Crypto

Key Points

• Crypto crime often mirrors traditional financial misconduct, such as front-running securities trades, but is executed using the unique technical aspects of the crypto industry.
• Many damaging crypto crimes involve highly technical exploits of blockchain protocols, requiring deep knowledge of the underlying code and systems.
• Legal and ethical gray zones exist, particularly with white hat hackers who exploit vulnerabilities but return stolen funds, though a crime remains a crime regardless of intent.
• Regulation lags behind the fast-evolving crypto space, with some regulators misunderstanding decentralized systems, complicating enforcement efforts.

Summary

In the article "There’s more to crypto crime than meets the eye: What you need to know" by Savannah Fortis, published on June 19, 2025, the complexities of crypto crime are explored through a discussion on The Clear Crypto Podcast. Hosts Nathan Jeffay and Gareth Jenkinson, joined by Jennie Levin of the Algorand Foundation, delve beyond sensationalized scandals like FTX to highlight that much of crypto misconduct mirrors traditional financial fraud, adapted to blockchain's technical landscape. Levin emphasizes that crimes often exploit intricate protocol vulnerabilities, requiring deep technical expertise. The piece also addresses ethical dilemmas, such as white hat hackers who return stolen funds but still commit crimes, and the challenges of enforcement in a space where intent doesn’t negate illegality. Additionally, regulatory gaps are a significant issue, as some authorities struggle to grasp decentralized systems, hindering effective oversight. The discussion underscores that while crypto crime may appear novel, its roots often lie in familiar human misconduct, amplified by technology. For the full conversation, readers are directed to Cointelegraph’s podcast platforms.

Key Points

• Declining Network Activity: XRP Ledger shows a significant drop in daily active addresses (from a 3-month high of 577,000 to 34,360) and new addresses (from a 2025 peak of 15,823 to 3,500), indicating reduced demand and confidence in XRP.**
• Decreasing Open Interest: XRP's open interest has fallen 30% in a month, from $5.53 billion to $3.89 billion, suggesting investors are closing positions in anticipation of further price declines.**
• Technical Weakness: XRP price remains stuck below key resistance levels ($2.22-$2.40) and major moving averages, with a descending triangle pattern hinting at a potential 45% drop to $1.20.**
• Price Consolidation: XRP has been trading in a tight $2.05-$2.33 range for the past 30 days, struggling to break through to the $3.00 mark.**

Summary

XRP's price continues to stagnate within a narrow $2.05-$2.33 range, with $3.00 remaining out of reach, as highlighted in Nancy Lubale's article on Cointelegraph. Key factors contributing to this consolidation include a sharp decline in XRP Ledger network activity, with daily active addresses dropping from a 3-month high of 577,000 to 34,360 and new addresses falling from a 2025 peak of 15,823 to just 3,500. Additionally, open interest in XRP has decreased by 30% in a month, from $5.53 billion to $3.89 billion, signaling investor caution and potential price drops. Technically, XRP struggles below critical resistance levels ($2.22-$2.40) and major moving averages, with a descending triangle pattern suggesting a possible decline to $1.20 if support at $2.00 fails. While bearish momentum is evident with the RSI dropping to 51, there remains a speculative possibility of a long-term breakout to $10, reminiscent of 2017 patterns, though current data points to continued challenges in the near term.

Key Points

• Dogecoin is an exciting speculative asset, originally created as a joke in 2013, appealing to those looking for high volatility and fun investments. **
• Despite its popularity and iconic Shiba Inu mascot, Dogecoin lacks significant real-world value compared to other cryptocurrencies. **
• Bitcoin and Ethereum are highlighted as superior long-term investment options due to their established use cases and reputational strength. **
• Bitcoin, as the first major cryptocurrency, benefits from widespread adoption and institutional support, ensuring its staying power. **
• Investing in Dogecoin should be treated like a lottery ticket, not a long-term strategy, due to its rapid value fluctuations.

Summary

Dogecoin, launched in 2013 as a humorous cryptocurrency, has seen a remarkable 1,000% value increase since 2018, rising from $0.017 to $0.17. Initially a joke with a Shiba Inu mascot, it gained rapid popularity on platforms like Reddit, even surpassing Bitcoin in daily transactions within weeks of its launch. While Dogecoin offers an exciting, speculative investment opportunity due to its volatility and potential for rapid gains, it lacks tangible real-world value, making it a risky choice akin to a lottery ticket. The article suggests that for long-term crypto investments, Bitcoin and Ethereum are far superior. Bitcoin, the pioneering cryptocurrency, holds a unique reputational edge and serves as both a store of value and a means of exchange, supported by growing institutional interest. Ethereum also stands out for its robust use cases. Investors are encouraged to approach Dogecoin with caution and consider it only for discretionary funds, while prioritizing more stable assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum for sustained growth in the crypto market.

