The post The XRP Flywheel Effect: Why Price Discovery May Become Inevitable as Corridors Flip appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

XRP is once again at the center of market discussions after new commentary from analysts highlighted how the long-term expansion of Ripple’s global payment network could eventually translate into higher public ledger activity and stronger price momentum for the token.

According to Jesse from Apex Crypto Insights, a factor investors often misunderstand is that most current payment activity on Ripple’s network does not yet use XRP directly. Instead, many banks and financial institutions rely on fiat-based settlement rails within RippleNet because they provide faster processing, lower costs than traditional systems like SWIFT, and eliminate cryptocurrency volatility risks. As a result, a large portion of institutional payment flows remains invisible to the public XRP Ledger today.

Three-stage adoption model shaping XRP’s long-term outlook

He describes Ripple’s expansion strategy as a multi-stage adoption cycle designed to gradually integrate XRP into global payment infrastructure.

Stage one (2017–2023): Institutional onboarding: During the early phase, Ripple focused on convincing banks and payment providers to adopt its technology using fiat-only settlement systems. This approach allowed institutions to benefit from faster and cheaper cross-border payments without needing to hold crypto assets. While this helped grow RippleNet’s global footprint, it meant that most transaction volume did not yet contribute to demand on the public XRP ledger, keeping direct price impact limited.

Stage two (2023–2026): On-demand liquidity expansion: The second phase, now underway, involves introducing On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) solutions that use XRP as a bridge asset between currencies. In an ODL transaction, funds are converted into XRP on one exchange, transferred across the ledger within seconds, and converted back into the destination currency. Each activation of a new payment corridor—such as U.S. dollar to peso or yen—turns previously private fiat-only volume into public XRP transaction activity.

Several corridors are already using this system at scale, including the Mexico corridor through Bitso since 2019 and expanding adoption across regions such as Asia-Pacific and parts of Latin America. Analysts note that as more corridors adopt ODL, daily XRP transaction flows could grow significantly, tightening spreads and increasing liquidity across exchanges.

Stage three: Network effects and liquidity flywheel: As more institutions shift to XRP-based settlement, liquidity is expected to deepen further, lowering transaction costs and encouraging additional corridors to adopt the technology. Over time, this “flywheel effect” could create sustained demand growth, particularly if major G20 currency corridors—such as U.S. dollar to euro or yen—move toward full ODL usage.

Why current private payment volume still matters for XRP

Although most RippleNet transactions today do not directly use XRP, analysts argue that the existing private payment volume effectively acts as potential future demand. Once institutions become comfortable with Ripple’s infrastructure and regulatory clarity improves, the economic incentive to reduce settlement costs—often estimated at 60% to 90% savings—could drive a gradual shift toward XRP-based liquidity solutions.

The expansion of automated market makers (AMMs), decentralized exchange liquidity, and institutional participation in providing XRP liquidity pools could further amplify transaction activity. In such a scenario, rising payment flows, increased trading activity, and growing speculative interest could collectively contribute to stronger price discovery over time.

The post ‘Everyone Should Watch This Signal’: XRP RSI Suggests Bottom Is In, $10 Seen Next appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

The price of XRP is currently trading near $1.46, and some analysts say an important technical signal is starting to appear that could shape the token’s next major move. According to crypto analyst CryptoBull, investors should pay close attention to the Relative Strength Index (RSI) on the weekly and monthly charts, which is now showing unusually low readings.

What makes this signal interesting is that the RSI has fallen even lower than the levels seen during the 2020 market bottom, when XRP traded near $0.11. In simple terms, the RSI measures how strong or weak buying momentum is. When the indicator drops to extreme lows, it often means that selling pressure may be reaching exhaustion, creating conditions where prices can eventually recover.

