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Bitcoin $95K Support Tested: Will Bulls Push Back to $99K?

Albert Brown
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Bitcoin $95K Support Tested: Will Bulls Push Back to $99K?

As Bitcoin returns to $95K amid a bearish hiccup, will BTC bulls regain control to reinstate an uptrend?

After a quick pullback of 2.74% in Bitcoin prices over the past 24 hours, BTC has returned to trading at $95,500. Currently taking support at the psychological level of $95,000, this sudden pullback has resulted in market liquidations exceeding $200 million.

With Bitcoin back at the $95,000 crossroads, concerns of a major crash are resurfacing on the charts. Will the BTC price fail to hold its bullish momentum, or is this the ideal time to buy the dip?

Bitcoin Price Analysis Reveals Retest at Hand

On the daily price chart, Bitcoin shows a failure to reach the 50% Fibonacci level at $98,949, resulting in a quick reversal from the upper Bollinger Band near $98,200, forming an evening star pattern.

Bitcoin Price Chart
Bitcoin Price Chart

Since the quick pullback reached the 38.20% level near $97,000, BTC has retested the $95,000 level. Taking support slightly above the 23.60% Fibonacci level, Bitcoin is now consolidating near the lower Bollinger Band.

The quick downfall comes as a potential retest of the recently broken resistance trendline. However, the intensity warns of an extremely slippery slope for Bitcoin bulls.

A close below the 23.60% Fibonacci level could increase the likelihood of BTC price falling to the $90,000 range. On the other hand, the chances of a recovery are indicated by the SMI Ergodic Indicator.

With a bullish divergence in the SMI lines, the indicator also hints at a potential bullish crossover. Furthermore, the SMI lines are fluctuating near the zero line after a significant dip into negative territory.

This reflects a notable recovery in bullish strength and signals a potential bounce back.

ETF Outflows and Market Sentiment

As Bitcoin plunges back to a critical support level, U.S. Bitcoin spot ETFs recorded a daily net outflow. On February 11, Bitcoin spot ETFs bled $56.76 million, with five ETFs offloading in the market.

BTC ETFs
BTC ETFs

The only purchaser was BlackRock, with a net daily inflow of $23.80 million. This brings BlackRock’s cumulative net inflow since inception to $40.87 billion, with net assets totaling $55.83 billion.

The sellers included WisdomTree, Bitwise, Invesco, Franklin, and Fidelity. Fidelity was the biggest seller of the day, with an outflow of $43.60 million, while Franklin sold off $11.03 million worth of Bitcoin.

The remaining three outflowing ETFs dumped less than $10 million each. Meanwhile, the other six Bitcoin ETFs in the U.S. market recorded net-zero outflows.

Derivatives Market and Bullish Speculation

Following the recent pullback, short-term consolidation has increased bullish speculation in Bitcoin derivatives. The BTC long/short ratio chart reveals a significant spike in bullish positions.

The ratio has increased from 0.9135 to 1.1973, indicating that 54.49% of positions are long. Meanwhile, short positions have dropped to 45.51%.

Furthermore, despite the recent drop in BTC prices, the Bitcoin OI-weighted funding rate remains significantly positive. The funding rate currently stands at 0.0072%, reflecting Bitcoin traders’ optimism in holding long positions by paying the extra premium.

Bitcoin Funding Rate
Bitcoin Funding Rate

BTC Price Targets: $99K or $90K Next?

Given the bullish outlook from Bitcoin traders and the technical signals, buyers are likely to regain control, potentially pushing Bitcoin back toward the 50% Fibonacci level near the $99,000 mark.

On the flip side, if Bitcoin closes below $94,633, the possibility of a further drop remains significant. In this bearish scenario, Bitcoin’s price is likely to revisit the $90,000 level.

