This little-known stablecoin just surged 337%, and it's turning heads in the business world
The Catalyst: Europe's MiCA Regulation
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Bitcoin Rebounds as a Payments Leader
Layer-2 Networks Gain Momentum
Businesses Are Holding Their Crypto, Not Cashing Out
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While Bitcoin continues to make headlines with its latest price swings, the real surprise in the crypto world this year hasn't been about volatility, but one that could reshape how businesses and consumers think about cryptocurrency transactions, and leading that shift is a stablecoin , as per a report.According to CoinGate's H1 2025 Crypto Payments Report, USDC saw a 337% jump in usage during the first half of the year, as reported by Benzinga. That surge pushed it into the top five most-used cryptocurrencies for payments, capturing 68% of all crypto payout activity and even overtaking longtime leader Tether (USDT) by June, as per the report.The reason for USDC's rise wasn't hype, but it was because of regulation, according to the report. Europe's new Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework forced payment processors to cut back on USDT support because of compliance concerns, as reported by Benzinga. That gave USDC an opportunity to step up as businesses and consumers migrated to the Circle-issued stablecoin for its regulatory compliance and multi-blockchain availability, according to the report.CoinGate said, 'This regulatory shift didn't just change the rules—it revealed who was truly ready for the institutionalization of crypto,' as reported by Benzinga.ALSO READ: AI stocks in bubble trouble - are Nvidia, Microsoft in danger? Economist says it's worse than the Dot-Com crash of 1999 Meanwhile, Bitcoin made an unexpected comeback, despite predictions that newer coins and faster networks would render it obsolete for everyday use, according to the report. Bitcoin reclaimed its spot as the most-used cryptocurrency for payments in the second quarter, accounting for over 23% of total transaction volume, as reported by Benzinga.Another significant technical development was the massive growth of Layer-2 networks, as reported by Benzinga. Polygon rose 117% in transactions compared to 2024, while newcomer Base, which was launched in February, quickly captured attention with 59% of its transactions involving USDC, as reported by Benzinga.While Arbitrum accounted for more than 9% of total USDC transactions, according to the report. These networks improved transaction speed, reduced costs, and also made crypto payments accessible to a broader range of businesses and consumers who previously found blockchain transactions too expensive or slow, as reported by Benzinga.ALSO READ: Why can't this Wells Fargo banker leave China? The Chenyue Mao case everyone's talking about In the first half of 2025, 40.9% of all crypto payments were settled in digital currency, which is a 14% increase over last year, and a strong signal that businesses are starting to view crypto as more than just a payment rail, they're treating it like an asset worth holding, according to the report.USDC led the way in merchant payouts with a 68% share, followed by Bitcoin at 17%, this suggests that regulatory compliance and price stability are driving business preferences, as per the report.Regulations in Europe made Tether harder to use, so businesses switched to the more compliant USDC.Huge. It saw a 337% jump in payment use in just six months.
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Economic Times
an hour ago
- Economic Times
Crypto price today: Bitcoin steadies near $119K; Dogecoin, Solana jump up to 7%
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Time of India
an hour ago
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XRP leaves Bitcoin in the dust? Ripple hits all-time high against BTC in shocking surge
XRP Leaves Bitcoin in the Dust: Can Ripple Hit $10 in 2025? XRP just stunned the crypto world, surging past its 2018 high of $3.70 and igniting speculation that it might be on track to outperform Bitcoin. With daily transaction volume on the XRP Ledger jumping 50% to $1.4 billion, this isn't just a price rally—it's a full-blown ecosystem breakout. From technical breakouts to macro-level adoption and institutional inflows, XRP is checking all the boxes of a top-performing altcoin in a new bull cycle. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Others Finance Management MBA PGDM Public Policy healthcare Operations Management CXO Project Management Technology Leadership Data Science Design Thinking Product Management Digital Marketing Degree Data Analytics MCA Cybersecurity Skills you'll gain: Duration: 16 Weeks Indian School of Business CERT-ISB Transforming HR with Analytics & AI India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 7 Months S P Jain Institute of Management and Research CERT-SPJIMR Exec Cert Prog in AI for Biz India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 9 months IIM Lucknow SEPO - IIML CHRO India Starts on undefined Get Details What's fueling the XRP surge? XRP is currently trading around $3.54–$3.57, just under its all-time high of $3.66. The recent rally is driven by: by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why Mr. Chirag Jain never exits a trade in loss — even when he's wrong TradeWise Learn More Undo XRPL Activity Explosion : Daily volume on the XRP Ledger has skyrocketed to $1.4 billion. Bullish Technicals : A golden cross (20-day SMA over 200-day SMA) has formed, signaling strong upside potential. Institutional Interest : Open interest in XRP derivatives is rising sharply, nearing $11 billion. Washington Policy Tailwinds : The Genius Act and crypto-friendly regulation under Donald Trump are boosting investor confidence. 