Binance Coin stalls as BNB Smart Chain surges past Ethereum and Solana

Coinbase, a major cryptocurrency exchange, is catching flak for sponsoring a military parade celebrating the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday—an event tied to President Trump and held during nationwide "No Kings" protests. Critics argue this move clashes with crypto’s rebellious, anti-establishment origins, sparking a heated conversation about whether the industry is drifting toward mainstream politics.

Editor’s Note: Crypto was born as a counterculture movement, skeptical of centralized power. Coinbase’s alignment with a politically charged event feels like a betrayal to some, raising bigger questions: Can crypto grow up without selling out? This isn’t just about one parade—it’s about what the industry stands for as it gains influence.

Ripple’s CEO is making a bold claim: He predicts that within five years, XRP—the cryptocurrency tied to Ripple’s payment network—could capture 14% of the transaction volume currently handled by SWIFT, the decades-old global banking messaging system. If true, it would mark a seismic shift in how money moves across borders, with crypto eating into traditional finance’s turf.

Editor’s Note: SWIFT has been the backbone of international payments for decades, but it’s slow and expensive. Ripple’s bet here is that banks and businesses will increasingly ditch the old system for faster, cheaper crypto-based alternatives like XRP. Whether this prediction pans out depends on regulation, tech adoption, and whether traditional finance players actually embrace the change—but it’s a sign that crypto’s role in global payments is getting harder to ignore.

Bitcoin’s price is holding steady after its recent rollercoaster ride, while broader macroeconomic trends—like inflation fears and shifting Fed policies—are stealing the spotlight. It’s a classic "pause and reassess" moment for crypto, with traders watching how traditional markets might sway Bitcoin’s next move.

Editor’s Note: Bitcoin isn’t crashing or soaring—it’s just chilling for now. But don’t tune out: what happens next depends heavily on big-picture stuff like interest rates and investor sentiment. If macro conditions get rocky, crypto could feel the aftershocks. For hodlers, it’s a waiting game.

US Senator Cynthia Lummis criticized the Federal Reserve's recent crypto decision as "just lip service," arguing it doesn't represent real progress. Meanwhile, SEC Chair Paul Atkins spoke at an agency roundtable, and Circle executive Dante Disparte denied rumors about the company seeking a US federal bank charter. The crypto industry's optimism over softened Fed guidance may be premature, according to Lummis.

Bitcoin's price is stuck in a holding pattern, wobbling around the $105,000 mark without much conviction. The usual bullish energy seems to be fading, and traders are eyeing a key support level that, if broken, could signal more trouble ahead. Meanwhile, the broader crypto market is feeling the ripple effects of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, adding another layer of uncertainty.

Editor’s Note: Bitcoin's stability—or lack thereof—often sets the tone for the entire crypto market. If it loses this critical support level, we could see a broader dip, spooking investors already on edge due to global unrest. For anyone with skin in the crypto game, this is a moment to watch closely.