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  • Ripple (XRP) Poised for Bull Run on Two Key Factors

    Ripple (XRP) Poised for Bull Run on Two Key Factors

    Ripple’s cross-border token, XRP, has seen a 3% decline over the past week and a 7% drop on a monthly basis, currently trading around $1.03 according to CoinGecko.

    Potential Catalysts for a Rally

    Despite the recent downturn, prominent analyst Ali Martinez has identified two key factors that could fuel a potential upcoming rally for XRP.

    Martinez points to the Tom DeMark Sequential indicator, which has generated a buy signal on XRP’s monthly chart. He suggests this could signal a significant shift from bearish to bullish momentum. Historically, this indicator has preceded major reversals for XRP, including substantial price surges in April 2020 (1,074%) and August 2022 (973%). Conversely, it also preceded a 57% nosedive in April 2025 after flashing a sell signal.

    The second catalyst highlighted by Martinez is a notable buying spree among large investors, often referred to as “whales.” He revealed that these major players have acquired over 380 million XRP, valued at nearly $400 million, in the last seven days. This has increased their total holdings to approximately 8.2 billion tokens, representing 13.1% of the asset’s circulating supply. This accumulation is seen as an encouraging sign, potentially indicating preparations for further price appreciation. Such activity could also invigorate broader community enthusiasm and attract smaller investors, injecting fresh capital that may support the price.

    Key Resistance and Price Targets

    Martinez also emphasized the critical resistance level at $1.06, where a significant volume of nearly 3 billion XRP has been transacted. He believes a monthly close above this zone could pave the way for XRP to reach $1.35 and potentially surge to $1.64. This is not the first time Martinez has focused on this price point; earlier this month, he warned that a drop below it could lead to a substantial collapse to as low as $0.62.

    Market Reactions and Technical Indicators

    Late last week, XRP dipped to around $1.02 following news that the CLARITY Act, a proposed crypto regulatory framework in the U.S., would be delayed until September. On X, user Dark Defender observed that this decline pushed XRP’s Relative Strength Index (RSI) into an extremely oversold territory, anticipating a significant revival once the price climbs above $1.05.

    Another analyst, Gerla, also commented on the RSI, noting a bullish divergence. Gerla predicted that a reclaim of the $1.08 level could trigger a “serious reversal” for XRP.

    Meanwhile, X user ChartNerd presented a more optimistic outlook, identifying a multi-year cup-and-handle pattern. This pattern, they suggest, could precede a rally to as high as $27. While this target appears ambitious at present, the future trajectory of the cryptocurrency market remains uncertain.

  • TradFi Perpetual Contracts: Parameter Updates

    TradFi Perpetual Contracts: Parameter Updates

    Bybit Enhances TradFi Perpetual Contracts with Parameter Upgrades

    Bybit is set to introduce a series of parameter upgrades for its TradFi Perpetual Contracts, aiming to bolster trading flexibility and capacity for its users. The enhancements will be rolled out in distinct phases.

    Open Interest Position Limit Adjustment

    Effective August 12, 2026, at 07:30 UTC, the Open Interest (OI) position limit ratio for all TradFi contracts will be raised from 20% to 30%.

    Maximum Leverage Increase

    Beginning August 13, 2026, at 07:30 UTC, several TradFi contracts will see their maximum leverage increase from 20x to 25x.

    Position Value Tier Expansion for 50x Leverage Contracts

    Also effective August 13, 2026, at 07:35 UTC, Bybit will significantly expand the maximum position value at higher leverage tiers for specific contracts that currently offer 50x leverage.

    Limit Order Maximum Size Increase

    Starting August 14, 2026, at 07:30 UTC, the maximum size for a single limit order, encompassing both opening and closing positions, will be increased across all TradFi contracts.

  • Standard Chartered: Tokenization to Propel Chainlink to $200 by 2030

    Standard Chartered: Tokenization to Propel Chainlink to $200 by 2030

    Standard Chartered Initiates Coverage of Chainlink with $200 Price Target by 2030

    Standard Chartered has launched coverage of Chainlink, setting a price target of $200 by the end of 2030. This projection suggests a potential 25-fold increase from its current price of approximately $8, anticipating it to outperform both Bitcoin and Ethereum over the same period.

