Federal judge Analisa Torres delivers a new landmark ruling.
Federal judge Analisa Torres is best known within the crypto industry for delivering the landmark judgement on the regulatory status of XRP in the United States.
Now, her ruling in another major case has also shaken the industry.
What Torres' ruling on XRP is all about In December 2020, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a lawsuit against Ripple Labs for offering unregistered securities to investors via XRP sale.
While the SEC insisted XRP is a security, Ripple argued it's merely a digital currency.
The SEC versus Ripple case went on for years and became emblematic of the crypto industry's battle to get recognition in the country.
In July 2023, Judge Torres delivered a landmark ruling who said XRP isn't a security during programmatic sales on crypto exchanges but it is a security when sold to institutional clients.
It was considered a partial victory for both parties, but no side was willing to give up even an inch. The case went on for years.
It was in August 2025 that Ripple and the SEC finally reached a settlement.
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Trending on TheStreet Roundtable:$200B investment firm makes bold Bitcoin prediction for 2028SpaceX moves Bitcoin amid possible market crashBillionaire who recieved Trump's pardon predicts Bitcoin to $1MTorres deals blow to KalshiOn July 7, Judge Torres issued a ruling against Kalshi in a major setback to the prediction market platform.
In the Kalshi vs. New York State Gaming Commission's executive director Robert Williams case, the platform argued its sports contracts qualify as swaps regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
Kalshi requested the court for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to stop New York agencies from targeting it with the state gambling laws.
But Torres concluded that New York's state gambling laws indeed apply to Kalshi’s sports contracts and denied the platform's request for a preliminary injunction.
"The scope of laws regulating gambling and lotteries is clearly a matter of predominantly state concern,” she remarked.
The ruling has implications for the world's largest prediction market platform Polymarket also.
Polymarket users pay with cryptocurrency, Circle's USDC stablecoin to be precise, to predict events like future Bitcoin (BTC) prices, corporate decisions, election results, etc.
Like Kalshi, Polymarket is also battling several court cases to resist state laws as it wants to submit to federal oversight only.
What looks like a textbook breakout setup on the XRP chart has yet to deliver anything for traders. According to a market update from CoinDesk, XRP held the $1.00-$1.05 support zone firmly this week, but the near-term picture remains capped below a cluster of resistance levels as analysts track larger wedge and channel patterns.
The price has spent weeks drifting inside a narrowing range, compressing volatility in a way that often precedes a sudden expansion. The longer-term patterns—a descending wedge and a parallel channel—have been drawn and redrawn on trading screens for months. The theory is simple: a convincing push above the upper boundary could trigger a fast move toward the $1.30 region. But every probe higher so far has been sold into, leaving the asset stuck just above a psychological line in the sand.
Why the Breakout Keeps Getting Delayed One glance at the broader landscape explains why XRP hasn’t been able to escape gravity. The regulatory cloud that has followed the token for years still hasn’t lifted. Even as technical patterns suggest a potential upward move, the legislative environment remains a tangled mess. Just this week, banks are pushing to derail the most significant U.S. crypto legislation four days before a Senate vote, demonstrating the political headwinds that continue to buffet digital assets. For an asset like XRP—whose legal status has been at the center of a yearslong fight with the SEC—any sign of drawn-out regulatory wrangling keeps institutional capital on the sidelines.
Traders are essentially waiting for a catalyst that aligns the technical setup with the messy on-the-ground reality. A definitive court ruling or a legislative surprise could be the spark, but for now, the chart is doing all the work while the news flow offers little help.
The Bigger Altcoin Picture and What to Watch XRP’s sideways motion is not the story across the entire altcoin landscape. A look at this week’s top crypto gainers reveals tokens like TON and SIREN surging over 80% and 70%, respectively. Rotation is alive and well, just not in XRP’s favor right now. That divergence matters because it shows that traders are willing to deploy capital—they’re simply putting it into assets with fresher narratives or clearer catalysts.
Meanwhile, the XRP Ledger’s underlying fundamentals haven’t deteriorated. Data on weekly developer activity across major blockchains shows steady contribution and maintenance work, a signal that infrastructure building continues even when price charts are dull. For long-term believers, that’s the argument for patience: the network isn’t collapsing, and the wedge pattern will eventually resolve.
What remains uncertain is how much longer the market will wait. Prolonged consolidation near a major support tends to erode bullish conviction, and a clean break below $1.00 would likely accelerate selling, opening a path toward the next liquidity zone near $0.85. On the upside, a daily close firmly above $1.20 remains the simple trigger that many breakout traders are watching. Until one of those levels gives way, XRP will continue to test the patience of anyone holding a ticket for the long-awaited move.
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TLDR: XRP open interest on Binance has fallen to around 397 million XRP, marking its lowest level in more than three months as futures activity slows. XRP price has declined toward $1.09, with weaker derivatives participation showing reduced leverage and cautious trader positioning across the market. Retail demand in perpetual futures remains active, with XRP open interest averaging around 2.14 billion XRP across broader derivatives markets. XRP faces technical pressure below key moving averages, while network updates and legal developments continue shaping investor sentiment. XRP open interest has dropped to its lowest level in more than three months as traders reduce exposure in the futures market. Binance data shows XRP futures open interest fell toward 397 million XRP, matching a period when the token price slipped near $1.09.
Source: Cryptoquant The decline highlights weaker activity among derivatives traders as market participants adjust positions amid broader uncertainty. XRP has faced selling pressure alongside wider crypto market weakness, with investors watching geopolitical developments and risk sentiment.
XRP Open Interest Signals Cautious Futures Market Positioning Meanwhile, XRP open interest across perpetual futures markets remains higher than Binance figures, averaging around 2.14 billion XRP. Data shows retail participation has slightly improved from the 2.09 billion XRP level recorded earlier in the week.
The difference suggests that some traders are still maintaining positions despite declining activity on major exchanges. However, institutional flows have shown caution as spot XRP exchange-traded fund activity recorded notable outflows.
XRP price action also reflects market pressure. The token remains below its 50-day, 100-day, and 200-day exponential moving averages, limiting recovery momentum.
The immediate resistance zone sits near $1.14, followed by the 50-day EMA around $1.17. A move above these levels could provide a stronger recovery signal, while further weakness may expose XRP to additional downside pressure.
Source: TradingView XRP Open Interest Decline Comes Amid Network and Legal Updates Additionally, XRP open interest trends are developing as the XRP Ledger faces infrastructure discussions and Ripple continues its legal battle with regulators.
The XRP Ledger has expanded beyond payment use cases, with companies exploring blockchain-based solutions for supply chain verification. Made In USA Inc. recently began using the network to store certificates of authenticity for domestic products.
However, network upgrade concerns have attracted attention after validator adoption of software version 3.2.0 showed uneven progress. Although many official validators installed the update, fewer active nodes have moved to the latest version.
The software gap has raised questions about network coordination as exchanges and custodians rely on stable infrastructure.
Ripple has also continued its legal efforts related to its case with the SEC. The company argued that any penalty should remain limited, while XRP trades significantly below its previous yearly peak.
XRP is currently more than 70% below its 52-week high of $3.65 recorded in July 2025. The token has also declined over 42% year-to-date and more than 50% over the past 12 months.
XRP Price Prediction: Going Mainstream as Kansas Athletics Announces Strategic Jersey Patch Altcoin News
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Ripple just pulled off one of crypto’s more surprising mainstream moves. XRP price action has stayed calm, but prediction models now face a fresh wildcard. Meanwhile, XRP trades near $1.09 after slipping from this week’s highs. Traders have seen enough victory laps before the race even starts.
Kansas Athletics signed a multi-year partnership with Ripple, placing its branding across football, basketball, baseball, volleyball, softball, rowing, and other programs. That gives Ripple regular exposure during Big 12 broadcasts and social media highlights. It is a branding push aimed at credibility, not a sprint for new users.
A shared commitment to innovation and excellence. 🤝
Kansas Athletics is proud to announce a new groundbreaking partnership with Ripple, bringing the XRP brand to Jayhawk uniforms. pic.twitter.com/ucTnIk12QG
— Kansas Jayhawks (@KUAthletics) July 8, 2026 For XRP holders, the interesting part starts after the applause fades. Brand awareness is nice, but markets usually demand proof before handing out rewards. A logo on a jersey will not magically unlock buy orders, even if the mascot suddenly becomes crypto curious.
That leaves XRP trading in familiar territory around the $1.00 to $1.20 range. A sustained move higher will likely need stronger adoption or fresh institutional demand. Until then, this partnership is a welcome headline, but price charts still refuse to clap on cue.
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XRP Price Prediction: Break $1.20 on Mainstream Momentum?XRP is still stuck in consolidation, and price prediction has become more about patience than excitement. The token trades near $1.09 after a modest weekly gain. Recent swings look more like traders arguing over lunch than picking a clear direction.
Technically, the chart still favors a wait-and-see approach. Support sits around $1.00 to $1.05, while resistance remains near $1.15 to $1.20. XRP is parked between those levels, leaving neither bulls nor bears with much to celebrate. Market capitalization stands near $68 billion, with roughly 62.5 billion XRP in circulation.
A bullish breakout would likely require more than fresh headlines. Ripple’s Kansas Athletics partnership could improve brand recognition, but traders usually want stronger catalysts before chasing higher prices. A decisive move above $1.20, backed by solid volume, could shift momentum toward the $1.40 area.
The base case still points to sideways trading between $1.05 and $1.15. Meanwhile, macro events, regulatory developments, or fresh institutional demand could eventually tip the balance. Until then, XRP looks content to keep chart watchers glued to the same candles.
On the downside, losing the $1.05 support would put the $1.00 level under pressure. A clean break below that mark would weaken the current setup and raise the risk of a deeper pullback. Strong fundamentals help, but even good stories eventually need buyers to reach for their wallets.
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LiquidChain Targets Early Mover Upside as XRP Tests Key LevelsXRP at $1.09 with a $68 billion market cap is a legitimate position, but the upside math is what it is. Doubling from here means a $136 billion market cap, which requires a macro bull run and sustained institutional inflows.
Traders hunting asymmetric returns on the current cycle are rotating earlier in the stack. That’s the structural case for looking at infrastructure plays while large-caps consolidate.
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Research LiquidChain’s presale details here.
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XRP has recovered from this week’s sharp sell-off after defending the $1.07 support zone, with traders weighing an emerging bullish chart breakout against persistent geopolitical and regulatory risks that continue to cap upside.
Summary
XRP has rebounded from $1.07 after defending key support, while a descending channel breakout has revived bullish sentiment. RSI bullish divergence, improving MACD momentum, and liquidation clusters near $1.14 support the case for further upside. Geopolitical tensions, ETF outflows, and uncertainty over the CLARITY Act remain key risks that could derail the recovery. According to data from crypto.news, XRP (XRP) price was trading near $1.09 at press time after rebounding from Tuesday’s low of around $1.07, though it remained below the July 4 peak near $1.18.
Risk appetite improved slightly after the initial wave of selling tied to escalating U.S.-Iran tensions eased, but sentiment across the altcoin market remains cautious following more than $400 million in crypto liquidations earlier this week. XRP itself accounted for over $8.6 million in long liquidations during the sell-off, underscoring how heavily leveraged positioning amplified the decline.
Adding to the recovery narrative, analyst Gerla believes XRP has completed a notable technical milestone.
“$XRP just broke out of its descending channel. Now it’s retesting the breakout while RSI prints a bullish divergence. If support holds, this could be the start of the next leg higher.”
While the short-term bounce has attracted fresh buyers, institutional sentiment has yet to fully recover. Spot XRP exchange-traded funds recorded roughly $7.29 million in net outflows on July 8, the largest single-day withdrawal since March.
At the same time, legislative uncertainty continues after the White House missed its July 4 target for passing the CLARITY Act, leaving investors without the regulatory catalyst many had expected to support digital assets during the summer.
Technical structure favors recovery if XRP holds above key support The daily chart shows XRP stabilizing just above its 20-day simple moving average near $1.05 after briefly slipping below the psychologically important $1.10 level. Although price remains beneath the 50-day, 100-day, and 200-day moving averages clustered between $1.17 and $1.46, the 20-day average has flattened, while Chaikin Money Flow has climbed back above zero, suggesting capital has started returning after several weeks of distribution.
XRP daily price chart — July 9 | Source: crypto.news The 4-hour chart presents a more constructive setup. XRP has reclaimed the 0.382 Fibonacci retracement near $1.076 and is attempting to establish support around the 0.5 retracement at $1.097.
XRP 4-hour price chart — July 9 | Source: crypto.news Meanwhile, the MACD histogram has nearly returned to positive territory as the MACD and signal lines converge, while the RSI has rebounded toward 42 after printing higher lows despite price registering fresh local lows. That bullish divergence closely aligns with Gerla’s descending-channel breakout thesis.
Derivatives positioning also leaves room for volatility. CoinGlass liquidation data shows one of the largest short liquidation clusters sitting around $1.14, with additional liquidity concentrated near $1.18.
XRP liquidation heatmap | Source: CoinGlass A sustained move through those levels could trigger forced short covering and accelerate a rally toward the 50-day moving average near $1.18. Conversely, downside liquidity has become thinner until roughly $1.07, reducing immediate liquidation pressure if buyers continue defending current levels.
Macro risks still threaten the bullish setup Several external risks could quickly invalidate the recovery scenario despite improving chart signals.
Geopolitical uncertainty remains the most immediate concern after the United States launched strikes against Iranian military targets and President Donald Trump formally ended the previous ceasefire framework. Any further escalation in the Middle East could renew demand for defensive assets and pressure cryptocurrencies, particularly higher-beta altcoins such as XRP.
Regulatory developments also remain unresolved. The delayed Senate vote on the CLARITY Act continues to weigh on sentiment, while institutional demand could remain subdued if ETF flows stay negative. On-chain activity has also shown large-holder wallets distributing tens of millions of XRP during the recent decline, suggesting some whales continue reducing exposure into rebounds.
From a technical perspective, losing support at $1.07 would invalidate the emerging breakout structure and expose XRP to the June swing low near $1.01. A decisive move above $1.10 would strengthen the bullish case, while reclaiming $1.14 and then $1.18 could shift momentum back in favor of buyers and open the door for another attempt at the late-May highs.
Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.
Open interest in XRP futures has plunged to its lowest level in over three months, signaling a major shift in sentiment. According to Binance data, open positions have dropped to around 397 million XRP. Meanwhile, the price of XRP has retreated close to $1.09 during the same period, adding to the cautious mood in the market.
Cautious approach dominates the derivatives marketThis sharp decline points to investors scaling back on risk in XRP futures. Weakness across the broader cryptocurrency market, ongoing geopolitical tensions, and increased risk aversion have all contributed to higher selling pressure on XRP.
Despite this, the total open interest across perpetual futures markets has remained higher than the figures reported by Binance alone. Across various derivatives platforms, open interest averages around 2.14 billion XRP. The modest increase from 2.09 billion XRP seen earlier in the week suggests that individual investor interest has not completely vanished.
Despite weakness on major exchanges, open interest lingering at 2.14 billion XRP in perpetual futures markets shows that individual investors are holding onto their positions.
Institutional investors have taken a more cautious stance. Outflows from spot XRP exchange-traded funds have come into focus, underscoring that professional players are being more selective about risk exposure.
Technical indicators reinforce this somber outlook. XRP is trading below its 50-day, 100-day, and 200-day exponential moving averages, which has limited attempts at short-term recovery. The first resistance zone stands at $1.14, with the 50-day EMA positioned at roughly $1.17.
IndicatorLevelBinance XRP open interest397 million XRPOverall perpetual futures open interest2.14 billion XRPInitial resistance1.14 dollars50-day exponential moving average1.17 dollarsNetwork updates and lawsuit developments under the spotlightWhile price pressure continues, technical updates within XRP Ledger are also being closely watched. As the open-source blockchain backbone of the Ripple ecosystem, XRP Ledger sees growing use not only in payments but also in various verification and recordkeeping scenarios.
