The Truth About Ripple (XRP) ETFs: Should You Be Worried?

Jameson Lopp, an American cypherpunk and software engineer, has recently noted that Bitbo, a popular real-time dashboard for on-chain data, is incorrectly displaying the total number of Bitcoins.

The most recent data shows that there are already 20,000,543 coins in existence, meaning that the 20-millionth Bitcoin was mined during this weekend.

However, this is not the case. According to Lopp, the error is likely due to Bitbo running some proprietary calculation rather than querying a full node.

For now, Bitcoin's total supply stands at 19,843,807 coins, while 1,155,974 coins are yet to be mined.

On average, Bitcoin adds roughly 900 coins to its supply per day.

Last million

Lopp has estimated that the 20-millionth Bitcoin is still about a year away from now. The mining of that coin will represent a groundbreaking milestone for the original cryptocurrency, which is widely considered to be a digital version of gold.

Roughly 99% of Bitcoin's total circulating supply will be mined in about a decade from now. Bitcoin inflation will be over in just a few more halving events.

The last Bitcoin ever will be mined in more than a century from now, when the very last halving event takes place.

Millions of lost coins

There are also millions of lost Bitcoins in wallets that have been inactive for decades. While many such long-dormant addresses do end up getting reactivated for unknown reasons, such cases are relatively rare. Hence, it is likely that a big chunk of Bitcoin's total supply has indeed been lost or abandoned.

Satoshi Nakamoto, the mysterious creator of the original cryptocurrency, has supposedly mined roughly a million coins.

XRP has been on a consistent downward trend since the beginning of the just concluded week. A steady flow of consecutive bearish candles on the daily timeframe has pulled the price lower each day, eventually guiding it toward an important support at the time of writing.

As of now, XRP is pressing against the lower boundary of a symmetrical triangle, which could determine whether this dip becomes a deeper fall or the start of a rebound for the cryptocurrency.

Symmetrical Triangle Support In Focus

The symmetrical triangle on XRP’s daily chart is not a new pattern, but the way its price is currently interacting with its lower trendline is setting the stage for what could be a significant move. This interesting phenomenon was noted by a crypto analyst on the TradingView platform, who highlighted this technical zone as a critical decision point for XRP.

As shown in the chart below, the symmetrical triangle has been forming gradually since January, with the price oscillating between a sequence of lower highs and higher lows. This has led to a tightening range that hints at an impending breakout or breakdown.

The pattern’s base support line has been tested on three separate occasions over the past couple of months, each time resulting in a bounce upward. However, the persistence of retests also means the current retest might be broken easily.

A crypto whale’s high-stakes, 10x leveraged PEPE position on Hyperliquid faces mounting risk. The whale’s leveraged PEPE bet remains precarious, risking liquidation amid market instability.

With added margin but persistent losses, any adverse price move could trigger cascading sell-offs and broader crypto turbulence.

Whale Opens 10X Leverage on PEPE

Crypto and DeFi analyst Ai revealed a notable gamble by a whale trader, placing a high-stakes bet on the PEPE meme coin. They opened a 10x leveraged long position worth $27.53 million on the Hyperliquid network.

However, the trade quickly turned against them, with unrealized losses amounting to $3.238 million.

The whale, identified by the address 0x507…BeDb6 initiated the position on March 24 at an entry price of $0.00814 per 1,000 PEPE. As it stands, they are now at risk of liquidation should the price fall to $0.005219.

To prevent forced closure, they have added 3.818 million USDC in margin (approximately $3.8 million).

The precarious nature of the position raises concerns about the broader risks to PEPE’s market stability and the implications for leveraged trading on Hyperliquid.

Using 10X leverage dramatically amplifies potential gains and losses, making this a highly volatile bet. Even minor price fluctuations can lead to significant swings in the whale’s account balance.

If PEPE’s price continues to decline and reaches the liquidation threshold, Hyperliquid’s automated systems will forcibly close the position.

This could further drive down PEPE’s price. Such liquidations often lead to cascading sell-offs as other leveraged traders get caught in a feedback loop, exacerbating market volatility.

Meanwhile, the whale’s decision to inject more margin suggests they are committed to defending their position. However, this also signals the pressure they are under to maintain solvency.

What Are the Perceived Risks?

PEPE’s inherent volatility adds another layer of risk. As a meme coin, its price movements are often driven by social sentiment rather than fundamental value. This makes it particularly vulnerable to quick price swings, which could trouble the whale’s position.

If negative market sentiment prevails due to external factors such as regulatory news or shifting trader interest, PEPE’s price could decline further.

Given that the market has already been experiencing a downturn, the likelihood of additional price pressure remains a significant concern.

Another critical issue is the potential for whale-induced market manipulation. Large-scale traders have the power to sway market trends, either through direct trades or by influencing sentiment.

By continuously adding margin to avoid liquidation, the whale may attempt to prop up PEPE’s price and prevent a major sell-off.

However, such efforts can only go so far. If the whale ultimately exits their position, it could trigger panic among smaller traders, leading to a rapid decline in PEPE’s value.

