Latest news with #DavidSchwartz
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Up 350% in 12 Months: Is XRP Still Worth Buying?
XRP's price soared as it resolved its pressing regulatory issues. But it could run out of steam as investors scrutinize its near-term catalysts. It could struggle to outperform Bitcoin and Ethereum over the long term. 10 stocks we like better than XRP › XRP (CRYPTO: XRP), the native cryptocurrency of the open source XRP blockchain, has surged about 350% during the past 12 months. But should investors still buy XRP after that jaw-dropping rally? Let's review the bull and bear cases to decide. David Schwartz, Jed McCaleb, and Arthur Britto -- who co-founded the fintech company Ripple Labs -- created XRP in 2012. The three founders used XRP to fund Ripple's expansion, so Ripple became the largest single holder of XRP but didn't actually control its open source Ledger. XRP's entire supply of 100 billion tokens was pre-mined before its launch, and Ripple locked up more than half of its tokens in escrow accounts. Ripple periodically releases those tokens to stabilize its liquidity. However, XRP can't be actively mined like Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) or other proof of work (PoW) tokens, and it doesn't support smart contracts for developing decentralized apps (dApps) like Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) and other proof of stake (PoS) blockchains. Ripple initially promoted the usage of its XCurrent network as a cheaper, faster, and more secure alternative to the widely used SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) protocol for money transfers. Several smaller financial institutions -- including Travelex Bank, Tranglo, and Sentbe -- adopted XCurrent for their money transfers. Ripple likely hoped that some of those customers would adopt XRP as an alternative to fiat currencies for their cross-border transactions. However, XRP's volatility, regulatory challenges, and conservative banking strategies limited its appeal. Ripple sold about $1.3 billion in XRP tokens in a series of coin offerings, but the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) sued the company in 2020 and accused it of illegally selling unregistered securities. That lawsuit caused Ripple to lose some of its top customers. Several crypto exchanges also delisted XRP and crypto asset manager Grayscale suspended its XRP Trust. Those headwinds made XRP a tough cryptocurrency to love. But last August, its battle with the SEC ended with a lower-than-expected fine. The SEC's subsequent efforts to pursue its case fizzled out, and the two parties reached a final settlement earlier this month. After the regulators backed off, the major crypto exchanges relisted XRP, Grayscale relaunched its XRP Trust as a closed end fund (CEF) for accredited investors, and several crypto firms submitted their applications for new XRP spot price exchanged-traded funds (ETFs). Declining interest rates and the ascension of the crypto-friendly Trump administration brought back even more investors. XRP's biggest near-term headwinds are dissipating, but it also has a few potential catalysts on the horizon. The approvals of its first spot price ETFs could validate XRP's existence and stabilize its price by attracting more mainstream and institutional investors. There have also been persistent rumors of a Ripple initial public offering (IPO). If Ripple actually goes public, it could generate more buzz for XRP and fresh funds for expanding the XRP Ledger. To expand its reach, Ripple plans to upgrade its on-demand liquidity (ODL) feature, which lets users directly use XRP for cross-border transactions across Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. That expansion could attract new partnerships with more banks and money transfer companies. To attract more developers, it plans to add more hooks (small snippets of code for enabling smart contract features) to the XRP Ledger. It could also integrate more sidechains (independent blockchains) for integrating Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) features, decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols, dApps, and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) into its ecosystem. XRP's biggest headwind was the SEC's protracted lawsuit. But now that that lawsuit is finally over, its long-term future looks a bit murky. It can't be actively mined, its blockchain can't be natively used to develop dApps, and most financial institutions aren't eager to adopt XRP transfers. In other words, XRP might struggle to outshine Bitcoin or Ethereum over the long term. It's deflationary by design, but its limited appeal among developers and financial institutions make it a risky investment. It might be worth nibbling on if you expect XRP ETFs or Ripple's IPO to hit the market, but investors shouldn't expect to replicate its huge gains from the past 12 months. Before you buy stock in XRP, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and XRP wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $640,662!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $814,127!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 963% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 168% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join . See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of May 19, 2025 Leo Sun has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Up 350% in 12 Months: Is XRP Still Worth Buying? was originally published by The Motley Fool Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Daily Mail
