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Here is Why US Government Might Include XRP in Digital Asset Reserve

Lele Jima
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Here is Why US Government Might Include XRP in Digital Asset Reserve

Popular legal expert Jeremy Hogan offers a speculative idea of why the U.S. government might include XRP in its potential strategic reserve. 

Attorney Hogan recently challenged how several crypto enthusiasts, particularly Bitcoin proponents, perceive government involvement in digital assets. 

Hogan Faults XRP Critics 

Recall that some Bitcoin proponents claim that XRP is not a suitable reserve asset. They argue that Ripple’s large holdings of XRP pose a centralized risk for its potential adoption as a reserve asset. 

However, in a recent X post, Attorney Hogan faulted these critics for evaluating XRP’s potential involvement in the U.S. digital asset strategic reserve solely from a crypto point of view. He suggested that these detractors are focused on whether XRP is decentralized and other crypto-related assessments. 

Notably, he emphasized that these things are irrelevant to the government. According to him, a strategic reserve represents a stockpile of essential assets, like gold, that the government maintains for economic reasons. 

“Maybe the Federal Government isn’t looking at this from a crypto perspective like people here are,” Attorney Hogan remarked. 

Why the Government Could Adopt XRP as a Reserve Asset 

The lawyer suggested that should the government include XRP in the potential reserve, it will be because it believes the coin could serve as a hedge against some future contingencies. 

Additionally, attorney Hogan asserted that the government could have better foresight than most Bitcoin proponents about potential global economic shifts requiring an XRP store in the future. 

Furthermore, he highlighted the possibility of the U.S. government taking control of Ripple if the company jeopardizes the XRP Ledger. According to him, this move is similar to the U.S. government’s actions during World War 3.

Besides this, Hogan suggested that the government could also confiscate Ripple’s XRP in escrow, similar to how President Franklin Roosevelt issued an executive order in 1933 forbidding the hoarding of gold. 

Status of U.S. Digital Asset Strategic Reserve 

Currently, the government has not decided whether to create a national digital asset reserve or which crypto will be featured. However, a presidential working group is already evaluating the risks and benefits of this initiative. 

This group will submit a comprehensive report to the Assistant for National Economic Policy within 180 days of Donald Trump’s executive order for digital asset markets. 

While it remains uncertain which crypto will be featured in the potential stockpile, Ripple is already making moves to ensure that the government creates a multi-asset reserve instead of one built around one cryptocurrency like Bitcoin. As previously reported, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse confirmed he met with Trump regarding this issue. 

University of Austin Launches $5 Million Bitcoin Fund for Its Endowment

Albert Brown
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University of Austin Launches $5 Million Bitcoin Fund for Its Endowment

The University of Austin is launching a $5 million Bitcoin fund as part of its $200 million endowment. 

According to the Financial Times, this move makes it the first U.S. university to allocate funds directly into Bitcoin, reflecting a growing trend of institutional interest in digital assets. 

Meanwhile, other university endowments and foundations are expanding their exposure to crypto amid rising adoption and shifting investment strategies.

The University of Austin plans to hold its crypto investments for at least five years, treating Bitcoin as a long-term asset. Other institutions are monitoring the market’s evolution before making significant allocations. 

Shift Toward Digital Assets

The Rockefeller Foundation, managing a $4.8 billion portfolio, is evaluating further crypto exposure after investing in digital asset venture funds two years ago. The foundation’s leadership has acknowledged the uncertainty of cryptos but remains focused on their long-term potential.

Recall that in 2024, Emory University in Georgia became the first to disclose Bitcoin exchange-traded fund holdings. 

Notably, crypto venture funds have reported a surge in capital from institutional investors. Pantera Capital, a leading crypto investment firm, has seen an eightfold rise in endowment and foundation clients since 2018. 

Prominent institutions such as Yale University’s endowment invested in crypto venture funds early, with Bitcoin trading at a fraction of its current value. The University of Texas/Texas A&M Investment Management Company also made initial investments in digital assets, describing them as experimental but potentially viable in the future.

