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According to Cointelegraph, the XRP Ledger has significantly reduced its base reserve requirements, lowering them from 10 XRP ($25.60) to just 1 XRP ($2.56) as of December 2. This change is expected to facilitate easier entry for new users by allowing them to fund their wallets with a smaller amount of cryptocurrency, potentially removing a barrier to adoption. Additionally, existing users can now utilize some of the XRP they previously had to keep in reserve.The adjustment in reserve requirements was implemented at 10:45 pm UTC and was announced by the pseudonymous XRP validator operator Vet. Alongside the base reserve reduction, the owner reserve has also been decreased from 2 XRP ($5.12) to 0.2 XRP ($0.51). This means users are now required to hold only 0.2 XRP per object in their accounts, which can include non-fungible tokens (NFTs), trust lines, signer lists, or owner directories. The reserve system was initially designed to prevent the ledger from growing beyond the storage capacity of nodes and to deter the creation of spam accounts with minimal XRP holdings. However, some developers have criticized the high reserve requirement, arguing that it has hindered the network's adoption.On October 16, XRP Ledger developer WietseWind announced that all nodes managed by the XRPL Labs development team had been configured to process the lower reserve requirement, enabling them to vote for the change. WietseWind acknowledged potential drawbacks, such as increased ledger activity that could challenge infrastructure capacity. However, he viewed this as a positive issue, indicating higher user engagement and activity. He expressed confidence that engineers could manage the additional network stress and develop solutions to accommodate it. Although the change was implemented on XRPL Labs nodes in October, it required a validator reset and a vote from all validators, which was completed by December 2.This development coincides with a period of rapid growth for XRP, the native coin of the XRP Ledger. Prior to Donald Trump's election as U.S. President, XRP was valued at less than a penny per coin. Since then, it has surged to $2.65, marking its highest level since February 2018. Meanwhile, Ripple Labs, the founding development team behind XRP, continues its legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SEC contends that XRP is a security and should have been registered accordingly, while Ripple disputes this classification. Ripple has been fined $125 million in the lawsuit but has appealed the decision.

According to Foresight News, recent data from XrpScan reveals that the RLUSD Treasury minted approximately 9.9997 million RLUSD tokens around 13 hours ago, suggesting ongoing testing of the RLUSD stablecoin.Previously, Foresight News reported that insiders have indicated the New York Department of Financial Services has communicated to Ripple its intention to approve the issuance of the RLUSD stablecoin. Ripple is planning to officially launch this stablecoin on December 4. 

According to U.Today, the debate surrounding the decentralization of Ripple and the XRP Ledger has intensified, with blockchain researcher Justin Bons criticizing the network's reliance on Unique Node Lists (UNLs). Bons argues that this reliance indicates a centralized and permissioned system, akin to a proof of authority (PoA) model, which he believes is inferior to the trustless frameworks of proof of work (PoW) and proof of stake (PoS). He claims that the Ripple Foundation exerts significant control over the network, citing dynamic changes to UNLs managed through foundation-hosted infrastructure as evidence of centralized oversight.Bons further contends that the requirement for a 90% overlap in UNL configurations to prevent forking exemplifies an exclusionary and permissioned model. He also highlights the absence of crypto-economic incentives for validators, which he sees as a flaw in the system, arguing that it lacks both decentralization and alignment with core cryptocurrency principles.In response to these criticisms, Ripple's Chief Technology Officer, David Schwartz, has offered a different perspective. Schwartz emphasizes that validators have a minimal role in determining the network's fairness or security, as their influence is limited to short-term transaction ordering. He notes that validators are not compensated and cannot unilaterally censor transactions unless supported by other participants, a rare occurrence given the system's distributed nature.Schwartz argues that unlike PoW systems, which he describes as prioritizing monetary dominance, XRP's design minimizes the potential for concentrated control. He explains that other node operators can choose to ignore nodes that do not follow the rules, and consensus automatically disregards such nodes at the network level. Schwartz also points out that decentralization involves more than just technical aspects; it includes having open transaction rules, a public ledger, and allowing users to modify and enforce system code independently. While acknowledging XRP's unique structure, Schwartz does not believe it equates to centralization.

According to U.Today, XRP has reached unprecedented risk levels, raising concerns about the sustainability of its recent explosive growth. Historically, such high-risk levels have been followed by significant market corrections. Despite the current strong momentum, indicators suggest a possible reversal rather than continued upward movement, especially without a consolidation phase.XRP recently surged to $2.161, demonstrating parabolic growth on the price chart. This upward trajectory has pushed the asset into overbought territory, surpassing typical resistance levels. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is near its peak, indicating overextension. At these levels, sharp volatility is likely due to profit-taking and the absence of significant consolidation. Historically, strong rallies like this often lead to corrections as traders lock in profits and the market seeks a more stable price range.Technically, XRP's main support levels are at $2.00 and $1.80, which could serve as safety nets in case of a decline, offering potential entry points for buyers. However, if the rally continues and XRP breaks above $2.75 with significant volume, it could signal further gains, with $3 as a potential target. Such a scenario would require a substantial increase in market participation, which is uncertain given the current risk profile.The risk chart indicates that XRP is in a zone where market enthusiasm typically wanes, leading to corrections. Extreme risk is generally associated with greater downside vulnerability and less upside potential. Despite defying expectations during this rally, it is historically unlikely that XRP will maintain this trajectory without a cooling-off period. While caution is advised, XRP's recent performance has been remarkable. However, the risks for those entering new positions now outweigh the potential rewards. A pullback might provide a healthier setup for future movements, emphasizing the importance of risk management at this time.

