XRP News Today: Coinbase’s XRP Move Sparks ETF Hype and Market Shifts

XRP’s price is at a pivotal juncture as institutional and market dynamics reshape its near-term trajectory. A significant development comes from Coinbase, which has drastically reduced its XRP reserves by approximately 83%, from roughly 970 million XRP in June 2025 to around 165 million in September 2025. This shift was accompanied by the consolidation of its XRP holdings from 60 cold wallets to just 10, each now holding 16.5 million XRP coins. The move likely reflects a strategic reallocation of XRP holdings, potentially channeling the asset toward institutional-grade liquidity platforms or trust structures, rather than a complete exit from the token [1].

Coinbase’s reduced XRP exposure is in contrast to other major exchanges like Bitget, Binance, and Bybit, which continue to see over $1 billion in daily XRP trading volumes. This divergence raises questions about Coinbase’s competitive position in the XRP market, especially with the introduction of products like Gemini’s XRP-powered credit card, offering 4% cashback to users. The decline in Coinbase’s XRP trading volumes and open interest—well below the $50 million mark—highlights the exchange’s struggle to maintain dominance in this segment [1].

The broader market for XRP is also seeing a shift, with the token trading at approximately $2.78 as of September 2025. While it has declined 1% in the past week, the token is up 60% month-to-date. The reduction in exchange-held supply could potentially reduce selling pressure, offering support to XRP’s price as demand stabilizes. However, volatility remains a concern, particularly as XRP faces resistance at the $0.42 level and awaits potential catalysts like the approval of spot XRP ETFs [1].

Analysts are increasingly bullish on the potential impact of XRP ETFs. Nate Geraci of the ETF Institute and the ETF Store noted that demand for spot XRP ETFs is being underestimated, drawing parallels to the pre-launch expectations for Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs. With an 87% chance of approval on Polymarket and a 95% probability as of August 2025, investors are optimistic about a possible October 2025 decision from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. If approved, these ETFs could attract significant inflows—estimates range from $5 billion in the first month to $8 billion in the first year—based on the success of existing XRP ETFs and leveraged products like those from Teucrium [2].

In parallel, DeepSeek AI forecasts that XRP could surpass $5 per token if ETFs gain approval, driven by growing institutional interest and real-world utility. Recent movements, including the launch of the XRP Mastercard and partnerships with gaming platforms like B3 Network on the XRP Ledger, are seen as key drivers of adoption. The XRP ecosystem is also benefiting from increased whale activity, with recent data showing large transfers from unknown entities, suggesting strategic positioning ahead of potential price surges [4].

However, XRP is not without competition. Alphabet’s Google Cloud Universal Ledger (GCUL), currently in beta testing, has been labeled as a potential “XRP killer.” While GCUL is a private, permissioned blockchain—unlike the public, permissionless XRP Ledger—it is being optimized for cross-border payments and asset tokenization. Unlike XRP, GCUL does not have a native token, potentially reducing its exposure to price volatility. This could appeal to financial institutions seeking stability, particularly as stablecoins become more prominent in cross-border transactions. If GCUL gains traction, it may challenge XRP’s dominance in certain use cases, though the XRP Ledger has a decade-long track record in this space [4].

For investors, the coming months will be critical. XRP’s price performance will depend on multiple factors: ETF approval, institutional adoption, whale activity, and the competitive landscape. The market is also closely watching Ripple’s escrow releases and the broader regulatory environment. Given the token’s strong year-to-date performance and growing utility, XRP appears poised for a potential breakout—if key catalysts align [4].

Source:

[1] title1 (https://dailycoin.com/coinbase-dumps-80-xrp-reserves-down-from-60-to-10-wallets/)

[2] title2 (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/xrp-etf-approval-seen-unlock-121250497.html)

[3] title3 (https://crypto.news/whats-next-for-xrp-price-as-etf-approval-chances-hit-87)

[4] title4 (https://www.fool.com/investing/2025/09/05/is-google-developing-an-xrp-killer/)

[5] title5 (https://cryptonews.com/news/chinas-deepseek-ai-predicts-the-price-of-xrp-ethereum-and-pi-coin-by-the-end-of-2025/)