XRP Shatters Records: Hits $3.65 All-Time High After 7-Year Wait Amid Regulatory Breakthrough
- Why Did XRP Finally Break Its 7-Year Price Ceiling?
- The Genius Act: How Washington Just Rewrote Crypto’s Rulebook
- Beyond the Price: XRP’s New Institutional Footprint
- Frequently Asked Questions
July 18, 2025, marked a watershed moment for XRP and the crypto industry. After years of legal battles and stagnation, XRP surged to a historic $3.65, eclipsing its 2018 peak. This 70% monthly rally was turbocharged by the signing of the Genius Act—a landmark U.S. crypto regulation bill—with Ripple’s leadership hailing it as a turning point. Derivatives markets exploded with $10B in open interest, while Trump’s policy shift signaled a new era of institutional adoption. Here’s why this isn’t just a price spike but a fundamental reevaluation of XRP’s role in finance.
Why Did XRP Finally Break Its 7-Year Price Ceiling?
XRP’s journey to $3.65 wasn’t just another pump—it was a cathartic release after 2,555 days of sideways action. The token gained 16% in 24 hours on July 18, with two consecutive 5% hourly candles (per TradingView data) smashing through resistance levels untouched since January 2018. CryptoRank confirms this wasn’t isolated: a 70% monthly surge preceded the breakout, fueled by:
- Derivatives frenzy: Open interest hit $10B—proof institutions are playing this rally differently than 2018’s retail-driven mania.
- Volume spike: Intraday volatility tripled as trading floors from BTCC to Binance saw XRP pairs dominate activity.
- Sentiment shift: Social media buzz shifted from “SEC lawsuit” to “regulatory clarity” overnight.
What’s wild? The correction to $3.44 barely dented momentum. This isn’t 2018’s “buy the rumor, sell the news” pattern—it’s accumulation.
The Genius Act: How Washington Just Rewrote Crypto’s Rulebook
Timing is everything. XRP’s peak coincided with President TRUMP signing the Genius Act—a regulatory framework specifically addressing stablecoins (a $250B market) and broader crypto oversight. Ripple’s Brad Garlinghouse called it “historic” despite missing the White House ceremony, while General Counsel Stuart Alderoty tweeted live from the event.
Key implications:
| Before Genius Act | After Genius Act |
|---|---|
| SEC enforcement via lawsuits | Clear stablecoin issuance rules |
| Exchanges operating in gray areas | Licensing pathways for compliant firms |
| U.S. lagging Dubai/Singapore | First-maker advantage in regulation |
For XRP holders, the real win wasn’t the price—it was Ripple beingto the table instead of fighting it in court.
Beyond the Price: XRP’s New Institutional Footprint
Remember when XRP was just a “bank coin”? The derivatives data tells a new story:
- Futures volume: Up 320% month-over-month (CoinGlass)
- Options activity: July $4 calls traded at 5x normal volume
- OTC flows: Whale wallets accumulated 120M XRP during consolidation
This isn’t just speculation—it’s hedging and arbitrage activity typical of maturing assets. As one BTCC analyst noted: “XRP’s correlation with BTC dropped to 0.2 last week. Institutions are treating it as a regulatory play, not just crypto beta.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused XRP’s sudden price surge?
The convergence of technical breakout patterns (after 7 years of accumulation) with the Genius Act’s passage created perfect bullish alignment. Traders anticipated regulatory relief for Ripple’s ongoing SEC case.
How does the Genius Act specifically help XRP?
While focused on stablecoins, the Act establishes precedent for classifying non-security digital assets—a critical win for XRP’s legal standing. It also enables banking partnerships Ripple’s been pursuing since 2020.
Is this rally sustainable or a bubble?
This article does not constitute investment advice. However, key metrics like derivatives depth and institutional participation suggest stronger fundamentals than 2018’s retail-driven peak.
