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Investing.com - A spike in gold prices following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran may wane as markets attempt to gauge the financial market fallout from the widening conflict, according to analysts at Pepperstone.

Gold prices jumped as investors rushed into safe-haven assets in the midst of the attacks which led to the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The killing of Iran’s most powerful figure raised fears of a broader regional conflict and potential disruption to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy artery.

Spot gold rose 2.2% to $5,395.25 an ounce by 03:44 ET, hovering around the key $5,400 level. Meanwhile, U.S. Gold Futures climbed 3.1% to $5,411.56 an ounce.
In a note, the Pepperstone strategists including Michael Brown suggested that it would not be surprising "to see some degree of any initial spike higher fade as trade progresses."
"Markets are notoriously terrible at accurately pricing geopolitical risk, with participants tending to flip to an extreme view, before more rational heads slowly but surely prevail," Brown said. 
However, the developments in Iran have reinforced the "fundamental bull case" for gold, Brown added, arguing that the yellow metal will "remain the beneficiary of haven inflows in an increasingly uncertain world, with hefty retail and reserve demand both providing tailwinds too."
Brown said he would "certainly not rule out" a further climb in gold towards the $6,000 an ounce mark by the end of the year, although he flagged that "as with all these things we’re unlikely to get there in a straight line."
Away from geopolitics, a busy week of economic data and earnings awaited investors. Along with the February U.S. jobs report, returns from Broadcom and Target are due out during the first week of March. 

 Written By:
Investing.com
#GoldSilverOilSurge #USIsraelStrikeIran #IranConfirmsKhameneiIsDead #GOLD

The Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500 turned positive on Monday, rebounding from sharp declines earlier in the day, as investors monitored the U.S. and Israel strikes on Iran over the weekend.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq was last up 0.3%, while the broad-based S&P 500 was last trading around the flatline. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 80 points, or 0.2%.
The three major averages rallied off their nadirs as gains in technology stocks such as Nvidia and Microsoft helped trim the losses. The Nasdaq was down as much as 1.6% at one point, while the S&P 500 and Dow pulled back around 1.2% each at their session lows.
Gold futures jumped 1% as investors piled into the global safe-haven asset. The CBOE Volatility Index, Wall Street's fear gauge based on option prices used to hedge against losses, jumped to the highest levels of 2026 so far.
The joint U.S.-Israeli strikes killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, marking a watershed moment for the Islamic Republic and one of its most consequential episodes since 1979. Iranian officials vowed a forceful retaliation against the strikes, raising fears the conflict could escalate further across the region as blasts were heard in places such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
President Donald Trump told CNBC's Joe Kernen that U.S. military operations in Iran are "ahead of schedule," but investors are worried about a prolonged conflict despite those comments.
"The tail risk of a sustained conflict is higher than in 2024 or 2025, though we don't see this war escalating to a point where it drastically changes the US outlook," said Barclays' Ajay Rajadhyaksha in a note. But he said early it's "too early to buy any dip, especially with investors used to a pattern of quick de-escalation."
U.S. crude prices gained as investors worried the confrontation could spiral into a broader war that disrupts supplies. Iran is the fourth-largest oil producer in OPEC. Though crude prices were off their highs of the day, which helped sentiment, they were still last up more than 6%.
The oil market's trajectory may hinge on whether fighting disrupts traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, the world's most important chokepoint for crude flows. A sustained interruption there could reverberate through global energy markets and reignite inflation pressures.
While Baird's Ross Mayfield believes that a lot can still change with the conflict, he thinks the market is clawing back earlier losses because "there hasn't been escalation from here."
"If Iran were going to take the nuclear option of closing the Strait or really trying to do damage to energy infrastructure, we'd have a better sense that that was going to be their path by now," the investment strategist said.
On top of tech, a rise in defense stocks helped the major averages recoup a chunk of their losses. Northrop Grumman advanced around 4%, as did RTX, while Lockheed Martin climbed 3%. Energy shares including Exxon Mobil and Chevron saw gains as well.
The geopolitical escalation compounds an already fragile backdrop for stocks. The S&P 500 sold off Friday and finished in the red for February amid renewed turmoil in artificial intelligence and software shares.
Fears that automation may erode business models and trigger mounting layoffs have weighed on sentiment, raising concerns about spillover effects on the broader economy.
"All told, we presume a shorter-term impact, but can't rule out a more protracted friction to equities," said Citi equity strategists in a note to clients about the Middle East conflict. "We also need to bucket this new volatility event alongside a growing list of concerns. Namely, the AI spending boom seems poised to persist, but the productivity promise is quickly facing off against AI-triggered business-model disruption."
By:
Sean Conlon | Yun Li
#NASDAQ #USIsraelStrikeIran #IranConfirmsKhameneiIsDead #GoldSilverOilSurge #AI

