Home Blog Page 366

Here’s Why XRP Risks Dropping to $1: Analyst

Mark Brennan
-
0
Here’s Why XRP Risks Dropping to $1: Analyst

Renowned analyst Ali Martinez has issued a fresh warning to XRP holders, cautioning that the token could fall to $1 amid intense selling pressure from whales. 

This warning comes as the broader crypto market continues to face downturns in recent weeks due to macroeconomic headwinds, triggering widespread liquidations of heavily leveraged positions.

Meanwhile, in a tweet, Martinez highlighted that XRP’s price decline stands out, noting that it has been driven primarily by aggressive selling from large holders rather than general market weakness alone.

Consistent XRP Whales’ Sell-Off

According to him, whales have offloaded approximately 1.18 billion XRP over the past four weeks, significantly increasing selling pressure on the asset.

In a follow-up tweet, Martinez noted that large investors, commonly known as whales, held about 4.8 billion XRP on November 24, 2025. However, whale holdings have fallen to 3.62 billion XRP this week. This decline reflects a reduction of approximately 1.18 billion XRP from whale wallets.

Price Impact

This wave of distribution has already begun to reshape XRP’s price structure. According to Martinez, sustained whale selling pushed XRP below the critical $1.92 support level. Now, he believes XRP faces a heightened risk of a deeper correction.

Specifically, he pointed to a potential move toward the $1.00 level if bearish momentum persists and buyers fail to reclaim the lost support. At the current price of around $1.93, a move to $1 would represent a steep 48.18% decline.

It is worth noting that XRP last traded around $1 in mid-November. At the time, bullish momentum across the broader market, fueled by optimism following Donald Trump’s re-election, helped propel XRP sharply higher, eventually reaching $3.65 in July 2025.

However, XRP has since surrendered most of those gains amid worsening macroeconomic conditions and increased liquidations in the futures market.

Earlier this week, the token broke below the $2 psychological support level, briefly falling to a daily low of $1.86. Nonetheless, XRP has since rebounded, recovering the $1.92 region and currently trades around that level.

ETFs Buying XRP as Whales Dump

Despite Martinez’s warning that continued whale selling could push XRP lower, the broader XRP community remains optimistic. Many investors argue that XRP could soon stage a rebound amid the spot XRP ETF buying spree.

Notably, these products have already attracted cumulative inflows of $1.01 billion, with total net assets standing at about $1.16 billion.

Ripple’s CEO recently highlighted the strong performance of spot XRP ETFs, emphasizing that they have recorded consistent inflows with zero outflows over the past 30 days.

As a result, some community members believe that sustained institutional demand through ETFs could set the stage for a rally, mirroring the price surges Bitcoin and Ethereum experienced earlier this year.

Duma Chair Says Bitcoin Can Only Serve as Investment in Russia

Zabi
-
0
Duma Chair Says Bitcoin Can Only Serve as Investment in Russia

Russia has once again drawn a clear line against the use of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum as payment instruments, even as domestic and global interest in digital assets continues to grow.

Speaking to the state news agency TASS, Anatoly Aksakov, chairman of the State Duma Committee on Financial Markets, stated that cryptocurrencies will never be treated as legal currency in Russia.

He explained that lawmakers view digital assets strictly as investment instruments. Any transaction that qualifies as a payment must be settled in rubles.

That opposition is already codified in law. In 2020, Russia enacted legislation explicitly banning the use of cryptocurrencies as a means of payment within the country.

However, while the payment issue was settled early on, broader regulation remained unresolved. Since then, different branches of government have struggled to agree on how the sector should be governed.

Years of Policy Deadlock

Much of the stalemate has stemmed from conflicting positions between the Central Bank of Russia and the Ministry of Finance.

The central bank, led by Governor Elvira Nabiullina, has consistently called for sweeping restrictions. These included bans on crypto transactions, exchanges, and mining operations. The finance ministry, by contrast, has argued that regulation and taxation would be more effective than outright prohibition.

These opposing views produced a series of competing draft laws, ranging from comprehensive bans to proposals for legal frameworks governing crypto businesses.

Despite repeated attempts, none gained traction. Most stalled in State Duma committees, leaving the sector in legal limbo for several years.

Shifting Signals From Moscow

More recently, however, there have been signs that Moscow’s stance may be evolving. President Vladimir Putin has spoken positively about the growth of Russia’s crypto mining industry, hinting at a more pragmatic approach to certain aspects of the sector.

