IOTA’s Q1 2026 update reveals Starfish consensus on testnet, 80x indexer gains, and operational trade infrastructure across Kenya and UK ports.
IOTA has rolled out its Starfish consensus mechanism to testnet while establishing live trade infrastructure connections between Kenyan government agencies, marking the project’s most significant quarter for real-world deployment. The token trades at $0.059 as of April 2, up 6.6% in 24 hours, with a market cap of $256 million.
The Q1 2026 progress report, published April 2, details a coordinated push across protocol development and enterprise adoption. The foundation’s Trade Worldwide Information Network (TWIN) now operates multi-node connectivity between KenTrade, Kenya Revenue Authority, and TLIP Community nodes—allowing trade documentation to remain at source while enabling shared visibility across agencies.
Protocol Upgrades Target Enterprise Scale
Three technical developments stand out for traders watching IOTA’s infrastructure play.
The Starfish consensus mechanism hit testnet via version 1.16.0, providing what IOTA describes as the “high security and low latency foundation required for trade documentation.” This follows the 2025 Rebased upgrade that removed IOTA’s controversial Coordinator and transitioned to delegated proof-of-stake.
Infrastructure performance saw dramatic gains. New indexer servers delivered approximately 80x performance improvements for data-heavy applications—critical for processing trade documentation at scale. A FastCommitSyncer implementation increased node synchronization speed by 20-30x, reducing catchup time from hours to minutes.
Account Abstraction went live on devnet, alphanet, and testnet. This feature enables programmable address authentication, designed to simplify onboarding for trade participants who aren’t crypto-native. Two improvement proposals (IIP-0009 and IIP-0010) formalize these changes.
UK Government Backing Materializes
IOTA secured an agreement to establish an Information Sharing Network at Teesside Port, part of the UK’s Digital Trade Testbed. The initiative involves the UK Department of Business and Trade and the International Chamber of Commerce. Live trade transactions have been anchoring on IOTA mainnet since January 2026, according to previous reports.
The foundation launched an Expert Advisory Board bringing senior trade, customs, and logistics professionals into TWIN’s strategic development—a move to bridge the gap between DLT developers and people who actually move freight.
Institutional Interest From Major Financial Hubs
IOTA reports “significant interest” from tier-1 financial institutions in South Korea and the Middle East, specifically around tokenized trade finance and digital identity. The foundation is also trialing an advanced securitization framework for tokenizing real-world assets, though specifics remain limited.
The Bullish exchange integration completed this quarter adds institutional liquidity access. A MasterZ hackathon drew over 60 team submissions, clustering around trade, RWA, and identity use cases.
Africa Expansion Continues
Beyond Kenya, IOTA introduced Rwandan government stakeholders to TLIP for a potential coffee export pilot with TradeMark Africa. The AfCFTA-led ADAPT initiative began formal mobilization, establishing governance structures for phase 1 implementation aimed at modernizing trade systems across the continent.
Regulatory Engagement
IOTA joined Sui Foundation, Cardano Foundation, and Avalanche Policy Coalition in responding to UK Financial Conduct Authority consultations on crypto staking and DeFi regulation. The foundation also provided feedback on OECD crypto-asset reporting framework implementation across EU and Hong Kong jurisdictions.
The strategic outlook centers entirely on TWIN becoming “the world’s trusted digital infrastructure for global trade.” Coming quarters will focus on deeper deployments in existing markets rather than geographic expansion. For traders, the key catalysts to watch: mainnet rollout of Starfish consensus, expansion of the Teesside pilot, and whether institutional interest from Korea and the Middle East converts to announced partnerships.
Decentralized finance presents itself as a transparent alternative to Wall Street. Yet, what it has largely reconstructed is a simplified version of finance, engineered less around market resilience than around the constraints of gas fees. That trade-off, once treated as a technical footnote, is increasingly shaping the limits of what DeFi can become.
So long as computational minimalism remains the overriding priority, financial robustness will remain secondary, and periods of market stress will continue to expose that imbalance.
When markets move faster than the virtual machine
DeFi has rebuilt the familiar architecture of finance, including exchanges, lending markets, derivatives and stablecoins. However, the way these systems function reveals how tightly they are bound by their execution environments.
Risk parameters tend to remain static, and although collateral thresholds can adjust, they typically do so slowly, through governance processes rather than automatic recalibration. Liquidation engines currently rely on fixed formulas rather than adaptive portfolio models that account for shifting volatility or correlations. What appears as a design preference is often a concession to computational limits.
On Ethereum and similar chains, floating-point arithmetic is absent or emulated, iterative simulations are expensive, and continuously recomputing cross-asset exposure can quickly become impractical. The outcome is that financial logic is compressed into forms that are deterministic and affordable to execute, even if that compression strips away nuance.
This architecture performs adequately in stable conditions, but volatility has a way of testing its edges. During MakerDAO’s “Black Thursday” event in March 2020, vaults were liquidated at effectively zero bids, as auction mechanics struggled under collapsing prices and network congestion.
In later downturns, protocols such as Aave and Compound leaned on mass liquidations triggered by fixed collateral ratios, rather than dynamic portfolio recalculations. When Curve’s pools were destabilized in 2023 following a smart contract exploit, the stress radiated outward into lending protocols that treated LP tokens as static collateral, compounding systemic risk.
In each instance, decentralization itself was not the breaking point. Rather, rigid financial logic operated inside an execution layer that could not continuously recompute risk as conditions deteriorated.
