Key takeaways:
The two most bullish occasions ever imagined by XRP (XRP) advocates occurred in 2025, however XRP continues to underperform the cryptocurrency market. On March 6, XRP was listed as a candidate for the US’ “Digital Asset Reserve,” and Ripple Labs settled a years-long criticism with the US Securities and Trade Fee on Might 8.
XRP fell 6% within the three months main up to Might 22, whereas general crypto market capitalization rose 10%. Merchants stay longing for a forty five% rally to $3.50, with derivatives metrics signaling rising confidence.
Leverage use ramps up forward of potential spot XRP ETF itemizing
The combination open curiosity on XRP futures on main exchanges jumped to 923 million XRP on Might 22, up 31% from two weeks prior. The $2.2 billion place in futures markets indicators rising curiosity from merchants, however it is not essentially bullish, as these devices will also be used to speculate on the XRP price draw back.
Some merchants argue that the elevated demand for leveraged XRP positions signifies rising institutional curiosity, particularly as multiple issuers filed for a spot XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF) itemizing within the US. Nevertheless, the ultimate resolution by the US SEC needs to be made in October.
Extreme demand for bullish leveraged XRP causes a constructive funding price, which means longs (patrons) are those paying the carry price. As cryptocurrency merchants are usually optimistic, a 7% to 14% annualized funding price is anticipated in impartial markets, whereas durations of FOMO can push the indicator above 50%.
The annualized funding price jumped to 19% on Might 22, nearing the best ranges in six months. Nonetheless, the present optimism stage is nowhere close to the 100% annualized funding price from Dec. 4, 2024, which adopted a powerful 7-day rally to $2.90 from $1.33. Removed from being bearish, the present stage leaves room for bullish positioning on XRP futures markets.
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Favorable regulation opens the door for brand new partnerships and acquisitions
A part of the restricted XRP price upside could be defined by the a number of rejections of US Senator Cynthia Lummis, chair of the Senate Banking Subcommittee on Digital Property, to meet with Ripple representatives. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse asked on Might 19 that the lawmaker “rethink and be a frontrunner for ALL of crypto,” and talk about “how to make the US the crypto capital of the world.”
There is nothing stopping XRP from hitting $3.50 and even greater, as Ripple Labs is now not going through direct threats from regulators, which paves the way in which for partnerships and acquisitions. Traditionally, XRP has reacted very positively following these bulletins, and the $2.2 billion futures open curiosity may assist catapult XRP price above the present $3.25 all-time excessive.
This text is for common info functions and is not supposed to be and shouldn’t be taken as authorized or funding recommendation. The views, ideas, and opinions expressed listed below are the creator’s alone and don’t essentially replicate or symbolize the views and opinions of Cointelegraph.