For much of 2025, XRP emerged as a standout performer among major cryptocurrencies, peaking at a significant $3.65 in July. However, in recent months, the sentiment surrounding XRP has shifted dramatically, with its current price down to $2.40—a substantial 34% drop from its mid-summer high. This decline has placed XRP behind both Bitcoin and Ethereum in performance over the last three months.
Despite the bearish trend, experts see three promising catalysts that could potentially drive the price of XRP upward in the latter half of the year.
The foremost catalyst is the anticipated launch of new spot XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Major investment firms, including Grayscale, Bitwise, and WisdomTree, have pending applications with the SEC for these ETFs, originally expected to be approved by mid-October. However, the recent federal government shutdown has stalled this process, causing investor uncertainty and contributing to the current decline in XRP’s price. Following the launch of spot Bitcoin ETFs earlier this year, which dramatically boosted Bitcoin’s market value, there was optimism that XRP would experience a similar surge. Given that XRP is recognized as one of the few altcoins with significant backing from both retail and institutional investors, the market was hopeful for a comparable phenomenon.
In addition to ETF developments, a notable trend has emerged over the past six months— the establishment of new digital asset treasury companies focused solely on accumulating XRP. VivoPower International, for instance, recently announced its intention to raise $121 million specifically for the acquisition of XRP. This trend indicates a growing institutional interest in XRP, with new companies raising substantial funds to add XRP to their balance sheets. Such institutional buying could theoretically create a consistent demand that may push its price higher, mirroring the success seen by treasury companies investing in Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Furthermore, there’s significant discussion about the potential integration of the XRP blockchain with SWIFT, the global messaging network for international banking transactions. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse indicated at a company event that XRP might represent as much as 14% of global SWIFT transaction volume within the next five years. Given the massive flow of money through SWIFT, this integration could provide a substantial boost in demand for XRP. However, it’s important to note that SWIFT is considering various blockchain solutions and has not committed to XRP exclusively, as debates about the viability of stablecoins for cross-border payments are also ongoing.
As for future price projections, forecasts have varied significantly. Back in April, Standard Chartered suggested XRP could reach $5.50 by the end of 2025, a figure that now seems overly ambitious given current trends. Nevertheless, online prediction markets continue to give XRP a 31% chance of reaching $3.75 this year, which would represent potential returns of around 50% from its current price of $2.40.
For investors with a high tolerance for risk and a long-term outlook, now may present a compelling opportunity to consider XRP as a worthwhile investment.
