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Why XRP Is Sometimes Compared to Early Infrastructure Participation Rather Than Equity or Currency

Abdulkarim Abdulwahab
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Why XRP Is Sometimes Compared to Early Infrastructure Participation Rather Than Equity or Currency

A growing discussion within the XRP community frames the asset as an early stake in an emerging financial system that has yet to fully launch into global liquidity.

That idea was recently amplified by financial commentator Martin Geddes. In a tweet, Geddes suggested that XRP may still be priced as if it were at a “seed round” stage, despite being positioned for much broader real-world use.

Key Points

  • Many view XRP as an early stake in a future financial system still priced like a startup.
  • Supporters believe XRP’s speed and low cost position it for global payments infrastructure adoption.
  • Long-term holders see XRP as a generational bet, valuing patience over short-term price action.
  • Critics remain skeptical, citing XRP’s age, price gap with Bitcoin, and large supply concerns.

XRP as a Pre-Launch Financial Infrastructure Bet

Geddes compared XRP to a share in a startup civilization, suggesting the market may not yet fully value its potential if global payments and settlement systems are redesigned.

In this view, holding XRP isn’t just about short-term price speculation. It’s about being early to a moment when real use, scale, and liquidity come together.

Supporters argue that XRP’s speed, low cost, and ability to work across systems make it well suited for future financial infrastructure.

Why Early Believers Stay Committed

Another X user, “Breakfast Friend,” explained why XRP attracts long-term holders. Many supporters believe today’s financial system is inefficient and unsustainable, and that XRP is set to play a major role in whatever comes next.

From this perspective, holding XRP is not random or hype-driven. It’s a deliberate choice based on recognizing structural problems in the current system and anticipating where future financial infrastructure may form.

“Gift of Inheritance”

Similarly, X user Kathleen Close remarked that some holders view XRP as a gift of inheritance for their children and grandchildren, calling it a generational opportunity.

The idea is that while XRP remains around $2 and many people have written it off, a few years or even decades from now, the asset could be in a much stronger position, rewarding early investors.

XRP commentators often project a future where XRP’s price journey could resemble Bitcoin’s rise from roughly $0.05 to over $100,000. Indeed, those who bought Bitcoin a decade ago and held through volatility have made fortunes from relatively small initial investments.

XRP holders hope for a similar outcome. However, critics argue that this comparison is flawed, noting that XRP has been on the market nearly as long as Bitcoin, yet their prices remain far apart. They also point to XRP’s large supply as a limiting factor.

Market Still Debating the Thesis

Ultimately, while these ideas remain speculative, they reflect a widespread belief among supporters that the future may hold significant promise for patient investors, especially for a token tied to potential next-generation financial infrastructure.

How Much XRP Is Actually Enough to Hold in a Long-Term Portfolio

Mark Brennan
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How Much XRP Is Actually Enough to Hold in a Long-Term Portfolio

XRP community figure Oscar Ramos recently discussed the amount of XRP tokens that could be enough for the average investor.

In a post on X, Ramos explained that deciding how many tokens an investor needs depends entirely on personal circumstances. However, he admitted that most early holders built their positions when XRP traded below $1 and therefore found it easier to reach larger totals.

Ramos called attention to his own experience accumulating around 100,000 XRP during periods when the asset cost roughly $0.50. He pointed out that a similar target may feel less attainable today because XRP now trades significantly higher.

Key Points

  • In his commentary, Ramos used 100,000 XRP as a personal benchmark, which he amassed when the price hovered near $0.50.
  • According to him, most long-term holders accumulated below $1, easing entry costs.
  • He acknowledged XRP has increased over 6x from those accumulation levels, as XRP currently trades for $2.05.
  • Investors who bought 100,000 XRP at $0.5 would have spent $50,000, with the investment now worth $205K.
  • However, Ramos stressed that holding targets depend on individual capacity and goals.
  • He rejected the idea that higher or lower holdings define community status.
  • Overall, the market pundit expects accumulation challenges to grow as price rises over time.

