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XRP’s Path to 20% Market Share: What’s Fueling the Growth?

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  • Egrag Crypto compares XRP’s rising dominance to kinetic energy, fueled by increasing adoption and growing transaction speed.
  • XRP’s “mass” is expanding as more users and platforms adopt it, boosting its momentum for market growth and dominance.
  • With a target of 20% market share, XRP’s journey to 6.10% dominance could trigger a sharp acceleration toward market leadership.

Egrag Crypto recently made some valuable input on the increasing dominance of XRP which he referred to as a boost in kinetic energy. In a post on X, the analyst mentioned the factors that are fueling the further momentum of Ripple token and compared it to the kinetic energy. With the increasing adoption, the potential of token also increases.

Kinetic energy is the energy that is associated with the movement of an object. In addition, the energy generated is directly proportional to the mass of an object and its velocity. Egrag used this concept with XRP noting that as more merchants embrace token and the transaction speed of Ripple token increases it gains momentum like an object in motion.

XRP’s Expanding Market Reach

XRP’s “mass” is growing as more and more people and entities are starting to use it. There are more platforms and individuals using XRP in their transactions and as a means of holding asset. In addition to this, the speed of coin is also rising as more and people begin to use the token, and the network expands. Cryptocurrency is not only increasing its pace, but also its weightiness in the market, which speaks of only one thing – growth.

It also revealed that XRP aims for the 20% market share. As it stands, token should rise by 310% to hit this target, which is more than its 2015 rally. The analyst is optimistic that token is almost within touching distance of this achievement based on its progress rate to hit the required speed.

But the analyst pointed out that the target was to capture 6.10% of the market share. He expects that the growth of cryptocurrency will sharply increase as soon as it breaks through this mark. This might be the big break that will push Ripple coin to the next level in the market.

It is evident that as coin keeps on being adopted in the market the cryptocurrency is on a high rise. Adoption rates, wider application, and improved legal framework to foster future development are the strengths of the current scenario. These factors put into consideration, token has the potential to cause a stir in the crypto market.

As XRP continues to gain its pace, the future of XRP seems bright. The investors and the fans of cryptocurrencies are following the events carefully. As a result of the increasing energy that surrounds token, it may be anticipating its next rise to a new level and redefine the market of digital assets.

Tether Theft on Jeju Island: 6 Arrested in $690,000 Crypto Heist

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  • Six Chinese suspects arrested in Jeju for stealing 1 billion won ($690,000) during a Tether crypto exchange at a hotel.
  • The suspects, claiming to be victims, attacked a crypto dealer after accusing him of making Tether stablecoins “disappear” in the transaction.
  • South Korea’s FSC moves forward with tighter crypto regulations, including stablecoins and exchanges, in response to rising digital currency thefts.

Six Chinese citizens were apprehended on 16th January in Jeju Island, South Korea, for masterminding one of the biggest theft cases where a Tether cryptocurrency worth almost 1 billion won or $690,000 was stolen from a hotel. The accused, believed to have attacked a crypto dealer known as A, are said to have stolen the cash meant for the exchange which culminated into a dramatic face off. 

Tether Theft Plot Uncovered

The group, which includes a 40-year-old man identified as B, assaulted A after accusing the dealer of making Tether stablecoins ‘vanish’ in the transaction, the Jeju Western Police said. All the accused in the case are claiming that they were the victims of the assault while the serious charges have been leveled against them. 

They said that the dealer interfered with the barter process, thus they had to take the money as compensation. However, police stated that the group had planned the attack from the start, with their aim to steal the money after they would have transferred the Tether out of the wallet.

Two suspects were detained at the hotel, while three other suspects were arrested at Jeju International Airport. The last of the suspects was arrested at a money transfer service close to the scene. Of the total, the authorities have seized 369 million won in cash from the group and the rest of the stolen money is still being traced. Police are still investigating the events and the extent of the theft as well as the flow of the Tether stablecoins.