Bitcoin’s Volatility Sparks Caution

Despite growing institutional interest, concerns remain over Bitcoin’s volatility and speculative nature. Some experts argue that Bitcoin’s price movements align with other high-risk assets, such as equities, but with greater fluctuations.

FT notes that a Bitwise Asset Management index tracking the ten most valuable cryptos has outperformed traditional assets. It gained 64% annually over the past five years, compared to 14.5% for U.S. equities.

However, not all university endowments are convinced. The University of Nebraska Foundation has no crypto exposure and remains cautious, citing regulatory uncertainty and low adoption among institutional investors.

Some investment leaders have called for clearer guidance from regulatory bodies before considering crypto as an institutional asset class. While the current administration has the ability to shape policies affecting digital assets, skepticism remains regarding the long-term viability of crypto investments in endowments and foundations.

Analyst Says Cardano to Pull a Massive Rally Similar to XRP

Abdulkarim Abdulwahab
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Analyst Says Cardano to Pull a Massive Rally Similar to XRP

Cardano may be on the verge of a major breakout, mirroring the explosive rally XRP exhibited earlier, according to crypto analyst Trader Steve. 

Steve shared this outlook in a recent tweet, expressing strong confidence in Cardano’s potential for a rebound. He highlighted his focus on Fibonacci retracement levels.

Cardano Prospect to Replicate XRP Sucess

The accompanying chart points to key support zones around the 61.8% and 78.6% Fibonacci levels for Cardano. It also marks a higher high (HH) and outlines a potential bullish path in gray.

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Cardano chart by Trader Steve

The analysis suggests ADA could replicate the major rally XRP experienced from November to December 2024. During this time, XRP broke through multiple resistance levels, setting higher highs and reaching a seven-year peak above the $2 range. In January, XRP’s momentum continued, bringing it close to reclaiming its 2018 all-time high.

In contrast, Cardano saw less significant price movement during the same period. Notably, ADA has failed to surpass its December 2024 high of $1.32 since reaching that level in the first week of the month.

With Cardano currently trading around $0.70, Trader Steve is closely monitoring whether it can regain higher levels and approach the 2021 highs, similar to XRP’s recent performance.

“I have a gut feeling ADA is ready to pull an XRP,” he said.

Meanwhile, crypto trader Yoel Jr. weighed in on the analysis, suggesting that ADA must close above $0.81 to confirm a bullish trend. He warned that failing to do so could leave the asset stuck in what he calls the “boring zone” for an extended period.

ADA May Dip First Before a Major Rebound

In a separate post, analyst Jonathan Carter noted that Cardano is forming a bull flag pattern on the 1-day chart, suggesting the potential for upward momentum. However, he stressed that the price needs to test support one more time before continuing higher.

Carter mentioned that while the current price offers limited upside potential, better entry opportunities could appear near the $0.60 support level if a dip occurs.

If ADA secures a crucial bounce from this level, it could set the stage for a more extended rally, potentially revisiting previous highs. Specifically, Carter highlighted that a bounce could lead to price targets at $0.845, $1, and $1.325.

Veteran Trader Reacts to Bitcoin Struggle Against Gold: “Very Interesting”

Okoya David
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Veteran Trader Reacts to Bitcoin Struggle Against Gold: “Very Interesting”

Veteran commodities trader Peter Brandt has recently highlighted the prevalent struggles Bitcoin has faced against gold.

The digital asset, whose scarce supply and orange branding have seen it compared to the precious metal, has edged lower against the latter in recent weeks.

Reacting to the price action in an X post on Sunday, February 9, Brandt remarked that it was “very interesting” that Bitcoin could not seem to move clear of the precious metal. 

He shared a daily chart of the Bitcoin to gold ratio, showing that the digital asset may be topping out against the precious metal. The chart shows a likely double-top formation at historical highs of 40 ounces per BTC after a multi-year Bitcoin rise.

Notably, after claiming a top of 38.5 ounces of gold on Jan. 30, the economic uncertainty triggered a massive price collapse, resulting in a drop to 33 ounces by Feb. 3. Since then, Bitcoin has struggled to recover from this level, currently changing hands at 33.85 oz.

