This article summarizes cryptocurrency news as of March 12, 2026, focusing on the latest Bitcoin updates, Ethereum upgrades, Dogecoin trends, real-time crypto prices, and price forecasts. Major Web3 events today include:
- Risk of US-Iran conflict rising to 70%, experts warn Bitcoin may face short-term crash
The US-Iran war situation continues to worsen, with forecasts indicating the conflict could last until May, with risks soaring to 70%. As military deployments increase in the Middle East and diplomatic efforts fail, oil prices have surged past $95 per barrel, causing geopolitical tensions to impact global markets. Short-term pressure is mounting on Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
According to Polymarket data, the probability of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz returning to normal by the end of April is only 47%. The Trump administration estimates that the first week of the war caused losses of up to $11.3 billion. Political scientist John Mearsheimer states that the U.S. is at a disadvantage in the Iran conflict, lacking a clear exit strategy. Iran may prolong the war into a long-term attrition, using attacks on Gulf infrastructure to exert economic pressure.
Risk aversion among investors is rising, with the US dollar index (DXY) climbing to 99.5, which also triggers short-term Bitcoin volatility. Kevin Steuer told The David Lin Report that rising oil prices above $100, the VIX index exceeding 30, and escalating Middle East conflicts are signals of a potential Bitcoin crash. He warns that whether Bitcoin bottoms out depends on resolving US-Iran tensions; if conflict escalates, traders may shift to traditional safe-haven assets like gold.
Senior trader Peter Brandt believes oil prices may continue rising after retesting support levels and remains cautious about Bitcoin’s short-term outlook. He notes that while bullish sentiment dominates, price volatility and declining trading volume suggest waning investor interest. Bitcoin currently fluctuates between $68,000 and $71,000, with the current price around $69,822, and 24-hour trading volume down about 10%, indicating a cautious market.
Analysts suggest that if the US-Iran conflict persists, volatility in oil and risk assets will intensify. Crypto investors should monitor geopolitical risks and assess potential Bitcoin pullbacks and safe-haven asset strategies.
- Supply shock imminent? Whales dormant, retail selling intensifies price swings
On-chain data and market analysis indicate Bitcoin may be approaching a supply shock phase. As short-term holders face financial pressures leading to sales, long-term investors and institutional whales remain dormant, signaling structural market changes.
CryptoQuant data shows Bitcoin’s current trading price is about $69,446. On-chain UTXO data reveals 71.41% of holdings are still in profit, while approximately 28.58% are at a loss, mainly among short-term traders. The analysis suggests retail selling under market volatility has increased short-term price pressure, while stable holdings by long-term investors could provide market support.
The Spent Output Profit Ratio (SOPR-STH) for short-term holders is near 0.97, indicating they are selling at a loss. Meanwhile, whales and early investors have hardly moved their holdings on-chain, reflecting continued institutional optimism about Bitcoin’s long-term prospects. Experts believe this contrast between selling and dormancy could foreshadow a potential supply shock.
In this environment, volatility may increase, but tight supply and confidence among long-term investors could support Bitcoin. Analysts recommend monitoring on-chain indicators and whale activity to evaluate liquidity and risks of upward moves or corrections.
Overall, Bitcoin is in a critical adjustment phase. Short-term selling pressure and long-term holding confidence will influence future price trends. If a supply shock fully materializes, prices could enter a new volatile phase, attracting high-net-worth investors and institutional capital.
- XRP Ledger contributes over 15% of global on-chain tokenized goods, with remarkable value growth
Latest data shows XRP Ledger (XRPL) accounts for over 15% of the global on-chain tokenized goods market, ranking second worldwide. Despite overall crypto prices being weak this year, the application of tokenized goods continues to grow, benefiting XRPL significantly.
According to RWA.xyz, since the start of the year, the total value of new tokenized goods on-chain has increased by about $3.4 billion, from $415.1 million to $754.2 million. XRPL contributed $1.029 billion of this growth, representing one-third of the global increase. The value of tokenized goods on XRPL has surged from $111 million to $1.14 billion, mainly driven by Justoken’s JMWH energy products and Ctrl Alt’s diamond products, with JMWH tokenizing 8.61 billion USD of megawatt electricity and Diamond products worth $279 million.
