hodler

30 Mar 2026, 15:58

Evernorth is Set to Drop Native XRP Lending on XRPL, Tapping a $100B Opportunity

Evernorth’s XRP Lending Play Could Unlock $100B and Redefine Yield on the XRPL A major shift could be taking shape on the XRP Ledger (XRPL), one focused on putting idle liquidity to work. Market analyst Diana reports that treasury firm Evernorth is preparing to introduce native XRP lending directly on the XRPL, a move that could unlock up to $100 billion in sidelined capital. At the core of this initiative is the proposed XLS-66 amendment, which embeds a fully integrated lending framework into the ledger itself, eliminating the need for external smart contracts. Evernorth’s 473 million XRP treasury positions it as a leading liquidity provider in the emerging XRPL lending ecosystem. Even more significant, XLS-66 promises a seamless, on-chain lending framework built for institutional-scale participation. The proposal enables users to access single-asset XRP vaults, fixed-term, fixed-rate loans, and automated on-chain repayments, all natively on the XRPL. Privacy is protected through zero-knowledge proofs, ensuring confidentiality without compromising transparency. Crucially, the system removes the need for bridging or wrapping assets, streamlining DeFi operations and cutting traditional friction and risk. For institutions, this marks a potential turning point where XRP liquidity can now be deployed entirely within the ledger, eliminating reliance on third-party infrastructure and reducing both counterparty and custody risks. From Payments to Yield: XRPL’s XLS-66 Could Redefine XRP’s Financial Role XRPL is raising the bar for blockchain security by integrating AI-driven systems that detect and neutralize vulnerabilities before they reach production. Embedding these safeguards directly into the protocol positions the network as a proactive leader in preventing exploits at a time when threats remain a constant industry challenge. XLS-66 is not live yet, it's still in the validator voting phase and needs an 80% supermajority to activate. Until then, the proposed native lending framework remains a future prospect rather than an active feature. The timing is notable. Over 50% of XRPL activity now comes from payments, with stablecoin usage accelerating rapidly. RLUSD has emerged as a major driver of transaction volume, and total stablecoin supply on the network has surpassed $570 million since December. If approved, XLS-66 could usher in a new era for XRPL, transforming XRP from a liquidity bridge into a productive financial asset and making yield generation as central to the network as payments. Conclusion If approved, XLS-66 could redefine value flow on the XRP Ledger. By enabling native, secure, institution-ready lending, Evernorth is turning idle XRP into productive capital, signaling a shift from passive liquidity to active yield generation. While validator approval is still required, the trajectory is clear: XRPL is evolving from a payments network into a full-fledged financial ecosystem where XRP works at scale.

30 Mar 2026, 15:55

401(k) Crypto Rules: Trump Administration’s Bold Push to Reshape Retirement Investing

