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Yesterday this column said the $60,000 to $64,000 box was the whole map and the CPI print had a timestamp. The data landed cool, and the box broke upward. Bitcoin trades at $64,740, every major is green, and XRP just walked back to the exact level it lost a week ago.

The Box Broke, and the Data Says Why Bitcoin trades at $64,740 as of July 15, 2026, per CoinGecko, up 3.3% in 24 hours and 4.4% on the week. Market cap: $1.299 trillion. Volume: $32.7 billion, expanding roughly 20% from yesterday’s $27.3 billion. Breakouts on rising volume are the kind you take seriously.

The catalyst was exactly the one this column timestamped. June consumer prices fell 0.4% on the month, the largest single-month decline since April 2020, bringing annual inflation down to 3.5% against expectations near 3.8%, with core flat on the month, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A market braced for a hot print got the opposite, rate-pressure fears eased, and risk assets exhaled all at once.

The caveat travels with the celebration: the June relief came mostly from falling energy prices, and renewed US-Iran tensions have already started pushing oil back up. One cool print is a reprieve, not a regime change. Yesterday’s box top at $64,000 is now the line that matters: hold above it and the breakout stands, slip back inside and this was a one-day headline pop.

Every Hook From Yesterday, Resolved Ethereum kept the crown. Up 5.2% on the day and 8.2% on the week at $1,879.49, ETH remains the strongest major, exactly the relative-strength signal this column flagged before the print.

XRP reclaimed $1.11. Up 3.8% to precisely the level our coverage mapped on July 7, lost on July 8, and watched compress toward $1.00 all week. The round trip is complete; the full story runs in today’s XRP report.

Solana bounced 3.3% to $77.59, though its week is still barely positive at 0.4%, the laggard among recovering majors.

And Hyperliquid retired the red flag. Yesterday’s spotlight said a move back above $67 would end the concern; HYPE gained 5.4% to $67.51 and did exactly that, though its week remains slightly red at minus 1.0%.

The Numbers That Matter Today BTC: $64,000, the old box top, is the new support; the breakout is valid above it. ETH: strongest major at $1,879, up 8.2% weekly. XRP: back at $1.11, the retest verdict pending. HYPE: concern retired above $67. The risk to all of it: oil and the ceasefire headlines, which can reprice the inflation story faster than any chart.

FAQ What is the Bitcoin price today? Bitcoin trades at $64,740 as of July 15, 2026, up 3.3% in 24 hours after June inflation data came in well below expectations.

Why is crypto up today? June CPI fell 0.4% on the month, the biggest decline since April 2020, easing rate-pressure fears. Bitcoin broke above its week-long $60,000 to $64,000 range on volume that expanded about 20% day over day.

Is the Bitcoin breakout confirmed? The move came on rising volume, which supports it, but confirmation needs price to hold above the old range top at $64,000. Renewed energy-price pressure from Middle East tensions is the main risk to the move.

This article is for information only and is not investment advice. Crypto assets are extremely volatile and you can lose your entire stake. Always do your own research.

AUTHOR

Simeon is a detail-driven editor who sharpens every piece with clarity and precision, ensuring clean, consistent, and professional content throughout.

Leading cryptocurrencies rallied alongside stocks on Tuesday following cooler-than-expected inflation numbers, despite elevated geopolitical tensions remaining in place.

Crypto Market RalliesBitcoin hit $65,000 for the first time in over three weeks, while Ethereum came close to reclaiming $1,900, amid a broader market rally.

Over $350 million was liquidated from the cryptocurrency market in the last 24 hours, with bearish short traders bearing the brunt of the losses, according to Coinglass data

Bitcoin’s open interest rose 2.09% over the last 24 hours. Interestingly, Binance derivatives traders, both retail and whale, drastically lowered their long exposure to the leading cryptocurrency.

Top Gainers (24 Hours) 

The global cryptocurrency market capitalization stood at $2.15 trillion, contracting 2.06% over the last 24 hours.

Stocks Rally On Soft Inflation PrintStocks bounced back on Monday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 9.63 points, or 0.02%, to end at 52,508.27. The S&P 500 advanced 0.38% to settle at 7,543.59, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite closed up 0.9% at 26,107.01.

The June Consumer Price Index came in cooler than expected, sharply lowering odds that the Federal Reserve would increase rates at its policy meeting later this month, according to the CME FedWatch tool.

In other news, the U.S. military carried out an “additional round of strikes” against Iran in response to alleged attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. also reimposed the naval blockade against Iranian ports.

Bitcoin To Break Out?Michaël van de Poppe, a widely followed cryptocurrency analyst and trader, identified a “strong bullish divergence on Bitcoin’s daily chart.

Van De Poppe stated that Bitcoin needs a decisive break above $65,000 to enter a key range, with the next upside target shifting toward the range high between $88,000 and $92,000.

On-chain analytics firm Santiment noted cryptocurrency chatter on social media nearing its lowest levels since the summer of 2024.

“The bullish case is simple: quiet crowd, low enthusiasm, and plenty of sidelined disbelief,” Santiment added. “When attention is this washed out, even a modest shift in demand can feel much bigger than the headline mood suggests.”

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SBI Holdings, one of Japan’s largest financial services groups, has announced a strategic partnership with the Solana Foundation to develop a new on-chain financial market originating in Japan. This move has triggered debate among XRP investors, with some questioning whether SBI is pivoting away from Ripple after years of close cooperation.

SBI Holdings and Solana Foundation partnership detailsAs part of this initiative, SBI R3 Japan will be renamed SBI Solana Global. The Solana Foundation will join existing shareholders SBI Holdings and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMFG) in the revamped venture. The new entity will focus on the development and issuance of stablecoins, tokenized real-world assets (RWAs), cross-border payments, institutional on-chain finance, and advanced payment infrastructure designed for the AI era—all on Solana’s blockchain.

According to SBI, the collaboration is intended to connect Japan’s regulated financial institutions with Solana’s global decentralized ecosystem. Projects will prioritize stablecoins such as JPYSC and offer support for tokenized RWAs, international settlements, and institutional blockchain finance solutions.

Notably, SBI’s announcement highlighted Solana as the core platform for these services and did not reference XRP or the XRP Ledger.

Mini dictionary: Real-world assets (RWAs) are physical or traditional financial assets such as bonds, real estate, or commodities, represented digitally as tokens on a blockchain, allowing for easier transfer, trading, and management.

VentureBlockchain FocusKey ShareholdersMain ProductsSBI Ripple Asia (2016–2024)XRP LedgerSBI Holdings, RippleCross-border payments, remittanceSBI Solana Global (2024– )SolanaSBI Holdings, SMFG, Solana FoundationStablecoins, tokenized RWAs, AI-driven infraThe announcement prompted an immediate response from members of the XRP community, with several social media users voicing skepticism about the direction of SBI’s blockchain alliances. “What’s up with XRP?” asked one X user, while another wondered if SBI remains committed to supporting both XRP and Ripple. Multiple posts reflected disappointment over expectations that XRP adoption in Japan would increase through SBI’s influence.

XRP enthusiasts expressed disbelief after years of anticipating Japan’s adoption of $XRP through SBI Holdings, with some questioning the absence of XRP in the planned initiatives.

Over the past decade, SBI Holdings has been considered Ripple’s strongest strategic ally in Asia. The two companies established SBI Ripple Asia in 2016 to expand Ripple’s payment technology throughout the region. Yoshitaka Kitao, CEO of SBI Holdings, has frequently shown public support for Ripple and XRP, and SBI has invested significantly in Ripple-related ventures, including launching the XRP-friendly exchange SBI VC Trade.

No indication of XRP discontinuationWhile the Solana partnership is set to introduce new blockchain-based financial products, the announcement makes no reference to discontinuing Ripple or XRP-related projects. SBI Holdings has not explicitly addressed the future status of its longstanding collaborations with Ripple. Several analysts suggest that the move may represent a diversification of technology partners rather than an outright shift away from XRP.

Crypto lawyer Bill Morgan responded to the community’s concerns, encouraging a broader perspective and emphasizing the positive impact on the crypto industry and on Solana and XDC in particular.

Bill Morgan highlighted that the news benefits the broader digital asset space and does not necessarily constitute negative implications for $XRP holders or the Ripple alliance.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article does not constitute investment advice. Investors should be aware that cryptocurrencies carry high volatility and therefore risk, and should conduct their own research.

Ripple has joined the x402 Foundation as a Premier Member, adding support for XRP and RLUSD in the Foundation’s effort to build an open payment standard for AI agents.

Summary

Ripple has joined the x402 Foundation as a Premier Member alongside Coinbase, Google, and Mastercard. XRP and RLUSD will support AI agent payments through the open x402 protocol on the XRP Ledger. The Linux Foundation has launched the x402 Foundation under open governance after Coinbase contributed the protocol. According to Ripple, AI agents are beginning to handle more of the transaction process, creating demand for payment infrastructure that can move value as efficiently as these systems already exchange information.

Ripple is proud to join the x402 Foundation as a Premier Member.

As AI agents begin to take on more of the transaction lifecycle, they'll need a way to pay that's as fast and reliable as the way they already exchange data. We've been helping build that future on the XRP Ledger… https://t.co/eSzTyXBQFm

— Ripple (@Ripple) July 14, 2026 The company stated that its work on the XRP Ledger provides developers with tools to support agentic payments through the x402 protocol, allowing AI-powered applications to settle transactions using XRP and its RLUSD stablecoin.

The announcement places Ripple alongside other Premier Members including Coinbase, Circle, Google, Mastercard, Visa, Amazon Web Services, Stripe, Shopify, American Express, Adyen, Cloudflare, Fiserv, the Solana Foundation, the Stellar Development Foundation, the Monad Foundation, and MoonPay.

Ripple expands XRP Ledger role in AI payments Building on earlier development work, Ripple launched the XRPL AI Starter Kit in June to help developers integrate AI applications with the XRP Ledger. The toolkit introduced support for agentic payments using XRP and RLUSD, allowing autonomous software agents to send and receive blockchain-based payments.

Soon after, Ripple-backed t54.ai introduced the XRPL AI Hub with support from Ripple developers and the XRPL Foundation. The platform was designed to provide resources and infrastructure for developers building AI-powered applications on the XRP Ledger.

