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Ripple Ex-CTO Says Low XRP Price Makes It More Expensive to Use for Payments and Exchanges

Abdulkarim Abdulwahab
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Ripple Ex-CTO Says Low XRP Price Makes It More Expensive to Use for Payments and Exchanges

Ripple CTO Emeritus David Schwartz has clarified his long-standing view that XRP cannot remain “dirt cheap.”

He explained that a lower XRP price can actually make the asset more expensive to use for payments and exchanges.

The clarification came after an X user revisited Schwartz’s 2017 remarks, asking what he meant when he previously suggested that XRP “can’t be dirt cheap.”

In response, Schwartz said the idea is often misunderstood, stressing that a low XRP price increases the cost of using the network rather than reducing it.

Key Points

  • David Schwartz says low XRP price raises transaction costs, not lowers them.

  • Lower XRP prices require more tokens to move value, increasing friction.

  • Higher XRP prices improve efficiency by reducing tokens needed per transfer.

  • Schwartz emphasizes XRP utility over price, unchanged since 2017.

Why a Low XRP Price Can Raise Costs

According to Schwartz, when XRP is priced lower, users need a much larger number of tokens to move value across the network. This increases friction for payments and exchanges, especially at scale.

In contrast, a higher XRP price allows the same value to be transferred using fewer tokens, making transactions more efficient. Specifically, it requires roughly 1 million XRP to move $1 million in value if XRP is at $1. However, if XRP were at $100 per coin, it would require only 10,000 tokens to move the same $1 million.

In other words, price and utility are closely related. For large payments, using millions of XRP units can create market impact, while higher prices reduce the number of tokens required for settlement.

Context Behind the Renewed Debate

The question followed a recent exchange in which a community member urged Schwartz to publicly dismiss XRP price targets of $50 to $100.

Schwartz declined to make definitive price statements, noting that he has been wrong before when estimating how high crypto assets could go.

He referenced past moments in crypto history when price levels once considered impossible were eventually reached, including Bitcoin’s early milestones and XRP’s own rise during previous market cycles.

No Change From His Original Position

Notably, this is not the first time Schwartz has addressed the topic. In July 2024, with XRP trading below $0.40, he reiterated that his original position—that XRP cannot remain “dirt cheap”—had not changed.

Higher XRP prices tend to align with deeper liquidity, which ultimately makes payments cheaper and more efficient. Lower prices, on the other hand, require more tokens per transaction and can strain markets during large transfers.

At its core, Schwartz’s argument is not about price predictions but about utility. His stance remains that XRP’s role as a bridge asset benefits from higher valuations because they reduce friction, improve liquidity, and lower the real cost of moving value across the network

Shiba Inu Price Forecast for Jan 30: Where Next After SHIB Support Flips to Resistance?

Mark Brennan
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Shiba Inu Price Forecast for Jan 30: Where Next After SHIB Support Flips to Resistance?

Shiba Inu has broken key support, now acting as resistance, with further declines imminent unless the price reclaims resistance levels.

Notably, Shiba Inu (SHIB) has faced a significant 4.6% decline over the past 24 hours, with its price currently changing hands at $0.000007236. During this period, SHIB has fluctuated between a floor of $0.0000071 and a high of $0.0000076, showing a general downtrend. 

The token’s performance in the last week has been worse, with a decline of 8.6%, and a 14.1% drop over the last 14 days. However, Shiba Inu has experienced a 2.1% pump in the past month.

Despite the short-term struggles, SHIB has outperformed in comparison to Bitcoin and Ethereum, with its price showing a positive ascent against both leading cryptos.

Shiba Inu Price Prediction

In the Shiba Inu daily chart, the price has broken below $0.00000748 at 0 Fibonacci level, which was previously acting as a key support. This level indicates that bulls are under pressure, and further declines could follow if this previous support continues to hold as resistance. The next potential support zone lies around the $0.0000069 level, which could offer some reprieve if the price continues to drop further.

Shiba Inu Price Analysis
Shiba Inu Price Analysis

Looking at the resistance levels, the price is still below the 0.236 Fibonacci retracement level at $0.00000809. Shiba Inu must reclaim this area to confirm any upside movement. Until the price crosses above this level, any recovery may be limited. The key resistance above this is the 0.5 Fibonacci level at $0.000008772, and breaking this level would signal a stronger bullish move toward higher Fibonacci levels.

