Are crypto assets actually securities?

For the most part, the answer is no. Which is fantastic news for investors.

So what happened and how does it impact crypto? Let’s walk through it.

Why this matters

For years, uncertainty has been one of the biggest barriers in crypto. Without clear rules, builders didn’t know where the boundaries were, and institutions that might have deployed serious capital simply sat on the sidelines. As a result, innovation slowed to a trickle because the framework was so unclear.

This announcement changes that.

The market now has a clearer structure to operate within, removing one of the biggest overhangs on the industry.

Source: @SECPaulSAtkins 

What this guidance actually means 
The SEC is still working from securities laws written in the 1930s, when investments looked like stock certificates and railroad bonds. So what they’ve released here is essentially their interpretation of how those older laws apply to a completely new technology.

In simple terms, the SEC is saying ‘this is how we’re currently reading the rules’.

For anything to become permanent, it will need to be written into new legislation. That’s where proposals like the CLARITY Act come in, which aims to create a proper crypto-specific framework.

And we’re starting to see movement there as well.

On 20 March, the Senate and the White House announced they had reached an ‘agreement in principle’ on one of the key sticking points in the CLARITY Act talks: stablecoin yield.

A lot of the debate has centred around whether stablecoin issuers or related platforms can offer yield, rewards, or interest-like incentives, without pulling deposits away from the traditional banking system. The language still needs to be finalised, but this is a meaningful step toward moving the bill forward.

In the meantime, we have this new guidance. So let’s break it down simply.

How the SEC is now viewing crypto
Rather than treating everything the same, crypto assets are now being separated into clearer categories. Think of it as finally sorting crypto into clear buckets, instead of one big, confusing pile.

• Digital commodities: These include established network tokens like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, XRP and Chainlink etc.

• Digital collectibles: These include NFTs and similar assets, where value comes from scarcity, culture, and demand rather than business performance.

• Digital tools: These are utility-based tokens that perform a specific function within a network, such as access, usage, or infrastructure.

• Stablecoins: These are assets pegged to a currency and used for payments, settlement, and liquidity within the ecosystem.

• Digital securities: These represent tokenised versions of traditional financial instruments. (Regulators continue to apply full securities regulation to this category).

So only that last bucket gets the heavy regulation; everything else is being viewed through a more practical and defined lens.

What this means for investors
This is the kind of clarity the industry has been waiting for. It lowers the risk of projects being challenged or shut down unexpectedly and sets the stage for real market-structure legislation. But not only that, it helps contribute to a more stable foundation for future growth.

For many of the major assets in the market, this removes a decade-long layer of uncertainty and gives capital more confidence to start moving.

The post Something big has happened. Let’s talk about it. appeared first on Digital Wealth Group.

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When markets rise quickly, experience tends to trigger caution –  slow down, wait, protect capital. That instinct makes sense. It was built in markets where progress was steady, cycles repeated, and corrections followed familiar patterns.

But one of the key points from my latest training is this:

The environment we’re operating in has changed.

We’re no longer dealing with a system that moves in small, predictable steps. We’re now entering a period where technological capability, productivity, and economic value are compounding faster than anything we’ve seen before. Applying defensive instincts built for slower systems doesn’t reduce risk here – it increases the chance of being structurally underexposed.

The post Where We Are Now – And Why Staying Positioned Still Matters appeared first on Digital Wealth Group.

On the surface, the recent sell-off looks ugly. Red candles, alarming headlines, social media panic — it’s all very loud right now. But it’s important to understand what this move actually is, and what it is not.

This is not Bitcoin failing.

It’s not crypto fundamentals breaking.

And it’s not the market deciding that crypto is “over”.

What we’re seeing is a forced liquidation event.

In simple terms, people weren’t choosing to sell — they were forced to sell.

When crypto, stocks, and even assets like gold sell off at the same time, it usually isn’t because investors have suddenly changed their long-term beliefs. It’s because leverage is being unwound.

Over recent years, large funds and institutions have been using crypto as collateral to borrow money, which they then invested into other assets like equities and metals. When crypto prices fell, the value of that collateral dropped, triggering margin calls. If those margin calls couldn’t be met, assets had to be sold immediately — regardless of quality.

