### Sweden's Cashless Revolution
In **2018**, a former deputy governor of Sweden’s central bank predicted that by **2025**, the country would likely be cashless. Fast forward to today, and that prediction has nearly come true: only **1 in 10 purchases** are made with cash, with card payments and the **Swish mobile payment system** dominating the landscape.

### A Shift in Perspective
However, in light of **current global tensions**—including the ongoing conflict in Europe and fears of **Russian hybrid attacks**—the once-promising cashless utopia is now seen as a potential vulnerability. The **Swedish central bank** reports that both Sweden and Norway possess the **lowest cash circulation** as a percentage of GDP globally.

### Authorities Advocate for Cash Use
Recognizing the risks associated with a cashless society, Swedish authorities are now encouraging citizens to **retain and use cash**. In November, the defense ministry distributed a brochure titled *If Crisis or War Comes*, advising households to keep a minimum of a week’s worth of cash in various denominations to enhance **civil preparedness**.

### A New Focus on Safety
The central bank emphasizes that while efficiency in payments has been a priority, ensuring **safety and accessibility** is now equally important. Following a recent inquiry, the government has proposed requiring certain public and private entities to accept cash, a recommendation supported by the central bank.

### Digital Currency Developments
In recent years, the central bank has explored the development of a digital currency, the **“e-krona”**, but this project has since stalled. Now, the focus is on observing global digital currency trends.

### Other Nordic Countries Join the Movement
Sweden is not alone in reconsidering its cashless policies; **Norway** has also enacted legislation mandating cash acceptance by retailers, with fines for non-compliance. Officials there have cautioned citizens to maintain cash reserves due to the vulnerabilities of **digital payment systems** to cyber-attacks.

### The Irony of Cashless Societies
In a surprising twist, the world's two most cashless societies are now actively promoting the use of cash for emergency preparedness. As Norway’s former justice minister stated, “If no one pays with cash and no one accepts cash, cash will no longer be a real emergency solution once the crisis is upon us.”

Nordic countries were early adopters of digital payments. Now, electronic banking is seen as a potential threat to national security

Sweden's Cashless Dream Turns into a Security Nightmare: The Unexpected Return of Cash

# Coinbase Stock Decline: The Rise of 2X Long ETFs Amid Market Volatility

Leverage Shares by Themes has launched a new **exchange-traded fund (ETF)** tied to the **Nasdaq-listed cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase (COIN)** stock despite a downturn in the crypto-related shares.

The **Leverage Shares 2X Long Coinbase Daily ETF (COIG)** is designed to deliver **twice the daily return** of Coinbase’s stock price, offering traders an **amplified exposure** to the U.S.’s largest cryptocurrency exchange. The ETF, which carries an **expense ratio of 0.75%**, is listed on Nasdaq, according to a [press release](https://108.181.33.117/news-release/2025/03/14/3043021/0/en/Leverage-Shares-by-Themes-Expands-Lineup-and-Enters-Cryptocurrency-Space-with-the-Launch-of-a-2X-Long-Single-Stock-ETF-Tracking-Coinbase-Ticker-COIG.html).

![Coinbase app opening screen on mobile phone (appshunter.io/Unsplash)](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/s3y3vcno/production/868ae20c7c05b3aab1825f55f45b74a9484fd851-1920x1280.jpg?auto=format)

## What to know:
- **Leverage Shares** by Themes introduced a **2X Long Coinbase ETF (COIG)** on Nasdaq.
- The ETF targets **200% daily exposure** to Coinbase stock with a **0.75% expense ratio**.
- It marks the firm’s first **crypto-focused ETF** in the U.S., with more offerings planned for **2025**.

The launch comes amid a significant cryptocurrency market downturn that saw **bitcoin (BTC)** drop by around **19%** over the last three months, from over $105,000 to now stand at roughly **$84,000**. **COIN** shares saw even worse performance, losing nearly **42%** of their value during the same period.

