This article compiles cryptocurrency news for April 1, 2026, focusing on the latest updates on Bitcoin, Ethereum upgrades, Dogecoin price action, real-time cryptocurrency prices, and price predictions, among other topics. Major events in the Web3 space today include:
1、Base releases a 2026 strategy: focusing on global markets, stablecoin payments, and a builder ecosystem
Base has released its 2026 mission, vision, and strategy, with a focus on advancing three major directions: building global markets, upgrading on-chain market infrastructure, and supporting the tokenization of any asset and 24/7 trading—covering stocks, commodities, prediction markets, perpetual contracts, and more—while creating Base App as the entry point for trading millions of assets 24/7; expanding payments and stablecoins by upgrading privacy primitives, local account abstraction, stablecoin payment gas-fee features, and other functions, building the most liquid stablecoin market so that Base App becomes the most convenient savings, spending, and payments platform; becoming a home for builders by providing native intelligent account support for AI Agents, supporting teams through programs such as Base Batches and a developers’ committee, and launching mechanisms like ERC-8021 to incentivize participants who bring users and trading volume.
2、Hong Kong stablecoin license issuance delayed; does stablecoin regulation for HKD stablecoins hit a snag?
The HKD stablecoin license issuance plan that Hong Kong originally planned to launch in March 2026 has been delayed; as of now, no institution has received approval. Previously, the Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Paul Chan Mo-po, publicly said in February that the relevant licenses would be implemented in March, aiming to help Hong Kong develop into a globally regulated stablecoin and asset tokenization center. However, actual progress has fallen short of expectations, and the market widely expects the timeline to be pushed back to April or later.
Chan emphasized that, in the approval process, the regulators focus on whether the applicant has clear use cases, a sustainable business model, and a comprehensive compliance framework—meaning the bar for stablecoin issuance is high. Industry insiders believe this cautious approach helps reduce systemic risk, but in the short term it may affect the pace of industry progress.
According to media disclosures earlier, HSBC, Standard Chartered, and Animoca-related joint ventures are seen as potential first-round license recipients. Since HSBC and Standard Chartered themselves play the roles of HKD note-issuing banks, their involvement in stablecoin ecosystem building is considered symbolic, further strengthening the connection between stablecoins and the traditional financial system.
From an institutional perspective, Hong Kong’s existing monetary system already has “quasi-stable mechanisms.” Note-issuing banks are required to deposit USD reserves into the Exchange Fund under a fixed exchange rate, a model with similarities to stablecoins’ asset-anchoring logic. Eddie Yue, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), had also previously noted that stablecoins can be seen as an evolution into “private money” backed by blockchain.
Although regulators have not disclosed specific reasons for the delay, the official response states that the licensing work is still ongoing and progress will be announced at an appropriate time. For the market, the rollout of HKD stablecoins not only affects the competitive landscape of regional digital finance, but may also become an important bridge connecting on-chain assets with traditional capital systems.
3、Tom Lee: The market has priced in more than 90% of sell pressure; the stock market often bottoms in the first 10% of the war process
In an interview with CNBC, Tom Lee said the market has already digested 90% to 95% of the sell pressure, and the selling process may already be over; now it is possible to start rebuilding the base. He pointed out that in a war environment, the stock market often bottoms early. Based on research into every war since 1900, the stock market bottoms within the first 10% of the war’s progress. If this time also follows that pattern, we are currently in the early stage of the process. Tom Lee said that in the current stage, any bit of bad news triggers de-risking moves, but once people become overly neutral, even if things are not as bad as feared, the market could see a round of a V-shaped rebound. He added on social media that even if the “bottom” has not been reached yet, he believes the U.S. economy can withstand an oil price of $100, even up to $120.
4、CFTC issues a strong warning against insider trading in prediction markets; violators may face enforcement actions
The enforcement division of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is stepping up oversight of insider trading in prediction markets. In April 2026, CFTC Chief Enforcement Officer David Miller publicly said at New York University that the agency has noticed signs of relevant violations and will launch enforcement actions against conduct that uses inside information to trade, clearly denying the market belief that “there is no insider trading in prediction markets.”
