Ripple (XRP) expands its payments platform to offer end-to-end stablecoin infrastructure, processing $100B+ volume with RLUSD hitting $1B market cap.
Ripple (XRP) is consolidating the fragmented stablecoin payments stack into a single platform. The San Francisco-based firm announced expanded capabilities for Ripple Payments, integrating fiat and digital asset rails through recent acquisitions of Palisade for custody infrastructure and Rail for $200 million to add global virtual accounts.
The pitch to fintechs is straightforward: stop stitching together five vendors for what should be one payment flow.
What the Platform Actually Does
Ripple Payments now handles the full lifecycle—collect, hold, exchange, and payout—across both traditional and crypto rails. Fintechs can accept payments in fiat or stablecoins, auto-convert to preferred currencies, and settle into unified accounts without establishing local entities abroad.
The exchange function runs 24/7 with direct RLUSD access, bypassing the mint-and-burn workflows that slow down competitors. Payouts hit in minutes rather than the days typical of SWIFT rails.
Ripple backs this with 75+ licenses across major jurisdictions including New York, the EU, and Singapore’s MAS. The platform currently supports payouts in 60+ markets across 51 real-time payment rails.
The Numbers Behind the Expansion
Ripple Payments has processed over $100 billion in total volume, with Rail contributing another $10 billion annually. RLUSD crossed $1 billion market cap within its first year—current supply sits around $1.55 billion tokens.
That growth trajectory matters. Citigroup projects the stablecoin market could balloon to $3.7 trillion by 2030. Ripple’s betting that compliance-first infrastructure will capture institutional demand as that market expands.
Recent weeks show momentum building. The XRP Ledger added $1.3 billion in tokenized assets over just two months through late February—more than all of 2025 combined. Binance listed RLUSD in January with XRP and USDT trading pairs, while DeFi integrations announced in early March target institutional applications.
Who’s Using It
Corpay, a major business payments provider, deployed Ripple’s custody and liquidity tools to fund positions across Asia-Pacific using RLUSD, eliminating pre-funding requirements. MassPay leverages the platform for payouts to 100+ countries starting with EUR, VND, THB, and TRY corridors. Alfred uses it for stablecoin-to-fiat flows connecting the U.S. with Mexico, Colombia, and China.
The underlying tech processes transactions in 3-5 seconds at roughly $0.0002 per transaction through the XRP Ledger’s federated consensus. RippleNet already connects 300+ banks across 90+ markets.
What Comes Next
Ripple’s targeting $2 billion RLUSD market cap by Q2 2026. The company forecasts stablecoins becoming the default for global settlement, with over $1 trillion in digital assets landing on corporate balance sheets by year-end.
Whether that timeline holds depends partly on regulatory clarity—the GENIUS Act compliance positioning suggests Ripple’s betting on U.S. stablecoin legislation moving forward. For fintechs tired of managing multiple payment vendors, the consolidated approach could prove compelling if execution matches the pitch.
Technological deflation driven by artificial intelligence could help push Bitcoin above $10 million within a decade by pressuring central banks to keep expanding the money supply, according to a report from Strive strategist Joe Burnett.
Burnett, Strive’s vice president of Bitcoin strategy, said in a report published Monday that faster productivity gains from AI will push down prices across goods and services, squeezing margins and prompting policymakers to respond with sustained monetary expansion. His “base case” calls for Bitcoin (BTC) to reach $11 million in the first quarter of 2036, he wrote.
”My base case for Q1 2036 is $11 million per Bitcoin.”
The forecast rests on a set of aggressive assumptions, including that Bitcoin would grow to about 12% of the value of global financial assets and that global wealth would compound at 7% annually through 2036. With Bitcoin currently accounting for about 0.2% of all financial assets, this would involve an over 176-fold increase in Bitcoin’s market capitalization during the next decade to hit $230 trillion.
The forecast would imply that Bitcoin becomes the dominant global reserve asset along with structurally loose monetary policy over the next decade, Nic Puckrin, co-founder and lead market analyst of educational platform Coin Bureau, told Cointelegraph.
”The forecast implies Bitcoin would become around 10 times as large as the current US M2 money supply, nearly four times as large as the US equity market today, and nearly double current global GDP.”
The prediction would also imply a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 53% per annum, which is not unprecedented considering Bitcoin’s average 60% CAGR between 2015 and 2024, but a slowdown may be expected due to its larger market capitalization, added Puckrin.
AI deflation engine to lead to structural monetary expansion
Burnett’s thesis centers on what he described as an “AI deflation engine,” arguing that AI-driven automation and cost reductions could create persistent deflationary pressure.
