The Crypto Basic

Former #Ripple CTO David Schwartz says it is now very hard to argue that Ripple holds any hidden tool capable of pushing the XRP price up dramatically.
He argued that after everything Ripple and XRP have been through over the years, it is very hard for anyone to still argue convincingly that such a tool exists but simply has not been used yet. 
Key Points
David Schwartz suggests it is now difficult to argue that Ripple has a way to shoot up the XRP price but has not yet used it.He says Ripple has openly explained its strategy and is not hiding any grand conspiracy.According to Elon Musk, while a few crypto assets have merit, most of them are scams.Schwartz agrees with this but says there is no agreement within the crypto community on which assets are genuine.
David Schwartz: Ripple Has No Way to Shoot up the XRP Price
Responding to community inquiries on X, Schwartz admitted that there may have been a time, early on, when someone could make a somewhat believable case that Ripple had a simple, hidden way to push XRP’s price up dramatically and was just holding off for the right moment. 

However, he said that given how much has changed since then, it is nearly impossible to believe that Ripple has been sitting on such a tool for this long without ever using it. 
The former Ripple CTO then noted that Ripple has been open about what it is doing, the reasoning behind it, and what it is ultimately trying to accomplish. He noted that while the company does not share every detail publicly, it is not hiding any “grand conspiracy,” at least none that he knows of.
This was important because it addressed a narrative that has persisted among some XRP holders, which suggested that Ripple has some switch to flip to push XRP’s price up. Schwartz essentially dismantles this idea by pointing out how unrealistic it would be to keep something like that hidden for so long.
The Prospect of Ripple Influencing XRP’s Price
Notably, he shared these thoughts while responding to community members during a conversation triggered by an Elon Musk comment.
Musk had said that while a few crypto assets have real value, most of them are scams. Responding, Schwartz noted that while most people always agree that most crypto assets are scams, there is no agreement among them on which crypto tokens actually have merit.
When the conversation moved to XRP’s price prospects, a community member asked why Ripple would not simply use its own products, such as Ripple Prime and Ripple Treasury, to carry out transactions in XRP, suggesting that this could push the token’s price past $100. 
This question led to Schwartz’s recent comments. According to him, there is no solid reason to believe Ripple has a direct way to control or boost XRP’s price like that, considering how long the firm has gone without actually doing that.
The Escrow Burn Idea
Responding to Schwartz, some in the community suggested that Ripple could actually help push up XRP’s price by announcing plans to burn the tokens sitting in its escrow accounts. For context, Ripple has 33 billion XRP in escrow.
Notably, Schwartz has responded to this idea before on several occasions, and each time he has called attention to what the Stellar Development Foundation did as a reference point. 
In November 2019, the SDF burned 55 billion XLM tokens, which was more than half of the token’s entire supply. Despite the scale of this burn, it did nothing for XLM’s price. The token kept following the broader market just as it had before, and it even moved alongside XRP. 
Schwartz has leveraged this instance consistently to make the point that burning Ripple’s escrowed XRP would not move the needle on price and would ultimately just be a waste of funds.
#CryptonewswithJack

For #XRP , several events that preceded a bullish price action earlier are recurring, sparking optimism for a similar price action when market conditions improve.
Prominent market commentator Cryptoinsightuk highlighted these in a recent XRP price analysis, providing context for a change of course from the recent negative price trend. The fourth-largest cryptocurrency by market cap has declined 3.8% since this week.
While sentiment remains fragile and price direction is uncertain, the analyst has identified indicators suggesting that XRP could rise to higher levels if history repeats.
Key Points
Despite ongoing price correction, several indicators suggest XRP could rise to higher levels if history repeats.One such indicator involves XRP holding above a bull flag on the weekly timeframe.Further adding to the bullish optimism is the weekly RSI bullish crossover.Additionally, this breakout has also come with a MACD crossover, as green histograms are gradually printing on the weekly timeframe.Coincidentally, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse recently made the “lock in” comment, similar to a June 2025 prior to the bull flag breakout and RSI crossover.
XRP Bull Flag Still Intact
One indicator involves XRP holding above a bull flag on the weekly timeframe. This pattern began forming around the January 2025 peak of around $3.39, with prices fluctuating between its upper resistance and lower support.
However, whenever XRP breaks out from this structure, a strong bullish price action follows. An instance is the early July 2025 breakout, which led to its current all-time high of $3.66.
After this high, XRP entered a corrective phase, dropping back into the bull flag in January. The coin consolidated within this structure until it broke out last week, following a mild 2.7% growth. While this week has so far been negative for prices, XRP has somehow managed to maintain its trend above this flag pattern, keeping the prospect of an upside move alive.

