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Although XRP has yet to see a major price rally following Ripple's acquisition of Hidden Road, market sentiment remains optimistic about its potential to climb higher. On Tuesday, Ripple agreed to acquire prime brokerage firm Hidden Road for $1.25 billion. The deal now positions Ripple to act as a rare crypto-native bridge into the traditionally exclusive world of global finance, an effort that now hinges on the XRP Ledger, Ripple ’s stablecoin RLUSD, and growing interest in real-world asset tokenization. Push for XRP Adoption The latest acquisition coincided with the arrival of the Teucrium 2x Long Daily XRP ETF (XXRP) on April 8, marking a milestone for XRP investors and offering a leveraged opportunity to bet on the cryptocurrency’s price movements. As the first XRP ETF in the U.S., this fund will allow traders to gain exposure to double the daily price performance of the fourth-largest digital asset, making it an intriguing choice for those with strong views on XRP's short-term future. The short-term impact of the acquisition plan is yet to be felt in the price of XRP, which could be attributed to the bear market caused by Trump’s tariff imposition. At the time of publication, XRP traded at $1.88, down 12% in the weekly chart, With this, Ripple becomes the first crypto-focused company to own a fully operational prime broker active in both traditional and digital markets. Ripple intends to integrate its enterprise-grade stablecoin , RLUSD, into this infrastructure to serve as cross-margin collateral. This will allow institutional clients to manage positions across both crypto and traditional instruments seamlessly. Ripple’s plan includes deploying the XRP Ledger to handle portions of trade settlements. Currently, such trades can take up to 24 hours via fiat rails. Ripple aims to shrink that window to minutes. Market Impact and Outlook Last year, Ripple partnered with UK-based Archax to launch a tokenized money market fund on XRPL. Now, with Hidden Road’s client base and infrastructure, Ripple could broaden XRPL’s role in tokenizing everything from bonds to commodities. Standard Chartered sees Ripple as well-positioned in this shift. The bank’s latest report forecasts XRP could hit $12.50 by 2028, citing its central role in cross-border payments and expected demand for regulated digital asset solutions. XRP is currently trading near $1.93, up over 7% following the announcement. Ripple's move comes amid growing signs that regulatory conditions in the U.S. may favor tokenization and digital asset adoption. By merging crypto-native infrastructure with established capital market workflows, Ripple is not just expanding its service offering, it’s laying the groundwork for a new phase in institutional finance. If successful, the Hidden Road acquisition could cement XRPL as a backbone for a tokenized, blockchain-compatible financial system.

Is KYC a Threat to Crypto’s Decentralization? Introduction Cryptocurrencies were originally designed to be decentralized, permissionless, and private—giving users full control over their assets without relying on intermediaries. However, as the industry has grown, governments and financial institutions have pushed for greater regulatory oversight, particularly through Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements. KYC is a standard practice in traditional finance that requires users to provide personal identification before accessing financial services. In crypto, it has become a controversial issue. Some argue that KYC helps prevent fraud, money laundering, and illicit activities, while others see it as a threat to the decentralized nature of blockchain. This article will explore: What KYC is and how it works in crypto The role of decentralization in blockchain Arguments for and against KYC in crypto The impact of KYC on DeFi and privacy-focused projects Potential alternatives to KYC that balance security and privacy By the end, you’ll have a comprehensive understanding of whether KYC is a necessary regulation or a threat to decentralization in crypto. Understanding KYC in Crypto What is KYC? Know Your Customer (KYC) is a compliance process used by financial institutions, including crypto exchanges, to verify the identity of their users. It involves collecting personal information such as: Full name Date of birth Government-issued ID (passport, driver’s license, etc.) Proof of address (utility bill, bank statement, etc.) Selfie verification or biometric data The goal of KYC is to prevent illegal activities such as money laundering, terrorism financing, and fraud. Governments and regulators enforce KYC requirements to ensure that financial institutions can track and report suspicious transactions. How KYC Works in Crypto In the early days of crypto, most exchanges and platforms operated without KYC. Users could create an account, deposit funds, and trade without revealing their identity. However, as the industry grew, regulators pressured exchanges to comply with anti-money laundering (AML) laws, leading to mandatory KYC requirements. Today, KYC is required on most centralized exchanges (CEXs) like: ✅ Binance ✅ Coinbase ✅ Kraken ✅ Bybit Decentralized platforms, however, still largely resist KYC requirements—but this is starting to change. The Importance of Decentralization in Crypto What is Decentralization? Decentralization is a core principle of blockchain technology, ensuring that no single entity has control over the network. Instead of relying on banks or centralized authorities, blockchain transactions are verified by a distributed network of nodes. Why Decentralization Matters 🔹 Censorship resistance – No government or corporation can freeze or control funds. 🔹 Financial sovereignty – Users own their private keys and have full control of their assets. 