Bitcoin Reclaims $70,000 as Oil Cools
The tape today is a live test of how much geopolitical cooling can reflate the "digital gold" and "on-chain capital markets" trades at the same time. Stay up on the crypto news that matters with "Crypto Currents," daily from The Fly. Join us at 2 PM ET for your essential briefing on the fast-moving world of cryptocurrency on FlyCast radio.BITCOIN JUMPS BACK ABOVE $70,000 AS OIL COOLS:reports that bitcoin (BTC-USD) reclaimed $70,000 and dragged ether (ETH-USD) and XRPhigher after President Trump said the Iran conflict could end "very soon," easing the war-premium pressure that had built up in oil and haven trades.Bloombergadds that bitcoin briefly pushed above $71,000 alongside a bounce in equities as crude backed off recent highs, reversing part of last week's energy-driven risk-off move.Bloombergseparately reports that many Hong Kong-based family offices plan to add exposure to digital assets and private equity over the next three years, signaling that institutional appetite in Asia is firming even as Western retail sentiment remains fragile.SPOT BITCOIN ETFS SNAP BACK TO $167M AS STRIVE AND CIRCLE GET STREET UPGRADES:says U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs pulled in about $167M of net inflows on Monday, reversing roughly $577M of outflows from the prior Thursday and Friday as BlackRock'sIBIT led with $109M and Fidelity's FBTC added $60M. Total spot bitcoin ETF assets sit near $88.3B, even as ether, XRP, and solanafunds logged a third straight day of redemptions. On the sell-side, B. Riley analyst Fedor Shabalin initiated Strive Enterprises (ASST) at Buy rating with a $12 price target, citing a dual-engine model that combines a roughly 13,100 bitcoin corporate treasury with about $2.5B of ETF assets under management across 13 products.TOKENIZED STOCKS TOP $1B AS NASDAQ AND KRAKEN BUILD THE ON-CHAIN EQUITY GATEWAY:Cointelegraphreports that tokenized stocks have crossed $1B in outstanding on-chain value for the first time, with Ondo Finance controlling about 60.5% share, roughly $605M, and Kraken's xStocks at about $232M.The Wall Street Journalcontinues to cover Nasdaq's (NDAQ) partnership with Kraken parent Payward to build an issuer-sponsored equity-token gateway using xStocks, which has processed more than $25B in cumulative volume since its June 2025 launch and now counts 85,000-plus on-chain holders. The tokens are expected to go live through DTCC settlement in the first half of 2027, putting traditional voting and dividend mechanics on-chain.BITCOIN TREASURY PLAYS DIVERGE AS HYPERSCALE STACKS AND EMPERY SELLS INTO STRENGTH:A freshpress releaseshows Hyperscale Data (GPUS) holding 617.16 bitcoin, worth about $40.7M at March 8 prices, plus $42.2M of cash and restricted cash, for total bitcoin-plus-cash of roughly $82.9M, or about 138% of its equity market cap. Empery Digital (EMPD) is running the opposite book, with adisclosing that it sold 102 bitcoin last week at an average of $71,636, raising about $7.3M to fund buybacks and bolster cash, while still holding 3,562 bitcoin and having repurchased 20.175 million shares under a $200M program. On the M&A front,notes that Signing Day Sports (SGN) expects to close its BlockchAIn Digital Infrastructure merger on March 16, with the combined company to trade as "AIB" on NYSE American and operate a 40 MW South Carolina AI/HPC data center.ETHER WHALES REPOSITION AS BITMINE MOVES $19.5M TO COINBASE PRIME:shows Bitmine Immersion Technologies (BMNR) moved 9,608 ether, about $19.5M, into Coinbase Prime in two tranches today, routing through an intermediate wallet in a pattern consistent with institutional custody or staking rather than spot selling. Bitmine still controls more than 1 million ether across tracked wallets and disclosed 4.53 million ether, 195 bitcoin, and $1.2B in cash on March 9, with Chairman Tom Lee telling investors the firm stepped up purchases to about 61,000 ether last week, its largest weekly buy of 2026. Separately, an OG whale address completed a full liquidation by sending its final 5,082 ether, about $10.3M, to Coinbase, closing out a position that traces back to a 23,300 ether withdrawal from Kraken in October 2016 at roughly $10.37 per coin for a roughly 19,383% gain, while