XRP is testing the 200 EMA while holding the lower boundary of a multi‑month descending channel, creating a compressed setup around critical resistance. Analysts highlight that a weekly close above the 200 EMA and $1.55 could confirm a bullish shift, with $2.20 as the next key upside target. Failure to clear these levels may instead trigger a move toward supports around $1.26 and possibly the $0.95–$0.85 area.

Zerohash has submitted an application to the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency for a national trust bank charter so it can offer a wider range of digital asset services. The proposed trust bank would focus on custody for digital assets and fiat, custodial staking, transfer agent functions, and stablecoin management rather than traditional deposit-taking or lending. If approved, the charter could place Zerohash under federal oversight and potentially make it more attractive to institutional clients.

On March 2, 2026, the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation added Hidden Road Partners CIV US LLC, now operating as Ripple Prime, to the National Securities Clearing Corporation Market Participant Identifiers directory. The prime brokerage had previously been acquired by Ripple for $1.25 billion after serving over 300 institutional clients and processing about $3 trillion in annual financing trades. This NSCC listing enables Ripple Prime to handle over-the-counter transactions through a centralized clearing system and has been interpreted by XRP holders as a sign that Ripple is embedding itself in traditional market infrastructure.

Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan argued that the Iran-related escalations over the weekend turned crypto venues like Hyperliquid and Tether Gold into the main global hedging channels while traditional markets were shut. He highlighted Hyperliquid's real-time oil pricing, a 30% weekend jump in HYPE, and a $300 million volume spike in Tether Gold as evidence that on-chain finance may be advancing faster than his previous 5‑10 year outlook.

Bitcoin recently climbed to a four-week high after rebounding 22% from a local bottom near $60,000, but derivatives pricing and on-chain data show traders still prefer downside protection. About 43% of the circulating supply is at a loss and major corporate holders face an average cost basis around $76,000, creating psychological and structural resistance below the prior $78,700 monthly close. Weak miner profitability and growing AI-related energy competition are adding further selling pressure that could slow any move higher.

Western Union has entered into a partnership with Crossmint to support the launch of its USDPT stablecoin and Digital Asset Network on the Solana blockchain. The collaboration will integrate Crossmint's wallet and payment APIs with Western Union's infrastructure so fintech platforms can move funds via USDPT and tap into Western Union's global payout network.

Bitcoin briefly moved back above $74,000 on Wednesday as a broad crypto market rebound pushed BTC up about 8% in 24 hours and lifted ether more than 9%. Dogecoin and Zcash led gains among large-cap tokens, while shares of Coinbase climbed roughly 15% and Gemini jumped about 34% alongside the move.

Israel's Finance Ministry estimates that restrictions linked to the conflict with Iran are costing the economy 9.4 billion shekels, or about $2.93 billion, each week, with larger losses expected from the following week. While officials push to ease Home Front Command rules to cut the damage, U.S. equities are rising, oil has climbed above $82 a barrel, and volatility gauges are slipping. Israel's own stock market and currency have strengthened, even as Goldman Sachs cautions that investors may not have fully accounted for the economic fallout.