Traditional markets evolved in the opposite direction. Banks and clearinghouses simulate thousands of stress scenarios, recalculating exposure as correlations shift and volatility regimes change. Margin requirements respond dynamically to market conditions, and the response is led by substantial computational infrastructure and mature numerical tooling. Public blockchains, by contrast, were not designed with that degree of iterative financial processing in mind.
The illusion of simplicity
Constraining computational complexity reduces certain attack surfaces. Simplicity at the protocol layer, however, does not dissolve complexity in the financial system. It merely pushes it elsewhere.
When risk cannot be modeled and recomputed transparently on-chain, it migrates off-chain into dashboards, analytics teams, discretionary parameter adjustments and emergency governance coordination. The blockchain may remain the settlement layer, but the adaptive intelligence that stabilizes the system increasingly operates outside it. During volatility spikes, protocols often depend on rapid human coordination to adjust parameters, while oracles and large token holders acquire disproportionate influence over outcomes.
The system retains its decentralized base, yet its capacity to respond flexibly depends on actors operating beyond deterministic execution. What appears structurally simple at the smart contract level can conceal a more complex and less transparent operational reality.
DeFi did not converge on simplified finance because static ratios and deterministic curves were proven superior. It converged there because richer computational models were prohibitively expensive to run. As markets deepen, leverage increases, and instruments grow more interdependent, that compromise becomes harder to ignore. Fixed thresholds and blunt liquidation engines, initially safeguards, can begin to function as amplifiers of stress.
Computation as a missing primitive
The deeper constraint, more than decentralization, is execution design.
If verifiable execution environments begin to approximate general-purpose computing systems, the financial design space expands. Native floating-point assistance, iterative algorithms and access to established numerical libraries would allow models to be expressed directly rather than translated into simplified approximations.
This change would allow lending protocols to incorporate scenario-based stress testing instead of relying primarily on fixed collateral ratios. Margin requirements may also adjust in response to observed volatility rather than governance cadence. It could also see credit systems recompute multivariable risk scores transparently, replacing binary heuristics with more granular assessments.
The aim is not to introduce complexity for its own sake. It is to keep financial intelligence inside the protocol, where it remains visible and enforceable, rather than externalizing it into operational layers that users cannot easily audit. This underscores the broader point that the limitations confronting DeFi are largely architectural choices, not inevitabilities of decentralization.
A credibility ceiling
DeFi now stands at a structural crossroads. One direction preserves gas-optimized minimalism, keeping base-layer execution clean while allowing increasingly sophisticated financial logic to migrate off-chain. That path may maintain clarity at the smart contract level, but it constrains how far decentralized finance can responsibly scale.
The alternative is to treat computation itself as a first-class primitive and to accept more capable execution environments in exchange for systems that can adapt, recompute and stress-test transparently. If complex risk logic cannot live on-chain, DeFi will continue to project simplicity in code while relying on discretion in practice.
Markets will not moderate their complexity to accommodate virtual machine constraints. If decentralized finance intends to operate at a meaningful scale, its computational foundations will have to evolve alongside the financial ambitions built on top of them.
Opinion by: João Garcia, DevReal lead at Cartesi.
This opinion article presents the author’s expert view, and it may not reflect the views of Cointelegraph.com. This content has undergone editorial review to ensure clarity and relevance. Cointelegraph remains committed to transparent reporting and upholding the highest standards of journalism. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research before taking any actions related to the company.
Buyers will have to sustain Bitcoin above $69,000 to gain the upper hand in the short term.
Select major altcoins may break above their near-term resistance, signaling buying at lower levels.
Bitcoin (BTC) is facing resistance at $69,000, but the bulls continue to exert pressure. A minor positive in favor of the bulls is that the US spot BTC exchange-traded funds have recorded $186.9 million in inflows this week, according to Farside Investors data.
Is this a good level to buy BTC, or could it fall further? That’s a question troubling investors. Alphractal founder Joao Wedson said in a post on X that BTC’s previous market cycles suggest a historical bottom may form “in late September or early October 2026.”
Crypto market data daily view. Source: TradingView
Veteran trader Peter Brandt also believes that BTC could bottom in September or October. Brandt told Cointelegraph that a complete recovery to a new all-time high may happen only by the second quarter of 2027 but he added that it “is all guesswork.”
Could BTC and select major altcoins rise above their overhead resistance levels? Let’s analyze the charts of the top 10 cryptocurrencies to find out.
Bitcoin price prediction
Buyers are attempting to sustain BTC above the moving averages, indicating solid buying at lower levels.
If they succeed, the BTC/USDT pair may remain inside the bullish ascending triangle pattern. Buyers will have to thrust the BTC price above the $76,000 level to seize control. The pair may then surge to the $84,000 level.
This positive view will be negated in the near term if the BTC price turns down and breaks below the $65,000 level. That will invalidate the positive setup, resulting in long liquidation. The pair may then tumble to the $62,500 to $60,000 support zone.
Ether price prediction
Ether (ETH) closed above the 20-day exponential moving average ($2,085) on Tuesday, and the bulls are attempting to push the price to the $2,200 overhead resistance.
If buyers overcome the barrier at $2,200, the ETH/USDT pair is expected to pick up momentum and rise to $2,400. Sellers will attempt to vigorously defend the $2,400 level, as a close above it opens the gates for a rally to the $3,050 level.
