The post Ripple’s Hidden Power Play: Could XRP Be the Backbone of Instant Global Payments? appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Ripple has always said it wants to fix one of banking’s biggest problems: slow and expensive international payments. Now, a growing group of analysts believe the company may be closer to the center of global financial reform than most people realize.

A recent breakdown by Apex Crypto Insights argues that Ripple’s technology lines up almost perfectly with plans being discussed by major global institutions. The idea is simple but bold. If the world is rebuilding how money moves across borders, XRP could play a key role in that new system.

Here is what we know, and what is still just theory.

A Global Push for Faster Payments

In 2020, the G20 set a target to improve cross-border payments by 2027. The goal is clear: make transactions faster, cheaper, more transparent, and easier to access. Organizations such as the Committee on Payments and Market Infrastructures and the Financial Stability Board were assigned to help deliver on that promise, with backing from the Bank for International Settlements, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank.

These institutions represent a major share of global GDP and trade. When they commit to reform, it often leads to real structural change.

Ripple’s Technology and the XRP Bridge

Ripple’s business model focuses on solving the exact problems policymakers are discussing. Its payment network allows financial institutions to settle cross-border transactions in seconds rather than days.

XRP, the digital asset connected to Ripple’s system, is designed to act as a bridge between currencies. Instead of relying on multiple correspondent banks, a payment can be converted into XRP, transferred quickly, and exchanged into the receiving currency almost instantly. This approach reduces delays and can lower transaction costs.

The overlap between Ripple’s solutions and the global reform agenda has fueled speculation that XRP could eventually play a larger role.

Project Nexus and the Hub Model

One important initiative is Project Nexus from the BIS Innovation Hub. The project aims to connect national instant payment systems so countries can send money directly between domestic networks.

Countries such as India, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines have been mentioned in discussions. The structure is often described as a central hub that links different systems together.

Supporters of XRP argue this resembles the function of the XRP Ledger. However, there is no official confirmation that Nexus uses XRP. The connection remains based on similarities in design rather than public evidence.

Speculation vs. Reality

There is also growing discussion about creating a “unified ledger” where payment messaging and settlement happen on the same platform, instead of being separated as they are today.

Ripple’s leadership has repeatedly said blockchain technology can modernize or even replace parts of the current correspondent banking system. Still, the claim that XRP will become the backbone of global finance remains speculative.

What is clear is that cross-border payments are changing. Whether Ripple becomes central to that transformation is a question that only time will answer.

The post XRP Whale Alert: 31M XRP Flows Into Binance, Is a Sell-Off Coming appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

More than 31 million XRP were transferred to Binance in a single day, according to data from CryptoQuant. The scale and composition of the inflow have raised concerns about potential short-term selling pressure.

Binance remains the preferred venue for large transactions due to its deep liquidity, making it a common destination when holders reposition assets. This week’s inflow was driven predominantly by whale-sized wallets.

The distribution of transfers was as follows:

• <1,000 XRP: 6,543
  
• 1,000–10,000 XRP: 73,630
  
• 10,000–100,000 XRP: 2,938,809
  
• 100,000–1 million XRP: 14,236,825
  
• Over 1 million XRP: 14,494,865
  

The two largest cohorts accounted for nearly the entire 31 million XRP transferred. In total, the inflow represents approximately $45 million in potential sell-side liquidity, a development that warrants close monitoring.

If sustained, this level of exchange inflow could weigh on price performance in the near term.

Price Under Pressure

XRP is currently trading around $1.38, down roughly 0.78 percent in the past 24 hours. While that drop may seem small, the broader picture looks more concerning. On-chain data shows a massive $1.93 billion in realized losses over the past week, marking the largest wave of capitulation since 2022. 

At the same time, the wider crypto market has been under pressure. Latest uncertainty around upcoming U.S. tariffs and rising geopolitical tensions have pushed investors into risk-off mode. Bitcoin itself dropped more sharply, and XRP followed the market trend.

