October 6, 2025: Bitcoin breaks above $126,000, carried by the belief that its long migration from internet curiosity to a real financial institution is almost complete. Wall Street has ETFs, public companies are raising billions to buy coins, and the White House wants the US to become the world’s crypto capital. After years of regulatory […]
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July 18 is not a user cutoff, but it forces regulators to define which permitted, foreign, and state-qualified issuers can operate cleanly in the US framework.
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A new pilot from Stablecore, Circuit and Curql gives participating US credit unions access to test stablecoin payments and other digital asset services.
Three federal agencies have proposed rules that would make stablecoin issuers operate like banks. The Treasury wants them to run anti-money-laundering and sanctions programs. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) wants a weekly confidential report and a quarterly financial report from each one, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) wants Bank […]
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A bipartisan group of US senators told the Treasury that its application of stablecoin laws should be done in a way that “preserves and promotes State participation.”
The launch comes as financial institutions increasingly compete to manage assets backing dollar-pegged stablecoins.
The relationship between traditional banking and digital assets continues to evolve as SBI Shinsei Bank prepares to launch a pilot program to integrate blockchain-based solutions into its payment infrastructure. This initiative represents a unique step toward integrating cryptocurrency incentives into conventional banking products. A New Pathway For Banking Customers To Access XRP Japan SBI Shinsei Bank is preparing to introduce a new way for customers to interact with digital assets by allowing them to convert a portion of their deposit interest into cryptocurrency rewards, including XRP. According to RippleXity’s post, the pilot scheduled to launch on June 10 represents a notable step toward integrating crypto exposure directly into traditional banking products. Related Reading: Ripple Partner Thunes Unveils Development That Could Strengthen XRP’s Global Payment Narrative This will enable customers to access digital assets through their existing savings activities rather than through separate trading platforms. Under the reported framework, customers will continue to earn interest on their yen deposits as normal, but will have the option to convert approximately 20% of the interest into crypto vouchers. These vouchers can then be redeemed for assets such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, or XRP at real-time market rates at the moment of conversion. Furthermore, the pilot is launching on June 10, with a full rollout expected by autumn 2026. This initiative is built in SBI’s existing Hyper Deposit product and aligns with its broader digital asset strategy, including the anticipated launch of RLUSD in Japan. RippleXity argues that this development matters because SBI is one of Japan’s most powerful financial conglomerates and Ripple’s long-standing partner since 2012. Rather than requiring customers to use a separate crypto application, this model integrates XRP seamlessly into Japanese banking. Millions of users could gain passive exposure to XRP simply by holding funds in their bank accounts. In essence, SBI is not just offering crypto as an add-on service; it is incorporating XRP into the fundamental mechanics of saving money. Regulatory Clarity May Create New Opportunities For XRP Ledger The implementation of the GENIUS Act could mark a pivotal moment for XRP by significantly amplifying its real-world utility. An analyst known as SMQKE on X has revealed that the legislation introduces clear reserve requirements, structured licensing frameworks, and interoperability standards designed to integrate stablecoins. This move will introduce Ripple’s RLUSD into the core of mainstream financial systems while reducing systemic risk. Related Reading: XRP Ledger Targets Flash Loan Attacks With New DeFi Security Proposal SMQKE noted that for XRP, this regulatory clarity could amplify its utility since RLUSD transactions on the XRP Ledger already account for over 95% of stablecoin activity on the Ledger. As RLUSD adoption expands under a regulated framework, each transaction on the XRPL continues to rely on XRP as a fee payment mechanism. These fees contribute to a deflationary dynamic by permanently burning a small amount of XRP with every transaction. Featured image from Getty Images, chart from Tradingview.com
The Hyperliquid Policy Center (HPC), together with venture capital firm Paradigm, submitted a joint comment to the US Treasury on Tuesday, urging the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to refine parts of its proposed stablecoin compliance rule tied to the GENIUS Act. The rule is intended to implement anti-money laundering (AML) and sanctions requirements for “permitted payment stablecoin issuers” (PPSIs), a category the proposal says should be able to innovate in payment stablecoins while operating under an “appropriately tailored” regime designed to manage illicit-finance risk. Narrower Compliance, Less Burden While they did not oppose the overall goal of the framework, Paradigm and the Hyperliquid Policy Center argued that key elements of the proposal need clearer boundaries—especially where compliance obligations may unintentionally spill over into areas that do not fit the GENIUS Act’s structure or Congress’s intent. A major focus of the comments is how permitted payment stablecoin issuers’ duties should work in the secondary market, where PPSIs do not have a direct relationship with the underlying counterparties. In their view, the law makes clear Congress expected due diligence by PPSIs on their own customers, but did not intend a requirement for PPSIs to conduct additional diligence for trading that occurs in the secondary market. Related Reading: XRP May Reach $10 By 2027—But Bearish Conditions Could Push It Below $1, Expert Says The firms drew an analogy to traditional banking, saying that once regulated institutions run KYC when funds enter the system, they are not expected to monitor every spending event after cash is withdrawn. In the same way, Paradigm and the Hyperliquid Policy Center argued that decentralized peer-to-peer transfers of stablecoins—and other digital assets—should generally involve KYC only at the regulated on-ramps and off-ramps, with compliance costs focused where the relationship exists. They warned that a contrary approach could drive requirements for PPSIs to file large numbers of low-value suspicious activity reports (SARs), creating “noisy” reports with false positives that would impose costs on both PPSIs and FinCEN without clear public benefit. Hyperliquid Policy Center Urges Clarification The comment also addresses the way the proposed rule defines and assigns obligations related to “lawful orders.” Paradigm and the Hyperliquid Policy Center said the proposal defines “lawful order” by incorporating the GENIUS Act definition of “person,” which in turn determines who may have to build