Mini glossary: A validator is a node on the blockchain network that confirms transactions and maintains the latest copy of the ledger. A node refers to the underlying software or server infrastructure connected to the network.
XRP Ledger’s applications outside of payments are expanding. Made In USA Inc. has begun using the network to store authenticity certificates for domestic products. Yet, uneven adoption of the version 3.2.0 software update among validators has raised questions about network coordination. While a significant portion of official validators have updated, active nodes are lagging behind in switching to the latest release.
The staggered progress of the software update is being closely monitored, as it affects the stability of the infrastructure relied on by exchanges and custody providers.
On the legal front, Ripple continues its proceedings with the SEC, arguing for any potential fine to be limited. Throughout this drawn-out process, XRP remains traded at well over 70 percent below its 52-week peak of $3.65 reached in July 2025. From the start of the year, its value has fallen by more than 42 percent, and in the past twelve months, it has lost over 50 percent of its value.
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.
Made in USA Inc. is turning to the XRP Ledger to develop a digital verification platform aimed at improving transparency across American supply chains, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
The company plans to use blockchain infrastructure to help verify product origin, strengthen trust in "Made in USA" claims, and tackle the growing problem of counterfeit goods.
In a Form 8-K dated June 26, the company said it acquired the platform's technology stack, built on public and private XRPL as well as Hyperledger frameworks, from an affiliate, Made in USA One LLC, in an all-stock transaction worth about $25 million, or 5 million restricted shares. The platform is still in development.
XRPL to support verification of American-made productsMade in USA Inc. focuses on digital product certification, origin verification, and authenticity solutions for goods produced in the United States. Its planned platform is intended to give manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and consumers a clearer way to confirm whether products labeled "Made in USA" are genuinely traceable to American supply chains.
The initiative targets a major issue for global trade: counterfeiting. Fake products create significant economic losses and undermine consumer confidence. The OECD has estimated that counterfeit trade accounts for around $467 billion annually, roughly 2.3% of global imports.
To address this, Made in USA Inc. plans to combine AI-driven verification tools with blockchain-based recordkeeping on the XRP Ledger. The platform is expected to let companies register product information, verify origin data, and store supply-chain records in a way that resists manipulation.
A key part of the system is its hybrid blockchain structure. Sensitive business information can remain within private networks, while selected proof points, authenticity records, or cryptographic checksums are anchored to a public blockchain. That model is designed to preserve confidentiality while still enabling independent verification.
For manufacturers, the platform could simplify compliance, reduce exposure to counterfeiting, and give customers greater confidence that products marketed as American-made are authentic and properly documented.
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The project also reflects the expanding role of the XRP Ledger beyond payments and cross-border settlement. Long associated with financial transactions, XRPL is increasingly being pitched as a trust layer for enterprise applications. If Made in USA Inc. succeeds with its rollout, similar companies could look to the ledger for supply-chain authentication and digital certification.
Trending on TheStreet RoundtableXRP eys bigger move as Binance open interest hits 2026 highMark Cuban has a blunt response to Coinbase CEORipple wants AI agents to pay with XRP and RLUSDXRP ledger gains momentum as an enterprise blockchainThe announcement comes as more companies explore the XRP Ledger for business-focused blockchain applications. Ripple has reported strong growth in tokenized assets on XRPL, with volumes rising sharply through 2025. Tokenized asset volume on the network climbed from $24.7 million to $568 million by the end of 2025, growth of about 2,200%. Ripple's RLUSD stablecoin, launched in December 2024, has become a key part of that ecosystem.
Other stablecoins, including USDC, XSGD, and EURØP, have also launched on the XRP Ledger. XSGD is pegged to the Singapore dollar, while EURØP is a MiCA-compliant euro stablecoin built for payments, tokenization, and digital-asset trading.
The XRPL EVM Sidechain, which went live on mainnet in June 2025, marked another step for the ecosystem.
Ripple said more than 1,400 smart contracts were deployed in the sidechain's first week, extending XRPL into smart contracts and decentralized applications. Investor interest has grown too: spot XRP ETFs, launched in November, have reportedly attracted more than $1 billion in inflows, with some reports putting the figure near $1.49 billion.
Together, these developments show Ripple's effort to position XRPL and RLUSD as a more diversified blockchain ecosystem, moving beyond cross-border payments into tokenization, stablecoins, smart contracts, and enterprise verification. Ripple's recent full MiCA license, covering all 30 countries of the European Economic Area, reinforces that push by letting the company offer regulated payment and crypto services across the region.
Cover image via U.Today Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by our writers are their own and do not represent the views of U.Today. The financial and market information provided on U.Today is intended for informational purposes only. U.Today is not liable for any financial losses incurred while trading cryptocurrencies. Conduct your own research by contacting financial experts before making any investment decisions. We believe that all content is accurate as of the date of publication, but certain offers mentioned may no longer be available.
TL;DR
$560 million in daily trading volume hits Robinhood Chain as the CashCat token drives new wallet activity.Bitwise removes Polkadot and Avalanche from its 10 Crypto Index, replacing them with Stellar (XLM) and Hyperliquid.40 BTC moves from a wallet untouched since 2010, worth $2.54 million at current prices.Spot Bitcoin ETFs post a $221 million net inflow on July 9, ending a 10-day outflow streak.CPI and PPI data due July 14 to 15, followed by the Fed's July 28–29 meeting, will test Bitcoin's path toward $100,000.How the CashCat meme coin pushed Robinhood's new blockchain to $560 millionThe new Robinhood Chain blockchain, launched just a week ago, is already going through its first major hype cycle. Speculative excitement around the Cash Cat meme coin (CASHCAT) pushed daily trading volume on local DEXs to a massive $560 million, according to Dune data.
In just one day, users created almost 16,000 new tokens on the network, while the number of active wallets jumped to 200,000 — and for most of them, it was their first-ever transaction on the chain.
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The market fever was partly triggered by Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev himself. On X, he dropped a short but striking comment: "Although we built Robinhood Chain as the best network for serious assets (RWA)… it works great for meme coins too."
Cash Cat (CASHCAT) market capitalization chart, Source: DexscreenerThat was enough for the market capitalization of the network's flagship meme coin, CASHCAT, to break above $140 million at its peak. In one day, it gained more than 1,000%, and by morning its price had settled around $0.083.
This surge instantly turned a couple of early investors into millionaires. According to Lookonchain, one trader bought a batch of CASHCAT 20 days ago for just $838, then during the hype withdrew $917,600 in pure profit, while leaving another hundred thousand dollars in tokens.
But behind the beautiful screenshots lies a harsh reality. The total liquidity pool of CASHCAT is only $2.6 million, which means only a few people could actually pull real millions out of the system. Social media is already full of fake claims, such as allegations that Uniswap creator Hayden is heavily buying the token, or that Robinhood's CFO put the "cash cat" on his avatar — in reality, the description in his profile had always been there.
Robinhood CFO Shiv Verma's official X profile with Cash Cat mention, Source: XIn the end, Robinhood Chain got the perfect start for any new blockchain: wild activity and a lot of money in fees. The only question is whether anyone will stay once this "cat token" stops delivering multiples.
Hyperliquid pushes the old guard out of Bitwise's top-10 indexThe major crypto index fund, the Bitwise 10 Crypto Index ETF (BITW), has carried out a tough portfolio cleanup — Polkadot (DOT) and Avalanche (AVAX) were completely removed. Their places were taken by Stellar (XLM) and, much more notably, the young token of decentralized exchange Hyperliquid (HYPE).
The newcomer received a weight of about 0.95% and now trades in the same lineup as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP.
Institutions are clearly shifting priorities. Instead of promise-based blockchains, they are choosing projects that generate real revenue right now. Hyperliquid posted massive numbers in the first half of 2026: $1.34 trillion in trading volume and $320 million in net revenue.
The HYPE token itself has gained 165% since January. On top of that, the platform runs the HIP-3 upgrade, under which 99% of fees go toward token buybacks and burns.
Bitwise 10 Crypto Index ETF performance, Source: BitwiseFor large players, this looks like a classic and straightforward stock buyback.
The index urgently needed fresh blood. BITW has been sliding for almost a year: in September 2025, it peaked at $78.74, by April it had fallen to $44.92, and now it trades around $41.01. One positive point is that the fund remains highly stable, with its spread on NYSE Arca staying within 0.2%, meaning there are no liquidity problems.
For Bitwise, this is a logical move. In May, it had already launched a separate spot ETF on Hyperliquid, beating Grayscale and VanEck. Now HYPE has officially secured its status as a new "blue chip".
A Bitcoin investor from the Satoshi era wakes up for a seven222-digit profitA few hours ago, an ancient wallet woke up on the blockchain when an unknown miner fully transferred 40 BTC, worth about $2.54 million, after leaving them untouched since August 3, 2010, according to on-chain data. This is the deep "Satoshi era" — the time when Bitcoin's creator was still online and coins were mined on ordinary home CPUs.
The main point of this news is pure mathematics. In 2010, Bitcoin was worth cents, so the starting price of this wallet's position is listed by analysts as roughly $0. After almost 16 years of waiting, the owner's net profit reached +105,742,020%. At the same time, they paid a tiny network fee to move millions of dollars in block 957220 — just 2,210 satoshis, or about 10 sat/vB.
Satoshi-era whale "waking up" with 40 BTC for the first time since August 2010, Source: Arkham The event prompted the crypto community on X to debate once again how many "lost" bitcoins really exist. Galaxy Digital head of research Alex Thorn summarized the awakening briefly: "'Lost coins' are more myth than you think."
On-chain data shows that the wallet had previously received a "dusting attack" marked as Salomon Client Dusted, in which tiny transactions are sent in an attempt to deanonymize an address.
The movement of 40 BTC does not mean they will be dumped into an exchange order book right now. Most often, ancient whales wake up for basic security reasons: to move funds from old legacy addresses to newer and better-protected formats.
Crypto market outlook: ETF reversal and volume hold BTC ahead of the inflation testBuyers successfully defended a strong historical trading zone above local support after 10 days of outflows from spot ETFs. The strength of this technical structure will be determined by the U.S. CPI/PPI reports and the Fed meeting, which will either confirm the market’s readiness for a move toward $100,000 or trigger a liquidation cascade toward $54,000.
Key checkpoints:
The end of ETF capitulation and a reversal into inflows: After 10 days of aggressive capital outflows from spot BTC ETFs totaling $2.73 billion, the funds recorded a net inflow of $221 million on July 9. The reversal in the institutional trend signals that open-market selling pressure is being exhausted.Leverage wipeout and Bitwise forecasts: The current market drawdown has officially been described by Bitwise experts as a classic leverage squeeze. They note the formation of a local bottom and confirm a Bitcoin price target of $100,000 by year-end, supported by the cleanup of the derivatives market.Solana dominates the RWA race: The Solana network set a historic record by attracting $1 billion in net capital into the real-world asset tokenization sector in just 30 days. That is more than three times the result of its closest competitor, BNB Chain, which attracted only $292 million over the same period.The nearest inflation trigger, CPI/PPI, arrives on July 14–15: The publication of the U.S. Consumer Price Index will be the first hard filter for risk assets. If the report shows inflation cooling below consensus expectations, it could trigger a major short squeeze in BTC. Hot data, by contrast, would strengthen sellers.The Fed interest rate decision comes on July 28–29: The final FOMC meeting of the month will close July and define the monetary vector for the second half of the year. Any hints of policy easing, or a pivot, would give Bitcoin a powerful impulse to break out of its current consolidation zone toward new highs. You Might Also Like
Ripple (XRP) exhibits a subtle rebound outlook, trading near $1.10 at the time of writing on Thursday. The headwinds in the crypto market are largely attributable to mounting investor uncertainty amid renewed tensions in the Middle East.
US and Iran exchange fire as tensions escalateGeopolitical tensions escalated after the United States (US) military announced strikes on 90 targets along Iran’s coastline late Wednesday. In retaliation, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard launched attacks on US military bases in Kuwait and Bahrain.
Despite the attacks, Qatar’s Prime Minister urged both Iranian and US officials to pursue dialogue, according to Reuters.
XRP continues to attract modest retail demand in the derivatives market. According to CoinGlass data, perpetual futures Open Interest (OI) holds steady around 2.14 billion XRP on Thursday. An expanded outlook shows that OI has risen from the 2.09 billion XRP recorded on Tuesday. If sustained, growing retail demand could back the ongoing rebound.
XRP Futures OI | Source: CoinGlassNevertheless, institutional investors remain cautious, as reflected in XRP spot Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) outflows totaling roughly $7 billion on Wednesday, following muted activity on Tuesday and Monday.
XRP ETF flows | Source: SoSoValuePrice analysis: XRP pares losses as bulls eye short-term recoveryXRP maintains a bearish near-term bias as the pair holds well below the 50-day, 100-day and 200-day Exponential Moving Averages (EMAs). The downward-sloping resistance trendline remains dominant, with its break price at $1.15 now acting as an immediate cap.
Momentum is relatively constructive but not decisive, as the Relative Strength Index (RSI) hovering near 45 stays below the midline on the daily chart while the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) histogram shows a positive outlook, hinting at a tentative recovery within a broader capped structure.
XRP/USDT daily chartInitial resistance is seen at the descending trendline break level near $1.14, followed by the 50-day EMA at $1.17 as the next barrier. Above that, the 100-day EMA at $1.28 would be a stronger obstacle, while the 200-day EMA at $1.49 marks a major structural ceiling. With no clearly defined structural support levels on the daily chart, the pair remains vulnerable to further downside as long as it trades under this dense EMA stack. A key psychological area of interest for traders is the demand zone between $0.05 and $0.07.
(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.
XRP’s price has approached $1 in recent weeks, and now the key question is whether that level can halt the decline.
Ripple (XRP) Price Predictions: Analysis Key support levels: $1
Key resistance levels: $1.3, $1.6, $2
Sellers are Returning After a short relief rally towards $1.18, sellers have returned and seem to have full control over XRP. In the last four days, the price has been falling without any bounce and appears ready to test the key support at $1 again.
In late June, the price hovered just above $1 for several days before buyers managed to push XRP higher. However, this could turn out to be a dead cat bounce before new lows. That’s because the overall trend remains bearish.
Source: TradingView Buyers Vanished Since last Sunday, buyers have vanished from the order book. As soon as the price touched $1.18, buy pressure collapsed, paving the way for sellers to take control.
The only positive thing about XRP right now is the falling volume. Even if sellers appear in control, the volume continues to decline. This indicates a lack of conviction, which could mean that buyers are waiting for an opportunity to return.
Source: TradingView Daily RSI Remains Bearish This summer, the RSI on the daily timeframe made two attempts to move beyond 50. However, each time, the price did a full reversal, erasing any hopes of a sustained rally. This can be interpreted as bearish.
On the other hand, the RSI is making higher lows and higher highs. This is encouraging, but unless the price does the same, it will remain a bullish divergence that is not confirmed.
A breakdown of the latest and most significant updates around Ripple and XRP.
Ripple announced several deals and key partnerships over the past few days, further boosting the buzz surrounding the company.
However, the positive news has failed to trigger a major resurgence for XRP, yet certain analysts believe a big breakout could be on the horizon.
The Recent Developments On July 4, the USA celebrated its 250th Independence Day, a historic milestone filled with nationwide special events. Ripple joined the festivities by partnering with a nonprofit that helps unemployed veterans find high-quality jobs after service. The ultimate goal is to secure jobs for 200,000 affected people by 2030, with Ripple matching donations up to $10,000.
