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12 Mar 2026, 12:41

Metaplanet Commits 4 Billion Yen to Expand Bitcoin Infrastructure in Japan

Metaplanet will invest 4 billion yen to boost Bitcoin infrastructure in Japan over three years. Their initial investment targets JPYC, the nation’s licensed yen stablecoin issuer. Continue Reading: Metaplanet Commits 4 Billion Yen to Expand Bitcoin Infrastructure in Japan The post Metaplanet Commits 4 Billion Yen to Expand Bitcoin Infrastructure in Japan appeared first on COINTURK NEWS .

12 Mar 2026, 12:40

Risky trades, cautious market optimism return as Binance futures reclaims 2023 highs

Binance futures trading activity shifted again, as the ratio of derivative to spot trading reached the highest level since 2023. The increased derivative trading may be an early indicator of improving risk-taking. Binance futures activity climbed to an 18-month peak against spot trading. Spot activity started its rally in October, trying to replace some of the erased open interest. Now, it’s derivative trading that’s making a run, signaling a taste for risk-taking. Derivative activity on Binance picked up again, handling over five times the volumes of spot trading. | Source: Cryptoquant The ratio stands at 5.1 points, the highest level since mid-2023. The metric reached a local low of 3.28 points in November 2025, reflecting the effect of the October liquidations . Currently, the futures market carries more than five times the trading volume of the exchange. Usually, the expansion of this metric coincides with periods of market recovery. While BTC and altcoin open interest remains subdued, Binance is showing it remains a location to spot the trends the earliest. Futures activity still grows faster than spot trading Activity on Binance also reflected the general trend of increased perpetual futures trading. Despite Binance’s decline, the market still shows a structural shift to higher risk-taking. Derivatives volumes climbed to $25T in 2025, while spot volume was at $6.99T for the past year. In general, derivative trading has more robust growth, while spot volume remained flat in 2024 and 2025, based on Cryptoquant data . Derivative trading has not fully recovered since October 2025, with open interest for BTC still at $21B. Open interest has not recovered to previous levels over the past six months and may take longer before traders take on more confident long positions. The increased derivative positions may increase BTC volatility in the coming months if the trend persists. Large liquidations can raise overall volatility and challenge the readiness of investors to absorb losses. BTC supply on Binance contracted in March While Binance is widely used for whale BTC trades, moving coins to the exchange still contains risk. Currently, BTC is also growing scarcer on the exchange. The Binance scarcity index rose to 5.10 points, the highest level since October 2025. The index shift is also a sign of market recovery, as deposits have slowed down, while traders shifted to futures, not requiring direct BTC holdings. The scarcity index shifts often during turbulent market times, showing investor and holder behavior can turn on a dime. BTC hovers just below $70,000, still awaiting a clearer signal to extend its gains. However, in the past week, the crypto fear and greed index recovered to 28 points, leaving the “extreme fear” territory. BTC exited its longest stint at that sentiment level since the 2022 bull market and the crash of FTX. Your bank is using your money. You’re getting the scraps. Watch our free video on becoming your own bank

12 Mar 2026, 12:35

BlackRock’s ETHB ETF Launches: A Pivotal Staking Ethereum Fund Begins Trading on Nasdaq

