Update (March 30 at 9:25 pm UTC): This article has been updated to include a response from Anchorage Digital in the third paragraph.
Seven months ahead of the November midterm elections, Chainlink Labs and Anchorage Digital announced that they were the founding contributors to a political action committee (PAC) “to support candidates working to advance digital asset and blockchain policy in the United States.”
In a Monday announcement, the two crypto companies said they were supporting the Blockchain Leadership Fund, a hybrid PAC that allows contributions directly to candidates as well as independent expenditures, such as media buys.
Source: Chainlink
Neither company publicly disclosed how much they may have contributed to the PAC, and Federal Election Commission (FEC) records showed no funding between the Blockchain Leadership Fund’s creation in September and Dec. 31. An Anchorage spokesperson told Cointelegraph that the company would make a “meaningful contribution” to the PAC to be disclosed to the FEC.
The formation of the PAC, in addition to the contributions from the crypto companies and participation of members from advocacy organization The Digital Chamber, comes about seven months before US voters will determine on Nov. 3 which political party will have majority control of the House of Representatives and Senate. Both chambers are necessary to pass laws related to crypto and blockchain in the country — including the payment stablecoin bill GENIUS Act, approved in July, and the CLARITY Act, under consideration in the Senate.
Related: Coinbase-backed crypto advocacy group unveils 2026 election plan
It was unclear based on FEC filings where the PAC’s attention would go in a US election year crucial for control of both chambers of Congress. A Chainlink spokesperson said that any candidates willing to support the CLARITY Act, the crypto market structure bill moving through the Senate, deserve “sustained, organized support from the industry.”
“2026 will be pivotal for crypto regulation,” said Anchorage in its announcement. “The choices we make now will shape the industry, and American financial leadership, for decades. That outcome will be determined by who invests in the process and who shows up when it matters.”
Anchorage co-founder and CEO Nathan McCauley has reported meeting regularly with lawmakers to discuss the market structure bill, which continues to be stalled over concerns on stablecoin yield and other issues. The platform is just one of many crypto-tied companies that would likely benefit from the legislation being signed into law.
A 2024 redux for the 2026 midterm elections?
The last federal election in the United States in 2024 saw a reported 270 pro-crypto candidates winning seats in Congress along with Donald Trump winning the presidency. Crypto-backed PACs, including the Ripple- and Coinbase-funded Fairshake and its related groups, spent hundreds of millions of dollars in races across the country to support candidates they considered “pro-crypto.”
With many US state primaries already completed in 2026, crypto-aligned PACs have signaled through spending they plan to continue the same strategy they employed in the 2024 elections. Fairshake said in January that the PAC had accumulated a war chest of more than $192 million for this year’s races.
Magazine: Morgan Stanley Bitcoin ETF undercuts BlackRock, SBF pardon unlikely: Hodler’s Digest, Mar. 22 – 28
Cointelegraph is committed to independent, transparent journalism. This news article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph’s Editorial Policy and aims to provide accurate and timely information. Readers are encouraged to verify information independently. Read our Editorial Policy https://cointelegraph.com/editorial-policy
Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure
As Bitcoin (BTC) trades below $70,000 following its latest decline, a crypto analyst is watching for a potential market bottom. His analysis suggests that a price floor could be near, as bearish momentum andselling pressure appear to be slowing. The analyst has pointed to a key indicator that has consistently signaled BTC’s bear-market lows for over a decade, reinforcing the view that theprolonged downtrend could be ending soon. However, the expert also cautions that it may take several months for the market to reach this level and fully stabilize.
Why The Bitcoin Bottom Could Be Closer Than Expected
Crypto market analyst identified as Investor Jordan on X has presented a new Bitcoin price analysis, forecasting where the leading cryptocurrency could finallyreach a bottom in this cycle. Over the past few months, BTC has experiencedsignificant volatility and negative sentiment amid the ongoing bear market.
