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Bitcoin played second fiddle as KAVA, XRP, TRX, RPL and RNDR led the crypto market in May

Bitcoin is about to close its worst performing month since FTX collapsed, but a handful of altcoins posted noteworthy gains in May.

The cryptocurrency market experienced a dull month with Bitcoin (BTC) dropping 7.37%, its worst performance since November 2022 and Ethereum (ETH) losing 0.22% in May. 

The average loss across the market stands at 5.62% on the last day before the monthly close.

However, some outliers posted impressive gains thanks to popular investment narratives and the growth of the Ethereum staking sector.

In the first half of May, memecoins grabbed headlines with Pepecoin (PEPE) leading the narrative. The memecoin cycle guzzled up a lot of gas on Ethereum in the first half of May.

PEPE’s market capitalization surged to a peak of $1.54 billion in the first week of May, according to CoinGecko. It has witnessed a sell-off since then as token holders booked profit. However, the token still ended the month with over 300% gains.

Top 5 performers among the top 100 cryptocurrencies by market cap. Source: CoinMarketCap

Kava price analysis

The positive catalyst that propelled KAVA price came from a mainnet upgrade on May 17. KAVA price started surging a week before the update, which enhanced the blockchain’s throughput and security.

KAVA also got a boost from token holder’s suggestions to terminate the project’s grants and rewards programs by the end of 2023.

Technically, the KAVA/USD pair faces resistance from the long-term support and resistance level at $1.14. A successful breakout above this level will motivate buyers to push KAVA toward $1.50. Support for buyers to the downside lies at $0.96 and $0.80.

KAVA/USD daily price chart. Source: TradingView

XRP price analysis

XRP posted a 7.29% gain over the month with most of its price surge coming in the last few days.

The token recorded a spike in its daily transfer activity, which usually precedes a positive rally. Traders piled in with buy orders after on-chain analytics, Santiment, reported the activity on Twitter.

According to popular opinion, Ripple, the fintech company behind the XRP token, is close to winning its securities case against the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The verdict could come as early as June.

Technically, XRP faces resistance from the October 2022 and 2023 yearly peak levels around $0.54. A successful breakout above this level can propel the price to the 2022 breakdown levels around $0.79.

XRP/USD daily price chart. Source: TradingView

Tron price analysis

Tron, a Layer-1 blockchain platform, has gained popularity in the last few weeks as reports around its usage in market making on centralized exchanges and the network’s revenue made headlines.

While Tron’s DeFi usage is limited, it is the leading blockchain platform for USDT issuance. The amount of USDT on Tron at $40 billion surpasses the stablecoin’s supply on Ethereum by $10 billion, according to CoinMetrics’ supply data.

Kaiko, a crypto research firm, cited that the reason for Tron’s dominance could be low fees which makes transactions cheaper for market makers on centralized exchanges.

The stablecoin transfers led to a spike in Tron fees to make it the second highest revenue generating blockchain after Ethereum, per Token Terminal data.

The TRX/USD pair has a bullish breakout from an ascending triangle pattern with a target of $0.112. Before the pattern’s bullish target is reached, buyers will face resistance at the 2022 high levels of around $0.093.

TRX/USD daily price chart. Source: TradingView

Rocket Pool price analysis

Rocket Pool is the second most popular decentralized Liquid Staking Derivative (LSD) platform after Lido. It commands 3% market share of the total Ethereum staking pool and has grown two-fold in the last six months, according to Dune data from Hildobby.

Top Ethereum liquid staking platforms. Source: Dune

The daily chart of the RPL/USD pair looks bullish with RPL forming a trend of higher lows restricted by the horizontal resistance at $52. If buyers conquer this resistance level, RPL can witness a 60% upside based target of the on the ascending triangle pattern.

The all-time high for the token is $61.90, per CoinGecko data. A price breakout above this level would technically put the token into price discovery mode without any resistances to the upside.

On the other hand, sellers will target local lows of $45.57 and $37.95 in case of correction.

Related: What are artificial intelligence (AI) crypto coins, and how do they work?

Render Token price analysis

Render Token benefited from the recent AI hype that has culminated in an uptick of companies requiring graphics cards for training AI models.

RNDR is an ERC-20 utility token that powers Render Network, a protocol that provides a decentralized marketplace for graphics processing unit (GPU) power. Using RNDR as the medium of exchange, Render Network connects users looking to rent the processing power with those who have idle GPUs.

