Bitcoin's network hashrate is falling as large mining firms shut down rigs and convert capacity to AI-focused data centers. The shift follows an earlier peak near 1.2K EH/s in early 2026, with miners chasing higher returns from AI compute than BTC mining revenue per megawatt. Companies cited include Core Scientific, Bit Digital and Iris Energy, alongside reported multi-billion-dollar AI contracts signed in late 2025 and early 2026.

XRP fell from around $1.44 on March 21 to retest a horizontal support zone just under $1.38 by March 23. The RSI has printed higher lows as price made lower lows, forming a bullish divergence and moving out of the 20–30 oversold band. Separately, reports cite strong retail demand alongside XRP spot ETF assets sitting just above $1 billion.

A market report says XRP is being supported by strong retail demand and expanding utility, even as institutional flows remain comparatively cautious. Weekly ETF data showed $95 million in net inflows for spot Bitcoin ETFs and $20 million for Solana ETFs, while Ethereum saw $60 million in outflows and XRP ETFs recorded $0.6 million in positive flows. On-chain, the XRP Ledger set a milestone with 5.66 million wallets holding under 100 XRP.

Evernorth CEO Asheesh Birla says XRP's price has not kept pace with a sharp increase in network activity, even as transactions approach 3 million per day. He argues XRP has not yet become a large-scale "liquidity bridge" for banks and businesses, and that major price appreciation would likely require stronger institutional demand.

Ripple's 2026 survey of more than 1,000 finance executives says traditional finance leaders are accelerating plans to integrate crypto, stablecoins, and tokenization into day-to-day operations. The report found that 72% view offering digital-asset solutions as a basic requirement to stay competitive, while 74% believe stablecoins can improve cash-flow efficiency and free up working capital.

On March 18, 2026, veteran trader Peter Brandt outlined two sharply opposing technical setups for Bitcoin, highlighting a potentially bullish horn pattern and an "ugly" bear flag. He criticized overly rigid bullish sentiment in the crypto community and emphasized that professional traders must stay flexible instead of clinging to a single narrative. Brandt said market participants should choose their own interpretation, stressing that opinions are cheap while risk management is essential.

Bestselling Rich Dad Poor Dad author Robert Kiyosaki has warned his followers that, in his view, the global financial system is an unsustainable bubble that could burst. He is calling on investors to immediately accumulate Bitcoin, Ethereum, gold and silver, arguing that hard assets may surge if fiat currencies fall in a crisis. Kiyosaki has floated a Bitcoin price target of $750,000 per coin in a severe downturn, while stressing that his own portfolio is hedged and that individuals should choose what is safest for their situation.

On March 17, the SEC and CFTC issued a joint interpretation that classifies Ripple-linked XRP as a digital commodity instead of a security. Ripple's Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty and CFTC Chairman Michael S. Selig both highlighted that the guidance gives long-awaited clarity on asset categories and the treatment of crypto activities such as mining, staking and airdrops.

On March 17, the US SEC and CFTC jointly released interpretive guidance that sets out how federal securities laws apply to crypto assets and network transactions. The document, unanimously backed by SEC Commissioners Atkins, Peirce and Uyeda together with CFTC Chairman Selig, defines a token taxonomy, distinguishes non-security crypto assets and clarifies rules for staking, mining, airdrops and token wrapping. This framework is intended to give market participants clearer legal parameters after years of uncertainty.