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Russia’s Sberbank Tests DeFi Tools Amid Close Regulatory Oversight

Zabi
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Russia’s Sberbank Tests DeFi Tools Amid Close Regulatory Oversight

Sberbank, Russia’s largest lender, has begun testing decentralized finance (DeFi) tools, as interest in cryptocurrencies continues to grow among its customers.

In an interview with Russian business outlet RBC, Anatoly Popov, a deputy chair of Sberbank’s management board, confirmed the bank is piloting multiple DeFi-related solutions.

He emphasized that any digital asset offering will be developed in close coordination with regulators. This approach aims to align innovation with legal certainty.

Popov also suggested that traditional banking services and decentralized finance models are gradually converging. However, he declined to name specific DeFi platforms involved in the pilot projects.

Growing Client Demand Shapes Strategy

Sberbank’s cautious move comes amid rising demand for cryptocurrency exposure across Russia’s banking sector. In addition, expectations that a clearer regulatory framework could emerge by 2026 have further strengthened this trend.

The bank’s scale further adds significance to its strategy shift. Sberbank serves roughly 109 million retail clients and over 3 million corporate customers, with an estimated market capitalization of $83 billion. 

Popov noted that many of these clients are actively seeking simple and reliable ways to access crypto assets.

Industry Moves Ahead of Full Regulatory Approval

Despite growing interest, Russian banks are still prohibited from offering direct cryptocurrency trading through their mobile applications. As a result, customers cannot yet buy or sell digital assets directly without regulatory approval.

Nevertheless, demand is becoming increasingly visible. Earlier this month, rival lender VTB reported that its clients prefer holding actual cryptocurrencies rather than trading derivatives.

In parallel, several major Russian firms have launched crypto investment products, including funds, bonds, and indices tied to Bitcoin, Ethereum, and leading US-listed crypto ETFs.

Central Bank Data Underscores Rising Adoption

During the interview, Popov cited estimates from the Central Bank of Russia to illustrate the scale of crypto adoption. He said the total value of cryptocurrency held in Russian wallets had reached $10.35 billion by March 2025. This estimate supports banks’ views that crypto interest is becoming a mainstream financial trend.

However, expansion faces resistance from the central bank. While the Bank of Russia supports blockchain technology, it remains skeptical of private cryptocurrencies. 

For instance, Governor Elvira Nabiullina has repeatedly criticized assets such as Bitcoin, instead favoring state-controlled alternatives like the digital ruble. This position has long constrained banks and blockchain firms operating in the country.

Policy Shifts Open the Door to Public Blockchains and Tokenization

Nonetheless, that stance began to soften in 2025, creating space for limited experimentation. This change follows the growth of domestic Bitcoin mining and the increasing use of cryptocurrencies in cross-border settlements.

Against this backdrop, Sberbank is widening its blockchain strategy. Anatoly Popov said the bank is no longer focused solely on private networks.

Instead, it is examining public blockchains for specific, controlled applications. Asset tokenization and technical integration with decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols are among the areas under review.

Ethereum has emerged as a leading candidate. In particular, Popov cited its mature infrastructure, advanced smart contract functionality, and transparent architecture, which he said make integration easier and provide access to global markets.

He concluded that tokenized assets are already being tested worldwide and that Russia is beginning to move in the same direction, provided regulatory clarity and economic conditions continue to improve.

US Unemployment Rate Rises Higher Than Expected: What This Means for Bitcoin

Sam Wisdom Raphael
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US Unemployment Rate Rises Higher Than Expected: What This Means for Bitcoin

Bitcoin has remained under pressure below the $90,000 level, and traders now focus on U.S. economic data to determine where prices may head next. 

Analysts believe recent labor market figures and upcoming inflation data will determine how the Federal Reserve sets policy in January 2026, making these releases especially important for Bitcoin’s short-term direction.

Notably, BTC has gone through a rough stretch in recent months. After surging to the all-time high of $126,272 in October 2025, the premier crypto asset has struggled to maintain momentum since then. Selling pressure has intensified over the past two months, with prices forming lower highs. 

