Stellar gains ground in RWA market, but 80% XLM supply held by few stirs concern

  • Stellar ranks third in RWA tokenisation market by value.
  • Exchange balances on Binance grow to 1 billion XLM.
  • Active wallets reach 9.5 million, growing by 5,000 daily.

Stellar (XLM) is navigating a complex landscape in 2025.

While the blockchain network continues to gain traction as a real-world asset (RWA) hub, concerns around centralisation and potential market manipulation are also intensifying.

Stellar has recorded an 84% rise in RWA-linked value this year, surpassing $500 million.

However, with nearly 80% of XLM supply controlled by just ten wallets, analysts warn of volatility risks if large holders move to sell.

Meanwhile, daily wallet growth and rising exchange balances suggest expanding adoption but also potential sell pressure.

As institutional products integrate with Stellar and retail participation climbs, investors remain split on whether the current distribution model can support long-term price stability without triggering major corrections.

XLM supply is controlled by top wallets

The top 10 wallets hold around 25 billion XLM out of a total of 30.9 billion in circulation, equating to roughly 80% of the available token supply.

Source: CoinMarketCap

This significant imbalance raises questions about decentralisation and network resilience.

In contrast, 90% of holders reportedly own fewer than 100 XLM, giving them little influence over market trends.

Such concentration could have serious implications for XLM’s price stability.

If a small number of holders were to liquidate significant volumes, the market could face sharp corrections.

The risk is further amplified by rising exchange balances, with XLM held on Binance growing from 180 million in late 2023 to 1 billion by May 2025, according to stellar expert.

This increase points to higher trading interest, but also the possibility of mounting sell pressure.

RWA tokenisation pushes XLM adoption

Despite supply concerns, Stellar has made clear inroads into the tokenisation of real-world assets — a sector drawing institutional capital and crypto-native investment in 2025.

Stellar currently ranks as the third-largest protocol by RWA market capitalisation, trailing only Ethereum and ZKsync Era.

Institutional-grade products like the Franklin Templeton OnChain US Government Money Fund, valued at $497 million, and Circle’s USDC stablecoin with $345 million on the Stellar chain, have helped push the total RWA value on Stellar to over $500 million.

This is up from $275 million in January, marking an 84% increase within five months.

Such growth signals that more traditional financial institutions are considering Stellar as an alternative to Ethereum for tokenized assets.

Faster transactions and lower costs remain key attractions.

On-chain growth supports the adoption trend

The XLM network has also shown strong user base expansion. Stellar’s active accounts grew from 7.2 million in 2023 to 9.5 million by May 2025.

This represents an average addition of about 5,000 wallet addresses daily. The growth helps counterbalance the impact of concentrated holdings, as demand rises across a broadening user base.

This daily activity reflects more than speculative trading.

It suggests growing confidence in Stellar’s long-term utility, particularly in the RWA sector.

While increased circulating supply often raises concerns about dilution or dumping, in Stellar’s case, it appears aligned with deliberate expansion strategies aimed at onboarding more institutional and retail users.

Market remains divided on centralisation risks

While Stellar’s RWA integrations and active user growth highlight ongoing demand, the risk associated with token concentration cannot be overlooked.

If the top holders — or “whales” — choose to exit positions, price shocks are likely.

However, if network development continues alongside strategic RWA partnerships, the Stellar blockchain could retain and grow its niche within the broader crypto asset ecosystem.

Although Stellar’s fundamentals appear strong, investors are likely to remain cautious until the network addresses its centralisation risks.

Efforts to increase token distribution, improve governance, or introduce staking mechanisms may help mitigate future volatility.

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Meme coins swing wildly as Zerebro, Fartcoin, and Lofi diverge

  • Developer-linked wallet sold $1.27M worth of ZEREBRO tokens.
  • Fartcoin struggles to hold key support after recent rally.
  • Technical charts suggest further swings are likely across tokens.

The meme coin market is experiencing heightened volatility, with projects like Zerebro, Fartcoin, and Lofi all moving sharply in opposite directions.

Zerebro (ZEREBRO) has plunged over 22% this week following a series of developments involving its developer, Jeffy Yu, including a staged death hoax and a large-scale token dump.

Meanwhile, Fartcoin is undergoing a correction after briefly touching a $1 billion market cap.

In contrast, Lofi has emerged as a breakout performer in the SUI ecosystem, soaring over 321% in the past 30 days and gaining significant investor traction.

The divergence reflects growing speculation and risk across meme coin trading desks.

