The growing role of platforms like BitGo in spot Bitcoin products worldwide is a double-edged sword, according to market observers.
Stripe has appointed Matt Huang, co-founder and managing partner of crypto venture firm Paradigm, as the chief executive officer of its upcoming blockchain Tempo . Huang, who already sits on Stripe’s board, will retain his position at Paradigm. That’s according to Fortune , citing sources familiar with the project. The move aligns with a growing trend of developing stablecoin-focused blockchains. These include Plasma , which recently attracted over $373 million in an oversubscribed token sale, and Tether-focused blockchain Stable. The stablecoin sector, with a $270 billion market capitalization , has been growing exponentially and was further propelled by Trump’s recent signing of the GENIUS Act into law. The act established a regulatory framework for the sector in the U.S. Tempo is described as a “high-performance, payments-focused” layer 1 that will run code compatible with Ethereum. It’s unclear when the blockchain will be launched, or whether it’ll have its own token. Huang, a former Sequoia partner, has helped Paradigm manage $12.7 billion in assets and back projects including decentralized exchange Uniswap and crypto infrastructure provider Fireblocks. Read more: Stripe Building Payments Blockchain 'Tempo' With Paradigm: Fortune
In recent months, XRP has been trading within a range that has kept investors watching for a decisive move. Following a sharp rise between November 2024 and January 2025, the asset entered an extended consolidation, finally breaking out in July. Steph Is Crypto (@Steph_iscrypto), a well-followed analyst, drew attention to XRP’s price movements in 2025. He showed the asset’s consolidation below a downward sloping resistance line before the recent breakout. This breakout saw the asset rise to a new all-time high of $3.65 and also break above the resistance level. The asset is now retesting it from the upside, and the analyst believes this is a bullish confirmation that could kickstart a massive rally. XRP, The Ticking Time Bomb Steph described XRP as “a ticking time bomb,” pointing to the alignment of the breakout, consolidation, and potential upside projection. The chart shared includes a dotted trajectory suggesting a possible move toward the $10 to $14 range over the longer term. The current price is holding above $3, showing resilience despite broader market fluctuations and notable losses from early August . This stability above the former resistance could be an early sign of sustained momentum. #XRP IS AN TICKING TIME BOMB! pic.twitter.com/MU8GhIeoYu — STEPH IS CRYPTO (@Steph_iscrypto) August 12, 2025 Will XRP Sustain this Momentum? The structure on the chart reflects a period of accumulation following the breakout. The asset’s price has compressed within a tight range, trading just above the green trendline, with several tests of support holding firm. Historically, such consolidation phases after trendline breaks have preceded large upward moves. Traders watching this setup will likely look for confirmation through volume expansion and strong closes above recent highs. We are on X, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1 — TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) June 15, 2025 XRP’s performance over the past year has also been shaped by the legal battle between Ripple and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The resolution of this high-profile lawsuit has removed a major source of uncertainty for the asset. With that issue now settled, attention has shifted to technical and macroeconomic drivers. The breakout highlighted by Steph is one such factor now influencing sentiment. If buying pressure increases and the price maintains its position above the former resistance, XRP could swiftly reach double-digit prices . Conversely, a failure to hold above the trendline could lead to a retest of lower support zones. With the market at a critical technical juncture, XRP holders and traders are closely monitoring price behavior in the coming sessions for a confirmed breakout. 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 advised to conduct thorough 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 X , Facebook , Telegram , and Google News The post Top Analyst Says XRP Is a Ticking Time Bomb. Here’s why appeared first on Times Tabloid .
