XRP price started a decent increase above $1.40. The price is now consolidating gains and might aim for more gains above the $1.4650 zone. XRP price started a steady increase above the $1.4120 zone. The price is now trading above $1.420 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. There is a bullish trend line forming with support at $1.4220 on the hourly chart of the XRP/USD pair (data source from Kraken). The pair could continue to move up if it settles above $1.4650. XRP Price Extends Gains above $1.420 XRP price started a fresh upward move above $1.380 and $1.3880, like Bitcoin and Ethereum. The price gained pace for a clear move above the $1.40 resistance. The bulls even pumped the price toward the $1.4650 zone. A high was formed at $1.4664, and the price started a consolidation phase. There was a minor decline below the 23.6% Fib retracement level of the upward move from the $1.3510 swing low to the $1.46444 high. The price is now trading above $1.420 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. Besides, there is a bullish trend line forming with support at $1.4220 on the hourly chart of the XRP/USD pair. If there is a fresh upward move, the price might face resistance near the $1.4420 level. The first major resistance is near the $1.450 level, above which the price could rise and test $1.4650. A clear move above the $1.4650 resistance might send the price toward the $1.4840 resistance. Any more gains might send the price toward the $1.50 resistance. The next major hurdle for the bulls might be near $1.5150. Downside Correction? If XRP fails to clear the $1.4650 resistance zone, it could start a fresh decline. Initial support on the downside is near the $1.4220 level. The next major support is near the $1.4080 level or the 50% Fib retracement level of the upward move from the $1.3510 swing low to the $1.46444 high. If there is a downside break and a close below the $1.4080 level, the price might continue to decline toward $1.3880. The next major support sits near the $1.3650 zone, below which the price could continue lower toward $1.350. The main support could be $1.3320. Technical Indicators Hourly MACD – The MACD for XRP/USD is now gaining pace in the bullish zone. Hourly RSI (Relative Strength Index) – The RSI for XRP/USD is now above the 50 level. Major Support Levels – $1.4080 and $1.3880. Major Resistance Levels – $1.4500 and $1.4650.
Swan Bitcoin Managing Director John Haar argued on Wednesday that the market’s repeated comparison between the current cycle and the 2022 bear market misses a fundamental point: the backdrop has changed. In a post on X, Haar said Bitcoin’s roughly $65,000 to $70,000 range has acted as a floor for the past two months and may already represent the cycle bottom. His case rests on a simple distinction. The forces that broke Bitcoin in 2022: inflation shock, aggressive monetary tightening, collapsing liquidity and industry-wide contagion are, in his view, either gone or materially weaker today. “Those predicting a further decline are drawing comparisons to 2022,” Haar wrote. “But the macro, regulatory, and institutional landscape today is fundamentally different. The nine structural factors below illustrate why the 2022 analogy is unlikely to hold.” A Different Macro Regime Haar began with the macro backdrop, framing inflation and monetary policy as the first major break from the last cycle. In 2022, he noted, CPI hit a 40-year high, eroding purchasing power and giving the Federal Reserve a clear reason to tighten policy aggressively. Today, he described inflation as having stabilized around 2.5% to 3% year over year, a level he sees as far less threatening to risk assets. Related Reading: Bitcoin Bulls Eye $78,000, But Glassnode Urges Caution That argument extends to rates, the Fed’s balance sheet and broad money growth. Haar wrote that 2022 brought “the fastest rate-hiking cycle in modern history,” while the present environment is defined by steady or modestly lower rates. He also pointed to what he described as a return of balance-sheet expansion and a multi-year run of month-over-month M2 growth, framing both as liquidity support rather than a headwind. Fiscal policy features prominently in the thread as well. Haar argued that US deficit spending has remained elevated at roughly 5% to 6% of GDP for more than three years, with no meaningful pullback in sight. Taken together, his message is that the macro engine driving the 2022 unwind has been replaced by one that looks, at minimum, more neutral and potentially supportive. Contagion, Then And Now Haar’s sixth point shifts from macro to crypto market structure. In his telling, 2022 was not simply a drawdown but a cascading institutional