Nasdaq filed a proposed rule change with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under Rule 19b-4 on June 2, 2024. Nasdaq is broadening the benchmark for digital assets by adding prominent altcoins XRP, Solana (SOL), Stellar Lumens (XLM), and Cardano (ADA).
TheĀ proposalĀ is made to allow the Hashdex Nasdaq Crypto Index US ETF (NCIQ) to shift from its existing benchmark, the Nasdaq Crypto US Settlement Price Index (NCIUS). The ETF would instead use a broader benchmark called the Nasdaq Crypto Index (NCI).
Nasdaq recently refreshed the NCIUS by adding four new coins: XRP, Solana (SOL), Cardano (ADA), and Stellar Lumens (XLM). These are in addition to Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), which are now index constituents, making the benchmark more reflective of the wider crypto market.
However, due to existing SEC laws, the Hasdex ETF at present only holds BTC and ETH. This introduces a tracking error risk since the ETF tracks an index of six assets but invests in only two. Hashdex uses a sampling mechanism to reduce this mismatch, although complete alignment with the index is not guaranteed.
The NCI currently includes 9 cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), XRP, Solana (SOL), Cardano (ADA), Stellar Lumens (XLM), Chainlink (LINK), Litecoin (LTC), and Uniswap (UNI).
If the SEC gives its approval, the ETF will be permitted to invest in all of these coins. The SEC will make a final determination by November 2, 2025. Approval could mark a major step toward greater flexibility and diversification in U.S.-listed crypto ETFs.
Here Are Projected Timelines for XRP to Hit $50, $150, and $250
XRP could claim two to three-digit price levels in the next few years, according to several sources such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Changelly.
Currently, XRP trades at $2.18, holding steady despite recent market volatility. Earlier this year, the token peaked at $3.40 before dipping, but it has consistently stayed above the $2 support, awaiting a catalyst to break upward.Ā
Interestingly, this resilience, alongside XRPās growing utility and potential to dominate the mainstream payment scene, has kept investor confidence strong, fueling bullish predictions about XRPās long-term potential. Some of these predictions includeĀ rallies to $50, $150, andĀ even $250.
ChatGPT Predicts When XRP Can Reach $50, $150, and $250
Responding to the question, ChatGPT first calculated the market caps required for XRP to reach these price points, assuming its circulating supply of 58.82 billion tokens stays the same.Ā
Specifically,Ā to reach $50, XRP would need a market cap of about $2.94 trillion.Ā At $150, it would need to grow to $8.82 trillion, and $250 would require a $14.7 trillionĀ market cap.Ā For context, Bitcoin currently has a market cap of around $2 trillion, and the total crypto market valuation is $3.27 trillion.
SOL Strategies Files $1B Shelf Prospectus to Boost Solana Investment 'Flexibility'
SOL Strategies has filed a $1 billion initial shelf filing to expand its capital-raising flexibility as it deepens its investment in Solana.
In brief
SOL Strategies filed a $1 billion preliminary base shelf prospectus to expand its capital-raising options.
The filing gives the company flexibility to issue various securities over time, including shares and debt.
No immediate offerings are planned, but the move positions SOL Strategies to act quickly on Solana-related opportunities.
SOL Strategies, a Canadian public company focused on the Solana blockchain, has filed a $1 billion preliminary short-form base shelf prospectus as it doubles down on its investments in the world's sixth-largest crypto.
The company said the move aims to provide it with increased āfinancial flexibilityā to capitalize on emerging opportunities within the Solana ecosystem, according to aĀ filingĀ on Tuesday.
In other words, the move will allow SOL Strategies to prepare for potential capital raises, allowing it to move quickly on investment opportunities in the Solana ecosystem without delay due to additional regulatory approvals.
The document was submitted to securities regulators in all Canadian provinces and territories, and once finalized, will permit the company to make offerings of a variety of instruments, including common shares, debt securities, warrants, and subscription receipts.
Investor profit-taking eroded Bitcoinās bullish momentum and opened the doors to a price consolidation phase. Will traders buy altcoins at a discount?
Key point:
Bitcoinās market structure is still bullish, even as a phase of profit taking and consolidation sets in.
