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New Japanese Payment System Launches on XRP Ledger to Solve Last Friction in TradFi

Lele Jima
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New Japanese Payment System Launches on XRP Ledger to Solve Last Friction in TradFi

A new Japanese payment platform, Vlightup Inc., has launched a global trade finance payment system built on the XRP Ledger (XRPL). 

Popular XRPL dUNL validator Vet spotlighted the rollout, suggesting that the launch is part of Vlightup’s efforts to modernize traditional financial processes.

According to a press release, the platform introduces multi-party smart escrow functionality for Letter of Credit (LC) transactions, directly targeting the lingering inefficiencies in traditional trade finance settlement. 

Key Points 

  • XRP Ledger serves as a settlement infrastructure for Vlightup’s new trade finance platform. 
  • Vlightup aims to eliminate the final friction in traditional finance by leveraging XRPL’s native escrow functionality.
  • Funds will be locked until all predefined consensus conditions are satisfied, preventing any single participant from unilaterally blocking or diverting payments. 
  • The new service depends on advanced smart escrow capabilities, which are expected to become fully available on XRPL. 

Rationale Behind the Platform

Vlightup aims to eliminate what it describes as the “last friction” in TradFi. This includes the manual, delay-prone, and risk-exposed payment execution layer that remains even after trade documentation has gone digital. 

Although global trade has steadily adopted electronic documentation, such as electronic Letters of Credit and electronic Bills of Lading, settlement execution still depends heavily on manual verification, discretionary approvals, and fragmented banking systems. As a result, delays, disputes, and fraud risks persist despite digital documentation.

Leveraging XRPL to Address Bottlenecks

To resolve these bottlenecks, Vlightup built its solution on XRPL. The company combines XRPL’s native escrow functionality with a proprietary distributed consensus algorithm to power the system. 

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Specifically, the platform enables multi-party smart escrow settlement, where each stakeholder in an LC transaction holds distributed signature authority. Funds remain locked on the XRP Ledger and are released only when predefined consensus conditions are met. Consequently, no single participant can unilaterally block payments or divert funds. 

Notably, the development follows the activation of the Token Escrow amendment, XLS-85, which enables escrows for Multi-Purpose Tokens (MPTs) and Trust Line Tokens.  

It’s worth noting that XRPL provides deterministic transaction finality, built-in escrow features, low transaction costs, and strong throughput. In addition, XRPL natively supports multi-signature governance, reinforcing its suitability for multi-party LC consensus structures. Supporters argue that these qualities make it well-suited for institutional trade settlement. 

Meanwhile, Vet further noted that Vlightup’s new service hinges on advanced smart escrow capabilities once available on XRPL. 

How Much Will 1 Shiba Inu Be Worth If Dogecoin Hits $10?

Lele Jima
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How Much Will 1 Shiba Inu Be Worth If Dogecoin Hits $10?

Shiba Inu has had a close correlation with Dogecoin, and investors are considering how SHIB could react if DOGE ever reaches $10. 

Notably, the market staged a relief rally yesterday, but prices have not fully recovered from recent drawdowns. Investors continue to await a strong catalyst that could ignite a sustained market-wide rebound.

In particular, Shiba Inu has suffered a sharp decline so far this year while its price closely tracked Dogecoin, the leading meme coin. Historically, rallies in Dogecoin often trigger proportional gains in Shiba Inu, and the reverse has also been true.

Data from CryptoRank shows that since the start of the year, Dogecoin has fallen 17.4%, while Shiba Inu has dropped 18.2%. Given this strong correlation, many investors are now asking how high SHIB could climb if Dogecoin eventually reaches $10.

Key Points

  • Shiba Inu has closely tracked Dogecoin’s performance this year, with both assets down 18.2% and 17.4%, respectively.
  • Analysts consider $10 a plausible long-term target for Dogecoin, with some projections pointing to 2035.
  • ChatGPT estimates that Shiba Inu could trade with two to three zeros if DOGE reaches $10.
  • Other projections suggest SHIB could rise to around $0.0005824 if it grows in line with Dogecoin.

Dogecoin to $10 Prediction

This $10 scenario has gained traction following bullish forecasts from prominent analysts who believe DOGE could explode. Notably, this target exceeds Dogecoin’s previous all-time high of $0.7376 by an extraordinary margin.

Analysts such as Ali Martinez, Steph (known as “Steph is Crypto”), and DOGE Capital have described $10 as a realistic long-term target. In September 2025, The Crypto Basic estimated that DOGE would take more than 15 years to reach $10 if it grew at a steady 2% per month, placing the timeline around July 2041.