technological capabilities. They argued that, as drafted, the proposed rule could be interpreted too broadly, potentially pulling in developers of distributed ledger protocols, decentralized self-custodial interfaces, and other technologies that Congress excluded from the GENIUS Act’s definition of a “digital asset service provider.” The firms said this result would not align with Congress’s intent, and they recommended a clarification in the final rule to explicitly state that certain entities and technologies are not included within the scope of lawful order requirements. Related Reading: Dogecoin (DOGE) At $0.086–Two Scenarios Ahead, Including A New 32% Crash According to Paradigm and the Hyperliquid Policy Center, failing to make that clarification could unintentionally impose lawful order obligations on every validator on networks like Ethereum (ETH), Hyperliquid (HYPE), Solana (SOL), and Layer 2 systems that validate transactions involving PPSI-issued stablecoins. They argued the predictable outcome would be that US validator stakes would move offshore, US blockbuilding operations would relocate, and the US share of the chain validator base would decline—outcomes they said would undermine both the GENIUS Act’s onshoring objectives and broader US interests. Featured image created with OpenArt; chart from TradingView.com
There's a huge contradiction sitting at the center of modern American finance. The same industry regulators tried to isolate from the mainstream financial system has become one of the largest US Treasury buyers on the planet. Tether, the company behind the world's largest stablecoin USDT, closed 2025 with total direct and indirect exposure to US […]
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The CLARITY Act is heading back to the Senate Banking Committee on May 14 after months of stalled negotiations, putting a small group of Democrats at the center of the crypto industry’s push for a federal market-structure law. The markup comes after the bill was slowed by disputes over stablecoin rewards, anti-money laundering safeguards and […]
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Bitcoin Conference 2026 attendees weren’t just talking about Bitcoin. Ripple had a visible presence at the event, and XRP was drawing attention from investors who had previously kept their distance from the token. Related Reading: XRP Bulls Eye Breakout As Ripple Unveils 13,000 Bank Connections Worldwide A Shift In Sentiment Jake Claver, chairman of Digital Ascension Group, said he saw a clear change in attitude toward XRP at the conference. Longtime Bitcoin holders, who once had little interest in XRP, were starting to look at the token and move money into its ecosystem. Claver made the remarks during an appearance on the Good Evening Crypto podcast, hosted by Abdullah “Abs” Nassif. His broader argument: XRP doesn’t need Congress to act for its price to move. The legal and regulatory groundwork, he said, is already in place. That view runs counter to what some market watchers have been saying. A popular narrative in crypto circles holds that passage of the CLARITY Act — a proposed piece of legislation aimed at defining rules for digital assets — would be the key trigger for XRP’s next major price move. Claver doesn’t buy it. Agencies Already Moving According to Claver, the SEC and CFTC have been doing the work without waiting for new laws. Both agencies have issued guidelines that classify XRP as a digital commodity, he said, and recent developments tied to the GENIUS Act have pushed US crypto regulation further along than many people realize. What the market needs now, in his view, is execution — not more legislation. The legal cloud that once hung over XRP has already lifted. The SEC’s lawsuit against Ripple, which dragged on for years and created significant uncertainty for investors, has been resolved. Claver said that resolution has brought a new wave of interest to the token, with more capital flowing in as confidence grows. XRP is currently trading at $1.40, up about 1.55% on the day and roughly 7% over the past month. Over the past year, though, the token is down 32%. Related Reading: Satoshi’s 22,000 Wallets Could Make Quantum Attacks On Bitcoin Far More Difficult: Expert Institutions Take Notice Ripple’s president has described 2026 as a year of institutional adoption at scale, and Claver echoed that framing. He pointed to public statements from executives at Nasdaq and the New York Stock Exchange, who have spoken openly about tokenization and the role blockchain technology could play in traditional financial markets. Reports indicate that XRP and the XRP Ledger are being positioned as infrastructure for payments and settlement — areas where institutional players are actively looking for solutions. Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView
Stablecoin issuers spent years asking Washington for clear rules, and now those rules are becoming the industry’s biggest barrier to entry. The GENIUS Act gave dollar-backed tokens something crypto had wanted since stablecoins became a serious part of the market: a legal home in the US. It defined payment stablecoins, set reserve expectations, created a […]
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Washington isn't trying to solve every crypto policy fight at once, but it appears to be carving out a workable path for one specific category of digital asset: the regulated, dollar-pegged stablecoin. The GENIUS Act established the first federal regulatory framework for payment stablecoins, and a bipartisan House tax discussion draft now proposes friendlier tax […]
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The Bitcoin Policy Institute (BPI) has released a new policy proposal for the United States aimed at establishing what it calls “stablecoin supremacy.” The proposal, published on Wednesday, is structured around five policy areas and comes on the heels of the already-enacted GENIUS Act. Bitcoin Policy Institute Warning At the center of BPI’s argument is the claim that regulated stablecoins can help extend US oversight over offshore dollar markets. In the institute’s view, doing so would not only reduce systemic risks but also blunt what it frames as China’s push into digital currency. The BPI describes how offshore banks can create dollar-denominated credit on their own, capture the profits from intermediation, and rely on the Federal Reserve (Fed) as a kind of implicit backstop when the system strains. BPI characterizes this setup as a serious vulnerability for the US economy. Because of that, the institute argues that regulated stablecoins offer the United States a tool for restructuring the underlying dynamic. Related Reading: Bitcoin Price Breaks Higher: What The Market Data Says Could Happen Next Under the GENIUS Act, signed into law in July 2025, BPI says stablecoin issuers must maintain 100% reserves in instruments such as Treasury bills, Treasury repo, or insured deposits. The law also prohibits issuers from lending against those reserves. BPI says the result is that when a foreign individual or corporation holds a GENIUS-compliant stablecoin instead of placing funds in a Eurodollar deposit, the relevant Treasury security sits on the balance sheet of a US-regulated entity rather than feeding the offshore system’s ability