Cost Basis Drives Perceived “Enough”

Ramos’s recent commentary showed that timing remains the most important factor. He pointed out that what felt realistic one year ago is harder to achieve today because price appreciation continues to push entry costs higher.

With the 100,000 XRP instance, Ramos showed how certain holdings look large only because they were assembled when XRP traded at a fraction of its current levels. The same target requires significantly more capital today, which changes how newer investors evaluate what is achievable.

Individual Capabilities Should Determine Holding Size

Instead of setting a universal benchmark, Ramos noted that investors should buy according to their financial comfort. He rejected the idea that ownership volume should be a competition or a status marker inside the community, aligning with previous comments from community figure Xena.

He noted that everyone enters the market at different times, and that no one should feel pressured to match the position sizes of early adopters. Notably, what matters is strategy and research, not matching someone else’s portfolio size.

Historical Context

Several analysts and community figures have discussed their own benchmarks over the past market cycle. Edo Farina repeatedly noted in late 2024 and early 2025 that holding between 1,000 and 2,600 XRP placed wallets within the upper tiers of the XRP Rich List. His goal was to show that relatively small amounts could still rank strongly against the broader holder base.

In May 2025, Vale argued that 50,000 XRP represented a level that serious investors might pursue if they wanted deep exposure to the asset. Around the same period, DustyBC suggested that just holding XRP could be enough to make it.

Important Caveat

Most of these commentaries come from XRP community figures who believe XRP has the potential to reach higher levels in the future. However, investors should not attempt to enter the market based on these optimistic views alone, as there’s no guarantee XRP could rise to the expected prices.

Will This Cycle Follow Dogecoin Past Rallies?

Mark Brennan
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Will This Cycle Follow Dogecoin Past Rallies?

Dogecoin has upheld its standards so far this cycle, and analyst Bitcoinsensus has kept in touch with this sideways trend.

In a Monday commentary, the analyst asked whether Dogecoin would perform as well as previous cycles, where it exploded after a similar structural development. Notably, the analysis featured a breakdown of Dogecoin’s price action in previous market periods and how far it has progressed.

Key Data Points

  • Dogecoin’s current price action mirrors what the market witnessed in past market cycles.
  • Bitcoinsensus has closely monitored this trend, asking in the recent analysis if Dogecoin would follow its previous cycles.
  • The analysis highlighted Dogecoin’s price action in previous market cycles, with Bitcoinsensus noting that Dogecoin has been moving in several waves for over 12 years.
  • Within this period, Dogecoin has moved in a clear pattern of correction, accumulation, and then a price rally.
  • The last two cycles have followed this pattern, producing growths of 5,858% and 21,457%.
  • Two of the three cyclical fractal patterns have occurred since the 2022 market cycle started.
  • If history repeats, Bitcoinsensus says Dogecoin will rebound from recent lows and target higher prices.

Historical Data of Previous Dogecoin Cycles

Over the past 12 years, DOGE has moved in a clear pattern of correction, accumulation, and then a price rally. In the earliest cycle, Dogecoin started a correctional phase in 2014, correcting from its post-launch rally to $0.0022.

This continued until early 2015, when it entered an ascending channel from the lows of $0.001. In March 2017, DOGE broke out from this channel and began an expansion to the cycle’s high of $0.0041, culminating in a 5,858% growth per the analyst’s chart.

Dogecoin Cyclical Fractal/Bitcoinsensus
Dogecoin Cyclical Fractal/Bitcoinsensus

A similar scene played out after the 2014-2018 cycle concluded. Specifically, Dogecoin entered another triangle-like accumulation structure and consolidated until June 2020, when it reached a low of $0.0022.

DOGE transitioned to a very short accumulation zone that lasted just five months. In November 2020, the token broke out and entered an impulsive move to its May 2021 peak price of $0.7605, which remains its all-time high. The move implied a 21,457% gain from the breakout point of the accumulation zone.