Weekly RSI Crosses Bullish
Further adding to the bullish optimism is the weekly RSI bullish crossover. The RSI trendline at 36 crossed over its moving average line at 33.24 in mid-April, signaling that momentum is returning.
Cryptoinsightuk noted the last time this happened was in July 2025, when XRP broke out of the bull flag pattern to new all-time highs. This time, not only has the RSI crossed, but it is also much lower than the last time. According to the analyst, this gives the coin lots of room for growth when momentum turns positive.
Additionally, this breakout has also come with a MACD crossover, as green histograms are gradually printing on the weekly timeframe.
Ripple CEO’s “Lock In” Tweet Adds Spice
Coincidentally, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse recently made the “lock in” comment, similar to a June 27, 2025, post, which came up before the bull flag breakout and RSI crossover. Specifically, on April 28, he responded to a post from OKX spotlighting XRP with two words: “lock in.”
These exact words also appeared in the June 2025 tweet, in which he disclosed that Ripple is dropping its cross-appeal in the famous case against the US SEC. Garlinghouse ended the announcement with “lock in.”
While this might be coincidental, Cryptoinsightuk stated that it adds spice to the XRP price outlook. Its alignment with the bull flag breakout and RSI crossover further bolsters optimism.
Moreover, growing demand also increases XRP’s appeal. Whales have aggressively bought the dip, acquiring 1.15 billion XRP in 11 days. A combination of these factors suggests that an uptrend might not be far off.
#CryptoNewsCommunity

As May 2026 begins, investors are closely tracking developments surrounding regulation, ETF activity, macroeconomic signals, and institutional adoption. 
Bitcoin continues to trade below the critical $80,000 level, while XRP, Ethereum, and Solana remain under key resistance zones. Meanwhile, lawmakers in Washington face mounting pressure to finalize major crypto legislation, particularly the CLARITY Act, as firms like Ripple push for clearer oversight. 
Key Points 
As May begins, U.S. crypto headlines are dominated by ETF flows, regulatory developments, and commentaries from notable stakeholders.Billionaire venture capitalist Tim Draper has proposed a third crypto-focused legislative act to enable U.S. businesses to operate directly on the Bitcoin network.Speculation about Jerome Powell’s potential exit as Fed Chair is eliciting mixed reactions across the crypto market.U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs snapped a three-day outflow streak, recording $14.76 million in net inflows on April 30, while Ethereum ETFs extended their negative trend with $23.64 million in net outflows.Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse reaffirmed Ripple’s strong commitment to XRP, even as David Schwartz noted the absence of a catalyst for significant price appreciation.
Top 10 Crypto News in the US Today 
Here are the top 10 crypto stories making headlines in the United States today. 
1. Tim Draper Proposes New Bill to Help U.S. Businesses Operate on Bitcoin
As the United States advances toward passing the CLARITY Act, following the enactment of the GENIUS Act for stablecoins, venture capitalist Tim Draper has proposed a third comprehensive crypto framework.
According to Draper, the proposed legislation would allow U.S. businesses to conduct operations such as payments, taxes, bookkeeping, and auditing directly on the Bitcoin network. The framework could reduce reliance on traditional financial intermediaries while automating several accounting functions.
If lawmakers eventually adopt the proposal, Bitcoin could evolve beyond its role as a store of value and become part of the United States’ foundational economic infrastructure. 
2. Jerome Powell’s Expected Exit Sparks Reactions Across Crypto Industry
Another major development drawing attention in the United States is the expected departure of Jerome Powell as Federal Reserve Chair. 
Over the years, Powell built a reputation within the crypto industry for maintaining a cautiously pro-crypto stance that emphasized financial stability and regulatory oversight for stablecoins. He also strongly opposed the creation of a U.S. central bank digital currency (CBDC).
Although investors often criticized Powell for his interest-rate policies, many appreciated aspects of his regulatory approach, particularly his resistance to a digital dollar initiative.
Now that Kevin Warsh is expected to replace him this month, parts of the crypto community are celebrating the transition as a potential turning point. 
However, crypto analyst Benjamin Cowen warned that Powell’s exit could trigger unintended consequences, similar to what followed Gary Gensler’s departure, which coincided with a surge in meme coin launches and investor losses. 

3. Bitcoin ETFs Recover While Ethereum Funds Extend Outflow Streak
Investor sentiment appears to be diverging between Bitcoin and Ethereum investment products. 
On April 30, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded combined net inflows of $14.76 million, ending a three-day streak of withdrawals. Major issuers such as BlackRock and Fidelity Investments led the inflows, while other issuers reported zero or negative flows.
In contrast, spot Ethereum ETFs recorded net outflows of $23.64 million, extending their losing streak to four consecutive trading sessions. 

