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Top XRP YouTuber Shares XRP 2026 Wishlist

Abdulkarim Abdulwahab
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Top XRP YouTuber Shares XRP 2026 Wishlist

Analyst and XRP YouTuber Zach Rector has shared his wishlist for XRP in 2026, predicting an exciting year. 

He focuses on practical improvements that could make XRP more useful and valuable. While price growth is expected in the long term, Rector says he is more interested in real-world use and adoption.

Notably, his 2026 wishlist builds on the outlook that Panos Mekras, co-founder of Anodos Finance, highlighted on X.

Batch Transactions and Sponsored Fees Reserves

Rector wants the XRP Ledger to add batch transactions and sponsored fees. These updates would make XRP easier and cheaper to use, helping businesses and developers build more projects.

Sponsored fees would let users use the network without owning XRP, making it more accessible. Rector believes these changes could attract more developers and drive adoption of XRP.

Growth of RWA on the XRP Ledger

Rector is also eager to see a significant expansion of tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) on the XRP Ledger, including stablecoins, tokenized stocks, and commodities like gold and silver.

He believes that this could unlock massive potential for the XRP ecosystem, especially if paired with regulatory clarity from governments.

Tokenized stocks, bonds, and commodities would create new ways to use XRP and connect it more closely to traditional finance.

Rector acknowledges that regulatory uncertainty remains a hurdle. Yet, he is optimistic that the passage of the Clarity Act in 2026 could clear the way for these developments to take shape.

Lending Protocol and DeFi Expansion

In addition to tokenized assets, Rector is calling for the addition of a native lending protocol to the XRP Ledger. This feature would facilitate DeFi applications within the XRP ecosystem, enabling users to lend and borrow assets in a decentralized manner.

Rector sees lending as an essential part of growing the XRP DeFi space, as it would help to establish sustainable yield opportunities and drive increased demand for XRP.

With these features, Rector believes the XRP ecosystem could see explosive growth in 2026, as retail users and institutions begin to see XRP as a viable DeFi asset.

XRP Foundation’s Incentives and Developer Support

Rector’s wishlist also includes a serious incentive and grant program by the XRP Ledger Foundation. This would provide developers with the resources needed to build out killer applications that can attract millions of new users to the XRP ecosystem.

He advocates for better development tools, funding for consumer applications, and efforts to increase liquidity on the XRP Ledger’s DEX and AMM platforms.

Focus on Fundamentals and Real Utility

Rector’s final point centers on the importance of focusing on the fundamentals and utility of XRP, rather than speculative narratives. He urges the XRP community to promote the real-world use cases of XRP, emphasizing its utility in cross-border payments, decentralized finance, and tokenized assets.

Rather than relying on hopes for skyrocketing prices, Rector believes the focus should remain on XRP’s practical value and long-term adoption.

“When we’re telling our friends, families, and others about XRP in 2026, I don’t want us to lead with ‘XRP is going to $10,000’ because of a theory or a narrative. We need to bring it back to the fundamentals,” Rector remarked.

Other prominent figures in the XRP community are also highlighting their non-price outlook for XRP in 2026 in various posts on X.

Expert Predicts Shiba Inu Could Soar 1,150% to a New ATH in 2026

Lele Jima
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Expert Predicts Shiba Inu Could Soar 1,150% to a New ATH in 2026

Pseudonymous analyst Daffy Trader has predicted that Shiba Inu could reach a new all-time high (ATH) by next year, 2026. 

Daffy issued the projection while sharing a broad set of 2026 price predictions for selected crypto assets, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, and Solana. According to the forecast, these cryptocurrencies will reach peak prices of $178,000, $10,000, $10, and $1,000, respectively, as early as next year.

Shiba Inu to Reach New ATH Next Year

Notably, Shiba Inu appeared among the crypto assets that Daffy expects to post strong gains next year. His projection suggests that SHIB could reach a peak of $0.00009 by 2026.