The Relative Strength Index is currently at 36.28, suggesting a lack of clear momentum in either direction. Traders will look for the RSI to approach the oversold zone below 30 for a potential reversal. 

If the RSI starts turning upward, it may indicate an upcoming bullish momentum. However, if the RSI remains under 50 and trends further downward, Shiba Inu may continue its struggle below current support levels.

Shiba Inu Liquidation Data

The Shiba Inu total liquidations chart from CoinGlass reveals key details about where futures traders are leaning. Over the past few months, the chart illustrates a significant amount of liquidations, particularly in long positions, shown by the green bars. 

Shiba Inu Total Liquidation
Shiba Inu Total Liquidation

However, liquidations have remained relatively stable, with no large spikes recently. The dominant closing of long positions and the overall downtrend in price point to a lack of buying momentum, meaning that more long traders are getting caught in the downward move. However, it also shows that futures traders have mostly leaned towards long trades.

Shiba Inu Price Prediction: How High SHIB Could Reach by End of 2026

Lele Jima
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Shiba Inu Price Prediction: How High SHIB Could Reach by End of 2026

Shiba Inu price outlook through the end of 2026 varies widely, hinting at potential upside for the canine-themed token.

The recent downturn across the global markets also dragged Shiba Inu lower, pushing its price from about $0.0000075 to a multi-week low of $0.000007122. Although SHIB later recovered to $0.000007235 at press time, the rebound failed to fully offset traders’ losses.

Following the decline, SHIB holders have shown mixed reactions. While many expressed frustration with the asset’s performance, a smaller group remains optimistic, expecting prices to rise by year-end. 

This optimism stems from anticipated bullish catalysts, including the Clarity Act, Shibarium’s potential evolution into a private network through Zama integration, and lead developer Shytoshi Kusama’s AI initiative. 

Key Points 

  • The price of Shiba Inu dropped from around $0.0000075 to $0.000007122 today. 
  • Some holders remain bullish and anticipate upside, driven by macroeconomic and internal factors. 
  • Analysts issue favorable projections that hint at potential upside by the year-end. 
  • Projection targets range from $0.000009 to $0.000115. 

Shiba Inu Projections for December 2026 

Meanwhile, analyst forecasts and algorithmic models project varying outcomes for SHIB through the end of 2026. Coincodex maintains a conservative outlook, predicting the token will not eliminate a zero by the end of 2026. It sets a maximum target of $0.000009616, representing a potential 33% gain. 

In contrast, crypto trading platform Changelly expects SHIB to drop a zero by December 2026. The platform projects a minimum price of $0.0000120, an average of $0.0000124, and a maximum of $0.0000142. From the current price of $0.000007235, these targets imply potential rallies of 66%, 71%, and 96%, respectively. 

Telegaon offers a more bullish outlook, forecasting SHIB could reach a maximum price of $0.0000543 later this year, marking an increase of over 650% from current levels. However, the platform did not specify when this projection might materialize. 

AI Projections 

Notably, multiple AI models, including ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini, offered projections on where SHIB could trade by the end of 2026. 

ChatGPT, drawing on estimates from several analytical platforms, places SHIB in a modest range of $0.000011–$0.000014, implying potential gains of 52%–93% from current levels.

Under a moderate outlook, it forecasts a price range of $0.000020-$0.000099, representing upside of 176%–1,268%. In a bullish scenario, driven by stronger market rallies and rising demand, ChatGPT projects SHIB could reach $0.000115, marking a 1,489% increase. 

ChatGPT December 2026 Prediction for SHIB
ChatGPT December 2026 Prediction for SHIB

Meanwhile, Google’s Gemini presents a more cautious view, forecasting a conservative range of $0.000007–$0.0000286, a moderate band of $0.0000091–$0.0000632, and an upper projection of $0.0000102–$0.00009784 by the same period. 

Gemini December 2026 prediction for SHIB
Gemini December 2026 prediction for SHIB

Although several entities project upside for SHIB by year-end, these forecasts remain speculative and offer no guarantees.

Moreover, macroeconomic pressures, similar to those seen last year, could still weigh on the asset. Additionally, internal ecosystem challenges, including limited transparency and SHIB’s large supply, may also hinder significant price rallies. 

