The post XRP Price Prediction For February 6 appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

The price of XRP continued to move lower this week, extending its corrective phase after breaking below a consolidation pattern and reflecting broader weakness across the cryptocurrency market.

XRP has fallen about 12% in a short period, with chart-based projections placing the next important price region between $1.36 and $1.21, where the decline could begin to slow if buying demand strengthens.

Decline follows break below consolidation range

The latest downward move accelerated after XRP dropped below a triangular consolidation pattern that had held prices steady for several sessions. Once the lower boundary of that range was breached, selling intensified and prices moved rapidly toward lower technical projections.

Analysts describe the current move as part of a broader corrective cycle within the longer-term trend, in which a rapid final phase of selling typically follows the completion of earlier consolidation waves.

Retracement levels define the next trading range

Technical projections based on earlier price swings place potential stabilization zones near $1.36, $1.29, and $1.21. The $1.21 area corresponds roughly to a 50% retracement of the previous upward rally, a region where declines often begin to slow as longer-term investors re-enter the market.

If prices fall below that band, the correction could extend toward lower historical trading ranges, with some analysts pointing to significantly lower retracement zones as alternative scenarios depending on overall crypto market sentiment.

Recovery requires reclaiming earlier range

For a sustained recovery to develop, XRP would need to move back above approximately $1.64, which marked the upper boundary of the earlier consolidation zone. A move above that level would indicate that downward momentum is easing and that a more stable price base is forming.

Broader market conditions remain the main driver

The current XRP decline has taken place alongside a wider digital-asset downturn, in which Bitcoin, Ethereum and other major cryptocurrencies have also experienced steep losses. 

Analysts say XRP’s direction in the near term is likely to remain closely linked to the broader crypto market environment, including institutional flows, leverage reductions and overall investor sentiment.

Until a clear reversal develops, XRP is expected to remain within a corrective phase characterized by sharp short-term fluctuations and gradual attempts to stabilize near major retracement regions.

The post Bitcoin And Altcoins Recovery Coming Soon, Says Bitwise CIO appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Despite the recent volatility in digital asset markets, Matt Hougan, chief investment officer at Bitwise Asset Management, says the broader crypto sector may already be emerging from a bear-market phase, with institutional demand and improving fundamentals likely to drive the next cycle.

“We already had a bear market”

Hougan argued that much of the crypto market experienced a significant downturn earlier, even if major assets appeared relatively resilient.

“We had a full-blown bear market last year. We didn’t experience it because Bitcoin, ETH, and XRP did okay — they had institutional flows from ETFs and corporations,” he said.

Assets without institutional backing, he noted, fell sharply, with some large cryptocurrencies declining 50%–60%, resembling conditions seen during previous bear cycles such as 2018 and 2022.

According to Hougan, the market may already be moving into a recovery phase.

“We ran the four-year cycle last year. We’re already at the bottom. I think we’re coming back up.”

Institutional demand reshaping the market

Hougan said the introduction of Bitcoin exchange-traded funds in early 2024 created a structural shift in demand. ETF purchases, corporate accumulation and other institutional buying have, at times, exceeded the amount of new Bitcoin entering circulation.

“If you look at ETF purchases or corporate purchases, it’s vastly more than the amount of new Bitcoin being produced,” he said.

He compared the situation to the gold market, where sustained central-bank buying initially stabilized prices before eventually driving a stronger rally once selling pressure from existing holders declined.

“Just like gold eventually entered a parabolic move, Bitcoin will follow suit. We’re just earlier in that process.”

A more selective altcoin cycle ahead

Hougan said the next phase of the crypto market is unlikely to resemble past “everything rallies” altcoin cycles. Instead, investors are becoming more selective, rewarding projects with real adoption and strong fundamentals.

“We’re not going to have a classic alt season where every zombie coin rises,” he said. “People are going to distinguish between high-quality projects and low-quality projects.”

He pointed to networks with strong activity in areas such as stablecoins, tokenization and decentralized infrastructure as potential leaders in the next cycle, while weaker projects could struggle to attract capital.

Long-term outlook remains constructive

Hougan also highlighted a broader shift occurring within the market: early investors and long-term holders are gradually selling portions of their holdings, while institutional investors increasingly replace them as the dominant buyers.

This transition, he said, is typical of maturing asset classes and does not necessarily signal weakening demand.

“We’re working through that sale wall… but we’re going to get through it,” he said, adding that the long-term trend of increasing institutional participation remains intact.

While timing remains uncertain, Hougan said the combination of structural demand, improving infrastructure and investor selectivity could support the next stage of growth in digital assets, with stronger projects leading the recovery rather than the entire market moving in unison.

