Today in crypto, Circle’s chief strategy officer and head of global policy, Dante Disparte, denied reports that the company is seeking a US federal bank charter, ARK Invest has said Bitcoin could hit a top of $2.4 million by 2030, and the CME Group said it plans to launch XRP futures contracts. Circle executive denies claims of seeking US banking license An executive at major stablecoin issuer Circle denied reports that the company is looking to obtain a US federal bank charter . In an April 25 X post, Circle’s chief strategy officer and head of global policy, Dante Disparte, denied that the company is interested in obtaining a US federal bank charter or acquiring an insured depository institution. Instead, he said that Circle intends to comply with future US regulatory requirements for payment stablecoins, “which may require registering for a federal or state trust charter or other nonbank license.” He also urged lawmakers to reach regulatory clarity for stablecoins sooner rather than later. Source: Dante Disparte The statement followed recent reports that major cryptocurrency firms, including stablecoin issuer Circle and crypto custodian BitGo, were considering applying for bank charters or licenses. Other firms cited as seeking such licenses included publicly traded US-based crypto exchange Coinbase and stablecoin issuer Paxos. ARK Invest ups its 2030 Bitcoin bull case prediction to $2.4 million Cathie Wood’s ARK Invest has raised its “bull case” Bitcoin ( BTC ) price target from $1.5 million to $2.4 million by the end of 2030 , citing increased institutional investor interest and Bitcoin’s increasing acceptance as “digital gold.” It also bumped its “bear” and “base” case scenarios for Bitcoin to $500,000 and $1.2 million, up from the $300,000 and $710,000 respective predictions it made in February. “Institutional investment contributes the most to our bull case,” said ARK research analyst David Puell, who estimated that Bitcoin would achieve a 6.5% penetration rate into the $200 trillion financial market in a best-case scenario (that figure excludes gold). ARK’s bear, base and bull case price targets for Bitcoin by Dec. 31, 2030. Source: ARK Invest Bitcoin’s acceptance as “digital gold” was also a major contributor to the lofty estimate, with Puell estimating that it could capture up to 60% of gold’s market cap by the end of 2030 in a bull scenario. At $2.4 million per Bitcoin, the cryptocurrency’s market cap would be $49.2 trillion, assuming that Bitcoin’s total supply will have reached 20.5 million by the end of 2030, making it more valuable than the current gross domestic products of the US and China combined. Chicago Mercantile Exchange Group to launch XRP futures The Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) Group, which operates the largest financial derivatives exchanges worldwide, announced that XRP futures contracts will go live on May 19. According to the April 24 announcement , investors have the option of choosing between micro-sized contracts, featuring 2,500 XRP, or standard contract sizes of 50,000 XRP. All XRP futures contracts will be cash-settled. In January 2025, the CME Group signaled an impending launch of XRP futures before quietly pulling the related page from its website. CME’s announcement is the latest in a growing wave of crypto-focused financial products entering the market or awaiting regulatory approval in the US, a sign that cryptocurrencies have reached a new level of institutional acceptance. There are now more than 70 crypto ETF applications waiting to be reviewed by the SEC, according to Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas.
Decentralized AI startup Nous Research has secured $50 million in a Series A funding round led by crypto venture capital firm Paradigm. The investment values Nous Research at $1 billion based on token valuation. The company operates on the Solana blockchain, leveraging its infrastructure to coordinate global compute resources for distributed training of open-source large AI models. Nous Research focuses on developing human-centric language models and simulators, aiming to disrupt traditional AI labs with decentralized, open-source solutions. Paradigm's investment marks its largest bet at the intersection of blockchain and artificial intelligence. The funding round reflects growing investor interest in combining blockchain technology with AI development. This is an AI-generated article powered by DeepNewz, curated by The Defiant. For more information, including article sources, visit DeepNewz . To continue reading this as well as other DeFi and Web3 news, visit us at thedefiant.io
Ronin Network has completed the migration of its legacy Ronin Bridge and all supported assets, valued at over $450 million across 12 assets, to Chainlink's Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP). This migration, selected by the Ronin validator community, establishes Chainlink CCIP as the network's primary cross-chain infrastructure, enhancing security and interoperability. The migration includes tokens such as ETH, WETH, USDC, AXS, and a newly launched WBTC contract that allows 1:1 swaps. GG Capital DAO has also made a strategic investment by acquiring $RON, the native token of the Ronin ecosystem, signaling confidence in the network's development and future prospects. This is an AI-generated article powered by DeepNewz, curated by The Defiant. For more information, including article sources, visit DeepNewz . To continue reading this as well as other DeFi and Web3 news, visit us at thedefiant.io
On April 25th, *COINOTAG News* reported insights from a Bitfinex analyst regarding the current state of the Bitcoin market. Following the recent options expiration, a subtle yet *notable optimism* has
Bitcoin's price rebound reflects significant buying from major wallets. Recent data indicates an increase in BTC withdrawals from exchanges. Continue Reading: Bitcoin’s Surge: What Are the Big Wallets Doing Now? The post Bitcoin’s Surge: What Are the Big Wallets Doing Now? appeared first on COINTURK NEWS .
