All eyes on BTC and XRP as risk fever returns

It’s getting hot in the markets again - and crypto’s feeling the heat. With tensions cooling in the Middle East and the Fed hitting pause on rate cuts (for now), traders are dusting off their appetite for risk. Bitcoin has bounced back above $107K, XRP’s clawed its way past $2, and talk of breakouts is buzzing across trading desks and crypto X alike. 

Are we on the cusp of another moon mission - or just riding another sugar rush?

Bitcoin’s bungee jump and bounce back

Just a few days ago, Bitcoin slipped below $100K as geopolitical tensions rattled investor confidence. But the rebound was swift. In under 48 hours, BTC surged back above $107K, brushing up against its all-time highs and proving that demand for crypto remains strong even in moments of uncertainty.

What makes this move interesting is how composed Bitcoin has been. It’s no longer reacting as wildly to macro shocks. While equities flinched and gold swung back and forth, Bitcoin held its ground. For some, that’s a sign it’s starting to behave more like a serious macro asset - potentially even a digital safe haven.

XRP price gathers momentum

XRP, too, is making a strong recovery. After slipping to $1.90 during last weekend’s sell-off, it’s now trading around $2.17. A move towards $2.50 - or even $3.00 - is on the cards if this momentum continues.

Under the surface, the data shows growing interest: open interest has climbed nearly 5% to $3.74 billion, while trading volume has jumped over 10% to $9.5 billion. Short positions worth $9.3 million were liquidated in the past 24 hours, far outweighing longs. 

The result? A classic short squeeze, with bullish sentiment leading the charge. On Binance, the long-to-short ratio sits at a notably bullish 2.38.

Powell sends a mixed signal

The macro backdrop is adding fuel to the fire. US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell made it clear this week that interest rate cuts are not imminent. He said tariffs imposed earlier this year are likely to push prices up and slow economic activity. For now, the Fed wants to wait and see.

This doesn’t align with what the market - or Donald Trump - wants to hear. Trump called on Powell to cut rates by “two to three points” and branded him “too late.” But Powell’s message was measured: the Fed is not making any sudden moves.

The XRP $1,000 rumour

Meanwhile, XRP is getting attention for a more speculative reason. Viral posts on social media have claimed that Ripple co-founder Chris Larsen predicted XRP could hit $1,000 if Ripple captures 10% of SWIFT’s global payments volume.

There’s no public record of Larsen making that statement, but that hasn’t stopped the rumour from spreading. It’s fuelled by Ripple’s long-standing ambitions to modernise cross-border payments and potentially work alongside - or in place of - legacy systems like SWIFT.

A few years ago, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse floated the idea that XRP could process up to 14% of SWIFT’s volume. Whether that happens or not, the fact that such rumours gain traction so quickly speaks to how invested the XRP community remains.

Corporates back in the mix

Outside the coins themselves, corporate engagement with crypto is once again in focus. GameStop recently raised $2.7 billion through a convertible notes offering, giving it scope to increase its Bitcoin holdings after a $512 million BTC buy in May. Meanwhile, UK-based Smarter Web Company has seen its stock rise by over 6,000% after revealing a Bitcoin reserve policy, with plans to accumulate up to 1,000 BTC in the coming months.

These moves signal that crypto’s appeal isn’t limited to day traders - it’s appearing in boardroom strategies, IPO narratives, and investor pitches.

Between Bitcoin’s impressive rebound, XRP’s growing momentum, and renewed appetite for risk, the crypto market is showing signs of life. Add in corporate participation and a market that’s learning to look past short-term shocks, and we might just be on the edge of a new phase, according to analysts.

A breakout? Possibly. A bubble? Too soon to say. But one thing’s certain - crypto is back on the radar, and this time, the noise is backed by real market activity.

BTC technical outlook

At the time of writing, BTC prices are still surging within a larger sell zone, hinting at potential exhaustion and reversal. The volume bars showing waning bullish pressure buttress the case for a drawdown. Should we see a further uptick, prices could find resistance at the $110,150 and $111,891 price levels.

XRP price prediction

XRP has also seen considerable bullish pressure that appears to be slowing down within a strong sell area, hinting at potential price reversal. The bearish narrative is solidified by the volume bars showing buyers struggling to push back against strong sell pressure. Should buyers keep pushing up, they could find resistance at the $2.2509, $2.3368, and $2.4795 price levels. Conversely, should sell pressure prevail, prices could find support floors at the $2.0908 and $2.0180 price levels. 

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