SEC’s Thursday Decision Could Turbocharge XRP—Ripple ETF Approval Now in Play

Regulators blink, markets pivot: The SEC’s looming move on XRP this week cracks open the door for the first Ripple-backed ETF—and a potential price explosion.

Wall Street’s usual ’wait-and-see’ just got a crypto-shaped boot in the rear. While traditional finance debates risk management, XRP traders are already front-running the announcement.

Funny how a single regulatory nod can turn ’too risky’ into ’must-have exposure’ overnight. The irony? This ETF would legitimize the very asset the SEC spent years trying to kill.

Ripple Consolidates After Massive 2024 Run-Up

Following a parabolic move from $0.50 in November 2024 to an all-time high above $3.40 by mid-January 2025, XRP has spent much of early 2025 consolidating. This surge—amounting to a 780% gain—was largely driven by Ripple’s courtroom victory against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which cleared a major cloud of uncertainty around the asset.

Since then, however, XRP’s momentum has slowed, in line with broader risk-off sentiment that gripped global markets in Q1 2025. The pullback saw XRP dip below $1.65 in early April, before finding support and gradually climbing back above $2.

Whale Activity and ETF Buzz Stir Optimism

As May unfolds, XRP buyers are starting to return. Speculation surrounding a possible U.S.-based XRP spot ETF is adding fuel to investor sentiment, especially after Brazil approved one in April. A potential catalyst is the SEC’s private meeting on May 8, where a decision to drop its appeal of Judge Analisa Torres’ 2023 ruling could clear the path for an ETF approval.

The SEC has already extended the review window for Franklin Templeton’s XRP ETF application by 45 days, a move that aligns with a key litigation update deadline. While some short-term enthusiasm has cooled due to regulatory delays, hopes for an eventual ETF approval remain high.

Support Levels Hold Firm, But Bullish Momentum Is Slow

Despite enthusiasm, XRP continues to face strong resistance NEAR the $2.50 mark, and any move above that will be critical for a renewed rally. Still, bullish technical indicators and renewed interest from large investors (“whales”) suggest that the correction may be over.

Ripple Chart Weekly – The 20 SMA Holding As Support

A sustained push above $2.50 could see XRP testing the $3 region again, with long-term projections still pointing toward $10 by the end of 2025 if ETF approval and favorable legal outcomes materialize.

Ripple Expands Globally, Secures Middle East Foothold

Adding to the positive momentum, Ripple became the first blockchain firm licensed by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) as of May 1. The license allows Ripple to operate fully in the United Arab Emirates, a country responsible for $40 billion in remittance flows and over $400 billion in annual trade. Since establishing a regional office in Dubai in 2020, Ripple’s Middle East customer base now accounts for 20% of its global clientele, underscoring the Gulf’s growing importance as a blockchain hub.

Conclusion: Can a Ripple ETF Open the Door for XRP to Reach $10 by End of 2025?

While regulatory uncertainty in the U.S. remains a key overhang, Ripple’s expanding global presence, strong technical positioning, and the prospect of an XRP spot ETF continue to generate significant interest. Should legal and regulatory hurdles clear in the coming weeks, XRP may not only reclaim the $3 level but also embark on its much-anticipated path toward $10.