Activity on the network has also increased following the rollout of x402 support. The XRPL Foundation recently announced that the XRP Ledger has processed more than one million agentic transactions, indicating growing developer testing and adoption of AI-driven payment workflows.

Ripple stated that combining blockchain settlement with AI agents could allow software systems to complete financial transactions without relying on traditional payment rails while using XRP and RLUSD as settlement assets.

Linux Foundation formalizes x402 governance Separately, the Linux Foundation announced the operational launch of the x402 Foundation after Coinbase completed the contribution of the x402 protocol. According to the Linux Foundation, the organization will now oversee the protocol under an open governance model intended to guide future technical development.

The Linux Foundation said developers, financial institutions, cloud providers, and other community participants will be able to contribute to the protocol’s direction through the Foundation’s governance framework rather than under the control of a single company.

Membership in the Foundation extends beyond its Premier Members. General Members include Injective, the Near Foundation, Polygon Labs, and World Liberty Financial, while Associate Members include the Cardano Foundation, the BSV Association, Casper, the Japanese Contents Blockchain Initiative, and OMA3.

Coinbase originally introduced x402 as an open internet payment protocol designed to let applications, APIs, and AI agents exchange digital payments through standard web infrastructure.

With Ripple now joining the governing body, XRP and RLUSD gain a larger role in ongoing work to develop payment standards for autonomous software systems while development continues under the Linux Foundation’s stewardship.

Ripple joins the x402 Foundation as a Premier Member, gaining a direct role in governance and standards. x402 lets AI agents pay for APIs, data, and services through standard web requests without manual approval. Ripple plans to support agent payments on the XRP Ledger using XRP and its dollar-backed RLUSD stablecoin. The foundation includes 40 organizations and remains network-neutral across blockchains and payment systems. Ripple has joined the Linux Foundation’s x402 Foundation as a Premier Member, expanding its role in building payment standards for autonomous artificial intelligence agents. The membership was announced on July 14, when the Linux Foundation formally launched the organization to oversee the open x402 protocol.

Ripple is proud to join the x402 Foundation as a Premier Member.

As AI agents begin to take on more of the transaction lifecycle, they'll need a way to pay that's as fast and reliable as the way they already exchange data. We've been helping build that future on the XRP Ledger… https://t.co/eSzTyXBQFm

— Ripple (@Ripple) July 14, 2026

The initiative connects payment instructions directly to ordinary web communications, allowing software, applications, and AI agents to exchange value without manual approval. Through the membership, Ripple will support technical development and governance while promoting XRP and RLUSD for automated transactions on the XRP Ledger.

How x402 Embeds Payments Into Standard Web Requests Coinbase introduced x402 in May 2025 before contributing the protocol to the Linux Foundation. The system revives the rarely used HTTP 402 “Payment Required” status code and converts it into a standard payment process.

A typical transaction begins when an AI agent requests access to a paid website, application, or API. The server responds with the required amount, accepted asset, and receiving address.

The agent’s wallet then creates and signs the payment. After verification and settlement, the server delivers the requested data, computing capacity, software service, or individual API call.

This process can remove account registrations, subscriptions, API keys, and manual payment screens. As a result, automated systems can complete small digital purchases using predefined instructions.

The foundation includes 40 organizations from payments, blockchain, cloud computing, and online commerce. Premier Members include Amazon Web Services, American Express, Circle, Cloudflare, Coinbase, Google, Mastercard, Shopify, Solana Foundation, Stellar, Stripe, and Visa.

Premier status gives Ripple an appointed seat on the governing board. It also provides involvement in budgeting, committees, and major decisions, while carrying an annual membership fee of $200,000.

XRPL Tools Support Faster AI Payments With XRP and RLUSD The membership follows the release of Ripple’s XRP Ledger AI Starter Kit. The package includes an MCP documentation server, an agent wallet skill, and a payment tutorial.

The tools guide developers from initial setup to a confirmed XRPL transaction. They also support x402 payments using XRP and the dollar-backed RLUSD stablecoin.

XRPL documentation states that transactions settle deterministically in about three to five seconds. The network also offers predictable fees and avoids an uncertain pending state.

Those features allow AI agents to determine quickly whether a payment succeeded or expired. This reduces repeated status checks and helps automated systems continue operating efficiently.

However, the x402 Foundation will remain payment-network neutral. Its standards can support different blockchains, stablecoins, and traditional payment methods instead of requiring one provider.

The arrangement brings ledger-based settlement into the same web request cycle used to access information, creating a defined sequence between payment and service delivery online.

That structure places the XRP Ledger beside several competing networks within one technical framework. It also gives Ripple a direct role in defining common rules for machine-to-machine commerce.

By joining the foundation, Ripple is linking XRP and RLUSD to a broader effort that standardizes how AI agents request, authorize, settle, and confirm payments online.

A plunge below $0.90 or the start of a new bull run: what is next for XRP?

Ripple’s cross-border token remains one of the most talked-about topics in the crypto space, but analysts have recently split into two distinct camps.

On one side, we have people calling for the end of the bear market and a price explosion toward new historical peaks, and on the other, pundits who believe XRP may drop well below $1 in the near future.

The Bearish Scenario As of press time, the asset is worth around $1.07, which means a 5% plunge over the past week. According to X user Diana, losing the $1.08 support may result in a final shakeout to much lower levels.

She believes the next move could be a sell-off toward the $0.90-$0.93 liquidity zone, followed by a relief bounce above $1 and an ultimate flush into the $0.87 macro support, which is expected to complete the entire correction and set the stage for the next major expansion.

Cryptorphic also paid attention to $1.08, which remains strong resistance, indicating that the current structure favors sellers and could lead to further declines.

Some factors also suggest that the price of Ripple’s native token may head further south in the short term. As CryptoPotato reported, positive online posts about XRP have surged recently, with FOMO rising to a multi-month high. This may sound optimistic, but the cryptocurrency market is a weird one and often moves against the crowd’s expectations.

Another worrying element is the waning interest in spot XRP ETFs. Up until the beginning of July, the inflows consistently surpassed outflows, yet in recent weeks, pension funds, hedge funds, and other conservative investors started reducing their exposure to the asset, forcing Bitwise, Canary Capital, Franklin Templeton, 21Shares, and Grayscale to sell XRP to maintain the proper backing of the shares.

You may also like: XRP and ETH Traders Turn Bullish as FOMO Surges to 5-Week High: Santiment 3 Years After The Key Ripple-SEC Ruling: How XRP Went From SEC Target to Institutional Asset The End of a Ripple Era: XRP ETFs Record First Red Week In Months Spot XRP ETFs, Source: SoSoValue The Bulls Are Also Vocal The XRP Army has a reputation for strong loyalty and consistent support for Ripple’s cryptocurrency, even in challenging times. That said, it is no surprise that some market observers continue to foresee fresh all-time highs.

Not long ago, X user Crypto Patel claimed that the asset is repeating a macro pattern that has previously led to 1,000%+ rallies. In their view, history suggests another expansion phase that could push the price to a new peak above $9.

Celal Kucuker is also highly optimistic, reminding XRP’s monthly rise by 500% two years ago. “Now people say $7 by year-end is impossible… yet there are still 6 months left. Never underestimate what Ripple can do,” they added.

Of course, expectations should remain tempered given the extended bear market gripping the crypto space. One should also know that such high price levels for XRP would require its market capitalization to skyrocket above $350 billion, and that seems far-fetched (to say the least) as of the moment.

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Ripple has removed another 10 million RLUSD tokens from circulation as part of ongoing treasury operations that have significantly reduced the stablecoin’s supply in recent weeks.

RLUSD supply contracts furtherOn Tuesday, blockchain data verified by the Ripple Stablecoin Tracker showed that the RLUSD Treasury sent 10 million RLUSD to a null address. This transaction eliminated these tokens permanently from circulation, extending a series of similar burns executed over the past week.

These repeated burns have taken place on an almost daily basis. The tracker recorded other 10 million RLUSD burns on July 13, July 10 (twice), July 9, July 8, July 7, and July 6. The only recent mint occurred on July 6, when Ripple issued 20 million RLUSD tokens.

RLUSD’s circulating supply has now declined by about $380 million, or 20%, from its late May peak of approximately $1.9 billion, falling to a current market capitalization of around $1.52 billion, according to CoinGecko.

The ongoing burns have caused RLUSD’s outstanding supply to shrink, and this reduction is clearly visible in circulating market data.

DateBurn Amount (RLUSD)Mint Amount (RLUSD)Market Cap (approx.)Late Mayn/an/a$1.9 billionJuly 610 million20 million$1.6 billionJuly 7–1310 million (daily)0$1.52 billionStablecoin burns and demandAs with other fiat-backed stablecoins, RLUSD undergoes regular minting and burning to balance on-chain supply with user demand. New RLUSD tokens are issued when institutional clients deposit dollars, while tokens are destroyed when users redeem RLUSD for the underlying fiat currency.

A decrease in circulating supply is not always a sign of weakening adoption, as supply adjustments often reflect real changes in demand across user groups and market conditions.

Mini dictionary: RLUSD is Ripple’s U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin, designed for fast and efficient payments on blockchain networks, with supply managed through minting and burning operations linked to demand.

Ripple expands RLUSD’s ecosystemRipple, known for its enterprise blockchain solutions and the XRP Ledger, has continued to promote RLUSD’s integration in multiple sectors, despite the ongoing supply reductions.

Earlier today, Ripple joined the Linux Foundation’s new organization to help develop open standards for integrating stablecoin payments into AI agent ecosystems. Ripple explained that AI agents are already able to make payments using RLUSD via x402 on the XRP Ledger, advancing efforts towards autonomous machine-to-machine transactions.

Mini dictionary: x402 is a technical protocol on the XRP Ledger enabling direct payments between AI agents, allowing autonomous, peer-to-peer transfers without human intervention.

In another recent announcement, Ripple said that its Ripple Effect initiative, in partnership with Hire Heroes USA, will use funding from an RLUSD donation to issue $250,000 in grants. The program aims to support employment opportunities for veterans and military spouses through targeted financial assistance.