Bitcoin now trades at $87,161, which places it 31% below its October peak. December has added to the weakness, as the token has declined 3.57% so far this month. If the trend holds, Bitcoin will post its third straight monthly loss for the first time since the Terra collapse in mid-2022.

US Unemployment Rises Higher Than Expected

While Bitcoin battles bearish pressure, U.S. labor market data have presented some limited relief. Today, the U.S. government released the November Employment Situation report after a delay caused by the shutdown. The data showed the unemployment rate rising to 4.6%, its highest level since September 2021.

The figure came in above expectations. Specifically, in September 2025, the unemployment rate stood at 4.4%, which served as the last complete reading before the shutdown disrupted data collection. Economists had expected unemployment to remain between 4.4% and 4.5%, making the rise to 4.6% a notable surprise.

Job creation data was mixed. Notably, nonfarm payrolls increased by 64,000 jobs in November, recovering from a sharp loss of 105,000 jobs in October. This earlier decline largely came from federal government payroll cuts ranging between 162,000 and 168,000 positions, driven by deferred resignations and shutdown-related disruptions. 

Meanwhile, November’s payroll growth exceeded lowered forecasts of 45,000 to 50,000 jobs, but it still indicated a cooling labor market.

On wage data, average hourly earnings rose only 0.1% from the previous month, well below the 0.3% economists expected. Annually, wages increased 3.5%, marking the slowest pace since May 2021 and aligning with pre-pandemic levels. 

Speaking on the latest release, Kay Haigh from Goldman Sachs Asset Management said the Federal Reserve would likely place limited weight on the November report because of data disruptions. According to her, December’s employment report, due in early January, would carry more influence over near-term policy decisions.

How Could This Impact Bitcoin?

Before the data release, research platform Bull Theory emphasized that the jobs report and the upcoming CPI release would play a decisive role in shaping Fed policy for 2026. The platform warned about the growing risk of stagflation, where inflation stays elevated while unemployment continues to rise. 

As inflation pushes near 3% and unemployment climbs, Bull Theory argued that a reading above 4.4% would confirm labor market weakness. The platform said a move toward 4.6% or higher would change market focus from stagflation to outright recession risk.

Bull Theory also explained that the Fed faces a difficult balancing act. Specifically, high inflation argues for tighter policy, while weakening jobs push the central bank toward easing. According to the platform, markets react not to individual data points but to how inflation and employment trends move together.

After the release confirmed unemployment at 4.6%, Bull Theory stated that the rate had reached a four-year high and claimed the Fed had made a policy mistake. They argued that further rate cuts and renewed liquidity through quantitative easing are now the most likely path forward, which they view as positive for crypto.

Meanwhile, in the 30 minutes before the report, Bitcoin fell 1.05%. After the release, the price rebounded 0.57% in the following half hour and gained another 0.21%. BTC briefly touched $87,347 before momentum slowed. It now trades around $87,161 as investors try to determine what policy the Fed would favor in 2026.

FCA Data Shows Biggest Drop in UK Crypto Ownership in Four Years

Albert Brown
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FCA Data Shows Biggest Drop in UK Crypto Ownership in Four Years

Fresh data from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) shows that the United Kingdom has recorded its biggest decline in crypto ownership since 2021.

According to the regulator’s Crypto Asset Consumer Research 2025 report, which tracks how U.K. residents engaged with cryptocurrencies over the past year, the share of adults holding digital assets, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, fell to around 8% in 2025.

Biggest Decline in UK Crypto Ownership Since 2021

This marks the largest decline reported by the FCA since 2021. In its 2024 report, the FCA disclosed that roughly 7 million adults, or about 12% of the U.K.’s adult population, held crypto. However, crypto ownership among U.K. adults previously stood at 10% in 2022 and 4.1% in 2021.

UK crypto ownership
UK crypto ownership

The downturn highlights a growing disconnect between rising crypto prices and public participation. Following the market’s sharp collapse in late 2022 after the FTX debacle, many retail investors remained on the sidelines.