🔹 Privacy protection – Transactions can be pseudonymous, ensuring financial confidentiality. 🔹 Security and trust – The system relies on mathematics and code, not intermediaries. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum were created to challenge traditional finance by offering an alternative system free from government control. But KYC regulations introduce centralized control into an otherwise decentralized ecosystem. Arguments in Favor of KYC in Crypto Some argue that KYC is necessary for the long-term growth and legitimacy of crypto. Here’s why: 1. Preventing Crime & Fraud Crypto has been used for money laundering, terrorism financing, and fraud. KYC helps law enforcement track and catch criminals. Without KYC, governments may ban crypto entirely, limiting adoption. 2. Regulatory Compliance & Mass Adoption For crypto to gain institutional and mainstream adoption, it must follow financial regulations. Institutional investors (banks, hedge funds) won’t enter the market if it lacks compliance. KYC ensures that crypto companies operate legally and sustainably. 3. Reducing Scams & Market Manipulation Anonymous crypto trading makes it easier for bad actors to create fake projects and rug pulls. KYC deters scammers since they would have to reveal their identities. 4. Protecting Users from Fraudulent Activities Exchanges with KYC are often safer for users, providing better security and support. In case of hacks or lost funds, identity verification can help recover assets. Arguments Against KYC in Crypto Despite its benefits, many in the crypto community see KYC as a threat to decentralization. Here’s why: 1. KYC Violates Privacy Rights Crypto was built to offer financial privacy and freedom, but KYC forces users to reveal personal data. Users in oppressive regimes may face government surveillance if they disclose their crypto holdings. 2. Risk of Data Breaches & Hacks KYC databases are prime targets for hackers. Several exchanges, including Binance and Ledger, have suffered KYC data leaks, exposing users’ identities. 3. Exclusion of the Unbanked Population Over 1.4 billion people worldwide lack access to government-issued IDs. KYC creates barriers to entry, excluding users who need crypto the most. 4. Centralization of Control Governments and regulators can force exchanges to freeze accounts. This goes against the core principles of decentralized finance (DeFi). Impact of KYC on DeFi and Privacy Coins KYC in DeFi DeFi platforms like Uniswap, Aave, and Curve operate without KYC. However, regulators are pushing for "DeFi KYC compliance", which could force these platforms to implement identity verification. If this happens, DeFi could lose its permissionless nature, making it similar to traditional banking. Privacy Coins Under Attack Privacy-focused cryptocurrencies like Monero (XMR) and Zcash (ZEC) allow for fully anonymous transactions. Governments view them as a threat and have pressured exchanges to delist them. EU regulations are proposing to ban anonymous crypto wallets. US authorities have targeted developers of privacy protocols like Tornado Cash. KYC could eventually make privacy coins illegal, further centralizing control over crypto. Potential Alternatives to KYC in Crypto Instead of traditional KYC, some blockchain projects are developing alternative solutions that balance security and privacy: 1. Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs) Allows users to prove identity without revealing personal details. Used in projects like zk-SNARKs and zk-STARKs. 2. Soulbound Tokens (SBTs) Digital identity tokens stored on the blockchain. Can verify credentials without relying on centralized databases. 3. Decentralized Identity (DID) Solutions Platforms like Polygon ID and Civic offer blockchain-based identity verification. Users remain in control of their data. Conclusion: Is KYC a Threat to Decentralization? Yes, KYC is a threat to crypto’s decentralization, as it undermines privacy, increases centralization, and introduces security risks. However, it also plays a role in protecting users and legitimizing crypto in the eyes of regulators. The future of KYC in crypto will likely depend on finding a balance between compliance and privacy. Solutions like zero-knowledge proofs and decentralized identity systems could provide alternatives that maintain security without sacrificing decentralization. What are your thoughts? Should crypto adopt KYC, or should we fight for a permissionless future?

$FHE Outlook: Short-Term Flips or Long-Term Belief? As $FHE gains traction, the market is split between two camps—those flipping short-term spikes, and those locking in for the long game. So, what’s the smarter play? Short-Term Flips: Capitalizing on Volatility $FHE is gaining attention fast, and with that comes trading volume, listing catalysts, and sharp price moves. For active traders, this is prime real estate. Scalping breakout patterns or riding short-term momentum on announcements can stack quick profits. But the flip side? You’re also exposed to sudden dumps if sentiment shifts or whales move. Long-Term Belief: Betting on Real Innovation On the other hand, if you zoom out and look at the tech—Fully Homomorphic Encryption is next-gen. It enables computation on encrypted data, which is a massive leap for privacy-preserving applications in AI, healthcare, finance, and Web3. That kind of breakthrough isn’t priced in yet. Long-term holders are betting on the fundamental value catching up to the hype later. What’s the Middle Ground? Many smart investors go hybrid—trade a portion to ride waves and secure profits, but hold a core bag for long-term upside. This way, you stay liquid while still aligned with the mission of privacy-forward computing. So what’s your $FHE move—ride the volatility or hold through it and bet on the future of encrypted computation?

