Cryptocurrency prices experienced a modest uptick over the weekend as investors shifted towards a risk-on sentiment, buoyed by Friday’s rally in the US stock market.
Bitcoin (BTC) remained stable above $84,000, contributing to a total market capitalization for all cryptocurrencies exceeding $2.8 trillion.
This week, the cryptocurrency market is poised for two significant catalysts: potential tariff adjustments from President Trump and critical interest rate decisions from the Federal Reserve. Easing tariff policies and a more lenient Fed stance could spark bullish momentum for cryptocurrencies and other high-risk assets.
Key cryptocurrencies to monitor this week include Binance Coin (BNB), Cronos (CRO), and ZetaChain (ZETA).
BNB
BNB is set to attract attention this week with the upcoming activation of the Pascal hard fork scheduled for March 20. This upgrade is one of three expected enhancements for the first half of the year, aimed at increasing Ethereum compatibility, introducing native smart contract wallets, and enhancing security.
Additionally, two subsequent upgrades will focus on improving the speed and security of the BNB Chain, positioning it as an appealing alternative to Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL). With Ethereum facing higher fees and slower transaction speeds, and Solana’s association with meme coins, BNB Chain is gaining traction.
Cronos
A crucial voting session concerning the creation of a Cronos Strategic Reserve will wrap up on March 17. This vote seeks to reverse a 70 billion token burn enacted in 2021.
If approved, Cronos will generate 70 billion new tokens to establish a reserve to support its ecosystem. However, some critics warn that introducing these tokens could dilute the value for existing investors.
Current voting data reveals that 45.8% of participants support the proposal, while 44.4% oppose it, and 9.27% have abstained. Should the voting trend continue, the proposal risks rejection due to insufficient turnout to meet the quorum.
ZetaChain
ZetaChain is another cryptocurrency to keep an eye on, especially after its price plummeted to a record low of $0.2070. This drop represents a staggering 92% decline from its all-time high, leaving its market cap at $151 million.
Factors contributing to the ZETA price decline include a significant drop in total value locked within its ecosystem, which has fallen to $13 million from a peak of nearly $20 million.
Moreover, ZetaChain’s high dilution risk is evident, with a circulating supply of 731 million against a total supply of 2.1 billion tokens. This week, over $6.6 million worth of tokens will be unlocked, constituting 4.29% of the total float, often leading to heightened volatility in the market.