    Geoff Kendrick, the bank’s global head of digital assets research, outlined a phased approach to this target in a note released Monday. He forecasts a price of $13 by the end of this year, followed by $41, $82, and $133, before ultimately reaching the $200 mark. The same report also projects Bitcoin to reach $500,000 and Ethereum $40,000 by the close of 2030.

    Kendrick anticipates a significant surge in the value of tokenized assets on-chain, estimating a roughly 12-fold increase to $4 trillion by the end of 2028, up from the current $340 billion. Furthermore, assets deployed in decentralized finance (DeFi) are expected to grow 37-fold to $2.7 trillion by 2030. Given that Chainlink earns fees for data delivery and asset transfers between blockchains, the bank forecasts its fee revenue to increase approximately 25 times during this timeframe, with the assumption that the token’s price will mirror this fee growth.

    Chainlink’s established market position is presented as another key factor supporting this outlook. The research note indicates that the total value secured by Chainlink’s oracle network exceeds $110 billion, covering approximately 70% of oracle-dependent value within the global DeFi ecosystem and over 80% on the Ethereum network. Notably, Aave V3 alone accounts for 44% of this secured value.

    Kendrick identified several institutions utilizing Chainlink’s services, including Swift, DTCC, Euroclear, JP Morgan, Mastercard, UBS, Fidelity, and S&P Global. He expects off-chain clients to represent an increasing portion of Chainlink’s fee revenue. The report highlights that tokenized funds and bonds require net asset values, rates, and reserve attestations, making them more data-intensive than crypto-native assets.

    In terms of interoperability, Chainlink is noted to still lag behind LayerZero. The report states that over $7 billion in token value has migrated from legacy bridges to Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) since a $292 million exploit in April. Quarterly CCIP volume reached $4.9 billion in the second quarter, marking a 353% year-on-year increase. Decrypt reported in May that KelpDAO had attributed the exploit to LayerZero and intended to rebuild on Chainlink, a characterization that LayerZero disputes.

    This latest note follows a series of DeFi initiations from Kendrick, all based on the same 37-fold growth forecast. In June, he set price targets of $100 for Uniswap and $3,500 for Aave, followed by a $60 target for Morpho in July. Uniswap’s UNI token saw a double-digit jump after its coverage was initiated. Chainlink’s response has been more subdued, with its LINK token currently trading at $8.25, down 0.8% on the day, according to CoinGecko data.

    The report also flagged potential risks, including slower-than-anticipated scaling of institutional tokenization, pilot programs failing to transition into recurring production workflows, increased competition from specialist providers, and technical failures that could erode confidence.

  • LBank Launches Crypto Resilience Initiative with CertiK Security Partnership

    LBank Launches Crypto Resilience Initiative with CertiK Security Partnership

    LBank Launches Crypto Resilience Initiative to Bolster Platform Security

    Singapore, August 10th, 2026 – LBank has announced the launch of its Crypto Resilience Initiative, a new program aimed at enhancing the security of its platform. As a key component of this initiative, LBank will deepen its collaboration with CertiK, a leading Web3 security services provider. This partnership will involve CertiK’s penetration testing services and LBank’s participation in CertiK’s Bug Bounty program.

    The initiative is designed to fortify LBank’s existing security measures by integrating CertiK’s professional penetration testing capabilities and extensive blockchain security expertise into the exchange’s operational practices.

    As digital assets gain wider adoption, exchanges and blockchain infrastructure providers are increasingly targeted by sophisticated threats. These include cross-chain exploits, smart contract vulnerabilities, and advanced AI-assisted attack techniques. The Crypto Resilience Initiative seeks to promote more proactive security strategies through enhanced technical assessments and the leverage of external blockchain security knowledge.