At that level, Shiba Inu would edge past its October 2021 all-time high of $0.00008845. In particular, the outlook will represent a substantial 1,150% increase from its current price of $0.000007197.

This forecast reflects growing optimism within the Shiba Inu community about a potential turnaround. SHIB has faced sustained bearish pressure in recent months, adding a fifth zero and slipping below $0.000007. But many investors continue to anticipate a rebound.

Why Investors Are Still Bullish on SHIB

This optimism stems from expectations of clearer crypto regulation from the likely passage of the CLARITY Act in 2026. The legislation will define the regulatory status of digital assets and reduce market manipulation. In turn, the legislation could improve institutional confidence and encourage broader participation in crypto markets.

Meanwhile, speculation is rising that Shiba Inu could gain its first U.S. spot ETF exposure or be added to an ETF basket next year. This narrative gained traction after T. Rowe Price listed SHIB among assets that could feature in its spot basket ETF.

At the same time, Grayscale identified SHIB as eligible under the SEC’s Generic Listing Standard (GLS) framework.

Upon fulfilling the required conditions, the T. Rowe filing could secure approval within ETF timelines, opening institutional access to SHIB. Commentators view ETFs as powerful price catalysts, as inflows often translate into increased adoption of the underlying assets.

Meanwhile, Shiba Inu is set to benefit from technical upgrades in 2026. Zama plans to deploy its Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) technology on Shibarium in the first half of the year.

Notably, this upgrade could attract developers and users seeking to deploy private smart contracts, thereby strengthening network adoption and potentially boosting interest in SHIB.

Ethereum Analysis for Dec 30: ETH Needs to Close Above $2,934 Fib Support

Mark Brennan
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Ethereum Analysis for Dec 30: ETH Needs to Close Above $2,934 Fib Support

Ethereum shows strong long-term fundamentals, but short-term movement depends on key support levels.

Notably, Ethereum (ETH) is currently trading at $2,975, showing a 1.2% drop over the past 24 hours, with the price testing key support around $2,912. On the upside, immediate resistance lies just above $3,000. 

Ethereum’s performance has been relatively muted in recent days, with only a 0.4% gain over the past week and a 1.7% increase in the last 14 days, signaling that short-term momentum is slowing.

However, despite the short-term decline, Ethereum’s fundamentals remain strong. The increasing number of staking entries, coupled with institutional purchases like Bitmine’s acquisition of 44,463 ETH, indicates long-term confidence in the network. Nonetheless, in the short run, Ethereum’s price action will depend on whether it can hold support and break through resistance.

Ethereum Needs to Close Above This Support

From a technical standpoint, Ethereum is testing the 0.236 Fibonacci retracement level at $2,934.93, with the next resistance zone lying near the 0.382 Fibonacci level at $3,032. A breakthrough above this level could open the door for Ethereum to target the 0.5 level at $3,111, signaling a potential continuation of the recent uptrend.

Ethereum 1-Day Chart
Ethereum 1-Day Chart

On the downside, the 0.236 Fibonacci retracement at $2,934 serves as key support, and ETH must close above this level to maintain its position. If Ethereum fails to close above this support, it may fall toward the $2,700-$2,800 range.

Meanwhile, momentum indicators are showing a positive shift, with the Stochastic RSI in overbought territory at 82.97, indicating strong buying pressure. However, caution is advised as the blue line has touched the overbought region. Ultimately, Ethereum’s ability to close above key support and break through resistance will dictate its near-term direction.

Ethereum’s Entry Queue Has Surpassed the Exit Queue

Looking elsewhere, Abdul, Head of DeFi at Monad, shared an interesting update, noting that for the first time in six months, the Ethereum validator entry queue has surpassed the exit queue.

Ethereum Validator Queue
Ethereum Validator Queue

This shift signals growing confidence in Ethereum’s long-term prospects, reminiscent of June when a similar development preceded a significant price surge, with ETH doubling shortly after.

