Tether’s Market Cap Taps $140B as Stablecoin Dominates Crypto Trading

The market valuation of tether (USDT) has now ballooned to a staggering $140 billion. On Dec. 16, this stablecoin’s market cap makes up 3.75% of the colossal $3.73 trillion crypto universe. Tether’s Market Share Soars in 2024 The journey of the dollar-pegged digital economy has been quite the adventure since stablecoins first hit the scene,

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The $589 XRP Dream: Believers Aren’t ‘Delusional’ Enough, Expert Says

A known market analyst sees the $6 per coin prediction for XRP crypto being claimed by some experts as too conservative. Crypto Bitlord suggested that the real target for XRP is $589 per coin, adding that those skeptical about this target are “not delusional enough.” Related Reading: New ATH: Bitcoin Tops $106K—Is FOMO And Strategic Reserve The Game-Changer? Three-Figure XRP Price Data showed that XRP is the top-performing crypto in the Trump-driven digital asset bull run. Hence, once again, a market expert is floating the idea of $589 per coin. Crypto Bitlord claimed that the real price target for XRP is not $6 as some commentators said but $589, adding that those who dismissed this three-figure target are not ambitious enough. You’re not delusional enough with your price targets $XRP $589 — Crypto Bitlord (@crypto_bitlord7) December 16, 2024 The crypto analyst argued that the prices being forecast by several market observers are conservative estimates, believing that $589 per unit is very feasible. Previously, Crypto Bitlord had already stated that XRP would reach the three-figure price. However, he received derogatory remarks from investors for what they claimed as an ambitious dream. Now, with the crypto asset performing very well in the bull market, Crypto Bitlord was able to fire back at them, calling them not “delusional” enough. Smoking Crack? Several traders in the XRP community do not share the same vision as Crypto Bitlord, seeing the target of $589 as not feasible. Earlier this month, another crypto analyst, Tony Edwards, downplayed the $589 target, saying that the target is a “fantasy.” Edward argued that astronomical price predictions for the coin are delusional, saying, “People calling for $589, $1,000, or $10,000 are “smoking crack.” My $XRP price target for this cycle $5-$8. It could go a bit higher but I’m gonna play it safe and be conservative. People who are calling for $589, $1,000, and $10K are smoking crack. pic.twitter.com/joXwhGcxMq — Tony Edward (Thinking Crypto Podcast) (@ThinkingCrypto1) December 2, 2024 Other analysts said that a three-figure price would only happen if the crypto’s market capitalization hit $33 trillion, an amount that would be greater than the consolidated market cap of the top 20 American companies. Edward estimated the price rally would put XRP between $5 and $8. Altcoin Performing Well Data revealed that XRP benefits greatly from the ongoing crypto bull market driven by Donald Trump reclaiming the White House. Last month, the crypto’s price surged by 283% while halfway through December, it has already soared by 23%, nearly reaching $3. Related Reading: 3-Year Peak: Chainlink Rally Fueled By Historic Open Interest Levels A CNBC report dubbed XRP as the “biggest winner” in the Trump-driven cryptocurrency rally. According to CNBC, since Trump won the US election, XRP price has skyrocketed by 370%, outperforming the broader digital asset market. In comparison, Bitcoin has only increased by 45% in the same period, while the entire cryptocurrency market went up by 91%. As of press time, XRP is traded at $2.36 with a total market capitalization of $136 billion. Featured image from, chart from TradingView

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CyberKongz Faces SEC Wells Notice, Sparking Potential Challenges for Gaming Tokens and the NFT Sector

CyberKongz faces regulatory scrutiny as the SEC issues a Wells notice, posing significant questions for the Web3 gaming ecosystem. This crucial development highlights the growing tension between traditional regulatory frameworks

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Toncoin Price Rebounds Amid Declining DEX Activity and Waning User Engagement

Toncoin’s recent price rebound faces challenges amidst declining decentralized exchange (DEX) activity, raising concerns among analysts and investors. Even with a price uptick of 3.6% to $6.39, the decrease in

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‘Major implications’ for gaming tokens as CyberKongz hit with SEC Wells notice

CyberKongz said it was first contacted by the SEC two years ago and had been “suffering in silence” ever since.

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Best Cryptos to Invest in This Month: Qubetics Presale Phase 13, $6.8M Raised as Bitcoin Hits Record High and Helium Eyes $12 Target

Discover how Qubetics’ Phase 13 presale raised $6.8M as Bitcoin reached an all-time high and Helium targets $12. Explore the latest crypto trends and investment insights. Read original article on coincu.com

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Bitcoin Reaches New Heights Following Trump’s Strategic Reserve Proposal

Bitcoin hit a record high of over $107,000 after Trump's reserve proposal. VanEck predicts Bitcoin could reach $180,000 by 2025. Continue Reading: Bitcoin Reaches New Heights Following Trump’s Strategic Reserve Proposal The post Bitcoin Reaches New Heights Following Trump’s Strategic Reserve Proposal appeared first on COINTURK NEWS .

