Invest ideasNews
21 Mar 2026, 11:00
2008-style crisis ahead? – How crypto investors are reacting to ‘zero rate cuts’
As macro conditions tighten and systemic risks rise, stablecoin growth may signal defensive capital building within crypto.
21 Mar 2026, 10:35
U.S. lifts restrictions on Iranian crude deliveries as Trump hints at conflict end
The United States has issued a waiver allowing the sale of Iranian oil stranded at sea in an apparent effort to boost supply and reduce pressure on global markets. The move, which is expected to release millions of barrels of crude, comes amid an ongoing war in the Persian Gulf that the U.S. President is now considering winding down. U.S. permits purchases of Iranian oil loaded on tankers The U.S. government has issued a temporary license authorizing the delivery and sale of Iranian oil and petroleum products already loaded on vessels as of March 20. The 30-day waiver , which was published by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) after markets closed on Friday, will be valid until April 19. It allows all relevant transactions, including importation into the United States, when necessary. As noted by Reuters, the U.S. has not imported oil from Iran since the revolution that created the Islamic Republic more than four decades ago. The decision is expected to bring around 140 million barrels of oil to global markets, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced on social media. In a post on X, he blamed Iran for the current pressure on supply and insisted the Iranian regime will not be able to benefit from the short-term measure, elaborating: Iran is the head of the snake for global terrorism, and through President Trump’s Operation Epic Fury, we are winning this critical fight at an even faster pace than anticipated. In response to Iran’s terrorist attacks against global energy infrastructure, the Trump… — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (@SecScottBessent) March 20, 2026 Oil jumped by about 50% since the U.S. and Israel began joint airstrikes on Iran at the end of February, pushing prices above $100 per barrel. The surprise attack and Iran’s retaliation by hitting targets in Arab states in the Gulf effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, which accounts for roughly 20% of oil traffic. While it’s unclear whether America will import any Iranian crude, the lifting of the restrictions will get supplies to Asian ports within days, as U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said earlier on Friday. Until now, China has been the one taking full advantage of the situation by buying sanctioned Iranian oil at discounted prices. Nations in Europe, where fuel prices have been soaring as a result of the conflict, such as Italy and Greece, were among major buyers of Iranian oil prior to the enforcement of U.S. sanctions in 2018. U.S. issues another oil waiver as Trump hints at war exit The United States started addressing oil price spikes within a week after attacking Iran. It first allowed India to buy Russian oil in transit, despite threatening it earlier with tariffs if it did so. Washington then permitted others to purchase Russian crude as well, with a waiver valid until April 11. On March 19, OFAC replaced it with a new license . The latter, like the latest Iranian oil authorization, excludes transactions involving North Korea, Cuba, and Russia-annexed Crimea, among other regions. “So far, the Trump Administration has been working to bring around 440 million additional barrels of oil to the global market,” Bessent summed up on X. Meanwhile, the U.S. President took to his Truth Social network to claim his government is close to accomplishing its mission in the Gulf. In what seems like another attempt to calm down markets and limit economic and political damage ahead of the midterm elections in November, he stated : “We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East with respect to the Terrorist Regime of Iran.” Among these objectives, Donald Trump listed degrading Iran’s missile capability, not allowing it to get close to nuclear capability, and protecting America’s allies in the region. He also urged other nations using the Hormuz Strait to help police it “once Iran’s threat is eradicated,” pointing to Europe, China, South Korea, and Japan in another statement. His hint at ending the war comes amid ongoing tit-for-tat strikes on oil and gas infrastructure in the region that escalated the conflict to a new dangerous level in the past few days. The smartest crypto minds already read our newsletter. Want in? Join them .