Goldman Sachs Expands Exposure to Bitcoin ETFs with $1.27 Billion in BlackRock’s IBIT

Mark Brennan
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Goldman Sachs Expands Exposure to Bitcoin ETFs with $1.27 Billion in BlackRock’s IBIT

Goldman Sachs has reported holding $1.558 billion worth of Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) from BlackRock and Fidelity.

The firm disclosed this figure in a recent 13F filing with the SEC. The filing, covering the fourth quarter of 2024, details significant increases in Bitcoin ETF positions as of December 31. The latest data highlights Goldman Sachs’ growing exposure to crypto-related investment products.

Goldman Sachs Expands Bitcoin ETF Holdings

The filing shows that Goldman Sachs held $1.27 billion in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), translating to 24,077,861 shares. This represents an 88% increase in IBIT shares compared to the previous quarter’s filing.

Additionally, the firm reported $288 million in Fidelity’s Wise Origin Bitcoin Trust (FBTC), equating to 3,530,486 shares. This also reflects a 105% rise in holdings from the prior period.

While these positions grew substantially, the report also indicated that smaller Bitcoin ETF holdings were either reduced or closed. Moreover, Goldman Sachs disclosed an IBIT call position valued at $157 million, alongside IBIT and FBTC, put options worth $527 million and $84 million, respectively. 

BlackRock’s IBIT Leads Bitcoin ETF Market

Notably, BlackRock’s IBIT ETF has maintained its position as the leading Bitcoin ETF by inflows, accumulating $40.87 billion in assets. The fund has significantly outpaced competitors, with Fidelity’s FBTC holding $12.6 billion and Ark Invest’s Bitcoin ETF managing $3.0 billion.

Bitcoin ETF Flows by Farside
Bitcoin ETF Flows by Farside

Market activity in late January reflected strong investor interest, with IBIT recording inflows of $321.5 million on January 30 and $363.8 million on January 31. Minor outflows were observed on January 29, totaling $28.4 million, and on February 6, with zero net inflows. Despite these fluctuations, IBIT has continued to attract substantial institutional participation.

Institutional Interest and Bitcoin ETF Growth

Recall that BlackRock’s head of digital assets has stated that Bitcoin adoption remains in its early stages, with broader institutional participation expected in the future. 

The company’s IBIT launched alongside ten other Bitcoin ETFs in January 2024. One year later, BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF has become one of the most successful ETF rollouts in history.

Shiba Inu Price Shows Signs of Rebound with New Buy Signal on Weekly Chart: Analyst

Okoya David
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Shiba Inu Price Shows Signs of Rebound with New Buy Signal on Weekly Chart: Analyst

Shiba Inu price looks set to rebound from its recent slump according to one leading analyst.

Leading doggy-themed memecoin Shiba Inu (SHIB) has been stuck in a downward trajectory driven by macroeconomic factors over the past few weeks. 

Specifically, SHIB nosedived up to 65% from December 2024 highs of $0.00003343 to the February 2025 lows of $0.00001160 before recovering mildly above $0.000015. Despite this, Shiba Inu still remains in a major downtrend this year.

However, the token may now be set for a rebound, according to prominent crypto analyst Ali Martinez.

The analyst expressed this view in an X post on Tuesday, February 11, citing a TD Sequential buy signal on the memecoin’s weekly candle chart without revealing a price target for the potential move.

SHIBUSD flashes TD Sequential buy signal on weekly candle chart
SHIBUSD flashes TD Sequential buy signal on weekly candle chart. Source: Ali Martinez

The TD Sequential indicator predicts trend reversal points using candlestick data. Relying on it to predict SHIB’s price trajectory has had mixed results in the past.

In December 2024, Martinez had predicted a SHIB rebound to $0.000026 or $0.000029 based on a similar buy signal on the daily candle chart as the memecoin traded at $0.000023. SHIB did indeed move upward in line with the prediction but stopped at $0.000025, just shy of the set target.

A similar call in July 2024, proved less accurate. At time, the token flashed the same buy signal on the daily chart as it traded around $0.00002077. Instead of moving upward, however, it continued to trade lower to hit a low of $0.00001266 in the weeks that followed.