Time is running out for the bears. They will have to quickly pull the price below the $1,916 level to stay in the game. If they do that, the ETH price may plummet to the critical $1,750 support.
BNB price prediction
Buyers are attempting to push BNB (BNB) above the moving averages, but the bears have held their ground.
Sellers will strive to pull the BNB price below the immediate support at $596. If they manage to do that, the BNB/USDT pair may slip to the vital support at $570. Buyers are expected to defend the $570 level with all their might, as a close below it signals the resumption of the downtrend. The next stop on the downside may be $500.
Alternatively, a close above the moving averages may push the price to the stiff overhead resistance of $687. A close above the $687 level will be the first sign of strength. The pair may then march to $730 and thereafter to $790.
XRP price prediction
XRP (XRP) is trying to form a base near the $1.29 level, but the bulls are struggling to push and maintain the price above the moving averages.
That suggests the bears have kept up the pressure. If the XRP price turns down and breaks below the $1.27 level, it signals that bears have overpowered the bulls. The XRP/USDT pair may then decline to the $1.11 level.
On the contrary, a break above the moving averages indicates that the bulls are back in the game. The pair may rise to the breakdown level of $1.61 and then to the downtrend line. A close above the downtrend line signals a potential trend change.
Solana price prediction
Solana (SOL) is attempting to form a floor at the $76 level, but the relief rally is facing stiff resistance at the moving averages.
The flattish moving averages and the relative strength index just below the midpoint do not give a clear advantage either to the bulls or the bears. If the price breaks above the moving averages, the bulls will endeavor to push the SOL/USDT pair above the $95 resistance. If they succeed, the rally may extend to the $117 level.
Contrarily, if the SOL price turns down sharply from the $95 level, it suggests that the range-bound action may continue for a while. Sellers will be back in command on a close below the $76 level.
Dogecoin price prediction
Dogecoin (DOGE) remains stuck between the moving averages and the critical $0.09 support, but the tight range trading is unlikely to continue for long.
If buyers thrust the DOGE price above the moving averages, the relief rally may reach $0.10 and then the $0.12 resistance. Sellers are expected to fiercely defend the $0.12 level. If the price turns down from the overhead resistance, the DOGE/USDT pair may consolidate between $0.09 and $0.12 for a few more days.
Sellers will seize control on a close below the $0.09 level. The pair may then sink to the Feb. 6 low of $0.08 and eventually to the $0.06 level.
Hyperliquid price prediction
Hyperliquid (HYPE) fell below the breakout level of $36.77 on Tuesday, but the bears are struggling to sustain the lower levels.
The bulls are attempting to make a comeback by swiftly pushing the HYPE price back above the 20-day EMA ($37.57). If they can pull it off, the HYPE/USDT pair may rise to $41.59 and subsequently to the $43.76 level. Sellers will attempt to halt the up move at $43.76, but if the bulls prevail, the pair may climb to $50.
This positive view will be invalidated in the near term if the price turns down and breaks below the 50-day simple moving average ($33.97). That suggests the market has rejected the break above the $36.77 level.
Buyers will attempt to overcome the barrier at the moving averages. If they do that, the ADA/USDT pair may reach the downtrend line, which is a crucial resistance to watch out for. A close above the downtrend line signals a potential short-term trend change.
Sellers are likely to have other plans. They will attempt to defend the moving averages and pull the ADA price below the $0.23 level. If that happens, the pair may slide to the Feb. 6 low of $0.22.
Bitcoin Cash price prediction
Bitcoin Cash (BCH) has been trading between the 50-day SMA ($485) and the $443 support for the past few days.
The failure of the bulls to clear the 50-day SMA suggests that the bears are active at higher levels. Sellers will attempt to strengthen their position by pulling the BCH price below the $443 level. If they manage to do that, the BCH/USDT pair will complete a bearish head-and-shoulders pattern. That opens the doors for a drop to the $375 level.
Instead, if buyers drive the price above the 50-day SMA, it signals demand at lower levels. The pair may then ascend to the $520 to $540 zone.
Chainlink price prediction
Chainlink (LINK) is facing resistance at the moving averages, but a positive sign is that the bulls have kept up the pressure.
That improves the prospects of a close above the moving averages. If that happens, the LINK price may rally toward the $10 level. Sellers will attempt to defend the $10 level and keep the LINK/USDT pair range-bound for some more time.
The next trending move is expected to begin on a close above $10 or below $8. If buyers pierce the $10 level, the pair may rise to $10.94 and later to the $11.61 level. Alternatively, a drop below the $8 support may sink the price to $7.15 and then to $6.
This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision. While we strive to provide accurate and timely information, Cointelegraph does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information in this article. This article may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Cointelegraph will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your reliance on this information.
Meta plans to introduce dollar-linked stablecoin payments across its platforms in late 2026. Unlike its earlier Libra attempt, the company will not issue its own cryptocurrency but instead integrate existing stablecoins.
Regulatory opposition to the Libra/Diem project made it clear that governments were uncomfortable with Big Tech issuing private global currencies. Meta’s new strategy reflects those lessons by avoiding direct control over the currency itself.
Instead of managing stablecoin reserves or issuance, Meta intends to work with external partners that handle infrastructure, compliance and settlement, while Meta itself focuses on user experience and payment distribution.
With billions of users across Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, Meta can embed stablecoin payments into everyday social and commercial interactions, potentially creating one of the largest digital payment ecosystems.