Summary Despite Circle's revenue beat in Q2, my previous bull thesis seems to be broken. Shrinking profitability, a huge EPS miss, and declining margin guidance signal significant trouble ahead. The primary growth engine, USDC circulation, missed consensus estimates for the first time, challenging the narrative of frictionless, explosive growth for the company. Insider-heavy secondary offering post-earnings signals lack of confidence, with 80% of shares sold by existing holders, pressuring the stock. My operating leverage thesis might have vanished. Costly revenue-sharing deals with partners are eroding profitability and clouding the company's future earnings visibility. With profitability and growth momentum now in question, future earnings estimates are at high risk, making the stock's current valuation look extremely precarious. Intro & Thesis In my previous and only article on Circle Internet Group ( CRCL ) stock, which was published last month, I argued that Circle wasn't just a crypto company - it looked like a strong stablecoin pure play, which was profitable, and whose financials looked quite strong to justify the forward valuation multiples. The firm recently released its Q2 FY2025 earnings, and while they managed to beat the top-line revenue estimates, I don't like the fact that they missed on the key USDC circulation metric. In addition to that, just a few hours ago, the news broke that Circle is running a new public offering with massive insider selling, which is not a good sign, in my view. I decided to downgrade the stock to "Hold", waiting for the building pressure following the offering and probably a series of earnings estimates revisions. Why Am I Downgrading? At first glance, it looks like CRCL's Q2 print came stronger than expected, with total revenue of $658 million beating the $644.7 million consensus, but because of the IPO they held in June, and the subsequent SBC non-cash expenses, CRCL's GAAP EPS amounted to -$4.48, and it came in at a much lower figure than expected (the consensus was $0.34). We know that growth firms can miss because of SBC-related expenses with no market reaction, as most market participants understand the temporariness of such misses. But in this case, the SBC expense was close to $435 million, and the firm's net loss was at ~$482 million, which means that the profitability is kind of shrinking even without the SBC drag. So, one of the theses that I had in July - Circle's status as a unique profitable crypto play - isn't there anymore (at least for now). The management shared some guidance metrics to focus on, and we still see that ~40% CAGR for "USDC in Circulation", with RLDC margin at ~37%. If they do reach it, this will mark a decline from the 40% margin we saw in Q1 2025 (and from the 42% in the same quarter last year). Seeking Alpha, CRCL My July bullish thesis has weakened amid this expectation, as the "powerful operating leverage" I was referring to has vanished. Circle's high costs of partnering with distributors like Coinbase ( COIN ), and now others like Bybit, are clearly eating into profitability, and it can't help but raise questions regarding its future EPS visibility, in my opinion. The company's largest expense is revenue sharing with Coinbase, where Circle splits earnings on USDC held on the exchange. This arrangement means Circle's profits decrease as more of its $61 billion in circulating USDC gets stored on Coinbase rather than other platforms. This dynamic illustrates a common challenge for fintech companies: dependence on key distribution partners can create structural margin constraints that persist even as the business scales successfully. Source: Tech in Asia Also, it's hard to ignore the fact that the primary engine of Circle's growth - USDC in circulation - showed signs of a slowdown, because although this metric was up by 90% on a YoY basis, it actually fell short of the consensus expectations (albeit by What I couldn't pass by was the event that CRCL launched a new offering, selling 10 million shares, with 80% of those shares coming from the stockholders, according to Seeking Alpha News: Seeking Alpha News There's no problem in selling shares for future expansion, but in this case, when 80% of the offering is coming from the earlier investors, it looks like a sign of them simply cashing out. The timing looks weird as well - the Q2 earnings release had been published just a few hours before that new offering announcement. It's unsurprising to me that the stock is falling by over 6% after-hours (see the screenshot above) - an offering where insiders are selling four times as many shares as the company is raising sends a clear signal about their view on the stock's current valuation. By the way, speaking of the stock's valuation, it's hard to see the analysts' factual reaction on Q2, as there's no earnings revisions made just yet (all recent IPOs lack the timing on this kind of thing). Anyway, we still see that the consensus suggests a continued YoY expansion in EPS for quarters to come as the firm's revenue follows the "USDC in circulation" metric's growth. Seeking Alpha, CRCL's EPS revisions With the drag on Circle's profitability, which I think might continue further, there's a chance that Circle's EPS consensus figures get adjusted sooner or later. I'm cautious about how it can press the valuation multiple, although the FY2026-2027 ratios look reasonable to me. Seeking Alpha, CRCL's revenue forecasts On a positive note, I should say that Circle is still very likely to experience superior top-line growth rates in the next few years, thanks to the passage of the GENIUS Act in July, which brought in the much-needed regulatory clarity for the stablecoin industry. The question is, "How high can the margins stay?", with all those new revenue-sharing agreements between Circle and crypto players. The Bottom Line Overall, I can't say that I was impressed by the company's beat on the top line this quarter: While it's always great to see a beat, the post-IPO drag couldn't fully explain the massive EPS miss, and it seems to be masking the real reasons behind that miss. Among the main reasons, I see Circle's inability to maintain high margins with all those revenue-sharing partnerships. In addition to that, the new offering announced just a few hours ago came in as a bitter pill to anyone who bought the stock after its IPO. While I don't want to belittle the firm's future potential in revenue expansion and its prominent place in the stablecoin industry in the years to come, I believe the consensus estimates regarding its forward EPS figures can be hit hard. The FWD valuation looks reasonable as of today, but again, with lower growth rates in the future, the stock price can stay under pressure for longer. I'm downgrading the stock to "Hold". Probably you have a different opinion about Circle; please, let me know in the comments section below. Thank you for reading!
