XRP’s recent upward momentum seems to be supported by increased accumulation from large investors. On-chain analytics provided by Santiment, a blockchain intelligence firm, show that wallets holding between 100,000 and 100 million XRP expanded their combined balances by 2.8% over the past five weeks. In contrast, the smallest retail wallets, those holding less than 0.01 XRP, have reduced their holdings by 5.2% during the same period.
Large holders accumulate as price reboundsThe data indicates a clear divergence between the strategies of major investors and smaller retail participants. As XRP traded within a relatively narrow range between $1.05 and $1.12, the larger wallets seized the opportunity to buy while prices were low, effectively “buying the dip.”
XRP recently rose above the $1.16 level, marking a gain of over 3% in the past week, according to CoinGecko. This price recovery came as smaller holders were exiting the market, while large investors were increasing their exposure.
On-chain data reveals that whales stepped up accumulation during XRP’s recent consolidation, even as smaller traders scaled back their positions.
Historically, XRP’s price action has often mirrored the behavior of these large holders rather than the smallest participants, Santiment noted. While the recent accumulation trend among whales may be seen as a bullish indicator, analysts maintain that macroeconomic conditions, ETF flows, and overall crypto market sentiment remain more significant in determining XRP’s next move.
ETF inflows signal renewed interestIn a further sign of institutional confidence, spot ETFs for XRP recorded substantial net inflows in recent days. On July 21, these funds brought in $5.09 million, following $2.27 million in net inflows on July 20 and $6.10 million on July 16. This positive trend came after a brief period of outflows at the beginning of the month, highlighting renewed interest from institutional investors.
DateXRP Spot ETF Net InflowsJuly 16$6.10 millionJuly 20$2.27 millionJuly 21$5.09 millionTechnical upgrades on the XRP LedgerBeyond investor activity, the XRP network is poised for significant technical enhancements. In the coming weeks, validators are expected to vote on a major upgrade package for the XRP Ledger, Ripple’s decentralized blockchain platform.
The proposed amendments include the introduction of batch transactions, which would allow multiple transfers to be processed simultaneously, and confidential transfers, designed to strengthen on-chain privacy. Other improvements are targeted at optimizing the Multi-Purpose Token (MPT) standard of the XRP Ledger.
Mini dictionary: XRP Ledger (XRPL), developed by Ripple, is a decentralized blockchain platform used for fast and low-cost digital asset transfers. Validators are entities that participate in the consensus process to validate transactions and amendments on the XRPL network.
Santiment highlighted that while whale accumulation tends to precede periods of price strength, there is no guarantee of continued gains. Market observers are watching upcoming developments on both the trading and technical fronts to gauge the momentum behind XRP’s ongoing rally.
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.
Key Highlights XRP surpassed the critical $1.13 barrier and currently trades near $1.15, posting a 3.38% gain in the past day White House officials secured a deal on ethics language for the CLARITY Act, improving crypto market sentiment XRP ETF products attracted $2.49 million in net inflows within 24 hours, pushing total inflows to $1.49 billion Technical analyst Ali Charts declared a confirmed breakout, identifying $1.30 as the subsequent price objective Relative Strength Index stands at 78.46, indicating overbought territory, while crucial support zones rest between $1.10 and $1.12 XRP has climbed to $1.15 following a decisive push through a resistance threshold that market participants had been monitoring intently. The upward movement represents a 3.38% increase across the preceding 24-hour period.
XRP Price Market analyst Ash Crypto shared via X that XRP had successfully escaped a 66-day descending trend pattern, characterizing the development as constructive for token holders. This technical shift has sparked fresh interest among market participants.
Technical analyst Ali Charts similarly highlighted the breakthrough, publishing a chart accompanied by the declaration “BREAKOUT CONFIRMED!” while designating $1.30 as the subsequent significant price objective. The $1.13 threshold, previously marked by Ali Charts as critical resistance, has now transitioned into a support floor.
Legislative Developments Strengthen Market Outlook The cryptocurrency sector received additional positive momentum from regulatory developments. Reports indicate the White House has finalized an agreement concerning ethics language within the CLARITY Act, legislation aimed at creating more defined federal guidelines for digital asset regulation.
Journalist Eleanor Terrett disclosed that administration officials distributed revised legislative text to senior Senate Republicans. Crypto commentator John Squire (@TheCryptoSquire) conveyed the update on X, suggesting the modified language may be published imminently. This advancement eliminates an obstacle that had previously impeded negotiations.
Market observers have suggested a potential $2 price target for XRP should accumulation persist in conjunction with regulatory progress. Bitcoin appreciated 2% to reach $66,310 throughout the identical trading session, contributing to broader market strength.
ETF Capital Flows Surpass $1.49 Billion Mark XRP exchange-traded products registered $2.49 million in net capital inflows on July 20, with Bitwise’s offering pacing all competitors. Bitwise maintains the highest aggregate assets among available XRP ETF products at $320.82 million.
Source; SoSoValue Total cumulative inflows throughout all XRP ETF products have achieved $1.49 billion. Aggregate net assets currently stand at $1.02 billion, accounting for 1.46% of XRP’s complete market capitalization. Overall daily transaction volume reached $11.67 million.
Blockchain analytics from TradingView reveal the On-Balance Volume metric trending upward following an extended period of decline, indicating accumulation patterns are progressively materializing.
Outstanding contracts in XRP derivatives markets have climbed to approximately $2.6 billion, ascending in tandem with price appreciation. CoinGlass statistics demonstrate that both long and short positions have experienced recent liquidations, reflecting active portfolio adjustments.
Critical support zones requiring attention include $1.12 and $1.10. A sustained close beneath $1.07 would compromise the existing bullish structure. The RSI measurement of 78.46 positions XRP within overbought parameters, potentially constraining near-term upward momentum.
A long-standing theory within the XRP community has returned to the spotlight after crypto analyst ALLINCRYPTO pointed to a series of numerical patterns involving the number 589. The discussion reemerged on social media as the analyst gathered several instances that XRP supporters have associated with Ripple, XRP, and related developments over the years.
The 589 sequence in XRP’s historyIn a video presentation shared through ALLINCRYPTO’s social media, crypto commentator NFAdotcrypto argued that the number 589 appears persistently throughout the history of Ripple and its products, extending beyond internet speculation. According to NFAdotcrypto, the most notable example can be traced back to XRP’s debut trading price, which was $0.00589. This initial value continues to be cited by enthusiasts as a key connection to the 589 narrative.
He further identified XRP’s trademark registration, emphasizing that the number assigned to the trademark incorporates the digits 5, 8, and 9, reinforcing the numerical link. The serial number for the trademark, starting with 985, was noted as a reshuffled version of the same digits. Similar patterns were found in the trademark filings for Ripple’s Real USD (RLUSD) stablecoin, which also begins with 985.
Several XRP supporters reference the first trading price of $0.00589 and trademark numbers containing 589 or its variations as evidence of a lasting association. For some, these recurring digits are more than coincidence, becoming part of the cryptocurrency’s community identity.
Mini dictionary: RLUSD (Real USD) – RLUSD is a US dollar-pegged stablecoin launched by Ripple, designed to facilitate faster settlements and increased liquidity for payments across the Ripple network.
Expanding the 589 patternNFAdotcrypto expanded the scope of the pattern, citing Ripple’s relationship with other entities. He referenced EverNorth Holdings Inc., identified as Ripple’s treasury company, and suggested that the initials E (fifth letter), H (eighth), and I (ninth) again mirror the 5-8-9 sequence.
Mini dictionary: EverNorth Holdings Inc. – EverNorth Holdings Inc. is a financial entity reported to manage Ripple’s treasury operations, overseeing corporate liquidity and asset allocation.
He further linked the 589 motif to Ripple’s acquisition of Hidden Road, stating that the company operated from 589 Fifth Avenue and that its office on the eighth floor, together with parts of its ZIP code, reproduced another instance of the 589 sequence.
Bank of America, a major US financial institution, was also mentioned. NFAdotcrypto noted one of its office addresses as 589 Broadway, continuing the numerical theme.
Entity/EventReported Connection to 589XRP First Trading Price$0.00589XRP Trademark Number4458993 (includes 589)RLUSD Trademark SerialStarts with 985Evernorth HoldingsE-H-I = 5-8-9 (alphabet positions)Hidden Road589 Fifth Avenue (address)Bank of America Address589 BroadwayLegal milestones and personal detailsBeyond company milestones, NFAdotcrypto referenced the settlement of Ripple’s well-known legal dispute with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. He stated the settlement occurred on May 8, 2025, and suggested that by interpreting the date numerically—the fifth month and eighth day of a year ending in five—the digits could once again be arranged as 5-8-9.
Another example was drawn from the legal timeline, noting that Judge Analisa Torres, presiding over the Ripple case, concluded the proceedings 589 weeks after her appointment.
A final claim referenced personal details, asserting that David Schwartz, Chief Technology Officer at Ripple, was born 589 days before business magnate Elon Musk.
Supporters within the XRP community continue to share these patterns, speculating on intentional design, though external verification for causal links between major events and the 589 motif remains absent.
While the theory continues to engage a segment of the XRP community, the examples remain interpretations. There is no official confirmation from Ripple or associated entities that the repeated appearance of these numbers has any intentional significance or impact on product development or corporate strategy.
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 market could be on the verge of its biggest divergence this cycle.
Pantera Capital, in partnership with S&P Dow Jones Indices, has launched the first-ever S&P Digital Asset Index, featuring a basket of 18 cryptocurrencies.
Naturally, the announcement sparked a market frenzy. It spread like wildfire across social media, and the timing couldn’t have been better. Bitcoin had just broken above $66,000, flipping the market back into risk-on mode.
Against this backdrop, Pantera’s announcement added another layer to the bullish narrative.
Source: X However, the real discussion wasn’t about what made the S&P Digital Asset Index. It was about what didn’t.
For context, the index will hold 18 cryptocurrencies, but only the first five have been confirmed so far: Ethereum, BNB, Solana, Hyperliquid, and Tron. That’s where the market frenzy began.
Despite being the two biggest names in crypto, Bitcoin and XRP were left out. That immediately caught the market’s attention, sparking a broader debate over what the index is actually trying to capture.
According to AMBCrypto, this is exactly what could be setting up one of the biggest divergences in crypto’s next cycle. Until now, digital assets have largely traded as one high-beta risk trade, with Bitcoin leading the narrative.
But the exclusion of Bitcoin and XRP suggests the market may be underestimating a much bigger shift. If this is the direction institutional products are heading, the next cycle could look very different.
S&P Digital Asset Index puts fundamentals first After years of scaling and network upgrades, it looks like those efforts are finally paying off.
Notably, all the confirmed assets in the S&P Digital Asset Index share one key trait – They are fundamentally strong networks.
Over the years, these Layer-1 ecosystems have scaled, upgraded, and hard-forked to improve throughput, utility, and on-chain activity, moving beyond the “speculative asset” narrative.
That shift is already showing up in the data. One analyst noted on X that the tokens included in the index generated $3 billion in annualized revenue over the past six months despite a bear market.
In other words, the index appears to reward networks generating real economic activity, not just the largest market caps.
Source: X With most of the market focused on BTC and XRP, this may be the bigger takeaway that’s being overlooked.
Interestingly, Jon Ma, who worked with Pantera Capital and S&P Dow Jones Indices to build the S&P Digital Asset Index, called it the “fundamental index for crypto.”
His thesis is simple: The next $10 trillion entering crypto is more likely to flow toward networks with strong fundamentals, sustainable revenue, and real-world utility than toward assets driven by market cap alone.
In this context, the S&P Digital Asset Index launch could mark a major turning point for the broader crypto market.
As institutional capital gains exposure through these benchmarks, the gap between price-driven momentum and fundamental strength could become one of the biggest themes shaping future crypto cycles.
Final Summary The S&P Digital Asset Index favors strong crypto projects: It focuses on networks with real growth, usage, and value. Crypto’s next cycle could change as institutions may start choosing assets based on fundamentals, not just market trends.
The Digital Chamber (TDC), a prominent crypto lobby group, has filed a lawsuit against the state of Illinois to halt the enforcement of a new 0.2% tax on digital asset transactions. This tax, part of the Digital Asset Tax Act, was signed into law last month by Governor J.B. Pritzker and is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027. TDC argues that the tax unfairly targets digital assets and has requested a court to block its implementation. This legal challenge marks the first reported opposition to the Illinois crypto tax within industry media and could have significant implications for the regulatory landscape surrounding digital assets.
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Market activity around XRP suggests that participants are closely monitoring the situation in Illinois. The lawsuit’s outcome could influence the market’s perception of regulatory risks associated with digital assets. Current pricing in the XRP markets indicates a cautious stance, with most sub-markets showing low implied probabilities for significant price increases by August 2026.
Key Takeaways The lawsuit against Illinois’ digital asset tax appears to be a pivotal development for the crypto sector, suggesting potential regulatory shifts. Market pricing implies limited expectations for XRP to reach higher price levels by early August, consistent with a cautious outlook on regulatory impacts. Recent market activity suggests that participants are evaluating how the legal challenge might affect broader market conditions and the appeal of digital assets. What to Watch Observers will be closely watching the legal proceedings in Illinois to see if the court grants the injunction sought by TDC. A decision in favor of TDC could indicate a more favorable regulatory environment for digital assets, potentially impacting market sentiment. Additionally, any announcements or developments from Ripple or key industry figures could further influence XRP market dynamics. As the court proceedings unfold, market participants will be assessing their potential impact on the pricing and adoption of digital assets.
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Term Structure
Contract Odds Δ since publish Volume 24h August 1 2026 0.2% — — View market → August 1 2026 1.9% — — View market → August 1 2026 0.1% — — View market → August 1 2026 0.1% — — View market → August 1 2026 0.1% — — View market → August 1 2026 5.6% — — View market → August 1 2026 0.9% — — View market → August 1 2026 2.6% — — View market → August 1 2026 0.1% — — View market → August 1 2026 0.2% — — View market → August 1 2026 51% — — View market → August 1 2026 13.5% — — View market → August 1 2026 0.7% — — View market →
Large XRP holders are accounting for an increasingly larger share of exchange outflows, according to new data from CryptoQuant.
The trend confirms whales are playing a much bigger role in moving XRP off centralized exchanges than retail investors.
Whale Share Reaches New High Data from CryptoQuant contributor Amr Taha shows that whale outflow dominance across all centralized exchanges (CEXs) climbed to a record 77.8% on July 22. Retail investors accounted for just 22%, the lowest share on record.
The shift is notable compared with May 6. At that time, whales represented 63% of XRP outflows, while retail investors accounted for 36%.
Since then, whale dominance has risen by 14.8 percentage points, while retail participation has fallen by about 14 percentage points.
The data suggests that large holders are increasingly driving XRP outflows, while retail investors make up a shrinking share of activity.
Binance Shows the Same Pattern The same trend is visible on Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume.
Whale outflow dominance on Binance reached 71% on July 22, up from 67% on May 3. Retail dominance fell to 28.7%, compared with 32% in early May.
Binance still has a slightly larger share of retail-driven outflows than the broader market. Even so, whale participation continues to grow.
Whale Activity Spreads Across Exchanges Whale dominance across all centralized exchanges now stands 6.8 percentage points higher than on Binance. This suggests the shift is taking place across the broader market rather than on a single exchange.
The gap between whale and retail activity has also widened. Across all exchanges, whales exceed retail participants by 55.8 percentage points. On Binance, the gap is 42.3 percentage points.
The data shows that whales are responsible for a much larger share of XRP leaving exchanges. However, it does not reveal the total amount of XRP transferred, where the tokens were sent, or whether the transfers represent accumulation, custody moves, or preparations for future transactions.
What It Could Mean for XRP The growing share of whale outflows may indicate that large holders are moving XRP into self-custody. That could reduce the supply immediately available on exchanges.
However, the data is not inherently bullish or bearish. If whale outflows continue while exchange balances decline, XRP could benefit from lower selling pressure and stronger price support. On the other hand, if those tokens later return to exchanges, they could signal renewed selling.
Notably, this observation comes as XRP’s price climbed to $1.16 over the past day for the first time since June. However, the momentum has quickly reversed as the market cools from the ongoing relief rally. XRP is now trading at $1.13, erasing all of its gains from the past 24 hours.
DisClamier: This content is informational and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author's personal opinions and do not reflect The Crypto Basic opinion. Readers are encouraged to do thorough research before making any investment decisions. The Crypto Basic is not responsible for any financial losses.
Whales Add While Small Holders Exit$XRP has climbed back above $1.16, its highest level in two weeks, as a clear divide opens up between large and small holders. According to on-chain analytics firm Santiment, wallets holding between 100,000 and 100 million XRP accumulated 2.8% more coins over the past five weeks. At the same time, wallets holding less than 0.01 XRP declined by 5.2%, pointing to a steady exit by smaller retail participants.
The pattern is one that crypto markets have seen before. While many retail investors were selling the dip, large holders were quietly accumulating. Such behaviour is often viewed as a sign of long-term conviction, particularly when accumulation continues during periods of widespread fear and uncertainty.
A Familiar DivergenceThe broader on-chain picture supports the same narrative. Millionaire-tier wallets now control roughly 74.1% of the circulating supply, according to Santiment, adding approximately 1.53 billion tokens over six months. That concentration has been building quietly even as retail sentiment has remained subdued.
Whale accumulation during retail fear has historically preceded price recoveries. The pattern played out in mid-June when XRP surged 13% in a single session after months of quiet large-holder buying.
XRP has gained more than 4% over the past 24 hours, climbing to $1.13 on July 21, and traders are watching for signs of a broader breakout. The latest rally comes as XRP continues to consolidate within a short-term symmetrical triangle, a technical pattern that often precedes a sharp move.
As always, on-chain signals are one input among many. Macro conditions and broader market direction remain key variables, and accumulation alone does not guarantee a sustained price recovery. Still, the divergence between whale and retail behaviour is a dynamic worth watching closely in the sessions ahead.
Sources:
CoinPaper: XRP Jumps 13% as Whales Buy Dip, Retail Sells Panic
Memeburn: XRP Whale Activity Climbs While Retail Traders Hold Back
Finbold: XRP Price Prediction 2026 Amid Upcoming XRP Ledger Upgrade
XRP is entering a critical phase in its market cycle as derivatives activity intensifies and spot trading activity slows, according to recent market analysis. Leveraged futures are leading short-term price movements, suggesting that the next major change in volatility could be imminent if a catalyst appears.
Derivatives surge as spot trading stallsMarket analyst Xaif Crypto reported that the current price environment is notably influenced by activity in XRP futures contracts, while spot market participation has declined. This shift is often seen ahead of periods marked by sudden volatility.
Data from Binance indicates that open interest in XRP derivatives climbed from approximately $400 million to $510 million prior to a significant mid-June event, which saw high leverage purged from the market. Since then, the rebuilding of futures positions has driven XRP’s leverage ratio to 0.163, which is considered neutral compared to its historical six-month range. Analysts believe that such conditions could lead to pronounced market movements if trading momentum returns.
Spot market flows have seen a marked decline, with XRP inflows and outflows on exchanges shrinking from tens of millions to near zero since July 7. This pattern implies that large holders are currently opting to sit on the sidelines rather than buying or selling significant quantities.
At the same time, weaker network transaction volumes and a climbing Network Value to Transactions (NVT) ratio both suggest that trading activity is being increasingly dominated by derivatives rather than underlying spot demand.