In the past few weeks, Bitcoin hascrashed toward $60,000, climbed back above $70,000, and then slipped again to $67,000 at the time of writing. Throughout this price fluctuation, market analysts have continued to predict a potential price bottom, with some suggestingBTC has already hit its lowest point this cycle. In contrast, others believe further declines could be ahead.
Investor Jordan, however, offers his unique view. In his BTC price analysis, he stated that it is hard to imagine that the market bottom is not already in or at least very close. He says this because of a historicalRelative Strength Index (RSI) signal that has consistently marked a price floor for Bitcoin over the past 11 years.
Source: Chart from Investor Jordan on X
Investor Jordan noted that in previous cycles, whenever the Bitcoin RSI dropped below 30 and entered oversold territory, it closely aligned withBTC’s cost of production. The cost of production here refers to the total expense required to mine Bitcoin. He noted that for 11 years, this area has been the bottom before BTC began a move to new highs.
The analyst’s chart shows that Bitcoin’s RSI is about to break below 30 again and enter oversold territory. If history repeats itself, this could signal that Bitcoin has reached its final bottom. While he emphasizes the strong likelihood of this outcome, Investor Jordan also cautioned that it may take several weeks or even months for the bottom to play out fully.
Analyst Predicts BTC Bottom By Summer End
In a separate analysis, market expert Titan of Cryptopredicted that Bitcoin could reach a price bottom by the end of summer, likely in late August. He noted that BTC has historically found a price floor three to four months after forming an Ichimoku Death Cross.
According to Titan of Crypto, if thisDeath Cross pattern repeats, Bitcoin could form its highly anticipated price floor before any potential recovery to the upside.
BTC trading at $67,518 on the 1D chart | Source: BTCUSDT on Tradingview.com
Featured image from Pixabay, chart from Tradingview.com
Editorial Process for bitcoinist is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.
Senator Richard Blumenthal asked the SEC whether allies of President Donald Trump in crypto received favorable treatment.
His inquiry focuses on the SEC’s dismissal of fraud charges against Tron founder Justin Sun.
The letter comes as the SEC has closed or dropped multiple crypto cases and Trump has issued pardons to industry figures.
Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) is pressing the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for answers about whether individuals and companies tied to President Donald Trump’s cryptocurrency ventures received preferential treatment from regulators.
In a letter to SEC Chairman Paul Atkins on Monday, Blumenthal requested records and communications related to enforcement decisions involving cryptocurrency firms, including companies linked to Tron founder Justin Sun, after the agency dismissed fraud charges against Sun and several of his companies earlier this month in a settlement that included a $10 million civil penalty.
Bluenthal’s letter also questioned the departure of Margaret Ryan, who had served only six months as director of the SEC’s Division of Enforcement before leaving the agency.
“Ms. Ryan’s abrupt departure from the agency raises questions in light of her short tenure and reports that senior leadership intervened to prohibit the Division of Enforcement from pursuing cases against certain cryptocurrency companies,” Blumenthal wrote. “Indeed, on March 5, 2026, approximately 11 days before Ms. Ryan stepped down from her position, the SEC dismissed fraud charges against Mr. Sun and several of his companies after he agreed to pay a $10 million fine.”
In March 2023, the SEC charged Sun and his companies with securities violations. Charges were also filed against several influencers, Jake Paul, Lindsay Lohan, Aliaune “Akon” Thiam, and adult film star Michelle “Kendra Lust” Mason, for not disclosing they were paid to promote Tron-related cryptocurrency tokens.
“Facing federal prosecution, Mr. Sun began to buy into President Trump’s cryptocurrency ventures, first by purchasing millions of dollars worth of the President’s memecoin, $TRUMP, which made Sun its largest holder and entitled him to a private dinner with the President,” Blumenthal wrote. “Mr. Sun and his firms then went on to become an early investor in the Trump family’s larger cryptocurrency venture, World Liberty Financial (WLFI), providing tens of millions in support to WLFI’s governance token and its stablecoin, USD1.”