4. Brad Garlinghouse Reaffirms Ripple’s Commitment to XRP
Speaking at XRP Las Vegas 2026, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse reiterated that Ripple remains the party most invested in XRP’s long-term success. 
Garlinghouse dismissed suggestions that the company no longer prioritizes XRP. He emphasized that Ripple’s substantial XRP holdings directly tie its financial future to the asset’s performance.
In particular, the company benefits when XRP’s value rises and incurs losses if the token underperforms. For context, Ripple holds approximately 33.2 billion XRP in escrow and 5.1 billion in liquid reserves, bringing its total holdings to about 38.3 billion XRP.
At a current price of $1.37, this stake is valued at roughly $52.47 billion. However, when XRP peaked at $3.65 last year, Ripple’s total holdings would have been worth an estimated $139.79 billion, highlighting the significant impact of price fluctuations on the company’s portfolio. 
5. Ripple CTO Emeritus Downplays Claims Ripple Can Easily Push XRP Higher
Meanwhile, Ripple CTO Emeritus David Schwartz also made a comment about XRP today. During an online exchange, Schwartz argued that it is now difficult to claim Ripple still possesses a catalyst capable of driving XRP dramatically higher. 
He made the statement in response to a user who asked why Ripple had not leveraged products like Ripple Prime or Ripple Treasury to push XRP above $100.
In response, Schwartz explained that if Ripple truly had such a mechanism, the company would have already used it. 
He also dismissed predictions that XRP price could eventually reach $10,000, noting that if such a possibility existed, supporters would likely have already pushed the token to at least $20. Currently, XRP trades near $1.37, far below those projections.
6. April Crypto Hacks Hit Record High as Losses Reach $651 Million
April 2026 marked the worst month on record for crypto security breaches, as hacking incidents surged to unprecedented levels. Data from DefiLlama revealed that the industry recorded nearly 30 hacking incidents during the month.
At the same time, the blockchain security firm CertiK estimated confirmed losses at $651 million, including around $3.5 million from phishing attacks. 
Major incidents included the KelpDAO exploit worth $291 million, the Drift Protocol breach at $285 million, the Rhea Finance attack at $18 million, and the Grinex exploit totaling $16.2 million.

Furthermore, investigators linked most of these attacks to North Korean hacking groups. According to TRM Labs, North Korean actors accounted for roughly 75% of crypto hack-related losses in 2026, largely through the KelpDAO and Drift Protocol exploits.
7. Bitmine Stakes Over $500 Million Worth of Ethereum
Las Vegas-based Bitmine recently staked more than $508.4 million worth of Ethereum. Data from Arkham Intelligence showed that the company completed the staking activity through more than 10 separate transactions.
As a result, Bitmine now controls more than 4 million staked ETH, representing approximately 10.5% of all Ethereum currently locked in staking contracts.
The company has aggressively accumulated Ethereum since June 2025 and now holds roughly 5.078 million ETH, equal to 4.21% of the cryptocurrency’s total supply. Notably, Bitmine plans to continue buying until it controls 5% of Ethereum’s circulating supply. 
8. Senate Banking Committee Could Mark Up CLARITY Act This Month
After lawmakers failed to advance the CLARITY Act in April, new reports now suggest the Senate Banking Committee could begin the markup process this month.
According to crypto journalist Eleanor Terrett, lawmakers are working within a narrowing legislative window to move the bill forward. Meanwhile, Ji Kim stated that Congress may have only 13 weeks left to pass the legislation.
However, Terrett argued that the actual timeframe could shrink to roughly 10 working weeks due to congressional recesses. She also identified May 11 as the earliest possible date for the markup, provided lawmakers resolve disputes involving DeFi oversight, stablecoin yields, and ethics provisions in time. 
9. Elon Musk Says Most Cryptocurrencies Are Scams
During testimony in a federal lawsuit involving OpenAI, Elon Musk stated that most cryptocurrencies are scams. However, he acknowledged that a few digital assets still hold legitimate value.
According to New York Times reporter Mike Isaac, Musk made the remarks while responding to internal emails discussing whether OpenAI had once considered launching an ICO to fund its early development.
Although Musk has criticized much of the crypto industry, he continues to support Dogecoin and has previously promoted its use for payments for Tesla and SpaceX merchandise. 
10. Trump-Linked WLFI Drops After Governance Vote Approves 62 Billion Token Unlock
Investors are also monitoring the sharp decline of WLFI, the native token tied to Donald Trump-backed World Liberty Financial. Since reaching an all-time high of $0.46 in September 2025, the token has remained under bearish pressure. Specifically, the price has declined by 86.7% from its previous all-time high of $0.46. 
This week, bearish sentiment intensified after governance voting began on a proposal to unlock more than 62 billion WLFI tokens over five years. Although the proposal quickly reached quorum with 99.5% approval, investors responded by aggressively selling the token.
Blockchain analytics platform Santiment reported 15 whale transactions within four hours, contributing to the decline. Consequently, WLFI dropped from its April 28 peak of $0.074 to $0.05918, a 20% decline. While the token has since rebounded slightly to around $0.061, investors remain cautious.
#CryptoNewsCommunity

Latest Market Updates: As of 30th April 2026.
In crypto markets today, stablecoins are regaining global momentum as tech firms, payment networks, and regulators move in parallel.
Meta and Visa are pushing new initiatives that point to deeper integration with payments and digital commerce, even as Hong Kong authorities warn of rising fraud risks in the sector.
Meanwhile, in the U.S., lawmakers are reviving long-stalled crypto legislation, underscoring a renewed push to define the industry’s regulatory framework.
Meta Introduces USDC Creator Payouts in Select Markets
US tech giant Meta Platforms has begun rolling out stablecoin-based payouts for select content creators in Colombia and the Philippines. This move marks a notable shift toward blockchain-native compensation models in mainstream social platforms.
Under the pilot program, creators can receive earnings in USD Coin (USDC) directly to compatible crypto wallets. Meta confirmed that transactions are via blockchain networks, including Solana and Polygon. However, users must still depend on third-party exchanges to convert these assets into local fiat currency.
The initiative could expand further, with Polygon indicating potential availability across more than 160 markets. The company argues that stablecoin payouts may reduce settlement delays while improving access to dollar-denominated assets for global creators.

