How Bitcoin Has Reached a Weekly High Despite Middle East Tensions
Bitcoin rose despite a decline in equities, as analysts cite crypto‑specific demand and geopolitical tensions that are boosting energy markets.
Bitcoin rose despite a decline in equities, as analysts cite crypto‑specific demand and geopolitical tensions that are boosting energy markets.
Stani Kulechov, the founder of Aave, reported that a user ignored a warning and proceeded with the swap despite “extraordinary slippage.” At the same time, a MEV bot also targeted the large transaction.
U.S. spot Ethereum ETFs attracted $72.45 million on March 12, 2025, marking a third consecutive day of net inflows. The flow equals about 107.9 billion won and signals rising confidence among institutional and retail investors. Continuous inflows suggest a strengthening demand for regulated ETH exposure. BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum Trust added $18.77 million, while Fidelity’s fund led with $52.02 million. Smaller contributions came from Bitwise and Franklin, each under $1 million. Direct purchases of physical ETH by these funds can lift price pressure through simple supply‑demand dynamics. SEC approval in 2024 cleared the path for spot ETH ETFs, differentiating them from futures‑based products. Compared with early Bitcoin ETFs, Ethereum’s average daily inflow is lower (~$85 million vs $250 million) but shows a steadier pattern. The calmer uptake reflects investors’ focus on ETH’s utility in DeFi and smart contracts. The inflows legitimize Ethereum as an institutional‑grade asset and encourage new financial products worldwide. Transparent flow data reduces market speculation, while management fees create a sustainable revenue stream for asset managers. Custodial staking of the held ETH also supports network security and decentralisation.
About 14.5 million BTC have not moved for over five months, indicating strong holder confidence. These coins are unlikely to re‑enter the market soon. The inactivity reflects a broader shift toward private, cold‑storage solutions. This deep freeze limits sell‑side pressure on prices. Centralized exchanges now hold roughly 2.75 million BTC, the lowest level since 2019. That’s a loss of nearly half a million coins in two years. Daily withdrawals have peaked at 32,000 BTC, keeping net flows negative. Reduced on‑exchange supply tightens market liquidity. Public companies have accumulated close to 350,000 BTC, pulling supply from trade venues. Spot Bitcoin ETFs added about $570 million net inflows in a single week. The combined draw creates a supply squeeze that can amplify price moves. Demand from institutions now outweighs the shrinking exchange inventory. Bitcoin has recovered to a $67‑71 k band after a February dip to the low $60 k range. Breaking $72 k could trigger forced buy‑backs, adding upward momentum. Miners’ breakeven costs sit near $64‑65 k, so sustained lower prices might force sales. Continued price rise depends on fresh demand matching holder conviction.
Ghana is progressing with the rollout of the Virtual Asset Service Providers Act of 2025, employing a new pilot program to test its implementation.
The People’s Bank of China set the USD/CNY reference rate at 6.9007, up from 6.8959. This 48‑basis‑point weakening signals a deliberate monetary policy shift. Analysts view the move as a cue to China’s economic management strategy. The daily fixing is calculated from the previous close, overnight dollar movements, and a basket of major currencies. It serves as the benchmark for mainland yuan trading within a permitted band. Today’s adjustment fits normal volatility but carries policy meaning. Economists say the change balances export competitiveness, capital flow control, and financial stability. Global forex volumes rose in Asian sessions, and derivatives pricing adjusted to the new benchmark. Corporations with China exposure are revising hedging strategies accordingly. China has moved from a strict peg to a managed float, adding market‑oriented elements since 2015. Recent technical drivers include dollar strength and shifts in the CFETS currency basket. The 6.9007 fixing continues the PBOC’s gradual, calibrated approach to exchange‑rate management.
Brevis introduced a complete media authenticity platform on March 9, 2026. The solution enables images and videos to cryptographically verify their source while safeguarding user information. It is marketed under the name Brevis Vera. The new system moves the industry focus from merely detecting manipulated content to providing verifiable proof of authenticity. Developed by Brevis, a zero‑knowledge‑proof computing firm, the platform aims to address the growing online trust crisis.
ETH is showing a short‑term rebound within an overall downtrend, yet the situation remains high‑risk because of strong resistance zones and Bitcoin’s bearish impact. Investors are advised to keep stop‑loss orders just below $2,017 and to aim for tight profit limits.