    “Security is evolving into a more collaborative endeavor,” stated Eric He, Community Angel Officer and Risk Control Advisor at LBank. “As the blockchain ecosystem becomes more interconnected, safeguarding users necessitates not only robust internal controls but also closer industry-wide cooperation. Through the Crypto Resilience Initiative, we are eager to work with CertiK to contribute to a more secure digital asset ecosystem.”

    In addition to external security partnerships, LBank maintains a comprehensive, multi-layered security framework. This framework includes cold wallet custody, multi-signature authorization, behavioral analytics, AI-assisted risk detection, and continuous monitoring, all designed to protect user assets and ensure platform stability.

    Looking ahead, LBank intends to continue its work with CertiK to further develop the Crypto Resilience Initiative. Both companies anticipate that this initiative will foster stronger security practices across the industry and contribute to the long-term resilience of the digital asset ecosystem.

    About CertiK
    CertiK, headquartered in New York, is the largest Web3 security service provider. Since its inception in 2017, the company has become a trusted risk management partner for regulators, institutions, and Web3 innovators globally. CertiK offers AI-powered, full-lifecycle risk management solutions that integrate directly into institutional clients’ system development lifecycles. To date, CertiK has identified over 119,000 vulnerabilities and secured more than $600 billion in digital assets across over 150 countries and regions. Operating under SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001 standards, CertiK actively collaborates with regulators worldwide on digital asset policy development and regulatory consultation.

    About LBank
    Founded in 2015, LBank is a prominent global cryptocurrency exchange serving over 25 million registered users in 160 countries and regions. With a daily trading volume exceeding $23.81 billion and a decade of operation without security incidents, LBank is committed to delivering a comprehensive and user-friendly trading experience. The platform’s innovative trading solutions have enabled users to achieve average returns of over 130% on newly listed assets. LBank lists more than 300 mainstream cryptocurrencies and over 50 high-potential altcoins. Recognized for its rapid altcoin listings, unmatched liquidity, and industry-first trading guarantees, LBank is a preferred platform for crypto investors worldwide.

  • OKX Halts USDC Deposits/Withdrawals on Aptos for Maintenance

    OKX Halts USDC Deposits/Withdrawals on Aptos for Maintenance

    Scheduled Wallet Maintenance for USDC on Aptos Network

    Suspension

    Deposits and withdrawals for USDC on the Aptos network will be suspended starting at 06:00 AM UTC on July 8, 2026.

    Resumption

    Services will resume once the wallet maintenance is completed. A separate announcement will not be issued for this.

    No Action Required

    Holders of related tokens on this network do not need to take any action. Your assets will remain secure during the wallet maintenance period.

    Important Notes

    Trading of related tokens will not be affected. However, users are advised to be aware of potential risks in spot, margin, and derivatives trading of crypto assets. It is recommended to increase margin in advance to mitigate risk.

    For the safety of your assets, please refrain from depositing or withdrawing USDC during the wallet maintenance to prevent any potential loss of funds.

  • BIP-110 Soft Fork Fails After Two Blocks

    BIP-110 Soft Fork Fails After Two Blocks

    Bitcoin Soft Fork Fails to Gain Traction, Mines Only Two Blocks

    A Bitcoin soft fork designed around BIP-110 has effectively collapsed after splitting from the main chain following block 961,632 this week. The initiative, backed by the mining pool Roughnecks, managed to mine just two blocks before the overwhelming majority of the network’s hashpower abandoned it.

    The intended purpose of the split was to test whether a determined group of node operators could compel miners to adhere to stricter rules regarding data spam. However, the outcome demonstrated the limited influence a minority possesses when the network’s hashrate refuses to cooperate.

    BIP-110 required miners to signal their support by block 961,632, after which a mandatory signaling rule would take effect. When AntPool mined the first block without the required signal, nodes running Bitcoin Knots diverged onto their own chain. Roughnecks successfully mined blocks 961,632 and 961,633 on this alternative branch, but no further blocks were found. Meanwhile, Bitcoin’s original chain continued its regular progression, reaching block 961,651 within approximately a day, establishing an 18-block lead.

