hodler

28 Feb 2026, 09:55

Crypto Carnage: $75 Billion Vanishes in 60 Minutes Following Israel Strike on Iran

$75.76B Crypto Market Crash in 1 Hour as Israel-Iran Tensions Trigger Mass Liquidations The cryptocurrency market plunged over $75.7 billion in just one hour after Israel launched a ‘preventative’ strike on Iran, hitting Tehran. The sudden Middle East escalation triggered a global risk-off reaction , with investors fleeing volatile assets and crypto taking the hardest hit. Bitcoin plunged to $63,806, with Ethereum at $1,857 and XRP at $1.29, as traders rushed to de-risk amid market turbulence , per CoinCodex. The rapid drop triggered over $100 million in liquidations within 15 minutes, highlighting crypto’s acute sensitivity to macroeconomic and geopolitical shocks. Meanwhile, the UK Security Committee chair has called for a temporary ban on crypto political donations. Well, liquidations happen when traders on borrowed funds miss margin calls during rapid price swings. In volatile markets, forced selling can trigger a domino effect, driving prices sharply lower in a short time. Volatility Surges as Investors Flee to Safe Havens The market’s response underscores crypto’s dual identity as a speculative asset and a high-beta gauge of global risk. While Bitcoin is touted as 'digital gold,' investors often first retreat to cash, U.S. Treasuries, or physical gold during geopolitical shocks, before reconsidering crypto positions. Meanwhile, Ripple unveils a transformative whitepaper enabling banks to trade crypto more efficiently. Why does this matter? Well, the crypto market’s $75.76 billion drop highlights how deeply digital assets are tied to traditional finance. Rising institutional participation means global political shocks now ripple more sharply through the crypto ecosystem, keeping volatility elevated. Analysts are closely watching whether this sell-off is a temporary panic or the start of a deeper correction, depending on how geopolitical tensions evolve. Meanwhile, MetaMask has launched a U.S. Mastercard-powered crypto card, making it easier than ever to spend crypto seamlessly in everyday life. Conclusion The $75.76 billion crypto market wipeout exposes the vulnerability of digital assets to sudden geopolitical shocks. With over $100 million in leveraged positions liquidated, traders face heightened risk amid extreme volatility. As Israel-Iran tensions persist, investors watch closely to see if this sell-off is temporary or signals a deeper correction, proving that even decentralized crypto cannot escape global political instability.

28 Feb 2026, 09:35

Crypto market wipes out $70 billion in an hour as U.S. strikes Iran

The crypto market experienced a sharp decline on Saturday, February 28, wiping out $70 billion in total market capitalization within an hour, just as news of a U.S. strike on Iran broke. To be specific, the overall crypto market cap dropped from roughly $2.24 trillion to $2.17 trillion between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. (UTC+1), judging by the real-time data Finbold accessed on TradingView . Crypto market cap. Source: TradingView Crypto market crashes amid Iran escalations Digital assets were among the first major financial instruments to respond to the geopolitical escalation. Bitcoin ( BTC ), still the biggest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, slid toward $63,000, roughly 3.5% within hours of the strike. While it has somewhat recovered since, trading at $63,400 at press time, it is still down nearly 6.5% on the day. The downturn spread across major altcoins, too. Ethereum ( ETH ), for instance, fell 9% to $1,850, while XRP dropped 8.75% and Solana ( SOL ) sank 10%. In contrast, tokenized gold emerged as a safe haven. Tether Gold and Pax Gold, for instance, each gained more than 3%. As for spot gold, the price hovers at $5,278 per ounce, up some 2%. $100 million in long positions lost within minutes Just minutes after headlines broke, $100 million in long positions were liquidated across major exchanges, according to CoinGlass data available at press time. Daily long liquidations have gone up to nearly $445 million. Unsurprisingly, Bitcoin and Ethereum made up the bulk of liquidations, as traders positioned for further upside were blindsided by the abrupt geopolitical escalation. Interestingly, when Iran launched missile strikes on Israel in April 2024, Bitcoin also dropped to roughly $61,000. However, the following months led to new highs, suggesting short-term rallies are also a possibility. Featured image via Shutterstock The post Crypto market wipes out $70 billion in an hour as U.S. strikes Iran appeared first on Finbold .

28 Feb 2026, 08:20

Bitcoin falls below $64,000 after U.S. and Israel launch strikes on Iran

More on Bitcoin USD, Ethereum USD, etc. Whale's Insight: Surface Weakness Masks Whale Accumulation In ETH Is Bitcoin's 'Digital Gold' Narrative Losing Its Shine? Ethereum Price Jumps Back Above $2,000 As Traders Reassess Risk Sentiment Bitcoin vs. S&P 500: The 5-year gap that shows doubled returns Crypto at 50% discount to trend offers multi-year opportunity, Pantera’s Morehead says

