<ul class="summary-bullets"><li>The $3 trillion market is showing early cracks as JPMorgan marked down loans and Morgan Stanley limits redemptions.</li><li>Around 25% of business development company portfolios are tied to software companies, an industry now facing repricing pressures as AI compresses margins and intensifies competition.</li><li>Visser argues Bitcoin often falls during liquidity shocks but historically rallies sharply after policy intervention and renewed liquidity &nbsp;</li></ul>Private credit is suddenly becoming one of the biggest macro risks in 2026, and veteran market strategist Jordi Visser believes the next big rally for Bitcoin (BTC) might come from it.On Substack, Visser shared in his recent analysis named “When Buffett’s Tide Goes Out in Private Credit, Bitcoin Wins the Rescue” that while a crack in private credit wouldn't help Bitcoin right away, it could eventually create the macro conditions that have historically driven the cryptocurrency higher.&nbsp;He said that in the short term, a liquidity shock would probably put pressure on Bitcoin and other liquid assets as investors try to get cash quickly. “In a real liquidity event, Bitcoin usually gets hit first along with everything else liquid,” Visser wrote.&nbsp;<h2 class="st-heading-2">Private Credit Market Under Stress</h2>Over the past ten years, private credit has expanded significantly as banks withdrew from riskier lending following the global financial crisis. The estimated private credit market was worth about $3 trillion at the beginning of 2025 and could grow to roughly $5 trillion by 2029. However, the industry is starting to exhibit signs of stress, Visser wrote.This week, JPMorgan marked down some loans to private-credit funds as concerns about software-sector exposure grew, and Morgan Stanley limited redemptions at one of its private-credit funds after investors tried to withdraw nearly 11% of the fund's outstanding shares.&nbsp;According to Visser, the sector's concentration in technology companies increases the risks. About 25% of business development company (BDC) portfolios, according to Morgan Stanley's March estimate, are linked to software companies, an industry whose economics are currently being drastically altered by artificial intelligence.Software firms were funded for many years under the presumption that steady cash flows and long-term growth would result from recurring revenue. But according to Visser, AI is upending those presumptions by reducing pricing power, intensifying competition, and compelling businesses to invest significantly in computer infrastructure.“As AI forces a disruptive repricing of software, one of Bitcoin’s key macro identities comes under pressure,” he said.<h2 class="st-heading-2">Can Bitcoin Front-Run The Rescue?</h2>Bitcoin has been trading more and more with technology stocks and software valuations. This means that a price change in those areas can affect the cryptocurrency. At the same time, Bitcoin is under pressure because it remains sensitive to changes in global liquidity.&nbsp;Visser, on the other hand, says history shows Bitcoin tends to bounce back strongly when policymakers step in to stabilize markets. He says, “The first phase is not liberation. It is liquidation.”During the panic over the pandemic in March 2020, Bitcoin dropped quickly in the first "dash for cash," losing more than 30% in just five days. But when governments and central banks launched large-scale stimulus programs, Bitcoin shot up by more than 900% from its lows by early 2021, argues Visser.During the 2023 regional banking crisis, when Silicon Valley Bank went under, there was a similar pattern. There were huge withdrawals and emergency Federal Reserve programs. After the chaos, Bitcoin rose to its highest level in nine months and more than doubled by the end of the year.Visser said, "Bitcoin does not front-run the panic." "It goes ahead of the rescue."&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/coins/bitcoin">Bitcoin (BTC)</a> was trading at $70,742, down over 2% in the last 24 hours. On Stocktwits, retail sentiment around BTC remained in the ‘neutral’ zone, accompanied by ‘low’ chatter levels over the past day.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://news.stocktwits-cdn.com/Screenshot_2026_03_14_at_9_22_50_AM_png_2ab8756842.webp" alt="Screenshot 2026-03-14 at 9.22.50 AM.png" width="1148" height="146"><figcaption>BTC retail sentiment and message volume on March 14 as of 9:24 a.m. ET | Source: Stocktwits</figcaption></figure><h2 class="st-heading-2">A Policy Intervention Might Be On Its Way</h2>The chances of policy intervention may be even higher today, argues Visser, because the U.S. financial system has significant leverage. The Congressional Budget Office says that the federal deficit will be $1.9 trillion in fiscal year 2026. The public's debt, on the other hand, is now about 101% of GDP. At the same time, the U.S. market capitalization is now about 219% of GDP, which Jordi Visser calls a "highly financialized economy."In such a situation, policymakers don't like it when liquidity stays low for a long time. The Federal Reserve has already begun to slow the balance sheet runoff in 2025 and stopped the sale of securities in December, says Visser.Visser says that these market conditions support Bitcoin's origin thesis. If private credit becomes the next source of stress, the situation could be similar to past crises seen. He predicts that, first, there would be liquidation, then policy intervention, and finally renewed liquidity, conditions that have historically led to large Bitcoin price upticks.&nbsp;Read also: <a href="https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/cryptocurrency/mstr-blackrock-ibit-largest-bitcoin-treasury-race/cZdz1fwRIOV">MSTR Closing Gap With BlackRock’s IBIT In Race For Largest Bitcoin Treasury</a>For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

Bitcoin model commemorative coins are displayed in Huai 'an city, Jiangsu province, China, Oct 30, 2024. (Photo credit should read CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

Veteran Wall Street Strategist Warns Private Credit Stress Could Spark Bitcoin’s Next Major Rally

Liquidity shocks may hit Bitcoin first as investors rush for cash, says macro strategist Jordi Visser, but says it could rebound later from it.

Is The Next Bitcoin Rally Hiding In The Private Credit Market? Veteran Strategist Says Yes

Cryptocurrency

Liquidity shocks may hit Bitcoin first as investors rush for cash, says macro strategist Jordi Visser, but says it could rebound later from it.