Like any other indicator, the TD Sequential works best when combined with other factors and considering the broad market context.

Analysts Aligning?

Interestingly, Martinez’s latest SHIB analysis aligns with predictions from the prominent crypto trading group Rose Premium Signals.

The platform recently asserted that the token looked primed for a reversal with significant upside potential. Citing the retest of a multi-week support zone between $0.000015 and $0.000011 and a potential breakout from a falling wedge, they set upside targets of $0.00002913, $0.00003612, and $0.00004401.

These targets represent gains of 85%, 129%, and 180%, respectively, from SHIB’s current price of $0.00001574.

These predictions of a rebound follow major developments in the project’s ecosystem. Last week, developers disclosed a partnership with the United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure to bolster efficiency and sustainability efforts using the Shiba Inu Operating System (ShibOS).

Citing this development, Shiba Inu lead developer Shytoshi Kusama argued that the token had outgrown the memecoin tag.

Expert Says Dogecoin Still in Middle of a Bull Run: ‘You Can’t Catch It Once It Starts Moving’

Sam Wisdom Raphael
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Expert Says Dogecoin Still in Middle of a Bull Run: ‘You Can’t Catch It Once It Starts Moving’

Despite the ongoing Dogecoin price struggles, a market analyst believes the meme coin is still in a bull season, anticipating another run.

Notably, Dogecoin has been performing terribly on the back of the market-wide turbulence that has seen several altcoins tumble. DOGE has collapsed nearly 40% since Jan. 18, when the market started observing declines after a few days of an uptrend.

Dogecoin Still in “DOGE Season”

Nonetheless, this turbulent period is only temporary, according to renowned market commentator Trader Alan. Interestingly, the analyst is confident that Dogecoin is still trading within its bull season amid the price drawdowns, suggesting that a period of upsurge is imminent.

In his latest report, Alan suggested that the meme coin is still within what he calls the “DOGE season,” urging investors to take it seriously. “You can’t chase it once it starts moving,” Alan quipped, implying now might be the opportune time to enter the market.

He supported this outlook with data from the 3-day Dogecoin chart, with historical data seemingly confirming his sentiments. Particularly, Dogecoin appears to enter into a period when it witnesses extreme price explosions during a bull run. Alan calls this period the “DOGE season.”

Dogecoin 3D Chart Trader Alan
Dogecoin 3D Chart | Trader Alan

Historical Dogecoin Performance

The first time this popped up was during the 2017/2018 market-wide bull run. During this time, Dogecoin rallied from a price of $0.00021 in February 2017 to a peak of $0.0187 in January 2018. This marked an 8,804% upsurge within a year.

After this, Dogecoin became a victim of the broader market’s downside as the bear season took shape from 2018 to 2020. For context, the meme coin gave up the previous peak of $0.0187 from January 2018, collapsing to a low of $0.00266 by November 2020.

Interestingly, as the bull market resurfaced in late 2020, Dogecoin again slipped into the “DOGE season.” Specifically, the altcoin rallied from the $0.00266 low of November 2020 to the latest all-time high of $0.74 in May 2021. This was a more substantial 27,719% uptick, buoyed by social mentions from Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

After the $0.74 top, another bear market followed, with Dogecoin collapsing to a floor price of $0.0569 by October 2023. However, the asset entered into a third DOGE season from last November, as it staged a massive recovery following the U.S. presidential election.

Dogecoin Retracement Only Temporary?

Now, with Dogecoin facing a retracement, Alan insists the DOGE season is not yet over. An interesting fact is that the current pullback faced by the meme coin was also present in the two previous instances of the DOGE season. However, after a few weeks of a downturn, Dogecoin recovered to new highs.

Alan builds on this, suggesting a repetition is in the works. While he does not specifically mention a price target, data from the chart shows a potential push to the $2.2 price mark. This would represent a 3,766% rise from the October 2023 floor of $0.0569, lower than previous rallies.

