Friday, June 6, 2025
Home Blog Page 4

Coinbase to delist Movement’s MOVE token amid market-making controversy

0


Key Takeaways

  • Coinbase will suspend MOVE token trading on May 15 after a listing review.
  • The Movement project faces controversy after a scandal involving market manipulation.

Share this article

Coinbase announced Thursday that it will disable trading of Movement’s MOVE token on May 15, as controversy deepens around the high-profile layer 2 blockchain project.

The exchange said in a statement on X that it has already shifted MOVE order books to limit-only mode.

Coinbase did not explicitly cite a reason for the suspension. However, the company noted that the decision followed a routine listing standards review, which found that MOVE no longer met Coinbase’s requirements.

The token dropped 20% to $0.18 following the announcement—its lowest point since launch—according to Binance data. At press time, MOVE saw a modest rebound to $0.20.

The Movement blockchain, which launched its mainnet beta and native token last December, has faced growing scrutiny since March when Binance identified and froze the profits of a market maker allegedly liquidating large quantities of MOVE tokens.

In response, the Movement Network Foundation cut ties with the market maker and announced a $38 million USDT buyback program to establish the Movement Strategic Reserve.

Movement Labs and the Movement Network later confirmed a third-party investigation into the matter, after Binance removed the market maker for misconduct, Blockworks reported last month.

A new report from CoinDesk this week sheds more light on the controversy. The release revealed that Movement Labs was allegedly misled into signing a market-making agreement that gave a middleman, Rentech, control over 66 million MOVE tokens.

The deal was said to have enabled a $38 million selloff, triggering sharp price drops and accusations of manipulation.

Internal documents showed that Rentech acted on both sides of the deal—as an agent of the Movement Foundation and a subsidiary of Web3Port—raising conflict-of-interest concerns.

The fallout also exposed internal divisions, as Movement’s legal counsel initially objected to the deal but was overruled, according to CoinDesk. Movement is investigating whether co-founder Rushi Manche or advisors like Sam Thapaliya played a deeper role than originally disclosed.

Share this article


XRP spot ETF has 85% chance of approval this year, say Bloomberg analysts

0


Key Takeaways

  • Bloomberg raises XRP ETF approval prediction to 85% for 2025.
  • Litecoin and Solana ETFs have a 90% chance of approval.

Share this article

The likelihood of a spot XRP ETF launching in 2025 has increased, according to the latest update from Bloomberg Intelligence. Analysts now estimate an 85% chance that a spot XRP product will gain approval from the SEC, up sharply from 65% in their February outlook.

ETF analysts Eric Balchunas and James Seyffart have also increased approval odds for other digital asset-backed funds, with products tracking Litecoin and Solana leading the pack.

Source: Eric Balchunas

Spot ETFs for Litecoin and Solana are given a 90% likelihood of approval by Bloomberg. Litecoin has especially benefited from the CFTC’s classification of LTC as a commodity.

Solana’s approval probability has jumped from 70% to 90%, with the asset attracting multiple ETF filings and institutional interest driven by its DeFi and NFT ecosystems.

Source: James Seyffart

Other assets are also gaining momentum. Dogecoin and Hedera ETFs are assigned an 80% likelihood of approval.

The Cardano ETF, filed only by Grayscale so far, carries an estimated 75% chance of approval.

Avalanche, one of the latest assets to be filed for, is likewise at 75%, with a final SEC decision expected around December 12. Polkadot ETFs are tracking at the same 75% odds.

The SEC recently delayed decisions on several applications, including Franklin Templeton’s spot XRP and Solana ETFs, Grayscale’s HBAR ETF, Bitwise’s Dogecoin ETF, and Ethereum staking ETFs from Franklin and Fidelity.

These funds join a growing list of proposed crypto products currently awaiting regulatory approval.

Most altcoin ETF decisions are expected between Q3 and Q4 of 2025. While the SEC could reject applications over market manipulation concerns or insufficient investor protections, ETF experts believe denial is less likely given futures market development, legal progress, and bipartisan interest in the crypto market structure.

