Invest ideasNews
12 Mar 2026, 05:00
Binance Founder Now Richer Than Bill Gates? CZ Reacts To $110B Net Worth Estimate
Binance co-founder and former CEO Changpeng Zhao has reacted to Forbes’ estimate that ranked his net worth among the 20 richest people on the planet, surpassing figures such as Bill Gates and Michael Bloomberg. Binance’s CZ Among 20 Richest People On Earth On Tuesday, Forbes estimated that Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, also known as CZ, is “now richer than ever,” with his net worth skyrocketing to $110 billion, up $47 billion from last year, on the annual World’s Billionaires list. By February 10, 2026, Forbes’ real-time tracker listed CZ among the world’s richest individuals at $78.78 billion, while Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index placed his net worth around the $52.2 billion mark around the same time. According to the list’s latest calculations, Zhao is currently the 17th-wealthiest person on earth, ranking above Bill Gates, whose net worth is at $108 billion. In addition, he sits among the 20 people worth twelve figures. Forbes acknowledged the crypto market’s downturn, noting that some of his assets, including his estimated 1,400 BTC stash and BNB holdings, have dropped around 25% over the past year. However, they affirmed that the core of Zhao’s wealth remains Binance, citing it as the reason for his net worth’s surge despite the crypto market correction. Conversations with industry insiders and comparisons with other crypto exchanges, including the publicly traded Coinbase, suggest Binance—still the world’s largest crypto exchange, with roughly 38% market share—is worth around $100 billion, and legal filings from the investigation indicate that Zhao owns about 90% of it. Based on this data, Forbes concluded that “the exchange would likely sell for twelve figures, should CZ ever decide to offload it, even after applying a generous discount because it operates largely outside of U.S. regulations, unlike Nasdaq-listed Coinbase.” CZ Calls Forbes Estimates A ‘Guess A Number’ List In a series of X posts, Zhao affirmed that Forbes’ calculations were “definitely not accurate,” as Bitcoin (BTC) and crypto as a whole have significantly retraced from last year’s highs. Last month, he shared his path to crypto wealth, which started when a friend suggested he take Bitcoin seriously at a Shanghai poker game, and led him to sell his apartment to bet a meaningful portion of his net worth into the flagship cryptocurrency in 2013. The former CEO of Binance, who was pardoned last year by US President Donald Trump, revealed that he did not read the article, but argued that “you know it’s wrong” by just looking at their chart, deeming it a “guess a number” list. He underscored that his net worth increase didn’t make sense given the current market environment, which has dragged BTC and BNB prices down over 50% from their 2025 peaks and 25% from their 2026 opening values. “Crypto prices dropped by more than 50% in 2026 already. And my net worth went up? Wish they could apply some common sense and basic logic,” he wrote , adding that Forbes estimates are “way off.” He emphasized his point by comparing his alleged net worth with Zhang Yiming, the founder of ByteDance, the company behind TikTok. ByteDance’s estimated yearly revenue sits at around $150 billion, according to public sources, while Binance’s undisclosed yearly revenue is estimated at around $5 billion. Despite this, Forbes has calculated Zhang Yiming’s net worth at $69 billion, ranking 26th on the annual World’s Billionaires list, while CZ’s net worth was estimated at $110 billion. “I think if I tried to claim I have a high net worth, they will rank me much lower, or maybe even remove me from the list,” Zhao joked, concluding that “They like to estimate the opposite.”
