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XRP Wave 3 Points to $15-$31 Target, But XRP Must First Reclaim This Level

Mark Brennan
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XRP Wave 3 Points to $15-$31 Target, But XRP Must First Reclaim This Level

The XRP Elliott Wave structure points to a bullish $31 peak for Wave 3, but the price must first reclaim a key level.

XRP has fallen 22.59% this year amid a broader market downturn, but the decline may fit into a larger five-wave Elliott Wave structure that began in July 2024.

Despite the ongoing correction, the overall pattern remains intact, and chart data suggests the forthcoming Wave 3 could eventually push XRP toward the $15 to $31 range. However, the confirmation of Wave 3 requires a decisive weekly close above the $3.6 all-time high.

Key Points

  • XRP has dropped 22.59% this year but continues to trade within a broader five-wave structure that started in July 2024.
  • Wave 1 drove an 814% rally from $0.39 to $3.66 between July 2024 and July 2025.
  • After peaking, XRP corrected 60.5% from $3.6 to its current level near $1.42 as part of Wave 2.
  • The pullback falls within typical 50% to 61.8% retracement levels and found support at $1.1 along the lower channel boundary.
  • The chart structure points to a potential rally to a range of $15 and $31 for Wave 3, but XRP must first reclaim the $3.6 all-time high from Wave 1.

Wave 1 Took XRP From $0.39 to $3.66

EGRAG Crypto, a well-known market watcher, highlighted this structure in a recent commentary. Data from his chart shows that the first wave of the 5-phase Elliott Wave structure began in July 2024. Notably, XRP traded at just $0.39 at this point. 

From there, the token went on a massive rally, buoyed by the November 2024 upsurge, as it climbed to $3.4 in January 2025. After the surge, XRP pulled back to $1.61 in April 2025, only to bounce again and reach a fresh all-time high of $3.66 in July 2025.

The entire move, from $0.39 to $3.66, marked a gain of about 814% in one year. Throughout the climb, XRP remained inside an existing ascending channel, repeatedly touching the upper boundary before pulling back. The rally showed strong momentum, but it also respected technical limits, which fits the look of a Wave 1 push.

Wave 2 Has Pulled Price Down 60.5% to $1.42

After hitting $3.66 in July 2025, XRP entered its second wave, which represents the correction phase. The token now trades at $1.42, down 60.5% from the Wave 1 peak of $3.6. According to EGRAG, while that drop looks steep, it still falls within normal Elliott Wave behavior.

XRP Elliott Wave EGRAG Crypto
XRP Elliott Wave | EGRAG Crypto

Wave 2 typically retraces between 50% and 61.8% of the previous move, and in crypto markets, deeper pullbacks can remain valid. XRP has stayed inside its larger ascending channel during this decline. Earlier this month, the price dropped to $1.1, found solid support near the lower boundary, and then rebounded to $1.42.

EGRAG stressed that as long as XRP holds within that channel, the broader structure remains intact. Notably, the correction has not broken the overall pattern.

XRP Must Reclaim $3.6 to Confirm Wave 3

Now, EGRAG’s projections place Wave 3 targets between $15 and $31, but the move will only begin once XRP proves itself. 

The key level to reclaim sits around $3.6, which matches the previous all-time high. XRP must close above that level on a weekly timeframe and show strong momentum. Without that breakout, the market remains in correction mode.

According to EGRAG, Wave 2 could still drag on or move sideways before the next major push starts. He stressed that calling Wave 3 too early would ignore the rules of the pattern. Essentially, a confirmed weekly close above $3.6 would signal that buyers have taken back control.

XRP Macro Plans Unchanged Despite 6% Rally—Why Is That So?

Elendu Benedict
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XRP Macro Plans Unchanged Despite 6% Rally—Why Is That So?

XRP responded positively to heightening selling pressure with a notable rebound earlier in the week, but nothing much has changed.

The relief rally mirrored a broader recovery in the crypto market, with XRP rising 6% on Wednesday to $1.493. While it has relinquished some of that gain, it continues to move away from $1.11, a 15-month low it retested on February 6. At the time of writing, the coin has now increased 27% from this low.

Yet, some believe nothing much has changed for XRP.