Key Points

• BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) ETF has amassed over $69.7 billion in Bitcoin, representing 3.25% of the total BTC supply.
• IBIT holds a dominant 54.7% market share among US spot Bitcoin ETFs, which collectively control 6.12% of Bitcoin’s supply.
• Institutional interest remains strong with sustained ETF inflows, including $388 million in a single day, despite declining retail participation.
• Onchain data indicates high-value transactions dominate Bitcoin network activity, with transactions over $100,000 comprising 89% of activity.
• Analysts suggest weakening retail demand could push Bitcoin towards a support level near $92,000 if investor interest continues to wane.

Summary

BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) ETF is approaching $70 billion in assets, holding over 3.25% of Bitcoin’s total supply and commanding a 54.7% market share among US spot Bitcoin ETFs. Launched in January 2024, this rapid growth underscores strong institutional interest, with US Bitcoin ETFs seeing consistent inflows, including $388 million in one day. BlackRock’s fund ranks among the top 25 global ETFs, reflecting its significant impact. However, while large investors dominate Bitcoin transactions—evidenced by an average transaction size of $36,200 and 89% of activity from transfers over $100,000—retail participation is declining, with short-term holder supply dropping by 800,000 BTC since May. Analysts like Enmanuel Cardozo highlight institutional commitment and supply scarcity as key price drivers, though others warn of potential stagnation without new catalysts. If retail demand continues to weaken, Bitcoin may test support at $92,000, a critical onchain realized price for traders. Meanwhile, profit-taking and miner selling pressure offset some gains, but corporate treasury strategies and long-dormant wallet accumulation provide balance. This dynamic illustrates a market increasingly shaped by high-value players amidst fading “new money” from smaller investors.

Key Points

• Mehdi Farooq, an investment partner at Hypersphere, lost a significant portion of his life savings in a phishing attack via a fake Zoom call.
• The attack started with a hijacked Telegram account of a known contact, leading to a scheduled call that required a malicious Zoom update.
• Farooq's system was compromised, resulting in the draining of six wallets and complete laptop access by hackers.
• The attack was linked to a North Korea-affiliated threat actor known as “dangrouspassword.”
• Phishing attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, targeting crypto professionals with tactics like fake letters and malicious updates.

Summary

Mehdi Farooq, an investment partner at crypto venture capital firm Hypersphere, recently fell victim to a sophisticated phishing attack, losing a significant portion of his life savings. The scam began with a message on Telegram from a hijacked account of a known contact, Alex Lin, who scheduled a Zoom call via Farooq’s Calendly link. Minutes before the call, the scammer requested a switch to Zoom Business for “compliance reasons” and introduced a fake participant. During the call, Farooq was prompted to update Zoom due to audio issues, which led to his system being compromised. Hackers drained six of his wallets and gained full access to his laptop, all while the impersonator maintained casual conversation on Telegram. The attack, linked to a North Korea-affiliated threat actor “dangrouspassword,” highlights the growing sophistication of phishing scams targeting crypto professionals. This incident follows other recent breaches, including a $330 million Bitcoin theft and scams involving fake letters impersonating hardware wallet companies. Farooq’s experience serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in the crypto space, even for seasoned professionals, as attackers exploit trust and familiarity to execute devastating hacks.

Key Points

• Nakamoto Holdings, founded by Trump’s crypto adviser David Bailey, raises $51.5M in fresh capital through a PIPE deal to expand its Bitcoin treasury strategy.
• The funds were raised in under 72 hours, showcasing strong investor demand for Nakamoto’s Bitcoin accumulation approach.
• Proceeds will primarily fund Bitcoin purchases, alongside working capital and corporate needs, with a merger with KindlyMD (ticker: NAKA) expected in Q3 2025.
• The merger aims to develop Bitcoin-native companies and bolster the treasury through further BTC accumulation.
• While 27 organizations have recently added Bitcoin to their balance sheets, analysts warn of risks if BTC falls below $90,000, potentially leading to liquidation for some firms.

