XRP News Today: XRP ETF Approval Could Spark Institutional Frenzy, Mirroring Bitcoin's Surge

XRP, the digital asset issued by Ripple, is poised for a significant price surge as the U.S. government prepares to reopen and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) nears a decision on multiple XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF) applications. Analysts predict that institutional demand, driven by filings from major firms like BlackRock, Fidelity, and Grayscale, could propel XRP to $4–$6 by year-end, with some models suggesting gains of 2x–4x from current levels, according to a Coinpedia report. The approval of XRP ETFs would mirror the success of Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, which saw rapid price appreciation following regulatory greenlights, and could attract up to $3–$10 billion in inflows within the first month, a CoinEdition analysis finds.

The primary catalysts for this potential rally include the removal of the "lawsuit coin" stigma after years of legal battles with the SEC and the growing adoption of XRP by over 300 financial institutions, including Santander and SBI. These factors, combined with XRP's smaller market cap compared to Bitcoin, mean even modest inflows could trigger sharp percentage gains. For instance, historical patterns show that $61 million in ETF inflows once boosted XRP's market capitalization by $16.6 billion—a 272x multiplier—suggesting a conservative 90x multiplier could push XRP to $18–$22 if ETFs capture half of Bitcoin's 2025 inflows, according to a CryptoBasic model.

However, the timeline for approval remains uncertain due to the U.S. government shutdown, which has stalled SEC reviews of XRP ETF applications. Firms like Grayscale, Bitwise, and 21Shares face delayed decisions, though industry observers such as Tokentus CEO Oliver Michel and Canary Capital's Steven McClurg remain optimistic that approvals will follow swiftly once operations resume. When they do, all applications are expected to be greenlit at once, replicating the Bitcoin ETF rollout, as CoinEdition noted.

Technical analysis also supports a bullish outlook. XRP recently traded near $2.54, consolidating above key moving averages and showing candlestick patterns indicative of a potential upward break. The REX-Osprey XRP ETF (XRPR), the first U.S.-listed spot XRP ETF, has already surpassed $100 million in assets under management, while CME Group's XRP futures notional volume hit $26.9 billion, signaling deepening institutional interest, according to an FXLeaders report.

Long-term forecasts extend beyond 2025. Cryptopolitan projects XRP could reach $23.24 by 2031, driven by adoption in cross-border payments and regulatory clarity, according to a Cryptopolitan forecast. Shorter-term targets, however, remain cautious: while some models suggest $5–$6 by year-end, others warn of risks like profit-taking by early investors or broader market downturns that could limit gains to 50%.

Despite these uncertainties, the consensus is clear: XRP ETF approval would unlock a new era of institutional participation, with prices likely to surge in the coming months. As one of the most anticipated events in crypto, the U.S. government's reboot could redefine XRP's trajectory.