The new ETF allows investors to take advantage of Coinbase’s stock performance volatility without directly holding shares. These types of **single-stock leveraged ETFs**, for both longs and shorts sides, are typically used for short-term trading due to the high levels of risks associated with daily compounding. The profits and losses for both types of these are amplified when the prices of the underlying stocks move significantly.

**Read more:** [Leveraged ETFs Tied to Strategy See Trading Volume Surge as Bitcoin-HODLer MSTR Teeters on 200-Day Average](https://108.181.33.117/markets/2025/03/11/leveraged-etfs-tied-to-strategy-see-trading-volume-surge-as-bitcoin-hodler-mstr-teeters-on-200-day-average?__cpo=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY29pbmRlc2suY29t)

The ETF allowsinvestors to capitalize on the volatility of Coinbase's stock without directly holding shares.

Coinbase Stock Decline: The Rise of 2X Long ETFs Amid Market Volatility

### Court Denies Excavation Request
The **UK Court of Appeals** has turned down a request from James Howells, a man from Wales, to excavate a landfill where he believes his hard drive containing **$676 million** in Bitcoin was discarded over a decade ago.

James Howells, who mined the lost Bitcoin back in **2009**, shared a screenshot of the court's final ruling on LinkedIn. He has been engaged in a prolonged **legal battle** to access the landfill, even considering the possibility of **purchasing the waste site**.

### Next Steps: European Courts
With all legal avenues in the UK exhausted, Howells plans to escalate his case to the **European Courts of Human Rights**. In a LinkedIn post, he expressed his frustration, stating, “The Great British Injustice System strikes again… Moral of the Story: The state always protects the state.”

### A Lost Fortune
Howells lost his hard drive containing the keys to **8,000 Bitcoin** in **2013**, after it was accidentally thrown away by his former partner. At that time, Bitcoin peaked at around **$1,130**. As of now, the value of those coins has skyrocketed, with Bitcoin trading at **$84,500**, marking a staggering increase of over **7000%**.

### The Challenge of Custody
This case highlights a common issue faced by many crypto holders regarding the **custody** of their cryptocurrencies. The U.K. Court of Appeals, represented by Rt. Hon. Lord Justice Nugee, stated that Howells' appeal had “no real prospect of success.”

In response, Howells asserted, “The British establishment wants to sweep this under the carpet, and I will not let them.” He remains determined to pursue his case, even as time runs out to retrieve his hard drive, with the landfill expected to close by the **2025-26** financial year.

The UK court system has issued a final ruling preventing James Howells from searching a landfill where he believes his hard drive containing the Bitcoin was dumped.

Heartbreaking Loss: Man Fights for $676 Million in Bitcoin Buried in Landfill

Bitcoin's recent surge from its lows has many traders buzzing, especially with **predictions** that suggest it could reach astonishing heights. A **White House leak** hints at President Trump potentially influencing the market, causing a stir among investors.

![Bitcoin Price Prediction](https://specials-images.forbesimg.com/imageserve/6456424532c7f204c1e31892/bitcoin--bitcoin-price--bitcoin-price-prediction--crypto--image/960x0.jpg?cropX1=145&cropX2=2540&cropY1=320&cropY2=1875)

As of now, the **bitcoin price has surpassed $86,000**, marking a $10,000 increase since the week began, despite warnings from **BlackRock's CEO** about potential market volatility. This surge comes on the heels of **Josh Mandell**, a former Wall Street trader, who made a bold prediction that the price could soar to **$444,000**.

Mandell's forecast, articulated cryptically, suggests that **$84,000** will become the new baseline, with a pivotal date of **March 14** marking a critical juncture. He believes that if bitcoin closes at this price, it will set the stage for an unprecedented climb.

In his own words, Mandell stated, “**This time is different. The fourth turning is upon us**.” He has garnered a following for his market insights, notably transforming a **$2.1 million** investment into **$23 million** in just one year.

His prediction is further supported by a poetic riddle, indicating that the price will peak during this cycle, referencing the historical peaks of bitcoin since 2010. As traders react to his insights, the sentiment remains **mixed**, with some expressing skepticism and others rallying behind his forecast.

