Bitcoin mining activity has fallen to a historic low
The MPI metric fell to -1.04, its third-lowest level ever, noted CryptoQuant analyst Ignacio Moreno de Vicente, calling this a bullish signal. These readings indicate that miners are sending less BTC to exchanges than the annual average, meaning their selling pressure is significantly weakening.
According to the expert, extremely low MPI is typically observed during periods of stress or after miner capitulation. This is positive for the market, but does not in itself indicate a definitive bottom. A stronger signal emerges when the metric begins to rise from its lows, which indicates a recovery in activity and improving market conditions.
Aave will increase stablecoin yields by 25%
In Aave V4, the protocol will automatically reallocate unused liquidity to conservative strategies. The team estimates this will increase the average yield on stablecoins from ~4% to 4.9%. Currently, of the approximately $20 billion in deposits, approximately $6 billion sits idle, serving as a reserve for instant liquidity and generating almost no income.
The new architecture envisions a single asset management center that distributes funds across credit markets with varying risk levels. A dedicated module will track excess reserves and direct them to approved strategies—from short-term government bonds to delta-neutral positions. As demand increases, liquidity is automatically returned to the protocol.
The Ethereum Foundation will implement quantum network protection by 2029
The Ethereum Foundation has unveiled a plan to protect the network from threats posed by quantum computers, including a series of four hard forks.
The developers estimate that the emergence of "cryptographically significant" quantum devices is expected no earlier than 8-12 years from now, but they have decided to begin preparing for this scenario early.
The roadmap includes key changes: the implementation of a public-key backup mechanism for validators, a reduction in the gas cost for verifying quantum-resistant signatures, the use of ZK proofs for network state compression, and specific security measures for the L2 ecosystem.
The first steps could be implemented as early as the upcoming Hegota hard fork, which is expected to be released this year.
Prediction platforms record over $20 billion in monthly trades
Since the beginning of the year, monthly turnover on prediction markets has reached a record $20 billion, and the number of unique wallets has tripled to 840,000, according to TRM Labs.
Geopolitics and macroeconomics are the main drivers of activity. Bets on these topics have displaced crypto markets: on Polymarket, users are actively trading scenarios around tariffs, conflicts, and international tensions. For example, a contract on a possible US strike on Iran attracted $73 million, a record for geopolitical markets.
On February 28, the platform reached a new daily high of $425 million, surpassing the 2024 US election. Analysts note that the market structure is fragmented: international relations and US politics lead, while users trade both serious and entertaining events equally actively. Cryptocurrency markets account for a relatively small share.
Musk strengthens the X team with a former Base and Aave designer
Elon Musk's social network X has appointed Benji Taylor as its chief design officer. He previously founded Los Feliz Engineering, the studio behind the non-custodial wallet Family, and served as CPO after its acquisition by Aave. Taylor later led design at Coinbase's Base L2 network. X's head of product, Nikita Bir, noted that he invested in Taylor's project back in 2020 and considers it one of the most thoughtful in the market.
The appointment comes amid preparations for the launch of the X Money payment system, which is currently undergoing internal beta testing and is scheduled to launch in April. X does not plan to become a brokerage firm; the platform will focus on financial data and integration tools, including cryptocurrencies.
Cryptocurrency dispute splits Swiss banking dynasty
A conflict has erupted within the Swiss Syz banking dynasty over its stance on crypto assets, Bloomberg reports. Mark Syz left the family-owned Syz Group along with partner Richard Byworth after disagreements over the integration of crypto company Future Holdings into Syz Capital. According to the younger Syz, the bank abandoned the project due to the board's concerns about the risks. Following this, he and Byworth resigned from the crypto firm's board.
Mark is now working on a dual listing of Future Holdings in Sweden and Switzerland with Stifel and plans to transform it into Europe's largest Bitcoin platform, with a reserve of up to 3,500 BTC. At the same time, he intends to launch an independent management company to compete with Syz Capital.
Syz Group confirmed the departure of its top managers, noting that alternative investments remain a key focus. At the time of Syz's departure, Syz Capital's assets reached approximately $2.5 billion, while the entire group manages approximately $32 billion.
