Core Viewpoint - XRP is currently priced at $2, with predictions suggesting it could reach $4 in 2026, despite historical trading limitations [1][8]. Price Predictions - Consensus estimates for XRP in 2026 have significantly decreased, with the current target set at $2.20, down from previous targets exceeding $10 [2]. - Analysts expect XRP to trade sideways for most of the year, with potential short-lived rallies similar to the 2025 performance where it peaked at $3.65 before falling back to $2 [3]. Factors for Price Increase - A major paradigm shift is necessary for XRP to double in value this year, which may not be achieved solely through the launch of new spot XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs) [4]. - For XRP to gain traction, there needs to be rapid adoption of its blockchain ledger within the financial services sector, transitioning it from a niche payment technology to a fundamental tool for large financial institutions [5]. Current Use and Future Plans - Currently, XRP serves primarily as a bridge currency for cross-border payments, but Ripple has invested nearly $2.5 billion in blockchain-related acquisitions to expand its use cases [6][8]. - If Ripple's expansion plans succeed, XRP could be perceived as a high-upside fintech investment, potentially leading to a new all-time high above $4 [7].

Every year, workers around the globe send approximately $900 billion to their families back home and, when it comes to helping them send that money, the market is suddenly up for grabs. The reason is the recent momentum behind stablecoins, which offer an easy way to move money across borders—and for a far cheaper price than legacy transfer systems, whose fees can reach as high as 6%. Stablecoins, which are backed by reserves designed to peg their value to a fiat currency like the dollar, were long used b ...

Venture capitalists are kicking off 2026 with a bang. They doled out $588 million to crypto startups in the first two weeks of January, according to DefiLlama data. Top investors this month include Arthur Hayes’ Maelstrom Fund, Revolut’s Vlad Yatsenko, Citadel Securities, and a slew of VCs, including Lightspeed, Paradigm, and YZi Labs. Their targets? Payments, trading, and centralised exchanges across a variety of venture investment rounds, underscoring robust investor appetite for institutional-grade ...

Core Viewpoint - The ongoing debate over the CLARITY Act highlights the struggle over control of stablecoin rewards, which has significant implications for the crypto industry and its users [1][4]. Group 1: CLARITY Act Overview - The CLARITY Act aims to establish regulatory authority over cryptocurrencies in the US, serving as a framework for governance [3]. - The central contention revolves around the rewards associated with stablecoins, which are digital tokens pegged to the value of one dollar [4]. Group 2: Impact on Users and Companies - Changes in regulations could affect the small returns users earn from holding stablecoins, potentially leading to a shift of these rewards to platforms outside the US [2][6]. - Companies like Coinbase reported significant income from stablecoin rewards, with an estimated $1.3 billion in 2025, influencing their stance on regulatory support [5]. Group 3: Perspectives from Banks and Exchanges - Banks argue that stablecoin rewards divert funds from traditional accounts, prompting regulatory scrutiny and adjustments to the proposed legislation [6]. - Exchanges contend that rewards are crucial for retaining user funds in crypto applications, as opposed to traditional banking options [5][6]. Group 4: Concerns for App Developers - Many crypto applications operate on open-source software, raising concerns about the implications of regulatory changes on their functionality and user access [7].

Key Takeaways Crypto wants its way—even if it means near-term pain. Fresh disagreements over how crypto should be regulated have undercut early 2026 "we are so back" vibes. While there was a rally in market prices earlier this week, that more recently has stumbled as the Clarity Act, legislation that seeks to create a regulatory framework for the industry, stalled in Washington. The almost 300-page bill was a months-long work-in-progress set for a Senate Banking Committee markup hearing this week. That, how ...

French regulators announced this week that roughly 30% of crypto companies have not yet applied for a MiCA license. The news comes as a key regulatory deadline approaches, one that will decide whether these firms can legally continue operating. Though the European Union became the first jurisdiction to create a legal framework for crypto-assets, MiCA has faced pushback over its steep capital requirements and operational costs. France Faces Licensing Deadline Under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-A ...

At the same time, producer prices and retail sales are pointing to steady but not overheating demand, which, combined with cooling inflation, supports equities and crypto while strengthening the narrative that the U.S. is in a slow‑growth, disinflationary but not outright recessionary environment.Core U.S. inflation for December came in slightly softer than expected, with core CPI around 2.6% year‑on‑year versus forecasts closer to 2.7–2.8%, easing fears of a renewed price spike and giving markets more conf ...

Brian Moynihan made a grim warning about stablecoins. During a Jan. 15 earnings call, the Bank of America CEO told analysts that as much as $6 trillion in deposits could migrate from the United States banking system into stablecoins, roughly 30% to 35% of total U.S. commercial bank deposits. Moynihan attributed the projection to U.S. Treasury Department studies. It comes at a time when tensions between lawmakers, regulators, and financial institutions over how interest-bearing stablecoins could reshape ...

Market Overview - The cryptocurrency market experienced fluctuations with trading volumes decreasing, leading to a decline in Bitcoin and Ethereum prices despite earlier positive momentum [1][2] - Bitcoin's price reached $94,600 on Wednesday, currently trading around $95,300, reflecting a 4.6% increase over the past week, while Ethereum rose 5.9% to $3,250 during the same period [1] Trading Volume and Market Sentiment - Trading volumes for Bitcoin and Ethereum fell by 27% and 32% respectively, amounting to $65 billion and $54 billion [2] - The decline in trading volumes extended to other cryptocurrencies such as Solana, XRP, and Dogecoin [2] Legislative Developments - Coinbase withdrew support for a crypto market structure bill after lobbying efforts, amid tensions regarding the SEC's treatment of crypto firms [2] - Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong expressed optimism about the bipartisan support for the bill despite procedural delays in the Senate [3] - Research analyst Carlos Guzman noted that optimism for the bill's passage was high, particularly with the release of a new version of the CLARITY Act [4] Broader Economic Context - Fed Chair Jerome Powell warned about potential undermining of the central bank's independence, coinciding with a decline in stocks while crypto and precious metals advanced [5] - Spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds saw consistent inflows, totaling $1.8 billion over four days [5]

Coinbase（COIN）表示，一项关键的数字资产市场结构法案投票在最后一刻取消后可以重新安排，与 此同时资产代币化公司对该法案阻碍股权代币化的说法提出异议。 责任编辑：张俊 SF065 Coinbase（COIN）表示，一项关键的数字资产市场结构法案投票在最后一刻取消后可以重新安排，与 此同时资产代币化公司对该法案阻碍股权代币化的说法提出异议。 责任编辑：张俊 SF065 ...