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Calculated Ambition: ChangeNOW Defies Market Uncertainty with New Dubai Headquarters

Esra Zuhal
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Calculated Ambition: ChangeNOW Defies Market Uncertainty with New Dubai Headquarters

ChangeNOW, a reputable crypto exchange platform that has spent nearly a decade championing user-controlled crypto assets, has officially opened its new regional headquarters in the heart of Dubai’s business district. This expansion marks a new chapter in the company’s history, transitioning from a global service provider to a localized, hands-on partner in the Arab world’s most ambitious tech market.

While much of the global crypto landscape has spent the last year reacting to economic volatility, ChangeNOW’s entry into Dubai is a proactive, long-term play. The company considers the UAE as a global crypto hub where advanced regulatory clarity meets a high-tier digital infrastructure.

Beyond Digital Experience

After nine years of steady, exponential growth, ChangeNOW is moving beyond “digital-only” interactions. By establishing a physical home at Convention Tower, DWTC, the team is doubling down on building face-to-face trust with regional partners, liquidity providers, and the growing community of local Web3 developers.

According to Pauline Shangett, Chief Strategy Officer at ChangeNOW:

“True leadership is forged in challenging times. While the region navigates current complexities, ChangeNOW is here to provide the partnership it deserves. We trust in the people, technology, and spirit of the UAE. Establishing this office is our commitment to cementing this region as the world’s primary hub for digital innovation.”

What ChangeNOW Brings to the Region

As the Dubai office becomes fully operational, ChangeNOW is introducing its full-stack ecosystem to the local market, offering more than just simple swaps. The expansion aims to provide:

  • Unmatched Speed: Being recognized as one of the fastest exchanges and also being one among the most liquidity enriched platforms, giving access to 1500+ digital assets across 110+ blockchains and 70+ fiat options.
  • A “User-First” Security Ethos: Unlike many custodial exchanges in the region, ChangeNOW’s non-custodial model ensures that users (and only users) ever have control over their private keys and funds.
  • API-first infrastructure for Business Partners: ChangeNOW offers a variety of white-label solutions, including: white-label exchange, wallet, payments and fiat-to-crypto ramps.

Fostering a Local Innovation Hub

The new Dubai headquarters is being designed to be a landing pad for collaboration. ChangeNOW is actively seeking to engage with institutional partners and local tech talent to help integrate digital asset exchange technology into the UAE’s existing financial and retail platforms.

With the office now open, ChangeNOW invites local entrepreneurs and crypto enthusiasts to connect with the team directly at Convention Tower, DWTC to discuss the future of the decentralized economy in the Middle East.

About ChangeNOW

Since 2017, ChangeNOW has served over 8 million users globally. As a non-custodial platform, ChangeNOW prioritizes speed, security, and anonymity. It enables near-instant transactions across a vast library of assets without storing customer funds. Backed by a robust infrastructure that includes the NOW Wallet and fiat-to-crypto gateways, ChangeNOW remains a key link between traditional finance and the blockchain-powered future.

Media Contact:

ChangeNOW PR Team

CHN Group LL

pr@changenow.io

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Please note that The Crypto Basic does not endorse or support any content or product on this page. We strongly advise readers to conduct their own research before acting on any information presented here and assume full responsibility for their decisions. This article should not be considered investment advice.

David Schwartz Says His “XRP Can’t be Dirt Cheap” Comment Came from a Payment PoV

Mark Brennan
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David Schwartz Says His “XRP Can’t be Dirt Cheap” Comment Came from a Payment PoV

The Ripple CTO Emeritus, David Schwartz, recently stressed that his “XRP can’t be dirt cheap” comment came from a payment point of view.

Schwartz, former CTO at Ripple, has again explained his long-held view on XRP’s price and how it relates to its use in payments. He addressed the topic amid renewed discussions about why XRP still trades at a relatively low price despite its growing use.

Key Points

  • David Schwartz clarified that his “XRP cannot be cheap” statement was about payment efficiency, not a price prediction.
  • The comment originally came from November 2017, when XRP traded at $0.24.
  • Schwartz explained that higher XRP prices allow the same total payment value to move with fewer tokens, reducing market impact.
  • The latest clarification comes on the back of concerns around XRP’s low price despite growing utility.
  • XRPL validator Vet emphasized that some have misquoted the comment as a price prediction.