BTCXAU daily candle chart showing possible double top formation
BTCXAU daily candle chart showing possible double top formation. Source: Peter Brandt

The shifting dynamics come as the market appears to be deciding which asset is the true safe haven amid economic uncertainty, first due to inflation concerns and now amid trade war fears.

U.S. President Donald Trump has again fanned these flames of economic uncertainty by announcing that he will implement fresh import tariffs this week.

Digital Gold Status Still Out of Reach?

The contrast in the reaction of Bitcoin and gold to recent economic events suggests that despite the former’s rhetoric as digital gold, most investors continue to prefer the safety of the cold, hard metal’s decades-long history.

Whether this will change in the near future remains to be seen. Still, proponents of the digital asset are optimistic as several countries, including the U.S., are considering holding reserves of it. 

Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan previously suggested that this could be the catalyst that sees Bitcoin take more market share from gold and soar to the $500,000 price point.

For context, Bitcoin’s market cap is roughly $2 trillion, compared to over $19 trillion for gold.

Trader Who Made $10M Profit From TRUMP, Secures $3M Returns Trading Binance TST Token

Lele Jima
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Trader Who Made $10M Profit From TRUMP, Secures $3M Returns Trading Binance TST Token

Pseudonymous crypto trader XX, who made a profit of over $10 million on TRUMP, has made returns of over $3 million from the BNB Chain meme coin, Test (TST). 

Popular blockchain sleuth EmberCN brought the crypto community’s attention to the development yesterday. In an X post, EmberCN highlighted XX’s impressive success in trading meme coins, such as TRUMP and TST. 

According to the blockchain sleuth, XX raked in a profit of $10 million from trading the TRUMP meme coin last month. Less than a month after this flourishing trade, XX has secured a $3.18 million profit from BNB Chain meme coin TST. 

Transaction Details 

Notably, on February 8, 2025, XX spent 5,089 BNB, worth $3.18 million, to acquire 16.25 million TST tokens across two BSC wallets. Data from BSC Scan shows that the trader first withdrew the BNB tokens from Binance to the wallets in a series of transactions. 

Each transaction contained up to 500 BNB, currently worth $303,500 at the current price of $607 per token. For each withdrawal, XX swapped the BNB tokens to TST at an average price of $0.1957, bringing their total Test token acquisition to $16.25 million. 

While the first wallet, ‘0x065…718e1’, acquired 8.25 million TST, the second address, ‘0x08d…aaa53’, scooped 8 million tokens.  

How XX Secures $3.18M Profit on TST Following Binance Listing 

Interestingly, XX’s bet on TST paid off 12 hours later after Binance announced it would list the token for spot trading. Following the announcement, the price of TST doubled to $0.40, helping XX to secure a profit of $3.18 million. 

Currently, the trader has a zero balance of TST in both addresses, suggesting that they have sold all their holdings. 

At the moment, TST is trading at $0.2053, representing an 11.08% surge in the past 24 hours. The token is valued at $194.53 million, with a daily volume of $1.5 billion. 

TST Controversy 

Meanwhile, crypto enthusiasts have taken to X to criticize Binance following its controversial listing of TST. Last week, Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) shared an educational video showing developers how to launch meme coins on BSC’s (BNB Smart Chain) decentralized exchange Four.Meme.

In the video, Binance launched TST on the DEX for illustration purposes. This prompted several Chinese crypto stakeholders to promote the token across different communities, driving its market cap to $494,560 on February 6. 

A few days later, the world’s largest crypto exchange announced it was listing the token, with its market cap later hitting $490 million yesterday. This resulted in heavy criticism, with many asking CZ whether he is no longer an advocate of tokens with fundamentals. 

Addressing this inquiry, CZ argued that neither he nor Binance endorses meme coins. The Binance founder mentioned that he is not part of the exchange’s listing process, which he claims is ‘broken.’

According to him, exchanges usually list popular tokens with good trading volume as early as possible to compete with rivals. 

“If traders actively sought your coin, you don’t have to talk to exchanges for listing. As I always say, work on your project, not the exchange,” he added.  

Technical Indicator Flashes Rebound Signal for Cardano: How High Will ADA Climb?

Albert Brown
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Technical Indicator Flashes Rebound Signal for Cardano: How High Will ADA Climb?