The post Why are Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRP Prices Crashing Hard Today? appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Cryptocurrency markets extended their sharp decline on Thursday, with Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRP dropping to multi-month lows as institutional selling, heavy liquidations and weak market sentiment combined to push prices lower.

Bitcoin fell below $69,000, slipping under its previous 2021 all-time high, while Ethereum dropped below $2,000 for the first time since May 2025. XRP also recorded steep weekly losses as selling spread across major altcoins.

The total crypto market capitalization declined to roughly $2.3 trillion, down more than 7% in 24 hours.

Bitcoin’s sharp decline from record highs

Bitcoin has now fallen roughly 45% from its recent peak near $126,000, marking one of the fastest multi-month corrections of the current cycle. Over the past 120 days, the cryptocurrency has dropped by more than $56,000, averaging a decline of roughly $14,000 per month.

BREAKING: Bitcoin just dropped below its 2021 all time high of $69,000

while ETH fell below $2,000 for the first time since May 2025.

Crypto market is in free fall. pic.twitter.com/E7KPMUUKkw

— Bull Theory (@BullTheoryio) February 5, 2026

Market analysts say the fall below the $69,000 level is psychologically significant because it represents a loss of a major long-term support zone that had held since the previous bull cycle.

Institutional selling and ETF outflows pressure markets

The sell-off has been driven largely by institutional flows rather than retail activity. Analysts pointed to large deposits of Bitcoin onto major exchanges and continued outflows from U.S. spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds, which together increased available supply in the market.

Some blockchain tracking services reported that several large trading firms and exchanges collectively moved billions of dollars worth of Bitcoin during low-liquidity trading hours, accelerating the downward move.

Liquidations intensify the crash

The decline triggered a wave of forced liquidations across leveraged trading positions. More than $1.3 billion in crypto positions were liquidated in 24 hours, including hundreds of millions of dollars in Bitcoin long positions.

Market sentiment indicators reflected the stress, with the Fear and Greed Index dropping to “extreme fear” territory while momentum indicators signaled heavily oversold conditions.

Ethereum and XRP follow broader market weakness

Ethereum fell sharply during the week, losing more than 25%, while XRP also posted double-digit declines as traders reduced exposure to higher-risk altcoins during the downturn.

Historically, altcoins tend to fall faster than Bitcoin during risk-off phases because of thinner liquidity and higher speculative positioning.

Macro pressures and market correlation

There is also rising correlation between crypto markets and traditional financial assets, including equities and gold, suggesting the sell-off may be partly driven by broader macro positioning rather than crypto-specific news.

The lack of a single major negative headline has led some analysts to describe the downturn as a liquidity-driven reset, where institutional positioning, leverage unwinding and weak sentiment collectively pushed prices lower.

What happens next?

Technical analysts say the near-term outlook depends on whether Bitcoin can hold the $66,000 support zone. Holding above this level could trigger a short-term relief rally as oversold conditions attract buyers, while a decisive break lower could open the path toward the $62,000–$60,000 range.

The post Worst-Case Bitcoin Price Could Be $35,000, Warns Veteran Analyst appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Veteran market analyst Gareth Soloway has outlined several possible paths for Bitcoin’s price, including a worst-case scenario that could see the cryptocurrency fall sharply if global financial markets face a major downturn.

In a recent market update, Soloway said Bitcoin is currently holding an important price area and has shown more resilience than U.S. stock markets, which he expects to remain under pressure in the months ahead.

He added that while equities may continue to struggle, some capital could rotate into Bitcoin, helping limit further downside in the near term.

Bitcoin Shows Near-Term Stability

Soloway said that Bitcoin recently moved lower but managed to close back above important chart levels. This behavior, he said, suggests buyers are still active at current prices.

The area around $73,000–$74,000 has acted as a strong zone of interest, as it previously marked a major breakout point. Bitcoin also reacted sharply near $73,000, bouncing almost precisely from that level.

Because of this, Soloway says Bitcoin could see a short-term bounce, even if broader market risks remain.

Bounce May Face Selling Pressure Near $85,000–$86,000

If Bitcoin rebounds, Soloway expects selling pressure to emerge around the $85,000 to $86,000 range. This zone previously acted as support before breaking down and is now likely to limit upside in the short run.

He stressed that any rebound into this area would not necessarily signal the start of a new bull market and could be followed by renewed weakness.

Base Scenario Points to $55,000 Area

Looking further ahead, Soloway outlined his base scenario, which assumes a typical market correction rather than a severe financial crisis.

Drawing on past Bitcoin cycles, he noted that during previous downturns Bitcoin often fell roughly 20% below the prior cycle’s all-time high. Applying that pattern to the 2021 peak near $69,000 suggests a possible move toward the $55,000 region.

