April 24, 2025 - Mega Stock Alert

CME Expands XRP Futures Trading for Crypto Investors

Written by Stephanie Bedard-Chateauneuf on April 24, 2025. Posted in Cryptocurrency. Leave a Comment

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CME Group (NASDAQ:CME) is making another bold move in the cryptocurrency space by introducing XRP futures trading, a strategic addition to its growing suite of digital asset derivatives. Set to launch on May 19, pending regulatory approval, this new offering aligns with rising institutional demand for regulated crypto products.

Already a major player in the crypto futures market—with established contracts for bitcoin and ether—CME is now turning its attention to XRP. This new launch is designed to provide more flexibility and risk management options for both institutional and retail traders seeking diversified exposure to the cryptocurrency market.

Details of CME’s XRP Futures Trading Launch

The new XRP futures trading contracts will come in two sizes to accommodate different trading needs. One is a micro contract representing 2,500 XRP, while the larger contract covers 50,000 XRP. Both will be cash-settled and based on the CME CF XRP-Dollar reference rate, ensuring transparency and price integrity.

Giovanni Vicioso, Global Head of Cryptocurrency Products at CME Group, emphasized the motivation behind the move: “Interest in XRP has steadily increased as institutional and retail adoption for the network grows. We are pleased to launch these new futures contracts to support clients’ investment and hedging strategies.”

This latest product follows closely on the heels of CME’s successful launch of Solana (SOL) futures in March, which surpassed 43,000 contracts traded within weeks.

Why XRP Futures Trading Matters Now

The decision to introduce XRP futures trading couldn’t be more timely. The first quarter of the year saw CME’s crypto futures and options business thrive. Average daily volumes reached 198,000 contracts, translating to a notional value of $11.3 billion. Open interest surged to $21.8 billion, reflecting a growing appetite for regulated and transparent digital asset investment options.

With institutional investors increasingly looking to diversify their crypto portfolios, the addition of XRP offers another on-ramp into the regulated derivatives ecosystem. XRP, the native token of the XRP Ledger developed by Ripple Labs, has long been viewed as a fast, cost-effective option for cross-border payments, making it a compelling asset for serious investors.

Moreover, as the crypto industry matures, many large investors are demanding compliance-friendly products. CME’s role as a trusted and regulated financial marketplace gives traders the confidence to participate in cryptocurrency markets without exposure to unregulated exchanges.

XRP Futures vs. Spot Market: The Benefits for Traders

XRP futures trading offers distinct advantages over spot trading. Firstly, futures enable leverage, allowing traders to take larger positions with a fraction of the capital. Secondly, they allow for hedging strategies that can mitigate risk in volatile markets. Finally, CME’s robust margin and clearing systems provide greater safety for counterparties.

Unlike unregulated exchanges, CME ensures every trade is backed by financial safeguards, including daily settlement and margin requirements, reducing counterparty risk.

With the addition of XRP to its crypto lineup, CME now offers a well-rounded suite that includes futures for Bitcoin (CRYPTO:BTC), Ether (CRYPTO:ETH), and Solana (CRYPTO:SOL), further cementing its position as the premier hub for institutional-grade crypto derivatives.

Looking Ahead: Institutional Crypto Integration

The launch of XRP futures trading marks yet another milestone in the mainstreaming of crypto finance. As more asset managers and financial institutions allocate funds to digital assets, tools like CME’s regulated futures contracts become essential for long-term portfolio strategies.

Whether for speculation, hedging, or gaining diversified exposure, these products represent a new era of professional-grade crypto investing.

In a world where digital assets are increasingly influencing global finance, CME’s move to introduce XRP futures is both strategic and symbolic. It not only meets today’s demand but also sets the stage for a more mature and secure crypto marketplace.