Key Points

  • XRP responded positively to heightening selling pressure with a notable rebound earlier in the week, but nothing much has changed.
  • It seemed the rally was all noise, as XRP recorded no structural change to the earlier bearish formation.
  • Analysis highlights two price moves that could alter the macro plans for XRP: a drop to the $1.08-$0.87 support zone or a surge above the $1.67 level.
  • Until any of this happens, analysis suggests it is all noise and price consolidating within the range.

XRP Rally Did Not Break Resistance

Experienced market analyst CasiTrades does not see much changing for XRP despite the recent rebound. In a quick X update, she claims that the broader plan for the coin has not changed.

It seemed the rally was all noise, as XRP recorded no structural change. Specifically, the analyst highlighted that XRP did not break resistance, hence adding no new context to its broader price trend.

Meanwhile, this builds on her earlier analysis that XRP is well within bearish territory. After completing waves (A), (B), and (C) in a multi-wave price structure, the altcoin fell below a key support during a price retest. 

An extending ascending trendline from the wave (B) lows was meant to provide cushion for the ongoing corrective phase before the next leg up. However, this failed to happen amid heightened selling pressure, forcing a breach of the demand zone.

The Wednesday attempt to invalidate the bearish development proved abortive. Although XRP reclaimed the support, it did not break a key resistance level at $1.65.

XRP Macro Structure Unchanged/CasiTrades
XRP Macro Structure Unchanged/CasiTrades

Noise Until One of These Happens

Building on this, she identified two price moves that would change the macro plans for XRP. In the first scenario, she expects XRP to keep its broader bearish structure and retest lower prices. Her bottom targets, if this happens, are the 0.786 and 0.854 Fibonacci levels at $1.088 and $0.865, respectively.

In the second scenario, XRP breaks above the $1.67 resistance level, shifting its structure bullish. This would breed further upside to $1.78 and the psychological $2 price mark. Until any of this happens, CasiTrades believes it is all noise and price consolidating within the range.

The analyst added that sub-waves suggest that the $0.87 macro support could be the bottom. If the price fell this low, she disclosed that she would add a “hefty buffer” in anticipation of a major reaction. Notably, none of these directions is guaranteed for XRP, as the current setup signals massive uncertainty.

Citi to Integrate Bitcoin with Traditional Assets in 2026 Infrastructure Upgrade

Zabi
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Citi to Integrate Bitcoin with Traditional Assets in 2026 Infrastructure Upgrade

Citi is set to launch new infrastructure in 2026 that will allow clients to manage Bitcoin alongside traditional financial assets.

The move reflects growing institutional interest in cryptocurrencies and underscores a broader shift toward integrating digital assets with conventional banking systems.

Key Points

  • Citi will launch institutional-grade Bitcoin services, including secure custody, wallet management, and private key handling, later this year.
  • Leading the initiative is Nisha Surendran, Head of Digital Asset Custody Development at Citi.
  • Bitcoin will be fully integrated into existing reporting, compliance, and portfolio management systems for a seamless client experience.
  • This launch extends Citi’s $30 trillion client asset management infrastructure to include digital assets.

Institutional-Grade Bitcoin Services

Specifically, the project, led by Nisha Surendran, Citi’s Head of Digital Asset Custody Development, will offer clients secure custody, wallet solutions, and institutional-grade key management. By managing wallet operations, private keys, and transaction addresses, Citi aims to simplify access to Bitcoin for institutional investors.

Surendran emphasized that the initiative is part of Citi’s broader strategy to make Bitcoin “bankable”. In particular, she discussed the bank’s approach at Strategy World, an industry conference hosted by Bitcoin treasury firm Strategy.

Seamless Reporting and Compliance

Beyond custody, Citi plans to integrate Bitcoin into existing regulatory and reporting frameworks. Consequently, investors will be able to track crypto positions alongside stocks, bonds, and money market holdings using familiar tax and compliance workflows.

Currently, Citi manages approximately $30 trillion in client assets. Therefore, extending these systems to digital assets reflects the bank’s commitment to providing a seamless, fully regulated experience for clients entering the cryptocurrency space.

Bitcoin Market Context

In December 2025, Citi analysts projected that Bitcoin could reach $143,000 in 2026, outlining a bullish scenario above $189,000 and a bearish case near $78,500. These forecasts were based on potential adoption through ETFs and supportive U.S. regulations.

At that time, Bitcoin traded around $88,000, down 30% from its October peak. Currently, the cryptocurrency is priced at $67,540. These figures underscore both Bitcoin’s volatility and potential, providing context for why major institutions are building infrastructure to handle it.

