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According to PANews, Hidden Road, a major brokerage firm set to be acquired by Ripple, announced on Thursday that it has received approval from the U.S. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) to operate as a broker-dealer in the United States. This approval, granted to its subsidiary Hidden Road Partners CIV US LLC, will enable the company to expand its fixed income prime brokerage platform. As a broker-dealer, Hidden Road plans to offer a broader range of compliance services to institutional clients, including clearing, financing, and prime brokerage for fixed income assets. Earlier this month, Hidden Road revealed an agreement with blockchain infrastructure service company Ripple, under which Ripple will acquire Hidden Road for $1.25 billion. This acquisition is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to be completed in the coming months.

According to Cointelegraph, XRP has emerged as a standout performer in the cryptocurrency market, experiencing a remarkable surge of over 300% against Bitcoin in the past six months. This impressive growth has positioned XRP as one of the top-performing assets in the crypto space, raising questions about the sustainability of this rally. While many altcoins have struggled to keep pace with Bitcoin, XRP's ascent has captured significant attention. The reasons behind XRP's surge are varied and complex. Some analysts attribute the rise to strong fundamentals finally coming to the forefront, while others suggest that hype and speculation, fueled by a dedicated community, are driving the momentum. Additionally, legal, political, and institutional factors are believed to play a crucial role in shaping XRP's future trajectory. These elements could potentially have a more significant impact on the asset's performance than many observers currently anticipate. Cointelegraph's latest analysis delves into the dynamics influencing XRP's recent performance, highlighting the growing interest from institutional investors and the potential for transformative developments in the near future. Key topics include the role of exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the influence of stablecoins, regulatory considerations, and the evolving strategies of Ripple Labs. These factors collectively contribute to the ongoing discourse surrounding XRP and its place within the broader altcoin market in 2025.

According to PANews, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Ripple have jointly submitted a motion to suspend their appeal, which has been approved by the court. The SEC is required to provide a status report on the case within 60 days of the order's issuance.

According to ShibDaily, the global interbank network SWIFT is reportedly considering the integration of Ripple's XRP Ledger into its systems, a move that could signify a major advancement in the fusion of blockchain technology with traditional financial systems. Crypto analyst John Squire has highlighted increasing speculation within the digital asset community about a potential announcement from SWIFT. Squire noted that several influential figures have suggested that SWIFT might soon officially announce the incorporation of Ripple's XRP into its international payment framework. The dates April 16 and April 21 are being viewed as potentially pivotal in XRP's history, not due to hype, but because of the context, data, and a narrative that has been developing over the years. Squire pointed out that SWIFT recently released a report discussing the integration of Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT), with Ripple being mentioned. He questioned whether the proximity of these dates is merely coincidental or part of a strategic plan to transition from one phase to another. Ripple has been expanding its presence in traditional finance, highlighted by its $1.25 billion acquisition of the global prime brokerage platform Hidden Road and the introduction of its stablecoin, RLUSD. These developments have fueled speculation about a potential partnership with SWIFT, as Ripple's role in connecting blockchain technology with established financial systems continues to grow. This speculation follows a significant legal development for Ripple. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has indicated its intention to dismiss the remaining claims in its long-standing lawsuit against Ripple. This case, which began in 2020, focused on whether the sale of XRP was an unregistered securities offering. The potential resolution of this legal battle marks a crucial turning point for Ripple, which had been overshadowed by the lawsuit. With the SEC stepping back, Ripple is regaining momentum, and the timing of this legal breakthrough alongside renewed partnership rumors is generating optimism among industry observers. There is hope that Ripple may finally achieve the regulatory clarity needed to secure major collaborations, possibly even with established entities like SWIFT.

According to Odaily, XRP has formed a 'rising wedge' pattern on its technical chart, indicating that the recent rally to $1.60 may have concluded, with sellers regaining control of the market. This pattern, characterized by converging highs and lows, typically signals a weakening upward momentum. If the price falls below the lower boundary, it could lead to further declines. Currently, XRP has dropped below the Ichimoku cloud support, reinforcing the bearish signal. If it fails to surpass the recent high of $2.18, there is a risk of the price retreating to the $1.60 support level.

