The post Fundstrat’s Tom Lee Calls Current Crypto Crash a Mini Reset, Not a Bear Market appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

The recent bloodbath in the Satoshi Streets may feel like a full-blown bear phase, but according to Fundstrat Tom Lee, the current situation is far from a traditional “crypto winter.” Instead, he describes it as a short-term reset driven by external factors rather than structural weakness.

A Different Kind of Crypto Downturn

Lee points out something unusual. He points out that this is the first time a major crypto decline has occurred without a corresponding stock market crash. Historically, every major crypto winter has been tied to broader financial stress.

He points out that Ethereum has dropped around 65% since October, which is in line with previous sharp declines. But historically, every similar drop came alongside major equity market weakness.

• In 2016, crypto fell as stocks dropped 20% during an industrial slowdown
• In 2018–2019, Fed rate hikes triggered a market-wide correction
• In 2022, inflation and aggressive tightening crushed both stocks and crypto
• In 2025, tariff wars led to another 20% equity decline

This time? Stocks haven’t seen that kind of crash. That’s what makes this cycle different.

What’s Driving the Current Sell-Off?

“Instead, we’ve had a decline caused, I think, by two things. Maybe the cycle is one of the original things, but on October 10th was a crypto deleveraging event that triggered the first sell-off, and then this year, we had, another leg down in stocks because of the Iran war buildup.”

It started with a crypto deleveraging shock around October 10, which triggered the initial sell-off. That was followed by another wave of pressure linked to rising geopolitical tensions, particularly around Iran.

He also points to an interesting trend that Bitcoin is increasingly moving in sync with software and AI stocks. So when there’s weakness in tech, crypto feels it too, adding another layer of pressure.

Why This Is Just a “Mini Crypto Winter”

Looking at the current scenario, he adds that the market structure hasn’t broken.

There’s no major financial crisis, no deep recession, and no full-scale equity bear market. Instead, what we’re seeing is a mix of cycle-related weakness, leverage being flushed out, and macro “noise.”

That’s why he avoids calling this a full crypto winter.

Structure Still Intact

Despite the sharp corrections, Lee remains confident that crypto’s long-term structure is still strong.

In his view, once the impact of deleveraging fades and macro uncertainty settles, the market could stabilize, making this phase more of a temporary reset than a lasting downturn.

The post Pi Network News: Can Pi Be Used on Amazon in 2026? appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Pi Network is making noise again, and this time it is not about price or KYC. The latest discussion is about whether Pi could one day be used on Amazon. Nothing is confirmed yet. But the idea is spreading fast, and it is worth understanding where it comes from.

Amazon already runs blockchain infrastructure through AWS Managed Blockchain. The technical foundation exists. What has not happened is any decision by Amazon to actually accept crypto payments. That gap matters, but it is not impossible to close.

At the same time, Amazon does allow indirect crypto usage via third-party services like Bitrefill and Gyft. In simple terms, users can still spend crypto, just not natively on Amazon.

Here’s how that works:

• Users buy vouchers or gift cards using crypto
• These vouchers are then used for purchases on Amazon
• Meanwhile, Amazon continues building its blockchain capabilities in the background

This setup shows that the infrastructure is already there. So, integrating a token like Pi doesn’t feel unrealistic, especially as crypto adoption keeps expanding globally.

“Pi is now aiming to become a cross-border payment currency, as envisioned by the Pi Core Team (PCT).”

Pi’s Smart Contract Push

Another development is Pi Network’s upcoming smart contract launch, which is currently under third-party audit. This is a major step.

Smart contracts are the backbone of modern crypto ecosystems. They power decentralized apps, automate transactions, and enable real payment use cases. With this move, Pi aligns itself with broader industry standards.

Once live, this feature could significantly boost Pi’s utility and open doors for integrations with larger platforms.

From Mobile Mining to Payment Vision

There were also discussions about Pi Network’s evolution, from a mobile-based mining model to a functioning mainnet token. This transition is positioned as a unique approach to fair and transparent distribution, setting Pi apart from traditional cryptocurrencies.

More importantly, the long-term vision from the Pi Core Team is to establish Pi as a cross-border payment currency. Within that context, a potential integration with a global giant like Amazon fits naturally into the broader roadmap.

So for now, it’s a strong idea. Not a done deal.

While no official confirmation exists, the idea of Amazon integrating Pi is framed as “highly feasible” from a technical and strategic standpoint. However, for now, it remains speculative, dependent on further development, adoption, and regulatory clarity.

