XRP Rises on ETF Optimism and SEC Shake-Up as Market Watches for Clues
XRP is back in the spotlight this week as growing ETF speculation and a surprise delay by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) give fresh life to Ripple’s long-embattled token.
The price of XRP climbed over 7% in 24 hours, reaching a high of $0.78, amid market buzz that the SEC is reconsidering its posture in the ongoing Ripple Labs case. The agency announced a sudden postponement of action late Tuesday, citing a "procedural reassessment," as Paul Atkins, a former Republican SEC commissioner, was officially sworn in as a special advisor to the commission.
Investors are interpreting this shake-up as a sign that the regulatory landscape may be shifting in Ripple's favour, potentially paving the way for the long-awaited approval of an XRP spot ETF.
“Atkins’ involvement changes the landscape,” said Cara Martinez, a regulatory strategist at CEX Analytics. “He’s long been a critic of the SEC’s overreach and is considered sympathetic to innovation in crypto.”
XRP has been at the heart of a nearly four-year legal battle after the SEC filed suit against Ripple Labs in December 2020, alleging the company sold unregistered securities. Though Ripple scored a partial victory in 2023, a judge ruled that XRP was not a security when sold to retail users; institutional clarity remains elusive.
Momentum may be shifting due to mounting political pressure, a rebalancing of the commission, and bipartisan frustration over regulatory ambiguity. Markets are now pricing in an increased likelihood of a settlement or clear regulatory guidance, both of which would be bullish for XRP holders.
At the same time, chatter around a potential XRP ETF listing is growing louder. While no formal application has yet been filed, insiders say at least two asset managers are exploring submission possibilities now that Ethereum and Solana ETFs appear to be advancing.
“XRP’s legal overhang is the final hurdle,” said Joseph Keen, a senior analyst at CryptoReg Watch. “Once it’s resolved, ETF demand could follow the same trajectory we saw with ETH.”
Broader crypto markets were mostly flat, with Bitcoin hovering around $83,900 and Ethereum slipping 0.5% to $3,290. But XRP's outperformance signals a renewed sense of confidence, especially from traders betting on an SEC policy pivot.
Still, not everyone is convinced. Critics warn that speculation alone can’t sustain price rallies and that XRP has been burnt by false hope before.
“The SEC delay could just as easily be a procedural footnote,” said Tara Lin, legal analyst at BlockPoint Law. “We’ve been here before. Until there’s actual movement on a settlement, dismissal, or ruling, optimism remains speculative.”
Even so, for now, XRP If the political landscape continues to change, Ripple's most devoted supporters might finally experience the closure and upside they've been longing for.