<ul class="summary-bullets"><li>BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF holds $55.1 billion, while Strategy holds about $52.2 billion, with a difference of around 40,700 BTC.</li><li>However, Strategy has displayed greater volatility and the potential for higher returns than BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF.</li><li>In terms of year-to-date returns, BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF is at negative 18%, and MSTR is at negative 8%.</li></ul>In the race to become the largest Bitcoin treasury, Strategy Inc. (MSTR) is slowly closing the gap with BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT).&nbsp;The most recent <a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://bitbo.io/treasuries/microstrategy/">reports</a> indicate that BlackRock's IBIT holds 779,504 BTC, worth about $55.1 billion, and Strategy holds 738,731 BTC, worth about $52.2 billion. The difference between the two is only about 40,700 BTC, which is a small amount given how large their holdings are and how quickly they are both adding to their cryptocurrency holdings.<h2 class="st-heading-2">MSTR Has Greater Upside In Terms Of Returns</h2>The competition between the corporate Bitcoin holder and the world's biggest asset manager has also drawn attention to how well each is performing in terms of returns.&nbsp;According to&nbsp;<a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://totalrealreturns.com/n/IBIT,MSTR,MSTY">TotalReturns</a>, when looking at total return charts comparing MSTR and IBIT, one can note that Strategy's stock has historically been much more volatile and has had a greater upside during Bitcoin (BTC) rallies. This is because Strategy is leveraged through corporate treasury strategy and debt financing. IBIT, on the other hand, is a spot ETF that tracks Bitcoin's price more closely. This gives investors direct exposure to the cryptocurrency with less extreme price changes. So far in 2026, IBIT has a negative return of over 18%, while MSTR has a negative return of over 8% year-to-date.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://news.stocktwits-cdn.com/mstr_ibit_chart_no_logo_png_71aa9a1c41.webp" alt="mstr_ibit_chart_no_logo.png" width="1143" height="621"><figcaption>MSTR versus IBIT returns chart. Source: Stocktwits; chart inspired by TotalRealReturns</figcaption></figure>The most recent Bitcoin purchase by Strategy was on March 9, when Chairman Michael Saylor announced that the company was adding more BTC to its treasury as part of its ongoing strategy to build up its assets.&nbsp;BlackRock's IBIT is still buying Bitcoin through its ETF structure, on the other hand. Arkham Intelligence&nbsp;<a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://intel.arkm.com/explorer/entity/blackrock">data</a> shows that the fund's most recent purchase was yesterday, when it bought about $21.81 million worth of Bitcoin through Coinbase, the ETF's main custodian and trading partner.&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/MSTR">Strategy (MSTR)</a> was down 0.91% in the after-hours, while <a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/IBIT">BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT)</a> was down 0.35% in the after-hours. On Stocktwits, retail sentiment around MSTR remained in ‘bullish’ territory, as chatter levels improved from ‘low’ to ‘normal’ over the past day.While retail sentiment around IBIT improved from ‘bearish’ to ‘neutral’ territory, as chatter levels changed from ‘normal’ to ‘high’ over the past day.<h2 class="st-heading-2">How MSTR And IBIT Buy Bitcoin?</h2>The two entities also buy Bitcoin in very different ways.&nbsp;Strategy usually buys Bitcoin using corporate financing tools such as convertible debt and equity-linked offerings. One of its newest&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/STRC">ways is through STRC</a>, a capital instrument the company uses solely to buy more Bitcoin.BlackRock's method is different because its Bitcoin purchases are directly linked to ETF inflows. When people buy shares of IBIT, authorized participants send cash to the fund, which then buys Bitcoin on the market, mostly through Coinbase (COIN), to keep the ETF backed by real Bitcoin holdings.<h2 class="st-heading-2">Can MSTR Outpace BlackRock’s IBIT Soon?</h2>At the current price of Bitcoin, $70,539, if Strategy makes a large purchase of 40,774 BTC, valued at $2.88 billion, when ETF inflows slow down, the company could quickly close the gap. This is because IBIT's purchases are based on how many ETF shares people want, so Strategy's more aggressive and flexible treasury strategy could help it beat BlackRock in the race to have the biggest corporate Bitcoin treasury. However, it seems unlikely, given IBIT has seen an inflow of $144 million as of Friday.Read also: <a href="https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/cryptocurrency/boris-johnson-bitcoin-pikachu-strategy-michael-saylor/cZdzW8JRION">Boris Johnson Trolls Bitcoin, Says Investment In ‘Pikachu’ Cards Are Better –Strategy’s Michael Saylor Isn’t Having It</a>For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

A visual representation of the digital Cryptocurrency, Bitcoin experienced price falls $1,000 in Minutes to drop below $10k on November 30, 2017 in Hong Kong, Hong Kong. (Photo by S3studio/Getty Images)

MSTR Closing Gap With BlackRock’s IBIT In Race For Largest Bitcoin Treasury

Strategy might swiftly close the deficit by buying 40,774 BTC, worth $2.88 billion, at $70,539 per BTC.

MSTR Vs. BlackRock’s IBIT: Who Will Win The Bitcoin Treasury Race?

