In this article, we look at the key macroeconomic releases in the US this week, such as jobs numbers, CPI and PPI, and how it could affect markets.

Fears of a US recession and a global trade war have triggered significant downturns in the crypto and stock markets over the past month. As the Trump administration's policies fuel a "period of transition," financial markets are entering a "detox period" characterized by increased volatility and uncertainty. Meanwhile, this is a critical week for investors, with multiple US economic reports being released by Mar 14, 2025.

In this article, Bybit will introduce you to the key macro trends shaping financial markets and crypto prices. You’ll also learn which of this week’s economic reports are the most important to be aware of.

Amid falling stock and crypto prices and market uncertainty, this week is important for investors, with multiple key economic reports being released between March 10 and 14. 

These are the most crucial macro events to watch this week:

A new job openings report was released on Mar 11, 2025, showing that 

 were added in January, bringing total openings to 7.74 million. This signals a resilient labor market, which could have implications for inflation and interest rate expectations.

Investors are now turning their attention to the upcoming reports on 

 on March 12 and the Core Producer Price Index (PPI) on March 13 for further clues on inflation trends. If inflation remains elevated, it could influence the Federal Reserve's policy stance, potentially delaying rate cuts that markets have been anticipating. This could lead to short-term volatility across equities and crypto, as higher interest rates generally make risk assets less attractive to investors.

Despite a strong start this year, the crypto market has taken a significant hit since early February. As of Mar 12, 2025, the combined cryptocurrency market cap

 over the past seven days and 15.24% in the past 30 days. 

Here's how the prices of some major coins have changed:

This market sell-off has triggered a large number of liquidations, 

 over the past 24 hours. Additionally, the 

 has fluctuated between "Fear" and "Extreme Fear" since Feb 25, 2025. This suggests that investors feel pressure to sell their cryptocurrency, driving digital asset prices down.

Cryptocurrency isn’t the only asset class that has recently experienced a significant downturn. In fact, the crypto sell-off is primarily being driven by global market turmoil that has also triggered a stock market downturn within the past few weeks.

The S&P 500 (GSPC), Nasdaq-100 (NDX) and Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) — three of the major stock market indices — are down by 8.18%, 10.94% and 7.09%, respectively, over the past 30 days. What's more, the NDX had its 

 within 24 hours, and the “Magnificent Seven” stocks 

But why did crypto and US stocks fall so heavily over the past month? The answer lies in new warnings that the US economy could be 

. Moreover, investors fear that President Donald Trump's tariffs could lead to a global trade war.

Since his inauguration on Jan 20, 2025, Trump has introduced a 

 on US steel and aluminum imports. Moreover, he’s introduced nation-specific measures against 

Also, the Trump administration is drastically cutting US government spending by 

 and other measures. These policies, combined with the impacts of a brewing trade war, are fueling market volatility and uncertainty in the short term.

, warning of short-term pain for financial markets. According to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, these moves aim to rebalance the economy and could lead to a "detox period."

Intermediate

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Macro this week: Key releases amid recession fear

AI-DOL Superstar Trading Battle is a premier trading and voting event aiming to support emerging AI crypto projects. Find out more about the five key AI mentors helping to shape the future of AI.

The AI-DOL Superstar Trading Battle is a premier AI-driven event hosted by Bybit. It serves as a launchpad for emerging AI-powered crypto projects, offering them a chance to secure a Bybit Spot listing and gain industry recognition.

A key element of the event is its mentorship program, through which leading AI projects provide strategic guidance to new entrants. These mentors offer expertise in AI-driven trading, governance and 

 (DApps), helping promising startups refine their solutions and achieve long-term sustainability.

What is the Bybit AI-DOL SUPERSTAR event?

The Bybit AI-DOL SUPERSTAR Trading Battle is a unique event that merges artificial intelligence (AI) with blockchain, creating a competitive space for AI-driven crypto projects to gain visibility and adoption.

This event not only fosters innovation in AI and blockchain, but also rewards participants who engage in trading and voting.

The mentorship program is a core pillar of the AI-DOL Trading Battle, pairing AI startups with experienced industry leaders. These mentorships help AI projects refine their algorithms, governance models and trading strategies — key factors for long-term success in web3.

