This article summarizes cryptocurrency news as of March 23, 2026, focusing on the latest Bitcoin updates, Ethereum upgrades, Dogecoin trends, real-time crypto prices, and price forecasts. Major Web3 events today include:
- Whale pension-usdt.eth Adds 20,000 ETH, Triples Short Positions, Nearly $28M Profit
According to Onchain Lens monitoring, whale address pension-usdt.eth (0x0dd…a902) increased its short position on 20,000 ETH by 3x, while reducing its holdings of 500 BTC by 3x. Currently, this whale holds 30,000 ETH (worth $61.3M) and 500 BTC (worth $34.16M), with total profits approaching $28M.
- US Senators Propose Ban on Prediction Markets, Sports Betting, and Casino-style Games
Two U.S. senators from different parties plan to introduce a bill this Monday to ban contracts related to professional and college sports on prediction market platforms regulated by the CFTC. California Democrat Adam Schiff stated these markets currently bypass state consumer protections, infringe on tribal sovereignty, and do not generate public revenue, so Congress must intervene.
The bill also seeks to prohibit platforms from offering “casino-style games,” including slot machines, blackjack, video poker, and bingo. Utah Republican Senator John Curtis emphasized that state governments should regulate gambling activities that could lead to youth addiction, rather than federal agencies.
Platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket, which offer contracts related to politics, weather, and pop culture, mainly focus on sports events, competing directly with betting sites like FanDuel and DraftKings. Polymarket has partnered with Dow Jones to provide official MLB prediction markets, but some professional sports leagues remain cautious, concerned about match-fixing and insider trading.
Recently, Nevada issued a temporary restraining order against Kalshi, banning its sports, election, and entertainment event contracts. Arizona filed criminal charges against Kalshi’s parent company for operating illegal betting services without permission. Meanwhile, Massachusetts and Michigan have sued Kalshi, and Polymarket is attempting to block state-level gambling regulation enforcement in Michigan.
The CFTC maintains exclusive jurisdiction over commodity derivatives markets, including event contracts, and has filed an amicus brief with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to defend federal oversight. Kalshi claims its event contracts are under federal jurisdiction, not state. This bill marks the first bipartisan legislative effort targeting prediction markets, potentially reshaping regulation of sports betting and prediction markets.
- XRP News Today: Franklin Templeton Holds Large XRP Positions, Institutional Demand Driven by Utility, Not Speculation
Franklin Templeton, managing $1.6 trillion in assets, recently revealed that its large XRP holdings are driven by actual institutional demand for token utility, not speculation. Digital asset head Roger Beston told Paul Barron on a podcast that XRP and the XRP Ledger are facilitating cross-border payments and tokenized money market funds, laying the groundwork for integration between traditional finance (TradFi) and crypto assets.
Beston emphasized that Franklin Templeton’s XRP ETF (XRPZ) and tokenized money market funds on XRPL are key steps for institutional adoption. He noted that the coordinated regulation by the SEC and CFTC provides clear legal frameworks and policy support for further XRP use.
During recent market sell-offs, XRP price fell to $1.36, but institutions and whales continued accumulating. The spot XRP ETF saw a net inflow of $636,480 this week, with total net assets reaching $1.1 billion and cumulative inflows of $1.21 billion. On-chain data shows Ripple whales buy over 7 million XRP daily, indicating confidence in a potential rebound.
Analyst Ali Martinez shared a 12-hour XRP chart showing a buy signal from the TD Sequential indicator. He predicts that as market sentiment improves and funds return, XRP could rebound, offering value growth opportunities for institutional investors.
Overall, Franklin Templeton’s large holdings reflect a shift from speculative to utility-driven strategies. Supported by cross-border payments, tokenized financial products, and whale accumulation, XRP may become a more stable and practical asset in the crypto market’s future.
- Gold Price Plunges 25%! Peter Schiff Blames Fed Mistakes, Safe-Haven Assets Under Scrutiny
Gold prices plummeted about 25%, falling from nearly $5,600 per ounce to below $4,200, erasing over $10 trillion in market value—about 7.6 times Bitcoin’s total market cap. Despite ongoing US-Iran tensions and rising inflation, which typically support precious metals, gold suffered a sharp decline, sparking intense debate over the reasons behind the sell-off.
Veteran gold advocate Peter Schiff called the sell-off irrational, blaming traders’ misjudgment of the Fed’s hawkish stance. He pointed out that declining real interest rates historically favor gold, while high rates could push the economy into recession, prompting the Fed to cut rates and implement QE. Additionally, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed the government will finance war spending through borrowing rather than tax hikes, with ballooning deficits and high 10-year Treasury yields raising fears of a financial crisis worse than 2008.
