Brad Garlinghouse Breaks Silence on DOJ Investigation, Denies Ripple-Linqto Ties Despite 4.7M Shares Held

0 0
Read Time:2 Minute, 24 Second

Brad Garlinghouse addresses the DOJ investigation, clarifying that Ripple has no business ties with Linqto, despite the company holding 4.7 million Ripple shares.

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has publicly addressed concerns surrounding investment platform Linqto, which is now under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). The Ripple CEO emphasized that Ripple has not engaged with Linqto in any recent capacity, a move aimed at distancing the company from further regulatory scrutiny after concluding its SEC battle.

Linqto’s Ripple Share Sales Spark Investor Confusion as Brad Garlinghouse Clears the Air

In a statement on X,  Brad Garlinghouse clarified that although Linqto holds 4.7 million Ripple shares, the company has no direct business relationship with the platform. “Linqto acquired all shares through secondary market transactions, not from Ripple,” Garlinghouse emphasized. “We have never sold shares to them, nor have they participated in any of our fundraising rounds.

Linqto gained recognition for offering pre-IPO Ripple shares to retail investors, particularly non-accredited ones, through structures it claimed were compliant with relevant regulations. These offerings often sold out within hours, driven by high demand from individuals hoping to gain early exposure to Ripple ahead of a potential IPO.

However, Brad Garlinghouse has clarified that these transactions were made without Ripple’s involvement or oversight. In response to growing skepticism, Ripple halted approvals for additional Linqto share purchases via the secondary market in late 2024.

Regulatory Heat Mounts for Linqto Amid Bankruptcy Rumors

The Department of Justice’s probe into Linqto comes months after the firm’s former CRO, Gene Zawroty, filed a lawsuit accusing the company and its leadership of fraud, insider trading, and market manipulation. Now, Linqto faces a potential bankruptcy, with reports suggesting that over 13,000 users, many of whom are likely unqualified investors, have purchased SPVs (Special Purpose Vehicles) tied to Ripple shares.

Attorney John Deaton described the situation as chaotic, warning that around 5,000 Linqto investors might not meet regulatory accreditation standards. This has fueled speculation about the legality of the firm’s business model and its representation of Ripple-related equity offerings.

In his statement, Brad Garlinghouse was firm in distancing Ripple from the legal and financial challenges facing Linqto, reiterating that neither Ripple nor its executives were involved in Linqto’s operations, investment offerings, or share structuring.

Ripple CTO David Schwartz also chimed in, stating that investors do not hold Ripple shares directly but own stakes in entities that do. “You don’t own the shares,” Schwartz explained, “you own a portion of an SPV that holds the shares.”

As scrutiny intensifies around Linqto, Brad Garlinghouse’s remarks seek to reassure Ripple’s community and regulators that the company has had no hand in the troubled platform’s operations. With Ripple now focusing on expanding XRP use cases, distancing itself from Linqto is a clear effort to avoid fresh legal entanglements.

Happy
0 0 %
Sad
0 0 %
Excited
0 0 %
Sleepy
0 0 %
Angry
0 0 %
Surprise
0 0 %

Ripple Unlocks Massive 500M XRP, Sends 400M Back to Escrow

0 0
Read Time:2 Minute, 13 Second

Ripple unlocks 500 million XRP and quickly sends 400 million back to escrow, raising questions about its strategy and market impact.

Blockchain payments giant Ripple has executed its scheduled July escrow activity, unlocking 500 million XRP from its reserve accounts. The release, worth approximately $1.08 billion at current prices, was conducted in two tranches, 200 million and 300 million XRP, according to on-chain tracker Whale Alert.

This release falls short of the typical 1 billion XRP monthly unlocks that Ripple has conducted consistently since 2017, suggesting a shift in its release cadence or token allocation strategy.

Ripple Moves 400M XRP Back to Escrow

Shortly after the unlock, Ripple re-locked 400 million XRP (valued at approximately $869 million) back into escrow, a move that drew the attention of analysts and the cryptocurrency community. The tokens were funneled through two separate wallets, each transferring 200 million XRP to Ripple’s designated re-escrow address.

This tactic reflects Ripple’s recent trend of internal token redistributions and reserve restructuring, which has been observed in previous months as part of its broader treasury management strategy.

Earlier in the year, Ripple began deviating from its traditional 1 billion XRP monthly unlocks, occasionally opting for partial releases and immediate re-locking. In March, for instance, the company created new escrows using internally held XRP, an action that analysts interpreted as a strategic adaptation in response to market dynamics and institutional demand.

This latest 500 million XRP release, followed by a swift 400 million re-lock, appears to reinforce Ripple’s intent to maintain control over the circulating supply, likely to manage inflation concerns and liquidity provisioning through on-demand liquidity (ODL) services or institutional partnerships.

XRP Price Volatile Despite Escrow Activity

Following the escrow activity, XRP briefly dipped to a low of $2.15 before rebounding to $2.19, mirroring broader market fluctuations. Despite the modest uptick, the token remains down 0.6% over the last 24 hours, underperforming relative to Bitcoin’s recent stability.

Some analysts remain optimistic, citing XRP’s earlier surge to $2.32 and potential technical setups indicating a move toward $6.50 or even $8 later this month.

Ripple’s latest escrow cycle underscores a deliberate and evolving approach to XRP supply management. While the company continues to fulfill its commitment to transparency, the shift toward partial unlocks and immediate re-locking may be part of a long-term plan to stabilize market dynamics while accommodating growing institutional and cross-border demand.

