XRP News Today: XRP Surpasses BlackRock-Crypto's Institutional Push Defies Traditional Metrics

XRP briefly surpassed the market capitalization of BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, reaching $179.15 billion on October 5, 2025, according to CoinMarketCap data. This milestone marked the first time since 2024 that XRP reclaimed its position as the third-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, surpassing Tether USDt and edging ahead of BlackRock's $149 billion valuation. The surge followed a 31.5% price increase since the start of 2025, driven by renewed institutional interest, regulatory clarity, and speculative demand for a potential spot XRP ETF. Analysts attributed the rally to a confluence of factors, including Ripple's strategic partnerships, the launch of its stablecoin RLUSD, and anticipation of pro-crypto policies under the Trump administration. XRP's market cap briefly exceeded BlackRock's by $9.46 billion within 24 hours, signaling a symbolic shift in the valuation dynamics between digital assets and traditional financial institutions XRP re-enters top 3 cryptocurrencies, overtakes …^[1].

The price momentum was further amplified by speculation around regulatory developments. Ripple's application for a U.S. national trust bank charter, announced in July 2025, aims to operate stablecoins under federal oversight and access the Federal Reserve's payment infrastructure. This move, alongside similar applications by Circle and Paxos, reflects a broader trend of crypto firms seeking to integrate into traditional finance. Ripple's CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, emphasized that the charter would enable the company to offer custody, payment, and tokenized asset services while adhering to regulatory standards. The application aligns with the passage of the GENIUS Act, which provides a framework for stablecoin regulation, and positions Ripple to compete with legacy institutions in cross-border settlements Market cap XRP: overtakes BlackRock at 178.4 billion^[7].

Market analysts highlighted the role of institutional demand in XRP's ascent. With retail investors retaining long-term holdings, exchanges like Coinbase reported a 90% decline in XRP inventory, creating supply constraints. If a spot XRP ETF is approved, institutions could inject $4–8 billion in assets within the first five months, according to JPMorgan estimates. This potential inflow, coupled with XRP's limited liquidity, has fueled price volatility and speculative trading. Pseudonymous analyst BitBelleza projected short-term targets of $4–$5 for XRP, with a $27 ceiling by year-end 2025, while others like Crypto Jebb forecasted a range of $5.30–$8.70 for 2025. The market's response to SEC Chair Gary Gensler's expected resignation in January 2025 also added to the bullish sentiment, as regulatory uncertainty eased XRP re-enters top 3 cryptocurrencies, overtakes …^[1].

XRP's performance was further bolstered by macroeconomic factors. The Trump administration's anticipated executive orders on crypto policies, coupled with the broader market's risk-on sentiment, attracted speculative capital. Additionally, Ripple's legal resolution with the SEC in August 2024, which concluded with a $125 million liability, reduced regulatory overhang and improved market confidence. The company's RLUSD stablecoin, already adopted by institutions like BNY Mellon, demonstrated the utility of XRP in cross-border transactions, reinforcing its role as a liquidity bridge. Analysts noted that XRP's market cap surpassing Disney by $2 billion underscored its growing institutional acceptance XRP re-enters top 3 cryptocurrencies, overtakes …^[1].

Despite the optimism, challenges remain. Critics, such as crypto commentator Tribal Trader, questioned the feasibility of XRP reaching $15, citing the need for an $862.5 billion market cap-a valuation exceeding Ethereum's current size. However, proponents like Ali Martinez countered that XRP's ability to outpace BlackRock's $155 billion market cap already defied conventional metrics. The debate highlights the inherent volatility of the crypto market, where regulatory developments and speculative trading can rapidly alter valuation trajectories. As Ripple awaits regulatory approval for its banking charter and the SEC's ETF decision, market participants remain cautiously optimistic about XRP's long-term potential .