Swift and Chainlink have completed a major interoperability trial designed to support tokenized bond transactions across multiple blockchain networks while remaining connected to existing financial infrastructure. The work aims to standardize digital-asset processing for institutional users through established messaging and data standards, including ISO 20022. The trial included several European banking participants, including BNP Paribas Securities Services, Intesa Sanpaolo, and Société Générale FORGE. Chainlink said the testing showed how Swift can coordinate tokenized bond flows across both blockchain environments and traditional enterprise systems. The project builds on earlier work involving UBS Asset Management and more than 12 global financial institutions. Participants including Citi and BNY Mellon tested cross-chain settlement using existing payment rails, allowing access to blockchain networks without replacing current systems. Institutions relied on Swift messaging standards alongside Chainlink infrastructure. On the data side, the initiative introduced a framework to standardize corporate actions information. During testing, Chainlink's Runtime Environment validated outputs from multiple AI models, converted the results into ISO 20022 messages, and sent them over the Swift network. In parallel, Chainlink's Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) distributed the same data across blockchains. Designated data attestors and contributors verified and enriched records, delivering nearly 100% accuracy across the corporate actions tested. The setup also supported multilingual processing, including Spanish and Chinese disclosures. Chainlink also expanded into identity and compliance tooling. Through a partnership with the Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation, the firms introduced verifiable identity capabilities for blockchain use, combining legal entity data with on-chain infrastructure to support compliant transactions, asset-origin verification, and programmatic enforcement of regulatory requirements. Swift and Chainlink additionally demonstrated CCIP-based cross-chain transfers with institutions including Euroclear, Clearstream, and Lloyds Banking Group, highlighting a path for tokenized assets to move across systems while keeping data, identity, and compliance standards consistent.

Bitcoin has climbed about 13% since fighting in the Middle East escalated, outperforming tech shares, gold, and broader U.S. equities, according to CoinDesk. In March, BTC is up roughly 1%, while gold has fallen 11% over the same period. Mark Connors, an analyst at Risk Dimensions, said Bitcoin "really hung in there", attributing the resilience to earlier deleveraging that flushed out overleveraged positions. U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs have logged about $1.3 billion in net inflows so far in March, putting the category on pace for its first month of net positive flows since October.

Odaily Planet Daily reported that 10x Research said on X that Ethereum has lagged over the past five years, with ETH still trading around the $2,000 area last seen in the prior cycle. The firm has kept a cautious view since November, citing soft onchain activity that has constrained demand and value capture for ETH. ETH has fallen 57% from its August 2025 peak, versus roughly a 42% drop for BTC over the same period, leaving ETH relatively undervalued in 10x Research's view. The note also pointed to large market-capitalization losses, including an $8 billion drawdown at ETH treasury companies such as Bitmine. Even so, 10x Research said capital formation continues. USDT issuance on Ethereum has recently surpassed Tron, fueling the argument that Ethereum could emerge as the main beneficiary of stablecoin growth and potentially become the financial backbone for Wall Street-led onchain infrastructure. The firm said it is reassessing whether ETH is approaching a turning point or if structural headwinds remain in place.

Charles Schwab, which serves 38.9 million active brokerage accounts and oversees $12.22 trillion in client assets, is moving from indirect crypto exposure to direct spot trading of Bitcoin and Ethereum. The firm said it will begin a phased rollout in the second quarter through Schwab Crypto, offered via its bank affiliate Charles Schwab Premier Bank, SSB. Eligible clients will be able to buy and sell Bitcoin and Ethereum directly. Availability will span all U.S. states except New York and Louisiana, with access starting with employees and a small initial group before expanding more broadly. The launch targets mainstream brokerage customers rather than crypto-native users, testing whether direct BTC and ETH ownership can fit inside a traditional investing workflow long dominated by stocks, bonds, and ETFs. Account structure and limits Schwab Crypto will operate as a dedicated account tied to the affiliated bank subsidiary, separate from clients' existing brokerage accounts. The crypto assets will not carry SIPC or FDIC protection. Schwab also said it will not accept crypto deposits and will not settle securities or futures transactions in crypto. The result is direct access, but on broker-defined rails with clear product boundaries. A distribution-based estimate highlights the potential scale: if direct-crypto adoption reaches 0.5% to 2% of Schwab's 38.9 million accounts, that would translate to roughly 194,500 to 778,000 direct holders. Regulatory calendar shaped the product calendar Schwab's timing into 2026 follows a rapid easing of major institutional frictions in early 2025: - January 2025: SAB 122 rescinded SAB 121, reducing a key accounting constraint that had made crypto custody economics unattractive for traditional banks. - March 2025: The OCC reaffirmed that crypto custody, certain stablecoin activities, and participation in distributed ledgers are permissible for national banks, and removed the supervisory nonobjection requirement. - April 2025: The Federal Reserve withdrew earlier crypto guidance and shifted oversight to standard supervisory processes. Schwab CEO Rick Wurster characterized the regulatory backdrop as "pretty green" for large firms to expand into crypto, underscoring how closely policy changes preceded the product rollout. Schwab's internal shift on Bitcoin In March 2026, Schwab published research arguing Bitcoin had matured into a mainstream asset and, by some measures, had become less volatile than certain "Magnificent 7" stocks. Reuters also reported Wurster sees the core user as an investor who already owns stocks and bonds and wants a small allocation to Bitcoin or Ethereum alongside traditional holdings. Competitive landscape Schwab enters a market where Fidelity already offers direct crypto buying, selling, and transfers alongside brokerage positions through its platform and app. E*TRADE has posted a "coming soon" page for direct trading in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana, and reports have pointed to Morgan Stanley exploring a service via Zerohash in the first half of 2026. Schwab's role could be catalytic: its scale may help shift direct BTC and ETH ownership from a niche feature into a standard "asset sleeve" within diversified brokerage accounts. Two adoption paths A higher-adoption outcome would depend on Schwab expanding eligibility quickly and delivering a low-friction experience that encourages clients to consolidate holdings into the new account. In that scenario, broader brokerage distribution could accelerate retail adoption, aligning with bullish projections such as Citi's $165,000 bitcoin and $4,488 ether bull-case targets. A lower-adoption outcome would hinge on product friction: state exclusions, the bank-subsidiary structure, lack of crypto deposits, and transfer constraints may leave active users preferring crypto-native venues such as Coinbase and Kraken, or Fidelity's more integrated setup. The next key signal for the market will be how rapidly Schwab's initial second-quarter cohort converts and whether the company accelerates the rollout to general availability on schedule.