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Messari report calls 2024 “climbing a wall of worry”

Messari calls 2024 the “climbing wall of worry” as investors grappled with inflation fears and recession risks. However, the year ended with Bitcoin surpassing $100K. Another notable growth is seen with Solana, which drove the meme coin market. Messari data analysts compiled a two-part report on the trends and narratives in the crypto industry in 2024. The report, authored by Messari’s enterprise analysts and experts, explored various themes, including the rise of artificial intelligence in the crypto sector . Messari analysts reflect on 2024 inflationary worries Messari calls 2024 the “climbing wall of worry” because inflation uncertainty left investors wondering if the Fed’s monetary policies would trigger a recession. However, 2024 concludes with Bitcoin surpassing $100K after the crypto market overcame the macro obstacles of a weakening labor market. Along with the approval of Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, the report underlines AI as the 2024 highlight. The report read in part; “The market is beginning to price in the potential for AI-driven productivity boosts.” Messari also calls 2024 the year of Solana. The report underlined advancements in Solana’s technology and adoption, making it a hub for memecoin trading. In the year, memecoins themselves remained wildly popular, capturing retail interest. Notably, user adoption surged globally, with apps like Phantom and Polymarket onboarding millions. The analysts also discovered that stablecoins have also become essential in emerging markets. Meanwhile, decentralized infrastructure (DePIN) gained traction in industries like energy and telecommunications. The report also touched on regulatory challenges and market volatility. However, the report revealed that the industry showed resilience and innovation. In the macro context, the analysts noted that crypto market trends faced challenges such as lawsuits against Binance and Coinbase. They added that government asset sales and Mt.Gox repayments also played a part in the volatility experienced in 2024. Messari highlighted the pressures eased after Donald Trump was elected president of the United States. The analysts added the president pledged to protect innovation, self-custody, and Bitcoin mining. According to the researchers, these policies signalled a friendly environment for cryptocurrency that emphasized Bitcoin as an innovation driver and strategic asset. Messari analysts discuss crypto sectorial highlights in 2024 The researchers highlighted some sectorial advancements, including the intersection of artificial intelligence and the crypto ecosystem. The analysts reported the intersection exposed the crypto ecosystem to content creation and gaming frontiers. Messari analysts also confirmed that NFTs gained popularity in 2024, especially in enhancing monetization and digital ownership. The analysts predicted that these trends would drive the adoption of cryptocurrencies in the years ahead. Messari also commented on the introduction of Bitcoin stalking in 2024. They added that Babylon, BTC’s first stalking protocol, enabled holders to stake their assets and earn rewards without giving up control of their assets. In the report, Messari predicted that even as the BTC network changes, BTC programmability and stalking remain nascent. The analysts highlighted the path worth monitoring as layers on BTC and AVSs.They predicted these could unlock the utmost levels of economic security and decentralization. However, the analysts disclosed that in 2024, users often preferred the performance capabilities of networks such as Base and Solana. They added that users overlooked decentralization and security. The researchers warned BTC builders could have difficulty competing against other networks if the trend continued. From Zero to Web3 Pro: Your 90-Day Career Launch Plan

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Charles Hoskinson says Cardano is ready to “take over the world”

Cardano’s founder, Charles Hoskinson, is doubling down on his mission to transform blockchain governance. In a recent post , he shared that Cardano is on the brink of achieving what he calls a decentralized revolution. Charles explained that the project is nearing its final milestones—approval of a budget system and a community-ratified constitution—steps he believes will make the platform unstoppable. “It’s messy and tough,” he said of governance, “but it’s the only way to include everyone.” For Charlie, this is personal. “I’ll never apologize for being passionate about this outcome. It’s my life’s work.” Cardano’s roadmap has been long and complex, but with these developments, the project is eyeing 2025 as the year it reaches full decentralization. The stakes? Nothing less than taking over the blockchain world. Cardano’s Chang Hard Fork reshapes governance The Chang Hard Fork, launched on September 1, represents a turning point for Cardano. This major upgrade pushed the blockchain closer to its ultimate goal: a fully decentralized governance system. Key features included the introduction of a constitutional committee, improved on-chain voting mechanisms, and the much-anticipated rollout of Plutus v3, which brought more advanced smart contract capabilities. The constitutional committee, acting as an interim governing body, was designed to oversee governance decisions during this transitional phase. It’s temporary, though—once the community approves the ratified constitution, the committee will dissolve. From there, governance will rest entirely in the hands of ADA holders. Charles sees this as a step toward the Voltaire phase, the final stage of Cardano’s development roadmap. Voltaire envisions a blockchain that funds itself through a treasury system and gives ADA holders full control over its evolution. In Charlie’s words, these upgrades are not about short-term price movements but about “ensuring Cardano thrives in the long run.” The Chang upgrade also introduced Delegate Representatives (DReps), allowing ADA holders to vote indirectly through elected representatives. This system encourages wider participation while maintaining efficiency. ADA struggles in a volatile market While Cardano’s governance upgrades grab headlines, ADA’s market performance tells a different story. As of press time, ADA is trading at $0.934, down 3.26% in the past twenty-four hours. Despite the current downturn, investor sentiment remains strong. The Fear & Greed Index for ADA sits at 74, signaling greed. Over the past month, ADA has seen gains on 67% of trading days, showing some resilience even amid market uncertainty. Analysts predict ADA will continue to fluctuate, with a trading range of $0.934 to $1.10 expected for December. The average price is projected at $1.02, but much depends on broader market conditions, which is incredibly bullish thanks to incoming US president Donald Trump. A Step-By-Step System To Launching Your Web3 Career and Landing High-Paying Crypto Jobs in 90 Days.

