Author: NBTC

The global payments system is entering a major transformation as banks upgrade their messaging infrastructure. The international network SWIFT expects most institutions to shift toward the ISO 20022 format over the next few years. In fact, SWIFT estimates that nearly 90% of global transactions could run on ISO 20022 by 2026. The change represents one of the largest upgrades to the financial system in decades. At the same time, several blockchain networks are aligning their systems with the new messaging standard. UPDATE: The biggest financial upgrade in decades is happening now.SWIFT expects 90% of global transactions to run on ISO…

Some miners in the Bitcoin market are turning to artificial intelligence after struggling to stay profitable in the current market cycle, according to algorithmic trading firm Wintermute. The difficulties in this Bitcoin cycle are playing out quite differently compared with the market pressures in 2018 and 2022, making returns so much more challenging for many miners, the market maker wrote. Previous epochs’ shrinking margins were predominantly a reflection of the cyclical interplay of rewards, fees, and the cost of doing business, Wintermute said, but now the squeeze feels more structural. It noted, “We’re at the structural ceiling, not a cyclical…

AscendEX, a renowned digital asset trading entity, is pleased to announce its collaboration with REI Network, an Ethereum-compatible blockchain designed for high-performance decentralized applications (dApps). This partnership is aimed at the expansion of the high-performance, EVM-compatible, and zero-fee. In addition to that, this synergy would expand the growth and visibility of the REI Network ecosystem. 🥳We’re excited to partner with @GXChainGlobal #REI was developed for the evolution trend of the #Blockchain, to achieve a lightweight, EVM compatible, higher performance, and no fee blockchain framework.🚀Stay tuned for more updates! pic.twitter.com/GEf1PVryWY — AscendEX (@AscendEX_) March 13, 2026 REI Network is purposefully built…

Ethereum is showing renewed strength as buyers push the asset toward a key resistance zone near $2,100. Recent technical signals suggest momentum favors bulls, although traders still watch several critical support levels. Ethereum Price Structure Signals Bullish Momentum Short-term charts show Ethereum breaking above the 0.786 Fibonacci retracement near $2,073. Consequently, price reclaimed major moving averages that previously limited upside momentum. The 20, 50, 100, and 200 exponential averages now sit between $1,970 and $1,995. This cluster forms a strong support zone where buyers previously defended dips. Moreover, Ethereum continues to print higher lows since March 1. That structure signals…

The U.K.-based betting exchange Smarkets has sought authorization with the U.S. regulators to run a prediction market exchange, the biggest indicator yet of what could become a significant corporate spread into one of the fastest-growing financial trading segments in the world. The company has submitted applications to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), a regulatory body in the United States, to become both a Designated Contract Market (DCM) and a Derivatives Clearing Organization (DCO), both of which would enable it to list and clear event-based contracts in the United States. Assuming that its proposal is approved, Smarkets anticipates opening its…

Demand for tokenized commodities is increasing as investors look for safe-haven exposure through crypto-native markets that trade around the clock, rather than only during traditional market hours. The tokenized commodities sector grew 10% over the past month to $7.69 billion in cumulative market capitalization, while holders increased by 5.8% to 189,390, according to data aggregator RWA.xyz. Tether Gold (XAUT) makes up the lion’s share with $2.96 billion of onchain commodities, while Paxos Gold (PAXG) is second with $2.56 billion. The growth underscores how real-world assets are becoming a larger part of crypto market activity. Tokenized commodities allow investors to gain…

South African Eskom Considering Discount Power for Bitcoin Miners as Solar Creates Surplus Eskom, a South African electricity public utility, is exploring plans to sell excess daytime electricity to Bitcoin mining companies as rooftop solar installations reduce grid demand during daylight hours. Speaking at the Biznews Conference 2026 in Hermanus, Eskom chairman Mteto Nyati said the utility is evaluating ways to monetize surplus power generated during the middle of the day, according to local reporting. South Africa’s rapid adoption of rooftop solar systems has begun to reshape the country’s electricity demand profile. Many households and businesses now generate their own…

Ethereum ($ETH) price gained over 3% so far on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, to reach a local high of about $2,090. The large-cap altcoin, with a market cap of about $245.9 billion, rallied in tandem with Bitcoin ($BTC) to trade around $2,041 at press time. $ETH chart for 7-day. Source: Finbold Why is Ethereum price up today? The main reason why Ethereum price rallied above $2,000 on Wednesday was due to renewed traders’ optimism. Notably, $BTC price led the wider altcoin market in a relief rally on Wednesday after President Donald Trump urged banks to compromise on their issues regarding…

Regulators in China are pushing for the revision of the People’s Bank of China Law, arguing that the 2003 law cannot keep up with the needs of modern technology. A deputy at the National People’s Congress, Fu Xiguo, submitted a formal request during the 2026 sessions to officially declare the digital yuan as legal tender. Meanwhile, Hong Kong is expected to issue its first batch of stablecoin licenses to no more than four companies, as mainland China and Hong Kong focus on different angles to tackle the fiat-linked digital currency question. Will China officially make the digital yuan legal tender?…

Binance, via its lawyers, told a U.S. Senate investigation it found no evidence that accounts on its platform transacted directly with Iranian entities, refuting allegations that $1.7 billion in crypto flowed through the exchange to Iran-linked groups. In a March 6 letter responding to inquiries from Sen. Richard Blumenthal’s (D-Conn.) Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, the largest crypto exchange said an internal review found only indirect exposure to wallets that may have had links to Iran, and that accounts tied to the activity were removed. Binance also attacked the media coverage that prompted the probe, calling reporting by outlets including the…