to multiply credit. In BPI’s framing, the dollar value can move around the world, but the reserve stays “home,” reducing what it calls the external vulnerability dimension of the Triffin Dilemma. Stablecoin Supremacy Blueprint BPI further links the stablecoin case to broader competitive pressures in digital assets. It notes that China’s digital yuan now pays interest to holders and that China’s Cross-Border Interbank Payment System processes transactions across 190 countries. The institute also points to Europe’s MiCA regime, arguing it provides a framework for euro-denominated stablecoins that is, in some respects, more advanced than current US implementation. Taken together, BPI says these developments weaken American influence over the “rails” where money actually moves—an area BPI calls both the most contested and most fragile part of dollar dominance. To respond, the institute proposes a framework to advance stablecoin supremacy across five policy areas. First, it calls for hardening GENIUS Act implementation by building a backstop architecture. BPI describes this as creating committed repo lines with primary dealers and establishing a path to Federal Reserve Standing Repo Facility access, with the goal of making compliant stablecoins more attractive than offshore alternatives. Second, BPI proposes that the United States export stablecoins rather than Eurodollar deposits in international trade settlement. The aim, according to the institute, would be to pull Treasury demand back onshore and eliminate what it describes as the offshore credit multiplier on marginal dollar flows. Related Reading: What Presidio Bitcoin Found About Quantum Computing: Threat Timeline And Next Steps Third, BPI argues for a fee and rewards approach that allows regulated stablecoins to compete with interest-bearing Eurodollar deposits and even China’s digital yuan—while still staying within the GENIUS Act’s statutory interest prohibition. Fourth, the proposal addresses decentralized finance (DeFi) risks. BPI warns about DeFi credit multiplication and calls for smart-contract-level restrictions and enforcement “chokepoints” to ensure unregulated protocols cannot replicate the Eurodollar multiplier on blockchain networks. Finally, BPI says the US should preserve foreign currency sovereignty by supporting local monetary systems alongside stablecoin adoption. The institute frames this as a way to ensure stablecoin integration acts as shared economic development rather than financial coercion. In the institute’s view, these goals can be achieved without issuing additional sovereign debt to foreign governments or expanding the Federal Reserve’s balance sheet. Featured image from OpenArt, chart from TradingView.com
A dispute over stablecoin rewards — not sweeping disagreements about crypto itself — is what’s holding up one of the most significant digital asset bills in US history. Related Reading: XRP Faces No Immediate Quantum Threat As Only 0.03% Supply Seen At Risk: Analyst Banks And Crypto Firms Clash Over Stablecoin Yields At the center of the standoff is a narrow but contentious question: should third-party firms like Coinbase be allowed to pass stablecoin yields on to their customers? Banks say no, warning it could drain deposits from traditional financial institutions. Crypto companies say yes, arguing it’s essential to staying competitive. That single point of friction has stalled the CLARITY Act in the Senate for months, even as the Trump administration pushes hard for a vote. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent went public Tuesday with a blunt message — Congress needs to move now, before Senate floor time runs out. According to reports, Bessent described the situation as urgent, saying “time is scarce, and now is the time to act.” He framed the legislation not just as a financial policy matter but as a national security concern, arguing that economic security and national security are one and the same. The U.S. Treasury Secretary is weighing in on the push to pass crypto market structure legislation in a new @WSJ op-ed.@SecScottBessent framed it as a national priority, saying “economic security is national security,” and argued the Clarity Act is the cornerstone to bringing… — Eleanor Terrett (@EleanorTerrett) April 9, 2026 Adoption Numbers Add Weight To The Push The case for urgency isn’t just political. Data shows that roughly one in six Americans already holds some form of digital asset. Major banks and financial institutions have either launched crypto-related products or applied to do so. Blockchain technology, according to Bessent, has worked its way into payments, settlements, and the trading of real-world assets at a scale that regulators can no longer ignore. The global crypto market swung between $2 trillion and $3 trillion in value over the past year alone — a range that reflects both the size and the volatility of the industry. That backdrop gives the push for a regulatory framework added weight, especially as traditional finance continues to wade deeper into the space. Senator Cynthia Lummis joined Bessent’s call, saying the conditions for passing the CLARITY Act are as good as they’ve ever been. “We have the administration, the momentum, and we’ve made bipartisan progress,” she said. A Senate markup of the bill is expected sometime in April, though similar deadlines have slipped before. Related Reading: Bitcoin Faces Quantum Risk As Bernstein Sees 3–5 Year Window For Upgrades White House Study Adds Fuel To Banking Debate A White House analysis recently found that the risk of deposit flight from allowing stablecoin rewards is, by its own description, “quantitatively small.” Under the GENIUS Act framework, stablecoin issuers are barred from paying yields directly. The CLARITY Act, however, would open the door for third-party distributors to do it instead. Some banking members pushed back on the White House findings, arguing the analysis overlooked key funding risks beyond deposit levels. Featured image from Getty Images, chart from TradingView
JPMorgan CEO, Jamie Dimon, warned investors in his latest annual letter that the bank must accelerate its efforts in blockchain technology to meet mounting competition from the crypto sector. Dimon told shareholders that a “whole new set of competitors” has emerged around blockchain-based products — including stablecoins, smart contracts, and broader tokenization — and that the bank needs to “roll out our own blockchain technology” to defend its market position. JPMorgan Doubles Down On Crypto The call to action comes as the US regulatory landscape for crypto undergoes notable shifts and traditional financial institutions increasingly adopt decentralized technology. JPMorgan is not starting from scratch: the firm introduced JPM Coin on a permissioned blockchain in 2019 and has continued to build capabilities through its Kinexys blockchain unit, which focuses on tokenization and payments. The bank has also been involved in experiments on permissionless chains; executives from JPMorgan’s Commercial and Investment Banking units recently pointed to the bank’s role in a 2025 US commercial paper issuance on Solana (SOL) for Galaxy Digital Holdings as a sign of broader exploration. Related Reading: Ethereum (ETH) Outlook: $2,500 Break Could Trigger Major Rally — Expert’s Price Scenarios Dimon’s stance toward crypto has evolved visibly over the past year. Once a vocal skeptic, he publicly acknowledged last year that he has become “a believer in stablecoins,” and later reiterated that “blockchain is real,” predicting it would displace elements of the traditional financial system. JPMorgan has already ramped up its internal crypto activity. In a separate investor note, the co‑CEOs of the bank’s Commercial and Investment Banking division reported that transactions on JPMorgan’s blockchain-based products have expanded roughly thirtyfold since 2023. At the same time, JPMorgan and other major banks have been active in shaping regulatory outcomes. The banking industry has pressed to alter provisions of the GENIUS Act and the anticipated CLARITY Act, seeking to prevent what they call a regulatory “loophole” that might allow stablecoin issuers to offer yield. Banks’ Push To Bar Stablecoin Rewards Banks argue that yield-bearing stablecoins could serve as substitutes for deposit accounts, posing a risk to their deposit bases and potentially destabilizing lending. Yet, those concerns were challenged on Wednesday by a new analysis from the White House Council of Economic Advisers. Using a model calibrated to current market conditions, the report found that banning stablecoin yields would have only a marginal effect on deposit flight from banks. Specifically, it estimated that eliminating stablecoin yield would raise bank lending by roughly $2.1 billion — about 0.02% of total loans — while imposing an estimated $800 million net welfare loss on consumers, suggesting the costs could outweigh any systemic benefits. Related Reading: FDIC Advances Rulemaking For GENIUS Act: New Framework For Stablecoin Issuers The study also tested a worst‑case scenario in which stablecoins pose a much larger threat to lending, but that outcome required assumptions — such as zero excess reserves and a major shift in Federal Reserve policy — that do not reflect present conditions. It remains uncertain whether the White House analysis will shift negotiations between banks and the crypto industry over whether yield and rewards should be permitted on stablecoins. Those involved in the talks have largely remained silent over the past two weeks amid Congress’s Easter recess. However, two sources familiar with the discussions told Crypto In America that they remain cautiously optimistic that the talks are progressing. Featured image from OpenArt, chart from TradingView.com
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has moved to translate the country’s first crypto bill for stablecoins, the GENIUS Act, into concrete regulatory guidance for banks and their fintech subsidiaries that wish to use or issue stablecoins. In a notice of proposed rulemaking approved by the FDIC Board, the agency lays out “a prudential framework” for FDIC‑supervised permitted payment stablecoin issuers (PPSIs) and for insured depository institutions (IDIs) that provide custodial or safekeeping services tied to payment stablecoins. FDIC Issues GENIUS Act Rules The proposal addresses several core areas required under the GENIUS Act, including the composition and treatment of reserve assets, redemption mechanics, capital considerations, and enterprise‑level risk management expectations. It also clarifies how deposit insurance will apply to funds held as reserves backing payment stablecoins: the FDIC would make clear whether pass‑through insurance applies in those circumstances. Related Reading: Ethereum Ascending Channel Puts Price At $5,700, Analyst Reveals When To Sell In addition, the rule states that tokenized deposits that meet the statutory definition of “deposit” will be treated under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act the same as any other deposits, removing uncertainty about whether digital‑native forms of deposits would face different treatment. The FDIC’s rulemaking is narrowly focused on entities subject to its supervision: subsidiaries of insured State nonmember banks and state savings associations, collectively described as FDIC‑supervised IDIs, that receive approval to issue stablecoins through a subsidiary. Last December, the agency published a prior notice of proposed rulemaking under section 5 of the GENIUS Act to establish application procedures for such IDIs seeking approval to issue payment stablecoins. AML Certification For Stablecoin Issuers On capital, the FDIC is not yet prescribing a specific minimum capital amount, ratio, or an objective framework for minimum capital requirements. Instead, the agency is soliciting feedback on whether to create such a framework in future regulations. The proposed rule would also require a permitted payment stablecoin issuer to certify that it has implemented anti‑money‑laundering (AML) and sanctions compliance programs reasonably designed to prevent the issuer from facilitating money laundering or the financing of terrorism. Related Reading: Forget XRP Price Weakness, Investors Are Still Pouring In, And Wallet Figures Just Hit An Impressive Target The 197-page proposal further addresses technical and supervisory questions that have been a source of concern among stablecoin issuers, while leaving open some of the more complex calibration issues, like minimum capital quantification, for further consideration through the public comment process. By proposing this package of rules, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation is advancing the statutory mandate under the GENIUS Act to build a federal regulatory framework for payment stablecoins. The act requires the FDIC, alongside the other primary federal payment stablecoin regulators and the Department of the Treasury, to promulgate regulations establishing prudential standards for supervised entities that issue or materially support payment stablecoins. Featured image from OpenArt, chart from TradingView.com
A top White House official is pushing back against warnings that stablecoins will drain money from American banks — arguing the opposite is true. Related Reading: Crypto Thieves Pivot To Phishing As Protocol Hacks Decline In February Foreign Money, Domestic Gains Patrick Witt, executive director of the White House Council of Advisors for Digital Assets, posted on X this week that when foreigners convert local currencies into dollar-backed stablecoins issued by US companies, that capital flows into the American banking system, not away from it. Most US stablecoin issuers hold US dollars or Treasury securities as reserves, meaning the money lands in domestic institutions either way. “Global demand for USD is massive,” Witt wrote, calling it net new capital entering American banks. His comments came amid a heated congressional debate over the CLARITY Act and the GENIUS Act, both designed to give the crypto industry clearer regulatory ground to stand on. Lost in the rewards/yield debate is how GENIUS-compliant stablecoins will actually lead to deposit inflows. Global demand for USD is massive. Foreigners exchange local currency for stablecoins from a US-based issuer. That is net new capital entering the American banking system. — Patrick Witt (@patrickjwitt) March 12, 2026 The Fear Behind The Legislation Not everyone shares that view. Standard Chartered, in a recent research note, estimated that