by | Apr 30, 2025 | Business
The SEC has approved ProShares’ XRP futures ETFs, signaling a major shift in U.S. crypto regulation. Discover what this means for XRP, Ripple’s legal battle, and the future of spot ETFs.
In a major development for the cryptocurrency sector, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (US SEC) has approved ProShares’ launch of XRP futures exchange-traded funds (ETFs), with trading set to begin on April 30, 2025.
This move is poised to reshape the landscape for XRP investors and highlights a broader shift in U.S. regulatory attitudes toward digital assets.
Understanding XRP and Ripple
XRP is a digital token created by Ripple Labs, a company focused on revolutionizing cross-border payments. Ripple’s network aims to connect international banks, enabling instant money transfers without the inefficiencies of traditional systems like SWIFT. XRP serves as a bridge currency within this network, offering rapid, low-cost transactions. A single cross-border transfer using XRP costs just a fraction of a cent, demonstrating its utility in real-world financial ecosystems.
Ripple’s ongoing legal battles with the SEC, which began in 2020, had cast a long shadow over XRP’s price. However, a more crypto-friendly political environment under President Donald Trump and recent developments hinting at a settlement have significantly improved sentiment around XRP.
What Are XRP Futures ETFs?
ProShares, already known for its Bitcoin Futures ETF (BITO), proposed three XRP-linked ETFs back in January 2025:
- Ultra XRP ETF (2x leveraged)
- Short XRP ETF (inverse -1x leveraged)
- UltraShort XRP ETF (inverse -2x leveraged)
These futures ETFs will track XRP prices based on the XRP Index, allowing investors to speculate on XRP’s price movements without owning the actual token. This differs from spot ETFs, which require the fund to hold the underlying asset itself.
The ETFs will invest in a combination of XRP futures contracts, swaps, and cash balances in money market instruments, including U.S. Treasuries. Importantly, this offers a regulated pathway for investors to engage with XRP price trends while reducing direct exposure risks.
Why This Approval Matters
The approval of ProShares’ XRP futures ETFs is a watershed moment for several reasons:
1. Regulatory Recognition: It marks increasing acceptance of XRP as a legitimate asset class within regulated U.S. financial markets.
2. Institutional Interest: The move could unlock substantial institutional capital, mirroring patterns observed after the introduction of Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs.
3. Market Sentiment: XRP prices have already reacted positively, surging over 6% to $2.28 in early trading on April 28, with daily trading volume soaring by more than 53%.
In contrast, Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies saw price declines during the same period, highlighting XRP’s relative strength.
Ripple’s Legal Saga and Future Prospects
The backdrop of these developments is Ripple’s legal battle with the SEC. However, recent reports indicate that Ripple and the SEC have reached an agreement to settle the case. As part of the settlement:
- Ripple will pay $50 million of a previously escrowed $125 million penalty.
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The SEC will withdraw its appeal regarding the “Programmatic Sales of XRP” ruling.
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Judge Analisa Torres may lift the injunction on XRP sales to institutional investors.
If finalized, this settlement could remove a significant overhang on XRP and further boost its market credibility.
Broader Implications for XRP Spot ETFs
ProShares has also filed for a spot XRP ETF, which is currently pending SEC approval. A spot ETF would involve holding actual XRP tokens rather than futures contracts, offering a more direct exposure option to investors.
The precedent set by Brazil — where Hashdex recently launched the world’s first spot XRP ETF — suggests that once one major market opens the gates, others tend to follow. Betting platform Polymarket now places the odds of a U.S. XRP-spot ETF approval by December 2025 at 78%, up from 68% earlier this month.
Bloomberg Intelligence ETF analyst James Seyffart maintains high confidence in an eventual approval, predicting final decisions by October 2025.
XRP Price Outlook
Following the SEC’s announcement and broader market enthusiasm:
- Current Price: $2.2335
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Market Cap: $136 billion
-
52-Week Range: $0.39 to $3.38
XRP is currently consolidating above key support levels near $2.10, with resistance around $2.22. A decisive breakout above $2.40 could set the stage for a retest of previous highs at $3.3999 and eventually its all-time high of $3.5505.
Still, downside risks remain, particularly if the Ripple-SEC settlement faces delays or if macroeconomic conditions worsen. A bearish scenario could see XRP retreat toward the $1.50 mark.
