<h2>Settlement Talks Progress Amid XRP’s Potential Reclassification</h2>The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s five-year-long legal battle with&nbsp;<a href="https://coin360.com/coin/xrp-xrp">Ripple</a> Labs appears to be nearing its conclusion, with ongoing settlement discussions indicating a potential resolution. Reports from FOX Business journalist Eleanor Terrett suggest that Ripple’s legal team is actively negotiating revisions to the court’s prior ruling, signaling a crucial turning point in the case that has long shaped regulatory debates in the cryptocurrency industry.A key aspect of the settlement talks is the SEC’s consideration of classifying&nbsp;<a href="https://coin360.com/coin/xrp-xrp">XRP</a> as a commodity instead of a security. According to FOX Business’&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/CGasparino/status/1900230903449751651">Charles Gasparino</a>, the regulatory body is using&nbsp;<a href="https://coin360.com/coin/ethereum-eth">Ethereum</a> as a benchmark, given that&nbsp;<a href="https://coin360.com/coin/ethereum-eth">ETH</a>—despite its initial ICO—has been treated as a commodity.&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:90.58%;"><img alt="Screenshot_2.png" src="https://prod-coin360-cms.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Screenshot_2_eece237229.png"></figure>Ripple executives, particularly Chief Technology Officer David Schwartz, have consistently argued that XRP differs from Ethereum, emphasizing that it was pre-mined and never sold through an ICO. If XRP secures a commodity classification, the decision could set a precedent for other digital assets facing similar legal scrutiny.The legal dispute saw a partial resolution in July 2023 when U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres ruled that XRP is not a security when traded on secondary markets. However, the court determined that Ripple’s direct sales to institutional investors constituted unregistered securities offerings, leading to a $125 million fine and restrictions on XRP’s institutional sales.&nbsp;As negotiations continue, Ripple’s legal team is reportedly pushing for modifications to these penalties, particularly in light of shifting SEC policies under its current leadership. Despite the high stakes, neither Ripple nor the SEC has publicly commented on the latest settlement developments.Market analysts are closely watching the case’s impact on XRP’s price, with technical indicators suggesting a potential breakout. If a favorable settlement is reached, XRP could rally to $2.55, with a further push toward the $3 resistance level.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img alt="chart (1)_11zon.jpg" src="https://prod-coin360-cms.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/chart_1_11zon_8718891e7c.jpg"></figure>Additionally, regulatory clarity on XRP’s classification could accelerate discussions surrounding an XRP-based Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF). Bloomberg ETF analyst James Seyffart has previously noted that unresolved regulatory disputes hinder ETF approvals, as seen with&nbsp;<a href="https://coin360.com/coin/solana-sol">Solana</a>’s delayed ETF application due to classification uncertainties. If XRP is officially recognized as a commodity, the likelihood of an XRP Spot ETF gaining regulatory approval could significantly increase, marking another milestone in the asset’s evolving legal and market status.This article has been refined and enhanced by ChatGPT.

robot sitting in a grand courtroom filled with towering bookshelves containing ancient legal tomes

robot sitting in a grand courtroom filled with towering bookshelves containing ancient legal tomes.webp

SEC’s Five-Year Lawsuit Against Ripple Nears End as XRP’s Commodity Status Weighed

