Today in crypto, Coinbase lands on TIME’s 100 Most Influential Companies list, Vitalik Buterin has introduced a new kind of digital identity system dubbed “pluralistic identity.” Meanwhile, XRP’s price spikes after Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse gives an update on the SEC legal battle.
Coinbase joins TIME’s illustrious list of 100 Most Influential Companies
Cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase was named as one of the most influential companies of 2025 by TIME — a major US-based news publication.
The company was labeled as a “disruptor” by TIME and a major source of policy advocacy for the growing crypto industry. The news publication wrote this for the Coinbase bio:
“The company, which in May became the first crypto stock to be added to the bellwether S&P 500 index, is a key driver of the industry’s policy efforts in Washington D.C. If industry-friendly bills are passed, Coinbase stands to become an even bigger hub for US crypto activity.”
Coinbase continues to be a gauge of the health of the crypto industry in the United States, and being featured in publications like TIME signals that the industry is gaining legitimacy.
Vitalik introduces ‘pluralistic’ IDs to protect privacy in digital identity systems
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has introduced a new kind of digital identity system dubbed “pluralistic identity,” arguing it could protect privacy while enabling fair participation in digital life.
In a blog post published Sunday, Buterin explored the promise and pitfalls of zero-knowledge (ZK) proof-wrapped IDs, warning that even privacy-preserving systems can carry serious risks if they rigidly enforce one identity per person.
The Ethereum (ETH) mastermind noted that many new digital ID projects use zero-knowledge proofs to let users prove they have a valid ID without revealing personal details. Examples include World ID, which has surpassed 10 million users, Taiwan’s digital ID project, and European Union initiatives increasingly adopting ZK technology.
“ZK-wrapping solves a lot of important problems,” he wrote, but warned that “ZK-wrapped ID still has risks,” especially because enforcing one ID per person can undermine pseudonymity and expose users to coercion.
XRP spikes 3% after Garlinghouse says Ripple dropping SEC cross-appeal
XRP’s price jumped over 3% on Friday just hours after Ripple Labs CEO Brad Garlinghouse said the company is dropping its cross-appeal against the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and expects the regulator to do the same.
“Ripple is dropping our cross-appeal, and the SEC is expected to drop their appeal, as they’ve previously said,” Garlinghouse said in an X post on Friday. XRP (XRP), the cryptocurrency associated with Ripple Labs, spiked 3.36% to $2.18 just five hours after the post, according to CoinMarketCap data.
“We’re closing this chapter once and for all and focusing on what’s most important – building the internet of Value. Lock in,” Garlinghouse added.