He said this area aligns with historical trading activity and could act as a longer-term floor if market conditions remain relatively orderly.

Soloway added that he would look to accumulate Bitcoin gradually if prices move into the $55,000–$65,000 range.

Worst-Case Scenario Sees Bitcoin Near $35,000

Soloway said a much deeper drop would likely require a sharp collapse in global equity markets, potentially involving losses of 30% to 50%.

In such a case, Bitcoin’s chart has formed a large head-and-shoulders pattern, a bearish structure that can signal deeper declines. If fully played out, this pattern points to a potential fall toward $34,000 to $35,000.

He warned that this scenario is not his central expectation and would only occur under extreme market stress.

The post Former CFTC Chair Says XRP Became the Poster Child of the Warren–Gensler Crackdown on Crypto appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Former U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission chair Chris Giancarlo said XRP became the “poster child” of Washington’s tough stance on cryptocurrency, but noted that the project has survived and is now moving forward.

Speaking in a recent discussion on crypto regulation and innovation, Giancarlo said regulatory clarity is critical for the future of digital finance in the United States. Without clear rules, he warned, American banks could fall behind their global peers.

Europe Moves Ahead as US Lags

Giancarlo pointed to Ripple as an example of how clear rules can unlock innovation. Ripple has recently secured regulatory approvals in Europe, allowing its stablecoin and XRP to be used more widely within the region’s financial infrastructure.

Under Europe’s MiCA framework, banks across the region can now hold and use these digital assets in a regulated manner. Giancarlo said this gives European banks a major advantage, while U.S. banks remain cautious due to regulatory uncertainty.

“Something clear is better than nothing,” he said, adding that while Europe’s rules may not be perfect, they at least allow institutions to move forward.

XRP’s Fight With the SEC

Giancarlo also touched on XRP’s long-running legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, calling it a defining moment for the crypto industry.

He said XRP became a key target during what he described as the crackdown led by regulators under former SEC leadership. Despite years of legal pressure, he noted that XRP “stood up to it, withstood it, and is still standing.”

The legal fight between Ripple and the SEC, which centered on whether XRP should be classified as a security, has been closely watched across the crypto market and is seen as a test case for how digital assets are regulated in the U.S.

Banks Will Innovate When Forced

Giancarlo argued that U.S. banks tend to innovate only when regulation leaves them no choice. Once clear crypto rules are in place, he said banks will no longer be able to use regulatory risk as an excuse and will be pushed to adopt digital network technologies.

He added that the future of digital finance will not be dominated by a single blockchain. Instead, multiple networks will likely coexist, much like Visa, Mastercard, and American Express operate side by side today.

“The digital future will be just as complex as the financial system we already have,” Giancarlo said.

The post Why Crypto Crashed Today: $184 Billion Wiped Out in One Day appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Global financial markets saw heavy losses over the past 24 hours, with cryptocurrencies leading a sharp sell-off that wiped out trillions of dollars in market value across asset classes.

The total crypto market fell about 7%, erasing roughly $184 billion in value in a single day, as selling pressure accelerated and investor confidence weakened.

Crypto sees deep losses and heavy liquidations

Bitcoin dropped nearly 8%, losing around $120 billion in market value, while Ethereum slid more than 30% from recent highs. Over the past eight days, Bitcoin has fallen roughly $20,000, while Ethereum has lost close to $1,000. Bitcoin has also slipped below $70,000 at the time of writing.

Forced liquidations intensified the move. More than $830 million in positions were liquidated in the last 24 hours alone, while total liquidations over the past week exceeded $6.7 billion, according to market data.

Analysts said the decline reflects aggressive deleveraging as traders unwind risky positions.

Selling spreads beyond crypto

The sell-off was not limited to digital assets. Traditional markets also recorded losses:

• Gold fell about 5.5%, wiping out nearly $1.9 trillion in market value
  
• Silver dropped roughly 19%, erasing close to $1 trillion
  
• The S&P 500 declined nearly 1%
  
• The Nasdaq fell about 2.5%, while smaller stocks also weakened
  

In total, close to $5 trillion was erased across global markets in a short period, despite the absence of any single major negative headline.

Institutional flows remain weak

Investor demand showed further signs of strain. Bitcoin exchange-traded funds recorded significant outflows in January, reinforcing signs of sustained institutional selling.

Meanwhile, indicators tracking U.S. investor demand showed persistent weakness, showing limited buying support during the downturn.

Sentiment hits extreme fear levels

Market sentiment has deteriorated sharply. The crypto Fear and Greed Index has logged one of its longest stretches of “extreme fear” in recent months, a level often seen during late-stage market drawdowns.