Despite ongoing volatility in the crypto market, total market cap has declined from $2.93 trillion to $2.35 trillion, losing over $589 billion, with XRP contributing about $27.58 billion. However, institutional adoption and on-chain applications remain strong, especially in tokenized goods, indicating persistent demand for real-world use cases.
Currently, XRPL accounts for over 15% of global on-chain tokenized goods, second only to Ethereum, which holds $5.4 billion in tokenized assets, mainly Tether and Paxos Gold. XRPL’s rise reflects rapid development in energy and physical commodity tokenization, offering investors and institutions more on-chain asset opportunities.
Overall, XRPL has solidified its position in the global tokenized goods market and highlights the potential of crypto assets in practical applications and institutional adoption, supporting future price trends and ecosystem growth.
- XRP down 45%, spot ETF still holds $971 million AUM, CEO says investor confidence remains strong
Despite XRP’s spot price dropping 45%, Ripple’s XRP spot ETF maintains about $971 million in assets under management, indicating strong market demand. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse commented on this, emphasizing the fund’s stability and ongoing institutional participation through regulated instruments.
Bloomberg ETF analysts note that during market volatility, XRP ETFs have not experienced large redemptions, with net inflows remaining steady. Since launch, the fund’s net assets peaked at $1.65 billion in January but declined to $971 million amid price adjustments. This reflects market price fluctuations rather than investor withdrawals. Garlinghouse states this demonstrates confidence in XRP ETF products and disciplined asset allocation.
In the XRP ETF space, Canary’s XRPC fund leads with $273 million in assets, with total inflows of $419.44 million. Its 0.50% sponsor fee is the highest among peers but has not affected its market leadership. Bitwise follows, with consistent trading volume and liquidity. Franklin D. Roosevelt’s $225.65 million fund ranks third with a 0.19% fee, supporting steady growth. 21Shares’ TOXR fund ranks fourth with $156.11 million, maintaining competitiveness.
Analysts believe the stability of XRP ETF assets shows that, despite short-term price swings, institutional investors remain willing to allocate via regulated funds. This provides transparent investment channels and could support XRP’s price recovery. Garlinghouse emphasizes that ETF capital bases are more resilient than many expect, offering long-term confidence.
- Mainstream CEX listing Pi coin countdown, bullish sentiment rising before Pi Day
Pi Network community is experiencing a major boost as a major exchange announces it will list Pi (PI) trading tomorrow (March 13). This timing closely precedes Pi Day (March 14), just before the community’s annual celebration, sharply increasing market attention on Pi’s price.
The exchange’s support lends institutional credibility and deep liquidity to Pi, seen as a strong fundamental boost. Since the mainnet launched a year ago, Pi Network has expanded its decentralized exchange (PiDEX) and smart contract ecosystem. The listing, combined with Pi Day, creates a “perfect storm” of bullish sentiment.
Technical analysis shows a strong upward trend on the PI/USDT daily chart. The current price is about $0.2347, up 4.13% today, well above the 50-day simple moving average (SMA) of $0.1736, indicating bullish momentum. The SMA provides a solid support level. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is near 69.26, just below the overbought threshold of 70, showing strong buying but potential short-term pullback risk.
Recent price action shows higher highs and higher lows, confirming a stable uptrend. Wicks on candles indicate some volatility and profit-taking at highs, but given the proximity to Pi Day and exchange listing, the rally’s sustainability looks promising.
Overall, the listing and Pi Day festivities are boosting market attention and trading activity. Investors should enjoy the upside potential but remain cautious of short-term volatility and manage entry and profit-taking carefully. This event could catalyze Pi’s breakout from current ranges and start a new upward trend.
- Ripple announces $750 million XRP buyback plan; can token price break out of consolidation?
Ripple announced a $750 million XRP buyback plan, drawing market attention to XRP’s price prospects. This buyback signals the company’s confidence in the long-term value of XRP and may reduce circulating supply, providing upward pressure.
On-chain data shows XRP exchange reserves are shrinking. As of March 10, total XRP held on exchanges dropped to $3.7 billion, the lowest in nearly ten months. Analysts believe investors may be withdrawing XRP from exchanges for long-term holding or accumulation, which, combined with the buyback, could support prices.
Technically, XRP/USDT is consolidating near $1.37. Major resistance lies between $1.45 and $1.50, with a potential to rise toward $1.70–$1.80 if broken. Support is around $1.30, with a key level at $1.20. RSI is around 45, indicating neutral momentum, with potential for both upward and downward moves. The Accumulation/Distribution indicator (A/D) is slightly declining, suggesting cautious market sentiment.