BitcoinWorld 401(k) Crypto Rules: Trump Administration’s Bold Push to Reshape Retirement Investing WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a significant regulatory shift, the Trump administration is actively pursuing a plan to ease 401(k) rules, potentially lowering the bar for cryptocurrency and other alternative assets within American retirement plans. This move, spearheaded by the U.S. Department of Labor, could fundamentally reshape the landscape of retirement investing for millions of workers. The draft rule aims to provide stronger legal protections for plan sponsors while cautiously opening the door to a broader array of investment options historically viewed as too risky or complex for standard retirement accounts. Analyzing the New 401(k) Crypto Rules Proposal The Department of Labor’s draft regulation represents a pivotal change in fiduciary policy. Consequently, the proposal seeks to reduce the legal liability and risk of class-action lawsuits for companies that choose to include alternative investments. Fiduciaries, however, will not receive a blanket waiver. Instead, they must conduct a rigorous review process for each potential alternative asset. This review mandates an analysis based on specific, documented criteria. The required fiduciary checklist includes: Performance History & Projections: Analysis of the asset’s risk-adjusted returns. Fee Structure: Clear understanding of all associated costs and expenses. Liquidity Profile: Assessment of how easily the asset can be bought or sold. Valuation Methodology: Transparent and consistent processes for determining the asset’s worth. This structured approach aims to replace ambiguity with a clear compliance framework. Therefore, plan sponsors who follow these steps gain enhanced legal safeguards. The rule explicitly names cryptocurrency, private credit, private equity, and real estate as examples of the alternative assets under consideration. Historical Context of Retirement Plan Regulation This initiative marks a notable departure from recent regulatory trends. Previously, the Department of Labor under the Biden administration issued stern guidance cautioning fiduciaries about the risks of cryptocurrencies in 401(k) plans. That 2022 guidance highlighted extreme volatility, valuation challenges, and cybersecurity threats. Moreover, it placed a heavy burden of proof on fiduciaries to justify such inclusions. The current proposal, by contrast, adopts a more permissive posture. It aligns with a broader political and philosophical push for individual investment choice and reduced regulatory friction. This shift is not occurring in a vacuum. For instance, the rise of digital assets and the growing retail investor interest in alternatives have created pressure for regulatory adaptation. The table below contrasts the key regulatory stances: Policy Aspect 2022 DOL Guidance (Biden Admin) 2025 Draft Rule (Trump Admin) Overall Tone Cautionary, highlighting risks Permissive, with a safe harbor framework Fiduciary Burden Extremely high, requiring extensive justification Structured, with defined due diligence steps Legal Protection Minimal, emphasizing potential liability Enhanced for compliant plan sponsors Stated Goal Protect participants from speculative risk Expand investment choice and innovation Expert Analysis on Fiduciary Impact and Market Readiness Financial law experts point to the critical nuance in the draft rule. “This isn’t a green light for any alternative asset,” notes a professor of pension law at Georgetown University. “It’s the creation of a detailed roadmap for fiduciaries. If they follow the map precisely, they reach a destination with legal protection. Stray from the path, and they assume significant liability.” This framework could encourage more large 401(k) providers to develop compliant, vetted products. For example, a fund-of-funds model bundling multiple private equity investments with clear fees and valuations might emerge. Simultaneously, the cryptocurrency industry faces a readiness test. The rule’s emphasis on valuation and liquidity poses challenges for many digital assets. Stablecoins with clear backing or Bitcoin ETFs with daily pricing may meet the criteria more easily than smaller, more volatile tokens. Consequently, this could lead to a bifurcation in the crypto market regarding retirement suitability. Potential Impacts on Investors and the Retirement Landscape The immediate impact on everyday 401(k) participants may be gradual. Most plan changes require careful implementation over quarters or years. Initially, only a subset of plan sponsors—likely those with sophisticated, high-net-worth employee bases—may adopt these new options. Participants could see new investment lineups offering targeted exposure to asset classes previously inaccessible in their retirement plans. Proponents argue this increases diversification potential. Critics, however, warn of increased complexity and hidden risks. They emphasize that alternative assets often come with higher fees, longer lock-up periods, and greater opacity. The average investor, they contend, may struggle to understand these trade-offs fully. The rule’s success may hinge on the quality of participant education provided by plan sponsors. Furthermore, this regulatory shift could accelerate the convergence of traditional finance and digital assets. Major asset managers and recordkeepers may accelerate development of integrated platforms. These platforms would need to handle the unique custody, reporting, and trading requirements of cryptocurrencies within the strictures of ERISA, the federal law governing retirement plans. Conclusion The Trump administration’s push to ease 401(k) rules represents a substantial policy evolution with far-reaching implications. By establishing a clear due diligence framework, the Department of Labor aims to lower the barrier for cryptocurrency and alternative assets while attempting to manage associated risks. The ultimate effect will depend on fiduciary adoption, product development, and participant education. This move could democratize access to sophisticated investments but also introduces new layers of complexity into the core of the American retirement system. The final rule, after public comment, will set the definitive course for this new frontier in 401(k) investing. FAQs Q1: What is the main goal of the proposed 401(k) rule change? The primary goal is to provide stronger legal protections for companies that wish to include alternative assets like cryptocurrency in their 401(k) plans. It establishes a clear due diligence process fiduciaries must follow to gain a “safe harbor” from certain lawsuits. Q2: Does this mean my 401(k) will automatically offer Bitcoin? No. The rule makes it easier and legally safer for plan sponsors to offer such options, but it does not require them to do so. Each company’s retirement plan committee will decide whether to add these assets based on the new guidelines. Q3: What are the specific criteria fiduciaries must review? Fiduciaries must conduct a formal review focusing on an investment’s historical performance and future projections, all associated fees, how easily it can be bought or sold (liquidity), and the methodology used to determine its value (valuation). Q4: How does this proposal differ from previous Department of Labor guidance? Previous guidance from 2022 strongly cautioned against including cryptocurrencies, emphasizing fiduciary risk. This 2025 draft rule creates a structured pathway for inclusion, shifting from a stance of discouragement to one of managed permission. Q5: What are the potential risks for 401(k) participants? The main risks include exposure to assets that are typically more volatile, less liquid, and harder to value than traditional stocks and bonds. Participants also need to understand potentially higher fees and the complexity of these new investment options. This post 401(k) Crypto Rules: Trump Administration’s Bold Push to Reshape Retirement Investing first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

30 Mar 2026, 15:54

USDCx Launch and Rising DeFi Liquidity Narrow Gap Between Cardano’s Promises and Delivery, SPO Argues

