Industry News

Tracks company news, strategic changes, funding activities, and personnel adjustments across the blockchain and crypto industries, delivering a full-spectrum industry overview for our users.

Pharos Network Partners with Circle to Promote the Construction of an Open and Inclusive Global RealFi Settlement System

Pharos Network, a financial-grade Layer1 blockchain, has announced the integration of USDC and Circle's Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol (CCTP) into its mainnet, The Pacific Ocean. This move introduces institutional-grade stablecoin settlement capabilities and enables seamless cross-chain liquidity across more than 20 supported blockchains. USDC, a fully reserved and transparent dollar-backed stablecoin, will serve as a core asset for real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, DeFi trading, lending, and global payments. By eliminating the need for third-party bridges or wrapped assets, CCTP enhances security and capital efficiency. The integration allows developers to build lending markets, structured products, and global payment networks on Pharos Network. It also gain access to compliant on-chain RWA markets, while users benefit from broader real-world financial opportunities. Additionally, Pharos Network has launched a $10 million ecosystem incubation program to support native application development. The foundation aims to build an open, transparent, and inclusive global RealFi settlement infrastructure, facilitating the flow of institutional-grade assets on-chain.

marsbit03/27 12:07

Pharos Network Partners with Circle to Promote the Construction of an Open and Inclusive Global RealFi Settlement System

marsbit03/27 12:07

Bitcoin Mining Companies Accelerate Departure from the Mining Era, MARA Massively Sells Coins to Dive into AI

Bitcoin mining company Marathon Digital (MARA) is accelerating its pivot away from cryptocurrency mining, selling a significant portion of its bitcoin holdings to fund a strategic expansion into AI and high-performance computing (HPC). Between March 4 and March 25, MARA sold 15,133 BTC for approximately $1.1 billion. The proceeds are intended to strengthen its balance sheet and provide flexibility for its new strategic focus on digital energy and AI/HPC infrastructure. This move reflects growing financial pressure within the mining sector, where profitability has sharply declined due to low hash prices and high operational costs. The company's CEO, Fred Thiel, had previously signaled this shift, stating the goal that 50% of revenue should eventually come from non-Bitcoin mining operations. MARA is repurposing its existing infrastructure—land, power resources, and data centers—originally built for mining to serve AI cloud clients. This transition is part of a broader industry trend, with major miners like Bitdeer and Core Scientific also moving into AI. Analysts note that mining industry valuations are diverging: companies with AI/HPC contracts trade at significantly higher revenue multiples than pure-play miners. With rising transformation costs, selling bitcoin reserves has become a necessary step for miners to survive increasing competition and fund their entry into the AI infrastructure race.

marsbit03/27 12:02

Bitcoin Mining Companies Accelerate Departure from the Mining Era, MARA Massively Sells Coins to Dive into AI

marsbit03/27 12:02

The Midfield Battle of Perp DEX: The Declining, The Self-Rescuers, and The Latecomers

The article "Perp DEX Midfield Battle: The Declining, The Self-Rescuers, and The Newcomers" discusses the shifting landscape of decentralized perpetual exchanges (Perp DEX). Hyperliquid saw a weekly trading volume of approximately $15 billion, driven largely by commodity contracts like crude oil, gold, and silver amid geopolitical tensions and market volatility. Meanwhile, GMX Labs is hiring a CEO, moving away from its founder-driven model, and dYdX's market share dropped from 73% in early 2023 to single digits by late 2024. The decline of GMX and dYdX is attributed to several factors: reliance on token incentives that inflated trading volumes artificially, architectural limitations (e.g., GMX's liquidity pool model capping open interest, dYdX's costly migration to Cosmos), and misjudging key competitive factors like performance and market maker density. Hyperliquid, in contrast, grew slowly without VC backing or token incentives. It built its own L1 chain with a fully on-chain order book, focusing on transparency to attract market makers. It strategically expanded into traditional assets only after establishing a robust ecosystem, enabling it to capture demand during events like the Iran crisis. It now leads with ~54% of open interest among top Perp DEXs, ahead of Aster (~15%). The article concludes that the first generation of Perp DEXs is transitioning to professional management, while new opportunities lie in replacing traditional financial infrastructure, as Hyperliquid demonstrates by handling real-world demand.

marsbit03/27 09:31

The Midfield Battle of Perp DEX: The Declining, The Self-Rescuers, and The Latecomers

marsbit03/27 09:31

RWA Weekly: Compromise on Crypto Market Structure Bill Sparks Industry Divisions; Three Major Traditional Exchanges Develop Tokenization Products