FSC Strengthens Crypto Regulations

Testifying before the police, the suspects said that they had intended to trade the Korean won for the Chinese yuan but were convinced by the dealer to settle the deal with Tether. Officials, though, think that the group wanted to steal the money and planned the operation with the help of the digital currency exchange. They believe that they shifted the Tether out from the wallet during the course of the exchange to engage in the hack.

In response to such risks, the South Korean Financial Services Commission (FSC) is now developing the second phase of the country’s cryptocurrency regulation to strengthen the consumer protection. Although the details of the new framework are not yet public, the FSC has announced that the upcoming regulation will cover stablecoins, crypto exchanges, and market access, in recognition of the increasing need for regulation in the developing crypto industry.

Shiba Inu (SHIB): Bullish Pattern Suggests Optimistic Explosive Growth in 2025

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  • Analysts see Shiba Inu (SHIB) targeting $0.000081 (258% gain) or even $0.0023 (100x return) due to a bullish triangle pattern.
  • CoinCodex projects a 335% surge, with July as the most bullish month.
  • Token burns, whale activity, and ecosystem growth drive optimism for SHIB’s future.

A promising surge could be on the horizon for Shiba Inu (SHIB), driven by a textbook bullish triangle pattern. Analysts suggest the meme coin could target significant price levels, fueling excitement in the crypto community.

In March 2024, SHIB reached a multiyear high of $0.000045 before entering a prolonged consolidation phase. Now, optimism is mounting for a breakout. Crypto analyst Javon Marks highlighted a bullish triangle pattern that signals potential for a surge. “SHIB could continue toward a target of $0.000081, marking a 258% gain,” Marks tweeted, drawing attention to this emerging opportunity.

Another analyst, CryptoElites, identified the same pattern and speculated on even greater returns. He suggested SHIB might reach $0.0023, which represents a remarkable 100x gain from current levels.

Predictions for 2025: Will Shiba Inu Erase a Zero?

The outlook for Shiba Inu (SHIB) in 2025 is brimming with optimism. According to projections from CoinCodex, the token could experience a substantial 335% price increase, potentially reaching $0.0001. This anticipated surge has sparked excitement among investors and enthusiasts alike.

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Source: CoinCodex

July is expected to be a standout month for SHIB. CoinCodex forecasts that the token could climb as high as $0.00009623 during this period, with the average trading price settling at $0.00007607. This potential peak could mark a pivotal moment for the cryptocurrency.

The bullish momentum is not expected to end in July. Predictions indicate that SHIB’s growth will carry into August and September, offering sustained opportunities for profit and further solidifying its upward trajectory.

The ambitious “Shiba Army” community aims even higher, targeting the symbolic $0.01 milestone. While lofty, these predictions demonstrate the market’s enthusiasm for SHIB.

The Shiba Army has been actively working to reduce the circulating supply of SHIB, aiming to create scarcity and enhance the token’s value. These efforts have been significant, with monthly burns surpassing 1.2 billion tokens. This consistent reduction in supply highlights the community’s dedication to strengthening SHIB’s position in the market.

The involvement of cryptocurrency whales in SHIB trading has become a prominent bullish indicator. Large transactions, typically associated with whale accumulation, reflect growing confidence in the token’s future. Notably, whale wallets collectively hold more than 20% of SHIB’s total supply, a strong signal of their optimistic outlook.

Shiba Inu’s ecosystem continues to expand, driven by the launch and adoption of innovative projects like the Shibarium Layer 2 network. These developments have increased the utility of SHIB and attracted more users to its ecosystem. This growth has bolstered the community’s enthusiasm, adding to the momentum behind SHIB’s rally.

Shiba Inu remains one of the most watched cryptocurrencies in 2025. With bullish patterns, community-driven initiatives, and strong whale support, SHIB could be poised for explosive growth. While challenges like reclaiming its all-time high persist, the journey to erasing another zero appears to be gathering momentum.

Cardano Founder Critiques Solana Amid Meme Coin Frenzy

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  • Cardano’s Hoskinson proposed Leios and Hydra as superior solutions to manage traffic.
  • Solana’s meme coin surge boosted SOL but revealed critical scalability issues.
  • Cardano’s scaling solutions remain in development, delaying their potential impact.

