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Hidden Assets in Ripple Much Bigger Than $10,000,000,000 in XRP: SBI CEO

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Excitement is building in the XRP community after Yoshitaka Kitao, CEO and President of SBI Holdings, clarified the scale of the firm’s exposure to Ripple.

The discussion began when an X user claimed that the Japanese financial services firm holds $10 billion in XRP and is expanding further into Asia through its acquisition of Coinhako. However, Kitao countered that SBI does not hold $10 billion in XRP. Instead, he revealed that SBI owns around 9% of Ripple Labs.

Kitao went on to add that when considering Ripple’s total valuation, including its ecosystem and new expansion, the figure “would be enormous.”

“Not $10 billion in XRP, but around 9% of Ripple Labs. So our hidden asset could be much bigger,” Kitao remarked.

Key Points

  • SBI CEO Kitao says firm owns 9% of Ripple Labs, not $10B in XRP as speculated.

  • SBI’s “hidden asset” exposure could surpass $10B via equity in Ripple’s ecosystem.

  • Japanese giant expands in Asia, moving to acquire Coinhako for a stronger crypto network.

  • SBI plans XRP & Bitcoin ETFs in Tokyo, tying growth to Ripple stake and long-term goals.

9% of Ripple, Not XRP Asset

Kitao’s clarification shifts the focus from direct XRP holdings to equity ownership in Ripple itself.

Prominent XRP community voice Eri highlighted that owning 9% of Ripple means exposure to the entire ecosystem the company has built, including its technology stack, global partnerships, and even XRP held in escrow.

This suggests that SBI’s “hidden asset” could exceed the speculative $10 billion XRP figure, particularly if Ripple pursues an IPO at a high valuation.

Market speculation has previously suggested that a Ripple public listing could value the company north of $100 billion. However, no official timeline has been confirmed.

Notably, Ripple holds just over 39 billion XRP worth $57 billion at current prices. At XRP’s peak value of $3.66, the company’s XRP holding alone exceeded $142 billion.

SBI Expands in Asia With Coinhako Acquisition

The renewed attention on SBI’s Ripple stake comes as the Japanese financial giant deepens its digital asset footprint in Asia.

Specifically, SBI announced that its unit, SBI Ventures Asset Pte. Ltd., plans to buy a majority stake in Singapore-based crypto platform Coinhako. Notably, Coinhako operates under Hako Technology, which is licensed by Singapore’s regulator, and under Alpha Hako Ltd., which is regulated in the British Virgin Islands.

Upon completion and regulatory approval, Coinhako will become part of SBI Holdings. CEO Kitao called the deal a strategic move to build a stronger digital asset network across Asia, including tokenized stocks and stablecoins.

XRP ETFs and Institutional Momentum

SBI’s confidence in Ripple also aligns with its growing crypto ambitions in Japan. In recent filings, the company said it wants to launch a Crypto Asset ETF that includes Bitcoin and XRP, as well as another product combining Bitcoin and gold. The ETF is planned for the Tokyo Stock Exchange, pending approval.

SBI Holding

Notably, SBI Holdings is a major Japanese financial group expanding aggressively into digital assets, including Bitcoin and XRP. As of 2025, it manages ¥10 trillion in assets under management and aims to grow its crypto business through investments, ETFs, and strategic stakes like its 9% holding in Ripple.

SBI has said the value of its 9% stake in Ripple will only be officially recorded after Ripple goes public or has a similar valuation event. Earlier reports suggest unlocking that value could help push SBI’s crypto business toward its long-term ¥1 trillion goal.

Bitcoin Price Analysis for Feb 16: Is $260,000 Next as Indicators Show Declining Bear Pressure?

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Bitcoin shows signs of weakening bearish pressure and key support levels, with a potential shift toward a significant upward movement.

Bitcoin (BTC) is priced at $68,385.76, with the price action showing a sharp retracement from a daily high of $70,897.84. This kind of volatility, with a range of $68,095 to $70,897 in just 24 hours, points to ongoing market uncertainty.