In a debt-based fiat system, sustained deflation can strain credit markets because wages and asset prices may fall while debt obligations remain fixed in nominal terms, he wrote, potentially pushing central banks and fiscal authorities to add liquidity to avoid a deflationary spiral.
”Under a debt-based fiat framework, persistent deflation destabilizes credit markets because wages and asset prices decline while mortgages, corporate loans, and sovereign debt remain fixed in nominal terms,” Burnett said.
”As AI drives real-economy deflation, central banks and fiscal authorities expand liquidity to prevent a deflationary spiral.”
M2 money supply vs. CPI chart. Source: Joe Burnett
Burnett said this will lead to a persistent increase in money relative to the supply of scarce assets.
Emergence of digital credit set to bolster Bitcoin demand
The report also points to what Burnett calls the emergence of “digital credit” models promoted by companies including Strategy, the largest corporate Bitcoin holder.
Digital credit provides US dollar income to investors through publicly traded securities backed by large Bitcoin balance sheets issued by treasury firms as a means to raise capital to acquire more Bitcoin.
Digital credit liquidity flywheel. Source: Joe Burnett
Burnett foresees digital credit products creating a ”reflexive loop” between global yield demand and Bitcoin accumulation, marking the ”early stage of a credit system built on verifiably scarce money.”
Still, the $11 million forecast stands well above most bullish scenarios that use shorter time horizons. For instance, ARK Invest predicted a 2030 Bitcoin price target of $1.5 million in the company’s bull case and a $300,000 price target in the bear case, Cointelegraph reported in November 2025.
Cointelegraph is committed to independent, transparent journalism. This news article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph’s Editorial Policy and aims to provide accurate and timely information. Readers are encouraged to verify information independently. Read our Editorial Policy https://cointelegraph.com/editorial-policy
The Aave Chan Initiative (ACI), a major governance delegate and service provider within the Aave ecosystem, said it will not renew its engagement with the Aave DAO and plans to wind down over the next four months.
In a statement on Tuesday, ACI founder Marc Zeller said the organization would continue governance activity and complete outstanding commitments before transferring its infrastructure and responsibilities to the DAO or successor providers.
“The Aave Chan Initiative was built for Aave. Without a future in the Aave ecosystem, the name no longer applies. ACI will wrap up as our obligations conclude,” Zeller wrote.
ACI said its decision to exit was driven by concerns over governance standards and voting dynamics during the proposal process, marking a significant shift in Aave’s governance landscape as its funding plan advances to the next stage.
Aave’s governance transition
The announcement follows a closely contested Temp Check vote on Aave’s “Aave Will Win” proposal, which seeks to allocate up to $42.5 million in stablecoins and 75,000 Aave (AAVE) tokens to Aave Labs under a DAO-funded development model.
ACI had previously questioned the size of the funding package and the inclusion of the Aave tokens, which carry voting power. On Feb. 25, competing reports from ACI and Aave Labs offered different interpretations of Aave Labs’ past contributions before the vote.
Under Aave’s governance, proposals must move through the Aave Request for Final Comment (ARFC) stage and another off-chain vote before advancing to a binding onchain Aave Improvement Proposal (AIP) vote.
Aave’s TVL growth from 2021 to 2026. Source: DefiLlama
According to data from DeFiLlama, Aave holds about $26.51 billion in total value locked, making it one of the largest decentralized finance protocols by deposits.
Overall, DeFi TVL stands at roughly $93 billion, meaning Aave accounts for close to one-third of assets locked across the sector.
Governance concerns and voting claims
In its statement, ACI said that the Temp Check was “decided by Labs-linked addresses voting on their own budget,” referring to the funding proposal submitted by Aave Labs.
The group said that there is “no role for an independent service provider” in an environment where a major budget recipient holds undisclosed voting power and participates in votes affecting its own funding.
ACI said it will submit a direct-to-Aave Improvement Proposal to cancel its GHO funding stream and transfer 120 days’ worth of payments to the treasury to complete its transition.
It also said it would cut its AAVE vesting stream via LlamaPay following the proposal’s execution.
Aave Labs did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Cointelegraph is committed to independent, transparent journalism. This news article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph’s Editorial Policy and aims to provide accurate and timely information. Readers are encouraged to verify information independently. Read our Editorial Policy https://cointelegraph.com/editorial-policy
Recent analyst predictions have shown bullish sentiment for AAVE’s near-term prospects. According to Aishwarya Shashikumar’s analysis from February 27th, “AAVE currently trades at $113.94 after experiencing a 30-day price drop. The price prediction shows a 19.95% increase which will raise the value to $137.51 by March 3, 2026.”