21 Mar 2026, 09:03
Why a BOJ + Oil Squeeze Could Supercharge XRP Utility
The Bank of Japan raised its policy rate to 0.75% in December 2025, and markets expect further increases in 2026, potentially reaching 1.00% by mid-year. Rising rates end decades of ultra-low Yen funding and increase the opportunity cost of holding idle capital. Brent crude remains near $100 to $107 per barrel amid Middle East tensions, creating higher operational and energy costs for companies. Firms are now managing cash more tightly and often delay outgoing payments until incoming funds arrive. Software engineer and XRP supporter Vincent Van Code (@vincent_vancode) noted that these conditions highlight the relevance of Ripple’s solutions. He explained that rising costs and liquidity constraints make traditional banking systems inefficient, accelerating the adoption of XRP and Ripple’s On-Demand Liquidity (ODL). The End of Cheap Liquidity: Why a BOJ + Oil Squeeze Could Supercharge XRP Utility. I unpack my honest opinion and reason for holding XRP. My "one eye" has always been on JAPAN, they are the key! The Bank of Japan has made it clear: rates are heading higher. After lifting the… https://t.co/SzxzcWfkuY — Vincent Van Code (@vincent_vancode) March 19, 2026 Inefficiencies in Traditional Banking The legacy correspondent banking system still relies on pre-funded nostro and vostro accounts worldwide. Estimates place over $5 trillion in pre-funded accounts globally, with some analyses including opportunity costs of $27 trillion . Trapped liquidity reduces operational flexibility and increases costs for banks and corporations. In a high-rate environment, funds previously considered “free” now carry significant opportunity costs, making alternatives more appealing. Ripple’s On-Demand Liquidity Provides Efficiency Van Code emphasized that ODL enables banks and corporations to move funds instantly without pre-funding. Fiat converts to XRP, transfers in 3-5 seconds at minimal cost, and reconverts to local currency on the receiving end. He highlighted that “banks and corporations shift meaningful volume to Ripple Payments / ODL, unlocking portions of the trillions currently trapped in the SWIFT/correspondent model.” The XRPL’s infrastructure, supported by XRP and stablecoins like RLUSD, provides just-in-time liquidity. Financial institutions can optimize cash flow while reducing capital tied up in pre-funded accounts. Ripple’s network can also offer short-term bridging solutions to ease cash flow bottlenecks during periods of high pressure. We are on X, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1 — TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) June 15, 2025 Utility Drives Real-World Demand ODL’s efficiency could drive sustained demand for XRP . As more institutions use XRPL for cross-border payments, local-currency stablecoins issued on the ledger can expand. XRP acts as a neutral bridge, enabling liquidity between multiple currencies without requiring idle capital. Even modest shifts from legacy rails to XRP-based transfers could mobilize substantial capital. Van Code pointed out that these dynamics strengthen the case for XRP adoption. Rising interest rates, higher energy costs, and liquidity pressures create an environment in which real-time settlement becomes critical. Banks and corporations can reduce operational costs while maintaining liquidity, demonstrating XRP’s practical value beyond speculation. Disclaimer : This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are advised to conduct thorough research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses. Follow us on X , Facebook , Telegram , and Google News The post Why a BOJ + Oil Squeeze Could Supercharge XRP Utility appeared first on Times Tabloid .
21 Mar 2026, 08:30
Bitcoin Price Could Visit $43K Before Next Bull Market — Here’s How
For the first time in nearly two months, the Bitcoin price had a sustained run above the psychological $70,000 level over the past week. However, the increased likelihood of potential interest rate hikes by the US Federal Reserve on Friday, March 20, seems to have elevated market apprehension. Interestingly, an on-chain evaluation suggests that the Bitcoin price was always destined for another round of downside movement — this time below the $50,000 level. Is BTC Price Preparing For Another Leg Down? In a Friday post on the X platform, crypto analyst Ali Martinez shared an on-chain insight into the potential bottom of the BTC price in the current bear cycle. According to the market pundit, the price of Bitcoin appears to be headed to the $43,000 level before starting the next bull cycle. Related Reading: Bitcoin Holds At $69,000— Glassnode Data Shows What To Expect Through Late March This projection is based on the Market Value to Realized Value (MVRV) pricing bands, which show the different profitability levels of the premier cryptocurrency. These pricing bands also function as dynamic support and resistance levels, as they compare the current market price to the average realized value (average cost basis) of all investors. As shown in the chart above, MVRV pricing bands have proven, in past cycles, to be quite effective in predicting market tops and bottoms. Using the on-chain metric, Martinez has identified the 0.8 MVRV band as the potential bottom of the Bitcoin price in the ongoing bear market. Martinez revealed that over the past decade, the price of BTC has always rebounded from this 0.8 MVRV band, marking the start of a fresh bull cycle. The highlighted chart shows the flagship cryptocurrency bouncing back to a new high after hitting its cycle low — around this band in 2018, 2020, and 2022. According to data from Glassnode, the 0.8 MVRV band currently lies around the $43,647 region, putting the potential bottom of this cycle nearly 40% away from the current price. If history were to repeat itself, this on-chain evaluation suggests that the Bitcoin price could be at risk of further downside in the coming months. It is important to mention that while the 0.8 MVRV band is currently at $43,647, it is liable to change with further movements in price. Bitcoin Price At A Glance As of this writing, the price of BTC stands at around $70,477, reflecting a 0.6% increase in the past 24 hours. Related Reading: Pundit Shares Everything To Understand About Bitcoin, ‘This Cycle IS Different’ Featured image from iStock, chart from TradingView
21 Mar 2026, 06:22
Bitcoin Runs Straight Into the Biggest Derivatives Expiry in Stock Market History
