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XRP Surges 2.4%: Major Growth Potential Ahead

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  • XRP rose 2.4% in 24 hours, reaching $0.5397 after recovering from a low of $0.5257.
  • Ongoing SEC appeals against Ripple Labs create uncertainty, with legal battles possibly lasting another year.
  • Potential XRP ETF approval and XRP Ledger upgrades could further boost XRP’s price and market position.

XRP has picked up steam after a shaky start to the month. As of today, the digital currency has climbed 2.4% in 24 hours, reaching $0.5397, according to data from CoinMarketCap. This marks a modest rebound, with the token recovering from a low of $0.5257 within the same period. The coin breached the critical $0.53 resistance level before stabilizing at its current price.

The token’s market remains in flux, driven by regulatory battles and shifting investor sentiment. The latest price uptick signals renewed hope, but investors are cautiously watching for any upcoming twists in the token’s ongoing saga.

Regulatory Cloud Over XRP

The Ripple token continues to be one of the most embattled cryptocurrencies in the market. Despite facing regulatory scrutiny from the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), XRP is holding its ground. The SEC has labeled many altcoins as securities, but XRP has borne the brunt of its legal actions.

Ripple Labs, the company behind XRP, remains locked in a legal standoff with the SEC. The lawsuit, which has dragged on for years, keeps casting a shadow over the token’s future. While a court ruling has declared that the token is not a security, the SEC has issued a notice of appeal. Ripple has also filed a cross-appeal, leaving the ultimate resolution up in the air. Legal experts suggest that this uncertainty could linger for at least another year, as both parties prepare for a drawn-out battle.

Despite the regulatory headwinds, there are positive developments within the Ripple ecosystem that could help push the token’s price higher. Bitwise and Canary Capital have recently applied for a spot ETF in the U.S., a move that could draw in institutional investors. An approved ETF could be a major catalyst for the token, boosting liquidity and demand.

Additionally, Ripple Labs continues to improve the XRP Ledger (XRPL), a key factor in the token’s long-term potential. Recent upgrades to the Ledger, along with the introduction of the RLUSD stablecoin, could further strengthen the token’s position in the market. Investors should also keep an eye on liquidity pools, as the token’s trading volume has surged by 46.5% in the past 24 hours, reaching $837.09 million.

As the token continues to navigate the stormy waters of regulation, its resilience remains a testament to its underlying technology and market demand. Investors will need to stay vigilant, watching both legal and market developments closely.

BlackRock Declares Bitcoin Powerful, Massive $1 Trillion Asset Class

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  • Larry Fink, BlackRock’s CEO, sees Bitcoin as an alternative to gold and believes it could become a major asset class, with institutional investments driving significant value growth.
  • Fink confirmed BlackRock’s plans to expand investments into Ethereum, following the launch of a Bitcoin ETF and a moderately successful Ethereum ETF, signaling rising institutional interest.
  • Fink compared digital assets to the $11 trillion mortgage market, suggesting that better analytics and data will help broaden the crypto market, much like how it expanded the mortgage sector.

Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock, one of the largest asset managers globally, recently made waves with a bold statement: Bitcoin is an alternative to gold. During an earnings call, Fink emphasized that Bitcoin could become a significant asset class, akin to the precious metal. He also revealed that BlackRock is in talks with various institutions about potential allocations into Bitcoin and other digital assets.

This could be a major turning point for the cryptocurrency world. BlackRock, with over $9 trillion in assets under management, has a history of shaping financial trends. If institutions begin allocating even a small percentage of their portfolios into Bitcoin, it could lead to a massive surge in the cryptocurrency’s value.

BlackRock Expands into Ethereum

Interestingly, Fink didn’t stop with Bitcoin. He stated that the “application of this form of investment will be expanded to Ethereum.” This announcement comes after BlackRock’s recent Ethereum ETF launch, which, while not as explosive as its Bitcoin counterpart, still saw moderate success. Inflows were smaller compared to Bitcoin, but they signal growing institutional interest in Ethereum as a key player in the crypto space.

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BlackRock’s Ethereum ETF launch in July came after their high-flying Bitcoin ETF earlier in the year. The Bitcoin ETF had pushed Bitcoin to record highs. In contrast, Ethereum’s ETF has seen steady, albeit modest, inflows. However, Fink is confident that Ethereum’s potential, like Bitcoin, will continue to grow as more institutions take interest.