Here’s a look at the five key AI mentors shaping the future of AI-powered crypto:

Luna by Virtuals (LUNAI) — the AI-driven digital performer

Luna by Virtuals is a livestreaming AI influencer built on Virtuals Protocol. Originally part of an AI-powered K-pop group, Luna has over 500,000 TikTok followers, showcasing that AI-driven personalities can thrive in entertainment and web3.

Luna by Virtuals demonstrates the power of AI in digital engagement, which explores AI-driven media, decentralized content creation and tokenized engagement models. This highlights the intersection of AI, blockchain and social influence in web3.

Top Hat (HAT) — the no-code AI agent builder

Top Hat is a Solana-based AI launchpad that enables anyone to create AI agents and tokens without coding expertise. It features simplified crypto analytics, algorithmic trading and token automation, making AI technology accessible to non-technical users.

Top Hat focuses on market predictions, algorithmic trading and smart contract automation. This empowers startups to develop scalable and efficient AI trading solutions for web3.

Cookie DAO (COOKIE) — web3 AI governance and data intelligence

Cookie DAO is a decentralized AI and data governance platform that optimizes AI-driven marketing, analytics and web3 intelligence. It allows 

 data, improving automation and decision-making.

Cookie DAO integrates AI-powered governance models and data analytics into its blockchain projects, thus enhancing scalability and transparency.

ai16z (AI16Z) — AI research fund and web3 incubator

ai16z develops AI investment strategies, funding models and AI-powered blockchain applications, helping emerging projects secure financing and navigate the AI-driven crypto ecosystem. Its AI-focused venture capital and incubation platform combines community-driven funding with AI-powered decision-making, giving it a significant role in accelerating AI adoption in web3.

Alchemist AI (ALCH) — AI-powered no-code development

Alchemist AI is a decentralized AI development platform that enables natural language-based application creation. By leveraging AI and blockchain, it allows users to build, deploy and monetize AI models without expertise in coding.

Alchemist AI optimizes AI training models, automation frameworks and decentralized AI applications, bridging the gap between AI research and real-world blockchain adoption.

The AI-DOL Superstar Trading Battle isn’t just a competition — it’s a launchpad for AI innovation. Mentors help AI startups scale their projects by providing expert guidance, advanced trading strategies and governance models.

Ready to join the AI-DOL Superstar Trading Battle? 

, trade and vote — and support the next AI revolution in web3 now!

Beginner

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Who are the Mentors in Bybit’s AI-DOL SUPERSTAR?

Trump unveiled plans for the Bitcoin strategic reserve and US digital asset stockpile, signing Executive Order 14178. Find out how this works and the implications for Bitcoin and the crypto industry.

The US government has proposed recent initiatives for both a bitcoin strategic reserve and a US digital asset stockpile in order to create a national reserve of cryptocurrencies. The executive order, signed by President Donald Trump on Mar 7, 2025, aims to secure the country’s place in the fast-evolving crypto space. The strategic reserve would include Bitcoin (BTC), the largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, while the digital asset stockpile would include other digital assets apart from BTC. 

This article dives into Trump’s vision for crypto, reserve and stockpile details, cryptocurrencies involved, the potential impact on crypto markets and Trump’s broader initiatives for the cryptocurrency industry.

Since his inauguration, President Trump has enthusiastically embraced cryptocurrencies. His administration has rolled out pro-crypto policies to encourage growth and innovation. One standout move was appointing David Sacks, a tech and finance expert, as “AI and Crypto Czar.” Sacks is steering the US toward a crypto-friendly future, overseeing policies that would boost digital assets. 

Trump has been vocal about his ambitions, declaring on his social media channel Truth Social that the US will become the “crypto capital of the world.”

 plans for the Bitcoin strategic reserve and US digital asset stockpile ahead of the first White House Crypto Summit in January 2025. He signed Executive Order 14178, directing the presidential Working Group to establish this digital stockpile. Think of it as a strategic petroleum reserve, but for crypto — a way to secure valuable assets for the nation’s future. 

 highlighted the move on X, calling it a game-changer. The reserve signals the government’s belief in crypto as a long-term economic tool.