According to CoinDesk, XRP has experienced a remarkable 430% increase in the past 30 days, reaching price levels not seen since 2018. This surge has caught many traders on Crypto Twitter by surprise. The upward trend began in early November, following the Republican victory in the U.S. elections, which boosted investor confidence in tokens associated with U.S. companies, including Ripple Labs, the company linked to XRP.Large holders, often referred to as 'whales,' have played a significant role in this price movement. Data from CryptoQuant indicates that whale activity, which monitors the movement of large wallets to and from exchanges, has been consistently high over the past month. This activity is significantly higher than any other period, suggesting that whales are exerting considerable influence on the market. Whales can impact the market through their buying or selling pressure, and tracking their movements can provide insights into market sentiment.For example, if there is a substantial inflow of cryptocurrency into exchanges, it might suggest that whales are preparing to sell, potentially indicating a bearish market trend. Conversely, large outflows from exchanges might suggest that whales are accumulating, which could be a bullish signal. However, such whale movements often coincide with local price peaks, as noted by CryptoQuant's contributing analyst, Woominkyu. In a recent post, Woominkyu explained that significant spikes in whale-to-exchange transactions typically align with XRP price peaks, suggesting that whales tend to sell large amounts of XRP near local or cycle tops.The latest increase in whale-to-exchange activity coincides with XRP reaching a local price of approximately $2.3. This could indicate that whales are preparing for potential profit-taking or increased market activity. Over the past 24 hours, XRP has risen by 14%, outperforming bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies. As of Tuesday, XRP has surpassed Solana’s SOL and tether (USDT) in market capitalization, making it the third-largest token by market cap.

According to Odaily, Ripple Labs, a prominent blockchain payment company in the United States, has ramped up its testing of the RLUSD stablecoin. Data from the Ripple Stablecoin Tracker indicates that the company is conducting two simultaneous tests involving the minting and transferring of RLUSD on the XRP Ledger protocol. This marks the first disclosure of RLUSD testing for the current month.Over recent months, Ripple Labs has been actively testing RLUSD as part of its efforts to integrate into the rapidly evolving stablecoin ecosystem. The latest minting activity on the XRP Ledger is recorded at Index 146, involving a total of 9,999,700 RLUSD tokens. This development follows reports from FOX Business that the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) is on the verge of approving a new stablecoin issued by Ripple for cross-border payments. Sources familiar with the matter have indicated that the NYDFS has communicated its intention to approve the product, with Ripple planning to launch it on December 4.

According to Odaily, Ripple has issued a stern warning on the social media platform X, emphasizing that no one from the company, including CEO Brad Garlinghouse, CTO David Schwartz, President Monica Long, and Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty, will ever request users to transfer XRP. Ripple highlighted the correlation between the rise in cryptocurrency markets and an increase in fraudulent activities. The company stated, "The surge in the cryptocurrency market means a rise in scams. We remind you that Ripple will never ask you to send XRP. Neither Brad, David, Monica, Stu, nor anyone else from Ripple will make such a request. Please remain vigilant."

According to Odaily, Grayscale has announced on the X platform that its Grayscale XRP Trust is now accessible to qualified investors interested in investing in XRP. This fund supports the distributed XRP ledger, which is utilized for cross-border payments. 

According to CoinDesk, the CoinDesk 20 Index has experienced a significant rise, currently trading at 3696.8, marking an increase of 5.6% or 195.83 points since 4 pm ET on Friday. This index, which is a comprehensive measure of the cryptocurrency market, is traded across various platforms worldwide, reflecting the performance of a diverse range of digital assets.Among the assets within the CoinDesk 20, three out of thirteen are showing positive movement. Leading the gains are HBAR, which has surged by 42.3%, and XRP, which has increased by 38.5%. These cryptocurrencies have demonstrated strong performance, contributing to the overall upward trend of the index. On the other hand, some assets have not fared as well. SOL has declined by 7.4%, and RENDER has decreased by 4.5%, marking them as the laggards in this trading period. Despite these declines, the overall performance of the CoinDesk 20 remains positive, driven by the substantial gains of the leading assets.