Aksakov himself has previously acknowledged the expanding real-world use, noting that Russian companies carried out billions of dollars’ worth of cross-border trade using cryptocurrencies last year, despite domestic payment restrictions.

At the same time, several major Russian banks, including Sberbank and VTB, have acknowledged rising customer interest in crypto-related services, indicating broader market demand.

Momentum Builds for Regulation

Support for clearer rules has also grown within policy circles. Evgeny Masharov, a member of the Civic Chamber commission reviewing legislation, said the crypto sector urgently requires a regulatory framework.

Speaking to Russian outlet OCH, Masharov argued that legalization could significantly boost federal budget revenues and give law enforcement better tools to track and prevent money laundering, particularly in connection with phone fraud schemes.

Despite these shifts, officials continue to emphasize one firm boundary. While investment, mining, and limited use cases may be permitted, cryptocurrencies will not be allowed to function as a substitute for the national currency.

As Aksakov reiterated to TASS, Russia’s payment system will remain strictly ruble-based. Any future crypto regulation, he made clear, will not alter that fundamental principle.

Here’s How XRP Could Benefit From $27T Liquidity Unlock, Says DAG CEO

Albert Brown
-
0
Here’s How XRP Could Benefit From $27T Liquidity Unlock, Says DAG CEO

As pressure builds across global markets, Zach Rector, CEO of Digital Ascension Group (DAG), suggests XRP could benefit from an impending liquidity unlock.

In a recent video commentary, Rector explained how major changes in financial infrastructure could free up trillions of dollars trapped within the banking system. According to him, these changes could put XRP in a favorable position as institutions push for faster, cheaper, and more efficient settlement.

$27 Trillion Tied Up in Legacy Banking

Notably, Rector argued that the global financial system still depends on outdated frameworks that slow payments, raise transaction costs, and leave massive amounts of capital sitting idle instead of flowing through the economy. He mentioned the SWIFT network as one major source of inefficiency in cross-border payments. 

The market pundit pointed out that banks rely on nostro and vostro accounts to complete international transactions, which forces them to lock up an estimated $27 trillion worldwide to maintain liquidity. This delays payments, drives up costs, and limits the capital available for lending and investment.

He also addressed the rollout of ISO 20022, which attained full adoption last month. While Rector admitted that the new standard improves communication between financial institutions, he noted that it does not fix settlement delays. Instead, he called it a foundation for future real-time settlement rather than a complete solution.

Why Stablecoins Fall Short for Institutions

Speaking further, Rector argued against the idea that stablecoins can solve these global settlement challenges on their own. 

“Stablecoins really aren’t even meant for the public. I think that’s a misconception that a lot of people have because they have been using USDC or Tether, and both of those are liabilities,” he remarked.

He said banks designed most stablecoins for internal use within closed, permissioned systems. As a result, institutions would remain reluctant to hold stablecoins issued by other banks due to counterparty risk and balance sheet concerns.

According to him, heavy reliance on stablecoins could deepen liquidity fragmentation. Specifically, banks would need to manage multiple digital liabilities from different issuers, which would recreate the same inefficiencies the industry aims to remove.

XRP Exists as a Neutral Settlement Bridge

Rector called XRP a neutral asset that can move value between institutions without the need for pre-funded accounts or exposure to another bank’s balance sheet. He highlighted its ability to settle transactions in seconds at a low cost while avoiding jurisdictional and counterparty risks.

“This is where XRP shines,” Rector said. “It becomes the universal settlement layer between all of the intermediaries, institutions, enterprises, [and] banks for backend settlement between infrastructures.”

He also highlighted the XRP Ledger’s track record, noting that the network has operated for more than a decade without extended downtime. 

According to Rector, banks have already tested the ledger extensively for backend settlement and interoperability. This has helped to prove its role in institutional finance rather than everyday consumer payments.

Meanwhile, instead of mass retail stablecoin adoption, Rector said banks are more likely to issue tokenized deposits and on-chain money market products. For instance, JPMorgan recently launched its first money market fund on Ethereum.

Notably, these tools allow banks to keep treasury yields while presenting customers with interest-bearing digital deposits that settle instantly.

He noted that regulations prevent stablecoin issuers from passing treasury returns to holders, which limits their appeal to consumers. 

