On Tuesday, a large Solana whale transferred 494,153 SOL—valued at approximately $72 million—to the Coinbase exchange, raising concerns over a potential sell-off.
Large exchange inflows like this often signal impending selling pressure, putting SOL’s recent gains at risk.
$72 Million in SOL Hits Coinbase, Weighing on Market Sentiment
According to Whale Alert, a SOL whale transferred 494,153 SOL valued at $72 million to Coinbase Institutional on Tuesday. Significant exchange inflows such as this mean that large investors are moving their holdings from private wallets to exchanges, often signaling an intent to sell.
This increased supply on exchanges can increase the downward pressure on the SOL price, especially if there is insufficient demand to absorb the selling. As a result, its price may decline in the near term, leading to further sell-offs.
Moreover, the coin’s negative weighted sentiment heightens the risk of this selloff. At press time, this key metric is below zero at -0.51.
An asset’s weighted sentiment analyzes social media and online platforms to measure the overall tone (positive or negative) surrounding it. It considers the volume of mentions and the ratio of positive to negative comments. When weighted sentiment is positive, it indicates more positive comments and discussions about the cryptocurrency than negative ones.
On the other hand, when it is negative, the overall market sentiment is bearish, with more negative commentary and pessimism outweighing positive discussions about the asset.
This trend can increase selling pressure in the SOL market, discourage new demand, and contribute to its price decline as traders react to the prevailing bearish outlook.
Will Solana Drop to $138 or Surge to $160?
At press time, SOL trades at $145.84. If the whale selloff prompts retail traders to distribute their coins, SOL’s price may plummet to $138.84.
However, on the daily chart, SOL bulls appear ready to defend key levels. Readings from technical indicators, including the Parabolic SAR, suggest that buying momentum is gaining strength.
At press time, the dots that make up this momentum indicator rest below SOL’s price, offering dynamic support. When an asset’s Parabolic SAR is set up this way, it signals a bullish trend. It hints at the possibility of a rally in SOL’s price in the short term. If this happens, the coin could exchange hands at $160.34.
Following a period of decline, PI has rebounded and initiated an uptrend as buying activity gains momentum.
The renewed buying pressure suggests that PI bulls are back in control, now setting their sights on reclaiming its all-time high (ATH).
PI Regains Strength as Key Indicators Flash Bullish
After it reached an ATH of $3 on February 27, PI saw a spike in profit-taking, which caused its price to plummet to a low of $1.51 by March 2. However, PI’s price has rebounded since then, indicating a shift in market sentiment as bulls attempt to regain dominance from the bears.
Key technical indicators, including the Balance of Power (BoP), highlight the growing strength of buyers in the market. At press time, this indicator is in an upward trend and at its ATH of 0.92.
An asset’s BoP measures the strength of its buyers and sellers by analyzing its price movements within a given period. When its value is positive, it indicates that buyers are in control, driving prices higher.
This trend suggests that buying momentum is building. It reinforces PI’s current uptrend and increases the likelihood of the coin reclaiming its $3 ATH if demand continues to rise.
Furthermore, PI’s Chaikin Money Flow (CMF) confirms the uptick in the coin’s demand. This indicator, which measures money flows into and out of an asset, rests above the zero line at 0.08.
A positive CMF reading like this indicates strong buying pressure, showing PI is experiencing sustained capital inflows. This suggests that demand for the altcoin outweighs supply, hinting at more price gains.
Pi Network (PI) Faces Critical Resistance
On the four-hour chart, PI currently holds above support at $1.97. If demand strengthens, the altcoin could break above the resistance at $2.12 and reclaim its ATH of $3.
However, the decline in PI’s demand to absorb the climbing supply may put downward pressure on its price. So far this month, over 188 million PI have been distributed to over 1 million Pioneers.
If demand drops, PI could lose its recent gains and plummet below $1.62 to trade at $1.34.
XRP has experienced significant price movements recently, especially with the massive accumulation by whales. Over the past week, large holders have been quietly stacking up XRP, potentially positioning the altcoin for a significant price boost.
Their actions, combined with a resilient market, present an optimistic outlook for the altcoin’s future.
XRP Investors Are Betting on Recovery
Whale addresses holding between 100 million and 1 billion XRP have added 1.34 billion XRP worth over $3.26 billion in the past week. While some speculated this accumulation was linked to XRP’s inclusion in the US Crypto Reserve, it appears the whales were primarily buying at low prices.