Blumenthal’s letter comes after the SEC ended multiple high-profile cases originally brought during the Joe Biden administration. The agency closed its lawsuit against Coinbase in February 2025, moved to dismiss its case against Binance and founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao in May 2025, and ended appeals in its long-running dispute with Ripple over XRP in August 2025. At the same time, Trump has granted clemency to several prominent figures in the cryptocurrency industry, including CZ and BitMEX founder Arthur Hayes.
Blumenthal asked the SEC to provide the requested records to the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations by April 13, and to include any documents related to Zhao’s case as well. The senator is also seeking records of contacts between the chairman’s office and members of the Trump or Witkoff families regarding cryptocurrency businesses.
Blumenthal’s request adds further criticism from Democratic lawmakers over the SEC’s approach to crypto enforcement since Trump returned to office.
In January, House Democrats, including Representatives Maxine Waters, Brad Sherman, and Sean Casten, warned that the agency’s retreat from enforcement actions raised concerns about political influence over regulatory decisions. This was followed in February, when Democratic lawmakers criticized Atkins for easing enforcement against Binance and Justin Sun, accusing the SEC of enabling reputational damage and undermining market integrity.
“People are losing trust,” Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA) told Atkins during a hearing before the House Financial Services Committee. “This is not good for crypto, it’s certainly not good for consumers. The reputational damage the SEC is suffering right now.”
The office of Senator Blumenthal did not immediately respond to Decrypt‘s request for comment.
Daily Debrief Newsletter
Start every day with the top news stories right now, plus original features, a podcast, videos and more.
Built by Tezos R&D hub Trilitech, the new web app brings tokenized rare earth metals on-chain alongside gold and uranium as AI-driven industrial demand intensifies.
Metals.io, a new commodity tokenization platform built in the Tezos ecosystem, went live on Monday, giving users access to tokenized gold, uranium, and a basket of rare-earth metals through a single web application.
Developed by Trilitech, a London-based Tezos R&D hub, the platform launches with three assets: xU3O8 tokenized uranium, VNX Gold (VNXAU) — a gold-backed token representing allocated bullion held in Liechtenstein vaults — and the RARE token from Noemon Tech, which offers exposure to a diversified basket of five strategic metals, including hafnium, rhenium, indium, neodymium oxide, and praseodymium oxide.
The platform leverages Tezos’ smart-rollup technology, which the team says delivers sub-50ms latency for near-instant transaction confirmations.
Metals.io extends the same underlying technology as uranium.io, a tokenized uranium trading platform that launched on Etherlink — the EVM-compatible Layer 2 powered by Tezos — in December 2024.
“Commodity markets are global and indispensable, yet access to them remains fragmented and layered with intermediaries,” said Arthur Breitman, co-founder of Tezos. “As the AI revolution accelerates, energy and critical materials are becoming core economic constraints. Tokenization streamlines ownership and transfer of these assets at a global scale.”
Tokenized RWA Boom
The launch comes as tokenized gold has emerged as one of the fastest-growing segments in the broader real-world asset (RWA) sector. The tokenized commodities market stands at approximately $7 billion, according to RWAxyz, with gold-backed tokens still dominating the category.
Tether Gold (XAUT) and Paxos Gold (PAXG) remain the dominant players, controlling more than 95% of the tokenized gold market. Tether recently expanded XAUT to BNB Chain as it pushes its gold-backed token across multiple ecosystems.
Where Metals.io looks to carve out a niche is in its rare earth and industrial metals offering — a category that has seen less tokenization activity than gold despite surging demand.
In February, President Trump signed an executive order creating a $12 billion critical mineral stockpile — dubbed “Project Vault” — backed by a $10 billion loan from the U.S. Export-Import Bank and $2 billion in private sector financing.
The RARE token from Noemon Tech provides exposure to this space. “The current rapid pace of innovation in the AI sector and several other related fields is having a knock-on effect on demand for metals and materials that are critical to these endeavors,” said Dimitrios Kavvathas, founder of Noemon Tech. The token provides exposure to elements like hafnium and rhenium, which are essential in semiconductor manufacturing, jet engines, and other high-tech applications.
