After a rough February, the crypto market is showing signs of life as March begins. Bitcoin and major altcoins have posted strong gains, but is this a genuine recovery or just a temporary bounce before another drop? Investors are cautiously optimistic, but uncertainty remains. Market Sentiment & Key Events Driving the Rebound The broader market saw a 7.19% increase in total market cap, now sitting at $2.84 trillion. Bitcoin surged 7.76% to reclaim $85,820, with renewed confidence following news that Donald Trump will host a major crypto summit at the White House on March 7. Solana led the charge among altcoins, gaining 14.44%, while Ethereum and XRP also showed strength. Despite these positive moves, the Fear & Greed Index remains in ‘Fear’ territory at 20, indicating that traders are still wary of further downside. Trading volumes remain stable at $149.17 billion, suggesting that while prices have jumped, investor sentiment is still cautious. Bitcoin’s Rollercoaster Ride: A True Rebound or a Fakeout? Bitcoin’s price action has been particularly volatile. After crashing below $80,000, the flagship cryptocurrency has managed to reclaim its footing above $85,000, sparking debates about whether this marks the end of the downturn. However, technical indicators are sending mixed signals: Ethereum Still Struggling – A Warning Sign for Altcoins? While Bitcoin has shown resilience, Ethereum is still lagging. ETH’s price has failed to gain momentum, even with the optimism surrounding an Ethereum ETF and upcoming developments. Many analysts believe that if Ethereum doesn’t rally, the broader altcoin market could struggle as well. Most altcoins, including SUI, XRP, and HBAR, saw significant price action in November and December but have since retraced heavily. Many have returned to pre-November levels, raising concerns about another potential sell-off if ETH fails to show strength. Macroeconomic Uncertainty Still Looms Despite the crypto market’s bounce, major macroeconomic events are still influencing investor sentiment:

Bitcoin, the world’s largest cryptocurrency, has fallen below $80,000 for the first time since November, wiping out almost all the gains it made following Donald Trump’s pro-crypto stance after taking office. The sudden drop has sent shockwaves through the market, with major altcoins like Ethereum (ETH), Binance Coin (BNB), XRP, and Solana (SOL) also facing steep losses of 6.6% to 8.6%. As of now, Bitcoin’s market capitalization sits at $1.59 trillion, with a 24-hour trading volume of $64.63 billion. The cryptocurrency has dropped 5.17% in the past day, triggering fears of further downside. What’s Driving Bitcoin’s Decline? Experts point to a combination of macroeconomic uncertainties, regulatory pressures, and large-scale institutional sell-offs as the main factors behind the sell-off. Bitcoin’s Rollercoaster Ride Since Trump’s Election Bitcoin initially surged after Trump’s election victory on November 6, 2024, fueled by optimism around crypto-friendly policies and ETF inflows. It reached a peak of $109,350 in January 2025, but today’s drop below $80,000 has erased almost all those gains. With uncertainty looming, traders are now closely watching key support and resistance levels to determine whether Bitcoin can regain momentum or if further losses are ahead. What’s Next for Bitcoin? Market experts remain divided on Bitcoin’s near-term outlook. Some expect a bounce-back to $84,000, while others warn of a prolonged downturn if macroeconomic conditions remain unfavorable. For now, investors should brace for continued volatility as geopolitical tensions, regulatory decisions, and institutional movements shape the next phase of the crypto market.

The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has officially named North Korea as the perpetrator behind the staggering $1.5 billion theft from crypto exchange Bybit, making it the largest crypto heist ever recorded. In a public announcement, the FBI identified the Lazarus Group (also known as TraderTraitor)—a state-backed North Korean hacking collective—as responsible for the massive breach. The bureau warned that the stolen funds are already being converted into Bitcoin and dispersed across thousands of blockchain addresses, making tracking and recovery increasingly difficult. How the Heist Unfolded Last week, Bybit confirmed that hackers exploited security vulnerabilities in their Ethereum wallet, draining a record-breaking $1.5 billion worth of assets. The FBI stated that Lazarus Group’s cyber-warfare division, Bureau 121, orchestrated the attack, using its vast network of hackers stationed across multiple countries. “The stolen assets are rapidly being laundered through Bitcoin and other virtual currencies. Eventually, these funds will be converted into fiat,” the FBI’s statement read. Lazarus Group: North Korea’s Notorious Cybercrime Syndicate The Lazarus Group has a long history of high-profile cyberattacks. It first gained global attention in 2014 when it hacked Sony Pictures in retaliation for the satirical film The Interview, which mocked North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The group has since shifted its focus to crypto-related cybercrimes, funding North Korea’s sanctions-hit economy through hacking. The U.S. government estimates that over $3 billion worth of crypto has been stolen by North Korean-linked groups since 2021, much of it allegedly used to fund Pyongyang’s weapons programs. What Happens Next? This latest theft raises serious security concerns for the crypto industry. With hackers continuously evolving their tactics, exchanges face mounting pressure to enhance security measures and prevent future breaches. Meanwhile, the U.S. and its allies are expected to tighten sanctions and cybersecurity regulations to curb North Korea’s illicit crypto operations. Bybit has assured users that their funds are safe, stating that any customer losses will be reimbursed. However, this massive hack underscores the growing risks in the crypto world, particularly as state-sponsored cybercrime becomes more sophisticated. With the FBI actively monitoring the situation, all eyes are now on whether law enforcement agencies and blockchain analysts can track and recover the stolen assets—or if North Korea will once again get away with one of the biggest cyber heists in history.

In a major breakthrough, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has seized ₹23.94 crore worth of cryptocurrency, multiple hardware wallets, and critical documents as part of its ongoing investigation into the GainBitcoin scam. The nationwide operation, conducted on February 25 and 26, 2025, covered over 60 locations across major cities, including Delhi, Pune, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, and more. Background of the GainBitcoin Scam The GainBitcoin scheme, which dates back to 2015, was launched by Amit Bhardwaj (deceased) along with Ajay Bhardwaj and other associates. The scam lured investors with the promise of 10% monthly returns on Bitcoin investments for 18 months. Operating as a multi-level marketing (MLM) pyramid scheme, the project encouraged people to recruit others in exchange for lucrative commissions. While the scheme initially paid out returns in Bitcoin, things took a drastic turn in 2017 when investors started receiving MCAP tokens, an in-house cryptocurrency that was significantly devalued. As a result, thousands of investors lost massive amounts of money, making GainBitcoin one of India’s largest crypto frauds. CBI’s Massive Seizures During the two-day nationwide crackdown, CBI investigators seized critical evidence that could provide deeper insights into the scam’s financial misappropriation and potential international links. The seizures include: Cryptocurrency worth ₹23.94 croreMultiple hardware crypto wallets121 key documents related to financial transactions34 laptops and hard disks12 mobile phonesData from email accounts and instant messaging apps The seized electronic devices and documents are currently being analyzed to track how the scam operated and identify any global financial transactions linked to the fraudulent activities. What’s Next? The CBI has stated that the investigation is still ongoing, with efforts focused on identifying all individuals involved and recovering stolen assets. Authorities are also looking into the international money trail, as initial reports suggest that a portion of the misappropriated funds may have been transferred abroad. The GainBitcoin scam is one of India’s most high-profile crypto fraud cases, and the latest action by the CBI is a significant step towards bringing the perpetrators to justice. As more details emerge, investors who fell victim to the scam remain hopeful for some form of financial recovery. Stay tuned for further updates as the investigation unfolds.