The crypto market is starting the week with a slight pullback. XRP is currently trading around $0.617, down by 0.63% in the last 24 hours. This comes as Bitcoin has also retreated slightly after touching the $95,700 resistance level last week. Meanwhile, Bitcoin’s supply on exchanges continues to drop, which could lead to a supply crunch if demand stays strong. Some analysts believe this could eventually push prices higher.
This week is also massive for the broader financial market, with about 40% of the S&P 500 companies reporting earnings. Big names like Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, and Apple will release their results. These earnings calls could influence U.S. government policies, especially if major companies express concern over economic challenges like tariffs.
XRP has remained under pressure since its January peak, partly due to macro factors and regulatory uncertainty. However, recent on-chain data shows that over 838 million XRP were moved in just 24 hours—signaling strong network activity, though not necessarily immediate price gains.
In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has indirectly hinted at XRP’s potential to match Bitcoin’s price one day. Speaking about XRP’s role in solving trillion-dollar financial problems, Garlinghouse said that Ripple works closely with banks and regulators—even in uncertain environments.
Brad Garlinghouse indirectly confirmed that #XRP will reach Bitcoin’s price.
He explained that by working with the financial system instead of against it, XRP could scale globally. His comments suggest that XRP has the utility, partnerships, and long-term vision needed to eventually rival Bitcoin in value.
Amid growing uncertainty, a top analyst has named three scenarios that could cause Cardano (ADA) to outperform Solana (SOL). The projection from the analyst AM_Panic comes as the broader cryptocurrency sector witnesses a massive downturn spearheaded by Bitcoin (BTC).
3 Scenarios Favoring Cardano Over Solana
The analyst began by acknowledging Cardano’s accelerated growth, including plans to enhance its scalability. He noted on X that a potential ADA price surge largely depends on Cardano’s capacity to implement its scalability plans.
Should the network achieve this feat, it may attract more Decentralized Applications (dApps), which will benefit the blockchain and help it outrank Solana.
In the second scenario, the analyst expects that any setback or regulatory challenge to the Solana network will negatively impact its price. If it records a 20% price dip, this would affect its market cap, which is currently at $50.11 billion. A 20% fall can raise the market cap to $50.11 billion, making it easier for Cardano to meet continued growth.
The last scenario is tied to favorable market conditions. Once there are either bullish crypto trends or more regulatory clarity, especially with Donald Trump as President, Cardano may benefit more. The market analyst believes the Layer-1 blockchain is even better if positioned as a stable, research-driven alternative.
The Solana Memecoin Woes
In recent weeks, Solana has faced several woes, ranging from a slowdown in token growth within its network to its price drawdown.
Solana Powerhouse Pump.Fun, known as the source of the ecosystem boom over the past few months, has recorded a slowdown in adoption. From abuse by creators to a shift from risk-on assets amid the global stock market meltdown, Solana’s price has experienced more drawbacks.
Most critics also warn that Solana is sacrificing decentralization for speed, fueling boycott concerns in the long term.
Price Outlook for Cardano and Solana
The ADA price is $0.7302 after recording a 24-hour price gain of 6.52%. SOL trades at $127.62, corresponding to a 7.31% increase within the last 24 hours.
Notably, several analysts are optimistic that the coin will see better days. Market analyst Crypto Jobs, in SOL price analysis, shows how the coin fluctuated between $153 and $138, suggesting a season of indecision in the crypto market.
While analysts have predicted that the coin’s price may hit $200 soon and even reach higher levels, there are at least three reasons why it may not attain this level in March. Similarly, Cardano’s price faces selling pressure in a descending triangle and recently tested support at $0.76.
Berachain (BERA) has suffered a steep decline over the past week, shedding 30% of its value as bearish sentiment plagues the general market.
In the past 24 hours alone, the token has slid another 6%, deepening concerns of further downside. With growing bearish bias against the altcoin, this might be the case in the near term.
BERA Faces Mounting Downside Risk
Berachain’s sharp decline has triggered a surge in short positions across its futures market. This rise in demand for shorts is evident in its funding rate, which has been negative since the token’s launch on February 6. At press time, this is at -0.11%.
The funding rate is a periodic fee exchanged between long and short traders in perpetual futures contracts to keep prices aligned with the spot market.
A negative funding rate means that short traders are paying long traders, indicating a stronger demand for short positions.
As with BERA, if an asset experiences an extended period of negative funding rates, it suggests sustained bearish sentiment. It indicates that the token’s traders consistently bet on further price declines. This prolonged negativity could increase BERA’s price volatility and extend its price fall.
In addition, BERA has noted significant fund outflows from its spot markets over the past few days. Per Coinglass, the altcoin has noted almost $2 million in spot market outflows today alone.
When an asset experiences spot outflows like this, it signals a surge in selling pressure. It indicates a bearish trend as investors reduce exposure or take profits, potentially leading to further price declines.
BERA at a Crossroads—Break Below $6.07 or Rally Toward $7.36?
Berachain trades at $6.14 at press time, resting slightly above support at $6.07. If the bearish bias against the altcoin strengthens, its price could break below this support floor, causing the token to trade at a low of $5.35.
If the bulls fail to defend this level, BERA could slip to its all-time low of $4.74.
Ripple’s recently acquired Hidden Road has secured a broker-dealer license from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). This marks a significant milestone in expanding its prime brokerage services for institutional investors.
Market watchers see it as a deliberate strategy by Ripple to build infrastructure and position itself for future growth. That being said, traders are expecting that XRP’s value will rise later.
Ripple Expands Institutional Presence with Hidden Road’s FINRA License
According to the latest press release, Hidden Road Partners CIV US LLC was granted approval. The license now enables the firm to provide a broader suite of regulatory-compliant services, including clearing, financing, and prime brokerage for fixed-income assets to institutions.
Noel Kimmel, President of Hidden Road, highlighted that the license was a pivotal development for the company. According to him, it enhances Hidden Road’s ability to operate in traditional financial (TradFi) markets.
“As a FINRA member, we will be able to bring our best-in-class, technology-driven fixed income service offering to an expanded universe of institutional clients. Our business has tremendous momentum, and we look forward to continuing to provide superior execution and support to our clients amidst today’s exceptionally dynamic market environment,” Kimmel said.
The move positions Ripple as the first cryptocurrency company to own a global, multi-asset prime broker. Experts believe the acquisition and subsequent license are part of a broader strategy Ripple is employing.
“Hidden Road just secured a broker-dealer license right after Ripple’s acquisition. This isn’t a coincidence, it’s a statement. XRP is not playing checkers. It’s playing regulatory chess,” an analyst wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Is Ripple Behind XRP’s Low Price? Analyst Thinks So
In fact, analysts also claim that XRP’s neutral reaction to recent milestones isn’t a sign of weakness but rather a strategic move. In a recent analysis, crypto analyst Levi argued that the current price of XRP, hovering around $2, is not coincidental, but rather a result of Ripple’s deliberate approach.
He suggested that the low price is designed to allow Ripple to operate under the radar while making key strategic moves, such as the Hidden Road acquisition.
“Hidden Road isn’t a flex. It’s infrastructure. It’s the final puzzle piece — giving Ripple a fully integrated, lightning-fast, global value settlement system,” he stated.
The analyst emphasized that while the public focused on Ripple’s legal battles with the SEC, the company quietly built its global value settlement system behind the scenes.
“XRP at $2 isn’t undervalued — it’s deliberately suppressed. When the switch flips, the revaluation won’t be gradual — it’ll be instant,” Levi noted.