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The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating whether Iran used Binance to bypass American sanctions by moving large sums of cryptocurrency through the exchange. The probe reportedly focuses on about $1.7 billion in transactions, including funds allegedly linked to networks supporting Iran-backed groups such as Yemen’s Houthi militants and the Revolutionary Guard Corps. Binance says its internal review found far smaller exposure, shut down flagged accounts, and is cooperating with authorities while denying any direct ties to sanctioned entities.

The United States will release its February Consumer Price Index (CPI) data today at 12:30 PM UTC. Economists expect monthly inflation to rise 0.3%, slightly higher than January’s 0.2%. Yearly inflation is likely to remain at 2.4%. Core CPI, which excludes food and energy prices, is expected to increase 0.2%. February reflected a relatively calm global environment, but rising tensions and economic uncertainty in March may influence inflation trends in the coming months.

The United States will release the February CPI data today at 12:30 PM UTC. Inflation is expected to remain at 2.4% compared to a year ago, the lowest level since May 2025. On a monthly basis, prices likely rose 0.3%, slightly higher than January’s 0.2%. Gasoline prices increased during the month, while growth in food, housing, and services slowed. Core inflation, which excludes food and energy, is expected to stay at 2.5%, showing that price pressures are gradually stabilizing.

South Korea’s largest crypto exchange, Upbit, announced it will list Internet Computer Protocol (ICP), offering trading pairs in Korean won (KRW), Bitcoin (BTC), and Tether (USDT). ICP is the native token of the Internet Computer, a decentralized blockchain platform that aims to run full applications and services directly on‑chain without relying on centralized cloud providers like Amazon Web Services or Google Cloud. The protocol supports scalable smart contracts, known as canisters, which can host web‑speed decentralized apps and data. By enabling developers to build and deploy software entirely on the blockchain, ICP seeks to challenge traditional IT infrastructure with a secure, open internet computing ecosystem.

Ghana’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has launched a 12‑month regulatory sandbox under the new Virtual Asset Service Providers Act, admitting 11 crypto firms to test virtual asset trading and related services in a supervised environment. Companies involved include exchanges and firms working on tokenization, custody, and payments, with those meeting regulatory requirements eligible to seek full licences after six months. The pilot aims to support innovation, strengthen investor protection, and shape Ghana’s formal digital asset framework as trading becomes regulated nationwide.

Trust Wallet has introduced a real-time security feature to protect users from address poisoning scams. The tool scans wallet addresses before transactions are completed, warning users about lookalike scam addresses and blocking high-risk ones. It also highlights small character differences to prevent costly errors. The protection is now active on 32 EVM-compatible networks, including Ethereum, BNB Chain, Polygon, and Base, helping users avoid fraud and send crypto more safely.

Wallets linked to Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss have transferred about $130 million worth of Bitcoin (around 1,773 BTC) to Gemini’s hot wallet over the past week, according to Arkham Intelligence. While the tracker suggested the funds were “presumably to sell,” no on-chain sales have been confirmed. Gemini’s total holdings remain stable at nearly 59,872 BTC. The transfers sparked debate online, especially after the twins recently promoted long-term holding, or “HODL,” during a TV appearance.

Robert Kiyosaki, author of Rich Dad’s Prophecy, is warning that the stock market could face its largest crash in history in 2026. He argues that the root causes of the 2008 financial crisis remain unresolved and highlights BlackRock’s private credit exposure as a key risk. With global debt levels soaring, many retirees, especially baby boomers, could see their savings wiped out. Kiyosaki advises investors to consider hard assets like gold, silver, and cryptocurrencies to protect against the looming financial turbulence.

U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs saw strong net inflows of $167.1 million on March 9, reversing a recent short-standing outflow trend and signaling renewed institutional interest in Bitcoin. BlackRock’s IBIT led with $109.3 million, while Fidelity’s FBTC added $60.1 million. Smaller funds such as Bitwise’s BITB and ARK’s ARKB experienced minor outflows, but the overall picture indicated demand for regulated Bitcoin exposure. BlackRock’s IBIT remains the dominant ETF, helping total U.S. Bitcoin ETF assets hover near $88 billion as BTC trades steadily.

Nasdaq has partnered with Kraken’s parent company to develop tokenized shares that mirror traditional stocks, using the same identifiers and offering full shareholder rights such as proxy voting. Settlement will run through existing systems, with blockchain handling ownership records. Pending SEC approval, Nasdaq targets a 2027 launch, starting with listed firms. Kraken will distribute the tokens to customers in Europe and other regions through its xStocks platform, aiming to deliver round-the-clock access and faster settlement.

Coinbase has launched regulated futures trading for its Advanced users in 26 European countries, including Germany, France, and the Netherlands, giving European traders access to compliant derivatives on a major global exchange. The products include Bitcoin, Solana, and equity index futures such as the Mag7 + Crypto index, with a mix of perpetual‑style contracts that expire in five years and traditional term futures. Select contracts offer up to 10x leverage and competitive fees, aiming to provide more regulated options in a market where many previously relied on unregulated platforms.

