Year: 2025

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Top crypto analyst forecasts a major Bitcoin breakout to $144,000 as a classic bull flag pattern emerges, here’s what it means for BTC’s next move.

Bitcoin (BTC) is stabilizing above the $107,000 mark after posting a solid 4.89% gain over the past week. Although monthly growth remains modest at just over 1%, a top crypto analyst has now spotted signs of a much larger rally forming, one that could push the leading cryptocurrency to $144,000.

Classic Bull Flag Structure Forms On Bitcoin’s Chart, Analyst Targets 34% Upside

According to a recent X post by crypto analyst Merlijn The Trader, Bitcoin’s daily chart is displaying a textbook bull flag pattern. The setup began with BTC’s vertical rally from around $74,000 to $110,000 in April and May, creating the flagpole. Since then, BTC has cooled off into a descending consolidation channel, forming the flag.

Now, the price has nudged above the upper resistance of this channel, indicating a potential breakout in progress. Using standard measured-move analysis, Merlijn forecasts a price target of approximately $144,000, representing a possible 34% increase from current levels.

Momentum Indicators Support Bullish Bias

Adding weight to the bullish narrative is the MACD (Moving Average Convergence Divergence), which has just triggered a bullish crossover, its first in several weeks. The MACD line crossing above the signal line typically suggests strengthening momentum and often precedes trend continuation.

Key Technical Levels:

• Breakout confirmation: Daily close above $109,000

• Support: 50-day EMA near $107,347

• Trade Range: $106,450 – $108,980

• Target zone: $144,000 if breakout holds

Futures data indicate that traders are once again taking strong long positions, with open interest at levels not seen since before the 2021 bull market. Analyst sentiment has shifted from cautious to optimistic as price action aligns with key technical indicators.

Despite the growing enthusiasm, analysts stress the importance of confirmation. A sustained close above $109,000 is critical to validate the bull flag pattern. Until then, Bitcoin could remain range-bound or even retreat toward support levels near $104,687 or lower.

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Metaplanet Now Holds 13,350 BTC, Surpassing Galaxy Digital and CleanSpark

Japanese investment firm Metaplanet has added 1,005 more Bitcoin (BTC) to its growing treasury, pushing its total holdings to 13,350 BTC. With this move, the Tokyo-listed company has become the fifth-largest corporate Bitcoin whale, surpassing prominent entities like Galaxy Digital and CleanSpark.

Metaplanet’s Aggressive Accumulation Strategy Pays Off

This latest purchase marks a significant milestone in Metaplanet’s aggressive BTC acquisition campaign. Just three months ago, the firm held only 3,350 BTC. Since then, it has added a remarkable 10,000 BTC, showcasing a relentless accumulation pace unmatched by many in the space.

Metaplanet has now overtaken:

• Galaxy Digital, which holds 12,830 BTC

• CleanSpark, with 12,502 BTC

These rankings firmly place Metaplanet among the elite class of corporate BTC whales, outpacing even Tesla’s current holdings.

The acquisition is aligned with Metaplanet’s long-term strategy, which treats Bitcoin not just as a treasury reserve asset but as a fundamental hedge against fiat currency devaluation and inflation.

The company recently unveiled its ambitious “555 Million Plan”, a roadmap to raise over $5.4 billion to purchase up to 210,000 BTC, roughly 1% of Bitcoin’s entire supply, by 2027. As part of this plan, Metaplanet issued ¥30 billion (approximately $208 million) in zero-coupon bonds this week to fund further BTC acquisitions and refinance older debt.

Stock Reacts Positively With a 10% Increase

Investor confidence in Metaplanet’s Bitcoin-heavy approach remains strong. Following the announcement of the new 1,005 BTC purchase, the company’s stock surged more than 10%, closing at ¥1,633. The stock is now up 370% year-to-date, with trading volumes spiking significantly on Wall Street under its U.S. listing (MTPLF).

“Just three months ago, we celebrated crossing 3,350 BTC at our shareholder meeting,” said CEO Simon Gerovich. “Today, we’ve hit 13,350. Our commitment to Bitcoin is long-term, strategic, and unwavering.”

Meanwhile, Bitcoin itself rose slightly by 1% following the announcement, briefly trading above $108,000 before slipping slightly. Market watchers note that Metaplanet’s aggressive moves are helping normalize BTC exposure in corporate treasuries, potentially inspiring other firms to follow suit.

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Invesco has officially filed for a Solana ETF, intensifying calls for SEC approval as institutional interest in SOL continues to grow.

Global asset management firm Invesco has become the latest heavyweight to enter the Solana ETF race, filing a proposal with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to launch a spot exchange-traded fund that directly tracks the price of Solana (SOL). The move, announced via a June 26 filing, adds fresh urgency to the regulatory agency’s ongoing review of altcoin-based ETFs.

The proposed product, named the Invesco Galaxy Solana ETF, would trade under the ticker QSOL on the Cboe BZX Exchange, with Coinbase Custody safeguarding the SOL assets and Bank of New York Mellon acting as the fund’s administrator. In addition to holding SOL directly, the fund could stake a portion of its holdings to generate token rewards, which would be treated as trust income.

The filing arrives as Invesco becomes the ninth issuer to seek SEC approval for a Solana ETF, joining firms like VanEck, Grayscale, Bitwise, Fidelity, and Franklin Templeton, signaling rising confidence in Solana’s role in institutional portfolios.

While the SEC has so far only approved spot ETFs for Bitcoin and Ethereum, Bloomberg ETF analysts James Seyffart and Eric Balchunas believe there is a 90%+ probability that the commission will greenlight a Solana ETF by Q3 or Q4 of 2025, with a decision on the horizon as early as July.