Share this article


ProShares may debut leveraged, short XRP futures ETFs as soon as this week

0


Key Takeaways

  • ProShares plans to launch three XRP futures-based ETFs, including leveraged and inverse options.
  • The SEC has not raised objections to these funds, allowing them to proceed to market.

Share this article

ProShares, the top issuer of leveraged and inverse exchange-traded funds, may debut three futures ETFs tied to XRP, Ripple’s native crypto asset, as soon as April 30, according to a post-effective amended prospectus filed on April 15.

The proposed products include the Short XRP ETF, offering investors the opportunity to profit from declines in the price of XRP; the Ultra XRP ETF, delivering approximately twice the daily return of XRP’s price movements; and the UltraShort XRP ETF, aimed at providing approximately twice the inverse (-2x) of XRP’s daily performance.

ProShares, which initially filed for its XRP futures ETFs in January, stated in the April prospectus that its filing is expected to become effective on Wednesday, April 30.

The filing was made under a procedural mechanism that permits the products to launch without requiring further substantive review or explicit reapproval from the SEC, provided no objections are raised before the effective date.

However, while the amendment would allow the funds to become effective on that date, actual trading may not begin immediately, depending on exchange readiness and other operational factors.

Once the debut is confirmed, ProShares’ XRP futures ETFs will join Teucrium Investment Advisors, the first fund manager to launch a US-listed XRP ETF.

Teucrium’s fund, called the 2x Long Daily XRP ETF, aims to deliver returns that are double the daily return of XRP through swap agreements.

Teucrium’s launch came amid increasing investor demand for XRP following Donald Trump’s election victory, which directly contributed to a wave of regulatory developments favorable to the crypto industry, including the legal outcome between Ripple Labs and the SEC.

Pending spot XRP ETF decision

The SEC has delayed its decision on multiple spot XRP ETF applications, including those from major firms like Grayscale, Bitwise, and WisdomTree.

However, the delay is viewed as a normal part of the agency’s review process for crypto spot ETFs — not limited to XRP-linked products. Other ETFs tied to altcoins such as Solana, Dogecoin, and Litecoin are also currently pending.

ETF experts remain optimistic that the SEC will greenlight spot crypto ETFs as soon as this year, with Litecoin ETFs possibly being the first to receive approval.

Analysts’ confidence in XRP ETF approval has also grown, particularly following Paul Atkins’ appointment as SEC Chairman.

Earlier this week, CME Group announced plans to launch XRP futures, signaling a move towards potential spot ETF approval after the legal battle between the SEC and Ripple Labs officially concludes.

XRP is trading around $2.27, up nearly 9% over the past week, per TradingView.

Share this article


First-ever XRP spot ETF debuts on Brazil’s main stock exchange

0


Key Takeaways

  • Brazil has introduced the first-ever XRP spot ETF, debuting on the B3 stock exchange.
  • The ETF, managed by Hashdex, is set to track XRP’s price using the Nasdaq XRP Reference Price Index.

Share this article

The world’s first ETF that tracks the spot price of XRP, Ripple’s native crypto asset, officially debuted on Brazil’s main stock exchange B3 on April 25, according to a press release from Valor Econômico.

The fund, dubbed Hashdex Nasdaq XRP Fundo de Índice, or Hashdex Nasdaq XRP FI, is managed by Hashdex and administered by Genial Investments Securities Brokerage SA. Genial Bank SA is the ETF’s custodian.

The global asset manager secured greenlight from Brazil’s Securities and Exchange Commission (CVM) to launch the XRP-tied fund in February. The approval came after the securities regulator approved Hashdex’s spot Solana ETF last August.

Following regulatory approval, the fund entered into a pre-operational phase. During this phase, it was not yet actively trading but was undergoing preparatory steps.

The ETF, now trading on B3 under the ticker XRPH11, replicates the XRP Reference Price Index (NQXRP), which tracks the spot price of XRP across major crypto exchanges, according to the fund’s documents.

The fund will invest at least 95% of its net assets in XRP and related digital assets, securities, or futures contracts linked to the index. As of the latest data, XRPH11’s net worth is nearly $40 million.

