Category: Crypto market

Standard Chartered’s Bold Call: BTC Hits $200,000 Before 2026 Dawn

Posted on by Olumide Adesina

Bitcoin has seen a notable upswing in the fourth quarter of 2025, rising more than 10 percent in the last week, from  $109,000 on September 27 to over $122,000 today.

Geoff Kendrick, head of digital assets at Standard Chartered, believes Bitcoin could reach new all-time highs. Kendrick states that the cryptocurrency might benefit from prolonged fiscal uncertainty due to its historical positive correlation with US Treasury term premiums.

He also notes that Bitcoin has shown remarkable resilience during extended market stress, which often favors digitally scarce assets. In this case, the ongoing stress source is the US government shutdown.

The prospect of a prolonged U.S. government shutdown can increase market volatility and affect fixed-income and equity securities. These conditions could boost Bitcoin’s role as a hedge against traditional market fluctuations.

Key liquidity indicators suggest a potential breakout, although Bitcoin has recently traded sideways,

Trends in stablecoin supply, global M2 growth, and the gold rally—closely followed by Bitcoin with a 40-day lag—all point upward. Theoretically, Bitcoin could reach $165,000 if the “debasement trade”—investing in assets that reduce fiat currency risk—continues.

JPMorgan analysts also consider Bitcoin undervalued compared to gold. Historical patterns suggest strong potential for significant gains in Q4, supported by increasing institutional and retail interest in Bitcoin ETFs and custody solutions.

SEC Greenlights Ripple’s XRP as Qualified Crypto Custodian

Posted on by Olumide Adesina

Investment advisers can use state-chartered trust companies as qualified custodians for cryptocurrencies like XRP, thanks to a no-action letter issued by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

 

State-chartered trust companies are permitted to offer crypto custodial services following due diligence by investment advisors, as stated in the staff letter. Simpson Thacher and Bartlett LLP had previously requested guarantees from the SEC that it would not suggest enforcement action for treating state trust companies as banks.

The SEC responded with the no-action letter.

Financial advisors are obligated by the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to hold client assets in the custody of a qualified custodian, usually a bank or trust company. However, industry participants are eager to get clarification from the SEC, as state-chartered trust companies are typically not regarded as qualified custodians for cryptocurrency assets.
According to analysts, the no-action letter is expected to have a significant impact on the cryptocurrency market, potentially allowing new firms to enter the custody market.

Coinbase Custody and Ripple, through its subsidiary Standard Custody and Trust, will be acknowledged as qualified custodians in accordance with the most recent SEC position.

Coinbase is already determining its course in this regard after being selected by the US Marshals Service of the DOJ to hold cryptocurrency assets. Ripple’s attempt to introduce cryptocurrency custody services for banks has accelerated significantly as the local ecosystem heats up.

Coinbase Enters US Banking License Bid with Ripple, Circle

Posted on by Olumide Adesina

Coinbase has joined Ripple and Circle in seeking federal oversight to expand their digital asset services by applying for a National Trust Company Charter from the US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC).

The company, which operates one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges, is currently governed by a patchwork of state licenses, including the BitLicense issued by the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS).

 

Adding a national OCC charter to its existing New York licenses would strengthen Coinbase’s custody business and create new product opportunities, such as payments and related services. The company emphasized its aim to bridge the gap between the crypto economy and traditional finance by stating, “Coinbase has no intention of becoming a bank.”

The NYDFS BitLicense framework has regulated cryptocurrency businesses since 2015. Coinbase views the OCC charter as a way to promote innovation in integrating traditional finance and to simplify oversight for new products.

Coinbase announced it will work with OCC officials during the review process and respond to public comments. “We’re not the first crypto company to seek a federal charter, and we won’t be the last,” Coinbase said.

Circle, Ripple, BitGo, and Paxos are also pursuing bank charters in light of regulatory changes and increasing opportunities for deeper integration with traditional finance. The only cryptocurrency firm to have received a national trust charter from the OCC is Anchorage Digital. CEO Nathan McCauley noted that obtaining the license involved close regulatory engagement and significant compliance costs..

