullish as long as it sustains above $0.0988–$0.10, but a rejection at $0.1050–$0.1080 could see the token give back gains toward the $0.0950 area. Traders should watch those levels and the hourly momentum indicators for clues on the next leg. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Headline: IRFC tumbles to yearly low after government stake cut; OFS undersubscribed, analyst warns of further downside to ₹90–92 Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) closed Thursday at a yearly low of ₹103.20, extending a slide that has left the stock down nearly 18% year-to-date and among the market’s weakest performers. The paper has effectively been in bearish territory for more than a year, with little sustained upside during that period. What drove the drop The latest pullback followed the government’s decision to pare its stake in IRFC by 4% — from 86.36% to 82.36% — by selling shares via an Offer For Sale (OFS). The move was intended to open the stock to retail and institutional buyers, but demand proved thin: institutional bids failed to fully book the OFS, there was no oversubscription, and the disinvestment did not meet targeted fundraising levels. That lacklustre response pushed the stock lower on Thursday and stoked concerns it could slip under the ₹100 mark and revisit December 2023 lows. Analyst view and investor pain Anshul Jain, Head of Research at Lakshmishree, has previously flagged deeper downside for IRFC — predicting a fall to the ₹90–92 range. “Given the prevailing technical indicators, the stock is expected to decline further, with potential downside targets of ₹90 and ₹92,” he said. At the time of that call in 2024, the share price was near ₹140; since then the stock has largely traded sideways, leaving investors who entered positions a year or more ago holding losses. Why crypto traders might care For crypto market participants scanning broader risk sentiment and capital flows, the weak reception to a high-profile PSU disinvestment is a reminder that institutional appetite for certain traditional assets remains muted. Disappointing OFS outcomes and poor demand can signal risk-off behaviour that spills across asset classes. Bottom line IRFC’s combination of a government stake sale, undersubscribed OFS, and persistent technical weakness has pushed it to fresh annual lows and prompted calls for further declines. Traders and investors should watch subscription outcomes, bid-side interest, and technical support near the ₹90–100 band for clues on where the stock may head next. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

South Korean police have arrested two suspects tied to the theft of 22 bitcoins — roughly ₩2.1 billion (about $1.5 million) at current prices — that had been held as evidence at the Gangnam Police Station, officials said Wednesday. The Gyeonggi Northern Provincial Police Agency apprehended the suspects on Feb. 25, 2026, on suspicion of embezzling BTC that was seized in November 2021 and linked to a criminal investigation that has since been suspended. The missing coins were uncovered during a nationwide audit of how law enforcement agencies custody virtual assets — an audit prompted by a separate, high-profile loss of 320 BTC from the Gwangju District Prosecutors’ Office. Investigators say the physical cold wallet — a USB device meant to secure private keys — remained in police hands, but the bitcoins it held were inexplicably moved to an external address without authorization. Authorities have not confirmed whether any of the stolen cryptocurrency has been recovered. The arrests intensify scrutiny of internal controls around seized digital assets and highlight the unique risks of handling crypto evidence, where custody failures can allow funds to be moved without leaving obvious physical traces. In response, police plan to tighten procedures: introducing dual custodians for wallets, sealing both hardware devices and recovery phrases, and moving to specialized custodians for asset storage within the year, a police official said. The case underscores growing calls for overhauled digital-asset custody standards in law enforcement as agencies increasingly encounter cryptocurrencies in investigations. The investigation into how the 22 BTC disappeared — and whether more breaches exist — is ongoing. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Headline: MrBeast Editor Hit with $20K Fine and Two-Year Kalshi Ban for Insider Trading An editor connected to YouTube megastar MrBeast has been suspended from event-contract trading platform Kalshi and fined more than $20,000 after a Disciplinary Committee found he traded on material, non-public information tied to the creator’s content. Key facts - Kalshi’s disciplinary notice, effective Feb. 25, 2026, names Artem Kaptur as the individual who violated rules barring insiders from trading on contracts tied to information they obtain through employment or affiliation with a “Source Agency.” - The committee concluded Kaptur traded in August and September 2025 on event contract markets connected to a YouTube channel while employed by or legally affiliated with “Mr Beast” contracts, using material non-public information. - Kaptur was also found to have failed to fully cooperate with Kalshi’s investigation, breaching requirements for prompt and complete