According to BlockBeats, analysts from the crypto research and data platform Kaiko suggest that superior market liquidity and the recent launch of Teucrium's 2x leveraged product position XRP as a leading asset for the next spot ETF approval by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), following Bitcoin and Ethereum. As the industry anticipates the appointment of crypto-friendly Paul S. Atkins to replace the outgoing SEC Chairman Gary Gensler, who resigned after Senate confirmation last week, several asset management companies, including Bitwise, Grayscale, and VanEck, have submitted more crypto-related ETF applications in recent months. The decision deadlines for these applications are approaching rapidly. Kaiko's data indicates that XRP leads active ETF applications with ten submissions, followed by Solana with five applications, and Litecoin and Dogecoin with three each. XRP boasts the highest average altcoin 1% market depth on major centralized crypto trading platforms, indicating a substantial number of buy and sell orders near the current market price. This contributes to a stable market environment and reduces slippage, making it one of the most liquid assets. Kaiko analysts noted in a Monday report that a highly liquid spot market is crucial for creating efficient structured products, a factor that the previous SEC leadership was particularly sensitive to.

According to Cointelegraph, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and blockchain payments firm Ripple have agreed to pause their appeals in the ongoing legal battle over XRP, indicating a potential move toward a final settlement. The decision to place the appeals in "abeyance" means that the proceedings are temporarily halted as both parties work towards a negotiated resolution of the case. This development was jointly announced in a court filing on April 10, highlighting the intention to conserve judicial and party resources. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse had previously declared the end of the XRP case on March 19, and the recent filing suggests that the SEC is prepared to settle once Paul Atkins, the nominated and approved Chair, takes office. This speculation is supported by community discussions surrounding the case. The filing also nullifies Ripple's April 16 deadline to submit a brief in response to the SEC's January filing. Ripple's defense attorney, James Filan, confirmed in an April 10 post on X that the settlement is pending commission approval, and no brief will be filed on April 16. Legal experts have interpreted the SEC's willingness to pause the proceedings as a sign that the agency might be ready to drop the case once Atkins assumes his role as SEC Chair. The Senate confirmed Atkins as the new SEC chair on April 9, but the exact date of his swearing-in remains uncertain. Historical precedent suggests that Atkins could take office as soon as April 12, following the pattern set by former SEC Chair Gary Gensler, who was sworn in three days after his confirmation in 2021. Cointelegraph reached out to the SEC for comments regarding Atkins' official start date but had not received a response by the time of publication.

According to Odaily, the first U.S. XRP exchange-traded fund, Teucrium 2x Long Daily XRP ETF, has reached a trading volume of $5 million, placing it among the top 5% of newly launched ETFs. This fund aims to deliver twice the daily returns of XRP through swap agreements, using European exchange-traded products as a reference rate. Additionally, Teucrium has disclosed plans to introduce a reverse XRP ETF, allowing investors to profit from declines in XRP prices, contingent upon demand assessment.

According to Foresight News, Teucrium Investment Advisors has introduced the first leveraged ETF tied to the cryptocurrency XRP. Named the Teucrium 2x Long Daily XRP ETF, with the ticker symbol XXRP, it carries an expense ratio of 1.85% and is now listed in the United States. This ETF aims to deliver double the daily returns of XRP and was launched shortly after the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) withdrew its lawsuit against Ripple.

XRP’s once-explosive bull market momentum is fading, with long-term holders and newer investors alike reducing exposure as confidence weakens. After a 600% rally between October 2024 and January 2025, XRP now finds itself at a critical support level, with key metrics flashing warning signs.Retail-Driven Rally Faces Reality CheckXRP surged to a 7-year high earlier this year, riding a wave of optimism fueled by pro-crypto political narratives and legal wins for Ripple. During the rally:Daily active addresses rose by 490%.Realized cap grew from $30.1B to $64.2B, with 62.8% held by new investors (less than six months).Retail traders dominated the influx, betting big on short-term momentum.However, since late February 2025, that narrative has shifted. Capital inflows have stalled, and realized profits have turned to losses, eroding sentiment and risk appetite.“Retail investor confidence in XRP may be slipping,” said Glassnode analysts, citing a steep decline in the realized profit/loss ratio.Whales Are Quietly ExitingOn-chain data shows that over $1 billion in XRP has been offloaded by whale addresses in the past two weeks at an average price of $2.10, signaling strategic exit behavior from large holders. This trend aligns with declining volume and bearish sentiment across altcoins.Will $2 Support Hold?The $2 level has held as support multiple times over the past month, but each retest adds pressure. Analysts warn that if XRP closes below this mark, a deeper correction toward $1.70–$1.80 (200-day moving average) or even $1.07 — as suggested by the broader head-and-shoulders pattern — is on the table.Yet, short-term charts show signs of a potential relief rally:Bullish divergence appears on the 1-hour and 4-hour RSI indicators.A fair value gap between $2.08 and $2.13 could act as a magnet for price action during any oversold bounce, according to Cointelegraph.

According to BlockBeats, Glassnode shared data on social media indicating that XRP has attracted significant interest from retail investors during the current cycle, contrasting with Bitcoin's more institution-driven trajectory. Since the cycle's low point in 2022, active addresses for XRP have surged by 490%, while Bitcoin's active addresses have only increased by 10%. This trend highlights a notable demand for speculative investments among retail investors.

