March 26th, 2026

Binance cracks down on market makers: What traders need to know now

Binance just announced stricter rules for market makers and token issuers, and this move deserves careful attention from anyone watching how crypto markets mature. The exchange now requires projects to disclose their market maker identity, legal entity, and key contract terms covering inventory and fee handling. It explicitly bans profit-sharing and guaranteed-return arrangements between projects and market makers, as well as opaque token lending that permits broad, undefined use of borrowed tokens. These structures often hide incentives that drive manipulative behaviour.

They will also monitor market maker activity more closely, watching for selling that conflicts with vesting schedules, one-sided quote provision, or trading that artificially inflates volume. The platform reserves the right to blacklist firms that engage in these practices. Bloomberg separately notes a prohibition on any revenue-sharing models tied to market-making on Binance. This is not a minor policy tweak. It represents a fundamental shift toward transparency in a part of crypto markets that has long operated in the shadows.

Market makers play a vital role in healthy trading environments. They tighten spreads and provide depth, allowing traders to enter and exit positions without excessive slippage. But when market makers receive payments to pump volumes or support price levels at all costs, they create fake liquidity that misleads traders about real demand. The new Binance rules aim to separate genuine market making from arrangements designed to manufacture the appearance of activity. By forcing disclosure of who the market maker is and what they can do, and by banning profit-sharing and price-manipulation deals, Binance tries to reduce conflicts of interest and wash trading that drew criticism after past market meltdowns. Tokens that relied on aggressive, opaque market making to appear healthier than they truly were could see wider spreads or lower volumes in the near term. Projects with organic demand and clean arrangements may stand out more clearly once the noise fades. This short-term discomfort could actually help investors distinguish between substance and spectacle.

The real test of these new rules will be enforcement. Binance says it will take swift, decisive action against misconduct, including blacklisting market makers. But it remains unclear whether blacklisted entities will be publicly named or only handled internally. Transparency about enforcement would strengthen the credibility of this policy shift. Without public accountability, bad actors could simply migrate to less scrutinised venues while continuing similar practices. Watch how liquidity metrics change, especially for smaller or recently listed tokens. Persistent widening spreads or sharp drops in reported volume could signal that prior activity depended heavily on now-constrained arrangements.

Also, watch whether rival exchanges adopt similar policies or position themselves as more flexible alternatives. If Binance’s stricter stance becomes an industry norm, it could reduce room for aggressive market making across the entire ecosystem, not just on one venue. That would represent meaningful progress toward more honest price discovery.

These changes reflect a necessary evolution in how crypto markets operate. I have seen how opaque arrangements can undermine trust. When market makers and projects hide their relationships, they create information asymmetry that harms retail participants the most. Requiring disclosure does not eliminate all manipulation, but it raises the cost of deceptive behaviour and makes it easier for observers to spot red flags. Banning profit sharing between projects and their market makers removes a powerful incentive to coordinate trades that serve internal interests rather than genuine supply and demand. This aligns with a broader principle I hold: decentralised systems work best when incentives are transparent and aligned with long-term network health, not short-term price engineering.

That said, I approach these rules with measured optimism. Regulation and self-regulation in crypto must balance market integrity with innovation. Overly rigid constraints could push legitimate market-making activity offshore or into decentralised venues where oversight is minimal. The goal should not be to eliminate market making but to ensure it serves real liquidity needs rather than marketing narratives. Binance’s focus on specific harmful practices, such as front-running token release schedules or providing one-sided quotes, shows a nuanced understanding of where manipulation occurs. This targeted approach is more promising than blanket restrictions that might stifle useful activity. I also believe that traditional financial tests, such as the Howey test, often fail to capture the realities of decentralised systems. Similarly, market-making rules designed for traditional equities may not translate perfectly to crypto. Binance appears to be crafting rules specific to the dynamics of digital asset markets, which is the right direction.

Source: https://e27.co/binance-cracks-down-on-market-makers-what-traders-need-to-know-now-20260326/

Anndy Lian

Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.

Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.

www.anndy.com

j j j

March 25th, 2026

Market crash or buying opportunity? What investors need to know now

United States indices closed Tuesday with modest losses, relinquishing early gains as crude prices resumed their ascent. The S&P 500 fell 0.37 per cent to 6,556.37, while the Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.84 per cent to 21,761.89, pressured by weakness in software names and the so-called Mag 7 technology leaders. The Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 84.41 points, or 0.18 per cent, to settle at 46,124.06. These movements reflect a market grappling with conflicting signals.

De-escalation narratives boost risk appetite while persistent inflation concerns keep the Federal Reserve on a hawkish footing. Technology stocks, which have led gains in prior months, now face scrutiny as higher-for-longer interest rate expectations compress valuation multiples. Investors who chased early Tuesday strength found themselves caught on the wrong side of a late-session reversal, a reminder that liquidity can vanish quickly when macro headlines dominate.