Two days later, the company disclosed breaking news from the other side of the globe. It received full authorization as a Crypto Asset Service Provider (CASP) from Luxembourg’s Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF), allowing the firm to offer its regulated payments platform throughout the European Economic Area (EEA).
Shortly after, Ripple shook hands with the Kansas Jayhawks, also known as KU (the athletic teams representing the University of Kansas). Per the partnership’s conditions, XRP’s logo will appear on all of their uniforms. Speaking on the matter was Ripple’s CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, who said:
“Rare moment where my professional and personal worlds collide: XRP is now the first crypto on the jersey of a major college athletics program, at my alma mater.”
Just recently, the X account BSCN revealed that the US supply chain firm Made in USA has selected the XRP Ledger to power its verification and product certification system. According to the entity, blockchain will provide immutable records that help verify the origin and authenticity of local products.
The ETF Front Spot XRP ETFs saw significant capital inflows over the past few months, highlighting growing institutional appetite for the asset. The first company to issue such a fund (with 100% exposure to the token) is Canary Capital, followed by Bitwise, Franklin Templeton, 21Shares, and Grayscale. Since day 1, these investment vehicles have generated a cumulative total net inflow of almost $1.5 billion.
You may also like: Ripple Rolls Out New XRPL Upgrade, but Less Than Half of Nodes Have Upgraded Ripple Lands Major XRP Partnership as Garlinghouse Shares Rare Personal Moment Japanese Firms Are Boosting BTC and XRP Holdings – SBI VC Trade Reveals Why Spot XRP ETFs have had only four red days since April, with July 8 being one of them. This stands in sharp contrast to spot BTC ETFs, which have been bleeding heavily over the past few months.
Spot XRP ETFs, Source: SoSoValue XRP Price Outlook As of press time, Ripple’s cross-border token trades at around $1.09, a minor 1.3% increase on a weekly scale. According to X user MikybullCrypto, the current price level represents a “lifetime opportunity entry,” as the analyst set a target of $5 and potentially even higher.
For their part, Crypto Coral spotted that XRP is compressing inside a triangle, with the valuation currently reacting from a key support zone. “Structures this large often lead to significant moves once resistance gives way,” they added.
Updated July 9, 2026. The seven US spot XRP ETFs now hold roughly $1 billion in assets and about 970 million XRP after an eighth straight week of net inflows — even as the XRP token price has barely moved. Here is the latest on flows, AUM, and which funds are leading.
Key facts
Seven US spot XRP ETFs are trading; combined AUM sits near $1 billion (~$988M) with roughly 970.9 million XRP locked as of July 8, 2026. Cumulative net inflows have held near $1.4 billion since the November 2025 launch. The funds logged their eighth consecutive week of net inflows, including +$6.55 million on July 2 (after a small -$1.86M outflow on July 1). Leaders: Bitwise XRP ETF (1XRP) ~$245.3M AUM; Canary XRP ETF (2XRPC) ~$225.9M; Franklin XRP ETF (3XRPZ) ~$167.9M. Seven spot XRP ETFs now hold about $1 billion The US spot XRP ETF complex has grown to seven funds since the first products launched in November 2025, and their combined assets under management now sit near the $1 billion mark — about $988 million as of July 8, 2026, according to fund-flow trackers. Together the funds have pulled roughly 970.9 million XRP off the open market and into regulated custody, a figure that has kept climbing even through XRP’s price weakness.
That growth answers a question a lot of traders are still searching: yes, spot XRP ETFs are live and trading in the US, and the line-up has expanded from the original five funds to seven, with additional issuers filed. The wrappers give institutions a compliant way to hold XRP without managing keys or custody themselves — the same structural shift that reshaped Bitcoin and Ether demand a cycle earlier.
Eight straight weeks of net inflows The headline for flows is consistency. US spot XRP ETFs have now recorded their eighth consecutive week of net inflows, with a +$6.55 million day on July 2 following a minor -$1.86 million outflow on July 1. Cumulatively, the funds have absorbed close to $1.4 billion since launch, peaking above $1.5 billion earlier in the spring before settling into a steadier accumulation pace.
The pattern matters because it is spot demand, not leverage: an ETF creation removes real XRP from circulation into a custodial wrapper, so a sustained inflow streak shrinks the effective float regardless of short-term price action.
The divergence: institutions keep buying while the price stalls The most striking part of the story is the gap between flows and price. XRP ETFs have logged eight straight weeks of inflows and nearly a billion dollars in assets, yet the XRP token has stayed weak, drifting rather than rallying on the institutional bid. Analysts frame it as a coiled-spring setup — accumulation building under a flat price — but it is equally a caution: inflows alone have not been enough to move spot while the broader crypto market trades cautiously into the Federal Reserve’s July 28–29 meeting.
For a fuller view of the bull and bear scenarios behind the token itself, see our XRP price prediction.
Which XRP ETF is the biggest? Fund Ticker Approx. AUM Bitwise XRP ETF 1XRP ~$245.3M Canary XRP ETF 2XRPC ~$225.9M Franklin XRP ETF 3XRPZ ~$167.9M AUM figures as of early July 2026; the remaining funds make up the balance of the ~$1B complex. Source: XRP ETF flow trackers.
What to watch next Three things decide whether the flows finally translate into price. First, whether the inflow streak extends into a ninth and tenth week — the longer institutions accumulate through weakness, the more constrained the float becomes. Second, the July 28–29 FOMC meeting, the nearest macro catalyst for all of crypto. Third, seasonality: July has historically been XRP’s strongest month, with an average return near +10%, so a break in the current stall would fit the calendar. Watch the daily flow prints and the custody-token count — those are the leading indicators of demand between now and the next catalyst.
FAQ Are there spot XRP ETFs trading in the US in 2026?
Yes. Seven US spot XRP ETFs are live, up from the original five, holding roughly $1 billion in combined assets as of July 2026.
How much have XRP ETFs pulled in?
Cumulative net inflows are near $1.4 billion since the November 2025 launch, with an eighth consecutive week of net inflows through early July 2026.
How much XRP is locked in ETF custody?
About 970.9 million XRP across the seven funds as of July 8, 2026 — a figure that has kept rising even as the token price stayed weak.
Which XRP ETF is the largest?
The Bitwise XRP ETF (1XRP) leads with roughly $245 million in AUM, followed by Canary (2XRPC) and Franklin (3XRPZ).
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. ETF AUM and flow figures are third-party estimates and change daily. Cryptocurrency investments carry risk, including the possible loss of principal. Always do your own research and consult a licensed adviser. Sources: XRP ETF flow trackers, U.Today, TradingNews (July 2026).
Cover image via depositphotos.com Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by our writers are their own and do not represent the views of U.Today. The financial and market information provided on U.Today is intended for informational purposes only. U.Today is not liable for any financial losses incurred while trading cryptocurrencies. Conduct your own research by contacting financial experts before making any investment decisions. We believe that all content is accurate as of the date of publication, but certain offers mentioned may no longer be available.
An abnormal capital rotation has been recorded inside the XRP Ledger, with the volume of payments between autonomous AI agents in XRP rising by 77%, while the turnover of Ripple USD (RLUSD), the dollar stablecoin, declined by 32%, according to the new hub from t.54.
The movement of funds coincided with anomalous activity from the financial protocol ClawBank, whose 67 connected services processed 7,630 transactions over the past 24 hours. Before this daily spike, the project had accumulated only 8,469 operations over its entire lifetime, meaning the system generated around 90% of its historical activity in just one day, choosing the network's native token for settlements in most cases.
Why millions of AI transactions are forcing a pivot back to XRPFor those unfamiliar with the technical side, the integrated x402 protocol allows AI agents to make automated payments, choosing between XRP and RLUSD when paying for data or renting computing power.
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Current statistics show that during periods of high network activity, AI agents give priority to the native XRP token because of its fixed low fees and fast transaction processing.
State of AI agent economy on XRP Ledger, Source: XRPL AI HubThe 32% decline in RLUSD turnover indicates that the software temporarily set aside the digital dollar as a passive protective asset and moved its main operational settlements into XRP.
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At the moment, the total AI economy of XRP Ledger has already exceeded the one-million-transaction mark, while the main volume of operations is divided between two major players.
The leader of the ecosystem remains the DePIN network Heurist Mesh, with 405,492 transactions, providing GPU capacity for neural networks, while second place is held by the operating system LucyOS, with 359,839 transactions, working in a high-frequency exchange mode.
The shift toward XRP clearly confirms that under peak daily loads and the acceleration of the AI economy, algorithms prioritize the speed and low fees of the native coin.
A small company in Franklin, North Carolina, just made one of the more interesting bets in enterprise blockchain. Made in USA Inc., which has spent nearly three decades certifying that products are actually manufactured in America, is integrating the XRP Ledger into a new verification platform designed to catch counterfeit goods before they reach consumers.
What the deal actually involves On June 26, Made in USA Inc. completed the acquisition of intellectual property and technology assets from its affiliate, Made in USA One LLC. The transaction was structured entirely in stock, with 5 million restricted shares changing hands, and was disclosed via SEC Form 8-K.
The technology stack combines public and private instances of the XRP Ledger with Hyperledger frameworks, AI-powered verification tools, IoT-enabled ERP systems, and Trusted Platform Module hardware security.
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The public XRPL handles permanent, tamper-proof authenticity records that anyone can verify. The private XRPL stores sensitive business data that companies don’t want competitors seeing. The platform also includes what the company calls a modular “DataWallet” stack, which appears designed to give manufacturers and retailers a portable digital identity for their products.
Why counterfeiting is a $467 billion problem The OECD estimates that global counterfeit trade runs at roughly $467 billion annually. That’s about 2.3% of all global imports.
Made in USA Inc. has been in the certification business for over 28 years. The company’s bet is that digitizing those certification processes with blockchain-backed records will make fraud significantly harder to pull off.
What this means for XRP and enterprise blockchain What makes this particular deployment worth watching is the dual-ledger architecture. By running both public and private XRPL instances, Made in USA Inc. is trying to offer verifiable proofs to the public while keeping proprietary data locked down.
For the broader XRPL ecosystem, this represents one of the earliest enterprise-grade applications outside of payments and tokenization. The XRP Ledger has been gaining traction through its EVM sidechain launch and growing interest in XRP ETFs, but its enterprise utility narrative has mostly centered on cross-border payments. A supply chain certification use case adds a genuinely different dimension.
An all-stock acquisition at $25 million is modest by crypto standards. But the SEC Form 8-K filing gives it a layer of institutional legitimacy that many larger crypto deals lack.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
Cryptocurrency prices are broadly rebounding on Thursday, following a dominant sell-off largely attributed to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Bitcoin (BTC) has risen and trades near $63,000, while Ethereum (ETH) pares losses around $1,750 as bulls aim for a short-term breakout above $1,800.
Meanwhile, despite Ripple’s (XRP) broader bearish outlook, the remittance token trades near $1.10 resistance, up from its short-term support range between $1.05 and $1.07.
Crypto sentiment dampens amid mounting geopolitical tensionsThe United States (US) and Iran continued to launch attacks at each other for the second consecutive day on Thursday, amid mounting pressure on the fragile ceasefire between the two countries, according to a CNN report.
The US military said it hit 90 targets along the Iranian coast overnight. In retaliation, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard reported that they launched attacks on US military bases in Kuwait and Bahrain.
US President Donald Trump has issued a warning that attacks could “get much worse” if Iran continues to strike ships transiting through the Strait of Hormuz. The CNN report added that an Iranian top negotiator said that the strait “will only open with ‘Iranian arrangements,’ not American threats.”
Sentiment in the broader crypto market remains constrained, as wars rarely favor risk assets. The Fear & Greed Index is embedded in the Extreme Fear territory at 22 on Thursday, up only marginally from 20 the day before. This indicates that risk appetite is on the back foot, with investors preferring to stay on the sidelines until geopolitical tensions stabilize. Therefore, recoveries are unlikely to make notable progress in the short term.
Crypto Fear & Greed Index | Source: AlternativePrice analysis: Bitcoin rebounds but struggles to build momentumBitcoin retains a capped tone as it holds well beneath the 50-day, 100-day and 200-day Exponential Moving Averages (EMAs). Still, the recent reclaim of the downward resistance trendline, whose break area now comes in near $58,689, suggests bears are losing some immediate control.
At the same time, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) hovering just below the midline and a positive Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) histogram together hint that downside momentum is fading rather than accelerating.
BTC/USDT daily chartInitial resistance is aligned with the 50-day EMA at around $65,452, followed by the 100-day EMA at approximately $69,089, with the 200-day EMA near $75,193 forming a more strategic barrier that would need to be overcome to revive a broader bullish trend.
On the downside, the first meaningful cushion is seen around the descending resistance line, now acting as support near $58,689. A sustained drop back through this zone would re-open room for a deeper corrective phase toward the psychological $60,000 level, while holding above it keeps scope for further consolidation beneath the overhead EMA cluster.
Altcoins technical outlook: Ethereum and XRP hold key support levelsEthereum sits above $1,700 while still capped beneath a dense layer of moving averages, keeping the near-term bias bearish despite improving momentum. Still, the MACD indicator stays in positive territory with the line above the signal and a constructive histogram, while the RSI hovers just above 50, hinting at steady but not aggressive buying interest.
ETH/USDT daily chartImmediate resistance lies at the 50-day EMA near $1,801, which is the first hurdle bulls must reclaim to extend the recovery. Above that, the 100-day EMA around $1,960 acts as a subsequent barrier, followed by the more significant 200-day EMA close to $2,243 that defines the broader bearish structure. Although there are no nearby technical supports on the daily chart, psychological and prior price lows at $1,700, $1,600 and $1,500 would serve as interim floors. A daily close above the 50-day EMA would be the first signal that selling pressure is starting to ease.
On the other hand, XRP maintains a bearish near-term tone with the spot price well beneath the 50-day, 100-day and the 200-day EMAs. However, the recent rebound from oversold territory is modest, with the RSI hovering in the mid-40s, suggesting only a mild recovery in momentum, while the Parabolic SAR at $1.03 sits below spot and hints at a still-intact but fragile attempt to stabilize after the latest decline.
XRP/USDT daily chartInitial resistance is seen at the descending trendline area near $1.14, followed by the 50-day EMA around $1.17. A daily close above these levels would be needed to ease downside pressure and open the way toward the 100-day EMA at $1.28 and the more distant 200-day EMA near $1.49.
Looking down, the Parabolic SAR at $1.03 marks the first notable layer of support. A break below this level would likely reinstate stronger selling pressure and expose the prior lows on the chart.
(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool. Know more.)
Bitcoin, altcoins, stablecoins FAQs Bitcoin is the largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, a virtual currency designed to serve as money. This form of payment cannot be controlled by any one person, group, or entity, which eliminates the need for third-party participation during financial transactions.
Altcoins are any cryptocurrency apart from Bitcoin, but some also regard Ethereum as a non-altcoin because it is from these two cryptocurrencies that forking happens. If this is true, then Litecoin is the first altcoin, forked from the Bitcoin protocol and, therefore, an “improved” version of it.
Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies designed to have a stable price, with their value backed by a reserve of the asset it represents. To achieve this, the value of any one stablecoin is pegged to a commodity or financial instrument, such as the US Dollar (USD), with its supply regulated by an algorithm or demand. The main goal of stablecoins is to provide an on/off-ramp for investors willing to trade and invest in cryptocurrencies. Stablecoins also allow investors to store value since cryptocurrencies, in general, are subject to volatility.
Bitcoin dominance is the ratio of Bitcoin's market capitalization to the total market capitalization of all cryptocurrencies combined. It provides a clear picture of Bitcoin’s interest among investors. A high BTC dominance typically happens before and during a bull run, in which investors resort to investing in relatively stable and high market capitalization cryptocurrency like Bitcoin. A drop in BTC dominance usually means that investors are moving their capital and/or profits to altcoins in a quest for higher returns, which usually triggers an explosion of altcoin rallies.