However, tokenized deposits let banks pay interest while enabling real-time transfers and programmable features. As adoption grows, Rector said XRP could move value between institutions based on liquidity availability and transaction efficiency.

A Market Reset and Switch to Digital Rails Looms

Rector also warned of a broad market reset due to high interest rates, excessive leverage, demographic pressures, and rising debt levels. He said equities, bonds, real estate, commodities, and derivatives could all see massive repricing as markets unwind.

Despite these risks, Rector suggested that the reset would be a transition rather than a collapse. He said governments will need real-time settlement systems, shared ledgers, and programmable money to restore stability. 

According to him, blockchain-based digital rails could make it easier to implement stimulus distribution, tax collection, and liquidity management in the next phase of the global economy.

Meanwhile, Rector highlighted the growing role of automated market makers (AMMs) on networks like the XRP Ledger. He said AMMs tighten spreads, reduce arbitrage, close liquidity gaps, and stabilize prices through automated rebalancing.

Amid the expansion of automation, Rector expects markets to become steadier and more grounded in fundamentals. He believes this change will reduce extreme volatility and limit the outsized opportunities that defined earlier market cycles.

Rector concluded that once tokenization, real-time settlement, and automated liquidity become standard, markets will move toward long-term efficiency. In that environment, consistent returns will replace speculative gains. He said XRP could benefit as institutions embrace a more efficient and fully digitized global financial system.

Lark Davis Says Chainlink Is an ‘Infinitely Better’ Asset Than XRP

Abdulkarim Abdulwahab
-
0
Lark Davis Says Chainlink Is an ‘Infinitely Better’ Asset Than XRP

Prominent Bitcoin commentator Lark Davis has joined the long-running discussion on the rivalry between XRP and Chainlink (LINK).

This came during his latest appearance on the Rollup TV crypto show, where host Andy asked him to share his views on XRP and LINK. In response, Davis said that Chainlink is an ‘infinitely better’ asset than XRP.

He expects Chainlink to outperform XRP over the next decade, even as he acknowledges the strength and passion of the XRP community.

Why Davis Backs Chainlink

Davis argued that Chainlink’s edge comes from its core role across the crypto industry. He pointed to Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP), describing it as a key piece of infrastructure that allows different blockchains and systems to communicate with each other.

In his view, this makes Chainlink broadly useful across many networks rather than confined to one ecosystem.

He also highlighted Chainlink’s partnerships and recent moves toward token buybacks. To him, these developments give investors a clearer reason to hold the asset after years of focusing mainly on technology and adoption.

Criticism of XRP Ecosystem

Turning to XRP, Davis described it as more of a “silo,” with activity largely confined to its own network. He questioned XRP’s daily user metrics and overall on-chain activity, noting that despite being around for over a decade, the network has not built what he considers a strong user base.

Still, Davis said he understands why people invest in XRP. He acknowledged the long-term vision promoted by Ripple executives Brad Garlinghouse and Chris Larsen. He admitted that if Ripple successfully delivers on that vision, XRP could still see significant price appreciation in the future.

Davis also contrasted the leadership behind both projects. He praised Chainlink founder Sergey Nazarov, saying his focus on decentralization and infrastructure aligns well with core crypto values.

By comparison, Davis criticized Ripple’s leadership, claiming they have profited heavily from XRP sales over time, which he views as a negative factor for the asset.

Two Very Different Value Propositions

In sum, Davis sees the discussion as a clash between two fundamentally different models. XRP, in his view, is a closed system betting on large-scale institutional adoption. On the other hand, Chainlink operates as neutral infrastructure connecting many blockchains and use cases.

For that reason, Davis said he believes Chainlink is not just better positioned but “infinitely better” as a long-term crypto asset, even though he does not currently hold LINK himself.

“Both Can Win”

Expectedly, Davis’ commentaries stirred the crypto community, particularly the XRP Army. Meanwhile, some commentators argue that both assets can win, as they serve different markets.

They point out that XRP serves payment and liquidity roles, while LINK focuses on Oracle dominance. In sum, Chainlink moves data, and XRP moves value, according to community members.

Michael Saylor Debunks Bitcoin Quantum Apocalypse Fears

Zabi
-
0
Michael Saylor Debunks Bitcoin Quantum Apocalypse Fears

As concerns grow about the impact of quantum computing, Strategy Chairman Michael Saylor is pushing back against fears that it could crash Bitcoin.