Summary

Nakamoto Holdings, a Bitcoin holding company founded by David Bailey, a crypto adviser to US President Donald Trump, has secured $51.5 million in new capital via a private placement in public equity (PIPE) deal. Announced through merger partner KindlyMD, the funds were raised in under 72 hours, reflecting strong investor interest in Nakamoto’s strategy to amass Bitcoin as a reserve asset. Priced at $5.00 per share, the financing boosts KindlyMD’s total funding to $563 million. The proceeds will mainly support Bitcoin acquisitions and general corporate needs. Nakamoto, launched earlier this year, is set to merge with KindlyMD (Nasdaq: NAKA) by Q3 2025, aiming to create Bitcoin-native companies and expand its treasury. This move aligns with a trend of 27 organizations adding Bitcoin to their balance sheets recently, though analysts like Fakhul Miah of GoMining Institutional caution that smaller firms may lack proper safeguards. Standard Chartered also warns of liquidation risks for half these companies if Bitcoin drops below $90,000, which could harm the crypto market’s reputation. Despite mixed market sentiment, Nakamoto’s aggressive Bitcoin strategy signals growing corporate adoption of cryptocurrency as a treasury asset.

Key Points

• Coinbase is preparing to launch crypto perpetual futures in the US, aligning with CFTC regulations, as announced by Max Branzburg on June 13.
• Perpetual futures, or perps, are high-risk financial products allowing traders to speculate on crypto prices with significant leverage, up to 100 times.
• Recent shifts in US regulatory stance under the Trump administration, including the CFTC withdrawing a prior advisory note in March 2025, indicate a more open approach to perps.
• Concerns remain over retail trader risks, with potential for rapid liquidation due to high leverage and small price fluctuations, as highlighted by experts like Fenni Kang.
• The crypto perps market is substantial, with open interest at $704 billion as of June 20, per CoinMarketCap data, signaling strong demand among active traders.

Summary

Coinbase is set to introduce crypto perpetual futures, or perps, in the US, following an announcement by Max Branzburg on June 13, aligning with evolving Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) guidelines. These high-risk financial products, which allow speculation on cryptocurrency prices without expiration dates, have been largely inaccessible to US customers due to regulatory concerns over retail trader risks, particularly from high leverage up to 100 times. Such leverage can lead to rapid liquidation with minor price shifts, a danger emphasized by experts like Fenni Kang. However, under the Trump administration, the CFTC has shown a more permissive stance, withdrawing a cautionary advisory in March 2025 and opening public comment on perps. Bitnomial recently self-certified a legal perp contract, and Coinbase is close to finalizing a similar product. Despite the risks, the crypto perps market is massive, with $704 billion in open interest as of June 20, driven by active traders. While regulatory clarity is still pending, the potential for retail investor demand remains high, though concerns about financial safeguards persist.

Key Points

• Bitcoin Stability: Bitcoin (BTC) is trading above $104,500 with minimal movement despite potential Middle East conflict, showing only a 2% decline over the past week.**
• Market Analysis Divergence: Analysts from CryptoQuant warn of a potential BTC drop to $92,000 or $81,000 due to declining demand, while Glassnode sees the quiet market as a sign of maturity with institutional dominance.**
• Institutional vs. Retail Dynamics: Institutional players and ETFs are shaping market flows, while retail participation and short-term holder activity have significantly decreased.**
• Crypto Treasury Companies: Presto Research highlights that Crypto Treasury Companies like Strategy and Metaplanet face less risk than assumed, using innovative financial tools to accumulate BTC without typical collateral risks.**
• Semler Scientific’s Bold Plan: Semler Scientific aims to hold 105,000 BTC by 2027, using equity raises and debt financing, despite current market challenges with its stock value.**

Summary

Bitcoin remains stable above $104,500 with negligible daily movement, despite geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, showing just a 2% weekly decline. Analysts are split on the crypto market’s current low volatility: CryptoQuant warns of a potential drop to $81,000 due to waning demand and reduced ETF flows, while Glassnode interprets the quiet as a sign of maturity driven by institutional activity. Retail participation is down, with short-term holders offloading significant BTC, while institutional and whale transactions dominate. Meanwhile, Presto Research suggests Crypto Treasury Companies like Strategy face lower risks through innovative financial structures, avoiding past crypto blowups. Semler Scientific announced an ambitious plan to hold 105,000 BTC by 2027, leveraging equity and debt, though its stock trades below net asset value. Market dynamics show BTC struggling below $105K despite ETF inflows, Ethereum consolidating near $2,490, and gold steady amid geopolitical and Fed pressures. The crypto market appears poised for dramatic shifts, driven by the tug-of-war between institutional bullishness and declining retail interest, with no clear consensus on the next direction.