The company emphasized that recent supply contractions have not slowed RLUSD’s integration into real-world payment use cases, with both AI payments and social impact programs continuing to use the stablecoin.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article does not constitute investment advice. Investors should be aware that cryptocurrencies carry high volatility and therefore risk, and should conduct their own research.

Doppler Finance and SBI Digital Finance have announced a strategic partnership to develop institutional-grade infrastructure for XRP borrowing and lending in Japan. The collaboration signals continued momentum for integrating digital assets into established financial systems.

Focus on institutional XRP productsDoppler Finance, a platform specializing in tokenized capital market infrastructure, will work alongside SBI Digital Finance, which provides services in crypto asset borrowing and lending. The new joint venture aims to create institutional infrastructure, design innovative financial products based on XRP and other tokenized assets, and expand the use of tokenized financial infrastructure across Japan.

The companies have stated that this initiative responds to rising institutional demand not only for secure cryptocurrency storage but also for comprehensive borrowing, liquidity, and collateral management solutions.

“Doppler was built to transform digital assets from passive holdings into productive financial capital. Working with SBI Digital Finance allows us to expand that vision into one of the world’s most important institutional digital asset markets while laying the foundation for broader tokenized capital markets,” said Rox, head of institutions at Doppler Finance.

Industry observers see this move as part of a broader effort to integrate digital currencies into mainstream capital markets. The partnership targets the use of Ripple’s native XRP token in institutional finance, helping align product offerings with the evolving needs of major financial organizations.

Mini dictionary: SBI Digital Finance is a subsidiary of the Japanese financial conglomerate SBI Group, known for its significant involvement in digital assets and blockchain technology across Asia.

Japan’s regulatory environmentJapan has long maintained favorable regulations for digital assets, particularly for XRP, supported by substantial institutional participation and an active community of holders. The country’s clear regulatory framework continues to attract companies seeking to develop compliant crypto lending and tokenized finance solutions.

SBI Group, with roots in financial services and digital innovation, has been central to Ripple’s expansion in Japan and other Asian markets. Its SBI Digital Finance division is involved in building payment systems and custodial services, enhancing the accessibility and security of institutional crypto offerings.

New approach to XRP lending and collateralWith this partnership, the two firms will focus on converting XRP and other tokens into profitable institutional assets through lending and collateral management facilities. SBI Digital Markets is expected to serve as the custodian for institutional clients, while this partnership marks the first occasion that SBI Ripple Asia collaborates directly with a native XRP Ledger (XRPL) protocol.

By reinforcing infrastructure and enabling regulated institutional use of XRP, the collaboration aims to set new standards for lending, financing, and collateral solutions within Japan’s legal framework.

The initiative is described as a major step for institutional investors, with industry experts highlighting infrastructure-driven investment as a key milestone for the next growth phase in the digital asset market.

AspectJapanOther JurisdictionsRegulatory clarityHighVariesXRP institutional productsExpandingLimitedSBI Group involvementStrongMinimalMarket impact and future outlookAnalysts suggest that while the partnership may not deliver immediate effects on XRP’s market price, it reflects shifting industry trends toward infrastructure development and institutional capital in digital assets, rather than speculative activity. Market watchers anticipate the eventual rollout of institutional XRP products, further regulatory developments, and the engagement of traditional financial institutions.

If successful, the project is expected to reinforce Japan’s position as a leader in institutional XRP finance and could provide a model for similar developments in other regions.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article does not constitute investment advice. Investors should be aware that cryptocurrencies carry high volatility and therefore risk, and should conduct their own research.

Cardano (CRYPTO: ADA) is up 4.5% on Tuesday and steady accumulation trends point to a solid long-term outlook for the months ahead.

Whales Hit 3.5-Year Accumulation HighIn an X post on July 14, on chain data platform Santiment Intelligence noted that wallets holding between 100,000 and 100 million ADA are now controlling more than 25.6 billion ADA. This is their highest balance since February 2023.

In contrast, retail investors appear to be reducing exposure. Wallets holding fewer than 100 ADA now own about 0.7% fewer coins than they did four months ago.

The accumulation comes as ADA continues to face bearish sentiment after underperforming throughout 2026 and recently trading near multi-year lows.

Sentiment noted that divergence between whale accumulation and retail selling suggests stronger hands are absorbing supply while smaller investors lose patience.

Cardano prices have dropped almost 50% on year-to-date basis, and around 78% plunge over the past year.

Healthy Long-Term SetupCardano also continues to advance several ecosystem initiatives, including Leios testnet development, Hydra scaling upgrades, Mithril improvements, Pyth Network oracle integration and fresh ecosystem funding efforts.

Blockworks data, cited by chief meme officer Mintern, showed that Cardano ETFs/ETPs witnessed net inflows of more than $9.7 million in 2026 with zero outflow months.

While whale accumulation does not guarantee an immediate price recovery, analysts say the combination of sustained buying by large holders, washed-out sentiment and retail capitulation has created one of Cardano’s healthier long-term setups this year.

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NEAR Protocol is showing renewed strength as it surpasses the psychological $2.00 threshold, while XRP and two leading memecoins, Dogecoin and Shiba Inu, remain subdued below their important resistance levels.

NEAR Protocol breaks $2.00, signals recoveryAfter consolidating between $1.80 and $2.00 for several weeks, NEAR Protocol, a blockchain network designed for scalability and developer-friendly decentralized applications, managed to move above the $2 mark. NEAR now trades above its 50-day, 100-day, and 200-day moving averages, a technical alignment considered positive during market recovery cycles.

Buyers defended the $1.80 range, which aligns closely with the 200-day moving average. From this support, the price gradually moved higher, even though trading volume remains below levels seen during NEAR’s rally in May. This suggests the uptrend is stabilizing but not yet strong in momentum.

The asset faces immediate resistance near $2.10, where the 100-day moving average sits, and a successful move above may target $2.30 or higher. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) has moved above 50, a sign that bullish sentiment is returning.

AssetCurrent PriceKey ResistanceRSITrendNEAR$2.05$2.10Above 50RecoveryXRP$1.09$1.1547BearishSHIB$0.0000042$0.000004536BearishDOGE$0.076$0.083–BearishMarket structure for NEAR has improved as the asset holds above all major trend indicators, even as trading volume stays modest compared to the last major rally.

XRP struggles beneath major moving averagesXRP, the digital asset associated with Ripple’s global payments network, remains in a prolonged corrective phase. Trading around $1.09 and below its 50-day, 100-day, and 200-day moving averages, XRP continues to face resistance between $1.11 and $1.15. Recent attempts to recover have stalled at these levels, with no significant price reversal established.

The chart displays lower highs and lower lows since June, characterizing a persistent downtrend. Although XRP has not formed new lows, buyers have not generated enough strength to test the crucial $1.15 resistance zone. Its RSI stands at 47, indicating neutral momentum.

For a brighter outlook, XRP must reclaim the 50-day moving average and hold above $1.12. Until that happens, the asset remains under corrective pressure.

Memecoins Dogecoin and Shiba Inu continue in correctionDogecoin and Shiba Inu, two of the leading memecoins, are both struggling below key trend indicators. Dogecoin is trading well beneath the $0.076 to $0.083 resistance band and critical moving averages, unable to fully recover from a significant breakdown that began in June.

Meanwhile, SHIB faces even greater technical challenges. The token is trading at $0.0000042, staying below its main moving averages. Several attempts to break through resistance have failed, and each breakout has met with fresh selling pressure. Despite a short-lived improvement in early July, both sentiment and trading volume have faded.

SHIB’s RSI is now near 36, just above oversold levels. Historically, such conditions have sometimes led to brief rallies, but the token needs to reclaim the 50-day moving average before a sustained recovery could develop.

Both memecoins are suffering from exhausted demand, with declining volumes and fewer signs of aggressive selling. Dogecoin continues to print lower highs, and its RSI has only partially recovered from oversold conditions. Neither asset is attracting large inflows of new capital.

If DOGE cannot regain the area above $0.076, and SHIB fails to move past $0.0000045, both are likely to remain in a corrective pattern despite reduced selling pressure in recent weeks.

Volume spikes seen during June’s breakdown in these assets have not reappeared, indicating a lack of conviction from sellers but also insufficient buying interest to trigger major rallies.

Both Dogecoin and SHIB need to overcome several technical obstacles before a full trend reversal becomes likely. Their major moving averages remain as significant resistance, and only a clear move above these levels would change their market outlook.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article does not constitute investment advice. Investors should be aware that cryptocurrencies carry high volatility and therefore risk, and should conduct their own research.

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The market is holding its breath, not falling apart. Bitcoin sits just above $62,600 after a 0.8% daily dip, US inflation data lands today, and the one chart everyone should glance at is not BTC at all. It is Hyperliquid, down 10.3% on the week, the worst print in the entire top 10.

BTC Waits for the CPI Print Bitcoin trades at $62,617 as of July 14, 2026, per CoinGecko, down 0.8% over 24 hours and nearly flat, minus 0.7%, across the week. Market cap: $1.256 trillion. Volume: $27.3 billion.

The shape of the week matters more than the numbers. BTC absorbed the US and Iran escalation, a wave of long liquidations, and a slide toward $60,000, then stabilized in the low $62,000s ahead of today’s inflation report. Flat after that sequence is not weakness. It is a market that has already sold its fear and is waiting for a reason to do anything else.

The reason arrives today. A cool CPI print revives rat e-cut bets and risk appetite; a hot one sends BTC back to test the $60,000 round number it has been circling for a week. Until the data drops, the $60,000 to $64,000 box is the whole map, and this desk covered the top of that box last week. The box has not changed. The catalyst has a timestamp now.

ETH Stands Alone, XRP Leans on $1 One number stands out on the majors board: Ethereum is the only large cap green on the week, up 0.8% at $1,786. Everything else in the top 10 is red over seven days. When a single major diverges through a storm like this one, it is usually telling you where the next rotation starts, and ETH held that role through last week’s rally too. Watch whether it keeps the crown through the CPI reaction.

XRP is the opposite story. At $1.07, down 5.1% on the week, it keeps drifting toward the round $1.00 after breaking the $1.11 level our XRP coverage flagged as the line between a dip and a top. The break resolved bearish, and $1.00 is now the level the entire XRP conversation compresses into.

