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Raoul Pal Explains Why Crypto’s Biggest Growth Phase May Still Be Ahead, Criticizes Selling Early

Lele Jima
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Raoul Pal Explains Why Crypto’s Biggest Growth Phase May Still Be Ahead, Criticizes Selling Early

Real Vision founder Raoul Pal argues that the crypto market remains in the early stages of a massive long-term transformation. 

In his latest commentary, Pal dismissed short-term trading fears and liquidity-cycle concerns, insisting that many investors still underestimate the extent to which crypto and artificial intelligence will reshape the global economy.

Key Points

  • Raoul Pal questioned why investors would sell their crypto holdings if the market could eventually expand from $2.5 trillion to $100 trillion.
  • Pal argued that investors should sell digital assets only when necessary, rather than reacting emotionally to short-term market volatility.
  • The macro investor expects significant long-term growth as the broader financial system increasingly shifts onto crypto rails.
  • Despite the bullish outlook, investor sentiment remains cautious, with the crypto Fear and Greed Index currently at a neutral 40. 

Pal Explains Why Investors Should Avoid Selling Crypto Early 

Speaking alongside macro investor Julien Bittel, Raoul Pal questioned why investors would sell their cryptos if the market is expected to expand from around $2.5 trillion to $100 trillion. It is worth noting that Raoul Pal is among the prominent market figures projecting that the crypto market could eventually reach a $100 trillion valuation.

He stressed that investors should sell only when necessary, rather than reacting emotionally to short-term market movements.

Notably, he encouraged investors to identify buying opportunities in oversold markets. According to him, investors should interpret temporary corrections as opportunities to strengthen positions rather than as reasons to exit the market.

Factors Driving Long-Term Crypto Transformation 

Furthermore, Pal highlighted the growing importance of blockchain technology, arguing that the broader financial system is steadily rebuilding on crypto rails. He also highlighted the increasing integration of blockchain into artificial intelligence, robotics, and digital identity systems as further evidence of accelerating adoption.

In addition, Pal cited regulatory progress surrounding the CLARITY Act as another factor supporting the long-term growth of the crypto industry. In his view, clearer regulations could strengthen institutional confidence and drive wider adoption across global financial markets.

Given these positive developments, he criticized investors who remain focused on short-term liquidity cycles. In his view, many market participants fail to recognize the scale of the long-term technological transformation currently underway. As a result, he believes investors should treat periods of market weakness as opportunities to accumulate rather than as panic-selling events.

The macro investor also described the current period as the fastest acceleration of technology in human history. Consequently, he argued that attempting to precisely time such a rapidly evolving technological revolution is ultimately counterproductive.

Current Market Performance 

Meanwhile, continued weakness across the crypto market has kept investors under pressure. Ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty and broader financial instability have weighed heavily on digital asset prices, prompting many investors to reduce exposure in an attempt to limit losses.

Currently, Bitcoin trades below $80,000, with one coin valued at approximately $77,104. Similarly, Ethereum has fallen below the recent $2,300 level and now trades around $2,124.

Although the total crypto market cap currently stands near $2.59 trillion, Raoul Pal still believes the market could eventually expand to $100 trillion. Despite these bullish long-term projections, investors remain cautious. This sentiment is reflected in the crypto Fear and Greed Index, sitting at a neutral reading of 40. 

There’s a 53% Chance the XRP Broadening Wedge Structure Lifts Prices to $11

Sam Wisdom Raphael
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There’s a 53% Chance the XRP Broadening Wedge Structure Lifts Prices to $11

There’s a 53% chance the XRP descending broadening wedge structure lifts prices to the double-digit range.

XRP remains under pressure after falling 11.6% in the last two weeks. Despite the recent decline, prominent market commentator EGRAG Crypto believes the asset is still following a descending broadening wedge pattern that could eventually lead to a strong upward move.

Key Points

  • XRP has dropped 11.6% since May 14, trading within a descending broadening wedge pattern.
  • The price formed deeper lows at $1.61, $1.37, and $1.1 between April 2025 and February 2026, forming the lower trendline of the pattern.
  • EGRAG Crypto says there is a 53% that the pattern eventually sends XRP toward the $7 to $11 range.
  • XRP would have to first breach the structure’s upper trendline at $3 to soar upward.
  • The $1.11 acts as critical support, and XRP could see a possible drop to $0.32 if it fails.

XRP Within Descending Broadening Wedge

EGRAG revealed this in a recent analysis shared on X, insisting that the current XRP setup is not random amid the latest price correction.