Although industry participants spent the following years promoting adoption and attracting new users, those efforts failed to sustain momentum.

Heightened market volatility driven by macroeconomic pressures and geopolitical tensions ultimately took a toll this year, triggering billions of dollars in forced liquidations and a prolonged selloff that eroded retail investor confidence, with ownership plunging to 8%.

More UK Adults Are Committed to Crypto

Meanwhile, despite the decline in overall adoption, the U.K. adults who continue to hold crypto appear more committed than ever.

According to the FCA report, balances among existing investors have increased sharply, with 21% of U.K. crypto holders reporting portfolios valued between £1,001 ($1,342) and £5,000 ($6,707). Similarly, the proportion of investors holding less than £100 ($134) in crypto assets has declined significantly.

Crypto Moves Into UK Politics

As retail participation wanes, political interest in digital assets has been on the rise. Some political figures are now weaving crypto into their platforms to tap the sector’s fundraising power and appeal to younger voters.

This trend was evident during the 2024 U.S. election, when Donald Trump attracted substantial financial backing from the crypto industry.

In a similar move, several crypto groups are now throwing their weight behind Nigel Farage’s Reform U.K., betting that the party could champion more favorable crypto regulations in the U.K. — much like Trump and the Republican Party have done in the United States.

Meanwhile, as the U.S. reviews the CLARITY Act following the enactment of the GENIUS Act, and the European Union has already implemented MiCA, the United Kingdom faces growing pressure to catch up with comprehensive crypto regulation.

In the meantime, the FCA is consulting on multiple crypto-related rules, ranging from exchange services to staking and market abuse standards. The consultation period is set to close in February 2026, with crypto firm licensing expected to open later that year and full regulatory enforcement anticipated in 2027.

Media Personality Predicts XRP Will Shock the World in 2026

Elendu Benedict
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Media Personality Predicts XRP Will Shock the World in 2026

The sentiment that XRP would still make a decisive move has remained strong in the XRP community despite ongoing underperformance.

Proponents still believe that XRP has massive prospects in the near term, even as prices are showing intense weakness. The token closed below the $2 psychological level last week and has since tested lower prices, trading at $1.88 at the time of writing.

XRP Fails to Meet Expectations

Meanwhile, XRP has declined 16% over the past 30 days and 9% since the start of the year. It has relinquished a reasonable portion of its earlier gains, falling 48% from its yearly high of $3.66 attained in July.

Essentially, the price trend has not met the expectations of many proponents, including the anonymous Blair Report founder, “Future XRP.” He shared in his Monday tweet that the coin’s price has underperformed his earlier expectations.

According to him, he never believed that XRP would reach this low in his lifetime. Furthermore, he predicted that the cryptocurrency would “shock the world” this year, but so far it has not.

His projections that XPR would be trading at double-figure values at this time have also not materialized, even with ETFs in the mix. For context, the five US spot XRP ETFs recorded inflows of $10.89 million yesterday, extending their zero-outflow streak and bringing their cumulative net inflow to $1 billion. 

Yet, XRP has not responded to this flow, nor has it created the supply shock that the Future XRP predicted. As a result, he admitted that he had been wrong with all his forecasts so far.

Expert Remains Upbeat on 2026 Potentials

Notwithstanding, he noted that he is not scared about XRP’s price trajectory. His unwavering confidence hinges on the fact that the token’s fundamentals have not changed.

The enthusiast disclosed he will not sell his bags amid the panic because he believes in the coin’s near-term and long-term prospects. His prediction is that while XRP stalled this year, it will shock the world in 2026.

Meanwhile, in a parallel analysis, he compared XRP to oil, stating that both were commodities. According to him, several companies are building around XRP, highlighting the asset’s real-world use case and emerging adoption. He added that the price of oil hinges on demand and supply rather than developments from major dealers like Exxon Mobil, and XRP would follow that trajectory.

Notably, assertions for XRP in 2026 are coming in hot, with most pointing to a price recovery. A recent report predicts that XRP could hit $5 in 2026, citing four reasons for this outlook. Analyst Dr. Cat foresees an even stronger bullish outcome, projecting an upsurge to between $20 and $30 next year.

