82K BTC Move, U.S. Stablecoin Legislation, MakerDAO’s $500M in BUIDL, and Crypto Banking Push: Mar 19

As of March 18, 2025, Bitcoin is trading at approximately $82,842.38, reflecting a 0.1% increase over the past 24 hours. Ethereum is priced around $1,931.50, down 0.11% in the same period. Crypto markets face major shifts as technical moves and political decisions drive new strategies. 

On March 7, 2025, at 3:10 AM UTC, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that creates a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and a Digital Asset Stockpile. The crypto industry is shifting rapidly and today's news highlights four major developments that are reshaping the digital asset landscape. This article covers stablecoin legislation poised to pass soon, bold moves in tokenized asset investments, a new wave of banking licenses pursued by crypto firms, and a high-risk dividend strategy by Strategy. Each update comes with critical technical metrics such as a Senate vote of 18 to 6, a $500 million investment, and a Bitcoin reserve increase to 499,226 BTC, valued at over $41 billion. 

Additionally, we review key events as of March 18, 2025, providing clear dates, technical details, and precise numbers that professionals and enthusiasts can rely on to understand this evolving market. Moreover, the comprehensive breakdown below offers insight into how regulatory shifts, capital allocation, and innovative financial strategies are converging to forge a new era in finance.

 Crypto Fear & Greed Index | Source: Alternative.me 

The Fear and Greed Index has decreased to 32, still indicating a fearful market sentiment. Bitcoin has remained below the $100,000 mark, experiencing limited whale accumulation and low volatility. 

• Raydium plans to launch LaunchLab, a platform designed for memecoin issuance.

• Cathie Wood stated that most memecoins may go to zero while Bitcoin could reach $1 million by 2030.

• Filecoin’s primary DeFi protocol, GLIF, launched its governance token called GLF.

• Bo Hines predicts U.S. stablecoin legislation will come "in next two months"

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Bo Hines (right) speaking at the Digital Asset Summit. Source: Cointelegraph

Bo Hines, the executive director of the President’s Council of Advisers on Digital Assets, announced at the Digital Asset Summit in New York that stablecoin legislation is imminent. Moreover, the Senate Banking Committee approved the GENIUS Act on March 18, 2025, by a vote of 18 to 6, setting guidelines for stablecoin issuers. 

Hines stated, We saw that vote come out of the Senate Banking Committee in extremely bipartisan fashion, and he added, I think our colleagues on the other side of the aisle also recognize the importance for US dominance in this space and they're willing to work with us here and that's really exciting about this. 

He predicts that the legislation will reach President Trump within the next two months.

Read more: Trump Orders Creation of U.S. Sovereign Wealth Fund: Could Bitcoin Play a Role?

Source: LinkedIn

MakerDAO’s Spark has set in motion an ambitious plan to invest in tokenized assets. Moreover, the firm announced a $500 million investment in BlackRock’s BUIDL fund as part of its $1 billion Tokenization Grand Prix. The competition, launched in July 2024, received 39 applications, and Steakhouse Financial evaluated them based on pricing transparency, liquidity levels, and strategic alignment. 

Spark uses stablecoins such as USDC, USDS, sUSDS, USDe, and sUSDe, and moreover, BlackRock’s BUIDL fund held a market cap of $1.2 billion as of March 18, 2025. Furthermore, Spark plans to invest $300 million in Superstate’s USTB and $200 million in Centrifuge-Anemoy Janus Henderson’s JTRSY, with final allocation subject to Sky governance approval on April 3, 2025.

Fintech and crypto firms are actively pursuing state and national banking licenses under President Trump’s administration according to a report by Reuters. Moreover, these licenses lower borrowing costs, improve capital access, and enhance credibility among customers. 

Legal experts report that multiple bank charter applications are in progress, and FDIC acting chair Travis Hill and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell emphasized that regulators now support financial technology innovation. Moreover, these changes open up new market segments and reduce operational costs for crypto firms, ensuring they can better serve crypto customers who follow the law.

Source: Strategy

Strategy, formerly known as MicroStrategy, is pursuing a high-risk capital strategy through a STRF offering. Moreover, the firm announced plans to issue 5 million shares of its Series A Perpetual STRF stock on March 18, 2025, subject to regulatory approval and market conditions. Furthermore, the raised capital will fund corporate operations including Bitcoin acquisitions. 

Strategy is the largest public holder of Bitcoin, and on March 17, 2025, it increased its Bitcoin reserves to 499,226 BTC, valued at over $41 billion. Moreover, each STRF share carries a $100 liquidation preference and offers a fixed annual dividend rate of 10%, with dividends payable in cash, Class A common stock, or a mix of both. Quarterly dividend payments will begin on June 30, 2025, and if missed, dividends compound by 100 basis points annually until they reach a cap of 18%. Furthermore, analysts warn that a 10% dividend on a $500 million raise could mean $50 million in annual payouts, and comparisons have been drawn to past hedge fund collapses.

Read more: MicroStrategy's Bitcoin Holdings and Purchase History: A Strategic Overview

The crypto industry stands at a pivotal crossroads as groundbreaking legislation, innovative investment strategies, and bold financial maneuvers converge. Moreover, the push for stablecoin laws, tokenized asset investments, and banking licenses reflects a strong drive toward regulatory clarity and market expansion. Furthermore, Strategy's aggressive dividend plan underscores the high risks and potential rewards inherent in a rapidly evolving digital economy.