He pointed out that the descending broadening wedge structure typically ends with one final sharp drop before prices suddenly move much higher. According to him, XRP may still follow this path despite the current weakness in the market.

For context, a descending broadening wedge forms when the price moves lower between two widening trendlines. Notably, the upper resistance line slopes downward, while the lower support line falls even faster, creating a broadening shape.

XRP Formed the Wedge After Pulling Back from Its 2025 High

Data from EGRAG’s chart shows that XRP started forming the descending broadening wedge on the monthly chart after pulling back from the $3.4 high in January 2025. Since then, the asset has continued to record deeper lower lows, which led to the current structure.

The first major drop came in April 2025, when XRP fell to $1.61 before recovering above $3. Later, during the broader market crash on October 10, 2025, XRP dropped again to $1.37. This move created another lower low, although the asset quickly recovered afterward.

XRP 1M Descending Broadening Wedge EGRAG Crypto
XRP 1M Descending Broadening Wedge | EGRAG Crypto

The downward trend picked up in late 2025 and has continued till now. Earlier this year, XRP fell to $1.1, marking another lower low, before climbing back above the level. These repeated lower lows created a steep support trendline, which completed the broadening wedge pattern.

Important XRP Price Levels to Watch

With XRP currently in this structure, EGRAG highlighted several important price levels that traders should pay attention to. He called $1.11 the most important support level, as this was where buyers stepped in during the February 2026 crash.

Should bulls lose this $1.11 support, which aligns with the lower trendline of the wedge, XRP could record further declines to as low as $0.32. This would equal a 71% drop from the $1.11 support area. EGRAG estimated a 43% chance that XRP could take this direction from its current position.

On the bullish side, EGRAG said the $3.00 level remains the key resistance point to watch. For context, this level matches the upper trendline of the broadening wedge. If XRP breaks above $3.00, this will confirm a bullish shift in momentum and open the way for much higher prices.

The analyst placed XRP’s possible expansion targets between $7 and $11 or even higher if the breakout happens. He estimated a 53% chance that the pattern could play out this way and eventually push XRP toward the $11 mark.

Analysts Expect More Volatility

Despite the bullish long-term outlook, EGRAG still believes XRP faces short-term weakness. He stressed that the current market phase represents bearish compression. However, the larger structure remains bullish unless the pattern completely breaks down.

According to his outlook, XRP could still go through more sideways movement, trader exhaustion, and another strong volatility event before making a major move. 

Meanwhile, another well-known analyst, Chart Nerd, highlighted XRP’s long-term moving average support. In a separate analysis, he noted that XRP has traded around its 50-month exponential moving average for nearly four straight months, with the indicator currently sitting near $1.30.

XRP 50-Month EMA Chart Nerd
XRP 50-Month EMA | Chart Nerd

Chart Nerd said the current situation resembles previous bear market periods. He pointed out that XRP lost the same 50-month EMA during the 2019 to 2020 bear market before dropping 61%. In addition, XRP fell 48% in 2022 after breaking below the indicator again. 

Considering those past trends, the prominent market watcher warned that a monthly candle close below the 50-month EMA could act as an early warning sign for more downside pressure.

XRP Whale Transactions Worth $1M+ Crash 57% in 9 Days

Mark Brennan
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XRP Whale Transactions Worth $1M+ Crash 57% in 9 Days

XRP whale transactions have crashed 57% in the last few days, indicating a period of compression that could lead to large price swings.

Amid the XRP price drop from $1.54 on May 14 to the current value of $1.35, market analyst Ali Martinez has called attention to a steady fall in large XRP transactions worth at least $1 million.

Key Points

  • XRP has dropped to $1.35 after recording five consecutive intraday declines for the first time in two months.
  • Amid the price correction, whale transactions worth $1 million and above have dropped to 67.
  • This represents a 57% decline in whale transactions from the 157 high nine days ago.
  • Analyst Martinez says the drop in whale activity could indicate a period of compression that may lead to large price swings.
  • If XRP surges above $1.5, it could target $1.8, but a drop below $1.29 could be bearish.

XRP Seeing Reduced Whale Activity Amid Price Drop

Martinez revealed this trend in a recent post on X, citing data from Santiment. He noted that over the past 9 days, large whale transactions worth $1 million fell sharply from 157 to just 67 trades, which equals a 57.3% drop. 

This sharp decline in whale activity matches XRP’s price movement, suggesting that large investors have slowed down their participation as the price weakened.