Notably, other analysts have also projected Dogecoin to reach $2.2. Last month, Javon Marks suggested an upsurge to $2.29 was imminent. Currently, Dogecoin changes hands at $0.2544, requiring an over 764% increase to reach the $2.2 price level.

Here’s Why Shiba Inu Is Set to Take the Stage and Reach $0.000473

Elendu Benedict
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Here’s Why Shiba Inu Is Set to Take the Stage and Reach $0.000473

Shiba Inu could be on the verge of a thirty-fold upsurge as a notable market analyst points to a technically bullish chart.

Despite recent sideways price actions, market analyst CryptoELITES remains bullish on Shiba Inu. Recently, he speculated that the prominent meme coin would rebound to unprecedented levels, citing a positive technical outlook.

However, SHIB would have to overcome the prevailing bearishness in its recent price actions. For context, the meme coin is down over 5% in the past 24 hours and 4.7% over the last week.

On a larger scale, Shiba Inu has corrected over 26% year-to-date amid a broader market sideways trend. Notwithstanding, CryptoELITES believes a strong rally is on the horizon.

Shiba Inu Remains Technically Bullish

In a Tuesday tweet, the notable analyst suggested that Shiba Inu remains technically bullish despite the downtrend. An accompanying chart shows the doggy-themed token has not invalidated a super-bullish cup-and-handle pattern set to spark massive upsides upon breakout.

Shiba Inu to $0.0004729 per CryptoELITE

Having completely formed the cup, SHIB remains on course to confirm the structure with a surge to the handle’s neckline around the 0.618 Fibonacci level at $0.00003117. Meanwhile, CryptoELITE stated that Shiba Inu will rebound from its recent lows as Bitcoin’s dominance decreases.

Interestingly, the Bitcoin market dominance has seen considerable downsides recently, reinstating optimism that Shiba Inu and other altcoins will rally in the coming days. The pioneering crypto asset’s market share capsized 4.5% from its high of 64.34% last week to 61.43%, with speculations of a cycle peak emerging.

Analyst Highlights Shiba Inu Targets

Meanwhile, CryptoELITE reiterated his Shiba Inu targets upon a breakout from the cup-and-handle pattern. He asserted three targets, including an over 30x rally to unprecedented prices.

First, he predicted that Shiba Inu would surge close to its all-time high, with a 442% rally to $0.00008517. The asset would then target another 115% upswing to $0.0001833 before hitting its ultimate cycle target at the 1.618 Fibonacci level at $0.0004729.

Other Bullish Shiba Inu Calls

CryptoELITE is not the only market watcher calling on higher Shiba Inu prices. Other analytical insights also suggest the meme coin would soon rebound to higher prices.

For instance, Rose Premium Signal recently suggested a massive reversal for Shiba Inu amid a monthly support retest. Specifically, he stated that the asset sets its sights on a 167% upsurge to $0.00004401.

Another analyst, Javon Marks, also confirmed the possibilities of an upward trajectory for Shiba Inu. He speculated a 10x surge to $0.0001553 in the near term, citing bullish trends and growing demand.

In the meantime, Shiba Inu trades at $0.00001571 with a market cap of $9.2 billion.

Cardano Whales Scoop 1.41B Tokens, Sparking 107% Price Surge

Albert Brown
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Cardano Whales Scoop 1.41B Tokens, Sparking 107% Price Surge

Santiment recently reported that Cardano price surged 107% since whale accumulation began, with 1.41 billion ADA added since November 2023.

Cardano (ADA) has experienced a 4.7% decline in the past 24 hours, trading at $0.7593. The price fluctuated between $0.7562 and $0.815, reflecting short-term volatility. Despite this, ADA has recorded a 41.7% increase over the past year, underscoring its long-term recovery. 