In addition, institutional interest in Ethereum remains strong, with significant purchases continuing even during the holiday season. Last week, BitMine acquired 44,463 ETH, bringing its total holdings to 4.11 million ETH. 

Here’s XRP Price Prediction for 2026 From Standard Chartered

Abdulkarim Abdulwahab
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Here’s XRP Price Prediction for 2026 From Standard Chartered

Standard Chartered has released one of the most bullish XRP forecasts from a major global bank.

The firm is projecting a dramatic price surge for XRP, supported by regulatory clarity and the rise of spot XRP ETFs. According to the bank, XRP could be heading for a multi-year rally as legal uncertainty fades and institutional exposure expands.

Standard Chartered Sees 332% Upside for XRP

In particular, Geoffrey Kendrick, Global Head of Digital Assets Research at Standard Chartered, has outlined a price target of $8 for XRP by 2026. At XRP’s current price of around $1.85, this forecast implies a potential upside of 332%.

A key driver behind the bullish outlook is the conclusion of the long-running legal battle between Ripple and the U.S. SEC.

The case, which began in December 2020, centered on whether XRP should be classified as a security. Ripple maintained that XRP functions as a digital currency for fast, low-cost cross-border payments.

Why the Ripple–SEC Case Was a Turning Point

In July 2023, a U.S. court ruled that XRP’s programmatic sales on exchanges did not qualify as securities transactions. Meanwhile, sales to institutional investors were found to violate securities laws. The court ordered Ripple to pay a fine of $125 million in August 2024, delivering the final judgment in the case.

However, the SEC and Ripple later entered into appeal and cross-appeal proceedings. Fast forward to August 2025, the legal saga officially came to an end following a change of government in the U.S. and the appointment of a new SEC chair.

As a result, the SEC and Ripple dropped their appeals, removing a major overhang that had weighed on XRP for years. While XRP’s price has not surged dramatically since then, many believe a major rally is coming, particularly after the Clarity Act passes next year.

Spot XRP ETFs Gain Rapid Traction

Meanwhile, after the legal dispute ended, spot XRP ETFs quickly entered the U.S. market. Asset managers such as Canary, Franklin Templeton, 21Shares, Grayscale, and Bitwise launched XRP products, giving institutional investors regulated exposure to the token.

Data from on-chain analytics platform SoSoValue shows that spot XRP ETFs have recorded $1.15 billion in net inflows as of December 29. In the latest market activity, these ETFs recorded $8.44 million in new investment.

XRP ETF Records
XRP ETF Records

Meanwhile, total assets under management for XRP ETFs have reached $1.24 billion, which some industry leaders believe is just the beginning, saying momentum in 2026 could be far more explosive.

XRP Price Outlook Heading Into 2026

Standard Chartered believes regulatory clarity and growing ETF adoption have fundamentally improved XRP’s long-term outlook.

With XRP increasingly viewed as a financial asset rather than a legal risk, the bank expects institutional participation to support higher valuations over time.

If Kendrick’s forecast plays out, XRP’s move toward $8 by 2026 would give the asset a valuation of nearly half a trillion dollars.

This outlook would put XRP on a path toward breaking into double-digit price levels. In particular, the bank believes XRP could reach $10.5 by 2027. Looking further ahead, it suggests XRP could climb to $12.5 by 2028.

Cardano Maxi Says You Are Pre-Rich if You Hold at Least 1,000 ADA

Elendu Benedict
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Cardano Maxi Says You Are Pre-Rich if You Hold at Least 1,000 ADA

The sentiment around the Cardano ecosystem has remained positive despite recent downsides, with hopes of a bullish outcome in 2026 fueling this optimism.

Cardano (ADA) is down by a staggering 60% since the start of 2025. Yet, proponents remain unperturbed, backing the blue-chip asset to grow extensively and reward patient holders in the coming year.