How would a Bitcoin strategic reserve work?

A bitcoin strategic reserve as established in the executive order aims to establish Bitcoin as a strategic asset for the US, similar to a 

, highlighting its potential as a store of value.

The reserve's capital would come exclusively from Bitcoin that the federal government already owns, which it obtained through civil and criminal asset forfeiture proceedings, such as seizures from illegal activities (i.e., drug trafficking, money laundering and cybercrimes). This ensures that no new Bitcoin is purchased with public funds for the initial reserve, and that there's no additional cost to taxpayers.

Estimates suggest the US government currently holds around 200,000 Bitcoin (worth approximately $16.5 billion at current market prices). However, a full audit is required, as mandated by the executive order, since there is no official accounting of these holdings.

Furthermore, the government of the United States has established a policy not to sell any Bitcoin that’s added to a Bitcoin strategic reserve. This policy intends to safeguard the value of Bitcoin over the long term, and to avoid financial losses that could occur from selling the cryptocurrency prematurely. 

 Sacks, previous instances of early Bitcoin sales resulted in losses exceeding $17 billion.

Finally, the executive order authorizes the secretaries of the Treasury and Commerce departments to develop “budget-neutral strategies” for acquiring additional Bitcoin, but only if these strategies impose no incremental costs on American taxpayers. This could involve mechanisms like using future forfeiture proceeds or other cost-free methods, but no specific plans or timelines for additional purchases have been detailed.

Alongside the main crypto strategic reserve, a new executive order was also established: the US digital asset stockpile, which would include other cryptocurrencies (beyond Bitcoin) seized through legal actions, as noted in 

Unlike the initial crypto reserve, it wouldn’t actively buy new assets, but would manage existing holdings responsibly under the Department of the Treasury. The goal (per the White House fact sheet) would be to centralize and maximize the value of these assets, ensuring proper oversight and avoiding past losses from premature sales.

 by roughly 5% to $85,000 on Mar 7, 2025, possibly triggered by the announcement and expectations of larger government purchases of BTC, or even a more aggressive strategy. Over the past week, Bitcoin has declined by 11.8% amid a broader market sell-off.

Trump isn’t just talking about crypto — he’s actually acting on it. Beyond the reserve, his administration has pushed forward, for example, with regulatory changes that include the dropping of multiple enforcement cases against crypto firms, easing the way for innovation.

Since Trump took office, the SEC has backed off from several crypto enforcement actions. Dropping these cases has lifted a cloud of uncertainty, giving companies room to experiment and grow. It’s a clear sign of a more relaxed regulatory stance, aligning with Trump’s push to nurture the crypto industry instead of stifling it.

Could these actions spark a global arms race for Bitcoin?

Trump’s crypto strategic reserve, now expanded with the Bitcoin strategic reserve and US digital asset stockpile, marks a defining moment for digital assets in America. 

By planning to stockpile Bitcoin and other seized assets, the US is staking its claim in the global crypto race and recognizing Bitcoin as a legitimate asset. This 

 to consider allocating capital to Bitcoin. 

 that this executive order is merely Trump fulfilling his obligations to the crypto crowd, arguing it’s more symbolic than transformative, akin to the 2021 

 launch, rather than the impactful January 2024 Spot Bitcoin ETF launch. Only time will tell if this move will herald a paradigm shift in global Bitcoin adoption.

bitcoin strategic reserve, digital asset stockpile

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Understanding Trump's crypto executive order: Bitcoin strategic reserve and US digital asset stockpile

In this article, we’ll delve into Bybit Pay to discover its purpose, benefits and robust ecosystem, which caters to individuals, merchants and businesses alike.

As cryptocurrencies continue to gain mainstream adoption, the one field where they still lag behind is in daily use. Most coins and tokens are treated as speculative assets or long-term investments, not as a medium of exchange. The biggest impediment to such adoption is the lack of payment solutions designed to seamlessly merge the advantages of cryptocurrencies with the reliability of the traditional banking system.