Despite the widespread bullish expectations for XRP in 2026, commentator Vincent Scott has warned of unrealistic projections. He specifically called out a post that claimed that 3,500 XRP would make one a millionaire by 2026.

Visa Taps Circle’s USDC to Offer Stablecoin Settlement to US Banks

Elendu Benedict
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Visa Taps Circle’s USDC to Offer Stablecoin Settlement to US Banks

Visa has expanded its stablecoin settlement to the United States, allowing banks and fintechs to transact using the USDC token.

The card payment giant announced Tuesday that issuers and acquirer partners can now leverage stablecoins to settle transactions using Circle’s stablecoin USDC. The move comes a day after the firm launched the Stablecoin Advisory Practice, aimed at promoting stablecoin adoption.

Visa Brings Stablecoin Settlements to the US

Visa’s stablecoin settlement volume reached an annualized run rate of $3.5 billion as of November 30, according to its report. Circle’s USDC has been crucial in the payment giant’s transactions globally.

Today, the firm is now allowing US financial institutions to enjoy the instant and seamless transactions tied to stablecoins. They can now move funds 24/7 and swiftly, even on holidays, using USDC without any change to the Visa card experience.

USDC is the second largest in the over $315 billion stablecoin sector. Its issuer, Circle, is the developer of the Arc network, for which Visa is a design partner. The choice of Circle’s USDC as the settlement stablecoin in the US further strengthens the long-standing relationship between both firms.

Visa started experimenting with USDC in its stablecoin settlement pilot program in 2021. Two years later, it became one of the first top payment firms to settle transactions in stablecoins. Since then, Visa has been relentless in its adoption of stablecoin, offering users flexible payment options.

Initial Partnership

Meanwhile, Cross River Bank and Lead Bank are the first participants of this program. The Tuesday report revealed that they have already begun settling with USDC on Visa using the Solana network.

Furthermore, Visa plans to extend these services to more US financial institutions in 2026. It urged interested clients to work on stablecoin adoption through their account team.

Notably, Visa has deepened its involvement in the blockchain space over time. Last month, Visa tested stablecoin payouts for creators and freelancers using USDC. This follows its launch of the Visa Tokenized Asset Platform to support institutions looking to use the stablecoin payment rail.

Analyst Says XRP Could See an Absolute Parabolic Run in 2027

Mark Brennan
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Analyst Says XRP Could See an Absolute Parabolic Run in 2027

XRP community figure Chad Steingraber has outlined a timeline that places XRP’s most aggressive growth phase in 2027.

Notably, this projected price surge would stem from the large-scale tokenization of U.S. financial markets. The analyst issued this outlook in response to the SEC’s comments that the entire U.S. market could be tokenized within two years.

According to Steingraber, 2026 would likely be a steady build-up period, with tokenized assets growing “fast and consistently.”

Meanwhile, he believes the real shift comes in 2027, when tokenization activity could turn parabolic, with the XRP Ledger (XRPL) absorbing financial activity as institutions move at scale.

Data Shows Tokenization Is Still in Its Early Stages

Notably, Steingraber’s comments followed a post by Securitize highlighting how early the tokenization trend remains. Data from RWA.xyz and other sources show that tokenized assets make up a tiny fraction of global financial markets.

For example, tokenized fixed income stands at under $9 billion compared to more than $145 trillion in total market value. Likewise, tokenized stocks represent less than $1 billion out of roughly $126 trillion. Even in the most advanced category, private credit, tokenization remains below 1% of total value.

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For XRP supporters, these figures support the view that the sector is still in the “first inning,” with the largest growth phase still ahead.

Analysts See XRP Ledger as Built for Scale

X Finance Bull, a well-known XRP analyst, agreed with Steingraber’s timeline. He described 2026 as the onboarding phase and 2027 as the point where liquidity dynamics flip.

In his view, once liquidity concentrates on-chain, other assets and participants are pulled in fast, favoring ledgers with high throughput and regulatory alignment.