Hyperliquid’s HIP-3 protocol delivered its biggest weekend yet on Sunday, reaching a record $720 million in single day trading volume. Most of the activity came from strong participation on trade xyz. The spike followed growing geopolitical tensions and a sharp rise in crude oil prices, which increased market volatility. As price swings intensified, traders turned to the platform to seize short term opportunities, pushing weekend volumes to an all time high and signaling stronger engagement during uncertain global conditions.

The global Cryptocurrency market is projected to grow from $2.3 billion in 2023 to $5.5 billion by 2033, according to a report by Allied Market Research. The industry is expected to expand at a 7.5% annual growth rate during the period. Rising demand for transparent payment systems and growing cross-border remittances are driving adoption. Among digital assets, major coins include Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether, Binance Coin, Cardano, and XRP. The report also notes that the Asia-Pacific region currently leads the market and is expected to see the fastest growth due to increasing crypto adoption and expanding blockchain-based payment solutions.

Security researchers at Ctrl Alt Intel say a threat group believed to be linked to North Korea carried out coordinated attacks against crypto companies by exploiting the React2Shell flaw and stealing AWS credentials to access cloud systems. The hackers reportedly stole private keys, configuration data, source code, and Docker images tied to staking platforms and exchange providers such as ChainUp, using infrastructure traced to a South Korea-based server, though attribution remains moderate and the source of the compromised credentials is still unknown.

G7 nations are considering a coordinated release of up to 400 million barrels of oil from strategic reserves to ease soaring energy prices. The move could be coordinated by the International Energy Agency. So far, three Group of Seven countries, including the United States, have shown support for the plan. U.S. officials believe a joint release of 300–400 million barrels could help stabilize markets. G7 countries currently hold about 1.2 billion barrels in reserves. Following the news, oil prices slipped back below $108 per barrel.

Pi Network is drawing growing attention after a recent price surge pushed its market ranking up to around 34th place. The project has also been teasing major ecosystem upgrades, including plans for decentralized exchanges (DEXs) and new applications on its network. These developments could bring more activity and adoption to the platform. Pi Network continues to build its ecosystem as it aims to move beyond its early mining phase and grow into a broader crypto platform.

Spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs saw heavy withdrawals on March 5, with nearly $320 million leaving the funds in a single day. Data from SoSoValue shows Bitcoin spot ETFs recorded about $228 million in outflows, with BlackRock’s IBIT seeing the largest withdrawal among the funds. Ethereum spot ETFs also faced pressure, posting $90.94 million in net outflows. Despite the broader trend, BlackRock’s ETHA stood out by attracting $30.25 million in inflows, making it the only major Ethereum ETF to record gains during the day.

Vitalik Buterin says future crypto wallets will likely integrate AI, but he warns they should not directly control large transactions. Instead, AI could suggest a transaction plan while the wallet runs a simulation to preview the outcome. Users would then review the results and confirm manually. The goal is to ensure that what users intend matches what the system actually executes. This layered approach, using simulations, limits, and verification, could significantly reduce phishing attacks, mistakes, and other security risks.

OKB surged about 23% in the past 24 hours, becoming one of the day’s biggest crypto gainers. The rally followed news that Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), the parent company of the New York Stock Exchange, has invested in crypto exchange OKX at a $25 billion valuation and secured a board seat. The partnership plans to bring tokenized NYSE stocks and futures trading to OKX users by late 2026. Data from CoinGecko shows the move added roughly $640 million to OKB’s market value in one session, with analysts noting no signs of insider trading before the announcement.

BC.GAME has announced a $500,000 bounty for credible leads on an Ethereum wallet tied to a $4.37 million exploit of a third‑party game, prompting the crypto community to help trace the hacker. On‑chain tracking by EyeOnChain showed the attacker used about 1.7 million USDC from the stolen funds to open a $31 million short on ETH, which was liquidated with $1.53 million in losses after the price rose. BC.GAME publicly named the wallet and urged worldwide analysts and investigators to submit tips to identify the perpetrator or aid in asset recovery.

A TON blockchain whale accidentally sent 126,000 TON, worth about $220,000, to a scammer’s fake wallet created through a dusting attack, which uses tiny transactions to identify and target wallets. The scammer returned 116,000 TON (around $203,000) but kept 10,000 TON ($17,000) as a “fee,” even leaving a message apologizing for taking it. The incident highlights the rising risks of wallet impersonation on the TON network and underscores the importance of carefully verifying addresses before sending large amounts.

Google’s Threat Intelligence Group has uncovered a powerful new iPhone exploit toolkit called Coruna, which uses five exploit chains and 23 vulnerabilities to attack devices running iOS 13.0 through 17.2.1 and steal sensitive data, including crypto wallet seed phrases. Initially spotted in February 2025 and linked to state‑level surveillance campaigns, Coruna later appeared on fake cryptocurrency websites to harvest wallet details and financial info from unsuspecting visitors. Apple has since patched these flaws in newer iOS releases, and Google urges users to update to the latest software or enable Lockdown Mode for protection.

