AI sector grows to $14.4B yet Bittensor fades – Will TAO revisit $165?

ambcryptoPublished on 2026-03-08Last updated on 2026-03-08

Abstract

The crypto AI sector's market cap grew from $12.76 billion to $14.42 billion over the past month. However, Bittensor (TAO) has struggled despite a brief rally in mid-February. After an unsuccessful attempt to reach $200 on March 7th, TAO faces bearish pressure. Data shows declining spot demand, negative funding rates, and increased selling pressure, with Open Interest rising 6% in 24 hours. TAO has been trading in a $165–$200 range since February, and current momentum suggests a move toward the $165 support level is likely. Traders may consider range-bound strategies, buying near $160 and selling near $200, until a breakout occurs.

The crypto AI sector tokens showed a relatively bullish performance over the past month. CoinMarketCap data showed that this sector’s market cap has grown from $12.76 billion to $14.42 billion in 30 days.

The performance was particularly noticeable in mid-February.

At that time, TAO rallied nearly 50% within five days, but was unable to keep hold of the gains. Its fortunes have turned since then, at least in the short-term.

TAO speculators expect continued losses

Coinalyze data revealed an Open Interest increase of 6% in the past 24 hours.

Most of these gains came when Bittensor [TAO] rallied toward $200 on Saturday, the 7th of March. This rally was not backed by sustained demand.

The Spot CVD has been in decline over the past week, and the Funding Rate was predominantly negative in March. Together, they highlighted the lack of demand and the overall short-term bearish market sentiment.

On top of the short-term bearishness, TAO has been trading within a range since mid-February. This range reached from $165 to $200.

At the time of writing, the momentum was bearish, and the OBV had slipped below a local support to indicate heightened selling pressure.

Combined with the Bitcoin [BTC] slide back below $70k, it is expected that TAO is headed toward the $165 range lows next.

Traders’ call to action- Use the range

The past month’s liquidation heatmap highlighted the range extremes as being the most obvious magnetic zones near the price. The $160 and $200 areas were places where trades can look to buy and sell, respectively.

It is true that the TAO longer-term trend is bearish. However, traders might benefit from trading the range until it breaks.


Final Summary

  • The attempted TAO rally to $200 on Saturday was quickly thwarted, and $165 seemed to be the next target.
  • The negative funding rates and falling spot CVD highlighted short-term bearishness.

Disclaimer: The information presented does not constitute financial, investment, trading, or other types of advice and is solely the writer’s opinion.

Related Questions

QWhat was the overall performance of the crypto AI sector's market cap over the past month according to CoinMarketCap?

AThe crypto AI sector's market cap grew from $12.76 billion to $14.42 billion over the past 30 days.

QWhat key price levels defined the trading range for Bittensor (TAO) since mid-February?

ATAO has been trading within a range from $165 to $200 since mid-February.

QWhat two metrics were used to highlight the lack of demand and bearish sentiment for TAO in March?

AThe negative Funding Rate and the declining Spot CVD (Cumulative Volume Delta) were used to highlight the lack of demand and bearish sentiment.

QAccording to the liquidation heatmap, what are the suggested buy and sell zones for TAO traders?

AThe liquidation heatmap suggested the $160 area as a buy zone and the $200 area as a sell zone.

QWhat was the primary reason the TAO rally to $200 on March 7th was unsuccessful?

AThe rally was not backed by sustained demand, as evidenced by the declining Spot CVD and negative funding rates.

Related Reads

In-Depth Report on the On-Chain Lending Market: When Off-Chain Credit Meets On-Chain Liquidation