Data from on-chain analytics firms also showed momentum indicators falling to their weakest levels, signaling little near-term bullish conviction.

No clear bottom in sight

Some analysts said Bitcoin is approaching price zones where buyers may begin searching for a bottom, but warned that past cycles show such phases can last months rather than days.

“This is no longer a routine pullback,” one analyst said. “It’s a broad reset driven by forced selling, broken confidence and declining risk appetite.”

The post Why Is Crypto Market Going DownToday? appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

The crypto market extended its selloff on Tuesday, with Bitcoin falling below $73,000 for the first time since November 2024, triggering sharp swings across major digital assets.

Bitcoin briefly dropped nearly $1,900 in just 25 minutes, wiping out around $70 million in long positions. Minutes later, prices rebounded by more than $1,200, liquidating another $15 million in short positions — a sign of extreme volatility rather than a clear trend.

No Single Headline Trigger

The moves came despite the absence of any major negative news.

In fact, the selloff continued even after President Donald Trump said he had an “excellent” phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, discussing trade, military issues, and an upcoming visit to China. Trump also said China may increase U.S. agricultural purchases.

BREAKING: Bitcoin just dumped below $73,000, its lowest level since November 2024.

The sell-off in the crypto market is intensifying. pic.twitter.com/5G5nbH9Mhk

— Bull Theory (@BullTheoryio) February 4, 2026

Markets largely ignored the update, underscoring that today’s crypto weakness appears driven more by positioning and sentiment than headlines.

Liquidations Fuel the Drop

Analysts say the sharp moves were amplified by forced liquidations.

As Bitcoin broke below key support levels, leveraged traders were pushed out of positions, accelerating the decline. Once prices bounced, short sellers were also caught off guard, adding to the rapid swings.

This kind of price action is typical during periods of low confidence and high leverage.

Broader Market Under Pressure

Losses were not limited to Bitcoin.

• Ethereum slipped toward $2,100
  
• XRP fell to around $1.51
  
• Solana, BNB, and other major tokens posted daily declines of 5% to 10%
  

The total crypto market value dropped to about $2.48 trillion, down more than 3.5% in 24 hours.

Fear Dominates Sentiment

Market indicators show confidence remains weak.

The Crypto Fear and Greed Index stayed deep in “extreme fear” territory, while momentum indicators suggest the market is oversold. However, analysts warn that oversold conditions do not guarantee an immediate rebound.

Now it remains to be seen whether Bitcoin can stabilize above the $72,000–$73,000 range. A sustained break below that zone could open the door to further losses, while consolidation may allow volatility to cool.

The post XRP News: Ripple Blurs Line Between Wall Street and DeFi With Hyperliquid appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Ripple is taking another step into decentralized finance, backing onchain derivatives at a moment when institutional players are quietly reassessing how and where they trade.

The blockchain firm said its institutional brokerage arm, Ripple Prime, has begun supporting Hyperliquid, a fast-growing decentralized derivatives venue. The move allows Ripple Prime clients to access onchain derivatives liquidity while managing risk and collateral alongside traditional asset classes.

The development shows a shift under way in crypto markets: decentralized trading venues, once dominated by retail users, are increasingly being shaped to meet institutional demands.

Bringing DeFi Into the Prime Brokerage Model

Through the integration, institutional clients using Ripple Prime can trade on Hyperliquid while keeping exposures consolidated across a broader portfolio that includes digital assets, foreign exchange, fixed income, and derivatives.

Instead of managing separate accounts and collateral pools for decentralized platforms, clients can operate through a single prime brokerage relationship — a structure long familiar in traditional finance but still rare in DeFi.

Market participants say this kind of setup could lower one of the biggest barriers to institutional DeFi adoption: fragmented risk management.

Why Hyperliquid?

Hyperliquid has gained attention for its onchain derivatives infrastructure, which aims to offer high-speed execution without relying on centralized intermediaries. While decentralized derivatives have existed for years, liquidity and performance concerns have kept most large institutions on the sidelines.

By plugging Hyperliquid into a prime brokerage framework, Ripple is effectively testing whether decentralized markets can be accessed in ways that resemble conventional trading desks — without requiring firms to abandon compliance, margin controls, or capital efficiency.

While DeFi volumes remain volatile and sensitive to market cycles, interest from institutional players has grown as infrastructure matures. The question is no longer whether institutions will interact with DeFi, but under what conditions.

For now, the move means less about explosive growth and more about quiet positioning. As crypto markets evolve, firms like Ripple appear to be betting that the future of trading will blur the line between centralized and decentralized finance — not replace one with the other.