BitcoinĀ
BTC
$108,278
Ā remains pinned below the breakout level of $109,588, indicating that the bears are fiercely defending the level. Bitfinex analysts said in a market note that profit-taking generally follows after Bitcoin hits a new all-time high after a sharp rally. The report added that aĀ mild retracement or consolidation would be healthyĀ and lay the foundation for the next leg higher.
Glassnode had a similar view. In its latest report, the market intelligence company said that the relative strength indicator (RSI) has weakened,Ā suggesting easing momentum, which could lead to āa potential pause or reversal in the recent bullish trend.ā
Even if a correction happens, dips are likely to be purchased. Material Indicators co-founder Keith Alan remains bullish as Bitcoin continues to trade above $100,000, and the whales are accumulating. He expectsĀ Bitcoin to find support near the $94,000Ā level.Ā
What are the critical levels to watch out for in Bitcoin and altcoins? Letās analyze the charts of the top 10 cryptocurrencies to find out.
Hereās XRP Price If Ripple Surpasses Google, Apple, and Microsoft after IPO
XRP price could surge dramatically if it witnesses proportionate growth in a scenario where Ripple overtakes Google, Apple, and Microsoft after its IPO.
Ripple has recently been the subject of much attention as talks about a possible initial public offering (IPO) grow louder. These discussions come despite the companyās CEO Brad GarlinghouseĀ suggestingĀ they are not immediately considering an IPO.
Rippleās Current Position
According to estimates from notice.co, Ripple currently has a pre-IPO valuation of about $10.88 billion. However, this number is still speculative, and no official statement confirms it.
Looking at the broader tech space, Ripple would have a long way to go to catch up following its IPO. Microsoft stands as the most valuable company in the world, with a market cap of $3.376 trillion. Apple follows at third with $3.155 trillion, and Google holds a $2.021 trillion valuation, being fifth.
Meanwhile, even though XRP operates independently of Ripple, any developments involving the company tend to affect investor sentiment around the asset. As a result, many believe ifĀ Ripple goes public, it could lead to a boost in XRP price.Ā
2.02 Billion in 24 Hours, XRP Enters Rare Distress Mode
XRP open interest tops $4.7 billion as rebound optimism returns to market
XRP has seen notable activity in the last 24 hours that signals distress for the altcoin. The assetās open interest has suffered a huge decline in the crypto market. As per CoinGlass data, XRP plunged by 6.67% within this time frame.
Sharp decline in XRP open interest raises investor concerns Notably, XRP recorded $4.78 billion in open interest as investors committed 2.03 billion XRP to the asset's futures contracts. Although this volume is significant, the over 6% drop suggests a massive loss of confidence by XRP investors.
For context, open interest refers to the total number of active futures contracts that have not been settled. A notable drop in this metric signals the asset could be in distress. This concern is reflected in the coin's current price outlook. As of this writing, XRP was changing hands at $2.33, representing a 3.50% decline in the last 24 hours. The coin has continued to experience volatility, testing the $2.30 support level. This has dramatically impacted investorsā confidence in the crypto space. As a result of this price performance, XRPās trading volume has plummeted by a massive 38.82% to $3.2 billion. Some market participants consider this drop in volume to have occurred because investors were engaged in profit-taking. It is unclear if this trend will linger and push XRP into a bearish mode that could trigger a price slip.
Ethereum getting ready for move toward $3,000, and there are substantial reasons why
In the last few days Ethereum has experienced a strong recovery rally, rising from below $2,000 to almost $2,700. ETH may be set to continue its ascent toward $3,000 in the near future for three specific reasons even though some of this spike can be ascribed to general market momentum. There has been one of the biggest accumulation spikes in years in addresses with 10,000-100,000 ETH.
These wallets usually belong to high-net-worth individuals, funds and institutions. These organizations tend to position themselves ahead of significant movements rather than chase prices. The magnitude and velocity of this accumulation point to confidence in Ethereum's medium-term course. Significant whale accumulation has historically come before noteworthy rallies, and this time appears to be no exception.
Staking activity has increased since Ethereum's Pectra upgrade, which combined aspects of the Electra and Prague upgrades. More ETH being locked into staking contracts suggests that investors are more confident in the network's long-term sustainability and that there is less supply in circulation, both of which encourage price pressure to rise. Additionally, the increase in staking suggests that holders anticipate higher yield and lower short-term volatility, which supports a bullish outlook.
