Goldman Sachs Becomes Largest XRP ETF Holder as March Bitcoin ETF Net Inflows Reach $1.56B
Bitcoindipped below $70,000 ahead of today's February CPI print, pressured by the IEA's historic release of strategic oil reserves and persistent miner selling, while spot ETF inflows continue to build with $1.56B net in March so far. Goldman Sachs(GS)surfaced as the dominant holder of XRPETFs, institutional buyers absorbed over $540M in solanaETFs last quarter, and a stablecoin treasury SPAC cleared its shareholder vote to list on Nasdaq, all signs that traditional finance is deepening its crypto plumbing even as price action stays choppy. On-chain, Mara Holdingsrouted nearly $21M in bitcoin to a trading desk, and a prolific whale is pressing a $90M short against both bitcoin and ether.GOLDMAN SACHS LEADS XRP ETF HOLDERS AS SPOT BITCOIN FUNDS EXTEND MARCH INFLOW STREAK:Spot bitcoin ETFs recorded $251M in net inflows on Tuesday, building on Monday's $167M and pushing cumulative March inflows to $1.56B against $576.6M in outflows, with BlackRock'sIBIT leading,according to Cointelegraph. In a notable development for altcoin funds, Goldman Sachs has emerged as the largest XRP ETF holder with roughly $154M in exposure, approximately 15% of total XRP ETF assets of $971M, followed by Millennium Management at $23M and Citadel at $5.2M. XRP ETFs have posted only nine days of net outflows since launching in November 2025, accumulating over $1.4B in cumulative inflows. Separately, institutional investors accumulated over $540M in U.S. spot solana ETFs during Q4,, with Electric Capital holding $137.8M and Goldman Sachs $107.4M, half of solana ETF AUM is now held by 13F-filing institutions despite SOL dropping more than 30% since year-end.CRYPTO INFRASTRUCTURE CONSOLIDATES:On the infrastructure side, Sphere 3D(ANY)filed an 8-K todaydisclosing a definitive agreement to acquire Cathedra Bitcoin in an all-stock deal combining 53 MW of managed power capacity and 1.2 EH/s of proprietary hash rate. Hyperscale Data(GPUS), a bitcoin-anchored AI data center operator,of $180M–$200M for FY26, roughly double preliminary 2025 revenue, targeting profitability by Q4.STABLECOINX SPAC CLEARS 97% VOTE FOR NASDAQ LISTING UNDER TICKER USDE:TLGY Acquisitionfiled an 8-K todaydisclosing that approximately 97% of shareholder votes were cast in favor of its business combination with StablecoinX Assets Inc. The combined company will list on Nasdaq under the ticker 'USDE" and hold more than 3B ENA tokens, the native token of the Ethena stablecoin protocol, backed by a $360M PIPE financing from Dragonfly, Ribbit Capital, and Blockchain.com, with the Ethena Foundation initiating a $310M token buyback. For equity investors, this creates the first Nasdaq-listed vehicle for direct exposure to DeFi yield infrastructure. Separately, BitGo Holdings(BTGO)announced todayan investment in Ubyx and the appointment of BitGo Bank & Trust as a settlement agent within Ubyx's shared clearing network for regulated digital assets.STRIVE ADDS 179 BTC AND $50M OF STRATEGY PREFERRED TO LAYERED TREASURY:Strive(ASST)that it purchased 179 additional bitcoin, bringing its treasury to approximately 13,311 BTC, while simultaneously buying $50M of Strategy's(MSTR)STRC preferred stock, creating double-layered digital-asset balance sheet exposure. The company also hiked the dividend rate on its own SATA preferred stock by 25 basis points to 12.75% and narrowed its targeted price range to $99–$101, with aggregate bitcoin, STRC, and cash reserves now covering more than 19 years of SATA interest payments. JPMorgan(JPM)filedtwo 424B2 prospectus supplements todayfor structured notes referencing cryptocurrency assets, including leveraged products tied to BlackRock'sIBIT, reversing the bank's historical disdain for the high-velocity asset class by pushing to package bitcoin exposure for wealth management clients.WALL STREET AND CRYPTO CLASH OVER STABLECOIN DEPOSITS AS BERNSTEIN BACKS CIRCLE:The battle between traditional banks and crypto firms over the future of money came into sharp focus today as theFinancial Times published a major featureexamining the fight over stablecoin interest payments permitted under the Genius Act, which passed the U.S. House in July. Banks are lobbying hard to close what they call the "interest loophole," arguing that paying yield on stablecoins will trigger massive deposit flight, moving trillions out of traditional institutions and into crypto wallets, and severely limit their capacity to lend to small businesses and issue mortgages. JPMorganCFO Jeremy Barnum warned in the FT that "the creation of a parallel banking system" with deposit-like features but without prudential safeguards is "an obviously dangerous and undesirable thing." Circle(CRCL)CEO Jeremy Allaire countered that the Genius Act is "foundational regulation that is going to unlock the power of the internet in rebuilding the financial system."PRICE ACTION:As of time of writing, bitcoin was trading at$70,150.40, while ether was trading at$2,042.25,according to price data from TipRanks.
