This article summarizes cryptocurrency news as of March 17, 2026, focusing on the latest Bitcoin updates, Ethereum upgrades, Dogecoin trends, real-time crypto prices, and price forecasts. Major Web3 events today include:
- Korea Financial Supervisory Service and other agencies jointly sign agreement to combat crypto money laundering and overseas illegal withdrawals
The Korea Financial Supervisory Service (FSS), Customs Service, Credit Financial Association, and nine credit card companies signed the “Cross-Border Crime Fund Blocking Cooperation Agreement” today. The agreement aims to cut off the money chain of phone scams and virtual asset crimes at the source by analyzing overseas credit card usage details and entry-exit records. Previously, due to information gaps among agencies—Customs had entry-exit data but couldn’t monitor overseas suspicious spending in real-time, while credit card companies had payment data but no access to customs clearance info. Under the new mechanism, Customs will provide credit card companies with high-risk transaction trends, and the Financial Supervisory Service will issue guidelines authorizing credit card companies to take measures like transaction interruption when anomalies are detected. FSS Director Lee Chan-jin stated this marks Korea’s establishment of a normalized monitoring system to prevent the outflow of criminal proceeds overseas from the source. The system will target “currency exchange” activities such as cashing out at overseas ATMs using foreign credit cards and laundering money through cryptocurrencies.
- Robert Kiyosaki warns of global market crash, Bitcoin could surge to $750,000
Author of Rich Dad Poor Dad, Robert Kiyosaki, again warns of a global market collapse and predicts that Bitcoin and other hard assets could rise sharply after market downturns. He says the timing of this correction is uncertain, but the market is nearing a breaking point, and investors should prepare for price volatility.
Kiyosaki points out that the current financial market bubble is severe but does not specify exact triggers. He emphasizes that it’s not a question of “if” but “when” it will happen. His comments have sparked discussion in financial and crypto communities, especially regarding his price predictions for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and precious metals. He forecasts Bitcoin could soar to $750,000 after a market slump, Ethereum to $95,000, silver to $200 per ounce, and gold to $35,000 per ounce.
He explains these forecasts are based on strong demand for scarce non-sovereign assets following financial turmoil. During crises, Kiyosaki has viewed gold, silver, and Bitcoin as “hard assets” that preserve value. Although Bitcoin is currently trading around $74,220, his long-term predictions have been met with skepticism by some analysts, who see these figures as more reflective of potential long-term scenarios rather than near-term targets.
For investment strategies, Kiyosaki recommends holding cash to buy low during downturns and diversifying portfolios to avoid reckless trading amid volatility. He cites Warren Buffett’s approach of holding liquidity in uncertain times, urging investors to plan ahead. Reactions vary—some agree with his risk management ideas, while others remain cautious due to his past predictions not fully materializing.
As macro signals like inflation and interest rates influence markets, Bitcoin and other non-sovereign assets’ safe-haven qualities are gaining attention. Kiyosaki’s latest warnings and forecasts continue to fuel discussions on global financial stability and crypto potential.
- Institutional funds flow back into Bitcoin ETF for six consecutive days, BTC price up over 12% during period
The US spot Bitcoin ETF has experienced its longest inflow streak since October last year, with six consecutive days of net inflows, during which Bitcoin’s price increased over 12%. According to Farside Investors, on Monday, Bitcoin ETF net inflow was $199.4 million, led by iShares Bitcoin Trust with $139.4 million, followed by Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund with $64.5 million.
Other funds like Bitwise Bitcoin ETF and Franklin Bitcoin ETF saw modest inflows of $2.8 million and $2.1 million, respectively, while VanEck and ARK 21Shares products saw outflows of $6.3 million and $3.1 million. Since March 9, total inflows have reached $962.8 million, with Bitcoin’s price rising from $65,960 to $74,250. Despite this rally, it hasn’t yet matched the peak of nearly $6 billion inflows during September-October 2025, when Bitcoin neared $126,080.
Analysts attribute this renewed institutional demand to Bitcoin’s safe-haven role as “digital gold.” Geopolitical tensions have pressured traditional equities, while Bitcoin outperformed many risk assets and is seen as a hedge against fiat currency devaluation amid inflation expectations. Rumors of easing US-Iran relations also boosted market confidence.
The inflow of ETF funds and rising institutional interest highlight Bitcoin’s geopolitical safe-haven and decentralized store-of-value functions. This rebound has attracted institutional investors and prompted traders to reassess Bitcoin’s strategic role amid macroeconomic volatility, keeping market focus on future price movements.