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Trump’s Crypto Strategy Expands With Gala for Coin Holders

Written by Stephanie Bedard-Chateauneuf on April 24, 2025. Posted in Cryptocurrency. Leave a Comment

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President Donald Trump’s crypto strategy is turning heads again, as he invites top meme coin holders to a private dinner and pushes forward with a broader digital asset plan. This move blends political influence, market speculation, and direct financial interest—uncharted territory for a sitting U.S. president.

On May 22, Trump will host a gala dinner at Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia. The dinner is exclusively for the 220 biggest holders of his meme coin, $TRUMP, launched just before his return to office in January. The top 25 holders will also enjoy a private tour and VIP reception. The event follows a surge of 30% in the $TRUMP coin’s price after the announcement, signaling confidence in the president’s crypto ambitions.

Truth.Fi and Trump Media Make Crypto ETFs Mainstream

This gala comes on the heels of another major step in Trump’s crypto strategy—a collaboration between Trump Media & Technology Group (NASDAQ:DJT) and crypto exchange Crypto.com. The duo plans to launch a suite of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) under the “Truth.Fi” label. These ETFs aim to invest in what the campaign calls “Made in America” crypto assets and domestic blockchain-focused companies.

The ETFs mark a significant milestone, not only for Trump but for the mainstream acceptance of digital assets in U.S. markets. While traditional investors have been wary of volatility in the crypto space, ETF wrappers could help temper risk and expand access to these speculative assets.

White House Crypto Policies Back Trump’s Strategy

President Trump’s crypto strategy is also legislative. In January, he signed an executive order that encouraged collaboration between federal agencies and Congress to lay the groundwork for updated digital asset regulation. This order also eliminated prospects of a U.S. central bank digital currency (CBDC), aligning with privacy-focused crypto supporters.

A second executive order, signed in March, established a U.S. strategic bitcoin reserve. This move echoed gold-reserve era thinking and reflected a belief in Bitcoin (CRYPTO:BTC) as a hedge against economic instability. Alongside that reserve, a broader digital asset stockpile is being developed to protect the nation’s crypto interests.

Trump’s support for crypto has prompted regulatory shifts too. Since his return to the Oval Office, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has paused high-profile lawsuits, including actions against Binance, a global exchange previously targeted under President Biden’s administration.

Stablecoins: The Next Frontier in Trump’s Crypto Strategy

In a further expansion of his crypto strategy, Trump and his sons are backing a stablecoin project under the World Liberty Financial umbrella. The stablecoin will be backed by U.S. Treasurys and other highly liquid assets, and launched on Ethereum (CRYPTO:ETH) and Binance Smart Chain.

The project arrives at a pivotal moment, as Congress debates a bill that could provide a legal framework for stablecoin issuers. If passed, the legislation could fast-track stablecoins into mainstream financial use—a prospect Trump appears eager to leverage.

The Risks and Rewards of Trump’s Direct Involvement

Critics have pointed to potential conflicts of interest as Trump simultaneously crafts policy and profits from crypto projects. The May 22 gala includes rules requiring participants to hold as much $TRUMP as possible until May 12, echoing campaign-style loyalty incentives.

Though the event could be rescheduled, and Trump’s attendance is not guaranteed, attendees will be compensated with a limited-edition Trump NFT if the president is absent.

As the 2024 election cycle heats up and digital assets remain volatile, Trump’s crypto strategy is as much a political statement as it is a financial bet. Whether this approach reshapes the regulatory landscape—or simply markets Trump-branded tokens—remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the White House is now fully crypto-aware, and the president himself is leading the charge.

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Blockchain for Good Alliance Launches Global Accelerator and Fund with UNDP

Written by CryptoCurrencyNews on April 24, 2025. Posted in Cryptocurrency. Leave a Comment

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DUBAI, UAE, April 24, 2025 /CNW/ — The Blockchain for Good Alliance (BGA), a global non-profit initiative, together with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and EMURGO Labs, has launched the SDG Blockchain Accelerator — a global effort aimed at harnessing blockchain-powered social impact initiatives across the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This program aims to equip UNDP personnel and partners with the knowledge, technology, support, and mentorship necessary to develop, pilot, and scale blockchain-based solutions addressing real-world economic development challenges.