“XRP Can’t be Dirt Cheap”

The latest clarification followed an inquiry presented by investor Lisa Prager. She called attention to his earlier statement that XRP cannot be cheap and questioned why the asset still appears “cheap” despite developments such as GTreasury settling trillions last year, along with the introduction of XRP ETFs. 

In his response, Schwartz said many people misunderstand his earlier comment. This is they see it from the perspective of an XRP holder. He explained that his original statement focused on XRP’s role in payments, not on its value as an investment.

Essentially, when institutions use XRP to move money, what matters is the total value they are transferring, not the number of XRP tokens involved. A higher price means fewer tokens will be necessary to move the same amount of money. 

This can make transactions smoother and reduce the chance of affecting the market price during large transfers. Essentially, Schwartz’s point was about efficiency in payments, not about predicting that XRP may reach a certain price.

The Original 2017 Comment

In his latest post, Schwartz directly quoted the original comment from November 2017, which he made when XRP traded at $0.24. At that time, he explained that XRP could not logically remain extremely cheap because the cost of sending money stays the same regardless of the token’s unit price. 

XRP Cannot be Dirt Cheap
XRP Cannot be Dirt Cheap

For instance, sending $1 million would require either 1 million XRP at $1 each or just 1 XRP at $1 million. In both cases, the total value remains $1 million.

He also explained that higher prices can make payments easier to handle. Schwartz used Bitcoin as an example, noting that when the coin traded at around $300, large transactions could move the market too much and become costly. 

As Bitcoin’s price increased, it became easier to carry out large transactions without causing major price swings. This helped show why a higher price can improve how an asset works for payments.

Persistent Community Scrutiny

While Schwartz made this comment over eight years ago, investors have continued to reference it. Just four days before this latest discussion, another XRP community member asked him to explain what he meant. Responding, Schwartz said, all else being equal, a higher XRP price makes it cheaper to use for payments.

Adding to this, Vet, an outspoken XRPL validator, said people often misinterpret the comment. He explained that some take it as a price prediction. However, he stressed that the point mainly centered on XRP’s utility in payments.

Right now, XRP trades at about $1.32, which is a 445% increase from its $0.24 price in November 2017. This suggests that the current price is already enough to support the payment volume happening today. If transaction volumes increase significantly, the price could adjust upward to meet this demand.

SBI Holdings Advances XRP Ledger Research for Japan–Korea Remittance Corridor

Abdulkarim Abdulwahab
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SBI Holdings Advances XRP Ledger Research for Japan–Korea Remittance Corridor

A new cross-border initiative backed by SBI Holdings leadership is putting the XRP Ledger back into focus for real-world payments. 

CEO Yoshitaka Kitao confirmed that SBI Ripple Asia has begun joint research with South Korean blockchain firm DSRV, targeting remittance and payment use cases between Japan and South Korea.

Key Points

  • SBI Ripple Asia and DSRV begin joint research on XRP Ledger for cross-border payments.
  • Its focus is on faster, more efficient remittances between Japan and South Korea.
  • The study will examine regulatory alignment, technical hurdles, and real-world payment integration.
  • The collaboration signals growing institutional interest in blockchain-based settlement in Asia.

Joint Research Targets XRP Ledger for Cross-Border Payments

SBI Ripple Asia and DSRV are collaborating to explore how blockchain can improve remittance flows between the two major Asian economies.

The initiative will examine how the XRP Ledger can serve as the underlying infrastructure for faster, more efficient cross-border transactions. However, the companies clarified that this is an early-stage research effort, not yet tied to a specific product or commercial rollout.

Instead, the focus is on gathering insights and building a framework that could support future deployment.

The decision to explore XRPL reflects the expanding interest in blockchain-based settlement systems as financial institutions seek alternatives to traditional cross-border payment rails. If successful, the research could reinforce XRP’s role as a bridge asset in regional payment corridors.

Regulatory Shifts Drive Momentum

One of the key drivers behind the initiative is the evolving regulatory landscape in Japan and South Korea.

Both countries are advancing frameworks around stablecoins and blockchain financial services, creating a more structured environment for experimentation. However, differences in regulatory design between the two markets present challenges.