Looking at Bitcoin’s performance metrics over various timeframes, the 1-hour chart shows a mild 0.4% decline, while the past 24 hours show a more significant 2.7% drop, compounded by a 3.9% loss over the past 7 days. Even more concerning is the 28.1% drop over the last 30 days.

Despite the retracement, Bitcoin remains above the $68K level, a critical zone that traders will be closely watching for support. If Bitcoin fails to hold these levels, the next major support might be closer to $65K. 

Bitcoin Price Analysis

On the technical side, Bitcoin’s 1-day Relative Strength Index shows a reading of 35.54, indicating that Bitcoin is in oversold territory, though still above the critical threshold of 30. Historically, a dip below the 30 level would signal strong oversold conditions, but the current RSI suggests that Bitcoin could be nearing a short-term bottom or at least a brief consolidation phase.

Bitcoin Price Prediction
Bitcoin Price Prediction

In terms of support and resistance, Bitcoin has held steady above the $68,000 mark, which now acts as key support. A breakdown below this level could lead to further declines, with further potential support levels near $65,000 or $60,000.

On the upside, $70,000 represents the immediate resistance, followed by the more significant $72,000 level, where Bitcoin previously encountered selling pressure. If Bitcoin manages to reclaim and hold above $70,000, it may open the door to a more sustained rally.

Looking at the Moving Average Convergence Divergence, the histogram bars are shrinking, indicating a potential loss of momentum in the recent bearish move. The MACD line is currently crossing below the signal line, which is a bearish crossover and suggests that the downward trend could continue unless there is a quick recovery. The histogram is also showing green bars, which indicate that the current downtrend is weakening. 

Here’s Bitcoin’s Execution Plan

Elsewhere, Whale Factor on X has shared a detailed BTC execution plan. According to the plan, after peaking at an all-time high of $126,000 in October 2025, Bitcoin entered a correction phase around $70,000, which is a 44%+ drawdown from the ATH. 

Bitcoin 2W Chart
Bitcoin 2W Chart

The next phase, Spring, is expected to bring Bitcoin down to $37,000 to reset the RSI before the next bull run. The following run could then launch Bitcoin to levels like $260,000.

Whale Factor advises not to fight the historical trend, suggesting a 70-80% correction before the next major move. From the current price of $68,385.76, the projected target of $260,000 represents a 280.3% potential surge in Bitcoin’s price.

Ethereum Forecast for Feb 16: Bearish Momentum Persists, But Can ETH Break $2,100?

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Ethereum falls away from key resistance levels, but the next move could determine if a rally or further decline is ahead.

Ethereum (ETH) is currently priced at $1,958.4, showing a significant 6.2% decline over the last 24 hours. The price chart reveals a steep selloff after a brief rally, with Ethereum’s value sharply dropping from over $2,090 earlier in the day. Ethereum’s 24-hour trading volume is $3.41 billion, up 11.25%, suggesting active participation.

Ethereum’s performance metrics paint a picture of a broader downtrend. Over the past 7 days, ETH has lost 6.2%, with a 40.57% drop in the last 30 days. The most concerning metric is the 51.92% decline over the past 180 days. Despite the recent downward momentum, Ethereum still has a 69.06% gain in the all-time range, which offers some perspective on its longer-term performance. Will Ethereum stabilize, or is a deeper correction coming?

Ethereum Price Prediction

For now, Ethereum remains under pressure with the price moving further away from resistance levels above. Looking at the Exponential Moving Averages, the 50-day EMA is $2,579.64, and the 100-day EMA is $2,887.04, both above the current price level.

Ethereum 1D Chart
Ethereum 1D Chart

This signals a bearish trend, as the price remains well below these key moving averages, reflecting a continued downtrend. These EMAs are acting as dynamic resistance levels, with the 50-day EMA offering immediate resistance if Ethereum attempts to rally.

