Pi Network Token Posts Double-Digit Gains as Investors Gear Up for Pi Day

Pi Network’s native token, PI, has bounced back following a few days of decline. It has noted a 6% gain in the past 24 hours to trade at $1.47 at press time. 

The recovery comes ahead of Pi Day on March 14. There is also growing market speculation about a potential Binance listing.

PI Gains 21% as Traders Gain Confidence

PI has jumped 21.3% over the past 24 hours, driven by growing speculation over a potential Binance listing and the upcoming Pi Day announcements on March 14. 

This date also marks the deadline for KYC completion and the migration of PI holdings from the mobile app to the Mainnet. These upcoming developments have triggered a new wave of PI demand, putting upward pressure on its price.

The steady rise in PI’s Relative Strength Index (RSI) reflects the surge in buying activity among spot market participants. The momentum indicator is in an upward trend and poised to break above the 50-center line at press time. 

PI RSI.
PI RSI. Source: TradingView

When an asset’s RSI is attempting to cross above its 50-neutral level, it signals a shift in momentum from bearish to bullish. This suggests that buying pressure is increasing, potentially leading to further price gains if the trend continues. 

A confirmed move above 50 would reinforce positive sentiment around PI and attract more traders looking for upward momentum.

Furthermore, its positive Chaikin Money Flow (CMF) confirms this bullish outlook. This indicator, which tracks how money flows into and out of PI, is above zero at 0.16.

PI CMF.
PI CMF. Source: TradingView

This trend indicates that buying pressure is stronger than selling pressure among PI traders. It signals that investors are confident in the asset, increasing the likelihood of further price appreciation.

PI Eyes Recovery After Steep Drop—Can It Reclaim $2?

PI has steadily declined, plummeting over 19% in the past week. This has pushed its price under a key price level of $1.62, which forms significant resistance. If the bullish trend persists and the demand for PI soars, its price could attempt to breach this level.

A successful break above $1.62 could propel PI above $2 and closer to its all-time high of $3.

PI Price Analysis
PI Price Analysis. Source: TradingView

On the other hand, a resurgence in profit-taking would invalidate this bullish projection. If selloffs spike again, PI’s price would resume its downtrend and fall to $1.34.

The post Pi Network Token Posts Double-Digit Gains as Investors Gear Up for Pi Day appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Cardano Sinks 22% in a Week, But Long-Term Holders Remain Unfazed

Cardano’s price has seen a steep 22% decline over the past week, mirroring the broader market downturn. As of this writing, the eighth-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization retails at $0.73.

However, its long-term holders (LTHs) remain unfazed. On-chain data shows that they are holding onto their assets rather than selling.

Cardano’s Long-Term Holders Double Down 

There has been a steady trend of HODLing among ADA’s LTHs, as reflected by its rising Mean Coin Age. According to Santiment, this metric’s value is up 1% since March 3. 

ADA Mean Coin Age
ADA Mean Coin Age. Source: Santiment

An asset’s Mean Coin Age tracks the average age of all its coins in circulation to provide insights into market trends and hodling patterns among investors. 

When it rises, it suggests that investors are holding onto their coins, signaling accumulation and confidence in the asset’s long-term value. This reflects strong hands and hints at a potential bullish outlook for ADA, especially in light of recent broader market headwinds.  

Moreover, ADA whales have increased their accumulation during the period under review, highlighting the surge in positive sentiment toward the altcoin. On-chain data from Santiment shows that large investors holding between 100,000 and 1,000,000 coins have collectively acquired 20 million ADA over the past week. 

ADA Supply Distribution
ADA Supply Distribution. Source: Santiment

When large investor holdings increase like this, it signals strong confidence among key holders. It reduces an asset’s available supply, creating upward price pressure. 

ADA Eyes $0.94 as Buyers Dominate 

On the daily chart, ADA’s Balance of Power (BoP) is positive at 0.30. This indicator compares the strength of buyers and sellers in the market.

When its value is positive, buyers dominate the market, exerting stronger pressure than sellers. The bullish signal suggests upward momentum, which, if sustained, will lead to further ADA price appreciation.

In this instance, the coin’s price could rally toward $0.94. If this resistance is flipped into a support floor, ADA’s price could jump to $1.16.

ADA Price Analysis
ADA Price Analysis. Source: TradingView

However, if sellers regain dominance, the coin’s price could fall to $0.60.

The post Cardano Sinks 22% in a Week, But Long-Term Holders Remain Unfazed appeared first on BeInCrypto.

US Bitcoin ETF Holdings Fall Below Satoshi As Outflows Continue

Bitcoin ETF outflows have nearly amounted to $750 million in the last two days as the crypto market consistently fell. BlackRock, the largest issuer, has offloaded around 2,000 BTC in the previous 24 hours.