RNDR has added 5.5% gains in May, rallying strongly in the second half of the month. Data from Nansen shows that the smart token holding for RNDR token has reduced since the start of this year. Nevertheless, the number of unique smart wallets holding RNDR has increased linearly during the same period.

The number of smart money wallets holding RNDR and the total balances. Source: Nansen

The RNDR/USD pair has exhibited significant volatility around the resistance and support level of $2.13. If buyers build support above it, the token could enter a crucial pivotal parallel range between $3.19 and $2.13.

There is minimal resistance above $3.19 with the potential to touch 2022 highs of $5.29. To the downside, buyers may find support around local lows at $1.62 and $0.90.

This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.

This article is for general information purposes and is not intended to be and should not be taken as legal or investment advice. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed here are the author’s alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph.

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FOMO on XRP To Kick In After Price Breaks $2, According to Ripple Supporting Attorney John Deaton

FOMO on XRP To Kick In After Price Breaks , According to Ripple Supporting Attorney John Deaton

An attorney who supports Ripple Labs in its XRP lawsuit with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) says traders will soon experience a fear of missing out (FOMO) once XRP hits $2. Deaton law firm managing partner John Deaton hypothesizes that only when XRP does 5x will people want it. “XRP sits at .48 cents […]

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Crypto Biz: Ledger halts recovery service, Web3 in Hong Kong, and another CEX goes down

This week’s Crypto Biz explores Hotbit’s closure, Hong Kong’s licensing of crypto firms, Bitstamp’s acquisition by Ripple and Ledger’s branding crisis.

Another centralized exchange (CEX) bites the dust, with Hotbit announcing it will close operations due to adverse business conditions. As is common among CEX collapses in recent months, the crypto firm mentioned FTX, the ongoing banking system crisis, and even a probe, as reasons for its cash flow problems.

Also facing a tough time is wallet provider Ledger. The company decided to postpone its controversial recovery service amid community backlash. Security reputation is critical for a crypto wallet provider, but Ledger’s dilemma may be beyond a public relations crisis. The recovery service was also a path toward subscription services, which could generate recurring revenue for the wallet provider. The feature is now postponed until most of its code is open-sourced, said Ledger.

In challenging times, there are also opportunities for others. Honk Kong is advancing its plans to become a crypto hub, with over 150 crypto firms waiting for approval to operate as virtual assets trading platforms in the city.

This week’s Crypto Biz explores Hotbit’s closure, Hong Kong’s licensing of crypto firms, Bitstamp’s acquisition by Ripple and Ledger’s branding crisis.

Hotbit exchange halts operations, urges users to withdraw funds

Crypto exchange Hotbit is winding down operations, urging users to withdraw funds by June 21. According to an announcement, Hotbit’s operations have deteriorated since an investigation of a former team member took place in August 2022. Authorities believe a former management employee was involved in a project that violated criminal laws. The probe forced the exchange to halt business for weeks. Hotbit’s cash flow was also impacted by the FTX collapse and the banking crisis — incidents that resulted in a continuous outflow of funds from centralized exchanges, said the firm. The announcement was followed by phishing links pretending to be the official Hotbit website on Google. 

Ledger key recovery service paused amid backlash, will open-source code

Ledger’s public relations nightmare took a new turn this week, leading the company to pause its recovery service tool amid ongoing community backlash. Disclosed on May 16, the Ledger Recover feature would allow users that lost their private seed phrase to get it back via an optional function. Earlier in the week, Ledger’s CEO Pascal Gauthier confirmed that private seed phrases of users using the service could, in theory, be handed over to governments if they were to be subpoenaed. In response to concerns, the firm is accelerating efforts to open-source most of its codebase, including core components of its operating system and Ledger Recover, which is postponed until after this process is completed.

Hong Kong to open crypto exchange access for retail users, but there’s a catch

Hong Kong has taken another step toward building its reputation as a crypto hub. Earlier this week, its Securities and Futures Commission announced that virtual assets trading platforms would soon be licensed to serve retail investors. Compliance guidelines will include asset custody safety requirements, cybersecurity standards and segregation of client assets. Further measures to protect investors may involve enhanced token due diligence and regular disclosures. The legal framework was approved by local legislators in December 2022, seeking to give cryptocurrency exchanges the same market recognition as traditional financial institutions. Providing regulatory clarity for crypto firms has been part of Hong Kong’s strategy in attracting businesses and positioning itself as a Web3 city.