Meta is re-entering the stablecoin market with a revised strategy. Following the regulatory challenges that ended its previous Libra project, the company plans to introduce dollar-linked digital payments across its social media platforms in late 2026.
Rather than developing its own cryptocurrency, Meta is now opting to facilitate third-party stablecoins on its apps. This approach indicates a shift in focus. Instead of managing the currency itself, the company aims to leverage its massive user base to control how and where these transactions occur.
The enduring lesson of Libra
To understand why Meta is being cautious with digital payments today, you need to look at its earlier attempt.
In June 2019, Meta, then Facebook, announced Libra, an ambitious plan to create a global digital currency linked to a basket of traditional currencies. The idea was to enable fast, low-cost payments across Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram and to build a new cross-border payment system used by billions of people.
However, regulators quickly pushed back.
Governments in the US, Europe and other regions raised several concerns. They worried that a prominent private company launching a currency could weaken national monetary control and create risks to financial stability. There were also concerns about inadequate safeguards against money laundering and illicit finance. Meta’s past controversies over data privacy, including the Cambridge Analytica scandal, further deepened distrust.
The idea that a social media company with billions of users could launch something resembling a private global currency alarmed policymakers. Under strong political pressure, several partners left the project. Libra was later renamed Diem, but the project eventually shut down in 2022.
The episode made it clear that regulators would not accept Big Tech issuing its own currency. Meta’s current strategy reflects that lesson. Instead of creating a new coin, it now plans to integrate existing regulated stablecoins from partners and act mainly as a payments platform.
An alternative stablecoin approach for 2026
Meta is renewing its efforts in stablecoins, this time by integrating stablecoin payments directly into its platforms without issuing its own coin.
The company has issued requests for proposals (RFPs) to external partners capable of handling the back-end stablecoin infrastructure. Meta’s role would center on crafting a seamless user payment experience within its apps rather than managing the currency itself.
This could involve introducing a built-in digital wallet feature, allowing users to send and receive stablecoin payments throughout Meta’s ecosystem, which includes Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.
The planned rollout targets the second half of 2026.
This strategy marks a significant shift from the earlier Libra/Diem model. Instead of attempting to launch a new global monetary system, Meta is now positioning itself as a major distribution and user interface layer for established, regulated stablecoins like USDC (USDC) or USDt (USDT), potentially through partners such as Stripe.
Did you know? The term “stablecoin” was first widely used around 2014 and 2015, as crypto developers experimented with tokens designed to maintain stable value against fiat currencies, long before large tech platforms began exploring their payment potential.
Why partners may matter more than owning the power
At first glance, Meta’s decision to outsource stablecoin infrastructure could seem like a step back from control. It may actually amplify the company’s strengths.
Meta holds a wide distribution reach. With billions of active users across Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, it operates one of the planet’s largest communication and social networks. Seamlessly embedding stablecoin payments into these everyday apps could rapidly establish one of the world’s biggest digital payment ecosystems. It enables Meta to reach its objective without the need to issue a coin itself.
In this setup, real value shifts away from minting the currency and toward directing how and where it moves. Stablecoin issuers handle reserves, backing and regulatory compliance, while infrastructure providers manage settlement and back-end rails. What Meta brings to the table is the intuitive user interface, the social context and the daily transaction flow.
The Stripe angle
Stripe has become a front-runner for partnership in Meta’s revived stablecoin push. It has aggressively built its stablecoin capabilities, taking steps such as its acquisition of Bridge, a specialized crypto infrastructure firm that powers custody, transfers and blockchain-based payments at scale.
The ties between Meta and Stripe run deep. Stripe co-founder and CEO Patrick Collison joined Meta’s board of directors in April 2025, fueling speculation about closer strategic alignment between the two companies.
If Stripe, through Bridge, becomes the primary back-end partner, Meta gains instant access to a mature, regulated payments stack. This would help Meta bypass the heavy lift of building compliant infrastructure from the ground up. Stripe would own the complex financial pipeline, including settlement, compliance and reserves. Meta, on the other hand, would focus on delivering a frictionless, engaging user experience across its massive social ecosystem.
Regulatory changes have reshaped the industry
The evolution of the regulatory environment is a key reason Meta is choosing partners over power in its 2026 stablecoin push.
In 2025, the US passed the GENIUS Act (Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act). This law created a clear federal framework for payment stablecoins. It established strict requirements for 1:1 reserves with high-quality liquid assets. Other compliance requirements include issuer licensing and oversight, risk management, transparency through monthly reserve disclosures and consumer protections.
While the GENIUS Act brings much-needed clarity and promotes innovation in regulated stablecoins, it also imposes certain restrictions. Only permitted issuers, typically regulated banks, their subsidiaries or qualified nonbank entities, can legally issue payment stablecoins in the US.
This environment favors established, heavily regulated financial institutions and infrastructure providers over large consumer tech companies. By choosing to partner with compliant stablecoin issuers and infrastructure providers instead of issuing its own coin, Meta sidesteps regulatory burdens, compliance costs and intense scrutiny.
Did you know? The original Facebook payments system launched in 2009, allowing users to purchase virtual goods in games. It was one of Meta’s earliest experiments in building a payments ecosystem inside social platforms.
Stablecoins as the foundation for AI-driven commerce
Meta’s renewed focus on stablecoins also ties into a larger shift in technology. The company is making major investments in artificial intelligence (AI), with projections for 2026 indicating a capital expenditure (CapEx) range of $115 billion to $135 billion. A significant portion of this spending supports the development of autonomous digital agents. These are AI systems that can independently handle tasks such as shopping, booking services and executing payments on behalf of users.