In order to change this situation, we need a payment solution that bridges the traditional banking system and 

 to provide a seamless payment solution for the end user. The world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange, 

, has launched Bybit Pay with that precise goal in mind. 

Traditional financial systems and blockchain-based ecosystems have long operated in silos, creating friction for users and businesses alike. 

 aims to bridge these barriers, allowing anyone to transact effortlessly across both worlds.

Bybit Pay supports payments in eight cryptocurrencies (including Bitcoin, Ethereum and USDT) and the Brazilian real, and has already integrated with 

 the popular BCB-created payment platform, with more integrations likely to follow in the future.

The biggest advantage of Bybit Pay is that it acts as a bridge between fiat currency and crypto. Bybit Pay allows users and merchants to conduct transactions without worrying about the technical and regulatory challenges that typically accompany crypto payments. By converting crypto to fiat (and vice versa) in real time, the platform ensures that both transacting parties experience minimal friction when a payment is made.

Bybit Pay also unifies merchants, payment processors and service providers worldwide through a single, integrated platform. For example, a retailer in Brazil can effortlessly accept payments via Pix’s local QR code–based system without needing to understand web3, since transactions are seamlessly processed through Bybit’s infrastructure.

Merchants who support Bybit Pay tap a user base of over 60 million Bybit users globally, a large and active community that creates a network effect to benefit customers and merchants alike. The platform’s seamless integration enables merchants to reach a global audience, breaking geographical barriers that often limit growth in traditional markets. Additionally, accepting cryptocurrencies allows businesses to stay ahead of the curve by being early adopters of a payment system that could potentially redefine financial transactions.

Bybit Pay enhances user experience by simple and easy integration with 

. This allows users to keep control of their digital assets, while bridging for traditional payments.

Traders can also use Bybit Pay’s collateralized payment tool to pledge their crypto and borrow the required fiat currencies. Together, these features provide users with the ease of use of traditional finance combined with the financial flexibility of cryptocurrencies. 

Bybit Pay has developed an impressive suite of ecosystem system products that reinforce its crypto payment advantages. These include:

Bybit Pay also provides tailored solutions for businesses to streamline crypto adoption. Its merchant acquiring system offers e-commerce platforms and other businesses low-fee cryptocurrency payment processing, and enables real-time settlements in both crypto and fiat currencies. 

For developers, the API Open Platform provides a flexible tool kit that allows them to embed Bybit Pay’s infrastructure into apps, websites or custom platforms. 

Together, these tools make it easy for businesses of all sizes to tap into the global crypto user base without overhauling their existing systems.

Bybit Pay also goes beyond payments to help users grow their assets, acting as a one-stop investment center that merges spending flexibility with earning potential. Bybit Pay lets users deposit idle funds into flexible savings products to generate yield. Yields vary depending upon demand, but as of March 2025, USDT deposited for a flexible term could generate a 6.45% yield on the 

. This dual functionality ensures liquidity for daily transactions while maximizing returns. 

To further incentivize engagement, the platform also offers exclusive discounts and cashback rewards on purchases, creating a loyalty loop that benefits frequent users. High–net worth individuals gain further advantages through 

. This includes elevated cashback rates, priority access to new features and tailored discounts on premium products. 

These layered incentives not only enhance user retention, but also position Bybit Pay as a complete financial ecosystem in which spending and wealth-building can seamlessly coexist.

In late January 2025, Bybit announced the 

. This service offers a cutting-edge payment solution and integrates seamlessly with Pix, Brazil’s leading payment system. 

To celebrate this launch, Bybit Pay is hosting a 

 from Feb 28–Mar 31, 2025, blending Brazil’s festive spirit with crypto incentives. Every time a user spends 50 USDT or 250 BRL via Bybit Pay, they earn entry into a prize pool featuring luxury gadgets like an iPhone 16 Pro or PlayStation 5, or thousands of USDT 

. The more you spend, the higher your chances of winning.

Bybit Pay has the potential to make cryptocurrency payments as simple as traditional fiat payments. By merging web3 flexibility with traditional payment infrastructure, it empowers merchants and users to transact globally without sacrificing familiarity or liquidity. Its recent expansions — such as its Brazil launch and Carnival-themed incentives — reward participation while demonstrating how easily the platform integrates into daily life. 

