The European Investment Bank (EIB) is providing support to venture capital firm Join Capital as it seeks to raise its third fund, which is focused on investments in defense companies. Bloomberg posted on X that this initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance investment in the defense sector. The fund aims to capitalize on emerging opportunities within the industry, reflecting a growing interest in defense-related ventures. Join Capital's efforts align with the EIB's objectives to foster innovation and growth in strategic sectors. This move underscores the increasing importance of defense investments in the current economic landscape.

Singaporeans may experience increased electricity costs if the shutdown at Qatar's major LNG export facility extends for a significant period. Bloomberg posted on X, highlighting concerns over the potential impact on energy prices in Singapore. The situation arises as the global energy market closely monitors developments at the Qatari plant, which plays a crucial role in LNG exports. The duration of the shutdown will be a key factor in determining the extent of any price changes for consumers in Singapore.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed concerns over the escalating tensions in the Middle East and their impact on Africa. According to Jin10, Ramaphosa noted that the situation has already begun to affect the continent, with supply chains under pressure and energy prices soaring. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is causing significant disruptions, which are being felt across various sectors in Africa. The rising energy costs are particularly concerning, as they could lead to broader economic challenges for the region. Ramaphosa's comments underscore the interconnectedness of global events and their far-reaching consequences.

Bitcoin payment application Strike has announced the launch of a new Bitcoin-backed credit line service on the X platform. According to ChainCatcher, this service allows users to borrow fiat currency in real-time for lightning payments or bill payments without selling their Bitcoin, thus providing cash flow liquidity. Initially, the service supports low-threshold lending and will be available in Georgia and Massachusetts, with plans to expand to more states across the United States.

U.S. spot XRP ETFs recorded a combined net inflow of $7.53 million on March 3, with the Bitwise XRP ETF accounting for the majority of new investments.The inflows signal continued investor interest in XRP exchange-traded products as institutional access to the cryptocurrency expands.Bitwise XRP ETF Leads Daily InflowsAccording to SoSoValue data, the Bitwise XRP ETF saw the largest inflow among XRP funds.Daily inflow: $6.08 millionHistorical cumulative inflows: $10.77 millionThe fund accounted for the majority of the day’s capital entering XRP-based exchange-traded products.Canary XRP ETF Adds Additional CapitalThe Canary XRP ETF (XRPC) recorded the second-largest inflow.Daily inflow: $1.45 millionHistorical cumulative inflows: $1.45 millionAlthough smaller in scale, the fund contributed to the positive net flows across the XRP ETF market.XRP ETF Market OverviewAs of the latest data:Total net asset value: $1.001 billionETF net asset ratio: 1.21% of XRP’s market capitalizationCumulative historical net inflows: $1.255 billionThe figures indicate that regulated XRP investment products are gradually gaining traction among institutional and professional investors.Institutional Access to XRP ExpandingThe steady inflows into XRP ETFs highlight growing demand for regulated exposure to the cryptocurrency market.Exchange-traded products allow investors to gain XRP exposure without directly holding the token, making them an increasingly popular vehicle for institutional participation in digital assets.

Bitcoin briefly touched $70,000 after rebounding from weekend volatility linked to U.S.–Israel strikes on Iran, while analysts say prolonged geopolitical tensions could trigger massive upside for BTC.Some market participants believe potential monetary stimulus tied to an extended conflict could accelerate Bitcoin’s next bull cycle.Bitcoin Rebounds Toward $70,000Bitcoin has rallied over the past 24 hours, briefly pushing above $70,000 before settling near $66,000–$68,000.The rebound followed a sharp drop after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran over the weekend.Despite the recovery, BTC remains roughly 50% below its October 2025 peak, and the cryptocurrency market has struggled to regain momentum so far in 2026.Trump Warns Iran Conflict Could EscalateDonald Trump warned that the military campaign against Iran could last longer than expected.Speaking to CNN, Trump said:“We haven’t even started hitting them hard. The big wave hasn’t even happened. The big one is coming soon.”He added that the conflict could extend beyond the originally expected four-week timeframe and may last significantly longer depending on developments on the ground.Analysts Say War Spending Could Trigger Bitcoin RallySome crypto analysts argue that a prolonged military campaign could lead to increased government spending and potential monetary expansion.Arthur Hayes, founder of Maelstrom and former CEO of BitMEX, suggested that large-scale government spending could push the Federal Reserve toward looser monetary policy.According to Hayes:War spending could increase pressure for rate cuts or liquidity injectionsMonetary expansion could weaken the U.S. dollarBitcoin could benefit as a scarce alternative assetHayes believes investors should aggressively accumulate Bitcoin after the Fed begins cutting rates or printing money.$200K–$500K Bitcoin Price PredictionsHayes previously predicted that Bitcoin could reach $200,000 by March 2026, and potentially $500,000 later in the year if macroeconomic conditions align with aggressive monetary easing.His thesis is based on the expectation that a financial shock—possibly linked to artificial intelligence disruptions in the labor market—could force central banks to deploy massive liquidity support.Key Level to Watch: $70,000Market analysts say Bitcoin must break the $70,000 resistance level to confirm a stronger bullish trend.David Morrison, senior market analyst at Trade Nation, noted that Bitcoin and Ethereum have shown resilience during the recent geopolitical turmoil.However, BTC remains locked in a consolidation range:Support: around $60,000Resistance: near $70,000Technical indicators such as the MACD suggest improving bullish momentum after rebounding from oversold levels.Macro Narrative Driving Crypto SentimentSome analysts also point to broader macro themes supporting Bitcoin’s long-term outlook.Hayes recently argued that a potential AI-driven economic disruption could force central banks to dramatically expand money supply, similar to the response following the 2008 global financial crisis.If such monetary expansion occurs, scarce digital assets like Bitcoin could see significant demand as investors hedge against currency debasement.OutlookFor now, Bitcoin remains range-bound between $60,000 and $70,000 as traders assess geopolitical developments and macroeconomic risks.A decisive break above $70,000 could trigger renewed bullish momentum, while ongoing global uncertainty continues to shape expectations for the next major move in crypto markets, according to The Forbes.