$69,536,183 XRP Transfer Stuns Major U.S. Crypto Exchange
Massive XRP whale makes transfer to Coinbase, coinciding with bullish price trajectory
On May 9, blockchain monitoring firm Whale Alert identified a massive transfer of 29,532,534 XRP, worth $69,536,183, to leading U.S.-based crypto exchange Coinbase. This large transaction has raised eyebrows as it coincides with the ongoing bull market run, prompting investors to closely monitor on-chain activities. Whales already dumping? According to the data, the massive transfer was executed by an unknown wallet address in a single transaction, suggesting a possible sell-off attempt.
Despite the transfer, XRP continues to exhibit strong bullish indicators. Over the past 24 hours, CoinMarketCap data shows that XRP has experienced a 3% daily surge, following an 8% gain the day prior. As of press time, XRP is trading at $2.35.
In addition to the price uptick, XRP has also recorded a 60.35% surge in trading volume, reflecting heightened activity among both retail and institutional traders. While large transfers to exchanges are often associated with intent to sell, this specific transfer has the XRP community questioning whether whales are starting to take profits after the recent bull run.
Bitcoin surged past $103,000 as traders bet on Fed rate cuts, welcomed signs of institutional inflows, and reacted to easing trade tensions.
CME FedWatch data shows a 70% chance of a July rate cut, with 95% odds of easing by October, as markets front-run the Fed despite no move this week.
Ethereum rallied 20% as altcoins broadly outperformed, while Bitcoin breached the $100K milestone, triggering fresh upside positioning.
Trumpās U.K. trade pact boosted sentiment across risk assets, though economists called the agreement symbolic and economically limited.
Bitcoin rallied sharply on Thursday, alongside major altcoins and equities, as traders responded to growing expectations of interest rate cuts, early signs of renewed institutional demand, and a tentative U.S.-U.K. trade agreement that injected fresh optimism into global markets.
The move came despite the Federal Reserveās decision Wednesday to leave interest rates unchanged.
While Fed Chair Jerome Powell declined to commit to a timeline for potential easing, futures markets are already pricing in a 70% chance of a rate cut in July, with CMEās FedWatchĀ toolĀ showing a 95% probability of at least one cut by October.
President Donald TrumpĀ intensifiedĀ his criticism of Powell, calling him a āfoolā on Thursday, claiming that cutting rates āwould be like jet fuelā for the economy.
If Youāve Held XRP from $0.006 to $3, Expect Prices Beyond Expectations: Expert Says
XRP community voice BarriC recently delivered an inspiring message to long-time holders of the asset.
In a post, heĀ statedĀ that anyone who has held XRP from its early price of $0.006 up to its peak price range of $3 is in line for a significant reward. Citing patience and perseverance, BarriC praised the loyalty of early investors. Accordingly, he hinted that their belief in XRPās potential would soon be rewarded.
The message comes when XRP continues to face resistance around the $2 range, despite ongoing developments in the Ripple ecosystem and broader institutional interest in digital assets. Anxiety is quickly overtaking sentiment in the XRP community, as the assetās price has stagnated for over three months.
Holders Will See Exceeding Expectations
Meanwhile, BarriC suggested that XRP is in a position to exceed all current price expectations. While he did not provide specific figures in this statement, he has previously claimed thatĀ XRP could reach $1,000 per token. He even speculated that this triple-digit figure could be attainable once banks begin leveraging XRP to move funds.
This sentiment aligns with popular speculation around potential catalysts for XRP price surge. Notably, the message concludes with a call for XRP holders to stay the course and avoid being shaken out of the market.
Holding XRP Since $0.006?
Meanwhile, there was stronger disagreement regarding claims of holding XRP since $0.006. According to some commentators, itās unlikely anyone has held XRP for that long without selling. They argue that such early holders wouldĀ have either retiredĀ or sold their holdings during previous price spikes.
For context, XRP last traded around the $0.006 range in March 2017. At that time, a $1,000 investment could buy approximately 166,667 XRP. Within a year, the asset reached an all-time high of $3.84. That same $1,000 investment would have been worth about $640,000 at XRPās peak valuation.
