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19 May 2026, 07:02
Expert States Real Reason Why Goldman Sachs Dumped Its XRP ETFs
Goldman Sachs exited its $154 million XRP ETF position. As the largest institutional holder of spot XRP ETFs at the time, the move drew attention across the crypto space. The bank also exited its SOL position and trimmed holdings in BTC and ETH. The answers, however, point to something far more routine than the headlines suggest. Goldman Sachs Reason for Holding XRP Goldman Sachs’ crypto holdings were never a bet on XRP or SOL. The positions existed to support client-facing operations. ETF creation and redemption, market-making, and prime brokerage activity all require a trading desk to hold assets on behalf of clients. Goldman Sachs held those positions because its clients needed them to exist, not because the bank was bullish on XRP. EasyA co-founder Dom Kwok addressed the reaction directly. He clarified that Goldman Sachs’ holdings were not investments in the traditional sense. They reflected the mechanics of running a trading desk that services institutional clients in crypto markets. fyi this is not goldman exiting its investments in $XRP and $SOL as the headline suggests. rather, it refers to goldman's trading desk activity. their initial holdings of xrp and sol were meant to facilitate client needs e.g. etf creation / redemptions, market-making, prime… https://t.co/pNwKnzEvuU — Dom Kwok | EasyA (@dom_kwok) May 18, 2026 Routine Operations Misread as a Signal When a trading desk rebalances, it responds to client demand. If redemptions outpace creations on an XRP ETF, the desk reduces its exposure accordingly, and the position shrinks. On paper, it looks like an exit. In practice, it is an operational adjustment. An investment exit signals a loss of conviction. A trading desk rebalance signals a shift in client activity. The two carry very different weights, and conflating them distorts the picture for retail investors trying to read institutional behavior. Kwok, who has publicly stated he believes XRP can reach $1,000 by 2030 , pushed back on the narrative forming around the filing. His position is that Goldman Sachs’ move shows nothing about XRP’s long-term outlook. What to Expect from XRP Goldman Sachs Sachs reducing its ETF exposure does not alter the fundamental case for XRP. The bank was not a holder because it believed in the asset; it held the position because its clients required it. When that requirement changed, the position changed. Retail investors tracking institutional 13F filings need to apply this filter consistently. Goldman Sachs’s trading desk activity reflects client flow, not proprietary conviction. Reading it as the latter leads to conclusions that the data does not support. The XRP market remains active. Spot ETFs continue to dominate the market . Institutional infrastructure around the asset is still developing, and one desk’s rebalancing does not change any of that. Disclaimer : This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are advised to conduct thorough research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses. Follow us on X , Facebook , Telegram , and Google News The post Expert States Real Reason Why Goldman Sachs Dumped Its XRP ETFs appeared first on Times Tabloid .
19 May 2026, 07:00
Bitcoin Rally On The Line: Analyst Explains Why This Weekly Close Is Critical
Bitcoin (BTC) sits at a technical crossroads after losing a crucial support level, leading some market observers to suggest that this week’s price will be decisive for whether the flagship crypto can reclaim upside momentum or extend its recent losses. Related Reading: Trillion-Dollar Italian Bank Moves To XRP, But How Much Have They Bought? Bitcoin 21W EMA Retest To Be Decisive After closing the week at around $77,450, Bitcoin started the new week falling to a new local low of $76,050. The cryptocurrency had been trading between $76,300 and $82,500 throughout its May rally, failing to break out of the crucial resistance despite multiple attempts. In a Monday analysis, market observer Rekt Capital noted that Sunday’s drop saw BTC close below the key 21-Week Exponential Moving Average (EMA), around the $78,000 area, after successfully retesting this level as support for multiple consecutive weeks. The analyst explained that this performance “shows how lackluster the buy-side strength has been at the 21-Week EMA support, producing a limited rally even after multiple successful retests.” It also means the price is positioned for a bearish retest of this level, with any future short-term relief rally potentially turning the EMA into resistance. He highlighted that a rebound is likely as Bitcoin has now formed a new weekly CME Gap around that area. Therefore, the potential relief rally would turn the 21-Week EMA into new resistance and would also serve the newly formed CME Gap. “It would turn the old CME Gap area into new resistance; after all, the previous CME Gap served as a Range which has technically been lost given the Weekly Close below the old CME Gap bottom,” the market observer added. Rekt Capital emphasized that this week is critical for reversing the bearish sentiment, with Bitcoin needing to close above the EMA and at least within the CME Gaps to reclaim its bullish momentum. BTC Faces ‘Cascading Dumping’ Pattern Meanwhile, analyst Easy On Chain affirmed that the Bitcoin sell-off may not be over yet, as it is not facing a simple short-term correction, but a “structurally driven crisis fueled by cascading leverage liquidations and deep spot-market fear.” Based on CryptoQuant data, he highlighted a “clear cascading dumping” pattern in which capitulation from Bitcoin