This indicates that these large holders anticipate further gains. Despite XRP’s 18% crash on Monday, the whales did not sell, suggesting they are confident in the asset’s long-term potential.
The price DAA Divergence is currently flashing a buy signal for XRP as investors demonstrate resilience amid challenging market conditions. This divergence indicates that, while the broader market has experienced volatility, XRP is showing strength. With more investors holding onto their positions and fewer opting to sell, the sentiment is clearly turning bullish.
As market conditions improve, investors’ buying pressure could continue to push XRP’s price higher. This would support the possibility of a sustained rally backed by both retail and whale participation.
XRP is trading at $2.45, holding steady above the critical support level of $2.33. After facing considerable volatility over the weekend, the altcoin managed to stabilize, posting a 37% price increase. This move suggests that XRP could have the momentum needed for further gains if the bullish trend continues.
However, despite the positive signals, XRP still failed to secure $2.70 as support on Sunday, which prevented the altcoin from pushing higher. If XRP can manage to flip $2.70 into support, it could break through the $2.95 resistance, bringing it closer to its previous highs.
If the altcoin fails to breach $2.70, XRP could experience consolidation above $2.33, as seen in previous price action. This could delay the bullish outlook and may prevent any immediate upward movement, resulting in a temporary stagnation until the market provides more clarity.
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is quickly becoming a notable force in the push for global crypto adoption. With growing participation from institutions and enterprises and supportive regulations for Web3 technology, MENA is set to expand its impact.
BeInCrypto interviewed Stephan Apel, CEO of Outlier Ventures, to explore the characteristics of these tech-driven economies and their anticipated innovations.
Web3 Adoption and Market Growth
MENA has emerged as a significant center for Web3 development, facilitated by a combination of demographic, technological, and cultural factors. The region’s entrepreneurial spirit has also fostered an environment conducive to the adoption of decentralized technologies.
“The MENA market has set a standard for adopting next-gen technologies and using them to boost their economic transformation. This is especially true for Web3 technologies— the region recognised their potential early on, offering the resources needed for these projects to scale and thrive on both regional and global levels,” Apel told BeInCrypto.
Consequently, the region is witnessing an increase in startups, investors, and developers exploring Web3 and its diverse applications.
A 2024 Chainalysis report revealed that MENA was the seventh biggest crypto market worldwide. From July 2023 to June 2024, the region saw $338.7 billion in online crypto transactions, representing 7.5% of all crypto transactions globally.
Share of all cryptocurrency transaction value by region. Source: Chainalysis.
Notably, Turkey and Morocco ranked among the top 30 countries globally in crypto adoption. Turkey secured the 11th spot, while Morocco ranked 27th. These nations alone accounted for $137 billion and $12.7 billion in received cryptocurrency value, respectively.
Furthermore, the MENA region’s crypto activity is predominantly driven by institutional and professional players, as a substantial 93% of all value transferred involves transactions exceeding $10,000.
Meanwhile, Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) members have distinguished themselves through their ambitious technological initiatives.
MENA’s Strategic Shift Towards AI
The onset of artificial intelligence (AI) has prompted governments and businesses within the Middle East to acknowledge the global trend towards related advanced technologies. Countries like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are considering their strategic position concerning this technological transformation.
According to a report by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), AI could contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy in 2030. The consulting firm predicts that the Middle East will bring 2% of the total global benefits, equal to $320 billion.
MENA’s pioneering role in AI development. Source: PwC.
The PwC report also indicates that Saudi Arabia will see the largest absolute gains from AI by 2030, with an estimated US$135.2 billion added to its economy, or 12.4% of GDP. In terms of GDP percentage, however, the UAE is expected to see the greatest impact, approaching 14% of its 2030 GDP. Meanwhile, for GCC states Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar, AI is expected to contribute 8.2% of their GDP.
Given the region’s latest initiatives and investments in AI innovation, these numbers come as no surprise.
Saudi Arabia’s AI Development Initiatives
In 2016, the Saudi Arabian government launched Vision 2030, a program to promote economic, social, and cultural diversification. Integral to this vision is a strategic shift towards artificial intelligence and data-driven innovation, a key component of the nation’s economic diversification efforts.
