Block Steps

From blockchain basics to the future of money. Breaking down technology, policy, and markets, without the hype. #XRP #XLM #Ethereum #Bitcoin

[Block Steps @block_steps]

🚀 Block Steps Knowledge Series

A little over two weeks ago, we took the plunge to start on X and would like to thank all followers and anyone who has taken the time to interact with our posts.

The first ten posts are now complete in our knowledge series.

We’ve covered the crypto essentials—from how blockchains work and wallet security, to smart contracts, manipulation tactics, and more.

Now we’re moving into Posts 11–20, where we'll delve into macro markets, institutions, policy, and deeper mechanics.

Catch up below! ⬇
#Crypto #Bitcoin #Ethereum #XRP #Blockchain #XLM #HBAR

[Block Steps @block_steps]

One can never really say never in the mad world we live in, but large overnight revaluations of modern fiat currencies are effectively unprecedented without redenomination or total regime change and Kuwait, Turkey and Russia, are not the same as what is being presented despite protestations to the contrary.

The smart money would say this is highly unlikely...

[Block Steps @block_steps]

I am not suggesting there wont be a RV at some point but this is not what the news article points to.

This is more of a nudge for Vietnam to loosen control of the dong and to let it move more with market forces, rather than monetary interventions.

What this means if there will be more volatility both ways - weaker if exports come under pressure or stronger if running a surplus.

#Vietnam #RV

[Block Steps @block_steps]

📊 Circulating Supply v Liquid Supply (XRP Edition)

You’ll often hear “XRP has a circulating supply of 50+bn".

But not all of it is liquid, so what is the difference?

🔹 Circulating supply is what is theoretically available in the market.

Whereas:

🔹 Liquid supply is what's actually moving — not locked in escrow or not sitting dormant in long-term wallets.

This matters because price is driven by liquid supply meeting demand, not by what is available.

💡 It’s why XRP (and crypto in general) can be more scarce in practice than the headline numbers suggest.

#XRP #Crypto #Markets

[Block Steps @block_steps]

📊 Markets Tomorrow:

Lots of talk that rate cuts = 🚀 for crypto & stocks.

But it is never that simple 👇

🔹 Markets move on surprises.

If everyone expects cuts, they’re already “priced in.” The real move comes when the Fed surprises — either deeper cuts or no cut at all.

🔹 Big cuts aren’t always bullish.

A 50bps+ move might feel great short-term, but it could also signal that the Fed sees serious cracks in the economy. This is simply bad news dressed up as good.

🔹 Strong economy + lower rates = best combo.

That’s when crypto, stocks, and risk assets can really run. But if rates fall because the economy is faltering, demand for risk dries up.

👉 Rate cuts are fuel, but the strength of the fire depends on what the cuts signal.

#Crypto #Markets #Bitcoin #Ethereum #XRP #XLM #HBAR #ADA

[Block Steps @block_steps]

@RealGrapedrop Hey Grape, this resonates with me. Love the stuff you do on XRPL validation and the fact that you try and explain without the hype. The world becomes a better place if everyone tries to help each other and really wish you all the best with what you are trying to achieve.

[Block Steps @block_steps]

@crypto_bitlord7 The real benefit is unlocking capital in nostro and vostro accounts:

https://t.co/SjQPw4ekfO

[Block Steps @block_steps]

Hi Eleanor,

For my take, XRP sits in an interesting spot 👇

Anyone considering any investment should look at the facts - i.e., what problem does it solve, and can anyone else do the same or better?

1️⃣ What problem does it solve?

The big one is nostro/vostro accounts — trillions of dollars trapped by banks just to settle cross-border payments.

With ODL on the XRP Ledger, you don’t need pre-funded accounts: settlement can be instant, cheap, and capital efficient. That’s a huge deal in global finance.

It also:

🔹️Moves value across borders in seconds.

🔹️ Handles high throughput at low cost.

🔹️ Offers transparency + finality on a public ledger.

2️⃣ Buy what about competition?

XRP isn’t alone:

🔹️ Stellar (XLM): similar tech, but more retail/remittance focused.

🔹️ JPM Coin / Onyx: works in private networks but doesn’t solve global liquidity.

🔹️ CBDCs: promise efficiency, but struggle with interoperability between nations.

🔹️ Ethereum & others: can move value but face scaling, cost, and volatility issues.

👉 XRP’s edge is being built specifically for cross-border liquidity, and it already has traction with banks, institutions, and payment providers.

So, while opinions differ, its use case is real — and if adoption grows, XRP is positioned to benefit in ways many other assets can’t.

#XRP

[Block Steps @block_steps]

@GeorgePrat49177 @CoffeeAndChaos0 And most of that usually ends back up in Escrow - I think around 70% each month.

#XRP

[Block Steps @block_steps]

Hi Eleanor,

For my take, XRP sits in an interesting spot 👇

Anyone considering any investment should look at the facts - i.e., what problem does it solve, and can anyone else do the same or better?