The post Bitcoin Price Crashes Over $53,000 in Four Months as Analysts Reveal What Comes Next appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Bitcoin has lost more than $53,000 in value over the past four months, extending a sharp downturn that has erased much of last year’s rally and left investors searching for signs of stability.

Bitcoin peaked near $126,000 in October 2025 and has since fallen to around $73,200, its lowest level this year. The decline has wiped out more than $1.1 trillion from Bitcoin’s market value and pushed it roughly 42% below its all-time high.

The selloff has also dragged down the broader crypto market. Ethereum is down about 56% from its peak, reinforcing concerns that digital assets remain stuck in a prolonged downturn.

Crypto Falls as Stocks Hold Near Records

The contrast with traditional markets has been striking.

U.S. stock indexes remain close to record highs, with the S&P 500 down about 1.5% from its peak, the Nasdaq off roughly 3.6%, and the Russell 2000 lower by around 4.2%. Crypto markets, by comparison, have suffered far deeper losses.

That gap has fueled speculation among some investors about market manipulation or deeper structural problems in crypto.

Analysts Reject Manipulation Claims

Julio Moreno, a crypto market analyst, pushed back against the idea that the drop signals something broken behind the scenes.

He said Bitcoin’s broader trend since 2023 had been upward until late last year, when momentum shifted. “We made a new all-time high,” Moreno said, arguing that 2025 was not a bear year overall despite ending in the red.

According to Moreno, the change came in November, when Bitcoin’s trend turned downward after falling below a long-watched technical level.

A Clear Bear Signal Emerges

Analysts point to Bitcoin’s move below its 365-day moving average as a major warning sign. That indicator has historically marked the shift from bull markets to bear markets.

“When price drops below the one-year average, that level tends to become resistance,” Moreno said. In past cycles, including 2022, similar moves were followed by extended declines.

This time, he said, the downturn has been worse than early 2022, suggesting a more prolonged correction.

He now sees several important price levels shaping what comes next.

• $89,000 is viewed as a major resistance level where rallies could stall
  
• $79,000 is considered near-term support
  
• A sustained and continuous drop below that could open the door to $70,000 or lower
  

The post XRP ETFs See Fresh Inflows Despite Ongoing Crypto Market Crash appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

While XRP prices have struggled in recent weeks, flows into XRP-linked exchange-traded products tell a more mixed and in some ways surprising story.

Data from recent ETF activity shows that investors continued adding XRP exposure in early February, even as the broader crypto market remained under pressure.

Week 6 Sees Net Inflows Despite Market Weakness

In the first week of February (Monday and Tuesday), XRP ETFs recorded net inflows of about 12.6 million XRP. Total inflows reached 13.15 million XRP, comfortably outweighing outflows of roughly 590,000 XRP.

As a result, total XRP held across tracked products edged higher, ending the week near 755.5 million XRP.

These inflows came during a period when XRP prices were falling alongside Bitcoin and Ethereum, suggesting that some investors may be using price weakness to build longer-term positions.

Who Is Holding the Most XRP

By the end of January, holdings were spread across several major ETF issuers:

• Canary: about 186 million XRP
  
• Bitwise: roughly 165 million XRP
  
• Franklin: around 147 million XRP
  
• 21Shares: about 123 million XRP
  
• Grayscale: close to 59 million XRP
  
• REX-Osprey and index products held smaller but steady positions
  

Canary and Bitwise continued to rank among the largest holders, while Franklin and 21Shares also showed stable exposure.

A Volatile January for XRP ETFs

The positive Week 6 flows followed a volatile January.

In Week 5, XRP ETFs saw net outflows of nearly 31 million XRP, largely driven by heavy selling from Grayscale, which alone shed more than 53 million XRP during that period.

Week 4 also ended in net outflows, with about 21.3 million XRP leaving ETF products. Those weeks coincided with sharper declines in XRP’s market price and rising risk aversion across crypto markets.

Despite those withdrawals, total XRP locked across ETFs has remained relatively high, fluctuating between roughly 755 million and 808 million XRP over the past several weeks.

The post Why are Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRP Prices Still Crashing Today? appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Major cryptocurrencies remained under pressure on Tuesday, as a Bitcoin-led selloff dragged the broader digital asset market lower.

The total crypto market value fell to about $2.54 trillion, down over 3% in 24 hours, according to market data. Losses were led by Bitcoin, with Ethereum and XRP also declining sharply.

Bitcoin Breakdown Sets the Tone

Bitcoin slipped below an important support level around $75,000, triggering a wave of automated selling and forced liquidations across trading platforms.