10-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Die-hard Costco fans share members-only terms you MUST know to score the best deals
Costco fanatics have revealed the members-only terms that are key to scoring hidden deals at the hugely popular superstore. Super fans David and Susan Schwartz learned about the terms while visiting over 200 stores to write their book, The Joy of Costco: A Treasure Hunt from A to Z, The Street reported. One of the frequently heard utterances was 'showtime ready,' referring to the state employees arriving for 4am shifts must get the store in before opening the doors. Stores that are 'showtime ready' include fully stocked products, clear aisles, and fresh food at sampling stations. If workers set up properly, members will have a better chance of scoring the best deals on popular products before they sell out. Customers can also score massive deals on products showing a small asterisk known as the 'death star,' representing items about to run out or be discontinued. The label lets shoppers know they should snap up an item quickly or risk it disappearing. Another term, 'fence,' refers to chain-link fences located near Costco store entrances where members might be able to find some sneaky deals. Costco members can occasionally get a head start on finding the best deals if they're outside before the store opens The term dates back to the 1990s, right before Costco merged with the now-defunct Price Club store chain, whose location in San Diego had a chain-link fence that store leaders deemed to pricey to remove. The 'fence' surrounds an area showcasing special promotional and seasonal items. While the fenced-in products aren't necessarily less expensive, they do help customers spot unexpected promotions before making their way to the rest of the store. Members can also occasionally get a head start on finding the best deals if they're outside before the store opens. Costco employees who spot shoppers outside before opening have welcomed them inside at least 15 minutes early. The Schwartzes' book was released in 2023 and became a best-seller. All of the information gathered in the book came from visiting Costco stores in 14 countries, including China and France. Another fact they jotted down was the never-changing price of its $1.50 hot dog and soda combo. The store has made several changes since their book was published. A notable change was Costco's decision to swap Pepsi for Coca-Cola in its food courts. They received backlash over the beverage swap, and slammed for its decision to enforce shoppers to provide proof of membership at food courts. Despite these changes, along with food court price hike claims, the chain earned $62.53 billion in net sales during its recent quarter, a 9.1 percent increase compared to this time last year.
Business Upturn
07-05-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
Ripple Price Prediction: Analysts Announce Bullish $7–$10 XRP Projection for Summer — StratoVM Surges 2,939% Amid Market Optimism
ROAD TOWN, British Virgin Islands, May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — XRP is making headlines once again as CME Group gears up to launch XRP futures on May 19, signaling a potential surge in institutional interest. Combined with improving regulatory clarity and Ripple's ongoing expansion, this move could set XRP on a bullish trajectory toward the $10 mark. At the same time, StratoVM ($SVM) is capturing serious attention after a 2,939.4% surge over the past three months, fueled by the explosive rise of Bitcoin DeFi. As a Layer 2 built to bring smart contracts and AI capabilities to Bitcoin, StratoVM is positioning itself at the heart of one of crypto's fastest-growing narratives. Let's break down the momentum behind both projects. Could XRP Hit $10? A Fresh Look at Key Catalysts Driving the Price Outlook A major catalyst for XRP is the launch of CME Group's XRP futures on May 19, bringing it into the institutional derivatives market alongside Bitcoin and Ethereum. This opens the door for regulated institutional access via familiar trading instruments. The market is already reacting—daily XRP transactions recently topped $5.3 billion, and active wallet addresses surged over 600% in a week, from 74,589 to over 460,000. Legally, Ripple gained momentum after the SEC dropped charges against two top executives, boosting investor confidence and clearing a path for broader institutional adoption. Meanwhile, Ripple continues to lead on security. CTO David Schwartz earned praise for swiftly addressing a global Bluetooth vulnerability, underscoring the company's tech credentials. Crypto market analyst Jane Doe from Alpha Research projects a bullish target range of $7 to $10 for XRP by the end of summer, driven by institutional inflows, increased transaction volumes, and legal clarity. 