Fink also drew parallels between digital assets and the $11 trillion mortgage market. He mentioned that while digital assets are off to a slow start, they could eventually mirror the mortgage market’s expansion. BlackRock had broadened the mortgage market by introducing better analytics and data. Similarly, the asset manager believes that improved analytics for cryptocurrencies will drive their adoption across various financial sectors.

Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs are already attracting fresh capital. On October 14, Bitcoin ETFs recorded inflows of $550 million. BlackRock’s IBIT ETF brought in $79.5 million, placing it third behind Fidelity’s FBTC, which took in $239.3 million. Bitwise’s BITB ETF secured second place with $101.1 million. This day turned out to be one of the strongest for Bitcoin ETFs since their inception in January, showcasing increasing investor confidence.

BlackRock’s growing involvement in the cryptocurrency space, from Bitcoin to Ethereum, could signify the dawn of a new era for digital assets. With Fink’s comparisons to the mortgage market, it’s clear that the company sees long-term potential for cryptocurrencies to become mainstream investments. For investors, this is a trend to watch closely.

Ripple’s Massive RLUSD Testing Sparks Concerns: $47.7M Worth Tokens Minted

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  • RLUSD minting has surged to $47.4 million, with 73.4% on the XRP Ledger.
  • Ripple is actively testing RLUSD’s transaction capabilities with large-scale transfers.
  • Analysts predict that the RLUSD launch could boost XRP, though concerns about XRP’s role persist.

The excitement around the RLUSD stablecoin launch has stirred the XRP community, as Ripple edges closer to unveiling this much-anticipated project. With Ripple’s CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, confirming that the new stablecoin will hit the market soon, XRP enthusiasts are speculating that the stablecoin could send XRP prices soaring. Though the exact launch date remains elusive, the recent uptick in on-chain activity suggests the wait might be almost over.

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Since late September, the minting of RLUSD has ramped up significantly. Initially, reports indicated that around 1.7 million tokens had been minted across the XRP Ledger (XRPL) and Ethereum networks. However, the latest figures show that minting has accelerated, with RLUSD’s total supply now reaching $47.4 million.

Of this supply, 73.4%, or $34.8 million, was minted on the XRP Ledger, solidifying the XRP native blockchain’s dominance in hosting this stablecoin. The remaining $12.6 million was minted on Ethereum, illustrating a multi-network approach. This 2,788% jump in less than three weeks highlights Ripple’s focus on rapid testing and deployment of RLUSD.

Ripple’s RLUSD Transfer Testing in Full Swing

Recent data from the Ripple Stablecoin Tracker shows that Ripple has been busy conducting large-scale transfer tests for the stablecoin. These transactions, happening within a 24-hour span on October 13, saw millions of the stablecoin shuffled between key addresses on the XRPL. In one instance, 3.5 million stablecoins were transferred between two major addresses, followed by another 4.5 million tokens shift. Ripple is testing the stablecoin’s ability to handle large-scale transactions, moving beyond minting into real-world transfer scenarios.

Ripple’s increased activity around RLUSD has sparked a bullish outlook for XRP. Analysts suggest that the stablecoin’s public launch could drive new use cases on the XRPL, pushing XRP to new highs. However, despite some concerns that the stablecoin might overshadow XRP, Ripple CTO David Schwartz has reassured the community that XRP’s role on the ledger remains essential.

Metrics reveal that the stablecoin’s growth is accelerating, with its total supply climbing from 1.7 million to 47.4 million tokens within weeks. This has led to speculation about Ripple’s plans for widespread stablecoin adoption, and how it could impact XRP’s market dynamics.

As the crypto world watches, the launch of RLUSD could become a pivotal moment for XRP. Whether it’s a new catalyst for XRP’s price or an enhancement to the XRPL ecosystem, one thing is clear—Ripple is making waves again.

Uniswap’s Massive $100M MEV Windfall: 10% Returns for Token Holders

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  • $368 million in fees could now go directly to Uniswap Labs instead of Ethereum.
  • 10% of fees generated through MEV ($100 million) could be shared with UNI tokenholders.
  • $1.3 billion in trading fees across five chains in the last year underlines Uniswap’s dominance in the market.

Uniswap’s new layer-2 blockchain, Unichain, promises significant gains for Uniswap Labs and its tokenholders but could spell losses for Ethereum holders. According to DeFi Report founder Michael Nadeau, Unichain could bring close to $500 million annually in fees to the Labs, fees that would have otherwise gone to Ethereum validators.

