hodler

5 Mar 2026, 10:57

Crypto bill hits new impasse, as banks reject White House compromise - report

Dear readers: We recognize that politics often intersects with the financial news of the day, so we invite you to click here to join the separate political discussion. More on Bitcoin USD, Riot Platforms, etc. Every Metric Screams Buy - So Why Is Bitcoin Still Falling? I Was Wrong: Bitcoin Didn't Become A Currency Of Exchange Coinbase Global, Inc. (COIN) Presents at Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference 2026 Transcript Coinbase, Galaxy, bitcoin miners surge after Trump urges passage of stalled crypto bill Bitcoin tops $73K and hits a fresh one-month high as momentum builds

5 Mar 2026, 10:31

Kucoin receives order to cease unlicensed activities in the UAE

Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA) has issued a market alert against Kucoin Exchange, and Phoenixfin PTe Ltd MEK Global Limited, as well as Peken Global Limited, commercially advertising as Kucoin, given that Kucoin has been offering Dubai residents virtual asset services without being regulated in the country. VARA noted that Kucoin has been providing these services without the necessary regulatory approvals and misrepresenting its licensing status. As a result, the company has been instructed to cease and desist from all unlicensed virtual asset and crypto activities. Dubai piles on EU prohibition for Kucoin VARA has also noted that Kucoin does not hold any license to provide virtual asset services in/from Dubai. According to VARA, unlicensed companies pose a risk to consumers because they are not compliant with VARA regulations and rule books, and this exposes consumers to significant financial risk, as well as legal consequences. In accordance with Dubai Law No. (4) of 2022 and Cabinet Resolution No. 111/2022, all virtual asset service providers must be licensed to operate legally in this jurisdiction. Although Kucoin in early 2026 received an EU Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation (MiCAR) license in Austria to operate as a crypto exchange, or what is known as a crypto asset service provider across the EU, in February 2026, the Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA) prohibited KuCoin EU from onboarding new business due to breaches in anti-money laundering (AML) obligations. Due to a lack of proper compliance staff, the Austrian regulator suspended new business activities for KuCoin EU in February 2026. Don’t just read crypto news. Understand it. Subscribe to our newsletter. It's free .

5 Mar 2026, 10:16

Bitcoin rally may be a dead-cat bounce, warns market expert

The Bitcoin ( BTC ) price rebound from $63,500 to a local high of $74,123 could be a dead-cat bounce, according to one crypto market expert. Specifically, Arthur Hayes, co-founder of BitMEX cryptocurrency exchange, via his X account on March 4, 2026, noted that BTC price has closely mirrored the fractal pattern of major indexes focused on Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) United States in the past year. $BTC (white) hasn't decoupled yet from US SaaS tech companies (green). It could be a dead cat bounce. We aren't in the clear yet. Be patient. pic.twitter.com/kRrmAdfMlS — Arthur Hayes (@CryptoHayes) March 4, 2026 The correlation of Bitcoin price in the past years to the iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF and the Nasdaq-100 index was the basis of Hayes’ argument. BTC price overlayed to the NDX Index and the IGV U.S. Equity. Source: X Bitcoin buyers are cautioned of a potential bull trap As Finbold reported , on-chain data shows Bitcoin whales and sharks have already turned bullish through aggressive accumulation. Additionally, Bitcoin’s Open Interest (OI) has rebounded from $44 billion to about $49.8 billion in the past two days, signaling a renewed capital inflow to its derivatives and futures markets. BTC OI since Feb 16. Source: CoinGlass With Bitcoin’s funding rate having turned positive amid the ongoing rebound, it is safe to assume that more derivatives traders are leaning towards bullishness. As such, Hayes has cautioned all the BTC buyers of another capitulation before the bear market bottom is formed. “It could be a dead cat bounce. We aren’t in the clear yet. Be patient,” the co-founder stated . What’s next for the BTC price? The idea of a potential bull trap in Bitcoin has gained traction among trading experts in the past few days. Furthermore, BTC price has been trapped in a macro bear market, akin to 2022, since the October 11, 2025 crypto crash, which wiped out over $19 billion from leveraged traders. From a technical analysis standpoint, BTC price was expected to strengthen amid the ongoing Middle East crisis , according to Benjamin Cowen, CEO of Into the Cryptoverse. BTC YTD ROI. Source: X However, the Bitcoin bullish camp has been arguing that capital rotation from gold is at hand after its recent parabolic rally amid the crypto regulatory clarity in the United States. The post Bitcoin rally may be a dead-cat bounce, warns market expert appeared first on Finbold .