Together, the ETF issuers sold off enough BTC that they collectively hold less than Satoshi. They surpassed him three months ago and continued buying huge amounts of Bitcoin, indicating truly massive sales.

Bitcoin ETF Outflows Continue

Since the Bitcoin ETFs first got SEC approval last year, they’ve had a transformative impact on the market. Lately, however, they’ve been turning bearish.

Towards the end of February, the market saw $2.7 billion in outflows, and this trend continued. The last four consecutive weeks had outflows, and the market already lost nearly $750 million this week alone.

bitcoin etf
Bitcoin ETF Net Outflow. Source: SoSoValue

This marks the seventh consecutive day of outflows for this ETF market. IBIT, BlackRock’s product, led these losses with $151 million in the last 24 hours.

In mid-February, some analysts began speculating that BlackRock would begin selling its Bitcoin, and ETF analyst Shaun Edmondson noticed how large of a trend it’s becoming:

“I know the markets are very ‘risk off’ at the moment with the Tariff uncertainty, but this is yet another outflow day from the US Spot ETFs, collectively now falling below Satoshi again. Given the bullish narrative from the SEC, Strategy raising 21 billion, State [Bitcoin Reserve] race and National [Bitcoin Reserve] bill, I find this a little surprising,” Edmondson claimed.

BlackRock alone has offloaded around 2,000 BTC since Edmondson posted yesterday’s daily tallies. It’s unclear how far the ETF issuers want to take this trend, but these Bitcoin sales are very concerning.

These issuers surpassed Satoshi’s Bitcoin holdings in December, so these outflows have already eaten up three months’ worth of vociferous purchasing.

Still, despite this ETF pessimism, Bitcoin’s actual price could be doing a lot worse. The entire crypto market has been hit with massive outflows, and BTC fell accordingly.

However, the US CPI report this morning was better than anticipated, which allowed Bitcoin a little breathing room. It’s anyone’s guess, however, how long this reprieve will actually last.

The post US Bitcoin ETF Holdings Fall Below Satoshi As Outflows Continue appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Kaspersky Exposes Hackers Blackmailing YouTubers to Spread Crypto Malware

Cybersecurity firm Kaspersky revealed a YouTube crypto malware blackmail where attackers leverage the platform’s copyright strike system to coerce influencers into adding malicious links to their video descriptions.

These actions directed unsuspecting viewers to malware-infected downloads as YouTube content creators gave in to the blackmail.

Kaspersky Reveals SilentCryptoMiner

Kaspersky’s report reveals that hackers exploit the trust that YouTube influencers have built with their audiences, making this campaign particularly dangerous. It cites a malware campaign where cybercriminals distribute malware disguised as tools for bypassing digital restrictions.

Specifically, the hackers exploit copyright complaints, threatening and blackmailing YouTube content creators into promoting SilentCryptoMiner. SilentCryptoMiner is a sophisticated crypto-mining Trojan based on the popular open-source mining software XMRig.

According to the report, the malware mines cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum (ETH), Ethereum Classic (ETC), Monero (XMR), and Ravencoin (RVN). It also uses the Bitcoin blockchain to maintain control over botnets.

Over the past six months, Kaspersky has detected more than 2.4 million Windows Packet Divert driver instances. Reportedly, cybercriminals leverage these to manipulate network traffic. They present many tools as legitimate software solutions but contain hidden malicious payloads.

Dynamics of Windows Packet Divert detections
Dynamics of Windows Packet Divert detections. Source: Kaspersky

Once installed, the malware persists on a victim’s system, bypassing security measures and modifying critical system files.

In the report, Kaspersky highlights a case in which a YouTuber with 60,000 subscribers unknowingly helped distribute the malware. The creator initially posted videos demonstrating how to bypass certain online restrictions and included a link to a supposed restriction bypass tool.

However, the file was infected with SilentCryptoMiner. Later, they edited the infected video description to remove the link, replacing it with a warning stating that the program “does not work.”

“Next, the attackers threatened the content creators under the pretext of copyright infringement, demanding that they post videos with malicious links or risk shutdown of their YouTube channels. This way, the scammers were able to manipulate the reputation of popular YouTubers to force them to post links to infected files,” read an excerpt in the report.

Use of Copyright Strikes to Coerce YouTubers

In a more insidious move, hackers have also filed false copyright claims against YouTubers who refuse to cooperate. By threatening content creators with channel takedowns, cybercriminals have forced them into distributing the malware.

Cybersecurity experts warn that YouTube and other social media platforms may not be the only targets of such blackmail schemes. Bad actors could soon deploy similar tactics on Telegram and other messaging platforms where influencers engage with their communities.

Therefore, users should remain cautious when downloading software from unverified sources. What appear to be seemingly helpful tools can serve as a gateway for malicious activities. Meanwhile, this discovery comes just a month after Kaspersky exposed another major cybersecurity threat.

