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In a post on X, crypto analyst Dr Cat (@DoctorCatX) laid out a detailed road map for the XRP/BTC pair that hinges on both the thickness of the monthly Ichimoku cloud and Bitcoin’s eventual trajectory toward six-figure territory.

The analyst’s working target is a test of 5,200 satoshis by June—a level that “must fight three obstacles at the same time: the quarterly Kijun Sen, a bearish TK cross with a decent gap between Tenkan Sen and Kijun Sen, and the Chikou Span resistance,” he wrote. As a result, he assigns “around 90 percent” odds that the first assault on that level will fail to close a quarterly candle above the Kijun, noting that on a three-month chart “a few candles/tries” implies a time horizon “= a year and more.”

How High Can XRP Price Go?

The accompanying monthly chart, shows a fat kumo acting as near-term ceiling and forming “a close confluence to the 3M Kijun Sen.” One annotation highlights “one more resistance hard to break,” while another points out that by the fourth quarter the kumo is forecast to thin dramatically, giving any later attempt “more strength due to [a] widening TK gap.”

Dr Cat sees two pathways once May trading is underway. If momentum carries through and the 5,200-satoshi zone is pierced during May–June, “we attack in May and June and get $4.5-$6 then reject at least initially (but it might be also rejecting for good).” That dollar translation, he clarified, assumes Bitcoin fluctuating between $90,000 and $120,000: “If BTC is at $90K this is roughly $4.5 and if it is at $120k this is roughly $6.”

The second scenario involves the weekly chart slipping into range-bound behavior, triggering either “a complete flop” or “long consolidation (think months).” Prolonged coiling would shrink the gap between Tenkan and Kijun, erode the thickness of the monthly cloud and, crucially, dull the influence of the quarterly Kijun. “In this case,” he argued, “the chance for the moon target of 12K satoshi significantly increases.” Pushed on what that would mean in dollar terms, Dr Cat replied: “30 $ is the same, assuming BTC explodes much higher much later to $250K (probably even $270K), multiply this by 12K satoshi and you get $30.”

The implication is that XRP’s upside ceiling is bound to Bitcoin’s own expansion. A parabolic run in BTC to a quarter-million dollars would effectively scale Dr Cat’s sats-denominated target into a $30 spot price for XRP—roughly a 5,000 percent rally from current levels.

While the analyst’s framework leans heavily on traditional Ichimoku mechanics—cloud thickness, TK gaps and Chikou Span interaction—he repeatedly cautions that quarterly resistance levels do not yield easily. Even a successful penetration this summer would likely be followed by pullbacks before a sustainable break. Conversely, the comfort of an extended base-building phase could allow XRP to confront those same resistances “significantly easier” later in the year, when the cloud is paper-thin.

For traders, the message is that timing and context may matter more than the raw number. Whether XRP first taps the $4-$6 window and retreats or spends months coiling below resistance, the analyst argues that the ultimate escape velocity to double-digit prices is conditional on Bitcoin’s march past its all-time high and toward the $250,000–$270,000 band.

At press time, XRP traded at $2.10.

TL;DR

Representative Maxine Waters, ranking member of the House Financial Services Committee (HFSC), led Democratic lawmakers out of a joint hearing on digital assets in response to what she called “the corruption of the President of the United States” concerning cryptocurrencies.

In a May 6 joint hearing of the HFSC and House Committee on Agriculture, Rep. Waters remained standing while addressing Republican leadership, saying she intended to block proceedings due to Donald Trump’s corruption, “ownership of crypto,” and oversight of government agencies. Digital asset subcommittee chair Bryan Steil, seemingly taking advantage of a loophole in committee rules, said Republican lawmakers would continue with the event as a “roundtable” rather than a hearing.

HFSC Chair French Hill urged lawmakers at the hearing to create a “lasting framework” on digital assets, but did not directly address any of Rep. Waters’ and Democrats’ concerns about Trump’s involvement with the crypto industry. He claimed Waters was making the hearing a partisan issue and shutting down discussion on a digital asset regulatory framework.

This is a developing story, and further information will be added as it becomes available.

Being wedged between a significant support level and a massive on-chain resistance cluster, Shiba Inu is in a precarious position that could be referred to as a 29 trillion SHIB trap. With technical and on-chain data indicating a struggle to break out in either direction, this price zone, which is currently around the $0.000012 mark, is both a battleground and a bottleneck for SHIB.

Technically speaking, SHIB is presently trading at about $0.0000122, just above a crucial horizontal support. Since it has been tested several times in recent months, this level serves as a short-term buffer against additional declines. In the event that selling pressure continues, it is also perilously close to turning into resistance. The declining volume suggests waning interest, while the RSI, which is at 44, suggests waning momentum and increasing bearish pressure.  Chart by TradingView">

The on-chain data, however, tells the true tale. Over 29 trillion SHIB distributed among holders at $0.000012 and $0.000013 are currently concentrated in a small price range, according to IntoTheBlock. With a significant portion remaining just out of the money and many in the money, just these holders are essentially stuck. Approximately 25,700 and 19,800 addresses were purchased, close to $0.000012 and $0.000013, respectively.