Zerebro developer hoax triggers $1.27M token dump

Zerebro (ZEREBRO), which launched in November 2024 with a maximum supply of 1 billion tokens, has seen its value tumble after a controversial episode involving its creator.

A token named $LLJEFFY was introduced on May 4, accompanied by a blog post from developer Jeffy Yu.

Days later, a fake obituary was posted on Legacy.com, and both Jeffy’s and Zerebro’s official X accounts were deleted, fuelling rumours of his death.

The situation escalated when crypto figure Daniele Sesta publicly claimed that Yu was alive, later presenting proof. Jeffy then confirmed he had faked his death in an attempt to escape mounting online harassment.

Notably, on-chain data from Lookonchain revealed that a wallet connected to Yu sold 35.55 million ZEREBRO tokens, worth approximately $1.27 million, just 11 hours before the hoax was exposed.

ZEREBRO’s price has since declined to around $0.035 as it approaches a potential death cross on technical charts.

A further drop below the $0.025 support could send it down to $0.0189.

Source: CoinMarketCap

However, if sentiment improves, the token may retest resistance at $0.041 and potentially reach $0.054 or $0.066.

Fartcoin loses steam after hitting $1 billion valuation

Fartcoin, once a trending meme coin, is currently under pressure.

After reaching a peak valuation of $1 billion, the token has entered a correction phase.

While it still retains a significant market cap, the price has dropped back toward key technical levels.

If current losses continue, Fartcoin could fall to support at $0.944.

A breach of this level may lead to further declines toward $0.797 or $0.717.

On the upside, a recovery could target resistance at $1.06, and surpassing that may open the door to $1.20 or even $1.28.

Source: CoinMarketCap

The decline coincides with lower social media mentions and a decrease in meme trading volume, suggesting waning enthusiasm compared to its peak.

Lofi outperforms with a 321% rise in 30 days

LOFI, which launched in December 2024, has emerged as a top performer within the SUI meme coin ecosystem.

With a circulating and maximum supply of 1 billion tokens, LOFI currently holds a market cap of $31.95 million.

It posted a 13% gain in the past 24 hours and is up 321% over the last month.

Source: CoinMarketCap

The token’s price is currently approaching resistance at $0.042. If the uptrend holds, LOFI could rally to $0.0546.

On the downside, support lies at $0.025, and a break below this level may trigger a correction to $0.0228.

Lofi’s rapid rise positions it as a major contender within the SUI ecosystem, where dominance is still up for grabs.

The momentum suggests that traders are rotating capital into newer meme coins with perceived growth potential.

Market sentiment remains mixed amid rising volatility

The divergent performances of ZEREBRO, Fartcoin, and LOFI reflect a broader theme of unpredictability in the meme coin space.

While developer drama can erode investor trust, as seen with ZEREBRO, strong technical momentum and ecosystem hype, like in the case of LOFI, can still draw in substantial capital.

As retail traders and speculators continue to chase high-risk, high-reward tokens, meme coins remain one of the most volatile segments of the crypto market.

Short-term sentiment, community engagement, and social media narratives continue to exert disproportionate influence on prices.

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Movement Labs rebrands amid MOVE token crash and Binance delisting fears

Movement Labs has officially rebranded as Move Industries following the removal of its co-founder Rushi Manche, as the company reels from a steep crash in the value of its MOVE token and increasing scrutiny from Binance.

The leadership shake-up and rebrand aim to restore investor confidence amid mounting concerns over governance and token stability.

The announcement came on May 7, with the firm confirming it had terminated Manche’s involvement.

“Movement Labs has terminated Rushi Manche. Movement will continue under different leadership,” the company said in a statement.

It also promised further updates on its revamped governance structure and leadership team.

The dramatic decision follows an internal investigation into alleged market manipulation involving a substantial December 2024 token dump that triggered a massive sell-off in MOVE.

In response, the company engaged blockchain intelligence firm Groom Lake to investigate the matter and severed ties with its market maker.

Additionally, a $38 million token buyback initiative was launched in an attempt to stabilize the token and reassure investors.

While Manche has denied any wrongdoing, he previously attributed the project’s challenges to poor strategic advice from external partners.

He has yet to respond publicly to his dismissal.

Leadership transition and rebranding strategy

As part of its restructuring, the company has rebranded itself as Move Industries.

Founding team member Torab Torabi has stepped in as the new CEO, while Will Gaines, formerly head of marketing, now serves as president.

