Bitcoin is often celebrated as a decentralized network, with mining power distributed globally to ensure security and neutrality. However, a closer look at mining activity suggests that this decentralization may not be as evenly distributed as it appears. While individual theories can participate in mining, the majority of the network’s hash power is concentrated among a relatively small number of large mining pools and geographic regions. Why Bitcoin’s Mining Distribution Deserves A Closer Look Bitcoin mining is not as globally decentralized as many assume. Analyst Lucky revealed on X that while the network is technically permissionless, a significant share of its hashpower is still concentrated in a few regions. Related Reading: Bitcoin Mining Nationalized? US Senators Float Bold New Reserve-Backed Bill Furthermore, estimates suggest that roughly 68% BTC mining power is distributed across three major countries: the United States, China, and Russia. This concentration is not coincidental but driven by fundamental factors such as infrastructure, energy access, and regulatory dynamics. Currently, the US has emerged as a leader due to the rise of institutional-scale mining operations, strong access to capital markets, and relatively stable regulatory clarity in states like Texas. Despite the official bans, China continues to contribute to global hashpower through underground or relocated mining operations, often supported by inexpensive hydro and coal energy. Meanwhile, Russia benefits from abundant low-cost electricity and colder regions where cooling costs are minimal. This dynamic highlights an important reality where BTC decentralization exists, but its mining ecosystem is shaped by real-world power, policy, and energy economics. Ultimately, following the distribution of hashpower offers a clearer picture of where BTC influence within the network truly resides. How New Tariffs Could Pressure Bitcoin And Risk Assets US President Donald Trump is back in focus with a new wave of tariff plans, proposing a 25% levy on the full value of goods that use imported steel and aluminum. An investor known as Sjuul AltCryptoGems on X has outlined that during earlier tariff announcements of Trump, Bitcoin and the broader crypto market dropped hard. Meanwhile, this time, uncertainty is already elevated due to the war. Sjuul pointed out that if these policies escalate into a full-scale conflict, it could amplify volatility across financial markets. During the period, the Bitcoin whales were actively placing resistance in the market, and making it clear that the price would not break above the $70,000 level as the US trading session advanced. According to Crypto Seth, as news surrounding tensions involving Iran emerged, BTC whales appeared to use the event as a catalyst to push the market lower, triggering a wave of liquidations. Related Reading: Bitcoin Whales Still Favoring Short Positions Amid Sideways Price Action In total, 185,806 traders were liquidated, with losses reaching approximately $406,52 million. Crypto Seth noted that this wasn’t random volatility but a calculated move, where 100x Degen longs were caught offside. At the same time, data shows that short leverage is building above the $69,000 level, as indicated by heatmap activity. Featured image from Getty Images, chart from Tradingview.com
Rising odds of U.S. forces entering Iran signal potential geopolitical instability, impacting global markets and strategic military dynamics.
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The non-profit foundation has staked 69,500 ETH, nearly reaching the goal it unveiled at the end of February, less than two months ago.
Gold (XAU) and silver (XAG) futures have climbed into the top five by trading volume on Binance Futures. Binance Metal Rush Doesn’t Leave Crypto Behind Just weeks after Binance rolled out gold and silver perpetual futures settled in USDT, the cumulative volume across the metals contracts already reached the tens of billions of dollars, a CryptoQuant report from yesterday claims. However, CryptoQuant’s analyst Marteen assures that Binance is still overwhelmingly crypto‑native. Bitcoin leads the futures volume around the low‑$20‑billion range with Ethereum following behind at $18.1B and Solana at a distant third at $3.0B. But the metals’ rise into the top bucket shows non‑crypto assets are no longer a sideshow. Gold is already in 4th place at $2.15B, and silver is right behind it at $1.98B. Related Reading: Bitcoin Liquidations Dethroned? A Tokenized Bet Just Posted Crypto’s Biggest Loss Marteen’s conclusion is simple. Binance still leans heavily toward crypto, but it has outgrown being a pure crypto venue. Commodities