The European Union is rolling out strict new Anti-Money Laundering rules that will ban privacy coins and anonymous crypto accounts starting in 2027. Under the AML Regulation (AMLR), banks, financial firms, and crypto service providers will no longer be allowed to offer or support anonymous accounts or privacy-focused cryptocurrencies like Monero and Zcash. The move aims to increase transparency and combat illicit activities in the digital asset space across all member states.
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The European Union is rolling out strict new Anti-Money Laundering rules that will ban privacy coins and anonymous crypto accounts starting in 2027. Under the AML Regulation (AMLR), banks, financial firms, and crypto service providers will no longer be allowed to offer or support anonymous accounts or privacy-focused cryptocurrencies like Monero and Zcash. The move …
Welcome to the US Crypto News Morning Briefing—your essential rundown of the most important developments in crypto for the day ahead.]
Grab a coffee as we delve into market sentiment about XRP ETFs (exchange-traded funds) in the US. As prospects for this financial instrument continue to grow, experts have weighed in on the possible impact on Ripple’s XRP token.
Crypto News of the Day: XRP ETF Inflows to Reach $8.3 Billion, Standard Chartered Predicts
There has been much chatter this week in crypto about XRP ETFs, ranging from false rumors and reports to delays in key decisions. However, one thing appears certain: the conversation is growing more than ever.
In a recent US Crypto News publication, ETF analyst Eric Balchunas indicated they have raised their odds to 85%. Based on this, analysts offer diverging outlooks on how such a product might perform.
“XRP price could rise to $12.23 or $22.20 after ETF Approval if XRP ETFs Get 15% to 30% of Bitcoin ETF Inflows,” a popular account on X shared.
BeInCrypto data shows that XRP was trading for $2.22 as of this writing, down by almost 1% in the last 24 hours.
Against this backdrop, BeInCrypto contacted Standard Chartered for a commentary. The bank’s head of digital assets research, Geoff Kendrick, said it was challenging to predict precise inflow figures.
However, he indicated that comparative data from Europe could provide some guidance.
“The amount of eventual inflows to XRP ETFs is difficult to estimate. However, Bitwise has listed ETPs in Germany for XRP, Solana, Litecoin, BTC, and ETH, which may provide an apples-for-apples comparison,” Kendrick told BeInCrypto.
Drawing on his prediction of how an XRP ETF could perform and the associated impact on XRP price, Kendrick compared Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other altcoins.
Citing Bitwise data, the Standard Chartered executive noted that altcoins garner a larger percentage of ETP (exchange-traded product) net asset value (NAV) as a percentage of coin market capitalization than Bitcoin and Ethereum.
However, he acknowledged that this could be because fewer ETPs are available for altcoins. Kendrick added that NAV-to-market-cap ratios from already approved US spot ETFs provide a useful benchmark.
Based on these assessments, Geoff Kendrick projected that a US-listed spot XRP ETF could attract as much as $8.3 billion in inflows within its first year.
“Of the US spot ETFs approved so far, NAV as a percentage of market cap is 3% for Ethereum and just under 6% for Bitcoin. At current XRP market cap, that would imply a range of $4.4 billion to $8.3 billion as a future total NAV measure for an XRP ETF, which seems like a reasonable target range for inflows in the first 12 months,” Kendrick added.
Kendrick Sees Ripple Price at $8, Bitfinex Analysts Question Investor Interest for XRP ETFs
The Standard Chartered executive said he expects XRP price gains to keep pace with Bitcoin price growth targets.
He forecasted the Ripple price to rise to $8 by 2026, contingent on spot XRP ETF approvals in the US. This would constitute a 260% surge above the current price of $2.22.
“In real terms, XRP inflation is currently 6%, versus 0.8% for Bitcoin. As such, we target the XRP-USD price levels of $5.50 at end-2025, $8.00 at end-2026, $10.40 at end-2027, $12.50 at end-2028 and $12.25 at end-2029,” Kendrick explained.
Meanwhile, analysts at Bitfinex caution against optimism, saying that investor interest in a US-based spot XRP ETF may not match that witnessed in Bitcoin ETFs.
“We expect limited inflows into an XRP ETF as some investors may choose to broaden their exposure across available crypto ETFs. However it is unlikely to see the level of flows experienced by Bitcoin,” Bitfinex analysts told BeInCrypto.
