Cointelegraph.com

Found 10222 news

  • Bitcoin prediction markets see 70% chance BTC price crashes to $55K in 2026
    Cointelegraph.com - 15:02 Mar 19, 2026
    Bitcoin prediction markets see 70% chance BTC price crashes to $55K in 2026Bitcoin bull market optimism has suffered since the October crash, as chances of an extended BTC price drop below $55,000 increase. Bitcoin (BTC) may go as low as $55,000 in 2026 as the market lacks bullish catalysts amid macroeconomic uncertainties.  Key takeaways: BTC price has a 65%-71% chance of dropping below $55,000 before Dec. 31, according to prediction markets. Read more
    Tags: Bitcoin
  • Coinbase Commerce page requests seed phrases, raising security concerns
    Cointelegraph.com - 14:05 Mar 19, 2026
    Coinbase Commerce page requests seed phrases, raising security concernsA Coinbase subdomain linked to its Commerce tool reportedly directed users to a withdrawal page asking to enter their seed phrases, raising concerns among security observers. Security researchers have raised concerns about a Coinbase-associated Commerce page that appeared to prompt users to enter wallet recovery phrases, warning that such a flow could normalize behavior commonly exploited in phishing scams. The page has circulated widely on social media after being flagged by the founder of the blockchain security platform SlowMist, Yu Xian, widely known as Cos. “I’m really puzzled why Coinbase would have a page like this, directly asking users to input their plaintext mnemonic phrases for asset recovery,” Yu wrote in an X post on Wednesday, adding: “Such an insecure practice is simply unbelievable.” Read more
  • Are DeFi devs liable for the illegal activity of others on their platforms?
    Cointelegraph.com - 13:07 Mar 19, 2026
    The Uniswap decision may shape US legal thinking, but international standards are pushing DeFi platforms to take greater responsibility.
  • OP_NET launches Bitcoin DeFi push without bridges or wrapped BTC
    Cointelegraph.com - 13:00 Mar 19, 2026
    OP_NET launches Bitcoin DeFi push without bridges or wrapped BTCOP_NET has launched a “SlowFi” DeFi stack that runs smart contracts directly in standard Bitcoin transactions with BTC as the only gas asset, avoiding bridges and wrapped BTC. OP_NET said it is launching a “SlowFi” decentralized finance (DeFi) stack on Bitcoin that uses standard Bitcoin transactions and native BTC fees rather than bridges, wrapped assets or a separate gas token. According to a Thursday release shared with Cointelegraph, the project is part of a broader push to bring trading and yield-style activity directly onto Bitcoin’s base layer instead of routing it through sidechains, bridges or adjacent networks. OP_NET is betting some users will accept slower and more expensive transactions in exchange for staying fully on Bitcoin. According to OP_NET co-founder Frederic Fosco, who goes by Danny Plainview, applications run through standard Bitcoin (BTC) transactions using Taproot-based spends, while the platform’s NativeSwap model is designed to support token swaps without wrapped BTC or a separate ga...
  • Hacked crypto tokens drop 61% on average and rarely recover, Immunefi report says
    Cointelegraph.com - 13:00 Mar 19, 2026
    Hacked crypto tokens drop 61% on average and rarely recover, Immunefi report saysBeyond immediate losses, attacks often lead to prolonged downtime, liquidity shocks and confidence erosion, as interconnected DeFi systems amplify the impact across markets. A new security report from Immunefi finds that crypto hacks continue at a steady pace while losses are becoming more concentrated in a small number of massive exploits. Analyzing 425 publicly known incidents between 2021 and 2025, the report estimates that the average hack now results in about $25 million in stolen funds. In 2024 and 2025 alone, 191 hacks led to $4.67 billion in losses, with just five incidents accounting for 62% of the total. Despite representing fewer incidents, centralized exchange breaches drove the majority of losses. Twenty exchange hacks accounted for roughly $2.55 billion, or about 55% of the total, reflecting how large pools of user funds are concentrated behind fewer points of failure. Read more
  • Apex Group’s Tokeny taps Polygon to debut chain for compliant tokenized RWAs
    Cointelegraph.com - 13:00 Mar 19, 2026
    Apex Group’s Tokeny taps Polygon to debut chain for compliant tokenized RWAsApex Group’s Tokeny and Polygon Labs are launching T-REX Ledger, a Polygon-based blockchain that aims to centralize compliance for ERC-3643 security tokens. Apex Group’s Tokeny has tapped Polygon Labs to launch T-REX Ledger, a compliance-focused blockchain designed to help regulated tokenized assets move across networks without repeating investor checks and transfer restrictions. In a Thursday release shared with Cointelegraph, the project said it targets a key friction point in tokenized markets. ERC-3643 is an Ethereum-based token standard for permissioned tokens representing real-world assets that can support compliant issuance of RWAs, but identity checks, eligibility rules and transfer restrictions often remain fragmented when the same asset is distributed across multiple blockchains. T-REX Ledger is being pitched as a shared compliance layer that other chains can query, while settlement continues to take place on external networks. Built with Polygon’s Chain Development Kit and connected to Agglayer, th...