Because Bitcoin accounts for nearly 60% of the total crypto market, its move lower had an outsized impact. More than $240 million in Bitcoin positions were liquidated in a single day, accelerating losses across other tokens.

Markets are now watching whether Bitcoin can hold the $72,000–$74,000 range. A sustained break below that zone could open the door to deeper declines, while stability could allow for a short-term rebound.

Ethereum Underperforms as Sentiment Weakens

Ethereum fell more sharply than Bitcoin, dropping nearly 4% over 24 hours and close to 28% over the past week.

Experts pointed to negative sentiment around the Ethereum ecosystem, including persistent short positioning and concerns about continued selling pressure. Funding rates on Ethereum derivatives have remained negative, suggesting many traders are betting on further downside.

Ethereum is now hovering near a key support area between $2,000 and $2,300. A clear move below that range could trigger another round of liquidations.

XRP and Altcoins Follow the Slide

XRP declined alongside the broader market, falling nearly 20% over the past week. Like many large altcoins, XRP has struggled to attract buyers as risk appetite fades. XRP is now trading near $1.55.

Analysts said the selloff has been broad-based, with Layer 1 tokens, DeFi assets, and high-beta altcoins all seeing sharp declines as traders reduce exposure.

Market indicators such as the Fear and Greed Index have dropped into “extreme fear” territory.

Macro Pressures Add to Volatility

Crypto markets have also been moving closely with traditional risk assets. Data shows a strong correlation between Bitcoin and U.S. stock indices, particularly the S&P 500, suggesting macroeconomic factors are playing a growing role.

Rising uncertainty around interest rates and capital flows has weighed on speculative assets, including cryptocurrencies.

The post XRP ‘Rigged From Day One’? Pro-XRP Lawyer Separates Fact From Fiction appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Fresh rumours around XRP have turned heads on social media after old emails from 2014 resurfaced, triggering claims that powerful figures wanted Ripple and XRP “gone” long before the U.S. regulatory crackdown. The latest debate has prompted a detailed response from XRP-supporting attorney Bill Morgan, who issued a warning  in drawing sweeping conclusions.

What the 2014 Email Actually Shows

According to Morgan, the email at the centre of the controversy does suggest that Jeffrey Epstein expressed an interest in harming Ripple and, by extension, XRP and the XRP Ledger in 2014. However, Morgan stressed that the document reflects intent or discussion — not proof of coordinated action.

“The email implicates Epstein in a desire to harm Ripple,” Morgan explained, “but it does not show a sustained or successful campaign carried out over time.”

The Timeline Problem

Morgan highlighted a key issue often missing from online theories: timing. He noted that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s investigation into Ripple did not begin until between April and June 2018, nearly four years after the email in question.

That period also coincides with former SEC official Bill Hinman’s widely debated speech that signalled Ethereum was not considered a security. Morgan said the gap between 2014 and 2018 is critical and largely unexplained.

Where Gensler Fits — And Where He Doesn’t

Additional emails released publicly show interest from the same circle in Gary Gensler in early May 2018, referencing his political connections and links to what Morgan described as an anti-crypto faction within U.S. Democratic circles.

• Also Read :
•   XRP News: Ripple Blurs Line Between Wall Street and DeFi With Hyperliquid
•   ,

However, Morgan pushed back against claims that Gensler was involved earlier through MIT. While Gensler joined MIT in 2018, Morgan said there is no evidence tying him to MIT Media Lab activities or its former director, Joi It,o during the 2014–2018 period.

The Missing Link

“What’s missing,” Morgan said, “is a documented chain of involvement connecting these events over four years.” Aside from Joi Ito’s role at MIT Media Lab, Morgan noted there is no paper trail showing coordination between Epstein, regulators, or exchanges leading up to the SEC case.

Separating Facts From Assumptions

Morgan’s comments come as XRP once again becomes the focus of online narratives during periods of market stress. He said that while historical documents can raise questions, conclusions must be based on verifiable evidence rather than coincidence.

The post Why is Crypto Crashing Again Today and What’s Next? appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

The crypto market is under pressure again, with prices sliding sharply during the latest trading session.

Total crypto market value has dropped 3.24% to $2.57 trillion, wiping out nearly $50 billion in a matter of hours. The selloff accelerated after the U.S. market opened, when Bitcoin suddenly fell by around $1,700.

Liquidations Add Fuel to the Drop

The sharp move triggered heavy liquidations.

• Over $55 million in long positions were liquidated in just two hours
  
• Traders betting on higher prices were forced out, pushing prices even lower
  

This happened despite positive news around the U.S. government shutdown, showing that market sentiment remains fragile.

