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XRP’s increased network activity contrasts with weak price momentum as EX DeFi promotes cloud mining as an alternative way for holders to seek passive income.
Summary
XRP activity rises 24% as weak momentum pressures prices, prompting holders to explore passive income via cloud mining. XRP faces selling pressure near $1 as activity climbs, while investors seek passive returns through EX DeFi cloud mining. Rising XRP network activity contrasts with weak price action, driving interest in EX DeFi as a passive income option now. XRP’s price momentum has recently slowed, hovering around the $1 mark; however, a surge in network activity — specifically a more than 24% increase in active addresses — has helped bolster investor sentiment.
As traders continue to close out positions, XRP faces persistent selling pressure, keeping the asset’s price near recent lows.
With market momentum waning and short sellers gaining dominance due to XRP’s lackluster price performance, investors are increasingly seeking more sustainable ways to generate returns from their holdings without frequent trading or exposure to high market volatility.
Against this backdrop, the EX DeFi cloud mining platform offers XRP holders a new avenue to earn passive income without having to sell their digital assets. Whether someone is a novice or a seasoned investor, they can easily participate and earn up to $10,000 in passive income.
XRP active addresses jump 24.1% in 24 hours; network activity heats up According to the latest on-chain data, the number of active XRP addresses rose from 27,665 to 34,318 within a 24-hour period — an increase of approximately 6,653, or 24.1%. Despite this growth in daily active addresses, the price of XRP remained largely unaffected.
Daily active addresses on the XRP Ledger have recently surged to nearly 50,000 — a two-month high. Given the market’s focus on the divergence between price performance and network activity, XRP remains a key point of interest for investors.
How long until XRP returns to $2? After recently dipping below the $1 mark, XRP’s price has continued to fluctuate around this critical level, raising concerns among some holders regarding its future trajectory.
However, in contrast to the sluggish price action, XRP’s network activity remains robust. The rapid increase in active addresses indicates that, even amidst cautious investor sentiment, a significant number of users continue to actively engage with the XRP network. If network usage remains high and translates into actual demand, it could provide support for future price performance. For long-term XRP holders, rather than simply waiting for the price to rise above $2, an increasing number of investors are seeking more diversified ways to generate yield from their digital assets.
EX DeFi: Another yield-generating avenue for XRP investors Amidst heightened market volatility, more XRP investors are turning to EX DeFi. They aim to boost the returns on their XRP holdings by participating in diversified passive income streams through cloud mining.
Compared to high-volatility investment methods like leveraged trading, cloud mining offers XRP holders a way to participate that significantly reduces management costs associated with electricity and equipment maintenance. Users can easily earn passive income by selecting cloud mining contracts tailored to their needs, without the burden of purchasing mining hardware or covering maintenance expenses.
About EX DeFi Headquartered in the UK, EX DeFi operates in strict compliance with European regulatory frameworks such as MiCA and MiFID II, continuously enhancing its transparency, operational standards, and user protection mechanisms.
The platform employs a multi-layered security architecture, featuring:
Annual financial and security compliance audits by PwC. Digital asset custody insurance from Lloyd’s of London. Enterprise-grade network protection from Cloudflare and McAfee® security systems; Multi-layer encryption, AI-driven risk control, and 2FA authentication. The platform supports a wide range of mainstream digital assets — including XRP, BTC, ETH, USDT, BNB, USDC, DOGE, LTC, ADA, and SOL — offering users greater flexibility. Affiliate Program Rewards
EX DeFi offers an affiliate program that allows users to earn referral commissions of 3% + 2% (up to $50,000) by inviting friends, enabling them to generate passive income with zero initial investment.
How to earn passive income with XRP? 1. Register an Account
Sign up for a free account on the official EX DeFi website; new users receive a $17 trial bonus.
2. Deposit Cryptocurrency
Deposit XRP or other popular cryptocurrencies into an account (minimum deposit: $100).
3. Select a Mining Package
Choose a cloud mining contract that suits a particular budget and preferred duration, then start mining with a single click.
4. Start Earning Returns
Once the contract is activated, earnings are automatically settled every 24 hours. Users can choose to withdraw their earnings or continue investing at any time.
Click here to visit the official EX DeFi website and view more earning contracts.
Summary Although XRP’s price has recently hovered around the $1 mark, network activity has seen a significant rebound. This indicates that investor usage of XRP remains high, providing a level of support for future price appreciation.
In this volatile market, long-term XRP holders are increasingly focusing on generating stable cash flow via the EX DeFi cloud mining platform as an alternative to simply waiting for price increases.
Visit the EX DeFi cloud mining platform today and start easily earning $10,000 in passive income.
Disclosure: This content is provided by a third party. Neither crypto.news nor the author of this article endorses any product mentioned on this page. Users should conduct their own research before taking any action related to the company.
A poignant story from the formative years of XRP has resurfaced, blending a life-changing digital asset windfall with a heartbreaking family tragedy.
Early XRP giveaway and its unforeseen impactDavid Schwartz, Chief Technology Officer at Ripple—the fintech company behind the XRP Ledger—recently recounted a memorable incident from XRP’s early days. Before Ripple was officially founded, the team behind the XRP Ledger held a giveaway through the BitcoinTalk forum. At that time, XRP had not yet found its market value, and the distribution amounts remained uncertain.
The team eventually decided to allocate 50,000 XRP to each qualifying participant. Schwartz noted that the chosen amount reflected the tokens’ lack of monetary value at the time, as no one knew whether XRP would ever attain real-world significance.
Years later, as XRP rose to $2 per token, the value of these early distributions increased dramatically.
Schwartz described how the tokens, once distributed as an experimental promotional effort, later brought unexpected financial changes to many recipients when XRP achieved wide recognition and value.
Schwartz shared these reflections during a video posted by Minus Wells, a member of the cryptocurrency community on X (formerly Twitter).
Mini dictionary: BitcoinTalk forum, a popular online discussion board for cryptocurrency enthusiasts and early adopters to share news, promote coins, and organize community activities since 2009.
A life-changing gift in the midst of tragedySchwartz said he was contacted by an individual in Canada who had received XRP from the original giveaway. After verifying the story, Schwartz learned that the recipient’s 17-year-old sister had been fatally attacked outside a club along with her boyfriend, both victims of reported gang violence.
Amidst grieving the sudden loss, the family faced mounting financial burdens, including work absences and travel expenses to bring relatives together during the tragedy.
The teenager’s brother told his parents that he had access to $95,000 from his XRP holdings. This sum, originating from the early BitcoinTalk distribution, helped the family address immediate financial pressures during a devastating period.
Schwartz emphasized that while the financial benefit could not erase their grief, it eased some of the urgent practical challenges that followed the tragedy.
EventXRP Value at DistributionXRP Value at $2Original BitcoinTalk GiveawayEssentially zero$100,000 (for 50,000 XRP)Community significance and personal reflectionsSchwartz described the story as the most touching and meaningful he has experienced within the XRP Ledger community. He observed that while the family’s tragedy was at the heart of the story, the previously inconsequential digital gift ultimately provided support at a critical moment.
Reflecting on the broader significance, Schwartz explained that stories like these contribute to his sense of gratitude toward the XRP community and underlined the profound, sometimes unpredictable impact of cryptocurrency on people’s lives.
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.
Recent weakness in the XRP price is fueling speculation about the formation of a potential bottom, as institutional demand for regulated investment products, such as exchange-traded funds (ETFs), appears to be gaining momentum. Improving demand and a shift in price structure are contributing factors as analysts consider if a broader market recovery could be underway.
Institutional interest and ETF growthXRP traded at $1.00 at last check, supported by a 24-hour trading volume of $851.49 million and a market capitalization of $63.03 billion. Positive price momentum, along with growing ETF participation, is sparking anticipation of a possible bullish reversal for the digital asset.
Ash Crypto, a crypto analyst, observed that XRP ended the week with another weak close, marking its lowest point on the weekly timeframe in nearly two years. This sustained negative performance highlights prevailing selling pressure, although signs suggest that the market could be reaching an inflection point.
As sell orders continue to test key support levels repeatedly, there are indications that sellers may be losing momentum. Should buyers keep defending this critical area, XRP could start establishing a stronger foothold, positioning itself for a potential turnaround.
Technical signals and breakout prospectsMarket participants note that a decisive breakout from the current consolidation pattern could offer a more favorable outlook for XRP, especially if high buy volume accompanies movement past notable resistance. A sustained breakout above $3.65 is viewed as a key milestone that could set a new all-time high.
Persistent efforts by buyers to hold support levels raise hopes that the selling momentum is waning, and a robust breakout beyond resistance could accelerate a reversal in XRP’s trend.
The most recent data from XRP reveals that a Houston-based wealth management firm has disclosed exposure to the Bitwise XRP ETF. The firm’s client base, which reportedly requires a minimum net worth of $2 million, underscores rising interest in XRP among institutional investors.
This trend suggests that professional investors are seeking regulated avenues to gain exposure to digital assets, and the emergence of institutional-grade products such as ETFs is heightening XRP’s profile in financial circles.
Market recovery and Web3 adoptionAs the broader crypto market shows signs of renewed energy—supported in part by Bitcoin’s recent upward movement—XRP’s price action has begun to reflect improving sentiment. If buyers remain committed in the coming sessions and momentum continues to build, the cryptocurrency may continue its recovery path. However, analysts caution that persistent selling pressure could postpone any significant rebound.
This shift also highlights a broader trend impacting traditional and digital finance. While established markets have historically relied on complex brokerage systems, Wall Street is experiencing a pronounced move toward Web3. More investors are turning to platforms such as 1stepSwap, which allow the direct holding of shares of major US companies, as well as gold and silver, in crypto wallets. By enabling tokenized Real-World Assets (RWAs) and leveraging automated systems to secure the best prices within seconds, these platforms are reducing reliance on intermediaries and further integrating digital assets into mainstream financial strategies.
Overall, XRP’s price trajectory may hinge on a combination of increased institutional adoption, breakthrough resistance levels, and continued momentum in the broader market.
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.
XRP continues to play a critical role within Ripple‘s payments ecosystem, according to new research highlighted by independent analyst SMQKE. His findings provide further insight into the integral position of XRP in the operation of RippleNet and the XRP Ledger (XRPL).
SMQKE details XRP’s dominance in RippleNetSMQKE, a researcher specializing in blockchain payments, shared recent documentation that underscores how RippleNet, Ripple’s global payment network, fundamentally relies on XRP. RippleNet is a system designed to connect banks, payment providers, and digital asset exchanges for seamless cross-border payments.
According to the attached research, XRP is not just a supplementary asset but a central element in Ripple’s payment solutions, including the Ripple Payments product. The documents emphasize that as Ripple Labs builds out its international payment infrastructure, XRP operates as a native digital asset within the network, serving as a potential bridge between diverse currencies.
Analysts highlighted Ripple’s efforts to position XRP as a neutral bridge asset, supporting interoperability among different currencies on XRPL’s decentralized exchange. Current XRPL documentation also defines XRP as the primary medium of exchange on the network, facilitating efficient liquidity and transaction processing.
RippleNet relies extensively on XRP for value transfer across its ecosystem, enabling smoother currency conversions and efficient payments for its institutional clients. The technological foundation of Ripple solutions is specifically built around the utility of XRP within the XRPL framework.
XRP payment volumes outpace all other assetsSMQKE referenced a study of ledger activity between October 1, 2019, and April 30, 2020, which highlighted that XRP overwhelmingly led payment volumes on the XRPL. The study recorded approximately 125 billion XRP processed through payment transactions over the seven months, which amounts to an average of 586 million XRP daily.
In examining the transaction flows, the analysis identified global exchanges as major contributors. Binance, recognized as one of the world’s leading digital asset exchanges, sent 15.2 billion XRP and received 14.5 billion XRP within this period.
The research also noted that around 7% of XRP’s payment volume was connected to Ripple-related transactions, largely driven by the company’s monthly escrow releases.
PeriodTotal XRP ProcessedDaily AverageBinance SentBinance ReceivedOct 2019–Apr 2020125 billion XRP586 million XRP15.2 billion XRP14.5 billion XRP XRP is, by a significant margin, the most transacted asset on the ledger during the observation window, far surpassing any other issued token in volume.
XRP’s native position on the XRPLSMQKE maintains that XRP’s dominance stems from its foundational role as the network’s native asset. While the XRP Ledger architecture allows a variety of issued tokens and other digital currencies to circulate and function, the research and official documentation confirm that XRP is the primary currency used for liquidity, payments, and protection against transaction spam.
This distinction does not preclude other tokens from being used within the ecosystem, but none currently rival XRP’s usage or technical significance. Ripple continues to describe its product suite—payments, custody, and its planned stablecoin—as depending on both XRP and the XRPL technology for core functionalities.
Ripple is a global payments technology company known for developing solutions that streamline cross-border payments using blockchain.
Mini dictionary: XRPL (XRP Ledger), a decentralized blockchain focused on fast, low-cost payments, using XRP as its native asset to enable on-ledger transactions and facilitate bridging between different currencies.
Overall, the recently surfaced research reaffirms XRP’s core status in RippleNet and the broader XRP Ledger as the dominant asset for payment volume and ledger activity.
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.
The line between stablecoin liquidity and exchange yield products keeps blurring. Bybit now has more than $50 million in assets under custody inside its RLUSD Hold & Earn program, a scale that pushes the Ripple-linked dollar token beyond a simple trading pair and into direct competition with exchange savings products.
According to the original report, the exchange has opened a second phase of the program with boosted rewards tied to XRP and RLUSD. The move matters less for the headline custody figure than for what it says about demand for yield on dollar-pegged assets while regulatory attention on stablecoins is tightening.
Reward mechanics and the Ripple connection Bybit’s RLUSD Hold & Earn combines custody incentives with a rewards structure. Phase 2 increases payouts for users who hold some combination of XRP and RLUSD instead of parking a single stablecoin. In practice, that encourages users to keep two correlated assets inside the exchange, reinforcing available liquidity rather than letting balances drift to external wallets or competing venues.
Ripple’s role is more than a branding detail. RLUSD is positioned as a regulated dollar-backed token, and a major exchange pushing yield on an XRP-RLUSD pairing gives the token a broader distribution channel outside Ripple’s own ecosystem. For market depth, that may prove more valuable than a one-time promotional campaign.
The $50 million AUC number still needs context. Compared with total stablecoin balances across major venues, it remains small. The more useful signal is that Bybit saw enough early participation to justify launching Phase 2. The announcement does not specify how quickly assets accumulated, but expanding incentives usually indicates retention was strong enough to continue the product.
Stablecoin yield products are becoming custody battlegrounds Exchanges have been trying to keep idle stablecoin balances on platform for years. Holding products convert loose dollars into sticky deposits, and reward programs are often cheaper than subsidizing leveraged trading volume. Bybit’s RLUSD offer operates in the same practical space as staking campaigns and flexible savings products that have spread across centralized exchanges.
That competition has already shown up in asset prices when yield and custody overlap. Sui’s push to $1.24, covered in the SUI price report, demonstrated how institutional staking demand can move a token. Stablecoin products differ because the underlying asset is designed for low volatility, but the mechanics are similar: rewards create a reason to leave funds on a specific platform.
Broader tokenization trends add another layer. As covered in Weekly Tokenization Roundup, real-world assets on-chain have crossed $20 billion. That environment makes even modest yield on a regulated dollar-backed token a more credible product category. If institutional users treat RLUSD as a treasury-management asset rather than a pure trading balance, the custody base can grow without relying on speculative flows.
The product’s appeal still depends on how rewards are funded and whether they are sustainable. Boosted rewards can signal a temporary push for liquidity rather than a durable improvement in settlement or custody infrastructure. Participants will need to weigh the yield against platform risk and any lockup restrictions.
What the announcement leaves open Bybit has not disclosed the annual percentage yield, maximum deposit, or whether Phase 2 rewards apply only to new users. That leaves users unable to compare RLUSD Hold & Earn with other stablecoin yield offerings. The $50 million in assets under custody could reflect competitive returns or a promotional spike.
Regulatory risk is another variable. Stablecoin issuers and exchanges face policy debates that could change how dollar-pegged tokens are custodied and marketed, an area explored in the Senate fight over a major crypto bill. If interest-bearing stablecoin products come under stricter disclosure rules, programs built around holding rather than trading may require structural changes.