Key Points

• Coinbase shares surged 16% to around $295 following the Senate's passage of the GENIUS Act, a bipartisan bill regulating and promoting stablecoins, providing regulatory clarity for Coinbase's stablecoin business.
• The stock broke out of a flag pattern, indicating a continuation of its uptrend, with strong buying conviction shown by high trading volume and a rising relative strength index.
• Key overhead resistance levels to watch are around $330 and $450, which could signal further upward movement if breached.
• Important support levels during potential retracements are near $265, aligning with the breakout area, and $212, a multi-month horizontal support line.

Summary

Coinbase Global (COIN) shares experienced a significant 16% surge to approximately $295 after the U.S. Senate passed the GENIUS Act, a bipartisan bill that regulates and promotes stablecoins, marking a major legislative step for the digital currency industry. This regulatory clarity is seen as a boost for Coinbase, legitimizing its stablecoin operations and revenue streams. The company also launched Coinbase Payments, enabling stablecoin transactions on commerce platforms. Since the start of 2025, Coinbase stock has risen 19%, outperforming the S&P 500's 2% gain. Technologically, after bottoming out in April, the stock trended upward and consolidated in a flag pattern, breaking out decisively with strong volume and momentum. Investors are advised to monitor resistance levels at $330 and $450 for potential further gains, and support levels at $265 and $212 during retracements. The stock's technical indicators, including a converging 50-day and 200-day moving average, suggest a bullish outlook with a potential "golden cross" signal on the horizon.

Key Points

• Massive Leak: Over 16 billion login credentials from major services like Apple, Google, and Facebook have been exposed in a significant data breach.**
• Crypto Risks: The leak poses serious threats to cryptocurrency holders, with potential for targeted account takeovers and access to custodial wallets or seed phrases stored in cloud services.**
• Security Concerns: The data, sourced from unsecured Elasticsearch or object-storage instances, includes infostealer dumps, increasing risks for services without multifactor authentication.**
• Industry Impact: Crypto exchanges may urge users to update passwords or implement stricter security measures to prevent asset loss.**
• User Action: Crypto users are advised to change passwords, enable two-factor authentication (2FA), and avoid storing recovery phrases in unsecured digital environments.**

Summary

A staggering leak of over 16 billion login credentials from major online services, including Apple, Google, and Facebook, has raised significant security concerns, particularly for cryptocurrency holders. Reported by Cybernews, the breach involves 30 exposed datasets, totaling a massive collection of login details, much of which was previously unreported. The data, often stored in unsecured Elasticsearch or object-storage instances, includes sensitive information like tokens and cookies, making it a prime target for mass exploitation by cybercriminals. For the crypto industry, this poses risks of targeted account takeovers, especially for custodial wallets or platforms linked to compromised emails. Additionally, password-based seed phrase backups in cloud services could be vulnerable, potentially exposing private keys. Security analysts warn of increased attack attempts, prompting exchanges to possibly enforce password changes or stricter measures. The breach underscores ongoing issues like password reuse and weak authentication, urging crypto users to update passwords, enable 2FA, and secure recovery phrases offline.

Key Points

• XRP has been in a 200-day consolidation phase between $1.90 and $2.90, with analysts divided on its next direction.
• Bullish fractals from 2017 suggest a potential rally to $3.70–$10, with some projections as high as $25 or more.
• A bearish inverse cup-and-handle pattern could lead to a drop to $1.33 if confirmed.

Summary

XRP has been consolidating for nearly 200 days within a $1.90–$2.90 range following a 500% surge in November 2024, leaving traders uncertain about its next move. While the market remains indecisive, many analysts lean toward a bullish breakout, drawing parallels to a 2017 fractal that preceded a 1,300% rally to $3.40. Current chart patterns, including a symmetrical triangle, suggest potential upside targets between $3.70 and $10, with some optimistic projections reaching $25–$27, especially if driven by factors like ETF developments. Long-term analysis highlights a nearly seven-year consolidation, potentially setting the stage for a significant move. However, bearish risks remain, with an inverse cup-and-handle pattern indicating a possible decline to $1.33 if support levels fail. Analysts emphasize the neutral nature of current patterns, noting that XRP’s direction hinges on whether bulls or bears gain control.