1️⃣ What problem does it solve?

The big one is nostro/vostro accounts — trillions of dollars trapped by banks just to settle cross-border payments.

With ODL on the XRP Ledger, you don’t need pre-funded accounts: settlement can be instant, cheap, and capital efficient. That’s a huge deal in global finance.

It also:

🔹️Moves value across borders in seconds.

🔹️ Handles high throughput at low cost.

🔹️ Offers transparency + finality on a public ledger.

2️⃣ Buy what about competition?

XRP isn’t alone:

🔹️ Stellar (XLM): similar tech, but more retail/remittance focused.

🔹️ JPM Coin / Onyx: works in private networks but doesn’t solve global liquidity.

🔹️ CBDCs: promise efficiency, but struggle with interoperability between nations.

🔹️ Ethereum & others: can move value but face scaling, cost, and volatility issues.

👉 XRP’s edge is being built specifically for cross-border liquidity, and it already has traction with banks, institutions, and payment providers.

So, while opinions differ, its use case is real — and if adoption grows, XRP is positioned to benefit in ways many other assets can’t.

#XRP

[Block Steps @block_steps]

Historically, big cuts this fast mean the economy is cracking (2008, March 2020). If that happens, risk assets like crypto usually drop first before recovering.

For crypto to really perform, it’s not just about rate cuts — it needs the right mix:

🔹 Inflation cooling → so the Fed doesn’t reverse course.

🔹 Decent jobs data → weak, but not collapsing.

🔹 Liquidity flowing → cheaper credit and potentially a weaker dollar.

Cuts + liquidity + stability = fuel for crypto 🚀

But cuts alone, if they come with panic over a failing economy, won’t get us there unless, of course, the failing economy is the very reason to push into crypto?

#Crypto #Bitcoin #Ethereum #XRP #Macro #FOMC #Markets

[Block Steps @block_steps]

@nietzbux https://t.co/HbeVG3isYb

[Block Steps @block_steps]

📉 XRP: What’s Going On?

“What’s happening to XRP?”

"Now the SEC case is over why isnt XRP going parabolic?"

"Who is selling their XRP????"

Let's explain:

Right now, it’s less about fundamentals — and more about market psychology:

🔹️ Red candles spark fear.

🔹️ Narratives shift with news.

🔹️ Short-term cycles dominate.

But beneath the charts, XRP’s fundamentals haven’t disappeared. In fact, they are stronger than when it hit its all-time high back in January 2018.

👇 Let’s unpack why psychology drives the swings — and why fundamentals still matter.

#XRP #Crypto #Markets

[Block Steps @block_steps]

@Cobb_XRPL https://t.co/HbeVG3isYb

[Block Steps @block_steps]

📉 XRP: What’s Going On?

“What’s happening to XRP?”

"Now the SEC case is over why isnt XRP going parabolic?"

"Who is selling their XRP????"

Let's explain:

Right now, it’s less about fundamentals — and more about market psychology:

🔹️ Red candles spark fear.

🔹️ Narratives shift with news.

🔹️ Short-term cycles dominate.

But beneath the charts, XRP’s fundamentals haven’t disappeared. In fact, they are stronger than when it hit its all-time high back in January 2018.

👇 Let’s unpack why psychology drives the swings — and why fundamentals still matter.

#XRP #Crypto #Markets

[Block Steps @block_steps]

@Cryptoinsightuk https://t.co/HbeVG3isYb

[Block Steps @block_steps]

📉 XRP: What’s Going On?

“What’s happening to XRP?”

"Now the SEC case is over why isnt XRP going parabolic?"

"Who is selling their XRP????"

Let's explain:

Right now, it’s less about fundamentals — and more about market psychology:

🔹️ Red candles spark fear.

🔹️ Narratives shift with news.

🔹️ Short-term cycles dominate.

But beneath the charts, XRP’s fundamentals haven’t disappeared. In fact, they are stronger than when it hit its all-time high back in January 2018.

👇 Let’s unpack why psychology drives the swings — and why fundamentals still matter.

#XRP #Crypto #Markets

[Block Steps @block_steps]

🚀 XRP: Fundamentals vs. Price

Fast forward from 2018: the price is lower, but the fundamentals are stronger:

🔹 Legal clarity – A U.S. court ruled XRP itself is not a security.

🔹 Adoption – Ripple works with 100+ financial institutions worldwide.

🔹 Tech – XRPL remains one of the fastest, cheapest ledgers for payments.

🔹 Capital efficiency – Eliminates trillions locked in nostro/vostro accounts.

🔹 Ecosystem growth – NFTs, tokenization pilots, and CBDC experiments now live.

Yet the market still trades on fear, narratives, and short-term cycles.

That’s the disconnect: psychology vs. fundamentals.