Meanwhile, prediction platform Telegaon projects a faster path, suggesting Dogecoin could reach $10 by 2035.

Dogecoin to $10
Dogecoin to $10

Despite the uncertainty surrounding these projections, any rally to $10 would require strong bullish conditions across the crypto market. Such momentum would benefit other assets, including Shiba Inu.

Proportional Growth Scenario

Since Shiba Inu has closely mirrored Dogecoin’s performance this year, one proportional-growth model assumes SHIB would rise at the same rate as DOGE.

At press time, Dogecoin trades at $0.09690 with a market cap of $14.85 billion. To reach $10, DOGE would need to surge approximately 10,219%, potentially pushing its market cap to about $1.5 trillion.

If Shiba Inu recorded the same percentage gain, its price would rise from $0.000005644 to a new all-time high of approximately $0.0005824. Under this scenario, SHIB’s market cap would climb to roughly $343.17 billion.

Alternative Market Cap Scenarios

However, a more conservative outlook from ChatGPT assumes Shiba Inu captures only a fraction of Dogecoin’s projected valuation.

For instance, if SHIB attains just 10% of Dogecoin’s projected $1.5 trillion market cap, its valuation would reach $150 billion. Dividing that figure by Shiba Inu’s circulating supply of 589.24 trillion tokens results in a price of approximately $0.00025 per SHIB.

Similarly:

  • At 25% of DOGE’s projected market cap ($375 billion), SHIB would trade around $0.00063.
  • Also, at 50% ($750 billion), SHIB would reach approximately $0.00127.
  • At 100% ($1.5 trillion), SHIB would trade near $0.0025.

ChatGPT Dogecoin and Shiba Inu Projections
ChatGPT Dogecoin and Shiba Inu Projections

These projections remain entirely hypothetical. No guarantee that Dogecoin will reach $10 or that Shiba Inu will mirror its growth, even in a strongly bullish market. Investors should therefore treat these scenarios as mathematical models rather than price predictions.

Evernorth CEO Says XRP Was Built for Finance, Expanding Beyond Digital Gold Narrative

Abdulkarim Abdulwahab
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Evernorth CEO Says XRP Was Built for Finance, Expanding Beyond Digital Gold Narrative

The chief executive of Evernorth, Asheesh Birla, says the role of XRP is evolving as crypto markets mature amid geopolitical uncertainty.

He argues that the asset’s growing utility is pushing it beyond the “digital gold” narrative. Notably, Birla shared this perspective on X amid the resilience of crypto assets amid ongoing geopolitical tension.

Key Points

  • Asheesh Birla says XRP is expanding beyond the “digital gold” narrative as its financial use cases grow.

  • Birla notes crypto markets stayed resilient during global tensions, with some investors rotating into digital assets alongside Gold.

  • He argues the XRP network is for payments, lending, and tokenized finance infrastructure.

  • Evernorth plans a $1B XRP treasury to support settlement, DeFi, and tokenized asset products.

Crypto Resilient Amid Global Tension

Birla explained that geopolitical tensions typically trigger “risk-off” behavior in financial markets, reducing liquidity and increasing volatility. However, he noted that digital assets have shown resilience even as global markets react to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

According to Birla, recent market data indicates that some investors are rotating into crypto alongside traditional safe-haven assets such as Gold.

He pointed to March 2 market figures showing the Nasdaq Crypto Index rising about 5% while gold climbed roughly 3%, even as the S&P 500 remained largely flat. At the same time, oil prices surged amid geopolitical tensions.

Birla said these movements suggest that some investors are beginning to view digital assets as part of a hedge strategy similar to gold.

XRP Utility Expanding Beyond the Digital Gold Narrative

While crypto is often compared to gold as a store of value, Birla argued that blockchain networks are increasingly becoming the infrastructure layer for the next generation of finance.

In particular, he emphasized that XRP was designed with financial use cases in mind. According to Birla, XRP’s utility across lending, payments, and on-chain finance is expanding its role beyond being a digital store of value.

Birla has previously argued that the XRP Ledger was engineered specifically for real-world financial applications, offering near-instant settlement, low fees, and high throughput. These features allow it to support cross-border payments, liquidity management, asset tokenization, and decentralized finance at scale.

Crypto Rally Returns as Risk Appetite Improves

Birla’s remarks come as the crypto market rallies following easing fears around the Israel-Iran conflict.

Bitcoin recently broke above $74,000, marking its highest level since early February. The rally extended across major digital assets. Ethereum surged about 8% to reclaim the $2,100 level, while Solana gained more than 6%. XRP itself climbed roughly 5% to around $1.44 during the same period.