Additionally, XRP’s use in Ripple’s cross-border payment network continues to grow, with increasing institutional interest. If the buyback proceeds and exchange reserves decline further, XRP could see significant support, acting as a short-term catalyst.
Overall, Ripple’s buyback and shrinking supply will be key factors in XRP’s future trend. Investors should monitor overall crypto market conditions to assess whether XRP can break out of its current range and rally anew.
- ARK Invest releases five-stage Bitcoin quantum risk chart; no need to panic about Q-day
ARK Invest and Unchained jointly published a white paper stating that the quantum computing threat to Bitcoin will not appear suddenly on “Q-day” but will develop gradually. They propose a five-stage framework illustrating the timeline from initial quantum applications to potential impacts on Bitcoin’s cryptography.
The report shows that current quantum systems are in Stage 0, with quantum computers existing but not yet commercially valuable, operating in the “NISQ era,” far below the power needed to crack Bitcoin’s elliptic curve cryptography (ECC). Stage 1 involves quantum tech generating value in chemistry and materials science; Stage 2 could break weak cryptosystems. Stage 3 poses a real threat to Bitcoin, but new quantum-resistant addresses can mitigate risks. Stage 4 is critical: if quantum computers can crack private keys faster than the network’s defenses, it threatens Bitcoin’s survival. The white paper emphasizes that quantum-safe addresses and post-quantum cryptography (PQC) are already under development, giving the community time to prepare.
The report outlines three scenarios: pessimistic (sudden breakthrough), balanced (reaching Stage 3 in 10–20 years), and optimistic (development hindered). Regardless, Bitcoin can upgrade with existing anti-quantum solutions to ensure security.
Overall, ARK and Unchained believe Bitcoin is currently safe from quantum threats, but ongoing research and proactive upgrades are essential. The five-stage chart offers a clear perspective on long-term quantum risks and security strategies.
- Foundry Digital launches Zcash mining pool, opening new opportunities for privacy coin miners
Institutional mining service provider Foundry Digital announced it will launch a dedicated Zcash (ZEC) mining pool in April 2026, entering the privacy coin space. The pool aims to provide secure, transparent, and compliant infrastructure for institutional and public miners, filling a gap in professional support.
The new Zcash pool leverages Foundry’s experience with its Bitcoin pool, Foundry USA Pool™, using proven technology and audited processes to ensure stable hash rates and transparent payouts. It will offer real-time reporting, clear payment methods, and 24/7 support to ensure operational security and predictable earnings.
The pool complies with SOC 1 Type 2 and SOC 2 Type 2 standards, meeting regulatory demands for transparency and security. By decentralizing hash power, it aims to reduce network centralization, enhance Zcash’s stability, and promote broader adoption.
Zcash, a leading privacy coin using zero-knowledge proofs, protects transaction privacy while maintaining blockchain verifiability. Foundry’s infrastructure supports privacy-focused institutional miners, enabling participation in compliant mining activities. Transparent audits and professional operations further boost trust and efficiency.
Industry analysts see this move as a sign of growing institutional interest in privacy assets. Zcash and similar coins are entering a more mature, professionalized mining market. Foundry’s expansion strengthens the infrastructure backbone of decentralized finance and privacy-focused crypto ecosystems.
With more institutional miners and compliant infrastructure, Zcash’s network could see more stable hash rate growth and wider adoption, supporting privacy coin use globally. The new mining pool marks a step toward a more mature privacy coin mining industry, offering new opportunities for investors.
- Wall Street giants bet on prediction markets: open interest hits $1.2 billion, while US Congress prepares to regulate
As prediction markets grow, major Wall Street brokerages are entering the space. However, US lawmakers are raising concerns and planning new regulations.
Reports indicate that leading broker Clear Street plans to settle its first trades on prediction platform Kalshi later this month. CEO Ed Tilly said the firm aims to serve more institutional clients and may expand further by late 2026. Meanwhile, UK-based Marex Group is also advancing plans to provide clearing and trading support for event contracts.
Industry experts see the involvement of these brokerages as significant. They typically serve hedge funds and large trading firms, and their participation could lower barriers for institutional capital. Marex’s head Thomas Texier reports that many hedge funds are seeking access to prediction markets.