BitcoinWorld BlackRock’s ETHB ETF Launches: A Pivotal Staking Ethereum Fund Begins Trading on Nasdaq In a landmark development for digital asset adoption, BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum Trust, the pioneering staking Ethereum ETF trading under the ticker ‘ETHB,’ commenced trading on the Nasdaq stock exchange today, December 2, 2025. This launch represents a significant evolution in cryptocurrency investment vehicles, merging direct exposure to spot Ethereum with the yield-generating mechanism of network staking. Consequently, the financial world is closely watching this innovative product’s market debut. BlackRock’s ETHB ETF Begins a New Era The ETHB fund distinguishes itself from traditional exchange-traded funds by its dual-function structure. Primarily, the fund holds physical Ethereum (ETH). Subsequently, it stakes a portion of these holdings directly on the Ethereum blockchain. This process actively participates in network validation. Therefore, it generates staking rewards for the fund. These rewards are then distributed to shareholders. This structure provides a streamlined path for traditional investors. They can gain exposure to Ethereum’s price movements. Simultaneously, they earn a passive yield. This yield is derived from the underlying blockchain’s operations. Market analysts immediately noted the product’s prominent placement. Specifically, it was featured atop the homepage for iShares, BlackRock’s renowned ETF brand. This prominent positioning signals the firm’s substantial commitment to the product. Furthermore, it highlights the strategic importance of cryptocurrency offerings within its vast portfolio. The launch follows a series of regulatory milestones. It also follows growing institutional demand for regulated crypto exposure. The Mechanics and Market Impact of Staking ETFs Understanding the staking mechanism is crucial for evaluating ETHB’s value proposition. Staking involves locking cryptocurrency to support a blockchain network’s operations. On the Ethereum network, validators stake ETH to propose and validate new blocks. In return, the network rewards them with additional ETH. The ETHB ETF automates this process for its shareholders. Therefore, investors bypass the technical complexities of setting up a validator node. They also avoid managing private keys directly. Expert Analysis on Structural Innovation Financial experts point to this structure as a major innovation. “The integration of staking into an ETF wrapper solves multiple investor pain points,” notes a report from Bloomberg Intelligence. It provides regulatory clarity, custodial security, and tax-reporting simplicity. Moreover, it unlocks yield in an asset class traditionally seen as purely speculative. This development could potentially attract a new wave of income-focused investors. These investors may have previously avoided the cryptocurrency market. The launch also has implications for the broader Ethereum ecosystem. A large, institutional staking pool can enhance network security and decentralization. However, it also concentrates staking power with a single entity. This dynamic presents a nuanced trade-off that network participants will monitor closely. The table below outlines key comparisons between ETHB and a traditional spot Bitcoin ETF. Feature BlackRock’s ETHB ETF Traditional Spot Bitcoin ETF Underlying Asset Spot Ethereum (ETH) Spot Bitcoin (BTC) Yield Generation Yes, via network staking No Primary Investor Appeal Price exposure + passive income Pure price exposure Technical Requirement for Investor None (managed by fund) None Regulatory Pathway and Industry Context The approval and launch of ETHB did not occur in a vacuum. It follows years of regulatory engagement and market development. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) previously approved several spot Bitcoin ETFs. That approval created a regulatory template. The Ethereum staking model, however, introduced new considerations. Regulators examined whether staking rewards constitute a security. The successful launch of ETHB suggests regulators have reached a workable framework. This event marks a acceleration in the convergence of traditional finance and decentralized finance (DeFi). Other asset managers are likely observing the market reception closely. A successful debut could prompt a wave of similar products. These products might target other proof-of-stake cryptocurrencies. Therefore, ETHB’s trading volume and asset inflows will be critical metrics in the coming weeks. Timeline of Key Developments 2023: Spot Bitcoin ETF applications gain momentum after court rulings. Early 2024: First wave of spot Bitcoin ETFs receives SEC approval. Mid-2024: BlackRock files preliminary paperwork for a spot Ethereum ETF. Late 2024: Discussions emerge around the inclusion of staking features. Q3 2025: SEC engages with issuers on staking mechanics and investor disclosures. December 2, 2025: BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHB) begins trading on Nasdaq. Conclusion The launch of BlackRock’s ETHB ETF on Nasdaq represents a pivotal moment for cryptocurrency integration into mainstream finance. This innovative fund successfully bridges the gap between spot asset investment and blockchain-native yield generation. By offering a regulated, accessible vehicle for Ethereum staking, it lowers barriers for institutional and retail investors alike. The market’s response to the ETHB product will provide vital signals about the future demand for complex, yield-bearing crypto assets within traditional investment portfolios. Ultimately, this launch underscores the continuing evolution of digital assets from speculative tokens into components of structured financial products. FAQs Q1: What is the BlackRock ETHB ETF? The iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHB) is an exchange-traded fund launched by BlackRock. It holds spot Ethereum and stakes a portion of its holdings to generate rewards for shareholders, trading on the Nasdaq exchange. Q2: How does staking work within the ETHB ETF? The fund’s manager allocates a portion of the fund’s Ethereum holdings to validators on the Ethereum network. These validators earn staking rewards for securing the network, which are then passed through to the ETF’s investors after fees. Q3: What are the main benefits for an investor? Investors gain two primary benefits: exposure to the price of Ethereum and a yield from staking rewards, all within a familiar, regulated ETF structure that handles security, custody, and tax reporting. Q4: How is this different from buying Ethereum directly? Buying ETH directly requires managing private keys and understanding wallet security. Staking individually requires technical knowledge and a minimum of 32 ETH. The ETF removes these barriers, offering a simple brokerage account investment. Q5: What risks are associated with the ETHB ETF? Risks include Ethereum’s price volatility, potential changes to Ethereum’s staking rewards protocol, regulatory shifts, and the operational risks of the fund’s staking process. It is not a guaranteed income product. Q6: Can the staking rewards fluctuate? Yes, staking reward rates on the Ethereum network are not fixed. They depend on the total amount of ETH staked and network activity, meaning the yield component of the ETF’s return will vary over time. This post BlackRock’s ETHB ETF Launches: A Pivotal Staking Ethereum Fund Begins Trading on Nasdaq first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

