Bitcoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash, Ripple, Stellar, Litecoin, Cardano, NEO, EOS: Price Analysis, Feb. 23Bitcoin’s Price Jumps $1,000 In 30 Minutes Of Market Growth Across The Board

The crypto markets experienced an explosion of growth today, April 12, with Bitcoin (BTC) jumping more than $1,000 to break $8,000 over just a 30 minute period, and the rest of the market solidly in the green.

While no specific events have been confirmed as the reason for the sharp price jumps across the board, Twitter users have speculated that the recent news that Bitcoin has been declared compliant with Shariah law – according to a report published online today, April 12 – may have contributed to the spike:

Santander, Ripple Launch First Blockchain Int’l Payment Service For Retail Customers

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Santander, Ripple Launch First Blockchain Int’l Payment Service For Retail Customers
NEWS
Spanish-based international bank Santander confirmed the launch of its Ripple-powered Blockchain payment network Thursday, April 12, becoming the first bank to do so.

One Pay FX, which uses Ripple’s Blockchain technology to cut the cost and waiting time associated with international funds transfers, will initially be open to Santander account holders in Spain, Brazil, Poland and the UK, according to the company.

“From today, customers in the UK can use One Pay to transfer money across Europe and to the US. In Spain, customers can transfer to UK and US, while customers in Brazil and Poland can transfer to the UK,” executive chairman Ana Botín said in an accompanying press release, adding:

“Transfers to Europe can be made on the same day and we are aiming to deliver instant transfers across several markets by the summer.”

Santander and Ripple developed the product over several years, with early prototypes indicating a Blockchain solution could provide the necessary improvement over traditional settlements as early as 2015.

In 2016, the bank’s UK operation made Ripple-powered Blockchain mobile payments available to staff.

Moving forward, One Pay FX plans to include more features, including “instant international payments in several markets before the summer.”

The move sees Santander beat rival banks to make the first customer-ready Ripple settlement implementation. Similar plans are currently in the pipeline involving institutions in South Korea and Japan.