Tag: RLUSD

  • AI Agents Pick RLUSD for XRP Ledger Settlements as XRP Traders Bet on Late 2026

    AI Agents Pick RLUSD for XRP Ledger Settlements as XRP Traders Bet on Late 2026

    Autonomous AI agents operating on XRP Ledger infrastructure are increasingly turning to Ripple USD (RLUSD) for continuous settlement, according to data from XRPL AI Hub. The trend underscores a growing preference for dollar-pegged predictability in machine-to-machine payments, even as XRP remains the network’s native asset.

    Why AI agents favor RLUSD

    XRPL AI Hub data shows RLUSD dominance across direct clearing settlements, both in all-time-high activity and in the latest 30-day settlement data. By contrast, XRP transaction volumes were largely unchanged over the past week, creating a clear split between the network’s native token and its dollar-linked stablecoin in automated transactions.

    The reason is straightforward: machines need predictable costs when paying for computing resources, APIs and other digital services. RLUSD tracks the U.S. dollar one-to-one, allowing software to calculate expected expenses more precisely before executing payments. XRP, by contrast, remains exposed to market volatility, and even a small price move can change the real cost of a planned transaction.

    The machine-native economy

    BlackRock’s research note, “The Machine-Native Economy,” describes a financial system increasingly built around autonomous software. Traditional banking operates on human schedules, while AI agents can transact continuously. According to the research, the global stablecoin market has surpassed USD 300 billion, and annual stablecoin transaction volume has reached USD 11.6 trillion.

    That liquidity gives automated systems access to assets designed for frequent transfers. AI agents can pay for computing power, APIs and other services without waiting for traditional banking hours. Tokenized GPUs also form part of this emerging infrastructure because autonomous systems require computing resources around the clock.

    Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has said the number of AI agents making transactions could grow exponentially. Yet those systems need predictable costs to operate within strict budgets. RLUSD’s dollar peg supports that requirement, while XRP still retains a role in interbank clearing. The XRPL data, however, shows RLUSD taking a larger share of transactions linked to autonomous software.

    Prediction markets: near-term caution, longer-term optimism

    Prediction-market positioning around XRP’s price tells a different story. Kalshi’s September XRP market currently shows a USD 1.70 forecast, up USD 0.10 on the day. Still, the contract tied to XRP trading above USD 1.70 last changed hands at 32 cents, down from 36 cents a day earlier. Since each contract pays USD 1 if XRP reaches that level, the price implies roughly one-in-three odds.

    About 46,650 contracts have changed hands since the market opened on September 1, while roughly 10,870 remain open. Further up the September ladder, the USD 1.80 contract trades near 19 cents. Contracts tied to USD 2.00 and USD 2.10 each sit near 7 cents.

    Kalshi’s full-year XRP market has strengthened. The contract covering XRP above USD 2.00 in 2026 rose to 59 cents from 53 cents. The USD 2.50 contract increased to 33 cents from 26 cents, while the USD 3.00 contract climbed to 24 cents from 19 cents. The pattern shows a split between near-term and longer-term expectations: traders have reduced exposure to an immediate September breakout while assigning higher prices to later 2026 outcomes.

    ETF inflows add support below USD 1.60

    Fund flows have also provided support to the XRP market. U.S. spot XRP ETFs recorded USD 22.65 million in inflows on September 25, with Bitwise leading those inflows. The buying indicates continued demand through regulated investment products, even as XRP remains below the USD 1.60 level.

    Yet ETF demand has not produced an immediate breakout. That leaves the coming trading sessions important for both price positioning and prediction-market expectations.

    Two narratives for XRP Ledger

    XRP Ledger activity now presents a separate structural development. RLUSD continues to gain relevance in machine-driven settlements because automated systems prioritize stable and measurable costs. At the same time, XRP traders continue to debate how quickly the native asset can recover.

    Final thoughts: RLUSD is gaining traction among AI agents because stable pricing supports continuous automated payments. Meanwhile, XRP remains below USD 1.60 despite USD 22.65 million in ETF inflows. Kalshi traders show weaker September expectations but stronger confidence in higher XRP prices later in 2026.

  • XRP Ledger Stablecoin Market Cap Surpasses $1.159 Billion; RLUSD Leads with 92% Share as Permission Delegation Upgrade Nears Activation

    XRP Ledger Stablecoin Market Cap Surpasses $1.159 Billion; RLUSD Leads with 92% Share as Permission Delegation Upgrade Nears Activation

    XRP Ledger Stablecoin Market Cap Hits $1.159 Billion

    The XRP Ledger’s stablecoin market capitalization reached approximately $1.159 billion on September 25, after adding $67.12 million over the previous week, according to data from DefiLlama. Ripple USD (RLUSD) was the primary driver, accounting for $1.067 billion of the total — a dominant 92.1% share of the tracked stablecoin market on the network.