<ul class="summary-bullets"><li>Strategy chairman Michael Saylor defended Bitcoin after former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson called it a “giant Ponzi scheme.”</li><li>Johnson made the remarks in a Daily Mail column, comparing Bitcoin to speculative assets.</li><li>Johnson argued that in ten years’ time, an investment in Pokémon cards would provide better returns.&nbsp;</li></ul>A fresh debate over Bitcoin’s legitimacy has emerged after former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson mocked the cryptocurrency as a “giant Ponzi scheme” and compared its value to Pikachu cards. Among many critics of Johnson, Bitcoin’s largest supporter–Strategy chairman Michael Saylor– stood out.Saylor&nbsp;<a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://x.com/saylor/status/2032560712606773757">responded</a> to Johnson’s claims on Friday, arguing that the criticism misunderstands how Bitcoin works and why it has gained widespread adoption. “Bitcoin is not a Ponzi scheme,” Saylor wrote.&nbsp;He explained that Ponzi schemes relied on a central operator who promised returns and paid early investors with funds from new participants, something Bitcoin is not. Bitcoin is decentralized in nature.“Bitcoin has no issuer, no promoter, and no guaranteed return - just an open, decentralized monetary network driven by code and market demand,” Saylor added, pushing back on Johnson’s comments.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><a class="st-link-external" href="https://x.com/saylor/status/2032560712606773757?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow"><img src="https://news.stocktwits-cdn.com/Screenshot_2026_03_14_at_5_06_07_AM_png_0cce92ad38.webp" alt="Screenshot 2026-03-14 at 5.06.07 AM.png" width="916" height="1440"></a><figcaption>Michael Saylor responds to Boris Johnson. Source: <a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://x.com/saylor">@saylor</a>/x</figcaption></figure>Saylor has long been one of Bitcoin’s most prominent corporate advocates. His company, Strategy (MSTR), is the largest institutional holder of Bitcoin, with 738,731 BTC.<a href="https://stocktwits.com/coins/bitcoin">Bitcoin (BTC)</a> was trading at $70,721, down by 0.8% over 24 hours. On Stocktwits, the retail sentiment around BTC remained in the ‘neutral’ territory, as chatter levels around it remained ‘low’ over the past day.&nbsp;<h2 class="st-heading-2">Former UK Prime Minister Raises Concerns About Bitcoin</h2>Johnson’s remarks appeared in a Daily Mail column on Thursday, where he questioned the economic foundations of cryptocurrencies. Johnson&nbsp;<a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-15643681/BORIS-JOHNSON-bitcoin-ponzi-scheme.html">said</a> he had “long suspected Bitcoin [was] a giant Ponzi scheme,” recounting an anecdote about an investor who initially put in £500 hoping his money would double but ended up losing £20,000 after several years.Johnson also mocked the basis of Bitcoin’s value, arguing that its price depended largely on collective belief rather than intrinsic worth. “I reckon in ten years’ time an investment in Pokémon cards will look like a much better long-term bet,” Johnson wrote, adding that “old Pikachu and his cards have an image and superscription that any five-year-old can recognise.”The criticism also came despite previous links between Johnson’s government and the crypto industry. In April 2022, then-Chancellor Rishi Sunak&nbsp;<a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-sets-out-plan-to-make-uk-a-global-cryptoasset-technology-hub">announced</a> plans to make the UK a “global hub for cryptoasset technology and investment.”Despite such criticism, Bitcoin has grown into a major financial market and continues to remain the largest digital asset, accounting for over 58% of the total market capitalization.Read also: <a href="https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/cameco-westinghouse-us-japan-nuclear-deal/cZdzfN4RIOZ">Cameco-Backed Westinghouse At Center Of Potential US–Japan Nuclear Deal: Report</a>For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson walks through Downing Street to attend the annual National Service of Remembrance. (Photo credit should read Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

Boris Johnson Trolls Bitcoin, Says Investment In ‘Pikachu’ Cards Are Better –Strategy’s Michael Saylor Isn’t Having It

Johnson’s criticism comes despite previous links seen between the Johnson-led government and the crypto industry.

<ul class="summary-bullets"><li>Westinghouse President Dan Lipman announced collaboration efforts between Japan and the U.S. on a nuclear project involving Japanese manufacturers and Westinghouse.</li><li>The project is part of a second round of bilateral agreements under Japan's $550 billion investment initiative.</li><li>The company had previously filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2017 due to significant losses related to its AP1000 reactor projects.</li></ul>The United States and Japan are covertly preparing for a potential nuclear alliance that could include Westinghouse and billions of dollars in reactor investments, as nations scramble to secure reliable energy supplies.Westinghouse President Dan Lipman revealed that Japan and the United States are set to finalize their respective roles in a potential collaborative nuclear project involving Japanese nuclear equipment manufacturers and Westinghouse, according to&nbsp;<a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-japan-agree-their-roles-potential-nuclear-power-project-westinghouse-says-2026-03-14/">Reuters</a>.&nbsp;The U.S. and Japan are working with Westinghouse to include a nuclear power project as part of a second round of bilateral agreements under Japan's $550 billion investment initiative. The growing momentum for the construction of nuclear power plants is being recognized globally by nations seeking to strengthen their energy security by creating additional domestically available energy resources.According to Lipman, discussions are ongoing regarding various projects, but none have been agreed upon or committed to at this stage.“These are very strategic projects that are very critical to Westinghouse and to our Japanese partners,” said Lipman, adding that the projects are not yet ready for deployment.&nbsp;Westinghouse, owned by uranium producer Cameco (CCJ) and asset manager Brookfield (BAM), is exploring plans to build pressurized water reactors and small modular reactors in projects worth up to $100 billion under President Trump’s&nbsp;<a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/10/28195/?">nuclear initiative</a>.In 2017, Westinghouse filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after spending billions of dollars on cost overruns tied to its AP1000 nuclear reactor projects in Georgia and South Carolina. This cost Toshiba, the company's parent company at the time, more than $9 billion.<h2 class="st-heading-2">How Are Nuclear Stocks Reacting?</h2><a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/CCJ">Cameco (CCJ)</a>, one of the top 10 uranium producers globally, saw its stock price decline after hours following a major drop during the trading day. On Stocktwits, retail sentiment around CCJ remained in the ‘bullish’ territory, while chatter levels improved from ‘low’ to ‘high’ over the past day.<figure class="image"><img src="https://news.stocktwits-cdn.com/Screenshot_2026_03_14_at_3_53_14_AM_png_af213323c5.webp" alt="Screenshot 2026-03-14 at 3.53.14 AM.png" width="1168" height="716"><figcaption>CCJ retail sentiment and message volume on March 14 as of 3:54 a.m. ET | Source: Stocktwits</figcaption></figure><a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/BAM">Brookfield Asset Management (BAM)</a> was up over 2% in after-hours trading. On Stocktwits, retail sentiment around BAM dropped from ‘extremely bullish’ to ‘bullish’ zone, as chatter remained at ‘high’ levels over the past day.&nbsp;While next-generation reactor developers like Oklo (OKLO) and NuScale Power (SMR) moved largely flat, utility and nuclear infrastructure names like Constellation Energy (CEG) and BWX Technologies (BWXT) showed slight after-hours declines.Read also: <a href="https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/cryptocurrency/ethereum-market-research-founder-defends-the-foundation-criticism-misplaced/cZdz9eoRIOk">Ethereum Market Research Founder Defends The Foundation, Says Criticism Is ‘Profoundly Misplaced’</a>For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

Trump is on a visit to Asia that takes in the ASEAN summit in Malaysia, followed by a trip to Japan and South Korea ahead of the APEC meetings. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Cameco-Backed Westinghouse At Center Of Potential US–Japan Nuclear Deal: Report

Nuclear stock sentiment was mixed, with bullish retail sentiment around BAM and CCJ, while other reactor names stayed muted