Summary:
Indexes down: Dow 0.73%, S&P 500 0.58%, Nasdaq 0.61%Airline and financial stocks take a hit, defense stocks riseInvestors turn to safe havens, including precious metals, dollar
BlackRock-led consortium to acquire AES Corp for $33.4 billion

Wall Street's main indexes were lower on Monday ​as investors braced for a prolonged Middle East conflict that threatened to disrupt global trade routes and reignite inflationary pressures.
Sectors that ‌were hit the most included airlines, as a number of carriers halted flights, while several oil and gas facilities in the Middle East stopped production, which pushed crude prices up over 8%.
That painted an overall cloudy outlook for the global economy and also weighed on financial stocks.
Delta (DAL.N) and United Airlines (UAL.O) tumbled over 3% each.
The S&P 500 financial index (.SPSY) was down 1% with big banks such as Bank of ​America (BAC.N) and Citigroup (C.N) trading lower.
Investors instead flocked to traditional safe havens such as the dollar . Higher precious metals prices helped miners such as Kinross ​Gold <KGC.N> and Harmony Gold add 1% each.
Defense stocks also got a boost, with Lockheed Martin (LMT.N) and RTX (RTX.N) gaining over 3% each, while ⁠Kratos (KTOS.O
After coordinated U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran over the weekend killed Tehran's Supreme Leader, Israel launched retaliatory attacks following air strikes ​by Iran and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, deepening fears that the conflict could widen further across the region.

President Donald Trump suggested that strikes on Iran ​could go on for the next four weeks.
Adam Turnquist, chief technical strategist for LPL Financial, said that market losses were contained as investors had been anticipating a conflict over the past few weeks.
"The market is taking it relatively well just given where oil is and the likelihood this is going to play out for four weeks - it's not another ​weekend event."

At 09:52 a.m. ET, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (.DJI) fell 355.68 points, or 0.73%, to 48,622.24, the S&P 500 (.SPX) lost 40.14 points, or ​0.58%, to 6,838.74 and the Nasdaq Composite (.IXIC) lost 139.42 points, or 0.61%, to 22,528.79.
The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq briefly touched their lowest levels in about two weeks ‌earlier in ⁠the session but recouped losses on a 1.7% gain in the energy (.SPNY) sector. All other major sectors on the S&P 500 traded in the red.
Wall Street's fear gauge, the CBOE VIX (.VIX), jumped 3.1 points to a three-month high of 21.96.
The escalation comes at a precarious moment for markets already rattled by AI disruption concerns, private credit jitters and trade policy uncertainty - factors that drove the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq to their steepest monthly declines since March ​2025.
A sustained oil price spike threatens ​to amplify inflationary pressures just ⁠as U.S. tariffs push prices higher, data showed on Friday.

Wells Fargo's Ohsung Kwon warned the S&P 500 could fall to 6,000 points, nearly 13% below its last close, if crude surpasses $100 per barrel, with earnings potentially taking a 1.3% ​hit.

Oil companies Occidental Petroleum (OXY.N) gained 2.5% and ConocoPhillips (COP.N) added 4%, while crude-price-sensitive cruise stocks Carnival (CCL.N) and Norwegian Cruise (NCLH.N) fell ​over 10% each.