Bitcoin options rollover shows market expectations of a $100K breakout as traders shift focus to $95,000 and $100,000 strike prices for May expiries. Post-expiry, Bitcoin is trading at $94,581, with
In a conversation with CNBC’s Arjun Kharpal, Ripple President Monica Long sketched out the company’s post-litigation agenda, detailing how a prospective US initial public offering (IPO), the US-dollar stablecoin RLUSD, and an aggressive push into real-world-asset tokenization are reshaping Ripple’s roadmap. Ripple IPO: On the Table, But Not Urgent Long, who joined Ripple 12 years ago after working with co-founder Chris Larsen at peer-to-peer lender Prosper, opened by recalling that banks “slam[med] the door in our face” when Ripple first pitched blockchain-based cross-border settlement in 2014. A decade later, she said, “banks understand that this is going to be the future of finance and so they have embraced it a lot more,” framing that shift as the backdrop for Ripple’s current expansion into custody, stablecoins, and tokenization services. Although CEO Brad Garlinghouse has previously linked an IPO to the end of Ripple’s legal dispute with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, Long signaled no immediate rush to list. “At this moment, we have a lot of liquidity… billions of dollars cash on the balance sheet,” she told Kharpal. The company is therefore focused on inorganic growth—“We’re in an acquisitive position,” she added—rather than raising fresh capital in public markets. Still, Long acknowledged that improved US policy signals have reopened domestic opportunities that were effectively sealed off during the SEC lawsuit. Since Judge Analisa Torres ruled in July 2023 that “XRP in and of itself is not a security,” Ripple has resumed US hiring and deeper engagement with American banks. “To modernize infrastructure for financial institutions, it’s not realistic that the the existing systems like banks are going to plug directly into the blockchain. They do need some connective tissue that’s what we provide,” Long added. Focus On RLUSD Ripple’s entry into the stable-value arena comes via Ripple USD (RLUSD), now hovering near a $300 million market capitalization. Long said the decision to launch arose from live payment corridors in Latin America-Asia trade lanes where counterparties “would much rather deal in dollars than their local currency which is very volatile.” She positioned RLUSD as a 24/7 liquidity rail for corporates that are constrained by “bank cut-off times, nights and weekends” in today’s correspondent-banking stack. While acknowledging that the stablecoin market’s explosive growth has been driven by crypto trading, she stressed that Ripple’s “bet is really on the institutional side,” naming cross-border payments and collateral management as core RLUSD use cases. The strategy received an immediate leg-up through Ripple’s $1.25 billion agreement to acquire prime broker Hidden Road, which already clears roughly $3 trillion in annual volume. Hidden Road’s clientele, Long noted, are demanding on-chain dollars as margin for traditional assets—an application that could accelerate RLUSD circulation without competing head-to-head with retail-oriented giants. Tokenization And Regulatory Backdrop Long also reaffirmed the company’s conviction that blockchain would evolve into a “modern financial rail,” with tokenized capital-markets instruments as the next frontier. Ripple is supplying custody and issuance software to banks such as SG Forge, allowing them to mint and manage digital representations of stocks, bonds and other securities while retaining control of product design. The emphasis, she said, is on “sewing together the infrastructure between the legacy systems and on-chain,” a theme echoed in forthcoming XRP Ledger amendments for multi-purpose tokens and native lending protocols.Despite Ripple’s predominantly institutional focus, Long did not rule out future retail touchpoints. She quipped that she still holds “a fraction of a Banksy from the height of the NFT days,” underscoring personal enthusiasm for fractional ownership models even as the firm concentrates on back-end plumbing. The Ripple president depicted an improving US climate, praising the rollback of SAB 121 and the thaw in SEC enforcement tactics. She also pointed to bipartisan momentum for a stablecoin bill and to Washington’s proposed “crypto strategic reserve,” which expressly cited XRP among assets under consideration. “More than anything,” she observed, “it validates the legitimacy of the asset.” Summing up Ripple’s long-view ethos, Long emphasized durability over hype cycles: “If we build things that solve problems and there’s real utility behind it, then everything else sorts itself out.” In 2025, that utility narrative revolves around RLUSD’s institutional rails, large-scale tokenization pilots and the prospect—once unthinkable—of US banks holding XRP-Ledger assets on their balance sheets. At press time, XRP traded at $