Cardano has witnessed Solana facing a significant challenge recently. Meme coins tied to President-elect Donald Trump and incoming First Lady Melania Trump triggered a surge in blockchain traffic. Although Solana’s native token, SOL, saw a rise in value, issues within its infrastructure became evident. Charles Hoskinson of Cardano didn’t hold back in his critique.

Hoskinson claimed ADA could manage such traffic without extra costs to app builders. He highlighted two solutions, Leios and Hydra. On January 20, he posted, “Surges like these can be handled naturally and without disruption or added cost.”

Leios aims to separate transaction processing from network consensus, promising to significantly boost throughput. In September 2024, Hoskinson predicted Leios would make Cardano faster than Solana.

Hydra, meanwhile, is a protocol designed for parallel transaction processing. It integrates with DApps and Layer 2 chains, enhancing scalability for high-traffic situations.

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong acknowledged Solana’s issues. He confirmed upgrades were underway to handle the traffic surge. Users had reported transaction delays during the meme coin frenzy.

Polygon Labs CEO Marc Boiron also highlighted failures on Moonpay and Jupiter. These platforms struggled to process meme coin transactions, further underlining Solana’s scalability challenges.

The meme coin surge boosted SOL’s price by 12%, but Hoskinson’s comments reignited the debate about blockchain efficiency.

Cardano’s Scalability Solutions: A Work in Progress

Despite its potential, Cardano’s solutions remain incomplete. Leios is still in the prototype phase, with no timeline for a full release. Hydra has shown promise, breaking throughput records in recent gaming trials. However, its functionality for DApps and Layer 2 chains is not yet ready.

Solana experienced a 12% price surge for SOL, driven by the launch of meme coins, even as users reported widespread transaction failures due to infrastructure challenges. Meanwhile, Cardano’s Hydra protocol demonstrated impressive scalability, achieving over 1,000 transactions per second during gaming trials.

Solana’s recent traffic spike exposed its scalability issues, despite a short-term boost to SOL’s value. Cardano’s Hoskinson proposed alternatives in Leios and Hydra. However, these solutions are still under development. The competition between blockchains underscores the need for robust and scalable infrastructure in the evolving crypto space.

40 Million XRP Moved to Binance Amid Optimistic 12% Surge in Price

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  • Massive Transfer: 40 million XRP ($124.79M) moved to Binance; likely internal funds reshuffling.
  • Market Surge: XRP rose 12% to $3.29 after Bitcoin’s new ATH of $109,114.
  • Regulatory Shift: Ripple CTO urges unity as SEC’s Gensler steps down.

A staggering 40 million XRP, valued at $124.79 million, was transferred to Binance, as revealed by Whale Alert, a leading blockchain tracking service. This massive transaction was flagged by the crypto community as a bullish signal. Yet, the altcoin explorer Bithomp reports that the transfer likely originated from Binance itself, indicating it might be an internal reshuffling of funds.

The anonymous wallet that initiated this large-scale transfer was linked to Binance, raising questions about its significance. While many speculated about potential whale activity, data suggests Binance was merely redistributing its XRP reserves. This transaction added fuel to ongoing discussions about XRP’s market behavior, with some seeing it as a sign of increased market confidence.

XRP Surges 12% Following Bitcoin’s Rally

On January 20, XRP soared by over 12%, climbing from $2.92 to $3.29 before stabilizing at $3.25. This surge came after a 9.21% dip the previous day, showcasing the token’s volatility. The rally coincided with Bitcoin reaching a historic all-time high of $109,114, dragging the broader crypto market upward. The altcoin, the third-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, mirrored Bitcoin’s upward momentum, solidifying its position as a key player in the market.

Adding to the buzz, Ripple CTO David Schwartz commented on Gary Gensler’s exit from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In a community-driven discussion, Schwartz cautioned against internal conflicts within the crypto space, advising supporters to focus on potential regulatory challenges rather than infighting. His remarks highlight Ripple’s strategic approach to navigating regulatory uncertainties.

