Solana drops over 40% in a month, thanks to political scandals, memecoin controversies.
XRP faces a 19% decline, amid regulatory uncertainties and unfulfilled political promises.
Analysts cautiously optimistic, citing potential ETF approvals as a possible catalyst.
Solana and XRP are facing challenges, though for different reasons.
Market turbulence hits Solana and XRP as scandals and regulatory
uncertainties shake investor confidence.
Solana's Descent: Political Scandals and Memecoin Mayhem
Solana (SOL) has had a rough start to 2025, plunging more than 40% in
just a month. The primary driver behind this decline? A perfect storm of
political scandal, market sell-offs, and the lingering volatility of memecoins.
The trouble started when Argentine President Javier Milei openly
endorsed LIBRA, a Solana-based memecoin that quickly became a cautionary tale
in the crypto world. What initially seemed like a strong show of support from a
sitting world leader turned into a nightmare when LIBRA’s market cap plummeted
from $4.5 billion, losing 90% of its value. The project turned out to be a
textbook pump-and-dump, leaving many retail investors empty-handed.
This spectacular collapse triggered a wave of sell-offs across the
Solana network. Solana had already been riding high after a strong performance
in late 2024, but the memecoin fiasco shattered investor confidence. Adding
fuel to the fire, Milei himself is
now facing legal action, with multiple lawsuits filed by Argentine lawyers
alleging financial misconduct related to the LIBRA scandal.
Despite the chaos, some analysts remain optimistic, arguing that
Solana’s fundamentals remain strong. VanEck, Bitwise,
and Pantera
Capital have all suggested that that SOL could still rally, with VanEck
claiming it
could reach $520 by the end of 2025 if the current turbulence subsides
and institutional interest remains strong.
XRP's Slump: Regulatory Rollercoaster and Political Letdowns
If Solana’s downfall was fueled by scandal, XRP’s woes stem from
regulatory uncertainty and political letdowns.
One of the biggest hopes for XRP was the approval of an XRP
Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF), which would have allowed institutional investors to
gain exposure to XRP without directly buying the token. While analysts believe
an approval could lead to huge inflows, the SEC has so far delayed any clear
decision.
Adding to XRP’s troubles is the Trump administration’s unpredictable
stance on crypto regulation. While candidate Trump hinted at potential
pro-crypto policies—at one point even teasing a Bitcoin
strategic reserve—his government’s actions so far have been lackluster. In
fact, Trump’s new round of tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China has triggered
broader market fears, leading to a general risk-off sentiment in crypto.
The ETF Tease: Hope on the Horizon?
Despite the bearish sentiment, some crypto bulls argue that XRP and
Solana still have a chance to recover, thanks to potential ETF approvals.
Regarding XRP, the SEC is reviewing multiple ETF applications from Grayscale,
Bitwise, and more, and if approved, institutional investors could potentially inject
vast sums. High levels of liquidity could significantly reverse the current
downward trajectory.
Solana, too, has ETF potential, with investors showing interest in
bringing a regulated Solana fund to the market. If approved, an ETF could help restore
confidence in the ecosystem and push Solana higher. However, given recent
controversies, regulators may be hesitant to greenlight anything related to
Solana in the near term.
Proceed with Caution
While some long-term investors remain hopeful, the short-term outlook
for Solana and XRP remains volatile.
Solana’s price may continue to feel the aftershocks of the LIBRA
scandal, especially if the lawsuits against Milei gain traction. If more
memecoins on Solana collapse, investors may start questioning the network’s
ability to support long-term, serious projects.
XRP, on the other hand, is still caught in the regulatory crossfire.
The SEC’s stance on crypto remains unpredictable, and until XRP gets clear
regulatory approval—particularly in the form of an ETF—its price may remain
stagnant.
For now, crypto investors should brace for more turbulence. Between
political scandals, regulatory hurdles, and global market jitters, the coming
months could be make-or-break for Solana and XRP.
One thing is clear: crypto is never boring.
Market turbulence hits Solana and XRP as scandals and regulatory
uncertainties shake investor confidence.