Supported by a global network of industry experts, this multi-year accelerator will onboard two cohorts annually, each running for a four month period, focusing on capacity building, solution development, and ecosystem growth. Leveraging Cardano‘s infrastructure and EMURGO Labs’ expertise, the program will deliver up to 40 blockchain solutions aligned with the SDGs, create an open-source resource hub, and promote cross-chain collaboration to broaden the impact of blockchain across the development sector.

Led by BGA Managing Partner Glenn Tan and members of the UNDP AltFinLab, the collaboration will span five global regions, offering funding and strategic support to blockchain projects tackling challenges across the 17 SDGs.

“At UNDP, we believe blockchain is not just a technology — it is a transformative force capable of reshaping how we address humanity’s most pressing challenges. This accelerator program is more than an initiative; it is a call to action for innovators worldwide to harness blockchain’s power to drive sustainable development. By fostering bold collaboration and leveraging its transparency and efficiency, we are paving the way for groundbreaking solutions that can uplift communities globally,” commented Teodor Petricevic, UNDP Accelerator Lead.

As a founding supporter of the Blockchain for Good Alliance, Bybit has worked closely with BGA across various initiatives to promote the use of blockchain for public good. Through its “Bybit Pool” initiative, the crypto exchange has committed US$1 million in funding to support EthicHub, a blockchain platform empowering and enabling smallholder farmers. This contribution supports ethical financing models and showcases blockchain’s potential in building transparent supply chains.

Expanding Impact Across Europe

BGA marked a significant milestone in January 2025 with its formal expansion into Europe, joining the UNDP Brussels Roundtable “Empowering the Future: A Strategic Dialogue on Emerging Technologies and Impact Entrepreneurship in the Western Balkans”. The roundtable brought together 30 key delegates from the UNDP, European Commission, top Web3 foundations, tech hubs, and policy think tanks — including the Ethereum Foundation, Solana Labs, Stellar Development Foundation, Algorand Foundation, Cardano Foundation, Celo, Metis, Cotrugli Business School, Science Technology Park Belgrade, BlackVogel, and the World Metaverse Council.

As part of its broader European strategy, BGA is actively engaging in grassroots initiatives, forging strategic partnerships, and contributing to high-level policy dialogues. With blockchain increasingly recognized as a catalyst for transparent, inclusive, and sustainable development, BGA welcomes collaboration with like-minded organizations to advance real-world solutions and establish blockchain as a pillar of digital equity and innovation across the continent.

#Bybit / #TheCryptoArk / #BGA

About Bybit

Bybit is the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving a global community of over 60 million users. Founded in 2018, Bybit is redefining openness in the decentralized world by creating a simpler, open and equal ecosystem for everyone. With a strong focus on Web3, Bybit partners strategically with leading blockchain protocols to provide robust infrastructure and drive on-chain innovation. Renowned for its secure custody, diverse marketplaces, intuitive user experience, and advanced blockchain tools, Bybit bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, empowering builders, creators, and enthusiasts to unlock the full potential of Web3. Discover the future of decentralized finance at Bybit.com.

For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press
For media inquiries, please contact: media@bybit.com
For updates, please follow: Bybit’s Communities and Social Media

About Blockchain for Good Alliance (BGA)

The Blockchain for Good Alliance (BGA) is a long-term collaborative non-profit initiative with key partners with the main aim to contribute to societal good by using blockchain technology to solve real world problems. By convening leaders, innovators, and organisations from across the blockchain community, BGA seeks to drive innovation, collaboration, and action towards a more sustainable and equitable world.

For more information
Email: hello@chainforgood.org
Website: www.chainforgood.org
Twitter: www.x.com/chainforgood

About UNDP

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet.

Learn more at www.undp.org