XRP Whale Transactions Santiment
XRP Whale Transactions | Santiment

The drop in whale activity happened alongside XRP’s decline from its $1.54 high on May 14 to levels below $1.40, showing sustained selling pressure. During this period, XRP recorded five straight intraday losses from May 15 to May 19 for the first time in over two months.

Within those five days, the price fell by 8%, which weighed on investor confidence. As sentiment weakened, fewer large players stayed active in the market. This drop in confidence and participation explains why whale transactions also declined during this time.

XRP in a Compression Phase Amid Whale Accumulation 

Martinez stressed that the current situation represents a compression phase, where the slowdown in large transactions indicates that major investors have stepped back. Whales appear to be waiting while the price settles within a tighter range instead of pushing the market.

This kind of situation often leads to lower short-term volatility and allows the market to build stronger support and resistance levels. Such conditions typically come before a strong price move once the market decides on a direction.

However, despite the fewer large transactions overall, some whale groups have continued to buy XRP during the dip. Wallets holding between 1 million and 10 million XRP increased their total balance from 3.72 billion XRP on May 12 to 3.79 billion XRP, adding 70 million XRP over this period.

XRP Whale Accumulation Santiment
XRP Whale Accumulation | Santiment

Meanwhile, wallets holding between 100,000 and 1 million XRP also added to their positions. Since May 16, their holdings grew from 6.31 billion XRP to 6.33 billion XRP, meaning they added 20 million XRP. Nonetheless, this accumulation trend is not pronounced enough to impact the price.

XRP’s Bollinger Band Squeeze

In an earlier analysis, Martinez mentioned a major technical pattern forming on the chart. He noted that XRP was seeing its tightest Bollinger Band squeeze on the 3-day chart in over a year, which signals very low volatility.

Martinez identified the range between $1.50 and $1.29 as the most important area to watch and called it a “no-trade zone.” He advised traders to wait for a decisive move instead of trying to predict direction too early.

According to him, a 3-day candle close above $1.50 could push XRP toward a target of $1.80. On the other hand, a close below $1.29 would weaken the bullish outlook and could send the price down toward the $1 psychological support level.

Expert Analysis on How Bitcoin Price Will Behave This Week and In June

Elendu Benedict
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Expert Analysis on How Bitcoin Price Will Behave This Week and In June

Bitcoin recorded a critical close above $74,400 last week, paving the way for continued recovery in the coming weeks.

Notably, expert analysis from Sykodelic highlights that this level sits at the center of the broader market structure. His recent X post explains why the $74,400 level is important and how it could shape Bitcoin’s price in the coming weeks.

Key Points

  • Bitcoin closed last week at $77,020, holding within the bull market support band (BMSB).
  • Last week’s dip to $74,156 marked a retest of the break of the structure point at $74,400.
  • Bitcoin could still produce another brief move lower this week before attempting a stronger bullish continuation in June.
  • The Bitcoin macro bottom is in, with $60,000 seen as the cycle’s base.

Bitcoin Holds Key Higher Timeframe Support

Bitcoin (BTC) closed last week at $77,020, recovering considerably from the intra-week low of $74,156. Per the analysis, this is within the bull market support band (BMSB). 

An accompanying chart shows that holding above this band has driven some major Bitcoin rallies. A scenario occurred in November 2024, when BTC held above the BMSB before its explosive price action from around $62,000 to $108,000 in December 2024.

At the same time, Bitcoin is attempting to confirm a higher-timeframe structure. The price recorded a yearly low of $74,400 in 2025 but fell below this level early this year to $60,000 amid persistent selling pressure. BTC bounced from the 2026 lows, reclaimed the 2025 low, and eventually broke structure with its rally to $82,800 earlier this month.

As such, Sykodelic views last week’s dip as a retest of the BOS at $74,400. The weekly closing above it confirms a higher-timeframe bullish structure.

Bitcoin BOS Retest/Sykodelic
Bitcoin BOS Retest/Sykodelic

Last Shakeout Before Uptrend

Nonetheless, the analysis suggests Bitcoin could still produce another brief move lower this week before attempting a stronger bullish continuation in June. That possible dip may temporarily push BTC back toward the $74,400 area or slightly beneath it.

However, the move could act as a liquidity sweep, shaking out weak hands. The market dip will trigger aggressive bearish bets, which would eventually be wiped out when BTC quickly reverses upward as support holds.

The liquidity and bullish technical development will drive Bitcoin higher in June, potentially above $90,000. From the current price of $77,266, this represents an over 16% price growth. The prediction aligns with an XWIN Research outlook highlighting the importance of the $93,000 price level.