That’s why, over the last day or two, we’ve seen everything sold off together. Not because confidence vanished, but because there was no choice.

This type of forced selling creates a domino effect. Prices drop, collateral loses value, margin calls occur, assets are sold quickly, prices fall further — and the cycle continues until excess leverage is flushed out of the system.

The key point to remember is this: forced selling always ends.

Once it does, panic sellers are gone, leverage is reduced, and what remains is a much cleaner, healthier market. Historically, this isn’t the end of a market cycle — it’s a reset within a cycle.

The long-term trend remains intact. The market simply needed to release pressure before continuing on.

Markets don’t move in straight lines. They move in waves. Every crypto cycle includes advances, pullbacks, periods of consolidation, and occasional sharp resets like the one we’re experiencing now. These resets tend to happen when leverage builds up too quickly and prices run ahead of underlying structure.

What this is not is a failure of the asset class. Crypto fundamentals are stronger than ever. This is a pressure release, a structural clean-up, and a recalibration between price and reality. In hindsight, moments like these often look like the shakeout before the next phase.

Living through them, however, is always uncomfortable — especially for newer investors. If this feels unsettling, that’s completely normal.

One important mindset shift to remember is that crypto has grown into the broader financial system. With that growth comes increased leverage and, at times, sharper volatility. That doesn’t mean crypto is broken — it means it’s maturing.

History shows us that periods like this feel chaotic in the moment, but they’re often where weak hands exit and strong hands quietly accumulate. It’s uncomfortable, but it’s part of how markets evolve.

From an emotional standpoint, it’s okay to step back for a few days. You don’t need to react to every move, and you don’t need to make decisions today. These flush-outs don’t change the long-term game.

Nothing material has changed about Bitcoin’s network, adoption, institutional infrastructure, supply dynamics, or long-term demand. This isn’t the market voting against crypto — it’s the market clearing excess risk.

For now, let the market do what it needs to do, and give yourself permission to take a breath.

The post What this recent market move really is (and isn’t) appeared first on Digital Wealth Group.

If you’re feeling uneasy and nervous about what you’re seeing, I want to reassure you that this is not unexpected. So let’s come together and take a look at what’s happening in this market.

Let’s start with the facts: We should expect extreme volatility over the next few weeks.

Crypto is moving alongside other risk assets as markets react to geopolitical tensions, trade concerns, and general uncertainty. And when volatility rises and negative headlines take over, we often see it reflected as a drop in retail participation. This is because many retail investors think in terms of weeks or months, not years. That alone makes uncertainty itself feel like a risk.

That’s where we, as educators, try to slow things down, add context, and help you see what’s happening beyond the price action.

If you’re a DWG member, you’ve probably watched last week’s update where we walked through the upcoming headwinds that would heavily unsettle markets. We’re seeing some of those play out right now.

In other words, this is not new news.

So what’s driving this particular drop?

There isn’t just one cause – it’s a few things converging at once.

1. A change in US rate expectations 
   Markets reacted to news that Donald Trump nominated Kevin Warsh for Federal Reserve Chair. Warsh supports higher interest rates and tighter control over money flowing through the economy. This matters for crypto because risk assets perform best when money flows freely. When investors expect interest rates to stay higher for longer, they often reduce exposure to higher-risk assets. After this announcement, the US dollar strengthened, which added further pressure to crypto prices.

   However.

   Kevin Warsh has consistently spoken about Bitcoin in a measured and pragmatic way. He sees it as an important asset that helps keep monetary policy in check by signalling when central banks misstep. He has also compared Bitcoin to gold as a store of value, particularly for younger generations who see it as a digital alternative to traditional assets.

   Warsh also understands the crypto space at a practical level. He has invested in crypto-related projects and spoken positively about blockchain as a powerful new software layer with real-world potential. That perspective sets him apart from policymakers who have historically dismissed or misunderstood this technology.

   So what feels unsettling to some now, may ultimately support greater legitimacy and long-term growth. This appointment could prove constructive for crypto once short-term volatility passes.