12 Mar 2026, 04:30
Is the XRP Rally Losing Steam? Open Interest Drops Sharply Across Exchanges
XRP failed to break above $1.40 on Wednesday despite early-week optimism about a potential resolution to the Iran conflict. At the same time, derivatives data suggest speculative activity in the market has been cooling. Open interest in XRP derivatives has declined sharply across major trading platforms after a period of strong speculative activity that accompanied the asset’s rally toward its cycle peak in July 2025. Signs of Cooling After Heavy Long Liquidations New data tracking multi-exchange open interest shows that the total value of active futures contracts has dropped noticeably across nearly all major exchanges, which indicates a reduction in leveraged participation. Open interest represents the total number of futures contracts that remain active in the market, and a decline typically means that traders are closing positions or reducing exposure. Despite the broader decline, Binance continues to hold the largest share of XRP derivatives activity, as open interest currently stands at approximately $222 million. Bybit follows with about $195 million in open interest. While these figures remain higher than the lowest levels recorded in 2024, they are significantly below the high readings observed during mid-2025 when XRP reached its cycle high and speculative trading activity intensified. After examining liquidation data across exchanges, CryptoQuant found a clear dominance of long liquidations compared with short liquidations, both in frequency and total value. This pattern suggests that bullish traders have been disproportionately affected by recent market volatility. The report also said that heavy long liquidations typically push funding rates lower, and often bring them back toward neutral levels or even into negative territory. Such conditions generally reflect weakening bullish sentiment and increased caution among derivatives traders. Market Participation Slows Meanwhile, activity involving XRP transfers to and from major cryptocurrency exchanges has dropped to its lowest level since the indicator was introduced. The data comes from the Multi Exchanges Daily Depositing/Withdrawing Transactions Delta, a metric that tracks the number of XRP deposit and withdrawal transactions across 15 major trading platforms. According to the analysis, the sharp decline in transaction activity comes after XRP’s price fell by more than 60% from the highs recorded last summer. The drop in deposits and withdrawals means that fewer users are currently interacting with exchanges, in what appears to be a notable slowdown in overall exchange-related activity for the cryptocurrency. The post Is the XRP Rally Losing Steam? Open Interest Drops Sharply Across Exchanges appeared first on CryptoPotato .
12 Mar 2026, 04:00
Mastercard Welcomes Ripple, Binance, And 83 Other Firms Into New Crypto Partner Program
Mastercard is making key moves in the digital asset landscape by launching a new global partnership program that includes over 85 firms across the payment and financial sectors. Names like Circle, Binance, and Ripple are among those joining this initiative, aimed at connecting crypto payments to Mastercard’s network. Mastercard’s New Crypto Strategy In a statement released on Wednesday, Mastercard outlined the program’s primary goal: to scale digital assets and integrate them seamlessly into existing payment frameworks. By positioning itself as a bridge between digital assets and conventional payment systems, Mastercard is enhancing its offering to early-stage crypto firms with services like card programs, global merchant acceptance, and cross-border settlement. The diverse array of partners in this new program also includes entities such as SoFi Technologies, Global Payments’ Worldpay, PayPal, BitGo, Crypto.com, Gemini, Marqeta, Paxos, and Shift4, among others. Mastercard emphasized that enterprise and institutional use cases , such as payments, settlement, and cross-border transactions, are emerging rapidly, opening avenues for enhancing how money moves on a global scale. This initiative follows a collaboration announced in November of last year, where Ripple, Gemini, and WebBank worked with Mastercard to explore settling Gemini Credit Card transactions using Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin on the XRP Ledger (XRPL). Ripple’s License Push; Binance Battles WSJ Beyond Mastercard’s expansion, Ripple has also disclosed on Wednesday plans to secure an Australian Financial Services License (AFSL). This license will enable Ripple to broaden its payment offerings in Australia, catering to financial institutions, fintechs, and enterprises that require efficient ways to transfer value internationally while adhering to regulatory standards. Ripple intends to obtain the AFSL through its proposed acquisition of BC Payments Australia Pty Ltd, a move that is currently undergoing the necessary completion processes. Once in place, the AFSL will enhance Ripple’s capacity to provide an end-to-end platform for global fund transfers, managing everything from compliance and funding to foreign exchange and liquidity management. On a different note, crypto exchange Binance filed a complaint against The Wall Street Journal, alleging the publication of a misleading and defamatory article dated February 23, 2026. Binance’s Global Head of Litigation, Dugan Bliss, stated that the company views this lawsuit as essential to defending itself against misinformation that has led to reputational damage and harmful business impacts. Bliss added: This type of reporting erodes trust in the broader industry and undermines the efforts of those who are committed to protecting users and advancing positive innovation. At the time of writing, XRP was trading at $1.38, marking a significant 3% loss within the 24-hour time frame. This was the largest decline among the top ten cryptocurrencies by market capitalization, surpassed only by Dogecoin’s (DOGE) 7% drop during the same period. Featured image from OpenArt, chart from TradingView.com
