Ripple has carried out its scheduled April escrow release, unlocking 1 billion XRP valued at about $1.34 billion. The release occurred in two transfers of 500 million tokens each, according to on-chain monitoring cited by market analyst Xaif Crypto. Ripple typically re-locks 60% to 80% of the tokens from each monthly release into new escrow contracts, leaving only a portion to enter circulation to support ecosystem development, partnerships, and liquidity needs. The approach aims to manage supply flows without overwhelming the market. XRP was trading near $1.35 following the unlock, remaining relatively stable after a broader crypto market pullback. Ripple continues to hold tens of billions of XRP in escrow under its programmatic release framework launched in 2017, a structure intended to provide transparency around its token supply management.

Cardano ( $ADA ) has been ranked the second most quantum-ready blockchain, based on an assessment tied to Google Quantum AI’s latest research. The analysis places Cardano ahead of Bitcoin and the XRP Ledger in terms of post-quantum preparedness. The ranking points to Cardano’s Nightstream initiative, a lattice-based cryptography effort unveiled by founder Charles Hoskinson at Consensus Hong Kong in February 2026. The project is being developed with researchers linked to Google and Microsoft. Nightstream aims to deliver quantum resistance while remaining fast, scalable and efficient on AI chips, targeting readiness well ahead of the expected 2030s window when large-scale quantum computing could pose broader security risks. The assessment follows a Google paper that reported a 20x reduction in the resources required to break the elliptic-curve cryptography that underpins most blockchains. Ethereum is actively running post-quantum testnets, while Bitcoin is described as lacking a coordinated migration plan. Quantum-resistant tokens jumped in the 24 hours after the paper’s release.

Ripple's stablecoin tracker on the XRP Ledger reports that 92,300,000 $RLUSD has been minted to the RLUSD Treasury. The issuance is described as the largest single $RLUSD mint recorded on-chain, a development some market watchers view as bullish for activity on $XRPL.

Franklin Templeton has agreed to acquire 250 Digital, a crypto investment firm spun out of CoinFund, deepening the asset manager's push into institutional digital assets. The transaction includes 250 Digital's full team and its cryptocurrency investment strategies. Franklin Templeton said it will fold the capabilities into a new unit, "Franklin Crypto," aimed primarily at institutional clients such as pension funds and sovereign wealth funds with structured crypto investment offerings. The deal is expected to close in Q2 2026, subject to regulatory approvals, client consents, and final definitive agreements. Financial terms were not disclosed. Franklin Templeton said its BENJI tokenized fund will be used as part of the consideration, and it will also commit capital to the acquired strategies. Leadership of Franklin Crypto will be shared by Christopher Perkins and Seth Ginns, both previously at CoinFund, alongside Franklin Templeton executive Tony Pecore. The three will report to Sandy Kaul, the firm's Head of Innovation. 250 Digital was launched in January 2026 as a CoinFund spinout. In remarks to The Wall Street Journal, Kaul pointed to the recent crypto market downturn as a factor behind the timing, citing periods of weakness as potential entry points for institutions and highlighting demand for stable, well-structured platforms for experienced crypto professionals. The acquisition extends Franklin Templeton's multi-year buildout in digital assets. The firm entered the space in 2018 and says it now has around 50 professionals focused on the sector. It launched the BENJI tokenized money market fund in 2021 and was among early participants in U.S. spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs in 2024. Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Opinions expressed may reflect the author's views and do not necessarily represent The Crypto Basic. Readers should conduct their own research before investing. The Crypto Basic is not responsible for any financial losses.

Tom Lee's Bitmine has confirmed a fresh purchase of 45,000 ETH, valued at about $95.3 million. On-chain data from Arkham shows the accumulation was spread across several institutional-grade wallets. The move marks a sizable capital deployment by one of Wall Street's most outspoken crypto-bullish firms.

Traditional finance is moving deeper into DeFi. $Ondo has partnered with Franklin Templeton to bring ETFs onchain, positioning the effort as a bridge for trillions of dollars into the real-world assets (RWA) narrative. Read the full breakdown.

Franklin Templeton plans to acquire a spinoff from CoinFund as it moves to broaden its cryptocurrency investment offerings.

Bitmine, linked to Fundstrat's Tom Lee (@fundstrat), purchased an additional 45,000 ETH worth about $95.3 million.