Users can take advantage of current initiatives by registering for the 

 event. Merchants who want to integrate Bybit Pay and benefit from its vast customer base can use the 

bybit pay.png

Bybit Pay: Bridging the gap between traditional finance and the crypto world

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Blockchain

DuckChain (DUCK) is a Layer 2 blockchain integrating AI and cross-chain interoperability, transforming Telegram into a crypto super-app with seamless DeFi access.

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 (TON) blockchain in 2024 has focused the crypto industry's attention on the Telegram messaging app and its potential 

 use cases. The Open Network, frequently referred to as TON, became the first major blockchain project to tightly integrate the worlds of crypto and Web 2.0–based social media. And Telegram, with its nearly 1 billion active monthly users and popularity for one-to-one and one-to-many interactions, can be an absolute goldmine for web3 projects.

It was only a matter of time before other blockchain technology projects recognized the messenger's massive potential, and rushed to leverage opportunities. One of the earliest among these projects is DuckChain (DUCK) — a 

 network. DuckChain aims to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, 

 (EVM) compatibility and cross-chain interoperability with a unified gas system, and to close integration with Telegram to become a significant bridge between Web 2.0 and web3 environments.

 (DUCK) is a high-performance, AI-powered Layer 2 chain designed for tight integration with the Telegram social media network.

 It’s based on Arbitrum Orbit technology, a framework for building highly scalable and cost-efficient Layer 2 chains with EVM compatibility. As a Layer 2 platform, DuckChain links to TON’s Layer 1 network while also providing the functionality to integrate assets from the Ethereum and 

DuckChain's Arbitrum Orbit–based foundation supports its platform’s high throughput and low transaction costs. Naturally, the use of the Arbitrum Orbit stack also ensures EVM compatibility. In fact, DuckChain is one of the first, if not the first, web3 solutions within the wider TON ecosystem that features direct compatibility with EVM. As of yet, TON’s underlying blockchain has no built-in compatibility with the Ethereum ecosystem, making DuckChain a pioneer in bridging these two major blockchain environments.

DuckChain is not only fully EVM-compatible — it’s also connected to Bitcoin, allowing assets from Ethereum and Bitcoin ecosystems to be utilized on the platform. Additionally, 

 — social tokens widely used on Telegram for monetization — can be tokenized on DuckChain for further use within its 

 (DApps). In the future, the platform also hopes to implement cross-chain interoperability with 

DuckChain’s network has also integrated several AI-supported functions. These include AI-driven governance, personalized AI assistants for token holders, AI analysts that assist users in navigating the 

 (DeFi) ecosystem and AI-driven cross-chain operations.

The DuckChain team has made AI integration a key focus for its platform. In January 2025, the project’s communications began frequently referring to DuckChain as the “Telegram AI Chain,” highlighting the importance of AI functionality for the platform's future direction and vision. DuckChain — or the Telegram AI Chain, if you will — is building up an impressive network of partner platforms to realize its AI vision. Among the key AI partner platforms are 

 (FLOCK). Each of these partners will support specific functions and use cases for DuckChain’s AI agents.

DuckChain’s Layer 2 network uses the underlying TON blockchain for finalized transaction settlement. Built using Arbitrum Orbit, it enjoys EVM compatibility, high scalability and low transaction costs. The chain’s architecture includes three primary layers — aggregation, execution and data.

DuckChain’s Aggregation Layer is a component of its blockchain’s architecture, serving as a bridge between DuckChain and TON’s Layer 1 network. It’s made up of three elements: 

The Execution Layer is DuckChain's main processing engine, powered by Arbitrum Orbit technology. In addition to transaction processing, this layer is also responsible for keeping DuckChain synchronized with the Telegram environment.

DuckChain's Execution Layer can handle around 5,000 

 (TPS) thanks to Arbitrum Orbit technology, which facilitates the processing of high volumes of transactions in a scalable and cost-efficient way.

