Bitcoin AI Generated News

Headline: Trader argues Cardano could still hit $2 — and the math checks out Cardano (ADA) has languished under $0.30 for weeks and recently slipped to 12th place in the global cryptocurrency rankings. Yet a veteran trader is making a bold case that the token could still surge to $2 — and faster than many expect. The claim and the math - The projection comes from Yesreel, a crypto trader with six years’ experience, who posted the idea on social media on March 26, 2026. - Yesreel’s point is simple: at roughly $0.25 today, ADA would need a roughly 695% move to reach $2. Because of compounding, that gap can close much faster than linear thinking suggests. - In concrete terms, five straight days of 50% daily gains or six straight days of 40% daily gains would push ADA to the $2 mark. The arithmetic is sound — compounding large daily percentage gains multiplies quickly — but whether markets will deliver such streaks is a different question. Why bulls point to history Yesreel leans on two past rallies to argue the scenario is plausible: - 2021 peak: Cardano’s all-time high of $3.10 came quickly. From Aug. 2 to Sept. 2, 2021, ADA rose from about $1.32 to $3.10 — a 134% gain in a month. - Post‑election 2024 spike: Following the U.S. presidential election, ADA jumped from roughly $0.32 on Nov. 5 to $0.84 by Nov. 20 — a gain of over 160% in 15 days. Both episodes show Cardano can move sharply when market sentiment, capital flows and momentum align. The current backdrop and caveats Today’s conditions look different. Crypto markets are under pressure from macroeconomic headwinds and geopolitical uncertainty, and ADA has shown limited momentum while trading below $0.30. There has been no sustained breakout recently, bearish pressure has been steady, and investor confidence in a near-term recovery remains shaky. Yesreel’s projection does not include a specific trigger or timeline; it rests on the idea that if sentiment, inflows and momentum converge, ADA can compress what might normally take months into a matter of days. That’s a plausible scenario mathematically and historically — but far from guaranteed. Bottom line The arithmetic behind a rapid move to $2 is straightforward and backed by prior rallies. Still, it would require an unusually strong, sustained surge in buying pressure and sentiment to repeat those kinds of moves in the current market environment. As always, such scenarios carry substantial risk and uncertainty. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Kraken-backed SPAC says crypto is more resilient than SaaS as AI reshapes software Don't count crypto out. Even as the market endures a prolonged downturn, a Kraken-backed blank-check company believes digital assets are better positioned to survive — and even benefit — from the wave of disruption that artificial intelligence is bringing to traditional software firms. Ravi Tanuku, CEO of KRAKacquisition Corp. (NASDAQ: KRAKU), told reporters the crypto sector remains a “sound investment” and is less exposed to the existential threat AI poses to software-as-a-service (SaaS) companies. KRAK is a Nasdaq-listed SPAC sponsored by U.S. exchange Kraken alongside venture backers Natural Capital and Tribe Capital; it raised $345 million in an IPO this January and is hunting for crypto-native acquisition targets valued between $2 billion and $10 billion. Context matters: Kraken’s parent Payward delayed its own long-awaited IPO this month amid a crypto market slide — the CoinDesk 20 Index is pacing toward its sixth straight monthly decline. Tanuku declined to comment on Kraken’s IPO timetable, but used the moment to draw a sharper contrast between crypto and legacy SaaS businesses. SaaS firms, he argued, face a unique challenge as AI systems become capable of writing code and automating high-skilled work. “If you were a SaaS company and you wanted to go public and you didn't go public, you have a bigger problem now, which is whether or not you have an answer for AI,” Tanuku said. “That's not like crypto or bitcoin going from 70k to 80k. It’s a more existential, longer-term question that is much harder to shake.” That doesn’t mean every dollar not flowing into AI will automatically pour into crypto, Tanuku cautioned. But he said digital assets are among the strongest secular stories left in the market after AI. “AI is the best story. Nobody's going to deny that,” he added, while pointing to stablecoins and payments as “the next best story after AI.” KRAKacquisition’s deal focus and the AI crossover Tanuku expects the SPAC to pursue deals with crypto-native firms — and is particularly interested in areas where crypto and AI intersect. He highlighted the buzz around AI agentic commerce and floated a pragmatic use case for blockchain: tokenized financing of expensive AI infrastructure. “I'm curious if somebody doesn't start to float tokens to figure out how to finance some of this infrastructure, because the build-out is so expensive,” Tanuku said, suggesting token models could offer yield and returns to investors while funding compute-heavy AI projects. Bottom line: KRAKacquisition is positioning itself to back sizable crypto businesses that can withstand — or even leverage — the AI revolution. For investors watching where capital will flow next, Tanuku’s view is that digital assets deserve a seat at the table even as AI dominates the headlines. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Cardano could still hit $2 — but it would take a dramatic, short-lived surge, a trader says Cardano (ADA) has lingered below $0.30 for weeks and recently slipped to the 12th spot in the crypto market by market cap. Still, crypto trader Yesreel — active for six years — argued on March 26, 2026 that ADA could reach $2 much faster than most expect. The math behind the claim - Yesreel’s point is simple: compounding is powerful. From roughly $0.25 today, ADA would need about a 695% total gain to reach $2. - In his estimate, that can be achieved with a string of very large daily rallies: roughly 40% gains for six consecutive days or 50% gains for five days. When daily moves compound at those magnitudes, price multipliers stack quickly — compressing what would normally be months of gains into days. Historical precedent bolsters the argument - Cardano has produced rapid runs before. In 2021 ADA climbed from $1.32 on Aug. 2 to an all-time high of $3.10 by Sept. 2 — a 134% jump in a month. - After the U.S. election in November 2024, ADA surged more than 160% in just 15 days, rising from about $0.32 on Nov. 5 to $0.84 by Nov. 20. Why skeptics push back - Those past rallies came during periods of broad market demand, strong inflows and positive sentiment. Today’s backdrop is different: macroeconomic headwinds, geopolitical tensions and subdued crypto markets have left ADA stuck under $0.30 with weak momentum. - Yesreel did not name a specific catalyst or timeline. His scenario depends on the right conditions aligning — rising sentiment, fresh capital inflows and momentum that feeds on itself — which nobody can predict with certainty. Bottom line Technically and historically, short, steep rallies are possible for ADA. But turning a theory into reality would require a sudden shift in market dynamics. Traders should weigh the math and precedent against current market weakness and the lack of a clear trigger before banking on a rapid move to $2. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Headline: Crypto races to prepare for a quantum future — but strategies diverge Lede: As quantum computers move from theory toward reality, the crypto world is waking up to a problem it long deferred: what if the cryptography that secures trillions in digital assets can be broken? Responses vary widely. Some ecosystems are already designing migration paths and optional defenses, others are experimenting with wallet-level solutions, and exchanges and foundations are forming dedicated teams to plan for an uncertain timeline. Why quantum matters — fast, simple explainer - Classical computers use bits (0 or 1). Quantum machines use qubits, which can exist in multiple states at once (superposition) and be linked by entanglement. That lets quantum computers try many possibilities simultaneously. - Certain quantum algorithms can solve problems like factoring large numbers — the mathematical backbone of much modern encryption — far faster than classical machines. According to IBM, problems that would take today’s fastest supercomputers thousands of years could be solved in seconds by a powerful quantum computer. - Even big tech is preparing: Google, developer of a quantum project called Willow, has set a 2029 deadline to migrate its authentication services to post-quantum cryptography. Where the major blockchains stand Bitcoin: cautious, community-driven, collision of principles and practicality - Debate around Bitcoin’s quantum risk is longstanding but intensified after Taproot activated in 2021 and as quantum research advanced. Some Wall Street analysts, like Jefferies, have urged investors to drop bitcoin over the risk; others such as Ark Invest say it’s a long-term concern but not a reason to abandon ship. - Practical proposals are now on the table. BIP360 aims to help users move older, more vulnerable coins into safer addresses over time rather than forcing an abrupt network change. More experimental ideas, like the “Hourglass” proposal, would progressively limit use of vulnerable outputs unless they’re migrated, giving owners time to act while reducing theft risk. - Estimates that millions of bitcoins could be exposed — including roughly 1 million linked to Satoshi — have fueled urgency for some and skepticism for others. Many in the community worry that heavy-handed protocol changes would violate Bitcoin’s ethos of immutability and minimal intervention. As a result, Bitcoin’s response looks less like a single plan and more like a spectrum of community-led options. Ethereum: transitioning from “if” to “how” - The Ethereum Foundation has moved from theoretical concern to strategic priority. Throughout 2025 it created a dedicated quantum research team and began integrating post-quantum security into roadmaps. - Rather than one big protocol switchover, Ethereum is pursuing a phased approach: researching post-quantum signature schemes, enabling architectural flexibility (e.g., LeanVM) and building optionality so developers and users can adopt quantum-resistant tools incrementally without breaking existing infrastructure. - Major industry players are acting too: Coinbase formed an independent advisory board of cryptographers and quantum experts to assess risk and guide implementation. Layer-2s such as Optimism have also begun conceptual work on post-quantum upgrades. Solana: opt-in vaults and experimental tools - Solana’s response has been quieter and more experimental. In December 2025, developers proposed designs for quantum-resistant tooling, notably the “Winternitz Vault,” which uses hash-based, one-time signatures — a class of signatures widely viewed as more resistant to quantum attacks. - These vaults would be smart-contract options users can choose, rather than a protocol-level overhaul. Project Eleven is leading initial efforts. Community reaction has been mostly positive, though Solana’s quantum discussion remains less heated than in other ecosystems. Industrywide picture: no single timeline, but active planning - The crypto industry is split on urgency. Some experts think practical quantum attacks are still years away; others warn that migrating to quantum-resistant systems will itself take a long time, so preparations must start now. - What’s changed is tangible: dedicated research teams, advisory boards, protocol proposals and opt-in security products mean the issue has moved from academic debate to active planning. Even in Bitcoin — where change is slowest — talking about freezing or limiting vulnerable coins shows how seriously the community is taking the threat. - For now, the sector’s work resembles an early stress test rather than a unified defense. Different ecosystems are experimenting in parallel, balancing security, user experience and core design principles. Bottom line: Quantum risk is real but handled differently across crypto. Expect more proposals, audits and opt-in protections in the coming years as developers, exchanges and projects refine migration paths and mitigation tools — all while the industry watches quantum hardware closely. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Washington escalates the legal fight over prediction markets, suing Kalshi for allegedly flouting state gambling laws — the latest in a string of actions by U.S. states targeting platforms that let users trade contracts tied to real-world events. What Washington says - Washington’s attorney general filed a complaint accusing Kalshi of operating like an online sportsbook, offering event-based contracts with posted odds that determine payouts. The state argued Kalshi’s website and app let consumers “bet on anything” while calling the product a “prediction market” to avoid state gambling rules, including an explicit ban on online gambling. - The suit alleges Kalshi’s marketing even described its service as “legal betting” and says the platform’s offerings meet state definitions of “gambling,” “professional gambling,” and “bookmaking.” Washington also claims some products encouraged gambling addiction and were marketed to college students. - The AG’s press release referenced contracts tied to the Iran War; the filing itself named a contract about when Iran’s former Supreme Leader would be out of office. Kalshi pushes back - Kalshi moved to transfer the case to federal court, saying it is already litigating similar issues in other federal courts and that Washington sued without prior warning or dialogue. - Elisabeth Diana, Kalshi’s head of communications, told CoinDesk the company does not offer “war markets” and argued Kalshi is “a regulated, nationwide exchange for real-world events” that falls under federal jurisdiction rather than state gambling law. “We are confident in our legal arguments,” she said. A broader state-federal showdown - The Washington suit is part of a growing state backlash. States maintain these products are gambling in disguise and should be governed by state gambling laws. Prediction market firms — and some federal officials, including Commodity Futures Trading Commission Chair Mike Selig — argue the products are derivatives that belong under federal regulation. - Legal experts expect the dispute to eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court, where questions of federal exclusivity and the line between regulated derivatives and state-defined gambling could be resolved. Recent related rulings - Last week Nevada won an appeals court green light to seek a temporary restraining order requiring Kalshi to pull sports, entertainment and election contracts from the state for at least two weeks. A hearing on whether to extend that restriction was set for Friday, April 3. - Despite Nevada’s TRO, trade press reported that some Nevada users could still access Kalshi after the order went into effect. - Nevada also obtained a preliminary injunction requiring Coinbase to keep its prediction market offerings paused in the state. Judge Kristin Luis noted Coinbase did not dispute it offered “event-based contracts” tied to sports and elections that meet Nevada’s definition of “sports pools.” The order — which also references Coinbase’s partnership with Kalshi — bars sports, election and entertainment contracts in Nevada until the broader case is resolved and gives Coinbase 60 days to make technological changes to comply. Where this leaves the industry - The litigation raises stakes for crypto and fintech platforms offering event-based contracts. If states prevail, companies could face a patchwork of state restrictions and enforcement actions. If federal jurisdiction is affirmed, platforms may be able to operate under a unified federal regulatory framework. - Kalshi’s lawyers and other industry proponents will likely press the federal-regulation argument; states will continue to press consumer-protection and anti-gambling claims. Updates: Kalshi’s comments were added after the initial filing, and the story was updated with additional context on March 28. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Headline: Middle East War Keeps Crypto on Edge — Bitcoin, Ethereum Swing as US-Iran Conflict Enters Day 28 The US-Iran war entered its 28th day on March 28, with renewed strikes and diplomatic stalemates keeping global markets — and cryptocurrencies — on edge. Iranian forces have reportedly launched retaliatory attacks against US targets after rejecting a US diplomatic package, while US and Israeli strikes have targeted Iranian missile sites, air defenses and other military infrastructure. The ongoing fighting has amplified volatility in Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), even as both assets have shown moments of resilience amid headline-driven moves. What happened on the ground - The conflict began on February 28, 2026; March 28 marks day 28. - Iran rebuffed a 15-point US proposal delivered via Pakistani mediators on March 23 and instead issued five counter-conditions, including demands for reparations and formal recognition of its authority over the Strait of Hormuz. - In response to continued Iranian attacks, US and Israeli forces conducted strikes on missile sites, air defenses and other military infrastructure. - Iran released images purporting to show damage from recent overnight attacks in Tehran and the northwest regions. - On March 27, Iran carried out a missile strike on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, injuring at least 10 US service members; some reports suggest higher casualties across the campaign. - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said operations were ahead of schedule and could conclude within weeks without deploying ground troops. - President Donald Trump extended a pause on strikes against Iranian energy infrastructure until April 6, citing ongoing diplomatic efforts. - Tehran has insisted it will determine when the conflict ends, despite US strikes reportedly hitting more than 10,000 Iranian targets and degrading missile, drone, naval and air-defense capabilities. How markets — and crypto — reacted Geopolitical shocks have pushed short-term risk-off flows and headline-driven trading. Earlier in the campaign, Bitcoin plunged to roughly $63,000 before rebounding above $67,000 and trading near $70,000 in subsequent sessions. Today, March 28, CoinMarketCap (CMC) data shows Bitcoin around $66,000, with some analysts warning of downside toward $49,000 amid continued selling and mixed diplomatic signals. Ethereum has tracked similar swings, slipping below $2,000 as investors rotate away from risk assets on escalation fears. Why crypto is sensitive right now - Geopolitical risk feeds market uncertainty, driving rapid re-pricing of risk assets including crypto. - Oil supply and shipping risks tied to the Strait of Hormuz can affect macro sentiment and liquidity, amplifying moves in BTC and ETH. - Duration matters: short shocks tend to create volatility that can reverse; prolonged conflict could weigh more deeply on macro risk appetite and price discovery. Market outlook and takeaway Cryptocurrencies have shown resilience — bouncing after sharp drops — but the outlook remains highly dependent on the conflict’s trajectory, oil-price dynamics and broader risk sentiment. Traders should expect continued headline-driven intraday swings and heightened volatility until diplomatic de-escalation or clearer market catalysts emerge. For investors, the combination of an already sluggish bear market and active geopolitical tension means risk management and position sizing should remain priorities. Featured image from Getty Images, chart from TradingView. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Headline: Crypto needs a reset before the next bull run — here’s why that’s healthy Bitcoin’s peak at $127,000 in October 2025 has already given way to a sharp pullback: by Q1 2026 BTC hit a roughly $60,000 floor in under five months. The move feels dramatic, but it also looks like a necessary recalibration. What looks like chaos on the surface is largely the market doing what it must to prepare for a stronger next cycle. What’s driving the drop Crypto typically amplifies broader market stress, and several forces have converged to suck liquidity out of risk assets: - Elevated counterparty risk and ongoing stress across credit and banking systems. - Global liquidity tightening: the Fed is shrinking its balance sheet, and seasonal tax flows are draining Treasury system liquidity. - Fading ETF inflows and weak technical trends in crypto. - A wave of tech IPOs and equity issuance that’s absorbing capital that might have chased risk elsewhere. - A stronger U.S. dollar and tighter global financial conditions. Why liquidity matters Despite all the narratives about adoption and innovation, crypto still largely follows global liquidity cycles: when liquidity expands, digital assets rally; when it contracts, they can fall quickly. Those price moves often look disconnected from fundamentals, but they’re also how markets reset — flushing leverage and speculative positioning so a healthier cycle can form. A likely multi-step reset for 2026 Expect this year to act as a staged reset rather than a straight rebound: - Early 2026: retests of lows and broad selling as leverage unwinds and speculative positions are squeezed. - Mid-year: a stabilization and temporary recovery as opportunistic buyers step in. - Later in the year: another possible correction as macro dynamics shift and risk is reassessed. - Only after these steps typically comes a more durable rally. Volatility will remain elevated throughout. That’s normal — previous cycles show the same rhythm. Why the long-term trend can still be constructive Short-term turbulence doesn’t mean the cycle is dead. Three structural positives support a bullish long-term view: 1. Stronger demand and infrastructure: institutional participation is deeper, custody and trading infrastructure are more robust, and regulated investment vehicles have broadened access. 2. Potential macro relief: if inflation continues to moderate, the Fed could pivot to rate cuts later in 2026 — historically a strong tailwind for risk assets. 3. Political and credit stabilization: election-related policy shifts and easing stress in credit markets could reduce systemic risk. If liquidity conditions improve, Bitcoin could recover toward the ~$100,000 range — and possibly higher — by the end of 2026. Downside scenarios remain if macro stress intensifies, but past drawdowns have often prefaced renewed uptrends. How investors might position through the reset Timing exposure to liquidity conditions, not momentum, will likely matter most: - Early phase (now): favor caution. Consider underweight exposure while volatility and macro pressures persist. - Mid-phase: gradually increase exposure as markets stabilize and opportunistic entry points appear. - Late phase (potential Q4 rally): move more aggressively overweight if liquidity ease materializes. Also watch for mid-cycle dislocations: distressed assets, special situations, mispriced tokens, blockchain equities and digital corporate credit can offer selective opportunities. Active, cross-asset strategies tend to outperform passive bets in these environments. Bottom line 2026 looks set to be a transition year — one that shakes out weak hands and excess leverage. That process can be uncomfortable, but it’s also the mechanism that often lays the groundwork for the next leg up. Volatility isn’t just noise; it’s how opportunity is created. The reset underway could be precisely what allows the next crypto cycle to begin. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Crypto analyst Crypto Patel flagged a dramatic and underreported shift in Bitcoin liquidity this week: roughly 23,483 BTC—about $1.66 billion—left crypto exchanges on March 23, with Binance accounting for the largest share of the outflows. Key takeaways - The outflow: Patel said the 23,483 BTC moved off-exchange on March 23. He noted the transfer has drawn surprisingly little attention despite its size. - Where it went: Binance led the withdrawals. Patel described Binance as “whale-dominated,” suggesting large holders likely executed these withdrawals. - Exchange reserves at multi-year lows: Total BTC held on exchanges now sits near 2.7 million coins—its lowest level since April 2018, according to Patel. - Why it matters: When large holders move BTC off exchanges into cold storage, available sell-side liquidity tightens. Patel likened an exchange to a store shelf: when it’s fully stocked prices are steadier; when inventory is thin, even modest demand can push prices sharply higher. - Signals vs. risks: Patel interprets withdrawals to cold wallets as a typically bullish sign because supply on exchanges tightens. Conversely, large inflows into exchanges are often bearish signals, because they can presage selling pressure from big holders. Historical pattern and implications Patel pointed out a recurring pattern: previous periods when exchange reserves fell to low levels—such as in 2020 and ahead of 2024’s rallies—prefaced sharp price advances. With reserves at their lowest in nearly eight years, he suggests the market is in a position where a fresh surge in demand could produce outsized price moves. That said, Bitcoin had been showing recent volatility and bearish pressure, so any reaction could be rapid and pronounced in either direction. Bottom line A sizable, whale-driven migration of BTC off exchanges has materially reduced on-exchange supply. Market participants who watch liquidity and whale behavior will likely treat this development as significant, because lower exchange reserves can amplify price moves if demand picks up. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Shiba Inu is under renewed selling pressure as on-chain metrics show more coins flowing onto exchanges — a bearish signal for the meme token amid worsening market sentiment tied to the U.S.–Iran conflict. What the data shows - CryptoQuant reports Shiba Inu’s exchange netflows have flipped positive, with roughly 39 billion SHIB more moving into exchanges than out. Positive netflows typically imply rising selling intent. - Santiment’s March 28 snapshot corroborates the trend: exchange inflows of 69.2 billion SHIB versus outflows of 30.74 billion — a sizable gap that aligns with SHIB’s roughly 5% price drop over the past week. Whales and supply dynamics - Larger holders appear to be sitting on the sidelines rather than buying the dip. Santiment notes daily whale transactions are now in the single digits, down sharply from averages above 100 transactions recorded in December 2025. - Still, there hasn’t been a mass exodus: whales continue to hold 774.25 trillion SHIB, comfortably above a recent low of 690.91 trillion. And exchange reserves remain below September 2025 highs — about 138 trillion SHIB on exchanges now versus a 143 trillion high — suggesting selling pressure hasn’t yet reached panic levels. Shibarium activity and burn rates - Shibarium layer-2 activity has been volatile. Daily transactions jumped from 3,430 on March 25 to a one-month high of about 10,940 on March 26, then plunged to 1,230 on March 27. A notable share of recent transactions were zero-dollar contract calls, signaling limited current utility for the network. - Reduced network activity has hit burn rates: Shibburn data shows daily burns plunged 66% to roughly 2.7 million SHIB in the last 24 hours, removing less supply than earlier periods. Price snapshot and outlook - At the time of writing, SHIB trades near $0.000005737, down just over 3% (CoinMarketCap). The increased exchange inflows and muted whale accumulation are clear headwinds, while exchange supply levels and steady whale holdings limit the likelihood of an immediate capitulation. Continued low utility and falling burns, however, weigh on SHIB’s longer-term deflationary narrative. Bottom line: on-chain indicators point to growing selling pressure for Shiba Inu, with exchange inflows and weak whale activity pressuring price, even as overall exchange supply and whale holdings suggest a full-scale sell-off hasn’t yet materialized. Ongoing geopolitical risk and delayed updates on Shibarium developments remain additional catalysts to watch. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

X Finance Bull spotlights XRP’s real-world reach — and why upside may be coming Crypto commentator X Finance Bull says one of the clearest bullish signals for XRP is its widespread, real-world use across multiple regions — a factor many investors underestimate. In a series of posts on X, the analyst broke down an estimated geographic distribution of XRP holders and the practical use cases that give the token durable utility. Key regional breakdown - Asia-Pacific: 35–40% of global holders, averaging about 4,200 XRP each. Primary uses: remittances and retail trading — real people moving money across borders with XRP. - North America: 25–30% of holders, averaging ~1,850 XRP. Use case is shifting toward institutional positioning, a trend the pundit links to increased demand following the launch of XRP ETFs. Goldman Sachs is named as the largest institutional XRP holder. - Europe: 20–25% of holders, averaging ~2,100 XRP, where the token is being used mainly for portfolio diversification. - Latin America: 8–12% of holders, with cross-border payments again a dominant use case. X Finance Bull’s take: XRP isn’t confined to a single niche or market. It’s being used to solve different problems in different regions — from remittances in APAC and Latin America to institutional exposure in North America — and that kind of global utility, he argues, is unlikely to remain undervalued indefinitely. A structural tailwind: Ripple links inside SWIFT’s blockchain plans Backing his bullish view, X Finance Bull highlights another structural development: of the 30 banks SWIFT has been working with to build a blockchain-based, 24/7 real-time cross-border payments ledger, 12 are confirmed Ripple partners. According to the pundit, those 12 banks are connected to Ripple through payment networks, custody arrangements, steering groups or banking consortia. He points out that regulatory frameworks and payments infrastructure are converging at the same time, and — importantly — the institutions helping design SWIFT’s blockchain future are already familiar with the XRP Ledger. In his view, that alignment of institutions, standards and technology is a major positive for XRP’s long-term adoption. Market snapshot At the time of the posts cited, CoinMarketCap data put XRP trading around $1.32, down just over 2% in the last 24 hours. Bottom line: X Finance Bull sees a mix of grassroots remittance demand and growing institutional engagement — plus overlapping institutional ties to Ripple within SWIFT’s blockchain initiative — as a recipe for potential upward price pressure on XRP over time. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Sen. Elizabeth Warren is pressing the U.S. Commerce Department for answers about how it is handling national security concerns tied to Bitmain, the Chinese manufacturer that supplies a large share of the world’s Bitcoin mining equipment. Warren sent a letter — reported by Bloomberg — to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Thursday requesting documents and communications related to Bitmain and any steps the department has taken to address “potential national security concerns.” Her inquiry also asks whether political influence has played a role in how the matter is being handled. The push comes amid months of federal scrutiny. A Department of Homeland Security probe, dubbed Operation Red Sunset, has examined whether Bitmain’s mining rigs could be remotely accessed or otherwise used for espionage or sabotage that might threaten U.S. systems. A separate federal review in May 2024 reportedly raised “national security concerns” after Bitmain machines were found operating near a U.S. military base. Bloomberg notes these national security investigations can remain open for years without public enforcement action. The concerns are amplified by the highly concentrated ASIC mining-hardware market. Cambridge University’s Digital Mining Industry Report found the top three manufacturers control more than 99% of the market, with the single largest vendor holding about 82% — underscoring how much U.S. miners rely on a small number of foreign suppliers. Regulatory and trade measures have already had real-world effects. In February 2025, customs scrutiny delayed deliveries of Bitmain equipment to U.S. miners. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) halted shipments to Sophgo — a chip designer linked to Bitmain — after a chip connected to Huawei was identified, and Sophgo was later placed on a U.S. trade blacklist. Those actions broadened scrutiny beyond mining hardware to Bitmain’s wider business relationships and how Chinese crypto-hardware suppliers intersect with U.S. trade and security policy. The political dimension deepened after Bloomberg reported that American Bitcoin, a mining firm backed by Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., agreed last year to buy 16,000 Bitmain rigs for $314 million, according to securities filings. Warren’s letter requests any communications between Bitmain, Commerce officials, and Trump family interests. At the same time Bitmain has been expanding its U.S. footprint: in July 2025 it announced plans for a first U.S.-based manufacturing site, with initial output expected in early 2026 and a larger ramp later that year. That expansion now sits alongside an unresolved federal review and increasing political scrutiny in Washington — leaving U.S. miners, policymakers, and industry watchers watching closely for how the situation unfolds. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Santiment’s social-data feed points to a notably risk-off tone in crypto chatter this week, with conversations clustered around politics, market stress, geopolitics, memecoin momentum and a flight to yield-focused strategies. Politics and policy shift One of the top social topics was David Sacks’ transition out of his White House AI and crypto post. Sacks stepped down after hitting the 130-day limit for special government employees and is moving into a broader advisory role as co-chair of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. That change removes him from a direct crypto-policy portfolio and places him on a wider technology brief — a pivot traders flagged as meaningful for regulatory direction. Risk-off selling and tech contagion Markets turned risk-off late in the week, with traders flagging a cross-market selloff in tech and crypto. Meta shares slid following jury verdicts that raised fresh legal exposure concerns, helping feed broader risk aversion. Santiment also noted ARK Invest using Kalshi prediction-market data as a signal of rising downside risk — a reminder that institutional players are increasingly layering novel risk tools into their workflows. Stablecoin fears and Circle pressure Stablecoin stability returned to the conversation after debate over reward limits in the CLARITY Act sparked renewed scrutiny of Circle and USDC. Coverage of the proposed limits triggered heavy selling in Circle shares earlier in the week, and social sentiment captured the spillover worries across crypto markets. Geopolitics and commodity-driven risk Geopolitical tension amplified market nerves. Oil prices jumped on growing doubts about a ceasefire in the Iran conflict, and social chatter tracked how that dynamic is pressuring broader risk assets, including crypto. AI leak spurs cybersecurity worries Leaked details about Anthropic’s so-called “Claude Mythos” — described as the company’s most powerful model yet — fed an unexpected market reaction: cybersecurity stocks fell as investors priced in heightened security risk tied to more capable AI systems. Crypto traders noted the knock-on effect on risk appetite. Retail momentum: “Memescope Monday” On the retail side, Santiment flagged a viral “Memescope Monday” trend as traders chased short-term momentum in memecoins and related protocols. The firm described the move as retail-driven social mania rather than a fundamental market event, but one that can still produce sharp, fast price moves. Flight to cash-and-yield The final major theme was a visible shift toward cash-and-yield strategies. Conversations increasingly focused on parking funds in cash or stablecoins, harvesting options income, and using tokenized yield products — tactics traders are using to manage uncertainty amid geopolitical friction and rate pressure. Bottom line: social feeds show a market rotating out of risk and into protection and income strategies, with politics, legal rulings, geopolitics and AI leaks all contributing to the cautious mood. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Headline: Crypto races to hedge against quantum computers — but strategies diverge As quantum computing moves from theory toward practice, the crypto industry faces a long-postponed question: what happens if the cryptography that secures trillions in digital assets becomes breakable? The answers vary widely. Some ecosystems are pushing pragmatic, incremental change; others favor optional, opt-in defenses; and in Bitcoin, the debate is still largely political—rooted in the protocol’s culture of immutability and minimal intervention. What makes quantum so dangerous Quantum computers use qubits that can exist in multiple states at once (superposition) and be linked by entanglement, letting them explore many possibilities simultaneously. That gives them the potential to solve certain problems—like factoring large numbers and breaking common cryptographic signatures—far faster than classical supercomputers. IBM has illustrated the gap by noting that tasks taking classical supercomputers thousands of years could be solved by quantum machines in seconds, and even Google has set a 2029 deadline to migrate some authentication services to post-quantum cryptography as its Willow project advances. Bitcoin: cautious, contentious, and community-driven Bitcoin’s community has long known about quantum risks, but the issue moved from academic to practical after Taproot’s 2021 activation and growing research into post-quantum signatures. The conversation has intensified following alarmist takes from some Wall Street analysts—Jefferies urged investors to ditch bitcoin—while others, like Ark Invest, argue the threat is long-term but real. Proposals are emerging. BIP360 would help users move older, potentially vulnerable coins to safer addresses gradually rather than enforcing a sudden protocol-wide change. More experimental ideas, like “Hourglass,” would gradually restrict use of vulnerable outputs unless their owners move funds, giving time to react while reducing theft risk. Estimates that millions of bitcoin—some analyses point to roughly 1 million coins associated with Satoshi—could be exposed have fueled debate, but many in the community warn against risky hard forks that could violate Bitcoin’s core principles. In short: Bitcoin’s quantum strategy is not a single roadmap but a spectrum of community-driven proposals that must balance security with the network’s conservative governance ethos. Ethereum: moving from “if” to “how” Ethereum has largely shifted from questioning whether to act to planning how to do so. Throughout 2025 the Ethereum Foundation established a dedicated quantum research team and elevated post-quantum security to a strategic priority. Rather than a one-off upgrade, Ethereum’s approach is phased: integrate post-quantum signature schemes, add architectural flexibility (e.g., LeanVM) and create optionality so developers and users can adopt quantum-resistant tools incrementally without breaking compatibility. This coordinated, research-backed effort aims to mitigate the risk of hurried migrations that introduce new vulnerabilities. Major industry players are joining the effort: Coinbase has set up an independent advisory board of cryptographers, academics and quantum experts to assess risk and guide implementations. Layer-2s like Optimism are also sketching out post-quantum plans, indicating parallel experimentation across the stack. Solana: opt-in vaults and experimental tooling Solana’s response has been