Mini dictionary: Network Value to Transactions (NVT), a metric used to assess whether a cryptocurrency is overvalued or undervalued by comparing its market capitalization to daily transaction volume. A higher NVT ratio suggests valuation is fueled more by speculation than transactional use.
Global adoption underpins long-term outlookDespite the current consolidation, XRP maintains substantial backing in major crypto markets. Japan is highlighted as a focal point for large-scale institutional investments, while the United States is experiencing growing demand through the introduction of spot XRP ETFs. South Korea is cited as a critical source of market liquidity, reinforcing XRP’s global trading network.
These developments provide a stable foundation for XRP, even as trading dynamics suggest a derivatives-led phase is underway.
Technical analysis points to breakout zoneTechnical analyst Diana stated that XRP is approaching a significant breakout, trading within a tightening symmetrical triangle chart pattern. Current resistance levels are concentrated between $1.12 and $1.145, while key support continues to rise.
Should XRP break above this resistance, upside targets include the $1.20 to $1.30 range. Conversely, rejection at this level could send prices down to the $0.90 to $0.87 demand zone, potentially offering another entry point for buyers.
Market observers indicate that as XRP continues to form higher lows, bullish sentiment is building. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) has moved into a more positive zone, and the coin has managed to end a 66-day downtrend while reclaiming critical resistance. This price action is developing into a potential triple-bottom formation, typically seen as a bullish reversal signal.
CoinCodex reports that XRP is trading at $1.13, showing signs of renewed momentum as it approaches what may be a decisive move in the near future.
IndicatorCurrent ValueImplicationOpen Interest$510 millionRebuilding, neutral leverageSpot Market FlowNear zeroLow buying/selling activityResistance$1.12–$1.145Breakout targetSupport$0.90–$0.87Potential fallback zoneCurrent Price$1.13Approaching decision pointXRP’s technical setup is showing increasing strength as bulls defend support and higher lows, while a spike in open interest highlights the possibility of a sharp move once momentum returns.
While derivatives currently set the pace for short-term trading, analysts note that underlying technical signals, buyer resilience, and strong global support may provide the foundation for the next substantial price swing, extending beyond short-term speculative trading.
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.
22 July 2026 | 12:14 XRP is trading around $1.13 after recovering above its 50-day simple moving average at $1.117. The rebound has brought the price back toward $1.16, a resistance level that has repeatedly capped recovery attempts since late June.
Key Takeaways XRP trades above the 50-day average. $1.16 remains the immediate breakout level. Large wallets added 2.8% in five weeks. Micro wallets cut holdings by 5.2%. Bearish moving-average alignment still limits confirmation. Price is now compressed between that horizontal ceiling and a rising support line extending from the cycle low near $1.01. The resulting structure can be read as an ascending triangle with inverse head-and-shoulders characteristics, but neither interpretation is confirmed while XRP remains below the neckline.
The technical test is developing alongside a clear divergence in wallet behavior. Santiment data shows that wallets holding between 100,000 and 100 million XRP increased their combined holdings by 2.8% over five weeks. At the same time, micro wallets holding less than 0.01 XRP reduced their balances by 5.2%.
XRP whales accumulate tokens over five weeks / Source: Santiment Large Holders Accumulate Into the Recovery The wallet split adds context to the rebound because larger holders have been increasing exposure while the smallest wallet cohort has been moving in the opposite direction. It does not guarantee that resistance will break, but it shows that the recovery is occurring alongside accumulation from wallets with substantially larger positions.
That makes the current test different from a bounce driven only by broad short-term participation. Large-wallet holdings have increased across the same period in which XRP built higher lows above the late-June bottom, creating alignment between the onchain trend and the developing price structure.
Micro-wallet selling also needs to be interpreted carefully. A 5.2% decline in holdings among addresses with less than 0.01 XRP represents a change in the behavior of the smallest cohort, not necessarily substantial market-wide selling pressure. The more relevant signal is the contrast between the two groups: larger wallets are accumulating while the smallest wallets are reducing exposure.
The $1.16 Level The immediate question is whether XRP can convert $1.16 from resistance into support. Price has approached that area while holding above the 50-day average, but it has not yet produced a confirmed daily breakout.
Daily XRP technical price chart / Source: TradingView The structure has tightened as the rising trendline moves closer to the horizontal ceiling. That compression reduces the space available for price to continue moving sideways and brings the market closer to a directional decision.
Momentum has also improved without becoming stretched. The daily relative strength index stands near 55 and has been forming higher lows, indicating that buying pressure has strengthened while remaining below overbought territory. This leaves room for continuation, but momentum alone cannot confirm the pattern.
Upside Scenario A daily close above $1.16, supported by increasing volume, would confirm that buyers have cleared the neckline and the upper boundary of the base. The measured move from the structure could then point toward the $1.30 to $1.32 region.
The path toward that target would not be free of resistance. XRP’s falling 100-day simple moving average stands near $1.254, making the area around $1.25 the first major supply zone above the breakout level. Price would need to reclaim that average before the broader recovery could extend toward the full measured target.
A breakout without stronger volume would carry less conviction. XRP has already tested the resistance zone several times, so confirmation requires more than a brief move above it. The daily close and the market’s ability to hold the level would matter more than an intraday spike.
Rejection Scenario Another rejection from $1.16 would keep XRP inside the base and return attention to the 50-day average near $1.12. That level is currently providing the first layer of short-term support and separates the latest recovery attempt from another move toward the lower boundary of the pattern.
If the 50-day average fails, the rising support line around $1.07 to $1.08 becomes the more important defense. That trendline connects the higher lows formed after the late-June bottom and defines the constructive side of the current setup.
A decisive loss of the rising support would invalidate the triangle structure and weaken the inverse head-and-shoulders interpretation. Under that scenario, $1.05 would return as the next visible support, followed by the cycle low near $1.01.
The Larger Trend Has Not Reversed Although the short-term structure has improved, XRP is still building a countertrend base inside a broader downtrend. The 50-day average remains below the falling 100-day average at $1.254, while the 200-day average sits considerably higher near $1.412.
That bearish alignment shows that the longer-term trend has not yet turned. Holding above the 50-day average is an early improvement, but it is not equivalent to reclaiming the larger market structure.
This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment or legal advice.
Author
Alex is Editor-in-Chief of Coindoo and co-founder of Millennial Media Group, with nearly a decade of experience covering financial markets - crypto first, then everything else. It started in 2016 with Bitcoin. Like most people at the time, he didn't fully understand it - so he kept digging. Blockchain, tokenomics, the projects, the cycles. That curiosity never stopped, and eventually pulled him into traditional markets too: equities, commodities, macro. Not because he left crypto behind, but because you can't properly understand one without the other. What drives him is straightforward: he wants to know why something is happening, not just that it's happening. Most market coverage stops at the headline - price up, price down, here's a chart. Alex finds that kind of reporting actively unhelpful. If you walk away from an article without understanding the mechanism behind the move, what did you actually learn? He holds a degree in Tourism from New Bulgarian University - not the most obvious path into financial markets, but markets have a way of pulling in people who are simply too curious to stay out. He has authored over 200 in-depth analyses and more than 10,000 articles across crypto and traditional finance. He still thinks every day in markets teaches him something new. That's probably why he hasn't stopped.
Steph Is Crypto, a well-known cryptocurrency analyst, has issued a new assessment on XRP, highlighting a potential opportunity for investors to accumulate 2,500 XRP before August. In a recent X (Twitter) video, Steph outlined several scenarios under which XRP could deliver substantial returns by the end of 2026.
Multiple scenarios for XRP price growthSteph explained that the recommendation to consider purchasing 2,500 XRP rests on a set of projections tied to changing market capitalization and XRP’s market dominance over the coming years. He acknowledged that the timeline is not absolute and cautioned that market shifts may not follow conventional sentiment.
He emphasized the importance of the period leading up to August, noting that current market sentiment appears bearish among many participants. While some traders believe the broader cryptocurrency market could reach its lowest point later in the year, Steph pointed out that markets often reverse course before a consensus forms. Investors, he argued, may benefit from positioning ahead of anticipated changes.
Steph Is Crypto asserted that the days before August could prove pivotal for XRP holders, especially as bearish sentiment persists and market consensus is often lagging. He urged viewers to consider early entry strategies before a potential shift.
XRP is the digital asset issued by Ripple, a company focused on enabling fast, low-cost cross-border payments using blockchain technology.
Conservative forecast estimates $3.38 XRP priceSteph introduced three potential outcomes, starting with a conservative projection. In this case, the total crypto market capitalization returns to $4.2 trillion, equal to its previous high, and XRP’s market dominance rises from around 3.1% to 5%, a level seen in earlier cycles. Using these figures, the analyst estimated an XRP price of $3.38 by the end of 2026.
At the current price of $1.08 per XRP, acquiring 2,500 tokens would cost approximately $2,700. If Steph’s conservative scenario unfolds, those holdings could be worth around $8,450 within the two-year timeframe.
ScenarioTotal crypto market capXRP dominanceXRP price targetValue of 2,500 XRPConservative$4.2 trillion5%$3.38$8,450Optimistic scenario targets $7.53 for XRPSteph’s second scenario forecasts a stronger crypto market recovery, with the total market value reaching $6 trillion and XRP’s dominance expanding to 7%. Under these assumptions, he projected XRP could rise to $7.53. Based on these calculations, 2,500 XRP would be valued at $18,825.
Steph attributed this possibility to the combination of growing institutional adoption, increasing utility, and ongoing sector evolution that could benefit digital assets such as XRP.
Mini dictionary: Institutional adoption refers to the increasing participation of large financial entities such as banks, hedge funds, and payment processors in cryptocurrency markets, which can drive liquidity and price growth.
ScenarioTotal crypto market capXRP dominanceXRP price targetValue of 2,500 XRPOptimistic$6 trillion7%$7.53$18,825Maximum scenario puts XRP at $16.94The final scenario presented by Steph envisions more robust expansion throughout the crypto sector. Here, total market capitalization would surge to $8.5 trillion and XRP’s market share would hit 12%, a dominant share only observed in select historical cycles. According to Steph’s calculations, such conditions could drive XRP as high as $16.94, with a 2,500-coin holding valued around $42,350.
Steph noted that while his $16.94 projection relies on an extremely bullish environment and greater market dominance, increasing XRP utility and new partnerships could support future gains, though he did not treat this outcome as a forecast.
ScenarioTotal crypto market capXRP dominanceXRP price targetValue of 2,500 XRPBullish$8.5 trillion12%$16.94$42,350Steph clarified that these scenarios illustrate possible market outcomes rather than guaranteed forecasts, urging viewers to evaluate the assumptions and potential risks before making investment decisions.
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 (BTC), Ethereum (ETH) and Ripple (XRP) remain on the front foot on Wednesday as the broader crypto market extends its gains so far this week. BTC leads gains after closing above key resistance while ETH and XRP near key technical hurdles where a breakout could pave the way for additional gains.
Bitcoin extends gains after closing above 50-day EMABitcoin price trades around $66,300 on Wednesday, holding a neutral-to-bullish tone as it advances above the 50-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at $65,150 but remains capped beneath the 100-day EMA at $68,082 and the longer-term 200-day EMA at $73,982. This configuration suggests an improving short-term trend within a broader corrective phase, with buyers gradually regaining control.
The Relative Strength Index (RSI) at 60 is bullish without reaching overbought territory. At the same time, the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) indicator remains in positive territory, suggesting that upward momentum is building but not yet decisive against the overhead daily EMAs.
On the topside, immediate resistance emerges at the 100-day EMA near $68,082, followed by the 200-day EMA at $73,982, ahead of a more distant horizontal barrier at $84,410.
On the downside, initial support is seen at the 50-day EMA at $65,150, with a deeper protective floor at the horizontal level of $64,004; a sustained break below this area would weaken the current constructive bias and open the door to a broader corrective slide.
Ethereum could extend gains if it closes above the 100-day EMAEthereum price trades at $1,937 on Wednesday, maintaining a constructive near-term bullish bias after holding above the 50-day EMA at $1,827. ETH is advancing toward a dense overhead area where the 100-day EMA at $1,937 and the psychological $2,000 handle form successive resistance barriers, while the longer-term 200-day EMA at $2,171 caps the broader upside.
The RSI at 64 suggests bullish momentum without yet signaling overbought conditions, and the MACD remains in positive territory, hinting that buyers still retain control.
On the topside, immediate resistance emerges at the 100-day EMA near $1,937, followed by the horizontal barrier at $2,000, with the 200-day EMA at $2,171 acting as a more distant cap should the rally extend.
On the downside, initial support is provided by the 50-day EMA at $1,827, while a deeper pullback would look toward the more structural horizontal floor around $1,385, where underlying demand could reappear.
XRP nears the 50-day EMAXRP trades at $1.14 on Wednesday, maintaining a bearish near‑term bias as it holds beneath the key EMAs. The 50‑day EMA at $1.14, together with the 100‑day EMA at $1.23 and the 200‑day EMA at $1.43, all sit overhead and suggest the broader trend remains under pressure despite the latest bounce.
Momentum is constructive, with the RSI at 56 and the MACD above zero with a mildly positive line, hinting that sellers are losing some control but still defending the cluster of moving‑average resistance.
On the topside, immediate resistance is at the 50‑day EMA at $1.14, followed by the 100‑day EMA at $1.23 and a horizontal cap near $1.30. In contrast, the 200‑day EMA at $1.43 and the higher horizontal barrier at $1.90 define a broader supply zone.
On the downside, initial structural support appears around the parallel channel boundary at $1.00; a decisive break under this area would reopen the path toward deeper losses, whereas a daily close above $1.14 would be the first sign that bulls are beginning to challenge the prevailing bearish structure.
(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool. Know more.)
Cryptocurrency metrics FAQs The developer or creator of each cryptocurrency decides on the total number of tokens that can be minted or issued. Only a certain number of these assets can be minted by mining, staking or other mechanisms. This is defined by the algorithm of the underlying blockchain technology. On the other hand, circulating supply can also be decreased via actions such as burning tokens, or mistakenly sending assets to addresses of other incompatible blockchains.
Market capitalization is the result of multiplying the circulating supply of a certain asset by the asset’s current market value.
Trading volume refers to the total number of tokens for a specific asset that has been transacted or exchanged between buyers and sellers within set trading hours, for example, 24 hours. It is used to gauge market sentiment, this metric combines all volumes on centralized exchanges and decentralized exchanges. Increasing trading volume often denotes the demand for a certain asset as more people are buying and selling the cryptocurrency.
Funding rates are a concept designed to encourage traders to take positions and ensure perpetual contract prices match spot markets. It defines a mechanism by exchanges to ensure that future prices and index prices periodic payments regularly converge. When the funding rate is positive, the price of the perpetual contract is higher than the mark price. This means traders who are bullish and have opened long positions pay traders who are in short positions. On the other hand, a negative funding rate means perpetual prices are below the mark price, and hence traders with short positions pay traders who have opened long positions.
Bitcoin traded sideways near $66,000 on Wednesday, holding steady at its two-week high. Driven by upbeat AI sentiment, global chip stocks rose for the second consecutive session, while USD/JPY fell below 163 to hit its lowest level since 1986. As of press time, Bitcoin is up nearly 1% intraday, around 3% week-to-date, with 24-hour trading volume of ~$31 billion. Ethereum (ETH) trades at ~$1,920, up ~3% weekly; XRP gains 2% to $1.13, TRX edges higher; HYPE underperforms, down 4% on the day and ~10% over the past seven days. In Asian equities, the MSCI Asia Pacific Index rose 1%. South Korea’s KOSPI surged 5% before paring gains at midday, with SK Hynix leading gains by over 13%. The move follows the U.S. semiconductor index’s more than 5% jump on Tuesday, which helped it exit its technical bear market. In the forex market, USD/JPY broke below 163, marking a nearly 40-year low. While Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama stated authorities remain ready to take decisive forex intervention steps if needed, a stronger U.S. dollar, rising U.S. Treasury yields, and Iran-related oil price hikes have collectively amplified yen depreciation pressure. Analysts note that the fiat currency depreciation environment has long been a key pillar of Bitcoin’s narrative as an "inflation hedge and currency devaluation safeguard," though Bitcoin’s recent price correlation with chip stocks remains stronger than its link to the yen exchange rate.
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Binance adds 10 new bStocks tokenized securities to its margin collateral assets, expanding trading scenarios for securities assets.
Binance announced it will add 10 bStocks tokenized securities as eligible collateral for Cross Margin, Portfolio Margin, and Portfolio Margin Pro, further expanding its margin trading support. The newly added assets include: 3x Long Korea ETF (KORUB), AXT (AXTIB), CoreWeave (CRWVB), Direxion MU Bull 2X ETF (MUUB), GraniteShares 2X Long MRVL ETF (MVLLB), Tradr 2X Long SNDK ETF (SNXXB), GraniteShares 2X Long INTC ETF (INTWB), ProShares UltraPro QQQ (TQQQB), Quantinuum (QNTB), and Oracle (ORCLB). Binance noted that corresponding bStocks trading pairs will support margin trading simultaneously. Eligible users can use these tokenized securities as collateral to expand their asset options in margin trading. Currently, these bStocks assets are only supported for use as collateral, with lending functions not yet available. The service is exclusively open to VIP 3 and above users in eligible regions.
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Upbit has added Zilliqa (ZIL) to its trading watchlist due to suspected unresolved security risks.
South Korean crypto exchange Upbit announced that Zilliqa (ZIL) has been added to its "Transaction Attention" asset list, with trading pairs including ZIL/KRW and ZIL/BTC. In line with South Korea’s Virtual Asset User Protection Act, Upbit stated it detected potential unaddressed or unrepaired security risks—such as hacking incidents—in ZIL’s wallet or the distributed ledger it relies on for issuance, transmission, and storage, which could lead to user losses. The platform therefore decided to implement risk warning measures. The notice specifies ZIL’s transaction attention period runs from July 22, 2026 to the third week of August (August 17–21). During this review period, Upbit will assess relevant risks per its trading support termination policy, and may choose to extend the observation period, lift the warning, or terminate trading support entirely. Additionally, ZIL deposit and withdrawal services were suspended earlier. Upbit noted that if services are resumed in the future, withdrawals will be prioritized for restoration only; a decision on resuming deposits will be announced separately based on subsequent review results. Currently, new deposits cannot be credited, and all related deposit transactions will be refunded.
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A whale opened nearly 3,000 long positions in GOOGL ahead of market hours, marking the only new million-dollar position in the asset today.
Google parent company Alphabet will hold its Q2 2026 earnings call at 4:30 AM Beijing time on July 23, with financial results to be released ahead of the call. According to Hyperinsight’s monitoring, ahead of the earnings release, an on-chain whale bought 2,978.2 GOOGL shares in pre-market trading, worth ~$1.041 million, at an average entry price of $349.5 — the only new seven-figure GOOGL position detected. As of press time, GOOGL is down 1.5% on the day at $349.6, with the whale’s entry price near the intraday low after the pullback. The whale holds this long position with 10x leverage, posting an unrealized profit of ~$186 and remaining flat. Its liquidation price is $82, leaving a ~76.5% downside buffer from current levels. The whale has no other positions besides this one. This address favors left-side trading, has repeatedly held semiconductor stocks including MU, SKHX, and SNDK, and typically trades short-term positions worth ~$1 million, with an average holding period of ~15 hours over the past week. Its past losses stem mainly from failed early bets on trend reversals. Related reading: Among the U.S. "Magnificent Seven" tech giants, Google will release its earnings first tonight; the whale that front-ran the long position is now sitting on nearly 40% losses. An unverified online rumor has reignited panic: the AI bubble is bursting, and Google may become the first large enterprise to cut AI spending. HyperInsight Bot is now live. Add @HyperInsightBot to your Telegram group and set it as admin (enable message-sending permission) to automatically sync on-chain news.