In this scenario, stablecoins could serve as an ideal global settlement layer. These digital dollars offer instant, programmable, borderless transactions that machines can execute reliably and efficiently.
For Meta, embedding stablecoin payments could unlock several practical use cases, including:
Fast, low-cost cross-border payouts to creators worldwide
Seamless transactions in international marketplaces
Automated purchases and payments initiated by AI agents
Easier financial access and payments in emerging markets where traditional banking remains limited
In this context, stablecoins move beyond speculative crypto tools. They become essential infrastructure for machine-to-machine and AI-powered commerce.
Did you know? Stablecoins are widely used for international remittances and cross-border payments, particularly in regions where traditional bank transfers are slow or expensive.
The wider competition among platforms
Meta is not the only company exploring stablecoin payments.
Across the technology industry, major platforms are actively looking for ways to bring digital currencies into their ecosystems. The main goal is no longer to create and issue new coins. Instead, the focus is on controlling the payment systems built on top of existing stablecoins.
Shopify, for instance, facilitates payments in USDC on Base at checkout through partnerships with Coinbase and Stripe. PayPal’s PYUSD is designed for payments on PayPal and for transfers between PayPal, Venmo and external wallets or exchanges.
The reasoning is straightforward. When a platform enables and processes transactions, it gains valuable insight into users’ economic behavior. This information allows the company to develop new products and services tied to payments.
Stablecoins provide a practical solution. They enable programmable, instant and borderless payments without depending completely on traditional banks. For companies with hundreds of millions or billions of users worldwide, this represents a very large opportunity.
Risks remain significant
Even with a partnership-based approach, Meta’s stablecoin plan still faces certain risks.
Regulatory constraints: Regulatory attention on large technology companies continues to be strong, particularly when they enter financial services. Governments could introduce new rules or limits on how platforms offer or integrate digital payments.
Operational challenges: These include the risk of fraud, the need for strong wallet security, the high costs of regulatory compliance and the complexity of handling customer disputes at a very large scale.
User reluctance: Finally, the entire effort depends on whether users actually choose to use it. If the sign-up process feels too difficult, or if rules add too much extra friction, many people may simply stick with familiar payment methods such as cards or bank transfers.
Meta’s task will be to meet all regulatory requirements while keeping the experience simple and easy for users.
Cointelegraph maintains full editorial independence. Guides are produced without influence from advertisers, partners or commercial relationships. Content published in Guides does not constitute financial, legal or investment advice. Readers should conduct their own research and consult qualified professionals where appropriate.
Michael Saylor’s Strategy (MSTR) looks set to restart its Bitcoin (BTC) accumulation engine after a short pause, with its STRC preferred stock likely funding fresh crypto purchases this week.
Key takeaways:
Strategy may purchase at least $76.25 million in Bitcoin this week.
Combined with a technical setup, Bitcoin may rise to $80,000 in April.
Strategy may buy at least 1,111 BTC this week
On Tuesday, STRC closed at $100.02, just above its $100 par value. Trading at or above par gives Strategy room to issue new shares, raise fresh capital and deploy the proceeds into Bitcoin.
STRC price and volume. Source: STRC.LIVE
Estimates from STRC.LIVE suggest Strategy had raised enough by Tuesday’s close to fund the purchase of more than 1,085 BTC, with the weekly total rising to over 1,111 BTC. That is equivalent to around $76.25 million.
This is a shift from the previous week, when STRC traded mostly below par and generated no estimated BTC purchases.
As of late March, the company held 762,099 BTC at an average acquisition price of about $75,694, according to its latest filings.
BTC rebounds as Strategy’s buying window reopens
The renewed buying window has coincided with a bounce in Bitcoin prices.
Since Tuesday, BTC/USD has climbed more than 5%, briefly reaching nearly $69,300. The move mirrors earlier gains seen during periods when Strategy was actively raising capital through STRC to buy Bitcoin.
The opposite dynamic emerged afterward. Bitcoin fell 14.55% over the next two weeks, roughly aligning with Strategy’s pause in purchases as STRC slipped below its $100 par value.
On March 23, Strategy unveiled a $44.1 billion capital-raising capacity to buy more Bitcoin via the sales of STRC and other preferred stocks, indicating that it would remain a meaningful source of Bitcoin demand in the coming months.
Bitcoin eyes $80K after bouncing from flag support
From a technical standpoint, Bitcoin’s rebound began after it retested the lower boundary of its prevailing bear flag pattern as support.
BTC could advance toward the flag’s upper trendline near $80,000 in April if the recovery gains further traction, particularly if boosted by renewed Strategy buying and signs of easing Iran war tensions.
The $80,000 upside target also aligns with the 50-period exponential moving average on the three-day chart, making the area a key near-term resistance zone.
Conversely, Bitcoin risks losing the flag’s lower trendline support and confirming the pattern’s typical bearish breakdown if those supportive catalysts fade.
In that scenario, the measured downside target would come in near the $49,000–$50,000 zone. That aligns with the downside projections shared by multiple analysts in the past.
This article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph’s Editorial Policy and is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice or recommendations. All investments and trades carry risk; readers are encouraged to conduct independent research before making any decisions. Cointelegraph makes no guarantees regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information presented, including forward-looking statements, and will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from reliance on this content.