Repeating Cyclical Pattern? What It Means for Dogecoin

Meanwhile, two of the three cyclical fractal patterns have occurred since the 2022 market cycle started. Dogecoin entered another descending triangle after the ATH and consolidated to the lows of $0.0569 before beginning its current accumulation phase in early November 2023.

Notably, Bitcoinsensus’ chart shows that the meme coin is now at a point where Dogecoin historically broke out. As the accumulation period winds down, the analysis shows a correlation with previous ones; hence, there is a strong chance that history will repeat itself.

However, the rate at which DOGE would increase if the bullish phase starts remains uncertain. As a result, he asked if this cycle would be as “explosive” as the previous ones.

Risks to Consider

If history repeats, Dogecoin will rebound from recent lows and target higher prices. The percentage increase will depend on momentum, adoption, and the broader market conditions.

However, it could go the other way too, and Dogecoin could dump to retest previous lows. So Bitcoinsensus is not giving financial advice, and all investment decisions should be made after thorough research.

Ethereum Analysis for Jan 13: Where Next as ETH Price Holds Key Support?

Albert Brown
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Ethereum Analysis for Jan 13: Where Next as ETH Price Holds Key Support?

Ethereum is consolidating around key support levels, with potential for upward momentum if it maintains current support and overcomes resistance.

For context, Ethereum (ETH) is currently trading at $3,134, reflecting a modest 0.5% increase over the past 24 hours. The price has fluctuated between $3,071 and $3,141, indicating a relatively narrow daily range. It also suggests some consolidation around the $3,100 level, which could indicate that Ethereum is building a base for a potential continuation of its upward momentum.

Looking at Ethereum’s broader performance, it has shown a 2.5% decrease over the past week due to a brief pullback. However, it has also gained 5.5% over the last 14 days, indicating a more positive medium-term outlook.

Should the upward momentum persist, Ethereum could be poised to challenge the $3,160 resistance level again. However, maintaining its position above the $3,100 support zone will be crucial for continued bullish prospects.

Where’s Ethereum Price Headed?

Notably, Ethereum is currently navigating within a consolidation phase, with price action fluctuating between the upper Bollinger Band at $3,276.54 and the lower band at $2,852.52. 

Ethereum Price Analysis
Ethereum Price Analysis

The $3,200 area has proven to be a critical resistance zone, where ETH has faced repeated challenges. The midline of the Bollinger Bands, sitting near $3,064, is acting as a dynamic support level, which suggests that Ethereum is trading in a relatively stable channel as long as this level holds.

On the downside, $2,940 and $2,852 represent key support zones. A break below these levels could trigger a deeper retracement towards $2,700 and potentially even $2,600. 

Meanwhile, the Stochastic RSI is near the oversold area, with a value of 29.65. At this point, unless the blue line crosses above the orange line, and the RSI crosses above the 50 mark, there may not be enough momentum to push Ethereum higher in the short term.

Ethereum Open Interest

A separate chart from CoinGlass highlights the relationship between Ethereum’s price and the Open Interest-Weighted Funding Rate over time. ETH’s price showed recent fluctuations around the $3,121 mark, while the OI-Weighted indicator showed a positive reading at 0.0074%.

Ethereum OI-Weighted Funding Rate
Ethereum OI-Weighted Funding Rate

The OI-Weighted indicator tracks the influence of open interest on price movements, with higher readings indicating stronger market participation. Notably, the chart reveals an uptick in OI recently, which suggests growing investor confidence and liquidity.

The chart also shows a marked divergence between price and OI-Weighted in early December 2025 and again in early January 2026. This divergence could indicate a potential shift in market sentiment, with OI-Weighted increasing during price corrections. This could signal accumulation or a buildup for a larger price movement.

XRP Analysis for Jan 13: Bulls Defend Support but Real Test at $2.09 Fib Resistance

Mark Brennan
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XRP Analysis for Jan 13: Bulls Defend Support but Real Test at $2.09 Fib Resistance

XRP faces key resistance at the 0.5 Fibonacci level, with the next major move dependent on whether support holds.

