The post Exclusive: Expert Says ETF Calm Won’t Last Forever; Crypto Is Simply Maturing appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Nischal Shetty, co-founder of Shardeum, says the rise of spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) has helped push Bitcoin deeper into the traditional financial system, giving institutions a regulated and familiar way to gain exposure.

He said the approvals have not only “validated” Bitcoin but also made it easier for major firms to participate without changing their existing custody setups. According to Shetty, this lowers internal friction and removes one of the biggest barriers to institutional adoption.

However, he stressed that ETFs are just one part of a much larger maturity process. Regulation, custody improvements, better liquidity and stronger institutional infrastructure also play roles. 

Falling Volatility Doesn’t Mean a Permanent Shift

Bitcoin recently hit new all-time highs, but the swings around those peaks have been smaller than in past cycles. 

In an interview with Coinpedia, he said, “It’s a meaningful trend, but not a complete structural shift yet. Lower volatility around price peaks suggests institutional flows are starting to balance speculative cycles.”

The smoother price movements point to a growing share of institutional flows, which tend to be less emotional than retail traders. Steady ETF buying has created more predictable demand, softening sudden spikes and crashes.

But he warned that this may not last forever. “Volatility can return when macro conditions change or when ETF flows slow down,” he said. For now, Shetty sees this as the start of a more mature market cycle, not a permanent shift in Bitcoin’s behaviour.

Bitcoin and Ethereum Outlook Through 2026

Looking ahead, Shetty expects Bitcoin and Ethereum to experience longer, more sustained trends instead of the sharp week-to-week moves that dominated earlier years. This depends on ETF inflows staying positive and global monetary conditions not tightening too quickly.

He said Bitcoin’s path will be shaped mainly by central bank policy and how institutions integrate it into their portfolios. Ethereum, by contrast, will depend more on real usage—whether activities like tokenization, DeFi, payments and developer growth continue shifting on-chain.

Shetty added that volatility is unlikely to disappear completely, but broader participation can help soften extreme moves. “Long-term sustainable growth comes from real usage, not just speculative momentum,” he said. “The same applies to both Bitcoin and Ethereum.”

The post Ripple News: Will XRP Become Europe’s Neutral Bridge? Italy’s Gold Grab Renews Debate appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

A surprising political decision in Italy has triggered new discussions about Europe’s financial future and why Ripple’s XRP could become more important than ever.

Over the weekend, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni began pushing to bring Italy’s $300 billion gold reserves under full state control. Until now, much of that influence rested with the European Central Bank (ECB). If Italy takes ownership back, it hints at a much bigger plan: preparing for a possible shift away from the euro.

Analyst Paul Barron says that when a country starts securing its own gold, it often means it is building collateral for a separate financial system. If Italy eventually distances itself from the euro, it could start a domino effect across Europe.

Could Europe Break Apart Financially?

If Italy steps away, experts like Barron say other countries,  including the Netherlands and Slovakia, might follow. Dutch officials have already called gold their “security blanket,” suggesting they may be preparing for their own backup plan.

A fragmented Europe would mean each nation running its own ledger and financial system. That would make euro-to-euro payments far more complicated, and traditional systems like SWIFT could start to struggle.

According to the expert, this scenario is exactly where Ripple comes in.

Why Ripple Fits Into This Picture

If Europe divides into multiple financial networks, banks will need a neutral, fast, cross-border bridge asset. Many analysts say XRP is perfectly built for this role.

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse is already being urged to step up meetings across the EU. He is likely already talking to several European leaders behind the scenes because the timing is critical.

Barron said that XRP can act as a fast, efficient settlement currency between national ledgers — something that could become essential if the euro weakens.

Ripple Expands in Asia at the Same Time

On the same day these European developments surfaced, Ripple announced another major win:
It received new approval from Singapore’s Monetary Authority (MAS) to expand its payment services.

Singapore is one of the most important financial hubs in Asia. This approval strengthens Ripple’s global position and shows how quickly the company is building influence around the world.

Could XRP Become a Reserve Asset?

If gold, government bonds, and global currencies start shifting, a new digital reserve asset may rise. XRP supporters argue that the token is designed exactly for this kind of global settlement role.

With Europe facing uncertainty, Asian markets opening doors, and global gold buying at record levels, XRP’s long-term narrative is gaining strength again.