Analyst Kyle Doops found the sell-off unusual given the high geopolitical risks. He noted that forced liquidations, crowded trades, or tightening policy expectations cannot fully explain the sharp decline. Increased margin requirements for gold futures and the dollar index nearing 100.50 added selling pressure. Silver also dropped nearly 50% from its all-time high, hitting a three-month low around $61 per ounce.
Market observers suggest this may be a correction after an upswing rather than a fundamental shift in gold’s safe-haven status. Over the next week, investors will watch macroeconomic data, inflation trends, and Fed policy signals to determine if gold will rebound or face further deep corrections.
- South Korea’s Ruling Party Plans to Abolish Crypto Tax, Holds Closed-Door Talks with Major Exchanges
South Korea’s ruling People Power Party will hold a closed-door meeting at a major exchange’s headquarters with representatives from the five largest crypto exchanges and the Korea Digital Asset Exchange Association (DAXA). The meeting aims to discuss abolishing the planned crypto tax system set for January 2027 and gather suggestions on stablecoin issuance and second-phase legislation preparations. Party whip Song Yeon-sik proposed a partial amendment to the Income Tax Act on March 19, arguing that taxing virtual assets amid the abolition of capital gains tax on financial investments raises fairness and double taxation concerns, advocating for tax system consistency.
- Bitcoin’s Correlation with US Stocks Turns Positive in March, Market Plunges into Extreme Panic
Amid ongoing Middle East conflicts, Bitcoin’s correlation with US stocks unexpectedly reversed in late March, with both assets moving in tandem again. Meanwhile, sentiment indicators for crypto and equities both fell into “extreme panic,” raising caution among analysts.
In the first half of March, Bitcoin outperformed gold and US stocks, sparking speculation of a major capital rotation. However, in the second half, the situation rapidly shifted. Recent developments in Iran conflict caused both markets to come under pressure, erasing Bitcoin’s previous gains. The Crypto Fear & Greed Index returned to “extreme panic,” and a survey by the American Association of Individual Investors (AAII) showed 52.0% of retail investors are pessimistic over the next six months—the highest since May 2025.
On-chain data platform Alphractal noted that simultaneous panic in both markets is a rare signal, often indicating broader market stress. Technical analyst Tony Severino (CMT) added that historically, when Bitcoin’s correlation with the S&P 500 sharply rebounds from negative to positive, it often foreshadows significant stock market volatility and deep Bitcoin corrections.
Currently, Bitcoin’s correlation with the S&P 500 has turned positive, suggesting their prices may continue to move together in the short term. With rate hike expectations fading and geopolitical tensions unresolved, market sentiment remains fragile. Severino warned that any rebound could be a “dead cat bounce,” with prices potentially accelerating downward after a brief rally. Short-term analysis from BeInCrypto indicates that if Bitcoin drops below $68,000, support may be found around $65,000.
- Zuckerberg Tests AI “Proxy” for Internal Use, Accelerating Meta Workplace Reforms
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is testing an internal AI “proxy” to assist with daily information retrieval and decision-making. The system pulls data directly from company sources, bypassing multiple internal layers, significantly shortening response times. Although still in development, it has become part of Zuckerberg’s workflow, reflecting deep operational changes at Meta.
This initiative aligns with Meta’s recent AI-first strategy. The company is accelerating embedding AI into employee collaboration and task management to reduce reliance on traditional hierarchical communication. Existing internal tools include MyClaw, which allows employees to access documents and chat logs with AI assistance; and “Second Brain,” built on Anthropic’s Claude infrastructure, dubbed “AI chief of staff,” used for task tracking and project management. These tools aim to boost overall efficiency for Meta’s approximately 78,000 employees.
Zuckerberg emphasized in recent earnings calls that 2026 will be a pivotal year for AI-driven restructuring and productivity. He stated Meta is “investing in native AI tools” and “flattening teams,” encouraging more direct contribution from employees. This suggests further streamlining of management layers and a greater role for individual contributors.
As AI tools are deployed, Meta’s organizational adjustments have attracted attention. Reports suggest the company may consider further layoffs, possibly up to 20%, though Meta denies this as “pure speculation.” The trend of shifting toward AI-driven models is not unique to Meta; some tech and crypto firms like Messari have also cut staff and reallocated resources to AI. For Meta, this CEO-led AI experiment signals a key step in reshaping work practices.