Miller noted that some market participants mistakenly think event contracts are a form of “gambling behavior,” causing them to overlook compliance risk. In reality, these products are classified as swap contracts within the legal framework and are subject to strict financial regulatory rules. This means that both information leaks and trading based on non-public information may trigger legal liability.
Multiple recent cases have intensified regulatory attention. For example, traders making precise bets ahead of major policy statements by former President Trump, and high-yield trades tied to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, have been seen as potentially abnormal behavior. In addition, trading related to Iran’s situation and events involving its leadership has also sparked discussions at the level of national security.
Data show that prediction markets are expanding rapidly, with monthly trading volume already exceeding $20 billion. As the market grows, regulators are beginning to focus on areas such as insider trading, market manipulation, and anti-money-laundering compliance. Miller emphasized that the CFTC will prioritize serious violations rather than minor or fringe issues.
Meanwhile, the U.S. legislative front is also moving to strengthen and完善 regulation. The recently proposed “2026 Financial Prediction Markets Public Integrity Act” and the PREDICT Act are intended to limit government officials from participating in prediction trades using information advantages. Some platforms have also already launched self-regulatory mechanisms, introducing new trading rules to reduce compliance risk.
As the regulatory framework gradually tightens, prediction markets are moving from the “gray zone” toward more standardized development. For investors, participating in such markets in the future will not only require judging event probabilities, but also paying closer attention to the compliance of legal boundaries and the sources of information.
5、Uniswap Foundation publishes 2025 fiscal year financial summary; token holdings worth $85.8 million
The Uniswap Foundation has released its 2025 fiscal year financial summary. As of the end of 2025, the foundation held $49.9 million in cash and stablecoins, 15.10 million UNI, and 240 ETH. Based on token prices at the time, the value of the token portion was $85.8 million, and the foundation expects its funding turnover period to last until January 2027. In terms of grants, it pledged $26 million in new grants for the full year and has disbursed $11 million; it pledged $5.8 million in new grants in the fourth quarter and has disbursed $2.1 million. For operations, total operating expenses for the full year were $9.7 million (excluding employee token rewards). In addition, the foundation obtained 20.3 million UNI from the Uniswap Treasury through the Uniswap Unleashed proposal, worth about $114 million at year-end market prices.
6、Musk denies that the SpaceX IPO excludes Robinhood and SoFi; retail investment opportunities still exist
Elon Musk recently denied reports claiming that the upcoming initial public offering (IPO) for SpaceX would exclude Robinhood Markets (HOOD) and SoFi Technologies (SOFI). Earlier, Reuters reported that E*Trade, owned by Morgan Stanley, might lead the sale of SpaceX shares to small U.S. investors, while Robinhood and SoFi might not be able to participate—raising concerns among retail investors.
Musk said clearly that these rumors are false and that retail-friendly platforms have not been excluded from the IPO. SpaceX currently plans to reserve about 30% of the IPO allocation for retail investors, far higher than the usual 5%–10% range. The IPO could raise as much as $75 billion, with a valuation close to $1.75 trillion. This means younger investors still have the opportunity to invest through platforms such as Robinhood.
As of February 2026, Robinhood reported 27.4 million paid users and total assets of $314 billion. Its users’ average age is about 35, which overlaps heavily with the fan base of Tesla and SpaceX. Therefore, Robinhood plays a key role in this IPO. SOFI is also actively pursuing participation opportunities, competing with E*Trade and Fidelity for retail allocations.
After Reuters’ initial report was published, Robinhood stock (HOOD) briefly fell by about 2%. Musk’s clarification indicates that SpaceX’s IPO plan will proceed as originally scheduled and is expected to list in June 2026. However, whether Robinhood will ultimately secure an official distribution channel status has not yet been finalized.
