XRP is consolidating above the $2 mark after a volatile stretch, as the market begins to wake up and traders watch for the next directional move. While price action remains relatively stable, on-chain data suggests that selling pressure from large holders may be easing, creating a more constructive short-term backdrop for bulls. Related Reading: Bitcoin Bull Score Hits Level Seen Only 7 Times In 6 Years – A Rare Historical Signal A report from Arab Chain on CryptoQuant highlights a sharp decline in whale transfers to Binance over the past few days. Data from the XRP Ledger shows that the Whale Transfer Flow (30DMA) dropped to 48 million XRP before rebounding slightly to 56.1 million XRP, marking the lowest levels recorded since 2021. This metric tracks the average volume of large wallet transfers moving into exchanges, and it is often used as a proxy for whale distribution and sell-side intent. Historically, when whale inflows surge, it tends to signal that large investors are positioning to offload holdings, adding supply to the market and increasing downside risk. However, when these flows compress to unusually low levels, it typically reflects reduced urgency to sell, which can help stabilize price during consolidation phases. With XRP holding above $2, this shift in exchange-bound whale activity suggests the market may be entering a quieter accumulation window, where any breakout will likely depend on fresh demand rather than panic-driven liquidity. Whale Inflows Cool Off as XRP Holds Key Support What makes this reading especially notable is that it comes while XRP remains relatively stable on the price chart. Averaging around $2.15 during the same period. Instead of seeing whales rush to exchanges into strength, the data suggests large holders are choosing to stay positioned. Investors may prefer to hold XRP rather than actively distribute it into the market. This type of behavior is often associated with “quiet” market phases. Where price compresses and liquidity thins out, setting the stage for a larger move once demand returns. When exchange-bound whale transfers fade, it typically means fewer coins are immediately available for sale. This can reduce resistance on small upside pushes and keep downside moves more contained. Historical context adds weight to the signal. In 2021, the last time whale inflows to exchanges reached similarly low levels, XRP was entering periods that later developed into stronger upward trends. Back then, supply on exchanges stayed constrained while demand gradually built, allowing price to respond more efficiently once momentum shifted. For now, the current decline in whale inflows is easing short-term sell pressure and improving the supply setup. If buyers step in with stronger volume, XRP may be better positioned to break out of consolidation without facing heavy distribution from large wallets. Related Reading: Bitcoin Reclaims $97K As Long-Term Holders Supply Stays Locked XRP Momentum Stalls Under Key Averages XRP is trading near $2.06 on the daily chart after weeks of choppy consolidation. Showing a market that is stabilizing but still lacks strong trend conviction. Price has held above the psychological $2 level, which has served as a short-term floor following the late-2025 selloff that dragged XRP toward the $1.80–$1.90 zone. However, the rebound remains technically fragile, as XRP is still trading below key moving averages that continue to slope downward. The blue and green trend lines, which represent medium-term resistance, sit above the price and highlight how sellers have defended rallies since November. XRP’s recent push higher was met with rejection near the $2.30–$2.35 area. Reinforcing that demand has not yet been strong enough to reclaim higher levels and shift the market structure bullish. Related Reading: Bitcoin Bulls Take Control: Futures Positioning Turns Bullish for First Time Since October Volume has also remained relatively muted outside of isolated spikes, suggesting the market is not seeing aggressive expansion in participation. For bulls, the immediate objective is building acceptance above $2.20 and flipping the descending averages into support. If XRP loses $2, downside pressure could quickly return toward the $1.90 area. Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com
The consensus that Bitcoin has matured into “digital gold” faces a new fracture line on Wall Street, one that has little to do with daily price volatility and everything to do with the distant future of computing. Two prominent strategists named Wood are currently offering diametrically opposed roadmaps to global allocators for the world’s largest […]
The post Bitcoin’s “quantum” death sentence is causing a Wall Street rift, but the fix is already hidden in the code appeared first on CryptoSlate.
A bill to regulate the cryptocurrency industry could be finalized within the next few weeks, according to Michael Novogratz, CEO of Galaxy.
Frequent outages on Musk's platform X could undermine user trust and highlight vulnerabilities in its infrastructure and crisis management.
The post Elon Musk’s X back online following massive global outage appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
It would be a mistake to see the incoming wave of aggressive APYs as the new baseline, according to Ron Tarter, CEO of MNEE. This is merely the promotional phase of stablecoins.
A Venezuelan national has been charged in the United States with running a large-scale money laundering operation that allegedly moved around $1 billion through cryptocurrency and traditional financial channels, U.S. authorities said on Friday. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, the criminal complaint was filed in federal court in …
Payroll and HR platform Gusto is piloting stablecoin payouts powered by Zerohash, aiming to cut cross-border payment times.
