Core Viewpoint - Standard Chartered's head of digital assets research, Geoffrey Kendrick, has raised the XRP price target to $8 by 2026, indicating a potential increase of +330% from its current price of $1.86, reflecting the growing acceptance of cryptocurrencies in mainstream finance [1]. Group 1: XRP Price Target and Market Reaction - The new price target of $8 is linked to recent regulatory clarity and increased demand for XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the U.S., which have attracted over $1 billion [2]. - Despite the bullish forecast, the current market conditions show a bearish divergence in the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD), suggesting that the market may need to stabilize before reaching the $8 target [3]. Group 2: Background on Ripple and XRP - Ripple develops payment software for banks and remittance firms, with XRP serving as a bridge currency to facilitate efficient cross-border transactions [4]. - The SEC's lawsuit against Ripple in 2020 claimed that XRP sales were illegal securities offerings; however, a U.S. court ruled that XRP sales to retail traders did not constitute securities transactions, which has cleared the way for U.S. spot XRP ETFs [5]. Group 3: Importance of XRP ETFs - Spot XRP ETFs allow traditional investors to gain exposure to XRP in a stock-like format, with net inflows reaching approximately $1.14 billion by late December [6]. - Standard Chartered's bullish stance on XRP, alongside previous aggressive calls on other cryptocurrencies, indicates that institutional clients are increasingly inquiring about XRP [7].

Metaplanet CEO Simon Gerovich took to X to announce that the Japan-listed company acquired 4,279 Bitcoin in Q4 2025. The purchase cost roughly $451 million, at an average purchase price of approximately $105,412. At this pace, it is steadily moving toward its target of accumulating 210,000 Bitcoin by 2027. Metaplanet Increases Stash to 35,102 BTC Metaplanet successfully expanded its Bitcoin holding to 35,102 BTC by purchasing 4279 BTC for $451 million. In his X post, Simon Gerovich noted that the com ...

Stablecoins just had their biggest year on record. The total stablecoin market capitalization has grown by 49% in 2025, going from $205 billion in January to $306 billion at the end of November, according to data on crypto analytics platform DeFi Llama. The ballooning of the stablecoin category has been driven by very strong catalysts. In the past 12 months, stablecoin issuers have gained a U.S. regulatory framework, further clarity and rollout of MiCA in the European market, and the embrace of them by i ...

Another key assumption is that regulatory clouds will clear globally. The SEC's lawsuit against Ripple Labs dominated XRP's narrative for years. In August 2025, the SEC withdrew its appeal, leaving Ripple to pay a $125 million settlement with the court affirming that XRP sales on secondary markets are not securities transactions.For comparison, XRP's current circulating supply is about 57 billion coins. Even a few billion dollars of new buying would be a meaningful supply shock. If $5-10 billion flows into ...

Time now for a closer look at the winners and losers in the crypto trade. Mackenzie Seagalos joins us now with that breakdown. Hey Mac. >> Hey Leslie.So the crypto stock trade split into three camps this year. And it comes down to one question. Are you an operator or are you just holding coins.The operators won. Bitcoin miners that locked in multi-billion dollar AI deals with Microsoft and Amazon are up 200 to 300%. Iris Energy, Cipher, Hut 8.These are infrastructure plays that no longer need Bitcoin at 100 ...

Core Viewpoint - The digital currency holding company Reserve 1 plans to go public through a SPAC merger in Q1 2026, focusing on a portfolio primarily composed of Bitcoin and alternative assets [1][3]. Company Overview - Reserve 1's business model is centered around holding cryptocurrencies, with an anticipated asset allocation of approximately 80% Bitcoin and 20% alternative assets, including Ethereum, Solana, ADA, and XRP [3]. - The company will not begin its Bitcoin accumulation strategy until the merger is finalized [5]. Market Predictions - The historical four-year cycle for Bitcoin is considered "officially declared dead," with expectations of less volatility in 2026 due to increased institutional adoption and regulatory clarity [5][6][7]. - Predictions suggest a potential new all-time high for Bitcoin within the year, which would challenge the traditional market cycle [8]. Regulatory Environment - Anticipated regulatory clarity in the first half of the upcoming year is expected to support the broader cryptocurrency ecosystem and enhance institutional adoption [7][11]. - The clarity bill is seen as a crucial factor for determining regulatory oversight of various cryptocurrencies, which could significantly impact market dynamics [10][11].