The move coincided with roughly $700 million flowing into U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs since the start of March, asmarkets began to price in a more stable geopolitical outlook.

Although the conflict in the Middle East remains unresolved, the initial shock to global markets appears to be fading as oil prices stabilize and investors return to risk assets.

Evernorth Building Around XRP

Notably, Evernorth is positioning itself to benefit from the expanding financial role of XRP and the XRP Ledger.

Birla previously revealed that the company is building one of the biggest institutional XRP treasuries, targeting at least $1 billion in capital allocation to the asset. The firm plans to deploy XRP across settlement flows, treasury operations, tokenized asset frameworks, and institutional DeFi applications.

Evernorth also intends to generate yield from its XRP holdings and reinvest those proceeds back into the ecosystem. At the same time, it will be supporting new financial products and infrastructure on the XRP Ledger.

Birla believes the shift of traditional finance onto blockchain networks is only beginning and that systems designed specifically for financial use cases could capture a significant share of institutional activity as the transition accelerates.

For him, the evolution of crypto during periods of market stress is part of a broader trend. While assets like Bitcoin may continue to be compared with gold, Birla suggests networks such as XRP are positioning themselves as the plumbing for the future of global finance.

Do Not Sleep on This Cardano Data Point: Market Veteran

Elendu Benedict
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Do Not Sleep on This Cardano Data Point: Market Veteran

Cardano has shown a strong correlation with a key economic metric, and historical indicators point to a possible price expansion.

This development comes as Cardano fails to replicate the recent recovery demonstrated by Bitcoin. While the crypto leader surged past $73,000 to a 1-month high, ADA increased slightly but failed to engulf the previous day’s candle, signaling that bears are still in charge.

Still, a key macro indicator suggests a bullish phase is coming for the 10th largest cryptocurrency by market cap.

Key Points

  • The Cardano monthly chart has shown a notable correlation with the manufacturing purchasing manager’s index (PMI).
  • The PMI/business cycle has remained compressed for years, and this has reflected on ADA’s performance.
  • Recently, the PMI is starting to turn bullish as recent ISM data shows that the metric now stands at 52.4%, up for the third time in 40 months.
  • If this plays out to its full course, then history suggests there is plenty to be bullish about Cardano.
  • The current ADA trend closely resembles the 2019 correction, in which it posted red candles in six of seven months, QT ended, and the PMI expanded.

Cardano and the PMI

Market veteran Dan Gambardello analyzed the Cardano monthly chart in his recent post, identifying a notable correlation with its trend and the manufacturing purchasing manager’s index (PMI). For the uninitiated, this metric shows the health of the production and supplies sector.

An accompanying chart shows that this macro indicator has closely dictated the trend of altcoins like Cardano. Periods of compression have seen ADA move sideways or consolidate, and an expansion phase has correlated with a bullish phase for the cryptocurrency.

Cardano 1M Chart Analysis/Dan Gambardello
Cardano 1M Chart Analysis/Dan Gambardello

The PMI/business cycle has faced compression for years, and this has reflected on ADA’s performance. For context, Cardano failed to reach 50% of its all-time high during the 2024/2025 bull run, lacking the required momentum to surge considerably. 

The broader crypto market also experienced this, as it did not receive the fundamental backing that had spurred earlier explosive price action. This has led some analysts to suggest the just-concluded bullish phase was a “quasi bull market.”

Meanwhile, the PMI is starting to expand, and Gambardello has urged enthusiasts not to sleep on this data point. Recent ISM data shows that the metric now stands at 52.4%, up for the third time in 40 months. If this plays out to its full course, then history suggests there is plenty to be bullish about Cardano.

Where We Are and What Could Happen

In the meantime, ADA remains within bearish territories, amid its sixth consecutive monthly red candle following a bearish close to February. Compared to past events, this is not the first time this has happened for the coin.

While it has shown the same price action as after the September 2021 top at $3.12, where it recorded six red monthly candles, the analyst argues that this is not the case for ADA at the moment. According to him, it closely resembles the 2019 correction, where it posted red candles in six of seven months between June and December that year.

Moreover, fundamentals support this. Gambardello highlighted that quantitative tightening ended during this period, and the business cycle began to expand, ushering in a strong upward phase in Cardano prices to unprecedented levels. 

These conditions align with the current market, with quantitative tightening ending in December 2025 and the PMI showing strength. With liquidity expected to flood the global market, history shows that something interesting could be in the pipeline for ADA.

