Amid a fusion of crypto-based news and topics of interest, a particular subject has made consistent headlines as of late: XRP.
The cryptocurrency used to pay for fees on the Ripple blockchain is one of the most popular digital currencies around, rejoicing over a market cap of around $129.45B at the moment of writing and a price per token of approximately $2.23.
The unthinkable shocker these days is that XRP surpassed the second-best crypto by market cap, Ethereum, by fully diluted value, as per XRP news today. Clearly, those who possess or are looking to accumulate XRP are in for a promising journey.
XRP’s milestone has turned things upside down as businesses and investors from all walks of life are reconsidering their portfolios and trading strategies.
XRP frequently makes headlines due to its SEC lawsuit, innovative payment solutions, strong banking partnerships, and growing ETF speculation. This chapter aims to shed light on XRP’s market presence, so keep reading if you want to peek into what might be on the books for the crypto industry and investors.
Into the Legal Battles with the SEC
Amid an abundance of emerging exchange-traded funds and shortened ETFs, a specific one is shoved into the limelight: Ripple’s XRP. The cryptocurrency has long been caught in conflicts with the SEC, with the legal difficulties beginning in December 2020, when the watchdog filed a lawsuit against the company’s CEO and co-founder.
As a quick refresher, the institution called Ripple out for gathering more than $1.3BN via an unreported securities offering by putting XRP up for sale. Ripple Labs sustained that the asset is a cryptocurrency, not a security, adding that the lawsuit only affected XRP investors unmeritedly.
Fast forward to today, and the asset has earned the title of “non-security commodity” whenever third-party exchanges buy it (even if its classification remains disputed in institutional sales).
The lawsuit revolves around whether XRP should be treated as a security or falls under another category, such as a commodity or a digital currency. The watchdog argues that the cryptocurrency should be regarded as a security, while Ripple insists that XRP is just a digital currency, like Ethereum and Bitcoin.
Ethereum has just won a similar fight with the SEC, the latter of which ruled out that ETH is a commodity, underlined by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) statement. While Ripple achieved a partial legal victory in 2023, with a ruling that retail sales of XRP were not securities, the case remains partially unresolved.
In 2024, the company was fined $125MN – considerably less than the initial charge of $2BN sought by the SEC. Moving on, on October 3, the watchdog requested a continuation of the case, prolonging the legal battle for several more months.
Recent developments suggest a potential postponement of the final judgment, prolonging the uncertainty surrounding XRP’s regulatory status and keeping investors on the edge of their seats.
This case’s outcome is critical not only for Ripple but for the broader crypto market, as it could set a precedent for how digital assets are classified and regulated in the U.S.
The ETF Saga
The SEC momentarily reviews the numerous applications for a spot XRP ETF launch, so the crypto market is eager to find out whether the project gets the green light – as Ethereum did.
So far, the SEC has accepted Grayscale’s proposal to convert its $16.1MN XRP Trust into an ETF, initiating a 45-day review period and a 21-day public comment window.
Other big asset traders, such as WisdomTree, 21Shares, Canary Capital, Bitwise, and CoinShare, have submitted their applications. This highlights the significance XRP bears among leading financial institutions and explains why the asset has recently witnessed a fivefold price boost.
Optimism is further rising due to Trump’s incoming administration’s pro-crypto stance, which raises hopes for a more favorable regulatory environment. However, despite the momentum, regulatory hurdles remain.
For an XRP ETF to gain approval, the SEC must first clarify the crypto asset classification policy, especially given XRP’s complex legal history and its ongoing lawsuit with the SEC.
XRP’s Market Position
XRP has risen by almost 250% since November 2025, hitting $2.38 from $0.52. This milestone secures its position as the third-largest crypto by market cap after Bitcoin and Ethereum, highlighting its potential for the future.
Other digital assets have been left behind, and the rally is thought to continue given Donald Trump’s U.S. presidential election victory, which turned things upside down.
Ripple’s initiatives, including the launch of its fully backed stablecoin, RLUSD, have further improved market confidence. The new stablecoin, tied to U.S. cash, government securities, and cash equivalents, enhances Ripple’s ecosystem and makes its offerings more appealing.
What Analysts Think
At a glance, market analysts believe several catalysts could propel XRP even higher, including the anticipated approval of an XRP ETF approval. Market data from the leading prediction market, Polymarket, suggests a 70% likelihood of ETF approval in 2025.
The SEC is reviewing four XRP ETF applications from major asset managers, boosting optimism, especially with pro-crypto Paul Atkins set to lead the SEC under the new presidential administration.
An ETF approval would make XRP a legitimate investment product, encouraging greater participation from high-profile investors. This was also the case with Ethereum’s ETF.
The Final Touch
XRP is set for an enduring and exciting journey. Beyond regulatory developments, XRP’s advantages, such as fast and low-cost cross-border transactions, enhance its appeal. Ripple’s focus on enhancing its highly-used payment system and potentially winning its legal battle with the SEC could further boost XRP’s market position.
Additionally, Ripple’s expanding partner network and payment solutions adoption might improve XRP’s demand, pushing its price toward the $5 mark in 2025.
As the crypto landscape evolves under the Trump administration, which is expected to adopt a more favorable stance on digital assets, XRP’s future looks promising. However, its trajectory will largely depend on regulatory outcomes and Ripple’s ability to capitalize on emerging market opportunities.