The contrasting assessments reflect broader uncertainty over how altcoin ETFs might perform in a regulated US market.
Bitcoin’s dominance and changing regulatory attitudes toward digital assets still heavily influence the crypto market in the US.
So far, Grayscale, Wisdom Tree, Bitwise, Canary, and 21Shares have filed for XRP ETF approvals with the SEC. Bitwise’s application received official acknowledgment on February 18, triggering several timelines for approving, denying, or extending the application.
The final deadline is October 12, 240 days after official receipt. This date is equivalent to the ‘final deadline’ of January 10, 2024, for BTC ETF approvals, the day they were approved.
However, with other applications beyond XRP ETF pending approval, including Solana and Litecoin, Kendrick noted that other applications in the pipeline could affect the timeline for XRP ETF approval.
“Litecoin seems most likely to progress the fastest, providing early insight into how the new SEC leadership will treat altcoin ETFs,” Kendrick said.
As a hard fork of Bitcoin, Litecoin could already be viewed by the SEC as a commodity rather than a security. According to Kendrick, its similarity to Bitcoin may make it conceptually easier for investors to understand.
“We expect a wave of cryptocurrency ETFs next year, albeit not all at once. First out is likely the BTC + ETH combo ETFs, then probably Litecoin (because it is a fork of BTC, [therefore it’s a] commodity), then HBAR (because it’s not labeled security), and then XRP/Solana (which have been labeled securities in pending lawsuits),” Balchunas stated.
The dips often lead to the ‘crypto to buy’ season, and the last few weeks have led to this time. The rising uncertainty amid the Trump tariff war affected investors’ sentiments and the crypto market, but recovery looms. The rising whale activity confirms the trend reversal and upcoming rally. Let’s discuss what to buy.
Whales Bet on Top Crypto to Buy
According to the popular analytics platform Santiment’s X post, the crypto whales are targeting the above $500 million market cap cryptos. More importantly, they clarified that these cryptos have higher chances of trend reversal, making the current time a good entry and crypto to buy.
Based on the whales’ activity, the best cryptocurrencies to buy are Ethena (ENA), Worldcoin (WLD), Floki Inu (FLOKI), and Kucoin Token (KCS).
1. Ethenna (ENA)
After its launch in 2024, Ethena rose in popularity and gained significant rallies, creating an ATH of $1.52 and another near high in January 2025. However, with the market’s downtrend, the token crashed and is attempting a recovery these days. Based on its historical trend, place in top altcoins, and rising whale activity, investors can consider it to buy.
2. Worldcoin (WLD)
Worldcoin price rallied as the founder, Sam Altman, brought World ID and Orb verification to the U.S. Also, there’s potential news for a Coinbase listing for the WLD token, grasping crypto whales’ attention. It is among the top cryptos to buy due to this recovered interest and upcoming updates, especially as it has the potential to hit 10x (current ATH mark).
3. FLOKI (FLOKI)
FLOKI is among the most popular meme coins, but it lost its demand amid the market downtrend. Interestingly, the demand is rebuilding for FLOKI and other meme-themed cryptocurrencies, which could build short-term rallies, making it a suitable option to buy. However, the volatility still lingers, so investors must be careful.
4. Kucoin (KCS)
KCS is the official cryptocurrency of the Kucoin crypto exchange. As a result, it is often in the spotlight, gaining significant uptrends. At present, it is in a declining phase, but if the trend reverses, as the Santiment analysis report suggests, it could become a decent buying option.
Is a Crypto Market Rally in Formation?
After days of recovery, the crypto market finally reached the $3 trillion market cap mark. However, a crypto rally is still uncertain as the investors’ sentiments remain neutral and lack any bullish stimulus. Experts anticipate the upcoming FOMC meeting and potential Fed rate cuts to boost the market. If that happens, the timing is perfect for crypto to buy, but investors must remain careful and do further research.
An Ethereum whale has captured the attention of the crypto market this Friday as it made notable changes in its crypto portfolio. On-chain whale statistics have revealed that a large-scale investor dumped $2 million worth of ETH, thereby diversifying investment into 3 other tokens.
These 3 tokens, namely, AERO, AIXBT, and VIRTUAL, are now on traders’ watchlists amid increased buying and rising price trajectories.