The research will therefore focus on:

  • Aligning with each country’s regulatory and supervisory systems
  • Understanding how blockchain integrates with existing payment infrastructure
  • Designing business flows suitable for real-world use
  • Ensuring stable and compliant system operations

Four Key Areas of Focus

The joint study will concentrate on four major areas:

  1. Identifying challenges based on each country’s financial systems and business environment
  2. Mapping relationships with existing remittance infrastructure
  3. Evaluating technical and operational hurdles in blockchain adoption
  4. Exploring long-term application opportunities

Expansion Plans

Beyond the research, both firms are already signaling bigger ambitions. SBI Ripple Asia plans to leverage insights from the study to push blockchain adoption in payments across the region.

Meanwhile, DSRV is looking to expand partnerships with global financial players and to build an international remittance network that connects stablecoin operators.

Notably, DSRV has already deepened its involvement in the XRPL ecosystem, including a prior partnership with XRPL Japan to support developers.

Ultimately, the move highlights the trend of institutions considering blockchain infrastructure such as the XRP Ledger as regulatory clarity improves.

While still in the research phase, this collaboration signals that Asia remains a key battleground for blockchain-based payments, and XRP could play a central role.

Riot Platforms Liquidates 3,778 Bitcoin in Q1 as Production Falters

Zabi
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Riot Platforms Liquidates 3,778 Bitcoin in Q1 as Production Falters

Riot Platforms offloaded 3,778 Bitcoin in the first quarter amid mounting pressure across the mining industry as rising energy costs continue to erode profitability.

According to its operational update released Thursday, the company achieved an average selling price of $76,626 per coin, generating total proceeds of approximately $289.5 million.

With Bitcoin trading at $66,823 at the time of reporting, Riot appears to have capitalized on stronger price levels earlier in the quarter.

Key Points

  • Riot sold 3,778 BTC in Q1, generating roughly $289.5 million at an average price of $76,626 per coin.
  • Bitcoin holdings dropped 18% year-over-year to 15,680 BTC as of March 31, with further sales continuing into April.
  • Production slowed slightly, with Riot mining 1,473 BTC in Q1, a 4% decline from last year.
  • Rising energy costs and geopolitical tensions are pushing miners to liquidate holdings to cover expenses.
  • The trend is industry-wide: peers like MARA, Nakamoto, and Genius Group sold over 15,500 BTC recently.

Holdings Shrink as Selling Continues

Following these sales, Riot’s Bitcoin reserves declined significantly. As of March 31, total holdings stood at 15,680 BTC, down 18% from 19,223 BTC a year earlier.

The sell-off has continued beyond the quarter’s end. Data from Arkham Intelligence shows Riot liquidated an additional 500 BTC in early April, further reducing its reserves.

At the same time, production showed slight weakness. Riot mined 1,473 BTC in the first quarter, a 4% decrease year-over-year. Taken together, this combination of lower output and continued selling reflects mounting operational challenges.

Industry-Wide Liquidation Trend Emerges

Riot’s strategy mirrors a broader shift within the crypto mining industry. In recent weeks, several firms have also reduced their Bitcoin holdings to manage financial pressure.

Among them are MARA Holdings, Nakamoto Holdings, and Genius Group. Collectively, these companies sold 15,501 BTC over the past week, with MARA accounting for the largest share.

This coordinated wave of selling highlights how widespread the current challenges have become.

Rising Energy Costs Squeeze Miners

A key driver behind this trend is the sharp increase in energy costs. According to Kadan Stadelmann, co-founder of AI company Compance, rising oil prices have substantially raised mining expenses.

Specifically, he explained that energy represents a major expense in Bitcoin mining, and as these costs rise, miners frequently sell their holdings to meet operational demands.

Notably, these pressures intensified after geopolitical tensions in the Middle East escalated in February. The situation pushed oil prices higher while simultaneously weighing on cryptocurrency markets, creating a difficult environment for miners.

Weaker Miners Exit as Network Metrics Decline

As costs continue to rise, the impact on mining activity is becoming more visible. Less efficient operators are increasingly shutting down, unable to sustain operations under current conditions.

In contrast, larger and more efficient miners are better positioned to continue. This shift is already affecting network performance metrics.

For context, data from CoinWarz shows mining difficulty dropped from around 145 trillion to 133 trillion on March 20. During the same period, hashrate declined from about 1,160 exahash to roughly 990 exahash by early April.

However, the situation remains fluid. Stadelmann noted that a drop in energy prices or a recovery in Bitcoin’s value could encourage miners to return. Meanwhile, stronger players may expand operations, potentially pushing hashrate and difficulty higher again.

Mining Sector Adjusts to Changing Economics

Overall, the recent wave of Bitcoin sales reflects a sector adjusting to shifting economic realities. Miners are navigating tighter margins, volatile prices, and rising operational costs.