Whale Accumulation and Market Trends

However, amid the short-term decline, market intelligence platform Santiment reported that Cardano’s market capitalization rose by 11% while most crypto assets saw pullbacks. 

The accumulation activity of large ADA holders remains a key factor in this trend. Wallets holding at least 1 million ADA have steadily accumulated since November 2023, adding 1.41 billion ADA. This represents 2.35% of the total Cardano supply, reinforcing confidence among institutional investors and whales.

According to Santiment, despite market volatility, Cardano’s price has surged 107% since the onset of whale and shark accumulation.

Image

 

Long-term Conviction For Cardano

Supporting data from IntoTheBlock highlights shifting market dynamics. ADA holders with assets for over a year increased their positions by 1.81%, showing long-term conviction. 

Cardano Balances by Time Held
Cardano Balances by Time Held

Mid-term holders, or cruisers, grew their holdings by 7.65%, while short-term traders saw a decline of 11.75%. This shift suggests a growing preference for long-term holding strategies over short-term speculation.

Potential Breakout and Technical Analysis

As whales continue to accumulate ADA, enthusiasts are on the lookout for how the token’s price could perform.

Crypto analyst Trader Steve recently identified ADA’s potential to replicate XRP’s recent price action. He emphasized key Fibonacci retracement levels, with support around the 61.8% and 78.6% ranges.

The analysis suggests a possibility for ADA to mirror XRP’s late 2024 rally, which saw the token break multiple resistance levels before reaching a seven-year high above $3.

ADA, in contrast, has yet to reclaim its December 2024 high of $1.32. Other analysts are also monitoring whether the asset can sustain upward momentum. Crypto trader Yoel Jr. noted that ADA must close above $0.81 to confirm a bullish trend. Failing to do so may leave the asset in what he termed the “boring zone.”

Further, analyst Jonathan Carter pointed to a bull flag formation on the daily chart, suggesting a potential upward move. He indicated that a price retest near $0.60 could provide stronger entry points for buyers. If ADA rebounds from this level, possible price targets include $0.845, $1, and $1.325.

Research Shows Ripple Links to FedNow Service Providers, Could This Unlock Massive Liquidity

Sam Wisdom Raphael
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Research Shows Ripple Links to FedNow Service Providers, Could This Unlock Massive Liquidity

FLRMOON’s analysis suggests Ripple could have a major presence in the U.S. financial system via indirect ties to FedNow providers.

The research shows that a large portion of the companies supporting FedNow’s infrastructure have ties to Ripple, either directly or through third-party partnerships. If these connections materialize as expected, the XRP Ledger ecosystem could see a substantial influx of liquidity.

Ripple’s Presence Within FedNow’s Payment Infrastructure

FedNow, launched by the Federal Reserve, looks to modernize instant payments across the United States. The service already has over 1,200 live participants and plans to integrate 10,000 banks and institutions. 

While Ripple itself is not officially listed as a service provider, likely due to its ongoing legal battle, FLRMOON’s research suggests that 27 of the 37 FedNow-certified service providers have some level of connection to Ripple.

This indirect involvement comes from Ripple’s business model, which prioritizes integration with software providers and financial service firms rather than individual banks. The approach allows Ripple’s technology to reach a broad network of institutions through third-party providers.

For one, ACI Worldwide, one of the service providers, processes 9% of global SWIFT transactions and 30% of SWIFT payments in the U.S. The company has publicly stated that its infrastructure supports payment schemes that integrate with Ripple’s technology. 

Similarly, Alacriti collaborates with The Clearing House, a financial entity composed of multiple Ripple partners. The company also works with AWS, which has an existing partnership with Ripple, and has ties to the U.S. Faster Payments Council, where Ripple plays an advisory role.  

Aptys Solutions is another FedNow-certified provider with Ripple connections. The company is partnered with the U.S. Faster Payments Council and Jack Henry, which itself has partnerships with several firms that integrate Ripple’s technology. 