'If CME's launch brings similar inflows as Bitcoin futures in 2017, XRP could reach $10 in the coming months,' she stated. StratoVM ($SVM): The Layer-2 Breakthrough Transforming Bitcoin Bitcoin remains the largest and most secure blockchain, but its capabilities are still largely limited to being a store of value. Unlike Ethereum or Solana, Bitcoin hasn't traditionally supported smart contracts, DeFi apps, or NFTs—leaving it out of the programmable finance revolution. That gap is what StratoVM ($SVM) aims to fill. As a next-generation Layer-2 solution, it's designed to bring DeFi, AI integration, and smart contracts to Bitcoin's base layer—without compromising security. SVM 7-day chart, Source: CoinGecko According to CoinGecko, SVM has surged 2,939.4% over the past three months, now trading at $0.05393. This growth reflects increasing interest in Bitcoin-based infrastructure plays. StratoVM currently holds a market valuation of $5.14 million, a tiny fraction compared to peers like CoreDAO, which boasts a market cap of approximately $701.9 million. The disparity suggests room for growth if StratoVM continues gaining traction in the emerging Bitcoin DeFi (BTCFi) space. And that space is growing fast. According to DeFiLlama, total value locked (TVL) in BTCFi has exploded from $307 million to $5.85 billion in the past year alone—a clear signal of demand for Bitcoin-native innovation. StratoVM is already live on Uniswap , with rumors circulating about an upcoming centralized exchange (CEX) listing. Backed by over 50 strategic partners, the project is building strong momentum across the ecosystem. Its testnet activity also reflects growing user interest, boasting 113,000 wallets and processing 56,000 daily transactions—early signs of real-world adoption. If the project delivers on its vision, StratoVM could radically reshape Bitcoin's role in the broader crypto ecosystem—turning it from digital gold into a programmable financial layer supporting DeFi, smart contracts, and AI-powered applications. The Takeaway With CME Group set to launch XRP futures on May 19, Ripple's token is stepping into the institutional spotlight. Coupled with legal clarity and renewed market confidence, this could be the catalyst that propels XRP toward the $5–$10 range this summer—though broader market volatility still poses risks. Meanwhile, StratoVM ($SVM) offers a radically different opportunity: a technology breakthrough aiming to bring smart contracts and DeFi to Bitcoin's network. With 2,939.4% growth over three months, a low $5.14 million valuation, and rising adoption metrics, SVM is positioned at the intersection of two surging narratives—Bitcoin scalability and the DeFi explosion. For crypto enthusiasts in 2025, this pairing could offer the best of both worlds: XRP for institutional strength and macro exposure, and StratoVM for early-stage innovation and the next evolution of Bitcoin DeFi. With the CME Group's imminent launch of XRP futures, Ripple is well-positioned to capture significant institutional attention. If the momentum continues, XRP could challenge the $10 mark this summer. However, for crypto early adopters seeking early-stage projects, StratoVM offers an intriguing alternative in the evolving Bitcoin DeFi space. Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial or investment advice. Always conduct your own research and consult a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decisions. Please note that forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and actual outcomes may differ. Contact Details: Jason M. [email protected] Disclaimer : This is a paid post and is provided by StratoVM . The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. 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Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility. Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page. Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an 'as-is' basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above. Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. 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Cision Canada
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Cision Canada
Shake Shack Canada Announces First-Ever Chef Collaboration with Toronto's Michelin-Recognized MIMI Chinese Restaurant
Shake Shack Canada and MIMI Chinese are bringing the heat with three exclusive menu items, crafted as a tribute to Toronto's diverse culinary scene TORONTO, April 28, 2025 /CNW/ - Shake Shack Canada is thrilled to unveil a limited-time culinary collaboration with one of Toronto's most celebrated restaurants, MIMI Chinese, available exclusively at all Toronto locations from May 13 – May 26, 2025. Shake Shack is bringing bold, regionally inspired Chinese flavours to its classic menu in collaboration with Chefs David Schwartz and Braden Chong of MIMI Chinese — a Toronto restaurant included on Toronto's Michelin Guide for two consecutive years. As part of this special collaboration, a portion of proceeds will be donated to Fort York Food Bank, helping to support members in the community experiencing food insecurity. "We're delighted to partner with MIMI Chinese to launch our first ever chef collaboration in Canada, celebrating the incredible local chef community we have here in Toronto," says