XRP News Today: XRP's ETF Hopes Clash with Whale Selling and Bearish Signals

Virtu Financial (VIRT) reported a strong third-quarter performance, surpassing earnings and revenue expectations, while the XRP market grappled with intensified whale selling and regulatory developments. The high-speed trading firm posted adjusted earnings of $1.05 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.97 per share, and generated $467.02 million in revenue, an 11.16% increase from estimates, according to its earnings release. Despite its financial success, the stock has underperformed the S&P 500 this year, with a Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) indicating near-term challenges.

Meanwhile, XRP, Ripple's native token, faces a turbulent landscape. Whale selling has accelerated, with large holders offloading over 140 million XRP in recent days, according to on-chain data. The same data also revealed that whales accumulated 30 million XRP between October 20–21, signaling mixed investor sentiment. The token's price fluctuated amid technical indicators suggesting a potential correction, and a recent price report highlighted heightened market activity. Analyst Ali Martinez noted that the TD Sequential tool, which has historically predicted reversals, flashed a sell signal as XRP hovered near $2.50.

Regulatory developments, however, offer a counterbalance. Ripple's legal settlement with the SEC in August 2025 and the pending approval of seven U.S. spot XRP ETFs have bolstered institutional interest. Blockchain analytics firm Messari reported that XRP's market cap hit an all-time high of $170.3 billion in Q3, while real-world asset (RWA) issuance on the XRP Ledger surged 215% quarter-over-quarter. Institutions including Trident Digital and Webus International have allocated over $800 million in XRP through Digital Asset Treasuries (DATs), further solidifying its institutional adoption.

Virtu Financial's XRP exposure adds another layer of intrigue. The firm holds $63 million in XRP, part of its broader liquidity and execution services portfolio. This stake contrasts with Western Union's recent pivot to Solana for its USDPT stablecoin, a decision attributed to Solana's speed and cost efficiency. While XRP's role in cross-border payments remains significant, competitors like Solana are gaining traction among traditional financial institutions.

Analysts remain divided on XRP's near-term trajectory. A bullish case hinges on ETF approvals, with Polymarket odds at 99% for approval by year-end. If successful, ETF inflows could push XRP toward $3.40–$4.20, according to price analysts. Conversely, bearish signals persist, with the TD Sequential indicator and whale selling suggesting a potential drop toward $2.00.