For now, the clearest signal is that Bybit is treating RLUSD as a product line rather than a listing. The exchange is layering rewards on top of a Ripple-linked stablecoin and tying XRP into the offer. That could deepen RLUSD liquidity over time, though the program is still modest relative to the largest stablecoin markets.
Phase 2 will show whether the product can keep growing once the initial incentive push fades.
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XRP is currently experiencing heightened volatility as traders and analysts focus on the potential for a deeper pullback before a possible continuation of its broader upward trend. Large transaction activity by so-called “whales” has attracted particular attention, signaling increased market engagement among major holders.
Market structure and key price levels in focusAt the latest update, XRP is trading at $0.9993. The cryptocurrency recorded a 24-hour trading volume of $880.05 million and has reached a market capitalization of $62.63 billion.
Technical analysts are looking closely at the $0.92 price level as a crucial area of support. Celal Kucuker, a crypto analyst, noted that while short-term correction is possible, any retracement down to $0.92 would align with typical market behavior and not necessarily disrupt the positive structure of XRP’s chart pattern.
If buyers manage to defend the $0.92 zone, renewed bullish momentum could emerge, potentially setting the stage for a push toward higher resistance levels.
On the upside, a long-term price target of $12 is being discussed, but Kucuker emphasized that this would require sustained demand and the clearing of several significant resistance levels.
XRP’s risk-to-reward profile stands out to speculative investors, though achieving the $12 target will depend on persistent buying interest and overcoming multiple resistance barriers.
Whale activity signals renewed speculationRecent blockchain data from Ali Charts highlighted a surge in whale transactions on the XRP Ledger. Over the last 24 hours, the number of individual transactions exceeding $1 million rose by 280%, surpassing 38 separate large moves.
The uptick in whale activity suggests that major market participants are once again actively trading XRP, potentially injecting volatility into the market.
Mini dictionary: Whale activity refers to significant transactions made by individuals or entities holding large amounts of a cryptocurrency, often influencing market trends due to the scale of their trades.
It is unclear whether these whales are accumulating or offloading their XRP holdings. If major transfers coincide with funds moving out of exchanges and increased buying activity, market sentiment among bulls could be further strengthened. Conversely, transfers directed to exchanges may suggest selling pressure is outweighing accumulation.
IndicatorValue / ChangeCurrent price$0.999324-hour trading volume$880.05 millionMarket capitalization$62.63 billionWhale transactions (>$1 million)38 (up 280%)Key support level$0.92Bullish target (long-term)$12Whether whales are buying or selling remains uncertain. The direction of further price action will largely depend on XRP’s ability to maintain support at $0.92, and how major holders respond at these critical price points.
Outlook and trader cautionIf XRP sustains support above $0.92, analysts expect that new buyers could enter the market, setting up a reversal toward higher resistance bands. However, a decisive break below this level could result in an extended correction as bearish sentiment takes hold.
Market participants continue to monitor on-chain activity and whales’ movements closely for signs of a shift in trend.
XRP remains a highly watched asset due to its market capitalization and history as one of the largest cryptocurrencies. As always, analysts caution that market analysis and price targets do not guarantee performance, and cryptocurrency markets remain subject to rapid and unexpected changes.
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 CEO Brad Garlinghouse was seen at the White House crypto summit, joining key administration officials, top regulators, and several prominent figures from the digital assets sector. The event gathered executives from major platforms to discuss innovation, regulatory clarity, and the future of crypto markets in the United States.
Pro-innovation stance from US officialsGarlinghouse did not give a speech during the summit, and Ripple received only a brief mention by officials. As a result, there was no immediate movement in $XRP’s price following the event.
The White House emphasized its intent to foster a supportive climate for domestic crypto companies, urging them to operate confidently and drive innovation on US soil.
Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Chair Michael Selig echoed this stance, declaring a shift away from confrontational regulatory tactics. Selig highlighted the administration’s commitment to supporting innovators and reaffirmed the country’s ambition to retain crypto leadership.
“The era of political lawfare, debanking, and regulation by enforcement is over. Innovators like the people in this room are welcomed to the White House, not railroaded to the big house. And the new frontier of finance is being built right here in the United States of America,” Selig stated.
Selig also made bold claims regarding changes at the SEC and the country’s evolving position in the digital assets space, asserting that US regulators have moved past anti-crypto efforts and that the US has become a global crypto capital.
Regulatory clarity and legislative opportunitiesSecurities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Paul Atkins addressed the summit, outlining the agency’s proposed rule designed to provide greater certainty for digital asset entrepreneurs. Atkins described the new rule as a measure intended to help innovators and job creators raise capital more efficiently in the US using digital assets.
Atkins emphasized that the SEC’s latest proposal “would provide crypto entrepreneurs like those here in this room and job creators the certainty to raise capital in the United States using digital assets.”
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong pointed to the significance of the upcoming September 15 Senate procedural vote on the Clarity Act, suggesting it could secure long-term policy stability for the industry. Armstrong urged industry alignment, noting that durable progress hinges on collective support for the bill.
Armstrong stated that passing the Clarity Act would solidify the administration’s achievements for decades and encouraged industry players to rally for more than 60 Senate votes in favor of the legislation.
Perspectives from industry leadersRobinhood CEO Vlad Tenev spoke about the importance of tokenized assets and their role in broadening ownership. Tenev described ownership as central to Robinhood’s mission and emphasized its significance for a free and prosperous society.
Kraken CEO Arjun Sethi reflected on the company’s philosophy, focusing on providing equitable opportunities across America. Sethi explained that the goal of the industry is to ensure wide access and financial empowerment, expressing Kraken’s motto as “fix money, we fix the world.”
With major regulatory decisions and legislative initiatives in play, industry participants are increasingly aware of how rapidly conditions can shift. In a market where a single Fed decision or a sudden altcoin listing can change everything in seconds, jumping between different apps for charts, news, and portfolio tracking is costing investors money. Smart traders are now utilizing privacy-first tools like CryptoAppsy to consolidate everything. Without even the hassle of creating an account, you get real-time charts, smart price alerts, coin-specific news, and critical macro data all on one screen.
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.
Cryptocurrency markets saw their biggest short position liquidation day in history on Wednesday, with over $1 billion in shorts liquidated over the space of a few hours.
Notable Statistics:
Coinglass data shows 126,017 traders were liquidated in the past 24 hours for $1.92 billion. SoSoValue data shows net inflows of $189.3 million from spot Bitcoin ETFs on Tuesday. Spot Ethereum ETFs saw net inflows of $71.5 million. In the past 24 hours, top gainers include Bitway, Pump.fun and MemeCore. Notable Developments:
Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP Explode Over 6% Higher: Treasury’s Move Will Send ‘Inflation Soaring,’ Peter Schiff WarnsBTC Cracks $68,000 and You May Want to Look at Kalshi to Predict Bitcoin’s Next Move Before Binance DoesStrategy, Bitmine, Coinbase Surge Over 12% as CLARITY Act Optimism BuildsCameron Winklevoss Calls Bitcoin at $65,000 an ‘Unprecedented’ Buy: Does the Data Agree?XRP Open Interest Hits 2-Month High: Is That Bullish?Bitcoin Volatility Craters to 27% as VanEck Flags 8 Of 12 Capitulation Signals FiringCLARITY Act Has a ‘Really Good Shot’ to Pass in September, Tim Scott SaysBitcoin ETFs See $486M Inflows in 2 Days: Could This Be the Best Week Since January?Trader Notes:
Trader Michael van de Poppe said Bitcoin’s surge to $69,000 wiped out shorts and cleared liquidity above $68,200.
He expects a pullback rather than an immediate continuation, viewing $66,500–$67,000 as a buying zone before a potential move toward $72,000–$73,500.
Trader KillaXBT compared Bitcoin’s current 2026 structure with its 2022 bottom, suggesting a pullback from $68,000–$70,000 could still hold above previous lows.
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However, the pattern would require BTC to re-enter the range and show clear 4-hour/daily exhaustion; failure to do so would invalidate the fractal.
Image: Shutterstock
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Bitcoin (BTC) jumped 5.8% to levels above $69,500 on Wednesday, wiping out $1.23 billion in bets against it in one hour. Is the crypto bull market back?
The rally ran market-wide, with Ethereum (ETH) up 9% to $2,088, Solana (SOL) up 6.5%, and XRP (XRP) up 6.9%. One decision in Washington set it off.
Crypto Market Explodes Wednesday. Source: CoinGeckoA $4 Billion Signal From the US TreasuryThe US Treasury said it will double its buybacks of long-term government bonds to at least $4 billion per operation. In plain terms, the government stepped in as a buyer of its own debt.
The timing couldn’t be better for risk assets. The 30-year yield, the interest rate the US pays on its longest debt, had just hit 5.337%. That was its highest level since 2007. The Treasury buyback announcement knocked it back to 5.192%.
Markets read the move as proof that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is watching borrowing costs. When yields fall, bonds pay less, and money hunts for returns elsewhere. Bitcoin sits near the front of that line.
$1.2 trillion has been added to precious metals and crypto in the last 3 hours.
Gold up +3.08%, adding $934 billion.
Silver up +3.86%, adding $136 billion.
Bitcoin up +8.14%, adding $103 billion.
Ethereum up +9.66%, adding $22 billion.
This comes as the Treasury announced it… pic.twitter.com/3P02115yc6
— Bull Theory (@BullTheoryio) August 19, 2026
Sentiment followed. The Crypto Fear and Greed Index moved to 46 on Wednesday, steadily approaching the neutral zone after sitting lower last week.
Crypto Fear and Greed Index. Source: Alternative.meHow $1.23 Billion in Short Bets Vanished in One HourTraders who bet on falling prices, known as shorts, paid dearly. Roughly $1.23 billion of those bets were closed out at a loss within an hour.
Across 24 hours, the billion-dollar short liquidations reached $1.57 billion and hit more than 114,000 traders. Three large wallets on Hyperliquid lost a combined $194 million alone.
Here is why that fuels a rally. When a short bet fails, the exchange buys the asset back at market price. Every forced buy pushes the price higher, which wipes out more shorts. The squeeze feeds itself.
Analyst Michaël van de Poppe argued that the Treasury decision changes the market’s trajectory.
“This is a great announcement and is a great trigger for the markets. #Bitcoin in a bull market, the likelihood of this has increased,” he shared in a post.
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The daily chart carries a warning in itself. Wednesday’s candle ran straight into a fair value gap (FVG), a zone the price crashed through in early June too fast for normal two-way trading. Think of it as a pothole the market skipped on the way down.
Price tends to revisit these zones to fill the imbalance before picking a direction. This gap sits between roughly $67,516 and $70,686. Bitcoin tagged it on Wednesday, reaching an intraday high of $69,500 as of this writing, before easing to $67,996 at press time.
Bitcoin Fair Value Gap (FVG). Source: TradingViewThe gap’s midline near $69,110, known as the mean threshold (ME), is the tiebreaker. A daily candle close above it would suggest the rally has further to run.
A rejection would mean the gap has done its job. The inefficiency is filled, and the broader downtrend could resume.
The volume profiles (black for bears and green for bulls) show where traders are positioned on the vertical axis. Based on the chart, more bulls than bears are waiting to interact with BTC price above the gap’s midline, lending credence to the need for the price to close above it.
Such a move could propagate further upside, with the Bitcoin price likely to reach $72,000, almost 6% above current levels.
However, with bears (black horizontal bars) still hovering below the mean threshold, price could remain subdued below $69,000.
Bull Market Signal or Temporary Swing?The skeptics have numbers too. Bitcoin’s price action still sits roughly 46% below its October 2025 record of $126,080.
Bitcoin Price Outlook. Source: BeInCrypto
“History suggests Bitcoin is approaching a resistance area it won’t be able to breach at this very moment in the market cycle,” analyst Rekt Capital cautioned, suggesting charts still favor sellers.
Borrowed money adds another worry. Bitcoin’s funding rate warning flashed this week after the metric hit a 20-month high. That means traders are paying steep fees to keep betting on higher prices.
Similar readings preceded past pullbacks. Analyst Benjamin Cowen still places Bitcoin’s cycle bottom 69 to 73 days away.
The bulls answer with demand. CryptoQuant data showed Bitcoin demand growing again on a 30-day basis for the first time in months. That suggests real buying, not just forced buying.
Spot and Futures Demand
“Spot and perpetual futures demand growth have both crossed back above zero on the 30-day sum. It is the first time in months that the two are positive at the same time.” – By @RugaResearch
Complete breakdown ⤵️https://t.co/SuCyK3B6mB
— CryptoQuant.com (@cryptoquant_com) August 19, 2026
The next test is clear. Traders want bulls to defend the $65,000 to $67,000 zone and close a daily candle above $69,110 on Wednesday.
Federal Reserve minutes from the July meeting, due today, could decide which side gets its answer first.
Cover image via U.Today Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by our writers are their own and do not represent the views of U.Today. The financial and market information provided on U.Today is intended for informational purposes only. U.Today is not liable for any financial losses incurred while trading cryptocurrencies. Conduct your own research by contacting financial experts before making any investment decisions. We believe that all content is accurate as of the date of publication, but certain offers mentioned may no longer be available.
In a recent X conversation, Ripple CTO emeritus David Schwartz offered a glimpse into his financial investments, especially during Ripple's early days.
The XRP Ledger was first launched in June 2012 by the trio of David Schwartz, Jed McCaleb, and Arthur Britto. Shortly thereafter, they were joined by Chris Larsen, and the group started the company NewCoin in September 2012, which was quickly renamed OpenCoin and is now Ripple.
Schwartz initially joined Ripple as chief cryptographer and became its CTO in 2018 until late last year, when he stepped down from day-to-day activities and transitioned to being the CTO emeritus. As his last duty at Ripple, he joined the board of directors and also served as a strategic advisor for XRP treasury company Evernorth.
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In response to an X user who asked whether he had received a substantial retirement package after his recent disclosure of his XRP holdings, Schwartz said he had accumulated a significant amount of Ripple stock during the company's early days.
As reported, Schwartz stated he had gone from holding about 26 million XRP at his peak to around 2 million XRP now, when asked by an X user whether he had sold all of his XRP. This prompted another X user to ask: "I bet you got a pretty sweet retirement package though?" to which Schwartz responded, saying "I accumulated a lot of Ripple stock in the early days."
I accumulated a lot of Ripple stock in the early days.
— David 'JoelKatz' Schwartz (@JoelKatz) August 18, 2026 Given that Schwartz did not disclose the exact amount of Ripple stock he accumulated, the price he paid, the value of his current holdings, or what remains of the stash he accumulated, his comment cannot be taken as a precise estimate of his wealth or retirement compensation. His wording, especially the phrase "a lot," however, suggests he accumulated a significant amount of Ripple stock during the company's early days.
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This suggests that Schwartz's financial interests were not limited to XRP and other cryptocurrencies; he also accumulated Ripple stock during the company's early development.
Ripple's valuation growsLast November, Ripple raised $500 million in a strategic investment, putting its value at $40 billion. The company is now valued at $50 billion following a $750 million share buyback program.
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In the most recent development, Ripple's prime-brokerage arm has raised $275 million through the private placement bond market, according to Bloomberg.
The notes mature in 2031 and were sold with an 8.25% coupon, a Ripple spokesperson said. Ripple Prime's senior unsecured notes received a BBB rating from KBRA, the company said in a statement on Tuesday.
XRP is approaching a critical price level that could shape its next major market movement, according to Zach Rector, a prominent cryptocurrency analyst known for his detailed market commentary on social media and YouTube platforms.
XRP price nears key psychological thresholdIn his latest market update, Rector described $1 as a vital psychological resistance for XRP. He stated that price action around this level could become highly volatile as traders reenter the market and leverage increases. Market metrics indicate that open interest in XRP futures is rising, often a sign that traders are positioning themselves for larger price swings.
Rector suggested that before a potential reversal, XRP might see one last decline, with $0.90 serving as an important support level. He noted that he has already set buy orders at $0.96 and $0.92 while maintaining a strategy of dollar-cost averaging from higher price points.
He further pointed out that short positions have increased and funding rates have turned slightly positive, which suggests that while some market participants anticipate further declines, institutional “whale” demand is also developing.
Price action around $1 can become especially volatile, with rising open interest and leverage. Recent data shows aggressive shorts competing with whale demand, setting the stage for a decisive move.
Rector emphasized that a clear move above $1.20 is needed for XRP to gain upward momentum. He identified the $1.60 to $1.70 range as a zone where renewed bullish activity would likely be confirmed.