    RLUSD Continues to Dominate Stablecoin Growth

    RLUSD’s market cap on the XRP Ledger rose 11.55% over the past 30 days, outpacing the overall stablecoin market on the network, which expanded 9.8% in the same period. This growth further widened the gap between RLUSD and its competitors. For example, USDC’s tracked market cap on XRPL dropped 21.86% over the month to approximately $4.62 million, although it rebounded 6.71% in the latest week — just above RLUSD’s 6.69% weekly increase. Other stablecoins also saw declines: Valtorum USD fell 7.03% to $72.77 million, and EUR CoinVertible dropped 2.37% to around $11.37 million.

    These figures track only balances recorded on the XRP Ledger and do not represent each stablecoin’s total circulation across all supported blockchains. The data also does not confirm that holders exchanged USDC or other tokens directly for RLUSD; such movement would require transaction-level evidence.

    Stablecoin Growth Is Not Directly Tied to XRP Buying

    DefiLlama defines chain stablecoin market capitalization as the total tracked value of stablecoins on a blockchain, distinct from trading volume or DeFi deposits. Therefore, the $67.12 million weekly increase does not represent an equivalent amount of XRP purchases, nor does it confirm institutional investment without identifying the entities behind the balances. The available data shows RLUSD as the most tracked stablecoin on XRPL but does not reveal who holds the tokens or why balances grew.

    RLUSD is designed to maintain a one-dollar value, backed by segregated cash and cash-equivalent reserves. It operates on both the XRP Ledger and Ethereum, meaning the $1.067 billion figure only reflects the portion on XRPL. Ripple notes that RLUSD targets payments, settlements, and treasury flows, while XRP remains XRPL’s native cryptocurrency with a market-determined price.

    XRPL Upgrade Targets Institutional Permission Controls

    The XRP Ledger is approaching a second attempt at the PermissionDelegationV1_1 amendment, which entered a 14-day activation countdown on September 21 after 29 of 35 trusted validators signaled support. If validator support holds at or above the required 80% threshold, the amendment could activate on October 5.

    This feature would allow account owners to delegate specific actions — such as transaction processing — without granting full control over the account. Each delegate can receive up to 10 permissions, and the main account can revoke them at any time. For example, a payments desk could be authorized to process transactions without the ability to change critical security settings. Stablecoin issuers and custodians could use internet-connected systems for daily operations while keeping higher-level account keys offline.

    The amendment replaces an earlier version that was rejected by validators after a community tester discovered a flaw on a testnet. The flaw allowed an attacker to make another account pay fees for improperly signed transactions, potentially draining XRP through repeated transaction charges. The revised amendment, included in xrpld 3.3.0, changes how the network handles unauthorized transactions, preventing fee charges before signature verification.

    Conclusion

    The XRP Ledger’s stablecoin market capitalization has reached $1.159 billion, with RLUSD commanding a 92.1% share. Meanwhile, the PermissionDelegationV1_1 amendment, which introduces more granular account controls, is on track for possible activation on October 5 after developers fixed a security flaw in the earlier version.

  • Ripple and XRP in the Age of Agentic AI: Opportunities and Challenges for Autonomous Payments

    Ripple and XRP in the Age of Agentic AI: Opportunities and Challenges for Autonomous Payments

    AI Agents Need Payment Infrastructure

    Autonomous AI agents require payment systems that can handle frequent, small transactions without manual approval. Traditional systems are adapting, with Mastercard launching Agent Connect and partnering with Alchemy for AgentCard.

    Ripple’s Move into Agentic Payments

    Ripple launched the XRPL AI Starter Kit in June, enabling developers to build agents that create wallets, check balances, and make payments. The kit supports x402 for purchasing API calls and AI inference using XRP or RLUSD. The September update added support for Stripe and Tempo’s Machine Payments Protocol and the Open Wallet Standard.

    XRP and RLUSD: Different Roles

    XRP can be used for frequent small payments through XRPL payment channels, while RLUSD offers stable dollar-denominated value for agents that prefer predictable costs. RLUSD has $2.39 billion in circulation as of September 21.

    Does Agentic AI Guarantee Higher XRP Demand?

    Not necessarily. Agents can use RLUSD or other assets on XRPL, so network activity doesn’t directly translate to XRP demand. Ripple’s MPP integration is still in beta with no disclosed customers or volumes.

    Why This Matters

    Agentic commerce could generate millions of automated transactions. XRPL’s fast settlement and support for both XRP and stablecoins position Ripple to compete in the emerging machine-payment standards.