  • Crypto.com cuts 12% of staff as it accelerates AI push
    Cointelegraph.com - 12:39 Mar 19, 2026
    Crypto.com cuts 12% of staff as it accelerates AI pushCrypto.com CEO Kris Marszalek announced a 12% workforce reduction due to AI integrations, warning that companies “that do not make this pivot immediately will fail.” Singapore-headquartered cryptocurrency exchange Crypto.com is set to cut up to 12% of its workforce due to company-wide artificial intelligence (AI) integrations, joining a growing list of companies announcing AI-linked mass layoffs, according to the exchange’s founder and CEO, Kris Marszalek. Crypto.com recently expanded its AI offering and launched the AI agent platform ai.com on Feb. 9, which it positioned as a core business. The company also said it was the first crypto platform to receive the ISO/IEC 42001:2023 certification for AI system management in February. “We are joining the list of companies integrating enterprise-wide AI,” Marszalek said in a Thursday X post, warning that companies that don’t pivot will fail. Read more
    Tags: Crypto
  • Bitcoin tests old 2021 top as gold falls to six-week lows under $4.7K
    Cointelegraph.com - 12:36 Mar 19, 2026
    Bitcoin tests old 2021 top as gold falls to six-week lows under $4.7KBitcoin price correction reversed at $69,500, preserving a new higher BTC trading range as gold led a post-Fed macro asset sell-off. Bitcoin (BTC) rebounded from weekly lows into Thursday’s Wall Street open as inflation targeted BTC price strength. Key points: Bitcoin price action preserves its new local trading range between 2021 highs and 2025 lows. Read more
    Tags: Bitcoin
  • The era of listings and on-ramps is ending, as intent protocols make access native
    Cointelegraph.com - 12:30 Mar 19, 2026
    The era of listings and on-ramps is ending, as intent protocols make access nativeListings and on-ramps monetized access scarcity. Intent-based protocols make it native to networks, ending gatekeeper detours forever. Opinion by: Jason Dominique, co-founder and CEO of ONCHAIN® Labs For years, whenever we explain what we’re building, the reaction is familiar. There’s curiosity, some skepticism, and then the question that almost always follows: “If this is such a big problem, why hasn’t it been fixed already?” Read more
  • Bitcoin ETF inflow streak snaps with $164M outflows amid BTC dip
    Cointelegraph.com - 12:22 Mar 19, 2026
    Bitcoin ETF inflow streak snaps with $164M outflows amid BTC dipUS Bitcoin and altcoin ETFs saw notable outflows on Wednesday as BTC dipped below $71,000 and investor sentiment returned to extreme fear. US spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) ended their inflow streak amid a BTC price dip after recording $1.2 billion of inflows over seven consecutive days. Spot Bitcoin (BTC) ETFs saw $163.5 million in outflows on Wednesday, according to Farside data. The Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) led the outflows at about $104 million, followed by BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) with $34 million. Read more
    Tags: Bitcoin
  • Ethereum long squeeze risk rises as ETH price dips to $2,100
    Cointelegraph.com - 12:16 Mar 19, 2026
    Ethereum long squeeze risk rises as ETH price dips to $2,100Ether risks over $2.5 billion in long liquidations below $2K, with volatility increasing the chance of a retest of $1,800 support. Ether (ETH) traded lower on Thursday after a fresh knee-jerk reaction to yesterday’s US interest rate decision and a higher inflation outlook. Key takeaways: ETH dropped 7% to $2,100 on Thursday, liquidating $144 million in longs. Read more
    Tags: Ethereum
  • Bitcoin whales shift $100M+ as oil spike rattles markets
    Cointelegraph.com - 12:04 Mar 19, 2026