Immediate support is being tested around the $1,900 level, as Ethereum struggles to maintain higher levels after recent declines. A break below this zone could lead to further downside toward $1,800 or $1,700, where stronger support may reside. 

The Average Directional Index reading is 55.43, indicating a strong trend in place, with bearish momentum currently dominating the market. This high ADX level suggests that the current downtrend is likely to continue unless a significant reversal takes place.

Here Are More Case Scenarios

On the commentary end, analyst Ted suggests that Ethereum is currently attempting to break above the $2,100 level, which is a key resistance zone. According to him, if Ethereum successfully surpasses this level, it could trigger a rally toward the $2,350–$2,400 range, where further resistance may emerge. Another roadblock is also traceable on his chart above $2,700.

Ethereum Prediction
Ethereum Prediction

However, Ted also warns that if ETH faces a sharp rejection at the $2,100 level, it could lead to a swift downturn. In this case, Ethereum might fall back toward the $1,900 support zone. 

Generational Entry for Cardano if Bull Market Starts Here—Technical Analyst

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Cardano reached its previous bear-market low and has since rebounded, with analysis suggesting the level is a good entry point.

On February 6, Cardano (ADA) dropped to a low of $0.2205 amid broader market weakness. Notably, this low aligned closely with its June 2023 bottom, from which prices rebounded to much higher levels during the just-concluded bull run.

The drop to $0.2205 met strong buying pressure as bulls stepped in to defend the key support area. Those who bought around that level are already in substantial gains and could have more if the price marked the end of the bear market.

Key Points

  • Cardano reached its previous bear-market low and has since rebounded, with analysis suggesting the level is a good entry point.
  • Those who bought around the $0.2205 low are already in substantial gains and could have more if this price marked the end of the bear market.
  • The lows might have been a generational entry point for holders who took advantage of the dip.
  • History shows that ADA could rally significantly from price bottoms, previously surging 175x from the bear market lows in 2021 and 6x in 2024.

Cardano Rebounds and Holds Support

So far, Cardano has kept the $0.2205 support despite growing uncertainties. For context, the crypto market Fear and Greed Index reached an all-time low of 5 last week, signaling extreme skepticism and fear among holders.

However, ADA has kept its cool around that support, bouncing 38% to its monthly high of $0.3050 before relinquishing some of its gains. Currently, it trades at $0.2785, which represents a 26% rise from the February 6 lows.

Cardano at Previous Cycle's Bottom
Cardano at the Previous Cycle Bottom

The current gains could be meager compared to what is coming for ADA, according to the suggestion from Ssebi, a stake pool operator (SPO) and technical analyst, in his recent X post. He highlighted that the lows might have been a “generational entry point” for holders who took advantage of the dip.

Easy 20x from Here?

Furthermore, Ssebi insinuated that ADA is still trading at a bargain price. The assertion hinges on the potential levels that the cryptocurrency could reach if the bear market ends.

The SPO projected an easy 20x surge for Cardano if the bull market starts from the current levels. This would take ADA to a new all-time high of $5.57, finally surpassing its 2021 peak price of $3.10.

Interestingly, history shows that ADA has the potential to pull off such a move. After consolidating for months, the coin reached a bottom of $0.0177 in March 2020 and from there rallied over 175x to its current ATH. From the current levels in 2023, it surged 6x to the cycle’s peak of $1.32 in December 2024.

However, this does not guarantee anything for ADA, as sometimes past precedents do not accurately predict future trends. Moreover, there is no certainty that the coin will not see new lows in the coming weeks if the price weakness persists.

But for some, like Ssebi and Crypto Jebbb, now is the best time to buy some ADA, as even a slight positive move would be massive.

Even an 88% Bitcoin Crash to $8,000 Won’t Shake Us, Says Michael Saylor

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Michael Saylor says his Bitcoin-focused firm, Strategy, is positioned to withstand a severe market downturn. 