have soaked up liquidity at speed, and equity‑linked products are now starting to see meaningful flow as well. [Binance] – Snapshot Futures Volume – April 1st, 2026. Source: CryptoQuant. Binance Joins The Oil Rush Too According to WuBlockchain, Binance’s new “TradFi” futures suite (gold, silver and stock‑linked products) has rapidly captured a meaningful share of overall derivatives activity on the platform. On April 2, the first full trading day after launch on Binance, USDⓈ-margined perpetual contracts for crude oil assets CL and BZ recorded trading volumes of $760 million and $358 million respectively, ranking third and fourth among Binance TradFi perpetual products. Meanwhile,… pic.twitter.com/PoROHzQsur — Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) April 3, 2026 Crude oil benchmarks CL and BZ posted volumes of $760 million and $358 million dollars respectively, placing them third and fourth among Binance’s traditional‑finance perpetual products. Daily Volume by Symbol. Binance TradFi-USDT Perp. Source: WuBlockchain. Trading activity, however, remains dominated by gold (XAU) and silver (XAG), which together generated $5.58 billion in daily volume, makin up more than 70% of the total. Are Crypto Venues Morphing Into Multi‑Asset Trading Hubs? Let’s keep in mind that Binance is not the only crypto venue experiencing such a dramatic shift. In recent weeks, Hyperliquid has been under the spotlight for many reasons, but one of the main ones is that the leading perp DEX’s combined HIP-3 (oil, gold and silver) open interest reached all-time highs. The platform is now trading more volume in tokenized commodities than digital assets. Just yesterday, NewsBTC reported that tokenized Brent oil futures on Hyperliquid generated about $46.6 million in liquidations in 24 hours, making oil the third‑most liquidated asset on the decentralized exchange. Gold Perpetual Contracts on Binance right now, showing the performance. They are trading for almost $4.7k Source: XAUUSDT.P on Tradingview. Gold and silver have been ripping on the back of inflation worries, rate‑cut bets and geopolitical stress. Binance is joining the 24/7 RWA’s trading hub bandwagon by effectively letting traders express those macro views with high leverage and stablecoin collateral, instead of using legacy commodity exchanges. Related Reading: Hyperliquid Puts Wall Street Onchain — Will This Warp Crypto Volatility Next? Gold and silver breaking into the top five on Binance Futures is a signal that the line between crypto and TradFi markets is dissolving, with liquidity, speculation and hedging all moving onto the same rails. A portion of derivatives capital rotating into metals and stock‑linked contracts can thin order books and amplify volatility in smaller altcoins during risk‑off episodes. Silver Perpetual Contracts on Binance right now, showing the performance and technicals. They are trading for almost $73. Source: XAGUSDT.P on Tradingview. Sophisticated players might use metals futures on Binance as a hedge against crypto drawdowns. Correlation regimes between BTC and gold (as the one between oil and Bitcoin explained by NewsBTC yesterday) could shift as both trade on the same venue. Ignoring this new macro layer on Binance’s futures board could mean missing an important signal about where “smart” derivatives flow is going. At the moment of writing, BTC trades for almost $67k on the daily chart. Source: BTCUSD on Tradingview. Cover image from Perplexity. All charts from Tradingview.
Rising market odds of US intervention in Iran suggest heightened geopolitical tensions, impacting global stability and economic forecasts.
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The FIFA World Cup will feature a prediction market platform built on ADI Chain, with the network’s token hitting a new high Friday.
The incident escalates tensions, potentially leading to increased U.S. military involvement and impacting geopolitical stability and markets.
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The draft bill, yet to be signed into law by the king, marked a significant policy change for Cambodia officials in addressing scam centers.
Iran's rejection of US ceasefire demands underscores the challenges in achieving a swift diplomatic resolution, impacting market confidence.
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The executive order may strain US-EU trade relations, potentially impacting global markets and economic conditions through retaliatory measures.
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Institutional adoption via BlackRock's ETF could drive Bitcoin's mainstream acceptance, influencing future price stability and growth.