According to PANews, Ripple has unlocked 500 million XRP from its escrow account, valued at approximately $1.02 billion. This transaction was detected by Whale Alert at 15:04 UTC+8. The release of such a significant amount of XRP could have implications for the cryptocurrency market, as Ripple periodically unlocks XRP to manage its supply and support its operations.

According to CoinDesk, the payments-focused cryptocurrency XRP is trading near a crucial support zone around $2, a level that could confirm a significant topping pattern and signal a renewed downtrend. This pattern, known as the head-and-shoulders formation, consists of three peaks, with the middle peak being the highest. The neckline, a horizontal line drawn from the base of these peaks, marks the key demand zone for XRP. Since January, the $1.90-$2 range has served as this demand zone for XRP. A price movement below this range would trigger a breakdown of the head-and-shoulders pattern, indicating a shift from a bullish to a bearish trend. Veteran analyst and trader Peter Brandt suggests that a potential breakdown could see XRP's price nearly halve to $1.07. Chart analysts use the measure move method to identify targets, which involves calculating the distance from the top of the head to the neckline and subtracting that distance from the breakdown point, in this case, $2. On the upside, XRP bulls need to overcome the $3 level, which represents the lower high created in early March. This level is crucial for any potential bullish momentum. As the market navigates the risks associated with tariffs, XRP's price action remains closely watched by traders and analysts alike, with the $2 support level being a pivotal point for future movements.

According to CoinDesk, XRP, the digital token associated with Ripple Labs, is exhibiting signs of a potential breakout as its price chart forms a symmetrical triangle pattern, accompanied by other bullish technical indicators. The token has been consolidating within this pattern, characterized by two converging trend lines that suggest a buildup of momentum. Technical analysis from a well-followed X user indicates that a breakout from this formation could propel XRP toward a short-term target of $6. The symmetrical triangle has been developing over recent weeks, with XRP’s price action tightening as it nears the apex of the triangle. This setup, commonly observed in cryptocurrency markets, often precedes a sharp move, either upward or downward, depending on the direction of the breakout. Fibonacci retracement analysis further supports this outlook, identifying $2.04 as a key support level and $2.2 as a critical resistance. A break above $2.2 could confirm the bullish trend, potentially driving XRP toward the $5 to $8 range in the mid-term. The Elliott Wave framework, which forecasts price movements in five distinct waves based on repeating price patterns, reflects growing optimism in the market. The five-wave pattern indicates increasing investor confidence, while the three-wave correction suggests profit-taking or pessimism. These waves are driven by collective investor psychology and can occur across different timeframes, offering a way to map market behavior. A bullish technical outlook coincides with growing optimism in the crypto market, partly fueled by regulatory developments. The U.S. House is set to hold a crypto hearing on April 9, titled “The Future of American Innovation and Digital Assets: Adjusting U.S. Securities Law for the Digital Age,” with plans to develop a regulatory framework for digital assets. This could increase attention on tokens perceived to be close to the U.S. government, such as XRP and Cardano’s ADA, which were named as part of a potential crypto stockpile by U.S. President Donald Trump earlier in January.

According to Cointelegraph, the XRP market is currently experiencing warning signals as a bearish technical pattern emerges on its weekly chart. This development coincides with macroeconomic pressures stemming from anticipated U.S. tariffs set to take effect in April. The XRP price chart has been forming a descending triangle pattern since its rally in late 2024. This pattern is characterized by a flat support level combined with a downward-sloping resistance line, often seen as a bearish reversal indicator. Typically, this setup resolves when the price breaks below the flat support level, potentially leading to a decline equivalent to the triangle's maximum height. As of March 28, XRP was testing the triangle's support, indicating a possible breakdown move. Should this occur, the price could fall to around $1.32 by April, representing a 40% drop from current levels. This descending triangle target aligns with predictions from veteran trader Peter Brandt, who has warned of a potential decline to as low as $1.07 due to a "textbook" head-and-shoulders pattern forming on the daily chart. Conversely, a rebound from the triangle's support level could push the price toward its upper trendline at approximately $2.55. A breakout above this resistance could invalidate the bearish structures, potentially driving the price to the previous high of $3.35. In the broader market context, caution is increasing in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's 25% tariffs on auto imports, scheduled to be implemented on April 3. These tariffs are expected to lead to higher prices for U.S. manufacturers and consumers. The February 2025 U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) report already indicated a 0.2% month-over-month increase. St. Louis Federal Reserve President Alberto Musalem has estimated that these tariffs could add approximately 1.2 percentage points to inflation, with 0.5 percentage points from direct effects and 0.7 percentage points from indirect effects. The CME FedWatch Tool shows that the probability of the Federal Reserve cutting rates to a target range of 400–425 basis points in June has decreased to 55.7% as of March 28, down from 67.3% a week earlier and 58.4% just one day ago. A delayed rate cut would likely reduce the flow of capital into speculative markets, potentially stalling momentum for XRP and other digital assets that thrive in a low-rate, risk-on environment. This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.