Unichain’s launch on October 10 is expected to be a game-changer for the Uniswap ecosystem. Over the past year, Uniswap paid $368 million to Ethereum validators, a sum that would now flow directly to Uniswap Labs and its tokenholders, as highlighted by Nadeau in his October 13 post on X (formerly Twitter). The move shifts a large revenue stream away from Ethereum’s network.

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Nadeau also pointed out that Uniswap Labs would control all Maximum Extractable Value (MEV) on Unichain, a major shift from Ethereum, where validators previously captured that value. MEV is a vital part of DeFi, allowing validators to profit from reordering transactions in a block. Over the past year, MEV accounted for roughly 10% of fees on the exchange, amounting to about $100 million.

Uniswap Labs’ Big Win

This control gives Uniswap Labs the opportunity to share some of these profits with its token holders, adding more value to the UNI token. Liquidity providers (LPs) are also expected to benefit by participating in the settlement process and MEV capture through staking, a feature that could enhance their returns.

While Uniswap Labs stands to gain, Ethereum validators and ETH holders might take a hit. Unichain’s existence could lead to fewer fees flowing to Ethereum and less ETH being burned, which could negatively impact Ethereum’s value. Validators, in particular, are likely to see reduced income as they lose access to the lucrative MEV from the exchange’s ecosystem.

Nadeau’s warning comes at a time when Ethereum is undergoing its own challenges. With the decentralized exchanged generating over $1.3 billion in fees across five chains—Ethereum, Optimism, BNB Chain, Base, and Polygon—Ethereum validators have relied heavily on the exchange for a share of their rewards.

Vitalik Buterin, Ethereum’s co-founder, previously criticized the idea of Unichain in a September 2022 post, arguing that the exchange’s strength lies in its simplicity. But with Unichain now live, it remains to be seen whether Buterin’s concerns will hold true or if the exchange’s leap into its own blockchain will revolutionize DeFi further.

The launch of Unichain is a pivotal moment in the DeFi space. While it may hurt Ethereum’s ecosystem, the potential rewards for Uniswap Labs and UNI tokenholders are immense. Unichain could transform how the decentralized exchange operates, making it a leading force in the next phase of DeFi evolution.

Bitcoin’s Massive Craze: Saylor Pushes Crypto Collection for Ronaldo

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  • Michael Saylor pitched a “Bitcoin collection” to Cristiano Ronaldo following Ronaldo’s luxury watch launch.
  • Ronaldo entered the crypto space in 2022, debuting NFTs despite facing a $1 billion lawsuit.
  • Saylor predicts Bitcoin could reach $13 million, although interest in the cryptocurrency has waned recently.

Michael Saylor, the founder of MicroStrategy and a leading advocate for Bitcoin (BTC), recently made waves with an unexpected pitch. Saylor proposed a “Bitcoin collection” to football icon Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the most celebrated athletes in the world. The pitch came after Ronaldo posted about his latest luxury timepieces on social media. These timepieces, created in partnership with renowned American jeweler Jacob & Co., are part of a collaboration that began in 2022.

The collection features two standout models, Flight of CR7 and Heart of CR7, both honoring Ronaldo’s legendary football career. Ronaldo’s venture into creating these watches demonstrates his influence far beyond the pitch. The star continues to expand his empire, with his name now linked to high-end jewelry and even cryptocurrencies.

Saylor’s Bitcoin Advocacy

Michael Saylor is no stranger to promoting Bitcoin to prominent figures. He has been one of the loudest voices in the Bitcoin community, relentlessly advertising the cryptocurrency to anyone who would listen. Earlier this year, he famously joked that “the only thing better than Bitcoin is more Bitcoin,” underscoring his unwavering belief in the digital asset.

Saylor’s approach to Ronaldo might seem unconventional, but the MicroStrategy CEO has a long history of promoting BTC to influential individuals. He sees BTC not just as an investment but as a symbol of financial freedom and independence, and he’s committed to spreading this message far and wide.

Ronaldo is no stranger to the world of cryptocurrency either. In November 2022, the football legend launched his own collection of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) in collaboration with Binance, a leading cryptocurrency exchange. His “CR7” NFT collection marked Ronaldo’s official entry into the crypto space, further cementing his status as a global trendsetter.

Despite facing a $1 billion class-action lawsuit last year over Binance’s NFT promotions, Ronaldo remained undeterred. He even unveiled a fourth NFT collection earlier this year, showing his resilience and belief in the future of digital assets.

However, Ronaldo’s foray into NFTs came as the market was already in decline. By late 2023, reports indicated that up to 95% of NFTs had lost significant value, leaving many questioning the long-term viability of the market.