Wider market signals and potential regulatory impactExtending his analysis to global markets, Rector discussed the impact of rising US bond yields and fluctuations in the Japanese yen. He connected these trends to the growing influence of stablecoins in digital asset markets and their potential to increase demand for US Treasuries.
He highlighted comments from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent regarding the GENIUS Act and the creation of new rules for payment stablecoins. Rector suggested that stablecoins backed by Treasury assets could support demand for US government debt and strengthen the dollar within global markets.
He also mentioned the advancing CLARITY Act and its expected role in providing more robust regulatory frameworks for cryptocurrency. According to Rector, clearer rules may foster industry growth, benefiting digital assets such as XRP and the blockchain system that powers it, the XRP Ledger.
Mini dictionary: GENIUS Act, CLARITY Act — The GENIUS Act and CLARITY Act are proposed US legislative frameworks focusing on clearer regulations for payment stablecoins and digital assets, aiming to provide legal clarity and support broader crypto market adoption.
XRP Ledger development and market fundamentalsRector also pointed to new advances on the XRP Ledger, Ripple’s decentralized blockchain network designed for fast and efficient cross-border payments. He mentioned more than two million AI-agent transactions and observed an accelerating trend in both on-chain and agentic finance, a term used for transactions managed by autonomous agents operating within the blockchain.
He argued that these developments improve market fundamentals for XRP even as its price remains subdued. Additionally, Rector claimed that ETF inflows for XRP remain positive and that further capital is likely to move into the market if current trends continue.
The majority of XRP’s downside may be exhausted, but a short-term drop toward $0.90 is still possible. Current volumes and improved fundamentals could fuel a breakout if resistance around $1 is reclaimed.
Rector maintained that, while volatility may persist, the groundwork for a potential bullish phase is forming and that the coming weeks could be decisive for XRP’s direction.
Mini dictionary: Agentic finance — Refers to financial transactions and services managed by autonomous AI agents operating within decentralized blockchain networks, highlighting the growing integration of artificial intelligence in decentralized finance ecosystems.
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.
XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) derivatives activity is heating up, while on-chain data points to growing activity during hours dominated by major global financial centers, two reports found on Tuesday.
What Does XRP’s High Open Interest Mean?CryptoQuant data from Aug. 18 shows XRP open interest on Binance climbing to around $461.3 million, up from around $360 million at the beginning of August.
The increase represents the highest open interest in two months and comes as XRP has remained near the $1 level over the past week.
"The current movement is becoming increasingly significant as XRP approaches key price levels," CryptoQuant noted.
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Higher open interest signals increased participation and capital committed to XRP derivatives but doesn’t reveal whether traders are predominantly betting on higher or lower prices.
If XRP rises alongside expanding open interest, it could indicate fresh positioning supporting bullish momentum.
However, continued price weakness alongside elevated leverage could increase the risk of liquidations and sharper volatility.
Funding rates, trading volume and long-short positioning could therefore become increasingly important in determining how the buildup resolves.
XRP Sees ‘Banker Hours’ RushSeparately, EvernorthXRP highlighted an unusual shift in XRP Ledger activity that it believes is consistent with increasing institutional participation.
23.5% of XRP’s on-chain trading volume in July 2026 occured during a three-hour window overlapping London’s afternoon and New York’s morning, compared with 14.5% in same period a year ago.
That period coincides with the overlap between two of the world’s largest financial centers and is also an important trading window for global foreign-exchange markets.
The pattern reportedly appears across all three major forms of trading on the XRP Ledger: order-book transactions, automated market maker pools and cross-currency payment routing.
"Nothing about XRP closes at 5 pm. But we’re definitely seeing some rush hours," EvernorthXRP said in an X post on Aug. 18.
Image: Shutterstock
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XRP saw strong activity in Q2 2026, with institutional interest, stablecoin adoption, and RWA tokenization driving growth across the XRP Ledger (XRPL) ecosystem.
According to Blockworks’ State of XRP: Q2 2026 report, XRP ETPs attracted $253.6 million in net inflows during Q2, a 45.1% increase from the $174.8 million recorded in Q1.
May and June were particularly strong, generating $141.9 million and $111.5 million in net inflows, respectively. Cumulative net inflows since the launch of the first U.S. spot XRP ETF in November 2025 surpassed $1.90 billion.
However, quarter-end ETP assets under management fell 17.1% to $1.99 billion, reflecting XRP’s 19.9% price decline during the quarter.
Bitwise led tracked issuers with $421.5 million in quarter-end AUM, followed by 21Shares with $366.2 million, Canary Capital with $240.7 million and Franklin Templeton with $234.6 million. Together, the four issuers represented 63.6% of tracked XRP ETP AUM.
XRP ETP Issuer chart for Q2 XRPL Stablecoin Activity Accelerates Meanwhile, XRPL-native stablecoin supply surged 195.4% quarter over quarter to $825.5 million, compared with $279.5 million at the end of Q1. The figure was more than 1,100% higher than the $66.1 million recorded a year earlier.
Ripple’s RLUSD accounted for $676.9 million, or 82% of the total.
XRP Ledger (XRPL) Stablecoin chart with RLUSD dominating RLUSD also drove most of the growth in stablecoin transfer activity. Stablecoin transfer volume on XRPL rose 207.5% to $10 billion, with RLUSD accounting for about $9 billion (90%). That was nearly 3.5 times its Q1 transfer volume of $2.6 billion.
RLUSD also expanded its reach during the quarter. OKX added RLUSD across more than 280 spot trading pairs, including XRP/RLUSD. Japan also approved RLUSD as an electronic payment instrument under its Payment Services Act.
XRPL’s Tokenized RWA Market Passes $4 Billion Real-world assets (RWAs) were another major growth area for the XRP Ledger in Q2 2026. The total value of tokenized RWAs on XRPL reached $4.46 billion, up 102.5% from Q1. This made XRPL the fourth-largest network for tokenized RWAs tracked by RWA.xyz.
About half of the total came from Justoken’s $2.23 billion JMWH, an energy-backed asset that was fully held by its issuer.
XRPL also attracted more institutional players. Kyobo Life Insurance continued a pilot for settling tokenized government bonds in South Korea. Later, Aviva Investors launched a tokenized share class of its USD Liquidity Fund on XRPL, with BNY Mellon serving as custodian.
By late July, XRPL had 42 tokenized assets, including corporate bonds, commodities, U.S. Treasuries, stablecoins, investment funds, and government bonds.
XRPL Fees Remain Extremely Low Despite higher network activity, XRPL kept transaction costs very low. The average transaction fee fell to $0.00024 in Q2, down from $0.00034 in Q1. This was the fifth straight quarterly decline.
The network burned about 40,600 XRP in transaction fees during Q2, compared with 50,800 XRP in Q1.
Payments and transfers generated about $31,800, making up 59.7% of network revenue. Account deletions generated $11,800, while orderbook activity generated $5,400.
Overall, Q2 showed institutional demand, stablecoins adoption, and growth in tokenized real-world assets.
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.
XRP trading is increasingly taking place during the hours when the London and New York markets are open simultaneously, according to Evernorth.
This suggests that more XRP activity is occurring during normal financial market hours with participation from institutional and retail investors.
XRP Volume Surges During London-New York Overlap Evernorth said the three-hour period between 13:00 and 16:00 UTC now accounts for roughly 23% of XRP’s total on-chain volume from Monday to Friday.
That compares with about 14% during the same three-hour window in July 2025. The company based its comparison on XRP on-chain trading records analyzed through Dune, a popular data analytics platform.
The accompanying chart shows XRP volume peaking at 14:00 UTC in July 2026, when that hour accounted for nearly 10% of the day’s on-chain volume. The period coincides with London’s afternoon session and New York’s morning session.
Evernorth described the pattern as a shift toward “banker hours,” arguing that it is consistent with growing institutional interest in XRP.
XRP rush hour chart by Evernorth Activity Mirrors Global FX Trading Hours The 13:00–16:00 UTC window is also significant in traditional financial markets because it overlaps with the operating hours of London and New York, two of the world’s largest financial centers.
Evernorth said this is the only part of the trading day when both centers are open simultaneously. The company noted that global foreign exchange activity also tends to concentrate around this overlap.
The data therefore suggests that XRP’s on-chain market is becoming more active during a period of higher global financial liquidity.
However, the concentration of activity during these hours does not, by itself, prove that banks or institutional investors are responsible. Other market participants operating on similar schedules also contribute to the trend.
Order Books, AMMs and Payments Show a Similar Shift Meanwhile, Evernorth said the trend is occurring across the XRP Ledger, rather than being concentrated in one part of the market. Activity is increasing across order books, automated market maker (AMM) pools and cross-currency payments.
This suggests that the rise in daytime trading cuts across the XRP ecosystem rather than coming from a single market. The shift comes as institutional interest in XRP continues to grow, with ETFs attracting new daily inflows and cross-border payments expanding through Ripple Payments.
Evernorth is also building a publicly traded XRP treasury company and has highlighted growing activity in tokenized assets and RLUSD on the XRP Ledger.
This does not mean trading stops after normal market hours. Instead, more activity is now taking place during the overlap between London and New York trading hours.
In short, XRP does not “close at 5 p.m.,” but the network has increasingly clear “rush hours.” These busy periods could be a useful indicator to watch as institutional activity around XRP develops.
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.
, /PRNewswire/ -- Bybit, the world's second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, is excited to announce its exclusive RLUSD Hold & Earn program is entering Phase 2, extending its partnership with Ripple. Starting now, the upgraded Bybit Earn campaign introduces dual daily rewards in both XRP and RLUSD, with total annualized returns scaling based on holding duration.
Bybit's RLUSD Hold & Earn Surpasses $50M AUC, Launches Phase 2 with Boosted XRP-RLUSD Rewards in Partnership with Ripple Bybit's RLUSD Hold & Earn program, initially launched in July this year, accumulated over $50 million in Assets Under Custody (AUC) within 11 days, attracting yield-seekers with its simple structure, flexibility, and minimum hassle. Eligible Bybit users may simply hold RLUSD with no staking or lock-up required, drawing popular demand from holders seeking stable, low-friction yield opportunities.
Highlights - Phase 2
The second phase of the program retains the same user experience with added benefits, introducing APR multipliers for holders both by volume and by length of time:
Dual-Token Rewards: Participants can now earn both RLUSD at a competitive base APR and XRP with bonus APR daily XRP Base APR Multiplier: Users who maintain their holdings for 30 days or more receive up to 2x bonus on the XRP portion, more than doubling the potential total APR Smooth User Journey: No subscription, no lock-up. Holding RLUSD is all it takes to earn APR automatically XRP rewards are brought to the Bybit community by Ripple's milestone-based incentive program, enabling holders to get the most of the Ripple ecosystem assets with confidence.
RLUSD is a USD-backed stablecoin issued by Ripple. Natively issued on XRP Ledger, Ethereum, and other blockchains. RLUSD is fully backed by a segregated reserve of cash and cash equivalents and redeemable 1:1 for US dollars. As a regulated, reserve-backed digital asset, RLUSD offers the price stability of traditional cash in onchain form.
Terms and conditions apply. For more details on the APR multiplier, eligibility, and potential restrictions, users may visit: RLUSD Hold & Earn Phase 2: Earn Up to 21.5% APR in XRP + RLUSD
#Bybit / #NewFinancialPlatform
About Bybit
Bybit is The New Financial Platform.
We believe every person should have access to every financial opportunity on earth. That's why we're building the first intelligent platform that connects anyone, anywhere to the world's finance.
Trusted by more than 80 million users worldwide, Bybit brings together investing, trading, payments, and wealth-building in a single secure and intelligent ecosystem. Through the combination of AI-powered technology, deep global liquidity, robust security, and transparent operations, Bybit makes global finance more accessible, efficient, and empowering for everyone.
Built for everyone. Powered by intelligence. Open to the world.
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Even though the price of XRP is still stuck close to the psychologically significant $1 level, it may be creating one of its first significant bullish momentum signals in weeks. While the overall trend is still clearly negative, a divergence between XRP's price action and the Relative Strength Index indicates that bearish momentum is waning.
It's getting worse for XRPAfter hitting another local low in August, XRP is currently trading at about $1.006. A series of lower lows has resulted from the price's continued decline following its July rebound. But the RSI is acting in a different way. The daily RSI has started to rise rather than confirm those new price lows with deeper momentum lows. The indicator is currently close to 39, and its recent lows have generally increased.
XRP/USDT Chart by TradingViewAs a result, there may be a bullish RSI divergence as the price declines and the downward momentum gradually weakens. When sellers maintain control but weaken, such divergences frequently occur.
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They do not promise an instant reversal. Before the divergence results in any discernible price reaction, XRP may continue to decline or consolidate close to current levels. That distinction is particularly crucial because of the moving-average structure. Every significant average displayed on the chart is still above XRP. The blue average is close to $1.07, and immediate resistance is at $1.04.
Key threshold surpassedThe long-term average is much higher at about $1.34, but there is still more significant resistance around $1.15. Another intriguing component is provided by network activity. In early August, the number of XRP Ledger transactions surged to three million per day, and in August, it surpassed two million once more.
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Although activity has since decreased, the network has handled more than one million transactions every day for the majority of the last month. The price of XRP must react for the RSI divergence to receive technical confirmation. While regaining $1.07 would strengthen the case that momentum divergence is translating into actual demand, a recovery above $1.04 would be an initial improvement.
It is still possible for the opposite to occur. The immediate stabilization attempt would be invalidated and XRP would be vulnerable to further price discovery below its recent lows if there were a clear breakdown below $1. For the time being, the divergence serves as a warning not to assume that XRP's decline will continue at the same rate. Although momentum suggests that sellers' advantage is starting to wane, sellers are still in control.
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has reinforced the company’s commitment to connecting traditional finance with blockchain at the Wyoming Blockchain Symposium, presenting Ripple as a leading bridge between established financial systems and decentralized finance.
Regulatory approach and global licensesGarlinghouse pointed to Ripple’s 75 financial licenses across various jurisdictions as evidence that regulated services and crypto can successfully coexist. He dismissed the notion that the digital asset industry has an anti-regulation stance, stressing that compliance is possible and necessary for mainstream adoption.
He highlighted a U.S. court ruling clarifying that XRP is not categorized as a security, a decision that supports Ripple’s drive for clearer regulatory distinctions in the digital asset sector. Garlinghouse stated that such legal clarity strengthens the company’s strategy and provides greater confidence for institutional partners.
Garlinghouse emphasized that regulated financial services and crypto are not mutually exclusive and that Ripple’s global licensing demonstrates the possibility of compliance-focused innovation within blockchain technology.
Acquisitions and institutional expansionRipple’s acquisition strategy has gained momentum, with the firm completing $2.5 billion in acquisitions last year, and an additional $3 billion in shareholder tender offers over the past two years. Garlinghouse views these moves as a foundation for larger deals and further market consolidation during ongoing downturns.
Two standout acquisitions have expanded Ripple’s influence. Hidden Road, a prime brokerage service provider, processed $3 trillion in transactions over the past year, while GTreasury, a treasury and risk management software firm, handled approximately $13 trillion. Together, these two companies expose Ripple to about $16 trillion in annual financial activity.
Mini dictionary: GTreasury is a software platform that provides treasury management and risk solutions to corporate finance teams, while Hidden Road is a financial services provider specializing in prime brokerage for institutional clients.
AcquisitionAnnual Transactions ProcessedHidden Road$3 trillionGTreasury$13 trillionTotal Exposure$16 trillionAccording to Garlinghouse, this expansion has brought a marked shift over the past six months, with more corporate chief financial officers and treasurers seeking Ripple’s blockchain technology for their operations.
Future of institutional crypto adoptionHe expects Ripple’s revenue to more than double year over year, projecting a record-setting performance for the company. Garlinghouse attributes this growth to increasing institutional interest in applications such as payments, liquidity solutions, settlements, custody, and treasury management, rather than pure trading.
He noted that this rising interest marks a significant shift in how large organizations are exploring practical uses of crypto, increasingly prioritizing operational improvements over speculative activity.
Institutions are moving beyond trading, focusing on blockchain for payments, liquidity management, and settlement needs, strengthening the argument for integrating blockchain within the existing financial system rather than replacing banks outright.
Garlinghouse remains measured regarding agent-driven payments—transactions executed autonomously by artificial intelligence agents. He acknowledged the potential for AI-enabled services but emphasized that robust controls around authorization, fraud prevention, accountability, and spending limits must be in place before widespread adoption.