1,000 ADA Holders are Pre-Rich

One such bullish stance comes from “Mentor,” a dYdX ambassador and Cardano maximalist. In his Monday social media post, he noted that those holding at least 1,000 ADA are “pre-rich.”

Notably, buying 1,000 ADA at today’s market price of $0.35 costs just $350. However, he implied that this may be enough to set one up for life, tapping a bullish price development to catalyze this change of financial state.

But what is backing this overly ambitious outlook? Mentor is banking on a bullish 2026 for Cardano to improve the financial situation of holders of at least 1,000 ADA. While he did not provide further context, his predictions add to the growing conviction in the Cardano community that next year will be massive for the ecosystem.

Why Are Cardano Enthusiasts Bullish on 2026?

In a parallel commentary, the Cardano-centric educational platform Cardanians dissected some of the reasons Cardano would “evolve into something bigger” in 2026.

The account mentioned upgrades like the Ouroboros Leios, aimed at boosting the scalability and throughput of the Cardano network. The planned 2026 mainnet launch could boost the chain to 10,000 TPS, making it more suited for mainstream adoption.

Additionally, the privacy-focused Midnight chain would launch in early 2026, and analysts believe it would drive cross-chain adoption and enable institutions to trade securities on-chain with selective disclosure.

Cardanians also highlighted other features that would ensure Cardano shines in 2026, including Bitcoin DeFi, stablecoin boost, and a recent strategic oracle partnership with the Pyth Network.

Is 1,000 ADA Enough to Make You Rich?

Meanwhile, Mentor’s “pre-rich” claims appear a little too ambitious even in the long term. Notably, for one to be termed rich, one should have attained a certain level of financial capacity.

Using $1 million in this context, it means that 1,000 ADA would one day be worth that much, culminating in a price of $1,000 per coin. This move represents a 28,651% growth from the current market price, taking Cardano’s market cap to approximately $36 trillion.

Even a $500,000 return for 1,000 ADA means a price of $500 and a market cap of $18 trillion, which is still ambitious. Considering the analyst made his pre-rich claims based on the possibility that 2026 turns out to be bullish for Cardano, this further undermines the prediction’s feasibility.

Notably, prediction platform Telegaon believes that Cardano will reach a minimum price of $2.15 in 2026 and could go as high as $3.43, marking a new all-time high. With this, 1,000 ADA won’t make you rich, but it is an impressive return from the current market price.

Cardano Prediction/Telegaon
Cardano Prediction/Telegaon

Bitcoin Could Surpass $150K, Dragonfly’s Managing Partner Shares Bold 2026 Forecast

Zabi
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Bitcoin Could Surpass $150K, Dragonfly’s Managing Partner Shares Bold 2026 Forecast

Crypto markets may enter 2026 with continued volatility but fewer surprises, according to Haseeb Qureshi, managing partner at Dragonfly.

In a December 29 post on X, Qureshi said the next market cycle is likely to reinforce existing trends rather than disrupt them entirely.

After multiple boom-and-bust periods, investor focus is shifting toward durability, distribution, and real-world application. He described these changes as a sign of maturation across the industry.

Bitcoin Growth With Reduced Market Dominance

Within this evolving landscape, Qureshi remains bullish on Bitcoin’s long-term price outlook. He expects the asset to trade above $150,000 by the end of 2026. However, that growth may not be accompanied by increased market dominance.

Instead, Qureshi expects Bitcoin to represent a smaller share of the overall crypto market. He described this outcome as constructive, allowing the broader ecosystem to expand without undermining Bitcoin’s central role.

While Bitcoin’s position appears secure, Qureshi expressed skepticism toward newer blockchain networks, particularly those branded around fintech narratives. He suggested that current enthusiasm may fade as real-world usage fails to meet expectations.

For instance, key indicators such as wallet activity, stablecoin transaction volumes, and tokenized asset adoption may underperform relative to current projections, he said, thereby calling into question the long-term viability of some of these platforms.