Looking ahead, the pace of recovery will likely depend on energy markets and Bitcoin price trends. Until conditions improve, consolidation among efficient operators may continue to reshape the industry.

Shiba Inu Bearish Continuation Targets 12% Drop to $0.00000523

Elendu Benedict
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Shiba Inu Bearish Continuation Targets 12% Drop to $0.00000523

Shiba Inu is currently reacting after a key order block rejection, and analysis projects bearish continuation towards a lower liquidity zone.

Notably, Shiba Inu (SHIB) is showing this continued sign of weakness on the 4-hour timeframe, as highlighted by Crypto Patel’s X analysis. While the token has increased 3.2% since the start of today, a broader view of its recent price action points toward a possible move lower as selling pressure builds.

Key Points

  • Shiba Inu shows continued sign of weakness on the 4-hour timeframe, setting up a bearish continuation pattern.
  • The asset recently faced rejection at a higher-timeframe resistance zone near $0.0000060.
  • Following this rejection, the structure has started to shift, with attempts to push higher forming lower highs.
  • If the current structure holds, Shiba Inu could target the next liquidity levels below its current price.
  • The next areas of interest lie around $0.00000562 and $0.00000523, while a 4-hour close at $0.00000630 invalidates this move.
  • Exchange netflow and reserve growth are also mounting fresh pressure on Shiba Inu’s price trajectory.

Shiba Inu Reacts to Order Block

The analysis shows that the asset recently reacted at a higher-timeframe resistance zone near $0.0000060, where price previously faced rejection. For perspective, the rally to the previous week’s high of $0.00000628 on March 25 aligned with the daily order block.

SHIB faced rejection at this supply zone, and despite a retest of this area with an intraday high of $0.00000616 on March 30, the selling pressure proved insurmountable. Currently, the asset is retesting the order block at $0.0000060.

Following this rejection, the structure has started to shift. With attempts to push higher having failed, lower highs are forming, which typically signals weakening momentum. The analysis forecast a bearish continuation to lower prices.

Shiba Inu Downside Targets Come into Focus

If the current structure holds, Shiba Inu could face another rejection near the order block and then head downward. The targets are the next liquidity levels below its current price, which serve as natural price magnets in the short term.

The next area of interest lies around $0.00000562, marked as the “equal lows liquidity” level. The target is just 6% away from SHIB’s current price of $0.00000602. According to the chart, the next stop is a 12% drop to the “draw on liquidity” area at $0.00000523, where large orders lie in wait to be filled. 

Shiba Inu Downtrend Targets/Crypto Patel
Shiba Inu Downtrend Targets/Crypto Patel

However, this bearish outlook would change if Shiba Inu manages to close above $0.0000063 on the 4-hour timeframe. Such a move could absorb the selling pressure at the order block and weaken the current bearish structure, opening the door for a different trend.

Exchange Netflow Mounts Fresh Pressure

Meanwhile, exchange netflow and reserve growth are mounting fresh pressure on Shiba Inu’s price trajectory. These metrics have continued to increase daily as holders sell into strength.

The token rose 3.7% in the past 24 hours, yet the netflow into trading platforms has surged 2.5% in the same timeframe to 161 billion tokens. This selling bias, despite SHIB’s show of strength, reflects the current sentiment among market holders, who appear more determined to sell their stash.

Shiba Inu’s exchange reserve has also increased to 81.51 trillion SHIB, up from 81.32 trillion tokens on April 1.

Shiba Inu Exchange reserve/CryptoQuant
Shiba Inu Exchange reserve/CryptoQuant

The confluence of this mounting selling pressure and technical weakness does not look good for the token.

Cathie Wood Sees End of Bitcoin Wild Boom-and-Bust Era

Zabi
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Cathie Wood Sees End of Bitcoin Wild Boom-and-Bust Era

Bitcoin dramatic boom-and-bust cycles may be becoming a thing of the past as the asset matures, according to Ark Invest founder Cathie Wood.

In an interview with CNBC, Wood said Bitcoin has evolved beyond its early experimental phase into a more reliable financial system, increasingly supported by institutional investors. This shift, she argues, is already reshaping how the market behaves.

