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18 May 2026, 15:30

Ripple’s Early Banking Ally Now Connected To X Money Expansion

Ripple’s early push into banking partnerships may be finding new relevance in an unexpected place. One of its long-time collaborators has resurfaced at the center of X Money, the payments initiative tied to X’s broader ambition to become a global financial super app. What once served as a bridge for Ripple’s cross-border settlement network is now part of infrastructure aimed at scaling digital payments to a massive user base. How A Ripple-Linked Bank Became Part Of Elon Musk’s Payment Push A Ripple-linked banking partner from the company’s earliest expansion days has now surfaced inside Elon Musk’s X Money ecosystem. RippleXity revealed on X that Cross River Bank, one of the first US banks to integrate Ripple’s Payment protocol back in 2014 for real-time cross-border transfers between the US and Europe, is now powering part of X Money’s beta rollout through its regulated banking services. Related Reading: Why Ripple’s XRP Is A Better Transaction Choice Compared To SWIFT The same Cross River Bank that reportedly issues the Visa Debit and Flex Cards appears in X Money’s beta program. With X building its payments layer through regulated banking and card infrastructure, this places a Ripple-linked financial institution inside Musk’s expanding digital payments infrastructure. Furthermore, the development has quickly drawn attention across the XRP community because it creates a direct historical overlap between Ripple’s early settlement technology and X Money’s regulated banking framework. While there is still no official confirmation of the XRP integration within X Money, many see Cross River Bank’s role as a significant connection that is difficult to dismiss. Ripple Prime Revenue Surges Despite XRP Trading Below All-Time High Although XRP continues to trade below 50% its all-time high, Ripple’s broader infrastructure business appears to be gaining momentum behind the scenes. A technical analyst known as ChartNerd has noted that institutional adoption across Ripple’s ecosystem is accelerating, with Ripple Prime emerging as one of the company’s strongest growth drivers. Related Reading: Could Ripple XRP Power Cross-Border Payments? Russia’s Early Tests Suggest Potential The platform reportedly tripled its revenue over the past 12 months, processed more than 60 million transactions, and now clears over $3 trillion annually while operating across the United States. Thus, this is just one of a broad infrastructure stack that Ripples is building out during a bear market, and the projects that are being built now will accelerate the next bull run. Ripple and XRP have been building this infrastructure for over a decade, from surviving regulatory battles and securing a major victory against the SEC to expanding XRP Ledger functionality. XRP rules as a commodity, expanding XRPFI and DeFi capabilities, strategic acquisitions, banking partnerships, and strengthening its global infrastructure through XRPL upgrades. With more than 300 institutional clients and increasing global licensing approvals, these fundamentals have never been stronger, and clarity is on the horizon. Featured image from iStock, chart from Tradingview.com

18 May 2026, 15:30

Minnesota signs bill allowing banks and credit unions to offer crypto custody services