Grayscale Investments, one of the largest asset management companies in the market, shared eight cryptocurrencies that stand out in the current market cycle and the key use cases each represents.
Grayscale, sharing from account X, identified eight key use cases for the current cycle: “Digital currency, World Computer, Global payments, High performance, 24/7 on-chain commerce, Tokenization and oracles, Next-generation infrastructure, Mass customization.”
Grayscale, which also identifies the prominent cryptocurrencies in these areas, included Bitcoin and 7 altcoins, including Ethereum and XRP, in its list.
At this point, Grayscale argues that Bitcoin’s fixed supply, institutional investor interest, and adoption as a reserve asset have made it a cornerstone of the cryptocurrency market.
“Bitcoin (BTC) → Digital money
Ethereum (ETH) → World Computer
XRP → Global payments
Solana (SOL) → High performance
Hyperliquid (HYPE) → 24/7 on-chain trading
Chainlink (LINK) → Tokenization and oracles
SUI → Next-generation infrastructure
Avalanche (AVAX) → Mass customization”
Looking at the table, Grayscale describes Ethereum as a global infrastructure for smart contracts and decentralized applications, while highlighting XRP for cross-border money transfers.
According to the company, Solana attracts developers with its high transaction capacity and low-cost infrastructure, while Chainlink stands out with its oracle infrastructure, which plays a critical role in the tokenization of real-world assets.
HYPE, the token of the Hyperliquid ecosystem, has recently stood out among projects offering 24/7 on-chain derivatives trading and a decentralized trading experience.
Finally, while Sui (SUI) stands out with its next-generation Layer-1 architecture focusing on scalability and user experience, Avalanche is considered a significant alternative in enterprise use cases.
*This is not investment advice.
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XRP Ledger has announced that the number of autonomous payment transactions processed via its x402 standard has surpassed the one million mark. This milestone comes at a pivotal moment, coinciding with the launch of the XRPL AI Hub—a platform designed to bring together teams developing artificial intelligence applications, users seeking seamless payments, and blockchain-driven projects.
An AI-powered payment foundation draws attentionThis latest milestone highlights the rising demand for blockchain infrastructures capable of supporting software agents that send and receive payments without any human intervention. With its accelerated digital framework, XRP Ledger is aiming not just at cryptocurrency transactions, but at enabling machine-to-machine commerce for digital products and services worldwide.
Serving as a collaborative hub for developers, the XRPL AI Hub’s mission also includes offering businesses a knowledge base for integrating AI-driven applications and regulated assets on blockchain. Developed by Ripple, XRP Ledger is an open-source network renowned for its blazing-fast payment infrastructure.
Glossary: “Autonomous payment” refers to software initiating and collecting payments under predetermined rules, without waiting for human approval. The x402 standard is designed to streamline such transactions and standardize payment flows between different applications.
As the XRPL AI Hub is introduced as an extensive ecosystem platform for developers, users, and enthusiasts, strengthening the era of autonomous economies on the XRP Ledger is highlighted as a top priority.
Tokenization data shines light on institutional tractionCrypto Patel, a market expert from Evernorth, notes that the tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs) on XRP Ledger has ballooned from approximately $150 million to over $4 billion in just the past year. Over 500 tokenized products now circulate on the network, while investment-focused XRP products have witnessed inflows totaling $1.49 billion in the last eight weeks alone.
There has also been a sharp rise in the number of new wallets. However, a significant portion of tokenized value is concentrated in a single energy token. Approximately $2.2 billion is held across just 19 wallets, while the total value of directly held on-chain assets sits at $385 million. This pattern signals increased interest in tokenization but also suggests the market is still in its formative early stages.
MetricDataRWA tokenization size$150 million → over $4 billionActive tokenized products500+XRP investment product inflows$1.49 billion in 8 weeksValue held in single energy tokenApproximately $2.2 billionOn-chain direct assets$385 millionThe tokenization value of real-world assets on XRPL has climbed from $150 million to more than $4 billion in a single year, although much of this capital remains concentrated within a limited number of wallets.
Key technical resistance observed in XRP chartAnalyst Celal Kucuker points out that XRP is approaching a vital inflection point against Bitcoin. The XRP/BTC trading pair is nearing a persistent long-term downtrend line and the critical resistance of 0.00002050 BTC.
A decisive move above this level on the monthly chart would signal a clear change in market direction. Alternatively, if the pair fails to remain above resistance, XRP is likely to continue trading within its existing price range.
Main test for the network will be real world use casesOver the coming months, the ultimate test for XRP Ledger will be whether these technological innovations translate into lasting relevance for institutions. The successful implementation of network upgrades, growth in AI-powered applications, and expansion of the tokenized assets ecosystem will be central indicators to watch during this phase.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article does not constitute investment advice. Investors should be aware that cryptocurrencies carry high volatility and therefore risk, and should conduct their own research.
Not financial or tax advice. PANews content is strictly educational and informational and is not investment advice, financial advice, tax advice, legal advice, or a solicitation to buy or sell any digital asset, security, or financial product. Do your own research and consult qualified advisers.
Disclosure. PANews may publish sponsored content, partner content, advertisements, affiliate links, event promotions, and market commentary involving Web3 projects, service providers, or financial products. PANews personnel, contributors, or affiliates may hold digital assets or other interests related to covered topics. See our Terms of Service.
XRP’s next major re-rating will not come from retail traders chasing headlines, according to blockchain researcher Edo Farina. It will come from banks quietly parking the token on their balance sheets.
In an interview with Coinpedia, Farina, founder of Alpha Lions Academy, laid out a case that XRP has already shown flashes of behaving like an institutional asset rather than a typical altcoin. The real proof point, he said, is still ahead.
The performance gap
Farina pointed to a stretch when Bitcoin traded near $50,000 and XRP sat below $0.40. Months later, Bitcoin climbed above $100,000, roughly doubling from its cycle low. XRP, over the same window, surged past $3.
“This was a small demonstration that XRP doesn’t need Bitcoin to reach extreme new highs to significantly outperform,” Farina said.
That move put XRP ahead of most of the top 100 cryptocurrencies by performance. Farina said the shift is only getting started. “Tomorrow, when institutions begin holding XRP as treasury liquidity or settlement collateral, valuation models change completely,” he said.
Utility beyond the bridge-asset story
Asked for the strongest proof that XRP has real utility beyond serving as a bridge currency, Farina did not point to a single catalyst.
“For me it’s the convergence of multiple trends,” he said.
He cited Ripple’s regulatory relationships across multiple jurisdictions, the XRP Ledger’s native decentralized exchange running since 2012, its escrow and low-cost settlement functions, and the live status of Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin. He also noted rising bank interest in tokenized deposits and stablecoins, alongside discussions at the IMF and the Bank for International Settlements around tokenized financial markets.
“No single announcement ‘proves’ XRP wins,” Farina said. “It’s the direction of the industry that makes me bullish.”
What decoupling actually looks like
Farina drew a sharp line between short-term outperformance and genuine decoupling from Bitcoin’s cycle.
“Not simply outperforming Bitcoin for a few months,” he said. “The real signal would be XRP responding primarily to institutional adoption rather than Bitcoin cycles.”
He tied this back to XRP’s original design purpose: eliminating the need for pre-funded nostro and vostro accounts, a structure he said traps trillions of dollars in dormant liquidity worldwide.
“When institutions begin using XRP at scale for that purpose, that’s when I’d argue it has truly decoupled from Bitcoin’s cycle and become a standalone institutional asset,” Farina said.
He went a step further on where that could lead. “That’s when I’d say XRP has become its own macro asset instead of just another altcoin, and eventually becomes the number one asset in the entire crypto space.”
Story Ends Here
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Cryptocurrency punters have slightly upped the odds for a U.S. invasion of Iran amid the latest bout of hostilities between the two countries.
What Are Prediction Markets Saying?Polygon (CRYPTO: POL)-based Polymarket has priced in a 17% chance of the invasion by Dec. 31, up 3 percentage points over the last 24 hours. At its April peak, the odds climbed to 68%.
Over $40 million has been wagered on the outcome, making it one of Polymarket’s top draws. The market resolves if the U.S. initiates a military operation to establish control over any portion of Iran.
Meanwhile, the odds of the extension of the 60-day negotiation period toward a final deal tumbled from 57% to 49% over the last 24 hours
Hostilities ResumeThe developments come as the U.S. intensified its strikes against Iran in response to what it said was “unjustified aggression” against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
President Donald Trump said earlier on Wednesday that the tentative ceasefire and memorandum of understanding with Iran is “over.”
Iran warned that its armed forces will “strike twice as many targets” in the neighboring Gulf region in response to any U.S. attacks, according to state-affiliated Mehr News Agency.
As part of the memorandum of understanding, the U.S. agreed to begin lifting its naval blockade in exchange for Iran permitting commercial vessels safe passage free of charge for a period of 60 days.
Image via Shutterstock/ Hassen Mrad
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Trading in XRP has been slowing down and becoming less volatile lately as speculation dried up after several months of high activity. The decline in activity did not indicate that investors may be losing confidence in XRP.
Instead, this decline could mean that traders are being cautious and are waiting for stronger catalysts before committing fresh capital.
In March, XRP was trading at approximately $1.13. Back then, the 30-day volume Z-score for Binance was approximately 3.00, indicating that activity exceeded the average for the same period.
Source: CryptoQuant However, since late March, there have been steady declines in participation levels and volatility as well. This level of calm typically occurs prior to large directional moves by price.
Whether XRP breaks higher or lower will likely depend on fresh liquidity returning and restoring stronger market conviction across participants.
XRP liquidity rotates across exchanges While Binance’s XRP activity has cooled down, demand has been increasingly rotating towards regional markets rather than fading altogether. too Such a shift implied that traders may be redistributing liquidity as different investors respond to changing market conditions.
At press time, the altcoin was trading at approximately 1,616 KRW on the Upbit exchange. The price had fallen from 1,673 KRW down to an intra-day low of 1,608 KRW. Simply put, sustained selling pressure was evident on the crypto’s price chart.
Source: UPbit On the contrary, 24-hour volumes stood at 71.62 million XRP or approximately $78.64 million. These figures hinted at strong levels of active participation by investors.
Therefore, if broader global demand joins this regional activity, XRP could recover strongly. Conversely, localized buying activity alone may struggle to reverse prevailing market weakness.
Institutional custody strengthens XRP adoption While regional exchanges have supported the altcoin’s trading activity, institutional infrastructure has expanded too, reinforcing the altcoin’s long-term market position.
For example – Clearstream recently announced that it will add XRP along with six other cryptocurrencies to its list of supported cryptocurrencies on its regulated custody platform based on the MiCA framework by Crypto Finance.
Source: Clearstream This update provides institutional investors compliant access via a traditional post-trade platform, as opposed to using cryptocurrency-only custodial services. As regulatory hurdles continue to decrease, so too do the operational and counterparty risks associated with investing in XRP.
All in all, if adoption across regulated custody platforms continues to accelerate, XRP could attract broader institutional capital. It will also deepen market liquidity and strengthen its role within mainstream financial markets.
Final Summary XRP’s demand has been rotating across markets as institutional infrastructure continues to strengthen long-term adoption. XRP now depends on renewed global liquidity to turn stronger institutional support into sustained price momentum.
Ripple has signed a five-year partnership with the University of Kansas, making XRP the first cryptocurrency to appear on the jerseys of a major NCAA Division I athletics program. The deal marks a new milestone for crypto’s presence in mainstream sports while carrying a personal meaning for Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse.
Sharing the announcement on X, Garlinghouse wrote, “Rare moment where my professional and personal worlds collide: XRP is now the first crypto on the jersey of a major college athletics program, at my alma mater. XRP Family, meet the Jayhawks. Rock Chalk!”
Garlinghouse, who was born in Topeka and graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in Economics, described the partnership as a special moment that connects both his career and college roots.
Rare moment where my professional and personal worlds collide: XRP is now the first crypto on the jersey of a major college athletics program, at my alma mater.
XRP Family, meet the Jayhawks. Rock Chalk! https://t.co/F6uAL0kMNS
— Brad Garlinghouse (@bgarlinghouse) July 8, 2026 Under the agreement, the XRP logo will appear on the uniforms of the Kansas Jayhawks’ football and basketball teams, along with other university athletic programs. The partnership is expected to put the XRP brand in front of millions of college sports fans over the next five years.
Kansas Athletics also welcomed the collaboration, saying, “A shared commitment to innovation and excellence. Kansas Athletics is proud to announce a new groundbreaking partnership with Ripple, bringing the XRP brand to Jayhawk uniforms.”
A shared commitment to innovation and excellence. 🤝
Kansas Athletics is proud to announce a new groundbreaking partnership with Ripple, bringing the XRP brand to Jayhawk uniforms. pic.twitter.com/ucTnIk12QG
— Kansas Jayhawks (@KUAthletics) July 8, 2026 But the deal goes beyond branding. Ripple has committed to supporting financial literacy and technology education programs for student-athletes and the wider university community.
The company says the initiative will help students build skills that will benefit them beyond their athletic careers.
However, sports deals are not new in crypto, crypto firms have a mixed history with sports sponsorships. FTX secured the naming rights to the Miami Heat’s arena in 2021 and Terra signed a major five-year deal with MLB’s Washington Nationals before collapsing, raising concerns about crypto partnerships. Recently, however, the trend has returned, with companies like Coinbase sponsoring the NBA and Ledger partnering with the San Antonio Spurs, showing renewed confidence in sports marketing.
Strengthening Ripple’s Ties With KansasThe partnership also builds on an existing relationship between Ripple and the university. The University of Kansas already operates an official XRP Ledger validator through its engineering school, making it an active participant in the XRP ecosystem.
While the announcement was widely seen as a major step for crypto adoption and brand visibility, it had little immediate impact on the token’s price. Following the news, XRP, the sixth largest cryptocurrency fell 1.55%, although futures open interest rose slightly, suggesting some increase in trading activity.
Even so, the sponsorship stands out as a landmark moment for both Ripple and college sports, showing how crypto companies are increasingly looking beyond traditional sponsorships to reach mainstream audiences.
Story Ends Here
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XRP is trading in a tight range around $1.09, with buyers defending the $1.00 to $1.05 support zone while sellers cap rallies below nearby resistance.Chart analysts say a long-term falling wedge and ascending channel remain intact above $1.00 to $1.05, but upside targets as high as $3.65 and beyond require a confirmed breakout that has not yet occurred.Until XRP can clear near-term resistance around $1.088 to $1.091 and then the $1.20 to $1.25 area, trading is likely to remain a support-defense setup rather than a sustained breakout.XRP is still moving sideways near $1.09, but traders are watching whether the quiet range is setting up a larger break. Buyers continue to defend the $1.00-$1.05 zone, while sellers have kept the token capped below short-term resistance. That leaves the market compressed between a support area that has held for weeks and a downtrend that still needs to be cleared.
News Background• XRP continued to trade without a clear fundamental catalyst, leaving technical levels to drive most of the session’s positioning.
• Analysts pointed to long-term falling wedge and ascending channel structures that remain intact as long as XRP holds above the $1.00-$1.05 support zone.
• Several chartists identified upside targets ranging from $2.20 to prior all-time highs near $3.65 if XRP can break its longer-term downtrend.
• More aggressive Fibonacci projections point to $4.10, $7.60 and $11.80, though those targets require a confirmed breakout that has not yet occurred.
Price Action Summary• XRP edged from $1.0890 to $1.0900 in early Tuesday trading, with price still locked inside a narrow near-term range.
• The token briefly pushed through $1.088 resistance during a 23:44 UTC breakout attempt.
• Volume during that move reached 688,000 XRP, about 120% above the session average, before momentum faded.
• Earlier selling took XRP to a session low near $1.0742 after volume rose to 80.2 million, about 83% above the 24-hour average.