rising stablecoin adoption could shrink US bank deposits by roughly one-third of the total stablecoin market cap. For community banks that fund local mortgages and small business loans with those deposits, the figure is hard to ignore. Christopher Williston, president of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas, made that case bluntly last Friday. Giving ground in the CLARITY Act negotiations, he warned, would put local lending and community economic output at risk. The crypto industry hit back fast. Austin Campbell, founder of Zero Knowledge Consulting, argued that if small banks and the crypto sector fail to find common ground, the real winners will be large financial institutions — the ones with enough resources to outlast a regulatory standoff. Witt echoed that sentiment, writing on X that watching the two sides fight felt like watching “an arsonist threaten to burn down their own home.” Related Reading: Bitcoin Crosses 20 Million Coins Mined — And Only 1 In 20 Remains Dollar Weakness Adds Urgency The debate is playing out against a shaky backdrop for the US dollar. The US dollar index fell to 95.818 on January 28 — its lowest point in four years — before recovering to 99.468, a rebound of about 3.80%, according to TradingView data. It was up 0.46% over the five days before publication. Witt’s argument hinges on international demand holding strong. If foreign appetite for dollar-backed stablecoins keeps growing, he says, the inflows into US banks could outpace any domestic deposit shifts. Whether Congress finds that case convincing enough to act on it remains to be seen. Featured image from World, chart from TradingView
A finance expert believes XRP may be approaching a notable moment amid ongoing market and regulatory developments. Related Reading: Jim Cramer Suggests US Government Could Buy Bitcoin Near $60K Finance guru Coach JV points to regulatory delays, policy uncertainty, and behind-the-scenes activity as factors that could shape the token’s next moves. While the situation is far from certain, his perspective highlights why investors are watching XRP closely despite broader market swings. Regulatory Delays Could Signal Change According to Coach JV, the long-running Ripple vs. SEC saga and slow progress on bills like the Clarity Act and the GENIUS Act have left a lot of questions in play. Some of those gaps are legal. Some are practical. When rules are fuzzy, large funds hesitate to move. When rules are clearer, capital tends to follow. That is simple, yet it’s not automatic. Many factors decide where big investors put money: liquidity, custody solutions, legal safety, and return potential. Reports say the Clarity Act aims to define how digital assets should be treated beyond stablecoins. That could matter a lot for tokens with institutional use cases. Market Psychology And Misinformation Reports note Coach JV also warned about noise. Social posts, clips, and AI-made headlines can push short-term moves that don’t reflect fundamentals. He urged calm and a plan. That was practical advice: set buy rules, remove emotion, stick to them. A crypto analyst added a different tone. He said he’s watching for curveballs — a one-line way to say unexpected policy shifts or regulatory surprises might appear. Those surprises could involve stablecoins or new banking rules. A crackdown on certain stablecoins would change flows in the market. It would not automatically hand the keys to XRP, but it would reshape choices for payments and custody. Accumulation And The Case For Patience Coach JV explained his own approach: disciplined accumulation across select assets during dips. He mentioned continuing to buy Bitcoin and XRP on weakness. That method is time-tested for many investors. It works when an investor has a long horizon and can tolerate swings. Reports say accumulation is a defensive way to act when headlines flash and sentiment whipsaws. Related Reading: Calm Down: Ethereum Has Survived 8 Major 50% Falls, Lee Reminds Investors Institutional Flows And Real-World Use According to market watchers, true separation from broader crypto moves will need more than clearer laws. Real demand must appear. That means banks or payment firms using blockchain rails, meaningful custody offerings, and on-ramps that work at scale. If institutions begin to run settlement tests and then roll out services, token activity could change for good. But right now most large allocators are still waiting on clearer rules and proven infrastructure. Some moves may be passive in the system; others will be driven by active adoption. Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView
Despite a mixed performance in the early weeks of 2026, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse remains optimistic about the future of crypto markets, predicting new record highs for digital assets this year. Ripple CEO Optimistic About Long-Term XRP Potential Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Garlinghouse noted that recent regulatory developments, including the landmark GENIUS Act, have “unlocked a lot of activity” in the sector. Related Reading: Bitcoin Bear Market Depths: A Closer Look At How Low BTC Could Go When asked about crypto performance during an interview with CNBC, Garlinghouse confidently stated, “I’m very bullish, and yes, I’ll go on record as saying, I think we’ll see an all-time high.” He emphasized that major financial institutions are increasingly showing interest in cryptocurrencies, labeling this shift as a “massive sea change.” However, he believes that this development is not fully reflected in current market prices. Despite his optimistic outlook, XRP, Ripple’s associated cryptocurrency, was trading at $1.88 and had experienced a notable 13% decline over the past week. The current market performance has led analysts to speculate about the possibility of a new bear market on the horizon. Nonetheless, he expressed confidence in the long-term potential of the XRP ecosystem, stating, “We are a very vested party in what goes on in the XRP ecosystem. In another five or 10 years, you’re going to see continued, very positive momentum.” Garlinghouse Confident CLARITY Act Will Pass Garlinghouse also anticipated that 2026 would see significant use cases for digital assets, mentioning that cryptocurrency exchange Binance is likely to re-enter the US market. He asserted that the GENIUS Act would facilitate the growth of stablecoins, potentially making operations like payroll more efficient. He believes cryptocurrencies are well-positioned for growth over the next decade. Regarding the crypto market structure bill, or the CLARITY Act, a vital framework for regulating crypto, Garlinghouse voiced confidence that it will eventually succeed. “It’ll get done. We are as close as we have ever been,” he said. However, the proposed market structure bill has encountered significant challenges, particularly after key provisions came under scrutiny. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong withdrew support for the bill just 24 hours before an anticipated markup scheduled for January 15, leading to a postponement of the process. Related Reading: Where Does Hyperliquid (HYPE) Stand Now? A Deep Dive Into Key Metrics Post-2025 Garlinghouse was taken aback by Armstrong’s strong opposition to the CLARITY Act, noting that “the rest of the industry, including exchanges that compete with Coinbase, were still supporting it.” The executive claimed that he still remains hopeful that industry leaders can navigate the current legislative impasse. “If we want the industry to continue to grow, we need things like the GENIUS Act and the CLARITY Act,” he affirmed. Featured image from OpenArt, chart from TradingView.com