Separately, Norwegian ⁠Cruise forecast annual profit below Wall Street expectations.
A consortium led by BlackRock-owned (BLK.N) Global Infrastructure Partners and equity firm EQT AB (EQTAB.ST) agreed to acquire AES Corp (AES.N) for $33.4 billion, including debt.

However, the utilities company's shares fell 16.3% as the offer was at a 13% discount to the last close.
On the data front, investor focus will shift ⁠to a key ​non-farm payrolls report later in the week.

Declining issues outnumbered advancers by a 2.92-to-1 ratio ​on the NYSE and by a 2.58-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq.
The S&P 500 posted 37 new 52-week highs and three new lows, while the Nasdaq Composite recorded 51 new highs and ​120 new lows.

Reporting by Pranav Kashyap, Johann M Cherian, Shashwat Chauhan and Ragini Mathur in Bengaluru; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips, Maju Samuel and Anil D'Silva
#S&P500 #NYSE #NASDAQ #AI #USIsraelStrikeIran

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, March 2nd, 2026, Chainwire
KuMining, the premier cloud mining platform powered by global cryptocurrency exchange KuCoin, today announced the launch of KuMining 2.0 a groundbreaking upgrade poised to revolutionize the cloud mining industry. This innovative evolution shifts the focus from traditional cloud mining "selling mining yield expectations" to the core essence of providing hashrate services, empowering users to become true hashrate holders with unprecedented control, transparency, and flexibility.

Cloud mining enables individuals to rent hashrate from remote data centers to mine cryptocurrencies, bypassing the need for costly hardware, maintenance, or high electricity bills. KuMining has been a leader in making this accessible to all, and with the 2.0 version, it introduces features that reshape how miners engage with the ecosystem making it simpler, more efficient, and more rewarding for both mining beginners and professionals.

Key highlights of this transformative upgrade include:

Dual Purchasing Modes for All Users: Simple and professional options cater to different stages of expertise. Beginners benefit from intelligent recommendations based on budget, while pros can freely select mining cycles (7-360 days) and hashrate levels for tailored strategies.
Industry-First "Mining Account" Model: A unified all-in-one dashboard for managing output, hash-rate, balances, and deductions, featuring traceable records, asset visualization in color bars and percentages, and real-time hash-rate value estimates for transparency and investment stability.
Automatic Interest on Electricity and Yields: Mining outputs and balances can earn interest with one click or trade freely on KuCoin, integrating mining with broader financial ecosystems to maximize capital efficiency and generate extra yields without disrupting operations.
Flexible Cycles with Post-Pay and Protection: Flexible payment structure use a small upfront hash-rate fee to lock in future mining rewards, with electricity fees paid post-mining and a 7-day grace period for overdue offering lower upfront risk and volatility protection compared to spot trading crypto.
24/7 Hash-rate Availability: Users can purchase hash-rate anytime, anywhere, with full control over cycles and amounts. This normalized sales model eliminates limited-time constraints, enhancing transaction efficiency and allowing decisions based on personal capital and market conditions.
Invitation Rebates and Partner Mechanisms: Cloud mining products are officially integrated into the KuCoin Referral system. Earn commissions by inviting friends to join and purchase hash-rate, creating additional income streams beyond mining.
Additionally, KuMining 2.0 will soon introduce a hash-rate loan function by late March, enabling users to leverage their hash-rate as collateral for borrowing, further unlocking liquidity and asset value.
"KuMining 2.0 represents a revolutionary step forward in cloud mining, driven by innovative features that prioritize user empowerment and sustainability," said Jolie Du, COO of KuMining. "By returning to the fundamentals of hashrate provision, we’re reshaping the industry to offer greater freedom, transparency, and value, ensuring every user can optimize their mining journey."
This revolutionary upgrade underscores KuMining’s commitment to innovation, positioning it as a frontrunner in reshaping cloud mining into a more inclusive and dynamic space.
About KuMining;
KuMining is a leading cloud mining platform developed by KuCoin, one of the world’s top cryptocurrency exchanges. Dedicated to democratizing mining, KuMining offers secure, efficient hashrate services to users globally, backed by cutting-edge infrastructure and seamless integration with KuCoin’s ecosystem.