RWA Weekly Digest: March 21–27, 2026 The RWA sector saw steady growth, with total on-chain market cap reaching $26.6 billion (+4.73% MoM) and holder count rising to 694k (+6.07% MoM). Stablecoin market cap remained stable at ~$3 trillion, though transaction volume and active addresses declined, indicating more holding than trading activity. Key regulatory developments included a U.S. crypto market structure bill compromise on stablecoin yield provisions, causing division within the industry, and Delaware’s proposed legislation to bring stablecoins under banking supervision. Major exchanges and institutions advanced tokenization: NYSE partnered with Securitize; Nasdaq collaborated with Talos; CME and Bank of Montreal launched tokenized cash settlement services. Franklin Templeton and Ondo introduced a 24/7 tradable tokenized ETF, while Invesco acquired Superstate’s $900M on-chain treasury fund. Ecosystem developments included Circle integrating USDC into Africa’s Sasai network, USDT₀ expanding to Tempo blockchain, and Ripple testing RLUSD for automated cross-border trade settlements in Singapore. Financings included XFX raising $17M for fiat-stablecoin FX infrastructure and Payy securing $6M for private stablecoin payments. Reports highlighted concerns from the FSB on dollar stablecoin risks in emerging markets and Electric Capital’s analysis showing only 34 RWA assets exceed $50M in on-chain size, with AI infrastructure spending poised to drive future growth.

marsbit03/27 09:07

RWA Weekly: Compromise on Crypto Market Structure Bill Sparks Industry Divisions; Three Major Traditional Exchanges Develop Tokenization Products

marsbit03/27 09:07

From Speculation to Utility: Why AI and Stablecoins Remain Unfazed by the Bear Market?

Despite the overall downturn in the cryptocurrency market in 2026, the AI and stablecoin sectors have outperformed, showing resilience and continued adoption. While Bitcoin price dropped by 18.5% and the total crypto market cap fell to $2.42 trillion, these two areas recorded significant growth in usage and market activity. Key data highlights include: - The AI token sector declined by only 14% in Q1 2026, the smallest drop among major categories. - Stablecoin total market cap reached a record $3.2 trillion, with monthly trading volume hitting $1.8 trillion in February 2026, also a historic high. USDC supply grew by 220% since November 2023, reaching $78 billion, while ChatGPT’s weekly active users increased tenfold to 900 million during the same period. Tether’s USDT remains the leading stablecoin with a $184 billion market cap. The convergence of AI and stablecoins is driven by structural trends: AI requires fast, low-cost payment systems, and stablecoins serve as ideal “internet money.” Both sectors benefit from real-world utility beyond speculation—AI enhances productivity and security, while stablecoins provide efficient global dollar distribution and settlement infrastructure. This shift reflects a broader market transition from speculation to practical, infrastructure-focused applications, positioning AI and stablecoins for sustained growth.

marsbit03/27 09:04

From Speculation to Utility: Why AI and Stablecoins Remain Unfazed by the Bear Market?

marsbit03/27 09:04

BIT Makes First Appearance After Brand Upgrade, Hosts 'Trust in Digital Finance' Industry Event in Singapore

BIT (formerly Matrixport) held its first industry event, "Trust in Digital Finance," in Singapore on March 27, 2026, following its recent rebranding. The event brought together global financial institutions and digital asset industry representatives to discuss governance standards, compliance frameworks, and operational infrastructure as the sector becomes increasingly institutionalized. Cynthia Wu, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer, highlighted the approval of U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs in early 2024 as a key turning point, attracting more mainstream institutional capital. This has elevated requirements for platforms and infrastructure, making custody architecture, compliance, and operational transparency essential rather than optional. Chief Brand Officer Wendy Sun explained that the rebrand to BIT—which stands for "Bridge Into Tomorrow," "Build on Integrity and Trust," and "Build It Together"—reflects the group’s vision to advance digital finance infrastructure collaboratively and trustworthily. Discussions also centered on BIT’s recently published Trust Whitepaper, which outlines a trust framework covering risk governance, multi-jurisdictional compliance, custody security, and independent auditing. Cactus Custody CEO Daniel Lee and Chief Compliance Officer Christopher Liu elaborated on its practical implementation, including SOC audits and ISO certifications. BIT, headquartered in Singapore, is a global digital asset financial services group with over $6 billion in assets under management and a valuation exceeding $1 billion. It holds regulatory licenses in multiple jurisdictions, including Singapore, Hong Kong, Switzerland, the UK, the U.S., and Bhutan.

marsbit03/27 08:12

A 140% Surge in Valuation in One Year: Who's Writing Checks for Defense AI?

