XRP News Today: XRP ETFs Eye $10B Inflows as SEC Delays and Speculative Bets Mount

The total open interest in XRP futures contracts has surged to $2.92 billion as of September 30, according to data from CryptoQuant, while Coinglass reported a significantly higher $8.94 billion, reflecting broader exchange coverage. This divergence highlights the fragmented nature of market data, with discrepancies stemming from varying exchange inclusions-particularly platforms handling large institutional and margin-based positions. The increase in open interest coincides with XRP's price rising from $2.74 to $2.99 over the same period, a 10% gain, though spot trading volume has declined by 10% to $5.76 billion in 24 hours, signaling a shift toward speculative futures activityXRP Open Interest Nears $3B As CEO Sees $10B ETF Inflows Ahead^[1].

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has positioned XRP ETFs as a catalyst for institutional adoption, emphasizing that such products would transform the token from a speculative asset into a regulated investment vehicle. Canary Capital CEO Steven McClurg revised his XRP ETF inflow forecast from $5 billion to $10 billion, citing parallels with Bitcoin's ETF debut, which attracted $1 billion in day-one inflowsXRP Open Interest Nears $3B As CEO Sees $10B ETF Inflows Ahead^[1]. McClurg's projection implies a potential 54.4x multiplier on XRP's current $180 billion market cap, theoretically pushing the token to $12 per unit if realized. However, this scenario hinges on regulatory clarity, as ongoing discussions between the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) remain unresolvedXRP Open Interest Nears $3B As CEO Sees $10B ETF Inflows Ahead^[1].

Market analysts caution that rising open interest without commensurate spot volume amplifies volatility risks. A failed breakout above XRP's $3 psychological barrier could trigger forced liquidations and sharp price swings. This dynamic is exacerbated by growing margin-based bets, which heighten sensitivity to market movements. Coinglass data further underscores speculative fervor, with XRP futures open interest on certain exchanges reaching $8.68 billion and a rising weighted funding rate indicating bullish positioningXRP Open Interest Hits $3B as CEO Highlights ETF's Importance^[2].

Regulatory developments are pivotal to XRP's institutional trajectory. Ripple's pending U.S. bank license application to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), expected to conclude by October 30, could unlock federal banking access for XRP-related services. A successful license would enable Ripple to integrate with FedNow and position XRP as a settlement bridge between fiat and blockchain, mirroring Bitcoin's adoption by corporate treasuriesHow High Can XRP Price Go After Billions Flow Into ETFs in^[4]. Meanwhile, the SEC's delayed review of XRP ETF filings-compounded by the U.S. government shutdown-has created uncertainty, though asset managers like Grayscale, Bitwise, and 21Shares continue to advance their proposalsHow High Can XRP Price Go After Billions Flow Into ETFs in^[4].

The potential for XRP ETFs to attract $10 billion in inflows has sparked technical optimism. XRP's price currently trades near $3.00, with key resistance at $3.40 and support at $3.00. A sustained breakout could drive the token toward its 2021 all-time high of $3.66, while a breakdown risks a pullback to $2.80. Analysts note that institutional demand, particularly from pension funds and 401(k) accounts, could stabilize XRP's price by shifting demand from speculative retail trading to long-term capital allocationBinance Research report exposes high volatility in^[5].

Despite bullish projections, risks persist. The SEC's ongoing legal battle with Ripple, while showing partial judicial favor, remains unresolved. Additionally, the meme coin market's volatility-exemplified by 97% of 2024-launched tokens collapsing to near-zero trading volumes-serves as a cautionary backdrop for speculative assets. However, XRP's enterprise use cases, including RippleNet's $1.3 billion monthly remittance volume, differentiate it from utility-lacking meme coinsHow High Can XRP Price Go After Billions Flow Into ETFs in^[4].