According to Saylor, the company could continue meeting its obligations even if Bitcoin’s price dropped to $8,000.

His remarks come amid renewed volatility in the crypto market. As Bitcoin faces sustained selling pressure, scrutiny has intensified around corporations with leveraged exposure to the asset. Strategy’s leadership has responded by emphasizing the firm’s financial resilience and long-term planning.

Key Points

  • Strategy claims it can meet obligations even if Bitcoin drops to $8,000, demonstrating resilience to extreme market swings.
  • The company holds $6 billion in net debt, structured to remain serviceable during prolonged downturns.
  • Strategy plans to convert convertible notes into equity over 3–6 years, reducing debt without adding new senior obligations.
  • The firm currently holds 714,644 BTC ($48.86 billion), making it the largest corporate holder of Bitcoin.

Debt Exposure and Contingency Planning

In a post on X, Saylor pointed to Strategy’s balance sheet structure. The company reports approximately $6 billion in net debt and presented internal analysis suggesting that even an 88% decline in Bitcoin’s price would leave the value of its reserves roughly aligned with that liability.

Within this context, Saylor outlined a multi-year plan to strengthen the balance sheet. Over the next three to six years, Strategy intends to convert its outstanding convertible notes into equity. By issuing shares rather than adding new senior debt, the company expects a steady reduction in liabilities.

Saylor emphasized that existing convertible notes remain serviceable under current conditions. Management argues that this structure provides flexibility during prolonged downturns while limiting near-term repayment pressure.

Strategy chief executive officer Phong Le addressed a similar scenario during a recent earnings call. He noted that even if Bitcoin were to lose 80% of its value, it would likely take years for such a decline to have a material effect on operations. That extended window, he said, would allow the company to restructure and manage obligations if required.

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Continued Bitcoin Accumulation

Alongside its risk management messaging, Strategy reaffirmed its long-term accumulation strategy. Saylor stated that the company has no plans to sell its Bitcoin holdings and intends to continue acquiring the asset at least once per quarter.

Recent activity reflects that commitment. Last Monday, Strategy purchased 1,142 BTC for roughly $90 million, bringing total holdings to 714,644 Bitcoins. At the time of publication, those reserves were valued at nearly $48.86 billion, making Strategy the largest known corporate holder of Bitcoin.

Even as the market declines, the buying pattern appears intact. Michael Saylor posted his regular Bitcoin tracker update yesterday, signaling that another acquisition may be announced soon. This stance is notable given that the company is currently facing more than $5 billion in unrealized losses.

As of this writing, Bitcoin was trading at $68,353. The cryptocurrency had fallen 2.7% over the previous 24 hours and 28% over the past month.

Weiss Ratings Praises Cardano Team, Backs Midnight’s Long-Term Potential

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Independent crypto rating firm Weiss Ratings has praised the Cardano development team, emphasizing its strong research foundation and technical depth, particularly in building Midnight.

The statement reinforces Cardano’s identity as a research-first platform that prioritizes peer-reviewed studies and formal development methods. It also shows that despite criticism over slow adoption and limited applications, analysts continue to respect its technological architecture.

Key Points

  • Weiss Ratings praised Cardano’s development team, highlighting its strong academic foundation and technical precision.
  • The agency emphasized the team’s ability to deliver advanced blockchain solutions within the growing Midnight ecosystem.
  • Weiss stated that Midnight could become a rare long-term success in an industry where nearly all newly launched crypto projects fail.
  • Midnight is set to officially launch next month as a Cardano partner chain.

Cardano Has a Team of World-Class Researchers

In its commentary, Weiss acknowledged that Cardano often draws mixed reactions within the crypto community. However, it stressed that the project relies on world-class researchers, giving it a solid academic and technical backbone.

Moreover, the agency noted that the team demonstrates precision and competence when building advanced blockchain solutions, particularly those tied to Midnight.