Morgan Stanley Expands Digital Asset Offerings

Similarly, Morgan Stanley is also broadening its cryptocurrency services. For instance, at Strategy World, the bank announced a new crypto custody and exchange platform. Initially, E-Trade clients will be able to trade spot cryptocurrencies through a partnership, with a fully integrated platform expected within the next year.

The service will offer legal oversight of client assets while accommodating self-custody for those who prefer it.

Additionally, Morgan Stanley is exploring crypto yield and lending products, leveraging its $8 trillion asset base to onboard off-platform holdings.

Bridging Traditional and Digital Finance

Taken together, Citi and Morgan Stanley are signaling a shift toward institutional adoption of Bitcoin. By combining secure custody, regulatory compliance, and simplified access, these initiatives aim to bridge traditional finance with the growing digital asset market.

Consequently, this approach enables investors to engage with Bitcoin confidently, without the operational challenges typically associated with cryptocurrency ownership.

Shiba Inu at Risk of Dropping Out of Top 30 Global Crypto Rankings

Lele Jima
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0
Shiba Inu at Risk of Dropping Out of Top 30 Global Crypto Rankings

Amid Shiba Inu consistent decline and key ecosystem issues, SHIB could be moving out of the top 30 in the global crypto rankings soon. 

Shiba Inu, which was once a top-10 cryptocurrency, has steadily slipped down the rankings, fueling debate about a potential exit from the top 30. 

Key Points 

  • After reaching the top 10, Shiba Inu has steadily declined and now ranks 27th at press time. 
  • At 27th place, SHIB faces pressure from rivals such as Cronos, World Liberty Financial, and Toncoin. 
  • Despite Shytoshi Kusama’s ambition to push SHIB into the top five, the token has failed to regain sustained momentum. 
  • Earlier growth drivers, including aggressive token burns and strong community backing, have weakened, raising the risk of falling out of the top 30. 

Shiba Inu Initial Rise to Top 10 

Launched in August 2020, Shiba Inu initially struggled to gain traction and lingered near the bottom of the market. Early doubts about the project intensified when its developers briefly disappeared, triggering a sharp price collapse. However, a highly motivated community soon revived interest, helping SHIB secure major exchange listings. 

In mid-2021, the token gained massive traction after Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin burned about 41% of SHIB’s total supply and donated the remaining tokens to charity. 

This event fueled a historic rally a few months later, pushing SHIB to an all-time high of $0.00008845 in October 2021 and lifting it into the global top 10. 

The Steady Decline

Shortly after reaching its peak, SHIB began losing momentum as early investors took profits. It gradually fell out of the top 10 a few months later but remained in the top 20 despite a broader market downturn. 

Despite repeated assurances from lead developer Shytoshi Kusama about the token’s long-term growth ambitions to take it to the top 5, SHIB failed to regain traction.

In 2025, conditions worsened for the popular meme-based token. Extended bearish pressure pushed SHIB out of the top 20, while a major hack targeting Shibarium, its Layer-2 blockchain, further undermined investor confidence. The October 10 market crash compounded these issues, accelerating SHIB’s fall beyond the top 25. 

Current Standing 

Currently trading around $0.0000060, SHIB ranks as the 27th-biggest token globally. It recently lost the 26th spot to Sui following the latest relief rally. With a market cap of $3.54 billion, SHIB trails Sui’s $3.65 billion valuation by a narrow margin.

However, pressure is mounting. Cronos, Toncoin, and World Liberty Financial occupy the 28th to 30th positions, each with market caps just above $3.19 billion. Meanwhile, Tether Gold sits at $2.7 billion, less than $1 billion behind SHIB, posing an additional threat. 

Shiba Inu current ranking
Shiba Inu current ranking

Why a Top 30 Exit Looks Possible

Although some supporters expect a rebound, several challenges persist. Community enthusiasm has faded compared to its early days, and skepticism has grown over the team’s anonymity and unmet roadmap goals. 

Token burns, once a major narrative driver, have slowed significantly, with daily reductions in supply now minimal. At press time, only 305,000 tokens have been burned over the past 24 hours. 

Moreover, rising competition from newer meme coins continues to divert investor interest. Unless the team addresses these structural concerns and reignites momentum, SHIB appears poised to drift out of the top 30. 