12 Mar 2026, 04:00
The $2,050 Pivot: Ethereum Scarcity Index Turns Positive As Binance Supply Tightens
Ethereum is trading slightly above the $2,000 level as the market continues to navigate a period of uncertainty marked by sideways price action and cautious investor sentiment. After weeks of volatility across the broader cryptocurrency sector, ETH has entered a consolidation phase, with buyers and sellers struggling to establish a clear directional trend. Related Reading: TRON Joins Agentic AI Foundation As AI Systems Move Toward Real-World Deployment While price action appears relatively stable on the surface, new on-chain analysis suggests that underlying liquidity conditions may be shifting. According to a report from CryptoQuant analyst Arab Chain, Ethereum’s Scarcity Index on Binance currently sits around 0.67 while ETH trades near $2,050. The Scarcity Index measures the balance between available supply and demand pressure on a given exchange. A positive reading indicates that the amount of Ethereum available for trading on the platform has fallen below its historical average, reflecting tightening liquidity conditions. A value of 0.67 places the indicator firmly in positive territory, signaling a moderate degree of supply scarcity on Binance compared to previous market conditions. In practical terms, this suggests that part of Ethereum’s circulating supply may be moving off exchanges or remaining inactive in long-term holdings. Although the reading does not yet indicate extreme scarcity, it reveals that the supply balance is gradually shifting toward tighter market conditions as the market consolidates. Ethereum Scarcity Index Suggests Gradual Supply Tightening The report further explains that positive readings in the Scarcity Index reflect structural changes in the balance between available supply and market demand on exchanges. When the index moves into positive territory, it indicates that the amount of Ethereum available for trading on the platform is lower than its historical average, or that net flows are gradually moving out of the exchange. Both dynamics reduce available liquidity in the order book. Under these conditions, markets tend to become more sensitive to incoming demand. When supply on exchanges declines, large buy orders have a greater impact on price because fewer tokens remain readily available to absorb new demand. However, the current reading of 0.67 suggests that the market is experiencing moderate scarcity rather than extreme supply tightening. Compared with previous periods where the indicator reached much higher levels, the present value indicates that liquidity remains relatively stable even as supply conditions begin to shift. This places Ethereum in a transitional phase. The balance between supply and demand appears slightly tilted in favor of buyers, but not to the extent that it would immediately trigger sharp price movements. In practical terms, the data may indicate that some investors are withdrawing Ethereum from exchanges or holding assets off-platform, behavior typically associated with longer-term holding strategies rather than active trading. Related Reading: XRP Trading Interest Fades: Exchange Transactions Fall To Historic Lows Ethereum Stabilizes Near $2,000 After Sharp Selloff Ethereum is currently trading around the $2,000 level after experiencing a sharp correction that unfolded earlier this year. The daily chart shows ETH attempting to stabilize following a rapid decline that pushed the asset from above $3,200 down toward the $1,800 region in February. That move triggered a brief capitulation phase, marked by a large spike in trading volume and a long lower wick that signaled aggressive buying interest near the lows. Since then, price action has transitioned into a consolidation phase between roughly $1,900 and $2,100. This range suggests that the market is attempting to establish a short-term equilibrium after the strong selling pressure that dominated the previous weeks. Related Reading: Altcoins Approach Historic Stress Levels as 38% of Tokens Near All-Time Lows Despite the recent stabilization, the broader trend remains under pressure. Ethereum continues to trade below its key moving averages, including the 50-day and 100-day trends, which are both sloping downward and currently act as dynamic resistance zones above the market. The long-term 200-day moving average remains significantly higher near the $3,300 area, highlighting the magnitude of the earlier breakdown. For bullish momentum to regain strength, ETH would likely need to reclaim the $2,200–$2,400 region, where previous support levels turned into resistance. Until then, the chart suggests Ethereum may remain locked in a consolidation phase while the market searches for clearer directional momentum. Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com
12 Mar 2026, 04:00
Is the crypto market ‘more resilient?’ Coinbase says so after Bitcoin’s 87% ‘drop’
Bitcoin's short-term holders' capitulation and distress has dropped by 87%.
