Ex-CFTC Chair Reacts as XRP “589” Appears in Times Square New Year Display

The XRP community is once again buzzing after an unexpected moment tied a mainstream New Year’s Eve broadcast to one of XRP’s most famous numbers: 589.

The development has drawn reactions from high-profile figures, including a former U.S. regulator.

Times Square New Year Numbers Spark XRP Attention

Recently, a CBS Bay Area (KPIX) segment showed the preparation of New York City’s New Year’s Eve numerals at Times Square. Officials revealed that the massive “2026” sign contains exactly 589 LED bulbs.

The report explained that each numeral uses a specific number of bulbs, totaling 589 across the display. While the detail was presented as a fun behind-the-scenes fact, it caught the attention of the XRP community.

XRP Community Flags the “589” Coincidence

A widely followed XRP-focused account, NotFinancialAdvice.Crypto, highlighted the detail, noting how precisely the bulb count was emphasized.

MoonPay later shared the same video, adding that the display had 589 bulbs — not 588, not 590. Accordingly, the payment processor called it “the most XRP-coded New Year’s Eve of all time.”

The post quickly circulated within the XRP community.

Ex-CFTC Acting Chair Caroline Pham Responds

The moment gained further traction after Caroline Pham, MoonPay’s Chief Legal Officer and former Acting Chair of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), reacted to the video with rocket emojis.

While Pham did not add commentary, her reaction alone was enough to spark speculation and discussion across the XRP Army. Several community members interpreted the response as a lighthearted acknowledgment of the ongoing “589” narrative.

For instance, X user Ray Ray described the number as a “code” rather than a coincidence Community voice X Finance Bull suggested that the timing, visibility, and repetition of the number added fuel to long-running XRP theories.

Why “589” Still Matters to XRP Holders

The number 589 has been part of XRP culture for nearly a decade. Originating from early XRP-related artwork and riddles, it later became associated with bold long-term price expectations and symbolism around XRP’s role in global finance.

The meme resurfaced earlier this month after Solana’s official account posted “589,” triggering millions of views and renewed excitement. Even Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has historically maintained an X follower count at 589, further cementing the number’s mystique.

Ripple CEO X profile with 589 following

Some analysts have also pointed out that ISO 4217 currency code 589 remains unassigned, adding another layer of speculation around XRP and Ripple’s broader ambitions.

Whether by chance or influence, the Times Square display shows that the XRP “589” idea continues to appear in surprising ways.

As XRP and the crypto market move into another year of regulatory talks and ecosystem growth, many expect 2026 to be a promising year, as suggested by the bright LED lights of Times Square.