Ethereum price started a downside correction after it failed near $2,400. ETH 
is now consolidating and might aim for more gains if it clears $2,360. 
Ethereum started a downside correction below the $2,350 zone. The price is 
trading above $2,300 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. There is a 
bearish trend line forming with resistance at $2,360 on the hourly chart of 
ETH/USD (data feed via Kraken). The pair could continue to move up if it stays 
above the $2,295 zone. Ethereum Price Aims Key Upside Break Ethereum price 
managed to stay above the $2,250 support and started a fresh increase, like 
Bitcoin. ETH price gained pace for a move above $2,320 and $2,350. However, 
the bears were active near $2,400. The last swing high was formed at $2,417 
before there was a downside correction. The price dipped below the $2,320 
level. The price even tested the 50% Fib retracement level of the upward move 
from the $2,180 swing low to the $2,417 high. Ethereum price is now trading 
above $2,300 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. If the bulls remain in 
action above $2,295, the price could attempt another increase. Immediate 
resistance is seen near the $2,360 level. There is also a bearish trend line 
forming with resistance at $2,360 on the hourly chart of ETH/USD. The first 
key resistance is near the $2,380 level. The next major resistance is near the 
$2,420 level. A clear move above the $2,420 resistance might send the price 
toward the $2,450 resistance. An upside break above the $2,450 region might 
call for more gains in the coming days. In the stated case, Ether could rise 
toward the $2,500 resistance zone or even $2,550 in the near term. Another 
Decline In ETH? If Ethereum fails to clear the $2,360 resistance, it could 
start a downside correction. Initial support on the downside is near the 
$2,295 level. The first major support sits near the $2,265 zone or the 61.8% 
Fib retracement level of the upward move from the $2,180 swing low to the 
$2,417 high. A clear move below the $2,265 support might push the price toward 
the $2,220 support. Any more losses might send the price toward the $2,200 
region. The main support could be $2,150. Technical Indicators Hourly MACD – 
The MACD for ETH/USD is losing momentum in the bullish zone. Hourly RSI &#8211; The 
RSI for ETH/USD is now below the 50 zone. Major Support Level – $2,295 Major 
Resistance Level – $2,360

Ethereum Price Capped at $2,400, Momentum Fails to Push Higher

Japan&#8217;s biggest loyalty program may have just become one of crypto&#8217;s most 
unexpected entry points. Related Reading: Bitcoin Could Hit $85K Before April 
Ends, Analyst Says A Rewards System Worth $23 Billion Opens Up Rakuten is 
sitting on more than 3 trillion loyalty points — valued at roughly $23 billion 
— and users can now convert those points into XRP. That single detail changes 
the nature of this integration. It is not just another tech company adding a 
crypto option. It is an existing, widely used rewards system being turned into 
a direct path into digital currency, no exchange account required. Reports 
confirmed the points-to-XRP conversion feature is part of the rollout inside 
the Rakuten Pay app and Rakuten Wallet. The announcement pushed XRP to $1.38, 
with the token&#8217;s market cap climbing above $84 billion. Trading volume came in 
at $2.4 billion over the past 24 hours, though that figure was down 25% from 
the prior period. 🚨IT&#8217;S OFFICIAL: XRP is LIVE for 44 million users on one of 
the largest wallets in Japan, Rakuten Wallet. Enabling users purchasing 
anything by using #XRP! pic.twitter.com/pOd9CNXpTe — JackTheRippler ©️ 
(@RippleXrpie) April 15, 2026 44 Million Users, 5 Million Merchant Locations 
The scale of Rakuten&#8217;s network is what makes this stand out. Around 44 million 
users will be able to hold XRP in the Rakuten Wallet, buy it with loyalty 
points, and fund Rakuten Cash to spend in physical stores and online. That 
covers more than 5 million merchant locations across Japan. Users can also 
spot trade XRP directly inside the app. Rakuten had already added Bitcoin, 
Ether, and Bitcoin Cash in earlier phases. XRP now joins that group inside one 
of Japan&#8217;s largest consumer platforms — one that most of its users visit for 
shopping, not for investing. Ripple&#8217;s senior ecosystem growth manager Tatsuya 
Kohrogi called this one of the most significant milestones for XRP, pointing 
out that Rakuten Pay is a mainstream commerce app, not a product built for 
crypto users. That means XRP is being placed in front of tens of millions of 
people who may have never bought or held digital currency before. Related 
Reading: ‘Extremely Good News’ – XRP DeFi Momentum Builds As SEC Softens 
Position On Interfaces Whether Everyday Shoppers Follow Matters Most XRP has 
long been associated with institutional cross-border payments. A move into 
retail point-of-sale spending in Japan marks a clear shift in how the token is 
showing up in real-world use. Based on reports, analysts see the potential as 
real but conditional. The bigger question is not whether Rakuten has the 
infrastructure — it clearly does. The question is whether ordinary shoppers 
choose XRP when it is time to pay, or stick to yen and existing payment 
methods they already trust. If even a fraction of that $23 billion in loyalty 
points finds its way into XRP and circulates through everyday commerce, it 
could push other large consumer platforms to take a closer look at similar 
moves. Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

XRP Jumps As Japan’s Rakuten Pay Integration Boosts Real-World Use

Stalled talks highlight geopolitical tensions, impacting global diplomacy and 
market stability, with potential shifts hinging on negotiation breakthroughs.
The post Iran nuclear talks stall over US demand for indefinite uranium 
enrichment halt appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Iran nuclear talks stall over US demand for indefinite uranium enrichment halt

The Treasury&#8217;s buyback highlights economic fragility, pressuring the Fed to 
maintain rates amid geopolitical tensions and low liquidity.
The post US Treasury completes $15B debt buyback amid declining foreign demand 
appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

US Treasury completes $15B debt buyback amid declining foreign demand

The military buildup signals potential escalation, challenging diplomatic 
efforts and risking prolonged conflict with significant geopolitical impacts.
The post US forces move toward Iran despite diplomatic rhetoric appeared first 
on Crypto Briefing.

Cryptocurrency price in NOK