He argues that stronger computing could actually make Bitcoin more secure.

Saylor Pushes Back on the Quantum Threat Narrative

In a recent post on X, Saylor dismissed the idea that quantum computing poses an existential threat to Bitcoin. He emphasized that Bitcoin’s design allows for protocol upgrades when risks become real, not hypothetical.

Under such upgrades, active coins could migrate to more secure address formats, while lost or inactive coins would remain locked, limiting overall exposure. This adaptability, Saylor suggests, is a core feature of the network.

Building on that point, he stressed that Bitcoin is not a static technology. As software, it evolves through regular updates, offering built-in defense against emerging threats. Over time, stronger security measures could reduce panic selling and strengthen confidence rather than weaken it.

Consistent With Earlier Remarks

Saylor’s latest comments echo views he expressed earlier this year. In a June interview with CNBC, he described warnings about quantum threats as exaggerated and premature.

During that discussion, he compared Bitcoin’s evolution to that of other major technologies. When a credible risk emerges, he said, developers respond with targeted software upgrades.

He also questioned the motivations behind some of the more alarming claims, suggesting that they may be driven more by marketing than by technical reality.

According to Saylor, major technology companies would have little incentive to release systems capable of breaking modern encryption, as doing so would disrupt governments, banks, and the companies themselves.

Industry Preparations Are Already Underway

Despite Saylor’s confidence, parts of the crypto industry are taking proactive steps to prepare for potential quantum risks. Several proposals are already exploring ways to safeguard Bitcoin’s proof-of-work system against future advances.

One such effort comes from BTQ, a startup developing quantum-resistant cryptographic hardware. Separately, a Bitcoin developer has introduced a draft Bitcoin Improvement Proposal that outlines a potential hard fork. The proposal would migrate wallets to address formats designed to withstand quantum-based attacks.

Skepticism Remains Among Some Experts

Meanwhile, not all industry voices share Saylor’s optimism. David Carvalho, CEO and chief scientist at Naoris, has warned that a significant portion of Bitcoin could become vulnerable if major quantum breakthroughs occur.

Carvalho estimates that up to 30% of circulating Bitcoin could be vulnerable to theft under such scenarios. However, he acknowledged that the timeline for these developments remains uncertain. He added that exchanges would likely freeze or block any compromised coins.

For Saylor, however, today’s risks are far more immediate. He has repeatedly argued that phishing attacks and poor security practices pose a greater danger to Bitcoin users than hypothetical quantum machines.

Cardano at Bullish Order Block—Analyst Shares How to Trade an ADA Rebound

Elendu Benedict
-
0
Cardano at Bullish Order Block—Analyst Shares How to Trade an ADA Rebound

Cardano is currently trading within a bullish order block, and an analyst has identified possible price scenarios and how to profit from them.

Notably, market commentator “TuffyBro” shared this perspective in a recent TradingView analysis. The outlook highlighted how the recent ADA retracement has pushed it into a major rebound area and how it could react.

Cardano Reaches Bullish OB

ADA is down 18.5% in the past seven days, joining a broader market trend. However, the analysis shows it has now reached a bullish order block, where bulls have historically stepped in and defended lower prices.

This demand zone lies between $0.384 and $0.363, and the analysis suggests it could cushion the current sideways price trend. However, TuffyBro is on the lookout for a reaction or a lower timeframe reversal pattern to confirm a possible rebound from here.

The analysis highlighted that a close above $0.384 on the 4-hour chart would further confirm that Cardano would rebound from the order block to target higher prices. Furthermore, he sees this as a good place to open a long position, given its excellent risk-to-reward ratio.

Notably, this is because his stop loss is just below the box. He identified that a daily close below the OB’s lower range at $0.363 would invalidate any bullish possibilities from the order block. From the coin’s current price of $0.38, this would represent a 4.47% decline.

Targets for a Recovery

Meanwhile, in a bullish scenario where ADA bounces from the bullish OB, the market watcher shared possible targets. The first is the fair-value gap (FVG) identified in the accompanying chart.

Cardano Order Block
Cardano Order Blocks

He described the FVG as a price magnet and the first possible area Cardano would rally to. Specifically, the gap lies between $0.434 and $0.450, and the asset would rally by 14% to 18% to fill up that area. Notably, the analyst suggested that traders take partial profits or move their stop losses to entry at this point.