Ethereum Whale Shifts Focus To AERO, AIXBT, VIRTUAL
Onchain Lens’ X post on May 2 revealed that an Ethereum whale dumped 1,185 ETH, worth $2.11 million, in exchange for USDC. This investor has then moved on to purchase 2.92 million AERO, 3.34 million AIXBT, and 6,800 VIRTUAL with the recently swapped USDC.
Subsequently, data indicated that this whale again swapped 2.44 million AERO for 996,566 VIRTUAL tokens. It now holds 1,003,366 VIRTUAL, echoing a market buzz as the crypto is currently on a massive price rally.
Interestingly, broader market sentiments about VIRTUAL have taken a paradigm bullish shift. VIRTUAL price is trading now at $1.64 as of reporting, surging by a staggering 100% over the week. The coin has further extended its intraday gains to over 2% in tandem with the Ethereum whale’s shift in position.
Ethereum’s Struggles Continue
ETH price, however, has managed to gain only 3% over the week, remaining undermined by the recent market trends. The second-largest crypto by market cap has exchanged hands at $1,825 at the time of reporting.
Conversely, even AIXBT price overtook ETH price in terms of weekly gains, surging 57% to $0.1938. The coin witnessed a 13% intraday pump, in sync with the massive accumulation by the ETH whale. Lastly, Aerodrome Finance (AERO) price also overshadowed Ethereum’s weekly gains, up 16% to $0.6658. These broader rising price actions have kindled further optimism for the three tokens.
Crypto market participants are now left anticipating if these three coins could gain further in light of the increased buying and a broader bullish outlook market-wide. On the other hand, Ethereum whale dumps continue to be on the rise, as per a CoinGape report, presenting as another concerning factor for the token.
Veteran trader Peter Brandt has sparked discussions with his recent Bitcoin price prediction to hit as much as $150K in 2025. Although the bullish prediction has fueled optimism among market participants, some call this target a bit conservative. Besides, Brandt has also shared a warning of a potential BTC crash after it reaches the cycle peak.
Peter Brandt Predicts Bitcoin Price’s Cycle Peak
In a recent post on X, Peter Brandt has shared a bold prediction. He suggested that Bitcoin price could hit its bull cycle peak by August or September 2025. However, he noted that BTC must reclaim its “broken parabolic slope.” According to Brandt, if this structure holds, the flagship crypto could touch between $125K and $150K in the current cycle.
However, what really caught the investors’ eye is Brandt projecting a BTC crash of more than 50% once it reaches its peak. Besides, he also tagged analyst Scott Melker, also known as The Wolf of All Streets, in his post. Scott Melker responded to the post, signaling his support for Brandt’s outlook and sparking discussions in the market.
Source: Peter Brandt, X
Despite that, some crypto enthusiasts view this target as underwhelming. Given BTC’s current momentum and growing institutional focus, many believe the crypto could rise much higher.
Meanwhile, Rich Dad Poor Dad author Robert Kiyosaki recently predicted that Bitcoin price could soar as high as $200,000 by 2025. His bullish stance underscores the growing divide between conservative projections and bullish expectations.
BTC Hits Multi-Month High
Bitcoin price has recorded a new high since February, soaring past the $97,400 mark in the last 24 hours. However, during writing, it rested at $96,790 accompanied by a trading volume of $33.16 billion. Besides, the BTC Futures Open interest also rose by nearly 8%, reflecting the strong market confidence in the asset.
On the other hand, the US Spot BTC ETF regained momentum on April 1 after a brief pause, adding around $422 million in total. Considering all these latest market trends, it is likely that the flagship crypto might continue to move upwards in the coming days.
Meanwhile, a recent BTC price prediction also showed that the crypto is poised to hit $100K soon. However, with Brandt’s experience and Scott Melker’s support of the outlook, the investors should exercise due diligence while making their bets.
After an impressive earnings report in Q1 for Robinhood, Ark Invest has splurged $10M to acquire HOOD stock. Despite predicting a massive Bitcoin rally in the coming months, the investment firm is diversifying its holdings to include Robinhood, AMD, 10X Genomics, and altcoins.
Ark Invest Buys 210,714 Robinhood Shares
Cathie Wood’s Ark Invest has increased its footprint in the markets over the last day with significant investment in a raft of companies. According to an X post by Ark Invest Daily, the investment firm has splurged nearly $10 million to purchase 210,714 shares of Robinhood Markets Inc. (HOOD).
