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Despite the recent volatility in crypto markets, the long-term potential of digital assets remains strong. Brett Reeves, Head of Go Network and European Sales at BitGo, who manages institutional digital asset infrastructure at the company, expressed this sentiment in a note to crypto.news. He reflected on the current market downturn while highlighting ongoing advancements in technology and regulation. “Market volatility in recent weeks has revived the voices of crypto doubters who feel vindicated by recent declines in asset prices,” said Reeves. “But for those innovators and believers in the technology and asset class, there’s much more to just falling prices.” Reeves pointed out that market fluctuations are not new to the crypto industry and that the sector has experienced similar declines before without stalling its progress. He also touched on significant advancements in product development and, more crucially, regulatory developments on a global scale. According to Reeves, the White House Crypto Summit was a major step forward, marking a significant shift in the U.S. government’s approach to digital assets. The summit strongly showed a move toward regulatory clarity and institutional adoption, signaling a growing commitment from the current administration to engage with the crypto industry. “The recent downturn in crypto markets aligns with broader financial market trends,” Reeves added. “Major indices have experienced notable declines, with technology stocks, often referred to as the ‘Magnificent Seven,’ suffering double-digit losses.” Factors contributing to this include global uncertainties such as trade tariffs, the Ukraine conflict , and concerns surrounding China’s real estate sector. Reeves also noted that the U.S. faces the challenge of refinancing approximately 25% of its national debt in 2025, which could impact markets. However, the likelihood of rate cuts to ease refinancing could also benefit risk assets, including crypto. Despite these challenges, Reeves highlighted several key developments in the crypto industry, such as the creation of a U.S. Crypto Strategic Reserve, the recognition of stablecoins and Real-World Assets , and the implementation of EU MiCA regulations. He also pointed to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s decision to authorize banks to engage with crypto assets. “These advancements, which seemed aspirational just a year ago, reflect a rapidly evolving landscape where digital assets are becoming increasingly integrated into the global financial system,” Reeves concluded. “So, while prices may be crashing for now, we must remember how far we’ve come and the immense potential that lies ahead for the crypto space.”

Inflation cooled more than expected in February, offering hope that the Federal Reserve may be closer to cutting interest rates. However, the crypto market remained largely unresponsive despite the positive economic signal. Wednesday’s Consumer Price Index report showed that inflation eased to 2.8% over the past 12 months, down from 3% in January and slightly beating the 2.9% forecasted by economists. Perhaps surprisingly, crypto prices were unresponsive. Bitcoin ( BTC ) was trading at $82,770.45 late Wednesday afternoon, roughly flat over the past 24 hours. The total crypto market was valued at $2.68 trillion, down 0.25% over the past day. Dr. Youwei Yang, Chief Economist at NYSE-listed BIT Mining, said in a statement obtained by crypto.news that the market’s muted reaction reflects deeper fears about policy risks, particularly from President Trump’s new trade tariffs. “Today’s lower-than-expected CPI should be bullish, signaling faster rate cuts, but crypto hasn’t reacted strongly,” Yang said. “Weeks of market fear require more than a single good print to regain confidence.” Yang pointed to Trump’s aggressive tariffs on steel and aluminum, which took effect on Wednesday, as a potential headwind for inflation and market stability. The tariffs have already triggered retaliatory measures from Europe on $28 billion worth of U.S. goods, set to begin in April. “The real issue is Trump’s aggressive tariffs, which risk making inflation stickier while also crashing markets and triggering layoffs, particularly by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE),” Yang explained. This creates a tough position for the Federal Reserve. “High inflation from tariffs makes rate cuts harder,” Yang said. “But market crashes and job losses pressure the Fed to cut rates sooner. Cutting too early could reignite inflation, making future policy tougher.” Yang noted that crypto markets are holding back due to uncertainty over future policy direction. “Investors want stronger support from the White House or Fed, especially after last week’s crypto summit failed to reassure markets,” he said. The recent crypto White House summit, which brought together industry heavyweights and government officials, was expected to usher in more favorable guidance on crypto regulations. However, the lack of concrete outcomes left markets unsure about the administration’s position on crypto. “Until clearer signals emerge, fear and uncertainty will weigh on crypto market sentiment,” Yang concluded.