The new leadership has signaled a shift in direction—focusing on transparency, community involvement, and meaningful technological progress.

In a statement, the team emphasized their intent to return to “crypto’s radical roots” by delivering utility-focused innovation rather than market-driven hype.

MOVE token tumbles and faces Binance scrutiny

The ongoing controversy has taken a serious toll on the MOVE token.

Over the past 24 hours, the token dropped nearly 10% to about $0.16, extending a weekly loss of 35%.

Since hitting its all-time high of $1.21 in December 2024, MOVE has lost roughly 87% of its value.

Amid the heightened volatility, Binance has slapped a “Monitoring Tag” on the token—signaling potential non-compliance with the exchange’s listing standards and raising the risk of delisting.

According to Binance, tokens under this label are subject to enhanced surveillance and may be removed from the platform if they fail to meet ongoing requirements.

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Whales boost XRP exposure by 1.2% as Fed decision and US-China talks loom

  • Whale addresses now hold 9.44% of XRP supply, up from 8.24% in January.
  • FedWatch Tool shows expectations for interest rates to remain at 4.25%-4.5%.
  • RSI below 50 signals bearish momentum and possible downside pressure.

Ripple’s XRP token is holding steady at $2.14 despite a significant slowdown in trading volume and increasing caution across the wider crypto market.

Source: CoinMarketCap

The token’s price consolidation comes as investors await the US Federal Reserve’s next interest rate decision and watch closely for developments in upcoming trade talks between the US and China.

On-chain data suggests that large investors are continuing to accumulate XRP, with wallets holding between 1 million and 10 million tokens increasing their holdings by 1.2% since January.

This rise in so-called whale activity is helping to maintain a floor at the $2.10 support level, even as momentum indicators such as the RSI point to growing trader uncertainty.

The broader crypto market is similarly rangebound, with Bitcoin fluctuating between $94,000 and $96,000 ahead of the Fed’s policy statement and key diplomatic meetings set to take place in Switzerland this weekend.

Fed expected to keep rates steady at 4.25%-4.5%

According to CME Group’s FedWatch Tool, most market participants anticipate that the Federal Open Market Committee will leave its benchmark interest rate unchanged.

The current range of 4.25% to 4.5% reflects the central bank’s cautious stance amid ongoing global economic volatility, particularly stemming from trade policy and geopolitical tension.

K33 Research’s latest weekly report notes that the Fed’s conservative approach is being driven in part by uncertainty over tariffs and broader macroeconomic concerns.

These macroeconomic headwinds are weighing on risk assets, including cryptocurrencies.

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have absorbed over 50,000 BTC since April 21, yet Bitcoin has struggled to maintain upward momentum beyond $97,000, underscoring the broader market’s hesitancy.

XRP’s own muted performance in recent days reflects similar indecision, with bulls and bears locked in a stalemate above the $2.10 level.

Trade tensions push XRP into consolidation

XRP’s current price movement reflects more than just domestic economic uncertainty. International trade disputes have intensified after the US placed new restrictions on chip exports to China.

Specifically, NVIDIA’s advanced H20 processors were barred from shipment, prompting China to retaliate by halting exports of rare earth materials to the US.

These tit-for-tat actions have destabilised sentiment and triggered panic across global markets in April.

In response to this escalating trade war, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has confirmed a planned meeting with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Switzerland.

Scheduled for this weekend, the meeting is expected to focus on resolving some of the key tariff barriers and opening channels for improved bilateral trade.

Market analysts suggest that progress in these talks could reduce volatility and improve sentiment for risk-on assets, including cryptocurrencies.

XRP price faces resistance at $2.20

XRP continues to trade within a tight range between its 200-day exponential moving average at $1.99 and a dual resistance level formed by the 50-day and 100-day EMAs around $2.20.

A long-term descending trendline dating back to January adds further pressure on bullish traders attempting to break past the upper resistance zone.

The Relative Strength Index (RSI) has dipped below the neutral 50 level, indicating that bearish momentum may be strengthening. This shift in sentiment raises the possibility of losses below $2.10.

Should the $1.99 support break, traders may look to lower levels at $1.80 or even $1.61—the latter being the low recorded on April 7—for signs of a reversal.

Despite these technical headwinds, whale wallets are quietly increasing their holdings.

According to Santiment data, addresses holding between 1 million and 10 million XRP now control 9.44% of the total supply, up from 8.24% at the start of the year.

This trend could serve as a stabilising force as investors navigate short-term volatility ahead of the Fed’s decision and international trade negotiations.