A Cardano Stake Pool Operator is pushing back hard against a set of criticisms leveled at the blockchain last October, arguing that many of them no longer reflect the current reality. The reassessment highlights tangible progress across liquidity, infrastructure, and connectivity, narrowing the gap between perception and delivery. At the time, critics pointed to the

30 Mar 2026, 15:54

XRP accumulation spikes as whales secure over 120 million tokens

The institutional demand for XRP has grown steadily over the past 9 days, as whale investors increased their holdings by 1.09%. Between March 22 and March 30, the account balance of XRP whales increased from about 11.05 billion tokens, worth around $15.47 billion, to approximately 11.17 billion tokens, valued at $14.86 billion at the time of publication, according to Santiment metrics . XRP held by whales for a 7-day chart. Source: Santiment During this period, the whale balances surged by more than 120 million tokens and peaked on Saturday, March 28, with holdings of nearly 11.21 billion tokens. Institutional investors lead XRP accumulation The main reason why XRP whale balances climbed in the past few days was due to renewed interest from institutional investors. For instance, the altcoin’s United States-based spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) registered a net cash inflow of 2.66 million tokens last week, which equated to roughly $3.59 million, to currently hold around 933.33 million units. Spot XRP ETF weekly chart. Source: SoSoValue Meanwhile, the XRP’s investment products reported a net cash inflow of $15.8 million last week to currently hold assets worth $2.269 billion at press time, based on data from CoinShares . Worth noting that XRP’s investment products outshined those for Bitcoin ( BTC ) and Solana ( SOL ), which saw net outflows last week. What’s the impact on its price? The significant increase in XRP whale balances over the past nine days coincided with a 6.05% fall for the altcoin to trade at $1.347 at reporting time. XRP/USD 4-hour chart. Source: TradingView However, the altcoin’s price has signaled a potential near-term reversal in the past four days, fueled by rising whales’ demand. Moreover, token’s price has formed a possible double-bottom, during the past few days, coupled with bullish divergence of its 4-hour Relative Strength Index (RSI), which is a classic reversal pattern. The post XRP accumulation spikes as whales secure over 120 million tokens appeared first on Finbold .

30 Mar 2026, 15:54

MemeCore (M) Flips Shiba Inu (SHIB) After Exploding by 50% in 2 Weeks: What Comes Next?

The crypto market has a new rock star, and its name is the Solana-based meme coin MemeCore (M). Its price has jumped by double digits in a matter of weeks, thus outperforming multiple leading cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and many more, which have been struggling during the ongoing bear market. M Challenges DOGE Earlier this month, M hit a four-month high of $2.56, while it currently trades around $2.35 (per CoinGecko’s data). Its market cap has surpassed $4 billion, making it the second-largest meme coin, trailing Dogecoin (DOGE). Shiba Inu (SHIB), which held that position for many years, has been on an evident downtrend over the past several months, with its capitalization plunging below $3.5 billion. One of the main catalysts behind M’s rally seems to be an ecosystem update that the team recently announced. Specifically, the developers revealed that the MemeCore Hardfork is officially “live and stable.” “Combined with our new Account Abstraction, your transactions aren’t just cheaper – they’re smarter! Just sit back and enjoy the smooth, cheaper, cost-effective ride in the MemeCore ecosystem,” the disclosure reads. Another development that could have positively impacted the price is Aster’s decision to list perpetual contracts involving M with up to 50x leverage. X user Sjuul | AltCryptoGems claimed that the meme coin has shown “incredible strength” lately, adding that traders and investors should pay attention to its performance. ALTS GEMS Alert also praised the price ascent, envisioning further gains to almost $4 in the following months. Potential ‘Big Scam?’ Other market observers were not impressed by the price upswing, warning that MemeCore could be a dangerous scheme that may leave investors empty-handed. X user Noodles described the project as a “ghost chain,” in which just seven wallets control the entire network. “Empty order books everywhere. Spot depth is virtually zero. Perp order books are just as thin in a 5-10% range. The price is being held up with no real liquidity behind it on either side. 83% of the supply is unaccounted for. 10B max supply. 1.7B circulating. No public unlock schedule for the remaining 8.3B tokens,” they added. Investors contemplating whether to deal with the token should also keep in mind the volatile nature of meme coins like M, whose price is primarily driven by hype rather than fundamentals and can plummet just as quickly. Lastly, they should consider the token’s Relative Strength Index (RSI). Its ratio has risen to almost 70, indicating that M’s valuation has soared too much in a short period and could now be on the verge of a pullback. MemeCore RSI, Source: Trading View The post MemeCore (M) Flips Shiba Inu (SHIB) After Exploding by 50% in 2 Weeks: What Comes Next? appeared first on CryptoPotato .

30 Mar 2026, 15:53

Shiba Inu Completes Hourly Golden Cross, Price Jumps 4%

Shiba Inu reverses negative price trend as golden cross emerges on chart.