quieter and more experimental. Since December 2025, Solana-aligned developers have proposed quantum-resistant tools such as the “Winternitz Vault,” which would let users store assets in smart-contract vaults secured by hash-based, one-time signatures—an approach seen as more resistant to quantum attacks. These vaults are optional security layers rather than protocol-level changes; users worried about long-term exposure can opt in, while the main network keeps operating as usual. Project Eleven has taken a lead role in advancing these efforts. A fragmented but accelerating response The industry’s reactions reveal a spectrum: cautious conservatism in Bitcoin, coordinated preparation in Ethereum, and targeted opt-in tools in Solana. Some practitioners still believe practical quantum attacks are years away or overhyped; others warn that migrating to quantum-resistant systems will itself take many years and must start now. What’s changed is that the threat no longer feels hypothetical. Dedicated research teams, advisory boards, protocol proposals and opt-in tooling mark a shift from abstract discussion to concrete planning. For now, the ecosystem’s activity looks less like a unified defense than an early stress test—one that will determine whether crypto can adapt without undermining the decentralization and robustness that define it. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Ravi Tanuku, CEO of KRAKacquisition Corp. (KRAKU) — the Nasdaq-listed SPAC sponsored by U.S. crypto exchange Kraken and venture firms Natural Capital and Tribe Capital — says don’t write off crypto despite the prolonged bear market. Speaking about the sector’s long-term prospects, Tanuku argued that digital assets are a more durable investment than many traditional software companies facing an existential threat from rapid advances in artificial intelligence. KRAKU, which raised $345 million in its January IPO, is actively hunting for crypto-native targets valued between $2 billion and $10 billion, Tanuku said. That hunt comes even as turbulence continues across markets: parent company Payward (Kraken) delayed its own planned IPO earlier this month amid a crypto slump, and the CoinDesk 20 Index is on track for a sixth consecutive monthly decline. Tanuku declined to discuss Kraken’s IPO plans personally. Tanuku’s key point: while AI is reshaping the tech landscape, it poses a clearer and more immediate risk to SaaS models than it does to crypto protocols. “If you were a SaaS company and you wanted to go public and you didn't go public, you have a bigger problem now, which is whether or not you have an answer for AI,” he said. Unlike price volatility in crypto, the threat from AI to software businesses is “more existential, longer-term” and harder to shake. That shift in investor focus doesn’t automatically make crypto the next big winner, Tanuku cautioned — AI remains the dominant thematic. But with capital looking for alternatives to traditional SaaS plays, he thinks digital assets are among the strongest secular stories after AI, naming stablecoins and payments as particularly promising subsectors. Tanuku is also watching intersections between crypto and AI. He pointed to growing interest in agentic commerce — autonomous AI-driven buying and selling — and floated the idea that tokenized financing could play a role in building the expensive infrastructure AI needs. “I'm curious if somebody doesn't start to float tokens to figure out how to finance some of this infrastructure,” he said, suggesting token models might offer new ways to provide yield and returns to investors supporting AI-scale projects. In short: KRAKU sees opportunity in crypto firms that are both native to digital assets and positioned to benefit from the AI-driven reshaping of tech — especially where token economics can help fund next-generation infrastructure. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Bitcoin’s rally remains on ice after six months in a bear phase, with the flagship crypto sitting roughly 53% below its cycle high. Prominent analyst Burak Kesmeci says the current price action and on‑chain cost basis data paint a picture of heavy overhead resistance — and that Bitcoin must clear several clustered levels before a genuine trend reversal can be confirmed. Key context - Cycle peak / all‑time high: $126,000 - Local low in this cycle: $60,000 - Current drawdown from ATH: ~53% (within a common correction range of 40%–70%, though past bear markets reached deeper drawdowns of 84% in 2017–18 and 77% in 2021–22) - Timeframe: bear phase has persisted for six months On‑chain resistance and support Kesmeci’s March 27 QuickTake leans heavily on recent on‑chain cost basis mappings to explain why upside is constrained: Major overhead resistance zones (material selling pressure expected) - New whales (coins aged <155 days): cost basis ≈ $82,800 — now a meaningful resistance band well above spot. - Short‑term holders (STH) overall realized price: $86,900 — the critical level Kesmeci identifies as the line Bitcoin must reclaim to argue for a bullish reversal. - STH subgroups: 1M–3M cohort at $82,600; 3M–6M cohort at $96,000. - 365‑day simple moving average: $97,700 — another larger resistance marker. Near‑term resistance - STH 1W–1M cost basis: $70,100 — the nearest overhead cluster, still above current price. Support structure - Binance user deposit addresses (cost basis): ≈ $58,900 — a strong mid‑range support. - Miner‑associated whale wallets: ≈ $55,900 — another base of seller concentration. - Macro realized price (longer‑term support floor): $54,300. What this means Kesmeci argues that “every major cost cluster lies ahead.” In other words, a large portion of recent buyers and short‑term holders are underwater, creating a dense wall of potential selling as prices rise toward those cost bases. Until Bitcoin convincingly reclaims the STH realized price near $86,900, Kesmeci sees little evidence to conclude a sustainable bullish shift or to eye materially higher targets. Market snapshot (at press time) - BTC price (daily chart): $66,012 (down 4.21%) - 24‑hour trading volume: $45.68 billion (up 17.29%) Bottom line On‑chain metrics show both defined support bands and stacked resistance clusters. That structure keeps Bitcoin range‑bound for now: a series of cost‑basis levels must be cleared before the market can reasonably claim a change in direction. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Washington has joined a growing wave of states suing prediction-market platforms, filing suit Friday against Kalshi and accusing the exchange of running gambling operations that evade state gambling laws. What Washington alleges - The state says Washington maintains a tightly regulated gambling regime, including a ban on online gambling, and that Kalshi’s products circumvent those rules. - According to the complaint, Kalshi’s website and app present “a range of events that they can bet on and the odds for those various events,” which Washington says functions like a sportsbook. The state alleges Kalshi markets these products as “prediction markets” to avoid being labeled “gambling,” even advertising “legal betting.” - The filing accuses Kalshi of violating state definitions of “gambling,” “professional gambling,” and “bookmaking.” It also alleges Kalshi’s offerings promote gambling addiction and specifically target college students. Kalshi pushes back Kalshi moved to transfer the case to federal court, saying it is already litigating related questions in other federal venues and that Washington initiated the suit without prior warning or dialogue. Elisabeth Diana, Kalshi’s head of communications, told CoinDesk the company does not offer “war markets” and is a “regulated, nationwide exchange for real-world events” that falls under exclusive federal jurisdiction. “We are confident in our legal arguments,” she said. What this means nationally The Washington suit is the latest sign of an escalating state-level crackdown on prediction markets. Providers and some regulators — including Commodity Futures Trading Commission Chair Mike Selig — argue these platforms offer federally