failure across tightly connected firms. Terra/Luna, Celsius, BlockFi, Three Arrows Capital, Voyager and FTX collapsed in sequence, amplifying losses and destroying confidence across the sector. Related Reading: Bitcoin Could Be Near A Bigger Breakout As Key Metrics Turn, Capriole Founder Says He contrasted that period with today’s environment by arguing that institutional counterparties are stronger, even if pockets of stress remain. “BlockFills is an example of institutional failure, but its scale is a fraction of the 2022 failures,” Haar wrote. “This cycle, theories circulate regarding engineered cascading selloffs that ultimately caused leveraged crypto funds to implode.” Institutional Bitcoin Demand The final stretch of Haar’s thesis centers on what he sees as the most important difference between cycles: the scale of institutional demand. He wrote that Strategy deployed about $270 million to acquire roughly 8,000 BTC in 2022, compared with $22.5 billion in 2025 for 226,000 BTC and another $8.5 billion year to date in 2026 for 108,000 BTC. He paired that with the arrival of spot Bitcoin ETFs and a broader shift in institutional posture. “Spot Bitcoin ETFs are live with billions in AUM,” Haar wrote. “BlackRock is publicly promoting Bitcoin. Morgan Stanley is launching their own spot Bitcoin ETF. Vanguard reversed course and will allow their clients to buy spot Bitcoin ETFs.” He also cited Harvard’s endowment as holding a sizable Bitcoin position and argued that the federal policy tone in the US has become more openly supportive. Haar stopped short of calling the floor guaranteed. He included a caveat that Bitcoin can still trade below levels that appear technically or structurally supported and warned that shocks ranging from war to supply-chain disruption to energy shortages could still derail the setup. Still, his broader point was clear: if 2022 was defined by tightening, forced liquidations and institutional absence, this cycle may be defined by liquidity, access and deeper capital pools. At press time, BTC traded at $73,862. Featured image created with DALL.E, chart from TradingView.com
Netanyahu's stance suggests prolonged tension, yet market optimism for a ceasefire indicates potential divergence between rhetoric and reality.
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The ceasefire could stabilize regional tensions, but ongoing military operations and diplomatic developments will influence its durability.
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Funding rates at 2023 lows signal the market is heavily short against bitcoin, ZeroStack's Daniel Reis-Faria says, setting up conditions for a forced unwind if prices push higher.
The rupiah's decline may trigger broader economic instability in Asia, prompting central banks to consider more accommodative policies.
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Hayes' cautious stance highlights growing economic uncertainty, potentially driving increased interest in gold as a safe-haven asset.
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The Grinex hack underscores the escalating cyber threats to financial systems, highlighting vulnerabilities in sanctioned entities and global crypto markets.
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The fragile ceasefire's impact on global oil supply and market stability hinges on Iran's adherence, affecting energy prices and economic forecasts.
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A source told The Block that the latest text reflects previous language that bans rewards on idle stablecoin holdings.
Zanzibar police are reportedly holding Asymmetric founder Joe McCann for questioning after the death of his fiancée, Ashly Robinson.
The US's focus on Iran over Europe may shift geopolitical dynamics, affecting alliances and regional stability in the Middle East.
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Grinex has been accused by US authorities of assisting Russia and other entities in evading sanctions and laundering funds for Russia-linked hackers.
XRP is trading well below its January highs. The broader crypto market has been volatile, geopolitical uncertainty has kept risk appetite suppressed, and the regulatory clarity that everyone has been waiting for keeps getting pushed back by a few more weeks. None of that has moved Brad Garlinghouse. The Ripple CEO has given a string …
The decision underscores a prioritization of civilian cybersecurity over military concerns, potentially reshaping AI market dynamics.
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The lawsuit, filed by law firm Gibbs Mura, alleged that Circle failed to act swiftly to freeze the stolen USDC tied to the attack.