Saudi Arabia is making notable advancements in AI. The country aims to reduce its reliance on oil by developing advanced technology sectors through targeted investments, infrastructure development, and workforce training.
“Fueled by its Vision 2030 initiative, Saudi Arabia has already created a thriving startup ecosystem, dedicated significant investment in emerging technologies,and designed policies to attract global talent and entrepreneurship,” Apel told BeInCrypto.
The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) spearheads Saudi Arabia’s push into artificial intelligence, shaping and implementing the country’s national data and AI strategy. The National Data Bank is a cornerstone of their efforts. It is designed as a central hub for data access and analysis, facilitating AI applications across public and private sectors.
Last November, Saudi Arabia also unveiled Project Transcendence. The $100 billion investment initiative focuses on accelerating the integration of AI and advanced technologies.
Similar to its neighbor, the UAE has actively pursued AI adoption.
UAE’s AI Strategy and Investments
In 2017, the UAE launched its National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence, which aims to make the country a global leader in the field by 2031. The UAE AI and Blockchain Council oversees this strategy, which impacts sectors like education, energy, and tourism.
The UAE is already reaping the benefits of its AI initiatives. In April, Microsoft announced a $1.5 billion investment in G42, an Abu Dhabi-based technology holding company. G42 is known for its data centers and the development of Jais, a leading Arabic-language AI model.
In September, G42 and Nvidia partnered to create AI-driven solutions for improved weather forecasting. The collaboration aims to advance climate-related technologies by using Nvidia’s Earth-2 platform, which enables AI-augmented climate and weather simulations.
Three months later, Abu Dhabi-based global technological ecosystem Hub71 partnered with Google to boost startup growth in the UAE. This collaboration will bring Google’s “Google for Startups” program to Abu Dhabi, including a dedicated accelerator for Hub71 startups in 2025.
He also drew attention to the planned convergence of AI and Web3 technologies in these prominent regions.
Convergence of AI, Web3, and IoT
Integrating the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, and AI technologies is gaining traction among businesses in the Middle East. By combining these technologies, organizations can access new avenues for growth, increase efficiency, and create novel user experiences.
In 2018, the Dubai Airport Freezone Authority launched Dubai Blink, a platform that integrates AI, blockchain, and virtual licenses to facilitate global trade. This system enhances supply chain innovation through ‘smart commerce’ by expediting trade with a unified online platform. Furthermore, it addressed the cumbersome process of supplier identification by using AI algorithms to streamline and accelerate the validation process.
Ultimately, MENA’s proactive approach to technological advancement, coupled with its strategic focus on Web3 and AI, signals a future where the region will be a pivotal architect in shaping the digital economy.
Bitcoin (BTC) surged past the $90,000 mark following reports of its potential preferential treatment in President Donald Trump’s proposed US crypto reserve strategy.
The speculation comes ahead of the White House Crypto Summit, which Trump will host and feature top digital asset industry executives.
Trump’s Bitcoin Reserve Plan Unveiled
Citing Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, The Pavlovick Today revealed that the strategic cryptocurrency reserve would be on Friday’s agenda for President Trump’s White House Crypto Summit.
“The President definitely thinks that there’s a Bitcoin strategic reserve. Now there will be the question of, how do we handle the other cryptocurrencies? And I think the model is going to be announced on Friday,” Lutnick reportedly stated.
Reportedly, Trump envisions a strategic Bitcoin reserve, distinguishing it from other cryptocurrencies. Lutnick suggested Bitcoin would receive unique status under Trump’s plans.
“So Bitcoin is one thing, and then the other currencies, the other crypto tokens, I think, will be treated differently—positively, but differently,” he added.
Following this news, Bitcoin reclaimed the $90,000 psychological level, with BTC trading for $90,097 as of this writing. According to BeInCrypto data, this represents a surge of over 7% since Wednesday’s session opened.
The prospective preferential treatment for Bitcoin is unsurprising given its heft as the pioneer crypto. Similarly, its commodity status, like Ethereum (ETH), also positions it for possible privilege.
In a recent Truth Social post, he emphasized his administration’s commitment to elevating the crypto sector. Specifically, Trump announced that the US crypto reserve would include XRP, SOL, and ADA alongside Bitcoin and Ethereum.