Investor Frustration Adds Fuel

Adding to the tension, longtime crypto investor Crypto Bitlord publicly criticized Ripple, claiming that XRP holders have “never benefited” while the company allegedly sold billions worth of tokens to fund acquisitions. His comments came in response to an older post by Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse highlighting the company’s acquisition of Hidden Road, now rebranded as Ripple Prime.

While those claims show frustration among some investors, they remain controversial and do not represent an official market conclusion.

Technical Picture: Levels to Watch

From a technical standpoint, XRP recently retested support around the February 11 low near $1.35, where buyers stepped in again. However, the bounce has been weak so far.

For bulls to regain control, XRP needs to break above the first major resistance near $1.46 to $1.47. A stronger push above $1.51 would improve short-term sentiment further.

On the downside, if XRP fails to hold the $1.30 support zone, the next major level sits near $1.20. A breakdown below that area could accelerate selling pressure, especially with tariff implementation expected on February 24.

Crash or Consolidation?

Right now, the market is oversold but fragile. Whale inflows to Binance suggest positioning, but they do not automatically confirm a crash. Much depends on whether support holds and whether buyers step in with strength.

For now, XRP stands at a critical crossroads. The next move could set the tone for weeks ahead.

The post Crypto Bloodbath Today: Why Altcoins, Bitcoin Collapsed and What Comes Next appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Analyst Benjamin Cowen has a blunt explanation for the brutal altcoin crash shaking the market: this was never an altcoin cycle to begin with.

As red candles flash across trading screens and social media fills with panic, one question keeps coming up. Why did altseason never arrive? And more importantly, is this the end for crypto or just another painful phase?

According to Cowen, the answer lies in something most retail traders ignored this cycle: liquidity.

A Cycle Dominated by Bitcoin, Not Altcoins

For months, Bitcoin led the market while altcoins quietly bled out. Normally, crypto bull markets follow a pattern. Bitcoin rallies first. Then profits rotate into higher-risk altcoins. Euphoria builds. Social media explodes. Smaller tokens outperform.

But this time, something was different.

Cowen argues that this cycle topped on apathy, not euphoria. There was no explosive speculative mania in altcoins. No broad participation. No sustained rotation out of Bitcoin.

Instead, capital flowed the opposite way.

• Altcoins bled into Bitcoin.
• Then Bitcoin began bleeding into stocks.
• Then stocks started losing ground to gold.

That progression tells a much bigger story about the global economy.

The Liquidity Problem Nobody Wanted to Hear About

At the center of this “crypto bloodbath” is liquidity.

Liquidity is basically how easy money is to access in the financial system. When central banks keep policy loose and money flows freely, risk assets thrive. When liquidity tightens, markets become fragile.

Cowen points to a liquidity risk model built using:

• Policy interest rates
  
• The Fed funds rate versus the 2-year yield
  
• Dollar strength
  
• Central bank balance sheets
  
• Funding stress indicators
  

The conclusion is simple but uncomfortable: Liquidity has been tight.

And in tight liquidity environments, markets shift toward safety. Within crypto, that means altcoins bleed into Bitcoin. Across markets, that means risk assets lose ground to safer assets like gold.

This is not new. It happened in 2018 and 2019. The difference is scale. This cycle has simply been a larger version of that environment.

Why the October 10 Liquidation Was So Violent

When the massive liquidation event hit on October 10, 2025, many traders were shocked by how quickly altcoins collapsed.

But Cowen argues the weakness had been building for years.

The advanced-decline index for the top 100 cryptocurrencies has been trending down since 2021. Underneath the surface, fewer and fewer altcoins were participating in the rally.

Liquidity in altcoins was already thin.

So when Bitcoin finally rolled over and the broader market cracked, there was no cushion. The structure was fragile. Once stress hit, it collapsed fast.

That is what a tight liquidity regime does. It creates narrow leadership and hides weakness until it suddenly cannot be hidden anymore.

Why There Was No Altseason This Time

In 2020 and 2021, altcoins exploded higher. But that happened under extremely loose monetary policy conditions.

Interest rates were low. Liquidity was abundant. Risk appetite was strong. This cycle has been the opposite.

