XRP News Today: Political Deadlock Threatens XRP's ETF Hopes and Market Growth

The U.S. government shutdown, triggered by a political impasse over funding legislation, has created significant uncertainty for the cryptocurrency sector, particularly for XRP, the third-largest digital asset by market capitalization. Regulatory delays caused by reduced staffing at agencies like the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) threaten to stall approvals for spot XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Six firms, including Grayscale and 21Shares, have submitted applications for XRP ETFs, with October deadlines looming How a US government shutdown will impact XRP - cryptoslate.com^[1]. Analysts warn that any disruption in regulatory workflows could delay approvals, potentially dampening investor inflows into the asset How a US government shutdown will impact XRP - cryptoslate.com^[1].

The SEC's recent directive to XRP issuers to withdraw 19b-4 filings underscores that infrastructure and market readiness are in place for ETF launches. However, a prolonged shutdown could halt progress, leaving billions in potential ETF capital unutilized How the U.S. Government Shutdown Could Impact XRP … - coinpedia.org^[2]. Ripple's broader strategy in the U.S. is also at risk, as its application for a national bank charter-critical for developing dollar-linked payment rails-depends on reviews by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). A shutdown would pause these assessments, delaying a key milestone for the company How a US government shutdown will impact XRP - cryptoslate.com^[1].

Market data as of September 29, 2025, shows XRP ranked 4 by market capitalization, with a price of $2.89, up 3.05% in 24 hours. The token's market cap stands at $172.98 billion, supported by a 24-hour trading volume of $4.91 billion How a US government shutdown will impact XRP - cryptoslate.com^[1]. Despite a narrow trading range below $3 over the past month, technical analysts note increased whale activity, with 120 million XRP purchased in the last 72 hours, signaling renewed institutional confidence How a US government shutdown will impact XRP - cryptoslate.com^[1].

The shutdown's indirect impact on XRP's price is a growing concern. Political uncertainty and potential regulatory delays could shift investor sentiment toward risk-off assets, dampening XRP's momentum. Analysts highlight that ETFs lower barriers for institutional and retail investors, and delays could weaken the asset's appeal during a critical period for crypto adoption How a US government shutdown will impact XRP - cryptoslate.com^[1].

While the broader market remains resilient-global crypto markets valued at $3.9 trillion with a 24-hour volume of $166.68 billion-XRP's trajectory hinges on regulatory clarity. The SEC's ability to proceed with ETF approvals is contingent on resolving the funding stalemate, which has already delayed key economic data releases, including the October jobs report. This data blackout complicates the Federal Reserve's policy decisions and adds to market volatility .