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Brent crude futures have topped $95, marking the first time since June 11.
According to Bitget market data, Brent crude oil futures prices have broken through $95 per barrel, marking the first such occurrence since June 11. Currently, Brent crude spot trades at $91.27, up 2.15% intraday; WTI crude stands at $88.76, with a 4.41% daily gain.
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Kuwait plans to issue US dollar bonds as its economy struggles amid daily Iran-linked attacks.
Sources say Kuwait plans to issue U.S. dollar bonds on Wednesday. Over the past two weeks, the country has been hit by daily missile and drone attacks from Iran. Kuwait has hired banks including Goldman Sachs and Citigroup to arrange a three-part deal with tenors of three, five, and ten years. Final terms, including bond size and pricing, may be announced later Wednesday. Kuwait is a key U.S. ally in the Middle East, and thanks to its vast oil reserves, it ranks among the world’s wealthiest nations. However, Iran has frequently carried out airstrikes on Kuwait in retaliation for U.S. and Israeli strikes, leaving the country’s economy under heavy pressure this year. In April, Goldman Sachs analysts estimated Kuwait’s fiscal deficit had surged to nearly 40% annualized, as the country was forced to suspend most oil exports due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. (Jinshi)
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TACO Trading Heats Up Again: Model Predicts Trump May Shift Iran Policy by Late July
The Wall Street-favored "TACO" (Trump Always Chickens Out) trade is now gaining support from quantitative models. An analyst team from geopolitical advisory firm Signum Global Advisors used four indicators—Brent crude oil prices, U.S. 10-year Treasury yields, vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, and the S&P 500 index—to predict Trump may adjust his hardline policy toward Iran by the end of July. The model shows Trump typically needs a sharp market move of 2.3 to 3.4 standard deviations to trigger a policy shift, with an average threshold of around 2.9 standard deviations. Based on current market trends, analysts say the "TACO moment" has not arrived yet but is approaching, with the earliest possible date being July 22, the latest no later than July 30, and July 26 marked as the highest-probability date. Ongoing U.S.-Iran tensions are currently driving up market pressure: Brent crude oil has topped $91 per barrel, and the average U.S. gasoline price has broken $4 per gallon for the first time since mid-June. Disruptions to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, rising war costs, and U.S. military casualties are adding to political pressure on the Trump administration. Republican insiders warn that if oil prices stay high for a prolonged period, energy costs could become a risk factor in the midterm elections. Conservative figures note that when oil prices break $90 during a ruling party’s tenure, it significantly erodes voter support. Analysts believe Trump’s current tough rhetoric may partly aim to force Iran back to the negotiating table, but as the conflict drags on, the U.S. government will face greater policy pressure between "escalating further" and "reducing military pressure."
Several leading cryptocurrencies are displaying renewed signs of strength after extended periods of downward movement, with technical signals pointing to potential trend reversals across the digital asset market.
XRP builds bullish pattern amid low volumeXRP, the token associated with Ripple Labs, has shown a notable turnaround after a lengthy decline earlier this year. Currently trading at $1.13, XRP has formed an ascending triangle on the daily chart—a pattern frequently linked to bullish continuation or possible upward reversals.
The current price structure is reinforced by a series of higher lows that have formed throughout July, illustrating steady buying interest as buyers stepped in earlier on each successive pullback. The rising trendline beneath the price supports this optimistic configuration.
Meanwhile, XRP continues to encounter resistance from several moving averages positioned just overhead. The 50-day exponential moving average (EMA), located near $1.17, serves as the first major obstacle. A sustained break above this level could shift market focus toward the 100-day EMA at approximately $1.24.
XRP’s relative strength index (RSI) has moved above the neutral 50 mark after months of softness, signaling an upswing in trader optimism, although trading volumes remain subdued as the market awaits confirmation.
Beyond these resistance points, the $1.30 area marks a key psychological and technical barrier. Conversely, failing to hold the rising trendline could leave XRP vulnerable to further losses, potentially targeting the $1.05–$1.00 support zone and invalidating the bullish outlook.
Resistance LevelApproximate Price50-day EMA$1.17100-day EMA$1.24Key psychological level$1.30200-day EMA$1.44Cardano targets $0.20 as recovery stabilizesCardano (ADA), a blockchain platform known for its research-driven approach, is emerging from one of its longest downturns. Trading now at $0.175, ADA has reclaimed several key short-term moving averages and is holding above its June lows, strengthening the technical picture despite still lagging major resistance levels.
A notable breakout from the prolonged horizontal range near $0.15–$0.16 has helped shift momentum in favor of buyers. This move established a firm higher low structure, which has been reinforced by continued support from both the 20-day and 50-day EMAs.
ADA’s RSI has climbed above 56, reflecting increased bullish momentum while not yet suggesting overbought conditions, and the next hurdle to watch is the $0.20 mark near the 100-day EMA.
A decisive move above $0.20 could open the path toward the $0.22–$0.25 zone. Improved trading volume since earlier in the year also points to renewed investor interest. However, the $0.16 support remains critical for ADA’s ongoing recovery prospects.
LevelApproximate PriceJune lows/support$0.16Current price$0.175Next resistance (100-day EMA)$0.20Potential target range$0.22–$0.25Stellar’s uptrend supported by strong baseStellar (XLM), known for its blockchain-based cross-border payment solutions, continues to quietly build a robust recovery structure. As of now, XLM trades near $0.19, consolidating above key moving averages after rebounding from its June lows.
Three critical EMAs—the 20-day, 50-day, and 100-day—have converged near its current price, setting the stage for an increase in volatility. Large volume surges seen in June signal growing market engagement, even as sellers have repeatedly tested the $0.18 support zone.
Despite multiple pullbacks, XLM has not set lower lows since the rallies, indicating that buyers are absorbing ongoing supply. Momentum indicators such as the RSI, which is near 52, further bolster the case for extended gains without the threat of immediate overheating.
A move above the $0.20–$0.21 resistance could see XLM revisiting previous highs near $0.23 and $0.25. Maintaining support above $0.18 is key for the integrity of the current uptrend, while a breakdown could shift attention back to $0.16.
Mini dictionary: Stellar (XLM) is a decentralized open-source protocol focused on enabling low-cost, fast international transfers and asset issuance.
Bitcoin faces crucial battle at $68,000Bitcoin, the market-leading cryptocurrency, has staged a recovery from its sharp June decline and is now trading near $66,300. The token has set successive higher lows, a pattern suggesting buyers are gradually regaining control of price action.
This rebound has lifted Bitcoin above both short- and medium-term moving averages. Yet, the region surrounding the 100-day EMA at $68,000 has proved a major challenge during recent rallies, repeatedly capping upside attempts.
A confirmed break above $68,000 could open the door for an advance to the $72,000–$75,000 range and reinforce a stronger medium-term trend for BTC. On the flip side, support between $63,000 and $64,000 remains pivotal for maintaining the current recovery phase.
The RSI has surpassed 60, highlighting improved demand, while trading volumes have steadied after the June sell-off. Whether Bitcoin can retake the $68,000 barrier in the coming days may prove decisive in setting the tone for the next market phase.
Key LevelApproximate PriceSupport zone$63,000–$64,000Current price$66,300Major resistance (100-day EMA)$68,000Potential target range$72,000–$75,000Disclaimer: 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.
S&P Dow Jones Indices and Pantera Capital launched a new crypto index, leaving out Bitcoin (BTC) and Ripple’s XRP crypto assets. Ethereum (ETH), Binance Coin (BNB), Solana (SOL), TRON (TRX), and Hyperliquid (HYPE) are the top five constituents in the new benchmark for the crypto market.
Why Bitcoin and XRP Missed Out of S&P Dow Jones Crypto Index? S&P Dow Jones Indices and Pantera Capital announced the S&P Pantera Digital Asset Index, a new benchmark for the crypto market. The companies claim it will serve as a benchmark for institutional investors seeking a disciplined and structured approach to digital asset allocation.
However, the crypto index excludes top crypto assets Bitcoin and XRP. It also leaves out WhiteBIT Token, Unus Sed Leo and Rain Protocol.
S&P Dow Jones Indices CEO Kathy Clay said Bitcoin and XRP were excluded from the S&P Pantera Digital Asset Index due to their failure to meet a key revenue-generation requirement.
“We bring that same discipline to digital assets, using a fundamentals-driven, economics-based framework built for diversified portfolios. In collaboration with Pantera and powered by Artemis data, we apply the same standards in trusted benchmarks like the S&P 500 to help investors focus on fundamentals in one of today’s most fast-moving asset classes,” Clay added.
Bitcoin and XRP communities have already pushed back against the new benchmark for the crypto market as it doesn’t include top crypto assets.
BTC price has dropped below $66K after hitting a 24-hour high of $66,910. Also, XRP price has dropped more than 2% from $1.16 to $1.13 at press time amid escalating US-Iran war.
Details on S&P Pantera Digital Asset Index The new S&P Pantera Digital Asset Index holds 18 constituents, with ETH, BNB, SOL, TRX, and HYPE as the top five crypto assets.
Unlike traditional crypto indices that track prices or top crypto assets based on market cap, this index adopts an approach similar to traditional financial benchmarks. The crypto index only includes tokens and projects that have real-world utility and generate actual revenue.
The benchmark weights holdings by market capitalization and rebalances quarterly. The weighting factors include no single token can exceed 35% of the total and no other holding can top 20%. These caps mirror rules S&P applies to its equity benchmarks.
S&P Pantera Digital Asset Index Construction and Constituents Kathy Clay claimed she wants to bring stock index discipline into digital assets. She favors protocols with verifiable economic activity over ones that trade on hype and price momentum.
By prioritizing protocols with verifiable economic activity, this indexing approach aligns with the institutional framework powering regulated real-world asset platforms bridging traditional finance on-chain.
Major cryptocurrencies rose on Tuesday as investors digested reports that the White House agreed to an ethics package accompanying the cryptocurrency Clarity Act.
Some Clarity Finally?Bitcoin rallied to a 5-week high above $66,900, and is now up 13% month-to-date. Ethereum hit an intraday high of $1,950, while XRP and Dogecoin also climbed.
The spike followed reports that the White House agreed to add an ethics provision to the Clarity Act, a key sticking point that has kept the bill tied up amid President Donald Trump’s cryptocurrency business interests.
Over $200 million was liquidated from the cryptocurrency market in the last 24 hours, with $160 million in bearish shorts erased, according to Coinglass data
Bitcoin’s open interest jumped 4.21% to over $50 billion, indicating an influx of new money into the derivatives market. Retail and whale futures traders on Binance were positioned “Neutral” on BTC.
Top Gainers (24 Hours)
The global cryptocurrency market capitalization stood at $2.27 trillion, representing a 1.28% increase over the last 24 hours.
Stock Market ReboundsStocks rallied sharply on Tuesday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average spiked 385.38 points, or 0.74%, to end at 52,224.64. The S&P 500 climbed 0.89% to close at 7,509.20, while the tech-focused Nasdaq Composite gained 1.29% to end at 25,837.21.
U.S. forces, meanwhile, carried out their eleventh consecutive day of strikes against Iranian military assets, while reiterating that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to commercial shipping.
Ali Martinez, a widely followed cryptocurrency analyst and trader, noted that Bitcoin has faced repeated rejections at the Short-Term Holder Realized Price since November, framing it as the apex cryptocurrency’s biggest test.
“With BTC back near $66,000, all eyes are now on $69,340,” the analyst added. “If history repeats, that’s where the bulls will have to prove themselves.”
On-chain analytics firm CryptoQuant said that wallets holding between 1,000 and 10,000 BTC just accelerated their buying “at the fastest pace in months
“The total balance of this cohort has returned to the same level as before the February drop, 3.09 million Bitcoins, even with the price much lower now,” the research firm said. “This is the type of institutional trading pattern.”
Photo: KateStock / Shutterstock
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Bitcoin has risen 2.2% to $66,681, and XRP has gained 3.6% to $1.152 as both assets test chart resistance while Iran claims it struck Amazon’s data infrastructure in Bahrain.
Summary
Bitcoin approached $67,257 Fibonacci resistance as bullish momentum strengthened on its daily chart. XRP broke above a symmetrical triangle, opening a possible move toward $1.30. Iran’s unverified Amazon strike claim added geopolitical risk to both crypto rallies. IRNA, Iran’s state news agency, has reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps used several cruise missiles to attack what it described as Amazon’s central data infrastructure in Bahrain on July 21. The IRGC claimed the facility was destroyed, although Amazon and Bahraini authorities had not confirmed the reported damage at the time of writing.
As part of the ongoing 24th wave of Operation Nasr-2, and in retaliation for the US recent attack on civilian sites in Darkhoveyn, the IRGC Aerospace Force launched multiple cruise missiles against Amazon’s central data infrastructure in Bahrain, completely destroying it.
— IRNA News Agency ☫ (@IrnaEnglish) July 21, 2026 According to the IRGC, the operation came in response to a US attack on the construction site of Iran’s Darkhovin nuclear power plant. The Iranian force has also threatened 18 American technology companies, including Microsoft, Intel, Cisco and Google, over their alleged links to US military and intelligence activity.
Amazon Web Services facilities in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates have already faced attacks during the conflict. In April, an Amazon cloud facility in Bahrain had sustained damage in an Iranian attack, while service interruptions affected AWS infrastructure elsewhere in the region.
Investors reacted cautiously because the latest IRGC account lacked independent confirmation. Amazon shares had closed Monday 1.12% higher at $249.99, but US stock futures later surrendered part of their earlier gains as reports of the alleged attack circulated.
Military action continued while Pakistan pursued another diplomatic effort. The US Central Command had completed a new series of attacks on Iran, extending the American campaign to a tenth consecutive night.
CENTCOM listed Iranian command centers, maritime assets, missile and drone launch sites, and air-defense systems among the targets. The US military stated that the strikes were intended to reduce Iran’s ability to attack commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
At the same time, the Associated Press reported that Pakistan was trying to restart ceasefire negotiations. Those efforts continued as Iran attacked targets in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan and fighting disrupted commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
Bitcoin recovery runs into Fibonacci resistance Bitcoin (BTC) rose from a daily low of $65,149 to an intraday high of $66,956 on Binance, according to the supplied TradingView chart. The move placed BTC directly below the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement at $67,257, calculated from the decline between $82,485 and $57,845.
Bitcoin daily price chart — July 21 | Source: crypto.news TradingView’s daily setup identifies $67,257 as the immediate technical barrier. A daily close above it would expose the 50% retracement at $70,165, while another advance could bring the 38.2% level at $73,073 into view.
Failure to clear the 61.8% line would leave Bitcoin inside the recovery range formed since its late-June low. The same chart places the closest marked downside level at $63,118, which corresponds with the 78.6% Fibonacci retracement and overlaps with recent consolidation.
Momentum has improved alongside the rebound. Bitcoin’s relative strength index stands at 61.91, above its moving average of 53.05 but still below the overbought threshold of 70, according to TradingView.
The daily MACD also remains positive, with the MACD line at 508.46, the signal line at 406.09 and the histogram at 102.37. TradingView’s readings show bullish momentum, although the small gap between the two lines means BTC still requires follow-through above $67,257 to strengthen the signal.
Bitcoin’s latest candle opened at $65,255 and remained positive when the chart was captured. However, the unfinished daily candle means the attempted break cannot be confirmed until the session closes.
XRP breakout points toward $1.30 XRP (XRP) price has moved above the descending boundary of a symmetrical triangle on its Binance daily chart. TradingView data shows the token advancing from a session low of $1.111 to an intraday high of $1.158 after several weeks of contracting price action.
XRP daily price chart — July 21 | Source: crypto.news The pattern developed between falling resistance from the mid-June swing high and ascending support extending from the late-June low. XRP’s move above the upper trendline indicates a breakout attempt, although confirmation still depends on a daily close outside the formation.
Based on the measured height displayed on the supplied chart, the triangle carries a projected move of about $0.2845. Applying that distance to the breakout area places the first marked target near $1.30.
A second resistance line appears at $1.374, which acted as a trading area before XRP’s sharp decline in early June. The chart therefore shows $1.30 as the first target and $1.374 as the next barrier if buyers maintain control.
TradingView’s Aroon indicator supports the bullish attempt, with Aroon Up at 100% and Aroon Down at 42.86%. Chaikin Money Flow has also climbed to 0.08, indicating that buying pressure has returned during the breakout.
A move back below the triangle’s upper boundary near $1.10 would weaken the pattern and place its rising support at risk. Sustained trading above the breakout line would preserve the chart’s path toward $1.30, though the unverified Amazon strike claim and continued US-Iran attacks could increase volatility across both XRP and Bitcoin.
Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.
Russia has formally approved the Digital Currency and Digital Rights Law, establishing a legal foundation for regulated cryptocurrency activity and paving the way for a new era in the country’s digital asset sector.
Legal foundation for licensed crypto businessesSet to become effective on September 1, 2026, once signed by the president, the legislation outlines comprehensive measures for licensing and oversight of crypto businesses operating in Russia. The law grants the country’s central bank, the Bank of Russia, authority to license and supervise five classes of crypto service providers: exchanges, brokers, asset managers, custodians, and crypto exchangers.
Companies currently offering crypto services will be permitted to operate through a transition period ending July 1, 2027. During this time, crypto exchanges are required to maintain a minimum capital of 15 million rubles, which currently equates to roughly $190,000, and must join an approved self-regulatory organization to ensure industry standards and compliance.
While the new legislation maintains the ban on cryptocurrency use for domestic payments, it explicitly allows digital assets to be used as a tool in cross-border transactions. This approach supports Russia’s efforts to develop blockchain-based settlement mechanisms amid ongoing international sanctions and evolving global financial conditions.
XRP’s unique status within Russian financial infrastructureXRP, the cryptocurrency developed by Ripple Labs for fast and inexpensive cross-border transfers, stands out in this regulatory transition due to its existing presence within Russia’s financial ecosystem. The Moscow Exchange (MOEX), Russia’s largest securities and derivatives trading platform, already enables access to XRP via its Digital Financial Assets (DFA) platform. This infrastructure allows institutional investors to hold tokenized versions of cryptocurrencies, such as XRP, through regulated investment products rather than direct asset acquisition.
Mini dictionary: Digital Financial Assets (DFA): In Russia, DFAs refer to tokenized financial instruments recognized under regulation, allowing for the tokenization of real-world assets or cryptocurrencies and enabling their trading in regulated environments such as MOEX.
MOEX’s expansion into tokenized investments provides regulated avenues for exposure to digital assets. As a result, XRP enjoys early access and integration where many other digital assets must wait until the full licensing regime is implemented.
CriteriaXRP (via MOEX)Other CryptocurrenciesCurrent access in RussiaAvailable to institutions through DFA channelsPending until new licenses are issuedRegulated investment productsYesNo or limitedLegal use in cross-border tradePermittedPermitted after licensing Institutions operating within MOEX’s DFA ecosystem may find it easier to gain exposure to XRP thanks to established, regulated investment options, giving XRP a potential advantage as Russia prepares to activate its newly licensed digital asset framework.