XRP is currently sitting at $2.06, with a modest 24-hour surge of 0.1%. Over the last 24 hours, the price has fluctuated between $2.03 and $2.10. Despite the fluctuations, XRP has demonstrated resilience, holding above the $2.05 mark, which suggests steady demand at these levels.

Notably, over the past 7 days, XRP has seen a negative performance, down by 13.4%, indicating strong short-term bearish momentum. Within these 14 days, XRP has gained 10.7%, reflecting a continued medium term upward trend. More impressively, over the 30 days, XRP has increased by 1.9%. As these fluctuations continue, the question remains: can XRP maintain support and surge higher?

Can XRP Maintain Support?

A TradingView chart shows XRP trading within a clearly defined Fibonacci retracement range, with recent price action pulling back from the upper boundary near $2.41. During the latest move, XRP declined from this upper range, but buyers stepped in before the price could test the 0.618 Fibonacci level at around $2.02. 

XRP Analysis
XRP Analysis

For now, the next price action would depend on whether XRP holds this support and reverses upward. Further, overhead resistance now starts at the 0.5 Fibonacci level near $2.09.

If XRP fails to reclaim the $2.09–$2.17 zone, downside pressure could return, with first support at the 0.618 level, followed by deeper support at the 0.786 retracement near $1.91. A loss of that level would expose the lower demand area around $1.77, which marks the base of the broader Fibonacci structure. 

Meanwhile, the True Strength Index remains elevated but has begun to slope downward, signaling cooling momentum rather than outright weakness. This suggests XRP is consolidating after a strong impulse move, with the next directional break likely to occur once momentum decisively resets or reaccelerates.

XRP Case Scenarios

Elsewhere, in the analysis shared by More Crypto Online, the Elliott Wave theory is applied to explain XRP’s price action, with the market currently looking lifeless.

XRP Prediction
XRP Prediction

The key focus now is on the start of wave B, which will be pivotal in determining whether the market follows the yellow scenario (an upward move) or the orange scenario (a continued downtrend). Resistance is firmly set between $2.17 and $2.33, acting as an obstacle for any immediate bullish momentum.

Currently, the attention is on the $1.96 support level, which serves as the next critical structural point. A break below this level could indicate further downside, potentially testing support zones around $1.77 and $1.68.

Senate Bill Curbs Stablecoin Yield, Relaxes Rules for ETF-Linked Tokens

Zabi
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Senate Bill Curbs Stablecoin Yield, Relaxes Rules for ETF-Linked Tokens

US lawmakers are taking a closer look at how stablecoin rewards should be regulated and how certain digital tokens should be classified under federal law.

A new draft from the Senate Banking Committee aims to clarify rules around stablecoin incentives and update disclosure requirements for tokens tied to exchange-traded products.

These changes give a clearer picture of how Congress may regulate the crypto market as it works on broader legislation.

Key Facts at a Glance

  • The Senate Banking Committee released an updated draft of the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act on Monday

  • The proposal allows stablecoin rewards but bans yield earned solely from holding stablecoins

  • Certain tokens linked to ETFs may receive disclosure exemptions
  • The exemption cutoff date is January 1, 2026
  • The Senate Agriculture Committee delayed its markup until late January

Stablecoin Yield Moves to the Forefront

At the heart of the revised draft is a sharper distinction between permissible rewards and prohibited yield. The legislation allows incentives based on active stablecoin usage rather than on how long the assets are held.

Importantly, the bill makes clear that these activity-based rewards do not alter a stablecoin’s legal status. Specifically, they do not convert stablecoins into securities or banking products.

However, the draft draws a firm boundary immediately afterward. Any interest or yield paid solely for holding a payment stablecoin is explicitly banned. Additionally, this restriction applies regardless of whether compensation is issued in cash, tokens, or other forms.