A selloff in precious metals and lower U.S. stocks appeared to be denting crypto sentiment.
During an earnings call on Friday, CEO Bill Demchak urged a clear split between payment tools and investment vehicles.
Bitcoin market research warned that BTC faced another bear market in 2026 if it was unable to reclaim its yearly moving average.
XRP Community Day is coming back on February 11, 2026, bringing together the global XRP ecosystem for a full day of discussions, updates, and live interaction. Designed as a fully online event, it gives XRP holders, developers, builders, and newcomers a clear view of where the ecosystem stands today and what is being built for …
Belarus's move to integrate cryptobanks may boost its fintech sector, attracting global investments and enhancing its digital economy.
The post Belarusian President signs order establishing framework for crypto banking appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
X is revising its developer API policies to no longer allow apps that reward users for posting on the social media platform.
As Iran’s economy continues to strain under heavy sanctions, high inflation, and a weakening currency, many citizens are turning to crypto as an alternative financial lifeline. Related Reading: Bitcoin Tailwind: Cathie Wood Sees ‘Reaganomics On Steroids’ Ahead Recent blockchain data shows a sharp rise in Bitcoin withdrawals and transfers to personal wallets, particularly during periods of unrest and internet restrictions. For many Iranians, digital assets now serve both as a hedge against currency collapse and a way to move funds beyond government-controlled systems. The Iranian rial has lost around 90% of its value against the U.S. dollar since 2018, while inflation has hovered between 40% and 50%. In response, crypto usage has grown steadily, with Iran’s total cryptocurrency activity reaching an estimated $7.78 billion in 2025, according to Chainalysis. BTC's price trends sideways on the daily chart. Source: BTCUSD on Tradingview Bitcoin Use Rises During Protests and Internet Blackouts Crypto activity surged during mass protests that began in late December 2025, triggered by rising living costs and currency devaluation. As demonstrations spread, authorities imposed internet shutdowns and tightened financial controls. During this period, blockchain data showed higher average daily transaction values and a notable increase in transfers from Iranian exchanges to self-custodied Bitcoin wallets. Smaller withdrawals, often associated with individual users, recorded some of the strongest growth. Medium and large transfers also increased, suggesting that both households and businesses were seeking to move funds out of local platforms. Bitcoin’s appeal lies in its ability to be stored and transferred without relying on domestic banks or state oversight. For Iranians facing restrictions on access to cash, foreign currency, or international transfers, crypto offers a way to preserve value and maintain some financial mobility. Crypto’s Dual Role: Citizens and State Actors While ordinary Iranians are using cryptocurrencies to protect savings, state-linked actors are also active in the digital asset space. Wallets associated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) accounted for more than half of the country’s crypto transaction value in the final quarter of 2025. These wallets received over $3 billion during the year, up from around $2 billion in 2024. Western authorities believe the IRGC uses cryptocurrencies to bypass sanctions, move funds across borders, and support regional operations. Chainalysis notes that these figures likely underestimate the true scale, as many affiliated wallets and networks remain unidentified. At the same time, spikes in Iranian crypto activity have closely followed major political and security events, including the Kerman bombings in 2024, missile strikes in October 2024, and a 12-day conflict in June 2025 that disrupted Iran’s largest crypto exchange and a major state bank. A Growing Dependence on Digital Assets For many Iranians, cryptos have become more than a speculative asset. They are increasingly used as a tool for financial survival in an economy marked by inflation, sanctions, and limited access to global markets. Bitcoin’s censorship resistance and portability make it especially attractive during periods of unrest or capital controls. Related Reading: XRP In A ‘Super Cycle’? SuperTrend Suggests Another Story As economic pressures persist and geopolitical tensions remain high, blockchain analysts expect crypto usage in Iran to continue rising. Whether as a means of preserving personal wealth or navigating sanctions, digital assets are now a central part of Iran’s financial landscape. Cover image from ChatGPT, BTCUSD chart from Tradingview
Bitcoin finally looks alive again. After months of going nowhere, the price pushed up toward $98,000 and is now holding above $96,000. For the first time in a while, crypto traders are feeling some real momentum. But beneath the surface, not everyone is convinced this move will last. According to Michael Nadeau, the market’s structure …
The Wikimedia Foundation said it has inked agreements with Microsoft, Google, Amazon and Meta to use its content for training LLMs.
Artemis research shows crypto credit and debit card spending is now rivaling peer-to-peer stablecoin transfers, with Visa capturing most on-chain volume through early infrastructure partnerships.
The company sold nearly $100 million of bitcoin to fund the purchase of its 200-acre Rockdale site and signed a leasing agreement with Advanced Micro Devices that could deliver $1 billion in revenue.
