Canary Capital Seeks SEC Nod for First Axelar ETF, AXL Price Soars 14%

Asset Manager Canary Capital has filed an S-1 registration statement with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to launch an exchange-traded fund (ETF) tied to Axelar (AXL).

This marks the first-ever filing for AXL, the native cryptocurrency that powers the Axelar Network, setting the stage for the token’s institutional adoption.

Canary Capital Files for AXL ETF

The filing, which was submitted on March 5, outlines that the fund’s net asset value (NAV) will be calculated based on the price of AXL. However, specifics regarding the exchange where the ETF will be listed, its ticker symbol, and the custodian remain unspecified.

The proposed ETF builds on Canary Capital’s earlier efforts to bring Axelar to institutional investors. On February 19, the firm launched the Canary AXL Trust. The trust was Canary Capital’s first step into structured AXL offerings, and the ETF filing represents an extension of this effort.

“With Axelar driving some of the most advanced interoperability solutions in Web3, we see in AXL a significant opportunity for institutional investors to gain exposure to the technology underpinning next-generation blockchain connectivity,” Canary Capital’s CEO Steven McClurg said.

The news of the filing had an immediate impact on the market. AXL’s price jumped 14.3%, reaching $0.44.

AXL ETF
AXL Price Performance. Source: BeInCrypto

Trading volume also spiked to $35.7 million. This marked a 131.8% increase from the previous day. With a market capitalization of $405.5 million, Axelar currently ranks 174 on CoinGecko.

Crypto ETFs Under Donald Trump: Opportunity or Bubble? 

Canary Capital’s filing comes amid a broader surge in cryptocurrency ETF applications in the US, a trend that has accelerated since Donald Trump took office. According to Kaiko Research, more than 45 crypto ETF filings are currently pending SEC approval. 

While Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) ETFs have dominated the space, the scope has expanded to include unconventional assets like meme coins. Bitwise and Grayscale have filed for a Dogecoin (DOGE) ETF. 

Moreover, the ETF filings from Rex Shares and Tuttle Capital feature newly launched meme coins like Official Trump (TRUMP) and Melania Meme (MELANIA).

Nonetheless, according to Kaiko Research, market depth, concentration, and trading structure present significant obstacles for non-BTC/ETH ETFs. Many altcoins associated with ETF applications suffer from shallow liquidity, making them more susceptible to price manipulation and volatility. 

Additionally, most trading activity for these assets occurs on offshore platforms, creating transparency and regulatory oversight issues. The lack of sufficient USD trading pairs for certain assets further complicates their inclusion in ETFs, as these pairs are essential for accurate ETF valuations. Furthermore, the absence of regulated futures markets for many cryptocurrencies limits available trading strategies.

“All of these factors could limit the demand for more crypto-related ETFs going forward. While approval processes might change, market dynamics still have to catch up,” Kaiko noted.

For now, AXL has been added to a growing list of crypto ETF filings. However, its success—and that of similar ETFs—remains to be seen.

The post Canary Capital Seeks SEC Nod for First Axelar ETF, AXL Price Soars 14% appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Bitcoin’s Volatile Ride: Short-Term Holders Are Holding Strong Amid Losses

Bitcoin has seen some volatility recently, with its price facing significant challenges. Despite these setbacks, the cryptocurrency is forming a bullish pattern. 

Investors, particularly short-term holders (STHs), have shown resilience by moving towards accumulation, which supports the notion of potential recovery in the coming weeks.

Bitcoin Investors Are Hopeful

Bitcoin’s realized losses have been a key indicator of the current market’s struggles. This week, the realized losses across all market participants reached $818 million per day, which is among the highest values in recent times. The only larger recorded loss was the yen-carry-trade unwind on August 5, 2024, which totaled $1.34 billion. 

These substantial losses reveal that many investors have been forced to sell their positions below their cost basis, pressured by the ongoing market downturn. Despite this, the significant realized losses suggest that many investors are feeling the weight of the current volatility, yet some continue to hold their positions.

Bitcoin Realized Losses
Bitcoin Realized Losses. Source: Glassnode

On a more positive note, Bitcoin’s network growth has been on the rise. The number of short-term holders has increased, with 50,000 more wallets on the network compared to a month ago. Specifically, there has been a rise of 37,390 new wallets holding less than 0.1 BTC, and 12,754 wallets holding between 0.1 and 100 BTC. 