Ripple acquires Pantera’s stake in Bitstamp

Digital payment network Ripple took a minority stake in the crypto exchange Bitstamp in the first quarter of 2023. Galaxy Digital advised on the deal, according to a transcript of Galaxy’s shareholder conference call on May 9. Ripple acquired shares previously owned by Pantera Capital, a United States-based digital asset investment firm. It is unclear how much Ripple paid for the acquisition or how the deal was structured. Founded in 2011, Bitstamp was one of the first crypto exchanges to offer digital assets transactions. Based in Luxembourg, the company serves clients in over 100 countries.

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Price analysis 5/26: BTC, ETH, BNB, XRP, ADA, DOGE, MATIC, SOL, DOT, LTC

The recovery in the U.S. stock market seems to have acted as a catalyst for the relief rally in Bitcoin and select altcoins.

Bitcoin remains pinned below $27,000, and the recent weakness of the past few days has increased calls from analysts for a fall to the low $20,000 levels. While anything is possible, the bulls are unlikely to give up the $25,000 support without putting up a fight.

Glassnode’s lead on-chain analyst Checkmate said in his comments on May 24 that the sell-side risk ratio metric suggests that “sellers are exhausted on both sides,” and that indicates big moves “are coming.” The last time the sell-side risk ratio was this low was in late 2015, which started the bull run that reached $20,000 in December 2017.

Daily cryptocurrency market performance. Source: Coin360

Another short-term positive is that market observers expect a debt ceiling deal to be reached, and that boosted the price of the United States equities markets on May 26. If the risk-on sentiment sustains, it could increase demand for Bitcoin (BTC) and select altcoins.

What are the crucial resistance levels in Bitcoin and the major altcoins that need to be crossed for a sustained recovery to begin? Let’s study the charts of the top 10 cryptocurrencies to find out.

Bitcoin price analysis

Bitcoin bounced off $25,871 on May 25, close to the strong support zone of $25,811 to $25,250. The bulls will try to push the price to the 20-day exponential moving average (EMA) of $27,173.

BTC/USDT daily chart. Source: TradingView

This level may again attract strong selling by the bears. If the price turns down from the 20-day EMA, it will signal a negative sentiment where the bears are selling on rallies.

The crucial level to watch on the downside is $25,250. The bulls are expected to defend this support with all their might because if this level crumbles, the BTC/USDT pair may fall to $24,000 and eventually to $20,000.

On the contrary, if bulls pierce the overhead resistance at the 20-day EMA, the pair could rise to the resistance line. Buyers will have to overcome this barrier to indicate that the correction may be over.

Ether price analysis

Ether (ETH) has been trading inside a falling wedge pattern for the past several days. The bears tried to sink the price to the support line of the wedge on May 25, but the bulls aggressively purchased the dip, as seen from the long tail on the candlestick.

ETH/USDT daily chart. Source: TradingView

The bulls are trying to nudge and sustain the price above the 20-day EMA ($1,829). If they succeed, the ETH/USDT pair could rise to the resistance line. This is an important level to keep an eye on because a break above it will increase the possibility of a rally to $2,000.

If the price turns down from the current level or the resistance line, it will suggest that bears remain active at higher levels. That could keep the pair stuck inside the wedge for a few more days.

BNB price analysis

BNB (BNB) descended near the horizontal support of $300 on May 26, but the long tail on the candlestick shows buying by the bulls.

BNB/USDT daily chart. Source: TradingView

The 20-day EMA ($311) remains the key resistance level to watch out for on the upside. If the price once again turns down from this level, it will increase the likelihood of a break below $300. If this level gives way, the BNB/USDT pair could slide to the support line of the descending channel pattern.

Contrarily, if the price turns up and breaks above the 20-day EMA, it will suggest solid demand at lower levels. The pair could then attempt a rally to the resistance line. Buyers will have to clear this hurdle to signal the start of a rally to $350.

XRP price analysis

The bears pulled XRP (XRP) below the 20-day EMA ($0.45) on May 24 and 25, but they could not sustain the lower levels. This shows that the sentiment has turned positive and traders are buying the dips to the 20-day EMA.