Meanwhile, Sykodelic concluded that the macro bottom is in, a view that several market analysts have shared. Their view is that Bitcoin bottomed at $60,000 in February.

Bitcoin Market Indicators

Notably, BTC’s momentum indicators are also beginning to stabilize. The RSI has held near the 50 midline, maintaining its trend above the RSI-based MA. Currently at 46.15, it suggests ample room for growth before entering overbought territory.

In addition, the MACD histogram has continued to print green bars despite a recent short-lived dip, keeping bullish momentum in play. However, market participation remains low, with trading volume dropping 13% in the past 24 hours.

Hoskinson Hints at New Cardano Roadmap, Says ADA Needs Purpose Beyond Focus on Price

Lele Jima
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Hoskinson Hints at New Cardano Roadmap, Says ADA Needs Purpose Beyond Focus on Price

Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has stepped in to ease growing concerns across the ecosystem by delivering a reflective and emotional message to DReps and ADA holders. 

His commentary sought to rebuild confidence in Cardano’s long-term vision while encouraging the community to unite behind a renewed roadmap. 

Key Points

  • Charles Hoskinson acknowledged that many ADA holders feel exhausted after enduring repeated setbacks and limited ecosystem victories. 
  • He argued that Cardano’s value must extend beyond ADA performance to make the world a better place. 
  • The Cardano founder suggests he could become a delegated representative (DRep). 
  • He proposed a new multi-year roadmap to create a new path for Cardano. 

Hoskinson Acknowledged Growing Frustration with ADA Price 

Speaking during a recent livestream, Hoskinson acknowledged the growing frustration among ADA holders. He admitted that many community members feel exhausted after enduring repeated setbacks without securing significant victories.

According to him, the ecosystem entered late 2024 with strong optimism that Cardano’s momentum was finally returning. However, the broader crypto market shifted its attention toward speculative narratives and meme coin activity, rather than rewarding infrastructure-focused blockchain projects.

Moreover, Hoskinson revealed that he personally suffered significant financial losses during the ongoing market downturn and the ecosystem’s struggles. Specifically, he stated that he lost more than $2.5 billion due to the decline in ADA’s value.

Furthermore, he explained that he had to sell assets and shut down projects that were deeply important to both him and his family so he could remain fully focused on Cardano and Midnight.

Cardano Needs a Fresh Roadmap

Despite the ongoing frustrations, Hoskinson insisted that Cardano’s value proposition must extend beyond token price appreciation. In his view, the community must believe that Cardano can meaningfully contribute to making the world a better place.

He suggested that Cardano may require a fresh start through a renewed roadmap, new leadership voices, and a clearer long-term strategy to rebuild community confidence and restore momentum.

Hoskinson Hints at Becoming a DRep

Meanwhile, Hoskinson hinted that he may eventually become a DRep within Cardano’s governance structure. Notably, he made a similar statement over the weekend, and several community members responded positively by expressing interest in delegating their ADA to him.

If Hoskinson becomes a DRep, he could take on a more direct role in Cardano’s governance. However, some community members worry that his substantial ADA holdings could give him enormous influence over voting outcomes. 

Recent Tensions Across the Cardano Ecosystem 

The commentary follows recent governance disputes within the ecosystem. Several DReps opposed key proposals submitted by Input Output Global (IOG), particularly its research-focused funding proposal. 

While critics argued that the treasury funds should support other critical ecosystem priorities, Hoskinson warned that rejecting the proposal could weaken Cardano’s identity as a science-driven blockchain.

Additionally, he suggested that some DReps opposed the proposal partly due to frustration over ADA’s prolonged price decline. For context, ADA previously fell more than 92% from its all-time high to approximately $0.2455.

Hoskinson further warned that the decline could become permanent if Cardano loses its scientific branding and long-term identity. Nevertheless, he emphasized that the rejection of certain IOG proposals demonstrates that Cardano’s governance system is functioning as intended. 

Hoskinson Pledges Full Dedication to Cardano 

In the meantime, Hoskinson reaffirmed his full commitment to Cardano and Midnight. He noted that he had already shut down personal ventures, including his hospital project, to dedicate his attention entirely to both ecosystems. 

Recently, he also called on Pentad to discuss potential ways to improve Cardano’s governance structure, while Cardano Foundation CEO Frederik Gregaard offered to host the meeting. 

Hyperliquid (HYPE) Price If It Reaches XRP and Bitcoin Market Cap

Abdulkarim Abdulwahab
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0

Hyperliquid’s native token, HYPE, continues to draw attention with new comparisons to XRP and Bitcoin valuations.