Conclusion: A Pivotal Moment for XRP and Crypto Markets
The launch of ProShares’ XRP futures ETFs is more than just a new investment product, it signals the maturing of the crypto industry and growing mainstream acceptance of alternative digital assets beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum.
With Ripple nearing a possible resolution with the SEC, rising institutional interest, and the growing likelihood of spot ETF approvals, XRP is well-positioned for a significant evolution in 2025 and beyond. However, investors should remain cautious and monitor legal and regulatory developments closely.
by | Apr 29, 2025 | Business
COMINT Consulting supports more than 70 Allied countries’ SIGINT / COMINT efforts. We continually add new SIGINT solutions and tools to the many high-priority targets facing military and civilian intelligence agencies and warfighters today. With hundreds more digital signal decoders than its closest competition and parsers for extraction of maximum actionable intelligence, the software has resulted in numerous battlefield and law enforcement successes worldwide. Its digital signal decoding software for COMINT, SIGINT, Electronic Warfare – both Electronic Attack (EA) and Electronic Support Measures (ESM) and can be used in ANY mission platform – manned or unmanned.
Even more DECODING POWER – New features include these new decoders
and tools:
- Selex CNR-2000 Stanag5066 variant
- Codan Sentry variant Mil-Std 188-110
- CCIR493-4 variant Selcall
-Thales MSN8200 variant Mil-Std 188-141B 3G ALE
- Additional data formats added to Saab/Grintek TR2400 parser
by | Apr 29, 2025 | Business
GUESS, the iconic international fashion brand founded in Los Angeles, is bringing an exhilarating experience to the streets of Sydney with its very first experiential double-decker bus campaign in Australia. Taking GUESS fashion onto Sydney streets, this must-see event will surely captivate Sydney fashion enthusiasts and passersby alike, offering an immersive, high-impact fashion experience like no other.
A GUESS branded double-decker bus featuring larger than life images of Georgina Rodriguez, Argentinian model and reality television personality dressed in a series of stunning GUESS ensembles. The campaign, shot by renowned photographer Nima Benati, perfectly captures the combination of Georgina’s dynamic personality and the vision of winter luxury, timeless femininity, and sophistication.
The GUESS double-decker bus will roll into Sydney’s vibrant city streets, transforming a standard retail hub into a moving work of art and retail experience. This exciting activation will be the ultimate destination for all shoppers to discover GUESS’s Winter collection in a dynamic, immersive environment throughout Sydney.
The bus will be transporting a hand-curated selection of this season’s essentials alongside the Georgina Rodriguez edit, including ready-to-wear clothing, accessories, footwear, fragrances and more. Customers will have the chance to preview the collection before some of the pieces make their way in-store and online.
The lower deck of the bus will be designed with sleek, modern styling, showcasing on-trend handbags, shoes, jewellery, home products and GUESS iconic fragrances. The upper deck will house a selection of stunning ready-to-wear and iconic pieces with Instagram-opportune try-on, the perfect backdrop for photo opportunity.
What to Expect:
Exclusive Collections: Discover GUESS’s latest fashion-forward limited-edition pieces.Interactive Collection Preview:See, touch and try-on the collection in an exciting and intimate way.Exciting Giveaways: Complimentary GUESS merchandise and exclusive offers.Rich Photo Opportunities: Step into vibrant and creative installations, perfect for your social media.
BRINGING GUESS TO YOU will be a retail highlight in Sydney offering people a fresh, fun, and interactive customer experience to view and try pieces from the collection. Whether you’re a fashion aficionado or simply looking for a new way to shop, this event promises to deliver an unforgettable experience.
Activation Details:
Locations and dates:29thApril – Parramatta Centenary Square -11am – 4.00pm1stMay – Bondi Beach- 11am – 3.00pm3rdMay – Overseas Passenger Terminal- 11am – 4.00pm
This experiential retail event marks a milestone in GUESS’s commitment to creating immersive, memorable experiences for consumers and fans, and is the first of its kind in Australia.
