XRP is the best-performing asset in the crypto top 50 by market capitalization, with a gain of more than 13% on the day. As a result, the cross-border payment token reached an intraday high of $2.87 during trading in Asia on Wednesday morning. XRP has neared its peak from this cycle, which was close to a 7-year high and is currently around 17% away from its all-time high, following a slight pullback to $2.80 at the time of writing. Over the past fortnight, XRP has gained around 33%, while the rest of the altcoins have lost ground. XRP Whales Accumulating On Jan. 15, Santiment reported that the move was being supported by “continued enormous accumulation from wallets holding 1 million to 10 million XRP.” These whales own over 37% more coins than they did two months ago, it added before stating that this equated to approximately $3.8 billion in XRP added since their accumulation began on November 12. XRP investors are pleased to see the #3 market cap asset reach $2.69 today for the first time since December 17, 2024. This is being supported by continued enormous accumulation from wallets holding 1M-10M XRP, who own over 37% more coins than they did 2 months ago… pic.twitter.com/G3a3N5iSAS — Santiment (@santimentfeed) January 14, 2025 In a separate post on X on Jan. 15, Santiment said that there was increased optimism over the asset’s potential use in banking and financial transactions before adding: “There are predictions of significant price increases and market cap growth, as well as speculation surrounding potential ETF approvals that could lead to substantial investments in XRP.” XRP’s market capitalization is currently $160 billion, which ranks it third among all crypto assets but still a long way behind Ethereum and Bitcoin. Nevertheless, the Securities and Exchange Commission has refused to postpone the filing of a brief as part of the agency’s appeal of a judgment against the fintech firm. Ripple’s chief legal officer Stuart Alderoty said it was a “waste of time and taxpayer dollars” since Gary Gensler’s war on crypto was ending with him stepping down next week. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse concurred, adding that Gensler was “very much on brand” and fully committed to his “failed regulation-by-enforcement agenda to the bitter, bitter end.” Gensler, very much on brand – completely dismissive of the 2024 election and the American public – fully commits to his failed ‘regulation-by-enforcement agenda to the bitter, bitter end. #Sad https://t.co/1FEzB8d13o — Brad Garlinghouse (@bgarlinghouse) January 14, 2025 Other Altcoins Outperforming Dogecoin (DOGE) was also performing well, with a 5% gain to top $0.36, while Cardano (ADA) made 6% on the day to reclaim the $1 level. Meanwhile, Ripple sibling Stellar Lumens (XLM) spiked 8% to tap $0.47. AI-related tokens got a boost from a recent report by Franklin Templeton, predicting that AI agents would revolutionize social media content generation this year. The post XRP Nears ATH Levels: Just 17% Away Amid Whale Accumulation and SEC Resistance appeared first on CryptoPotato .
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DRV is now available for funding & trading!
We’re thrilled to announce that DRV is now available for funding and trading on Kraken! Funding and trading DRV funding and trading is live as of 12:00 AM UTC today, January 15, 2025. To add an asset to your Kraken account, navigate to Funding, select the asset you’re after, and hit ‘Deposit’. Make sure to deposit your tokens into networks supported by Kraken. Deposits made using other networks will be lost. Trade on Kraken The new token is tradeable on Kraken and Kraken Pro with the following parameters: Asset Pair Price decimal precision Minimum order size Minimum deposit DRV USD, EUR 0.0001 25 25 Note: Trading via Kraken App and Instant Buy will be available once the liquidity conditions are met (when a sufficient number of buyers and sellers have entered the market for their orders to be efficiently matched). DRV is not available in DE . Here’s some more information about these assets: Derive (DRV) is the native token of Derive, a decentralized derivatives exchange. Derive provides access to options, perpetual futures and more recently AI-enabled trading features, enabling users to hedge risks and speculate on different types of crypto assets without relying on traditional intermediaries. The DRV token is used for governance , collateralization, and incentivizing participation in the Derive ecosystem. Ready to trade but don’t have a Kraken account yet? Sign up today ! Get Started with Kraken Will Kraken make more assets available? Yes! But our policy is to never reveal any details until shortly before launch – including which assets we are considering. All of Kraken’s available tokens can be found here , and all future tokens will be announced on our Listings Roadmap and social media profiles . Our client engagement specialists cannot answer any questions about which assets we may be making available in the future. These materials are for general information purposes only and are not investment advice or a recommendation or solicitation to buy, sell, stake or hold any