12 Mar 2026, 03:55
FTX Unstakes $17.1M in SOL: A Critical Move in the Ongoing Bankruptcy Saga
BitcoinWorld FTX Unstakes $17.1M in SOL: A Critical Move in the Ongoing Bankruptcy Saga In a significant development within the protracted FTX bankruptcy case, an address linked to the failed exchange and its sister trading firm, Alameda Research, has unstaked 197,000 Solana (SOL) tokens, worth approximately $17.07 million. This move, reported by on-chain analytics platform Onchain Lens on April 10, 2025, follows established patterns suggesting these assets may soon hit major cryptocurrency exchanges. Consequently, this action provides critical insights into the estate’s ongoing liquidation strategy and its potential ripple effects across the crypto market. FTX Unstakes SOL: Analyzing the On-Chain Transaction The transaction, visible on the Solana blockchain, involved a specific wallet address that analysts have consistently associated with the FTX and Alameda bankruptcy estates. Notably, the act of “unstaking” means converting previously locked, illiquid SOL tokens into liquid, tradeable assets. This process typically requires a multi-day cooldown period on the Solana network. Following this cooldown, the tokens become fully movable. Historical data from previous estate liquidations shows a clear pattern. First, large holdings are often broken into smaller batches. Subsequently, these batches are distributed across multiple intermediary addresses. Finally, the funds are deposited onto centralized exchanges like Coinbase and Binance for eventual sale. This method serves several purposes for the bankruptcy estate. Primarily, it helps manage market impact by avoiding a single, massive sell order. Additionally, it complies with court-approved liquidation procedures designed to maximize creditor recovery. The $17.1 million figure, while substantial, represents only a fraction of the estate’s total Solana holdings. Court filings have previously indicated the estate possesses millions of SOL tokens, making this transaction a likely precursor to further activity. Market observers now closely monitor subsequent wallet movements. The Broader Context of the FTX Bankruptcy Liquidation To understand the importance of this unstaking event, one must consider the broader timeline of the FTX collapse. The exchange filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in November 2022, creating one of the largest and most complex proceedings in crypto history. Since then, the court-appointed team, led by CEO John J. Ray III, has worked to identify, secure, and liquidate assets to repay creditors. This process has involved selling various crypto holdings, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, through structured, over-the-counter deals and exchange listings. The Solana holdings present a unique challenge and opportunity. Firstly, SOL’s price has experienced significant volatility since FTX’s collapse. Secondly, the sheer volume of tokens controlled by the estate could influence the market if sold too quickly. Therefore, the estate’s advisors must balance the need for liquidity with the duty to achieve fair market value. This latest unstaking suggests the liquidation committee is actively managing its Solana position. Experts believe these controlled, periodic sales will continue throughout 2025. Expert Analysis on Market Impact and Creditor Recovery Financial analysts specializing in bankruptcy and digital assets provide crucial perspective. They note that while $17 million is a relatively small sum in the context of global crypto markets, the psychological impact can be larger. The market has learned to anticipate these sales, often leading to short-term price pressure on SOL. However, the transparent, predictable nature of the estate’s actions allows the market to absorb the sales more efficiently over time. From a creditor recovery standpoint, each successful liquidation increases the pool of fiat currency available for distribution. The table below outlines key asset sales by the FTX estate over the past year, demonstrating the scale and method of its