The growth in the number of Bitcoin wallets reflects strong conviction among these short-term investors. Despite the ongoing price fluctuations, their continued involvement in the market indicates that many are looking beyond the current downturn. This is an important factor in supporting Bitcoin’s potential recovery, as it suggests that the base of holders remains strong and that interest in the cryptocurrency is far from fading.

Bitcoin STH Holders
Bitcoin STH Holders. Source: Santiment

BTC Price Rise Likely

Bitcoin’s price has shown a 6% recovery in the last 24 hours, trading at $92,776 as of the latest update. The cryptocurrency is nearing the critical resistance level of $93,625, which it has struggled to breach in recent days. A successful breach of this resistance could mark the beginning of a bullish breakout, pushing Bitcoin higher.

If Bitcoin manages to flip $93,625 into support, it could pave the way for a rise towards $95,761. Such a move would also indicate a potential breakout from the descending broadening wedge pattern that has dominated the market in recent weeks. Should this happen, Bitcoin could find itself heading towards the psychologically significant $100,000 mark, marking a strong recovery from its recent volatility.

Bitcoin Price Analysis.
Bitcoin Price Analysis. Source: TradingView

However, if Bitcoin fails to break through $93,625, it could fall back to the $89,800 support level. A failure to hold at this point could delay the recovery further and even push Bitcoin to test lower levels, with $87,041 acting as a crucial support. A move below this level would invalidate the bullish outlook and extend the current downtrend.

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Solana’s DeFi Surge Could Rival Ethereum’s Market Value Soon, Franklin Templeton Predicts

In recent months, Solana has demonstrated remarkable growth in the decentralized finance (DeFi) sector, prompting discussions about its potential to rival Ethereum’s valuation.

A new report by Franklin Templeton highlighted that Solana’s DeFi protocols are among the most utilized and highest-earning platforms across all blockchain environments.

Franklin Templeton Predicts Solana as Ethereum’s Rival

In an analysis, Franklin Templeton highlighted the rapid growth and potential of Solana’s DeFi ecosystem. The report suggested that its valuation could soon rival Ethereum’s.

The global asset management firm, which oversees $1.68 trillion in assets, noted that six Solana-based protocols surpassed $1 billion in Total Value Locked (TVL).

During the third and fourth quarters of 2024, Solana outperformed Ethereum in several key metrics. Solana’s decentralized exchange (DEX) volume notably exceeded that of Ethereum and all Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)–based DEXs combined.

Solana vs. Ethereum DEX Volume
Solana vs. Ethereum DEX Volume. Source: Franklin Templeton Report

The surge indicates a significant shift in DeFi activity towards Solana, challenging Ethereum’s longstanding dominance in the space. Jito (JTO) leads the charge, a liquid staking protocol that recently reached an all-time high of $3 billion in TVL. Notably, this marked the first time a Solana-based protocol has achieved this milestone.

Other notable protocols include Jupiter (JUP), Raydium (RAY), Kamino (KMNO), Marinade (MNDE), and Sanctum Coin (SANCTA). Collectively, these protocols contributed to Solana’s growing DeFi ecosystem.

Further emphasizing its growing prominence, Solana’s active addresses per hour were reported to be 26 times higher than Ethereum’s as of January 2025. This surge in user activity reflects the network’s scalability and efficiency, making it an attractive platform for developers and investors seeking faster transactions and lower fees.

Despite the impressive growth, Franklin Templeton’s report points out that Solana’s DeFi protocols remain undervalued compared to their Ethereum counterparts. The analysis reveals that Solana’s DeFi tokens are trading at lower valuation multiples, although they exhibit higher growth profiles and strong fundamentals.

“Solana DeFi valuation multiples trade on average lower than their Ethereum counterparts despite significantly higher growth profiles. This highlights an apparent valuation asymmetry between the two ecosystems,” an excerpt in the report read.

Notwithstanding, Franklin Templeton says the increased activity has also contributed to Solana’s rising market capitalization and overall ecosystem growth. According to the asset manager, these discrepancies suggest a potential investment opportunity as the market adjusts to recognize Solana’s expanding influence in the DeFi sector.

Reflecting this optimism, Franklin Templeton filed for a spot Solana ETF (exchange-traded fund) with the US SEC. Notably, the proposed ETF includes staking capabilities. This means investors can earn rewards by participating in network validation processes, which is the first for a Solana-based ETF.

Solana Rising – Could It Overtake Ethereum?

While some investors are enthusiastic about Solana’s potential, others remain skeptical. A user on X (Twitter) challenged the move to compare Solana to Ethereum, alluding to stark differences in foundational robustness.