The post Bitcoin Price Today: Is $80K The Next Stop After 6% Rally? appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Bitcoin is pushing into a technically important area, with price tightening against resistance and a larger move in either direction looking increasingly likely. BTC is trading around the $73,000–$74,000 range, showing a rough 5–6% short-term gain, signaling a steady recovery phase in the market.

The setup looks constructive on the surface, but analysts who have navigated previous cycles know this is precisely where markets tend to be most deceptive.

BTC Beyond the Double Bottom Formation

Crypto analyst Rekt Capital has explained that Bitcoin is attempting to break above the neckline of a developing double bottom formation near $72,810. A weekly close above this level or a successful retest could confirm a breakout, opening the path toward $81,000–$82,500.

He warns that similar setups in earlier bear-market phases have appeared convincing but ultimately failed. This means even if Bitcoin breaks out, the move could still turn into a bull trap if momentum doesn’t hold.

What Confirms the Breakout?

Analyst stresses two confirmation signals:

• A weekly close above $72,810, showing strength
• Or a retest of that level as support (price dips, holds, then moves up)

Without these, the breakout is not reliable.

These are his three main risks:

• Rejection at resistance = Price fails to break $72,810
• Fake breakout = Price breaks out but fails the retest and drops
• Weak follow-through = Price breaks out but doesn’t reach the target and loses peak

Also Read : Bitcoin (BTC) Price Prediction 2026, 2027 – 2030: How High Will BTC Price Go?

Make-or-Break Moment Builds

At the same time, crypto analyst Ali Martinez says that Bitcoin is once again testing the 100-day simple moving average, a level that has triggered major rejections in the past. Previous encounters with this resistance resulted in sharp corrections of up to 40%.

If Bitcoin faces another rejection here, it could form a triple top pattern, potentially dragging price back toward the $59,800 range. However, a clean break above this level would reinforce the bullish case and signal that the broader correction phase may be ending.

Santiment data shows nearly $297 million in Bitcoin ETF outflows, indicating rising panic among retail investors. Interestingly, such outflows have historically aligned with buying opportunities, while strong inflows tend to mark local tops.

Hence, Bitcoin can rally, but unless it proves strength after the breakout, this could turn into another bull trap rather than the start of a sustained uptrend.

The post Is XRP Price Being Suppressed Before a Major Pump? One Analyst Thinks So appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

XRP could be gearing up for a move ahead of the 2026 midterms, and crypto analyst Zach Rector breaks down what’s going on behind the scenes.

He points out that markets are currently stuck in a “liquidity squeeze,” driven by rising global debt, geopolitical tensions, and capital outflows, something even the IMF has flagged. Add to that the yen carry trade unwind, private credit stress, and oil price swings from Middle East tensions, and it’s creating a broader “global margin call,” where assets, including crypto, face selling pressure.

At the same time, inflation is picking up again, with the U.S. PPI hitting around 4%. Interestingly, he said that liquidity isn’t gone; central bank balance sheets hint it’s already creeping back quietly.

Still, he keeps the sentiments slow: expect a “drop before the pop.” A deeper shakeout could come before things turn bullish.

Reason 1: Liquidity Injection & Lower Rates

The first trigger is the central bank’s participation. With economic stress building, he expects rate cuts and fresh liquidity injections. A new Fed chair is also expected soon, potentially accelerating this change. More liquidity means more capital flowing into risk assets like XRP.

Reason 2: Clarity Act & Regulatory Green Light

The second trigger is regulation. The Clarity Act is moving forward, and recent SEC guidance has already opened doors for builders on the XRP Ledger. This removes a major roadblock that held back development for years.

With compliance already built into the system, XRP stands in a strong position as institutions look for legally clear platforms.

Reason 3: DeFi Explosion on XRP Ledger

The third factor is growing utility.

The XRP Ledger already includes a built-in decentralized exchange with order books and AMMs. Now, new layers like zero-knowledge tech are allowing private transactions—something institutions need. Developers no longer face the same legal uncertainty, which opens the door for more DeFi activity and real-world use cases.

Suppression Now, Pump Later?

He argues that crypto is currently being suppressed, both in price and online visibility. He even references comments from X’s product leadership, hinting at reduced crypto reach.

But he sees this as temporary. Just like previous cycles, institutions ignore first, then build products (like ETFs), and finally push the narrative when they’re ready to profit.

With firms like Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley entering crypto products, he believes the “pump phase” follows.

All these factors are building a strong case for XRP with better regulatory clarity, and market cycles all point toward a shift before the 2026 midterms. Though the possibility of short-term volatility remains, he sees XRP positioned for a strong move, potentially sooner than most expect.