cooperation in inquiries and proceedings. - Sanctions: a two-year suspension from direct or indirect access to Kalshi and a financial penalty of $20,397.58. That sum includes $5,397.58 in disgorged profits tied to the trades and a $15,000 civil penalty. Kalshi also identified another person, Kyle Langford — described in the notice as a 24-year-old Republican political candidate in California — as involved in insider trading activity connected to the matter. Beast Industries response Beast Industries said it has “no tolerance for this behavior, whether by contestants or our own employees,” pointing to a longstanding policy that forbids employees from using proprietary company information. The company confirmed it has launched an independent investigation, urged Kalshi to share its findings, and stressed that integrity and audience trust remain paramount. Why it matters The case highlights enforcement attention on trading tied to creator-driven event contracts and underscores the platforms’ rules designed to protect market integrity when insiders have privileged access to future content or outcomes. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Coinbase stands to be one of the biggest corporate winners from the U.S.’s new federal stablecoin framework, the GENIUS Act, analysts say — and the numbers help explain why. Quick snapshot - GENIUS Act: Signed into law July 2025, establishes the first national regulatory regime for stablecoin issuance and oversight. - Coinbase stablecoin revenue (2025): Estimated $1.35 billion, up 48% from $911 million in 2024. - Share of total revenue: Stablecoin-related income accounted for roughly 19% of Coinbase’s 2025 revenue. - Stock reaction: COIN jumped toward $185 in Wednesday trading, a roughly 22% gain in 24 hours. Why stablecoins matter to Coinbase Bloomberg analysts Paul Gulberg and Samuel Radowitz note the GENIUS Act could materially strengthen Coinbase’s fast-growing stablecoin business — especially if dollar-backed tokens like USDC gain wider traction in everyday payments and cross-border commerce. Unlike spot trading fees, which swing with crypto market volatility, stablecoin income at Coinbase is largely driven by interest on the reserves that back USDC. Those reserves are parked in U.S. Treasuries and other low-risk instruments, generating yield. Because Coinbase earns a significant slice of that interest, the revenue stream is steadier and generally higher-margin than transaction fees. That stability showed up in late 2025: while Bitcoin and broader crypto markets slumped and Coinbase’s Q4 revenue fell about 20%, income tied to stablecoins held up comparatively well. How the GENIUS Act could amplify growth The GENIUS Act’s national rules aim to remove many of the legal and operational frictions that have limited stablecoin use in things like merchant settlements and cross-border payments. If businesses and financial institutions start using USDC more for real-world transactions, the total supply of USDC would likely expand — and so would the Treasury-backed reserves required to support it. More reserves mean more interest income, and because Coinbase shares in that yield, higher adoption could translate directly into bigger revenue. Bloomberg’s estimate: under favorable conditions, Coinbase’s USDC-related revenue could expand roughly two- to seven-fold from current levels. Caveats and near-term constraints A key factor in how fast USDC adoption grows is whether Coinbase and its partners continue offering rewards to customers who hold USDC — incentives that have helped drive uptake. Those reward programs are currently a subject of negotiation in the broader CLARITY Act discussions; if they’re limited or scaled back, adoption may slow. Still, analysts say the clarity brought by the GENIUS Act should support meaningful growth even without the most aggressive reward structures. Bottom line The GENIUS Act codifies the regulatory status of stablecoins in the U.S., and for exchanges like Coinbase that already participate in the USDC ecosystem, that clarity could unlock a predictable, high-margin revenue stream that cushions the firm against trading volatility. How big that opportunity becomes will hinge on adoption by businesses and whether incentives to hold USDC remain in place. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

STS Digital raises $30M to build out institutional crypto options and liquidity stack Bermuda-based trading firm STS Digital said it has closed a $30 million strategic funding round led by CMT Digital and including Payward — the parent company of crypto exchange Kraken — alongside other investors. The capital will be used to scale the firm’s institutional trading platform and reinforce its role as a liquidity provider across digital-asset markets. STS offers institutions a single interface (web, API and voice) to trade more than 400 cryptocurrencies across spot markets, vanilla and exotic options, and structured products. The company positions its pricing engine and execution tools as infrastructure for banks, asset managers and financial intermediaries looking to add crypto derivatives to their toolkits. Options volumes and institutional interest have surged as firms seek hedging and yield-generation tools in volatile markets. Open interest in crypto options is roughly $40 