This target has proven remarkably accurate, with AAVE currently trading at $117.31, showing strong momentum toward the predicted range.
Terrill Dicki noted on March 1st that “Aave rebounds 6.70% to $113.11 as analysts eye $137 breakout target. Technical indicators show neutral RSI at 40.90 with key resistance at $125 ahead.”
CoinCodex provided an even more optimistic AAVE price prediction, stating that “Aave price is expected to rise by 20.52% in the next 5 days according to our Aave price prediction, reaching $139.67 by March 6, 2026.”
AAVE Technical Analysis Breakdown
The current technical setup for AAVE shows mixed but improving signals. With the RSI at 45.95, AAVE sits in neutral territory, providing room for upward movement without being overbought.
The MACD histogram at 0.0000 indicates a potential momentum shift, though current bearish momentum requires confirmation through price action above key resistance levels.
Aave’s position within the Bollinger Bands at 0.40 suggests the token is trading below the middle band ($119.28) but has room to move toward the upper band at $129.51. This positioning often precedes significant moves in either direction.
The 7-day SMA at $115.97 currently sits below the current price, indicating short-term bullish momentum, though the 20-day SMA resistance at $119.28 presents an immediate challenge.
Aave Price Targets: Bull vs Bear Case
Bullish Scenario
In the bullish case for this Aave forecast, AAVE targets the immediate resistance at $124.90, followed by the strong resistance level at $132.55. Breaking above $132.55 would confirm the analyst predictions of $137-$139 targets.
Key technical confirmation needed includes:
– RSI breaking above 50 to confirm bullish momentum
– Daily close above the 20-day SMA at $119.28
– Volume expansion above the current 24-hour average of $17.5 million
Bearish Scenario
The bearish scenario sees AAVE failing to hold above the pivot point at $119.31, potentially leading to a test of immediate support at $111.66. A break below this level could trigger further selling toward the strong support at $106.07.
Based on current technical levels, potential entry points for AAVE include:
Conservative Entry: Wait for a pullback to the $111-$113 range, near the 24-hour low, with a stop-loss at $106.07.
Aggressive Entry: Current levels around $117, targeting the analyst predictions of $137-$139, with a stop-loss below $111.66.
Breakout Entry: Above $124.90 with strong volume, targeting $132.55 and beyond.
Risk management suggests position sizing at 2-3% of portfolio maximum, given the volatility indicated by the 14-day ATR of $8.86.
Conclusion
The AAVE price prediction consensus points to significant upside potential over the next week, with multiple analysts targeting the $137-$139 range. The current technical setup supports this bullish Aave forecast, though traders should monitor the key resistance at $124.90 for confirmation.
With a 70% confidence level, AAVE appears positioned for a move toward $135+ if it can break above the 20-day moving average resistance. However, failure to hold current support levels could delay this timeline and trigger a deeper correction.
Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency price predictions are speculative and based on technical analysis. Always conduct your own research and never invest more than you can afford to lose. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
War in the Middle East failed to sink Bitcoin (BTC) below the $63,000 level. That may have attracted buyers who are attempting to maintain the price above $69,000. However, a quick recovery is unlikely. Macroeconomic newsletter Ecoinometrics said in a post on X that deep drawdowns generally unfold slowly, advising “patience rather than urgency.”
Data shared by Bitwise Europe head of research André Dragosch shows that when investors buy and hold BTC for at least three years, the probability of loss drops to 0.70%. Although BTC is down about 50% from its all-time high, its three-to-five year realized price of $34,780 shows that investors who bought and held during the period are sitting on large profits.
Crypto market data daily view. Source: TradingView
The big question on traders’ minds is when to buy BTC. BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes said in a blog post that every military action by US presidents in the Middle East since 1985 has resulted in monetary expansion by the Federal Reserve. If the current conflict stretches, the likelihood of a similar action by the Fed increases.
Could buyers push BTC and major altcoins above their resistance levels? Let’s analyze the charts of the top 10 cryptocurrencies to find out.
S&P 500 Index price prediction
The S&P 500 Index (SPX) continues to trade between the 6,775 support and the 7,002 resistance, indicating buying on dips and selling on rallies.
The longer the time spent inside the range, the stronger the eventual breakout from it. If the price turns down and breaks below the 6,775 level, it suggests that the bears have overpowered the bulls. That may start a deeper correction toward the 6,550 level.
