Bitcoin acts as a safe haven in the face of war in the Middle East
Bitcoin has been trading in a wide, volatile range over the past week after failing to stay above $75,000 earlier this month.
The price ranged between $65,000 and $70,000 in most cases.
We have seen lower highs since the early March surge, with intraday gains often trading near $71,000-$72,000 while buyers prevented declines near the $60,000 high.
This keeps BTC near its recent peak, with high volatility but no clear break as investors consider macroeconomic news and positioning after a strong rally lasting several months.
Technically, the $70,000 level is more or less a turning point, and many investors treat it as a no-trade zone or a zone where profits should be taken. They are waiting for a clearer move, either a drop to around $65,000 or a break through recent highs, to make more decisive decisions.
Chart. Bitcoin rate (BTC/USD)
Ethereum shows strength in March 2026
Ethereum has lagged Bitcoin, trading around $2,000 and moving mostly sideways between $1,900 and $2,200 over the past few weeks.
Short-term analysis points to $1,900 as key support and $2,300 as the first major resistance level that we are heading towards.
A break of this zone could open the way to $2,500 or higher if the overall risk appetite for cryptocurrencies increases.
Last week, ETH saw a short rally that did not sustain, indicating continued caution regarding altcoin rotations while Bitcoin remains in the spotlight.
On the other hand, if ETH falls below $1,900 for a longer period, it could fall towards the $1,700 level. For now, the price movement looks like consolidation rather than a clear trend change.
Chart. Ethereum rate (ETH/USD)
Stablecoins are gaining institutional favor
For stablecoins, the main trend is regulated, transparent dollar-backed tokens that are attracting institutional investors despite increasing competition.
USDC remains the most compliance-oriented and institution-friendly option, with 1:1 verified reserves and active regulatory involvement, making it the best choice for blockchain fund management, corporate payments, and other traditional financial applications.
Meanwhile, new products such as Tether’s USAT, a stablecoin targeted at the U.S. market and subject to tighter regulation, and yield-focused solutions such as Ethena’s USDe and Sky’s USDS target the institutional-DeFi intersection, combining prudent reserve management with built-in yield generation features.
Banks and regulators are watching these models closely because attractive blockchain yields from cash-based tokens could accelerate the movement of deposits from traditional accounts to digital cash alternatives.
DeFi vs TradFi – which solution will win in the long term?
When it comes to the implementation of DeFi and TradFi solutions, there is still a trend towards deeper integration, but under strict control of regulators.
Institutions are increasingly leveraging stablecoins for instant settlement, intraday liquidity, and cross-platform collateral mobility, while exploring the possibilities of DeFi environments based on restricted or whitelisted systems that meet KYC, AML, and capital requirements.
Custodial services entities that focus on segregation of client assets, independent reserves and strong key management are emerging as key infrastructure because they enable traditional companies to access profits and liquidity on the blockchain without bearing the full risks of holding assets themselves.
Overall, investors have an optimistic outlook for this part of the industry, expecting a more consistent set of rules across jurisdictions.
Disclaimer: The article does not constitute investment or financial advice.