Meanwhile, the broader tokenized RWA sector continues to grow rapidly. Tokenized RWAs crossed $20 billion in on-chain value in early 2025, and the figure has continued climbing since then. Ethereum alone now hosts over $15 billion in tokenized real-world assets. However, the sector still faces structural challenges — a December report from RWAio estimated that blockchain fragmentation is costing the tokenized asset market between $600 million and $1.3 billion annually due to cross-chain price discrepancies and transaction friction.
This article was written with the assistance of AI workflows. All our stories are curated, edited and fact-checked by a human.
Michael Saylor’s Strategy has halted its weekly bitcoin purchases for the first time in over a year, maintaining total holdings at 762,099 BTC.
The company didn’t disclose an SEC filing this week. That means it made no bitcoin acquisitions between March 23 and March 29, snapping a 13-week buying streak that added more than 90,000 BTC.
Strategy’s stack — acquired at an average price of $75,694 — represents over 3.6% of Bitcoin’s fixed 21 million supply, with unrealized losses of roughly $6 billion at current prices.
The pause comes as the firm refrains from issuing new equity through its at-the-market programs, which have historically funded its aggressive bitcoin accumulation strategy.
Last week, Strategy purchased 1,031 bitcoin for $76.6 million at an average price of $74,326, marking a slowdown after deploying over $1 billion in the prior two weeks.
Strategy’s capital raise
Also last week, Strategy moved to significantly expand its capital-raising capacity, adding new Wall Street sales agents and authorizing up to $42.1 billion in additional at-the-market equity and preferred offerings.
The company established new programs to issue up to $21 billion in common stock, $21 billion in STRC preferred shares, and $2.1 billion in STRK preferred, while continuing to utilize existing shelf registrations.
It also restructured its preferred stock mix by sharply increasing authorization for its floating-rate STRC series and reducing STRK shares, signaling a strategic tilt toward more flexible, rate-linked financing.
Strategy is best understood as a bitcoin treasury company — a public firm that raises capital to acquire and hold Bitcoin, effectively turning its stock into a leveraged proxy for the asset.
Led by Saylor, the company has pivoted from enterprise software over the last few years to aggressively accumulating bitcoin through equity, debt, and preferred stock, framing the approach as a long-term bet on BTC as “digital capital.”
The price of bitcoin has declined over the past five days, starting near the $71,000–72,000 range before sliding steadily lower over the weekend.
Last Friday, a sharp dip pushed the bitcoin price down toward the mid-66,000s. After that, the market moved sideways with small fluctuations, showing limited momentum.
At the time of writing, Strategy shares are around $130 a share.
Editorial Disclaimer: We leverage AI as part of our editorial workflow, including to support research, image generation, and quality assurance processes. All content is directed, reviewed, and approved by our editorial team, who are accountable for accuracy and integrity. AI-generated images use only tools trained on properly license material. In Bitcoin, as in media: Don’t trust. Verify.
Bitcoin’s recovery is expected to face selling near $69,000, but if the bulls prevail, a rally to $74,508 is possible.
Most major altcoins remain below their resistance levels, indicating that the bears continue to exert pressure.
Bitcoin (BTC) rose above $68,000, but the bulls are struggling to sustain the higher levels. Sellers are expected to exert pressure to achieve a negative monthly close in March. That will result in six consecutive months of losses for the first time since the 2018 bear market.
Analysts remain increasingly bearish on BTC’s prospects in the short term. Analyst Willy Woo said in a post on X that BTC may bottom between $46,000 and $54,000 according to various on-chain models.
Crypto market data daily view. Source: TradingView
The deeper the fall from the all-time high, the longer it is likely for BTC to take to record a new all-time high. According to an Ecoinometrics’ model, if BTC holds the $60,000 low, a full recovery is expected to happen in roughly 300 days from the October 2025 peak of $126,000. About 175 days have passed since BTC’s all-time high, leaving around 125 days for the full recovery to happen. If BTC falls to the $40,000 to $45,000 range, the recovery may stretch further into Q2 2027, as every 10% drawdown adds 80 days to the recovery duration.