Buyers will have to push and maintain the price above the 7,002 resistance to signal the start of the next leg of the uptrend. The index may then surge to the 7,290 level.
US Dollar Index price prediction
The US Dollar Index (DXY) skyrocketed above the 50-day simple moving average (SMA) (97.91), indicating aggressive buying by the bulls.
The index may rally to the 99.50 level and thereafter to the 100.54 resistance. Sellers are expected to fiercely defend the 100.54 level, as a close above it suggests the start of a new uptrend.
This positive view will be negated in the near term if the price turns down and breaks below the 20-day exponential moving average (EMA) (97.67). That opens the doors for a drop to the 96.21 to 95.55 support zone.
Bitcoin price prediction
BTC has formed a symmetrical triangle pattern, indicating a balance between supply and demand.
The bulls are attempting to strengthen their position by pushing the Bitcoin price above the resistance line. If they manage to do that, the BTC/USDT pair may surge to the breakdown level of $74,508. A close above the $74,508 level will be the first sign that the pair may have bottomed out at $60,000.
Alternatively, if the price turns down from the $74,508 level and breaks below the 20-day EMA, it suggests that the bears remain active at higher levels. That may result in a range formation of $60,000 to $74,508.
Ether price prediction
Ether (ETH) remains range-bound from $1,750 to $2,111, indicating a tough battle between the bulls and the bears.
The bulls will have to secure a close above the $2,111 resistance to seize control. If they manage to do that, the ETH/USDT pair may rally to the 50-day SMA ($2,427) and, after that, to $3,045.
Contrary to this assumption, if the Ether price turns down from the $2,111 level, it suggests that the consolidation may continue for a few more days. The bears will be back in the driver’s seat on a close below $1,750. That clears the path for a collapse to the $1,537 level.
XRP price prediction
XRP (XRP) is struggling to rise above the 20-day EMA ($1.42), but a positive sign is that the bulls continue to exert pressure.
If buyers push the XRP price above the 20-day EMA, the XRP/USDT pair may rise to the 50-day SMA ($1.63) and later to the downtrend line. A close above the downtrend line will signal a potential trend change.
Instead, if the price turns down from the 20-day EMA and breaks below the support line, it indicates that the bears remain in control. There is support at $1.11, but if the level gives way, the decline may extend to $1.
BNB price prediction
BNB (BNB) has been trading inside the $570 to $670 range for a while, indicating buying at lower levels.
The 20-day EMA ($633) is flattening out, and the relative strength index (RSI) is gradually climbing higher. That suggests the selling pressure may be reducing. The bulls will attempt to drive the BNB price above the $670 level. If they can pull it off, the BNB/USDT pair may soar to the 50-day SMA ($742).
Sellers are likely to have other plans. They will attempt to defend the $670 level and pull the price below the $570 support. If they succeed, the pair may plummet to psychological support at $500.
Solana price prediction
Buyers have pushed Solana (SOL) above the 20-day EMA ($86), indicating demand at lower levels.
Sellers will attempt to halt the relief rally at $95, but if the bulls prevail, the SOL/USDT pair may soar toward $117. Such a move suggests that the Solana price may have bottomed out in the short term.
Contrary to this assumption, if the price turns down from the overhead resistance, the pair may swing from $76 to $95 for a while longer. A break below the $76 support signals the resumption of the downtrend to $67.
If the $0.09 level gives way, the DOGE/USDT pair may retest the Feb. 6 low of $0.08. Buyers are expected to vigorously defend the $0.08 level, as a close below it may start the next leg of the downtrend to $0.06.
The bulls will have to propel the Dogecoin price above the 20-day EMA to signal strength. The pair may then rally to the breakdown level of $0.12, where the bears are expected to step in.
Bitcoin Cash price prediction
Buyers are attempting to sustain Bitcoin Cash (BCH) above the $443 support, but the bears have kept up the pressure.
The downsloping moving averages and the RSI near the oversold zone increase the likelihood of a breakdown. There is minor support at $423, but it is likely to be broken. The BCH/USDT pair may then plunge to $377.
Any rebound off the $443 level is expected to face selling at the moving averages. Buyers will have to push the Bitcoin Cash price above the 50-day SMA ($546) to gain the upper hand.
Cardano price prediction
Cardano (ADA) continues to trade inside the descending channel pattern, indicating that the bears remain in command.
If the Cardano price sustains below the 20-day EMA ($0.28), the bears will attempt to tug the ADA/USDT pair below the $0.25 support. If they manage to do that, the pair may tumble to the support line. A strong rebound off the support line suggests that the pair may remain inside the channel for a while longer.