XRP/USDT daily chart. Source: TradingView

The price remains stuck between the moving averages, indicating indecision among the bulls and the bears. A break and close above the 50-day simple moving average (SMA) at $0.47 will tilt the advantage in favor of the bulls. The XRP/USDT pair could then start its northward march to $0.54 and subsequently to $0.58.

Alternatively, if the price breaks and sustains below the 20-day EMA, it will indicate that bears are back in the game. The pair could then drop to the crucial support at $0.40.

Cardano price analysis

Cardano (ADA) is witnessing a tough tussle between the bulls and the bears near the uptrend line. The bears are trying to sink the price below the uptrend line, but the bulls are fiercely defending the level.

ADA/USDT daily chart. Source: TradingView

The downsloping 20-day EMA ($0.37) and the relative strength index near 42 indicate that bears have the upper hand. Sellers will have to tug the price below $0.35 to start the next leg of the downward move to $0.30.

If bulls want to seize control, they will have to shove and sustain the ADA/USDT pair above the moving averages. That will open the doors for a possible rally to the overhead resistance at $0.44, where the bears may again mount a strong defense.

Dogecoin price analysis

The bears pulled Dogecoin (DOGE) below the $0.07 support on May 25, but the long tail on the candlestick shows that the bulls are trying to protect the level.

DOGE/USDT daily chart. Source: TradingView

The bulls will have to maintain their buying pressure and kick the price above the 20-day EMA ($0.07) if they want to prevent another assault by the bears. There is another hurdle at $0.08, but if that is crossed, the DOGE/USDT pair may start its journey to $0.10.

Instead, if the price turns down from the current level or the 20-day EMA, it will suggest that bears are selling on every minor rally. That will increase the likelihood of a break below $0.07, and the pair may slump to $0.06.

Polygon price analysis

Polygon (MATIC) turned down from the 20-day EMA ($0.89) on May 25, but the bears could not sustain the lower levels. Strong buying by the bulls sent the price above the 20-day EMA on May 26.

MATIC/USDT daily chart. Source: TradingView

Buyers tried to extend the relief rally above the 50-day SMA ($0.98), but the long wick on the day’s candlestick shows that bears are active at higher levels. If buyers can flip the 20-day EMA into support, the MATIC/USDT pair may again try to reach the downtrend line.

On the contrary, if the price turns down and breaks below the 20-day EMA, it will suggest that supply exceeds demand. The pair could then drop to the vital support at $0.82. If this level gives way, a drop to $0.69 cannot be ruled out.

Related: Bitcoin reaches ‘decision point’ — 4 BTC price metrics to watch

Solana price analysis

The bulls managed to protect the $18.70 support on May 24 and 25, but they could not start a strong relief rally in Solana (SOL). That indicates a lack of demand at higher levels.

SOL/USDT daily chart. Source: TradingView

Time is running out for the bulls. If they do not start a recovery quickly, the bears will try to strengthen their position further by yanking the price below the $18.70 support. If they do that, the SOL/USDT pair could start its southward journey toward $16.

The first sign of strength will be a break and close above the downtrend line. The pair could then rise to the 50-day SMA ($21.65). If this level is surmounted, it will suggest the start of an up move toward $27.12.

Polkadot price analysis

Polkadot’s (DOT) shallow bounce off the strong support at $5.15 on May 25 and 26 shows a lack of aggressive buying by the bulls. The bears will try to use this opportunity and build upon their advantage.

DOT/USDT daily chart. Source: TradingView

If the price slips below $5.15, the DOT/USDT pair could pick up momentum and tumble toward the next major support at $4.22.

If bulls want to prevent a decline, they will have to quickly drive the price above the 20-day EMA ($5.40). If they manage to do that, it will suggest that the buyers are trying to form a higher low at $5.15.

The pair could first rise to the 50-day SMA ($5.82) and subsequently dash toward the downtrend line. A break above this level will suggest that the corrective phase may be over.

Litecoin price analysis

Litecoin (LTC) has been range-bound between $96 and $75 for the past few days. The price action inside the range can be random and volatile.

LTC/USDT daily chart. Source: TradingView

The bulls started a recovery on May 25, which has reached the moving averages. If the price turns down from the current level, the next stop could be the uptrend line. If the price turns up from the uptrend line, it will suggest that the LTC/USDT pair is attempting to form a symmetrical triangle pattern.