A massive transaction involving 40 million XRP, valued at $124.79 million, has drawn attention, coinciding with the altcoin’s 12% price surge to $3.25 within 24 hours. This upward momentum aligns with Bitcoin’s recent all-time high of $109,114, which has injected optimism across the cryptocurrency market. The altcoin maintains its position as the third-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, further solidifying its influence in the digital asset space.

As XRP continues its price recovery and community discussions heat up, the interplay between whale activity, market movements, and regulatory developments remains a critical focus.

Solana’s Memecoin Frenzy Sparks $33.2M Fee Surge

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  • Solana’s daily fees hit $33.2M, driven by memecoin trading activity.
  • TRUMP’s $14B market cap fuels Solana’s $27B+ daily DEX volumes.
  • Solana’s token climbs 50% in a week, trading above $260.

Solana is riding a wave of unprecedented activity, with its network fees hitting an all-time high. On Sunday, total fees reached $33.2 million, driven by intense trading activity surrounding meme coins linked to U.S. President-Elect Donald Trump. This milestone highlights SOL’s growing prominence in the crypto space, particularly as a hub for meme coin enthusiasts.

The surge began when Trump unveiled a new meme coin, Official Trump (TRUMP), on the SOL blockchain. The token quickly captured attention, boasting a market capitalization exceeding $14 billion and a fully diluted valuation of $70 billion. Within 24 hours, it ranked among the top 20 cryptocurrencies by market cap.

Adding to the frenzy, Melania Trump launched her own meme coin, Melania Meme (MELANIA), which currently trades at a market cap of $1.6 billion. The rollout of these tokens has drawn significant liquidity to SOL-based decentralized exchanges (DEXs), with daily on-chain volumes surpassing $27 billion—the highest among all Layer 1 networks, per DeFiLlama.

Solana’s Broader Market Impacts

This surge in activity has not gone unnoticed. Solana’s native token (SOL) has rallied over 50% in the past week, breaking through the $260 mark for the first time. The spike underscores how SOL has become the epicenter of the latest crypto craze, luring users from other networks.

Meanwhile, the broader cryptocurrency market has also seen turbulence. Early Monday, Bitcoin reached $109,111 before sliding back to $108,000. The activity highlights the unpredictable nature of the crypto space, as trends like meme coins influence not just specific networks but the market at large.

Solana’s transaction fees soared to a record $33.2 million on Sunday, reflecting heightened activity. The newly launched TRUMP token achieved a $14 billion market cap with a $70 billion fully diluted valuation, while the MELANIA memecoin reached $1.6 billion in market cap. SOL’s native token, SOL, surged 50% this week, climbing above $260. Daily on-chain volumes on SOL-based decentralized exchanges exceeded $27 billion, the highest among all Layer 1 networks. Meanwhile, Bitcoin experienced volatility, peaking at $109,111 before settling around $108,000.

The Trump-themed meme coin phenomenon is redefining Solana’s narrative. With record fees, surging token prices, and massive trading volumes, Solana has cemented itself as a focal point of crypto innovation. As the market grapples with its impact, Solana’s role in the ecosystem will undoubtedly grow.

Memecoin crashes expose the risks of speculative crypto investing

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  • Memecoins’ speculative nature often leads to dramatic price crashes, leaving late investors at a loss.
  • Platforms’ transaction fees compound risks, making it a losing game for most participants.
  • Bitcoin’s resilience and utility highlight the importance of structured growth in the crypto ecosystem.

The crypto landscape is certainly nothing new to being volatile. Yet, one thing was for sure as memecoins popped out the victory—now, more with the descent on inherent speculators and vulnerability. According to Former Coinbase CTO Balaji Srinivasan, the assets were sort of “zero-sum lotteries,” and neither value could possibly be really established there since, rather, a sort of zero-sum gambling as the distribution continues.

Whenever and wherever, even if meme currencies tend to break the bar to reach price rocketing speeds, then equally significant shocks in those eventualities are in store for many who may come aboard last.

Of course, this is compounded by the fact that the platforms siphon transaction fees, so what was already a game of chance becomes a game of loss for the majority of the players. Although there are those few success stories of memecoins developing into utility-driven assets with dedicated communities, many have not found value beyond speculative trading.

