Ripple's XRP Surges 1.48% as BBVA Embraces Crypto, MiCA Drives Expansion

XRP's latest price was $3.04, up 1.481% in the last 24 hours. Ripple has recently expanded its partnerships, which has significantly impacted the landscape of XRP and its role in global finance. Following the resolution of its lengthy legal dispute with U.S. regulators, Ripple is accelerating its European expansion with a notable alliance in Spain. BBVA, one of Europe's largest banks, will utilize Ripple's custody infrastructure to power its new retail crypto services, indicating that mainstream finance is fully embracing digital assets. Concurrently, Ripple's stablecoin RLUSD is moving beyond financial circles into industrial adoption, being embraced by VivoPower's Tembo EV unit as a form of payment. These developments highlight a broader shift where crypto is becoming integrated into both traditional banking and real-world commerce.

BBVA's decision to integrate Ripple's custody solution marks a significant turning point for crypto banking in Europe. Spanish clients will soon be able to buy and hold Bitcoin and Ethereum directly within the bank's system, eliminating the need for third-party exchanges. This move is particularly bold due to its inclusion of tokenized assets, providing customers with access to the next generation of digital products without leaving the security of their bank. This capability is made possible through Ripple's acquisition of Metaco, a Swiss custody specialist. By embedding Ripple Custody in-house, BBVA strengthens trust with its customers, ensuring that asset management does not rely on external providers. This represents one of the clearest examples of how large banks are transitioning from cautious pilots to full-scale crypto integration.

The European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation has played a crucial role in this expansion. MiCA provides the legal clarity institutions need to launch services with confidence, setting a harmonized framework across the bloc. Ripple is well-positioned to benefit from this, armed with the licenses and infrastructure that banks require. For BBVA, the Spanish rollout follows earlier pilots in Switzerland and Turkey. However, this is its boldest European step yet, signaling that regulation has turned compliance into an opportunity. If successful, the model could become a template for other banks across Europe.

Ripple's alliance with BBVA comes on the heels of its legal breakthrough in the United States. Last month, the SEC and Ripple both dropped appeals in their years-long dispute over XRP's status, closing the case once and for all. The resolution clears a major obstacle, giving Ripple the freedom to pursue global expansion without the shadow of litigation. Armed with more than 60 regulatory licenses worldwide, Ripple is actively positioning itself as the infrastructure partner for banks entering digital assets. The BBVA deal illustrates how regulatory clarity can be translated into new business, marrying compliance with innovation.

Ripple's momentum is not confined to Europe. In an unexpected crossover, Tembo, the electric vehicle arm of VivoPower International, announced it will accept Ripple's RLUSD stablecoin for payments. This marks one of the first times an automaker has officially integrated a blockchain-based dollar token into its global sales model. The move addresses a clear need: Tembo's clients in mining, agriculture, and defense often face costly, slow cross-border payments. By using RLUSD, settlements can occur nearly instantly and at a fraction of traditional banking costs. For Tembo, it's a competitive advantage; for Ripple, it's proof that its stablecoin has traction far beyond fintech.

Ripple's stablecoin has seen explosive growth this year, with its market cap multiplying tenfold since January. Initially gaining traction in Africa and the Middle East through payment partners like Chipper Cash and Yellow Card, RLUSD is now entering industrial supply chains. Tembo's adoption underscores its utility in commerce, while Ripple has also extended RLUSD into DeFi through Aave's Horizon RWA marketplace. VivoPower is openly aligning itself with Ripple's ecosystem. Beyond accepting RLUSD, the company is building a treasury of XRP, exploring equity stakes in Ripple Labs, and planning decentralized finance infrastructure tied to the XRP Ledger. It aims to be the first publicly traded enterprise fully built around Ripple's technology.

Taken together, these announcements illustrate the twin forces reshaping crypto adoption. On one side, traditional banks like BBVA are embedding digital assets directly into regulated ecosystems. On the other, industrial firms like Tembo are normalizing crypto payments in commerce. Ripple sits at the center of both, leveraging custody expertise and stablecoin innovation to expand its global footprint. For XRP, the impact is clear. With legal battles resolved, institutional partnerships expanding, and real-world adoption growing, the pathway to higher valuations looks increasingly realistic.

The upcoming launch of the first spot XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF), approved for listing by Rex-Osprey, represents a significant milestone for the ecosystem. Initially scheduled for September 12, 2025, the launch date for this ETF has been adjusted to September 18, 2025. Market observers widely anticipate this introduction to potentially generate substantial capital inflows into the XRP market and drive further institutional adoption. This development is seen as a key catalyst shaping the asset's trajectory, attracting significant attention from investors and analysts assessing its long-term implications.