The post Cardano Price News: Why $0.243 Support Could Decide Whether ADA Hits $0.30 or $0.10 appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Cardano is back at a point where things can go either way, and right now, one level is doing all the talking. Crypto analyst Ali Martinez points to $0.243 as the line that matters most. This zone has acted as a turning point in the past, either sending ADA higher or pushing it into deeper declines.

If buyers manage to hold this level, a bounce toward $0.30 is possible. But if it slips below on a daily close, it could open the door to a much deeper drop, with levels near $0.10 coming back into play.

Where ADA Stands Now

Cardano is currently trading around $0.240, slightly down over the past day. It’s sitting just under that critical level, which makes the next move important.

Trading volume remains active at around $500 million in 24 hours, showing there’s still strong participation. The circulating supply stands above 36 billion ADA, with a max supply of 45 billion.

However, zooming out reveals that ADA is still far below its all-time high of $3.10, though it has seen a huge recovery from its early lows.

What the Charts Are Saying

The broader trend still leans downward. ADA is trading below its 50-day and 200-day averages, and recent price action hasn’t managed to break back above them.

Short-term charts show weakness too, with multiple moving averages crossing downward. Indicators like RSI sit in neutral territory, while MACD is slightly below zero, showing there’s still some selling pressure around.

At the same time, market activity hasn’t dried up, which means traders are still engaged at these levels.

What Happens Next?

Everything now comes down to how ADA reacts around $0.243.

If it manages to hold and move back above nearby resistance levels, a short-term recovery could follow. But if it continues to slip, the downside could extend further.

For now, Cardano is sitting right at a point where the next move could shape what comes next.

The post Trump’s Fed Chair Pick Kevin Warsh’s Net Worth, Portfolio, Crypto and AI Investments  appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

The race for the next Federal Reserve chair is getting interesting, and according to Lark Davis, Kevin Warsh might be unlike any central banker seen before.

Warsh, nominated by Donald Trump to replace Jerome Powell, has disclosed a net worth between $131 million and $209 million. His 69-page filing reads more like a Silicon Valley pitch deck than a policy document. Warsh disclosed $131M–$209M in assets, far exceeding Jerome Powell’s reported $75M, making him the richest potential Fed Chair, especially with added wealth from his wife, Jane Lauder.

His investments take us to Silicon Valley and beyond:

•  Stake in SpaceX
•  Exposure to crypto prediction markets like Polymarket
•  Ethereum developer tools such as Tenderly
•  Crypto fintech firms like Lemon Cash and Stashfin

And it doesn’t stop there, his portfolio also includes AI workforce platforms, robotic coffee startups, biotech plays like herpes vaccines and reversible male contraceptives, and even a digital cloning platform called Delphi AI.

Deep Wall Street and Crypto Links

According to Davis, Warsh isn’t just a tech investor; he has strong Wall Street ties, too. He worked closely with Stanley Druckenmiller and earned over $10 million as a consultant.

He’s also made his stance on crypto clear, previously calling Bitcoin “the new gold for anyone under 40,” signaling a more modern view on digital assets.

Wealth, Assets, and Disclosures

Beyond venture bets, Warsh holds hundreds of thousands in cash, up to $5 million in money market funds, and UPS stock worth $1–5 million. His advisory firm, Vicarage, will go inactive if he takes the role.

His wife, Jane Lauder, granddaughter of Estée Lauder, brings even more wealth, with an estimated $2 billion net worth.

What Happens Next?

If confirmed, Warsh will need to divest many of these holdings, especially in crypto and tech. But his background already signals something bigger.

As Davis puts it, the Fed could soon have its “most interesting chair in modern history”, one deeply connected to crypto, AI, and the future of finance.

The post TAO Crypto Price Crash: Governance Exit Dump and Three Recovery Scenarios  appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Bittensor (TAO) Price dropped nearly 25% after Covenant AI made an exit, accusing co-founder Jacob Steeves of having too much control over governance. Analyst Michaël van de Poppe explained that the real damage came when Covenant’s founder dumped 37K TAO, triggering panic selling and liquidations.

That triggered a deeper chain reaction:

• Validators lost stake = consensus power dropped
• Rewards declined = incentives weakened
• Confidence slipped = more users exited

All of this created a classic negative spiral, with trust taking a direct hit.

Despite the chaos, the team responded with updates like Teutonic-I and a new proposal (BIT-0011) aimed at preventing similar sell-offs in the future.

However, the analyst sees this as a major stress test and breaks the crash down into three possible scenarios.

Scenario 1: Fast Recovery Back to $300–$340

The first path is a strong bounce. If the market stabilizes and governance fixes like BIT-0011 get approved, this entire event could pass quickly.

