hodler

26 Mar 2026, 09:20

Michael Saylor’s Strategy dominates DAT bitcoin buying as treasury demand collapses

Strategy accounted for nearly all recent BTC digital-asset treasury purchases, with other firms’ share dropping from 95% to about 2%, CryptoQuant data show.

26 Mar 2026, 09:00

Coinbase Dismisses Revised Clarity Act, Signals Ongoing Friction

In January, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong posted on X the night before a planned Senate Banking Committee markup, declared his company could not back the bill, and forced the hearing off the calendar. Now, after lawmakers unveiled fresh compromise language for the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, the exchange is signaling the same resistance. A Bill That Keeps Hitting Walls Senators Thom Tillis and Angela Alsobrooks announced the revised text March 20, with White House backing. The compromise bans rewards paid simply for holding a stablecoin but allows activity-based rewards tied to payments or platform use. Banks got what they wanted most. Crypto platforms got a narrow lane — though what qualifies as activity-based rewards remains, according to sources familiar with the draft, frustratingly vague. The SEC, CFTC, and Treasury would have 12 months to define the rules more precisely, a timeline that offers little immediate comfort to the industry. Crypto insiders who attended a closed-door Capitol Hill session Monday said the language was overly restrictive. One person familiar with the industry’s first look described the opening impression as a letdown. What’s At Stake For Coinbase The numbers behind Coinbase’s opposition are not hard to find. Stablecoin-related revenue made up roughly 20% of the company’s total earnings in the third quarter of 2025. Reports say the exchange pulled in $1.35 billion from stablecoins in 2025 alone, most of it from USDC distribution arrangements with Circle. Armstrong’s public argument has been that USDC rewards are not a deposit product — they are revenue sharing from interest earned on Treasury bills held in reserve. Treasury Sec. Scott Bessent has already criticized what he called recalcitrant actors resisting compromise, urging Senate passage this spring. Banks, other crypto firms, and the White House are increasingly aligned. Coinbase is not. A Fragile Timeline With New Complications The bill still faces multiple hurdles before it becomes law, including a full Senate floor vote requiring 60 votes and reconciliation with the House-passed version from July 2025. Senator Bernie Moreno has been direct: if the bill does not reach the Senate floor by May, crypto legislation risks going dark until after the midterm cycle. The stablecoin market sits at $316 billion. For now, the clock is running — and Coinbase has made clear it is not ready to get behind the deal. Featured image from Quakers and Business, chart from TradingView

26 Mar 2026, 08:13

XBASE secures crypto license from Dubai regulator

Amidst the ongoing situation in the Middle East, the Dubai Virtual Assets Authority is still moving full steam ahead, and has granted Xbase Virtual Assets Broker & Dealer Services LLC, part of RELM Group, a virtual asset service provider license allowing it to offer crypto brokerage services. As per the license , XBase, one of the subsidiaries of RELM group, will be able to offer spot OTC crypto trading to institutional and qualified investors. The license, unlike others, is active and not just issued. XBASE had received its in-principle approval in October of 2025. At the time, RELM had noted that the approval reinforced their commitment to building a secure, transparent, and fully regulated digital asset ecosystem in one of the most forward-thinking markets in the world. XBASE sought to have a fully compliant, multi-jurisdictional licensing, secure, and confidential OTC trade execution tailored for institutions and clients worldwide. XBASE was able to receive its license with the support of The Private Office of Sheikh Ahmed bin Faisal Al Qassimi for Consultancy and Project Development, CFC MENA, which offers crypto and fintech consultancy services, and Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). RELM has already executed over $1 billion in total trades across its large-order crypto and fiat trading and payments under its Trade Fluidity ecosystem. RELM boasts of deep liquidity as it aims to make crypto accessible to merchants across all market sectors and industries. RELM currently offers access to 140 fiat currencies and all major cryptocurrencies. Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority has issued to date over 43 VASP licenses ranging from crypto brokers to exchanges to investment management, crypto custody, and more. Your bank is using your money. You’re getting the scraps. Watch our free video on becoming your own bank

26 Mar 2026, 07:20

Bitcoin falls below $70k amid uncertainty over Iran war, US regulation

26 Mar 2026, 06:34

Oil Prices Today: US Attempts to Stabilize Fuel Prices as Crisis Deepens

Global oil markets remain on edge as the tensions between the US and Iran continue despite efforts from President Donald Trump to de-escalate. Iran has officially stated their demands to secure a potential treaty, and markets seem to be pricing in the uncertainty. Oil prices remain elevated at $92.3 per barrel at the time of this writing, up 4% in the past 24 hours. Iran States Demands US President Donald Trump insists that they are close to making a deal with Iran. The latter has officially rejected the peace proposal and set fixed conditions to end the war. These include : Immediate end to attacks and assassinations on Iran. Establishment of “concrete guarantees” against future US attacks. “Clear determination and guaranteed payment” for war damages. International recognition of Iran’s authority over the Strait of Hormuz. An end to the war across all fronts, including for all Iranian proxies in the region. The US is yet to respond. Meanwhile, the country’s parliament speaker also warned that Tehran was monitoring US troop movement after multiple sources reported that the Pentagon had ordered 2,000 airborne troops to the region. Oil Crisis Spreads The war in Iran and the resulting challenges for the international oil trade have affected economies worldwide. The Kobeissi Letter reported that over 500 gas stations in Australia have now run out of fuel. 187 of these have run out of diesel, while 32 service stations are out of all types of fuel. But it’s not just that. Other markets are also suffering due to the Strait of Hormuz’s disrupted operations. Fertilizers, for example, are also getting increasingly expensive. Top exporters from China and Russia are also curbing their crop nutrient sales, which further tightens the supply. This comes right before the spring planting session, and could translate directly to higher food prices and skyrocketing inflation. Meanwhile, the US is attempting to stabilize fuel prices through a variety of measures, including: Possible coordinated release of 400 million barrels of oil. Support for tanker insurance through the Strait of Hormuz. Temporary flexibility on sanctioned Russian oil purchases. Removal of barriers to expand E10 supply, and more. Crypto markets remain uncertain. Bitcoin’s price fell by close to 1.7% over the past 24 hours, with total industry capitalization at $1.4 trillion. The post Oil Prices Today: US Attempts to Stabilize Fuel Prices as Crisis Deepens appeared first on CryptoPotato .

26 Mar 2026, 06:00

UK Regulator Eases Bitcoin Access - But Is It Really Open?

UK regulators have eased restrictions on bitcoin products, but banking limits, tax treatment and regulatory ‘safeguards’ continue to limit access for retail investors.