Ripple's President Monica Long has set the crypto world abuzz with her bold prediction of an imminent $XRP spot ETF approval in the United States. In a recent interview with Bloomberg Crypto, Long shared her optimism about regulatory progress, Ripple's ambitious plans for its RLUSD stablecoin, and the company’s rapid growth in institutional payments.
Here’s a breakdown of the key insights that Ripple's President shared, offering a glimpse into what lies ahead for XRP and RLUSD.
📈 XRP ETF: Approval on the Horizon
The possibility of an $XRP spot ETF has sparked immense excitement within the crypto community. Monica Long expressed confidence that $XRP would follow in the footsteps of Bitcoin and Ethereum, which have already seen regulatory approval for ETFs. She emphasized:
"Imminent Approval": Long believes that the regulatory environment in the U.S. is improving, creating favorable conditions for XRP ETFs to receive the green light soon.
New Filings Underway: Companies like Canary Capital, WisdomTree, and 21Shares have already submitted applications for XRP ETFs. Long expects these submissions to be fast-tracked in 2025 due to the crypto-friendly policies of the new administration.
With the prospect of an XRP ETF on the horizon, Ripple is poised to tap into the growing interest from institutional investors seeking exposure to digital assets.
💳 RLUSD: Expanding the Stablecoin Ecosystem
Ripple is also making significant strides with its RLUSD stablecoin, which launched in December on Ethereum and the XRP Ledger. RLUSD has already achieved a market value of $53 million, and Ripple is actively expanding its distribution across major platforms:
Current Listings: RLUSD is available on Bitso, MoonPay, and CoinMina, with listings on Bullish and MercadoBitcoin expected "imminently."
Chainlink Integration: To enhance RLUSD’s utility in DeFi, Ripple has integrated Chainlink services, paving the way for broader adoption across decentralized finance ecosystems.
Key Role in Payments: Long highlighted stablecoins as the gateway for crypto on-ramps and off-ramps, describing RLUSD as an essential tool for trading and payments.
Ripple’s efforts to grow RLUSD’s footprint align with the increasing institutional demand for stablecoins as a reliable bridge between traditional and digital finance.
💼 Ripple's Payments Business: Exponential Growth
Ripple’s payments business continues to flourish, reflecting robust institutional adoption of its solutions:
Rapid Growth: Ripple’s payments volume quadrupled last year, with significant traction in institutional and corporate transactions.
US Market Milestones: In the last six weeks of 2024, Ripple processed more U.S.-based transactions than it did in the prior six months combined, showcasing the growing demand for its services domestically.
This meteoric rise demonstrates the scalability of Ripple’s technology and its ability to cater to high-volume enterprise needs.
🏛️ Improved Regulatory Climate and Market Sentiment
Ripple’s President attributes the positive momentum in XRP’s price and adoption to shifting regulatory dynamics:
Pro-Crypto Administration: The Trump administration’s crypto-friendly stance has accelerated regulatory processes, fostering optimism for broader ETF approvals.
XRP Price Performance: Since Trump’s victory, XRP has surged nearly 350%, outperforming many other major cryptocurrencies.
Long believes this favorable environment will drive faster approvals for XRP ETFs and further institutional adoption of Ripple’s ecosystem.
🔮 What Lies Ahead for Ripple and XRP?
Ripple’s ambitious roadmap for RLUSD, combined with the anticipated approval of an XRP ETF, positions the company as a dominant force in the crypto space. Here’s what to watch for in 2025:
ETF Approval Timeline: Keep an eye on regulatory updates for XRP ETFs, which could attract significant institutional inflows.
Stablecoin Expansion: RLUSD’s integration into more exchanges and DeFi protocols will likely enhance its adoption and market value.
Institutional Partnerships: Ripple’s growing network of corporate and institutional clients will continue to fuel demand for its payment solutions.
🚀 Conclusion: A Bright Future for Ripple and XRP
Ripple’s continued innovation and strong leadership are paving the way for groundbreaking advancements in crypto finance. With Monica Long’s optimism for XRP ETF approval and the rapid adoption of RLUSD, Ripple is poised to make 2025 a landmark year.
Whether you’re an investor, trader, or crypto enthusiast, Ripple’s developments in ETFs, stablecoins, and payments highlight the transformative potential of blockchain technology in global finance.