Visa Expands Stablecoin Pilot Across Five Networks
At the same time, global payments firm Visa has expanded its stablecoin settlement pilot, adding support for several additional blockchain networks. The program, originally launched in 2023, now spans Base, Polygon, Arc, the Canton Network, and Tempo.
These newer integrations join earlier supported networks, including Ethereum, Solana, Avalanche, and Stellar. Together, they form a broader test environment for blockchain-based settlement infrastructure.
Visa reports that the pilot has already reached an annualized settlement volume of roughly $7 billion, growing at about 50% per quarter. Despite this momentum, the company emphasized that stablecoin flows remain a small fraction of its overall payment volume.
The goal of the program, according to Visa, is to evaluate whether stablecoins can meaningfully improve speed, availability, and cross-border payment efficiency.
Hong Kong Warns Over Fake Stablecoin Tokens
Meanwhile, regulators in Hong Kong have issued warnings regarding counterfeit digital tokens falsely claiming affiliation with licensed institutions.
Specifically, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), alongside HSBC and Anchorpoint Financial, identified unauthorized tokens using the names “HKDAP” and “HSBC.”
Authorities confirmed that neither institution has officially launched a stablecoin product at this stage.
The warning follows Hong Kong’s introduction of its stablecoin licensing framework in August 2025 and the granting of initial approvals to HSBC and Anchorpoint in April 2026. Both firms clarified that their official stablecoin products are still under development.
HSBC stated that its Hong Kong dollar stablecoin is expected in the second half of 2026, with distribution planned via its PayMe platform and mobile app. Meanwhile, Anchorpoint urged users to rely only on verified sources when engaging with digital assets.
US Senate to Revisit Crypto Market Structure Bill
Alongside these developments, legislative efforts in the United States are also regaining traction. Senator Thom Tillis has indicated plans to advance a long-delayed crypto market structure bill when lawmakers reconvene on May 11.
Specifically, in a media statement, Tillis said he will urge the Senate Banking Committee to schedule a markup session, noting that negotiations have resolved several outstanding issues, though some points of contention remain.
The proposed legislation aims to define the regulatory responsibilities of key US financial agencies in overseeing crypto markets. It follows the House passage of the related CLARITY Act in July.
However, progress in the Senate has been slowed by disagreements over provisions restricting exchanges’ ability to offer yield on stablecoins. Coinbase previously withdrew support, citing concerns over limitations on exchange-based yield offerings.
By contrast, banking industry groups have supported the restrictions, arguing they complement the earlier GENIUS Act framework, which already limits issuer-level yield payments.
Tillis indicated that updated legislative text will be released at least four days before the markup. Other areas under discussion include ethics rules and protections for software developers.
#CryptoNewsCommunity

#Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has again emphasized the central role of XRP to the vision and direction of the Ripple ecosystem.
Garlinghouse sees XRP as the endgame, referring to it as Ripple’s North Star. While the firm has expanded its reach and offerings globally, its ultimate goal centers around pushing XRP adoption.
Key Points
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has again emphasized the central role of XRP to the vision and direction of the Ripple ecosystem.He reaffirmed Ripple’s north star as XRP in reaction to a comment from Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian.The Ripple CEO’s comment would serve as a reassurance to XRP holders.Garlinghouse’s north star remark comes amid concerns that XRP will be replaced as the centerpiece in Ripple’s roadmap.
All Roads Lead Back to XRP: Ripple CEO
The recent reaffirmation came in reaction to a comment from Alexis Ohanian, the co-founder of Reddit and a prominent venture capitalist. Ohanian highlighted that a CEO’s core duty is to repeatedly communicate the company’s endgame or “North Star” to the team.

Garlinghouse 100% agrees to this. In his response, he again reaffirmed Ripple’s north star as XRP. In his words, all roads lead back to the XRPL native token, a stance he has unashamedly reiterated several times in the past.
Notably, this stance is quite interesting. Amid all the expansion, acquisitions, and integration, XRP remains the heartbeat of the ecosystem. The Ripple CEO’s comment would come as a reassurance to XRP holders, who may think that the fintech giant is moving beyond the prominent asset.
XRP Has Always Been the Ripple North Star
As mentioned earlier, this is not the first time that Garlinghouse has reassured enthusiasts of Ripple’s commitment to XRP. Speaking at the XRP Community Day EMEA in February, he noted that XRP is the North Star for Ripple. Furthermore, all its products, such as Ripple Prime, Payments, and Treasury, aim to drive adoption, trust, and liquidity for XRP.
The CEO also stated this last year, noting that XRP is at the heart and soul of Ripple’s activity. He added that the company deeply cares about its north star.
Demand for XRP is on the Rise
Notably, Garlinghouse’s north star remark comes amid concerns that XRP will be replaced as the centerpiece in Ripple’s roadmap. These concerns grew following the debut of the Ripple USD (RLUSD) stablecoin.
Ripple integrated the stablecoin into its cross-border settlement business, offering a cheaper and more convenient means of settlement for its institutional customers. The move raised questions about XRP’s actual role in the ecosystem, a misconception that Ripple executives have repeatedly corrected.
Moreover, recent activity suggests that the demand for XRP has continued to grow regardless. Even Garlinghouse confirmed this following the integration of XRP with the Solana ecosystem earlier in the month. XRP is also making waves in the RWA sector, recently adding $900 million in a single day to surpass $3.5 billion in total assets tokenized.
In view of all this progress, Garlinghouse has urged XRP holders to “lock in.”
#CryptoNewsCommunity

