In 2024, XRP (XRP) faced one of its most challenging years, underperforming against its top crypto rivals, Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH). Down approximately 15% year-to-date, XRP has struggled, primarily due to its ongoing legal conflict with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). With the Ripple vs. SEC lawsuit dragging on, XRP has been deemed too risky by many investors compared to BTC and ETH. However, potential changes in U.S. regulatory leadership could set XRP up as one of the top crypto bets of 2025.
A significant factor that could influence XRP’s trajectory is the possibility of a new SEC chair if Donald Trump is reelected in the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Trump has indicated he would replace current SEC Chair Gary Gensler with a crypto-friendly leader, potentially someone like SEC Commissioner Mark Uyeda, who has opposed the SEC’s aggressive stance toward crypto under Gensler’s leadership. Many crypto enthusiasts believe that a change in SEC leadership would likely favor Ripple, possibly ending the Ripple vs. SEC battle that has hindered XRP’s growth.
Adding to the optimism, crypto analysts suggest that XRP could experience a strong bull run if the regulatory landscape shifts favorably. Market analysts forecast that a crypto-friendly SEC might expedite the approval of XRP-related exchange-traded funds (ETFs), increasing access for institutional investors and driving new capital into XRP. This influx could create a ripple effect, boosting XRP’s trading volume and price in 2025.
XRP’s technical outlook also supports a potential rally. Since 2017, XRP has traded within a large symmetrical triangle pattern, which has now reached a critical apex. With market sentiment turning bullish under the right conditions, XRP could break out of this long-term pattern, triggering a potential price surge. Technical experts suggest that this breakout could push XRP’s price past its current resistance level, setting $1 as a target in the first half of 2025.
As of November 8, 2024, XRP is trading significantly below its all-time high of around $3.50, set during the 2017 bull run. Currently, it’s down roughly 85% from this peak, which positions it as an undervalued asset compared to overbought tokens like BTC and ETH. A renewed interest in underperforming assets could attract investors to XRP as capital rotates within the crypto market.
Analysts also point out that if XRP breaks the upper boundary of the symmetrical triangle, the price could aim for the 0.618 Fibonacci retracement level around $0.765, which would mark a significant milestone. A sustained move beyond this point could set the stage for XRP to target $1 or higher by the end of 2025, offering a potential 50% increase from its current levels.
Beyond the technical indicators, XRP’s fundamentals could further benefit if a revamped SEC removes regulatory barriers. Market sentiment would likely improve with clearer regulations, driving more institutional interest in XRP. As more ETFs and related products become available, XRP could see a rise in demand, making it an attractive investment option in a diversified crypto portfolio.
XRP’s status as one of the only major tokens yet to retest its all-time high makes it a potential underdog pick for 2025. Should Trump’s administration bring a more lenient SEC policy toward crypto, the Ripple case may conclude in favor of XRP. Such a resolution could be a catalyst for an XRP rally, especially as more investors look for altcoin opportunities outside the typical BTC and ETH domains.
With a possible technical breakout, regulatory shifts, and an undervalued position, XRP could emerge as one of the best-performing assets in the cryptocurrency market by 2025. While the outlook remains speculative, market indicators and changing political dynamics suggest that XRP could be on the cusp of a significant comeback.