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Declining CD Rates: Opportunities for Competitive Returns
- Current Rate Overview: Short-term CDs (6 to 12 months) currently offer rates between 4% and 4.5% APY, indicating that despite the overall decline in CD rates, demand for fixed-income products remains strong as they still outperform traditional savings accounts.
- Historical Rate Trends: Since 2009, average CD rates have experienced significant fluctuations, with 1-year CDs yielding around 1% and 5-year CDs below 2%, reflecting the profound impact of economic cycles on interest rates.
- Federal Reserve Policy Impact: The Fed raised rates 11 times between March 2022 and July 2023, driving CD rates higher; although rate cuts began in September 2024, current CD rates remain elevated compared to historical standards, suggesting cautious optimism about future economic conditions.
- Factors for Choosing CDs: When selecting a CD, investors should consider interest rates, the type of financial institution, account terms, and inflation, ensuring that the chosen product aligns with personal financial goals and maximizes returns.
Ripple Initiates $750 Million Share Buyback Amid Crypto Market Turmoil
- Record Buyback: Ripple has initiated a $750 million share buyback, reflecting a self-assessment at a $50 billion valuation amidst a turbulent crypto market, showcasing confidence in its intrinsic value.
- Lackluster Market Response: Despite buying back $285 million at an $11 billion valuation in January 2024, Ripple's $1 billion tender in September 2025 saw the lowest participation rate, indicating employee reluctance to sell shares.
- Significant Transaction Volume: Ripple has processed over $100 billion in transactions recently, highlighting its active role and influence in the crypto market, even as Bitcoin and XRP prices have plummeted.
- ETF Investment Dynamics: Goldman Sachs has emerged as the largest XRP ETF investor, holding a $2.3 billion crypto ETF portfolio, indicating sustained institutional interest in XRP despite market price uncertainties.
Gold Bull Run May Be Ending as Funds Shift to Grains
- Gold Price Decline: Gold is trading around $5,185 per ounce, down about 1% from the previous day, indicating a weakening demand in the market that may signal the end of the bull run.
- Limited Geopolitical Impact: Despite the Iran war being considered one of the biggest geopolitical events in decades, gold has failed to rally, with analyst Wyckoff suggesting that the market's lack of response to bullish news indicates that the bulls may be exhausted.
- Funds Shifting to Grains: Wyckoff noted that speculative and hedge fund money appears to be rotating into grain markets, with corn, soybeans, and wheat prices trending higher since January, highlighting their relative attractiveness compared to gold.
- Fertilizer Prices Surge: The ongoing Iran conflict has caused urea prices in New Orleans to surge over 30%, which may lead farmers to reduce corn planting in favor of soybeans, potentially tightening grain supply and driving prices higher later this year.
Market Update: Oil Price Surge and Corporate Earnings
- Oil Price Volatility: U.S. crude prices surged 4% due to reports of cargo ship attacks off Iran's coast, putting pressure on stocks and indicating ongoing geopolitical risks affecting market sentiment as the S&P 500 is set for a slightly lower open.