Woolworths Holdings Ltd. is experiencing financial strain due to heightened investment in its South African food division. Bloomberg posted on X, highlighting that the company's efforts to enhance its food business have led to increased costs, impacting its overall financial performance. The retailer, known for its premium food offerings, has been focusing on expanding its market share in South Africa. This strategic move involves significant capital expenditure aimed at improving infrastructure and supply chain capabilities. Despite these challenges, Woolworths remains committed to its investment strategy, anticipating long-term benefits from the enhancements. The company believes that these improvements will eventually lead to increased customer satisfaction and higher sales. Woolworths' management is optimistic about the future, expecting that the current financial pressure will be offset by the anticipated growth in the food division. The company continues to monitor its financial health closely while pursuing its expansion plans.

Crypto derivatives trading on CME surged in February, with average daily volume reaching 322,000 contracts worth $9.3 billion in notional value, a 45% increase month over month.The growth reflects rising institutional participation in regulated cryptocurrency futures markets.CME Crypto Derivatives Trading Sees Strong GrowthAccording to data released by CME Group, average daily trading volume (ADV) for cryptocurrency contracts climbed significantly in February.Key figures include:Average daily volume: 322,000 contractsAverage daily notional value: $9.3 billionMonthly growth: +45%The increase highlights expanding institutional demand for hedging and trading exposure to digital assets through regulated derivatives.Micro Ethereum Futures Lead Trading ActivityAmong CME’s crypto products, Micro Ethereum futures saw strong activity.Average daily volume: 115,000 contractsGrowth: +22% month over monthMicro contracts allow traders to access smaller position sizes, making them popular among both institutional and professional market participants.Micro Bitcoin Futures Volume Climbs 31%Trading in Micro Bitcoin futures also increased notably.Average daily volume: 100,000 contractsGrowth: +31%The contracts provide lower capital requirements compared with standard Bitcoin futures, expanding access for traders seeking smaller exposure.Ethereum Futures Volume Surges 65%Standard Ethereum futures contracts experienced the fastest growth among CME’s crypto derivatives.Average daily volume: 24,000 contractsGrowth: +65%The sharp rise suggests growing institutional interest in Ethereum derivatives as market participants hedge or gain exposure to the second-largest cryptocurrency.Institutional Demand Driving Crypto Derivatives GrowthThe surge in trading volumes indicates continued institutional engagement with crypto markets through regulated venues.As traditional finance firms expand their digital asset strategies, derivatives exchanges like CME are increasingly becoming key infrastructure for price discovery, hedging and liquidity in cryptocurrency markets.

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is casting a shadow over the UK Chancellor's spring economic forecast. Bloomberg posted on X, highlighting the potential implications for the UK's economic outlook and the housing sector. The situation is also coinciding with a leadership change at the top of the UK's largest housebuilders, adding another layer of complexity to the economic landscape. As these developments unfold, they are expected to influence market dynamics and investor sentiment in the UK.

The recent acquisition of Predictdotfun aims to integrate two challenging aspects of the cryptocurrency sector: a highly composable, yield-bearing financial primitive and a well-established distribution network. YZi Labs posted on X. This development is expected to provide the community with enhanced liquidity, improved odds, and a smooth transition for current Probable users.

The economic impact of geopolitical conflicts has spread from the Middle East to the rest of the world, with the South Korean stock market being the first to collapse...

Bitcoin has surged past the $70,000 threshold amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East — and remarkably, there is no sign of panic.

Artificial intelligence, computing power, chips, DeepSeek, Nvidia, China's AI computing power counterattack - Jinse Finance, What kind of computing power independence does China's AI really need?

Iran’s largest crypto exchange, Nobitex, saw crypto outflows surge 700% to nearly $3 million in just 48 hours following coordinated US and Israeli airstrikes, signaling a frenzied dash for safety as traders scrambled to protect their assets from both war and domestic restrictions.

X will suspend creators from its revenue-sharing programme for 90 days if they post AI-generated videos of armed conflict without marking them as AI-made. Repeat violations will lead to permanent removal, as the platform aims to stop misleading content and protect authentic information during war.

Code depreciates, models iterate, but a deep understanding of the business will become increasingly valuable.

Artificial intelligence, AI agents, OpenAI—professions predicted by OpenAI three years ago to be unaffected by AI are now being brutally crushed at four times the speed. Golden Finance reports that we may only have 24 months left.

This is not a question of who is right and who is wrong, but rather that when interests and positions are not aligned, the existing governance mechanisms do not provide an effective way to resolve the issue.

Vitalik Buterin said Ethereum cannot fix the world’s problems and should not try to act like a political power, even though financial freedom remains important. Instead, he urged the network to focus on building open tools that protect privacy, support coordination and reduce the risk of any single authority gaining total control.

The primary focus right now is on headlines related to the US-Iran conflict. If the conflict lasts longer than expected, rising energy costs could reshape interest rate expectations and put widespread pressure on risk assets.