Caption

The ETF’s fee structure includes a maximum global fee of 0.7% annually for administration, management, and distribution, plus a maximum custody fee of 0.1% per year. No structuring fees apply to the fund.

With the launch of XRPH11, Hashdex has expanded its ETF lineup on B3 to nine products, said Samir Kerbage, CIO of Hashdex.

He added that the new fund is part of Hashdex’s mono-asset ETF group, which also includes BITH11, ETHE11, and SOLH11. These funds target sophisticated investors like institutions who want to develop crypto strategies on B3.

As Brazil debuts the world’s first XRP ETF, the US is expected to approve funds that track the world’s fourth-largest crypto asset soon.

If approved by the SEC, spot Solana and XRP ETFs could draw up to $14 billion in investments, as estimated by JPMorgan analysts.

Share this article


CME Group plans to debut XRP futures on May 19

0


Key Takeaways

  • CME Group plans to debut XRP futures on May 19, pending regulatory review.
  • The futures will be cash-settled and expand CME’s crypto product offerings alongside Bitcoin and Ether futures.

Share this article

CME Group, the world’s top-tier operator of derivatives exchanges, is planning to roll out XRP futures on May 19, pending regulatory review, the company shared in a Thursday announcement.

CME will offer both micro-sized contracts of 2,500 XRP and large-sized contracts of 50,000 XRP. These contracts will be cash-settled based on the CME CF XRP-Dollar Reference Rate, calculated daily at 4:00 p.m. London time.

The announcement appears to corroborate a prior leak from the exchange’s staging website, which mentioned a February 10 launch of XRP and Solana futures. CME later clarified that the information was incorrect and that no formal plans had been confirmed.

Giovanni Vicioso, who oversees CME’s crypto product strategies, pointed to the increasing interest in XRP and its technology as the key reason for the upcoming product launch. The company wants to give investors a more efficient way to gain exposure to XRP, now ranking as the fourth-largest crypto asset by market cap.

“Interest in XRP and its underlying ledger (XRPL) has steadily increased as institutional and retail adoption for the network grows, and we are pleased to launch these new futures contracts to provide a capital-efficient toolset to support clients’ investment and hedging strategies,” Vicioso said in a statement.

The addition of XRP futures expands CME’s crypto product suite, which includes Bitcoin and Ether futures and options, along with the recently launched SOL futures.

CME Group reported that in Q1, average daily volume in crypto futures and options reached 198,000 contracts—equivalent to $11.3 billion in notional value—representing a 141% increase year-over-year. Average open interest rose to 251,000 contracts, up 83% from the same quarter last year.

“Bringing CME Group XRP futures to Robinhood is a natural next step in our mission to expand retail access to futures trading,” said JB Mackenzie, VP and GM of Futures and International at Robinhood.

“XRP was purpose-built for real financial use cases and today facilitates global value transfers through the fast, low-cost XRP Ledger,” said Sal Gilbertie, CEO of Teucrium. The company’s 2x Daily Long XRP ETF reached $35 million in assets under management in its first 10 trading days.

This is a developing story.

Share this article


Coinbase launches XRP, nano XRP futures contracts

0


Key Takeaways

  • Coinbase launched XRP and nano XRP futures contracts, each settled in US dollars and trading available from Sunday to Friday.
  • The expansion of Coinbase Derivatives’ offerings comes amid growing institutional interest in altcoin derivatives.

Share this article

Coinbase has officially rolled out two XRP futures contracts on its derivatives exchange, offering market participants new tools to manage risk and gain exposure to the price of the fourth-largest crypto asset, the company said in a Monday announcement.

The newly launched XRP futures come in two sizes. The nano XRP futures product, tailored for smaller participants, represents 500 XRP per contract and settles in US dollars. It’s aimed at retail traders and smaller institutions seeking lower capital requirements while maintaining exposure to XRP price movements.

The XRP futures product represents 10,000 XRP per contract, also cash-settled in USD. This version is designed for large institutions and active traders.