a different whale bought 10,158 ether for $21M at around $2,069 and holds about $83.6M in 20x leveraged bitcoin and ether longs with more than $3M in floating profit.Cointelegraphframes all of this against ether's 65% underperformance versus bitcoin since the proof-of-stake transition, with the "ultrasound money" narrative fading as post-Dencun fee burns decline and supply turns modestly inflationary.SEC FILINGS ROUNDUP FROM BULLISH TO PERSHING SQUARE TO SOLUNA:Bullish (BLSH) filed its20-F annual reportshowing $84.1B in February 2026 trading volume, an adjusted revenue jump to $288.5M from $213.9M, adjusted EBITDA of $94.3M, and gross liquid assets of $3.72B, but a statutory net loss of $785.5M driven by digital-asset impairments. Teucrium Commodity Trust alsoregisteredits 7RCC Spot Bitcoin and Carbon Credit Futures ETF on NYSE Arca, targeting an 80/20 split between bitcoin and regulated carbon credit futures.The Wall Street Journalreports that Bill Ackman's Pershing Square filed its N-2 IPO registration for a closed-end fund planning to list on the NYSE under ticker 'PSUS', with $2.8B already committed toward an anticipated $5B-$10B raise, and the filing includes "cryptocurrency," "blockchain," and "digital asset" within its risk factors and investment universe language. A Lazard Fundsdisclosurerevealed holdings in Coinbase (COIN), Riot Platforms (RIOT), CleanSpark (CLSK), and MARA Holdings (MARA). Soluna Holdings (SLNH) filed an8-Ka day after putting a $1B shelf registration on file, advancing its 83 MW wind-powered bitcoin mining facility in Texas with a projected 3.5 EH/s hashrate and $17M to $20M in annual revenue, plus a 350 MW Tier 3 AI campus on more than 500 acres. BitGo Holdings (BTGO) CEO Mike Belshe is presenting at the Canaccord Genuity Digital Assets Symposium today, fresh off announcements that BitGo will provide stablecoin infrastructure for SoFiUSD, the first stablecoin from a U.S. nationally chartered bank, and completed the first tokenized equity trades with Figureon the Provenance blockchain.PRICE ACTION:As of time of writing, bitcoin was trading at$71,354.18, while ether was trading at $2,068.70,.
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IQM FINLAND OY SECURES €50 MILLION FINANCING PACKAGE FROM BLACKROCK-MANAGED FUNDS AND ACCOUNTS.
- Financing Secured: Finland has secured a financing package worth 50 million euros.
- Managed by BlackRock: The funds and accounts are managed by the investment firm BlackRock.
BlackRock Partners with Greater Manchester Pension Fund to Invest £1B in NHS Properties
- Investment Scale: BlackRock is collaborating with the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF) to invest £1 billion in NHS properties, with BlackRock contributing significantly alongside GMPF's £150 million investment, reflecting strong confidence in public assets.
- Strategic Partnership: This collaboration aims to attract additional pension fund investors to build a portfolio worth £1 billion over the next five years, thereby accelerating the availability of private capital for essential assets to meet public service needs.
- Market Outlook: John Benham, head of UK open-ended funds at BlackRock, expressed being “incredibly excited” about partnering with GMPF, indicating the company's proactive stance in promoting infrastructure investment, which may attract more investors to public assets.
- Industry Impact: This initiative not only helps improve the funding situation for NHS properties but may also encourage other investment institutions to follow suit, further driving private capital participation in public services and promoting overall market health.
Iran War Triggers Market Turmoil Amid Conflicting Statements
- Market Uncertainty: The oil markets are experiencing volatility due to conflicting statements regarding the Iran war, with both WTI and Brent crude prices initially rising before pulling back, indicating investor concerns about future developments.
- Defense Secretary Investment Controversy: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's broker reportedly sought to make multimillion-dollar investments in major defense companies before the war, raising questions about potential insider trading, although the Pentagon has dismissed these claims.