    The divergence was primarily dictated by mining difficulty. Bitcoin’s mining difficulty had recently adjusted to 127.48 terahashes, a target that both chains inherited. With only a minuscule fraction of the total hashpower supporting the BIP-110 branch, blocks were found at a significantly slower rate than the network’s typical ten-minute interval.

    Matthew Kratter, a proponent of BIP-110, acknowledged that the minority chain would require “massive change” to regain parity. This change never materialized. By the time Michael Saylor commented on the situation, he estimated the gap to be over 80 blocks, stating that approximately 99.85 percent of Bitcoin’s hashpower remained on the main chain.

    Lyn Alden echoed this sentiment on August 9, noting that the majority of miners, economic nodes, and exchanges continued to operate on the non-forked chain. “It’s not that miners are in control,” she wrote. “The fork just didn’t have consensus.”

    Supporters of BIP-110 have contested this assessment. Luke Dashjr wrote on August 9 that claims of the proposal’s failure were inaccurate. Earlier, he had argued that BIP-110 faced no opposition because no counter-fork had emerged.

    However, Roughnecks issued a tweet requesting that miners on the BIP-110 chain cease operations under the current algorithm until further notice. Investor Fred Krueger pointed out that the block lead had widened from “153 to 2.”

    Bitcoin’s price remained largely unaffected by these developments. BTC traded around $65,000, showing a modest daily increase and nearly 4% gain for the week, though still down approximately 45% from a year prior.

    The underlying dispute stems from Bitcoin Core’s decision to remove its previous limit on OP_RETURN data. This change allowed for the inclusion of more non-monetary data, such as Ordinals and Runes, in blocks, which BIP-110 proponents wanted to reserve exclusively for payment transactions.

    Farside Investors had previously warned of potential risks associated with the proposed fix. Wallets utilizing Miniscript could still generate addresses based on Taproot scripts slated for deprecation, rendering any bitcoin sent to them unspendable after activation. Pay-to-public-key outputs, an older script format holding over 1.7 million BTC, also faced new restrictions, although existing holdings remained spendable.

    Not all supporters of BIP-110’s objectives agreed with the execution of this attempt. Writer Secure Sovereign, who backed the underlying fix but not this specific activation strategy, stated that the effort left BIP-110 as “a distant minority with no realistic path to catching the main chain,” arguing that miners never faced a genuine risk of being forked off themselves.

    Days later, Bitcoin developer Murch initiated proceedings to remove Luke Dashjr from his role as a BIP editor, citing his handling of the proposal as a conflict of interest. This dispute is ongoing on Bitcoin’s mailing list.

  • Robinhood Launches Zero-Fee Crypto Trading in UK

    Robinhood Launches Zero-Fee Crypto Trading in UK

    Robinhood Expands to UK Crypto Market with Fee-Free Trading

    Robinhood has officially launched cryptocurrency trading for its UK investors, broadening its service offerings beyond stocks, options, and futures in the region. The new feature is set to roll out to eligible customers this week via Bitstamp UK Ltd.

    Diverse Digital Asset Offering

    UK users will gain access to trading capabilities for more than 50 digital assets, including prominent cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP, alongside others like Hyperliquid. Robinhood has stated that this crypto trading service will come with no trading, account maintenance, or custody fees. However, customers will incur a 0.1% foreign exchange (FX) fee, which will rise to 0.3% on weekends.

    Strategic Expansion and Investor Sentiment

    Jordan Sinclair, President of Robinhood UK LTD and General Manager of Bitstamp UK LTD, commented on the launch, stating, “A new wave of UK investors sees digital assets as an important part of a diversified portfolio. With today’s launch, we’re taking another major step toward becoming the all-in-one investment platform for the UK.”

    AI-Powered Market Insights

    In addition to the trading service, Robinhood is introducing “Cortex Digests for Crypto.” This new AI-powered feature is designed to provide users with concise summaries of market news, technical indicators, and key factors influencing individual cryptocurrency assets.