The current trade war and the tariff scheme recently paused by the Trump administration have analysts examining the new trade order that will result in the aftermath of these measures. Matt Hougan, Chief Investment Officer at Bitwise, believes that bitcoin, due to its specific traits, will be favored after the normalization of this situation. Read more: Bitcoin Blazes Past $82K as Wall Street Roars on Trump’s 90-Day Tariff Timeout For Hougan, there is only one thing sure after the enactment of these tariffs: the Trump administration wants to fix a series of trade imbalances affecting the competitiveness of U.S. products in international countries. For this, Trump is considering a single solution: a weaker dollar, according to Steve Miran, chairman of the White House’s Council of Economic Advisers. In the short term, Hougan claims that this will be good for bitcoin, given that a weaker dollar directly implies a stronger bitcoin, having an inverse relation. In the longer term, while devaluing the dollar might have a good effect on making U.S. products more exportable, it will also weaken the dollar’s role as the sole reserve currency. Hougan stated: We will move from a single reserve currency (the dollar) to a more fractured reserve system, with hard money like bitcoin and gold playing a bigger role than it does today. Hougan assessed that bitcoin represents a currency outside any country’s control and a scarce, global, digital store of value, making the case for its adoption alongside gold. Bitwise is still bullish about bitcoin, maintaining the same forecast for the prime cryptocurrency since January. Hougan concluded that $200K per bitcoin is a price that can still be reached this year, even with all the unknowns that can happen. 免责声明：本文章仅代表作者个人观点，不代表本平台的立场和观点。本文章仅供信息分享，不构成对任何人的任何投资建议。用户与作者之间的任何争议，与本平台无关。如网页中刊载的文章或图片涉及侵权，请提供相关的权利证明和身份证明发送邮件到[email protected]，本平台相关工作人员将会进行核查。

Liberland, a sovereign state located between Croatia and Serbia, is preparing to celebrate its 10th anniversary this weekend. The blockchain-based nation has already chosen leaders for its Congress ahead of building the next phase of its decentralization. Tron founder and Prime Minister of Liberland, Justin Sun, has publicly committed to supporting the nation’s infrastructure. He will be attending the much-anticipated event while setting the tone for the future. Former US Senator Rand Paul and blockchain entrepreneur Brock Pierce are also confirmed to deliver remarks. Justin Sun called the anniversary a “top priority” for both himself and his team. “This anniversary is a very big thing for Liberland as it will be a major event where all citizens can come together and share their vision,” he stated. While he might not attend in person, Sun confirmed he will participate virtually. He even expressed hopes that the gathering would “bring together more students, governments, and participants for Liberland as a country.” Sun’s message comes amid rising interest in the micronation’s efforts to build a blockchain-based governance framework. The self-declared libertarian micronation has long positioned itself as a testing ground for digital democracy and decentralized infrastructure. The crypto mogul has pledged the support of TRON’s technical team to help advance Liberland’s blockchain development, particularly as it moves toward Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatibility. “We are going to be EVM-compatible, which will get more users exposure to the infrastructure,” he said, noting that adopting widely used standards will broaden participation in the nation’s governance protocols. EVM compatibility is a critical step for decentralized projects seeking to integrate with Ethereum’s expansive ecosystem of smart contracts and decentralized applications. In a political development timed with the event, Karnika E. Yashwant, known widely in blockchain circles as “Mr. KEY,” has been elected to Liberland’s Congress . His involvement adds further legitimacy to the blockchain-based nation’s institutional aspirations, as the micronation continues to attract high-profile figures from the crypto and political worlds alike. Mr. KEY, in a post, stated that when he first entered the blockchain space back in 2013, it wasn’t just the technology that caught his attention, it was the philosophy. He highlighted the idea of freedom encompassing the “Freedom of choice. Freedom of control. Freedom to build, to participate, to thrive.” He added that Liberland recognized these same values while saluting visionaries like Vit Jedlicka, Petr Krovina, and Samuela Davidova for carrying this vision forward. Crypto mogul Sun has also revealed plans to travel to the United States in May as part of a broader diplomatic and business outreach effort. It may include meetings with President Donald Trump. He stated, “If we have any agendas we want to push for Liberland in the US, we can definitely do that,” he said. As Liberland prepares to mark another year of its radical experiment in nation-building, Sun’s support represents a massive endorsement from one of the blockchain industry’s most visible figures. Cryptopolitan Academy: Coming Soon - A New Way to Earn Passive Income with DeFi in 2025. Learn More