Furthermore, the chart shows that the bearish OB is the subsequent target. The area between $0.47 and $0.483 is the resistance ceiling and the final point to take profit on the trade. ADA would have to increase by 23.6% and 27% to reach the areas.

Remarkably, the commentator noted that how ADA reacts at the bearish OB would determine if speculators would open a short position. According to him, an obvious rejection wick at the zone is a license to open a short position and trade it back to support. However, investors should not take this as financial advice.

Interestingly, this analysis is not alone in the possible $0.45 ADA target. A recent The Crypto Basic report also identified that this price mark is feasible, citing technical price developments.

Digital Wealth Partners Launches Algorithmic XRP Trading Strategy for Qualified Individual Investors

Lele Jima
-
0
Digital Wealth Partners Launches Algorithmic XRP Trading Strategy for Qualified Individual Investors

Leading investment platform Digital Wealth Partners (DWP) has launched a new algorithmic trading strategy for XRP holders. 

Notably, the initiative enables XRP investors to manage their digital asset exposure within tax-advantaged retirement accounts. Moreover, the strategy introduces a systematic, rules-based approach to trading XRP within IRA structures—an area where individual investors have historically lacked access to institutional-grade protections. 

With this launch, DWP opens the door for individual investors to use the same trading framework previously reserved for institutions. 

Jake Claver, CEO of Digital Ascension Group, an affiliate of DWP, also announced the launch of the new trading system. 

Powered by quantitative trading firm Arch Public, the strategy allows qualified investors to pursue compounded growth and potential cash flow from their XRP holdings while eliminating reliance on emotion-driven trading decisions.

In addition, by operating within eligible retirement accounts, the approach may help investors avoid immediate tax consequences, depending on account type and individual circumstances. 

DWP President Reacts

Commenting on the development, Digital Wealth Partners President Erin Friez noted that most XRP holders either sit on their positions while waiting for a potential rally or trade the asset independently without a systematic framework. 

However, she noted that the newly launched algorithmic trading strategy now offers these investors a more structured and disciplined alternative. According to her, DWP selected XRP for the plan based on key characteristics the token offers. These include fast settlement times, strong liquidity, and broad access across multiple markets.

How the New Strategy Works

Meanwhile, the announcement outlines the operational mechanics of the strategy, highlighting an automated algorithm at its core. Through this system, trades are executed on behalf of XRP holders using real-time market data and predefined technical indicators.

Furthermore, the algorithm applies a consistent set of rules across all market conditions, irrespective of whether prices are rising, falling, or moving sideways. As a result, it removes the psychological pressures that often influence manual traders and contribute to poor decision-making.

Rather than focusing on short-term price movements, the strategy relies on quantitative signals to pursue compounded growth over time, reinforcing a disciplined, rules-based trading approach.

Notably, the strategy was designed with three objectives: applying a rules-based framework to XRP exposure over time, enabling active trading within eligible retirement accounts, and maintaining client assets in institutional-grade custody. 

Here is Possible XRP Price if XRP Secures Interoperability With 50+ Other Chains

Mark Brennan
-
0
Here is Possible XRP Price if XRP Secures Interoperability With 50+ Other Chains

Recent developments suggest that XRP may be moving toward a fully connected, multi-chain future that could massively change its role in the crypto market. 

In a recent video commentary, Brad Kimes of Digital Perspectives called attention to multiple developments that may lead to growing interoperability for XRP across dozens of blockchain networks.

Ripple Executive Highlights Importance of Interoperability

During the episode, Kimes highlighted comments from Luke Judges, Ripple’s Global Partner Success Lead, delivered at the Solana Breakpoint conference. Notably, Judges compared crypto assets and national currencies, suggesting that blockchains act as separate countries. He explained that no currency can gain global dominance if it only works in one region. 

Applying this idea to crypto, Judges suggested that expanding XRP into other blockchain ecosystems could dramatically increase its usefulness. The Ripple executive then mentioned that Solana is a strong starting point for this sort of expansion. 

For context, Judges’ comments came on the back of the wXRP project from Hex Trust. Responding, Kimes argued that Judges’ words show that Ripple sees interoperability as an important part of its strategy.

XRP to Connect to 50+ Chains?

From there, the Digital Perspectives host spotlighted a newer project called Bridgers, which seeks to connect XRP and Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin to more than 50 blockchain networks. 