The new offerings help expand Coinbase Derivatives’ product lineup, which already includes over 20 futures contracts on assets such as Bitcoin, Ether, Dogecoin, Stellar, Chainlink, and Solana, to name a few.

Coinbase Derivatives announced plans to launch the two XRP futures products earlier this month after unveiling CFTC-regulated Cardano (ADA) and Natural Gas (NGS) futures contracts. These launches are part of the exchange’s strategy to provide investors with more regulated crypto and traditional futures trading options.

Before Coinbase, Bitnomial was the first to introduce CFTC-regulated XRP futures in the US.

The development comes after recent legal developments involving Ripple Labs, XRP’s developer. Last month, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse announced the SEC’s withdrawal of its appeal against the company.

The move also comes at a time when multiple fund managers, such as Bitwise, Canary Capital, 21Shares, and Franklin Templeton, have filed with the SEC for XRP-related investment products.

XRP was trading at approximately $2.1 at press time, up around 3% in the last 24 hours per CoinGecko. The digital asset is known for its ability to facilitate fast, low-cost cross-border payments.

Share this article




Gold, Bitcoin surge after Trump says ‘he who has the gold makes the rules’

0


Key Takeaways

  • Gold reached a record $3,384, and Bitcoin surged to $87,500 following Trump’s statement.
  • A synchronized rally between Gold and Bitcoin suggests potential market uncertainty and a weaker US Dollar.

Share this article

Gold and Bitcoin, commonly referred to as ‘digital gold,’ climbed higher during early Asian trading after Trump reignited attention to these top assets.

In a post on Truth Social, the president declared, “THE GOLDEN RULE OF NEGOTIATING AND SUCCESS: HE WHO HAS THE GOLD MAKES THE RULES.”

The statement, which touched on the age-old link between wealth and power, sparked a strong market reaction.

Gold hit a record $3,385, gaining nearly 2% in 24 hours, according to TradingView. Bitcoin also rallied, rising about 3% to $87,500. The token is up 4.5% over the past week.

Trump’s weekend comment wasn’t out of character, given the fact that he had made similar remarks before. Although it may seem tied to recent gains in Bitcoin and gold, analysts believe the real momentum comes from ongoing US-China tensions and growing economic uncertainty.

Commenting on the rare synchronized rally of gold and Bitcoin, The Kobeissi Letter said it signals a growing consensus among investors that uncertainty is building and the US dollar may be headed lower.

“Gold has hit its 55th all-time high in 12 months, and Bitcoin is officially joining the run, now above $87,000. The narrative in both Gold and Bitcoin is aligning for the first time in years: Gold and Bitcoin are telling us that a weaker US Dollar and more uncertainty are on the way,” The Kobeissi Letter stated.

The US dollar index plunged to a three-year low in early Asian trading on Monday. According to ZeroHedge, the sharp decline was driven by mounting market fears following comments from National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett, who indicated that President Trump is still considering ways to remove Fed Chairman Jerome Powell.

The prospect of Trump exerting more direct control over monetary policy, or continuing his public attacks on the Fed, has unsettled traders. As a result, investors moved aggressively to sell the dollar, the analyst suggested.

That makes Bitcoin’s behavior during this dollar collapse remarkable. Historically, when the dollar weakens, Bitcoin’s price often falls as well, as both assets can be seen as competing safe-haven investments.

However, Bitcoin did not follow the usual pattern, signaling a “regime shift.”

Market observers suggest this deviation could indicate Bitcoin’s evolving role as a store of value, potentially separating it from tech sector volatility, though analysts caution it’s premature to confirm a definitive decoupling from risk-on assets.

Franklin Templeton Digital Assets reported last week that Bitcoin shows a stronger correlation with tech stocks rather than gold.

Despite the narrative of Bitcoin as ‘digital gold,’ data over the past three years demonstrate a correlation coefficient with gold rarely exceeding 0.3, indicating that the two assets typically move independently of each other.

In contrast, Bitcoin’s correlation with tech equities has reached as high as 0.7, affirming its alignment more with the tech sector than with traditional safe-haven assets.

Share this article