The TD Sequential indicator has flashed a buy signal for Cardano (ADA), suggesting a potential price reversal.

In recent weeks, Cardano experienced a downturn alongside the broader crypto market. According to the latest data, ADA traded at $0.6934, marking a 1.7% decline in the last 24 hours. 

Over the past 14 days, the asset has dropped by 22%, while the 30-day decline stands at 25%. Despite these losses, ADA remains up 29.3% on a yearly scale, indicating sustained long-term growth.

Signals For Potential Rebound for Cardano

Amid the short-term decline, market analyst Ali Martinez has identified a possible shift in Cardano’s price movement. According to the observation, the TD Sequential Indicator has triggered a buy signal on the latest daily candlestick, suggesting a potential reversal. 

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Cardano chart by Ali Martinez

The chart illustrated that Cardano has been in a downtrend since late January, forming a pattern of lower highs and lower lows. However, the price has now reached a key support zone, with the TD Sequential buy signal indicating trend exhaustion.

This tool, often used to identify points of potential reversals, suggests that ADA could see a bounce from its current level.

Meanwhile, another technical observation points to the formation of a bull flag pattern on the daily chart. A self-proclaimed market technician, Jonathan Carter, notes that ADA could test its support level once more before moving higher.

According to the analyst, the current price presents limited upside potential, with more favorable entry points expected around the $0.60 level. If a bounce occurs, price targets are projected at $0.845, $1.000, $1.150, and $1.325.

Historical Patterns Confirm a Possible Breakout

Previously, Martinez drew parallels between the current price structure and ADA’s breakout in 2021 that led to a multi-thousand percent surge. 

His accompanying chart visualized a consolidation phase, showing ADA fluctuating within a defined range before its previous breakout.  The analysis suggested the possibility of ADA rallying to as high as $15.

Whale and Retail Participation Trends

Meanwhile, on-chain data from IntoTheBlock provides insights into investor activity surrounding ADA, possibly influencing its price. Over the past 30 days, whale holdings have decreased by 1.68%, indicating some level of profit-taking.

Cardano Historical Concentration
Cardano Historical Concentration

However, the selling activity has not been aggressive, suggesting that large holders are not completely exiting their positions.

Meanwhile, investor participation has increased by 1.60% in the same period. Retail traders have also expanded their holdings by 0.72%, showing growing interest from smaller market participants.

Early Central African Republic Meme Coin Investor Turns $5,000 to $12M in 5 Hours

Elendu Benedict
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Early Central African Republic Meme Coin Investor Turns $5,000 to $12M in 5 Hours

A user turned $5,000 into $12 million hours after buying the Central African Republic meme coin following a presidential announcement.

Meme coins are becoming a norm in the crypto sector. Once highly criticized for a lack of utility, the joke-themed industry has gained traction recently.

In a recent development, another high-ranking leader has launched a meme coin. Central African Republic president Faustin-Archange Touadera announced today that the country has debuted an official meme coin with the ticker “CAR.”

His recent tweet revealed that the experimental debut was to display how a meme coin can unite the nation and put the Central African Republic on the global map. Notably, the Solana-based token did not just draw attention to the country; it extensively rewarded users who acquired it on time.

User Records Staggering 2450x Portfolio Upside

On-chain analytical firm Lookonchain highlighted a jaw-dropping return from an early adopter of the CAR token. In a tweet, the firm disclosed that a wallet address has recorded a staggering 2450x his initial capital.

The newly created address spent 5 SOL to buy the CAR token within a second of President Touadera’s tweet. Notably, the Bitcoin enthusiast dropped the tweet around 10:52 PM (UTC) on Sunday.

Data shows that the address “FS7MdR” spent the $5,000 worth of Solana to acquire 46.57 million CAR from the decentralized protocol Raydium. At the time of the purchase, the token traded in three decimals, specifically at around $0.000107.

Meanwhile, CAR surged a staggering 1,080,290% from its lows of $0.00008185 to a peak of $0.8843 before relinquishing some of its gains. Following the meteoric surge, the wallet’s stash quickly turned multiple folds from his initial $5,000 to $12 million.