Trump Says U.S. Must Remain “Dominant” in Crypto as Stablecoin Yield Fight Intensifies

Zabi
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Trump Says U.S. Must Remain “Dominant” in Crypto as Stablecoin Yield Fight Intensifies

U.S. President Donald Trump has said the United States must remain “dominant” in the cryptocurrency industry.

His remarks come as policymakers continue debating how cryptocurrencies should be regulated. At the same time, tensions are increasing between crypto companies and traditional banks. For instance, there is strong tension over whether stablecoin providers should be allowed to offer yield-like returns to users.

Key Points

  • Trump sides with the crypto industry, urging banks not to block legislation advancing digital asset regulation.
  • A central dispute centers on stablecoin yields, with crypto firms seeking to offer interest-like returns and banks warning of risks to deposits.
  • The Clarity Act, intended to clarify digital-asset rules, has stalled due to disagreements between the crypto industry and banks.
  • The GENIUS Act, passed last year, established the first U.S. framework for stablecoins and is a foundation for new legislation.
  • Trump warns that regulatory delays could push crypto firms overseas, benefiting countries like China.
  • Questions arise about potential conflicts of interest given the Trump family’s links to World Liberty Financial.

Stablecoin Yield Debate Drives Industry Tensions

The disagreement between the two industries largely revolves around stablecoin yields.

Crypto companies want the ability to offer interest-style returns on stablecoin holdings, arguing that such products would allow consumers to earn income on idle digital funds. In addition, proponents say this feature could make digital assets more useful as everyday financial tools.

Banks, however, view the proposal as a potential threat. Financial institutions warn that yield-bearing stablecoins could divert large sums of money away from the traditional banking system, potentially weakening deposits and disrupting existing financial structures.

Despite these concerns, some crypto firms are already exploring the concept. For example, the Coinbase exchange has expressed interest in developing products that could provide yield-style returns to users.

Trump Pressures Banks Over Crypto Policy

Against this backdrop, Trump publicly sided with the crypto industry. In a social media post late Tuesday, he criticized banks for resisting legislation that would advance digital asset regulation.

Trump argued that banks should work toward an agreement with the crypto sector rather than obstruct policy efforts. He also said Americans deserve better opportunities to grow their savings.

At the same time, the president noted that many banks are reporting record profits. According to Trump, financial institutions should not block policies that could expand financial options for consumers.

He also warned that continued regulatory delays could drive the crypto industry overseas. In particular, countries such as China, he said, might attract digital asset companies if the United States fails to create a supportive regulatory environment.

Legislative Efforts Face Delays

The ongoing dispute has slowed progress on the Clarity Act, a legislation designed to establish rules for digital asset markets. Lawmakers introduced the bill to clarify regulatory responsibilities and create a more defined framework for the industry.

The measure is closely connected to the GENIUS Act, which Congress approved last year. That law created the first regulatory framework focused specifically on stablecoins.

Trump described the GENIUS Act as a major step toward positioning the United States as a global hub for cryptocurrency. In his view, passing the Clarity Act would build on that foundation and further strengthen the country’s standing in the digital asset market.

Even so, the bill’s future remains uncertain. Although Republicans control Congress, the ongoing disagreement between banks and crypto firms has slowed legislative momentum.

Conflict-of-Interest Questions Emerge

Trump’s strong support for the crypto sector has also attracted scrutiny for another reason: his family’s financial ties to digital asset ventures. One example is World Liberty Financial, a crypto platform linked to business interests associated with the Trump family.

These connections have raised questions about potential conflicts of interest as crypto-related legislation moves through Congress. Critics argue that such ties could complicate the policy debate surrounding digital assets.

The Path Forward for U.S. Crypto Policy

For now, Trump’s backing could influence lawmakers as discussions over crypto regulation continue. However, it remains unclear whether his support will be enough to secure approval of the Clarity Act.

What is certain is that the outcome of this debate could significantly shape the future of cryptocurrency regulation in the United States. Decisions made in Congress may determine whether the country strengthens its leadership in the digital asset industry or risks losing ground to global competitors.

Sound Planning Group CEO Calls XRP the True “Integration Play” on NYSE Floor

Sam Wisdom Raphael
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Sound Planning Group CEO Calls XRP the True “Integration Play” on NYSE Floor

The CEO of Sound Planning Group recently called XRP the “integration play” amid the market reaction to tensions in the Middle East.

The conflict between Israel and Iran has shaken global markets, sending precious metals and stocks lower while energy prices climbed. In contrast, the crypto market has started recovering after an early drop, with assets such as Bitcoin and XRP seeing some recent gains. 