Key Points

• Crypto's Core Value: Crypto is not merely about technology or speculation but about restoring dignity and agency to those excluded by traditional financial systems.**
• Financial Education: Engaging with cryptocurrency prompts essential questions about money, inflation, and financial systems, fostering knowledge and empowerment.**
• Community Impact: Grassroots, community-led initiatives in crypto education are often more effective than formal programs, as they are rooted in local context and cultural understanding.**
• Human-First Design: The crypto industry must prioritize human understanding over technical complexity, designing platforms that address cultural and personal financial needs.**
• Challenges and Risks: Despite its potential, crypto can become a speculative playground with complex barriers, risking exclusion and exposing vulnerable users to uncomprehended risks.**

Summary

In the article "Crypto's true revolution is about humanity, not technology," Badi Sudhakaran argues that cryptocurrency's real value lies in restoring dignity and agency to those marginalized by traditional finance. Beyond technology and speculation, crypto offers a path to financial inclusion through education, prompting individuals to question the nature of money and inflation. This knowledge empowers users, as seen in examples like a grandmother in rural India using a crypto wallet with understanding, or a Johannesburg entrepreneur joining the global economy. However, challenges persist, including speculative hype, technical jargon, and profit-driven motives that risk excluding the vulnerable. Sudhakaran emphasizes the need for human-first systems, advocating for platforms designed with cultural and personal insights rather than just technical prowess. Community-led initiatives often outperform formal training by embedding education in local contexts, fostering dignity and respect. Ultimately, the crypto industry must prioritize accessibility, education, and protection over speed and profit to ensure it serves everyone, embodying values of knowledge, dignity, and connection rather than benefiting only a privileged few.

Key Points

• Bitcoin Sentiment Divided: A recent poll on X by crypto analyst Matthew Hyland shows a near-even split among over 1,300 respondents, with 50.2% predicting Bitcoin will drop to $94,000 and 49.8% expecting a rise to $114,000.**
• Current Market Position: Bitcoin is trading at $104,522, with a potential 10% drop to $94,000 or a 9% gain to $114,000, which would mark a new all-time high surpassing the previous peak of $111,940.**
• Geopolitical Impact: Escalating tensions, including Israel’s airstrikes on Iran and US President Donald Trump’s threats, have contributed to Bitcoin’s recent drop to $103,000 and dampened market sentiment.**
• Market Sentiment: The Crypto Fear & Greed Index has shifted to “Neutral” with a score of 54/100, reflecting uncertainty amid sideways trading in both crypto and broader financial markets like the S&P 500.**

Summary

Bitcoin’s future price movement remains uncertain as crypto users are split on whether it will rise to $114,000 or fall to $94,000, according to a recent X poll by analyst Matthew Hyland with over 1,300 votes. Currently trading at $104,522, Bitcoin could see a 10% decline or a 9% gain to a new all-time high. The cryptocurrency has been trading sideways, impacted by geopolitical tensions, including Israel’s airstrikes on Iran and threats from US President Donald Trump, which recently pushed Bitcoin down to $103,000. This uncertainty is reflected in the Crypto Fear & Greed Index dropping to “Neutral” at 54/100. Broader financial markets, like the S&P 500, are also flat, while Bitcoin ETFs continue to see inflows of $388.3 million. Analysts remain divided on Bitcoin’s long-term outlook, with predictions ranging from $130,000–$135,000 in Q3 to $250,000 by year-end, though bear market concerns persist.