“It’s like comparing Ethereum versus Las Vegas casino. Yea Vegas has more chips,” the user quipped.

Similarly, industry analysts caution against assuming Solana is poised to surpass Ethereum imminently. Juan Pellicer, Senior Research Analyst at IntoTheBlock, noted that while Solana has narrowed the market capitalization gap with Ethereum, it still faces significant hurdles.

 “While Solana may continue to grow and potentially challenge Ethereum in specific niches, overcoming Ethereum’s entrenched position as the dominant platform in the immediate future is still unlikely, though the competitive landscape is dynamic and evolving,” Pellicer told BeInCrypto. 

Specifically, Pellicer emphasized that Ethereum benefits from established trust and a vast developer community. According to the analyst, these are critical factors in maintaining its leading position in the DeFi space.

He also highlighted the need for Solana to address centralization concerns and achieve parity in developer adoption. These, according to the analysts, would see Solana truly challenge Ethereum’s dominance.

As Solana continues to innovate and expand its DeFi ecosystem, its potential to reach valuations comparable to Ethereum becomes more plausible.

SOL Price Performance
SOL Price Performance. Source: BeInCrypto

BeInCrypto data shows SOL was trading for $149.77 as of this writing, up by over 5% in the past 24 hours.

The post Solana’s DeFi Surge Could Rival Ethereum’s Market Value Soon, Franklin Templeton Predicts appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Analysts Predict Major Bitcoin Rally in Late March as M2 Money Supply Grows

Recent analyses by crypto experts acknowledge that Bitcoin (BTC) price movements closely correlate with the global M2 money supply. Based on this, they predict potential bullish momentum for the crypto market in late March.

With global liquidity expanding, analysts predict that Bitcoin and other digital assets could experience a significant rally, starting around March 25, 2025, and potentially lasting until mid-May.

Global M2 and Its Influence on Bitcoin

The M2 money supply represents a broad measure of liquidity, including cash, checking deposits, and easily convertible near-money assets. Historically, Bitcoin has demonstrated a strong correlation with M2 fluctuations, as increased liquidity in financial markets often drives demand for alternative assets like cryptocurrencies.

Colin Talks Crypto, an analyst on X (Twitter), highlighted this correlation, pointing to a sharp increase in global M2. He described it as a “vertical line” on the chart, signaling an imminent surge in asset prices.

According to his prediction, the rally for stocks, Bitcoin, and the broader crypto market is expected to commence on March 25, 2025, and extend until May 14, 2025.

“The Global M2 Money Supply chart just printed another vertical line. The rally for stocks, Bitcoin, and crypto is going to be epic,” he suggested.

Bitcoin and M2 Money Supply Correlation
Bitcoin and M2 Money Supply Correlation. Source: Colin Talks Crypto on X

Vandell, co-founder of Black Swan Capitalist, supports that global M2 movements directly influence Bitcoin’s price. He notes that declines in global M2 are typically followed by Bitcoin and cryptocurrency market downturns about ten weeks later.

Despite the potential for short-term dips, Vandell believes this cycle sets the stage for a long-term uptrend.

“As seen recently, when global M2 declined, Bitcoin & crypto followed roughly 10 weeks later. While further downside is possible, this drawdown is a natural part of the cycle. This liquidity shift will likely continue throughout the year, setting the stage for the next leg up,” Vandell explained.

Similarly, another popular analyst, Michaël van de Poppe, sees M2 expansion as one of five key indicators for an early market recovery. He emphasizes that with inflation no longer the primary focus and expectations of US Federal Reserve rate cuts, financial conditions are becoming more favorable for Bitcoin.

“Bottom line is: Inflation isn’t the prime topic, likely to go down. FED rate cuts. The dollar to weaken massively. Yields to fall. M2 Supply to significantly expand. And as this process started, it’s just a matter of time until altcoins and crypto pick up. Bull,” he stated.

Historical Context and Projections

The correlation between Bitcoin’s price and global M2 growth is not new. Tomas, a macroeconomist, recently compared previous market cycles, particularly in 2017 and 2020. At the time, significant increases in global M2 coincided with Bitcoin’s strongest annual performances.

“Money supply is expanding globally. The last two major global M2 surges occurred in 2017 and 2020—both coincided with mini ‘everything bubbles’ and Bitcoin’s strongest years. Could we see a repeat in 2025? It depends on whether the U.S. dollar weakens significantly,” Tomas observed.