- Trump's Tough Rhetoric: President Trump threatened to destroy Iran's oil wells and power plants if a peace deal is not reached, which has heightened market anxiety and complicated investor expectations regarding the conflict's trajectory.
- Fed's Inflation Outlook: Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell stated that inflation expectations remain grounded despite rising energy prices, suggesting that the central bank does not need to respond with higher interest rates, which could influence market perceptions of future monetary policy.
Pentagon Denies Defense Secretary's Investment Rumors
- Investment Rumors Surface: According to the Financial Times, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's broker sought to make a large investment in major defense companies ahead of the Iran war, although the Pentagon denied the report, labeling it as 'entirely false.'
- ETF Investment Plan: Hegseth's broker contacted BlackRock to discuss a multimillion-dollar investment in its iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF, which has approximately $3.1 billion in assets and includes stocks from major defense firms like Lockheed Martin.
- Poor Market Performance: The Defense ETF has lost 12.4% in the past month since the onset of the Iran war, reflecting cautious sentiment in the defense investment landscape, despite Hegseth's investment plans not materializing.
- Conflict Escalation: With U.S. Marines arriving in the region, the Pentagon is preparing for weeks of ground operations in Iran, indicating a potential escalation of the conflict that could further impact defense industry investment sentiment.
Americans Should Prioritize Tax Planning for Wealth Maximization
- Importance of Tax Planning: A survey by the Nationwide Retirement Institute reveals that while 80% of Americans expect taxes to rise, only 31% are adjusting their financial plans accordingly, indicating a significant oversight that could lead to substantial financial losses for families.
- 401(k) Investment Benefits: In 2026, employees can contribute up to $24,500 pre-tax to a 401(k) or 403(b), with those over 50 allowed an additional $8,000, maximizing these pre-tax deductions can effectively lower taxable income and result in real savings.
- Tax-Optimized Investment Strategies: Placing high-yield investments in retirement accounts like IRAs can avoid ordinary tax rates that are typically higher than capital gains rates, while utilizing a Roth IRA for high-growth assets allows for tax-free growth throughout one's lifetime, enhancing wealth accumulation efficiency.
- Tax Benefits of Donating Investments: Donor-advised funds enable investors to make tax-deductible charitable contributions using highly appreciated assets, thus avoiding capital gains tax, particularly beneficial for those holding significant company stock, which can substantially reduce tax liabilities over the long term.
Analysts Bullish on BlackRock Stock Outlook
- Analyst Confidence: As of March 24, 2026, approximately 90% of analysts express optimism for BlackRock (NYSE:BLK), with a price target of $1,300 implying over 30% upside, reflecting strong market confidence in its financial stability.
- Price Target Adjustment: Analysts at Evercore ISI have lowered BlackRock's price target from $1,275 to $1,235 while maintaining an “Outperform” rating, indicating cautious optimism about the company's future growth, particularly in light of Q1 traditional asset manager inflows.
- Earnings Growth Expectations: UBS analysts are confident in BlackRock's growth trajectory, projecting low-to-mid-teens earnings growth and margin expansion, primarily driven by management fee growth, which will further bolster investor confidence.
- P/E Ratio Upside Potential: Analysts highlight that given the company's strong outlook, investors may be willing to value BlackRock at a higher P/E multiple in the low-20x range, suggesting potential high-teens upside from the stock's trading level at that time, reinforcing its attractiveness as an investment.
IQM FINLAND OY SECURES €50 MILLION FINANCING PACKAGE FROM BLACKROCK-MANAGED FUNDS AND ACCOUNTS.
- Financing Secured: Finland has secured a financing package worth 50 million euros.
- Managed by BlackRock: The funds and accounts are managed by the investment firm BlackRock.
BlackRock Partners with Greater Manchester Pension Fund to Invest £1B in NHS Properties
- Investment Scale: BlackRock is collaborating with the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF) to invest £1 billion in NHS properties, with BlackRock contributing significantly alongside GMPF's £150 million investment, reflecting strong confidence in public assets.
- Strategic Partnership: This collaboration aims to attract additional pension fund investors to build a portfolio worth £1 billion over the next five years, thereby accelerating the availability of private capital for essential assets to meet public service needs.