Meanwhile, BNY Mellon, a major financial institution, has an even more direct link. Particularly, a former executive at BNY Mellon left the company to join Ripple, and Ripple was involved in discussions with BNY Mellon about launching a digital asset initiative.  

A Web of Connections to Ripple’s Technology  

Other companies with links to FedNow’s payment ecosystem also have ties to Ripple. C&M Software collaborates with The Clearing House, a group that includes many Ripple-linked institutions. 

CGI, a major technology provider, is a known Ripple partner and has worked with major Canadian banks to implement Ripple’s blockchain-based solutions. In addition, COCC, another service provider, is partnered with FIS, which has an established relationship with Ripple.  

Further, the FLRMOON team also pointed out that DCI, a partner of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, has indirect Ripple ties. 

Beyond this, MIT’s Digital Currency Initiative, which collaborates with DCI, runs a Ripple validator node, and Ripple’s Chief Technology Officer, David Schwartz, has been involved in discussions with MIT’s fintech research division. 

Additionally, ECS Fin lists Ripple as one of the blockchain technologies supported in its IMS Hub, which facilitates connections to major payment networks.  

Finastra, a well-known Ripple partner, has teamed up with the blockchain company to offer Ripple’s payment solutions to financial institutions. Meanwhile, FIS has a longstanding partnership with Ripple and has been involved in various cross-border payment initiatives. 

Finzly, another FedNow provider, has Ripple links through its partnerships with AWS, PCBB, Corpay, and Jack Henry—all of which have some form of integration with Ripple’s ecosystem.  

Fiserv, one of the key service providers, is connected to Visa and Mastercard, both of which have acquired Ripple-related companies. 

Also, Form3, another FedNow-certified firm, works with Barclays, which has previously invested in a startup leveraging XRP. FPS GOLD, a financial software provider, is integrated with Corpay, which consists of multiple Ripple partners.  

Meanwhile, IBT Apps has ties to FIS, Fiserv, and Jack Henry, further strengthening the network of Ripple-linked service providers. Jack Henry itself is a major piece in this web of connections, collaborating with multiple FedNow providers that already have Ripple integrations. 

In addition, Open Payment Network, a founding sponsor of the Faster Payments Council, works directly with Ripple as part of its advisory team.  

Major Payment Giants with Links to Ripple

The FLRMOON team’s research also highlights how Magic Wrighter, another FedNow-certified service provider, is partnered with Fiserv, which has Ripple connections. 

Metallicus, which integrates with Fiserv, Jack Henry, and Temenos, is also linked to Ripple through its fintech collaborations. In addition, Narmi, a financial services provider, works closely with FIS, Fiserv, Jack Henry, and COCC, all of which have established Ripple connections.  

NetXD, another provider, is integrated with Visa, Mastercard, and The Clearing House. Temenos, an official Ripple partner, collaborates with major financial firms like Accenture, Microsoft, and IBM. 

Payfinia, a division of Tyfone, launched the Instant Payment Xchange, an initiative that resembles Ripple’s API-based payment model.  

Vertifi Software, another provider, works with Tyfone, Fiserv, and Fintilect, a company that has relationships with FIS, Jack Henry, and the Federal Reserve System. 

Meanwhile, Visa has taken an even more direct approach, acquiring two companies—Earthport and CurrencyCloud—that have deep integrations with Ripple’s technology. Earthport, in particular, has been a Ripple partner since 2015 and provides cross-border payment solutions for major banks.  

Volante Technologies, which rounds out the list, is a Ripple partner that works with AWS, Microsoft, Swift, Accenture, and Deloitte. All of these firms either support RippleNet or have collaborated with Ripple on payment initiatives.  

What This Means for XRPL Liquidity

Essentially, the FLRMOON team’s analysis suggests that Ripple’s technology could become deeply embedded in FedNow’s payment framework without being explicitly listed as a provider. 

Since Ripple has structured its business model to integrate at the software and infrastructure level, financial institutions may end up using Ripple’s blockchain solutions through these service providers.  