A widely followed market watcher argues the asset may still be massively undervalued despite its explosive rally and recent all-time highs.

Key Points

  • Hyperliquid HYPE price model suggests massive upside if it matches XRP or Bitcoin market cap levels.
  • Analyst Wise Advice projects HYPE could reach $353 with XRP cap and over $6,000 if it matches BTC.
  • Token has surged to new highs near $64, outperforming most crypto and ranking ninth by market value.
  • Strong buybacks and potential token burns are fueling scarcity-driven bullish sentiment around HYPE.

HYPE at XRP and Bitcoin Caps

In a post on X, analyst Wise Advice compared HYPE’s current valuation to the market capitalizations of major cryptocurrencies. The analysis projects how high the token could climb if it matched the market caps of assets like XRP, Ethereum, and Bitcoin.

According to the analyst, if HYPE were to reach the same market cap as XRP, the token would trade around $353. Matching Bitcoin’s valuation would imply a staggering HYPE price of roughly $6,454.

Mapping HYPE Price Targets to Major Crypto Market Caps

Wise Advice outlined several hypothetical HYPE price levels based on the market caps of leading digital assets:

  • TRX market cap ($35 billion) → HYPE at $144
  • SOL market cap ($50 billion) → HYPE at $209
  • XRP market cap ($85 billion) → HYPE at $353
  • BNB market cap ($90 billion) → HYPE at $371
  • ETH market cap ($255 billion) → HYPE at $1,072
  • BTC market cap ($1.55 trillion) → HYPE at $6,454

The analyst argued that many investors still underestimate the long-term potential of perpetual futures trading, which has become one of the fastest-growing sectors in crypto.

The post questioned whether Hyperliquid is truly overvalued today, or whether the market is still underpricing how large decentralized perpetual trading platforms could eventually become.

HYPE Defies Market Weakness

The bullish projections come as HYPE continues to outperform most major cryptocurrencies.

While several digital assets have struggled in recent sessions, Hyperliquid has continued printing new all-time highs. HYPE has surged about 40% over the past week and roughly 51% over the past month. During this time, it climbed from below $38 to a record high near $64.

At the time of reporting, HYPE was trading around $63.82 with a market capitalization of approximately $16 billion.

The rally has pushed Hyperliquid past Dogecoin in overall crypto rankings, making it the ninth-largest cryptocurrency by market value.

Buybacks and Potential Supply Burn Fuel Bullish Sentiment

Part of the optimism surrounding HYPE stems from Hyperliquid’s aggressive token buyback model.

Hyperliquid directs between 97% and 99% of trading fee revenue toward buying back HYPE tokens. Reports indicate that more than $1.16 billion worth of HYPE has already been repurchased.

In addition, a validator proposal introduced in December 2025 suggested burning nearly $1 billion worth of tokens held in the protocol’s inaccessible Assistance Fund. If approved, the move would permanently reduce circulating supply and potentially intensify scarcity.

Analysts believe the combination of rapid platform growth, strong trading activity, and continued token buybacks could keep upward pressure on HYPE if market momentum remains intact.

Bitcoin Price Under Pressure as Demand Falls to Most Bearish Level in 2026

Elendu Benedict
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Bitcoin Price Under Pressure as Demand Falls to Most Bearish Level in 2026

The apparent Bitcoin demand has slipped to its weakest level of the year, adding fresh pressure to an already uncertain market environment.

This development comes despite the notable price recovery from Bitcoin (BTC) in the previous week. For context, the pioneering cryptocurrency dropped to $74,156 but showed sheer resilience, recovering nearly 4% to $77,020.

Meanwhile, the rebound has extended to this week, with BTC pushing further northwards to $77,400. However, it seems spot demand is not backing this resurgence, calling its sustenance into question.

Key Points

  • The Bitcoin apparent demand has now fallen to nearly -147,000 BTC, marking the most negative reading since December 2025.
  • The dip in demand comes despite recent BTC recovery attempts.
  • This divergence suggests the recent market recovery is not fueled by spot demand but by derivative interest.
  • Similar demand conditions have also emerged near crucial long-term turning points in previous cycles.

Demand for Bitcoin Weakens

According to the chart shared by CryptoQuant’s verified author, Darkfost, the Bitcoin apparent demand has now fallen to nearly -147,000 BTC, marking the most negative reading since December 2025.