Senate Agriculture Committee Pushes Forward First Major U.S. Crypto Regulation

Zabi
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Senate Agriculture Committee Pushes Forward First Major U.S. Crypto Regulation

The U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee advanced a key bill on crypto market structure, signaling renewed momentum for federal digital asset regulation.

Specifically, the committee approved the measure on Thursday in a party-line vote, marking the first Senate committee vote advancing crypto market structure legislation.

All 12 Republican members voted in favor, while 11 Democrats opposed the proposal, according to the committee record. The vote was notable not only for its outcome but also for its procedural and symbolic importance after years of stalled efforts in Congress.

Key Points

  • The committee approved the Digital Commodity Intermediaries Act on Thursday in a party-line vote.
  • All 12 Republican members voted in favor; all 11 Democrats voted against.
  • The legislation grants the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) authority over digital commodities.
  • The bill establishes a regulatory framework for spot market intermediaries and includes consumer protection measures.
  • This marks the first Senate committee vote moving crypto market rules forward.
  • The legislation draws heavily from the bipartisan CLARITY Act passed by the House last year.

Defining Oversight for Digital Commodities

The legislation, titled the Digital Commodity Intermediaries Act, would grant the CFTC authority over digital commodities and formally define what qualifies as a digital commodity under federal law.

In addition to clarifying jurisdiction, the bill establishes a regulatory framework for spot market intermediaries. It also introduces consumer protection measures, including restrictions on conflicts of interest and customer disclosure requirements.

According to a statement from Committee Chairman John Boozman, these provisions are intended to reduce regulatory uncertainty while simultaneously strengthening market oversight.

Political Divisions Shape the Vote

The bill’s advancement underscores persistent partisan divisions over crypto regulation. For instance, Boozman, a Republican from Arkansas, moved forward with the vote despite losing earlier bipartisan support.

He had previously collaborated with Democratic Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey on a draft version of the legislation. However, Booker later withdrew his backing from the version brought to a vote.

Nevertheless, some Democrats had anticipated movement, with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York telling CNBC last week that she expected the committee to advance the bill.

The Path Ahead in the Senate

While clearing the Agriculture Committee is a key milestone, the vote does not guarantee swift passage. Before the legislation can reach the Senate floor, the Senate Banking Committee must approve its own version of a crypto market structure bill, after which the two efforts would need to be reconciled.

That process remains uncertain. The Banking Committee has postponed its scheduled January 15 session following objections from segments of the crypto industry, including Coinbase. The committee has not yet announced a new date to review the proposal.

Legislative Context and Broader Goals

Following the vote, Boozman characterized the committee’s action as an important step toward establishing clearer rules for digital asset markets. He acknowledged that further negotiations would be required and expressed hope that the bill’s advancement would help build broader support across the Senate.

Released on January 21, the current proposal draws heavily from the bipartisan CLARITY Act, which passed the House of Representatives last summer.

Boozman’s office said the Senate version reflects feedback from Senate Democrats and industry stakeholders gathered during bipartisan discussions.

Industry and Administration Respond

Reaction from the crypto industry was largely positive. In a post on X, Ripple Chief Executive Brad Garlinghouse said recent weeks had seen intensified efforts to advance market structure legislation. He emphasizes that regulatory clarity is preferable to prolonged uncertainty as digital assets become more embedded in the global financial system.

David Sacks, referred to as the U.S. “crypto czar,” echoed that view, adding that the committee’s vote moves the U.S. closer to becoming a global hub for cryptocurrency activity.

Evernorth CEO Excited About XLS-66, Eyes Institutional DeFi on XRP

Lele Jima
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Evernorth CEO Excited About XLS-66, Eyes Institutional DeFi on XRP

Asheesh Birla, CEO of XRP treasury company Evernorth, expressed excitement about efforts to unlock native, institutional-grade yield on idle XRP. 

This comes as Evernorth publicly backed the XRP Lending Protocol (XLS-66), emphasizing that it could strengthen its treasury strategy while accelerating institutional DeFi adoption on the XRP Ledger (XRPL). 