Technical Analysis• The key development is that XRP continues to defend the $1.00-$1.05 support zone, which analysts say aligns with longer-term moving average and trendline support.
• The near-term chart remains weak despite the small bounce. Lower highs at $1.1133, $1.0993 and $1.0932 show sellers are still capping recovery attempts.
• XRP needs to hold above $1.088-$1.091 to build a cleaner move toward $1.093-$1.095.
• The larger setup remains a compression trade rather than a breakout. Monthly wedge and channel patterns may point to higher targets, but confirmation requires a sustained move above nearer resistance first.
• Relative weakness against bitcoin remains a risk, with the XRPBTC pair testing support near 1,700 sats.
What traders should watch• $1.00-$1.05 remains the key support zone. Losing it would put $0.90 and then $0.80 back in focus.
• $1.088-$1.091 is the immediate resistance area after capping the latest breakout attempt.
• $1.20-$1.25 is the next major zone, where candle resistance and the 100-day moving average sit.
• A move above $1.40 would be the first stronger sign that XRP is breaking out of its broader compression.
• Until XRP clears near-term resistance, the market remains a support-defense trade with long-term breakout targets still unconfirmed.
Blockchain Comes to American Product CertificationU.S. supply chain firm Made In USA Inc. has selected the $XRP Ledger as the foundation for a new product verification and certification platform, marking one of the more concrete enterprise applications to emerge on the network in recent months.
The company disclosed the transaction in a Form 8-K filing dated June 26, 2026, stating that it acquired the technology assets from its affiliate, Made in USA One LLC, in exchange for 5 million restricted shares of common stock. The transferred assets include blockchain infrastructure, artificial intelligence-based verification technology, intellectual property, digital authentication tools, proprietary domains, and supply chain software that will form the foundation of the new platform.
By combining artificial intelligence with XRPL's blockchain infrastructure, the platform will create tamper-resistant digital records that verify the origin and authenticity of American-made products, offering greater trust for manufacturers, retailers, regulators, and consumers.
Hybrid Architecture Balances Privacy and TransparencyA key feature of the platform is its hybrid blockchain architecture, which combines both public and private XRP Ledger networks. Sensitive commercial information will remain on private XRPL infrastructure, while cryptographic proof of product authenticity will be anchored to the public XRP Ledger. This approach is intended to preserve enterprise privacy while enabling independent verification of product records through a public blockchain.
The initiative reflects a broader trend in which blockchain networks are increasingly being deployed for enterprise applications extending beyond digital payments. Businesses are adopting distributed ledger technology for supply chain management, digital identity, asset tokenization, and product authentication as demand grows for transparent and secure record-keeping systems.
The acquisition also highlights the expanding role of the XRP Ledger within enterprise infrastructure. Recent industry developments have demonstrated growing adoption of XRPL for business-focused applications, including artificial intelligence integrations, digital identity solutions, tokenized assets, and commercial supply chain management.
Sources
Coinpaper: Made in USA Inc. Acquires XRP Ledger Tech Stack for Supply Chain
CoinTrust: Made in USA Inc. Expands XRPL Supply Chain Platform
XRP spot exchange-traded funds have recorded a substantial $7.29 million net outflow.
This is the most significant single-day loss that these funds have recorded since March.
The Bitwise factor
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Notably, a single fund for the unfortunate outflows. The Bitwise XRP ETF fully absorbed the $7.29 million net redemption.
However, despite bleeding capital during the mid-week trading session, the broader outlook for the Bitwise product remains rather positive.
The fund's cumulative historical net inflow still sits at an impressive $494 million.
However, it has lost only a fraction of the total capital it has attracted since its inception.
Reen volatility The July 8 outflow snapped a period of relative calm and positive momentum for XRP investment ETFs. As reported by U.Today, these products had shown impressive resilience despite all the bleeding that Bitcoin and Ethereum vehicles had suffered.
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The preceding two trading days, July 6 and July 7, saw completely flat flows with zero net movement. Before the weekend, the funds actually logged a solid $6.55 million net inflow on July 2, which itself followed a minor $1.86 million outflow on July 1.
On June 29, the funds pulled in a massive $15.34 million, building on an equally impressive $15.63 million net inflow recorded just days prior on June 26.
A drop in the bucket The recent $7.29 million dip pales in comparison to the massive capitulation event witnessed on January 29, when XRP spot ETFs lost a staggering $93 million in a single brutal trading session.
Despite the recent bumps in the road, cumulative net inflows across all approved XRP spot ETFs continue to hover around a healthy $1.40 billion mark.
Key Takeaways XRP declined 4.32% to approximately $1.07 on July 8 following Trump’s announcement ending the US-Iran ceasefire The geopolitical escalation sparked over $400 million in cryptocurrency liquidations across the market XRP experienced $8.61 million in long position liquidations — the largest since June 25 XRP spot ETFs registered no capital inflows on both July 6 and July 7 Critical support zone exists at $1.00–$1.05; breaking below could send XRP down to $0.90 XRP experienced a significant downturn on July 8 after President Donald Trump announced the termination of the ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran. During remarks at the NATO Summit in Ankara, Trump referred to Iranian leadership as “scum” and stated his unwillingness to continue diplomatic negotiations.
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The United States had conducted strikes against 80 Iranian targets on July 7, in retaliation for Iranian assaults on commercial vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz. Trump simultaneously reinstated oil sanctions against Iran, which had been suspended when a 60-day ceasefire was established on June 17.
Oil markets responded with prices rebounding to the June 24 peak of $74 per barrel. Cryptocurrency markets moved inversely as investors liquidated risk-sensitive assets.
XRP descended 4.32% during the trading session, hovering around $1.07 at press time. The selloff resulted in $8.61 million worth of long position liquidations in XRP — marking the highest liquidation volume since June 25. The broader cryptocurrency ecosystem witnessed more than $400 million in total liquidations.
XRP Price Crypto analyst ChartNerd (@ChartNerdTA) highlighted that $XRP has developed a hidden bearish divergence pattern on the daily chart, cautioning that XRP must recapture the $1.15 level promptly or face a probable retreat toward $1.00. This forecast has proven accurate thus far.
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Technical Indicators Signal Bearish Momentum XRP has dropped beneath its 20-day exponential moving average of $1.11, indicating bearish short-term momentum. The Awesome Oscillator has shifted to red bars, confirming that sellers currently dominate market sentiment.
Immediate support is located at the June 30 low of $1.03. Below that threshold lies the psychologically important $1.00 mark. For bulls to regain control, XRP would need to close above $1.11 for three straight days. Such a move could potentially enable a recovery toward the July 4 peak of $1.18.
As of early July 9, XRP is changing hands around $1.09, consolidating within a narrow trading band. Declining peaks at $1.1133, $1.0993, and $1.0932 demonstrate that sellers continue to suppress upward momentum.
Institutional Interest Remains Subdued Ripple secured regulatory approval in Luxembourg on July 5, achieving full compliance with Europe’s MiCA framework. However, this regulatory milestone has failed to stimulate institutional interest.
Spot XRP ETFs recorded zero net inflows on both July 6 and July 7. CME XRP futures activity totaled merely 635 contracts on July 7 — representing the weakest trading volume since June 12.
Source: SoSoValue The XRPBTC trading pair is also testing support around 1,700 satoshis, indicating persistent underperformance relative to Bitcoin.
Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRP bounced after US President Donald Trump said that Iran had called him and wanted to make a deal. US stock futures also turned green following the completion of strikes confirmed by the US Central Command on Thursday.
President Trump Claims Iran Seeks Deal After Second Set of Strikes Stocks and crypto markets reacted positively to President Trump’s latest comments that Iran called him, saying “they want to make a deal so badly.” However, he is unsure about making a deal with Iran again amid ceasefire violations and strikes against US forces in the Middle East.
“I just don’t know if they’re worthy of making a deal. I don’t know that they’re going to honor the deal. That’s the problem,” Trump said. The White House is preparing for a multi-day or even weeks of strikes against Iran over the Strait of Hormuz control.
Bitcoin and XRP bounced after the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said U.S. forces completed strikes on nearly 90 Iranian military targets. These included air defense systems, coastal surveillance sites, missile and drone storage areas, naval assets, and logistics infrastructure
The strikes come after previous operations targeting Iranian military capabilities following attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. CENTCOM says its forces remain on alert and ready to respond.
Meanwhile, sources told CoinGape that Iranian officials rejected Trump’s claim that they are “begging for a deal,” stating that the Trump administration is repeatedly asking Iran to hold back and request talks.
Iran’s IRGC even attacked and hit US military infrastructure in Kuwait’s Camp Arifjan and Ali Al-Salem base in retaliation. It also carried out strikes on the US Fifth Fleet HQ and Sheikh Isa base in Bahrain in a joint missile and drone operation, as per Tasnim.
BREAKING: Iran's IRGC announces it has attacked and hit US military infrastructure in Kuwait's Camp Arifjan and Ali Al-Salem base, along with the US Fifth Fleet HQ and Sheikh Isa base in Bahrain in a joint missile and drone operation, per Tasnim.
The IRGC calls this the "first…
— The Hormuz Letter (@HormuzLetter) July 9, 2026
Bitcon and XRP Climb Higher Bitcoin (BTC) and XRP bounced from recent lows as traders saw Trump’s remarks on Iran as signs of negotiations. BTC dipped near $61,500 earlier amid renewed US-Iran war tensions, but buy-the-dip sentiment triggered a bounce above $62,500.
XRP also recovered, holding near $1.09 after sliding from $1.16 amid US-Iran ceasefire violations. This rebound also comes amid positive developments, including Ripple signing XRP jersey patch deal with Kansas Jayhawks.
In addition, FOMC Meeting Minutes revealed that Fed officials support holding interest rates steady for longer, despite a rate hike still on the table. Bitcoin and XRP trading volumes remain in the red as traders await macro and clear technical catalysts.
Bitcoin has started July on a solid footing, consistent with its historically strong seasonal performance. Supportive comments from President Trump, including remarks that the US is “taking over crypto” and SEC pro-crypto rules changes, have helped sentiment. BIT predicted Bitcoin faces initial resistance at $65,955.
#BTC
If history repeats, things are likely going to pick up for Bitcoin and its Summer relief rally in the second half of July$BTC #Bitcoin
— Rekt Capital (@rektcapital) July 8, 2026
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Leading cryptocurrencies fell alongside stocks on Wednesday as the U.S. strikes against Iran threaten peace negotiations.
Crypto Market ShakesBitcoin slipped under $61,500, then climbed back above $62,000 overnight. Ethereum oscillated within the $1,700 region, even as the 24-hour trading volume saw an uptick. XRP and Dogecoin sank lower.
Over $330 million was liquidated from the cryptocurrency market in the last 24 hours, with $261 million in bullish long positions alone wiped out, according to Coinglass data.
Nearly $400 million in Bitcoin longs risked liquidation if the apex cryptocurrency falls to $60,000.
Bitcoin’s open interest slid 1.40% over the last 24 hours. Smart money sentiment, which refers to the collective outlook and capital allocation of institutional investors, turned "extremely bearish” on Binance.
Top Gainers (24 Hours)
The global cryptocurrency market capitalization stood at $2.15 trillion, contracting 1.67% over the last 24 hours.
Stocks Dive As Iran Strikes IntensifyStocks slipped further on Wednesday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 576.76 points, or 1.09%, to end at 52,348.39. The S&P 500 lost 0.28% to close at 7,482.71. The Nasdaq Composite was the outlier, rising 0.2% to close at 25,870.65.
President Donald Trump reposted news of strikes on Iran’s southeastern city of Chahbahar on his Truth social, saying, “This is in retribution for yesterday’s bombing of ships by Iran. If it happens again, it will get much worse.”
Earlier in the day, he declared that the tentative ceasefire and memorandum of understanding with Iran is "over," sending markets reeling.
Bitcoin To Struggle In Short Term?On-chain analytics firm Santiment highlighted a sharp jump in “war-related crypto chatter,” anticipating increased volatility in the days ahead.
“If tensions keep rising, Bitcoin and altcoins may struggle short term, but if fear spikes too far too fast, it can also set up sharp relief rallies when headlines cool,” Santiment added.
Ali Martinez, a widely followed cryptocurrency analyst and trader, identified $63,000 as the major wall bulls need to break.
“Many holders who bought near $63,000 may use a return to their cost basis as an opportunity to exit at breakeven, adding selling pressure around this zone,” the analyst added.
Martinez also flagged downside risks, including potential declines to $46,000 or $37,870 if Bitcoin loses $59,000 as support.
Photo Courtesy: Marc Bruxelle on Shutterstock.com
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Ripple (XRP) and Stellar (XLM) extend losses on Thursday, correcting over 6% and 10%, respectively, so far this week. XRP falls below $1.090, while XLM posts a fifth consecutive day of correction and closes below key support levels. The bearish sentiment is further strengthened by renewed tensions between the US and Iran, dampening risk appetite and heightening the risk of deeper corrections for these altcoins.
Renewed US-Iran tensions cap risk sentimentThe fragile US-Iran relationship took a new development this week, with the US military unleashing a new wave of strikes against Iran in retaliation for Tehran’s attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran retaliated by continuously targeting US military installations and assets across Bahrain and Kuwait. Adding to this, US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the ceasefire with Iran was now over.
In addition to the growing tensions, the Minutes from the June 16–17 FOMC meeting were released on Wednesday and revealed that policymakers were divided over the direction of interest rates. The minutes reflected growing concern among Fed officials over inflation just as worries about the labor market slightly receded. Following the release, swap traders are now pricing the likelihood of a rate hike at the next Fed meeting at more than 30%, up from less than 20% last Thursday, according to the CME FedWatch tool.
The renewed geopolitical uncertainty and hawkish shift in rate expectations have dampened risk appetite, weighing on cryptocurrencies with Bitcoin (BTC) slipping below $62,000. At the same time, XRP and XLM continue their correction on Thursday.
Weakening institutional demandSoSoValue data shows institutional demand is cautious. Spot Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) recorded an outflow of $7.29 million on Wednesday after being muted in the previous two days. If this outflow trend continues and intensifies this week, XRP could see further correction.
Total XRP spot ETF net inflow daily chart. Source: SoSoValueCryptoQuant’s summary data shows cautious optimism. XRP’s spot and futures markets show large-whale orders, while other metrics remain neutral, supporting a potential recovery. However, XLM shows selling-side dominance in both markets, with mixed retail activity and large-whale orders in the futures market, hinting at cautious sentiment among traders.
XRP summary data. Source: CryptoQuant
XLM summary data. Source: CryptoQuantXRP technical outlook: Slips below key supportXRP price trades at $1.086 on Thursday, extending a bearish near-term bias as price holds well beneath the 50-day, 100-day and 200-day Exponential Moving Averages (EMAs) at $1.173, $1.275 and $1.482.
XRP also sits inside a downward-sloping parallel channel, with the upper boundary near $1.090 acting as immediate overhead supply, while the Relative Strength Index (RSI) around 42 points to subdued momentum and the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) indicator, still slightly positive but easing, hints at waning bullish attempts within a broader capped structure.
On the topside, initial resistance is aligned at the upper channel boundary around $1.090, followed by the 50-day EMA near $1.173. Above that, the 100-day EMA at $1.275 converges with horizontal resistance at $1.300, forming a thicker barrier ahead of the 200-day EMA near $1.482 and a higher structural cap at $1.900.
With no meaningful nearby support levels in the current dataset, any break above the $1.090 zone would be needed to ease immediate pressure. At the same time, a failure to reclaim the short-term averages would keep the daily bias tilted to the downside.