Will buyers be able overcome the resistance levels in BTC and the major altcoins? Let’s analyze the charts of the top 10 cryptocurrencies to find out.
S&P 500 Index price prediction
The S&P 500 Index (SPX) turned down from the 20-day exponential moving average (6,620) on Wednesday, indicating that bears remain in command.
Sellers will attempt to sink the price to the 6,147 level, which is likely to attract solid buying by the bulls. A bounce off the 6,147 level may face selling at the 20-day EMA. If the price turns down sharply from the 20-day EMA, the bears will again attempt to sink the index below the 6,147 level. If they succeed, the next stop may be the 5,943 level.
On the other hand, a break and close above the 20-day EMA suggests that the bears are losing their grip. The index may then rally to the 50-day simple moving average (6,803).
US Dollar Index price prediction
The US Dollar Index (DXY) bounced off the 20-day EMA (99.40) on Wednesday, signaling a positive sentiment.
Buyers will attempt to strengthen their position by maintaining the price above the 100.54 overhead resistance. If they manage to do that, the index may start a new up move to the 102 level and later to the 103.54 level.
Time is running out for the bears. They will have to defend the 100.54 level and swiftly pull the price below the 20-day EMA to weaken the bullish momentum. The price may then slump to the 50-day SMA (98.25).
Bitcoin price prediction
BTC closed below the support line of the ascending triangle pattern on Sunday, but the bears could not sustain the lower levels.
The bulls have pushed the BTC price back above the support line and are attempting to pierce the moving averages. If they succeed, it suggests that the break below the support line may have been a bear trap. The BTC/USDT pair may rally to the $74,508 to $76,000 resistance zone.
To retain the advantage, sellers will have to successfully defend the moving averages and swiftly pull the price below the $65,000 level. That clears the path for a drop to the $62,500 to $60,000 support zone.
Ether price prediction
Ether (ETH) closed below the 50-day SMA ($2,040) on Friday, but the bears could not sink the price below the $1,916 support.
The bulls are attempting to push the ETH price above the moving averages and get back into the game. If they can pull it off, the possibility of a rally to $2,400 increases. Sellers will attempt to halt the up move at $2,400, but if the buyers bulldoze their way through, the next stop may be $2,600.
This positive view will be negated in the near term if the ETH/USDT pair turns down and breaks below the $1,916 level. That opens the doors for a drop to the $1,750 support.
BNB price prediction
BNB (BNB) has been trading below the moving averages, but the bears could not pull the price to the $570 support.
The bulls are attempting to start a recovery, which is expected to face resistance at the moving averages. If the BNB price turns down from the moving averages, the risk of a drop to $570 increases.
Contrarily, a close above the moving averages suggests that the BNB/USDT pair may remain inside the $570 to $687 range for some more time. Buyers will be back in the driver’s seat on a close above the $687 resistance.
XRP price prediction
XRP (XRP) remains below the moving averages, indicating that the bears continue to exert pressure.
The gradually downsloping moving averages and the RSI in the negative territory indicate that the bears have the upper hand. Buyers will attempt to defend the $1.27 level, but if the support cracks, the XRP/USDT pair may descend to $1.11.
Contrary to this assumption, if the XRP price turns up sharply and breaks above the moving averages, it suggests that selling dries up at lower levels. The pair may then march toward the $1.61 level.
Solana price prediction
Solana (SOL) remains stuck inside the $76 to $95 range, indicating a balance between supply and demand.
The flattish moving averages and the RSI just below the midpoint do not give a clear edge either to the bulls or the bears. Buyers will have to shove the SOL price above the $95 resistance to start a rally to the $117 level.
On the contrary, a break and close below the $76 level tilts the advantage in favor of the bears. The SOL/USDT pair may then retest the Feb. 6 low of $67.
