Morning Crypto Update: XRP Expands to Apple and Google Pay in 40 Countries, Shiba Inu (SHIB) Eyes 32% Growth, Bitcoin Options Rise to $13.1 Billion

As the crypto market heads into Friday, it is experiencing a calmer atmosphere following a turbulent week. The reduced liquidity, due to the U.S. holiday weekend, is slightly affecting market dynamics. Significant developments include XRP's integration with Apple Pay and Google Pay, which enhances its accessibility in over 40 countries. Meanwhile, Shiba Inu (SHIB) is showing potential for upward movement, while Bitcoin's options trading surges to $13.1 billion.

Key Takeaways

XRP Integration: XRP gains access to Apple Pay and Google Pay in over 40 countries, boosting its market presence.
Shiba Inu Potential: SHIB shows signs of upward momentum, potentially increasing by 32%.
Bitcoin Options Spike: $13.1 billion worth of Bitcoin options are set to expire, creating significant market movements.

XRP Expands to Apple and Google Pay in 40 Countries, Shiba Inu (SHIB) Eyes 32% Growth, Bitcoin Options Rise to $13.1 Billion

Main Content

The cryptocurrency market is entering Friday in a more stable state after a chaotic week. With liquidity dropping due to the U.S. holiday calendar, today’s options expiry adds pressure to Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH). XRP is making headlines as it gains increased access via the Apple Pay and Google Pay systems, while Shiba Inu (SHIB) is moving into a more advantageous position on the charts. Bitcoin options are witnessing one of the largest setups this month.

Trust Wallet has added Apple Pay and Google Pay features for immediate cryptocurrency purchases, allowing XRP to tap into a significant and direct market access across more than 40 countries. This includes key regions such as the United States, Brazil, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, the UAE, Australia, Japan, Singapore, Argentina, Mexico, Spain, and Italy.

At its launch, the service supports popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Binance Coin (BNB), Solana (SOL), XRP, USDC, and USDT. Users can make purchases in either USD or EUR, with a minimum transaction of $20; limits may vary based on location and provider guidelines.

For XRP, this update is more than just a routine infrastructure enhancement. It places XRP within one of the largest mobile payment ecosystems globally. Given the considerable transaction volumes processed through Apple Pay and Google Pay, this integration is expected to facilitate easier onboarding, wider reach, and reduced barriers for retail demand.

Currently, XRP's price hovers around $2.19-$2.22. While a significant price surge has not occurred yet, market attention is clearly captured by this development. Such integrations typically take time to show results, especially with a sudden increase in access for millions of new users.

Today's market is likely to experience lower liquidity due to a shortened U.S. trading session. Nevertheless, this integration stands out as one of the most significant updates for XRP this month, even amidst ETF launches.

Shiba Inu (SHIB) has experienced a stagnation phase for several weeks; however, this week's charts reveal a different narrative. SHIB is nearing its 23-day moving average on a daily chart. A close above this average would pave the way toward the 50-day and 200-day moving averages. Currently, the 200-day moving average sits at $0.00001192, representing a potential 32% increase from the current trading range of $0.00000888-$0.00000894, according to TradingView.

Despite lacking a clean breakout recently, this bounce from previous lows appears more structured than earlier attempts. Bitcoin’s recovery from the mid-$80,000s has provided support, and altcoins are showing more stable trading flows.

Cryptocurrency Chart SHIB/USD by TradingView

If Shiba Inu successfully surpasses the 23-day moving average, it could unlock a pathway toward the 200-day level. Here, the chart itself delivers a strong message without a need for additional narratives.

However, as is usual with meme coins, the situation remains mixed. If SHIB struggles to maintain above the short-term averages, it may revert to the range it has been trading in since late October. With the next trading day following this weekend being the first Monday of the month, today’s closing price holds greater significance.

Today marks a substantial expiry window as Bitcoin options totaling an impressive $13.1 billion in notional value are set to expire. This Friday presents several simultaneous pressure points.

Currently, Bitcoin is trading in the range of $91,200-$91,300 after rebounding from the mid-$86,000s. This upward movement appears stable; however, the expiry setups might override simple chart signals, especially in a thin liquidity environment and with one major derivatives venue offline.

Traders today are asking: Is the market trending towards the $100,000 max-pain point, or will thin trading stabilize Bitcoin for a flat weekend close? Both scenarios remain on the table.

The crypto market maintains a tranquil tone as it heads into the weekend. Still, vigilance is advised due to the expiry, CME downtime, and lower U.S. trading hours, making today’s market movements unpredictable. Weekend trading ranges typically narrow unless a significant event occurs, and the upcoming month-open on Monday adds extra weight to today's closing outcomes.

Key Price Levels to Monitor:

Bitcoin (BTC): Support at $89,500, pivot at $95,500, and a max-pain level at $100,000.
XRP: Trading between $2.19-$2.22, with new payment channels expanding its market reach.
Shiba Inu (SHIB): Testing against $0.00000894, where the 23-day moving average may act as a breakout signal.

Ultimately, Monday’s opening will influence how much of today’s trading activity carries into December.