Developers Concentrate on Proven Infrastructure

As hype narrows, developer behavior is likely to become more selective. Qureshi said builders continue to favor infrastructure that prioritizes neutrality and composability.

Consequently, established networks are positioned to benefit most from this shift. Despite intensifying competition, he expects Ethereum and Solana to outperform relative to market expectations, supported by their mature ecosystems and developer momentum.

Corporations Deepen Blockchain Involvement

Interest from large corporations is also set to increase, particularly in payments and financial services. Moreover, Qureshi predicted that at least one major technology company could launch or acquire a crypto wallet.

At the same time, more Fortune 100 firms may deploy blockchain-based systems linked to banking operations. He cited Avalanche and rollup-based platforms as potential beneficiaries of this trend.

DeFi Markets Move Toward Consolidation

These structural shifts may further reshape the decentralized finance (DeFi). Rather than continued fragmentation, Qureshi predicted that DeFi markets will increasingly consolidate.

Specifically, he expects a small number of platforms to dominate on-chain perpetual futures trading, while smaller venues compete for a shrinking share of activity. Additionally, trading models may evolve, with negotiated execution gaining ground over traditional open order books.

However, greater scale and sophistication could bring new risks. Qureshi warned that the sector may face reputational challenges, predicting at least one insider trading controversy linked to DeFi. Such an incident, he said, could attract mainstream attention and heightened regulatory scrutiny.

Stablecoins and Payments Take Center Stage

Among all sectors, payments represent Qureshi’s strongest conviction. He expects stablecoin supply to expand significantly through 2026.

Despite growing competition among issuers, stablecoins are likely to remain predominantly dollar-denominated. Adoption, he said, will depend more on distribution than issuance, with new payment rails accelerating everyday use, particularly in emerging markets.

Regulation and Political Pressure Intensify

As adoption grows, political scrutiny is likely to follow. Qureshi expects U.S. lawmakers to advance a crypto market structure bill in 2026 after prolonged negotiations.

While progress appears likely, he cautioned that the final framework may leave segments of the industry dissatisfied. He also warned of increased scrutiny surrounding crypto ventures tied to U.S. political figures, with congressional investigations potentially uncovering controversial dealmaking.

Prediction Markets, AI, and Security Trends

Looking beyond core financial applications, Qureshi highlighted several emerging areas. For instance, he expects prediction markets to gain traction as cultural acceptance improves, though legal uncertainty is likely to persist. Only a small number of consumer-facing platforms may achieve meaningful scale, while many copycat projects struggle to attract users.

In artificial intelligence, near-term benefits for cryptographic ecosystems are expected to be concentrated in developer tooling and security rather than consumer applications.

Specifically, AI-driven workflows could enable smaller teams to build complex products more efficiently, while automated monitoring systems may strengthen defenses—even as attack vectors evolve.

Qureshi disclosed that he holds investments in several of the assets mentioned in his outlook.

Dogecoin Analysis for Dec 30: Here’s Key Level for DOGE Bulls to Defend

Mark Brennan
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Dogecoin Analysis for Dec 30: Here’s Key Level for DOGE Bulls to Defend

Dogecoin traders are watching whether DOGE can maintain support and break through its latest resistance.

Dogecoin (DOGE) is once again testing traders’ patience, as price action softens and momentum fades. DOGE is currently trading around $0.1232, posting a 2.6% decline over the past 24 hours and sitting near the lower end of its daily range between $0.1222 and $0.127. 

This steady intraday bleed suggests sellers remain in control, with immediate support forming near the $0.122 zone. A sustained break below this level could expose Dogecoin to further downside, while buyers appear cautious about stepping in aggressively at current prices.

On the higher timeframes, DOGE continues to struggle, falling 5.7% over the past 7 days and 4.5% in the last 14 days. These declines highlight a lingering bearish trend rather than a brief pullback, reinforcing the market’s risk-off tone toward meme coins.