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Crypto news today: Bitcoin surges past $97K as US, China signal trade talk breakthrough

  • Bitcoin surged ~3% to $97,200 after US and China signaled upcoming trade talks in Switzerland.
  • US Treasury Sec. Bessent & China’s Commerce Ministry confirmed willingness to engage on tariff issues.
  • US stock futures (Nasdaq 100, S&P 500) jumped ~1% on the positive trade negotiation news.

A significant thaw in the often-frosty trade relations between the United States and China sent a jolt of optimism through global financial markets late Tuesday and into Wednesday, propelling risk assets, including Bitcoin, sharply higher.

The positive momentum came as officials from both nations signaled a mutual willingness to engage in substantive discussions aimed at de-escalating the ongoing tariff conflict.

The renewed hope for a trade resolution was sparked by key statements from both sides.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced plans to travel to Switzerland for trade talks with his Chinese counterparts over the upcoming weekend.

“The current tariffs and trade barriers are unsustainable, but we don’t want to decouple,” Bessent stated, signaling a potential shift in the US approach.

Echoing this sentiment, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Commerce confirmed Beijing’s readiness to engage.

“Senior US officials have made a series of remarks hinting at adjustments to tariffs and have expressed, through various channels, a desire to engage with the Chinese side on tariff-related issues,” the spokesperson said, according to CoinDesk report.

China has carefully evaluated these messages from the US side and, after fully considering global expectations, China’s own interests, and the appeals of American industries and consumers, has decided to agree to engage with the US.

This news of impending high-level dialogue triggered an immediate positive reaction in markets.

Bitcoin (BTC) surged approximately 3%, climbing to around $97,200.

Futures contracts for major US stock indices also jumped, with both Nasdaq 100 and S&P 500 futures up about 1% in the hours following the announcements.

Amidst trade hopes, Trump’s crypto ventures draw senate scrutiny

While markets cheered the trade developments, a separate undercurrent of political and regulatory scrutiny emerged concerning President Donald Trump’s personal and business ties to the cryptocurrency industry.

Senator Richard Blumenthal, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, initiated a preliminary inquiry into potential conflicts of interest and legal violations stemming from these ventures.

On Tuesday, Senator Blumenthal dispatched letters to executives associated with Trump-affiliated crypto entities, including Bill Zanker of Fight Fight Fight LLC (linked to the TRUMP memecoin) and Zach Witkoff, a co-founder of World Liberty Financial (associated with the USD1 stablecoin).

The letters also targeted entities like CIC Digital LLC (involved in Trump’s NFTs) and DTTM Operations LLC (manager of Trump’s IP rights).

“The Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations is conducting a preliminary inquiry into potential conflicts of interest and violations of the law from President Trump’s cryptocurrency ventures … and associated businesses’ financial dealings with foreign nationals, foreign governments and other cryptocurrency firms,” both letters stated.

They explicitly questioned whether these businesses “may be enabling the violation of government ethics requirements.”

The inquiries seek detailed information regarding ownership structures, investment sources (particularly concerning foreign governments), revenue generation, and protocols for identifying or blocking participation by individuals facing prosecution or investigation.

Blumenthal also requested records tied to these Trump-affiliated crypto businesses.

As Democrats are in the Senate minority, Blumenthal currently lacks subpoena power for this inquiry unless his Republican counterpart, Senator Ron Johnson, co-signs the effort.

Senator Johnson’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

This Senate probe reflects a broader unease among Democrats regarding Trump’s crypto activities.

Earlier this week, Representative Maxine Waters, the leading Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee, objected to a joint hearing on crypto market structure legislation, opting instead to host a separate hearing focused specifically on these crypto tie-ups.

Furthermore, a recent statement from Senator Ruben Gallego and several other Senate Democrats, indicating they would not support the current iteration of the Senate’s stablecoin bill, also appears linked to these concerns.

A key trigger was the announcement by Eric Trump that Abu Dhabi-based investment firm MGX would use the Trump-affiliated USD1 stablecoin for a $2 billion investment into the Binance cryptocurrency exchange.

Adding to the legislative pressure, Senator Chris Murphy introduced a bill on Tuesday aimed at banning the US president and other senior government officials from issuing memecoins or other financial assets.

While financial markets reacted positively to signs of a potential US-China trade détente, the unfolding scrutiny of President Trump’s personal crypto dealings introduces a new layer of political and regulatory complexity for the digital asset industry in Washington.

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