Equity

<ul class="summary-bullets"><li>Ethereum Maket Research founder William Mougayar defended the Ethereum Foundation after it released a new mandate outlining its role in the ecosystem.</li><li>Mougayar said criticism of the Foundation is often misplaced because Ethereum operated as a decentralized ecosystem rather than a single organization.</li><li>Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin said the mandate reaffirms the Foundation’s focus on decentralization, security, privacy, and censorship resistance.</li></ul>Amid growing institutional adoption of Ethereum (ETH) by major financial firms, the Ethereum Foundation published a mandate outlining its role within the blockchain ecosystem. However, that has sparked quite a bit of criticism. But, the founder of Ethereum Market Research Center, William Mougayar, has chosen to defend the foundation, saying the current criticism is “profoundly misplaced.”Mougayar<a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://x.com/wmougayar/status/2032628411630510351?s=20">&nbsp;pushed back</a> against criticism on Friday, saying the organization was often wrongly treated as the Ethereum network's central authority. “Criticizing the Ethereum Foundation has become the easiest reflex in this industry,” Mougayar wrote. “It’s convenient. It gives critics a single target to point at,” the author added, saying it is unwise to do so.Mougayar, who has a decade of experience as a blockchain analyst, explained that the foundation should be viewed as a “steward” of the protocol rather than as controlling the broader ecosystem. “Ethereum is not a company. It is an ecosystem,” he wrote.<figure class="image"><a class="st-link-external" href="https://x.com/wmougayar/status/2032628411630510351?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow"><img src="https://news.stocktwits-cdn.com/Screenshot_2026_03_14_at_2_11_41_AM_png_39309603df.webp" alt="Screenshot 2026-03-14 at 2.11.41 AM.png" width="910" height="660"></a><figcaption>Mougayar defends the Ethereum Foundation. Source: @<a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://x.com/wmougayar">@wmougayar</a>/x</figcaption></figure>The Ethereum Foundation (EF) is a non-profit organization that supports research, development, and coordination of the Ethereum protocol. Rather than controlling the full network, the foundation funds core development, supports infrastructure, and helps guide long-term research around Ethereum’s technology.<h2 class="st-heading-2">Ethereum Foundation Under Criticism For Selling ETH​</h2>The Foundation has often been<a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://x.com/StarPlatinum_/status/1974762579084878094?s=20">&nbsp;criticized</a> for regularly selling ETH to fund its work. These sales have garnered a lot of criticism for selling Ethereum in bear markets.​ Some critics believe it's hypocritical, saying that it pushes Ethereum's price to tank. Critics have also asked why a non-profit that is financially sound needs to sell ETH.<figure class="image"><a class="st-link-external" href="https://x.com/kont1435/status/2030433900237852808" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow"><img src="https://news.stocktwits-cdn.com/Screenshot_2026_03_14_at_2_16_17_AM_png_c6da51c5c9.webp" alt="Screenshot 2026-03-14 at 2.16.17 AM.png" width="1198" height="1722"></a><figcaption>Ethereum Founder allegedly sold over $160M in Ethereum on March 7. Source: @<a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://x.com/kont1435">kont1435</a>/x</figcaption></figure>Critics also say that the Foundation moves too slowly in execution, marketing, user growth, and competition with faster chains like Solana (SOL).​<a href="https://stocktwits.com/coins/ethereum">Ethereum (ETH)</a> was trading at $2,103, down by 0.4% over 24 hours. On Stocktwits, the retail sentiment around ETH remained in the ‘bearish’ territory, as chatter levels around it moved from ‘low’ to ‘normal’ over the past day.&nbsp;<h2 class="st-heading-2">​Ethereum Foundation Clarifies Its Mandate</h2>The Ethereum Foundation released a mandate on Friday, outlining its mission and responsibilities within the ecosystem.The organization<a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://x.com/ethereumfndn/status/2032460728855048667?s=20">&nbsp;explained</a> that it would focus on maintaining a censorship-resistant, open-source, private, and secure Ethereum network, which it called “CROPS.” The Foundation said its primary responsibility was to help the protocol and focus on tasks that other ecosystem participants were unlikely to undertake. “EF focuses on critical tasks that have no other natural home and that no other ecosystem actor can or will reliably undertake,” the Foundation wrote.<h2 class="st-heading-2">Vitalik Defends The Mandate</h2>Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin also commented on the mandate. Buterin<a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://x.com/VitalikButerin/status/2032469755614179700">&nbsp;said</a> the Ethereum Foundation would continue to prioritize decentralization, privacy, security, and censorship resistance while contributing to tools and infrastructure that support user self-sovereignty, a point the 32-year-old founder has repeatedly emphasized.<figure class="image"><a class="st-link-external" href="https://x.com/VitalikButerin/status/2032469755614179700" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow"><img src="https://news.stocktwits-cdn.com/Screenshot_2026_03_14_at_2_19_44_AM_png_fccb269a51.webp" alt="Screenshot 2026-03-14 at 2.19.44 AM.png" width="1508" height="1584"></a><figcaption>Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin defens the Foundation. Source: @<a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://x.com/VitalikButerin">VitalikButerin</a>/x</figcaption></figure>He described Ethereum as a “sanctuary technology” designed to preserve technological self-sovereignty and ensure that no single organization or ideology can dominate the digital ecosystem.Read also: <a href="https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/cryptocurrency/oil-surges-president-trump-orders-massive-spr-drawdown-trader/cZdzIkrRIOj">Oil Surges Toward $100 As President Trump Orders Massive SPR Drawdown — One Trader Is Quietly Booking $1.28M Profit</a>For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

A coin of Ethereum cryptocurrency is seen over a keyboard. (Photo by Nikos Pekiaridis/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Ethereum Market Research Founder Defends The Foundation, Says Criticism  Is ‘Profoundly Misplaced’

As the institutional adoption of Ethereum grows, the Ethereum Foundation has said it is only a steward of the blockchain’s protocol, not the sole governor.

​Ethereum Researcher Fires Back: Critics Of The Foundation Are ‘Profoundly Misplaced’

As the institutional adoption of Ethereum grows, the Ethereum Foundation has said it is only a steward of the blockchain’s protocol, not the sole governor.