In the past 24 hours crypto perpetual futures saw forced closures worth about $189.68 million. Short positions suffered the bulk of the pain, accounting for roughly three‑quarters of all liquidations. The data, drawn from major exchanges, signals acute stress in leveraged trading during rapid price moves. Bitcoin futures lost $97.69 million, with 71.46 % of those liquidations coming from shorts. Ethereum saw $78.48 million wiped out, 74.8 % of which were short bets. Even Solana experienced $13.51 million in closures, 82.23 % short, underscoring a coordinated price surge across top assets. Perpetual contracts have no expiry and allow high leverage, but exchanges enforce maintenance margins. When a position falls below the margin threshold, it is automatically closed – a liquidation. Large liquidations force the exchange to buy or sell the underlying spot asset, pushing price further and potentially triggering more liquidations in a feedback loop. The short‑heavy liquidations indicate a rapid upward swing that created a temporary short squeeze, resetting extreme bearish positioning. Traders are reminded to use modest leverage, set stop‑losses, and monitor aggregate liquidation metrics. Modern exchanges employ insurance funds to smooth cascades, yet individual risk remains unchanged.
Polygon is attracting interest due to its integration with Mastercard. The partnership has sparked a notable rise in transfer activity. Consequently, exchanges are witnessing larger outflows of the token.
Sui testnet now runs a decentralized Seal key server built on multi‑party computation (MPC). The system splits encryption authority across several independent nodes, removing the traditional single point of failure. This marks a shift toward more resilient key management for blockchain applications. MPC lets participating servers jointly compute cryptographic functions without exposing full key material. No single node ever holds the complete key, dramatically lowering attack surface and raising computational cost for attackers. The design is compatible with existing Sui SDKs, allowing seamless integration. Developers can add strong encryption without deep cryptographic expertise, as the server works with current SDKs and customizable access policies. End‑users retain familiar payment experiences while enjoying enhanced data protection. The testnet phase enables performance tuning and independent security audits. Sui plans mainnet rollout, protocol optimizations, and broader cryptographic features. Successful deployment could set new standards for decentralized security across blockchain networks and regulated industries. Ongoing scalability tests will ensure the system can grow with the ecosystem.
On March 16, 2025 POAP announced it will cease developing new services. The team will keep existing systems while redirecting effort to an Open Collectibles Standard and next‑gen infrastructure. General Manager Isabel Gonzalez said the pivot favors sustainability, ending new onboarding but preserving current user access. POAP’s original design targeted niche event badges and does not scale to a broader market. Adding features risked technical debt and a deteriorating user experience. The planned Open Collectibles Standard will act like ERC‑721, enabling interoperable attestation tokens, while a next‑gen infrastructure may use layer‑2 or cross‑chain solutions to reduce costs. Existing POAP collections stay viewable and APIs remain functional, though support may taper and no new features will appear. Community reaction is mixed; some feel abandoned, others welcome the focus on open standards. The move reflects a broader industry shift toward sustainable protocol development, potentially spurring enterprise adoption.
Binance will remove TrueUSD (TUSD) and Alchemix (ALCX) from the collateral pool of its VIP Loan service at 12:00 a.m. UTC on March 30. Borrowers must either repay outstanding loans or add other approved assets to keep their loan‑to‑value ratios. Failure to act will trigger automatic liquidation. The change targets high‑net‑worth and institutional users who rely on leveraged positions. TUSD, a fiat‑backed stablecoin, has faced questions about reserve transparency, while ALCX is a governance token known for price volatility. Binance’s review focuses on liquidity depth, market risk, and evolving stablecoin regulations. Low usage of these tokens further reduces their justification as collateral. The move aims to tighten risk exposure in the lending portfolio. On‑chain data shows modest token movement in Binance‑linked wallets, and overall market prices remain largely unchanged. Binance continues to accept major assets such as BTC, ETH, and other leading stablecoins. The decision aligns with a global trend toward stricter crypto‑lending standards and may prompt similar revisions across the sector. Users are advised to diversify collateral and monitor future policy updates.
The USD/JPY pair fell about 0.8% as the yen rallied in early Asian trade. Analysts cite stronger warnings from Japan’s finance ministry and overbought technical conditions as triggers. The move occurs despite a robust Dollar Index near 105, making the yen’s bounce tactical rather than a trend reversal. Tokyo’s history of large‑scale yen‑buying, last seen in October 2022, fuels speculation of fresh action. Officials have labeled recent moves “excessive” and “speculative‑driven,” language that historically precedes intervention. Potential action would likely be timed in low‑liquidity periods, using Japan’s $1.3 trillion reserve pool, and may involve tacit U.S. coordination. The upcoming US core PCE release is the Fed’s key inflation gauge and will shape USD/JPY direction. A reading above 0.4% month‑over‑month could push the dollar toward 160, erasing yen gains, while a soft print may keep rates steady and allow the yen to test 155. Traders anticipate heightened volatility around the data. The yen’s weakness reflects a 5‑percentage‑point yield gap between the Fed and BOJ, driving capital outflows from Japan. While exporters benefit, higher import costs strain households and raise inflation worries. Regional currencies often follow yen trends, so any shift reverberates across Asian markets and influences ECB policy considerations.
