XRP to $10,000? Ripple CTO emeritus rejects bold claim

Ripple CTO Emeritus David Schwartz has dismissed claims that XRP could reach $10,000. David Schwartz said the $10,000 XRP prediction does not match normal market behavior.Schwartz said old XRP comments were about liquidity needs, not a future price promise.He also rejected claims of hidden government XRP deals, calling them conspiracy theories.  His comments came during an online debate about old XRP price discussions and market valuation models.  Schwartz said the idea does not match normal market behavior. He argued that if even a small chance of such a move existed, wealthy and rational investors would already be buying XRP heavily.  Old XRP comments return to focus  The debate followed renewed attention on a 2017 post in which Schwartz discussed XRP liquidity. Some users treated the old comments as a price target, but Schwartz said the post explained transaction needs, not a future price promise.  He had said XRP could not be “dirt cheap” if it handled very large payment flows. Schwartz later clarified that the point was about liquidity, market depth, and settlement size.  Additionally, Schwartz has also rejected claims that XRP is part of secret government or central bank plans. He described such claims as a “conspiracy theory” and warned investors against relying on hidden

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Crypto VC funding plunges to $659M in April, hits near two-year low

Crypto venture capitalist (VC) funding plunged to a near two-year low in April as investors pulled back from crypto start-ups and early-stage companies.  Crypto VC funding fell to $659 million across 63 funding rounds in April, down 74% from the $2.6 billion seen across 84 rounds in March, according to Cryptorank data. This brings the total year-to-date investments to $5.64 billion so far in 2026.  The April total was the lowest monthly fundraising sum since July 2024, when crypto projects raised $622 million across 132 rounds.  The drop suggests venture investors became more selective as crypto markets remained under pressure following months of weaker liquidity and risk appetite.  Monthly VC funding has been declining since October 2025, when crypto projects raised $3.84 billion across 127 funding rounds. The global crypto market cap has since fallen by 37%, according to CoinGlass data.  Crypto fundraising, US dollars, three-year chart. Source: Cryptorank  Decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols attracted the most deal activity in April, with 12 funding rounds, according to CryptoRank. Blockchain services and artificial intelligence-linked crypto projects followed with eight rounds each.  GSR emerges as most active investor of the month  Crypto market maker GSRs VC wing was the most active investor of the past month, with four investment rounds, including

05-01

NuScale Power (SMR) Stock Soars 10% as Amazon Commits $500M to Small Modular Reactors

NuScale Power Corporation, SMR  Amazon‘s announcement didn’t include NuScale among its chosen partners. Yet the stock rallied regardless.  This reaction reveals much about investor sentiment within the SMR market. When a technology giant commits hundreds of millions toward clean energy infrastructure, every company in that ecosystem benefits. Market participants rushed into nuclear-related equities en masse.  A short squeeze magnified the gains. NuScale has attracted significant short interest, and as share prices rose, pessimistic traders scrambled to exit their bearish bets. This forced buying created additional upward momentum.  NuScales Current Position  Trading at approximately $3.88 billion in market capitalization, NuScale occupies a compelling position. Competitor Oklo — another dedicated SMR developer — commands a valuation nearly triple that size. Before Wednesdays surge, NuScale shares had declined more than 20% since the year began.  What distinguishes NuScale from competitors: it stands alone as the only American enterprise possessing Nuclear Regulatory Commission certification for its SMR technology. Securing this regulatory approval required years of effort and cannot be quickly duplicated. In an industry still establishing credibility, this achievement carries significant weight.  However, Bank of America research suggests substantial SMR deployment wont materialize until 2030 or later, potentially extending to 2035. While the underlying technology exists, commercial markets remain undeveloped.  Long-Term Outlook