Even though quantitative tightening slowed at times, overall conditions remained restrictive. The Fed funds rate stayed above the 2-year yield. The dollar remained firm. Liquidity never entered a truly loose regime.

Without loose liquidity, sustained altseason is unlikely.

Cowen warns that simply watching M2 money supply is not enough. Broader net liquidity conditions matter more than surface-level metrics.

Is Crypto Doomed?

Here is where perspective matters. Tight liquidity does not automatically mean crypto is finished. It means leadership narrows. In tight environments, a few strong assets can hold up the market while the rest struggle. That is what Bitcoin did for much of this cycle.

But for a broad altcoin resurgence, liquidity likely needs to shift dramatically.

Historically, that shift happens during or after economic stress. Recessions or crises often force central banks to loosen policy again. When liquidity becomes very loose, higher-risk assets tend to outperform.

That is when expanded leadership returns. That is when altcoins historically shine.

What Comes Next?

The variable to watch is liquidity risk.

If the dollar strengthens sharply again, liquidity could remain tight and pressure risk assets further. If economic stress forces policy easing and liquidity loosens significantly, that could mark the beginning of the next major rotation.

Cowen suggests the next true altcoin boom may not arrive until a future cycle, possibly 2027 through 2029, under looser monetary conditions.

That does not mean crypto disappears. It means the environment must change before speculative excess returns.

The post XRP Price Crash Sparks Panic — Is a 100% Rebound Next? appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

XRP is once again making headlines. After briefly rallying to $1.46 over the weekend, the token quickly pulled back to the $1.37–$1.38 range, supporting what many experts have warned about for months: low-volume weekend pumps are hard to trust and easy to manipulate. The rally faded just as quickly as it appeared.

But here’s where things get controversial.

Crypto analyst Zach Rector said that the absolute bottom may not be in yet. At the same time, he argues that several classic “bottom signals” are starting to flash, and that retail investors could be making a costly mistake by selling now.

On-Chain Activity Is Surging

Despite weak price action, XRP Ledger activity is rising. Daily successful transactions have jumped roughly 40 percent, approaching 2.5 million per day.

Some of that spike is tied to technical factors, including NFT burns by SBI Holdings related to Expo 2025, as well as increased deposit and withdrawal flows. There is also speculation that the First Ledger XRP/USDT incentive program is driving fresh activity.

Whatever the reason, real network usage is climbing,  even while price remains below key moving averages.

That disconnect is raising eyebrows.

Retail Capitulation Hits Extreme Levels

Data shows XRP has recorded its largest realized loss spike since 2022. The previous time realized losses reached similar levels, XRP went on to surge 114 percent over the following eight months.

Large realized losses happen when investors sell at prices below what they originally paid. It usually signals fear, panic, and exhaustion.

Historically, that kind of extreme fear has appeared near market bottoms.

The controversial view? If weak hands have already sold, there may be fewer sellers left. And because crypto markets require relatively little new liquidity to move sharply, even modest buying pressure could trigger a powerful rebound.

Double Bottom or Deeper Flush?

Technically, XRP previously retested the $1.11 area earlier this month. Some traders now expect a possible double bottom between $1.20 and $0.95 before any sustained rally begins. Others warn that macro risks,  including geopolitical tensions and tariff uncertainty — could add more volatility before a recovery.

The CME gap near $1.74 remains a potential upside magnet, but only if momentum returns.

Drama, Fear, and Opportunity

Adding to the tension is visible frustration within the XRP community itself. Disputes among validators, influencers, and traders have intensified. Ironically, seasoned market watchers often view peak frustration as a psychological bottom signal.

The bold claim circulating in some corners? XRP could double quickly once sentiment flips, catching sidelined investors off guard.

Of course, no outcome is guaranteed. The market could revisit $1, or even break below it,  before any sustained move higher.

But one thing is clear: XRP is approaching a pivotal moment. Whether this is the final shakeout before a major rally or the start of a deeper reset depends on what happens next.

And as always in crypto, the crowd usually realizes it too late.