<h2>Bearish Pressure Mounts Amid Large-Scale Solana Sell-Off</h2><a href="https://coin360.com/coin/solana-sol">Solana</a> (<a href="https://coin360.com/coin/solana-sol">SOL</a>) is facing mounting bearish pressure as the cryptocurrency tumbles below its realized price for the first time in nearly three years. This key metric, which represents the average price at which all Solana tokens were last moved on the blockchain, has historically served as a crucial indicator of investor sentiment.&nbsp;A drop below this level suggests that a significant portion of holders are now sitting on unrealized losses, a scenario that often triggers panic selling. The latest data also shows the Chaikin Money Flow (CMF) indicator turning negative, reflecting a stronger outflow of capital compared to inflows. This suggests that selling pressure is outweighing buying interest, potentially limiting Solana’s chances of a swift recovery.<figure class="image"><img alt="glassnode-studio_sol-realized-price-1_11zon.webp" src="https://prod-coin360-cms.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/glassnode_studio_sol_realized_price_1_11zon_981db0edfb.webp"></figure>SOL is currently trading at $122.3, struggling to hold above immediate support at $118. A failure to reclaim $126 as support could lead to further declines, with the next key level sitting at $109. On the other hand, if Solana manages to break above $126, it could aim for $133 and potentially push toward $143, a level that would invalidate the current bearish outlook.<figure class="image"><img alt="chart_11zon.jpg" src="https://prod-coin360-cms.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/chart_11zon_3124bd6151.jpg"></figure>Adding to the downward momentum,&nbsp;<a href="https://coin360.com/coin/ftx-token-ftt">FTX</a> and Alameda Research have&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/arkham/status/1899922406493270479">unstaked</a> and transferred 185,345 SOL, worth $22.9 million, to 38 wallets within the past 24 hours. This is part of ongoing bankruptcy proceedings aimed at repaying creditors following the collapse of FTX in November 2022.&nbsp;<a href="https://coin360.com/glossary/blockchain">Blockchain</a> analytics firms SpotOnChain and&nbsp;<a href="https://coin360.com/coin/arkham-arkm">Arkham</a> Intelligence have tracked these movements, revealing that recipient wallets now collectively hold $178.82 million in SOL. These recent transfers follow a much larger unstaking event in March when FTX released 3.03 million SOL, valued at $432.5 million, across multiple wallets.&nbsp;Since November 2023, FTX and Alameda have unstaked a staggering 8.019 million SOL, worth nearly $1 billion, with a substantial portion offloaded through&nbsp;<a href="https://coin360.com/review/coinbase">Coinbase</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://coin360.com/review/binance">Binance</a> at an average price of $125.8 per token. Despite these sales, FTX still retains 5.5 million SOL, valued at approximately $693.8 million, raising concerns about continued selling pressure in the near future.<figure class="image"><img src="https://prod-coin360-cms.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/FTX_s_Solana_Unstaking_History_eda9202ae4.jpg" alt="FTX’s Solana Unstaking History.jpg"></figure>FTX’s repayment process has been unfolding in stages, with the exchange already reimbursing creditors with claims under $50,000, along with 9% annual interest since the platform’s collapse. The&nbsp;<a href="https://coin360.com/news/ftx-creditors-bahamas-repayment">first round of payouts</a> saw $1.2 billion withdrawn from FTX-controlled wallets. The next phase, scheduled for May 30, will focus on creditors with larger claims exceeding $50,000. However, concerns remain over whether creditors in certain regions—including China, Russia, Egypt, Nigeria, and Ukraine—will be included in these repayments.Despite the ongoing&nbsp;<a href="https://coin360.com/glossary/understanding-liquidation-crypto-trading-guide">liquidation</a> of FTX’s holdings, Solana’s price has shown some resilience. However, if FTX and Alameda continue to offload their remaining SOL reserves, the bearish outlook may intensify. The combination of technical weakness, significant unstaking events, and lingering uncertainty over FTX’s selling strategy presents a challenging landscape for Solana’s near-term recovery.This article has been refined and enhanced by ChatGPT.

