Crypto Markets Rebound as Oil Plunges
Plus, the U.S. gets its first Polkadot ETF
Olivia Capozzalo & Camila Russo
March 09, 2026
Happy Monday, Defiers!
Bitcoin rallied above $69,000 after G7 energy ministers discussed a potential release of oil stockpiles to compensate for supply disruptions caused by the ongoing Iran conflict. Crude oil spiked above $110 per barrel overnight before reversing sharply.
In other news:
- Curve accuses PancakeSwap of code plagiarism
- 21Shares launches first Polkadot ETF
- U.S. banking agencies release tokenized FAQ
- Sahara AI’s Vision for the Agentic Era [SPONSORED]
- 7 Altcoins That Outgrew Bitcoin in 2025 — And What They Have in Common [MEDIA PARTNER]
Read more below! But first, please give our sponsors some love; they make this newsletter possible.
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We’re back! Here’s what you need to know in web3 today
📈 Markets in the Past 24 Hours
| TICKER | VALUE | 24H | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Bitcoin | $68,478 | 2.41 % |
 | Ethereum | $2,013.84 | 4.08 % |
 | BNB | $635 | 3.40 % |
 | XRP | $1.36 | 1.24 % |
 | Solana | $85.25 | 4.46 % |
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🎬WATCH
Optimism Is Done With “Ethereum Alignment” — Users Come First
In this episode of The Defiant Podcast, Cami sits down with Jing Wang to discuss how Optimism is evolving and why the debate over what counts as a “real” Ethereum L2 might be missing the point.
Watch the full interview:
Top News Since Friday
Curve Accuses PancakeSwap of Using Stableswap Code Without Authorization
Ethereum-based DEX Curve Finance accused PancakeSwap, the largest DEX on BNB Smart Chain, of copying its StableSwap code without permission.
Why it matters: PancakeSwap responded on X that it had contacted Curve privately to discuss the issue.
21Shares Launches First US Spot Polkadot ETF
21Shares launched the first U.S. spot Polkadot ETF, known as TDOT, on Friday. The spot price of DOT slumped on the news.
Why it matters: TDOT marks the latest altcoin ETF to launch in the U.S. — a trend that accelerated notably last year.
The Fed, OCC, FDIC Clarify Capital Treatment of Tokenized Securities
The federal banking agencies of the United States have issued clarifications on the capital treatment of tokenized securities.
Why it matters: Major federal agencies are weighing in as the integration of tokenized assets into existing financial frameworks represents a broader, growing trend.
Trending on The Defiant
- Kazakhstan's Central Bank to Invest $350 Million in Crypto Assets
- SuperRare Unveils Liquid Editions
- Bitcoin Drops Under $68,000 as Oil Tops $90
- Curve Accuses PancakeSwap of Using Stableswap Code Without Authorization
- 21Shares Launches First US Spot Polkadot ETF
- The Fed, OCC, FDIC Clarify Capital Treatment of Tokenized Securities
That’s it for today — if you enjoyed this newsletter, tell your friends! https://thedefiant.io/subscribe
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