XRP, the native cryptocurrency of the Ripple network, is capturing market attention as its price surges, hitting a monthly high of $2.36 today (Monday), April 28, 2025. With a 5% daily gain and a 46% increase over the past three weeks, XRP is riding a wave of bullish momentum.

What’s behind this rally? From the approval of XRP futures ETFs to whale accumulation and technical breakouts, multiple factors are driving XRP’s price upward. This article dives into the key reasons for XRP’s rise, blending recent market developments, expert insights, XRP price prediction for 2025 and technical analysis.

XRP Price Rises 5% Today

During today’s trading session, XRP tested the $2.36 level. It is currently trading at $2.31, up 2.7%, still near its monthly highs. The support zone around $1.80—February and April lows—provided a strong rebound, and the return above the 50-day EMA suggests XRP has significant room for further gains.

“The Ripple ecosystem seems to go from strength to strength notably with the acquisition of Hidden Road against the backdrop of US centric coins. As we have stated several times this year, the growth of XRP reflects this and I expect this continues especially as payments and settlements become a more important use case for cryptocurrencies,” Paul Howard, the Senior Director at Wincent, commented.

According to CoinMarketCap, XRP’s market capitalization has increased by 6% to $135 billion, with daily trading volume surging 170% to over $5.3 billion. Why is XRP experiencing such dynamic market activity?

Why Is XRP Going Up Today? Key Drivers of XRP’s Price Surge

Several fundamental and technical factors are fueling XRP’s recent gains. Here’s a breakdown of the primary catalysts:

• XRP Futures ETFs Approval: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has greenlit three XRP futures exchange-traded funds (ETFs) by ProShares, set to launch on April 30, 2025. These funds, as reported by CoinDesk, include the ProShares Ultra XRP ETF (2x leverage), Short XRP ETF, and Ultra Short XRP ETF (-2x leverage ), offering investors indirect exposure to XRP’s price movements.
• Whale Accumulation: Large holders, or “whales,” are actively accumulating XRP, even during recent price corrections, signaling long-term confidence.
• Technical Breakout: XRP has broken out of a bullish falling wedge pattern, with analysts projecting a potential 55% rally to $3.63.
• Regulatory Clarity: The resolution of Ripple’s SEC lawsuit in March 2025 has removed significant uncertainty, boosting investor sentiment.
• Institutional Interest: Strategic moves by Ripple and growing institutional adoption are enhancing XRP’s utility in global finance.

XRP Futures ETFs Ignite Market Optimism

The anticipation of ProShares’ XRP futures ETFs has been a major driver of XRP’s price increase. These ETFs, approved by the SEC, will track XRP-based futures and launch on April 30, 2025. This follows the success of Teucrium’s 2x XRP ETF, which saw over $5 million in trading volume on its debut earlier this month. The CME Group’s addition of XRP futures to its U.S. derivatives exchange, starting next month alongside Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana, further signals growing institutional interest.

However, market analyst John Squire, tempers expectations, stating, “The real catalyst will come when a Spot XRP ETF gets approved.” Spot XRP ETF applications, including Grayscale’s with a critical May 22, 2025, deadline, are still under SEC review.

“The ETF announcements for XRP are widely accepted as a way for Institutional and retail to get exposure. Wincent's role as a liquidity provider through our OTC trading and market making means we are able to provide spot at very competitive rates to those XRP ETF institutions that can in turn pass on the low cost of access to the early ETF adopters. I expect we will see spot demand for XRP once these additional ETFs launch and help to bring more balance to BTC heavy portfolios given the differing use case of the two assets,” Howard added.

The resolution of Ripple’s legal battle with the SEC in March 2025, which ended with a reduced $50 million fine, has cleared regulatory hurdles, paving the way for these ETF developments.

Table: Upcoming XRP Futures ETFs by ProShares

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Whale Accumulation Signals Strong Confidence

XRP’s price is also supported by significant whale activity. According to Glassnode data cited by Cointelegraph, the number of XRP addresses holding at least 10,000 tokens has risen steadily, even during a 30% correction from January’s high of $3.40.

Santiment data reinforces this trend, showing that addresses holding 10 million to 100 million XRP have increased since April 1, 2025, with accounts holding over 1 billion XRP now controlling 39.4% of the total supply, up from 37.7% in late March.

This accumulation suggests:

• Reduced Selling Pressure: Whales are holding rather than selling, stabilizing the market.
• Long-Term Optimism: Large investors view XRP’s current price as an attractive entry point.
• Market Resilience: Even during pullbacks, whale buying provides a strong price floor.

Declining XRP balances on exchanges further indicate that selling pressure is limited, creating a solid foundation for continued price growth.