Bitcoin Sees Selling at $97K, Cardanoās ADA Leads Majors Gains Ahead of FOMC Meeting
Market volatility may soar as a regional tussle between India and Pakistan intensifies and the U.S.-China trade war looms.
What to know:
Bitcoin surged past $97,000 before sliding to $96,500 amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan.
A planned U.S.-China trade meeting initially boosted risk assets, but gains reversed with India's 'Operation Sindoor.'
Traders anticipate continued volatility, viewing Bitcoin as a hedge against geopolitical and macroeconomic risks.
Bitcoin surged above $97,000 late Tuesday, then slid to $96,500 in Asian hours Wednesday as India conducted airstrikes in parts of Pakistan to intensify tensions from the past few weeks.
A planned meeting to discuss U.S. and China tariffs sent risk assets higher in the hours since the U.S. stock market closed on Wednesday,Ā as reported, but those gains reversed as news of Indiaās āOperation Sindoorā emerged in the early hours.
Top YouTuber Says $10 Price āDefinitely Possibleā for Cardano
The Modern Investor, a prominent YouTube personality, recently suggested that Cardano (ADA) reaching $10 is ādefinitely possibleā during a strong altcoin season.Ā
Currently, Cardano is trading at $0.6578, down over 3% in the past 24 hours. The altcoin has also hit a weekly low, falling 7.9% over the past 7 days. To reach the projected $10 mark, ADA would need to surge approximately 1,420% from its current price.
A key factor influencing the YouTuberās bold outlook on ADA is a series of fundamental developments working in Cardanoās favor. He notably referenced a recentĀ statementĀ by Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson, who subtly commented on ADAās price potential.
Hoskinson mentioned that ADA could reach price targets of $3, $5, and possibly $10 as the ecosystem continues to mature.
This perspective aligns with internal developments, including strategic efforts to integrate Bitcoin staking and support Rippleās stablecoin, RLUSD.
BitcoinOS Demo Sends BTC to Cardano and BackāWithout a Cross-Chain Bridge
The demo transaction used BitcoinOSā new token xBTC, and zero-knowledge proofs instead of custodial arrangements.
In brief
A demo transaction by BitcoinOS transferred BTC to the Cardano blockchain and back without a bridge.
BitcoinOS' new xBTC token extends how Bitcoin could be programmable, opening DeFi and cross-chain use.
The tech removes custodial risks associated with traditional bridge solutions, BitcoinOS claims.
In a demo transaction, developers fromĀ smart contractĀ operating system BitcoinOS (BOS) claim to have sent 1 BTC from aĀ BitcoinĀ wallet to aĀ CardanoĀ wallet and back without relying on traditional bridge infrastructure, touting it as the first "bridgeless cross-chain transfer."
"Crypto users don't use BTC beyond the existing functionality," not because they value simplicity, but because "they don't have any other options," Edan Yago, co-founder and core contributor at BOS, toldĀ Decrypt.
From Bitcoin to Cardano and back
Onchain transactions from Sunday shared by BitcoinOS and reviewed byĀ DecryptĀ show the round-trip flight from Bitcoin to Cardano and back involved a number of steps.
First, 1 BTC wasĀ locked,Ā wrapped, and mintedĀ "directly on the Bitcoin blockchain" and converted into xBTC, a new, fully programmable token developed by BOS. This token contained cryptographic proof of the original Bitcoin's existence and value.
Once wrapped, the xBTC token then made its way to the Cardano network, arriving first in hybrid Bitcoin and Cardano L2Ā Sundial Protocol's wallet.
Steady purchasing demand at Bitcoinās lower support levels is keeping the pressure on the $95,000 BTC resistance zone.
Key points:
Bitcoin is witnessing a tough battle between the bulls and the bears at the $95,000 level.
Solid buying by spot Bitcoin ETF investors last week signals a positive shift in investor sentiment.Ā
Select altcoins have held their support levels, increasing the likelihood of a short-term up move.
