Hi there,
Here’s The Week in Web3 at a Glance
- NYSE Lifts Limits on Crypto ETF Options, Expanding Trading Flexibility
- Bitcoin Reclaims $70K Amid Eased Geopolitical Tensions
- OKX Introduces Execution Layer to Improve AI-Driven Crypto Trading
- Sign Launches Blockchain-Based CBDC Stack to Link Banks and Digital Assets
- U.S. Senators Move to Clamp Down on Sports-Based Prediction Markets.
It wasn’t a headline-heavy week in the cryptoverse, but a few developments are worth paying attention to.
NYSE Arca and NYSE American finally removed long-standing limits on options tied to spot Bitcoin and Ether ETFs. With this, traders can now take larger positions, bringing crypto derivatives a bit closer to how traditional markets already operate.
Bitcoin also pushed back above $70,000 as markets reacted to a short-term pullback in geopolitical pressure. It is however, too early to break out the celebratory champagne, as options data shows traders are actively hedging, with more demand for downside protection across BTC and ETH. So while price is recovering, positioning suggests people are staying careful.
Elsewhere, the buildout on the infrastructure side continues. Sign’s CBDC system is another example of how traditional finance and crypto are starting to connect in more practical ways, especially around payments. At the same time, signals from the SEC around tokenization suggest regulation may be moving, even if slowly.
Put together, it’s a week that says more about where the market is settling than where it’s rushing to. Things are improving, but conviction is still measured.
Let’s take a closer look at some key developments from the week.
Lead Story of the Week:
NYSE Exchanges Lift Limits on Crypto ETF Options, Expanding Trading Flexibility (more)
Two major U.S. exchanges have quietly reshaped the trading landscape for crypto-linked derivatives. NYSE Arca and NYSE American have removed the long-standing 25,000-contract position and exercise limit on options tied to a group of spot Bitcoin and Ether exchange-traded funds (ETFs), opening the door to larger and more flexible trades.
Both exchanges submitted their proposals on March 10, 2026, seeking to align crypto ETF options with the broader framework used for traditional ETF options. The filings were approved under Rule 19b-4(f)(6), allowing them to bypass the usual 30-day waiting period. Read more here
Other News Making Waves
Markets & Trading
Bitcoin Reclaims $70K as Geopolitical Tensions Ease (more)
Bitcoin surged past $70,000 following a temporary pause in U.S. strikes against Iranian energy infrastructure, according to Wintermute. The announcement from former President Trump, citing productive diplomatic talks, prompted a rapid unwinding of the geopolitical risk premium that had weighed on oil and risk assets. Brent crude fell sharply, and Bitcoin rose intraday toward $71,000 as short positions were squeezed.
Bitcoin Options Turn Defensive as Put Buying Surges Amid Geopolitical Risks (more)
Bitcoin options markets are showing a defensive bias as traders increasingly seek downside protection. Implied volatility for BTC surged during recent sell-offs, with March 27, 2026 data from Markus Thielen showing a jump from the low-40% range to 65.4% before easing back toward 50%.
At the same time, the options skew shifted sharply toward puts, reaching -13.0%, highlighting a growing preference for protection against further price declines.
Put buying has risen sharply, making up 29% of Bitcoin and 37% of Ethereum option trades over the past week. This shows that traders are getting more cautious, worried that ongoing geopolitical tensions could keep inflation high and put pressure on growth-sensitive assets, not just oil. Even though Bitcoin’s spot price has stayed fairly stable compared to other risky assets, the increase in options trading shows that traders are actively protecting themselves instead of staying relaxed.
Stablecoins & Payments
- Ripple Tests RLUSD for Trade Finance in Singapore’s Central Bank Sandbox. (More)
- ECB’s Cipollone Says Stablecoins and Tokenized Deposits Need Central Bank Money To Scale (More)
- Bernstein Flags Circle and Coinbase as Top Stablecoin Bets Amid Rise of Machine Payments. (More)
DeFi & On-Chain Finance
- Aave Leads Lending Markets as Mantle Gains Traction in DeFi. (More)
- LDP Task Force to Define Japan’s National Strategy for AI-Blockchain Finance. (More)
- B2PRIME Expands Into Crypto Spot and Perpetual Futures. (More)
Industry & Ecosystem Development
- OKX Introduces Execution Layer to Improve AI-Driven Crypto Trading. (More)
- Deloitte Canada Partners With Stablecorp to Launch Institutional Digital Asset Platform. (More)
- MagicBlock Introduces Real-Time Blockchain Execution on Solana. (More)
Security & Crime
- Balancer Labs Shuts Down After $116M Hack, Pushes DAO-Led Comeback. (More)
- Coordinated ‘War Fear’ Scam Network Exposed on X by ZachXBT. (More)
- CZ Issues Stark Warning on Binance Listing Scams (more)
Regulation & Policy Watch
- U.S. Senators Move to Clamp Down on Sports-Based Prediction Markets. (More)
- SEC Signals Imminent Tokenization Breakthrough as Congress Backs On-Chain Markets (More)
Market Movers: Winners and Losers
Top 5 Gainers 📈
- Bedrock BR +173.2%, from $0.056236 to $0.153694
- Corn CORN +104.4%, from $0.02263575 to $0.04626972
- Unitas UP +43.9%, from $0.126858 to $0.182507
- SkyAI SKYAI +43.9%, from $0.04718127 to $0.067906
- Aria.AI ARIA +40.8%, from $0.199294 to $0.280644
Top 5 Losers 📉
- Resolv USR -79.7%, from $0.999809 to $0.202786
- Pippin PIPPIN -45.9%, from $0.101680 to $0.055051
- UnifAI Network UAI -45.0%, from $0.432060 to $0.237804
- Resolv Liquidity Provider Token RLP -41.8%, from $1.28 to $0.745479
- Freysa AI FAI -40.8%, from $0.00696568 to $0.00412236
Data source: CoinGecko
Project Spotlight
Sign Rolls Out Blockchain-Based CBDC Stack Linking Banks to Digital Asset
Sign has introduced a blockchain-based Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) infrastructure, positioning it as a bridge between traditional finance and the broader crypto ecosystem. The system is built on a dual-layer architecture designed to support both institutional settlement and retail usage while enabling interoperability with digital assets.
Sign is a system that helps governments and banks create and use digital versions of money on blockchain. It connects traditional banking systems with crypto networks, allowing money to move digitally while still staying under government control. What it does is make transactions faster and more flexible.
Banks can settle payments instantly, and digital money can interact with broader crypto markets. For people and businesses, this could mean quicker cross-border payments, lower fees, better access to digital financial services, and more efficient ways to send, receive, or even distribute funds like salaries or government aid.
Why It Matters: As CBDCs gain momentum, solutions like Sign that bridge traditional finance and crypto could drive faster payments, lower costs, and wider access, making digital money more practical for everyday use.
Disclaimer: This roundup is intended solely for informational purposes and should not be considered trading or investment advice. Nothing herein should be construed as financial, legal, or tax advice. Trading or investing in cryptocurrencies carries a considerable risk of financial loss. Always conduct due diligence.
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