Weiss’ remarks came days after IOG founder and CEO Charles Hoskinson announced that the highly anticipated launch of Midnight as a partner chain on Cardano will occur next month.

Midnight Shows Strong Potential

Previously, Weiss warned that more than 99% of new crypto projects fail to deliver lasting value. However, it suggested that Midnight could stand out from short-lived ventures.

During a recent livestream, Senior Analyst Juan Villaverde expressed confidence in Midnight’s long-term prospects. Although he criticized Cardano’s slow performance and weak user adoption, he maintained that its core architecture remains among the most advanced in the industry.

He argued that the same research-driven team now leads Midnight, a new layer-one network designed to enable fully private smart contracts through zero-knowledge proofs. According to Villaverde, Midnight offers Cardano developers a second opportunity to apply their academic expertise in a more practical and focused way.

Why Midnight Stands Out

Unlike earlier privacy solutions that centered on anonymous payments, Villaverde argues that Midnight embeds privacy directly into its programming language. Therefore, developers can build private smart contracts without deep expertise in cryptography or zero-knowledge mathematics, lowering barriers to adoption.

He believes this approach could position Midnight as the first truly functional private smart contract platform, filling a key gap in blockchain infrastructure. The analyst also highlighted Midnight’s distribution model, pointing to the absence of VC dominance and broader token access through exchanges, airdrops, and incentives.

Notably, he revealed that he initially purchased NIGHT tokens below $0.05 and would consider buying again at similar levels. However, while he avoided bold price predictions, he described his investment as a calculated test, similar to his earlier successful bet on ADA.

On-Chain Data Shows XRP Acting as Bridge for EUR and BRL Trades

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On-chain data over a 24-hour period shows XRP serving as a bridge asset on the XRP Ledger’s DEX, specifically in trades involving EUR and BRL. 

Notably, the network recorded 477 auto-bridging events, with most activity across pairs such as EUROP/RLUSD, RLUSD/BBRL, and USDC/RLUSD, and about 15,000 XRP providing liquidity to secure better exchange rates.

For the uninitiated, auto-bridging is a built-in feature of the XRP Ledger’s decentralized exchange that routes a trade through XRP when a direct swap between two tokens does not offer the best price or enough liquidity.

Key Points

  • On-chain data confirms that the XRP Ledger recorded 477 auto-bridging events within a 24-hour period.
  • Of this figure, EUROP/RLUSD led with 124 events, followed by RLUSD/BBRL with 67 and USDC/RLUSD with 46.
  • Within these trades, approximately 15,000 XRP tokens provided liquidity to improve exchange rates.
  • Token/XRP pairs accounted for 92% of trades, while Token/Token pairs made up 8%, with only 0.8% of all Token/Token trades auto-bridged.

XRPL 24-Hour Auto-Bridging Data

Vet, an XRPL dUNL validator, recently shared this data, which shows how XRP functioned as a bridge asset over a 24-hour period. According to the data, during that time, the network recorded 477 auto-bridging events.

Of this figure, Vet revealed that EUROP/RLUSD led with 124 events, making it the busiest pair. RLUSD/BBRL, which represents Braza Bank’s Brazilian Real stablecoin, followed with 67 events. USDC/RLUSD recorded 46 events. 

Notably, Vet pointed out that RLUSD appeared in most of the auto-bridging transactions. As a result, it stood out as the most actively traded currency against other tokens, where XRP served as the bridge.

The XRPL validator also shared how much XRP supported these trades. Specifically, traders used around 15,000 XRP to provide liquidity and secure better exchange rates. 

When he examined the structure of all trades, he found that 92% occurred as Token/XRP pairs, while 8% happened as Token/Token pairs. Out of all Token/Token trades, only 0.8% went through auto-bridging. He added that the BBRL transactions involved small amounts, yet they still triggered the auto-bridging mechanism. 