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Ripple Set to Launch RLUSD Stablecoin on December 17

Ripple is making waves yet again, announcing the launch of its much-anticipated enterprise-grade stablecoin, Ripple USD (RLUSD). This stablecoin, designed to raise the bar for compliance, utility, and transparency, will officially go live on December 17, 2024. The wait is over: RLUSD launches globally tomorrow! https://t.co/mYcyyX6Vre — Ripple (@Ripple) December 16, 2024 According to the announcement , RLUSD promises to cater to institutional needs and set new standards for trust and reliability within the stablecoin market. The timing of this launch aligns with increasing calls for regulatory clarity in the United States and beyond. Ripple’s decision to develop RLUSD under the stringent New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) limited purpose trust charter highlights its emphasis on regulatory compliance. RLUSD is backed by U.S. dollar deposits, government bonds, and cash equivalents and is engineered to maintain stability. Ripple’s CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, emphasized that RLUSD represents years of expertise in seamlessly integrating crypto with the traditional financial system. He furthered: “Early on, Ripple made a deliberate choice to launch our stablecoin under the NYDFS limited purpose trust company charter, widely regarded as the premier regulatory standard worldwide.” With platforms like Uphold, MoonPay, Archax, and CoinMENA set to host RLUSD initially and additional listings expected soon, the stablecoin’s global rollout is set for rapid traction because of the attention it has garnered. Ripple’s RLUSD: A New Standard for Stablecoins? Ripple’s strategy revolves around creating a stablecoin that meets and exceeds the expectations of financial institutions, regulators, and retail users. Each RLUSD token will be fully collateralized, ensuring stability and liquidity even in volatile markets. To reinforce this commitment, Ripple claimed it would publish third-party attestations of RLUSD’s reserves monthly, ensuring full accountability and fostering trust. From a functional perspective, RLUSD is set to play a critical role in various use cases. Institutions can leverage the stablecoin for instant settlement of cross-border payments, enhanced liquidity management, and seamless integration with decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols. Ripple’s vision also extends to creating a reliable bridge between fiat currencies and the blockchain ecosystem, simplifying on-ramps and off-ramps for users navigating between the two worlds. Furthermore, RLUSD is set to be a cornerstone for collateralizing tokenized real-world assets, such as commodities and securities, on-chain. This innovative approach promises to drive the adoption of blockchain-based finance while maintaining robust compliance measures. Ripple’s Ripple Payments division is also set to incorporate RLUSD into its operations early next year, which could give it global relevance. Ripple Payments has already processed over $70 billion in transaction volume and established near-global coverage, spanning over 90 payout markets. This integration will expand RLUSD’s utility, enabling enterprises to settle international payments efficiently while enjoying blockchain technology’s cost-effectiveness and speed. Expert Leadership and Global Vision Ripple’s ambitious plans for RLUSD are bolstered by the expertise of its advisory board, which the addition of two financial heavyweights has further strengthened. Raghuram Rajan, former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, and Kenneth Montgomery, former First Vice President and COO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. Despite all the massive preparations surrounding it, Ripple’s Chief Technology Officer, David Schwartz, has recently warned of potential supply shortages and price volatility for RLUSD . Despite its 1:1 parity with the dollar, pre-launch speculative activity has driven inflated bids for RLUSD, with one bid valuing 1 RLUSD at 511 XRP—over $1,200. Schwartz downplayed the anomaly, emphasizing that RLUSD’s price would stabilize near $1 once supply increases, and urged against speculation. The RLUSD is launching tomorrow, December 17, as the community awaits one of the year’s biggest launches. The post Ripple Set to Launch RLUSD Stablecoin on December 17 appeared first on Cryptonews .

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