billion today, according to TheTie, with a large share currently concentrated on Deribit. STS says the new funding will help it meet what it calls “explosive demand” from institutional clients for spot, options and structured-product pricing. “As banks, asset managers and financial intermediaries rush to integrate our pricing engine, this funding ensures we stay ahead of demand,” STS chairman and co-founder Gideon Hyams said in a statement. CMT Digital, the round’s lead backer, described STS as being well-positioned to become “a foundational liquidity layer for crypto derivatives.” The investment signals growing institutional appetite for more diversified liquidity and infrastructure beyond existing venues, and could accelerate development of trading tools aimed at larger, regulated counterparties. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

American Bitcoin— the bitcoin mining and accumulation vehicle backed by the Trump family—reported a $59 million loss in Q4 as a sharp slide in BTC hammered the value of its holdings. The company, which went public in September (just weeks before bitcoin hit its all-time high), combines mining operations with open-market purchases and strategic acquisitions. Roughly one-third of its bitcoin inventory comes from its own mining; the rest was bought on the market or acquired through strategic deals. American Bitcoin now holds more than 6,000 BTC. During the quarter the firm generated $150.5 million from an at-the-market (ATM) stock offering — proceeds that it used to increase its per-share bitcoin exposure by nearly 50%. Revenue rose 22% versus Q3, and mining produced a strong 53% gross margin, implying production costs were well below spot prices even as BTC softened. However, new Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) guidance requires companies to mark crypto holdings to market. Bitcoin’s 23% decline in the period forced American Bitcoin to record a $227 million non-cash markdown, producing the $59 million headline Q4 loss. Shares were changing hands higher in pre-market trading, up about 3.8% at $1.09, but remain nearly 90% below last year’s peak near $9. American Bitcoin’s majority owner, Hut 8, also released Q4 results this week; its shares slipped about 7% even as some mining peers such as Marathon Digital and Riot Platforms gained ground. Hut 8 said it finished the year with an 8,500 MW development pipeline, secured a new $200 million revolving credit facility with Two Prime, and expanded its Coinbase facility to $200 million — bringing its total credit capacity to $400 million. Those moves boost liquidity and growth optionality for the group as the mining sector navigates price volatility and accounting headwinds. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Solana staged a noticeable rebound over the past 24 hours, shifting sentiment from short-lived weakness to cautious optimism. After a brief sell-off, buyers decisively defended the $75 area — a key “line in the sand” — stopping a deeper breakdown and signaling that sellers were losing control near support. That defensive effort helped SOL recover momentum: at the time of writing the token was trading around $88, up roughly 7% in a day. On-chain and DEX activity help explain why Solana’s recovery looks more durable than a simple short-covering rally. Over the past week Solana led all chains by decentralized exchange volume, posting $15.72 billion in DEX activity. By comparison, Ethereum recorded $11.64 billion and BNB Chain $6.21 billion. Other weekly DEX volumes: X Base $5.17B, Arbitrum $1.87B, Polygon $1.48B, Avalanche $999.78M, while Sui and Monad remained below $700M. (Source: X) Total value locked (TVL) flows also pointed to concentrated capital rotation into select Solana protocols. Seven-day TVL growth highlights included: - SuperstateInc: +97.23% - KnightradeTeam: +96.42% - dflow: +18.75% - etherfuse: +14.56% - Other protocols (including HastraFi and solsticefi): +3.55% to +14.13% Those near-100% inflows suggest aggressive capital deployment into a few top pools rather than broad-based ecosystem inflows, underscoring that liquidity is being highly concentrated even as overall growth accelerates. Technically, the rebound has meaningful cues in its favor. SOL reclaimed the $80s and pushed back above the EMA ribbon, while RSI recovered from oversold territory — signs that short-term momentum has shifted toward buyers. That said, sustainability remains the key question: Solana still needs a convincing break above the $90 resistance to confirm a more durable uptrend. Bottom line: on-chain activity and concentrated TVL inflows are supporting a technical recovery, but traders should watch whether support around $75 holds and whether SOL can clear $90 with conviction. Consistency in follow-through, not just headline moves, will determine whether this bounce evolves into a broader trend. Disclaimer: AMBCrypto’s content is informational and not investment advice. Trading cryptocurrencies carries high risk; do your own research before making financial decisions. © 2026 AMBCrypto (Sources: TradingView, X) Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Bitcoin is struggling to break decisively above $66,000 as persistent selling pressure keeps the market on edge. Price action is fragile, with bears holding short-term