XRP News Today: XRP Futures Hit $788M as ETF Hopes and Institutional Demand Surge

CME Group’s XRP futures reached record levels in July 2025, driven by heightened institutional interest and mounting speculation around potential ETF approval [1]. The Chicago Mercantile Exchange reported a notional value of $788 million in XRP futures on July 24, reflecting a sharp increase in demand for regulated crypto derivatives [1]. This surge was fueled by both institutional and retail investors who increasingly view XRP as a viable asset class in the maturing digital currency market [2]. The milestone highlights growing confidence in regulated platforms and underscores a broader trend where investors prefer USD-settled derivatives over direct exposure to volatile crypto markets [1].

The potential approval of an XRP-based ETF is considered a key catalyst for the current momentum in XRP futures. Analysts suggest that such a development could significantly improve XRP’s accessibility and liquidity, potentially opening the door to substantial institutional investment [1]. However, regulatory clarity remains a critical factor, particularly regarding ongoing legal challenges involving Ripple and U.S. regulators [1]. Ripple’s efforts to secure banking licenses and expand its institutional footprint further reinforce its ambitions to integrate more deeply into traditional financial systems [3].

Institutional adoption of XRP has also accelerated, particularly in cross-border payments. Ripple’s XRP Ledger is increasingly being used as a bridge currency for real-time settlements, with Ripple’s CTO, David Schwartz, emphasizing its efficiency and scalability compared to other digital assets [3]. Anticipated partnerships with major payment processors like Western Union and MoneyGram have further stoked expectations for increased XRP demand [2]. On-chain activity also signals strong interest, with a major $246 million XRP withdrawal from a large holder reported in mid-July, indicating that significant players may be preparing for a potential price rise [4].

Retail and institutional trading activity on exchanges like Kraken has also highlighted XRP’s growing appeal. In July, XRP’s trading volume surpassed that of Solana for the first time [5], signaling a shift in market dynamics. Despite dipping below $3 in early July, many analysts remain optimistic about a potential recovery, especially if XRP can close above $3.03 for the month [6]. Some forecasts suggest XRP could rise as high as $15–$17 under favorable conditions [7]. While macroeconomic factors like inflation and Federal Reserve policy influence broader investor sentiment, XRP’s strong on-chain metrics and increasing institutional adoption position it well for outperformance, provided regulatory progress continues [1].

Source:

[1] https://www.ainvest.com/news/xrp-drops-2-293-bullish-pennant-breakout-11-target-set-2508/

[2] https://thecryptobasic.com/2025/08/01/how-high-could-xrp-go-if-western-union-and-moneygram-start-using-it-for-settlements/

[3] https://www.ainvest.com/news/xrp-news-today-xrp-futures-hit-record-volume-etf-approval-hopes-growing-institutional-adoption-2508/

[4] https://www.tradingview.com/news/u_today:743f21524094b:0-246-million-in-xrp-moved-at-once-what-s-happening/

[5] https://www.binance.com/square/post/27696980719386

[6] https://m.economictimes.com/news/international/us/crypto-darling-xrp-under-pressure-price-dips-below-3-whats-causing-the-drop-is-a-massive-selloff-coming/articleshow/123042471.cms

[7] https://coinpaper.com/10302/15-still-in-sight-for-xrp-as-long-as-2-47-holds-the-line