efforts: Asset Approximate Value Sold Primary Method Timeframe Bitcoin (BTC) $1.8 Billion Over-the-Counter (OTC) Blocks Q3-Q4 2024 Ethereum (ETH) $1.2 Billion Exchange Listings & OTC Q4 2024 Solana (SOL) – Previous $450 Million Auction & Private Sale Early 2025 Various Other Tokens $300 Million Batch Exchange Transfers Ongoing The ultimate goal remains repaying creditors as fully as possible. Each asset sale, including this $17.1 million SOL unstaking, is a step toward that complex objective. The process is governed by strict court supervision and financial regulations. Technical and Regulatory Implications of the Move Beyond finance, this transaction highlights important technical and regulatory themes. On a technical level, the unstaking process showcases the functionality of proof-of-stake networks like Solana. Validators who stake tokens help secure the network and earn rewards. Unstaking for liquidation, however, removes that security contribution, however minor in this case. Furthermore, the use of intermediary addresses for obfuscation is a standard, compliance-driven practice in large-scale institutional crypto movements. It is not indicative of malicious intent but rather of operational security and market stability measures. Regulatory scrutiny of bankruptcy liquidations in crypto is intense. The FTX estate must operate under the directives of the Delaware Bankruptcy Court and in coordination with multiple federal agencies. Every transfer and sale requires documentation and justification. This framework ensures transparency and fairness for all stakeholders involved. The methodical approach seen in this SOL unstaking reflects the estate’s adherence to these stringent requirements. Observers view this compliance as a positive signal for the maturation of crypto asset handling within traditional legal systems. Conclusion The unstaking of $17.1 million in SOL by entities linked to FTX and Alameda Research represents a calculated step in the ongoing bankruptcy liquidation process. This action aligns with established patterns of breaking down large holdings for managed market sales, likely on exchanges such as Coinbase and Binance. While the immediate market impact may be contained, the move underscores the continued, methodical unwinding of one of crypto’s largest failures. It provides a clear window into the challenges of liquidating digital assets at scale while navigating court oversight and market dynamics. The FTX estate’s management of its remaining Solana holdings will remain a critical area of focus for creditors, regulators, and market participants throughout 2025. FAQs Q1: What does it mean to “unstake” SOL? Unstaking SOL converts the cryptocurrency from a locked, illiquid state used for network security (staking) into a liquid, tradeable asset. This process is required before the tokens can be sold on an exchange. Q2: Why would the FTX estate sell its crypto holdings? The FTX bankruptcy estate is legally obligated to liquidate its assets to convert them into fiat currency (like US dollars) to repay the company’s creditors, as ordered by the bankruptcy court. Q3: Will this $17.1 million SOL sale crash the price of Solana? While a sale of this size can create short-term selling pressure, it is unlikely to “crash” the SOL market. The estate uses methods to mitigate impact, and the market often anticipates these sales. The sum is small relative to SOL’s total daily trading volume. Q4: How much Solana does the FTX estate still own? Exact figures fluctuate, but court documents have indicated the estate’s remaining Solana holdings number in the millions of tokens, worth hundreds of millions of dollars. This $17.1 million transaction is a fraction of the total. Q5: Where will the FTX estate likely sell these SOL tokens? Based on past behavior documented by on-chain analysts, the tokens are expected to be routed to major, regulated cryptocurrency exchanges such as Coinbase and Binance to facilitate the sale to the broader market. This post FTX Unstakes $17.1M in SOL: A Critical Move in the Ongoing Bankruptcy Saga first appeared on BitcoinWorld .