Related: Bitcoin analysis says $65K ‘entry zone’ with oil back above $100
Dogecoin price prediction
Buyers have managed to maintain Dogecoin (DOGE) above the $0.09 support but are struggling to start a strong rebound.
That suggests the bears are selling on every minor relief rally to the moving averages. If the DOGE price again turns down from the moving averages, it increases the risk of a break below the $0.09 support. The DOGE/USDT pair may then plunge to the $0.08 level.
Instead, if the price continues higher and breaks above the moving averages, it signals that the bulls remain buyers near the $0.09 level. The pair may then rally to $0.11 and subsequently to $0.12.
Cardano price prediction
Cardano (ADA) closed below the $0.25 support on Friday, indicating that the bears are in control.
Buyers are trying to push the ADA price back above the $0.25 level, but the bears have held their ground. That suggests the sellers are attempting to flip the $0.25 level into resistance. If they manage to do that, the ADA/USDT pair may plummet to the Feb. 6 low of $0.22.
The bulls will have to swiftly thrust the price above the moving averages to trap the aggressive bears. That may drive the pair to the downtrend line. Sellers are expected to vigorously defend the downtrend line, as a close above it signals a potential short-term trend change.
Hyperliquid price prediction
Buyers are attempting to sustain the Hyperliquid (HYPE) price above the 20-day EMA ($37.86), but the recovery lacks strength.
If the HYPE price dips below the 20-day EMA and the $36.77 level, it suggests that the bulls have given up. That may pull the HYPE/USDT pair to the 50-day SMA ($33.73), which is likely to act as strong support.
Alternatively, if the price turns up from the current level, it is expected to face resistance at $41.59 and then at $44. Buyers will have to scale the $44 level to signal the resumption of the up move toward $50.
This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision. While we strive to provide accurate and timely information, Cointelegraph does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information in this article. This article may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Cointelegraph will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your reliance on this information.
Meta Platforms has begun testing a new premium subscription called Instagram Plus, offering everyday users access to exclusive features as the company expands its push into paid social media tools, according to a TechCrunch report.
The test follows earlier plans to introduce subscriptions across its core apps, including Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp.
Instagram Plus introduces several features aimed at enhancing how users interact with Stories. Subscribers can view Stories without notifying the poster, a long-requested feature, and can also see how many people have rewatched their own Stories. The update also expands audience controls by allowing users to create multiple custom lists beyond the existing Close Friends option.
Additional features include extending a Story’s lifespan by another 24 hours, spotlighting a Story once per week to increase visibility, and sending animated reactions such as a Superlike. Users can also search their Story viewer list, making it easier to check whether specific accounts have viewed their content.
The subscription is currently being tested in select markets, including Mexico, Japan, and the Philippines, with pricing ranging from roughly $1 to $2 per month, depending on the region. The product is separate from Meta Verified, which is aimed at creators and businesses, signaling that Instagram Plus is designed to monetize everyday user activity rather than professional accounts.
The move comes as social platforms increasingly experiment with subscription models to diversify revenue beyond advertising. Snap Inc. has seen traction with Snapchat+, which recently surpassed 25 million subscribers, while platforms like X have also introduced paid tiers with premium features.
Meta said it will continue testing Instagram Plus before deciding on a broader rollout. The results will likely determine whether users are willing to pay for enhanced social features as subscription fatigue becomes a growing concern across digital platforms.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Estefano Gomez. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
Midnight, a blockchain backed by Charles Hoskinson, went live Monday, designed to fix what the Cardano founder described as crypto’s core design flaws by making it private, simple and safer to use.
Crypto has spent more than a decade solving the wrong problems and failing to break into the real-world economy, Hoskinson said in an interview.
“The question I’ve been asking for eight years is: why didn’t the revolution happen?”
For Hoskinson, crypto’s biggest obstacle isn’t regulation or volatility, it’s usability. Today’s systems require users to navigate complex wallets, accept the risk of irreversible loss, and operate in a fully transparent environment where every transaction can be tracked, he said.