05-01

Powell Holds Interest Rates Steady: BTC at 77K

Bitcoin  Powell Holds Interest Rates Steady: BTC at 77K  Fed Chairman Jerome Powell kept interest rates steady at the 3.50-3.75 band during Wednesdays FOMC meeting. In the 8-4 decision, four dissenters sent a message to the new Chairman Kevin Warsh. Powell announced he would continue in his role indefinitely after May, citing Trump investigations. The probability of a 2026 rate cut fell to 1%; crypto giants dropped 2-3%, pulling BTC to 76k, but it recovered +2.06% in the last 24 hours to reach the $77,352 level. While big tech earnings lifted the index, oil climbed to $105, gold to $4,640.  Big Tech Earnings and Meta USDC Move  Powell emphasized that pandemic, Ukraine, tariffs, and Iran shocks fueled the inflation-unemployment dilemma. Alphabet Google Cloud rose 63% to $20.1 billion, Amazon AWS grew 28% to $37.59 billion, Microsoft Azure jumped 40%. Meta missed user targets despite record revenue, with shares down 9%. Meta began USDC stablecoin payments to content creators in Colombia and the Philippines via Stripe; its crypto return is accelerating after four years through Solana and Polygon blockchains. This could speed up blockchain integration by social media giants.  BTC Technical Outlook and Supports  With no rate cut on the horizon, BTC is in a sideways trend,

05-01

Coinbase CUSHY: Stablecoin Loans on ETH and Solana

Ethereum  Coinbase CUSHY: Stablecoin Loans on ETH and Solana  Coinbase‘s asset management arm is launching a credit fund tied to stablecoin markets and plans to offer investors on-chain access via Superstate. The fund, named CUSHY, targets institutional investors seeking returns from digital asset-based lending activities. Share classes will be tokenized on Ethereum, Solana, and Coinbase’s Ethereum-based Base network. This step highlights the increasing integration of traditional credit markets with crypto infrastructure. Anthony Bassili, President of Coinbase Asset Management, described stablecoins as the foundation of the next financial era, emphasizing that CUSHY combines the efficiency of digital rails with the rigor of traditional credit.  Technical Structure and Target Audience of the CUSHY Fund  CUSHY offers returns from stablecoin-based lending protocols to institutional investors. The fund will operate primarily on the Ethereum network compatible with ETH detailed analysis, as well as Solana and Base. This tokenization will increase liquidity and enable instant transfers compared to traditional funds. Institutional demand is paralleling stablecoin growth.  Stablecoin Supply and Volume Growth Strengthens the ETH Ecosystem  Stablecoin supply has doubled in the last two years to reach $300 billion, while monthly trading volume has tripled to $1.2 trillion. This growth has accelerated the shift of financial activities to blockchains. ETH hosts over

05-01

Kenyan Central Bank Moves to Vet VASP Applications With 4 Hires

Tech  Kenyan Central Bank Moves to Vet VASP Applications With 4 HiresCBK opened recruitment for 4 VASP oversight roles following the passage of the 2025 VASP Act.The recruitment signals that the CBK aims to professionalize and stabilize Kenyas growing crypto market.A 13-member committee will manage the VASP regime after the rules are gazetted.  Defining Key Management Roles  The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has opened recruitment for senior and managerial positions to oversee licensing and compliance for virtual asset service providers (VASPs), signaling its intent to operationalize crypto regulation before the final rulebook is in place.  The regulator posted four vacancies within its Digital Payment Services Division, all closing May 18. The roles span licensing, product approval, and compliance oversight—marking the first time the CBK has advertised positions dedicated specifically to VASP supervision.  A manager-level hire will lead the licensing function, reviewing applications, recommending approvals or rejections, and developing standard operating procedures for the new regime. Two deputy managers will handle licensing and product approval, and compliance oversight, respectively. Their duties include risk-based supervision of licensed VASPs, anti-money laundering (AML) checks, cybersecurity assessments, and enforcement of licensing conditions. A senior business analyst will round out the team, focusing on application review and regulatory guidance for

05-01

Bithumb wins court stay, dodges six-month suspension blow

South Koreas Seoul Administrative Court has granted Bithumb a temporary reprieve from a six-month suspension, allowing the exchange to continue operating while the case proceeds.Seoul Administrative Court has paused Bithumbs six-month suspension, allowing operations to continue until a final ruling.Regulators imposed a 36.8 billion won fine after identifying about 6.65 million cases of failed user identity checks.Ongoing scrutiny has intensified after a payout error, and AML violations triggered multiple investigations into Bithumbs controls.  According to Yonhap News Agency, the courts 2nd Administrative Division under Judge Gong Hyeon-jin approved the stay on Thursday, pausing enforcement of a sanction imposed by the Financial Intelligence Unit, an anti-money laundering body under the Financial Services Commission.  Regulators had issued the suspension notice in March, stating that Bithumb failed to meet AML obligations that required proper identity verification of users. The penalty targeted new customers by restricting external crypto deposits and withdrawals, a move that would have limited onboarding activity if enforced.  The Financial Intelligence Unit also imposed a fine of 36.8 billion won, about $25 million, after identifying roughly 6.65 million cases where user identities were not properly verified, according to The Korea Herald. Disciplinary measures were also directed at CEO Lee Jae-won as part of the