Criticism Over the Numbers

Soon after, a Chainlink influencer and XRP critic argued that 477 auto-bridging events did not represent a major milestone. Responding, Vet admitted that the figure does not break any records. However, he urged the Chainlink proponent to consider the structure of the XRPL DEX itself.

He explained that most decentralized exchanges do not operate as shared DEXs without intermediaries. In contrast, the XRPL DEX functions as a public good rather than as a platform deployed and controlled by a specific company. This design brings strengths but also has challenges. 

On the positive side, once the system gains enough traction, it can grow into a powerful network because no DAO or company inserts itself between users. 

On the downside, launching and expanding a shared public DEX without a business entity behind it will make early growth more difficult. Despite this, Vet noted he was confident that the ecosystem could overcome these hurdles and fully bootstrap the platform.

XRP and Stablecoins Complement Each Other

Spotlighting this auto-bridging feature in a separate post, Vet stated that XRP actively serves as a bridge currency on the network. He also emphasized that stablecoins like RLUSD and XRP complement each other on the XRP Ledger rather than compete for the same role.

To support this point, he highlighted trading activity from that day. Specifically, RLUSD exchanged for EUROP on the XRPL DEX through a route bridged by XRP. According to Vet, the process increases the liquidity of issued assets. 

He also explained why market makers may prefer to hold XRP. Notably, they can create markets between XRP pairs while holding an asset that carries no counterparty risk. To him, this feature makes XRP one of the most effective tools for building markets across issued tokens.

How Auto-Bridging Works on the XRPL

Notably, auto-bridging, a built-in feature of the XRP Ledger’s decentralized exchange, improves trades between two tokens when direct trading activity has liquidity or pricing limitations.

When a user wants to swap Token A for Token B, the system checks whether routing the trade by converting Token A to XRP and then converting XRP to Token B provides a better rate or deeper liquidity than a direct swap. 

Practically, users do not need to take extra steps when auto-bridging works. The XRPL handles the process in the background and chooses the cheapest and most efficient option available. This allows even low-volume or less common token pairs to trade smoothly by leveraging XRP’s liquidity as a bridge.

If Ripple Didn’t Sell XRP to Fund Ecosystem Growth, That Would Be Concerning: Pundit

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An XRP community pundit has suggested that Ripple deciding not to sell their XRP holdings to fund ecosystem growth would be concerning.

Notably, Ripple has sold over 42 billion XRP since 2012, when it received 80% of the token’s total supply. While these persistent sales have triggered concerns among some community members, one pundit believes it would be more concerning if the company simply sat on its XRP bag and not use it to fund ecosystem growth.

Key Points

  • Ripple received 80 billion XRP in 2012 and has since sold more than 42 billion tokens, currently holding a balance of 37.685 billion XRP.
  • These sales have often triggered concerns within the community, as some insist they could be adding to selling pressure.
  • One community pundit believes the sales are necessary, and it would be more concerning if Ripple chose not to reduce its XRP holdings to fund ecosystem growth.
  • Ripple has leveraged the money from its XRP sales to fund acquisitions and build institutional products around XRP.
  • David Schwartz, former Ripple CTO, also suggested that Ripple’s primary aim is to reduce its XRP holdings as quickly as possible.

Ripple Has Sold 42B XRP Since 2012

The recent commentary came from “XRP Nurse,” a vocal but pseudonymous XRP community figure, amid the concerns surrounding Ripple’s XRP sales. For context, Ripple received 80 billion XRP out of the asset’s total 100 billion token supply in 2012.

Since then, the company has sold 42.32 billion tokens and now holds about 37.685 billion XRP, according to a recent report from The Crypto Basic. Many of those sales come from the escrow system Ripple introduced in 2017, which releases tokens on a fixed monthly schedule.

Not Selling to Fund Growth Would be More Concerning

While critics say these releases put pressure on the market and hurt smaller investors, “XRP Nurse” recently suggested people should worry more if Ripple stopped selling XRP than if it continued. 