XRP Rampage Alert: Billion-Token Escrow Vanish Sparks $3 Boom – Ripple’s October Surprise?

Posted on by Olumide Adesina

A total of 1 billion XRP tokens were unlocked from escrow in less than an hour, according to data from blockchain tracking platform Whale Alert. The crypto market saw another unlocking of XRP tokens from Ripple’s escrow account on Thursday, as the highly anticipated “Uptober” season got off to a bullish start. XRP showed high buying pressure as 1 billion tokens were released from escrow.

 

Based on XRP’s trading price at that time, the unlocked tokens are worth $3 billion. Notably, the release occurred in four separate transactions, totaling 1,000,000,000 XRP, with two batches of 400 million XRP and two batches of 100 million XRP each.

However, there was a small twist to this month’s unlocking because it wasn’t completed until the second day.

What is Ripple up to? The move has sparked debate among XRP users, with concerns about how it might influence the cryptocurrency’s current price trend.

It is noteworthy that the blockchain firm based in San Francisco has committed to the escrow system to regulate XRP circulation and prevent oversupply, which could otherwise threaten the token’s appreciation.
Despite Ripple regularly unlocking up to 1 billion XRP each month (often returning some to escrow after limited sales), the excitement around Uptober has increased interest in this month’s unlock. The timing has boosted optimism and coincided with XRP’s strong momentum.

Market watchers have suggested that the token has recently broken above the $3 resistance level..The action has generated debates among XRP users, with some speculating on how it may affect the cryptocurrency’s current price movement. It is noteworthy that the blockchain company based in San Francisco has committed to the escrow system to regulate the circulation of XRP and prevent oversupply, which might otherwise jeopardize the token’s appreciation.

Forex Signals October 3: Markets Brace for Delayed NFP as Fed Signals Caution on Rate Cuts

Posted on by Skerdian Meta

Investors are turning their focus to the delayed U.S. Non-Farm Payrolls (NFP) report, which could set the tone for markets next week, even as Fed officials urge patience on further rate cuts. Continue reading “Forex Signals October 3: Markets Brace for Delayed NFP as Fed Signals Caution on Rate Cuts” →

Ethereum Set to Break $4.5K: Key Resistance Level Could Trigger Major Price Surge

Posted on by Olumide Adesina

Ethereum demonstrated remarkable resilience by bouncing off key support levels and setting the stage for a potential breakout.

Buyers swiftly responded after defending the $3,820 mark, creating a strong foundation. The path is now open for a possible move above $4,300, a critical level that could trigger further upward momentum, as Ethereum currently tests significant resistance levels.

The cryptocurrency successfully reclaimed the $4,300 level on the 4-hour chart, aligning with the 0.382 Fibonacci retracement. Ethereum’s next move will heavily depend on its ability to sustain the $4,300–$4,500 range.

A breakout above $4,300 remains possible as long as these support levels hold.  Conditions are favorable for a surge as investor confidence increases and on-chain data indicate accumulation.

However, if support erodes, the price could drop back to the $3,820 demand zone, a key level for buyers to defend. This area remains vital support to maintain the upward trend. Currently, Ethereum is testing resistance within the 0.5 Fibonacci retracement zone, between $4,293 and $4,300.

A decisive breakout above this zone could push Ethereum toward $4,406, and subsequently to $4,565 at the 0.786 level. On-chain metrics, showing consistent outflows from exchanges, suggest growing investor optimism.

 

XRP Goes Mainstream: Ripple’s Breakthrough Integration Unlocks SWIFT’s 11,000-Bank Empire

Posted on by Olumide Adesina

Crypto researcher on X, SMQKE (@SMQKEDQG), recently shared a video that reignited interest in the emerging technical links between blockchain solutions and traditional financial systems.

An Eastnets representative explained how the company’s PaymentSafe platform works as a payment hub capable of integrating transactions from SWIFT, international, and domestic networks.  SMQKE posted the video with a caption stating that Ripple is “actively being integrated into SWIFT.”

 

PaymentSafe’s universal translator is crucial for converting various payment formats. The legacy MT standard and ISO 20022 format, which includes CBPR+, are also mentioned.