EVERYONE take a close look so you understand why #XRP has bottomed and the next target prices are very high: the RSI on the weekly and monthly timeframe is BELOW the 2020 bottom of $0.11. The upside for the RSI is huge and it will put price well above $10 very soon. pic.twitter.com/hsqbN4KZb0

— CryptoBull (@CryptoBull2020) February 17, 2026

Because of this rare setup, the analyst argues that XRP may already be forming a long-term bottom, and if momentum begins to recover, the next phase of the market cycle could push prices significantly higher. Some projections shared by the analyst show that, over time, XRP could aim for double-digit price levels, with $10 being discussed as a possible long-term milestone if broader crypto market conditions turn bullish.

Short-term movement still cautious

In the near term, XRP is moving in a relatively narrow range between $1.46 and $1.50, showing signs of stability after recent volatility. The next important resistance level sits near $1.54, where a breakout could signal stronger buying interest. At the same time, support levels around $1.41 and $1.37 remain key zones traders are watching in case of temporary pullbacks.

XRP may also be entering the early stages of a new growth cycle. These long-term patterns often take years to develop, but once momentum returns, they can lead to powerful price movements driven by renewed investor interest and expanding market participation.

While short-term price swings are likely to continue, the combination of historically low RSI readings, steady price consolidation, and improving market sentiment is drawing attention from traders who believe XRP could be preparing for a much larger move in the next phase of the crypto market cycle.

The post Bitcoin Price Prediction: What Happens if BTC Loses $66K Support? appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

The price of Bitcoin is currently moving in a consolidation phase, near short-term technical levels that could determine the next major direction. While the broader long-term trend has already been discussed extensively by analysts, recent short-timeframe chart activity shows the market is still forming a corrective structure rather than a full bullish breakout.

Support zone remains the key battleground

Bitcoin continues to hold an important short-term support area between $66,200 and $67,800, a range that many traders consider critical for maintaining the current recovery attempt. As long as this zone remains intact, the market can continue building an upward corrective structure, often described by technical analysts as an ABC formation, which is typically part of a broader “B-wave rally.”

A B-wave rally usually represents a temporary recovery within a larger corrective cycle. Because these moves are often irregular and unpredictable, analysts warn that expectations should remain flexible. Price action during such phases tends to be slower and less aggressive compared with the strong momentum seen in clear bull runs.

Resistance levels to watch next

For bullish momentum to strengthen, Bitcoin must first break above the $68,380 resistance level, which currently acts as the first structural signal that buyers are regaining control. A confirmed breakout above this level could shift market focus toward the next resistance zones around $69,250 and $70,800. Clearing these areas would open the door for a stronger upward continuation and increase the probability of higher price targets in the near term.

However, until these resistance levels are decisively breached, the market remains in a waiting phase, with price movements appearing relatively muted and lacking strong directional momentum.

Downside risk still present

If Bitcoin fails to hold the current support zone, analysts warn that the next larger support could lie near the $55,000 to $56,000 range. A breakdown below the upper support area around $66,257 would weaken the short-term bullish scenario and signal the possibility of another corrective leg downward before any sustained rally begins.

The post Retail Money Rotates to New Altcoins — Caleb & Brown Names Canton, Hyperliquid as Top Buys appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Retail crypto investors are increasingly moving beyond the largest cryptocurrencies and building long-term positions in select altcoins, according to insights shared by a senior executive at Caleb & Brown, a global crypto brokerage that works closely with high-net-worth and retail clients.

Speaking about recent client activity, the executive Jake Boyle revealed that investor interest has remained strong even during market pullbacks in early 2026, with many traders using volatility as an opportunity to accumulate assets they believe have long-term growth potential.

Newer projects attracting strong retail demand

Among the standout altcoins gaining traction is Canton Network, which has become one of the most popular projects across the firm’s client base. The executive explained that newer tokens often benefit from investor optimism because they have not yet gone through severe multi-year bear markets that can damage sentiment.

According to the brokerage, investors often find it psychologically easier to support newer assets that still appear to have “fresh upside potential,” rather than buying older altcoins that may still be trading far below their previous cycle highs. This sentiment-driven behavior has helped newer blockchain projects attract steady inflows from retail buyers looking for long-term opportunities.