Robot dodging FTX-branded meteors as Solana unstaking shakes market

Robot dodging FTX-branded meteors as Solana unstaking shakes market_11zon.webp

Solana Slips Below Realized Price as FTX Unstakes $22.9M in SOL

<h2>Binance’s Former CEO Denies Allegations of Seeking Presidential Pardon</h2>Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, the former CEO of&nbsp;<a href="https://coin360.com/review/binance">Binance</a>, fired back at a recent Wall Street Journal (WSJ)&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsj.com/finance/currencies/trump-family-has-held-deal-talks-with-binance-following-crypto-exchanges-guilty-plea-05b029fa">report</a> that alleged discussions between Donald Trump’s family representatives and&nbsp;<a href="https://coin360.com/exchange/binance_us">Binance.US</a> regarding a potential financial stake. The article suggested that these talks were linked to efforts to secure a presidential pardon for CZ following his guilty plea to violating U.S. anti-money laundering laws. Zhao dismissed the claims as false, misleading, and politically motivated, stating they were an attempt to discredit both Trump and the broader cryptocurrency industry.Taking to X (formerly Twitter), CZ categorically&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/cz_binance/status/1900194883891322948">denied</a> any involvement in such discussions, emphasizing that he had not spoken to anyone about a Binance.US deal. He accused the WSJ of constructing a narrative by reaching out to numerous sources in an effort to manufacture a story.&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:85.49%;"><img alt="tweet-1900194883891322948_11zon.jpg" src="https://prod-coin360-cms.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/tweet_1900194883891322948_11zon_6e2b53f9b2.jpg"></figure>According to him, over 20 individuals informed him that the WSJ and another media outlet had aggressively pursued leads to connect him with the alleged negotiations. Zhao suggested that the report was part of a broader anti-crypto agenda, rooted in hostility toward the industry from the previous U.S. administration. He framed the article as an extension of ongoing efforts to undermine the cryptocurrency sector, referring to it as the lingering effects of a so-called “war on crypto.”The WSJ article asserted that Binance reached out to Trump’s inner circle in 2023 as part of a strategy to bolster its U.S. presence. It alleged that World Liberty Financial (WLF), a decentralized finance (<a href="https://coin360.com/glossary/decentralised-finance">DeFi</a>) venture linked to Trump’s family, was considering investing in Binance.US. The report also implicated Steve Witkoff, a Trump advisor and WLF executive, in discussions about a possible partnership.&nbsp;Furthermore, it claimed that securing a pardon for CZ was on the table, which could help alleviate regulatory hurdles for Binance’s U.S. operations. The report surfaced as Binance.US navigated a turbulent period, marked by the resumption of USD deposits and withdrawals for American customers and a temporary pause in its legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).Despite serving a four-month prison sentence and overseeing a $4.3 billion settlement with U.S. authorities over compliance failures, Zhao maintained that he had never sought a pardon. While acknowledging that any felon would welcome clemency, he pointed out that he was the only individual in U.S. history to be imprisoned over a single Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) charge. He reiterated his focus on advancing cryptocurrency both domestically and globally, stating his commitment to “making crypto great everywhere.”Zhao has a long history of clashing with the WSJ, frequently accusing the publication of bias against Binance and the broader digital asset industry. In prior instances, he dismissed reports suggesting deeper ties between Binance and Binance.US than publicly disclosed, calling them speculative and based on selectively leaked internal messages.&nbsp;He often addressed such claims cryptically, previously posting the number “4” to instruct his followers to disregard fear, uncertainty, and doubt (<a href="https://coin360.com/glossary/fear-uncertainty-doubt">FUD</a>). As accusations from mainstream media continue to swirl, Zhao remains vocal in challenging narratives he perceives as attempts to undermine Binance and the wider cryptocurrency movement.This article has been refined and enhanced by ChatGPT.

Faceless robot walks through melting Binance-Trump newspaper dunes

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CZ Slams WSJ Report Linking Binance.US to Trump’s Family Investment Talks