It highlighted that third-party partnerships, such as EastNet and Ripple, are vital for enabling XRP to move through the SWIFT network as an ISO 20022-compliant asset. This statement frames the ongoing discussion about how Ripple’s technology can work with established banking infrastructure.

PaymentSafe is leading ongoing efforts to connect blockchain-based payment systems with traditional rails. PaymentSafe simplifies Straight-Through Processing (STP) for financial institutions by translating payment formats.

Its compliance with ISO 20022 enables interoperability between newer blockchain systems, such as Ripple, and legacy infrastructures, like SWIFT, which still rely on MT messages during their transition.

This setup “connects Ripple’s blockchain technology with SWIFT’s traditional financial systems,” according to SMQKE. The post also states that this integration enables XRP to serve as a bridge currency, facilitating cross-border payments across SWIFT’s extensive global network.

Forex Signals October 2: Jobless Claims after ADP Report Stuns with Job Losses; Fed Rate Cut Bets Rise

Posted on by Skerdian Meta

Markets swung between caution and optimism as weaker US employment data rattled the dollar while equities clawed back losses by the close. Continue reading “Forex Signals October 2: Jobless Claims after ADP Report Stuns with Job Losses; Fed Rate Cut Bets Rise” →

Pavel Durov: I Built My Wealth with Bitcoin at $700, Not Telegram

Posted on by Olumide Adesina

Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of the messaging app Telegram, claimed he bought Bitcoin when it was still a young cryptocurrency and has since used his holdings to support his life.

 

“I have been a strong supporter of Bitcoin since its inception. The Russian tech entrepreneur stated on Tuesday’s episode of Lex Fridman’s podcast, “I got to buy my first few thousand Bitcoin in 2013, and I didn’t care much.”. “I just threw a couple of million there,” he continued, adding that he purchased at the “local maximum,” which was approximately $700 per Bitcoin.

When Bitcoin crashed below $200 in the ensuing bear market, some people made fun of him, but he responded, “I don’t care.” “I refuse to sell it.”. I think this is true. This, in my opinion, is how money ought to operate. Your Bitcoin cannot be taken away from you. You cannot be censored for political reasons by anyone. “

According to Durov, he has funded his lifestyle with his Bitcoin investment. “Some people assume that the reason I can fly private or rent nice locations is because I somehow take money from Telegram,” he said. As I previously stated, Telegram is a financial loss for me. One thing that helped me stay afloat was Bitcoin. He said that because governments are “printing money like no tomorrow,” “it will come to a point when Bitcoin is worth $1 million.”. “Nobody is printing Bitcoin,” he declared, adding that it will eventually cease production and have predictable inflation. “Bitcoin will always exist. We have yet to see all of the fiat currencies.

Durov, who was detained in France a year ago and accused of aiding criminal activity by Telegram users, also spoke the Telegram Open Network, which was created in 2018 and 2019 to give the messaging app a blockchain service.

Ripple Shake-Up: CTO Schwartz Bows Out—Is XRP’s Next Bull Run on Hold?

Posted on by Olumide Adesina

XRP has been in a state of uncertainty after Ripple’s CTO, David Schwartz, announced his resignation. The price of the XRP token has stayed largely unchanged.  The third-largest cryptocurrency is trading at $2.85 amid muted volatility in the crypto market

 

Schwartz has long been a key player in the XRP community because he is the creator of the XRP Ledger (XRPL). He was among the first to design the network intended to address the scalability problems of other blockchains and the inefficiencies of the existing financial system.

Schwartz’s technical legacy includes core protocol design and long-term architecture work for the XRP Ledger. His move to an emeritus position preserves his influence while enabling new operational leadership to execute near-term engineering milestones.

There is no immediate sign of a strategic pivot. Ripple continues to participate in regulatory and market initiatives. The company previously contributed to political activity in the U.S. and has been engaged in public legal and regulatory matters that shaped its business trajectory.

David Schwartz’s move from active CTO to CTO emeritus and board member marks a planned leadership transition that retains his expertise while enabling new operational leadership at Ripple. The change supports continuity for the XRP Ledger and keeps the company on track for its technical roadmap.