The broader impact on retail investors closely tracking whale activity could exacerbate instability.

The risks associated with liquidation cascades also cannot be ignored. Hyperliquid’s decentralized liquidation mechanism allows efficient order processing.

However, a large liquidation can spark a chain reaction in highly leveraged markets.

The PEPE price has fallen by over 5% in the last 24 hours and was trading for $0.00000721 as of this writing.

If PEPE’s price nears the whale’s liquidation point, other traders may begin preemptively selling to avoid losses, creating a snowball effect.

This could result in PEPE experiencing sharp price declines quickly, potentially affecting other meme coins and broader crypto markets.

KOL Opens Similar Leverage Position for Ethereum

The risks are not limited to PEPE alone. A similar situation is unfolding with another prominent trader, CBB, a Key Opinion Leader (KOL) on X. They opened a 10X leveraged long position on Ethereum worth $2.11 million.

Currently, they are facing an unrealized loss of $1.035 million due to an entry price of $2,730. Given current market conditions, this has proven to be too high.

However, unlike the PEPE whale, this trader has a more comfortable margin buffer, with a liquidation price of $1,167.8.

While not in immediate danger, this case further reflects the precarious nature of highly leveraged trading in volatile markets.

The unfolding drama surrounding these positions highlights the risks of excessive leverage, particularly in a declining market.

With PEPE’s whale struggling to maintain their position and Ethereum’s long traders facing mounting losses, the broader crypto market could see increased volatility in the coming days.

Ethereum is once again under heavy selling pressure after losing the critical $2,000 level — a psychological and technical zone that bulls have struggled to defend in recent weeks. With price action turning increasingly bearish, investor sentiment is weakening, and analysts are warning that a deeper correction may be on the horizon. As Ethereum slides lower, concerns are growing across the broader crypto market, which often relies on ETH’s strength to lead recovery phases.

The current situation is both tense and delicate. Ethereum’s inability to hold key support levels has rattled short-term holders and is now testing the resolve of long-term investors. Many are now closely watching for any signs of stabilization or fresh accumulation.

One promising on-chain signal comes from Glassnode’s MVRV (Market Value to Realized Value) metric. Historically, a crossover of the MVRV ratio above its 160-day moving average has marked the beginning of strong Ethereum accumulation zones — often preceding significant price rebounds. That signal is now approaching once again, and if confirmed, it could offer a glimmer of hope to bulls waiting for a shift in momentum. Until then, Ethereum remains in a fragile state.

Ethereum Faces Critical Breakdown As Accumulation Signal Nears

Ethereum is now in a critical position, with bulls continuing to lose control as key support levels break one by one. Selling pressure has intensified over the past few weeks, dragging ETH further into a prolonged downtrend that began in late December. Macroeconomic uncertainty, rising interest rates, and heightened global tensions continue to create a hostile environment for risk assets — and the crypto market has felt the impact most severely.

Currently, Ethereum is trading 55% below its local high of $4,100, reached earlier this cycle. The sharp decline has shaken investor confidence, and the continued breakdown in price structure leaves little room for error. Without a swift recovery and strong defense of support zones, Ethereum risks further downside, with analysts warning of continued weakness if sentiment doesn’t shift soon.

Amid the decline, some analysts are watching closely for signs of a potential bottom. Top analyst Ali Martinez shared a key insight on X, pointing to the MVRV (Market Value to Realized Value) ratio as a reliable indicator of accumulation zones. According to Martinez, when the MVRV ratio crosses above its 160-day moving average, it has historically marked strong accumulation phases — moments when long-term investors begin quietly positioning for the next leg higher.

This crossover has not yet occurred, but it is approaching. If confirmed, it could signal that Ethereum is entering a high-value zone despite the current bearish conditions. While the market remains fragile, such on-chain metrics offer a glimmer of hope that accumulation is quietly underway — even as price action continues to look weak on the surface. Bulls will need to act quickly to reverse the trend, but for now, Ethereum’s outlook remains on edge.

Bulls Defend Crucial $1,800 Support

Ethereum is trading at $1,830 after suffering a sharp 14% drop since last Monday, reflecting renewed selling pressure across the crypto market. The steep decline has pushed ETH toward a critical support level at $1,800 — a zone that now stands as a must-hold for bulls. This level has historically acted as a strong pivot point, and losing it could trigger a deeper correction.

If ETH fails to hold above $1,800, the next significant support lies near the $1,500 zone, which would mark a dramatic shift in market structure and likely accelerate bearish sentiment. A breakdown to this level would erase much of the year’s gains and deal a serious blow to investor confidence.

However, if bulls manage to defend $1,800 successfully, a rebound could follow, potentially pushing ETH back above the $2,000 mark. Reclaiming this psychological level would help restore momentum and open the door for a broader recovery.

The next few days will be crucial for Ethereum’s short-term outlook. With macroeconomic uncertainty still looming, bulls must step in with conviction — because if $1,800 breaks, the fall could be fast and steep.

Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView

Ethereum is still a leader in decentralized finance (DeFi) and smart contract applications, but it’s at a crossroads. The community has questioned Ethereum’s relevance in the shifting crypto industry, putting the altcoin’s future under intense scrutiny.