Whether this pattern continues or shifts further remains to be seen, but Ripple’s handling of its XRP holdings continues to have far-reaching implications for investor sentiment and price movement.

Happy
0 0 %
Sad
0 0 %
Excited
0 0 %
Sleepy
0 0 %
Angry
0 0 %
Surprise
0 0 %

Robert Kiyosaki Projects Bitcoin to Hit $1M, Admits He’ll Want More

0 0
Read Time:2 Minute, 3 Second

Robert Kiyosaki predicts Bitcoin will soar to $1 million, admitting he’ll regret not buying more as BTC’s long-term potential grows.

Renowned financial author Robert Kiyosaki has predicted that Bitcoin could reach $1 million. In a series of posts on X, the author of Rich Dad Poor Dad revealed that he had purchased more Bitcoin, even as the asset traded above $107,000.

While acknowledging the risk involved, Robert Kiyosaki said he would “rather be a sucker than a loser” if Bitcoin’s price skyrockets to seven figures. “At $6,000, I thought it was expensive. Today at $107,000, I still think it’s expensive, but I’m still buying,” he added.

Long-Term Strategy: Robert Kiyosaki Reflects on Regret and Risk

Robert Kiyosaki shared that he initially entered the Bitcoin market late, purchasing his first BTC when it was already priced at $6,000. Since then, the cryptocurrency has surged more than 1,000%, leaving him wishing he had accumulated more. Despite his initial hesitation, he now views Bitcoin as a hedge against the devaluation of fiat currency and inflation.

“Even if you can only afford one Satoshi today, I believe five years from now you’ll be saying, ‘I wish I had bought more,’” Kiyosaki stated.

He sees BTC’s recent strength and increasing institutional interest as signs of more growth ahead. He also cited the upcoming Bitcoin halving and the resulting reduced coin supply as key bullish factors that could accelerate its price trajectory.

According to Kiyosaki’s projections, a move to $1 million would represent an 855% gain from current levels. His strategy now revolves around accumulating more BTC, not timing market tops or bottoms.

Bitcoin’s Steady Rise Fuels Optimism

With Bitcoin consistently holding above $100,000 for over a month and climbing past its previous all-time high of $111,900, optimism is growing among crypto investors. Kiyosaki believes this upward momentum could be a sign of what’s to come, and he’s not alone. Rising ETF inflows and institutional adoption are fueling long-term confidence in BTC’s potential.

Still, Kiyosaki urged followers to think independently: “Don’t follow me or anyone. But if you believe in something, don’t wait.”

Robert Kiyosaki remains a prominent advocate for Bitcoin, encouraging others to consider its long-term potential despite its volatility. With his $1 million forecast, he joins a growing list of high-profile investors betting big on BTC.

.

Happy
0 0 %
Sad
0 0 %
Excited
0 0 %
Sleepy
0 0 %
Angry
0 0 %
Surprise
0 0 %

ZachXBT Links USDC Usage to North Korea Amid Circle’s Push to Establish a National Trust Bank

0 0
Read Time:2 Minute, 1 Second

Blockchain investigator ZachXBT links USDC activity to North Korea as Circle moves forward with plans to launch a federally regulated National Trust Bank.

Controversial claims have surfaced surrounding Circle’s stablecoin, USDC, as popular blockchain investigator ZachXBT alleges that North Korea is using the token to facilitate illicit transactions. The timing of the allegations is particularly sensitive, as Circle has recently filed to become a national trust bank in the United States following its successful IPO that valued the firm at nearly $18 billion.

Circle Eyes Banking Charter Amid Regulatory Tightening on Stablecoins

According to ZachXBT in a recent X post, North Korean IT operatives, many of whom work for sanctioned state-backed groups, are actively using USDC to process high-volume payments. Despite Circle’s claims of strict compliance protocols, the investigator stated bluntly that the company is doing “nothing” to prevent such transactions.

He even pointed to “high eight figures” worth of suspicious volume linked to North Korea’s operations, asserting that the stablecoin firm has failed to enforce meaningful oversight.

Meanwhile, Circle is applying to become a federally chartered national trust bank in the U.S. Under the name First National Digital Currency Bank, N.A., the new institution would allow Circle to self-custody the reserves backing USDC, currently held at BNY Mellon and managed by BlackRock, and provide asset custody services to institutions.

Circle’s co-founder and CEO, Jeremy Allaire, emphasized that this move is part of the company’s shift from the early-adoption era of crypto to becoming a mainstream financial player. If approved, the bank charter would lend credibility to Circle’s growing institutional ambitions, particularly as the firm shifts its focus toward tokenizing traditional financial assets, such as bonds and equities.

Stablecoin Regulation Push Gathers Momentum 

Circle’s regulatory ambitions are unfolding alongside a significant policy shift in the U.S. Senate. A newly passed stablecoin bill would require issuers, such as Circle, to maintain full reserves and provide monthly public disclosures. This step, many believe, will normalize the use of stablecoins in the mainstream economy. With a House vote and potential President Trump endorsement looming, the stablecoin market is poised for a pivotal transformation.

If approved as a trust bank, Circle would be uniquely positioned to capitalize on this regulatory clarity. Still, the firm must first overcome mounting concerns about its risk exposure, especially in light of the North Korea-USDC controversy.

Happy
0 0 %
Sad
0 0 %
Excited
0 0 %
Sleepy
0 0 %
Angry
0 0 %
Surprise
0 0 %
Exit mobile version