TLDR
- XRP price reached $2.56 after SEC dropped its appeal against Ripple, marking an 11-14% surge
- Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse called it a “resounding victory” for crypto regulation
- Whale investors have accumulated 46.4 billion XRP (worth $114 billion)
- Network activity increased sixfold in March compared to earlier months
- Analysts project potential price targets from $3 to $6, with some pointing to $4.50 as a key level
The price of XRP, the cryptocurrency associated with Ripple Labs, surged to $2.56 following the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) decision to withdraw its appeal against the company.
This represents an 11-14% price increase and marks the end of a legal battle that began in December 2020.
XRP Price
The SEC had filed a lawsuit against Ripple, claiming the company conducted an unregistered securities offering worth $1.3 billion through XRP token sales. This legal action had weighed on XRP’s market performance for over four years.
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse celebrated the outcome on social media, calling it “a resounding victory for Ripple, for crypto, every way you look at it.” He emphasized this resolution sets an important precedent for other digital assets facing regulatory challenges.
This is it – the moment we’ve been waiting for. The SEC will drop its appeal – a resounding victory for Ripple, for crypto, every way you look at it.
The future is bright. Let's build. pic.twitter.com/7WsD0C92Cm
— Brad Garlinghouse (@bgarlinghouse) March 19, 2025
The SEC’s decision removes a major regulatory obstacle for Ripple. The company can now operate with greater clarity and focus on expansion plans.
Investor sentiment improved dramatically following the announcement. XRP quickly broke past the $2.50 mark as traders reacted to the news.
Large investors, often called “whales,” have been steadily accumulating XRP. Data from Santiment shows wallets holding at least one million XRP have increased their holdings by 6.5% over the past two months.
These whale wallets now control about 46.4 billion XRP. This massive holding is currently worth around $114 billion at current prices.
Network activity on the XRP blockchain has seen explosive growth. March data shows six times more unique wallets interacting on the network compared to previous months.
This surge in both price and activity suggests strong confidence in XRP’s future prospects. Many investors who waited on the sidelines during the legal uncertainty are now entering positions.
The market impact extended beyond just XRP. Bitcoin rose 3.2% to $85,972, while Ethereum gained nearly 4% to $2,019 following the news.
The global cryptocurrency market capitalization increased by 3% to $2.81 trillion within 24 hours of the announcement. This demonstrates how regulatory clarity for one major project can boost the entire market.
Ryan Lee, Chief Analyst at Bitget Research, commented on broader implications: “Ripple’s latest legal victory against the SEC clarifies XRP’s regulatory status, potentially classifying it as a commodity and spurring institutional confidence.”
Lee added that this development “could pave the way for XRP ETFs” and weaken the SEC’s aggressive stance, creating a more crypto-friendly environment that benefits the wider altcoin market.
With the lawsuit behind them, Ripple plans to expand its business. The company will focus on blockchain-based payments and new partnerships.
Crypto analyst Dark Defender shared a technical analysis suggesting XRP broke above a key descending trend line. According to their Elliott Wave analysis, XRP could reach targets between $3.94 and $4.50 in the coming months.
Follow the White Rabbit!$XRP on the Daily Chart.
We knew the news would follow. Some believed some did not.
It doesn't matter, in the end.
Roads are Clear, Skies are Blue.
Cheers!#Ripple #XRPArmy pic.twitter.com/4ZJhmDUBya
— Dark Defender (@DefendDark) March 19, 2025
Some more optimistic projections see XRP potentially rising above $6 if the current bull cycle continues. These price targets would represent all-time highs for the cryptocurrency.
Adding to the positive outlook, Garlinghouse hinted in a Bloomberg interview that XRP could play a role in a U.S. strategic digital asset stockpile. This followed President Donald Trump’s executive order in early March proposing a national crypto reserve.
The news coincided with the Federal Reserve signaling it still expects two interest rate cuts this year. This macroeconomic factor added to the bullish sentiment in crypto markets.
Markets responded positively to Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s comments that tariff-driven inflation would be “transitory.” This combination of positive regulatory and economic news created perfect conditions for XRP’s rally.
Attorney Jeremy Hogan noted that several possibilities remain for how the case will formally conclude. Options include Ripple continuing its own appeal, both parties dropping appeals, or Ripple simply paying the $125 million penalty and moving forward.
Regardless of the final settlement details, the crypto community views this as a decisive victory for Ripple. The future looks bright for XRP as regulatory clarity improves its market position.
