Wall Street is closely monitoring several companies ahead of the market opening. Bloomberg posted on X that Akamai Technologies is drawing attention due to its recent strategic moves. Grail, a biotechnology firm, is also in the spotlight following developments in its cancer detection technology. Hudbay Minerals and Newmont Corporation, both significant players in the mining sector, are being watched for their latest operational updates and market performance. Additionally, Opendoor Technologies, known for its real estate transactions, is under scrutiny as investors assess its business strategies and market impact. These companies are expected to influence market trends as trading begins.

According to Polymarket, a forecasting market platform, as of March 18, the probability of the Federal Reserve maintaining interest rates unchanged at its March meeting was 94%, a significant increase from previous levels; the probability of a 25 basis point rate cut was about 5%, a rate cut of more than 50 basis points was less than 1%, and a rate hike of more than 25 basis points was also about 1%. The cumulative trading volume for this contract was approximately $144 million. Market pricing reflects that traders generally expect policy to remain stable in the short term.

German Chancellor Merz has expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of a four-day workweek in boosting productivity. According to Jin10, Merz emphasized the need for flexibility in work arrangements and the importance of rewarding individuals who are willing to put in extra effort. He also highlighted the necessity of facilitating the return to work for employees. Merz's comments reflect a broader discussion on work-life balance and productivity in Germany.

A Brazilian state-owned enterprise has initiated legal proceedings to prevent the sale of a precious metals asset by Equinox Gold to a major Chinese mining company. Bloomberg posted on X, highlighting the ongoing dispute over the transaction, which involves significant interests in the mining sector. The Brazilian company is seeking to halt the deal, citing concerns over the implications of transferring ownership to a foreign entity. This legal challenge underscores the complexities and geopolitical considerations in international mining operations, particularly involving assets of strategic importance. The outcome of this case could have broader ramifications for future transactions in the industry.

According to ChainCatcher, data from Coinglass reveals that the Hyperliquid platform's whale currently holds positions valued at $2.873 billion. The long positions amount to $1.428 billion, accounting for 49.71% of the total, while short positions stand at $1.445 billion, making up 50.29%. The long positions have incurred a loss of $152 million, whereas the short positions have gained $245 million. Notably, a significant whale address, 0xa5b0..41, has taken a 15x leveraged long position on ETH at a price of $2010.39, resulting in an unrealized loss of $3.6957 million.

A Turkish court has officially detained journalist Alican Uludag on charges of insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Bloomberg posted on X, highlighting the ongoing tensions between the Turkish government and media professionals. The arrest is part of a broader crackdown on dissent and freedom of expression in Turkey, where numerous journalists have faced legal action for their reporting and commentary. This development underscores the challenges faced by media personnel in the country, as they navigate a landscape marked by stringent government oversight and restrictions on press freedom.

US President Trump posted on the Truth platform that the government shutdown initiated by the Democrats caused a drop of at least two percentage points in US GDP. That's why they're now repeating the same trick on a smaller scale. Stop the government shutdown! Lower interest rates. Powell is the worst.

Searches for “Bitcoin going to zero” just hit a five-year high on Google Trends. The spike showed up in early 2026, matching a stretch of choppy price action and rising volatility. The jump matters because retail search behavior often tracks fear, and fear tends to shape short-term market moves source: https://techgaged.com/bitcoin-going-to-zero-searches-hit-5-year-high-as-market-braces-for-shift/

U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed disapproval of the United Kingdom's decision to transfer the Chagos Islands' ownership to Mauritius. Bloomberg posted on X, highlighting the strategic significance of the islands, which have been a point of contention between the UK and Mauritius for decades. The Chagos Islands, located in the Indian Ocean, are home to a key military base used by both the UK and the United States. The transfer plan has sparked international debate, with concerns over regional security and geopolitical implications. The UK government has faced pressure from the United Nations and other international bodies to return the islands to Mauritius, following a 2019 International Court of Justice advisory opinion. The decision has drawn mixed reactions, with some supporting the move as a step towards decolonization, while others, including President Trump, view it as a potential threat to strategic interests in the region.

Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi stated on February 20 that the country's peaceful nuclear program cannot be resolved through military means, emphasizing that diplomacy is the only viable solution. According to Jin10, Araghchi highlighted past attempts to disrupt Iran's nuclear efforts, including large-scale attacks on facilities and assassinations of scientists, which have failed to dismantle the program. He noted that the technology was developed indigenously, making it impervious to destruction through bombing or military action. Consequently, the United States has returned to the negotiating table to seek an agreement. Araghchi affirmed Iran's desire for peace and its willingness to resolve issues through negotiation and diplomacy, while also being prepared to defend its security.

The CLARITY Act will inevitably emerge from the interplay and compromise of various interests. This is not only a "coming-of-age ceremony" for the crypto industry, but also a crucial watershed moment in the evolution of human monetary forms and financial settlement networks.

Even before the quantum threat arrives, AI has already sounded the alarm for Crypto security.

The transcript of the conversation between U.S. SEC Chairman Paul S. Atkins and SEC Commissioner Hester M. Peirce on ETHDenver on February 18, 2026, outlines the key priorities for cryptocurrency policy in 2026.

An 18-year promise to our children: about confidence, cycles, and choices. Also dedicated to every new parent.

Blockchain infrastructure and crypto capital formation mechanisms are rapidly developing to support the AI ​​Agent economy.

The future of on-chain DeFi may truly be prepared for AI, and code auditors and hackers may all lose their jobs.

The UK's blueprint for building a new generation of payment infrastructure represents a profound and systematic transformation of financial infrastructure. It involves not only technological upgrades but also innovation in governance models, reshaping of public policy, and far-reaching planning for the future form of currency.

At the start of 2026, global financial markets exhibited significant volatility, bearing many similarities to the dot-com bubble of 2000. Today, AI-driven growth models are facing similar challenges.

Jinse Finance launches its cryptocurrency and blockchain industry daily news bulletin, "Jinse 8 AM," issue 2973, providing you with the latest and fastest news on the digital currency and blockchain industry.

Stablecoins have not deviated from the existing financial system. Their market structure, risk spillover, and institutional impact largely perpetuate and amplify the existing pattern of the current monetary and payment system.