XRP Rockets 30% as ETF Hype Fuels Crypto Frenzy—Are TradFi Players Finally Waking Up?

XRP just pulled off its biggest single-day rally since 2023, with traders piling in as whispers of a spot ETF gain traction. The sixth-largest cryptocurrency by market cap surged past key resistance levels, leaving skeptics scrambling.

Why the sudden frenzy? Institutional money might finally be ready to play. BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF success has Wall Street eyeing other crypto assets—and XRP's regulatory clarity makes it a prime candidate. 'This is classic FOMO meets liquidity,' says a hedge fund trader who requested anonymity. 'The same guys who called it a 'dead coin' last year are now front-running the ETF rumor mill.'

But here's the twist: while XRP's tech solves real cross-border payment headaches, an ETF would mainly benefit speculators. The token's utility could become collateral damage in another derivatives gold rush—because when has finance ever prioritized substance over hype?

In the past 12 hours, the cryptocurrency market has gained momentum once again, with XRP standing out as a significant winner. According to data from CoinGecko, XRP recorded the highest increase among the top 15 altcoins, rising by over 7% and nearing $2.50 in the early hours. This sudden surge is attributed to political developments in the U.S. and activity in the ETF sector. U.S. President Donald Trump’s promise of a $2,000 dividend distribution to citizens and the announcement that the government could soon reopen has refreshed investor confidence.

ETF Approval Expectations Bolster XRP

Moreover, major companies such as Bitwise, Franklin Templeton, 21Shares, Canary Capital, and CoinShares have updated their XRP ETF applications, creating new expectations in the markets. The inclusion of these applications in the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) lists has strengthened opinions that the ETF approval process could accelerate. According to some experts, if the government shutdown ends, these applications could be approved within a few days.

Technical Analysts Predict New Peaks for XRP

Crypto analyst CW stated that XRP has reached a “turning point” and “recovered from the bottom.” According to the analysis, the asset could enter a strong bullish trend and advance to a new all-time high in the “Phase 4” stage. Another analyst, CRYPTOWZRD, noted a slight bullish closure in the XRP/BTC pair and suggested that a decline in Bitcoin$104,726‘s market dominance could create momentum in favor of XRP.

On the other hand, Glassnode data from previous days indicated that long-term XRP holders had been leaning towards profit-taking recently. However, the price movement over the last 24 hours has shown that this selling pressure has diminished and market sentiment has turned positive again.

Additionally, XRP’s rise has not been solitary. During the same period, other major altcoins like Solana$164 (SOL) and Cardano$0.577511 (ADA) also recorded increases between 4% and 6%. Particularly Solana, with increased trading volume and interest from institutional investors, has been one of the best-performing assets on a weekly basis. Analysts emphasize that this overall recovery is linked not only to ETF expectations but also to improvements in investor psychology.

XRP’s recent surge paints an optimistic picture from both technical indicators and macro developments. Should ETF applications be approved, XRP is seen as likely to enter a new bull cycle. However, volatility is expected to continue in the short term, and investors are advised to remain cautious. The long-awaited “ETF effect” in the crypto market may undergo a true test this time with XRP.