Asia-Pacific markets displayed sharper divergence. South Korea’s KOSPI surged 3.06 per cent at Wednesday’s open, fuelled by reports of a potential 15-point US-Iran de-escalation plan. This optimism contrasted with earlier heavy losses in Japan’s Nikkei and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng, both of which fell more than three per cent as energy prices spiked.

The regional split underscores how rapidly sentiment shifts when geopolitical headlines dominate, leaving traders to parse signal from noise in real time. Energy-dependent economies feel these swings most acutely, as oil price volatility directly impacts trade balances and corporate earnings forecasts. The KOSPI’s sharp rebound also highlights how local markets can decouple temporarily from global risk trends when catalyst-specific news emerges, creating both opportunity and whipsaw risk for cross-border capital.

The cryptocurrency market has stabilised after intense volatility, though it remains acutely sensitive to macroeconomic currents. Bitcoin trades around US$70,950, holding modest gains after rebounding from February lows. Ethereum hovers near US$2,130-US$2,160, recently underperforming Bitcoin amid heightened institutional selling pressure in ETH exchange-traded funds. Among altcoins, Solana holds steady near US$88-US$89, while XRP remains around US$1.42-US$1.45.

Market drivers remain anchored in geopolitical uncertainty. Recent liquidations of nearly US$550 million in short positions helped Bitcoin reclaim the US$71,000 threshold, demonstrating how leverage and sentiment can amplify moves in digital asset markets. This dynamic reveals a maturing yet still fragile ecosystem in which traditional finance flows increasingly intersect with decentralised protocols, creating new channels for volatility transmission.

Commodities reflect the same tug-of-war. Brent crude fell more than four per cent to drop below US$100 a barrel at Wednesday’s open on hopes of a de-escalation, after hitting highs near US$119 last week. The Federal Reserve held its benchmark rate at 3.5 per cent to 3.75 per cent this month and signalled only one rate cut for the remainder of 2026, while raising its inflation outlook to 2.7 per cent. Gold trades around US$4,550 per ounce, retaining some safe-haven appeal despite rising bond yields.

These moves highlight how traditional stores of value and inflation hedges respond to the same geopolitical and policy forces shaping equities and crypto. Oil’s sharp pullback from US$119 shows how quickly risk premiums can evaporate on diplomatic headlines, but the Fed’s cautious stance reminds markets that underlying inflation pressures have not disappeared.

This market environment reveals the intelligence gap that persists in Web3 and traditional finance alike. While institutional players react to Federal Reserve signals and Middle East headlines, decentralised networks continue processing transactions without pause. The US$550 million in short liquidations that propelled Bitcoin higher demonstrates how legacy market structures can create asymmetric opportunities for those who understand on-chain dynamics.

Ethereum’s underperformance relative to Bitcoin, driven by ETF selling pressure, reminds us that institutional adoption does not always align with network fundamentals. I see these moments not as noise but as data points in a larger transition toward more resilient, human-centric financial infrastructure. The current volatility underscores why true decentralisation matters. Systems that depend on single points of failure, whether geopolitical or institutional, remain vulnerable to sudden regime shifts.

The path forward demands more than reactive trading. It requires visionary architecture that anticipates the next cycle of innovation while respecting the lessons of past volatility. Markets will continue to oscillate between fear and hope, but the foundational shift toward open, programmable, and user-owned infrastructure represents a structural trend that transcends daily price action. Those who focus on building rather than merely speculating will define the next era of financial technology.

Source: https://e27.co/market-crash-or-buying-opportunity-what-investors-need-to-know-now-20260325/

Anndy Lian

www.anndy.com

j j j

February 23rd, 2026

5 crypto events that will make or break 2026: What investors must know before April

The second quarter of 2026 marks a defining moment for digital assets, as regulatory milestones and macroeconomic shifts converge to reshape the crypto landscape. As someone who has navigated this industry for over fifteen years and advised governments on blockchain policy, I see these upcoming events not as isolated developments but as interconnected forces that will determine whether crypto matures into a legitimate pillar of global finance or remains trapped in regulatory limbo.

The period between late March and early July presents five catalysts that demand close attention, each carrying the potential to unlock capital, clarify rules, or alter the monetary conditions that underpin risk asset performance. Understanding how these events interact requires looking beyond headlines to the structural changes they introduce for investors, builders, and policymakers alike.

The CLARITY Act (April 3, 2026)

Industry leaders anticipate President Trump could sign the CLARITY Act by April 3, 2026, a move that would finally delineate regulatory responsibilities between the SEC and CFTC. This legislation matters because legal ambiguity has long stifled innovation in the world’s largest capital market.