Separating Activity From Passive Returns

This distinction was designed to address long-standing concerns from traditional banking groups, which have argued that yield-bearing stablecoins closely resemble deposit accounts.

By contrast, crypto firms dispute that characterization, contending that most reward programs resemble incentives already common across fintech and payments platforms. Accordingly, the draft reflects this divide by permitting rewards tied to real economic activity while blocking passive returns.

To that end, the bill allows incentives connected to payments, transfers, remittances, and settlement activity. It also permits benefits tied to the use of wallets, accounts, platforms, and blockchain networks.

Broader Incentives Remain on the Table

Beyond core payment activity, the draft expands the scope of permissible incentives. Loyalty programs, promotional offers, subscriptions, and rebates involving stablecoins are explicitly allowed.

Additionally, the legislation accommodates crypto-native functions. Rewards tied to liquidity provision, collateral usage, governance participation, validation, staking, and broader ecosystem engagement remain permissible.

Across all of these categories, the underlying principle is consistent: the bill favors participation and usage over passive holding.

ETF Status Redefines Token Disclosure Rules

Alongside stablecoin yield, the draft introduces a significant shift in how certain tokens are treated for disclosure purposes. As highlighted by Crypto In America journalist Eleanor Terrett, the bill includes language affecting tokens tied to exchange-traded products.

Under the proposal, a token may be exempt from certain disclosure requirements if it serves as the ETF’s primary asset. To qualify, the product must be listed on a national securities exchange and registered under the Securities Exchange Act.

Crucially, the exemption applies to ETFs in existence as of January 1, 2026. Tokens meeting these criteria would no longer be subject to the same disclosure filing requirements as other digital assets.

As written, the provision places several well-known tokens on equal regulatory footing with Bitcoin and Ethereum from the start. Assets such as XRP, LTC, SOL, DOGE,  LINK, and HBAR could qualify if they meet the ETF criteria.

In effect, ETF inclusion functions as a proxy for regulatory maturity, reducing compliance obligations for qualifying tokens.

Legislative Progress Remains Uneven

Despite progress at the Banking Committee, movement elsewhere has slowed. The Senate Agriculture Committee postponed its markup of the crypto market structure bill until the final week of January.

Chairman John Boozman said the delay is intended to allow more time to secure bipartisan support. The pause underscores the complexity of aligning multiple committees on crypto legislation.

Industry Pushback Continues Outside Congress

Meanwhile, debate over stablecoin yield is intensifying beyond Capitol Hill. Last week, a group of US community banks urged lawmakers to revise the GENIUS Act, warning that stablecoin issuers are indirectly routing yield through exchanges and partners.

The banks argue that these practices could divert deposits away from community lenders, reducing credit availability.

On the other hand, crypto advocacy groups have rejected that argument. In a letter sent last month, the Crypto Council for Innovation and the Blockchain Association said payment stablecoins do not fund loans. Instead, they cautioned that tighter rules could restrict innovation and consumer choice.

As negotiations continue, the updated draft makes one thing clear: lawmakers are attempting to balance innovation with financial risk by drawing precise lines around stablecoin yield and token classification, even as consensus on broader crypto regulation remains a work in progress.

Could 5,000 XRP be Worth 1 Bitcoin in 2026?

Mark Brennan
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Could 5,000 XRP be Worth 1 Bitcoin in 2026?

Bird, a crypto influencer and well-known pundit within the XRP community, says 5,000 XRP could be worth a full Bitcoin in 2026.

The market commentator presented this during one of his X commentaries, feeding into the narrative that the price of XRP may gain ground against Bitcoin (BTC) over the next few months. “5,000 XRP will be worth 1 Bitcoin in 2026,” he said on Monday.

5000 XRP Worth 1 Bitcoin
5000 XRP Worth 1 Bitcoin

Notably, this matters for XRP because if the altcoin could actually outperform Bitcoin in the next phase of the market, especially with BTC also recording its own upward push, such a scenario would naturally translate to a greater price uptrend in dollar terms.

