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XRP experienced a notable increase in value, jumping 6.81% on April 12, 2025, to close at $2.6. The token's value gain stems from optimistic law enforcement expectations, institutional adoption and regulatory developments.
When discussing cryptocurrency aspects, Brad Garlinghouse, Ripple's CEO, highlighted positive aspects of future growth under regulatory frameworks that make sense. XRP experienced a price boost after Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse commented about the SEC's decision to withdraw its appeal and his prediction that the XRP-spot ETF would soon get approval.
The ongoing legal battle between Ripple and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has been a critical factor influencing XRP’s price movement. An initial SEC lawsuit against Ripple occurred in December 2020 because the SEC alleged that XRP operated as an unregistered security. Ripple obtained a courtroom win in 2023 because the legal system confirmed that XRP institutional trades were lawful despite XRP sales on open exchanges violating securities regulations.
The legal landscape for Ripple appears to be improving under the current leadership at the SEC. Ripple agreed to settle the case by paying $50 million and Garlinghouse has stated that the company would reclaim most of the $125 million initially set aside for potential penalties. He attributed this outcome to what he sees as an incorrect stance taken by the SEC under former chair Gary Gensler. Ripple’s growing confidence in a favorable regulatory environment has been supported by recent backing from institutional investors like Franklin Templeton, who now supports an XRP ETF.
The reduction of XRP regulatory uncertainties has prompted Ripple to launch expanded operations. Ripple executed its biggest acquisition in corporate history when it acquired Hidden Road, the prime broker, for $1.25 billion. Through this acquisition, Ripple seeks to provide a secure framework that appeals to major institutions and Wall Street players who want to enter the crypto market.
According to Garlinghouse, Ripple was previously restricted to hiring employees outside the United States because of the hostile SEC regulatory framework during the previous chair's tenure.
Ripple's expansion extends beyond company acquisitions. As part of its expanding product range, Ripple launched a stablecoin under a New York trust license. According to Garlinghouse, the cryptocurrency industry shows positive signs because of proposed stablecoin regulation and market structure bills which aim to establish a more transparent regulatory framework.
According to XRP CEO Brad Garlinghouse, the cryptocurrency may undergo a major price appreciation when both the SEC appeal and XRP-spot ETF approval support Ripple's position. If regulatory uncertainty clears the way, XRP prices will experience explosive movement, leading to new all-time highs. However, depending on how regulatory developments unfold, the risks of a bearish market sentiment still loom.
Garlinghouse predicts that Bitcoin will reach $200,000 by the end of the year while maintaining his positive outlook on wider market trends. The changes in the US regulatory stance have contributed to positive momentum in the crypto market since the most significant economic power transitioned from regulatory barriers to regulatory support. The successful performance of XRP, coupled with favourable market conditions, shows that the cryptocurrency has the potential to succeed when legal and regulatory environments stay supportive.