Crypto may be more mainstream than ever, but that doesn’t mean Americans are sleeping well after buying in. A recent National Cryptocurrency Association study shows 55 million Americans now invest in cryptocurrency. (1) “Some use it to invest in their financial future, others for art and games, and still more are simply curious and testing the waters,” the NCA said in the report. “In addition, many are already using crypto to make everyday purchases.” But not everyone’s going in with confidence. A rece ...

Group 1 - The launch of DeepSeek's AI program is perceived as a significant threat to the US tech sector, leading to a dramatic drop in Nvidia's stock price by 17%, which wiped out nearly $600 billion in market value [1] - Despite initial fears, the Nasdaq 100 Index rebounded to a record high within a month, achieving a 21% gain in 2025, while Nvidia's stock rose by 40% during the same period [7] - The volatility in the market was influenced by the Trump administration's trade policies, which created uncertainty and led to significant market fluctuations [2][10] Group 2 - Portfolio managers reacted to market volatility by adjusting their stock holdings, with some firms increasing their allocations to US stocks and corporate bonds [11] - The S&P 500 experienced a significant recovery, surging 9.5% in a single day after Trump announced a pause on tariffs, marking its largest one-day increase since October 2008 [15] - The AI boom has continued to thrive despite concerns over valuations, with expectations that the S&P 500 will rise for a fourth consecutive year, indicating a positive outlook for the market [27][28]

Metaplanet Inc.(OTC:MTPLF) acquired 4,279 BTC for $451 million in Q4 at an average price of $105,412 per Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) as the stock sits at the critical $2.5 price point.Fourth-Largest Public Bitcoin Holder By VolumeThe Tokyo-listed company now holds 35,102 BTC acquired for $3.78 billion at an average purchase price of $107,607, making it the fourth-largest publicly traded Bitcoin holder behind Strategy Inc. (NASDAQ:MSTR) , Marathon Digital Holdings (NASDAQ:MARA) , and Riot Platforms (NASDAQ:RIOT) . ...

Core Insights - Stablecoins, particularly U.S. dollar stablecoins like Tether and USDC, are primarily designed for digital payments rather than investment opportunities, with a market size of approximately $317 billion, where Tether and USDC account for about $263 billion [1] - Commodity-backed stablecoins, such as PAX Gold and Tether Gold, provide an alternative investment avenue, as they are backed by physical gold and have performed well amidst a declining crypto market [2] Group 1: Overview of PAX Gold and Tether Gold - PAX Gold and Tether Gold are both backed by one troy ounce of gold per token, issued by Paxos Trust Company and Tether Limited respectively, with each company managing gold storage and ownership rights for token holders [3] - Token holders have the option to redeem their tokens for physical gold, although this may reduce the convenience of investing in these stablecoins [4] Group 2: Pricing and Fees - Both stablecoins aim to track the spot price of gold, with Paxos charging fees based on order size for transactions, while Tether charges a one-time fee of 0.25% for purchases or redemptions [5] - As of December 27, gold was priced at $4,534 per ounce, with PAX Gold priced at $4,560 and Tether Gold at $4,543, indicating Tether Gold is slightly closer to the spot price [6][7] Group 3: Trust and Safety - The safety of these stablecoins is influenced by their issuers and the methods used to maintain their asset peg, with arguments suggesting Paxos may be viewed as more trustworthy due to its U.S. licensing and wider availability on U.S. crypto exchanges compared to Tether Gold [8]