If these connections translate into actual usage, the XRPL ecosystem could see a dramatic increase in liquidity. FedNow’s goal of reaching 10,000 banks means that Ripple’s technology, indirectly embedded in the system, could facilitate trillions of dollars in transactions.

Expert Says It’s Highly Possible XRP Will Reach $100–$1000: Here’s the Timeline

Abdulkarim Abdulwahab
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Expert Says It’s Highly Possible XRP Will Reach $100–$1000: Here’s the Timeline

Matthew Brienen, Chief Operating Officer at CryptoCharged, has made bold price predictions for XRP, arguing that a four-digit price is “highly possible.”

In a short video shared on his YouTube channel, Brienen revealed that XRP represents his largest holding. Specifically, XRP makes up 50% of his portfolio, and he mentioned that he has been amassing it for over five years at low prices.

Brienen noted that he has both long-term and short-term views for XRP. He plans to sell a significant portion of his XRP holdings for profit. However, he intends to keep some for a 5 to 10-year outlook.

Factors Influencing Long-term Perspective for XRP

The foundation of his long-term outlook stems from XRP’s utility in remittance services. He sees great potential for the asset in this market. “I see the potential with remittance payments and moving money around the world in five seconds for a fraction of a penny,” he said.

Consequently, Brienen argued that from a “technical standpoint,” XRP could be worth anywhere from $100 to $1,000 within the next ten years. He added that this outlook could take longer or develop more quickly “depending on how cycles mature.”

Notably, XRP is worth $2.41 per token today, with a market cap of $139 billion. A unit price of $100 to $1,000 would elevate this market cap to between $5.7 trillion and $57 trillion. Achieving this lofty position would require an extraordinary growth of 41,393%.

Comparing XRP to Bitcoin and Ethereum

Brienen further bolstered his confidence in this outlook by citing the historical trajectories of Bitcoin and Ethereum, hoping a similar scenario could play out for XRP.

Bitcoin is the only multi-trillion-dollar crypto asset, while Ethereum reached a half-trillion-dollar market cap in the last cycle.

Notably, considering its floor price of $2,600, Ethereum has increased by 619,116% from its all-time low nine years ago, according to CoinMarketCap data. Bitcoin’s performance is even more impressive, with a 196,866,457% gain from its all-time low of $0.048 15 years ago.

In XRP’s case, it has grown 85,773% from its all-time low relative to its current price. While XRP’s historical performance still pales compared to Bitcoin and Ethereum, Brienen is confident that XRP has significant growth potential over the next decade.

Other Analysts’ Timeline for $100 to $1,000 Price

Brienen is not alone in this long-term outlook for XRP. Many financial commentators in the XRP community have issued similar bold predictions, expecting a triple-digit price for XRP. 

Interestingly, some ambitious commentators are predicting a $100 could happen this year. However, others caution that such aspirations are for the distant future, not immediate expectations.

While Brienen projects a ten-year outlook for a $1,000 price, analysts at Telegaon suggest that even in 25 years, XRP may not even approach $500.

Cardano and Aptos to Collab on US Blockchain Policy and Tech: What We Know

Okoya David
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Cardano and Aptos to Collab on US Blockchain Policy and Tech: What We Know

Leading Layer 1 projects, Cardano and Aptos, are set to collaborate on U.S. blockchain policy and technology.

This is according to statements from founders of the respective blockchains early on Wednesday, February 12.

Cardano‘s Charles Hoskinson was the first to issue a statement, revealing that he had a “great call” with Aptos co-founder Avery Ching. In response, Aptos’ Ching stated that he looks forward to working with Hoskinson and Cardano on U.S. blockchain policy and technology.

While the details of the call and what this collaboration is set to look like remain sparse, it comes shortly after a meeting between Aptos’ policy team and acting Commodity Futures Trading Commission Chair Caroline Pham. 