Tomas also highlighted the impact of central bank policies, pointing out that while major banks are cutting rates, the strength of the US dollar could be a limiting factor. If the dollar index (DXY) drops to around 100 or lower, it could create conditions similar to previous Bitcoin bull runs.

DXY Performance
DXY Performance. Source: TradingView

The Federal Reserve’s Role

Macro researcher Yimin Xu believes that the Federal Reserve might halt its Quantitative Tightening (QT) policies in the latter half of the year. Such a move, Yimin says, could potentially shift toward Quantitative Easing (QE) if economic conditions demand it. This shift could inject additional liquidity into the markets, fueling Bitcoin’s upward trajectory.

“I think reserves could get too thin for the Fed’s liking in the second half of the year. I predict they will terminate QT in late Q3 or Q4, with possible QE to come after,” Xu commented.

Tomas agreed, stating that the Federal Reserve’s current plan is to increase its balance sheet slowly, which is in line with GDP growth. He also articulates that a major financial event could trigger a full-scale return to QE.

These perspectives suggest that uncertainties remain, including the strength of the US dollar and potential economic shocks. Nevertheless, the broader consensus among analysts points toward an impending bullish phase for Bitcoin.

Investors must conduct their own research as they continue to watch macroeconomic indicators in the coming months, anticipating whether the predicted rally will materialize.

The post Analysts Predict Major Bitcoin Rally in Late March as M2 Money Supply Grows appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Bitcoin Price Forecast: Analyst Lance Roberts Spots USA Trade War Signals blocking $120K BTC rally

Bitcoin Price Braces for $75K Drop as Trump Trade War Fuels BTC Miner Selloff

Bitcoin price rallied 10% as Trump hinted at a tariff rollback, boosting risk appetite. However, market uncertainty persists, as analyst spots patterns similar to 2019’s US trade war impact.

Bitcoin (BTC) Rally Restarts as Trump Hints at Tariff U-Turn

Bitcoin (BTC) volatility persisted on Wednesday as traders reacted to fresh developments in U.S. trade policy.

Since President Donald Trump announced the creation of a Crypto Strategic Reserve on Sunday, March 2, BTC has traded within 10% ranges for three consecutive days.

After surging 11% following the strategic reserve announcement, Bitcoin’s rally was abruptly halted when Trump confirmed a 25% import tariff on Canada and Mexico, triggering a sharp 15% sell-off on Monday. However, the market took another dramatic turn on Wednesday.

Late Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick stated that President Trump will “probably” reach a compromise with Canada and Mexico in the coming days. Traders responded swiftly, piling into buy orders on optimism that an anticipated tariff rollback could ease economic uncertainty, bolstering risk assets like Bitcoin.

Bitcoin (BTC) Price Action, March 5
Bitcoin (BTC) Price Action, March 5

Within 12 hours of Lutnick’s statement, BTC surged 10%, rallying from its weekly low of $81,400 recorded on Tuesday to reclaim levels above $91,500 by mid-day in U.S. trading. If bullish momentum holds, a close above $90,000 could reinforce a broader breakout attempt, setting the stage for Bitcoin to target new highs.

Lance Roberts flags Trade war reactions exerting bearish pressure on BTC price action

On Wednesday, BTC price reclaimed territories above the $91,500 level as markets reacted to speculations that US President Donald Trump could ease tariffs imposed on Canada and Mexico.
Bitcoin analyst Lance Roberts published charts showing how US Trade policy has impacted financial markets in recent weeks.

“Trade War 1 vs Trade War 2.
So far, the #market is tracing out Trump’s first trade war fairly closely. While no two markets are ever the same, it is worth noting that even though markets declined, they also rallied. The point here is to ignore media headlines and focus on your portfolio.”

– Lance Roberts, March 5, 2025

Diving into the chart he posted, Lance Roberts’ chart draws a striking parallel between the S&P 500’s performance during the 2019 trade war and its 2025 trajectory, illustrating how historical market reactions to U.S. trade tensions could be playing out again.

S&P 500 Futures Price Action: 2025 YTD vs. 2019 Trade War | Source: https://x.com/LanceRoberts
S&P 500 Futures Price Action: 2025 YTD vs. 2019 Trade War | Source: https://x.com/LanceRoberts

In 2019, the market initially rallied before experiencing volatility tied to major trade-related developments.

One key moment highlighted in the chart is when former President Trump called off 25% tariffs on Mexico, triggering a strong rally.

