Bitcoin slips as economic uncertainty looms

Key market insights

• Bitcoin sinks to US$82k as traders brace for further economic uncertainty: Bitcoin fell to US$82,000 as looming US tariffs, inflation data, and US$300M in liquidations drove a broader risk-off sentiment.
• ICE and Circle partner for digital asset solutions: Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) signed an MOU with Circle to integrate digital asset solutions with the USDC stablecoin and USYC tokenised money market fund.
• Wyoming launches state-backed stablecoin pilot in US: Wyoming has started piloting the first US state-backed stablecoin across blockchains including Solana, Ethereum, and Base.
• Ripple partners with Chipper Cash for XRP payments in Africa: Ripple and Chipper Case are working to expand XRP-powered cross-border payments in Africa to increase financial access across the continent.

The weekly trading stats as of Monday, March 31st at 11:00 am AEDT, based on data from Tradingview in USD.

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Bitcoin sinks to US$82k as traders brace for further economic uncertainty

The price of Bitcoin fell to US$82,000 - shedding more than 4% in the last week - while major altcoins like XRP, Ethereum, and Solana dropped between 5-10% each. The decline is attributed to looming US tariffs set to take effect on April 2 and hotter-than-expected inflation data. Over US$300 million in long positions have been liquidated, which shows a broader move away from risk assets.

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ICE and Circle partner to innovate with USDC and USYC

Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), the parent company of the New York Stock Exchange, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Circle to explore new product innovations using Circle’s USDC stablecoin and its recently introduced USYC tokenised money market fund. This partnership is meant to integrate digital asset solutions into traditional financial markets, which reflects the growing institutional interest in blockchain-based financial products.

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Wyoming launches state-backed stablecoin pilot in the US

Wyoming has become the first US state to pilot a state-level stablecoin. It is now conducting tests across multiple blockchain networks including Ethereum, Solana, and Base. The initiative aims to explore the use of digital dollars for real-world payments and financial applications. Separately, Tether CEO Paolo Ardoinohas expressed the opinion that such moves herald the beginning of what he calls the “stablecoin multiverse” to meet “rising global demand.”

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Ripple partners with Chipper Cash for XRP payments in Africa

Ripple has partnered with Chipper Cash, a leading African fintech company, to expand XRP-powered cross-border payments across the continent. The collaboration aims to enhance faster, cheaper, and more efficient money transfers, providing millions of users in Africa with greater access to financial services. This partnership is part of Ripple’s ongoing efforts to drive blockchain-based financial solutions in emerging markets.

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Looking ahead

Bitcoin’s decline to US$82,000 has traders closely watching for signs of stabilisation. With US tariffs set to take effect on April 2 and lingering inflation concerns, market sentiment remains cautious. The recent liquidations indicate a flight from risk assets, but whether this downturn is temporary, or the start of a prolonged correctionremains uncertain.

Macroeconomic factors will continue to weigh heavily on crypto markets. Upcoming data, including further inflation reports and employment figures, will offer clues about the Federal Reserve’s policy direction. Additionally, global trade tensions could spark broader volatility across financial markets, impacting Bitcoin and other digital assets.

Despite short-term pressures, ongoing developments in blockchain innovation and continued institutional adoption remain positive indicators for long-term growth. Partnerships like ICE and Circle’s stablecoin exploration, as well as Ripple’s expansion in Africa, showcase increasing real-world applications. As traders navigate volatility, these advancements may offer renewed confidence in crypto’s resilience moving forward.

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