Bitcoin (BTC) slipped below the breakout level of $95,000 on May 4, indicating profit booking at higher levels. The bulls tried to push the price back above $95,000 on May 5 but are facing stiff resistance from the bears.Ā
Glassnode senior researcher CryptoVizArt said in a post on X that BitcoinĀ maintaining above $93,000 was very surprisingĀ and also risky as the rally to the $93,000 to $96,000 range āpushed the profit-taking volume above the statistical levels.ā CryptoVizArt added that there were more than $9 in realized profits for every dollar realized in loss.
However, a positive sign in favor of bulls is that the US-based Bitcoin exchange-traded funds witnessedĀ inflows of $1.8 billionĀ last week, per Farside Investors data. The ETF issuers and the institutions acquired 18,644 Bitcoin last week compared to the 3,150 Bitcoin mined during the period,Ā reportedĀ asset allocator HODL15Capital on May 4.
What are the crucial support and resistance levels to watch out for in Bitcoin and altcoins? Letās analyze the charts of the top 10 cryptocurrencies to find out.
Bitcoin (BTC): Golden Cross Isn't Enough, Shiba Inu (SHIB) Volume Nears 0, XRP Risks Losing $2, but $3 is Possible
The price action of Bitcoin is exhibiting signs of weakness and hesitation even though it printed a golden cross. The price of the flagship cryptocurrency is currently down a little to $95,484 after recently rising toward $96,000 with little to no follow-through momentum. The problem: Despite its positive symbolism, the golden cross has not generated the institutional interest or volume spike that would normally be required to start a long-lasting rally. BTC may be approaching an overbought zone with little strength to push higher in the near future as evidenced by the volume already waning from the April breakout and the cooling RSI near 64. Investors may need to lower their expectations if they are anticipating a spectacular breakout. Given its current price structure, which points to a stall, Bitcoin may easily revert to the $91,000 support zone if momentum doesn't pick up quickly.
From a structural perspective, it is technically encouraging that Bitcoin has regained all of the major EMAs (50, 100 and 200). The absence of buying pressure following the breakout, however, is concerning. The macro environment continues to be significant. ETF flows have subsided following the large inflows at the start of May, and overall market sentiment is still risk averse as a result of macroeconomic uncertainty.
The price of Bitcoin could consolidate between $91,000 and $96,000 in the absence of new catalysts. Traders should keep a close eye on the $91,000-$90,000 level in the near future. The recent bullish structure may be invalidated by a breakdown below this zone, but bullish momentum may be reignited by a clean breakout above $97,000 with fresh volume.
New XRP ETF reaches $67m AUM as price outperforms Ripple
A recently launched leveraged exchange-traded fund tracking XRP is gaining momentum in terms of asset inflows.
The Teucrium 2x Long Daily XRP ETF, whoseĀ ticker symbol is XXRP, has had inflows in the last four consecutive weeks. Its assets have moved from zero to over $67 million in this period.Ā
The ETFās performance has also performed better than RippleāsĀ XRP. It has jumped by 26% since its inception, while the XRP price has risen by 16.4% in the same period.Ā
The XXRP ETFās inflows are notable because of its cost structure. While one can easily buy the XRP token and pay no fee, its investors pay a premium for the fund, which has an expense ratio of 1.89%.
A 1.89% fee is high even when compared with other leveraged ETFs. The popular Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3x Shares ETF, which has $9.9 billion in assets, charges a 0.75% management fee.
Similarly, the $22 billion ProShares UltraPro QQQ ETF has an expense ratio of 0.84%. XXRPās fees mean that a $10,000 investment will cost at least $189 annually.Ā
Shiba Inu's Shibarium Up 54% in Transaction Spike Amid Adoption Milestone
The Shiba Inu ecosystem is gaining momentum once again, as Layer-2 blockchain Shibarium has seen a 54% spike in transactions over the past 24 hours. Daily transactions increased from 2.01 million to 3.1 million, indicating increasing interest and engagement on the Shibarium network.
In tandem with the transaction jump, Shibarium's total addresses have achieved a new high of 204,182,966, indicating growing user interest and participation
Other Shibarium measures are also showing an increase. As of the most recent count, the Shibarium network had completed 1,133,559,932 transactions in total. The recent increase in daily transactions has contributed to this increase. Total blocks have surpassed 10 million, with the most recent figure at 10,791,495
Shiba Inu burn rate jumps 22,598% Not only have Shibarium transactions increased, but the SHIB burn rate has risen by a staggering 22,598%, with millions of tokens removed from circulation. According to Shibburn, 25,770,312 SHIB were burned in the last 24 hours, marking a 22,598.92% increase in daily burn rate.
