The three major U.S. stock indices closed lower, with Apple dropping 5%

Crypto Markets Hold Ground Amid Rising Iran Tensions

Amid rising U.S.-Iran tensions, Bitcoin and Ethereum briefly declined but quickly recovered. Market resilience was shown as $300M in liquidations remained contained, with some capital shifting toward tokenized gold. Options flows indicate expectations for a March rebound despite volatility.

CoinShares: Digital asset investment products saw approximately $1 billion in net inflows last week

According to CoinShares weekly report, digital asset investment products saw a net inflow of approximately $1 billion last week, with the United States contributing $957 million. Among them, Bitcoin inflows amounted to $881 million, Ethereum inflows were $117 million, and Solana inflows reached $53.8 million, indicating a divergence in market sentiment.

Avalanche Gains Momentum as Progmat Launches Dedicated L1 for Japan’s $2B+ RWAs

Japan’s largest security token platform is migrating more than $2 billion in real estate and corporate bonds from Corda to a dedicated L1 on Avalanche. The initiative brings together some of Japan’s largest firms, from Toyota to Konami and TIS Inc., giving Avalanche a route into Japan’s

The escalation of the Middle East situation supports the strengthening of the US dollar, with the US Dollar Index reaching a five-week high.

ChainCatcher News reports that, according to Jintao, analysts at Monex Europe stated in a report that if the Middle East conflict escalates further, the US dollar could see an increase in gains. The conflict has triggered risk aversion sentiment, rising oil prices, and increased demand for liquidity. The strength of the US dollar benefits from its safe-haven status and America's energy independence. Nevertheless, the US dollar index has gained less than 1% compared to last Friday's close. Analysts believe that the short-term trend of the dollar depends on whether the conflict remains under control, with risks leaning more towards further appreciation.

Rwanda Unveils Yearlong CBDC Pilot Program

Rwanda's central bank has initiated a 12-month pilot for its central bank digital currency, focusing on financial inclusion through accessible technology, following a successful proof of concept. The program aims to enhance secure payments and support the country's digital economy.