    Final Thoughts

    Agentic AI may create a new class of blockchain users: autonomous software. Ripple is positioning itself, but adoption is early. The impact on XRP will depend on developer usage and transaction volumes.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    1. How could AI agents use the XRP Ledger? AI agents can create wallets, check balances, and pay for APIs and digital services using XRPL’s fast settlement.
    2. What is the XRPL AI Starter Kit? A toolkit from Ripple for connecting AI agents to XRPL payments, supporting x402, Machine Payments Protocol, and Open Wallet Standard.
    3. What role could XRP play in agentic payments? XRP can serve as a native settlement asset, but agents may also use RLUSD or other assets.
    4. Why could RLUSD be useful for AI agents? It provides dollar-denominated value for predictable purchasing power in automated transactions.
    5. Will growth in agentic AI automatically increase XRP demand? Not necessarily; impact depends on adoption, transaction volumes, and asset preferences.

    Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Cryptocurrencies carry risk; always conduct your own research before investing.

  • XRP in 2026: 10 Key Facts Every Investor Should Understand

    XRP in 2026: 10 Key Facts Every Investor Should Understand

    XRP remains one of the most closely watched digital assets in 2026 as its ecosystem expands beyond cryptocurrency trading. Developments involving exchange-traded products, Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin, tokenization, and institutional infrastructure have increased attention on the XRP Ledger. At the same time, the XRP Ledger (XRPL) continues to introduce features designed for regulated financial applications and faster digital-asset settlement. However, understanding these developments requires distinguishing between XRP, XRPL, and Ripple, as each plays a different role within the broader ecosystem.

    1. XRP and Ripple Are Different

    XRP is XRPL’s native digital asset, while Ripple is a technology company building payments and digital-asset infrastructure. Ripple holds significant XRP, but the XRP Ledger operates as an open-source blockchain. Ripple is one participant in the broader XRPL ecosystem and does not own or operate the blockchain itself. XRP can also be transferred and used on XRPL independently of Ripple’s products and services.

    2. XRP Has a Fixed Maximum Supply

    XRP started with a fixed supply of 100 billion tokens. Unlike Bitcoin, additional XRP is not produced through mining. A small amount of XRP is permanently destroyed as transaction fees whenever activity occurs on the network. This means XRP’s total supply gradually declines rather than increasing through the creation of new tokens.

    3. Ripple Holds Significant XRP

    Ripple reported 37.66 billion XRP under its control, including 31.28 billion held in on-ledger escrow. Around 62 billion XRP had been distributed. The escrow mechanism releases XRP according to predefined ledger rules, with unused amounts potentially returned to escrow. Ripple’s holdings and XRP distributions remain closely watched since changes in circulating supply can influence market liquidity.

    4. XRPL Offers Fast Settlement

    XRPL transactions typically settle within seconds. This makes the network suitable for payments and asset transfers where faster settlement is important. Faster finality can reduce the time counterparties must wait before considering a transaction completed. This capability is particularly relevant for cross-border payments, tokenized assets, and other applications requiring rapid value transfers.

    5. XRPL Does Not Use Mining

    XRPL validators use a consensus process rather than Bitcoin-style proof-of-work. Consequently, transaction validation does not depend on energy-intensive cryptocurrency mining. Independent validators participate in reaching agreement over the ordering and validity of transactions submitted to the ledger.

    6. XRP Has US-Listed ETF Exposure

    Institutional access expanded after the Grayscale XRP Trust ETF began trading on NYSE Arca under ticker GXRP. SEC filings show the fund’s registration statement became effective in November 2025, while another post-effective registration became effective in April 2026.

    7. RLUSD Is Different from XRP

    Ripple USD is a dollar-backed stablecoin, whereas XRP’s market price fluctuates. Ripple reported USD 2.396 billion of circulating RLUSD and USD 2.518 billion in reserve funds as of September 3, 2026. Reserves are subject to monthly third-party attestations.

    8. Institutional Infrastructure Is Expanding

    XRPL is developing infrastructure for regulated financial activity. Permissioned Domains can define credential-based environments designed to support features including permissioned exchanges and lending applications.

    9. XRPL Development Continues

    XRPL version 3.2.0 arrived in June 2026, bringing maintenance changes and fixes affecting Single Asset Vaults, lending, permissioned DEX functionality, Multi-Purpose Tokens, and Permissioned Domains.

    10. Utility Does Not Guarantee XRP Gains

    Network development, ETF demand, and institutional adoption may affect XRP sentiment, but they do not guarantee price appreciation. Liquidity, circulating supply, regulation, and broader crypto-market conditions remain important.