5 Mar 2026, 09:53

Why Ripple Can be Next After Kraken to Get Fed Access, Paul Barron Explains

With the CLARITY Act pending and Kraken's new Fed access, Ripple is positioned as the next crypto-native firm to integrate with US central bank rails, says American tech analyst and entrepreneur Paul Barron.

5 Mar 2026, 09:50

Cumberland Withdraws a Staggering $98.8M in Ethereum From Exchanges in Strategic Confidence Move

BitcoinWorld Cumberland Withdraws a Staggering $98.8M in Ethereum From Exchanges in Strategic Confidence Move In a significant on-chain movement capturing market attention, the prominent crypto market maker Cumberland has executed a massive withdrawal of 46,620 Ethereum (ETH), valued at approximately $98.8 million, from leading exchanges Binance and Coinbase, alongside custody firm Copper. This substantial transfer, occurring over a concentrated 16-hour period and first reported by blockchain analytics platform Lookonchain, represents one of the most notable institutional Ethereum movements of the quarter. Consequently, market analysts are scrutinizing this action for its potential implications on Ethereum’s supply dynamics and broader market sentiment. Cumberland’s Major Ethereum Withdrawal: A Deep Dive into the Data The blockchain data reveals a precise and deliberate operation. Cumberland-associated wallets moved a total of 46,620 ETH off exchange platforms. Typically, analysts interpret such large-scale withdrawals from centralized exchanges as a bullish accumulation signal . The logic is straightforward: moving assets from an exchange’s custodial wallet to a private, cold, or institutional-grade wallet reduces the immediately available supply for trading. This action often indicates a holder’s intent for long-term storage, known colloquially as ‘hodling,’ rather than short-term selling or leveraged trading. Furthermore, the choice of sources is noteworthy. Withdrawals originated from both retail-facing giants like Binance and Coinbase and the institutional-focused custody provider Copper. This suggests Cumberland was consolidating ETH holdings from multiple operational silos into a unified, secure reserve. The scale and speed of the withdrawal—$98.8 million in under a day—underscore the entity’s substantial capital and operational capacity within the digital asset ecosystem. Understanding the Role of a Crypto Market Maker To fully grasp the significance, one must understand Cumberland’s function. As a principal crypto market maker , Cumberland provides liquidity across numerous trading venues. The firm facilitates smoother trades by continuously offering to buy and sell assets. Therefore, its treasury management decisions are closely watched as indicators of sophisticated, institutional sentiment. Unlike a retail investor, a market maker’s movements are often strategic, balancing operational needs with treasury management. Institutional Behavior and Exchange Net Flows This event fits into a critical market metric: exchange net flow . When net flow is negative (more assets leave exchanges than enter), it generally suggests selling pressure may be decreasing. Data from sources like Glassnode and CryptoQuant frequently shows correlation between sustained negative exchange flows and subsequent price stability or appreciation. Cumberland’s move contributes materially to this metric for Ethereum. The table below contextualizes this withdrawal against recent Ethereum exchange activity: Metric Detail Implication Withdrawal Size 46,620 ETH ($98.8M) One of the largest single-entity moves this month Timeframe 16 hours Indicates a planned, swift execution Source Exchanges Binance, Coinbase, Copper Broad-based consolidation from varied liquidity pools Current ETH Exchange Supply ~10.5% of total supply (approx.) Withdrawals reduce this liquid supply, potentially increasing scarcity Historical Context and Market Impact Analysis Historically, similar large-scale withdrawals by known entities have preceded periods of market consolidation or upward movement. For instance, accumulation patterns by large holders, often called ‘whales,’ frequently signal a belief in an asset’s long-term value proposition. However, it is crucial to maintain a neutral perspective. While Cumberland’s withdrawal is a strong confidence indicator, it is a single data point within a complex market. Several potential impacts stem from this action: Supply Shock Precursor: Removing nearly $100 million worth of ETH from trading venues reduces immediate sell-side liquidity. Sentiment Gauge: Other institutional players may view this as a leading indicator, potentially influencing their own custody strategies. Network Health: Large holders moving assets to secure storage can indicate a focus on Ethereum’s staking or decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem utility beyond mere exchange trading. Nevertheless, market makers also adjust holdings for internal reasons like risk management, collateral reallocation, or preparing for over-the-counter (OTC) deals. Therefore, the move does not guarantee a specific short-term price direction but undoubtedly reflects a significant strategic allocation decision. The Broader Trend of Institutional Crypto Custody This event aligns with a broader, multi-year trend of institutions moving digital assets off exchanges following high-profile failures like FTX. The mantra ‘not your keys, not your coins’ has evolved into a rigorous operational standard for funds and trading firms. Consequently, using dedicated custody solutions or self-custody methods has become a mark of sophistication and risk mitigation. Cumberland’s consolidation into presumably more secure storage reinforces this industry-wide shift towards robust asset security and sovereignty. Conclusion Cumberland’s withdrawal of $98.8 million in Ethereum from major exchanges is a substantial on-chain event with clear implications for market structure. It highlights a strategic move towards long-term holding by a major liquidity provider, reducing the readily tradable supply of ETH on centralized platforms. This action serves as a key data point for analysts monitoring exchange flows and institutional behavior. While the direct impact on Ethereum’s price remains one variable among many, the transaction undeniably signals strong institutional confidence in the asset’s foundational value and security. The crypto market will continue to watch Cumberland’s wallet activity and similar movements for clues about the evolving landscape of digital asset treasury management. FAQs Q1: What does it mean when a market maker like Cumberland withdraws ETH from an exchange? It typically signals a shift from holding assets in a readily tradable form on an exchange to securing them in long-term storage. For a market maker, this can indicate treasury management, reduced intent to sell in the short term, or preparation for other uses like staking or as collateral. Q2: Why is the reduction of ETH on exchanges considered bullish? A lower supply of an asset on exchanges means less immediate selling pressure is available. If demand remains constant or increases while the easily tradable supply decreases, basic economic principles of scarcity can support price stability or appreciation. Q3: How was this transaction discovered? Blockchain analytics firms like Lookonchain and others use on-chain data analysis to track the movements of large wallets, especially those associated with known entities like Cumberland. All transactions on the Ethereum blockchain are public and traceable. Q4: Could this withdrawal be for a purpose other than holding, like an OTC trade? Yes, while withdrawals often signal holding, large players also move assets for over-the-counter (OTC) trades, which are private transactions not executed on public order books. However, moving funds to a private wallet is a prerequisite for such deals, and the scale suggests a significant strategic move regardless of the immediate next step. Q5: Does this affect the average Ethereum investor? Indirectly, yes. Large movements by institutional players influence market sentiment, liquidity, and analyst projections. While a single transaction doesn’t dictate market direction, it contributes to the overall supply/demand dynamics that all investors participate in. This post Cumberland Withdraws a Staggering $98.8M in Ethereum From Exchanges in Strategic Confidence Move first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