Contact;
KuCoin Media Team
media@kucoin.com
To follow KuMining on X: https://x.com/KuMiningCom
To join the Telegram community: https://t.me/KuMiningOfficial

This article was originally published on Chainwire
Written By:
Chainwire

Classover Holdings Inc. (KIDZ) announced March 2 that its board unanimously approved termination of a $400 million Equity Purchase Facility Agreement with Solana Strategic Holdings LLC, ending its digital asset treasury strategy focused on Solana.

The educational technology company stated the board determined the digital asset approach no longer represents an accretive use of capital under current market conditions. The termination eliminates potential share dilution and creates flexibility for strategic capital deployment.

Classover said it will redirect investment toward artificial intelligence and robotics, which the board identifies as primary drivers of long-term growth. The company maintains it has a healthy balance sheet with no immediate liquidity needs.

The company has not sold its existing Solana holdings or staking yields. These positions will be evaluated over time and may be divested when conditions and capital priorities warrant, with proceeds potentially reinvested into AI and robotics development.

"Today’s decision reflects disciplined capital allocation and our commitment to concentrate resources where we see the greatest long-term opportunity," said Stephanie Luo, chief executive officer of Classover. "The Board believes focused investment in AI, AI agents, and robotics aligns more directly with our mission and positions us to capture the next wave of educational technology innovation."

Classover describes itself as developing learning solutions powered by artificial intelligence and robotics. The company’s shares also trade under the warrant symbol NASDAQ: KIDZW.

Written By:
Investing.com
#DigitalAssets #NASDAQ #Investing #AI #solana

A Heartfelt Look at the Current Market Pulse
Hey there, crypto lovers! If you've been keeping an eye on Bitcoin lately, you know it’s been dancing in a pretty tight range—hovering between $62,400 and $68,200 over the past week. As I write this, Bitcoin is sitting around $65,800 on Binance, but there's a lot happening beneath the surface that could tip the scales in either direction.
What's Moving the Market?
On one hand, we’re seeing some heavy selling pressure from Mt. Gox repayments over 10,000 BTC are being distributed and ongoing sales by the German government, which has been disposing of 3,500 BTC. These moves can put downward pressure on prices, making it feel like a bearish storm is brewing.
But it’s not all gloom and doom. On the bright side, ETF inflows have reached nearly $950 million, providing a sturdy floor near $62,000. Plus, recent U.S. CPI data has sparked optimism about a potential Fed rate cut, which briefly pushed Bitcoin toward the $68,000 resistance level. MicroStrategy, the big institutional player we all watch, just added 1,500 BTC to their holdings, signaling that some big players might be feeling a little FOMO—fear of missing out.
Technical Signals and Future Possibilities;
Despite the optimism, the technical picture tells a different story. Indicators like RSI show Bitcoin is oversold, and a “death cross” looming on the charts suggests bearish momentum could persist. These signals give roughly a 70% chance that Bitcoin could dip below $60,000 first.
However, there’s still hope on the horizon. If Bitcoin can break above $68,000 and hold, the tailwinds from the upcoming halving cycle and ongoing ETF momentum could propel it toward an ambitious target of $80,000. That’s a level many traders are eyeing as the next big breakout.
So, What’s Next?
It’s a classic tug-of-war: on one side, the bearish technicals and massive BTC sell-offs; on the other, strong institutional interest and macroeconomic tailwinds that could push us higher.
The question is—will Bitcoin hit $60,000 or $80,000 first?
Based on current signals, the odds favor a dip below $60K first, but the possibility of a rally to $80K remains very much alive if key resistance levels are conquered.
Final Thoughts;
Whether you’re a HODLer or just love watching this rollercoaster, one thing’s for sure: Bitcoin’s next move could surprise us all. Keep an eye on those key levels, stay informed, and trust your instincts. The crypto world is as unpredictable as ever, but that’s what makes it so exciting.
#BitcoinGoogleSearchesSurge #bitconpriceanalysis #bitcoin

Analyzing Recent Activity and Future Outlook
Introduction
MicroStrategy, the enterprise analytics company led by CEO Michael Saylor, has become one of the most prominent institutional holders of Bitcoin. Since initiating its Bitcoin strategy in August 2020, MicroStrategy has accumulated over 279,000 BTC, making it one of the largest corporate holders in the world. The company’s aggressive accumulation strategy, funded through debt issuance, signals strong conviction in Bitcoin's long-term value. But the question remains: Has MicroStrategy sold any Bitcoin recently? And if so, when might they do so again?