There are bad days to be sitting on a leveraged crypto position, and then there is quadruple witching Friday, and then there is quadruple witching Friday during a Middle East war, a hawkish Fed and a four-week equity selloff. According to Goldman Sachs, more than $7.1 trillion in notional options exposure expires simultaneously, the largest quarterly derivatives expiry ever recorded, with roughly $5 trillion tied to the S&P 500 index alone and a further $880 billion linked to individual stocks. Bitcoin was holding around $69,800 as those contracts began expiring, with Ethereum at $2,134, XRP at $1.43 and Solana at $88.93, each of those figures sitting well below where they were when the year began and well below where most investors had positioned for them to be by now. The Fear and Greed Index for crypto markets registered 30 going into Friday’s session, firmly in fear territory and barely recovered from the reading of 23 recorded earlier this week following the Federal Reserve’s hawkish rate hold. Quadruple witching matters to crypto investors because Bitcoin no longer operates in a silo separate from traditional finance. The asset increasingly trades alongside equities and other risk assets, meaning institutional liquidations, portfolio rebalancing and derivatives settlement in the stock market create direct ripple effects in digital asset prices, often within the same trading session rather than with any meaningful lag. Cole Kennelly, CEO of Volmex Finance, said the event is already showing up in digital asset volatility metrics: “Quadruple witching could trigger a spike in cross-asset volatility as large derivatives positions expire. This may already be showing up in crypto, with the Bitcoin Volmex Implied Volatility (BVIV) Index trending higher into the event.” The historical pattern from 2025 provides limited comfort for anyone hoping Friday itself will pass quietly. Bitcoin tended to show muted or flat performance on the day of quadruple witching events themselves, but consistently followed with weakness in the days and weeks after, sometimes sharply so. In September 2025, a post-witching decline took Bitcoin from $177,000 all the way to $108,000, while the June event was followed by a local bottom just two days later. Analyst Max Crypto noted on social media that BTC has dropped between seven and eight percent before bouncing during three of the last four quadruple witching events, a pattern that, combined with the current macro backdrop, suggests the path of least resistance remains downward rather than upward in the near term. Today’s derivatives expiry does not even represent the end of the week’s event risk for crypto specifically. A separate $13.5 billion in digital asset derivatives are set to expire on Deribit on March 27, just six days away, and positioning data from that exchange shows traders leaning into volatility strategies rather than building directional bets, which signals a market bracing for continued turbulence rather than any clean directional resolution. Bitcoin ETF outflows over the past two days have compounded the selling pressure, with BlackRock’s IBIT posting $38.25 million in outflows on Thursday, Fidelity’s FBTC shedding $26.02 million and Bitwise contributing $17.18 million to net outflows of $90 million across the day, a continuation of the $163.52 million in net outflows recorded on Wednesday. The combined weight of geopolitical uncertainty, a Fed that has signalled one rate cut for the entirety of 2026, oil above $100 and now the mechanical pressure of the largest derivatives expiry in financial history arriving in the same week is as challenging a set of conditions as the crypto market has navigated since the October 2025 peak.
21 Mar 2026, 05:00
UK Moves To Shut Down Crypto Exchange Tied To Iran’s Military
A blockchain analytics firm found that nearly 90% of money processed by a UK-registered crypto exchange in 2024 was connected to Iran’s most powerful military organization. A Billion Dollars And A Fake Boss TRM Labs, which tracks cryptocurrency flows, reported that Zedxion Exchange and a related platform called Zedcex moved roughly $1 billion tied to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). In 2024, IRGC-linked payments made up about 87% of all transactions the two exchanges handled. Even as that share fell to roughly 48% in 2025, the raw dollar amounts connected to the Iranian military group remained massive. Now the UK is shutting the exchange down. Britain’s Companies House — the government body that registers businesses — has started a compulsory strike-off against Zedxion Exchange Ltd. Authorities say the company filed false information, including listing a director who never existed. Stock Photo, Fake Name, Real Money The fictitious director was registered under the name Elizabeth Newman, listed as a citizen of the Dominican Republic. An investigation by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) found that the woman behind the name was likely manufactured entirely — her image in company marketing videos traced back to a stock photo. Before Newman appeared in company records, a man named Babak Morteza held the director position. His details matched those of Babak Zanjani, an Iranian businessman who had previously been sentenced to death in Iran for stealing state oil funds. That sentence was reduced in 2024, and Zanjani resumed business operations. Morteza was listed as director and the person with significant control of Zedxion from October 2021 to August 2022. Zanjani is also said to head DotOne Holding Group, a conglomerate with operations across cryptocurrency, foreign exchange, logistics, and telecommunications — sectors that have been used in the past to sidestep international sanctions. Washington Acted First The UK crackdown follows US sanctions imposed in January by the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Both Zedxion and Zedcex were named in that action. OFAC said Zanjani helped fund projects supporting the IRGC and the Iranian government more broadly. Company filings for the two exchanges also showed dormant accounts, a detail that stood in sharp contrast to the enormous transaction volumes blockchain analysts traced through them. The UK passed the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act in 2023, giving Companies House new authority to verify the identities of directors and check that registered businesses were set up for lawful purposes. The Zedxion case marks one of the more visible uses of those powers. Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView
