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Future of XRP Holds ‘Tremendous Opportunity’ for Builders as Money Moves Like Data: XRPL Validator

Abdulkarim Abdulwahab
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Future of XRP Holds ‘Tremendous Opportunity’ for Builders as Money Moves Like Data: XRPL Validator

XRP Ledger validator Vet has shared a long-term outlook on XRP and the overall crypto market.

He expressed strong optimism about how digital assets could reshape global finance over the next two decades, with money moving like data.

Key Points

  • XRP validator Vet says crypto’s future holds huge opportunity as money moves like internet data globally.
  • Vet envisions money streaming like video, cutting intermediaries and boosting XRP-led financial innovation.
  • He compares blockchain’s current stage to that of early cars, saying that unknown use cases could unlock major builder opportunities.
  • Community reactions highlight AI growth, long-term XRP accumulation, and belief in major future financial change.

A Future Where Money Moves Like Data

In a recent post, Vet pointed to a future where money and value move as seamlessly as data across the internet. According to him, this shift could fundamentally change how trust works in financial systems.

Instead of relying on intermediaries, transactions could happen instantly, with little to no need for traditional trust assumptions.

Moreover, he described a world where money is “streamed” like video, suggesting that such an evolution would collapse many of the existing barriers in finance.

For Vet, the most exciting part is not just the technology itself, but the unknown possibilities it creates. He noted that the next 20 years could unlock entirely new use cases for XRP and blockchain systems, many of which are difficult to predict today.

XRP Holds ‘Tremendous Opportunity’

To illustrate this point, Vet compared the current stage of crypto to the early days of automobiles. Before cars were invented, people could only imagine faster horses.

In the same way, he believes today’s understanding of blockchain’s future may still be limited, leaving room for unexpected breakthroughs.

His comments highlight what he sees as “tremendous opportunity potential for builders,” particularly those willing to experiment and innovate on the XRP Ledger and similar platforms.

Community Reactions

Market participants reacting to the post shared a mix of excitement and reflection on how quickly technology evolves.

One user, GrimmReaper, pointed to the rapid shift from older technologies like cassette tapes and physical video rentals to modern streaming. Accordingly, the financial system could undergo a similar transformation.

Another user, Akashin, stressed that not only XRP but also fields like artificial intelligence could evolve significantly over the next 20 years. Essentially, while the future is hard to predict, it holds lots of promising potential.

Long-term Thinking Remains Key

The discussion also ties into a broader trend within the XRP community, where long-term conviction continues to shape sentiment despite short-term market fluctuations.

In an earlier commentary, Vet suggested that investors often labeled as overly ambitious may ultimately benefit the most if adoption outpaces current expectations. “Delusional price dreamers will win in the end,” Vet argues.

At the same time, recent market conversations have focused on steady accumulation strategies.

Finance coach John Vasquez recently argued that consistently buying assets like XRP and Bitcoin could position investors ahead of most people by 2030. This reinforces the idea that long-term thinking remains a key theme across the crypto space.

While the timeline and exact outcomes remain uncertain, the underlying message is that as financial systems evolve toward faster networks, XRP and similar technologies could play a significant role. Accordingly, those ‘locked in,’ building for the future could be key beneficiaries.

Cardano Breakout Targeting $6.3 Could Happen on Monday: Analyst

Elendu Benedict
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Cardano Breakout Targeting $6.3 Could Happen on Monday: Analyst

Cardano is tightening within a well-structured price pattern, and a recent analysis predicts a breakout could occur early next week.

Notably, Cardano (ADA) has continued to consolidate, underperforming assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum. The 13th largest cryptocurrency by market cap has dropped by 5% in the past 30 days, compared to the 11% and 10% growth recorded by BTC and ETH, respectively.

However, according to an analysis, a significant price move could begin soon, potentially targeting unprecedented levels.

Key Points

  • Cardano’s uptrends have been capped by a descending trendline since the August 2025 high of $1.02.
  • ADA is now at a crucial juncture, compressed at the intersection of the descending trendline and a multi-year support zone.
  • The long-anticipated breakout could happen on Monday, finally setting ADA free after months of suppression.
  • The possible breakout targets two areas: the upper band of the multi-year channel at $1.18 and the bull cycle target of $6.37.

Cardano Poised for a Breakout

This analysis comes from Celal Kucuker, a prominent market commentator. The market watcher claimed that the long-anticipated weekly chart ADA breakout could happen on Monday, finally setting the asset free after months of suppression.

For perspective, Cardano’s uptrends have been capped by a descending trendline since the August 2025 high of $1.02. Prices have trended lower, with any rally halted around this dynamic supply wall.

However, this might change soon, as ADA is now at a crucial junction. Currently, the price sits at the point of intersection between the descending trendline and a multi-year support zone. This horizontal demand zone is part of a broader channel that has held Cardano’s price since March 2022.

The coin has been shuffling between the upper and lower bands of this channel, recently dropping to its support around $0.221 in February. Now, ADA trends around support but also at its intersection with the descending trendline. Such development suggests that a breakout is imminent.

Breakout Timeline and Target

Interestingly, Kucuker does not see ADA enduring this suppression beyond Monday next week. According to the analyst, it will break out and then potentially target higher prices. 

He also added that the mid- to long-term Cardano chart looks “absolutely perfect.” While short-term momentum has remained largely bearish, the coin has held above key support levels, and its price action is forming a setup that could have bullish implications in the coming days.

The possible breakout targets two areas, according to the analyst. The first is the upper band of the multi-year channel at $1.18. From the current market price of $0.247, this represents a 377% increase.

The ultimate target, which represents where the analyst expects ADA to reach in the next bull season, is $6.37. Notably, this would mark a new all-time high for the altcoin, representing a 2,479% growth from the current market price.

Cardano Exchange Outflows Support Breakout

Elsewhere, market users have been accumulating ADA recently, a move that could further fuel a price breakout. Coinglass data show that over the past 24 hours, spot inflows into exchanges have trailed outflows, with inflows at $24.04 million and outflows at $26.47 million.

Cardano Spot Flow/Coinglass
Cardano Spot Flow/Coinglass

Such on-chain activity suggests a growing preference for holding ADA longer, hence the switch from platforms where it can be easily sold to self-custody wallets. Persistent accumulation builds the foundation for a significant price move, and the market is doing just that with Cardano.

However, trading volume remains suppressed, dropping 20% in the past 24 hours. Open interest also declined by 3.4% during the same period, highlighting reduced market interest in Cardano. For a sustained breakout and subsequent rally, ADA would need more market activity than it is seeing now.

Finance Commentator Says Ridiculous XRP Price Predictions Trigger “Secondhand Embarrassment”

Mark Brennan
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Finance Commentator Says Ridiculous XRP Price Predictions Trigger “Secondhand Embarrassment”

Zach Rector, a well-known XRP community figure, has called out what he sees as unrealistic XRP price predictions within the space.

In a post on X, Rector revealed that he feels “secondhand embarrassment” watching people continue to push extreme forecasts. His comments come amid the trend of bold XRP price claims that he believes lack actual technical backing.

Key Points

  • Zach Rector publicly mocked recent ambitious XRP price predictions, saying they give him secondhand embarrassment.
  • EasyA founders Phil and Dom Kwok predicted XRP could reach $1,000 between 2030 and 2031.
  • At $1,000, XRP’s market cap would hit $61.56 trillion, surpassing gold as the world’s largest asset.
  • Jake Claver’s $100 XRP prediction for 2025 failed to materialize.
  • Analyst Crypto Bull believes a long-term price range of $28 to $70 is more realistic.

XRP’s 2025 Rally Led to Ambitious Expectations

Notably, the XRP community has continued to witness ambitious XRP price predictions. Amid this trend, the community has been divided between those who prefer careful, data-based analysis and others who continue to push ambitious long-term projections for XRP.

These ambitious projections dominated the community last year, when XRP saw an impressive rally. The price climbed to $3.4 in January 2025 before dropping again. Expectedly, this performance led to bullish expectations, with most investors believing the trend would continue.

Amid the expectations, several analysts shared lofty predictions during this period, expecting XRP to keep rising. However, Rector stood against these forecasts, insisting that they were not realistic.

The XRP to $100 Prediction

One of the most popular predictions came from Jake Claver, CEO of Digital Ascension Group. Notably, he claimed XRP could reach $100 by the end of 2025. At that time, XRP was trading between $2 and $3, which meant it needed a gain of about 3,233% to 4,900% to hit that target.

Despite the extent of the required push, Claver maintained his prediction throughout the year and repeated it as late as December 2025, even placing a bet on it. In the end, the forecast did not play out. XRP finished 2025 at lower levels, as a broader market decline that started in October 2025 pushed prices down.

Recent XRP to $1,000 Forecasts

After XRP dropped below $2 in 2026, these bold predictions slowed down for a while. However, the momentum has picked up again. For instance, Phil and Dom Kwok, founders of EasyA, recently brought back a major forecast during a discussion on the Rollup podcast.

According to them, XRP could reach $1,000 between 2030 and 2031. With XRP currently at $1.42, this would mean a rise of more than 70,000%. At that price, XRP’s market value would reach about $61.56 trillion, making it bigger than gold. These numbers have raised doubts among analysts like Rector.

Reactions from the XRP Community

Meanwhile, Rector’s recent comments have led to backlash from a segment of the XRP community. Some investors argued that these high price targets come from a “utility pricing” model, not normal market speculation. 

Others insisted that traditional market cap limits should not apply to cryptocurrencies like XRP. Notably, the XRP community has continued to present this argument when critics point out that XRP at lofty prices would lead to unrealistic market caps.

Some community members also noted that Rector had himself made ambitious XRP price predictions in the past, with one calling attention to a claim about XRP reaching $100 in 2026. However, this forecast was actually to be an April Fool’s joke, not a serious prediction.

Besides Rector, other analysts have also pushed back against extreme predictions. In February, Crypto Bull noted that no current chart supports a move to $1,000 or $10,000. Instead, he believes XRP could reach somewhere between $28 and $70 over time.

Also, crypto YouTuber Mason Versluis also rejected the $1,000 idea earlier in 2026. He suggested that XRP could rise to more realistic targets like $5, $10, and $20 before the end of 2026.

Hoskinson Welcomes Filecoin to Cardano Ecosystem

Lele Jima
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Hoskinson Welcomes Filecoin to Cardano Ecosystem

IOG CEO and founder Charles Hoskinson has publicly welcomed Filecoin into the Cardano ecosystem.

The move signals stronger momentum toward cross-chain collaboration. Notably, Hoskinson’s remarks follow a new infrastructure upgrade that introduces Filecoin-backed storage capabilities for Cardano developers.

Accordingly, builders can now benefit from improved reliability, verifiable storage, and seamless scalability without changing their existing workflows.

Key Points

  • Charles Hoskinson has welcomed Filecoin into the Cardano ecosystem, describing it as one of the industry’s original players.
  • A new storage upgrade by Blockfrost leverages Filecoin to deliver decentralized, resilient data storage for Cardano-based dApps.
  • Filecoin already functions as a backup layer through an earlier collaboration with Blockfrost, securing IPFS-hosted data for Cardano applications.
  • The integration highlights an industry shift toward interoperability, an approach Hoskinson has consistently supported.

Hoskinson Welcomes Filecoin to Cardano Amid Its Deeper Integration

In a recent statement, Hoskinson publicly welcomed Filecoin to the Cardano ecosystem, following the project’s deeper integration with it. He described Filecoin as one of the industry’s “OGs,” highlighting its long-standing.

His commentary follows the latest Blockfrost upgrade, which introduces a premium storage layer powered by Filecoin. The move gives Cardano developers access to decentralized, verifiable, and highly resilient data storage.

Since the system eliminates additional infrastructure overhead, developers can immediately adopt these capabilities without modifying their workflows.

Initial Integration

Meanwhile, this update builds on a December 2024 collaboration between Blockfrost and the Filecoin Foundation, which positioned Filecoin as a robust backup layer for Cardano applications.

By archiving IPFS data on Filecoin, the integration enhances redundancy, protects against data loss or corruption, and enables cryptographic verification of stored data.

In addition, Filecoin leverages Proof of Replication and Proof of Spacetime to ensure that data remains uniquely stored and continuously maintained over time.

These mechanisms introduce strong guarantees around trust and auditability, making them particularly valuable for data-driven applications and emerging use cases such as decentralized AI.

Broader Implications

Meanwhile, Hoskinson’s response highlights an industry shift toward interoperability and shared infrastructure. Leading networks are increasingly collaborating to deliver more secure, scalable, and decentralized systems.

Hoskinson has consistently advocated for this approach. In late 2024 and early 2025, for example, he engaged in discussions with leaders at Ripple and Stellar for potential collaborations.

He believes greater unity across the blockchain sector could accelerate mainstream adoption and strengthen the industry’s position amid regulatory pressures.

As Hoskinson noted, Filecoin has been a long-standing player in the crypto space, launching in August 2017 shortly before Cardano. Since then, it has built a reputation as a decentralized storage network that preserves critical data by connecting users with independent storage providers worldwide.

Evernorth Highlights XRP Supply Shock as 7B Tokens Leave Exchanges

Abdulkarim Abdulwahab
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Evernorth Highlights XRP Supply Shock as 7B Tokens Leave Exchanges

A major shift is quietly unfolding in the XRP market, with supply tightening and long-term holders steadily increasing their positions despite months of price weakness.

Recent insights shared by Evernorth point to a strong divergence between price action and investor behavior. While XRP has been in a prolonged downtrend since late 2025, on-chain data suggests accumulation is accelerating among both retail investors and select large holders.

Key Points

  • Evernorth says XRP supply is tightening as 7B tokens left exchanges in Feb, per CryptoQuant data.
  • Binance led outflows with 3.3B XRP, alongside Bybit and OKX, reducing available sell-side liquidity.
  • Retail wallets hit a record 1.1M, adding 520M XRP since Oct 2025 despite a 50% price drop.
  • Meanwhile, the available XRP balance on exchanges remains a hot debate.

Billions in XRP Leave Exchanges

One of the clearest signals comes from exchange flows. In February alone, investors reportedly withdrew more than 7 billion XRP from trading platforms, according to CryptoQuant data. The figure marks the largest monthly outflow since November 2025.

Evernorth stressed that this movement is important. It noted that investors typically move tokens to exchanges when they intend to sell. In contrast, withdrawing assets implies a preference to hold.

With such a large volume exiting exchanges, the pool of readily sellable XRP has declined significantly.

Data shows that Binance accounted for nearly half of these withdrawals, with over 3.3 billion XRP leaving the platform. Other exchanges, such as Bybit and OKX, also recorded notable outflows.

This reduction in liquid supply could become a key factor if demand begins to rise again.

Retail Participation Hits All-Time High

At the same time, retail investors are stepping in at a record pace. Wallets holding between 1,000 and 100,000 XRP have climbed to 1.1 million, the highest level in the asset’s history.

Data from Santiment shows that this segment has grown by more than 77,000 wallets since October 2025. Even more notable is that this growth has occurred during a period when XRP’s price has dropped by over 50%.

The total balance held by these wallets has also increased, rising from 10.04 billion XRP to 10.56 billion XRP. This means retail investors have accumulated roughly 520 million XRP during the downturn, suggesting strong conviction despite negative price momentum.

Mixed Behavior Among Whales

Meanwhile, mid-tier holders, those with between 100,000 and 10 million XRP, have reduced their holdings significantly. Specifically, they have offloaded over 3 billion XRP since October 2025.

However, the largest whales, holding between 10 million and 100 million XRP, have moved in the opposite direction. This group has added more than 3.4 billion XRP over the same period, signaling confidence among high-capital investors.

Daily Accumulation Adds Pressure to Supply

Beyond historical trends, early April data shows that large holders are continuing to accumulate, adding millions of XRP per day.

Combined with shrinking exchange balances, this steady accumulation is reinforcing a tightening supply environment. Fewer coins are readily available for sale, while more investors appear positioned for long-term holding.

Comments on 7B XRP Leaving Exchanges

Meanwhile, some prominent figures in the XRP community, such as Vet and Crypto Eri, have challenged the data on tightening supply. Vet, in particular, pointed out that CryptoQuant data is not always complete.

He explained that many exchanges are not tracked, and that, for some reason, the platform often defaults to Binance for XRP exchange balance data, something tools like Grok may pick up. This has led to the misconception that only 1–2 billion XRP are held on exchanges, which is not accurate.

Furthermore, Vet noted that when looking at how XRP exchange balances have changed since Christmas 2025, there is actually more XRP on exchanges today than before.

He stressed that, in general, the total XRP held across exchanges tends to sit around 15–16 billion. Even that figure may be understated, as new exchange wallets are not always immediately detected.

Bitcoin ETFs, Strategy Drive Accumulation as Long-Term Holders Add Over 300K BTC in 30 Days

Lele Jima
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Bitcoin ETFs, Strategy Drive Accumulation as Long-Term Holders Add Over 300K BTC in 30 Days

Fresh on-chain data from CryptoQuant highlights a remarkable shift in the Bitcoin ownership structure. 

Over the past month, Bitcoin supply has steadily moved away from short-term traders and into the hands of long-term holders and institutional players. This observation confirms a stronger conviction among key participants, a trend that highlights growing maturity.

Key Points

  • Bitcoin supply has been steadily moving away from short-term traders toward long-term holders and institutional investors over the past month.
  • Long-term holder supply expanded by approximately 303,000 BTC, signaling sustained accumulation.
  • Spot Bitcoin ETFs have purchased around 16,800 BTC, while Strategy has added roughly 53,000 coins.
  • Over the past 30 days, the short-term holder (STH) supply dropped by 290,000 BTC.

Long-Term Holders and Institutions Are Absorbing Bitcoin Supply

Notably, the CryptoQuant data highlights a powerful trend of redistribution across the Bitcoin market. Long-term holder (LTH) supply has risen by roughly 303,000 BTC over the past 30 days. This implies sustained accumulation by investors with longer time horizons.

In addition, spot Bitcoin ETFs, including BlackRock’s IBIT and Fidelity Investments’ FBTC, have recorded net inflows of about 16,800 BTC.

Moreover, Strategy has added approximately 53,000 BTC to its holdings, continuing its aggressive accumulation scheme.

Short-term Investors Dump 290,000 BTC

However, while long-term investors increasingly bought BTC, short-term holders (STHs) significantly reduced their exposure. Specifically, STH supply has fallen by around 290,000 BTC.

Source: CryptoQuant
Source: CryptoQuant

Notably, the data signals a structural shift in the market. Bitcoin is steadily moving out of the hands of short-term traders and into the control of long-term investors and institutional entities with stronger conviction.

Consequently, this aggressive accumulation reduces downside volatility while increasing the likelihood of supply-driven price expansion.

Institutional Adoption to Accelerate

Furthermore, this trend shows little sign of slowing. Strategy, for instance, continues to acquire Bitcoin at a rapid pace and now holds roughly 4.07% of the circulating supply, or 815,061 BTC.

Its recent purchase of 34,164 BTC allowed it to surpass BlackRock as the largest corporate holder of Bitcoin, and its accumulation strategy suggests it intends to maintain that lead.

In addition, spot Bitcoin ETFs have sustained consistent inflows since mid-April, with analysts expecting this momentum to persist. As institutions and long-term holders continue to absorb available supply, liquidity conditions are tightening.

On the other hand, short-term holders are likely to remain reactive, particularly during periods of heightened volatility or downturns. This dynamic could further accelerate the transfer of supply into stronger hands, reinforcing the trend shaping Bitcoin’s current market structure.

Bitcoin Sees Steady Growth

Notably, the development comes as Bitcoin continues to post steady, modest gains. The leading cryptocurrency climbed above $79,000 yesterday before pulling back to $78,238. Despite this brief retracement, Bitcoin remains up 0.38% over the past 24 hours and 4.4% over the past week.

Over the past month, BTC has risen by 10.98%, reinforcing a pattern of consistent growth as long-term holders and institutional investors continue to absorb supply.

Market Updates: FTX Founder Withdraws Appeal for New Trial, ABA Seeks Delay in US Stablecoin Bill Review, ABTC Deploys 11,000+ New Bitcoin Mining Rigs

Zabi
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Market Updates: FTX Founder Withdraws Appeal for New Trial, ABA Seeks Delay in US Stablecoin Bill Review, ABTC Deploys 11,000+ New Bitcoin Mining Rigs

Latest Market Updates: As of 23rd April 2026.

Global crypto markets saw a mix of legal, regulatory, and mining developments today, with updates spanning the United States, Asia, and North America.

Ex-FTX CEO Withdraws Retrial Motion, Seeks New Judge

To begin with, former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried has withdrawn his request for a new criminal trial. Despite this, his broader legal challenges remain active as he continues to pursue an appeal against his conviction and sentence.

According to filings submitted to the US District Court for the Southern District of New York on Wednesday, the withdrawal followed questions raised by Judge Lewis Kaplan regarding whether the motion had been independently prepared.

Those concerns stemmed from earlier prosecutorial claims in March suggesting the filing may have involved external assistance. Around the same period, a letter from Bankman-Fried’s mother, Barbara Fried, was also submitted to the court. However, she had no formal standing in the case.

In response, Bankman-Fried stated that he personally authored the motion. He also added that he had consulted his parents, given their familiarity with aspects of the case. However, he argued that the resulting scrutiny complicated his legal position.

Furthermore, he explained that addressing these allegations diverted attention from his response to prosecutors. Expressing concern about receiving an impartial review from the current judge, he decided to withdraw the motion. Nevertheless, he left open the possibility of revisiting it later.

For now, his appeal continues before the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Separately, his request to have a different judge assigned remains pending.

U.S. Banking Group Seeks More Time on Stablecoin Regulation Input

Meanwhile, regulatory discussions in the United States are accelerating, particularly around stablecoin oversight.

The American Bankers Association (ABA) has formally requested a 60-day extension to the public comment period on proposed stablecoin regulations linked to the GENIUS Act, which was signed into law in July 2025 by Donald Trump.

In a letter sent Tuesday to multiple U.S. agencies, including the Treasury Department, FinCEN, FDIC, and the Office of Foreign Assets Control, the group argued that additional time is necessary to provide meaningful feedback.

Additionally, the association emphasized that key details from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency are still pending. Consequently, a full assessment of the regulatory framework remains difficult. While the FDIC has indicated that its proposals align with the OCC’s direction, the banking group maintains that clarity remains insufficient.

Under current provisions, the law will take effect either 120 days after final rules are issued or within 18 months of enactment, whichever comes first.

American Bitcoin Expands Mining Fleet in Canada

In the mining sector, American Bitcoin has significantly expanded its infrastructure with a major fleet upgrade in Alberta, Canada.

The company has activated 11,298 new mining machines at its Drumheller facility, marking a substantial increase in operational capacity.

With this expansion, the company now operates approximately 89,242 ASIC units. These machines are essential for mining Bitcoin and other proof-of-work (PoW) cryptocurrencies.

Consequently, total computing power has risen to around 28.1 exahashes per second (EH/s), alongside an average efficiency rating of 16 joules per terahash.

Thailand Proposes Easier Access to Crypto Derivatives Market

At the same time, regulators in Asia are working to refine their approach to digital assets. Specifically, in Thailand, the Securities and Exchange Commission has proposed expanding the country’s crypto derivatives market. 

The proposal would allow licensed digital asset firms to apply directly for derivatives licenses. This would remove the current requirement to set up separate entities for such activities.

In addition, the framework would formally recognize digital assets as valid underlying instruments for futures contracts, a move expected to broaden market participation and product offerings.

The regulator noted that these updates are designed to improve oversight, reduce conflicts of interest, and bring Thailand’s framework closer to international standards.

The proposal is now open for public consultation until 20 May 2026, with industry feedback expected to shape the final version of the rules.

How Ripple’s XRP Holdings Could Grow by an Additional $20B

Mark Brennan
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How Ripple’s XRP Holdings Could Grow by an Additional $20B

Ripple could potentially boost the value of its XRP holdings by $20 billion, based on a market strategy proposed by Patrick L. Riley.

Riley suggests Ripple’s XRP holding and substantial cash position could allow a $1 billion buy to lift prices by $0.50, adding $20 billion in value. He compared this to Michael Saylor’s Bitcoin strategy, but an extensive assessment reveals holes in his theory.

Key Points

  • Ripple is witnessing renewed criticisms over its extensive XRP holdings after recently moving 75 million tokens.
  • According to Riley, Ripple holds 39 billion XRP and about $5 billion in cash, and the firm could leverage this to grow its financial standing.
  • Riley claims a $1 billion buy could raise XRP by $0.50, adding $20 billion to Ripple’s total balance.
  • The expected price impact may not play out due to factors like slippage and liquidity changes.
  • Also, sustaining gains remains uncertain, with reflexivity risks if the XRP price declines after leverage.

The $1 Billion XRP Buy Thesis

Riley, an American veteran, discussed this in a recent commentary amid renewed criticisms surrounding Ripple’s large XRP XRP holdings, particularly after the company moved 75 million XRP in a recent transfer, sending 50 million tokens to Coinbase.

The market commentator argued that Ripple’s position is actually a major balance sheet opportunity that the firm could leverage. According to him, Ripple holds about 39 billion XRP and about $5 billion in cash, and this gives it enough resources to move the needle on its own financial standing.

Riley claims that if Ripple spent $1 billion buying up the lowest available XRP liquidity in the market, it would push the price up by roughly $0.50. He argues that this price increase would add about $20 billion in value to Ripple’s nearly 40 billion XRP holdings.

The veteran further suggested that Ripple could then borrow against the newly appreciated value of its holdings and use the collateral to push its financial position higher. “That is the purpose of Evernode,” he added.

Riley compared this to what Michael Saylor does with Bitcoin at Strategy. He clarified that his point is mostly about Ripple acting in its own corporate interest, the same way Saylor does with Bitcoin. As a result of this possibility, Riley believes Ripple’s extensive XRP holdings could be bullish for the XRP market.

Important Caveats to Note

While Riley’s theory sounds bullish on paper, some parts of the analysis have some shortcomings. His claim that a $1 billion purchase would produce a neat $0.50 price move suggests that the market stands still, which may not hold up in practice. 

Notably, markets respond to large orders in real time, as algorithmic traders, market makers, and other market participants quickly change their positions. This means sell walls can move higher, and thin liquidity can disappear before a large order even finishes filling. The actual capital necessary to achieve that projected price move could turn out to be much more than $1 billion.

Meanwhile, there is also the issue of slippage, where a large buy order gets filled at progressively worse prices as it works through available liquidity. At the scale Riley describes, there could be a large gap between the expected price and the actual average fill price. 

Also, even if the $0.50 XRP move happened, holding that price level would require sustained buying pressure. Notably, profit-takers and short sellers typically respond quickly to sharp price spikes, which means the market could erase the paper gain on Ripple’s holdings if there’s no continued capital commitment.

SoFi Bank Welcomes XRP as Ripple Says Access Is How Utility Grows

Abdulkarim Abdulwahab
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0
SoFi Bank Welcomes XRP as Ripple Says Access Is How Utility Grows

Ripple recently highlighted a new step in XRP adoption after SoFi added support for XRP deposits.

The move opens the door for more users to interact with XRP through a regulated banking platform.

In a post on X, Ripple said that broader access is key to long-term growth. It stressed that making XRP available through platforms like SoFi allows more people to participate in the ecosystem and strengthens its overall utility.

Key Points

  • SoFi adds XRP deposits, expanding access to the asset through a regulated banking platform for everyday users.
  • Ripple says broader access is key to growth, helping strengthen XRP’s utility and ecosystem participation.
  • SoFi enables XRP trading with a simple 1% fee, using stablecoins like USDC to execute transactions.
  • XRP adoption grows as Rakuten, Exodus, Bitget, and Binance expand support across payments and trading.

SoFi Brings XRP Into Its Crypto Offering

Ripple’s tweet comes as SoFi confirmed that users can now deposit XRP alongside other major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana.

The feature is part of its expansive crypto service, which allows customers to buy, sell, and hold digital assets within a single app.

The company operates through SoFi Bank, N.A., a nationally chartered bank regulated by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. This regulatory positioning is notable, as it places XRP access within a more traditional financial framework compared to many crypto-native platforms.

How SoFi’s Crypto System Works

A SoFi Crypto account allows users to trade supported crypto assets after funding their account through a SoFi Checking and Savings account. Meanwhile, the platform converts deposited cash into stablecoins such as USD Coin to execute trades.

SoFi charges a simple 1% fee on every crypto trade. The price users receive may include a small “spread,” which is the difference between the market price and the execution price. This helps lock in the rate when placing an order, ensuring the trade goes through smoothly.

Opening an account is also straightforward, requiring basic identity verification such as a name, address, and Social Security number. Notably, the app features no account opening or monthly maintenance fees.

XRP Exposure Expands Through Traditional Channels

The integration highlights a trend of XRP becoming more accessible across mainstream financial platforms. Last week, Rakuten added XRP to its ecosystem via Rakuten Wallet, enabling payments, trading, and loyalty point conversion for millions of users.

Likewise, Exodus expanded XRP Ledger support with enhanced wallet tools and RLUSD integration.

At the same time, Bitget Wallet introduced XRPL payments, cross-chain features, and real-world use cases like QR and card payments. Binance has also boosted XRPL liquidity by enabling RLUSD deposits, withdrawals, and new trading pairs.

With SoFi now supporting XRP deposits, the asset continues to move deeper into traditional finance channels, positioning it for stronger adoption as more users gain direct and simplified access.

Market Updates: Crypto Hacks Top $17B in a Decade, Stratiphy Restores UK Crypto ETN Access; Uzbekistan Establishes Regulated Crypto Mining Zone

Zabi
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0
Market Updates: Crypto Hacks Top $17B in a Decade, Stratiphy Restores UK Crypto ETN Access; Uzbekistan Establishes Regulated Crypto Mining Zone

Latest Market Updates: As of 22nd April 2026.

