XRP News Today: Markets Brace for Ripple Settlement Ruling; Bitcoin Dips Below $100K Amid Geopolitical Tensions
By Bob Mason
Updated: June 23, 2025, 00:14 GMT+00:00
Ripple Settlement Ruling Looms, XRP Investors on Edge
The crypto market is closely watching developments in the ongoing SEC vs. Ripple lawsuit as XRP holders anticipate a critical court ruling that could shape the token’s future and the broader digital asset landscape. On June 12, Ripple and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission jointly filed a second motion requesting that Judge Analisa Torres vacate the injunction preventing XRP sales to institutional investors and reduce the associated penalty to $50 million.
Judge Torres had previously rejected a similar first motion within just seven days, which caused XRP’s price to drop sharply from a high of $2.5712 to a June 5 low near $2.06. The market now waits to see if the judge will grant the second motion or deny it again, with meaningful implications for Ripple and the crypto sector’s regulatory environment.
What Could a Judge’s Second Rejection Mean?
If Judge Torres rejects the motion again, Ripple may proceed with a cross-appeal challenging the prohibition on institutional sales. This would extend the legal uncertainty surrounding XRP, as well as regulatory clarity in the U.S. Legal commentator Bill Morgan noted that Ripple’s current aggressive approach appears driven by the SEC’s new enforcement policies, suggesting Ripple may now seek more conclusive resolutions through the courts.
A key point of contention remains the 2023 ruling by Judge Torres in July, which found that XRP’s programmatic sales did not meet the “investment contract” criteria under the Howey Test. This allowed optimism for XRP-spot ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) applications. However, an unsuccessful appeal by Ripple or a reversal could derail the chance of securing an XRP-spot ETF approval.
Legal Uncertainty Versus XRP Spot ETF Hope
Despite ongoing legal complexities, some market prediction platforms like Polymarket assign an 88% likelihood to the approval of an XRP-spot ETF by the end of 2025. This reflects optimism driven partly by parallels to Bitcoin’s journey, where SEC approval of Bitcoin spot ETFs played a critical role in boosting BTC’s market acceptance.
Industry giants such as BlackRock, who manage significant inflows through their iShares Bitcoin Trust, have not publicly announced plans for an XRP-spot ETF since November 2023. Past incidents, including a fraudulent filing for a fake iShares XRP-spot ETF that caused price volatility, may explain the caution while the Ripple case remains unsettled.
XRP Price Movement: Awaiting Court Decision and ETF Developments
XRP experienced downward pressure recently, falling 2.05% on Sunday, June 22, after a 2.67% drop on Saturday, closing near $2.02. This underperformance contrasted with a broader crypto market decline of 1.42%, reflecting investor anxiety over the imminent court ruling.
Technical analysis suggests that overcoming resistance near $2.10 could allow XRP to challenge its 200-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA), with the next potential target being the 50-day EMA. Conversely, a failure to hold support around $1.93 may expose lower levels near $1.80, adding to bearish sentiment.
Bitcoin Drops Below $100K Amid Middle East Tensions
Meanwhile, Bitcoin (BTC) saw a notable downturn, slipping below the $100,000 mark for the first time since early May. The decrease occurred in reaction to heightened geopolitical risks following U.S. military strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites and Iran’s retaliatory measures.
Iran’s parliament has reportedly approved closing the strategic Strait of Hormuz—the first such move since 1972. Should this proceed, crude oil prices could surge, stoking inflation pressures globally. This threat complicates economic outlooks and could prompt central banks to halt or reverse planned interest rate cuts, factors that traditionally supported risk asset rallies including cryptocurrencies.
Bitcoin Price Outlook in a Volatile Environment
BTC’s near-term price trajectory remains vulnerable to several external variables:
- Bearish Factors: Potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz, increasing tariffs, legislative setbacks, and outflows from ETFs could drive BTC towards support near the 200-day EMA, possibly testing levels closer to $90,000. – Bullish Factors: De-escalation of Middle Eastern conflicts, bipartisan progress on the Bitcoin Act, easing trade tensions, and significant ETF inflows could propel BTC back to its all-time high near $111,917. Investors are advised to stay vigilant on geopolitical developments, regulatory updates, and ETF activity that could sway market dynamics in the coming weeks.
What Investors Should Watch
Key market drivers in the short term include:
- Judge Torres’ forthcoming ruling on Ripple’s institutional sales injunction.
- Potential legal appeals by Ripple or the SEC that could prolong uncertainty.
- Updates on XRP-spot ETF applications and regulatory decisions.
- Escalations or resolutions in the Iran-Israel conflict and related geopolitical events.
- Market reactions to trade negotiations and central bank monetary policies.
These factors will collectively influence whether XRP or Bitcoin regain momentum and approach previous record highs.
About the Author
Bob Mason brings over 28 years of experience in the financial markets, having worked with global rating agencies and multinational banking institutions. He specializes in interpreting complex market developments and regulatory trends affecting cryptocurrencies and traditional assets.
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