The Big Crypto Stories Moving Markets on March 12

WHCY 12th March

Hi guys, welcome to what happened in crypto, where we recap the biggest headlines moving the crypto markets. From Mastercard bridging the gap between elite global finance and the increase in state-sponsored crypto crimes, let’s take you through them.

Mastercard Launches Global Crypto Partner Program

Mastercard is making its most aggressive move into blockchain by launching its Global Crypto Partner Program. The initiative will unite over 85 industry heavyweights—including Ripple, Circle, and PayPal. The aim is to standardize how digital assets move through the traditional banking system. By utilizing its Multi-Token Network (MTN), Mastercard is focusing on near-instant cross-border settlements. This change shows that the focus is shifting from risky retail trading to high-value institutional infrastructure. This change will combine the speed of stablecoins with the safety of the biggest payment processor in the world.

Crypto ATM Fraud Causes $333 Million Worth of Losses

The shocking FBI’s report shows that in 2025, crypto ATM fraud reached an all-time high, costing victims $333 million. This is a big jump from last year, when scammers liked kiosk scams more because they were fast and it was almost impossible to reverse transactions. The report said that more than 85% of these reported losses are from adults over 60, who are often the victims of tech support scams. States are now starting to crack down and are doing their best to keep people safe.

Betting on Death and War Could Soon Be Illegal

Prediction markets are facing a major legislative crackdown with the introduction of the DEATH BETS Act. Proposed by Rep. Mike Levin and Sen. Adam Schiff, the bill seeks to explicitly ban betting on assassinations, terrorist attacks, and military conflicts.

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Lawmakers raised alarms after seeing millions wagered on the timing of military strikes and health of world leaders, arguing that “death contracts” jeopardize national security and incentivize real-world violence for profit.
These stories indicate one thing: that the industry is clearly outgrowing its experimental phase. In case you miss out on the big headlines, come back here tomorrow for your quick fix.

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The Words Warrior
I am a business news journalist with 12 years of experience in broadcast and digital news. Starting my career as a TV producer, I have tried my hands at different roles in a newsroom, from an on-field reporter to an anchor & producer. From the thrills of chasing a story to producing accurate, fact-checked news wire reports, each role has enriched my experience as a journalist. I have worked is some of India’s finest newsrooms like NDTV, CNBC TV18, Moneycontrol.com

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