XRP Surges Past $170 Billion Market Cap as ETF Hype and Legal Optimism Fuel Rally

XRP has made a triumphant return to the spotlight, reclaiming its position as the third-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization.

With a staggering 25.8% weekly gain, XRP’s market cap has soared past $170 billion, decisively outperforming both Bitcoin and Ethereum during a week of historic gains across the broader crypto market.

XRP Price Breaks Out, Ignites Market Optimism

The XRP token, backed by Ripple Labs, broke a crucial resistance level at $2.80, igniting an explosive uptrend and liquidating over $31.44 million in short positions.

Currently trading around $2.79, XRP has confirmed a breakout from a multi-year symmetrical triangle that has formed since its all-time high of $3.84 in 2018.

This technical pattern, combined with powerful volume surges and momentum indicators, suggests the beginning of a major bullish phase.

Analyst Ali Martinez has emphasized that “a weekly close above $3 could set the stage for a rally to $6 or even higher,” reinforcing optimism among investors. Fibonacci extensions place potential targets at:

1. $5.96 (1.272 extension)

2. $8.99 (1.414 extension)

3. $16.18 (1.618 extension)

4. $26.35 (1.786 extension – extended bull case)

Institutional Interest Surges Ahead of ETF Launch

Fueling the XRP momentum is the announcement of the first XRP Futures ETF by ProShares, set to launch on July 18, 2025.

This milestone opens the door to institutional exposure to XRP, a development long awaited by the crypto community.

The ETF excitement has triggered a flurry of filings from asset management giants like Bitwise, 21Shares, Franklin Templeton, and Grayscale, all seeking to launch their own XRP products.

This wave of institutional interest coincides with record whale accumulation, with 2,743 wallets holding more than 1 million XRP each. Collectively, these whales now control 47.32 billion XRP tokens, underlining confidence in the asset’s long-term trajectory.

Legal Landscape Turns Favorable for Ripple

XRP’s resurgence is further buoyed by favorable regulatory developments. Investors are increasingly hopeful that the U.S. SEC will drop its appeal in the Ripple lawsuit, following the landmark 2023 ruling that declared XRP not a security when sold to retail investors.

Polymarket odds show an 88% probability of XRP-spot ETF approval by December 2025, up from 75.9% just weeks ago.

The SEC’s key decisions on July 21 and 25 regarding leveraged and spot ETFs could serve as major catalysts for XRP's next leg upward.

Elliott Wave and RSI Analysis Signal Massive Rally Potential

From a technical perspective, XRP appears to be entering wave (3) of a larger wave (5) structure, often associated with the most powerful market moves in Elliott Wave Theory.

The asset has reclaimed the 200-week EMA at $1.05, sits comfortably above all major moving averages, and shows RSI divergence that confirms growing bullish strength.

The RSI currently sits around 79.71, placing XRP in overbought territory. However, this level has historically signaled strong continuation patterns during past bull cycles, especially when supported by strong volume.

Analyst Predictions and Market Sentiment

Market watchers have pointed to XRP’s reliable breakout history. A leading analyst who predicted XRP’s move from $0.62 to $2.47 is now forecasting a 75% rally toward $4.804, assuming XRP holds above its $2.47 support level.

Meanwhile, CasiTrades highlights a successful backtest of the $2.69 Fibonacci breakout, advising strategic entry during potential dips to $2.76 or $2.70.

Notably, pro-crypto attorney Bill Morgan remarked, “Despite these extraordinary figures about BlackRock acquisitions of Bitcoin and Ethereum, and XRP not even having a spot ETF yet, XRP is outperforming both.”

SEC’s Role Remains Pivotal

The SEC’s stay order delaying the launch of Grayscale’s Digital Large Cap ETF, which includes XRP, has attracted scrutiny. Grayscale filed an appeal on July 11, arguing for the removal of the delay.

If successful, this could accelerate the approval timeline for XRP-related ETFs.

Meanwhile, BlackRock’s ongoing dialogue with the SEC Crypto Task Force and its recent ETF filings for Bitcoin and Ethereum have heightened expectations that XRP could be next in line for a spot ETF application.

XRP Price Outlook

1. Immediate resistance: $2.9727 (July 11 high), followed by $3.19 and $4.31

2. Breakout target: $3.5505 (2018 ATH), with potential rally to $5 and beyond

3. Support levels: $2.6 (critical support), with 50-day EMA nearby

4. Daily RSI: 79.71 – overbought, but still bullish in trending markets

With altcoin season officially underway, XRP is poised to be one of the standout performers. The technical setup, institutional engagement, and legal clarity combine to paint a highly bullish picture for the months ahead.

Keep up with every twist in the XRP journey, ETF approvals, and macro crypto trends. For in-depth analysis, breaking news, and expert insights, bookmark the Bitrue Blog and stay informed!