MetaMask Launches Mastercard-Backed Crypto Card Across 49 U.S. States

Zabi
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0
MetaMask Launches Mastercard-Backed Crypto Card Across 49 U.S. States

MetaMask has rolled out its Mastercard-backed crypto payment card across nearly the entire United States, including New York for the first time.

Parent company Consensys announced the nationwide expansion on Thursday, confirming that the MetaMask Card is now available in 49 states, with Vermont as the only exception.

According to a company spokesperson, this marks the first time the product has achieved near-complete U.S. coverage. In particular, the addition of New York is notable, as it opens access in one of the country’s most tightly regulated financial markets.

The broad release follows pilot programs conducted in 2024 and 2025, which helped refine the product ahead of its full-scale launch.

Key Points

  • The MetaMask Card is now live in 49 U.S. states, with only Vermont excluded.
  • New York access marks the first time the card is available in one of the nation’s strictest crypto regulatory markets.
  • The card enables direct crypto spending from self-custodied wallets without pre-funding custodial accounts.
  • It operates on Mastercard’s network and is accepted at roughly 150 million merchants worldwide.
  • The rollout follows U.S. pilot programs in 2024 and 2025 that prepared the product for nationwide launch.

Nationwide Rollout Strengthens Global Footprint

The U.S. expansion builds on the MetaMask Card’s growing international presence. Previously, the company launched the card in Argentina, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland. It also plans to expand to additional regions in the near future.

The card operates on Mastercard’s global payments network, granting access to approximately 150 million merchants worldwide. This includes both online platforms and brick-and-mortar establishments. It is also compatible with Google Pay and Apple Pay, enabling mobile wallet integration.

Sherri Haymond, Mastercard’s global head of digital commercialization, said the partnership reflects Mastercard’s broader objective of enabling secure crypto spending wherever its network is accepted.

Self-Custody at the Core

A defining feature of the MetaMask Card is its self-custody structure. Users maintain control of their digital assets in their wallets until a transaction occurs.

According to the company, many crypto-linked cards require customers to transfer funds to custodial accounts before spending. In contrast, the MetaMask Card allows assets to remain in the user’s wallet until payment is made.

The card is issued by Cross River Bank, an FDIC-insured U.S. institution, and was developed in partnership with regulated issuer Monavate, formerly known as Baanx.

Card Options and Subscription Model

By default, the MetaMask Card is provided as a virtual card. However, customers can also opt for the MetaMask Metal Card, which offers a physical version.

Specifically, the Metal Card carries a $199 annual subscription fee. According to the company, subscribers can get 3% cash back on purchases totaling up to $10,000 each year. Other benefits include no foreign transaction fees and higher spending and ATM withdrawal limits.

Part of Mastercard’s Broader Crypto Push

The latest rollout also aligns with Mastercard’s wider digital asset strategy. In 2024, the company launched its inaugural debit card pilot in collaboration with MetaMask, setting the stage for the broader national rollout that followed.

Subsequently, in August 2025, Mastercard strengthened its alliance with Circle, the issuer behind USDC. The agreement enabled acquirers across select regions in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Africa to settle transactions using USDC and EURC.

At the time, Mastercard executive Dimitrios Dosis said the company aims to bring stablecoins into mainstream finance through infrastructure and strategic partnerships.

Flare CEO Says We Can Get to 5 Billion XRP by Mid-2026, “I Know the Parties We Are Talking To”

Abdulkarim Abdulwahab
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Flare CEO Says We Can Get to 5 Billion XRP by Mid-2026, “I Know the Parties We Are Talking To”

The push to bring XRP deeper into decentralized finance is gaining momentum, and according to Hugo Philion, the numbers could scale much faster than many expect.

In a recent interview with Paul Barron, the Flare CEO said he believes the network could reach 5 billion XRP in use on Flare by the middle of 2026, provided market conditions offer a supportive tailwind. More notably, he added that his confidence is based on ongoing discussions and active development efforts.

“I know the parties we are talking to. I also know the protocols we’re building,” he said. The statement suggests that behind-the-scenes partnerships could play a major role in hitting that target.

Key Points

  • Hugo Philion says Flare Network could reach 5B XRP by mid-2026, citing active talks and protocol builds.

  • Xaman integration may enable direct XRP staking into Firelight without bridges or using Flare chain.

  • FXRP supply tops 100M on Flare Network, with over 89% locked across DeFi apps.