While NFTs may have lost their luster, Bitcoin still holds Saylor’s firm belief. Despite a drop in Google searches and a market that seems less enthusiastic than in previous years, Saylor remains bullish. He has even predicted that BTC’s price could reach $13 million one day. Whether Ronaldo will take Saylor’s advice and invest in Bitcoin remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—both men are no strangers to high-stakes investments.

S.Korea’s Crypto ETF Ban Reevaluation: 61% Trade Volume Surge Red Flags

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  • South Korea’s FSC plans to reevaluate its ban on local spot cryptocurrency ETFs and institutional accounts, signaling a shift in regulatory stance.
  • The approval of spot bitcoin ETFs in the U.S. has pressured the FSC to consider local listings, reflecting a potential policy change.
  • Upbit dominates the market, handling 61% of trade volume, raising concerns about its influence on partner K-bank and implications for its IPO plans.

South Korea’s Financial Services Commission (FSC) has announced a significant shift in its approach to cryptocurrency regulation. The FSC stated that it would reevaluate the ban on local spot cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and institutional accounts on crypto exchanges. This decision comes as part of a broader discussion on digital asset policies through its newly formed cryptocurrency committee.

Historically, the FSC has maintained a strict stance against digital asset exposure within traditional financial markets. However, the regulator’s recent report for the annual audit reveals a willingness to reconsider its previous decisions. This marks a notable departure from its past opposition to cryptocurrencies.

The potential for change has been heightened by the approval of spot bitcoin ETFs in the United States earlier this year. The success of these financial products has led to increasing pressure on South Korean regulators to adapt. While the FSC has reaffirmed its commitment to the existing ban, there is now an indication of a more open-minded approach to local crypto ETF listings.

Investigating Monopolistic Structures of Crypto Exchanges

In addition to reviewing ETFs and institutional accounts, FSC chair Kim Byung-hwan has announced plans to investigate the monopolistic structure of South Korea’s digital asset exchanges. Upbit’s dominance has raised concerns among regulators and lawmakers alike. Kim’s comments were spurred by Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Kang-il, who highlighted the financial relationship between Upbit and its partner, K-bank.

K-bank, a key player in South Korea’s digital banking sector, has become increasingly reliant on Upbit. Lee pointed out that Upbit deposits constitute 20% of K-bank’s total deposits, raising alarm over the potential risks if their partnership were to falter. This reliance could pose a significant threat to K-bank’s upcoming initial public offering (IPO) plans, as the stability of the neo bank hinges on its relationship with Upbit.

As South Korea’s financial watchdog reevaluates its position on cryptocurrency regulation, the potential approval of local spot ETFs could reshape the digital asset landscape in the country. With pressure mounting from lawmakers and market participants, the FSC’s forthcoming decisions will be crucial in determining the future of cryptocurrency trading and investment in South Korea. The implications of these changes could extend far beyond the local market, influencing global digital asset trends and investor sentiment.

Bitcoin’s $70 Million Whale Sell-Off Sparks Market Panic

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  • A 2009 Bitcoin whale has sold $4.8 million worth of BTC, moving $624,000 to Kraken.
  • The whale holds 1,149 BTC worth $69.94 million and is selling 10 BTC twice weekly.
  • Bitcoin dropped 2.45% as market analysts view the whale’s activity as a bearish signal.

A mysterious Bitcoin (BTC) whale that’s been active since the early days of cryptocurrency is now making waves in the market. According to Arkham Intelligence, this BTC miner started mining just five days after the first block in 2009. Now, over a decade later, they are offloading significant portions of their BTC holdings. This move has sparked concern among market participants, as early BTC whales have historically impacted price movements.

Recent transactions show that this early miner has already sold $4.8 million worth of Bitcoin. Their strategy seems clear: a slow, steady sale of BTC. On a recent occasion, they transferred $624,000 worth of Bitcoin to Kraken, one of the largest U.S. exchanges. The whale currently holds 1,149 BTC, valued at around $69.94 million. If they keep selling at their current pace—10 BTC twice a week—they could unload their entire holdings by mid-November 2025.

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What’s puzzling is the whale’s decision to sell now. Market analysts are left wondering if this whale is taking profits, or if they foresee a bigger shift in the crypto landscape. With BTC currently trading near $60,000, the timing of these sales has added pressure to an already uncertain market.

Bitcoin Plunge on the rise?

