The post Was Jed McCaleb’s Exit from Ripple a ‘Breakup’ or a Brilliant Strategy? Find Out! appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News Jed McCaleb’s departure from Ripple in 2014 has long been the subject of speculation. Many believed it was the end of his involvement with the company, but what if it wasn’t a breakup? What if Jed’s split was a strategic move, part of a bigger plan to create a parallel blockchain system? Ripple & Stellar: Split That Wasn’t a Split Jed McCaleb, one of Ripple’s co-founders, was key in designing XRP’s early framework. He helped build XRP’s architecture and contributed to Ripple’s initial success. After some disagreements, Jed McCaleb left Ripple in 2014 and quickly started Stellar (XLM). (1/ ) Jed Didn’t Leave Ripple. He Was Assigned to Start Stellar. You were told it was all falling out. But what if Jed McCaleb’s split wasn’t a breakup… It was a deployment? And what if XRP and XLM were never rivals — but two arms of the same global plan? Let’s dive deep: pic.twitter.com/0v53GExE3j — Stellar Rippler (@StellarNews007) April 26, 2025 While many thought it was a breakup, the timing looks more like a planned move. It happened just as Ripple was growing in the world of big finance and global payment systems. Eventually, if we look at the timing of Jed’s departure, it aligns perfectly with Ripple’s institutional expansion, the rise of the ISO 20022 standard , and discussions by global financial bodies like the IMF, the BIS, and the WEF about the future of payments. This suggests that Jed wasn’t leaving; he was deployed to launch the second half of a global payment solution. XRP and XLM: Complementary, Not Competitive Ripple’s XRP and Stellar’s XLM were never rivals; they were two parts of the same global plan. XRP focuses on improving liquidity, enabling cross-border payments, and supporting central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) in the financial industry. On the other hand, Stellar works on bringing blockchain technology to underserved communities, humanitarian efforts, and retail stablecoin transactions. Strategic Partnerships on Both Sides Both Ripple and Stellar have quietly secured powerful partnerships. Ripple works with major financial institutions like Bank of America and SBI, supporting international banking systems. Meanwhile, Stellar is closely tied to humanitarian projects, with the United Nations using it for blockchain-based aid and Franklin Templeton using it for tokenizing assets. Jed McCaleb’s exit from Ripple wasn’t an accident; it was part of a well-timed plan. As Ripple focused on the institutional side, McCaleb’s Stellar project set out to bring the power of blockchain to the people.
Cryptocurrency analysis company Alphractal drew attention to Bitcoin’s 4-year fractal cycle in its latest report. The company stated that this cycle has been repeated consistently since 2015, making BTC one of the most symmetrical assets in financial history. In its analysis published in November 2024, Alphractal predicted that the next cycle peak for Bitcoin could occur between October 12-16, 2025. Now, with only 6 months left until this estimated peak, the report stated that the fractal structure is still intact. The company stated that Bitcoin has determined both the top and the bottom of every cycle without error since 2015, which is an unprecedented achievement in the financial world. Related News: Technical Analysis for Solana (SOL) Released: If It Drops Below This Level Again, Pessimism May Be Triggered The analysis stated that Bitcoin is still in a “markup” phase, or rising phase, and that this process holds significant opportunities. It was noted that if history repeats itself, remarkable price movements could occur in the coming months. “Time will tell, but for now, Bitcoin's strong and delicate fractal structure remains intact. This is a testament to Bitcoin's extraordinary resilience to volatile market conditions,” Alphractal concluded his analysis. Chart showing Bitcoin cycles shared by Alphactal. *This is not investment advice. Continue Reading: Will History Repeat Itself in Bitcoin (BTC)? Expert Analysts Give Their Predictions
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Bitcoin's price surge signals a recovering cryptocurrency market. Political developments are influencing positive market sentiments. Continue Reading: Bitcoin Surges as Political Developments Boost Market Confidence The post Bitcoin Surges as Political Developments Boost Market Confidence appeared first on COINTURK NEWS .
