Jerome Powell told his allies he would not leave the Federal Reserve unless he died. That’s exactly how far he said he is willing to go to finish his four-year term, no matter what pressure Donald Trump threw at him. The statement is detailed in Trillion Dollar Triage by Nick Timiraos, who reported Powell’s private refusal to walk away even under threat. Powell told people behind the scenes: “You will not see me getting in the lifeboat. I will never, ever, ever leave this job voluntarily until my term ends under any circumstances. None, whatsoever. It doesn’t occur to me in the slightest that there would be any situation in which I would not complete my term other than dying.” Powell’s resistance was tested publicly in 2019, when Trump was loudly criticizing Powell’s handling of interest rates . At a hearing held by the House Financial Services Committee, chaired by California Democrat Maxine Waters, Powell was asked directly how he’d respond if Trump called to fire him. “Mr. Chairman, if you got a call from the president today or tomorrow, and he said, ‘I’m firing you. Pack up, it’s time to go,’ what would you do?” Waters asked. Powell said, “Well, of course I would not do that.” When Waters said she couldn’t hear him, Powell repeated himself: “My answer would be ‘no.’” She followed up again: “And you would not pack up and you would not leave?” Powell answered, “No, ma’am.” When asked if that was because he believed the president lacked the authority, he said, “What I’ve said is that the law clearly gives me a four-year term, and I fully intend to serve it.” Powell faces criminal referral over renovation testimony Now in 2025, Powell is facing heat again, this time not just from Trump, but from the entire Capitol Hill. On Thursday, Chairman of the Board of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, Bill Pulte, posted on X that Powell could be criminally referred to the Justice Department for alleged perjury. “I am told by very reliable Congressional sources that there may be a criminal referral coming from one or more Congress members to the DOJ for Jay Powell’s alleged perjury about the $2.5BN building,” Pulte wrote. Just an hour later, Republican Representative Anna Paulina Luna did exactly that. She formally referred Powell to the DOJ, accusing him of misleading Congress about the Federal Reserve’s $2.5 billion headquarters renovation in Washington, D.C. Powell had testified during last month’s Senate Banking Committee hearing that the cost overruns were due to unavoidable construction challenges and inflation. Lawmakers weren’t buying it, with some describing the project as excessive. CNN reported that Powell had asked the Fed’s inspector general to carry out an additional review of the building project, which was originally approved by the Fed’s board in 2017 with a price tag of $1.9 billion. Construction began in 2021, but the cost rose to $2.5 billion due to what Powell described as “unforeseen conditions.” These included “more asbestos than anticipated,” “toxic contamination in soil,” and a “higher-than-expected water table,” as outlined on the Fed’s official website. Trump says Powell’s building scandal might justify firing During the Senate hearing, Powell told lawmakers, “There’s no new marble. There’s no special elevators. They’re old elevators that have been there. There are no new water features. There’s no beehives and there’s no roof garden terraces.” He said the money wasn’t being wasted on luxury features and clarified that taxpayers weren’t paying for the project. “The Fed is funding the renovation,” Powell said, confirming the estimated final cost at approximately $2.5 billion. Despite all the legal insulation Powell believes he has, Trump has said that the renovation saga might be enough grounds to fire Powell “for fraud,” though he added it was “highly unlikely.” Even so, the comment adds to the mounting political scrutiny Powell is now dealing with. So while Powell has never budged in the face of political threats and once claimed only death would stop him from serving his full term, Congress and Trump may both test how far that commitment really goes. But as of now, Powell hasn’t even taken the bait to clap back publicly. Cryptopolitan Academy: Coming Soon - A New Way to Earn Passive Income with DeFi in 2025. Learn More
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TL;DR Amid broad market gains, one lesser-known altcoin surged ahead of the pack, climbing 75% in a single day. Its pump came shortly after Coinbase listed it with an Experimental label. The Major Increase The cryptocurrency market has been booming in the last several days, with Ripple (XRP) , Ethereum (ETH), Stellar (XLM), and many more posting serious price jumps . However, the lesser-known altcoin Caldera (ERA) outperformed all top 100 coins in terms of daily gains, spiking by nearly 75%. ERA Price, Source: CoinGecko Despite its surge, the asset remains far from crypto’s elite, with a market capitalization of approximately $217 million. The impressive performance was likely fueled by Coinbase’s decision to add the token to its iOS & Android applications with the “Experimental” label. “Coinbase customers can log in to buy, sell, convert, send, receive, or store these assets,” the announcement reads. The disclosure comes a few hours after the exchange