long-term holders triggers panic selling among short-term investors. The data shows that long-term holders who bought 6 to 12 months ago have an average realized entry of around $110,851, meaning many entered deep unrealized losses territory after the recent collapse. Since Thursday, on-chain flows reveal heavy exchange inflows from these holders, with the Spent Output Age Bands (SOAB) ratio for 6–12 month coins surging to 10.54%, far from the normal 1% level. Historically, this has led to large-scale capitulation, increasing spot-market selling pressure that ultimately spreads to short-term investors. Related Reading: Bitcoin Price Extends Decline, Downside Pressure Builds Aggressively In addition, ultra-short-term supplies, which account for roughly 80% of exchange inflows, are currently being dumped at a loss below the critical break-even point (1.0), indicating that most short-term inflows are not profit-taking, but loss-cutting driven by fear. “The current decline is therefore an internally driven market crisis caused by derivative liquidations, large-scale long-term holder capitulation, and cascading panic from short-term participants,” he concluded, affirming that “until this toxic supply is fully absorbed and sentiment stabilizes, a rapid V-shaped recovery remains unlikely,” and investors should avoid aggressive dip-buying. Featured Image from Unsplash.com, Chart from TradingView.com
19 May 2026, 07:00
South Korea’s KB Financial Completes Stablecoin Pilot As Lawmakers Press For Regulatory Framework
South Korea’s KB Financial has completed a Proof-of-Concept (PoC) for won-denominated stablecoin as lawmakers and experts push to advance the country’s digital asset framework. KB Stablecoin Pilot Cuts Fees, Speeds Transfers On Sunday, KB Financial Group, the parent company of South Korea’s largest bank, announced that it had completed a payment pilot for a won-denominated stablecoin, with electronic payments KG Inicis, Layer 1 blockchain platform Kaia, and digital asset solutions company OpenAsset as partners. According to local news reports, the PoC integrated the entire financial process into a single workflow, from the issuance of a won-pegged stablecoin to offline payments, merchant settlements, and international remittances. The project allows customers to continue using financial services as before, while the internal settlement system has been migrated to blockchain. Notably, the real-world payment model was deployed via offline kiosk transactions at a Hollys coffee shop. The system is engineered so that a consumer pays with a QR code without installing a digital wallet, and a blockchain smart contract is automatically executed at settlement. For international money transfer verification, the model involved converting a won-pegged stablecoin into a dollar-denominated stablecoin using Kaia’s on-chain liquidity, then routing the funds through a local partner in Vietnam to the recipient’s actual bank account. Unlike the traditional SWIFT method, the entire transfer process was completed within three minutes, and transaction fees were reduced by approximately 87% compared to previous methods, the report noted. A KB Financial Group official affirmed that the company will work to “provide digital financial services closely integrated into daily life that customers can tangibly experience by combining financial infrastructure—based on proven stability and trust—with blockchain technology.” The company also revealed that it plans to secure the necessary operational capabilities to launch its services immediately after South Korea’s digital asset legislation and regulations are established. Digital Asset Act Faces Delay Stablecoins have played a central role in the country’s digital transformation and dominated South Korea’s policy discussions over the past year. However, the long-awaited legislation set to address won-pegged token rules has been stalled for nearly six months. For context, the second phase of the Virtual Asset User Protection Act, known as the Digital Assets Act, was initially expected to pass before the end of 2025, but a disagreement between South Korea’s Financial Services Commission (FSC) and the Bank of Korea (BOK) has delayed the framework since December. The financial regulators have been unable to agree on the extent of banks’ role in the issuance of stablecoins, with the central bank pushing for a consortium of banks owning at least 51% of any issuer seeking approval in the country. The FSC, however, has raised concerns about the proposal, arguing that a majority stake for banks could reduce tech firms’ participation and limit market innovation. In April, lawmakers urged the National Assembly to prioritize stablecoin legislation and approve the Digital Asset Act, warning that while politicians argue over governance structures, the global market is moving forward. Similarly, Professor Ahn Soo-hyun of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies stated last week that while global financial leaders complete and revise crypto legislation, South Korea, which accounts for 10% of global digital asset transactions, “is falling behind.” At a Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry forum on digital assets, multiple lawmakers, regulators, and experts discussed the state of South Korea’s stablecoin framework, with some participants calling it a “critical juncture” for the country’s efforts to regulate the sector. Meanwhile, Bank of Korea Deputy Governor Chang Cheong-soo stated, “I believe the won-pegged stablecoin could serve as a complementary and competitive payment method in future monetary systems, playing a role in virtual asset transactions and cross-border payments.”