He explained that Ripple depends on those sales to fund growth and build the infrastructure necessary for wider adoption. “If Ripple wasn’t selling some XRP to fund ecosystem growth and infrastructure, that would actually be concerning,” the pundit argued.

XRP Nurse pointed out that Ripple does not simply release tokens without following a structure. Specifically, the escrow unlocks 1 billion XRP each month, and the company sells around 300 million, while locking back up 700 million tokens. 

Ripple’s Sales Make up 0.25% of XRP’s Monthly Global Volume

According to the community commentator, those sales make up only a small portion of the total XRP trading volume worldwide. Market data confirms this statement, as Ripple’s 300 million XRP sale every month only accounts for 0.25% of XRP’s average monthly trading volume.

The pundit added that the money helps Ripple grow enterprise partnerships, invest in the ecosystem, and improve liquidity. It also helps with the expansion of payment corridors.

XRP Nurse called Ripple a company building payment rails for a new financial system. The commentator suggested long-term holders should focus on whether Ripple builds something strong enough to outweigh any selling pressure.

Selling Reduces Centralization Concerns

Ripple executives have also explained why the company continues to sell XRP. In January 2024, David Schwartz, who served as Ripple’s CTO at the time, said the company faces only two realistic options for its large holdings. 

It can either keep the tokens, which would keep raising concerns that one organization controls too much of the supply, or sell them gradually to reduce its share. Schwartz said Ripple intends to reduce its holdings as quickly as possible and does not see any workable third option.

Some community members suggested distributing the tokens for free instead of selling them. In response, Schwartz confirmed that Ripple had already tried that approach in the past and found that it did not produce the desired results. 

Others proposed burning tokens to shrink supply and support price growth, but Schwartz argued that such an option would also not work out well. He said destroying tokens would simply erase value and would not influence price movement in a meaningful way.

To support this view, Schwartz pointed to an earlier event involving Stellar. In November 2019, Stellar burned 55 billion XLM tokens. However, this move did not impact the asset’s price in any positive way.

Not True: Ripple CEO Debunks Claims That Entities Can’t Win Against the US Government

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Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse publicly rejected claims that individuals and companies cannot win legal battles against the U.S. federal government. 

Garlinghouse’s response underscores that, while federal cases are difficult to win, there is still a chance that people and companies can emerge victorious in cases initiated by the federal government. His commentary has once again stirred discussion around Ripple’s legal win against the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. 

Key points 

  • Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has publicly dismissed claims that individuals and companies cannot win legal battles against the U.S. federal government. 
  • The company had secured a partial victory in court against the SEC in 2023. 
  • Ripple’s case indicates that determined defendants can still secure meaningful victories. 
  • Critics pushed back, noting that Ripple’s success stemmed from its case being civil, not criminal. 

Ripple CEO Refutes Claims That You Can’t Win Against US Government 

In a short X post, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has strongly disputed claims that fighting the U.S. federal government in court is futile. 

His remarks came in response to statements from Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes, who argued that federal prosecutions are nearly impossible to defeat. Holmes claimed that the government wins over 98% of cases and suggested that once federal authorities target someone, victory is virtually unattainable.

Reacting, Garlinghouse rejected that premise outright in a post, saying ‘Not True.” His reaction stems from Ripple’s experience with the U.S. government through the SEC in December 2020. 

At the time, the SEC sued Ripple, accusing the company of selling XRP as an unregistered security. Instead of pursuing an early settlement, Ripple mounted a full legal defense, investing more than $150 million in the process. 

The court ultimately ruled that XRP itself is not a security and that Ripple’s programmatic sales and certain distributions were lawful. Only the company’s institutional sales were found to violate securities laws. 

Cases Against the US Government Are Winnable 

Despite that mixed outcome, Garlinghouse views the case as proof that the federal government does not always win outright. His rebuttal to Holmes underscores a broader message that legal battles against regulators are difficult and expensive, but not unwinnable. 