regulated derivatives contracts. Several states counter that the products are essentially gambling dressed up as financial instruments and should be subject to state gambling laws. Legal observers expect the dispute over jurisdiction and product classification could ultimately reach the U.S. Supreme Court. Recent related rulings in Nevada - A week before Washington’s filing, an appeals court allowed Nevada to seek a temporary restraining order against Kalshi, forcing the exchange to remove sports, entertainment and election contracts for at least two weeks. A hearing to decide whether to extend that restriction is scheduled for Friday, April 3. - Trade outlet Gambling Insider reported that Kalshi users in Nevada were still able to access the platform after the TRO went into effect. Coinbase caught up in Nevada action Nevada also won a preliminary injunction against Coinbase, ordering the company to keep pausing prediction-market offerings in the state. In an order dated March 26, Nevada District Judge Kristin Luis noted Coinbase did not dispute it offered “event-based contracts” tied to sports and elections that meet Nevada’s definition of “sports pools.” The judge’s order — which links Coinbase to Kalshi via their partnership — bars Coinbase from offering sports, election or entertainment contracts in Nevada until the larger litigation is resolved, and gives the company 60 days to implement technological changes to comply. Jurisdictional backdrop Both the Nevada and Washington federal district courts sit within the Ninth Circuit, a detail that may matter as these fights potentially advance through appeals. UPDATE (March 28, 7:43 pm UTC): Story updated with comments from Kalshi’s spokesperson. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Headline: Middle East Escalation Keeps Crypto Markets on Edge — Bitcoin, Ethereum Show Resilience Amid Volatility The US‑Iran conflict entered its 28th day on March 28, 2026, and continued military action is exerting fresh pressure on global markets — including cryptocurrencies. Despite headline‑driven swings, Bitcoin and Ethereum have shown relative resilience, but analysts warn that renewed escalation and mixed diplomatic signals could extend the current bout of volatility. What’s happened on the ground - The confrontation began on February 28, 2026. After Tehran rejected a U.S. 15‑point proposal delivered through Pakistani mediators on March 23, Iranian forces launched retaliatory strikes against U.S. assets and interests. - The U.S. and Israel responded with sustained strikes targeting Iranian missile sites, air defenses and other military infrastructure. Iranian authorities published images purportedly showing damage from attacks in Tehran and northwest Iran. - On March 27, Iran reportedly struck Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, injuring at least 10 U.S. service members, with some reports indicating higher casualties across the campaign. - Tehran has publicly rejected the U.S. offer and issued its own five conditions — including reparations and recognition of authority over the Strait of Hormuz — saying it will decide when the war stops. - U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have said operations are “ahead of schedule” and may conclude within weeks without deploying ground troops. President Donald Trump has paused strikes on Iranian energy facilities until April 6, citing ongoing diplomatic efforts. - The U.S. claims it has struck more than 10,000 Iranian targets and degraded Iran’s missile, drone, naval and air‑defense capabilities. No formal ceasefire has been agreed, and both sides continue to signal the potential for further escalation. How the conflict is moving crypto markets - Geopolitical shocks are prompting short‑term swings in risk assets. In the early phase of the strikes, Bitcoin briefly plunged to about $63,000 before recovering above $67,000 and trading near $70,000 in subsequent sessions. - As of March 28, CoinMarketCap (CMC) data showed Bitcoin around $66,000, with some analysts forecasting deeper downside — forecasts cited in the market suggest a potential drop to roughly $49,000 amid broader sell‑offs and mixed diplomatic signals. - Ethereum has tracked similar headline‑driven moves. Prices dipped below $2,000 amid intensified tensions as investors rotated out of risk assets. - Traders are reacting to three main channels: direct headline risk and market sentiment, fears around oil supply and energy infrastructure, and the broader risk‑on/off cycle affecting institutional flows into crypto. What to watch next - Duration and intensity of the conflict will be the primary determinant of how long crypto volatility persists. A rapid de‑escalation and credible diplomatic progress could stabilize markets; continued strikes and wider regional involvement would likely prolong pressure on risk assets. - Oil price trends and any disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remain critical variables for global risk sentiment and therefore crypto flows. - Market structure matters: the ongoing bear market backdrop increases sensitivity to shocks, so even short bursts of geopolitical news can trigger outsized moves in both BTC and ETH. Bottom line Bitcoin and Ethereum have weathered headline shocks so far, but the conflict’s trajectory — and its knock‑on effects for oil, liquidity and investor risk appetite — will dictate whether that resilience holds. For traders and investors, the near term looks likely to remain choppy until geopolitical clarity returns and confidence is restored. (Image credit: Getty Images; chart from TradingView) Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

XRP open interest spikes as price falls, raising liquidation risk XRP’s Open Interest (OI) has surged over the past day even as the token’s spot price slid — a sign traders are opening fresh, leveraged bets during the pullback. CryptoQuant community analyst Maartunn flagged the move in an X post, pointing to a clear uptick in OI across centralized derivatives venues. What the data means - Open Interest tracks the total number of active derivative positions on centralized exchanges. When OI rises, it generally means new positions are being added — and often with added leverage — which can amplify price swings. - Conversely, falling OI usually signals positions being closed or liquidated, reducing market leverage and volatility. Why it matters for XRP The recent chart Maartunn shared shows OI climbing over the last day while XRP’s spot price declined to about $1.33. That combination suggests traders are actively placing new directional or hedging bets amid the downturn. Higher OI during a drawdown also raises the chance of large-scale liquidations: if the market moves further against leveraged longs, forced liquidations could exacerbate a deeper drop. Broader market context XRP isn’t alone — CryptoQuant noted Bitcoin has experienced a similar rise in OI. The recent bearish action has already triggered sizeable liquidations across the crypto derivatives market: CoinGlass data puts total liquidations at roughly $450 million so far, with about $401 million coming from long positions. Bottom line A rising Open Interest during a price decline points to elevated leverage and heightened short-term volatility risk. Traders should watch OI and liquidation levels closely; continued downside for XRP could trigger more long liquidations and fuel an extended sell-off. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Markets turned decisively risk-off this week, and crypto conversations on social channels followed suit. Santiment’s social analytics identified five dominant themes driving trader attention: David Sacks’ White House transition, a fresh tech-and-crypto selloff, rising tech-security concerns, viral memecoin chatter dubbed “Memescope Monday,” and a shift toward cash-and-yield strategies. David Sacks’ exit from his specific White House AI and crypto post was a top topic. Sacks stepped down after reaching the 130-day limit for special government employees, and will instead serve as co-chair of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology — a broader technology advisory role that pulls him away from direct crypto policy responsibilities. Risk-off sentiment rippled across markets as traders reacted to new legal and macro pressures. Meta shares slid after jury verdicts raised questions about fresh legal exposure, while hedge funds and asset managers appeared to lean on alternative signals—ARK Invest, for example, reportedly referenced Kalshi prediction-market data as part of its risk assessment toolkit. Stablecoin worries also factored into the selloff: debate over reward limits in the CLARITY Act reignited concerns around Circle and USDC, helping push Circle’s stock sharply lower earlier in the week. Geopolitics and tech headlines compounded market nerves. Oil prices rose amid skepticism about a ceasefire in the Iran conflict, amplifying risk aversion in broader markets. At the same time, leaked details about Anthropic’s “Claude Mythos,” described as the company’s most powerful model yet, spurred fears about AI-related security and sent cybersecurity stocks lower as investors braced for implications. Onchain and retail behavior produced its own viral trend. Santiment flagged “Memescope Monday” as a retail-driven social phenomenon—traders hunting for short-term momentum in memecoins and related protocols. The movement was driven more by online attention cycles than by any formal market catalyst. Finally, the conversation shifted toward preservation and yield. With geopolitical uncertainty and persistent rate pressures in the background, traders ramped up discussions of cash, stablecoins, options income strategies, and tokenized yield as lower-risk ways to manage portfolios through heightened volatility. Taken together, Santiment’s snapshot shows a crypto market reacting to a blend of political transitions, legal and macro stressors, AI and security anxieties, retail-driven meme activity, and a notable tilt toward income and capital preservation. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Headline: Bitcoin miners are remaking themselves as AI data-center operators — and selling BTC to pay for it The bitcoin-mining industry is undergoing a tectonic shift — and the clearest evidence isn’t hashrate or difficulty, it’s corporate balance sheets. CoinShares’ Q1 2026 mining report shows a painful truth: the weighted average cash cost to produce one bitcoin among publicly listed miners climbed to about $79,995 in Q4 2025, while bitcoin traded in a $68,000–$70,000 band. CoinDesk estimated miners were losing roughly $19,000 for every BTC mined — an economics squeeze that isn’t sustainable. The response has been a rapid pivot into artificial-intelligence and high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure. Public miners have announced more than $70 billion in cumulative AI/HPC contracts, turning many outfits into GPU co-location and data-center operators that still mine bitcoin on the side. Key contract examples cited in the report include: - CoreWeave’s expanded deal with Core Scientific: $10.2 billion over 12 years. - TeraWulf: $12.8 billion in contracted HPC revenue. - Hut 8: $7 billion, 15-year AI lease at River Bend. - Cipher Digital: a multi-billion-dollar agreement with Google-backed Fluidstack. The revenue mix is shifting quickly. CoinShares estimates listed miners could source as much as 70% of revenue from AI by the end of 2026, up from roughly 30% today. Core Scientific’s AI colocation already represents 39% of revenue; TeraWulf 27%; IREN is at about 9% but scaling with up to 200 MW of liquid-cooled GPU capacity under construction. Why AI? The economics are stark. Building bitcoin-mining capacity runs roughly $700,000 to $1 million per megawatt; building AI infrastructure costs between $8 million and $15 million per megawatt — but AI contracts promise structurally higher, steadier returns. Hash price — the daily revenue per unit of hashing power — hit a post-halving low of around $28–$30 per petahash per day in early March. At those levels, miners with mid-generation rigs generally need electricity below $0.05 per kWh just to be cash-profitable. By contrast, AI contracts often imply margins north of 85% with multi-year revenue visibility. Miners are funding the pivot with two visible levers: infrastructure-scale debt and bitcoin sales. - Debt: The sector’s leverage profile now looks more like a data-center operator than a mining-only company. Examples: IREN carries $3.7 billion in convertible notes across five series; TeraWulf has $5.7 billion in total debt (convertible and senior secured notes at its compute arm); Cipher Digital issued $1.7 billion in senior secured notes in November, driving its quarterly interest expense from $3.2 million (first nine months) to $33.4 million in Q4 alone. - Bitcoin sales: Public miners have reduced their BTC treasuries by more than 15,000 BTC from peak levels. Core Scientific sold roughly 1,900 BTC ($175 million) in January and plans to liquidate most remaining reserves in Q1 2026. Bitdeer drew its treasury down to zero in February. Riot sold 1,818 BTC ($162 million) in December. Marathon — still the largest public holder with 53,822 BTC — broadened its policy in its March 10-K to allow sales from its entire reserve, pressured in part by a bitcoin-backed $350 million credit facility that saw its loan-to-value rise to 87% as prices slid toward $68,000. That financial reallocation creates a fundamental tension: miners that sell bitcoin and deploy capital into AI are, at the same time, the companies that secure the bitcoin network. When mining is unprofitable and AI generates far superior returns, it’s rational to reallocate capital away from mining — but if many miners do that, the network’s security budget shrinks. We’re already seeing the effects. Network hashrate peaked around 1,160 EH/s in early October 2025 and has fallen to roughly 920 EH/s, prompting three consecutive negative difficulty adjustments — the first such streak since July 2022. Markets have begun to price a split: miners with secured HPC contracts trade at roughly 12.3x next-twelve-month sales, while pure-play miners trade at about 5.9x — investors are paying more than double for AI exposure, which in turn incentivizes further pivots. Geography is shifting, too. The United States, China and Russia now control about 68% of global hashrate, with the U.S. gaining about two percentage points of share in Q4 alone. Emerging-market capacity is also rising: Paraguay and Ethiopia entered the global top 10, driven by HIVE’s 300 MW project in Paraguay and Bitdeer’s 40 MW facility in Ethiopia. CoinShares’ forward view: if bitcoin recovers to $100,000 by year-end, the firm forecasts network hashrate hitting 1.8 ZH/s by end-2026 and 2 ZH/s by end-March 2027 (a one-month delay versus prior estimates). But that trajectory is price-dependent. If bitcoin stays below $80,000, hash price could keep falling and hashrate may decline as more miners exit; a sustained slip below $70,000 could trigger deeper capitulation, which — paradoxically — benefits survivors through lower difficulty. Next-generation miners could offer relief. Bitmain’s S23 series and Bitdeer’s SEALMINER A3, both targeting sub-10 J/TH efficiency, are expected at scale in H1 2026. At scale, those rigs would roughly halve energy cost per bitcoin versus current mid-generation fleets. The catch: deploying them requires capital — capital many miners are choosing to channel into AI buildouts instead. Bottom line: the industry entered this cycle as a cohort of firms that secured the bitcoin network and accumulated BTC. It’s emerging as a set of companies building AI data centers and selling bitcoin to finance that transformation. Whether this is a temporary detour or a permanent structural realignment largely comes down to one variable: the price of bitcoin. If it rebounds toward $100,000, mining economics recover and the AI pivot may slow. If prices linger at or below the $70,000 range, the transition looks likely to accelerate — and the mining sector of the past decade will continue to evolve into something very different. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news