Billy Richmond, Business Director of Shake Shack Canada. "Through this one-of-a-kind culinary experience, we are proud to introduce three new delicious menu items inspired by our roots in fine dining and emphasis on premium ingredients, which we can't wait for our guests to enjoy!" This collaboration celebrates both brands' shared passion for high-quality and locally sourced ingredients. The limited-edition menu will be available at all three Shake Shack locations across Canada—Yonge & Dundas, Union Station, and Yorkdale Shopping Centre—as well as exclusively on Skip. The menu includes three creations: Málà Chicken: Inspired by the Sichuan classic La Zi Ji, this sandwich delivers the signature má (numbing) and là (spicy) sensation through MIMI Chinese's house-made chili oil, charred scallion relish, green chili mayo, kosher pickles, lettuce, and crispy fried chicken. Shaokao Fries: A nod to Chinese street food and night market barbecue, these crinkle-cut fries are dusted with a bold blend of cumin, chili, and Sichuan peppercorn for an irresistible snack with a kick. Served with green chilli mayo. Black Sesame Coconut Shake: Recalling traditional Chinese dessert soups and the nostalgic Cantonese treat Tang Yuan, this reimagined shake blends black sesame paste with vanilla frozen custard for a sweet, nutty, and slightly bitter finish. "MIMI Chinese pays homage to one of the world's oldest and most diverse cuisines," says David Schwartz Creative & Culinary Director and Co-Founder of Big Hug Hospitality. "Partnering with Shake Shack gave us the opportunity to share these bold flavours with a wider audience and continue to spotlight regional Chinese food." "These collaborative dishes with Shake Shack are an example of how food is constantly evolving; trends and preferences change over time," adds Braden Chong, Executive Chef of MIMI Chinese and Sunnys Chinese. "At MIMI Chinese our priority is to represent Chinese food in the best way we can and this collaboration with Shake Shack is another opportunity to do exactly that." Combining Shake Shack's elevated take on the classics that Canadians know and love, with MIMI Chinese's bold, inventive dishes, the result is a one-of-a-kind experience unlike anything else in Canada. From May 13–26, 2025, this exclusive menu will be available at Shake Shack's Toronto locations—Yonge & Dundas, Union Station, and Yorkdale Shopping Centre—as well as through Skip. This marks just the beginning, with even more menu innovation, upcoming limited-time offerings and future chef collaborations. About Shake Shack Canada Formed in 2023, Shake Shack Canada is a partnership between Osmington Inc. and Harlo Entertainment Inc. Both Toronto-based private investment companies, Osmington and Harlo Entertainment prioritize innovation, value creation, and delivering exceptional experiences. Serving up the same Shake Shack experience known around the world, Shake Shack Canada's ambitious vision includes opening Shacks nationwide, with its first three locations now open at Yonge & Dundas, Union Station, and Yorkdale Shopping Centre in Toronto. About Shake Shack Shake Shack serves elevated versions of American classics using only the best ingredients. It's known for its delicious made-to-order Angus beef burgers, crispy chicken, hand-spun milkshakes, house-made lemonades, beer, wine, and more. With its high-quality food at a great value, warm hospitality, and a commitment to crafting uplifting experiences, Shake Shack quickly became a cult-brand with widespread appeal. Shake Shack's purpose is to Stand For Something Good®, from its premium ingredients and employee development, to its inspiring designs and deep community investment. Since the original Shack opened in 2004 in NYC's Madison Square Park, the Company has expanded to over 580 locations system-wide, including over 370 in 34 U.S. States and the District of Columbia, and over 200 international locations across London, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Mexico City, Istanbul, Dubai, Tokyo, Seoul and more. About MIMI Chinese MIMI Chinese is a dining destination in Toronto offering a refined exploration of China's diverse regional cuisines. Located at 265 Davenport Road, the restaurant features an elegant, dimly lit ambiance with deep red accents and plush seating, evoking the nostalgic charm of classic Chinese eateries. The menu focuses on southern regions like Guangdong, Sichuan, Hong Kong, and Hunan, blending traditional flavours with modern touches. Designed for sharing, the dishes reflect the Chinese cultural emphasis on communal dining. Leading MIMI Chinese are Co-Founder and Creative Culinary Director David Schwartz and Executive Chef Braden Chong, key figures in Toronto's modern dining scene. Schwartz's passion for Chinese cuisine led to MIMI and its sister restaurant Sunnys Chinese–both Michelin Guide recognized with Sunnys awarded a Bib Gourmand—and earned him the 2023 MICHELIN Guide Toronto Young Chef Award. Chong, a third-generation Chinese Canadian, brings deep culinary heritage and global experience, including time at Michelin-starred restaurants in Japan.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Is This 1 Looming Threat to XRP a Reason to Sell It Right Now?