The movement of such a large amount of Bitcoin to Kraken is seen as a potentially bearish signal. Typically, whales offload their holdings when they anticipate market downturns or want liquidity at favorable price levels. The fact that these sales are happening on Kraken, instead of over-the-counter (OTC) deals, suggests that the whale may want quicker execution with fewer fees.

What’s intriguing is that this whale began mining Bitcoin almost immediately after the first block was mined. The proximity to Bitcoin’s inception raises questions about whether this entity could have had early connections to the original developers of BTC, or even to Satoshi Nakamoto himself. However, if this were the case, selling BTC on a public exchange would risk exposing their identity—a risk that most believe Nakamoto would avoid.

Bitcoin’s price has dropped 2.45% in the last 24 hours, falling to a critical support level around $60,000. Just ten days ago, BTC was pushing to break above $66,000 to set a new all-time high. Now, the market feels shaky, with the possibility of further selling pressure from this whale.

As the market watches this whale’s moves, one question lingers: Will this early miner’s sales signal a broader market downturn, or are they simply cashing in on over a decade of Bitcoin holdings? For now, the market remains on edge.

Ripple Unveils Powerful Crypto Custody for 250+ Fintech Clients

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  • Ripple Labs is launching a new crypto custody service, expanding beyond its traditional cross-border payments into secure digital asset management for fintech firms.
  • Ripple Custody offers secure storage solutions with AML tools and tokenization features, positioning Ripple to capitalize on a $16 trillion market by 2030.
  • Customer growth for Ripple Custody surged 250% year-over-year, with major institutions like HSBC and DBS already using the service, reflecting increased institutional demand.

Ripple Labs, known for its innovations in cross-border payments, is expanding its horizons. The San Francisco-based firm is launching a new crypto custody service, Ripple Custody, marking a major shift in its business model. This strategic move signals the firm’s intention to diversify beyond its well-established XRP cryptocurrency and RippleNet payment network.

According to CNBC, Ripple’s new service aims to help fintech companies, including banks, store digital assets for their clients. This custody solution comes with features such as pre-configured security settings, anti-money laundering (AML) monitoring tools, and a user-friendly interface. These tools aim to simplify crypto management, making it easier for institutions to securely manage digital assets.

Ripple Custody focuses on securing private keys—critical elements in controlling digital assets. The service is built to meet global regulatory standards, ensuring that it complies with the strict security and legal frameworks required by institutional clients. This shift demonstrates the firm’s ambition to expand its business beyond payment settlements, venturing into a market set to see substantial growth.

The global crypto custody market is expected to reach $16 trillion by 2030, highlighting the potential for the new service’s growth. This move positions the firm to capitalize on the increasing demand for secure crypto storage solutions.

Tokenizing Real-World Assets on Ripple’s XRP Ledger

Beyond secure storage, the new service offers clients the ability to tokenize real-world assets like fiat currencies and commodities on the XRP Ledger. This gives users access to a decentralized exchange (DEX) with low-fee trading options, further enhancing the value proposition of the firm’s new service.

The firm’s foray into custody is bolstered by its acquisitions of Metaco and Standard Custody & Trust Company, strengthening its expertise and infrastructure in the digital asset custody space. These acquisitions provide the firm with the necessary tools and partnerships to support the growing demand for custody services from institutions.

Customer growth for the new service has surged by 250% year-over-year, with major players like HSBC and DBS already utilizing the service. This growth reflects the rising need for secure, institutional-grade crypto custody solutions.

Ripple’s bold step into crypto custody is a sign of the times. As the digital asset space grows, securing those assets will become paramount, and the firm is positioning itself at the forefront of that evolution.

Shiba Inu: FBI Wallet Linked to SHIB and 4 Other Altcoins Exposed

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  • Wallet Activity: Over 100 transactions linked to FBI-associated wallets.
  • Token Holdings: BONE, eMax, KISHU, SANSHU, and other small-cap altcoins.
  • Exchange Usage: Binance, HTX, and other platforms have seen activity from the wallet.

Shiba Inu has surfaced in a surprising disclosure by Conor Grogan, Coinbase’s head of product business operations. Grogan revealed that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) may have unintentionally exposed one of its cryptocurrency wallets. Shockingly, the wallet contains Bone ShibaSwap (BONE), a central token in the Shiba Inu ecosystem, along with several other prominent altcoins.

Grogan’s discovery has shaken the crypto community. The FBI’s wallet, according to the Coinbase executive, doesn’t just contain Shiba Inu’s BONE. It also holds EthereumMax (eMax), Kishu Inu (KISHU), Sanshu Inu (SANSHU), and other altcoins, raising eyebrows about the agency’s crypto activity.