<ul class="summary-bullets"><li>On Friday, crude oil rose back toward $100 per barrel, with WTI trading at about $99.30.</li><li>The Trump administration started a big pullback of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, asking for bids to trade 86 million barrels as part of a larger release of 400 million barrels with allies.</li><li>Meanwhile, one trader appears to have anticipated the rally, opening a 1x-leveraged long crude position around $85.38 three days ago.</li></ul>On Friday, crude oil prices rose back toward the $100-per-barrel mark. In the background were the rising tensions in the Middle East and Washington's emergency supply measures, which changed how energy markets functioned around the world.Following an early decline, Crude Oil WTI steadily recovered throughout the session, trading at about $99.30 per barrel. The recovery coincides with increasing disruptions to international oil flows after the U.S.-Iran invasion of Iran by Israel has essentially stopped shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial chokepoint that handles about 20% of the world's oil transportation.<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/WTI">WTI Crude Oil Futures (WTI)</a> was down 1.4% in the afterhours. On Stocktwits, retail sentiment around WTI remained in ‘extremely bullish’ territory, accompanied by ‘extremely high’ chatter levels over the past day.&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/BNO">United States Brent Crude Oil Fund (BNO)</a> was up 0.9% in after hours trading. On Stocktwits, retail sentiment around BNO remained in the ‘extremely high’ zone, along with ‘extremely high’ chatter levels over the past day.<h2 class="st-heading-2">Washington Starts Strategic Oil Reserve Drawdown</h2>The Trump administration has begun a significant drawdown of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to advance American energy dominance in response to the supply shock and sharply rising fuel prices.&nbsp;Starting next week, President Trump has authorized the Department of Energy to release 172 million barrels from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. The statement estimates 120 days for delivery based on estimated discharge rates.&nbsp;U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright today ordered Sable Offshore Corp. to resume operations of the Santa Ynez Unit and Santa Ynez Pipeline System in order to mitigate supply disruption risks resulting from California policies that have left the area and U.S. military forces reliant on foreign oil, according to a&nbsp;<a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://x.com/ENERGY/status/2032592889948287261">statement</a> released by the U.S. Energy Department on Friday.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><a class="st-link-external" href="https://x.com/ENERGY/status/2032592889948287261" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow"><img src="https://news.stocktwits-cdn.com/Screenshot_2026_03_14_at_12_39_41_AM_png_9486de93f1.webp" alt="Screenshot 2026-03-14 at 12.39.41 AM.png" width="908" height="1124"></a><figcaption>US Department Of Energy's announcement. Source: <a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://x.com/ENERGY">@ENERGY</a>/x</figcaption></figure>To exchange 86 million barrels of crude oil from the emergency reserve, the department announced it is accepting bids. The shipments are a part of a larger 400-million-barrel coordinated effort with allied nations to relieve pressure on the prices of crude, gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. The 172-million-barrel release was announced earlier this week.By the end of next week, deliveries from the reserve should begin reaching markets and continue for about four months.Companies that receive the crude must later return the borrowed barrels with an extra premium under the exchange structure, essentially repaying more oil than they receive. According to officials, the government has also set plans to replenish about 200 million barrels within the next year, roughly 20% more than was taken out. These changes are issued under President Trump’s new&nbsp;<a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/03/adjusting-certain-delegations-under-the-defense-production-act/">executive order</a>, “Adjusting Certain Delegations Under the Defense Production Act.”<h2 class="st-heading-2">Trader To Profit Over A Million From Oil Position</h2>One trader, meanwhile, seems to have predicted the rally.Three days ago, a newly created wallet opened a long position on crude oil using 1x leverage,&nbsp;<a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://x.com/OnchainLens/status/2032646499637801225?s=20">according</a> to the blockchain analytics firm Onchain Lens. The position currently shows a floating profit of more than $1.28 million as oil prices have risen toward $100.<figure class="image"><a class="st-link-external" href="https://hyperbot.network/trader/0x7f5ff9f8da891ffe5229e33b90959ae1e6d5f47e" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow"><img src="https://news.stocktwits-cdn.com/Screenshot_2026_03_14_at_12_37_33_AM_png_37ea51e012.webp" alt="Screenshot 2026-03-14 at 12.37.33 AM.png" width="2022" height="1256"></a><figcaption>Trading dashboard.&nbsp;</figcaption></figure>The trader entered at about $85.38 per barrel, according to data from the<a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://hyperbot.network/trader/0x7f5ff9f8da891ffe5229e33b90959ae1e6d5f47e"> trading dashboard</a>, and the position currently has an unrealized gain of over $1.28 million, reflecting roughly over 13% return as crude prices surged.Read also: <a href="https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/cryptocurrency/crude-oil-surges-past-100-again-arthur-hayes-says-bitcoin-best/cZduE1fRI9h">Crude Oil Price Surges Past $100 Again Amid US-Iran War – Arthur Hayes Says Bitcoin Did ‘Best’ Against Gold, Tech Stocks</a>For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

In an aerial view, Marathon Petroleum Corp's Los Angeles Refinery, one of the largest oil refineries in North America. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)

Oil Surges Toward $100 As President Trump Orders Massive SPR Drawdown — One Trader Is Quietly Booking $1.28M Profit

Energy Secretary Chris Wright ordered Sable Offshore to restart the Santa Ynez Unit and pipeline to reduce foreign oil reliance.

<ul class="summary-bullets"><li>Ford said that it was undertaking the repurchase program to offset the dilutive effect of share-based compensation granted during 2026, among other factors.&nbsp;</li><li>The timing and total amount of stock repurchases will depend upon multiple factors.</li><li>Separately, Ford on Friday also debuted Ford Pro AI, an intelligent fleet assistant designed to take data points the vehicles generate to turn them into insights.</li></ul>Dearborn-based automaker Ford Motor Co (F) said on Friday that it is undertaking an anti-dilutive share repurchase program under which it would repurchase up to 31.7 million shares of the company.The company said in a filing that it may repurchase shares from time to time though the open market, in privately negotiated transactions or other means using its existing cash and cash equivalents.Shares of the company closed 3% lower on Friday and edged up marginally after hours.<h2 class="st-heading-2">When, Why And How?</h2>The timing and total amount of stock repurchases will depend upon business, economic, and market conditions, corporate, legal, and regulatory requirements, prevailing stock prices, trading volume, and other considerations, the company said, while adding that the program could also be discontinued at any time.Ford said that it was undertaking the repurchase program to offset the dilutive effect of share-based compensation granted during 2026, among other factors.<h2 class="st-heading-2">Ford Pro AI</h2>Separately, Ford on Friday also debuted Ford Pro AI, an intelligent fleet assistant designed to take data points the vehicles generate to turn them into insights. The data points include details such as seatbelt clicks to vehicle health signals. The assistant was built by working with fleet managers like Mackenzie Meis who manages over 2,000 vehicles for CentiMark, a commercial roofing company, the company said.<h2 class="st-heading-2">How Did Stocktwits Users React?</h2>On Stocktwits, retail sentiment around F stock rose from ‘bearish’ to ‘neutral’ territory over the past 24 hours while message volume remained at ‘low’ levels.<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/F">F shares</a> have gained 22% over the past 12 months.Read More: <a href="https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/why-is-blue-owl-board-urging-shareholders-to-reject-cox-and-saba-tender-offer/cZdDsCERIOh">Why Is Blue Owl Board Urging Shareholders To Reject Minority Offer From Cox And Saba?</a>For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

The Ford exhibit area is shown at the 2025 Detroit Auto Show at Huntington Place on January 10, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. 