As a specialized blockchain catering to banks and currency exchange houses, XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) has a collection of risks that are worth taking seriously. For some investors, if the coin can't cover its bases with particular risks, it's a sign that it might be worth selling. And XRP is facing one big threat looming in the distance. Here's what you need to know. XRP's blockchain is intended as a serious platform that financial institutions around the world can use to become more efficient in handling assets transferring money from place to place. That means the system needs to be secure, otherwise its target users will not be willing to use it. After all, while wire fraud is a problem, it's pretty difficult to steal money that's in the process of being wired from one bank to another. So banks don't have much of an incentive to switch to a riskier system even if it offers a lot of other benefits, as XRP does. One particularly large threat facing XRP's security in the future stems from quantum computing. While quantum computing is still in its infancy, and practical applications of it that might compromise the chain's cryptographic security are probably far off in the future, it's also theoretically true that a sophisticated attacker equipped with a sufficiently powerful quantum computer could wreak havoc on the chain, potentially stealing money and disrupting transactions. Like all of the top blockchains right now, XRP is not future-proofed in regard to its resistance against potential quantum-based exploitation in the future. Therefore, a significant risk is not addressed. Financial institutions don't face that risk if they stick with their legacy money transfer technologies. So this could actually become a barrier to adoption, provided that the threat advances toward reality as quantum computing technology gains in sophistication. Ripple, the business that issues XRP, probably is unlikely to be caught flatfooted by an actual quantum computing attack anytime soon. Ripple's chief technology officer (CTO), David Schwartz, is well-acquainted with the risks posed to XRP by quantum computing. His strategy is to monitor basic cryptography research for any signs that quantum-resistant algorithms suitable for blockchain implementations have been discovered. He doesn't see the risk as being relevant in the near term. Investors should take his sentiment seriously, and breathe a sigh of relief. If that's the attitude of the company's CTO, there's reason to believe that the quantum risk is not any reason to sell XRP or hesitate to buy it whatsoever. In short, Ripple has a huge incentive to develop solutions to risks originating from quantum computer-based codebreaking. It knows full well that financial institutions will accept nothing less than bulletproof security features from the fintech. Likewise, it also understands that the quantum risk is not a problem to worry about this year or next year, but over the five- to 10-year term. That's plenty of time to unearth the solutions the CTO is waiting on, and it's also plenty of time to create a smooth technical implementation of the right resistant features on XRP's blockchain. Given the knowledge that Ripple has, as well as its incentives to get ahead of the issue rather than fall victim to it, investors do not have much reason to worry about XRP. It's likely going to be a more secure chain than others that don't aim to handle institutional funds as part of their core value offering. And, because it's operated by a company rather than a collective of developers as are other leading chains, it can react much more rapidly to emerging threats. At the same time, it's important for investors to see at least some kind of progress on the chain working toward quantum resistance during the next few years. If it doesn't happen, the presence of the risk may become a headwind, but it's also key to appreciate that leadership on the issue will increase the chain's prestige with precisely the right crowd of potential users. So there's an opportunity for upside here that's inextricable from the presence of the threat, assuming Ripple is willing to invest in the effort in a timely fashion. For now, keep an eye on what Ripple says about preparing for quantum computing. The earlier it takes real steps toward hardening the system, the more likely it is that this becomes a driver for XRP, rather than something that weighs it down. Before you buy stock in XRP, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and XRP wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $495,226!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $679,900!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 796% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 155% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join . See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of April 14, 2025 Alex Carchidi has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends XRP. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Is This 1 Looming Threat to XRP a Reason to Sell It Right Now? was originally published by The Motley Fool Sign in to access your portfolio