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But it doesn’t stop there. The wallet in question was seeded by another crypto wallet that, according to Grogan, was responsible for deploying multiple wallets and executing a series of trades across various platforms. These include major crypto exchanges like Binance and HTX.

This comes on the heels of another major move by the FBI. Recently, the agency launched a sting operation aimed at catching crypto fraudsters in the act. The FBI created a fake cryptocurrency called “NexFundAI,” using it to lure a market maker into offering illegal market manipulation services. ZM Quant, a company now facing federal fraud charges, was drawn into the trap. They provided undercover agents advice on how to artificially boost the price of the fraudulent token.

Grogan isn’t sure if the FBI is aware that it may have doxxed its wallets. This uncertainty leaves the crypto community speculating on whether the bureau could be holding these tokens for investigations or had simply made an error.

Bigger than Shiba Inu: Crypto Crime & Losses

In a broader context, the FBI’s involvement in crypto comes at a time when fraud and scams are at an all-time high. In 2023 alone, Americans faced staggering losses of $5.6 billion due to crypto-related scams. Adding to the concerns, the agency has recently issued a warning about the rise of “pig butchering” scams, a growing type of crypto fraud targeting vulnerable investors.

In 2023, crypto-related scams led to staggering losses totaling $5.6 billion. The FBI has raised alarms about the growing trend of “pig butchering” fraud, warning investors to stay vigilant as these schemes continue to rise.

The FBI’s move into crypto is making waves. Whether intentional or not, its presence in the space adds another layer to the complexities of the cryptocurrency market. With wallets exposed and fraudsters under fire, it’s clear that cryptocurrency like Shiba Inu remains a wild frontier, even for national security agencies.

XRP Set to Disrupt Massive $5 Trillion Derivatives Market

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  • Ripple joined ISDA in August, sparking speculation about a move into the derivatives market.
  • Codius, a dormant smart contract platform, could be key to Ripple’s larger ambitions.
  • Ripple’s EVM sidechain could allow Ethereum-based smart contracts on the XRPL, further boosting XRP’s utility.

The XRP community is buzzing with speculation about Ripple’s long-term goals and what they might mean for XRP’s price. According to the host of Common Sense Crypto (CSC), Ripple’s ambitions go far beyond just cross-border payments. The discussions have brought Codius, Ripple’s smart contract platform, back into the spotlight.

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Ripple, long known for facilitating cross-border payments, might be eyeing a larger prize. The CSC host believes Ripple’s true aim is the derivatives market, a financial behemoth handling trillions of dollars daily. This theory gained traction after Ripple joined the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) in August. Bitstamp, a prominent crypto exchange, has also encouraged Ripple to develop a derivatives exchange.

Kendra Hill, a controversial figure in the XRP community, has hinted at this for years. Hill claims that cross-border payments were merely a trial run for Ripple’s ultimate vision. According to Hill, Ripple was waiting for the right moment to roll out these larger plans, and that missing piece was Codius.

The derivatives market processes over $5 trillion in transactions daily, making it a key player in global finance. Since Ripple’s inclusion in the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA), XRP has experienced a 7% price increase. Additionally, Ripple’s market share in cross-border payments has seen significant growth, expanding by approximately 20% over the past two years.

XRP: Dormant Potential of Codius

Codius was introduced in 2014 by then Ripple employee Stefan Thomas. Unlike Ethereum, Codius was designed to interact with various blockchain networks, making it unique in its cross-blockchain operability. Despite this potential, Ripple shelved Codius in favor of focusing on its cross-border payments business.

David Schwartz, Ripple’s CTO, has consistently praised Codius, hinting that the platform might make a comeback. In 2020, he remarked that if he weren’t at Ripple, he would likely build a business around Codius.

The CSC host suggests that Codius was abandoned because smart contracts would have made Ripple’s payment solutions more costly, hampering its ability to compete with SWIFT. However, with the rise of the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) sidechain for the XRP Ledger (XRPL), it seems Ripple may be reconsidering its stance on smart contracts.

While these theories remain speculative, the integration of smart contracts could significantly increase XRP’s value. Some analysts suggest that, should Ripple successfully pivot into the derivatives market and revive Codius, the token’s price could see massive gains, potentially reaching previously unimaginable heights.

For now, these discussions remain speculative, but they offer a glimpse into what could be the future of Ripple and XRP.