Today in crypto, UK fintech Stratiphy has reopened tax-efficient access to crypto ETNs via ISA restructuring. In parallel, Uzbekistan has launched a regulated mining zone in Karakalpakstan with long-term tax incentives. 

Meanwhile, crypto hacks have surpassed $17 billion, with private key compromises as the leading cause, and the UK is advancing payment reforms to bring stablecoins and tokenized deposits under a unified regulatory framework.

Stratiphy Reopens UK Crypto ETN Access Through ISA Workaround

UK-based fintech firm Stratiphy has introduced a new route for retail investors to access crypto exchange-traded notes (ETNs) without tax liability. The move follows a series of regulatory adjustments that had previously limited access.

For context, the Financial Conduct Authority lifted its four-year ban on retail crypto ETNs in October 2025. Initially, investors were able to hold these products inside standard stocks-and-shares ISAs, which provided tax benefits.

However, the situation shifted at the start of the 2026 tax year, after HM Revenue & Customs determined that new crypto ETN investments would no longer qualify for these ISAs.

Instead, eligibility moved to Innovative Finance (IF) ISAs, which are typically used for peer-to-peer lending. This created a gap in the market, as no major platform offered ETNs within IF ISA wrappers.

According to the Financial Times, Stratiphy has now stepped in to fill this gap by offering access to three ETNs issued by 21Shares. These include Bitcoin-linked and Ethereum-linked products, as well as a hybrid Bitcoin–gold instrument.

Uzbekistan Launches State-Backed Crypto Mining Zone

Meanwhile, in Central Asia, Uzbekistan has taken a significant step toward formalizing its crypto mining industry. This includes the creation of a state-backed mining zone in Karakalpakstan.

Specifically, a presidential resolution signed on 17 April 2026 and effective from 20 April establishes the “Besqala Mining Valley”. The initiative allows only licensed legal entities to conduct mining operations under strict regulatory oversight.

A dedicated directorate under the Council of Ministers will supervise activity in the zone. Operators will be permitted to use mixed energy sources, provided they comply with national regulatory standards.

Companies operating in the zone can sell mined crypto assets on domestic exchanges or foreign platforms. In addition, they may execute direct contracts and convert holdings into other liquid digital assets. However, all proceeds must be transferred into Uzbek banking channels.

The policy also includes long-term fiscal incentives. Mining firms will be exempt from tax obligations until January 1, 2035. In addition, a monthly fee equal to 1% of mining revenue will be required. Officials have also been instructed to prepare tax code revisions within two months, according to the decree.

Crypto Hacks Surpass $17 Billion Over a Decade

While regulation advances, security challenges remain a major concern for the industry.

Data from DefiLlama shows that total losses from crypto-related hacks have now exceeded $17 billion across 518 incidents over the past decade. In particular, a significant share of these losses is linked to private key compromises and related vulnerabilities.

Breaking down the attack vectors, approximately 22.3% of incidents involved brute-force attacks on private keys, while 18.2% were attributed to unidentified compromise methods. In addition, phishing attacks targeting multi-signature wallets accounted for roughly 10% of cases.

Total Hacked By Technique
Total Hacked By Technique

These findings coincide with a major breach reported earlier in April 2026, in which an attacker targeted Kelp DAO’s rsETH bridge, which runs on LayerZero technology. 

The breach resulted in the theft of approximately 116,500 restaked Ethereum, valued between $290 million and $293 million at the time. This makes it one of the largest crypto exploits of the year.

UK Prepares New Rules for Stablecoins and Tokenized Payments

Alongside these developments, the UK is accelerating efforts to modernize its payments regulation to accommodate digital assets.

In a recent statement, HM Treasury confirmed plans to consult on updates to payment services and electronic money rules, with a focus on integrating stablecoins and tokenized deposits into a unified regulatory framework. The goal is to align oversight between traditional financial systems and emerging digital payment technologies.

Economic Secretary Lucy Rigby stated that the reforms aim to streamline regulation and reduce compliance burdens for firms entering the stablecoin sector.

To support implementation, former FCA official Chris Woolard has been appointed as digital markets champion. He will help drive adoption under the Wholesale Financial Markets Digital Strategy. The wider regulatory framework for crypto in the UK is expected to be implemented in 2027.

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