Canary Capital CEO Steven McClurg says XRP could see investor interest rise 30% before December, and he believes the token's price could double from its current level. He also outlines a three-stage market path for the rest of 2026, warning of near-term pressure before a potential post-midterm pickup tied to ETF flows and regulation. XRP was around $1.40 when the comments were made, implying a move above $2.80 if his December target is met.

Nakamoto is moving to a 1-for-40 reverse stock split effective May 22, 2026, after Nasdaq flagged its shares for trading under $1 for 30 consecutive sessions and set a June 8 compliance deadline. The company also disclosed it sold 284 Bitcoin on March 31 to fund operations, while reporting a Q1 net loss of $238 million amid a 20% quarterly drop in Bitcoin’s price.

A bipartisan group of US House lawmakers introduced the Digital Asset PARITY Act on Tuesday, directing the Treasury Department to study whether relief for small crypto transactions should exist and to report back within 180 days. The effort follows figures Kraken highlighted last month showing 56 million IRS tax forms sent last year, including nearly a third for transactions under $1 and more than 75% for trades below $50.

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday that directs the Federal Reserve to consider whether certain digital-asset firms and uninsured depository institutions should gain access to Reserve Bank payment accounts. The order also instructs the Fed to review legal constraints, create clear application steps if permitted, and issue decisions on completed applications within 90 days.

Ripple is working with quantum security firm Project Eleven on a full audit of the XRP Ledger, covering validators, custody systems, wallets, and networking layers. The effort aims to prepare XRPL for a future in which quantum computers could undermine today's cryptography, with plans that include deliverable code, performance testing, and a production roadmap.

Iran's Ministry of Economy launched Hormuz Safe on May 16, 2026, offering maritime insurance for vessels transiting the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz with premiums payable in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. After an on-chain payment is confirmed, the cargo is said to receive immediate coverage plus a digitally signed receipt. Iranian media have suggested the platform could generate more than $10 billion a year, though no official figures were provided.

Bitcoin slid Sunday night after US President Donald Trump posted a warning to Iran on Truth Social, and by early Monday it was trading around $76,780, down about 1.55% over 24 hours. The move pushed BTC below key hourly EMAs (20-hour $77,580; 50-hour $78,120; 100-hour $78,767; 200-hour $79,350) while MACD readings stayed negative (line -359; signal -243; histogram -116).

Strategy said it now holds 818,869 Bitcoin, valued at about $66 billion at current prices. On Thursday, its Variable Rate Series A Perpetual Stretch Preferred Stock (STRC) posted $1.53 billion in trading volume, the highest single-day level on record. Data cited by the company suggests that activity could support an estimated $735 million raise, potentially funding about 9,066 BTC, though any purchase decision was not confirmed.

Ripple’s former CTO David Schwartz warned XRP Ledger users about a surge in fake airdrops and giveaways after one reported victim lost 6,000 XRP. He said offers circulating across social platforms are largely fraudulent, and impersonators claiming to be him on apps like Instagram or Telegram should be treated as scams. Separate reports describe unsolicited NFTs and hidden Buy Offers that can drain XRP if users sign or accept them.