Wider context for Russia’s crypto reformsThe timing of these reforms coincides with reports that Russia is selling portions of its gold reserves to address fiscal challenges intensified by sanctions. As the government seeks alternative financial structures, the expansion of regulated digital asset infrastructure and the explicit legalization of cryptocurrency in international transactions illustrate a clear pivot toward non-traditional settlement networks.
While the law does not grant any cryptocurrency, including XRP, unique legal status or a guarantee of mass adoption in Russia, it positions regulated platforms such as MOEX—and the digital assets they support—as central players in the country’s evolving approach to digital finance.
With the licensed crypto market set for a September 2026 launch, XRP’s established integration within Russia’s financial infrastructure signals that it could attract institutional interest early in this regulated era of cross-border digital asset use.
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 Prime, the institutional arm of Ripple Labs, has reached a significant milestone by processing $3 trillion annually. This achievement highlights the growing institutional adoption of Ripple’s services. The division, which was formed following Ripple Labs’ acquisition of Hidden Road in 2025, services over 300 institutional clients, including hedge funds and banks. Despite this impressive volume, the transactions largely utilize Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin, leaving the direct impact on XRP demand relatively limited.
The development marks Ripple’s continued expansion into the institutional finance sector. While the processing volume is substantial, the use of RLUSD rather than XRP may not directly influence the token’s market price. However, the scale of operations could indirectly boost confidence in Ripple’s ecosystem, potentially affecting market sentiment towards XRP.
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Current market activity reflects a mixed outlook for XRP. Markets appear to be evaluating the potential impact of Ripple Prime’s growth on XRP’s price. The likelihood of XRP reaching various price targets in July remains varied, with significant activity observed around the $1.20 mark, where a 64% probability of reaching this target is noted, suggesting some optimism.
Key Takeaways Ripple Prime’s processing of $3 trillion annually suggests strong institutional engagement, consistent with growing interest in Ripple’s services. The predominant use of RLUSD stablecoin may limit direct demand for XRP, but institutional activity could bolster overall ecosystem confidence. Market pricing implies a cautious stance on XRP price targets, with significant probabilities observed only for moderate price increases. What to Watch Observers should monitor further developments in Ripple’s institutional partnerships and any shifts in the use of XRP within these frameworks. Additionally, any regulatory changes or announcements regarding Ripple’s financial products could influence market sentiment. As the July period progresses, shifts in market pricing for XRP’s price targets will offer insights into broader confidence levels in Ripple’s growth trajectory.
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Term Structure
Contract Odds Δ since publish Volume 24h August 1 2026 0.1% — — View market → August 1 2026 1.7% — — View market → August 1 2026 0.4% — — View market → August 1 2026 0.2% — — View market → August 1 2026 0.1% — — View market → August 1 2026 7.2% — — View market → August 1 2026 0.7% — — View market → August 1 2026 2.5% — — View market → August 1 2026 0.1% — — View market → August 1 2026 0.4% — — View market → August 1 2026 63.5% — — View market → August 1 2026 10% — — View market → August 1 2026 0.7% — — View market →
XRP has spent the last month consolidating within a narrowing trading range, according to crypto analyst Ali Martinez. He believes that the cryptocurrency may be on the verge of a significant breakout as price action compresses toward a crucial level.
Symmetrical triangle pattern formsMartinez shared a 1-hour chart showing XRP forming a symmetrical triangle pattern since late June. The formation is defined by a descending upper trendline, starting from highs near $1.30, and an ascending lower trendline, rising from lows close to $1.04. These lines are converging as XRP trades near $1.1041, leaving little room before the pattern resolves decisively in either direction.
A symmetrical triangle pattern typically signals market indecision, with neither buyers nor sellers able to establish clear dominance. As the triangle progresses, volatility tends to decrease until a breakout occurs, often leading to a sharp move in the direction of the breach.
XRP is approaching the apex of a symmetrical triangle, trading near $1.1041; the next move could be decisive if the pattern breaks.
Mini dictionary: Symmetrical triangle – A chart pattern characterized by two converging trendlines, indicating a period of consolidation that typically results in a breakout.
Key resistance at $1.13Martinez identified $1.13 as the pivotal level to monitor. He commented that a breakout above $1.13 could serve as confirmation of a bullish trend, potentially opening the door to further gains. In recent trading sessions, XRP has struggled to establish momentum above this level, repeatedly encountering resistance near the upper edge of the triangle.
A decisive breakout above $1.13 could confirm the bullish breakout and open the door for further upside.
Despite consistent recoveries from the lower trendline, XRP has yet to secure a sustained move above $1.13, which Martinez highlighted as the immediate focus for traders observing breakout signals.
Possible price targetsMartinez’s projection illustrates that if XRP moves above $1.13, immediate price targets could include $1.17, followed by $1.25 and $1.30. The anticipated move is steep, assuming that momentum accelerates once the resistance is breached. A rise to $1.30 would represent an approximate 18% increase from current levels.
Price LevelSignificance$1.13Breakout trigger/resistance$1.17First target after breakout$1.25Secondary upside target$1.30Potential breakout completionShould XRP fail to break out, a reversal near the lower trendline could bring prices back toward the $1 mark, but so far each dip has resulted in a swift recovery, supporting the ongoing bullish case.
XRP’s current positionAt the time of Martinez’s analysis, XRP was trading at $1.1041, hovering near the apex of the triangle pattern. The opportunity for a breakout is narrowing as the convergence of the trendlines restricts price movement even further. Martinez has not provided a specific timeline for a potential breakout but emphasized that confirmation above $1.13 is required for the bullish scenario to unfold.
XRP is the native cryptocurrency of the XRP Ledger, designed to facilitate fast and cost-effective cross-border payments for individuals and financial institutions.
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 has surpassed a significant milestone, recording over 1 million agentic transactions. These transactions, settled via the x402 protocol, indicate the growing use of XRP for machine-to-machine micropayments. RippleX’s Head of Engineering, Ayo Akinyele, anticipates that this volume could reach between 10 and 100 million in the coming years. The development coincides with the launch of the XRPL AI Hub by Ripple-backed t54.ai, aiming to integrate payments and AI agents. This milestone suggests an emerging role for the XRP Ledger as a settlement layer in the agentic economy.
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Key Takeaways The milestone of 1 million agentic transactions on the XRP Ledger suggests increasing adoption of XRP for machine-to-machine payments. RippleX’s Ayo Akinyele anticipates a significant rise in transaction volume, potentially reaching 100 million in the next few years, which may indicate a robust growth trajectory. Pricing suggests market participants view this development as supportive of XRP’s potential for reaching a new all-time high by 2026. What to Watch Observers should monitor further announcements from Ripple and the XRPL AI Hub for indications of continued growth in agentic transaction volumes. Developments such as XRP ETF approvals or significant partnerships could act as catalysts, potentially influencing market sentiment toward XRP reaching a new all-time high. The market will also watch regulatory actions from entities like the U.S. SEC, which could impact sentiment and pricing.
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Term Structure
Contract Odds Δ since publish Volume 24h September 30, 2026 1.2% — — View market → December 31, 2026 6.2% — — View market →
Ripple Prime has been shortlisted in four categories at the Hedgeweek US Awards 2026.
The company has been nominated for Prime Broker of the Year: Client Service, Prime Broker of the Year: Technology, Prime Broker of the Year: Specialist Markets, and Prime Broker of the Year: Start-up & Emerging Managers. Winners will be determined through public voting, with the awards ceremony scheduled for October 8, 2026, in New York.
The nominations place Ripple Prime alongside established names in the traditional financial services industry, including major banks, trading platforms, fund administrators and technology providers competing across Hedgeweek’s institutional investment categories.
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Ripple Prime's journey Ripple Prime’s origins trace back to Ripple’s acquisition of Hidden Road, a global prime brokerage and institutional credit network, in 2025. The deal, valued at approximately $1.25 billion, is one of Ripple’s largest moves into institutional financial markets.
Hidden Road was founded in 2018 by Marc Asch and specialized in providing prime brokerage services to hedge funds, asset managers, proprietary trading firms, and institutional investors.
Following the acquisition, Hidden Road was rebranded as Ripple Prime, becoming a dedicated institutional-grade platform within Ripple’s broader financial ecosystem.
Expanding beyond payments For much of its history, Ripple has been primarily associated with blockchain-based payments and the development of the XRP Ledger (XRPL). The company’s flagship institutional product, Ripple Payments, has focused on helping financial institutions and businesses move money internationally using blockchain technology.
The acquisition of Hidden Road signaled a broader strategy: rather than only providing payment rails, Ripple began positioning itself as a provider of financial infrastructure for institutions.
The platform inherited Hidden Road’s existing institutional network and infrastructure, which was built to support trading and financing activities across areas such as digital assets, foreign exchange, derivatives and fixed income products.
The Hedgeweek nominations recognize several aspects of this model, including technology capabilities, specialist market services and support for emerging managers.
The “Specialist Markets” nomination is particularly notable because digital assets remain a developing institutional market compared with traditional asset classes.
Ripple Prime’s nominations place the company in competition with established financial market providers.
The recognition also comes at a time when institutional adoption of blockchain technology is moving beyond simple cryptocurrency exposure.
Whether the company ultimately wins any of the four categories, the nominations show the increasing presence of digital asset-focused firms.
HomeCryptoMARKETSFarmers & Merchants Investment Inc. discloses major crypto holdings.
Farmers & Merchants Investment Inc., a bank holding company with assets under management (AUM) worth $4.1 billion, disclosed exposure to Bitcoin (BTC), XRP, and Robinhood Markets (Nasdaq: HOOD).
While Bitcoin is the world's largest cryptocurrency, XRP is the sixth-largest cryptocurrency.
Robinhood is a Menlo Park, California-based e-trading brokerage platform that is best-known for its stock, cryptocurrency, and tokenized stock offerings.
Farmers & Merchants Investment Inc. revealed in a 13F filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that the bank holding company holds stakes in BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (Nasdaq: IBIT), Bitwise XRP ETF (NYSE Arca: XRP), and Robinhood.
IBIT: $8,689XRP: $27,681HOOD: $47,633Scroll to Continue
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Trending on TheStreet Roundtable:Bitcoin miner stock surges on $9.8 billion AI dealAnalyst cuts crypto firm's price target after 25% layoffsXXI stock plunges 18% after CEO's abrupt exitTracking long-term price actionBlackRock's IBIT fund was launched in January 2024 following the SEC's approval and is the biggest spot ETF in the U.S. to offer Bitcoin exposure. The fund, which hit the all-time high (ATH) of $71.82 on Oct. 6, 2025, was trading around 50% lower at $37.53 at the time of writing.
The Bitwise XRP fund was launched in November 2025, following the success of multiple crypto ETFs. The fund, which hit the ATH of $26.88 on Jan. 6, 2026, was trading more than 50% lower at $12.92.
It was in July 2021 that Robinhood went public. In September last year, the stock joined the coveted S&P 500 index. The HOOD stock, which hit the ATH of $153.86 on Oct. 6, 2025, was trading 30% lower at $106.69.
Farmers & Merchants Investment Inc.'s latest disclosure only shows how much traditional finance (TradFi) firms have come to embrace digital assets.
XRP’s recent market structure is sending mixed signals as activity shifts away from Spot trading and into the derivatives market.
Price remained consolidated between $1.086 and $1.113 despite steadily declining trading volume, suggesting neither buyers nor sellers held a decisive advantage.
Ordinarily, weakening Spot activity would reduce speculative interest. Despite this, Open Interest increased by approximately 5.9% to 423.8 million Ripple [XRP]. At the same time, the estimated leverage ratio for XRP rose to .162.
Source: CryptoQuant This divergence matters because derivatives can sustain positioning without introducing fresh capital into the market. As Spot inflows and outflows collapsed by roughly 99%, leveraged traders increasingly became the dominant force behind XRP’s price discovery.
That explains why the price continued consolidating instead of breaking decisively. However, unless Spot demand returns to validate those positions, the growing leverage leaves XRP increasingly vulnerable to a sharp unwind if sentiment suddenly shifts.
The sustainability of this increasing leverage now depends on one key factor: holder profitability. Recent buyers have finally moved back into profit after XRP’s 30-day MVRV crossed above neutral to 1.03.
That improvement broadly matched Bitcoin’s [BTC] 1.04, Ethereum’s [ETH] 1.11, Cardano’s [ADA] 1.07, and Chainlink’s [LINK] 1.07. As such, it implies that investor sentiment continues recovering across large-cap assets rather than simply being limited to XRP.
Source: Santiment This shift in profitability has changed the incentive structure in the markets. As more short-term holders leave unrealized losses behind, the pressure to hold typically gives way to a greater willingness to lock in gains.
Although the altcoin remains below the historical sell zone, the price action is becoming increasingly difficult to sustain. This is due to a lack of new demand coming into the space and the potential emergence of profit-taking.
Final Summary XRP holders are back in profit, but the rally is being driven more by leverage in derivatives markets than by real Spot demand.The $1.10 support level is at risk, as profit‑taking pressure grows and doubts grow about sustainability.
Ripple Prime has secured nominations in four categories at the Hedgeweek US Awards 2026, highlighting its growing profile within the institutional financial sector. The categories include Prime Broker of the Year: Client Service, Prime Broker of the Year: Technology, Prime Broker of the Year: Specialist Markets, and Prime Broker of the Year: Start-up & Emerging Managers. The winners will be determined by public voting, with the awards ceremony scheduled for October 8, 2026, in New York.
Strong nominations in key categoriesRipple Prime’s placement among the nominees brings it into direct competition with prominent banks, trading venues, fund administrators, and technology firms. These traditional financial institutions continue to dominate Hedgeweek’s institutional investment categories, setting a high benchmark for nominations in the space.
Several aspects of Ripple Prime’s business model have contributed to these nominations, including its technology resources, specialized services for niche markets, and its platform for emerging asset management firms. The Specialist Markets nomination is particularly notable, as digital assets are still an evolving segment for institutional investors compared to established markets.
Ripple Prime, through its expanded business model, is now recognized for its capabilities beyond traditional payment solutions—supporting digital asset trading and financial infrastructure for institutional clients.
Ripple Prime’s evolution and institutional expansionRipple Prime originated from Ripple’s acquisition of Hidden Road, a global prime brokerage and institutional credit provider, in 2025. The deal, valued at $1.25 billion, marked Ripple’s significant move into institutional finance and expanded its service offerings well beyond payments.
Hidden Road, founded in 2018 by Marc Asch, built a reputation as a specialized provider of prime brokerage services for hedge funds, proprietary trading firms, asset managers, and other institutional investors. After the acquisition, Hidden Road was rebranded as Ripple Prime, forming a dedicated institutional platform within the Ripple ecosystem.
Mini dictionary: Prime brokerage, in finance, refers to a bundled set of services offered by investment banks and other financial institutions to hedge funds and large professional investors. These services typically include trade execution, financing, securities lending, and consolidated reporting.
With this acquisition, Ripple Prime inherited Hidden Road’s institutional infrastructure, designed to support trading and financing across digital assets, foreign exchange, derivatives, and fixed income markets. This allowed Ripple Prime to extend its reach and services to a broader client base within institutional finance.
Ripple’s shift from payments to infrastructureRipple has long been known for developing blockchain-based payment solutions and the XRP Ledger (XRPL). Its primary product, Ripple Payments, has helped banks and enterprises facilitate global money transfers using blockchain. However, with the integration of Hidden Road’s business, Ripple has pivoted towards being a comprehensive financial infrastructure provider for institutions, aiming to serve a wider range of financial needs.
The Hedgeweek US Awards nominations reflect a growing recognition of firms focused on digital asset infrastructure, signaling the sector’s evolution as major institutions begin to adopt blockchain technology for more than just cryptocurrency exposure.
Broader industry significanceRipple Prime’s nominations come at a time when the institutional adoption of blockchain technology is accelerating. More traditional financial players are exploring digital asset markets in response to client demand and technological advancements. The competition and recognition at these awards indicate the increasing mainstream acceptance of digital asset-focused firms in established financial arenas.
Whether or not Ripple Prime takes home any of the four awards, its nominations suggest a significant shift in the industry, with digital asset platforms now recognized alongside traditional financial heavyweights.
CategoryRipple Prime StatusPrime Broker: Client ServiceNominatedPrime Broker: TechnologyNominatedPrime Broker: Specialist MarketsNominatedPrime Broker: Start-up & Emerging ManagersNominatedDisclaimer: 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 price moved higher as renewed progress on the CLARITY Act improved confidence across the cryptocurrency market.
Bitcoin price gained 2% to $66,310, helping major digital assets extend their recovery during Tuesday’s session. The total crypto market value rose 1.25% to $2.25 trillion within the latest 24-hour period.
The sentiment was reinforced when the White House was reported to have accepted an ethics package as attached to the legislation.
The agreement eliminated a significant barrier to the expansion of United States crypto regulation. XRP price could target the $2 level if buying pressure continues.
White House Reaches Ethics Deal on CLARITY Act The White House has reportedly reached an agreement on ethics provisions connected to the CLARITY Act.
Journalist Eleanor Terrett disclosed that officials exchanged new verbiage with top Republicans in the Senate. The progress could eliminate the significant barrier that slowed down the negotiation.
🇺🇸🚨 CLARITY UPDATE 🚨🇺🇸
According to Eleanor Terrett, the White House has reached an agreement on the ethics package tied to the CLARITY Act and has already shared the updated text with key Senate Republicans.
The updated bill could be released very soon. ⏳ pic.twitter.com/CzTy3SNutJ
— John Squire (@TheCryptoSquire) July 21, 2026
The updated package is undergoing review by lawmakers before the bill goes through the legislative process again. The revised text can be published any time in the future, but there is no publication date mentioned by officials.
The CLARITY Act seeks to establish clearer federal rules for digital assets. It continues to be a closely monitored development in the cryptocurrency sector.
XRP ETFs Attract $2.49 Million as Total Inflows Reach $1.49 Billion XRP exchange-traded funds recorded $2.49 million in daily net inflows as of July 20, led entirely by Bitwise. The fund also had the biggest total assets of 320.82 million assets, the biggest amount of listed XRP products.
Source: Sosovalue data The cumulative net inflows of all funds were at $1.49 billion. The combined net assets were 1.02 billion, which is 1.46% of the market capitalization of XRP. The total trading value amounted to 11.67 million and Canary, Franklin, 21Shares, and Grayscale had no new daily inflows. The daily price increases were also made in all the listed products.
XRP Price Prediction: Can Bulls Push XRP Toward $2? As of the reporting, the XRP price surged to $1.16, extending gains inside a rising four-hour channel. Buyers forced the XRP past the $1.12 resistance, making the level an immediate support.
The most recent action puts the next significant upside target of $1.20. A long term breakout of above $1.20 might open the way to $1.25. And if bulls mount more pressure, the XRP price could surge to $1.80-$1.90 in the near term
Momentum indicators however indicate that the rally can be short-term cooled. The RSI stood at 78.46, which means that XRP was squarely in the overbought region. Meanwhile, the MACD line remains above its signal line, supporting continued bullish momentum.
Source: XRP/USDT 4-hour chart: TradingView The pullback might re-test $1.12 then buyers will make another move forward. Failure to hold that level may expose XRP price to $1.07 support. A close under $1.07 would negatively affect the structure of the bullishness and make the downward risks more risky.