![Bitcoin Price Chart](https://specials-images.forbesimg.com/imageserve/67d57a1da4537e202d007631/bitcoin--bitcoin-price--bitcoin-price-prediction--crypto--chart/960x0.jpg?fit=scale)

Many are left wondering if Mandell's prediction will indeed come to fruition, with some questioning whether he has insider knowledge or simply extraordinary intuition. As the crypto market remains volatile, all eyes are on the developments leading up to March 14.

A legendary Wall Street trader’s huge bitcoin price prediction that could see the bitcoin price soar in coming months has hit its first milestone...

Is Bitcoin About to Hit $444,000? Legendary Trader's Bold Prediction Gains Traction

![Pi Network Anniversary](https://crypto.news/app/uploads/2024/09/crypto-news-Pi-Network-option10-1380x820.webp)

Pi Network celebrated its **sixth anniversary** on **March 14**, also known as **Pi Day 2025**, with **three significant platform updates**. However, during this celebration, its native **Pi Coin** faced a challenging market, experiencing an **8% drop** in the past 24 hours.

At the time of publication, **Pi Coin** was down approximately **3%** and has faced ongoing price challenges, falling **20.1% over the past week** and **35.5% over the last two weeks**, according to **CoinGecko** data. Currently, Pi Coin is trading in the **$1.43-$1.59** range, significantly below its **all-time high of $2.99** reached on **February 26**, marking a decline of **51.8%** from that peak.

### Pi Network Shares Ecosystem Improvements Amidst Bearish Action

Despite the bearish trend, Pi Network introduced several **ecosystem improvements** coinciding with its anniversary and the global **PiFest** event. One of the key features is the **.pi Domains Auction system**, aimed at enhancing platform-level utility for **Pi Coin** and establishing essential infrastructure for the network’s ecosystem.

The project celebrated this milestone by stating, “**Happy Pi Day 2025, Pi Network’s 6th official anniversary!** With the **Open Network** now launched, we commemorate the expansion of Pi Network’s ecosystem on all levels and real-world functionality.”

**Pi Day**, observed on March 14, honors the mathematical constant π (pi), approximately **3.14159**. The **.pi Domains feature** will enable community members to secure customized domain names for various uses within the Pi ecosystem, following the recent launch of the **Open Network**, which allows for external connectivity.

Additional updates include a **revamped Mainnet Ecosystem interface** and an expansion of **Mainnet Ecosystem applications**, alongside the launch of the **PiFest shopping period**.

Originating in 2019 as a mobile app, Pi Network allows users to “mine” Pi through daily check-ins, making it accessible to millions globally. While the coin is currently down from its all-time high, it remains above its **all-time low of $0.6157**, recorded on **February 20, 2025**, having gained **133.9% since that low**. This situation illustrates the common disconnect between **development progress** and **market performance** in cryptocurrency projects.

![Pi Network Chart](https://crypto.news/app/uploads/2025/03/chart126-1024x770.png)

*Source: [CoinGecko](https://www.coingecko.com/en/coins/pi-network)*

Pi Network celebrated its sixth anniversary on Pi Day 2025 with three major platform updates.

Pi Network's 6th Anniversary: Major Updates Amidst Pi Coin Decline

US President **Donald Trump** has hailed the recent discussions with **Russian President Vladimir Putin** regarding a **US-proposed ceasefire deal** in Ukraine, describing them as "good and productive." This statement follows a meeting in **Moscow** between Putin and US envoy **Steve Witkoff**, which led to the Kremlin expressing a shared sense of **cautious optimism** about the peace process.

In a post on **Truth Social**, Trump expressed hope for a resolution, stating that the talks offer a "very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end." However, **Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky** has accused Putin of dragging out negotiations to prolong the conflict. Zelensky emphasized that Putin's tactics are designed to **sabotage diplomacy** by introducing unacceptable conditions before a ceasefire can be considered.

Earlier this week, Ukraine accepted the ceasefire deal proposed by the US, which Russia has yet to agree upon. Putin acknowledged the idea of a ceasefire but mentioned several **nuances** and tough conditions for peace, which Zelensky labeled as **manipulative**. He criticized Putin's strategy, asserting that it aims to prolong discussions while continuing military actions.

**UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer** echoed Zelensky's concerns, stating that Putin's disregard for the ceasefire proposal indicates a lack of seriousness about achieving peace. He called for monitoring any potential ceasefire to ensure its effectiveness and suggested ramping up economic pressure on Russia if they do not comply.

In the meantime, Zelensky urged for stronger international pressure on Russia, particularly from the **United States**, claiming that Putin would not cease hostilities voluntarily. The **White House** remains optimistic, asserting that the two sides are closer to peace than ever. **White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt** affirmed the productivity of the talks in Moscow and noted Trump's efforts to persuade Putin to act responsibly.

Trump also called for the protection of Ukrainian troops, warning of a potential massacre if the situation escalates further. Reports from Ukraine's armed forces refuted claims of encirclement by Russian troops, stating that operations are ongoing and troops are regrouping effectively.

In a recent meeting of **G7** members in Quebec, participants expressed unanimous support for the US ceasefire proposal, emphasizing that the **decision now lies with Russia**. UK Foreign Secretary **David Lammy** highlighted the need for a ceasefire with no conditions, while **US Secretary of State Marco Rubio** stressed the importance of negotiations over social media statements.  

These developments underscore the ongoing complexities and challenges surrounding the Ukraine conflict, as global leaders seek pathways to peace amidst escalating tensions.

But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accuses Russia of dragging out ceasefire talks so it can continue the war.

Trump Claims 'Productive' Talks with Putin Amid Ukraine War Tensions

Given that **Bitcoin** (BTC) has skyrocketed **600%** since August 2020, it seems astonishing that any tech stock could match that growth. However, **Strategy** (MSTR) has surged an incredible **1,800%** during the same period, possibly positioning itself as a more lucrative investment than any cryptocurrency.

## Strategy's Stock Market Performance
**Strategy** has outperformed every company in the **S&P 500** since August 2020. Even tech giant **Nvidia** (NVDA), which has seen an impressive **855%** increase, falls short compared to Strategy's remarkable gains.

![Bitcoin Price Chart](https://s3.tradingview.com/snapshots/x/Xdfc15vx.png)

**Strategy’s** remarkable success correlates with its aggressive **Bitcoin acquisition strategy**, which began in August 2020. The company has amassed nearly **500,000 Bitcoins**, making it the largest corporate holder globally, which is more than **2%** of all Bitcoin in circulation, surpassing even the U.S. government's holdings of about **200,000 Bitcoins**.

## The Rise of the Bitcoin Treasury Company
Once an enterprise software provider, **Strategy** has transformed into a **Bitcoin Treasury Company** (BTC), as described by its founder **Michael Saylor**. This shift reflects the company's sole focus on acquiring Bitcoin.

In February, the company rebranded from **MicroStrategy** to **Strategy**, emphasizing its singular commitment to Bitcoin. The company plans to invest **$42 billion** in Bitcoin over the next three years, funding half through equity and the other half through debt.

## Risk Factors
Despite its potential, significant risks loom. The value of **Strategy** stock is heavily tied to Bitcoin's price, which has recently declined, leading to a nearly **20%** drop in Strategy's stock year-to-date. Analysts are questioning the current valuation of Strategy, which stands at **$60 billion**, while its Bitcoin holdings are valued at around **$40 billion**. With a struggling enterprise software segment, much of Strategy’s worth hinges on its Bitcoin assets, raising concerns about future valuation declines if Bitcoin's price continues to drop.

## Should You Buy Strategy or Bitcoin?
While **Strategy** showcases incredible growth, the volatility of the crypto market raises concerns. Personally, I lean towards **Bitcoin**. In the long run, I doubt any tech stock, including **Strategy**, can consistently outperform Bitcoin's value growth.

Given that Bitcoin (BTC 1.14%) is up an incredible 600% since August 2020, it might seem incomprehensible that any tech stock has been able to keep up with that blistering pace.

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