However, Lutnick’s comments suggest that Bitcoin may receive special status under the new framework. While Trump’s announcement has fueled bullish sentiment in the Bitcoin market, it has also sparked significant debate.
Some crypto leaders have expressed skepticism about including alternative cryptocurrencies (altcoins) in the US reserve. Critics argue that favoring Bitcoin while treating other tokens differently could create market distortions.
Another major talking point is Ethereum’s role—or lack thereof—in the prospective crypto reserve strategy. The White House Crypto Summit will feature leaders from ecosystems running on Ethereum, but the blockchain lacks representation.
Notwithstanding, the announcement of a strategic crypto reserve has led to speculation about an incoming altseason. Tim Haldorsson, founder of Luna Strategy, told BeInCrypto that Trump’s plan could drive increased investment into altcoins.
However, Henrik Zeberg Jensen, the head of Macroeconomics and fund manager of Swissblock Technologies AG, has a different opinion.
“Trump does not stand as a testimony to or a proof of which tokens will have success. Look at his meme coin [TRUMP]! No usability- and driven by speculation. The success of any token in the long run will be based on the usability of the token in future solutions which will lift productivity and reduce cost. Trump’s picks in that respect seem arbitrary,” Zeberg told BeInCrypto.
Should Bitcoin get preferential treatment in the crypto reserve, altcoins could still benefit. Historically, Bitcoin-led rallies have often paved the way for altcoin surges.
According to a CoinGecko report, meme coins were the most popular crypto trend in 2024. They accounted for 14.3% of total narrative interest—a significant rise from 8.3% in 2023.
Recent developments, however, present a contrasting narrative.
“There has been a significant drop in meme coin market cap since December. It’s the weakest narrative and not worth putting your money in it,” an analyst wrote on X.
As of March 5, the latest data showed the total meme coin market capitalization plummeted to $54 billion. This represented a 56.8% decline from its $125 billion peak on December 5, 2024.
Trading volumes have also taken a hit, dropping 26.2% in the past month alone. This has raised concerns about the “meme coin supercycle.”
“Is this the end of the meme coin supercycle?” crypto analyst Lark Davis questioned.
A meme coin supercycle refers to an extended period of rapid growth and speculation in meme-based cryptocurrencies. However, with declining numbers across the board, the community is now grappling with fears that the hype may be fading for good.
The second-largest meme coin, Shiba Inu (SHIB), has also suffered a substantial drop. Over the past month, it has slipped 10.6%. Similar trends have been observed in all 10 top meme coins.
The decline isn’t just affecting individual tokens—skepticism in meme coins as a whole appears to be rising. Elon Musk, for example, one of the most vocal supporters of DOGE, recently likened meme coins to “casinos.” He further cautioned against investing life savings in them. Meanwhile, Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan previously stated that the present time is the “end of the meme coin boom.”
Google Trends data further supports this waning hype. The search volume for “meme coin” has plummeted from a peak score of 100 in mid-January to just 8 last week. This suggested that public enthusiasm was fading as fast as it surged.
The impact of this downturn is being felt across the ecosystem, particularly on platforms that thrived during the meme coin mania.
Pump.fun, a popular meme coin launchpad, has seen its trading volume crash from $3.3 billion in January 2025 to just $814 million. This marked aa staggering 75.3% drop.
Onyxcoin has been on a persistent downtrend since reaching its all-time high of $0.049 on January 26. Trading at $0.015 at press time, the coin has since shed 57% of its value.
With mounting bearish pressure, the decline may not be over as market indicators signal further downside risks.
XCN Faces Heavy Sell Pressure
The steady outflows from XCN’s spot markets over the past month reflect the increased selling activity among its investors. Per Coinglass, in February, the altcoin only recorded four days of inflows, which totaled just $3.5 million. Conversely, XCN spot outflows exceeded $15 million during the same period.
Outflows from the XCN spot markets have reached $6.45 million so far this month. When an asset records significant spot outflows like this, its investors are selling their holdings.
This trend indicates that profit-taking is significant among XCN traders. It is a sign that there is no new demand for the altcoin, potentially lowering its prices in the short term.
Moreover, its funding rate has been predominantly negative since the beginning of the year, highlighting the bearish bias toward XCN.
This periodic fee is exchanged between long and short traders in perpetual futures contracts. It is designed to keep contract prices aligned with the spot market. When persistently negative like this, it means short positions are dominant, indicating traders are betting on further price declines, which can further reinforce bearish sentiment.
