The debate over the formation of a U.S. national digital asset reserve has intensified, with Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse advocating for the inclusion of multiple cryptocurrencies instead of limiting the reserve to Bitcoin alone. His stance has sparked controversy within the crypto community, particularly among Bitcoin maximalists who argue that BTC should be the only asset in the reserve. Garlinghouse Calls for Collaboration Over Competition Brad Garlinghouse has been vocal about the need for a diversified government-backed digital asset reserve, emphasizing that the cryptocurrency industry should not be a "zero-sum game." In a recent discussion, he argued that instead of competing, different digital assets should coexist and contribute to the sector’s overall growth. “If a government digital asset reserve is created, I believe it should be diversified. It should include more than just one token, whether it’s BTC, XRP, or any other,” Garlinghouse stated. As Ripple continue...

  Binance Labs Rebrands to YZi Labs Binance Labs, the venture capital arm of Binance, has officially rebranded as YZi Labs as Changpeng Zhao (CZ) shifts its focus beyond cryptocurrency. This transformation marks a new chapter for the firm as it expands its investment strategy to artificial intelligence (AI), Web3, and biotechnology while maintaining its core involvement in blockchain projects. On January 23, 2025 , YZi Labs was launched with CZ and Ella Zhang at the helm. Zhang, who previously led Binance Labs, played a pivotal role in incubating some of the biggest crypto projects, including Polygon, Injective Protocol, and Dune Analytics . Under the new structure, YZi Labs will continue to support over 250 blockchain startups while diversifying into emerging technologies. A New Vision Beyond Crypto Under its new identity , YZi Labs is no longer a direct subsidiary of Binance but rather a family office , managing an estimated $10 billion in assets for CZ and Binance co-foun...

  JPMorgan anticipates that a spot-based XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF) could attract between $3 billion and $8 billion in inflows. The projection is based on the success of Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, which currently hold 8% and 3% of their respective market caps. Ripple's Monica Long and prominent ETF analysts believe XRP could be next in line for ETF approval, following Bitcoin and Ethereum. The Ripple Effect Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse expressed optimism about the inevitability of an XRP ETF. Industry players like Bitwise and WisdomTree are already preparing proposals, with analysts forecasting potential approval by 2025. Polymarket users estimate a 59% likelihood of XRP ETF approval within the year, with a 50% chance by July 31. Challenges Ahead While optimism grows, regulatory hurdles persist. The U.S. SEC, currently under scrutiny for its approach to cryptocurrency regulation, has yet to greenlight XRP ETF proposals. With SEC Chair Gary Gensler stepping down and a pro-crypto...

    Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has announced that the company now owns over $100 billion worth of XRP , marking a significant milestone for the blockchain-based payments firm. The revelation highlights Ripple’s dominant position in the cryptocurrency ecosystem, especially as the company navigates shifting regulatory landscapes and rising demand for its solutions. Ripple’s $100 Billion XRP Holdings In a recent interview, Garlinghouse confirmed Ripple's ownership of over 72% of the total issued XRP tokens, translating to a valuation exceeding $100 billion. This far surpasses earlier estimates of Ripple’s worth, including a 2024 valuation of $11 billion . Garlinghouse pointed out that such figures no longer reflect the true value of Ripple when its substantial XRP holdings are taken into account. This positions Ripple ahead of major players like MicroStrategy in terms of digital asset holdings, reinforcing its importance in the cryptocurrency market. While MicroStrategy holds a...

  Bybit, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, has officially ceased its operations in Malaysia following directives from the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) . This development highlights the ongoing regulatory challenges faced by global cryptocurrency platforms in adhering to local compliance standards. Regulatory Actions Against Bybit The SC flagged Bybit and its CEO, Ben Zhou, for operating a Digital Asset Exchange (DAX) in Malaysia without proper registration as a Recognized Market Operator (RMO) under the Capital Markets and Services Act 2007. Key Actions Directed by the SC: Disable Access: Bybit was ordered to shut down its website, mobile applications, and any other digital platforms within Malaysia by December 26, 2024 . Cease Advertising: The exchange had to halt all advertisements, both online and offline, targeting Malaysian investors. Terminate Support Groups: Bybit was instructed to close its Malaysian Telegram support group immediately. The SC emphasized that un...

  Bitget’s native token, BGB , surged 11% to set a new all-time high of $3.65 , fueled by Bitget securing a Bitcoin Service Provider (BSP) License in El Salvador . This milestone marks a significant step for the cryptocurrency exchange's global expansion, strengthening bullish sentiment around BGB. Bullish Indicators Signal Uptrend Weighted Sentiment Turns Positive : Market data from Santiment shows BGB’s weighted sentiment crossed above the zero line on December 16 , signaling a positive tone across social media and online platforms. Currently, the sentiment value stands at 0.33 , reflecting increased positive discussions around the altcoin. Elder-Ray Index Confirms Bullish Bias : The Elder-Ray Index, which measures the balance between buying and selling pressure, sits at 1.23 , indicating that buying pressure currently dominates, further supporting a bullish outlook. Price Prediction: BGB Targets $4, but Caution Remains At the time of writing, BGB trades near $3.60 , just be...