BitcoinWorld Minnesota signs bill allowing banks and credit unions to offer crypto custody services Minnesota has enacted a new law that explicitly permits banks and credit unions operating within the state to offer cryptocurrency custody services to their customers. The legislation, signed by Governor Tim Walz, creates a formal regulatory pathway for traditional financial institutions to securely store digital assets such as Bitcoin and other virtual currencies on behalf of clients. What the new law means for financial institutions Under the bill, which passed with bipartisan support in the Minnesota legislature, state-chartered banks and credit unions are now authorized to act as custodians for virtual assets. This means these institutions can legally hold private keys and manage the storage of cryptocurrencies, a service that has largely been provided by specialized crypto firms or unregulated entities. The law requires financial institutions to establish comprehensive policies covering risk management, cybersecurity protocols, internal controls, and business continuity planning. The Minnesota Department of Commerce will oversee compliance and supervise the custody activities to ensure consumer protection and financial stability. Why this matters for consumers and the crypto industry The move is significant because it bridges the gap between the traditional banking system and the digital asset economy. For consumers, having a regulated bank or credit union offer crypto custody could provide a more familiar and trusted environment for storing digital wealth, potentially reducing reliance on standalone crypto exchanges or uninsured wallets. For the broader cryptocurrency industry, Minnesota’s legislation adds to a growing patchwork of state-level regulatory frameworks in the United States. Unlike federal-level uncertainty, several states have moved to clarify the legal status of digital asset services, aiming to attract crypto-related businesses while maintaining oversight. Key provisions of the bill Authorizes state-chartered banks and credit unions to provide cryptocurrency custody services Mandates risk management, cybersecurity, and internal control policies Requires business continuity planning for digital asset operations Places supervision under the Minnesota Department of Commerce Applies to virtual assets like Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies Comparison with other states Minnesota joins a growing list of states that have enacted crypto custody laws, including Wyoming, Nebraska, and Texas. However, Minnesota’s approach is notable for explicitly including credit unions alongside banks, which broadens access for smaller financial institutions and their members. Wyoming, for example, created a special-purpose depository institution charter for crypto firms, while Nebraska established a digital asset banking framework. Minnesota’s law is more focused on allowing existing institutions to expand their services rather than creating new charter types. Implications for the future of digital asset regulation This state-level action comes amid ongoing debate at the federal level about how to regulate cryptocurrencies and digital assets. While Congress has yet to pass comprehensive legislation, states like Minnesota are filling the gap with tailored laws that provide clarity for local financial institutions. The law could also influence other states considering similar legislation. By providing a clear regulatory framework, Minnesota aims to position itself as a favorable jurisdiction for crypto innovation while maintaining consumer safeguards. Conclusion Minnesota’s new law represents a measured step toward integrating cryptocurrency services into the mainstream financial system. By allowing banks and credit unions to offer crypto custody under state supervision, the legislation balances innovation with consumer protection. For residents and businesses in Minnesota, this means greater access to regulated digital asset storage options in the near future. FAQs Q1: What exactly is cryptocurrency custody? Cryptocurrency custody refers to the secure storage of private keys that control access to digital assets like Bitcoin. Custodians hold these keys on behalf of clients, providing security against theft or loss, similar to how a bank safeguards traditional assets in a safe deposit box. Q2: Does this law require banks to offer crypto custody? No, the law is permissive, not mandatory. It allows banks and credit unions to offer these services if they choose to, but does not require them to do so. Institutions must still develop appropriate policies and receive regulatory approval before launching custody services. Q3: When will Minnesota banks start offering crypto custody? The law takes effect upon signing, but institutions will need time to develop compliant policies, implement security measures, and receive supervisory approval from the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Consumers may see services become available over the coming months to a year, depending on each institution’s readiness. This post Minnesota signs bill allowing banks and credit unions to offer crypto custody services first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

18 May 2026, 15:28

Adshares hacker returns 86% of $628K loot as analysts expose post-hack vulnerabilities