- Oracle's Strong Earnings: Oracle's quarterly results exceeded expectations, leading to a stock price increase of over 9%, with smooth AI buildout and remaining performance obligations exceeding $500 billion, highlighting the company's robust market position and growth potential.
- Kohl's Price Target Cut: Goldman Sachs lowered its price target for Kohl's from $15 to $13 while maintaining a sell rating, citing mixed quarterly results and decelerating same-store sales, reflecting challenges in the retail sector.
- Nike Upgrade: Barclays upgraded Nike from hold to buy, raising the price target from $64 to $73, arguing that tariff risks have eased, and management's progress in inventory management and margin stabilization provides a solid foundation for investment.
Goldman Sachs Emerges as Largest Institutional Holder of XRP ETFs
- Institutional Holdings: Goldman Sachs has emerged as the largest institutional holder of XRP ETFs, with over $150 million in investments according to recent regulatory filings, highlighting a cautious market sentiment towards XRP despite this notable participation.
- ETF Inflows: As of December 31, 2025, XRP ETFs held approximately $1.2 billion in total assets, and while they attracted over $1 billion in inflows during 2025, XRP's price has struggled to reflect this confidence, indicating a lack of market enthusiasm.
- Investor Dynamics: Analysts suggest that the investor base for XRP is primarily composed of committed supporters rather than a broad retail audience, indicating that interest in XRP may be concentrated among a specific group rather than widespread participation.
- Price Pressure Factors: Despite Goldman Sachs holding nearly $154 million in shares, XRP's price continues to face downward pressure, with technical indicators suggesting that a drop below the $1.16 support level could accelerate declines towards $0.48.
Latest Wall Street Rating Updates
- JPMorgan Upgrades Oracle: JPMorgan upgraded Oracle from neutral to overweight, citing a 55% drop in shares since mid-September that has de-risked valuation, while shifting investor expectations to a lower bar for FY30 targets and OpenAI ramp.
- Evercore Reiterates Netflix Outperform: Evercore ISI's survey indicates strengthening customer satisfaction and pricing power for Netflix, reinforcing its status as a high-quality asset in global streaming, supported by unmatched scale and localized content production.
- Barclays Double Upgrades Arthur J. Gallagher: Barclays upgraded Arthur J. Gallagher from underweight to overweight, viewing the insurance company as a “great” defensive play in the current market environment, highlighting its resilience amid economic uncertainty.
- Barclays Reiterates Tesla Equal Weight: Barclays noted Tesla's battery energy storage system sales are capacity constrained, but expansion supports robust growth ahead, with expectations for Tesla to maintain top global market share in 2025, showcasing significant potential in the storage market.
Declining CD Rates: Opportunities for Competitive Returns
- Current Rate Overview: Short-term CDs (6 to 12 months) currently offer rates between 4% and 4.5% APY, indicating that despite the overall decline in CD rates, demand for fixed-income products remains strong as they still outperform traditional savings accounts.
- Historical Rate Trends: Since 2009, average CD rates have experienced significant fluctuations, with 1-year CDs yielding around 1% and 5-year CDs below 2%, reflecting the profound impact of economic cycles on interest rates.
- Federal Reserve Policy Impact: The Fed raised rates 11 times between March 2022 and July 2023, driving CD rates higher; although rate cuts began in September 2024, current CD rates remain elevated compared to historical standards, suggesting cautious optimism about future economic conditions.
- Factors for Choosing CDs: When selecting a CD, investors should consider interest rates, the type of financial institution, account terms, and inflation, ensuring that the chosen product aligns with personal financial goals and maximizes returns.
Ripple Initiates $750 Million Share Buyback Amid Crypto Market Turmoil
- Record Buyback: Ripple has initiated a $750 million share buyback, reflecting a self-assessment at a $50 billion valuation amidst a turbulent crypto market, showcasing confidence in its intrinsic value.
- Lackluster Market Response: Despite buying back $285 million at an $11 billion valuation in January 2024, Ripple's $1 billion tender in September 2025 saw the lowest participation rate, indicating employee reluctance to sell shares.
- Significant Transaction Volume: Ripple has processed over $100 billion in transactions recently, highlighting its active role and influence in the crypto market, even as Bitcoin and XRP prices have plummeted.