Bitcoin and Ethereum Lead the Decline

• Bitcoin fell more than 4% in 24 hours, trading near $75,700
  
• Ethereum dropped over 6%, falling to around $2,220
  
• Major altcoins like XRP, Solana, and Cardano also moved lower
  

Fear remains high, with the Crypto Fear & Greed Index stuck at 17, deep in “extreme fear” territory.

ETF Outflows and Weak Confidence

One key pressure point has been continued selling from institutional products.

• U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs have seen about $2.8 billion in outflows over the past two weeks
  
• This steady selling has drained confidence and reduced buying support
  

Oversold conditions and low liquidity made the market vulnerable to sudden drops.

Ethereum at a Turning Point

Ethereum has broken below an important support level, adding to the bearish mood.

• Short-term price trends remain weak
  
• Longer-term trends are still pointing higher
  
• Investors are now watching for a strong support zone to hold before any recovery can begin
  

Analysts say that Ethereum could still outperform Bitcoin later in the cycle, but only if broader market conditions stabilise.

A Sharp Contrast: Gold and Silver Surge

While crypto struggled, traditional safe-haven assets surged.

• Gold is up 11% from its recent low, adding more than $3 trillion in value
  
• Silver has jumped nearly 20%, adding around $800 billion
  

Together, nearly $4 trillion flowed back into precious metals in just 30 hours, a possible sign that investors are seeking safety.

What Should Investors Watch Next?

The next major catalyst will be the upcoming U.S. Federal Reserve meeting, which could set the tone for global markets.

Looking ahead, some research firms have warned that if selling pressure continues and no new catalysts emerge, Bitcoin could slide further and could even hit $58000, with long-term support levels coming into focus.

The post Ethereum No Longer Needs Its Layer-2 Crutches, Says Founder Vitalik Buterin appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin said the blockchain’s long-standing approach to scaling through layer-2 networks needs a rethink, as Ethereum’s core network grows faster than expected and many secondary chains struggle to meet earlier goals.

In a detailed post, Buterin said two developments have weakened the original case for treating layer-2 networks, or L2s, as extensions of Ethereum itself.

First, progress by L2s toward full decentralisation and security has been “far slower and more difficult” than expected. Second, Ethereum’s main network is now scaling directly, with transaction fees falling sharply and major increases in capacity planned from 2026 onward.

Together, those shifts mean the original vision for L2s “no longer makes sense,” Buterin said, calling for a new framework to define their role in the ecosystem.

From ‘Ethereum Shards’ to Independent Chains

Ethereum’s original roadmap imagined L2s as “branded shards” — tightly integrated networks that would inherit Ethereum’s security and censorship resistance while dramatically increasing transaction capacity.

But that vision has not materialised.

Some L2 developers have openly said they may never move beyond partial decentralisation, citing technical limits or regulatory demands that require retaining control. While that approach may suit certain users, Buterin said it does not align with the goal of scaling Ethereum itself.

“If you are doing this, then you are not scaling Ethereum in the sense originally intended,” he wrote.

Crucially, Buterin argued this is no longer a problem. Ethereum’s base layer is now expanding on its own, reducing reliance on L2s to deliver growth.

Ethereum’s Base Layer Gains Momentum

Rising capacity on the main network, combined with low fees, has weakened the argument that L2s must serve as near-identical replicas of Ethereum. Instead, Buterin said, L2s should be viewed as a broad spectrum — ranging from chains deeply secured by Ethereum to more independent systems with looser connections.

Users, he added, should decide how much trust or integration they require, rather than assuming all L2s offer the same guarantees.

What L2 Developers Should Focus On Now

Buterin urged L2 projects to define their value beyond simple scaling.

Possible directions include specialised features such as privacy tools, ultra-fast transaction processing, non-financial applications like identity or social platforms, and systems designed for workloads that even an expanded Ethereum mainnet cannot efficiently handle.

For L2s that rely on Ethereum-issued assets like ether, Buterin said a minimum level of security integration remains essential. Beyond that, flexibility — not uniformity — should be the goal.

A Push for Stronger Native Integration

On Ethereum’s side, Buterin said he has grown more confident in a proposal known as a “native rollup precompile” — a built-in feature that would allow Ethereum itself to verify advanced cryptographic proofs used by L2s.

Such a tool, he said, would reduce reliance on external security committees, improve trustless interoperability, and make it easier for L2s to build safely while adding unique features.

If flaws emerge, Ethereum would take responsibility for fixing them through network upgrades, bringing trust in the system.

Clear Guarantees, Not Perfect Uniformity

Buterin acknowledged that a more open approach will inevitably lead to some L2s being less secure or more centralised than others. That, he said, is unavoidable in a permissionless ecosystem.