Ford To Buy Back Nearly 32M Shares To Prevent Dilution

The company said in a filing that it may repurchase shares from time to time though the open market, in privately negotiated transactions or other means.

<ul class="summary-bullets"><li>The purchase price represents a premium of about 171% from the stock’s closing price on Thursday.</li><li>Following the transaction, Agero will continue to be privately held, the company said.&nbsp;</li><li>The merger is expected to close by the end of May 2026, upon the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.</li></ul>&nbsp;Shares of Urgent.ly, Inc. (ULY) rose 161% after hours on Friday after privately held digital driver assistance service provider Agero, Inc. said that it would acquire the company for $5.50 per share.The purchase price represents a premium of about 171% from the stock’s closing price on Thursday.<h2 class="st-heading-2">Rationale</h2>Urgent.ly is a U.S.-based provider of technology-focused roadside and mobility assistance with solutions within the automotive, fleet, and rental markets. Agero said that the acquisition will combine the two companies’ technology, talent and scale to enhance the roadside assistance ecosystem, including for automakers, dealerships, insurance carriers, fleet operators, and the drivers they serve.“This acquisition presents a natural fit,” said Matthew Booth, CEO of Urgently.Following the transaction, Agero will continue to be privately held, the company said.<h2 class="st-heading-2">Deal Details</h2>Under the deal, a unit of Agero will commence a tender offer to acquire all outstanding shares of Urgently. Following the closing of the tender offer, Urgently will merge with a subsidiary of Agero. The merger is expected to close by the end of May 2026, upon the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.Separately, the company also announced fourth quarter earnings wherein the company’s revenue grew 4% year-over-year to $33.3 million. Adjusted operating income came in at $0.2 million, compared to an adjusted loss of $3 million reported in the corresponding quarter of last year.<h2 class="st-heading-2">How Did Stocktwits Users React?</h2>On Stocktwits, retail sentiment around ULY stock rose from bearish to bullish territory over the past 24 hours while message volume increased from normal to high levels.<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/ULY">ULY stock</a> has dropped 44% over the past 12 months.&nbsp;Read More: <a href="https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/trade-groups-reportedly-urge-trump-to-keep-chinese-carmakers-outside-us-borders/cZdDsoGRIOW">Trade Groups Reportedly Urge Trump To Keep Chinese Carmakers Outside U.S. Borders</a>For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

Rising stock market chart on a trading board background.

Why Is ULY Stock Up Over 160% After Hours?

Privately held digital driver assistance service provider Agero, Inc. said that it would acquire Urgent.ly for $5.50 per share.

<ul class="summary-bullets"><li>It comes in addition to the investments made to create a new entity to run the app in the U.S, the report said.</li><li>Last month, Chinese firm ByteDance struck a deal to sell its U.S. operations and secure U.S. data after continued pressure and threats of a forced ban in the country.</li><li>As part of the agreement, American and global investors will hold 80.1% of the venture while ByteDance will own 19.9%.&nbsp;</li></ul>The Trump administration is reportedly set to receive a roughly $10 billion fee from investors in the recently completed deal to take control of TikTok’s U.S. business.&nbsp;The investors include technology company Oracle, private-equity firm Silver Lake and Abu Dhabi investor MGX. They and other backers had paid the Treasury Department about $2.5 billion when the deal closed in January and are set to make several additional payments, hitting $10 billion total,&nbsp;a Wall Street Journal <a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.wsj.com/tech/tiktok-deal-fee-trump-administration-5aa31c9f?mod&amp;#61;breakingnews">report</a> said, citing people familiar with the matter.The payment is part of the agreement through which investors friendly with the administration gained control of TikTok’s U.S. operations from Chinese parent ByteDance. It comes in addition to the investments made to create a new entity to run the app in the&nbsp;U.S., the report said.<h2 class="st-heading-2">TikTok Deal</h2>Last month, Chinese firm ByteDance struck a deal to sell its U.S. operations and secure U.S. data after continued pressure and threats of a forced ban in the country. As part of the agreement, American and global investors will hold 80.1% of the venture while ByteDance will own 19.9%.&nbsp;ByteDance in the announcement had said that TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC will secure U.S. user data, apps and algorithms through data privacy and cybersecurity measures. It disclosed few details about the divestiture.Trump had praised the deal and wrote in a social media post saying that TikTok "will now be owned by a group of Great American Patriots and Investors, the Biggest in the World."U.S. equities fell on Friday’s extended hours of trading. At the time of writing, the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF (SPY), which tracks the S&amp;P 500 index, was down 0.3%, the Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (QQQ) dived 0.04%, while the SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust (DIA) was down 0.2%.

TikTok logo displayed on a phone screen and photo of Donald Trump taken on June 25 in The Hague. 

Trump Administration To Reportedly Get $10B For Brokering TikTok Deal

The payment is part of the agreement through which investors friendly with the administration gained control of TikTok’s U.S. operations from Chinese parent ByteDance, a report from the Wall Street Journal said. 