Long-term viability depends upon how well they can transition into real-world applications. However, without substantial foundations or evident applications, memecoins are risky ventures. Drawing skepticism from crypto experts like Srinivasan.

Unlike memecoins, Bitcoin has demonstrated resilience and structured growth over 15+ years. Far from being a mere speculative asset, Bitcoin’s value is grounded in its robust blockchain framework, which offers secure cryptographic proof and industrial utility. Its decentralized mining structure eliminates the risks associated with hyper-centralized supply, setting it apart from the often chaotic world of memecoins.

Bitcoin Standard Shows Path for Memecoins

Despite market fluctuations, Bitcoin’s global adoption and utility have been validated by millions of active users worldwide who continue to give backing to the network. As the very first cryptocurrency, it earned trust and reputation among users, a feat still unrivaled within the crypto ecosystem.

For memecoins to reach their long-term viability, they will have to evolve from their speculation-driven roots. Building solid foundations, fostering real-world applications, and earning the trust of users will be crucial. Until then, skepticism about such tokens is very likely to remain, especially against stalwarts like Bitcoin that have stood the test of time through innovation.

As the crypto market matures, it is a poignant reminder of the foundational strength being paramount to achieve sustainability in the digital asset space by the stark contrast between Bitcoin’s structured growth and the speculative nature of memecoins.

Related | Dogecoin Price Traders Receive Critical Warning as This AI Rival Prepares to Lead with a 55,000% Jump

Ethereum Sees $48M Investment as World Liberty Financial Buys Big

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  • World Liberty Financial, backed by Donald Trump, acquired 14,403 Ethereum worth $48M on January 19, boosting its reserves to 33,630 ETH ($107M).
  • The ETH/BTC ratio showed a 0.79% uptick to 0.03197 after weeks of decline, aligning with the timing of the purchases.
  • Eric Trump teased further developments, fueling speculation about the platform’s next crypto moves.

In a bold play within the cryptocurrency landscape, the Donald Trump-backed project, World Liberty Financial, has acquired significant amounts of Ethereum (ETH) amid the token’s modest recovery in strength against Bitcoin (BTC).

On January 19, World Liberty Financial finished buying 14,403 Ethereum, which reached $48 million. News first unveiled by Lookonchain on X showed a growing amount in the platform’s Ethereum reserves, which have jumped to 33,630 ETH—over $107 million, according to data from Arkham Intelligence.

Timing-wise, these purchases come when the ETH/BTC ratio has had a small but significant increase of 0.79% to 0.03197 after many weeks of decline. Over the past six weeks, it had fallen 18%, which could mean that World Liberty Financial was positioning for a larger market move. According to data from TradingView, this uptick happens at a time when Ether continues to fight for dominance in a Bitcoin-dominated market.

World Liberty Financial’s latest move comes hot on the heels of Donald Trump’s unexpected meme coin venture on the Solana blockchain. The launch caused a rally in Solana’s native token (SOL), which drove its value to an all-time high of $270. These moves signal that there may be more to Trump’s growing interest in cryptocurrencies than meets the eye, though what exactly that may be remains anybody’s guess.

Ethereum Swings Amid Trump Crypto Moves

Eric Trump, an advisor for World Liberty Financial, fanned speculation of a cryptic message on January 19 via X, saying, “Wait until you see what they do tomorrow.” Though the details are not included, the statement is exciting to the cryptocurrency community.

Despite the major acquisition, Ether’s price has shown volatility. Over the past 24 hours, ETH has traded between $3,133.98 and $3,439.78, ultimately settling down 1.5% at $3,230, according to CoinGecko. Interestingly, interest in Ethereum surged, with Google Trends recording peak search popularity for the term on January 19.

The Trump family’s involvement in cryptocurrency has brought both opportunity and turbulence to the market. Notably, Melania Trump launched her own meme coin, MELANIA, just before her husband’s U.S. presidential inauguration. The token rapidly reached a market cap of $6 billion within two hours. However, the launch caused a sharp market response, with Donald Trump’s earlier token losing $5 billion in value and plunging 38% within 40 minutes.