Key Cardano Levels to Defend

On the 4-hour chart, DOGE is hovering just below the Bollinger Bands’ midline (20-SMA) around $0.1239. This mid-band now acts as immediate resistance, while the upper Bollinger Band near $0.1264 represents a stronger resistance zone where prior rebounds have stalled. As long as the price remains below this range, upside attempts will likely remain capped.

Dogecoin Price Chart
Dogecoin Price Chart

On the downside, key support is forming near the lower Bollinger Band around $0.1214, which has repeatedly cushioned price declines. A breakdown below this level could expose DOGE to further downside toward the $0.120 psychological area.

Momentum indicators remain neutral-to-weak, with the RSI hovering around 45.58, signaling neither oversold nor overbought conditions but confirming a lack of strong buying pressure. However, the RSI line has crossed above the signal line and is approaching the neutral zone, signaling a potential positive shift for the largest meme coin by market cap. 

Ultimately, for Dogecoin to improve its short-term outlook, bulls must defend the $0.121–$0.122 support zone. It must also reclaim resistance near $0.1248–$0.126 to shift momentum back in their favor.

Dogecoin Case Scenarios: Analyst

On the commentary end, Trader Tardigrade highlights that Dogecoin is forming a Descending Triangle pattern on the daily chart, with a support trendline around the $0.122 level. This support has been tested multiple times, while the resistance is sloping downward, tightening the range.

Dogecoin Prediction
Dogecoin Prediction

The analyst suggests two potential scenarios: if Dogecoin breaks above the resistance line, it could target the $0.13 range, indicating a bullish breakout. On the other hand, a break below the $0.122 support could lead to a move down toward the next support around $0.118. To reach $0.118 from the current price of $0.1232, DOGE would fall approximately 4.14%.

Top Shiba Inu Dev: Hack Reported to Authorities, But Case ID Won’t Be Disclosed

Lele Jima
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Top Shiba Inu Dev: Hack Reported to Authorities, But Case ID Won’t Be Disclosed

A top Shiba Inu developer has released a personal statement addressing allegations that the team failed to report the Shibarium Bridge hack to law enforcement.

Since the Shiba Inu ecosystem suffered a major security breach that drained more than $3 million in user funds via the Shibarium Bridge, several controversies have emerged. As affected users waited for recovery, independent blockchain sleuth Shima suggested that the Shiba Inu team never formally reported the incident to authorities.

According to Shima, KuCoin was alerted to freeze a portion of the stolen funds on its platform. However, when the exchange reportedly requested a case ID to proceed, the team was unable to provide one. This disclosure raised doubts about whether the Shiba Inu team had initially reported the hack as it claimed.

Notably, critics claim the team either did nothing or fabricated its cooperation with authorities.

Dhairya Reacts

However, Kaal Dhairya, a top developer within the ecosystem, has issued a statement addressing these allegations.

In the commentary titled ‘Here we Stand,’ Dhairya insisted that the team reported the incident. He even disclosed that up to three federal agents interviewed him in relation to the hack. According to him, he provided the agents with the necessary details, including technical findings and open-source intelligence (OSINT).

He noted that the official investigative process has been underway for some time. Meanwhile, he stated that he will not share any complaint ID with the public. In his view, such demands do not come from genuine concern for affected users but from opportunists seeking attention, influence, or personal gain during a crisis.

Technical Recovery Almost Complete

While insisting that he will no longer continue defending himself, Dhairya argued that the focus must now shift to recovery, restitution, and infrastructure hardening. For context, the Shibarium hack left numerous victims with millions in losses.

Although the team initially took emergency measures, such as halting withdrawals to limit further damage, it has since moved steadily toward fully restoring operations.

For example, the team partially reopened the Plasma Bridge in October, allowing users to withdraw BONE. Now that the Plasma Bridge is back online, Dhairya stated that the technical recovery from the hack is nearly complete.

He outlined several improvements, including new security safeguards on the Shibarium Plasma Bridge, the migration of more than 100 critical contracts to hardware custody, and comprehensive third-party audits.