“Our experts have discovered a new data-stealing Trojan, SparkCat, active in the App Store and Google Play since at least March 2024. SparkCat leverages machine learning to scan image galleries, stealing cryptocurrency wallet recovery phrases, passwords, and other sensitive data hidden in screenshots,” the firm claimed.

This highlights the growing risks that cryptocurrency investors face. As YouTube influencers become prime targets for cybercriminals, blockchain intelligence platform Arkham has begun tracking their portfolios.

The new feature, dubbed “Key Opinion Leader (KOL) Label,” tracks the wallets of influencers with over 100,000 followers on X. This means investors can monitor whether influencers genuinely back the tokens they promote or if their endorsements are merely paid advertising. This highlights how influencers’ role extends beyond social media.

The post Kaspersky Exposes Hackers Blackmailing YouTubers to Spread Crypto Malware appeared first on BeInCrypto.

XRP Price Holds Above $2.00 Despite 22% Correction: Recovery Ahead?

XRP has faced significant volatility in recent weeks, with price action lacking clear momentum. Altcoin struggled to maintain upward momentum as broader market conditions remained bearish. 

Despite attempts to recover, investor sentiment has remained weak, preventing any substantial movement. The result has been a lack of strong support, with many investors hesitant to make decisions.

XRP Is Losing Investor’s Interest

XRP’s market sentiment reflects the ongoing uncertainty, with active addresses showing a significant drop in participation. Over the past few days, investor conviction has been waning, largely due to bearish market cues. As a result, the number of active addresses has fallen from a recent high of 530,000 to just 123,000, indicating quickly declining interest in the altcoin.

The decline in participation highlights the reluctance of investors to fully engage with XRP. As investors pull back, liquidity becomes increasingly limited, which further dampens the potential for any substantial price rebound.

XRP Active Addresses
XRP Active Addresses. Source: Santiment

The macro momentum of XRP has also been affected by broader market conditions, although long-term holders (LTHs) remain a critical force in supporting the price. The MVRV Long/Short Difference shows that LTHs are sitting on considerable profits at the moment. These investors have been holding onto their positions rather than selling at low prices, providing support for XRP and preventing further price declines.

Their continued holding behavior has become crucial for maintaining the price above critical support levels. As the last line of defense for XRP, these LTHs are preventing a potential crash below $2. 

XRP MVRV Long/Short Difference
XRP MVRV Long/Short Difference. Source: Santiment

XRP Price Aims At Recovery

XRP’s price currently stands at $2.17, holding above the support level of $2.14. Despite a 22% crash in recent weeks, the altcoin has managed to maintain its position above the critical $2.00 mark. While the current level is promising, breaching the $2.33 barrier may prove difficult due to the lack of strong bullish signals in the market.

Given the current market conditions and investor sentiment, XRP is likely to continue consolidating within the range of $2.33 and $2.14. A breakout in either direction will depend on the ability of the broader market to regain momentum. Until then, XRP may remain stuck in this narrow range.

XRP Price Analysis
XRP Price Analysis. Source: TradingView

However, if XRP falls below the support level of $2.14, the price could slide to $1.94. Such a decline would invalidate the neutral outlook, pushing the altcoin into a more bearish trend. A drop to $1.94 would signal a further loss of confidence, making a recovery even more challenging.

The post XRP Price Holds Above $2.00 Despite 22% Correction: Recovery Ahead? appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Pi Network’s Centralization Worries Grow as Core Team Holds 82.8 Billion Pi Coins

According to data from PiScan, the Pi Network’s core team currently holds the majority of the total Pi Coin (PI) supply.

While such concentration may be necessary during the early stages of a network’s development, it also raises significant concerns about the project’s future decentralization.

Pi Coin Supply Concentration: Core Team’s Control Sparks Worries

The latest data reveals that the Pi Network’s core team controls approximately 62.8 billion Pi Coins across six wallets. Additionally, around 20 billion PI sits in roughly 10,000 unlisted wallets that belong to the team.

pi coin
Pi Network’s Pi Coin Holdings. Source: PiScan

This brings the total supply held by these entities to about 82.8 billion PI. It represents a major chunk of the total maximum supply of 100 billion.

Further complicating the centralization issues, Pi Network is currently operating with only 43 nodes and three validators globally. In stark contrast, more established Layer 1 networks, such as Bitcoin (BTC), operate with over 21,000 nodes. Moreover, Ethereum (ETH) has over 6,600, and Solana (SOL) has around 4,800 nodes. 

The limited number of nodes and validators means that control of the network is concentrated in the hands of a few entities. Therefore, this makes the network much more centralized than its more established counterparts.

That’s not all. This lack of transparency adds another layer of uncertainty.

“Analyzing Pi Network’s source code and on-chain data is currently challenging due to its incomplete openness,” PiScan posted on X.

