XRP, Bitcoin ATMs, new bull market wave

XRP, Bitcoin and the New Wave of the Bull Market: A Comprehensive Summary

Has Bitcoin actually broken through the $100,000 ceiling, opening the door to another spectacular cryptocurrency bull market? What's behind the rising popularity of XRP from Ripple, which challenged giants like Solana and Tether in December? In this article you will find a comprehensive analysis of recent events and trends related to the crypto market, with a focus on XRP and its fundamentals.

You can also view the information from this article in video form on the YT channel Bitcoin ATM here.

1. bitcoin Crosses Magic Level of $100,000

Bitcoin has been the litmus test of the health of the entire cryptocurrency market for years. According to reports on the record (and some analysis on industry forums), the price of BTC has finally crossed the psychological ceiling of $100,000. Although in reality (data as of January 2024) Bitcoin's price is oscillating lower, there are growing claims that reaching $100k is only a matter of time.

• Impact on altcoins: If bitcoin breaks out to new peaks, it usually attracts capital to the overall market (known as the ripple effect).
• Investor interest: psychological barriers such as 50k, 100k or 200k always act as a "magnet" for both retail and institutional investors.

Source: CoinDesk - Bitcoin Price Index

2. XRP (Ripple) - Leap to the Capitalization Podium

2.1 Increase to $165 Mld

XRP surprised the market, reaching a capitalization of $165 billion and rising to third place behind Bitcoin and Ethereum (surpassing Solana and Tether in December). According to industry reports, the token was even able to reach the $2.9 level, which last happened more than seven years ago.

Source: CoinMarketCap - XRP

2.2 Is it Just Hype?

This begs the question of whether such high increases are merely the result of temporary euphoria, or whether XRP has a long-term foundation that will support it in the months and years to come:

• Whales (whales) seem to be buying up XRP on a larger scale,
• Many newcomers are entering the cryptocurrency market precisely through XRP,
• The "bullish" (positive) narrative has a strong presence in social media.

3 Ripple: Who Are They and How Do They Work?

3.1 Origins and Mission

Ripple started in 2012 with the goal of improving international payments in cooperation with financial institutions. Over time, it has become known for:

• RippleNet, a banking network that optimizes cross-border transactions,
• XRP Ledger - a registry (often referred to as a "blockchain") in which the XRP token serves as a bridge for exchanging different currencies (fiat and cryptocurrencies).

3.2 Differences in Relation to Bitcoin

While Bitcoin symbolizes the idea of (pseudo-)decentralization and lack of control by central banks, Ripple works with centralized entities. For some this is a disadvantage, for others it is an asset and a potential key to mass adoption of cryptocurrencies.

Source: Official Site of Ripple

4 Fighting in Court: XRP vs. SEC

In December 2020, the US Securities and Exchange Commission(SEC) filed a lawsuit against Ripple, accusing the company of unregistered issuance of securities (XRP). This is one of the most high-profile lawsuits in the history of the crypto industry:

• In July 2023, Judge Annalisa Torres ruled that XRP is not a retail security, but can be one in transactions with institutions [1].
• Personnel changes at the SEC (Gary Gensler's resignation) and regulations introduced by the Donald Trump administration may favor an amicable end to the dispute.

[1] Source: SEC v. Ripple Labs, Inc. - Case Documents (official database)

The outcome of this conflict will have a huge impact on the perception of XRP in the US and around the world. If Ripple wins, many financial entities may massively implement XRP in their operations.

5th RL USD: New Stablecoin from Ripple

5.1 New York Court approval

Two days ago (according to the record), a New York court granted an application to create a RL USD stablecoin. The project is poised to become a major player in the stablecoin world, especially in Europe, where comprehensive MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) regulations are coming into force.

5.2 Potential in the European Market

The MiCA imposes new transparency and cash reserve obligations on stablecoin issuers. Many companies may find it difficult to comply with these regulations. Ripple is counting on RL USD to comply and gain a competitive edge. In this context:

• Tether (USDT) is already facing challenges in the European Union [2].
• Circle (USDC) also has to meet additional requirements in EU member countries.

