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
AI agents don’t just need intelligence; they need DeFi-ready infrastructure and it's only a matter of time when most transactions are run by agents.
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
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
Coinbase Urges Policy Change on SEC Crypto Ownership Coinbase has officially called on U.S. regulators to remove the ban that bars Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) employees from purchasing, selling, or owning cryptocurrencies that are not securities. The crypto exchange argues that the current policy robs the SEC of its ability to regulate effectively the rapidly developing digital asset space because it prevents staff from gaining firsthand experience with the technology they are tasked with overseeing. Current Ban Hinders Effective Crypto Regulation, Coinbase Argues In April 22 letters , Coinbase Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal wrote to SEC Chair Paul Atkins and the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, expressing concerns over the existing prohibition. Grewal stressed that the regulators must be able to engage directly with the technologies they oversee, especially as the crypto space keeps advancing and innovating. The timing of Coinbase’s request is crucial. President Trump’s executive order calls for regulatory agencies, like the SEC, to develop recommendations to advance American leadership in digital finance within 180 days. Grewal further stated that nearly half of the period has elapsed, but SEC staff members are still banned from leveraging the same technology they must understand to regulate. Coinbase Proposes Pragmatic Solutions and Policy Revisions To address the challenge, Coinbase invoked the Office of Government Ethics to rescind and update Legal Advisory 22-04, prohibiting SEC employees from trading crypto assets. The company proposed workable solutions, such as issuing waivers to members of the SEC Crypto Task Force and other concerned personnel. Grewal suggested a more nuanced approach to handling possible conflicts of interest. Instead of an outright ban, SEC employees could be allowed to own or trade cryptocurrencies with strict oversight, provided their actions cannot be shown to have a quantifiable effect on the price of such assets. This would be mirroring techniques used in similar regulatory environments. By facilitating limited and conditional ownership, Coinbase is convinced that SEC employees would gain greater, more useful insights, which in turn would result in more effective and well-informed regulation. Aligning Regulation with Market Realities Coinbase’s missives also cite Office of the Inspector General reports, which emphasized regulators must continue to advance their knowledge, regulations, and surveillance tools, as the market continues to develop. Grewal asserted that modernizing the SEC’s crypto policy would not only enhance the effectiveness of regulations but also enable the wider aspiration for U.S. leadership in the digital finance sector. Coinbase believes that lifting the ban is an important step towards regulatory clarity and regulation of innovation in the crypto arena.
Loopscale, a Solana-based DeFi lending protocol, recently experienced a significant security breach, resulting in the loss of approximately $5.8 million in funds. This incident is notable as it accounts for