He explained in his May 24 X post that the metric measures the gap between newly issued Bitcoin and the amount of supply that has remained inactive for more than one year. In simple terms, the apparent demand helps show whether accumulation from long-term holders is strong enough to absorb the steady flow of new coins entering circulation.

A shared chart highlights a clear deterioration in demand conditions in recent weeks. After remaining mostly positive throughout much of 2025, the apparent demand began to turn sharply negative toward the end of the year.

Bitcoin Apparent Demand/CryptoQuant
Bitcoin Apparent Demand/CryptoQuant

The momentum continued into this year. While demand remained negative, it had not been at its current level since the start of this year.

Bitcoin Price Divergence with Demand

Interestingly, the dip in demand comes despite recent BTC recovery attempts. The premier asset is up 1.6% this month despite its retracement from $82,800 earlier in the month. This builds on the 11.8% increase in April.

This divergence suggests the recent market recovery is not fueled by spot demand but by derivative interest. Darkfost mentioned this, noting that Bitcoin may still lack strong spot buying activity. 

He added that although futures activity can temporarily support price action, durable rallies typically require stronger participation from spot buyers rather than leverage-driven momentum alone.

Market Situation Favors Long-Term Holders

Per the analysis, dwindling apparent demand reflects growing caution across the broader market. History shows that such deeply negative situations have often appeared during periods of heightened fear and weak sentiment.

However, similar conditions have also emerged near crucial long-term turning points in previous cycles. When demand contracts sharply and sentiment becomes overwhelmingly bearish, Bitcoin tends to begin forming the base for future recovery, favoring patient holders.

Moreover, separate data from Alphractal suggests a near-term rebound, citing the holder sentiment index. The metric, which compares conviction by the duration of holders, stands at 0.82. The market intelligence platform noted that the last time this happened, Bitcoin rallied 67% in 90 days.

Hoskinson Says Cardano Governance Is Real, Calls ADA Holders the Real Owners of Cardano

Lele Jima
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Hoskinson Says Cardano Governance Is Real, Calls ADA Holders the Real Owners of Cardano

Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has reaffirmed his commitment to the blockchain project following weeks of governance tensions across the ecosystem.

Key Points

  • Charles Hoskinson reaffirmed his full commitment to Cardano amid weeks of governance disputes across the ecosystem.
  • Hoskinson argued that the recent governance process proved ADA holders have evolved into active network owners rather than passive investors.
  • He confirmed plans to attend the Cardano Summit 2026 in Singapore and personally help elevate Cardano’s sponsorship at TOKEN2049 Singapore 2026 to Title level.
  • Hoskinson also urged the Pentad entities to begin deeper discussions on formalizing coordination within Cardano’s expanding governance framework.  

Cardano’s Governance System Is Real

In a reflective commentary shared after several contentious governance votes, Hoskinson argued that the recent disputes proved Cardano’s decentralized governance model is functioning exactly as intended.

According to him, the process demonstrated that Cardano’s governance structure is now fully operational, with ADA holders and delegated representatives (DReps) exercising meaningful influence over ecosystem decisions.

ADA Holders Are Owners of Cardano: Hoskinson  

He stressed that the recent development shows ADA holders are no longer passive investors but active owners of the network. Furthermore, he emphasized that community engagement matters more than the outcome of any single proposal.

The remarks followed several controversial treasury votes involving proposals from major Cardano ecosystem organizations. While DReps approved some initiatives submitted by Input Output Global, they rejected others, exposing growing divisions over spending priorities and the network’s long-term direction. 

Hoskinson to Participate in Cardano Summit and Token2049 Conference

One of the controversial proposals involved a request to withdraw 14 million ADA from the treasury to fund activities connected to Token2049 Singapore and Cardano Summit 2026. As reported earlier, DReps rejected the joint proposal submitted by EMURGO and the Cardano Foundation last month.

At the time, Hoskinson argued that crypto parties and conferences alone would not increase ADA’s price. Nonetheless, he maintained that ecosystem visibility and onboarding remain important for Cardano’s long-term growth. 

As part of his renewed commitment, Hoskinson confirmed he will attend the Cardano Summit in Singapore and appear on stage. In addition, he disclosed that he will raise Cardano’s Token2049 sponsorship to the Title level to strengthen the ecosystem’s global visibility.

“Being on that main stage is where Cardano and Midnight need to be heard,” he stated.

Hoskinson Praises Pentad

Meanwhile, Hoskinson also praised the Pentad, a coordination group consisting of Input Output Global, EMURGO, Cardano Foundation, Midnight Foundation, and Intersect.