According to reports discussed in the video, Bridgers allows users to perform one-click cross-chain swaps involving XRP, RLUSD, and other assets issued on the XRP Ledger. The platform reportedly supports hundreds of tokens across dozens of chains to remove the friction that separates blockchain ecosystems.

The report noted the timing of the development could not be better. Notably, XRP remains one of the most widely held digital assets worldwide, while RLUSD exists as a compliance-focused stablecoin. 

It also highlighted Ripple’s conditional approval to form a national trust bank in the United States. According to the report, this strengthens the regulatory foundation behind RLUSD. In this context, expanding both XRP and RLUSD across multiple chains could align with Ripple’s broader regulatory and infrastructure ambitions.

Meanwhile, the report also highlighted some risks involved. It cautioned that cross-chain systems often introduce security concerns, liquidity challenges, and trust issues. 

Per the report, Bridgers plans to rely on open-source smart contracts and a transparent liquidity routing model. Still, the project must prove its reliability at scale before the market can fully trust it. Also, being a less proven project, Kimes asked investors to be careful and carry out proper research.

Despite these challenges, the benefits to XRP’s direction could be bullish long-term. Specifically, XRP and RLUSD are no longer limited to the XRP Ledger alone. Instead, they now operate as assets designed to move freely across multiple blockchains. 

Possible XRP Price if XRP Secures Such Interoperability

Meanwhile, to assess how this change could affect XRP’s price, we asked xAI’s Grok AI to evaluate a hypothetical scenario in which XRP secures broad interoperability and becomes a leading bridge asset for the crypto scene. 

In response, Grok suggested that under an extremely bullish and purely speculative outlook, XRP could trade between $20 and $50 within the next three to five years. This assumes XRP sees strong institutional adoption, rising liquidity demand, and becomes a settlement layer comparable to a digital version of SWIFT. However, this remains merely speculative and unguaranteed.

XRP Price Prediction Grok AI
XRP Price Prediction | Grok AI

If Every Bank in Japan Starts Using XRP, Here’s How High XRP May Rise

Mark Brennan
-
0
If Every Bank in Japan Starts Using XRP, Here’s How High XRP May Rise

We recently assessed how much the XRP price could rise if every bank in Japan started leveraging the token’s bridge capability for banking operations.

Today, XRP trades around the $2 level, but most market participants argue that this price does not yet reflect the crypto asset’s long-term utility. They believe broader adoption could lead to higher valuations, especially if major financial institutions adopt XRP.

One market that could make a difference for XRP is the Japanese financial scene, where Ripple and XRP have built longstanding ties to the banking and payments sector.

Japan’s Large Banking Industry

Notably, Japan operates one of the world’s largest banking industries by total assets. The sector revolves around three dominant megabanks, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, and Mizuho Financial Group, alongside a wide network of regional banks, shinkin cooperative banks, and other financial institutions. 

According to the latest comprehensive data from the Bank of Japan, domestically licensed banks held approximately 1,447 trillion yen in total assets as of the end of November 2024, equivalent to about $9.65 trillion. 

Meanwhile, by February 2025, total deposits across all financial institutions reached around 1,047 trillion yen, or $6.98 trillion, representing a year-on-year increase of 1.4%. 

However, growth slowed later in the year, with estimates suggesting deposits rose to between 1,060 and 1,070 trillion yen by November 2025, reflecting annual growth of about 1.5%. Ordinary deposits accounted for about 650 trillion yen, while time deposits stood near 225 trillion yen as of late February 2025.

Notably, loan-to-deposit ratios in August 2025 ranged from about 40% to 50% for major banks, 50% to 60% for regional lenders, and 60% to 70% for shinkin banks. Securities holdings reached roughly 300 to 350 trillion yen by the end of August 2025, making up about 40% of total assets. 

Interestingly, the country hosts around 100 city and regional banks, roughly 250 shinkin banks, and about 13,500 domestic branches as of September 2024. Collectively, Japanese banks control close to 10% of global banking assets.

XRP Price if All Japanese Banks Use It

Given this scale, widespread use of XRP as a bridge asset for settlements could materially affect its price. To assess how much this impact could be, we asked Google Gemini to estimate how high XRP might trade under an aggressive adoption scenario.

