XRP News Today: Ripple Faces Appeal Threats as ETF Hopes Hang in Balance; BTC at $103K

XRP News Today: Ripple Faces Appeal Threats as ETF Hopes Hang in Balance; BTC at $103K

Introduction

The Ripple (XRP) community is once again on edge. Just when hopes for a potential XRP Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) were gaining traction, fresh appeal threats from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have thrown cold water on the optimism. As Ripple braces for more courtroom drama, the broader crypto market remains steady with Bitcoin (BTC) sustaining its momentum above $103,000.

While Bitcoin’s rally continues to hold center stage, Ripple’s legal entanglements are drawing renewed scrutiny. The tug-of-war between regulatory clarity and innovation is back in the spotlight — and this time, it could impact whether XRP earns a place among ETF-approved crypto assets.

Let’s dive deep into the latest developments, how they affect XRP’s future, and what it all means in the context of a surging Bitcoin.

Ripple vs. SEC: The Legal Tussle Isn’t Over Yet

 Background Recap

In July 2023, Ripple scored a partial legal victory when a U.S. court ruled that XRP sales on public exchanges did not constitute securities offerings. The ruling caused XRP to skyrocket nearly 70% in a day and opened doors to potential institutional products like ETFs.

However, that optimism is under threat once again.

 New Appeal Threats by SEC

The SEC has indicated it may appeal portions of the 2023 ruling, especially concerning XRP’s "programmatic sales" and how these transactions are interpreted under U.S. securities laws. The regulator argues that the ruling sets a “dangerous precedent” for other crypto assets and opens a legal loophole for token issuers.

“We cannot accept a framework where issuers can escape regulatory scrutiny simply by using exchanges,” said an SEC spokesperson this week.

This development has unsettled the XRP community, with many fearing that an appeal could delay ETF discussions and create uncertainty for exchanges and asset managers looking to support XRP.

XRP Price Action: Holding Strong Amid Legal Noise

Despite legal headwinds, XRP is trading at $0.73, down just 1.6% over the last 24 hours. The token remains resilient and ranks as the sixth-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, with over $39 billion in circulation.

Volume has spiked over 18% in the last 48 hours as traders brace for volatility. Analysts note that while long-term sentiment remains positive, short-term price action could swing sharply depending on legal updates.

Technical Analysis: Can XRP Breakout or Breakdown?

Key Support Levels:

• $0.70: Psychological and technical support

• $0.65: Last rebound level from March

• $0.60: Weekly 200-MA (moving average)

Key Resistance Levels:

• $0.78: Immediate resistance

• $0.85: December 2024 swing high

• $0.92: Fibonacci extension from 2023 lows

The RSI (Relative Strength Index) remains neutral around 52, suggesting room for movement in either direction. The Bollinger Bands are tightening, usually a precursor to a major price breakout — up or down.

What Experts Are Saying

 Eleanor Park, Senior Legal Analyst at CryptoJuris:

“If the SEC appeals successfully, ETF talks will freeze. Asset managers won’t touch XRP unless they have complete regulatory clarity. It’s a game of wait-and-watch now.”

 Ritesh Kapoor, Crypto Market Strategist at BlockTrend India:

“XRP has proven resilient in past downturns. But this time, the ETF narrative was adding significant upward momentum. Legal setbacks could limit that upside — temporarily.”

 Maria Gonzalez, Blockchain Policy Expert:

“Ripple’s case is unique, and its outcome could redefine how U.S. regulators view the entire altcoin ecosystem. We’re not just talking XRP here — Ethereum, Solana, and even future Web3 tokens could be impacted.”

XRP ETF Dreams in Jeopardy?

In early 2025, investment firms like Grayscale, ARK Invest, and VanEck were reportedly exploring XRP ETF applications, following the SEC’s grudging approval of Bitcoin ETFs.

The idea was simple — if Bitcoin ETFs could win approval after regulatory resistance, why not XRP?

However, the SEC's potential appeal now puts that ETF dream on pause. Financial experts say asset managers are unlikely to proceed with applications unless there is full legal closure on Ripple’s status.

That hasn’t stopped the XRP community from advocating.

“XRP is one of the most liquid and decentralized tokens. It deserves ETF-level recognition,” said XRPArmyIndia in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that garnered 100k+ likes in under 12 hours.

Ripple’s Global Momentum Is Still Intact

It’s not all bad news. Ripple continues to expand globally, securing licenses in jurisdictions more open to crypto innovation:

• Singapore: Ripple Labs received a full Major Payments Institution license.

• UAE: Announced a partnership with RAK Bank to test CBDC interoperability.

• UK: Expanded RippleNet partnerships with banking institutions.

These international expansions are crucial for XRP’s real-world utility and could help shield the project from U.S.-centric legal risks.

Bitcoin at $103K: A Steady Giant in Turbulent Waters

Meanwhile, Bitcoin’s momentum continues unabated. The world’s largest cryptocurrency is trading above $103,000, gaining over 9.2% in the past week. Unlike XRP, BTC has regulatory clarity, and institutional adoption is at an all-time high.

The correlation between BTC and altcoins like XRP remains strong. If Bitcoin continues upward, altcoins often follow, though XRP’s rally may be capped if legal uncertainty lingers.

Institutional Sentiment: BTC > XRP for Now

Data from CoinShares shows:

• BTC institutional inflows last week: $520 million

• ETH inflows: $190 million

• XRP inflows: $34 million

While XRP is seeing interest, it’s clear that institutions prefer Bitcoin in times of regulatory uncertainty.

On-Chain Data: XRP Holder Behavior

• Active Addresses: Up 12.4% WoW

• Whale Accumulation: Flat, but no major selling

• Exchange Balances: Declining (bullish indicator)

These signals suggest that long-term holders are not panicking, but new entrants are waiting for clarity before jumping in.

Final Thoughts: A Tipping Point for Ripple?

Ripple stands at a critical juncture. The promise of an XRP ETF could catapult the token’s price and legitimacy to new highs, but legal ambiguity still clouds the road ahead.

Bitcoin's strong performance provides some relief to the broader market, but XRP-specific catalysts — or setbacks — will drive its short-term fate.

 What to Watch:

• SEC's final decision on appeal (expected in coming weeks)

• Any ETF application updates from asset managers

• XRP price response to macro events like U.S. inflation data or Federal Reserve announcements

In summary, while Bitcoin holds strong at $103K and pushes the broader crypto narrative forward, Ripple’s fight isn’t over. It’s just entered a new phase.

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