The bulls will have to push and retain the price above the downtrend line to signal a potential trend change. The pair may then climb toward $0.43.
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.
After paying a $45-million settlement in 2023 and exiting the market, Nexo has reentered the US with a redesigned product model focused on regulatory alignment rather than direct yield issuance.
The 2023 crackdown centered on unregistered securities concerns. The SEC alleged that Nexo’s Earn Interest Product functioned as an unregistered security, raising questions about retail yield marketing, transparency, custody practices and counterparty risk.
The new model relies on licensed US partners. Instead of directly offering yield products, Nexo now operates through regulated US intermediaries, including licensed entities and, where required, SEC-registered investment advisers.
The Bakkt partnership anchors the compliance strategy. By collaborating with Bakkt, a publicly traded US crypto firm with regulatory licenses, Nexo shifts from a direct issuer model to a partner-delivered framework embedded within regulated infrastructure.
Three years after departing the US and paying a $45-million settlement to federal and state regulators, Nexo has formally reentered the US market. But this is not a straightforward relaunch. Rather, it is a structural overhaul.
What changed is not merely the timing or the political climate; it is how the product is designed, delivered and regulated.
This article examines why Nexo exited in 2023, what regulators objected to and how its 2026 return is structured differently. It also explores what US users should watch before engaging with crypto-backed loans or yield-style products.
The 2023 crackdown: Why Nexo left the US
Nexo, co-founded by former Bulgarian lawmaker Antoni Trenchev, developed much of its initial US footprint through its Earn Interest Product (EIP), which enabled users to deposit crypto and earn yield.
In January 2023, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) accused Nexo of offering and selling unregistered securities through this product. The SEC contended that the EIP met the legal definition of a security and, therefore, required proper registration.
It paid a total of $45 million in fines to the SEC and various state regulators.
It neither admitted nor denied the allegations.
It ceased offering the product to US investors.
Soon after, Nexo withdrew from the US retail market.
Why regulators targeted “earn” products
The enforcement action stemmed from a wider post-2022 crypto lending fallout. Major failures across the lending industry had revealed liquidity mismatches, rehypothecation risks and retail exposure to opaque yield structures.
Regulators were particularly concerned about:
The promotion of yield products to retail investors
Whether these offerings functioned as investment contracts.
The crackdown extended beyond Nexo and signaled a broader regulatory overhaul for centralized crypto yield offerings.
Did you know? Borrowing against volatile assets is not a new concept. Traditional stock margin lending has existed for decades, but crypto’s 24/7 trading makes liquidation mechanics far more dynamic and automated.
What changed in 2026
Nexo’s 2026 comeback rests on a core claim: The product is now structured differently and provided through licensed US partners.
Instead of directly delivering yield-like products to US investors under its former approach, Nexo states that its updated structure:
Relies on properly licensed US partners
Incorporates an SEC-registered investment adviser when required
Has phased out the product addressed in the 2023 order.
This difference is significant: Rather than operating as an independent provider of an earn program, Nexo is now positioned within a regulated infrastructure framework.
According to Nexo, it will offer crypto-backed loans and yield-generating products. These services will be provided through licensed US partners.
Crypto-backed loans differ from the unsecured lending models that failed in 2022. Users deposit digital assets as collateral and borrow against them. Liquidation occurs if the collateral falls below set loan-to-value thresholds.
The Bakkt partnership: Compliance by design
A key factor in the relaunch is Nexo’s collaboration with Bakkt, a publicly traded US crypto firm.
Bakkt provides regulated trading infrastructure and holds multiple US licenses. By channeling US operations through regulated entities, Nexo is effectively moving from a direct issuer model to a partner-delivered model.
In practical terms, this means:
Trading, custody or advisory services could reside with regulated entities.
Product elements may be distributed across licensed intermediaries.
Supervision may occur across multiple regulatory layers.
This framework is designed to address the regulatory objections that led to the 2023 settlement.
Did you know? Unlike banks, most crypto lending platforms do not benefit from federal deposit insurance, meaning customer protections depend heavily on custody structures and legal agreements rather than government backstops.
A shifting regulatory landscape
Timing is a factor in Nexo’s return to the US. Under President Donald Trump’s administration, the SEC has terminated or scaled back multiple crypto enforcement actions. The enforcement environment has shifted from an intense crackdown to a period of readjustment.
For instance, the SEC moved to drop a lawsuit involving the Gemini Earn program following investor recoveries. This does not indicate that crypto lending issues are entirely resolved, but it points to a more adaptable regulatory stance than in early 2023.