The heavy stock acquisition follows the release of Robinhood’s earnings report for Q1 2025. Robinhood’s earnings beat Wall Street expectations with total revenue within inches of $1 billion in the first three months of 2025.
Ark Invest scooped up 210,714 HOOD at a premium as shares traded at $46.62, a 5% drop over the last day. The sizable investment was made by the Ark Innovation ETF (ARKK), a fund investing in disruptive technologies.
Apart from buying Robinhood shares, the ARKK fund acquired 186,812 shares of Guardant Health for $9.1 million. The fund made sizable purchases in Advanced Micro Devices and 10X Genomics over the last day.
However, Ark Invest has sold off significant holdings in Roblox Group, Veracyte, and Palantir in the last 24 hours. The Ark Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF purchased 184,742 shares of Aurora Innovation Inc. while selling 37,591 in Kratos Defense and Security Solutions Inc.
Why Is The Cathie Woods-Led Firm Reducing Its Bitcoin Exposure?
Recent market activities by Ark Invest suggest that the company is diversifying its portfolio. A month ago, the company halted its Bitcoin purchase in favour of other altcoins in a frenzied diversification push.
Ark Invest has gained its first exposure to Solana (SOL) as it continues its diversification strategy. The recent plays in the stock market are accentuating a changing stance for the investment giant.
The company may be diversifying and reducing its BTC exposure in anticipation of a coming US recession, as predicted by Cathie Wood. Another reason for halting BTC purchases may be part of a rebalancing of its portfolio or nimble market maneuvering to seize fresh opportunities.
Despite the change in stance, Ark Invest says Bitcoin can break $1 million by the end of the decade. Conservative estimates see the firm predict a base case of $710,000 per BTC and a bear case of $300,000 by 2030. At the moment, Bitcoin price is trading at the $96,000 mark in a strong show of bullishness over the last week.
Ripple’s USD-backed stablecoin, RLUSD, has seen a sudden pause in its minting activity. According to data released by the Ripple Stablecoin Tracker, the last batch of the stablecoin was minted on April 25, followed by an unexpected silence for almost a week.
Why Ripple Pauses RLUSD Minting?
Significantly, Ripple appears to have temporarily halted RLUSD stablecoin minting, with no new coins created over the past week. As per the Stablecoin Tracker data, the crypto firm last minted the stablecoin on April 25 in three batches: two with 11,500,000 tokens each and one with 15,000,000 tokens.
Following the activity, the platform paused its RLUSD minting, with the Stablecoin Tracker remaining silent with no data. This indicates that the crypto platform has minted zero stablecoin over the past week while RLUSD surpassed $300 million.
Ripple’s recent pause in RLUSD minting isn’t unprecedented, as the company has taken regular breaks over the past two months, gradually injecting new coins into circulation. This measured approach has seen RLUSD’s market capitalization grow to $316.88 million, ranking 217th.
Since its launch, RLUSD has been exhibiting notable growth with its unique utilities. Initially, the stablecoin was designed as a “golden standard” for enterprise use, targeting businesses as its primary users. However, the platform later decided to expand its use cases. Recently, Ripple integrated the stablecoin into Ripple Payment, unveiling a new utility push.
Moreover, RLUSD’s usage has diversified, serving as collateral on DeFi platforms and centralized finance applications, and facilitating donations for nonprofit organizations. It’s also listed on major crypto exchanges such as Kraken, LMAX Digital, Bitstamp, Bullish, and Zero Hash, enabling trading and purchasing.
XRP recently saw a sharp price dip to $2.15, triggering massive liquidations worth $13.9 million in long positions, compared to just $1.49 million in shorts, a nearly 1000% imbalance. This shows that most traders were betting on the price going up. When it didn’t, many positions were wiped out, pushing the price down further.
However, XRP has bounced back to $2.20, a key support level, and some traders believe this was just a shakeout before the next big move. Crypto analyst John Squire agrees and says XRP isn’t dead — it’s just loading.
XRP Has Been Building for Years
XRP isn’t a new token riding the latest hype. It has been in development for over a decade. Ripple, the company behind XRP, has built a global payment network, RippleNet, which is active in over 55 countries. It’s already being used by more than 350 financial institutions, including major names like SBI, Tranglo, and Santander. This isn’t about plans, it’s happening now.