Key Points

  • Cathie Wood says Bitcoin’s extreme historical volatility is easing as the market matures.
  • A 50% price drop, once dramatic, is now relatively manageable in the crypto community.
  • Despite near-term weakness, Ark Invest projects Bitcoin could reach $761,900 by 2030, fueled by a $16 trillion market cap.
  • Institutional adoption, including ETFs and corporate holdings, is driving long-term stability and growth.
  • U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs and corporate treasuries now hold about 12% of the total Bitcoin supply, signaling deeper mainstream integration.

Bitcoin Volatility Expected to Ease

Specifically, Wood noted that Bitcoin’s extreme historical drawdowns, sometimes as steep as 95%, were largely a product of its infancy. As the market continues to mature, she believes such severe declines are unlikely to repeat.

Instead, expectations are changing. Even a 50% pullback, once seen as dramatic, is now considered relatively manageable within the crypto community. In other words, this reflects a broader shift toward viewing Bitcoin as a maturing asset rather than a speculative outlier.

Her comments come at a time when Bitcoin is struggling to regain momentum. Currently trading at $67,230, it remains below the key $70,000 level and sits roughly 47% beneath its all-time high of $126,080, reached on October 6, 2025.

Ark Invest Projects Massive Growth by 2030

Despite this near-term weakness, Ark Invest maintains a highly bullish long-term outlook.

For instance, in its Big Ideas 2026 report, the firm projects Bitcoin’s market capitalization could reach $16 trillion by 2030. Given this scenario, and its fixed supply of 21 million coins, this would imply a price of approximately $761,900 per Bitcoin, nearly a tenfold increase from current levels.

Moreover, Ark estimates the asset could grow at an annual rate of around 63% over the next five years, rising from roughly $2 trillion today to $16 trillion. Taken together, this projection highlights the scale of growth the firm expects as adoption accelerates.

Institutional Adoption Drives Long-Term Outlook

This optimistic outlook is closely tied to rising institutional involvement. Ark Invest emphasized that Bitcoin is increasingly being treated as a mainstream financial asset, often positioned as a digital store of value comparable to gold.

In particular, several trends reinforce this narrative, including the rise of exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the expansion of corporate treasury allocations, and the gradual decline in volatility.

According to Ark, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs and publicly listed companies now collectively hold about 12% of Bitcoin’s total supply. ETF holdings alone grew from 1.12 million BTC to 1.29 million BTC in 2025, marking a 19.7% increase. Over the same period, corporate holdings rose from 598,000 BTC to 1.09 million BTC, a significant 73% jump.

Consequently, their combined share climbed from 8.7% to 12%, signaling deeper institutional integration into the Bitcoin ecosystem.

Adjusted Outlook Amid Stablecoin Competition

Despite this optimism, Ark Invest has refined some of its assumptions. Earlier forecasts in April last year outlined Bitcoin price scenarios ranging from $300,000 to $1.5 million by 2030.

However, in November 2025, the firm reduced its most bullish estimate by $300,000. This adjustment was linked to the growing influence of stablecoins, which are taking on roles previously expected to be reserved for Bitcoin.

XRP Should Return to Its Original Vision, Not Serve as a ‘Banking Tool’ for Institutions – Crypto CEO

Abdulkarim Abdulwahab
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XRP Should Return to Its Original Vision, Not Serve as a ‘Banking Tool’ for Institutions – Crypto CEO

Anodos Finance CEO Pano Mekras has argued that XRP has drifted too far from its original purpose and should no longer be framed primarily as a tool for banks.

In a recent post, Mekras stated that XRP should be seen as “a decentralized commodity that lives on a democratic network,” rather than a product to serve institutional finance. His comments challenge the long-standing narrative positioning XRP as a bridge asset for banks and cross-border settlements.

Key Points

  • Anodos CEO says XRP should reflect its original decentralized vision, not just serve banks.
  • Mekras cites XRPL founders’ goal of peer-to-peer value exchange without financial gatekeepers.
  • The shift toward banks is for adoption strategy, not a redefinition of XRP itself.
  • In the community, some prioritize decentralization, others emphasize institutional use.

XRP Identity Crisis Resurfaces

Mekras’ stance highlights a growing divide in how community members perceive XRP. On one side are proponents emphasizing its role in institutional adoption through Ripple’s efforts to integrate XRP into global payment systems.

On the other side are voices like Mekras’, who argue that this framing overlooks the asset’s roots in decentralization and financial independence.

According to Mekras, labeling XRP as a “banker’s coin” is a misconception that has been amplified over time, obscuring its foundational goals.