Later, news of Trump-Xi trade deal talks fueled further gains, reinforcing the notion of a “Trump put”—the market’s expectation that

Trump would eventually ease trade tensions to support equities. This de facto put acted as a backstop, preventing prolonged downturns despite interim sell-offs. So far in 2025, the S&P 500 has followed a similar script, with a strong start before recent weakness, aligning with the early phases of the 2019 pattern.

This suggests that while the market is experiencing turbulence amid trade concerns, a potential bullish pivot could occur if Trump signals a shift in policy, just as it did in 2019. If history rhymes, Bitcoin could benefit as a risk asset.

BTC Price Outlook on US Trade War

However, the bearish case remains compelling. Unlike in 2019, today’s market is contending with structurally higher interest rates, which could dampen any relief rallies. Additionally, the Federal Reserve’s policy stance is less accommodative, meaning liquidity injections that cushioned past downturns may not materialize.

Ultimately, whether the 2019 pattern continues to play out in full will depend on the next moves from policymakers.

If trade tensions escalate further without policy relief and risk appetite deteriorates, BTC’s recent gains may prove short-lived, exposing  the market to deeper corrections.

Conversely, if Trump eases the tariffs this week, both S&P 500 equities and Bitcoin price could be poised for another leg higher. In this case BTC price could hit new all-time highs near $120,000 once US Treasury begins buying BTC and other assets included in the crypto strategic reserve bucket.

Bitcoin Technical Analysis Today: Close above $90,000 could spark support $100K breakout prospects

Technical indicators on the 12-hour Bitcoin price forecast chart below suggest a close above the $90,000 could confirm a bullish shift in market momentum, especially if Trump officially rolls back the tariffs as widely anticipated.

BTC price has rebounded sharply, gaining 11.46% over the past 24 hours, signaling a resurgence in buyer confidence. The bullish momentum coincides with Bitcoin breaking out of the lower Keltner Channel (KC) boundary, historically a precursor to sustained rallies.

A confirmed move past $90,000 could see the upper KC boundary at $97,487 tested, with $100,000 becoming a psychological magnet if bullish momentum persists.

Bitcoin Price Forecast (BTCUSD) | March 5
Bitcoin Price Forecast (BTCUSD) | March 5

However, the Parabolic SAR remains positioned above price action, indicating that downward pressure has yet to be fully negated.

A failure to hold above $88,000 support could see a retracement toward the mid-KC line at $80,210, where buyers may attempt to reestablish control.

Meanwhile, the Bull-Bear Power (BBP) has flipped positive after a prolonged period in the red, reinforcing short-term bullish sentiment.

If BBP sustains its uptrend, further upside pressure could validate the bullish thesis. On the contrary, a sudden reversal in BBP, coupled with rejection at $90,000, might expose Bitcoin to another wave of selling.

The post Bitcoin Price Forecast: Analyst Lance Roberts Spots USA Trade War Signals blocking $120K BTC rally appeared first on CoinGape.

4 Altcoins to Sell Ahead of Trump’s Crypto Summit on March 7 to Avoid Long Term Losses

4 Altcoins to Sell Ahead of Trump's Crypto Summit on March 7 to Avoid Long Term Losses

As of March 7, the crypto market is in recovery following weeks of corrections. However, bearish momentum remains strong, keeping most cryptocurrencies near their support levels. The broader market saw significant liquidations as uncertainty persisted. With fears of prolonged declines, analysts warn of potential risks, making it crucial to identify an altcoin to sell before further downturns.  

4 Altcoins to Sell Ahead of Trump’s March 7 Crypto Event

Two days to Donald Trump’s first Crypto Summit on March 7 2025, industry leaders, CEOs, and government officials prepare for key discussions. 

Market analysts anticipate volatility, with potential price drops for certain altcoins, if regulatory policies or economic outlooks appear unfavorable during the event. Let’s uncover these four altcoins to offload, including TON, SOL, LEO, and TIA.

Toncoin (TON)

Toncoin (TON) struggles as market conditions weaken, facing strong resistance and limited support. The price hovers at $3.00, marking a 1.53% daily increase. However, a 15% weekly decline signals a bearish sentiment.

TON’s market cap has dropped significantly, slipping from the 11th to the 21st position. Traders consider it an altcoin to offload ahead of Trump’s Crypto Summit on March 7, fearing further declines.

4 Altcoins to Sell Ahead of Trump's Crypto Summit on March 7 to Avoid Long Term Losses
Source: TradingView

LEO

BitMart has confirmed the listing of UNUS SED LEO (LEO), set to launch at 20:00 (ET) on March 5. The exchange will open trading for the LEO/USDT pair. LEO serves as the utility token for Bitfinex, the cryptocurrency exchange managed by iFinex. 