Solana slid to $75.05, down 7.7% weekly, still digesting both the macro storm and the BonkDAO drain we covered in this week’s BONK report. Dogecoin sits at $0.07212, and our July prediction page’s warning floor at $0.070 is now two cents of noise away.

HYPE Is the Red Flag of the Week Hyperliquid’s HYPE takes today’s second slot for the ugliest reason: minus 2.9% on the day, minus 10.3% on the week, the worst performance in the top 10, at $63.67 with a $14.2 billion cap. A token built on derivatives-exchange activity underperforming this badly during a volatility spike is counterintuitive; volatility is supposed to be its business. Either traders are pricing something specific, or the token simply carried the most froth into the storm. We have not verified a specific catalyst, and we will not invent one. The chart earns a spot on the watchlist either way: $60 is the round number below, and a bounce back above $67 would retire the concern.

[CHART: BTCUSD daily, July 14. Source: TradingView]

The Numbers That Matter Today BTC: the $60,000 to $64,000 box, CPI as the trigger. ETH: the only green major at $1,786. XRP: $1.00 in sight after losing $1.11. HYPE: worst of the top 10 at minus 10.3% weekly. Total market cap: roughly $2.16 trillion, red but orderly. The data decides the rest today.

FAQ What is the Bitcoin price today? Bitcoin trades at $62,617 as of July 14, 2026, down 0.8% in 24 hours, with a $1.256 trillion market cap ahead of today’s US inflation report.

Why is HYPE falling? HYPE is down 10.3% on the week, the worst in the top 10, at $63.67. No single confirmed catalyst is visible in the data; the move fits broad risk-off pressure hitting the frothiest large caps hardest.

Why is Ethereum up while everything else is down? ETH is the only top-10 major green over seven days, up 0.8% at $1,786, extending the relative strength it showed through last week’s rally and pullback.

This article is for information only and is not investment advice. Crypto assets are extremely volatile and you can lose your entire stake. Always do your own research.

AUTHOR

Kester is an experienced freelance content writer. His focus is primarily on blockchain technology and cryptocurrency. One might even refer to him as a "blockchain enthusiast." He has been following advancements in the crypto and blockchain area for several years, researching and writing his insights in the media. In addition to being a skilled content writer, Mushumir is also knowledgeable in SEO and digital marketing. He aspires to succeed as a content creator in the digital realm, dealing with customers in the finance and tech industries to generate traffic through engaging taglines and content. Mushumir enjoys traveling, reading, and playing cricket when he is not writing. He now works as a news and article writer for BlockchainReporter.

Ripple Joins x402 Foundation to Advance XRP, RLUSD Agentic Payments on XRPL

The most instructive XRP trade of 2026 was an exit. When it emerged this month that Goldman Sachs, once the largest XRP holder among Wall Street institutions, had sold down its position, the reaction split along familiar lines: bears read it as the smartest money leaving a stalled asset, bulls read it as a bank taking profits on ETF seeding and creation-desk inventory it never intended to hold.

Both camps then arrived at the same, more interesting question, and it is the one that will define XRP’s next year. The first $1.5 billion of ETF money is in. Goldman’s chapter is closed. Standard Chartered says the next tranche is worth $4 billion to $8 billion. So who, exactly, buys it, what has to happen first, and what does XRP look like if they do?

Summary

XRP ETFs have attracted about $1.5 billion in net inflows, with Standard Chartered estimating another $4 billion to $8 billion could follow if the CLARITY Act becomes law. Registered investment advisors, model portfolios, wirehouses, corporate treasuries, and sovereign investors are expected to drive the next wave of institutional XRP ETF demand over time. ETF inflows have continued despite weak price action as long term accumulation, lower exchange balances, and regulatory progress compete with macro pressure and ongoing supply.  The question matters because XRP has spent 2026 as the market’s cleanest natural experiment in whether flows alone can move a price. The token trades near $1.08 inside a range that has compressed to roughly $1.00 to $1.13, down around 40 percent on the year, while nearly every input a flow analyst would track has pointed the other way: sustained ETF creations, whale accumulation running at multiples of last year’s pace, exchange balances at multi-year lows, and a parent company stacking regulatory wins across three continents. The demand arrived. The price did not respond. Resolving that contradiction requires taking the flow machine apart piece by piece.

What the first $1.5 billion proved Five spot XRP exchange-traded funds launched in the United States between November and December 2025, arriving in the window after the SEC’s posture shifted and before any statute confirmed it. Through mid-2026 the products have gathered roughly $1.5 billion in net inflows, a figure that deserves more context than it usually gets. That total accumulated during the worst crypto tape since 2022, with Bitcoin falling from the $90,000s toward $60,000, the Federal Reserve pivoting from expected cuts toward a possible hike, and the Fear and Greed Index pinned in the twenties. Gathering $1.5 billion into a falling altcoin during a fear regime is not failure. It is evidence of a persistent bid that did not exist in any prior cycle, because the wrapper that carries it did not exist.

The composition of that bid matters as much as its size. ETF flows in the launch phase come disproportionately from three sources: self-directed retail moving out of exchange custody and into brokerage accounts, hedge funds running basis and arbitrage strategies, and early-adopter advisors making small allocations for aggressive clients. What launch-phase flows conspicuously exclude is the slow money: the wirehouse model portfolios, the pension consultants, the bank trust departments, and the insurance general accounts. Those channels move on compliance calendars, not conviction, and their compliance calendars all point at the same gate.

Benchmarking the figure against the category sharpens the point. The five XRP products collectively rank behind only the Bitcoin and Ethereum complexes among American crypto ETFs by assets gathered, ahead of the Solana products that launched into the same window with a stronger price narrative. Monthly net flows have oscillated with the tape, including redemption stretches during the worst weeks of the drawdown, but the cumulative line has kept its upward slope through eight months that destroyed weaker products across the fund industry. Whatever the price chart says, the wrapper found a durable audience on its first attempt, and product durability is the precondition every larger channel checks before it checks anything else.

The gate: statute, not classification That gate is legal permanence. The SEC and CFTC jointly classified XRP as a digital commodity in March 2026, an interpretive release that ended, in practical terms, the five-year war that began with the SEC’s 2020 lawsuit against Ripple. But an interpretive release binds nobody past the current commissions, and the institutional legal departments that gatekeep the largest pools of American wealth have been explicit about the distinction. Their memos approve products backed by law and defer products backed by guidance. The CLARITY Act, the market structure bill now sitting on the Senate calendar, is the instrument that converts one into the other, which is why Standard Chartered’s $4 billion to $8 billion projection is written as conditional: those flows unlock if the bill becomes law.

The mechanics of the projection are worth spelling out, because the number is not a guess about sentiment. Analysts build it from allocation math: take the advised wealth channels that currently exclude crypto ETFs, apply the small percentage allocations their model portfolios assign to alternatives when products clear compliance, weight by XRP’s likely share of a multi-asset crypto sleeve alongside Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana products, and discount for adoption lag. Run that arithmetic across several trillion dollars of advised assets and single-digit billions fall out quickly. The projection’s fragility is equally visible in its assumptions: it requires the law to pass, the wirehouses to act on it within quarters instead of years, and XRP to hold its place in the standard institutional basket. As crypto.news examined in its analysis of the bill’s falling odds, the first assumption alone now carries roughly 43 percent probability for 2026, which means the headline flow number should be probability-weighted by anyone using it seriously.

The buyers, ranked by likelihood Ranking the candidate buyers of the next $4 billion produces a clearer picture than the generic institutional label. The most probable early source is the registered investment advisor channel, roughly $8 trillion of American wealth where individual firms make their own compliance decisions and where crypto allocations have already normalized at the aggressive end. RIA flows into Bitcoin ETFs led every other channel in that product’s first year, and the pattern would likely repeat down the risk curve.

Second come the model portfolio and turnkey asset management platforms, which matter less for their size than for their automation: once an XRP product enters a model, flows recur monthly with rebalancing, indifferent to headlines. Third, the wirehouses, the largest and slowest pool, where solicited recommendations require the statutory green light and where internal approval processes run quarters after that. Fourth, corporate treasuries, a wildcard channel that Bitcoin normalized and that a handful of firms have already extended to XRP; permanence in law plus an accounting framework would widen that experiment. Fifth and most speculative, sovereign and quasi-sovereign buyers in jurisdictions where Ripple’s payment infrastructure is operationally embedded, a category that generates headlines out of proportion to its realistic near-term size.

The timing across these channels is sequential, not simultaneous, and the sequence is the part most projections flatten. RIA adoption can begin within weeks of a statutory trigger because the decision sits with thousands of small compliance committees rather than a handful of large ones. Model platforms follow within one to two quarters, on their scheduled review cycles. Wirehouse approval historically lags by two to four quarters even after the stated objection is removed, because internal product committees, training requirements, and suitability frameworks each add their own clock. Stacking those lags against Standard Chartered’s range suggests the honest shape of the projection: a thin front edge arriving within months of passage, and the bulk arriving across 2027, which is a materially different trade than the headline number implies.

Against these stand the sellers. Launch-phase arbitrageurs exit as basis compresses. Early holders use ETF liquidity as an exit ramp, which is partly what the Goldman episode illustrated. And Ripple itself remains a structural source of supply through its escrow releases, a flow bulls prefer not to model and bears never stop modeling. Net flow, not gross inflow, is what moves price, and the first eight months of ETF trading have shown the net figure can stay positive while the price goes nowhere if enough legacy supply uses the new demand as liquidity.

The demand stack beneath the ETFs The ETF story sits on top of an on-chain demand picture that has quietly strengthened all year. Whale accumulation, measured by large-wallet inflows and exchange outflows, has run at roughly triple last year’s pace during the 2026 drawdown, the classic accumulation-into-weakness pattern that preceded prior cycle turns. Exchange balances have fallen toward multi-year lows, shrinking the tradable float. XRP Ledger activity has grown across payments, tokenized real-world assets, and the RLUSD stablecoin, which has become the settlement asset for an expanding share of Ripple’s enterprise volume.