Revisiting the Original Vision

Referencing XRP’s early development history, Mekras pointed to the work of XRP Ledger creators, including David Schwartz, Jed McCaleb, and Arthur Britto.

He argued that the initial aim was not to support banks, but to remove reliance on centralized financial intermediaries altogether.

Mekras cited Schwartz’s 2019 tweet, in which the former Ripple CTO complained about being unable to pay a tour guide due to a lifetime restriction from PayPal:

“They only take PayPal, and I have a lifetime ban. This perfectly symbolizes what has motivated me for the past eight years.”

In other words, this explains the founding principle behind the XRP Ledger.

Notably, XRPL launched in 2012 as an open, decentralized network enabling peer-to-peer value exchange without traditional gatekeepers.

Mekras described the system as a “public utility,” emphasizing its built-in decentralized exchange and tokenization capabilities as tools meant to empower individuals rather than institutions.

From Open Vision to Institutional Pivot

The debate also touches on what Mekras calls a “strategic pivot” in XRP’s narrative. As Ripple evolved from its early days as OpenCoin, the company began targeting banks and financial institutions. It promoted its technology as a faster and cheaper alternative for cross-border payments.

Mekras suggests this shift was more about driving adoption than redefining the asset itself. In his view, XRP remains fundamentally independent of Ripple, even as the company continues to build enterprise-focused solutions around it.

Community Divided

The discussion has sparked mixed reactions across the crypto space. Some agree that XRP’s decentralized features and open infrastructure are underappreciated, while others maintain that institutional integration is key to its long-term value.

Other community voices, such as Mason Versluis, have suggested that banks and financial institutions may have less incentive to adopt XRP. He cited Ripple’s massive holdings as a hindrance, claiming that major XRP adoption could make Ripple richer, and competitors may resist that outcome.

In response, Schwartz has said that banks will adopt XRP regardless, provided it makes business sense to do so.

Derivatives Data Signals Caution as Shiba Inu Sees Sharp Drop in Net Exposure

Zabi
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Derivatives Data Signals Caution as Shiba Inu Sees Sharp Drop in Net Exposure

Shiba Inu records modest gains amid a broader crypto rebound, but derivatives data signals weakening trader confidence and reduced market participation.

Key Points

  • Shiba Inu rose 2.37% in line with a broader crypto market recovery, reaching $0.00000598.
  • Derivatives activity weakened sharply, with SHIB futures netflow dropping 865%, signaling reduced trader engagement.
  • Net outflows slightly exceeded inflows ($6.58M vs $6.21M), suggesting traders are reducing exposure rather than adding positions.
  • Price action remains range-bound between $0.00000562 and $0.00000644, indicating weak breakout demand.
  • Despite cautious sentiment, SHIB wallet holders hit a record 1.56 million, showing continued long-term adoption growth.

Market Rebound Lifts SHIB, but Signals Remain Mixed

Shiba Inu posted mild gains over the past 24 hours, reflecting a wider recovery across digital assets. The meme-inspired token rose 2.37% to $0.00000598, moving in line with the general market trend.

The broader market also edged higher, with total capitalization increasing 0.18% to $2.13 trillion. Bitcoin climbed to $66,636, while Ethereum added 0.50% to reach $2,061.

Despite these gains, underlying indicators suggest that investor sentiment remains cautious, pointing to a growing disconnect between price action and trader confidence.

Derivatives Data Points to Caution

This caution becomes clearer when examining derivative activity. Data from CoinGlass shows that Shiba Inu’s futures netflow dropped sharply by 865% within 24 hours.

Specifically, inflows reached $6.21 million, while outflows slightly exceeded them at $6.58 million, indicating a net reduction in exposure.

Such outflows typically suggest that traders are stepping back rather than building new positions. This trend aligns with broader market conditions, where $145.71 million in long liquidations were recorded over the same period. These losses among bullish traders have likely reinforced a more defensive stance across the market.

Range-Bound Price Reflects Weak Demand

Against this backdrop, Shiba Inu’s price has remained largely confined within a narrow band since March 11, 2026. The token has fluctuated between $0.00000562 and $0.00000644, showing limited breakout momentum.

This steady range reflects a deeper imbalance in market dynamics. Specifically, existing holders appear to outweigh new demand, which can limit price growth even during short-term rallies.

In addition, on-chain indicators suggest that retail investors are still hesitant. Many participants seem to be waiting for clearer directional signals before committing capital, which further slows momentum.

