XRP News Today: Ripple's Strategic Expansion Clashes with XRP's Price Slide as Market Waits for ETF Clarity

Ripple's scheduled release of 1 billion XRP from escrow on November 1, 2025, has reignited debates over its market impact and strategic flexibility. At XRP's current price of $2.49, the unlock is valued at approximately $2.49 billion, though analysts note that only 200–300 million XRP — worth $500–750 million — typically enter circulation, with the remainder re-locked into new escrow contracts, according to a Finbold report. This mechanism, introduced in 2017, aims to manage supply predictability and mitigate sudden market shocks, a Coinpaprika report noted.

The release has also drawn attention to Ripple's newly clarified ability to sell or transfer rights to future escrowed XRP. CTO David Schwartz explained that while tokens cannot circulate before their scheduled unlock dates, Ripple can assign rights to future allocations or transfer associated accounts, Finbold reported. This innovation allows the company to monetize future supply while adhering to its 2017 framework, offering institutional partners guaranteed access to XRP through private agreements. Initiatives like Evernorth, a Ripple-backed treasury platform holding nearly $1 billion in XRP, exemplify how these arrangements could deepen institutional adoption.

Meanwhile, Ripple's broader institutional expansion accelerated with the acquisition of Hidden Road, a multi-asset prime brokerage firm, for $1.25 billion. The deal, finalized in October, enabled the launch of Ripple Prime, a platform offering U.S. institutions over-the-counter (OTC) spot trading in XRP, RLUSD, and other digital assets, according to Zycrypto. By integrating blockchain infrastructure with traditional financial services, Ripple aims to bridge crypto and conventional markets, positioning itself as a key player in global liquidity systems, as reported by CoinMarketCap.

However, XRP's price remains under pressure, trading at $2.40 as of October 31 — a 5% drop from its $2.49 level earlier in the month, according to Benzinga. Market analysts highlight bearish technical signals, including a break below a short-term ascending trendline and muted trading volume, Coinotag reported. Short-term holders are offloading positions, with wallets holding XRP for less than a week reducing their share by nearly 50% in two weeks, according to Yahoo Finance. A critical support level at $2.31 is now in focus, with further declines potentially testing $2.18.

The XRP market's volatility contrasts with Ripple's strategic advancements. While the company maintains its re-locking discipline to limit circulating supply, institutional demand for XRP remains tied to regulatory clarity and product innovation. The pending approval of spot XRP ETFs — potentially launching as early as November 13 — could provide a catalyst for renewed bullish momentum, the earlier Benzinga report suggested.