Other commentators echoed similar expectations. One analyst suggested 15–20% of markets could be tokenized in 2026, with the remainder following in 2027. Despite a modest outlook for 2026, the commentator calls next year “epic” for growth.

However, more cautious voices warned that tokenization alone does not automatically create demand unless assets are actively used, settled, and traded.

SEC Chair Confirms the Tokenization Narrative

The discussion builds on earlier reports quoting SEC Chair Paul Atkins. Specifically, Atkins predicted on live TV that all U.S. markets will move on-chain within a few years. Atkins highlighted benefits such as instant settlement, improved transparency, and reduced counterparty risk.

XRP community members see this regulatory change as a major catalyst. They argue that enterprise networks like XRPL are in a better position than “hype-driven” chains to support regulated financial markets.

What It Could Mean for XRP’s Price

With XRP trading under $2 today, analysts’ opinions on how tokenization could translate into price appreciation vary widely.

X Finance Bull has suggested XRP could reach $100 within two years if trillions of dollars move on-chain. More conservative forecasts point to a longer timeline stretching into the 2030s or beyond for this $100 price.

Meanwhile, for many holders, the main point is not a specific price but the possibility that 2027 could bring a major change. Proponents believe XRP’s price would be in a stronger position than today’s if tokenization grows as expected and XRPL handles more real transactions.

Ripple’s Prediction for Tokenization Market

In a widely referenced report, Ripple predicted the tokenization market could reach $19 trillion by 2033. Leveraging this outlook, analyst Brad Kimes argues XRP could hit $10 by 2026, $54 by 2029, and $189 by 2033 if Ripple taps this market fully.

Shiba Inu Prediction for Dec 16: Is Another Wave of SHIB Selling Ahead?

Mark Brennan
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Shiba Inu Prediction for Dec 16: Is Another Wave of SHIB Selling Ahead?

Shiba Inu is lower on the day, trading below a falling SMMA as momentum stays negative, while futures data shows net outflows. Where is SHIB headed?

In the past 24 hours, SHIB has dropped about 4.1%, changing hands around $0.000007812 after moving within a daily range of $0.000007754 to $0.000008215. That range suggests sellers attempted a push higher, but selling pressure forced prices back down, with bids appearing closer to the day’s lower end.

The move is happening with noticeable market participation, as SHIB sits near $131.67M in 24-hour trading volume. With SHIB also down about 9% over the past week, the next question is whether this drop is setting up a base, or if another wave of selling is still ahead.


Shiba Inu Price Prediction

Looking deeper into the hourly chart, SHIB remains below the 7-period smoothed moving average (SMMA), which sits near $0.00000784. The moving average is sloping downward and has been acting like dynamic resistance. Rebounds are still being capped until the price can close back above that level and hold.

Shiba Inu 1-Hour Chart
Shiba Inu 1-Hour Chart

Momentum is still tilted bearish, with the Chande Momentum Oscillator near -34. That reading suggests sellers still have the edge, even though the recent movement shows some stabilization. A more constructive shift would be the oscillator rising above 0, which would signal that selling pressure is fading and buyers are starting to regain control.

Trend strength remains elevated, with ADX (14) around 38. ADX doesn’t tell direction by itself, but readings above 25 typically imply a strong trend. With SHIB still under a falling SMMA and momentum negative, the ADX level supports the idea that the broader move still carries strong downside pressure, even if the market is pausing.

For key levels, SHIB has a potential floor around $0.00000775–$0.00000780. If those levels fail, sellers may try to push toward $0.00000770. On the upside, resistance starts at $0.00000784 (the SMMA), then extends toward the recent reaction zone around $0.00000790–$0.00000793.

Shiba Inu Outflows Persist

Elsewhere, SHIB’s futures flows are sending a clear signal that traders remain cautious, with net outflows persisting across the latest time windows. Over the 12-hour timeframe, SHIB futures flows show $4.86M in inflows versus $5.10M in outflows, leaving a net outflow of about $235.8K.