The CFTC, like its sister agency, the Securities and Exchange Commission, has expressed willingness to shape crypto policy under the new Trump administration, considering the input of industry leaders.

Last week, the agency disclosed that it would host a “crypto CEO forum” to discuss the launch of a stablecoin pilot program. The meeting was set to include Circle, Crypto.com, MoonPay, and Ripple. It is likely that the meeting between Acting CFTC Chair Caroline Pham and Aptos’ Avery Ching is part of a similar effort.

Cardano Founder’s Meeting Tease

Meanwhile, early this week, the Cardano network had been awash with excitement and speculation as community members tried to guess who founder Charles Hoskinson was set to meet towards the end of the month following a teaser in an Ask Me Anything session.

The Cardano founder further stoked the flames by suggesting that he was now set to meet more than one person.

It is currently unclear if Aptos’ Ching is one of these persons. As of February 11, the community appeared to favor a meeting between the Cardano founder and Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

The speculation comes as the community would like to see Cardano play a role in Musk’s reported plan to put the U.S. government on the blockchain as part of his role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency, a non-governmental agency set up by President Donald Trump to inform government spending cuts.

The Crypto Basic could not reach Aptos Labs or Input | Output, the primary developers of the Cardano network, for comments at the time of publishing.

Trump Nominates a16z Crypto Exec Brian Quintenz as CFTC Chair: Report

Lele Jima
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Trump Nominates a16z Crypto Exec Brian Quintenz as CFTC Chair: Report

U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly nominated former commissioner Brian Quintenz as his administration’s permanent CFTC Chairman. 

Eleanor Terrett, a prominent journalist at FOX Business, revealed the development today, citing three sources familiar with the matter. According to Terrett, Trump has chosen Quintenz as the permanent chairman of the CFTC under his administration. 

It bears mentioning that Quintenz is the Head of Policy at popular crypto VC firm a16z Crypto. He was also a former commissioner of the CFTC, making him a suitable candidate for the position. 

Before Quintenz’s selection, several prominent figures, including FOX Business Senior Correspondent Charles Gasparino, identified him as the favorite for the position. Gasparino made the projection after sources claimed that Trump’s transition team interviewed six candidates for the CFTC Chair position. 

A month later, the U.S. President has reportedly nominated Quintenz to replace Commissioner Caroline Pham, who is currently leading the CFTC in an acting capacity.

No Official Confirmation from the White House 

In the meantime, the White House has not issued an official statement confirming Quintez’s nomination. Nonetheless, Terrett disclosed that some CFTC officials, including Pham, have confirmed the move. 

In a statement, the acting CFTC chair congratulated Quintenz on his selection while reflecting on his past initiatives at the Commission that led to success. Additionally, she expressed confidence in his ability to advance crypto and innovation in the United States. 

A New Era for the CFTC 

Multiple sources expect the CFTC to be an active regulator in the crypto market under Trump’s administration. 

Recall that the Biden administration made the SEC the top regulator of the crypto sector. In parallel, under former SEC chair Gary Gensler, the agency characterized most crypto assets, excluding Bitcoin, as securities. 

The SEC was criticized heavily due to Gensler’s preference for a ‘regulation-by-enforcement’ approach. 

Consequently, most stakeholders, including Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse, believe the CFTC should be the appropriate regulator to oversee the industry. 

Last month, Gasparino said the CFTC is more of a regulator than an enforcement arm, aligning the Commission with Trump’s promise to provide clear and transparent crypto regulations. 

Notably, pro-crypto lawyer Jeremy Hogan echoed a similar sentiment today, noting that Quintenz, whom he rated ‘A!’, will likely be of utmost importance to the crypto industry than the SEC Chair. 

If the White House confirms Quintenz’s nomination, he will undergo the Senate’s screening before confirmation as the permanent CFTC Chair under Trump. In the meantime, the U.S. Senate has yet to confirm Paul Atkin as SEC Chair. 

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