XRP hits $3.65 all-time high after SEC settlement, ETF inflows eyed for next surge

SEC settlement boosts regulatory clarity

Ripple, a San Francisco-based blockchain payments company, reached a settlement with the SEC in 2025, resolving a lawsuit filed in 2020 over alleged securities violations related to XRP sales. The agreement ended years of legal uncertainty that had cast a shadow over XRP’s status in the US, clearing the path for broader adoption.

The settlement provided significant regulatory clarity for XRP and renewed confidence among investors. Following the resolution, trading volumes spiked and market sentiment turned strongly bullish, reflected in the asset’s sharp price appreciation.

XRP broke past its seven-year all-time high, climbing to $3.65 after the settlement, and investor enthusiasm surged with expectations of continued growth as regulatory barriers diminished.

Mini dictionary: Ripple, a technology company best known for the RippleNet payment network, uses XRP as its bridge currency for fast, low-cost cross-border transactions.

Spot ETFs drive institutional interest

The launch of several XRP spot Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) played a pivotal role in XRP’s rapid price increase. ETFs have gained prominence in the cryptocurrency sector by providing institutional investors access to digital assets without the need to hold the underlying tokens directly.

Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) reached new record highs in 2025, a trend widely attributed to increased ETF inflows that brought greater capital from the traditional financial sector. Market participants now expect XRP to experience a similar effect as ETF inflows accelerate.

As broader market conditions improve, analysts anticipate that institutional demand for XRP via ETFs could rise sharply. Such inflows could provide the foundation for sustained price growth.

Once ETF inflows into XRP gather pace, many expect a significant price rally, mirroring patterns seen with Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Analysts eye $10 target amid Bitcoin forecasts

Some market analysts have begun speculating on XRP’s potential to reach $10, arguing that this target could be more attainable as momentum builds. Observers point to similarities between XRP’s price structure and Bitcoin’s four-year cycle, where BTC has historically achieved new highs every four years—most recently in 2021 and 2025.

Projections for Bitcoin’s next peak in 2029, with some forecasters setting targets as high as $500,000, have amplified bullish sentiment for other major cryptocurrencies. A continued BTC rally, particularly if ETF-driven, could increase capital rotation into XRP and help propel it to new levels ahead of the next cycle peak.

Some analysts believe that if the anticipated market uptrend develops as expected, XRP could begin its next rally as early as late 2026 or early 2027, rather than waiting until 2029 for a new record.

Overall, XRP’s 2025 breakout and broader adoption through ETFs have positioned it as a key asset to watch in the coming years as market speculation swirls around future price milestones.