Recent Acquisition and Market Context;
In the past week, MicroStrategy added approximately 27,200 BTC at an average price of around $70,982 per coin, funded by a $1.7 billion debt raise. This purchase increased their holdings to over 279,000 BTC, valued at roughly $25 billion at current market prices. CEO Michael Saylor has emphasized their "hold forever" philosophy, citing Bitcoin’s scarcity and increasing institutional acceptance as core reasons for their unwavering stance.
No Recent Sales Detected;
According to publicly available filings from MicroStrategy, there have been no reports of sales. The company’s filings with the SEC, including Form 10-Q and 10-K, continue to reflect their increasing Bitcoin holdings. On-chain data corroborates this: the wallets associated with MicroStrategy (notably the MicroStrategy wallet and associated addresses) have not shown any transfer of Bitcoin to exchanges or other addresses indicative of a sale.
In fact, MicroStrategy has repeatedly emphasized its commitment to accumulating more Bitcoin, with plans to deploy an additional $42 billion into Bitcoin acquisitions by 2027. This indicates a long-term buy-and-hold approach with no current intention to liquidate.

Market Sentiment and Probabilities of Sale;
Near-term outlook:Given the recent accumulation spree and the company's public statements, the probability of MicroStrategy selling Bitcoin in the immediate future appears very low — likely less than 10%. Their recent actions and disclosures reinforce their desire to be a "long-term holder," and their strategy revolves around continued buying, not selling.
Long-term considerations:Analysts note that macroeconomic factors, such as debt maturities and rising interest rates, could influence MicroStrategy’s future decisions. Some market observers have raised the possibility of strategic sales to fund debt obligations or diversify holdings, but as of now, there’s no concrete evidence of such plans.
Market risk factors:

MicroStrategy has approximately $1.1 billion in debt maturing in 2025, with additional maturities through 2028.
If macroeconomic conditions worsen or Bitcoin’s price drops substantially, some speculate MicroStrategy might consider selling part of their holdings to manage debt or liquidity needs.
However, CEO Saylor’s recent interviews and public messaging emphasize "HODLing" and increasing exposure.

The Significance of MicroStrategy’s Strategy;
MicroStrategy’s approach influences broader institutional sentiment. Their steadfastness acts as a bullish signal for Bitcoin, demonstrating confidence at scale. Their refusal to sell during volatile periods has helped reinforce Bitcoin’s narrative as a store of value.
In summary:

No recent sales reported or detected.
Continued accumulation is planned, with plans for billions more in Bitcoin acquisitions.
Short-term probability of sale remains low, given their public commitment and recent activity.
Long-term risks relate mainly to macroeconomic factors and debt maturities, which could influence future decisions.

Conclusion;
Based on the latest data and company disclosures, MicroStrategy has not sold any Bitcoin by ___. Instead, they remain committed to their "buy and hold" strategy, actively acquiring Bitcoin funded through debt issuance. While macro risks exist, the current outlook suggests they will likely continue to accumulate rather than sell in the near term.
Investors and market participants should monitor MicroStrategy’s filings and on-chain activity for any signs of strategic shifts. For now, the company’s stance remains resolute: HODL and expand their Bitcoin holdings.

Here’s What We Know So Far;
Hi there! If you’ve been curious about whether Opinion Labs (@opinionlabsxyz) is planning to roll out a governance token anytime soon, you’re not alone. With so much buzz around decentralized platforms and community-driven decision making, it’s natural to wonder: Is a token on the horizon? Let’s unpack what’s happening and what it all might mean.