Amid the mixed reactions, David Stryzewski, CEO of Sound Planning Group, called the market dip a potential long-term buying opportunity. He highlighted blockchain platforms such as Ethereum and XRP as technologies to watch, arguing that the real “integration play” is XRP.

Key Points

  • Sound Planning Group CEO Stryzewski said the market pullback tied to the Israel–Iran tensions could create buying opportunities for long-term investors.
  • He explained that AI and blockchain have begun merging to build better systems, with technologies like digital payments and Web 3.0 moving toward Web 4.0.
  • Stryzewski highlighted Ethereum and XRP as blockchain platforms worth watching, noting that investors should follow institutional adoption, particularly XRP’s integration with banks.
  • He added that Bitcoin could face pressure if the Nasdaq Composite declines, while XRP’s role in cross-border payments positions it as the stronger “integration play.”

The Integration of AI and Blockchain

Stryzewski made the recent comments in an interview with Schwab Network’s Nicole Petallides on the Opening Bell program broadcast from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE),

During the interview, Petallides highlighted technology. She explained that much of the recent discussion had centered on oil and developments related to Iran, with little room to talk about technology trends such as AI and blockchain. She asked what people who follow the tech sector should pay attention to.

In response, Stryzewski said AI and blockchain are starting to work closely together. According to him, the two technologies have begun combining to create better systems that could change how businesses operate and how people handle everyday transactions.

Stryzewski added that as AI becomes more integrated into daily life, it could act like a personal assistant that helps manage routine tasks, such as scheduling appointments. He suggested that this trend could mark the transition of the internet from Web 3.0 to Web 4.0.

XRP and Ethereum Stand Out in the Integration Trend

When discussing investment opportunities for these developments, Stryzewski said investors should look at companies and technologies that already connect with large financial institutions. He highlighted Ethereum and XRP as examples of blockchain platforms that could benefit from integration into the financial system.

In particular, he told viewers to pay attention to XRP’s growing connections with banks and financial institutions. To him, following where institutional money flows can help investors identify assets with stronger long-term potential.

Speaking further, Stryzewski revealed that he believes the global financial system will rely more on stablecoins, cross-border payment networks, and faster digital transaction systems in the future.

“The Integration Play is XRP”

Amid the conversation, Petallides pointed out that while Stryzewski had talked about XRP and Ethereum, he had not mentioned Bitcoin. Notably, the absence of Bitcoin was noteworthy, especially since it often dominates discussions about crypto assets.

Stryzewski clarified that he supports Bitcoin and would still like to own it. However, he explained that his short-term investment view focuses on assets with greater potential upside relative to their current price levels.

At the time of the interview, he noted that Bitcoin traded around $67,000, while Ethereum and XRP traded at more favorable positions. Because XRP changes hands at a much lower price level, he believes it boasts stronger upside potential in the near term.

He also added that Bitcoin could face downward pressure if the Nasdaq Composite falls. By contrast, he called XRP the stronger “integration play.” This is largely because of its growing role in connecting financial institutions and supporting cross-border payments.

XRP Defending Breakout Against Bitcoin

Meanwhile, Stryzewski’s view also matches the outlook of several market analysts who believe XRP could outperform Bitcoin under the right conditions. One of them, market analyst Javon Marks, recently highlighted XRP’s performance against Bitcoin.

Marks explained that XRP broke above a descending trendline against Bitcoin during the November 2024 rally. While XRP has continued to decline against Bitcoin after reaching the $3.4 peak in January 2025, it has held above the breakout level.

He also noted that XRP defended a similar descending trendline breakout for six months in 2024 before launching another strong rally later that year. This time, however, the breakout appears much larger. Due to the larger pattern, Marks believes XRP could potentially rise as much as 600% against Bitcoin.

XRP Now Holding a Larger Breakout Against Bitcoin Than It Did Before the 500% Spike in Nov 2024

Mark Brennan
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XRP Now Holding a Larger Breakout Against Bitcoin Than It Did Before the 500% Spike in Nov 2024

Market data shows that XRP currently holds a larger breakout against Bitcoin than it did before its 500% surge in November 2024.

Amid the ongoing market-wide downward pressure, XRP has not fared well against Bitcoin, as the crypto firstborn shows greater resilience against the bears. However, data indicates that XRP could be eyeing a sharp spike, as it has continued to defend a large breakout against BTC despite the current downturn.