In the lead-up to the potential passage of the crypto market structure bill, known as the CLARITY Act, Faryar Shirzad, Chief Policy Officer at Coinbase, shed light on the ongoing discussions surrounding key provisions of the already enacted GENIUS Act. GENIUS Act Under Fire Shirzad noted that the stablecoin rewards provisions of the GENIUS Act are currently a central topic of debate among lawmakers. Shiraz remarked, “reopening it now only creates uncertainty and risks the future of the US Dollar as commerce moves onchain.” Shirzad emphasized the importance of protecting the GENIUS Act, arguing that rewards benefit consumers without adversely affecting community banks. Related Reading: Solana Shatters Records: 2025 Annual Review Reveals New All-Time Highs In Key Metrics He alleged that the motivation behind banks’ opposition to stablecoin rewards is evident. He claimed that US banks currently generate approximately $176 billion annually from the $3 trillion they hold at the Federal Reserve (Fed) and another $187 billion from card swipe fees, which averages to nearly $1,440 for each household. This results in over $360 billion yearly from payments and deposits, in addition to substantial unused lending capacity, as the Federal Reserve incentivizes banks to maintain reserves rather than deploy them. According to Shirzad, stablecoin rewards pose a challenge to these financial margins—not by impeding banks’ ability to lend, but by introducing real competition in payment systems. Shirzad further expressed alarm at how, during these Senate discussions, China has recognized the opportunity presented by the bank lobby. The country has recently announced interest payments to users of its Digital Yuan, aiming to undermine the supremacy of the US dollar. He warned that banning rewards in the Senate would inadvertently aid China’s efforts to challenge the dollar’s dominance. Concluding his remarks, Shirzad asserted that the opposition from banks toward stablecoin rewards is not based on prudential concerns but stems from a desire to protect lucrative revenue streams threatened by competition. Deaton Critiques ABA’s Threat To Stablecoin Rewards John E. Deaton — attorney for XRP holders in the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) lawsuit against Ripple Labs and a former Senate candidate — also reacted to these developments. He emphasized the importance of the situation as China officially began offering interest on the digital yuan. He highlighted that the American Bankers Association (ABA) is exerting pressure on the Senate to close a “third-party loophole” in the GENIUS Act, which would restrict companies like Coinbase (COIN) and Kraken from offering rewards to consumers. Related Reading: Ethereum Staking Queue Grows: What Does This Mean For ETH Prices Moving Forward? Deaton argued that banning American firms from providing yield to everyday citizens does not protect banks, as claimed by the ABA; rather, it risks forcing global reliance on China’s currency over the US dollar. He emphasized that major banks are threatened by the concept of digital dollars because they are unable to “rent” that money back to consumers if individuals are earning yield themselves. The criticism also extended to banking officials, with Deaton asserting that the Banking Policy Institute, led by figures like Jamie Dimon, has crafted an anti-crypto bill last year that undermines the interests of average Americans. He contended that if the Senate capitulates to the bank lobby, it effectively imposes a hidden tax on retail investors and customers nationwide to safeguard Wall Street’s profits. Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com
There’s still a lot of work to be done by US lawmakers to give clarity (no pun intended) and perhaps closure to the long-standing debate on how the CLARITY Act should be enacted into law, when, and how. Related Reading: Bitcoin ETFs Bring The Heat: $1.2 Billion Flows In First 48 Hours—Analyst One lawmaker in the person of Senate Banking Committee Chairman Sen. Tim Scott said the CLARITY Act will be debated in the Senate next week, setting up what could be a decisive moment for US crypto rules. Scott has signaled a markup and a committee vote as early as next Thursday, reports note, putting pressure on negotiators who have been revising the bill for months. Related Reading: Bitcoin ETFs Bring The Heat: $1.2 Billion Flows In First 48 Hours—Analyst Senate Vote Scheduled For Next Week According to multiple reports, Scott told press he wants a formal vote to put members on record about market structure for digital assets. The move comes after lawmakers paused action late last year and pushed key work into January, a delay that left the industry watching closely. seems to me we’re probably going to get a crypto market structure bill…I reviewed the list of remaining issues and the main potential ‘showstoppers’ left are some things around illicit finance re: DeFi front-ends etc…surely some deal should be possible there?…Jan 15th… — _gabrielShapir0 (@lex_node) January 6, 2026 Supporters say the bill would aim to spell out which federal agencies regulate different parts of the crypto market, and to reduce some legal uncertainty for exchanges and token projects. Based on reports, the draft includes provisions on how the SEC and CFTC would share oversight and on consumer protections, though most final details are still being hashed out. Lawmakers Face Key Policy Disputes Several major sticking points remain unresolved, including rules for decentralized finance, stablecoin yields, and how many regulators are needed to take enforcement actions. Reports have warned that the committee may be rushing toward a vote while those issues are still open, which could complicate getting bipartisan support later on. Industry groups and some senators have urged more time to iron out those details. That pressure comes as proponents argue the country needs clearer rules to guide firms and investors. The debate has become both technical and political, with members of both parties expressing concern about leaving important protections unclear. Markets React To The Uncertainty Based on market reports, news of delays and uncertainty around the bill has already moved prices. Bitcoin briefly pushed past $93,000 before retreating to about $86,729 after a recent holdover in the Senate, showing how sensitive crypto markets can be to legislative timing. Traders and firms are watching the calendar closely because even the promise of a vote can sway flows and sentiment. Related Reading: Bitcoin Wealth Isn’t About Hype—It’s About Time And Stacking, Expert Says Bill Could Reach The President The House approved its version of the market structure framework last year, meaning a Senate passage would send the measure to the desk of US President Donald Trump for signature. Committee leaders say getting a clear vote on record is important both for transparency and for moving negotiations forward on the Senate floor. Featured image from National Investigative Training Academy, chart from TradingView