Shiba Inu New Initiative to Compensate Users

Meanwhile, Dhairya introduced a new compensation framework called Shib Owes You (SOU) to address losses suffered by affected users.

The initiative centers on an SOU NFT that serves as an on-chain, verifiable record of each user’s claim. Under this system, every affected user would receive an NFT that permanently records the exact amount owed to them.

Unlike off-chain promises or internal databases, these claims are written directly to the Ethereum blockchain, making them transparent and publicly verifiable. Each NFT tracks a principal balance representing the outstanding amount owed to the holder.

As repayments occur either through direct payouts or community contributions, the principal balance decreases accordingly. As a result, holders can monitor in real time how much they were originally owed, how much they have received, and the outstanding.

According to Dhairya, holders will also be able to split, merge, transfer, or even sell their SOU NFTs on supported marketplaces to access immediate liquidity. However, he acknowledged that the initiative can only succeed if revenue flows into the system consistently.

Measures to Support SOU

Dhairya called on early beneficiaries of the ecosystem to contribute financially — not as a voluntary gesture, but as an obligation tied to accountability.

To support this effort, he announced a strategic realignment: projects that fail to generate revenue or reach break-even will be paused to free up resources, ensuring sufficient funds are available to compensate affected users.

He emphasized that the ecosystem’s long-standing revenue model will now prioritize reimbursing victims of the Shibarium hack. Shiba Inu originally aims to allow builders, individuals, and companies to freely use the brand to create products and services, with the sole obligation to give back to the ecosystem that enabled their success.

The revenue distribution framework itself remains unchanged, with allocations of 10% to non-profits, 10% to token burns, 15% to the foundation, and 15% to the core team. However, the order of priority has shifted. Dhairya said revenue will now go toward compensating affected users, before any other allocations.

He also cautioned the community to remain vigilant against scammers, noting that the SOU initiative has not yet gone live.

Tokenized Stock Market Surges to $1.2 Billion

Zabi
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Tokenized Stock Market Surges to $1.2 Billion

Tokenized equities are rapidly emerging as a meaningful segment of the crypto market.

According to data from Token Terminal, the combined market value of tokenized stocks has reached a new all-time high of $1.2 billion. This growth reflects growing confidence among both retail investors and institutions, bringing on-chain equities closer to the structure and scale of traditional financial markets.

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Strong Growth Reflects Expanding Market Demand

This expansion has not been incremental. Instead, market growth accelerated sharply as tokenized equities gained visibility over the past year.

Token Terminal data highlights September and December as the most significant periods of market value growth. Both surges coincided with major product launches and notable improvements in liquidity across leading blockchains.

As access improved, participation followed, reinforcing demand and trading activity across the sector.

Familiar Patterns Echo Earlier Crypto Cycles

The pace and pattern of growth have drawn comparisons to earlier phases of the crypto market. Market observers frequently reference the rise of stablecoins in 2020, when they primarily served active crypto traders before evolving into foundational infrastructure for a market now valued at roughly $300 billion.

This historical context supports the view that tokenized equities remain in an early development stage. Some industry participants also see parallels with the initial expansion of decentralized finance, when limited adoption quickly gave way to broader institutional engagement.

Institutions Drive Market Momentum

Institutional participation has been a key catalyst behind recent growth. In September, Backed Finance launched its xStocks product suite on Ethereum, introducing nearly 60 tokenized public equities.

The rollout was supported through partnerships with established exchanges such as Kraken and Bybit, enabling immediate distribution to a large user base.

This structure allowed investors already familiar with the underlying stocks to trade efficiently, contributing to higher volumes and increased market capitalization.

As adoption accelerates, regulatory clarity is becoming increasingly important. This trend was underscored in December when Securitize announced plans to facilitate compliant on-chain trading of public equities.