The corporate side reads the same direction. Ripple holds more than 75 regulatory licenses and registrations worldwide. It secured full authorization under the European Union’s MiCA framework in Luxembourg this month, opening the entire European Economic Area under a single passport. Mastercard named Ripple a settlement partner in its AI payments network. SWIFT-connected banks have begun routing blockchain settlement pilots through Ripple-linked institutions. And the company stages its largest event of the year, Swell, alongside the XRPL developer summit in New York in late October, a traditional venue for partnership announcements. On any fundamental checklist an equity analyst would recognize, the boxes are ticked. That is precisely what makes the price action so uncomfortable.

The RLUSD complication One development the flow models handle awkwardly is that Ripple’s fastest-growing product is no longer XRP. RLUSD, the company’s regulated stablecoin, has become the settlement asset for a rising share of enterprise volume, the collateral base for Ripple Prime’s institutional services, and the instrument through which many of the bank partnerships actually clear. Every corporate win that routes through RLUSD strengthens Ripple the company while contributing nothing direct to XRP the asset, and the divergence has become a live debate among holders: whether the stablecoin is the wedge that eventually drives ledger activity and XRP demand for bridging and fees, or the quiet replacement of the token’s original use case with a product institutions find easier to hold.

For the ETF flow question, the debate cuts a specific way. Allocators buying an XRP product are buying the token’s monetary premium and its role in the ledger economy, not Ripple’s equity story. If the company’s growth increasingly expresses itself through RLUSD and through services revenue, the fundamental narrative that supports a dedicated single-token allocation weakens at the margin, even as the company itself strengthens. Bulls answer that stablecoin settlement and tokenized asset growth raise ledger throughput, and throughput ultimately prices the native asset. The honest status of that argument is unresolved, and it is the fundamental question hiding inside the flow question: $4 billion buys exposure to XRP, and the market is still deciding what XRP is exposure to.

Why ETF demand behaves differently from spot demand The distinction between a billion dollars of exchange buying and a billion dollars of ETF creations is mechanical, and it decides how the next tranche would express itself in price. Spot demand on exchanges is discretionary and reflexive: it arrives with momentum, leaves with drawdowns, and concentrates in the leveraged venues where liquidations amplify both directions. ETF demand routes through authorized participants who create and redeem shares against the net of each day’s orders. The flow that survives that netting is disproportionately allocation flow: advisors rebalancing models, platforms deploying scheduled contributions, funds equitizing mandates. It arrives on calendars, ignores intraday narrative, and, critically, keeps arriving through drawdowns because rebalancing into weakness is what model portfolios are built to do.

That character difference explains an apparent paradox in the 2026 data: steady net creations against a falling price. The creations were real, but they were met by discretionary sellers using the wrapper’s liquidity as an exit, including, evidently, the largest bank holder on the street. The bull interpretation is that this is exactly what accumulation phases look like when a new demand channel opens into an old holder base: impatient supply migrates to patient hands, the float thins, and the price stays flat until the migration completes. The bear interpretation is that the patient hands are simply early, and patience is not a catalyst. The data cannot distinguish the two until a demand shock tests the thinner book. What the data does show is that the pipe works: shares get created, spreads stay tight, and the products tracked their net asset values through the year’s worst volatility, which is the operational track record the slower channels required before even beginning their reviews.

The Bitcoin ETF playbook, one asset down the curve There is a map for how the channels open, because Bitcoin walked it in 2024 and 2025. The Bitcoin spot ETFs launched into self-directed and hedge fund demand, spent roughly two quarters dominated by basis trades, then inflected when the RIA channel cleared the products for solicited use and the first wirehouses followed. Each gate that opened produced a step change in cumulative flows, and the price responded with a lag measured in weeks, not days, because allocation flow does not chase. By the time the largest platforms had fully opened, the products held a meaningful share of circulating supply and the asset’s volatility profile had visibly compressed.

XRP’s products are one asset class rung below on the institutional risk ladder and roughly three quarters into the equivalent timeline, still waiting on the gate that Bitcoin never needed: statutory classification. Bitcoin entered its ETF era with a commodity status nobody seriously disputed. XRP entered with a court ruling, an interpretive release, and a pending bill, which is why its channel-opening sequence stalled at the compliance stage that Bitcoin’s cleared automatically. The playbook’s lesson is not that XRP repeats Bitcoin’s flow curve at smaller scale, though the analog is tempting. The lesson is that the curve is gated by legal events, and the gates open in order. The March release opened the first. The Senate holds the second.

The supply side of the ledger Flow analysis that counts only buyers is half an analysis, and XRP’s supply side has features Bitcoin’s does not. Ripple’s escrow releases up to one billion XRP monthly, with unused portions returning to new escrow contracts. The net escrow contribution to circulating supply has trended well below the headline figure, and the company has leaned on programmatic sales less as institutional revenue lines have grown, but the overhang is structural: the market prices the possibility of supply even in months when little arrives. Layer on the launch-era holders for whom regulated products finally offered institutional-grade exit liquidity, and the absorption burden on the first $1.5 billion becomes clearer. New demand did not meet a fixed float. It met a float with a scheduled faucet and a queue at the exit.

The counterweight is the on-chain float data. Exchange balances at multi-year lows mean the discretionary sell-side has thinned even as the escrow schedule persists, and RLUSD settlement growth gives a share of monthly releases an internal destination that did not previously exist. The supply picture, like everything else in this asset, resolves into a timing question: whether the faucet or the gate moves first.

Why the price has not followed The bear explanation for the standoff is the simplest and has been the best trade of the year: XRP is a high-beta risk asset in a market being repriced by the Federal Reserve, and no token-specific story survives a regime where inflation prints at three-year highs and rate expectations invert. XRP’s correlation with Bitcoin has remained high through the drawdown, and Bitcoin itself has ignored its own bullish supply dynamics for months. In this reading, the flows are real but small against the macro tide, the $1.5 billion of ETF demand was absorbed by sellers grateful for the liquidity, and the next $4 billion, if it comes, arrives only after the Fed turns, at which point every risk asset rallies and XRP’s story adds beta instead of alpha.

The structural bear adds a colder point: XRP’s investment case has become a regulatory derivative. Strip out the CLARITY Act and the token trades on cross-border payment adoption that, while real, has never been priced by the market as sufficient on its own. If the bill slips to 2027, the one catalyst distinguishing XRP from the general altcoin complex slips with it, ETF inflows could reverse the way they briefly did earlier this year, and analysts have flagged the zone below $1.00 as thin support down to materially lower levels. The Goldman exit, in this telling, was not noise. It was a sophisticated holder concluding that the probability-weighted return of waiting had fallen below its hurdle.

The bull rebuttal: coiled, not broken The bull case does not dispute the macro pressure; it disputes the conclusion. Prices that refuse to fall on bad tape while accumulation triples are compressing, not failing, and the float shrinkage means any demand shock hits a thinner order book than at any point in XRP’s modern history. Seasonality offers a minor tailwind with a major caveat: July has historically been XRP’s strongest month, averaging roughly 10 percent gains, though this July opened deep in a fear regime that blunts seasonal patterns. The levels are unusually clean. The $1.00 floor has been defended repeatedly, resistance sits at $1.13 and then the $1.18 to $1.20 zone, and a legislative surprise into light positioning would find little supply between the breakout level and the low $1.40s where the year’s earlier ranges sat, as crypto.news mapped in its July price prediction.

The deeper bull argument is about market structure rather than price. Every prior XRP cycle ran on retail exchanges and offshore leverage. This one is the first where a regulated wrapper connects the token to the advised wealth system, and wrappers change the character of demand: slower to arrive, slower to leave, price-insensitive on schedule. The first $1.5 billion built the pipe. The debate over the next $4 billion is really a debate over timing, because the channels themselves, once compliance-cleared, allocate mechanically. Bulls can be wrong about 2026 and right about the asset, which is an argument for position sizing instead of abstinence.

What would invalidate the flow thesis Intellectual honesty requires listing the ways the $4 billion never arrives even if the bill passes. The first is product cannibalization. The next generation of crypto ETFs is multi-asset: index products holding baskets weighted by market capitalization, which institutional buyers often prefer to single-token bets. If the advised channels open and allocate through baskets, XRP captures only its index weight of the flows, a fraction of the headline projection built on dedicated products. The second is fee and liquidity concentration. ETF flows historically consolidate into one or two winners per category, and a fragmented five-issuer field splits liquidity in ways that keep the largest allocators waiting for a dominant product to emerge.

The third invalidator is reputational path dependence. A single adverse event, an issuer failure, a custody incident, an escrow controversy, would reset the compliance clocks that took years to run, and crypto’s history suggests assigning that tail a nonzero weight. The fourth is simple opportunity cost: if the gate opens during a macro regime where advisors are cutting risk, the mechanical allocations shrink with the risk budgets they draw from. None of these kills the asset. Each of them turns the projection’s midpoint into its ceiling, and collectively they are why serious flow forecasts carry ranges wide enough to drive a truck through.

What Ripple controls and what it does not It is worth separating the variables by who holds them. Ripple controls its licensing map, its product velocity, RLUSD’s growth, escrow release policy, and the October event calendar. It controls none of the three variables that will actually decide the flow question: the Senate schedule, the Federal Reserve, and the oil price. That asymmetry explains the company’s visible strategy of building the institutional rails before the demand arrives, so that when the gate opens, adoption is an integration task rather than a construction project. It also explains why company news has stopped moving the token: the market has correctly identified which variables bind.

For regulation watchers, the checklist between now and the August recess is short. A scheduled Senate floor vote is the unlock signal. The reconciliation of the two committee texts is its precondition. Public declarations from additional Democratic senators are the vote-count tell. And ETF net flows themselves are the real-time referendum: sustained creations through a stalled news cycle would show the slow money starting to front-run the statute, while accelerating redemptions would show the hope premium leaking out.

The scoreboard to watch through August Condensing the analysis into a watchlist: Senate floor scheduling is the master variable, and everything else is downstream. Weekly ETF net flows are the highest-frequency tell, with sustained creations through stalled news indicating front-running and accelerating redemptions indicating the hope premium unwinding. Exchange balance trends and large-wallet accumulation show whether the patient-hands migration continues. RLUSD supply growth versus XRP ledger fee volume tracks the internal debate about what the token captures. And the $1.00 and $1.13 levels frame the range until one of the above breaks it.