The post Crypto Crash Alert: Why are Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRP Prices Falling Today? appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Global cryptocurrency markets fell sharply on Monday, extending a multi-month downturn that traders say is being driven less by crypto-specific news and more by mounting macroeconomic pressure.

The total digital asset market capitalization dropped roughly 4.4% in 24 hours to about $2.23 trillion, according to market data. The selloff was led by losses in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP, which together account for a large share of overall market value.

Bitcoin Drops Rapidly, Triggers Liquidation Wave

Bitcoin fell nearly 5% on the day to around $64,800, with prices at one point sliding roughly $2,500 in about an hour. The swift move triggered an estimated $240 million in long liquidations, according to derivatives data.

In leveraged markets, when prices fall quickly, traders who borrowed to bet on higher prices are forced to sell to cover their positions.

Over the past 139 days, Bitcoin has declined close to 49%, wiping out more than $1 trillion in market value. Analysts say that unlike prior cycles, the downturn has not produced a sustained relief rally.

At the same time, U.S. spot Bitcoin exchange traded funds have seen notable outflows in recent sessions, signaling weaker institutional demand. Weekly withdrawals totaling hundreds of millions of dollars have raised questions about whether the strong ETF-driven inflows earlier in the year are losing momentum.

Ethereum Follows as Derivatives Market Unwinds

Ethereum declined nearly 6% to trade around $1,859, underperforming Bitcoin slightly during the latest drop.

Market participants say Ethereum’s weakness shows both its sensitivity to Bitcoin’s direction and elevated leverage across the crypto derivatives complex. Total open interest across major exchanges remains high, suggesting that many positions were vulnerable to sharp moves.

As Bitcoin fell, Ethereum longs were also liquidated, amplifying losses. This pattern has become familiar during periods of heightened volatility, where price moves are magnified by automated liquidations rather than fundamental shifts in network activity.

XRP and Altcoins Face Broader Risk-Off Rotation

XRP fell nearly 6% on the day and more than 9% over the past week, trading near $1.33. This reflects a broader retreat from altcoins as investors rotate toward perceived safety or reduce overall exposure.

In risk-off environments, capital typically exits smaller or more volatile assets first. Even large-cap altcoins such as XRP can experience outsized declines when confidence deteriorates across the sector.

Hence, now the total crypto market capitalization is hovering near the $2.17 trillion level, a yearly low set earlier this month.

A sustained hold above that level could allow for consolidation and a potential short-term rebound. A decisive break lower, however, may open the door to a move toward the psychologically important $2.0 trillion mark.

The post Bitcoin Price Prediction: Will BTC Break Higher After Rejection Near $69K? appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Bitcoin is once again testing an important resistance zone, and traders are watching closely to see what happens next.

On the daily chart, Bitcoin recently faced rejection near the $68,300 to $69,800 resistance area. This is not the first time price has struggled in this zone. Sellers have stepped in here before, and we are now seeing another pause in momentum.

So what does this mean for Bitcoin’s short-term outlook?

Bullish Scenario Still Alive

The broader view remains slightly bullish.

Bitcoin appears to have formed a potential “wave two” bottom around February 19. If that structure holds, the market could now be building a third wave to the upside. A third wave is typically the strongest move in a trend, but it still needs confirmation through a clear breakout.

Right now, price action looks messy on lower time frames. There is no strong breakout yet, which means the move higher is not fully confirmed.

A Pullback Could Come First

Even in the bullish setup, a short-term pullback would not be unusual.

A typical pattern would involve a small correction before continuation higher. If Bitcoin pulls back, the key support zone to watch sits between $66,194 and $66,956. As long as price stays above this range, the bullish structure remains intact.

If this support holds, buyers could step back in and push Bitcoin toward new local highs.

What If Support Breaks?

If Bitcoin falls below that support area, the outlook becomes more cautious.

In that case, the next major support zone would be between $64,535 and $62,592. A drop into that area would suggest a deeper correction before any strong rally resumes.