  • Philion calls large-scale XRP yield use “insanely bullish” for XRP Ledger adoption.

Direct XRP Ledger Staking Through Xaman

A key piece of that expansion strategy involves collaboration with Xaman, one of the major wallets on the XRP Ledger.

Philion revealed that Flare is working with Xaman to develop a smart account feature that would allow users to stake XRP directly from the XRP Ledger into Firelight on Flare without needing to interact with a bridge or transact directly on Flare.

Under this design:

  • Users would not need to manually bridge assets.
  • They would not need to operate on the Flare chain itself.
  • Staking could occur seamlessly via a smart account inside Xaman.

While no launch date has been confirmed, Philion noted that the integration is already in progress.

According to his remarks, Xaman reportedly holds around 4 billion XRP within its wallet ecosystem. If even a portion of that supply flows into Flare’s yield infrastructure, it could significantly accelerate adoption.

From 100 Million to Billions

The optimism comes as Flare’s XRP-based DeFi ecosystem continues to grow. Last week, FXRP, the wrapped XRP asset on Flare, surpassed 100 million tokens in circulation.

The development marked a major milestone just five months after the launch of FAssets in September 2025. Over 89% of that supply remains locked across Flare DeFi platforms such as Kinetic and Firelight, showing strong utilization rather than idle holdings.

At current valuations, the 106 million FXRP in circulation represents roughly $150 million worth of XRP earning yield on Flare.

FXRP in DeFi
FXRP in DeFi

While 100 million XRP is still far from 5 billion, Philion’s comments suggest the infrastructure being built is designed for scale for large XRP holders seeking yield opportunities.

“Insanely Bullish” for XRP

In an earlier January interview, Philion shared broader thoughts on what large-scale XRP financialization could mean.

He argued that if billions, or even tens of billions, of XRP units were used daily to generate yield and serve as genuine financial instruments, the asset’s quality and market perception would fundamentally change.

According to him, that scenario would be “insanely bullish” not just for Flare, but for XRP itself.

He compared the current stage of development to companies like Uber in their early growth phase, focusing first on capturing market share before prioritizing bottom-line metrics. Flare, he said, is still in the expansion phase.

Philion also highlighted that Flare has reached 100 million units of FXRP by retail participation without institutional backing. Accordingly, he said this is just the beginning.

The Cardano Structure Nobody Is Talking About: Analyst

Elendu Benedict
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The Cardano Structure Nobody Is Talking About: Analyst

Market data indicates that every Cardano rally since the 2021 bull run has ended up at Fibonacci retracement levels lower than previous ones.

Cardano had recorded its best daily performance since May 8, 2025, just a few days back. Joining a broader market uptrend, the coin rallied over 14% from $0.25 to $0.31 before closing slightly lower.

While it has pulled back further to trade at $0.294, the rebound from a key support level signaled that buyers are still keen to keep ADA afloat. Despite these, some still believe it is game over for the cryptocurrency.

 Key Points

  • Pessimism around Cardano is gaining strength again, as its broader price underperformance signals a concerning trend.
  • Data show that every Cardano rally since 2021 has ended at a lower Fibonacci level than the previous one.
  • ADA failed to reclaim 50% of its all-time high during the bullish phase and has retested lows recorded after the FTX implosion in November 2022.
  • While most of these might be true, one glaring event during the concluding bullish phase is that altcoins generally struggled.

Concerning Cardano Trend

One such market watcher floating the “Cardano is dead” narrative again is the pseudonymous analyst “gnarleyquinn.” In a recent X post, he highlighted what he described as the ADA structure that nobody is talking about.

The analyst stressed that every Cardano rally since 2021 has ended up at a lower Fibonacci level than the previous one. An accompanying chart provides further context, identifying rally points and their corresponding Fib levels.

For context, after the September 2021 all-time high of $3.10, ADA entered a corrective phase, as is typical of every market cycle. In early November, it attempted a recovery, rallying to $2.37, but couldn’t overcome the resistance around the 0.618 Fibonacci level.

Rallies to $1.68 in January 2022, $1.32 in December 2024, and $1.091 in August 2025 followed a similar pattern. Each faced rejections at lower weekly Fib. levels of 0.50, 0.32, and 0.236, respectively.