<ul class="summary-bullets"><li>Sable’s onshore pipelines have been shut down for a decade since the 2015 Refugio Beach oil spill.</li><li>California Attorney General Rob Bonta had filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration in January, challenging the PHMSA orders that “illegally assert” exclusive jurisdiction over two California onshore oil pipelines of Sable offshore.</li></ul>Sable Offshore shares rallied nearly 10% on Friday after White House invoked Defense Production Act aimed at bypassing California state regulations to allow oil production off the state coast in bid to ease global oil supply pressures created due to the ongoing Iran war.&nbsp;“Today’s order will strengthen America’s oil supply and restore a pipeline system vital to our national security and defense, ensuring that West Coast military installations have the reliable energy critical to military readiness”, Energy Secretary Chris Wright reportedly said. It was followed by an executive order by Donald Trump adjusting certain delegations under the U.S. Defense Production Act.&nbsp;Energy Secretary Chris Wright directed Sable Offshore Corp. to begin restoring operations for the Santa Ynez Unit and Santa Ynez Pipeline System in California, Bloomberg News report said.<h2 class="st-heading-2">Sable-California&nbsp;</h2>Sable’s onshore pipelines have been shut down for a decade since the 2015 Refugio Beach oil spill, when a corroded segment of one pipeline ruptured and released hundreds of thousands of gallons of oil near Santa Barbara.California Attorney General Rob Bonta in January had filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration, challenging the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s (PHMSA) orders that “illegally assert” exclusive jurisdiction over two California onshore oil pipelines of Sable offshore which are known as the Las Flores Pipelines or lines CA-324 and CA-325, and allow them to restart operations.&nbsp;<h2 class="st-heading-2">Iran’s War Hitting Oil Supplies</h2>The efforts come at a time when the U.S.-Israel war with Iran has disrupted global supply of oil and other key energy products due to the blockade of Strait of Hormuz by Iran.The International Energy Agency this week announced it will release 400 million barrels of oil from their emergency reserves to help address disruptions in oil markets caused by the war in the Middle East.&nbsp;Retail sentiment around SOC trended in ‘extremely bullish’ territory amid ‘extremely high’ message volume.&nbsp;Shares in SOC have jumped 72% so far in 2026.For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

Trump Clears Path For Sable To Restart California Operations Amid Ongoing Iran War

 Energy Secretary Chris Wright directed Sable Offshore Corp. to begin restoring operations for the Santa Ynez Unit and Santa Ynez Pipeline System in California, Bloomberg News report said.

SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF

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The Render Network is a leading decentralized GPU compute platform for applications ranging from 3D rendering to machine learning and generative AI.  The network connects node operators looking to monetize their idle GPU compute power with artists and developers looking to scale intensive 3D rendering work and machine learning applications in the cloud. Through a decentralized peer-to-peer network, the Render Network achieves unprecedented levels of scale, speed, and economic efficiency. Facilitated by the Render Network Foundation, the ecosystem empowers artists and developers to build services and applications for the emerging digital economy.

Render Token (SOL)

Render is trending as investors aggressively accumulate the token, driven by its pivotal role in decentralized AI compute and the DePIN sector. The community is actively discussing bullish price targets and a potential breakout, fueled by anticipation for major project developments and strong GPU demand.

Dogelon Mars

Dogelon Mars continues to spark intense debate within the crypto community, with many retail holders debating whether it remains a viable OG meme coin or a long-term 'pump and dump' project. While some investors urge patience and point to potential market-wide altcoin cycles, others express frustration over stagnant performance and the lack of utility compared to newer meme tokens.

Pyth Network is a decentralised oracle network designed to provide real-time financial market data to decentralised applications (dApps) across multiple blockchains. It allows developer to secure smart contracts with reliable, low-latency market data from institutional sources, and build apps with high-fidelity oracle feeds designed for mission-critical systems.

Pyth Network

Pyth Network is trending as community members highlight its role as essential real-world asset infrastructure, specifically pointing to its institutional backing and partnerships with government entities to provide secure financial data. Investors are actively discussing the protocol's revenue-sharing model and token buyback program, positioning it as a fundamental project distinct from speculative assets.

$RARI is an ERC-20 token that controls the RARI Foundation treasury and governs the Rarible protocol and RARI Chain. The token was issued in 2020 with a max. supply of 25 million $RARI.

Rarible

Rarible is generating buzz as investors speculate on a potential rebound for the NFT sector, with community members highlighting its low market capitalization and limited circulating supply as catalysts for volatility. Traders are actively debating whether this low-cap asset is positioned for a significant breakout or further decline, frequently citing the need for increased exchange listings and volume to sustain momentum.

Bittensor is an open-source protocol that powers a decentralized, blockchain-based machine learning network. Machine learning models train collaboratively and are rewarded in TAO according to the informational value they offer the collective. TAO also grants external access, allowing users to extract information from the network while tuning its activities to their needs.  Ultimately, BitTensors vision is to create a pure market for artificial intelligence, an incentivized arena in which consumers and producers of this valuable commodity can interact in a trustless, open and transparent context.  Bittensor enables:  -A novel, optimized strategy for the development and distribution of artificial intelligence technology by leveraging the possibilities of a distributed ledger. Specifically, its facilitation of open access/ownership, decentralized governance, and the ability to harness globally-distributed resources of computing power and innovation within an incentivized framework.  -An open-source repository of machine intelligence, accessible to anyone, anywhere, thus creating the conditions for open and permission-less innovation on a global internet scale.  -Distribution of rewards and network ownership to users in direct proportion to the value they have added.

Bittensor

Bittensor (TAO) is trending as investors focus on its unique decentralized AI infrastructure and upcoming supply catalyst, with the community frequently comparing its tokenomics and scarcity model to Bitcoin. Bullish sentiment is heavily driven by excitement over potential institutional adoption through Grayscale, the upcoming network halving, and the broader expansion of its subnet ecosystem.

Cheesecake Factory, Inc. engages in the operation of restaurant chains. It operates through the following segments: The Cheesecake Factory Restaurants, North Italia, Other FRC, and Other. The Cheesecake Factory Restaurants segment offers appetizers, pizza, seafood, steaks, chicken, burgers, small plates, pastas, salads, sandwiches and omelettes, and a selection of gluten-free items. The North Italia segment specializes in Italian cuisine. The Other FRC segment includes brands acquired from Fox Restaurant Concepts. The Other segment consists of the Flower Child brand, along with other businesses. The company was founded by David M. Overton, Oscar Overton, and Evelyn Overton in 1972 and is headquartered in Calabasas Hills, CA.

Cheesecake Factory Inc. (The)

Cheesecake Factory Inc.

Cheesecake Factory is seeing increased activity as investors weigh recent expansion efforts, including North Italia and Flower Child, against broader concerns regarding margin pressure and consumer spending. While sentiment remains divided, the community is actively debating the company's long-term value as a mature, cash-flowing entity versus the risks posed by a challenging casual dining environment.

