Times Square Goes Crypto: XRP “589” Catches Ex-CFTC Chair’s Eye
Times Square’s big “2026” numerals have been constructed with precisely 589 LED bulbs, and that small element set off a wave of reactions within the XRP group — together with a short response from a one-time US regulator now working in crypto.
Times Square Display Reveals 589 Bulbs
According to behind-the-scenes footage and native broadcast clips, the 4 numerals put in above One Times Square have been outfitted with a complete of 589 energy-efficient LED bulbs.
The figures have been highlighted in video posts shared by native retailers and social feeds overlaying New Year preparations. The numerals stand about seven ft tall and have been proven being examined in place forward of midnight.
XRP Community Notes The Coincidence
Reports have disclosed that XRP holders shortly noticed the 589 depend and commenced sharing screenshots, brief clips, and commentary throughout social platforms.
One broadly considered put up requested, “589 lights for 2026 in NYC. What are the probabilities,” and that message was amplified by a number of XRP-focused accounts. The quantity 589 is a recurring motif in XRP social circles, and that background fed the quick unfold of the content material.
— Caroline D. Pham (@CarolineDPham) December 28, 2025
A High-Profile Social Reaction
Based on posts tracked by crypto retailers, Caroline Pham — who served as Acting Chair of the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission and is now MoonPay’s chief authorized officer — reacted to the Times Square footage with rocket emojis on social media.
She didn’t make a public assertion linking the show to XRP, however her response was famous by group members and reported by crypto information websites.
Guess what number of LED bulbs the 2026 New Year’s Eve signal has in Times Square this yr… pic.twitter.com/dVqpoJPM5n
— NotFinancialAdvice.Crypto (@NFAdotcrypto) December 27, 2025
What This Means For Markets And Messaging
This second seems to be pushed by group curiosity fairly than by any formal advertising tie between Times Square organizers and crypto corporations. Major information protection of the New Year setup centered on the occasion logistics and lighting; mainstream retailers didn’t report any official endorsement or hyperlink to XRP.
The social consideration did, nonetheless, generate a spike in shares and feedback inside crypto circles, as customers posted memes, movies, and theories.
How Observers Are Framing It
Many posts framed the coincidence as playful symbolism fairly than a sign with monetary which means. Analysts and journalists who comply with crypto tradition warn readers that such coincidences shouldn’t be handled as monetary steerage.
Based on the protection thus far, the merchandise is greatest learn as social media noise that displays how on-line communities discover patterns and share them quickly.
No Official Endorsement From Organizers
Reports have made clear that Times Square occasion groups and broadcast companions didn’t announce any connection to XRP or different tokens.
The 589 LED complete was offered as a manufacturing element for viewers and photographers, not as a coded message. That separation between occasion details and on-line interpretation is central to how this story has performed out.
Featured picture from NYCTourism, chart from TradingView

