XRP Valuation Debate: Overvalued Yet Not Worthless, Says Arca CIO
In a recent episode of the Empire podcast, Jeff Dorman, Chief Investment Officer (CIO) of Arca, delved into the complexities of cryptocurrency valuation, particularly focusing on XRP. Dorman highlighted three critical lenses for assessing crypto assets: financial value, utility value, and social value. According to him, the most successful projects seamlessly integrate all three elements. However, even standalone utility or financial merit can confer significant worth. On the other hand, projects relying solely on social value—driven by community hype without underlying economic substance—are deemed precarious unless they can monetize their appeal. XRP, in particular, was scrutinized as ’insanely overvalued’ yet not entirely ’worthless,’ sparking a nuanced debate about its long-term viability. This analysis comes at a time when the crypto market continues to evolve, with investors increasingly prioritizing fundamentals over speculation. As of May 2025, the discussion around XRP’s valuation remains a hot topic, reflecting broader trends in the digital asset space.
Expert Says XRP is ‘Insanely Overvalued’ But Not ‘Worthless’
Jeff Dorman, CIO of Arca, dissected crypto asset valuation in a recent Empire podcast episode, framing value through three lenses: financial, utility, and social. Projects excel when combining all three, though standalone utility or financial merit still confers worth. Pure social value—community hype without economic substance—remains precarious unless monetized.
XRP drew specific scrutiny as "insanely overvalued" yet not devoid of merit. Dorman’s framework suggests speculative assets like XRP may retain partial legitimacy through hybrid utility-social value, even absent robust cash flows. The analysis underscores crypto’s evolving maturity beyond meme-driven pricing.
XRP Set For Surge To $5 As CEO Expects ETF Approval Very Soon – Rival To Skyrocket 5000%
Ripple’s XRP remains stagnant, trading between $2.14 and $2.20 with subdued volume ranging from $1.2 billion to $4.9 billion over the past fortnight. On-chain activity has dwindled, with daily active addresses now a fraction of March’s peak, according to Santiment.
Despite the lull, Optimism persists among analysts and investors. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse highlights expanding institutional partnerships as a key driver for XRP’s utility. The prospect of an XRP ETF, potentially approved by December 2025, looms as a significant catalyst for price movement beyond $5.
Ripple Unleashes Major Moves in Q1 2025—What’s Driving the Surge?
Ripple’s landmark acquisition of Hidden Road for $1.25 billion marks its largest deal to date, signaling aggressive expansion into institutional markets. The purchase enables Ripple USD to serve as collateral across Hidden Road’s investment products while integrating the XRP Ledger for post-trade efficiency gains.
CEO Brad Garlinghouse underscored the company’s momentum, citing resolved regulatory hurdles and advancing XRP-based solutions. The quarter saw surging institutional demand alongside strategic business and technological milestones.
IntoTheBlock and Trident Merge to Form Sentora, Securing $25M for Institutional DeFi Gateway
Decentralized finance firms IntoTheBlock and Trident Digital have merged to create Sentora, a new entity focused on bridging institutional investors with onchain opportunities. The combined venture has raised $25 million in a funding round led by New Form Capital, with participation from Ripple, Tribe Capital, UDHC, and Joint Effects.
Anthony DeMartino, former Coinbase risk strategist and Trident co-founder, will helm Sentora. The merger reflects DeFi’s evolution from its speculative roots toward a structured financial ecosystem catering to sophisticated players. Strategic backers include Curved Ventures, Flare, and Bankai Ventures—signaling growing institutional confidence in blockchain-based finance.