[2] Source: Cointelegraph - Tether in Europe

6 The Power of RippleNet Technology

6.1 Example $1.8 Mld

On December 11, 2024, $1.8 billion worth of XRP tokens were transferred internally between Ripple portfolios. The cost of this operation:

US$0.01 13.

This negligible fee is one of the most important arguments for banks and financial institutions to choose RippleNet.

6.2 Low Costs and Instant Transactions

• The transaction processing time on the XRP Ledger network is just a few seconds,
• Transaction fees are often fractions of a cent,
• The scalability of RippleNet solutions is attracting interest from dozens of institutions around the world.

Source: Ripple - Insights & Case Studies

7 Outlook 2024-2025: ETFs and Regulation in the U.S.

7.1 Interest in ETFs on XRP

Bitwise, 21Shares and several others have applied to create spot ETFs on XRP. If the SEC gives the green light (e.g., after settling litigation), Wall Street corporations will be able to offer exposure to XRP as part of traditional investment products.

Source: Bloomberg - Crypto ETF Filings

7.2 Changes on the Regulatory Side

After the election and the SEC's castling, the regulators' approach to crypto may liberalize considerably. If Ripple emerges victorious from the legal battle, and ETFs come into effect, XRP could see a new wave of interest.

8 Investing in XRP: What to Pay Attention to?

This is not investment advice.
The crypto market is extremely volatile. However, if you are considering investing in XRP, remember:

1. Study the foundation of the project - cooperation with banks, transparency, technology development.
2. Monitor the progress of the case with the SEC - the outcome of the dispute could shake up the price.
3. Check new regulations in the US and the European Union (MiCA).
4. Diversify your investment portfolio - don't put everything on one card.
5. Follow real information from reliable sources, e.g. CoinDesk, Cointelegraph, official Ripple reports.

"Before any investment, do your own research and remember that it's not difficult to experience violent fluctuations in crypto markets."

9. XRP in Offers Bitcoin ATMs?

The video brings up the idea of adding XRP to Bitcoin ATM.com' s Bitcoin ATM offering. If you think this is a good option:

• Express your opinion - comments can help speed up decisions,
• Consider if you would buy/sell XRP just through Bitcoin ATM,
• Consider the pros and cons of this form of transaction (availability, fees, security).

10 Key Summary

• Bitcoin has reached (according to the record) $100,000, although real market figures are still fluctuating.
• XRP increased its capitalization to $165 billion and jumped to the podium.
• The dispute with the SEC continues, but Ripple's partial victory in retail trading strengthens XRP's position.
• RL USD stablecoin from Ripple could become a major player in the European market thanks to MiCA regulations.
• RippleNet offers instant transactions at ridiculously low costs, which attracts financial institutions.
• ETFs on XRP could trigger another boom if approved by the SEC.
  
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11. table "Advantages and Challenges of XRP".

AdvantagesChallengesFastand low-cost transactions (e.g., $1.8 billion for $0.01)Ongoing legal battle with the SEC, no final rulingCollaboration with banks and institutionsFor some investors - too much centralization and proximity to the banking sector.Possible success of RL USD stablecoin in the EUCompetition from other stablecoins (USDT, USDC)Widespread adoption (dozens of financial entities)Rate volatility due to regulatory uncertaintyPlans for ETFs (spot)Still uncertain timing of regulatory decisions

12 Completion

Although XRP and Bitcoin are stirring up huge excitement among investors, it's worth remembering that the cryptocurrency market is full of volatility and requires constant monitoring of the news and a sound investment strategy. The success of the RL USD stablecoin, the possible creation of ETFs based on XRP and a possible victory in the dispute with the SEC could drive a huge increase in the value of this cryptocurrency in the coming years.

If you are a proponent of adding XRP in Bitcoin ATM.com, share your opinion in the comments. Your suggestion can speed up the integration process, making access to this cryptocurrency even easier.

Thank you for reading!
We hope this article has helped you better understand the current events surrounding XRP, Bitcoin and the crypto market. Remember that nothing you read here constitutes investment advice. Always do thorough research before making financial decisions.

Good luck and see you in the next material!