Competitive Pressure and Growing Adoption

Amid the current market conditions, the competitive landscape for meme-inspired cryptocurrencies is evolving. Shiba Inu, currently the second-largest meme coin, faces the possibility of being overtaken by MemeCore (M). 

For context, Shiba Inu ranks 26th by overall market capitalization, at $3.52 billion. Close behind, MemeCore sits at 28th with a market cap of $3.38 billion. The narrowing gap suggests a shift in rankings could be imminent if current trends persist.

However, adoption trends provide a more encouraging signal. According to Etherscan, the number of SHIB wallet holders has reached a record 1.56 million. This steady growth indicates sustained user interest over time.

Taken together, these factors present a mixed outlook for Shiba Inu. On the one hand, price gains and rising numbers of holders suggest ongoing engagement. On the other hand, declining derivatives activity and cautious investor behavior point to limited conviction. 

Ultimately, while long-term adoption appears intact, short-term momentum may depend on stronger demand and clearer market direction.

XRP Risks Another 33% Drop After Breaking $1.31 Support

Elendu Benedict
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XRP Risks Another 33% Drop After Breaking $1.31 Support

XRP is not looking good at the moment after falling below a key support area, and analysis suggests further downsides could follow.

XRP tested sub-$1.31 on Thursday as a fresh update on the macroeconomic front put downward pressure on the price. The altcoin fell to an intraday low of $1.281, briefly breaking down from a key support area.

Key Points

  • XRP tested $1.31 on Thursday, briefly breaking down from a key support area.
  • With support looking shaky, data points to a potential sharp price correction, targeting the $1.05-$1.09 range first.
  • From here, a brief relief rally in the form of a wave 4 uptrend could ensue, pushing XRP toward $1.271.
  • XRP could then record a final leg down to the $0.87 macro support.
  • Despite the persisting downtrend, the long-term price target for XRP remains bullish.

XRP Breakdown Playing Out

Market analyst CasiTrades shared an update on the XRP price action after the recent bearish trend briefly pushed it below the 0.618 Fibonacci support at $1.310. Notably, the coin has reclaimed this level, changing hands at $1.315 at the time of writing, but momentum remains weak.

With the support looking shaky, CasiTrades expects a sharp price correction. An accompanying chart further highlighted an RSI triangle breakdown on the hourly chart, indicating that bears are in control of the market. The alignment between price and RSI leaves no room for bullish divergence, confirming that downward momentum dominates proceedings.

XRP Support Breakdown/CasiTrades
XRP Support Breakdown/CasiTrades

The analyst’s first downward target is the $1.05-$1.09 price range. The upper range closely aligns with the 0.786 Fibonacci retracement level at $1.085 and implies a 16.7% drop from the current price. Meanwhile, a weaker scenario would entail an approximately 20% decline to the range’s lower boundary at $1.05.

According to her, this move will complete wave 3 in a broader corrective Elliott Wave pattern.

Brief Relief Before Further Pullback

The $1.05-$1.09 range is not the analyst’s final downward target, but she does not expect XRP’s correction to be a straight move. When it visits this area, CasiTrades predicts a brief relief rally in the form of a wave 4 uptrend.

The accompanying chart shows that this short rebound will push XRP to the 0.50 Fibonacci level at $1.271, representing a 21% recovery from $1.05. From there, the market watcher expects one final leg down.

Meanwhile, the target for this final downturn is the $0.87 macro support, aligning with the 0.854 Fibonacci retracement level. Notably, this culminates in a 33% drop from the current market price.

This has been Casi’s long-standing target for the current downturn, as she has repeatedly marked the dip as a necessary event before XRP can flip the bearish trend.

Bullish Targets When Downtrend Ends 

Despite the persisting downtrend, the long-term price target for XRP remains bullish, so much so that CasiTrades views $6 as conservative. Last month, she suggested that, after waiting for 8 years, the $3.6 ATH is unlikely to be XRP’s peak price, urging holders to raise their expectations.

In a separate analysis, she claimed that factors are aligning to take XRP’s price to $80 per coin. Other analysts, such as EGRAG Crypto, also share similar ambitious targets for XRP in the mid- to long term. The analyst sees XRP reaching $27, citing a breakout from a multi-year triangle.