Latest Market Updates: As of 29th April 2026.
Crypto markets are showing mixed momentum today, with Bitcoin facing resistance as on-chain data suggests rising selling pressure from large holders. 
Meanwhile, the DeFi sector is responding to a major exploit, legal pressure continues for former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried, and Canada signals a tougher stance on crypto regulation.
Bitcoin Faces Resistance as Exchange Inflows Surge
Bitcoin is facing renewed selling pressure as large holders move significant amounts of BTC onto exchanges.
According to CryptoQuant analyst Woominkyu, net inflows reached 9,905 BTC on April 27, the highest daily level in a month. This spike comes as Bitcoin continues to struggle near the $78,000 resistance zone, where upward momentum has stalled despite recent consolidation.
Supporting this bearish signal, the Exchange Whale Ratio rose to 0.707 on the same day. This means that the top 10 inflow transactions accounted for over 70% of all exchange deposits. This concentration is a strong indication that large holders are actively positioning for distribution.
In addition, exchange reserves are also trending upward. Holdings increased from 2.666 million BTC on April 25 to 2.677 million BTC by April 28, a pattern often interpreted as rising potential sell-side pressure.
Collectively, these indicators suggest weakening demand absorption. Woominkyu warned that if inflows continue to outweigh buying pressure, Bitcoin could retest the $74,000–$75,000 support range in the near term.
As of writing, Bitcoin is trading at $77,152, down 0.7% over the past 24 hours.
LayerZero Pledges $23M to DeFi Recovery After Major Exploit
In the DeFi sector, LayerZero Labs has committed significant resources to a recovery effort following a major exploit affecting Kelp DAO.
The firm has pledged over 10,000 ETH, worth approximately $23 million, to an Aave-led recovery initiative. Specifically, half of the amount (5,000 ETH) will be donated directly. Meanwhile, the remaining 5,000 ETH will be used to support liquidity on Aave.
The response follows a $292 million exploit on April 18 involving a sophisticated RPC poisoning attack that compromised LayerZero’s verification system. Attackers exploited the vulnerability to forge cross-chain messages, resulting in the minting of unbacked rsETH on Ethereum.
Roughly 107,000 rsETH were subsequently deposited into Aave lending positions, creating a significant bad debt burden for the protocol.
Alongside its financial commitment, LayerZero also plans to improve liquidity support for GHO, Aave’s native stablecoin. In addition, it will collaborate with Aave and other DeFi players on refining omnichain token standards for lending infrastructure.
U.S. Court Rejects Bankman-Fried’s Bid for New Trial
In legal developments, former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried has been denied a retrial by a federal court in New York.
Bankman-Fried is currently serving a 25-year sentence for his role in the collapse of FTX. He had argued that newly identified witnesses could provide testimony in his defense.
However, Judge Lewis Kaplan rejected the request, ruling that the witnesses were already known before the original trial. He added that the defense had not attempted to secure their testimony at the time.
The court also found no indication that the witnesses would support claims regarding FTX’s solvency or full customer repayment. Kaplan further noted that the motion appeared aimed at rehabilitating Bankman-Fried’s public reputation following the exchange’s bankruptcy.
Canada Proposes Ban on Crypto ATMs Amid Fraud Concerns
In regulatory news, Canada is considering a ban on crypto ATMs as part of its Spring Economic Update 2026.
Specifically, officials argue that these kiosks have increasingly been linked to fraud and money laundering, describing them as a frequent tool for illicit financial activity rather than legitimate consumer use.
If approved, the ban would remove standalone crypto ATMs from public locations such as malls, gas stations, and retail stores. However, Canadians would still be able to purchase crypto through regulated money service businesses.
The proposal marks a notable shift for a country that once played a pioneering role in ATM-based crypto adoption, including hosting the world’s first Bitcoin ATM in Vancouver in 2013.
#CryptoNewsFlash