Mainstream narratives paint a dark picture of Ethereum’s developer exodus and underperformance.

Is Ethereum Getting Left Behind?

Critics reflect how Bitcoin’s ideological and political dominance, particularly after President Donald Trump’s pro-crypto stance, overshadowed Ethereum’s early promise of a global, decentralized computer.

Ethereum’s price downturn — down 44% in 2025 — is being driven by the exodus of developers, and network activity dropping 17% last year.

In contrast, Solana has spiked with an 83% uptick in developer engagement, partly driven by its adoption of meme coins and fast transaction speeds.

Standard Chartered analysts also cut their end-of-year Ether price forecast by 60%, based on what they told clients was Ethereum’s “identity crisis” and unclear direction forward.

Ethereum’s co-founder, Vitalik Buterin, acknowledged the growing criticism but rejected demands for quick fixes.

He reiterated Ethereum’s trajectory hinges on “long-term value” and real-world utility, not short-term speculation or political power.

Grassroots Push: Ethereum’s Loyalists See Opportunity

Despite growing critics, Ethereum’s most diehard supporters remain undeterred. They view the pessimism around the largest altcoin by market cap metrics as an inflection point for a turnaround.

Ethereum Layer-2 (L2) solutions continue to dominate chain activity, while real-world asset (RWA) growth on Ethereum looks “exponential,” the user added.

Other users also reacted to the Bloomberg article, which renewed bullishness.

These responses, among others, speak to Ethereum’s strong community, which has tended to shine in the face of adversity and innovation.

There is no political spectacle for Ethereum, unlike Bitcoin, with growth hinging on scalability and real-world use.

Recently, Buterin outlined a roadmap to Ethereum’s L2 ecosystem, calling for funding of open-source development to guarantee continued progress.

His vision is already coming to fruition as projects like Celo successfully transition to Ethereum layer-2 solutions. As BeInCrypto reported, Celo completed the migration after 20 months of testing, which aimed to improve scalability and transaction efficiency.

Adoption of Ethereum’s L2 scaling solutions, such as Arbitrum, Optimism, and Polygon, has also increased.

This aligns with Buterin’s perspective that sustainable blockchain growth comes from strengthened infrastructures, not hype-driven narratives.

These moves indicate that while speculation on Ethereum may be declining, long-term technological adoption could pick up the slack.

Can the Pectra Upgrade Flip the Narrative?

Likewise, Ethereum managed to overcome challenges through significant upgrades. Against that backdrop, its soon-to-be-released Pectra Upgrade could be revolutionary.

Though delays have frustrated some in the community, the upgrade is anticipated to offer improved security, transaction efficiency, and developer-friendly tools.

Ethereum’s continued commitment to innovation and ongoing testnet trials may be the perfect catalyst for reclaiming its DeFi throne. The network’s dominance in decentralized finance (DeFi) and NFT (non-fungible tokens) ecosystems proves particularly resilient.

Indeed, meme coins and speculative trading have shifted to faster chains such as Solana.

That said, when it comes to high-value applications, Ethereum is still at the heart of it all — from decentralized exchanges (DEXs) to institutional-grade financial products.

The question now, however, is whether Ethereum’s focus on real-world adoption can preserve and outlast Bitcoin’s dominance in the halls of political and financial attention.

With the Pectra upgrade on the horizon and a community loyal to the chain’s dominance in the ecosystem, Ethereum may soon show again that its greatest strength lies not in the hype but in resilience and innovation.

Despite community optimism, Ethereum’s price is down by 2.22% in the last 24 hours. BeInCrypto data shows ETH was trading for $1,842 as of this writing.

A seemingly bullish Bitcoin pattern could end up being a trap, according to recent analysis offered by prominent chartist Peter Brandt.

The largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization has now formed the inverse head-and-shoulders pattern on the daily chart, which is typically believed to be a sign of bullish reversal. However, there is a catch: The pattern that the Bitcoin price is currently developing has a downward-sloping neckline.BINANCE:BTCUSDT " data-caption="Image by @PeterLBrandt">

Brandt, who has more than four decades of experience as a commodity trader, says that he prefers H&S patterns with horizontal necklines since they are significantly more reliable.

The downward-sloping neckline means that the cryptocurrency's bullish momentum is possibly waning due to the lack of aggressive buying. Hence, one should not rule out that any future breakout will end up being a fakeout, with the price plunging back below the neckline of the pattern.

Plunging back to $60,000?

Prominent trader Josh Olszewicz has also taken note of the bullish pattern on the one-day chart in a recent social media post. He is seemingly convinced that this could be the last opportunity for the bulls to step up. Otherwise, Bitcoin could be at risk of collapsing back to the $60,000-$70,000 range.

According to data provided by CoinGecko, Bitcoin is currently trading at $83,091 after losing 0.7% over the past 24 hours. Earlier this Sunday, the cryptocurrency reached an intraday low of $81,769.

The cryptocurrency is struggling to revive its bullish momentum, with global trade tensions putting extreme pressure on risk-on assets.