- Visa Expands Crypto Strategy, Hiring Engineers to Build Future Digital Asset Infrastructure
Visa is actively recruiting crypto engineers, signaling a new phase in its crypto strategy. As blockchain and digital assets increasingly impact payments, Visa aims to deepen control over digital payments, tokenized assets, and stablecoin infrastructure through expanding its internal tech team, fostering integration with crypto ecosystems.
Over recent years, Visa has partnered on blockchain-based settlement experiments and expanded its digital asset initiatives. The new engineering roles indicate a move beyond experimentation toward systematic development and innovation. Stablecoins, with their low volatility, are a key focus, and internal talent will help enhance technical capabilities and control over blockchain projects.
This move reflects ongoing interest and commitment from traditional financial institutions toward crypto. Payment networks seek to leverage blockchain to improve transaction efficiency, transparency, and speed, while differentiating in a competitive industry. Integration with Bitcoin and stablecoin networks could expand payment options and improve cross-border transactions.
Challenges remain, including regulatory compliance, security, and scalability. Visa’s strategy shows that strengthening internal capabilities can better address these issues, supporting the long-term adoption of crypto in mainstream financial infrastructure.
- Maji Ge Repeatedly Liquidated, Account Balance Drops to $30,268, Total 335 Liquidations
Hyperbot data shows that well-known crypto investor Maji Ge was liquidated again, with his account balance now at $30,268. The address has experienced a total of 335 liquidations.
- ZachXBT Reveals Network of Crypto Scams on X Platform: Over 10 Accounts Manipulate Sentiment, Profiting Six Figures
On-chain investigator ZachXBT uncovered a coordinated network of over ten accounts operating on X platform, manipulating market sentiment by spreading fear related to war and politics to drive crypto scams, resulting in actual financial losses.
ZachXBT’s investigation shows these manipulators often buy high-follower accounts like @wanglaurentceo, then use AI-generated content to impersonate well-known crypto influencers (similar to Mario Nawfal), continuously posting exaggerated or misleading info. They amplify influence through multiple secondary accounts, achieving millions of exposures and interactions per post.
After building traffic, the network embeds fake airdrops, giveaways, and “pump-and-dump” scam links to lure users. On-chain data shows that after promoting the $ORAMAMA project on February 22, they quickly exited, but the addresses have already realized six-figure gains, typical of short-term pump-and-dump schemes.
These accounts frequently change usernames or clear histories to evade tracking. Many large accounts also passively spread content via comments and quotes, further expanding the scam reach.
ZachXBT warns that AI-generated content and social media manipulation are enabling large-scale crypto scams. Users should verify account histories, interactions, and on-chain data before participating in any crypto activity to avoid risks.
- Swedish Listed Company H100 Plans to Increase Bitcoin Holdings from 1,051 to 3,501 Coins
According to an official announcement, Swedish Bitcoin treasury company H100 Group AB has signed a strategic acquisition letter with shareholders of Norwegian firms Moonshot AS and Never Say Die AS. After the deal, H100’s Bitcoin holdings are expected to grow from 1,051 to approximately 3,501 BTC, an increase of about 2,450 BTC.
- Bitcoin Rebound Timing Revealed: Scaramucci Says New Bull Market Could Start in Q4, $1 Million Target Unchanged
Amid geopolitical tensions and macro pressures, Bitcoin again fell below $68,000. SkyBridge Capital founder Anthony Scaramucci recently said the current decline is a typical cyclical correction, not breaking the four-year cycle pattern.
In an interview, Scaramucci noted that although some believe institutional involvement has altered Bitcoin’s cycle, historical behavior shows the four-year pattern remains valid. He explained that near $100K highs, long-term whales, holders, and miners take profits, which is part of the cycle and reinforces market self-correction.
He predicts that Bitcoin could re-enter an uptrend in Q4 2026, aligned with post-halving cycles. Until then, the market may remain volatile. He emphasized that current sentiment is low, and prices are approaching a bottom.
Fundamentally, structural factors are building, including evolving regulation, asset tokenization, and stablecoin expansion, along with increased institutional custody. Scaramucci remains long-term bullish, seeing Bitcoin undervalued compared to gold, with a long-term target of $1 million. His fund continues to buy on dips.
However, short-term risks persist. Tensions in the Middle East, especially with Trump’s tough rhetoric on the Strait of Hormuz, keep markets tense. Bitcoin hovers around $68,600, briefly dropping to $67,372. Rising interest rate expectations also increase correlation with stocks, with 24-hour trading volume up about 13%, indicating heightened capital flows.