Key Points 

  • Evernorth supports efforts to unlock native, institutional-grade yield from idle XRP. 
  • XLS-66 introduces a native XRP lending framework built directly on the XRP Ledger. 
  • The proposal has now entered the validator voting phase following the release of XRPL v3.1.0. 
  • Despite growing concerns, analysts suggest that the amendment will complement, not replace, third-party lending initiatives.  

Evernorth Backs XLS-66 Proposal 

Meanwhile, Evernorth CBO Shagar Shah outlined the rationale for the support, noting that the proposal aims to convert idle XRP on exchanges and in cold storage into yield-generating assets. 

The XLS-66 amendment introduces a native XRP lending framework built directly on XRPL. Specifically, it proposes Single-Asset Vaults that support fixed-term, fixed-rate lending, while enabling predictable returns. 

Notably, assets remain fully on-ledger, eliminating the need for bridges, wrappers, or external DeFi platforms. Evernorth’s support signals that XLS-66 could evolve from theory into real-world treasury applications. If adopted, the protocol could shift XRP from idle holdings to productive on-chain capital.

Significance for Institutions and Retail Clients 

For institutions, Evernorth stated that XLS-66 offers a compliant and streamlined way to earn yield without moving assets across chains. Consequently, organizations can reduce tax exposure, operational complexity, and smart-contract risks while using a structure aligned with traditional treasury management. 

Similarly, for users and the broader XRPL ecosystem, the proposal could improve capital efficiency, deepen on-chain liquidity, and expand XRP’s utility beyond payments and settlement.

As a result, XLS-66 may strengthen XRPL’s role as a versatile financial infrastructure for both retail and institutional participants.

Evernorth CEO Reacts 

Reacting to the development, Birla expressed excitement, while emphasizing that the proposal lays the foundation for institutional DeFi vaults with a user experience tailored to large, regulated entities. 

As part of its review, he confirmed Evernorth is assessing how XLS-66 could generate yield on its treasury-held XRP. Evernorth is actively building the world’s largest XRP treasury.

Following a $1 billion raise from investors including SBI Holdings and Ripple, the company accelerated its accumulation strategy. According to data from CryptoQuant, Evernorth currently holds 388.71 million XRP, valued at around $744.15 million. 

XLS-66 to Complement Third-Party XRP Lending Initiatives

In the meantime, the XLS-66 proposal recently entered the validator voting phase following the release of XRPL v3.1.0. Following its advancement, some XRP community members have questioned how it could affect existing third-party projects that already generate yield for XRP holders.

Currently, platforms such as Flare, Axelar, and Hex Trust offer yield opportunities that require users to convert XRP into wrapped tokens and deploy them across DeFi protocols. Notably, some investors worry that XLS-66 could eventually displace these services. 

In response, prominent dUNL validator Vet dismissed these concerns, explaining that native XRPL lending would complement third-party offerings. For example, Vet noted that users could transfer FXRP from Flare back to XRPL for vault-based lending and later return it to Flare in pursuit of additional yield opportunities. 

XRP Price Forecast: XRP Trades Below Key SMA But Here’s What to Expect

Mark Brennan
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XRP Price Forecast: XRP Trades Below Key SMA But Here’s What to Expect

XRP is currently trading below its key Simple Moving Average, but an analyst on X expects a move to the upside.

XRP has faced significant downward pressure in the past 24 hours, seeing a 6.7% decline, with the price currently sitting at $1.7572. During this period, it has fluctuated between a high of $1.8887 and a low of $1.73.

This decline reflects persistent challenges, as XRP has also experienced losses of 8.6% in the last 7 days and 6.3% over the past 30 days. The recent downtrend is further highlighted by its year-to-date loss of 4.5%, adding to the continued negative performance seen over the last year, where XRP has declined by over 42%.

The long/short ratios on various platforms show an ongoing bullish sentiment, particularly on Binance and OKX, where the long-to-short ratio is higher than 2.5, signaling that traders are still positioning for upward movement. However, the price action continues to struggle against resistance levels, leaving traders watching for potential signs of recovery or further declines.

XRP Price Analysis

In the 4-hour XRP chart, the price is currently trading below the 9-period Simple Moving Average, which is now acting as a key resistance level at $1.8247. This is a crucial area for XRP to break above to initiate a potential upward movement. The price has been unable to surpass the SMA in previous hours, indicating that the bears have the upper hand at the moment. Notably, further declines may be possible unless this resistance gives way.