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Crypto analyst Jordan has predicted that the Bitcoin price could rally to $80,000 in the short term. The analyst pointed to a February bullish trend that could spark this rally for the leading crypto. Bitcoin Price Eyes Rally To $80,000 Based On This Trend In an X post, Jordan predicted that the Bitcoin price could rally to $80,000, citing a bullish trend that began in February. This was around when BTC formed a new local low of $60,000. Since then, the leading crypto has rebounded to as high as $76,000. The analyst noted that BTC has bounced every time the price has tested support in the lower $60,000 range. Related Reading: Bitcoin Price Is Only Halfway To The Bottom And Will Crash Below $40,000, Here’s Why Jordan said that if the Bitcoin price can hold this level, then there could be a momentum push towards the $80,000 to $84,000 CME gap. He added that it is interesting that the price has remained above key support levels despite the U.S.-Iran war. Crypto analyst Doctor Profit also indicated that BTC could rally above $80,000 in the short term. In an X post, he stated that he will look to enter new shorts between $79,000 and $84,000 if the Bitcoin price revisits that zone. He further remarked that he sees a high medium probability that BTC will reach this zone. However, he added that, given the geopolitical situation with the war in Iran, he doesn’t think the risk-reward is worth it to go long in hopes that BTC will rally above $80,000. Doctor Profit also reiterated that the Bitcoin price is in a bear market and that the price hasn’t bottomed yet. As such, he believes that placing short orders between $79,000 and $84,000 is a much safer bet with targets below $50,000. Not Yet Time To Buy BTC Crypto analyst CrypFlow stated that this is not yet the time to buy BTC, as the Bitcoin price has not yet bottomed. He noted that the 2-month stochastic RSI bullish cross is one signal that has consistently marked the best buying opportunities every cycle. The analyst explained that under this pattern, momentum resets below 20, sentiment turns negative, and a bullish cross later confirms the shift. Related Reading: Bitcoin Price Headed To $120,000? Why This Analyst Thinks It’s A Good Time To Buy CrypFlow further remarked that the cross marked the start of the bull run in the 2015, 2019, and 2023 cycles. However, that cross has yet to happen this time around. He noted that the stochastic RSI is resetting again and that the setup is building, but that the signal hasn’t triggered, signaling that the Bitcoin price could still drop lower. At the time of writing, the Bitcoin price is trading at around $66,800, up in the last 24 hours, according to data from CoinMarketCap. Featured image from Pixabay, chart from Tradingview.com
Bitcoin (BTC) faces a stark downside risk that could send prices below the previous bear market lows, according to a new analysis from blockchain data firm CryptoQuant. The firm warns that a confluence of geopolitical shocks, macroeconomic repricing, and fragile derivatives positioning could push the largest cryptocurrency as low as $10,000 in a worst‑case scenario — far beneath the last bear‑market trough near $15,000. Political Shock From Trump Speech CryptoQuant’s note comes against the backdrop of a substantial pullback from Bitcoin’s record highs. After peaking at roughly $126,000 last October, Bitcoin has retraced about 45% and has entered a months‑long consolidation range between $66,000 and $70,000. Related Reading: New Bitcoin Crash Ahead? Bloomberg Strategist Forecasts Return To $10,000 – Here’s Why The firm highlights recent political developments as an immediate catalyst for the downside potential. CryptoQuant points to President Donald Trump’s April 1 speech on Iran as a market‑moving event that abruptly reset expectations. By signaling the possibility of intensified military action within the coming weeks, the speech undermined hopes for de‑escalation and prompted a broad risk‑off reaction. In CryptoQuant’s view, this was not merely a geopolitical scare — it forced a repricing of macro conditions that matter to risk assets like Bitcoin. As oil prices rise, inflationary pressures can return; a firmer dollar tightens dollar liquidity globally. CryptoQuant notes rising volatility — with the VIX near 25 — and widening Treasury spreads, both of which are symptomatic of deteriorating liquidity. Three Possible Bitcoin Outcomes CryptoQuant lays out a range of possible outcomes. In a moderate stress event, the firm estimates Bitcoin could fall from the $70,000 area to roughly $50,000 — a 25–30% decline. If Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) outflows continue and spot demand remains soft, the medium‑term downside expands substantially, with prices potentially sliding into the $30,000–$20,000 range, representing declines of 60–70% from current levels. Related Reading: ICBA Opposes OCC’s Conditional Nod For Coinbase National Trust Bank Charter In the extreme scenario — for example, a prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz or a sustained major conflict — global liquidity could seize up more completely. CryptoQuant suggests that in such circumstances, equities could plunge more than 30% and oil could spike to $150–$200 per barrel, conditions that could drive Bitcoin toward the $10,000 mark, an 85% drop from current trading prices. Featured image from OpenArt, chart from TradingView.com
Trump's diplomatic focus may stabilize long-term US-Iran ceasefire odds, but immediate progress remains uncertain amid market caution.
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Qatar's absence from talks undermines diplomatic efforts, reducing ceasefire prospects and highlighting the fragility of regional peace.
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Schwab's crypto trading launch may legitimize digital assets, spurring institutional adoption and potentially driving Bitcoin prices higher.