XCN Stuck in Downtrend: Will It Break Free or Drop Further?
On the daily chart, XCN remains within the descending parallel channel it has traded within since January 26. This bearish pattern is formed when an asset’s price moves between two downward-sloping parallel trendlines, indicating a sustained downtrend.
The pattern suggests that XCN sellers are in control. A drop below the lower trend line, which forms support, hints at further downside. If this happens, XCN’s price could drop to $0.0075.
Altcoin/BTC spot trading pairs were once considered a key channel for investors to increase their Bitcoin holdings. However, this perception is fading. Data indicates a decline in interest, with many Altcoin/BTC pairs delisted in early 2025.
Meanwhile, Altcoin/USDT spot pairs remain the primary avenue for traders seeking profits.
Binance Delists Multiple Altcoin/BTC Spot Pairs
At the beginning of 2025, Binance removed several Altcoin/BTC spot pairs from its platform. Today, Binance announced the delisting of MDT/BTC, MLN/BTC, VIB/BTC, VIC/BTC, and XAI/BTC due to low liquidity and trading volume. This is not the first such announcement this year.
“To protect users and maintain a high-quality trading market, Binance conducts periodic reviews of all listed spot trading pairs and may delist selected spot trading pairs due to multiple factors, such as poor liquidity and trading volume,” Binance stated.
Since the start of the year, Binance has issued seven delisting announcements, affecting 34 spot trading pairs. Of these, 50% were Altcoin/BTC pairs, while the rest were Altcoin/ETH or Altcoin/BNB. Notably, the delisting of an Altcoin/BTC pair does not necessarily mean its corresponding Altcoin/USDT pair is removed (e.g., ENJ, C98, REZ).
This shift reflects traders’ preference for Altcoin/Stablecoin pairs, likely due to better liquidity and lower risk exposure.
Retail Investors Reduce Bitcoin Holdings While Institutions Accumulate
CryptoQuant data shows that retail investors have been reducing their BTC holdings since Q4 2024, while large investors continue to accumulate.
Bitcoin Holdings of Retail And Large Investors. Source: CryptoQuant.
“Retail is panic-selling. Whales are accumulating,” Investor Mister Crypto commented.
Since the approval of Bitcoin ETFs and the start of Trump’s new term, Bitcoin has become a playground for institutional investors. Retail traders seem less interested, as BTC’s high price is out of reach for many. Instead, they hold fewer BTC and allocate more capital to altcoins, particularly meme coins.
Furthermore, trading Altcoin/BTC pairs exposes traders to two risks simultaneously—the volatility of both altcoins and Bitcoin. Even the most liquid pairs, such as ETH/BTC and SOL/BTC, have shown prolonged downtrends and high volatility, increasing the risk of losses.
Volatility of ETH/BTC and SOL/BTC. Source: TradingView
Market analysts also tend to focus on Altcoin/USDT spot pairs, leaving Altcoin/BTC pairs with less attention.
According to CoinMarketCap data, USDT’s daily trading volume exceeds $115 billion, out of a total market trading volume of $147 billion. This confirms that USDT remains the primary channel for traders seeking opportunities.
Sygnum’s off-exchange custody platform allows traders to mirror assets held in Sygnum’s custody while trading on an exchange like Deribit.
Cryptocurrency banking firm Sygnum is partnering with crypto derivatives exchange Deribit, providing its off-exchange custody platform, Sygnum Protect.
On March 5, Sygnum announced the expansion of Sygnum Protect, its off-exchange custody platform, to include Deribit, one of the world’s largest derivatives exchanges in crypto.
This integration enables institutional Deribit traders to hold their assets in Sygnum’s institutional-grade custody while accessing Deribit’s broad trading offering and liquidity.
Bitcoin bull market momentum is due to return, but a “cooling off period” of up to three months may come first, Timothy Peterson says as he reveals a new BTC price floor.
Bitcoin has a 95% chance of staying above $69,000 forever, a classic BTC price forecasting tool says.
In a post to X on March 4, network economist Timothy Peterson revealed a new floor level from the “Lowest Price Forward” metric.
Bitcoin (BTC) remains highly sensitive to geopolitical decisions in 2025, last week hitting its lowest levels since November last year.