Analyst sees confidence could return fast, especially as Bittensor remains a vital player in the AI + crypto narrative. He gives this scenario a 45% chance, rising to 60% if proposals are implemented.

Scenario 2: Slow Grind Between $200–$260

If uncertainty lingers, TAO may move sideways. Buyers may not be strong enough to absorb continued outflows, and rebuilding trust could take time.

This scenario carries about a 40% probability.

Scenario 3: Deeper Drop Toward $180

The worst-case path depends on things getting worse from here. If more subnets exit, outflows accelerate, and governance improvements fail, TAO could see another leg down.

But the analyst finds this unlikely, assigning just a 10–15% probability unless a broader domino effect kicks in.

Price Outlook

On the price front, he analyses that TAO fell from $350 to around $250 and is now hovering near $253, which he calls a sharp but manageable correction, not a collapse.

Despite the shock, holding these levels suggests the market is already stabilizing.

His Strategy and Altcoin Outlook

Having said that, he keeps it straight that he isn’t selling. He already holds a large TAO position and is choosing to stay put.

Hence, if the price drops toward $200–$210 due to broader market conditions and improvements, he’s open to adding more.

As per him, AI-driven crypto is still early, and moments like this can reset and strengthen the system, setting the stage for the next move.

The post Pi Network Price Prediction: What the Consensus Miami Appearance and Protocol v23 Upgrade Mean for PI Price appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Pi Network is all set to make headlines again t as its founder prepares for an appearance that could shift sentiment around the project. The Pi Core Team confirmed that co-founder Chengdiao Fan will speak at Consensus Miami 2026 on May 6. Her session will focus on how Pi’s ecosystem fits into the AI era, especially around:

• verified identity
• real user participation
• utility-driven applications

Meanwhile, Pi wants to position itself not just as a token, but as infrastructure for real-world use. The conference will focus on how crypto tokens are seen as tools for real growth and adoption, not just exit opportunities. 

Why This Appearance Matters

This isn’t just another conference talk. Consensus Miami is one of the biggest stages in crypto, and Pi’s presence hints that it wants to re-enter mainstream conversations.

The presentation will showcase how Pi’s global user base and blockchain setup can support new AI-driven business models. More importantly, it reframes tokens as tools for growth rather than just speculative assets.

Price Still Under Pressure

Right now, Pi is trading around $0.165–$0.167, and the trend has been bearish. The price has been sliding since late March, dropping roughly 15%.

Pi recently broke down from a descending triangle pattern, which usually points to further downside. Indicators like RSI and MACD are still pointing lower, suggesting selling pressure isn’t done yet. If this continues, the next level to watch sits near $0.131.

Can Consensus Change the Story?

That’s the big question. 

Historically, major appearances and announcements can boost sentiment, especially for projects needing a narrative reset. If Pi delivers clear updates, partnerships, or progress toward real utility, it could help rebuild confidence. Additionally, the Consensus Miami dates come just before the expected Protocol v23 upgrade on May 18th, which could unlock more advanced features.

If Pi delivers something meaningful, it could help rebuild confidence and push the price back toward higher levels like $0.20+. 

For now, Pi is stuck between weak charts and rising expectations, and Consensus Miami 2026 might be the turning point for the Pi community.

The post Is XRP Actually ISO20022 Compliant? A Legal Expert Just Changed the Conversation appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Is XRP Actually ISO20022 Compliant? A Legal Expert Just Changed the Conversation

The discussion around XRP and ISO20022 has been running for years. Some claim XRP is “ISO20022 compliant,” while others completely reject that idea. The reality sits somewhere in between.

ISO20022 is a messaging standard used by banks, while XRP operates in liquidity and settlement. Mixing these two roles has led to constant back-and-forth between analysts, developers, and the wider crypto community.

Bill Morgan Breaks It Down

Legal expert Bill Morgan stepped in to clear things up, pushing back on critics like ScamDetective5.

Instead of arguing that XRP is directly compliant, Morgan explained the actual structure. XRP works through Ripple’s Interledger Protocol (ILP), which acts as a bridge for value transfer.

What he meant is quite simple:

• ISO20022 → handles messaging
• ILP → handles liquidity and settlement

“Ripple has also played a big part in the evolution of this messaging layer for traditional finance. Ripple joined the ISO20022 Standards Board in 2020 and influenced the direction it took for cross-border uses and extending the standard to DLTs.” He stated

In short, Ripple has played a role in shaping ISO20022 standards and built its payment systems to align with them. That creates indirect compatibility, even if XRP itself isn’t “compliant” in the traditional sense.