The on-chain lending market has evolved from a peripheral DeFi niche into core financial infrastructure. As of early 2026, total value locked (TVL) in on-chain lending protocols has reached $64.3 billion, accounting for 53.54% of total DeFi TVL, making it the largest and most mature vertical within decentralized finance. Aave dominates the sector with approximately $32.9 billion in TVL, commanding nearly half of the market—a leadership position that is unlikely to be challenged in the foreseeable future. However, the path of on-chain lending forward is not without risk. Liquidation cascades, credit defaults, and cross-chain vulnerabilities remain systemic threats hanging over the industry. At the same time, a deeper structural transformation is underway: on-chain lending is shifting from a “leverage tool for crypto-native users” to a “compliant gateway for institutional capital”. The scale of RWA (Real World Asset) lending has surpassed $18.5 billion, with U.S. Treasuries and government securities increasingly serving as core collateral. Institutional capital inflows are reshaping both the user base and risk appetite of the sector. This report systematically analyzes the evolution of on-chain lending definitions, competitive dynamics, core risks, and future trends, providing a comprehensive industry outlook for investors and trade practitioners. Key findings suggest that the “one dominant player with several strong challengers” structure will persist in the short term, while fixed-rate lending, compliant collateral, and institutional credit underwriting will define the next phase of competition. For investors focused on DeFi infrastructure, three key opportunity tracks stand out, namely, the Aave ecosystem (Morpho, Spark), RWA lending protocols (Ondo, Maple) and fixed-rate innovation (Notional, Pendle).

HTX Learn39m ago

In-Depth Report on the On-Chain Lending Market: When Off-Chain Credit Meets On-Chain Liquidation

HTX Learn39m ago

Fu Peng's First Public Speech in 2026: What Exactly Are Crypto Assets? Why Did I Join the Crypto Asset Industry?

Fu Peng, a renowned macroeconomist and now Chief Economist at New火 Group, delivered his first public speech of 2026 at the Hong Kong Web3 Festival. He explained his perspective on crypto assets and why he joined the industry, framing it within the context of macroeconomic trends and financial evolution. Fu emphasized that crypto assets are transitioning from an early, belief-driven phase to a mature, institutionally integrated asset class. He drew parallels to the 1970s-80s, when technological advances (like computing) revolutionized traditional finance, leading to the rise of FICC (Fixed Income, Currencies, and Commodities). Similarly, current advancements in AI, data, and blockchain are reshaping finance, with crypto assets becoming part of a new "FICC + C" (C for Crypto) framework. He noted that institutional capital, including traditional hedge funds, avoided early crypto due to its speculative nature but are now engaging as regulatory clarity emerges (e.g., stablecoin laws, CFTC classifying crypto as a commodity). Fu predicted that 2025-2026 marks a turning point where crypto becomes a standardized, financially viable asset for diversified portfolios, akin to commodities or derivatives in traditional finance. Fu defined Bitcoin not as "digital gold" in a simplistic sense but as a value-preserving, financially tradable asset. He highlighted that crypto's future lies in regulated, institutional adoption, moving away from retail-dominated trading. His entry into crypto signals this maturation, where traditional finance integrates crypto into mainstream asset management.

marsbit1h ago

Fu Peng's First Public Speech in 2026: What Exactly Are Crypto Assets? Why Did I Join the Crypto Asset Industry?

marsbit1h ago

Justin Sun Sues Trump Family: What $75 Million Bought Was Only a Blacklist

Justin Sun, founder of Tron, has filed a lawsuit in federal court against World Liberty Financial (WLF), alleging he was made the "primary target of a fraudulent scheme" after investing $75 million. Sun claims the investment secured him an advisor title and WLFI tokens, which were later frozen by WLF, causing "hundreds of millions in losses." The dispute began in late 2024 when Sun's investment helped revive WLF's struggling token sale, which ultimately raised $550 million. Shortly after, the SEC dropped its lawsuit against Sun following Donald Trump's inauguration. However, relations soured when Sun refused WLF's demands for additional funding. In August 2025, WLF added a "blacklist" function to its smart contract, allowing it to unilaterally freeze tokens. Sun's holdings, worth approximately $107 million, were frozen, and he was threatened with token destruction. The lawsuit highlights WLF's structure, which directs 75% of token sale profits to the Trump family, who had earned $1 billion by December 2025. WLF's CEO is Zach Witkoff, son of U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. The project faces scrutiny for opaque operations, including a controversial loan arrangement on the Dolomite platform, co-founded by a WLF advisor. Despite Sun's history with the SEC, the case underscores centralization risks within DeFi, as WLF controls governance and holds powers to freeze assets arbitrarily. Sun's tokens remain frozen as legal proceedings begin.

marsbit1h ago

Justin Sun Sues Trump Family: What $75 Million Bought Was Only a Blacklist

marsbit1h ago

Trading

Spot
Futures

Hot Articles

Discussions

Welcome to the HTX Community. Here, you can stay informed about the latest platform developments and gain access to professional market insights. Users' opinions on the price of AI (AI) are presented below.

活动图片