With the surge, the address started selling its stash, initially dumping 22.65 million CAR for 8,395 SOL ($1.67 million). Lookonchain disclosed that he still held 23.92 million CAR, worth $10.5 million.

However, at the time of writing, the address holds just 76,431 CAR ($26,395), which shows that it has sold more of the tokens to realize more profit.

Data from DEXScreener shows that other early buyers realized staggering profits. For context, a wallet address turned $8,848 into $4 million with the CAR token, realizing $2.5 million so far.

User Gains from the CAR Token
User Gains from the CAR Token

Growing Meme Coin Traction

Meanwhile, President Touadera’s release of a meme coin mirrors the broader trend toward joke-themed tokens. He becomes the second national leader to launch a meme coin after Donald Trump’s highly criticized move to launch the official Trump token last month.

Speaking about the meme coin frenzy, Ark Investment’s CEO, Cathie Wood, stated the new ploy is a new revolution in the crypto industry. She likened the new narrative to the famous initial coin offering (ICO), which trended in 2017.

The broader traditional financial market has also shown interest in the sector, with asset managers Bitwise and Grayscale filing for exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for meme coin leader Dogecoin.

Binance Founder CZ Denies Buying Any Meme Coins

Albert Brown
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Binance Founder CZ Denies Buying Any Meme Coins

Changpeng Zhao, co-founder and former CEO of Binance, recently addressed discussions regarding meme coins, clarifying his stance on the market. 

He stated that he never purchased any meme coins, though he maintains a neutral position on their role in the industry. His remarks followed the listing of TST on Binance, a token he described as a test coin that later became a meme coin.

Zhao emphasized that he was not involved in Binance’s listing process and reiterated the competitive nature of exchanges when adding new tokens.

CZ Clarifies His Position on Meme Coins

Zhao denied any direct endorsement of TST, explaining that it was originally used for a video tutorial. However, he noted that each clarification post about the token increased its visibility.

Meanwhile, Zhao reaffirmed his commitment to building and prioritizing fundamentals in crypto projects. He addressed speculation about his personal involvement with meme coins, stating that he has not bought any.

At the same time, he clarified that not participating in meme coin investments does not indicate opposition to them. Zhao compared this stance to his lack of interest in sports cars, art collections, or NFTs while still supporting the broader industry.

Aside from meme coins, Zhao also noted he never bought most altcoins as he held Bitcoin and BNB. Meanwhile, Zhao emphasized his contributions to crypto development, including assistance to various altcoins and blockchain projects.

Binance’s Listing Strategy 

Regarding Binance’s decision to list TST, Zhao stated that he was not part of the process and was unsure of the reasons behind the listing. He highlighted that exchanges operate competitively, prioritizing listing tokens with high trading demand.

According to him, projects with strong trader interests naturally attract listings, reducing the need for direct outreach to exchanges.

Zhao also addressed a broader trend in the market, noting that traders frequently question why certain coins get listed over others. He stressed that project teams should concentrate on development and market traction instead of focusing on exchange listings.

The Growing Interest in Meme Coins

Zhao speculated on why meme coins have gained popularity. He suggested that regulatory challenges faced by utility tokens have driven more projects toward meme-based assets.

He also observed that speculative trading plays a role, as assets with less intrinsic value are often more volatile, attracting high trading activity. Additionally, he acknowledged that meme coins appeal to communities through cultural engagement and entertainment value.

Zhao concluded by noting that significant capital remains active in the market. He advised builders to develop products that align with market demand while cautioning against excessive risk.

XRP vs XLM: Ripple CTO Warns, ‘If You Strike at the King, You’d Better Not Miss’

Abdulkarim Abdulwahab
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0
XRP vs XLM: Ripple CTO Warns, ‘If You Strike at the King, You’d Better Not Miss’

Ripple CTO David Schwartz has entered the ongoing debate between Stellar (XLM) and members of the XRP community with a cryptic message.

In a tweet earlier today, Schwartz appeared to throw shade, stating, “If you strike at the king, you’d better not miss.”