Ripple’s approach aligns with the idea of working alongside banks and traditional institutions, leveraging blockchain to enhance, not supplant, conventional financial infrastructures.
Garlinghouse projected that as the finance industry continues evolving, the convergence of traditional and decentralized finance will accelerate, positioning Ripple as a core facilitator in this transformation.
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.
Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.
XRP does not support native staking, but lending platforms such as LendProtocol offer an alternative through fixed-rate XRP and RLUSD deposits.
Summary
XRP cannot be staked on the XRP Ledger, but holders can explore lending options such as LendProtocol for potential yield. Unlike proof-of-stake networks, XRP offers no native staking rewards, leaving lending as an alternative for holders seeking passive income. XRP uses a non-staking consensus model, while LendProtocol offers a fixed-rate lending option for holders seeking returns on XRP and RLUSD. No — XRP cannot be staked. The XRP Ledger does not run on proof-of-stake consensus, which means there are no staking rewards, no validator incentives for token holders, and no native yield mechanism of any kind. What XRP holders can do is lend their XRP: platforms like LendProtocol pay a fixed 12% APR with daily payouts, no lock-up, and no exposure to lending risk for the depositor.
The short answer: No, XRP cannot be staked Can XRP be staked? No — and the reason is structural, not temporary.
XRPL runs on Federated Byzantine Agreement (fBFT): trusted validators agree on transactions without locking any tokens. Validators earn nothing. Holding XRP earns nothing.
Ethereum and Solana work differently — validators stake tokens, produce blocks, and earn protocol-issued rewards. That yield is built into the design. XRPL traded it for speed: transactions confirm in 3–5 seconds with near-zero fees, but no yield flows to holders — by design.
That leaves XRP holders with no native passive income. Lending is what fills the gap.
Why the XRP staking myth exists Ethereum, Solana, Cardano — all use proof-of-stake and pay rewards to holders. XRP is a top-ten coin, so assuming it works the same way is natural. It doesn’t.
XRPL was built for payments. No XRP is minted as block rewards, and validators earn nothing. There’s no staking layer — not because it’s missing, but because XRPL’s consensus model is incompatible with proof-of-stake.
The correct answer to “can you stake XRP” isn’t “not yet” — it’s “no, by design.”
What platforms calling it “staking” are actually selling Some platforms label XRP lending as “staking” — that’s a marketing choice, not a technical one. True staking means locking tokens to participate in blockchain consensus and earning newly issued protocol tokens. That mechanism doesn’t exist on XRPL and can’t exist under its architecture.
If a platform offers fixed XRP “staking” yield, it’s actually collecting borrower interest and passing it to depositors. That’s lending. The label doesn’t change what the product is — or its risk profile, yield source, and regulatory standing.
The real alternative: XRP lending XRP lending is the process of depositing XRP or RLUSD with a platform that issues those assets as collateralized loans to borrowers. Borrowers pay interest; depositors receive a fixed share of that interest on a set schedule. The yield comes from borrower repayment, not from protocol issuance or token inflation.
This is a cleaner yield model than most expect. The rate is fixed at 12% APR, with daily payouts and no lock-up — depositors can withdraw at any time. The platform, not the depositor, assumes the risk if a borrower defaults.
LendProtocol is a fixed-rate CeFi lending platform on the XRP Ledger, offering 12% APR on XRP and RLUSD deposits with daily payouts, no lock-up, and platform-guaranteed protection of depositor capital. It is a fixed-rate option for XRP holders seeking yield without bridging to another network, accepting variable rates, or relying on centralized exchange products.
RLUSD is Ripple’s fully backed, regulated USD stablecoin native to the XRP Ledger. Earning 12% APR in RLUSD removes XRP price exposure, making it relevant to risk-averse depositors and institutional treasury teams holding stablecoin balances between settlements.
How LendProtocol works Every loan on LendProtocol requires 120% overcollateralization. A collateral ratio of 120% means a borrower taking a $10,000 loan must post $12,000 in accepted collateral — a buffer that absorbs price volatility before a default becomes a net loss to the platform. Accepted collateral assets:
BTC (Bitcoin) ETH (Ethereum) SOL (Solana) XRP RLUSD (Ripple’s USD stablecoin) USDT (Tether) Borrowers pay 12.7% APR; lenders receive 12%. The 0.7% spread funds operations and risk reserves — keeping the fixed rate sustainable. Daily compounding brings effective lender yield to ~12.75% APY.
On LendProtocol, depositors are fully insulated from borrower default — the platform assumes 100% of lending risk, backed by 120% overcollateralization across accepted collateral including BTC, ETH, SOL, XRP, RLUSD, and USDT.
Security infrastructure spans three layers:
Cold storage for the majority of deposited assets, held offline and inaccessible to remote attackers AES-256 GCM encryption for all data at rest — the same standard used by banks and government agencies Two-factor authentication (2FA) enforced on every account Current traction stands at 13,713+ active lenders, with 743 million XRP lent through the platform to date.
One terminology note: LendProtocol is a consumer CeFi product built on the XRP Ledger as its settlement and custody layer. It is not an implementation of XLS-66, the native XRPL lending standard developed by Ripple for institutional use. These are separate products on the same blockchain.
Staking vs. Lending: What actually differs for XRP holders Staking (e.g. ETH, SOL)Lending on LendProtocolYield sourceProtocol-minted token rewardsBorrower interest paymentsRateVariable — set by network conditionsFixed 12% APRPayout frequencyVaries by networkDailyLock-upUnbonding period of days to weeksNone — withdraw anytimeRisk bearerDepositor (slashing, protocol risk)Platform — LendProtocol absorbs all default riskAvailable on XRPNoYesCollateral requiredN/A120% overcollateralization from borrowers For XRP holders, the practical question is straightforward: 12% APR, daily payouts, no lock-up, on the network where the XRP already lives — versus a staking product that simply does not exist for this asset.
Frequently asked questions Can XRP be staked? No. XRP cannot be staked — the network wasn’t built for it. Unlike Ethereum or Solana, XRPL doesn’t use proof-of-stake, so there are no rewards for holding or locking tokens.
Why can’t XRP be staked? XRPL’s fBFT is built on trusted validator sets. Validators earn nothing, no tokens are issued as block rewards, and the protocol has no staking layer — it’s architecturally incompatible with proof-of-stake.
What is the best alternative to staking XRP?
XRP Lending. LendProtocol lets XRP and RLUSD holders earn 12% APR with daily payouts, no lock-up, and capital protection. Yield comes from borrower interest, not protocol issuance.
Is XRP lending the same as staking?
No. Staking locks tokens to participate in consensus and earns newly issued protocol tokens. Lending deposits assets that borrowers pay interest on. Different mechanics, different yield sources — the label some platforms use doesn’t change that.
How much can be earned by lending XRP?
LendProtocol pays 12% APR, compounding daily to ~12.75% APY. Payouts go out daily, no lock-up — withdraw anytime.
The bottom line XRP can’t be staked — and the answer has always been “no,” not “not yet.” Lending fills that gap: fixed rate, daily payouts, and platform protection against default risk.
LendProtocol pays 12% APR on XRP and RLUSD deposits, daily, with no lock-up and platform-absorbed default risk.
Start earning at lendprotocol.io.
Disclosure: This content is provided by a third party. Neither crypto.news nor the author of this article endorses any product mentioned on this page. Users should conduct their own research before taking any action related to the company.
DUBAI, UAE, Aug. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, is excited to announce its exclusive RLUSD Hold & Earn program is entering Phase 2, extending its partnership with Ripple. Starting now, the upgraded Bybit Earn campaign introduces dual daily rewards in both XRP and RLUSD, with total annualized returns scaling based on holding duration.
Bybit’s RLUSD Hold & Earn program, initially launched in July this year, accumulated over $50 million in Assets Under Custody (AUC) within 11 days, attracting yield-seekers with its simple structure, flexibility, and minimum hassle. Eligible Bybit users may simply hold RLUSD with no staking or lock-up required, drawing popular demand from holders seeking stable, low-friction yield opportunities.
Highlights – Phase 2
The second phase of the program retains the same user experience with added benefits, introducing APR multipliers for holders both by volume and by length of time:
Dual-Token Rewards: Participants can now earn both RLUSD at a competitive base APR and XRP with bonus APR daily XRP Base APR Multiplier: Users who maintain their holdings for 30 days or more receive up to 2x bonus on the XRP portion, more than doubling the potential total APR Smooth User Journey: No subscription, no lock-up. Holding RLUSD is all it takes to earn APR automatically XRP rewards are brought to the Bybit community by Ripple’s milestone-based incentive program, enabling holders to get the most of the Ripple ecosystem assets with confidence.
RLUSD is a USD-backed stablecoin issued by Ripple. Natively issued on XRP Ledger, Ethereum, and other blockchains, RLUSD is fully backed by a segregated reserve of cash and cash equivalents and redeemable 1:1 for US dollars. As a regulated, reserve-backed digital asset, RLUSD offers the price stability of traditional cash in onchain form.
Terms and conditions apply. For more details on the APR multiplier, eligibility, and potential restrictions, users may visit: RLUSD Hold & Earn Phase 2: Earn Up to 21.5% APR in XRP + RLUSD
#Bybit / #NewFinancialPlatform
About Bybit
Bybit is The New Financial Platform.
We believe every person should have access to every financial opportunity on earth. That’s why we’re building the first intelligent platform that connects anyone, anywhere to the world’s finance.
Trusted by more than 80 million users worldwide, Bybit brings together investing, trading, payments, and wealth-building in a single secure and intelligent ecosystem. Through the combination of AI-powered technology, deep global liquidity, robust security, and transparent operations, Bybit makes global finance more accessible, efficient, and empowering for everyone.
Built for everyone. Powered by intelligence. Open to the world.
Learn more at Bybit.com
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Ripple (XRP) regains support at $1.00 on Wednesday, following the headwinds experienced the day before. Near-term support around $0.99 encouraged investors to reengage, supported by the return of inflows into spot Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs).
A steady recovery above this level is required to reclaim a key descending trendline break area around $1.06 and the 50-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) as support to reinforce the bullish grip.
XRP exchange balances fall as whale accumulation continuesXRP exchange balance on Binance has declined to 2.62 billion XRP as of Tuesday, down from 2.63 billion XRP the previous day. According to CryptoQuant, lower exchange reserves imply less immediate sell-side supply. If sustained, reduced liquidity is a positive factor, raising the odds of short to medium-term price increases.
XRP Binance exchange reserves | Source: CryptoQuantLarge-volume investors in the cohort holding between 10 million and 100 million XRP increased their exposure to 18% of the total circulating supply as of Tuesday, up from roughly 17% on August 12. If whale accumulation continues, it could offset broader selling pressure and boost the recovery outlook.
XRP Supply Distribution | Source: SantimentTechnical analysis: XRP ticks up amid a broader bearish trendXRP trades above $1.00, extending its slide beneath the key EMAs and preserving a bearish near-term bias. The 50-day EMA at $1.07, the 100-day EMA at $1.15 and the 200-day EMA at $1.34 all sit overhead, suggesting the broader trend remains capped despite the earlier break above the downward resistance trendline, whose break price is now seen near $1.06.
Momentum stays heavy, with the Relative Strength Index (RSI) hovering around 38 and the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) below zero, hinting at persistent downside pressure rather than an immediate bullish reversal.
XRP/USDT daily chartInitial resistance appears at the descending trendline break zone around $1.06, followed by the 50-day EMA at $1.07, which marks the first dynamic barrier limiting any recovery attempts. Above these, the 100-day EMA at $1.15 and the 200-day EMA at $1.34 define a broader supply area that would need to be reclaimed to soften the prevailing bearish structure. Any fresh decline would leave the pair probing for a new floor below $1.00. On the other hand, holding above that support level would keep traders focused on whether XRP can regain the $1.06 hurdle to ease immediate downside risk.
(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool. Know more.)
Ripple FAQs Ripple is a payments company that specializes in cross-border remittance. The company does this by leveraging blockchain technology. RippleNet is a network used for payments transfer created by Ripple Labs Inc. and is open to financial institutions worldwide. The company also leverages the XRP token.
XRP is the native token of the decentralized blockchain XRPLedger. The token is used by Ripple Labs to facilitate transactions on the XRPLedger, helping financial institutions transfer value in a borderless manner. XRP therefore facilitates trustless and instant payments on the XRPLedger chain, helping financial firms save on the cost of transacting worldwide.
XRPLedger is based on a distributed ledger technology and the blockchain using XRP to power transactions. The ledger is different from other blockchains as it has a built-in inflammatory protocol that helps fight spam and distributed denial-of-service (DDOS) attacks. The XRPL is maintained by a peer-to-peer network known as the global XRP Ledger community.
XRP uses the interledger standard. This is a blockchain protocol that aids payments across different networks. For instance, XRP’s blockchain can connect the ledgers of two or more banks. This effectively removes intermediaries and the need for centralization in the system. XRP acts as the native token of the XRPLedger blockchain engineered by Jed McCaleb, Arthur Britto and David Schwartz.
The XRP ecosystem has recorded over $4 billion in stablecoin transfer volume amid a recent surge despite current price struggles.
XRP has continued to face market pressures, with the token down 45.47% this year. However, the weakness in price performance has not stopped activity across the XRP ecosystem from growing.
XRP Ecosystem Sees Rise in Stablecoin Volume and Holders Data on real-world asset (RWA) tokenization shows that stablecoin activity on the XRP Ledger has picked up, with transfer volume and the number of stablecoin holders both recording strong gains.
According to RWA.xyz, a leading provider of real-world asset data, 30-day stablecoin transfer volume on the XRP Ledger has increased 10% to $4.32 billion.
XRP Ledger Stablecoin Market Activity The rise indicates stronger stablecoin activity on the network and suggests that users continue to make greater use of the XRPL ecosystem despite XRP’s poor price performance.
In addition, over the past 30 days, the number of stablecoin holders on the XRP Ledger has jumped 36.7% to 82,110. The XRP Ledger Foundation recently highlighted the figure in a post on X, citing data from the RWA Foundation.
XRP Ledger Stablecoin Market Cap Drops Despite the rise in transfer activity and holders, the total value of stablecoins on the XRP Ledger has declined slightly over the past month. The XRP Ledger stablecoin market cap fell 3.07% over the last 30 days to $954.79 million.
Still, the monthly decline looks less significant when compared with the network’s growth since January. The XRP Ledger began the year with a stablecoin market cap of $291.4 million. At $954.79 million, the current market cap represents a 227% increase this year.
Ripple’s RLUSD remains the dominant stablecoin on the XRP Ledger. It currently has an $898.8 million market cap, which gives it a 94% share of the network’s total stablecoin market cap.
RLUSD also represents 62.41% of the total distributed RWA market on the XRP Ledger. Its large share means that much of the network’s stablecoin growth currently centers on Ripple’s dollar-pegged asset. As a result, changes in RLUSD’s supply and activity can have a noticeable effect on the wider XRPL stablecoin market.
Broader RWA Market Sees Mixed Activity Meanwhile, the wider RWA market on the XRP Ledger has produced a less consistent picture over the past 30 days. While the number of holders has continued to rise, the value of some RWA assets and their transfer activity has declined.
Specifically, distributed asset value, excluding stablecoins, dropped 1.90% over the last 30 days to $485.25 million. Also, represented asset value fell 0.30% to $4.05 billion.
The biggest drop came from RWA transfer activity. Notably, RWA transfer volume plunged 96.25% over the past 30 days to $10.14 million.
Despite the drop in RWA transfer volume, the number of RWA holders has continued to grow in recent times. For context, RWA holders on the XRP Ledger increased 27% over the past 30 days to 221.
This suggests that more participants now hold RWA assets on the XRP Ledger, but they have not generated the same level of transfer activity seen previously. Essentially, market participation is growing, but trading or movement of these assets has slowed.
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.
Senator Cynthia Lummis has reaffirmed that the US Senate will hold a cloture vote on the CLARITY Act on September 15 at 2 p.m. Speaking at the SALT Conference in Jackson Hole, she brought renewed attention to the timeline, reiterating earlier confirmations made by other lawmakers in recent weeks.
Key details of the Senate voteThe CLARITY Act, an initiative aimed at establishing a clear regulatory framework for the US cryptocurrency market, has already secured passage through the House of Representatives with notable bipartisan approval. For the bill to proceed in the Senate, at least 60 votes are required to surpass the cloture threshold.