In March 2026, military AI company Shield AI raised $2 billion in funding round, led by Advent International and J.P. Morgan, with additional participation from Blackstone. Its valuation surged 140% to $12.7 billion within a year. Similarly, competitor Anduril is reportedly seeking new funding at a $60 billion valuation. Both companies have seen valuations grow fourfold in just over two years, far outpacing revenue growth, indicating that the market is pricing them based on future platform potential rather than current earnings. This trend is mirrored in the public market, where Palantir’s market cap grew to over $420 billion by late 2025. Shield AI’s products include the MQ-35 V-BAT drone and the upcoming X-BAT autonomous fighter, while its Hivemind AI engine was selected by the U.S. Air Force for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. A key driver is the structural shift in defense tech funding. Private equity firms like Advent, KKR, and Carlyle are increasingly investing in long-term defense infrastructure, moving beyond traditional venture capital. In 2025, global defense tech VC deals reached $49.1 billion, with 87% going to late-stage companies. The U.S. Department of Defense’s FY2026 budget request allocated $13.4 billion specifically for AI and autonomous systems, with $9.4 billion dedicated to aerial drones—directly aligning with Shield AI and Anduril’s offerings. This clear demand signal, combined with institutional capital moving into defense infrastructure, marks a shift from speculative investment to asset-level allocation in the defense AI sector.

marsbit03/27 07:52

A 140% Surge in Valuation in One Year: Who's Writing Checks for Defense AI?

marsbit03/27 07:52

Coinbase Partners with Fannie Mae to Make Crypto Assets a Real 'Down Payment' for Home Purchases

Coinbase has partnered with Better Home & Finance to launch a bitcoin-backed mortgage program supported by Fannie Mae, integrating digital assets into the traditional housing finance system. The product allows eligible borrowers to use Bitcoin or USDC as collateral for down payments without selling their holdings, avoiding potential capital gains taxes while maintaining market exposure. The mortgage is structured as a compliant loan product with standards aligned to traditional Fannie Mae-backed loans. Better originates and services the loans, while Coinbase provides custody and infrastructure support for the crypto assets. The initiative aims to address the barrier of upfront down payment funds, particularly for the 41% of U.S. households that lack sufficient liquid assets despite holding other forms of wealth. Unlike traditional crypto-backed loans, this product minimizes volatility risk for borrowers—no margin calls or additional collateral are required due to price fluctuations. Collateral is only at risk if the borrower is at least 60 days delinquent on mortgage payments. Interest rates are expected to be 0.5 to 1.5 percentage points higher than standard 30-year mortgages. The product reflects shifting wealth patterns, especially among younger Americans—45% of young investors hold crypto, compared to 18% of older adults. It also introduces features like yield generation on USDC holdings to offset mortgage costs. Future plans may include expanding eligible collateral to tokenized stocks, fixed-income products, and real estate assets. Fannie Mae’s involvement signals a move toward broader adoption, positioning digital assets as part of mainstream financial infrastructure.

marsbit03/27 07:44

Coinbase Partners with Fannie Mae to Make Crypto Assets a Real 'Down Payment' for Home Purchases

marsbit03/27 07:44

25% Of Institutions Plan To Add XRP In 2026: Coinbase Survey

According to a Coinbase and EY-Parthenon survey of 351 institutional decision-makers, 25% plan to add XRP to their portfolios in 2026, highlighting a broader shift into altcoins beyond just Bitcoin and Ethereum. The survey, conducted in January 2026, reveals that 73% of institutions intend to increase their digital asset allocations, with 74% expecting crypto prices to rise. While Bitcoin and Ethereum remain dominant, other assets like Solana, Chainlink, and XRP are gaining traction. The data also shows a trend toward larger portfolio allocations, with regulated vehicles like ETFs being the preferred access method. Key drivers for increased adoption include greater regulatory clarity and improved institutional infrastructure. At the time of reporting, XRP traded at $1.37.

bitcoinist03/27 06:02

25% Of Institutions Plan To Add XRP In 2026: Coinbase Survey

bitcoinist03/27 06:02

AI Read '1984' and Decided to Ban It

A UK secondary school in Manchester used AI to review its library, resulting in a list of 193 books recommended for removal—including George Orwell’s *1984*—due to themes like torture, violence, and sexual coercion. The librarian who resisted the AI’s recommendations was forced to resign after the school reported her for violating child safety procedures. The school later admitted the decisions were AI-generated but deemed them “broadly accurate.” In the same week, Wikipedia voted to ban the use of AI for generating or rewriting content, citing concerns over factual accuracy, the risk of AI “poisoning” its own training data, and the inability of human editors to verify AI-generated content at scale. Meanwhile, OpenAI indefinitely delayed the release of an “adult mode” for ChatGPT, which would have allowed age-verified users to engage in erotic conversations. Internal advisors warned of risks including unhealthy emotional dependency and minors bypassing verification. These events highlight a growing tension: AI can produce content faster than humans can evaluate it, leading institutions to adopt quick—often poorly considered—solutions. The lack of coherent global standards and the widening gap between AI output and human oversight raise urgent questions about who should control what AI decides—and who is accountable when it gets it wrong.

marsbit03/27 05:33