    Bitcoin whales shift $100M+ as oil spike rattles marketsAncient Bitcoin holders moved millions to exchanges as Middle East tensions drove oil higher, fueling a broader risk-off shift across crypto and traditional markets. Ancient Bitcoin holders moved tens of millions of dollars to exchanges as Bitcoin fell and energy prices jumped after attacks on Gulf oil and gas infrastructure deepened the conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States. Ancient whale “bc1ql” sent 1,000 Bitcoin (BTC), worth around $71 million at current prices, to Binance on Wednesday, according to blockchain data platform Arkham. The whale initially bought 5,000 BTC 13 years ago and still holds about 1,500 BTC worth about $106 million, according to blockchain analytics platform Onchain Lens. The same day, one of the earliest Bitcoin holders, Owen Gunden, also transferred 650 BTC ($46 million) to crypto exchange Kraken, marking his first large sale in five months, when he sold a total of 11,000 BTC ($1.12 billion), according to analytics platform Lookonchain. Read more
    Tags: Bitcoin
  • South Korea opposition party pushes to scrap planned 22% crypto tax
    Cointelegraph.com - 12:00 Mar 19, 2026
    South Korea opposition party pushes to scrap planned 22% crypto taxThe ruling Democratic Party responded, saying it has not formed a consensus on abolishing the tax but will review the new proposal. South Korea’s main opposition party has proposed scrapping a planned crypto tax ahead of its 2027 rollout, citing fairness, double taxation and enforcement concerns. According to a Thursday report by local media outlet eDaily, the conservative People Power Party (PPP) introduced a bill to amend the country’s Income Tax Act and remove provisions on digital asset income, aiming to abolish a planned tax on crypto asset gains ahead of its 2027 implementation. Under the upcoming rules, crypto gains exceeding 2.5 million Korean won will be subject to a 20% income tax and an additional 2% local tax starting on Jan. 1, 2027. The measure has already been delayed three times since its initial introduction.  Read more
  • Why Ethereum developers want ‘one-click staking’ for institutions
    Cointelegraph.com - 10:18 Mar 19, 2026
    Why Ethereum developers want ‘one-click staking’ for institutionsEthereum developers are pushing one-click staking to simplify validator operations, attract institutions and strengthen decentralization across the network. Ether staking has grown significantly, with nearly 1 million validators and around 30% of ETH staked. However, operational complexity continues to prevent many institutions from participating directly, despite the potential yield opportunity. Developers are working toward “one-click staking,” a simplified deployment model that allows institutions to run validators through automated, standardized systems without requiring deep technical expertise. A key enabler of this shift is DVT-lite, which allows multiple nodes to jointly manage a validator, improving fault tolerance while reducing setup complexity and minimizing risks such as slashing penalties. Read more
  • Bitcoin falls under $71K but data shows BTC’s bullish momentum holding
    Cointelegraph.com - 23:23 Mar 18, 2026
    Bitcoin falls under $71K but data shows BTC’s bullish momentum holdingBitcoin dropped below $71,000, but the market’s tilt toward bulls holds as spot ETF inflows and BTC buying from Strategy boost investor sentiment. Key takeaways: Spot market demand through US-listed ETFs and Strategy buying BTC supports Bitcoin’s bullish momentum. Low leverage among Bitcoin bulls reduces the risk of cascading liquidations even if prices drop another 5%. Read more
    Tags: Bitcoin
  • Fed leaves rates unchanged, says geopolitical uncertainty clouds outlook
    Cointelegraph.com - 21:30 Mar 18, 2026
    Fed leaves rates unchanged, says geopolitical uncertainty clouds outlookThe effect on energy prices from the Iran war will impact the economy, but the size and scope of the macroeconomic shock are still unknown. The Federal Reserve Open Market Committee (FOMC) announced on Wednesday that it would hold the Federal Funds rate steady at 3.5-3.75%, as it monitors macroeconomic impacts from the ongoing war in the Middle East. Economic activity has expanded at a “solid pace,” Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said, adding that consumer spending remains “resilient,” while business investment continued to grow.  However, the housing sector remains weak, and the labor market shows signs of softening, Powell said, while inflation remains “somewhat elevated” above the Fed’s 2% target. Read more