    Why This Matters

    XRP’s 2026 investment narrative extends beyond price speculation. ETFs, RLUSD, and institutional XRPL infrastructure are widening access to the ecosystem, but investors still need to distinguish genuine network adoption from assumptions about future XRP price performance.

    Final Thoughts

    XRP’s ecosystem continues evolving through regulated investment products, stablecoins, and institutional blockchain infrastructure. These developments broaden potential XRPL use cases, but XRP remains a volatile crypto asset whose performance depends on both network fundamentals and wider market conditions.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    1. What is the difference between XRP, Ripple, and the XRP Ledger?

    XRP is the native digital asset of the XRP Ledger, while XRPL is the underlying open-source blockchain. Ripple is a separate technology company that develops payment, stablecoin, and digital-asset infrastructure using blockchain technology.

    2. What is the maximum supply of XRP?

    XRP was created with a fixed maximum supply of 100 billion tokens. Unlike Bitcoin, XRP is not mined, meaning additional tokens are not continuously created through a proof-of-work mining process.

    3. Does XRP have ETF exposure in the United States?

    Yes. US-listed investment products now provide investors with regulated exposure to XRP. The Grayscale XRP Trust ETF trades on NYSE Arca under the GXRP ticker, expanding access through traditional brokerage infrastructure.

    4. What is the difference between XRP and Ripple USD (RLUSD)?

    XRP is a market-priced cryptocurrency whose value fluctuates, while RLUSD is Ripple’s US dollar-backed stablecoin. RLUSD is designed to maintain dollar parity and is backed by reserve assets subject to third-party attestations.

    5. What could influence XRP’s performance in 2026?

    XRP can be affected by ETF demand, liquidity, circulating supply, regulation, broader cryptocurrency sentiment, and developments across XRPL. Growing network usage or institutional adoption may support activity but does not guarantee XRP price appreciation.

    Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always conduct your own research before making any investment decisions.

  • XRP Ledger Transaction Value Surges: Are Institutions Driving Network Activity?

    XRP Ledger Transaction Value Surges: Are Institutions Driving Network Activity?

    Market Structure Shifts as Trading Volume Grows

    The XRP Ledger is processing larger transactions through a shrinking number of accounts, a pattern that aligns with professional participation but also raises concerns about market concentration. Distinguishing genuine institutional adoption from automated activity requires more than a rising transaction count.

    Order Book Volume Climbs While Active Accounts Decline

    Evernorth’s second-quarter 2026 liquidity update reported an average daily order book volume of 3.57 million XRP, a 79% year-over-year increase. Meanwhile, the number of accounts executing those trades fell from 1,864 to 1,111. Average daily volume per trading account nearly tripled, rising from 1,072 XRP to 3,217 XRP. Order books also increased their share of on-chain trading from 54% to 81%.

    These figures describe a meaningful change in market structure: fewer participants are supporting considerably higher order book turnover.

    Stablecoin Liquidity Expands

    Evernorth also reported that RLUSD balances on the ledger averaged USD 539 million during the quarter, compared with USD 73 million a year earlier. Growing dollar liquidity can facilitate settlement and trading without requiring participants to hold equivalent exposure to XRP’s price.

    Separately, 21shares reported that the XRP Ledger settled USD 159.9 billion during the first half of 2026. By June 30, the network held 52% of RLUSD’s USD 1.56 billion supply. The two RLUSD measures are not directly comparable—one is a quarterly average, the other a point-in-time snapshot—but together they indicate an expanding stablecoin presence on the ledger.

    Automated Activity Clouds the Picture

    A September 8 analysis from Bitquery attributed 93.2% of August transaction traffic to 793 accounts and described substantial automated order activity. This finding concerns transaction traffic, not executed order book volume, but it shows why raw transaction counts can exaggerate the breadth of adoption.

    Institutions commonly automate trading, so automation alone does not invalidate economic activity. However, repeated orders or transfers cannot establish meaningful customer demand without examining execution, counterparties, and purpose.

    Network Usage vs. Token Returns

    Network usage and token returns are separate questions. According to 21shares, reported first-half revenue declined 81.6% year-over-year to USD 1.18 million despite substantial settlement value. Low fees can make a network attractive for payments while limiting revenue per transfer. Consequently, higher settlement totals should not automatically be interpreted as forecasts for XRP appreciation.

    A stronger institutional thesis would combine sustained liquidity, identifiable participants, repeat commercial settlement, and diversified activity. Researchers should also separate XRP transfers from stablecoin movements and tokenized asset transactions.

    Current evidence supports a narrower conclusion: the XRP Ledger is processing concentrated financial activity with growing stablecoin liquidity. Whether that becomes broad institutional adoption depends on durable usage, transparent measurement, and demonstrable economic purpose.

