Bitcoin and Ethereum Rise Amid Reports of White House’s ‘March 1’ Ultimatum to Banks

▲ The White House, stablecoin interest, and the cryptocurrency market structure bill (Clarity Act) / ChatGPT-generated image

The White House has issued an ultimatum to the banking sector to push forward the market structure bill, a core component of virtual asset regulation, raising expectations for reduced regulatory uncertainty and driving up prices of major cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin (BTC).

According to crypto media outlet CoinGape on February 20 (local time), the White House set a deadline of March 1 to resolve conflicts with the banking industry regarding revenue sharing from stablecoins. The move is interpreted as a strong commitment to accelerate the passage of the long-stalled U.S. cryptocurrency market structure bill (CLARITY Act). Buoyed by hopes for regulatory clarity, the total cryptocurrency market capitalization increased by $19 billion in a single day to reach $2.32 trillion.

Bitcoin has established strong support around $65,700 and is attempting to reclaim the upper boundary of its range at $70,000. Ethereum (ETH) has also shown a recovery from its recent lows and is climbing toward the $2,100 level, while major altcoins such as Solana (SOL) and XRP have posted gains as well. Market participants are closely watching whether the White House’s deadline will open the door for stablecoin issuers to provide interest or bonuses to holders.

The Crypto Fear and Greed Index remains in the “Extreme Fear” zone, but experts view this as a contrarian buying opportunity. Institutional investors are maintaining a cautious stance while monitoring macroeconomic indicators, yet whale accumulation is supporting the downside and easing selling pressure. In particular, the sharp decline in forced liquidations suggests that downward momentum in the market is gradually fading.

A key short-term variable for price movements will be the upcoming release of the December core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index. If inflation data comes in lower than expected, Bitcoin could surge by 4–8%, potentially triggering a full-fledged rally. Should both regulatory progress and favorable inflation data align, the cryptocurrency market may break out of its prolonged consolidation and enter a new phase of growth.

Ultimately, progress on the U.S. cryptocurrency market structure bill will serve as a critical milestone for integrating digital assets into the mainstream financial system. If the White House-led compromise with the banking sector concludes successfully, the utility of stablecoins is expected to expand significantly, creating a virtuous cycle of increased liquidity and rising prices across the market.

*Disclaimer: This article is for investment reference purposes only and we are not responsible for any investment losses based on it. The content should be interpreted solely for informational purposes.*