Andreessen Horowitz’s crypto‑focused venture arm, a16z Crypto, is raising its fifth fund with a target of about $2 billion, planning to close in the first half of 2026 amid a broader crypto downturn. The new fund is less than half the size of its previous $4.5 billion vehicle, reflecting a cautious shift as venture investors face tighter market conditions and faster-changing trends. Despite the pullback in overall crypto valuations and investment activity, a16z’s continued fundraising signals confidence in blockchain’s long‑term potential, even as some peers explore opportunities in areas like AI.

Bitcoin is trading around $72,000 after rebounding from levels near $67,000, showing strong movement on the daily chart. The broader crypto market is seeing increased activity, with Bitcoin maintaining a large share of the total market. Global tensions and uncertainty are also boosting demand for safe-haven assets like gold and silver, with gold moving toward the $2,300–$2,400 range. Despite geopolitical risks, Bitcoin continues to hold above $70,000, suggesting steady interest from investors.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has submitted a proposal to federal regulators explaining how existing U.S. securities laws could apply to certain crypto assets and related transactions. The interpretation is currently under interagency review before a vote by SEC commissioners. The move shows the agency is willing to move ahead with digital asset oversight without waiting for Congress. While the CLARITY Act could offer a broader framework, the proposal is seen as another step toward the regulatory clarity many institutional investors are waiting for.

Morgan Stanley has updated its SEC filing for a Bitcoin Trust ETF, naming BNY Mellon as administrator and cash custodian and Coinbase Custody to safeguard the bitcoin holdings. The trust will hold physical bitcoin and track its value via the CoinDesk Bitcoin Benchmark, ensuring regulated and transparent pricing. If approved, shares would trade on NYSE Arca, allowing creation and redemption in cash or bitcoin. The move signals Wall Street’s increasing embrace of crypto spot products amid rising institutional demand.

Kraken’s banking arm, Kraken Financial, has become the first crypto company in the U.S. to secure access to the Federal Reserve’s core payment systems via a Fed master account, allowing direct use of Fedwire for dollar settlements without intermediary banks. This milestone marks a major step toward integrating digital assets with traditional finance and comes amid a more crypto‑friendly regulatory climate. While the account doesn’t include all bank privileges, it promises faster, more reliable transactions and boosts Kraken’s institutional credibility.

Tether Investments has made a strategic $1.5 billion investment in New York–based Eight Sleep to accelerate AI-driven health technology and personalized sleep optimization. Eight Sleep combines advanced AI with embedded sensors to monitor and enhance sleep quality. Through this partnership, Tether’s QVAC architecture will power adaptive, edge‑intelligence features in Eight Sleep products, transforming continuous health data into actionable insights. Tether views this technology as essential for improving longevity, performance, and overall wellness.

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong highlighted the crypto market’s growing strength, citing faster settlements, institutional adoption, clearer regulations, ETF growth, and countries exploring Bitcoin reserves. His optimism came as Bitcoin surged over 6% in 24 hours, climbing past $71,000 after weekend fears from U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. Spot Bitcoin ETFs saw over $1 billion in weekly inflows, while reactions on X ranged from bullish cheers to memes about empty wallets during volatile swings, reflecting renewed confidence in crypto infrastructure and market resilience.

The crypto market roared back to life as Bitcoin surged past $71,000 and Ethereum crossed $2,050, sparking a rapid market rally. Bitcoin jumped 5%, adding nearly $70 billion to its market cap, while Ethereum climbed 5.6%, gaining $14 billion. In just five hours, the total crypto market expanded by about $100 billion. The sharp move triggered a wave of liquidations, wiping out nearly $110 million in short positions as bullish momentum swept across the market.

President Donald Trump held a private meeting Tuesday with Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong just hours before publicly criticizing big banks for blocking progress on U.S. crypto market structure legislation. Trump accused banks of undermining the GENIUS Act and stalling the broader CLARITY Act by pushing to ban stablecoin yield programs, a point of contention between banks and crypto firms. He urged lawmakers to pass the bill “ASAP” to bring regulatory clarity and protect American crypto innovation.

Circle has minted $1 billion in USDC on Solana in just hours, bringing its total 2026 issuance on the network to $23.75 billion. Institutions and exchanges create USDC by depositing dollars, fueling liquidity for trading, DeFi protocols, and new token launches on Solana’s fast, low-fee blockchain. Analysts view the surge as significant “dry powder” ready for market deployment, boosting Solana’s role as a leading stablecoin hub alongside Ethereum and Tron.

South Korea’s top crypto exchange, Upbit, will list the EDGE token with trading pairs in KRW, BTC, and USDT, expanding access for its large user base. EDGE (Definitive) is an on-chain trading platform that works like a decentralized exchange aggregator, offering advanced order types, multichain liquidity routing, and CEX-style execution directly from users’ wallets. The token also provides fee benefits and premium features on the Definitive platform, making it appealing for active traders.