    Broader Company Developments

    The announcement arrives at a significant juncture for Robinhood, as its proprietary Robinhood Chain continues to garner attention. Since its global debut, the network has reportedly facilitated over $18 billion in decentralized exchange (DEX) trading volume, with its total value locked (TVL) exceeding $840 million. Furthermore, recent reports indicate that the Robinhood Chain has become the largest blockchain by the number of real-world asset (RWA) holders.

  • Cysic (CYS) Hits Record High After Upbit Listing

    Cysic (CYS) Hits Record High After Upbit Listing

    Cysic Token Surges to Record High on South Korean Exchange Listing, Sparks Insider Trading Concerns

    In a cryptocurrency market largely characterized by stagnation, even minor price movements from smaller-cap altcoins can capture significant attention. Cysic’s CYS token provided today’s notable example, experiencing a dramatic surge before a sharp decline.

    The CYS token experienced a remarkable ascent, climbing over 60% from its previous day’s low of $0.8 to reach a new all-time high of $1.30. However, this peak was short-lived, as the token was subsequently rejected and fell sharply to $0.92 by press time. The primary driver for this volatility appeared to be a significant listing on Upbit, a major South Korean cryptocurrency exchange.

    The timing of the rally has drawn scrutiny. Analysis of trading charts indicates that the most substantial price spike occurred around 23:00 UTC on August 9, when the asset touched $1.30. This preceded the official announcement of the Upbit listing on X, which was published hours later, after 03:00 UTC on August 10. Trading pairs against BTC and USDT commenced at 14:00 KST (05:00 UTC), prompting speculation on Crypto X regarding potential insider trading.

    Despite these concerns, the token’s trajectory exemplifies a common “pump-and-dump” pattern. CYS, representing a decentralized infrastructure project focused on building “ComputeFi,” has emerged as one of the most volatile assets in an otherwise subdued market.

    Listings on Upbit have historically led to immediate price increases for the associated tokens, often followed by retracements. In early May, this publication reported on a similar event when Upbit listed B3, the native token of a layer-3 blockchain network built on Base. At that time, B3’s price surged by triple digits, reaching $0.0021. Currently, B3 is trading approximately 80% below that local peak, struggling to maintain a price below $0.00045, according to CoinGecko data.

  • Crypto Whales Accumulate as Bear Market Nears End

    Crypto Whales Accumulate as Bear Market Nears End

    Large Holders Accumulate Bitcoin, Ether, and XRP Amid Market Weakness

    Large holders of Bitcoin, Ether, and XRP have continued to increase their positions during the recent period of market weakness, according to analytics firm CryptoQuant.

    In its weekly report, titled “Buying the Bear: A Signal of the Bear Market’s Final Stage,” the firm analyzed the recent accumulation patterns among the largest wallets. CryptoQuant stated that this steady buying behavior is often observed during the closing stages of a bear market.

    For Bitcoin, wallets associated with major holders, excluding exchanges and miners, have expanded their collective balance to approximately 3.06 million BTC this year. The pace of buying accelerated after Bitcoin dipped below $60,000 in June, although current holdings remain below the peak reached in the 2025 cycle.

    Ethereum has demonstrated an even more pronounced accumulation trend among its largest holders. Wallets holding between 10,000 and 100,000 ETH have reached a record high of 19.6 million ETH. Meanwhile, addresses with over 100,000 ETH have added roughly 1.8 million ETH since mid-2025, marking an increase of approximately 70% in their holdings.

    This accumulation trend among large holders stands in contrast to the activity seen among smaller Ethereum holders. CryptoQuant noted that wallets outside these major groups have reduced their combined balance by about 2.7 million ETH since January, indicating a widening divergence between large and small-scale holders.

    A similar pattern has also been observed in XRP, where significant holders have continued to bolster their positions despite prevailing fears and liquidation events.

    The recent accumulation by these large holders occurs as all three assets are trading near key realized price levels. Realized price, which estimates the average acquisition cost for holders, is a widely used metric for assessing market cycles.