Key Data Around XRP Performance Against Bitcoin

  • The XRPBTC pair, which tracks XRP’s performance relative to BTC, stood at 0.00002487 in October 2025, but has dropped 10.1% to 0.00002235 today, as XRP underperforms.
  • During this period, BTC outperformed XRP in October 2025, but XRP flipped the switch to gain 4.15% against BTC in November 2025.
  • This month, January 2026, the recovery push within the broader market has led to a further 6.52% rise for XRP.
  • Amid this rebound, Bird believes XRP could rise to a point where 5,000 tokens would be worth 1 full BTC.
  • At the current price of 0.00002235 BTC, 5,000 XRP is worth 0.11 BTC. 
  • For these tokens to be worth 1 BTC, the XRPBTC pair must rise 794% to 0.0002. If Bitcoin maintains its $92,000 price, the 0.0002 value will translate to an XRP price of $18.4.

Why XRP Could Outperform Bitcoin

One reason pundits like Bird believe XRP could push ahead is that altcoins often take the lead in the second phase of a bull run. 

Once Bitcoin finishes its initial surge and traders lock in profits, capital often moves into the broader altcoin market. This rotation brings new liquidity, and tokens like XRP tend to see sharper moves because of their smaller market size and higher volatility.

Notably, the market often calls this “altcoin season,” a period when many altcoins outperform Bitcoin. As investors chase bigger percentage gains, money pours into assets beyond BTC, and XRP becomes a direct beneficiary. CMC data shows that the altcoin season index sits at 29. Values above 75 indicate a full-blown altcoin season.

Additionally, the XRP ecosystem has continued to experience bullish developments since last year. Specifically, XRP ETFs launched in November 2025 and have since recorded $1.23 billion worth of inflows. Ripple has also expanded its reach through partnerships, acquisitions, and regulatory progress.

For instance, just last week, Ripple secured an EMI license in the U.K. The sentiments that often come with these bullish developments could help XRP’s price prospects when the altcoin season fully kicks in, allowing it to potentially outperform BTC.

Historical Context and Important Caveat

If this ever happens, it wouldn’t mark the first time XRP outpaced Bitcoin’s growth. For context, during the 2017/2018 bull market, XRP soared 5,122% in the heat of the altcoin market. During this rally, XRP hit a peak price of 0.0002454 in May 2017. At this value, 5,000 XRP tokens had a value of 1.227 BTC.

However, past performances do not guarantee success in the future. Notably, since 2017, XRP has continued to underperform relative to BTC. While XRP proponents believe this trend could change soon, investors should note that there is no guarantee this will play out.

This New Protocol Update Is Going to Be ‘Massive for XRP’

Abdulkarim Abdulwahab
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This New Protocol Update Is Going to Be ‘Massive for XRP’

A fresh development around native lending on the XRP Ledger (XRPL) is drawing strong reactions across the community.

Commentator Zach Rector is calling it “massive for XRP” as core protocol work quietly moves forward.

Rector’s comments came in response to a post from Vet, an XRPL validator, highlighting new progress on the XRP Ledger’s upcoming lending protocol.

At the center of the discussion is Ripple engineer Ed Hennis, who continues to lead development on XLS-66, a proposal that introduces native, fixed-term lending directly on the XRPL. Rector believes the update could be a major turning point for XRP.

Key Data Points

  • XRPL native lending gains momentum as XLS-66 development advances quietly but meaningfully.
  • Zach Rector calls the XLS-66 update “massive for XRP” as protocol work nears readiness.
  • A new GitHub merge cleans up lending code, improving efficiency and maintainability.
  • Native fixed-term lending could expand XRPL beyond payments into on-chain credit markets.

What Changed: Inside the Latest GitHub Update

Vet pointed to a newly merged pull request by Hennis, PR #6161, which refines the lending codebase tied to XLS-66. While the update does not change the core concept of the protocol, it significantly improves the system’s implementation.

