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Ripple (XRP) has staged one of the most dramatic comebacks in cryptocurrency history. The digital asset, once considered “dead money” following its SEC lawsuit, is now up 370% year-to-date, trading near $2.85.
This performance outpaces both Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), which have gained 167% and 76% respectively, in 2025.
Ripple vs SEC Clarity Sparks XRP Bull Run
The Ripple vs SEC lawsuit in late 2020 was once seen as an existential threat. XRP’s price collapsed from $0.50 to $0.17, and many U.S. exchanges delisted the token.
That changed in 2024, when Ripple secured a favorable settlement. The court ruled XRP is not a security, ending years of uncertainty.
“This was the turning point,” said Edino Fina, co-founder of Alpha Lions Academy. “Without the regulatory cloud, institutional money felt safe entering XRP. The market re-rated it almost overnight.”
Ripple Institutional adoption fuels momentum
After the legal victory, Ripple made new partnerships, most notably with BNY Mellon, America’s oldest bank. Several firms also disclosed over $1 billion in XRP reserves, a signal of growing institutional confidence.
“The Ripple-BNY Mellon partnership legitimized XRP as more than just a speculative asset,” said crypto strategist Maya Rodriguez. “It positioned XRP as a bridge currency for the banking system.”
Concerns about XRP centralization remain
Despite the surge, critics point out that Ripple still controls around 40% of XRP’s total supply. Some analysts warn that this concentration could put downward pressure on prices if large amounts are sold into the market.
“XRP has always faced skepticism about centralization,” said independent analyst Richard Lee. “That hasn’t gone away. The question is whether adoption can outweigh those concerns.”
XRP Ledger (XRPL) upgrades give XRP a competitive edge
While Bitcoin dominates as “digital gold” and Ethereum leads in smart contracts, XRP has carved out a niche in cross-border payments. Upgrades to the XRP Ledger (XRPL) have cut settlement times to just seconds.
“Speed and efficiency matter,” said influencer Ben Armstrong, known as BitBoy Crypto. “You can’t ignore a blockchain that settles global payments faster than SWIFT.”
This combination of real-world use cases and regulatory clarity has been key to XRP’s rise.
FAQs
Why is XRP’s price rising so fast in 2025?
XRP’s surge is driven by regulatory clarity after its SEC lawsuit ended and new institutional adoption, like its partnership with BNY Mellon, boosting investor confidence.
How does XRP’s performance compare to Bitcoin and Ethereum?
XRP has significantly outperformed both, with a 370% gain in 2025 compared to Bitcoin’s 167% and Ethereum’s 76%, making it a top-performing major crypto asset.
What is the main use case for XRP?
XRP specializes in fast, low-cost cross-border payments, acting as a bridge currency for financial institutions to settle transactions in seconds, much faster than traditional systems.
What are the risks of investing in XRP?
The primary concern is centralization, as Ripple Labs holds a large portion of the supply, which could impact the price if sold on the market despite growing adoption.