KLEA Crypto Daily: Tuesday, March 17, 2026

Published: March 18, 2026 – 00:11 UTC

Here’s a look back at the key stories from March 17, 2026.

SEC and CFTC Issue Landmark Crypto Guidance Defining US Regulatory Boundaries

The Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission have issued a joint interpretation clarifying how federal securities laws apply to crypto assets, marking a significant step in defining regulatory boundaries in the United States. This guidance categorizes most digital assets as non-securities, providing much-needed clarity to the crypto industry and potentially influencing future legislation.

Citigroup Lowers Its Price Forecast for Bitcoin and Ethereum Due to Regulatory Delays

Citigroup has revised its 12-month price forecasts for Bitcoin and Ethereum, reducing them to $112,000 and $3,175, respectively, due to delays in U.S. regulatory changes and a slowdown in ETF inflows. The firm highlighted that these regulatory factors are crucial for further adoption and capital flows into exchange-traded funds.

PayPal Expands PYUSD Stablecoin Globally as Supply Tops $4 Billion

PayPal's PYUSD stablecoin is set to expand into 70 international markets, marking a significant milestone as its market cap surpasses $4 billion. This expansion highlights the growing acceptance and integration of stablecoins in global financial systems.

Mastercard to Acquire Stablecoin Infrastructure Firm BVNK for Up to $1.8 Billion

Mastercard is set to acquire BVNK, a startup specializing in stablecoin infrastructure, for up to $1.8 billion, marking one of the largest acquisitions in the digital assets sector. This strategic move aims to integrate BVNK's technology into Mastercard's network to enhance on-chain payments and bridge the gap between traditional fiat systems and blockchain technology.

Vietnam Drafts Rules to Ban Overseas Crypto Trading

The Vietnamese finance ministry is drafting regulations to prohibit citizens from trading on overseas cryptocurrency platforms, aiming to tighten control over its active digital asset market. This move comes as part of a broader initiative to launch domestically licensed exchanges and mitigate risks associated with capital moving outside the country.

Ripple Expands Aggressively in Brazil, Targets Institutional Crypto Dominance

Ripple is significantly expanding its presence in Brazil's financial system, aiming to become a key player in institutional crypto infrastructure amid rising demand for faster payments and tokenization. This move positions Ripple to potentially influence the broader Latin American digital asset landscape as it seeks to establish itself ahead of regulatory approvals.

Source: KLEA News