GoTyme Bank has officially rolled out its integrated cryptocurrency service, becoming the first digital bank in the Philippines to allow users to buy and hold crypto directly inside their banking app. The move marks a major leap forward for local digital finance and could accelerate mainstream crypto adoption across Southeast Asia.

Crypto Trading Built Directly Into Banking

Through a partnership with U.S. fintech firm Alpaca, GoTyme now lets customers trade 11 major cryptocurrencies—including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Binance Coin (BNB)—without needing a separate exchange account. Everything happens inside the GoTyme mobile app, allowing users to check balances, move funds, and buy digital assets within one regulated interface.

Because GoTyme operates under the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the new crypto feature carries the same compliance and security standards as traditional banking services.

A Major Convenience Upgrade for Filipino Crypto Users

The integration solves several long-standing pain points in the local crypto space:

• No more switching between apps: Bank deposits, cash-ins, and crypto purchases happen in one place.
• Bank-grade security: Assets benefit from GoTyme’s authentication and encryption systems.
• Lower barriers to entry: New investors can access crypto without dealing with complicated onboarding or third-party platforms.
• Institutional trust: Many Filipinos remain wary of independent crypto exchanges; GoTyme’s banking framework reduces that friction.

Why the Alpaca Partnership Matters

Alpaca provides the backend crypto brokerage technology, enabling GoTyme to meet international standards for digital asset trading. This reflects a growing global trend: banks are increasingly integrating crypto instead of competing with standalone Web3 platforms.

For GoTyme, the partnership ensures the service is scalable, compliant, and capable of evolving as crypto regulations mature.

Regulatory and Market Challenges Ahead

While innovative, the service launches amid a cautious regulatory environment. The BSP maintains strong oversight of crypto activity, requiring strict anti-money laundering monitoring. Volatility also remains a core risk, particularly for first-time investors.

GoTyme’s regulated structure may, however, help set a responsible precedent for Philippine banks exploring digital asset services.

A Boost for Financial Inclusion

By offering digital assets through an accessible platform, GoTyme could help introduce investing to a wider population—especially younger, tech-savvy Filipinos. The move positions the Philippines as a regional fintech innovator and may push other local banks to explore similar offerings.

A New Era for Digital Finance in the Philippines

GoTyme’s crypto service marks a turning point for the country’s financial ecosystem. By merging traditional banking with digital assets, the bank is democratizing access, improving convenience, and breaking down barriers for millions of potential crypto participants.

As Southeast Asia’s crypto landscape grows, this launch could influence how Filipinos—and eventually neighboring countries—interact with digital assets in their everyday financial lives.

Ripple’s XRP is drawing renewed interest from traders as both technical indicators and on-chain fundamentals align near critical support levels. A fresh TD Sequential “9” buy signal on the weekly chart suggests XRP may be primed for a short-term rebound, supported by rising ETF inflows and continued whale accumulation. With $2.00 acting as a strong psychological and structural support zone, market participants are now watching whether XRP can stabilize above $2.10 and move toward the $2.30–$2.40 range.

TD Sequential Points to Potential Upside Shift

XRP recently printed a TD Sequential “9” buy signal near $2.09, appearing shortly after a 9.5% pullback from local highs around $2.20. According to analyst Ali Martinez, this indicator has historically been reliable for XRP during 2025, often signaling exhaustion in ongoing trends and preceding meaningful reversals.

The token is currently trading between $2.05 and $2.15, and analysts note that traders should wait for confirmation through price strength and rising volume before assuming a sustained rally. While the TD Sequential offers structural insight, Martinez emphasizes that it should not be treated as a direct forecast. Market context — including support, resistance, and liquidity — remains key to interpreting the signal.

If XRP manages to consolidate above $2.10, the charts suggest a probable retest of mid-channel resistance at $2.30–$2.40. A breakout beyond this range could attract momentum traders looking to capitalize on renewed upward pressure within the token’s channel structure.

Institutional Interest Continues to Build

Institutional inflows are reinforcing XRP’s support zone. According to WhaleInsider, XRP ETFs recorded $12.84 million in inflows on December 5, marking 13 straight days of positive contributions. Total ETF AUM has now reached approximately $881 million, surpassing early inflow trends seen in Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs during their initial phases.

Whale accumulation is also notable between $1.80 and $2.00, forming a strong cluster of on-chain demand. These buying zones often serve as buffers during market pullbacks, further strengthening the likelihood that XRP can defend its current support levels.

Still, analysts caution that broader macro trends — particularly regulatory decisions, liquidity shifts, and sentiment — could influence short-term price action. Sustained consolidation above $2.00, combined with a daily close above $2.10, would improve the odds of a move toward $2.30–$2.40.

XRP Approaches a Decision Point

With technical indicators flashing optimism and institutional players adding to positions, XRP is nearing a decisive moment. Should the market maintain support above $2.10, the path toward $2.40 becomes increasingly realistic. Traders are advised to monitor volume, channel boundaries, and on-chain positioning while maintaining disciplined risk management in this volatile environment.

Grayscale’s new GLNK product debuted with $64 million in assets under management, raising $42 million on day one and offering institutions regulated, custody-free access to Chainlink’s LINK token.

Grayscale Investments has launched the Chainlink exchange-traded product GLNK, which began trading on NYSE Arca and opened with $64 million in assets under management, including $42 million of inflows on its first day. The physically backed ETP holds LINK tokens directly and is designed to give institutional and brokerage-channel investors exposure to Chainlink without the need to manage wallets or private keys.

Institutional Access, Simplified Custody

GLNK provides a familiar, regulated route for institutions that want LINK exposure through traditional brokerage accounts. By holding LINK on behalf of investors, Grayscale eliminates the operational burdens of self-custody—an important consideration for asset managers and fiduciaries that face strict custody and compliance requirements.

Michael Sonnenshein, CEO of Grayscale Investments, framed GLNK as a bridge between institutional capital and Chainlink’s on-chain infrastructure, describing the product as a first-of-its-kind U.S. ETP to hold LINK directly.

Market Effects and Early Metrics

The product’s debut quickly affected market activity. Reporting indicates a 180% rise in LINK trading volume around the launch and a roughly 6% price uptick amid otherwise tepid market conditions. Early inflows mirror patterns seen when other regulated products—most notably Bitcoin ETFs—attracted concentrated institutional capital and shifted price-discovery dynamics.

Analysts suggest GLNK may gradually tilt LINK’s liquidity and price sensitivity toward institutional flows rather than purely on-chain demand. If historical precedents hold, large, sustained inflows into a regulated product can become a dominant price driver independent of token utility metrics.

What Comes Next

Market watchers will be tracking sustained AUM growth, redemption behavior, and whether GLNK draws capital away from on-chain liquidity pools. The ETP’s performance, and how quickly it attracts capital beyond the initial surge, will determine its longer-term impact on LINK’s market structure and price formation.