If the price breaks above the moving averages, it will suggest that the short-term sentiment is turning positive. The pair could then attempt a rally to $96, where the bears may again mount a strong resistance.

This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.

This article is for general information purposes and is not intended to be and should not be taken as legal or investment advice. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed here are the author’s alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph.

Crypto miner MARA wants US moving quicker to gobble up Bitcoin

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse Says Judgement on SEC’s XRP Lawsuit To Come ‘In Weeks Not Months’

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse Says Judgement on SEC’s XRP Lawsuit To Come ‘In Weeks Not Months’

Ripple Labs CEO Brad Garlinghouse says that the firm’s court case with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will conclude in the near future. In December 2020, Ripple was sued by the SEC on the grounds of allegedly selling XRP as an unregistered security. During an interview with Tai Panich, the CEO of SCB […]

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Pro-XRP Lawyer Details ‘Damaging’ Potential Evidence for SEC in Lawsuit Against Ripple

Pro-XRP Lawyer Details ‘Damaging’ Potential Evidence for SEC in Lawsuit Against Ripple

Crypto lawyer and XRP supporter John Deaton says he’s discovered potentially “damaging” information among the court documents in the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) lawsuit against Ripple. Deaton tells his 266,600 Twitter followers that Ripple’s opposition cites an SEC email about there being reasonable grounds to not believe XRP satisfies all the factors of the […]

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Ripple Looking To Deploy $1,000,000,000 To Grow and Acquire Firms in Crypto Industry, Says Brad Garlinghouse

Ripple Looking To Deploy ,000,000,000 To Grow and Acquire Firms in Crypto Industry, Says Brad Garlinghouse

The chief executive of Ripple Labs says that the payments platform is looking to use its cash reserves to the tune of $1 billion to expand the company’s offerings. Speaking at the Dubai Fintech Summit, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse says the company is looking to grow and become more than just a payments platform and […]

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Crypto miner MARA wants US moving quicker to gobble up Bitcoin

Settlement Incoming? Pro-XRP Lawyer Details Outlook Following Latest Motion in Ripple Lawsuit

Settlement Incoming? Pro-XRP Lawyer Details Outlook Following Latest Motion in Ripple Lawsuit

Attorney and XRP supporter John Deaton is weighing in on the possibility that a settlement could be in the works between payments firm Ripple and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). On Friday, Ripple filed a motion addressed to Judge Analisa Torres requesting a one-week extension to file public, redacted versions of the firm’s […]

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Crypto miner MARA wants US moving quicker to gobble up Bitcoin

Crypto Biz: Tether flees from banks, Ledger’s backdoor for seed phrases and more

This week’s Crypto Biz explores Tether’s first quarter audit, Ripple’s partial victory against the SEC, Worldcoin fundraising and Ledger’s controversial recovery service.

Banks want to reduce exposure to crypto businesses, just as crypto businesses are seeking to reduce exposure to the ongoing banking crisis. Tether’s latest audit report shows that the stablecoin issuer withdrew over $4.5 billion from banks in the first quarter to reduce counterparty risk following Circle’s troubles during the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank.

The past few days also brought a change in the winds to Ripple’s battle with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), with a motion from the securities regulator to seal some records rejected by a U.S. judge. The move has been viewed as a victory for Ripple, which considers the documents key evidence in its costly dispute with the regulatory agency.

This week’s Crypto Biz explores Tether’s first quarter audit, Ripple’s partial victory against the SEC, Worldcoin fundraising and Ledger’s controversial recovery service.

Court victory for Ripple as judge denies SEC motion to seal Hinman docs

A motion from the U.S. securities regulator to seal records of internal deliberations has been denied in a move seen as a win for Ripple and the crypto community. The SEC filed the motion on Dec. 22, 2022, to seal internal emails, text messages and expert reports after a speech from its former director William Hinman claimed Ether (ETH) — the native token of the Ethereum blockchain — is not a security. Ripple considers the speech a key piece of evidence in its ongoing legal battle with the SEC, which alleges that sales of Ripple’s XRP (XRP) token violated U.S. securities laws. Ripple has spent over $200 million defending itself against SEC allegations.