    Why This Matters

    Growing transaction value and stablecoin liquidity could strengthen the XRP Ledger’s role in institutional finance. However, concentrated activity means investors must distinguish genuine commercial adoption from automated trading before treating network growth as evidence of broader institutional demand.

    Final Thoughts

    The XRP Ledger is handling greater financial value with expanding stablecoin liquidity, but institutional adoption remains difficult to quantify. Sustained commercial settlement, broader participation, and identifiable institutional activity will provide stronger evidence of long-term adoption.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is institutional activity increasing on the XRP Ledger?

    XRPL data shows higher order book volumes, growing stablecoin liquidity, and substantial settlement value. However, available figures do not conclusively identify whether the activity comes from banks, funds, trading firms, or other participants.

    How much XRP trading volume did XRPL record in Q2 2026?

    Evernorth reported an average daily order book volume of 3.57 million XRP, representing a 79% year-over-year increase. At the same time, the number of accounts placing those trades declined from 1,864 to 1,111.

    How important is RLUSD to XRP Ledger activity?

    RLUSD is becoming an increasingly important source of dollar-denominated liquidity on XRPL. Evernorth reported average balances of USD 539 million during Q2, compared with USD 73 million during the corresponding period a year earlier.

    Does higher XRPL transaction value mean XRP’s price will rise?

    Not necessarily. Network settlement value and XRP investment returns are separate measures. Higher activity can demonstrate blockchain usage without automatically generating equivalent network revenue or demand for the XRP token.

    What should investors watch for evidence of XRPL institutional adoption?

    Investors should monitor identifiable institutional participants, sustained liquidity, commercial settlement, and diversified activity involving XRP, stablecoins, and tokenized assets. Broader participation would provide stronger evidence than transaction counts alone.

  • RLUSD Hits Record $2.44B Supply as Ripple Targets $13T Corporate Treasury Market

    RLUSD Hits Record $2.44B Supply as Ripple Targets $13T Corporate Treasury Market

    Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin has reached a new all-time high in supply, climbing to nearly $2.44 billion as the company accelerates its push into corporate treasury services, payments, and capital markets.

    Speaking on the Thinking Crypto podcast, host Tony Edward said Ripple’s Stablecoin Chief Jack McDonald sees a customer base handling roughly $13 trillion in annual transactions. Edward linked that opportunity to the rising adoption of stablecoins in payments and institutional finance.

    The milestone comes as Ripple expands RLUSD across multiple blockchain networks and institutional products, with the U.S. Senate scheduled to vote on the CLARITY Act on Sept. 15.

    RLUSD Supply Jumps 41% in 30 Days

    Data aggregators recorded an RLUSD all-time high of $2.442 billion this week. DeFiLlama showed about $2.42 billion in circulation on Monday, Sept. 14.

    That figure stood near $2.41 billion a week earlier and $1.72 billion a month ago, meaning RLUSD supply rose by roughly 41% over 30 days. The stablecoin crossed the $2 billion mark on Aug. 25 after ending July near $1.58 billion. The key question now is whether Ripple can convert this rapid supply growth into sustained corporate treasury activity.

    Ethereum Takes the Lead in RLUSD Distribution

    The distribution of RLUSD across networks has shifted significantly. In July, the XRP Ledger held $907.2 million, or 58.9% of total supply, while Ethereum held about $632.2 million. By Sept. 14, trackers showed approximately $1.37 billion on Ethereum and $1.05 billion on the XRP Ledger.

    Ethereum added roughly $737 million since July, while the XRP Ledger gained about $146 million. Ethereum captured most of the approximately $840 million in new supply. The on-chain data does not identify which customers minted the tokens, so it only reflects where RLUSD currently sits across supported networks.

    Meanwhile, the XRP Ledger holds about $1.14 billion in total stablecoins and ranks 11th among networks, ahead of Aptos and Plasma. Robinhood Chain, which launched on July 1, holds about $1.04 billion and ranks three places lower.

    Ripple Expands RLUSD Across Institutional Markets

    Edward said McDonald views payments and capital markets as major drivers for stablecoin adoption. He also pointed to Ripple’s banking relationships, payment partners, and the acquisition of GTreasury as key strategic advantages.

    Edward connected RLUSD’s growth with broader XRP Ledger development, citing Clearpool Finance’s proposal to migrate to XRPL using new lending standards for institutional credit products. Ripple has also committed investment toward XRP and RLUSD yield products, according to Edward.