Binance will list the KAT token for spot trading at 13:00 UTC on March 18 2025. The launch includes standard pairs such as USDT or BUSD. Initial trading will use a post‑only period to seed liquidity. The KAT listing bears Binance’s Seed Tag, indicating higher volatility and early‑stage risk. Traders must complete a quiz confirming they understand these risks before they can trade. The label promotes transparency and aligns with evolving investor‑protection standards. Binance’s deep liquidity is expected to raise KAT’s visibility and trading volume instantly. Past Seed Tag listings show sharp price discovery in the first 24‑72 hours, offering both upside and downside. Long‑term price will be driven by the project’s milestones rather than the listing event alone. By 2025, regulations such as Europe’s MiCA are in force, and Binance’s tagging exceeds basic compliance. The listing grants legitimacy and may attract DeFi integrations and institutional attention. Success will depend on the team’s roadmap execution and broader community engagement.
A Reuters poll predicts the RBA will lift the cash rate to 4.10% on March 17, a 25‑bp increase from the current 3.85%. This would be the highest level since early 2012. Nearly 90% of surveyed economists forecast the hike. The rise is driven by core inflation staying above the 2‑3% target. Tight labour markets and stubborn services prices add pressure. Global central banks remain restrictive, reinforcing the move. A 4.10% rate raises variable mortgage payments, adding about $1,800 per month to a typical $750k loan. Higher borrowing costs curb household spending and hit retail and hospitality. Businesses face tighter credit for new investments. Future decisions will depend on upcoming CPI, employment and retail data. The March statement will hint at the terminal rate. The RBA seeks a soft landing, balancing price stability with job preservation.
The pair stays just above the psychological 1.1500 barrier, showing strong technical resilience. Support sits at 1.1500, 1.1480 (50‑day MA) and 1.1450, while resistance lies near 1.1550 and 1.1580. Trading volume is modest as markets await the US PCE inflation release, keeping momentum balanced. The PCE index is the Federal Reserve’s preferred gauge, with analysts expecting a 0.3% monthly rise translating to about 2.8% annual inflation. A reading above expectations could weaken the euro, pushing EUR/USD below 1.1450; a lower figure may boost the pair toward 1.1600. The data will shape Fed rate‑cut projections ahead of its next policy meeting. The ECB remains cautious on inflation, contrasting with Fed signals of possible cuts later in the year, sustaining euro strength. Global factors such as European energy concerns and mixed US economic signals add complexity. Traders are positioning for heightened volatility, with net short bias on the dollar but balanced long interest in EUR/USD.
An anonymous investor withdrew 10,421 ETH from Kraken, worth about $21.6 million, as part of a three‑day buying spree that totalled $152 million. The activity was flagged by on‑chain analytics and shows a concentrated effort to acquire Ethereum. Such large‑scale accumulation is rare and draws immediate market attention. The whale’s withdrawals from a centralized exchange reduce immediate sell pressure, indicating a holding mindset. Consistent purchases over 72 hours suggest deliberate planning rather than impulse trading. Analysts view net outflows from exchanges as a classic bullish signal. The move coincides with positive Ethereum developments, including record Layer‑2 transaction volumes, attractive staking yields, and clearer regulatory frameworks. These fundamentals may reinforce the whale’s confidence in long‑term price appreciation. Both retail and institutional participants are likely to monitor the ripple effects. Previous large whale actions have preceded significant price rallies, but they are just one factor among macro‑economic conditions, liquidity, and technology adoption. While the $152 million buy signals strong conviction, it does not guarantee a specific price outcome. Investors should consider the broader market landscape alongside such signals.
CNN reports Pentagon officials said U.S. intelligence underestimated Iran’s appetite to block the Strait of Hormuz. Planners focused on conventional war, ignoring asymmetric economic tactics. This oversight created a critical gap in U.S. strategic planning. A blockade could double oil prices in days, driving inflation and supply‑chain shocks. Export‑dependent Gulf states like Saudi Arabia and the UAE would lose their main outlet. The U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve covers only 90 days, and pipelines or the Cape route cannot replace most of the flow. Analysts over‑rated Iran’s conventional weakness and missed IRGC capabilities such as mines and swarm boats. Recent “Great Prophet” drills showed Tehran practicing chokepoint‑closure tactics. Deterrence missed Iran’s risk tolerance; future plans must address asymmetric threats and broaden energy supply routes.
