Key Points Ripple will continue to match XRP to potential users and launch new pilot programs in 2026. The chain's base of tokenized capital will also expand tremendously. But don't hold your breath for more digital-asset treasury activity. 10 stocks we like better than XRP › XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) might be down by 22% in the last 12 months, but there's plenty of reason to be hopeful for its performance in 2026. I predict three things in particular for this coin next year. Investors probably shouldn't ...

Core Insights - The choice between investing in XRP and Cardano reflects a decision between a network focused on global financial transactions and one that is still exploring its potential use cases [1][2]. Group 1: XRP Overview - XRP aims to serve as a fast and cost-effective settlement asset for international payments and the management of tokenized financial instruments [4]. - Ripple has integrated regulatory compliance into the XRP Ledger (XRPL), enabling it to support tokenized real-world assets and regulated stablecoins [4]. - Currently, over $300 million in stablecoin value exists on the XRPL, with Ripple USD being a key component backed by cash and equivalents [5]. - Financial institutions, such as Franklin Templeton, are actively testing tokenized money market funds on the XRPL, indicating practical use of the network [5]. - The launch of U.S. spot XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in 2025 has attracted nearly $1 billion in net inflows, marking a significant development for XRP [6]. - Institutional interest in XRP is growing, suggesting a defined niche that could lead to increased demand and price appreciation over time [7]. Group 2: Cardano Overview - Cardano currently lacks specific target users, positioning it as more of an ambitious research project rather than a fully operational financial network [8].

Core Insights - Chainlink's native token (LINK) is experiencing volatility, trading just above $18, with a significant trading volume increase of 2.27 million tokens, which is 91% above the daily average [1][7] - A new partnership with Balcony aims to tokenize over $240 billion worth of government-sourced property data, enhancing the programmability and transparency of real estate assets [2][3] - Virtune has integrated Chainlink's Proof of Reserve service into its $450 million digital asset ETPs, ensuring asset verification without disclosing individual wallet addresses [4] Market Analysis - The primary support level for LINK is at $18.21, with secondary support near $18.30, while resistance is observed at $18.82 and near the psychological level of $19.00 [7] - The breakout volume indicates strong institutional participation and momentum, validating the bullish outlook for LINK [7] - The price structure shows an ascending pattern from lows of $18.04, confirming an uptrend with immediate upside targets at $19.00 and downside risk contained to the $18.40 support zone [7]

Core Insights - The European Blockchain Conference (EBC) highlighted the significant interest of traditional finance and major industry players in the adoption of digital assets, indicating a positive outlook for financial institutions in the coming years [1] Group 1: Digital Asset Adoption - Digital assets, including cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, and tokenized real-world assets, are increasingly attracting the attention of major financial institutions globally [2] - Standard Chartered has been actively expanding its involvement in the digital asset sector over the past five years [2][3] Group 2: Institutional Developments - In 2021, Standard Chartered partnered with Northern Trust to establish Zodia Custody, a crypto custody solution aimed at institutional clients, which is currently pursuing its MiCA application for regulatory compliance in Europe [3] - There is a strong institutional appetite for digital assets in Europe, as noted by Zodia Custody's European Managing Director [3] Group 3: Investment Strategies - Traditional financial institutions are exploring two main strategies for engaging with digital assets: tokenizing real-world assets and providing access to digital assets through existing distribution channels [4][5] - The ability of digital assets to settle instantly offers significant advantages over traditional settlement processes, which can take up to two days [4][5] Group 4: Market Accessibility - Many potential investors in cryptocurrencies may lack the necessary expertise or understanding of investment vehicles like ETFs or ETPs, indicating a need for simplified access to these assets [6] - Financial institutions are expected to increasingly seek crypto custody solutions by 2025, with Zodia Custody positioned to meet this demand [7]

Core Insights - In 2025, the crypto market transitioned into a data-defined era, with significant shifts in trading volumes and the emergence of new metrics to gauge market direction [1][2] Group 1: Market Trends - Centralized exchange (CEX) spot volumes decreased by 27.7%, while decentralized exchange (DEX) activity increased by 25.3% [1] - The number of crypto millionaires worldwide surpassed 240,000, indicating a growing wealth concentration in the crypto space [1] Group 2: Stablecoins - The total supply of stablecoins grew from approximately $200 billion to $305 billion in 2025, highlighting a shift towards deeper on-chain utility [3] - A Dune–Artemis report noted that total stablecoin supply rose 63% to $225 billion by February, processing $35 trillion in transfers [4] - USDC supply doubled to $56 billion, while USDT maintained $146 billion, and Ethena's USDe increased to $6.2 billion, reflecting a preference for yield-backed tokens [4][6] - Analysts recommend monitoring stablecoin velocity as a key metric for 2026, distinguishing between active usage and hoarding behavior [6] Group 3: Tokenized Real-World Assets (RWAs) - Tokenized RWAs saw a 224% increase year-to-date, driven by demand for US Treasuries and bonds [7] - BlackRock's BUIDL reached $2.2 billion, and private credit rose by 61% to $15.9 billion, indicating strong institutional interest in tokenized assets [7]