- $172 million Bitcoin mysteriously missing: theft of seed phrase via surveillance camera, CZ warns of self-custody security risks
A dispute involving about 2,323 BTC has attracted attention in the UK. British businessman Ping Fai Yuen accuses his estranged wife Li Fenyong of stealing his hardware wallet seed phrase via home surveillance cameras and transferring assets worth approximately $172 million. The case is now in court.
Court documents filed with the High Court of England and Wales show the assets were stored on a Trezor hardware wallet protected by a PIN and 24-word seed phrase. The allegations state Li Fenyong secretly installed cameras at their Brighton residence, recording her input of the seed phrase. In August 2023, the BTC was transferred to 71 addresses, with no further on-chain movement since.
The case also reveals that Ping Fai Yuen had installed audio recording devices at home, capturing discussions about fund transfers and ways to evade financial regulation. Police arrested relevant suspects in December 2023 and seized multiple cold wallets and seed backups.
Legally, the court dismissed charges of “tangible property misappropriation,” but the case proceeds on claims of unjust enrichment and trust responsibilities. The judge indicated a high likelihood of the plaintiff’s success and issued an injunction to restrict further transfer of the involved Bitcoin. The defendant denies all allegations, and the case remains ongoing.
Notably, CZ commented on social platform X that this incident highlights potential vulnerabilities in self-custody crypto storage, especially if private keys or seed phrases are physically compromised, rendering security systems ineffective.
This event underscores that, despite the emphasis on user control in decentralized storage, protecting private keys, isolating devices, and ensuring physical security are equally critical. As Bitcoin’s value rises, risks related to seed phrase leaks and cold wallet security continue to draw attention.
- Polymarket $1.5 billion betting controversy: Israeli journalist threatened with death, market manipulation risks exposed
Polymarket, a prediction market platform, is again embroiled in controversy. An Israeli journalist reporting on Iran missile attacks has received persistent harassment and death threats from users suspected of participating in large bets, raising concerns over market manipulation and information interference.
Emanuel Fabian of The Times of Israel reports that after his March 10 coverage of Iran missile strikes on Beersheba, he received anonymous emails, social media messages, and direct threats demanding he alter his report, changing “missile attack” to “interception debris.” These claims may influence bets totaling about $15 million.
Fabian states that the pressure escalated to direct threats. A user named “Chaim” on WhatsApp explicitly said he would take action against Fabian if he did not modify the report, setting multiple deadlines. Harassers also disclosed personal details like his home address, worsening the situation. The case has been handed to police.
The motivation appears linked to a Polymarket bet on whether Iran attacked Israel on March 10. Some bettors are trying to change the event’s characterization to “no” to avoid large losses. The market is awaiting a final ruling from the UMA system.
Fabian notes that such incidents reveal structural risks in prediction markets, where participants may manipulate information sources or pressure key opinion leaders to influence outcomes. He also worries that media bias induced by vested interests could threaten journalistic integrity.
This controversy is not isolated. Israeli authorities have previously arrested individuals suspected of insider trading in prediction markets, intensifying concerns about “insider trading” risks.
As prediction markets grow, challenges around transparency, data credibility, and regulation are emerging. Balancing decentralization with compliance remains a key industry issue.
- Strait of Hormuz crisis impacts dollar system: Ray Dalio warns of potential reserve currency shakeup
As Middle East tensions persist, control over the Strait of Hormuz has become a core global financial risk. Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates, warns that if the US loses dominance over this strategic waterway, the US dollar’s role as the world’s reserve currency could face significant disruption.
Dalio compares the current situation to the Suez Crisis, suggesting that weakening geopolitical control often precedes currency system instability. If Iran continues to control or threaten the passage, it could signal declining US influence, undermining allies’ and creditors’ confidence, and re-pricing dollar assets.
Balaji Srinivasan offers a more radical view, suggesting that escalation could accelerate the collapse of the “petrodollar system,” triggering a chain reaction in global monetary order. Changes in energy trade settlement methods—such as Iran proposing to allow limited oil shipments paid in RMB—could directly challenge dollar dominance.
The Strait handles about 20% of global oil trade. Reports indicate Iran may permit limited passage of oil tankers if paid in yuan, directly challenging dollar settlement.
On the macro front, risks are rising. Mark Zandi notes that before escalation, the probability of recession is near 50%. Rising oil prices could be a key trigger for economic downturns. Historical data shows rapid oil price increases often coincide with economic turning points.
