The post Russia’s Biggest Exchange Adds XRP Solana TRON and BNB Indexes appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Russia is stepping deeper into crypto, but not through hype cycles or speculative mania. Instead, it’s building quietly through structured financial products and regulatory alignment. The Moscow Exchange (MOEX), the country’s largest securities exchange, is now expanding its crypto footprint in a way that reflects long-term positioning rather than short-term noise.

Expanding Beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum

From May 13, MOEX will introduce four new crypto indexes tracking Solana, XRP, TRON, and BNB. These will trade under MOEXSOL, MOEXXRP, MOEXTRX, and MOEXBNB, expanding its existing lineup that already includes Bitcoin and Ethereum indexes launched in 2025.

This move signals a clear shift; Russia is no longer just tracking the top two assets, it’s opening the door to broader altcoin exposure within a regulated framework.

Built on Global Liquidity

The structure behind these indexes is carefully designed. Pricing data will be aggregated from leading global exchanges, with Binance contributing 50%, Bybit 20%, OKX 15%, and Bitget 15%.

At the same time, MOEX is upgrading how these indexes function. Instead of daily updates, all crypto indexes will now refresh every 15 seconds during trading sessions, bringing them much closer to real-time market conditions.

A Derivatives-First Strategy

This expansion isn’t about spot trading yet. These indexes will primarily serve as the foundation for crypto derivatives, which are currently restricted to professional investors. Under existing rules, these instruments cannot involve direct delivery of crypto assets, keeping exposure indirect but regulated.

MOEX has already been active in this space, offering derivatives linked to Bitcoin, Ethereum, and even products from BlackRock, showing how traditional finance and crypto are beginning to overlap.

Regulation Is Catching Up

Behind the scenes, Russia is working toward a broader legal framework. A new digital asset bill under review is expected to be finalized by mid-2026, potentially allowing limited retail participation with caps of around $4,000 annually.

At the same time, MOEX plans to expand its crypto index suite to at least 10 assets, with future additions likely including Dogecoin and Cardano.

The post Former Ripple CTO Says He Had 26 Million XRP, Recalls Co-Founder Selling Bitcoin Not XRP appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

David Schwartz, aka JoelKatz and formerly Ripple’s Chief Technology Officer, disclosed in a social media exchange this week that he once held 26 million XRP, significantly more than what he currently holds.

Responding to a question on X about the size of his personal XRP position, Schwartz offered an unexpected point of reference. “My idea of not a lot is still more than a million,” he wrote. “I once had 26 million XRP.”

The comment came in the context of a broader exchange about risk tolerance and crypto exposure among Ripple’s founding figures.

David Schwartz reveals he once held 26M XRP and touches on Arthur Britto’s historical preference for holding XRP over BTC. pic.twitter.com/ZvmaF6c0IK

— 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸XRP (@BankXRP) May 4, 2026

When asked whether Ripple co-founder Arthur Britto shares a similar approach to risk and asset exposure, Schwartz said the two had never directly discussed the topic. He added that his vague recollection from years ago was that Britto had been selling Bitcoin to cover personal expenses while holding onto most or all of his XRP.

“I vaguely remember him saying that he’s been selling Bitcoin to cover expenses and hadn’t sold any, or very little, XRP,” Schwartz wrote. “But that was many years ago and I have no idea what he’s done since then.”

Schwartz was careful to note the limits of his knowledge, stressing that the recollection was both vague and dated, and that Britto’s current holdings and strategy are unknown to him.

The exchange drew attention within the XRP community, given the rarity of public disclosures from Ripple’s founding figures about their personal crypto positions. Schwartz’s acknowledgement that he once held 26 million XRP, a sum worth tens of millions of dollars at current prices, added context to how his personal holdings have changed over the years since the network launched.

Neither Schwartz nor Ripple made any further comment on the matter at the time of publication.

The post Ethereum at a Make-or-Break Level — Will May Trigger Another Explosive Rally? appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Ethereum ended April on a solid note, posting a 7.3% gain and marking its second consecutive green month. This steady recovery is now drawing attention to May, historically one of Ethereum’s strongest months. In 2024, ETH surged 25%, followed by an even sharper 41% rally in 2025.

Resistance at $2,375

According to crypto analyst Ali Martinez, Ethereum is currently testing the top of its channel near $2,375, a level that has repeatedly acted as strong resistance.

In previous attempts, ETH has been rejected from this zone, pulling the price back toward lower support levels. If history repeats, a failure here could send Ethereum back toward the $2,210 support region, which marks the lower boundary of the channel.

However, there’s a shift in tone this time. As Martinez notes, repeated tests of resistance tend to weaken it. With Ethereum now approaching what appears to be a fourth test, the market is entering a decisive phase.

Breakout Could Send ETH to $2,550

If Ethereum manages a strong daily close above $2,375, it could trigger a bullish breakout. Martinez points to a potential 7% upside move, targeting the next structural resistance around $2,550.

Market sentiment also finds support from institutional activity. U.S. spot Ethereum ETFs recorded $23.5 million in net inflows last week, with major contributions from Grayscale’s ETHE. This suggests growing institutional interest, even as price consolidates.

Supply Crunch Building Under the Surface

On-chain data adds another layer to the story. Ethereum exchange reserves have dropped to around 14.5 million ETH, the lowest level on record. Over 1.5 million ETH has been withdrawn from exchanges in the past four months alone.

