XRP News Today: XRP Lays Digital Rails for Global Payments as ETFs Spark 9% Surge

XRP surged over 9% to $2.27 on November 24, 2025, as Franklin Templeton and Grayscale launched their spot XRP ETFs, marking a pivotal moment for the cryptocurrency. The ETFs, which began trading on NYSE Arca, brought institutional clarity to XRP following Ripple's $125 million SEC settlement in May, ending years of regulatory uncertainty. The move signals growing acceptance of XRP as a settlement asset, with Franklin Templeton describing it as "foundational to global settlement infrastructure".

The ETF launches followed a wave of inflows into XRP products, with $89.3 million entering XRP-focused funds last week despite broader crypto outflows of $1.94 billion according to recent reports. Bitwise's XRP ETF, which debuted earlier in November, saw $118 million in inflows, while Franklin Templeton's XRPZ and Grayscale's GXRP offered zero-fee introductory periods to attract investors. These products provide regulated access to XRP without direct asset ownership, a model experts say simplifies custody but introduces management fees.

Technical strengths of XRP's ledger, including near-instant transactions and low fees, are driving institutional interest. The XRP Ledger (XRPL) processes 3–5 second settlements, contrasting with Bitcoin's store-of-value focus. Analysts argue XRP's role in cross-border payments-where it competes with SWIFT and stablecoins-positions it as a bridge currency for emerging markets according to market analysis. Franklin Templeton's prospectus highlights XRPL's efficiency, noting its 3.3 billion processed transactions.

However, the price rally was tempered by broader market volatility. XRP briefly dipped below $2 amid Bitcoin's decline to $84,000, triggering liquidations across derivatives exchanges. Whale selling of 200 million XRP within 48 hours also pressured the price according to market analysis. Experts caution that institutional flows may take until 2026 to fully materialize, suggesting the ETFs' long-term impact remains to be seen.

The ETFs' success contrasts with XRP's structural challenges. Only 58.5% of XRP supply is in profit, the lowest since November 2024, with 41.5% of tokens in loss-a sign of a top-heavy market according to market analysis. Meanwhile, competitors like Solana (SOL) are vying for ETF attention, with analysts debating which altcoin will recover faster from recent dips.

Regulatory clarity has opened the door for XRP to compete with Bitcoin and Ethereum in institutional portfolios. Franklin Templeton's $1.69 trillion asset management footprint and Grayscale's dominance in digital assets underscore the credibility of XRP ETFs. Yet, prospectuses warn of risks, including XRP's volatility and regulatory uncertainty in non-U.S. jurisdictions.

As global financial systems explore digital rails-such as the European Central Bank's Project Nexus and BRICS' push for cross-border settlements-XRP's utility in efficient, low-cost transfers could solidify its role in the evolving payments landscape according to market analysis. For now, the ETF-driven rally has positioned XRP as a key player in the next phase of crypto innovation, even as its price remains subject to broader market forces.