The third component of DuckChain’s architecture, the Data Layer, ensures that all transaction data is securely stored and accessible for verification. DuckChain’s platform uses a distributed mode for its data storage. The Data Layer allows Layer 1 validators to access and securely verify transaction data from the DuckChain Layer 2 network.

DuckChain’s close integration with Telegram creates access to on-chain opportunities for the messenger's nearly 1 billion active users. Telegram users can generate a DuckChain account in a streamlined way, without the usual procedures involved in setting up a blockchain network address. Thanks to DuckChain's integration with the core Telegram app, tedious procedures, such as 

Its blockchain also provides a mechanism to deposit Telegram Stars 

social tokens widely used on the messenger to pay for digital goods 

 and convert them into native crypto assets for DeFi purposes, such as gas payments, 

DuckChain also features a unique unified 

. Besides enabling Telegram Stars for gas payments, its system also lets users pay transaction fees on the network using The Open Network's native TON coin and tokens from compatible EVM chains.

TON coin is among the top twenty crypto assets on the market (as of Feb 10, 2025) by market cap, and features high liquidity levels. Gas payments in TON and popular EVM tokens provide the DuckChain network with sufficient levels of liquidity for transactions at all times.

The Layer 2 chain is a unique platform, offering 

 via DuckChain bridges for three large ecosystems 

 Ethereum, Bitcoin and TON. This cross-chain functionality is of particular note for two reasons. First, it creates opportunities for using DApps among holders of BTC, the world's most-capitalized cryptocurrency. And secondly, it provides a common platform for assets from two large ecosystems — TON and Ethereum — that aren’t natively compatible.

DuckChain's AI module supports several features powered by 

, a technology that’s currently experiencing explosive growth, including in the world of web3. One of these features is AI Governance DAO, powered by the Quack AI protocol. It supports members of the platform's governance DAO by assigning them personalized AI agents that assist the DAO members in analyzing proposals, suggesting new ideas and carrying out other governance processes.

In Q1 2025, the DuckChain project aims to introduce personalized AI agents for all holders of the platform's native token, DUCK. In addition to governance power, these agents will provide their owners with services such as blockchain education, guidance on user procedures and financial analytics.

DuckChain also integrates AI agents for cross-chain interoperability processes and the analysis of DeFi opportunities.

The platform’s native cryptocurrency, DUCK, had its token generation event (TGE) in mid-January 2025. DUCK runs on multiple chains — T

— and its utility functions include the following:

DUCK is currently priced at $0.0032 (as of Feb 11, 2025), and has a total and maximum supply of 10 billion. Its current circulation is 5.9 billion. Supply allocation shares are per the chart below.

In January 2025, DuckChain announced its first 

 campaign, with eligibility criteria determined on Jan 7, 2025. The airdrop was designed to reward two groups of early adopters: 

The airdrop allocation criteria included various factors, such as using on-chain Telegram Stars, the number of friends invited to the platform, using testnet 

 (NFTs), staking earnings, accumulating loyalty points and participating in the asset bridging event.

 as a Perpetual contract with USDT. Under the contract, you can trade DUCK with up to 50x leverage.

The DuckChain project is unique in several ways. First, it’s one of the first Layer 2 platforms for The Open Network — often referred to as TON. It also connects the ecosystems of three major blockchain environments — TON, Ethereum and Bitcoin — thus allowing holders of TON, BTC and Ethereum-compatible tokens to utilize them within DuckChain’s DApps. Very few (if any) web3 projects operating in the industry provide this kind of diversified connectivity.

At the same time, the most crucial feature of DuckChain is undoubtedly its integration with Telegram. The use of Telegram Stars within the platform is a unique feature that should act as a major driver for crypto adoption by the messenger's extensive user community. DuckChain isn't the first blockchain project to leverage Telegram, but it does represent the first major web3 initiative to provide easy monetization of Telegram Stars 

 the primary digital currency of the Telegram social network — within the world of 

If you've stocked up on some Telegram Stars, and are thinking of crypto-related opportunities, DuckChain might be an intriguing platform for you to peruse.

DuckChain (DUCK): Transforming Telegram Into a Crypto Super-App

Grab Up to 5,000 USDT in Rewards

Grab Up to 5,000 USDT in Rewards