Crypto News Roundup: Bitcoin Hits New Highs, XRP Faces Turbulence, and Shocking NYC Crime

Bitcoin soared to a new all-time high above $109,000 this week, fueled by a staggering $2.75 billion in

inflows to US-based spot Bitcoin ETFs.

BlackRock’s IBIT led the pack, extending its inflow streak to eight days, while Grayscale’s GBTC saw outflows.

This surge highlights growing institutional interest and mainstream acceptance, especially as Coinbase officially joined the S&P 500, marking

a major milestone for the crypto industry.

XRP faced a turbulent week, dropping nearly 5% to around $2.34 despite broader crypto strength.

The SEC delayed reviews of several XRP-spot ETF applications, keeping traders on edge.

Meanwhile, Ripple’s new RLUSD stablecoin hit a $310 million market cap but faces stiff competition from Wall Street

banks planning their own stablecoin.

Whale activity was intense, with $10 million in long liquidations and a single investor scooping up 250 million

XRP.

Analysts say XRP’s next big test will come if trading volume rebounds and legal clouds clear.

In a disturbing turn, a New York crypto investor was arrested for allegedly kidnapping and torturing an Italian

tourist in a luxury SoHo townhouse.

The victim was reportedly held for weeks, shocked with electric wires, and threatened with a chainsaw in a

bid to steal his Bitcoin password.

The case has stunned the crypto community and serves as a stark reminder of the risks that can

come with digital assets.

The victim is now safe, and the investigation continues.

Crypto holders are being warned about a new phishing scam: fake Ledger letters sent by mail, urging recipients

to scan a QR code and ‘validate’ their wallets.

Industry leaders say this is a new level of sophistication in crypto scams, and urge everyone to double-check

communications and never share private keys.

Stay vigilant!

President Trump hosted an exclusive dinner for top investors in his private cryptocurrency, drawing criticism for blurring the

lines between politics and personal profit.

Critics argue that Trump is cashing in on crypto, with reports of over $1.3 million in transaction fees

and $1 billion in paper gains for his family.

The White House insists the event was private, but the controversy continues.