Category: crypto

Bitcoin briefly dropped to $63,062 before rising to $66,201 due to reports of explosions in Tehran. The crypto market lost $128 billion in panic selling as missiles hit the Middle East. Ethereum dropped to $1,837 but rebounded to $1,940. The UAE intercepted Iranian missiles without damage. Both Bitcoin and Ethereum recovered from lows.

In February 2026, crypto hacks resulted in $37.7 million in losses, the lowest since March 2025. Wallet compromises led with $16.6 million lost, followed by phishing attacks and exploits. Approximately 30% of stolen funds were recovered or frozen. DeFi protocols suffered the largest losses, with phishing incidents remaining consistent from January.

The OCC’s GENIUS Act rule drafts a 100% reserved payment stablecoin regime with increased oversight. The draft regulations cover the full payment stablecoin lifecycle, with only authorized issuers allowed to serve U.S. users. The proposal aims to establish a federal stablecoin framework and includes strict standards for reserves, capital, liquidity, audits, and custody.

SBI and Startale Group plan to launch JPYSC, a yen stablecoin backed by a trust bank, in Q2 2026 for cross-border payments and treasury management. The stablecoin aims to provide a regulated digital JPY alternative to USD stablecoins, with interest from banks, financial firms, and large corporations. Operating under Japan’s Type III framework, JPYSC offers…

Citigroup plans to integrate Bitcoin into its traditional financial systems by 2026, responding to institutional demand and ETF flows. The bank aims to offer BTC custody, key management, and portfolio integration services, aligning with peers exploring blockchain settlement. The new infrastructure will bridge the gap between banking systems and Bitcoin operations.

VET, HBAR, and DOGE are all trading below $0.1 with neutral RSI, facing a broader market decline in cryptocurrencies. Tax refund season is sparking speculative March flows, with VET having key support and resistance levels, HBAR consolidating under $0.1, and DOGE trading around $0.09–$0.10 with potential upside.

PayPal and MoonPay have launched PYUSDx, a platform for developers to create custom stablecoins backed by PayPal’s PYUSD. This reduces launch time from months to days and allows for app-specific stablecoins. USD.ai is the first project using the framework. The platform offers cross-chain compatibility and quick deployment.

Sam Bankman-Fried, the disgraced FTX founder, endorsed the CLARITY Act from prison, praising it as a milestone for crypto and crediting Donald Trump. His comments sparked criticism from Senators Cynthia Lummis and Elizabeth Warren, who warned against his support due to his criminal background and past political influence allegations.

Christopher Delgado, CEO of Goliath Ventures, has been arrested on federal charges related to a $328 million Ponzi crypto scam. He faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted. Delgado allegedly diverted funds to pay earlier investors and support his luxury lifestyle. Federal authorities are reaching out to victims under the Crime Victims’ Rights…

MetaMask and Mastercard have launched the MetaMask Card in the United States, allowing users to spend cryptocurrencies at over 150 million Mastercard merchants. Users can earn rewards in mUSD and have full control of their funds until the point of sale. The card works with Apple Pay and Google Pay, making it easy to use.