Ripple’s XRP is the native token of the XRP Ledger (XRPL) – a blockchain launched in 2012 to facilitate fast, low-cost payments and cross-border transfers. Unlike Bitcoin’s proof-of-work or Ethereum’s energy-intensive proof-of-work (now proof-of-stake) systems, XRPL uses a consensus protocol that supports roughly 1,500 transactions per second and settles in seconds. The total supply is capped at 100 billion XRP, with about 59 billion tokens in circulation and the remainder locked in escrow to release gradually [8].
After years of uncertainty from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) lawsuit, XRP regained institutional interest in 2024–2025. The July 2023 ruling found that programmatic sales on public exchanges are not securities but institutional sales were unregistered offerings [9]. Both Ripple and the SEC dropped their appeals on 7 August 2025, leaving the 2023 ruling intact and requiring Ripple to pay a US$125 million penalty [10]. This settlement provided rare regulatory clarity for a major cryptocurrency and reopened U.S. exchange listings, clearing the way for potential spot XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
On 5 October 2025 XRP traded just above the US$3 threshold. Investing.com’s historical price table shows that the token opened at US$2.9690, climbed as high as US$3.0698, hit a low of US$2.9564 and closed at US$3.0276. Trading volume was around 293 million XRP, and the daily change was +1.98 %.
YCharts provides another view, listing XRP price at US$2.97 on 5 Oct 2025 with a 2.36 % day-over-day decline but a remarkable 455 % increase compared with the same date in 2024. The difference between data providers stems from pricing feeds (YCharts uses closing prices from banks and exchanges, whereas Investing.com may use 24-hour closing times), yet both confirm a sharp appreciation from the prior year.
Investing.com’s technical analysis gauge on 5 Oct 2025 rated XRP a “Strong Buy.” The breakdown of key indicators shows:
These indicators collectively suggest that although XRP was not overbought, it was trending upwards with significant volatility. The mid-level RSI and positive MACD indicate the rally could extend, but the high ATR warns traders of large price swings.
Market analysts highlighted the following levels around 5 Oct 2025:
The conclusion of the SEC lawsuit in August 2025 is arguably the most significant driver of XRP’s resurgence. By dismissing their appeals, the SEC and Ripple effectively made Judge Torres’s 2023 summary judgment final, affirming that XRP is not a security when sold on public exchanges [11]. Ripple agreed to pay a US$125 million penalty and received a “bad actor” disqualification waiver, allowing it to continue raising capital. Legal analysts described the settlement as a “complete capitulation” by the SEC and a turning point for crypto regulation.
This clarity reopened U.S. markets and paved the way for spot XRP ETF applications. By early October 2025, seven issuers – including Grayscale, Fidelity, Franklin Templeton and BlackRock – had filed for XRP ETFs, with decisions expected between 18 October and 25 October 2025 [12]. Bloomberg Intelligence estimated a 95 % probability of approval, projecting US$5–8 billion in inflows due to the scarcity of XRP on exchanges [13].
Ripple addressed concerns about XRP’s volatility by launching Ripple USD (RLUSD), a dollar-pegged stablecoin in December 2024. The Motley Fool (via Nasdaq) noted that RLUSD allows clients to conduct cross-border transactions without exposure to XRP’s price swings; transaction fees are still paid in XRP, potentially increasing demand [14]. On 3 October 2025 Ripple minted 1.8 million RLUSD on the XRPL, boosting its market cap to about US$789 million and causing trading volume to surge 75 % [15].
RLUSD is expanding globally:
Japanese financial giant SBI Holdings deepened its partnership with Ripple by launching an institutional XRP lending service. On 2–3 Oct 2025, CoinDesk reported that XRP climbed from US$2.98 to US$3.03 after SBI announced the service and seven ETF applications were under SEC review [20]. The service allows institutions to borrow XRP through structured lending programs, signaling growing use by banks and corporations.