Hyperliquid also sees growing investor attention

Another project drawing interest is Hyperliquid. Clients have been particularly focused on its trading behavior, as the token has occasionally shown price movements that differ from Bitcoin’s trend. In some recent market sessions, the asset recorded gains even while Bitcoin declined, prompting traders to view it as a potential diversification play within crypto portfolios.

Such performance patterns have encouraged investors to monitor altcoins that do not always move in perfect correlation with the broader market, especially during periods of volatility.

• Also Read :
•   Altcoins Face Worst Sell Pressure in Crypto History With $209B in Outflows
•   ,

Educated investors buying during market fear

Despite the recent correction across digital assets, the brokerage reports continued “buy-side pressure” from clients. The executive attributed this to increasing investor education and greater awareness of historical crypto market cycles. Many clients now follow a strategy of accumulating assets during periods of market fear and reducing exposure during times of extreme optimism.

Because the firm maintains direct advisory relationships with clients, investors are often guided through historical market patterns, helping them remain confident during downturns rather than exiting positions prematurely.

Tokenization trend expected to reshape investing

Looking ahead, the executive believes that tokenized financial assets, including tokenized stocks and commodities, could further reshape investor behavior by reducing the divide between traditional finance and crypto markets. As tokenized assets become easier to trade alongside cryptocurrencies, capital may begin flowing more freely between asset classes, potentially increasing overall participation in digital asset markets.

FAQs

The post Wall Street Moves Into XRP: Franklin Templeton ETF Crosses $200M in Assets appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

The first quarterly report for the Franklin Templeton XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF), trading under the ticker XRPZ, has offered an early look at how quickly institutional investors are entering the XRP market. The filing shows that the fund, launched in late November 2025, already controls a massive pool of XRP worth hundreds of millions of dollars, signaling a growing shift from retail-driven trading to institutional participation.

The ETF officially began operations on November 24, 2025, and is listed on NYSE Arca, giving traditional investors a simple way to gain exposure to XRP without directly buying or storing the digital asset. By the end of December 2025, the fund held more than 118.3 million XRP, valued at approximately $216 million, according to the quarterly filing.

Rapid asset build-up after launch

The numbers show that the fund scaled quickly within weeks of launching. Initial seed investments and large creation unit purchases helped expand holdings rapidly, bringing total net assets to over $216 million by year-end. 

The ETF had 10.9 million shares outstanding at the end of the reporting period, reflecting strong early participation from authorized institutional investors who create ETF shares by contributing XRP or cash.

Although the fund recorded an unrealized loss of about $28.6 million during the quarter, this was mainly due to short-term price movements in XRP rather than operational issues. Since the ETF is designed to passively track the price of XRP, its value naturally rises or falls with the underlying asset.

Designed to simplify XRP investing

The ETF operates as a passive investment vehicle that seeks to mirror XRP’s price performance before expenses. Instead of requiring investors to manage private keys, wallets, or exchange accounts, the ETF provides exposure through the traditional stock market. Custody of the XRP holdings is handled by institutional digital asset custodians, while the fund’s daily net asset value is calculated using recognized benchmark pricing.

This structure is aimed at attracting institutional funds, retirement accounts, and investors who prefer regulated securities markets over direct cryptocurrency trading platforms.

Institutional adoption narrative strengthens

The accumulation of over 118 million XRP within just weeks of launch suggests that institutional demand for XRP-linked investment products is beginning to expand. As more asset managers introduce regulated crypto investment vehicles, ETFs like XRPZ could play a major role in bringing larger pools of capital into the XRP ecosystem.

With traditional finance firms now offering regulated access to digital assets, the early growth of Franklin Templeton’s XRP ETF signals that the institutional era for XRP investing may already be underway.