Crypto markets move in cycles, and those who have been around long enough have seen the same patterns repeat—sharp rallies, brutal crashes, and long accumulation phases before the next wave. The question is whether these cycles provide a reliable roadmap for the future or if changing market conditions are making old patterns less useful.The evidence suggests that history can be a solid guide, but it’s not a magic formula. The crypto market has evolved, with institutional players, regulatory shifts, and macroeconomic factors all shaping the landscape. Even so, many traders still lean on past cycles to make predictions.<h2>Bitcoin’s Four-Year Cycle and Why It Still Matters</h2>Bitcoin halvings have been a major driver of past bull runs. Every four years, the block reward for miners gets cut in half, reducing new BTC supply. This event has historically led to a supply squeeze, pushing prices higher.<ul><li>2012 Halving -&gt; 2013 Bull Run: Bitcoin exploded from around $12 to over $1,100.</li><li>2016 Halving -&gt; 2017 Bull Run: A surge from $650 to nearly $20,000.</li><li>2020 Halving -&gt; 2021 Bull Run: Prices skyrocketed from $9,000 to almost $69,000.</li></ul>With the April 2024 Bitcoin halving behind us, the market is watching for a potential rally in the coming months. Yet, the last cycle revealed a shift—price peaks are taking longer to emerge, likely due to the rising influence of institutional players.This is where&nbsp;<a href="https://www.binance.com/en/price-prediction">crypto price prediction</a> models come into play. Analysts use past cycles, on-chain data, and AI-driven forecasts to estimate when the next major rally might kick in. While these models aren’t flawless, they add another layer of insight when combined with broader market trends.<div class="page-break" style="page-break-after:always;">&nbsp;</div><h2>Market Sentiment: The Boom-and-Bust Pattern Never Dies</h2><figure class="image"><img alt="btc price prediction_11zon.webp" src="https://prod-coin360-cms.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/btc_price_prediction_11zon_015c771eae.webp"></figure>The emotional rollercoaster of crypto cycles follows a familiar script. Markets go from euphoria to panic to recovery, with each phase triggering different behaviors:<ol><li>Euphoria (Late Bull Run) – Prices skyrocket, new investors flood in, and everyone thinks it’s only going up.</li><li>Complacency (Market Tops Out) – Momentum slows, but people believe the rally isn’t over.</li><li>Capitulation (Crash Hits Hard) – Prices plunge, fear takes over, and many sell at a loss.</li><li>Accumulation (Bottom Formation) – Smart money starts buying again while retail investors hesitate.</li></ol>This cycle played out in 2013, 2017, and 2021, and we seem to be in the accumulation phase right now. Historically, this is when big investors load up before the next breakout.<div class="page-break" style="page-break-after:always;">&nbsp;</div><h2>On-Chain Data and What It's Signaling Now</h2>Looking beyond price charts, on-chain data provides clues about investor behavior. A few key metrics help determine whether the market is entering a bullish phase.<ul><li>MVRV Ratio (Market Value to Realized Value): A low ratio suggests Bitcoin is undervalued, while a high ratio signals overvaluation. Right now, MVRV levels resemble past pre-bull run periods.</li><li>Whale Accumulation: Large investors tend to buy heavily during bear markets and take profits during peaks. Recent data shows whales accumulating Bitcoin, which usually precedes upward trends.</li><li>Exchange Outflows: When Bitcoin moves off exchanges, it signals investors are holding rather than selling. A consistent outflow trend suggests confidence in future gains.</li></ul>These indicators align with patterns seen before previous bull markets, but external factors still matter.<div class="page-break" style="page-break-after:always;">&nbsp;</div><h2>What Could Disrupt the Expected Cycle?</h2><figure class="image"><img alt="btc price trend_11zon.webp" src="https://prod-coin360-cms.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/btc_price_trend_11zon_48a408cc4a.webp"></figure>Past cycles are useful, but they don’t guarantee a repeat performance. Several factors could alter the timeline or weaken the impact of historical patterns.<h3>1. Institutional Influence</h3>Unlike in 2017, today’s crypto market has hedge funds, ETFs, and corporations playing a larger role. These entities don’t behave like retail investors. They buy in bulk, move markets with large transactions, and don’t react to news the way the average trader does.<h3>2. Global Economic Conditions</h3>Bitcoin has often been viewed as "digital gold," but in 2022, it fell alongside traditional assets when interest rates rose. If the Federal Reserve keeps tightening monetary policy, risk assets—including crypto—could face headwinds. On the flip side, if inflation surges again, Bitcoin could benefit as a hedge.<h3>3. Regulation and Government Policies</h3>Regulatory clarity could either fuel or hinder the next rally. Bitcoin spot ETFs have already opened the doors for institutional investors, but pending regulations on stablecoins, staking, and DeFi could shake things up.<div class="page-break" style="page-break-after:always;">&nbsp;</div><h2>So, Can History Predict the Next Bull Run?</h2>History doesn’t repeat exactly, but it does rhyme. The market still follows familiar cycles, and the Bitcoin halving remains a strong signal for future price action. On-chain data and sentiment indicators suggest we’re in a phase similar to pre-2020, but external factors could shift the timeline.Rather than expecting an identical replay of past bull runs, investors should see historical trends as part of a bigger picture—one that includes macroeconomics, regulation, and institutional adoption. The past provides a solid reference, but the future always brings surprises.