Meanwhile, Pi Network has also raised doubts regarding privacy and third-party involvement. In the 2025 privacy policy update, Pi Network revealed that it uses ChatGPT for its Know Your Customer (KYC) process. This feature was not mentioned in the previous version of the policy. 

“We use ChatGPT, as a trusted AI partner, to automate identity verification and enhance security measures. By using our KYC services, users consent to the use of ChatGPT, and other AI providers that may be later implemented, as part of our KYC process,” the document states.

The introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) into the KYC process brings a new layer of complexity to how user data is shared and processed.

These concerns add to a growing list of issues surrounding Pi Network. The community has previously highlighted technical difficulties during the mainnet migration. In addition, many users, frustrated by the long lockup period and limited immediate access to their tokens, have been trying to sell their accounts.

This dissatisfaction has resulted in a sharp decline in Pi Network’s popularity. According to Google Trends, the search interest for “Pi Network” has dropped significantly since the mainnet launch on February 20. 

 pi coin
Pi Network Search Interest. Source: Google Trends

On launch day, the search interest was at 100, indicating a peak of public attention and excitement surrounding the event. However, this figure has plummeted to just 12 at the time of this report, reflecting a steep decline in interest

The post Pi Network’s Centralization Worries Grow as Core Team Holds 82.8 Billion Pi Coins appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Industry Leaders Discuss the Prospects of a Solana ETF Approval in 2025

Solana has emerged as a powerful presence in the crypto industry. Since its inception in 2020, the network has dominated the market, demonstrating remarkable levels of user engagement and practical utility, particularly in decentralized finance (DeFi). Many in the industry view it as the next natural contender to receive an ETF approval in the United States.

However, others are more cautious in their evaluations. BeInCrypto spoke with representatives from Gravity, Variant, and OKX to understand the areas where Solana is still lacking. Industry leaders referred to centralization, network reliability, and excessive regulation as points of contention for Solana’s ETF approval.

Bitcoin and Ethereum’s Precedent

‭The availability of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for prominent cryptocurrencies has grown over the past year. These funds offer investors diversified investment opportunities and act as a bridge between traditional finance and the increasingly mainstream cryptocurrency market.

Bitcoin became the first cryptocurrency to have spot ETFs approved by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in January 2024. The SEC’s approval of 11 such ETFs enabled investors to access Bitcoin through indirect investment.‭ Last‬‭ May,‬‭ Ethereum‬‭ closely‬‭ followed‬‭ suit‬‭ with its own ETF approval.

‭Like‬‭ Bitcoin,‬‭ this‬‭ approval‬‭ proved‬‭ a‬‭ significant‬‭ milestone‬‭ for‬‭ the‬‭ industry‬‭ .‬‭ The‬‭ success‬ ‭of‬‭ both‬‭ of‬‭ these‬‭ digital‬‭ assets‬‭ in‬‭ achieving‬‭‬‭ ETF‬‭ approval‬‭ after‬‭ years‬‭ of‬‭ trial‬‭ and‬‭ error‬‭ saw‬ ‭ substantial‬‭ inflows and‬‭ drove‬‭ prices‬‭ to‬‭ record‬‭ highs,‬‭ sparking‬‭ optimism‬‭ among‬‭ investors‬‭ and‬‭ market analysts.

Solana positions itself to be the next cryptocurrency in line to seek its very own‬‭ ETF‬‭ approval.‬‭ Yesterday marked the end of the 240-day review period for some of the first Solana ETF filings, notably from VanEck and 21Shares, which were filed in mid-2024. 

Soon after the deadline expired, the SEC delayed ETF applications for Solana, XRP, Litecoin, and Dogecoin after facing recent criticism for its pro-crypto actions.

Meanwhile, the deadline for some filings, including Grayscale’s, was extended until October. Nonetheless, posts on X and some analytical reports suggest yesterday’s deadline as a date of interest for an initial or consolidated SEC response to several applications.

2025 Predictions and Market Expectations

The tentative approval of a Solana ETF has generated much debate across social media platforms. ETF President Nate Geraci formally predicted that 2025 would be the year of crypto ETFs and that Solana would receive its approval this year. 

Per previous reports, former Trump White House Secretary Anthony Scaramucci expressed that, with a Trump reelection, Solana ETFs could gain approval during Q1 of 2025. According to his predictions, Solana would receive the SEC’s green light during the next two weeks. 

Meanwhile, the prediction market Polymarket estimates an 82% chance that a Solana ETF will get approved in 2025. 

According to a Polymarket poll, Solana has an 82% chance of getting an ETF approval in 2025.
According to a Polymarket poll, Solana has an 82% chance of getting an ETF approval in 2025. Source: Polymarket

Several factors make an imminent Solana ETF approval seem plausible. Less than five years after the network launched, Solana quickly became a major player in the crypto industry, attracting users for its high transaction speeds and low gas fees. 