Solana's Descent: Political Scandals and Memecoin Mayhem
Solana (SOL) has had a rough start to 2025, plunging more than 40% in
just a month. The primary driver behind this decline? A perfect storm of
political scandal, market sell-offs, and the lingering volatility of memecoins.
The trouble started when Argentine President Javier Milei openly
endorsed LIBRA, a Solana-based memecoin that quickly became a cautionary tale
in the crypto world. What initially seemed like a strong show of support from a
sitting world leader turned into a nightmare when LIBRA’s market cap plummeted
from $4.5 billion, losing 90% of its value. The project turned out to be a
textbook pump-and-dump, leaving many retail investors empty-handed.
This spectacular collapse triggered a wave of sell-offs across the
Solana network. Solana had already been riding high after a strong performance
in late 2024, but the memecoin fiasco shattered investor confidence. Adding
fuel to the fire, Milei himself is
now facing legal action, with multiple lawsuits filed by Argentine lawyers
alleging financial misconduct related to the LIBRA scandal.
Despite the chaos, some analysts remain optimistic, arguing that
Solana’s fundamentals remain strong. VanEck, Bitwise,
and Pantera
Capital have all suggested that that SOL could still rally, with VanEck
claiming it
could reach $520 by the end of 2025 if the current turbulence subsides
and institutional interest remains strong.
XRP's Slump: Regulatory Rollercoaster and Political Letdowns
If Solana’s downfall was fueled by scandal, XRP’s woes stem from
regulatory uncertainty and political letdowns.
One of the biggest hopes for XRP was the approval of an XRP
Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF), which would have allowed institutional investors to
gain exposure to XRP without directly buying the token. While analysts believe
an approval could lead to huge inflows, the SEC has so far delayed any clear
decision.
Adding to XRP’s troubles is the Trump administration’s unpredictable
stance on crypto regulation. While candidate Trump hinted at potential
pro-crypto policies—at one point even teasing a Bitcoin
strategic reserve—his government’s actions so far have been lackluster. In
fact, Trump’s new round of tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China has triggered
broader market fears, leading to a general risk-off sentiment in crypto.
The ETF Tease: Hope on the Horizon?
Despite the bearish sentiment, some crypto bulls argue that XRP and
Solana still have a chance to recover, thanks to potential ETF approvals.
Regarding XRP, the SEC is reviewing multiple ETF applications from Grayscale,
Bitwise, and more, and if approved, institutional investors could potentially inject
vast sums. High levels of liquidity could significantly reverse the current
downward trajectory.
Solana, too, has ETF potential, with investors showing interest in
bringing a regulated Solana fund to the market. If approved, an ETF could help restore
confidence in the ecosystem and push Solana higher. However, given recent
controversies, regulators may be hesitant to greenlight anything related to
Solana in the near term.
Proceed with Caution
While some long-term investors remain hopeful, the short-term outlook
for Solana and XRP remains volatile.
Solana’s price may continue to feel the aftershocks of the LIBRA
scandal, especially if the lawsuits against Milei gain traction. If more
memecoins on Solana collapse, investors may start questioning the network’s
ability to support long-term, serious projects.
XRP, on the other hand, is still caught in the regulatory crossfire.
The SEC’s stance on crypto remains unpredictable, and until XRP gets clear
regulatory approval—particularly in the form of an ETF—its price may remain
stagnant.
For now, crypto investors should brace for more turbulence. Between
political scandals, regulatory hurdles, and global market jitters, the coming
months could be make-or-break for Solana and XRP.
Louis Parks has lived and worked in and around the Middle East for much of his professional career. He writes about the meeting of the tech and finance worlds.