According to him, these organizations have repeatedly demonstrated their ability to coordinate critical ecosystem integrations whenever Cardano needed unified action. Consequently, he called on the Pentad entities to engage in deeper discussions about formalizing that coordination within Cardano’s evolving governance structure.

Moreover, Hoskinson reiterated that he remains fully committed to Cardano and Midnight, echoing a similar declaration he made after shutting down his clinic last week.

Cardano Foundation CEO Offers to Host Hoskinson and Pentad Entities 

His statement received widespread praise from the Cardano community, with many describing it as a positive step forward for the ecosystem.

Interestingly, Cardano Foundation CEO Frederik Gregaard also agreed on the need for stronger coordination among the Pentad organizations. Gregaard further offered to host Hoskinson and other ecosystem leaders in Switzerland to discuss ways to formalize future coordination. 

He stressed that the goal should focus on alignment in the same general direction rather than creating governance complexity. The development comes after Hoskinson disclosed plans to become a DRep, a move that has triggered mixed reactions within the ecosystem. 

VC Fund Advisor Said XRP Was Worth Nothing, but I Was Determined to Bring DeFi to XRP — Flare Founder

Abdulkarim Abdulwahab
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VC Fund Advisor Said XRP Was Worth Nothing, but I Was Determined to Bring DeFi to XRP — Flare Founder

XRP ecosystem builder Hugo Philion recently revealed one of the harshest moments during Flare’s early development.

He said a venture capital fund advisor dismissed both XRP and the idea of DeFi on the network.

Philion disclosed that during a call with a VC fund, where crypto influencer Ran Neuner served as an advisor, he endured lengthy criticism about XRP’s future prospects.

According to Philion, the advisor argued for “15–20 minutes” that XRP “was worth nothing,” that building DeFi infrastructure for XRP was “a pointless pursuit,” and that Flare “would never work.”

However, Philion said the criticism had the opposite effect. It strengthened his determination to push forward with XRP-focused DeFi development.

Key Points

  • A VC advisor said XRP was “worth nothing” and DeFi on it would fail, but Philion doubled down on building anyway.
  • Neuner and Scott Melker mocked XRP; community reacted, saying critics still miss what the XRP ecosystem is building.
  • Flare’s FXRP and Firelight expand XRP DeFi, enabling staking, lending, borrowing, and yield generation use cases.
  • Over 100M XRP minted as FXRP, TVL tops 156M; an 8M FXRP institutional stake signals growing adoption momentum.

Comments Came After XRP Mockery

Philion’s remarks surfaced after Neuner and crypto trader Scott Melker jokingly mocked XRP on social media. Neuner sarcastically suggested that investors should hold XRP simply because it had become an “institutionalized coin.”

Melker also laughed off XRP, stating that he would rather own Ripple stock than XRP itself. At the same time, he clarified that he held no negative feelings toward XRP holders.

The exchange drew reactions from the XRP community. XRP commentator Mickle compared the discussion to “watching my parents talk about AI”. The comment suggested that critics still fail to understand the development in the XRP ecosystem.

Philion then joined the conversation, prompting Mickle to respond that people “not understanding what we are building” was actually bullish for the ecosystem.

Flare Brings DeFi to XRP

Meanwhile, Flare has achieved some success in bringing DeFi to XRP. It launched FXRP, a non-custodial, overcollateralized version of XRP designed for smart contracts. This allows holders to access DeFi services such as staking, lending, borrowing, and yield generation.

Meanwhile, Firelight, built with Sentora, enables liquid staking through the stXRP token.

Flare’s XRPFi ecosystem has grown rapidly since FXRP launched on mainnet in September 2025. Initial minting caps filled within hours, while Firelight’s early staking allocations were also quickly exhausted.

By February 2026, about 100 million XRP had already been converted into FXRP, with most of it deployed across Flare-based DeFi applications.

Flare Built Foundation for XRP Finance

In April 2026, Flare developer relations engineer Kristaps Grinbergs said the network had already built the “foundation for XRP finance” after a major institutional staking event on Firelight. A single institution staked 8 million FXRP through the protocol, marking one of the platform’s largest inflows this year.

On-chain data showed Firelight recorded more than 9 million FXRP in inflows during the period, pushing total net inflows above 58 million FXRP.

Flare’s ecosystem also surpassed 156 million XRP in total value locked, with Firelight accounting for more than 32% of that figure.

Why XRP ETF Launch in Japan Could Lead to Massive Institutional Capital Inflow

Mark Brennan
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Why XRP ETF Launch in Japan Could Lead to Massive Institutional Capital Inflow

The potential approval of spot XRP ETF products in Japan could lead to major institutional investment flows due to the country’s global economic standing.