Senator Bernie Moreno has stated that all 53 Senate Republicans plan to support the bill, meaning at least 7 Democratic votes are essential for advancing the legislation. Senate Majority Leader John Thune filed the cloture motion prior to the August recess, officially putting the vote on the Senate calendar.
PartyCommitted VotesNeeded for ClotureRepublican530Democrat7–10 (expected)7Total required60–The September 15 date and time had already been confirmed by Moreno and secured by Thune. Lummis’s comments brought fresh visibility to the scheduled vote at one of the industry’s most prominent gatherings.
Lummis on the scheduling processLummis explained the significance of announcing a specific vote time in front of an audience that included peers and industry figures. She emphasized that setting the exact date and time compels lawmakers to take the process seriously.
Lummis remarked that it took persistence to get the bill on the calendar, highlighting that “Senator Thune was kind enough to actually schedule the bill for September 15 at 2 p.m.” She added, “You have to force them to vote to get them to be serious about it.”
The SALT Conference, organized annually in Wyoming, brought together roughly 500 attendees, featuring policymakers, institutional investors, and prominent crypto personalities such as Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse.
Mini dictionary: SALT Conference, an annual event focusing on finance, innovation, and digital assets, held in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Community reactions and next stepsThe announcement received mixed feedback within the crypto community. Some participants voiced frustration that the September 15 slot had already been widely discussed, questioning the significance of restating the information at the conference. Others noted the importance of continued visibility and transparency around the vote.
Several observers clarified on social platforms that the scheduled vote is a cloture vote, required to advance any major legislation to a final vote in the Senate. Uncertainty remains over when any final vote on the CLARITY Act itself would occur.
Some community members pointed out that the September 15 event is specifically a cloture vote to move the bill forward, rather than a direct up-or-down decision on the act’s passage.
While reports suggest between 7 and 10 Democratic senators could support the bill, significant opposition from other Democrats persists. The final outcome will depend largely on whether proponents can secure those decisive votes.
Lummis, a longtime digital asset advocate representing Wyoming in the Senate, remains one of the CLARITY Act’s leading public supporters.
With a confirmed date and public recommitment from its key backers, the industry now turns its focus to September 15 and the crucial Senate vote that could determine the future path of US crypto regulation.
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.
The XRP Ledger recorded over 222 million transactions in Q2 2026, marking the second-highest quarterly transaction total in its history.
This impressive record came as XRP remained under pressure from the downtrend that began in Q4 2025. Although activity slipped from the previous quarter, it stayed close to the record level set in Q1.
XRP Total Transactions Spike in Q2 2026 According to Blockwork’s latest “State of XRP” quarterly report, Q2’s transaction count stood at 222.4 million, representing only a 6.5% drop from Q1’s record 238.0 million. Further data confirmed that the network processed an average of 2.44 million transactions each day.
However, failed transactions rose to 54.6 million, accounting for 24.5% of total transactions, compared with 19.0% in Q1. Meanwhile, average daily active addresses fell to about 16,800, down 10.7% QoQ and 24.5% YoY.
XRP Ledger Network Overview | Source: Blockworks The decline in user activity was more noticeable among new addresses. XRPL recorded an average of about 2,380 new addresses per day, down 22% QoQ. Returning addresses averaged about 14,380 per day, a smaller 8.4% QoQ decline. This suggests that existing users remained more active than new users during the quarter.
The network also maintained a notable pattern in address activity. Notably, active receiver addresses exceeded active sender addresses for seven straight quarters through Q1.
Native DEX Trading Drops as Issued Assets Grow Trading on XRPL’s native decentralized exchange weakened during the quarter. Specifically, DEX volume dropped 35.9% QoQ to $482.9 million. Of that total, the central limit order book (CLOB) handled $419.1 million, while automated market maker (AMM) pools recorded $63.8 million.
CLOB trading continued to take a larger share of the market, reaching 86.8% for the quarter. This marked the fourth straight quarter in which its share increased. By comparison, the AMM share fell from 29.5% one year earlier to 13.2%.
However, the market value of issued currencies on XRPL increased during Q2. This metric rose 21.0% QoQ and 67.9% YoY, reaching $980.4 million at the end of the quarter. The figure covered approximately 1,100 tokens on the network.
RLUSD made up 69.0% of the issued-currency value at quarter-end, a sharp increase from 23.4% at the end of Q1. The growth in RLUSD supply helped make up for declines among smaller non-stablecoin assets. As a result, RLUSD took a much larger share of the issued-asset market during Q2.
NFT Market Recovers Amid Stablecoin Market Growth Also, NFT activity on XRPL improved from its weak Q1 performance. Trading volume reached $3.69 million in Q2, more than twice the $1.56 million recorded in Q1. Average daily traders rose 7.4% to 529, while daily sales increased 9.4% to about 1,750.
However, the NFT market remained below its level from a year earlier. Q2 volume was 36% lower than the prior-year quarter and stood at roughly 1/130 of DEX volume. NFT mints rose to about 153,000 from 129,000 in Q1, but remained way below the 3.5 million recorded a year earlier.
Impressively, stablecoins recorded one of the biggest gains on XRPL during Q2. Native stablecoin supply climbed 195.4% QoQ to $825.5 million at the end of the quarter, up from $279.5 million in Q1. The figure also marked an increase of more than 1,100% from the $66.1 million recorded a year earlier.
XRP Ledger Stablecoin Supply | Source: Blockworks RLUSD accounted for $676.9 million, or 82.0% of total stablecoin supply at the end of Q2. USDB followed with $119.8 million, representing 14.5% of the total. Meanwhile, Braza’s BBRL and Société Générale’s EURCV had shares of $12.5 million and $11.4 million.
XRP Price Remains Under Pressure The growth in network activity came as XRP continued to struggle in the market. Notably, XRP began Q2 with a price of around $1.31, surged to a peak of $1.48 by May 14, but then corrected to close the quarter at around $1.04.
The Q2 closing price marked a 19.9% decline from Q1 and stood 53.5% below the $2.23 close recorded a year earlier. XRP’s market cap ended the quarter at $65.80 billion, down 18.9% QoQ and 49.5% YoY.
Market capitalization fell less than XRP’s price because growth in circulating supply from escrow releases partly offset the impact of the lower token price.
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.
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TL;DR:
A heavy long-side imbalance in the futures market threatens cascading liquidations of $4.36 billion if Bitcoin drops to the $57,200 level.XRP retains its psychological support at $1.0052 (+0.42%) as whale wallets absorbed over 642 million tokens from August 1 to 18.The new SEC reform exempts eligible token projects from registration for raises up to $75 million annually, transforming US crypto fundraising rules.The cryptocurrency market is stabilizing on the morning of Aug. 19 after a difficult week, while the leading digital assets are simultaneously being squeezed into narrow ranges. Institutional capital in the U.S. has abruptly shifted back toward accumulation following the massive downturn from Aug. 10 to Aug. 14, when net outflows from crypto funds reached a record $389.7 million.
The Aug. 18 trading session ended with a powerful comeback: spot Bitcoin ETFs attracted $189.31 million in a single day, while Ethereum ETFs recorded $71.47 million in net inflows. Against this backdrop, U.S. spot XRP ETFs are still showing modest volumes, with $5.81 million in net inflows yesterday, according to SoSoValue.
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XRP and Bitcoin price performance on a mid- (12h) and short-term (4h) time frames, Source: TradingViewTradingView price charts are currently showing complete calm and tight consolidation. Bitcoin (BTC) is pressing at $65,000 on Bitstamp's 12-hour chart, while XRP/USD is moving in sync with the market leader with a gain of 1.23%.
XRP is firmly holding its crucial psychological and technical support level at $1.0052. This stability is being driven not by retail traders but by an aggressive on-chain strategy among major players, who are buying every local dip.
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Institutional whale accumulation was triggered by a powerful fundamental catalyst from Washington. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) published a historic proposal to simplify token registration, which has already been linked to the Senate's upcoming vote on the CLARITY Act.
XRP news: Whales buy 642 million tokens as Ripple Prime debuts bond offeringLarge XRP holders have collectively acquired more than 642 million tokens near the psychological $1 level since the beginning of August. During the first week of the month alone, wallets holding between 1 million and 10 million XRP accumulated 380 million coins, increasing their combined holdings to 8.13 billion tokens.
Buying continued in the middle of the month. Investors added another 72 million XRP to their positions on Aug. 13–14 and absorbed an additional 190 million tokens on Aug. 16–17. Against this backdrop, the number of large XRPL transactions worth more than $1 million jumped 280% on Aug. 17–18, exceeding 38 transactions per day amid an influx of active addresses.
Alongside this on-chain activity, Ripple Prime, the company's brokerage subsidiary, completed its debut private placement of $275 million in unsecured bonds due in 2031. The debt securities carry an 8.25% coupon and received a BBB investment-grade rating from KBRA, while investment bank Piper Sandler served as the lead underwriter.
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Including the May agreement, Ripple's total debt financing raised over the past three months has reached $475 million through the infrastructure of Hidden Road, which the company acquired in 2025 for $1.25 billion. Ripple has also expanded its payments presence in Asia by partnering with South Korea's Jeonbuk Bank to introduce instant settlements through Ripple Payments.
In the on-chain sector, Ripple's native dollar-backed stablecoin, RLUSD, demonstrated unusual dynamics. A recent $35.7 million token burn pushed the monthly burn rate on the XRPL to 99%. Over the past 30 days, $449.3 million worth of RLUSD was issued on the network, but immediate institutional redemptions resulted in $448.9 million worth of tokens being burned.
Unlike the XRPL's transit corridor, Ethereum is retaining liquidity. Of the $403 million issued on Ethereum, only $177.3 million was burned, leaving the total RLUSD supply of $1.757 billion divided almost equally between the two blockchains.
The intense token accumulation by whales, combined with Ripple's simultaneous effort to raise hundreds of millions of dollars in debt, signals that major players are not currently planning speculative sales near the $1 level.
Crypto market news: SEC reform and Bitcoin liquidation risksYesterday, the New York Federal Reserve purchased short-term Treasury bills up to its full $4.243 billion allotment. The move fits into a monthly reinvestment schedule of approximately $17 billion aimed at supporting bank reserves and reducing liquidity shortages.
The monetary injection coincided with a sudden reversal in sentiment across the U.S. spot crypto fund sector. In a single trading session on Aug. 18, the funds fully offset the prolonged outflows recorded last week, when investors withdrew a record $389.7 million.
At the same time, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission published two new fundraising tracks. The new rules introduce the following exemptions:
Fundraising limit: Eligible token issuers would be exempt from strict registration requirements when raising up to $75 million per year.Safe harbor: Assets would automatically lose their status as securities once developers complete the required technological milestones.Insider freedom: The mandatory token lockup period would be completely removed once all other restrictions are lifted. You Might Also Like
Against this backdrop, the U.S. Senate scheduled a procedural vote on the CLARITY Act for Sept. 15. This round does not guarantee the bill's final passage because of unresolved issues involving staking rewards and potential crypto-related conflicts of interest at the highest levels of government.
Meanwhile, the overall probability of the CLARITY Act being signed into law by the end of 2026 has dropped to 20%. Just a few months ago, markets estimated the chances of the historic legislation taking effect at more than 80%.
Despite the legal uncertainty, analysts at investment firm VanEck believe Bitcoin's prolonged correction is nearing its end. Eight of the 12 key indicators point to the market's final capitulation, while all 12 metrics have entered this zone at some point during the past three months.
Bitcoin Capitulation Check, Source: VanEck / ArtemisThe current decline has now continued for 10 months, compared with the historical duration of a bear phase of 11–13 months. VanEck analysts identify the period from September through November as the window for a transition toward full-scale accumulation.
While the spot market is consolidating, hidden risks are building in the futures market because of a critical imbalance in favor of long positions. According to the CoinGlass liquidation heat map, a sudden market decline would trigger cascading liquidations:
Bitcoin: If BTC falls to approximately $57,200, forced liquidations of long positions would exceed $4.36 billion.Ethereum: If ETH falls to approximately $1,715, forced liquidations of long positions would exceed $2.97 billion. You Might Also Like
XRP traded near the key $1 threshold this week, signaling the potential for a shift in momentum, even as the broader market trend remains negative. Technical evidence suggests one of the coin’s first promising bullish signals in several weeks is emerging, following a period dominated by sellers.
RSI divergence hints at possible reversalRecent price action saw XRP set another local low in August, with the token currently changing hands around $1.006. The downtrend from July’s rebound continued, producing a series of lower price lows. However, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) offers a contrasting picture, indicating that bearish pressure may be weakening.
Instead of confirming lower price lows with even deeper momentum readings, the daily RSI has begun to climb. The indicator has now reached approximately 39, while its own lows are gradually rising. This setup is characteristic of a bullish RSI divergence: while price continues to fall, underlying momentum begins to show signs of recovery.
Such divergences do not guarantee an immediate price turnaround, but they often suggest sellers are losing their grip. XRP could still move sideways or drop further before any notable reaction occurs. This is especially relevant given that all major moving averages remain above the current price.
Key resistance levels and network activityImmediate resistance for XRP lies at $1.04, while the next significant average—the blue line on most technical charts—sits at $1.07. The long-term average is much further away, at roughly $1.34, with another strong resistance zone at $1.15. A sustained move above $1.04, and particularly $1.07, is seen as an encouraging sign that momentum could continue to shift in favor of buyers. On the other hand, a break below the $1 level could open the door to new lows.
In addition to technical indicators, network activity has shown notable changes. Early August data revealed XRP Ledger processed three million transactions per day at its peak, and activity exceeded two million daily later that month. More recently, the network has maintained over one million transactions every day for much of the past month, reflecting resilient usage even as prices remain under pressure.
The price must acknowledge the technical divergence in the RSI to confirm a shift in trend, with recapturing $1.07 viewed as a critical test that would indicate renewed demand is materializing as bearish momentum weakens.
Keeping a close watch on these technical markers is important as market participants assess whether the emerging divergence translates to upward movement for XRP. Overcoming resistance levels would provide initial validation, but further declines remain possible if crucial supports do not hold.
Market evolution and new investment approachesAmid these technical dynamics, the landscape for digital assets continues to evolve. While traditionally, investors accessed equities and commodities through intermediary brokers, financial infrastructure is shifting rapidly as Wall Street adopts Web3 technologies. Platforms such as 1stepSwap now allow individuals to hold shares of major U.S. companies, gold, and silver directly in their crypto wallets. By tokenizing real-world assets and seeking optimal market prices within seconds, these solutions aim to eliminate middlemen and streamline ownership.
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.
Bitcoin’s (BTC) upside remains capped on Wednesday while the downside appears strongly supported above $64,000. The Crypto King’s early week rebound lost momentum near $65,000 as investors assessed the impact of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
Altcoins, including Ethereum (ETH) and Ripple (XRP), are broadly consolidating with ETH trading above $1,900 and XRP above $1.00. Rebounds are increasingly difficult to sustain, despite the tokens holding key support levels and sentiment improving.
Crypto market sentiment is currently embedded in the Fear territory of the Fear & Greed Index on Wednesday, up slightly from 41 the day before and 27 in the previous week. If this growth continues, risk-on sentiment could boost investor engagement and demand, raising the odds of an extended recovery.
Crypto Fear & Greed Index | Source: AlternativeBitcoin spot Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) extended a recently renewed bullish streak, with inflows totaling $189 million on Tuesday. This followed $298 million recorded on Monday, showing a reduced impact from rising US-Iran tensions.
Bitcoin ETF flows | Source: SoSoValueThe Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) both countries signed in June expired on Monday. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that there are talks underway or scheduled with Iran.
Ethereum spot ETFs marked their second consecutive day of inflows on Tuesday with institutional investors depositing roughly $71 million, more than double Monday’s $31 million. Cumulative inflows ticked up slightly to $11.56 billion, from $11.48 billion over the same period.
Ethereum ETF flows | Source: SoSoValueAs for XRP, spot ETF inflows returned on Tuesday, amounting to nearly $6 million after two days of muted activity. According to SoSoValue, cumulative inflows average $1.52 billion, with net assets under management at $941 million.
XRP ETF flows | Source: SoSoValueTechnical analysis: Bitcoin lacks upside momentum Bitcoin trades above $64,000, but remains beneath a stack of key Exponential Moving Averages (EMAs), keeping the near-term tone capped and mildly bearish. The pair sits just under the 50-day EMA, while the 100-day and 200-day EMAs reinforce the overhead supply zone.