A unique token burn mechanism ensures that iFinex repurchases LEO monthly. This strategy aims to reduce supply over time. At present, LEO is priced at $9.80, reflecting a 0.36% decline in the past 24 hours.

Solana (SOL)

Solana (SOL) price has been trading with strong volatility, making it an altcoin to sell ahead of Trump’s crypto summit on March 7. The price has dropped 52.08% from its $294 high, now hovering below $150. 

An analyst noted that despite rejection, SOL defended the $125 support and is squeezing against the main downtrend resistance. This movement signals potential liquidation as uncertainty builds in the market.

Image

Celestia (TIA) 

Celestia (TIA) is trading at $3.30, reflecting a 15% decline over the past week. The token has been on a consistent downtrend in recent months, with its value significantly lower than its all-time high of $20.91 in February 2024. 

This decline has placed TIA among the cryptocurrencies facing strong selling pressure. Ahead of the upcoming crypto summit on March 7, analysts highlight TIA as one of the altcoins to offload, citing concerns over potential long-term losses in a weakening market.

Conclusion

With market conditions still uncertain, traders should assess risks and monitor price movements. Selling weak assets before further losses can be a strategic move. Identifying an altcoin to sell before major events like Trump’s crypto summit may help mitigate potential long-term risks in this volatile market.

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Deribit partners with Crypto Bank Sygnum to Enhance Institutional Crypto Trading Security

Deribit, one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency options and futures exchanges, has partnered with Sygnum Bank, a regulated digital asset financial institution, to bolster security for institutional crypto trading.

As part of the partnership, Deribit has now integrated Sygnum Protect, Sygnum Bank’s off-exchange custody platform, supported by Fireblocks’ Off-Exchange solution. This will allow investors to hold assets securely in a regulated bank trade without pre-funding. It is also set to reduce counterparty risks by providing automated settlement & collateral management.

Announced today, the collaboration aims to provide institutional investors with a secure, efficient, and capital-optimized trading experience by leveraging bank-grade custody and settlement solutions.

Strengthening Security in Institutional Crypto Trading

Institutional investors have long faced challenges in crypto trading, particularly concerning fund security and counterparty risk.

By partnering with Sygnum Bank, Deribit is aiming to enhance the safety and trustworthiness of its platform, enabling institutional traders to engage in derivatives trading with reduced risk exposure.

A key component of this partnership is the integration of Fireblocks’ “Off Exchange” service, which allows investors to trade on Deribit while keeping their assets securely custodied with Sygnum. This eliminates the need to pre-deposit funds on the exchange, significantly reducing exposure to exchange-related risks such as insolvency or security breaches.

Boost for Institutional Crypto Adoption?

One of the primary barriers to institutional crypto adoption has been the requirement to transfer funds to exchanges before trading. This exposes investors to counterparty risk and potential loss in case of exchange failures. By leveraging Sygnum’s regulated custody services, institutional clients can now trade with confidence, knowing their funds remain within a bank-grade security framework.

Fireblocks’ secure Multi-Party Computation (MPC) technology plays a crucial role in facilitating this solution. It enables non-custodial settlement, ensuring that funds are only transferred when trades are executed, thereby improving capital efficiency and security for institutional market participants.

Strategic Growth for Deribit, Sygnum, and Fireblocks

This partnership is a significant milestone for Deribit as it seeks to expand its institutional client base. By offering a more secure trading environment, the exchange is positioning itself as a preferred choice for hedge funds, family offices, and other institutional investors looking to trade crypto derivatives.

For Sygnum, this collaboration reinforces its role as a trusted banking partner in the digital asset industry. The Swiss-regulated crypto bank continues to expand its range of institutional services, bridging the gap between traditional finance and the digital asset economy.

Fireblocks, a leading provider of digital asset security solutions, benefits from further adoption of its “Off Exchange” service. As more institutions prioritize security in crypto trading, Fireblocks’ infrastructure is becoming an industry standard for safe and efficient asset transfers.

Thus, as institutional interest in digital assets grows, ensuring secure and efficient trading solutions remains a top priority. The partnership between Deribit and Sygnum Bank, facilitated by Fireblocks’ technology, marks a significant advancement in institutional crypto trading security. By offering a regulated, bank-grade custody and settlement solution, this initiative paves the way for greater institutional participation in the crypto derivatives market while setting new security standards for the industry.