When combined, these wallets offer substantial potential sell pressure at even slight price increases, making upward movement more challenging. The opposite is also true: this concentration can serve as a buffer for support. Numerous holders may double down to safeguard their holdings if SHIB declines, increasing demand close to current levels. 

Nevertheless, this trap may last for weeks unless the market as a whole regains its appetite for risk or SHIB presents a fresh bullish narrative. To put it briefly, Shiba Inu's own investors limit its price. The only way out of this trap is to make a clear break either above or below $0.0000115. In the interim, anticipate choppy movements and stagnation within this small band.

The broader cryptocurrency market is under selling pressure in the early Tuesday session, fueled by a mix of macroeconomic uncertainties, profit-taking and risk-off sentiment.

The markets are anticipating the commencement of the Fed's policy meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday. Traders are pricing in a 4.4% chance of the central bank cutting rates. 

"We expect the Fed to keep rates steady and avoid explicit forward guidance about the policy path ahead," analysts at Deutsche Bank said in a note to CNBC, adding that "the overall tone of the meeting is likely to echo comments from Chair Powell and his colleagues in recent week." Daily Chart: TradingView ">

Major cryptocurrencies are trading down, and XRP is no exception. At press time, XRP was down 3.98% in the last 24 hours to $2.10.

After sustaining four days of drop since May 2, XRP approached the $2 mark, dropping near the daily SMA 200 at $2.07. The loss continued today, reaching lows of $2.08, putting XRP on course for its fifth day of declines since May 2. XRP has broadly declined since highs of $2.36 on April 28, having marked six out of seven days in losses since then. 

Key levels to watch

Eyes are on today's price action as XRP nears the $2 mark, which many view as critical for its next move. A break and close below $2 might put the sellers in command, causing XRP to retest the critical support level at $1.61, where buyers are expected to jump in.

XRP remains trapped between $2.60 and the $2 support, indicating buying on dips and selling on rallies. The recent drop has caused XRP to return below the daily SMA 50 at $2.174, returning to trading between its daily moving averages of 50 and 200, as it has since early February. The move increases the chances of consolidation in the coming days.

On the other hand, a decisive break above $2.60 might cause XRP to target the $3 level once more.

Bitcoin and the broader crypto market are headed for a sharp uptrend, according to Binance founder and former CEO Changpeng "CZ" Zhao.

Bitcoin could climb to anywhere between $500,000 and $1 million this cycle, and the total crypto market capitalization could touch $5 trillion by the end of this year, Zhao said in an interview with Farokh Radio published Monday. He didn't offer a specific timeline for the cycle.

This isn't the first time Zhao has floated a seven-figure bitcoin target. In February of this year, he hinted at the $1 million mark in a post on X, imagining a future headline about bitcoin that could read it "crashes" from $1,001,000 to $985,000.

Zhao had similarly hinted at a $100,000 bitcoin price prediction back in 2020, referencing a hypothetical drop from $101,000 to $85,000. That prediction eventually played out — bitcoin crossed $100,000 for the first time in December 2024.

Bitcoin is currently trading at around $93,900, according to The Block's bitcoin price page. Its all-time high was $108,786, reached on January 20, 2025. Meanwhile, the current total crypto market capitalization stands at about $3 trillion, according to CoinGecko.

Beyond price predictions

Beyond price targets, Zhao also shared broader thoughts on the crypto space in the interview. He pointed to memecoins as a current source of froth, saying 99.99% of them will fail and that they distract from real innovation. He highlighted artificial intelligence (AI) and decentralized science (DeSci) as two areas with real long-term potential. "AI will marry blockchain," he said, predicting tighter integration between the two technologies. On DeSci, he said crypto will play a key role in funding and incentivizing scientific innovation globally.

Zhao also praised the pro-crypto stance of the current U.S. administration under President Donald Trump, noting how quickly the regulatory environment has shifted. "The U.S. is now like 180 degrees from where it was 100 days ago," he said.

On the future of trading infrastructure, Zhao reiterated that he sees decentralized exchanges eventually becoming bigger than centralized ones. But he pushed back against framing CEXs and DEXs as opposites — calling them just different doors to the same blockchain-based world. While centralized platforms offer simpler onboarding, he said the long-term shift will favor DEXs, and noted that he's actively backing multiple decentralized projects.

Reflecting on his four-month prison sentence last year, Zhao said the experience reshaped his priorities, placing health and family above all else. He described it as mentally taxing, particularly because of the uncertainty around whether his sentence might be extended. Overall, he called it a difficult experience — one he wouldn't wish on anyone.

As for what's next, Zhao said he has no plans to return as Binance CEO, calling that chapter closed. While he said he "would love to have a pardon," his focus now is mentoring new founders. "I don't foresee myself leading another project," he said, describing his new role as that of a mentor, coach and helper.

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