XRP Price Analysis
XRP Price Analysis

Looking at the support level, XRP is testing the $1.72 mark, which serves as an immediate support level. If the price fails to hold above this level, further declines toward the next key support zone around $1.70 could be imminent. 

Also, the Awesome Oscillator is showing a negative reading of -0.0900, reinforcing the bearish momentum. The red histogram bars also indicate that selling pressure dominates. Overall, a sustained crossover above the SMA, along with a shift in the AO towards positive territory, will be key signals for a potential bullish reversal. 

Here’s XRP’s Next Move

On the social media commentary side, analyst Amonyx recently shared a compelling XRP chart, highlighting a potential bullish move ahead. The chart shows XRP in a consolidation zone within a descending triangle, marked by a declining trendline and support at the lower range. These levels have been holding XRP from breaking out in either direction.

XRP 3-Day chart
XRP 3-Day chart

After defending the support line, Amonyx expects XRP to initiate an upward move, but must breach the descending trendline. Notably, Amonyx’s chart points to a target above $4.6 if the pattern works out.

Investors Who Believe XRP Could Hit $100 Would Not Sell Below $10: Former Ripple CTO

Mark Brennan
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Investors Who Believe XRP Could Hit $100 Would Not Sell Below $10: Former Ripple CTO

Former Ripple CTO David Schwartz recently argued that most XRP investors do not behave like people who genuinely believe XRP could hit $100.

He said anyone who truly believed XRP had that kind of upside would actively buy the token at current levels and would refuse to sell it below $10. According to Schwartz, the fact that many investors continue to sell XRP under that price shows that most individuals do not believe in the XRP to $100 claims.

Key Points

  • David Schwartz said a genuine belief in a $100 XRP price would lead investors to buy heavily and avoid selling below $10.
  • To him, the continuous selling of XRP under $10 suggests most investors do not believe in the $100 price scenario.
  • Schwartz chose not to specifically state that XRP could never reach $50 or $100, citing how he underestimated the crypto markets in the past.
  • He sold XRP around $0.10 in the past after assuming higher prices were unrealistic.
  • Schwartz argued that if many rational investors saw even a 10% chance of XRP hitting $100, low-priced supply would quickly disappear.

Schwartz Chooses Not to Discredit XRP to $100 Claims

He made these remarks during a discussion on X. Specifically, a Ripple supporter urged Schwartz to directly tell XRP holders that prices between $50 and $100 would never happen. The individual argued that extreme price expectations had caused many investors to lose money after putting too much faith in unrealistic targets.

In response, the Ripple CTO emeritus said he does not feel comfortable stating that XRP could never reach those levels, even though he personally believes such scenarios are unlikely. He explained that his own experience in crypto taught him to remain cautious about dismissing price outcomes.

Schwartz called attention to the past, when he believed XRP would never reach $0.25, admitting that he began selling his holdings at around $0.10 because prices already seemed unreasonable. He also pointed to Bitcoin’s early days, reminding participants that many people once viewed a $100 Bitcoin as an impossible goal.

Investors Who Believe XRP Could Hit $100 Would Not Sell Under $10

However, Schwartz suggested that if many rational investors believed XRP had even a 10% chance of reaching $100 within a few years, they would not sell significant amounts at current prices. Instead, those investors would quickly buy up available supply below $10.

Schwartz explained that buyers with that level of conviction would value XRP much more highly than current sellers. As a result, XRP priced far below $10 would disappear from the market. Since this has not happened, he concluded that very few people truly believe XRP has a meaningful chance of hitting $100 within that timeframe.

Essentially, persistent claims of $100 to XRP do not match the current investor behavior. Notably, market commentators such as Jake Claver, the CEO of Digital Ascension Group, have persistently championed claims of XRP reaching $100.

According to Schwartz, crypto prices generally behave rationally and often reflect realistic assessments of future potential and risk. He noted that major bull runs in crypto usually emerge from unexpected external developments, not from widely shared predictions or popular narratives.

Cardano Analysis for Jan 30: ADA Breaks Support But Long Traders Still Dominate

Mark Brennan
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Cardano Analysis for Jan 30: ADA Breaks Support But Long Traders Still Dominate

Cardano faces a sharp decline, breaking key supports, but long traders remain dominant. Why the contrast?