Analysts Push Back Hard

The response was quick. ScamDetective5 challenged Morgan, asking how an XRP payment could actually be executed through ISO20022 and whether the same logic would apply to Bitcoin, since it can also interact with ILP.

“Can you show me how to make an ISO 20022 XRP payment via ISO?”

And more pointedly — “Since Bitcoin is also interoperable with ILP, is it also indirectly interoperable with ISO 20022?”

Adding to the debate, Vincent Van Code explained that no blockchain is technically ISO20022 compliant. Instead, systems like Ripple Payments use a translator layer to connect with the standard.

Others maintained that ISO20022 opens the door for assets like XRP to integrate with SWIFT-based systems, reinforcing the broader adoption narrative.

Where Things Actually Stand

Morgan doubled down, asking critics to point out what exactly in his explanation was wrong. His stance remains focused on technical accuracy rather than labels.

In simple terms, XRP isn’t the messaging layer; it’s the liquidity engine behind it. And that distinction is exactly why this debate keeps coming back.

The post Kraken Security Breach: What CSO Nick Percoco Said About the Extortion Threat and Federal Investigation appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Kraken’s Chief Security Officer went public with something most exchanges would bury. Nick Percoco shared a detailed X post explaining why Kraken is currently dealing with an extortion attempt, and what actually happened behind the scenes.

Percoco revealed that a criminal group was threatening to leak videos of Kraken’s internal systems to the media unless Kraken paid them. 

“It’s important to start with the most important points: our systems were never breached; funds were never at risk; we will not pay these criminals; we will not ever negotiate with bad actors,” he explained.

Insider Scoop?

It started in February 2025. He said that Kraken got a tip about a video on a criminal forum showing someone accessing their internal support systems. They traced it to one of their own staff members and access was cut immediately. The investigation was done, and affected clients were notified. 

Then it happened again. Total accounts potentially viewed across both incidents, around 2,000 clients, just 0.02% of Kraken’s user base. However, they clarified that no funds were touched. No core systems were breached.

Once the second incident was shut down, the criminals started threatening to release the footage publicly unless Kraken paid up.

Where Things Stand Now

According to Percoco, Kraken is working with federal law enforcement across multiple jurisdictions and says it has enough evidence to support arrests. The investigation is live and active. Kraken has also been helping the wider industry tackle insider recruitment schemes hitting crypto, gaming, and telecom companies alike.

“We are actively working with federal law enforcement across multiple jurisdictions to pursue all individuals involved and bring them to justice.”

If you were affected, Kraken says you have already been notified directly.

The exchange says this will not end here. More such instances will happen if security is not taken seriously. Recently, in a similar incident this month, Galaxy Digital also reported a minor cybersecurity incident in a development workspace, with no impact on client funds or data, reflecting how threats across the sector are becoming more complex and targeted.

The post Brad Garlinghouse Says Ripple Is Going After SWIFT, Argues XRP Is an Internet Moment for Money appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

The latest discussion on crypto Twitter centers around how global payments are still running on outdated infrastructure, and XRP is being built to fix that gap.

“Wire Transfers” Are Still Stuck in the Past

At a recent event, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse delivered one of the most pointed critiques of traditional finance infrastructure. Garlinghouse didn’t just criticize the SWIFT transaction; he also analyzed why it feels outdated at its core.

“I imagine everyone here has done a SWIFT-enabled transaction… you call it a wire transfer.”

Then he pointed out something most people overlook: “The expression ‘wire transfer’ comes from a telegram wire… this is not technology that has moved with the internet.”

That line hits because it shows how old the system really is. While communication evolved from letters to instant messaging, global payments are still relying on infrastructure designed decades ago.

Ripple’s Real Goal: Move Money Like Data

Garlinghouse made it clear this isn’t just about competing with banks or SWIFT:

“Do we compete with SWIFT? Yes… but at the core, what Ripple’s trying to do, we’re trying to let value move the way information moves today.”

Right now, sending money internationally can take days, involve multiple intermediaries, and cost significant fees. Ripple’s idea is to make money move instantly, just like sending a message or an email.

The Early Internet Analogy That Explains Everything

To simplify it, Garlinghouse compared today’s financial system to the early days of the internet:

 “I had a Prodigy account, I had an AOL account… there was also CompuServe.”

And here’s the main limitation: “You couldn’t email between CompuServe and AOL… that was not possible.”

Back then, platforms were closed ecosystems. That’s exactly how payment networks operate today: fragmented, slow, and not fully interoperable.

Ripple, using XRP, is trying to create that “internet moment” for money, where value can move freely across networks without friction.