XRPL-based media platform RippleXity argued that Japan’s large economy and growing XRP adoption could attract pension funds, financial firms, and broader Asian institutional interest into the XRP ecosystem if the country eventually approves spot XRP ETFs.

Key Points

  • RippleXity says Japan’s future XRP ETF market could attract large institutional capital flows across Asia.
  • Japan’s cabinet approved crypto financial instrument reforms on April 10, 2026, eyeing ETF support by 2028.
  • XRP ranks among Japan’s top three crypto assets alongside Bitcoin and Ethereum.
  • Japanese pension funds manage more than $3 trillion.
  • SBI Holdings aims to attract ¥5 trillion in assets through future Bitcoin and XRP investment products.

Japan’s Growing Influence in the XRP Market

In a recent post on X, RippleXity explained why a future XRP ETF in Japan could attract a large amount of institutional money. The company mentioned Japan’s strong position in global finance, noting that the country remains the world’s fourth-largest economy with a GDP of $4.4 trillion.

Notably, Japan operates one of the strictest and most conservative financial systems in the world. As a result, financial institutions across Asia often pay attention to the country’s regulatory decisions. 

According to RippleXity, if Japan eventually approves an XRP ETF, multiple institutions in the region could start seeing XRP more seriously as a regulated investment asset.

The platform also called attention to XRP’s growing presence in Japan’s crypto market. A recent research report from Bitget identified Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP as the three most popular cryptocurrencies among Japanese investors. 

The report revealed that these three assets make up more than 75% of trading activity across licensed crypto exchanges in Japan. 

Regulatory Progress and Existing Infrastructure

RippleXity highlighted several developments that could favor the chances of XRP ETFs gaining traction in Japan. 

One major factor involves the country’s tokenized real-world asset market, which analysts expect to grow from $2.8 billion to $7 billion before the end of the year. This growth could increase demand for regulated XRP-based investment products.

The platform also discussed SBI Holdings and its long-running involvement with Ripple and XRP. For context, SBI Holdings has distributed XRP since 2019 and even launched a ¥10 billion bond program that rewarded investors with XRP.

In addition, SBI Ripple Asia already runs a licensed token issuance platform on the XRP Ledger under Japan’s Payment Services Act. RippleXity believes this existing structure could help support future XRP ETF products once regulators finalize the legal framework.

Large Firms Could Increase XRP ETF Demand

The commentary also mentioned how pension funds could help drive XRP ETF demand. For context, Japanese pension funds currently manage more than $3 trillion in assets, but strict regulations prevent much of that capital from directly entering the crypto market. 

According to RippleXity, ETF products would provide a legal and regulated path for those institutions to gain exposure to XRP.

The platform added that an XRP ETF would allow institutions to invest in XRP without directly holding the token itself. This could attract pension funds, insurance firms, mutual funds, and family offices looking for regulated crypto exposure.

RippleXity also mentioned several major financial platforms that could potentially offer XRP ETF products to customers if regulators approve them. These include Rakuten Wallet, Mitsubishi UFJ, and SBI Securities. Together, these firms reportedly serve more than 100 million users.

The company further argued that a Japanese XRP ETF could influence the wider Asian market. RippleXity said countries and financial hubs such as South Korea, Singapore, and Hong Kong closely watch Japan’s regulatory approach to digital assets. 

Japan Moves Closer to Possible XRP ETF Approval

Japan still has not approved any spot XRP ETFs as of May 2026, but recent regulatory changes show that the country continues moving in that direction. 

In April 2026, Japan’s cabinet approved amendments to the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act that reclassified 105 crypto assets, including XRP, Bitcoin, and Ethereum, as financial instruments instead of payment tools.

This introduces stricter disclosure requirements, insider trading restrictions, and penalties similar to those used in traditional financial markets. Authorities currently expect the rules to take effect during fiscal 2027.

Japan’s Financial Services Agency also plans to allow cryptocurrencies under the Investment Trust Act, which would make spot crypto ETFs possible for the first time. Current projections place the earliest approvals around fiscal 2028, although some analysts believe launches could happen as early as 2027.

SBI Holdings remains one of the companies leading the push toward crypto ETF products in Japan. In August 2025, the firm submitted filings to the Financial Services Agency for a Tokyo Stock Exchange product that would provide direct spot exposure to Bitcoin and XRP.

SBI aims to attract ¥5 trillion, or about $32 billion, in assets under management within three years after launch.

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