“From a network perspective, Solana’s performance has been remarkable, now driving nearly‬‭ 50% of all global DEX volume– a dominance that fundamentally reshapes the DeFi landscape.‬‭ The blockchain is not just handling unprecedented transaction volumes… it’s transforming our understanding of blockchain scalability at scale,” Lennix Lai, Global Chief Commercial Officer at OKX told BeInCrypto. 

Solana has established itself as a dynamic force in the crypto industry following a successful 2024. 

A Messari report detailed particular growth in Solana’s final quarter across DeFi, liquid staking, NFTs, and institutional involvement. The total value locked (TVL) in Solana’s DeFi sector increased substantially, growing by 64% to $8.6 billion, which placed it behind Ethereum as the second-largest network based on TVL.

Solana’s positive performance, coupled with Donald Trump’s reelection to the US presidency, further amplified the crypto industry’s optimism over an ETF approval. 

However, some industry experts have expressed more tempered expectations. 

Experts Offer Tempered Expectations

A few days before Trump assumed the presidency, Bloomberg Intelligence analyst James Seyffart said Solana ETFs may not be launched in the US until 2026. He cited the SEC’s precedent of taking a lot of time to review filings as the cause for delay. 

In another post, Bloomberg Senior ETF analyst Eric Balchunas said that ETF approvals for other cryptocurrencies were more likely to occur before Solana.

“We expect a wave of cryptocurrency ETFs next year, albeit not all at once. First out is likely the BTC + ETH combo ETFs, then prob Litecoin (bc its fork of btc = commodity), then HBAR (bc not labeled security) and then XRP/Solana (which have been labeled securities in pending lawsuits),” Balchunas said.

Balchunas further explained that complex legal issues around Solana, relating to its status as a security, need to be resolved before it can gain ETF approval. Consequently, he deemed the approval of Litecoin or Hedera ETFs more likely.

Uncertainty over whether Solana classifies as a security is a major driver fueling doubts over its ETF approval.

Security Classification Concerns

‬Martins Benkitis, co-founder and CEO of Gravity, explained that Solana’s regulatory classification complicates its path to approval.

“‬‭It’s‬‭ no‬‭ secret‬‭ there’s‬‭ currently‬‭ a‬‭ lack‬‭ of‬‭ precedent‬‭ for‬‭ Layer-1‬‭ blockchains‬‭ beyond‬‭ Bitcoin‬‭ and‬‭ Ethereum‬‭ in‬‭ the‬‭ ETF‬‭ space,‬‭ this‬‭ suggests‬‭ cautious‬‭ optimism‬‭ but‬‭ with‬‭ higher‬‭ regulatory‬‭ hurdles.‬‭ Bitcoin, being a commodity in the SEC’s eyes, and Ethereum’s gradual transition to PoS had different legal‬‭ considerations.‬‭ Solana, on the other hand,‬‭ faces‬‭ concerns‬‭ over‬‭ potential‬‭ classification‬‭ as‬‭ a‬‭ security‬‭ due‬‭ to‬‭ its token distribution and foundation’s involvement,” Benkitis told BeInCrypto. 

The SEC identified Solana as a security in lawsuits against Binance and Coinbase over the past two years, although these lawsuits have since been dropped. The SEC argued that these tokens could be considered investment contracts under the Howey Test.

While some interpreted the SEC’s lawsuit withdrawal as a softening stance on Solana’s security classification, others quickly challenged this assumption.

“There is no reason to think [the] SEC has decided SOL is a non-security. That they don’t want to do discovery on a dozen tokens in the Binance case appears to be a litigation tactic, not a change in policy,” said Jake Chervinsky, Chief Legal Officer at Variant, following the Binance lawsuit withdrawal in July 2024.

Others believe that a pro-crypto administration should be enough to influence the SEC to consider Solana as a non-security. Lai disagrees.

“‭The changing political landscape, particularly with Trump’s victory and pro-crypto stance, could‬‭ create a more constructive environment for innovative blockchain platforms like Solana.‬‭ However, the technical and market structure considerations will remain crucial regardless of‬‭ administration changes,” he said.

In the meantime, there are several other requirements Solana must meet.

Requirements Beyond Market Demand

In‬‭ determining‬‭ whether‬‭ an‬‭ ETF‬‭ is‬‭ fit‬‭ for‬‭ approval,‬‭ the‬‭ SEC‬‭ requires‬‭ the‬‭ product‬‭ to‬‭ meet‬‭ strict‬‭ regulatory‬‭ standards.‬‭ These‬‭ include‬‭ compliance‬‭ and‬‭ adherence‬‭ to‬‭ existing‬‭ financial‬‭ regulations,‬‭ ‬‭ sufficient‬‭ market‬‭ demand‬‭ from‬‭ institutional‬‭ and‬‭ retail‬‭ investors,‬‭ reliable‬‭ custody‬‭ solutions,‬‭ high‬‭ liquidity levels, and rigorous asset performance and governance transparency.‬

‭On his part, Lai added other aspects to the list of considerations.