Solana’s Momentum on CME Points to ETF Launch Around the Corner

The momentum behind Solana ETF filings reflects a surge in institutional interest in the network, which is currently the sixth-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization. A recent uptick in Solana futures activity on CME, with open interest topping $146 million, further underscores growing institutional exposure.

Market commentator Cas Abbe stated that approval expectations have yet to be fully factored into the market’s pricing.  According to the analyst, renewed buying activity is a positive signal, reinforcing confidence in SOL’s short-term outlook. With anticipation mounting, the analyst predicts a strong rally could unfold as early as next month.

As the SEC collects updated filings and public feedback from issuers, the stage is set for a pivotal few months that could broaden the landscape of regulated crypto investment products.

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Ondo Finance brings tokenized U.S. Treasuries to the XRP Ledger (XRPL), opening the door to faster, more accessible real-world asset trading on a decentralized network.

Ondo Finance has officially launched its tokenized U.S. Treasury product, OUSG, on the XRP Ledger (XRPL). The integration opens the door for institutional investors to access U.S. Treasuries directly on-chain using Ripple’s stablecoin, RLUSD, as the settlement asset.

The deployment marks the fulfillment of a January 2025 announcement, in which Ondo pledged to bring OUSG to the XRPL within six months. With the token now live, the platform enables round-the-clock minting and redemption for qualified buyers, bypassing the constraints of traditional banking hours.

Ondo Finance and XRPL Pave the Way for the Future of Tokenized Treasuries

With over $1.3 billion in total value locked (TVL), Ondo Finance is a leader in real-world asset tokenization. Its flagship OUSG fund accounts for nearly $700 million, ranking just behind BlackRock’s BUIDL and Franklin Templeton’s BENJI in the growing market for tokenized Treasuries.

Ripple confirmed the collaboration on its official X account, highlighting the XRPL’s purpose-built infrastructure. The ledger’s support for native tokenization, decentralized exchange (DEX) functionality, and enterprise-grade features, such as Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs), makes it a strategic fit for regulated financial products.

“This is a major step forward in enabling programmable, compliant, and efficient access to yield-bearing assets,” said Ian De Bode, Chief Strategy Officer at Ondo Finance.

Tokenized Treasuries Boom as Market Hits $7 Billion

The move also arrives as the broader tokenized Treasury market surpasses $7 billion in total value locked (TVL), driven by rising demand for blockchain-native cash management solutions. 

Analysts at Boston Consulting Group estimate the overall tokenization market could reach $19 trillion by 2033, with Treasuries serving as a low-risk entry point for institutions transitioning to on-chain finance.

By eliminating settlement delays and legacy infrastructure hurdles, the OUSG integration provides institutional investors with a flexible, capital-efficient way to deploy idle cash. RLUSD acts as a bridge between DeFi and TradFi, enabling seamless transitions between tokenized Treasuries and other digital assets.

Meanwhile, XRP Ledger’s momentum continues to build. Following its recent partnership with Guggenheim for digital commercial paper and Dubai’s tokenized real estate initiative, XRPL is carving out a leadership role in the asset tokenization ecosystem. Yet, despite these advancements, XRP itself has struggled to reflect the network’s growth, trading at $2.28, down 0.3% at the time of writing.

Commenting on this, pro-crypto attorney Bill Morgan noted, “XRP is seeing a wave of positive developments, but the price action remains frustratingly flat.”

Still, the Ondo Finance partnership reinforces XRPL’s appeal as a compliant, high-performance chain for institutional-grade digital finance. As tokenization trends accelerate, the successful onboarding of OUSG may prove to be a key inflection point for both Ondo and the XRP Ledger.

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Bitwise and ProShares are pushing to launch the first-ever ETFs tied to Circle stock (CRCL), including a 2x leveraged fund and a covered call income strategy.

Asset managers Bitwise and ProShares have filed applications to launch single-stock exchange-traded funds (ETFs) tied to the performance of Circle’s publicly traded stock (CRCL). The filings represent the first ETF products of their kind to track a company deeply embedded in the digital asset ecosystem.

ETF Proposals: Leveraged Gains and Income Strategies

ProShares has proposed the Ultra CRCL ETF, a leveraged product designed to deliver 2x the daily returns of Circle’s share price. This type of ETF is designed for short-term trading and requires daily rebalancing, as holding periods that are too long can lead to performance that diverges from the intended target.

Meanwhile, Bitwise is rolling out a more income-focused strategy with its CRCL Income ETF, which will use a covered call approach. This fund seeks to generate returns by selling call options on CRCL while holding the underlying stock, which is ideal for investors prioritizing yield over aggressive growth.

Both filings await approval from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and are expected to go live on August 20, 2025, if greenlit.

Circle Stock Surges In Light of ETF Filings

Following news of the ETF filings, Circle’s stock surged by 17%, closing at $126.24. The stock had previously entered a period of consolidation after its initial public offering (IPO), but has now regained upward momentum, drawing renewed interest from both retail and institutional investors.

Much of this institutional enthusiasm is underscored by Ark Invest’s hefty $373 million allocation to Circle shares. The IPO marked a significant milestone for the fintech company, and the ETF filings are seen as a natural next step in boosting market participation and investor access.

Two new exchange-traded funds (ETFs) aim to bring stocks related to crypto into the main ETF market. These funds focus on traditional stocks, but Circle, known for its USDC stablecoin, highlights the growing connection between digital finance and traditional asset management.

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