Prediction markets and analyst desks are sending different signals about Bitcoin’s near-term path. Traders on Polymarket appear cautious, while some big-name firms keep calling for big gains in 2026. Related Reading: Crypto Exchange Korbit Fined $1.90 Million By South Korean Regulators Market Odds And Trader Caution According to Polymarket prices, Bitcoin has just a 23% chance of reaching $150,000 before 2027. The odds are higher at lower targets: 47% for $120,000, 35% for $130,000 and 29% for $140,000. Traders are most comfortable with $100,000, which carries about an 80% chance. That spread shows bettors are pricing risk tightly as the clock runs toward the new year. Bitcoin closed 2025 in the red, a fact that has likely cooled some enthusiasm. Reports have disclosed that gold and silver hit fresh highs in the fourth quarter of 2025, while crypto prices held mostly flat. The old four-year halving cycle that many chartists relied on is being questioned, and that doubt is being priced in. Technical Signals Based on the latest Bitcoin price outlook, BTC is expected to climb 3% to about $91,815 by February 1, 2026. Technical signals point to a Bearish mood, while the Fear & Greed Index stands at 28, reflecting Fear. Over the past 30 days, Bitcoin posted gains on 15 of those days, or 50%, with price swings averaging 2%. Policy Shifts Could Change The Math US President Donald Trump is expected to name a new Federal Reserve chair soon, and many market participants are betting that interest rates will be cut afterward. That idea has already helped send precious metals higher. At the same time, regulators in Washington are pushing crypto bills such as the GENIUS Act and the CLARITY Act, which backers say could give clearer rules and, in time, more institutional interest. Analysts Still Offer Bullish Targets Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has publicly predicted that Bitcoin could reach $180,000 by the end of 2026, citing stronger institutional interest and better regulatory clarity as reasons for his bullish outlook. Related Reading: Bitcoin’s Bear Market Might Not Be New: Data Points To A 2-Month Slide Analysts at JPMorgan have suggested a theoretical Bitcoin price around $170,000 in 2026, based on a model comparing Bitcoin’s behavior to gold and assuming continued capital flows into the crypto market. Grayscale’s 2026 digital asset outlook expects Bitcoin to exceed its previous all-time high in the first half of 2026, implying a move above its record peak of around $126,000 (though not giving a specific numerical target, the implication is toward significant upward momentum). Policymakers, traders and analysts are all weighing different risks. Market prices reflect caution today, while forecasts offer a brighter view for the months ahead. Which one proves right will depend on policy moves, investor appetite and whether new trading patterns replace the cycle many thought they could count on. Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView
In 2025, crypto regulation stopped being mostly about courtroom theater and started focusing on actual infrastructure. Debates over how or whether to regulate crypto became less philosophical and more operational. Regulators spent the year answering the “boring” questions that decide whether a market can scale: who is allowed to issue a “digital dollar,” what backs […]
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The US Congress is closer than ever to defining federal rules for digital assets, yet the question of whether stablecoins can provide yield has slowed the process more than agency turf battles or token classification. Notably, the House has already advanced the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, outlining a path for certain tokens to move […]
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Amid this week’s crypto market correction, Ark Invest’s CEO and CIO, Catie Wood, has slashed her 2030 bullish forecast for Bitcoin (BTC), highlighting the global momentum of the stablecoin sector. Related Reading: Web3 Verifiable Settlement Protocol To Bring ‘Internet-Speed’ Payments With New Upgrade Stablecoins Overtake Part Of BTC’s Role On Thursday, Ark Invest’s CEO, Cathie Wood, joined CNBC’s “Squawk Box” to discuss Bitcoin’s price, her thoughts on stablecoins’ growth, and how her previous bullish forecast for the flagship crypto has evolved over the past year. In the interview, Wood underscored that the rapid rise of stablecoins is taking on a role she thought BTC would handle, leading to a 20% reduction of her $1.5 million prediction by 2030. It’s worth noting that the investment management firm has previously affirmed that the leading cryptocurrency could serve as a store of value and a global settlement system. “Stablecoins are usurping part of the role that we thought bitcoin would play,” Wood affirmed on Thursday morning. “Given what’s happening to stablecoins, which are serving emerging markets in a way that we thought bitcoin would, I think we could take maybe $300,000 off of that bullish case just for stablecoins.” “Emerging markets are huge in this regard,” she said, adding that “we’re starting to see institutions in the United States focused on new payment rails, with stablecoins at the core. So very interesting movement.” Notably, the sector has seen rapid adoption following the enactment of the GENIUS Act in the US, with other leading jurisdictions, including the UK and South Korea, pushing to establish their own regulatory framework in the coming months. Similarly, multiple leading companies in the traditional payment system are preparing strategic moves into the stablecoin sector. Last week, the global financial services company Western Union announced its plan to launch the US Dollar Payment Token (USDPT) on the Solana blockchain. To Wood, “Stablecoins are scaling here much faster than anyone would have expected,” making it a space to watch in the future. Wood Is Still Bullish On Bitcoin Despite recalibrating her 2030 bull case, Ark Invest’s CEO emphasized that she remains bullish on Bitcoin, noting that growing institutional adoption will be a powerful driver for long-term value. Currently, the flagship cryptocurrency has declined 20% from its October 6 all-time high (ATH) of $126,000, briefly falling below the $100,000 mark earlier this week. Nonetheless, most market analysts and investors remain bullish on BTC’s long-term performance. Related Reading: Bitcoin Eyes ‘Moment Of Truth’ As Price Retests $100,000 Support – Is The Rally Over? Wood highlighted that “Bitcoin is a global monetary system, it is the lead in a new asset class, and it’s a technology, all wrapped in one.” She added that institutional participation in the sector has only begun, stating, “Institutions really have just dipped their toes into this space. We have just started, so we have a long way to go.” The CEO closed her observations by affirming that the broader crypto ecosystem is expanding, not contracting. “I think the whole space gets bigger,” she concluded. Featured Image from Unsplash.com, Chart from TradingView.com