The post XRP Allegedly Becomes Spendable at 5 Million Merchants as Rakuten Wallet Rolls Out Big Plans appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

A major update from Japan is putting XRP back in the spotlight, as Rakuten Wallet rolls out a large-scale integration that could bring crypto into everyday payments. According to reports, starting April 15, 2026, Rakuten Wallet will support XRP not just for trading, but as a payment method. Users can convert Rakuten Points into XRP and load it into Rakuten Cash for spending via Rakuten Pay.

This effectively plugs XRP into one of Japan’s most widely used consumer platforms, bringing it closer to real-world usage beyond just exchanges.

44 Million Users, 5 Million Merchants

This is important because:

• 100 million+ Rakuten members globally
• 44 million Rakuten Pay active users
• 3+ trillion loyalty points worth approximately $23 billion USD are now convertible to XRP
• 5.6 trillion yen in annual e-commerce volume flowing through the platform
• 5 million+ merchants where XRP can now be spent as real currency

Going into detail, Rakuten Pay has over 44 million users, while the broader ecosystem includes 100 million+ members.

5 million+ merchant locations accept Rakuten Pay, meaning XRP could now be used in everyday transactions.

On top of that, Rakuten’s loyalty system holds over 3 trillion points (around $23 billion), which can now flow into XRP, opening a huge potential demand pipeline.

Community Reaction — Excitement and Questions

The update sparked reactions across the crypto community. Crypto lawyer Bill Morgan summed it up simply, this is a clear expansion of XRP’s utility. That’s been a long-standing narrative around XRP, and this integration gives it real-world backing.

Some users called it a “huge use case,” highlighting how rare it is to see crypto integrated in this massive way in real commerce.

At the same time, others questioned why Ripple and its executives hadn’t publicly acknowledged the move yet. This led to speculation about whether it was an official partnership or just early-stage rollout news.

Tats responded by clarifying that this is a Rakuten Wallet initiative, not a direct Ripple service integration. He also hinted that more updates and content are on the way, asking the community for patience.

The post CLARITY Act Senate Vote 2026: Why the White House Is Now ‘Cautiously Optimistic’ About Passage appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

The stablecoin fight is mostly done. DeFi rules are next. And according to White House Crypto Advisor Patrick Witt, a Senate vote might be closer than most expect.  The CLARITY Act is now pushing through the Senate Banking Committee, which is the final major step before it can hit the Senate floor.

In a recent interview, Witt confirmed the bill has already cleared the Agriculture Committee and is now in its last big phase. A markup could happen within weeks, and if that goes through, the process moves to a floor vote, followed by reconciliation and then back to the House.

“I am cautiously optimistic. We’ve made a ton of progress over the past couple of months. This is a complicated piece of legislation, so it’s not surprising that it’s going to take a long time to close out the issues.”

The Stablecoin Fight Is Basically Over

One of the biggest roadblocks, stablecoin yield, is now largely resolved. Witt confirmed that both sides have reached a compromise and believe it will hold.

Most importantly, this is a win-win situation for stablecoins, removing a major layer of uncertainty around how yield-bearing assets will be treated. The issue had stalled the bill earlier this year, but with it out of the way, progress has picked up. Final draft text is now being prepared after feedback from banks, crypto firms, and policymakers.

Focus Shifts to DeFi and Developers

With stablecoins sorted, lawmakers are now focusing on DeFi and developer-related concerns. These include how decentralized platforms operate and how developers are treated under regulation. Witt noted that progress here has been steady behind the scenes, with several issues already resolved and only a few left to finalize.

Banks vs Stablecoins — What the Data Says

Banks have been worried about losing deposits, but research suggests otherwise. Witt said that funds don’t leave the system; they simply move within it, since stablecoin reserves still sit in banks.

He further added that smaller banks may actually benefit by offering stablecoin products and attracting new users.

What Happens Next for XRP and RLUSD

Witt expects the bill to move out of the Banking Committee soon and potentially reach the Senate floor within weeks.

If that happens, experts say it could be a turning point for XRP, which has faced long regulatory uncertainty. Clear rules could help it move beyond speculation and play a bigger role in real-world financial use cases, especially payments, while also opening the door for RLUSD to scale.

The post Pi Network News: Protocol 23 and Stellar’s Latest Move Could Make Pi Recognisable to Wall Street appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Protocol Version 23 is about to hit the Pi blockchain, and the latest update discussed by crypto drealFx revolves around upgrading Pi to Protocol Version 23. This is a major step because Pi is built on Stellar’s tech, and much of the heavy lifting has already been done there. 