Ripple says trading and payment activity for its U.S. dollar stablecoin RLUSD is likely to move increasingly toward the XRP Ledger over time, as institutions look for faster and cheaper blockchain rails. Speaking in a recent interview, Ripple executive Reece Merrick said most RLUSD activity currently sits on Ethereum, but that balance could change as …
The CLARITY Act is becoming a fight over who controls yield as rules split DeFi companies and incumbents and risk pushing onchain US dollar yield offshore.
The ICP price has returned to focus as new data reveals that Internet Computer emerged as the most used blockchain of 2025. Even while price momentum remained constrained for most of the year, adoption metrics, on-chain activity, and recent technical signals suggest a shifting landscape for ICP crypto. ICP Price Supported by Unmatched Network Usage …
A fresh rally may be underway in the cryptocurrency market, according to a senior analyst at blockchain data firm Santiment, who says investor sentiment is setting up a classic bullish signal for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP. Brian Quinlivan, marketing director at Santiment, said in a recent interview that crypto prices are rising at a time …
The Arena CEO Jason DeSimone joins Layer One to discuss the platform's revival, pathways to creator monetization, and the future of SocialFi.
Riot's strategic expansion in Texas enhances its data center capabilities, positioning it for significant long-term growth and market influence.
The post Riot stock rises on AMD lease and Rockdale land acquisition appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
U.S.-listed bitcoin miners entered 2026 with rising revenues, improving margins and recovering valuations, setting a more constructive near-term backdrop.
Bitcoin developer, Jameson Lopp, posted a simple observation days after CoinGecko published its 2025 dead coins report. The timing crystallized a tension that's shaped crypto since the first Bitcoin fork. Token issuance has always been abundant, as spinning up a new coin takes minutes, not months. But CoinGecko's latest dataset turned the “anyone can launch” […]
The post Why a record 13M crypto projects are now dead as Bitcoin critics still claim “anyone can launch a token” appeared first on CryptoSlate.
Aave (AAVE) was also a top performer, rising 1.4% from Thursday.
It's a massive bet on Mr. Beast—but arguably more bullish for the future of BMNR.
The market mood in crypto cooled sharply after a quick spike in optimism. According to the Crypto Fear & Greed Index, the reading fell by 12 points on Friday, dropping from 61 to 49. Related Reading: Altcoin Rallies Are Getting Shorter, And Wintermute Has The Data That swing moved the gauge from “greed” into a “neutral” zone in a single session. Bitcoin had jumped about 4.5% earlier in the week to roughly $97,700, which helped push sentiment higher, but the focus shifted toward politics and lawmaking in Washington. Regulatory Concerns Shake Markets Based on reports, the main trigger was debate over a Senate version of a long-awaited crypto market structure bill. The measure would set out how US regulators oversee digital assets and includes language that would tighten rules around stablecoin yields. Several lobbyists and executives raised alarms about those provisions. Brian Armstrong, the CEO of Coinbase, withdrew his backing, saying the proposal would be worse than the current setup and that a bad law would be harmful. After the backlash, the Senate Banking Committee cancelled its planned markup and the Senate Agriculture Committee moved its session to late January while lawmakers seek more support. Social Media Sentiment Shifts As Traders React According to crypto analytics firm Santiment, the market activity had two different trends at once: larger holders were building positions while smaller, retail traders were selling. Social chatter began to reflect worry after the regulatory news, even as on-chain data showed accumulation by more experienced wallets. The index’s peak earlier in the week was the highest since it reached 64 on October 10, the same day a market crash triggered over $19 billion in liquidations. Those past losses still hang in investors’ memories. Smart Money Buys While Retail Sells Reports have disclosed that smart money accumulation can support prices, but headlines shape short-term moods. Bitcoin was trading at about $95,642 at the time of publication, down around 0.02% over the past 24 hours, according to CoinGecko. That small move shows market resilience, yet the sentiment measure’s drop demonstrates how fragile confidence can be when policy doubts emerge. Many traders watch Washington closely, sometimes even more closely than charts. Related Reading: Bitcoin’s New Power Buyers: Companies Bought 3 Times What Miners Produced Delay Seen As Chance By Some Industry Players A segment of the industry read the postponements as constructive. David Sacks, who advises on crypto matters at the White House, said the pause could help close gaps between stakeholders and bring the bill closer to something workable. Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple, kept engaging with lawmakers and described the delay as an opening to improve the text. Those views contrast with more alarmed voices and help explain the mixed market reaction. Featured image from The Drive, chart from TradingView
As DePIN projects generate revenue and AI agents move onchain, builders are shifting focus from speculation to fundamentals, but questions remain about Web3’s decentralization ethos.