Strategy Watch #2

insights.glassnodePubblicato 2026-03-24Pubblicato ultima volta 2026-03-24

Introduzione

Strategy Watch #2 provides institutional analysis of digital asset fund performance and allocation trends. The report covers six key areas: institutional capital flows, fund performance, macro strategies, on-chain vault returns, manager sentiment, and allocation updates. In February and early March, Bitcoin and Ethereum saw significant net outflows (-$9.6B and -$3.2B respectively), while stablecoins attracted inflows (+$6.2B), suggesting a defensive shift toward lower-risk assets. BTC ETF flows turned positive in March, though institutional conviction remains cautious. DeFi Total Value Locked (TVL) on Ethereum declined sharply, with peak outflows of -$23.7B in February, indicating reduced participation in on-chain yield strategies. CME basis yields continued to tighten, reflecting lower institutional leverage and softer derivatives demand. The report also highlights performance trends, with only one strategy type generating positive returns in February. Over 300 managers shared their three-month market outlook, and a new $750M fund of funds was announced.

The full report is freely available in PDF format.

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Welcome to Strategy Watch #2

Strategy Watch was built to address a clear demand for high-signal, impartial analysis of fund-level performance and allocation trends in digital assets.

The inaugural edition confirmed this demand, reaching a broad audience of key decision makers, from leading global asset managers, hedge funds, major investment banks, top-tier crypto-native funds and Fund of Funds.

Building on this early momentum, our objective is straightforward — to make Strategy Watch a must-read monthly publication for the digital asset investment community.

This publication is strengthened by direct input from market participants. Funds and allocators that contribute data and insights help shape a more complete and valuable view of the landscape.

If you have insights, data, or allocation updates worth sharing, we welcome your contribution.

Present your latest initiatives and updates to a curated audience of institutional allocators.

Share updates ↗

Inside the Latest Strategy Watch

The report is structured across six core sections, each focused on a distinct dimension of institutional activity in digital assets:

01 Institutional Flow Monitor |

02 Fund and SMA Performance | February was a bloodbath, check this section to see the only strategy type that returned positively last month.

03 Strategy Deep Dive: Macro Strategies | Hear firsthand from a macro portfolio manager on how they are navigating the current geopolitical challenges. 

04 On-chain Vault Performance | Are ETH curators underperforming ETH staking yield?

05 Manager Monitor | Find out how more than 300 managers are expecting the crypto market to perform over the next three months.

06 Allocation Updates | New USD 750m Fund of Funds is launching. Check this section to learn more.

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Institutional Flow Monitor

Capital flows into BTC and ETH remained deeply negative through February and into March, with stablecoins turning net positive in early March as investors rotated toward lower-risk positioning.

Bitcoin and Ethereum continued to experience sustained net outflows, with BTC and ETH capital flows registering -$9.6B and -$3.2B. However, stablecoins broke from the broader negative trend, flipping to +$6.2B in net inflows. Rather than signaling a broad return of risk appetite, this rotation likely reflects a defensive repositioning, with capital migrating into dollar-denominated on-chain instruments while conviction in spot crypto assets remains under pressure heading into mid-Q1 2026.

ETF & DAT Net Flows

After sustained February outflows, BTC ETF and DAT flows returned to positive, while ETH institutional flows showed early signs of stabilization.

After sustained February outflows, Bitcoin ETF and DAT flows returned to positive territory, recovering to +28k BTC and +46.8k BTC respectively. Ethereum flows were more measured, with ETF flows near neutral at +46.5k ETH and DAT flows stabilizing at +295.8k ETH. While the directional shift is encouraging, the recovery remains early-stage and uneven, and it would be premature to characterize this as a broad resumption of institutional conviction.

DeFi TVL & Stablecoin Cap

DeFi TVL on Ethereum saw sharp contraction through February before showing early signs of stabilization in March, though the broader declining trend since August 2025 remains intact.

Total Value Locked on Ethereum recorded peak outflows of -$23.7B per month in February, implying sustained withdrawal by larger allocators from on-chain activities such as liquidity provisioning and yield strategies. This slowdown alone is insufficient to signal a reversal, and diminished conviction in DeFi risk-adjusted returns continues to point to shallower liquidity depth across the ecosystem.

CME Basis Yield

CME Basis Yield compressed even further in February, reinforcing waning incentives for market-neutral strategies compared to January.

