Blockchain Update: Steady Crypto Gains, New ETFs, and Advances in Open Networks

What Shipped

Welcome to your latest blockchain update! As of November 22, 2025, we’ve seen some exciting movements in the crypto world, especially around Ripple, Stellar, Hedera, Flare Network, and XDC Network. These projects are gaining attention for their unique approaches to improving blockchain technology and finance.

Bitcoin, the most well-known cryptocurrency, is trading at about $83,955 with a healthy 24-hour gain of around 2.5%. Ethereum, the second-largest coin known for powering smart contracts, is also up by nearly 1.9%, sitting at $2,726.16. These steady gains signal ongoing confidence from investors.

Among the smaller but promising networks:

• Flare Network is trading at just over 1 cent ($0.0123), with a 24-hour increase of about 2.1%. Flare is known for enabling smart contracts on blockchains that don’t natively support them, like XRP and Litecoin.
• Hedera Hashgraph is priced at roughly 13 cents ($0.128), up 1.15%. Hedera offers a fast and secure alternative to traditional blockchains using a unique technology called a hashgraph.
• Stellar, focused on fast and low-cost cross-border payments, is now at $0.2287, up 2.6%. Stellar continues to build partnerships that help move money quickly across countries.
• XDC Network, known for enterprise blockchain solutions, is trading at about 5 cents ($0.0507), with a solid 3.5% gain.

In addition to price updates, several important articles and announcements have been released recently, including insights into how open blockchain systems create value, updates from Stellar’s ecosystem, and advancements in blockchain compliance and cross-border payments.

Why It Matters

Understanding why these projects matter helps you see the bigger picture beyond just price movements. Let’s break it down:

• Permissionless Systems and Open Value: Stellar recently published a piece explaining how permissionless blockchains—those that anyone can use without needing approval—unlock exponential value. This openness encourages innovation and broad adoption, making networks more resilient and useful over time.
• Cross-Border Payments: Both Stellar and Ripple are heavily focused on improving how money moves internationally. Traditional systems can be slow and expensive, but blockchain technology offers near-instant, low-cost transfers. This is especially important for businesses and individuals in countries with less-developed banking infrastructure.
• Compliance and Regulation: As blockchain and cryptocurrencies grow, so does the need to follow financial regulations. Chainlink’s recent article discusses how blockchain projects are preparing for a future where compliance is essential, helping build trust with regulators and mainstream financial institutions.
• New Financial Products: Grayscale’s launch of ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds) for Dogecoin and XRP on the NYSE is a big step toward bringing crypto investments to traditional markets. ETFs allow investors to gain exposure to cryptocurrencies through familiar stock market channels, making it easier and safer for newcomers to participate.

These developments show the blockchain space moving from niche tech to mainstream finance, creating more opportunities for users and investors alike.

Builders’ Corner

For those curious about the people and projects actively building the future of blockchain, here are some highlights:

• Stellar’s Developer Updates: Stellar recently shared details on reconciling events within their network, which means improving how transactions and operations are tracked and verified. This helps developers build more reliable applications on Stellar’s blockchain.
• Spotlight on Pavel Matveev: Pavel Matveev, a notable figure in the blockchain ecosystem, was featured in a Stellar community spotlight. He is known for his leadership and contributions to blockchain projects, inspiring others to innovate.
• Chainlink’s Runtime Environment: Chainlink, a decentralized oracle network that connects blockchains with real-world data, announced the launch of their runtime environment. This technical advancement will make it easier for developers to create smart contracts that interact with external data, expanding blockchain use cases.

These updates show how the blockchain community is not just growing but also maturing, with improved tools and leadership driving innovation.

Quick Prices

What to Watch

Looking ahead, here are some key trends and events to keep an eye on:

• ETF Launch Impact: Grayscale’s new ETFs for Dogecoin and XRP debuting on the New York Stock Exchange could attract more institutional investors and increase liquidity for these tokens. Watch how this affects price and market interest.
• Bitcoin Sentiment: Recent reports highlight extreme pessimism in Bitcoin’s market sentiment index, which some analysts interpret as a potential sign of a near-term bottom. This means the current price might represent a good entry point for investors looking to buy.
• Continued Growth of Permissionless Networks: Projects like Stellar and Flare that focus on open, permissionless systems may continue to see increased adoption due to their flexibility and ability to support innovative financial applications.
• Regulatory Developments: Compliance remains a hot topic. Watch for new regulations or guidance that could affect how blockchain projects operate, especially in cross-border finance.
• Technology Upgrades: Keep an eye on updates from Hedera Hashgraph and Chainlink, as their technical improvements could enable new use cases and partnerships.

Staying informed about these developments will help you understand the evolving blockchain landscape and spot opportunities early.

TL;DR: Bitcoin and Ethereum prices are up modestly, while smaller networks like Stellar, Flare, and XDC show strong gains. Open, permissionless blockchain systems are driving exponential value and innovation, especially in cross-border payments. New ETFs for Dogecoin and XRP on the NYSE open crypto to more investors. Compliance and technology upgrades continue to shape the future of blockchain finance. Keep an eye on ETF impacts, Bitcoin sentiment, and regulatory news for what’s next.