According to the GitHub notes, the update:

  • Reduces duplicated code and improves efficiency
  • Fixes typos and unused variables
  • Simplifies logic around loan withdrawals and balances
  • Improves internal documentation and links the code more closely to the XLS-66 specification

In sum, the changes clean up the foundation of XRPL’s lending logic, making it more robust and easier to maintain as the protocol moves closer to production readiness.

Why XLS-66 Matters for the XRP Ledger

XLS-66 seeks to enable uncollateralized, fixed-term, fixed-rate loans using pooled liquidity held in on-chain vaults. This is a major shift from most DeFi platforms, which rely heavily on overcollateralization and volatile interest rates.

The proposal builds on earlier standards and aims to expand XRPL’s role beyond payments. It allows assets like XRP and Ripple’s stablecoin, RLUSD, to be used in structured credit markets.

Key features include:

  • Fixed repayment schedules with predictable interest
  • Grace periods and penalties for late payments
  • Early repayment and overpayment support
  • First-loss capital to protect lenders from defaults
  • Full on-chain transparency without custom smart contracts

RippleX: The Bigger Lending Framework

Earlier in January 2025, the RippleX team published a detailed overview of the XRPL lending framework that combines XLS-65 and XLS-66.

XLS-65 introduces Single Asset Vaults, which pool deposits from multiple users while keeping each vault limited to one asset, such as XRP or RLUSD. This design prevents risk from spreading across assets and mirrors how traditional funds operate.

XLS-66 then layers lending functionality on top of these vaults, enabling institutional-style credit issuance directly on the ledger, with underwriting handled off-chain but enforcement handled on-chain.

Why the XRP Community Is Paying Attention

For more than a decade, the XRP Ledger focused almost exclusively on payments. While this helped XRPL become fast, cheap, and reliable, it limited growth in DeFi compared to newer chains.

Native lending changes that narrative. By embedding credit directly into the protocol, XRPL seeks to evolve into an institutional finance platform, increasing XRP’s utility, liquidity, and long-term relevance.

This context explains why Zach Rector and others see the latest XLS-66 progress as more than a technical update. To many, it implies that XRP is setting itself up for a bigger role in on-chain credit markets.

Standard Chartered Weighs Launch of Crypto Trading and Prime Brokerage Platform

Zabi
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Standard Chartered Weighs Launch of Crypto Trading and Prime Brokerage Platform

Standard Chartered is considering expanding its digital assets business, with early discussions underway to launch a crypto trading and prime brokerage platform.

If pursued, the initiative would place the British lender among a cohort of global banks expanding their exposure to cryptocurrencies.

Key Points

  • Standard Chartered is in early talks to develop a crypto trading and prime brokerage platform, Bloomberg reported Monday. 
  • The proposed initiative is being discussed under SC Ventures, the bank’s venture capital arm, according to Bloomberg. 
  • No launch timeline has been set, and the bank has not confirmed the plan.
  • Standard Chartered launched institutional crypto trading services in July 2025.

Early-Stage Discussions Under SC Ventures

According to Bloomberg, Standard Chartered is in early discussions about developing a platform for crypto trading and prime brokerage. Specifically, the proposal is being explored by SC Ventures, the bank’s venture capital and innovation arm, which focuses on emerging financial technologies.

For now, the discussions remain exploratory. Bloomberg reported that no launch timeline has been established. Additionally, Standard Chartered has yet to publicly confirm the plan, leaving the potential expansion in the planning stage.

Existing Footprint in Crypto Markets

Although the brokerage platform has yet to materialize, Standard Chartered already maintains a foothold in digital assets. For instance, in July 2025, the bank introduced crypto trading services designed for institutional and corporate clients.

Consequently, that launch enabled professional investors to trade major cryptocurrencies. It also provided the operational framework necessary should the new initiative advance.

Industry Momentum Among Major Banks

Standard Chartered’s reported deliberations highlight a broader shift within traditional finance. In response to this trend, major banks are increasingly evaluating crypto-linked products.