XRP Price Technical Analysis: Bullish Momentum

From a technical perspective, XRP’s chart is showing strong bullish signals. According to my technical analysis, we see a falling wedge breakout, with XRP moving above the pattern’s upper trendline on rising trading volumes. The price holding above the 50-day exponential moving average (EMA) supports a potential target of $3.63, a 55% gain from current levels.

XRP Technical Indicators Snapshot

• Current Price: $2.36 (as of April 28, 2025)
• Key Support: $1.90, $1.55
• Key Resistance: $3.63 (falling wedge target)
• 50-Day EMA: Acting as dynamic support
• RSI: Neutral, indicating room for further upside

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Ripple’s Regulatory Clarity and Strategic Moves

The conclusion of Ripple’s SEC lawsuit in March 2025, with a reduced $50 million fine, has been a pivotal moment for XRP. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse described it as a “resounding victory” in an X post, signaling a new era for the company. This regulatory clarity has boosted investor confidence and facilitated ETF approvals.

Ripple’s strategic initiatives are also enhancing XRP’s appeal:

• Partnership Rumors: X posts mention potential collaborations, such as SWIFT integrating XRP for cross-border payments or the Federal Reserve exploring Ripple’s network for U.S. banks.
• Hidden Road Acquisition: Ripple’s acquisition of Hidden Road, a prime broker handling $3 trillion annually, and plans to migrate post-trade operations to the XRP Ledger, underscore its growing role in global finance.

XRP Price Predictions from Experts and Analysts

Analysts and influencers are optimistic about XRP’s future, driven by ETF developments, regulatory clarity, and technical strength. Below are notable predictions from credible sources, excluding automated forecast platforms:

• John Squire, Market Analyst: Squire projects XRP could reach $3.63 in the near term, driven by the falling wedge breakout and potential spot ETF approval.
• EGRAG, Crypto Analyst: In an X post, EGRAG forecasts XRP hitting $27 by 2026, citing a 600–1,000% rally post-ETF approval, similar to Bitcoin’s ETF-driven surge.
• Sistine Research: This investment community predicts XRP could reach $33–$50 by 2030, with a cup-and-handle pattern potentially pushing it to $77–$100.
• Armando Pantoja, Community Pundit: Pantoja argues XRP should already be above $100, given its potential in cross-border payments.
• Duefe, Market Analyst: Duefe suggests holding 1,000 XRP until 2029, predicting $500 per token post the 2028 Bitcoin halving.

Table: XRP Price Predictions (2025–2030)

Moreover, Standard Chartered predicts XRP will hit $8.00 by 2026, continuing its rise into 2027 and 2028.

XRP News FAQ: Common Questions About XRP’s Price Surge

Why is XRP increasing?

XRP’s price is rising due to the SEC’s approval of ProShares’ XRP futures ETFs, set to launch on April 30, 2025, whale accumulation, a technical falling wedge breakout, and regulatory clarity following Ripple’s resolved SEC lawsuit. Institutional interest, including CME Group’s XRP futures and Ripple’s strategic partnerships, also contributes.

Will XRP reach $5?

Reaching $5 is plausible in the near term, especially if a spot XRP ETF is approved by May 2025. John Squire’s $3.63 target is within reach based on technical patterns, and a push to $5 could follow with sustained bullish momentum. However, market volatility and macroeconomic factors could impact this trajectory.

Is XRP going to skyrocket?

While “skyrocket” implies exponential gains, XRP’s outlook is bullish due to ETF developments, whale buying, and technical strength. Analysts like EGRAG predict a $27 target by 2026, but such gains depend on spot ETF approvals, broader adoption, and favorable market conditions. Investors should remain cautious of volatility.

How high can XRP go realistically?

Realistic targets for 2025 range from $3.63 (John Squire) to $5–$10, driven by ETF approvals and institutional adoption. Longer-term predictions, like Sistine Research’s $33–$50 by 2030, are feasible if Ripple secures major partnerships and XRP’s utility in cross-border payments grows. Extreme forecasts like $500 are speculative and less likely without unprecedented adoption.

What’s Next for XRP?

XRP’s rally is driven by a potent mix of ETF approvals, whale accumulation, technical breakouts, and Ripple’s regulatory and strategic advancements. The upcoming launch of ProShares’ XRP futures ETFs on April 30, 2025, and the May 22 deadline for Grayscale’s spot XRP ETF application are critical milestones to watch. Macro factors, such as U.S. Federal Reserve policies and global trade dynamics, could also influence XRP’s path, as noted by FXEmpire.

With short-term targets like $3.63 in sight and long-term predictions reaching $27 or higher, XRP remains a cryptocurrency to monitor closely. Investors should stay informed on regulatory developments and market trends while approaching XRP’s volatile market with caution.