Deals such as the strategic purchases of World Liberty Financial and the very public interest of the Trump family in cryptocurrency mark a growing convergence of politics and digital finance. Whether that is a deeper play into blockchain innovation or an effort to capitalize on market trends, only time will tell. For now, all eyes rest on what’s to become of World Liberty Financial as it cements its position in the crypto ecosystem.

Related |  Pepe Coin (PEPE) Could Be the Next Dogecoin (DOGE), But This Crypto Will be The New Shiba Inu (SHIB)

TRUMP Meme Coin Whale Nets $11.8M Profit Through Strategic Trades

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  • A crypto whale turned $12M into $23.8M by buying TRUMP meme coin at $13.94 and selling during a surge at $27.67.
  • TRUMP hit $35 before dropping to $26.72, a 328% daily increase, while Trump’s team sold $500M worth of tokens, retaining 85% of the supply.
  • A trader converted $1.1M into $70M, and whales invested $14.3M in Solana (SOL) to amplify market activity.

On January 18, 2024, the price of the TRUMP meme coin soared to the skies on the back of excitement over President-elect Donald Trump’s announcement. As a sign of victory, the coin immediately became the center of crypto traders and investors’ attention, who wanted to earn quick profits from its highly volatile price fluctuations.

According to Lookonchain, one crypto whale came into the limelight by buying 860,895 TRUMP tokens for $12 million at an average price of $13.94. The same investor sold his holdings when the price jumped at an average price of $27.67, booking an astonishing profit of $11.8 million. Later, reports also emerged that Trump’s team sold $500 million worth of tokens and retained control of 85% of the total supply, leaving the door open for potential market manipulation.

The token’s meteoric rise has attracted several high-profile traders to the token. Lookonchain also reported that a wallet called “LeBron” converted $1 million USDC into 4.52 million TRUMP tokens within minutes of the coin’s launch. This investment doubled to $2 million in mere hours, reflecting the token’s explosive momentum.

Another trader hogged headlines when, at one point, he turned $1.1 million into $70 million in four hours. He sold 1.35 million TRUMP tokens for $3.65 million USDC and held onto the remainder, now worth $67.5 million of the tokens. Pseudonymous trader “0xsun” also spent $653,000 and 3,000 Solana for 1 million TRUMP tokens and later sold part of his stake for $812,000 to net more than $3.7 million in profit.

Whales Boost TRUMP Meme coin with $14.3M in SOL

Large-scale investors, better known as whales, further led the movement of TRUMP. That whale transferred 61,205 SOL, worth more than 14.3 million dollars in equivalent value, from OKX to purchase 1.27 million pieces of TRUMP tokens. He used 8.5M USDC while buying 1.03M pieces on average for approximately $8.28 per token.

Despite some profit-taking, TRUMP hit an all-time high of $35 before pulling back to $26.72, a 328% increase within a single day.

TRUMP currently has a circulating supply of 200 million tokens out of 1 billion. While this seems low, considering plans to release an additional 800 million more in the coming three years instills fear of possible price pressures. These concerns, coupled with market manipulation allegations on account of massive sales of tokens by Trump’s team, have left investors cautious.

The TRUMP token received an explosion of attention following Donald Trump’s announcement via social media. A tribute to “winning” and coming back, as defined by Trump himself, it calls for celebration. On its official website, though, this coin declares it does not have utility or inherent value; therefore, the coin is simply a symbolic digital asset.

As of now, TRUMP’s market capitalization has reached almost US$6 billion, according to CoinMarketCap. While the coin has delivered monumental returns to a handful of traders, skepticism about the coin’s long-term viability persists. The token’s association with Trump, further combined with the lack of tangible use cases, has left critics questioning the authenticity of the token.

The explosive entrance of the TRUMP meme coin reflects how speculative cryptocurrency markets are. Though some investors have been able to make a killing, issues of market manipulation, over-supply of tokens, and a lack of utility of the coin may affect its future. Whether TRUMP will be the symbol for triumph or a passing fad is a story that keeps unfolding.