Shiba Inu Futures Flows
Shiba Inu Futures Flows

Even though the net change metric is positive at 83.95%, the net figure is still negative, which suggests the latest period may be less bearish than before but has not flipped into net demand. Net inflow relative to market cap is also slightly negative at 0.0051%.

Over the 24-hour period, the imbalance is clearer: $12.97M flowed in while $14.67M flowed out, producing a net outflow of about $1.70M. The net change shows a negative figure at 37.27%, and net inflow/market cap drops to 0.037%, pointing to heavier net withdrawals and weaker positioning compared with the shorter window.

Zooming out to 3 days, the pattern remains consistent. Inflows total $22.57M against $25.87M outflows, resulting in a net outflow of roughly $3.30M. Even though the net change is positive at only 0.61% (near-flat), the cumulative net flow staying negative across 12 hours, 24 hours, and 3 days suggests traders have broadly been reducing exposure rather than adding, unless these net figures start shrinking meaningfully or turn positive.

Dogecoin Price Forecast for Dec 16: Why $0.152 Supertrend Level Matters

Albert Brown
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Dogecoin Price Forecast for Dec 16: Why $0.152 Supertrend Level Matters

Dogecoin price fell over the day and stayed below the Supertrend line, while token trading volume data showed weaker recent participation.

Over the last 24 hours, DOGE dropped about 5.9% to $0.1289, moving within a daily range of $0.1274 to $0.1374. The wide swing shows the market tried to push higher early, but the move didn’t stick, and the price spent more time drifting back toward the lower end of the range.

Despite the pullback, participation remains strong. DOGE is sitting near a $19.62B market cap with roughly $1.30B in 24-hour volume, up 36.39%, which suggests this wasn’t a thin, low-liquidity move. Here are the levels DOGE needs to reclaim before buyers can argue the worst is over.

Key Dogecoin Levels to Watch

Dogecoin remains in a downtrend on a daily setup, with price staying below the Supertrend line. The Supertrend value is near $0.15223, which signals that bearish control is still intact and that bulls are seeing pullbacks unless price can reclaim that level and hold above.

Dogecoin 1-Day Chart Analysis
Dogecoin 1-Day Chart Analysis

Momentum indicators are also leaning bearish. Specifically, the MACD crossover indicator is below the zero line, and the MACD line (about -0.00422) is under the signal line (about -0.00312). This alignment typically reflects negative momentum, even if the lines are starting to flatten, which would suggest selling pressure may be slowing but not yet reversing.

For key levels, support is immediate near the recent low at $0.1271, with the next downside zone around $0.1034 if that floor breaks. On the upside, the first resistance sits around $0.132–$0.135, followed by $0.140, and the bigger trend-defining ceiling remains the Supertrend near $0.152. A daily close back above that Supertrend level would be a clearer sign that the worst is over.

Dogecoin is Seeing Cooling Participation

Meanwhile, Dogecoin’s on-chain token trading volume on Token Terminal shows activity has been highly bursty over the last few years, with long, quiet stretches interrupted by short, sharp surges. The dashboard lists a 3-year cumulative trading volume of about $2.1T.

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Dogecoin Token Trading

The series also shows that DOGE has experienced multiple volume spikes that push well above the usual baseline. This includes a standout surge in late-2024/early-2025 that rises above the $100B weekly level on the scale. 

More recently, activity looks far more subdued by comparison: the week starting Monday, Dec 8, is shown at roughly $8.205B in trading volume. When volume compresses back toward the baseline, it suggests cooler demand and less urgency, which can make breakouts harder to sustain unless a fresh catalyst returns.

People With Higher IQ Are More Likely to Hold XRP: World Record Holder

Mark Brennan
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People With Higher IQ Are More Likely to Hold XRP: World Record Holder

Entrepreneur YoungHoon Kim, who claims to have the world’s highest IQ of 276, has said smarter investors are more likely to hold XRP.

In a post on X, Kim wrote that people with higher IQs may be more inclined to hold XRP. He also reminded readers that his post was not financial advice and encouraged followers to do their own research.