Breakout Level to Watch

For bulls, the most important level is still the $68,300 to $69,867 resistance zone. A strong daily close above this range would signal momentum shifting firmly upward and increase the chances of a move toward higher highs.

Final Outlook

Bitcoin is at a decision point. A small dip would not damage the overall bullish setup, but holding above key support is critical.

If support stays strong and resistance eventually breaks, Bitcoin could begin its next leg higher. If not, a deeper correction may come first before the next major rally.

The post XRP Just Flashed the Same Signal Before a 114% Explosion appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

XRP has just printed its largest on-chain realized loss spike since 2022 — and the last time this happened, the outcome shocked the market.

According to on-chain data, XRP recently recorded roughly $900 million in weekly realized losses, marking the biggest capitulation event in nearly three years. The previous major spike occurred 39 months ago, when realized losses hit -$1.93 billion. What followed? XRP surged 114% over the next eight months.

That historical pattern is now back in focus.

What Realized Loss Spikes Actually Mean

Realized losses occur when investors sell their coins for less than what they originally paid. In other words, they lock in losses instead of waiting for a recovery. This usually happens when fear peaks.

When large numbers of traders capitulate at once, it often signals emotional exhaustion in the market. Weak hands exit. Panic selling accelerates. Sentiment turns extremely negative.

Ironically, that kind of environment can create the foundation for a rebound.

If most panic sellers have already exited, there may be fewer sellers left to push prices lower. That does not guarantee an immediate rally — but historically, extreme realized loss spikes often appear near market bottoms.

Markets tend to move in the opposite direction of maximum fear.

XRP Price: Is a Bounce Already Starting?

Short term, XRP appears to be attempting a corrective bounce. On the higher time frame, the market may have started a B-wave rally within a broader correction.

However, analysts warn that a meaningful low is not fully confirmed yet.

Since January 2025, XRP has been trading inside a wide corrective range. The upper boundary was tested earlier in the year, while the lower boundary sits near key retracement levels from the previous major rally.

The critical level to watch remains around $1.20. A clean break below that zone could open the door to a deeper correction. If support holds, however, the current bounce could extend higher in the coming weeks.

History Doesn’t Repeat, But It Rhymes

The last time XRP experienced a major realized loss spike, it marked a period of extreme fear. Months later, the price had doubled. We are now seeing a similar on-chain signal.

Whether XRP repeats its 114% explosion remains uncertain. But one thing is clear: the market has entered an emotional extreme, and those moments often matter the most.

The post Will the Altcoin Rally Start on March 1? appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

There’s a lot happening in crypto right now, and one date keeps coming up: March 1. Some investors are wondering if that could mark the beginning of the next altcoin rally.

The reason? Major regulatory movement in Washington.

March 1 Could Be a Turning Point

The White House has set a March 1 deadline to resolve the stablecoin rewards dispute that has been holding up the broader crypto market structure bill, often called the Clarity Act.

This bill aims to create clearer rules for crypto in the United States. And clarity is something the market has lacked for years.

According to prediction markets, there is currently an 83% chance that the Clarity Act will be signed into law in 2026. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has even said he believes there is an 80 to 90% chance the bill passes by April.

If that happens, it could remove one of the biggest uncertainties hanging over crypto.

Why Stablecoin Rewards Matter

The main issue slowing the bill has been stablecoin rewards.

Banks want limits on crypto platforms offering yield on idle stablecoin balances. They worry that customers could move money out of traditional banks into crypto if rewards are too attractive.

Crypto firms argue that banning yield would hurt innovation and make the U.S. less competitive.

Now, a compromise may be forming. Instead of allowing passive rewards just for holding stablecoins, platforms may be allowed to offer rewards tied to activity, such as transactions or participation.

If this issue is resolved by March 1, the broader bill could move forward quickly.

Why This Could Trigger an Altcoin Rally

Regulatory uncertainty has been one of the biggest reasons institutions have stayed cautious. Large investors do not like gray areas. They want clear rules from the SEC and CFTC before committing serious capital.

If the Clarity Act advances, confidence could return.

Markets often move before the news becomes official. That’s why some investors are watching late February and early March closely.