cryptoasset or to engage in any specific trading strategy. Kraken does not and will not work to increase or decrease the price of any particular cryptoasset it makes available. Some crypto products and markets are regulated and others are unregulated; regardless, Kraken may or may not be required to be registered or otherwise authorised to provide specific products and services in each market, and you may not be protected by government compensation and/or regulatory protection schemes. The unpredictable nature of the cryptoasset markets can lead to loss of funds. Tax may be payable on any return and/or on any increase in the value of your cryptoassets and you should seek independent advice on your taxation position. Geographic restrictions may apply. See Legal Disclosures for each jurisdiction here . The post DRV is now available for funding & trading! appeared first on Kraken Blog . Crypto Potato
Gary Gensler: SEC Has Never Declared Bitcoin or Ethereum as Securities
Gary Gensler: SEC Has Never Declared Bitcoin or Ethereum as Securities In a recent Yahoo Finance interview , Gary Gensler , Chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), clarified a long-standing misconception surrounding Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH). Gensler stated that neither he nor his predecessor, Jay Clayton , had ever labeled Bitcoin or Ethereum as securities . Furthermore, Gensler noted that the SEC itself has refrained from definitively classifying these assets as securities, citing the commission’s mandate and the unique characteristics of these tokens. What Did Gensler Say? Bitcoin and Ethereum’s Status Gensler emphasized that the SEC has never declared Bitcoin or Ethereum as securities . He explained that the nature of the SEC’s work prevents the commission from definitively classifying these tokens as securities. Historical Context Gensler pointed out that investors had access to Bitcoin and Ethereum long before exchange-traded fund (ETF) products involving these assets were launched. This highlights their decentralized origins and their adoption as non-securities by market participants. Why Bitcoin and Ethereum Are Treated Differently Bitcoin’s Decentralization Creation Without Issuers: Bitcoin was created through a decentralized process, with no central authority or initial coin offering (ICO). Global Consensus: Its decentralized nature has led regulators to treat it as a commodity rather than a security. Ethereum’s Evolution Initial Fundraising Questions: While Ethereum’s 2014 ICO sparked some initial scrutiny, its transition to a decentralized network has distanced it from traditional securities classifications. Regulatory Silence: The SEC’s lack of an official declaration on Ethereum reflects the complexity of applying securities laws to blockchain-based assets. Gensler’s Comments in Context Investor Misconceptions Gensler’s clarification comes amid ongoing debates about the classification of cryptocurrencies and regulatory oversight. His statement aims to dispel the notion that the SEC has taken a definitive stance on Bitcoin or Ethereum as securities. SEC’s Mandate Case-by-Case Basis: The SEC evaluates assets individually to determine whether they meet the criteria of a security under the Howey Test . Non-Definitive Statements: Due to this approach, broad classifications of cryptocurrencies remain rare. Implications for Bitcoin and Ethereum Investors Regulatory Clarity Gensler’s remarks reaffirm that Bitcoin and Ethereum are unlikely to face regulatory challenges as securities, ensuring continued confidence among investors. Market Dynamics ETF Adoption: The approval of Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs demonstrates their acceptance as legitimate investment assets. Institutional Interest: Continued regulatory ambiguity may slow institutional adoption for newer tokens but reassures confidence in Bitcoin and Ethereum. The Broader Debate on Crypto Regulation Other Cryptocurrencies Under Scrutiny While Bitcoin and Ethereum enjoy regulatory leeway, many altcoins face questions regarding their status as securities. Recent SEC enforcement actions have targeted ICOs and tokens deemed to have violated securities laws. Future Clarity Comprehensive Frameworks: As the crypto market evolves, regulatory agencies may introduce clearer guidelines for digital asset classification. Role of Congress: Legislative action could provide the definitive clarity that the SEC currently avoids. Conclusion Gary Gensler’s assertion that neither Bitcoin nor Ethereum has been officially labeled as securities by the SEC underscores their unique status in the cryptocurrency market. While regulatory uncertainty persists for many digital assets, Bitcoin and Ethereum continue to enjoy broad acceptance due to their decentralized nature and established market presence. As crypto regulations evolve, these flagship cryptocurrencies remain key pillars of the digital asset ecosystem. To learn more about the innovative startups shaping the future of the crypto industry, explore our article on latest news, where we delve into the most promising ventures and their potential to disrupt traditional industries. Crypto Potato