revealed it will add support for ERA on the Ethereum network. It also warned users against sending the asset via other networks, as this could result in the loss of funds. Cryptocurrencies included in the Experimental label section are either newly added to the platform or have relatively low trading volume. Coinbase has previously advised people to pay extra attention to such coins, as they come with certain risks, such as increased price volatility. The firm’s backing typically has a positive influence on the price of the involved cryptocurrencies, due to factors like increased liquidity, improved accessibility, and a reputational boost. Earlier this year, the meme coin Toshi (TOSHI) validated that thesis with a price surge of over 110% shortly after being added to Coinbase’s roadmap. When Coinbase Says Goodbye The price reaction of the cryptocurrencies that are delisted from the exchange is usually much different. Two months ago, Coinbase disclosed that it will terminate all trading services with Helium Mobile (MOBILE), Render (RNDR), Ribbon Finance (RBN), & Synapse (SYN). Some of the affected plunged by around 15% after the news. Similar things are observed when other crypto behemoths remove assets from their platforms. In this article , you can check which cryptocurrencies crashed by over 35% after Binance withdrew its support. The post This Altcoin Soared 75% After Coinbase Gave It a Boost — Find Out Why appeared first on CryptoPotato .
In a moment that reflects both vindication and momentum, prominent crypto attorney John Deaton took to X to celebrate XRP’s resurgence. Reacting to a post by Arrington Capital founder Michael Arrington, who wrote, “XRP is just showing off at this point,” Deaton replied: “After being held down for 4 years, on behalf of 75K XRP holders, it’s about time!” Deaton’s comment isn’t just a passing remark; it echoes years of legal struggle, retail frustration, and the fight for fair treatment under U.S. securities law. A Four-Year Battle Comes to Fruition The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) sued Ripple Labs in December 2020, alleging that the company conducted an unregistered securities offering by selling XRP. The lawsuit immediately triggered massive losses for retail investors, as XRP was delisted from major exchanges and its price crashed. After being held down for 4 years – on behalf of 75K XRP holders – it’s about time! https://t.co/poHkmj2f6M — John E Deaton (@JohnEDeaton1) July 18, 2025 In response, John Deaton, founder of CryptoLaw, filed an amicus brief on behalf of more than 75,000 XRP holders from over 140 countries, a legal action that became a central pillar in Ripple’s defense. Deaton argued that the SEC failed to distinguish between Ripple’s institutional sales and the secondary market activity of everyday XRP holders. The legal tide turned in July 2023 when Judge Analisa Torres ruled that XRP, when sold on public exchanges, does not constitute a security, a decision widely seen as a landmark victory for the crypto community. While Ripple was still found liable for some institutional sales, the verdict delivered long-sought clarity for retail users. XRP Price Breaks Free After years of legal uncertainty, XRP is finally surging. As of July 18, 2025, XRP is trading at approximately $3.60, representing a 20% increase in 24 hours. The token is nearing its all-time high of $3.84 recorded in early 2018, though some analysts and Ripple’s CTO have clarified that the figure was largely illiquid. Open interest in XRP futures has exceeded $10 billion, indicating strong institutional and speculative demand. Analysts forecast an imminent rally toward $4.00, with bullish sentiment targeting $4.47 in the medium term. Some projections even place XRP between $5 and $10 by early 2026, depending on institutional adoption and broader market trends. We are on twitter, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1 — TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) July 15, 2023 Institutional Confidence and ETF Breakthrough The XRP market is further bolstered by recent developments in financial infrastructure. Most notably, the launch of a ProShares XRP ETF has opened the doors for institutional investors to gain regulated exposure to XRP. Deaton highlighted the ETF approval as a direct result of the legal clarity that 75,000 XRP holders fought to establish. This ETF debut is more than symbolic; it signals Wall Street’s increasing comfort with XRP and further legitimizes it as a long-term digital asset. A Symbolic Victory for the XRP Army For Deaton and the tens of thousands of XRP holders he represented, this moment is deeply meaningful. It validates the years-long campaign against regulatory overreach and highlights the power of organized retail advocacy. “After being held down for 4 years, on behalf of 75K XRP holders, it’s about time,” Deaton wrote. And indeed, with XRP finally unshackled, surging in price, and gaining institutional legitimacy, it seems that the time has arrived. Disclaimer : This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are urged to do in-depth research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses. Follow us on Twitter , Facebook , Telegram , and Google News The post John Deaton: On Behalf of 75,000 XRP Holders, It’s About Time appeared first on Times Tabloid .