As investor confidence cautiously returns to the crypto market, one trend remains consistent—when analysts look ahead, Ethereum , XRP , and Bitcoin continue to dominate their forecasts. These assets aren’t just resilient—they’re the backbone of long-term crypto conviction. Each has carved out its place in the market narrative: Bitcoin as digital gold, Ethereum as decentralized infrastructure, and XRP as the regulated bridge for global payments. For most traders, holding these assets means holding onto the core of crypto’s future. But while these heavyweights remain strong, a rising name is beginning to shift the early-stage spotlight. That name is MAGACOINFINANCE . MAGACOINFINANCE Is Starting to Appear on Watchlists That Matter In an industry full of overpromises, MAGACOINFINANCE is taking a different approach—executing quietly, steadily, and with purpose. Unlike projects that rely on rapid-fire marketing to attract short-term gains, MAGACOINFINANCE is building toward something more sustainable. Its early community is not just active, but engaged. Its developer updates are consistent. And, most importantly, its presence in trader and analyst circles is growing organically. What’s interesting isn’t just the traction—it’s the tone. Conversations about MAGACOINFINANCE now include questions about partnerships, token mechanics, and use case design. That’s a shift from curiosity to credibility—and it’s one that marks a turning point for any emerging asset. Leading the Market: Ethereum, Cardano, Bitcoin Cash, and Chainlink Ethereum remains the standard for everything from DeFi to NFTs. With its ecosystem expanding through Layer-2 solutions and scaling upgrades, its long-term role as the internet’s financial infrastructure looks increasingly solid. Cardano continues to evolve at a deliberate pace. Its reputation for thoroughness has earned it a loyal investor base, and its focus on governance and formal methods keeps it attractive to more risk-conscious participants. Bitcoin Cash holds its place in the digital cash conversation. Its utility-first design and strong focus on transaction speed still attract users who value simplicity and reliability. Chainlink continues to be the bedrock of smart contract data. As more chains and apps rely on off-chain information, Chainlink’s reach grows with the expanding blockchain economy. These projects are strong and proven. But they are also farther along in their lifecycles. For investors searching for early growth potential, the conversation now includes MAGACOINFINANCE —and for good reason. Final Thoughts Bitcoin , XRP , and Ethereum are still the first stops on any serious crypto journey. But cycles reward more than just reputation—they reward timing and traction. And those watching early-stage signals are beginning to see that MAGACOINFINANCE might be more than just another token—it might be the beginning of something much bigger. To learn more about MAGACOINFINANCE , please visit: Website: https://magacoinfinance.com Twitter/X: https://x.com/magacoinfinance Continue Reading: Ethereum, XRP, and Bitcoin (BTC) Stay Popular in Bullish Forecasts
Trade frictions between Washington and Beijing are reviving sales of Intel’s older personal-computer and server chips as customers look for cheaper parts before threatened tariffs raise costs. According to a Reuters report, Intel, whose biggest market is China, warned investors that the June quarter will be weak. Yet, it beat Wall Street’s first-quarter revenue forecasts because buyers have been stockpiling processors ahead of possible levies. “In client, we are seeing strong demand on older-gen parts and in data center as well,” Michelle Johnston Holthaus, head of Intel’s product unit, told analysts after the results. “Macroeconomic concerns and tariffs have everybody hedging their bets.” The U.S. tariffs announced by President Trump’s administration so far spare semiconductors, but China’s planned retaliation does not. A notice from the state-backed China Semiconductor Industry Association earlier this month said chips made in the United States could face duties of 85% or more. Chief Financial Officer David Zinsner cautioned that the wider economic picture is becoming cloudier as the tariff fight deepens. “The very fluid trade policies in the U.S. and beyond, as well as regulatory risks, have increased the chance of an economic slowdown, with the probability of a recession growing,” he said. “We will certainly see costs increase.” Buyers’ reliance on older chips will limit Intel’s AI PC plans Analysts say steeper tariffs could stall a recovery in the PC market during the rest of 2025. Intel is counting on new Windows machines with built-in artificial-intelligence features to reignite demand, but lower-priced legacy chips are now taking center stage. “Demand for older-generation chips is a flashing macro signal,” said Michael Ashley Schulman, chief investment officer at Running Point Capital. “In a shaky economic climate, ‘good enough’ beats bleeding edge.” Industry watchers warned that relying on yesterday’s processors may also blur the outlook for upcoming Intel chips designed for AI-enabled PCs. The cheaper parts “are impacting Intel’s bottom line and will likely slow the adoption of more advanced chips for AI PCs,” said Bob O’Donnell, chief analyst at Technalysis Research. Recently, China has lifted its 125% retaliatory tariffs on certain semiconductor imports from the United States, according to a report by Chinese business magazine Caijing on Friday, citing industry sources. The report stated that at least eight tariff codes related to integrated circuits (ICs) were exempted from the levies that had been introduced earlier this month in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Chinese goods. Tariffs on memory chips, however, remain in place. Cryptopolitan Academy: Tired of market swings? Learn how DeFi can help you build steady passive income. Register Now