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Bitcoin, once promoted by some investors as a hedge against geopolitical turmoil, is behaving like a liquidity-sensitive risk asset at a time when energy prices are climbing, and macro stress is spreading. This comes as the conflict between the United States and Iran deepens, with shock rippling through oil, the dollar, and broader financial conditions […]
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On-chain investigator ZachXBT has published a detailed investigation alleging delays or failures in USDC stablecoin issuer Circle to freeze theft proceeds worth over $420 million since 2022. Dubbed the “Circle $USDC files,” the X thread highlights 15 cases in which the company took little to no action regarding illicit funds. USDC issuer Circle faulted for …
The financial services giant with almost $12 trillion in client assets is moving closer to direct crypto trading, offering subscription for early access to the Schwab Crypto account.
HypurrFi alerted users against interacting with its website and lending platform while it investigates a potential domain hijacking.
In a recent Cointelegraph interview, macro investor James Lavish explains why markets are pricing in a quick end to the Iran war — and what could happen if that assumption is wrong.
Iran's rejection of the ceasefire proposal exacerbates geopolitical tensions, diminishing hopes for swift diplomatic resolutions.
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Prominent blockchain sleuth ZachXBT alleged faster action by Circle could have limited crypto losses, but freezing asset without legal authorization carries legal risks.
After the collapse of Terra, Leap Wallet pivoted to provide support for the wider multi-chain Cosmos ecosystem.
Earlier this year, JPMorgan expected flows to rise further in 2026 after a record inflow of nearly $130 billion in 2025.
The proposal's lack of official backing highlights the challenges in achieving diplomatic progress amid market skepticism and geopolitical tensions.
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The proposal's limited impact highlights the challenges of achieving diplomatic breakthroughs without official backing, affecting market confidence.
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Iran's rejection and Qatar's stance highlight geopolitical complexities, reducing short-term resolution prospects and impacting market stability.
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Rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz could disrupt global oil markets and necessitate urgent diplomatic interventions.
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XRP is entering a critical phase where short-term weakness meets a potentially explosive macro setup. With price coiling within a larger expansion pattern, the current move may be less about direction and more about building pressure for a much bigger breakout ahead. A Coiling Within Explosive Expansion Setup In an XRP update, EGRAG CRYPTO emphasized that the market is approaching a critical moment, describing the current setup as an “elastic coil” nearing its breaking point. The broader structure is defined by a descending broadening wedge, a formation often associated with powerful expansion phases rather than weakness. Related Reading: XRP Price Meets Resistance, Tough Challenge Caps Upside Momentum The setup highlights a clear macro structure, with XRP maintaining a strong base around the $0.90 level while price continues to compress near the upper boundary. This tightening action signals building pressure, suggesting that the market may be preparing for a significant directional move. From a probability standpoint, the outlook leans slightly bullish, eyeing a 55%–60% upside expansion. A confirmed breakout above $3.30 could open the door to higher targets at $5, $8, and potentially $13 or beyond. There is also a potential of a 40%–45% breakdown scenario, where the price briefly dips below $0.90. A full bearish failure remains the least likely outcome, estimated at just 10%–15%, and would only come into play if the structure breaks down completely without any meaningful recovery. The key takeaway is that the descending broadening wedge represents controlled volatility rather than instability, with longer compression typically leading to a more explosive move. Key levels remain clearly defined, with $3.30 acting as the primary breakout trigger and $0.90 serving as the critical support line. The overall message is straightforward: the current price action reflects a volatility expansion setup, where structure holds greater importance than short-term noise. XRP Confirms Textbook TCT Distribution Setup According to crypto analyst The Composite Trader, XRP confirmed a textbook TCT Model 1 distribution schematic during the New York PM session, a setup that had been developing throughout the day. The confirmation came with a clean and decisive bearish break, as the expert anticipates a bearish order flow observed across major cryptocurrencies. Related Reading: XRP Eyes Massive Breakout, But Not Before A Potential Shakeout Following the breakdown, price continued to move efficiently toward its projected technical target, completing the anticipated reversal overnight. This follow-through reinforced the validity of the distribution model, allowing for a partial take-profit (TP1) of 25% to be secured. The reaction highlights how structured setups, when aligned with market context, can deliver precise and measurable outcomes. Focus now shifts to the next phase, as the analyst watches closely to see whether XRP can break below its current lows. A successful move lower from here could signal a deeper, higher-timeframe reversal. With volatility starting to increase and momentum building, Q2 is already showing signs of becoming an active and opportunity-filled period. Featured image from Adobe Stock, chart from Tradingview.com