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Bitcoin under pressure as options expiry, geopolitical risk and miner sales hit market |
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March 27, 2026 |
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Today’s Setup
Macro, corporate selling and sanctions set the tape
Macro risk: $14 billion bitcoin options expiry coincides with escalating Middle East tensions, pressuring BTC and amplifying directional flows. Corporate supply: Public miner MARA sold about 15,133 BTC (~$1.1 billion) in March to repurchase $1 billion of convertible notes at a ~9% discount, cutting convertible debt roughly 30%. Policy & security: UK sanctions target the Xinbi crypto marketplace—linked to Southeast Asian scam centres and roughly $19.9 billion in illicit flows—aiming to disrupt scam infrastructure.
Watch: Watch BTC price around the options settlement and for further miner or corporate sales; monitor regulatory moves that could re‑rate stablecoin and custody risk.
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Top Stories
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MARA sells 15,133 BTC (~$1.1B) to fund convertible‑note buyback
MARA sold roughly 15,133 bitcoin between March 4 and March 25 for about $1.1 billion to repurchase $1 billion of zero‑coupon convertible notes at a 9% discount, reducing convertible debt by roughly 30% and easing near‑term dilution pressure.
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Bitcoin slides as $14B options expiry meets Middle East tensions
Bitcoin faced a roughly $14 billion options expiry while geopolitical risk in the Middle East rose, contributing to intraday weakness and price moves below about $68,500 amid heightened macro uncertainty.
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UK sanctions Xinbi crypto marketplace to disrupt Southeast Asia scam centres
UK authorities sanctioned the Chinese‑language marketplace Xinbi, accused of selling stolen personal data and processing nearly $19.9 billion in illicit flows from 2021–2025, in a first‑of‑its‑kind move aimed at choking scam infrastructure.
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Circle stock plunges after leaked US rule; Tether audit announcement cited
Circle’s stock fell about 20%, erasing roughly $5 billion in market value after leaked regulatory drafts and wallet‑freeze reports; the move coincided with announcements that Tether engaged a Big Four auditor and other firms as it prepares U.S. expansion.
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GameStop keeps its bitcoin and uses holdings for options income
SEC filings show GameStop did not sell its roughly 4,710 BTC holdings but pledged 4,709 BTC as collateral with Coinbase Credit to run a covered‑call strategy, converting the ~$368 million stash into an options income play.
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