Cardano Fails to Test Previous Fib. Levels/gnarleyquinn
Cardano Fails to Test Previous Fib. Levels/gnarleyquinn

It’s Past Midnight for Cardano

The analyst further noted that these were lower-higher moves, which breed “lower acceptance.” Notably, Cardano formed higher-highs and higher-lows price patterns after bottoming in 2023. Highs of $0.680 in December 2023, $0.810 in March 2024, and $1.32 in December 2024 confirmed this pattern before bears took over proceedings.

Again, the commentator discredited ADA for failing to reclaim 50% of its all-time high during the short bullish phase. Cardano has also dropped back to its 2023 bottom, closely aligning with the lows recorded after the FTX implosion in November 2022.

Additionally, the analyst stated that the coin has endured five years of losses, with its price more than 90% below its 2021 all-time high. Putting this together, the analysis argued it is game over and “past Midnight” for Cardano, a subtle jab at its imminent sidechain, the Midnight Network.

Unfair Criticisms?

While most of these might be true, one glaring event during the concluding bullish phase is that altcoins generally struggled. Capital did not rotate from Bitcoin to the sector as it had in past cycles, hurting overall performance.

Only a few major altcoins, such as Ethereum, BNB, and Solana, made new all-time highs during the bull run. As such, one might argue that singling out Cardano in what was a broader underperformance of the altcoin market may be disingenuous.

Despite the criticism, Cardano has continued to thrive, as whales seem drawn to the coin in the past 6 months. Founder Charles Hoskinson and other major stakeholders have also remained committed to building, believing it will prove rewarding when market conditions turn positive again. Moreover, Hoskinson has reiterated several times that focusing only on price means one has “already lost.”

Ripple CEO Says Ripple Has Been “Flipping the Switch” on XRP, But There Are a Thousand Switches

Sam Wisdom Raphael
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Ripple CEO Says Ripple Has Been “Flipping the Switch” on XRP, But There Are a Thousand Switches

The Ripple CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, recently confirmed that Ripple has already begun “flipping the switch” on XRP, but there could be thousands of them.

Garlinghouse discussed this while speaking at the just-concluded XRP Australia Sydney 2026 conference, clarifying that no single event will suddenly activate XRP at scale. 

Key Points

  • Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse recently addressed the “flip the switch” comment within the XRP community.
  • According to Garlinghouse, Ripple operates with hundreds or thousands of incremental “switches,” not one master trigger event.
  • He shared optimism for 2026 and beyond, saying years of steady work could eventually produce an exponential impact for the XRP ecosystem.
  • The “flip the switch” phrase traces back to Garlinghouse’s January 2019 Fortune remarks about banks moving XRP from pilot programs to production via xRapid.
  • Over time, the community expanded the phrase into a broader belief that a single infrastructure or regulatory event would immediately reprice XRP.

Ripple Has Been Flipping Smaller Switches

Speaking at the Feb. 27 conference in Sydney, he explained that Ripple has been turning on hundreds or even thousands of smaller “switches” over time, and each step contributes to broader adoption and long-term impact.

The event, organized by Wave of Innovation at Crown Towers Sydney, brought together over 400 global participants to discuss XRP, Ripple technology, tokenization, stablecoins, and regulation. Alongside Garlinghouse, Ripple President Monica Long and CTO Emeritus David Schwartz took part in the summit.

Garlinghouse explained that there is no single master switch waiting to be turned on. Instead, Ripple has been flipping many smaller switches over time. Notably, progress comes from hundreds of small steps. Each one may seem minor on its own, but together they eventually create a much bigger impact.

Small Steps Adding Up Over Time

Garlinghouse admitted that some developments have taken longer than people hoped. However, he pointed out that Ripple has made real progress across different areas. He said more and more of these “switches” are turning on, even if the changes do not always grab headlines right away.

Speaking further, he shared optimism about 2026 and the years ahead. He called the future impact the result of steady work over the past decade, not one dramatic moment. When everything finally feels like it has moved positively, people may realize that no single event caused it, but years of effort slowly built up to that point.

Notably, over the years, Ripple has made various steps surrounding partnerships and acquisitions in an effort to penetrate the global financial system. Since 2023, the firm has spent $3 billion in acquisitions, and Garlinghouse previously confirmed that the purpose was to bridge TradFi with DeFi.

Speaking recently, he also highlighted the role of the community. During Ripple’s current world tour, he said he has seen strong passion from supporters, especially in Australia. He credited community members for speaking up, correcting misinformation, and pushing back against FUD. According to him, these actions count as more switches.