His answer is Midnight, a project in which he invested roughly $200 million. Rather than competing with networks like Bitcoin or Ethereum, it sits alongside them, allowing users and businesses to use crypto without exposing sensitive data or dealing with the technical complexity, Hoskinson said.
“The last mile is simplicity, privacy and rules,” he said. Without those, blockchain will remain locked out of the real world.
In practice, that means making crypto behave more like an app. Users shouldn’t need to manage private keys or risk losing access permanently, and transactions do not have to automatically expose balances or activity. In some cases, users may not even realize they are using blockchain.
“You shouldn’t need to understand how crypto works to use it,” Hoskinson said. “You tap, authenticate, and it just works.”
The rollout will take place in phases, starting with infrastructure and expanding to applications and governance. Early uses include confidential financial products, identity systems and enterprise data workflows.
The user experience is ‘broken’
“The consumer experience today is broken,” Hoskinson said. “People are afraid they’re going to lose their money.”
Midnight attempts to solve that by introducing what Hoskinson described as “selective disclosure,” a system that allows users to prove specific things about themselves without revealing underlying personal data. Instead of handing over sensitive information, users can answer simple yes-or-no questions and verify them cryptographically.
The network marks what Hoskinson called the fourth generation of blockchain, one designed to support real-world applications at scale. He said Midnight introduces a hybrid model in which some data remains private while other elements can still be verified when necessary.
The concept builds on industry efforts to balance privacy and transparency, a trade-off that has historically limited enterprise adoption of public blockchains.
“Public blockchains expose too much, private systems sacrifice verifiability,” Hoskinson said. “Midnight removes that trade-off.”
That shift could enable new types of applications. Businesses could run payroll systems on blockchain without revealing employee salaries, while financial institutions could move funds without exposing positions. Identity systems could verify users without storing personal data.
That vision is starting to see early traction. London-based Monument Bank recently announced plans to tokenize up to 250 million pounds ($330 million) in retail deposits on Midnight, one of the first examples of a regulated bank bringing customer funds onto a public blockchain while maintaining regulatory protections.
The largest airdrop by number of users
Unlike many crypto projects, Midnight was not built on venture capital. Hoskinson funded it himself and distributed tokens widely through what the project describes as one of the largest airdrops in the industry, reaching 37 million wallets across eight blockchains when they went live in December.
The market responded quickly. Midnight briefly surpassed a $1 billion valuation and currently sits at roughly $776.2 million, with the token trading near $0.047, according to CoinDesk data. It is built on Cardano, which ranks 12th globally with a market capitalization of about $9.2 billion.
Midnight also sports a dual-token model designed to separate speculation from network usage. A tradable token, NIGHT, is used for governance and security, while a second token, DUST, is used for transaction fees.
The approach is broadly similar to dual-token systems used by networks such as NEO, VeChain and Ontology, though Midnight places greater emphasis on privacy and user abstraction. The distinction allows transaction costs to remain more predictable and opens the door for applications to cover fees on behalf of users.
For Hoskinson, the goal is not just adoption, but invisibility, a future where users interact with blockchain without thinking about it.
“If we get this right, this is the thing that finally makes crypto work at scale,” he saod.
UPDATE(March 30, 16:40 UTC):Adds more comments and information from an interview with Charles Hoskinson.
CFTC Chair Michael Selig signaled that the agency would defer to the football league in calling for changes to event contracts that could be manipulated by a single person.
The National Football League (NFL) has reportedly sent letters to Kalshi, Polymarket and other prediction market platforms in an effort to block the companies from offering trades on football events that can be easily manipulated or determined in advance.
According to a Monday ESPN report, the letters to the prediction market companies said that the NFL objected to certain types of event contracts offered on the platforms, including those that could be easily manipulated by a single person — such as an announcer’s words, player signings, coach firings and bets related to injuries on the field. League executive vice president Jeff Miller reportedly said the letter followed talks with the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
“When a league raises manipulation concerns about a contract proposed to be listed on a prediction market, the agency considers the league’s concerns and may prohibit the contract from being listed,” said CFTC Chair Michael Selig in a Monday interview with ESPN posted to X, adding:
“[T]he leagues are very well positioned to make those calls and so we are going to afford a lot of deference to the leagues on these types of issues.”