The next $4 billion is neither a fantasy nor a schedule. It is a documented pipeline behind a legal gate, with a probability attached that the market itself now prices below even odds for this year. If the gate opens, the buyer list is specific, the mechanics are boring, and boring is what durable repricings are made of. If it does not, XRP spends the midterm season as a range asset defending $1.00 with strong hands accumulating and weak hands gone, which is not the worst setup an asset has entered a year with.

Goldman answered the question of who sells. The Senate, not the market, holds the answer to who buys.

Disclaimer: This article is information, not investment advice. Prices, flow figures, analyst projections, and legislative timelines reflect reporting available as of July 14, 2026, and can change quickly. ETF flow projections are conditional estimates, not commitments. Nothing here is a recommendation to buy or sell XRP or any other asset. Verify current developments from primary sources and consider your own circumstances before making any decision.

As XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) is battling to stay above $1, pro-crypto attorney John Deaton said XRP holders played a meaningful role in Ripple’s landmark legal victory against the SEC.

‘Happy XRP is not a security day’In an X post on July 14, Deaton said the court cited his amicus brief, nearly 4,000 affidavits submitted by XRP holders, and an oral argument he made in the LBRY case regarding secondary-market sales of digital assets.

He also noted that his brief argued that the token is merely digital code regardless of how it may have been marketed.

Judge Torres ultimately ruled that XRP itself is not a security, a conclusion Deaton said aligned with that argument.

Ripple chief legal officer Stuart Alderoty also celebrated on X stating, "Happy XRP IS NOT A SECURITY DAY!"

Vet, an XRP Ledger validator, also noted that the legal win led to a more crypto friendly administration and it was the "beginning of the end of the previous SEC war on crypto."

Japan remains one of XRP’s strongest markets, supported by regulatory clarity, significant institutional participation and one of the world’s largest XRP holder communities.

Doppler Finance announced a strategic partnership with SBI Digital Finance to expand institutional XRP finance in Japan. The main goal is to develop compliant XRP-based financial solutions for institutional investors.

Potential Capitulation BottomIn a podcast on July 13, crypto analyst Cryptoinsightuk highlighted elevated open interest, positive funding rates and geopolitical uncertainty as possible triggers for XRP to briefly fall below $1, targeting the $0.925-$0.95 range.

However, the analyst views such a move as a potential capitulation bottom rather than the beginning of a deeper downtrend.

Strong support around $0.95 and relatively limited liquidity below that level could pave the way for a rebound toward $1.70-$1.80.

While a decline to $0.63 remains possible, the analyst considers it a lower-probability scenario.

Image: Shutterstock

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Binance, one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges known for its high trading volumes and liquidity, continues to display strong selling pressure on XRP, according to the latest CryptoQuant analysis. The digital asset, once trading above $2.00 earlier this year, has now dropped to about $1.07 as persistent sell orders dominate the market.

Binance CVD signals continued downsideCryptoQuant, a platform specializing in on-chain and market analytics for digital assets, observed that Binance’s XRP Cumulative Volume Delta (CVD) sits near negative 6.93 million. This persistent negative reading, which has remained steady for weeks, highlights a prolonged period where sell orders significantly outpace buy orders.

The CVD metric is considered an indicator of genuine order flow, reflecting whether actual market participants are accumulating or distributing an asset. In XRP’s case, the prolonged negative figure indicates sellers remain in control, showing the decline from $2.00 to current support levels has been under consistent selling pressure.

Even with the token’s decrease to $1.07, CryptoQuant’s analysis shows that buy-side demand has not recovered, and sellers continue to shape Binance’s order book dynamics.

Additional data from Binance revealed a scarcity index at its highest level since mid-2024, demonstrating that even with low prices, some supply constraints persist on the platform. CryptoQuant contributor ArabxChain, who tracks multiple XRP metrics, built the CVD chart that underpins this analysis.

Mini dictionary: Cumulative Volume Delta (CVD), a technical indicator in crypto trading, tracks the difference between the cumulative sum of buy and sell orders, helping traders identify which side—buyers or sellers—dominates order flow on exchanges.

MetricEarlier in 2026Current (July 2026)XRP Price$2.00$1.07Binance CVDNot specified-6.93 millionScarcity IndexLowerHighest since mid-2024Confirmation score remains subduedThe 30-day Price-CVD Confirmation Score for XRP hovers around 0.84, a figure that, in isolation, might appear stable or even slightly optimistic. However, CryptoQuant cautions that this level is not sufficient to signal a buying reversal. Instead, the score suggests the link between price and order flow is stable but not yet favoring a bull trend.

The current reading of 0.84 implies buying strength is lacking and does not represent a clear shift in momentum. A meaningful trend reversal would require CVD to turn positive together with an increasing confirmation score.

A true recovery in demand will only become evident if both order flow and the confirmation score improve in tandem. At present, neither metric points to renewed support for buyers.

Background: Ripple’s legal history and current sentimentRipple, the company behind XRP, has previously faced significant challenges. CEO Brad Garlinghouse recently shared that at the peak of its legal conflict with the US Securities and Exchange Commission in 2020, Ripple considered shutting down completely. The lawsuit posed a serious risk to the company’s survival, a decision that contrasts sharply with today’s ongoing but less existential market struggles for XRP traders.

In July 2026, market participants are instead responding to fluctuations in leverage and funding rates. Separate findings from CryptoQuant documented that while Binance funding rates surged 266%, open interest dropped to $399 million, signaling reduced leverage in the market. Despite these changes, conviction among buyers remains weak, as shown by the persistently negative spot CVD readings.

Outlook for XRP on BinanceAny significant turnaround would require a rise in CVD into positive territory and an improvement in the confirmation score, an event not yet seen on Binance. Until then, order flow remains negative, and XRP continues to move around the $1.07 mark.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article does not constitute investment advice. Investors should be aware that cryptocurrencies carry high volatility and therefore risk, and should conduct their own research.

Ripple (XRP) shows subtle signs of recovery above $1.05 on Tuesday, with the move to around $1.07 ending three straight days of losses amid a pressured broader cryptocurrency market.

Escalating war between the United States (US) and Iran has weighed on sentiment since last weekend, with both parties exchanging attacks, while shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has stopped and the US has reinstated the blockade of Iranian ports.

Subdued on-chain activity lags XRP recoveryInterest in XRP remains significantly suppressed, as evidenced by on-chain indicators. According to Santiment data, newly created addresses on the XRP Ledger (XRPL) have eased to roughly 800 on Tuesday, down from approximately 2,000 the previous day. Looking back, users joining the network peaked at 6,600 on June 30, suggesting that appetite for risk assets is cooling. If the drop is sustained, demand for XRP would narrow further, limiting potential recovery.

XRP Network Activity | Source: SantimentAddresses actively transacting on the protocol paint a similarly grim picture, declining to roughly 2,200 on Tuesday, down from approximately 4,000 the day before. This drawdown shows that fewer users are actively sending and receiving assets on the XRPL. An extended decline means less on-chain demand and a reduced tailwind to sustain the current mild rebound.

XRP Active Addresses | Source: SantimentPrice analysis: XRP defends vital support, gains still cappedXRP retains a bearish near-term tone despite a slight increase above $1.07 from the psychological support at $1.05. Still, the spot price holds below the 50-day, 100-day and 200-day Exponential Moving Averages (EMAs).

The Parabolic SAR support at $1.04, suggests some underlying demand, but the broader structure remains capped by the downward resistance trendline whose break price sits at $1.11. While the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) histogram is fading but slightly positive on the daily chart, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) at 40 hints that upside momentum is still limited and rallies are vulnerable below the major EMAs.

XRP/USDT daily chartInitial resistance is seen at the downward resistance trendline break level at $1.11, ahead of the 50-day EMA barrier at $1.16, with the 100-day EMA at $1.26 and the distant 200-day EMA at $1.47 reinforcing a broader supply zone if recovery extends.

On the flip side, immediate support is offered by the Parabolic SAR level at $1.04. A daily close below this floor would likely open the door to a deeper pullback, keeping the pair entrenched in its bearish bias as long as it trades beneath the clustered EMAs overhead.

(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool. Know more.)

Cryptocurrency prices FAQs Token launches influence demand and adoption among market participants. Listings on crypto exchanges deepen the liquidity for an asset and add new participants to an asset’s network. This is typically bullish for a digital asset.

A hack is an event in which an attacker captures a large volume of the asset from a DeFi bridge or hot wallet of an exchange or any other crypto platform via exploits, bugs or other methods. The exploiter then transfers these tokens out of the exchange platforms to ultimately sell or swap the assets for other cryptocurrencies or stablecoins. Such events often involve an en masse panic triggering a sell-off in the affected assets.

Macroeconomic events like the US Federal Reserve’s decision on interest rates influence crypto assets mainly through the direct impact they have on the US Dollar. An increase in interest rate typically negatively influences Bitcoin and altcoin prices, and vice versa. If the US Dollar index declines, risk assets and associated leverage for trading gets cheaper, in turn driving crypto prices higher.

Halvings are typically considered bullish events as they slash the block reward in half for miners, constricting the supply of the asset. At consistent demand if the supply reduces, the asset’s price climbs.

Ripple has expanded its involvement in the artificial intelligence sector by joining the newly established x402 Foundation as a Premier Member. The x402 Foundation is an organization set up under the Linux Foundation to develop open payment standards for AI-driven transactions. Other prominent members include Amazon Web Services, Visa, Mastercard, Stripe, Coinbase, and Google.

AI agents and new payment standardsThe x402 Foundation is focused on building protocols that allow AI-powered agents to send and receive payments across the internet as easily as they exchange data. As the adoption of autonomous AI agents grows, these standards aim to enable seamless machine-to-machine payments for booking services, purchasing computing resources, accessing APIs, and completing other business activities.

Ripple stated that its technology, especially the XRP Ledger (XRPL), is suitable to power these use cases thanks to its ability to handle high-speed, native digital payments at scale. Developers already have the tools to integrate AI agents with XRPL and facilitate transactions using both XRP and RLUSD, supporting the x402 protocol for rapid, efficient payments.

