Lending Protocol Mars Protocol Completes Offboarding and Shuts Down Community Channel

CoinDesk reported on March 31 that Coinbase’s Layer 2 network Base has unveiled its 2026 strategy, focusing on three core areas: tokenized markets, stablecoin payments, and the developer ecosystem—with the goal of building a “global on-chain economy.” For markets, Base plans to build infrastructure to support tokenized versions of assets like stocks and commodities, while also covering native crypto markets such as perpetual contracts and prediction markets. It aims to boost settlement speed, cut costs, and expand the Base App into a trading venue for multiple asset classes. On the payments front, Base will prioritize stablecoins, with plans to roll out privacy features, allow transaction fees to be paid in stablecoins, expand multi-currency stablecoin liquidity, and integrate financial tools like savings and lending directly within the app. For developers, Base says it will continue investing in initiatives like Base Batches, while launching new tools—including support for AI

March 31: Blockchain infrastructure provider Uniblock has raised $5.2 million in a new funding round, pushing its total funding to $7.5 million, per Decrypt. Investors in the round include SBI, AllianceDAO, CoinSwitch, Blockchain Founders Fund, Hustle Fund, AAF Management, NGC Ventures, plus strategic backers Alchemy and MoonPay. Uniblock is positioned as a cross-chain "custodial infrastructure layer," offering access to 3,000+ interfaces via a single API connection. Using patented automatic routing technology, it handles node selection, failover, and data normalization across 55 data partners, covering 300+ blockchains. The platform currently serves 3,000 projects and 4,000 developers. Production-environment clients include Plume Network, Stellar Blockchain, Hypernative, Oku Trade, and Apechain—with Plume and Apechain integrating Uniblock as their custodial RPC infrastructure through ecosystem partnerships.

March 31 — The Better Money Company, a stablecoin clearing service provider co-founded by former a16z investor Sam Broner, has closed a $10 million seed round led by a16z crypto. Participating investors include BoxGroup, Sunflower Capital, Circle co-founder Sean Neville, former Microsoft executive Charlie Songhurst, and other angel backers. The capital will be used to build a stablecoin clearinghouse and forge partnerships with stablecoin issuers. (Fortune)

March 31 — Italy denied landing permission to a U.S. military aircraft at an Italian Air Force base, citing "lack of authorization and a non-routine mission."

Per a March 31 Reuters survey, the average 2026 price of U.S. crude oil is forecast at $76.78 per barrel—up from February’s projection of $60.38—while Brent crude’s 2026 average is seen at $82.85/bbl, a jump from the prior month’s $63.85 estimate. (FXStreet)

March 31 — Coinbase announced via official sources that spot trading for EDGEX will launch on March 31, 2026. The EDGEX-USD trading pair will become available later today if liquidity conditions are met and trading support is confirmed.