Separately, SBI Ripple Asia teamed with travel agency Tobu Top Tours to build a blockchain payment platform for tourism. The platform will use XRP Ledger-based tokens for lodging, dining and shopping, with NFTs serving as digital souvenirs and membership passes; launch is planned for early 2026 [21]. Regional tokens will be tied to specific destinations to encourage local spending and could be repurposed for disaster relief [22].
In August 2025 Ripple announced it would acquire Rail, a global stablecoin payments platform, for US$200 million. Rail processes about 10 % of global stablecoin transaction flow, and Ripple’s president Monica Long said the deal will integrate Rail’s virtual accounts and automated back-office services to deliver a comprehensive payments solution [23]. The acquisition is expected to close in Q4 2025.
Market sentiment is broadly positive but cautious. On-chain data shows whales accumulating XRP around US$3, reflecting confidence in a continued uptrend. Analysts from CoinCentral noted that Bitcoin’s record highs in late September provided a tailwind and that a strong correlation exists between BTC and XRP prices.
Standard Chartered Bank projects XRP to reach US$5.50 in 2025, US$8.00 in 2026 and US$12.50 in 2028, expecting the token to surpass Ethereum in market capitalization if regulatory clarity and ETFs drive adoption [24]. The bank estimates that spot ETF approval could generate US$4–8 billion in inflows, while listing infrastructure like RLUSD and cross-border settlement will increase utility [25].
Bloomberg Intelligence (via AInvest) assigns a 95 % probability of ETF approval and expects price targets of US$3–5 in a baseline scenario. Its bullish case sees US$4.50–6.19, whereas a conservative scenario warns that delays could cap prices near US$2.50 [26].
The Motley Fool/Nasdaq article adds that U.S. regulators under a new administration reversed previous anti-crypto policies in 2025, rescinding an accounting rule (SAB 121) and indicating a more favourable stance toward crypto ETFs, which could further boost demand [27].
The table reveals that XRP’s price is a tiny fraction of Bitcoin and Ethereum, yet its year-over-year growth outpaced both. Bitcoin and Ethereum continue to act as benchmarks for the crypto market, but XRP’s regulatory clarity and strong institutional narrative give it a unique risk–reward profile.
XRP’s price history has been volatile. After peaking near US$3.84 in January 2018, it fell below US$0.20 during the bear market. The SEC’s lawsuit in December 2020 caused major U.S. exchanges to delist XRP, pushing it below US$0.30 by 2021. The July 2023 ruling sparked a relief rally above US$0.80, but uncertainty persisted until the August 2025 settlement [34].
From late 2024 to October 2025, XRP staged a dramatic recovery. YCharts shows the price climbing from around US$0.54 in late 2024 to US$2.97 on 5 Oct 2025 – a more than 450 % gain. Contributing factors included positive court rulings, expectations of ETFs, the rollout of RLUSD and major partnerships. Nonetheless, the asset experienced sharp corrections, dropping more than 20 % twice during 2025 [35], underscoring its speculative nature.
The XRP saga underscores the tension between innovation and regulation. Key milestones include:
With regulatory overhang lifted and new products launching, XRP faces a pivotal moment:
As of 5 October 2025, XRP stands at a crossroads. The token’s 3-dollar price marks a dramatic recovery from the depths of the SEC lawsuit, and legal clarity, prospective ETFs, and new products like RLUSD provide strong tailwinds. Technical indicators support a bullish bias with significant volatility, while market comparisons highlight XRP’s outsized one-year gains relative to Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Yet risks remain. Approval of ETFs is not guaranteed, regulatory shifts could still occur, and the token’s past shows that rallies are prone to steep corrections. Institutional partnerships and stablecoin infrastructure may sustain long-term demand, but investors should prepare for price swings and monitor key support/resistance levels. Whether XRP breaks US$4 by year-end or consolidates depends on upcoming regulatory decisions, market sentiment and broader macroeconomic trends.
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