DAILY NEWS – March 31, 2026
| Asset | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin (BTC) | 67,477 | +0.08% |
| Ethereum (ETH) | 2,060 | +0.64% |
| Bitcoin Spot ETF | 69.44M | — |
| Ethereum Spot ETF | 4.96M | — |
| Nasdaq (NAS100) | 23,109 | -0.39% |
| S&P 500 (SPX) | 6,343 | -0.39% |
| Russell 2000 (RUT) | 2,440 | -0.65% |
| U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) | 100.461 | +0.28% |
| VIX Volatility Index | 30.62 | -0.71% |
| U.S. 10-Year Yield | 4.328 | -1.46% |
| Brent Crude Oil (BRENT) | 106.135 | -1.25% |
| LBMA Gold (XAU) | 4,558 | +0.64% |
| LBMA Silver (XAG) | 72.12 | +3.03% |
“Prepared at UTC 07.05 am”
Markets Fail to Hold Gains Despite Powell’s Dovish Tone
Stocks and crypto assets failed to sustain early gains despite Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell easing concerns about imminent rate hikes. Powell indicated that the Fed is inclined to look past the Iran-driven energy shock for now and keep interest rates unchanged. While bond yields declined, continued strength in oil prices ultimately pressured both equity and crypto markets.
U.S. Futures Rally on Reports Trump May End Iran War Without Reopening Hormuz
U.S. stock index futures rebounded sharply on Monday evening after a Wall Street Journal report suggested that President Donald Trump is considering ending the war with Iran without reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Futures recovered earlier losses following a largely negative session on Wall Street, where technology stocks remained under pressure while Trump continued to push for a ceasefire and reopening of the key shipping route.
Trump Signals Willingness to End Iran Conflict Despite Hormuz Closure
President Donald Trump told aides he is willing to end military operations against Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed. Officials assessed that efforts to fully reopen the passage could extend the conflict beyond a four- to six-week timeline. Trump decided to conclude hostilities after achieving key objectives, including weakening Iran’s naval and missile capabilities.
Maryland Man Charged in $50M Uranium Finance Hack
A Maryland resident, Jonathan Spalletta, has been charged in connection with the $50 million Uranium Finance exploit after U.S. authorities seized $31 million in crypto assets. Prosecutors allege that Spalletta exploited smart contract vulnerabilities twice in April 2021, laundered funds through Tornado Cash, and spent proceeds on rare collectibles.
Google Research Suggests Lower Threshold for Quantum Threat to Crypto
Google researchers indicated that breaking the cryptography behind Bitcoin and Ethereum may require only 1,200–1,450 high-quality qubits and fewer than 500,000 physical qubits, significantly lower than previous estimates. The study warns that real-time quantum attacks could intercept pending Bitcoin transactions within minutes and potentially expose around 6.9 million BTC already at risk. The Taproot upgrade, which makes public keys more visible, could expand vulnerable wallets, prompting calls for earlier transition to post-quantum security despite the threat not being immediate.
U.S. Proposal Could Open Trillions in 401(k) Funds to Crypto
A proposed regulatory change by the U.S. Department of Labor could allow trillions of dollars in 401(k) retirement funds to gain exposure to digital assets. The draft rule follows an executive order by President Donald Trump directing regulators to expand access to crypto within retirement portfolios.
Democrats Urge Warning on Insider Betting in Prediction Markets
U.S. lawmakers from both the House and Senate called on the CFTC and federal ethics officials to remind public employees that insider trading in prediction markets is illegal. The request highlights growing concerns around potential misuse of non-public information in event-based trading platforms.
Square Enables Bitcoin Payments for Millions of U.S. Merchants
Square has begun automatically enabling bitcoin payments for millions of eligible U.S. merchants, with transactions instantly converted to U.S. dollars at checkout and processed without fees until 2026. The feature integrates directly into existing payment systems while shielding merchants from price volatility and custody risks.
Bitcoin Hashrate Declines for First Time Since 2020
Bitcoin’s hashrate declined by about 4% in the first quarter, marking its first drop since 2020 after five consecutive years of double-digit growth. As mining economics deteriorate, companies are reallocating capital toward AI infrastructure, a shift that could reduce concentration among large U.S. miners and potentially improve network decentralization.
Grayscale Highlights Zcash as Undervalued Privacy Asset
Grayscale argued that Zcash’s upside potential is tied to the repricing of financial privacy in an AI-driven world. The asset manager suggested that rising surveillance and advancements in artificial intelligence could increase demand for private digital currencies, positioning Zcash as a mispriced opportunity within the crypto market.