Cardano (ADA) has faced a significant 6.9% decline in the past 24 hours, with the price currently sitting at $0.3263. During this period, ADA’s price ranged from a high of $0.3516 to a low of $0.322, indicating sharp fluctuations. 

This drop follows a broader market correction, with Cardano experiencing a 9.1% loss over the past week and a 7.1% decline in the last 30 days. More concerning is the token’s performance over the past year, showing a dramatic 65.3% drop, as bearish sentiments dominate.

In terms of volume, Cardano has seen significant trading activity, with $1.4 billion in futures volume and $179 million in spot volume. The higher futures volume, particularly with long positions dominating at a ratio of 1.4357 on Binance, suggests traders are preparing for potential price swings.

ADA is currently testing lower price levels, with the price moving near its support zone. However, unless it can regain momentum, break through the recent resistance, and reverse the downtrend, further downside movement could occur. What’s next?

What’s Next for Cardano?

On TradingView’s technical charts, Cardano is currently showing bearish momentum, with the price trading below key resistance levels. The price has dropped below the Parabolic SAR at $0.3673. In addition, ADA has tested support levels like $0.358, and $0.334, and is now pointing to deeper levels.

ADA 1-Day Price Chart
ADA 1-Day Price Chart

If further support is broken, the next support level to watch is $0.28. The SAR is currently providing resistance, and ADA will need to break this level to reverse the bearish trend and initiate an upward movement towards levels like $0.40.

The Average True Range shows a relatively low volatility reading at 0.02051, suggesting that price movement may remain subdued unless there’s a significant catalyst. The low ATR reading indicates that Cardano’s price is moving within a narrower range and could either continue drifting sideways or break out with a significant move once volatility increases. 

Overall, traders should closely monitor the resistance at $0.3673 to gauge whether ADA can establish a more bullish trend in the coming days.

Cardano Long vs Short

Meanwhile, the Long/Short ratios for Cardano provide useful insights into market sentiment and positioning across various exchanges. On Binance, the long-to-short ratio for ADA/USDT accounts stands at 2.2595, indicating that a majority of retail traders are holding long positions on Cardano.

ADA Longs vs Shorts
ADA Longs vs Shorts

When looking at the top traders on Binance, the ratio increases slightly to 2.5137. On OKX, the long-to-short ratio is even higher at 3.14, which further supports the notion of a more optimistic outlook from traders on that platform.

However, when examining the positions on Binance ADA/USDT, the ratio drops to 1.4357, indicating that while there are more long positions, there is a higher level of short positioning relative to the overall positions. 

Bitcoin Tumbles Below $82,000 Amid $1.6 Billion in Forced Liquidations

Zabi
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Bitcoin Tumbles Below $82,000 Amid $1.6 Billion in Forced Liquidations

Bitcoin extended its recent decline on Friday, falling to its lowest level in nine months as investors pulled back from risk assets.

The drop followed mounting geopolitical tensions, fresh tariff warnings from the United States, and renewed concerns over technology stocks. Together, these factors triggered a sharp wave of liquidations across crypto markets.

Key Points

  • Bitcoin traded near $81,100 in early Friday trading. 
  • Bitcoin is down about 34% from its October peak of $126,080. 
  • The total crypto market capitalization fell by roughly $200 billion in 24 hours.
  • About 267,330 traders were liquidated over the past day. 
  • Liquidation losses totaled approximately $1.68 billion.

Bitcoin Price Breakdown and Market Fallout

In early trading on Friday, Bitcoin fell to around $81,100, its weakest level since April. The move deepened the cryptocurrency’s downturn, leaving it roughly 34% below its all-time high of $126,080 reached in October.

As Bitcoin fell, losses quickly spread across the broader digital asset market. Specifically, total crypto market capitalization declined by around $200 billion within 24 hours.

Forced liquidations intensified the selloff. According to CoinGlass, roughly 267,330 traders were liquidated over the past day. In total, losses reached $1.68 billion, with nearly 93% tied to leveraged long positions, mainly in Bitcoin and Ethereum. These figures indicate aggressive unwinding as prices moved lower.