Beyond simply joining as a member, Ripple will help shape the x402 Foundation’s technology roadmap and governance policies. By contributing to the establishment of open standards, Ripple aims to play a leading role in how digital agents interact financially in coming years.

Mini dictionary: x402 Foundation, a collaborative project under the Linux Foundation, enables open standards for peer-to-peer payments among AI agents and Internet of Things devices.

Ripple highlighted its ongoing work, stating that developers can already integrate AI agents with the XRP Ledger and RLUSD, thanks to protocol support that enables fast, internet-scale payments between machines.

XRPL’s expanding role in the AI-driven economyThe membership comes soon after Ripple launched the XRP Ledger AI Hub, a unified platform offering developer tools, payment services, and access to real-world applications for AI agents on XRPL. These initiatives are intended to expand XRPL’s use beyond traditional cross-border remittances to include infrastructure for the autonomous machine economy.

Within this model, AI agents can use non-custodial wallets funded with XRP or RLUSD to handle payments for cloud computing, access to APIs, digital storage, subscriptions, and other online services. They can earn XRP for completed tasks and use the accumulated funds for future payments, reducing reliance on banks or legacy payment processors.

By supporting technical standards for the x402 protocol and participating in shaping governance, Ripple seeks to position the XRP Ledger as a backbone for machine-to-machine payments in the digital economy.

Early adoption is visible through projects like t54’s x402 facilitator, which recently processed native XRP transactions directly between AI agents on XRPL. This move shows that autonomous payments are transitioning from pilot efforts to practical use in digital markets.

By assisting in the development of new payment infrastructure for AI agents and collaborating on essential standards, Ripple aims to make XRP Ledger a foundational network for autonomous financial transactions as digital commerce evolves.

MemberSectorRole in x402 FoundationRippleDigital payments/BlockchainPremier Member, governance and standardsAmazon Web ServicesCloud computingInfrastructure providerVisaPaymentsIndustry memberMastercardPaymentsIndustry memberStripePaymentsIndustry memberCoinbaseCrypto exchangeIndustry memberGoogleTechnologyIndustry memberAs AI agents increase their participation in commerce, this collaboration across tech, payments, and crypto pioneers may accelerate the shift toward autonomous, internet-native payments using public blockchains like the XRP Ledger.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article does not constitute investment advice. Investors should be aware that cryptocurrencies carry high volatility and therefore risk, and should conduct their own research.

Ripple-backed Evernorth has unveiled a $44 million CEO equity package in a fresh SEC filing while advancing its merger to create a Nasdaq-listed XRP treasury company.

Summary

Evernorth’s latest SEC filing includes a $44 million equity award for CEO Asheesh Birla. The amended filing advances Evernorth’s merger with Armada Acquisition Corp II and planned XRPN listing. Evernorth also launched a Japanese-language XRP information channel without announcing local operations. According to Evernorth Holdings’ fourth amended Form S-4 registration statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the company updated executive and director compensation arrangements while advancing the paperwork required for its proposed business combination with Armada Acquisition Corp II, a special purpose acquisition company backed by Arrington Capital.

🚨SCOOP: Ripple-backed Evernorth Holdings files S-4 Amendment with the US SEC
🔸Evernorth moves closer to its merger with Armada Acquisition Corp II and to launch the largest Nasdaq-listed public XRP treasury

🔸Filing announces CEO Ashish Birla’s base salary and a $44 million… pic.twitter.com/wStNBFZ23q

— Rednirav (@CryptoRednirav) July 14, 2026 The filing sets CEO Asheesh Birla’s base salary and grants him an initial equity award valued at about $44 million, together with vesting terms. Chief financial officer Matt Frymier would receive a base salary, annual bonus eligibility and an equity award worth about $5.6 million.

Evernorth also disclosed restricted stock unit awards valued at $750,000 for executives, subject to approval by the board’s compensation committee and the company’s shareholders.

Merger filing moves XRP treasury listing closer Beyond executive compensation, the amended filing moves Evernorth another step toward completing its merger with Armada Acquisition Corp II. If the transaction receives regulatory and shareholder approval, the combined company is expected to trade on Nasdaq under the ticker XRPN while operating what Evernorth has described in its SEC filings as the largest publicly listed XRP treasury company.

According to the filing, Evernorth has secured more than $1 billion in gross proceeds from investors including Ripple, Arrington Capital, SBI Holdings, Pantera Capital and Kraken.

Board appointments were also updated. Ripple chief legal officer Stuart Alderoty is expected to join the board alongside CEO Asheesh Birla and Ted Janus. The proposed board would also include OpenAI Foundation chief financial officer Robert Kaiden and Antalpha chief operating officer Derar Islim.

Separately, Evernorth has expanded its public communications by launching a Japanese-language social media account focused on XRP-related updates and market education. In its introductory message, the company stated that Japan had supported XRP early and that it would continue building from there. However, Evernorth did not announce a new office, regulatory license, investment, product launch, or local operating business in Japan.

The company added that the Japanese account would explain market developments in simple terms and provide professional information without discussing XRP price movements or forecasts. Evernorth has not disclosed local staffing, partnerships or services connected to the initiative, while its website continues to list San Francisco as its primary headquarters.

XRPN stock holds steady as XRP activity grows While the merger still awaits regulatory approval, Armada Acquisition Corp II shares have largely held their gains. The stock is up about 2.25% since the beginning of the year and has gained nearly 0.5% over the past month, although it closed 0.10% lower on Monday. Its 52-week high stands at $10.91.

Source: Yahoo Finance Evernorth has also pointed to rising XRP adoption across several areas. According to the company, tokenized real-world assets on the XRP Ledger increased from roughly $150 million to $4 billion over the past year, supported by growth in spot XRP ETF inflows and an increase in newly created XRP wallets.

Meanwhile, XRP (XRP) traded at about $1.10 after rising 2.3% over the previous 24 hours. The token fluctuated between $1.06 and $1.11 during the session, while trading volume rose nearly 16% ahead of the release of U.S. consumer price index inflation data.

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XRP has reached its breakout retest point, looking to defend an important support level that could determine its next major move.

XRP currently changes hands at $1.06, which puts it close to $0.9539, the exact price where it broke out of a six-year symmetrical triangle in 2024. This level could decide whether the broader bullish trend stays intact or gives way to a deeper correction.

Essentially, the $0.9539 area marked the breakout point that ended a long period of consolidation and started the rally that pushed XRP to $3.6 last July. 

As the price moves back toward that area, it remains to be seen if buyers can defend it. A successful defense would strengthen the current market structure, but a failure could signal that the upsurge is losing support.

XRP 6-Year Triangle Breakout Notably, XRP spent more than six years moving inside a large symmetrical triangle after reaching its cycle high during 2017 and 2018. Throughout this period, the chart formed five major pivot points, labeled A, B, C, D, and E, as the trading range became increasingly narrow.

However, the structure changed when XRP broke above the triangle in 2024 at around $0.95398. This breakout started a five-wave impulse move that carried the token to a high of $3.3 by January 2025. 

After completing the upsurge, the price pulled back toward the $2 area before recovering to the July 2025 all-time high of $3.66. From there, XRP has now corrected to the same breakout area.

XRP 1W Chart Such a correction often serves as an important test. Markets frequently return to previous breakout levels to see whether old resistance can become new support. If XRP holds above this level, it will confirm that the breakout remains valid. If it falls below it, further downside could play out.

XRP Could Face More Downside Before Possible Reversal Meanwhile, the 4-hour chart shows that XRP is trading inside a red symmetrical channel, where an ending diagonal appears to be developing. The pattern contains five overlapping sub-waves, and the fifth wave is still in progress.

Current projections suggest that the final leg of this pattern could take XRP into the $0.80 to $0.90 range before it finishes. Ending diagonals usually form near the end of a decline and suggest that selling pressure is fading. Once they are complete, they can lead to a strong recovery.

XRP 4h Chart However, for now, the pattern remains unfinished. This means XRP could still move lower in the short term before buyers attempt to regain control.

Important XRP Price Levels The first support area sits between $1.00 and $0.95398. If XRP drops below this range, the next support lies between $0.80 and $0.90, which aligns with the projected end of the current ending diagonal. 

A further decline would bring $0.60160 into the picture. This level marks an important pivot from the six-year triangle and could become the next major support for XRP.

The chart also highlights $0.39368 as the main Wave IV support level. If selling becomes much stronger, $0.11540 would represent the final capitulation target in the current technical outlook.

On the upside, XRP must first break through resistance between $1.20 and $1.30. If buyers clear that area, the next resistance sits at $1.60, followed by the previous high of $3.29998.

DisClamier: This content is informational and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author's personal opinions and do not reflect The Crypto Basic opinion. Readers are encouraged to do thorough research before making any investment decisions. The Crypto Basic is not responsible for any financial losses.

Bulls have been waiting for Ethereum to deliver a bullish technical signal for a long time. ETH has successfully broken out of a declining trendline that had capped every attempt at recovery since May after spending weeks stuck beneath short-term resistance. The move is one of the most significant technical advancements Ethereum has seen in recent months, even though it is not yet sufficient to signal the beginning of a full-scale bull market.

 In the vicinity of the $1,750–$1,800 range, Ethereum was able to break above the declining resistance line that connected a string of lower highs. This is noteworthy because, ever since the rejection from the $2,400 area earlier in the year, the pattern has been strengthening bearish momentum. Ethereum is currently holding above its 50-day EMA at $1,740, and price action is stabilizing around $1,790. 

ETH/USDT Chart by TradingViewAdditionally, the 100-day EMA at $1,755 has been reclaimed, forming a supportive cluster below current price levels. The market structure observed throughout June, when ETH remained in the downtrend, is noticeably different from this. The improving outlook is reinforced by momentum indicators.

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The RSI has risen above 53, indicating increasing buying pressure and firmly entering bullish territory. In contrast to earlier attempts at a rebound, the current move has not caused the RSI to enter an overbought state, allowing for further upside if buyers continue to be active. The next challenge is just around the corner. 

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The psychologically significant $1,800-$1,850 range, which has frequently served as resistance over the past few months, is drawing closer to Ethereum. The bullish case would be strengthened by a clear move above that area, which might also lead to an advance toward the 200-day EMA at $2,220. It is still important to keep an eye on volume. 