2. Lower weekend trading amplified the move
   Trading volumes typically drop on weekends, which allows prices to move more sharply than usual. As prices fell, traders using borrowed money had to close positions automatically. These forced sales pushed prices down further. So this chain reaction accelerated the move.

3. Technical selling added pressure
   When Bitcoin dropped below key price levels, automated sell orders kicked in. These orders added more selling pressure and sped up the move lower. High leverage across the market made the downside feel faster and heavier than usual.

4. The US government shutdown added another layer of uncertainty
   The partial US government shutdown is underway, adding extra uncertainty to an already fragile market. Shutdowns pause government spending, salaries, and contracts, which reduces short-term money moving through the economy. They also delay economic data and regulatory decisions. In thin weekend markets, headlines like this often push investors into a defensive posture and amplify price moves.

What we’re seeing is a short-term liquidity and confidence shock. It looks chaotic in the moment, but I’d like to offer a reminder: these markets tend to have a very short memory.

For instance, in 2024, Japan raised short-term interest rates for the first time in 17 years. So all the cheap borrowing suddenly became much more expensive. Investors rushed to unwind their positions, creating a wave of selling across global markets. Bitcoin fell roughly 15–20% in a short period, while many altcoins dropped even more.

It looked like absolute carnage.

But prices rebounded and went on to test all-time highs again within a matter of 3-4 weeks. (Yes you read right).  

This is how resilient (and often unexpected) this crypto market has become.

At DWG we openly share potential headwinds with members. It’s not to panic or alarm you, it’s to arm you with knowledge of potential hurdles, so you don’t get shaken out by the noise when they happen.

We know that macro events can disrupt confidence, and the media amplify fear and whip people up into a frenzy. When you add the pressure many of us place on ourselves to ‘be right’ about crypto, it becomes easy to react or make rushed decisions. It can create a perfect storm of destabilisation.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

One of the most important skills an investor can develop is staying calm in the chaos, and not letting emotions get the better of us. And I know – it’s not always easy! But it’s often where the real work is, and where the real edge lies.

As retail investors, it’s hard for us to copy institutional strategies exactly, but we can adopt the way institutions think. They understand that volatility doesn’t automatically mean something is getting worse.

Overall, I still believe we’re heading into a strong year for risk assets. Nothing about my thesis or conviction has changed. On a fundamental level, governments will continue to print money, as they always have, and quality assets will be the winners over time. There will be bumps along the way, in both crypto and traditional markets, but volatility alone does not signal the end of a cycle.

In fact, I’ve been educating through three market cycles, and I can say honestly that I’ve seen sentiment far worse!

These were the headlines in 2018 before Crypto had any real smart backing.

Imagine if I had listened to this?

I can assure you, I would not be in the same financial position I’m in today.

Instead, I let the market do the lifting and took the emotion out of the game.

So I’m going to say everyone’s favourite trigger word one more time….

Patience.  

Yes, there are macro pressures still ahead, as we outlined on Wednesday night. The difference in this cycle is the foundation underneath the market. ETFs, institutions, and strategic reserves are now part of the picture, and that level of structural support simply didn’t exist in earlier cycles.

If you have conviction in your chosen projects, and you believe in this asset class like we do, take a step back and allow the market to move through this phase.

I believe we’ll come out much stronger on the other side.

The post What is happening in the market? appeared first on Digital Wealth Group.

To understand where we are now, let’s rewind a little to the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis.

From 2009 to 2021, interest rates were extremely low. Money was cheap, borrowing felt easy and servicing the debt felt manageable across most of the system. In that environment, governments, corporations and households took on more and more debt, because it didn’t feel like a problem at the time.

Eventually, that added up to over $300 trillion.

Then inflation arrived.

After years of low rates and heavy stimulus, rising prices became impossible to ignore and central banks had to shift direction and bring it under control again. They did this by raising interest rates aggressively, from near zero to over 5%. This suddenly made refinancing trillions of dollars in maturing debt much more expensive, draining liquidity from markets. Much of the global economy shifted into survival mode, so rather than paying debt down, it was simply rolled forward. In fact, around 75% of bond activity became refinancing existing debt, not reducing it.