Welcome to Slate Sundays, CryptoSlate’s new weekly feature showcasing in-depth interviews, expert analysis, and thought-provoking op-eds that go beyond the headlines to explore the ideas and voices shaping the future of crypto. Crypto payments are having a moment. From Circle’s billion-dollar IPO to the GENIUS Act clearing a path for stablecoin regulation, the tailwinds are blowing […]
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A major Bitcoin whale has begun offloading massive amounts of BTC while simultaneously accumulating ETH. Such whale activity has typically influenced sentiment and liquidity, with ETH stacking rising in pace as BTC reserves are reduced, as analysts watch to see whether whale conviction could tilt the balance between the two largest cryptocurrencies. Whale Unwinds 15,000 BTC Position A Bitcoin whale who once held 15,000 BTC is selling massive amounts of BTC and buying ETH, making waves across the crypto market. Analyst CryptoGucci has revealed on X that this wallet, which originally held 15,000 BTC, was moved from cold storage 7 years ago, and has aggressively sold thousands of BTC while buying up massive amounts of ETH. Related Reading: $500M Liquidations Rock Ethereum and Bitcoin: Is the Crash Fueling Whale Accumulation? In the past 24 hours, the whale has deposited 2,370 BTC worth $266 million in exchanges and has been steadily selling more BTC every few hours. This whale has been stacking ETH at scale. The whale’s holdings now sit at 167,629 ETH across 5 wallets, worth $706 million, which is spread across spot ETH, perpetual contracts, and Aave ETH positions in WETH and aEthWETH. Ethereum is rapidly gaining traction among corporate treasuries. According to CryptoRank_io’s update, the public companies now hold 2% of ETH’s total supply, marking a significant milestone in institutional adoption. Since April 1st, corporate ETH holdings have skyrocketed from $70 million to an impressive $10.9 billion, which reflects a surge in institutional confidence. Over the same period, the public companies BTC holdings also increased from 3.07% to 3.93% of total supply, showing a steady accumulation of both top crypto assets. BitMine is leading the pack, which now holds over 1.5 million ETH, making it the largest corporate ETH treasury in the world. Bitcoin And Ethereum Market Positioning HolaItsAk47 also stated the conversation around the 2025 bull run is heating up, and ETH keeps resurfacing. For years, Bitcoin has dominated as the undisputed leader of the crypto markets. This time, the fundamentals suggest that ETH is not just catching up to BTC, but it could take the lead in future finance. Related Reading: Ethereum Now Carries Tokenized Notes From Singapore’s Largest Bank With ETH leading the charge in the Stablecoin dominance, the network is becoming the backbone of digital finance, hosting top stablecoins like USDC, USDT, and more. Also, the GENIUS Act clarity regulatory developments are becoming clearer, paving the way for institutional adoption without compromising network utility to accelerate. Given the institutional inflows of billions pouring into Ethereum ETFs and corporate treasuries gradually increasing exposure, ETH is capturing serious institutional attention. Dencun Upgrade, slashing transaction fees by up to 98%, has massively improved scalability and usability. DeFi and tokenization remain the primary platforms for decentralized finance and tokenized assets in ETH, while reinforcing its central role in Web3. Featured image from Pixabay, chart from Tradingview.com
Harvard economist Kenneth Rogoff, who declared in 2018 that Bitcoin was more likely to crash to $100 than rally to $100,000, has returned. He indirectly admitted he was wrong and outlined reasons why his prediction fell through. Harvard Economist Breaks Silence On Missed Bitcoin Prediction In an X post, Rogoff identified himself as the Harvard economist who said that Bitcoin was more likely to be worth $100 than $100,000. He then went on to comment on what he missed when he made this prediction. First, the economist said that he was far too optimistic about the U.S. coming to its senses about sensible crypto regulation. Related Reading: Crypto Founder Predicts The Collapse Of Bitcoin In This Timeframe Rogoff, who was the former chief economist of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), indicated that the Donald Trump administration has gone about Bitcoin and crypto regulation in the wrong way. He questioned why policymakers would want to facilitate tax evasion and illegal activities, likely in reference to regulations such as the GENIUS Act, which have provided regulatory clarity. It is worth mentioning that one of the reasons the Harvard economist had predicted that Bitcoin was more likely to go to $100 was based on his belief that government regulation would trigger lower prices. He had made this prediction when BTC was trading at around $11,000. Rogoff claimed back then that the flagship crypto needed global regulation to crack down on its use for money laundering. The former IMF chief believed that if this regulation took away the possibility of money laundering and tax evasion, then Bitcoin’s actual use cases for transactions were very small. As such, he was banking on BTC lacking any demand, which would drive its price lower rather than higher. However, that hasn’t been the case as government regulation has only boosted Bitcoin’s demand. The flagship crypto rallied to $100,000, a price level Rogoff said it won’t reach, for the first time last year following Donald Trump’s victory. Meanwhile, BTC has reached new highs on the back of regulatory clarity, including its rally to a previous all-time high (ATH) just before the passage of the GENIUS Act last month. Further Reasons For The Missed Prediction The Harvard economist also stated that he did not appreciate how Bitcoin would compete with fiat currencies to serve as the transaction medium of choice in the $20 trillion global underground economy. He further remarked that this demand puts a floor on its price. Related Reading: Two Scenarios Map Out Bitcoin Price Crash After Recovery In addition to being a transaction medium of choice, BTC has also gained a reputation as a store of value, which has created demand for it among traditional finance (TradFi) investors. These investors have gained exposure to Bitcoin mainly through the ETFs. Interestingly, Harvard recently revealed a $117 million stake in BlackRock’s BTC ETF. Lastly, Rogoff said that he did not anticipate a situation where regulators, especially the regulator in chief, would be able to brazenly hold hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars in crypto without consequence, considering the “blatant conflict of interest.” At the time of writing, the Bitcoin price is trading at around $113,600, up in the last 24 hours, according to data from CoinMarketCap. Featured image from Pixabay, chart from Tradingview.com
The Crypto Council for Innovation (CCI) and the Blockchain Association jointly issued a letter on Aug. 20 endorsing Brian Quintenz for Chairman of the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). In the letter to President Donald Trump, the groups emphasized that confirming Quintenz promptly is critical to advancing his administration’s agenda to foster a “golden […]
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