New York, February 3, 2026, 06:13 EST — Premarket update.
- XRP slipped roughly 1.2% to $1.60, fluctuating between $1.59 and $1.66 during the session.
- Data showed that traders continue to absorb a weekend selloff, which triggered roughly $2.56 billion in bitcoin liquidations.
- Ctrl Alt and Billiton Diamond announced they’ve tokenized over $280 million worth of diamonds on the XRP Ledger, with custody provided by Ripple.
XRP dipped roughly 1.2% to $1.60 early Tuesday, hitting a low of $1.59. Bitcoin climbed around 0.8% to about $78,111, while ether edged up 0.3% to near $2,282.
The token’s subdued action follows a brutal weekend for crypto that wiped out leveraged positions. Bitcoin traders saw $2.56 billion in liquidations over the past few days, according to CoinGlass data. The downturn has investors reluctant to wade back into risk amid ongoing policy and macro uncertainties. “People [are] taking a step back while they have to reassess their risk frameworks,” said Adam McCarthy. (Reuters)
In the U.S., the ongoing partial government shutdown has thrown another wrench into market forecasts about interest rates. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the January employment report won’t come out on Friday. Emily Liddel confirmed the report “will be rescheduled upon the resumption of government funding.” Reuters reported a final House vote was expected on Tuesday. (Reuters)
Against this backdrop, XRP scored a new headline tied to its ledger. Ctrl Alt and Billiton Diamond revealed they’ve tokenized over AED 1 billion ($280 million) worth of certified polished diamonds held in the UAE. These tokens were minted on the XRP Ledger and secured using Ripple custody tech. “The potential of tokenization relies on enterprise-grade trust and security,” said Reece Merrick. (Ctrl Alt)
The companies outlined their next step: a platform embedding inventory management and certification data directly on-chain. This will let buyers verify a stone’s grading and ownership history ahead of any transaction. They also plan to prepare the tokens for secondary market trading, pending approval from the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority.
Tokenization means converting real-world assets into digital tokens tracked on a blockchain. Supporters argue it can speed up settlements and improve tracking. But ultimately, these projects hinge on legal approvals and actual user adoption.
XRP traders are watching the broader picture: the pace of risk appetite’s return and if bitcoin can stay firm after recent turmoil. Crypto never sleeps, but weekend liquidity often dries up, which can trigger sudden price swings.
Several analysts flag “outside forces” as the key threat to prices at this point—unexpected economic shifts or a wider stumble in the AI trade. Others highlight how recent sessions reveal just how fast positions can unravel when the tape shifts direction.
But calling it tokenization won’t protect the diamond platform if the wider market stays defensive. It still requires the green light from regulators. Plus, with key U.S. data gaps from the shutdown, expect volatility in rate forecasts — and the dollar — right when crypto is trying to find its footing.
Traders are eyeing Tuesday’s U.S. House vote on the spending package, along with any news on the jobs report release date. Within the XRP ecosystem, all eyes will be on when VARA might approve the tokenized diamond platform.
