Dear PointPay Family,
The key news of the past few days in one place! That's right, this is our selection of the most important events of the past week, where we'll cover everything you need to know in a convenient, TL;DR format.
Netherlands Approves 36% Tax on Unrealized Investment Gains
The Dutch House of Representatives has backed a major overhaul of the country's investment tax framework. From January 1, 2028, residents could be required to pay a 36% levy on the annual growth of their savings and investment portfolios - including stocks, bonds, and cryptocurrencies - even if these assets have not been sold. The measure still awaits approval from the Senate before it can take effect.
The reform replaces a previous model based on estimated returns, which was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 2021. Under the new structure, both received income - such as interest, dividends, and rental payments - and the yearly increase in asset value will be included in the taxable base. Certain assets, including real estate and qualifying startup shares, will follow a capital gains approach, where appreciation is taxed only upon sale. Lawmakers also shortened the review period of the law to three years to allow faster adjustments if needed.
BlackRock Moves Forward With Ethereum Staking ETF Plans
An affiliate of BlackRock has taken the first step toward launching an Ethereum staking ETF by acquiring 4,000 seed shares valued at $100,000. This initial funding will be used by the trust to purchase ether, marking the early stage of the product's development.
According to the filing, the projected annual staking return is estimated at around 3%, based on reference benchmarks for early 2026. The move signals growing institutional interest in Ethereum-based yield strategies and reflects continued expansion of crypto investment products in traditional finance.
Bitcoin Slides to $67,600 Amid Geopolitical Tensions and ETF Outflows
Bitcoin fell to $67,600, declining 1.7% ahead of the US market open. The drop came amid rising geopolitical uncertainty and a broader risk-off sentiment across global markets.
The cryptocurrency's movement mirrored weakness in US equity futures, with contracts on major indices also trading lower. Ongoing tensions in the Middle East, discussions around the economic impact of artificial intelligence, and concerns over future Federal Reserve rate decisions have added pressure to risk assets. At the same time, US spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $360 million in net outflows over the past week, marking the fourth consecutive week of capital withdrawals.
US Tax Refund Season May Support Bitcoin Growth
The upcoming tax refund season in the United States could inject significant liquidity into financial markets. Analysts at Wells Fargo estimate that up to $150 billion may return to households in March.
According to their assessment, part of this capital may flow into higher-risk assets, including cryptocurrencies. The expected increase in available funds could create supportive conditions for Bitcoin and other digital assets in the coming weeks.
Ethereum Foundation Sets Technical Priorities for 2026
The Ethereum Foundation has outlined its key development goals for 2026, focusing on scaling, user experience improvements, and strengthening the resilience of the main network. The roadmap highlights efforts to raise Ethereum's gas limit above 100 million to increase transaction capacity and reduce congestion during peak activity.
The plan also includes advancing encrypted Proposer-Builder Separation (ePBS), expanding blob parameters to lower costs for rollups, and developing a zkEVM attester client to deepen integration of zero-knowledge proofs. In parallel, the Foundation emphasized censorship resistance and preparation for post-quantum security risks, aiming to reinforce the network's long-term stability.
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