As Iran war odds swing on Polymarket and Kalshi, Sygnum’s Fabian Dori says 
prediction markets are fast becoming macro tools for crypto desks.

Iran war bets turn prediction markets into real-time macro radar: Sygnum

Mike Belshe, CEO of Bitgo, one of the largest cryptocurrency custody 
providers, has proposed using a public blockchain to solve state and federal 
fraud. On social media, he stated that citizen monitoring alone would be 
enough to control the flow of these funds. Key takeaways: Bigo CEO Mike Belshe 
proposes using a blockchain to stop […]

Bitgo CEO Proposes Using a Public Blockchain as the Ultimate Solution for Government Fraud

Ripple is back in the spotlight following a strategic move involving trillions 
in payment flows, sparking speculation about a potential breakout in XRP 
price. The development reflects Ripple strengthening its ties to the global 
banking infrastructure. Ultimately, the true significance lies in how this 
expanded access could influence XRP’s role in real-world financial 
transactions over time. Ripple Connects $13 Trillion Flows To Global Banking 
Ripple’s expansion stems from its $1 billion acquisition in 2025 of a treasury 
management platform that has been part of the SWIFT-certified ecosystem since 
2014. Through this, Ripple gained compatibility with SWIFT infrastructure, 
including messaging systems, Alliance Lite2 connectivity, and SWIFTRef data, 
allowing its treasury solution to operate effortlessly alongside traditional 
banking rails. Related Reading: Analyst Says Bitcoin Closing 6 Red Monthly 
Candles Isn’t Bearish, What To Expect The platform already processes around 
$13 trillion in annual payment flows, primarily across conventional financial 
systems. When compared to SWIFT’s estimated $150 trillion yearly volume, this 
integration places Ripple within proximity to one of the largest financial 
networks globally, without requiring direct membership. Within this framework, 
companies can manage payments, liquidity, and accounts across both fiat and 
digital assets through a unified system. The platform also supports multiple 
connectivity methods such as APIs, SFTP, and EBICS, alongside real-time 
validation tools like IBAN and ABA lookups, which improve transaction accuracy 
in cross-border payments. A defining feature is the dual settlement structure 
now available to institutions. Payments can either move through traditional 
SWIFT rails or be processed using blockchain-based settlement via XRP or 
RLUSD, offering significantly faster execution. For XRP Price, this 
development introduces exposure to a system handling trillions in value, but 
the impact depends on whether institutions actively choose blockchain 
settlement over traditional methods. XRP Price Outlook As Ripple Expands 
Utility Ripple’s integration of its treasury platform with SWIFT-compatible 
systems gives XRP a functional role in real-world payment flows, which could 
directly influence its price. A rule effective April 1 allows certain 
financial institutions to expand operations, enabling hybrid treasury 
solutions like Ripple’s to function efficiently. Related Reading: The Bitcoin 
Bottom: Pundit Reveals The 5 Phases To Know When The Bleed Has Ended Moreover, 
KBRA recently assigned a BBB issuer rating to Ripple Prime, Ripple’s prime 
brokerage arm (formerly Hidden Road, acquired for $1.25 billion in late 2025). 
The rating reflects a strong capital position, with nearly $5 billion in cash 
reserves, over 40 billion XRP tokens, and an additional $500 million capital 
injection expected in 2026. This status enables Ripple Prime to access 
institutional counterparties such as pension funds and insurance companies, 
removing structural barriers and increasing the likelihood that XRP could be 
used in high-value transactions, supporting potential price growth. Network 
growth reinforces this potential. The XRP Ledger surpassed 8.19 million 
addresses in early 2026, showing steady expansion and readiness to handle more 
transactional volume. Combined with the treasury platform’s capacity to 
process $13 trillion in annual payment flows, XRP now has exposure to a 
substantial financial ecosystem. Ultimately, Ripple’s move sets the stage for 
XRP to be used at scale. Any price increase will depend on actual adoption and 
transaction activity, not just theoretical access. Featured image created with 
Dall.E, chart from Tradingview.com

Ripple Makes A $13 Trillion Bet With This Move, And XRP Price Could Be Set To Explode

North Korean-linked operators have spent years quietly integrating into crypto 
firms and DeFi teams, raising fresh concerns about insider risk after a string 
of high-value exploits tied to the country’s cyber apparatus. Security 
researcher and MetaMask developer Taylor Monahan said…

North Korean IT workers operated within DeFi protocols for years, researcher warns

The federal government is preparing to redraw the boundaries of America&#8217;s 
retirement accounts. The US Department of Labor has proposed a new rule 
clarifying how 401(k) fiduciaries (the employer committees legally responsible 
for plan investment decisions) should evaluate so-called &#8220;alternative&#8221; assets, 
including private equity, private credit, and…digital assets. The proposal 
came directly out of an […]
The post Wall Street sees a $10 trillion opening as Washington rewrites 401(k) 
rules appeared first on CryptoSlate.

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