Under macro uncertainty and cycle dynamics, Bitcoin’s future trajectory depends on sentiment recovery and liquidity conditions.
- USR Stablecoin Collapse: Hacker Mints $80 Million Uncollateralized Tokens, Price Drops 70%, Trust Crisis
Resolv’s stablecoin USR experienced a major security breach when an attacker exploited a private key leak to mint approximately $80 million worth of uncollateralized tokens, directly impacting the system’s solvency. USR’s price rapidly fell from its $1 peg to about $0.27, a decline of over 70% in a week.
Resolv Labs paused related smart contracts and burned about 9 million tokens, but around 71 million USR remain circulating uncollateralized. Unlike typical smart contract exploits, this was a key compromise, making it harder to prevent with standard audits, and the risk is more severe.
Total USR supply is about 173 million tokens, with only roughly $95 million in protocol assets remaining, lowering the collateralization ratio to 55%, well below safe levels. Early holders could recover about 93% via whitelist redemption, but later users face higher losses.
On-chain data shows USR prices fluctuated between $0.14 and $0.82, with daily trading volume reaching $8.4 million, indicating extreme market confusion. Meanwhile, Resolv’s TVL has fallen from a peak of $684 million in 2025 to about $95 million, with the protocol’s revenue model essentially broken.
Ledger CTO Charles Guillemet warned that this incident could create bad debt in some lending markets, especially where USR is used as collateral, with some liquidity pools already withdrawing.
Resolv stated that underlying assets were not directly stolen; the attack stemmed from external infrastructure intrusion. They are working with law enforcement to trace funds. The team cautions that trading USR during this period may affect future claims.
This event highlights vulnerabilities in stablecoin infrastructure security, transparency of collateral, and resilience under extreme market conditions, challenging confidence in DeFi stable mechanisms.
- SBF Parents Interviewed by CNN Claim Customer Funds Fully Repaid, Question Convictions
Sam Bankman-Fried’s parents, Barbara Fried and Joseph Bankman, gave their first CNN interview, claiming his conviction is unjust and that FTX customer funds have been fully repaid. Joseph said “funds have always been there,” claiming FTX’s subsidiaries hold billions in additional assets. Barbara stated all creditors received full repayment with interest rates of 18% to 43%.
In late March, FTX Recovery Trust plans a fourth distribution of about $2.2 billion, bringing total recoveries to around $10 billion. Some U.S. customer classes could be fully reimbursed, with one reaching 120%. All are dollar-based, based on asset values at the time of bankruptcy in November 2022, when Bitcoin was about $16,800, compared to current ~$69,000. FTX creditor representative Sunil Kavuri said, “FTX creditors have not been fully paid.”
Joseph described transferring customer funds to Alameda Research as routine lending, but this conflicts with proposed regulations in Hong Kong, EU, and US banning mixing customer assets. Barbara called the lawsuits “political,” and the family is seeking a pardon from President Trump, who said in a January NYT interview he would not consider it. Polymarket assigns a 12% probability to this event. SBF’s appeals are ongoing.
- Bitcoin Mining Costs Hit $88,000, Market Price at $69,200, Average Loss 21%
Based on difficulty-adjusted cost models from Checkonchain, the average cost to mine one Bitcoin is about $88,000, while current market price is around $69,200, resulting in an average loss of approximately 21%. Bitcoin previously dropped from $126,000 to below $70,000, and rising oil prices above $100 further increased electricity costs. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz tightens global oil and gas supply expectations, adding to miners’ costs.
Mining difficulty recently decreased by 7.76% to 133.79 trillion, the largest drop this year, down about 10% from early 2025 levels. Hashrate fluctuates between 900 and 950 EH/s, below the 1 EH/s milestone reached earlier this year. Average block time has extended to about 12 minutes and 36 seconds. Hash price hovers near $33 per PH/s, close to breakeven for many miners.
Approximately 43% of Bitcoin supply is in loss, prompting miners to sell holdings to cover expenses when revenues fall below operational costs, increasing market selling pressure. Several publicly traded miners like Marathon Digital and Cipher Mining are shifting resources toward AI and high-performance computing. Bitdeer has reduced Bitcoin holdings to zero, and Core Scientific plans to sell inventory to fund AI infrastructure. Next difficulty adjustment is expected in early April; if current trends continue, further downward adjustments are likely.