Key Points

• North Korean Threat: A North Korean-aligned hacking group, "Famous Chollima" or "Wagemole," is targeting crypto industry professionals with a new Python-based malware called "PylangGhost."**
• Fake Job Sites: Attackers use fraudulent job websites mimicking legitimate companies like Coinbase and Uniswap to lure victims through fake interviews and skill tests.**
• Malware Capabilities: PylangGhost, a variant of GolangGhost, steals credentials from over 80 browser extensions, including crypto wallets like MetaMask and password managers.**
• Social Engineering Tactics: Victims are tricked into executing malicious commands during fake interviews, often under the guise of installing video drivers.**
• Broader Impact: The malware also enables remote control, file management, screenshot capture, and data theft from infected systems.**

Summary

North Korean hackers, linked to the group "Famous Chollima" or "Wagemole," are targeting cryptocurrency and blockchain professionals with a new Python-based malware named "PylangGhost," according to a Cisco Talos report. The attackers deploy social engineering tactics through fake job websites impersonating reputable firms like Coinbase and Uniswap, primarily focusing on individuals in India. Victims are lured into multi-step processes involving fake interviews and skill tests, during which they are tricked into executing malicious commands, compromising their devices. PylangGhost, a variant of the earlier GolangGhost, can steal credentials from over 80 browser extensions, including crypto wallets like MetaMask and password managers. Beyond credential theft, the malware supports remote access, file management, and data collection, posing a significant threat to infected systems. This is not the first instance of such tactics, as similar fake job lures were linked to the $1.4 billion Bybit heist in April. The ongoing campaign highlights the persistent and evolving threat of North Korean cyber actors targeting the crypto industry.

Key Points

• Despite the hype around AI cryptocurrencies, most are down 40% to 60% in 2025, with some smaller-cap coins dropping as much as 90%.
• Bitcoin, though not designed for AI, could play a significant role in AI-driven micro-transactions due to its divisibility and the Bitcoin Lightning Network's high transaction capacity.
• Billionaire Michael Saylor views AI as a demand driver for Bitcoin, suggesting AI agents will need digital currency for rapid, frequent transactions.
• Cathie Wood of Ark Invest also supports Bitcoin's potential as "the currency for AI," highlighting its utility for AI agent transactions.
• Current AI cryptos with market caps over $1 billion, like Bittensor, have underperformed, making Bitcoin a more promising AI-related investment for now.

Summary

The article explores the unexpected intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC), despite the underwhelming performance of AI-specific cryptocurrencies in 2025, which have declined by 40% to 60%. While Bitcoin wasn't created with AI in mind, billionaire Michael Saylor argues that its characteristics, such as divisibility into Satoshis and the high-speed Bitcoin Lightning Network, make it ideal for the micro-transactions AI agents will require. Saylor sees AI as a "demand driver" for Bitcoin, a view echoed by Cathie Wood of Ark Invest, who envisions Bitcoin as "the currency for AI." However, challenges remain, including Bitcoin's limited transaction capacity on its core blockchain, necessitating solutions like the Lightning Network. Meanwhile, other AI cryptos, even those with significant market caps, have performed poorly, with top performer Bittensor down 17%. The article suggests that until other cryptocurrencies integrate meaningfully into the AI narrative, Bitcoin remains the most promising AI-related crypto investment, hiding in plain sight as a potential millionaire-maker.

Key Points

• Bitcoin and XRP as Investments: Both Bitcoin and XRP are considered potential long-term investments for wealth building, though neither is likely to make investors millionaires overnight.**
• Bitcoin's Scarcity: Bitcoin's value is driven by its capped supply of 21 million coins, creating enforced scarcity that protects it from debasement unlike fiat currencies.**
• XRP's Utility: XRP derives its value from its role as a medium of exchange and its integration within the Ripple ecosystem, facilitating fast and cheap global transactions.**
• Bitcoin's Clearer Path: Bitcoin has a more straightforward path to price appreciation through sustained demand from ETFs and institutional adoption compared to XRP's reliance on corporate and protocol developments.**

Summary

This article compares Bitcoin (BTC) and XRP as potential "millionaire-maker" cryptocurrencies, evaluating their investment prospects. Bitcoin, often dubbed digital gold, benefits from a fixed supply of 21 million coins, ensuring scarcity and resistance to inflation, with recent demand evidenced by $7.1 billion in crypto fund inflows, largely into Bitcoin ETFs. However, turning a small investment into millions would require an unrealistic market cap of $210 trillion. XRP, backed by Ripple, focuses on utility, enabling near-free global money transfers and targeting institutional investors with features like automated market makers and the RLUSD stablecoin. Despite its potential, XRP faces risks from Ripple’s business decisions and regulatory challenges. While both coins could build wealth over time through consistent investment, Bitcoin’s path to significant gains appears clearer due to its scarcity-driven demand, whereas XRP’s success hinges on broader adoption and complex ecosystem growth. Neither is a quick path to riches, but Bitcoin is seen as the more reliable long-term bet.