#Shiba Inu is gearing up for a breakout as it nears a key resistance level, and here are the possible price targets if the pattern plays out.
At the time of writing, Shiba Inu trades at $0.00000618, up slightly in the past 24 hours. The token has remained almost unchanged over the last seven days and month, clearly highlighting a consolidatory trend. However, that could change imminently, as SHIB appears poised for a major move.
Key Points
Data shows a setup that could see Shiba Inu break free from its prolonged consolidation and move higher.SHIB recently bounced from a major support level around $0.0000053, signaling a return of institutional buyers.Around its current level, there is resistance at $0.0000064 that has repeatedly impeded further upside.A convincing break above $0.0000064, with strong volume, sets SHIB up for a measured move higher.The first point to take profit is the $0.0000072 region, and the second is the $0.0000080 mark.However, a decisive close below $0.0000058 invalidates this setup.
Shiba Inu Bounces, but Faces Resistance
Pseudonymous yet popular TradingView analyst “The-Thief” recently shared a master plan, identifying clean entry points, stop-loss, and take-profit areas for a measured Shiba Inu trade ahead of a potential breakout on the daily chart. The analysis cited a setup that could see the meme coin break free from its prolonged consolidation and move higher.
For context, the commentary noted that Shiba Inu (SHIB) recently bounced from a major support level, signaling a return of institutional buyers. On February 6, SHIB dipped to the $0.0000053 support area, reflecting a notable wash-out in the broader crypto market.
While it bounced from there almost immediately, bears forced a retest of that support a few days later. On March 8, SHIB dropped to this support again after a series of daily red candlesticks, but buyers defended the level. The analyst highlighted that such activity supports bullish continuation higher.

Now, SHIB has bounced 16.6% from the support to its current price. Around its current level, there is resistance at $0.0000064 that has repeatedly impeded further upside. The token first visited this supply zone on March 16 and, after over a month, has remained stuck around this resistance.
Breakout Imminent?
Meanwhile, a breakout could occur soon, as the token has persistently mounted pressure on the current resistance level. “The-Thief” patiently awaits this scenario to play out, as it would shape the subsequent price action.
According to the analysis, a convincing break above $0.0000064 with strong volume sets SHIB up for a measured move higher. Interestingly, the meme coin just needs to increase by at least 3.5% from the current price to defy this stronghold.
When it does, the market watcher recommends an entry and outlines take-profit areas. A daily candle close above the resistance with strong volume is a good entry point for the move, targeting two key areas.
The first point to take profit is the $0.0000072 region, which culminates in a 16% increase from the current price. Meanwhile, the second take-profit area is $0.0000080, representing a 29% increase from the current market price.
However, a decisive close below $0.0000058 invalidates this setup. This area has been the lower band of the current consolidation range, and breaking below it indicates price weakness, temporarily halting breakout momentum.
Notably, Shiba Inu’s performance in the coming days depends on broader market conditions and on-chain activity. Data shows that exchange inflows continue to grow, with 81.6 billion tokens net flooding into these platforms in the past 24 hours.

Trading volume has also dropped by 5.5% during this period, as market participation remains subdued. For SHIB to break out, these metrics should largely be in its favor.
#CryptoNews🚀🔥V

#XRP community member Digital Asset Investor has shared an “Endgame Theory” that says XRP’s value will grow steadily because of real use, not hype.
According to him, XRP’s price may not follow the explosive, hype-driven rallies seen in past cycles, at least not at first.
Key Points
XRP “Endgame Theory” says price may rise steadily on real usage, not hype cycles or sudden spikes.A “slow rising bathtub” model suggests utility builds a price floor, while speculators later add volatility.As adoption grows, tighter supply on exchanges could trigger faster price moves if demand keeps climbing.Ripple’s Markus Infanger says the price-demand gap may be temporary as utility quietly expands.
Slow Rising Bathtub
In his commentary, Digital Asset Investor describes a “slow rising bathtub” effect for XRP. In this model, real-world usage gradually lifts the price floor as demand builds in the background.
Speculators, often late to utility trends, then enter the market and create volatility on top of that steadily rising base. The key idea is that as utility sets the floor, speculation creates the swings.
If that dynamic plays out, XRP could see a more stable long-term uptrend rather than the typical boom-and-bust moves. However, the theory also points to a critical turning point: supply pressure.
As more XRP gets locked into real usage, available supply on exchanges could tighten. If demand continues rising at the same time, price acceleration could follow quickly.
“Price vs Demand Gap”
Notably, this theory aligns closely with comments from Markus Infanger, Senior Vice President at Ripple, who recently addressed concerns that XRP’s price does not reflect its real-world usage.
Infanger argued that the perceived “gap” between price and demand may not actually exist. Instead, he described the market as being in a transition phase, where utility is growing quietly behind the scenes while price discovery catches up more slowly.
He pointed to rapid growth on the XRP Ledger, where tokenized assets have expanded from roughly $100–200 million to over $2 billion within a year.
At the same time, the introduction of XRP spot ETFs in the United States is adding another layer of liquidity. According to Infanger, this institutional access does not compete with utility. It instead strengthens it by improving XRP’s efficiency as a settlement asset.
XRP Hidden Utility Driving Structural Demand
Beyond executive commentary, developers within the XRP Ledger ecosystem argue that XRP’s real strength lies in its built-in role as a neutral bridge asset.
Validator Vet, speaking on a recent podcast, explained that XRP is central to liquidity routing on the network. Features like autobridging automatically use XRP to facilitate trades between different assets, improving pricing and efficiency.
For example, a transaction between two stablecoins can be routed through XRP to complete the trade seamlessly. This means that as more assets and institutions operate on XRPL, demand for XRP as a liquidity layer naturally increases.
Importantly, XRP is also required for transaction fees, which are burned, making the asset slightly deflationary over time.
With new features like permissioned decentralized exchanges and compliance tools now live, XRPL is positioning itself for institutional DeFi, foreign exchange, and cross-border settlement.
In that environment, market makers may need to hold XRP to provide liquidity, creating a direct link between network activity and demand.
The “Endgame” Scenario
Taken together, these developments strengthen the core idea behind the Endgame Theory.
If XRP adoption continues expanding across payments, tokenization, and institutional finance, demand may rise steadily rather than suddenly. This could lift the price floor over time, even if short-term market sentiment remains mixed.
Eventually, as Digital Asset Investor suggests, speculators may recognize this shift and move in aggressively, adding volatility on top of a fundamentally stronger base.
At that stage, supply “shocks” could become a defining factor as reduced circulating supply could amplify price movements.
In sum, what some see as a disconnect between price and utility may simply be a lag that theories like the “XRP Endgame” suggest will eventually close.
#CryptoNewsFlash