Related | SEC Slams Vanguard with $106M Penalty Over Tax Disclosure Failure 

Ripple Gears Up for the Next Chapter as Gensler Leaves SEC

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  • Gensler’s departure signals a shift in Ripple’s legal battle with the SEC, leading to a price surge in XRP.
  • Analysts predict XRP ETFs could attract $3-$8 billion in inflows, boosting market adoption.
  • The crypto community anticipates a change in SEC’s stance, fueling hopes for Ripple’s success.

Gary Gensler officially concluded his tenure as Chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Friday, marking a significant turning point in the ongoing legal saga between the SEC and Ripple. In the wake of his exit, Stuart Alderoty, Ripple’s Chief Legal Officer, went to social media with a bold statement: with immediate effect from Saturday, the name Gensler did not hold relevance in discussions about the future of the SEC.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Alderoty sarcastically said, “Gary who?”-a sign of Ripple’s growing confidence in its battle against the SEC, which has been ongoing since 2020. Ripple and the SEC have clashed over allegations that Ripple’s cryptocurrency, XRP, was sold as an unregistered security- an accusation that token has always denied.

While Ripple celebrated a partial victory in 2023 when a judge ruled that the sales of XRP to retail investors did not violate securities laws, the battle is far from over. The SEC promptly appealed the decision, continuing legal uncertainty over Ripple and the greater crypto industry.

This tension was further heightened the moment the SEC filed an appeal against the district court’s decision on grounds that all XRP transactions, including those with retail investors, fall under investment contracts according to the Howey Test-a critical framework used in determining what an investment constitutes.

Ripple’s Surge and $2.7 Billion Return as Gensler Departs SEC

Gary Gensler’s legacy as SEC Chairman has been marked by a staunch, aggressive stance on regulating the cryptocurrency industry. Throughout his tenure, Gensler spearheaded over 80 lawsuits against major crypto firms, including Ripple, Coinbase, and Uniswap. Despite the controversies surrounding his approach, Gensler defended his actions, claiming that crypto enforcement represented only a small portion of the SEC’s overall activities.

The former US SEC chair shared a video on X. Gensler reflected on his four years in office, highlighting his accomplishments in modernizing financial markets and returning over $2.7 billion to harmed investors. But for Ripple and many within the crypto community, Gensler’s departure signals a shift in the regulatory landscape. On the heels of his exit, XRP has seen a surge in price, climbing to $3.27 as traders and Ripple supporters celebrated his last day.

The rally has also been fueled by a bullish technical chart formation: a bullish pennant pattern on XRP’s weekly price chart, often associated with strong upward momentum. Some analysts have even set short-term price targets as high as $10, buoyed by optimism surrounding Ripple’s potential to overcome the SEC’s continued challenge.

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That market sentiment has been further bolstered by speculation that reduced regulatory pressure could appear with new leadership at the SEC in a possible Trump administration. Investors are anxiously awaiting any change in regulatory tone that might affect the legal fight by Ripple and unlock further growth for XRP. Recent technical analysis flashes targets of $5, $10, $15, and even $20 for XRP amid a combination of bullish price action, rising open interest, and whale accumulation in over-the-counter markets.

XRP’s Future with $8 Billion ETF Inflows

As a sign of increased optimism for XRP’s future, analysts at JPMorgan recently discussed the potential of creating an XRP Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF). According to their forecast, between $3 billion and $8 billion in inflows might come into an approved XRP ETF, echoing the early success of Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs. As the crypto industry moves into a new era post-Gensler, digital assets such as XRP may see liquidity and market adoption because of the pending ETFs targeting XRP and Solana.

As dust settles after Gensler’s ouster, it’s all one can guess if this would finally allow the softening of the tough SEC stance on cryptocurrency and mark an impending victorious closure for Ripple against the regulator. The one sure thing is that the crypto space will be holding its breath while the tides are turning and giving way to a host of new possibilities that come to both Ripple and XRP.

At the time of this writing, the price of the Ripple token is $3.13 USD with a 24-hour trading volume of $13,946,836,987 USD. XRP is down 5.98% in the last 24 hours.

XRP 1D graph coinmarketcap 8

Related | XRP Price Surge Amid Trump Inauguration Buzz and ETF Approval Hopes