Join us for this iconic moment in fashion and get ready to experience GUESS in an entirely new way.
by | Apr 29, 2025 | Business
Singapore, 29 April 2025 – In response to
recent US tariff actions that affect several Asian economies, CRIF, a global
leader in credit bureau, business information, and credit risk solutions, today
announced the launch of Tariff
Impact Assessment Score, a new analytics feature designed to assess the
potential impact of US tariffs on a company’s credit profile.
The introduction of
this assessment score marks a strategic enhancement to CRIF’s suite of business
information offerings, providing clients with a targeted, data-driven
evaluation of how tariffs may influence a company’s creditworthiness, cash
flow, and operational resilience.
Novi Rolastuti, Regional
Head of Sales for Business Information Services, Asia of CRIF said: “We
developed the Tariff Impact Assessment Score to give our clients early,
actionable insights into trade-related vulnerabilities. With global trade
dynamics shifting fast, the ability to anticipate risk and build resilience is
a competitive advantage. This score enables our clients to take proactive steps
– whether rebalancing supply chains, adjusting trade strategy, or screening new
partners.”
A Smart Gauge for
Credit Risk and Trade Exposure
The Tariff
Impact Assessement Score is a dedicated section available in CRIF
business information reports, designed to provide a clear indicator of
tariff-related vulnerabilities. The score is built on a multi-dimensional model
that takes into consideration:
· Industry Affiliation
CRIF’s market and analytics experts have
conducted scenario-based evaluations across countries to identify industries
most affected by US tariffs. This analysis helps companies better understand
sector-specific risks and dependencies.
· Company Size
Recognizing that company scale influences
agility and market responsiveness, CRIF incorporates size into its assessment
using country-specific thresholds. Larger enterprises typically posses greater
capacity to shift production or explore alternative markets, whereas smaller
businesses may face heightened exposure.
· Company-specific USA Exposure Investigation
Through direct investigation, CRIF
analysts assess a company’s reliance on US trade, measuring its exposure to
cross-border clients and suppliers to deliver a precise picture of tariff
sensitivity.
The scoring model integrates public trade data, proprietary research,
and CRIF’s structured investigation methodology. Countries and sectors with a
high export share to the US and persistent trade deficits are flagged as having
elevated tariff-related risk.
Navigating
Disruptions, Seizing Opportunity
The Tariff
Impact Assessment Score is part of CRIF’s broader framework to empower
businesses to proactively manage risks and uncover new growth opportunities
across three strategic phases:
· Early Warning (1–3
months): Monitoring emerging risks through payment delays
and identifying vulnerable clients or supplier.
· Risk Escalation (3–6
months): Triggering real-time credit alerts and
supporting contingency planning.
· Adaptation Phase
(6–12 months): Facilitating portfolio rebalancing, sourcing alternative
supplier, and identifying new growth opportunities.
Available to CRIF
clients via business information reports, the new Tariff Impact
Assessment Score is especially valuable for multinational corporations,
financial institutions, and export-driven businesses seeking to proactively
manage credit and trade risk in today’s shifting geopolitical landscape.
For more
information or to request a sample report, please contact your local CRIF
representatives or visit www.crifasia.com.
by | Apr 29, 2025 | Business
Karaoke Manekineko is adding more deliciousness to your singing sessions! Introducing our brand-new selection of onigiri flavors — hearty, satisfying, and perfect for a quick snack between songs. Freshly made and packed with flavor, these new options are sure to hit the spot!
We’re excited to announce the launch of our newest snack lineup at Karaoke Manekineko – a
collection of freshly prepared, hearty Onigiri! Carefully crafted to
offer both quality and flavor, each onigiri weighs over 200g and is the
perfect companion for your karaoke experience.
For only RM7.00++ per piece, you can savor these mouthwatering
flavors:
• Mentai Crab
• Yaki Cheese
• Sardine
• Chicken Floss Mentai – One of our best-sellers!
Each bite delivers authentic Japanese flavors and the comforting
satisfaction of a homemade meal — perfect for recharging during a singing break
or celebrating after belting out your favorite tunes!
Special Highlights:
Freshly made with
premium ingredientsGenerous 200g+
size for ultimate satisfactionOnly RM7.00++
per piece (exclusive of 6% SST and 10% service charge)
Next time you visit Karaoke
Manekineko, make sure to grab
one (or a few) of our new onigiris! Delicious
moments await between every song!
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