How “Flip the Switch” Became an XRP Catchphrase

For the uninitiated, the “flip the switch” phrase did not originate as an official Ripple slogan. However, it grew from a combination of Garlinghouse’s public comments, community discussions, and subsequent online hype around XRP’s price potential.

Specifically, in January 2019, Garlinghouse told Fortune that banks and financial institutions were ready to “flip the switch” and start integrating XRP through xRapid once pilot programs finished. Notably, he used the phrase to describe institutions moving from testing into real production use. 

By 2017 and 2018, YouTube creators and social media users had already started using the phrase in video titles and posts, suggesting that a sharp price move was just around the corner. 

Retail XRP supporters imagined banks or even central banks moving from testing to sending large cross-border payments through XRP overnight. After the Fortune interview, blogs and influencers repeated the idea that banks were ready to activate XRP.

At XRP Australia Sydney 2026, Garlinghouse directly addressed the narrative. He has now confirmed with the community that Ripple’s strategy has never depended on one dramatic moment, but on thousands of steady moves that, together, will determine the bigger picture.

Cardano Reclaims Top 10 Spot After 19% Surge, Flips Bitcoin Cash

Lele Jima
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0
Cardano Reclaims Top 10 Spot After 19% Surge, Flips Bitcoin Cash

After weeks of intense market volatility that forced it out of the global top 10 cryptocurrency rankings, Cardano (ADA) has mounted a strong comeback. 

Cardano has now reclaimed its place among the world’s ten largest digital assets by market cap, overtaking Bitcoin Cash (BCH) in the process. This rebound followed a broader market relief rally triggered by easing geopolitical tensions, which boosted investor confidence across both traditional and digital asset markets.

Key Points

  • Cardano has re-entered the top 10 after overtaking Bitcoin Cash during the recent market relief rally.
  • ADA surged more than 19%, climbing into the top 10, while BCH posted only modest gains.
  • While ADA currently has a valuation of $10.57 billion, BCH’s market cap stands at $9.72 billion.
  • The rally coincides with Charles Hoskinson’s recent assertion that Cardano remains competitive.

ADA Flips BCH, Re-enters Top 10

Earlier, market turbulence had pushed Cardano down to 11th place on CoinMarketCap after Bitcoin Cash overtook it. However, momentum quickly shifted following a major macroeconomic development.

On February 25, the United States announced it would refrain from imposing additional tariffs on China. Accordingly, the announcement eased fears of an escalation in trade tensions and restored risk appetite across global markets.

In reaction, crypto prices surged, with notable gains for Bitcoin, XRP, and Cardano (ADA). Specifically, ADA surged from around $0.26 to $0.31, posting a sharp 19.23% gain within a short period. Meanwhile, its main contender, BCH, also advanced, rising 6.36% from $487 to $518.

While prices retraced slightly shortly after, ADA retained a portion of its rally, while Bitcoin Cash retreated to its pre-announcement levels.

At press time, ADA trades at $0.2931, giving it a market cap of $10.57 billion and positioning it as the world’s 10th-largest cryptocurrency. In contrast, BCH ranks 11th with a market cap of $9.72 billion, according to CoinMarketCap data.

Cardano Enteres Top 10
Cardano Re-Enters Top 10

‘Cardano Is Fighting for Everything’: Hoskinson

Meanwhile, this resurgence comes just days after Input Output Global (IOG) founder Charles Hoskinson reaffirmed Cardano’s competitive standing.

He pushed back against claims that the project has fallen behind rivals such as Solana and Ethereum, insisting that Cardano remains firmly in the game. Supporting this stance, Hoskinson highlighted the successful launch of Midnight as evidence of Cardano’s ability to deliver high-impact innovations.

He further declared that the network is “fighting for everything,” a statement analysts interpret as a commitment to reclaiming dominance in the crypto market, expanding DeFi activity, and accelerating ecosystem development.

In Hoskinson’s view, Cardano remains the most decentralized cryptocurrency network globally, outpacing even Bitcoin. He cited Cardano’s on-chain governance framework as a key pillar of its decentralization. At the same time, Hoskinson noted that upgrades such as Ouroboros Leios continue to strengthen scalability, security, and decentralization, helping the network achieve the blockchain trilemma.