Nevertheless, the US regulatory framework remains fragmented. Federal agencies, state securities regulators, money transmitter statutes and consumer lending rules may all apply depending on the structure.
What US users need to watch
Even if products are offered through regulated intermediaries, users should assess:
Who is your legal counterparty? Is the agreement with Nexo, with a US-licensed entity or with multiple entities?
Where does custody sit? Are assets held by a qualified custodian? Under which regulatory regime?
How are returns generated? Are yields derived from lending, staking, market-making or other activities?
What are the liquidation terms for crypto-backed loans?
What is the loan-to-value (LTV) threshold?
How quickly can liquidation occur?
Are there additional fees?
What disclosures exist? Look for:
Risk disclosures
Rehypothecation clauses
Conflict-of-interest statements
Jurisdiction clauses.
“Compliant structure” does not equal “risk-free product.”
Did you know? Money transmitter licensing in the US is state-based, which means a crypto company may need approvals in dozens of jurisdictions. This is one reason partner-led models are gaining popularity.
Why this comeback matters for the industry
Nexo’s return could indicate a wider transformation in US crypto lending:
Phase 1 (Pre-2023): Direct-to-consumer yield models with minimal registration
Phase 2 (2023-2025): Regulatory enforcement, withdrawals and reorganization
If this framework proves viable, other international crypto companies may reenter the US through comparable compliance layers instead of direct issuance models.
The real shift: It is about the wrapper, not just the product
The primary takeaway from Nexo’s return is structural.
The fundamental economic idea of generating yield on digital assets or borrowing against crypto remains intact. What has evolved is the regulatory framework surrounding it.
Rather than pushing the limits of securities law, the updated model integrates into licensed infrastructure.
Whether this method satisfies regulators over the long term will hinge on:
Disclosure quality
Risk management practices
Transparency of revenue sources
Ongoing federal and state coordination.
For now, Nexo’s comeback reflects a more prudent crypto industry that recognizes that in the US, structure dictates survival.
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Michael Saylor’s Strategy, the world’s largest public holder of Bitcoin, completed its 101st Bitcoin purchase, pushing its total holdings above 720,000 BTC.
The company acquired 3,015 Bitcoin (BTC) for $204.1 million last week, according to a US Securities and Exchange Commission filing on Monday.
Source: SEC
The average buy price of its latest purchase was $67,700 per BTC, marking another purchase well below the company’s average acquisition price of $75,985.
The purchase brings its holdings to 720,737 BTC, acquired for a total cost of about $54.8 billion, the company disclosed.
Another buy below Strategy’s cost basis
The latest buy is one of a small number of Strategy purchases made below the company’s average cost basis, according to data compiled by SaylorTracker, a website that tracks Strategy’s bitcoin acquisitions.
The first such purchase occurred on Feb. 9, when the company bought 1,142 BTC as market prices dipped below $76,051 during the week. Strategy reported the average acquisition price of that batch at $78,815, above the market price at the time.
Strategy encountered a similar situation around 2022-2023, when BTC price dipped below its cost basis of around $30,600. The company completed a total of seven purchases of 28,560 BTC during that below-cost period.
MSTR shares rise modestly while Bitcoin trades near $65,800
Strategy (MSTR) shares saw some upward momentum last week, rising from around $125 on Monday to nearly $130 by Friday, according to TradingView.
Bitcoin, however, remained largely flat over the same period. The crypto asset started the week near $65,000, briefly surged above $69,000 on Wednesday, and dipped below $64,000 before stabilizing. At the time of publication, Bitcoin was trading at $65,834, according to TradingView.
The news came after Strategy chairman Saylor announced on Sunday that the company is raising the dividend on its STRC preferred stock, also known as “Stretch,” to 11.50% for March 2026, from the previous 11.25%.
The capital raised through the stock can be used for corporate purposes, including potential Bitcoin acquisitions.
Cointelegraph is committed to independent, transparent journalism. This news article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph’s Editorial Policy and aims to provide accurate and timely information. Readers are encouraged to verify information independently. Read our Editorial Policy https://cointelegraph.com/editorial-policy
Bitcoin (BTC) initially dropped before paring all losses, leaving market participants wondering what higher oil prices would mean for BTC price going forward.
Key takeaways:
Escalating Middle East conflict pushes oil to $79, putting Bitcoin at risk of a drop to $60,000 due to inflation shocks and delayed Fed rate cuts.
BTC drops against oil price spikes in the short term, but outperforms in the medium to long term.