The post 310 Sell Alerts in 6 Hours: Single Wallet Floods XRP Order Book With 310M Tokens appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Heavy order-book activity has been recorded on the XRP Ledger (XRPL) after automated monitoring systems detected 310 sell-side whale alerts within six hours, most of them linked to a single wallet associated with Bitstamp. The activity comes at a time when XRP price action remains weak and locked inside an important consolidation range.

One Wallet Generated Hundreds of Rapid Sell Orders

According to an XRPL validator tracking whale movements, a single wallet repeatedly placed sell orders of roughly 1 million XRP, canceled them, and then replaced them every 15 to 30 seconds. In total, nearly 310 million XRP moved through the order book from that address during the monitoring period.

Analytics systems flagged the activity automatically based on large order-book movements tied to specific wallet addresses. Some flagged wallets were exchange-linked institutional participants, while others had no exchange association or identifiable reputation, suggesting mixed participation across the order flow.

Such repeated placement-and-cancellation activity does not always represent actual selling volume. In many cases, it mainly changes the visual depth of the order book and can influence trader sentiment rather than immediately pushing prices lower.

XRP Price Structure Remains Weak Despite Activity

XRP price action continues to trade within a sensitive technical region where the market has not yet confirmed a clear local bottom. The asset is holding above a major support area near $1.21, but upside momentum has remained limited.

Attempts to move above the $1.56 resistance zone, which aligns with a key Fibonacci retracement level, were rejected, showing that buyers have not yet regained control. In the short term, XRP has been moving sideways between micro-support around $1.40–$1.45 and micro-resistance between $1.49–$1.55, signaling consolidation rather than a confirmed reversal.

Stronger upside confirmation would require a decisive move above $1.55, followed by a break above $1.67, which would indicate improving momentum. Lower support remains in the $1.19–$1.36 region, an area that previously attracted buying interest. 

The post Top Analyst Reveals What Comes Next for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

A leading market analyst says the crypto market may be heading into a short-term rebound, but investors should still prepare for a potentially volatile period ahead. According to the latest technical outlook by Gareth Soloway, cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP could see a temporary recovery rally before the market decides its longer-term direction.

Bitcoin May See a Short-Term Relief Rally

The analyst explained that Bitcoin recently formed a classic bearish structure after falling sharply from its previous highs, followed by a consolidation phase and another drop. However, recent price action is now showing signs of a bullish consolidation pattern, which typically appears when buyers begin accumulating during periods of fear.

Because of this setup, Bitcoin could attempt a near-term rebound toward the $80,000–$85,000 zone, where strong resistance is expected. If the market manages to break above that area, the next upside levels could extend toward the $90,000–$95,000 range, though such a move would require stronger market momentum.

The analyst said that Bitcoin continues to move closely with the technology stock sector, which is currently undergoing a deleveraging phase. 

Ethereum Likely to Follow the Market Direction

Ethereum and most large-cap altcoins typically follow Bitcoin’s trend cycles. This means Ethereum could also participate in a short-term recovery rally if Bitcoin stabilizes, but its long-term performance will depend largely on whether the broader market establishes a clear bottom.

In the short term, however, Ethereum is also forming a bullish consolidation zone, suggesting the possibility of a relief rally. The analyst sees potential for a move back toward the $2,600 area, which represents the lower boundary of the previous consolidation region.

Historically, crypto markets have experienced large drawdowns during cycle transitions, often followed by extended consolidation before the next major rally begins. 

XRP Faces a Key Resistance Test

For XRP, the technical picture remains more uncertain. The asset recently broke below an important support level and then attempted a bounce, only to face rejection near a critical resistance zone around $1.78. According to the analyst, XRP bulls must push the price back above this resistance area to regain upside momentum.

If XRP successfully moves above this level, it could attempt to break the current downward trend line and stabilize. However, failure to reclaim resistance may keep the asset trading under pressure along with the broader altcoin market.

The post ‘On the Cusp of Law’: CLARITY Act Nears Final Approval, CFTC Chair Says appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

The U.S. crypto industry could soon see one of its most important regulatory bills become law. According to Michael Selig, Chair of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act is now “on the cusp” of final approval.