“‭While Polymarket shows high odds for 2025 approval, several critical factors suggest a more‬ complex pathway:‬‭ Solana’s technological architecture presents‬‭ unique challenges with its PoS‬‭ mechanism‬; The absence of CME futures raises liquidity‬‭ and risk management concerns‬; Historical network downtime incidents need‬‭ addressing‬; Centralization questions relative to BTC and‬‭ ETH remain unresolved‬; ‬‭ Institutional interest hasn’t matched BTC‬‭ and ETH levels despite the network driving‬‭ 48% of global DEX volume‬;‬‭ [and] the temporary nature of trending themes suggests‬‭ caution in using current volumes‬‭ as primary indicators‬,” Lai told BeInCrypto. 

Concerns about centralization and scalability have long been discussed regarding Solana, even outside of discussions over an ETF approval.

Addressing Network Reliability

‬In‬‭ certain‬‭ aspects,‬‭ Solana‬‭ faces‬‭ more‬‭ obstacles‬‭ than‬‭ in‬‭ the‬‭ case‬‭ of‬‭ Bitcoin‬‭ and‬‭ Ethereum, one‬‭ of‬‭ which is‬‭ market‬‭ manipulation.‬‭ 

Since 2021, Solana has suffered over a dozen network outages varying in severity. These outages have jeopardized the network’s reputation as stable and reliable– two strongly considered characteristics during the ETF approval process.

“From‬‭ a market making standpoint, network reliability is crucial as any downtime or congestion can significantly impact trading operations and order execution,” Benkitis affirmed.

However, Solana has successfully curbed the number of outages it has experienced. Once notorious for the frequency of its shutdowns, the last time Solana experienced one was in February 2024.

Meanwhile, developers designed Solana’s upcoming Firedancer validator client to improve network stability and transaction processing. Its distinct codebase offers greater resilience against widespread outages and will enhance Solana’s performance.

Yet, Solana must also mitigate centralization concerns to improve its chances of obtaining ETF approval.

Centralization Concerns

Solana’s validator node requirements, which demand significant hardware investments, can create barriers to entry. These obstacles can potentially concentrate power within the network among those capable of affording the necessary infrastructure.

In turn, the protocol’s limited number of validators compared to other networks raises concerns over centralization. For context, while Solana currently has around 2,000 active validators, Ethereum passed the one million benchmark last year—the largest number recorded by any blockchain network.

Though Solana’s hardware reliance speeds up the network, it also raises decentralization concerns. Benkitis factored this aspect into his evaluation of an ETF approval.

“‭Strong‬‭ institutional‬‭ demand‬‭ can‬‭ bolster‬‭ Solana’s‬‭ case,‬‭ providing‬‭ more‬‭ liquidity‬‭ and‬‭ market‬‭ depth,‬‭ which‬‭ market‬‭ makers‬‭ will‬‭ welcome‬‭ with‬‭ open‬‭ arms,‬‭ but‬‭ it‬‭ might‬‭ not‬‭ be‬‭ enough‬‭ to‬‭ counterbalance‬‭ regulatory‬‭ concerns‬‭ surrounding‬‭ security‬‭ classifications and centralisation,” he said. 

Other considerations also remain.

Futures Market Infrastructure and Volatility

Its currently underdeveloped futures market infrastructure further complicates Solana’s viability as an ETF candidate. 

Its filings‬‭ were‬‭ unprecedented‬‭ because‬‭ the‬‭ network‬‭ did‬‭ not‬‭ have‬‭ a‬‭ previously‬ ‭established‬‭ futures‬‭ market. This factor was crucial in determining an ETF approval for Bitcoin‬‭ and‬‭ Ethereum‬.‬

“The lack of CME futures and institutional frameworks comparable to BTC/ETH could influence‬ [the SEC’s] evaluation,” Lai said. 

He added that the proliferation of meme tokens minted on Solana could present themselves as a potential roadblock.

“‭‬‭Market reactions reflect Solana’s emergence as the primary driver of this cycle, with DEX‬‭ volumes exceeding $100 billion and dominating major aggregators. However, I believe the‬ ‭temporary nature of trending themes suggests continued volatility. While technological advancement and growing institutional adoption may provide stronger foundations, we need to maintain perspective on the cyclical nature of crypto trends,” Lai said.

This more recent development in Solana’s attraction also brings its set of downsides. 

Meme Coin Influence and Regulatory Concerns

The expanding meme coin market on Solana partially explains its popularity. Platforms like Pump.fun allow anyone to launch their tokens, and this design has even led to celebrities launching their tokens on the platform.

More recently, political figures like Donald Trump and Argentine president Javier Milei have also launched meme tokens on Solana platforms. Yet, these activities have proven to be high-risk. In many cases, meme coin investments have caused smaller retailers millions of dollars in losses.