“Our job,” Buterin wrote, “should be to build the strongest Ethereum that we can.”

The post After the Crash, XRP’s Next Move Is Starting to Matter appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

XRP is showing tentative signs of stabilization after one of its sharpest pullbacks in recent months, even as broader crypto markets remain under pressure. For investors and experts, the focus is now shifting from panic-driven selling to whether prices are beginning to form a durable base.

How Far XRP Has Fallen

From its recent cycle high, XRP has declined by roughly 54%, a magnitude of correction that has historically preceded periods of consolidation or recovery rather than prolonged declines.

According to an expert, during the latest market-wide selloff, XRP briefly dipped toward recent lows but avoided setting a new breakdown point. Instead, prices rebounded quickly, suggesting that buyers are stepping in earlier than before.

This matters because in previous XRP cycles, declines in the 50–55% range have often marked exhaustion of selling pressure.

A Difference This Time: Higher Lows

While Bitcoin and Ethereum both pushed to new short-term lows during the latest drop, XRP did not.

• XRP held above its prior low
  
• This formed a higher low, a classic sign that downside momentum may be weakening
  
• Buying interest appeared faster and more consistent on the rebound
  

For investors, this relative strength is important. It could mean that XRP is being accumulated at current levels rather than aggressively sold into weakness.

Short-Term Price Levels Investors Are Watching

XRP is now trading in a narrow recovery range, with several levels drawing attention:

• Immediate support: The recent rebound zone where buyers stepped in aggressively
  
• Near-term resistance: Around the $1.80 area, which previously acted as a floor before the selloff
  
• Upside target if reclaimed: A sustained move above $1.80 could open the door toward $2.20–$2.30, where selling pressure last increased
  

A decisive break and hold above $1.80 would be an important signal that confidence is returning.

Bitcoin’s Role Remains Critical

Bitcoin is still hovering near a major support zone after its deepest pullback of the cycle. As long as Bitcoin holds these levels, XRP’s downside risk appears limited. A renewed breakdown in Bitcoin, however, would likely drag the entire market lower, regardless of individual strength.

In short: XRP can outperform, but it cannot fully decouple.

Broader Conditions Are Turning Less Hostile

Macro conditions are becoming less restrictive compared with recent months.

• US economic data is pointing to renewed expansion
  
• Expectations are growing for interest rate cuts later this year
  
• Global trade tensions appear to be easing at the margin
  

The post Why Are Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRP Prices Going Down Today Again? appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

After a brief recovery yesterday, the crypto market has turned red again.

On Monday, prices moved higher after comments from US President Donald Trump, who said he supports crypto and believes the US must lead in digital assets or risk falling behind China. That statement helped lift market sentiment for a few hours.

But the bounce did not last.

Crypto Market Slips Back Into the Red

At the time of writing, the total crypto market value has fallen 3.95% in the last 24 hours, dropping to $2.62 trillion.

• Market sentiment remains weak
  
• The Fear & Greed Index is at 17, showing extreme fear
  
• Most major coins are still down sharply over the past week
  

Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRP are all trading lower again, along with most large altcoins.

Bitcoin Is Driving the Decline

Bitcoin continues to lead the market lower.

• Bitcoin dominance is near 59%
  
• This means the entire market is closely following Bitcoin’s price moves
  
• When Bitcoin weakens, most other coins fall with it
  

Bitcoin is down more than 11% over the past seven days, keeping pressure on the broader market. Over $55 million worth of long positions were wiped out in just two hours as prices suddenly dropped.

The selloff came despite positive news around the U.S. government shutdown. BTC is currently down by more than 4%.

Ethereum Is Making Things Worse

Ethereum has fallen even harder than Bitcoin.

• Ethereum is down more than 22% in the last week
  
• This sharp drop has hurt confidence across the altcoin market
  
• Many traders remain bearish, with little buying interest visible
  

Because Ethereum has such a large market value, its decline has added to the overall market losses.

Market Is Ignoring Stocks and Gold

Crypto is currently moving on its own, not in line with traditional markets.

• Correlation with the S&P 500 is low
  
• Correlation with gold is negative
  
• This shows crypto is being driven mainly by internal fear and selling pressure
  

What Happens Next?

The market is at a critical level.

• Holding above $2.59 trillion in total market value is important
  
• A break below this level could lead to another sharp drop
  
• Traders are watching US Federal Reserve signals and ETF fund flows for direction
  

Despite supportive comments from political leaders, crypto prices are falling again due to:

• Continued Bitcoin weakness
  
• Heavy losses in Ethereum
  
• Extreme fear among investors
  
• Lack of strong buying demand
  

Until Bitcoin stabilizes and sentiment improves, the market is likely to remain volatile.