XRP's recent increase harkens back to the intense activity seen during the 2018 altcoin craze. With a rise over 50% this month, the XRP price has skyrocketed past $3, securing its position as the third-largest cryptocurrency by market cap.

Did you catch that? Ripple (XRP) only needs a 2.5x growth to overtake Ethereum… I’m at a loss for words, Anons!

XRP Price

This impressive 240% increase this quarter indicates a shift—renewed optimism, heightened trading, and discussions of potential regulatory breakthroughs are fueling this momentum.

🚨JUST IN: CEO of Ripple – Brad Garlinghouse has just shared a photo of himself with Donald Trump and #XRP attorney Stuart Alderoty!
“Strong start to 2025!” pic.twitter.com/U00YhQi5CK
— JackTheRippler ©️ (@RippleXrpie) January 8, 2025

A variety of macro trends are propelling this XRP price surge. Bitcoin’s recent breakthrough past the $100,000 mark has electrified the market, with XRP seeing record trading volumes—$23 billion in a single day.

Regarding derivatives trading, volumes have more than doubled, reaching $34 billion. Meanwhile, the open interest in perpetual futures has reached a staggering 2.34 billion XRP.

According to Diego Cardenas, OTC trader at Abra, “This surge is driven by an increasing number of partnerships, the launch of Ripple’s stablecoin RLUSD, and speculation about a possible spot XRP ETF.”

While Bitcoin remains a strong store of value, will XRP yield higher returns? Many BTC holders dismiss XRP as a ‘centralized inflationary scam coin,’ yet all indicators suggest it could outperform BTC this year.

XRP Chart

At this stage, the comparison between BTC and XRP is a matter of belief. Bitcoin is undoubtedly a safer long-term bet, yet XRP appears ready to outperform in 2025.

However, XRP holders argue that BTC maxis are akin to horse-and-buggy enthusiasts in the 1870s, believing that BTC will facilitate mass cryptocurrency adoption while XRP could emerge as the leading blockchain-based payment solution.

Legal Challenges and Ripple’s Ongoing Battle Against the SEC

As XRP enjoys its current ascent, the legal uncertainties surrounding Ripple continue. The SEC has filed an appeal against the July 2023 judgment that protected XRP sales to retail investors from being classified as unregistered securities. Their argument centers on retail buyers relying on profits from Ripple’s promotions—a crucial aspect of the Howey test.

CEO Brad Garlinghouse termed the appeal as “recycled failure,” while Stuart Alderoty remarked that the upcoming administration might reevaluate the SEC’s position.

Future Prospects for XRP

Investor confidence in XRP is remarkable, though uncertainties linger. The rally seems robust as RSI levels increase, but many are skeptical about its lasting power.

By Inauguration Day, the market cap could become a memory—a note in a history of shattered records. Don't underestimate the influx of capital into crypto following Trump’s inauguration.

EXPLORE: Crypto Trends For Bullrun – January 2025
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