Although the breakout is technically sound, increased trading activity would provide more evidence that larger market players and institutions, as opposed to just short-term traders, are backing the move. 

There has been no complete reversal of the general trend. Ethereum is still trading beneath the long-term resistance structure set earlier this year and remains far below its 200-day moving average. However, the short-term picture is significantly altered by the successful trendline breakout. 

Confidence in XRPXRP's wider recovery attempt might not be finished despite recent weakness and another rejection close to local resistance. Even though the asset is still stuck below important moving averages and is trading close to the $1.07 mark, there are a number of indicators suggesting that the market has not completely given up on the possibility of a bigger recovery. The chart doesn't appear very confident at first glance. 

At $1.11 for the 50-day EMA, $1.15 for the 100-day EMA, and $1.26 for the 200-day EMA, XRP is still below these benchmarks. Such a configuration usually indicates that sellers are still in control of the longer-term trend and reflects a bearish market structure. However, the moving averages alone don't fully capture the complexity of the current situation. 

XRP/USDT Chart by TradingViewThe psychologically significant $1.00 area has been consistently defended by XRP since the sharp drop in June. Bears' attempts to force a clear breakdown have all been thwarted by buying activity, resulting in a comparatively stable support zone. Despite weeks of pressure, XRP has avoided hitting new lows, which suggests that selling momentum is gradually waning. 

A fascinating tale is also told by volume. Selling volume has been continuously dropping, but buying activity is still insufficient to cause a breakout. This frequently occurs during accumulation phases, when market participants are less inclined to sell at low prices. The RSI is currently in the neutral 40-45 range. 

This indicates that XRP is far from overheated and has potential for a recovery move if overall market conditions improve, even though it does not indicate bullish momentum. Reclaiming the 50-day EMA remains the bulls' primary goal. A successful move above $1.11 would probably draw in more momentum traders and open the door to the resistance zone between $1.15 and $1.20. 

After that, the 200-day EMA at around $1.26 emerges as the primary technical obstacle. The current setup is notable because, despite trading below significant resistance levels, XRP is not accelerating downward. Rather, price action has begun a period of consolidation above support. 

Bitcoin makes it back for nowBTC has risen back toward the $63,000-$64,000 range after rising from lows close to $58,000. This puts it directly below a significant resistance cluster that may dictate the market's next big move. The 50-day exponential moving average, which is currently close to $64,600, is the most immediate challenge. 

Over the past few weeks, Bitcoin has tested this level several times but has been unable to produce a clear breakout. Sellers have been drawn in at each rejection, highlighting the significance of this area. Nevertheless, there are a number of reasons why the likelihood of a resistance break is rising. 

First, since the June bottom, Bitcoin has been able to set a string of higher lows. Instead of retreating to the $58,000 support area, buyers have continuously intervened at increasingly higher prices. This behavior frequently indicates growing confidence and accumulation beneath resistance. 

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Second, momentum indicators are improving over time. The daily RSI is approaching the neutral 50 level after recovering from oversold territory. It shows that the bearish momentum that dominated June has significantly decreased, even though it is not yet a fully bullish signal.

The broader market structure also supports a breakout. Bitcoin spent a few weeks consolidating after the sharp drop from the $82,000 area. Before making another directional move, markets usually need to go through these stages of consolidation. The longer Bitcoin stays above important support levels without hitting new lows, the more pressure builds against surrounding resistance. 

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Traders should not underestimate the challenges that lie ahead, however. Even if Bitcoin surpasses the 50-day EMA, there will be more resistance near the 100-day EMA, which is located at $68,600. Above that, the 200-day EMA at approximately $74,700 remains the final line separating the market from a complete trend reversal. 

Volume continues to be an issue. In contrast to the significant selling volume observed during the June crash, recent recovery attempts have involved comparatively low trading activity. During any breakout attempt, bulls would prefer to see a discernible increase in participation. 

For the time being, Bitcoin does not appear to be actively rejected by resistance; instead, it seems to be coiling beneath it. A close above the $64,500–$65,000 range would greatly boost sentiment and might lead to a move toward $68,000. The technical setup indicates that Bitcoin's chances of breaking resistance are improving every day, even though confirmation is still required.

Ripple Chief Technology Officer Emeritus David Schwartz has argued that the regulator repeatedly portrayed XRP itself as a security before courts rejected that position.

The discussion unfolded on X in response to former SEC attorney Marc Fagel, who argued that the agency's legal case centered on Ripple's sales of XRP rather than on the token itself.

"To prove a violation of Sec. 5, they needed to establish Ripple sold XRP as a security; and they say exactly that," Fagel wrote. "They might have to take that on when suing exchanges, but not here." 

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Schwartz disagreed, accusing Fagel of oversimplifying the SEC's position.

"I agree. The problem is that you are falsely characterizing the argument they are making as a different argument they are not making."

He specifically challenged Fagel's assertion that "their only legal argument was that Ripple sold it as a security." "But that's not true," Schwartz said. "You are ignoring the entire thrust of their argument, their statements around it, and the pushback they got from the court. This is an attempt at completely rewriting history."

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According to Schwartz, the SEC's public messaging and legal filings went well beyond alleging that Ripple conducted unregistered securities offerings.

"The complaint itself frequently refers to XRP itself as the security. The SEC's press release frequently refers to XRP itself as the security," he wrote.

Fagel acknowledged that the SEC's messaging may not have always reflected the nuances of its legal arguments.

"I'm not defending what I think was a lack of nuance in how the SEC framed its legal theories; it certainly felt like their points evolved over time," Fagel said. "But ultimately the Ripple case came down to whether it sold XRP as securities."

Schwartz countered that this framing overlooks what he considers one of Ripple's biggest courtroom victories.

"Right, but let's not forget that's because the courts soundly rejected the SEC's arguments (both to the courts and to the public) to the contrary," he wrote. "That was, correctly, understood to be a substantial victory at the time."

 A three-year anniversary The exchange revisits one of the central issues surrounding the SEC's 2020 lawsuit against Ripple. Three years ago, U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres ruled that Ripple's programmatic sales of XRP on public exchanges did not constitute securities transactions, while institutional sales of XRP to sophisticated investors did violate federal securities laws. 

The mixed ruling was widely viewed as a partial victory for Ripple.

The decision held that XRP itself is not a security and found that Ripple's programmatic sales of XRP on public exchanges did not constitute securities transactions. Judge Torres reasoned that retail buyers on secondary markets could not have known they were purchasing tokens from Ripple and therefore lacked a reasonable expectation of profits based on Ripple's efforts under the Howey Test.

Doppler Finance and SBI Digital Finance have formed a strategic partnership to expand institutional XRP finance in Japan. 

Summary

Doppler and SBI Digital Finance will build regulated institutional XRP infrastructure for Japan’s financial market. The partnership targets lending, liquidity, collateral management and tokenized assets rather than retail trading services. SBI’s broader crypto strategy includes exchanges, stablecoins, payments, rewards and institutional market infrastructure projects. The companies announced the agreement on July 13, saying they will work on digital asset infrastructure for professional market participants.

The partnership combines Doppler’s tokenized capital market systems with SBI Digital Finance’s institutional network and crypto lending experience. The announcement did not disclose financial terms, launch dates, named clients or a specific product ready for release.

Partnership targets institutional XRP infrastructure Doppler and SBI Digital Finance plan to support infrastructure for XRP and other digital assets in Japan. Their stated work areas include institutional solutions for XRP, tokenized assets and wider tokenized financial markets, subject to applicable Japanese rules. The services could target banks, funds and professional trading firms.

Doppler Finance X SBI Digital Finance

Doppler Finance and SBI Digital Finance Announce Strategic Partnership to Expand Institutional XRP Finance in Japan

The partnership brings together Doppler’s digital asset infrastructure and SBI Digital Finance’s institutional market… pic.twitter.com/pTSyxkXgYM

— Doppler Finance (@doppler_fi) July 14, 2026 The companies said institutional demand now reaches beyond custody. They expect market participants to seek systems for liquidity, financing, collateral management and better use of capital. The partnership focuses on those functions rather than retail trading or a new consumer XRP service.

SBI Digital Finance brings lending experience SBI Digital Finance operates HashHub Lending, a Japan-based service for lending crypto assets. Doppler said the company brings market relationships, risk controls and operational experience that could support products designed for institutions.

Rox, Doppler Finance’s head of institutions, said the company aims to “transform digital assets from passive holdings into productive financial capital.” The statement presents that goal as a development plan. It does not confirm that institutions can already access a new XRP lending, yield or collateral product through the partnership.

Agreement extends Doppler’s work with SBI companies The new agreement follows an earlier link between Doppler and another SBI business. In December 2025, SBI Ripple Asia and Doppler signed a memorandum to explore XRP-based yield infrastructure and real-world asset tokenization on the XRP Ledger. The partners selected SBI Digital Markets to provide institutional custody for that initiative.

The July partnership names SBI Digital Finance, a separate lending-focused company within the wider SBI network. Doppler has not explained whether the two agreements will share products, custody arrangements or customers. Both initiatives center on regulated infrastructure intended to give institutions more ways to use XRP and tokenized assets.

SBI expands Japan’s regulated digital asset network Japan already hosts a broad SBI-led XRP ecosystem. As previously reported, SBI companies have supported regulated prepaid tokens on the XRP Ledger, RLUSD distribution, tokenized bonds with XRP rewards and other payment and investment services. The latest partnership adds lending and capital-market infrastructure to that wider activity.

SBI has also expanded its exchange and institutional market reach. The group moved to acquire Bitbank after SBI VC Trade absorbed Bitpoint Japan. Separately, SBI led EDX Markets’ $76 million funding round for institutional trading, clearing and settlement infrastructure.

Related activity has also drawn XRP-focused firms toward Japan. As reported by crypto.news, Evernorth recently opened a Japanese-language presence while pursuing a planned public XRP treasury. SBI committed $200 million to the proposed transaction, although Evernorth did not announce a new Japanese license, office or product.

The Doppler partnership remains at the development stage. Neither company identified lending rates, supported assets beyond XRP, collateral terms, custody providers or an expected launch window. Future announcements will need to define the services institutions can use and the regulatory approvals required in Japan.