Can Historical Market Cycles Predict the Next Crypto Bull Run?

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Michael Saylor, founder of Strategy (MicroStrategy), wants the U.S. government to buy between 5% and 25% of Bitcoin's total supply by 2035.In his document “A Digital Assets Strategy to Dominate the 21st Century Global Economy”, he argues that Bitcoin is a strategic asset that could strengthen the country's financial position. He believes buying Bitcoin could improve economic stability and protect against inflation.<h2>BTC Impact on the U.S. Economy</h2>Saylor predicts a U.S. Bitcoin reserve could generate over $10 trillion yearly by 2045. He estimates it could add between $16 trillion and $81 trillion to the U.S. Treasury, which could help reduce national debt.He has also mentioned a "never sell" strategy, arguing that holding Bitcoin long-term would make a steady source of economic growth.But as the entire crypto sphere goes mainstream, investors are actively looking for the&nbsp;<a href="https://99bitcoins.com/cryptocurrency/next-1000x-crypto/">next 1000x crypto</a>. Experts at 99Bitcoins have researched and identified some of the most promising micro-cap meme coin projects, Web3 gaming, and metaverse ecosystems – and their method helps spot tokens with impressive potential.<div class="page-break" style="page-break-after:always;">&nbsp;</div><h2>Trump's Recent Bitcoin Move</h2>On March 7, 2025, former President&nbsp;<a href="https://coin360.com/news/trump-wlfi-crypto-expansion">Donald Trump</a> signed an executive order creating a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and a Digital Asset Stockpile. The program will initially use Bitcoin seized from criminal cases.While the order doesn't include plans to buy more Bitcoin right away, it directs the Treasury and Commerce departments to develop cost-neutral ways to acquire more.<div class="page-break" style="page-break-after:always;">&nbsp;</div><h2>How It Compares to Other Proposals</h2>Saylor's suggestion to hold up to 25% of Bitcoin's supply is way bigger than all previous proposals. In July 2024, Wyoming Senator Cynthia Lummis introduced the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/03/establishment-of-the-strategic-bitcoin-reserveand-united-states-digital-asset-stockpile/">Bitcoin Act</a>, which proposed the U.S. should hold just 5% of Bitcoin's supply – which is about 1 million BTC. Saylor wants the U.S. to secure up to 5.25 million BTC, a massive increase in&nbsp;<a href="https://coin360.com/news/white-house-crypto-summit-2025">government involvement</a>.<div class="page-break" style="page-break-after:always;">&nbsp;</div><h2>Strategy's Bitcoin Buying Spree</h2>Strategy has been aggressively buying more Bitcoin – and between February 18 and 23, 2025, the company bought 20,356 BTC for around $1.99 billion. This brought its total Bitcoin stash to nearly 499,096 BTC, worth about $47.8 billion.Saylor's ongoing purchases show his strong belief in Bitcoin's future value and its role as a leading asset for the future.<div class="page-break" style="page-break-after:always;">&nbsp;</div><h2>Practical Issues</h2>Buying 25% of Bitcoin's supply wouldn't be easy at all. Such a big purchase could disrupt the market, reduce liquidity, and push all prices even higher. It also raises concerns about government control over crypto and how it might affect the balance between public and private ownership.Bitcoin's fixed supply of 21 million coins makes large-scale purchases tricky – and any bigger government buying could cause price spikes and make Bitcoin less accessible to private investors. Plus, political resistance to using taxpayer money for crypto investments could slow down or block the plan.Despite these issues, Saylor continues to advocate for Bitcoin as a&nbsp;<a href="https://time.com/7265992/trump-crypto-summit-shows-industry-in-charge/">national reserve</a> asset. His influence keeps opening new discussions about how the U.S. should approach Bitcoin, making plans for future policies that will help the asset grow in the upcoming years.

SEC’s Five-Year Lawsuit Against Ripple Nears End as XRP’s Commodity Status Weighed

Settlement Talks Progress Amid XRP’s Potential Reclassification

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