XRP Price Surpasses $3 Amid Speculation of Further Gains

XRP Price Surpasses $3 Amid Speculation of Further Gains

XRP recently surged past the $3 threshold for the first time since March 2025, reaching $3.03 amid growing institutional adoption and significant accumulation by large holders. This price rally coincided with the Federal Reserve’s official transition to the ISO 20022 messaging standard for its Fedwire Funds Service on July 14, a move that positions Ripple’s blockchain payment solutions at the forefront of the evolving U.S. payment infrastructure.

Federal Reserve Upgrade and Ripple’s Strategic Advantage

The Fedwire upgrade introduces T+0 settlement, enabling real-time settlement of trillions of dollars in daily interbank transfers, including U.S. Treasuries and central bank reserves. The adoption of ISO 20022, a global messaging standard, enhances the quality of transaction data, reduces errors, and improves the efficiency of cross-border payments. Ripple, which became the first blockchain-focused company to join the ISO 20022 Standards Body in 2020, already supports this standard through its RippleNet platform, which connects banks and payment providers worldwide.

Ripple’s early compliance with ISO 20022 provides a competitive edge as U.S. banks modernize their payment systems. The company has completed critical infrastructure upgrades ahead of many competitors, positioning itself as a preferred technology partner for financial institutions adapting to the new standard. Furthermore, Ripple has applied for a U.S. national banking license through its subsidiary, Standard Custody, seeking both state and federal oversight. The company has also requested a Federal Reserve Master Account for its RLUSD stablecoin, which would allow direct reserve holdings with the Fed.

RLUSD has gained notable traction in the global remittance market, surpassing $500 million in market capitalization. Switzerland’s FINMA-licensed AMINA Bank has integrated RLUSD for custody and trading, while BNY Mellon now serves as the primary custodian for the stablecoin’s reserves.

Market Dynamics and Regulatory Developments

On-chain data from Santiment reveals that XRP whale wallets—those holding at least one million tokens—have reached an all-time high of 2,743 addresses, collectively controlling over 47.32 billion XRP. This accumulation trend aligns with a 25% weekly price increase and heightened trading volume, signaling strong market confidence. Network growth metrics have also improved, further supporting XRP’s bullish momentum, which has been bolstered by recent endorsements and speculation regarding potential Federal Reserve interest rate cuts.

Investors remain attentive to regulatory developments, particularly the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) scheduled vote on July 17 regarding the potential full dismissal of its case against Ripple. The outcome is widely regarded as a pivotal event that could resolve longstanding regulatory uncertainty surrounding XRP’s classification. While market sentiment has been positive, ongoing regulatory scrutiny continues to pose a significant challenge for Ripple and the broader cryptocurrency sector.

Ecosystem Expansion and Competitive Challenges

Ripple’s ecosystem continues to expand through strategic partnerships. Volante Technologies recently announced that its platform will enable XRP settlement via RippleNet connectivity, allowing institutions using its cloud-based Fedwire-as-a-Service to select XRP as a settlement option. This collaboration supports institutional experimentation with blockchain-based settlement solutions.

Despite XRP’s recent strong performance, the cryptocurrency faces persistent challenges, including market volatility, regulatory hurdles, and competition from other digital assets. Rival cryptocurrencies may seek to leverage regulatory developments or technological innovations to attract investor interest.

As XRP gains increasing mainstream acceptance, its future trajectory will depend on regulatory outcomes, market dynamics, and the evolving competitive landscape.