control and buyers showing limited conviction. Low liquidity and muted risk appetite have left BTC locked in consolidation rather than sparking a clear recovery. A fresh CryptoQuant note sheds light on one possible undercurrent: the Coinbase Premium Gap — the price difference between Coinbase Advanced and Binance. The metric has flipped back into positive territory for the third time this year and sits at roughly $10.18. While modest, the move is meaningful because a positive premium usually signals relatively stronger demand on Coinbase Advanced, a venue favoured by U.S. institutional and professional participants, compared with Binance, which remains dominant among global retail and liquidity-driven traders. What this could mean - A positive Coinbase Premium Gap suggests institutional demand may be stabilizing or slowly returning, even as broader momentum remains weak. - The current premium’s small size indicates limited conviction; it’s more a sign of cautious positioning than a full-blown institutional comeback. - The metric has recovered since Bitcoin’s corrective phase began on Feb. 4, but the signal is tentative — short-term volatility could push the premium back into negative territory. Technical picture Bitcoin’s daily chart shows clear deterioration after the breakdown from the $90,000–$95,000 area. BTC retraced sharply toward the $65,000 zone following a capitulation leg, with expanding red volume pointing to aggressive distribution rather than orderly consolidation. Key technicals are bearish: - BTC is trading below the 50-, 100-, and 200-day simple moving averages. - The 50-day SMA has rolled over and is trending down; the 100-day is beginning to slope lower. - The 200-day SMA has shifted from dynamic support to overhead resistance. Near-term scenarios - Bull case: For bulls to regain control, Bitcoin needs to reclaim and sustain the $70,000–$72,000 range and hold above the declining short-term averages, ideally establishing a higher-low structure. - Bear case: If $63,000 fails on a daily close, downside liquidity could drag BTC toward the structural support zone near $58,000–$60,000. - Neutral/transition: The current positive Coinbase premium is constructive but not decisive — it would need to widen and remain positive over time to point to a confirmed trend reversal. Bottom line The return of a modest Coinbase premium offers a cautiously optimistic hint that professional demand is stabilizing, but broader market structure and technicals still favor defensive positioning. Traders and investors should watch whether institutional buying gains traction and whether BTC can reclaim the $70k area; until that happens, volatility and downside risk remain real. (Image: chart from TradingView) Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Bitwise doubles down on staking with acquisition of Chorus One Bitwise, the crypto asset manager best known for its ETFs, has made a major strategic push into staking by acquiring Chorus One, a long-running staking infrastructure provider that manages more than $2.2 billion in assets across dozens of blockchain networks. The deal brings roughly 50 Chorus One employees into Bitwise’s Onchain Solutions team and leaves Chorus One founder and CEO Brian Crain on board in an advisory capacity. Financial terms were not disclosed. Why it matters - The acquisition immediately broadens Bitwise’s staking footprint to more than 30 proof-of-stake networks — including Solana, Avalanche, Sui, Aptos, Hyperliquid, Monad and Tezos — signaling the firm is building beyond an Ethereum-centric playbook. - Chorus One’s client roster, developed since 2018, includes family offices, large funds, exchanges, high‑net‑worth individuals and custodians — institutional relationships that accelerate Bitwise’s ability to scale staking services. - Bitwise already stakes several billion dollars of client crypto, and adding Chorus One brings operational depth and additional network coverage. A quick primer on staking Staking lets holders lock tokens to support a blockchain’s operations (validation and security) and, in return, earn protocol rewards — typically in the low single digits to low double digits annually (roughly 2%–10% depending on the network) on top of any token price appreciation. Regulatory and product context A more receptive tone from U.S. regulators toward varied crypto investment products has paved the way for new ETF structures — some of which could, eventually, enable retail investors to capture staking rewards inside funds. Bitwise appears to be positioning itself for that possibility by beefing up its onchain capabilities. Where Bitwise stands today Bitwise runs more than 40 investment products and manages roughly $15 billion in assets. Its flagship offerings include the Bitwise Bitcoin ETF and Bitwise Ethereum ETF, which have drawn over $2 billion and $387 million in inflows, respectively, since launching in 2024. The firm has nearly 200 employees worldwide and already offers ETFs tied to Solana, XRP, Chainlink and even Dogecoin. The Chorus One acquisition adds significant staking infrastructure to that product shelf. “Staking is one of the most compelling growth opportunities” the firm sees for clients, Bitwise CEO Hunter Horsley said, underscoring the strategic rationale for the deal. Image credits: Gemini; chart: TradingView. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Bitcoin staged a brisk recovery off its recent lows but the rebound is unfolding against a backdrop of thin liquidity and falling trade activity, raising questions about how durable the uptick is. Price action and technicals Bitcoin (BTC) bounced from a $63,000 dip to touch $69,988 before easing back. At the time of writing it traded around $68,409, up about 5.12% on the day. Short-term momentum has flipped bullish: BTC climbed above its 9- and 21-day moving averages and the Stochastic RSI produced a bullish crossover, rising to roughly 75 — signals that typically favor a continuation of the near-term uptrend (TradingView). Liquidity and spot volume slump Despite the price bounce, market structure remains fragile. Analyst Darkfrost highlighted that spot trading volume has fallen to 2024 lows amid weak liquidity, warning that February 2026 is on track to be the month with the lowest BTC trading volume since 2024 (CryptoQuant). Retail and institutional participants have noticeably pulled back, shrinking market depth and reducing the pool of active buyers and sellers. Exchange and ETF flows Spot volume has dropped across major venues: Binance’s volume slid from about $198 billion to $75 billion, Gate.io from $53 billion to $25 billion, and Bybit from $41 billion to $20 billion — each losing more than half of prior activity. Institutional interest has cooled as well: ETF trade volume fell from $14.07 billion to $4.4 billion, while total ETF net inflows decreased from $61 billion to $54 billion, a roughly $7 billion decline (Checkonchain). These moves suggest many investors are preserving capital and waiting for clearer entry points. Futures activity mirrors the weakness In a departure from past episodes where falling spot volume pushed traders into futures, both spot and derivatives volumes have weakened together. Aggregate futures volume dropped from about $123 billion to $65 billion — a $58 billion contraction that points to broadly reduced risk appetite (Checkonchain). What this means for BTC near-term Technically, the short-term indicators favor bulls. If recent demand holds, BTC could retake $70,000 and aim for the next resistance near $73,700. Conversely, if momentum fades, key supports sit around $66,000, with $65,157 identified as a critical level to watch. Bottom line Price strength has returned briefly, but it’s happening in an environment of diminished liquidity and lower participation from both retail and institutional players. That combination makes outsized moves more likely on lower volume and increases the potential for sharp reversals if market sentiment shifts. Sources: CryptoQuant, Checkonchain, TradingView Disclaimer: This article is informational and not investment advice. Cryptocurrency trading carries significant risk — do your own research before making any investment decisions. © 2026 AMBCrypto Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Ethena (ENA) jumped alongside a broader altcoin upswing this week, but the strength may not be as straightforward as the price action suggests. While on-chain and derivatives metrics point to renewed conviction, spot-market flows and an upcoming token unlock introduce clear near-term risks. The rally in brief - ENA posted double-digit gains over the past 24 hours as capital rotated into high-beta altcoins. - On-chain revenue has already improved compared with the previous quarter: Ethena’s protocol revenue in the first 47 days of Q1 2026 (~$566,000) has outpaced total revenue in Q4 2025 ($463,000), according to DeFiLlama. - Derivatives markets back the bullish view: CoinGlass data shows rising Open Interest alongside a positive weighted average funding rate of 0.0078%, a sign longs are paying to hold exposure and fresh capital is entering positions. What the data is saying - On-chain uptick: The jump in protocol revenue points to stronger user activity and capital deployment versus the volatility and liquidity squeeze that hurt Q4. - Derivatives alignment: Higher Open Interest plus positive funding rates typically indicate conviction in the move, not merely short-covering — a constructive signal for momentum continuation. Where the rally may falter - Spot caution: Exchange flow data on Feb. 25 showed roughly $1.8 million moving into exchanges — often interpreted as distribution or profit-taking during rallies. That creates a divergence between bullish perpetual markets and more cautious spot behavior. - Token unlock: A scheduled unlock on March 6 will release about $4.16 million of ENA. While modest in size and reportedly earmarked for ecosystem development, those tokens could still hit the market if allocated wallets sell or funds are used for operational payments, increasing short-term supply pressure. - Price structure: Liquidity clusters sit both above and below the current price and liquidation levels are tightly clustered on either side. That balance means the next decisive move is likely to be driven by momentum and broader market conditions rather than a clear structural bias. What to watch next - Exchange flows: Continued inflows to exchanges would reinforce distribution concerns; sustained outflows would support the bullish case. - Funding rates and Open Interest: If funding remains positive with rising