In this context, the interplay of geopolitics, energy markets, and currency systems is intensifying. The situation in the Strait of Hormuz could have profound implications for the global financial landscape.
- Elon Musk says all proceeds from winning lawsuit against OpenAI will be donated to charity; $109 billion claim scheduled for April trial
On March 17, Elon Musk posted on X that any winnings from his lawsuit against OpenAI will be donated to charity, and he will not profit in any way. Musk filed the suit in 2024, accusing OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Microsoft of abandoning the nonprofit mission of OpenAI to pursue profit and commercial interests. Musk, a co-founder of OpenAI who invested about $38 million in 2015 and left in 2018, now leads AI company xAI.
On March 13, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers held a pre-trial hearing in Oakland, California, and indicated that expert testimony from Wazzan, an economist from Berkeley Research Group, might be admitted. Wazzan’s damages report estimates that if the jury finds OpenAI in breach, it could owe up to $109 billion.
Wazzan also estimated that Microsoft might owe $25 billion, but the judge has not ruled on this. The judge preliminarily ruled that Musk cannot seek punitive damages. She noted that even if Musk wins, actual damages could be much lower than $109 billion, as some claims may be barred by statutes of limitations, and the jury might attribute only partial credit to Musk for OpenAI’s success. The trial is scheduled for April 28. Both OpenAI and Microsoft deny all allegations.
- U.S. Treasury executes $15 billion in bond buybacks, the largest in history
The U.S. Treasury will conduct a $15 billion bond buyback today, exceeding last week’s $14.7 billion, marking the largest such operation in history.
- SEC considers eliminating quarterly reporting: potential reshaping of US stock transparency, new variables for Bitcoin and Ethereum
The U.S. SEC is proposing a major regulatory reform to eliminate mandatory quarterly earnings reports for listed companies, replacing them with semi-annual disclosures. The proposal is expected to be officially announced in April 2026. If implemented, it could be one of the most significant changes to US capital market rules in decades.
The plan aims to reduce compliance costs significantly. Maintaining quarterly reports costs companies billions annually. Regulators and some business groups argue that less frequent disclosures could help management focus on long-term strategies rather than short-term performance.
However, the reform is controversial. Analysts warn that quarterly reports are vital for investors and research institutions to assess company health and identify risks. Reduced disclosure frequency might increase information asymmetry and decrease transparency.
Slower updates could also amplify market volatility, as fewer fundamental data points may lead to more reliance on expectations and sentiment, increasing price swings. Historically, such rule changes can alter capital flows and risk appetite.
This policy change could also impact digital assets. Changes in US stock market liquidity and transparency might influence crypto markets, especially Bitcoin and Ethereum, as institutional participation grows. The evolving regulatory landscape could become a new driver for crypto markets.
The proposal is still under internal review, with no certainty about its implementation in 2026. Still, once enacted, it will fundamentally alter US market information disclosure practices.
- TRUMP Coin whale holding over 1 million hits five-month high: dinner event drives price swings, key resistance near
Ahead of the TRUMP Coin offline dinner event, market funds are flowing into large holders, boosting prices and on-chain activity. Wallets holding at least 1 million TRUMP Coins have increased to 83, a five-month high, indicating renewed large-scale positioning.
Santiment reports that since last week, the token’s price has risen about 36%, with whale addresses increasing, suggesting the rally is driven by big money rather than retail. Arkham Intelligence shows a whale called “Xiao” bought about $6.7 million worth of TRUMP after the dinner announcement, with unrealized gains of around $2.12 million. Whether profits are realized or used for dinner access is a focus.
The event will invite top holders to dine with Trump, the second such exclusive gathering. Similar mechanisms have previously boosted short-term demand but also raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
Funds are divided. Lookonchain shows a long-term holder recently sold over 210,000 TRUMP at about $847,000, incurring a loss of roughly $1.29 million, indicating some investors are taking profits amid volatility.
Price-wise, TRUMP Coin surged from about $3 to nearly $4.40, then entered consolidation. It now trades around $3.90, with support at $3.80–3.85 and resistance at $4.10–4.20.
Javon Marks suggests that a breakout above current ranges could push toward $5.45 or higher, while a drop below support might test $3.60. The current pattern shows event-driven and capital structure influences, with high short-term volatility likely to persist.
- Why did MicroStrategy’s stock soar? Strategy’s $1.57 billion Bitcoin buy boosts stock, BTC may hit $100,000
After Strategy announced its largest Bitcoin accumulation since 2026, MSTR stock surged. The company disclosed that between March 9–15, it bought 22,337 BTC at an average of about $70,194, totaling roughly $1.57 billion, boosting market sentiment.