How Ripple Pulled Off the Year’s Biggest Crypto Raise While XRP Tumbled 40%
Exness expands its presence in Africa: Inside our interview with Paul Margarites in Cape Town
Exness expands its presence in Africa: Inside our interview with Paul Margarites in Cape Town
Finance Magnates met with Paul Margarites, Exness regional commercial director for Sub-Saharan Africa, during a visit to the firm’s office opening in Cape Town. In this talk, led by Andrea Badiola Mateos, Co-CEO at Finance Magnates, Paul shares views on the South African trading space, local user behavior, mobile trends, regulation, team growth, and how Exness plans to grow in more markets across the region. @Exness
Read the article at: https://www.financemagnates.com/thought-leadership/exness-expands-its-presence-in-africa-inside-our-interview-with-paul-margarites/
#exness #financemagnates #exnesstrading #CFDtrading #tradeonline #africanews #capetown
Finance Magnates met with Paul Margarites, Exness regional commercial director for Sub-Saharan Africa, during a visit to the firm’s office opening in Cape Town. In this talk, led by Andrea Badiola Mateos, Co-CEO at Finance Magnates, Paul shares views on the South African trading space, local user behavior, mobile trends, regulation, team growth, and how Exness plans to grow in more markets across the region. @Exness
Read the article at: https://www.financemagnates.com/thought-leadership/exness-expands-its-presence-in-africa-inside-our-interview-with-paul-margarites/
#exness #financemagnates #exnesstrading #CFDtrading #tradeonline #africanews #capetown
Interview with Jas Shah
Builder | Adviser | Fintech Writer | Product Strategist
In this episode, Jonathan Fine sat down with Jas Shah, one of the most thoughtful voices in global fintech. Known for his work across advisory, product, stablecoins, and his widely read writing, Jas brings a rare combination of industry insight and plain-spoken clarity.
We talk about his first impression of the Summit, the projects that keep him busy today, and how they connect to the stablecoin panel he joined. Jas shares his view on the link between fintech, wealthtech and retail brokers, especially as firms like Revolut, eToro and Trading212 blur long-standing lines in the market.
We also explore what stablecoin adoption might look like for retail investment platforms, including a few product and UX angles that are not obvious at first glance.
To close, Jas explains how he thinks about writing, and how he approaches “shipping” pieces that spark debate across the industry.
Interview with Jas Shah
Builder | Adviser | Fintech Writer | Product Strategist
In this episode, Jonathan Fine sat down with Jas Shah, one of the most thoughtful voices in global fintech. Known for his work across advisory, product, stablecoins, and his widely read writing, Jas brings a rare combination of industry insight and plain-spoken clarity.
We talk about his first impression of the Summit, the projects that keep him busy today, and how they connect to the stablecoin panel he joined. Jas shares his view on the link between fintech, wealthtech and retail brokers, especially as firms like Revolut, eToro and Trading212 blur long-standing lines in the market.
We also explore what stablecoin adoption might look like for retail investment platforms, including a few product and UX angles that are not obvious at first glance.
To close, Jas explains how he thinks about writing, and how he approaches “shipping” pieces that spark debate across the industry.
Vitalii Bulynin Talks About Versus Trade, New Pairs, and Big Plans
Vitalii Bulynin Talks About Versus Trade, New Pairs, and Big Plans
In this interview, Versus Trade Co-Founder Vitalii Bulynin explains how the company got its license fast, why its trading pairs are fresh and fun, and what the team will build next.
He also discusses the most active pairs, the IB and MIB plans, and hiring needs for new markets.
Watch the whole talk to learn more about how Versus Trade works and where it is heading.
#financemagnates #VersusTrade #TradingPairs #BTCvsGold #goldtrading #innovation
In this interview, Versus Trade Co-Founder Vitalii Bulynin explains how the company got its license fast, why its trading pairs are fresh and fun, and what the team will build next.
He also discusses the most active pairs, the IB and MIB plans, and hiring needs for new markets.
Watch the whole talk to learn more about how Versus Trade works and where it is heading.
#financemagnates #VersusTrade #TradingPairs #BTCvsGold #goldtrading #innovation
Marketing in 2026 Audiences, Costs, and Smarter AI
Marketing in 2026 Audiences, Costs, and Smarter AI
As brokers eye B2B business and compete with fintechs and crypto exchanges alike, marketers need to act wisely with often limited budgets. AI can offer scalable solutions, but only if used properly.
Join seasoned marketing executives and specialists as they discuss the main challenges they identify in financial services in 2026 and how they address them.