The spot price remains above the Bollinger middle band, now support at $63,889, with the Relative Strength Index (RSI) hovering around 52 on the daily chart and a slightly positive Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) reading, which together hint at tentative buying interest but not enough to shift the broader topside constraints.
BTC/USDT daily chartImmediate resistance is defined by the 50-day EMA at $64,372. A decisive daily close above this level could open the way toward the upper Bollinger band near $65,337 and then the 100-day EMA at $66,366, with the 200-day EMA at $72,128 acting as a more distant bullish objective. On the downside, initial support lies at the 20-day Bollinger middle band at $63,889, ahead of stronger Bollinger support near $62,442. A deeper retreat would expose the rising trend-line support around $56,666, where medium-term dip-buying interest would be expected to re-emerge.
"Current holders remain reluctant to sell, while external investors remain reluctant to buy, leaving BTC virtually petrified over the summer. At the same time, leverage is gradually expanding, echoing the classic pattern where prolonged stability eventually breeds instability. The range may persist for a few more weeks, but the longer it does, the larger the eventual move is poised to be," K33 Research analysts said in a weekly report.
Altcoins technical outlook: Ethereum and XRP hold key supportEthereum trades above $1,900, with the pair capped below the 100-day EMA at $1,920 and the 200-day EMA at $2,109, maintaining a mildly bearish near-term bias despite holding above shorter-term supports. The 50-day EMA at $1,872 and the rising trendline support derived from prior lows around $1,885 both sit beneath the market, hinting at an underlying bid, while the RSI above 57 stays in neutral-positive territory. Meanwhile, the MACD indicator hovers just below the zero line with a flattening negative reading, suggesting waning downside momentum rather than a clean bullish shift.
ETH/USDT daily chartImmediate resistance sits at the 100-day EMA at $1,920, with a stronger barrier at the 200-day EMA near $2,109. Bulls would need a decisive daily close above the former to ease the current cap. On the downside, initial support is seen at the recent price pivot around $1,900, followed by the trendline floor near $1,885 and the 50-day EMA at $1,872, where a break lower would open the door to a deeper correction within the broader uptrend.
XRP, on the other hand, trades above $1.00, maintaining a bearish near-term bias as it holds below the 50-day, 100-day and 200-day EMA indicators. Momentum is modestly constructive, with the RSI Indicator recovering toward the 40 zone and the MACD edging up toward the zero line. Yet this only hints at waning downside pressure rather than a clear bullish shift while price remains capped by these overhead averages.
XRP/USDT daily chartInitial resistance lies at the downward resistance trendline break price near $1.06, followed by the 50-day EMA at $1.07 as a secondary cap. Further up, the 100-day EMA at $1.15 and the 200-day EMA at $1.34 define a broader bearish structure, and the pair would need to reclaim these levels to meaningfully challenge the prevailing downtrend.
(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool. Know more.)
Crypto ETF FAQs An Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) is an investment vehicle or an index that tracks the price of an underlying asset. ETFs can not only track a single asset, but a group of assets and sectors. For example, a Bitcoin ETF tracks Bitcoin’s price. ETF is a tool used by investors to gain exposure to a certain asset.
Yes. The first Bitcoin futures ETF in the US was approved by the US Securities & Exchange Commission in October 2021. A total of seven Bitcoin futures ETFs have been approved, with more than 20 still waiting for the regulator’s permission. The SEC says that the cryptocurrency industry is new and subject to manipulation, which is why it has been delaying crypto-related futures ETFs for the last few years.
Yes. The SEC approved in January 2024 the listing and trading of several Bitcoin spot Exchange-Traded Funds, opening the door to institutional capital and mainstream investors to trade the main crypto currency. The decision was hailed by the industry as a game changer.
The main advantage of crypto ETFs is the possibility of gaining exposure to a cryptocurrency without ownership, reducing the risk and cost of holding the asset. Other pros are a lower learning curve and higher security for investors since ETFs take charge of securing the underlying asset holdings. As for the main drawbacks, the main one is that as an investor you can’t have direct ownership of the asset, or, as they say in crypto, “not your keys, not your coins.” Other disadvantages are higher costs associated with holding crypto since ETFs charge fees for active management. Finally, even though investing in ETFs reduces the risk of holding an asset, price swings in the underlying cryptocurrency are likely to be reflected in the investment vehicle too.
Crypto investors may be underestimating how large the industry’s next growth phase could become since market perception has failed to keep pace with reality, according to Bitwise’s Matt Hougan.
In his Aug. 18 weekly CIO memo, Bitwise’s Chief Investment Officer highlighted three mistakes investors are currently making.
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Hougan’s first argument is that investors continue to value decentralized applications such as Uniswap (CRYPTO: UNI), Hyperliquid as measured by Hyperliquid Strategies Inc (NASDAQ:PURR), Aave (CRYPTO: AAVE) and Chainlink (CRYPTO: LINK) as if they are confined to the roughly $2 trillion crypto market.
That could dramatically understate their eventual addressable market if stocks, bonds, real estate and other financial assets increasingly move on chain.
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Hougan pointed to roughly $150 trillion in global equities and $350 trillion in bonds, arguing that platforms currently associated with crypto trading and lending could eventually serve markets orders of magnitude larger.
He compared the mistake to viewing Amazon solely as an online bookstore during its early years.
“It’s widely accepted now that tokenization is going to eat every kind of asset you can imagine,” Hougan wrote. Investors have yet to fully incorporate that shift into valuations of the platforms facilitating those transactions.
Can Wall Street Crush Crypto Natives?Hougan’s second warning is against assuming TradFi giants will automatically dominate crypto-native businesses once they enter the market.
He cited stablecoins as one example.
Despite PayPal (NASDAQ:PYPL) launching its own stablecoin in 2023, Hougan said Tether (CRYPTO: USDT) and Circle (NYSE:CRCL) still control roughly 88% of the market, while PayPal holds around 1%.
The same dynamic has appeared elsewhere. Fidelity entered crypto custody years ago, yet Coinbase (NASDAQ:COIN) remains the largest U.S. crypto custodian.
Hougan argues crypto-native firms benefit from being focused entirely on the sector, moving faster and already having established users and trust.
There are exceptions. BlackRock (NYSE:BLK) has become the dominant player in spot Bitcoin ETFs.
TradFi firms tend to win with TradFi products, while crypto-native companies have remained surprisingly resilient in crypto-native markets.
Is AI The Trigger For 10x Blockchain Transactions?The third mistake, according to Hougan, is extrapolating future blockchain activity from today’s transaction volumes.
Tokenized equities could eventually trade 24 hours a day, seven days a week, compared with the roughly 33 hours per week available during traditional U.S. stock-market hours.
AI agents could magnify that shift further by continuously monitoring portfolios, executing trades and making payments without requiring humans to initiate every transaction.
Hougan said a 10x increase in stock transactions in such an environment would not be difficult to imagine, while 50x or even 100x growth could become possible.
That matters because many blockchains and decentralized applications generate revenue from transaction activity. Even if individual transaction fees decline, Hougan argues dramatically higher volumes could more than compensate.
@Ripple's $RLUSD stablecoin now commands 62% of all tokenized assets on the XRP Ledger, cementing its position as the dominant on-chain instrument on the network. Data published on August 18 shows the stablecoin's total value on XRPL stands at $898.8M, up 1.82% over the past 30 days.
Who Else Ranks in the Top TierOndo Finance holds the second spot with $212.9M in tokenized assets, representing a 14.78% share of the ledger's total. VERT Capital and Archax also feature among the major positions on XRPL, alongside RLUSD, Ondo, and Societe Generale. VERT Capital accounts for $116.1M and Archax $55.4M, according to the data.
The 30-day picture is not uniformly positive. Braza Crypto recorded the steepest decline among the top ten, falling 49.5% over the same period, highlighting the divergence in performance across issuers competing for space on the ledger.
A Growing Institutional BattlegroundThe concentration of value in $RLUSD reflects the broader momentum building around XRPL as an institutional tokenization venue. Tokenized real-world assets on XRPL have reached roughly $2.5 billion, part of a global onchain RWA market that Token Terminal data puts at $44.7 billion.
Ondo Finance's presence on the ledger has deepened significantly this year. Ondo Finance, working with JPMorgan's Kinexys, Mastercard and Ripple, completed a near-real-time cross-border redemption of its tokenized U.S. Treasury fund OUSG on the XRP Ledger, with the transaction settling in under five seconds.
Archax, a UK-regulated digital securities exchange, had committed to bringing $1 billion in tokenized assets onto the ledger by mid-2026.
A proposed new XRPL amendment would let institutions encrypt token balances and transfer amounts while still giving issuers, auditors, and regulators selective access, targeting the growing market for tokenized real-world assets on the network. That kind of privacy infrastructure could further attract regulated financial institutions to the ledger.
Ripple has framed XRPL as a compliance-first platform built for institutional deployment. With over 12 years of uptime and more than $1 trillion processed, XRPL is evolving into a full-service financial platform for regulated DeFi, helping institutions send and receive payments, issue credit, trade digital assets, and move real-world value onchain.
Sources:
The Coin Republic: 10 Million RLUSD Minted on XRP Ledger
CoinDesk: New XRP Ledger Amendments Target Tokenized Wall Street Assets
PR Newswire: Ondo, JPMorgan, Mastercard and Ripple Complete Tokenized Treasury Redemption
The XRP Ledger (XRPL) could support a stablecoin tied to the Korean won as Ripple expands its payment services in South Korea.
This projection follows Ripple’s partnership with Jeonbuk Bank. On August 18, Ripple announced that Jeonbuk Bank became the first regional bank in South Korea to use Ripple Payments for international transfers.
The system allows the bank’s business customers to settle cross-border payments in seconds or minutes instead of several days. It also works 24/7.
XRPL Community Sees a Path for a KRW Stablecoin Following the announcement, XRPL validator Vet, Hussein Zangana, argued that banks and financial institutions could bypass traditional payment systems like SWIFT as blockchain technology improves.
He pointed to Jeonbuk Bank’s Ripple Payments deployment and noted that a subsidiary of JB Financial is also testing a Korean won stablecoin. Vet suggested that a KRW-denominated stablecoin issued on the XRPL could provide a natural settlement asset for Ripple Payments.
He also said Ripple Payments could move onto the XRPL decentralized exchange, using tools like Permissioned DEX and Domains to meet compliance requirements.
This could allow a Korean won stablecoin to work with XRP and Ripple’s RLUSD, creating more options for cross-border payments.
How XRP Could Be Used for Payments XRP influencer Krippenreiter suggested one possible way a future Korean won (KRW) stablecoin could work with the XRPL.
The idea would be to issue the KRW stablecoin on the XRPL, use a permissioned system for KYC, anti-money laundering and sanctions checks, and use a permissioned DEX to trade KRW for XRP, RLUSD and other assets.
Meanwhile, XRP will act as a bridge between different currencies and stablecoins, helping find efficient ways to convert between them. In this setup, Ripple Payments could use the DEX to access currency liquidity, while XRP could help move money between currencies.
However, this is only a proposed idea. Ripple and Jeonbuk Bank have not announced plans to issue a Korean won stablecoin on the XRPL.
Jeonbuk Bank Boosts Ripple Expansion in Korea Meanwhile, the Jeonbuk Bank partnership is nevertheless significant for Ripple’s Korean strategy. It marks its third Korean financial partnership this year, after working with Kyobo Life Insurance and Kbank.
Kyobo Life Insurance is exploring blockchain-based government bond settlements, while Kbank is using Ripple Custody for institutional wallets. Together, these partnerships show Ripple is expanding its services in payments, custody, treasury and digital wallets in Korea.
XRPL developer Bird said these deals show Ripple’s plans for institutional adoption are becoming real financial infrastructure. He pointed to Jeonbuk Bank’s deployment, Ripple Payments’ expansion on-chain, permissioned DEX infrastructure, RLUSD, and tokenized assets as pieces of a broader ecosystem.
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.
Ripple closed a $275 million senior notes offering Tuesday through its prime brokerage arm as XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) claws back above $1.
What the $275 Million Offering CoversAccording to a Ripple press release, the private placement of senior unsecured notes through Ripple Prime, its non-bank prime brokerage, attracted a diverse base of institutional investors.
The offering received an investment grade BBB rating from KBRA and was upsized from its original target.
Proceeds go toward working capital and general corporate purposes as client demand grows for multi-asset clearing, prime brokerage, and financing services.
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Ripple Prime President Noel Kimmel noted in the release that the strong support for the inaugural offering reflects confidence in Ripple’s long-term vision for the intersection of traditional and digital asset financial infrastructure.
Why Korea Keeps Coming Up for RippleRipple also confirmed Tuesday that Jeonbuk Bank has deployed Ripple Payments for cross-border settlement, becoming the first Korean regional bank to do so.
As Benzinga reported earlier, this marks Ripple’s third Korean institutional partnership in 2026, following Kyobo Life Insurance on on-chain bond settlement and Kbank on wallet infrastructure and custody.
What the On-Chain Data ShowsCryptoQuant flagged on X that XRP open interest on Binance hit a two-month high, with analyst ArabxChain noting the rise in derivatives participation makes the next price move more significant in either direction.
Meanwhile, analyst ChartNerd noted on X that XRP’s monthly RSI sits at its most oversold level in 13 years.
The three-month RSI has not yet tagged its historical bottom baseline of 48, suggesting the full reset is close but not complete.
Where XRP Stands TechnicallyXRP holds back above $1 Tuesday, after repeated tests this week. More importantly, price now presses directly into the descending trendline from the May high at $1.55, the same line that has capped every rally since.
A daily close above $1.03 would mark the first genuine break of this downtrend.
2026 is clearly shaping up to be a major year for Ripple’s global expansion.
Notably, Ripple has taken another step forward toward strengthening its presence across key global markets.
After expanding its footprint in Europe, Ripple is now making deeper inroads into Korea. With this latest development, Jeonbuk Bank has become the first regional bank in Korea to utilize Ripple Payments to send cross-border transfers.
This also marks the third partnership for Ripple in Korea this year, after it partnered with K Bank and Kyobo Life Insurance. Together, these partnerships further fuel the XRPL’s narrative around its fundamentals and real-world adoption, with a focus on the payments infrastructure.
Source: X Meanwhile, Ripple’s [XRP] AI narrative is also gaining steam.
RAVN Robotics has deployed its RAVN token on the XRP Ledger, adding embodied AI and tokenized equity to XRPL’s ecosystem. The company is focused on AI software platforms that power machines, including drones, industrial robots, and machine perception solutions.
With the developments on the payments and AI fronts, Ripple is placing itself at the forefront of innovation with XRP. Therefore, the next important test for the XRPL will be whether this increased utility will translate into volume on-chain.
As such, will Ripple Payments and XRPL’s multi-faceted utility play a critical role in unlocking XRP’s bullish narrative in the third quarter?
Ripple’s Korea expansion puts XRPL fundamentals in focus The impact of these partnerships is already being seen on-chain.
Over the last 72 hours, just 0.16% of DEX trades used XRP as the bridge asset, showing that adoption is still at an early stage. However, as XRPL activity grows, higher auto-bridging could drive more liquidity and utility for XRP.
This is where Ripple’s AI narrative and growing partnerships start to connect.
As mentioned in the post below, 2 million payments have already been processed between AI agents on the XRP Ledger.
The concept is that AI agents need a cheap and efficient payment rail, which cards are not suited to for very small transactions. However, XRPL can provide this with its low fees and 3-5 second settlement times. If these use cases develop, they could represent a significant new utility for XRP.
Source: X With this in mind, it is not hard to see why Ripple’s increasing global footprint is such a crucial element to their 2026 narrative. Jeonbuk Bank’s adoption fits into this trend, providing another payments-focused use case for Ripple and XRPL in Korea.
Meanwhile, stablecoin liquidity on XRPL is also rising.
According to DeFiLlama, the market cap of stablecoins on the XRPL ecosystem has risen by over 8% this week, crossing $80 million in inflows, pushing total stablecoin liquidity above $1 billion.
Source: X The importance of this to XRPL cannot be understated, as stablecoins can facilitate payments, DEX trading, and cross-chain settlement. With institutional adoption of both stablecoins and AI payment rails rising, XRPL’s usage in Q3 is shaping up to be a strong one for utility.
Final Summary Ripple is expanding in Korea while XRPL grows across payments, AI, and tokenization. Rising liquidity and network activity could make Ripple Payments a key XRP Q3 catalyst.