    Additionally, Ripple expanded RLUSD through Wormhole in June, adding access to Optimism, Base, Ink, Unichain, and the XRPL EVM Sidechain. RLUSD already operates on Ethereum and the XRP Ledger.

    CLARITY Act Vote Looms

    The U.S. crypto industry is facing a key regulatory test as the Senate plans to vote on the CLARITY Act on Sept. 15. Edward said negotiations continued before the vote, with ethics provisions emerging as a major issue. Patrick Whitt and Mike Novogratz also pointed to ongoing negotiations.

    Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong recently described the legislation as being near the finish line. Edward said approval could improve market sentiment and support Bitcoin and altcoins.

    Final Thoughts

    RLUSD has reached a record supply of nearly $2.44 billion while Ripple deepens its role in institutional payments, treasury services, and capital markets. Ethereum now holds a larger share of RLUSD than the XRP Ledger, and Ripple continues to add networks and products as the CLARITY Act vote approaches.

  • XRP Price Dips as XRPL Tokenized Assets Skyrocket 43x in Q2 2026

    XRP Price Dips as XRPL Tokenized Assets Skyrocket 43x in Q2 2026

    XRP is trading at $1.4085 after a recent decline, while short-term technical indicators remain bearish. Meanwhile, the XRP Ledger (XRPL) is experiencing explosive growth in tokenized assets, which surged to $4.26 billion in Q2 2026—a 43x increase from $99 million in Q1 2025.

    XRP Holds Long-Term Support Amid Short-Term Weakness

    XRP remains below its hourly SMA-20 and SMA-50, signaling continued short-term weakness. However, the token is trading above its daily SMA-200, preserving a key long-term support level.

    Immediate resistance sits near the Ichimoku Kijun at $1.4148. Multiple indicators—including MACD, RSI, CCI, Bull/Bear Power, and the Awesome Oscillator—all point to sell-side pressure. The ADX remains neutral, while the Stoch RSI has entered oversold territory, hinting that downside momentum may be fading. XRP is trading near its session low with low volatility and a small negative gap.

    September 11 XRPL Amendment Nears Mainnet Activation

    The XRP Ledger is set to activate the fixCleanup3_3_0 amendment on September 11, 2026, provided validator support stays above the required threshold. This bundled upgrade introduces several protocol fixes through community consensus, reflecting XRPL’s validator-led governance model aimed at improving network stability.

    So far, the planned activation has not triggered an immediate shift in XRP price action. For the next trading day, XRP’s projected range is $1.3697 to $1.4473, with a 76% probability of a downside move and a 24% chance of an upside breakout.

    XRPL Tokenized Asset Value Expands 43x in Six Quarters

    According to Evernorth data, stablecoins and tokenized assets on XRPL grew from $99 million in Q1 2025 to $4.26 billion in Q2 2026, with value increasing every quarter. Tokenized assets drove the majority of this expansion, with their average value reaching $3.72 billion in Q2 2026—more than 3,000% above the level recorded one year earlier.

    RLUSD also grew rapidly. Its average balance reached $539 million in Q2 2026, up 642% from $73 million a year earlier, while its share of XRPL stablecoins rose to 34%. RLUSD transaction value increased 925% year over year.

    Despite the asset growth, daily active accounts on XRPL fell to 16,587 from a prior peak of 33,145, and new wallet creation dropped to 2,783. However, XRP traded per active account remained 2.7 times above its starting level, despite a 15% quarterly decline in Q2.

    The September 11 amendment adds a key network event for traders to monitor as they track support, resistance, validator backing, and changing transaction activity.

  • Flare FXRP Lending Hits $1M in Hours as Bitwise XRP ETF Outflow Sparks Questions

    Flare FXRP Lending Hits $1M in Hours as Bitwise XRP ETF Outflow Sparks Questions

    Flare’s new FXRP/RLUSD lending market saw $1 million borrowed within hours of its launch, while a reported $3.58 million outflow from the Bitwise XRP ETF drew market attention. Available records do not confirm a bearish XRP trade by Bitwise.

    FXRP Lending Demand Quickly Absorbs Initial RLUSD

    FXRP became the first XRP-based collateral approved for Sentora’s institutionally curated RLUSD vault on Ethereum mainnet. The wider vault holds about $280 million in deposits. Flare launched the separate FXRP/RLUSD market with a 5 million RLUSD supply cap. It initially supplied 1 million RLUSD, which borrowers fully used within hours.

    Risk clearance has since approved an expansion of the supply cap to roughly 9 million RLUSD, providing additional capacity if demand continues. Around 150 million FXRP currently circulates across the market. About 34.5 million FXRP already serves as collateral on Mystic Finance, Flare’s native Morpho deployment.

