Gate Cryptocurrency News and Market Analysis

Oil Prices Break Above 105 USD: Is Bitcoin at Risk of Dropping Again? The rising momentum of oil prices to a 3-year high is drawing special attention from digital asset investors, because history shows that whenever energy becomes more expensive, Bitcoin often does not react positively. The 105 USD per barrel mark for WTI oil on the day

On the decentralized sustainable derivatives exchange Hyperliquid, a whale trader opened a leveraged short Bitcoin position worth $53.0 million, with a liquidation price of $80,630. At the same time, the trader also holds short positions in silver and multiple altcoins, as well as a long position in Brent crude oil, reflecting its bearish outlook on the current market. Geopolitics, regulatory uncertainty, and the upcoming employment data make up the threefold pressure weighing on this week’s market.

Square announced that it will automatically enable Bitcoin payment functionality for millions of small businesses in the United States, with transactions converted to USD in real time. Merchants do not need to configure it proactively, and they can do so without fees through the end of 2026. The industry compares it to the connection of TCP/IP and the internet, suggesting that Bitcoin’s adoption in financial infrastructure will become widespread and could change the role of payment rails.

Square, the payments subsidiary of Block, began automatically enabling Bitcoin payments for eligible US small businesses on March 31, 2026, shifting from an opt-in to an opt-out model that integrates cryptocurrency acceptance directly into existing payment systems for approximately 4 million merchants.

U.S. spot crypto ETFs saw outflows in the last week of March, with combined outflows from Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs totaling about $503 million. Although Bitcoin ETFs had net inflows for four weeks, they turned to redemptions this week, mainly due to worsening market sentiment. Ethereum ETFs continued to see outflows, but BlackRock’s ETHB recorded net inflows thanks to its staking feature, indicating institutional interest in yield-generating products. XRP ETFs moved slightly higher against the trend, but this was still not enough to signal a shift in the market toward altcoins.

Strategy Inc.'s recent SEC filing indicates no bitcoin purchases or equity sales, emphasizing disciplined capital management while highlighting the stability and yield of its digital asset holdings.

Bitcoin rebounds in the short term to $67,660, and a U.S. senator proposes the “U.S. Mining Act,” aiming to establish a strategic Bitcoin reserve. Bitmine re-stakes 167,500 ETH, bringing its total staked amount to nearly 3.31 million ETH. With market volatility, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq indices fell. Analysts say short-term market sentiment is sluggish, and rising oil prices are affecting the BTC price.

Charles Hoskinson, founder of Cardano, launched the Midnight blockchain on March 31, 2026, a privacy-focused network designed to address what he described as crypto’s core design flaws in usability, data exposure, and complexity.

The National Football League (NFL) requires prediction market platforms to cease offering contracts that are easily manipulated and emphasizes that these contracts lack randomness, which could constitute insider trading. The CFTC chair stated that it will respect each league’s views and that the regulatory landscape may change. Additionally, the NFL and MLB have adopted different strategies—adversarial and cooperative—when dealing with prediction markets, reflecting different perspectives among professional sports organizations regarding regulation.

The U.S. Department of Labor proposes new regulations, aiming to make it easier for 401(k) retirement plans to include alternative assets such as cryptocurrencies to reflect the modern investment landscape. Supporters believe this move can increase portfolio diversification, while opponents worry it could harm wage earners. The rules are still in the public comment phase and the final form has not yet been determined.

The primary cryptocurrency has experienced significant volatility lately, mainly due to the geopolitical tension caused by the war in the Middle East. One popular analyst described the current price area as a “no-trade zone,” arguing that a clear move in either direction will depend on how BTC

Next week will see significant crypto token unlocks, led by Sui ($SUI) unlocking $47.19M in tokens. Other notable unlocks include Definitive ($EDGE) and Audiera ($BEAT), impacting market caps and token supplies across various projects.

Bitcoin rebounded to above $67,000 on March 31, mainly driven by signals from U.S.-Iran diplomacy and the Federal Reserve’s decision to keep interest rates unchanged. Market sentiment temporarily improved, but Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the lack of direct negotiations could limit the rebound. The potential impact of the Strait of Hormuz toll bill on supply chains is pushing up oil prices and putting pressure on the market; it’s important to closely monitor future price movements.

Two US senators have introduced the Mined in America Act to promote domestic Bitcoin mining by creating a certification for facilities and phasing out foreign-made equipment. This seeks to enhance US manufacturing and codify a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.

_RedotPay secures ISO 27001 certification, strengthening crypto security, compliance, and stablecoin payment trust._ RedotPay has secured ISO/IEC 27001 certification, marking a major security milestone for the crypto payments firm.  The company shared the update through its official social media c

A key misunderstanding around XRP is being clarified in a way that reframes its upside, showing that higher prices can enhance payment efficiency, strengthen liquidity dynamics, and position the asset more competitively for large-scale global transactions. XRP Price Efficiency Liquidity

It could be more than a year before Bitcoin regains its all-time high of $126,100, recorded in October last year, according to veteran trader Peter Brandt. “I do not see a new price high in 2026,” Brandt told Cointelegraph. “Not until maybe the second quarter of 2027,” he said, though he also

Although bitcoin has already dumped by over 50% from its all-time high of over $126,000 marked in October to a multi-year low of $60,000, the asset’s troubles might not be over, warned Merlijn The Trader. The popular analyst indicated that the “most dangerous bitcoin pattern just completed phase