A popular #Cardano stake pool operator (SPO) has dismissed concerns surrounding ADA recent performance, arguing that the asset still holds strong growth potential. 
The commentary comes as Cardano continues to trade outside the top 10 cryptocurrencies, while ADA has declined more than 25% since the start of 2026.
Key Points
A Cardano stake pool operator believes ADA still has the potential to rally by up to 300% in weeks despite current underperformance.The SPO argued that ADA’s current weakness reflects broader market conditions rather than project-specific failure.While ADA has dipped by more than 25% this year, other tokens, including Ethereum, have posted double-digit losses.Cardano has previously demonstrated its potential for rapid growth, soaring nearly 300% in a matter of weeks during the post-election rally.
Cardano Can Still Rally 300% in Weeks
Amid growing skepticism, Cardano SPO Sssebi pushed back against claims that ADA is losing relevance during the ongoing market downturn. According to him, investors who call ADA dead are overlooking the cyclical nature of cryptocurrency markets and the token’s historical behavior during past bear cycles.

Sssebi emphasized that Cardano has repeatedly experienced periods of underperformance during market downturns. Nonetheless, he maintained that ADA still possesses strong upside potential once investor sentiment turns bullish again.
In particular, he highlighted the possibility of rapid rallies, suggesting that Cardano could surge by 200%-300% within weeks during a strong market reversal.
Furthermore, Sssebi argued that ADA’s current weakness reflects broader market conditions rather than project-specific failure. While ADA has fallen more than 25% year-to-date, rival assets such as Ethereum have also recorded significant double-digit losses over the same period.
Historical Breakout Potential
Although the current market downturn weighs on Cardano’s performance, the token has historically demonstrated its ability to break out with significant upside. Notably, this was observed in late 2024, when it delivered a strong rally following Donald Trump’s re-election.
At the time, ADA traded at $0.32 on Election Day, November 5, 2024, before rallying nearly 300% above $1.30 within weeks as market sentiment improved. However, ADA has since declined to around $0.2467 at press time. Meanwhile, Ssebi believes another recovery remains possible during the next bullish cycle, projecting 4X upside.
Mixed Sentiment Trails Cardano’s Potential
Meanwhile, key stakeholders, including Charles Hoskinson, continue working to strengthen Cardano’s long-term position. Recently, Hoskinson outlined an ecosystem strategy to push Cardano into the top ranks of the crypto market.
However, not everyone shares that optimism. Critics argue that Cardano may struggle to regain its former momentum amid ongoing internal tensions within the ecosystem. Some community members specifically pointed to Hoskinson’s public disputes with certain projects as a potential obstacle to attracting developers and partnerships.
This comes after Hoskinson publicly clashed with Iagon’s leadership and predicted the project’s failure, a dispute that led to a sharp decline in the IAG token’s price.
As debate continues across the community, uncertainty remains over whether ADA can stage another major recovery during the next bull market or whether internal conflicts could weigh on its long-term performance.
#CryptonewswithJack

Open interest in #Dogecoin futures has surged sharply amid a buildup of leveraged positions, as traders crowd into the market.
CryptoQuant analyst JA Maartun revealed that DOGE’s aggregated open interest climbed 33% over the past five days, rising from roughly 505 million to about 683 million DOGE contracts.
The chart shows a steady increase beginning around April 23, with open interest peaking near 685 million before settling slightly at around 683.5 million.
At the same time, DOGE’s price has remained relatively stable, trading between $0.098 and $0.100 on the 1-hour timeframe. This divergence — rising open interest without a strong price breakout — suggests increasing leverage in the market rather than organic spot demand.
Key Points
Dogecoin open interest surged 33% in five days, signaling a sharp rise in leveraged positions across futures markets.Despite the spike in positioning, DOGE price stayed range-bound, pointing to growing leverage rather than real demand.CryptoQuant analyst JA Maartun opened a 1M DOGE short, warning that the current setup looks risky and overextended.With Bitcoin weakening and leverage high, DOGE faces downside risk if momentum fades and positions unwind.
Rising Leverage Signals Tension
The data points to a crowded derivatives market, where traders are building positions in anticipation of a larger move. Sharp increases in open interest can precede volatility, especially when price action remains range-bound.
In this case, #DOGE traded between roughly $0.094 and $0.101 during the period, while open interest expanded significantly. This creates a setup where either long or short positions could be forced to unwind quickly.