- Market Outlook: John Benham, head of UK open-ended funds at BlackRock, expressed being “incredibly excited” about partnering with GMPF, indicating the company's proactive stance in promoting infrastructure investment, which may attract more investors to public assets.
- Industry Impact: This initiative not only helps improve the funding situation for NHS properties but may also encourage other investment institutions to follow suit, further driving private capital participation in public services and promoting overall market health.
Iran War Triggers Market Turmoil Amid Conflicting Statements
- Market Uncertainty: The oil markets are experiencing volatility due to conflicting statements regarding the Iran war, with both WTI and Brent crude prices initially rising before pulling back, indicating investor concerns about future developments.
- Defense Secretary Investment Controversy: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's broker reportedly sought to make multimillion-dollar investments in major defense companies before the war, raising questions about potential insider trading, although the Pentagon has dismissed these claims.
- Trump's Tough Rhetoric: President Trump threatened to destroy Iran's oil wells and power plants if a peace deal is not reached, which has heightened market anxiety and complicated investor expectations regarding the conflict's trajectory.
- Fed's Inflation Outlook: Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell stated that inflation expectations remain grounded despite rising energy prices, suggesting that the central bank does not need to respond with higher interest rates, which could influence market perceptions of future monetary policy.
Pentagon Denies Defense Secretary's Investment Rumors
- Investment Rumors Surface: According to the Financial Times, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's broker sought to make a large investment in major defense companies ahead of the Iran war, although the Pentagon denied the report, labeling it as 'entirely false.'
- ETF Investment Plan: Hegseth's broker contacted BlackRock to discuss a multimillion-dollar investment in its iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF, which has approximately $3.1 billion in assets and includes stocks from major defense firms like Lockheed Martin.
- Poor Market Performance: The Defense ETF has lost 12.4% in the past month since the onset of the Iran war, reflecting cautious sentiment in the defense investment landscape, despite Hegseth's investment plans not materializing.
- Conflict Escalation: With U.S. Marines arriving in the region, the Pentagon is preparing for weeks of ground operations in Iran, indicating a potential escalation of the conflict that could further impact defense industry investment sentiment.
Americans Should Prioritize Tax Planning for Wealth Maximization
- Importance of Tax Planning: A survey by the Nationwide Retirement Institute reveals that while 80% of Americans expect taxes to rise, only 31% are adjusting their financial plans accordingly, indicating a significant oversight that could lead to substantial financial losses for families.
- 401(k) Investment Benefits: In 2026, employees can contribute up to $24,500 pre-tax to a 401(k) or 403(b), with those over 50 allowed an additional $8,000, maximizing these pre-tax deductions can effectively lower taxable income and result in real savings.
- Tax-Optimized Investment Strategies: Placing high-yield investments in retirement accounts like IRAs can avoid ordinary tax rates that are typically higher than capital gains rates, while utilizing a Roth IRA for high-growth assets allows for tax-free growth throughout one's lifetime, enhancing wealth accumulation efficiency.
- Tax Benefits of Donating Investments: Donor-advised funds enable investors to make tax-deductible charitable contributions using highly appreciated assets, thus avoiding capital gains tax, particularly beneficial for those holding significant company stock, which can substantially reduce tax liabilities over the long term.
Analysts Bullish on BlackRock Stock Outlook
- Analyst Confidence: As of March 24, 2026, approximately 90% of analysts express optimism for BlackRock (NYSE:BLK), with a price target of $1,300 implying over 30% upside, reflecting strong market confidence in its financial stability.
- Price Target Adjustment: Analysts at Evercore ISI have lowered BlackRock's price target from $1,275 to $1,235 while maintaining an “Outperform” rating, indicating cautious optimism about the company's future growth, particularly in light of Q1 traditional asset manager inflows.
- Earnings Growth Expectations: UBS analysts are confident in BlackRock's growth trajectory, projecting low-to-mid-teens earnings growth and margin expansion, primarily driven by management fee growth, which will further bolster investor confidence.
- P/E Ratio Upside Potential: Analysts highlight that given the company's strong outlook, investors may be willing to value BlackRock at a higher P/E multiple in the low-20x range, suggesting potential high-teens upside from the stock's trading level at that time, reinforcing its attractiveness as an investment.