The monthly dollar value captured by institutions via cash-and-carry trades declined notably for both Bitcoin and Ethereum, building on the sharp compression seen since August 2025. This tightening basis reflects reduced leverage deployment, softer futures demand, and continued pullback in balance-sheet commitment amid tighter liquidity conditions persisting from January into early March 2026.

Disclaimer: This report does not provide any investment advice. All data is provided for information and educational purposes only. No investment decision shall be based on the information provided here and you are solely responsible for your own investment decisions.
Exchange balances presented are derived from Glassnode’s comprehensive database of address labels, which are amassed through both officially published exchange information and proprietary clustering algorithms. While we strive to ensure the utmost accuracy in representing exchange balances, it is important to note that these figures might not always encapsulate the entirety of an exchange’s reserves, particularly when exchanges refrain from disclosing their official addresses. We urge users to exercise caution and discretion when utilizing these metrics. Glassnode shall not be held responsible for any discrepancies or potential inaccuracies. Please read our Transparency Notice when using exchange data.

Domande pertinenti

QWhat is the primary purpose of the Strategy Watch publication?

AStrategy Watch was built to address a clear demand for high-signal, impartial analysis of fund-level performance and allocation trends in digital assets, aiming to be a must-read monthly publication for the digital asset investment community.

QWhich was the only strategy type that returned positively in February according to the report?

AThe report indicates that readers should check the 'Fund and SMA Performance' section to see the only strategy type that returned positively in February, though the specific strategy name is not stated in the provided text.

QWhat was the trend in capital flows for Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) through February and into March?

ACapital flows into BTC and ETH remained deeply negative, with BTC and ETH capital flows registering -$9.6B and -$3.2B, respectively.

QHow did stablecoin capital flows behave in contrast to BTC and ETH in early March?

AStablecoins broke from the broader negative trend, flipping to +$6.2B in net inflows, which likely reflects a defensive repositioning into lower-risk, dollar-denominated on-chain instruments.

QWhat does the sharp compression in CME Basis Yield indicate about market conditions?

AThe compression in CME Basis Yield reflects reduced leverage deployment, softer futures demand, and a continued pullback in balance-sheet commitment amid tighter liquidity conditions, indicating waning incentives for market-neutral strategies.

Letture associate

Has Bitcoin Bottomed, or Is a 'Shakeout' Approaching? What's the Situation with XRP?

Cryptocurrency analytics platform Santiment shared key insights on Bitcoin and altcoin markets, highlighting significant signals from on-chain data. Analysis shows Bitcoin's 365-day MVRV ratio has fallen to -26%, indicating substantial losses for long-term holders, a level historically associated with market bottom formations and long-term buying opportunities. While short-term MVRV is near breakeven, suggesting no clear directional signal, the annual perspective points to a bottom before bullish cycles. On-chain data reveals divergent behavior: large wallets (10-10,000 BTC) have been accumulating, adding ~18,500 BTC in 10 days, while smaller retail investors continue buying dips. Analysts caution that high retail demand can sometimes create a risk of a final market shakeout or correction. The altcoin market shows a mixed picture. Ethereum's 365-day MVRV is around -33%, but recent monthly gains combined with overly optimistic social sentiment pose a short-term correction risk. XRP is in oversold territory with 30-day and 365-day MVRVs at -57.5% and -45.5% respectively, signaling potential for a strong mid-to-long term rebound. Social activity and optimism are rising for Solana, while investor sentiment remains calmer towards Cardano. Future direction for Bitcoin and altcoins depends not only on on-chain metrics but also on macroeconomic and regulatory developments. The Federal Reserve's interest rate decision and upcoming policy rulings are increasing market volatility expectations, while uncertainty around the U.S. Congressional clarity process continues to pressure pricing. *This is not investment advice.

cryptonews.ru10 min fa

Has Bitcoin Bottomed, or Is a 'Shakeout' Approaching? What's the Situation with XRP?

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Rumors Spread About Altcoin: Former Employees Speak Out

Rumors are circulating about the Solana-based meme launchpad Pump.fun allegedly conducting employee layoffs just before significant token unlocks. According to reports, the company began terminating employees around two months before their $PUMP tokens were scheduled to vest. At least one former employee reportedly lost tokens now valued at over $1 million. Internal documents suggest Pump.fun cited overly rapid growth as a reason for layoffs starting in early April. Terminated employees were offered severance, but the major loss stemmed from forfeiting their allocated $PUMP tokens per their agreements, which stipulated a four-year vesting schedule. A second wave of layoffs reportedly occurred in mid-July, with claims that some employees were dismissed just one day before their tokens unlocked. The total number of employees let go over two months is said to exceed 40. Pump.fun co-founders have not commented. Despite an approximate 79% drop from its 2025 peak, $PUMP retains substantial value. The platform itself has been highly profitable since late 2024, generating around $1.3 billion in total revenue and facilitating the creation of over 20.8 million tokens, with daily revenue reportedly still near $1 million.