XRP is approaching a critical technical juncture, with analyst Diana (@InvestWithD) spotlighting a tightening symmetrical triangle on the chart that could soon lead to a significant price move.
Symmetrical triangle pattern signals key breakoutDiana, a prominent market analyst known for her technical analysis on digital assets, described XRP as trading within a tightening symmetrical triangle, with price action confined by converging support and resistance lines. These trendlines have drawn closer over recent weeks, forming a pattern viewed by traders as a precursor to a large move once either side breaks.
Currently, XRP hovers near $1.1158, maintaining a structure of higher lows that indicate steady buying momentum despite consistent resistance near the upper boundary of the triangle. The asset has repeatedly challenged this level, highlighting the importance of the pattern’s apex for its next direction.
XRP continues to trade inside a tightening symmetrical triangle, with both resistance and support converging into a single decision point. Diana emphasized that this setup rarely persists for long without the asset committing to a decisive breakout.
The chart points to immediate resistance at $1.1184. Beyond this, a key barrier sits at $1.1453, where the descending trendline meets a historically significant resistance zone. Diana identified the $1.12 to $1.145 band as essential for bulls to reclaim in order to initiate further upside.
LevelFunction$1.1184Immediate resistance$1.12 – $1.145Breakout zone$1.20First upside target$1.30Major resistanceMomentum builds as triangle tightensThe analyst pointed to momentum indicators showing further signs of strength. According to Diana, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) is rebounding toward more bullish levels, while price action is consistently printing higher lows. She stated that these signals point to growing buyer interest as XRP’s trading range narrows.
As the triangle pattern nears completion, Diana expects a resolution in the pattern within the coming sessions. The asset will soon need to choose a direction, with a breakout targeting higher price levels if buyers prevail.
RSI is recovering toward bullish territory while price continues printing higher lows, suggesting momentum is building as XRP approaches a decisive moment in its symmetrical triangle pattern.
Upside targets and alternative scenarioShould XRP break above the $1.12 to $1.145 resistance area, Diana projects a move toward the $1.20 mark as the next key upside target. A further surge beyond $1.20 could open the door for a rally up to $1.30, a level that aligns with major historical resistance.
However, if the breakout fails and downside pressure returns, Diana pointed to the $0.90 to $0.87 demand zone as the next area likely to attract buyers. The asset remains within the triangle for now, with the market awaiting confirmation of direction as the pattern nears its end.
Mini dictionary: Symmetrical triangle, a chart pattern formed by converging trendlines of support and resistance, typically indicating a period of consolidation before a significant breakout in either direction.
Investors and traders continue to watch these levels as XRP approaches the apex, with a decisive breakout likely to set the tone for the next sustained trend.
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 Russian State Duma has advanced new legislation aimed at regulating major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), and XRP, officially classifying them as property. The proposed law would allow these digital assets to be traded commercially among businesses, while restricting retail investors to an annual cap of 300,000 rubles, approximately $3,800.
Retail limits and commercial use definedIf enacted, the new regulation would enable merchants to accept selected cryptocurrencies for commercial transactions. However, private citizens would remain prohibited from using Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, or XRP for in-store purchases or online payments for goods and services. Regulators reportedly view major-cap crypto primarily as investment assets or as payment vehicles for cross-border trade, rather than for retail consumption in the domestic economy.
Under the measures, Russian citizens would only be permitted to invest in or use these cryptocurrencies in strictly regulated ways, while businesses could leverage them for commercial transactions, especially in international contexts.
The restrictions reflect Russia’s ongoing preference for maintaining the ruble as the exclusive means of payment within its borders, while seeking greater flexibility for international settlements amid continuing Western sanctions.
New tiered investor system and reporting rulesThe bill, titled “On Digital Currency and Digital Rights,” is scheduled for completion by July 22, 2026. It introduces a tiered system for retail investors, who must pass a knowledge-based assessment to access higher limits. Successful participants can reportedly purchase up to 3 million rubles in crypto and transfer up to 1 million rubles abroad each year.
In 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin approved a law legalizing crypto mining, indicating continued regulatory experimentation rather than an outright ban in the sector.
The latest draft of the legislation also proposes easing certain disclosure requirements. Retail holders would no longer need to report individual wallet addresses; instead, regulatory focus would shift to aggregate wallet balances and transaction volumes.
Despite these changes, the Bank of Russia will continue overseeing all cryptocurrency transactions, with the legislation expected to take effect on September 1, 2026. The country’s approach mirrors aspects of the SWIFT international payment system, aiming to facilitate external trade while maintaining oversight.
Mini dictionary: State Duma – The lower house of the Federal Assembly of Russia (the Russian parliament) responsible for drafting and passing legislation.
CategoryCommercial UseRetail LimitPermitted cryptocurrenciesBTC, ETH, SOL, XRPBTC, ETH, SOL, XRPAnnual capNo cap for merchants300,000 rubles (~$3,800)In-store/online paymentsAllowed for merchants (B2B)Not permitted for individualsGlobal context and parallel approachesRussia has increasingly used digital assets to circumvent Western sanctions, particularly following the disconnection from major European financial networks in 2022. This year, significant European financial institutions introduced multi-chain ledgers for cross-border payments, reflecting a broader move toward digital solutions for global finance.
Japan recently finalized its digital asset regulatory framework, reclassifying Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP as financial instruments. This move aligns with the growing global trend of establishing formal oversight for digital assets.
Meanwhile, the United States continues to consider new regulations. The CLARITY Act, which could see adoption by August 2026, is under discussion amid broader ethics reforms in the White House. The U.S. market sees widespread use of crypto both as investment and for transferring money among the public. Notably, American stablecoins such as USDC and RLUSD play a key role in tokenization and digital finance.
Unlike Russia, the United States allows wider use of digital assets for everyday transactions, and American stablecoins remain prominent in domestic and international markets.
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.
US authorities have initiated actions to seize more than $25 million in cryptocurrency linked to fraud schemes that targeted thousands of victims across the United States and Canada. The US Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the US Secret Service Washington Field Office filed five separate civil forfeiture complaints on July 21, 2026, as part of a wide-ranging clampdown on international cyber fraud.
Thousands targeted in multiple schemesEach complaint stems from an independent investigation by the Secret Service’s Cyber Fraud Task Force, which has recovered over $800 million in recent years through coordinated operations. The Scam Center Strike Force, an interagency effort launched in November 2025 by US Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro, is spearheading these cases and focuses specifically on cryptocurrency-related investment fraud linked to Chinese transnational crime syndicates.
Jeanine Ferris Pirro stated, “This $25 million seizure is a direct result of the Scam Center Strike Force I launched in November 2025, and it demonstrates the power of aggressively targeting these international fraud networks.”
Jeanine Ferris Pirro emphasized that going after these organizations with stronger enforcement has produced real results, pointing to the $25 million seizure as testimony to the effectiveness of the Strike Force initiative.
Two of the five complaints account for the largest portion of funds identified. In one case, a private-sector partner alerted authorities to suspicious transactions. The investigation uncovered that over 200 individuals were victimized in online romance scams, with the complaint seeking to forfeit approximately $12.09 million in crypto.
Another complaint followed notification from Canadian law enforcement in late 2024 regarding suspect wallet addresses. Secret Service agents then froze the identified wallets and linked them to more than 270 victims who had been defrauded via fake investment platforms. This case involves around $10.4 million.
The remaining three complaints collectively cover the balance of the $25 million, all connected to illicit money flows traced to Southeast Asia. Investigators found that individuals moving the stolen cryptocurrency operated from this region.
Complaint TypeFunds SoughtNumber of VictimsSource/RegionRomance scam (US, Canada)~$12.09 million200+Private sector tipFake investment platforms~$10.4 million270+Canadian law enforcementOther complaint casesRemainder of $25 millionUnknownSoutheast AsiaCriminal syndicates and tacticsThe schemes were primarily orchestrated through a tactic known as “pig butchering,” where fraudsters patiently establish relationships of trust with their targets. Victims are then encouraged to acquire legitimate cryptocurrency, which is subsequently diverted into fraudulent trading platforms operated by organized criminal groups.
Mini dictionary: Pig butchering, a type of scam where fraudsters build trust and affection over time before convincing victims to invest in bogus crypto platforms or send cryptocurrency, which is then stolen.
According to previous US Justice Department findings, many scam operations are coordinated from heavily guarded compounds in Burma, Cambodia, and Laos. These facilities often exploit trafficked workers, who are forced to perpetrate digital fraud under threat.
Efforts by law enforcement have ramped up throughout 2026, following a surge in crypto-related investment scams. The Strike Force had seized $580 million as of February, climbing to more than $700 million by April. US prosecutors have recently brought charges against two Chinese nationals who allegedly operated a scam compound in Burma, following US Treasury sanctions imposed on Cambodian senator Kok An in April 2026 for his reported ties to criminal enterprises in the region.
Wider problem and outlookSoutheast Asian scam centers have reached a vast scale, with US officials estimating the yearly haul from such operations targeting Americans to be as much as $10 billion. FBI reports indicate that in 2025 alone, US residents lost approximately $21 billion to cyber-enabled crimes and digital fraud.
Authorities have stated their intent to pursue asset forfeiture through court actions and aim, wherever possible, to return recovered funds to verified victims.
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.
CRCL, BMNR, and MSTR stock prices have seen a surge over the past 24 hours following the crypto market surge
Bitcoin price rose to over $66,000, and Ethereum reached over $1,900 and XRP price rose to over $1.14.
The total crypto market cap increased 2.08% to $2.26 trillion within 24 hours.
The investor mood was lifted by new steps toward more definitive United States digital asset regulation. CRCL, BMNR, and MSTR stocks gained during Tuesday’s session as cryptocurrency prices strengthened across the market.
The anticipations about the CLARITY Act also favored firms that had high exposure to cryptocurrency markets.
What’s Next For CRCL, BMNR and MSTR Stock Price Ahead of FOMC Meeting The Federal Reserve will meet on July 28 and July 29, with markets expecting unchanged interest rates. Investors will closely watch Chairman Kevin Warsh’s comments for guidance on inflation, growth, and future policy decisions.
FedWatch data Bitcoin and crypto-related equities could be backed by a balanced message, such as CRCL, BMNR, and MSTR. Nevertheless, the hawkish cues can put pressure on the digital assets and lead to profit-taking in these stocks. The short-term trend will likely be determined by whether Bitcoin will remain above $66,000 following the meeting.
Circle Internet Group (CRCL) CRCL stock jumped 6.91% to $69.97 on Tuesday, strengthening its short-term outlook before the upcoming FOMC meeting. The stock shot up on opening, and was momentarily touching the $72.50 resistance area.
The breakout also saw a significant increase in trading volume, which justified a high level of buying interest at the start of the market. The price however, consolidated around $70 later on when the early momentum faded.
CRCL stock A long-run above $70 would lead to the reopening of the route to $72.50. Additional gains can be aimed at $74 should buyers retain control following the Fed decision.
The nearest support is around $67.50, where buyers have supported the trend in the past. Further pullback might reveal $65.45, undermining the bullish arrangement. The volatility can be high during the time of the policy announcement.
Bitmine Immersion Technologies, Inc. (BMNR) BMNR stock rose at $17.02, with a share gain of 2.35%, as investors evaluated the growing Ethereum treasury of BitMine prior to the FOMC meeting. BitMine purchased 7,430 ETH in the week, increasing total holdings to 5.78 million tokens. The company has staked 4.92 million ETH, representing about 85% of its holdings.
It also repurchased 5.5 million shares at an average price of $15.62. Cumulative crypto, cash, and investments were $11.5 billion.
BitMine Adds 7,430 ETH, Holdings Reach 5.78M ETH
BitMine said it acquired 7,430 ETH over the past week, bringing total holdings to 5,777,468 ETH, or about 4.8% of Ethereum’s supply. The company has staked 4.92 million ETH, representing roughly 85% of its holdings, and also… pic.twitter.com/5fBRTYIuar
— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) July 20, 2026
Technically, BMNR has a resistance of about $17 and $17.20. Breakout may be at $18. The support is about $16.90, then $16.80 and $16.63 in the event of a rise in selling pressure. The FOMC action can decide whether momentum will further build up.
Strategy Inc (MSTR) MSTR stock climbed 4% to $102.39 on Tuesday after Strategy reported a stronger cash reserve position. Shares gained $4.57 as buyers defended the important $100 level during active trading.
Michael Saylor said Strategy increased its dollar reserves by $225 million. The company now holds 843,775 Bitcoin and $3.2 billion in cash reserves.
Strategy has increased its USD Reserve by $225 million. As of 7/19/2026, we hodl ₿843,775 in our BTC Reserve and $3.2 billion in our USD Reserve. $MSTR $STRC https://t.co/sci7bZHzsy
— Michael Saylor (@saylor) July 20, 2026
Technical momentum is still in a positive state as long as the stock is above $100. A break out over $105 may hit $107 then clear a road to $110 this week. But a drop to even less than $100 can also reveal support at 97.82. Further downward movement would break the existing bullish pattern and decrease the short-term upward potential.
After a decline that dominated the majority of the year, XRP is alive again. On the daily chart, the asset, which is currently trading at $1.13, has clearly formed an ascending triangle. This pattern is frequently linked to bullish continuation or reversal attempts.
The structure indicates that buying pressure is steadily building even though the breakout has not yet happened. The sequence of higher lows that have developed throughout July is the most prominent aspect of XRP's present configuration. There is a rising support line beneath price action because buyers have been drawn to each pullback earlier than the last.
XRP/USDT Chart by TradingViewConcurrently, XRP is still testing resistance from a group of moving averages that are directly above it. Usually, a powerful directional movement resolves this compression between support and resistance. Near the 50-day EMA at $1.17 is the first significant barrier. The focus would shift to the 100-day EMA around $1.24 if a close above that level were successful.
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After that, bulls would move on to the psychologically significant $1.30 area. Additionally, momentum indicators are improving. After months of weakness, the RSI has risen above the neutral 50 level, indicating a change in sentiment. However, trading volume is still low, suggesting that the market is still awaiting confirmation before making large capital commitments.
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While XRP is trading below its longer-term moving averages, especially the 200-day EMA around $1.44, the overall trend is still negative. However, this is one of the strongest price structures seen in a few months.
XRP may enter a much longer recovery phase if buyers are able to overcome the current resistance. On the other hand, the asset would be vulnerable to another decline toward the $1.05–$1.00 support zone if the rising trendline support were lost, invalidating the bullish setup.
Cardano's recovery potentialOne of Cardano's longest stretches of persistent weakness is slowly coming to an end. ADA, which is currently trading at $0.175, has spent the past few weeks regaining important short-term moving averages while laying a foundation above its June lows. The technical picture has significantly improved, even though the asset is still far below significant long-term resistance levels.
ADA's breakout from the horizontal consolidation range that dominated price action for the majority of the spring is among the most significant developments. Before eventually drawing enough buying pressure to move higher, the asset moved sideways for months in the $0.15-$0.16 area. A higher low structure was established by that breakout, which also turned the momentum back to buyers.
ADA/USDT Chart by TradingViewFollowing the initial recovery rally, price action has stabilized thanks to the support provided by the 20-day and 50-day EMAs. In the meantime, the RSI has risen above 56, suggesting that bullish momentum is getting stronger without getting close to overbought territory. If market conditions continue to be favorable, this allows for further upside. The next important level is located around $0.20, close to the 100-day EMA.
This region denotes a significant psychological threshold as well as technical resistance. ADA's outlook would be greatly enhanced by a clear move above $0.20, which might also lead to a wider advance toward the $0.22-$0.25 range.
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Additionally, volume activity has improved since the first half of the year, indicating a resurgence of market participation. Even though the long-term trend is still improving, ADA seems to be building a foundation for a more significant reversal later in the year.
The $0.16 support zone is still crucial for the time being. The current recovery will continue as long as Cardano stays above that area, and there is a high likelihood that it will continue to rise toward higher resistance levels.
Stellar's clear recoveryAmong the major altcoins, Stellar is quietly building up one of the cleanest recovery structures in a while. After rising from its June lows, the asset has been consolidating above important moving averages for the past few weeks, currently trading close to $0.19. The technical picture has significantly improved since the first half of the year, even though the overall trend is still cautious.
The convergence of the 20-, 50-, and 100-day EMAs around current price levels is one of the most significant developments. This compression frequently indicates an impending increase in volatility, and XLM seems to be getting close to that turning point. Despite multiple attempts by sellers to drive it lower, the asset has consistently maintained the $0.18 support zone. Market participants are once again paying attention to Stellar, as evidenced by the enormous volume spikes in June.
XLM/USDT Chart by TradingViewEven though those rallies were initially rejected, the pullbacks that followed did not result in lower lows, indicating that buyers are progressively absorbing supply. This narrative is supported by momentum indicators. Before overbought conditions become a concern, the RSI is holding close to 52, providing ample opportunity for additional upside.
The next targets appear close to $0.23 and $0.25, where prior rallies stalled, if bulls can push XLM above the $0.20–$0.21 resistance zone. The key level is currently $0.18. By staying above it, the recovery is maintained and the potential for a more significant trend reversal is preserved.
Any significant breakout attempt would be postponed if there were a breakdown below that support, which would probably draw attention back to the $0.16 region.
Bitcoin is reboundingThe top cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, is currently trading at about $66,300 as it continues to rebound from its severe decline in June. After being under pressure for weeks, Bitcoin has finally started to establish a sequence of higher lows, indicating that buyers are progressively taking back control of the market.
BTC/USDT Chart by TradingViewBitcoin's market structure has significantly improved as a result of the recent recovery, which has propelled it back above both its short- and medium-term moving averages. But the biggest obstacle is still directly above. Throughout the recent decline, the 100-day EMA, which is now close to $68,000, has frequently halted attempts at upside.
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This means that in the near future, the $68,000 area will be the crucial battlefield for Bitcoin. A clear breakout above it could pave the way for the $72,000-$75,000 range and greatly bolster bullish momentum. After months of decline, such a move would also put BTC back in a stronger medium-term trend.
The RSI has risen above 60, indicating a rise in buying pressure without entering overheated territory. Additionally, volume has stabilized, indicating that the panic selling that occurred in June has mostly stopped.
Support between $63,000 and $64,000 is still crucial on the downside. The current recovery is sustained as long as Bitcoin stays above that range. Whether Bitcoin can reclaim the $68,000 mark and demonstrate that a more sustainable advance is in progress is currently the market's main concern.
Kalshi is applying to the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) for permission to introduce perpetual futures contracts on gold, silver and platinum. This move comes part of the company’s latest strategy to expand its derivatives trading from crypto perpetual futures.
Kalshi To Launch Gold, Silver, Platinum Perps For this, Kalshi went through the CFTC’s self-certification process with the proposed contracts, per a Bloomberg report published Tuesday. Within this structure, the regulator will have 45 days to determine if the products can proceed for approval, or whether it should be rejected.
The proposed agreements would not have expiration dates. Traders would have the ability to hold their positions open without going into new futures contracts periodically. It’s not like a traditional futures contract, which has an expiration date.
Kalshi is planning to open for 24-hour derivatives trading from Monday to Friday. Those hours would follow a similar time frame to that used by the underlying precious metals markets.
The company will consider trading hours further down the road, Chief Risk Officer Udesh Jha said.
