XRP Eyes $3.60 Amid ETF Approval Speculation
The cryptocurrency market is abuzz with speculations surrounding XRP’s potential price rally as Bloomberg analysts project a 95% likelihood of an XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF) approval in the United States. With the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) expected to provide a decision by October, institutional interest and market optimism are playing a central role in XRP’s performance.
What’s Driving XRP’s Momentum?
XRP’s recent price activity saw rejection at $3.04 after hitting its highest point in nearly two weeks. Market excitement is fueled by two major drivers: prospects of an XRP-focused ETF and a 74% surge in institutional participation in XRP futures contracts across the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME).
At the end of this 30-day rally, XRP’s outstanding futures reflected a cumulative value of 386 million tokens, signaling increased interest from professional traders and fund managers. However, despite the uptick in demand for XRP futures (up by 5% monthly to $7.91 billion), the crypto asset’s broader performance lags behind its altcoin competitors like Solana (SOL) and Cardano (ADA).
Challenges in Fortifying XRPL Adoption
While Ripple’s XRP Ledger (XRPL) plays an essential role in supporting stablecoin growth, it holds only 2% of Real World Assets (RWAs), raising concerns about its scalability when compared to rivals like Avalanche and Stellar. Ripple has faced difficulties achieving deeper adoption despite Ripple’s stablecoin RLUSD surpassing $700 million in total assets. Surprisingly, 90% of RLUSD issuance occurs on the Ethereum network, providing little demand for XRPL itself.
Moreover, XRP has underperformed compared to the broader altcoin market cap, which saw a 14% advance between August and September, further emphasizing the need for stronger XRPL-backed initiatives. Still, there is speculation that XRPL could evolve to replace traditional payment systems like SWIFT and expand its role in tokenization.
Can XRP Sustain Long-Term Growth?
While there’s a strong likelihood of XRP recovering its $3.60 price level last seen in July, sustaining that rally depends heavily on the asset’s ability to attract institutional demand combined with technological advancements within XRPL.
For investors and enthusiasts, it might be worth monitoring ETF developments and the stablecoin ecosystem’s progress. A promising option for those exploring cryptocurrency-backed financial tools is Grayscale XRP Trust, which offers diversified exposure to XRP markets for institutional and individual investors alike.
Please note that while this article highlights potential pricing paths, all investment decisions should be evaluated based on individual priorities and risk tolerance.