cryptonews.ru47 min fa

Rumors Spread About Altcoin: Former Employees Speak Out

cryptonews.ru47 min fa

Ethereum Experiences a 43-Day Queue for Staking: But According to One Expert, This Is Not a True Bull Signal

A 43-day queue has formed for staking on Ethereum, with about 2.5 million ETH awaiting activation due to a surge in new validators. However, Thomas Brunner of Sygnum Bank cautions that this backlog should not be seen as a direct bullish signal. He explains it reflects institutional demand but is heavily influenced by Ethereum's protocol mechanics, like the post-Dencun daily validator activation limit of ~57,600 ETH, unchanged with the Pectra upgrade. Pectra allows topping up existing validators, but even small additions join the same activation queue as new stakers. Therefore, the queue comprises not just new investor demand but also restaking and reward compounding from existing participants. Brunner suggests a stronger positive signal is the nearly empty withdrawal queue, indicating current stakers are holding. He notes institutional interest persists despite ETH price weakness, viewing staking yield as a core feature, though privacy concerns over on-chain traceability remain a key barrier to faster institutional adoption.

cryptonews.ru1 h fa

Ethereum Experiences a 43-Day Queue for Staking: But According to One Expert, This Is Not a True Bull Signal

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Bank of Korea Reveals Results of Tokenized Deposit Testing

The Bank of Korea has announced the results of its pilot test for tokenized deposits. Involving 28 central banks and international financial organizations, the project saw participation from major South Korean banks including KB Kookmin Bank, NH NongHyup Bank, Shinhan Bank, Woori Bank, and Hana Bank. Transactions, from payment orders to final settlement, were completed in real time, averaging just 80 seconds. The test involved 30 transactions across 17 different scenarios—such as corporate and interbank transfers—and was conducted in six currencies, including the Korean won, US dollar, and euro, with a total transaction value reaching approximately $995,000. The central bank reported that the platform operated stably throughout, despite being only partially connected to the existing banking infrastructure. Settlements using tokenized deposits were executed seamlessly, quickly, and transparently. An internal transfer of 20 million won (about $13,890) between NH NongHyup Bank and Shinhan Bank was also successfully processed via the Project Agora platform, which involved connecting to the Bank of Korea's CBDC test platform, Project Hangang. Additionally, KB Kookmin Bank and Japan's MUFG Bank tested cross-border payments using these deposit tokens—digital certificates issued by commercial banks within the pilot, not directly by the central bank. The Bank of Korea plans to continue testing payments with tokenized deposits. This follows last year's pledge by South Korean authorities to tighten regulations for won-based stablecoins, which will require approval from both the central bank and the Financial Services Commission.

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Bank of Korea Reveals Results of Tokenized Deposit Testing

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Head of Major Miner Estimates AI Profitability Ten Times Higher Than Mining

The CEO of Canadian mining company HIVE Digital Technologies, Frank Holmes, stated that the company is accelerating its development in artificial intelligence (AI) computing. HIVE, one of the world's largest public bitcoin miners controlling about 2% of the global hashrate, expects its revenue share from AI to grow from approximately 10% to over 50% this year. Holmes highlighted the significant difference in profitability, noting that ASIC miners generate around $0.12–0.14 per hour, while a single Nvidia H100 GPU can earn nearly $2 per hour. Even older GPUs yield about $1.4 per hour, roughly ten times the revenue from mining hardware. Major miners like Riot Platforms, Cipher Digital, MARA, and TeraWulf are mitigating losses by shifting from cryptocurrency mining to supporting AI computations in their data centers or combining both activities. For instance, MARA Holdings recently purchased a $600 million site for AI and mining data centers. The company's CEO had previously warned that without at least a 50% annual increase in Bitcoin's price, the current mining model would become unprofitable. With the estimated cost to mine one Bitcoin around $78,000 for summer 2026 and Bitcoin's price remaining below that level for months, some miners have begun shutting down equipment as rising costs and network difficulty squeeze margins.

cryptonews.ru2 h fa

Head of Major Miner Estimates AI Profitability Ten Times Higher Than Mining

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