Bitcoin faces short-term risks as oil prices surge
Data from TradingView showed oil rose to a 15-month high of $79.84 during the early Asian trading hours on Monday, amid news of Iranian drones hitting Saudi Aramco’s Ras Tanura refinery.
Oil prices per barrel, $. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView
Both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite Index were down around 1% on the day at the time of writing.
Polymarket bettors are pricing in about 56% odds of crude trading above $90 per barrel in March and a 44% chance of it crossing $100.
Reacting, commentators predict Bitcoin’s short-term vulnerability if oil reaches $100, with inflation delaying rate cuts and triggering sell-offs below $60,000.
“Crude oil will go sharply higher, Gold sharply higher. Bitcoin and crypto will go lower,” crypto entrepreneur Anthony Pompliano wrote in part of an initial response on X.
Pompliano outlined what he described as “critical variables” in the conflict, including the status of the Strait of Hormuz, and how markets might respond.
If Iran attempts to close the Strait of Hormuz, “every commodity in the world reprices violently upward” while Bitcoin drops sharply, he said, adding:
“This is the single most important variable.”
“If Iran moves to close the Strait of Hormuz, oil could rip past $100-$108. That’s not just an oil story — it’s an inflation shock,” crypto analyst BBX said in a recent post on X, adding:
However, Arthur Hayes, former CEO of crypto exchange BitMEX, argued that based on historical patterns, American intervention in the Middle East ultimately leads to Fed rate cuts or printing money to finance the war effort, a move he believes will drive Bitcoin prices higher.
“The longer Trump engages in the extremely costly activity of Iranian nation-building, the higher the likelihood the Fed lowers the price and increases the quantity of money to support Pax Americana’s latest bout of Middle Eastern adventurism,” he said in his latest essay.
Bullish for BTC? Oil price gains may be short-lived
Bitcoin and oil prices have exhibited a predominantly inverse relationship in the past, with the latter rising sharply immediately after conflicts emerge due to increased energy costs for BTC mining and broader market uncertainty.
However, spikes in oil prices tend to be short-lived, with Bitcoin outperforming over the longer term.
For instance, during the 2022 Ukraine crisis, crude oil spiked 50% while Bitcoin price dipped 18%. BTC went on to recover, however, rising 40% over the two weeks that followed.
A similar scenario played out after the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023 and Israel’s attack on Iran in 2025, as shown in the chart below.
Oil price, USD vs. BTC/USD weekly chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView
The current situation may be following a similar early-stage pattern.
Oil surged as much as 15% to $79 from a low of $69 on Thursday as traders reacted to rising tensions in the Middle East and the potential risk to key transit routes such as the Strait of Hormuz.
From a technical perspective, oil is seeking to break above its multi-year downtrend, an occurrence that has previously preceded 100%-200% Bitcoin price rallies, said analyst Max Crypto.
Source: X/Max Crypto
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Sony Bank said it has signed a memorandum of understanding with stablecoin issuer JPYC Inc. to study whether the Japanese yen-pegged stablecoin JPYC can be connected more directly to the bank’s deposit rails.
In a statement on Monday, the companies said they will study real-time account transfers that would allow users to purchase JPYC instantly from their Sony Bank accounts through the JPYC EX platform, eliminating the need for manual bank transfers.
Sony Bank said its Web3-focused subsidiary, BlockBloom, will play a central role in designing how the bank link, stablecoin rails and potential consumer services would work in practice.
The agreement comes as Japan formalizes stablecoin issuance under its revised Payment Services Act, with regulated financial institutions beginning to test integration at the deposit layer rather than limiting access to crypto exchanges.
Real-time conversion under Japan’s stablecoin rules
JPYC began issuing its yen-backed stablecoin on Oct. 27, 2025, under Japan’s revised Payment Services Act, which recognizes stablecoins as electronic payment instruments.
According to the company, the token is backed 1:1 by bank deposits and Japanese government bonds and is issued and redeemed through the JPYC EX platform, which requires identity verification.
The companies said the agreement is exploratory and does not introduce a new stablecoin. They did not give a timetable for when any real-time transfer feature might be launched.
The companies said the feature would be designed under a neutral framework, not limited to a single financial institution, to preserve the scalability of JPYC EX.
Last week, JPYC announced plans to raise 1.78 billion yen (about $12 million) in the first close of its Series B round, led by Asteria Corporation, to expand system development and ecosystem partnerships.
Exploring links to entertainment
Beyond payments, Sony Bank and JPYC said they will explore linking the stablecoin to entertainment intellectual property, including music and gaming services. Potential use cases include digital content purchases and the distribution of rewards.