Analysts believe Musk’s statement stabilizes market expectations and also gives retail investors confidence about participating in what could be the biggest IPO in history. If the IPO completes smoothly, Robinhood and SoFi could become important channels for retail investors to access SpaceX investments, while further solidifying young investors’ participation in IPOs of high-growth tech companies.
7、CZ: Crypto can survive the quantum era, but Bitcoin faces risks from Satoshi
CZ posted on X (formerly Twitter) responding to the potential threat that quantum computing poses to crypto, emphasizing that there is no need to panic overall. He said that the vast majority of cryptocurrencies only need to upgrade to quantum-resistant algorithms to stay secure. However, coordinating upgrades across decentralized networks may trigger controversies about algorithm selection, or even cause some blockchains to fork.
CZ reminded that some projects that have stopped maintenance may not be able to complete the upgrade. Such projects may fade away on their own in the post-quantum era. For users, it is necessary to migrate cryptocurrencies to new quantum-resistant wallets to protect their assets. He also said that in the short term, new code could bring other vulnerabilities or security issues, so the migration process must be handled carefully.
A key focus is Satoshi’s Bitcoin. Estimates suggest that Satoshi holds more than 1 million Bitcoins, and these funds have not been moved for decades. CZ warned that if quantum computing capability matures and these Bitcoins remain dormant, the community may need to consider locking or destroying these assets to prevent future attacks. Because it is impossible to completely determine the addresses of early holders, this issue remains challenging.
CZ emphasized that, overall, breaking encryption is harder than creating crypto security. Cryptocurrencies in the post-quantum era will still exist. His comments came right after the release of Google’s Quantum AI white paper, which shows that the number of qubits required to crack elliptic-curve cryptography is far lower than previously estimated. In addition, research from Caltech and Oratomic shows that the Shor algorithm can execute attacks at a scale of about 10,000 qubits, further drawing attention from the cryptography community.
Market analysts believe this discussion highlights the urgency of technological upgrades and security protections for crypto assets, while also providing a reference framework for the long-term survival of Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other major cryptocurrencies in the post-quantum era.
8、Fidelity: This Bitcoin pullback is only 50%; the bottom may be in late September
Fidelity Digital Assets said that the drawdown in Bitcoin during this market cycle is roughly 50%, far less than the 80% to 90% declines seen in the past, indicating reduced market volatility and strengthened institutional confidence. Research analyst Zack Wainwright said that the upside in each cycle shows a diminishing trend, and the risk of this downturn is relatively smaller.
According to TradingView data, Bitcoin hit the cycle low on February 6, slightly above $60,000. It fell 52% from the approximately $126,000 all-time high recorded on October 6, 2025, and it is down 46% from the peak six months earlier. Compared with the previous cycle’s 77% decline, the market pullback has been noticeably milder. Nick Ruck, head of LVRG research at Fidelity Investments, said this reflects Bitcoin gradually shifting from a speculative asset into a more stable store-of-value instrument, paving the way for wider future applications.
Cyclical analysis shows that Bitcoin’s top formed 534 days after the last halving, which is shorter than in the prior cycle. Joao Wedson, founder of Alphractal, expects historical bottoms to appear between 912 and 922 days after a halving, implying that Bitcoin’s bottom could be in late September 2026 to early October.
On the technical side, Bitcoin is still below the 50-day and 200-day exponential moving averages, which are viewed as references for long-term trends. Current prices are hovering near the 200-week exponential moving average; this level provided key support during previous market selloffs. Analysts believe that if Bitcoin holds this support level, it could provide an opportunity for medium- and long-term investors to position themselves.
Overall, this Bitcoin cycle is characterized by a smoother pullback, stable technical support, and increased institutional participation, which is pushing market sentiment toward rationality. This may lay the foundation for Bitcoin price stabilization and potential recovery in the second half of 2026.