Michael Saylor’s Strategy (MSTR) looks set to restart its Bitcoin (BTC) accumulation engine after a short pause, with its STRC preferred stock likely funding fresh crypto purchases this week.
Key takeaways:
Strategy may purchase at least $76.25 million in Bitcoin this week.
Combined with a technical setup, Bitcoin may rise to $80,000 in April.
Strategy may buy at least 1,111 BTC this week
On Tuesday, STRC closed at $100.02, just above its $100 par value. Trading at or above par gives Strategy room to issue new shares, raise fresh capital and deploy the proceeds into Bitcoin.
STRC price and volume. Source: STRC.LIVE
Estimates from STRC.LIVE suggest Strategy had raised enough by Tuesday’s close to fund the purchase of more than 1,085 BTC, with the weekly total rising to over 1,111 BTC. That is equivalent to around $76.25 million.
This is a shift from the previous week, when STRC traded mostly below par and generated no estimated BTC purchases.
As of late March, the company held 762,099 BTC at an average acquisition price of about $75,694, according to its latest filings.
BTC rebounds as Strategy’s buying window reopens
The renewed buying window has coincided with a bounce in Bitcoin prices.
Since Tuesday, BTC/USD has climbed more than 5%, briefly reaching nearly $69,300. The move mirrors earlier gains seen during periods when Strategy was actively raising capital through STRC to buy Bitcoin.
The opposite dynamic emerged afterward. Bitcoin fell 14.55% over the next two weeks, roughly aligning with Strategy’s pause in purchases as STRC slipped below its $100 par value.
On March 23, Strategy unveiled a $44.1 billion capital-raising capacity to buy more Bitcoin via the sales of STRC and other preferred stocks, indicating that it would remain a meaningful source of Bitcoin demand in the coming months.
Bitcoin eyes $80K after bouncing from flag support
From a technical standpoint, Bitcoin’s rebound began after it retested the lower boundary of its prevailing bear flag pattern as support.
BTC could advance toward the flag’s upper trendline near $80,000 in April if the recovery gains further traction, particularly if boosted by renewed Strategy buying and signs of easing Iran war tensions.
The $80,000 upside target also aligns with the 50-period exponential moving average on the three-day chart, making the area a key near-term resistance zone.
Conversely, Bitcoin risks losing the flag’s lower trendline support and confirming the pattern’s typical bearish breakdown if those supportive catalysts fade.
In that scenario, the measured downside target would come in near the $49,000–$50,000 zone. That aligns with the downside projections shared by multiple analysts in the past.
This article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph’s Editorial Policy and is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice or recommendations. All investments and trades carry risk; readers are encouraged to conduct independent research before making any decisions. Cointelegraph makes no guarantees regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information presented, including forward-looking statements, and will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from reliance on this content.
Hong Kong’s first stablecoin licences failed to materialize by the expected end of March target, with the HKMA saying only that it is still advancing the process.
Hong Kong has missed an earlier end of March target for awarding its first stablecoin licences, with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority saying only that the licensing process is advancing and decisions will be announced shortly.
A spokesperson for the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) told Cointelegraph that the HKMA is “actively taking forward the licensing matter and will announce further details in due course,” without offering a revised timetable.
The HKMA’s public register still showed no licensed stablecoin issuers at the time of writing.
The March timetable had been set out earlier by HKMA chief executive Eddie Yue, who reportedly told lawmakers in February that only a very small number of issuers would be approved initially and that reviews were focusing on use cases, risk management, anti-money laundering controls and backing assets.
HKMA misses March stablecoin target
Earlier reports indicated that global banking giants HSBC and a Standard Chartered-backed venture were among the frontrunners to receive approvals in the initial cohort, although the HKMA did not confirm the names of any successful applicants.
Hong Kong’s caution is partly a function of how strict the regime is. Cointelegraph previously reported that the city’s stablecoin framework requires issuers to fully back tokens with high-quality liquid reserves, process redemptions within one business day and maintain a physical presence in Hong Kong, alongside broader Know Your Customer and transaction monitoring controls.
In October 2025, the FT reported that Ant Group and JD.com had paused their Hong Kong stablecoin plans after regulators in mainland China, including the People’s Bank of China and the Cyberspace Administration of China, raised concerns about privately controlled digital currencies.
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AAVE trades at $99.32 with mixed signals – bearish MACD but neutral RSI suggests potential recovery to $110-128 range within 4 weeks if key resistance at $104 breaks.
While specific analyst predictions from crypto Twitter are limited in the past 24 hours, recent forecasts from established platforms provide clear direction for this AAVE price prediction. According to CoinCodex’s March 27 analysis, AAVE is expected to reach $128.55 by today’s date, though current price action suggests this target may be delayed.
Blockchain.News updated their Aave forecast twice in recent days, initially projecting a $110-132 range for the medium term, then revising to a broader $93-128 range by March 31. This adjustment reflects the increasing volatility in DeFi tokens amid broader market uncertainty.
On-chain data from major analytics platforms suggests AAVE’s fundamentals remain solid despite the technical headwinds, with protocol usage maintaining steady levels throughout March 2026.
AAVE Technical Analysis Breakdown
The current technical setup for AAVE presents a mixed picture that’s crucial for any accurate Aave forecast. Trading at $99.32, AAVE sits below all major moving averages except the 7-day SMA at $98.65, indicating short-term momentum may be shifting.