  • Kalshi CEO fires back against Arizona criminal charges as ‘total overstep‘
    Cointelegraph.com - 21:07 Mar 18, 2026
    Kalshi CEO fires back against Arizona criminal charges as ‘total overstep‘The prediction markets co-founder said that the company would “abide by court decisions“ but signaled that the charges were based partly on political bias and media attention. Tarek Mansour, co-founder and CEO of prediction markets platform Kalshi, has pushed back against criminal charges filed by Arizona authorities this week, claiming that they were a "total overstep" and "not about gambling.” On Tuesday, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced charges against the companies behind Kalshi, alleging that the company operated an “illegal gambling business in Arizona without a license” and offered illegal election wagering. Mansour said in a Wednesday Bloomberg interview that Mayes was attempting to “subvert the judicial process” by filing charges without a court decision in Kalshi’s own lawsuit against Arizona authorities last week.  “We see this as a total overstep and we look forward to fighting it in court,” said Mansour. Read more
  • SEC Chair explains why NFTs fall outside of securities laws
    Cointelegraph.com - 20:19 Mar 18, 2026
    SEC Chair explains why NFTs fall outside of securities lawsPaul Atkins says nonfungible tokens are typically collectibles, not investment contracts, as the agency outlines new categories of digital assets outside securities laws. After the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) outlined four broad categories of digital assets that fall outside securities laws, Chair Paul Atkins offered further clarity on why nonfungible tokens (NFTs) generally do not meet that definition. In a Wednesday interview with CNBC, Atkins reiterated that the agency’s recent interpretive release identified four types of digital assets that are typically not considered securities: digital commodities, digital tools, digital collectibles such as NFTs, and stablecoins. During the interview, host Andrew Ross Sorkin pressed Atkins on digital collectibles, noting they could more easily resemble securities depending on how they are structured. Read more
  • FTX Recovery Trust to distribute $2.2B to creditors in March
    Cointelegraph.com - 19:47 Mar 18, 2026
    FTX Recovery Trust to distribute $2.2B to creditors in MarchThe fourth round of reimbursements to creditors and former clients of the failed crypto exchange since February 2025 brings the total paid to about $10 billion. Additional reporting by Turner Wright. The FTX Recovery Trust, which oversees the distribution of funds to creditors and former customers of the failed crypto exchange, announced on Wednesday that it will distribute $2.2 billion to creditors on March 31, 2026. Eligible creditors will receive their funds through their chosen distribution provider within one to three business days, according to an announcement from the Trust.  Read more
  • Crypto Fear and Greed rebounds off extreme lows as traders re-enter
    Cointelegraph.com - 19:39 Mar 18, 2026
    Crypto Fear and Greed rebounds off extreme lows as traders re-enterThe Crypto Fear and Greed Index just ended a 48-day stretch in the “extreme fear” zone, signalling improving sentiment among investors. Will fresh capital inflows reignite the bull market? The Crypto Fear & Greed Index remained at 26 on Wednesday, after rising to 28, a day earlier, ending the indicators’ 48-day stretch in the “extreme fear” zone. The Crypto Fear & Greed index tracks market sentiment using volatility, momentum, volume, and social data. Any reading below 25 signals extreme fear, while higher values reflect an improving risk appetite. The index reading points to an improvement in market sentiment this week, marking its first exit from extreme fear in over six weeks. Read more

10222 items