• The Most Published News
CME Group to Launch $XRP Futures on May 19: CME Group announced it will begin offering $XRP futures contracts pending regulatory approval. Contracts will come in two sizes—2,500 $XRP (micro) and 50,000 $XRP (large)—with cash settlement using the CME CF $XRP-Dollar Reference Rate. This addition signals rising institutional interest in $XRP derivatives and expands CME’s crypto product suite beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum futures.

• Current Market Trends
Bitcoin Surges Above $94,000 on U.S.-China Tariff Easing Optimism: Bitcoin rallied to $94,700, breaking a crucial technical resistance at $92,900 amid expectations of eased tariffs between the U.S. and China. Institutional inflows remain strong, evidenced by a record $1.54 billion net input into U.S. Bitcoin spot ETFs, although futures markets show some caution.
Expiring $8.05 Billion in Bitcoin & Ethereum Options May Increase Short-Term Volatility: The expiry of $8.05 billion worth of Bitcoin and Ethereum options today introduces near-term price uncertainty. The “max pain” price levels for Bitcoin stand at $86,000 and for Ethereum at $1,900, suggesting potential price consolidation before a renewed directional move.

• Regulations and Policies
U.S. SEC Delays Decision on @Grayscale Spot Polkadot ETF: The SEC has postponed its ruling on Grayscale’s spot Polkadot ETF application, prolonging regulatory uncertainty around crypto ETFs. Investors should monitor ongoing developments as approvals or denials could influence market sentiment.
House Prepares Crypto Market Structure Bill to Shift Oversight from SEC to CFTC: A new legislative draft is expected soon proposing to transfer crypto regulatory authority from the SEC to the CFTC, potentially drawing on provisions similar to the FIT21 act. The bill aims for clearer oversight and includes bipartisan backing and focus on stablecoin regulation.
Federal Reserve, OCC, and FDIC Withdraw Previous Crypto Guidance to Banks: US banking regulators have rescinded previous warnings requiring banks to pre-approve crypto-related activities. Responsibility is now deferred to individual banks while awaiting new Congressional legislation, a regulatory adjustment that may enable more flexible banking innovation around crypto services.

• Technology and Innovation
@Mantle_Official and Securitize Launch $400 Million Tokenized Crypto Index Fund: The MI4 Tokenized Crypto Index Fund, anchored by $400 million from Mantle Treasury, offers diversified exposure to major digital assets and stablecoins. Using on-chain yield strategies and traditional index fund frameworks, it targets institutional investors and bridges decentralized finance with conventional markets.
Polygon’s Agglayer Breakout Program Combines Incubation with Strategic Funding: This initiative addresses the “cold-start” challenge for new chains by providing projects mentorship, financial incentives, and token airdrops, aiming to amplify Polygon’s ecosystem growth and token utility across aggregated Layer 2 solutions.

• Institutional Investor News
Crypto VC firm @paradigm has invested $50 million in decentralized AI startup @NousResearch. The investment values the startup's token at $1 billion, as reported on X by Unfolded. This move reflects growing institutional interest in the intersection of decentralized technology and artificial intelligence.
Senator and Former Bridgewater CEO Dave McCormick Increases Bitcoin Investment: McCormick has added $310,000–$700,000 more to his Bitcoin holdings via the Bitwise Bitcoin ETF, nearing $1 million in total investment. His dual role as a legislator on the Senate Banking Committee signals increasing political engagement in crypto regulatory frameworks.

• Market Forecasts and Expert Opinions
Citigroup Predicts Stablecoin Market Could Reach $1.6–$3.7 Trillion by 2030: Citigroup’s report outlines a base and bullish scenario for stablecoin growth, with the market hitting $1.6 trillion and potentially $3.7 trillion by 2030. The report highlights 2025 as a pivotal “ChatGPT moment” for blockchain, driven by rising adoption and regulatory clarity. It warns that failure to clear adoption hurdles could limit growth to $500 billion, emphasizing stablecoins’ potential to disrupt traditional banking.
Experts Anticipate Increased Volatility Due to Massive Options Expiry: Analysts expect that today’s $8.05 billion Bitcoin and Ethereum options expiration will create short-term market gyrations, though indicators still reflect longer-term bullish market confidence shaped by macroeconomic and institutional flows.

• Conclusion
Today’s crypto ecosystem is marked by strong institutional participation, as evidenced by CME’s XRP futures launch plans and record ETF inflows into Bitcoin. Market optimism is bolstered by positive macro signals like anticipated easing of U.S.-China tariffs, pushing Bitcoin prices past key technical barriers. However, investors should remain mindful of short-term volatility risks associated with large options expiries and regulatory delays, particularly concerning crypto ETFs like Grayscale’s Polkadot product. Legislative efforts to refine regulatory authority signal potential changes ahead, making continuous monitoring essential. Institutional-focused innovations such as Mantle’s $400M tokenized fund and Polygon’s incubator program highlight expanding infrastructure and adoption pathways. Retail investors are advised to maintain balanced portfolios, stay attentive to evolving regulations, and consider long-term trends underpinning digital assets while preparing for near-term price swings.

Daily crypto market update is an AI summarization of important news published in major crypto media in the last 24 hours at the time of sending. The full news story can be found at the URL below.
http://ns3.ai/top-news