Amarin Corp. Plc is a pharmaceutical company, which focuses on the commercialization and development of therapeutics for cardiovascular health. It focuses on the development and commercialization of Vascepa capsules. The company was founded by Geoffrey William Guy on March 1, 1989 and is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland.

Amarin Corp - ADR

Amarin is trending as investors monitor the company's progress toward sustained positive cash flow alongside high-stakes legal proceedings in the Supreme Court regarding generic patent infringement. Community sentiment remains split between optimism regarding the potential for a strategic buyout or turnaround following corporate restructuring and frustration over the stock's prolonged volatility and stagnant valuation.

The Last Play is Crypto’s 401k.  RETIRE is more than a coin; it’s The Last Play. We are a community dedicated to breaking free from the grind and building true generational wealth. With RETIRE, our mission is simple yet profound: to provide a pathway to retire yourself and secure financial freedom for your bloodline. While others chase hype and trends, we’re focused on creating a legacy that lasts beyond the typical cycle. RETIRE is about making the one move that matters, with a vision for long-term value, freedom, and impact. This isn’t just a meme —it’s a purpose-driven commitment to building a legacy.

The Last Play

RETIRE is trending as the community rallies around a "tokenized retirement" narrative, emphasizing consistent dollar-cost averaging to achieve financial independence. Supporters are actively promoting the token as a disruptive alternative to traditional retirement systems, viewing recent price volatility as a strong accumulation opportunity for long-term growth.

The Stellar network is an open source, distributed, and community owned network used to facilitate cross-asset transfers of value. Stellar aims to help facilitate cross-asset transfer of value at a fraction of a penny while aiming to be an open financial system that gives people of all income levels access to low-cost financial services. Stellar can handle exchanges between fiat-based currencies and between cryptocurrencies. Stellar.org, the organization that supports Stellar, is centralized like XRP and meant to handle cross platform transactions and micro transactions like XRP. However, unlike Ripple, Stellar.org is non-profit and their platform itself is open source and decentralized.   Stellar was founded by Jed McCaleb in 2014. Jed McCaleb is also the founder of Mt. Gox and co-founder of Ripple, launched the network system Stellar with former lawyer Joyce Kim. Stellar is also a payment technology that aims to connect financial institutions and drastically reduce the cost and time required for cross-border transfers. In fact, both payment networks used the same protocol initially.  Distributed Exchange Through the use of its intermediary currency Lumens (XLM), a user can send any currency that they own to anyone else in a different currency.  For instance, if Joe wanted to send USD to Mary using her EUR, an offer is submitted to the distributed exchange selling USD for EUR. This submitted offer forms is known as an order book. The network will use the order book to find the best exchange rate for the transaction in-order to minimize the fee paid by a user.  This multi-currency transaction is possible because of "Anchors". Anchors are trusted entities that hold people’s deposits and can issue credit. In essence, Anchors serves as the bridge between different currencies and the Stellar network.  Lumens (XLM) Lumens are the native asset (digital currency) that exist on the Stellar network that helps to facilitate multi-currency transactions and prevent spams. For multi-currency transactions, XLM is the digital intermediary that allows for such a transaction to occur at a low cost.  In-order to prevent DoS attacks (aka spams) that would inevitably occur on the Stellar network, a small fee of 0.00001 XLM is associated with every transaction that occurs on the network. This fee is small enough so it does not significantly affect the cost of transaction, but large enough so it dissuades bad actors from spamming the network.   Prior to Protocol 12, Stellar had a built-in inflation mechanism conceived to allow account holders to collectively direct inflation-generated lumens toward projects built on Stellar.  As the network evolved and grew, it became increasingly clear that inflation wasn’t working as intended — account holders either didn’t set their inflation destination or joined inflation pools to claim the inflation themselves, and the operational costs associated with inflation payments continued to rise — and so a protocol change to disable inflation was proposed, implemented, voted on by validators, and ultimately adopted as part of a network upgrade.  The inflation operation is now deprecated. https://developers.stellar.org/docs/glossary/inflation/

Stellar Lumens

Stellar Lumens is trending as investors weigh the impact of institutional developments, including its integration into global payment rails and the recent announcement of futures contracts on the CME Group. The community remains deeply polarized, with some members highlighting its utility in real-world asset tokenization, while others express frustration over stagnant price action and persistent market volatility.

What Is Tezos (XTZ)?   Tezos is a high-performing blockchain and open-source platform for assets and applications, with a strong focus on code security, on-chain governance, and decentralization. Tezos 2.0, the upcoming step in the evolution of Tezos, aims to improve scalability (via layer 2s), composability, and to implement support to mainstream programming languages (like Javascript, Typescript, Python, and many others).   Initially built with formal verification in mind, the Tezos protocol enables builders to avoid bugs when developing smart contracts, making it particularly suited to applications that require a high degree of security and certainty.   Tezos’ LPoS (Liquid Proof-of-Stake) consensus mechanism enables any stakeholder to take part, directly or by delegation, in the consensus process, and to be rewarded for securing the network. Rather uniquely, Tezos’ on-chain governance system also enables stakeholders to create and vote on protocol upgrade proposals. This pioneering system allows the protocol to self-amend and upgrade itself without leading to a split (or fork) in the blockchain, empowering the community without slowing down innovation.   First proposed in 2014 and launched in 2018, the Tezos Mainnet has a proven track record of running uninterrupted ever since, having earned a strong reputation for technical excellence and a supportive community.    Who Are the Founders of Tezos? Tezos was conceived by Arthur and Kathleen Breitman in a 2014 white paper under the pseudonym L.M. Goodman in a nod to Satoshi Nakamoto, referencing a journalist who had misidentified the creator of Bitcoin.   In a previous paper, the Breitmans had argued that Bitcoin's biggest shortcomings were the lack of a governance process that invited contributions from its community of users, cost and centralization issues raised by its proof-of-work system, the limited expressiveness of its programming language which didn’t allow for smart contracts, and security

Tezos

Tezos is trending as polarized traders debate the project's long-term utility versus its history of declining price action, with some pointing to recent real-world asset integration as a potential catalyst. Community sentiment remains deeply divided between long-term holders hopeful for a reversal and vocal critics who characterize the asset as a pump-and-dump cycle plagued by excessive supply growth.

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