The remark comes just days after Kim revealed that he is now buying XRP, a notable move given his long-standing reputation as a Bitcoin maximalist. For much of his public crypto commentary, Kim focused almost exclusively on Bitcoin, repeatedly forecasting aggressive price targets.

Now, he is emerging as a prominent XRP bull, sharing bold outlooks almost daily since he first mentioned XRP on December 12 in a post on X.

Kim’s Bold 2030 Outlook for XRP

Kim’s recent statement suggests that holding XRP is more about long-term strategy than short-term gains. Two days ago, Kim predicted that XRP could reach $100 within the next five years.

This outlook would require nearly a 50x surge from XRP’s current price. Critics dismiss such projections due to the more than $6 trillion market capitalization they would imply. Firms such as Bitwise and other research groups predict XRP prices below $30 by 2030, even under highly optimistic scenarios.

Nevertheless, XRP bulls, now including Kim, continue to insist on a 2030 timeline for the $100 price target. The potential upside from XRP’s current price of under $2 helps explain why Kim argues that high-IQ investors should be holding XRP. However, the Bitcoin community does not share this perspective.

“XRP Holders Are Uninformed”

Last week, around the time Kim disclosed his entry into XRP, legendary trader Peter Brandt criticized XRP holders, describing them as some of the most “uneducated” perpetual bulls in the market.

Drawing on five decades of experience, Brandt has issues with XRP supporters who remain mostly bullish despite price action and market conditions, maintaining what he considers unrealistic and far-fetched expectations.

While Brandt has repeatedly issued bearish calls on XRP, he has also identified bullish patterns in the past. Nonetheless, he continues to view XRP holders as irrationally optimistic about the asset.

Meanwhile, in response to Kim’s latest post, XRP commentators such as X Finance Bull noted that XRP attracts individuals who focus on infrastructure rather than hype, citing payments, liquidity, and regulatory compliance. He added that this type of mindset is usually deliberate.

Optimism Around the XRP Ecosystem

Meanwhile, renewed interest in XRP coincides with several developments. These include the launch of XRP ETF products that have attracted over $1 billion in inflows, Ripple securing approval to pursue a U.S. banking charter, and growing institutional experimentation with XRP treasury strategies.

Analysts also point to XRP’s relatively small global holder base of approximately 7.4 million wallets as evidence that adoption remains early when compared to traditional financial markets and the global population.

20 Reasons XRP Could Be the Best Investment for 2026

Mark Brennan
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20 Reasons XRP Could Be the Best Investment for 2026

A prominent market expert has shared 20 reasons he believes XRP could be the best investment for 2026 despite recent weakness.

Notably, XRP entered 2025 with bullish momentum after gaining nearly 46% in January and reclaiming levels above $3. However, this early uptick failed to hold. 

Amid the ongoing broader market downtrend, XRP has collapsed 33.78% in a 3-month period, and now trades around $1.88. This translates to a roughly 9.5% crash for the year, with XRP on pace to log its first annual decline since the 2022 bear market. 

Despite this underwhelming performance, several analysts argue that 2025 has quietly prepared the foundation for a major move higher in 2026.

One of the individuals behind this view is market commentator Bearable Bull, who recently presented 20 developments from 2025 that he believes position XRP as a standout investment for the coming year. Below is a list of these developments:

1. SEC case officially resolved

The long-running legal battle between Ripple and the U.S. SEC reached a definitive conclusion in August 2025. Ripple agreed to a $125 million fine, as both parties withdrew their appeals. This resolution removed one of the largest regulatory risks hanging over XRP.

2. Spot XRP ETFs launched and gaining traction

Notably, spot XRP ETFs went live last month, with Canary Capital’s ETF debuting on Nov. 13. By Dec. 3, total inflows surpassed $800 million, making XRP the second-fastest asset to reach this milestone. The latest feat involved these products crossing $1 billion in net inflows on Dec. 16.

3. Vanguard allows XRP ETF trading

On Dec. 2, 2025, Vanguard reversed its long-standing stance on crypto exposure. The investment giant opened access to crypto ETFs, including XRP-focused products, for more than 50 million clients, marking a major shift in institutional accessibility.