For the crypto industry, Ripple’s case remains a defining moment. It introduced judicial clarity into digital asset classification and demonstrated that federal enforcement actions can be successfully challenged in court. 

Holmes Pushes Back 

Meanwhile, Holmes pushed back against Garlinghouse’s assertion, arguing that the SEC’s case against Ripple was purely civil, not criminal. She noted that Ripple and its executives faced civil allegations from the SEC, resulting in financial penalties, including a $125 million payment.

Holmes stressed that no criminal charges, indictment, or Department of Justice action accompanied the case, underscoring the distinction between regulatory enforcement and criminal prosecution. Despite her assertion, several commenters still agreed with Garlinghouse’s opinion that people can still emerge victorious in cases against the U.S. government. 

You Missed XRP at $0.1: “This Is Your Next Best Opportunity”: Jesus Martinez

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Crypto YouTuber Jesus Martinez recently addressed the XRP community, reminding followers how often people regret missing early entries.

In a post on X, Martinez wrote that many investors wish they had bought Bitcoin at $1,000, XRP at $0.10, or HBAR at $0.001. Meanwhile, he believes the market is presenting another major opportunity to scoop up low prices, but many are not seeing it.

“This is your next best opportunity. Will you take it?” he wrote. His comments come at a time when XRP is attempting to recover from one of its sharpest corrections in recent history.

Key Points

  • Jesus Martinez calls XRP’s $1 range the “next best opportunity” for investors.

  • XRP rebounded 38% from $1.11 after a sharp 70% correction from $3.66.

  • Analysts eye $4.20 and $7 targets if XRP confirms support above $1.23.

  • Dip buyers added XRP, betting fear could precede a major rally.

XRP Rebounds After $1.10 Bottom

Earlier this month, XRP dropped to a local low near $1.11 following a market sell-off triggered by Bitcoin’s slide toward $60,000. The move marked roughly a 70% decline from XRP’s July 2025 high of $3.66.

However, the token quickly staged a recovery. XRP rebounded nearly 38% from the $1.11 low to $1.53 before retracing again.

Now, XRP is trading around the $1.35 range. The sharp recovery has led some analysts to suggest that a bottom may already be forming.

Market analyst ExtraVOD outlined a potential base forming between $1.23 and $1.30. According to his outlook, once XRP confirms this range as support, the price could accelerate toward $4.20. From there, he sees a bull market expansion targeting the $10 range.

Other veteran market watchers argue that the recent crash mirrors past XRP cycles, where deep drawdowns were followed by strong multi-hundred-percent recoveries. Historical examples include drops from $3.30 to $0.115 and from $1.96 to $0.28 before major rallies to the $3.60 level.

Dip Buyers Step In

Despite widespread fear, several high-profile investors disclosed that they bought during the downturn.

Media personality Patrick Bet-David revealed that he added both XRP and Bitcoin during the sell-off. Market commentator Coach JV also confirmed multiple XRP purchases as prices declined. To him, wealth is often built during periods of fear rather than euphoria.

Profit Targets

Interestingly, while XRP trades near $1.30, some community members are already discussing long-term exit strategies.

XRPL developer Bird said he plans to ladder profits at $10, $27, and potentially higher levels. Analyst Zach Rector recently outlined a $7 target, comparing XRP’s current structure to silver’s historic breakout cycle that preceded a major rally.

He views the $7 level as a psychological midpoint in a $5–$10 bull range, should XRP confirm a sustained reversal.

“Next Best Opportunity”?

Martinez’s statement reflects a recurring theme in crypto markets: hindsight regret. Many investors look back at past price levels and wish they had acted sooner.

With XRP still trading far below its previous high of $3.66, some see the $1 range as a long-term accumulation zone. Others remain cautious, noting that a dip to $0.50 remains possible.

Meanwhile, XRP’s rebound from $1.11 has slightly shifted sentiment from panic to cautious optimism. Whether this proves to be the “next best opportunity” will depend on XRP’s price recovery in the weeks ahead.