BlackRock’s Staked Ethereum ETF (ticker ETHB) opened on March 18, 2025 with $15.5 million traded in its first session. Bloomberg Intelligence called the volume “very solid” for an ETF debut, signaling strong institutional and retail interest. The figure places ETHB in the upper tier of cryptocurrency ETF launches, comparable to many traditional equity ETFs. Analysts attribute the demand to BlackRock’s brand, growing Ethereum acceptance, and the added staking yield. ETHB holds physical ETH and stakes a large portion on the network, returning validator rewards to shareholders as periodic yield. This dual‑mechanism combines price exposure with passive income, removing the need for investors to manage staking themselves. The SEC approved the fund after BlackRock demonstrated robust custody, staking security, and transparent disclosures with leading crypto custodians. The approval suggests regulators are increasingly comfortable with sophisticated crypto‑linked products. The launch underscores continued institutional confidence in Ethereum and validates staking within regulated suites, likely prompting similar products from other managers. It may broaden crypto access for investors who prefer traditional brokerage accounts. However, investors face volatility, regulatory shifts, staking penalties, liquidity constraints, and blockchain technology risks. Advisors typically recommend limiting crypto exposure to a small portion of a diversified portfolio.
In Asian trading hours, crypto futures saw $102 million liquidated within an hour, part of a 24‑hour total of $259 million. Binance, Bybit and OKX reported the highest volumes, with Bitcoin futures making up about 45 % and Ethereum 30 %. The event marked one of the quarter’s most intense cascades. A 3.5 % dip in Bitcoin sparked stop‑loss orders, while rising funding rates and thin liquidity amplified the sell‑off. Mostly long positions (≈75 %) were forced to close, creating a liquidation cascade that briefly widened bid‑side gaps. Open interest fell around 8 % as leveraged contracts were unwound. Analysts stress proper position sizing, proactive stop‑losses and monitoring of funding rates to avoid forced liquidations. Using cross‑margin accounts and diversifying across exchanges can reduce slippage and platform risk. Exchanges’ automated engines functioned as designed, though lower‑tier platforms saw higher slippage. Regulators view such spikes as signals for tighter leverage limits on retail traders. Institutional funds typically cap leverage below 3 ×, helping dampen extreme volatility. Ongoing improvements like circuit breakers and volatility‑targeted sizing aim to make crypto derivatives safer.
Bird notes that SWIFT’s shift to ISO 20022 and its blockchain experiments create overlap with firms linked to Ripple and the XRP Ledger. He argues the market may underestimate how tokenisation and shared‑ledger tech could boost XRP’s role in institutional finance. The idea is not that SWIFT will replace its network with XRP, but that the two could coexist. The global payments landscape is shifting toward a clear division between messaging and settlement layers. SWIFT can remain the secure coordination layer while value settles on faster blockchain networks. In this model XRP could act as a neutral bridge asset for liquidity. SWIFT’s recent addition of a blockchain‑based shared ledger signals preparation for tokenised asset movement across its 11,500‑institution network. This supports a dual‑layer architecture where settlement occurs on specialised chains and SWIFT handles communication. Such an approach helps incumbents avoid disintermediation. Bird stresses he has no insider insight, but industry incentives and technical trends make SWIFT‑XRP integration less unlikely than assumed. The market may be focusing too narrowly on direct usage rather than complementary roles. XRP was trading around $1.39 at the time.
A crypto trader attempted to swap $50 million of USDT for AAVE and received only about 324 AAVE tokens, worth roughly $36 000. The trader ignored on‑screen warnings about price impact and confirmed the transaction on a smartphone. Decentralized platforms cannot cancel a trade once it is signed on the blockchain, so the loss was irreversible. Decentralized exchanges use token liquidity pools; large orders exhaust the cheap supply and force the price to rise with each additional token bought. Because the AAVE pool lacked sufficient depth, each subsequent token cost more, causing massive slippage. The trade completed as programmed, confirming that the system behaved correctly despite the astronomic price rise. Social media users debated whether platforms should block swaps with excessive slippage or require multiple confirmations. Some suggested breaking large orders into smaller pieces or routing them through deeper liquidity sources. Others argued that imposing such limits would undermine DeFi’s principle of unrestricted user control. Aave’s founder announced plans for clearer warning messages, better routing algorithms, and analytics to show likely price impact before execution. While DeFi empowers users to bypass intermediaries, it also removes traditional safety nets, making mistakes swift and irreversible. The incident highlights the need for stronger user‑focused safeguards without compromising decentralization.
Staking rewards are distributed each month, originating from institutional‑grade Ethereum validators operated by Figment, Galaxy Digital, and Attestant.