Crypto LIquidations in Past 24 Hours
Crypto Liquidations in the Past 24 Hours

Geopolitical Tensions and Tariff Signals Weigh on Sentiment

Beyond crypto-specific factors, global developments added pressure. The United States sent another warship to the Middle East as tensions with Iran continued to rise. US President Donald Trump said he planned to speak with Iranian officials, according to comments made to reporters on Thursday.

Meanwhile, trade policy concerns resurfaced. Trump declared a national emergency and signed an executive order targeting countries that sell or supply oil to Cuba, imposing new tariffs. Consequently, these actions increased uncertainty across financial markets, reinforcing the selloff already underway.

Metals and Technology Stocks Join the Decline

Market weakness was not limited to cryptocurrencies. Traditional assets also showed signs of stress as investors reassessed risk. Gold fell about 9% from its recent high of $5,600 per ounce, reached on Thursday, while silver dropped roughly 11.5%.

Technology stocks added another layer of strain. Microsoft shares slid 10% on Thursday, marking the company’s sharpest single-day decline since March 2020. The drop followed earnings results that revealed heavy spending and slowing growth in cloud services, unsettling investors.

Analyst Perspective on the Crypto Pullback

Commenting on the broader market reaction, Jeff Mei, chief operations officer at crypto exchange BTSE, linked the crypto selloff to weakness in technology stocks. Specifically, in a media statement, he said the downturn closely tracked Microsoft’s earnings-driven decline.

Mei added that investors appear increasingly concerned about a wider pullback in AI-related technology shares. Consequently, some are reducing exposure across markets. He also noted that cryptocurrencies have already been under pressure since October, suggesting current prices may reflect an exaggerated reaction rather than a fundamental shift.

XRP is Resistant to Price Swings and Political Instability: Top Validator

Lele Jima
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0
XRP is Resistant to Price Swings and Political Instability: Top Validator

An XRP Ledger validator has said that the network’s performance remains steady regardless of XRP’s price swings or broader political and financial uncertainty. 

This commentary, made by XRPL dUNL validator Vet, highlights the resilience of the leading blockchain. It suggests that the ledger’s long-term significance is rooted in its uptime, speed, and decentralised governance rather than short-term market sentiment.

Key Points

  • XRPL’s network’s performance remains stable regardless of XRP’s price movements.
  • The development confirms XRPL’s performance is not influenced by political or financial instability.
  • The ledger continues to close blocks every three to four seconds without interruption.
  • Vet describes XRPL as neutral, borderless, and censorship-resistant.

XRPL Closes Blocks Every 3-4 Seconds

In his tweet, Vet explained that while markets fluctuate and global financial systems face disruption, XRPL continues to process and close blocks every three to four seconds, validating transactions without interruption.

He added that the network operates independently of price volatility, geopolitical tensions, or shifts in the global financial system.

Vet further described XRPL as neutral, borderless, and censorship-resistant, emphasizing that it is not controlled by any single country, institution, or ideology.

In effect, the ledger continues to function as a global settlement layer that remains accessible and resilient to external pressures. Based on these attributes, he characterized XRPL as next-generation financial infrastructure.

What Closing Blocks on XRPL Means

Notably, Vet shared a short clip showing the ledger closing blocks with transactions within seconds. For context, a block closure on XRPL means that independent validators have reached consensus on transaction order and outcomes, finalizing a new, immutable network state.

Unlike Bitcoin, which mines blocks, XRPL closes a new block in seconds, creating a continuous, high-speed record of network activity.

Trillions Erased From Financial Markets in Hours

A global market collapse wiped out trillions of dollars within hours of the U.S. markets opening yesterday. The downturn stemmed from high leverage and rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran.

Bitcoin led the retracement, while precious metals followed. Notably, gold and silver erased nearly $4 trillion in market value within an hour. Meanwhile, the downturn also extended to the stock market, with the S&P 500 falling 1.3% and wiping out $800 billion over the same period.

Markets, including crypto, continue to reflect the pressure. Specifically, Bitcoin has dropped 5.97% over the past day, trading below $83,000. Similarly, XRP has declined 6.41% over the last 24 hours, trading at $1.75.

Amid the turmoil and growing investor frustration, Vet pointed to XRPL’s uninterrupted performance as evidence of its resilience during periods of geopolitical and financial instability.

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