From a dramatic surge in token burns to a potential spot exchange-traded fund (ETF) on the horizon and progress in the long-running XRP lawsuit, Ripple’s native token is once again in the spotlight.

Legal Pause Ignites XRP Settlement Chatter

The ongoing SEC vs. Ripple case reached a new milestone this week, with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit approving a joint motion to pause the appeal process. This decision, shared by attorney James Filan, delays Ripple’s deadline to respond to the SEC’s challenge over programmatic XRP sales, allowing more room for a possible settlement.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell says both the Senate and House are working on a legal framework for stablecoins, signaling a pivotal moment for RLUSD ($1.00). Amelie via X

Pro-crypto lawyer Fred Rispoli noted the narrow timing of the decision, stating, “Man, talk about cutting it close! I hope one day Ripple Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty tells us the brief was drafted, finalized and ready for filing today had this not come through!”

The attention now turns to Judge Analisa Torres, who is expected to rule on a final judgment in the case. According to Alderoty, a tentative agreement would see Ripple pay only $50 million of its $125 million fine, with the remaining $75 million returned. In addition, Ripple and the SEC are negotiating to lift a prior injunction that limited the company’s institutional XRP sales.

Legal analysts like Bill Morgan and Fred Rispoli suggest that Ripple’s next move will be to request a modification of the court’s order, aiming to reduce the fine and eliminate restrictions that have hampered XRP’s growth in the U.S. crypto market.

A resolution could pave the way for a long-anticipated Ripple XRP ETF and ease broader regulatory pressure on Ripple crypto services.

ETF Momentum Builds: Analysts See XRP as Next in Line

Fueling investor enthusiasm further is growing optimism around an XRP spot ETF approval. Nate Geraci, president of the ETF Store, expressed strong confidence in this outcome, stating, “I simply don’t see this SEC not approving spot XRP ETF.”

With ProShares filing for an XRP ETF and a potential settlement looming, XRP is building unstoppable momentum as the SEC faces a pivotal decision. Source: John Squire via X

This view marks a notable shift from the enforcement-heavy approach of former SEC Chair Gary Gensler. Under the current leadership of Paul Atkins, a known crypto supporter, the SEC has softened its stance, halting or dropping several lawsuits, including significant moves in the Ripple case.

The Form N-1A registration statement of the SEC. Source: John Squire via X

Polymarket, a blockchain-based prediction platform, currently gives XRP a 77% chance of securing ETF approval by year-end. The launch of a 2x leveraged XRP ETF (ticker: XXRP) by Teucrium and the acknowledgment of multiple spot ETF applications by the SEC further signal a friendlier regulatory climate. Applicants include major players like Grayscale, Bitwise, and WisdomTree, with analysts expecting firms like BlackRock and Fidelity to join in.

If approved, an XRP ETF would allow investors to gain direct exposure to XRP’s price without managing the asset themselves—potentially drawing billions in institutional capital. JPMorgan analysts estimate that XRP-based ETFs could attract up to $8 billion in inflows during their first year.

XRP Burn Rate Doubles—But Impact Remains Modest

On the network level, XRP recorded a 100% spike in burned tokens within a single day, with over 4,600 XRP destroyed, twice the norm seen earlier this month. While this uptick reflects heightened activity on the Ripple ledger, analysts suggest the impact on the XRP price remains relatively modest.

Ripple (XRP) was trading at around $2.09, up 2.57% in the last 24 hours at press time. Source: XRP Liquid Index (XRPLX) via Brave New Coin

The burn mechanism, embedded in the Ripple network, is designed to destroy small amounts of XRP with each transaction, gradually reducing the total supply over time. While notable, the recent burn surge is attributed to a temporary spike in usage rather than a sustained trend.

Still, for some investors, the event signals increasing utility and demand for the Ripple exchange infrastructure, particularly as legal clarity improves.

XRP Price Hovers Near Key Technical Level

Technically, XRP remains in a tight consolidation phase following a recent drop from the $2.25 resistance zone. The current XRP price is hovering near the $2.08 mark, trading below the 100-hour simple moving average. A key bearish trend line is forming near $2.13, and analysts warn of a potential breakdown if XRP fails to hold the crucial $2.00 support level.

Ripple (XRP) holds steady above $2.091, with a bullish trend intact as it eyes a breakout above $2.218, or a pullback if support fails. Source: FenzoFxBroker on TradingView

A close below that threshold could lead to a decline toward $1.92 or even $1.84, while a breakout above $2.20 might open the door for a retest of the $2.35–$2.50 range. For now, the Ripple currency price remains caught between bullish hopes and macroeconomic pressures.

What’s Next for Ripple and XRP?

With the Ripple lawsuit edging closer to resolution, the XRP price prediction for the coming months will largely depend on three factors: the final court ruling, SEC decisions on ETF applications, and broader market sentiment. A favorable outcome in any of these areas could significantly shift the Ripple market landscape.

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has long advocated for regulatory clarity and mainstream adoption of Ripple XRP news. As institutional interest grows and U.S. regulators show increasing openness to crypto innovation, XRP could be on the verge of reclaiming its position among the top-tier digital assets.

In the near term, all eyes remain on the $2.00 price level, the SEC Ripple decisions, and the potential launch of the first Ripple-linked spot ETF.