Attendees of this session will walk away with:
- A nuts-and-bolts account of acquisition costs across platforms and geos
- Analysis of today’s multi-layered audience segments and differences in behaviour
- First-hand account of how global brokers balance consistency and local flavour
- Notes from the field about intelligently using AI and automation in marketing
Speakers:
-Yam Yehoshua, Editor-In-Chief at Finance Magnates
-Federico Paderni, Managing Director for Growth Markets in Europe at X
-Jo Benton, Chief Marketing Officer, Consulting | Fractional CMO
-Itai Levitan, Head of Strategy at investingLive
-Roberto Napolitano, CMO at Innovate Finance
-Tony Cross, Director at Monk Communications
#fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #FintechMarketing #AI #DigitalStrategy #Fintech #Innovation
Connect with us at:
🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events
👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents
📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events
🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official
As brokers eye B2B business and compete with fintechs and crypto exchanges alike, marketers need to act wisely with often limited budgets. AI can offer scalable solutions, but only if used properly.
Join seasoned marketing executives and specialists as they discuss the main challenges they identify in financial services in 2026 and how they address them.
Attendees of this session will walk away with:
- A nuts-and-bolts account of acquisition costs across platforms and geos
- Analysis of today’s multi-layered audience segments and differences in behaviour
- First-hand account of how global brokers balance consistency and local flavour
- Notes from the field about intelligently using AI and automation in marketing
Speakers:
-Yam Yehoshua, Editor-In-Chief at Finance Magnates
-Federico Paderni, Managing Director for Growth Markets in Europe at X
-Jo Benton, Chief Marketing Officer, Consulting | Fractional CMO
-Itai Levitan, Head of Strategy at investingLive
-Roberto Napolitano, CMO at Innovate Finance
-Tony Cross, Director at Monk Communications
#fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #FintechMarketing #AI #DigitalStrategy #Fintech #Innovation
Connect with us at:
🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events
👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents
📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events
🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official
Fail Better Trading Tech to Tackle Industry Risks
Fail Better Trading Tech to Tackle Industry Risks
Much like their traders in the market, brokers must diversify to manage risk and stay resilient. But that can get costly, clunky, and lengthy.
This candid panel brings together builders across the trading infrastructure space to uncover the shifting dynamics behind tools, interfaces, and full-stack ambitions.
Attendees will hear:
-Why platform dependency has become one of the most overlooked risks in the trading business?
-Buy vs. build: What do hybrid models look like, and why are industry graveyards filled with failed ‘killer apps’?
-How AI is already changing execution, risk, and reporting—and what’s next?
-Which features, assets, and tools gain the most traction, and where brokers should look for tech-driven retention?
Speakers:
-Stephen Miles, Chief Revenue Officer at FYNXT
-John Morris, Co-Founder at FXBlue
-Matthew Smith, Group Chair & CEO at EC Markets
-Tom Higgins, Founder & CEO at Gold-i
-Gil Ben Hur, Founder at 5% Group
#fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #Brokers #Trading #Fintech #FintechInnovation #TradingTechnology #Innovation
Connect with us at:
🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events
👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents
📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events
🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official
Much like their traders in the market, brokers must diversify to manage risk and stay resilient. But that can get costly, clunky, and lengthy.
This candid panel brings together builders across the trading infrastructure space to uncover the shifting dynamics behind tools, interfaces, and full-stack ambitions.
Attendees will hear:
-Why platform dependency has become one of the most overlooked risks in the trading business?
-Buy vs. build: What do hybrid models look like, and why are industry graveyards filled with failed ‘killer apps’?
-How AI is already changing execution, risk, and reporting—and what’s next?
-Which features, assets, and tools gain the most traction, and where brokers should look for tech-driven retention?
Speakers:
-Stephen Miles, Chief Revenue Officer at FYNXT
-John Morris, Co-Founder at FXBlue
-Matthew Smith, Group Chair & CEO at EC Markets
-Tom Higgins, Founder & CEO at Gold-i
-Gil Ben Hur, Founder at 5% Group
#fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #Brokers #Trading #Fintech #FintechInnovation #TradingTechnology #Innovation
Connect with us at:
🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events
👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents
📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events
🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official