Analyst Says Be Careful With Cardano as Bull Flag Breakout Could Trigger Major Rally to $1.30
Analyst CobraVanguard identifies a bullish flag on Cardanoās 3-day chart, but traders must wait for a breakout confirmation.
Cardano (ADA) maintained a narrow trading range between $0.67 and $0.72 over the past week, reflecting short-term volatility. Although the token recorded a 2.3% gain in the last 24 hours, it dropped slightly by over 1% in the past 7 days.Ā
However, behind the tight price action, technical indicators and derivatives market data suggest a critical phase in ADAās consolidation.
Bullish Chart Patterns Signal Potential Upside
On TradingView, analyst CobraVanguardĀ identifiedĀ a bullish continuation pattern on the 3-day ADA/USDT chart. The structure resembles a falling wedge or flag formation.Ā
This setup follows a steep rally from early November 2024 to early December 2024, when ADA surged from around $0.30 to a peak above $1.30. This movement formed the āflagpoleā of the pattern, which has since transitioned into a downward-sloping channel.
The wedge began forming in early January 2025 and continues through May 2025. Prices have oscillated within the upper resistance and lower support trendlines, failing to break either decisively. Resistance held firm at $1.30, $1.10, and $0.90, while support levels at $0.63, $0.60, and $0.56 kept the bears in check.Ā
CobraVanguard emphasized the importance of waiting for a breakout above the flagās upper trendline. If that occurs,Ā ADAĀ may aim for $1.3387, a potential 89.18% rally from its current price of $0.7076.
Sui Price Pops 9% as 21Shares Seeks SEC Approval for ETF
Unlike its European counterpart, 21Sharesā Sui ETF would not offer staking rewards in the U.S.
In brief
21Shares filed for a Sui ETF in the U.S.
21Shares announced a āstrategic partnership" with Sui.
The tokenās price jumped 9% to $3.69.
Crypto asset manager 21Shares applied for an exchange-traded fund tracking the price ofĀ Sui, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Wednesday.
The 21Shares Sui ETF aims to broaden investorsā access to the native token of the layer-1 network designed for high-speed transactions, which has been dubbed by some as a āSolana Killer.ā
The filingĀ named Coinbase as a custodian to safeguard investorsā funds, according to theĀ registration statement, but did not specify an exchange on which the fund would trade, or its ticker name.
The Swiss-based crypto asset manager meanwhile announced a āstrategic partnershipā with Sui, which will entail product collaborations and research reports, according to aĀ press release.
Bitcoinās low 7-day volatility could be a sign that a range expansion is in the making. Cointelegraph checks the altcoin charts to see which could follow.
Key points:
Bitcoinās 7-day volatility is the lowest in 563 days, signaling an impending range expansion.
Bitcoinās breakout above $95,000 could swiftly take it to $100,000 and above.
Although the probability is low, traders should remain cautious about a pullback in the near term.
BitcoinĀ
BTC
$97,116
Ā has been trading in a tight consolidation near the $95,000 level for several days. K33 Research head of research Vetle Lunde said in a post on X thatĀ Bitcoinās 7-day volatility has hit a 563-day low.
A range expansion usually follows a low-volatility period. Although it is difficult to predict the direction of the breakout, a tight consolidation just below a crucial resistance increases the likelihood of an upside rally. Several analysts are also optimistic that BitcoināsĀ break will occur to the upside.
Although signs point to a possible breakout to the upside, traders should remain cautious. Sometimes, short-term buyers book profits when the price fails to break out to the upside. That leads to a short-term pullback.
Could Bitcoin break above $95,000, or is a correction around the corner? How are the altcoins placed? Letās analyze the charts of the top 10 cryptocurrencies to find out.
Bitcoin price prediction
Bitcoin bulls are struggling to push the price above the $95,000 barrier, but a minor positive is that the buyers have not ceded ground to the bears. That suggests the bulls have kept up the pressure.