According to Odaily, recent data from Infinite Market Cap reveals that XRP's market capitalization has reached new heights, surpassing both Uber and Siemens in the global asset rankings. XRP has climbed 68 positions to secure the 1114th spot on the list. The current market cap of XRP is approximately $154.22 billion, reflecting a 24-hour increase of 41.77%. In comparison, Siemens holds a market cap of about $153.36 billion, while Uber's market cap stands at approximately $153.19 billion.

According to PANews, data from Coinglass indicates that the open interest in XRP futures has reached a historic peak of $3.99 billion. As of now, the open interest stands at approximately $3.92 billion. This milestone highlights the growing interest and activity in the XRP futures market, reflecting increased investor engagement and speculation. The surge in open interest could be attributed to various market dynamics and investor strategies, as traders position themselves in anticipation of future price movements. This development is significant in the context of the broader cryptocurrency market, where fluctuations in futures contracts can have substantial impacts on market sentiment and pricing. The record-setting open interest underscores the evolving landscape of digital asset trading and the pivotal role of futures contracts in providing liquidity and hedging opportunities for market participants. As the market continues to mature, the implications of such trends will be closely monitored by investors and analysts alike.

According to BlockBeats, on December 2, market sources revealed that global ETF provider WisdomTree has submitted an S-1 registration document to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for an XRP Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF). This move marks a significant step in the financial sector as WisdomTree seeks to expand its offerings in the cryptocurrency market.The filing of the S-1 registration is a crucial step in the process of launching an ETF, as it provides detailed information about the fund's structure, investment strategy, and potential risks to the SEC. 

According to Odaily, Nate Geraci, President of The ETF Store, recently shared on X that three ETF applications have been submitted to hold XRP, the third-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization. The applications have been filed by Bitwise, Canary, and 21Shares, indicating a growing interest in XRP-based financial products. Geraci speculates that other issuers may also enter the fray, potentially increasing the number of XRP ETF offerings in the market. 

According to Odaily, XRP has recently overtaken USDT in market capitalization, reclaiming its position as the third-largest cryptocurrency. This development marks a return to its status before the SEC's lawsuit against Ripple. Back in June 2018, prior to a significant speech by William Hinman, the SEC had considered Bitcoin and Ethereum as non-securities due to their 'sufficient decentralization.' At that time, XRP was the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, trailing only Ethereum.Following Hinman's speech, Ethereum's market capitalization surpassed that of XRP by November 2018. The Ripple case has brought to light the so-called 'Hinman emails,' which reveal that some SEC officials had differing opinions on the speech's content. These officials expressed concerns that the speech might impact the regulatory status of other cryptocurrencies. Six years later, the regulatory status of many cryptocurrencies remains uncertain.

According to Odaily, Solana's co-founder, Anatoly Yakovenko, recently expressed his views on the need for a national XRP reserve. 

According to the latest data from Infinite Market Cap, XRP’s market capitalization has surpassed $110 billion, reaching a record high of $110.5 billion. Over the past seven days, XRP has surged by 33.91%, reflecting strong market momentum.This milestone marks a significant leap in XRP’s global asset ranking, climbing 13 places to secure the 176th spot. XRP now ranks above luxury giant Dior and semiconductor powerhouse Micron Technology, highlighting its growing prominence among the world’s largest assets.The recent rally underscores heightened investor interest in XRP, further solidifying its position as one of the leading cryptocurrencies by market value. The surge comes amid broader optimism in the crypto space, with XRP's performance drawing attention from both retail and institutional investors.

According to Odaily, former CFTC Chairman Chris Giancarlo recently shared his insights on the ongoing lawsuit filed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) against Ripple concerning the issuance of XRP. The SEC has accused Ripple of violating securities laws with its issuance of XRP. A federal court has ruled that some aspects of the issuance meet the criteria for securities, while others do not. Giancarlo suggested that the SEC should reconsider its approach, especially in light of recent legal outcomes and the potential for changes in the regulatory landscape. When asked whether the SEC might drop its lawsuit against Ripple, Giancarlo expressed his belief that they should and predicted that they likely will.

According to Odaily, Whale Alert has reported that a significant transaction involving XRP tokens occurred recently. At 8:08:11 AM UTC+8, a total of 5 billion XRP tokens were unlocked from unknown wallets. This transaction was executed in two separate transfers, with the total value of the tokens exceeding $970 million. The unlocking of such a large amount of XRP has drawn attention within the cryptocurrency community, as it could potentially impact the market dynamics of the digital asset. The identity of the wallets involved remains undisclosed, adding an element of mystery to the transaction. This event highlights the ongoing movements and activities within the cryptocurrency space, where large-scale transactions can occur without prior notice. The unlocking of XRP tokens is a significant event, given the substantial value associated with the transaction. Market participants and analysts are likely to monitor the situation closely to assess any potential effects on the XRP market. The cryptocurrency market is known for its volatility, and such large transactions can influence price movements and trading volumes. As the situation develops, further analysis may provide insights into the motivations behind the unlocking and its implications for the broader market.