XRP (XRP-USD) reached its all-time high of $3.84 in early January 2018, capping a stunning 70,000% surge over five years that defined the 2017–2018 crypto bull run. The rally was fueled by soaring demand in South Korea and investor optimism that Ripple Labs would drive wider adoption of XRP through fintech partnerships. Broader exchange listings and the launch of new XRP-based funds added further momentum to the meteoric rise.
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That euphoria, however, didn’t last. By June 2022, XRP had crashed to $0.31, a reversal that reflected not only the broader crypto boom-and-bust cycle but also Ripple’s own legal troubles. The SEC’s 2020 lawsuit accusing Ripple Labs of selling unregistered securities set off a chain reaction: major exchanges delisted the token, funds shut down, and investors fled amid rising interest rates and tightening liquidity.
Fast forward to October 2025, and XRP has staged a strong comeback, trading around $2.60. The recovery didn’t happen overnight – it’s the result of a confluence of developments that gradually restored confidence in the token.
Trump’s November election win brought a shift in sentiment toward crypto and new personnel at the SEC, helping to push the token higher. Eventually, the SEC’s case against Ripple – which accused the company of illegally selling XRP as unregistered securities – concluded this August. Ripple was fined $125 million, far below the SEC’s initial $2 billion demand. The court determined that XRP sold on public exchanges did not qualify as securities, though sales to institutional investors did. It also lifted the restriction preventing Ripple from directly selling XRP to those investors.
With the lawsuit resolved, major exchanges moved to relist XRP, and several crypto firms applied to launch XRP spot ETFs. Falling interest rates in 2024 and 2025 further boosted the token’s recovery as the fabled “crypto winter” came to an end.
So, what could cause XRP’s price to surge beyond its previous high and reach $4? Leo Sun, who ranks among the top 2% of investors on TipRanks, points to several upcoming catalysts. For one, the SEC is expected to decide on the recent wave of XRP ETF applications by October or November. Approving these funds could strengthen XRP’s status as a “blue-chip cryptocurrency,” putting it in the same league as Bitcoin and Ether, while attracting both retail and institutional investors.
Ripple also applied for a U.S. bank charter in July, a move that could expand XRP’s use as a bridge currency if the company transitions into digital banking. Its stablecoin, Ripple USD (RLUSD), could appeal to international users seeking protection from hyperinflation but lacking access to U.S. dollars.
Although XRP isn’t widely recognized as a developer platform since it lacks native support for smart contracts, new sidechains in development aim to enable Ethereum-compatible smart contracts on the XRP Ledger, and Ripple could share updates on this at its Swell conference in New York in early November, potentially boosting XRP’s appeal to developers.
Finally, if the Federal Reserve continues cutting interest rates through 2025 and 2026, the broader crypto market should maintain its momentum. “That incoming ‘crypto summer’ could drive XRP’s price toward $4,” said the 5-star investor.
While XRP can’t be measured by scarcity like Bitcoin or by developer-driven growth like Ethereum, Sun notes its value is closely linked to Ripple’s growing fintech network, with several promising catalysts ahead. “Therefore,” he summed up, “this little token might still be worth accumulating after its huge gains over the past three years.” (To watch Sun’s track record, click here)
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Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the featured investor. The content is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any investment.