The RSI reading of 38.89 places AAVE in neutral territory, suggesting the token isn’t oversold despite recent weakness. This provides room for potential upside without immediate selling pressure from overbought conditions.
However, the MACD tells a different story. With both the MACD line and signal at -4.7984 and a histogram reading of 0.0000, bearish momentum dominates the medium-term outlook. This divergence between RSI and MACD creates an interesting setup for contrarian traders.
Bollinger Bands analysis shows AAVE positioned at 0.22 on the %B indicator, meaning it’s trading much closer to the lower band ($92.29) than the upper band ($123.75). The middle band at $108.02 represents the 20-day SMA and serves as a critical reclaim level.
Key resistance levels are clearly defined: immediate resistance sits at $101.67, followed by strong resistance at $104.01. On the downside, immediate support at $96.29 must hold to prevent a test of strong support at $93.25.
Aave Price Targets: Bull vs Bear Case
Bullish Scenario
For AAVE to achieve the upper targets in our price prediction, several technical confirmations are needed. A decisive break above $104.01 would signal the start of a recovery rally toward the $110-128 range projected by recent analysis.
The path higher would likely see AAVE first reclaim the 20-day SMA at $108.02, followed by a test of the 12-day EMA at $102.56. If momentum builds, the next major target sits at the upper Bollinger Band near $123.75, aligning with analyst targets around $128.
Volume confirmation will be crucial – the current 24-hour volume of $7.5 million on Binance needs to expand significantly above $10 million to support any sustained breakout attempt.
Bearish Scenario
The bear case for this AAVE price prediction centers on the failure to hold current support levels. A break below $96.29 would likely trigger algorithmic selling toward the strong support at $93.25.
If $93.25 fails to hold, AAVE could face a deeper correction toward the $85-90 range, representing the next significant support cluster based on previous price action. The bearish MACD setup suggests this downside scenario remains elevated risk through early April.
The 50-day SMA at $112.92 and 200-day SMA at $177.14 both trending lower indicate the broader trend remains bearish, requiring significant fundamental catalysts to reverse.
Should You Buy AAVE? Entry Strategy
Based on current technical levels, the optimal entry strategy for AAVE involves patience and defined risk parameters. Conservative buyers should wait for a reclaim of $104.01 with volume confirmation before initiating positions targeting the $110-128 range.
More aggressive traders might consider accumulating in the $96-99 range with tight stop-losses below $93.25. This approach offers favorable risk-reward if AAVE can reverse course, but requires disciplined risk management given the bearish MACD signal.
For long-term investors, dollar-cost averaging between $90-100 levels could prove effective if AAVE’s fundamentals continue supporting higher valuations over the coming months.
Conclusion
This AAVE price prediction suggests a challenging near-term setup with medium-term recovery potential. While bearish momentum persists through MACD indicators, the neutral RSI and analyst targets in the $110-128 range support a constructive 4-week Aave forecast.
Key levels to watch include the $104.01 breakout level for bulls and $93.25 support for bears. The next 7-10 days will likely determine whether AAVE can achieve the optimistic targets or faces further consolidation.
Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency price predictions involve significant risk and uncertainty. This analysis is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Always conduct your own research and consider your risk tolerance before making investment decisions.
Lido DAO shows bullish technical signals with RSI at 61.98 and MACD momentum turning positive. LDO price prediction suggests $0.40 target within two weeks if resistance breaks.
While specific analyst predictions are limited in recent trading sessions, available market research provides some context for the Lido DAO forecast. According to CoinCodex data from late December 2025, initial projections suggested LDO could reach $0.651700 by early January 2026, though current price action has diverged significantly from this target.
SimpleSwap’s March analysis noted that “LDO’s path forward hinges on its ability to evolve beyond core staking while defending market share in a tightening competitive landscape.” This fundamental assessment remains relevant as Ethereum staking competition intensifies.
On-chain data from major analytics platforms suggests growing institutional interest in liquid staking solutions, which could provide underlying support for LDO’s medium-term price trajectory.
LDO Technical Analysis Breakdown
Current technical indicators present a mixed but increasingly bullish picture for the LDO price prediction. At $0.34, Lido DAO has gained 5.78% in the past 24 hours, breaking above several key moving averages.
The RSI reading of 61.98 places LDO in neutral territory with room for upward movement before reaching overbought conditions. This suggests sustainable momentum rather than a overextended rally.
MACD indicators show bullish convergence with the histogram at 0.0000, indicating momentum is shifting from bearish to bullish. The MACD line and signal line are converging at 0.0013, suggesting an imminent bullish crossover.
Bollinger Bands analysis reveals LDO trading at 1.0793 relative position, meaning the price is above the upper band at $0.33. While this indicates short-term strength, it also suggests potential consolidation before the next move higher.
The daily ATR of $0.02 indicates moderate volatility, providing opportunities for swing traders while maintaining relative stability for longer-term holders.
Lido DAO Price Targets: Bull vs Bear Case
Bullish Scenario
In the bullish case for this Lido DAO forecast, LDO breaks convincingly above the immediate resistance at $0.35, which coincides with the strong resistance level. This breakout could trigger momentum toward $0.40-$0.42 within two to three weeks.
Technical confirmation would come from sustained trading above $0.35 with increasing volume above the current 24-hour average of $3.17 million. The Stochastic indicators (%K at 96.86, %D at 77.49) suggest some near-term consolidation before the next leg up.
