News Center - Page 3

$1T XRP trades on Upbit – Are Korean traders ignoring Bitcoin, Ethereum?

XRP has recorded nearly $1 billion in 24-hour trading volume on South Korean exchanges Upbit and Bithumb, significantly surpassing both Bitcoin and Ethereum in local markets. This dominance is driven by strong retail participation, with altcoins comprising 80% of trading volume on major platforms. Upbit alone accounts for approximately 70% of domestic market share, and XRP/KRW pairs often represent 30–35% of daily turnover. South Korea has become a major retail liquidity hub, with KRW trading volume reaching $1.1 trillion in 2024, rivaling USD as a leading fiat gateway for crypto. Retail-driven speculative activity, characterized by small average order sizes under $1,000, fuels XRP’s outperformance. Despite its spot market strength, XRP’s derivatives engagement remains limited due to local leverage restrictions, with open interest and funding rates staying neutral compared to Bitcoin and Ethereum. Premium pricing of 2–10% above global levels further highlights intense local demand. Ultimately, XRP serves as a key indicator of retail sentiment in Korea’s crypto market.

ambcrypto10h ago

SBI Holdings Rejects $10B XRP Claim, Clarifies 9% Ripple Equity

SBI Holdings CEO Yoshitaka Kitao clarified that the company does not hold $10 billion in XRP tokens, refuting a recent claim. Instead, SBI owns more than 9% equity in Ripple Labs, estimated to be worth around $3.6 billion. Kitao emphasized that this stake provides strategic value and reduces exposure to XRP's price volatility, calling it a "hidden asset." He also confirmed SBI's recent acquisition of a majority stake in regulated crypto exchange Coinhako to strengthen its position in Asia, potentially supporting Ripple's ecosystem. Meanwhile, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse expressed confidence in Ripple becoming a trillion-dollar company, despite XRP's recent price decline of over 6% in 24 hours, trading at $1.48.

TheNewsCrypto10h ago

Did SBI Holdings Really Buy $10 Billion Worth Of XRP? CEO Reveals The Real Figure

Speculation that SBI Holdings acquired $10 billion worth of XRP was refuted by CEO Yoshitaka Kitao. The claim, which originated from social media, misrepresented the company’s actual exposure. Instead of holding XRP directly, SBI maintains indirect exposure through a 9% equity stake in Ripple Labs, valued at an estimated $4.5 billion based on Ripple’s $50+ billion valuation. This strategic partnership supports Ripple’s expansion in Asia and involvement in institutional payment initiatives, without the volatility risks of direct token ownership.

bitcoinist10h ago

March token unlocks to hit $6B, with WhiteBIT driving majority of supply increase

March 2026 is set to be the largest token unlock event of the year, with approximately $6.03 billion worth of crypto assets scheduled to enter circulation—a significant increase from February's $2 billion. The majority of this supply surge, around $4.18 billion, is attributed to WhiteBIT, making it the dominant contributor. Other protocols, including Sui and Arbitrum, will also unlock tokens but at comparatively smaller scales. Data from both CryptoRank and DeFiLlama confirm the concentration, highlighting potential liquidity and volatility risks as markets absorb the new supply. While not all unlocked tokens may be sold immediately, large, concentrated unlocks historically coincide with increased market volatility, especially during cautious trading periods.

ambcrypto11h ago

Ethereum supply hits 2017 lows – THESE 2 metrics suggest demand squeeze

Ethereum's exchange supply has decreased significantly, reaching levels not seen since 2017, as holders demonstrate a strong preference for long-term holding over selling. This supply squeeze is driven by two key metrics: a record-high 37.25 million ETH staked (valued at ~$73.35 billion) and a sharp decline in exchange deposits. The amount of ETH on exchanges has dropped to approximately 16.18 million, indicating reduced readily available supply. However, sustained price appreciation depends on demand, which remains inconsistent. While a significant spike in spot buying occurred on February 15th ($473.84 million), daily net inflows have generally weakened since the start of the month. The shrinking supply is poised to amplify future price movements when demand strengthens.

ambcrypto11h ago

BTC Market Pulse: Week 08

Bitcoin market conditions show tentative signs of stabilization after a deeply oversold period, though the overall sentiment remains defensive. Momentum has improved slightly, with reduced sell-side pressure and moderated ETF outflows. However, trading activity has declined significantly, and profitability for ETF holders is near cost basis, making them sensitive to volatility. Derivatives markets continue to reflect risk-off behavior, with leverage unwinding and funding rates cooling. Options markets suggest near-term risk may be underpriced. On-chain metrics indicate subdued network activity, negative capital flows, and persistent unrealized losses, aligning with a late-stage correction or early accumulation phase. While downside pressure has eased, a sustained recovery depends on renewed spot demand and broader market participation. Risk remains across spot, derivatives, and on-chain indicators, with cautious and selective investor behavior prevailing.

insights.glassnode11h ago

Solana’s RWA ecosystem hits $1.66B – Is this SOL’s turning point?

Despite trading at a lower price range of $80–$90 with steep year-to-date losses, Solana's underlying ecosystem shows significant strength. Its Real-World Asset (RWA) sector reached a new all-time high of $1.66 billion in tokenized value, reflecting growing institutional participation and confidence in its on-chain financial infrastructure. Market data further supports this underlying demand. Both Spot and Futures Taker CVDs (90-day) showed persistent and synchronized buy-side pressure, indicating strong and aggressive buyer activity across markets. This alignment between capital flow and ecosystem growth suggests a potential structural shift from speculative trading to foundational expansion. If this sustained demand converts into price movement, Solana could be poised for significant upward momentum. However, failure to translate this underlying strength into higher prices may stall its current positive trajectory.

ambcrypto12h ago

Crypto Courtroom Drama: Kevin O’Leary Wins Nearly $3M Against YouTuber ‘Bitboy’

Kevin O'Leary, known as "Mr. Wonderful" from Shark Tank, has been awarded a $2.8 million default judgment by a US federal court against YouTuber Ben "BitBoy" Armstrong. The ruling stems from a defamation lawsuit after Armstrong failed to respond to allegations that he made false social media posts accusing O'Leary of involvement in a fatal 2019 boating incident. The damages include $78,000 for reputational harm, $750,000 for emotional distress, and $2 million in punitive damages. The case is unrelated to crypto, but highlights legal risks for influencers spreading unverified claims.

bitcoinist12h ago

Trezor and Ledger Users Targeted by Fraudulent Physical Mail Scams

TheNewsCrypto13h ago

Ethereum (ETH) Momentum Falters: Can It Avoid a Bigger Dip?

Ethereum (ETH) is experiencing a bearish trend, with its price struggling to hold above $2,000 after failing to cross the $2.5K level. The broader crypto market cap has declined by 1.42%, and ETH has seen over $85 million in liquidations. Technical indicators, including the MACD, Chaikin Money Flow, and Bull Bear Power, all signal strong bearish dominance and weak buying pressure. If the downtrend continues, ETH could drop toward the $1.9K support level. However, a rebound could occur if bullish momentum returns, potentially pushing the price toward $2.1K resistance and triggering a recovery.

TheNewsCrypto13h ago