Circle, Ripple, Bitgo, Fidelity, and Paxos Conditionally Approved for National Trust Banks

Fidelity has issued a cautionary outlook on the cryptocurrency market as it approaches 2026, highlighting short-term risks for investors while suggesting that long-term holders may still find opportunities to enter. This perspective reflects a significant shift in the crypto landscape, where volatility and uncertainty prevail.

Circle has announced its acquisition of the Interop Labs team and intellectual property, a strategic move aimed at enhancing its crosschain infrastructure and support for multichain applications. This acquisition comes as Axelar remains an independent entity, focusing on its own developments in the cryptocurrency space.

XRP has transitioned from being viewed as a speculative cryptocurrency to a recognized digital asset in regulated markets, reflecting increased legal clarity and institutional interest. This shift is underscored by recent developments from the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and growing demand for compliant blockchain solutions.

Bank of America has forecasted that U.S. banks will begin integrating stablecoins and tokenized deposits by 2027, as the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) establish new regulations to facilitate this transition.

Ripple has emerged victorious in its legal battle with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), with XRP being classified as a non-security. This resolution has shifted the focus from regulatory concerns to Ripple's broader achievements in the cryptocurrency landscape.

Ripple's RLUSD stablecoin has transitioned to Layer 2 networks, marking a significant step as the company accelerates its bullish momentum in regulated on-chain finance. This move follows recent regulatory approvals that enhance the stablecoin's operational framework, particularly in the UAE and the Abu Dhabi Global Market.

XRP has remained stagnant around the $2.00 mark despite significant institutional developments, including Ripple's $300 million venture fund expansion into South Korea and nearly $1 billion in spot ETF inflows. This lack of price movement suggests a disconnect between positive news and market behavior, as XRP's price trends downward on the daily chart.

Ripple has announced plans to launch its RLUSD stablecoin on the Base and Optimism networks via the Wormhole bridge, with an expected rollout in 2026. This expansion aims to enhance the accessibility and utility of RLUSD in various decentralized finance ecosystems.