A move toward $0.45-$0.50 becomes possible if LDO can reclaim its position relative to the 200-day SMA currently at $0.64, though this represents a longer-term target requiring fundamental catalysts.
Bearish Scenario
The bearish case sees LDO failing to hold above the pivot point at $0.33, leading to a retest of immediate support at $0.32. A break below this level could accelerate selling toward the strong support zone at $0.31.
The key risk factor remains the significant gap between current price levels and the 200-day moving average at $0.64, indicating the longer-term trend remains challenged. Failure to maintain bullish momentum above $0.35 could result in a return to the $0.28-$0.30 consolidation range established by the lower Bollinger Band.
Should You Buy LDO? Entry Strategy
Based on current technical conditions, the optimal entry strategy involves waiting for a pullback to the $0.32-$0.33 range, which aligns with the pivot point and middle Bollinger Band. This provides a favorable risk-reward ratio for the LDO price prediction targets.
Aggressive traders might consider entries above $0.35 on confirmed breakout with stop-loss positioned at $0.32. Conservative investors should wait for successful retest of $0.35 as support before establishing positions.
Risk management suggests position sizing of no more than 2-3% of portfolio given the volatile nature of smaller cap DeFi tokens. Stop-loss levels at $0.31 provide reasonable protection while allowing for normal price fluctuations.
Conclusion
The current LDO price prediction suggests cautious optimism with targets of $0.37-$0.40 over the next two weeks. Technical momentum is building with bullish MACD signals and RSI in neutral territory, providing room for upward movement.
However, the Lido DAO forecast requires confirmation above $0.35 resistance to validate higher targets. The fundamental backdrop of growing liquid staking adoption supports medium-term bullish sentiment, though competitive pressures remain a consideration.
Confidence Level: Moderate (6/10)
Risk Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency price predictions are highly speculative and involve significant risk. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Always conduct your own research and never invest more than you can afford to lose.
HBAR price prediction shows bullish momentum targeting $0.16 by January end, despite neutral RSI and bearish MACD signaling caution for traders in current market conditions.
While specific analyst predictions are limited in recent trading sessions, recent market analysis suggests optimism for HBAR’s trajectory. According to Blockchain.News data from January 5th, “HBAR price prediction shows bullish momentum with analysts targeting $0.16 in January 2026.”
Unusual Whales analysis indicates that “analysts are optimistic about HBAR’s price trajectory, forecasting a rise to $0.16 by January 2026. Technical analysis indicates positive momentum with improving MACD and neutral RSI, suggesting potential for gains in the near future.”
On-chain metrics from major data platforms continue to show steady network utilization, though trading volume remains moderate at $12.1 million over the past 24 hours.
HBAR Technical Analysis Breakdown
Hedera’s current technical setup presents a mixed picture for traders. At $0.089908, HBAR sits near the middle of its Bollinger Bands with a %B position of 0.32, indicating the price is closer to the lower band than the upper resistance.
The RSI reading of 44.23 places HBAR in neutral territory, neither oversold nor overbought, providing room for movement in either direction. However, the MACD histogram at 0.0000 shows bearish momentum, with both MACD (-0.0022) and signal lines (-0.0022) in negative territory.
Moving averages paint a concerning longer-term picture, with HBAR trading significantly below its 200-day SMA of $0.14, indicating a broader downtrend. However, shorter-term averages (7-day and 20-day) align closely with the current price at $0.09, suggesting potential consolidation.
The Stochastic oscillator shows %K at 50.35 and %D at 40.28, indicating neutral momentum with slight bullish divergence as %K crosses above %D.
Hedera Price Targets: Bull vs Bear Case
Bullish Scenario
In an optimistic scenario, HBAR could target the $0.16 level mentioned in recent analyst forecasts. The immediate resistance sits at $0.10 (Upper Bollinger Band), which aligns with the strong resistance level identified in technical analysis.
A breakout above $0.10 with increased volume could propel HBAR toward $0.12 initially, with the ultimate target of $0.16 representing an 78% gain from current levels. This Hedera forecast would require sustained buying pressure and broader market cooperation.
Technical confirmation needed includes:
– RSI moving above 60
– MACD turning positive
– Volume exceeding the recent average of $12.1 million
Bearish Scenario
The downside risk centers around the strong support level at $0.08. A break below this level could trigger further selling pressure, potentially pushing HBAR toward $0.07 or lower.
Risk factors include:
– MACD remaining in bearish territory
– Broader cryptocurrency market weakness
– Low trading volume failing to support upward momentum
– Continued trading below the 200-day moving average at $0.14
Should You Buy HBAR? Entry Strategy
Based on current technical levels, potential entry strategies include:
Conservative Approach: Wait for a pullback to the $0.085 support level, which offers a favorable risk-reward ratio with stop-loss at $0.08.
Aggressive Approach: Enter on a breakout above $0.091 (recent intraday high) with confirmation from increased volume.
Position sizing should reflect the high volatility typical in cryptocurrency markets
Conclusion
The HBAR price prediction suggests cautious optimism despite mixed technical signals. While analyst targets of $0.16 provide an ambitious upside scenario, the current bearish MACD and position below long-term moving averages warrant careful risk management.
Hedera forecast indicates potential for significant gains if bulls can establish control above $0.10, but traders should remain prepared for volatility and respect the critical $0.08 support level.
Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency price predictions are highly speculative and subject to extreme volatility. This analysis is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Always conduct your own research and risk assessment before making investment decisions.