9、Michael Saylor’s Strategy buys 88,000 more Bitcoins in 2026 Q1, setting a new record
Michael Saylor’s Strategy made another major purchase of Bitcoin in the first quarter of 2026, buying more than 88,000 BTC worth about $5.5 billion. This brings the company’s total Bitcoin holdings to nearly 739,000 BTC, solidifying its position as the largest corporate Bitcoin holder globally. This additional buying occurred during a period of volatility in the Bitcoin market, showing Saylor’s坚定 confidence in long-term value.
The company’s acquisitions in the quarter were mainly completed through diversified financing totaling $42 billion, including convertible notes and preferred stock. This strategy, Saylor calls a “self-propelling flywheel,” where raising funds to buy Bitcoin increases market appeal, attracting more investors and creating a cyclic gain between financing and crypto asset investing. Compared with the past, the purchase pace accelerated noticeably this quarter, indicating that Saylor views current market prices as an opportunity rather than a risk.
Overall market sentiment is not as optimistic as Saylor’s. Due to macroeconomic uncertainty and volatility in the crypto market, many investors choose to reduce holdings. However, Strategy’s proactive positioning has become an important signal for the market to watch, highlighting an inverse-trade mindset by institutional investors in a bear-market environment.
Even though the strategy signals a high level of conviction, risks remain. Large Bitcoin holdings mean the company must bear financial pressure caused by price volatility, and leveraged financing would further amplify that risk. In addition, high concentration raises attention about its potential influence on the market. Still, Saylor continues to treat Bitcoin as a long-term store-of-value instrument.
With the close of the first quarter, Saylor’s move once again changed market perceptions of institutional adoption of Bitcoin. Regardless of how things go in the future, this additional-purchase initiative has become one of the most closely watched dynamics in the 2026 financial markets, providing a reference example for corporate Bitcoin investment strategies.
10、Interactive Brokers launches retail crypto trading service in Europe, supporting Bitcoin and Ethereum
Interactive Brokers officially launched cryptocurrency trading services for retail customers in the European Economic Area. Users can trade Bitcoin, Ethereum, and nine other crypto assets through their existing brokerage accounts. The service is provided by Interactive Brokers’ Irish entity and has obtained authorization to provide crypto-asset services. Trading and custody are supported by Zero Hash, enabling seamless integration of traditional finance and digital assets.
Users can manage stocks, derivatives, FX, and cryptocurrencies within a single interface. Trading commissions are as low as 0.12% to 0.18%, and the service is available 24/7. Supported tokens include Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, XRP, Cardano, and Dogecoin, meeting diverse investment needs. Interactive Brokers said that as customers’ interest in digital assets increases, the service will further expand its coverage of crypto products.
In addition to trading, Interactive Brokers is also expanding blockchain-based account funding channels in Europe. Users can deposit USDC via the Ethereum, Solana, and Base networks. Once funds arrive, they are automatically converted to USD and credited to the brokerage account. Moreover, customers can transfer cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana directly from external wallets to their Interactive Brokers accounts without having to sell assets first, improving convenience for digital-asset management.
Interactive Brokers currently provides trading access to more than 170 markets globally. Its launch of a retail crypto service in Europe marks further expansion by traditional brokers into digital assets. By integrating trading, custody, and funding features, the company offers investors a safer and more efficient digital-asset investment experience, while also providing an easy channel for European retail investors to enter the Bitcoin and Ethereum markets.
11、Metaplanet raises $255 million, aiming to reach 100,000 Bitcoins by end-2026
Tokyo-listed company Metaplanet announced the successful fundraising of $255 million to expand its Bitcoin holdings. The financing was completed through issuing preferred shares with rights and warrants, enabling the company to increase its Bitcoin reserves without adding debt. CEO Simon Gerovich said the goal is to raise its Bitcoin holdings to 100,000 BTC by the end of 2026.
As of March 31, based on a Bitcoin price of about $67,000, this funding can buy roughly 3,800 Bitcoins, bringing Metaplanet’s holdings to more than 1,200 BTC. Metaplanet’s strategy is similar to Strategy’s: it has continued to accumulate Bitcoin since 2020, expanding reserves through equity financing rather than debt, to avoid financial risks. Simon Gerovich emphasized that this move reflects the company’s坚定 confidence in Bitcoin’s long-term value and also highlights its corporate Bitcoin adoption strategy.
