Russia&#8217;s pivot to China for energy exports amid Western sanctions could 
reshape global energy markets and challenge US dollar dominance.
The post Putin says Russia is close to a &#8216;serious&#8217; gas and oil deal with China 
appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Putin says Russia is close to a ‘serious’ gas and oil deal with China

Seven of the largest names in bitcoin mining formally joined the Stratum V2 
Working Group this week, signaling the clearest industry shift yet toward 
miner-controlled transaction selection. 7 Bitcoin Mining Pools Back Stratum V2 
as Miners Push for Block Template Control Antpool, F2pool, Foundry, 
Spiderpool, Block Inc., MARA Foundation, and DMND are now part of […]

Bitcoin Mining Pool Giants Foundry, Antpool and F2pool Signal Stratum V2 Shift

This uranium transfer highlights potential for nuclear security cooperation 
amid geopolitical tensions, aiding nonproliferation and energy goals.
The post Venezuela transfers 13.5 kilograms of enriched uranium to US with UK 
support appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Venezuela transfers 13.5 kilograms of enriched uranium to US with UK support

Solana&#8217;s enhanced speed could redefine blockchain transaction standards, 
challenging traditional payment systems and intensifying market competition.
The post Anza reports first successful Alpenswitch on Alpenglow cluster, 
Solana finalization time improved 100x appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Anza reports first successful Alpenswitch on Alpenglow cluster, Solana finalization time improved 100x

XRP is drawing renewed attention in the crypto community after an analyst 
raised a key question about the driving force behind demand for the asset in a 
global settlement system. The discussion focuses on how XRP would function if 
the XRP Ledger (XRPL) were widely adopted for payments, and whether the 
cryptocurrency’s value comes from usage, liquidity routing, or deeper 
institutional structures built around it. Related Reading: Bitcoin Bulls Need 
One More Signal To Confirm Market Bottom – Details Analyst Questions XRP’s 
Demand Source In An XRPL Economy Crypto analyst Iso Ledger posted a compelling 
question in an X post on May 7, 2026, sparking debates across the crypto 
community. The analyst argued that if the entire world used the XRP Ledger and 
settled with the RLUSD stablecoin, XRP would primarily function as a gas 
token. If this is the case, he questions what actually creates real and 
sustainable demand for XRP within that system. Iso Ledger explained that the 
answer lies in “bridging.” In his view, XRP gains demand when it is used as a 
liquidity bridge between two currencies or assets that do not have direct 
trading pairs. He used the example of a Japanese pension fund paying a 
Brazilian supplier, in which XRP would route value between OUSG and a BRL 
stablecoin when no direct liquidity exists. In this structure, XRP is not just 
a fee mechanism but a neutral bridge asset that enables settlement between 
disconnected markets. According to Iso Ledger, this is where demand is created 
through transaction flow rather than simple usage. However, he also raised a 
more complicated issue about what happens when liquidity becomes too deep 
across all assets on XRPL. If direct pairs exist between most major currencies 
and stablecoins, XRP may no longer be needed for routing. In that case, it 
could be sidelined in favor of direct settlement paths. Iso Ledger suggested 
this creates a tension in the cryptocurrency’s long-term value model. 
According to him, XRP either has to become expensive enough to remain 
practical for large institutional settlement or stay low-priced around $2 and 
collect fractions of a penny with low demand forever. XLS-66D Seen As Solution 
To XRP’s Demand &amp; Supply Issue He pointed to the upcoming XLS-66D, a proposed 
lending protocol on XRPL, as a potential solution that could lock up XRP 
supply. By reducing circulating supply, XRP’s price could increase, which in 
turn could strengthen its role as a settlement asset and support more adoption 
in a feedback loop. He believes this loop could eventually lead to a 
continuous demand and price appreciation in the long run. Related Reading: XRP 
Flashes Historic Rally Signal, Fueling $12 Price Speculation He concluded his 
debate by raising a key question. Iso Ledger asked why institutions would 
build a lending protocol or a $550,000 security audit around a “gas token.” He 
questioned why companies would create XRP ETFs or why Goldman Sachs would 
invest $152 million in XRP if it were just a simple gas token. According to 
him, the market is underestimating XRP’s evolving role in global settlement 
systems. He said that its price just hasn’t caught up with the bullish 
developments surrounding it. Featured image from Unsplash, chart from 
TradingView

XRP Analyst Reveals The Question No One Asks And Why It’s Important

The ceasefire&#8217;s fragility underscores persistent geopolitical tensions, 
influencing crypto market volatility and investor skepticism about lasting 
peace.
The post Putin says ceasefire prompted by Ukraine security warnings, crypto 
markets react cautiously appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Putin says Russia is close to a ‘serious’ gas and oil deal with China

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