19 May 2026, 07:00
Zcash – Can its adoption match the hype as quantum narrative gathers steam?
Speculative positioning and long-term infrastructure narratives are affecting Zcash.
19 May 2026, 07:00
Silver Price Holds Near $76.50 as Trump Delays Iran Strike, Easing Safe-Haven Flows
BitcoinWorld Silver Price Holds Near $76.50 as Trump Delays Iran Strike, Easing Safe-Haven Flows Silver prices remain under pressure near the $76.50 mark on Wednesday, as safe-haven demand recedes following reports that President Donald Trump has delayed a planned military strike against Iran. The precious metal, which often benefits from geopolitical uncertainty, has given back some of its recent gains as traders reassess the immediate risk premium. Geopolitical Developments Weigh on Silver According to multiple administration officials, the White House decided to postpone a retaliatory strike on Iranian military targets after internal deliberations. The decision, described as a tactical pause rather than a full policy reversal, has temporarily cooled fears of an escalating conflict in the Middle East. For silver and other safe-haven assets, this shift reduces the urgency for investors to seek refuge in precious metals. XAG/USD had rallied sharply earlier this week, touching highs near $78.20, as news of potential military action broke. The pullback to $76.50 reflects a partial unwinding of those geopolitical risk premiums. The metal now trades in a narrow range as markets await further clarity on U.S.-Iran relations. Market Context and Technical Levels From a technical perspective, silver is testing support at the $76.00-$76.50 zone, a level that previously acted as resistance in late February. A sustained break below this area could open the door for a move toward the $74.00 support level. Conversely, a rebound above $77.50 would signal renewed buying interest, with the next resistance at $78.50. The broader trend for silver remains influenced by a combination of factors: Federal Reserve interest rate expectations, U.S. dollar strength, and industrial demand. The delay in the Iran strike has temporarily reduced one variable, but the underlying geopolitical landscape remains fragile. Why This Matters for Silver Investors For traders and long-term holders, the key takeaway is that silver’s sensitivity to headline-driven geopolitical news remains elevated. The metal’s dual role as both a monetary metal and an industrial commodity means it can react sharply to shifts in risk sentiment. While the immediate threat of a strike has receded, the possibility of future escalation remains, keeping a floor under prices for now. Investors should also monitor the U.S. dollar index, which has firmed slightly on the news, putting additional pressure on dollar-denominated commodities. A stronger dollar typically makes silver more expensive for foreign buyers, dampening demand. Conclusion Silver’s price action around $76.50 reflects a market caught between fading geopolitical risk and ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty. The delay in the Iran strike has removed a short-term catalyst for safe-haven buying, but the underlying tensions ensure that silver remains a volatile asset. Traders should watch for any new developments out of Washington or Tehran that could reignite risk aversion and drive silver back toward recent highs. FAQs Q1: Why did silver prices drop after the Iran strike delay? Safe-haven demand eased as the immediate threat of military conflict receded, leading investors to reduce their exposure to precious metals like silver. Q2: What is the next key support level for XAG/USD? The next major support is around $74.00, with intermediate support at the $76.00-$76.50 zone currently being tested. Q3: Could silver still rally if geopolitical tensions rise again? Yes. Silver remains highly sensitive to geopolitical shocks. Any new escalation between the U.S. and Iran could quickly reignite safe-haven buying, pushing prices back above $78.00. This post Silver Price Holds Near $76.50 as Trump Delays Iran Strike, Easing Safe-Haven Flows first appeared on BitcoinWorld .
19 May 2026, 07:00
Tether Invests in LemFi to Settle Remittances via USDT
Tether has invested in LemFi, a fintech platform that moves money from Europe and the Americas to Africa and Asia. The deal will integrate USDT as a settlement layer across LemFi's payment corridors.
