The XRP Ledger Foundation has identified a “serious vulnerability” in the official JavaScript library used for interacting with the XRP Ledger blockchain network, the nonprofit said.

On April 22, blockchain security specialist Aikido said in a blog post that XRP Ledger’s open-source JavaScript library was “compromised by sophisticated attackers who put in a backdoor to steal cryptocurrency private keys and gain access to cryptocurrency wallets.” 

The JavaScript library includes programs enabling developers to interact with the XRP Ledger and is distinct from the blockchain network itself. 

‘“[T]his package is used by hundreds of thousands of applications and websites making it a potentially catastrophic supply chain attack on the cryptocurrency ecosystem,” Aikido said. 

The XRP Ledger Foundation has already upgraded the code repository to “remove the previously compromised version,” it said in an April 22 post on the X platform.

Aikido identified unusual code in XRP’s JavaScript package. Source: Aikido

Related: Coinbase Derivatives lists XRP futures

It added that several XRP Ledger ecosystem projects — including XRPScan, First Ledger, and Gen3 Games — confirmed that they were not impacted by the incident. 

The XRP (XRP) token ended the US trading day up more than 3.5% despite news of the security breach, according to CoinGecko. 

The token has a market capitalization of more than $125 billion and a fully diluted value of approximately $215 billion. 

XRP’s token price on April 22. Source: CoinGecko

Institutional adoption

Launched in 2012, XRP Ledger is among the oldest blockchain networks and specializes in payments and decentralized finance (DeFi) applications for institutions. 

It has been gaining prominence in recent months as a friendlier US regulatory environment paves the way for broader institutional adoption of the network’s token and ecosystem projects. 

The XRP token’s price increased by upward of 300% after crypto-friendly US President Donald Trump prevailed in the November presidential election, according to CoinGecko. 

Since then, several asset managers have asked the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to approve US-listed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) holding the XRP token. 

On April 21, Coinbase listed futures contracts for the XRP token on its US derivatives exchange. 

Magazine: Crypto ‘more taboo than OnlyFans,’ says Violetta Zironi, who sold song for 1 BTC

Chiliz, a SportsFi company, has met with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to discuss an investment and reentry into the US crypto market under the crypto-friendly White House and increased push for regulatory clarity surrounding digital assets.

According to the meeting request made public by the SEC, Chiliz plans a reentry into the US market around the time of the 2026 FIFA World Cup international football (soccer) tournament. The comeback would be accompanied by a $50 million to $100 million investment in the local market. National Basketball Association and National Football League teams are said to be interested in launching fan tokens if regulatory clarity improves.

The meeting with the federal agency was held on April 22 — the same day Chiliz CEO Alexandre Dreyfus shared a photo with Bo Hines, executive director of Trump’s Council of Advisors for Digital Assets, suggesting a second meeting with White House officials.

Source: Alexandre Dreyfus

According to the meeting document, Chiliz discussed the proposed structure of a fan token and why “it should not be classified as a security.” Broadly, a security is an investment wherein the investor expects a profit due to the efforts of someone other than the investor.

Whether cryptocurrencies and related assets are securities has been a key issue in the regulation of Web3 within the United States.

Related: Chiliz’ Socios.com secures in-principle license approval in Malta

Chiliz ecosystem sees lower TVL in 2025

Chiliz, despite its partnerships with football clubs, gaming teams, and racing companies, has seen a significant drop in activity within its ecosystem. DefiLlama data shows the protocols’ total value locked has fallen from $17.8 million on Dec. 9, 2024, to $6.5 million on April 22, 2025, marking a 63.5% drop.

Chiliz TVL. Source: DefiLlama

Its governance token hasn’t fared particularly well, either. According to CoinMarketCap, the Chiliz (CHZ) token price has declined 67% over the past 12 months. The company is known for its fan tokens, which allow enthusiasts to own the official cryptocurrencies of their favorite sports clubs.

The company has made headway into the soccer market, partnering with Football Club Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Manchester City, among others.

Related: FIFA launches NFT collection amid 2023 Club World Cup

Chiliz invested $80 million in partnerships within the US market in 2021, the document shows. However, regulatory uncertainty and the fallout from FTX’s collapse led to a “strategic exit” in the following year.

The next World Cup is expected to take place in June 2026. The United States will be the main host of the tournament, while Canada and Mexico will act as auxiliary hosts.

Magazine: ‘Normie degens’ go all in on sports fan crypto tokens for the rewards

Chiliz, a SportsFi company, has met with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to discuss an investment and reentry into the US crypto market under the crypto-friendly White House and increased push for regulatory clarity surrounding digital assets.