    The Ethereum market operates separately through Sentora. Flare’s FTSOv2 oracle supplies FXRP pricing on Flare, while Sentora uses ChainlinkOracleV2 infrastructure on Ethereum. This structure allows XRP holders to access RLUSD liquidity without first selling their FXRP collateral.

    Bitwise XRP ETF Outflow Reflects Redemption Activity

    Separately, social media accounts reported a $3.58 million outflow from the Bitwise XRP ETF on August 6. The flow reportedly occurred during the August 5 session. Available data supports a net redemption rather than a confirmed directional trade by Bitwise. The trust holds XRP on behalf of shareholders.

    Authorized financial firms handle share creations and redemptions under the fund’s operating structure. Bitwise Investment Advisers sponsors the product. The ETF creates and redeems shares in blocks of 10,000 through authorized participants. Therefore, a net outflow means redemptions exceeded new share creation.

    Does that redemption prove Bitwise expects XRP prices to fall? Public records currently provide no evidence supporting that interpretation. A redemption may result from portfolio rebalancing, liquidity needs, arbitrage, or an investor’s risk decision.

    Fund Records Put Reported XRP Outflow in Context

    Bitwise’s official page showed 293.93 million XRP in the trust on August 4. Those assets carried a value of about $314.39 million. The fund also reported 26.31 million shares outstanding and net assets near $314.37 million. Its net asset value stood at $11.95 per share.

    However, the holdings page had not yet advanced to August 5 when checked. As a result, it could not confirm the reported $3.58 million reduction. The fund’s first-quarter filing also recorded earlier redemptions. It sold about 9.73 million XRP for share redemptions and transferred another 2.69 million XRP through in-kind redemptions.

    Despite those transactions, XRP holdings rose from 131.22 million at year-end to 194.90 million by March 31. Holdings later reached 293.93 million by August 4. XRP traded near $1.07 on August 6, according to supplied market data. Its 24-hour range stood between $1.05 and $1.08.

    The token remained about 70% below its July 2025 record of $3.65. Its market capitalization stood near $67 billion. Bitwise’s fund showed a year-to-date NAV return of negative 41.70% through July 30. Its NAV fell 0.76% on August 4.

    The next confirmation will come from changes in daily holdings, shares outstanding, and net assets. Later SEC filings can also separate cash sales from in-kind XRP redemptions.

    Conclusion

    Flare’s FXRP/RLUSD market recorded rapid borrowing demand, while Bitwise’s reported XRP ETF outflow reflected a redemption rather than a proven bearish trade. Updated Bitwise holdings and later SEC filings should provide clearer evidence about how the August 5 redemption settled.

    Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Cryptocurrencies are risky assets. Always do your own research before investing.

  • Ripple Partner SBI Holdings Acquires Bitbank in $289M Deal to Expand Japan’s Crypto Market

    Ripple Partner SBI Holdings Acquires Bitbank in $289M Deal to Expand Japan’s Crypto Market

    Ripple’s long-term partner SBI Holdings has completed its acquisition of Japanese cryptocurrency exchange Bitbank in a deal worth 46.7 billion yen (around $289 million). The deal is expected to boost SBI’s position as a leader in the regulated digital asset market.

    The acquisition will be structured in multiple stages. SBI will first buy shares of Bitbank founder Noriyuki Hirosue and individual investors, and then increase its holdings by buying more from MIXI and Ceres later this year. Following the process, Bitbank will become a consolidated subsidiary of SBI Holdings.

    SBI Expands Its Digital Asset Leadership

    The acquisition significantly boosts SBI’s footprint in the regulated cryptocurrency market in Japan. Together, the two companies would handle approximately 2.92 million customer accounts and over 1.1 trillion yen ($7 billion) in digital assets under custody, surpassing some key domestic rivals.

    The agreement is part of a broader pattern of traditional financial institutions gaining more exposure to digital assets as regulatory clarity improves. It also shows the increasing trust in financial services and financial asset tokenization.

    Ripple Partnership Could Benefit from Larger Platform

    SBI Ripple Asia, which was founded in 2016, was created to help grow Ripple’s blockchain payment capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region and Japan, the companies said. SBI has long been promoting the use of XRP, with its regulated exchange SBI VC Trade being one of the earliest platforms to support XRP trading and later add Ripple-linked stablecoin RLUSD.

    SBI Chairman and CEO Yoshitaka Kitao has also been a strong supporter of the partnership and is a former board member of Ripple and a long-time proponent of blockchain-based payments.

    While SBI has not announced immediate operational changes for Bitbank, the increased adoption could lead to more opportunities for introducing XRP, RLUSD, and Ripple’s payment network in Japan in the future.