AVAX surges as liquidity flows, sentiment, and technicals converge for a potential breakout above $26.
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BitcoinWorld USDC Minting: Massive 250 Million Infusion Signals Key Crypto Shifts The cryptocurrency world is constantly abuzz with activity, and a recent report from Whale Alert has once again captured the attention of investors and enthusiasts alike. A significant transaction, specifically the USDC minting of 250 million tokens at the USDC Treasury , has sent ripples across the market. This isn’t just a large number; it’s a potential indicator of shifting demand, increased crypto liquidity , and evolving dynamics within the broader stablecoin market . What does such a substantial minting event truly signify for the future of digital currency and the decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem? Understanding USDC Minting: Why Does it Matter? To grasp the full impact of this 250 million USDC minting, it’s crucial to understand what USDC is and why its creation, or ‘minting,’ is a noteworthy event. USDC, or USD Coin, is a stablecoin pegged 1:1 to the US dollar. It’s managed by Centre, a consortium founded by Circle and Coinbase, and is designed to provide stability in the volatile crypto space. Unlike volatile cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or Ethereum, USDC aims to maintain a constant value, making it ideal for: Trading: Facilitating quick and stable transfers between different cryptocurrencies without converting back to fiat. DeFi: Serving as a primary collateral asset and medium of exchange in decentralized applications, lending protocols, and liquidity pools. Payments: Offering a fast and low-cost alternative for international remittances and online transactions. Hedging: Providing a safe haven for crypto investors during periods of high market volatility. When new USDC is minted, it means that new US dollar reserves have been deposited by institutional clients or large entities into the USDC Treasury , backing these newly created digital tokens. This process is a direct response to demand, signaling that significant capital is looking to enter or move within the crypto ecosystem via a stable, dollar-backed asset. The Power of 250 Million: What Does it Mean for Crypto Liquidity? A quarter of a billion dollars is a substantial sum in any financial market, and its introduction into the crypto space through USDC minting has immediate implications for crypto liquidity . Increased liquidity is generally a positive sign for market health, as it means: Easier Trading: Larger orders can be filled with less slippage, making it more attractive for institutional investors and large traders. Reduced Volatility: A deeper market with more participants can absorb large buy or sell orders more effectively, potentially leading to less drastic price swings. Enhanced DeFi Functionality: More USDC means more capital available for lending, borrowing, and providing liquidity in decentralized exchanges, boosting the overall utility and efficiency of DeFi protocols. This fresh injection of USDC could be earmarked for various purposes: funding new investments, providing liquidity to decentralized exchanges, facilitating over-the-counter (OTC) trades, or even preparing for upcoming institutional crypto product launches. It underscores a growing confidence in stablecoins as a fundamental building block of the evolving financial landscape. Whale Alert and the Stablecoin Market: A Transparent Glimpse The report originated from Whale Alert, a popular blockchain tracker that monitors large cryptocurrency transactions. Their role is crucial in providing transparency to a market that operates 24/7. When Whale Alert flags a massive USDC minting event, it’s not just news; it’s a real-time signal that sophisticated players are making significant moves. This transparency helps market participants gauge potential shifts in sentiment and capital flow. The stablecoin market , dominated by giants like Tether (USDT) and USDC, is a critical barometer for the health and direction of the broader crypto economy. Minting events like this one directly impact the supply dynamics of these crucial assets. An increase in USDC supply often suggests: Aspect Potential Impact of USDC Minting Market Capitalization Increases the total market cap of USDC, strengthening its position. Arbitrage Opportunities Can create temporary arbitrage opportunities between exchanges as liquidity adjusts. Institutional Interest Signals sustained or growing institutional demand for stable, regulated crypto assets. DeFi Growth Fuels further expansion and innovation within the decentralized finance sector. This particular