Bitcoin mining difficulty declined by 7.76% to 133.79 T on March 21, marking the second-largest drop this year. JPMorgan Chase analysts forecast that Bitcoin mining costs have fallen to $77,000, still above spot prices. An increasing number of mining companies are redirecting infrastructure toward AI computing power. Core Scientific plans to sell its Bitcoin holdings in 2026 to fund AI expansion, while Bitdeer has liquidated its Bitcoin position. Multiple companies are formulating diversification strategies.

U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission Chair Mike Selig announced on the X platform that the CFTC has released FAQs regarding crypto assets and blockchain businesses, providing compliance guidance that covers core topics such as tokenized collateral, aiming to establish a clear operational framework for market participants.

Gate News reports that on March 20, according to monitoring data, a newly created three-day wallet staked $44,000 on Iran maintaining control of Kharg Island this month, with the current market probability at 91.5%. It is understood that Kharg Island is a core oil export hub in the northern Persian Gulf for Iran, handling over 90% of Iran's crude oil exports and holding irreplaceable strategic value for Iran's economy and global energy supply chains.

Monero core developer jeffro256 released the first quarter development plan on March 20, which includes proposals for wallet API changes, support for Carrot-derived accounts, the launch of the FCMP++ stress test network, collaboration with hardware wallets, and multisignature implementation.

Over the past three years, AI technology has evolved from a novelty tool into core infrastructure, shifting from content generation toward task automation. AI agents like OpenClaw can independently execute tasks, and when combined with Web3 technology, enable decentralized trading and settlement, reshaping the internet's foundational architecture.

Gate News Report: On March 20th, according to Gate market data, as of press time, STO (STO Chain) is trading at $0.09283, up 21.21% in the last 24 hours, reaching a high of $0.09636 and a low of $0.0764. The 24-hour trading volume reached $107,200. The current market cap is approximately $20.9177 million, ranking at position 779. StakeStone is a crypto-native new bank designed for the autonomous finance era, dedicated to connecting on-chain assets, institutional strategies, and AI agents to build a seamless value network. The platform provides core features including personal accounts, agent economy, and yield layers, allowing users to enjoy a simplified banking experience through social login, gas-free transactions, and other methods. StakeStone's

Galaxy has warned about risks to Bitcoin posed by quantum computing advancements, prompting industry debate and criticism of Bitcoin Core developers.

Gate News, on March 19, Privy, a wallet infrastructure platform, has integrated Ethena-backed savings functionality as a core component, currently covering over 120 million accounts. Any application or platform built on Privy can now provide users with sUSDe rewards, with earnings automatically accumulating over time.

Gate News reports that on March 19, Web3 wallet application TopNod announced that its global user count has exceeded 1 million, reaching this milestone 170 days after its launch. Additionally, TopNod revealed that it will soon undergo the next phase of product upgrades. The official statement from TopNod said that 1 million users is just the starting point, and the company's core mission is to break down the barriers to using Web3 by transforming complex underlying blockchain technology into real value that all users can experience seamlessly.

Gate News: On March 19, according to AXIOS, Anthropic and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will meet in a closed-door meeting on March 20. The discussions between the two parties will focus mainly on model distillation and export control issues, with disputes with the Pentagon not being at the core of the discussion.