XRP Exchange Supply Ratio on Binance Drops to a 2-Year Low of 0.025

Mark Brennan
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XRP Exchange Supply Ratio on Binance Drops to a 2-Year Low of 0.025

The XRP exchange supply ratio on Binance, the world’s largest exchange by trade volume, has dropped to a new 2-year low.

This bullish development comes despite the persistent bearish pressure surrounding XRP and the broader crypto market, with the token’s price currently witnessing a discouraging 60% crash from its July 2025 peak of $3.66.

For context, the exchange supply ratio metric assesses the ratio of the amount of XRP tokens held within an exchange to the total XRP supply. When this metric drops, it often indicates that the exchange holds fewer XRP tokens compared to the overall supply, and this could hold bullish implications for prices.

Key Points

  • The XRP exchange supply ratio on Binance has seen a gradual decline since Q4 2025, recently reaching a low of 0.025.
  • The last time the ratio saw this low reading was in January 2024, when XRP still traded within the range of $0.5 to $0.6.
  • As the metric assesses the ratio of exchange-held XRP tokens to the total XRP supply, a decline in its reading could mean more investors are pulling their assets out of the exchange.
  • Historical data indicates that sharp declines in the ratio have often aligned with XRP price downturns and preceded a price recovery.
  • However, this does not necessarily point to an imminent supply shock, as Binance still holds over 2.7 billion XRP across its top 10 wallets.

XRP Exchange Supply Ratio Hits 2-Year Low

On-chain data sourced by market analytics resource CryptoQuant confirmed the recent development, as investors appear to be reacting to the ongoing market onslaught. 

Notably, despite a relief bounce on Wednesday, which led to a 6.36% price spike, XRP continues to see massive losses. With a 14.35% decline in February alone, XRP remains on track to record a fifth consecutive monthly red candlestick for the first time since early 2017.

However, Binance has continued to see consistent XRP outflows on its platform amid the downturn. Specifically, the collapse of the XRP exchange supply ratio on Binance to 0.025 marks a 17% drop from the 0.0302 reading from October 2025, when the current market onslaught picked up momentum. 

Binance Still Holds 2.7B XRP Across 10 Wallets

With XRP boasting a total supply of around 99.9 billion tokens, this drop in the ratio of supply on Binance indicates that the exchange has witnessed outflows to the tune of 500 million XRP since the price downtrend began in October 2025. 

For context, the sharpest declines in this ratio played out in mid-October 2025 and more recently, in mid-February 2026. During the mid-October crash, the exchange supply ratio dropped from 0.0303 on Oct. 8 to 0.027 by Oct. 17. Meanwhile, more recently, the metric also slumped sharply from 0.027 on Feb. 8 to 0.0255 on Feb. 9.

XRP Ledger Exchange Supply Ratio Binance 1
XRP Ledger Exchange Supply Ratio Binance | CryptoQuant

Nonetheless, this consistent drop does not necessarily point to an imminent supply shock in the short term, as some would like to believe. Binance still holds 2.7 billion XRP across its top 10 wallets, per data provided by XRPScan, an XRPL explorer. 

Possible Factors Behind the Drop

Notably, the drop in ratio suggests that holders are moving coins off the exchange instead of retaining them for possible sales. This can happen when large investors transfer tokens into private wallets for long-term storage, custody solutions, or OTC arrangements that don’t require keeping funds on an exchange. 

Further, it may also indicate a drop in speculative trading activity, meaning fewer traders are positioning XRP for short-term selling.

Another factor could be a broader market mood shift. When confidence in centralized exchanges dips, users tend to pull assets into self-custody regardless of price direction. Binance has been the subject of criticisms over the past few weeks, especially due to allegations surrounding the Oct. 10 market crash.

What Could This Mean for XRP Price?

In the short term, lower exchange supply reduces immediate sell pressure, which can help slow price declines and create conditions for a bounce if demand returns. 

On the other hand, if price keeps dropping despite shrinking exchange balances, it may indicate weak buying interest, meaning sentiment rather than supply is driving the market. That can keep the asset stuck in consolidation or gradual decline.

Interestingly, historical data shows that declines in the XRP exchange supply ratio on Binance have often coincided with price drops. However, when the metric reaches deep lows, what follows is a price recovery. This trend occurred in January 2025 before XRP hit $3.4 and in July 2025 before prices soared to the $3.66 peak.

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