When projects face uncertain enforcement actions rather than clear compliance pathways, talent and capital migrate elsewhere. The passage would reduce legal risks for US-based crypto initiatives and signal to traditional finance that digital assets operate under a predictable framework.

I have long argued that regulation should enable rather than constrain technological progress, and this bill represents a step toward that balance. Reduced uncertainty often precedes capital deployment, so we could see accelerated institutional participation once the rules of engagement become transparent. Projects that previously hesitated to launch in the United States may now proceed, knowing which agency oversees their token structure and what disclosures they must provide.

SEC Crypto ETF Decisions (March 27, 2026)

Just one week earlier, on March 27, 2026, the SEC must issue final decisions on 91 pending crypto ETF applications spanning 24 tokens. Analysts expect verdicts to arrive sooner, given the perceived friendlier regulatory stance, but the deadline itself creates a hard boundary for market expectations.

Approval of altcoin ETFs, such as those tracking Solana or XRP, would replicate the institutional access wave that Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs initiated. These products serve as regulated conduits for pension funds, endowments, and registered investment advisors who cannot directly hold digital assets.

The scale of potential inflows remains substantial, and I view this as a critical test of whether US regulators will allow market demand to shape product availability. Institutional capital moves deliberately, but once allocated, it tends to remain invested, providing a stabilising influence on volatile markets. The applications represent diverse strategies and underlying assets, meaning approvals could broaden exposure beyond the largest cryptocurrencies and introduce investors to protocols with different risk and return profiles.

Tax-Advantaged Crypto ETNs (April 6, 2026)

The United Kingdom takes a different approach, allowing crypto exchange-traded notes to be held in tax-advantaged accounts starting April 6, 2026. This policy change qualifies these instruments for Individual Savings Accounts and self-invested personal pensions, granting millions of retail investors and pension funds a familiar wrapper for crypto exposure.

The significance lies in the stickiness of this capital. Retirement savings and tax-efficient accounts typically exhibit lower turnover than speculative trading capital, potentially reducing volatility over time. From my perspective, this move demonstrates how progressive regulation can expand access without compromising investor protections.

The UK framework may attract global crypto firms seeking a clear European base, especially as other jurisdictions grapple with more fragmented rules. Millions of UK residents now have a straightforward way to allocate a portion of their long-term savings to digital assets, and pension fund managers have a compliant vehicle to explore this emerging asset class within their fiduciary mandates.

Federal Reserve Leadership Transition (May 15, 2026)

Monetary policy leadership also shifts in May 2026 when Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s term ends on May 15. The nomination process that follows could usher in a more dovish approach to interest rates and balance sheet management.

History shows that easier monetary conditions boost liquidity for risk assets, and crypto has consistently correlated with periods of expanding money supply. A new chair selected by President Trump might prioritise growth-oriented policies, which would indirectly support digital asset valuations. I monitor these macro signals closely because crypto does not exist in a vacuum.

Global liquidity conditions often outweigh project-specific developments in driving price action, making the Fed chair transition a pivotal variable for the second half of 2026. A shift toward lower rates or faster balance sheet expansion would increase the pool of capital seeking yield, and digital assets often benefit when investors search for returns beyond traditional fixed income.

MiCA Implementation Deadline (July 1, 2026)

Finally, the European Union’s Markets in Crypto Assets regulation comes into full effect on July 1, 2026, requiring all crypto firms operating in the bloc to meet comprehensive compliance standards. MiCA creates a regulatory passport that allows approved entities to serve customers across all member states, but it also raises operational costs and may force smaller projects to exit the market. This consolidation could strengthen the remaining players while enhancing consumer trust through standardised disclosures and reserve requirements.

Having studied regulatory frameworks globally, I recognise that MiCA’s rigour may initially slow innovation but ultimately lend credibility to the sector. Firms that adapt early will gain competitive advantages in the world’s largest single market, while those that resist may find their access limited. The July 1 deadline creates a clear timeline for compliance investments, and companies that treat this as a strategic priority rather than a bureaucratic hurdle will position themselves for long-term growth.

Among these catalysts, the Federal Reserve leadership transition stands out as the most immediate market-moving factor, as it directly influences global liquidity that underpins all risk assets. The interplay between these events will define crypto’s trajectory through 2026 and beyond, rewarding those who understand both its technical and macroeconomic dimensions. Investors who track regulatory deadlines alongside central bank communications will gain an edge in anticipating capital flows and positioning portfolios for the next phase of digital asset adoption.

Source: https://e27.co/5-crypto-events-that-will-make-or-break-2026-what-investors-must-know-before-april-20260223/