Key Points 

  • With the crypto market suffering sustained turbulence, Bitcoin has shown more resilience than XRP, up 7.37% against the altcoin this year.
  • Despite XRP’s mild underperformance, it has continued to defend a breakout against Bitcoin that played out in November 2024.
  • Data shows that XRP recorded a similar breakout in April 2024, and what followed was the 500% rise in November 2024 after it defended the breakout for six months.
  • The latest breakout was much larger than what the market recorded in April 2024, leading to suggestions of a more explosive surge of 620% in the future.
  • Should XRP witness such a rally, it could take its price toward the $10 territory, marking a new all-time high.

XRP Defends Breakout Against Bitcoin

This suggestion came from Javon Marks, a well-known market commentator, despite XRP underperforming against Bitcoin since July 2025, when it dropped from its all-time high of $3.6. 

For context, the XRP/BTC pair rose to a high of 0.00003070 in July 2025 when XRP’s price hit the $3.6 peak. However, as XRP pulled back, the pair saw a decline. This decline has persisted since then, with the XRP/BTC pair currently sitting at 0.00001959. This is because XRP has suffered steeper declines than BTC in the ongoing downturn.

However, Marks’ chart shows that XRP has continued to defend a breakout against Bitcoin despite its underperformance. Notably, in November 2024, the XRP/BTC pair broke above a descending trendline on the 2-week chart that had limited XRP’s potential since January 2018. 

This breakout came as a result of XRP’s 580% rise from $0.5 to $3.4 by January 2025, lifting the XRP/BTC pair from 0.00000725 to 0.00003419 within the same period. Today, XRP/BTC has dropped from that peak to 0.00001962. However, the breakout level sits way below at around 0.00001, indicating that XRP has continued to defend a position above the trendline.

XRP Against Bitcoin 2W Chart Javon Marks
XRP Against Bitcoin 2W Chart | Javon Marks

What Comes Next? Historical Data Gives Hints

Marks insists that XRP’s ability to defend this breakout shows a larger upsurge may be on the horizon, citing historical data. Interestingly, the analyst made a similar call as far back as June 2024, when he identified a similar descending trendline breakout on the 2-day timeframe.

Notably, XRP broke above a shorter descending trendline in April 2024, when the XRPBTC pair spiked above 0.00000860 at the time, hitting a peak of 0.00000902 by May 2024. However, after this peak, the pair faced a pullback and declined, as XRP started underperforming against Bitcoin. 

XRP Against Bitcoin 2D Chart Javon Marks
XRP Against Bitcoin 2D Chart | Javon Marks

Despite the consistent decline, XRP defended the April 2024 breakout, even as the XRPBTC pair dropped to 0.00000724 in November 2024. From here, the explosive November 2024 rally ensued, coming six months after the original breakout in April of that year.

Marks believes a similar trend could play out. He pointed out that the latest breakout on the 2-week chart marked a larger structure than the previous one on the 2-day chart. As a result, he expects XRP to rise 620% against Bitcoin this time. This would push the XRP/BTC pair to 0.0001410, translating to an XRP price of $10 at Bitcoin’s current price of $71,000. 

U.S. Veteran Makes Bold Predictions About XRP vs. Bitcoin

Mark Brennan
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U.S. Veteran Makes Bold Predictions About XRP vs. Bitcoin

A U.S. veteran has made bold predictions surrounding XRP, Bitcoin, and the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict.

Patrick L Riley, a former U.S. combat medic turned market commentator, recently shared two bold projections. Taking to X, he suggested that the current conflict involving Israel and Iran will not last four to five weeks, and further argued that XRP will overtake Bitcoin in market value. The pundit failed to provide any context for his forecasts.

Key Points

  • While XRP sits as the fourth-largest crypto asset by market cap, Patrick Riley believes it has the potential to surpass Bitcoin.
  • Currently, XRP has a market cap of $86.9 billion, while Bitcoin’s valuation sits at $1.448 trillion, indicating that BTC is over 16x larger.
  • For XRP to overtake Bitcoin, its price would have to rise 1,580% to a new peak of $23.69, considering the current circulating supply of 61.1 billion tokens.
  • Besides Riley, other market commentators such as Coach JV have also predicted that XRP could overtake Bitcoin someday.
  • Riley also believes the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, which began on Feb. 28, would not last 4-5 weeks, disputing projections by President Donald Trump.

XRP’s Struggles Below Bitcoin

While talks around XRP overtaking Bitcoin have often made their way to crypto discussions, the current market positioning makes Riley’s latest comment especially bold. 

