#May CPI Incoming#
This Wednesday, the U.S. will release May CPI data — a key test for rate cut expectations. Cleveland Fed forecasts 2.4% YoY CPI (up from 2.3%), with core CPI flat.
💬 If inflation beats expectations, will the Fed still cut in June? Will you stay on the sidelines or take early action?
#Tech Giants Eye Stablecoins#
Apple, Google, Airbnb, and X are in talks to integrate stablecoins into their payment systems, aiming to cut fees and streamline global payments. Following Circle’s IPO surge, stablecoins are quickly gaining traction across tech and finance.
💬 Could stablecoins be
Webus And Samara Alpha To Buy $300M XRP For Treasury, Why It’s A Big Deal For XRP
Webus International Limited, an artificial intelligence (AI) driven mobility solutions provider based in China, and Samara Alpha Management LLC, an investment adviser, have recently forged a Digital Asset Management Agreement. The deal centers on building a strategic framework for digital asset treasury operations. Interestingly, central to their venture is XRP.
$300 Million XRP Accumulation of Webus and Samara Alpha
The agreement appoints Samara Alpha as Webus’ digital asset manager. It authorizes the company to build a war chest of XRP worth $300 million.
The XRP accumulation of Samara Alpha is not a one-time bulk purchase. Instead, the parties structured the acquisitions within a phased implementation. There are no specific schedules for the staggered purchase of the digital asset at the moment.
Samara Alpha’s management mandate commences once Webus transfers its digital assets to the custody wallets specified in the agreement. As of an update on Monday, Webus has yet to execute the transfer of the digital assets in question, so there’s still no investment activity going on under the new setup.
Statements of the Companies
Nan Zheng, CEO of Webus, stated that the agreement establishes a clear structure for trusted digital asset management. Additionally, he expressed confidence in the capabilities of Samara Alpha, given its highly experienced roster of professionals from the financial and digital asset sectors.
“As we continue to evaluate innovative approaches to treasury management, establishing this framework with a regulated, institutional-grade partner provides us with strategic optionality while maintaining prudent controls,” said Zheng. “Samara Alpha brings institutional-grade discipline, and we look forward to activating the mandate when operational needs and funding align.”
Meanwhile, Adil Abdulali, CIO of Samara Alpha, emphasized that its deal with Webus is for a long-term mandate. Moreover, he highlighted the company’s commitment to upholding high standards in institutional asset management.
“Our institutional approach to digital asset management combines rigorous risk management with specialized expertise in this evolving asset class,” remarked Abdulali. “Upon activation, we will deliver secure, regulated infrastructure for responsible crypto asset management, leveraging our experience to provide Webus with professional oversight of their potential future digital asset operations.”
About Webus and Samara Alpha
Webus International Limited leverages AI for its personalized online car and bus service platform. It is publicly listed on the Nasdaq under the ticker “WETO.”
The company was founded in February 2022 and is headquartered in Hangzhou, China. Its market valuation currently sits at $54.12 million.
Samara Alpha is registered with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). It operates as an institutional-grade investment adviser and asset manager. The business was founded in 2023 and is headquartered in New York City.
Why is the Webus and Samara Alpha Deal a Big Deal for XRP?
The event serves as a new milestone for XRP. It underscores its utility in treasury operations, which adds to its plethora of use cases beyond cross-border payments. This factor elevates it above many other cryptocurrencies, whose valuations depend solely on market speculation.
Furthermore, the occasion exemplifies the confidence of businesses in the digital asset’s long-term stability. Overall, it marks another institutional validation for XRP, aligning the development with Ripple’s ongoing efforts to expand its adoption globally.