XRP News Today: Ripple's Valuation Could Surpass $100 Billion Amid IPO Speculation and XRP Futures Success

Ripple has once again become the focus of IPO speculation due to a surge in interest from both public markets and regulated crypto derivatives. John Deaton, a prominent legal figure in the XRP community, suggested that Ripple could achieve a valuation exceeding $100 billion if it were to go public, drawing parallels to Circle’s recent post-IPO rally. Circle’s stock has surged over 600% since its IPO, pushing its market valuation to $66.2 billion, which now exceeds the total value of its flagship product, the USDC stablecoin.

Ripple, known for its enterprise blockchain solutions and the XRP token, holds a substantial reserve of over 40 billion XRP, with 36.2 billion of that in escrow. At current prices, this reserve alone would be valued at over $78.8 billion. Deaton argues that this positions Ripple favorably for a public market entry with a valuation that could easily surpass $100 billion. This estimate does not account for Ripple’s international partnerships, XRP Ledger development, or its efforts in modernizing cross-border financial infrastructure. As legal pressures surrounding XRP ease and momentum builds toward potential ETF inclusion, Ripple’s narrative is shifting from regulatory uncertainty to institutional opportunity.

Despite the bullish projections, Ripple’s leadership has maintained a cautious tone. In April 2025, Ripple President Monica Long stated that the company had “no plans to go public this year” and emphasized Ripple’s strong cash position following a significant share buyback. CEO Brad Garlinghouse echoed that sentiment, calling an IPO “possible, but not a top priority.” However, Deaton suggests that these views may change given recent market conditions. Circle’s soaring valuation has triggered a reevaluation of how crypto companies should be valued, not just based on product circulation, but on the ecosystem, infrastructure, and potential for growth. The improving macro environment for public tech and crypto stocks, particularly with the recent wave of ETF approvals and the Federal Reserve's dovish posture, could lift Ripple with it if the company chooses to go public.

Another factor in Ripple’s public market prospects is the growing speculation around an XRP-based exchange-traded fund (ETF). According to analysts' forecast, the odds of a spot XRP ETF launching in 2025 are placed at 95%, following the success of CME XRP futures and the wave of spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs earlier this year. If XRP were to gain a spot ETF approval, it would almost certainly boost institutional confidence in both the token and Ripple’s broader ecosystem. Combined with a potential IPO, these events could mark a dual-track entry into mainstream finance for Ripple.

The Chicago Mercantile Exchange has reported an impressive $542 million in notional volume for its newly launched XRP futures during their first full month of trading. The figures highlight the growing appetite for regulated crypto products among institutional and retail investors alike and signal renewed momentum for the XRP ecosystem amid ongoing regulatory headwinds. Nearly half of the trading volume originated from markets outside North America, reflecting XRP’s global reach and appeal. This international engagement underscores XRP’s utility in cross-border payments, a key differentiator compared to other crypto assets that often lean heavily on speculative use cases.

The strong performance of CME’s XRP futures is attributed to significant market interest and robust engagement from institutional players. This aligns with Ripple’s broader push toward institutional adoption, particularly after its acquisition of prime brokerage firm Hidden Road. Further catalyzing XRP’s bullish outlook is its deepening role in cross-border payment systems and its integration into stablecoin ecosystems, adding to its relevance in both financial infrastructure and digital asset innovation. The successful rollout of CME’s XRP futures could have broader implications beyond derivatives markets, serving as a critical stepping stone toward the eventual launch of a US-based spot XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF).

The international nature of XRP futures volume shows another trend: the growing global demand for regulated crypto investment vehicles. While the US remains a crucial battleground for regulatory clarity, regions have shown increasing openness to digital assets, especially those with clear use cases like XRP. With Ripple actively pursuing partnerships in banking, remittance, and stablecoin sectors worldwide, the token’s relevance in real-world finance continues to rise. This global footprint is mirrored in the broad geographic participation in CME’s XRP futures.