This would be like constantly refinancing a credit card instead of paying off the balance. Each time the balance comes due, new debt replaces the old. So the problem gets deferred. It doesn’t disappear.

This is a big reason timelines felt confusing, and why crypto didn’t follow the historical patterns many investors expected. While it often moves differently than traditional assets, crypto still rides broader financial conditions – like liquidity squeezes from debt rollovers.

So where does that leave us for 2026?

Well, analysts are expecting a very large wave of U.S. debt refinancing, estimated at $7–10 trillion (or $12–15 trillion including broader needs), peaking mid-year. This could trigger Fed support and fresh liquidity injections (tailwinds we’ve seen fuel crypto rebounds before).

Extended periods like this are often the most uncomfortable part of a crypto journey because they test our patience and conviction. This is where boredom and frustration tend to cause more mistakes than fear ever did.

However, they also offer us something incredibly valuable – more time to learn, refine our strategies and position for what comes next.

The post How debt changed the crypto timeline ⏳ appeared first on Digital Wealth Group.

But here’s what many forget about that time: right before it all started, it felt a little like this.

I’ve spoken before about how, in crypto, nothing happens until it happens. And it’s funny, people were doubting it would take off in 2021, too. But then it did, and it was one of the most thrilling times to be in this space.

Many people chose that moment to enter the crypto market, chasing the overwhelming hype and excitement, instead of fully understanding what they’re investing into. So when the market inevitably corrected, they either sold at a loss and swore off crypto for good, or waited for years for another chance to get it right.

And now here we are, four years later, and many are wondering, is it finally about to pay off?

When I look at all the bullish catalysts and fundamentals lining up, in my opinion, absolutely!

The market might be making us wait a little longer for the peak, but that’s nothing to be concerned about, it’s a sign of a maturing market. Historically, big rallies happen in a short period of time across a much broader cycle. That cycle appears to be extended, which means patience really is key.

However, the opportunity is as ripe as ever.

We now have institutions investing heavily into this space, and in some areas, leading the charge. We’re seeing a level of institutional participation that simply didn’t exist in 2021. And when you combine that with the macro conditions, what we’re looking at is an extraordinary setup for success.

Liquidity is returning.
Global money is shifting back into risk-on assets.
We have a pro-crypto government for the first time in history. 
Every major indicator points to acceleration, not collapse.

Of course, there are still voices claiming this cycle is already over. They’re glued to the four-year clock, obsessing over timing while ignoring the fundamentals. But the data and the macro picture tell a very different story. In my opinion, we’re heading for an unprecedented bull market in the months ahead. It’s not a matter of if, but when.

We’ve come a long way from where we were four years ago, and the next chapter is loading. I think it’s going to be our best one yet.

The post This feels familiar…. 👀 appeared first on Digital Wealth Group.

However, with all that excitement also comes a rise in scams. So I wanted to send this quick note to make sure you don’t get caught up in them.

Recently, I’ve noticed fake accounts pretending to be me on social media. Below is an example that was set up in my name to target unsuspecting investors, including our DWG students

Please know that I’ll never DM you directly with offers or ask to add you on Facebook or any other social media platforms. If you get a message from someone claiming to be me, please don’t trust it. Some of these scammers are even using deep fakes to impersonate voices, so don’t trust any unexpected calls or voicemails either.

Scams in crypto will increase as the bull market heats up. But as with everything in this space, you can avoid trouble if you have education and awareness behind you. So here’s a refresher of the most important security measures to keep you safe while you enjoy this bull run.

Crypto safety checklist

• Never, ever share your seed phrase or private keys with anyone.
• Double-check website URLs and save trusted sites to favourites.
• Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA).
• Stay away from help desks in general.
• Assume everyone online is trying to access your Crypto.
• Avoid clicking links in DMs, comments, or emails from strangers
• Ignore requests from social media accounts, particularly from well-known influencers.
• Remember: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

We’re heading into one of the most exciting times of this crypto cycle, and I want everyone to enjoy it while staying safe. So please, ignore the scammers and the noise, and don’t let them distract you from the excitement ahead.

And if you’d like to connect with us on socials, here are the only official channels we use.