What’s Been Happening Lately?
Over the past week, the focus from Opinion Labs has been all about their product. They shared updates on new features like improved prediction interfaces and growing user numbers. But there’s been no chatter about tokens, airdrops, or launch dates.
In fact, on November 12, they teased that “decentralized governance features are coming soon,” but made it clear that these wouldn’t be based on a token just yet. Instead, they emphasized building decentralized decision-making methods that don’t rely on a tradable token — at least for now.
This kind of message suggests they’re taking a cautious, step-by-step approach. They’re prioritizing solid product growth and community trust over rushing into tokenomics, which can often be complex and tricky from a regulatory perspective.

What Do the Market and Experts Say?
Most market watchers are keeping their expectations realistic right now. The general consensus is that the chances of seeing a token launched by early 2026 are pretty slim — probably less than 20%.
Why? Because without clear announcements, detailed plans, or concrete progress towards a token, investors and community members aren’t pricing in any imminent launch. The vague hints about decentralized governance aren’t enough to signal a firm timeline, which means any launch is more likely to be pushed further into late 2026 or even beyond.

Looking at the Bigger Picture;
In the broader Web3 world, many projects aim for a token to empower their community — giving users a say and incentivizing participation. But some companies prefer to focus first on building a strong product and community, delaying token plans until they’re ready.
Opinion Labs seems to be leaning toward that latter approach. Their recent focus on product features and the careful wording around governance suggest they want to get things right, first and foremost.
Of course, if they do decide to launch a token, it could be driven by milestones like user growth, strategic partnerships, or regulatory clarity. But for now, there’s no concrete indication that’s happening soon.

So, What’s the Bottom Line?
Right now, it looks pretty unlikely that Opinion Labs will introduce a governance token by early 2026. They’re taking their time, focusing on product development, and teasing decentralized governance without rushing into a token launch.
For anyone watching or invested in this space, it’s best to keep an eye on their official channels. If and when they do announce a token, it will be clear and well-timed. Until then, it’s safe to say that a delay into late 2026 or beyond seems more realistic.
Stay patient, stay curious, and keep an eye out for official updates!

Context;
It’s been just one day since MegaETH’s much-anticipated launch, and the buzz in the crypto space is already electric. While the project still hasn't announced an official token launch date, early signals and market whispers suggest that this could be a project to watch — with the potential to reach some impressive valuations.
Testnet Success Sparks Excitement;
If you’ve been following MegaETH’s journey, you’ll know their testnet has been on fire. Over the past week, it’s racked up more than 100 million transactions and boasted over a million daily active addresses. That kind of activity is a clear sign there’s real demand and excitement building around what MegaETH has to offer. It’s the kind of momentum that often hints at strong interest when the mainnet finally drops.
Backed by Big Names & Technical Breakthroughs;
MegaETH has some pretty notable supporters like Dragonfly Capital and Spartan Group, which adds a layer of credibility and buzz. One of the standout features that everyone’s talking about is its sub-millisecond latency — a game-changing tech that could really set it apart from other Layer 2 solutions on Ethereum. If MegaETH can deliver on that promise at scale, it might have a real edge in the competitive L2 space.
The Market Landscape and What It Means;
That said, the Layer 2 scene is crowded — and that means it’s not all smooth sailing. Rivals like Berachain have already launched with a valuation over $1.5 billion, setting a pretty high bar. Early hype for MegaETH suggests it could be worth anywhere from $2 billion to $4 billion, but there’s always a lot of volatility in crypto valuations. Plus, how and when tokens are unlocked can have a big impact on prices — so even with all the excitement, upside might be capped until things settle.
Whispers of an Airdrop and Growing Speculation;
There’s also chatter about an upcoming airdrop farm, which has everyone speculating about when and how tokens might be distributed. While nothing’s been officially announced, this kind of rumor tends to boost trading activity and can influence how people perceive the project’s value in the short term.
Bottom Line;
All in all, MegaETH’s market cap (FDV) right now is still pretty speculative, but the signs are promising. Its impressive testnet stats, strong backing, and innovative tech could mean big things ahead — but the crowded landscape, token unlock schedules, and market volatility will play big roles in shaping its future. For now, it’s a project to keep an eye on, approached with a mix of excitement and cautious optimism.