The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed an appeal in the ongoing Ripple lawsuit. This legal action comes amidst a turbulent period for the cryptocurrency market, with Bitcoin traders predicting a price drop to $54,000 or lower due to Middle East tensions. Bitcoin is currently trading at $61,000, although it recently dipped below $60,000 sparking significant exchange buying. Additionally, Bitwise has filed the first Form S-1 for an XRP ETF with the SEC. In related news, Ripple and Mercado Bitcoin are set to launch crypto-enabled payments in Brazil. SWIFT is set to begin a digital asset pilot in 2025, and Kalshi has been cleared to offer election markets. Meanwhile, Grayscale has launched a new fund offering exposure to AAVE, and Franklin Templeton has integrated Aptos into its services. PayPal has executed its first business transaction using PYUSD.