For context, Morgan Stanley recently filed to launch an Ethereum exchange-traded fund, marking its third crypto-related ETF filing.

Meanwhile, Bank of America approved four spot Bitcoin ETFs earlier this month, allowing the products to be proactively recommended by more than 15,000 wealth advisers.

Taken together, these developments underscore increasing involvement in digital assets across the banking sector.

Ethereum Outlook Revised Lower in the Medium Term

Even as it explores new crypto services, Standard Chartered has taken a more cautious view on Ethereum’s price trajectory in the medium term.

Specifically, in a note released Monday, the bank lowered its forecast for Ethereum at the end of 2026 to $7,500, down from a prior estimate of $12,000.

It also reduced its end-2028 projection to $22,000 from $25,000, citing continued softness across digital asset markets.

Long-Term View Remains Optimistic

The near- and medium-term downgrade was partly attributed to Bitcoin’s recent performance. Geoff Kendrick, global head of digital assets research at Standard Chartered, said weaker Bitcoin returns continue to weigh on the broader crypto market, given Bitcoin’s dominant influence.

Nevertheless, the bank remains optimistic about Ethereum’s long-term potential. Standard Chartered now expects the second-largest cryptocurrency to surpass $40,000 by 2030, thereby raising its previous long-term target of $30,000.

Cardano to Enter a New Phase in 2026?—What’s Driving the Confidence in ADA

Elendu Benedict
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Cardano to Enter a New Phase in 2026?—What’s Driving the Confidence in ADA

Mentor, a dYdX ambassador, has expressed a bullish stance on Cardano, stating that it would gain substantial traction soon enough.

He revealed this in a recent X post. In his own words, the blue-chip asset would be the “next big thing,” suggesting that Cardano may rally to a new all-time high of $5 in 2026.

Notably, this matters because community and broader sentiments shape investors’ perceptions of an asset. With Mentor, among others, remaining unfazed by the current price uncertainty, it suggests confidence within the ADA camp despite the chaos.

Key Data Points on Cardano Price Action

  • Like most other cryptocurrencies, Cardano started the year on a positive note, but that momentum has hit a roadblock.
  • ADA surged to a high of $0.43 last week, up from its January 1 opening price of $0.33, representing a 30% gain.
  • Market participants suggested that the strong start was a glimpse of what lies ahead for Cardano this year.
  • However, the momentum seems to be fading, as evidenced by recent price action. ADA has now retraced 9.30% from its high last week to its current price of $0.39. Despite this, it has increased 1.30% so far today.
  • Amid the ongoing price action, Mentor believes Cardano will soon enter a new phase to hit $5, citing the prospect that prices will develop rapidly.
  • ADA will need to rise 1,182% to reach $5.

Why ADA Could Enter a New Phase in 2026

While Mentor failed to present a technical or fundamental context for his outlook, making it highly speculative, recent developments suggest Cardano could indeed enter a new phase in 2026. Founder Charles Hoskinson has repeatedly drummed this sentiment, citing technological advancement as the driver.

Upgrades like the Ouroboros Leios, implementations such as the Midnight mainnet launch, and strategic partnerships like that with the Pyth network position Cardano favorably this year. Furthermore, the initiative to boost DeFi by attracting Bitcoin and XRP users and bringing major stablecoin issuers like USDT and USDC to Cardano could also spark this turnaround.

Many Share the ADA to $5 Outlook, but It Remains Uncertain

Meanwhile, Mentor is not the only analyst who sees Cardano reaching $5. In October 2025, Chris O also predicted that the coin would rise to between $5 and $8 this cycle. Analyst Mr. Banana also believes that $5 is the realistic target for ADA this cycle. According to him, selling before the new ATH would be selling short of its bullish potential. 

However, investors should note that a consensus among analysts does not provide 100% assurance of a price move. Notably, there is no guarantee that XRP would reach the $5 price this year. As a result, investors should not consider Mentor’s projection as investment advice.

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