Back in February, our publication deployed an array of generative artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots to forecast bitcoin’s price by year’s end. Sixty-six days have since elapsed, and with April 2025 drawing to a close, we revisited the experiment to gauge the current trajectory of AI-based bitcoin price predictions. 6 Out of 7 AI Models Forecast
While giants like Bitcoin (BTC) , Solana (SOL) , and Ethereum (ETH) continue their dominance, smart traders know the next real opportunity lies in early-stage tokens still flying under the radar. That’s exactly where MAGACOINFINANCE is making its mark and quietly positioning itself among the most promising low-entry plays for the future. Why MAGACOINFINANCE is capturing early interest Bonus entry remains active: A limited presale bonus is still available for fast movers looking for strategic positioning. Listings are coming soon: Once MAGACOINFINANCE hits public exchanges, pricing dynamics will shift dramatically. Momentum is organic: Without relying on hype, the project is building real traction in key altcoin circles. Timing matters now: This early phase won’t last forever—smart investors know first access is everything. MAGACOINFINANCE is showing clear breakout potential Built around scarcity, strong fundamentals, and controlled early access, MAGACOINFINANCE is quickly separating itself from the crowd. Analysts are flagging it as one of the few remaining tokens offering true early-stage upside—similar to how top altcoins first moved before becoming household names. Why SOL, ETH, APT, and KAS are at a different stage Solana (SOL) and Ethereum (ETH) dominate ecosystems. Aptos (APT) and Kaspa (KAS) are scaling fast. However, none of them offer the stealth-phase entry point that MAGACOINFINANCE does right now—where strategic gains are built before mass awareness takes over. Final thoughts on MAGACOINFINANCE Crypto’s biggest wins have always come from entering before the world catches on. Bitcoin , XRP , and Solana all delivered because early conviction beat late reactions. Today, MAGACOINFINANCE is quietly setting up the same kind of early-stage opportunity—exclusive, limited, and gaining strength. This is the phase where real fortunes are made. Join the Presale Now at MAGACOINFINANCE.COM SMART INVESTORS ARE ALREADY IN — ARE YOU? For more information, please visit: Website: https://magacoinfinance.com Twitter/X: https://x.com/magacoinfinance Continue Reading: Picks Under $0.10: XRP, Solana, BITCOIN, and MAGACOINFINANCE.COM Could 500x by 2026
Bitcoin is now trading above the $94,000 level, showing strong momentum after a sharp recovery from recent lows. Bulls are pushing hard to reclaim the $95,000 mark, a critical level that could signal the continuation of an uptrend toward new all-time highs. However, despite the growing optimism, risks remain elevated as global trade conflicts and macroeconomic uncertainty continue to weigh heavily on financial markets. Conflict between the US and China persists, creating a fragile environment that could quickly impact investor sentiment. Still, Bitcoin has shown resilience, decoupling from traditional markets in recent sessions and maintaining strong price action even as equities falter. According to CryptoQuant data, a key bullish signal is emerging: the Coinbase Premium Gap has stayed positive for 265 straight hours. Historically, a positive premium reflects strong buying pressure from US-based investors, often preceding significant price rallies. This ongoing trend suggests that institutional demand remains healthy, supporting the current move higher. While the short-term outlook is encouraging, Bitcoin must decisively break through $95,000 to confirm the next phase of the rally. Until then, traders should remain cautious as volatility could return at any moment. Bitcoin Gains Strength But Caution Remains As Global Risks Persist Bitcoin has gained over 28% in value since April 9th, reigniting optimism across the crypto market. After weeks of bearish pressure and volatility, BTC’s recent move above the critical $90,000 mark signals a major shift in sentiment. Bulls are now in short-term control, and momentum continues to build as Bitcoin attempts to reclaim higher ground and challenge all-time highs. However, despite the bullish price action, risks remain high. Global trade dynamics continue to create instability, while broader macroeconomic uncertainty still weighs heavily on investor confidence. Since US President Donald Trump’s election victory in November 2024, volatility has dominated global financial markets, and crypto assets have not been immune to these shocks. Fear continues to linger even as Bitcoin surges. Many investors remain cautious, watching key levels closely to gauge whether this rally can truly be sustained. Analysts stress that any deterioration in trade negotiations could trigger sharp corrections. Adding a positive note, top analyst Maartunn shared insights on X , revealing that the Coinbase Premium Gap (30-hour moving average) has stayed positive for 265 straight hours—about 11 consecutive days. This marks the fifth-longest buy-spree since ETF trading began, signaling that strong US-based demand continues to fuel the rally. If Bitcoin maintains this momentum and reclaims $95,000 soon, the path toward $100,000 could open. Until then, cautious optimism remains the dominant tone among investors. BTC Price Action: Bulls Eye $100K But Must Defend Key Levels Bitcoin is trading at $94,800 after spending several hours flirting with the $95,000 level, a critical short-term resistance zone. Bulls have shown impressive strength since early April, but now the real test begins: holding gains and pushing toward new highs. To confirm a sustained rally, BTC must hold firmly above the $90,000 mark and make a decisive move toward reclaiming $100,000 in the coming days. The $90K level has become a psychological and technical anchor for bulls, and defending it will be crucial to maintaining momentum. A clean break above $95K could open the door for a fast push into uncharted territory. However, if Bitcoin fails to maintain support at $90K, a longer consolidation phase is likely. Such a phase could see BTC trading between the $85K–$90K range for several weeks as the market digests recent gains and evaluates broader macroeconomic conditions. Investors should remain cautious, as volatility is expected to stay high amid ongoing global tensions and uncertainty. The coming days will be pivotal in determining whether this rally can extend into a full breakout or stalls into sideways consolidation. Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView
Talks about easing United States tariffs on China have caught the attention of the crypto market. With essential figures like hedge fund manager Bill Ackman weighing in, there is growing belief that changes in tariffs could spark major movements in digital assets. The US and China to Cut Tariffs Update In a recent development, Bill Ackman has suggested that the United States and China now have strong reasons to adjust the current tariffs . He said reducing tariffs to more reasonable levels, such as 10 to 20%, could ease tensions and encourage investment. According to the update, Ackman believes that a temporary pause in tariffs, even for a few months, would help both sides enter more meaningful negotiations. This move, he says, could also give the crypto market a fresh boost, which is sensitive to changes in economic policy and global relations. Many companies, including those linked to blockchain and digital finance, could find a more open trading environment attractive for expansion. Continued Tariffs Could Hurt China’s Economy Deeply It is worth noting that Ackman warns that if the United States maintains its current approach, China could face serious financial trouble. As a result of the tariff tension, companies with supply chains based in China are already beginning to look elsewhere. Reports show they consider countries like India, Vietnam, Mexico, and the United States. Ackman explained that once companies move, they are unlikely to return, describing the situation as one where the cake is already baked. Smaller companies, in particular, may struggle the most, as they often depend heavily on Chinese goods and services to stay afloat. The longer the tariffs remain, the more difficult it becomes for China to recover. A Possible Bullish Rally for the Crypto Market Analysts expect a wave of positive sentiment in the crypto market if a deal is reached and tariffs are lowered. The rise could mirror the uptick seen after earlier talks of delaying tariffs. A reduction would likely restore confidence in broader global trade, helping digital currencies grow as companies and investors search for new opportunities. As of this writing, CoinMarketCap data shows that Bitcoin, the largest cryptocurrency, currently trades at $94,341.68. It is followed by Ethereum, which is trading at $1,800.46. XRP has also been in the news lately with its recent purchase of Hidden Road by Ripple Labs , is trading at $2.19. Overall, the Altcoin market also responds to the current tariff tension between the US and China. The post Tariff Talks Raise Hopes for Crypto Market Surge appeared first on TheCoinrise.com .
North Korean hackers linked to the state’s notorious Lazarus Group have successfully set up shell companies within the United States to distribute malware to cryptocurrency developers, in a scheme that violates US sanctions and exposes major vulnerabilities in business registration systems. According to Reuters, cybersecurity firm Silent Push revealed that two companies—Blocknovas LLC in New Mexico and Softglide LLC in New York—were formed using falsified names, addresses, and documentation, which helped North Korean actors pose as legitimate employers offering jobs in the crypto industry. A third entity, Angeloper Agency, has also been linked to the campaign but has not been registered in the country. Scam Job Offers, Empty Lots, and Malware Silent Push attributed the operation to a subgroup within the Lazarus Group, a state-sponsored hacking unit operating under North Korea’s Reconnaissance General Bureau. The group is known for its role in high-profile cyber thefts and espionage activities. In this campaign, the hackers used fake professional profiles and job postings to approach developers, primarily on platforms such as LinkedIn. Once contact was made, victims were invited to “interviews” where they were encouraged to download malware disguised as hiring software or technical assessments. Blocknovas was the most active entity, with multiple confirmed victims. Its listed physical address in South Carolina was found to be an empty lot. Meanwhile, Softglide was registered through a Buffalo-based tax preparation service, which further complicated efforts to trace those behind the operations. The malware used included strains previously attributed to North Korean cyber units, capable of data theft, remote access, and further network infiltration. The FBI has seized the Blocknovas domain, with a notice on its website indicating it was used to deceive job seekers and spread malware. North Korean Malware Trap The Lazarus Group has repeatedly exploited fake employment opportunities to deliver malware. For instance, it had launched a cyber campaign called “ClickFix” targeting job seekers in the centralized finance (CeFi) crypto sector. Cybersecurity firm Sekoia recently revealed that the group impersonates companies like Coinbase and Tether to lure marketing and business applicants into fake interviews. One of Lazarus’s biggest crypto thefts came in 2021, when a bogus job offer led to the $625 million Ronin Bridge hack targeting Axie Infinity. The post North Korean Hackers Set Up US Shell Companies to Target Crypto Developers: Report appeared first on CryptoPotato .
Bitcoin’s recent 11% surge to $94,000 marks a significant moment as traders navigate a dynamic and uncertain landscape. This notable uptick has ignited discussions about market sentiment shifting towards bullish