minting at the USDC Treasury indicates robust demand for dollar-backed digital assets, which is a positive sign for the continued integration of traditional finance with the crypto world. Digital Currency: Paving the Way for Mainstream Adoption? The consistent growth and increasing utility of stablecoins like USDC are pivotal in bridging the gap between traditional finance and the nascent world of digital currency . As more institutions, businesses, and even governments explore the potential of blockchain technology, stablecoins offer a familiar and reliable entry point. This 250 million USDC minting event is not an isolated incident but rather part of a larger trend where digital dollars are becoming an indispensable tool for global commerce and investment. They offer advantages such as: Speed: Near-instantaneous transactions across borders. Cost-Efficiency: Lower fees compared to traditional banking wires. Accessibility: 24/7 access to financial services without geographical limitations. Programmability: The ability to embed logic into transactions for smart contracts and automated payments. As central banks worldwide research and develop Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), the success and infrastructure built by stablecoins like USDC provide valuable insights and a potential blueprint for future financial systems. The minting of such large sums reinforces the idea that digital, programmable money is not just a futuristic concept but a present-day reality rapidly gaining traction. Visual representation of digital currency flowing into the crypto market, highlighting the impact of large stablecoin minting events. Challenges and Considerations: What Should Investors Watch For? While the large-scale USDC minting event is largely positive, it’s also important to consider potential challenges and implications: Centralization Concerns: USDC, while transparently backed, is a centralized stablecoin. This means its issuance and redemption are controlled by Centre. Regulatory pressure or policy changes could impact its operation. Regulatory Scrutiny: As stablecoins grow, so does the attention from regulators. Future regulations could impose stricter requirements on reserves, auditing, and operational procedures. Market Saturation: While demand is high, an oversupply of stablecoins could, in theory, lead to competitive pressures or shifts in preferred stablecoin usage. For investors, understanding these nuances is key. It’s not just about the numbers; it’s about the underlying mechanisms and the broader regulatory environment that shapes the future of the stablecoin market . Actionable Insights for Navigating the New Wave How can you leverage insights from this significant USDC minting event? Here are a few actionable points: Monitor Liquidity: Keep an eye on USDC liquidity across exchanges and DeFi protocols. Increased liquidity can indicate opportunities for larger trades or better yields in lending. Diversify Stablecoin Holdings: While USDC is strong, consider diversifying a portion of your stablecoin holdings across other reputable stablecoins like USDT or DAI to mitigate single-point risks. Explore DeFi Opportunities: With more USDC entering the ecosystem, look for new or enhanced opportunities in decentralized finance, such as staking, yield farming, or providing liquidity to new pools. Stay Informed on Regulations: Follow news regarding stablecoin regulations. Future policies could significantly impact how these assets are used and managed. Understand the Macro Picture: This minting reflects broader demand for digital currency . Consider how this trend aligns with your long-term investment strategy in the crypto space. Conclusion: A Glimpse into Crypto’s Evolving Landscape The 250 million USDC minting event at the USDC Treasury , as reported by Whale Alert, is more than just a transaction; it’s a powerful signal. It highlights robust demand for dollar-backed digital currency , reinforcing the critical role stablecoins play in driving crypto liquidity and facilitating growth within the decentralized finance sector. This event underscores the increasing maturity of the stablecoin market and its undeniable influence on the broader crypto economy. As the digital asset space continues to evolve, stablecoins like USDC will remain at the forefront, bridging traditional finance with the innovative possibilities of blockchain technology. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Q1: What does it mean when USDC is ‘minted’? When USDC is ‘minted,’ it means that new USDC tokens are created and added to the circulating supply. This process is initiated when users or institutions deposit an equivalent amount of US dollars into the reserves managed by Centre (Circle and Coinbase), ensuring that each USDC token is backed 1:1 by real-world assets. Q2: Why is a 250 million USDC minting event significant? A 250 million USDC minting event is significant because it represents a substantial influx of capital into the crypto ecosystem. It indicates strong demand for dollar-backed stablecoins, suggesting increased interest from large investors or institutions looking to engage in crypto trading, DeFi activities, or other blockchain-based transactions, thereby boosting overall crypto liquidity. Q3: How does USDC minting affect the stablecoin market? USDC minting directly increases the supply of USDC within the stablecoin market. This can lead to increased competition among stablecoins, potentially driving down transaction costs or creating more opportunities for arbitrage. More broadly, it signals growth and confidence in the utility of stablecoins as a foundational element of digital finance. Q4: What is the role of the USDC Treasury in this process? The USDC Treasury acts as the central reserve where the US dollar backing for USDC is held. When new USDC is minted, it is done from this treasury, ensuring that every newly created USDC token is collateralized by an equivalent amount of fiat currency, maintaining its 1:1 peg to the US dollar. Q5: Is USDC a truly decentralized digital currency? While USDC operates on decentralized blockchains (like Ethereum), it is considered a centralized stablecoin because its issuance, redemption, and backing are managed by a centralized entity (Centre consortium, comprising Circle and Coinbase). Its reserves are regularly audited for transparency. Did you find this analysis helpful? Share this article with your network to help them understand the profound implications of large USDC minting events on the crypto market! To learn more about the latest crypto market trends, explore our article on key developments shaping digital currency institutional adoption. This post USDC Minting: Massive 250 Million Infusion Signals Key Crypto Shifts first appeared on BitcoinWorld and is written by Editorial Team
Summary Circle’s stock has rallied at an impressive rate since its IPO in June. However, the company faces major risks that can disrupt its business and undermine the future growth of its share price. Circle is SELL for us right now. Circle Internet Group ( CRCL ) has experienced an explosive rally since its IPO in June, soaring by triple-digit percentages in just a few weeks. While the potential implementation of the GENIUS Act and a growing enthusiasm for stablecoins have fueled the rally, we believe the market has misinterpreted Circle’s business model and overestimated the longevity of its revenue stream. Currently, Circle’s business model is interest rate-sensitive and is centered around the reserve income from its flagship USDC stablecoin, which carries major risks in our opinion. In addition, the company’s most important distribution partner, Coinbase, claims a disproportionate share of that income, which greatly limits Circle’s upside. With a forward non-GAAP P/E of 147x , Circle is also greatly overvalued and is an extremely risky investment right now. For all of those reasons, we decided to rate Circle as a SELL. The Upside Just Isn’t There Circle’s business model is tied to interest rate cycles. The company generates more than 95% of its revenue from interest on reserves backed by its USDC stablecoin. This may sound like a fintech version of the traditional banking model, but it lacks key features that banks use to manage interest rate risks. Those features include lending spreads, hedging instruments, or fee diversification mechanisms. Considering that the latest version of the GENIUS Act requires reserves to be held in the form of short-term, liquid US Treasury bills or cash, its full passage in Congress could prevent Circle from hedging its yield risk with longer-term instruments. As a result, the company is extremely vulnerable to lower rates. According to Circle’s own prospectus , a 100 basis point drop in rates could reduce revenue by more than $400 million, which is roughly 25% of its revenue for fiscal 2024. This could become a major issue later this year since we are likely going to see the start of another round of interest rate cuts by at least 0.5% in September and December under the base case scenario. As such, it’s safe to say that Circle’s core profitability is at risk if rates decrease. At the same time, this is not just our speculation on the matter. The company itself has indicated that this could become an issue in its IPO prospectus. Circle IPO prospectus (company investor relations) Also, it’s worth