OI, derivatives conviction is likely intact; a reversal could signal weakening momentum. - Behavior around the March 6 unlock: Whether those tokens are absorbed into development activity or sold into the market will matter for short-term price action. - Broader market direction: ENA’s upside depends on spot demand catching up with optimism priced into perpetuals. Bottom line ENA’s recent strength has solid backing from on-chain revenues and derivatives activity, suggesting a genuine rebound in demand. However, spot-level selling, looming unlocked supply, and a balanced liquidity profile introduce meaningful downside risk if market sentiment shifts. Traders should watch exchange flows, derivatives metrics and the March 6 unlock for clues on whether the rally can sustain itself. Sources: DeFiLlama, CoinGlass. Disclaimer: This content is informational and not investment advice. Cryptocurrency trading carries high risk; do your own research. © 2026 AMBCrypto Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Nvidia crushed expectations on Wednesday, reporting fourth-quarter sales topping $68 billion and sending a fresh wave of optimism through tech markets. The blowout results helped ease fears that AI is a speculative bubble, and Nvidia’s shares rose nearly 2% on the day, trading back toward the $200 level. The broader tech sector also rose: Microsoft jumped about 3%, Meta climbed 2.25%, Amazon gained 1%, and Apple added roughly 0.8%—all finishing the session in the green. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang used the upbeat call to push back on “AI bubble” narratives: “I think the markets got it wrong,” he said, arguing that AI will amplify software use rather than cannibalize it. “Agentic AI will use software tools even more, boosting efficiency,” Huang added—comments that helped settle nerves and put Nvidia firmly in the lead. Market participants who entered positions in February after bullish bets on Nvidia were rewarded as the company exceeded already-high revenue expectations. The strong report has renewed confidence that Nvidia will continue to drive momentum in the software and AI ecosystems, and traders are now eyeing a run past the $200 mark as sentiment improves. For the crypto community, Nvidia’s results are worth watching: sustained GPU demand for AI could tighten supply and affect prices of hardware commonly used by miners and AI-focused blockchain projects. More broadly, clearer conviction around AI infrastructure spending could accelerate investment into Web3 projects that intersect with machine learning and decentralized compute. Bottom line: Nvidia’s stellar quarter helped calm AI bubble fears, boosted the broader tech complex, and has traders anticipating further upside—while crypto observers will be watching how GPU availability and AI-driven capital flows ripple through the ecosystem. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

The crypto market is showing signs of life after a recent pullback, and Ethereum (ETH) is leading the charge among major coins — but the rally comes with caveats. Quick snapshot - ETH climbed 8.7% on the daily chart, 5.3% over the week and about 6% across 14 days, per CoinGecko. - That performance places Ethereum among the best performers within the top-10 market-cap cohort. - Despite the bounce, ETH remains down more than 29% vs. one month ago and roughly 17% since late February 2025. What’s driving the move The rebound in Ethereum arrives as a broader market resurgence gains momentum. Bitcoin reclaimed the $69,000 level earlier today, and many altcoins have followed its lead. Even crypto-related equities — including Circle, Coinbase, Strategy and BitMine — registered price gains on the move higher, underscoring the correlation between BTC strength and wider market sentiment. Resistance and risk This is not Ethereum’s first attempt at a breakout. ETH has tried and failed to clear the $2,300 zone twice before, and today marks its third run. History warns of potential rejection at these levels: earlier rallies this month were met with selling pressure, and the token’s overall technical profile still shows weakness and high volatility. “Fundamental indicators still remain unconvincing that this strength will see much follow-through,” said Jasper De Maere, an OTC trader at Wintermute, highlighting the risk that the current upswing could be short-lived. Bullish forecasts — and why to remain cautious Analytics platform CoinCodex is optimistic, projecting ETH could reach $3,875.14 by May 27, 2026 — roughly an 87% gain from current prices. That call assumes a durable shift into a bullish trend for the second-largest crypto by market cap. But the broader market environment complicates that outlook. The crypto sector remains fragile, investor sentiment is muted, and larger macroeconomic forces have yet to fully cool off — any of which could stall or reverse gains before a sustained bull run materializes. Bottom line Ethereum’s latest rally is encouraging, and BTC’s return to the $69K area has lifted risk-on mood across digital assets and related stocks. Still, repeated rejections at key resistance, lingering volatility, and mixed fundamentals mean traders should be prepared for either a continuation higher or another corrective leg. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news