XLM technical outlook: Extends lossesXLM price trades at $0.180 on Thursday, keeping a bearish near-term bias as price holds below the key EMAs. The 100-day EMA at $0.186, the 50-day EMA at $0.191 and the 200-day EMA at $0.198 all sit overhead, suggesting rallies are likely to be capped while the pair trades under this cluster of dynamic resistance.
Momentum indicators reinforce the soft tone, with the RSI hovering near 42 and the MACD back in negative territory, hinting that upside attempts could fade into supply.
On the downside, immediate support is located around the recent pivot zone near $0.180, ahead of a horizontal floor at $0.177. A deeper slide would expose the 78.6% Fibonacci retracement at $0.173, while a break beneath that level could open the way toward the next structural support around $0.142.
On the topside, initial resistance is seen at the 100-day EMA at $0.186, followed by the 50-day EMA at $0.191 and the 200-day EMA at $0.198. Above there, the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement at $0.200 and the 50% retracement near $0.218 are subsequent barriers, with higher Fibonacci levels at $0.237 and $0.260 likely to cap any extended recovery, while the broader structure remains bearish.
(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool. Know more.)
Grayscale, a leading digital asset investment firm, highlighted 8 crypto with the most important narratives shaping the market today. Each asset carries a distinct story driving adoption, developer activity, and investor interest.
Here is a closer look at each narrative, its current price, and how far it sits from its all-time high.
Every asset has its narrative:$BTC → Digital money$ETH → World Computer $XRP → Global payments$SOL → High performance $HYPE → Onchain trading 24/7$LINK → Tokenization & oracles$SUI → Next gen infrastructure$AVAX → Mass customization
— Grayscale (@Grayscale) July 8, 2026 What the 8 Grayscale Crypto Narratives Actually MeanEach crypto carries a distinct narrative, from Bitcoin’s digital money to Ethereum’s world computer, driving adoption and investor interest across the market.
Bitcoin (BTC) – Digital MoneyBitcoin remains the original narrative of decentralized digital money and a hedge against fiat debasement. Its fixed supply and growing institutional adoption through ETFs and corporate treasuries reinforce its role as a store of value.
Furthermore, it anchors the entire crypto market as the reserve asset. BTC trades around $62,000, roughly 51% below its all-time high near $126,000, yet long-term conviction stays strong.
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Bitcoin (BTC) Price Performance. Source: BeInCryptoEthereum (ETH) – The World ComputerEthereum powers smart contracts and decentralized applications, earning it the title of the programmable world computer. Its dominant DeFi and NFT ecosystems, combined with staking and Layer-2 scaling, sustain relevance despite fierce competition.
Moreover, ongoing upgrades and institutional flows continue to support the network. ETH trades near $1,732, about 65% below its all-time high close to 4,878 dollars from the 2025 cycle.
Ethereum (ETH) Price Performance. Source: BeInCryptoXRP – Global PaymentsRipple’s XRP focuses on fast, low-cost cross-border payments for financial institutions. Regulatory clarity in the United States has meaningfully boosted its utility and adoption potential.
As a result, banks and payment providers increasingly view it as a viable settlement infrastructure. Trading around $1.09, XRP sits roughly 72% below its all-time high near $3.84, with upside tied to expanding payment adoption.
XRP Price Performance. Source: BeInCryptoSolana (SOL) – High PerformanceSolana stands out for its high-throughput blockchain, enabling fast, cheap transactions ideal for memecoins, DeFi, and consumer apps. Despite past network outages, its ecosystem continues to expand through new projects and institutional interest.
Furthermore, ETF launches and treasury strategies have added fresh demand. SOL trades near $77, about 74% below its all-time high of $293, yet developer activity remains consistently strong.
Solana (SOL) Price Performance. Source: BeInCryptoHyperliquid (HYPE) – Onchain Trading 24/7Hyperliquid powers a high-performance Layer-1 optimized for decentralized perpetual futures and spot trading. It has captured a major share of the on-chain derivatives market while generating substantial real revenue.
Moreover, consistent fee buybacks remove tokens from circulation, increasing scarcity and supporting the price. HYPE trades near $67, only about 13% below its all-time high of $76.70, showing remarkable resilience versus peers.
Hyperliquid (HYPE) Price Performance. Source: BeInCryptoChainlink (LINK) – Tokenization and OraclesChainlink provides essential oracle services, connecting blockchains to real-world data and powering the tokenization of assets. As real-world asset tokenization gains traction across finance, its role in infrastructure becomes increasingly critical.
Furthermore, partnerships with major banks strengthen its long-term positioning. LINK trades near $7.59, roughly 85% below its all-time high close to $53, but is positioned for RWA-driven growth.
Chainlink (LINK) Price Performance. Source: BeInCryptoSui (SUI) – Next-Generation InfrastructureSui offers a high-speed, object-centric blockchain designed for scalability in gaming, DeFi, and next-generation applications. Its performant architecture has attracted meaningful developer interest as an alternative to older networks.
Moreover, its technical foundations remain strong despite recent price weakness. SUI trades near $0.70, about 87% below its all-time high of around $5.35, reflecting the broader altcoin correction.
Sui (SUI) Price Performance. Source: BeInCryptoAvalanche (AVAX) – Mass CustomizationAvalanche enables custom subnets for tailored blockchain solutions, appealing to enterprises and specialized use cases. This flexibility supports mass adoption across gaming, finance, and institutional sectors seeking dedicated infrastructure.
Furthermore, subnet-driven growth offers a distinct path toward real-world deployment. AVAX trades around $6.42, roughly 95% below its all-time high near $146, with recovery tied to institutional adoption.
Avalanche (AVAX) Price Performance. Source: BeInCryptoGrayscale’s emphasis comes as the crypto market transitions toward fundamentals such as usage, revenue, and regulatory clarity. Most assets fell sharply from their 2025 peaks. However, their distinct value propositions position them for potential recovery, provided execution follows the narrative.
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Ripple has secured a five-year sponsorship with the University of Kansas that will place the XRP logo on Jayhawks athletics uniforms, creating the first crypto jersey sponsorship for a major NCAA Division I athletics program.
Summary
Ripple has signed a five-year deal with the University of Kansas, placing the XRP logo on Jayhawks team jerseys. The partnership includes blockchain and financial education programs alongside Ripple’s existing ties to the university. The announcement follows Ripple’s MiCA license approval in Europe as XRP ETFs post eight straight weeks of inflows. According to Ripple and Kansas Athletics, the agreement takes effect immediately, with XRP branding appearing on football, basketball, and other Jayhawks uniforms. The partnership also includes financial literacy and technology education programs funded by Ripple for student-athletes and members of the campus community.
The announcement comes days after Ripple strengthened its regulatory position in Europe. As previously reported by crypto.news, the company received a Crypto-Asset Service Provider license from Luxembourg’s Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets framework.
According to Ripple, the approval allows it to provide regulated crypto services across all 27 European Economic Area member states.
Partnership extends beyond jersey branding Kansas Athletics described the agreement as a landmark partnership that brings the XRP brand to one of the country’s best-known college sports programs. The university said the arrangement is built on a shared focus on innovation and excellence while giving Ripple access to millions of college sports fans through the Jayhawks.
In a statement released by Kansas Athletics, Director of Athletics Travis Goff said Ripple selected Kansas Athletics as a platform to introduce XRP to a national audience. He added that displaying the XRP logo on Jayhawks uniforms demonstrates a shared commitment to innovation and excellence between the two organizations.
Ripple said the agreement goes beyond marketing through uniform sponsorships. According to the company, it will also support educational initiatives covering financial technology and digital assets for both student-athletes and the broader university community.
The relationship between Ripple and the university predates the sponsorship. The University of Kansas operates an official XRP Ledger validator through its engineering school with support from Ripple’s University Blockchain Research Initiative, which has provided the institution with a multimillion-dollar grant for blockchain research and education.
Brad Garlinghouse highlights personal connection as XRP ecosystem expands Ripple Chief Executive Officer Brad Garlinghouse called the announcement a rare moment where his professional and personal worlds come together. Writing on social media, Garlinghouse noted that XRP has become the first cryptocurrency to appear on the jersey of a major college athletics program before adding, “XRP Family, meet the Jayhawks.”
Rare moment where my professional and personal worlds collide: XRP is now the first crypto on the jersey of a major college athletics program, at my alma mater.
XRP Family, meet the Jayhawks. Rock Chalk! https://t.co/F6uAL0kMNS
— Brad Garlinghouse (@bgarlinghouse) July 8, 2026 Garlinghouse’s comments carry added significance because the University of Kansas is his alma mater. His remarks accompanied Ripple’s announcement as the company continues expanding its ties with the university through athletics, education, and blockchain research.
Elsewhere in the XRP ecosystem, developers and validators continue preparing for the XRPL 3.2.0 upgrade, which supporters expect will improve tokenization capabilities and decentralized finance scalability on the network.
The sponsorship news arrives as XRP trades in a volatile market. XRP changed hands at about $1.08 after moving between $1.08 and $1.13 over the previous 24 hours. Meanwhile, XRP futures activity is picking up, with open interest rising by more than 1% over the past four hours, including gains of 0.33% on CME and 0.75% on Binance.
Despite recent price weakness, crypto.news previously reported that spot XRP exchange-traded funds have recorded inflows for nine consecutive weeks.
Despite experiencing significant declines, Ripple aims to solidify its leading position in the blockchain ecosystem.
At this point, Ripple is expanding its corporate digital asset services by forging new partnerships to continue its global growth.
Accordingly, Ripple partnered with Kansas Athletics, the official collegiate sports program of the University of Kansas in the USA.
Kansas Athletics officially announced the partnership.
“Kansas Athletics proudly announces a groundbreaking new partnership with Ripple, bringing the XRP brand to their Jayhawk uniforms.”
With this partnership, XRP will become the first cryptocurrency to be featured on the uniform of a major university sports program.
The inclusion of the XRP logo on the jersey marks a historic milestone for XRP, and initiates the first ever cryptocurrency sponsorship for a major university sports program.
It was also noted that Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse is a graduate of the University of Kansas.
XRP 🤝 University of Kansas
History on a jersey patch: the first-ever crypto sponsorship of a major college athletics program starts today. https://t.co/9U9hWIpvq9
— Ripple (@Ripple) July 8, 2026
*This is not investment advice.
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Why Is XRP Appearing on Kansas Jayhawks Jerseys? Ripple is becoming an official sponsor of Kansas Jayhawks sports, placing XRP on the jerseys of a major collegiate athletics program in what the company says is a first for cryptocurrency branding.
The sponsorship links Ripple to the University of Kansas, the alma mater of CEO Brad Garlinghouse. As part of the agreement, an XRP patch will appear on team jerseys, giving the token visible exposure across one of the most recognizable college sports brands in the U.S.
The deal comes after a rule change that opened the door for corporate logos on Division I college jerseys. In January, the NCAA ruled that Division I teams could begin placing corporate marks on jerseys in August. That change creates a new commercial lane for companies looking to reach college sports audiences through uniform placement rather than only arena signage, broadcast ads, or athlete sponsorships.
For Ripple, the Kansas deal is not only a sports marketing agreement. It is also a brand reset after years of legal pressure around XRP. The company is using the jersey placement to put the token back into mainstream view after a long regulatory battle that affected exchanges, investors, and public perception of the asset.
What Does the Deal Include Beyond Jersey Branding? The agreement includes more than an XRP logo on uniforms. Ripple has also committed to funding financial and technology education programs for student-athletes. The company also plans to expand its existing talent pipeline connecting Kansas graduates to careers across the technology industry.
That structure gives the sponsorship a wider institutional frame. Crypto firms have often used sports deals to buy visibility, but college partnerships are likely to face closer review because they involve student-athletes, universities, and education-linked commitments. By adding financial education and technology career programs, Ripple is positioning the deal as a university partnership rather than a simple crypto advertising campaign.
Kansas Athletics framed the agreement around reach, community, and innovation. “Ripple recognizes the unique reach and passion of the Jayhawk community, and we’re proud they have chosen Kansas Athletics as a premier platform to introduce XRP to millions of sports fans,” said Travis Goff, director of athletics at the University of Kansas. “Having the XRP logo displayed on our Jayhawk uniforms reflects a shared commitment to innovation and excellence.”
Investor Takeaway The Kansas sponsorship gives XRP mainstream sports visibility at a time when Ripple is trying to move beyond its SEC case. The deal may help brand recognition, but its market impact depends on whether visibility translates into deeper usage, exchange activity, or institutional interest.
Why Does the SEC Case Still Matter? The sponsorship arrives after Ripple and XRP spent years under legal pressure from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. In 2020, the SEC accused Ripple of raising $1.3 billion through the sale of XRP, which the agency said was an unregistered security.
The case weighed on XRP’s market standing. Exchanges delisted the token, investors faced uncertainty, and the asset became a test case for how U.S. securities law would apply to major cryptocurrencies. Ripple was eventually ordered to pay about $125 million, and both the SEC and Ripple dismissed their respective appeals last August.
Garlinghouse used the Kansas announcement to connect the sponsorship directly to Ripple’s post-litigation message. “For four years, a lawsuit that never should have been filed cost XRP holders real value, exchanges delisted a top digital asset, and manufactured doubt that had nothing to do with the technology or its utility,” he said. “With the lawsuit behind us, now is the time to remind people what makes XRP unique, useful and worth paying attention to.”
That framing shows why the jersey placement matters to Ripple. It gives the company a public-facing channel to rebuild XRP’s image after a period when the token’s brand was closely tied to regulatory conflict. Sports sponsorship does not resolve questions about adoption or utility, but it can help restore visibility among retail audiences and mainstream institutions.
What Are the Market Implications for XRP? XRP remains one of the largest non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies, with a market capitalization of about $67.5 billion. That scale means the Kansas deal is unlikely to change XRP’s market structure on its own, but it does add to Ripple’s effort to normalize the token after years of legal uncertainty.
For crypto firms, the agreement also shows how the sports sponsorship playbook is changing. Arena naming rights and professional team deals have already been used by exchanges and digital asset companies. College jersey placement is a newer category, and the NCAA rule change may create more opportunities for crypto brands if universities are comfortable with the compliance and reputational risks.
The main question for investors is whether Ripple can convert renewed visibility into stronger ecosystem activity. Jersey exposure can support awareness, but token value still depends on liquidity, payment use cases, partnerships, regulatory clarity, and broader crypto market conditions.
The Kansas sponsorship gives Ripple a high-profile platform at a favorable moment in its legal timeline. It also tests whether crypto branding can move deeper into college sports without triggering the same backlash that followed earlier waves of high-profile crypto advertising.
In brief Ripple has signed a sports marketing deal with the University of Kansas to make XRP the official crypto of Kansas Athletics. The deal places the XRP logo prominently on the jerseys of sporting teams at the university. The company will also fund educational programs about traditional finance and digital assets for student-athletes. Ripple, the payments company whose founders created the XRP cryptocurrency, has inked a multi-year sponsorship deal with the University of Kansas Athletics that will place the XRP logo on the jerseys of all Kansas athletic teams.
As part of the agreement, XRP also becomes the official cryptocurrency of Kansas Athletics.
“This era of college athletics demands innovative, forward-thinking partnerships," Director of Athletics at the University of Kansas Travis Goff said in a statement.
“Ripple recognizes the unique reach and passion of the Jayhawk community, and we're proud they have chosen Kansas Athletics as a premier platform to introduce XRP to millions of sports fans,” Goff said.
Beyond the jerseys, Ripple will also fund educational programs focused on traditional finance and digital assets for Kansas students-athletes, while seeking to connect KU graduates to careers in technology.
“It's a critical time in college athletics to be bold, and that's what is being accomplished with today's announcement,” Kansas Men’s Basketball Coach Bill Self said in a statement. “We will make sure our guys understand the significance of the partnership and why it is beneficial for them moving forward."
The deal reconnects the Jayhawks and University of Kansas with Ripple President Brad Garlinhouse, who graduated from the university and previously described watching Jayhawks games as a “guilty pleasure.”