Benkitis said that the SEC might frown upon the speculative nature of these trading activities.

“While‬‭ an ETF‬‭ approval‬‭ could‬‭ unlock‬‭ liquidity‬‭ opportunities,‬‭ the‬‭ market’s‬‭ heavy‬‭ dependence‬‭ on‬‭ speculative sentiment calls for a measured and cautious approach,” he said. 

With so many considerations, approving a Solana ETF in 2025 is far from guaranteed. The SEC’s eventual decision will be a defining moment for the network and the broader crypto industry.

The post Industry Leaders Discuss the Prospects of a Solana ETF Approval in 2025 appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Crypto Market Recovers from Heavy Sell-Offs, Boosted by Macro Trends

After a rough start to the week with massive liquidations, the crypto market has finally experienced some relief, with a rebound driven by favorable broader macroeconomic changes. 

Liquidations over the past day totaled $384.4 million, a significant drop from previous days. Meanwhile, the global market cap rose 1.1% over the last day.

Crypto Market Recovers After Massive Liquidations

The market’s dip was primarily driven by fears of a global recession, trade wars, and broader macroeconomic uncertainty. As a result, Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) plunged to monthly and yearly lows.

This sharp decline led to widespread liquidations. Nearly $1 billion was liquidated from the market yesterday. Nonetheless, the latest data paints a slightly more favorable picture.

According to Coinglass data, $384.4 million was liquidated in the past 24 hours. Of this, $138.2 million came from long positions, while $246.2 million were short positions. 

crypto liquidation
Crypto Market Liquidation. Source: Coinglass

Specifically, Bitcoin saw $186.7 million in liquidations, with $146.0 million attributed to short positions. Ethereum experienced $73.6 million in liquidations, with $40.3 million from long positions and $33.1 million from short positions.

Meanwhile, Bitcoin regained ground over $80,000, trading at $82,299. This marked a 3.6% increase over the past day. 

bitcoin price
Bitcoin Price Performance. Source: BeInCrypto

Notably, the recovery could be attributed to recent diplomatic developments. According to Bloomberg, Ukraine agreed to a temporary 30-day ceasefire in response to a US proposal. This has reduced geopolitical tensions that had previously weighed on the market. 

Furthermore, Ontario suspended 25% tariffs on electricity exports to Michigan, New York, and Minnesota. This was also a major step towards easing trade tensions.

US political figures, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, have also provided much-needed reassurance to the markets. Johnson suggested that President Trump’s economic policies, which initially contributed to market instability, would eventually stabilize the economy

“Give the president a chance to have these policies play out,” he said.

In addition, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt noted that the market dip represented a temporary state rather than a definitive or permanent trend. 

“We are in a period of economic transition,” Leavitt stated.

She emphasized the idea that market numbers, such as stock prices, trading volumes, and liquidations, reflect a specific point in time and can evolve. These combined factors—political reassurances, easing trade tensions, and a reduction in geopolitical risks—have contributed to the crypto market’s recent recovery.

The post Crypto Market Recovers from Heavy Sell-Offs, Boosted by Macro Trends appeared first on BeInCrypto.

EU Officials Warn US Stablecoin Push Could Undermine Euro Stability

The European Stability Mechanism (ESM) has raised concerns that the United States’ growing support for dollar-backed stablecoins could threaten Europe’s financial stability and monetary sovereignty.

These concerns come as stablecoin regulation gains traction in the US. US national banks and federal savings associations can offer services without prior regulatory approval.

EU Warns US Stablecoins Could Threaten Euro Stability

Pierre Gramegna emphasized the urgency of the European Central Bank’s (ECB) digital euro initiative as a countermeasure. As the Managing Director of the ESM, Gramegna urged expedition to preserve the country’s monetary sovereignty and financial stability.

“It could eventually reignite foreign and US tech giant’s plans to launch mass payment solutions based on dollar-denominated stablecoins. And, if this were to be successful, it could affect the euro area’s monetary sovereignty and financial stability,” Gramegna stated at a Eurogroup meeting.

The EU is advancing its digital euro project to safeguard its financial independence. The ECB has long warned that reliance on US-backed stablecoins could weaken the euro.

He echoes recent remarks by ECB official Piero Cipollone during an early February interview. Then, Cipollone indicated that the Trump administration’s support for stablecoins would likely accelerate legislation surrounding the digital euro. Such an outcome, he said, would position it as a necessary alternative.

“The US and Europe have differing views on stablecoins. The Trump administration sees them as a tool to strengthen the US dollar’s global presence, whereas the ECB fears they could destabilize Europe’s financial system,” Cipollone explained.

The ESM supports the ECB’s digital euro project and the European Commission’s efforts to revise the MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) directive. Gramegna emphasized that these measures are critical in preventing a scenario in which European consumers and businesses become overly reliant on US-backed stablecoins.