DWG Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/digitalwealthgroupaustralia
Crypto Women Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BKfyRqbWd/
DWG Members only Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1FDhu6GCTt/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sydel.sierra

Lastly, if you wish to contact me directly, you can email admin@digitalwealthgroup.com.au. I will never directly message or interact over social platforms.

The post Staying safe online – an important note ⚠️ appeared first on Digital Wealth Group.

And if you’re familiar with the ‘path to altseason’, you’ll know exactly what this means: we’re stepping into the sharp end of this cycle!

Right now, the market is doing what the market does, moving up and down around key resistance points. This isn’t something to fear; in fact, it’s a sign of a healthy market.

Having said that, this is the time when things can start to move fast – much faster than most people expect. If history plays out in a similar way, we’ve got potentially two months until altseason really starts to move. And if the market stretches a little longer into Q1 2026, that gives us up to five months left in this bull market cycle.

Either way, we’re getting very close.

This is the moment that so many investors wait years for, and it’s not always easy to get here. You have to sit through the lows, the volatility, the endless headlines declaring crypto ‘dead’, and the times when it feels like the market is going nowhere. If you joined us during the highs of 2021 and you’re still here today – a very big congratulations! That level of patience, resilience, and perseverance is rare. You’ve already done what many others couldn’t do.

And if you’re just stepping into this market now, wondering if it’s too late? It’s not, but you’ll want to get your positions in reasonably quickly and be strategic with your profit taking.

So many people think crypto is just gambling. And yes, when it comes to meme coins, that description sometimes fits. But the real story of crypto couldn’t be further from that. This game is about patience, timing, educating yourself on the growth sectors, investing with intention, and taking profits at the right time.

Crypto is about building skill, not relying on luck.

And here’s the exciting part: Once you’ve been through one bull cycle, you start to see the volatility differently, and even come to appreciate it. Why? Because it’s the reason we have the potential for such incredible gains.

Volatility is the price of entry into a market that can radically change your financial future.

With just months left in this bull market cycle, emotions like greed and FOMO can really threaten to take over. In fact, emotions can often drive these markets faster than anything else. Which is exactly why staying grounded is everything.

As I always say, education beats emotion. Every time.

If you’re a DWG member, you already have access to the indicators and tools designed to help you navigate this exact stage of the cycle. Use them. Lean into them. This is the time to be plugged in, curious, and engaged. Continue your education, but don’t get paralysed by overthinking. The difference between those who thrive in this cycle and those who miss out won’t come down to luck. It will come down to proactivity, preparation, and patience.

We’ve waited a long time to get here. Now let’s give this market our best shot.

The post It’s no longer around the corner. It’s on the doorstep 🚪 appeared first on Digital Wealth Group.

Now, if you’re new to crypto, you might be wondering why that’s worth talking about?

The answer is, it shows us just how far Bitcoin has come.

A few years ago, a sale of that size would have been catastrophic. The market would have collapsed under the weight, and panic would have spread. Bitcoin simply wasn’t mature enough back then to handle such a shock.

But today? That sale was absorbed without a hitch. Buyers stepped in, demand was there, liquidity was there, and Bitcoin carried on. This is what it means for an asset to mature: it can withstand large events and keep moving forward. In my opinion, this is just more proof that Bitcoin is no longer fringe.

In fact, Bitcoin isn’t just a legitimate global asset class, it’s a highly liquid one. Which is why so many investors are starting to see the benefits, especially when compared with other asset classes.

Take real estate, for example. It can take months to market and sell your property and get your money back out. Even stocks are slow in comparison because you’re limited to business-day trading hours. Bitcoin, on the other hand, trades 24/7, from anywhere in the world. It’s liquid in a way that traditional assets can only dream of.

Some of the earliest investors, who have been holding since the very beginning, are finally cashing out. But here’s the exciting part: a whole new wave of investors, institutions, and funds are stepping in to take their place.

For me, this isn’t just the story of one person selling. It’s yet another signal that Bitcoin is growing up and entering a new chapter. And if you’re here now, you’re witnessing history in real time – with the chance to position yourself in a market that’s only just beginning to show the world what it’s capable of.

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