The latest U.S. inflation data came in lower than expected, but Bitcoin struggled to maintain gains as trade war concerns weighed on sentiment. According to the economic latest data released on Mar. 12, February’s Consumer Price Index rose 2.8%, below the 2.9% forecast. Core CPI, which excludes food and energy, dropped to 3.1%, slightly better than the expected 3.2%. Markets responded by increasing bets on Federal Reserve rate cuts. Traders now price in a 31.4% chance of a cut in May, up from just 9% last month. The probability of three cuts by year-end jumped to 32.5%, while expectations for four cuts surged from 1% to 21%. Bitcoin ( BTC ) briefly surpassed $84,000 before falling back to $83,000, wiping off the majority of its post-CPI gains, despite the softer inflation data. Equities were unable to sustain early gains, and other financial markets also suffered. Analysts point to ongoing trade tensions as a key factor limiting risk appetite. Canada recently responded to U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs with $21 billion in tariffs on U.S. exports. The European Union then imposed additional tariffs on American goods valued at $28 billion. There is growing concern that rising trade disputes may raise inflationary pressures and complicate the Federal Reserve’s decision-making. According to The Kobeissi Letter, the U.S. faces a $9.2 trillion debt refinancing challenge in 2025. Without lower interest rates, borrowing costs could rise sharply, further straining the national debt, which now exceeds $36 trillion. Market uncertainty remains high, with investors closely watching developments in both monetary policy and global trade. On-chain data, meanwhile, indicates that cryptocurrency traders are losing confidence. Crypto-wide trading activity has been declining since its peak in late February, according to Santiment. Over the last two weeks, market capitalization losses have left traders hesitant, with signs of exhaustion and capitulation creeping in. Even Bitcoin’s CPI-driven bounce failed to spark any real uptick in trading activity. This type of volume decline typically indicates weak market momentum amid small price recoveries. Gains can swiftly wane in the absence of strong buying interest, leaving prices open to further declines. Retail and institutional traders appear to be in a holding pattern at the moment, waiting for the other to move. Until volume picks up meaningfully, caution is likely to dominate.

Nuclear energy and cryptocurrencies: an improbable marriage? Marine Le Pen, a key figure in the French political landscape, has shaken up the norms by linking these two worlds. During a visit to the EPR in Flamanville, she outlined a vision where surplus nuclear electricity would power Bitcoin mining. This is historic. For the first time, a French political party is considering crypto mining as a tool for energy valuation. Marine Le Pen denounces a “French aberration“: nuclear reactors operating at 70% of their capacity, compared to 90% in the United States. According to her, this underutilization is a political choice in favor of intermittent energies, weakening the grid. Rather than reducing production during surpluses, she proposes channeling them to innovative uses. Cryptocurrency mining is at the top of the list. An idea that attracts attention for its apparent simplicity: converting unused megawatts into digital assets, generating revenue for EDF. “Giving up electricity production is to give up creating wealth“, she asserts. However, this logic raises questions. Stress corrosion, pointed out by the General Inspectorate for Nuclear Safety, imposes technical limits. Running reactors at full capacity would require colossal investments in maintenance. The project relies on a fragile balance between profitability and safety — a risky bet, but one that is accepted. Marine Le Pen’s discourse goes beyond energy anecdotes. It fits into a broader strategy: anchoring crypto in the real economy. By mentioning hydrogen production or “strategic reserves” for EDF, she outlines a hybrid crypto-economy connected to the public sector. A surprising turn for a party often seen as wary of decentralized innovations. This approach seeks to reconcile two antagonistic worlds. On one side, nuclear, a symbol of state sovereignty. On the other, cryptocurrencies, born from a libertarian philosophy. Le Pen sees it as an opportunity for “breakthrough” with “declinist” policies. But behind the ambition lie areas of darkness. What about the environmental impact? While nuclear-powered mining reduces the carbon footprint, it does not eliminate it. Criticism regarding the energy consumption of blockchain endures. Furthermore, the idea of constituting strategic reserves in cryptocurrencies to finance EDF raises questions. Will France follow the United States’ example by adopting a bill and accumulating over a million BTC?

Crypto total marketcap. Lines up with Year 2 being a bad year for stocks. Everyone doomsday now, a rally that lasts long enough to give everyone true hope again, and then the real bear market starts.