Specifically, XRP currently has a market cap of $86.9 billion, which places it fourth among the largest assets, not even third. Bitcoin leads the market with $1.448 trillion, followed by Ethereum at $254 billion. BNB sits just ahead of XRP with $89.3 billion.

Before XRP can even challenge Bitcoin, it must first move past BNB and then Ethereum. XRP has occasionally flipped BNB several times. However, it last overtook Ethereum in December 2019. Since then, it has not reclaimed second place. Even after its rally in November 2024, XRP has only moved back and forth between third and fourth position as it competes with BNB.

What XRP Needs to Overtake Bitcoin

Notably, XRP has a circulating supply of 61.1 billion tokens and currently trades at $1.41. To move past BNB’s $89.3 billion market cap, the price would need to rise by just 3.5%, reaching $1.46. This represents a small jump compared to what would be necessary next.

To overtake Ethereum’s $254 billion valuation, XRP would have to climb 194%, reaching $4.157. Meanwhile, to finally surpass Bitcoin’s $1.448 trillion market cap, XRP would need to surge 1,580%, taking its price to $23.69. 

While rallies to these prices may be possible in theory, it remains unlikely that XRP could rally by such margins while the rest of the market, especially Bitcoin and Ethereum, stays stagnant.

Notably, this would not mark the first time Riley made this statement. Last month, he said that if Bitcoin fails to break $150,000 this year and reclaim its twelve-year trend line, it could fall back to $1,000. He then predicted that, whether BTC breaks $150,000 or not, XRP would become the number one crypto within six years.

Others Share Similar Views

Interestingly, Riley is not the only one who believes XRP could someday overtake Bitcoin. In August 2025, finance coach Coach JV said he believes XRP will take the top spot by 2030, with Bitcoin in second place. 

In November 2024, market and political commentator DOQ said XRP was on track to overtake Bitcoin by February 2025, possibly even earlier, depending on Bitcoin outflows. As of March 2026, his prediction failed to materialize, and XRP remains far below Bitcoin in market value.

Also, in March 2025, Jacob King, CEO and founder of SwanDesk, reacted after the United States confirmed it had added XRP to its crypto stockpile. He said the world’s largest economy had chosen XRP over Bitcoin for its strategic reserve and argued that XRP would surpass Bitcoin in market cap with full certainty.

The Iran-Israel Conflict

Meanwhile, the second part of Riley’s recent prediction focuses on the Israel-Iran conflict that began on Feb. 28. Notably, the United States and Israel launched joint strikes targeting Iran’s leadership, nuclear and missile programs, and proxy forces.

On the first day, large-scale strikes hit Tehran and other locations. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei died along with other senior officials. Iran responded by launching more than 170 missiles and drones at Israel and U.S. bases in the Gulf. The conflict has since endured to the fifth day.

Reported deaths stand between 787 and over 1,045 in Iran, including civilians. Israel has reported around 11 to 12 deaths, while at least 6 U.S. service members have died. 

President Donald Trump initially said the operation would likely last four to five weeks, sometimes describing it as four weeks or less, but he also said the U.S. could extend the campaign if needed. Riley’s statement challenges this timeline.

Kraken Wins U.S. Federal Reserve Master Account in First for Crypto Banking

Abdulkarim Abdulwahab
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Kraken Wins U.S. Federal Reserve Master Account in First for Crypto Banking

Kraken has become the first crypto asset bank in U.S. history to receive a Federal Reserve master account.

The approval was given to its Wyoming-based bank, Kraken Financial. This lets Kraken connect directly to the Federal Reserve’s payment system, including Fedwire, and send U.S. dollar payments without using other banks as middlemen.

Key Points

  • Kraken becomes first U.S. crypto bank to secure a Federal Reserve master account.

  • Kraken Financial now has direct access to U.S. payment rails, including Fedwire.

  • Approval was overseen by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City after years of review.

  • It strengthens Kraken’s institutional offering ahead of a potential public listing.

Direct Access to U.S. Payment Rails

Until now, Kraken had to depend on correspondent banking partners to process dollar deposits and withdrawals. With a Fed master account, Kraken can connect directly to the U.S. payments system. This could speed up transfers for institutional clients and large traders.

Notably, the master account is overseen by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, which supervised the application process. The approval follows more than five years of regulatory engagement and scrutiny.

However, the access is limited. Kraken Financial will not receive the whole range of services open to traditional banks. For instance, it will not gain interest on reserves at the Fed. Moreover, it will not have access to the Fed’s emergency lending facilities.