considering Circle’s business relationship with Coinbase. At first glance, Circle’s partnership with Coinbase may seem like a strategic opportunity to grow the business. However, if we look closely at the details of their partnership, it becomes clear that it could be considered an economic liability for Circle. After all, Coinbase receives up to 60% of the reserve revenue, depending on how much USDC is stored on its platform. This revenue-sharing arrangement effectively caps Circle’s gross profit, and as Coinbase’s share of USDC circulation grows, the squeeze only gets worse over time. That’s why it’s not a surprise to see that in 2024, Circle generated $1.66 billion and paid out over $907 million to Coinbase alone. This severely limits Circle’s ability to reinvest in new growth verticals or weather macroeconomic headwinds. What’s worse is that as Circle adds more distributors to expand USDC adoption, its overall payout obligations are expected to grow even further. This one-sided economic situation highlights a serious structural problem. Circle is trying to build a long-term infrastructure business on top of short-term rentals, but it is also paying a lot for access. This makes us believe that the upside for Circle just isn’t there. The Intrinsic Value of a Circle Our valuation model shows that Circle’s intrinsic value is only $131.13 per share. With interest rate and other risks highlighted above on the rise, we believe that a ~40% depreciation of its shares is viable at this point. The math behind our intrinsic value calculation can be seen below. The perpetual growth rate in the model is 3%, which we use all the time when valuing US companies . The model was created when Circle was trading at $233.20 per share. The balance sheet data has been taken from the latest report. The discount rate in the model is 11.11%. We calculated it by figuring out Circle’s cost of equity and cost of debt. To calculate the cost of debt, we used its TTM numbers . To calculate the cost of equity, we used the CAPM model, using a risk-free rate of 4.30% and a market return rate of 7.77%. Due to the recency of Circle’s IPO, there is currently no reliable beta available for the company. The stock has experienced extreme price volatility since listing, with short-term price action reflecting speculative sentiment rather than true systemic risk. That’s why we assumed the beta to be 2, which reflects the elevated risk profile associated with Circle’s business model. Circle’s valuation model (Bears of Wall Street) Our revenue and EBIT forecasts for Circle are broadly aligned with the consensus expectation . Using these assumptions, our model calculates Circle’s enterprise value at $6.47 billion. By adding cash and cash equivalents and deducting total outstanding debt, we arrive at an equity value of $7.27 billion. After that, we divided the company’s equity value by the number of its outstanding shares and figured out that Circle’s intrinsic value is $131.13 per share, which is around 44% below the current market price. Considering the high valuation and all the risks described above, we decided to rate Circle as a SELL. Circle’s valuation model (Bears of Wall Street) Risks To Our Bearish Thesis While we remain firmly bearish about Circle at current levels, there are several possible scenarios that could challenge our view on this company. Firstly, broader adoption of USDC in real-world commerce, particularly through integration with platforms like Shopify, Stripe, or Coinbase’s Base Layer-2 network, could accelerate reserve growth beyond current expectations. If Circle can scale USDC as a de facto digital dollar for mainstream transactions, the revenue base could expand even if interest rates fall. Secondly, the potential restructuring of the revenue-sharing agreement with Coinbase would be a significant positive. If Circle can renegotiate more favorable terms or diversify its distribution network to reduce its reliance on any partner, then the margin pressure could ease. Thirdly, international expansion and institutional partnership with companies like Visa and Mastercard could open up new non-yield revenue streams and would offer a greater growth potential over time. Also, if interest rates remain higher for longer than forecasted, then Circle could continue to generate increased yield-based income in the foreseeable future. Final Thoughts Circle may be one of the pioneers of the stablecoin space, but its current valuation ignores critical risks like the rate sensitivity, over-distribution of revenue, and increased competition. Because of that, it makes the most sense to rate its stock as a SELL right now.
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