XRP Surges Past $3 as SEC Countdown Fuels Bullish Momentum and Institutional Demand Grows

XRP is stealing the spotlight as it trades at $3.05, marking a 6% surge in 24 hours, amid renewed bullish momentum and unprecedented institutional activity. This breakout was powered by a $33 million spike in volume within a single minute, a rare event even in volatile crypto markets.

Fueling the surge is rising optimism over Ripple’s ongoing legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Analysts and investors alike are closely watching August 15, the deadline for the SEC’s status update, which could deliver long-awaited regulatory clarity. Should the outcome favor Ripple, XRP could see accelerated institutional adoption, especially in sectors like DeFi and cross-border finance.

Adding to the optimism, XRP is currently benefiting from macro momentum as it outperforms most top-10 cryptocurrencies. The Fear and Greed Index is up to 52 from 48 last week, while the Altcoin Season Index rose to 44, suggesting a shift in market sentiment toward alternative tokens like XRP.

Institutions and Whales Fuel XRP’s Rise

Institutional capital is flowing steadily into XRP. Whale Alert reported a 20 million XRP transfer (worth over $60 million) from Upbit, while Ethereum whales bought over $110 million in ETH, signaling a broader rotation toward high-utility assets.

According to CoinShares, XRP-related funds recorded $31.26 million in inflows last week, while Ethereum drew in $134 million, marking XRP’s best week since early 2024. The total assets under management (AUM) for XRP funds now stands at $2.275 billion, demonstrating growing confidence from asset managers.

Meanwhile, platforms like JA Mining are tapping into XRP’s momentum by offering AI-optimized cloud contracts with fixed daily yields in USD. This stability-focused utility model is attracting both retail investors and hedge funds looking for safer crypto exposure amid market volatility.

Can XRP Hit $100? Analysts Clash Over Price Ceiling

While some XRP proponents foresee a future where the token reaches $100 or even $200, critics argue the math doesn’t hold up. A $100 XRP would imply a market cap of $5.9 trillion, nearly triple that of Bitcoin’s current valuation.

Supporters counter that XRP’s role as a utility-based bridge asset—servicing trillions in daily settlements—could justify such a valuation, especially with ongoing adoption in tokenized treasuries and Ethereum-compatible smart contracts.

Still, technical indicators suggest caution. The TD Sequential recently flashed a sell signal, and heavy resistance remains around $3.10. Traders are watching for a confirmed hold above $3, while machine learning models predict a short-term target of $3.12 by month’s end.

Bottom Line

As Ripple’s legal battle approaches a pivotal moment and institutions ramp up support, XRP appears poised for a breakout era. While debate swirls around lofty long-term projections, the immediate focus remains on regulatory clarity, institutional adoption, and continued technological innovation—all of which are pushing XRP back into the mainstream crypto spotlight.