Ethereum price started a downside correction after it failed near $2,400. ETH is now consolidating and might aim for more gains if it clears $2,360. Ethereum started a downside correction below the $2,350 zone. The price is trading above $2,300 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. There is a bearish trend line forming with resistance at $2,360 on the hourly chart of ETH/USD (data feed via Kraken). The pair could continue to move up if it stays above the $2,295 zone. Ethereum Price Aims Key Upside Break Ethereum price managed to stay above the $2,250 support and started a fresh increase, like Bitcoin. ETH price gained pace for a move above $2,320 and $2,350. However, the bears were active near $2,400. The last swing high was formed at $2,417 before there was a downside correction. The price dipped below the $2,320 level. The price even tested the 50% Fib retracement level of the upward move from the $2,180 swing low to the $2,417 high. Ethereum price is now trading above $2,300 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. If the bulls remain in action above $2,295, the price could attempt another increase. Immediate resistance is seen near the $2,360 level. There is also a bearish trend line forming with resistance at $2,360 on the hourly chart of ETH/USD. The first key resistance is near the $2,380 level. The next major resistance is near the $2,420 level. A clear move above the $2,420 resistance might send the price toward the $2,450 resistance. An upside break above the $2,450 region might call for more gains in the coming days. In the stated case, Ether could rise toward the $2,500 resistance zone or even $2,550 in the near term. Another Decline In ETH? If Ethereum fails to clear the $2,360 resistance, it could start a downside correction. Initial support on the downside is near the $2,295 level. The first major support sits near the $2,265 zone or the 61.8% Fib retracement level of the upward move from the $2,180 swing low to the $2,417 high. A clear move below the $2,265 support might push the price toward the $2,220 support. Any more losses might send the price toward the $2,200 region. The main support could be $2,150. Technical Indicators Hourly MACD – The MACD for ETH/USD is losing momentum in the bullish zone. Hourly RSI – The RSI for ETH/USD is now below the 50 zone. Major Support Level – $2,295 Major Resistance Level – $2,360
Japan’s biggest loyalty program may have just become one of crypto’s most unexpected entry points. Related Reading: Bitcoin Could Hit $85K Before April Ends, Analyst Says A Rewards System Worth $23 Billion Opens Up Rakuten is sitting on more than 3 trillion loyalty points — valued at roughly $23 billion — and users can now convert those points into XRP. That single detail changes the nature of this integration. It is not just another tech company adding a crypto option. It is an existing, widely used rewards system being turned into a direct path into digital currency, no exchange account required. Reports confirmed the points-to-XRP conversion feature is part of the rollout inside the Rakuten Pay app and Rakuten Wallet. The announcement pushed XRP to $1.38, with the token’s market cap climbing above $84 billion. Trading volume came in at $2.4 billion over the past 24 hours, though that figure was down 25% from the prior period. ????IT’S OFFICIAL: XRP is LIVE for 44 million users on one of the largest wallets in Japan, Rakuten Wallet. Enabling users purchasing anything by using #XRP! pic.twitter.com/pOd9CNXpTe — JackTheRippler ©️ (@RippleXrpie) April 15, 2026 44 Million Users, 5 Million Merchant Locations The scale of Rakuten’s network is what makes this stand out. Around 44 million users will be able to hold XRP in the Rakuten Wallet, buy it with loyalty points, and fund Rakuten Cash to spend in physical stores and online. That covers more than 5 million merchant locations across Japan. Users can also spot trade XRP directly inside the app. Rakuten had already added Bitcoin, Ether, and Bitcoin Cash in earlier phases. XRP now joins that group inside one of Japan’s largest consumer platforms — one that most of its users visit for shopping, not for investing. Ripple’s senior ecosystem growth manager Tatsuya Kohrogi called this one of the most significant milestones for XRP, pointing out that Rakuten Pay is a mainstream commerce app, not a product built for crypto users. That means XRP is being placed in front of tens of millions of people who may have never bought or held digital currency before. Related Reading: ‘Extremely Good News’ – XRP DeFi Momentum Builds As SEC Softens Position On Interfaces Whether Everyday Shoppers Follow Matters Most XRP has long been associated with institutional cross-border payments. A move into retail point-of-sale spending in Japan marks a clear shift in how the token is showing up in real-world use. Based on reports, analysts see the potential as real but conditional. The bigger question is not whether Rakuten has the infrastructure — it clearly does. The question is whether ordinary shoppers choose XRP when it is time to pay, or stick to yen and existing payment methods they already trust. If even a fraction of that $23 billion in loyalty points finds its way into XRP and circulates through everyday commerce, it could push other large consumer platforms to take a closer look at similar moves. Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView
Stalled talks highlight geopolitical tensions, impacting global diplomacy and market stability, with potential shifts hinging on negotiation breakthroughs.