The companies said future efforts will also examine streamlining the issuance and redemption of JPYC using Sony Bank services to reduce user steps.
The announcement stated all initiatives will be developed in compliance with applicable laws and regulatory guidelines.
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Aave trades at $114.77 with analysts forecasting $137-140 targets. Technical indicators show neutral RSI at 42.81 but bearish MACD momentum signals caution.
Aave (AAVE) continues to show resilience in the current market cycle, trading at $114.77 as of March 2, 2026, with a modest 1.39% daily gain. Recent analyst projections suggest significant upside potential, with multiple price targets converging around the $135-140 range for mid-March 2026.
Recent analyst coverage has been notably bullish on AAVE’s prospects. Aishwarya Shashikumar provided an AAVE price prediction on February 27, projecting a 19.95% increase that would push the token to $137.51 by March 3, 2026. This Aave forecast aligns with broader market optimism despite recent volatility.
CoinCodex echoed similar sentiment in their March 1 analysis, setting an AAVE price prediction target of $139.67 by March 6, 2026. Their technical framework suggests sustained bullish momentum despite current consolidation patterns.
Terrill Dicki’s analysis highlighted AAVE’s strong daily performance, noting 5.33% gains and targeting a $128 resistance breakout. His Aave forecast suggests potential rally continuation toward the $135-140 range by mid-March 2026, supported by improving technical indicators.
AAVE Technical Analysis Breakdown
Current technical indicators present a mixed but cautiously optimistic picture for AAVE. The RSI stands at 42.81, positioned in neutral territory, suggesting neither overbought nor oversold conditions. This neutral RSI reading provides room for upward movement without immediate resistance from momentum indicators.
The MACD analysis reveals bearish momentum with a histogram reading of 0.0000, indicating potential weakness in the current trend. However, this flat histogram suggests momentum may be stabilizing rather than accelerating downward.
Bollinger Bands positioning shows AAVE at 0.34, placing it closer to the lower band ($106.98) than the upper band ($129.86). The middle band at $118.42 represents immediate resistance, while the current price below this level suggests potential for mean reversion.
Key resistance levels emerge at $117.37 (immediate) and $119.97 (strong), while support holds at $111.40 (immediate) and $108.03 (strong). The daily ATR of $8.19 indicates moderate volatility, providing opportunities for both entry and exit strategies.
Aave Price Targets: Bull vs Bear Case
Bullish Scenario
The bullish case for AAVE centers on breaking through the immediate resistance at $117.37, followed by the critical $119.97 level. A successful breakout above $119.97 would likely trigger momentum toward the analyst targets of $135-140.
Technical confirmation would come from RSI moving above 50, MACD histogram turning positive, and sustained trading above the 20-day SMA of $118.42. The Bollinger Band setup suggests potential for a move toward the upper band at $129.86, which aligns with preliminary bullish targets.
Volume patterns support this scenario, with 24-hour trading volume of $15.8 million indicating sustained institutional interest despite recent consolidation.
Bearish Scenario
The bearish case acknowledges the current position below key moving averages, particularly the 20-day SMA at $118.42 and the significant gap to the 50-day SMA at $134.55. A break below immediate support at $111.40 could trigger further downside toward $108.03.
Risk factors include the MACD’s current bearish configuration and the substantial distance from longer-term moving averages. The 200-day SMA at $207.59 highlights the longer-term correction AAVE has experienced, suggesting potential for continued weakness if broader market conditions deteriorate.
Should You Buy AAVE? Entry Strategy
For investors considering AAVE positions, the current technical setup suggests a layered entry approach. Initial positions could be established around current levels ($114-115), with additional accumulation on any dip toward $111.40 support.
Stop-loss levels should be placed below $108.03 to limit downside risk, representing approximately 6% below current prices. This approach provides favorable risk-reward ratios given the $135-140 upside targets.
Risk management remains critical given cryptocurrency volatility. Position sizing should account for the daily ATR of $8.19, suggesting potential for significant intraday movements that could trigger stop-losses even in favorable trending conditions.
Conclusion
The AAVE price prediction landscape suggests cautious optimism for March 2026, with multiple analysts converging on $135-140 targets. Current technical indicators show mixed signals, with neutral RSI providing room for upward movement while MACD suggests momentum challenges.
The Aave forecast appears most favorable for medium-term holders willing to navigate current consolidation patterns. Key resistance at $119.97 represents the critical breakout level that could confirm bullish analyst projections.
Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency price predictions are inherently speculative and subject to high volatility. 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.