 

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Crypto Regulation: US SEC and CFTC To Work Together

Crypto Regulation: US SEC and CFTC To Work Together

For years, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) have struggled with crypto regulation and jurisdictional clashes. Unfortunately, this has resulted in uncertainty for many businesses, including Web3 firms. 

According to history, the SEC has treated most digital assets as securities, while the CFTC has maintained that cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin fall under its commodity oversight. This unclear regulatory territory has led to inconsistent enforcement and policy confusion.

US SEC and CFTC To Work Together

At a recent fintech symposium in Washington, D.C., the CFTC’s leadership revealed a renewed effort to collaborate with the SEC. 

American journalist Eleanor Terrett reported on X that Acting Chair Caroline Pham stressed the implications of fixing the barrier between the two regulatory agencies. This will help them address digital asset oversight more effectively and cohesively. 

Furthermore, SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce, known for advocating more transparent crypto regulations, supported this approach. This points to the SEC’s realization of its regulatory limits, especially in the current government. 

The SEC’s newly established Crypto Task Force is now working to define which areas fall outside its authority. This is a pivotal step toward more structured oversight.

Crypto Regulation Outlook: US SEC and CFTC

Historically, the SEC has focused on enforcement, treating most tokens as securities and pursuing cases against crypto firms for unregistered offerings. 

The CFTC, the other hand, has regulated derivatives and fraud in commodity markets while taking a more flexible approach to crypto spot markets. 

Recent legislative proposals, such as FIT21, intend to clarify these roles by giving the CFTC greater control over decentralized assets. In contrast, the US SEC would oversee securities-like tokens. 

Importantly, this current engagement between regulators and policymakers shows a push for a more consistent framework for exchanges’ operations.

Future of Crypto Regulation Under President Trump

With President Donald Trump’s return to office, the regulatory approach has been tilting toward a more industry-friendly stance. 

For context, the previous Trump administration favored lighter-touch regulation. In addition, the Republican lawmakers have historically supported the CFTC’s approach over the SEC’s aggressive enforcement. 

With President Trump returning to office, the crypto community has seen history repeated, with key areas changing. For example, the long-standing Coinbase lawsuit is closed as well as those of other top crypto firms. Also, Binance announced its return to the American crypto market last month amid favorable policies.

While no immediate policy changes are confirmed, the expectation is that regulation of crypto firms will improve. There might be a stronger emphasis on fostering innovation rather than strict compliance measures.

In addition, the upcoming White House Crypto Summit on March 7 will bring together industry leaders, investors, and policymakers. This marks another significant move by the Trump administration to support the crypto community, less than 100 days into his presidency.

The post Crypto Regulation: US SEC and CFTC To Work Together appeared first on CoinGape.

Can The XRP Price Reach $10,000 Following XRP’s Inclusion In Strategic Reserve?

Can The XRP Price Reach $10,000 Following XRP’s Inclusion In Strategic Reserve?

Crypto analyst Crypto Pal has shared an ultra-bullish prediction for the XRP price and how it could rally to $10,000 thanks to its inclusion in the crypto Strategic Reserve. Meanwhile, other crypto analysts have given more conservative XRP predictions, predicting that the crypto’s price could at least reach triple digits.

XRP Price To Reach $10,000 Following Inclusion In Strategic Reserve

In an X post, Crypto Pal shared a prediction of the XRP price rallying to between $10,000 and $35,000. The analyst then asserted that the XRP Strategic Reserve will make this happen easier than ever.

US President Donald Trump recently announced XRP’s inclusion in the proposed crypto Strategic Reserve, which provides a bullish outlook for XRP. The XRP price had even surged on the back of this announcement, coming close to reaching a new all-time high (ATH).

However, despite the Strategic Reserve providing a bullish outlook for XRP, there remain doubts that this initiative could send the crypto’s price to such ambitious targets. A rally to $10,000 would put XRP’s market cap in trillions of dollars and make it worth more than the global economy, making this prediction far-fetched.

Amid this ultra-bullish price prediction for XRP, crypto analysts have offered more conservative price targets for the crypto. Crypto analyst Egrag Crypto recently predicted that Ripple’s native coin could still hit $320 between now and next year. Meanwhile, he predicted that the crypto would rally to $30 by May this year.

Crypto analyst Dark Defender also recently predicted that XRP could reach $8 irrespective of the outcome in the Ripple SEC case. However, a settlement in the Ripple lawsuit could undoubtedly spark a significant price surge for the crypto.