According to the proposed meeting request made public by the SEC, Chiliz plans a reentry into the US market around the time of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The comeback would be accompanied by a $50 million to $100 million investment in the local market. NBA and NFL teams are allegedly interested in launching fan tokens if regulatory clarity improves.

The meeting with the federal agency was held on April 22 — the same day Chiliz CEO Alexandre Dreyfus shared a photo with Bo Hines, executive director of Trump’s Council of Advisors for Digital Assets, suggesting a second meeting with White House officials.

Source: Alexandre Dreyfus

According to the meeting document, Chiliz discussed the proposed structure of a fan token and why “it should not be classified as a security.” Broadly, a security is an investment wherein the investor expects a profit due to the efforts of someone other than the investor.

Whether cryptocurrencies and related assets are securities has been a key issue in the regulation of Web3 within the United States.

Related: Chiliz’ Socios.com secures in-principle license approval in Malta

Chiliz ecosystem sees lower TVL in 2025

Chiliz, despite its partnerships with football clubs, gaming teams, and racing companies, has seen a significant drop in activity within its ecosystem. DefiLlama data shows the protocols’ total value locked has fallen from $17.8 million on Dec. 9, 2024, to $6.5 million on April 22, 2025, marking a 63.5% drop.

Chiliz TVL. Source: DefiLlama

Its governance token hasn’t fared particularly well either. According to CoinMarketCap, the Chiliz (CHZ) token price has declined 67% over the past 12 months. The company is known for its fan tokens, which allow enthusiasts to own the official cryptocurrencies of their favorite sports clubs.

The company has made headway into the soccer market, partnering with Football Club Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Manchester City, among others.

Related: FIFA launches NFT collection amid 2023 Club World Cup

Chiliz invested $80 million in partnerships within the US market in 2021, the document shows. However, regulatory uncertainty and the fallout from FTX’s collapse led to a “strategic exit” in the following year.

The next World Cup is expected to take place in June 2026. The United States will be the main host of the tournament, while Canada and Mexico will act as auxiliary hosts.

Magazine: ‘Normie degens’ go all in on sports fan crypto tokens for the rewards

US Securities and Exchange Commission member Hester Peirce, currently leading the agency’s crypto task force, offered a preview of what the industry could expect now that Paul Atkins has been sworn in as the regulatory body’s chairman.

Speaking to Cointelegraph before the US Senate confirmed Atkins’ nomination and he took his position as SEC chair, Peirce said she welcomed the opportunity to work again with the incoming agency leader. Peirce worked as Atkins’ counsel from 2004 to 2008 during the then-commissioner’s first term at the SEC.

“He cares about economic growth and how the markets that we regulate can support economic growth,” Peirce told Cointelegraph. “I would love the chance to work with [Atkins] on trying to reorient the agency so that it does take into consideration all aspects of our mission.”

Related: Atkins becomes next SEC chair: What’s next for the crypto industry

Atkins, appointed by US President Donald Trump in what many saw as a nod to the crypto industry to replace former chair Gary Gensler, was sworn in on April 21. During his confirmation hearing in the Senate Banking Committee, lawmakers questioned Atkins on his ties to the crypto industry, potentially presenting conflicts of interest in his role helping regulate digital assets. 

“I expect that he will continue to follow the ethics rules,” said Peirce on Atkins. “I worked for [him] and I have very high regard for his integrity.” 

SEC’s priorities under new leadership 

Atkins, now chair, comes to the SEC as the fourth commissioner, with five members typically filling the agency’s leadership positions. Gensler and former Commissioner Jaime Lizárraga stepped down in January. Commissioner Caroline Crenshaw is expected to be the next to depart before 2026, leaving a panel of only three Republican commissioners unless Trump nominates a Democrat.

Commissioner Mark Uyeda, whom Trump named as acting chair on Jan. 20, was still scheduled to oversee some of the SEC’s proceedings, including an April 25 roundtable event discussing crypto custody. Uyeda said on April 21 that he was planning to return to his “regular role” as a commissioner, suggesting that Atkins may soon assume all his responsibilities as chair. 

The shakeup in leadership comes amid many in the industry looking for clarity from the SEC, the courts, and lawmakers after Gensler’s departure. Under the former chair, many accused the SEC of enacting a “regulation by enforcement” approach to crypto, resulting in several high-profile lawsuits against firms including Coinbase, Ripple Labs, and Binance. Since January, the commission has dropped many of the cases.

“I think we’re all trying to get to a good place, which is putting some clarity around crypto, some regulatory clarity,” said Peirce.

Magazine: SEC’s U-turn on crypto leaves key questions unanswered