The global crypto market has reached $4 trillion USD for the first time, with a daily jump of $48.6 billion (+1.21%) This surge, fueled by both Bitcoin and altcoin gains since the 2022 FTX collapse recovery, marks a major milestone. Bitcoin’s market dominance has climbed from 40% in late 2022 to 66% by mid-2025, showing its growing influence over the entire sector and challenging the idea of altcoin-led growth. Although ETH price might signal a change. Historical trends suggest events like the December 2024 post-U.S. election rally, possibly driven by macroeconomic shifts, played a key role.
BitcoinWorld Ethereum ICO Whale’s Crucial $10.42M ETH Move to Kraken Sparks Market Talk A notable event recently unfolded in the cryptocurrency world, drawing significant attention from investors and analysts alike. An Ethereum ICO whale , holding a substantial amount of ETH from the network’s early days, made a colossal transfer. Specifically, 2,283 ETH, valued at approximately $10.42 million, was deposited onto the Kraken Exchange. This substantial ETH to Kraken transfer, reported by the on-chain analytics firm Onchain Lens, immediately sparked discussions about its potential implications for the broader Ethereum market . Such large movements from long-dormant wallets are often interpreted as crucial instances of crypto whale activity , signaling a potential sell signal or a strategic repositioning. What’s Behind the Ethereum ICO Whale’s Significant Move? The recent deposit from an ICO-era wallet highlights the movements of early adopters. These wallets belong to individuals or entities who acquired Ethereum during its Initial Coin Offering (ICO) phase, often at significantly lower prices. Therefore, any movement from these wallets, especially large ones, garners immense scrutiny. The specific wallet involved in this instance has been inactive for a considerable period, making its sudden reawakening and transfer to a major exchange like Kraken particularly noteworthy. Understanding the motivations behind such a substantial ETH to Kraken deposit is key to assessing its potential impact. Decoding Crypto Whale Activity: Is It a Potential Sell Signal? When a large amount of cryptocurrency is moved from a private wallet to an exchange, it is frequently viewed as a potential sell signal . The logic is straightforward: funds need to be on an exchange to be sold into fiat currency or traded for other cryptocurrencies. However, this interpretation is not always definitive. Consider these alternative reasons for such a deposit: Portfolio Rebalancing: The whale might be diversifying their holdings, moving ETH to an exchange to acquire other assets. Over-the-Counter (OTC) Deals: Large transactions sometimes occur off-exchange through OTC desks, where the exchange acts as an intermediary for settlement. Staking or Lending: While less common for such large, direct exchange deposits, some platforms offer staking or lending services directly from exchange wallets. Therefore, while the deposit is a strong indicator of potential intent, it does not guarantee an immediate sale. The market watches for subsequent transactions. How Does This Impact the Ethereum Market? Any significant crypto whale activity can influence market sentiment and, consequently, price. A $10.42 million ETH deposit, particularly from an early investor, introduces a considerable amount of supply onto the market if it were to be sold. This potential influx could exert downward pressure on Ethereum’s price in the short term. Moreover, the news itself can trigger a psychological reaction among other investors. Fear of a large sell-off might lead some to preemptively sell their holdings, further amplifying any negative price action. However, the resilience of the Ethereum market often depends on broader trends and fundamental developments, not just individual whale movements. On-Chain Analytics: Tracking Significant ETH to Kraken Transfers The transparency of blockchain technology allows for detailed tracking of transactions, a practice known as on-chain analytics. Tools like Onchain Lens provide invaluable insights into large