    Bitcoin was trading around $65,000, compared to its realized price of approximately $52,900. Ether changed hands near $1,920 against a realized price of about $2,450. XRP was trading near $1.04, with a realized price of approximately $0.75. CryptoQuant described these levels as consistent with conditions typically seen in the late stages of a bear market.

    According to CryptoQuant, the combination of whale accumulation and prices trading near realized values aligns with the closing phase of a bear market. The firm cautioned, however, that further downside is still possible before a definitive market bottom is confirmed.

  • Wall Street Dominates Crypto Spot Market, Driving 72% of Flow

    Wall Street Dominates Crypto Spot Market, Driving 72% of Flow

    Institutional Investors Dominate Crypto Markets, Shifting Trading Dynamics

    Institutional investors now represent a significant majority of cryptocurrency trading activity, reshaping market dynamics and reducing volatility, according to a new report from digital asset trading firm Wintermute. In the first half of 2026, institutional investors accounted for 72% of Wintermute’s spot over-the-counter (OTC) crypto flow, a notable increase from 59% a year prior.

    Concentration and Derivatives Drive Institutional Strategy

    The firm’s analysis indicates that professional investors are fundamentally altering the crypto landscape by focusing on a narrower selection of assets and increasingly utilizing derivatives. This strategic shift is contributing to a dampening of the extreme price swings that were once characteristic of retail-driven trading.

    Wintermute’s “1H26 OTC Report” revealed that institutional counterparties, encompassing hedge funds, digital asset treasuries, asset managers, and family offices, constituted 72% of the spot flow on its desk between January and June. This figure marks a substantial rise from 61% in the latter half of 2025 and 59% in the first half of 2025.

    The report highlights that institutional activity has reached a scale capable of influencing market direction and token performance. “Institutions are now the clear drivers of Wintermute’s OTC flow,” the firm stated, adding that their trading habits are actively reshaping how liquidity is distributed across the cryptocurrency ecosystem.

    A Narrower Focus on Key Assets

    One of the most pronounced changes observed is the institutional tendency to concentrate their trading on a more limited set of tokens. Between the first half of 2024 and the first half of 2026, the number of unique tokens traded by institutional counterparties saw a modest increase of just 24%. In contrast, retail traders expanded their engagement across 76% more unique tokens during the same period.

    Wintermute noted that this trend has led to a market where liquidity is increasingly consolidated within a smaller group of assets. Furthermore, institutional investors have demonstrably shifted more of their exposure into derivatives. The notional volume of altcoin options on Wintermute’s desk surged by 3.4 times between the second half of 2025 and the first half of 2026, as investors employed options strategies to generate yield.

    Reduced Volatility Linked to Institutional Influx

    The report also draws a correlation between increased institutional participation and a reduction in market volatility. Bitcoin’s realized volatility, for instance, has reportedly fallen from nearly 70% in 2025 to approximately 45% currently.

    Evgeny Gaevoy, CEO of Wintermute, commented to Bloomberg Crypto that institutions are fundamentally altering the behavior of the cryptocurrency market as they become a more dominant force in trading activity. The firm observed, “As the patient cohort grows, it is draining crypto of the volatility that once made the asset class so compelling to retail.”

    Bitcoin’s Steady Decline Amidst Institutional Shift

    Despite a prolonged downturn that has seen Bitcoin drop roughly 49% from its October peak above $126,000 last year, this decline has been characterized by relative steadiness, with fewer sudden and extreme price plunges compared to previous crypto winters. At the time of reporting, the flagship cryptocurrency was trading near $65,000, with minimal movement in the preceding 24 hours and a modest 1% increase over the past seven days, according to data from CoinGecko.

    These findings align with a broader trend of traditional financial institutions building out their cryptocurrency infrastructure this year. Notably, Morgan Stanley announced earlier this year its intention to introduce crypto trading on its E*Trade Platform, and the asset management firm also recently launched some of the most cost-effective ETH and SOL ETFs in the market.