The attacker behind the Adshares bridge exploit on May 17 has returned 256 ETH (roughly $540,700) to the project’s deployer address, covering about 86% of the estimated $628,000 loss, according to PeckShieldAlert. However, despite the news of the partial refund being a form of relief for the project and the DeFi space, which is seeing increased attacks from bad actors, security researchers warn that platforms and users should also be wary and alert, as post-hack recovery periods also attract scammers who prey on affected users. Adshares bridge exploiter returned 256 ETH after $628K hack. Source: PeckShield via X/Twitter. How did the Adshares exploit happen? According to security researcher and founder of web3 security platform CD Security, Chris Dior, who was among the first to flag the Adshares incident on May 16, the root cause was a failure in bridge mint validation. “The bridge-minter EOA signed 3 wrapTo() calls with non-existent native-chain txids, minting fake wADS to the attacker. Attacker dumped the wADS for ~148.5 ETH and ~$305K USDC on Ethereum,” Dior wrote on X. DeFiLlama’s exploit database categorizes the May 16 incident as a protocol-logic failure using a “Bridge Verification Bypass” technique, with a $628,000 total loss on Ethereum. This infers that the vulnerability was from the bridge’s cross-chain proof-checking layer and not a market-trading or oracle-related flaw. Adshares managed to get a partial refund Exploiters returning a certain percentage of their loot and keeping a smaller percentage is not new in the DeFi space. However, it seems this white hat route is gaining more popularity as some have been executed successfully. The Adshares partial refund follows that pattern. However, it has not been confirmed if Adshares offered formal bounty terms or whether the attacker returned funds voluntarily as of the time of writing. Another platform that recently recovered part of its exploited funds is TAC, a cross-chain protocol bridging TON and Ethereum. After losing $2.8 million on May 12, TAC offered the attacker a 10% bounty to return the remainder. The exploiter accepted, and TAC reclassified the event as a white hat incident, dropping litigation in coordination with security partners and law enforcement. The Verus team has also extended a white hat offer to the attacker who launched an $11.5 million exploit against the platform, as reported by Cryptopolitan . So far, the Adshares team has not published a public statement addressing the exploit, released a postmortem, issued an official bounty notice, or shared anything about recovery. Users should be wary of any information that is not coming from the platform’s official handles. Recovery periods breed secondary scams Not every exploit leads to a refund; in fact, many do not, and even when funds do come back, the attention surrounding a hack creates fertile ground for fraud. During these windows, it is common to see an increase in fake bounty notices, phishing refund portals, and wallet-verification links targeting users who are searching for compensation updates. The THORChain and Verus exploits are the most recent incidents that have led analysts to raise these alarms. THORChain suffered a $10 million exploit on May 15, after which bad actors started spreading misinformation that the protocol was going to launch a refund platform. Anyone here or in DM (or anywhere) claiming to be part of the Verus team or community offering reimbursement is a scammer, DO NOT ENGAGE WITH PEOPLE OFFERING REIMBURSEMENT OR CLAIMING THERE IS A REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM, AND REPORT THEM TO DISCORD or X accordingly. — Verus – The Internet of Value (@VerusCoin) May 18, 2026 THORChain warned users on X that “multiple fake accounts and false information” were circulating about nonexistent refund programs, airdrops, and compensation claims. Adshares users face a similar risk window now that the partial return has drawn public attention. Bridge exploits continue to mount in 2026 The Adshares breach adds to a growing number of bridge-related exploits. PeckShieldAlert reported that cumulative bridge losses in 2026 have exceeded $328.6 million through mid-May, a figure that includes the $11.5 million Verus-Ethereum bridge hack that was disclosed on May 18. If you're reading this, you’re already ahead. Stay there with our newsletter .

18 May 2026, 15:20

Bitcoin sees $982m outflows as investors rotate into XRP and Solana

CoinShares data showed nearly $1 billion leaving Bitcoin investment products as investors shifted toward selective altcoin exposure.

18 May 2026, 15:20

US and Germany Keep Leading as XRP Records 70% Jump in 7-Day ETF Inflows Worldwide

The US and Germany anchor a 70% surge in global XRP ETF inflows, defying a broader $1.074 billion flight from the market ahead of the CLARITY Act vote.

18 May 2026, 15:20

Goldman Sachs exits XRP ETF

Banking giant Goldman Sachs has fully exited its positions in several cryptocurrency -focused exchange-traded funds ( ETFs ) amid subdued performance by the products. In its latest 13F filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the investment banking giant dumped its stakes in XRP – and Solana ( SOL )-related ETFs. The filing shows Goldman Sachs liquidated its holdings in multiple XRP-linked ETFs after previously holding roughly $154 million worth of the products in the fourth quarter of 2025. At the time, the bank was among the largest institutional holders of XRP-related ETFs, with exposure spread across products offered by companies including Bitwise, Franklin Templeton, Grayscale Investments, and 21Shares. Goldman Sachs also exited its positions in Solana-related investment products, including the Grayscale Solana Trust ETF, Bitwise Solana Staking ETF, and Fidelity Solana Fund, marking a broad retreat from alternative cryptocurrency ETF exposure. Goldman Sachs broader cryptocurrency holding Despite the reduction in XRP and Solana holdings, the bank continues to maintain significant exposure to Bitcoin ( BTC ) ETFs. Goldman Sachs still holds approximately $690 million in BlackRock’s IBIT and around $25 million in Fidelity Investments’ FBTC, although both positions declined by about 10% from the previous quarter. The filing also revealed a sharp reduction in Ethereum ( ETH ) ETF exposure. Goldman Sachs cut its holdings in BlackRock’s ETHA ETF by roughly 70%, leaving about 7.2 million shares valued at approximately $114 million. At the same time, the bank increased its investments in crypto-related equities, adding to positions in Circle Internet Group, Galaxy Digital, Coinbase, Robinhood Markets, and PayPal. Meanwhile, it reduced holdings in crypto mining and infrastructure firms, including Strategy, Bit Digital, Riot Platforms, and IREN. The post Goldman Sachs exits XRP ETF appeared first on Finbold .