28 Feb 2026, 07:59

Morgan Stanley Applies for National Trust Charter to Hold Clients’ Crypto

Morgan Stanley has taken another step deeper into digital assets, filing for a new national trust bank charter that would allow the firm to custody cryptocurrencies and carry out related services for clients in the United States. Key Takeaways: Morgan Stanley applied for a national trust charter to custody crypto and provide trading and staking services. The move is part of a broader institutional push for regulated digital asset infrastructure. Approval would let the bank hold client crypto directly as it expands ETFs and wealth management offerings. A public filing with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency shows the application, submitted Feb. 18, is under the name Morgan Stanley Digital Trust, National Association. The move would establish a newly created banking entity rather than an acquired institution. Morgan Stanley Subsidiary to Offer Crypto Custody, Trading and Staking Services According to reports from Bloomberg and Forbes, the subsidiary would provide custody for selected digital assets and support investment activity through purchases, sales, swaps and transfers. The filing also outlines plans to offer staking services, an increasingly common feature among institutional crypto platforms. A national trust charter permits fiduciary operations such as asset safekeeping, custody and trust services. “De novo” status indicates the bank is being formed from scratch. If approved, it would mark Morgan Stanley’s first trust charter dedicated specifically to crypto. The application comes amid a broader push by financial institutions to secure federal oversight for digital asset operations. BREAKING: This is MASSIVE news for Alts… Morgan Stanley is going all-in on Crypto – and they like $XRP over Bitcoin. Morgan Stanley just applied for a national trust bank charter to custody Bitcoin and crypto assets. This is a Wall Street giant applying to custody crypto… pic.twitter.com/vKjmMGu7oD — Mark (@markchadwickx) February 28, 2026 More recently, payments firms and trading platforms, among them Stripe-owned Bridge and Crypto.com, have also pursued similar approvals. The race reflects growing demand from institutional clients seeking regulated custody and trading infrastructure following years of market volatility and high-profile exchange failures. Morgan Stanley has been steadily expanding its presence in the sector. In January, the bank appointed equity markets executive Amy Oldenburg to lead a newly formed digital asset division. Job postings indicate the firm is hiring additional specialists across strategy and product roles tied to crypto services. The investment bank has also filed to launch spot Bitcoin and Solana exchange-traded funds , followed by a proposed staked Ether ETF. Together, the filings suggest a wider strategy aimed at integrating digital assets into traditional wealth management offerings. If regulators approve the charter, Morgan Stanley would be able to directly safeguard client holdings instead of relying on third-party custodians, potentially positioning the firm as a full-service provider for institutional crypto investors. OCC Grants Trust Bank Charters to Major Crypto Firms The OCC approved national trust bank charters in December for a slate of crypto and digital asset firms, including BitGo, Fidelity Digital Assets, Circle, Ripple and Paxos, widening the on ramp for tokenized finance. Trust banks sit in a narrower lane than full-service banks, since they generally cannot take deposits or make loans. Even so, the model can still open doors for stablecoin issuers that want to custody assets and run conversion and settlement services without relying entirely on third-party providers. Earlier this year, World Liberty Financial also filed for a US national banking charter as stablecoins shift from a trading tool into payment infrastructure. The post Morgan Stanley Applies for National Trust Charter to Hold Clients’ Crypto appeared first on Cryptonews .

28 Feb 2026, 07:15

Morgan Stanley pursues digital asset bank charter as Wall Street accelerates crypto adoption

Morgan Stanley has officially submitted a proposal for a new national trust bank charter seeking authorization to custody digital assets at a time when Wall Street firms are actively pursuing strategies to enter the crypto market. According to filings published by the US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), the investment bank submitted an application to create Morgan Stanley Digital Trust, National Association, a wholly owned subsidiary designed to custody and manage digital assets on behalf of clients. Sources familiar with the situation who wished to remain anonymous, as the talks were private, mentioned that the headquarters will be based in Purchase, New York; however, they stressed that services will be accessible across the US. Meanwhile, the public filing lacks operational clarity but implies a broader strategic scope than simple asset protection. Therefore, if Morgan Stanley’s proposal is approved, analysts anticipate this charter could place the global investment management firm in the same category as other crypto-focused companies seeking federal regulatory approval rather than relying solely on state-level licensing. Morgan Stanley seeks to remain competitive in the crypto industry Recently, Morgan Stanley has demonstrated heightened interest in the crypto industry. Analysts discovered that the Wall Street investment bank has moved past speculative involvement, opting instead to build its own internal frameworks and specialized crypto products. Some of the crypto-related activities the financial services company embraced this year include submitting an application to list spot Bitcoin and Solana exchange-traded funds (ETFs), disclosing its intention to launch a proprietary digital wallet later in the year, and appointing experienced executive Amy Oldenburg to spearhead its digital asset strategy in a newly established role. Apart from these activities, Morgan Stanley also announced its partnership with Zerohash , which will give ETrade clients the opportunity to trade digital assets this year. Collectively, these moves demonstrate the bank’s commitment to solidifying its position as a leader in the crypto ecosystem. Moreover, they signal the bank’s preparation for greater client engagement in areas such as custody, product structuring, and direct involvement in blockchain services, such as staking. In the meantime, regarding Morgan Stanley’s new national trust bank charter application, sources highlighted that the proposal indicates the global asset management firm’s wholly owned subsidiary would oversee specific digital assets, executing buy-sell orders, swaps, and transfers to facilitate client investments while enabling fiduciary staking services. Nonetheless, several individuals have raised concerns about applications from firms in the digital-asset ecosystem. Banking trade groups argue that the applications abuse the intended purpose of a trust bank charter, potentially threatening the safety of both consumers and the broader financial system. Even so, Jonathan Gould, the Comptroller of the Currency, firmly backed the process, claiming that it facilitates more robust regulatory oversight of these companies. The OCC paves the way for digital asset custody in the financial landscape Morgan Stanley’s application follows the OCC’s December 2025 decision to grant conditional approvals for crypto national trust bank charters to Paxos Trust Company, Ripple National Trust Bank, Circle’s First National Digital Currency Bank, Fidelity Digital Assets, and BitGo . In February, reports highlighted that three additional firms secured approval. These companies include Stripe’s Bridge National Trust Bank, Crypto.com National Trust Bank, and Protego’s National Digital Trust Company, bringing the total to eight firms. Meanwhile, it is worth noting that Morgan Stanley’s application represents the bank’s first-ever trust charter specifically focused on digital assets. Additionally, analysts alleged that the de novo charter application initiates a lengthy review process anticipated to take several months. During this time, regulators will assess capital structure, risk controls, compliance frameworks, and operational readiness. If granted authorization, Morgan Stanley Digital Trust could operate as a federally regulated trust bank. Nonetheless, its permissible activities rely on final authorization terms. The smartest crypto minds already read our newsletter. Want in? Join them .