Perpetual futures were the first to become popular in the crypto trading space. They enable traders to obtain leveraged exposure without a settlement deadline. Generally, the price is maintained in close proximity to the underlying asset by periodic transactions of funding payments between traders.
In recent months, there has been a growing interest in similar contracts of traditional assets. There are already a few crypto-native trading platforms that have launched commodities-based perpetual products, like gold and crude oil.
There was also an increase in demand during the US-Iran conflict. The crypto-based trading platforms that were set up for oil-linked perpetual contracts continued to operate while conventional futures markets were closed.
Recent Legal Battle With CME Group Earlier this year, Kalshi became the first regulated U.S. marketplace to be approved to offer crypto perpetual futures. It launched Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP futures among other crypto products. This later became the basis for a lawsuit brought by CME Group.
In June, CME filed a lawsuit against the CFTC, claiming perpetual contracts should be classified as swaps, rather than futures. Kalshi says the lawsuit will not affect their product plans.
The move is the latest in an arms race among exchanges to make trading accessible. CFTC just rejected a proposal from the CME to trade oil continuously. CME is also readying up to offer gold futures trading 24/7, adding to the competition in the precious metals derivatives market.
Bitcoin Provides Defensive ExposureBlue Macellari, T. Rowe Price’s head of digital assets and the ETF’s lead portfolio manager, said the fund reflects the company’s longstanding emphasis on active management and fundamental research.
"We were never going to launch just a Bitcoin ETF," Macellari said during an appearance on the Crypto Prime podcast on Monday.
Its initial portfolio was led by Bitcoin at roughly 41% and ETH at about 18%, followed by positions in BNB, SOL XRP, HYPE and smaller allocations to other assets.
Macellari described the current market as a crypto winter and noted the fund is positioned relatively defensively, explaining its substantial Bitcoin weighting.
‘Tokenization Good, Crypto Bad’ Is A False DivideMacellari argued that Wall Street often tries to separate tokenization from cryptocurrencies by claiming tokenization is valuable while native digital assets are not.
She rejected that distinction.
If stocks, funds and other financial products migrate to public blockchains, their activity could create value for the networks and native tokens underpinning those systems.
The broader portfolio reflects T. Rowe Price’s bullish outlook on what she called "on-chain finance."
Macellari highlighted Hyperliquid’s revenue model as particularly compelling because it can be understood and valued using metrics familiar to traditional investors.
ETH and SOL may also benefit as financial institutions move tokenized assets and around-the-clock markets onto blockchain networks, she predicts.
Crypto Winter May Approach Its Final StageMacellari explained that the market has been in a persistent downturn since the October 2025 selloff, marking the first crypto winter experienced by many investors through spot exchange-traded products.
Bitcoin has suffered a drawdown of about 50%, while Ethereum, Solana and other altcoins have faced deeper declines.
However, she said the selloff has created more attractive asymmetric opportunities in projects whose underlying adoption and economics remain intact.
The key difference from previous winters is that banks, asset managers and financial platforms have continued developing digital-asset infrastructure rather than abandoning the sector.
Macellari expects choppy conditions and the possibility of further declines through the summer but believes the market could begin emerging from crypto winter heading into Q4.
Image: Shutterstock
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XRP price is showing signs of a bigger move as whale selling continues to slow down. Large investors are sending fewer XRP tokens to Binance than at any time since 2025, reducing selling pressure on the market.
Meanwhile, crypto analyst Ali Martinez says if XRP breaks above the key $1.13 level, it could start a strong rally and climb toward $1.35.
XRP Price Jumps 4% as Buying Activity SurgesXRP price rose more than 4% in the last 24 hours, climbing close to $1.13 as the overall crypto market recovered. Coinglass data shows that trader activity increased sharply, with XRP futures open interest rising nearly 10% to $2.47 billion.
This shows that more traders are opening new positions and expecting bigger price moves. The rally also forced many traders who had bet against XRP to close their positions.
In total, more than $3.29 million worth of XRP positions were liquidated, including nearly $2.93 million from short sellers alone.
When short positions are liquidated, traders are forced to buy back XRP, adding more buying pressure and helping the price move even higher.
Also Read : Ripple Executive Explain Why XRPL Was Built for Speed From Day One
Whale Selling Pressure Drops to Lowest Level Since 2025Following this surge, CryptoQuant analyst Darkfost believes XRP is entering an important stage of its recovery.
According to his Binance whale inflow chart, large investors are sending far fewer XRP tokens to the exchange than before. Whale inflows have dropped sharply from a peak of 583 million XRP (about $1.36 billion) earlier in the cycle to just 25.3 million XRP (around $23 million) now.
The longer-term trend tells the same story. The 90-day average of whale inflows has fallen from roughly $460 million in early 2025 to only $69 million today.
This suggests that many of the biggest sellers have already slowed down, reducing selling pressure while XRP continues trading near the $1 support zone. Darkfost says the next step for XRP will depend on fresh buying demand returning to the market.
Also Read : What Could 500 XRP Be Worth by the End of 2026? Three Scenarios Explained
Analysts See $1.35 as the Next TargetMeanwhile, crypto analyst Ali Martinez also sees bullish signs forming. He noted that XRP’s monthly TD Sequential indicator has flashed a buy signal, while the hourly chart is forming a symmetrical triangle.
According to Martinez, a breakout above $1.13 could open the door for a rally of nearly 20%, pushing XRP toward $1.35.
Story Ends Here
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Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) rallied above $66,000 to its highest level in over a month, as a technical trifecta that has historically marked every major cycle bottom flashed on the monthly chart.
What Is The Macro Bottom Signal Showing?Crypto analyst Ali Martinez identified three conditions on Bitcoin’s monthly chart that have aligned at every major cycle bottom since 2015.
The three signals:
Monthly RSI dropping to approximately 43.65 Chande Momentum Oscillator cooling to around -71 Price testing the 50-month moving average Last month, Bitcoin’s correction to $58,000 triggered all three simultaneously for the first time since December 2022.
How Has This Signal Performed Historically?The trifecta has appeared three times before, each time marking a durable accumulation zone rather than a precise price floor:
2015 — Signal printed at $235 in March. Price briefly dipped to $162 before an 8,300% expansion followed 2019 — Signal triggered at $3,333 in January, just above the $3,124 absolute low set a month prior, preceding a 1,911% rally 2022 — Signal fired at $16,270 in December near the 50-month moving average, launching a 675% rally Ali Martinez noted that on-chain metrics including MVRV and CVDD still point to a potential cycle bottom between $40,000 and $50,000, leaving open the possibility that price sweeps lower before the next leg higher.
The technical signal historically printed slightly above the absolute bottom rather than at the exact low.
What Is Driving Tuesday’s Rally?Fox Business reporter Eleanor Terrett reported Monday that President Donald Trump agreed to a crucial ethics provision for the crypto market structure bill, with the specific language shared with a group of Senate Republicans.
The ethics provision has been the primary obstacle blocking Senate passage for months.
Meanwhile, Bitcoin ETFs added $227 million in net inflows on July 20, marking the fifth consecutive day of positive flows, according to SoSoValue data. That pushed the five-day total to roughly $727.3 million.
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Bitcoin climbed back above the $66,000 mark after the White House reportedly reached an agreement on an ethics package tied to the CLARITY Act.
Up until now, Democrats demanded stronger guardrails on Trump’s crypto business ties as a non-negotiable condition for their votes. The bill needs 60 Senate votes to advance, making bipartisan support mathematically necessary.
The rally also pushed crypto sentiment into the Neutral zone (40) for the first time in nearly a month after an extended period of Fear and Extreme Fear.
Notable Statistics Coinglass data shows 73,177 traders were liquidated in the past 24 hours for $225.70 million. SoSoValue data shows net inflows of $226.9 million from spot Bitcoin ETFs on Monday. Spot Ethereum ETFs saw net inflows of $38.09 million. In the past 24 hours, top losers include DeXe, Pi and Pyth Network. Latest DevelopmentsTrader NotesCrypto Poseidon highlighted that Bitcoin bottomed near $60,000 despite calls for $45,000, but renewed euphoria at the range high could signal another reversal. He expects BTC to peak around $70,000 before gradually falling back toward $60,000 by September.
CryptosBatman sees Bitcoin testing the daily 50-day EMA, a level that has capped every major rally this year. A decisive breakout could signal a broader trend reversal, while another rejection would reinforce the prevailing bearish structure.
MN Fund founder Michael van de Poppe noted Bitcoin has climbed to its highest level in more than a month, signaling improving market momentum, but the rally has yet to accelerate.
The analyst says a decisive break above last month’s $67,000 high could open the path toward $73,000.
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In XRP news today, David Schwartz, Ripple’s CTO Emeritus and co-creator of the XRP Ledger, publicly admitted on July 20, 2026 that he regrets selling XRP at $0.10 and 40,000 ETH at roughly $1.05 each – but he was clear that neither sale reflected a loss of conviction in crypto. Both were products of a rules-based risk-management pact he had made with his wife years earlier.
The admission landed on X under his longtime handle @JoelKatz, after another user raised his history of selling XRP at $0.10 and Ethereum near $1.
Obviously, I wish I hadn't done those things. But I agreed with my wife to sell at every new ATH and I really, really hate risk. I wish I was more comfortable with risk, but I'm just not that person.
— David 'JoelKatz' Schwartz (@JoelKatz) July 20, 2026
With XRP price trading around $1.13 and ETH price near $1,927 at the time of the article’s publication, according to multiple price feeds, the scale of the missed upside is not hard to calculate.
The central tension this story unpacks: even one of crypto’s most technically sophisticated insiders – a man who helped build XRP from the ground up – systematically sold assets that later generated life-changing returns, and he did it on purpose.
XRP News: The ATH-Selling Pact That Drove the Early Exits
Schwartz’s explanation centers on an agreement he reached with his wife around 2012, when they discussed a cryptocurrency derisking plan.
She agreed to the plan on one condition: that they would sell a portion of their holdings at every new all-time high (ATH), steadily reducing household exposure to assets whose future prices were deeply uncertain.
In his July 20 post, Schwartz described the framework plainly. He added that he had agreed with his wife to reduce exposure whenever his holdings reached new highs because he strongly disliked financial risk.
The Ethereum sale illustrates the logic clearly. Schwartz sold 40,000 ETH at approximately $1.05 per ETH, for a total of roughly $42,000.
In a May 4, 2026, post, he explained the probabilistic thinking behind the exit. “If I had thought there was a 1% chance of it hitting $2,368, I would not have sold it for $1.05,” he wrote.
Trade XRP on ByBit and Join the 99Bitcoin’s $1000 USDT Airdrop
XRP, Bitcoin, and a Pattern of Structured Derisking Schwartz began selling XRP when the token first hit $0.10. According to his January 2026 comments, that price appeared extreme at the time; he said he never believed XRP would reach even $0.25.
His XRP holdings peaked at approximately 26 million tokens before he substantially reduced that position over subsequent years, according to Ripple executives’ XRP sales data since 2012. He has not provided a complete public breakdown of his current holdings.
The pattern extended to Bitcoin as well. Schwartz has previously acknowledged selling much of his early Bitcoin holdings as part of a broader effort to manage volatility rather than making a specific judgment about whether the underlying networks would fail.
For readers tracking XRP’s long-term price trajectory, Schwartz’s early exits serve as a sharp reminder of how difficult it was to assign credible probability to multi-hundred-percent gains during the asset class’s formative years.
(SOURCE: TradingView)
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Where Schwartz Stands Now In other XRP news, Schwartz stepped away from day-to-day CTO duties at Ripple at the end of 2025 and became CTO Emeritus. He has said his primary exposure to the digital asset industry now runs through Ripple equity rather than direct token holdings, a structure that keeps him financially tied to crypto’s success without the volatility of holding tokens directly.
He has remained active in the XRPL community. In June 2026, he backed the XRP Ledger 3.2.0 upgrade by updating his independent hub server, a release that touched infrastructure connected to DeFi, lending, and tokenized assets.
His latest comments focus on the personal approach to risk that led to earlier sales. Schwartz has framed his decisions as rational, given the probability estimates available at the time, and his regret concerns the returns he left on the table rather than the overall logic he used to make the trade.
Schwartz has explicitly declined to present his approach as advice for other investors. It was a personal preference built around a household risk tolerance, one that, by his own admission, cost him a great deal of upside.
Whether that makes it a cautionary tale or simply an honest accounting of how hard it is to hold volatile assets through uncertainty is a judgment every investor has to make for themselves.
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Standard Chartered’s roadmap has XRP at $28 by 2030. Read the fine print and every dollar above $3 depends on one bill passing a Senate that has sat on it for a year. The most institutional price target in crypto is a bet on Congress, trading at one-in-three odds.
Summary
Standard Chartered’s Geoffrey Kendrick cut his 2026 XRP target 65% in February, from $8 to $2.80, the deepest cut across the bank’s crypto coverage, while raising his long-range ladder to $7 in 2027, $12.60 in 2028, and $28 by 2030. The conditions are explicit: the near-term target needs only a macro recovery, but the 2027 and 2028 legs require the CLARITY Act to pass and spot ETF inflows to scale past $4 billion. The $28 endpoint assumes XRP becomes core financial infrastructure at a market cap near Bitcoin’s 2025 peak. Both conditions are currently failing. CLARITY has gone a year without a Senate floor vote, its text keeps slipping, and prediction markets price 2026 passage near one in three. ETF inflows have collapsed from $200 million a week to roughly $2 million. The honest math is stark: Bitwise’s formal valuation model spans $29.32 to 13 cents for 2030, a 200-fold range driven by the same binary assumptions, and analyst consensus clusters at $5 to $10 only “if CLARITY clears.” XRP trades near $1.10. Every institutional target above roughly $3 is, mechanically, a legislative forecast wearing a price target’s clothes, and holders pricing the roadmap without pricing the Senate are reading half the document. Price targets are supposed to be about assets. The most cited institutional forecast in XRP is, on inspection, about a legislature. Standard Chartered’s Geoffrey Kendrick, the closest thing crypto has to a house analyst on Wall Street, maintains a roadmap that carries XRP from roughly $1.10 today to $28 by 2030, and he has been unusually honest about the machinery underneath it: the near-term number needs nothing but a market recovery, while every rung above it requires the bill the roadmap depends on to become law and ETF money to arrive in billions. Those are not market variables. One is a bill that has spent a full year without a Senate floor vote, whose text has slipped repeatedly, and which prediction markets price near one-in-three for 2026; the other is a flow that has decayed from $200 million a week at launch to roughly $2 million now. The roadmap is rigorous, transparent, and conditional to its core, and the market that quotes its endpoints has mostly declined to read its conditions. This piece reads them, prices them, and asks what an XRP holder actually owns: an asset with an institutional bull case, or a leveraged position on the United States Congress.
The roadmap, with its fine print restored Kendrick’s forecast deserves to be laid out properly, because its evolution is more informative than any single number in it.
The original ladder, published in April 2025 while Ripple was still litigating with the SEC, projected $5.50 by the end of 2025, $8 by the end of 2026, and $12.50 by 2028, resting on three named catalysts: resolution of the SEC case, spot ETF inflows of $4 billion to $8 billion, and growing payments use. What happened next is the interesting part: the catalysts substantially arrived, the SEC dropped its appeal, spot XRP ETFs launched in November and pulled in over a billion dollars faster than any product since Ethereum’s, Ripple spent roughly $2.7 billion assembling a prime brokerage and treasury stack, and the price went to $1.16 anyway, its lowest in fifteen months, dragged by a market-wide selloff Kendrick described as capitulation-prone. His February response was the deepest cut in the bank’s crypto book, the 2026 target from $8 to $2.80, alongside reductions for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana.
And then the detail most coverage skipped: he raised the far end. The revised ladder runs $2.80 this year, $7 in 2027, $12.60 in 2028, $19.60 in 2029, $28 in 2030, with the long-range numbers lifted even as the near ones fell. The conditions attached are explicit in the bank’s work and in every serious reading of it. The $2.80 leg requires only macro repair, lower rates, risk appetite, a crypto market that stops falling. The $7 and $12.60 legs require the CLARITY Act to pass and cumulative ETF inflows to scale beyond $4 billion. The $28 endpoint requires XRP to stop being a traded asset and become, in the bank’s own blunt framing, core global financial infrastructure, at a market capitalization near $1.7 trillion, which is approximately what all of Bitcoin was worth at its October 2025 peak. The roadmap is not a prediction that compounds; it is a staircase where each step has a named gatekeeper, and from the second step up, the gatekeeper is the federal government.
The conditions, marked to market Take the two named conditions and price them with current data, because that exercise is the entire article.
Condition one: CLARITY becomes law. The bill’s year has been a study in almost. It cleared the Senate Banking Committee in May on a bipartisan 15-9 vote, which was real progress and is also the last floor-adjacent event it has produced. The revised text has slipped repeatedly, most recently after a White House meeting failed to break the deadlock, with the merged draft’s ethics provisions, the Trump family’s crypto holdings, and Democratic co-sponsorship all unresolved; not one Democrat currently backs the draft in circulation, and the August recess eats the calendar from the other end. Prediction markets, which watched the same year happen, price 2026 passage around 32%, down from near 50% in the spring. Senator Lummis has warned publicly that missing this window could shelve the bill for years. None of this makes passage impossible, majorities want a market-structure law in the abstract, but a one-in-three market probability is what the condition is currently worth, and the roadmap’s $7-and-above rungs inherit that discount factor whole.
Condition two: ETF inflows past $4 billion. For readers needing the base mechanics, crypto.news has explained how the flow condition is measured. The products launched spectacularly, $667 million in the first month, a billion dollars faster than any recent debut, an eight-week inflow streak that ran even as Bitcoin funds bled. Then the decay set in, and the current run-rate is the condition’s obituary: weekly flows that touched $200 million now measure around $2 million, July has printed zero-inflow days and the first outflows, cumulative inflows sit near $1.49 billion, barely a third of the condition’s threshold, and the assets that did arrive are roughly $493 million underwater against a $1.10 token. The internals are thinner than the totals: some 82% of complex assets sit in three funds, and a category-level inflow day increasingly means two issuers’ sales desks had a decent Thursday while five products recorded nothing. Analysts modeling the flows tie their recovery to, of all things, condition one, arguing institutional allocation resumes when legal status is permanent, which means the two conditions are not independent. They are one condition wearing two hats, and the hat that matters sits in the Senate.
The case for the conditional bull The strongest honest version of the roadmap’s defense is worth stating fully, because Kendrick is not naive and the structure of his call has real merit.
Conditional targets are what rigorous analysis looks like. A forecast that names its dependencies, CLARITY, $4 billion of flows, infrastructure adoption, is falsifiable and updatable in a way that round-number moonmath never is, and Kendrick’s willingness to cut his own headline number 65% in public is the behavior of an analyst marking to reality instead of defending a franchise. Note also what he did at the long end: raised it, on the argument that the fundamental build-out, the acquisitions, the licenses, the ETF wrapper existing at all, improved XRP’s decade even as its year collapsed. That is a coherent position, not a hedge.
The legislative bet itself is less speculative than a one-in-three market price makes it sound, on this view. Market-structure legislation has bipartisan support in principle, an industry spending historic sums to get it, a White House demanding it, and a predecessor, GENIUS, that proved the votes exist when text and politics align. Bills look dead until the week they pass; prediction markets priced GENIUS pessimistically inside its own final month. If CLARITY or any successor framework lands in 2027 instead of 2026, the roadmap’s ladder shifts a year without breaking, and an asset priced at $1.10 against a $7 conditional target offers the kind of asymmetry institutional allocators are paid to notice. The Bitwise model’s bull leg reaching $29.32 says a formal valuation framework, not just a bank’s conviction, can generate these numbers when the assumptions fire.