    The announcement comes after another groundbreaking blockchain project led by SBI-backed gaming company gumi, which revealed an XRP-focused plan totaling $86 million, featuring the $18.3 million crypto investment fund and additional institutional blockchain infrastructure investments.

    With the Bitbank acquisition, Japan’s digital asset market is further solidifying its reputation as one of the most regulated and blockchain-friendly markets globally, with its institutional backing on the rise.

    FAQs

    1. Why did SBI acquire Bitbank?
    SBI acquired Bitbank to strengthen its position in Japan’s regulated cryptocurrency market. The deal expands its customer base, increases assets under custody, and enhances its digital asset ecosystem.

    2. How large will SBI’s crypto business become after the acquisition?
    Following the acquisition, SBI is expected to manage around 2.92 million customer accounts and more than 1.1 trillion yen (over $7 billion) in digital assets under custody, making it one of Japan’s largest crypto operators.

    3. How is Ripple connected to SBI Holdings?
    SBI and Ripple have worked together since launching SBI Ripple Asia in 2016 to promote blockchain-based cross-border payments. SBI has consistently supported XRP adoption through its regulated exchange, SBI VC Trade.

    4. Will Bitbank users see immediate changes?
    SBI has not announced any immediate operational or platform changes for Bitbank. The exchange will continue operating while becoming a consolidated subsidiary of SBI Holdings.

    5. What does this acquisition mean for XRP and Japan’s crypto market?
    The larger SBI ecosystem could create additional opportunities for XRP, RLUSD, and Ripple’s payment infrastructure to gain wider institutional adoption. It also reinforces Japan’s reputation as one of the world’s most regulated and crypto-friendly markets.

  • Crypto Roundup: Bitcoin ETF Inflows Hit $170M, XRP Gains RLUSD Lending, TRON Surpasses 15B Transactions

    Crypto Roundup: Bitcoin ETF Inflows Hit $170M, XRP Gains RLUSD Lending, TRON Surpasses 15B Transactions

    Bitcoin Spot ETFs See $170 Million in Net Inflows

    According to data from SoSoValue, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded a total net inflow of $170.09 million yesterday. BlackRock’s IBIT led the charge with $111.43 million in daily net inflows, bringing its historical total to $60.59 billion. Fidelity’s FBTC followed with $33.36 million, reaching a cumulative net inflow of $9.95 billion. The overall net asset value of Bitcoin spot ETFs now stands at $77.58 billion, reflecting an ETF net asset ratio of 6.06% and a historical cumulative net inflow of $51.49 billion.

    XRP Holders Can Now Borrow RLUSD on Ethereum

    Flare has integrated FXRP into Sentora’s $280 million RLUSD vault on Morpho, enabling XRP holders to use their assets as collateral to borrow Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin—without selling their XRP. This marks the first time an XRP-based asset has been accepted as collateral in an institutionally curated lending vault on Ethereum mainnet, opening the door for XRP to participate in institutional decentralized finance (DeFi). Holders can convert XRP into FXRP, bridge it to Ethereum, deposit it into the vault, and borrow RLUSD, thereby increasing capital efficiency.

    TRON Crosses 15 Billion Transactions

    TRONSCAN data shows the network has processed more than 15 billion confirmed transactions as of press time, with over 12.56 million transactions in the preceding 24 hours. Total registered accounts reached 396.74 million, after adding about 158,871 accounts in the same period. The milestone reflects cumulative network operations including token transfers, smart contract calls, and staking activity. TRON DAO reported that the blockchain processed 950 million transactions in Q1 2026, a 0.62% increase from the previous quarter.

    Former FBI Agent Accused of Stealing $1 Million in Crypto

    Patrick Steven Yaroch, a former FBI agent, has been charged with interstate transportation of stolen goods and receipt of stolen goods after allegedly stealing approximately $1 million in cryptocurrency from wallets under FBI custody. Court documents indicate that the thefts occurred between early 2025 and July 2026, during which Yaroch worked in the Counterintelligence and Espionage Division with Top Secret security clearances. He is accused of accessing internal systems to retrieve recovery phrases for wallets seized in investigations targeting a foreign adversary.

    Tether Reports Strong Q2 2026 Operating Profits

    Tether announced $1.5 billion in net operating profit for Q2 2026, a 50% quarter-on-quarter increase. USDT supply grew to $184.6 billion, and the global user base surpassed 650 million. The company’s Q2 attestation showed $187.75 billion in assets against $183.64 billion in liabilities, resulting in a $4.11 billion surplus. Tether also added 14 tons of gold during the quarter, pushing its gold reserves past 146 tons, and increased its Bitcoin holdings to 98,932 BTC, valued at $5.8 billion.