That means Pi’s transition could be smoother while still unlocking powerful new features. In simple terms, this upgrade is about turning Pi from just a token into a full ecosystem.

What New Features Are Coming?

The biggest addition is smart contracts. This allows apps to run automatically without intermediaries. For example, lending Pi or receiving rewards in games could happen instantly through code, without relying on third parties.

Another major turning point is the AI App Studio moving beyond beta. This opens the door for developers to build more advanced apps directly inside the Pi network.

There’s also the rollout of .pi domains, giving apps and users unique identities, similar to how websites use .com. Alongside this, Pi Browser will push deeper Web2–Web3 integration, making it easier for regular users to interact with blockchain apps.

You Could Soon Own a Fraction of Real Estate on Pi

Here’s where it gets really interesting. Protocol 23 brings Real-World Asset tokenization to Pi, meaning physical assets like property, stocks, and commodities can be broken into digital tokens on the blockchain. 

For instance, instead of needing $200,000 to invest in real estate, you could buy in for just $200 worth of tokens. It is good news for ordinary people who’ve never had access to these kinds of investments.

On top, it gets more credible with Stellar recently joining the ERC-3643 Association, a global body setting compliance standards for tokenized assets. Since Pi runs on Stellar Core, this puts Pi on a direct path toward being recognised by traditional finance. That’s not hype, that’s infrastructure.

traditional finance. That’s not hype, that’s infrastructure.

The post Pi Network News: Bitcoin and Ethereum Are Rallying and Pi Is Down 30%, Here’s Why appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Pi has shed close to 30% over the past month, while Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP have been holding their ground or even rallying. According to the market data, Pi Network is currently trading around $0.167, slipping 1.77% in the last 24 hours. The token still carries a market cap of around $1.7 billion with a circulating supply of 9.01 billion Pi.

The Three Things Killing PI’s Price Right Now

1. The community is frustrated — and they’re selling

This is the big one. Scroll through any Pi Network discussion, and you’ll find a wave of complaints. Slow development, unresolved issues, promises that feel like they’re taking forever to materialise. That frustration is translating directly into selling pressure. 

One analyst said it isn’t a market-wide crash pulling Pi down; it’s Pi’s own community losing patience. When the people who believed in you the most start hitting the sell button, that’s a serious red flag.

2. Too many tokens, not enough buyers

Daily token unlocks keep adding fresh PI supply into the market every single day. Meanwhile, demand hasn’t shown up to match it. That’s just basic economics: more supply with weak demand equals a price going down. 

Another community user flagged this combination as a “tough combo to fight,” with $0.16 becoming the key level to watch for any buyer reaction.

3. Token migration is adding extra selling pressure

On top of the unlocks, renewed token migration activity is pushing even more Pi onto exchanges. Holders migrating their mined tokens are creating an additional wave of selling that the market is struggling to absorb right now.

Pi Price Prediction:

Pi is currently trading at $0.16, sitting on the same $0.165 to $0.170 demand zone that launched the March rally before the token pulled back from $0.30. Price has been compressing in this zone for weeks without breaking lower, which analysts say keeps the structure intact.

If the zone holds, the chart points toward $0.2758 as the primary target, a move of roughly 65% from current levels. The path there requires clearing resistance at $0.170, then $0.200 to $0.210 before reaching the final target. If $0.160 breaks on a daily close, however, the demand zone fails, and the February lows below $0.130 come back into play.

The post Ice Open Network News: What Really Happened to the ION Token appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

The CEO of Ice Open Network stepped forward this week to explain the sudden and sharp crash of its ION token, but the explanation has done little to quiet a community that is divided between sympathy and outright accusation.

What the CEO Said Happened

According to the CEO, the ION crash was not caused by the core team’s selling. For over four years, the project operated without traditional banking by relying on token-based agreements with service providers who supported development, marketing, and operations in exchange for token allocations.

When market conditions deteriorated, one major long-term backer lost confidence, waited for its tokens to unlock, and exited by selling its entire position. That single exit caused the price collapse.

The CEO also disclosed that the project has spent nearly $18 million to date, with monthly expenses running at approximately $400,000. The core team took no salaries. A significant portion of the token supply was consumed by exchange listings, liquidity provision, and promotional costs, expenses the CEO said are far higher than most community members realise.

The project still holds over 1 billion tokens, but the team is now considering cutting costs and selling some tokens to stay operational.

His statement ended with a conditional commitment. 

“We will watch the coming days carefully and assess whether there is enough confidence and momentum for us to continue building. If there is, we will keep going. If there is not, we will be forced to consider shutting the project down. And if that happens, I want to be clear: we will burn our remaining tokens, not sell them.”