12 Mar 2026, 12:34

Eightco secures $125M in new funding from Bitmine, Cathie Wood's ARK Invest

More on Bitmine Immersion Technologies, Eightco Holdings, etc. Bitmine Immersion Technologies: This Could Be The Bottom As Legislation Becomes More Likely Bitmine Vs. Sharplink: One Is A Dilution Trap, The Other Is The Better Ethereum Proxy BitMine Immersion: Tom Lee Calls An Ether Bottom, But I'm Not Convinced Bitmine Immersion announces 4.535M ETH tokens Cathie Wood's weekly recap: adds to AMZN, BABA, HOOD, COIN, cuts TSM, BIDU

12 Mar 2026, 12:32

Ethereum Price Prediction: $5B Liquidation Risk Builds

Ethereum is showing two conflicting signals at once. Leverage data points to heavier downside liquidation pressure, while onchain activity has climbed to record highs even as price remains far below its peak. Ethereum Liquidation Map Shows Larger Downside Liquidity Clusters An Ethereum liquidation map shared by analyst Ted Pillows highlights significant leveraged positions that could be triggered if price moves sharply in either direction. The data shows that $4.51 billion in short positions would face liquidation if Ethereum rises by 20%, while $5.31 billion in long positions would be liquidated if the price falls by 20%. Ethereum Exchange Liquidation Map. Source: CoinGlass The chart visualizes cumulative liquidation leverage across major exchanges, including Binance, OKX, and Bybit. It also marks Ethereum’s current price near $2,057 at the center of the liquidation map. The data suggests that both long and short positions are concentrated around key levels, which could accelerate volatility if price moves toward those clusters. However, the distribution of liquidation levels appears heavier on the downside. According to Ted Pillows, more liquidity clusters are building below the current price structure. In leveraged markets, these clusters often act as areas where forced liquidations can occur if price reaches those levels. If Ethereum declines toward those lower liquidity zones, long positions using leverage could face forced liquidations, which may intensify downward price movement. Conversely, a strong upward move could trigger short liquidations, potentially fueling a short squeeze as traders rush to close positions. Ethereum Record Network Activity May Signal Pressure Building for a Bigger Price Move Ethereum network activity has climbed to record highs even though the asset still trades far below its previous peak, according to a chart shared by Crypto Patel using CryptoQuant data. The chart compares Ethereum’s total active addresses with price action and shows a clear divergence between rising onchain usage and weaker market performance. Ethereum Total Active Addresses Count. Source: CryptoQuant The visual shows active addresses moving above past highs, including levels seen during the 2020 to 2021 rally. In that earlier cycle, the rise in active addresses came alongside a sharp increase in Ethereum’s price. This time, however, the chart shows a different pattern. Network participation has expanded, but price has remained under pressure and, as the post notes, still sits more than 50% below its peak. That divergence may point to a market where usage is strengthening before price fully responds. In many cases, rising active addresses suggest higher transaction demand, broader user participation, or growing onchain engagement. When that trend continues while price lags, analysts often read it as a sign that underlying network strength is improving faster than market sentiment. At the same time, the chart also warns that strong network activity alone does not guarantee an immediate rally. The note on the right side of the image highlights that active addresses reached record levels while Ethereum’s price collapsed more than 50%. That means heavy usage can exist during periods of capital outflows and broader market weakness. Still, if capital returns and network growth remains strong, this setup could support a stronger Ethereum recovery later. In that case, the gap between record activity and lagging price may narrow through upward price adjustment. Until then, the chart suggests Ethereum is showing strong fundamental network use, but the market has not yet fully priced that in.

12 Mar 2026, 12:31

Why Ray Dalio says Bitcoin can’t replace gold

Ray Dalio argues Bitcoin cannot replace gold as a store of value, citing central bank demand, market maturity and Bitcoin’s risk-asset behavior.