Crypto Market Sees Gains as Ripple Buys Back Shares and Mastercard Launches Partner Program

What Happened

Ripple, the company behind the XRP cryptocurrency, has begun buying back shares from investors and employees at a valuation of $50 billion, according to a report from Bloomberg. This move comes despite a decline in the price of XRP in the last year. Ripple is expected to reach a valuation 25% higher than reported after a November 2025 funding round.

In other news, Mastercard has launched a crypto partner program, which connects crypto companies, banks, and payment providers to explore blockchain-based payment and settlement infrastructure. The program includes a "who's who" of industry players.

Meanwhile, Bullish, an institutional-focused crypto exchange, has surpassed Coinbase to become the third-largest crypto exchange by spot volume. Bullish's spot trading jumped 62% to $76 billion in February, giving it a 5.06% market share.

Why It Matters

The crypto market has seen gains in recent days, with Bitcoin holding above $70,000 as US inflation remains subdued. The consumer price index increased 0.3% for the month, putting the annualized US inflation rate at 2.4%, in line with expectations. The overall crypto market capitalization climbed 0.5% to $2.48 trillion, according to Coingecko.

Ripple's share buyback and Mastercard's crypto partner program are significant developments in the crypto space. Ripple's buyback indicates a strong belief in the company's future growth, while Mastercard's program aims to explore the potential of blockchain-based payments.

Key Numbers

• Ripple's valuation: $50 billion
• Mastercard's crypto partner program: includes a "who's who" of industry players
• Bullish's spot trading volume: $76 billion in February
• Bitcoin's price: above $70,000
• US inflation rate: 2.4%
• Crypto market capitalization: $2.48 trillion

Key Facts

• Who: Ripple, Mastercard, Bullish
• What: Share buyback, crypto partner program, spot trading volume increase
• When: Recent days
• Where: Global crypto market
• Impact: Significant developments in the crypto space, indicating growth and adoption

What Comes Next

The crypto market will likely continue to see volatility in the coming days, with investors keeping a close eye on inflation rates and global economic trends. Ripple's share buyback and Mastercard's crypto partner program are likely to have a positive impact on the market, while Bullish's increased spot trading volume indicates growing institutional interest in crypto.