This phrase is widely recognized and implies that if one challenges a powerful entity, one must be certain of their success in the conflict. Otherwise, the consequences of the failed attempt could be severe.

Many believe Schwartz’s tweet is a direct response to a jab from Stellar, which subtly criticized Ripple’s legal expenses over the weekend. “Imagine spending more on lawyers than developers and calling it progress,” a post from the Build on Stellar’s official X account read.

The comment appears to have moved Ripple’s ongoing legal battles and the associated costs, which many feel have impacted XRP’s development.

Meanwhile, members of the XRP community have not gone easy on Stellar since the tweet, which has garnered over 2.3 million views.

XRP Army Attacks Stellar

Critical comments from XRP community members in response to Stellar’s tweet include: “Imagine burning supply for no reason…,” referring to Stellar’s historic XLM burn, which failed to achieve the desired price increase despite halving the supply.

Another commenter quipped, “Imagine spending heavily on development, only to end up with an inferiority complex.” Others added, “Imagine forking the XRP Ledger and calling it progress.”

Community reaction
Community reaction

However, some have taken it a step further, using the moment to reignite the longstanding rivalry between the founders of Ripple and Stellar. 

Panos Mekras, co-founder of Anodos Finance, cited that Stellar was created by Jed McCaleb, one of the creators of the XRP Ledger and a co-founder of Ripple. Mekras claimed that McCaleb “played dirty” and tried to sabotage XRP, citing a 2018 statement from Ripple’s CTO.

Based on this, he highlighted that he would never support Stellar or invest in XLM. In parallel, he called XLM an inferior copy of XRP, describing it as a project tied to someone with questionable intentions.

Call for Peace Between XRP Army and Stellar

However, some community members have called for a truce, insisting there’s no need for rivalry between XRP and XLM. 

XRP community figure Moon Lambo tweeted that he has been holding XLM since 2017, seeing promising potential in both. He urged Stellar to take down the controversial tweet and stop the petty arguments.

Similarly, XRPHealthcare’s Head of Social Adoption Edoardo Farina commented, “No room for tribalism. XRP will succeed, and so will XLM. Peace.”

Call for peace
Call for peace

Here’s Why Bitcoin is Stumbling at the Start the New Week

Okoya David
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Here’s Why Bitcoin is Stumbling at the Start the New Week

Bitcoin and the broader crypto market show signs of uncertainty at the start of the week.

The past few weeks have seen Bitcoin and the broader crypto market unable to establish a clear direction, and the leading digital asset’s price action at the start of this week suggests more of the same.

In this article, The Crypto Basic takes a look at what is driving this uncertainty.

Trump Game

During Asian trading hours on Monday, February 10, the Bitcoin market continued to show signs of uncertainty after falling 1.2% from an opening price of around $96,500 to lows of $95,300, before recouping these early losses with a 2% rally to trade as high as $97,400 at one point.

The price stumble comes as the week looks set to usher in fresh economic headwinds for risk markets.

President Donald Trump has stoked market uncertainty by announcing plans to implement new tariffs this week on steel and aluminum. The president also intends to apply matching reciprocal tariffs to all countries charging tariffs on U.S. imports, which will affect major trading partners like Canada, China, Mexico, and the EU.

BTCUSD 2025 02 10 07 25 18
BTCUSD 4-hour candle chart. Source: TradingView

Recall that a similar announcement of tariffs last week sent Bitcoin as low as $91,000 and sparked the biggest single-day leverage trading wipeout in crypto history, as most altcoins suffered over 20% losses.

The market, however, stabilized after the president decided to halt the tariffs on China and Mexico for a month, following negotiations with the respective leaders of both countries and promises of tighter border security.

Whether the markets will see a similar U-turn this week remains to be seen. However, the seemingly erratic nature of these moves has investors on edge.

Concerns around these tariffs for risk assets like crypto come as it further complicates the Federal Reserve’s fight against inflation, as a trade war could send prices of goods soaring.

The central bank had already dampened 2025 liquidity expectations when it warned in December 2024 that it planned fewer interest rate cuts than previously expected, amid persistent inflation fears.

Last week’s weaker-than-expected jobs report may, however, offer investors some hope of a possible reversal in this stance.

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