Source: CFTC Chair Michael Selig
Under Selig, the CFTC has moved toward claiming “exclusive jurisdiction” over prediction markets even as many US state gaming authorities continue to file lawsuits against platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket. Earlier this month, Major League Baseball (MLB) signed a memorandum of understanding with the US regulator in response to requests for “integrity protections.”
Related: Detroit set to enter Michigan‘s battle against Coinbase prediction markets
Cointelegraph reached out to Kalshi and Polymarket for comment on the NFL letters but did not receive an immediate response.
US lawmakers mull legislation to fight insider trading on prediction markets
The NFL’s letter comes as lawmakers in the US Congress introduced bills in response to “highly unusual bets” bets on prediction markets platforms, signaling insider information about the country’s attacks on Iran. Another proposed bill would ban a US president and lawmakers from making wagers on the platforms.
Magazine: Are DeFi devs liable for the illegal activity of others on their platforms?
Cointelegraph is committed to independent, transparent journalism. This news article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph’s Editorial Policy and aims to provide accurate and timely information. Readers are encouraged to verify information independently. Read our Editorial Policy https://cointelegraph.com/editorial-policy
Wall Street broker Bernstein says crypto-linked equities are approaching a cyclical bottom following a steep ~60% drawdown from 2025 highs, framing the pullback as a potential “big discount” opportunity ahead of first-quarter earnings.
In a Monday note led by analyst Gautam Chhugani, the firm said the combination of macro uncertainty, geopolitical tension, and weak crypto sentiment has pressured valuations across the sector, but argued that fundamentals tied to long-term growth themes remain intact, according to Investing.com.
Despite the bullish longer-term view, Bernstein lowered price targets across major names: it cut its target on Coinbase to $330 from $440, Robinhood to $130 from $160, and Figure to $67 from $72. All three remain rated Outperform.
The broker estimates crypto equities have retraced roughly 60% from their 2025 peak, alongside a broader crypto market correction that erased trillions in value. Bitcoin itself has fallen sharply from record highs, contributing to weaker trading activity and sentiment.
Still, Bernstein pointed to structural growth drivers including stablecoins, tokenization, prediction markets, and derivatives. It also argued that crypto exposure remains a smaller share of Robinhood’s revenue base, while Figure is positioned as a pure-play tokenization business.
The firm expects Q1 earnings weakness to mark a sentiment floor before recovery into the second half of 2026.
Crypto, bitcoin continues slumping
This note comes as Bitcoin traded lower over the weekend after remarks from Donald Trump suggesting the United States is engaged in discussions with a new leadership structure in Iran and that progress toward a potential agreement is underway.
The moves followed a weekend dip toward $64,000 and reinforced a broader rangebound structure between roughly $65,000 and $70,000.
Sentiment was driven by escalating tensions in the Middle East, where the conflict between Iran and Israel has intensified, with strikes on Iranian targets and regional spillovers affecting Kuwait and other Gulf states.
Reports of missile and drone activity, risks to energy infrastructure, and threats to shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz have kept global markets on edge. U.S. President Donald Trump has alternated between diplomatic signals and severe threats toward Iran’s energy infrastructure, while U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been cited in discussions suggesting regime change dynamics may be emerging, with Pakistan attempting to facilitate indirect talks.
Beyond geopolitics, derivatives positioning has also contributed to muted volatility. Institutional investors selling covered call options have shifted gamma exposure to market makers, whose hedging activity dampens price swings by buying dips and selling rallies.
Overall, Bitcoin remains rangebound as markets digest geopolitical risk, options-driven volatility suppression, and macroeconomic uncertainty, while traders await clearer direction from both policy signals and liquidity trends, say this comes as institutional positioning continues to offset retail-driven momentum and headline shocks in a tightly controlled trading environment through early spring 2026 cycle period.