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“When we hit it, it will be vicious, so we have to prepare for that eventuality,” said former Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson on a potential US Treasury market crisis.
The Treasury's buyback highlights economic fragility, pressuring the Fed to maintain rates amid geopolitical tensions and low liquidity.
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The military buildup signals potential escalation, challenging diplomatic efforts and risking prolonged conflict with significant geopolitical impacts.
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OpenAI's broader access strategy may undermine Anthropic's market position, highlighting the competitive dynamics in AI cybersecurity.
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The ceasefire breach accusation may strain regional stability, impacting diplomatic efforts and market confidence in conflict resolution.
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Bitcoin price started a fresh increase and cleared the $74,650 zone. BTC is consolidating and might aim for more gains above the $75,500 level. Bitcoin managed to stay above $73,500 and started a fresh increase. The price is trading above $74,200 and the 100 hourly simple moving average. There was a break above a bearish trend line with resistance at $74,800 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair (data feed from Kraken). The pair might extend gains if it stays above the $73,650 and $73,300 levels. Bitcoin Price Eyes Upside Break Bitcoin price found support near $73,200 and started a fresh increase. BTC gained pace for a move above the $73,650 and $74,000 resistance levels. There was a break above a bearish trend line with resistance at $74,800 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair. A high was formed at $75,500, and the price is now correcting gains. There was a move below the 23.6% Fib retracement level of the upward move from the $73,310 swing low to the $75,500 high. Bitcoin is now trading above $74,200 and the 100 hourly simple moving average. If the price remains stable above $73,800, it could attempt a fresh increase. Immediate resistance is near the $75,000 level. The first key resistance is near the $75,500 level. A close above the $75,500 resistance might send the price further higher. In the stated case, the price could rise and test the $76,200 resistance. Any more gains might send the price toward the $77,400 level. The next barrier for the bulls could be $78,000. Another Drop In BTC? If Bitcoin fails to rise above the $75,000 resistance zone, it could start another decline. Immediate support is near the $74,150 level and the 61.8% Fib retracement level of the upward move from the $73,310 swing low to the $75,500 high. The first major support is near the $73,650 level. The next support is now near the $73,300 zone. Any more losses might send the price toward the $72,000 support in the near term. The main support now sits at $71,200, below which BTC might struggle to recover in the near term. Technical indicators: Hourly MACD – The MACD is now losing pace in the bullish zone. Hourly RSI (Relative Strength Index) – The RSI for BTC/USD is now below the 50 level. Major Support Levels – $73,650, followed by $73,300. Major Resistance Levels – $75,000 and $75,500.
Heightened tensions in the Strait of Hormuz could disrupt global oil supply chains, impacting energy markets and international relations.
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Reduced geopolitical tensions may stabilize oil prices, impact central bank policies, and limit gains for safe-haven assets like gold.
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G7's commitment to economic stability highlights potential global financial vulnerabilities, influencing central bank policies amid geopolitical tensions.
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Trump's diplomatic efforts could stabilize Israel-Lebanon relations, but skepticism and potential setbacks may impact regional peace prospects.
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The leadership changes at the Pentagon could signal shifts in U.S. military strategy, impacting geopolitical stability and market perceptions.
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