Wu Jie Zhuang: Hong Kong will issue the first batch of stablecoin issuer licenses in March, hoping that the government will promote the use of cryptocurrencies among all residents of Hong Kong through stablecoin airdrops.

CBDC Ban Reappears in Senate Housing Law, Fed Restricted

Senate housing bill bars Fed from issuing or facilitating a retail CBDC, including similar digital assets, until 2030. Measure passed 84–6 after late insertion, formalizing limits despite prior Fed stance requiring Congress approval. U.S. pauses digital dollar plans as China and Europe

Geopolitical Shock Sends Markets and Crypto Reeling

Global markets faced turmoil after U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran, causing volatility in oil, gold, and crypto. Bitcoin briefly plunged but recovered, while energy price shocks raise inflation concerns, affecting investor sentiment and market structure.

BTC 15-minute sharp decline of 1.60%: Bullish liquidation and risk aversion sentiment intensify short-term selling pressure

2026-03-03 16:30 to 16:45 (UTC), BTC experienced significant short-term volatility, with price ranges between 67485.3 and 68829.8 USDT, yielding a return of -1.60%, and an amplitude reaching 1.95%. At the edge of extreme panic and market bottom, investor attention continues to rise, and trading activity fluctuates with increased volatility. The main driver of this movement is leveraged unwinding and long liquidations in the derivatives market. Data shows that the funding rate is negative (-0.0081%), with retail longs accounting for as much as 65%, indicating a market where "retail investors chase gains, while institutions are on the other side."

Iran's crackdown on Gulf countries' pressure on the United States is counterproductive; multiple countries may retaliate against Iran

Iran's recent airstrikes on Gulf countries have sparked tensions with the United States, potentially prompting Gulf nations to unite in resistance and strengthen collective self-defense. The Gulf Cooperation Council held an emergency meeting, clearly defining red lines, demonstrating that Iran's attacks have actually deepened solidarity among the nations.

Beyond Islamic teachings, Iran needs Bitcoin

Author: Zen, PANews The global spotlight is on Iran and the Persian Gulf. The outside world often discusses Iran through two main narratives: military and regime risks, and energy and shipping disruptions. Mainstream media's immediate reports focus on military actions, oil and gas facilities, the Strait of Hormuz, and sharp fluctuations in financial markets. But beneath these grand narratives, if you zoom in on cities like Tehran, Mashhad, and Avaris and look at individual ordinary people, you'll find that during times of heightened tension, the most important things are life and asset safety. After the US and Israel launched the attack, the outflow of assets from Iran's largest cryptocurrency exchange, Nobitex, surged by approximately 700% within just a few minutes. A Chainalysis report also confirmed that within hours after the attack, the hourly trading volume of crypto assets within Iran rapidly increased.

Bank failures, war conflicts: Iran's $7.8 billion cryptocurrency "shadow economy" becomes the focus again

As the US-Israel coalition's military actions against Iran escalate, Iran's "shadow economy" becomes a focal point. Iran has legalized Bitcoin mining and is utilizing cheap electricity for mining to bypass US dollar sanctions, with the mining scale potentially reaching $7.8 billion and being heavily relied upon by the military. The rial has depreciated by over 96%, and the stablecoin USDT has become a new tool for trade, while the public is turning to Bitcoin to protect their assets.