05-01

Oklo (OKLO) Stock Surges 12% Despite Earnings Miss and Heavy Insider Selling

The rally occurred against a backdrop of underwhelming financial results. The nuclear technology company disclosed first-quarter earnings showing a per-share deficit of $0.27, falling short of Street projections calling for a $0.17 loss. Market watchers anticipate a full-year deficit reaching $0.75 per share.  Oklo currently generates zero revenue, operates no functional reactors, and lacks commercial authorization to distribute electricity. Having completed its public debut in May 2024, the firm continues collaborating with the U.S. Department of Energy on constructing its inaugural reactor facility at Idaho National Laboratory.  What explains the investor enthusiasm? The company positions itself at the intersection of two compelling market narratives: escalating power requirements driven by artificial intelligence infrastructure and the renaissance of nuclear energy solutions.  The enterprise specializes in compact fast-fission nuclear systems—modular, factory-assembled installations capable of utilizing both virgin and reprocessed nuclear materials. Strategic alliances include partnerships with Equinix and Meta Platforms, complemented by financial support from Sam Altman of OpenAI.  Management cites a development queue representing roughly 14 gigawatts of capacity. Based on electricity pricing outlined in the companys 2024 investor materials—ranging from $40 to $90 per megawatt-hour—this portfolio theoretically translates to annual revenue between $5 billion and $11 billion. The operative word being “theoretically.”  Bridging Ambition and Execution  Achieving

05-01

Ukraine, Norway to produce drones amid Russia conflict escalation

Tech  Ukraine, Norway to produce drones amid Russia conflict escalation  Russia-Ukraine ceasefire predictions show a current YES pricing of 0.1% for April 30 and 5.6% for May 31. Recent developments, including the drone production agreement, appear to have influenced a slight decline in YES probability for the nearest term.  ## Key Takeaways  – The announcement of Ukraine and Norway producing mid-strike drones suggests ongoing military escalation, affecting market sentiment toward a ceasefire. – Current market pricing reflects a minimal probability of a ceasefire by April 30, with a slight increase in perceived likelihood by May 31. – The drone production agreement may indicate sustained support for Ukraine, affecting the perception of conflict duration.  ## Article Body  Ukraine and Norway have announced a collaborative effort to produce thousands of mid-strike drones intended for Ukraine‘s Defense Forces. This initiative represents part of Norway’s extensive military support amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. Norway has committed to a significant financial package supporting Ukraine, including NOK 12 billion specifically allocated for drones and autonomous systems. This joint production is seen as a step to fortify Ukraine‘s defense capabilities with European manufacturing and is expected to deliver initial units by the summer of 2026. The announcement aligns with Norway’s broader strategy

05-01

Zcash Price Prediction: Can ZEC Break $400 After April Consolidation?

Tech  Zcash Price Prediction: Can ZEC Break $400 After April Consolidation?  The post Zcash Price Prediction: Can ZEC Break $400 After April Consolidation? appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News  Zcash price action in April reflects a shift in both structure and narrative, as ZEC holds above key technical levels while adoption metrics strengthen. With rising shielded activity, new exchange integrations, and improving liquidity pathways, the current setup suggests a pivotal phase for ZEC price prediction May 2026.  Zcash Price Structure Signals Continuation Above Key Levels  The Zcash price entered a consolidation phase in April after a strong rally that pushed it above its long-standing 200-day EMA. Following a peak near the $395–$400 range, ZEC price today has been stabilizing between $300 and $380, forming a bullish pennant, that shows momentum could resume if resistance levels are cleared.  Moreover, the $400 level has emerged as a key psychological and technical barrier. A decisive breakout above this range could shift short-term sentiment and open the path toward $450–$457. On the downside, maintaining support near $300 remains essential to preserve the current bullish structure. As a result, ZEC current price movements are closely tied to this tightening range, which may define the next directional move.  Shielded Supply and On-Chain Activity

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