Speaking about the legislation, Selig said regulators are working to “future-proof our statutory framework for crypto”, adding that officials want to ensure long-term regulatory stability that cannot easily be reversed by future administrations.

Bill Moving Through Final Steps

The Clarity Act has already cleared several major hurdles:

• The U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill in July 2025 with a 294–134 vote.
  
• A related Senate bill advanced through the Senate Agriculture Committee in January 2026.
  
• Negotiations in the Senate are ongoing, with expectations that the legislation could reach the President within the coming months.
  

Selig said the administration wants to move quickly, stating, “We’re going to get this thing across the line,” signaling confidence that the measure could soon become law.

Why the Market Is Watching Closely

Industry participants have long argued that the absence of clear rules has slowed institutional adoption in the United States. Clear legislation could provide consistent regulatory guidance for exchanges, token issuers, and digital-asset businesses, potentially unlocking broader participation from financial institutions.

BREAKING: CFTC chair says that we are on the cusp of enacting "Crypto Market Structure Bill" into law.

If this happens, the manipulation in the crypto market could drop 70%-90%. pic.twitter.com/uBjbhZv7py

— Bull Theory (@BullTheoryio) February 17, 2026

Many analysts say  crypto markets have been trading at what some call a “regulatory discount,” meaning uncertainty around future rules has weighed on investment flows. If the Clarity Act becomes law, market observers expect the regulatory outlook for digital assets in the U.S. to become significantly clearer, marking a major shift for the sector.

With negotiations now in their final phase, the coming months could determine whether the United States moves toward one of the most comprehensive crypto regulatory frameworks yet.

The post Attorneys Clash Over Whether Ripple’s Actions Truly Affect XRP Price Movements appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

An exchange on social media between attorney and XRP supporter Bill Morgan and former SEC attorney Marc Fagel has once again brought the spotlight back to a long-running question in the crypto industry: Did regulators unintentionally shape the winners and losers of the crypto market?

The debate began when Fagel criticized crypto industry narratives, prompting Morgan to respond with a strong argument that regulatory decisions, especially who regulators chose to investigate and who they did not, may have helped create a market where a small number of cryptocurrencies dominate most of the total market value.

The Argument Over Selective Enforcement

Morgan argued that some early crypto projects were never targeted by regulators even though they had token launches or strong market promotion. According to him, this uneven enforcement allowed certain cryptocurrencies to grow without major legal pressure, giving them a long-term advantage in adoption and market share.

Which would again mean the SEC case against Ripple—which, again, broke the law—had nothing to do with distorting the XRP market.

— Marc Fagel (@Marc_Fagel) February 16, 2026

Fagel pushed back, explaining that regulators cannot bring securities cases without identifying a clear issuer responsible for the asset. In the case of Bitcoin, he said, there was no central issuer to pursue, which made enforcement difficult. Even if enforcement actions could have been taken in some cases, he argued, that would not change whether other companies broke securities laws.

XRP’s Legal Battle Back in Focus

The discussion quickly shifted toward the long-running legal fight involving Ripple and XRP. Morgan emphasized that even though the XRP Ledger operates as a decentralized network, a lawsuit against Ripple inevitably affected XRP’s market position because Ripple was building many of the early real-world use cases connected to the asset.

Fagel responded that Ripple itself had successfully argued in court that many XRP buyers were not relying on the company’s actions when purchasing the token. If investors were not depending on Ripple, he suggested, then the regulatory case should not be blamed for XRP’s market performance.

Morgan disagreed, saying that XRP often moves with the broader crypto market, especially Bitcoin’s price action, but that the legal case still influenced investor perception and market share when compared with competing cryptocurrencies that did not face similar regulatory challenges.

A Debate That Still Shapes the Crypto Industry

The Morgan and Fagel exchange shows a bigger issue that continues to divide the crypto world: whether the timing and focus of regulatory enforcement played a role in determining which cryptocurrencies gained dominance.