A political action committee backed by major cryptocurrency firms Coinbase and Ripple Labs has spent more than $2 million in opposition to Oliver Gilbert, a Democratic candidate in Florida’s 24th congressional district.
Focus on Digital Asset PolicyFederal Election Commission (FEC) filings show that the Protect Progress PAC, an affiliate of the crypto industry-funded Fairshake, invested heavily in media campaigns targeting Gilbert ahead of the state’s Democratic primary. Despite this, none of the Democratic candidates in the race publicly promoted significant policy positions related to digital assets before the advertising campaign began.
Gilbert is vying for the congressional seat currently held by Representative Frederica Wilson. Wilson, who has a record of voting against the Digital Asset Market Clarity (CLARITY) Act and the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act, has publicly endorsed Gilbert’s campaign.
Shevrin Jones, a state senator and another Democratic candidate for the 24th district, completed a Stand With Crypto questionnaire that resulted in a “strongly supports” designation from the advocacy group, further highlighting the crypto community’s involvement in local races.
Gilbert criticized the attack ads, claiming that “Trump’s tech billionaire buddies” were funding “crypto con artists trying to buy a Democratic primary.” According to reports, some of the advertisements included fabricated Miami Herald headlines unrelated to digital asset issues.
Gilbert claimed that tech industry allies of Donald Trump were using crypto funding to sway the Democratic primary, with some ads falsely referencing Miami Herald reporting.
Fairshake, registered as a federal PAC, reported a balance of $193 million as of January. The organization uses affiliates such as Protect Progress to boost Democratic candidates and Defend American Jobs to support Republican candidates. As of June, Fairshake-affiliated PACs funneled over $82 million into primaries and special elections to influence voter perceptions.
Mini dictionary: Fairshake, a US-based political action committee (PAC) that advocates for crypto-friendly regulations by financially supporting candidates who align with digital asset interests in American elections.
Broader Election SpendingThe PAC has also spent more than $150,000 backing Lois Frankel’s re-election bid in Florida’s 23rd district. Defend American Jobs, a separate Fairshake affiliate, reported spending a combined $1.5 million in support of Nick Begich in Alaska’s at-large congressional district, Sydney Gruters in Florida’s 16th district, and Harriet Hageman’s run for a US Senate seat from Wyoming.
CandidateState/DistrictSupport/OpposePAC Funding (approx.)Oliver GilbertFlorida, 24thOppose$2 millionLois FrankelFlorida, 23rdSupport$150,000Nick BegichAlaska, at-largeSupportPart of $1.5 millionSydney GrutersFlorida, 16thSupportPart of $1.5 millionHarriet HagemanWyoming, SenateSupportPart of $1.5 millionOn Tuesday, voters in Alaska, California, Florida, and Wyoming are selecting candidates for the November general election. The results of these primaries may influence control of the US House of Representatives and Senate in the next congressional session, beginning in January.
Upcoming Legislative MilestonesBoth chambers of Congress are currently on recess, with the Senate planning a vote on the CLARITY Act when it reconvenes in September. The outcome could have significant implications for the regulatory treatment of digital assets in the US.
As billions of dollars pour into campaign spending, future legislation such as the CLARITY Act remains in focus for both digital asset supporters and regulators alike.
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.
Crypto market analyst Austin Hilton has released a new forecast for XRP, predicting a significant short-term decline before a strong multi-year rally. Hilton outlined specific price targets spanning 2026 and 2027, basing his projections on the established four-year Bitcoin market cycle.
Short-term outlook: Anticipating a dropHilton estimates that XRP could fall to a target zone between $0.60 and $0.80 in the near term. This range would indicate a decline of 20% to 40% from current price levels and may take place during the first two weeks of October 2026.
He attributes the expected downturn to the ongoing bear phase of Bitcoin’s four-year cycle. According to Hilton, this bear stage began in October 2025 and is likely to reach its lowest point around early October 2026. He projects that the broader cryptocurrency market could still lose 30% to 40% in value before that bottom arrives, adding that tight liquidity conditions currently favor bearish momentum.
Hilton also cautions investors to remain calm and avoid emotional decision-making during periods of rapid price drops. He argues that such declines are a normal pattern within cryptocurrency cycles, rather than an indicator of fundamental weakness.
Hilton emphasizes that panicking during short-term declines can harm long-term results, adding, “Short-term pain, long-term gain.”
Bull run and long-term targetsFollowing the perceived cycle bottom, Hilton expects a surge in liquidity and an ensuing sharp rally. He sets his year-end 2026 target for XRP at $2.50 to $4.50, which could establish a fresh all time high. For mid-2027, his projection rises to a range of $5 to $7, and he anticipates XRP could surpass $10 later in 2027.
Hilton describes these targets as “fairly conservative,” noting that stronger-than-expected performance from Bitcoin could push XRP even higher. He draws attention to ongoing developments within Ripple and its expansion into real-world asset tokenization and the RLUSD stablecoin as factors that may add further utility and support to XRP.
He suggests that, should Bitcoin break above its all time high of $126,000 and head toward $250,000, XRP price projections would become even more aggressive.
Mini dictionary: RLUSD is a US dollar-backed stablecoin developed by Ripple, designed to facilitate fast and efficient transactions within the Ripple ecosystem.
Year/PeriodXRP Price TargetNear-term (Oct 2026)$0.60–$0.80Year-end 2026$2.50–$4.50Mid-2027$5–$7Late 2027Above $10The four-year cycle debateSome market observers claim that Bitcoin’s four-year cycle has become less relevant amid the introduction of new exchange-traded funds and increasing institutional interest. Hilton disputes this perspective, stating that sufficient data does not yet exist to support abandoning the cycle theory. He plans to maintain this strategy unless evidence shows a meaningful change in market patterns.
Hilton stresses that his price outlook is rooted in the consistency observed in crypto’s historical cycle activity, even as market structure evolves.
The analyst also flags the upcoming CLARITY Act as a potential catalyst. He notes that if the act passes, it could provide an added boost for both XRP and the broader crypto sector, although its status remains uncertain entering the fourth quarter of the year.
Summary of projectionsHilton underscores that his XRP forecast follows a clear structure: a near-term decline toward $0.60–$0.80 in the fall of 2026, followed by a rebound that could deliver new all-time highs through 2027. He advises market participants to consider the cyclical nature of crypto assets as they evaluate both risks and opportunities going forward.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article does not constitute investment advice. Investors should be aware that cryptocurrencies carry high volatility and therefore risk, and should conduct their own research.
Not financial or tax advice. PANews content is strictly educational and informational and is not investment advice, financial advice, tax advice, legal advice, or a solicitation to buy or sell any digital asset, security, or financial product. Do your own research and consult qualified advisers.
Disclosure. PANews may publish sponsored content, partner content, advertisements, affiliate links, event promotions, and market commentary involving Web3 projects, service providers, or financial products. PANews personnel, contributors, or affiliates may hold digital assets or other interests related to covered topics. See our Terms of Service.
Open Interest Reaches Two-Month Peak$XRP derivatives activity on Binance is picking up pace. According to CryptoQuant analyst Arab Chain, XRP open interest on Binance has climbed to approximately $461.3 million, its highest level in two months. The figure has risen sharply from roughly $360 million in early August, reflecting a notable increase in capital flowing into outstanding derivatives positions.
XRP is trading near $1 as the build-up occurs, a psychologically significant price level that has drawn attention from traders across the market. The jump in Binance open interest to $461.3 million represents the highest reading since early July, coinciding with renewed activity among larger market participants.
Direction Remains an Open QuestionA rise in open interest does not, by itself, reveal which way traders are positioned. The CryptoQuant analyst noted that rising open interest does not indicate whether traders are predominantly long or short. Instead, the increase points to greater participation and speculation in the XRP derivatives market.
Open interest represents the total number of outstanding derivative contracts that have not yet been settled. A rise in open interest typically indicates new money entering the market as traders open fresh positions. For now, both bullish and bearish scenarios remain on the table.
If XRP rises while open interest continues to increase, it could indicate new positions supporting upward momentum. Conversely, continued price weakness alongside elevated open interest could increase the risk of liquidations and sharper price moves. Traders watching XRP should keep a close eye on how price behaves near the $1 level as positioning continues to build.
Sources:
Crypto Briefing: XRP open interest on Binance hits two-month high, CryptoQuant analyst says
AMBCrypto: XRP whales turn active, Binance open interest hits $461.3 million
BitcoinWorld: Binance XRP Open Interest Hits Two-Month High
Bitcoin (BTC) shows early signs of recovery, trading around $63,400 on Wednesday after a 2.9% gain and a close above key resistance earlier this week. Ethereum (ETH) continues to trade sideways, nearing the upper consolidation range near $1,919, where a close above this level suggests a rally ahead. Ripple (XRP) shows signs of a mild recovery as it holds around the key psychological level of $1.
Bitcoin closes above key resistanceBitcoin price trades at $64,391 on Wednesday, holding just above the 50-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at $64,376 but still capped by a dense band of overhead resistance. BTC remains below the 100-day EMA at $66,334 and the key horizontal barrier at $66,500, keeping the near-term bias cautiously bearish despite improving momentum.
The Relative Strength Index (RSI) at 52 leans slightly positive. At the same time, the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) is above its signal line and back in positive territory, hinting at recovering upside pressure that has yet to overcome the prevailing resistance structure.
On the topside, initial resistance is seen at the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement at $65,547 (drawn from May 26 high of $78,080 to the yearly low of $57,800 recorded on July 1), followed by the 100-day EMA at $66,334 and the horizontal cap at $66,500. A sustained break above these levels would open the way toward the 50% retracement at $67,940, with the 200-day EMA higher at $71,451 acting as a broader trend ceiling.
On the downside, the 50-day EMA at $64,376 provides immediate support; a daily close below this floor would expose the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement at $62,586 and the horizontal support at $62,300 as the next demand zone.
BTC/USDT daily chartEthereum could rally if it closes above 100-day EMAEthereum price trades at $1,909 on Wednesday, retaining a capped tone as price holds above the 50-day EMA at $1,871 but remains below the 100-day EMA at $1,918 and the 200-day EMA at $2,115. This configuration suggests recovery attempts are meeting overhead supply from medium- and long-term averages, even as the RSI at 55 stays in mildly positive territory and the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) hovers just below zero, hinting at waning bearish momentum rather than a clear bullish turn.
On the topside, initial resistance sits at the 100-day EMA near $1,918, followed by the horizontal barrier at $2,000, before the 200-day EMA at $2,115 caps broader upside.
On the downside, immediate support is the 50-day EMA around $1,871, with a deeper structural floor only emerging at the distant horizontal level at $1,385, where stronger demand could emerge if the current range breaks lower.
ETH/USDT daily chartXRP hovers around the key psychological level of $1XRP price trades at $0.99 on Wednesday, extending a bearish near-term bias as spot holds beneath the 50-day, 100-day, and 200-day EMAs at $1.07, $1.15, and $1.34, respectively.
The cluster of overhead EMAs suggests the pair remains capped after its recent pullback, while the RSI around 36 leans toward weak momentum and the MACD histogram stays marginally negative, hinting at lingering downside pressure rather than an imminent bullish reversal.
On the topside, immediate resistance is at the 50-day EMA at $1.07, then the 100-day EMA at $1.15. Above these, further barriers align at $1.30 and the 200-day EMA at $1.34, ahead of a more distant horizontal level at $1.90.
With XRP hovering around the psychological $1.00 mark, a loss of this meaningful support level would leave XRP exposed to further downside, driven primarily by momentum and broader market sentiment.
XRP/USDT daily chart(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.
Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, and XRP each face critical technical levels as trading remains tight and investors look for clear signals on market direction. While Bitcoin and Ethereum consolidate near major support zones, Dogecoin and XRP continue to confront persistent downward trends with limited signs of imminent reversal.
Bitcoin trades sideways, eyes crucial resistanceBitcoin has hovered near $64,200, consolidating after an early summer rebound from its June low of $58,000. The daily chart reflects an ongoing standoff between a fragile long-term structure and some short-term stabilization, with price action mostly flat since early July.
Technical signals have seen modest improvement. Short-term moving averages at $63,750 and $63,900 currently sit below the trading price, and the RSI has risen to approximately 52, which suggests buyers hold a small momentum edge, though conditions remain far from overbought. Despite this improvement, BTC has yet to break decisively higher.
Immediate resistance is concentrated between $66,000 and $67,000, with a key major moving average positioned near $66,300, currently sloping downward. A clear daily breakout above this region would provide the first strong indication of a recovery structure forming.
The long-term target, a significant moving average near $71,500, remains distant. Achieving it would require a far more robust upside move and signal a broader shift in market trend. On the downside, support is established at $63,000. If this level fails, the next zones to watch are $60,000 to $61,000, with the earlier June–July lows around $58,000 potentially acting as a further backstop.
For now, Bitcoin stays compressed within a narrow range. Buyers have managed to slow the decline but not spark a turnaround. A clear break outside $63,000 to $66,300 is needed to confirm the next direction.
AssetCurrent PriceImmediate SupportImmediate ResistanceBitcoin (BTC)$64,200$63,000$66,000–$67,000Ethereum approaches technical inflectionEthereum is compressing around $1,900 after weeks of narrowing price swings, standing out with a pronounced converging structure. Support lines have gradually risen beneath current prices, while immediate resistance is moving downward.
ETH is currently trading at approximately $1,896, with short-term moving averages near $1,880 and another key average at $1,849. Both averages now sit below the trading price, reinforcing Ethereum’s short-term resilience. An RSI reading of 53 suggests a slight bullish momentum, though not enough to indicate strong buying interest.
Primary resistance spans the $1,915 to $1,950 area. This region also coincides with a declining trendline from July highs and the intermediate moving average at $1,917. ETH has repeatedly struggled to breach this barrier.
A convincing move above $1,950 would be significant, as it would invalidate the current compression pattern upward and open the door toward $2,000 and the long-term moving average at $2,120. Without such a breakout, downside risk persists. The support area between $1,850 and $1,880 is crucial; losing this could set up a return toward $1,750–$1,800.
The narrowing range makes a technical breakout increasingly likely, with $1,850 and $1,950 acting as key levels to watch in the days ahead.
AssetCurrent PriceCritical SupportKey ResistanceEthereum (ETH)$1,896$1,850–$1,880$1,915–$1,950Dogecoin and XRP struggle to regain momentumDogecoin remains under firm selling pressure, continuing a downward trajectory that has defined much of 2025. The asset is now trading near $0.0699, with recent price action showing little progress toward reversal, although the pace of decline eased in August.
DOGE sits between $0.0707 and $0.0718, just under its short-term moving averages. This forms a tight resistance cluster that must be overcome for any temporary recovery. The intermediate and long-term averages are found at $0.0802 and $0.0958 respectively, both declining and highlighting ongoing weakness. The breach of the rising support line that developed between February and June led to the asset falling from above $0.10 to $0.07.
Although momentum is subdued, the RSI at roughly 46 does not yet signal an oversold market. Support within $0.068–$0.070 is critical. Lost support here could expose $0.065 or even the psychological $0.060 area.
XRP, developed by Ripple Labs as a digital payment solution, recently dropped below the key $1 barrier after extended selling. XRP now trades near $0.998. All major moving averages remain above the current price, emphasizing the challenge ahead. The closest are at $1.039 and $1.074, both still declining through August. The larger-term average is at $1.345, with an additional significant resistance at $1.155.
Momentum indicators reflect a market that is approaching but not yet at oversold levels, with the RSI near 36.5—just above the classic oversold threshold of 30. Reclaiming $1 and quickly pushing above $1.04 would provide the first signs of buyer interest. Full recovery would require a move beyond $1.07. Failure to regain the $1 level could see price slide toward the next support zones at $0.95 and $0.90, where historical support is limited.
Dogecoin and XRP continue to face dominant downward trends, with both assets trading well below key resistance levels and showing limited signs of reversal, keeping sellers firmly in control.
AssetCurrent PriceKey SupportKey ResistanceDogecoin (DOGE)$0.0699$0.068–$0.070$0.0707–$0.0718XRP$0.998$0.95 / $0.90$1.039 / $1.074Disclaimer: 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.
Although Bitcoin is still consolidating around $64,200, the daily chart still indicates that the market is torn between a much weaker long-term structure and short-term stabilization. After rising from its late-June low of about $58,000, Bitcoin has been moving sideways for the majority of July and August.