Milestone for Wyoming’s SPDI Model

Kraken Financial is set up as a Wyoming Special Purpose Depository Institution (SPDI), a type of bank created for digital asset companies. It follows a full-reserve model, meaning it keeps liquid assets equal to or more than 100% of customer cash deposits.

Arjun Sethi, co-CEO of Kraken and its parent company Payward, said this approval brings crypto systems closer to the traditional U.S. financial system. With direct access to the Federal Reserve, Kraken can function as a fully connected bank instead of relying on other banks.

The company believes this setup could eventually allow instant settlement between cash and crypto, combined with cash management and crypto custody, and programmable financial products — all within a regulated system.

Phased Rollout

Kraken Financial will introduce its new features step by step. At first, it will focus on improving U.S. dollar settlements for institutional clients on the Kraken platform. Later, it plans deeper integration with its parent company, Payward, and will work alongside regulators.

Notably, Kraken is one of the world’s longest-running crypto exchanges, founded in 2011. Recently, it has expanded by acquiring Small Exchange, NinjaTrader, and Backed Finance to grow its futures, derivatives, and tokenization businesses.

Ultimately, the Federal Reserve master account approval boosts Kraken’s appeal to institutional clients, especially as the company is preparing for a possible public listing.

More broadly, this shows a shift in the crypto industry: instead of building separate systems, digital asset companies are now connecting directly to the core U.S. financial system.

Bitcoin Shows Resilience Amid Oil Shock as Selling Pressure Plummets

Elendu Benedict
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Bitcoin Shows Resilience Amid Oil Shock as Selling Pressure Plummets

Bitcoin has withstood the pressure from geopolitical crises and oil shocks, spurred by a notable reduction in selling momentum.

Notably, oil markets jolted higher this week after fresh geopolitical tensions in Iran added another layer of pressure to an already fragile financial market. Crude prices climbed 6%, with the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) pushing past $75 and Brent nearing $82. 

As a result, risk assets faced renewed strain, extending their period of severe price consolidation. Against that backdrop, Bitcoin has stood out, showing remarkable resilience amid global tensions. 

Key Points

  • Bitcoin has withstood the pressure from geopolitical crises and oil shocks, spurred by a notable reduction in selling momentum.
  • Rather than correcting, BTC has surged past $71,800, a price level last seen in almost one month ago.
  • On-chain data provides further clues to a change in behavior among market participants, who now prefer to hold rather than sell their stash.
  • At the current figure of 28,235 BTC, exchange inflow sits well below cycle highs of 97,587 BTC but closer to cycle lows of 13,994 BTC.
  • The drop in exchange inflows suggests seller exhaustion, which precedes periods of price stabilization.

Bitcoin Weathers the Storm

CryptoQuant verified author GugaOnChain identified this remarkable Bitcoin resilience in a recent report. While most sectors reacted to the headlines, the crypto leader has held its footing. Rather than correct, it has surged past $71,800, a price level last seen in almost one month.

Furthermore, the analysis highlighted a favorable discrepancy in risk-reward at the current BTC price level as a catalyst for this relative strength. As Bitcoin moves closer to the accumulation zone, holders sell less, and investors find buying here more rewarding than the risks.

Exchange Inflows Parameters

Meanwhile, on-chain data provides further clues to a change in behavior among market participants. The CryptoQuant total Bitcoin exchange inflow shows that selling pressure has dropped drastically, a possible catalyst for the price resilience.

Historically, heavy deposits at exchanges have aligned with tops, as holders prepare to offload supply. Inflows above 90,000 BTC reflect strong selling pressure, and those below 40,000 BTC tend to appear closer to market bottoms, when fewer participants are willing to sell their holdings.

During the cycle peaks, flows into exchanges ranged from 97,587 BTC on July 17, 2025, to 134,619 BTC on March 5, 2025, levels that clearly signaled distribution. By contrast, earlier cycle lows showed far lighter activity. It ranged from 13,994 BTC on September 7, 2024, to 58,584 BTC on May 1, 2024.

Current Figure and What It Means for Bitcoin

The latest figure sits at 28,235 BTC. While this is above extreme cycle lows, it indicates that selling pressure has dropped drastically.

Bitcoin Exchange Inflow/CryptoQuant
Bitcoin Exchange Inflow/CryptoQuant

As such, GugaOnChain suggested that while there remain global insecurities and expectations that the bear market would endure, the drop in exchange inflows suggests seller exhaustion. Typically, this precedes periods of price stabilization.

Although the accumulation zone has not yet been firmly confirmed, the shrinking flow suggests sellers are losing momentum. According to the analysis, the cycle bottom may be getting closer.

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