XRP News Today: ETF Delays and Ripple Appeals Keep Traders on Edge
Published: May 25, 2025
By: Bob Mason
XRP traders are on high alert as developments in the ongoing legal battle between Ripple and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) unfold. Recent fluctuations in XRP’s price reflect a market grappling with uncertain regulatory landscapes, particularly concerning the approval of spot Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) and Ripple’s ongoing legal appeals.
Key Price Movements
On Saturday, May 24, XRP experienced a 1.44% uptick, closing at $2.3294 after a more significant drop of 5.57% the previous day. This recovery comes after a ruling by Judge Torres earlier in May that denied the SEC’s request to modify the existing injunction against XRP sales to institutional investors and to reduce a hefty $125 million penalty. Following this ruling, XRP plummeted from a high of $2.6507 to a low of $2.2839, eliciting concern among investors about the future of the cryptocurrency.
Legal Landscape
The SEC vs. Ripple case remains at the forefront of investor concerns. Traders are now eagerly anticipating a refiling of requests regarding settlement terms, following the SEC’s silence since Judge Torres’ ruling. Speculation is rife regarding the SEC’s potential strategy for appeal. According to pro-crypto legal experts, the SEC faces a significantly challenging path if it attempts to reduce penalties or lift the injunction against XRP sales.
Legal analysts, including former SEC attorney Marc Fagel, have pointed out the substantive flaws in the SEC’s approach, stating that the bar for overturning the ruling is higher than previously asserted. Fellow pro-crypto attorney Bill Morgan echoed Fagel’s sentiments, emphasizing that any new filing would not materialize quickly due to the complex legal hurdles involved.
ETF Prospects and Market Sentiment
Investor optimism has been buoyed by improved odds regarding the approval of an XRP-spot ETF. According to predictions from Polymarket, the likelihood of the SEC approving such an ETF by December 2025 is estimated at 83%, a slight increase from 80% recorded earlier this month. The SEC’s recent delays in reviewing several ETF applications, including those from Bitwise Invest and CoinShares, has been largely expected, with analysts forecasting final approvals to emerge around October of this year.
Bloomberg Intelligence ETF Analyst James Seyffart remarked on the anticipated timeline, asserting that immediate approvals should not be expected until late June or early July at the very earliest. The expectation is that if XRP-spot ETFs receive approval, it could significantly boost institutional demand and push XRP’s price higher. Historical trends suggest that the launch of Bitcoin (BTC) spot ETFs has led to substantial price increases, hinting at similar potential for XRP.
Price Outlook
The near-term trajectory of XRP’s price is closely linked to developments in the SEC case and ongoing advancements in the ETF approval process. Experts suggest that if the SEC drops its appeal, XRP could soar towards its previous all-time high of $3.5505. Optimistically, ETF approval could potentially drive prices upward even further, possibly reaching $5. Conversely, if the courts reject the SEC’s settlement request, XRP might see a decline, potentially retracing to $1.50. Despite the recent downturn, XRP remains above both the 50-day and 200-day Exponential Moving Averages (EMA), indicating some underlying bullish momentum. Analysts suggest a level of $2.4784 as a critical resistance point; a breakthrough there could lead the token towards $2.5 and challenge recent highs.
Broader Market Implications
XRP’s market performance continues to be highly sensitive to legal outcomes and macroeconomic conditions. Legal clarity surrounding regulation and Ripple’s future strategy will be essential for maintaining positive momentum. Market participants should remain vigilant as developments unfold, with significant implications on both XRP’s valuation and the broader cryptocurrency landscape.
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