Regulatory Momentum Builds for XRP as Senate Advances Crypto Framework

In a significant development for the cryptocurrency sector, the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee is taking decisive action to fill a regulatory void, advancing a draft bill for cryptocurrency market structure. This legislative push arrives as the Senate Banking Committee experiences delays in its own markup process, creating a pivotal moment for digital asset oversight. The move signals growing institutional recognition of the need for clear rules, which could catalyze broader adoption and stability for major assets like XRP. The proposed framework aims to define jurisdictional boundaries between the CFTC and SEC, potentially clarifying the classification of various digital tokens—a long-standing point of contention that has directly impacted XRP's regulatory standing and market performance. With a critical committee vote scheduled for next week, the trajectory of U.S. crypto regulation is at an inflection point. Industry heavyweight Coinbase is reportedly engaged in high-stakes negotiations, underscoring the practical implications of this legislation for exchanges and the assets they list. For XRP, a clear and supportive regulatory structure could remove a major overhang, enhance institutional confidence, and unlock its utility in cross-border payments and other financial applications. This legislative progress, occurring against a backdrop of increasing global competition in digital finance, represents a bullish catalyst for XRP's long-term valuation, as regulatory clarity is often the precursor to accelerated mainstream integration and investment.

Senate Ag Committee Advances Crypto Market Structure Bill as Banking Panel Delays

The Senate Agriculture Committee is poised to release its draft of cryptocurrency market structure legislation today, stepping into a regulatory vacuum left by the Banking Committee's delayed markup process. This MOVE comes ahead of a critical vote next week that could shape the trajectory of digital asset oversight in the United States.

Coinbase finds itself at the center of negotiations after its withdrawal of support contributed to the Banking Committee's stalled proceedings. The exchange now faces pressure to broker a compromise on yield provisions with banking leaders, even as Binance and Ripple executives publicly endorsed the bill during appearances at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has voiced substantive concerns about the legislation's potential impacts, warning it could ban tokenized securities, constrain DeFi innovation, and expand government surveillance of financial data. These objections highlight the delicate balance regulators must strike between consumer protection and technological progress in digital asset markets.

WEF Document Name-Drops Ripple’s XRP, What Does It Say?

A decade-old World Economic Forum report has resurfaced, highlighting Ripple and XRP's early potential in banking. The 2015 document suggests decentralized networks like Ripple could revolutionize interbank settlements by enabling faster, more direct transactions.

Analysts point to Ripple's protocol as a case study for transforming traditional banking infrastructure. The WEF noted that adopting such technologies allows institutions to streamline operations while exploring new financial products. Payment rails leveraging these networks may redefine how value moves globally.

Ripple CEO Predicts Crypto Market All-Time Highs in 2026 as XRP Gains Momentum

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse struck a bullish tone at the World Economic Forum in Davos, predicting cryptocurrency markets will reach new all-time highs this year. His Optimism stems from accelerating institutional adoption and regulatory clarity. "I'm very bullish," Garlinghouse told CNBC. "This is the moment to use crypto and blockchain technology to enable economic access for a more efficient global financial system."

XRP has emerged as a standout performer in January's rally, gaining over 20% amid growing institutional interest. Analysts suggest the token could test $5 if current momentum holds. Garlinghouse emphasized the significance of traditional finance players entering the space: "Major financial institutions showing interest in crypto represents a massive sea change—one that isn't fully priced into markets yet."

The comments come as Ripple continues to expand its cross-border payment solutions, with XRP serving as a bridge currency. Market observers note the token's recent breakout coincides with renewed speculation about a potential spot ETF approval for digital assets beyond Bitcoin.

XRP Derivatives Market Sees Surging Open Interest Amid Price Volatility

XRP's derivatives market is heating up as open interest jumps sharply despite the altcoin's recent price decline. Traders are flocking back to XRP futures and options, with Binance leading the surge in activity.

Open interest has climbed above its 30-day average to $566 million, signaling renewed speculative interest. The spike coincides with XRP's highest volatility levels since November 2025, suggesting the market may be positioning for a significant move.

While XRP's price has fallen below key support at $1.80 after trading above $2, derivatives traders appear undeterred. The divergence between spot price action and derivatives activity highlights growing institutional interest in XRP's potential rebound.

DXC and Ripple Forge Institutional Crypto Custody Framework

DXC Technology has allied with Ripple to create institutional-grade solutions for crypto asset custody and payments. The partnership leverages DXC's Hogan Core banking platform and Ripple's digital asset technology, targeting seamless integration for traditional financial institutions.

Ripple will provide custody infrastructure to Hogan users, enabling banks to securely hold and transact digital assets. Sandeep Bhanote of DXC emphasized the initiative bridges legacy finance with blockchain—signaling growing institutional demand for regulated crypto access.