movements, including this recent ETH to Kraken transfer. By monitoring these data points, investors can gain a clearer picture of supply dynamics and potential shifts in market liquidity. Key aspects of on-chain analysis include: Wallet Tracking: Identifying and monitoring wallets associated with large holders or specific events (like ICOs). Exchange Flows: Observing the net flow of assets into and out of exchanges, which can indicate buying or selling pressure. Transaction Volume: Analyzing the overall volume of transactions to gauge network activity and interest. This data empowers market participants to make more informed decisions, rather than relying solely on speculation. What Should Investors Consider? While the transfer of 2,283 ETH by an Ethereum ICO whale is a notable event, it serves as a reminder of the inherent volatility and speculative nature of the crypto space. Investors should: Stay Informed: Follow reliable on-chain analytics reports and reputable news sources. Avoid Panic: A single large deposit does not definitively predict a market crash. Conduct Your Own Research: Understand the broader market context and Ethereum’s fundamentals. Manage Risk: Never invest more than you can afford to lose, and consider diversification. The cryptocurrency market is dynamic, and while whale movements offer clues, they are just one piece of a complex puzzle. Always prioritize a well-researched approach. In conclusion, the significant ETH to Kraken deposit from an Ethereum ICO whale is a development worth monitoring. While it carries the weight of being a potential sell signal , the actual impact on the Ethereum market will depend on subsequent actions and the broader economic landscape. Staying informed through tools like on-chain analytics remains paramount for navigating these intriguing market dynamics. Frequently Asked Questions About Ethereum Whale Activity Q1: What is an Ethereum ICO whale? A1: An Ethereum ICO whale refers to an individual or entity that acquired a very large amount of Ethereum during its Initial Coin Offering (ICO) phase, typically at a very low price. These holders possess significant influence due to the sheer volume of their ETH holdings. Q2: Why is a large ETH deposit to Kraken significant? A2: A large deposit of ETH to an exchange like Kraken is significant because it indicates that the holder might be preparing to sell or trade their assets. Cryptocurrencies generally need to be on an exchange to be liquidated into fiat or exchanged for other digital assets. Q3: Does this guarantee a price drop for Ethereum? A3: No, a large deposit does not guarantee a price drop. While it is often viewed as a potential sell signal, the ETH could be moved for various reasons, such as rebalancing a portfolio, facilitating an over-the-counter (OTC) deal, or even for staking/lending services offered by the exchange. The actual sale is what would directly impact the price. Q4: How can I track crypto whale activity? A4: You can track crypto whale activity using on-chain analytics platforms and services like Onchain Lens, Whale Alert, or similar blockchain explorers. These tools monitor large transactions and provide alerts or reports on significant movements of cryptocurrencies to and from exchanges or between large wallets. Q5: What is an ICO-era wallet? A5: An ICO-era wallet is a digital wallet that received cryptocurrency during its initial coin offering. In the context of Ethereum, it refers to wallets that obtained ETH directly from the Ethereum Foundation during its crowd sale in 2014, making them some of the earliest and often largest holders of the cryptocurrency. Did you find this analysis of the recent Ethereum whale movement insightful? Share this article with your friends and fellow crypto enthusiasts on social media to keep them informed about the latest developments in the crypto market! To learn more about the latest Ethereum market trends, explore our article on key developments shaping Ethereum price action. This post Ethereum ICO Whale’s Crucial $10.42M ETH Move to Kraken Sparks Market Talk first appeared on BitcoinWorld and is written by Editorial Team