- ETF Investment Dynamics: Goldman Sachs has emerged as the largest XRP ETF investor, holding a $2.3 billion crypto ETF portfolio, indicating sustained institutional interest in XRP despite market price uncertainties.
Gold Bull Run May Be Ending as Funds Shift to Grains
- Gold Price Decline: Gold is trading around $5,185 per ounce, down about 1% from the previous day, indicating a weakening demand in the market that may signal the end of the bull run.
- Limited Geopolitical Impact: Despite the Iran war being considered one of the biggest geopolitical events in decades, gold has failed to rally, with analyst Wyckoff suggesting that the market's lack of response to bullish news indicates that the bulls may be exhausted.
- Funds Shifting to Grains: Wyckoff noted that speculative and hedge fund money appears to be rotating into grain markets, with corn, soybeans, and wheat prices trending higher since January, highlighting their relative attractiveness compared to gold.
- Fertilizer Prices Surge: The ongoing Iran conflict has caused urea prices in New Orleans to surge over 30%, which may lead farmers to reduce corn planting in favor of soybeans, potentially tightening grain supply and driving prices higher later this year.
Market Update: Oil Price Surge and Corporate Earnings
- Oil Price Volatility: U.S. crude prices surged 4% due to reports of cargo ship attacks off Iran's coast, putting pressure on stocks and indicating ongoing geopolitical risks affecting market sentiment as the S&P 500 is set for a slightly lower open.
- Oracle's Strong Earnings: Oracle's quarterly results exceeded expectations, leading to a stock price increase of over 9%, with smooth AI buildout and remaining performance obligations exceeding $500 billion, highlighting the company's robust market position and growth potential.
- Kohl's Price Target Cut: Goldman Sachs lowered its price target for Kohl's from $15 to $13 while maintaining a sell rating, citing mixed quarterly results and decelerating same-store sales, reflecting challenges in the retail sector.
- Nike Upgrade: Barclays upgraded Nike from hold to buy, raising the price target from $64 to $73, arguing that tariff risks have eased, and management's progress in inventory management and margin stabilization provides a solid foundation for investment.
Goldman Sachs Emerges as Largest Institutional Holder of XRP ETFs
- Institutional Holdings: Goldman Sachs has emerged as the largest institutional holder of XRP ETFs, with over $150 million in investments according to recent regulatory filings, highlighting a cautious market sentiment towards XRP despite this notable participation.
- ETF Inflows: As of December 31, 2025, XRP ETFs held approximately $1.2 billion in total assets, and while they attracted over $1 billion in inflows during 2025, XRP's price has struggled to reflect this confidence, indicating a lack of market enthusiasm.
- Investor Dynamics: Analysts suggest that the investor base for XRP is primarily composed of committed supporters rather than a broad retail audience, indicating that interest in XRP may be concentrated among a specific group rather than widespread participation.
- Price Pressure Factors: Despite Goldman Sachs holding nearly $154 million in shares, XRP's price continues to face downward pressure, with technical indicators suggesting that a drop below the $1.16 support level could accelerate declines towards $0.48.
Latest Wall Street Rating Updates
- JPMorgan Upgrades Oracle: JPMorgan upgraded Oracle from neutral to overweight, citing a 55% drop in shares since mid-September that has de-risked valuation, while shifting investor expectations to a lower bar for FY30 targets and OpenAI ramp.
- Evercore Reiterates Netflix Outperform: Evercore ISI's survey indicates strengthening customer satisfaction and pricing power for Netflix, reinforcing its status as a high-quality asset in global streaming, supported by unmatched scale and localized content production.
- Barclays Double Upgrades Arthur J. Gallagher: Barclays upgraded Arthur J. Gallagher from underweight to overweight, viewing the insurance company as a “great” defensive play in the current market environment, highlighting its resilience amid economic uncertainty.
- Barclays Reiterates Tesla Equal Weight: Barclays noted Tesla's battery energy storage system sales are capacity constrained, but expansion supports robust growth ahead, with expectations for Tesla to maintain top global market share in 2025, showcasing significant potential in the storage market.
