XRP Grabs the Spotlight as Ripple President Signals Major U.S. Crypto Shift
Ripple and XRP gain momentum amid US crypto policy shifts, institutional adoption, and ETF hopes. Legal updates and market trends drive investor focus.
As the long-standing SEC vs. Ripple legal battle takes a temporary backseat, investor attention on May 13 turned sharply toward XRP’s strengthening fundamentals. Ripple President Monica Long made waves with her bold outlook, suggesting 2025 could mark a turning point for crypto adoption in the United States.
“It feels like the floodgates are going to open this year,” Long declared.
Her optimism is rooted in a surge of interest from U.S. banks and growing momentum for Ripple’s payment technologies and RLUSD, Ripple’s U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin.
U.S. Banks Warm Up to Ripple: Institutional Interest Soars
Long emphasized a notable shift in conversations with American financial institutions, particularly in the aftermath of the 2024 U.S. election.
“Since November, the tone of discussions with banks about becoming reserve bank or transactional partners for our stablecoin and payment systems has completely changed overnight,” she said.
This growing institutional enthusiasm could tip the XRP supply-demand balance in Ripple’s favor, potentially leading to broader adoption. Changes in regulatory tone under the new U.S. administration and the SEC's evolving posture on digital assets have fueled this sentiment shift.
SEC vs. Ripple Case Nears Pivotal Moment
Although Ripple is gaining traction in the financial sector, legal eyes remain on Judge Analisa Torres, who is expected to rule on whether to lift the ban preventing Ripple from selling XRP to institutional investors. A reduced fine, currently set at $125 million, is also under consideration.
The SEC submitted a settlement proposal on May 8, suggesting both parties could be nearing a resolution. If accepted, the court may grant a limited remand to finalize the terms, after which both Ripple and the SEC could file to dismiss their appeals.
Removing legal ambiguity around XRP, particularly concerning its classification as a security, could pave the way for a U.S.-listed XRP spot ETF. This move may unlock massive demand from institutional investors.
TradFi Embraces Crypto: UBS Encourages Allocation
Attorney John E. Deaton, a prominent voice in the Ripple community, highlighted recent developments involving UBS, the Swiss banking giant. UBS is now advising clients to allocate a portion of their portfolios to cryptocurrency, up to 5% in some cases.
“We’ve officially reached the point where not having any crypto exposure is riskier than allocating a small percentage,” Deaton noted.
This shift from traditional finance (TradFi) signals a major milestone for crypto adoption. With spot ETFs potentially offering regulated, secure exposure to digital assets like XRP and Bitcoin, investors are paying closer attention.
XRP Price Analysis: Eyes on Settlement and Breakout Levels
On May 13, XRP rose 1.54% to close at $2.5840, building on Monday’s impressive 7.53% rally. The broader crypto market climbed nearly 2%, driven by positive economic news and easing trade tensions.
Key Technical Levels to Watch:
- Support: $2.35
- Resistance: A breakout above $2.6553 (May 12 high) could lead to a retest of $3.00 and challenge XRP’s all-time highs.
Upcoming court decisions and developments around a possible XRP-spot ETF will likely be short-term price catalysts.
Bitcoin Breaks $105K Again as U.S. Inflation Eases
While XRP enjoys legal tailwinds, Bitcoin (BTC) surged back to $105,000—a level not seen since January 31, 2025. The rally was sparked by better-than-expected U.S. inflation data, which cooled from 2.4% in March to 2.3% in April, raising hopes for a more dovish Federal Reserve.
Still, core inflation held steady at 2.8%, capping further upside. The Nasdaq Composite Index also benefited, posting a 1.61% gain on the same day.
BTC Spot ETFs See Inflow Momentum
The U.S. Bitcoin ETF market is riding a five-day inflow streak, reflecting improving investor sentiment. BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) extended its run to 20 consecutive days of inflows.
According to Farside Investors:
- Net inflows (May 12): $5.2 million
- Fidelity’s FBTC (May 13): $91.4 million in outflows
- Nine of eleven ETF providers recorded zero flows, making IBIT a key driver in sustaining momentum.
ETF Store President Nate Geraci celebrated IBIT’s performance:
“Pop the champagne… 20 straight days of inflows for iShares Bitcoin ETF. Over $5 billion in new money. Anyone still think there’s ‘no demand’?”
BTC Price Forecast: Fed Signals and Legislation in the Spotlight
Bitcoin posted a 1.35% gain on May 13, reversing Monday’s slight dip and ending the day at $104,120. Notably, BTC has held above the $100K mark for five consecutive sessions—an indicator of solid market support.
Key Factors That Could Drive BTC Price Next:
Bearish Scenario:
- Rising trade tensions
- Hawkish Fed policy
- Political resistance to crypto legislation
- ETF outflows
If negative pressure mounts, BTC could slide to $90,000.
Bullish Scenario:
- Easing tariffs and trade disputes
- Pro-crypto legislation
- Dovish Fed comments
- Sustained ETF inflows
Optimistic conditions could propel Bitcoin past its all-time high of $109,312.
Of particular note, Senator Cynthia Lummis has reintroduced the Bitcoin Act, proposing that the U.S. government acquire 1 million BTC over five years. If passed, the move would drastically reduce supply and amplify long-term price growth.
Final Thoughts: XRP and Bitcoin Enter New Eras of Growth
Investor attention remains locked on:
- Ripple’s legal resolution
- Spot ETF approvals
- Economic indicators
- Trade policy shifts
A favorable outcome in Ripple’s legal battle could lift XRP to new highs, while Bitcoin’s ETF success and inflation-driven rally suggest that institutional crypto adoption is accelerating.
