CryptoCity

The European Central Bank has launched a digital euro technology recruitment initiative, with a focus on developing implementation standards for ATMs and payment terminals, and establishing an authentication framework. The project plans for a pilot in 2027 and issuance in 2029, aimed at strengthening monetary sovereignty, addressing the challenges posed by private stablecoins, and ensuring that the digital euro has universal applicability and convenience.

SBI VC Trade announced the launch of USDC lending services starting March 19, 2026, with an annualized interest rate of up to 10%. This is Japan's first stablecoin lending service, designed to apply digital dollars to yield generation, while emphasizing that users need to bear platform risk. The service complies with Japan's stablecoin legal framework, symbolizing a further increase in the legitimacy and adoption of stablecoins in the local market.

MLB has reached an exclusive partnership with blockchain prediction market Polymarket, gaining rights to access league data and signing a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission to maintain game integrity. The collaboration comes in response to a pitcher bribery scandal at the league last year. Despite the growing popularity of prediction markets, which has raised concerns about ethics and insider trading, U.S. lawmakers have pushed forward with relevant regulatory legislation.

South Korea's financial sector is reviewing the current T+2 settlement system. President Lee Jae-myung raised questions about instant settlement, prompting the exchange to mention for the first time the potential application of blockchain technology. As global markets evolve toward shorter settlement cycles, blockchain and asset tokenization are viewed as potential solutions to improve trading efficiency, which may drive South Korea's capital markets toward T+0 transformation.

Citigroup has lowered its 12-month target prices for Bitcoin and Ethereum mainly due to delays in U.S. cryptocurrency legislation and increased macroeconomic uncertainty, indicating a cautious market attitude toward the medium-term outlook for crypto assets. After the revision, the target price for Bitcoin is now $112,000, and for Ethereum, $3,175. In the short term, the market may trade within a range amid ongoing uncertainty, and regulatory clarity may take longer to emerge.

Middle East conflicts impact the Strait of Hormuz, causing gold to fall for seven consecutive days and silver to plummet sharply. Bitcoin pulls back from highs but remains relatively resilient, with experts advising investors to exercise caution. Europe and Japan issue joint statements defending the shipping lanes, while Qatar's natural gas facilities come under attack, signaling a long-term rise in energy prices that may trigger global inflation concerns.

Amundi launches SAFO tokenized fund, combining Ethereum, Stellar, and Chainlink, focusing on corporate liquidity and collateral management. The fund starts with $100 million in capital, offering multiple currencies, and emphasizing real-time settlement and transparency. As the RWA market expands rapidly, Amundi's move marks tokenized finance gradually becoming mainstream, with enterprises incorporating blockchain into financial operations.

A 20-year-old South Korean woman, Kim So-young, is suspected of poisoning multiple men with a mixture of drugs and alcohol at a motel, resulting in at least 2 deaths and 4 injuries. Before committing the crimes, she consulted ChatGPT about the risks of drug interactions and ignored its fatal warnings, sparking controversy over tech ethics. Police have confirmed 6 victims, and Kim So-young's psychological evaluation shows she poses a high risk. This incident highlights the dual nature of technology tools, which can both facilitate crime and be used to maintain public order.

The Korean National Police Agency is developing new digital asset seizure guidelines that for the first time incorporate management of privacy coins and software wallets, aiming to improve the digital asset management system. The new guidelines are designed to enhance professional management of privacy coins and address recent asset custody vulnerabilities. According to reports, the total value of digital assets seized over the past five years reaches approximately 54.5 billion Korean won. The police department plans to select private custodian institutions in the first half of 2026 and establish a more comprehensive digital asset security governance framework.

Nvidia's DLSS 5 technology demonstration has sparked negative feedback from players, who believe it damages the visual art style of games and even refuse to use it. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang responded by saying that developers can adjust the effects of the generative AI, but some employees at Capcom and Ubisoft stated they were completely unaware of the technology demonstration. Despite the criticism, Epic Games and some experts still support DLSS 5, believing it offers significant improvements in lighting and shadow effects. However, there are concerns that this technology could replace traditional creative methods.

Former Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy Coberg was sentenced to 63 months in prison and ordered to pay $127,000 in restitution for assisting cryptocurrency fraud perpetrator Iza in extortion and false arrest schemes. Coberg allegedly participated in extorting victims and orchestrated a setup to lure him to Los Angeles for arrest, abusing his authority and public power in the process. The case was investigated by the FBI and the Internal Revenue Service.

Moody's Launches Token Integration Engine, Becoming the First Institution to Bring Credit Rating Data to Blockchain, Enhancing Transparency and Efficiency in Digital Finance. Simultaneously Released Stablecoin Rating Methodology, Focusing on Reserve Asset Quality, to Achieve Diversified Credit Ratings and Strengthen Market Trust.

The Federal Reserve kept interest rates steady at 3.5% to 3.75%, with Powell emphasizing that future monetary policy will be highly flexible. GDP growth for 2023 is forecasted at 2.4%, but inflation pressures and Middle East tensions still require attention. The labor market remains stable but lacks strong growth, and overall economic activity continues to expand steadily.