XRP is under pressure once again, falling 4.7% over the past week despite bullish sentiment in broader crypto markets fueled by Bitcoin’s rally to $88,800. The altcoin’s trading volume has also declined by 35%, dropping from $4 billion to $2.6 billion, further signaling weakening momentum after its brief 11% surge on March 19 following the resolution of Ripple’s SEC lawsuit.Head and Shoulders Warning: Could XRP Plunge to $1.07?Veteran trader Peter Brandt issued a stark warning this week, identifying a “textbook” head-and-shoulders (H&S) pattern forming on XRP’s chart. If confirmed, Brandt says the bearish structure could push the token’s price down to $1.07, a potential 55% correction from current levels.“Below $1.90, I would not want to own it. H&S projects to $1.07. Don’t shoot the messenger,” Brandt noted on X.He added that a rally above $3 would invalidate the pattern and restore bullish momentum.Not Everyone Is Bearish: Falling Wedge Breakout in FocusContrary to Brandt’s outlook, crypto trader Javon Marks sees a more optimistic setup. He pointed to XRP’s breakout from a falling wedge pattern, supported by a strengthening Relative Strength Index (RSI)—a combination historically followed by large price increases.“The last breakout resulted in a roughly +570% price increase, and prices could be ready for another substantial surge,” Marks stated.Key Levels: $2.50 Resistance & $1.90 SupportTechnically, XRP has managed to hold above the crucial $1.90 support level, which has acted as a buying zone since November 2024. The altcoin has yet to post a daily close below this threshold, indicating ongoing investor interest.“We need to see clear breaks of the levels I have shown. Just be aware of the next week or two, as the price action will be telling,” said order flow analyst Dom.For bulls, $2.50 remains a critical resistance to reclaim, having served as both support and resistance over the past four months.OutlookXRP’s short-term trajectory remains uncertain as the market digests conflicting technical signals. A drop below $1.90 could open the door for steep losses toward $1.07, while holding this level—especially with a breakout above $2.50—could signal the start of a larger bullish trend.XRP is at a technical crossroads. Traders should watch the $1.90 and $2.50 levels closely, as the next two weeks are likely to determine the altcoin’s direction, according to Cointelegraph.

According to ShibDaily, Ripple Labs has reached a settlement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), concluding a lengthy legal battle that has been closely monitored by the cryptocurrency industry. As part of the settlement, Ripple will pay a $50 million penalty and withdraw its cross-appeal. This resolution is significant in the ongoing regulatory discussions surrounding digital assets. Ripple's Chief Legal Officer, Stuart Alderoty, announced the settlement on social media, marking the end of the legal dispute. The SEC will retain $50 million of the original $125 million penalty, with the remainder returned to Ripple. Alderoty noted that the SEC has agreed to drop its appeal without conditions, and Ripple has reciprocated by dropping its cross-appeal. The agency will also request the court to lift the standard injunction previously imposed at the SEC's request, pending a Commission vote and the drafting of final documents. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse confirmed the SEC's decision to drop its appeal, describing it as a significant victory for Ripple and the broader cryptocurrency sector. The legal battle began in December 2020 when the SEC accused Ripple of conducting an unregistered securities offering through the sale of its XRP token. Ripple countered these claims, arguing that XRP should not be classified as a security and criticizing the SEC's regulatory approach as lacking clarity. Throughout the case, both parties achieved partial victories. In a notable ruling in July 2023, a federal judge determined that XRP was not a security when sold on exchanges to retail investors, although institutional sales of the token did violate securities laws. This decision was viewed as a win for Ripple and the crypto industry, supporting the argument that certain digital assets should not be subject to traditional securities regulations. The settlement with the SEC is expected to have lasting implications for how regulators approach digital assets, potentially shaping the legal framework for cryptocurrencies in the United States.

According to Odaily, Bloomberg analyst James Seyffart has indicated that an XRP ETF could be launched in the coming months, with the possibility of an XRP futures ETF being introduced first. This development follows the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's decision to withdraw its lawsuit against Ripple, increasing the likelihood of XRP ETF approval in 2025. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse, in an interview with Bloomberg TV, revealed that the XRP ETF might be introduced in the latter half of 2025. Currently, there are approximately 11 applications from different companies awaiting approval from the SEC.