And beneath both conditions sits the quiet third catalyst the roadmap only gestures at: the institutional stack behind the thesis, the trust-bank charter awaiting final approval, the pending Fed master account that would be a first for a crypto-native firm, the prime brokerage clearing trillions. If that stack converts into settled volume that actually requires the token, the fee-and-utility floor under the price rises regardless of Washington’s calendar. The bulls’ summary is fair: the conditions are named, the discount is priced, and the asymmetry is the product.
LATEST: Ripple accelerates its evolution with deep liquidity, growing $XRP reserves, native stablecoin, Hidden Road integration, banking access, and institutional settlement engine pic.twitter.com/CoXOfAYveE
— crypto.news (@cryptodotnews) April 19, 2026 The case that a conditional target is not a target The skeptical reading does not dispute Kendrick’s numbers. It disputes what kind of object they are.
A price target whose upper rungs require an act of Congress is a legislative forecast, and banks are not better at those than prediction markets are. The one-in-three CLARITY price is not an inefficiency waiting to be arbitraged by people who read committee schedules; it is the aggregated judgment of a market that has watched this specific bill slip for a year, and the roadmap’s expected value collapses once the conditions are weighted honestly. Multiply the ladder out: $7 in 2027 at a one-in-three legislative probability, further discounted by an ETF condition running at a third of its threshold with decaying flows, prices the conditional rungs somewhere far below the headline, which is, notably, roughly where the market actually trades the token. On this reading, XRP at $1.10 is not ignoring the institutional bull case. It is pricing it correctly, conditions included, and the gap between spot and roadmap measures the conditions’ improbability rather than the market’s ignorance.
The Bitwise spread makes the point mathematically. A formal model that outputs $29.32 in its bull state and 13 cents in its bear state for the same asset in the same year is not describing a range of outcomes for a business; it is describing a binary event with a token attached. Two hundred-fold spreads do not appear in the valuation of assets whose futures are continuous; they appear when everything depends on a switch, and the switch here, the regulatory ground under the target plus the institutional adoption it gates, sits outside the asset entirely. Holders own exposure to the switch without any influence over it, which is a structurally different proposition from owning a claim on a growing system, and it deserves a different name than price target.
History supplies the uncomfortable base rate. XRP’s community has already lived one complete cycle of this structure: years of arguing the SEC case was the only thing suppressing the price, followed by the case resolving, the ETFs launching, the acquisitions closing, and the token underperforming the entire asset class anyway, down more than 60% from its 2025 high while its catalysts fired one by one. The lesson the tape taught, that clearing the named obstacle does not deliver the promised repricing, is precisely the risk the new roadmap reproduces at a higher level of government. And the flows condition has already offered its preview: the ETFs arrived, the inflows came, the price fell through all eight weeks of the streak, and the buyers stopped. A thesis that failed its own dress rehearsal does not become sturdier by moving the decisive scene to the Senate floor.
The roadmap’s quiet third catalyst deserves fuller treatment before the verdict, because it is the one input whose calendar Washington does not control alone. Ripple’s institutional stack has kept compounding straight through the price collapse: the national trust bank charter, conditionally approved in December, awaits final OCC sign-off, with only one crypto-native firm ever having completed that journey; the Federal Reserve master account application, which would give a crypto company direct access to the central bank’s payment rails for the first time, sits in a queue the Fed has formally paused for new Tier 3 decisions until the end of 2026, with Kraken’s five-year path to approval as the only precedent; and the prime brokerage assembled from the Hidden Road acquisition now clears institutional volume at a scale no other crypto firm matches. Analysts modeling the master-account scenario describe it as the catalyst no price target has fully priced, the event that would move XRP’s story from regulatory permission to infrastructure incumbency. The honest caveat is that this catalyst shares the others’ defect at one remove: charters and master accounts are also government decisions, made by regulators instead of legislators, on calendars measured in years. The stack is real, its compounding is observable, and its conversion into token demand remains the same unproven step the whole thesis keeps deferring. It widens the bull case’s foundations without shortening its timeline, which is precisely why the bank parked it under the 2029 and 2030 rungs, not the near ones.
The comparison set inside the ETF complex sharpens the flow condition further, because the aggregate numbers hide a structure that matters for whether $4 billion is even reachable. Seven US spot XRP products launched within weeks of each other, and the field has already stratified beyond recovery: Bitwise, Canary, and Franklin hold roughly 82% of complex assets, the remaining funds regularly print zero-flow days, and the best single day of July, under $7 million, came almost entirely from two issuers’ distribution. That concentration converts the headline condition into a narrower question than the roadmap implies. Getting from $1.49 billion to $4 billion does not require a market-wide change of heart about XRP; it requires two or three sales organizations to find another two and a half billion dollars of allocator demand for a product their clients currently hold at a half-billion-dollar unrealized loss. Fund flows follow performance with a lag in both directions, which is how the launch streak ran eight weeks into a falling price and why the decay since has been so complete. The precedent that haunts the setup is the launch itself: XRP reached its first billion of ETF inflows faster than any asset since Ethereum, an achievement the roadmap’s original version treated as the catalyst arriving, and the price fell throughout. A condition that was substantially met once, at maximum velocity, without producing the predicted repricing, now needs to be met again, from a lower base, against worse performance, before the next rung unlocks. That is the version of the flow condition an allocator actually faces, and it is meaningfully harder than the single cumulative number in the bank’s fine print suggests.
What a holder actually owns Strip the argument to its usable core and the position clarifies.
Below roughly $3, XRP’s institutional targets are macro calls, and the asset trades like the rest of the risk complex, with the same Fed, the same liquidity, the same beta. In that band, the roadmap says little that Bitcoin’s chart does not. Above roughly $3, every institutional number in circulation, Kendrick’s $7 and $12.60 and $28, the consensus $5-to-$10 cluster, Bitwise’s bull leg, is conditioned on the same two-headed event: American market-structure law passing and the institutional allocation it is assumed to unlock. A holder at $1.10 therefore owns three stacked exposures, a crypto-market beta, a Washington binary priced near one-in-three, and a residual bet that legal clarity converts into token demand, the step the SEC-resolution cycle already failed to deliver once.
None of that makes the position irrational; binaries with asymmetric payoffs are a legitimate thing to own, and the roadmap’s transparency about its conditions is exactly what makes the position priceable at all. What it makes irrational is quoting the ladder without its gates, and the gates have a calendar. The floor-vote window before the August recess, the fall session after it, and the 2027 political cycle beyond are, mechanically, the price target’s actual chart. Watch Polymarket’s CLARITY line before watching XRP’s, watch the weekly ETF prints for any sign the $4 billion condition resurrects, and watch whether the text that keeps slipping ever stops slipping. The bank told everyone precisely what has to happen. The market is telling everyone precisely how likely it thinks that is. The only mistake available to a holder is reading one document and not the other. Crypto.news has also explained why reading institutional positioning honestly means treating delayed disclosures and flow headlines as conditions, not proof.
Frequently asked questions What is Standard Chartered’s current XRP forecast? The bank’s revised roadmap, published with its February cuts, projects $2.80 for end-2026, $7 in 2027, $12.60 in 2028, $19.60 in 2029, and $28 by 2030. The 2026 target was cut 65% from $8, the largest reduction across the bank’s crypto coverage, while the longer-range targets were raised. At $28, XRP’s market capitalization would reach roughly $1.7 trillion, near Bitcoin’s October 2025 peak value.
What conditions does the roadmap depend on? Explicitly stated ones. The $2.80 leg requires only a broad crypto-market recovery. The $7 and $12.60 legs require the CLARITY Act to pass and cumulative spot ETF inflows to scale past $4 billion. The $28 endpoint assumes XRP becomes core global financial infrastructure rather than a traded asset. The bank’s original 2025 roadmap carried similar named catalysts: SEC case resolution, ETF inflows, and payments adoption.
How likely is the CLARITY Act to pass? Prediction markets currently price 2026 passage around 32%, down from near 50% in spring. The bill cleared the Senate Banking Committee 15-9 in May but has gone a year without a floor vote, its revised text has slipped repeatedly including after a failed White House meeting, no Democrat backs the current draft, and the August recess shortens the calendar. Senator Lummis has warned a missed window could shelve it for years.
How are the ETF inflows tracking against the $4 billion condition? Poorly. Cumulative net inflows sit near $1.49 billion since the November launch, roughly a third of the threshold, and the run-rate has collapsed from about $200 million a week at launch to around $2 million, with July printing zero-inflow days and the streak’s first outflows. Assets are roughly $493 million underwater at current prices, and about 82% of the complex sits in just three funds.
Why did XRP fall even as its earlier catalysts arrived? That is the cycle’s hardest lesson. The SEC dropped its appeal, spot ETFs launched with record early demand, and Ripple deployed roughly $2.7 billion on institutional acquisitions, yet the token fell more than 60% from its 2025 high with the broader market. Analysts attribute the gap to macro conditions, persistent early-holder selling, and the structural fact that network adoption does not automatically create token demand.
What does the Bitwise model’s range mean? Bitwise’s formal valuation framework outputs 2030 scenarios from $29.32 down to 13 cents, a roughly 200-fold spread. Ranges that wide indicate a binary structure: the outcomes depend overwhelmingly on whether legal clarity and institutional adoption fire, not on incremental business performance. It is the same conditionality as the bank roadmap, expressed as a probability distribution rather than a ladder.
Is a conditional price target still useful? Yes, if read whole. Named conditions make a forecast falsifiable and updatable, and Kendrick’s public 65% cut shows marking to reality. The danger is quoting the ladder without its gates: above roughly $3, every institutional XRP target in circulation depends on the same legislative and flow conditions, so the honest way to use the roadmap is to track the conditions, Polymarket’s CLARITY odds and weekly ETF prints, alongside the price.
What should XRP holders watch next? Three calendars. The Senate floor window before the August recess and the fall session, since the legislative condition dominates everything above $3. The weekly ETF flow prints, for any sign the $4 billion condition revives, including whether inflows broaden beyond the three dominant funds. And Ripple’s institutional stack, final trust-bank approval and the pending Fed master account, which is the roadmap’s quiet third catalyst. This is not investment advice.
Disclaimer: This article is for information and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. It discusses analyst forecasts and legislative probabilities that can change quickly and may prove wrong in either direction. Nothing here is a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any asset. Always do your own research. Information is accurate as of July 21, 2026.
XRP has reached an important resistance level after breaking above the Ichimoku Cloud on the one-hour chart amid a recent rebound push.
The breakout has improved the token’s short-term outlook, but buyers still need to push through key resistance levels before they can confirm that the recovery has more room to continue.
XRP Recovers but Meets Strong Resistance XRP bounced back sharply after dropping to a recent swing low of $1.0826. The recovery carried the token above the Ichimoku Cloud before it met resistance around $1.13.
At the time of writing, XRP trades at $1.1311, down 0.24% over the past day. Amid this slight decline, it remains to be seen if buyers can build on the breakout or whether sellers will stop the rally.
The latest move has strengthened the short-term picture, but the broader trend still points lower. Because of that, traders have yet to treat this recovery as confirmation of a full trend reversal. The next price moves will likely show whether XRP can extend its gains or return to its earlier downtrend.
Ichimoku Cloud Shows Buyers Have the Edge The Ichimoku indicator suggests buyers have gained control in the short term. XRP now trades above both the Tenkan-sen at $1.1240 and the Kijun-sen at $1.1114, and this shows growing buying strength. As long as the price stays above these lines, buyers keep the advantage.
However, the breakout still faces an important test. Senkou Span A sits at $1.1311, matching the current price and acting as immediate resistance.
Meanwhile, Senkou Span B stands at $1.1177, creating a key zone between $1.1177 and $1.1311. If XRP remains above this area, the breakout stays intact, and the short-term outlook remains positive.
XRP Ichimoku Cloud Breakout A move back inside the cloud would weaken the current setup and increase the chances of another pullback. At the same time, the Chikou Span has not yet moved above the price levels from 26 periods ago. Until that happens, the Ichimoku signal remains positive but still lacks full confirmation.
XRP Fibonacci Levels Elsewhere, XRP’s Fibonacci extension reveals areas traders should watch next. The nearest support levels sit at $1.1251, which marks the 0.786 retracement, and $1.1158 at the 0.618 retracement. If XRP pulls back, these levels could help slow the decline.
If selling pressure increases, the next support comes in at $1.1002 near the 0.33 retracement. This level also sits close to the Kijun-sen, which makes it an important area that could help determine whether the recent recovery remains in place.
On the upside, XRP first needs to break above the 0.888 Fibonacci level at $1.1307, which aligns with the upper edge of the Ichimoku Cloud.
A successful move above this level would bring the 1.0 extension at $1.1369 into focus. If buyers keep the momentum going, they could then target the 1.272 extension at $1.1522, followed by the 1.414 extension at $1.1602.
Even so, the resistance zone between $1.13 and $1.16 could slow the rally. Buyers will likely face fresh selling pressure throughout this range. Breaking above each level would strengthen the recovery, while rejection could send XRP back toward its nearby support levels.
XRP Momentum Slowing Down Although XRP has recovered slightly, the Directional Movement Index suggests buying strength has started to fade. The Average Directional Index (ADX) stands at 33.6457, showing that the market still has a strong trend instead of moving sideways.
However, the positive directional indicator (+DI), which measures buying pressure, has fallen from 37 to 29.3752 over the past few hours. This drop suggests buyers have lost some momentum even though the price has held near its recent highs.
Meanwhile, the negative directional indicator (-DI) has also declined to 11.5424, showing that sellers have not yet taken control.
This leaves the market in a balanced position. Buyers still have the advantage because the +DI remains above the -DI. However, if buying pressure continues to weaken while the ADX stays high, XRP could pull back toward the support area between $1.1158 and $1.1177.
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.
PANews reported on July 21, citing The Block, that the decentralized trading platform Arcus has officially launched on Robinhood Chain, offering zero-fee, 24/7 trading for over 95 U.S. stock tokens and introducing a beta of perpetual contracts that use the USD stablecoin USDG as margin, covering underlying assets such as U.S. stocks, ETFs, commodities, and crypto assets. Users can trade with cross-margin through a single self-custodial account, supporting leading tech stocks like Nvidia, Apple, Microsoft, Tesla, Meta, Alphabet, and Amazon, as well as products linked to SPY, QQQ, GLD, USO, BTC, ETH, SOL, and XRP. Arcus was founded by Eddie Zhang, with early development involvement from the dYdX team, Robinhood Crypto as a strategic investor, and integration of infrastructure from Paxos Labs and Privy.
The XRP ecosystem continues to develop despite broader macroeconomic uncertainty.
Asheesh Birla, CEO of XRP treasury company Evernorth, highlighted three recent milestones involving AI payments, institutional education, and decentralized lending.
Birla said while markets remain focused on possible U.S. Federal Reserve rate decisions, activity within the XRP ecosystem has continued to grow without relying on macroeconomic catalysts.
AI Agents Complete One Million XRPL Payments Birla said AI agents processed about one million payments on the XRP Ledger (XRPL) in roughly one month. He cited on-chain data from AI payments platform t54ai.
According to Birla, the milestone shows software autonomously paying other software through XRPL. Transactions settle in seconds and cost only fractions of a cent.
He added that this level of activity was not present earlier this year, suggesting growing demand for AI-powered micropayments on the network.
DTCC References XRP in Educational Materials Birla also highlighted that the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) added XRP to its educational Learning Center. The asset is referenced in materials explaining how crypto collateral haircuts work.
He clarified that this does not mean DTCC has decided to accept XRP as collateral. Instead, he said the educational content includes XRP as part of broader discussions about digital asset collateral management and risk assessment.
XRP Lending Proposal Enters Testing Birla’s third update focused on the XRP Ledger’s on-chain lending proposal, XLS-66, which has entered the testing phase.
RippleX recently confirmed that testing is now underway. The milestone marks another step toward expanding decentralized finance (DeFi) functionality on XRPL. Birla said tracking protocol development offers more insight than focusing on short-term price movements.
Ripple Expands Institutional Strategy With XRP Ledger and RLUSD Meanwhile, Ripple is strengthening its institutional blockchain strategy through partnerships with Mastercard, JPMorgan, Ondo Finance, and OKX.
In a Grayscale interview, Ripple SVP Jack McDonald said the company is building institutional-grade infrastructure, with trades from its collaborations with Mastercard, JPMorgan, and Ondo Finance set to settle on the XRP Ledger (XRPL).
McDonald also highlighted OKX’s expanded support for Ripple USD (RLUSD), allowing the stablecoin to be used for spot trading, derivatives, and collateral.
RLUSD, launched about 18 months ago, has grown to a market cap of around $1.6 billion. McDonald said Ripple’s priority is now shifting from exchange listings and growth to expanding RLUSD’s real-world institutional utility while continuing to use XRPL as its settlement layer.
Ecosystem Development Continues Summing up the recent progress, Birla said advances in AI payments, institutional education, and on-chain lending show that XRP ecosystem builders are continuing to expand the network despite market uncertainty.
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.
TLDRWhale Deposits Fall From Earlier HighsThirty-Day Inflows Reach Two-Month LowLower Exchange Supply Supports Current RecoveryGet 3 Free Stock Ebooks XRP reclaimed the $1.13 level as whale deposits to Binance declined sharply. Daily whale inflows fell from 583 million XRP to about 25.3 million XRP. The 90-day average value of whale inflows dropped from roughly $460 million to $69 million. Binance’s 30-day whale inflows declined to 947.4 million XRP, the lowest level in two months. The 30-day total fell 34.4% from its late-June peak of 1.445 billion XRP. XRP returned above $1.13 as large-holder deposits to Binance declined sharply, reducing potential exchange supply. XRP whales now send fewer tokens to the platform, according to recent CryptoQuant data. The shift marks a clear slowdown in large transfers during XRP’s latest price recovery.
Whale Deposits Fall From Earlier Highs CryptoQuant data showed daily whale inflows dropping to 25.3 million XRP, valued near $23 million. Earlier readings reached 583 million XRP, worth about $1.36 billion at prevailing prices. Therefore, XRP whales have reduced the volume available for immediate trading on Binance.
The longer-term trend also shows lower transfer activity from major holders. The 90-day average fell from roughly $460 million in January to about $69 million. This decline indicates XRP whales have moved substantially less value onto Binance over recent months.
Exchange inflows often rise when holders prepare tokens for trading or possible sales. However, lower deposits do not prove that selling has ended across the wider market. They show XRP whales currently send fewer large transfers into Binance accounts.
Thirty-Day Inflows Reach Two-Month Low Arab Chain reported that Binance’s 30-day whale inflows fell to about 947.4 million XRP. The total marks a two-month low as XRP whales continue reducing exchange transfers. Large holders had transferred about 1.445 billion tokens during the late-June peak.
The latest figure reflects a 34.4% decline in less than one month. That reduction highlights slower activity among large holders using the world’s largest crypto exchange. It may also show that XRP whales prefer private wallets or other trading venues.
Arab Chain said declining inflows can signal weaker selling intent or reduced trading activity. Still, the analyst warned against treating one metric as a complete market signal. Price, volume, derivatives data, and broader exchange flows remain necessary for balanced analysis.
