Pi Network announced a phased plan to upgrade nodes to v23. Version 21.2 will be deployed in April 2026, with future versions supporting smart contracts and enhancing node tools and autonomy. Market feedback is cautiously optimistic, but past delays have kept users on hold. The next few months will be a critical window.

Google announced a quantum cryptography migration timetable in March 2026, planning to complete system upgrades by 2029 to address quantum computing threats. The focus is on transitioning authentication systems to post-quantum cryptography and updating products like Android and Chrome accordingly. This development is significant for the blockchain industry, as future encryption security will face new challenges.

On March 23rd, Cardano (ADA) faced selling pressure, with prices retreating to $0.25, affected by the US-Iran conflict as market risk assets were liquidated. Futures contracts show shorts dominating, with technical indicators suggesting a breakdown below $0.22 could accelerate the downtrend. However, analysts identified buy signals, with ADA potentially maintaining above $0.23 potentially driving price increases. Meanwhile, the development team released Node 10.7.0, laying the groundwork for future upgrades, and Midnight privacy sidechain launching this week could bring growth potential.

Gate News: On March 19, Monad co-founder Keone Hon posted on Twitter stating that Monad mainnet will undergo a hard fork today at 22:30 Beijing time to upgrade to the MONAD_NINE version. This upgrade introduces three improvement proposals: MIP-3, MIP-4, and MIP-5. Before the hard fork, node operators need to upgrade to at least

On March 18th, Moody's launched the Token Integration Engine (TIE), becoming the first rating agency to bring analytical capabilities to blockchain, aimed at directly acquiring and distributing on-chain financial data. The first node is Canton Network, with plans to expand to more blockchain networks in the future.

BlackRock's iShares Staked Ethereum Trust ETF (ETHB) launched on Nasdaq on March 16, offering staking rewards. Figment is responsible for validator node infrastructure, supporting Ethereum network security and transaction validation. ETHB's launch stems from policy support and regulatory clarity, attracting more investors to participate in Ethereum staking, promoting network security and on-chain economic development.

Lido Community Staking Module (CSM) releases new proposal introducing identified DVT cluster node operator types, enabling independent community stakers to collaborate through distributed validator technology to enhance operational resilience and optimize capital efficiency. The proposal requires each cluster to be composed of 4 independent members and is expected to launch in 2026.

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik posted on X, suggesting to maintain an open attitude toward the separation architecture of Ethereum's beacon chain and execution clients, noting that the current complex node operation method affects user experience. He recommended that in the short term, standardized encapsulation solutions should be adopted to simplify communication, while in the long term, the architecture design should be reconsidered.

Lido DAO reports that a limited slashing event occurred involving a node operator in the community staking module, affecting 6 validator indices with an estimated slashing amount of less than 1 ETH. The event has minimal impact on the protocol, operations remain normal, and stakers need not be concerned. An investigation is ongoing.

VanEck Research Director Matthew Sigel pointed out that Bitcoin mining stocks are attractive to investors, as mining companies are shifting toward the AI market to enhance value. Core Scientific plans to sell Bitcoin assets to expand its AI business, and Riot Platforms expects to achieve a strategic transformation by 2025. Over the past 12 months, both Core and Riot stocks have increased by 90%, while MARA has fallen 35% due to rising costs. NODE ETF has risen over 30% since its launch.