The trend of corporate holding Bitcoin is accelerating worldwide. According to Bitcointreasuries.net data, more than 100 listed companies already hold Bitcoin. It is expected that institutional quarterly inflows in 2026 will exceed $10 billion. Such inflows reduce the available supply in the Bitcoin market, which may create upward pressure on prices and reinforce Bitcoin’s role as a strategic asset and store-of-value tool.
Metaplanet’s financing method uses premium-priced shares and warrants, giving investors confidence in the company’s ability to expand its Bitcoin reserves steadily. This move may prompt other companies in Asia and around the world to follow suit, increasing activity in the corporate Bitcoin market. As the company proceeds with its purchase plan, the market will continue to watch the potential impact of corporate Bitcoin holdings on supply, demand, and price trends.
12、Anthropic Claude Code leaks 512,000 lines, $350 billion IPO plan hit
During a routine npm update, Anthropic accidentally leaked 512,000 lines of source code for Claude Code, including critical debugging files that reveal the full architecture of this flagship AI coding tool. It is reported that the tool generates about $2.5 billion in recurring annual revenue for the company.
Security researcher Chaofan Shou found a source-code mapping file in the Claude Code 2.1.88 version and posted a download link on X (Twitter). The code spread rapidly to GitHub within hours, accumulating tens of thousands of forks. Anthropic then issued a DMCA takedown notice. The leak occurred five days after another CMS configuration error leaked about 3,000 internal files, including details about the unpublished “Mythos” model. Within a week, two unexpected incidents raised market concerns about Anthropic’s $350 billion valuation and its planned IPO in the fourth quarter of 2026.
The leaked files reveal an internal feature called “Undercover Mode,” designed to prevent Claude from leaking confidential information, while also exposing 44 feature flags, an unreleased backend guard process called KAIROS, and an internal codename for a Claude 4.6 variant called “Capybara.” Anthropic said this was the result of a human error packaging issue. Enterprise customers account for 80% of Claude Code revenue, which now faces the risk of exposure to security logic and permission-bypass technical vulnerabilities.
A Korean-Canadian developer, Sigrid Jin, was previously reported for consuming $25 billion worth of Claude Code tokens. After the leak, he re-implemented the Python code and received 50,000 GitHub stars within two hours. This suggests that despite the risks from the leak, the open-source community’s attention to Claude Code remains extremely high.
This incident highlights how AI companies must strengthen code security and internal permission management before an IPO, and it also serves as a reminder to investors and institutions to pay attention to how potential technical risks affect market valuation. As Anthropic faces more scrutiny, its IPO prospects could experience significant volatility.
13、Bitcoin plunges 24% in Q1, the worst performance since 2018
In the first quarter of 2026, Bitcoin fell 23.8%, recording its worst quarterly performance since 2018. According to Yahoo Finance data, Bitcoin closed Tuesday at $66,619, down from $87,508 on January 1. Over the past six months, its market value has lost about 41.6%. Analysts said macroeconomic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are the main factors driving the price decline.
ETF flows have also put pressure on Bitcoin. SoSoValue data shows that in the first quarter, spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded net outflows of $496.5 million. The outflows totaled as much as $1.8 billion in the first two months, while inflows of $1.32 billion in March partially offset that impact. Andri Fauzan Adziima, head of research at Bitrue, said the decline was driven by a combination of ETF outflows, high inflation, the Federal Reserve’s cautious policy, and a heightened risk-avoidance sentiment in the market.
Despite near-term pressure, long-term confidence remains strong. Min Jung, a researcher at Presto Research, said there is currently almost no evidence of a structural change in long-term Bitcoin confidence. Institutional participation and adoption trends remain robust, indicating that the price drop is more of a cyclical adjustment rather than deterioration in fundamentals. Nick Ruck, director of research at LVRG, added that to reverse the downtrend in the second quarter, it would require renewed ETF inflows, the rollout of crypto-friendly regulation, and a shift toward a more easing monetary environment.
