Bitcoinist 2025-12-30 01:00:45

Times Square Goes Crypto: XRP “589” Catches Ex-CFTC Chair’s Eye

Times Square’s giant “2026” numerals were built with exactly 589 LED bulbs, and that small detail set off a wave of reactions in the XRP community — including a brief response from a one-time US regulator now working in crypto. Times Square Display Reveals 589 Bulbs According to behind-the-scenes footage and local broadcast clips, the four numerals installed above One Times Square were outfitted with a total of 589 energy-efficient LED bulbs. The figures were highlighted in video posts shared by local outlets and social feeds covering New Year preparations. The numerals stand about seven feet tall and were shown being tested in place ahead of midnight. XRP Community Notes The Coincidence Reports have disclosed that XRP holders quickly spotted the 589 count and began sharing screenshots, short clips, and commentary across social platforms. One widely viewed post asked, “589 lights for 2026 in NYC. What are the chances,” and that message was amplified by several XRP-focused accounts. The number 589 is a recurring motif in XRP social circles, and that background fed the fast spread of the content. https://t.co/b1n6aCX5Od — Caroline D. Pham (@CarolineDPham) December 28, 2025 A High-Profile Social Reaction Based on posts tracked by crypto outlets, Caroline Pham — who served as Acting Chair of the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission and is now MoonPay’s chief legal officer — reacted to the Times Square footage with rocket emojis on social media. She did not make a public statement linking the display to XRP, but her reaction was noted by community members and reported by crypto news sites. Guess how many LED bulbs the 2026 New Year’s Eve sign has in Times Square this year… pic.twitter.com/dVqpoJPM5n — NotFinancialAdvice.Crypto (@NFAdotcrypto) December 27, 2025 What This Means For Markets And Messaging This moment appears to be driven by community interest rather than by any formal marketing tie between Times Square organizers and crypto firms. Major news coverage of the New Year setup focused on the event logistics and lighting; mainstream outlets did not report any official endorsement or link to XRP. The social attention did, however, generate a spike in shares and comments within crypto circles, as users posted memes, videos, and theories. How Observers Are Framing It Many posts framed the coincidence as playful symbolism rather than a signal with financial meaning. Analysts and journalists who follow crypto culture warn readers that such coincidences should not be treated as financial guidance. Based on the coverage so far, the item is best read as social media noise that reflects how online communities find patterns and share them rapidly. No Official Endorsement From Organizers Reports have made clear that Times Square event teams and broadcast partners did not announce any connection to XRP or other tokens. The 589 LED total was presented as a production detail for viewers and photographers, not as a coded message. That separation between event facts and online interpretation is central to how this story has played out. Featured image from NYCTourism, chart from TradingView