Lower Exchange Supply Supports Current Recovery XRP price reclaimed $1.13 while large deposits continued falling on Binance. The price move placed the token back in positive territory during the latest session. Meanwhile, XRP whales supplied fewer coins to the exchange as spot trading conditions improved.
Reduced deposits can limit the amount of XRP immediately available for sale. However, existing exchange balances and smaller transfers can still influence market supply. XRP whales therefore represent one part of the wider liquidity picture.
The current data confirms a meaningful slowdown in large-holder transfers to Binance. XRP whales have reduced both short-term deposits and longer-term average inflows. XRP remains above $1.13 as exchange supply from major holders continues shrinking.
XRP is garnering renewed attention among large financial institutions as settlement infrastructure becomes a growing focus in the shift toward tokenized assets. In a recent YouTube episode, Crypto Sensei argued that XRP may gain further significance as banks, custodians, and asset managers continue expanding their operations in crypto and tokenization. The speaker identified settlement—rather than trading—as the primary use case emerging across the institutional landscape.
Industry giants explore Ripple networksCrypto Sensei referenced a Bitwise institutional activity chart, reportedly dated June 30, 2026, which suggests that approximately 79% of the largest financial firms have some connection to Ripple or XRP. This category includes direct partnerships, custodial services, pilot programs, and exposure to XRP-related products. While the exact nature of involvement varies, the trend reveals a growing interest in building settlement infrastructure for tokenized funds, deposits, and securities.
The YouTube discussion singled out BNY Mellon, the world’s largest custodian bank, as a prominent player in this shift. According to the host, BNY Mellon became the primary custodian for Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin in July 2025. The bank also reportedly provides custody for the Bitwise XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF) and other spot crypto ETFs. BNY Mellon is said to oversee $53 trillion in assets under management, underscoring the scale of institutions now engaging with crypto settlement platforms.
Crypto Sensei also pointed to a 2026 pilot initiative that included Ripple, JPMorgan, Mastercard, and Ondo Finance. The project reportedly used the XRP Ledger, leveraging existing bank payment rails to test the redemption of tokenized US Treasuries. The speaker described the XRP Ledger as acting as a “neutral settlement fabric” for tokenized assets and digital forms of bank money.
Mini dictionary: RLUSD, the Ripple-issued stablecoin pegged to the US Dollar, is designed for institutional and cross-border settlement, aiming to facilitate efficient crypto asset transfers within regulated frameworks.
Innovations in settlement and custodyAnother video segment presented evidence of ongoing settlement activity involving Mastercard, JPMorgan, and Ondo Finance on the XRP Ledger. The discussion highlighted RLUSD’s $1.6 billion market capitalization, with the stablecoin’s trading infrastructure and exchange support described as broadly established. The analysis suggested that attention is now turning to unlocking longer-term applications and network utility.
Among these innovations, confidential transfer features are cited as enabling encrypted balances and transaction amounts while retaining supply control mechanisms and selective audit functionality. The delegation of permissions, another emerging capability, allows institutions to grant narrowly tailored operational rights to third parties without sharing main wallet keys.
Broader institutional contextThe video also touched on the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC), an important clearinghouse for US financial markets, referencing its inclusion of XRP in educational material about crypto collateral haircuts. The host emphasized that this move was not an endorsement or operational acceptance of XRP as collateral, but rather a step toward considering the asset in institutional risk management scenarios.
This focus on infrastructure, risk management, and settlement-use cases signals wider momentum for digital assets among major global banks and service providers.
Crypto Sensei highlighted BNY Mellon’s adoption of RLUSD custody and the use of the XRP Ledger by leading institutions for tokenized asset settlement, describing these moves as significant progress toward mainstream institutional participation in crypto infrastructure.
InstitutionXRP InvolvementRole DescriptionBNY MellonRLUSD primary custody, ETF custodyCustodian for Ripple stablecoin and ETFsJPMorganPilot programTested tokenized US Treasuries on XRP LedgerMastercardPilot program, settlementCollaborated on tokenized settlement pilotsOndo FinancePilot programInvolved in settlement trials using XRP LedgerDisclaimer: The information contained in this article does not constitute investment advice. Investors should be aware that cryptocurrencies carry high volatility and therefore risk, and should conduct their own research.
Ripple (XRP) ticks up and trades around $1.13 at the time of writing on Tuesday. This rebound aligns with a broader recovery in the cryptocurrency market, attributed to reports that mediators between the United States (US) and Iran are seeking a 10-day cessation of strikes to find a way back to the signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
US-Iran strikes persistThe US military pressed on with a tenth straight day of strikes, with explosions reported in Sirik, Bandar Abbas, Qeshm Island, Chabahar, and Konarak. Iran responded by targeting US assets throughout the Gulf region.
Geopolitical tensions remain elevated as US President Donald Trump has warned Iran of repercussions following US service member casualties.
The Fear & Greed Index dipped to 25 on Tuesday, placing market sentiment firmly in Extreme Fear territory, down from 29 the day before.
Crypto Fear & Greed Index | Source: AlternativeIf sentiment continues to weaken, the recovery may lose traction. Conversely, a rebound in sentiment could fuel a more constructive market outlook.
“Looking ahead, macro developments are likely to be the main catalysts for the market. The European Central Bank (ECB) and Federal Reserve (Fed) rate decisions, particularly the July 29 Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, will be closely watched, while the escalating conflict between the US and Iran remains an additional source of uncertainty for broader risk sentiment,” researchers at K33 stated in Tuesday’s Ahead of the Curve report.
XRP attracts modest on-chain activityInterest in XRP is growing mildly but broadly, as reflected in the Active Addresses metric. CoinGlass data shows that the number of wallets interacting with the XRP Ledger (XRPL) by sending or receiving assets has remained steady around 23,000 on Monday and Tuesday, up from 20,000 last Sunday. This growth suggests that user interest is returning, which may continue to boost demand and support recovery in the short to medium-term.
XRP Active Addresses | Source: SantimentPrice analysis: XRP bulls eye short-term breakout XRP trades at $1.13, keeping a capped tone as price remains below the 50-day, 100-day and 200-day Moving Average Exponentials (EMAs), which align as overhead resistance at $1.15, $1.24 and $1.44 respectively.
The recovery off the recent lows near $1.00 is underpinned by constructive momentum, with the Relative Strength Index (RSI) hovering above the midline at 55 on the daily chart and the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) ticking higher in positive territory. However, these signals only hint at improving demand rather than a clear trend reversal while the pair is still trapped beneath the EMA stack.
XRP/USDT daily chartOn the topside, immediate resistance emerges at the 50-day EMA around $1.15, and a sustained break above this level would expose the next bullish objective at the 100-day EMA near $1.24, ahead of the more strategic barrier at the 200-day EMA around $1.44. On the downside, the latest close at $1.13 acts as a near-term pivot, while the former downtrend-line break level at $1.09 offers a more significant support area. A daily close back below this latter floor would likely revive selling pressure and re-open the path toward deeper retracement levels.
(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.
Ripple-backed XRP Ledger’s newest software update is starting to roll out as The number of validators upgrading to v3.2.0 is increasing. According to the recent XRPL Explorer data, 66% of the trusted validators are running the release. The migration progresses while the network is getting ready for the amendment, called fixCleanup3_2_0.
XRP Ledger v3.2.0 Sees Increasing Validator Support As per the upgrade tracker, there are now 99 validators running v3.2.0. This is 66% of the validator set. It also reveals 481 nodes (57.33%) are running the latest version. However, there is still significant use of older software. Version 3.1.3 is still on 42 validators, representing 28% of the total. It also has 322 nodes that are powered, representing 38.38% of all 825 nodes.
The XRP Ledger has a very critical amendment process. They must be supported by over 80% of the trusted validators. That support should not change during 2 consecutive weeks. The new statistics indicate the network is still short of that. To reach the threshold, another 25 percentage points of additional adoption are needed for v3.2.0.
XRP Ledger version 3.2.0 includes a number of technical enhancements as it covers infrastructure improvements. It is also packed with fixes and developer enhancements. There is one major change via XLS-0095.
The proposal officially changes the name of the server software from rippled to xrpld. The rollout started on June 15. The configuration paths need to be updated for validators and node operators. They also need to update deployment scripts, metadata references, and database directories.
About The Fix Amendment The fixCleanup3_2_0 amendment has already passed the necessary voting level. Currently, it has 85.71% validator support. For this, 30 validators cast their votes in favor while six validators voted against.
The proposed plan is now in the required two-week activation process. The activation period will be July 29, 2026, at 09:57 UTC. It will continue as long as support remains above 80% for the entire countdown.
The node operators are advised to upgrade their nodes before activation as per XRPL validator Vet. The mod is an enhancement to the existing features, rather than new additions. Resolves some accuracy and rounding problems in Single Asset Vaults and Lending Protocol. It also fixes problems related to the Permissioned DEX and Permissioned Domains.
XRP demonstrated renewed positive momentum on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, as the token advanced above short-term resistance levels. Buyers are attempting to extend the recovery, yet major longer-term barriers remain in place for the sixth-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization.
Ripple achieves regulatory breakthrough in EuropeRipple, the company behind XRP, recently secured full authorization under the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulatory framework. The company received this license on July 6 following a preliminary nod in late June, marking a significant step forward in its European expansion efforts.
The new license officially permits Ripple to operate across all 30 member states of the European Economic Area without needing to obtain separate authorizations in each country. This streamlines cross-border operations for Ripple and increases its appeal to banks, fintech firms, and payment service providers seeking reliable digital asset solutions.
Ripple Payments currently serves 90 payout markets globally, processing millions of US dollars in transaction volume. The platform enables payments in fiat currencies, stablecoins, and XRP, facilitating broad adoption and onboarding within the financial sector.
Stronger adoption of Ripple Payments promotes heightened activity on the XRP Ledger. This raises demand not only for the XRP token but also for the associated ecosystem services.
Mini dictionary: Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) — A regulatory framework launched by the European Union to provide licensing, oversight, and consumer protection for digital asset service providers operating in Europe. MiCA aims to standardize the regulatory environment for cryptocurrencies across EU member states.
XRP market structure and key analyst projectionsAt the time of reporting, XRP traded around $1.13, reflecting a daily increase of 3.34%. The token opened at $1.11152 and posted an intraday high of $1.13715, with a low at $1.11043 and closing at $1.13230. There are currently about 62.47 billion XRP in circulation and a market capitalization near $70.8 billion.
Technical analyst Egrag Crypto outlined a long-term path for XRP, referencing a developing triple-bottom pattern visible in the price chart. According to Egrag, this formation includes a sequence of rising cyclical lows, but the latest cycle lacks full technical confirmation.
According to Egrag Crypto, the chart suggests the third bottom may form between $0.90 and $1.00, though the confirmation of this pattern remains pending. He noted that $1.23 acts as the first critical reclamation level and that a major breakout region lies between $2.38 and $3.54. If confirmed, the analyst’s Fibonacci projections indicate possible targets of $9.28, $15.35, and even $31.65 on extended rallies.
XRP price levels and technical signalsXRP’s near-term technical landscape is defined by its position above some moving averages and below others. The 20-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) stands at $1.10456, while the 50-day EMA sits at $1.14500. XRP is currently trading above the 20-day but just beneath the 50-day average.
The 100-day and 200-day EMAs, at $1.23706 and $1.44027 respectively, remain above the present price, indicating continued overhead resistance. The Relative Strength Index, a momentum indicator, improved to 55.16 with its moving average at 46.41. These readings position the RSI above the neutral level of 50 but well below overbought thresholds, signaling healthier market sentiment in the short term.
Market focus is currently directed toward resistance at $1.14500 and the key reclamation target of $1.23. A drop below the 20-day EMA could bring renewed attention to support levels just under the current price action.
IndicatorValueCurrent XRP price$1.1320-day EMA$1.1045650-day EMA$1.14500100-day EMA$1.23706200-day EMA$1.44027RSI55.16Traders and analysts will closely monitor these technical levels, along with volume and momentum indicators, as XRP continues to consolidate its gains amid Ripple’s regulatory progress in Europe.
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.
Allen Konevsky, Chairman and Chief Executive of tZERO Group, one of only two firms to hold a special purpose broker-dealer licence from the US Securities and Exchange Commission, has said he has a long-term bias toward tokens that function as infrastructure ingredients rather than stores of value, singling out XRP and Ether as assets better suited to the future of tokenized capital markets than Bitcoin.
Bitcoin Versus XRP Question
Asked directly to choose between Bitcoin and XRP, Konevsky said the question is one he gets in various forms regularly, and that his answer consistently comes back to the same underlying principle.
“I have a long-term bias for native tokens that support infrastructure needs, that can be used as oil, as ingredients to build tool sets on,” he said. “Bitcoin historically has not shown itself to be that.”
His argument is that assets like XRP or Ether carry structural advantages for market participants building financial infrastructure because they are functional components of the systems they power. Bitcoin, by contrast, has established itself primarily as a monetary asset and store of value rather than an operational ingredient in financial architecture.
Konevsky acknowledged the answer would generate pushback, noting he expected considerable criticism, but maintained that for the specific context of building tokenized market structure, the distinction matters significantly.
AI and Blockchain as Complementary Forces
Konevsky described artificial intelligence and blockchain as complementary rather than competing technologies, and said the machine-to-machine economy emerging from AI will act as a forcing function for the tokenization of financial assets and records.
The logic is that as AI agents conduct autonomous transactions at scale, the need for efficient, programmable value transfer between those agents will create structural demand for tokenized assets and the infrastructure supporting them.
Real Estate as the Most Underrated Tokenization Opportunity
Asked to name the most underrated asset class for tokenization, Konevsky pointed to real estate without hesitation. Despite years of discussion, real estate tokenization has not achieved meaningful scale, and he attributed the shortfall largely to regulatory complexity around the securitization process for single-asset properties.
He said tZERO has discussed with the SEC the need to simplify the process of fractionalizing and tokenizing individual real estate assets, arguing that lowering those barriers would create the kind of user experience that would drive real adoption.
Regulatory Change He Would Make
Konevsky said his priority regulatory change would be to push further down the path of breaking down silos among regulated entities, a principle he said is built into the structure of the CLARITY Act.
“There is no reason why a regulated broker-dealer should not be allowed to do more with crypto,” he said.
tZERO holds a significant head start in that area, having been one of two firms to receive the special purpose broker-dealer designation that allows it to custody and accept crypto assets including stablecoins as part of the securities settlement process. But Konevsky argued that even that framework remains too restrictive, and that broker-dealers should be permitted to offer crypto directly as an investment product to clients with appropriate guardrails rather than operating within the current siloed structure.
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HomeCryptoMARKETSRipple Labs CTO Emeritus David Schwartz regrets selling XRP.
David Schwartz, Ripple Labs CTO Emeritus and one of the founding architects of XRP Ledger, has one regret: selling XRP.
It was on Jan. 29, 2026, that a crypto user asked him if he regretted selling XRP at $0.10 and Ethereum (ETH) at $1.
Schwartz responded around six months later and said,
"Obviously, I wish I hadn't done those things. But I agreed with my wife to sell at every new ATH and I really, really hate risk. I wish I was more comfortable with risk, but I'm just not that person."
David Schwartz, CTO Emeritus at Ripple, speaks during the Annual Non-Fungible Token (NFT) Event in New York, U.S., on Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021.
Getty Images
The veteran Ripple developer said he hates risks and kept selling his crypto holdings every time their value hit new all-time highs (ATHs), owing to an agreement with his wife.
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Schwartz added that although he wished he were more willing to take on risks, he is risk-averse.
Trending on TheStreet Roundtable:Ripple Prime processes $3T annually as institutional adoption acceleratesXRP eyes bigger move as Binance open interest hits 2026 highRipple wants AI agents to pay with XRP and RLUSDXRP fails to recover after multiple ATHs in previous yearsXRP is the sixth-largest cryptocurrency with a market capitalization of $71.16 billion.
The cryptocurrency has been reaching new ATHs every few years. It hit $3.40 in January 2018 during the crypto peak before it retreated to previous lows. While the 2021 peak wasn't as bullish as 2018, XRP again hit $1.84 in April 2021.
XRP hit its ATH of $3.65 on July 17, 2025, when its regulatory status in the United States got nearly settled.
But the crypto flash crash on Oct. 10 a few months later has led to a price decline from which the cryptocurrency is yet to recover.
Over the last 24 hours, XRP's value has grown 3.7% and was trading at $1.14.
The cryptocurrency market experienced significant volatility in July, with Bitcoin dipping below $60,000 amid rising geopolitical tensions and wider selloffs in digital assets and technology stocks.
XRP faces renewed volatilityRipple’s XRP struggled to maintain support at the $1 mark entering July, declining from approximately $1.30 at the start of June to a low of $1.04, marking its lowest point since late 2024. At present, XRP trades near $1.09, reflecting persistent pressure in the broader market.
Ripple is a San Francisco-based technology company best known for its payment protocol and digital currency XRP, designed to facilitate fast and affordable cross-border transactions.
Against this backdrop, ChatGPT, the AI chatbot developed by OpenAI, was tasked with providing a probability-weighted prediction for where XRP might trade on August 1, 2026.
Probability-weighted price scenarios for 2026ChatGPT expects XRP to fluctuate in a broad range between $0.90 and $2.20 by August 1, 2026, depending on how market dynamics evolve. Pressed to select a single value, the AI model settled on a price of $1.34, modestly higher than current levels but still far from a major upward breakout.
For its base case, ChatGPT estimated a 60% probability that XRP will trade between $1.20 and $1.45, assuming no major changes in market sentiment or regulatory landscape. Multiple industry forecasting platforms anticipate XRP to range from $1.15 to $1.25 at the end of July.
In a more bullish scenario, which ChatGPT assigned a 25% chance, the price could rise to a range between $1.60 and $2.20. The factors supporting this outcome include substantial progress on the U.S. CLARITY Act, increased institutional adoption via RippleNet, higher Bitcoin prices, and the return of positive inflows into XRP-focused exchange-traded products.
XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have seen eight straight weeks of inflows recently. A renewed uptick in ETF inflows, combined with XRP closing above $1.20 or progress toward a Senate vote on the CLARITY Act, could provide additional upward momentum.
The most bearish scenario, which ChatGPT placed at a 15% likelihood, envisions XRP trading from $0.90 to $1.10 if the market undergoes a wider downturn, legislative action stalls, or Bitcoin breaches key support levels. Market observers describe $1 as an important threshold for XRP, warning that a fall below this level could trigger further losses down to $0.80.
Mini dictionary: The U.S. CLARITY Act is proposed legislation aimed at distinguishing cryptocurrencies as either securities or commodities, providing clearer regulatory guidelines for digital assets in the United States.
ScenarioProbabilityPrice RangeBase case60%$1.20 – $1.45Bullish25%$1.60 – $2.20Bearish15%$0.90 – $1.10Prospects for a return to $3As for a move back to the $3 mark, ChatGPT projected the odds at under 10% by August 2026, saying such a surge would require the combined effects of favorable U.S. crypto regulation, strong institutional interest, and a sharp recovery across the sector. Despite keeping the $3 price target open for the whole of 2026, ChatGPT emphasized that this level would demand a full-fledged market rally rather than a single short-term trigger.
The $3 target for XRP is considered possible in 2026, but would depend on sweeping changes in regulation and a robust market uptrend, according to ChatGPT.
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.