This shrinking supply means there’s less ETH available for selling, reducing downward pressure. While this doesn’t guarantee an immediate breakout, it creates a setup where any strong demand could push prices sharply higher due to thinner liquidity.

Decision Zone Ahead

Overall, Ethereum now sits at a crucial inflection point. A breakout above $2,375 could open the door to $2,550 and potentially extend May’s bullish trend. 

But failure here risks another pullback toward $2,210. Either way, the next move could be decisive.

The post Morgan Stanley’s Bitcoin ETP Draws $100M in Days, Fuels Bitcoin Rally appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Morgan Stanley has launched a Bitcoin exchange-traded product (ETP), drawing more than $100 million in inflows within six days, according to reports.

The product, MSBT, attracted demand before being made available through the firm’s financial advisors, indicating early activity was largely driven by self-directed investors.

Bitcoin ETP demand driven by self-directed investors and institutional interest

The initial inflows suggest investors are allocating to Bitcoin exposure independently, without waiting for advisory guidance.

Amy Oldenburg said, “All of that was self-directed; it was not even available in advisory on the wealth platform,” highlighting that early demand came before advisor distribution.

Bitcoin allocation strategy and advisor adoption gap in wealth management

Morgan Stanley recommends a 2% to 4% Bitcoin allocation for eligible portfolios. However, advisor adoption remains limited compared to client demand.

Oldenburg said this reflects an education gap rather than a lack of interest. Around 80% of ETP exposure on the platform is currently self-directed. The firm is expanding internal training to support advisors.

Morgan Stanley expects Bitcoin to eventually be included on bank balance sheets, though regulatory constraints remain.

Oldenburg said, “The regulatory environment has been more supportive,” but noted that Federal Reserve policies, Basel capital rules, and global compliance requirements still limit broader integration.

Crypto custody, OCC charter plans, and Coinbase BNY Mellon partnership

The firm is pursuing a digital trust charter from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to enable crypto custody and spot trading.

The MSBT product currently uses Coinbase and BNY Mellon as custodians.

Bitcoin ETF competition: MSBT vs BlackRock iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT)

MSBT enters a market led by BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), which holds more than $61 billion in assets.

Morgan Stanley’s product carries a fee of 0.14%, compared with 0.25% for IBIT. However, IBIT continues to lead in trading volume and market liquidity.

Morgan Stanley’s network of about 16,000 advisors may support future inflows once the product is fully integrated into advisory channels.

The post Exclusive: India’s Crypto Future Hinges on Clarity, Not Just Taxes — CoinSwitch Co-founder Speaks appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

India’s crypto story is moving forward, but not without friction. In an exclusive conversation with Coinpedia, Ashish Singhal, Co-founder CoinSwitch, breaks down where things stand, from CBDCs and UPI dominance to Budget 2026, taxation, and why startups are quietly looking offshore.

UPI Dominates, But CBDC Plays a Different Game

Singhal makes it clear that India isn’t lacking payment solutions. Unified Payments Interface has already made transactions effortless, whether it’s paying vendors or splitting bills.

But CBDC isn’t competing with UPI. It’s something deeper.

He explains that a CBDC is essentially digital cash issued by the central bank, like a ₹100 note, but on your phone. Its real strength lies in targeted use cases. Government subsidies can be programmed for specific spending, and emergency funds can reach citizens instantly without intermediaries.

In his words, UPI is the “road,” while CBDC becomes a new “vehicle” running on it. For users, the experience may not change, but the backend becomes far more powerful.

Budget 2026: Clarity Without Relief

India Budget 2026 kept crypto taxes unchanged, continuing with one of the toughest regimes globally.

Singhal doesn’t see this as an attempt to kill retail participation, but rather to control it. The framework has brought clarity and improved traceability, even if high taxes and 1% TDS have pushed some activity offshore.

He suggests the government is prioritizing responsible investing and compliance first. But going forward, a more balanced tax structure, aligned with other asset classes, could unlock real growth while keeping innovation within India.

Startups Are Watching… and Moving

Moreover, regulatory ambiguity remains a bigger concern than taxes.

Singhal points out that many Web3 founders are drifting toward hubs like Dubai, Singapore, and Hong Kong, where clearer rules make it easier to access banking, capital, and partnerships.

India still has a strong advantage, its massive developer base and user market. But without clear and proportionate regulation, that edge could slowly erode.

Bitcoin ETFs and What Comes Next

On the question of Bitcoin ETFs, Singhal takes a grounded view.

He says India is still figuring out the basics, how crypto assets are classified, who regulates them, and how investors are protected. Products like ETFs will only come after that foundation is set.

Still, global momentum, especially after U.S. ETF approvals, is hard to ignore. Institutional demand in India is already building, particularly among investors seeking exposure without directly holding crypto.

Why Regulation Is Slower Than Adoption

Singhal ends with a reality check.

Crypto isn’t just another sector; it touches capital controls, taxation, AML, and financial stability. That means multiple regulators are involved, which naturally slows things down.

India, he says, is taking a “risk-first” approach, building guardrails through taxation and compliance while watching how global frameworks evolve.

Adoption, meanwhile, doesn’t wait. It’s market-driven, fast, and already ahead of policy.

And that gap, between speed and structure, is where India’s crypto future will ultimately be decided.