Indeed, these concerns come as the United States government has increasingly favored crypto, particularly stablecoins pegged to the US dollar. Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller recently asserted that stablecoins could enhance the US dollar’s global role.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has also advocated for stablecoin regulation to solidify their role in financial markets. Meanwhile, new rules now permit US banks to offer stablecoin services, signaling further integration of stablecoins into traditional finance (TradFi).

These developments could accelerate the dominance of US-backed stablecoins in global transactions. Reports suggest that even Bank of America (BoA) is exploring launching its own stablecoin, while Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire is pushing for mandatory US registration of stablecoin issuers.

The debate over stablecoins mirrors broader geopolitical concerns. The dollar’s dominance in digital payments could grow as US financial institutions integrate stablecoins into their services. This could limit the euro’s influence.

European policymakers advocate for a strong regulatory framework and an accelerated timeline for the digital euro’s rollout to counter this.

The post EU Officials Warn US Stablecoin Push Could Undermine Euro Stability appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Top 3 Crypto Narratives to Watch For the Second Week of March

Perpetuals, Made In USA coins, and meme coins are the top three crypto narratives to watch for the second week of March. Perpetuals tokens like HYPE and WOO are down over 12%, but strong trading activity and high revenue suggest a potential rebound.

Made In USA coins, including PI, ADA, and HBAR, have suffered major losses amid broader market turmoil, but the recovery could be near if market conditions stabilize. Meme coins have been hit hard, but their history of sharp rebounds suggests they could lead the next rally if sentiment shifts.

Perpetuals

Perpetuals coins appear to be setting up for a rebound after a rough week, with HYPE and WOO both down more than 12% in the last seven days. Perpetuals platforms are exchanges that allow traders to buy and sell perpetual futures contracts, which have no expiration date.

These platforms use a funding mechanism to keep contract prices aligned with the spot market while enabling traders to take long or short positions with leverage.

Despite the recent downturn in some perpetuals tokens, the sector continues to see strong activity, with high trading volumes and fees generated across key platforms.

Biggest Perpetuals Coins by Market Cap.
Biggest Coins by Market Cap (Perpetuals). Source: CoinGecko.

Hyperliquid remains the dominant force in the perpetuals space, generating an impressive $12 million in fees over the past week, outperforming major DeFi apps like Jito, Maker, Solana, Ethereum, Raydium, and Pumpfun.

However, this level of dominance also suggests that the market has room for competitors to emerge and challenge its position. Arkham, for instance, has surged 14% in the last 24 hours. That signals that some traders are betting on alternative projects within the perpetuals ecosystem.

Overall, these trends make perpetuals one of the must-watch crypto narratives of the week.

Made In USA Coins

The biggest Made In USA coins have all suffered significant losses in the past week, with PI dropping 22.6%. ADA and HBAR both down 18.9%. Made In USA coins refer to cryptocurrencies that have strong ties to the United States, whether through their founding team or company headquarters.

This category includes projects that often attract regulatory scrutiny or benefit from US-based institutional backing. The latest downturn aligns with broader market weakness, as both the crypto and stock markets have been hit hard in the past 24 hours.

top crypto narratives - Biggest Made In USA Coins by Market Cap.
Biggest Made In USA Coins by Market Cap. Source: CoinGecko.

The US stock market saw a massive $4 trillion wipeout following Trump’s push for new tariffs. Given the scale of this correction, a potential rebound could be on the horizon if investors view the recent dip as an overreaction. That could positively impact crypto, driving a new surge.

Historically, sharp declines in both crypto and equities have been followed by strong recoveries, especially when macroeconomic fears subside.

While the downtrend remains intact for now, a shift in sentiment could trigger a bounce for Made In USA coins if market conditions stabilize.

Meme Coins

Meme coins remain one of the most volatile crypto narratives. They often experience the biggest surges during bullish phases and the sharpest corrections during downturns.

This volatility has been evident in the past week, as the biggest meme coins have taken a heavy hit. Dogecoin (DOGE), the largest meme coin by market cap, has dropped more than 17% in the last seven days.

TRUMP is down over 14%, and PEPE and BONK have both lost more than 10% during the same period.

Biggest Meme Coins by Market Cap.
Biggest Meme Coins by Market Cap. Source: CoinGecko.

However, if the crypto market stages a rebound this week, meme coins could see some of the strongest recoveries. Historically, these assets tend to outperform in fast-moving uptrends due to their speculative nature and the rapid inflow of retail interest.

The last major surges in meme coins occurred after broader market rebounds reignited hype and aggressive buying activity.

If sentiment shifts and liquidity returns, DOGE, TRUMP, PEPE, and BONK could quickly reclaim lost ground. That could potentially lead to another wave of explosive gains in the meme coin sector.

The post Top 3 Crypto Narratives to Watch For the Second Week of March appeared first on BeInCrypto.