Market attention is on developments in the Middle East situation. Trump said that even if the U.S. and Iran fail to reach an agreement, the conflict could end within two to three weeks, but Iran is still attacking surrounding Gulf countries. Investors believe that further easing or escalation of tensions in the Middle East will directly affect overall market sentiment for Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies. Recent price volatility shows that Bitcoin has slightly rebounded by 2.5% over the past 24 hours to $69,116, but the overall trend still needs to be monitored in light of macro and geopolitical factors. (The Block)
14、Crypto hacker losses surge to $52 million in March; USR crash triggers a chain reaction
In March 2026, crypto hacking attacks increased sharply. A total of 20 major incidents resulted in losses exceeding $52 million, nearly doubling the $26.5 million figure in February. According to PeckShield data, this marks that the level of market threat rose again after reaching a low point in December last year.
The most severe incident occurred at Resolv Labs. Chainalysis reported that attackers compromised its cloud infrastructure, obtained access to AWS Key Management Service (KMS), which led to the illegal minting of 80 million unsecured USR tokens and triggered a collapse in USR. Ultimately, the hackers stole around $25 million worth of Ethereum. In addition, the USR crash also caused bad debts for multiple companies including Fluid, Morpho Blue, and Euler Finance, spreading across the entire crypto ecosystem.
The attack methods in March showed diverse trends, including physical threats and social engineering attacks. A pseudonymous trader, Sillytuna, faced kidnapping threats at the beginning of the month and lost about $24 million, while a social engineering attack targeting the holder of a certain CEX account led to losses of about $18 million. Venus Protocol (XVS) recorded total bad debts of $2.15 million that month, showing that holders of high-value crypto assets are facing new security challenges.
In the first quarter of 2026, total crypto losses exceeded $164 million. Attack methods have shifted from purely online theft to a mix of attacks and offline threats, underscoring the importance of security for both individuals and institutions. Experts said investors need to increase security awareness and use multi-signature wallets, cold storage, and strict identity verification to respond to an increasingly complex threat environment.
Against a backdrop of frequent hacker activity, short-term volatility has increased for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other major crypto assets. The market is focusing on crypto security and asset protection strategies, especially among holders of high-value tokens.
15、Texas legislature to include prediction markets and crypto in 2027 legislative priorities
Texas Lt. Governor and Speaker Dan Patrick has announced that prediction markets, cryptocurrencies, and blockchain research will be included as priorities for the next legislative session. In his statement, Patrick said these temporary tasks are intended to advance Texas’s conservative agenda, with a focus on evaluating cases where prediction market activity might circumvent Texas gambling restrictions, especially markets related to elections.
Patrick also called for stronger coordination of federal regulations for cryptocurrencies and blockchain, and for an evaluation of crypto self-service ATMs operating in Texas. In recent years, Texas has been actively laying groundwork in the crypto space, including making its first purchase of $5 million worth of Bitcoin in November 2025, becoming the first U.S. state to establish a Bitcoin reserve.
Texas is not the only state reviewing prediction markets. Nevada and Arizona have filed lawsuits against platforms such as Polymarket and Kalshi, focusing on legal compliance and preventing gambling loopholes. Analysts said that as crypto assets and prediction markets develop rapidly, regulatory pressure on related risks from state governments will continue to increase.
Among other legislative priorities, Patrick proposed studying the significance of artificial intelligence’s impact on the Texas workforce and economic competitiveness. Google recently invested tens of billions of dollars to build data centers in Texas to support Anthropic’s operations, showing that technology and digital assets are becoming an important part of the state’s economic strategy.
The Texas legislature meets every two years. The next 140-day session will take place in January 2027. As regulatory issues related to cryptocurrencies and prediction markets are added to the key agenda, both the market and investors will closely watch Texas for further actions on digital-asset legal frameworks and blockchain policy.
