Crypto markets remain fragile, with sentiment near historic lows and Bitcoin struggling to regain strong momentum. Retail optimism has faded, network activity is slowing, and investors remain cautious after the sector erased much of its post-election gains.
Yet beneath the surface, major structural shifts continue. Ethereum is preparing critical upgrades, Aave’s tokenized asset market has surged past $1 billion, and institutional players are quietly increasing exposure to select crypto-linked assets.
Fear still dominates headlines, but key developments suggest the next phase of the market is already taking shape.
Read the full recap to see what’s really changing behind the scenes.
BGD Labs to End Technical Role With Aave After Three Years
BGD Labs, Aave’s main technical partner since 2022, will stop contributing to the protocol on April 1, 2026, when its current contract ends. The firm played a central role in developing upgrades, maintaining infrastructure, and coordinating security. BGD said it will shift focus to its own projects. Aave will now depend on existing contributors or new providers to handle future development, maintenance, and security responsibilities.
Institutional Buying and Ethereum Exposure Boost BitMine Outlook
BitMine stock has fallen sharply from $160 to around $20, but major Wall Street firms, including Morgan Stanley, ARK Invest, BlackRock, and Goldman Sachs, have been increasing their holdings. The company also owns over 4.37 million ETH, linking its performance closely to Ethereum. Technical indicators, including a falling wedge and bullish momentum signals, suggest the stock could rebound toward higher resistance levels if crypto markets recover.
Injective Climbs After Pineapple Adds $2M to INJ Treasury
Injective (INJ) rose over 11% this week after investment firm Pineapple added $2 million worth of tokens to its treasury, reinforcing ongoing accumulation plans. The buying helped push INJ toward the $3.30 range, where it has since stabilized. Pineapple has already accumulated millions in INJ and plans further purchases, signaling continued institutional support. Despite the rally, technical indicators remain neutral, with the token trading in a tight range.
Aave’s Horizon Platform Surpasses $1 Billion in Tokenized Asset Deposits
Aave’s Horizon marketplace has crossed $1 billion in real-world asset deposits, doubling since January and marking a major milestone for decentralized lending. The growth strengthens Aave’s revenue outlook and treasury, which generated $142 million in 2025. Investors are also watching a potential Grayscale ETF and Aave V4 development. The AAVE token trades near $123, holding key support while facing resistance around $135–$140.
Ethereum Sets 2026 Roadmap Focused on Scaling, UX, and Security
The Ethereum Foundation has outlined its 2026 protocol priorities, centered on three goals: scaling the network, improving user experience, and strengthening core security. Planned upgrades, including Glamsterdam and Hegotá, will increase throughput, expand rollup capacity, and introduce native smart accounts. The roadmap also targets post-quantum security and censorship resistance, aiming to make Ethereum faster, safer, and easier to use while accelerating the path from research to deployment.
Elizabeth Warren Pushes Fed, Treasury to Rule Out Crypto Bailouts
Senator Elizabeth Warren urged the U.S. Treasury and Federal Reserve to confirm they will not use taxpayer funds to support crypto markets during downturns. Her request follows Bitcoin’s sharp decline, forced liquidations, and major investor losses. Warren warned that government intervention could protect private investors at public expense and called for clearer limits on federal involvement in cryptocurrency markets.
WLFI Surges 21% as Trading Volume Spikes Ahead of World Liberty Forum
World Liberty Financial (WLFI) jumped more than 21% to about $0.124 as trading activity surged ahead of the World Liberty Forum at Mar-a-Lago. Daily volume rose by more than 340%, while roughly $33.7 million in tokens were withdrawn from Binance, tightening supply. Investor interest also grew around its planned World Swap remittance platform, positioning WLFI as a player in cross-border payments and financial infrastructure.
Cardano Slides 75% From Peak as Weak Demand and Metrics Weigh on ADA
Cardano’s ADA token has dropped to about $0.28, down roughly 75% from its December 2024 high, as bearish technical signals and fading demand continue to pressure the price. Key indicators suggest the downtrend is strengthening, with analysts watching for potential support near $0.23. Network activity remains weak, with limited DeFi growth and declining futures interest. Without strong new catalysts, ADA faces continued downside risk in the near term.
CFTC Asserts Federal Control Over U.S. Prediction Markets
The CFTC says it alone has authority to regulate prediction markets in the U.S., arguing event contracts qualify as commodity derivatives, not gambling. The agency filed a court brief backing Crypto.com and others against Nevada’s restrictions. Chairman Michael Selig warned that states cannot override federal law. The outcome could determine whether prediction markets remain federally regulated or face state-level bans.
Stellar Adds Native Zero-Knowledge Proof Verification to Smart Contracts
Stellar has introduced native zero-knowledge proof verification in its Soroban smart contracts, allowing developers to confirm complex computations on-chain without exposing sensitive data. The upgrade uses Groth16 zk-SNARKs and BN254 cryptography, enabling faster and cheaper proof validation. This lets apps handle heavy processing off-chain while submitting only proofs. The change opens the door to private payments, confidential financial applications, and easier migration of Ethereum-based privacy and scaling tools to Stellar.
Tesla Stock Signals Downside Risk as EV Slowdown and AI Pivot Raise Concerns
Tesla’s stock has fallen from $500 to about $417, forming bearish chart patterns that suggest further downside if key support near $390 breaks. The drop comes as automotive revenue declined 11%, reflecting slowing vehicle demand and stronger competition. While Tesla is shifting toward AI, robotics, and robotaxis, uncertainty around their profitability and high valuation is raising doubts about the company’s near-term growth outlook.
Extreme Fear Signals Potential Altcoin Season Ahead
Crypto market sentiment remains deeply bearish, with the Fear and Greed Index stuck at 13, signaling extreme fear, while the Altcoin Season Index sits at 31, showing Bitcoin still dominates. Historically, such fear levels have preceded major rebounds. Analysts note similar conditions before recent rallies, suggesting altcoins and Bitcoin could recover in the coming weeks, despite ongoing price weakness and cautious forecasts.