A Win in Court and Legal Clarity Ahead
One of XRP’s biggest moments was its legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which started in December 2020. Ripple scored a partial win in July 2023, and the SEC recently paused its appeal, which could lead to full legal clarity soon. If that happens, XRP could become one of the few major cryptocurrencies fully cleared to work with U.S. banks.
While many call XRP “dead” because of its slow price movement, Squire says this is often when smart investors quietly buy in. Technical indicators show XRP is holding steady with support around $2.00 and a chance to turn bullish if it breaks $2.30. For now, XRP may be quiet, but it might just be getting ready to roar.
Never Miss a Beat in the Crypto World!
Stay ahead with breaking news, expert analysis, and real-time updates on the latest trends in Bitcoin, altcoins, DeFi, NFTs, and more.
The post XRP Isn’t Dead — It’s Loading! Here’s Why Analysts Say XRP Price Rally Is Coming appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News
XRP recently saw a sharp price dip to $2.15, triggering massive liquidations worth $13.9 million in long positions, compared to just $1.49 million in shorts, a nearly 1000% imbalance. This shows that most traders were betting on the price going up. When it didn’t, many positions were wiped out, pushing the price down further. However, …
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has officially halted its legal proceedings against Ripple, marking a major turning point in a legal battle that began in December 2020. While the move sets the stage for a potential settlement, XRP’s journey to recovery is far from over.
The SEC’s lawsuit against Ripple nearly five years ago led to XRP being delisted from major U.S. exchanges, causing a 66.5% drop in December 2020—its largest monthly loss ever. This move not only impacted liquidity but also disrupted its momentum and trust among institutional players.
From 2021 to 2023, XRP’s price largely stagnated between $0.30 and $0.50. Although it saw some gains—276.2% in 2021 and 82.5% in 2023—those figures paled in comparison to competitors like Solana. SOL skyrocketed by 11,180% in 2021, dropped in 2022, and then rebounded 918.4% in 2023.
XRP’s lack of participation in major bull runs has been widely attributed to the uncertainty created by its ongoing legal battle.
More Than Just Price Damage
Beyond market performance, the lawsuit severely tarnished XRP’s reputation. Analysts argue that the multi-year litigation cost Ripple valuable time that could have been spent on innovation and expanding its presence in the global payments sector.
According to All Things XRP, institutional confidence eroded during this period, and Solana and other rivals capitalized on XRP’s absence from key markets.
What Lies Ahead for XRP?
Even after the SEC dropped its charges, XRP hasn’t shown strong bullish momentum. Over the last seven days, XRP rose only 0.6%, and in the past 24 hours, it dropped by 1.1%.
However, there are signs of strategic rebuilding. Ripple is reportedly working on new ETF applications, the launch of its stablecoin RLUSD, and forging fresh partnerships.
Despite past setbacks, analysts remain cautiously optimistic. If Ripple can rebuild trust and accelerate innovation, XRP may yet reclaim its role as a key player in cross-border payments.
Never Miss a Beat in the Crypto World!
Stay ahead with breaking news, expert analysis, and real-time updates on the latest trends in Bitcoin, altcoins, DeFi, NFTs, and more.
The post Can XRP Recover Its Lost Momentum After the Ripple vs SEC Settlement? appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has officially halted its legal proceedings against Ripple, marking a major turning point in a legal battle that began in December 2020. While the move sets the stage for a potential settlement, XRP’s journey to recovery is far from over. In the last 14 days, XRP has seen …
South Korea’s top five crypto exchanges will suspend WEMIX trading on June 2, causing the token to plunge over 60% to $0.2757 before recovering to around $0.36. This is the second time WEMIX has faced a group delisting. The DAXA exchange alliance said the decision was made due to WEMIX’s failure to meet listing standards. The move raises concerns over the token’s long-term credibility in the South Korean market.
The post WEMIX Faces Setback as South Korea’s Leading Exchanges Suspend Trading appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News
South Korea’s top five crypto exchanges will suspend WEMIX trading on June 2, causing the token to plunge over 60% to $0.2757 before recovering to around $0.36. This is the second time WEMIX has faced a group delisting. The DAXA exchange alliance said the decision was made due to WEMIX’s failure to meet listing standards. …