28 Feb 2026, 05:00

Binance Surpasses $35B In Gold Volume As Crypto-Native Traders Disrupt Traditional Commodity Desks

Binance expanded its product suite on January 5 with the launch of gold futures trading, offering users 24/7 access to price exposure on the precious metal. The move reflects a broader trend within digital asset platforms: the convergence of traditional macro assets and crypto-native infrastructure. By introducing round-the-clock gold derivatives, Binance is positioning itself at the intersection of commodities and digital trading liquidity, enabling participants to hedge, speculate, or diversify without relying on legacy market hours. According to analysis shared by top analyst Darkfost, the timing is not coincidental. Since the beginning of 2024, gold has delivered an exceptional performance, rising nearly 160%. This sustained rally has reinforced gold’s role as a macro hedge amid inflationary pressures, geopolitical tensions, and shifting monetary expectations. As capital increasingly rotates toward hard assets, demand for flexible trading vehicles has intensified. The strong price momentum has naturally encouraged the development of gold-linked derivatives within crypto markets . For exchanges, this represents both a diversification strategy and a response to evolving trader preferences. For market participants, it offers continuous access to a traditionally time-restricted asset class. Gold Volumes Surge As Crypto Traders Seek Macro Exposure The rapid adoption of Binance’s gold futures product reveals more than opportunistic speculation — it reflects structural demand for macro exposure within crypto-native infrastructure. Reaching nearly $35 billion in cumulative trading volume , with over $4 billion recorded on the most active day, indicates that this is not a niche experiment but a product resonating with significant liquidity. A weekly average of $4.7 billion in volume further confirms sustained participation rather than a short-lived launch spike. Importantly, trading activity accelerated sharply after gold experienced a rapid two-day correction exceeding 20%. That reaction suggests traders are not merely passively holding exposure; they are actively managing volatility, using crypto rails to access macro hedges in real time. This behavior highlights a broader shift: crypto investors increasingly treat exchanges as multi-asset platforms rather than purely digital token venues. The ability to trade gold derivatives continuously, without the constraints of traditional market hours, creates tactical flexibility that legacy markets cannot match. For Binance, the strategic implication is clear. By integrating late-cycle macro assets like gold into its derivatives ecosystem, the exchange reinforces its position as a cross-market liquidity hub. It is not simply listing products — it is structuring access to global risk themes through crypto-native infrastructure. BNB Holds Macro Structure As Binance Expands Market Reach BNB remains technically constructive on the weekly timeframe despite recent volatility. After rallying toward the $1,300 region, price corrected sharply but is now stabilizing near the $600–$650 zone. Importantly, BNB continues to trade above its 200-week moving average, which remains upward sloping — a signal that the broader macro structure is still intact. While the 50-week average has flattened and short-term momentum has cooled, the asset has not broken down into a lower macro range. The recent pullback appears corrective rather than structurally destructive. Volume expanded during the selloff phase, reflecting de-risking across the broader crypto market, but has since moderated as price consolidates. From a structural standpoint, BNB’s resilience is closely tied to Binance’s dominant market position. The exchange continues to lead global spot and derivatives liquidity, and the recent success of its gold futures product — generating tens of billions in volume — reinforces its role as a cross-asset liquidity hub. As Binance expands beyond crypto-native products into macro-linked derivatives, it strengthens the utility layer supporting BNB. BNB’s long-term trajectory remains correlated with Binance’s ecosystem growth. If the platform continues capturing multi-asset volume — including gold — structural demand for BNB could remain supported despite broader market turbulence. Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com