XRP News Today: XRP Surges 45% as U.S. Crypto Bills Boost Market Optimism

Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy has expressed deep regret after selling his XRP holdings just weeks before the cryptocurrency surged to new yearly highs, missing out on millions in potential gains. Portnoy, who was once a vocal advocate for XRP, admitted that he sold most of his holdings around the $2.40 mark, following advice from a friend who warned him about potential competition from Circle, the issuer of the USDC stablecoin. This decision came just days before Ripple applied for a U.S. national banking charter, signaling its intention to formalize RLUSD and other crypto services under U.S. federal supervision.

Portnoy's comments came as XRP soared past its previous 2025 high of $3.29, peaking at $3.60. The move marked a significant daily gain and pushed XRP toward a $200 billion market capitalization milestone. This surge was part of a broader crypto rally that began earlier in the week, catalyzed by renewed optimism around U.S. crypto regulation. The U.S. House of Representatives passed three significant crypto-related bills, including the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins Act, and the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act. These legislative developments were widely interpreted as a turning point for the industry, signaling bipartisan interest in crypto innovation while addressing concerns about state surveillance and overregulation.

Ripple, which is closely associated with XRP, has seen strong momentum in recent weeks. Its RLUSD stablecoin has gained traction, with integrations at regulated entities like AMINA Bank, a Swiss financial institution that now offers custody and trading services for RLUSD. Ripple is also pursuing a U.S. banking license through the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, a move that would further expand the institutional and regulatory reach of its products. Market analysts remain divided on whether XRP can break through its all-time high of $3.84, set in January 2018. But with new demand drivers, including whale accumulation, ETF speculation, and stablecoin integration, many are optimistic.

Portnoy’s self-deprecating take has struck a chord among retail investors who often buy and sell based on influencer sentiment and fear of missing out. His missed opportunity underscores the volatility of crypto markets and the dangers of basing investment decisions on short-term signals or external advice. Despite his regret, Portnoy remains a recognizable figure in the crypto community and is often seen as emblematic of retail investor behavior during market swings.

According to analysts, institutional crypto products have recorded eight consecutive weeks of inflows, with XRP-related products gaining traction as an alternative to Ethereum. XRP is increasingly being positioned as a legal-compliant layer for stablecoin settlement and cross-border payments. This use case is now being amplified by both public company adoption and retail traders sharing stories of regret. Dave Portnoy’s emotional confession about missing out on XRP’s latest surge captures both the highs and lows of retail trading in a fast-moving market. But beyond the meme-worthy regret, XRP’s momentum is being shaped by real-world catalysts: growing legislative clarity, increasing stablecoin integration, and broader institutional support.

With prices still below all-time highs and bullish sentiment building, XRP remains a token to watch in 2025, especially as market structure, banking partnerships, and regulation continue to evolve in its favor.