XRP Gearing Up For Its Next Big Leap

In an X post, Egrag Crypto stated that the XRP price is gearing up for its next big leap. He explained that the crypto is holding above critical support trend level and has successfully retested the Bull Market Support Band.

Image

He also revealed that XRP is consolidating above the Fibonacci 0.888 level while another macro consolidation zone, the Fib 1.0 zone, is in play. The Fib 1.0 level puts XRP at $3.37. Crypto analyst CasiTrades also predicted that Ripple’s native coin could soon rally above $3 if it stays above the trendline at $2.42.

Meanwhile, Egrag Crypto predicts that there will be a “noise consolidation” for XRP between $3.40 and $2.00. Once that consolidation is done, the analyst predicts XRP’s next major leg would lead to a rally to between $8.5 and $13, which are the Fib 1.272 and 1.414 level. He also remarked that market participants should not ignore Fib 1.618 at $27.

Crypto whales look to be preparing for this parabolic XRP price rally, as they continue to move significant coins around, indicating active accumulation. Crypto analyst Ali Martinez recently revealed that over $5.37 billion worth of XRP has been transferred in the last 24 hours.

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Developers Implement Crucial Fix After Ethereum’s Pectra Upgrade Faced Issues on Sepolia Testnet

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The post Developers Implement Crucial Fix After Ethereum’s Pectra Upgrade Faced Issues on Sepolia Testnet appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Ethereum’s planned Pectra upgrade, the blockchain’s most significant update since 2022’s “The Merge,” launched today on the Sepolia testnet. However, the launch didn’t go smooth as it faced issues in its testnet release, further delaying mainnet launch. According to a recent tweet from the lead Ethereum developer, the team has identified the issue and rolled out a fix.

Quick Fix Applied to Sepolia Deposit Contract Issue

The Ethereum community employs testnets to experiment with significant updates in a secure environment before they are implemented on the primary blockchain, often referred to as the “mainnet.”

Despite these precautions, the rollout encountered some snags. Tim Beiko, a leading developer at the Ethereum Foundation, reported on Twitter that they were addressing a glitch related to the custom deposit contract on the Sepolia testnet.

Also read: Ethereum’s Pectra Upgrade Moves Forward – But Is It Ready for Mainnet?

He further explained that this glitch had impacted certain Execution Layer (EL) clients, leading to problems with processing transactions within blocks. EL clients are essential software that operates on the Ethereum network’s nodes.

Roughly six hours after the error was identified, Tim Beiko reported that a solution was in place. He stated, “Client teams have coordinated on a fix and are trying to deploy it to validators right now. If this works as expected, we’ll have a longer update out shortly.”

Tim Beiko stated that all node operators need to upgrade their nodes to the versions listed on the Ethereum website’s blog. He mentioned that validators had already upgraded, resulting in the chain operating normally again. However, he noted that explorers, wallets, and other infrastructure providers might encounter issues until they also perform their upgrades.

The Mainnet Release Might Get Delayed

Earlier in the day, the launch was hailed as a triumphant success. Terence, a leading Ethereum developer, shared on Twitter that the Pectra had “finalized with a perfect proposal rate” on the Sepolia testnet. This meant that every validator had flawlessly proposed their assigned blocks without fail.

However, this achievement came after a challenging period. Initially, the deployment of Pectra on Sepolia had caused significant disruptions, preventing transactions from being recorded and essentially bringing the testnet to a halt for around five hours.

The Pectra upgrade had encountered problems before. For example, a misconfiguration among validators caused a chain split during its deployment on the Holesky testnet on February 24, leading to a failed rollout. Ethereum developers now expect that it will take at least two more weeks to finalize this activation.

Read more: Ethereum Whale Dumps $89M ETH – More Selling Ahead?

The plans for a mainnet launch of Pectra, which is one of the most significant forks since Ethereum transitioned to proof-of-stake, are dependent on successful upgrades of both the Holesky and Sepolia testnets.

Although the Ethereum Foundation had initially aimed for an early April release for the mainnet, this timeline might be stretched to ensure the issues observed in the testnets are thoroughly addressed and do not recur.

The post Developers Implement Crucial Fix After Ethereum’s Pectra Upgrade Faced Issues on Sepolia Testnet appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News
Ethereum’s planned Pectra upgrade, the blockchain’s most significant update since 2022’s “The Merge,” launched today on the Sepolia testnet. However, the launch didn’t go smooth as it faced issues in its testnet release, further delaying mainnet launch. According to a recent tweet from the lead Ethereum developer, the team has identified the issue and rolled …