In response, Google Gemini put XRP’s current market cap near $120 billion, considering the $2 price. The chatbot then compared this valuation to the $9.65 trillion in assets held by Japanese banks and assumed, for modeling purposes, that XRP’s market cap could grow to 10% of that asset base. 

Under this assumption, XRP’s market value would rise to about $965 billion. Dividing that figure by the circulating supply produces a hypothetical price of roughly $16.08 per XRP, representing an increase of about 800% from current levels. 

XRP Price Prediction Google Gemini
XRP Price Prediction | Google Gemini

Gemini admitted that this scenario remains extreme because settlement assets typically do not mirror balance sheet totals, and XRP would primarily support liquidity and transaction flows rather than represent bank assets directly.

XRP Already Establishing Relationships in Japan

Importantly, XRP has already begun establishing relationships with Japanese financial institutions. In 2016, Ripple partnered with SBI Holdings to form SBI Ripple Asia, a joint venture designed to promote Ripple’s enterprise payment solutions across Asia, including Japan. 

That same year, SBI Holdings invested in Ripple’s $55 million Series B funding round, alongside other global banks, helping expand Ripple’s footprint in the region. Mizuho Financial Group also joined Ripple’s network during this period.

By 2017, SBI Ripple Asia launched the Japan Bank Consortium, bringing together 61 Japanese banks that represented more than 80% of the country’s banking assets. Pilot programs using Ripple’s RC Cloud platform enabled real-time settlements for dozens of banks and laid the groundwork for future XRP liquidity use cases. 

In 2018, SBI introduced VCTRADE, Japan’s first bank-backed crypto exchange, with XRP as its initial focus. By 2021, SBI Remit rolled out Japan’s first XRP-powered international remittance service, using Ripple’s On-Demand Liquidity to facilitate faster and cheaper transfers in corridors such as Japan to the Philippines.

Top Investor Declares Massive Short on XRP

Abdulkarim Abdulwahab
-
0
Top Investor Declares Massive Short on XRP

ChartFu, a widely followed investor on X, revealed that he has taken a short position on XRP. 

He described the move as a confident decision, suggesting he expects lower prices ahead. At the time of the comment, XRP was trading around $1.92, down roughly 2% on the day. 

The token is attempting to recover after slipping to $1.84 earlier. Meanwhile, price action remains under pressure as traders assess the near-term direction.

Mixed Reactions From Crypto Analysts

The announcement from ChartFu triggered varied responses from other market watchers. Valerioshi, host of The Bitcoin Show, expressed surprise at the bearish call, noting that he had been considering buying a substantial amount of XRP.

ChartFu responded by suggesting that better entry opportunities may appear soon. For now, however, he remains bearish.

Meanwhile, analyst Crypto Xanax took a more critical stance. He argued that trading XRP at all can be frustrating, warning against buying or trading the coin altogether.

XRP ETF Inflows and Whale Accumulation Narrative

Another X user, Rebel, highlighted that XRP ETFs have seen 20 consecutive days of inflows. While noting a personal dislike for XRP, Rebel pointed out that large holders remain bullish on the coin and are accumulating it en masse.

Indeed, data from SoSoValue confirmed that XRP ETFs have now registered $1 billion in total inflows since trading commenced in November. Specifically, five XRP ETFs from asset managers Canary, 21Shares, Grayscale, Bitwise, and Franklin are trading and have accumulated $1.12 billion in total assets.

The continuous inflows these ETFs have registered since their debut, with no recorded outflows, are fueling hopes that a supply shock could occur for XRP to enable its price to soar.

XRP ETF inflow data SosoValue
XRP ETF inflow data SoSoValue

Amid this initial accumulation, many continue to believe that XRP’s outlook remains bullish. However, prominent voices like ChartFu are looking beyond the ETF narrative and publicly disclosing their bearish positions.

“People With Higher IQ Hold XRP”

Interestingly, the bearish call comes as YoungHoon Kim, reportedly the world’s highest IQ holder, turns bullish on XRP. Kim recently tweeted that people with higher IQs are more likely to hold XRP.

Since first mentioning XRP on December 12, he has shared frequent bullish views, including a prediction that XRP could reach $100 within five years.

Meanwhile, not everyone agrees. Trader Peter Brandt recently called XRP permabulls overly optimistic and uninformed. XRP supporters, however, counter that the asset appeals to investors focused on infrastructure, payments, liquidity, and regulation rather than hype.

1...365366367...2,628Page 366 of 2,628