Rather than offering synthetic exposure, Securitize’s model emphasizes direct share ownership, addressing long-standing concerns around compliance, custody, and investor protection. Such initiatives reflect the sector’s gradual alignment with traditional regulatory frameworks.

New Entrants Expand the Competitive Landscape

Competition continues to intensify as new players enter the market. Ondo Finance has outlined plans to tokenize U.S. stocks and exchange-traded funds, with a projected launch on Solana in early 2026.

The choice of a high-performance blockchain highlights confidence in scalable infrastructure as a viable platform for regulated financial products.

Traditional Exchanges Signal Long-Term Commitment

Beyond crypto-native firms, established financial institutions are also positioning for tokenization. Nasdaq has confirmed it submitted filings to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to support the tokenization of stocks.

If approved, the initiative would introduce blockchain-based equities to one of the world’s largest exchanges.

According to CNBC, Nasdaq views tokenization as a core strategic priority. Matt Savarese, the exchange’s head of digital assets strategy, noted that adoption will be incremental, with an emphasis on integrating blockchain technology without disrupting existing market systems.

Taken together, these developments indicate a sector that is expanding rapidly but remains in its formative phase. Institutional participation, improving regulatory clarity, and growing infrastructure support are steadily strengthening the foundation for tokenized equities.

As these elements continue to align, the sector may follow a trajectory similar to earlier crypto market breakthroughs, evolving from niche experimentation into a durable component of global financial markets.

Market Expert Shares Why XRP Is at Risk of a 56% Drop to $0.80

Elendu Benedict
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Market Expert Shares Why XRP Is at Risk of a 56% Drop to $0.80

Amid a wave of uncertainty in the crypto market, a recent analysis has identified the possibility of further XRP declines to multi-month lows.

XRP again failed to reclaim the $2 price level yesterday, as an early rally to an intraday high of $1.91 ended in a price rejection. It has since relinquished all gains to change hands at $1.86 at the time of writing.

Meanwhile, with a day left before the end of the year, XRP has not quite impressed. Specifically, it has corrected by over 40% from its July high of $3.66 and trades at a YTD loss of 19% despite a strong start to 2025.

XRP Risks Further Downsides

Nonetheless, there could be more downside risks, veteran analyst Ali Martinez identified in a recent X post. According to him, the coin could fall by 56% to $0.80, a price last seen over a year ago.

He didn’t just merely disclose this possibility; Martinez attached on-chain and technical analysis to back his speculations. Notably, his first point centers on the dwindling user activity on the XRP Ledger.

Martinez highlighted that network activity on the Ledger has cooled considerably, with daily active addresses falling to 38,500. It dropped 16% from 46,000 daily users earlier in December, signaling growing disinterest and a lack of participation in the XRP Ledger.

Furthermore, he identified selling pressure from XRP whales as a factor that could spur further downsides. Specifically, he cited an earlier analysis from December 27 showing that XRP held by whales has dropped by 40 million tokens, as these large holders are either taking profits or cutting losses.

Notably, this activity adds pressure to the token supply and weakens demand. Additionally, it dampens market sentiment, signaling a lack of confidence among large holders.

Key Support at Risk

Meanwhile, Martinez noted that XRP could break below a key support area if the selling momentum persists. Specifically, it could fall below the $1.77 demand zone, paving the path for further corrections.

XRP recently tested this support when it dropped to an intraday low of $1.77 on December 19. However, bulls stepped in to defend the area aggressively, putting off the sideways momentum.

However, should selling pressure continue to mount, the risk of losing the price level is not entirely off the table. A breach of the zone would see XRP fall towards the next crucial support level at $0.80, according to Martinez. The market analyst had identified this $0.79 support in an earlier analysis using the UTXO Realized Price Distribution (URPD) metric.

Interestingly, Martinez is only one of multiple analysts predicting further XRP corrections. For instance, Marcus Corvinus recently insisted that the bigger XRP picture remains bearish and lower prices would follow unless it sustains a channel breakout.

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