The United States is preparing to devote nearly its entire inventory of stealthy JASSMER cruise missiles to the next stage of military operations against Iran, Bloomberg reported. An order issued at the end of March directed that the roughly $1.5 million-per-unit weapons be drawn from stockpiles in the Pacific. Missiles held at facilities across the continental United States are also set to be moved to US Central Command bases and to RAF Fairford in the UK. The report comes as President Donald Trump warned Iran that "time is running out" and threatened to unleash "all hell" on the country.

Bitcoin remains under heavy selling pressure, but large holders are leaning into the pullback even as retail traders turn cautious. On-chain data shows whale wallets bought roughly 10,000 BTC over the past three days. Crypto analyst Ali Martinez said the surge reflects a deliberate accumulation strategy despite weakening market momentum. At current prices, the purchases amount to about $670 million. Whale balances rose from about 4.21 million BTC to above 4.23 million BTC in just a few days, signaling continued confidence in Bitcoin’s longer-term outlook even as near-term volatility persists. Retail sentiment has deteriorated as Bitcoin struggles below key resistance, and social indicators point to a rise in bearish commentary across the crypto community. The split has become more visible: large investors continue to build positions while smaller traders pull back, often reflecting long-horizon value positioning versus short-term price sensitivity. Bitcoin trading around $66,000 has become a focal area for buyers and sellers. Some market participants remain hesitant, while others view the level as a potential entry zone supported by historical demand. Past periods of strong whale accumulation during bearish sentiment have sometimes preceded gradual recoveries, though outcomes depend on broader macro conditions, liquidity, and sustained inflows into digital assets. Tighter financial conditions and risk-averse investor behavior have also weighed on Bitcoin’s ability to regain upside momentum. Still, continued whale buying could reduce exchange supply over time, potentially supporting stabilization and a longer-term rebound. The latest accumulation trend highlights the widening gap between institutional-style confidence and retail caution as the market navigates ongoing uncertainty.

Odaily Planet Daily reports that Metaplanet CEO Simon Gerovich responded on X after Japan Exchange Group (JPX) said it would delay adding companies that hold cryptocurrency as a primary asset to its index. Gerovich said he respects the consultation process and will engage actively, adding that the move will not slow Metaplanet's progress in executing its Bitcoin strategy and building out related ecosystem initiatives. He said Metaplanet was established to give Japanese investors a compliant way to gain Bitcoin exposure through a Tokyo Stock Exchange-listed company, and stressed the firm's approach goes beyond portfolio allocation. Under "Project Nova," Metaplanet plans to accelerate the growth of Japan's Bitcoin ecosystem by scaling operating initiatives and investing in industry partners. The company said more than 216,000 Japanese shareholders have participated to date. Metaplanet said it will continue constructive discussions with JPX and other stakeholders to deepen market understanding of Bitcoin and clarify the company's role within Japan's financial system.

ChainCatcher reports that Simon Gerovich, CEO of Japan-based Bitcoin treasury-listed company Metaplanet, said on X that the Japan Exchange Group (JPX) has postponed adding companies whose primary assets are cryptocurrencies to its indices. Gerovich said he respects the review process and will engage proactively, adding that the move will not slow Metaplanet's push to expand its Bitcoin strategy and build out its ecosystem. He said Metaplanet was established to give Japanese investors a compliant way to gain Bitcoin exposure via Tokyo Stock Exchange-listed companies, while stressing that the firm's approach goes beyond simple asset allocation. Under "Project Nova," Metaplanet plans to accelerate the growth of Japan's Bitcoin ecosystem by scaling operating initiatives and investing in industry partners. Gerovich said more than 216,000 Japanese shareholders have participated so far. He added that the company will continue constructive dialogue with JPX and other stakeholders to deepen market understanding of Bitcoin and Metaplanet's role in Japan's financial system.

Hong Kong's Financial Secretary said market momentum stayed strong in the first quarter of 2026, with average daily turnover exceeding HK$260 billion in the first two months of the year, up 17% year on year, according to ME News. Trading picked up further in March, when average daily turnover in the Hong Kong stock market rose above HK$300 billion, more than 8% higher than the same period last year. The article said investors are increasing allocations to Hong Kong, seeing it as both a dependable capital haven and a beneficiary of China's steady growth and a growing pipeline of high-quality listings that expand investment choices. As global competition in frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence accelerates, the piece noted that large amounts of funding are needed for core breakthroughs, supply-chain development and broader commercial applications. Hong Kong's listing platform is playing a key role, with the IPO market maintaining last year's strong momentum. IPO proceeds in the first quarter surpassed HK$103 billion as of March 27, ranking first globally. Including follow-on offerings, total fundraising reached about HK$237 billion. More newly listed companies are from emerging sectors including AI, semiconductors, robotics, autonomous driving and biotechnology. More than 500 listing applications are currently in the pipeline, and a growing number of companies are treating Hong Kong as a major gateway for fundraising and international expansion. (Source: ChainCatcher)