Data shows rapid growth: Artemis reports that open interest in prediction contracts has reached about $1.2 billion, a record high. Weekly spot trading volume has increased nearly 15-fold over the past year, indicating strong investor demand.
Retail investors, especially Gen Z, are also key drivers, viewing prediction markets as new tools for speculation and risk management amid rising economic pressures and income inequality. Several crypto firms are exploring related business models.
Some asset managers have applied to securitize prediction products. Bitwise and Roundhill have filed for ETFs linked to US election outcomes.
However, regulation is a concern. Senator Chris Murphy is pushing legislation to restrict what he calls “corrupt and destabilizing prediction markets.” He worries some participants may exploit insider info for profit.
Two Democratic senators have proposed banning prediction contracts related to war, assassination, terrorism, and personal death. Industry analysts expect prediction markets to seek a new balance between capital influx and regulatory oversight.
- Ripple teams with Mastercard to launch crypto payment initiative, jointly pushing 85 companies into global digital asset payments
Ripple and Mastercard announced a partnership involving about 85 companies to promote crypto use in commerce. The “Crypto Partner Program” aims to connect Mastercard’s global network with banks, fintechs, and blockchain developers across over 200 countries, accelerating cross-border and merchant settlement.
Participants will co-develop and test blockchain-based payment tools to improve transfer efficiency and reduce costs. Mastercard states that demand for faster, transparent, and cheaper international payments is driving the value of blockchain in global payments.
Ripple’s infrastructure will be central, supporting near-instant settlement and low transaction fees, giving it advantages in cross-border remittances and real-time payments. Integration with Mastercard’s existing system allows businesses to adopt digital asset payments without overhauling their current infrastructure.
The network includes firms like PayPal, Circle, and major CEXs. Participants will evaluate blockchain payment systems in real-world scenarios and explore tokenized payments combined with traditional methods.
Ripple reports that its blockchain has processed over $100 billion in stablecoin payments, demonstrating real-world capability. It also plans to acquire Australian payment firm BC Payments to expand in Asia-Pacific and obtain local licenses.
To support long-term growth, Ripple announced a $750 million share buyback, strengthening capital and funding ongoing R&D and global expansion.
Mastercard says the partnership will host industry forums to address compliance, risk, and cross-border regulation issues. Participants will help set standards for multi-currency support and regulatory compliance.
Industry experts see this as a step toward mainstream adoption of crypto payments, with more companies joining the ecosystem, expanding use cases in remittances, enterprise settlement, and global commerce.
- Metaplanet accelerates expansion: sets up $25 million Bitcoin VC fund and US asset management platform
Japanese listed firm Metaplanet announced the creation of two wholly owned subsidiaries: Metaplanet Ventures, a venture capital firm, and Metaplanet Asset Management in Miami, signaling further expansion of its Bitcoin holdings and digital asset ecosystem. CEO Simon Gerovich confirmed the plan on social media, with board approval.
The VC fund will focus on Japanese Bitcoin infrastructure startups, targeting seed to growth-stage companies in lending, payments, custody, stablecoins, derivatives, and compliance. It will also establish incubators and funding programs to support open-source developers, researchers, and educational initiatives.
The fund’s size is about $25 million, to be invested over two to three years, mainly from profits generated by Metaplanet’s existing Bitcoin business, not from selling holdings.
The first investment is in Japanese stablecoin issuer JPYC Inc., with about ¥400 million (~$2.5 million) in Series B funding. JPYC launched in 2025, pegged 1:1 to JPY via bank deposits and government bonds, operating on Ethereum, Avalanche, and Polygon. Recently, JPYC partnered with Sony Bank to expand stablecoin use in Japan’s entertainment industry.
Beyond VC, Metaplanet established Metaplanet Asset Management in Miami, focusing on digital credit and Bitcoin capital markets, aiming to connect Asian and Western markets. It plans to offer Bitcoin investment products, market advisory, and digital asset regulation services, with future products spanning fixed income, active equities, and volatility strategies.
Metaplanet currently holds about 35,102 BTC (~$2.45 billion), ranking among the largest corporate Bitcoin holders. It aims to increase holdings to 210,000 BTC by 2027.
Financially, the company projects a net loss of ¥95 billion (~$950 million) in 2025, mainly due to unrealized gains/losses on Bitcoin. Gerovich states that core operational profit grew 1,695%, and despite market adjustments, the stock price has tracked Bitcoin’s price movements closely.