4. Partnership linking XRP Ledger with Mastercard ecosystem

Ripple announced a collaboration on Nov. 5, 2025, involving Mastercard, WebBank, and Gemini. The partnership enables settlements for Gemini Credit Card transactions using Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin on the XRP Ledger, expanding real-world payment use cases.

5. Evernorth accumulation

Ripple-backed Evernorth accumulated roughly 388 million XRP by late October 2025, representing about $1 billion in value. The purchases occurred through open-market activity tied to SPAC merger and IPO plans, leading to speculation around a potential supply shock.

6. Ripple acquires GTreasury

On Oct. 16, 2025, Ripple completed a $1 billion acquisition of GTreasury. This pushed Ripple deeper into corporate treasury management and bolstered its ability to integrate crypto assets into enterprise financial operations.

7. Ripple rebrands Hidden Road

Ripple rebranded Hidden Road as Ripple Prime after acquiring the firm earlier in 2025. Notably, the platform has also secured access to DTCC netting services.

8. RLUSD surpasses $1 billion market cap

Ripple’s stablecoin RLUSD crossed the $1 billion market cap threshold in early November. By early December, its valuation approached $1.3 billion amid deployments across both the XRP Ledger and Ethereum.

9. Yen carry trade unwind narrative

Discussions around a potential reversal of the Japanese yen carry trade, estimated at roughly $4.5 trillion, have emerged amid BoJ rate hikes. Some believe such an unwind could increase demand for XRP through corridors like SBI Remit, although no confirmed adoption has emerged.

10. Federal Reserve rate cuts

The Federal Reserve implemented three quarter-point rate cuts in 2025. The most recent cut on Dec. 10 lowered the federal funds rate to a range of 3.50% to 3.75%, indicating a potential pause and a more accommodative backdrop for risk assets.

11. Global M2 expansion

Interestingly, Global M2 money supply climbed to record levels between $108 trillion and $111 trillion in 2025. Crypto markets, including XRP, lagged this growth, but historical patterns show digital assets often respond later during monetary expansion phases.

12. Increased overnight repo liquidity

To stabilize reserve levels, the Federal Reserve conducted sizable overnight repo operations throughout the year. One of the largest injections reached $29.4 billion on Oct. 31, representing the biggest operation in years. Such liquidity could help risk assets like XRP.

13. Liquidity support without formal QE

While the Fed has not announced a full quantitative easing program after ending quantitative tightening in December, reserve management purchases and repo activity effectively injected liquidity into the system, creating conditions similar to early-stage easing cycles.

14. Proposed tariff dividend stimulus

In late 2025, discussions emerged around a proposed stimulus plan involving $1,000 to $2,000 tariff-funded dividends. Although not implemented, the proposal bolstered investor expectations, as such capital could flow into crypto assets like XRP.

15. Pro-crypto stance from the Trump administration

President Donald Trump hosted a crypto-focused summit in March 2025, confirming a supportive policy environment. This stance contributed to SEC pullbacks and the passage of the GENIUS Act in July.

16. Progress of the CLARITY Act

The House passed the CLARITY Act on July 17, 2025, pushing to the Senate. Senate deliberation has since stalled and will shift into 2026. However, this keeps regulatory clarity on the agenda.

17. Ongoing scrutiny around Tether

Concerns surrounding Tether persisted through 2025, including questions about reserves and an S&P downgrade. While no collapse occurred, new regulations under the GENIUS Act increased oversight.

18. Completion of ISO 20022 migration

SWIFT finalized its ISO 20022 migration on November 22, 2025. However, most community figures have persistently argued that XRP is not compliant.

19. Ripple moves toward becoming a bank

On Dec. 12, 2025, Ripple gained conditional approval from the OCC for a national trust bank charter. The approval focuses on custody and settlement services.

20. Preallocation theory

Speculation suggesting that Ripple has allocated some of its escrowed XRP tokens to financial institutions emerged. However, these XRP preallocation theories remained unconfirmed.

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