The crypto industry has a long, and at times controversial, history of sponsorship deals in the sports world.
FTX, the collapsed crypto exchange whose founder Sam Bankman-Fried was convicted for fraud, famously bought the naming rights for the stadium that hosts the Miami Heat NBA franchise in 2021—only for the FTX logo to be torn down less than two years later. Terra, a crypto network that similarly collapsed and whose founder is also behind bars, signed a five-year sponsorship deal with MLB franchise the Washington Nationals in 2022, and its logo still adorns the ballpark.
More recently, though, crypto companies have been wading back into sports marketing, with leading U.S.-based crypto exchange Coinbase holding a long-standing sponsorship deal with the NBA. In June of last year, the Paris-based digital asset security firm Ledger also landed a sponsorship agreement with the San Antonio Spurs, which prominently placed the Ledger logo on the Spurs jerseys and arena floor throughout the NBA season.
If the marketing spend for Ripple is to make a positive market impact for XRP, it won’t be felt immediately. The price of XRP today fell around 4.2%, as the cryptocurrency clings to a top 6 spot among digital assets with a $67 billion market cap. The Ripple-linked token notched a new all-time high of $3.65 last year, but has since fallen nearly 71% to trade around $1.07.
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In brief Ripple has signed a sports marketing deal with the University of Kansas to make XRP the official crypto of Kansas Athletics. The deal places the XRP logo prominently on the jerseys of sporting teams at the university. The company will also fund educational programs about traditional finance and digital assets for student-athletes. Ripple, the payments company whose founders created the XRP cryptocurrency, has inked a multi-year sponsorship deal with the University of Kansas Athletics that will place the XRP logo on the jerseys of all Kansas athletic teams.
As part of the agreement, XRP also becomes the official cryptocurrency of Kansas Athletics.
“This era of college athletics demands innovative, forward-thinking partnerships," Director of Athletics at the University of Kansas Travis Goff said in a statement.
“Ripple recognizes the unique reach and passion of the Jayhawk community, and we're proud they have chosen Kansas Athletics as a premier platform to introduce XRP to millions of sports fans,” Goff said.
Beyond the jerseys, Ripple will also fund educational programs focused on traditional finance and digital assets for Kansas students-athletes, while seeking to connect KU graduates to careers in technology.
“It's a critical time in college athletics to be bold, and that's what is being accomplished with today's announcement,” Kansas Men’s Basketball Coach Bill Self said in a statement. “We will make sure our guys understand the significance of the partnership and why it is beneficial for them moving forward."
The deal reconnects the Jayhawks and University of Kansas with Ripple President Brad Garlinhouse, who graduated from the university and previously described watching Jayhawks games as a “guilty pleasure.”
The crypto industry has a long, and at times controversial, history of sponsorship deals in the sports world.
FTX, the collapsed crypto exchange whose founder Sam Bankman-Fried was convicted for fraud, famously bought the naming rights for the stadium that hosts the Miami Heat NBA franchise in 2021—only for the FTX logo to be torn down less than two years later. Terra, a crypto network that similarly collapsed and whose founder is also behind bars, signed a five-year sponsorship deal with MLB franchise the Washington Nationals in 2022, and its logo still adorns the ballpark.
More recently, though, crypto companies have been wading back into sports marketing, with leading U.S.-based crypto exchange Coinbase holding a long-standing sponsorship deal with the NBA. In June of last year, the Paris-based digital asset security firm Ledger also landed a sponsorship agreement with the San Antonio Spurs, which prominently placed the Ledger logo on the Spurs jerseys and arena floor throughout the NBA season.
If the marketing spend for Ripple is to make a positive market impact for XRP, it won’t be felt immediately. The price of XRP today fell around 4.2%, as the cryptocurrency clings to a top 6 spot among digital assets with a $67 billion market cap. The Ripple-linked token notched a new all-time high of $3.65 last year, but has since fallen nearly 71% to trade around $1.07.
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A fundamentally new driver of long-term value has quietly formed inside the XRP Ledger (XRPL), as according to the latest on-chain metrics, the volume of commercial transactions executed exclusively by artificial intelligence via the x402 protocol has officially surpassed 1,000,000 transactions.
The historic milestone became clear alongside today's launch of the XRPL AI Hub platform by t54 and the XRP Ledger Foundation (XRPLF). This event forces a new look at the fundamental utility of XRP and the Ripple USD stablecoin.
Number of XRP and RLUSD settlements by AI agents, Source: XRPL AI HubThe published statistics break the myth that the use of crypto assets in the AI sector is limited to chaotic testing. At the moment, the registry has recorded 121 active merchants, but more than 77% of the entire million-transaction volume is distributed among three major infrastructure players:
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Heurist Mesh — 404,091 transactions. A decentralized network of GPU power, where AI agents automatically and by the minute rent computing resources from one another to perform model inference.LucyOS — 367,733 transactions. A specialized operating system for AI, where independent bots continuously trade services and coordinate tasks.AskSurf — 23,076 transactions. An intelligent search service that purchases structured data in real time.The rest of the traffic falls on the "long tail" of dozens of wallets, with around 2,400 operations per address. The identical density of these payments indicates that developers have moved to the pipeline deployment of standard autonomous AI agents.
Why the XRP Ledger architecture fits the AI economyThe integration of the x402 protocol from t54 has completely removed humans from the settlement chain, and programs now operate balances directly, without using bank cards.
According to XRPL Foundation member Vet, the architecture of the XRP Ledger perfectly covers the needs of the autonomous agentic economy because, unlike other blockchains where transaction costs rise unpredictably during peak loads, XRPL offers fixed, extremely low fees. This allows developers to strictly forecast the operating costs of AI.
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Together with high settlement speed, the global liquidity of XRP, and the presence of a built-in decentralized exchange (DEX) for instant automatic asset conversion 24/7, the network gains a powerful fundamental advantage, the contributor emphasized.
As t54 co-founder Chandler Feng briefly noted while commenting on the million-transaction milestone: "Development was slow, and then it happened all at once." And now there are already one million transactions.
Ripple-backed t54.ai has announced the launch of the XRP Ledger (XRPL) in a bid to build an agentic economy on the network. This comes as the network surpasses 1 million agentic payments.
XRP Ledger AI Hub Goes Live As Network Records New Milestone In an X post, the Ripple-backed firm announced the launch of the XRPL AI Hub, providing a single destination for agents, AI projects, tools, and payment services building on the network. The firm noted that the goal is to make the XRPL AI ecosystem easier to discover, navigate, and build on.
“As more agents, merchants, and services come to XRPL, builders need one place to see what is live, what is possible, and where to contribute,” t54.ai said. The firm added that the hub starts with three core areas, including index, which involves live X402 payment activity on the XRP Ledger.
Furthermore, the hub includes docs, SDKs, repos, and developer resources. The third area is the directory, which includes AI projects, agents, services, and merchants building on the XRPL. t54.ai also revealed that they launched this initiative with support from Ripple developers and the XRPL Foundation.
This move comes just weeks after Ripple launched the XRP Ledger AI starter kit, enabling AI agents to pay with XRP and RLUSD on the network. The rollout back then notably enabled X402 payments, with XRPL now a supported chain in the X402 protocol.
XRPL Foundation Announces New Milestone In an X post, the XRP Ledger Foundation announced that the network has surpassed 1 million agentic payments via the x402 protocol. “Time to double down,” the Foundation added.
We just surpassed 1,000,000 agentic payments via x402 on the $XRP Ledger. Time to double down.
XRPL AI Hub is a comprehensive new ecosystem platform for builders, users, and enthusiasts.
Welcome to the agentic economy on the XRP Ledger.https://t.co/VeEwNmEPyp https://t.co/IfXDi2XOno pic.twitter.com/FGcEjj0BkB
— XRP Ledger Foundation (@XRPLF) July 8, 2026
The Foundation also welcomed the launch of the XRPL AI Hub, noting that it is a comprehensive new ecosystem platform for builders, users, and enthusiasts. XRPL validator Vet said that he wasn’t surprised at the milestone.
He opined that the XRPL Ledger is uniquely positioned with its protocol design that fits very well with what AI needs. “Low cost infra, predictable fees, a native asset XRP that’s listed everywhere and is liquid. and of course a native Decentralized Exchange that lets you swap between assets 24/7 with no censorship,” Vet added.
For more information about AI agents, please check out the Top Web3 AI Agents Directory
Ripple announced XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) will appear on the Kansas Jayhawks’ jerseys as the first cryptocurrency on a major college athletics uniform.
XRP Becomes The First Crypto On A College JerseyRipple signed an official sponsorship deal with the University of Kansas, CEO Brad Garlinghouse’s alma mater, placing an XRP patch on Jayhawks team jerseys.
Corporate logos on college jerseys became possible only after the NCAA ruled in January that Division I programs could begin displaying them starting in August.
“Ripple recognizes the unique reach and passion of the Jayhawk community,” said Kansas Athletics Director Travis Goff.
Beyond the jersey placement, Ripple committed to funding financial and technology education programs for student-athletes and expanding a talent pipeline connecting Kansas graduates to careers in the tech industry.
Garlinghouse called it a rare moment where his professional and personal worlds collide, adding on X that the XRP family should meet the Jayhawks.
Crypto firms sponsoring arenas and professional teams is nothing new, but a patch on a college jersey marks a first for the industry.
The Breakout That Looked Promising Two Days Ago Has Now FailedXRP pushed above its year-long descending trendline earlier this week but couldn’t hold the level, reversing 3% back inside the channel in what the chart frames as a classic bull trap.
Sellers took control the moment follow-through buying failed to materialize.
Support at the $1 to $1.05 demand zone is now the last line of defense. A daily close below $1.05 opens a path toward the $1 psychological floor.
Resistance sits at the $1.10 trendline retest zone and today’s high of $1.1160, which XRP needs to reclaim and hold before any long setup becomes viable.
XRP Longs Got Crushed While Options Activity ExplodesOver the past 24 hours, $8.04 million in long positions were liquidated against just $269.95 thousand in shorts, confirming bulls are taking the brunt of Wednesday’s selloff.
Open interest slipped 4.17% to $2.29 billion, while the overall long/short ratio sits at 0.8954, meaning shorts now slightly outnumber longs across the market.
Options activity tells a different story on sentiment. Options volume jumped 484.96% to $14.72 million and options open interest climbed 46.33% to $38.17 million, suggesting traders are actively buying protection or positioning for a bigger move rather than sitting out the volatility..
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The XRP Ledger is living through a familiar kind of protocol standoff: the people running the network’s most influential nodes say yes, but the broader server base has not followed. A new software release has taken the lead among the ledger’s validators, yet the raw node count still puts the older v3.1.3 client ahead, and the security amendment packed into the upgrade is on a separate, slower ballot. The update needs to cross an 80% threshold on the trusted validator list before it can activate, according to the original report.
The split matters because validator support alone does not guarantee that the network’s transaction relay and full history layers move in unison. Nodes that run the older code still see the chain as valid, but they won’t enforce the new amendment’s rules. That can lead to a schizophrenic network state where the official protocol advances but the infrastructure running it treats the changes as optional. For exchanges, market makers, and custodians watching on-chain settlement, that kind of uncertainty tends to sharpen focus on confirmation logic and reorg risk, however remote.
The security amendment is the real prize. While the broader release ships feature work, the amendment patch is what most node operators will judge on its technical merits. It gets its own vote, and it is running slower. The 80% supermajority mechanism inside the XRP Ledger’s amendment process is designed to prevent rushed changes, but it also means a minority of trusted validators can hold the network back indefinitely if they refuse to upgrade. That is not a bug; it is a deliberate governance choice. But when the software release that bundles the fix already leads among validators, the image of a network half-upgraded can unsettle traders who price the token based on expected protocol hardening.
Why node count still matters more than validator count Validators order the ledger, but regular nodes serve the data. If most full nodes remain on an older client, query responses, transaction submissions, and historical lookups all flow through a version of the code that does not understand the new amendment. This creates a gulf between what the protocol says is the valid chain state and what the surrounding infrastructure reports. It is precisely the kind of operational inconsistency that major integrations try to avoid. The XRP Ledger’s design keeps the amendment process inside the validator set, so non-voting nodes cannot block progress, but a large gap in node adoption still corrodes the practical effect of the upgrade.
The market is unlikely to react strongly to node statistics alone, but the setup is worth watching because it mirrors previous upgrade cycles where validator voting stretched on for weeks while nodes lagged. In those instances, the eventual resolution — whether the amendment activated or was abandoned — gave XRP a brief directional pulse. With no exchange-facing timeline, the waiting itself becomes the story.
The governance test that echoes far beyond one chain Protocol governance fights are not unique to the XRP Ledger. Networks like Ethereum have spent years managing client diversity and upgrade coordination, and even smaller chains have seen validator splits force hard choices. The difference here is that the amendment process does not require a chain halt; it is meant to be seamless, activating once the supermajority clicks into place. But the gap between validator sentiment and node sentiment visible today shows that seamless activation is never automatic. It needs active cajoling, upgrade documentation, and often a bit of pressure from the ecosystem’s economic anchors.
Meanwhile, the wider regulatory climate adds another layer of attention. As major U.S. crypto legislation faces last-minute banking pushback, the operational choices of validators on a network tied to Ripple can feel politically charged even when they are purely technical. That does not mean the node count split has a policy cause; it means the stakes around network reliability look different when the regulatory lens is already focused on the asset.
What traders and watchers should track next The next meaningful signal is not the node count — it is whether the security amendment’s support on the trusted validator list begins to accelerate. If it stalls short of 80%, the market will likely treat the broader software release as cosmetic rather than structural. If it climbs, the narrative could swing from “divided network” to “final countdown” in a single day. The trusted validator list is visible, so on-chain analysts and community dashboards will be the first to know.
In the background, the XRP Ledger’s development activity continues to hold a place among the more actively maintained chains, as seen in recent developer activity rankings. That underlying work matters because amendments rarely land in a vacuum. The network that ships code regularly tends to accumulate the operational experience that makes upgrades less contentious over time. For XRP Ledger, this vote will test whether that muscle memory has taken hold or whether the old pattern of drawn-out validator dances is still the default.
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Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has taken to social media to react to his company securing a historic five-year sponsorship agreement with the University of Kansas.
Garlinghouse mentioned his background in a celebratory post. "Rare moment where my professional and personal worlds collide: XRP is now the first crypto on the jersey of a major college athletics program, at my alma mater," Garlinghouse stated.
A major deal Notably, this is the first time a cryptocurrency company has partnered with a major NCAA Division 1 athletics program.
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The XRP cryptocurrency logo will be prominently featured on the jerseys of the Kansas Jayhawks' football and basketball teams, as well as across all other university athletic uniforms.
The partnership is obviously a huge step toward mainstream brand visibility for the crypto industry. It will introduce XRP to millions of viewers.
Ripple is making a tangible commitment to the academic and financial future of the university's athletes.
The San Francisco-based crypto firm will provide direct funding for specialized financial and technology education initiatives. Student-athletes as well as the broader campus community will be able to benefit from this.
A personal connection The sponsorship carries deep personal significance for Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse, who is a Topeka, Kansas native and a proud alumnus of the University of Kansas.
During his time at the university, Garlinghouse earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics.
It is worth noting that the University of Kansas is already a participant in the XRP ecosystem. It operates an official XRP Ledger validator through its engineering school.
Despite the landmark sponsorship news, the XRP price is down by more than 4%.
However, market data indicates that the announcement may have spurred some speculative trading activity, as XRP futures open interest saw a slight 1% increase in the hours following the partnership reveal.
Price Falls, But the Ledger Keeps Growing$XRP endured a difficult first half of 2026. The token slid for six consecutive months, touching an intraday low of around $1.01 in late June, as broader selling pressure weighed on altcoins. The network picture, however, told a more complicated story.