The History That Makes the Explanation Hard to Accept

The CEO has also faced serious allegations before this incident.

In 2018, a project associated with him reportedly raised approximately $43 million in an ICO that left investors with significant losses. In 2025, he launched multiple Tap2Mine projects that reportedly generated around 500 million ICE tokens, later migrated into ION through fees. A public promise was made to burn these tokens. That burn never happened.

Two days before the ION crash became public, the price collapsed heavily. Shortly after, the shutdown announcement followed.

The post CLARITY Act Update: Chainlink Executive Says Banks Are Pushing Extremely Hard to Block Crypto Yield Feature appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

In a recent interview, Chainlink’s Adam Minehardt laid out the reason behind delay for the passage of the much-awaited CLARITY Act. According to him, traditional institutions have pushed “extremely hard” to block any crypto features that offer yield, especially on stablecoins like USDC.

“Definitely, the banks have pushed extremely hard to prevent anything that looks like yield or rewards from being paid by any exchange on platform,” he said.

He added, “It very much is a competitive issue for them, particularly for smaller banks that really chase deposits with interest rates and frankly don’t want to pay higher rates. It really would undercut their profitability.”

Banks vs Crypto: The Yield Battle

Minehardt says that this is ultimately a competitive issue. Smaller banks rely on attracting deposits through low interest payouts and don’t want to raise rates. If crypto exchanges begin offering higher yields on stablecoin balances, it would directly undercut bank profitability. 

• First, the idea of banning yield on static USDC balances is “anti-competitive,” arguing it limits consumer benefits and slows innovation. 

• Hence, in his view, banks have driven negotiations toward what many in the industry see as an “unreasonable endpoint.”

Critics Say It Favors Big Banks

The pushback doesn’t stop there. Critics across the crypto space argue the CLARITY Act may be leaning too heavily in favor of banking institutions. 

Some claim it could block non-bank players from offering competitive yields, keeping traditional finance in control of stablecoin rails and liquidity flows.  There’s also frustration that “safety” is being used as justification, despite crypto’s transparent and fully collateralized systems.

Moving with Clarity 

The latest update around the CLARITY Act shows things picking up again as Senator Cynthia Lummis pushes for it to move forward, saying the U.S. needs to bring the digital asset industry back with clear rules in place. U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty confirms the CLARITY Act heads to the Senate Banking Committee next week.

After weeks of back-and-forth discussions around market structure and stablecoin policies, Congress is now back from its break, and talks have officially resumed.

On the top, Crypto Twitter is hinting that the bill is basically ready, suggesting it could move ahead with support from both sides. There’s also growing chatter that it might be positioned as part of a broader national security push, which could help move things along faster.

The post Realistic XRP $1000 Price Target Explained by Black Swan Capitalist Without Hype appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

XRP hitting $1,000 may sound unrealistic, but Vandell from Black Swan Capitalist offers a clear, no-hype breakdown of the idea. He explains that in a world where fiat currencies continuously lose value, asset prices don’t really have a fixed ceiling. This means XRP can theoretically reach such levels over time, but the real question is when, and that remains uncertain.

The Two Forces Driving XRP Price

Fiat Debasement at Play

Vandell starts with a basic economic principle: if fiat currencies keep losing value over time, then assets priced in them don’t really have a fixed ceiling.

• Means, More money in the system = weaker currency
• That goes with Weaker currency = higher asset prices
• Interestingly, crypto benefits from this long-term trend

This creates a natural upward trend across markets, including crypto, regardless of short-term volatility.

Demand and Supply Shape XRP’s Trajectory

The second force is demand, and this is where things get interesting.

• Retail + institutions both play a role here
• Some buy for hype, others for real use
• Adding the spice, a limited supply adds pressure on the price

Despite market crashes or corrections, these fundamentals keep the long-term trend intact.

Don’t Stress the “When”

So, while the probability of higher prices exists, Vandell makes it clear that this is not a guarantee or prediction. The timeline is uncertain and depends on how these macro and market forces unfold.

“The truth is, no one knows exactly how these things will play out or even when they will or if they will, but based on probabilities and the dynamics that actually drive price, and if these long-term forces continue and XRP does not die tomorrow, then over time it becomes natural for the price to rise over a long-term period.”

Instead of focusing on short-term moves, understanding the broader trend becomes more important.

Focus on Positioning, Not Price Targets

Vandell concludes that obsessing over specific price targets like $1,000 misses the bigger picture. Investors should focus on positioning themselves for long-term opportunities and adapting to market conditions rather than fixating on numbers they cannot control.