⚖️ In the end, utility always catches up with sentiment — the question is when and if you are prepared to wait....

#XRP #Crypto #Blockchain #Investing

[Block Steps @block_steps]

📉 XRP: What’s Going On?

“What’s happening to XRP?”

"Now the SEC case is over why isnt XRP going parabolic?"

"Who is selling their XRP????"

Let's explain:

Right now, it’s less about fundamentals — and more about market psychology:

🔹️ Red candles spark fear.

🔹️ Narratives shift with news.

🔹️ Short-term cycles dominate.

But beneath the charts, XRP’s fundamentals haven’t disappeared. In fact, they are stronger than when it hit its all-time high back in January 2018.

👇 Let’s unpack why psychology drives the swings — and why fundamentals still matter.

#XRP #Crypto #Markets

[Block Steps @block_steps]

But why can price fall even if fundamentals are stronger than in 2018?

Because markets run on human behavior:

🔹️ Fear & Greed: Fear pushes prices lower, and greed drives spikes.

🔹️ Herd Mentality: If others sell, people panic-sell. If others FOMO, people chase green candles.

🔹️ Short-Term Thinking: Traders often react to noise, not the big picture.

XRP at ~$2.80 today doesn’t mean its fundamentals are weak. It means sentiment is.

💡 The market doesn’t always reward fundamentals in the short run — but over time, psychology and fundamentals collide. 👇

#XRP #Crypto #Psychology

[Block Steps @block_steps]

Reminder PCE Inflation Report Drops Today - 8.30am EST / 1.30pm UK

The Fed’s preferred gauge of inflation (Core PCE) lands today. Markets are watching closely:

Expected YoY Core PCE: ~2.9–3.0%

Expected MoM: +0.3%

🔹 A “cooler” print (below expectations) → fuels hopes for cuts.

🔹 A “hotter” print (above expectations) → keeps the Fed hawkish.

💡 If today’s PCE reading comes in more than 0.4% away from expectations, it’s a strong signal that markets will react sharply. A gap that wide has historically driven significant volatility across bonds, the dollar, equities, and especially crypto. In other words —

If it happens, expect fireworks. 🎆

#Crypto #Bitcoin #Ethereum #XRP #Macro

[Block Steps @block_steps]

https://t.co/GUfk2ki3E0

[Block Steps @block_steps]

Why do blockchains need miners and validators? 🤔

Because someone has to:

🔹️ Check transactions are real (no double spends)

🔹️ Put them into blocks

🔹️ Keep everyone’s copy of the ledger in sync

They’re the referees of the system — making sure the rules are followed. ⚖️

👇 Next: How Bitcoin miners do this work?

#Crypto #Bitcoin #Blockchain

[Block Steps @block_steps]

📖 How Does Blockchain Work?

Think of a blockchain like a public notebook. 📝

Every new transaction is a new line in the notebook.

Once written, it can’t be erased or changed.

Everyone has the same notebook, and everyone agrees what’s written — this agreement is called honest consensus (kept in check by validators — more on them in the next post).

That’s what makes blockchains powerful: they’re transparent, permanent, and trustless (you don’t need a middleman to prove what’s true).

👉 Next up: who are these “validators” (and miners), and how do they keep the blockchain honest?

#Crypto #Blockchain #Bitcoin #Ethereum #XRP #XLM #HBAR

[Block Steps @block_steps]

And what about XRP?

XRP Ledger runs differently from Bitcoin & Ethereum.

No mining. No staking. ⚡

Instead, it uses a system called the Unique Node List (UNL) — a trusted set of validators who agree on transactions every few seconds.

Each validator keeps a copy of the ledger.

They quickly compare notes 🗒️ and must reach honest consensus (80%+ agreement).

Every XRP transaction requires a tiny XRP fee, preventing spam.

Result? Transactions settle in 3–5 seconds. 🚀

That’s why XRP is designed for payments at scale, not just speculation.

#XRP #Crypto #Blockchain #Payments

[Block Steps @block_steps]

Why do blockchains need miners and validators? 🤔

Because someone has to:

🔹️ Check transactions are real (no double spends)

🔹️ Put them into blocks

🔹️ Keep everyone’s copy of the ledger in sync

They’re the referees of the system — making sure the rules are followed. ⚖️

👇 Next: How Bitcoin miners do this work?

#Crypto #Bitcoin #Blockchain

[Block Steps @block_steps]

How Ethereum Validators Work:

Ethereum doesn’t use miners anymore — it uses validators.

Think of it like a lottery 🎟️:

Validators lock up (stake) ETH as their ticket.

The network randomly chooses one validator to propose the next block.

Others check it ✅ and confirm.

If they play fair, they earn rewards. If not, their stake gets slashed.

👇 Next: how XRP keeps consensus fast and efficient.

#Ethereum #ETH #Crypto #Blockchain