It’s “Game Over” Once XRP Bootstraps Native DEX with Deep Liquidity: Validator

Mark Brennan
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It’s “Game Over” Once XRP Bootstraps Native DEX with Deep Liquidity: Validator

An XRP validator has suggested that once the community bootstraps the native DEX with Deep liquidity, it’s “game over.”

The XRP Ledger (XRPL) is seeing steady growth following recent upgrades, but a major gap remains. Vet stressed that building deep liquidity and bringing in high-quality assets to its native DEX could be the deciding factor.

Key Points

  • Vet said bootstrapping XRPL’s native DEX with deep liquidity and high-quality assets could mean “game over.”
  • XRPL has made progress in boosting on-chain liquidity, with the AMM ecosystem growing to 27,991 pools.
  • The network already processes millions of daily payments, with peaks above 2.7 million.
  • XRPL already holds $2 billion in real-world assets and $1.5 billion in represented RWAs, ranking among the top networks.
  • The proposed XLS-66D lending protocol could help boost DEX liquidity further if approved.

Liquidity Boost Means “Game Over”

Amid recent upgrades and increasing activity on the XRPL, Vet, a dUNL validator, has implied that deep liquidity and strong asset quality may be the missing pieces needed to push the network further in decentralized finance (DeFi). 

He claimed that building up the XRPL’s native decentralized exchange (DEX) with these elements could mean “game over.”

Notably, this builds on the network’s current strengths. Specifically, XRPL already runs a built-in DEX that supports order books and Automated Market Makers (AMMs). 

It boasts fast settlement times of 3-5 seconds, very low fees, and built-in support for tokenized assets. Once the network combines these features with deep liquidity and high-quality assets, it could gain an edge over competitors.

XRPL AMM Growth and Rising Trading Volumes

Vet’s comments come on the back of recent improvements in on-chain liquidity. Over the past two years, XRPL has made progress in boosting liquidity, especially after launching AMM functionality in 2024. 

The network now has 27,991 active AMM pools, with 22,462 assets and 16,450 unique tokens. Out of the active trading pairs, 21,840 pairs involve XRP, with about 12.751 million XRP currently locked across these pools.

XRPL AMM Ecosystem
XRPL AMM Ecosystem

Further, trading activity has also increased. Reports from earlier this year confirmed that daily DEX volumes ranged between $450 million and $600 million, marking about a 40% rise compared to the previous year. This growth has come from more consistent participation, especially from institutional-style traders.

Growth in Payments in Tokenized Assets

Elsewhere, XRPL continues to show strong performance in payments. The network processes millions of successful payments each day, with The Crypto Basic confirming recent peaks crossing the 2.7 million mark. 

At the same time, the network has expanded its role in tokenization. XRPL ranks seventh among blockchain networks by total real-world asset (RWA) value, with $2 billion recorded. 

Meanwhile, when considering only represented RWAs, it ranks fourth with $1.5 billion, placing it ahead of networks like Polygon, Avalanche, Solana, and Ethereum.

XRPL Represented RWA Standing
XRPL Represented RWA Standing

Tokenized U.S. Treasuries on XRPL make up much of this value, having reached $331 million in market value. The network also supports money market funds, gold, and other commodities through issuers such as Archax. In total, XRPL holds $1.1 billion in tokenized commodities, which makes up 15% of the global market in that category. 

Liquidity Depth Still Needs Improvement

Despite this progress, the XRP ecosystem still needs to improve the depth of its liquidity to match more established DeFi platforms. 

While trading volumes continue to grow, many pools do not yet have enough capital to support larger-scale activity. This shows that the network still needs more consistent and deeper liquidity to compete at the highest level.

As a result, the community has started focusing on ways to bring more capital into the system and make better use of existing funds, leading to Vet’s recent commentary.

Community Eyes Lending Protocol 

Notably, XLS-66D, a proposed native lending protocol aimed at improving liquidity, could help in this regard. This update was introduced in rippled version 3.1.0 and entered validator voting in January 2026. 

It would allow on-chain, uncollateralized loans with fixed terms of about 30 to 180 days, funded through pooled assets in Single Asset Vaults built on XLS-65D. The proposal targets institutional users by offering a more efficient way to use capital. 

As of now, the proposal remains under review by the XRPL’s 34 dUNL validators. However, support has been low so far, as validators remain cautious. Vet has advised the community to carefully review the proposal to ensure it is secure before approving it.

If approved, the upgrade could bring in large amounts of capital. According to Vet, firms like Evernorth are already preparing for the activation of the protocol.

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