- US SEC and CFTC sign new crypto regulatory memorandum, unified framework may reshape global crypto landscape
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) have officially signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance cooperation on crypto asset regulation. This move is seen as a pivotal step in establishing a clearer regulatory environment in the U.S., ending long-standing jurisdiction disputes.
The agencies announced that Chair Paul Atkins (SEC) and Chair Michael Selig (CFTC) will share data, coordinate enforcement, and develop unified rules. The new framework aims to reduce overlapping registration and enforcement conflicts, increasing transparency and investor protection.
Atkins said the updated MOU provides a clear roadmap for collaboration, helping the U.S. maintain leadership in fintech and digital assets. Selig emphasized that both agencies will work toward a unified financial regulatory system to foster stable development of emerging markets.
The cooperation aligns with broader U.S. policy initiatives, including Trump’s digital asset strategy and the ongoing “CLARITY Act” discussions in Congress. The new mechanism will clarify classification, jurisdiction, and compliance standards for crypto assets, reducing uncertainty for market participants.
Specific focus areas include modernizing clearing, margin, and collateral frameworks, and exploring regulation of tokenized assets, perpetual futures, and event contracts. CFTC is studying rules for crypto derivatives, while SEC has submitted guidance on securities law application to digital assets.
While regulatory coordination is a positive step, some industry observers warn that implementation may face challenges, such as higher compliance costs for crypto firms and conflicts with banking interests. The pace of the “CLARITY Act” progress has also been slow.
Analysts believe that if SEC and CFTC continue cooperation, the U.S. could develop a comprehensive digital asset regulatory system, influencing global policy and capital flows.
- Solana Meme coin platform Bonk.fun website hacked, users’ funds stolen after signing malicious terms
The Solana-based Meme coin platform Bonk.fun experienced a security breach earlier this week, with hackers taking control of the official website domain. Some users who interacted with the site had funds stolen. The platform issued a warning via social media, advising users not to visit or operate the site for now.
The operators said the attacker successfully compromised the BONKfun domain and embedded malicious content. They are working to regain control and have temporarily suspended all interactions until safety is confirmed. Bonk’s team member Tom revealed that the hack was carried out by exploiting access gained through the team’s account.
Affected users mainly signed fake service terms on the site, which tricked them into authorizing transactions or signing messages, allowing hackers to gain control of their wallets. The team noted that the breach was detected early, limiting the scale of losses.
Bonk emphasized understanding community concerns and is actively addressing security issues, including redeploying domain control and strengthening account security. As of early morning Eastern Time, no further technical details or total loss estimates have been released.
Originally called LetsBonk.fun, the platform gained rapid attention in the Solana Meme coin ecosystem for its quick token issuance, bonding curve trading, and auto-liquidity features. It allows users to create tokens instantly and trade, with part of fees supporting BONK token buybacks and burns.
With the rise of AI tools and more sophisticated hacking techniques, crypto scams and domain hijacking are increasing. Attackers often exploit user trust through social engineering, impersonation, and malicious links, rather than just technical vulnerabilities.
Chainalysis estimates that by 2025, crypto scams could cause losses of around $17 billion. The report notes that large-scale scams are becoming more “industrialized,” with professionalized tools, money laundering, and transfer schemes, making ordinary users more vulnerable when using decentralized apps. (The Block)
- OpenClaw founder questions Tencent’s data scraping of Clawhub skills, calls for support to reduce server costs
In response to community reports that Tencent’s Skillhub has scraped all skills from Clawhub and imported them into its platform, OpenClaw founder Peter SteinBerger posted on X (Twitter). He said Tencent’s move may constitute plagiarism and that Tencent has not supported the project in any way. He mentioned receiving some emails about rate limits preventing fast data scraping. SteinBerger also called on Tencent HY’s official account to help reduce server costs, jokingly saying, “Don’t let my server costs skyrocket to five figures!”
- Backpack to launch TGE on March 23; prediction platform data shows 33% chance of exceeding $500 million FDV
Backpack has confirmed it will conduct its Token Generation Event (TGE) around March 23. Real-time betting data from a prediction platform indicates a 68% chance that its initial FDV will exceed $300 million, and a 33% chance it will surpass $500 million. Backpack CEO Armani Ferrante previously stated in a Twitch live stream that the token TGE is scheduled for around March 23.