Analyst Bets Against the Move with 1M DOGE
Despite the surge in positioning, Maartun is taking a cautious stance. In a follow-up post, he described the setup as a “risky trade” and confirmed he had opened a short position of 1 million DOGE.
The move suggests he expects a potential pullback or a flush of overleveraged longs if the market fails to break higher. Notably, Maartun expects DOGE’s price to dip to $0.09069, about a 10% decline from the current level.

Parallels with Bitcoin Action
On Monday, CryptoQuant CEO Ki Young Ju pointed out that Bitcoin’s recent rise toward $79K was driven largely by futures activity, with rising open interest while on-chain demand remains weak.
Despite heavy buying from institutions, including Michael Saylor’s firm, and strong ETF inflows, CryptoQuant data shows spot demand is still negative.
Recent gains were also fueled by a short squeeze, as liquidations of bearish positions forced prices higher. While this can boost momentum, it often leads to instability, increasing the risk of a sharp reversal if real demand doesn’t follow.
Since that observation, Bitcoin’s price has dipped back to the $75,000 range, a move that has also impacted altcoins like DOGE.
What Comes Next for Dogecoin
With open interest elevated and price still near resistance, DOGE faces downside risk, which could worsen if Bitcoin’s price dips further.
If bullish momentum strengthens, the buildup could fuel a breakout. However, if momentum fades, the crowded trade may unwind quickly, leading to sharp downside volatility.
As it stands, the CryptoQuant analyst leans more toward the bearish side.
#CryptoNewsCommunity

Latest Market Updates: As of 21st April 2026.
Crypto markets today reflect a blend of regulatory pressure, security risks, and continued institutional momentum.
In the Strait of Hormuz, scammers are reportedly targeting ships with fake crypto payment demands. Meanwhile, the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission has issued warnings against unregistered platforms such as dYdX.
At the same time, institutional interest continues to strengthen, with Tether acquiring a stake in Antalpha and Bitmine increasing its Ethereum holdings.
Fake Crypto Demands Target Ships Near Strait of Hormuz
Amid ongoing instability in the Middle East, shipping companies operating near the Strait of Hormuz are facing an unusual form of fraud.
Specifically, according to maritime risk firm Marisks, unknown actors have been contacting vessel owners with deceptive payment requests.
These messages falsely claim to come from Iranian security authorities and request cryptocurrency payments, such as Bitcoin or USDT, in exchange for safe passage. Marisks has clarified that these communications are not linked to any official Iranian body and should be treated as scams.
The warning, first reported Monday, comes at a sensitive time for global energy markets. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint that historically handles around one-fifth of global oil and LNG flows, has seen increased disruption due to regional tensions.
Adding further context, earlier reports this month suggested Iran had considered introducing transit fees payable in Bitcoin. Under the reported proposal, empty tankers would pass freely. In contrast, loaded vessels could be charged roughly $1 per barrel of oil.
Philippines Warns Against Seven Unregistered Crypto Platforms
While maritime security concerns emerge in one region, regulators elsewhere are tightening oversight of the crypto sector.
In particular, the Philippine SEC has issued an advisory warning investors about several unregistered crypto platforms operating in the country. The list includes dYdX, gTrade, Aevo, Pacifica, Deriv, Orderly, and Ostium.
According to the regulator, these platforms appear to promote investment products promising returns or profits without proper authorization.
Under Philippine law, such services must be licensed as crypto-asset service providers and meet strict operational and capital requirements.
In addition, the SEC warned that individuals or groups promoting these platforms could face serious legal consequences. Violations of the Securities Regulation Code carry penalties of up to 5 million pesos, or imprisonment of up to 21 years.
In some cases, both penalties may be imposed together. This move underscores a broader push to safeguard investors amid rising crypto adoption.
Tether Builds Stake in Bitcoin Finance Firm Antalpha
At the same time, institutional players continue to expand their presence in the crypto ecosystem. Tether has increased its exposure to Bitcoin-focused financial infrastructure by acquiring a significant stake in Antalpha.
A filing with the US SEC shows that Tether now holds an 8.2% share, equal to about 1.95 million shares. The document also notes that Giancarlo Devasini has voting and decision-making authority over the holdings.

Antalpha, which went public in May 2025, specializes in Bitcoin-backed lending and provides financing solutions for mining equipment.
By the end of 2024, it reported a loan portfolio of around $1.6 billion and maintains close ties with mining hardware manufacturer Bitmain.
The filing suggests Tether may adjust its position over time depending on market conditions.
Bitmine Expands Ethereum Holdings with Major Purchase
Meanwhile, corporate accumulation of major crypto assets continues, with Bitmine Immersion Technologies significantly expanding its Ethereum holdings.
The company purchased 101,627 ETH between April 13 and April 19, according to a press release and regulatory filing—its largest acquisition since December 2025.
Following the latest purchase, Bitmine now holds nearly 4.98 million ETH, valued at approximately $11.5 billion at a reference price of $2,301 per token.
The position represents over 4% of Ethereum’s circulating supply, with the company still targeting a long-term goal of reaching 5%.

#CryptoNewss