5 Mar 2026, 09:00

Expert Claims Ripple Is Next to Secure Fed Master Account After Kraken Win— Here’s Why

The crypto industry took a significant step deeper into the traditional financial system on Wednesday after Kraken Financial, a Wyoming-chartered digital asset bank, was granted a Federal Reserve (Fed) master account. According to one expert, Ripple may follow suit. The approval makes Kraken Financial the first crypto-focused bank in US history to gain direct access to the Federal Reserve’s payment infrastructure, a development many see as a landmark moment for the sector. Crypto Enters Fed’s Core System The announcement signals a structural shift in how crypto-native institutions interact with the US banking system. With a master account, Kraken Financial can connect directly to the Fed’s payment rails rather than relying on intermediary banks to process transactions. Arjun Sethi, Co-CEO of Payward and Kraken, said: This milestone marks the convergence of crypto infrastructure and sovereign financial rails. With a Federal Reserve master account, we can operate not as a peripheral participant in the US banking system, but as a directly connected financial institution. The decision immediately sparked discussion about which crypto firms might follow. Market expert Paul Barron argued on social media platform X that Kraken’s approval has effectively “bridged a gap” between crypto companies and the traditional banking establishment. By securing a Federal Reserve master account, Barron noted, Kraken is no longer operating on the outskirts of the system but instead sits on the same Fedwire infrastructure used by major financial institutions such as JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs. “This is BIG!” he wrote. Barron went further, suggesting that Ripple could be next in line. He pointed to Ripple’s National Trust Bank charter, granted in December 2025, as a foundational step toward eventual Federal Reserve access. Final Step For Ripple’s RLUSD Expansion In Barron’s view, direct access to a master account would be the final component needed for Ripple’s dollar-pegged stablecoin, RLUSD , to settle transactions at full banking scale. Barron also referenced growing legislative momentum around the CLARITY Act , arguing that regulatory developments in Washington may be increasing pressure on the Federal Reserve to integrate qualified crypto institutions more fully into the financial system. Ripple executives have previously acknowledged the strategic value of direct Federal Reserve access. In November 2025, Stuart Alderoty, Ripple’s CLO, described the concept as “an attractive idea” in an interview with Reuters. Yet, Ripple is not alone in seeking this level of integration. Other crypto-focused institutions, including federally chartered Anchorage Digital, have also applied for Federal Reserve master accounts but have not yet received approval. As of this writing, XRP was trading at $1.45, up 6% amid a wider crypto market recovery that began early on Wednesday with Bitcoin’s (BTC) lead. Featured image from OpenArt, chart from TradingView.com