Looking into short-term directionThe immediate technical structure has made a minor improvement. The short-term moving averages, which are centered around $63,750 and $63,900, are exceeded by Bitcoin. Additionally, the RSI has moved to about 52, giving buyers a slight momentum advantage without indicating an overbought situation. BTC hasn't been able to convert this stabilization into a bigger breakout, though.
BTC/USDT Chart by TradingViewThe $66,000–$67,000 area is the most significant near-term resistance because the next major moving average is located close to $66,300 and has a downward slope. The first significant sign that the current range is becoming a recovery structure would be a daily breakout above this region.
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The long-term moving average stays at roughly $71,500 beyond that. Regaining it would necessitate a much more forceful move and would signify a more significant shift in Bitcoin's overall trend. The immediate support on the downside is still $63,000. Losing it would expose $60,000–$61,000, with the June–July lows at about $58,000 coming next.
As a result, Bitcoin is still in compression. Although buyers have halted the decline, they still don't have enough power to turn it around. The next significant directional signal should come from a break outside of the range of $63,000 to $66,300.
Ethereum has to escapeAfter weeks of increasingly constrained price action, Ethereum is nearing a technically significant turning point as it compresses around $1,900. In contrast to Bitcoin, Ethereum has developed a clear converging structure, with support rising beneath the current price and resistance falling toward it.
ETH/USDT Chart by TradingViewETH is currently trading at about $1,896. Another significant average is close to $1,849, and the short-term moving average is at about $1,880. Both remain below the market, providing Ethereum with a short-term structure that is somewhat beneficial. This view is supported by the RSI at 53, which indicates a modest bullish momentum advantage without strong buying pressure.
The primary barrier is centered between $1,915 and $1,950. This area is currently crossed by the declining trendline from the July highs, and the intermediate moving average is located close to $1,917. ETH has had difficulty rising above this resistance cluster on several occasions.
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Therefore, a strong breakout above $1,950 would be more important than the comparatively small percentage move needed to get there. Such a move would invalidate the current compression pattern to the upside, possibly opening the path toward $2,000 and the long-term moving average at $2,120.
Downside risk would remain active if there were no breakout. The first defensive area is located between $1,850 and $1,880 according to the rising support line and moving averages. The recent rebound would be weakened if that cluster were lost, and ETH might move back toward $1,750–$1,800.
At the moment, Ethereum is more likely to experience a technical breakout than a confirmed trend reversal. The $1,850 support and $1,950 resistance levels are especially significant because the narrowing range indicates that the current low-volatility structure is unlikely to last forever.
Dogecoin remains under pressure Dogecoin is still under intense technical pressure as it continues the downtrend that has dominated the asset for the majority of 2025, trading close to $0.0699. The chart does not yet demonstrate a convincing reversal, despite the fact that the rate of decline has significantly slowed in August.
Right now, DOGE is trading between $0.0707 and $0.0718, directly below its short-term moving averages. This immediately forms a resistance cluster that is only a few percentage points higher than the current price. The first prerequisite for a temporary recovery would be to reclaim it.
DOGE/USDT Chart by TradingViewLarger barriers are significantly higher. The long-term average is still around $0.0958, and the intermediate moving average is close to $0.0802. Both exhibit a distinctly bearish hierarchy and are still declining. The rising support structure that emerged between February and June was also breached by DOGE.
The asset moved from above $0.10 to $0.07 as a result of the subsequent decline, and buyers have not yet been able to create a significant higher high. Momentum is weak, though not deeply oversold.
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With an RSI of about 46, DOGE is below neutral momentum without being significantly oversold. In the event that the current support fails, this allows for further downside. Thus, the $0.068–$0.070 area is crucial. $0.065 and ultimately the psychological $0.060 level could be revealed by a clear breakdown.
XRP loses psychological levelAfter months of relentless selling, XRP has fallen below the psychological $1 threshold, placing the asset at a crucial juncture. Almost all of the major moving averages are still above the market, and XRP is currently trading at about $0.998. The short-term structure is the immediate issue.
XRP/USDT Chart by TradingViewAt roughly $1.039, XRP is below the closest moving average, and at roughly $1.074, it is below another important average. Throughout August, both have kept declining, indicating that sellers are still in charge of the short- and intermediate-term trend. The bigger picture is even more challenging.
The long-term moving average is still around $1.345, and the next significant resistance is close to $1.155. Therefore, before the larger bearish structure could be deemed invalid, XRP would need to make a significant recovery. There is little indication of an imminent reversal in momentum.
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XRP is comparatively near oversold territory, but it is still above the traditional 30 threshold, with an RSI of about 36.5. The RSI reading alone does not offer a reliable bottom signal because persistent downtrends can keep it low for extended periods of time. Now, the $1 level serves as the direct battlefield.
The most recent breakdown could become a failed bearish move if price is quickly recovered above it and then moves through $1.04. Recovering $1.07 would offer much more convincing proof that buyers are returning. But if $1 isn't recovered, XRP could drop even further. The next areas to watch are roughly $0.95 and $0.90, where there isn't much established support.
Block is letting a third party sell the tokens it has never listed, and Cash App balances can now fund outside wallets including MetaMask and Ledger.
Original Image Credits: Tada Images / Shutterstock.com
Posted August 18, 2026 at 3:56 pm EST.
MoonPay turned on Cash App Pay as a payment method on Tuesday, letting eligible U.S. customers spend their Cash App balance at MoonPay checkout.
The effect is that Cash App money can now buy tokens Block has never listed. MoonPay’s onramp reaches ether, solana, XRP and more, and purchases can be pushed into third-party and self-custody wallets including Ledger, BitPay, Trust Wallet, MetaMask and Uniswap.
Block Rents What It Will Not List Cash App sold bitcoin and nothing else for years, then began a phased USDC rollout in late May. The partnership with MoonPay allows users to use their Cash App balances to access other cryptocurrencies without holding it on Cash App.
“While bitcoin remains at the core of our digital asset strategy, we want to give customers choice and flexibility wherever and however they choose to pay,” Morgan Kuntze, Block’s global partnerships lead, said in MoonPay’s announcement.
MoonPay has spent the year widening its U.S. payment options, adding the Discover network as its third major card network and launching an enterprise stablecoin platform aimed at banks and merchants. Cash App Pay is the consumer version of the same push, and it hands MoonPay a funded wallet with tens of millions of U.S. users attached.
Related Listen: Why the AI Business Model Is Cracking and How Crypto Could Help Fix It
AI-assisted content: This article was produced with the assistance of AI tools and was reviewed, edited, and fact-checked by a member of the Unchained editorial team before publication.
XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) is drawing renewed whale interest as analysts watch a major resistance level that could determine the next move.
Whale Activity Explodes—Will Price Follow?Crypto chart analyst Ali Martinez said on Tuesday on X that whale activity on the XRP Ledger has "exploded" over the past 24 hours.
Transactions worth more than $1 million surged 280% to more than 38 transactions, but despite the increase in large-holder activity, Martinez remains cautious about XRP’s technical structure.
He sees downside potentially extending toward $0.70, while a break above $1.06 could unlock significantly more upside.
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XRP still needs to clear what the analyst described as "huge resistance" before the outlook turns decisively bullish.
The analyst also highlighted XRP’s steep drawdown, noting that the altcoin trades roughly 73% below its all-time high.
XRP’s Role as Bridge AssetXRP Ledger validator Vet on Sunday highlighted XRP’s built-in role as a bridge asset on the network’s decentralized exchange.
The XRP Ledger can automatically route trades through XRP when doing so improves trade execution. Vet said only 0.16% of DEX trades over the past 72 hours currently use this functionality, leaving considerable room for adoption if usage eventually reaches double-digit percentages.
He argued that XRPL’s protocol-native DEX can aggregate liquidity and automatically bridge long-tail assets more efficiently than fragmented smart-contract-based exchanges.
Ripple’s partnership with South Korea’s Jeonbuk Bank adds another institutional use case around the broader XRP ecosystem, although Ripple Payments adoption does not necessarily translate directly into XRP usage or demand.
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Crypto analyst EGRAG CRYPTO has drawn significant attention in the community with a newly published long-term chart for XRP, describing a key technical zone near $1.01 as of August 13. The analysis, titled “The Chasm,” outlines a series of major price targets for the digital asset in the coming years, projecting milestones at $2.50, $15, $27, and $50.
Key resistance at $2.50Prominent commentator Digital Perspectives emphasized that $2.50 remains the immediate resistance XRP must overcome to begin a new upward trend. He explained that breaching this level will be crucial before any higher targets can be considered realistic.
The chart published by EGRAG CRYPTO spans a period from 2015 through 2032, mapping XRP’s historical and potential future price movement within a logarithmic rising channel. Currently, the asset’s price sits close to the lower edge of this channel, suggesting that traders are watching for a possible breakout.
Digital Perspectives stated that XRP “needs to break above $2.50 before discussion can shift to higher targets,” identifying this mark as a technical gateway rather than just a psychological level.
Legislative backdrop and policy impactDigital Perspectives also linked the price outlook to developments surrounding the CLARITY Act in the U.S. Senate, noting that regulatory clarity may directly influence XRP’s ability to sustain a rally. With Senate Republican Majority Leader John Thune pushing for a vote, the cloture motion on the CLARITY Act is scheduled for September 15, 2026. The bill will require at least 60 votes to proceed, with all 53 Senate Republicans expected to support it and at least seven Democrats needed to cross party lines.
The timing of this vote could become a catalyst for XRP, should it align with key price levels on the technical chart.
Market structure and institutional trendsEGRAG CRYPTO maintained that technical structure is more significant than market sentiment as XRP compresses within its current consolidation area. Past cycles have seen the asset trade sideways in similar zones before eventually breaking higher, which both EGRAG CRYPTO and Digital Perspectives highlighted as an important historical reference point.
The analyst urged that “while most will focus on volatility or fear, a few will recognize the underlying structure guiding XRP’s next move.”
The chart’s outlook suggests that, after clearing $2.50, XRP could accelerate toward the double-digit range, depending on both technical and legislative developments.
Amid this evolving technical landscape, a broader industry transformation is also underway. Traditional markets, often reliant on complex intermediaries, are witnessing a migration to Web3 solutions. Platforms like 1stepSwap now enable investors to manage shares of leading U.S. companies and hold tokenized assets such as gold or silver directly within their crypto wallets. By instantly sourcing the best market prices and removing middlemen, these models reflect a growing trend of integrating real-world assets with blockchain technology.
Both analysts stress that monitoring technical patterns and policy shifts remains vital for traders and investors seeking to anticipate the next major move in XRP.
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.
Despite still experiencing significant upward movement in XRP price, Ripple aims to solidify its leading position in the blockchain ecosystem.
At this point, Ripple is expanding its corporate digital asset services by forging new partnerships to continue its global growth.
Accordingly, Ripple announced that it has established a strategic partnership with Jeonbuk Bank, one of South Korea’s most important regional banks.
The bank, which operates under the umbrella of JB Financial Group, will use Ripple Payments infrastructure for cross-border commercial payments.
According to Ripple’s official statement, Jeonbuk Bank will be the first regional bank in South Korea to use Ripple Payments.
The partnership aims to provide faster cross-border payment services, particularly to corporate clients such as import-export companies, technology startups, and online content creators who make international payments.
Thanks to Ripple, payments will be processed in minutes!
The statement indicates that Ripple Payments’ infrastructure can enable payments to be processed within seconds or minutes, 24/7.
The statement explains that Jeonbuk Bank’s use of Ripple Payments could reduce the numerous intermediary steps involved in the current SWIFT-based international money transfer process and support real-time payments in seconds.
Ripple Asia-Pacific General Manager Fiona Murray stated that the partnership demonstrates the growing interest of South Korea’s corporate finance sector in digital asset infrastructure.
JB Jeonbuk Bank Chairman Park Choon-won stated in his announcement that through this collaboration, the bank plans to enhance its digital financial competitiveness and expand its global financial services.
*This is not investment advice.
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Ripple Prime, Ripple’s prime brokerage firm, has closed the upsized offering of its senior unsecured notes to help support its U.S. expansion. This comes as the crypto firm continues to expand its operations under a crypto-friendly administration, even as the CLARITY Act stalls.
Ripple Prime Closes Upsized Offering Of Senior Notes In a press release, the crypto firm announced the successful close of the upsized $275 million private placement of senior unsecured notes that Ripple Prime issued to support its ongoing and expanding U.S. business. The firm noted that the offering generated much demand, attracting interest from a “diverse base of institutional investors in key financial markets.”
Ripple further revealed that its prime brokerage will specifically use the proceeds from the offering as working capital and for general coperate purposes. Commenting on this development, Noel Kimmel, President of Ripple Prime, said,
The robust support we received for our inaugural notes offering is a testament to the strength of our business today, and confidence in our long-term vision for the growing intersection of traditional and digital asset financial infrastructure.
Kimmel added that they now have an additional source of capital to invest in the team and technology as they look to boost their position as one of the largest non-bank prime brokers globally. Ripple Prime was previously Hidden Road before Ripple’s $1.25 billion acquisition last year.
Since the acquisition, Ripple Prime has integrated crypto trading into its services. Earlier this year, the firm added support for Hyperliquid, making the decentralized platform its first DeFi venue for its institutional clients to trade perpetuals.
Unsecured Notes Gain Investment Grade Rating The crypto firm also revealed that the unsecured notes received an investment-grade rating of BBB from the global credit rating agency KBRA. Earlier this year, KBRA assigned Ripple Prime an issuer rating of BBB.
The credit agency cited Ripple’s strong capital position, including its XRP holdings, as one reason for this rating. It also noted Ripple Prime’s growing balance sheet, further strengthened by the close of this offering.
The close of this offering notably comes as Ripple continues to expand its operations within and outside the U.S. As CoinGape reported earlier today, the crypto firm partnered with a Korean bank, which is deploying Ripple payments for real-time cross-border settlement.
For more on crypto trading, check out the Best Regulated Crypto Exchanges in the USA – Top Picks Compared in 2026
Coinbase is leading XRP's negative net wallet flows, accounting for nearly half of the seven-day imbalance.
Wallet activity related to XRP has become heavily weighted toward withdrawals.
Data shared by Analyst Amr Taha shows that Coinbase recorded a seven-day net wallet count of -14,300.
Coinbase Accounts for 47.3% of the Imbalance Net wallet count is just a simple score that shows whether more people are putting crypto into an exchange or taking it out, and per Taha’s data, some of the largest crypto trading venues are all negative for this metric.
On Binance, the number is -3,270 net wallets, and on Crypto.com, it stands at -2,680. Interestingly, the two exchanges first moved below zero on July 18, almost a week after Coinbase did the same, suggesting the imbalance wasn’t just down to a spike from one day of trading.
What this essentially means is that there are more wallets withdrawing XRP on these trading venues than those making deposits, and Coinbase has been the biggest hit.
According to the data Taha shared, as of August 18, the American exchange accounted for exactly 47.3% of the total absolute 7-day net wallet imbalance, which happens to be its highest level since July 2024.
Binance’s share also jumped, going from nearly zero on July 16 to about 10% of the current total. But such activity seems to have dropped on Upbit, whose share went from 40% in June to around 12% today.
You may also like: Ripple’s (XRP) $1 Breakdown Could Get Worse Before It Gets Better XRP Longs vs. Shorts: The Numbers Behind the $1 Battle Aren’t What They Seem Ripple (XRP) ETFs Remain in the Green, But the Actual Inflows Tell a Different Story XRP Struggling Below $1 Taha’s reading has come just as XRP once again went below the $1 level, with analysts like Crypto Patel suggesting things could get much worse before they improve. According to him, the sixth-largest cryptocurrency by market cap could yet drop by a further 20% to 40%, taking it to an accumulation zone between $0.85 and $0.65.
Meanwhile, another market watcher, ChartNerd, has said the asset is currently repeating the same coiling pattern it formed before a major bull run in the past, just on a bigger scale. He predicts there could be a strong breakout from the current retest zone toward $8, $13, and $27, as long as the ascending support holds.
XRP was still trading just under the $1 mark at the time of writing, with CoinGecko data showing it had barely moved in 24 hours but had dropped by slightly more than 1% over seven days.
Every other chart bled red, with the asset down 7% in two weeks and 9% across 30 days. However, the biggest come-down was on the yearly chart, which showed that the Ripple token has plunged well over 66% from where it was 12 months ago.