As new crypto regulations take shape globally, discussions like this show that the industry is still wrestling with an important question, not just how digital assets should be regulated, but whether earlier regulatory decisions already changed the competitive landscape of the market.

The post Is XRP the Modern Answer to SDR Limitations? Crypto Market Starts Talkin appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Apex Crypto executive Jesse has shared a fresh view about the long-term purpose of XRP. According to him, the digital asset may have been part of a much longer financial transition tied to global liquidity systems, a theory that is already fueling strong reactions across the industry.

Jesse stated, “XRP has been planned for many, many years,” arguing that earlier global reserve experiments struggled because they were not widely accessible across the financial system. His comments centered on the historical evolution of global reserve structures and why earlier models failed to achieve universal adoption.

The Historical Context Behind the Claim

Following World War II, global policymakers debated whether to adopt the U.S. dollar as the main reserve currency or create a neutral international settlement unit. The dollar ultimately became the global reserve standard, but economists warned that relying on a sovereign currency to supply global liquidity could create long-term structural challenges.

In 1968, the International Monetary Fund introduced Special Drawing Rights, known as SDRs, to support global liquidity and trade. However, SDR adoption remained limited. Jesse explained, “They only gave it to central banks. They did not give it to commercial banks, fintechs, corporations, and individuals,” arguing that this restricted access prevented the system from reaching the global liquidity scale policymakers expected.

Why XRP Is Being Pulled Into the Discussion

Jesse says modern blockchain settlement networks could address those earlier adoption barriers. He pointed out that digital asset payment rails allow multiple participants across the financial system to interact simultaneously, potentially improving global settlement efficiency. According to him, “This is why the SDR never got the global adoption they were hoping for,” suggesting that broader accessibility could be a defining advantage of blockchain-based liquidity systems.

The argument is controversial because it touches on the possibility that blockchain settlement layers could eventually complement or reshape existing cross-border payment infrastructure. Supporters of the idea highlight the growing experimentation by financial institutions with faster settlement systems, while critics caution that global monetary structures evolve slowly and require deep regulatory coordination.

For now, XRP remains primarily associated with cross-border settlement experimentation, yet the resurfacing of long-term global liquidity narratives shows that the debate around its potential role is far from settled.

The post XRP Price Target Cut Sharply From $8 to $2.80 by Standard Chartered appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

A sharp shift in outlook from one of the world’s largest global banks has created doubts for the near-term trajectory of XRP. Analysts at Standard Chartered have reduced their 2026 year-end price target for XRP to $2.80, cutting the previous $8 forecast by roughly 65% after the recent crypto market downturn and persistent institutional outflows.

“We expect further declines near-term and we lower our forecasts across the asset class,” Geoffrey Kendrick, the bank’s global head of digital assets research said as reported by DL News.

Market Headwinds Prompt Major Forecast Reset

According to Kendrick, recent market conditions forced analysts to reassess expectations across the crypto sector. Continued selling pressure in spot Bitcoin ETFs and reduced institutional exposure have contributed to a cooling environment, dragging down major cryptocurrencies including XRP.

While XRP had started the year strongly with early gains supported by regulatory developments and ETF-related interest, the market reversal in February erased much of that momentum. The token remains lower than recent highs.

Standard Chartered also lowered price expectations for other major cryptocurrencies, trimming forecasts for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana as part of a wider reassessment tied to macroeconomic risks and declining capital inflows.

XRP’s Long-Term Narrative Still Intact

Despite the reduced target, the bank’s analysts did not abandon their long-term constructive view on XRP’s role in the evolving digital asset ecosystem. The note shared to investors said that XRP could still benefit from the expansion of stablecoins, tokenized real-world assets, and blockchain-based settlement infrastructure, sectors expected to grow steadily over the next several years.

These developments, analysts say, could allow XRP to maintain growth in line with other major blockchain settlement assets, particularly as financial institutions experiment with blockchain-powered payment systems and cross-border liquidity solutions.