According to @finbold, daily active accounts on the XRP Ledger fell across H1, dropping roughly 4,600 to approximately 15,300. That figure sits well below readings from other trackers: Santiment data showed daily active addresses climbing from approximately 23,000 to more than 39,500 in the final weeks of June, a 71.7% increase. The gap reflects different methodologies and definitions, and readers should treat any single data point as one part of a broader picture rather than a definitive read on network health.
What is clearer is the directional shift across H1. Activity had been softening from the 2025 peak, but network users sending and receiving assets on the XRP Ledger peaked at 43,000 on June 30, meaning the half closed on a recovery, not a slide. Separately, Messari's Q4 2025 State of XRP Ledger report recorded average daily senders falling 15.4% quarter-on-quarter from 25,300 to 21,700, a figure from an earlier period that illustrates the broader softening trend rather than H1 2026 conditions specifically.
A Network Accumulating in SilenceThe counterpoint to cooling activity is the ledger's structural growth. Total wallets on the XRP Ledger surged in H1, with the network adding roughly 501,000 new accounts and nearing 8 million all-time. Approximately 7.85 million XRP wallet addresses had been activated on the ledger as of early 2026, according to XRPScan. The ledger had surpassed 7.85 million activated addresses, up from around 4.5 million in 2023 and nearly 6 million in late 2024, roughly 30% wallet growth in just over a year, driven largely by regulatory clarity and the launch of spot XRP ETFs.
Fewer addresses are actively transacting, but more wallets are being created and holding. When wallet creation outpaces transaction volume, it can reflect organic accumulation, but it can equally signal a network idling between catalysts. The bearish case centres on the disconnect between XRP's market capitalisation and on-chain utility: transaction fees generated on the ledger remain minimal relative to the asset's total valuation, suggesting price is still driven more by sentiment than organic usage. On the other hand, the divergence between network activity and token price has caught the attention of market analysts, who say it could indicate renewed accumulation ahead of a potential recovery.
For now, the on-chain data presents a clear split. The question is whether the wall of new wallets represents patient holders waiting for a catalyst, or simply a ledger growing while trading activity slowly cools.
Sources:
Messari: State of XRP Ledger Q4 2025
CoinGecko: XRP Live Price and Market Data
Wealthier Today: XRP Ledger Sees 71% Network Surge, Active Addresses Recover
The number of commercial transactions executed solely by artificial intelligence systems on the XRP Ledger has surpassed 1 million, marking a significant milestone for crypto-enabled machine economies. Latest on-chain data shows this surge in activity via the x402 protocol is no longer just an experimental phase. The threshold became clear following the launch of the XRPL AI Hub, a joint initiative by t54 and the XRP Ledger Foundation.
Bulk of trading volume concentrated in three infrastructure leadersAccording to records, there are currently 121 active sellers involved in AI-driven trades on the network. However, more than 77% of the over 1 million transactions to date have been concentrated in just three major infrastructure providers. Heurist Mesh leads with 404,091 transactions, followed by LucyOS with 367,733, and AskSurf with 23,076 transactions recorded.
Heurist Mesh operates as a decentralized computing network where AI agents can rent GPU power from each other on a minute-by-minute basis to run models. LucyOS functions as an AI-focused operating system, facilitating service exchanges and task coordination among autonomous bots. AskSurf provides a smart search service that enables real-time acquisition of structured data. The XRP Ledger Foundation, a non-profit organization, aims to foster the ongoing development of the XRP Ledger network.
PlatformTransactionsCore Use CaseHeurist Mesh404,091GPU leasingLucyOS367,733Bot-to-bot service and task coordinationAskSurf23,076Real-time structured data acquisitionThe remaining transaction traffic is spread across dozens of wallets, indicating a broader and more distributed agent activity. With an average of around 2,400 transactions per address, it suggests autonomous AI agents are now engaging with the network more routinely and at greater scale.
Key features of the XRPL architectureThe x402 integration developed by t54 has eliminated the need for human intervention in payments and settlement chains. As a result, software agents now manage digital balances directly, without relying on conventional tools such as bank cards.
Mini glossary: The x402 protocol is designed to enable software and AI agents to pay for and access online services directly. With this model, machines can transact with each other over the internet without needing intermediary payment layers.
Vet, a member of the XRPL Foundation, emphasized that the XRP Ledger architecture robustly meets the needs of the emerging autonomous AI economy. According to Vet, while other blockchains can experience unpredictable fee spikes during network congestion, the XRPL’s fixed and very low fee structure allows developers to reliably calculate operating costs for AI applications.
The network further stands out for its rapid settlement times, global liquidity of XRP, and a built-in decentralized exchange that allows for the automatic conversion of assets around the clock. Together, these elements are shaping fresh perspectives on the practical uses of both XRP and Ripple USD.
Reactions to passing the 1 million transaction markVet, a member of the XRPL Foundation, underscored that the XRP Ledger’s architecture is well positioned to fulfill the requirements of an autonomous agent economy, particularly by providing consistently low transaction costs that enable developers to anticipate operating expenses.
Commenting on the growth trajectory, Chandler Feng, co-founder of t54, observed that progress was slow for a lengthy period before suddenly accelerating past the 1 million trade threshold.
Reaching the 1 million transaction milestone stands as a key indicator that the intersection of AI and blockchain infrastructures is transitioning from potential to tangible application. The fact that these commercial transactions now occur directly between software agents signals that the XRP Ledger is taking on a more visible and functional role in the next generation of machine-to-machine economic activity.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article does not constitute investment advice. Investors should be aware that cryptocurrencies carry high volatility and therefore risk, and should conduct their own research.
TLDR: The XRP Ledger AI Hub has launched as a new discovery point for AI builders, agents, services, merchants, and x402 payment activity on XRPL. The XRP Ledger has surpassed 1 million agentic payments, showing rising machine-driven settlement activity across AI-linked services. XRP price remains under pressure near $1.06, with sellers still controlling momentum below major daily moving averages. Weak ETF flows, lower active addresses, and declining futures interest show that market demand has not matched the network milestone yet. The XRP Ledger AI Hub has gone live as XRPL records a major milestone in AI-linked blockchain payments. t54.ai announced the platform as a single destination for AI agents, developer tools, payment services, and merchants building on the network.
The launch comes as the XRP Ledger Foundation says XRPL has surpassed 1 million agentic payments through the x402 protocol. The milestone adds a fresh utility narrative for XRP and RLUSD, although XRP price action remains weak near $1.06.
XRP is trading below $1.10 after four straight days of losses. Muted ETF flows, weaker active addresses, and lower futures demand continue to weigh on near-term sentiment.
XRP Ledger AI Hub Opens New Door For AI Builders The XRP Ledger AI Hub is designed to help developers track what is already live across the XRPL AI ecosystem. It starts with three core areas covering x402 activity, developer resources, and a directory of AI projects.
The index section tracks live x402 payment activity on the network. The developer section includes docs, SDKs, repositories, and other resources. Meanwhile, the directory highlights AI projects, agents, services, and merchants using XRPL rails.
The launch follows Ripple’s XRP Ledger AI Starter Kit, which introduced tools for agentic payments. The kit supports x402 payments using XRP and RLUSD, allowing AI agents to pay for APIs, compute, and inference services.
That structure matters as AI agents need fast, low-cost, and predictable settlement. XRPL offers short settlement times and fixed-style transaction costs, which can help software agents operate without manual approval loops.
The latest activity also points to deeper merchant adoption. Reports show 121 active merchants are now recorded, with Heurist Mesh, LucyOS, and AskSurf accounting for much of the transaction volume.
XRP Price Stays Weak Despite Agentic Payments Milestone Nevertheless, the XRP Ledger AI Hub launch has not changed the short-term XRP price trend. XRP remains below key moving averages, keeping the market structure under pressure.
The 50-day EMA sits near $1.18, while the 100-day EMA is around $1.28. The 200-day EMA near $1.49 remains a wider resistance zone for any stronger recovery attempt.
Source: TradingView On the downside, traders are watching support near $1.05 and $1.02. A break below this range could expose XRP to another wave of selling, especially if broader crypto sentiment weakens.
On-chain activity also shows caution. Active addresses recently dropped to about 14,500 from nearly 31,000 a day earlier, after peaking near 43,000 on June 30.
ETF activity has also slowed, with no recorded spot XRP ETF flows on Monday and Tuesday. Cumulative inflows still stand near $1.49 billion, but fresh demand remains limited.
Futures data adds to the softer picture. Open interest has slipped from late-June levels, showing weaker speculative appetite as XRP struggles below resistance.
The split between network utility and price action is now central to XRP’s next move. Agentic payments may support a longer-term XRPL adoption story, but traders still need a stronger price reaction above $1.18.
Ripple has signed a five-year sponsorship deal with the University of Kansas, marking a significant collaboration between the cryptocurrency industry and college athletics. Under the agreement, the XRP logo will feature on the jerseys of the Kansas Jayhawks’ football and basketball teams, with plans to extend the branding to uniforms across other athletic departments within the university.
A milestone partnership for college sports and cryptoThis partnership represents the first time a cryptocurrency company has joined forces with a major NCAA Division 1 athletic program. The groundbreaking deal is expected to bring the XRP brand to a broad audience and enhance the visibility of the cryptocurrency sector within mainstream sports culture.
Brad Garlinghouse emphasized that this agreement is deeply personal, noting that XRP will be the first cryptocurrency to feature on the uniforms of his alma mater’s prestigious athletic program.
Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple, hails from Topeka, Kansas, and is an alumnus of the University of Kansas where he studied economics. For Garlinghouse, the sponsorship goes beyond business interests, carrying significant personal meaning tied to his own academic and regional roots.
Supporting education and technology initiativesAlongside the sponsorship, Ripple will fund new programs focused on the academic and financial development of university athletes. These initiatives are slated to emphasize finance and technology education. The company aims for a broad impact, opening access not only to student-athletes but also to the greater campus community.
Glossary: An XRP Ledger validator is a server that verifies transactions and helps maintain consistency in the network’s ledger. Universities and institutions can contribute technically to the network by operating such validators.
The University of Kansas is no stranger to the XRP ecosystem. Its School of Engineering already runs an official XRP Ledger validator. This underscores that the partnership is not just for marketing but is also built upon existing technical ties between the institution and the cryptocurrency’s infrastructure.
Market reaction remains subduedDespite the high-profile sponsorship deal, the price of XRP declined by more than 4%. However, derivatives market data reveals that speculative interest in XRP futures increased modestly in the hours following the announcement, with open interest rising by around 1%.
Data shows that open interest in XRP futures increased slightly after the sponsorship announcement.
While the XRP price dropped and derivatives activity saw a limited uptick, investor attitudes suggest that the news was viewed as important for brand exposure but did not sway short-term trading sentiment.
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 1 million AI-driven payments through the x402 protocol as Ripple-backed t54.ai has launched a dedicated AI Hub for developers, payment services, and autonomous agents building on the network.
Summary
XRP Ledger has surpassed 1 million AI-powered payments through the x402 protocol. Ripple-backed t54.ai has launched the XRPL AI Hub for developers, AI agents, and payment services. The announcements come as over 55% of trusted validators have adopted the xrpld v3.2.0 upgrade. According to a post on X from Ripple-backed t54.ai, the new XRPL AI Hub brings together AI projects, agents, developer tools, payment services, and technical resources into a single platform designed to help users discover and build applications on the XRP Ledger. The company said the hub was launched with support from Ripple developers and the XRP Ledger Foundation.
T54.ai explained that the platform is organized into three main sections. The first tracks live x402 payment activity on the XRP Ledger, while the second provides documentation, software development kits, code repositories, and other developer resources.
A third directory lists AI agents, merchants, services, and projects already operating on the network, allowing builders to identify existing infrastructure before launching new applications.
AI infrastructure on XRPL continues to expand The launch follows Ripple’s rollout of the XRP Ledger AI Starter Kit several weeks ago, which introduced tools allowing AI agents to send and receive payments using XRP and RLUSD. That release also added support for XRPL within the x402 protocol, enabling automated machine-to-machine payments on the network.
Separately, the XRP Ledger Foundation announced on X that the network has processed more than 1 million agentic payments through x402. While sharing the milestone, the Foundation also welcomed the launch of the XRPL AI Hub, describing it as a central ecosystem platform for developers, users, and community participants working with AI applications on the ledger.
Commenting on the achievement, XRPL validator Vet said he was not surprised by the payment milestone. According to Vet, the XRP Ledger’s architecture is well suited for AI-based payment systems because it combines low transaction costs, predictable fees, XRP’s global liquidity, and a built-in decentralized exchange that enables continuous asset swaps without centralized controls.
Validator upgrade continues toward activation The AI-related announcements come as the XRP Ledger continues progressing toward another network upgrade. As crypto.news reported on July 7, more than 55% of trusted validators have already upgraded to xrpld v3.2.0, moving the amendment process closer to activation.
According to XRP Ledger Explorer data cited in the report, 84 trusted validators, representing 55.63% of the validator set, are currently running xrpld v3.2.0, while 353 network nodes, or 42.12% of all nodes, have installed the latest software. Version 3.1.3 remains active on 58 trusted validators and 440 nodes.
Under the XRP Ledger’s governance rules, protocol amendments require approval from more than 80% of trusted validators for two consecutive weeks before they become active. Based on the current validator distribution, roughly another quarter of the trusted validator set must migrate to the latest version before the upgrade can advance toward activation.
The xrpld v3.2.0 release introduces infrastructure updates, bug fixes, and developer improvements across the network. It also implements the XLS-0095 proposal, officially renaming the ledger’s core server software from rippled to xrpld, a change intended to align the software’s identity more closely with the XRP Ledger ecosystem.
Ripple’s landmark five-year sports sponsorship with the University of Kansas may have delighted XRP enthusiasts, but not everyone within the cryptocurrency community is buying the hype.
Zach Rynes, who is widely known as the Chainlink community lead, took to social media to slam what he perceives as a rather desperate marketing stunt.
He believes that there is a disconnect between Ripple’s corporate actions and the retail investors holding its native token.
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As reported by U.Today, Ripple recently announced that the XRP logo will be prominently featured on the uniforms of the Kansas Jayhawks' football and basketball programs.
In response to the announcement, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse celebrated it as a "rare moment where my professional and personal worlds collide."
Sponsoring sports vs. selling softwareAccording to Rynes, a sports marketing campaign focused on retail investors would be entirely illogical for a company that ostensibly offers payments software to institutions.
"Sponsoring a college sports program with the XRP logo on the jersey doesn’t make much sense if you think Ripple’s primary business is selling financial technology to banks," Rynes asserted.
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Instead, the Chainlink community lead posited that the marketing push is meant to appease the retail buyers of the "bank-themed meme coin." "But it makes perfect sense when you understand Ripple is really in the business of selling a premined, bank-themed memecoin to retail," he stated.
Rynes further claims that Ripple uses its massive escrow holdings of XRP to enrich its internal equity holders.
According to Rynes, Ripple executes these "coins they sell to fund corporate acquisitions and equity buybacks of Ripple Labs stock, building enterprise value for the sole benefit of shareholders at the direct expense of token holders."
He further claimed that the firm’s software delivery and other operational units pale in comparison to the revenue generated by unloading tokens onto the open market. "Ripple’s private round valuations are tied to the treasury value of their zero cost basis XRP stash and their ability to extract from it for shareholders, every other business line is a rounding error in comparison," Rynes added.
At the same time, some XRP fans pushed back against the critique by pointing out that LINK is currently sitting in 20th place on CoinMarketCap after previously being viewed as one of the top altcoin competitors.
Haven’t heard a Zach rant against XRP since Link was in 11th spot on market cap on its way to thè flippening https://t.co/Fbin0mH6BB
