Altcoins News

Story: Bitcoin Crashes 23% in Worst Quarter Since 2013

By Pankaj K

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Bitcoin got hammered hard. The world's biggest cryptocurrency dropped 23.21% during the first quarter of 2026, making it the third-worst Q1 performance since 2013, per CoinGlass…

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The Securities and Exchange Commission ramped up pressure on crypto markets throughout the quarter, proposing stricter rules for exchanges that sent shivers through the industry.

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Bitcoin's price collapsed after Fed officials hinted at rate increases during their monthly meeting.

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March didn't offer much relief, with Bitcoin struggling to hold support above $40,000. Traders stayed on the sidelines, watching central bank moves and global economic data for…

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Other major cryptocurrencies couldn't escape the carnage either. Ethereum, the second-biggest crypto by market cap, fell 18% during the same period.

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Some industry veterans aren't throwing in the towel yet.

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Crypto advocates argue that regulatory clarity could actually help the market long-term, even if short-term pain seems inevitable.

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The SEC's next moves could reshape everything. Agency decisions carry massive weight for the entire crypto industry's future.

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Institutional interest shows mixed signals that confuse market watchers. Some major players cut their crypto exposure, citing volatility and regulatory risks as primary concerns.

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Cryptocurrency mining operations face mounting challenges beyond just price declines. Stricter regulations and environmental concerns add operational pressures that squeeze…

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On March 15, the European Central Bank announced plans to explore a digital euro, adding another wrinkle to an already complex situation.

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Binance experienced a major outage that same day, causing trading disruptions across one of the world's largest crypto exchanges.

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Grayscale Investments reported on March 20 that its Bitcoin Trust saw declining assets under management as institutional investors reassessed crypto exposure.

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Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong tweeted March 25 about needing clearer regulatory frameworks to support crypto innovation.

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The Bank of Japan threw another curveball March 28, maintaining ultra-loose monetary policy while other central banks tightened.

The Currency Analytics

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