'We're witnessing an unprecedented spike in XRPL activity, marking renewed confidence from both the developer ecosystem and institutional players.' — David Schwartz, CTO at Ripple Is XRP forming a breakout pattern? Yes—and it's a big one. Analysts are tracking a classic cup and handle pattern on the chart. A confirmed breakout above $3.52–$3.56 could unlock the next wave toward $4.50 and beyond. Key levels to watch: Live Events Price Level Significance $3.28 200-day SMA—long-term support $3.35 Handle bottom—psychological pivot $3.44 Bollinger Band midline—local support $3.66–$3.84 All-time high zone—critical breakout confirmation $4.00+ Short-term target post breakout XRP vs Bitcoin: A shocking reversal Over the last month, XRP has outpaced BTC by more than 60% in USD terms. It's also gaining ground in BTC pairs, with XRP/BTC now approaching the 0.038 resistance mark. If it breaks through, we could see a broader altcoin shift away from Bitcoin dominance. Analyst predictions: How high can XRP go? Short-Term $3.80–$4.47 possible, according to Peter Brandt and Bitget, if momentum holds. Break above $3.56 could trigger short-term price action up to $4.00–$4.50 . Weekly forecast : 8–20% upside projected by end of July. Medium-Term (Q4 2025) $5.00–$10.00 range viewed as likely if institutional flows, ETF approvals, and macro trends stay positive. Dr. Cat (NewsBTC) believes a $6–$10 surge is possible if Bitcoin reaches $144K. Long-Term (2026+) $20–$30 targets are being floated by analysts like XRPunkie and CoinCentral. The MVRV golden cross has triggered some extremely bullish projections, including a speculative $22–$45 range . Gann analysis suggests XRP could even touch $45 in the next bull cycle—but caution is warranted. Market dominance and warning signs XRP Dominance (XRP.D) is nearing 5.75%, a key resistance zone not breached in over 2,200 days. Breaking above it could trigger the next explosive move. However, wallet data and HODLer activity hint at a short-term cool-down or consolidation phase. Traders should watch for failed breakouts or divergence in on-chain metrics. Analyst consensus Timeline Conservative Target Moderate Estimate Speculative Bull Case Short-Term $3.80–$4.47 — — Q4 2025 ~$5.00 $6.00–$10.00 — 2026+ $7.00–$20.00 — $22.00–$45.00 Is XRP leading the next altcoin rally? All signs point to XRP being one of the early leaders of the next crypto bull cycle. With soaring transaction volume, bullish chart patterns, ETF whispers, and political momentum, XRP may be gearing up for a breakout that leaves even its 2018 rally in the dust. That said, a short-term pullback wouldn't be unusual, and key resistance levels like $3.66, $3.84, and XRP.D > 5.75% need to be breached to unlock the full upside potential. Key Takeaways XRP hit a new multi-year high at $3.70 , surpassing its 2018 peak. Ledger volume surged 50% to $1.4 billion per day. Analysts predict $5–$10 by late 2025 , with $20+ in play long term. Technical momentum remains strong , supported by golden cross and MACD crossover. 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However, it's important to note that such targets depend on broader market sentiment, Bitcoin stability, and continued adoption of XRPL technology. What is driving XRP's recent price surge? XRP's recent rally is fueled by a combination of technical breakout patterns, ecosystem growth, and increasing institutional and retail interest . The XRP Ledger saw transaction volumes rise sharply to $1.4 billion daily, while XRP formed a cup-and-handle pattern on the charts—a strong bullish indicator. Additionally, support from regulatory circles in Washington, including policy direction under Donald Trump's administration, has made XRP more attractive to institutions. A golden cross (where the 20-day moving average crossed above the 200-day) and positive momentum in derivatives markets have further added fuel to the surge. Is XRP still a risky investment? Like all cryptocurrencies, XRP carries a degree of volatility and risk , especially in the short term. Despite its strong fundamentals and growing adoption, XRP is still subject to regulatory developments, global market cycles, and speculative trading behavior. That said, many investors view XRP as having a better risk-reward profile in 2025 due to its clear utility in cross-border payments and growing traction in the financial ecosystem. As always, it's crucial to do your own research and consider diversifying your investment to manage risk effectively. How does XRP differ from other altcoins? Unlike most altcoins that primarily serve as speculative assets, XRP is a utility-driven token used to facilitate fast, low-cost international payments on the XRP Ledger. It was designed to work with financial institutions, and it's increasingly being adopted by banks, fintech companies, and payment processors. Additionally, the XRP Ledger supports smart contracts, NFTs, and decentralized finance (DeFi), making it a more versatile platform compared to many traditional Layer 1 tokens. This unique blend of speed, scalability, and institutional focus sets XRP apart in the crowded crypto landscape. What should I watch to know if XRP is about to break out again? Key indicators to watch include XRP's price movement near historical resistance levels , particularly $3.66 and $3.84. Traders also monitor XRP dominance (XRP.D)—a breakout above 5.75% could trigger a major price leg. Technical patterns like the cup-and-handle, golden cross, and bullish MACD crossover are strong signs of upward momentum. Additionally, keep an eye on transaction volume on the XRP Ledger and open interest in XRP derivatives. A sudden spike in either could hint at another breakout rally. What's the long-term future of XRP? XRP has the potential to be a cornerstone of institutional crypto infrastructure , especially in cross-border payments and liquidity management. If regulatory clarity continues to improve and adoption accelerates, XRP could see significant long-term value. Some analysts even predict XRP reaching $20–$45 by the late 2020s , particularly if Ripple's ongoing partnerships with central banks and financial institutions bear fruit. However, long-term investors should remain cautious of global market conditions, evolving regulation, and competitive pressures from other blockchain networks.
Time of India
an hour ago
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Ether Machine, backed by crypto giants, set to raise over $1.6 billion in Nasdaq debut
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