The cryptocurrency world just witnessed a major turning point. On March 19, 2025, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) officially dropped its appeal against Ripple Labs, ending a years-long legal battle that had cast a shadow over XRP. The news sent XRP soaring past $2.50, marking a 14.3% gain in just 24 hours. Investors are now asking: What’s next? Could an XRP ETF be on the horizon? Will the price push past $3?
Ripple’s Legal Battle Ends – What Does It Mean?
For more than four years, Ripple fought the SEC over allegations that it conducted an unregistered securities offering worth $1.3 billion through XRP sales. This lawsuit had held XRP back while other cryptocurrencies surged. But now, with the case officially closed, a massive weight has been lifted off XRP’s shoulders.
Brad Garlinghouse, Ripple’s CEO, wasted no time in celebrating the victory. In a post on X, he called it a “resounding win for Ripple, for crypto, every way you look at it.” And it’s not just Ripple that benefits. The case had been seen as a battle for the entire crypto industry, a test of how regulators would treat digital assets. With this legal uncertainty gone, investors have renewed confidence in XRP’s future.
XRP Price Surge: Can It Hit $3?
Within hours of the announcement, XRP’s price shot up, hitting an intraday high of $2.57 before settling around $2.31. But the momentum isn’t slowing down. Technical analysis shows key resistance levels at $2.51, $2.60, $2.80, and the all-important $3.40 mark. If XRP breaks through $3, it would be a level not seen since the legendary 2017 bull run.
Traders and analysts are watching closely. Before this rally, XRP had been struggling to hold support at $2.00. Now, with fresh bullish momentum, a run toward $3 seems increasingly possible. But will it get there?
XRP ETF: Closer Than Ever?
With the legal battle behind it, speculation about an XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF) is heating up. On betting platform Polymarket, the odds of an XRP ETF approval jumped from 77% to 79% immediately after the SEC’s announcement. Several financial institutions have already filed applications, and the SEC has until mid-October to decide.
Institutional investors are ready to pounce if the green light comes. Estimates suggest that an XRP ETF could see inflows of up to $800 million in its first week alone. Some experts, including analysts at JPMorgan, predict that figure could grow to $8 billion within a year. If approved, an XRP ETF could drive massive demand and push prices even higher.
Wild Price Predictions: $10, $100, or Even $280?
Crypto analysts have been quick to revise their XRP price predictions. Some see a gradual rise, while others are making bold calls.
- Dark Defender, a well-known analyst, believes XRP could skyrocket to $280, citing patterns similar to XRP’s 2017 cycle.
- Brad Garlinghouse, Ripple’s CEO, has a more conservative target of $10, pointing to regulatory clarity and XRP’s use in cross-border payments.
- Shannon Thorp, a former Citi specialist, has an even bigger vision: $100 to $500 in the long term.
- Thomas Kralow, a hedge fund manager, expects a medium-term target of $8 to $10, driven by increasing adoption.
These predictions may seem extreme, but with past cycles as a guide, XRP has been known to surprise.
A Rough Road Before the Rally
Just weeks ago, XRP wasn’t looking so strong. In early March 2025, the crypto faced selling pressure, whale sell-offs, and declining network activity. On February 3, Ripple’s scheduled 1 billion XRP unlock triggered a steep drop, wiping out 24.6% of XRP’s value in a single day. Futures markets saw over $22 million in liquidations as traders got caught on the wrong side of the move.
But XRP held firm at $2.00, forming a bullish hammer pattern on February 28. That technical signal, combined with the SEC news, set the stage for the current rally. Now, the question is: can XRP sustain the momentum?
What’s Next for XRP?
With the SEC lawsuit officially in the rearview, the future looks brighter than it has in years. But XRP still faces big tests.
- Can it break $3? Technical resistance levels will play a key role.
- Will an XRP ETF be approved? Betting markets suggest it’s likely.
- How will institutional investors respond? With regulatory clarity, more big players could jump in.
No one knows for sure what comes next, but one thing is clear—XRP is back in the spotlight. And for investors, the ride is just beginning.
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