Tether boasts of its financial stability after strong profits, money moved out of banks

Stablecoin operator Tether pulled over $4.5 billion out of banks in the first quarter of 2023, leading to a “substantial reduction” in counterparty risk, the company said in its latest audit report. The market capitalization of its Tether (USDT) stablecoin grew from $66 billion to over $82 billion in the same period. The company boosted its U.S. Treasury bills to a new high of over $53 billion, or 64% of its reserves. Combined with other assets, USDT is now backed by 85% cash, cash equivalents and short-term deposits. Owned by Hong Kong-based iFinex, Tether has fought negative allegations about its finances. The company was fined $18.5 million by the New York Attorney General’s Office for misrepresenting the fiat backing for its reserves in 2021. 

Crypto community reacts to Ledger wallet’s secret recovery phrase service

Ledger’s latest feature has sparked discontent among the crypto community. Known as Ledger Recover, the company’s retrieval solution for hardware crypto wallets offers a safeguard in case users lose their seed phrase. However, the concept has enraged many in the crypto community, including security specialists. The service employs a technique where the user’s seed phrase is divided into three encrypted fragments, each sent to different external entities. These entities will be able to reconstruct the encrypted keys. The community brought up Ledger’s data leak in 2020, which exposed users’ email and mailing addresses, and phone numbers. Some believe the recovery service put a backdoor into seed phrases. 

OpenAI CEO in ‘advanced talks’ for $100M Worldcoin funding

The bear market is not holding back Worldcoin funding. The company co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is reportedly in “advanced talks” to secure $100 million in funding for Worldcoin — a project to create a global, collectively owned cryptocurrency. Worldcoin is preparing to launch its blockchain protocol and commence recording transactions within “the next six weeks” after operating in beta. Recently, it launched its own gas-free crypto wallet for verified humans.

Before you go: How will lower interest rates benefit Bitcoin?

Cointelegraph analyst and writer Marcel Pechman explains how lower interest rates in the U.S. will ultimately benefit Bitcoin (BTC) and the cryptocurrency market. Pechman also dives into Argentina’s economic crisis: Along with hyperinflation, the Latin American country saw its local currency, the peso, decline by 70% in the past few years, boosting the demand for U.S. dollars, gold and Bitcoin.

Crypto Biz is your weekly pulse of the business behind blockchain and crypto, delivered directly to your inbox every Thursday.

Crypto miner MARA wants US moving quicker to gobble up Bitcoin

Ripple and SEC seek extension for unsealing Hinman documents

According to court documents shared by James Filan, the Hinman materials will likely be unsealed by June 13.

On May 19, James Filan, a defense attorney and ex-federal prosecutor who has been closely monitoring the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) vs. Ripple case for the past few years, shared an update regarding the potential unsealing of the Hinman documents for public access.

According to a tweet, the SEC and Ripple Labs have filed a “Joint Letter for one week extension, until June 13, 2023, to file public, [redacted] versions of cross-motions for summary judgment and accompanying exhibits, which includes the Hinman materials.” 

The Hinman documents pertain to a speech given in 2018 by former director of the SEC’s corporation finance division Bill Hinman. During the speech, Hinman expressed the view that Ether (ETH), should not be classified as a security. These documents encompass the SEC’s internal conversations and deliberations surrounding this particular speech.

Some members of the crypto community find the joint petition to be “weird.” A lawyer, Fred Rispoli, with the Twitter handle @freddyriz tweeted in response to Filan’s announcement; “This is weird to me. The parties already had detailed discussions on these redactions the first time around. Could be nothing more than what’s written but it’s just...odd. This gives me the feeling that something has changed and there is a scramble going on behind the scenes.”

Related: Breaking: Court victory for Ripple as judge denies SEC motion to seal Hinman docs

On May 18, CEO of Ripple Brad Garlinghouse stated in an interview with CNBC that the ambiguous regulations in the United States are likely to drive more cryptocurrency companies to relocate outside the country. Ripple itself is actively seeking to hire and make investments abroad as a result of these regulatory uncertainties.

Garlinghouse’s comments to CNBC come days after Ripple acquired Swiss blockchain custody firm Metaco for $250M. The acquisition is set to allow Ripple to expand its enterprise services to include custody, issuance and settlement of tokenized assets. Ripple expects the institutional crypto-custody market to reach $10 trillion by 2030, as many financial leaders plan to adopt crypto-custody solutions in the next few years. 

Magazine: Crypto regulation — Does SEC Chair Gary Gensler have the final say?

Crypto miner MARA wants US moving quicker to gobble up Bitcoin