The post Crypto News Today: SEC Stops ProShares From Launching XRP and Other Leveraged Crypto ETFs appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has halted ProShares’ plans to launch a new lineup of 3× leveraged crypto funds, including products tied to Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and XRP. The regulator says the proposals do not meet the agency’s leverage rules, and nothing can move forward until ProShares fixes the filings or withdraws them completely.

What Triggered the Block?

Earlier this month, ProShares submitted amendments seeking approval for several high-leverage ETFs designed to deliver triple the daily performance of major assets, including cryptocurrencies and popular tech stocks. However, the SEC responded with a detailed letter stating that the funds violate Rule 18f-4, an Investment Company Act rule that limits how much leverage an open-end fund can take on.

Under this rule, a fund’s Value-at-Risk (VaR) cannot exceed 200% of an equivalent unleveraged portfolio. The SEC says ProShares’ proposed 3× products exceed that limit, making them incompatible with the standards that govern leverage risk.

SEC: “Fix These Issues or Withdraw the Filings”

In its letter, the SEC made it clear that it will not continue reviewing any of the proposed products until ProShares rewrites the strategies to properly follow Rule 18f-4. According to the agency, funds that track leveraged versions of assets must use those same assets as their “designated reference portfolio” when calculating risk. The SEC argues that ProShares’ filings did not fully reflect that requirement.

The regulator also reminded ProShares that it must delay the effectiveness of the filings until these problems are resolved.

XRP, Bitcoin, Ether, and Solana Among Blocked Products

The halted lineup includes:

• ProShares Daily Target 3× Bitcoin ETF
• ProShares Daily Target 3× Ether ETF
• ProShares Daily Target 3× Solana ETF
• ProShares Daily Target 3× XRP ETF

Dozens of other proposed 3× leveraged stock and commodity ETFs were also affected, as listed in the SEC’s Appendix.

What Happens Next?

ProShares now has two options:

1. Revise the ETF strategies to meet the SEC’s leverage rules, or
2. Withdraw the filings completely.

Until ProShares responds, the SEC will not move forward with any review

The post Why Bitcoin Is Going Up Today: BTC Rebounds After $250M Liquidations as Goldman and Vanguard Expand Crypto Access appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

After a massive bloodbath last week, Yesterday Bitcoin dropped over 5% in a sharp sell-off that triggered more than $250 million in liquidations, its biggest wipeout this month, before recovering slightly. Sentiment across the crypto market weakened as Japan’s rising bond yields and disappointing U.S. manufacturing data put pressure on global risk assets. 

Meanwhile, Goldman Sachs is preparing to buy Innovator Capital Management in a deal valued at around $2 billion, marking one of the bank’s most significant steps toward expanding its role in the fast-growing ETF landscape. While the announcement does not directly highlight crypto, the acquisition places Goldman in a stronger position as demand for Bitcoin-linked investment products continues to surge.

Growing Interest in Crypto-Connected ETFs

Innovator is known for its defined-outcome ETFs, including funds that provide structured exposure to Bitcoin. One of its standout products gives investors a way to participate in a portion of Bitcoin’s gains while cushioning potential losses. This style of risk-managed exposure has gained traction among traditional investors who want some participation in crypto without diving fully into volatility.

Goldman already plays a key role behind the scenes of major spot Bitcoin ETFs as an institution that supports their daily trading operations. Bringing Innovator under its umbrella gives Goldman greater control over ETF creation and distribution at a time when Bitcoin ETFs are becoming some of the most popular products in traditional finance.

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A Boost for Adoption, But Some Worry About Crypto’s Identity

The deal is being viewed as another sign that large financial institutions are becoming more comfortable with digital-asset-related products. Many see this as a positive shift that strengthens the credibility of the crypto market, especially as more investors seek regulated ways to access Bitcoin.

However, some industry observers caution that Wall Street’s growing presence risks changing what crypto was originally meant to represent. Bitcoin was created as an alternative to traditional finance, not just another investment instrument managed by major banks. They worry that as institutions like Goldman expand their influence, crypto could drift further away from its decentralized roots.

Vanguard Finally Opens Its Doors to Crypto ETFs

In a separate but significant shift, Nate Geraci highlighted that Vanguard has finally reversed its years-long resistance to digital assets. The firm will now allow trading of spot crypto ETFs on its brokerage platform, giving its massive client base access to Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, and Solana ETFs. However, Vanguard stressed that it has no plans to launch its own crypto ETF lineup.

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