Post-transaction, Strategy’s total Bitcoin holdings reached 761,068 BTC, with an investment of about $57.61 billion at an average cost of $75,696. The firm has been accumulating for 12 weeks, solidifying its position as the largest publicly traded Bitcoin holder. Funding came mainly from preferred and common stock offerings, including $1.18 billion from Series A perpetual preferred stock and about $396 million from Class A common stock.
The news caused MSTR shares to rise about 6% pre-market, nearing $145. Bitcoin also climbed above $73,600. Analysts see short-term resistance at $150, with potential to reach $160 if broken, and support at $140, below which it could fall back to $135.
CEO Michael Saylor confirmed the buy and remains bullish on Bitcoin’s long-term value. Despite an unrealized loss of about $3.35 billion on paper, the market believes the strategy remains viable as long as Bitcoin stays bullish.
Bitcoin is at a critical level: $72,500 is seen as short-term support. Holding above could push prices toward $80,000–$90,000, even challenging $100,000. Falling below $70,000 could dampen confidence and drag related assets down.
Macro factors also matter. The upcoming Fed rate decision could influence capital flows, especially with rising spot ETF demand and geopolitical risks. Market watchers note that Bitcoin’s future depends heavily on its price trajectory, with high correlation currently.
- Trump pressures Fed for emergency rate cut: monetary policy as the biggest market variable
President Trump again publicly urges the Fed to cut interest rates immediately, calling for a “special meeting” to lower rates quickly, sparking market focus on monetary policy direction.
In an interview, Trump said the Fed is “always slow” on rate decisions and that now is the right time to cut. He emphasized that economic conditions have changed and swift action is needed to avoid missing the window. This stance continues his recent pressure on the Fed.
Currently, the federal funds rate remains at 3.50–3.75%. The Fed has cut rates three times in 2025 but paused in January 2026, adopting a wait-and-see approach. The Federal Open Market Committee will hold its regular meeting on March 17–18, with markets expecting no change in rates this week.
US macro data shows mixed signals: February CPI rose 2.4% YoY, as expected, but employment cooled, with non-farm payrolls down by about 92,000 and unemployment rising to 4.4%. Policymakers face trade-offs between controlling inflation and supporting growth.
Geopolitical risks persist, with tensions in the Middle East pushing energy prices higher, adding inflation uncertainty. Elevated oil prices could trigger economic slowdown if rates stay high, while premature cuts risk reigniting inflation.
After the meeting, Fed Chair Jerome Powell will hold a press conference to announce the rate decision and outlook. Markets will watch for dot plots and guidance on future rate paths.
Analysts see the policy environment at a critical juncture. Trump’s continued pressure may influence sentiment, but actual decisions depend on economic data and geopolitical developments, affecting risk assets including crypto.
- Cboe submits proposal to SEC for nearly 24x5 US stock trading hours in 2026
Cboe has submitted a proposal to the SEC to launch nearly 24x5 US stock trading hours on its EDGX exchange starting December 2026, allowing trading nearly 24 hours a day, five days a week.
- OpenAI revises Stargate strategy, abandons self-built data centers, reduces compute budget to $600 billion
OpenAI has made major adjustments to its Stargate infrastructure project, abandoning self-built data centers in favor of third-party cloud providers like AWS and Google Cloud. The total compute expenditure planned for 2030 has been cut from $1.4 trillion to about $600 billion, mainly due to funding pressures. Stargate, proposed in 2025, has progressed slowly and failed to secure large-scale financing. OpenAI has exited Texas expansion talks and partnered with SoftBank for energy and facility development, leasing compute resources long-term. The company is shifting to Nvidia’s Vera Rubin platform, aiming for gigawatt-scale capacity by late 2026.
- China’s 14th Five-Year Plan: Implement national blockchain network construction and participate in digital currency governance
The full text of China’s 14th Five-Year Plan has been released. It emphasizes building modern infrastructure, proactively developing new infrastructure, and implementing a national blockchain network project. The plan aims to strengthen the digital economy, develop next-gen communications, cloud computing, and blockchain industries, and create globally competitive digital industry clusters. On the international front, it advocates active participation in AI, digital currency, and cross-border data governance, reaching consensus on data security, privacy, and cross-border law enforcement. It also promotes steady development of digital RMB and accelerating Shanghai’s status as an international financial hub.
